Secondly to be perhaps witnesses and give evidence against the ungodly of many secret sinnes sure wee are they attend our Congregations 1 Cor. 11. 10. and why not in our private chambers Thirdly to be instruments of Gods vengeance on the wicked Mat. 13. 41 42. the reapers shall gather the tares and cast them into unquenchable fire So of the third 4. Their service and Ministry shall notably serve for the comfort and salvation of the Saints in that day for first they shall with admirable expedition gather the Saints out of their graves from all the foure windes and bring them into the presence of Christ secondly as they attended them in their humilitie so now shall their service be exceeding comfortable in that day never was Hagar so comforted by an Angell in her distresse when hee refreshed her with water as they shall be by the Angels in this day of refreshing for 1. These Angels which had carried their soules into heaven as Lazarus Luke 16. shall now bring their bodies out of the earth As the Angell loosed Peters chaines and brought him out of prison Act. 12. so now shall not one living body as his but all the dead bodies of the Saints bee brought out of their prisons and set into perfect freedome All stones shall bee rolled away and all chaines of corruption broken asunder 2. When all elements shall bee dissolved and set on â—ire the Angels shall helpe and hide them that the fire shall not hurt them that looke as the three servants of GOD walked in the midst of the fire and had no hurt onely their chaines were loosed because God sent his Angell among them Dan. 3. 25. so here all the godly shall bee safe in that fire which shall drive the wicked to desperation not able to stand before those terrible burnings And that fire shall resemble the waters of the red sea which was a wall to Israel but a well and pit to drowne Egypt Yea and as that fire of Nebuchadnezzar that sheltred Gods servants from the Tyrant but licked up and devoured the enemie 3. Whereas Satan at that day being at his last most desperate assault shall bee most raging against the Saints they shall stop the mouth of this raging Lion as once they did for Daniel and by their power quell the forces of the divell And their very multitude shall afford this comfort that there shall appeare infinite more with us than against us 2. King 6. 16. 4. As they shall bind the tares to cast them into the fire so shall they carry the wheat into the garner and so appeare glorious ministring spirits for the good of the heires of salvation Hebr. 1. 14. Thus the office and ministrie of the Angels shall marvellously set out the glory of Christ promote the worke of the great day bee serviceable for the finall ruine of all enemies and happily advance the comfort and salvation of the Saints in these particulars But I read not in the Scripture a word of those childish and ridiculous conceits of Petrus Thyreus a Jesuite who in the description of Christs glorious appearing appoints some Angels to beare up the cloud and hold up the seat of the Judge and some to beare the crosse before him others the crown of thornes others the nailes others the speare and other instruments of his passion Which he hath gravely confirmed because hee hath seene these things finely artificially painted upon tables Sound proofes of Jesuites when they want grounds from Prophets and Apostles they can supply them out of Poets and Painters to both whom was ever granted equall leave to devise what they listed But how can the Angels come with Christ seeing they are no bodily substances in their nature being without magnitude figure or sense and seeing they occupie no place how can they move locally from heaven into the aâ—re and into the earth Ans. The Angels being creatures though they fill occupie no place yet must needs be definitively in some place now in one and then in another and sometime locally ascend and locally descend after a manner unknown to us Hence in Jacobs ladder the Angels are said to ascend and descend and not onely in vision but actually Luk. 1. 26. Gabriel was sent from GOD to a Citie in Galilee So our soules are spirituall substances and yet they locally ascend to heaven and at the resurrection descend from heaven to be united to their bodies In like sort the Angels are described to be of most quicke motion and for their celeritie and swiftnesse are compared to the windes and have wings ascribed to them as flying with most swift motion about their Lords commands And so must it needs bee for 1. Their motion is without all resistance of bodily substances no body can resist an unbodily substance and all resistance is betweene bodies 2. Being without resistance their motions are without all labour or wearinesse they are restlesse in their motion 3. It must be most speedy because by no meanes hindred so as in a short time above that wee can perceive they can move betweene heaven and earth I say not in a moment for Angels cannot locally move betweene extremes as from heaven to earth but by passing the meane which is to be done in time though very short Thus wee conclude that the spiritual nature of Angels though it occupie and fill no place as bodies doe nor hath any circumscriptive place assigned them as they and though by their motion in place they neither expell nor move any body out of place yet are they moved locally and shall descend with Christ to judgement and quickly expedite all things belonging to it by their Ministrie Observe hence a difference betweene Christs first and second comming For first hee comes now with another manner of traine than hee had following him upon earth Then he had twelve poore fishermen despised persons following him for his Kingdome was not of this world but now his traine are all the Angels of heaven Secondly hee was then to shew himself the son of man and in the form of a servant but now hee will shew himselfe the Sonne of God and the Lord of glory Thirdly he was then to preach righteousnesse and to suffer for sin but now he is to judge righteously and to revenge sin Fourthly he was ever the Lord of the holy Angels and therefore in his temptations and agonie they were readie to comfort him and when hee was at the weakest hee was of power to command many legions of them but that was not the time to shew forth his Majestie by their attendance as this appearing is Fiftly those Angels which ministred unto him in his incarnation and birth in his life and death were Angels of grace Preachers to shepheards Disciples women and others appearing sometimes by one or two to one or two persons But these are Angels
thou seest iniquitie in the place of judgement then thinke in thy heart that God will judge the just and the wicked and cap. 5. 7. If in a country thou seest the oppression of the poore and defrauding of judgement bee not astonied for he that is higher than the highest regardeth and there be higher than they Now bee patient and appeale to this day from all unjust sentences as John Hus Jerome of Prague c. so did Zachariah 2 Chron. 24. 22. The Lord looke on it and require it Fourthly this must teach us sinceritie and truth in all our wayes before God and men seeing this judgement is not according to outward appearance but according to the truth then shall all showes and powerlesse forms of godlinesse bee blowne off as leaves in Autumne by violent windes and thou shalt bee layd open as thou art and not as thou seemest thou mayest now be as Ananias among beleevers and as Judas among the twelve and carry it smooth away but this day will set thee among hypocrites and thou shalt stand among thy fellowes Then shall the hope of the hypocrite perish and onely soundnesse of heart shall abide this exact triall It must bee gold that must abide the fire of this day and not a gilded hypocrite Fiftly this must teach us watchfulnesse in all our wayes and see they bee righteous Eccles 12. 13. Feare God and keepe his Commandements for God will bring every worke into judgement feare God in his presence power and justice do nothing in secret which thou wouldest not have preached on the house-top And keepe his Commandements for whatsoever is not answerable to some commandement this judgment must condemne and disprove whatsoever the word now alloweth it will then justifie and then will condemne whatsoever it now condemneth Judge thy selfe afore-hand and put thy selfe upon the tryall 1. Of the word how will those words and actions abide that tryall which now it passeth sentence against 2. Of thine own conscience if now thy conscience have a voice against thee but thou wilt choake and stiâ—le it yet it shall bee heard at this day 3. Of thy experience if any action now bring guiltinesse feare shame or heavinesse what else shall it bring then when it shall set before the Judge thy oppressions cruelties usuries wrongs oathes revenges filthinesse drunkennesse contempt of the word of grace the day and meanes of grace and shall doe God good service in bringing backe all old reckonings not reckoned for by Christ 4. Of thine owne present apprehension of that day if now the mention of this day make thee out of guiltines to tremble what shall the day it selfe doe Sixthly out of this doctrine a man may gather evidence of his future estate whether he shall speed well in the last judgement For as the tree leaneth so it is likely to fall and as it falleth so it lyeth But to helpe this inquisition the Scriptures afford us some notes of triall 1. That in Gal. 6. 7. What a man sowes that shall hee reape Sowest thou cockle and wouldest thou reape corne sowest thou to the flesh and expectest to reape any thing but corruption To sow to the flesh is to live according to the lusts of the flesh and command of lusts as to sow to the Spirit is to live aftet the motions of the Spirit Thou art in GODS field either wheat or chaffe and the reapers of this great harvest shall gather the wheate into the garner but the chaffe shall be cast into unquenchable fire 2. Another note is in 2 Thess. 1. 8. in flaming fire rendring vengeance to them that know not God and obey not the Gospell All ignorant and disobedient persons that love not the knowledge of God nor obedience to the Gospell may now read their doome in that judgement nothing but timely repentance preventeth it 3. Another note is in 2 Thess. 1. 6. It is a righteous thing with God to trouble them that trouble you It shall then goe hard with those evill servants that beate their fellow-servants that revile Christ in his members or disgrace the profession of godlinesse whereas they shall finde it had beene their happinesse to have fed clothed comforted and honoured Christ in his members Mat. 25. 45. 4. Another note is in the parablâ— of the talents Mat. 25. 30. the faithfull servant having received talents used them and gained as many more was made ruler over much but the evill and sloathfull servant that hid his Masters talent and employed it not for his Masters advantage was taken and cast into everlasting darknesse What shall be their hope that are so farre from employing their talents that they declaime against them that doe and molest them for so doing Woe to such Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites that neither enter themselves nor suffer others but shut up the Kingdome of heaven before men Mat. 23. 13. What is the sound preaching of the Gospell but the key of the Kingdome given into the hand of Pastors to open the doore of heaven to beleevers Where then shall such Pharisees stand who not onely hinder others by their wicked example but wrest the key out of the Pastors hands and so bolt up the Kingdome of heaven that people should not enter Who sees not halfe the sentence executed on many such already even their talent already taken away and the other halfe remaines the taking away of the man himselfe the binding of him and casting him into the fire as a bundle good for nothing but for fewell of the fire of hell 5. The Apostle in Rom. 2. 7. gives other two certaine notes of him that shall speed well in judgement 1. Hee seekes glory that is by faith and repentance he seekes the kingdome 2. Hee perseveres in good and stands out to victory for good fruits from a sound roote abide and good works flowing from sound faith are not vanishing When those that are contentious against the truth and given up to unrighteousnesse shall meete with tribulation woe and anguish then shall these attaine glory and immortalitie Vers. 28. Verily I say unto you there bee some of you that stand here that shall not taste of death untill they have seene the sonne of man come in his Kingdome IN these words our Saviour partly to mitigate the former doctrine concerning self-deniall bearing the crosse and suffering for Christ partly to confirme what he had said concerning his glorious comming to judgment and partly to support and comfort his Disciples who by reason of his base and low estate could see nothing lesse than the great glory that hee speaketh of doth now make a gratious promise that although hee was now in an abject condition and after a while was to bee more humble and abased even to the death the shamefull death of the crosse and to be laid up a while in the house of death yet ere long hee should manifest his glory
and though his greatest glory should bee deferred till the last judgement yet would he before that time shine out in brightnesse and glory to the whole world And whereas they as his nearest and most faithfull servants might earnestly desire to see him their loving Master thus exalted and grieve that it should bee so long deferred as that they might be worne out of the earth before that time hee meetes them in their desire and tels them it is not so farre off but some of them should behold it before their death For the meaning Amen or verily a forme of speech or asseveration which Christ the true and faithfull witnesse often used to avouch the truth and he that saith here Amen is called Amen Rev. 3. 14. these things saith the Amen to shew that whatsoever hee saith is yea and amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. that is most firme certaine and constant I say unto you Our Lord propoundeth his doctrine in his owne name that hee may bee knowne the chiefe Doctor of his Church even that Doctor of the Chaire whose voyce alone must be heard of Pastors and people Thus did none of the Prophets but onely verbum Domini the word of the Lord none of the Apostles but delivered what they had heard and seen 1 Joh. 1. 1. and what they had received of the Lord 1 Cor. 11. 23. Nor none of the Pastors of the Church but as good Stewards they dispensed their Masters allowance And further this being a prophecie uttered in this forme hee showes himselfe the chiefe Prophet of the Church prophecied of by Moses Deut. 18. 18. like unto Moses Act. 3. 21. and like him in 5. things 1. As the truth hath a likenesse with the shadow the mediation of Moses betweene God and his people being a shadow of Christs mediation 2. Like him in respect of divine calling to his office 3. In respect of his faithfulnesse in his calling being faithfull in all the house of God as the Sonne Moses as a servant 4. Like him in his authoritie he being appointed to teach us all things we to heare him in all things 5. In the event or sanction whosoever will not heare him must dye the death But superior to Moses as being the Lord of the holy prophets as being God the seer of things properly and à priori as being faithfull in the house as the Sonne as onely able to say I say unto you preaching in his own name which none but the head of the Church can doe and none but hee that hath power in the heart and conscience Some that stand here shall not taste of death This is an Hebrew phrase not to taste of death is not to die but alluding to the cause of death which was tasting of the forbidden fruit this was the first tasting of death So in Joh. 8. 51. He that keepeth my word shall not see death and Heb. 2. 9. Christ tasted death for all the Elect. Till they see the sonne of man come in his Kingdome Here is some difference and difficultie in the interpretation 1. Some referre it to the last judgement of which Christ had spoken immediately before and erroneously conceive that Christ meant of John who they thought should not die till Christ came againe to the last judgement And no marvell though sundry have beene over-carried in this error seeing the Disciples themselves till the sending of the Spirit to lead them into all truth were wrapped in it But this is sufficiently confuted in the Text Joh. 21. 23. 2. Others both ancient and new writers as Hilary Bullinger Chytreus and Piscator understand it of Christs Transfiguration which immediately followed as if hee had said Some of you as Peter James and John shall shortly see mee so farre as you can comprehend in that forme and habit wherein I will thus come to judgement as sixe daies after they saw him on mount Tabor in great glory But first the speech yee shall see it before your death seemes to carrie it to something beyond the compasse of so few dayes Secondly wee doe no where reade that the transfiguration is called the comming of Christ in his Kingdome Thirdly in so short a time none of the disciples were to taste of death Therefore 3. We shall best finde out the sense by enquiring What is meant here by the Kingdome What is meant by the comming of this Kingdome and Seeing the best interpretation of a prediction is the accomplishment we shall enquire how some of the Disciples did see the comming of this Kingdome before they tasted of death For the first the Kingdome of God is twofold Generall and Speciall The former is called the Kingdome of power whereby the Lord powerfully governeth the whole world and every particular to the very sparrows and the haires of our head unto which kingdome of power all creatures men and Angels yea devils themselves are subject The speciall Kingdome of God is his gracious rule and governement over his Elect called the Kingdome of Christ because he is the head of it and the Kingdome of heaven because it tends directly thither and the Kingdome of the Sonne of man Of this Kingdome are two degrees of grace of glory The difference of these two is 1. In time the former is begun on earth the latter is consummate in heaven 2. In manner of government the former is governed mediatly by his servants and ministers the latter immediatly by himselfe when he is all in all 3. In the manner of subjection the former in the militant estate is environed by enemies and assailants the latter is triumphant in perfect rest and peace without all assault Quest. Of whether of these doth our text meane Answ. Our Saviour here speaketh of the former Kingdome of grace here in this world which is an estate wherein men are brought to be subjects to Christ in this life being enlightned guided and effectually moved to beleeve the promises of salvation and obey the will and lawes qf God For it is a comming into the kingdome before the disciples decease For the second what is meant by the comming of this Kingdome Answ. The comming of the Kingdome is nothing else but the erecting of it by the powerfull means of it in the hearts of men where it is not begun and a continuance of it with much successe and increase where it is begun being all one with that petition Thy Kingdome come And thus many Interpreters Calvin Beza Bucer Tossanus fitly applie it to the power and efficacie of the Gospel by which the Kingdome of Christ was farre and wide with great power propagated after the time of Christs Ascension but yet in the dayes of some of the Apostles And to this interpretation the change of the phrase Mark 9. 1. giveth light some that are here shall not taste of death till they have seene the Kingdome of God come with power Now
what else is it to see the Kingdome of God come with power than to see the enlargement and increase of the Kingdome of God by the prevailing of the Gospell bringing in men to the obedience of faith whence Rom. 1. 16. the Gospell is called the power of God to salvation But thirdly let us looke into the accomplishment of this prophecie which will notably enlighten the true meaning because wee shall here see Christ now ascended mightily declaring himselfe the King of his Church and that hee was not only exalted unto the right hand of God but that even in the dayes of some of the Apostles he came in the mighty power of his kingdome of grace As appeared 1. In the emission of his Apostles Christ immediatly before his Ascension did call and send out his Apostles with speciall promise of his presence in their Ministerie to the end of the world Mat. 28. 18. Goe and reach all nations their commission was to make Disciples every where This great worke the Apostle magnifieth Eph. 4. 11. When hee ascended hee gave gifts to men some to be Apostles c. for the gathering of the Saints for the worke of the Ministerie and the edification of the body of Christ. This was one most powerfull means for propagating his kingdom which was herein seene gloriously to come out through the world 2. In the descending of the holy Ghost fiftie dayes after his Ascension upon the Apostles when the Spirit promised came rushing upon them as a mighty winde and filled all the house whereupon forthwith they preached the Word of the Gospell to every nation under heaven at Jerusalem in their owne tongue Act. 2. 2. which was a fruit of his Ascension and Exaltation v. 33. and a comming in his kingdome with power 3. In the Apostolicall gifts we may see how powerfully the Sonne of man came in his Kingdome in their dayes as the gift of knowledge in deepe mysteries of the Kingdome without studie the gift of prophecie the gift of miracles of healing by imposition of hands of casting out devils of raising the dead and the like for confirmation of their doctrine the gift of tongues and of immunitie from errour in teaching or writing the gift of the Apostolicall rod in smiting offendors as Paul did Elymas with blindenesse and Peter Ananias Sapphira with suddaine death Which peculiar gifts were promised and given them that by the admirable use and power of them the Sonne of man should come gloriously in his Kingdome and the Church more and more confirmed in the faith and more allured in the beginning and cradle of it to the love of Christ and his truth who a little before was so hated and despised 4. In the Apostolicall diligence which was wonderfull and all to this end that the Sonne of man might come gloriously in this his Kingdome The travells of Paul alone were such as hee carried the word of the Kingdome and set up Christ as a King unto a third part of the knowne world Rom. 15. 19. 20. Yea in his time hee sheweth that the Gospell was preached not at Colossus onely as Col. 1. 16. but by the diligence of the Apostles it was fruitfull in all the world v. 23. How instant were they in preaching writing disputing and suffering and all to set up the Son of man glorious in his kingdome 5. In the successe of the Apostles in their Ministerie which if we consider wee shall see the truth of Christs speech that they did more in the means of conversion of men than himselfe did Act. 2. at one Sermon of Peters three thousand were converted this was the first famous draught of this fisher of men by which three thousand subjects were added to Christs Kingdome in one day here came the Sonne of man gloriously in his Kingdome And what wonderfull increase it took in all quarters all the Epistles of the Apostles do witnesse especially twenty yeares after Christs Ascension in which times howsoever some of the Apostles were extinct as James slaine with the sword by Herod Ast. 12. yet some other of the Apostles and of others who heard Christ speake these words were living witnesse that Synod of the Apostles which was fifteene yeares after Christs Ascension at Jerusalem wherein James sonne of Alphens was President which sheweth both the flourishing estate of the Church at that time and that many of the Apostles were then living and so this prophecie of Christ was accomplished But 6. Fortie yeares after Christs Ascension when all the Jewish â—orship and ceremonies together with the Temple were so â—olished and destroyed as one â—one was not left upon another â—e whole house and all the utenâ—ls and shadowes were burnt with fire so as none of them â—ould longer stand up against Christ the truth and substance of them Then was the sonne of man let into his kingdome most â—erspicuously all vaâ—les were â—ow rent all shadowes vanished â—ll partitions broken downe and Christ with open face triumâ—hantly conquering and prevaiâ—ing in the world And this Johnâ—he â—he Evangelist saw who dyed in the 101. yeare after Christ about â—0 yeares after the destruction of the Temple as Chronologers have collected Object Christ was come in his Kingdome before so John Baptist preached Repent for the kingdome of God is at hand and Christ himselfe said in Matt. 12. If I by the Spirit of God cast out divels then is the kingdome of God come unto you Answ. True it is the sonne of man was come in his kingdome before 1. in the beginnings of it 2. to Judea 3. in a dim obscure light in comparison But now it is come in the power of it and to all the world even in the Apostles time whereof our Saviour here speaketh Wee might adde hereto the writing of the Evangelists Matthew who wrote his Gospell eight yeares after Christ Marke ten Luke fifteene and John forty two wherein Christ came in his Kingdome apparently to all the world in all the Churches of the New Testament Yea this last of the Apostles John saw Christs comming in his Kingdome most gloriously in the undaunted confession of his Name by many thousand Christians that gave their lives for the testimonie of his truth For hee lived to see three of those bloodie persecutions of Roman Emperours as of Nero under whom Peter Paul suffered of Domitian under whom himselfe was banished into the Isle Pathmos where hee wrote his Revelation and of Trajan under whom were many thousand Christians drawne to death daily as Plinie the second testifieth writing in their behalfe to Trajan the Emperour in whose dayes John wrote his Gospell and dyed the 10â— yeare of his owne age All which hath notably cleared the sense of our Saviours prediction Now followes the observation Where the Word of God is most powerfully preached and most cheerefully obeyed there Christ commeth most gloriously in his kingdome The whole 110. Psalme
is a prophecie of Christs Kingdome who is appointed to rule in the middest of his enemies 1. The place or countrie over which he is King is Sion v. 2. that is the Church of God figured by Sion at that time 2. His government over his Church is called a Kingdome for the similitude it hath with earthly Kingdomes and in all wee shall see the comming of Christs kingdome to bee by the powerfull preaching and obeying of the Gospell 1. Earthly Kings have royall titles and stiles of honour So for the name and title of this King hee is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 13. Even that eternall Word Joh. 1. 1. which was before all beginning but now incarnate And he is called faithfull and true vers 11. not onely faithfull in defence of his subjects but true in his promises and retributions of reward to those that valiantly fight his battels 2. Other Kings have subjects and here must be subjects which heare his voice and follow him Joh. 10. 28. called a willing people Ps. 110. 3. Elect and drawne of the Father all gathered by the word and voice of Christ and of unwilling made a willing people because his redeemed ones both by price and power 3. Other Kings have their lawes and statutes for the government of their subjects The lawes of this King are the lawes of heaven the Charter of heaven the Word of God in the two Testaments the law of entire nature renewed in the former and the law of faith revealed in the latter It is hence called the word of the Kingdome Matth. 13. 19. because his Kingdome is erected and preserved by it And these lawes are bounded with rewards to the Observers and penalties to the transgressours all these being comprehended in the promises and threats of the word 4. Other Kings ride in great state and glory both to make and execute lawes as also in their just warres for the defence of their right and subjects and just revenge of wrong-doers So this King rideth upon a white horse and every where triumpheth by his truth being faithfull and true fighting and judging righteously Rev. 19. 11. and Psal. 45. 4. Prosper with thy glory ride upon the word of truth and meekenes And how gloriously he rode on upon his word through all the world after his Ascension wee have shewed 5. Other Kings have their crownes sword and scepter but with much difference from this King 1. He hath many crownes upon his head whereas other Princes seldome have above one to note the many victories which according to the word and by the word hee hath obtained against Satan sin death hell for himselfe and his subjects 2. His sword is the sword of the Spirit the Word of God which he holds not in his hand as other Princes but in his mouth Rev. 1. 16. Out of his mouth went a two edged sword Esa. 11. 4. Hee shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips slay the wicked where the rod of his mouth and breath of his lips are all one namely his word by which sword hee subdued three thousand at one Sermon 3. His scepter is that rod of his power which he sends out of Sion that is his word as is expounded Esa. 2. 3. The law shall goe out of Sion and the Word of God out of Jerusalem But other Princes hold their scepter in their hand hee in his mouth 6. Other Kings have their guard and armie to attend them So hath he those who know the time and place of their attendance Psal. 110. 3. Thy people shall come willingly at the time of assembling thine army in holy beautie whereby wee know who they be that waite on Christ as his servants namely those that waite at the time and place of holy assemblies called his holy beautie these have free accesse unto him in his presence-chamber and follow him into their owne hearts where hee is present by his Spirit to guide and comfort them By all this plainely appeareth that where the Word is preached and obeyed the Lord Jesus commeth in glory and in his Kingdome His name is the Word of God his subjects gathered by the word his lawes the word of the kingdome his white horse on which hee rideth in triumph is the word of truth his crownes are put and held on his head by the word his scepter the rod of his mouth his sword the two edged sword going out of his mouth his attendants and guard waiting on him in the place of holy beautie Which serves to convince all the enemies of the truth as rebels to the Kingdome of Christ the greatest enemies and rebels hee hath are the hinderers of his word and ordinances let their pretences be what they will and manifestly are they discovered to be hypocrites who will say every day Thy Kingdome come and yet by all their power hinder the passage and power of the Gospel nothing is such a 〈…〉 ion to them nothing is such burden to the place where they live as Christs comming powerfully in his Kingdome themselves will not enter nor yet suffer such as would enter into the Kingdome And the like of our wilfull Recusants and such as refuse to heare the word preached which is the Proclamation of this great king investing him into his kingdome Were not he a disloyall subject that would wilfully denie his presence at the Proclamation whereby the king is proclaimed the lawfull heire and successour into his kingdome And will not the Lord Jesus reckon him an enemie that refuseth to be present while he is by publike preaching and proclamation set into his Kingdome as the Lord of his Church hath Christ any place in his heart that cannot abide to heare he should be set in his lawfull inheritance Oh that all these either secret or professed enemies of Christ would seasonably consider what a fearefull thing it is to enter into combination against Christs Kingdome and government 1. Hath his Father established him on his Throne and set his King on Sion and will the rebels displace him will they wrong and resist him whom the Lord hath set up will they pull his crowne from his head dethrone him from his government wrest the sword out of his hand breake his scepter in pieces violate his lawes and thinke to prosper in their high treasons and in taking up armes against the Lord 2. Looke on the dangerous issue and estate of enemies Luk. 19. 27. Those mine enemies that will not I should raigne over them bring them hither that I may destroy them Wilt thou not stoupe to the rod of his mouth his rod of iron is readie in his hand to breake thee to pieces as 〈◊〉 potters vessel Psalme 2. 9. On the other side it must bee the greatest comfort of a godly man when Christ comes most powerfully in his Kingdome so our Lord
given why numbers of Christians fall off from the profession or obedience of the Gospell but that they never learned well and throughly these Principles of Christian Practice to denie themselves to take up their crosse to follow Christ to looke to the welfare of their soules howsoever to provide for the day of their accounts to run and strive lawfully to depend on God by prayer for direction and blessing and to save themselves from this untoward generation of Epicures and worldlings If these grounds had beene well laid they had never left off building so shamefully as now have done nor had their house come tumbling upon their heads but that their foundation was laid in the sands Others there are that abuse good Principles as concerning the infinite mercie of God and merit of Christ or settle upon false and insufficient Principles outward prosperitie deliverance out of trouble and danger example of the multitude rulers preachers and the like thereby bolstering up themselves either in grosse prosaneness or a refined Atheisme till their soules be utterly lost unlesse the mercie and grace of God doe greatly prevent them They are thrice happie who are thus prevented It is the Lord only who gives us both a Saviour and the knowledge of salvation and wisedome to attend our Principles aright hee doth it for us and must therefore have all the glory To his grace and mercie I commend you both my much respected Friends intreating your acceptance of this small present and pardon for this large Preface The Lord often renew your yeares upon you with all heavenly and earthly blessings and peace upon Sion So prayeth Isleworth Dec. 20. 1634. Your Wo remembrancer with God WILLIAM JEMMAT THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOKE The Institution of a Christian man in twelve heads of Doctrine 1 THe doctrine of selfe-deniall out of Mat. 16. 24. Wherein is shewed who are Christs Disciples pag. 6 What things selfe-denyall comprehends pag. 15 The difficultie of this dutie 18 The necessitie of denying ourselves 21 Mischiefes of not beginning in this dutie 25 Helps to further us therein 29 Motives to deny our selves 35 Notes of one that denies himselfe 39 2. The doctrine of takin up the Crosse out of the same verse Where is shewed What the Crosse is 46 Why called the Crosse. 47 What it is to take it up 48 Why take it up daily 52 That every Christian hath his Crosse. ibid That we must both beare take up the crosse 61 Meanes to be willing so to doe 70 3. The doctrine of following Christ Ow of the same verse Where is shewed In what we must follow Christ. 75 Instances of Christs pietie and charitie 77 Dâ—e fr the brethren as Christ did 85 How Christ can and must be followed 87 Motives to follow him 9â— Danger of not following him 93 Safetie of following him 96 4. The doctrine of life temporall and eternall Verse 25. Whosoever will save his life c. Where is shewed How a life is saved and lost 101 Who lose their lives for Christs sake 104 Who may not flie in persecution who may 107 Christians must take their lives in their hands for Christ. 115 Objections answered 121 Practices and Meditations preparing for Martyrdome 126 5. The worlds worthlesnesse in respect of a soule Verse 26. What shall it profit a man c. Where is shewed What the world and winning of it is 139 That wee must preach well for matter and manner 142 That in weightie matters wee must use speciall vehemencie 147 That we are naturally addicted to the world 149 Where is treated of covetousnesse 151 There is danger by earthly gaine to lose the soule 154 How this commeth to passe 155 Damnable to seeke the world out of order or measure 161 How to avoid the danger of earthly gaine 166 That many lose their soules for the world and who they be 169 Signes of Christ undervalued for the world 171 Speeches of the world how to be limited 173 Lawfull callings abused callings unlawfull 176 How wealth casts men back in the way of salvation 178 No cleare gaine nor thriving in an evill way 180 Further thy salvation by wealth motives and how 182 What friends are to bee made by unrighteous Mammon 184 Riches unprofitable how in what respects 190 That the soule is a most pretious thing 198 Evils that hurt it to be avoided 202 A great worke to save soules 205 No helpe for a soule once lost 210 The estate of a lost soule what 211 What makes a lost soule irrecoverable 214 All unable to recover a lost soule how and why 217 What goes to the ransome of a soule 219 Uses of that doctrine 221 6. The last judgement Verse 27. For the Sonne of man shall come c. Wherein is shewed how Christ is called the sonne of man 228 Christ content with meane â—â—les 235. so should we too 237 Christ comes from heaven whither when 241 The time unknowne for sixe reasons 248 Opinions about it 249 Meet Christ comming to judgement how 256 Of Christs glory in that day of person office 258 Preparation and execution glorious 264 Divers sorts of evidences 266 Waite and wish for the appearance of this glory 278 Prepare for it and how 280 Angels number relation office comming with Christ. 287 The end of Christs comming 314 Good works not meritorious as evill are why 321 Why workes are the rule of judgment 322 Whether the Law or Gospell bee the rule of judging 324 The last judgement glorious and righteous 327 Live well and fare well in judgement 331 Be patient in all confusion and injustice 334 Be sincere in matter of religion 335 Watch and judge thy selfe before-hand 336 How to know what will become of us in the day of judgement 338 7. The Kingdome of grace verse 28â— Verily I say unto you There be some standing here c. Wherein is shewed Christs comming in his Kingdome what 342. 343. Opinions 346 Christs Kingdome and how it comes 348 Kingdome of God generall and speciall 〈◊〉 How the Kingdome of Christ comes 350 Of the accomplishment hereof 351 Christs Kingdome enlarged in the Gospell 352 Evidences of Christs Kingdome enlaâ—ged ibid. Of the times when the Gospels were written 358 Preaching and obeying the word advances Christs Kingdome 360 Christ like to Kings and superiour to them 361 Eminence of Christ above other Kings 362 Enemies of the word enemies of Christ. 365 Rejoyce in the thriving of the Gospell 368 Helpe Christ into his Throne 379 How Christs Kingdome is erected and maintained within us 372 Defend Christs right and be loyall 374 Motives to be loyall to Christ. 376 8. The Christian Race 1 Cor. 9. 24. So run that you may obtaine Where â—s shewed The similitude and reason of it 350 That every Christian must run 354 Our life in five respects is a race 355 Reasons why we must run this race 357 Even our whole life and not at the end only 359 Who conceit not aright of
Christian profession 361 Motives to run as we ought 362 Direct ons thereunto and preparation 364 Hinderances to be removed 365 Helpes in running the Christian race 367 Conditions of running aright five 369 The right marke we must run at 370 The right way in which we must run 371 The right foot wherewith we must run 373 The right motion humble cheerefull constant 374 The right end of running twofold 379 The reward of running no merit 382 How to runne and obtaine 384 Looke not backe 386 Respect the way and not by-matters 387 Renew strength continually and how 390 Encouragements thus to run 393 Excellency and eternity of this goale 39â— 9 The divine Teacher and Scholler Psal. 119. 33. Teach me O Lord the way c. Where is sheâ—ed The Prophets holy prayer and vow 399 What the Statutes are and why Statutes 400 Why called the Statutes of God 402 Their eminency above other Statutes 404 The metaphor of a way and singularity 406 God teacheth foure things above all teaching of man 411 A good heart still desires to be taught 414 That all true knowledge is from God 416 What this knowledge hath above natures reach 418 In the meanes repaire unto God 421 Ministers must pray for themselves their people 423 That sound knowledge is ever humble and why 424 Defect of knowledge whence 425 Knowledge of good men and others how it differs 431 Good men are ever dâ—strous of more holy knowledge 435 What fearefull effects ignorance hath 436 Benefits of knowledge within without us 439 Motives to get heavenly knowledge 44â— How unseemly ignorance is 444 Knowledge delightfull to mans understanding 446 Excellent properties of Gods way 448 Reproofe of them that desire not knowledge 451 Excuses refuted 455 Hinderances of saving knowledge 461 Disposition to it wherein it stands 464. meanes 467 Of vowes what are lawfull 469 Lâ—d of sound knowledge is obedience reas 477 Notes of one carefull to keepe his way 484 10. Epicurisme discribed and disgraced Exod. 32. 6. The people sate downe to eate c. Wherein is shewed that Idolatrie is ever attended with sloth and luxurie 489 People secure in sin are nearest to mischiefe 496 Rules for eating and drinking 500 Meditations in eating and drinking 504 Sports and recreations are lawfull and how 507 In sports is much sin 509 Câ—oyee to be made of sports 510 use limited 512 Our selves how to be ordered in them 513 What may not be lost in play 517 11. Abuse of the creatures unlawfull An Appendix to the former 1 Cor. 15. 32. Let us eate and drinke c. Wherein is taxed the abuse of the creatures 522 Heathens and Epicures abuse them 4 waies 525 Rules of right using naturall comforts 529 Times seasonable for sports 533 Right ends of our liberties 537 12. The Physitian of soules Luke 5. 31. The whole need not the Physitian c. Wherein are sundry generall notes 541 Christ takes our causes on himselfe 543. and 544 None is whole unlesse in conceit and how 〈◊〉 ariseth 545 546 547 The miserie of them that are conceitedly whole 548 Discoverie of diseases in the soule foure signeâ— 549 550 551 Sin is a most dangerous sicknesse five resemblances 552 553 554 Christ is a most excellent Physitian in five respects 561 562 563 Come to him for cure and how this may be 565 Great comfort to afflicted soules 571. to 576 The author matter and vertue of this heavenly Confection 577. to 579 The Physick precious and powerfull in five respects 580 581 See our owne misery and admire Christs cure five particulars 582. to 588 Love we our Physitian and â—ow 589 590. 591 How the physick is applied to whom and when 592. to 600 Notes to know we are cured foure 600. to 606 And foure means to preserve health in the soule 606. to ult FINIS THE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN PRACTICE MATTH 16. 24. Then said Jesus unto his Disciples If any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take up his crosse and follow me 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall finde it 26. For what is a man profited if hee shall gaine the whole world and lose his owne soule Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soule 27. For the Sonne of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels and then hee shall reward every man according to his workes 28. Verily I say unto you There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man comming in his Kingdome THe occasion of these words was the offence that the Apostle Peter took when our Lord Jesus Christ had preached the doctrine of the Crosse had fore-told his own passion and suffering shortly at Jerusalem Hereupon Peter as a Politician turning himselfe to carnall counsels draweth his Master aside and wisheth him to look better to himselfe and wisely to prevent these troubles Ver. 22. Our Saviour now perceiving that hee went about to disswade him from that great worke for which hee came into the world on which the salvation of the whole world depended most sharply reproves him as a most speciall agent of Sathan though hee were his Disciple a thousand times Ver. 23. And yet not forgetting his wonted compassion taketh occasion thence to instruct him and all the rest of the Disciples yea and with them all Beleevers that they also after his example must bee in a readinesse to deny themselves and take up his crosse and follow him The words containe in them the institution of a Christian man or of a Disciple of Christ who is here 1. Informed 2. Confirmed in the first Principles of his holy profession The Information is in Ver. 24. The Confirmation in all the rest to the end The former is an universall Canon for all that meane to give their names to the profession of Jesus Christ consisting of three branches wherein they must bee soundly initiated 1. Selfe-deniall 2. Taking up the Crosse. 3. Imitation of Christ. If any man will bee my Disciple or will follow mee Which words concerne us all not excepting or exempting any that intendeth soundnesse in Christianity and no calling no sexe no age nor condition of life can free any Christian from the rules following Object Christ spake them only to his Disciples as the words before Answ. 1. Saint Mark saith cha 8. 34. Christ called the people or multitude and said Hee spake it to all as concerning all 2. By a Disciple or Follower of Christ in our Text is not meant onely those twelve Apostles who are so called in a peculiar manner because they were chosen to bee trained up instructed in Christs own family in the future service of the Church Nor onely those faithfull men and women whom Christ honoured to follow his owne person in the daies of his flesh but all faithfull
learne from the wise Pilot who in a calme looks for a storm so must wee in our peace for a storm of adversity And the wise souldier will keep sentinell in time of truce and peace 2. When they doe come and smart wee must not be senslesse of sorrow nor yet overwhelmed but labour to overcome the sense of flesh by the power of the spirit For which end religion looketh not on the crosse as it is in it own nature a fruit of sin or as a scourge in the hand of an offended father but as it is over-ruled by Gods providence altered by Christ. Religion looketh not so much on the crosse as beyond it and on the happy fruits and issue of it As a woman in sorrow of travell gets over it in hope of a birth Or as a stout souldier who fixeth his thoughts on the hope of victory and glory and forgets and feeles not for the present the griefe of his wounds so should the Christian souldier And indeed if the husbandman endures so much losse and misery in hope of an harvest whereof he may faile by many accidents with what patience and resolution should wee endure paines and sorrowes and digest all difficulties for Christ and his truth and for such riches and durable substance as are not subject to losse or end 3. Get sound judgement to esteem aright of the crosse Moses therefore chose to suffer with Gods people because he esteemed the rebukes of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt The Apostles more gloried in chaines for the Gospel than if they had beene chaines of gold What an honourable thing to have Christ a companion in our suffering or that the Lord should honour himselfe by us that hee should advance his owne wisedome power and goodnes in the constancy of his servants that hee should spread and seale the truth of the Gospel by their bloud that their bloud should be the seed and watering of the Church and that by suffering they should conquer as their Head did and helpe to batter downe the Kingdome of the Divell Finally what a comfortable thing is it to beare Christs crosse the wisedome of God will let us see to what it is that God now calleth namely to such sufferings as have hope patience and light in them that we may never suffer those that are hopelesse and desperate 4. Be much often in the use of the Word and Prayer First heare reade the Scriptures diligently for whatsoever is there written is that wee may have patience and hope Rom. 15. 4. These are the Wels of consolation that informe of all things the authour matter end and use of the crosse and of the comfortable manner of bearing it These are as the strong Tower of David minister much strength and reviving to the weak languishing spirit of man as David confesseth Had it not been for thy Word I had perished in my trouble Secondly be frequent in Prayer both before the crosse and under it for it is a gift of God that we are able to suffer as well as beleeve Phil. 1. 29. and chap. 4. 13. I can doe all things through Christ that strengthens mee And the way to get this strength from Christ is fervent prayer Coloss. 1. 11. the Apostle prayes that they might be strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse And follow me This is the third duty of every one that meanes to bee Christs Disciple namely the holy imitation of Christ where are to bee considered 1. The matter wherein wee must follow him 2. The manner of following him 3. The reasons why In two things we must follow Christ His holy doctrine His holy example 1. His doctrine was as the sun-shining from heaven by direction where of hee leades us in pathes of righteousnes It is the Starre that leads wise men after Christ. It is the pillar of the cloud and fire to guide the Israel of God by day and night in all their journies If this pillar move not wee must not move Christ must be before us in every thing in necessary things by precept in indifferent by rule speciall or generall 2. Follow him in his holy life walking as he walked and making his life an example and copy to imitate so far as hee propounded himselfe a rule of imitation because some kindes of actions of Christ were not imitable as First those that he did as God namely his miraculous workes these are not exemplary for 1. they are impossible to any creature but God alone 2. by these he was separated as the Sonne of God from all the sonnes of men for hee effected them all by his owne power as no Saints did 3. we have no commandement to follow him in these Secondly some workes he did as Mediatour between God and us as suffering for the sinnes of the Elect satisfying Gods justice justifying the sinner in the sight of God And these are too high workes for men or Angels And if Papists will needes merit salvation or satisfie Gods justice they must needs be Mediatours meriting persons even gods as well as men But the things wherein wee must follow Christ are such as whereof himselfe said I have given you example that as I have done ye may do also as 1. In expression of his piety to God 2. Of his charity to men His piety shined forth as the brightnesse of the Sunne many wayes we will instance in five 1. In that he never sought his owne praise and glory but the glory and praise of God that sent him John 7. 18. and 17. 4. Father I have glorified thee in earth So every Christian must doe all things even the least for the glory of God 1 Cor. 16. 31. not hunting after praise of men nor enduring that the glory of GOD should bee turned into shame by sinfull men 2. In that hee contemned his owne will for his Fathers to drinke even the dregges of the bitter cup of death Not my will but thy will bee done Mat. 26. 39. He would lose his life before he would lose his obedience In no temptation would hee start aside frō his Fathers wil. Oh how happily might we passe our dayes if wee would give up our wils to Gods according to our daily prayer that there might bee but one will between God and us Thy will be done 3. In daily and frequent prayer to his Father early in the morning late at night long time together sometime whole nights Marke 1. 35. and Luke 5. 16. Hee kept himselfe apart in the wildernesse and prayed Nothing he undertook without prayer at the calling of his Disciples at the entrance into his passion and upon the crosse Father into thy hands I commend my spirit c. Here should every Christian tread in his steps upon every occasion sending up prayers before
here comforteth his Disciples in their sorrow that they shall see their Lord after a great deale of contempt and passion lifted up againe in the glory of his Kingdome A child will rejoyce in the advancement of the Father a servant in the honour of his Master especially a loving spouse in the advancement of her husband And how should we cheere up our selves and others to see the Lord Jesus honoured in a powerfull Ministerie his enemies throwne downe before him our brethren drawne by multitudes under his allegeance c. Contrarily it should be the griefe of our hearts when any thing crosseth his kingdome when any designe prevaileth against his word when any holy Ministerie is cast downe when the Lord loseth an ensigne c. Wee must also every one doe our best to set up Christ in his Kingdome and that hee may lift up and hold up his scepter every where thou prayest his kingdome may come use meanes for that thou prayest in what place soever If a Magistrate thou must punish offenders against his lawes as well as against the Kings thou must order thy government as well by his Iawes as the Kings By thy example thou must grace the word as well as by thy presence thou wilt grace the execution of the Kings lawes If a Minister thou art the Lords Scepter-bearer thou must hold up this Scepter and mace of Christ preaching the word plainly purely sincerely instantly as Johns goe next before him and make way for him as friends of the bridegrome be sure hee increase though wee decrease How doe they this that preach not at all or now and then or preach against preaching and declaime against those that most zealously advance the Scepter and glory of Christ that were not Christ too strong for them and truth stronger than all Christ should never come in his Kingdome if hee were a King he should be such an one as Ishbosheth a King without a Kingdome without subjects or lawes If thou bee a private person shew thy selfe a good subject to this King and set up his Kingdome both within and without thee Without thee thou must set up his lawes and authoritie in thy familie by instruction catechizing prayer and holy orders by which faith and the feare of God may bee planted and cherished that there may bee a draught of a Church in thine house and by Christian conference admonishing and exhorting one another to containe every one in his alleageance and subjection to Jesus Christ. Above all wee must bee carefull to set up this Kingdome within our selves and maintaine the rule and soveraigntie of Christ by his word in our owne consciences Quest. How may wee doe this Ans. 1. If as good subjects we frame and compose our selves to this Kingdome Both to the lawes of it for Christians are a people under lawes and hee that acknowledgeth not the fundamentall lawes of this Kingdome and will not bee ruled by the word of Christ is none of Christs subjects As also to the holinesse of it by daily putting on a divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. The subjects of Christ are people of a pure language and though sanctitie bee scorned and hunted with disgrace out of the world this is the King onely of Saints 2. If as good subjects we serve with chearfulnesse and joyfulnesse this King of glory With chearfulnesse for his people are a willing people and bring free-will offerings Psal. 110. and besides to serve him is to raigne all his subjects are Kings the estate of the meanest Christian is a Kingdome With joyfulnesse also Psal. 149. 2. Let the children of Sion rejoyce in their King blesse GOD that hath shewed us the way to this Kingdome who else had beene still in the Kingdome of darknesse and that hee hath made an entrance for us into this Kingdome Col. 1. 12 13. and the rather because hee hath passed by the Angels that fell and made no entrance for them yea passed by many nations and millions of men and out of all the world brought us under the subjection of this King 3. If as good subjects wee maintaine the honour and authoritie of our King and our owne liberties and priviledges obtained by him for us First wee maintaine his right when wee set up his word every where and suffer it to command and rule our owne thoughts words actions and 〈…〉 tions and bring all into the 〈…〉 dience of Christ. If we cannot prevaile that his word may command and rule others yet see it rule and command our selves Againe when wee maintaine warre and take up armes against all his and our enemies that rise up against his honour and our salvation We must be stout and invincible against all that would incroach and raign over us in stead of Jesus Christ as namely wee must levie forces and serve in his warres against the temptations of Satan the corruptions of the world and our owne lusts and the evils of our owne hearts and lives all which wee must resist instantly for the Adversary is restlesse in assaulting wisely standing on our watch and in the complete armour of God stoutly for the warre is difficult but the victory certain and glorious Secondly as good subjects we must maintaine our owne liberties Gal. 5. 1. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage Resolve never to come under the bondage of sinne and Satan any more it was basenesse and madnesse in Israel that being free from Pharaohs oppressions they would run back into Egypt in all haste Nor under the yoke bondage of humane traditions or yokes of Antichrist Christs greatest enemie Of all slaves and vassals let us esteeme the slave of sin the greatest and seeing the Son hath made us free let us highly prize stoutly maintaine this freedome To perswade all this 1. Consider what an absolute Monarch Christ is of what power to constraine obedience and restraine rebels he can get himselfe a name and lift up his Scepter without thee and against thee being God and man and Lord of all things but for thy good hee would take thee in as anassistant in his government and if thy service bee his his honour is thine 2. Consider what a good and gracious Lord thou servest one that no way burdens his servants and subjects but every way enricheth them by bestowing large gifts upon them even his whole Kingdome to every of them yea whose love is experienced by his death for his enemies 3. Consider his presence with his subjects in all places and occasions Hee seeth who makes his heart a presence-chanber for Christ who sets up his chaire of estate there who they be that take care nothing be done or defended against his lawes in his owne presence and who they are that suffer his word to sway against lusts The very sight of the Kings
consolationes seculi tentationibus resiste diaboli â—ern Use 7. Imitate them and doe service as they 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Patienter fortiter perseverandum ut qui ad coronam laâ—de â—am proxima nititur durante patientia coronetur Cyp. de Bonâ— Patientiae Rev. 20. 6. V. The end of Christs comming to judgement 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Psal. 45. 7. 2 Chron. 19. 11. Psal. 82. 1. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 4. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Eccle. 8. 14. 9. 15. 3. 16. 5. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 12. 36. 2. Rom. 14. 12. Mat. 23. 35. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Good works not meritorious as evill arâ— why 1. 2. 3. 4. Why workes are the rule of judgment not faith 1. Nil Deus in nobis pâ—aeter sua dona coronat 2. 3. 4. Whether the Law or Gospell be the rule of judging Ob. Ans. 1. Gal 5. 6. 2. Of double punishment for sin Doct. The last judgement glorious and righteous Reason 1. Helpes of righteous judgement in Christ. 2. Le ts of righteous judgment removed 1. 2. 3. 4. Use 1. Live well and fare well in judgment Use 2. Time to repent of sin before judgment Rom. 2. 4. 5. Psal. 4. 4. Use 3. Be patient in all confusion and injustice Use 4. Be sincere in matter of religion Use 5. Watch and judge thy selfe before-hand How 1. 2. 3. 4. Use 6. How to know what will become of us in the day of judgement 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The drift of the words Vult ut consolationis aliquid habeant tempore crucis afflictionis c. Bucer In desiderio celeritas quoque mora est Exposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 4. 1. Christ like Moses in five things 1. 2. 3. Heb. 3. 5. 6. 4. 5. Opinions 1. 2. 3. Emphasis hujus loci non est in verbo veniendi sed videndi Bucer Kingdome of God generall and speciall 1. I. 2. Which here meant and what it is II. How the Kingdome of Christ comes Mat. 6. 10. III. Of the ac complishment hereof Evidences of Christs Kingdome enlarged 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. 3. 4. 5. Joh. 14. 12. 6. Mat. 3. 2. Of the times when the Gospels were written Euseb. hist. Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 33. Doct. By preaching and obeying the Word Christs kingdome is advanced 1. 2. Shewed by similitude of earthly Kings and kingdomes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eminencie of Christ above other Kings 1. Rev. 19 12. 2. Eph. 6. 17. Act. 2. 41. 3. Psal. 110. 3. 6. Use 1. Enemies of the word enemies of Christ. Mat. 23. 13. Aâ—â—onitions to them 1. Psal. 2. 6. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. Use 2. Rejoyce in the thriving of the Gospell Use 3. In helping the word helpe up Christ into his throne 1. 2. Joh. 3. 30. 3. How Christs Kingdome is erected and maintained within us 1. Zeph. 3. 9. Rev. 15. 3. 2. 3. Christs right defended how 1. 2. And likewise our own right Joh. 8. 36. Motives to be loyall to Christ. 1. 2. 3. Ps. 119. 11. The Apostles drift in this place Vers 12. The si 〈…〉 ilitnde he here useth Heb. 12. 1. Thereason of it Ita simili tudo Circensium Augustinâ—ana câ—nvertit 〈…〉 pium Confess l 6. c. 7. Luk. 16. 8. Note A rule of Christian prudence Use. Parts of the Tex's three I. Doctr. 1 Christian life is a kinde of race And that in sivâ— respects 1. 2. Deu 5 27 1 Cor. 4. 20 3 4. 2 Cor. 4 9 5. 2. Reasons why wee must run this race 1 2. 3 Ephe. 6. 12 4. Ioh 20 4. 3 Al our life the time of this race Not the end of life onely Reasons 1. 2 3 4. Use. 1. Conceit aright of a Christian course Who doe not 1 2 Pet. i. 10 2 Luk. 13. 2â— Vse 2. Ourgo one another in holinesse Instat equis auriga suos 〈…〉 ntibus illos prâ—teritos tem neus c. Hor. serm 1 sat 1. Motives 2 2 Luk. 16. 8 3 II. Manner of running 2 Iim 2. 5 Preparation to run necessary wherein Hindrances put off and removed 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Luk. 8. 14 3 Cap. 21. 34 Helpes in running the Christian race 1 Cant. 1 4. 2 Heb. 10. 36 3 2 â—orditions of running the Christian race aâ— right five 1 Run at a right mark Col. 3. 4 Mat. 11. 28. 2 Run in the right way Ioh. 14. 6 Notes of the way that is right Esa. 35. 8 Hos. 14. 9 Mat. 7. 14. 2 Tim. 3. 12 3 Run with a right foot What is requisite thereunto Prov. 10. 9 Prov. 4. 2â— Psal. 112. 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. Run with a â—ight motion What it is 1. Phil. 3. 13. Good cause to be still humble 2 Cor. 10. 5 2 Phil. 3. 14 3 Be constant without inter mission Psa. 19. 4 5 As also without cessation Motives 1 Ioh. 〈◊〉 35 Gal. 3. 3 2. 3 How this is to be understood 5. Run to a right end 2 Cor. 5 14 We run for the prize yet no mercenaries how Heb. 12. 2â— Mark held before us why 2 Cor. 4. 18. III The end of running this race Obtaining is not of merit but mercy How it in called 〈◊〉 reward Whether al runners do obtain Luk. 13 24 How wee may be able to run rightly and so obtaine I. The holy Ghost p◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inbreath for this race Zach. 12 10. Rom. 8. 26. 2 Take heed of looking backe in this race Gal. 3. 1 3 Minde not thy company but thy way Gal. 6. 16. 4. Despise carnall counsels friends scornes 1 Acts 28. 22 Cap. 24. 14 2 Mat. 16. 22. 3 2 Cor. 6. 8. 1. Cor. 4. 3 5 Renew strength continually and how this may be Rev. 2. 4. Psal. 119. 6 6. Recover speedily out of every fall Motives so to runne that we may obtain 1 2 Cal 3. 4. 3 2 Pet 2. 22 4 Excellency and eternity of this goale 1 2 3 Psal. 16. 11. 4 1 Cor. 9. 25 The scope of this whole Psalme The Prophets holy desire Parts of the â—ext I. Of the prayer Exposition 1. What these statutes are Reasons of severall titles given to the Word Statutes for two reasons Psal. 19. 11 〈◊〉 Whose Statutes they are 1 1 Cor 7. 6. opened 2 3 4 Eminency of these statutes above other 1 Psal. 19. 7 2 3 4. 5 3. Why it is called the way of Gods commandements Metaphor of a way what it implyes 1 2 3 4. Esa. 30. 21 Mat 12 36 〈◊〉 Cor. 10. 31 Deu. 12. 32 5 2. Singularity of this way Rev. 21. 12. 4. Why David desires to be taught in this way 1 1 Cor. 3. 6. 2 3 Foure things desired which man cannot reach 1. Esa. 29. 11 2 Pet. 3. 16 2 3 Heb. 4. 2 Ioh 20. 28. Iob. 19. 25. 4 Ephes. 4. 21 22. Iam. 1. â—5 Luk. 11. 28. Why David a man of such knowledg desires to be still taught 1 2. 3 Doctr. 1 All