MISCELâ—â—â—â—â— PHILO-THEOLOGIâ— OR GOD MAN A Treatise compendiously describing the Nature of God in his Attributes with a lively pourtraiture of his Wisedome in ordering and disposing of the Celestiall and terrestriall Bodies Containing much variety of Matter Theologicall and Philosophicall wherein many secrets in Scripture and in Nature are unbowelled with solid Proofes and apt Applications singular for brevity and perspicuity By HENRY CHURCH Joell 2.28 I will poure out of my Spirit on all flesh Psal 8.1 3 4. O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name in all the world wâ—â— hast set thy Glorie above the Heavens c. When I consider the Heavens the Worke of thy Fingers Moone and the Stars c. What is man c. LONDON Printed for JOHN ROTHWELL and are to be 〈◊〉 the Sunne in Pauls Church-yard M.DC.XXXVII TO THE LEARNED READER I Humbly desire your Charitable Construction of my poore endeavours being willing to be convinced and reformed I confesse my impotencie and desire my errours may be purged and all truths allowed TO ALL whomsoever I Confesse my spare time hath beene this way employed in methodicall Meditations the Reason why I so much exercised my penne was because a drowsinesse fell on mee when I did reade and wrighting kept me awake if any be offended I writ not to offend them if any be in the least measure edified for their sakes I have taken this paines and thinke my labour well bestowed HENRY CHURCH Imprimatur THOMAS WEEKES An Advertisement to the Christian Reader concerning the scope of the Booke with some passages of the Life of the Authour TRVE and solid knowledge layes its foundation in God he that will know himselfe and the sublunary Creatures as they are must first see and know him by faith that is invisible The studie of the knowledge of God in his Attributes gives a man a possession of heaven on earth Its life eternall to know thee c. This knowledge is the basis and foundation of that precious Faith the Apostle speakes of They that know thee trust in thee So that before a man can with the wise Builder build on the Rock he must beleeve that God is This godly Man Mr. HENRY CHURCH began here his maine studie was this saving Knowledge and this he did not by starts and fits but daily as his calling did permit him Great was his wisedome and his industrie in the husbanding of his time for as he chose Maries Part so hee was carefull of Martha's a good Christian and a provident Husband Those that knew his Employments many urgent in the world and wondered how he could spare time or find time for these Contemplations I may answer for him he loved much and therefore with Marie was resolved to doe much Hee denied himselfe in his pleasures in his diet and in his sleepe hee bare the yoke of the Lord in his youth I have heard that when hee had libertie to sport himselfe as others his pleasure his delight was in his Closet with the Law of GOD hee prevented the dawning of the day and with DAVID meditated of GOD in the night-watches hee could not intend to be idle hee had learned of his Master CHRIST who went about doing good hee filled-up his vacant houres either with doing or receiving good as if hee had exactly learned that charge of the Lord by Moses These words which I command thee thou shalt * Iunius Whet them or pâ—int thâ—m in mâ—morie rehearse them continually to thy Children and thou shalt talke of them when thou tariest in thy house and as thou walkest by the way and when thou liest downe and when thou risest up Hee knew not onely for himselfe but for others his light was on a candle-stick not under a bushell hee did not with the Idle Servant hide his Talent but improved it to a good increase Hee was greedy of all advantages to glorifie God if hee was covetous this was his covetousnesse hee coveted the best things He was of a compassionate spirit ready to doe good both to the Soules and Bodies of others Hee lived as lent to himselfe and given to others How sedulous he was to instruct the Ignorant to reclaime the wandring to releeve those that were in want to settle the unstable soule those that knew him can judge He withstood errours hee was an Enemie to errour for hee received the truth in the love of it Hee was a Friend to truth Hee endeavoured to comfort afflicted Consciences for by observing his owne heart and Conference with such he attained a singular dexteritie this way In his Booke you may heare him yet speake that is now dead His Religion lay not in Tongue but in his Heart not in a forme of godlinesse but in power as if he had learned to doe what once Minutius said Non multa loqui sed vivere The scope and end of this good Mans studies I suppose in this Booke was chiefly for himselfe and his Familie that it might like a fruitfull Spring supplie himselfe and them Againe his friends knowing his desire hee had to the publicke good as also the favourable acceptance of his two former Bookes in the hearts of good men viz. The Good mans treasury Divine letters already printed gives us good incouragement to adventure againe on a publicke Censure Reade it through before you judge I hope you shall find it profitable and abounding with much varietie under briefe Heads drawing on the Reader to delight to studie God in his Attributes and to inlarge them in thine owne Meditation as also hee represents God to thee in the glasse of the Creature and among the rest Man the Epitome of all that while thou art poring after curious speculations and secrets of Nature hee endeavours wisely to divert thy thoughts by apt application heaven-ward To satisfie the Iudicious If thou shalt except against any thing consider its a Posthumus issue then I hope you will pardon both the Author and the Printer For Censorious Criticks I care not to satisfie The Blessing of the Almightie be with it Imprimatur THOMAS WEEKES A TABLE OF THE SEVERALL Heads contained in this ensuing Treatise I. OF Saving Knowledge page 1 II. What GOD is p. 6 III. What it is to glorifie God p. 11 IIII. Of Admiration p. 12 V. Of Praising God p. 15 VI. Of Gods Subsistence p. 18 VII Simplenesse p. 20 VIII Eternitie p. 25 IX Omnipotencie p. 32 X. Immutabilitie p. 39 XI Infinitenesse p. 45 XII Omni-science p. 47 XIII Omni-presence p. 51 XIV Perfection p. 56 XV. Invisibilitie p. 62 XVI Wisedome p. 69 XVII Truth p. 77 XVIII Mercie p. 82 XIX Iustice p. 88. XX. Life p. 95 XXI Blessednesse p. 101 XXII Hatred p. 107 XXIII Love p. 112 XXIV Patience p. 122 XXV Will p. 130 XXVI Grace p. 136 XXVII Glorie p. 143 XXVIII Of the Lord of Hosts p. 148 XXIX How God is made an Idoll p. 153 XXX How to conceive of God in Prayer p. 158 XXXI Of the
fire by his casting water on it burnes the more fervent Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the quallities and effects of fire 1. FIre gives light so saith the Prophet Isay 50.11 2. Fire gives heate so saith St. Marke chap. 14. vers 54. 3. Fire consumes Amos 2.1 Combusserit ossa c. 4. Fire it changes Psal 68.2 5. Fire it purifies Mal. 3.2 6. Fire encreases by adding fuell 7. Fire is never satisfied Prou. 30.16 8. It is not lessened by communicating heate Fire gives light so doth Gods word instruction is the light shines from the Law Proverb 6.23 by preaching men receive light Acts 26.18 Considerations 1. Light doth distinguish so doth the word by it we know what is good and what is evill 2. Light is comfortable so is the word Ier. 15.16 3. Light makes us walke safely so doth the word guide us in the waies of peace and safety Fire gives heate so doth Gods spirit he heates us with zeale and warmes our affections Considerations 1. Heate makes us joyfull a man that is warmed at the fire saith Aha Isai 44.16 so the comforts of Gods spirit makes a man much refreshed Psal 94.19 2. Heate makes a man active his benumednesse being removed so Gods peoâ—â—e are active being cheared with the comforts of Gods holy spirit the joy of the Lord is their strength Nehem. 8.10 3. The fire giving heate men presse to it and desire to be nigh it so Gods spirit working heate and comfort in our soules Luke 11.13 we should ever desire and much pray for it Fire consumes all combustible matter it meetes with as wood straw coale c. Considerations 1. The curse of God consumes Zach. 5.3.4 as the fire consumes two wayes either secretly by degrees or violently and swiftly so the curse is secret as a moath and rottennesse Hos 5.12 or more violent and terrible as a Lyon or Lyons whelp vers 14. 2. Fire consumes not only the house where it first kindles but the next house to it and if it be not quenched it reaches to many houses so the curse of God reaches to a sinner to his next heires yea if repentance doe not come betweene it reaches to the third and fourth generation Fire changes it turnes the couler of that you put into it it meltes the waxe comes neere it it hardens the clay it drives the moisture out of the paper or cloth that is held before it As fire changes so doth Gods spirit 2. Cor. 3.18 Considerations 1. In their condition they were captives 2. Tim. 2.14 now they have liberty 2. Cor. 3.17 They were children of wrath Ephes 2.2 they be changed to be children of God 1. Iohn 3.1 2. They be changed in disposition Isa 11.6 7 8. they were enemies Rom. 5.10 now are friends Ioh. 15.14 they have a divine nature 2. Pet. 1.4 and a new heart and a new spirit Eze. 36.26 3. They be changed in conversation the old companions they cry away from me Psal 119.115 they be changed in their speeches which were once rotten Eph. 4.29 but now gratious Col. 4.6 they are changed in their aâ—tions they eschew evill and doe good they practice righteousnesse and doe exercise mercy they doe performe duties of piety from an inward principle from a new life infused into them there is an universall change where Gods spirit comes savingly and effectually 5. Fire purifies and purges and seperats the drosse from the mettall Considerations 1. As fire purges and purifies so doe afflictions God hath his furnace in Sion there is fiery tryals to prove and to try the people of God Psal 66.10 1. Pet. 4.12 2. As the fire is made according to the will of the gold-smith so our afflictions are according to the will of God 3. As the time of the mettalls being in the fire is according to the wisedome of the goldsmith so the time of our afflictions are according to the wisedome of God 4. When the mettall is melted and the drosse taken away then it comes forth more pure so when our hearts are humbled and our corruptions purged then we come forth as gold Job 23.10 6. Fire increases by adding of fuell Addition breeds multiplication the more fuell the greater is the fire Considerations 1. So is it with coveteousnesse and riches as wealth comes in coveteousnesse encreases having hundreds the desires run after thousands the desires are not quenched with money no more then fire is with fuell 2. Addition of graces are as the fuell assurance of salvation as the fire the more graces the more assurance by the joyning grace to grace we make our calling and election sure 2. Pet. 1. 3. Wicked men adde â—o the people of God affliction and misery this they do willingly but by this meanes they adde fuell to their felicity and glory this they do unwillingly 7. Fire is never satisfied yea may adde till you be weary fire still desires more 1. So is it with all earthly things they doe never satisfie the restlesse desire of man the Bee flies from one flower to another as unsatisfied Solomon proved by experience no full satisfaction in earthly things like the fire we still desire more 8. Fire is not lessenned by communicating heate nor have we the lesse by communicating of our gifts to others wealth communicated to others lessenneth our store but in heavenly graces it is otherwise in heating others we are not the colder in quickning others we are not the more dull the Cock claps his wings and awakes himselfe he crowes and awakes others The fire burnes if that no body be neare it if you warme you there is no diminishing it burnes and heates and doth good with advantage to us and no dis-advantage to it selfe So much of proper fire next Sect. 4 Of improper fire metaphoricall fire BY improper fire we may understand the metaphoricall fire that is like fire or the extraordinary fire we read of which doth differ from our material Fire This is of two sorts 1. Supernall fire 2. Infernall fire 1. Supernall fire comming from above and of these are two causes 1. From Gods anger 2. From Gods favour 1. From Gods anger so Fire came downe from heaven on Sodome and Gomorrah Gen. 19.24 Also on them that offered Incense in the conspiracy of Korah Numb 16.35 On the Captaine and his fifty 2. Kings 1.10 2. From Gods favour so Fire came downe on the sacrifice of Solomon 2. Chron. 7.1 and on the sacrifice of Eliah 2. King 18.38 Thus God shewed his love and favour to these his seruants by fire from heaven 2. Infernall fire is that which the damned doe feele in hell set forth in Scripture 1. For the greatnesse there is fire and much wood the Prophet speakes to our capacity Isaiah 30.33 2. By the terriblenesse it is a lake of fire as St. Iohn saith Revel 21.15 3. The eternity of it is everlasting Matth. 25.41 This fire ceaseth on the soules of men it layes hold on spirits and hath 1.
world in heaven the life in the wombe is secret the life in the world is active the life in heaven is contemplative a life of vision The life in the wombe is secret in the conveyance and in the continuance In the conveyance Eccles 11.5 Thou knowest not the way of the Spirit In the continuance being nourisht by the Navill and preserved by a Divine Providence rather to be admired than disputed 2. The kindes of life are three a life of Nature a life of Grace a life of Glory The life of Nature is in such things as the strength of Nature can acte all attaine not to the like operations nor the same man is all times alike one man excelles another and the same man in time he doth excell his former actions some have attained to a great knowledge of the heavenly sphares and orbes some to the knowledge of the terrestriall globe finding out the minerals that lay hid and the Nature of the Creatures that doe live and growe on the earth man hath divided the world into foure parts for distinction of Countries and people some attaine to Arithmetique some are Musicall man hath found out writing printing Martiall discipline Navigation policie in Governement curious Arts Phisique Rethorique Logique much varietie for the being and well being of humane life The life of Grace is a spirituall life which onely the regenerate doe attaine unto 1. Consider how it is communicated 2. How it is manifested 3. How it is preserved First how it is communicated Christ is the originall of light and life Iohn 1.9 He is the way the truth and the life John 14.6 He is the Resurrection and the life John 11.25 He is a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 Giving life to his members This life is called spirituall life 1. Because the Spirit of God workes it 2. Because the carnall man knowes it not t is the spirituall man hath spirituall life 3. T is employed in spirituall things spirituall motions spirituall words and actions Secondly how t is manifested 1. By prayers desires longings after God where is breath there is life 2. By sence of sin to feele Idle thoughts indisposednesse to duties c. there is life for where is sence and feeling there is life 3. Affections against sin and for GOD argues life for where is heate is life 4. To doe good workes workes of mercie workes of pietie workes of mortification argues life for where is motion and action there is life Thirdly how spirituall life is preserved 1. By a good diet we must strive for appetite and for food labour and salt things and sharp things brings appetite we must exercise our selves in the Law and applie the curses and the threatnings home to the soule this will make us to hunger for Christ for mercie and grace then labour for nourishment the word preacht and reade the Sacraments and prayer and conference and meditation are spirituall nourishments to preserve spirituall life 2. Life is preserved by exercise we should put forth our habilities in duties as in Gods sight and for Gods Glorie here stirring is for soules health 3. Life is preserved by Physique 1. There is preventing Physique to remember Gods Presence Gods Law the great accompt the mercies we enioy the example of Christ these meanes keeps us from sinfull diseases 2. There purging Physique true sorrow free Confession humiliation prayer turning to God 3. There is restoring Physique to embrace the tender of mercie the promise of grace to lay hold on the bloud of Christ to ponder what is Gods sweete Nature what GOD hath beene to others what he hath beene to us formerly what he is to us at this present what a sweete Mediatour we have at the right hand of GOD this may restore us In the third place as there is a life of Nature and a life of Grace so there is for the soule a life of Glorie 1. There is an eternall life of Glorie 2. The felicitie of that life That there is an eternall life t is plaine Mark 10.30 In the world to come eternall life Iohn 3.16 Whosoever beleeves shall have everlasting life Eternall life is foure and twenty times to be read in the New Testament besides the other names of heavenly Glory heavenly inheritance c. The Arguments to prove an eternall life 1. Other wayes the Scriptures would be false which doe so manifestly reveale it unto us 2. Els we loose an Article of our Creed 3. The verie heathens have guessed at it 4. Els the Saints of all people were most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 The Felicitie of that life 1. T is a life of Glorie in a Kingdome of Glorie with the God of Glorie 2. T is a life of pleasure Psalme 16.11 There is sweetnesse with our Glorie then they that mourned here shall laugh those that fasted shall feast and them imprisoned shal be enlarged 3. T is a life of triumph there be palmes in their hands in token of victorie then the poore child of God that is now militant shall triumph 4. T is a life of safetie there no theefe can come to rob no enemie to assalte no Divell to tempte there shall be no arrest no suite nor accusation against us 5. A life of love Love is the Law of the Kingdome everie one is glad of anothers felicitie so the ioy is mixt and enlarged they so abounding in love one to another and all to the Lord. 6. T is a spirituall life glorified there is no thirst nor wearinesse or lumpishnesse 7. T is a life of knowledge Ignorance is expelled we know here in part but then we shall know in perfection 8. T is a life of praises then prayers cease but praises never cease we shall doe it for ever with spiritualnesse and livelinesse and againe we sound forth the praises of God and againe and againe with infinite sweetnesse 9. T is a life of Communion with Christ and the Angels and all the Elect we shal be all of one mind none shall separate from this assemblie nor one profane man be admitted 10. T is a life of Satisfaction we shall say Lord I have enough Lord I am full I am satisfied richly rewarded here we ever want something but that life knowes want of nothing Of the death of the Soule 1. What Death is 2. How the Soule can be said to die 3. The cause of death 4. The signes of death First what death is Plinie calles it ruine Horace the last line of things Some call death a dissolution or departing sometimes t is afflictions 2 Cor. 1.10 Who delivered us from so great a death sometimes t is a dangerous thing 2 Kings 4.40 Death is in the pot Death is the separating the Soule from the body Heb. 9.27 our living out of Gods favour and without the Word of God is the shadow of death The separation of the Soule from the body is bodily death the separation of grace from the Soule is spirituall death the separation of the
excell them Section 3 Thirdly Resolves Concerning the Back 1. Quest What is it to goe backward Iohn 6.66 Ans T is to depart from Christ and the good way to Apostatise as in a race they that goe backward are sure never to obtaine the prize 2. Qu. What is meant by bowing the back Rom. 11.10 Ans To be void of strength Inwardly to be void of Grace good Inclinations will and endeavour Outwardly to be void of dignitie and honour and to be in base servitude Willet Wilson 3. Qu. What is it to have our sinnes cast behind Gods Back Esai 38 17 Ans To be as not seene to be pardoned to be cast into the Sea Micha 7.19 4. Qu. What be Gods Back-parts Exo. 33.23 Ans Moses saw according to his capacitie not his desire The Back-parts we see we perceive God by his Word 1 Cor. 13.12 and Workes here Face to Face in Heaven Of the Breast 1. A Consideration of the Breast 2. Resolves Concerning the Breast First A Consideration of the Breast Section 1 The Breast of a man first is bonie for strength 2. T is hollow to preserve the inward parts and that the lungs especially may close and open 3. The Breast is the Noble part the Spirits are within it and many other of the Chiefe parts there is heate and life and strength 4. The Breast of a man is broad but of a bir◠the Breast is sharpe The Beast hath dugges in the wombe but onely Man-kind and Elephants have dugges in the Breast 5. If other parts be pained the Breast hath a fellow-feeling If the Throate be grieved or the Stomacke or Lungs the Breast will be sore 6. The Breast is sensible a little pricking within more troubles us than a wound on the Arme without Section 2 Secondly Resolves Concerning the Breast 1. Quest What learne we from the Breast and the Shoulder given to the Priest in the Peace-offerings Leviticus 7.29 to 32 Ans 1. The Priest must have the Breast of knowledge the Shoulder of labour 2. The people must bring the Breast to be cleansed from corruption the Shoulder to be directed to worke and take paines 3. The lifting it up and waving the Breast 1. In acknowledgement it was from God 2. Our mindes and endeavours should be upward 3. In publike view our workes must be manifest 2. Qu. What learne we from the Breast-plate Exo. 28.30 Ans 1. It was the Breast-plate of Judgment the High-Priest put-on when he consulted with God Num. 27.21 2. He must weare it on his Hear or Breast with precious-stones therein graven signifying the nearenesse of the Church to Christ and alwayes in remembrance and enricht with Graces Rich precious Graces 3. The Breast-plate was lost in the Captivity Ezra 2.63 After that they must keepe to the Law of Moses Mala. 4.4 and enquire there 3. Qu. What is that Righteousnesse which is a Breast-plate Ephes 6.14 D. Goog◠his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag◠146. Ans It is the Righteousnesse of a good Conscience being a powerfull worke of Gods Spirit in the Regenerate whereby they endeavour to approve themselves to God and Man by performing what Gods Law requires 1. T is a worke of Gods Spirit which quickneth Rom. 6.11 2. A powerfull worke We by Nature be dead Ephes 2.1 3. In the Regenerate They be borne of the Spirit Iohn 3.6 4. They endeavour and strive Acts 24.16 Heb. 13.18 5. To approve themselves to God and Man Matth. 22.37.39 6. According to the Law that shewes us our Dutie This Breast-plate keepes us from sinne in safetie 4. Qu. Why is Faith and Love a Breast-plate 1 Thes 5.8 Ans 1. Faith brings home Christ for our Defence 2. Love evidences we be Gods Children 1 Iohn 3.14 That prevents despaire and Love sets us on worke to keepe Gods Commandements so we prevent sinne and flie presumption and securitie and escape wounds as by a Breast-plate 5. Qu. What is meant by the Blessing of the Breasts Iosephs Blessing amongst the rest Gen. 49.25 Ans It was a numerous Posteritie tenne thousands of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh Deut. 33.17 Many Children well nourisht Children the contrarie is a curse Hosea 9.14 a barren wombe and drie Breasts 6. Qu. What is meant by the two Breasts Cant. 4.5 Ans Breasts set out the Churches Ornaments Ainsworth on Cant. Or Towers for strength o◠deliverie o◠the word Midal which i◠Tower and 〈◊〉 is a Pulpit 8 Nehemiah 4 Eze. 16.7 Thou art come to excellent Ornaments thy Breasts are fashioned Also they signifie Nourishment Esa 66.11 Those without the Ministrie are said to be without Breasts Cant. 8.8 The Breasts of the Church be as Towers Cant. 8.10 being obvious and strong and large Of the Bellie 1. The Anatomists Relation of the Bellie 2. A more plaine Observation 3. Resolves for Edification Section 1 First The Anatomists Relation of the Bellie T IS separated from the Breast by the midriffe and bounded in the foure-part above by the Dag ger-like Cartilage below by the share-bone There be three Regions the first Epigastrica covering the entrales from the bulke downeward the second Regio umbilicalis void of ribbs the part where the Navell is the third is Regio Hypogastrica from the Navell downward There are observed in the Bellie five things more 1. Cuticula a tender skinne called the Scarfe-skinne 2. Cutis the skinne covering the out-parts 3. Pinguedo the fat betweene the skinne and the membrane 4. Membrana carnosa somewhat fleshie to keepe-in the fat 5. The Membrane pertaining to everie Muscle Section 2 Secondly a more plaine Observation of the Bellie THREE Names are given to the Bellie First Venter the Bellie or panch Secondly Alvus for the receptacle or hollownesse Thirdly Vterus the Wombe this belongs to the Female The Bellie may be considered as containing or as the things contained externally or internally the forme and fashion round the Navell in the middest If a man be laid on his back his armes and legs spread abroad set a paire of great compasses on his Navell wee shall find him round by measure as farre to his toes as to his fingers The Bellie is like a Buckler the Navell is like a Bosse In the middest of it the Navell is composed of sinewes and veines the Child in the wombe sucketh Nourishment and draweth breath by the Navell In the birth the Navell breaketh and commeth-forth with the Child and the Midwife bindeth it about foure Inches that drying-up comes to a roundnesse Section 3 Thirdly Resolves Concerning the Bellie 1. Quest HOW was it a curse to the Serpent to creepe on his Bellie Gen. 3.14 Answer Because his creeping before was pleasant but now is painefull 2. before it was comely but now with Ignominie Ross on Gen. 3. 2. Quest What learne wee from the unlawfulnesse of eating that which creepes on the Bellie Leviticus 11.42 Answer 1. That distinctions of Gods making must be regarded He is the great Law-giver 2. The
bee beleeved 2. It may be yet they have not learned to speak wel 3. Be not impatient but use their accusations and scandalls for preventions 4. Praises may prove more dangerous than scandalls they are better that speake evill of us than they that flatter us and better to us 5. Christ was evill spoken of though an innocent 6. Our patience will more vexe our adversary than our returning word for word Quest 5 How if my crosses come thicke one upon another as Iobs did Answ 1. Time and custome makes fooles patient get patience timely and speedily by resolution and meditâ—tion beare all with patience they come from God be thankfull for them because they are medicines be the more patient and chearefull because they are steppes to glory 2. Labour to get a further interest in God then all shall be supplyed and we having lost all may be patient and quiet because we enjoy him that is better than all The fruition of God is the maine good the onely good matchlesse changelesse alwaies everywhere with us above all casualties and uncertainties 3. Be not insensible as a blocke nor impatient as without faith and hope be patient as a Christian that though he be molested be enjoyes himselfe By patience we possesse our soules Luke 21.19 4. Labour for a rectified judgement looke not with a wrong eye on others prosperity The Iewes were impatient to heare the children cry Hosanna Matth. 21.15 and impatiently murmured at a supposed fault when Christ went in with Zacheus Errour in opinion doth much wrong others and disquiet our selves we having blinded eyes shall have impatient hearts Ignorance makes us full of mistakes we see not good in evill Our crosses are as Sampsons Lyon there is honey of instruction in them bitter Alloes may prove medicinable 5. Impatience cures us not it is not the remedy of a misery but a procurer of a judgement The Iewes murmured and were impatient their carkasses fell in the Wildernesse Achitophel and Judas in their impatience hanged themselves Ezekiel 36. 6. Set up a Sessions in the conscience and let us judge our selves worthy of all the sorrows of this life and the life to come thus abasing our soules before God will breed in us patience and submission in all our afflictions 7. Meditate in the Law of God continually search the Scriptures then we shall learne this lesson to be patient Rom. 15.4 8. Learne Gods providence he disposes of all things to be grieved at Gods ordering things is great impiety all creatures submit Man onely disquiets himselfe and is impatient 9. Abhorre sinne the cause of crosses remember that crosses should prevent sinnes and make us to forbeare pleasures and endure troubles the more patiently 10. By patience the Will of God is â—one by us Heb. 10.36 and the promises inherited Heb. 6.12 Goe on therefore suffering his will and waiting with patience for the inheritance 11. Let our troubles cause us to cry to our Physitian who will heare us though not according to our will yet according to our good 12. We suffer not alone the same afflictions yea worse it may be our brethren doe endure The griefe of the Saints being indifferent it is the easier borne if it be great the glory shall be greater If it seeme hard let us blame our tendernesse most commonly if it bee long it is the lighter if it be violent it is the shorter None are exempted I shall not escape that which never any did before me God had but one Sonne without sin but not one without affliction 13. Looke to Christs comming to Iudgement then the troubled shall have rest 2. Thess 1.6 7. Be patient therefore for the comming of the Iudge draweth neare Iames 5.7 8. 14. Affect no earthly thing over-much for we impatiently part with that which wee inordinately affected Jonah too much rejoyced in his Gourd and David too much affected his sonne which made the one exceeding angry and the other cry out O Absolon my sonne my sonne Quest 6 How may I have my patience enlarged Answ 1. We must pray more for it for increase of it our Reasons our Arguments our Rules and Directions are but as Alder-guns without earnest prayer 2. Be lesse disquieted at the smaller crosses that dayly befall us small wheales ake and small dust flies in our eyes learne to say My God will enable me to beare more than these 3. Looke to the most noble examples Christ endured Heb. 12. The Prophets are examples Iames 5. 4. Resolve for the worst our preparations are as Armour learne to take up the crosse by stooping for it as well as beare it if it be laid on us 5. Grow dayly lesse and lesse in our owne eyes then shall we be more patient and willing to suffer 6. Be sure that we affect not the praise of men then disgraces will be lesse irkesome Of the Will 1. What it is to will 2. Of the will of God 3. Of Mans will 4. Lessons to edifie 5. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First what it is to will TO will is to chuse or refuse to desire to wish or consent Phil. 2.13 God workes the will that is the motions and purposes * Wâ—lson When we doe pray we do will something optando by desiring when wee will have a servant doe any thing we will it jubendo by commanding The will is free and freely wills without compulsion we will by nature we will well by grace we are free to evill but bound in respect of grace Will properly belongs to the reasonable creature ubi non est ratio ibi non est voluntas Where there is not reason there is not will So much what it is to will Sect. 2 Secondly of the Will of God THe Will of God is Essentiall whatsoever is in God is good Also the will of God is his decree Ephes 1.11 after the counsaile of his will Rom. 9.15 We apprehend his will two fold secret and revealed Deut. 29.29 The secret will of God wee admire as a great depth Psal 36.7 which cannot be found out * Rom. 11.33 This will of God is free absolutely free hee wils without interruption and with delight Also his will is the rule of Justice therefore things are just because he wills them his will is simple with one act he wills all his will is immutable he alters not by accidents his will is holy he is not carried by corrupt reason Our thoughts pitch on three things concerning Gods will The first what he will doe with us The second Note what he will doe for us The third what he will have us to doe But we should mainely looke to the last what he will have us to doe then he will doe this with us he will make us vessels of mercy he will doe this for us he will blesse us here and hereafter What hee will have us to doe is revealed in the Law and the Gospell In both he wils three things 1. He wills us
all to repent 2. He wills us to beleeve in Jesus Christ 3. He wills us to lead a holy life The will of God is that we should repent Acts 17.30 The word is a returning a waxing wise a recovering a mans selfe Repentan e is a change of the minde Prov. 1.23 â—zek 18. a turning from sinne to God Repentance makes a man come to himselfe it maâ—es a man as it were another man a new man The will of God is that we should beleeve in Jesus Christ he is lifted up to save beleevers Iohn 3.16 Ioh. 6.40 By faith we receive him Iohn 1.12 as our Priest to satisfie divine justice as our Prophet to be taught by his word as our King to be subject to his government faith beleeves him the onely Saviour the al-sufficient Saviour a Saviour to me The will of God is that we should live a holy life eschewing evill and doing good separating our selves from wickednesse and wicked company dedicating our selves to God and godlinesse to walke circumspectly to learne piety devotion heavenly mindednes 1 Thes 4. This is the will of God our holinesse 1. Pet. 1.16 2. Cor. 7.1 Sect. 3 Thirdly of Mans Will MAn is so wholly corrupted by the fall that hee understands not the things of God 1. Cor. 2.14 and his desires are opposite to Gods will 1. Pet. 4.2 being spiritually dead how can he will spirituall things Ephes 2.1 God offers grace men refuse Prov. 1 25. so that we have by nature no strength Rom. 5.6 We have no sufficiency to thinke which is lesse than to will 2. Cor. 3.5 Sect. 4 Fourthly Lessons to edifie FIrst we should labour to know Gods Will. Secondly we should endeavour to doe Gods will We attaine the knowledge of Gods will 1. By getting into the estate of grace and being beleevers for knowledge is a peculiar gift to such Matth. 13.11 The Divell blindes unbeleevers 2. Cor. 4.4 The booke is closed to them Isaiah 28.11 or if it be opened they have not judgement 1. Cor. 2.14 2. For the desire of it we must separate our selves Prov. 18.1 separate from needlesse studies idle bookes which are not meate for children but scraps for whelps separate from vaine company excessive worldly busines carnall pleasures needlesse journies let spare houres and vacant time be spent this way to get it 3. We understand by bookes Dan. 9.2 Therefore we should search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 there is the fountaine of saving knowledge there we should labour hard Prov. 2.2 3 4. 4. Wee must frequent the faithfull ministry of the word there we shall be fed with knowledge and understanding Ier. 3.15 5. Be sure prayer be not omitted Psal 119.18 wee must cry for knowledge and call for understanding Prov. 2.2 3. pray earnestly for the Spirit promised Luk. 11.13 that Spirit is the Spirit of revelation Eph. 1.17 6. We must labour to be such vessels as knowledge is put into and get these qualifications 1. To feare God for his secrets are revealed to them that feare him Psal 25 14. 2. To obey him then we shal know Ioh. 7.17 3. To give up our selves wholly to his service and to be at his disposing then wee shall know what is his good and acceptable will Rom 12.2 7. We should propound our doubts to them able to resolve us the Disciples gained knowledge by questioning with our Saviour apart also Expositors Commentaries Dictionaries are helpes and as buckets whereby we draw waters out of the Well of knowledge We should doe the will of God 1. Because then we shall differ from Hypocrites which speake that is good but doe it not Matth. 23.3 2. We shall be like the Angels which execute the will of God Psal 103.20 3 We shall be the children of wisedome and differ from fooles hee that hears and doth is as a wise builder that built on a rocke Matt. 7.24 4. We shall be honourable being in affinity to Christ those that doe his will he accounts as his kindred Matth. 12.50 5. We shall be under the promises First temporall Isaiah 1.19 If yee consent and obey yee shall eate the good things of the Land Secondly spirituall The Spirit is promised to them that aske but is given to them that obey Acts 5.32 The eternall promise is made to the obedient Mat. 7.21 He shall enter into heaven that doth the will of God Romans 2.7 Heaven is for them that by patience doe continue in well-doing The manner of doing Gods Will. 1. It must be done speedily must and haste is for the great King Psal 119. I made haste 2. It must be done sincerely looking to Gods command and presence and reward Psal 51.8 God loves truth in the inward parts 3. It must be done constantly for the former part of our life yeelds to the latter If we doe leave our righteousnesse it was but seeming righteousnesse and wee shall perish in wickednesse Ezek 18.24 Againe it is an indignity to the Lord to leave his service and lastly we lose the promise which is made to perseverance Revel 2.10 4. Gods Will must be done cheerefully for we served sinne with great delight God is the better Master his worke and wages more honourable Secondly cheerefulnesse will evidence us to be Gods people who are a willing people Psal 110.3 Thirdly God accepts the will without the worke as in Abraham offering Isaac but never the worke without the will Fourthly cheerefulnesse is acceptable like ripe fruite soone shaken pleasant to the eye and taste Fifthly uncheerefulnesse is a diabolicall service a beastly service we make them obey with whips goads and spurres Sixthly there is a speciall command of cheerefulnesse Deut. 16.14 and a fearefull threat against uncheerefulnesse Deut. 28.47 48. Sect. 5 Fifthly Questions resolved Quest 1 HAth not Man free will by Nature Answ He hath freedome to will by Nature but to will well it is of Grace Quest 2 How is the Will of God free seeing hee cannot will that is evill Answ Liberty to evill is not from the property but from the defect of the will You said Vbi non est Ratio ibi non est Voluntas Quest 3 Where Reason is not there is not Will. What say you to Rom. 8.20 speaking of the unreasonable creature hee saith not of his owne will There is will proper Answ which onely the creature hath that is reasonable there is will improper or metaphoricall which the unreasonable creature is said to have being Inclinatio Naturae A naturall inclination called a Will Quest 4 If there be a secret will of God how doe you know it if you doe know it how is it secret Answ We know there is a secret will Deut. 29.29 but wee know not the secrets of that will but when it is manifested then we know it either by revelation or events Quest 5 Are men to looke for immediate revelations in our times besides or without the Scripture Answ No the Scripture is sufficient to make the man of God perfect