drawn yet neerer vnto thee euen more to loue thee feare thee and obey thee that as thou art inlarged towards vs in mercy so we may bee inlarged towards thee in thanksgiuing and as thou dost abound towards vs in goodnesse so we may abound towards thee in obedience loue And sith deer father thou art neuer wearie of doing vs good notwithstanding all our vnworthinesse naughtines therfore let the consideratâ—on of thy great mercy and fatherly kindnesse towards vs euen as it were force our hearts compell vs to come into thy most glorious presence with newe songs of thanksgiuing in our mouths We pray thee O most merci-God to forgiue vs all our vnthankfulnes vnkindnes prophane great abusing of all thy mercies and specially our abuse contempt of thy Gospell together with all other sins of our life which we confesse are innumerable moe then can be reckoned both in omission of good things commission of euill We most humbly intreat thee to set them all ouer to that reckoning which thy sonne Christ hath made vp for them vpon his crosse and neuer to lay any of them to our charge but frely forget all forgiue al. Naile downe all our sins iniquities to the crosse of Christ burie them in his death bath them in his blood hide them in his wounds let them neuer rise vp in iudgment against vs set vs free of the miseries that are vpon vs for sinne keepe backe the iudgments to come both of soule body goods good name Be reconsiled vnto vs in thy deer Son concerning al matters past not once remembring or repeating vnto vs our old abhominable iniquities but accept vs righteous in him imputing his righteousnes to vs our sins to him Let his righteousnes satisfie thy iustice for our vnrighteousnes his obedience for our disobedience his perfection for our imperfection Moreouer wee humbly beseech thy good Maiestie to giue vs the true sight feeling of our manifold sinnes that wee may not bee blinded in them through delight or hardned in them through custome as the reprobates are but that we may be euen weary of them and much grieued for them labouring striuing by all possible meanes to get out of them Good Father touch our hearts with true repentance for all sins let vs not take any delight or pleasure in any sin but howsoeuer we fall through frailtie as we fal often yet let vs neuer fal finally let vs neuer lie downe in sinne or continue in sin but let vs get vp vpon our feet againe turne vnto thee with all our harts seeke thee whilest thou mayest bee found whilest thou dost offer grace mercy vnto vs. O Lord increase in vs that true and liuely faith whereby wee may lay sure hold on thy son Christ rest vpon his mercies altogether Giue vs faith assuredly to beleeue al the great precious promises made in the Gospell and strenghthen vs from aboue to walke abouÌ„d in all the true sound fruites of faith Let vs grow daily in the sanctification of the spirit and the mortification of the flesh Let vs liue holily iustly and soberly in this present euil world shewing forth the vertues of thee in all our particular actions that we may adorne our most holy profession and shine as lights in the midst of a crooked froward generation amongst whom wee liue being gainfull to all by our liues and couersations offensiue to none To this end wee pray thee fill vs with thy spirit and all spirituall graces as loue wisedome patience contentment meekenes humilitie temperance chastitie kindnes and affabilitie and stirre vs vp to vse prayer watchfulnesse reading meditating in thy Law all other good meanes whereby wee may grow abound in all heauenly vertue blesse vs in the vse of the meane from day to day make vs such as thou wouldest haue vs to be and such as wee desire to be working in vs both will deed purpose and power For thou O Lord art all in all thou wilt haue mercy vpon whom thou wilt haue mercie whom thou wilt thou hardnest Haue mercie vpon vs therefore deere father neuer leaue vs to our selues nor to our owne willes lusts desires but assist vs with thy good spirit that we may continue to the end in a righteous course that so at length we may be receiued into glory and be partakers of that immortall Crowne which thou hast laid vppe for all that loue thee truely call vpon thee Further we intreat thee O heauenly Father to giue vs all thinges necessarie for this life as food raiment health peace libertie such freedome from those manifold miseries which wee lye open vnto euery day as thou seest meet Blesse our stocke store corne and cattell trades occupations all the works of our hands for thy blesssing only maketh rich it bringeth no sorrows with it Grant these thinges good father vnto vs heere present and to all thine absent praying the in speciall fauour to remember our friends kinsfolks in the flesh all our neighbors wellwiller all those for whom we are bound to pray for Iesus Christs sake our onely mediator aduocate Amen An Euening Prayer to be vsed in priuate Families O Eternall God and our most louing and deare Father wee thy vnworthy children doe here fall down at the foote of thy great Maiesty acknowledging euen from our hearts that wee are altogether vnworthy to come neere thee or to looke towards thee because thou art a God of infinit glory and we are most vile and abhominable sinners such as were conceiued and borne in sinne and corruption such as haue inherited our fathers corruption also haue actually transgressed all thy holy statutes and lawes both in thoughts words and deeds before we knew thee and since secretly openly with our selues with others our particular sinnes are moe then can be numbred for who knoweth how oftentimes hee offendeth But this wee must needs confesse against our owne selues that our hearts are full of pride couetousnes the loue of this world yea the very sinckes of sin and dunghils of all filthinesse so that thou hast hast iust cause to proceed to sentence of Iudgement against vs as most damnable transgressors of thy holy Commandements yea such as are suncke in our rebellios and haue many times and often committed high treason against thy sacred Maiesty and therefore thou mayest iustly cast vs downe into Hell fire there to bee tormented with Sathan and his Angels for euer and we haue nothing to except against thy Maiesty for so doing sith therein thou shouldest deale with vs but euen according to equity and our iust deserts Wherefore deere Father wee doe appeale from thy Iustice to thy Mercie most humbly intreating thee to haue mercy vpon vs and freely to forgiue vs all our sins past whatsoeuer both new and old secret and open knowne and vnknowne and that for Iesus Christ his sake our only Mediator and Redeemer Giue vs therfore deere father euery day more more sight and feeling of our sins with true humiliation vnder the same Giue vs also that true liuely faith wherby we may lay hold vpon thy deere son Christ all his merits applying the same to our owne soules so as wee may stand fully perswaded that whatsoeuer hee hath done vpon the Crosse he hath done for vs particularly as well as for others Giue vnto vs faith good father constantly to beleeue all the sweete promises of the Gospell touching remission of sins eternall life made in thy son Christ O Lord increase our faith that wee may altogether rest vppon thy promises which are all yea Amen Yea that we may settle our selues all that wee haue wholly vpon them both our soules bodies goods name wiues children our whole estate knowing that al things depend vpon thy promises power prouidence And that thy word doth support beare vppe the whole order of Nature Moreouer we intreat thee O Lord to strengthen vs from aboue to walke in euer good way and to bring foorth the fruits of true faith in all our particular actions studying to please thee in al things and to be fruitfull in all good works that wee may shew foorth vnto all men by our good conuersation whose children we are and that we may adorne beautifie our most holy profession by walking in a Christian course and in all the sound fruits practise of Godlinesse and true religon To this end wee pray thee sanctifie our hearts by thy spirit yet more and more sanctifie our soules and bodies and all our corrupt naturall faculties as reason vnderstanding wil affections so as they may bee fitted for thy worship and seruice taking a delight and pleasure therein stirre vs vp to vse prayer watchfulnes reading and meditation in thy Law and all other good meanes wherby we may profit in grace and goodnes from day to day Blesse vs in the vse of the meanes that wee may die to sin and liue to righteousnâ—â—â— Direct all our steps in thy word â—â— none iniquity haue dominion ouer vâ— Assist vs against our special infirmitieâ— and master sins that wee may get thâ— victory ouer them all to thy glory and the great peace comfort of our owâ— consciences Strengthen vs good Father by thy grace holy spirit againâ—â— the common corruptions of the worlâ— as pride whoredom couetousnes coÌ„tempt of thy gospell swearing yinâ— dissembling and deceiuing Oh dearâ— father let vs not be ouercome of those filthy vices or any other sinfull pleasures and fond delights wherewith thousands are carried headlong into destruction Grant these things and all other needfull graces for our soules or bodies for Iesus Christs sake In whose name we further cal vpon the as he hath taught vs saying Our Father which art c. FINIS
sanctification Election Beza 2. Thes 10. 11 and according to the truth truth is gathered by calling throgh the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election and Reprobotion Elestion and ReprobatioÌ„ M. Deut. this is to be considered That the only will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercy in Christ is an inferior cause of saluation That the hardnesse of heart is an inferior cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euery one is elected or reiected at the begining Euery one is an vnprofitable seruant when hee hath done his best Euery one shall haue reward according to his worke Wee ought not to condemne or Condemne not Psal 64. 4. iudge any to bee Reprobate albeit to be without feare of God and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Because it is a secret onely reserued to God and therefore hee Mat. 7. 1. Iam. 4. 12. hath said iudge not that ye be not iudged Because the Lord is not so mercifull in forgiuing as hee is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor Acts. 9. 3. an Apostle as hee did by Paul Because the very Godly haue 1. Kin. 19. 10. beene very greatly ouer gone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israell These three steps do lead vs into Barnard Destruction 3. steps destruction The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs Scriptâ—res writteo That we might know the will of god and follow it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne Ioh. 20. 31. of God That in belieuing we might haue life through his name The whole Scriptures are diuided Barnard Scriptures deuided into three parts Lawe Prophets Gospell The Law consist in doing the Gospell consist in belieuing This may perswade vs to belieue the authority of the scriptures to be true The secret testimony of the Bib holy Ghost in our heartes which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godly agreement of all parts together with the orderly disposition certainty and successe thereof The Scriptures doe set forth vnto vs amongst many other three speciall matters which wee ought to remember The frailty of man and his prone inclination to euill The Iustice of God and his seuere punishment apointed for obstinate transgressors The mercy of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euery one ought effectually to know and search the holy scriptures for knowledge because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error for confirmation because we must belieue nothing but that which is approued by them for consolation because in them is Acts 17. contained eternall life We may gather knowledge in the scriptures three manner of waies by attendant hearing of the same well preached By diligent reading of the Acts. 8. same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open them The word of God then draweth vs vnto him when it is so preached and heard as wee vnderstand and learne what is taught therby When we receiue thankfully that which is giuen promised and assured therin When we be moued with desire and diligence to doe that which it commandeth Word of god perfect word 1. Peter 4. 8. The word of God hath then his perfect worke when it is Preached truely Belieued faithfully Followed effectually Such as will not belieue the word of God what followeth If the righteous searcely be saued where shall the vngodly and sinners appeare Euery vnfaithfull shall dye in his vnfaithfullnesse saith Esdras Euery Esdras 15. 4. Ioh. 3. 18. 2. Thes 1. vnbelieuer is condemned already And shall bee punished with euerlasting perdition Ignorance can no way be excusable Ignrance vnexcusable Rom. 1. 19. for that which may be knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs For those that know not the Lawe shall perish without the law For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leuiticall law argueth no excuse to Leuit. 4. 12. be admitted Our Sauiour Christ describeth Mat. 13. A description by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of the word Such a one as heareth it and vnderstaÌ„deth it not by reason the euil one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioy but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word he is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceitfullnesse of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God because his holy ministeries Church of God must be vsed M. Fox are there laid open which are hid and obscure to many because wee may be vnited and copled together by receiuing the Sacraments because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requests where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will hee bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three Church 3. Ornaments ancient and excellent Ornaments Preaching Prayer Sacraments Preaching ingendreth Faith Prayer increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregation Congregation must pray without difference ought to pray for all men without any difference of Nation kind age or order because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospell will haue his Church gathered together after this sort and therefore prayers to be made for all because God should not else be manifested to bee the onely God of all men vnlesse hee should shew his goodnesse in sauing of all sorts of men because his sonne Christ Iesus should not be seene to be the only mediator betweene God and of al sorts of men by hauing taken vpon that nature of man which is common to all men and made intercession for all Sacraments are signes or badges Sacraments of Christianity seales or pledges of our faith assurance of our saluation whereof there be two Baptisme and the Lords supper The sacrament of Baptisme teacheth Bib Baptisme vs to put on Christ that his righteousnesse may couer our sinfulnesse assureth vs that wee are grafted in Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away chargeth vs to mortifie and dye to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amity The sacrament of the Lords supper Bib Lords supper sheweth vs that the body and blood of Christ crucified is the only food for the regenerate assureth vs that Christ is wholy ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto euerlasting life requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with
〈…〉 Manured By Siâ—e 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Dressed and Maintained Printed at 〈…〉 for Thomâ—◠〈…〉 SALOMON that most renowned royal King weighing the wretchednesse of this world by the weight of his wonderfull wisedome could no lesse but redouble his words and say Vanitas vanitatum Eccle. 1. 2. vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas Which seing it is so Right 〈…〉 it behooueth euery one of vs not somuch to auoid the causes that may prouoke vs to vanity as to practise all the means that may procure vs to piety and to walke with such foresight in this terrestriall pilgrimage as we may haue fruition of felicity in the Celestiall Paradise according to the counsell of our Sauiour Christ who willeth vs first to seeke the Kingdome of God and his Mat. 7. 33. righteousnesse and not dissenting from the saying of the Apostle who perswadeth vs to set our affections on things that are aboue Col. 3. 2. not on thinges that are on the earth Insomuch that all our knowledge is but vaine that is seduced with vanity all our wisedome is but meare folly that is carried away with earthly cogitations yea al our doings detestable that tend onelye to temporall dispositions for there is none to bee deemed wise indeede that will not bestow his talent in the treasure of Gods word considering it is so precious that it ought more to be desired then Gold yea then much fine Gold and it is so delectable that in sweetnes it excelleth the hony and the hony combe wherein Psal 19. 10. Dauid did oppose his whole Psal 119. 97. delight And it is so expedient for vs to profit therin as he that hath much may yeeld somewhat sithence that he that hath lesse shall not bee excused with nothing the Lord will looke for ten Talents where hee Mat. 25. 22. left fiue and wil punish him that maketh no profit wher he bestowed one Heereof it is I haue proceeded in this enterprise and bestowed my time to the benefit of others which although it bee not comparable to any commeÌ„dable worke yet that is not excusable for any to detract his duty seing God will accept of a Mite of a willing mind neither ought to bee contemptible amongst others though all bee not currant for the building is furthered by inferiour helpes though it be framed by finer heads Againe the world is now growne into his last age wherein Sects Schismes and errors doe spread and sinne and iniquitie aboundeth Insomuch as I feare mee it is with many of vs in ENGLAND as it was with the people of ISRAEL they loathed Exod. 16. Manna that fell from Heauen for the sustenance of their bodies and too too many of vs doe little regard that spirituall Manna the word of GOD that is sent for the succour of our soules Heereof it I haue made choice of your good 〈…〉 and presented my labours to your Godly patronage assuring my selfe as you be fauourers and followers of Gods word so you will be defenders of the fruites of the same and rather bee preferrers then defacers of a forward action not doubting but your 〈…〉 will well accept of it as a worke ymporting and proceeding of good will by the consideration of that example of the poore widdow preferring the simplicitie of the giuer before the sufficiency of the gift knowing that the imperfection of the present may bee couered by the presumption of the Poet and I may say in the want of well doing Est voluisse satis Thus being loath to bee too tedious in my Epistle hauing obserued breuitie in all my said book I referre the consideration thereof to your graue censures submitting my selfe to your good curtesies and committing your to the protection of the Almightie Your to command To the Christian READER HEE that doth publish a matter to the iudgement of many the same requireth to bee done not lightly but deliberately considering it is a subiect to sundry censures and in reading and iudging all are not Candidi Lectores In regard wherof good Christian Reader I haue published my paines to thy profit and presented thy liking of it to thy looking ouer hauing as nigh as I may not onely cut off all such occasions as might cause cavillation but also ministred such matter as concernes our consolation and although it bee not pollished precisely for the expectation of the curious yet it is finished plainely for the information of the simple Now it may bee there be many that will vse obiectioÌ„s against the Triple forme of this Treatise because no art hath reduced althings and rightly to Dicotomies True but wisedome may contriue much compendiously and yet profitablie besides although I haue framed it as an easie entrance for the erudition of the ignorant I haue not excluded what may further bee added by the consideration of the learned abiect much more might bee inserted in many places for prolixitie yet much lesse I feare mee is obserued of the most part for their vtilitie Some will require a more direct placing of thinges in their order Certes that is well placed that is well applied And those that doe more respect the manner of placing then the matter it selfe may bee noted in the number of those who would haue the Psalmes of DAVID to proceede and not to follow the Booke of IOB making a scripulous question without cause when wee all know they are both included in the Scriptures and containe comfortable matter for our saluation Some will not like so many diuers sortes of sundry things congest together in one heape other will require more prospycuitie some one thing some another Insomuch that hee that expecteth to please the opinions of all people must either refraine from open Publication of any thing or referre himselfe to their generall dispositions in iudgement And this is the common successe of acceptance many will commend it most will mislike it few will follow it But as my meaning was to profit the simple by the setting foorth of it so I shall perswade the godly to a good liking of it and as for the froward I will not refell their foolish questions in disputation about it knowing what the Apostle Paul saith that foolish and vnlearned questions ingender strife So wishing all to measure by the meete they would receiue themselues and so to report as 〈…〉 â—â—â—pect 〈…〉 prisâ— I both submit myselfe to reprehension so it be pertinent and commit euery one to his owne liking so it be indifferent Vale. Yours in the Lord. GODS Acre of Land taken out of the holy Scriptures And diuers other learned Authors EVERY mans knowledge ought to bee reasonable towards Man 〈…〉 not presuâ—â— God that hee presume not to vnderstand aboue that Rom 〈…〉 which is meete to vnderstand Applyable to himselfe that acâ—â—â—ding to his knowledge hee shew 〈◊〉 same in his life and conuersation Luke 12. â—or else his great knowledge will â—oâ—â—emne him Profitable to others that as hee
receiued the gift hee minister the â—â—er 4. 10 same to others Hee that would attaine to an efectuall knowledge of God must remember his precepts his promises and his threatnings The eternall power of God may be knowne by the reuelation of his Word by the creation of the world and by the consideration of all his Workes The infaillible prouidence of God may appeare vnto vs by the Dan. 6. 6. Ionas 1. 15 preseruation of Daniell in the Lions Denne of Ionas in the Whales belly and of the three Children in the fiery Ouen The prouidence of God is wonderfull Gods prouideâ—â—â— wonderfull M. P. for he worketh by means For meate is a meane to serue â—is prouidence for the preseruation of health and life here hee that contemneth to eate because his prouidence is infallible doth contemne his prouidence without meanes For if it were so that meate could not be had then should wee not tie his prouidence to this meane for without meate God can helpe and giue health and life here Against meanes for his power and wisedome is infinite and therefore wee should depend vpon his prouidence euen when all is cleane against vs. The exceeding mercy of God is made manifest vnto vs in the Gods 〈◊〉 manifest Scriptures by the miraculous examples of compassion by the manifold words of consolation and by the death of his onelie Sonne for our propitiation Hee that mistrusts the mercy of God denyeth him to bee Loue Gods mercy must not beâ— mistrusted wherein consisteth all the hope of poore sinners because of his great loue he sent his onely Sonne to suffer death for the remission of our sinnes Truth because hee promised for the loue of his Sonne pardon to all poore sinners so oft as they require it in faith with a contrite heart Power because hee is as true of his promises as hee is able to performe them and as hee is of power so will hee doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him The super-aboundant loue of God appeareth vnto vs in this that Gods super-aboundant Loue. he sent his owne Sonne for our redemption for our iustification and for our sanctification The ioyes of Heauen prepared for those that loue God are such Ioyes of Heauen 1. Cor. 2. 9. as the eye hath not seene the eare hath not heard and the heart cannot conceiue Euery man ought to know the difference in beleeuing A God is to be belieud he is the only true almighty Difference in beleeuing M. P. God this faith is Historical for so Diuells beleeue as well as the wicked of God All is true that he saith in the scriptures of him so do the euill Christians as wel as the good vnlesse they bee Heretickes In God is to loue him and to trust in his goodnesse and in beleeuing to ioyne our selues to him by loue and obedience this Faith is Euangelicall onely propper to the elect who liue by Faith It is not sufficient for vs to say we know God loue God and feare 1. Iohn 2. God vnlesse wee keepe his commandements God sheweth vpon earth mercy Iere. 9. 24. c. wherein consisteth our saluation Iudgment wherewith he punisheth the wicked Iustice whereby he preserueth the godlie God often times crosseth and Iohn 9. 3. Luke 13. 3. punisheth man vpon earth for his owne glorie as appeareth by the Blinde-man for example to others as appeareth by the Galilean for triall of his faith as appeareth by Iob that patient man God in times past spake and preached to his people by dreames by visions and by reuelations God hath apointed three places Three places apointed for all persons the ioyes of Heauen for the godlie the paines of Hell for the wicked the vse of the Earth â—or all persons for both God is worthilie said to bee Rich in mercy in that hee respecteth the â—od rich in â—ercy humble freelie Mightie in Iustice in that hee iudgeth the wicked iustlie Bountifull in grace in that hee saueth Barnard sinners pittifully God requireth no more at our hands but these three things Feare Deut. 10. 12. Obedience and Loue. God ought to bee beloued of vs with all our hearts with all our souls Deut. 10. 12. Rom. 8. 28. and with all our strength all things worke for the best to them that loue God God is loued effectually three God loued three waies manner of waies entirelie in hauing a good will to him reioycing greatlie hee is such a one as hee is orderlie in referring our selues and all that we haue to him in such manner and measure as he willeth Loue is the end of the Commandement â— Tim. 1. 5. Loue cannot be without a good conscience A good conscience cannot be without Faith Faith cannot bee without the word of God Wee ought continually to bee thankefull to God because of him Rom. 11. 3. through him and for him are all things True thankefullnesse consisteth True thankfulnesse M. R. in three thinges commemoration because in recounting Gods exceeding benefits hee hath done for vs wee shall finde the better occasion if we will consider to bee the more thankefull for them as Dauid did which made him in feruencie of spirit burst forth into these speeches What shall I render vnto the Lord for all Psal 116. 12. 13. 14. his benefits bestowed vpon me Abiection because if we measure Gods benefits with our deserts wee shall finde our selues not worthie of the least but in respect of our imperfections wee are no better then abiects which we should not onely acknowledg and say with the same Prophet Lord what is man that 〈◊〉 114. 3. thou art so mindefull of him But also in regard thereof say with him I will not die but liue to this end to declare works goodnes of god â—sal 118. 17. he hath done for mee Narration because it is not enough for vs to receiue Gods benefits and be mindfull thereof but also wee are bound to make others to profit thereby and praise God as the same Psalmograph Psal 6â— 16. did come saith he and hearken all yee that feare God and I will tell you what hee hath done to my Soule Wee ought continually to haue the feare of God before our eyes Pro. 9. 10. Pro 19. 23. Luke 1. 15. because it is the beginning of wisedome because it causeth vs to depart from euill because his mercy is on such from generation to generation It was the treasure of Hezekiah Esay 33. 6. There be three kindes of feares Feares three â—â—ndes childelie feare this appertayneth to the godlie who feares God onelie for his goodnesse without any finister Acts 9. 31. respects Seruile feare this is proper to the wicked who feare 2. Kings 7. 3â— God onelie for his punishment Naturall feare this is common to Mat. 14. 26 both for faith often times faileth the very elect The feare of God as Saint Barnard saith is