oath and say Lord I have many enemies too strong and subtile for me but be thou my strong rock I have a deceitfull backsliding heart but thou art a true God purge out mine hypocrisie and heale all my backslidings Thou requirest that I should serve thee in holiness and righteousness without feare but thou hast bound thy self as wel to me as mee to thy self grant me thy grace and power to do thy will Da Domine quod jubes jube quod vis and banish far from me all slavish feare by planting thy love in mine heart for perfect love doth cast out slavish feare 1 Joh. 4.18 2. This covenant is established in the hand of a mediator Jesus Christ who hath paid our whole debt Heb. 12.24 though we cannot satisfie for the least farthing and he is able to work all our works in us and for us Isa 26 12. Adam indeed soon brake his covenant though he were in innocency because he stood by his owne strength but the second Adam God and man is our upholder who is bound in the covenant of grace with us and for us to whom the Lord hath said In an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee and I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant of the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages that thou maist say to the prisoners go forth to them that are in darknes shew yourselves Isa 49.8.9 God promiseth to help and preserve him that he may help and uphold us Are we in darkness he will be our light Are we weak he the Lord Jehova wil be our everlasting strength Do we fall he will raise us up Psal 37.24 Though we break the covenant he hath kept it to the utmost Thirdly To render us yet more secure Act. 2.38 39. God hath confirmed this covenant that he wil be our God and guide unto death by outward seals commonly called Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords supper as circumcision is called the seal of the righteousness of faith Rom. 4.11 As also by the inward seal of his holy Spirit who beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 as the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Now he which establisheth us with you is God which words with you are added lest some weaker Christians should demur and surmise that the Apostle and strong christians may well say so but we may not be so bold Yes saith the Apostle you may avouch somuch as well as I or any other He who establisheth us with you in Christ and hath annointed us is God who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Here is a seal and an earnest both mentioned and annexed to Gods covenant and oath that we might have strong consoâ—atiâ—n who have fled for refuge to lay hold upâ—n the hope set before was Heb. 6.18 Argumen 2 Secondly That which mov d God to enter into covenant with them was his love God loveth them for the love of God is the original and fountaine of all the Saints blessedness and dignâ—â—y which two may all along be distinguished but cannot be separated The primary product of this love is our election from all eternity Eph. 1.4 which is therefore called the election of grace Rom. 11.5 The object of this grace is the Israel of God as appeareth by the Lords compellation Isa 44.1 2. Heare now O Iacob my servant and Israel whom I have chosen Thus saith the Lord that made thee who will also keep thee Feare not O Iacob my servant and thou Jesurun Whom I have chosen The consideration hereof emboldened David against all his ranting enemies Psal 4.2 3. O ye sons of men said he to them how long will you turne my glory into shame But know or be it known to you that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself These only have their names written in the Lamb's book of life Rev. 21.27 whereas all others who have forsaken the Lord the fountain of living waters shal be written in the Earth Jer. 17.13 They are built upon the rock of ages the foundation of God which stands suâ—e 2. Tim. 2.19 all others shal be like the chaff which the winde driveth to and fro Psal 1.4 Secondly This love moved God to send his onely begotten son in the fulness of time into the world to die for them that whosoever beleeve on him might not perish but have eternal life Joh. 3.6 Here we have the privative part of our happiness they shall not perish but be delivered from hell and the positive part they shall have eternal life Reader stand here and meditate what the terrors and torments of hell are from whence Christ by his death hath freed us and what the joyes and glory of Heaven be which he hath purchased and prepared for us And when you can fully conceive how great these two are or how great Christs love is who hath done both these for us then and never before will you be able to conceive how great the beleevers honour and happiness shall be Thirdly As the love of the Father induced him to give us his Son Isa 9.6 so the love of the Son moved him to give himselfe for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Eph. 5.2 and that he might redeeme us from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 and consequently from hell Now might the damned Spirits be certified that they should at last be released out of those intolerable torments which they suffer and we have deserved and in the end be invested in celestial glory thought it should be graâ—â—ed them not til after some thousand of yeares first expired what a great mercy would even they account it And will not you seek to know this how you may escape hell and attain everlasting glory Sect. 3 Argument 3 Thirdly On these his bâ—loved hath Iesus Christ conferred his Sâ—cred spirit a gift of gifts that thereby we may know that he dwelleâ—h â—n us and we in him 1 Illumination 1 Joh. 3.24 By whom we 1. are enligh ened to know what is the hope of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inhâ—ritance in the Saints Eph. 1.18 How earnest was bl ssed Paul who rightly apprehended this mercy of illumination in praying for others that they might have it who waâ—ted it and in rendering thanks for them who had obtaâ—ned it And will not you be affâ—cted therewith to seek it till you find it and to bless God for it when you have it 2 Vivification 2. By the operation of this Spirit are they qâ—ickâ—ned who were dead before in trespasses and in sins Joh. 6.63 Now put these two together Prov. 15.30 If the light of the body be so pleasant as Solomon averreth how much more delightfull is the light of the soul and if temporall
NATHANAEL OR An Israelite Indeed Lively portraied and evidently proved to be an object most worthy both of our Admiration and Imitation His Priviledges and Characters are also layd down Together with a Discovery of the sinfulness and miserie of all Hypocrites and strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel In that day shall Israel be a blessing in the midst of the Land whom the Lord of hosts shall blesse saying Blessed be Israel mine inheritance Isa 19.24 25. Haec lege fac itidem tuque beatus eris By Faithfull Teate D. D. Preacher of the Gospel in East Greenwich in Kent LONDON Printed for George Sanbridge at the Bible on Ludgate-Hill 1657. To all my Worthy and welbeloved friends in the Lord and for some yeares Auditors in the City of Dublin both Magistrates and People And to all my deare and much respected Parishioners of East Greenwich in KENT Dearely beloved THe true Israelite you know is a stranger in the world marvel not therefore that he cometh unto you in a mean dresse yet being glorious within and bearing the lively image of God upon him he doubteth not to find acceptance with you his brethren and with all true Christians As for any other he needs not care what they either think or say I begin with you the inhabitants of the city of Dublin in Ireland Excuse me for not nominating any since your number is so great as by your voluntary subscriptions for my employment and maintenance amongst you in a booke yet kept by me may appeare that if I should name some and should pretermit others and misplace any not knowing after so long absence and at so great distance what alterations time hath wrought among you I might give some offence I believe I shall never forget your great and constant affection towards me since my first coming among you how cordially you embraced my person how readily and gladly you received the Gospel wherof I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God giâ—en unto me for your sakes while I was with you how freely and plentifully you contributed towards my maintenance and since my removal from you by the clandestine practices of some who then seemed to stand for the English interest but since have beene discovered to be worse enemies within than any without could be how mindful you have been of me and still are as all that come hither from you do certify I cannot and hope you will not forget how many dayes of humiliation even once a weeke for two yeares space we kept together in publike during the time of our sad distresses when our onely weapons were prayers and teares when your city was environed round by hostile forces and in no lesse danger by reason of intestine foes when our enemies were furnished with dayly supplies of choise Commanders and Armes from forrein parts by popish adherents and in the meane time all help except from Heaven only which was thereby rendred more signal was denied us by the obstruction of long continued contrary winds out of England and by implacable dissentions which in that juncture of time was far worse falling out in the bowels of our native country from whence under God we could only expect reliefe what flockings were there then dayly by all sorts to the Courts of Gods house as of doves to their windowes in such abundance that diverse knowing men have been heard to say that they hardly ever saw so great a concourse the number and quality of the persons considered in all their lives in any other parts of the world And how often have we seen God in the mount a present help in the time of trouble What blessed returns did the Lord continually make to our humble supplications even to admiration what great successe did the Lord then graciously give to the word of his grace in converting some in strengthening others and in comforting all How great violence did the kingdom of Heaven suffer among you so that God heard your voice and you heaâ— Gods voice and in the end he admâ—â—istred to us many causes of publike thanksgivings turning all our prayers into praises for his audience and our wonderfull deliverances We have seene five to chase an hundred and an hundred to put thousands to flight It would seeme incredible to many if one should relate to them but one half of that which the Lord hath done for us which we have seene and know to be most true we can subscribe a probatum est to the soveraigne vertue of fasting prayer whereby Israel-like we had power with God and with men and prevailed Genes 32.28 But now Satan envying at our prosperity and having great wrath because he knew his time was but short found out new stratagems advantagious for his destructive ends First now was a new court of delegates erected by arbitrary power among you in the room of the high Commission formerly by authority dejected but this was the same with the former and far worse the name only being altered and rightly was it termed by some a spanish inquisition by others the Abomination of desolation The men authorized to be Judges in this delicate Court were such as professed themselves to stand for the interest of the Irish rebells one of them boldly affirming in the pulpit in your hearing and mine as by diverse sufficient witnesses can be proved that These Warrs are for us Bishops which Maxime had beene formerly divulged among the people but more secretly Whereupon Dr Beadle Bish of Kilmore a most worthy and learned man in a vehement indignation against the same when he first heard thereof burst out into this expression If we B ps be the cause of this horrible tempest let them take us and with Jonah cast us all over board Another of the inquisitors being an Irish man by birth in the same pulpit excused the discontented gentlemen meaning the rebels his countrimen disswading the Soldiers from vigorous prosecution of them and the Judges from condemning such of them as had beene taken prisoners in open hostility unless two or three witnesses should first depose that to their knowledge the said prisoners had before in cold blood committed things worthy of death whereas we all know that those bloody Canibals murthered man woman child except here one and there another escaped by Gods extraordinary preservation as one of Jobs servants escaped from the Caldeans and another from the sword of the Sabaeans onely to bring the sad tydings to their Master of what had been done to the rest of his servants and to his cattell At the same time did this merciful Orator directing his words to me who then sate before him with his fore-finger pointing at me condemne all bloody preaching and praying against them who he said were Christians and admonished me and all others from using the like for future time whereas our Preaching was to animate the soldiers Couragiously to prosecute so just a warre against such unparalleld
life be so deare that as the devil could say all that a man hath will he give for his life Iob 2.4 how much dearer is spiritual life And how can you once imagin that you have either this spiritual lâ—ght or life in you if you have no care to shew forth the praises of him who hath called yâ—u out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Peâ— 2.9 where we have another of the true Israelites high priviledges spâ—cifiâ—d 3. Vocation effectuall vocation whâ—reby they are called to be Saints and to have fellowship with Jâ—su Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 2.9 for which Gâ—d who is fâ—ithfull by whom they aâ—e called and will also confirme them unto the end that they may be blameless in the day of the Lord esus Christ can never sufficiently be admired â—nd adored v. 8. Eternity wil be filled with praises for this with other mercies How unspeakable a praerogative is our â—doption 4 Adoption who may say with the prodigal that we are not worthy to be called his sons or daughters Luk. 15.19 yet as many as receive him to them he giveth this right or prerogative to become the sons of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even to them who believe on his name Joh. 1.12 5 Faith And for this end to them it is given to believe Phil. 1.29 For should God give Christ and not give us faith to receive him Christ would profit us nothing faith is termed precious 2 Pet. 1.1 yea the very trial of faith is more precious then that of gold that perisheth though it be tryed with fire 1 Pet. 1.7 How precious then is faith it selfe whereby we lay hold on and have an interest in all the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Now suppose a beleever be poor in the world yet is he rich in faith and an heir of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2.5 1 Wrought Rom. 10.15 For this end again God furnisheth and sendeth his messengers whose very feet are beautifull to his chosen with the fulnesse of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15.29 to beget faith in their hearts For Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God verse 17. verse 17. And although other persons may hear the same word yet to them it is but a savour of death to death even to as many as perish whilst it is a savour of life unto life to them that are saved 2 Cor. 2.16 2. 2 Workeing in them This Grace of Faith being once wrought in their souls it purifieth the heart and this speaks of them blessed for Blessed are the pure in heart saith our blessed Savour for they shal see God Math. 5.8 Faith also is attended with all the traine of saving graces as Vertue Knowledge Temperance Patience Godlynesse Brotherly-kindnesse and Charity 2 Pet. 1.6 7. and it brings forth in them all the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God Phil. 1.11 and to the exceeding great benefit of others even to their conversion and salvation as is prophesied of them Esai 19.24 25. In that day shall Israel be the third with Aegypt and with Assyria even a blessing in â—he middle of the Land Whom the Lords of hosts shall blesse saying Bâ—essed be Aegypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands and Israel mâ—ne inheritance They are blessed of God and become blessings to others round about them not to some few in a corner or two but in the middle of the Land O the blessednesse of these persons as the Hâ—brew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports 6 Reconciliation Tâ—ey only are reconciled to God by Jesuâ— Csirist who were before as all others are still alienâ—ted and enemies in their minds by wicked works C lâ—ss 1.20 What a change is here By nâ—ture they were châ—ldren of wrath even as others Eph. 2 3 But now of enemies they are made the friends of Gâ—d yea his favourites as our Saviour declareth John 15.15 Hâ—nceforth I call you not servants * Theodosi s accounted it a fâ—r gre ter honour to â—erve Christ then o be Empe or of the whole world though that wâ—re an high honour for to serve God is to reigne for the servant knoweth not what his master doth bâ—t I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my father I have made known to you They are as neer and dear to him as children to their Parents the beloved spouse to the husband and members to the head To him they are united and made one with the Father by him John 17.21 Iohn 17.21 with whom as also with the spirit of grace they have communion as St. John asserteth 1 Iohn 1.3 Truely our fellowship is with the Father and with his son Jesus Christ and St. Paul maketh mention of their communion with the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13 14 They are of Christs flesh of his bones Eph. 5.30 they are one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 partakers of the divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereas all others have fellowship with devils and the unfruitfull works of darknesse 1 Cor. 10 20. Eph. 5.11 and not with God for what communion can light have with darknesse or unrighteousnesse with righteousnesse or Belial with Christ or an infidel with him that believeth 2 Cor. 6.14 15. They may perhaps think and say they have but if we walk in darkness and say we have fellowship with him we lye and doe not the truth 1 Iohn 1.6 But ere we pass from this part of the Saints preheminence a few things are necessary to be advertised for prevention of mistakes which some have made of most dangerous consequence 1. Whereas it is said by our Saviour that they who believe on him are one with the Father as he is John 17.21 Here we must know that the particle as denoteth a quality not an equality for Christ is one with his Father immediately but we by meanes of Christ this union being wrought by the Spirit Eph. 4.4 2 We are not in the same kind or degree nor in so high and glorious a manner one with the father as he for in Christ the human nature is united to the divine yet the union is not naturall but supernaturall and mysticall Againe the persons of believers are united to Christ yet is not that a personal or essential union as Christ with his Father is Lastly we must distinguish between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightly attributed to Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the divine Nature whereof all are partakers who have the Image of God renewed in them consisting in wisedome holiness and true righteousnesse If these things had been duly known and weighed by some they would never have blasphemously usurped to
themselves the titles of God and Christ or have given out that they are so one with Christ that they can sin no more then Christ can sinne To whom Luther some others being too bold with those hyperbocall expressions of Nazianzen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have given too much occasion 7. They and they onely have Christan liberty 7 Liberty of grace in this life and of glory in the life to come called the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8.21 St. Paul was caught up into Paradise and admitted to see the glory thereof but not permitted to utter what he had heard and seen for it is as easie to containe the Sea in an Egge-shel as to relate heaven's happiness 2 Cor. 12.4 Hither is our Lord Jesus gone before to prepare many Mansions for believers and he will bring them all thither when he hath throughly prepared them for the same Iohn 14.2 Whereas all unbelievers the fearfull the lyers and workers of iniquity shall in no wise enter in thither but have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21.8.27 Lessius de justiciâ p. 600. Christiana libertas à quintuplici servitute nos solvit 1. peccati 2. diaboli 3. legis c. 2. The liberty of Grace is either privative or positive 1. They are freed 1. From evil 1. By meanes and their justification they have freedom 1. From the bondage of the devill Col. 1.13 Who were before taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 2 From sin Rom. 6.22 both in regard of the guilt of it Rom. 8.33 who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect since Christ dyed for their sins yea rather is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God to make intercession for them v. 34. and also in regard of the dominion of sin For to such the Apostle saith Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under grace Rom. 6.14 As also in regard of the fruits of sin both in the world to come they are freed from eternal condemnation Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit The reason followeth v 2. For the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of sin and death v 2. As also in this life they are delivered from the terrors of death under which others are in bondage all their life time Heb. 2.15 Secondly from the evil of afflictions not from the afflictions themselves for it is good for them to be afflicted Psalm 119.71 But to them the Lord turneth the evill of their troubles to good Genesis 50.20 3. They are freed from the law 1. from the intolerable yoke of the Ceremonial Law Acts. 15.10 and 2. in part from the Morall Law in four regards 1. of the curse which it denounceth again all that continue not in all that is written in that Law Gal. 3.10 11. which Christ hath freed us from by being made a curse for us 2. They are exempted from seeking justification by the works of the Law Rom. 3.20 21 22. who are justified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ v 24.3 from the exact obedience which the Law requireth to be performed in their own persons for justification and the obtaining of eternall life for Christ is become the end of the Law for righteonsnesse to every one that believeth Rom. 10.4 5. and through him God accepteth the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 4. From the irritation of the Law which by reason of the corruption that is in man by nature hath a provoking power in it so that when the law commands obedience and threatneth the disobedient he groweth more outragious in evil then before Spumeus et fervens et abobice fortior ibit as a river dammed-up swels and overflows the Banks according to that of the Apostle The Law entred that the offence might abound Rom. 5.20 But these persons of whom we discourse are of a more excellent spirit who delight in the law of God after the inward man Rom. 7.22 and the love of God rendreth his Commandements not grievous to them 1 John 5.3 Fourthly they are delivered from the evil of evils the immense and direfull wrath of God by Jesus Christ 1 Thess 1.10 which shall come inevitably and irrecoverably upon all the Children of disobedience Col. 3.6 and burn to the lower Hell Lastly they shall be delivered from death and the grave for Death is the last Enemy that shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.26 And though die they must yet the sting of death which is sin is pulled out and they shall be raised from their graves in the great day of the resurrection Hos 13.14 so that they may sing Hosea's Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory thanks be to God who hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.55.57 2. The positive part of their liberty followeth As they are and shall be free from all evill so they are set free to good as 1. to righteousnesse to serve the Lord in newnesse of spirit and not in oldnesse of the letter Romans 7.6 2. To their use all things are sanctified by the word and prayer 1 Tim. 4 5. which to others are unclean Tit. 1.15 To the pure all things are pure but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minds and consciences is defiled 3. They are free to the communion of Saints fellow heires and of the same body and partakers of the same promises in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 4ly By Christ they have bold access to the throne of grace to aske what they will if it be agreeable to Gods will with confidence in him of obtaining their suits at all times 1 Joh. 5.14 What is said of Luther may be affirmed of them also I sle potuit quod voluit for to them it is promised Aske and have 8 Peace 8. The peace of God which passeth all understanding doth keep their hearts and mindes through Iesus Christ Phil. 4.7 whereas there is no peace saith God to the wicked Isa 57.21 To this peace with God and their owne consciences we must add peace with the creatures even with the stones and beasts of the field Job 5.23 and both these spring from their reconciliation with God 9. Joy 9. From all these immunities ariseth joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 which none can ever take from them Jo. 16.22 for it shall be everlasting Isa 51.11 whereas all others joyes besides are neither solid nor durable For though wicked men may glory in appearance yet that joy never proceedeth from the heart 2 Cor. 5.12 and it is
but like the crackling of thorns under a pot soon extinct ending in smoak and ashes as Solomon describeth it Eccl. 7.6 I might proceed but that of the Apostle calleth me off with which I shall conclude my arguments for confirmation and come to application of this truth Eye hath not seen nor eare heard neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him 1 Cor. 2.9 which yet is * Cornel. à Lapide upon this place commenteth thus Nota Isaiam cap. 64.4 quem hic citat Paulus agere de incarnatione Christi vitâ praesenti Unde hunc versiculum de miraculis Christi deque sapientiâ virtutibus omnique gratiâ quam Christus nobis hic vivens communicavit accipiunt Chrysost Ambrosius Theophil Oecumenius quibus adjiciantur non nulli recentiores spoken of the present life what then will their glory be in the life to come Sect. 4 Use 1. This serveth for the information of all that are willing to be reformed and for the conviction of the refractary Would you then know whether you be true Israelites or no and if you be not so yet how you may become such I shall lay downe the chiefe marks wherewith the pencil of Gods Spirit hath delineated them Characters of a right Israelite 1. 1. They are acquainted with the mind of God revealed in his word Psal 147.19 20. The Lord sheweth his word unto Iacob His statutes and his judgments unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and for his judgments they have not known them Augustin and Bernard derive the name Israel from seeing God * Aug. sup Psa 121. Bern. hom in luc 24. Israel videns Deum inter pretatur quamvis hane etymologiam Mercerus improbat And certain it is none but they have the saving knowledge of Iesus Christ which is life eternal we have the mind of Christ saith St. Paul 1 Co◠2.16 Others may have a superficial or speculative knowledge of him and the Gospel but these onely are taught by him as the truth is in Iesus Wherefore all such as know not God neither desire to be acquainted with his wayes exclude themselves out of this blessed catalogue Iob. 21.14 that refuse to come and heare his word duely taught that they may know in this their day the things which belong to their peace Luk. 19.42 Let them well peruse the Apostles direfull commination recorded in 2 Thess 2.7.8 The Lord Iesus shal be revealed from Heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of the Lord Iesus Christ O! here observe in time I pray the party coming is the Lord Iesus who if he set himself against you who can or dare appear for you 2. His attendants are the angels of his power 3. the manner how he will come in flaming fire 4. the end for which he cometh so attended and in so dreadfull sort to take vengeance 5. the subject parties on whom he wil take vengeance and they are of two sorts first such as know him not If there were no other sin but this wilfull ignorance where meanes of knowledge may be had and are neglected his eye shal not pity for he hath sworne in his wrath and therefore will not repent that the people who erre in their hearts and have not known his wayes shall never enter into his rest Psal 95.10 11. Psal 95.10.11 The second sort against whom this great Judg will come so armed are all that obey not the Gospel of God it is not sufficient for them to know it unlesse they obey it for * Basil Quomodo supplicia sempiterna dieuntur hic pauca Resp Non numerum poenarum sed differentiam indicat Dominus Potest enim aliquis esse dignus inextinguibili flammâ vel remissiori vel intensiori indeficiente verme vel mitiùs torquente vel fortius he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12.57 but he that knoweth not and doth commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes v. 48. Secondly Every true Israelite is a true believer for we read of the faith of Abraham Heb. 11.17 of Isaac v. 20. and of Iacob v. 21. and every one whether he be Jew or gentile in circumsion or uncircumcision who is justified by faith and walketh in the steps of the faith of Abraham hath Abraham for his father Rom. 4.11 12. whereas the Jewes of whom Saint Paul speaketh Rom. 11.20 were broken off though lineally descended of Abraham because of unbelief Here let all unbelievers and misbelievers who content themselves with a dead faith Jam. 2. 20.22 Without attaning to the saving faith of Gods elect which worketh by love that their works may justifie their faith as true faith justifieth the persons in whom it is know that our Saviour hath spoken it and none can reverse it I dare not conceale it and though they will not yet believe it they shall find it so They shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 A 3. character of this Israelite indeed is true repentance Acts. 5.31 Character God exalted Iesus Christ by his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins whence it manifestly appeareth first that Repentance is an Evangelical grace because it is the gift of Iesus Christ 2. that none are able to repent of themselves for it is a supernatural work of Christ in the elect 3ly that it was one end of Christ's exaltation in glory to confer repentance 4ly that the subject parties in whom conversion is wrought are Gods Israelites 5ly that remission of sins doth accompany true repentance and that none ever had or shal have pardon of sin who repent not of it And this calleth upon five sorts to look to themselves 1. Such as have not yet repented 2 Such as will not repent 3. Such as repent but feignedly Jerem. 3 10. 4 They that do not renew their repentance after the reiteration and fresh commissions of sin 5ly but most of all They that decry and oppose the doctrine of Repentance as legal work or unnecessary for a Christian what high conceits soever any of these may have of their spiritual estate they shall never be found to be Israelites of Gods denomination Character 4. A true Israelite is one that hath a cleane heart as the Psalmist teacheth us Psal 73.1 Truely God is good to Israel to them that are of a cleane heart Obj. But who can say I have made my heart cleane I am pure from my sin Pro. 20.9 Ans It is confessed no man in this life can say so nay of all others the best complain most of hardness and pollution of heart Isa 63.17 why hast thou hardened our hearts from thy feare saith the Church we are all
as an uncleane thing Isa 64.6 yet in a threefold respect their hearts may be truely said to be cleane 1. As they are justified by faith God imputeth not to them their owne sins but the righteousness of his sonne Rom. 4.6 by whose blood they are cleansed from all iniquity 1 Joh. 1.7.9 so that they confess their sins to God Christ interposeth his merits and telleth them they are cleane every whit Joh. 13.10 and this made David so confident in his prayer to God Psal 51.7 Purge me with hysop and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then snow 2. In respect of regenerating or sanctifying grace God hath begun to purify their hearts by faith Act. 15.9 Thirdly Their unfaigned desires are to have their hearts cleansed as appeareth by Davids prayer Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Fourthly Their constant endeavours are since they have received such promises and grace withal to cleaâ—se themselves as the Apostle teacheth fron all filthyness not onely of the flâ—sh but also of the Spirit and to perfect holiness in the feare of God 2 Cor. 7.1 And for that end 1 They hide the word in their hearts that they may not sin against God Psal 119 11 2 They keep their hearts with all diligence well knowing that from thence spring the issues of life Pro. 4.23 3 They suffer not vain thoughts to lodg in their breasts Jer. 4.14 but carefully expel all evil imaginations and disorderly affections which therefore are compared to strangers and wayfaring men who come into an other mans house but tarry not there long as Augustine interpreteth that passage in Nathans parable 2 Sam. 12.4 There came in a traveller unto the rich man A traveller not an Inmate 4. They are much afflicted and in great bitterness and sorrow of spirit when they seriously reflect upon their soules and find them out of order by reason of pride hypocrisy or any other obliquity they weep and mourne yea their laughter is turned to mourning and their joy to heaviness and they humble themselves before the Lord as St Iames commandeth Iam. 4.9.10 and though they enjoy outward health and prosperity yet are they wearie of their very lives by reason of their inward exorbitances and lusts Fifthly they are like to a living spring which worketh uncessantly day and night till it hath purged out the filth that by any means is cast into it so can not they rest till they have washed themselves in the fountain opened for sin and uncleannesse Zach. 13.1 Sixthly being jealous of their owne hearts which by nature are deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked so that none but the Lord who searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines can know it Jer. 17.9 10. And withall being conscious to them selves how unable they are to subdue their unruly passions and vile affections they pour forth many and fervent prayers to God in the name of Christ to discover to them their hidden corruptions and to clense them from their secret sinnes as may be seen in David Psalm 139.23 24. Search me O God and Know my Heart Try me and Know my Thoughts See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me into the way everlasting and Psalm 19.12 Clense thou me from secret faults Application Hereby it may appeare that such bebelong not to the Common-wealth of Israel who 1. boast of the goodnesse of their hearts 2. that hold thoughts to be free 3. who never watch over their hearts 4. that never are troubled about the filthynesse of their inward parts 5. never wash them in the blood of the immaculate Lamb 6. nor pray for wisedome to discover nor power from on high to purifie and order them aright This is one of the liveliest and surest Symptons whereby you may know whether your heart be right with God or noâ— It is true others cannot judge immediately of them but God can and doth and will one day bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts and then shall every man have praise of God 1 Cor. 4 5. Oh therefore judg your selves that you may not be judged of him to eternall condemnation Chara ∣ cter 5 5. As when Jacob personated his brother Esau yet his father though he were blind discerned his voyce Genesis 27.22 The voyce is Jacobs voice saith he but the hands are the hands of Esau So ordinarily may a true Christian be discovered by his dialect or language for he speaketh best his mothers tongue called the language of Canaan Isaiah 19.18 which consists 1. In abstaining from evill talk 1 Pet. 3.10 for he that will love life and see good dayes must refraine his tongâ—e from evill and his lips that they speak no guile But if at any time he over shooteth and breaketh out into distempered words either offensive to his God or infections to his neighbour knowing that evill communication infecteth good manners 1 Cor 15.33 1. he recalleth himselfe 2. confesseth his sin to God with selfe-abhorrencie and humbleth himselfe for it as Job did in his answer to the Lord Job 40.4 5. Behold I am vile what shall I answer thee I will lay mine hand upon my mouth Once have I spoken but I will not answer yea twice but I will proceed no further Thirdly he resolveth for the future to bridle his tongue better as David did Psalm 39.1 I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me Fourthly he prayeth the Lord to set a Watch before his mouth and to keep the door of his lips Psa 141.3 as unable to doe it himselfe Fifthly It is a dayly vexation to his righteous soul to hear others to dishonour God by their uncircumcised lips and prophane discourses Lot vexed his soul day by day as well in hearing the Sodomites unlawfull speeches as in seeing their unlawfull deeds 2 Pet. 2.8 and of old they used to rent their garments when they had heard any to speak blasphemie Secondly the Language of Canaan consists not onely in shunning of evill words but also in bringing forth good things out of the good treasu e of his heart as an evill man out of the evill treasure bringeth forth evil things Mat 12.35 For as the righteous bath the law of God in his heart so his mouth speaketh of wisedome and his tongue talketh of judgement Psalm 37.30 31 according to the Apostles charge Eph. 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Now bring your selves to this test Application for by mens words they shall be justified and by their words shall they be condemned Tit. 1.10 Maâ— 12.37 Hereby 1. all unruly and vaine talkers cursers customary swearers railers and scoffers that walk after their own ungodly
are in his hand he loveth to oppresse And what saith he to this v. 8. yet am I become rich I have found me out substance in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin 3ly The wicked continueth in this sin as the Psalmist chargeth him Thou givest thy mouth to evil and thy tongue frameth deceit Psalm 50.19 But assoone as the Lord bringeth a soul to true repentance either initial or renewed then he confesseth his fault with sorrow and shame as Zacheus did Luk 19.8 If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him fourfold And Peter after he had denied with swearing and cursing that he knew his master he went out and wept bitterly Mat. 26.70.72.75 and with David he prayeth the Lord to remove from him the way of Lying Psal 119.29 and thence forward he renounceth the hidden things of dishonesty and walketh no longer in craftiness 2 Cor. 4.2 but studiously according to the Apostles rule he putteth away lying and speaketh the truth with his neighbour knowing that we are members one of another 4ly And though there remaineth guile in his flesh or unregenerate part yet is there none in his spirit or regenerate part Psal 32.2 In his spirit there is no guile This distinction Saint Paul maketh when he found in himself experimentally a bitter-sweet contrarietie Rom. 7.18 In me that is in my flesh saith he dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to performe that which is good I find not c. and v. 22. I delight in the law of God after the inward man But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members 5ly Though there be guile in him yet after his repentance for it the Lord doth not impute it to him witness the royal-prophet Psal 32.12 Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered Blessed is he unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity in whose spirit there is no guile He will confess of himself I have a treacherous heart and false tongue who shall deliver me from it I will do this thing for thee saith the Lord which you desirest for I have found a ransome Oh this maketh him to cry out with the blessed Apostle Blessed be God through Jesus Christ Thus God dealt with the prophet Isaiah c. 6. v. 5. Wo is me saith he for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwel in the midst of a people of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of hostes Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me having a live coale in his hand which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar And he laid it upon my mouth and said Lo this hath touched thy lips and thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin purged v. 6.7 Here I cannot pretermit Nathanael in my text in whom there was rooted a very dangerous Error as before hath been shewed that Jesus Christ was not the right Messias because he came out of Nazareth yet our Lord Jesus foreseeing that after he was better informed he would embrace the truth by way of anticipation as I may so speake gives him this report that he was a true Israelite in whom was no guile Upon which words * Laudat in eo candorem in profitendâ animi sui sententiâ Etsi vitium erat quod Nathanael offendebatur humilitate patriae Christi non mediocris tamen virtus est sententiam suam nullo dolo malo celare sed eam aperte et perspicuè profiteri 2. commendat in ipso simplicitatem obsequii Invitatus enim à Philippo ut accedat ad Jesum etsi videbatur non infirmun habere argumentum quod Jesus non esset Messias tamen non resistit duriter non repugnat odiosè sed sequitur obedientèr Brentius dilateth thus 1. Christ saith there was no guile in Nathanael because he uttered candidly his opinion 2. being invited by Philip to come and see Jesus he resisted not stifly but obediently followed him to which I add a third particular that being convinced of his error he believed readily and constantly adhered to him for life and salvation By this signal Application all fraudulent persons are detected to be none of this number of Israelites indeed who therefore are advised in time to cast off all guile and to repent of their former dâ—ceit for though they deceive others and themselves more then any yet God cannot be mocked Gal. 6.7 Among these self-deluders we 1. meet with all such as dissemble with God who shall get the curse for their pains Mal. 1.14 Cursed be the deceiver saith the Lord who draw nigh to God with their mouthes but remove their hearts far from him Isa 29.13 2 Such as corrupt the word of God mingling falsehoods with truths for sinister ends 2 Cor. 2.17 3 Papists who speak lies in hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.2 practising themselves and teaching others the art of lying fall under that double dreadfull censure of our Saviour whosoever shall break one of these least commandements much more the greatest and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.19 The Iesuites teach a Parsons mitigat c. 7. and 11. zanchez oper moral tom 1. l. 3. c. 6. disputat 35. num 13. that it lawfull to use aequivocation not only in ordinary discourse but in very oathes even before the civil magistrate not only about civil but also religious matters These may passe for Saints in the Romish calendar but shall never be owned for true Christians in Gods register yea this their practice is condemned by the moral Heathen who herein teach better divinity then the papists O b Plutar in apoph Cic. l. 1. offiic Plutarch and Cicero stigmatize Cleomenes the Lacedaemonian who making a truce with the enemie for thirty daies nevertheless destroyed their fields in the night time alledging for his excuse that the truce was made for daies not nights This and other passages like to it are yet extant in Cicero's Offices of former editions but are not to be found in bookes which I have seen printed c Diog. Melius est in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quà m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incidere in corvâ—s quà min parasitos hi viventis animum corrumpunt illi solum mortui corpus among the Papists for their index expurgatorius hath expunged the same as he retical 4ly All ordinary liars false witness-bearers false-swearers Sycophants and flatterers together with all cheaters and fraudulent dealers who promise and performe not borrow and repay not though it be in their power to do it who use false lights false weights false measures shall never be numbred among these citizens of the new Jerusalem unless they repent in time for thus holy Augustin * Aug.
2 As Iacob was in covenant with God Levit. 26.42 where God promiseth to remember his covenant with Iacob with Isaac and with Abraham with Iacob first because it was established with him last and the blessings of Iacob prevailed above the blessings of his progenitors Genes 49.26 So must you take hold of his covenant and keep it that all his pathes may be mercy and truth to you Psal 25.10 All then Isa 56.4 that are not under this covenant or refuse to bring their children to it in due time and manner or that despise Baptisme the token of it as circumcision was of old Gen. 17.11 are not yet in this rank and they who have listed their names in this holy Catalogue but profane and violate this Covenant made with the fathers Malach. 2.10 shall certainely be cut off their iniquity shall be upon them and they shall be found among the rabble mentioned Rom. 1.31 Instance 3 3. Jacob was humble and lowly in Spirit and esteemed himselfe utterly unworthy of the least of all Gods mercyes and all the truth which God had had shewed him By truth understand the Promises which God had made and performed unto him as * Luth. in Gen 32. veritas est promissio Luther interpreteth it Gen. 32.10 was Jacob thus humbled and Jesus Christ who was equall to his Father lowly in spirit and will you be proud what have you that you have not received 1 Cor. 4.7 why should dust and ashes be proud There can be no shreuder signe of an approaching fall then elevation of spirit This dead Flie will soon infect the whole box of the Apothecaries precious oyntment and God hath engaged himselfe in due time to exalt them who humble themselves before him Jam. 4.10 Away therefore with a proud heart and high looks which otherwise will render you abominable to God Prov. 6.16 17. Instance 4 Fourthly Jacob desired above all things whithersoever he went Gods presence to goe a long with him Gen. 28.20 and better it were for us never to stir one foot further than to proceed without it as Moses desired of God if thy presence goe not with us carry us not up hence Exod. 33.15 Let this teach us to acknowledge him in all our wayes and he shall direct our pathes Prov. 3.6 As for them who say to God depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 God shall in like manner abandon and dismiss them for ever with a malediction and say Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire and then shall they know whether God had more need of them or they of him and be enforced to confesse We are justly served But who be they that say to God depart from us Answ All that desire not the knowledge of his waies Consider this all you that refuse to frequent the places where his honour dwelleth the assemblies of his people and that neglect to read and meditate on his word to get the true knowledge of his will that you may do it you doe as much in effect as if you had said Depart from us and he that knoweth the meaning of your dealings toward him will let you know his mind towards you that he is well agreed to grant you your desire in your life time even when you are dead depart you did and depart you shall for ever and ever See who will have the worst of it Instance 5 Fifthly Israel was both instant and constant in prayer to God Gen. 32.24 25 26. he wrestled with God till the breaking of the day and would not let him goe till he had blessed him and by his prevalency he obtained the Sirname Israel By his strength the prophet saith he had power with God yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed Ambros Arma nostra sunt preces Lacrimae he wept and made supplication to him Hos 12.3 4 5. Right prayer is an infallible cognizance of a genuine Christian for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10.13 1 All here required for salvation is the right calling upon the name of the Lord 2. far we need not to goe the Lord is in all places 3. none are debarred from this liberty whosoever he or she be that call shall speed 4. the rewards of so small a service as calling on his name is no lesse then salvation 5. Gods willingnesse to hear and help us is seen in this that he calleth upon all to call upon him that they may be saved by him We need not to awaken him but he wakneth us to aske him he is more ready to hear us then we are to aske of him Quest But what is right prayer Answ This is duly to be considered for the work is honourable and profitable 1. the party that performeth this service aright must 1. be righteous for the fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much Jam. 5.16 But if I regard wickednesse in my heart God will not hear my Prayer Psalm 66.18 * Greg. Moral Tum cor nostrum fiduciam in oratione accepit cum sibi vitae pravitas nulla contradicit 2. he must pray according to his will 1 John 5.14 This is the confidence that we have in him that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth us 3. our suits must be commenced to God in the name of our mediator Jesus Christ John 16.23 for so runneth his direction and promise joyned together verily verily I say unto you whatsoever you shall aske the Father in my name he will give it you 4. acceptable prayer proceeds from Faith coupled with charity Mark 11.24 25. whatsoever ye desire when ye pray believe that you receive them and he shall have them And when ye stand praying forgive if ye have ought against any that your Father which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses On the contrary all they that do not call upon God are wicked and shall be accursed Psalm 14.4 for God hath threatned to pour out his fury upon the Families that call not on his name Jer. 10.25 2 All they that worship Idols instead of the true God Ier. 10.25 shall be sent by him to their Idols for help if they will have any for God will afford them neither audience nor assistance in their time of need Judg. 10.13 14. ye have forsaken me and served other Gods wherefore I will no more deliver you Goe and cry unto the Gods which ye have chosen let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation 3. He that prayeth not in faith hath no ground to thinke that he shall obtaine any thing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. 4 He also that wanteth charity shall want successe in his supplications Prov. 21.13 Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor he also shall cry himselfe but shall not be heard and unlesse you forgive others neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6.15
Having in the former v. layd down that it is life eternal to know the true God aright he closeth his Epistle Little children keep your selves f om Idols Amen Keep your selves not onely from the adoration of them but from the Idols themselves the making the having the keepin of them is condemned as Tertullian expoundeth these words keep your selves from Idols that is not onely from their service which he calleth Idolatry but from a Ab ipsâ effigie eorum indignum enim ut Imago Dei vivi imago idoli mortui siat Lactan. l. 2. c. 19. Non est dubium quin religio nulla sit ubicunque simulacrum est the very Image of them Lactantius also affirmeth that there is no Religion wheresoever any Image is Add b Ephih epist and Joan episcop Hierosoll to these the practice of Epiphanius who tore in peeces the Picture of Christ painted in a cloth hanging up in a Church at Anablath against the Authority of Scripture 7. Jacob loved his wife Rachel most intirely Gen. 29 30. So are all husbands commanded to love their wives as Christ loved his Church and gave himselfe for it Eph. 5.25 and he is so far from being a true Israelite that he is no man who hateth his own flesh verse 29. as they do who in stead of nourishing and cherishing their wives are bitter and churlish to them as St. Paul's phrase is Col. 3.19 By flesh understand the wife in this place so saith God at the first institution of marriage a man shall leave his Father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh Gen 2.24 Yet notwithstanding Jacobs great love to Rachel when she grew impetuous through envy to her Sister and male contentednesse for want of children and brake out into distempered offensive words to God saying to him Give me children or else I dye Jacobs anger was kindled against her and he sharply rebuked her saying Am I in Gods stead who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb Gen. 30.1 2. So let not the love of the persons of our dearest friends so far blind our eyes or stop our mouths as to make us connive at their faults or to spare to reprehend them for the same for then should we turne to be their enemies Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart saith God thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him The like may be truly affirmed of withholding due correction from our children when they deserve it Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his rod hateth his Son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes 8. As Jacob was most carefull for the soules of his wives and children so was he not improvident for their outward estates and comfortable subsistance in this present life no lesse do his words to Laban import Gen. 30.30 Thou knowest how I have served thee all the while since my first comming Now when shall I provide for mine owne house also Usually very nature teacheth men to be provident for their posterity for Children saith the Apostle use not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the Children 2 Cor. 12.14 But it is Grace not nature which teacheth us here how to keep within the right bounds of moderation that we lay not up Curses for our Children in the roome of blessings as all wicked and unjust dealers do who get riches to lay them up for their Children but God layeth up their iniquity for their off-spring Job 21.19 Some there are in these last and perilous dayes who being without naturall affection as was long since foretold 2 Tim. 3.3 do run into the contrary extreame and take no more care of their wives and Children then the Ostrich doth of her eggs which she leaveth on the earth and forgetteth that the foot may crush them or that that the wild beasts may break them and she is hardned against her young-ones as though they were not hers Job 39.14 15.19 This Ostrich is an embleme of a debosht spendthrift who wasteth his time and meanes in riot and revelling in whoring gaming surfitting and drunkennesse like the Prodigal Luke 15.13 nothing regarding what becommeth of wife or Children nay he is worse then the Prodigal for we read not that he had either wife or child againe he is worse then an infidel as the Scripture determineth 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own and especially for those of his owne house he hath denyed the faith and is worse then an infidel Instance 13 Israels life we have seen to be well ordered in holynesse towards God and righteousness towards men let us now attend him to his deaths-bed and there shall we see his end to be like his life he dyed in the faith praying and blessing his sons Heb. 11.13.21 Perseverance in grace is the last and surest badge of a true Israelite which sets the Crown upon his head Revel 2.10 He that is faithfull til death shall receive a crown of life whereas they that begin in the spirit and end in the flesh who fall away with Demas for worldly profit 2 Tim. 4.10 or for fear of persecution shall loose their reward Prov. 14.14 The Apostate or backslider in heart shall be filled with his owne wayes It had beene better for such never to have known the way of righteousnesse then after he hath known it to turne from the holy Commandement delivered to him 2 Pet. 2.22 Sect. 10 Thus have I transcribed in this large use of information an authentick Copy of the true Israelite blessed is every one who writeth after it I have also for the greater perspicuity for contraries illustrate one the other laid down who they are that deviate and swerve from this holy standard 2Vse for terror Branch 1 By all this which hath been delivered to you and proved it will evidently appeare that there are but few yea very few Israelites indeed under Heaven Jer. 5.1 For runne through the City A Recaputulation yea through the world and see what swarms and multitudes there are of Ignorant persons yea grossely and wilfully ignorant men and women 2. of unbelievers and misbeleivers 3. Of impenitent wretches yea opposers of the doctrine of Repentance 4 Of such as make little conscience either of their thoughts or words 5 Of such as despise Gods word and hate Gods people 6 Of such as love the applause of men more then the praise of God alone 7 Of Hypocrites Lyers Jugling Equivocators base flatterers and deceivers 8 Of such as like Jehojakin swerve from the gracious examples of holy men Jer. 22.15 16 17. Or Ahaziah like follow the counsels and walke in the wayes of the wicked 2 Chron. 22.3.4 5. As 1 of such who choose rather to be the servants of sin and Satan then of God and righteousnesse 2 who are covenant breakers with God 3 proud and arrogant spirits 4 forsakers of God 5
world Answ Appreciative they receive that which is an hundred times of more worth then all that they lose And for a fuller Answer I refer you to the learned and ancient father Jerom in loc tom 9. who first layeth downe the exposition of some millenaries on these words and refuteth the same and then gives us his owne judgment on them Ex occasione hujus sententiae quidam introducunt mille annos post resurrectionem dicentes tunc nobis centuplum omnium rerum quas dimisimus et vitam aeternam esse reddendam Quòd si in caeteris digna sit promissio in uxoribus appareat turpitudo ut qui unam pro Domino dimiserit centum recipiat in futuro Sensus igitur iste est Qui carnalia pro Sa vatore dimiserit spiritualia recipiet quae comparatione et merito suî quasi parvo numero centenarius numerus comparetur Or to raise up bitter persecutions against them for feare whereof many durst not joyne themseves to the Apostles Act. 5.13 and others who receive the seed of the word as it were into stony places hearing and anon receiving it with joy yet not having root in themselves endure for a while but afterwards when tribulation and persecution ariseth because of the word by and by they are offended Mat 13.20.21 For prevention hereof consider that ere long the case shall be altered that God shall recompense tribulation to them that trouble you and if you be of the seed of the Iews as Zeresh said to Haman of Mordecai they shall not prevaile against you but surely fall before you Esth 6.13 and the same righteous God who hath already pronounced them blessed who are persecuted for righteousnesse sake withall affirming that theirs is the kingdom of heaven Mat. 12.10 will both enable you to endure stedfast to the end and in the end give you rest with Christ 2 Thess 1.7 for if we suffer with him we shall be also glorified together Therefore reckon with the Apostle that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.17.18 Sect. 13 4. Satan will ever be sure to stand up against Israel as he did in Davids time 4 Impediment Satan when he provoked him to number the people 1 Chron. 21.1 His grand and constant designe ever hath been estill is and will be to keep soules from entring into this fold of Iesus Christ 1. By raising up odious reports of the holy way as well as of the professors of it that none may seek after it as when Paul spake with the chief of the Iewes at Rome and told them that for the hope of Israel he was bound with that chain which was then upon him they answered him As concerning this sect we know that every where it is spoken against Act. 28.20 21. 2ly By keeping to the utmost of his power the true preachers of the Gospel from declaring and making known to the churches the excellency of this way even the beauty of holinesse as he hindred Paul from coming to the Thessalonians though he endeavoured it with great desire 1 Thess 2.17.18 3ly By raising up false teachers and fitting and furnishing them with all possible dexterity to raise up disaffection in the hearts of all sorts against the truth and such as publish the same 2 Thess 2.9.10 4. By blinding the mindes of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 5. If by all his wiles he cannot hinder the preaching hearing and believing of the Gospell then his next plot will be to turne them who began to run well from the right path into error and sinfull courses so when Paul had espoused the Corinthians to one husband that he might present them as a chast virgin to Christ he feared lest by any meanes as the serpent beguiled Eve thorow his subtilty so their mindes should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 3. 6ly If he can effect none of these projects then he will strive to hinder them from their speedy and comfortable proceeding in the Christian race by raising up his instruments to do them all possible mischief and dammage as he imployed 1. the Sabeans to take away Jobs oxen as they were plowing and his asses feeding beside them and to kill his servants with the edge of the sword suffering onely one to be a messenger to acquaint him with the sad tydings thereof Job 1.14 15. 2ly By causing a great fire to fall from heaven to burne up and consume his servants and his sheep in another place v. 16. 3ly By sending three bands of the Caldeans who fell upon the camels and carried them away and slew others of his servants with the edge of the sword v. 17. 4ly By raising up a great wind from the wilderness which smote the four corners of the house wherein his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine so that it fell upon them and killed them all at once v. 19. 5ly By smiting Jobs body with sore boyls and diseases from the sole of his foote unto his crown Job 2.7 6ly by instigating his wife who should have been his chiefest comfort to become his bitterest crosse to perswade him to forgoe his integrity to curse God and die v. 9. 7ly when he thought his bed should comfort him and his couch should ease his complaint by scaring him with dreames and terrifying him through visions so that he chose death rather then life Job 7.13.14 8 by his three friends who became miserable comforters to him and endeavoured to bereave him of his sincerity the onely support of his spirit yet left him yet in all these fierce encounters the Lord strengthened him to hold out and ye have seen the end of the Lord that he is pityfull and of tender mercy Jam. 5.11 In like manner doth the Spirit encourage the angel of the church in Smyrna to whom he writeth thus Feare none of the things which thou shalt suffâ—r Behold the devill shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation tenne dayes be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee the Crown of life Rev. 2.10 See here the devil himselfe was to be the jayler for he should cast not all but some of them into Prison yet could he not have this power till it was given from above Gods end was not to destroy but to try them the time how long the persecution was to last is limitted to tenne dayes not so long as the devil pleased and therefore he assureth them they had no cause to feare but adviseth them to be faâ—thfull unto death and then promiseth to give them a crown of life 7. Satan is termed the accuser of the brethren because he accuseth them before our God day and night Rev. 12 10. seeking by this meanes to