nothing in us that moved Goâ—â— to bestow his Sonne upon us to be crucisied fâ—â— us but it was his free love Herein is love 〈◊〉 that we loved God but that he loved us and seâ—â— his Son to be the propitiatin for our sins 1 Johâ— 4.10 Hereby perceive we the love of God becaâ—â— he laid downe his life for us 1 John 3.16 Aâ—â—â— while we were yet sinners Christ died for us eâ— when we were dead in sins Ephes 2.5 For so loved the world that hee gave his only begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved John 3.16 17. For I came not to judge the world but to save the world John 12.47 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay downe his life for his friend John 15.13 That is the greatest love that friends can shew one to another but Christ hath loved us with a greater love for while wee were his enemies he dyed for us to reconcile us to God and to make us his friend hee takes occasion by our sins to shew us merie The Lord complains of the spirituall Idolatry of his people in Hosea 2. which of all sins that is partly the greatest to forsake God and cleave to Idols and to give that to them that belongs only to God for they made their Idols their God gave honour and glory to them but the Lord saith I will not give my honour to another nor my glory to graven Images Hos 2.13 14. Shee decked her selfe with her ear-rings and her jewels and she followed her Lovers and forgate me saith the Lord. Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wildernesse aad speake comfortably to her Hos 11.7 My people are bent to rebellion against me though they called them to the most High yet none at all would exalt him Yet this did not turne the love of the Lord from them for in the 8. and 9. verses he saith How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I delive thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah how shall I set thee as Zeboim Mine heart is turned within me my repentings are rouled together I will not execute the fiercenesse of my wrath I will not return to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not man the holy One in the midst of thee Ezek 20.44 And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have respect unto you for my Names sake and not after your wicked wayes nor according to your corrupt workes O ye house of Israel saith thâ—â— Lord Isa 43.25 I even I am hee that putteth away thine iniquities for mine owne sake and wilâ— not remember thy sins Isa 44.22 I have put away thy transgressions like a cloud and thy sinner as a mist turn unto me for I have redeemed thee Jer. 33.8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me I will pardon all their iniquities wherby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Jer. 50.20 And in those dayes and at that time saith the Lord the iniquitieâ— of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and for the sinnes of Judah and they shall not be found for I will be mercifull unto them Here is the free mercie of God and riches of his love belonging to all man-kinde that ever was is or shall be there is not any one excluded from his love for there is nothing can keep us from God but our sins and that Christ hath dyed for and hath made full satisfaction to his Father and hath obtained of his Father a full pardon for all the sinne of all man-kinde although they be never so great 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chiefe He was a persecuter and a blasphemer and an injurious person yee saith he I obtained mercy The Lord is no respecter of persons He shed his dearest heart-blood for all sinners as well for the chiefe of sinners as any other for without blood-shedding there can be no remission of any one sinne though never so small in our apprehension but by the blood of Christ being shed for us the greatest sins are pardoned as well as any For the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all unrighteousnesse And this gift of God in giving his Sonne is a free gift of God given to all to redeeme all from sinne hell and the Devill Hes 13.9 O Israel one hath destroyed thee but in me is thy helpe The Devill having overcome man by his tempting the woman and they yielding to him wee were all destroyed by the Devill but in Christ is our helpe against him Jer. 31.11 The Lorâ— hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he All man-kinde fell by and in the fall of Adam from that glorious condition that thâ—â— were in before they sinned So we all fell froâ— that glorious condition with him into a staâ—â— of condemnation sin and the wrath of Goâ— both spirituall and temporall and hell anâ— damnation and as we all fell in Adam so we are all raised by and in Christ not to thaâ— condition that Adam fell from but from thaâ— condition that he fell into and as we all dyeâ— in Adam so wee are all made alive in Chriâ—â— Adam was a publique person for man-kind so was Christ therefore he is called the seconâ— Adam Therefore as by the offences of one which was Adam judgement came upon all men to câ—â— demnation even so by the righteousnesse of ouâ— which is Christ the free gift came upon all mâ—â— unto justification of life For as by one mans disâ—â— bedience many were made sinners so by the obeâ—â—ence of one shall many be made righteous Rom. â—â— 18 19. All were made sinnners in Adam so all aâ—â— made righteous by Christ Quest How are all made righteous 〈◊〉 Christ Answ He being made a publique person so all man-kinde he undertook to make full satisfaction for our sins which he did comit so he redeemed us from that condemnation that came upon all the world by the fall of Adam so that for those sinnes wee shall never be condemned Hee hath redeemed the whole world from the Devill and sin to himselfe that we should serve him in all love so the Devill and sinne cannot keepe the world out of heaven they can doe us no harme yea those that are very great sinnes cannot nothing but unbeliefe can keepe us out There was nothing that kept the children of Israel out of the Land of Canaan but unbeliefe We see they could not enter in because of unbeliefe Heb. 3.19 They had committed many sins and those that were very great ones and God complained of their sins in
eate this bread be shall live for ever and the bread thâ— I will give is my flesh which I will give for tâ—â— life of the world vers 50 51. And this breaâ— hee giveth to all freely And this is that thaâ— will feede and nourish your soules thereforâ— feede upon this and doe not spend your labour in vaine thinking to get a righteousneâ—â— of your owne which is not the righteousnesâ— of Jesus Christ that thou mightst feede upon that and be satisfied with it but that cannot satisfie thee if thou goest to feede upon it 〈◊〉 will choak thee but hearken diligently to me and eate that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in his fatnesse What he hath donâ— for thee and what he hath obtained for thee and come unto me heare and your soul shal live So heare that yee really believe what Christ hath done for you and your soule shall live And I will make an everlasting Covenant with you â—ven the sure mercies of David For this is the Covenant that I will make with them After those dayes saith the Lord I will put my lawes into their hearts and I will be to them a God and â—hey shall be to mee a people And they shall not â—each every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest For I will be mercifull to their unrighteousnesse and their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 8.10 11 12. And it is a sure Covenant for it was established upon better promises than the old Covenant was and God is unchangeable I am God I change not therefore ye sonnes of Jacob are not consumed And the Spirit and the Bride sayes â—ome and let him that heareth say come and set him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Rev. 22.17 Wisedome hath builded her house she hath killed â—er beasts shee hath mingled her wine shee hath also furnished her table She hath sent forth her Maidens shee cryeth upon the highest places of the City Whose is simple let him turne in hither as for him that wanteth understanding she saith to him Come eate of my bread and drinke of the wine that I have mingled Prov. 9.1 2 3 4 5. This wisdome is Christ and it was he thâ— was killed for the sinnes of the world This the fatted Calfe that was killed Luke 15 2â— And the Lamb slain from the beginning of tâ—â— world Matth. 22. Behold I have prepared 〈◊〉 dinner my oxen and fatlings are killed and 〈◊〉 things are ready come unto the marriage It is Christ alone that hath prepared 〈◊〉 things for this spirituall marriage betwiâ—â— himselfe and his people There is nothing 〈◊〉 be done but all things are already preparâ— for this spirituall feast there is nothing fâ—â— us to doe but to come and eate and drink freely of those things that are prepared for us And hee sends forth his servants for to crye 〈◊〉 the highest places of the Citie and to crye 〈◊〉 loud Spare not lift up their voyce like a Truâ—â— pet Isa 58.1 That all may hear and come that those that are simple may learne true wiâ—dome of him CHAP. VI. How wee should come to Christ and have thâ— things that he hath prepared for all THere is no other way to come to Chriâ—â—â— but by believing what hee hath done foâ— them in particular and to apply it to themselves These things are written that ye might beâ—ieve that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and â—hat in believing ye might have life through his â—ame John 20.31 He that believeth in the Son â—f God hath the witnesse in himselfe he that belieâ—eth not God hath made him a lyar because hee â—elieved not the record that God witnessed of his â—on And this is the record that God hath given â—nto us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath â—ot the Sonne hath not life These things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternall life and that ye may believe in the name of the Son â—f God 1 John 5.10 11 12 13. For God so loâ—ed the world that he gave his only begotten Son â—hat whosoever believeth in him should not perish â—ut have everlasting life John 3.16 And this is â—ife eternall that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John â—7 3 Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe â—n God believe also in me John 14.1 For I am â—ome a light into the world whosoever believeth in â—â—e shall not abide in darkenesse Joh. 12.40 And â—his is the worke of God that yee believe in him whom he hath sent John 6.29 Hee that belieâ—eth in me as saith the Scripture out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life John 7.38 He that believeth in me hath everlasting life Johâ— 6.47 And Jesus said unto them I am the breâ— of life he that commeth to me shall not hunger 〈◊〉 hee that believeth in me shall never thirst Aâ—â— this is the will of him that sent me that every 〈◊〉 which seeth the Son and believeth in him shoâ—â— have everlasting life and I will raise him up the last day John 6.35.40 He that doth believe Christ doth knoâ— Christ and doth know the Father also 〈◊〉 Christ and his Father are one and hee doâ—â— know that Christ hath pardoned his sins having made full satisfaction for them to his Father and that God is as well pleased with hiâ— in his Sonne as he is with his Son and doâ— not only believe this because it is in the Scripture but because the Spirit of God witnesseâ— it to them by the enjoyment of it though sometimes they have not the comfort of 〈◊〉 Believing and faith is all one and we are justâ—fied by faith and not by workes and therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the workes of the Law Rom. 3 2â— By the works of ehe law shall no flesh be justified 〈◊〉 his fight For by the Law cometh the knowledge of sin 〈◊〉 now is the righteousnesse of God made manifeâ—â— without the Law bearing witnesse of the Law anâ— the Prophets to wit the righteousnesse of God 〈◊〉 the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that beleeve for there is no difference for all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declate his righteousnesse by the forgivenesse of the sins that are passed through the patience of God Rom. 3.20 21 22 23 24 25. If Abraham were justified by works he hath wherein to rejoyce but not with God but what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeved God and it was counted
way to life eternall but they continue refusing and loving their own darknesse better then the light or Jesus Christ and hate him in his waves and persecute him in his members and make a mock of godliness and thinke to get a righteousnesse of their own that shall carry them to heaven and so they undervalue the righteousnesse of Christ and tread under foote the Sonne of God and count the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified and unholy thing they doe not regard it but slight it and doe not really believe him And hee that doth not believe the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3.36 He that believeth not God hath made him a lyar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Sonne 1 John 5.10 It is the free mercie and love of God thaâ— is offered to all it is that that shall condemâ—â—â— all those that continue alwayes in unbeliefe Christ came neare Jerusalem and wept oâ—â— it and said O Jerusalem Jerusalem that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent â—â—to thee how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood â—â—der wings and ye would not Luke 13.34 Mat. 23.37 And in Mat. 23.31 there we may sâ—â— what children these were that hee would haâ—â— gathered to him Ye be witnes unto your selvâ—â— that ye are the children of them that killed the Prophets and they commit the same sin as their Fathers did In the 34. and 35. verse of this chapter Behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and Scribes and some of them yeâ— shall kill and crucifie and some of them shall yeâ— scourge in your Synagogues and persecute theâ— from Citie to Citie That upon you may come alâ—â— the righteous blood shed upon the earth from thâ— blood of righteous Abel unto the bloud of Zacharias sonne of Barachias whom ye slew between the Temple and the Alter These are the children that Christ would have gathered to him and his bowels of compassion yearns to them Hee wept over them to think what a miserable condition they were in and hee would have preserved them from it but they would not And thus hee offers himselfe still to all even the chiefest of sinners 2 Chron. 26.15 16. And the Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his messengers rising up betimes and sending because hee had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord rose against his people till there was no remedie Prov. 1.24 to the 31. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my counsell and would none of my reproofe I also will laugh at your calamity I will mocke when your feare commeth When your feare commeth as desolation and your destruction commeth as a whirle-winde when distresse and anguish commeth upon you Then shall they call upon mee but I will not answer they shall seeke me early but they shall not find me For that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the feare of the Lord. They would none of my counsell they despised all my reproofe Therefore shall they eate of the fruit of their owne way and be filled with their own deviecs Thus he strives with them till there is no remedie and then hee giveth them over And when they have thus hardned their own hearts that they refuse all instruction and shut their eyes that they will not see then God hardened their hearts as he did Pharaoh's Exod. 10.1 and blind their eyes Mat. 13.14 15. By hearing ye shall heare and not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive For this peoples heart is waxed grosse and their eares are duâ—â— of hearing and their eyes they have closed lest at any time they should see with their eyes and heartâ— with their eares and should understand with their hearts and should be converted and I should heâ—â— them And therefore he spake to them in parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand Luke 8.10 Isa 6.9 Mark 4.12 God hath given them thâ—â— spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see anâ— eares that they should not heare Rom. 11.8 Sâ—â— the fault is in the creature and not in God for this good seede is sowne in all sorts of ground in good ground and in that which is stonie and that which is thorny and by the way side so it is sowed in all and the fault is not in the seede for the seede is all alike That seede is the word of God Luk. 8.11 which is sowne in all man-kind He that was the unprofitable servant had received a talent of his Lord as well as the profitable servants So God hath justified himself and left the world without excuse that they shall have nothing to say for themselves at the day of judgment and this is that that will be their greater condemnation Those mine enemies that would not that I bould reigne over them bring them and slay them â—efore my face Lu. 19.27 Not to have Christ â—eigne over them is that which condemnes â—hem CHAP. VIII How God doth compell those that are his children to come in to him GOd hath chosen and elected some before the world began to bee the children of God in Christ and to reveale himselfe unto â—hem and to give unto them eternall life â—aving predestinated us unto the adoption of â—hildren by Jesus Christ to himself according â—o the good pleasure of his will to the praise of â—he glory of his grace wherein he hath made â—s accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.5 6 According to the eternall purpose which he hath purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord Ephes 3.11 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gosâ—â— 2 Tim. 1.9 10. God did not see any thing in us where to love us but he loves us in his Sonne freâ—â— for his Sonnes sake Christ hath obtained 〈◊〉 things of his Father both in heaven and earâ— for us and there is not any thing that 〈◊〉 keepe them from us and at the time appoiâ—ted of the Father they shall be revealed to 〈◊〉 But the heir as long as he is a childe differeth 〈◊〉 thing from a servant though hee he Lord of 〈◊〉 Gal. 4.1 Before we be called with that hoâ—â— call which is that new work wrought in 〈◊〉 which is alone the worke of the spirit to 〈◊〉 borne againe not of corruptible seede but of inâ—â—ruptible by the word of God which liveth and
to him for righteousnesse For the promise that he should be the heire of the world was not given to Abraham or to his seed through the Law or his righteousnesse that hee had obtained by the workes of the Law but through the righteousnesse of faith for if they that are of the Law be heires faith is made voyd and the promise is made of no effect for the law causeth wrath because we cannot keep it for where no Law is there is no transgression it is the Law that discovers sinne unto us Romans 7.7 therefore it is by faith that it might come by grace Rom. 3.23 13 14 15.16 For by faith the righteousnes of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just shall live by faith Rom. 1.17 Know that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we I say have beleeved in Iesus Christ that wo might be justified by the faith of Christ and noâ— by â—he works of the Law because that by the workâ— of the Law no flesh shall be justifie Galat. 2.16 If there had been a law given which could have given life surely righteousnesse should have been bâ— the Law but the Scripture hath concluded all under sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should be given to them that beleeve but before faith came we were kept under the Law anâ— shut up unto the faith which should afterwards 〈◊〉 revealed wherefore the Law was our Schoolmastâ—â— to bring us to Christ that we might be made rigâ—teous by faith but that after faith is come we 〈◊〉 no longer under a Schoolmaster Galat. 3.21 22 23 24 25. Now the Law is not our School master to bring us to Christ for Christâ—come and the Ministers ought to preach tâ— aâ—l people what Christ hath done for then that they might beleeve and how can they beleeâ—â— in him of whom they have not heard Rom. 1â— 14. They must fiâ—st heare what he hath doâ—â— for them before they can beleeve and Chriâ—â— hath commanded his Apostles and Disciplâ—â— to preach the Gospel to all Matth. 28 1â— and what is the Gospel but glad tidings 〈◊〉 peace and good things Rom. 10.15 How beautifull upon the mountaines are the feet him that declareth and publisheth peace thâ— declareth good tidings and publisheth salâ—tion saying to Sion Thy God reigneth Isai 5â— They are to publish and make knowne to all â—orts of people what Christ hath done for â—hem how he hath made peace with God for â—hem in taking upon him all their sinnes and making full satisfaction for them and hath wrought a perfect salvation for them and 〈◊〉 perfect righteousnes for them and all things â—s already finished for them Iohn 19.30 and â—ll things are ready come to the marriage Matth. 22.4 that Christ hath made all â—hings ready for us there is nothing to be â—one by us for our salvation but for us to â—ome to him and he will give us all things â—reely and he will teach us all things and â—ead us in the way that we should walk in for 〈◊〉 am the Way saith Christ the Truth and the Life no man cometh to the Father but by me Iohn â—46 As soon as Christ was born there was an Angel came and declared to the Shepheards in â—he field and said to them Be not afrayd for â—â—bold I bring you glad tidings of great joy that â—hall be to all people that is that unto you is born 〈◊〉 Saviour which is Christ the Lord Luke 2.10 â—1 God sent his Angell to declare this to the â—hepheards that they should declare it to others And this shewes unto us that those â—hat God hath made known his love unto by â—heir enjoyment of it they must make it â—nown to others that they also may be partakers of it and the Angel fell a praising God aying Glory be to God in the high heavens anâ— peace in earth and good will towards men at thâ— 14. verse Christ being born into the world was â—â—ceeding to Gods glory and by his comiâ—â— he hath made it known to us that he is glorified and he hath made our peace with God and hath made known to us that he is at peaâ— with us what love and good will God had to us in Christ and the Angel could doe nâ— other but declare this that all might knoâ— this and beleeve And this is the Gospel thâ— Christ hath commanded should be preacheâ— and his Apostles did preach it and Paul saith there is a constraint laid on me woe be to 〈◊〉 if I preach not the Gospel I am not ashamedâ— the Gospel of Iesus Christ for it is the power 〈◊〉 God to salvation to every one that beleeveth Tâ—â— comes with power and overcomes the chiefeâ— sinners as it did Paul to heare of the love 〈◊〉 God to them and what Christ hath done aâ—â— suffered for them and hath obtained a pardoâ— of his Father for them and calls every one tâ— come to him and receive their pardon of hiâ— This will worke more upon them then 〈◊〉 preach the law and judgements to them aâ— tell them that God is angry with them thâ— drives them from Christ and the messengeâ— of Christ must doe the message of Christ and not any thing to drive them from Christ but to set them on beleeving in Christ So now ye may see that the Law is not now our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ now Christ is come the law must not be preached to us except it be to tell us how Christ hath fulfilled it for us but to tell us that we must doe thus and thus or else God will not doe thus and thus for us what is this but to be justified by the workes of the law and in so doing they make God a liar and take the honour from God and give it to themselves for we are wholly justified by faith alone and not by works and it is not our faith that justifies us but it is the faith of Jesus Christ Know that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have beleeved in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ Galat. 2.16 and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 By grace are â—e saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of Gad not of workes lest any man should boast Ephes 2.8 9. It is not our faith that can justifie us if it could then should we boast that we are justified by our faith and â—o make our workes the cause of our justification but here Paul tels us that by grace we are saved that is by the grace of Christ for 〈◊〉 hath justified us freely by his grace througâ— the redemption that is in Iesus Christ so it 〈◊〉 alone by Christ that we are redeemed saw and justified
and we come to beleeve this 〈◊〉 the faith of Christ this faith is the eye to 〈◊〉 what Christ hath done for us so through thâ— faith we are justified by Christ and this is thâ— free gift of God and is not any thing of oâ—â— selves our faith is imperfect and therefore 〈◊〉 cannot justifie us I beleeve Lord help my unâ—â—liefe So that our faith cannot justifie us bâ—cause there is unbeliefe in it Lord help my 〈◊〉 beliefe but the faith of Christ is perfect aâ— that alone doth justifie every one that hathâ— and without this faith it is impossible to pleâ—â— God Heb. 11.6 and every thing which is 〈◊〉 of this faith is sinne and Christ is the authoâ—â— and finisher of this faith Heb. 12.2 And all long the 11. chapter of the Hebrewes the speakes what great things were done by tâ—â— faith and the Lord calls and invites all men come to him and eat freely of this spiritoâ— feast that he hath prepared for them he 〈◊〉 vites them by the outward preaching of 〈◊〉 word and inward movings of his Spirit Pâ—â— 1.20 21 22 23. Wisdome crieth without uttereth her voyce in the streets she crieth the chiefe place of concourse in the openiâ— of the gates in the citie she uttereth her words saying How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fooles hate knowledge turne you at my reproofe behold I will poure our my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you Here is the outward call and in Genesis 6.3 there is the inward And the Lord said My Spirit shall not always strive with man So it doth appeare that his Spirit doth strive with man to bring him to himself Iohn 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me Hosea 11.4 I drew them with cords of a man with bands of love and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jawes and I laid meat unto them Thus â—hrist drawes all both inward and outward with the bonds of love that he might take off that heavy yoke off their sinnes off them and see them laid upon Christ and see this spirituall meat which is laid before them and they to feed on it and doe appeale to every ones conscience whether they doe not find at one time or other an inward moving by the Spirit of God for to goe unto God and the Lord will receive them and they have some glimpse of the love of God to them to invite them to goe and there is nothing can move us to go to God but the Spirit of God therefore it is the Spirit of God that doth draw all CHAP. VII None can truly repent till they goe unto God anâ— when they do goe he will give them a true repentance THere is not any that can truly repent 〈◊〉 their sinnes till they doe see in some measure the love of God to them they may repent because their sinnes provoke Gods angeâ— against them and for feare of hell and the judgements of God and because they keep them out of heaven but this is not a true repentance a true repentance is such a repentance that they need not repent them of buâ— there requireth a repentance to repent of this repentance but it is the love of God made known to them that makes them to be humbled for their sinnes because they offend so loving a God and they were the cause that Christ was crucified and therefore they hate their sinnes because they are an enemy to God and keeps them from the communion of God O the love of God to thee constrains thee to love him againe and thou art ashamed of thy sinnes and hatest them because God hates them so it is the love of God to them that causeth true repentance When Christ looked upon Peter then he went out and wept bitterly Luk. 22.61 62. Ephraim shall say What have I to do any more w th Idols Hos 14.9 Ephraim was a great sinner he worshipped Idols yet when he saw the love of God to him it so overcame him that he cries out Whot have I to doe any more with Idols though I have had to doe with them yet now I hate them because God hates them Ierem. 31.18 19. I have heard Ephraim lamenting thus Thou hast corrected me and I was chastised as an untamed Colt convert thou me and I shall be converted for thou art the Lord my God Surely after that I converted I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea confounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth Ezek. 16.62 63. And I will establish my covenant with thee and thou shalt know that I am the Lord that thou mayst remember and be ashamed and never open thy mouth any mouth any more because of thy shame when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God Thus the love of God drawes all to repentance and it prevailes more with them to bring them to repentance than to heare of the wrath of God and judgements and this repentance is a true â—â—pentance to hate sinne and to be huâ—bled for it because it offends so loving a Goâ— and therefore to forsake them though neâ—â— so neer and deare to us and be affraid of coâ—mitting sinne for feare of offending God 〈◊〉 Joseph said How can I doe this and sinne agaiâ—â— God Gen. 39.9 Object If it be so that God doth draw 〈◊〉 men thus to himselfe what is the reason thâ— all doe not come unto him for wee see thâ— most keep from him and live in sin and wiâ—â—ednesse Answ The fault is in man O man thyâ—â—struction is of thy selfe For what coâ—â— I have done to my Vineyard that I have 〈◊〉 done it Isa 5.4 And though they goe aâ—â— from Christ yet hee will not leave themsâ—â—â— hee followes them 1 Cor. 10.4 They did 〈◊〉 drinke the same spirituall drinke for thâ— dranke of that spirituall rocke that followâ—â— them and that roche was Christ Hee followes them with his mercie and â—â—ving kindnesse to draw them to him but thâ— would not Ye would not come unto me thâ—â— might have life And if ye believe not that Iâ— he ye shall dye in your sinnes John 8.24 There is nothing that condemnes the woâ—â— but the rejecting and undervaluing of Jeâ—â— Christ and continue so doing and live and dye so He that believeth not is condemned already because hee hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Sonne of God And this is condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather than light John 3.18 19. Christ is the light to lighten every one that comes into the world and hee invites all to come unto him and he will give them of his light that they might see to walke in his way and he would direct them what to doe and lead them in the
hast given mee bee with mee where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst mee before the foundation of the world His love is so great to us that he must have us with him wheresoever he is so he carrieth us in his bosome upon his heart and he is gone into heaven and we are there with him though we see it not and we are glorified with him And the glory which thou hast given mee I have given them that they may be one even as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thoâ— hast loved me John 17.22 23. There is not any thing that Christ thinke too deare or too good for us hee bestows alâ—â— his excellent things upon us hee loves us 〈◊〉 dearly he cannot keep them from us His lovâ— to us passeth the love of women to their chilâ—dren yea the greatest love that they can beâ—â— to them Isa 49.15 16. Can a woman forgâ—â—â—ber sucking childe that she should not have 〈◊〉 passion on the sonne of her womb yea they 〈◊〉 forget yet will I not forget thee Behold I haâ—â— graven thee upon the palms of my hands and thy wayes are continually before me He would have us to take notice of his love Behold I have graven thee upon the palmes of my hands he hath done it and wee must behold it and take good notice of it it is done already it is not to be done by us but God saith I have done it And there is not any thing in us that can hinder his love to us I have loved you with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawne thee These are expressions of God to us that we are set upon his heart and arme and hand is to shew us how neare we are to him and hee would have us to know it therefore he comes himself and declares it to us by his Spirit Fear not for I am with thee be not affraid for I am thy God Isa 41.10 Man naturally is affraid of God and it is because of our sins and ever since Adam fell wee have beene affraid of him some affraid of his anger and some affraid of punishment Gen. 3.9 10. And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him where art thou And be said I heard thy voyce in the garden and I was affraid because I was naked and I hid my selfe The righteousnesse of God which Adam had before his fall did cloath him he saw no nakednesse he was not ashamed of the nakednesse of his bodie that was nothing he could see nothing but what was of God and he was cloathed with him and there was a sweete communion betweene God and him hee was not affraid of God and there was no cause of fearing any thing else for all things below God were under Adam they had no power to doe him any harm But after Adam fell his falling stripped him of the righteousnesse of God and so he became naked and then hee was affraid of God And thus by nature wee are naked and are affraid of God and it is our nakednesse that causeth our feare and makes us affraid of every thing below God as well as of God and there is not any covering that can cover our nakednesse and so take away the cause of our fear for Adam did what he could to hide his nakednesse Gen. 3 7. And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons They saw but some part of their nakednesse and so far as they saw it they made a covering to hide it and it was of the leaves of a fig-tree faire great leaves and that tree grew in the Garden of Eden where Adam was put and that was the best covering they could get yet they were affraid and hid themselves from God for all that covering This Garden of Eden was a type of the â—hurch of God which is the Spouse of Christ â—â—â—t 4.12 15. and chap. 5.1 6.2 And this Garden in the midst of it is the tree â—life which is Christ Rev. 2.7 To him that â—â—reommeth will I give to eate of the tree of life â—â—ich is in the midst of the Paradise of God Joel 〈◊〉 27. And ye shall know that I am in the midst Israel and that I am the Lord your God and â—e else and my people shall never be ashamed â—â—d he is that water of life that runneth in the â—idst of the garden Revel 22.1 Whosoever â—â—nketh of the water that I shall give him shall â—â—er thirst But the water that I shall give him â—â—ll be in him a well of water springing up into eâ—lasting life John 4.14 Jesus stood and cryâ—â— saying If any man thirst let him come unto 〈◊〉 and drinke He that believeth on me as the â—â—ipture saith out of his belly shall flow rivers of â—â—ing water John 7.37 38. And this is that â—â—e of life that whosoever eates thereof they â—all live for ever And this the Saints feed upâ—â— but Adam did not eate of this And out of 〈◊〉 ground made the Lord God to grow every tree 〈◊〉 is pleasant to the sight and good for food â—â—en 2.9 So in the garden the Church of God out 〈◊〉 the ground of the love of God for he is the â—ound of all our happinesse hee causeth to grow every tree that is pleasant to the eâ—â— and good for food which is a comfortaâ—â— enjoyment of all temporall things and gooâ—nesse hath a promise of all things in this 〈◊〉 for temporall things so far as it is for Goâ— glory and for our good and for things come which is spirituall but the trees of 〈◊〉 ward mercies doe grow by the high way◠〈◊〉 all sorts of people to eate of as well as the châ—â—dren of God But this is but by the way 〈◊〉 shew you that wee have the enjoyment of oâ—â— ward things by the enjoyment of spiritual 〈◊〉 in the garden of God so farre as Christ 〈◊〉 peareth in it it brings forth good fruits sâ—â—ble to him for hee is a Spirit and the frâ—â— that grow in this garden are spirituall and have not this fruit by nature for except 〈◊〉 are in the Vine we cannot bring forth frâ—â— sutable to God and we by nature are nakeâ— and we seeing our selves naked and knowâ— there is no appearing before God so we taâ—â— of the broadest and fairest leaves of the shew godlinesse that we can get and sew them handsomely together as wee can and coâ—â— that part that we see naked but there is a gâ—â— deale of our nakednesse that we doe not 〈◊〉 and that wee cannot cover yet God sees our nakednesse both that as we cover 〈◊〉 as we doe not cover When God doth appâ—â—◠〈◊〉 we are affraid of his seeing us
in the booke of the Law to them Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 Exod. 20. 〈◊〉 the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting tâ—â— niquity of the Fathers upon the children unto third and fourth generation of them that hate And the Lord hath too pure an eye to behâ— iniquity there is not any thing that is anâ— my to God but the Devill and sin 1 Job He that committeth sin is of the Devill for Devill sinneth from the beginning And as lâ—â— as ye commit sinne the Devill is your Fat John 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Deâ—â— and the lusts of your father you will doe and thou art the servant to the Devill Rom. 6. Know ye not to whom ye yeild your selves servâ— to obey his servants ye are to whom you obey 〈◊〉 ther of sin unto death or of obedience unto riâ—â— â—esse And vers 20. When ye were the servants â—â—n ye were free from righteousnesse Vers 23. 〈◊〉 wages of sinne is death And if thou enterâ—e sinne in thy heart the Lord will not hear 〈◊〉 prayer The Lord is the searcher of hearts â—d hee knowes the wickednesse of thy heart â—d thou must give account for every idle â—ught therefore you must search and exaâ—â—e you throughly of all your sinnes and 〈◊〉 truly humbled for every sinne But many â—en God shewes them their sins it is too teâ—us to them they cannot beare it they â—uld fain have comfort administred to them â—t we have no such warrant from God till we 〈◊〉 you throughly humbled for your sins wee â—â—st not daube you up with untemper'd morâ—â— but doe to you as a skilfull Surgeon doth â—a dangerous wound search it to the quick â—â—d you must endanger it if you meane to be â—red For if we tell you of mercy before you â—e throughly humbled this will heale your â—unds without but they will ranckle withâ—â—â— and that is the reason your comforts so be and flow We are Christs Embassadours and we must â—e the message of Christ which is the deliâ—â—ring the Doctrine of Christ and ye shall find at we preached the Law and Judgement to â—ing them in to repent Mat. 11.21 22 23 24. Then hee began to upbraid the Cities wherâ— most of his mighty workes were done because 〈◊〉 repented not Woe unto thee Chorazin 〈◊〉 unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty worâ— which have been done in you had been done in Tâ—â— and Sidon they would have repented long 〈◊〉 in sack-cloath and ashes But I say unto you shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at day of judgement than for you And thou 〈◊〉 pernaum which art exalted unto heaven shâ— be brought downe to hell For if the mighty worâ— which have beene done in thee had beene done Sodome it would have remained untill this dâ—â— But I say unto you that it shall be more toleraâ— for the land of Sodome in the day of judgemâ—â—â— than for thee Luke 13.3 Except yee repent 〈◊〉 shall all likewise perish And when you are thus throughly humble then there is mercie offered you Mat. 11.2 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy 〈◊〉 den and I will give you rest Take my yoke up you and learne of mee for I am meeke and loâ—â— in heart and ye shall find rest for your soules 〈◊〉 my yoke is easie and my burthen is light Jer. 2â— 11 12 13. For I know the thoughts that I thiâ— towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace aâ— not of evill to give you an expected end Thâ— shall ye call upon me and ye shall goe and pray unâ— me and I will hearken unto you And ye shâ—â— â—â—eke me and finde me when ye shall search for â—e with all your heart Jer. 33.8 And I will canse them from all their iniquity whereby they â—â—ve sinned against mee and whereby they have â—ansgressed against me Psalm 103.8 9. 111. 〈◊〉 13. The Lord is mercifull and gracious slow anger and plenteous in mercy He will not â—â—wayes chide neither will he keepe his anger for â—er He hath not dealt with us after our sinnes â—r rewarded us according to our iniquities For 〈◊〉 the heaven is high above the earth so great is â—s mercie to them that feare him As farre as the â—ast is from the West so far hath he removed our â—ansgressions from us Like as a Father pittieth 〈◊〉 children so the Lord pittieth them that feare â—im And vers 3. He forgiveth all thine iniquiâ—â—es hee healeth all thy diseases Amoâ— 5.4 Thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel Seeke 〈◊〉 me and ye shall live And many other plaâ—es of Scripture to this purpose might be cited â—ut these places are sufficient to shew you what sad condition you are in so long as you conâ—â—nue in your sins and how mercifull the Lord 〈◊〉 if you returne unto him with all your heart â—nd be truly humbled and walke in a new ourse of life Exod. 20.6 Shewing mercy unto â—housands of them that love me and keep my Comâ—andements Thus they are able to lay open thy wounds and make them bigger and in stead of pâ—ring in the precious balsome of the Church Christ which will cure thy wounds tâ— powre in brine to terrifie thee and they thee upon duties and tell thee thou must thus and thus qualified before thou commeâ— Christ but they will not nor cannot thee how thou must come to be thus qualifiâ—â— for they will tell thee all thy righteousnesse iâ— filthy rags When thou hearest these things thou aâ—â— great deal more troubled then ever thou waâ— thou art now at thy wits end and even reaâ—â— to despair thou canst see nothing but sin aâ—â— if thou couldst repent and walke in a nâ—â—â— course of life then there was hopes of merâ—â— but thou findest thou canst not doe it theâ—fore thou conciudest there is no mercy 〈◊〉 thee therefore thou art sore troubled aâ—â— knowst not what to doe Thou seest the Loâ—â— angry with thee for thy sins and thinkst thâ—â— all the afflictions that comes upon thee is 〈◊〉 judgement of the Lord for thy sinnes the thinkest thy selfe to be a damned reprobaâ—â—â— quite empty of all goodnesse and expectâ—â— daily some fearefull judgement to fall upâ—â— thee for thy sinnes Oh thinkst thou if 〈◊〉 wrath of God lay so heavy upon Christ thâ— made him to cry out My God my God why bâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 forsaken me and he having no sin Matth. 〈◊〉 46. For if they doe these things in a greene 〈◊〉 what shall be done in a dry tree Luke 23. And if the righteous scarcely be saved where all the sinner and ungodly appeare 1 Pet. 4.18 â—en thou thinkest I shall surely be damned â—â—en the Devill tempts thee to lay violent â—â—nds on thy selfe and many times thou art â—dy to doe it but that the Lord prevents it â—â—d the Ministers sees thee in such a despairing â—â—ndition they tell thee thou must believe â—â—at the Lord hath done these and these things 〈◊〉 thee And if thou wilt lay hold
on him by â—â—th hee will give thee grace to walke in a â—â—w course of life and yet still they offer thee â—hrist upon condition and thou art exceeâ—â—ngly terrified with hearing mercies because â—ou dost not see they belong to thee because â—ou canst not believe Thus thou seest beloved what a spirituall â—â—ndage thou art in with sinne and the Devill â—â—d false Teachers like the children of Israel 〈◊〉 Aegypt what sore bon dage they were in 〈◊〉 temporall things so ar t thou now in spiâ—â—â—uall And thou knowest not what to doe â—â—â—t cry unto the Lord as they did and the â—ord sent them word that they should be â—â—ought out of the Land of Aegypt and that â—ondage to serve him in another Land so he will doe by thee thou art in such a spiritâ— bondage in this spirituall Aegypt that thâ—â— canst not serve the Lord here therefore 〈◊〉 Lord comes to bring thee out which he dâ—â— by declaring unto thee that this is not 〈◊〉 way of God and hee would not have 〈◊〉 walke in it nor heare these false Teacherâ—ny more for thou art more and more woâ—ded by them Oh thinkst thou to thy selfe will goe hear them that they call Independeâ—â— I see they grow exceedingly in grace and hâ—â—â— aboundance of joy and walke very comâ—â—â—tably with God and Paul bids us try all thinâ— So I will see whether they can tell me tidiâ—â— of my Beloved So when thou art thus a â—â—â—ing out of this spirituall Aegypt then conâ—spirtuall Pharaoh the Devill with his Armie â—â—ter thee of reproaches and scandals and â—tream displeasure of those that are of near â—â—lation to thee for thy going in these stranâ—â— wayes as they say calling thee Heretiqâ—â— and threatning thee that if thou wilt not leaâ— off these wayes they will never doe any thâ—â— for thee but will doe thus and thus again thee then thou art in aboundance of slaw feares and the red sea of persecution befoâ—â— thee If the Clergie could but get power 〈◊〉 the Magistrate which they have done the good will to get it in the meane timethey wpersecute you in words and raile on you in heir pulpits and call you Hereticks and say â—is pitty you should live you are the disturâ—ers of the peace and if they let you alone â—ou will be the ruine of the Kingdome And â—his they doe against thee because thou wilt â—ot heare them any more for thou art so â—ounded with their Sermons that thou canst â—â—ot heare them any longer Yet they tell thee â—hou must wait upon them till the Lord make â—nown his mind to them and it is a question whether ever he will make known his minde â—o them or no Mat. 23.13 But woe unto you â—cribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of heaven against men for ye neither goe â—â—your selves neither suffer ye them that are entring â—o goe in But they are blind leaders of the blinde â—nd both shall fall into the pits Thus thou seest what a streight thou art in â—etwixt Pharoah's Armie and the red Sea and â—hou cryest to the Lord as the children of Israâ—â— did and what did Moses say which was a â—ype of Christ Exod. 14.13 14. Moses said â—nto the people feare ye not stand still and see â—e salvation of the Lord the Lord shall fight for â—â—u and you shall hold your peace First I shall shew you that yet thou hast â—ot seen the salvation of the Lord. Secondly Thou must stand still and thou shalt see the salvation of the Lord for thee 1. I will not deny but that thou art 〈◊〉 child of God for that good seed spoken of Mat. 13. is sowne in thee which seed is 〈◊〉 Word in vers 19. of this Chapter and 〈◊〉 Word is Christ John 1. Which seede is Chriâ—â—â— Gal. 3.16 Know ye not that Christ is in you â—â—cept you be reprobates but I trust you shall knâ—â—â— you are not reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5 6. For Gâ—â—â— hath made knowne to thee that this seed is thee for thou findest that there is a new woâ—â— wrought in thee for now thou hatest sintâ— and hast a desire after goodnesse and it is thâ—â— seede in thee which makes thee so For whâ—â— thou wast in thy naturall condition thâ—â— hadst no such inclination to good thouâ—â— sometimes thou art ready to deny this throuâ—â— the Devills temptation and thy owne corruâ—tions But yet thou dost not know the true way Jesus Christ The Sonne of righteousnesse not risen in thee to lighten thee in his truth as the truth is in Jesus Christ saith I am 〈◊〉 way the truth and the life no man commeth the Father but by me John 14.6 And while the Lord doth come and lighten thee in 〈◊〉 wayes thou canst not find it out but thou a in the darke and one that is in the dark caâ—â— not doe any thing well and is ready to stuâ—â— â—e at all things and yet would faine doe â—omething Thus thou goest along in thy own strength 〈◊〉 perform duties but all thy duties and righousnesse is as filthy rags and that the Devill â—ill tell thee and he will overcome thee with is temptations for all thy righteousnesse This not a sufficient armour to stand against him 〈◊〉 will wound thee for all this For except â—â—ur righteousnesse exceeds the righteousnesse of the â—ribes and Pharisees you shall in no wise enter to the Kingdome of heaven Which as yet thou â—â—mmest short of that righteousnesse of the â—ribes and Pharisees for they were wonderâ—â—ll strict in their wayes for they lookt to be â—stified by the workes of the Law They did â—â—t know any other way therefore they walâ—d in that way they were in the dark and 〈◊〉 they worked according So it is with thee â—ou lookest to be justified by the works of the â—â—aw for thou seest no other way nor hast â—en taught any other way although in words â—â—th thou and they that taught thee are ready 〈◊〉 deny it But doe you not say that except ye do thus â—â—d thus God will not doe thus and thus for â—â—ou What is this but to be justified by your â—â—wne righteousnesse but thou dost as the â—â—ouse did in Cant. 3.1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soule loved I sought him bâ— I found him not What was this night but the time of hâ— darke condition and what is darknesse but want of light And in this night on her beâ— what was this bed A bed is to take their nâ— upon which was her owne performances a righteousnesse But she sought him but she câ—â—not find him upon her bed for thy bed is tâ— short for thee to stretch thy self upon tâ— covering too narrow to wrap thy self withaâ— before the Lord had shewed her the light his owne selfe to leade her where shee shou finde him Shee looked for him upon her bâ—â— of her owne performances but it is too shoâ—â— to reach to heaven and this covering of hâ—