applie the Apostles phrase 2. Cor. 6.12 We are not made straight in God but in our owne bowels David could pen more Psalmes in time of warre than we haue leisure to read in these daies of peace Luk. 7.9 The Centurion in gleaning gathered more faith than we reape who haue the full harvest I speake it to thy shame henceforward make no such complaints but see what God doth for thy soule and let thy growth and the meanes be equall He who thus doth Rom. 2.4 doth well And whereunto the Lords bountifullnesse should I am sure ought to induce him III. Neither will I omit thee O thou decaied and declin ng Christian who hast wasted part of thy stocke diminished thy store What merchandise of more worth What gaine to the increase of grace Shall not then the losse be equall The dammage proportionable Will it not grieue the husbandman to see his tenderest plants wither The rankest corne become blasted Doth not a consuming body breed sorrow Presage death and what patient in such a case if not growne desperat seekes not recoverie The Prodigall Gamster doth he not sigh at his losse And with an eager mind play at get againe Shalt thou then suffer this precious treasure to waste Permit the buds of grace to pine Perish O see thou doe not so but seeke to the Physitian betimes take restoratiues to recover thy former health thy wonted strength Hos 2.7 Returne to thy first husband For at that time was it not better with thee than now What content comfort canst thou finde in praier that 's cold Short And not mixed with fervencie Will flesh halfe boyled delight the palate Nourish the body Hath not the Lord threatned Rev. 3.16 to spue the luke-warme Christian out of his mouth Can he away with a sluggard A non-proficient in his service Doth not our master expect to receiue his talents with advantage And shall not the idle servant be condemned Awake therefore Eph. 5.16 thou who sleepest stand vp from the dead And Christ shall giue thee light more increase of grace Consider how thou art fallen into what a pittifull case thou hast plunged thy soule And tye thy selfe to thy ancient taske vse a constant course in holy actions every day reade some portion of Christs loue-letters See his great affection how friendly he invites thee and be allured Psal 119.25 Call and cry Lord quicken me cause thy face to shine giue me the spirit of life and power restore me to the wonted ioy of thy salvation Psal 80.3 Psal 51.12 Wash thee seven times in the river Iordan bath thy selfe in the poole of repentance sing Psalmes in secret And get thee into the company of the strongest hotest Christians So shall thy flesh become as a childs the leprie of sinne weare away thy vigour returne thy hart waxe warme burne within thee Loue-songs no more inflame lust than the song of songs increase stirre vp grace What bangling kite with a loftie flier mendes not her pitch What fainting beleeuer with one who staggers not but will grow in fa th Suppose thou findest in thy selfe a backwardnesse to good duties Shall not the omission thereof make thee more vnfit the next season Vse limmes and haue limmes is our English proverbe vse grace haue grace a Christians experiment But if all this moue thee not to recouer thy decaied stock to do thy former workes then thus reason why may not I shrinke backe Retyre Proue an Apostate Or Iob. 31.14 how shal I answer God when he returns to iudgement Sure I am that if thou be his he will not long suffer thee to sit on thy lees but remoue thee from vessel to vessell How long Ier. 48.11 thinkest thou will the Lord indure thy lingring Brooke thy wambling Take heed lest one of these daies he boyle thee vp by some sharpe schorching fire of afflictioÌ„ What if the spirit of feare should re-fall thee 1 Sam. 16.14 The sword of thine enemie pierce thee The spreading plague infect thee The food of thy soule be taken from thee Or thou Amos. 8.11 by some foule publicke offence left to scandalize thy profession Then hast thou not spunne a faire threed Will not thy ill husbandrie prick thy fingers Shalt thou not goe mourning all thy life long And at the last leaue a weake evidence a feeble testimonie of thy soundnesse of thy salvation behind thee 1. Cor. 15.34 Awake therefore to do righteously Think and thinke againe of these things set them before the eye of thy soule Iudg. 16.3 So shalt thou as Sampâ—on when he saw the Philistines approach neere him gather thy forces together vp begâ—n and fâ—â—e for thy life IIII. Now in the conclusion I haue a word of exhortation vnto thee thou thou who hast kept what thou hast And nâ—t consumed the least mite of thy stocke Psal 87.4 Thinke not that this is all which Gâ—d requireth of thee but grow still Proceed from strength to strength be rooted deeply grounded in the grace of Christ Iesus Col 1.23 and 2.7 Spreade thy branches farre and wide shoote vp and sprout on high be strong as an ell-boare Let no vacuitie as nature admits not any be in thy vessel but be filled to the brimme Be a mightie valiant man exceed the godly 1 Sam. 10 23. as much in this spirituall growth as Saul the common subiects in corporall who was higher by the head and shoulders Christians should resemble the most honorable of Davids worthies equall the first three Yea 1. Chro. 11 21. like the brethren of Gedeon every one be as the child of a king Iudg 8.18 A waster of his stocke is much condemned So is a Dwarfe in stature derided Shall we then decrease our heavenly substance Or with the North-pole be still at a stand Let the motion of other men somewhat incite thee provoke thee who are never satisfied Eph. 5.18 When Drunkards are filled with wine be thou with the spirit When thou seest an Elimas a Sorcerer full of the Devill with Barnabas Acts 13.9.10 be thou filled with faith and the holie Ghost When worldlings whose portion is in this life ayme at stately buildings Large possessions great ruffes cuffes let thy care and scope be to excell in this one thing necessarie Luk. 10.42 exceed them as much in grace as they thee in the contrarie graine For thus to doe is acceptable to God Mat. 16.28 profitable for thee For all men What if a man could winne the whole world yet want grace would it be any benefit vnto him Whereto may I compare him who hath much many things yet without grace But to a peece charged with shot not equalled with powder Will Can such a person discharge his calling Be liberall to pious vses No no his coine lyes rusting in his chest Luk. 7.5.9 Acts. 9.39 2 Tim. 1. vlt. his corne rotting in
is so simple not to aske the right way as to demand if he doe not wander Brethren take heed therefore what you heare how you heare lest it be for the worse not the better as after a flash of lightning we expect thunder So when admonition is gone foorth have an eye to direction to caution But we will step to the words themselues where let it be noted that Doct. 2 Growth in grace is required of a Christian Ephe 5.18 and 6.10 Name me one Church not called vpon to practise this dutie Doth not the Apostle bid the Ephesians 2. Cor. 13 11. be strong filled with the spirit The Corinthians to be perfect 1 Thess 4 1 The Thessalonians to abound more and mâ—re His Son Timotheus 2. Tim. 2.1 to be strengthened with grace Are not the righteous said Psal 84.7 to goe from strength to strength Pro. 4.18 And to shine more and more till the perfect day Reas 1 For it s a thing commendable What more praise-worthie than grace Psal 4 c. Shall not then the increase therof be laudable Augmentation of any good subiect Rev. 5.2 hath in the holy letters due commendation For are not Psalmes dedicated to him Acts 7.55 who excelleth The opening of the seale to the most worthie ascribed Wherefore is Steven said to be filled with faith Neh. 7.2 Hanani to feare God aboue many Moses stiled Num. 13.3 the meekest man on earth 1. Chro. 11. Why are Davids worthies described by the greatnesse of their power Might Severall taxed for their weakenesse Feeblenesse Except groweth in goodnesse were greatly to be extolled Wherefore as Iohn of his friend 3. Iohn 12. I conclude of graces increase that it s well reported of all men and of the truth it selfe And for that cause to be desired increased And is it not also profitable What growth can equall this What increase like to this increase Shall we descend to particulars Doe we not by the augmentation thereof recover the great losse we had in Adam our father Are we not restored by it to that glorious image wherein at the first we were created Made more sutable to our head the Lord Iesus Will it not support vs with patience to vndergoe all kindes of crosses With ease to performe holy duties And the more grace here the greater glorie hereafter Who questions any of these things As the Apostle saith of the excellencie of the Iew Rom. 3.1.2 and benefit of Circumcision So may we of growth in grace that its profitable every manner of way The doctrine being prooved before it be applied certaine questions are to be propounded resolued Whether grace or not be of a growing nature We affirme it is in man not God Else why are we bade to grow Grace resembleth seed the which being sowen in the furrowes of mans soule springeth first into a blade next to an eare And in the end to a ripe corne Mat. 13.23 Doth not the parable of our Lord proue this Mar. 4.28 Grace in a Christian is not like a starre in the skie or stone in the center alwaies equal But as the Ceders of Lâ—banon growes greater and greater stronger and stronger But as a man who hath grace increaseth in it He may For there 's a vacuitie in the most sanctified vessell Grace like a bullet in a molde is not perfected in a moment the soule at the first infusion of it is not filled with it It riseth by degrees Ezek. 47 3 4. as the waters of the sanctuarie the which came first to the ancles then to the knees from thence to the loynes And so to a river that could not be passed over As in the vnion of soule and body man was filled with corruption So at their disiunction he comes to his highest pitch of sanctification It may further be demanded if each Christian doe Grow in grace For answer to this If mans life be considered in the bulke that is from the instant of his conversion vnto the time of his dissolution then doubtlesse he doth grow But if we breake it into parcels as weekes monthes yeeres he may not increase therein For as a tree he may haue his winter stand at a stay if not decline Againe he may be said to grow and not to grow at one and the same season by way of comparison because at all times his growth is not equall A tradesman this yeare gaines an hundred pounds to his stocke the next he adds but fiftie here is an increase though not proportionable to the former And this seemes to be the condition of the Church of Ephesus shee is commended for not fainting Rev 2.3.4 And in the next words checked for the losse of her first loue A Travaâ—ler runnes fast at the first mittigates his speed towardes the end of his iourney yet in that he is going still he may be said to proceed although his pace be not at all times equall So may we conclude of this supernaturall motion 4 Can the habit of grace be decreased This question in the former verse we haue affirmatiuely resolved onely an obiection by some experienced Christian here may be produced Now he beleeves anon he doubts this houre he hopes the next he feares One day he praies willingly fervently but another he is slow could in the action What Doth the habit of grace increase and decrease in these different kindes of motion For resolution we are to know that in the most regenerat person Gal. 5.17 there is as grace So corruption from which contrarie principles spring contrarie effects Also that both of these haue coadiutors by whom they are assisted in their operations The spirit is alwayes present to conserue mooue and stirre vp the grace of God in his children So is Sathan with the Masse of corruption But neither of both it may be at all times in equall degree whence when there is no diversitie of grace or corruptions Existence yet there may be varietie of the strength of their severall operations For when the power of the externall cause is remitted the actions of grace and corruption are also weakned and so the contrarie As with a ship it falleth out with a Christian sometimes He hath a faire fresh gale from the Spirit and at that time he makes a speedie passage a none the blast is slacked and then his course to the land of life is but slow We may not therefore conclude that the habit of grace in this diversitie of effects is dâ—caâ—ed No more then we will that the sailes of the barke be furreled because its course is somewhat weakened Againe varying the obiect alters graces operations For when a Christian casteth his eye on his strong corruptions his manie actuall transgressions his pronenesse to evill vnwillingnesse to good calleth to minde how the promises and vowes he hath not performâ—d the which at his conversion with a most setled resolution from him proceeded
brethren is there yet a Prophet gone out to declare when these things shall have an end But because this dolefull obiect is more remote therefore though it should not the lesse lamented Let vs draw neerer home And take a view of our owne Nation Hath not Death cruell death haunted the Court Citie Countrey Killed our King Slaine our Nobles And turned into small dust sixtie-six-thausand of the common subiects Call for the aged and let them if they can tell when so many in so short a revolution of time haue vealed the head And given vp the Ghost But what effect hath followed this dreadfull mortalitie Is not England London especially as proud covetous prophaine And secure as ever I doubt not but that some have laid these iudgements to heart brought foorth fruite worthie amendment of life Math 3.8 But as the Disciples sayd of the five loaves and two fishes what are they amonge so many Alas Alas The dead carkesses of neighbours kindred friends like rotten dung spread on the earth have caused the seeds of wickednesse in the lives of a huge multitude but to shoot vp grow the faster What then shall we can we expect without a change to be the end For will not God take vengeance on such a people as this Zeph. 2.2 You therefore before the decree come foorth Who make profession like Moses stand in the gappe pitition the Father of mercie And the God of all consolation not to enter into iudgement with this sinfull generation but to put the evill day farre from vs. Pray for the life of our King the peace of our Land And the continuance of the Gospell to vs and our posteritie from generation to generation Cry in the eares of the Lord of hoasts to powre downe the Spirit of wisdome and resolution vpon his own annointed that he may guide the great people committed to his charge in the way of truth be the ioy of all his chosen and a terror to all his enemies That the Sun of that morning may never rise or that day numbred to the Monthes of the yeere when it shall be sayd the Adversary hath invaded the land the Arke of God is gone from our English Israel If we sit secure take heede of a Spanish whip a Catholike scourge For what priviledge have we Iudah Ierusalem And our Neighbour kingdomâ—s have not inioyed Why then may we not feare the like correction Chiefly if we lye in the same sinnes Now that you may be prevented of or prepared for the invasion of Foes fiering of Beacons roaring of Cannons sacking of Cities ravishing of wives deflouring of virgins tossing infants on Pikes rending of members a sunder and resisting vnto bloud Heb. 11.37 Consider what I have sayd And write in this short succeeding Tractat. Heb. 11.37 Better Counsell to vndergoe the harshest torments to flesh and bloud than I have in these few lines I cannot give thee Read them for thy selfe Pray for me And the rather in that thou little knowest how short a time thou hast Thine in the Lord Iesus Iohn Barlow February 23. 1626. The particulars in this tractat prosecuted are in this Table related Doctrine 1. A Spirituall stedfastnesse may be obtained Pag. 6. Spirituall stedfastnesse defined Pag. Distributed into Habituall Vnderstanding Wil afections Pag. 12. Practicall Internall Externall Pag. 15. Doct. 2. Spiriuall stedfastnes may be fallen from Pag. 30. And it is Described Divided into Habit Totall Partiall Pag. 31. Acts Inward Outward Pag. 35 Causes of Apostasie Within vs. Without vs. Pag. 37 Symptomes of declining Pag. 55. Helpes to recover the deâ—lined Pag. 70. How to support him who standeth Pag. 78. Rules for yong Converts Pag. 85. Doct. 3. Error leadeth from stedfastnes Pag 89. Error defined in Generall Speciall Legall Evangelicall Pag. 90. And either may be in Iudgement Vniversal Partiall Pag. 93. Practise Weakenesse Willfulnesse Pag. 69. Doct. 4. The way of error is the way of the wicked Pag. 104. Doct. 5. By one error many may be seduced Pag. 108. Doct. 6. Error discovered to be avoided P. 114. The shops of error and prophanenesse Verse 18. Doct. 1. Admonition to be seconded with direction Pag. 131. Doct. 2. Growth in grace required of a Christian Pag. 146. 1. If grace be of a growing nature Pag. 138. 2. May he who hath it increase it Pag. 139. 3. Doth everie Christian grow Pag. 139. 4. Can its habit be decreased Pag. 141. 5. Is it possible to stand at a stay Pag. 144. 6. Or be augmented and not discerned Pag. 145 Doct. 3. All graces to be increased Pag. 195. May one grow and not another Pag. 198. An obiection removed Pag. 169. Doct. 4. Christians are to grow in the knowledge of Christ Iesus Pag. 208. This knowledge is Intellectuall Of his person Offices Pag. 214. ExperimeÌ„tal To our selves To others Pag. 222. Severall hereticall opinions concerning Christs Person and Offices confuted Pag. 224 Divers texts of Scripture perverted are cleared Pag 225 Doct. 5. Christ Iesus mans Saviour Pag. 24â— And that in respect of his two Natures Divine Humane Pag. 244 Obedience Actiue Passiue Pag 248 Salvation Defined Explicated Pag. 253 Obiections produced refelled Pag. 258 A forcible exhortation in the conclusion Pag. 260. A SEASONABLE DISCOVRSE OF Spirituall stedfastnes 2. Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before take heede lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your owne stedfastnesse THE Apostle Peter The Logicall resolution having the Spirit of prophecy in the beginning of this Chapter foretelleth that in the last dayes shall come Scoffers walking after their owne lusts saying where is the promise of Christs appearing for are not all things as they were since the Creation The which hereticall opinion hee by many strong arguments confuteth And so with severall admonitions and exhortations concludeth this his Epistle Wherefore to speake as the thing is in these verses are contained both an admonition and a direction and in the admonition these following particulars may be considered observed First the persons to whom it is directed next the ground and thirdly the matter of it For the Persons they are layd downe Collectiuely Yee or by an adjunct tytle beloved The ground is implyed in the word therefore and expressed in this sentence Seing ye know these things And the matter hath a twofold branch ignorance and backesliding both which properly adhere to the wicked yet by occasion may cleaue to the godly Lest ye also being led away with the errour of these Mockers fall from your owne stedfastnes Ye my Countrymen beleeving Iewes The Theologicall exposition and all succeeding Churches and grounded Christians Beloved the object of my affection I being an agent but you patients Therefore in this word is closely implyed the ground of this admonition it being a word of relation Seeing you know these things here is plainely expressed the full foundation of the admonition for the
equall measure of holines and sanctitie And that for severall reasons 1. One is of ancient standing another of yesterdaies planting 2. Some haue had much watering and dressing others little in compâ—rison of them 3. And all are not a like dilligent to redeeme the time and vse the meanes inioyed Besides God for Speciall ends may conferre more vpon some one Christian at his first conversion then another shall haue acquired at the day of his dissolution yet for all this to keepe and conserue what they haue be it lesse or more from diminution is to continew in the fore mentioned stedfastnes A child as the aged man may retaine his naturall strength So may a babe as the growne Christian his Spirituall in Christ Iesus Stedfastnes distributed Obserue further that this stedfastnes is Habitual Practicâ—l Both these are in our definition comprehended by the Apostle intended And without question may be procured They differ as cause and effect For the former in nature preceads the latter giues an essentiall being to it as the father to his Sonne neither for a moment can exist without it Take away the habit or any degree of it and proportionably the act perisheth whence it may be as a wise Teacher our Apostle primarily intends habituall at the second hand practicall stedfastnes For conserue the fire and it will heat retaine the habit and it will worke Againe habitual stedfastnes is in the Vnderstanding Will and affections For as the faculties so the habits of them are distinct and may be distributed God when he sets vpon the soule to Sanctifie it plants a divine light in the vnderstanding whereby truth and error be cleerely discerned the narrow path to heaven and the spacious Gate that leadeth to hell This is called ey salue Rev. 3.18 or the annoynting which teacheth all things Also the Lord infuseth a new created power into the will and affections 1 Io. 2.27 enabling them to covet and imbrace good to reiect and shunne evill so farre foorth as the vnderstanding part apprehendes and presents them It s a fond dreame of the Arminians that grace should not be habitually infused at our conversion or if it be it is no Sanctifying grace of the Spirit here 's a new doctrine indeed But doth not knowledge expell ignorance Faith infidellity Shall not that then which abolisheth corruption be iustly stiled a grace of Sanctification Nay these men maintaine that the Act in divine graces preceads the habit as if burning should goe before fire Wit whether wilt thou Mat 12.33 Must not the tree first be good before the fruit can doth pure water Iam. 3.11 spring out of a troubled fountaine True it is that many Acts confirme and perfect the habit Rom. 5 3. but yet giue not its essentiall being passing this let vs goe on As for practicall stedfastnes that is Externall Internall Christ admits of this division when he saith Matth. 15 8 these people draw neere me with their mouths and honour me with their lips but their hearts are farre from me The former without the latter is profitable for nothing Who more frequent and constant in externall shewes and Ceremonies than the Pharisees of old the Papists in our times and yet both the most abhominable Hypocrits in the world Take Paul praying 1. Cor. 14 24. it is in the vnderstanding and spirit preaching it is in power authoritie Singing it is with grace and gladnes of heart 2. Tim. 1.7 Where is the ground of his greatest ioy He serues the Lord in the law of his mind Of his deepest griefe The law of his flesh rebels against the law of his minde Rom. 7.22.23.24 This man would obey God with the whole man or he accounts himselfe a miserable wrecthed man O what sweet internall straines haue issued from that setled sanctifyed spirit Psal 139.27 How deere speaking of God are thy thoughts vnto me They are exceeding many Whom haue I in heauen Psal 73.28 but thee When shall I appeare in thy presence Psal 16.8 I set thee alwaies on my right hand Thy law do I loue I will meditate there on night and day Psal 17. vlt. And when I awake I shall be fatisfied with thine image Psal 119.77 Where knowledge is planted in the minde it will see him who is invisible still casting the eye that way amidst a million of other obiects If faith be once rooted in the will let Heretickes dispute Sathan roare the world tempt and death terrifie it stands fast is vnshaken Grant it be moved it s but a little and then afterward with more eagernes affiance like a resolute souldier his fallen armes layeth hold on the Lord Iesus cleaveth faster vnto him These are some of the internall motions of Spirituall stedfastnes as for the external it is when we bring the members of the body to a constant course in holy actions to preach read heare meditate sing pray with any other outward act whatever Now from all which hath beene said what a large path of application haue we to walke in to pace thorow Vse 1 In the setting foorth it confuteth such who conceite it a thing impossible to acquire this Spirituall stedfastnes with the kinds of it but what marvaile When they neglect the meanes omit the season conserue a strong habit of corruption in them by pampering the flesh and a setled course of evill doing are strangers from the life of God haue not one graine of grace neither ever felt the least wound of Mortification should we demand of these the like to Pauls question haue you receiued this Spirituall stedfastnes since you were baptised Acts 19.2 We might expect the like answere for how many would reply We haue not so much as heard that there is a spirituall stedfastnes Or as Festus concerning the Apostle they haue no certaine thing to say of it Acts 25 26 So these may haue milke in their breasts marrow in their bones and corporall stabilitie be able to plow sow runne and ride without wearines this is all they thinke of care for yet doe but obserue the course of these men and shall you not see how they never doubt question the procuring of any other kind of stedfastnes if it fal within the fathome of a created possibility And harshlie censure all who tread not in the highest step and lift not the toe into the loftiest stirrop of profanes For were it to drinke soule-slaying healthes he who comes not to their pitch is condemned casheered as an vnworthie companion to kindle and smoake if he once deny the pipe must get him gone and be packing Is he vnfit for his calling Or careles in the execution of it With open mouth they cry such a man is simple an Idiot and worthy to die a begger Will he not hold out at Dice and Cardes from sunne to sunne Then he is no body nor a commendable Gamester Doth he ever grow
but the vngodly Are without bonds in death except the transgressor Brethren infidelitie will raise in mans hart loose conceipts of God and of his nature almost perswade that seeing is not beleeving Had not the Prophet such thoughts as these Was he not almost by these Sophistications fallacies well neere turned out of the way Cast vpon his backe And runne the path of open profanesse Without doubt they stayed his steps for a time hindred his holy progresse Reade Psal 73. Per totum 4. Carnal confidence that is whatsoeuer we trust in except Christ Iesus The Iewes had Abraham for their father Moses to their master teacher Circumcision the seale of righteousnesse the Arke Temple Oracles all holy ordinances and worshipped at Ierusalem yet excluding Christ the true Paschall Lambe the Messiah premised What was al they did or had but a confidence in the flesh Was not Paul an Hebrew of the Hebrewes Of the kinred of Israel And of the tribe of Beniamin Circumcised the eight day Brought vp at the feet of Gamaliel And profited aboue manie Phil 3.3 a Pharisee by profession zealous towards God And lived after the most strict sect of that religion And what was all this Acts 26.5 Christ being denied of him but a fleshly confidence And may not a man effectually called perfectly iustified and truly sanctified haue an eye look back to such things Put some affiance in them whereby the better to confirme his Spirituall standing And if he doe what can it be but a carnall confidence And may not a man effectually called perfectly iustified truly Sanctified haue an eye looke backe to such things Put some affiance in them whereby the better to confirme his Spirituall standing And if he doe what can it be but a carnall confidence And a step from grace Giue we an instance of this without exception What say you of the Galatians Would not they haue their workes concur with the obedience of Christ in the act of iustification And for this cause be they not sayd to haue ended in the flesh Gal. 3.3 Fallen from the grace of God This is a secret yet a certaine truth that a man may be carried away to place some confidence in his owne worthines and if he doe according to that degree he falleâ—h from Spirituall stedfastnes For Christ must be all in all Col. 3.11 else no setlednesse and therefore for this very thing we truly affirme that Rome is fallen from the faith and led away with the errour of the wicked 5. Weakenesse of grace To speake properly this is not a reall or positiue cause of declining yet by occasion may haue a finger in the businesse For grace as all other things is apt to conserue it selfe and no agent by intention of its owne diminution Put a small portion of fire into a bundle of greene wood will not the act thereof by its ouer-strong adversarie in some degree be weakned So grace being a little one corruption big and mighty and besetting it round why may it not also in part be extinguished Gal. 5.17 For flesh and spirit are contraries lodge in the regenerate person are alwaies quarelling whence it comes to passe that grace being vnequally matched is over-mastered and quenched though not totally coÌ„sumed Yea doubtlesse were it not for the spirit of God who at al times stands by the new-man and in everie conflict as Eli the lampe with oyle 1. Sam 3. Ioab David with a new created power releeues him the old-man wold put out the caÌ„dle of his life coÌ„quer overcome him 6. Want of knowledge experimentall When a tradesman hath a stocke followeth his calling seeth how customers come in hath daily doings whereby he augmenteth his substance gaineth great things and winneth reputation will it not animate put spirit and life into him to be constant in the execution of his vocation And so will it be with the experienced Christian When he can say by proofe Psal 6 9. the Lord hath heard my prayer performed his promise comforted me in trouble and to this day hath never failed or forsaken me he will goe on in the continuall practice of holy actions 1. Cor. 6.8 thorough good report and evill report without the least relaxation There is a misterie in godlines the which being learned will make a Christian stedfast immooueable When a man hath tasted of the good word of God savingly felt the power of the world to come and is familiarly acquainted with the ravishings of the spirit nothing can stay his steps hinder his progresse to the land of the living Doth not a tradesman know in the time of bargaining the worth of skill What when commodities are deere money will doe How sweet a thing it is to gather out of a great heape Not to be beholding or to take vpon trust of his neighbour And the same doth an experienced professed Christian He vnderstands the necessitie of faith and grace when God as I may say sets Christ and salvation to sale and how were he now without the treasure of the spirit constrained like the fiue foolish virgins to borrow of his acquaintance Mat. 25. in a day of dearth he were quite vndone Who is so vnwise but knowes that goods are alwaies profitable Money will can do manie things A diligent hand maketh rich Pro. 10.4 And to him who hath Luk. 8.18 shall be giuen But too few vnderstand the gaine of Godlinesse the vse of grace the purchase may be made therwith what credit such men haue with God and what promotion he will conferre vpon them who carefully seeke it conserue it Ignorance in this thing makes manie banke-rupts politicall spirituall Now the contrarie of all these we haue mentioned will be excellent helpes for the firme retention of grace receiued Wherefore keepe thy body in good plight feede on choice meates walke in pure aire vse moderate labour recreation And drinke a little wine 2. Tim. 5.3 to prevent thy corporall infirmities Consider how plants spread in a fertile soyle beasts feed fatter in a fresh pasture and in the vse of the lawfull meanes meanes all kind of creatures thriue prosper Col. 3.5 mortifie also fleshly lusts crucifie the whole bodie of sinne for in so doing 1. Cor. 9. vlt. thou shalt remoue rubs out of the way curb the Oldman binde him to good behaviour See in like sort thou increase thy faith and that will expell infidelitie consume it as fire doth subble and driue it out of the heart to dwell as Hagar in the wildernesse And shall not hope in Christ make the Newman lustie Strong Arme him against feare Foule despaire And in all assaults cheere vp his spirits Be sure to grow in grace For is not a feeble person subject to trip To stumble Catch a fall When able bodies hould out March valiantly Win the field In a word get experience of Gods dealing with the righteous what sound ioy there is in the
say as Christ of the Fig-tree never fruite grow on thee more But as once borne ever borne So once gracious ever gracious though not in equall degree For the variety of graces existence prevents not the perpetuitie of its essence May not all the members of the body consume yet not totally So may everie part of the New-man and not wholy be wasted A truth it is that the beleever may thus fall First that the Church may question the soundnesse of his heart 1 Cor. 5.5 vse her publicke authoritie and deliuer him vp to Sathan Witnesse the incestuous person Also that he himselfe may haue strange and loose conceipts of his spiritual estate What did David Psal 51. And so that he may hardly if ever recover his former strength haue that neere and sweet communion with God 2 Chro. 16.10 and his Saints which he hath had Was not this the condition of Asa Yet for all that hath or can be said the seedes of grace shal never totally wast and perish Neither is it impossible but that he who hath fearefully fallen may recouer his former strength doe his first workes Iudg. 16.22 Haue we not an example of this in Sampson For God can and will too restore the declined Rev. 2.5 if no time be omitted meanes neglected And experience of this so great a dammage may perswade the Prodigall in the vse of his talent to be the better husband He who hath gone astray when he seeth his wandring and returning into his right path will he not trudge on the faster A bone being broke if once knit say Chiâ—urgions is the stronger After a long languishing disease nature hath recovered and that body receiued her former force bin the more healthfull a long season When the Sunne had gone backe many degrees who can tell 2. King 20.11 but in his re turne he gained what he had lost that all daies and nights might be of equall proportion according to the season as at the creation But beloved though this may be so it likewise may not A relapse is with great hazard recouered for nature is weakened the peccant humour strengthened So is it in this For when the New-man decreaseth the old increaseth both of which breed danger It s more easie to keepe the weake on foot than being fallen to lift him vp againe How ever yet is it possible Vse 4 And may Spirituall stedfastnes be fallen from Then try thy selfe if thou be or not revolted Tradesmen keepe a register of all their proceedings cast vp their accompts yeerely take a strict view how they decreased or increased their substance and should not Christians be as wise in their generation Make proofe therefore by the former Symptomes related Is thy spirituall eie grone dim in seeing Dost thou behold Christians as the person who receiued his sight did men walking like trees Isa 65.5 Saist thou to such stand a part come not neere me I am holier than thou Is thine eare dull in hearing what the spirit speaketh to the Churches Covet'st thou frothy windy stuffe Rev. 2.7 Contentest thy selfe at home with a printed paper And delightest in some new odde invention Canst not thou as in times past relish Angels food Bread from heauen Absentest thou thy selfe from the Lords table Or comming feedest on the sacred bodie of Christ without an eager appetite Are the actions of grace feeble And willingly omitted Wantest thou power in Prayer Is that pulse weake Trembling And yet thou never challengest thy selfe in that regard Is vnwholesome food well enough affected No way disturbant or better diet receiued not into the veines distributed but passeth thorow the draught vndigested Concoctest thou the word with wambling Feelest no reluctation of weaker sinnes heretofore distasted And for all this canst thou not admit of Physicke sharp and keene reprehensions Wilt thou quarrell with the man who seekes thy recouerie account him rash indiscreet and but thine enemie Then in good sooth thou art gone backe carried with the tide and fallen from thy stedfastnes But and if thou allowest this that thou dost mournest not for it neither striuest to returne to thy former strength motion thy declining is will full and thou maist feare an apostasie For these symptoms Characters as luskish reachings of a lazie body are the certaine forerunners of a finall revolting Wherefore as by this search examination thou maist try thine estate So if thou finde thou hast fallen labour to returne to thy former stedfastnes And to recover thee according to the order premised what helpes we can we will afford thee And they are of Direction Perswasion 1. We must call to remembrance what truth in the vnderstanding or in our conversation we haue fallen from and so returne vnto them 2. We are to consider what sinne we haue imbrased whether it be an errour in iudgement or practise and if we clearely discerne any then to cease from it For all our failings will and may be ranked vnder these two heads of Omission or Commission When the naturall body is weakened by refusing of wholesome meat or receiuing of noisome diet is not the way of corporall recoverie to feed on the former and to reiect the latter Even so must it be in the regaining of our spirituall strength we haue fallen from He who hath erred from the true way must take knowledge of his wandrings and returne to his wonted walke Wherefore begin though at the first faintly to heare reade meditate pray And also to cease from sinne avoide the occasions of evill then shalt thou by degrees be restored to thy Spirituall stedfastnes as a weake-sickly body by good diet moderat exercise to its former strength This is the way of direction that of perswasion being compounded of many particulars followeth 1. Cast in thy mind what an vncomfortable condition thou art fallen into compare it often with the times of olde Doe not slavish feares vpon the least occasion arise in thy soule Art thou not suspicious how the best question thy soundnesse be privie to thy secret slips Hidden failings Who would be reputed a prodigall Gal. 3.1.3 Or having bin accounted rich thought to banke Did not Paul on the same ground call the Galatians fooles Persons be-witched Will you saith he having begunne in the spirit end in the flesh 2. Consider that greater evils than these may attend thee For shall not the Lord with-draw his loving kindnesse from thee Change his countenance and seeme though he be not thine enemie Would not this like the divisions of Reuben Iudg. 5.16 cause thoughts of heart What will sooner make the Lover sigh Any thing than the angry frownes of his best affected friend Of all the burthens befell good Iob Iob. 29.2.3 it seemes the disaquaintance with his God did the most breake him therefore cried O that my soule were as in mouth spast As in the daies when the Lord preserued me His candle shined vpon me And by his
soule descend not into their secret mine honor Gen. 49.6 be not thou vnited to them Make Christ thy wisdome righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 sanctification and redemption Put him on with the eye of knowledge and the hand of faith by application Rom. 13.14 imitation Let him be all in all His word thy card his example thy compasse to saile the troubled and raging seas of thy spirituall voiage vnto the land of everlasting life Where thou wantest skill begge his Spirit obey his motion So shalt thou avoide the hazard of all shelues and sands Art thou in doubt Fearest thou ship-wracke Ioh. 16.13 Put him in minde of his promise and he will lead thee into all truth and at the last land thee safe where the stormes never arise waters swell or the windes blow The shops of error And here let me exhort you of this famous Citie to beware of the shops of all errour and prophanenesse But you will say which be they My answer is A playhouse A dicing-house A brothell-house and A tipling-house I had almost said of all these Gen. 20.11 as Abraham of Abimelechs the feare of God is not in them Rev 2.13 Or as Iohn writes of the Church of Pergamus I know their workes and their dwelling place even where Sathans throne is For what is a Play-house but the cheating Exchang where the sacred Scriptures are abused the glorious name of God blaspheamed lies and fables set to sale And all kindes of obscenitie scurrillitie bought and sould for readie silver Is it not the Devils forge where the bellowes blow the hammer beats on the bodyes of corruption vntill lust be enkindled smoake and burne to the bottome of hell And for the Dicing-house how should I describe it Paint it foorth in its propper colours It s the Common hall where Thieues and Robbers Gentlemen and Beggers meete together Sweare and lye Cozen and cheate Deceive and are deceived So that povertie arrests them or that which is worse often comes to passe a Ty-burne tippet with one cross-cast sends them to their longhome But what Will such reply are not lotts in recreation lawfull cautions being vsed we hope Cards and Dice are harmelesse creatures can murder no man I tell thee vpon such tearmes I may play with a Beare For cannot I pull out his eyes Dash foorth his teeth Cut off his clawes Muzzell his mouth Chaine him fast to a stake And keepe me a loofe Farre from his reach And then will he doe any man harme Prodigall know this that wise persons digge not pits wherein people may perish thinke they are excused when they forewarne men of the danger Nor feed on that dish having varietie of sound meates which will cause death if but mist in the dressing Goe thou and doe likewise lest a worse thing follow Now for a Brothel-house it s the Synagogue of Sathan the very suburbes of hell Or if you will the noysome Pest house of the Devill For such as tread her steps enter within her doores haue received the sentence of death not one of a thousand Pro. 2.19 that ever returnes againe For shall not God take vengeance of all those who burne in lust prostrate themselues to an whore And offer soule and body a living and acceptable sacrifice to the Devill I tell such in the Apostles owne words 1 Cor. 6.9.10 that they shal neuer inherit the Kingdome of heaven For whoremongers and adulterers the Lord will iudge And as for a Tiplâ—â—g-house its Nabals Inne whither fooles flocke and resort to drink smoak kindle quench shout roare as if Devils were come from hell in the shape and similitude of men A Tap-house now in England is like Purgatorie at Româ— There when men haue lead a lewd and loose life that they may escape a worse evill pardons are procured and they be sent to Purgatorie Here when Prodigalls haue mispent their portion shipwrackt their substance to a-voyde beggerie we grant them a Licence to sell â—le And if one godâ—y Iosiah pull them down we haue two gracelesse Iehoiachims to reare them vp againe lest the full tale of drunkards should be diminished But O yee men of God flee these things Set a crosse on all these doores step not over the thresh-houlds Psal 139.22 hate them as David the Lords enemies with a perfect hatred When the spirits of these Butteries intise thee consent thou not Say vnto them with indignation I will none of your waies Can men tread on Serpents and not be stunge Carrie coales in their bosomes and not be burnt Live amonge the infected and escape the contagion Swallow poyson and not dye the death Without controversie the fore-named places And the sinnes ascending from them haue infected the aire provoked heaven drawne downe the late great devouring Pestilence Are not some sparkes of this consuming fire yet smoaking in the corners of your Citie And if you by these abhomiations still incense the Lord Ier. 22.19.20 may not the bellowes of his iustice reinkindle them to burne you and your habitations to dust and ashes Is it not the mercie of God that you who heare me this day are left a live How comes it to passe that you fell not when so many thousands gaue vp the Ghost Are you not compounded of the same principles Formed in the same mould Did you not breath in the same aire Feed on the same foode To be plaine haue you not committed the same if not greater sinnes Let then the long suffering of God lead you to repentance Rom. 2.4 And diswade you from the least appearance of evill You haue heard what error is where it lodgeth 1 Thess 5.22 And being discovered how it is to be avoyded Now blessed are they and none but they who vnderstand the truth and keepe it VERS 18. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ The Logicall resolution THe Apostle in the precedent words having admonished the people to take heede or a double evill the former that they should not be led away with the errour of the wicked the latter nor fall from their owne stedfastnesse he in this verse now prescribeth a two fold remedie to prevent both The one is groweth in grace for that wil support them the other increase of knowledge for it will direct them Now because the most errours and heresies which shall spring vp and spread in the latter dayes may be and are about Christ Iesus he maketh mention of him Consider the words in themselves The Theologicall resolution and they containe a single act Grow And a double subiect Grace and Knowledge which knowledg is amplified by its obiect Iesus Christ And he described by a twofold relation Lord Saviour Grow This word is a metaphor and comprehends in it motion and augmentation the former as we see in the starres and planets may be without the latter but the second
the forme of godlines 2. Tim. 3.5 they cry out against such as the Edomites of the Israelites Psal 137.7 downe with them down with them even to the ground But let these know that though their consciences be growne sencelesse God shall bring vpon them swift damnation For 2. Pet. 2.1 he is wise in heart mightie in power Iob. 9.4 who ever grew fierce against him and hath prospered And we haue an evill beast a slow-belly growne vp among vs how should we define him He is one who selleth time vseth his money as though he vsed it not striues to prevent the contingent acts of Gods prouidence And rather than the forfeiture of a band will forfeit his freedome in the kingdome of heaven And if you demand why he doth so he replies like him who being found breaking of his neighbours hedge and reprooued answered is it not better to doe thus than to be idle Certainely if David the which he never will prooue not a lyer Psal 15.5 a vsurer shall never inherit the mountaine of holinesse And what Is not the weaker sex growne mightily in wickednesse Haue we not some so masculine that they walke in their doublets Ride in their coates And salute with their caps Were but their hearts answerable to their habits their spirits proportionable to their apparell why might they not at our common musters be prest foorth for souldiers I will nor can giue such any precise precepts for cloth or colour forme or fashion yet take this in generall Suppose that now thou wert to come vnto iudgement to hold vp thy hand before the ancient of daies And to receiue thy last doome thy finall sentence of life or death eternally Wouldest thou appeare in a pointed body With embroydered haire A curled head A painted face A French ruffe And a naked brest Then as the Prophet to Naaman the Syrian 2. King 5.19 I say vnto thee goe in peace But if thou wouldst not change thy garments alter thine attire lest death on the sudden strike thee the Iudge come in an houre thou art not a ware of weigh thee in the ballance of the sanctuarie strip thee naked and cloath thee with shame eternall Shall not the husband grow iealous of that wise who at his returne is abaâ—hed to meete him in her daily habit I appeale vnto thee But alas For all that can be said according to the Apostles prediction we grow worse and worse 2. Tim. 3.13 deceiving and being deceiued The truth is we are so growne that the heavens grow blacke the earth barren and the whole frame of nature groanes for our growth Rom. 8.22 What should I tell you of the late Famine The blazing starre The invndations of waters The bloudie warres The late Plague wherein so many thousands haue vealed the head and given vp the Ghost Yea doth not the spirit grieue and groane for our vnnaturall growth Eph. 4.30 Wherefore let vs by vnfeined repentance and new obedience ease him of this burden or we shall groane vnder the direful wrath of the most high for ever Psal 50.22 ever O coÌ„sider this you who forget God lest he teare in pieces there be none nothing to deliuer you Vse 3 The vse of this doctrine also serues soundly to lesson some of the better sort For doe they grow in grace increase in goodnesse I wish the Lord had not iust cause to say of our nation Rev 2.4 I haue somewhat against thee Haue we not them amongst vs who haue bin as zealous as Peter in appearance but now haue cooled their harts in warming their hands at â—aiaphas his fire Others who seemed as strong and vpright as an oake are growne weake fitting themselues to everie forme and figure in the congregation like water in a vessell Haue we not many who in times past put foorth their fingers to all pious vses But now plucke them backe draw them in as the slug her hornes Ranne well and now are letted Began in the spirit end in the flesh It s a disputable question whether we haue more Bankers in goods or grace Prodigalls who haue mispent their corporall or spirituall portioÌ„ England as Ephesus hath left though not lost her first loue Our affections were hardly kindled but soone cooled our coale glowes a while and anon ends in smoake and smother 1. King 1.1 We resemble David in his olde age little heat is within vs not any will begot into vs. Few like Caleb Iosh 14.11 are at this day as able to fight the battailes of the Lord as in former time What a weake pulse beats in all places Scarse sensible We are like a forc't peece of land whose second crop is worse then the former We heare and reade much yet in shape as Pharaohs cattell are lanke and leane deformed and ill favoured But beloved this should not ought not to be so Let but a man lye speechles fall into a consumption and become a bankrupt Oh! this like a passing bell in the eares of the world rings a dolefull sound And all who heare it smite their hands shake their heads at it send foorth deepe sighes heavie groanes But the meane while Prayer may be tongue-tyed Faith ship-wrackt and a good Coâ—science split in shivers yet few for these things haue the least thoughts of heart no sorrow doth pierce vs losse of this kind pinch vs. What the Apostle forewarned in these last daies is come to passe for we are plucked away with the errour of the wicked and are fallen from our owne stedfastnesse Vse 4 Are Christians to grow in grace Let vs all then looke about vs weigh the proficiencie we haue made in this Schoole Hast thou no grace It s high time to gather some Anie Striue to increase it Art thou declined Recover thy losse Hitherto hast thou growne Why adde to thy stocke still augment thy store For this dutie concernes all and therefore we will presse the point so as every person may reape profit by it You well know that a thing must be had before it can be increased For who prunes a liuelesse plant Waters a dead stake Tryall then is in the first place necessarie if we haue any seeds of grace at all 1. Signes of found grace Dost thou find and feele an emptinesse of grace in thy selfe A great want of it Then in truth tho not in full measure thou hast it For blessed are the poore in spirit Mat. 5.3 And what is this povertie but an act arising from grace whereby we sensiblie apprehend an emptienesse thereof in our soules By grace we feele grace as with one hand we doe the other Dead men perceiue no want when living persons behold their penurie Let him who is truly gracious cast his eye whither he will he seeth a vacuitie of grace in all creatures an insufficiencie to relieue him Iob. 28.14 To the depth he saith it s not to be found in thee
To the Saints and Angels nor in you They all make him the like answer Mat. 2.5.9 the fiue wise did to the foolish virgins goe thy way at the most we haue but enough for our selues Onely when he lookes vp to Iesus then he seeth sufficient for all though for the present he hath but receiued a little portion scarce any in his owne apprehension But as a voluntarie motion is an act of a living Creature So is Spirituall povertie of a gracious Christian Also if when men feele the want of it in iudgement they approue of it and in minde highlie esteeme of it is not the weakest argument that they haue it For do but demand of them what is good before God The best thing in Saint or Angell Their reply will be Grace grace Eph. 2.1.3 For what is the reasonable creature without it but a sencelesse blocke A dead carkasse And a child of wrath Defiling the earth infecting the ayre provoking the heavens neere vnto cursing Heb. 6.8 everlasting burning Want and worth are graces inseparable companions the contrarie corruptions ring-leaders and the evident tokens of gracelesse persons 3. After these two proceeds an earnest desire to be partaker of it and hungring and thirsting for it else for ought I know thou hast cause to question the truth of thy Sanctification A very cast-away say some may goe thus farre that is see the want and worth of it yea eagerly hunger and thirst after it But I am not of their opinion For hungring and thirsting are actions of a living not a dead man And is not the promise of blessednesse Mat 5.6 made to such Doest thou esteeme grace aboue thy appointed food Prize it more Iob. 23.12 than thousands of silver or ten thousand riuâ—rs of oyle Mich. 6.7 Account all things nothing in comparison of it And often and earnâ—stly cryest O how I long for grace Then be of good comfort the water of life the guest of grace is come to thy house 4. Adde to the former three care and constancie in the vse of the meanes whereby it is begunne and increased And that will seale vp all Dost thou heare the word in sâ—ason And out of seasâ—n Iob. 27 10. Call vpon God at all times in publike Private Meditate in the law of God night and day Come often to the table of the Lord Psal 1.2 to drinke the water of life Eate the bread of heaven Psal 16.3 Art thou a companion to the excellent Cryest thou to Ministers Sirs what shall I doe to grow in grace Then grace thou hast For these are not the motions of the flesh but of the Spirit 5. Art thou yet in doubt Then tell me what conflict thou hast within thee Gen. 25.22 Feelest thou twinnes strugling in thy wombe Cryest thou often why am I thus Is any Christians condition Lam. 1.12 like to my conition Then thou art borne of God grace is formed in thee indeed Fire and water will quarrell on the same hearth Gal. 5.17 So will grace corruption in the same heart for these latter as the former are contraries When all is peace at home the old-man possesseth the house A gracious man hath an vniversall strife within himselfe Mat. 12.29 for reason against reason iudgement against iudgement will against will and affection against affection will be at variance But if thou feele this kind of combate waxe not faint but gather heart for God hath begunne his good worke in thee Rev. 17.14 thou art called faithful chosen and thy captaine Christ hath led thee to skirmish against his and thine enemies in the sands of Sanctification 6. Finally doth Sathan now more tempt thee than in times past Why this is not the least marke of Christs sheep The Devâ—ll is like a gentleman thiefe who breaketh into a rich mans house not a poore naked cottage carrieth a way as the Israelites did from the Egyptians Exod. 12.35 Siluer plate golden eare-rings and the choicest Iewells Not as the Gibeonits are said to meete Ioshua withall Iosh 9.4.5 Mouldie bread rent bottels old shoes clowted This red Dragon like a bloodie butcher so long as we trudge the blind steps to the slaughter-house of hell as direct as he can guide vs and as fast as he would haue vs he keepeth himselfe a farre off whistleth some pleasant note in our eares for should he hallow out some feare full noise of temptation we like frighted cattell might stand still throw vp the head looke about snuffe and runne foorth of the road-way but when by the spirit of God our eyes are vnseeled we smell the danger before vs begin to stay our steps and altâ—r our paths then straight shall we haue a band of the cruell Mastiues of his temptations to fly in our faces plucke vs by the throat that if possible we might returne into the blâ—cke path of damnation wherein we had informer time walked Proue thy selfe now examine thy owne soule And if thou canst say in truth that the forenamed things are in thee and strong and strange temptations be fall thee be thou then assured in some degree thou art Sanctified question the matter no more but withal speed and diligence set thy selfe to increase it Now because as Elias said to Elishah 2. King 2.10 this is no easie taske which is required of thee take these rules following to direct thee to the better performance of this so commendable so profitable a dutie And first Helpes to grow in grace 1. Wouldest thou grow in gracâ— Then emptie thy soule of corruption These twinnes will not thrive in the same wombe 1. Cor. 5.7 For if the old-man increase the new must decrease the destructâ—on of the former is the generation of the latter This Ishmael must be throwne out else ill will it fare with brother Isaak This Barabbas is to be crucified or the Babe Iesus shall Plucke vp the cockell wil not the good graine flourish So mortifie the flesh and reviue the Spirit 1 Thess 5.22 2 Take heed of actuall sinne for a double wound followes such a blow It strengthens the old weakens the new-man what is that but fuell to the flesh quench-coale to the spirit Banish then all evill workes from thine hands rotten speech from thy tongue and vaine motions out of thy minde As Christ the money-changers whip all kinde of wickednesse cast it foorth of thy temple spare not any vnder what pretence soever 3. Neglect not the least meanes Heare reade meditate fast pray receiue the Lords supper and haue none of his ordinances in contempt Put not them a sunder Christ hath coupled together Col. 3.16 lest he stoppe that pipe roll a stone on that wells mouth wherat thou delightest to drinke most Iam. 6.13.14 God would haue all the Vessels and instruments of the Sanctuarie had in honour the water of life into the cisterne of our soule fl wes
thy gracious stocke never once dreame of enough nor of being rich for that is the high way to bancke to loose all Came not Christ to lay the hilles equall And to raise vp the vallies Luk 3.5 To make the crooked pathes streight And to fill the emptie vessells was not the Church in an error which said shee was incrâ—ast Had all things Rev. 3.17 Nay was shee not poore 1. Cor. 5.7 Naked Blinde Miserable And wanted all things O that we could purge out the old leaven abstaine from all actuall sinnes be conversant in the vse of all Gods holy ordinances 1 Thes 5.22 entertaine all the motions of his spirit And be poore in our owne apprehension Then would grace grow Luk. 1.53 the new-man flourish And the old receiue his deaths-wound be pierced thorow his sides and broken in peeces Then then should we be rare Saints on earth shining lights in this darke world Phil. 2.15 leade our liues in righteousnesse Luk. 1.75 holinesse And doe more than gracelesse men imagine can be done by any created nature Wherefore when thou feelest thy soule to mourne thy Spirit to faint thy heart melancholy dumpish all a mort then looke vp to heaven rouse thy selfe fall to meditation minde the daies of old And call vpon thy God Cry Lord helpe me quicken me a wake my soule So shalt thou like the dead child neese seuen times 2 King 4.34.35 c. waxe warme and returne to thy former life and strength This course if thou constantly obserue the power feeling comfort and all the effects of grace in a short time by little and little will strangely grow wonderfully thriue vntill thou come to that period full perfection the Lord hath appointed for thee and promised to thee in Christ Iesus Incentiues to grow in grace And as no meanes are to be omitted neglected So all motiues inducing to this growth must be minded remembred thus therefore expostulate with thy selfe What Doe not plants grow Animats thriue And are the covetous or ambitious ever satisfied Will not Citizens aime at the most honorable place Merchants venture for the choicest commodities And all tradesmen desire the greatest gaine Shall not a Christian then striue for perfection Let theirs yea Pauls resolution be emulated imitated of thee Phil. 3.11 who if possible would haue attained to the resurrection of the dead As some will to haue bin as perfect as the glorified persons in the day of iudgement In the estate of nature wast thou not insatiable Did sinne ever giue thee full satisfaction I tell thee that champions of Sathan must be champions of Christ Such as haue bin full of corruption Eph. 5.18 must be filled with the Spirit And the more we grow in grace will not corruption the lesse burden vs Shall we not with the more ease if not wholly cast it off beare it The bird which hath the most feathers mounteth highest conserues her bodie from many brusings So surely by this increase we should soare vp to heaven be freed from innumerable heart-breakings Why haue we inioyed so great meanes Seene so many good dayes But to grow strong And grace Why should not thy excellencies allure all men to affect thee Procure thee What Art thou not of a soule-curing qualitie care in this present world And onely to be found in the vessels of honour Where thou pitchest thy Tent like a Priâ—ce thou art attended with royall companions as Wisdome Faith Hope Loue and what not As in the absence and presence of the planets all elementarie bodies heate and coole lighten and darken reviue and dye So by thy contrarie motion doth every christian Thou art as the spring and oyle which turne all the wheeles of soule and body to run the pathes of Gods precepts Rev. 22.2 the vine which beareth all kindes of fruits Thy branches feed the tender Roes being cropped thy iuyce wil heale all diseases when once applied Where thou fallest like the showers in May the barren fields grow fruitfull bring foorth in great abundance And multiplie the seed of the word to an hundred fold Never was covetouse chuffe when his garners were full of good graine more glad the Grasier having his lands stockt with the choicest cattell more merrie Nor the Prodigall with his purse extended with pieces more iocunde than the man is whose heart is replenished with grace O grace glorie is thy vnseparable companion as shame the inevitable consequence of sinne Where thou openest the eye all the divine attributes of God as his omniscience omnipresence omnipotence yea his very iustice smile vpon it are delectable vnto it For if grace be with vs who or what can be against vs Grace in thy soule will assure thee of mercie in Christ And if thou be secured of that what needest thou to feare What can be terrible or dreadfull vnto thee The more Wiâ—e Iust Potent thy friend 〈◊〉 will it not the more comfort â—hee Reioyce thee And is not El-shaddai the Lord of earth and heaven thy fast friend Thy everlasting Father Let them then feare who haue cause For thou hast none Grow in grace and thou maist goe thorow the world as a man whose minde is in a deepe studie Like Ahimahaz who had speciall hast of a waightie businesse gaze on nothing heare nothing 1. Cor. 7.30 31. vse it all things in it as though thou vsedst them not Thy conversation shall be in heaven thy thoughts on him who is invisible Phil. 3.20 that never man saw and lived And having as Peter past the first and second watch thou shalt come to thy selfe in the presence of God Acts. 12.10.11 where is fulnesse of ioy Psal 16.11 al variety of pleasures at his right hand for evermore O thou who readest hearest these lines binde them to thee thinke often on them And till thou be stronâ— in Grace which is in Christ Iesuâ— let them never depart from theâ— Now if all that we haue said caâ— not allure thee I say no more vnto thee but wish when it is too late thy carelesse neglect of graces increase may not repent thee Whereas our Apostle exhorts to grow in grace vers 5.6 more is included then mentioned For what in the first chapter in particulars he named Gen. 3.2 and 4.20 here in the bulke are comprehended And as a tree is for trees chaâ—et for charets Psal 78.2 parable for parables So is Grace put for al the gifts of the spirit Mat. 13.35 Whence it will follow that Doct. 3 An increase of all graces is required of Gods children Name what grace you will and an augmentation is required vrged Rom. 1.17 1 Thes 4.10 Eph. 4.15 Are not the Romanes incited to grow in faith The Thessalonians in loue And the Ephesians in all things Paul in other places calls for it prayes for it Iude. 2. So doe his fellow-Apostles in their Epistles Reas 1 For is there
minded quencheth Sathans fierie darts ouercomes the world It bringeth good tydings from God to man vniteth the creatures to the Creator and saveth the sinner What is faith but the choicest Grape in Canaan The prime fruite of the spirit The essentiall forme of a Christian And the pâ—râ—e which purchaseth heaven It s like the poole of Bethesda which cureth the cripples 1 Sam. 2.22 the sword of Saul that never came emptie And the bow of Ionathan which never bended backe from the blood of the slaine the fat of the mightie For crosses faith will assure thee that the Lord sends them their burden shall not exceed thy abilitie and that like a thunder clap they rattle more than hurt That they are the cognisance of Christ the Physitian of the soule shall handle thee gently stay but a very little whilâ— and at their departure leaue a blessing behind them This baulme heales all diseases helpes at a dead lift and cures when nothing can And what shall I more say For the time would be too short for me to tell of Gedeon Barak Heb. 11.32 c. and of Sampson of Iephtah David Samuel and of the Prophets who thorow faith subdued kingdomes wrought righteousnes obtained promises stopped the mouthes of Lyons quenched the violence of fâ—re escaped the edge of the sword of weake were made strong waxed valiant in battell resolute in warre and put to flight whole armies of their enemies For when reason presents these things vnto thee as so many shee bearer roaring Canons implacable Divells And the promises of God the acts of divine providence And the kingdom of heaveÌ„ no better than fate destinie broken notioâ—s at the best but like some ruinated and forraged Countrie thâ—n will faith giue them luster make them shine And as it were with open face appeare and stand foorth in a most glorious forme and order Grow in faith and thou shalt be able to breake a bow of steele lift vp the wing soare on high sleight temptations defie the devill and bid death doe his worst A great faith will fill thy soule with ioy thy life with good works and the whole world with prayses Faith if big and strong will make thee a noble warriour in the Lambes campe one of a thousand A man as David according to Gods owne heart It will ascend to heaven lay hold on thy suretie satisfie thy creditor And bring thee a quittance for an vniversall an everlasting discharge of all thy debts originall actuall past and to come But I must confesse that what I presse is hard to practise For Sathan daily desires doth winnow it When its seed is first sowne in the soyle of our soules faine would he rend it vp by the roots but finding that a matter impossible because it is of Gods planting then will he by his subtile suggestions tempt vs to question the truth of its obiects And when this wil not serue his turne neither that we may proue graine for his garner then with his sieve he will tosse tumble vs vp and down to prevent faiths act separate it from its proper obiect and keepe vs in a continuall intercourse of doubting staggering Beloved of all the strings which be on the instrument of my soule I finde none more to iarre than this of faith O how hardly is it turned How suddenly out of temper It will proue a pretie peece of service in the time of tryall day of temptation to rely on God to cast all our care on him However yet there is hope for the Lord hath blessed Faith once And it shall be blest for ever the elder shall serue the yonger And in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Having finished the first thing wherein we are to grow we proceede to the second From the which we are instructed that Doct. 4 ChristiaÌ„s are to grow in the knowledge of Christ Iesus Who better acquainted with Christ than Paul th'apostle yet did he not striue to increase his knowledge of him His desire was among the Corinths to know nothing but Christ Iesus 1. Cor. 2.2 and him crucified No time would he omit meanes neglect that he might apprehend him Phil. 3.12 of whom he was apprehended The charge he gaue his sonne Timotheus may serue further to confirme the proposition Doth he not command him 1. Tim 4.13 to attend vnto reading Doctrine Exhortation And may not reason inforce it Reas 1 For is not Christ the Being of Beings The naturall Sonne of God the Father The brightnesse of his glorie Heb. 1.3 And the ingraven forme of his person Are not all the treasures of Wisdome and Holinesse Col. 2 3. hid in him Doth not the fulnesse of the God-head dwell in him bodilie Is he not coeternall Coessentiall And coequall with the most high Will you heare his owne testamonie I Ioh. 10.30 and the Father are one The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his waies before his workes of old Pro. 8.22 c. when there were no depths I was brought forth no fountaines abounding with waters yere the mountaines were setled or the hills created while as yet he had not made the earth nor the fields neither raised the highest part of the dust of the world When he prepared the heavens set a coÌ„passe vpon the face of the deep And established the clouds aboue I was there When he gaue the Sea his decree commanded the proud waues should not passe their boundes and when he appointed the foundations of the earth then was I by him as one brought vp with him and I was daily his delight reioycing alwayes before him And this being thus Phil. 2.6 is it any robbery for Christ to be equall with God Was not the Word made flesh 1 Ioh. 1.1.2 Dwelt amongst vs And did we not behold his glory as the glorie of the onely begotten of the Father Ioh. 1.14 full of grace and truth What obiect more wonderfull Better deserues our knowledge Did not the Angels desire to peepe into this mysterie 1 Pet. 1.12 And shall not we Then are we blame worthie Reas 2 Consider also what he hath done for vs. Hath he not elected vs Ioh. 15.16 before the world was In these good daies created vs of nothing Beautified vs in a comely manner Iob. 10.10 Imprinted his owne image vpon vs Psal 8.6 And we by sinne having spoiled our selues with no lesse price than the shedding of his sacred bloud 1 Pet. 1.19 redeemed vs Recovered the great damage we lost in Adam our father And restored vs to a farre better condition Psal 103.1.2 than was allotted to vs at our first creation It is he who pardoneth all our sinnes healeth all our infirmities delivers our soules from hell And from whom all the good we inioy we haue receiued Are not all things from him Ioh. 1.3 For without him was not made Ioh. 5.17 any thing that was