Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	day_n	great_a	holy_a	12,790	5	4.8317	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64251	Peter his repentance shewing, among other things, these two points for edification I. what weakenes remaines in Gods owne children, especially in times of triall and danger, and to, what little cause they have to trust their hearts, or be confident of themselves, but get to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. II. what is the power of Gods grace and covenant, for renewing His children by repentance, and so, what encouragement they have to return after every fall, and goe on in their course of watchfulnesse, humiliation, prayer, and magnifying of Jesus Christ / by Dr. Thomas Taylor.	Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632.	1653 (1653)	Wing T569; ESTC R20311	101,739	76

it is the mercy of wicked men to whip Christ and if any mercy indeed must be shewed it must be to Barrabas not Christ. Vse 1. Count it an hard case to be beholden to evill men Jacob knew the inconvenience and refused the kind offer of Esau who either himselfe or his Servants would guard him in his way Gen. 33. 13. Balaac will not inrich Balaam but first he must curse Gods people Vse 2. See thy favour benot mingled or poysoned doing harme and mischeife The Heathen Emperors would shew mercy if the Martyrs will cast but one graine into the fire their favour must be bought dea● The Witch will favour thee the Divell will cure thy Body but he must have thy faith thy soul the Father the Master will allow his Children or Servants sports recreations but on the Sabbath day when the refreshing of the Body is the corruption and destruction of the Soule Many Fugitives goe away and find favour and preferment in Rome Doway and in Popish Countryes but on condition they be come traytors to God in open Idolatry and to their Prince and Country in open rebellion and practice like Satans kindnesse to Christ all this will I give thee if thou wilt fall downe Note 3. By what manner of Tempter Peter fals a Woman not a man a silly Maid a very weake party Quest. Why Answ. 1. Peter presumeth that all men could not cast him downe Christ had denominated Peter for his solidity and firmnesse and he thought himselfe ●ure enough but now he shall see more evidently his frailty to be so suddenly cast downe by a fraile Woman he shall see now that the strength he boasted off is blowne away by the breath of a silly girle 2. To shew him the more as his pride was more then the rest a shamefull fall for so great a professor to fall before so vain a Woman Abimelech would rather kil himselfe then endure the disgrace to dye by the hand of a Woman but as pride goeth before shame so Gods justice will shame proud Peter that when he cometh to himselfe this circumstance shall kill him and touch him at the quick the shame shall be as ill as the hurt Vse 1. How easily God overthroweth the pride of man he need not come in his owne person he need not bring a Champion or man of War against him but the sillyest creature is strong enough to confound them a silly boy or girle shall be Tempter too strong for as presumptuous a Professor as Peter The Lord who resisteth all sinners is said often to resist the proud that is after a speciall and severe manner because they will draw Gods glory upon themselves he commonly so resisteth them as he turneth their glory into shame and confoundeth their pride by weaknesse hath God neither Angels nor men to command against Pharaoh yes but will rather confound him with an army of frogs flyes Catterpillars in derision of his pride the same God could have turned the dust of the Earth into Lyons Wolves Bears of strange greatnesse and fiercenesse to have met that fierce and cruell King that said who is the Lord and in spight of him oppressed the People but in scorne of his pride he turned the dust of the Earth into Lice who made him and his enchanters confesse it was the finger of God Proud Herod who assumed the glory of God to himselfe it is the voyce of God not of man the Lord consumeth him with lice the basest of the Creatures and not so much honoured as wicked Jezabel to be eaten of Dogs but of Lice Historians writes of a City in France that was depopulated and wasted and the Inhabitants driven away by Frogs A History reporteth of a Town in Thessalonica rooted up and overthrowne by Moles We read of Pope Adrian choaked with a Flye Thus the Lord playeth as it were with his Enemies scorneth to come himselfe in field upon them but armeth the meanest of his creatures against them Let this humble us under the mighty hand of God presume of nothing in our selves be proud of nothing least we know by wofull experience that a thing of nothing shall cast us down If our pride shall resist God Gods weaknesse shall resist us and we shall know to our cost that the weaknesse of God is stronger then man never was pride of heart unrevenged with fals sin and shame Note 4. The temptation is the same in effect with the former This man is one of them she accuseth not Peter for a Malefactor or a wicked Liver but onely that he is one of Christs Disciples and this is matter of accusation she thinkes sufficient Note what are the many quarrels of evill men against the godly and what are their accusations because they are of the number of Christs Disciples and Followers Act. 15. 19. the Accusers brought no crime of such things as I supposed but had certaine questions concerning their owne superstitions and concerning one Jesus c. Here they hate not Peter but so farre as he was with Christ. Reas. 1. Evill men cannot hate evill for it selfe but for sinister respects yea they love it and will not leave it and therefore evill men commonly accuse not for evill but for good Reas. 2. Darkenesse fights not against darkenesse but light and the greatest light most John 7. 7. because it testifyeth of Christ himselfe most and against the Members for the head sake a Thiefe hates the light Reas. 3. Wicked men lie still under the woe of them that call good evil and evil good through corruption of judgement not renewed by grace and therefore you shall still observe that the greatest fault objected by the wicked against the godly is for most part the doing their duty as here in Peter was it not Peters duty to be with his Lord what other cause in Prophets Apostles in Christ himselfe Vse In these dayes also to be with Christ is matter of accusation enough against a godly man John 9. 22. 34. the blind man was excommunicated because he had been with Jesus Papists after the same manner exercise deadly hatred against the Gospell and excommunicate as Heretiques all that stand to the Doctrine of justification by the only grace of Jesus renouncing merits of works of Papists and after a subtill manner out of the depth of Satan have laid under the reproach of Heretiques such as walke according to the Rules of Christ and his profession in their course renouncing the Libertine wayes of the World and watching more narrowly over their owne These at the first restoring of religion and casting out of superstition and Romish Idolatry Papists who gnashed their teeth for envy at the Lords great worke branded with the names of Puritans Precisians and holy brethren c. ever since and at this day more then ever what is the ordinary quarrell and scorne but the same taken out of the mouths of Enemies thou art one of

of the learned Physitian tempered to the best remedies all Satans temptations chase them but to the throne of grace all will worke in the end for good in all estates expect this good end Note 2. Peter was cold and it was not unlawfull to warme himselfe but better he had beene cold and comfortlesse alone in the darkenesse of the night then to have set within warming himselfe in such company Peter was now colder by the warme fir● then he was without in the cold ayre his heart grew cold and his faith and zeale Vse 1. Let us resolve that that is a cold and comfortlesse place though the fire be never so great where Christ is bound where Christ cannot be professed where Christ is scorned and Disciples of Christ set upon as Peter here Vse 2. Let us labour how cold soever the weather be without to keepe the heart warme in grace it had beene better for Peter to have sitten cold without and warme within then for outward warmth to freeze and starve inwardly the season is generally cold heat of zeale counted madnesse godlinesse disguised c. labour in this generall coldnesse to keepe our heat Note 3. When thou sittest by a warme fire take heed of temptation Peter when he followed Christ suffering cold and want was strong and zealous now he cometh to the warme fire he is quite overthrowne the warme fire of prosperity and outward peace hath overthrowne a number who in their wants and trouble stood fast in grace how many Worthies coming to enjoy the warmth of worldly prosperity have revolted from their good beginnings and proceedings in piety David while he was in the field fighting the Lords battels how watchfull how conscionable how gracious how observant full of holy meditations Psalms c. but setled in the Kingdome and fighting by his Captaines and Generals himselfe at some quiet ease committed these two fearful sins of murther and Adultery 2 Chron. 26. 5. Vzziah sought the Lord in t●e dayes of Zachariah and serving him he made him to prosper but ver 16. when he was strong his heart was lifted up to destruction This cause the Lord giveth of the backsliding of Israel Hos. 13. 6. they were filled and their heart was exalted and they have forgotten me and those were they that in affliction could serve the Lord diligently ver 5. The pitt●full experience of many gives light hereto who in their youth or entrance into the World were diligent Christians and conscionable in their wayes carefull Hearers Readers c. but growne full and fat and sitting in the warmth of worldly wealth and prosperity have clogged themselves with cares and surfeited of ease as far gone from their zeale and diligence as Peter here who followed a far off and now by the fire farthest off of all as the Moone never eclipsed but in the full How doth the same warme fire prevaile with many who because they see they cannot sit so warme in their places if they should be so precise and follow the word in all points grow first to remit and then relinquish all their care growing in the end to the height of prophanesse by Gods just judgement on them others to sit by a warme fire are as easily drawne to lye and use injustice in their trades and dealings as Peter here Many godly men are too secure as he that sits by a warme fire is subject to sleep Let this be a stay and some strength if thou hast not prosperity and wealth which others have in the World and thou desirest thou wantest the snares of others God in mercy withholds hurtfull wealth and keepes thee cold without least thou shouldest grow cold within thinke not thy selfe stronger then Peter Prov. 30. 8. least I be full and deny thee And contrary if thou beest in affliction and want be not too much cast downe for in this estate thou standest firmer in grace then in abundance therefore when prosperity maketh wicked men grow wild and secure God useth by affliction to reclame them Psal. 119. 71. It is good I was afflicted before I was afflicted I ment a stray but now I keepe thy law Prosperity is not alwayes a signe of Gods favour but when it provoketh to humility and duty ordinarily the Grasier putteth his Cattell for slaughter into best pasture too much ranknesse hurts the Corne and too much fruit breaketh the Trees what is the cause of few great and rich are truly religious but then God giveth gifts in mercy when he maketh us better not worse We proceed Vers. 67. She looked on him and said thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth HERE 1. The Tempter a Maid seeing Peter and looking on him said 2. The Temptation Thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth Peter warming him by the high Priests fire presently meets with a Tempter Note 1. Note he that tempts God a Tempter shall meet with him he that runs out of his way and without the limits of his Calling shall not want temptation good David when he gives up his holy prayers and exercises and getteth up to the top of his Gallery idle he hath met with a Bathsheba a Tempter and moyles himselfe in fearfull sins thus many save the Divell a labour in tempting run afore the temptation Hunters of Ale-houses of lacivious company light persons playes and enterludes temptation need not come to them they will find him if he be in any corner of the Countrey Vse Keepe thee in thy way let not Satan thrust thee out of both Callings every sin is a tempting of God Mal. 3. 15. Note 2. The Maid that let him in now tempts him she had done him a kindenesse as she thought but she payeth him with a mischiefe a godly man commonly buyes a wicked mans favour very deare 1. Commonly an evill man if he be an instrument of good to a good man it is against his mind being overruled and drawne secretly by God or inwardly by some sinister end they cannot shew sound mercy being a fruit of the Spirit but counterfeit a corrupt love and favour 2. Sometimes pretending favour they intend mischiefe as the Machiavels of our Age so Saul will prefer David maketh him his Son and giveth him his daughter 1 Sam. 18. 17. but intended to bring him to destruction by the Philistines In Anno 1572. the most bloody Massacre of Paris was thus effected under pretence of love favour mariage 3. Truly saith Solomon of the mercies of the wicked they are cruell Prov. 12. 10. for commonly if they intend not cruelty as before neither did this Maid yet they overturne their good turnes at one time or other with mischiefe or hurt either outwardly or inwardly if occasion be offered Pilate would shew mercy to Christ and plead for him but command him to be whipped being an Innocent and the Apostles seeme very mercifully delt with to escape with whipping if Gamaliel himselfe give none of the malitious sentence Act. 5. 40.

chiefe Shepherd all times of persecution did ever confirme this truth that the Pastor was no sooner smitten then the Sheepe were scattered from him But let it comfort Ministers as Christ I am not alone but my Father is with me Vse 5. If the Disciples be scattered in dayes of trouble let us know the day of our peace our season the time of our visitation frequent holy Assemblies get hold of Christ encrease of Faith grow in wisdome enjoy our season our Sun our Summer our seed time not knowing our day forfeits it worke while we may doe in our peace what we would but cannot if triall come Ver. 28. But after I am Risen NOW followes Christs Consolation Wherein Note difference betweene Law and Gospell the Law pronounceth heavie things and there resteth But the Gospell still after heavie newes ends with good tydings the Law throwes downe a man and there leaves him the Gospell raiseth the humbled You shall be scattered but I will come againe Mat. 16. 21. I must goe up to Jerusalem to suffer heavie tydings Peter disswades him But I will rise againe the third day There is Gospell indeed So to the Church You shall be hated of all men for my names sake sad tydings but if you continue to the end ye shall be saved Mat. 10. 23. You must take up the Crosse and follow Christ but I will give refreshing to your soules Iohn 16. 33. In the Worl● ye shall have affliction but be of good comfort Vse 1. Lay hold upon the Gospel and sow in never so many teares thou shalt reap in joy Vse 2. Accept the condition of the Gospel be content to begin with the Crosse be weary laden lay a good foundation in Repentance mortification godly sorrow on this condition attaine the crowne of refreshing and entrance into the Kingdome by many afflictions Act. 14. 22. If we suffer we shall raign all true joy is fetched out of sorrow blessed are the mourners Vse 3. Let Papists sticke to the comfort of the Law they shall never hear a good word from Christ. Let prophane Persons shun the heavinesse of the Gospel they shall never have joy Christ wipes away no teares where none be shed he that will not be a weary needs no refreshing This by the way Ver. 28. But after I am risen I will goe before you into Galilee SUch a promise as was never heard off before and without exception that a dead man should rise within few dayes and promise so to do Having spoken of Christs admonitions now of consolation where the Lord sustaines them with many grounds of comfort 1. That there shall be a certaine end of this evill ready to swallow them up 2. There shall be a short end after a few dayes three or four 3. There shall be a happy end For 1. Christ shall rise again from the dead with power and glory 2. Whereas they are run from him he will come to them againe 3. Though they have left their Shepherd yet he will become their Shepherd againe and goe before them and guide them as a Shepherd goes before his Sheep For their full confirmation he declares both the time and place where he will and when he will meet them in Galilee a place fit for their estate for it signifyeth dispersing or scattering the Sea of Galilee forty miles from Jerusalem Quest. Why in Galilee Answ. 1. That they may more surely enjoy one another without feare of the Jewes and instruct them in the Kingdome of Christ. 2. Because Christ had more Disciples and Favorites in Galilee to whom he would familiarly offer himselfe and manifest his resurrection then in Judea 3. Themselves were of Galilee he would bring them backe were he found them 4. They must follow their calling till Christ came and for the time before they can get into Galilee he will be there before them expecting them note here Note 1. The wonderfull lenity and meeknesse of Jesus Christ he was going to dye for his Disciples they fly from him and doubt the truth of his whole proceedings his Person his Doctrine his miracles sufferings the event of all his course He now doth not sharpely rebuke them for their infidelity inconstancy and ●emerity after so long being with him but uses them gently and with great and loving affection as the Titles of Shepherd and Sheep import not only forewarneth them of their danger but furnisheth them with grounds of comfort and promiseth them most loving and kind entreaty even after their flight as if they had never forsaken him Vse A Rule to carry our selves toward Brethren that faile let them be restored by the spirit of meeknesse yea if the offence concerne our selves wherein we are hottest to be most coole and calme Christ casts not off for ever no more must we breake affection but imitate him with all moderation Note 2. Christ never with-draws himselfe from his Members but he leaves some comfort behind him something to bring them in love with him or to stay them in his absence or to make them desire and seeke after him againe yea something instead of his presence or promise Iohn 14. having told his Disciples he must goe away and leave them yet ver 18. he promiseth not to leave them comfortlesse for he will send the comforter to supply his absence and still God ordinarily takes not away one mercy but he gives another as Christ here removes his personal presence but supplyes it with a double blessing 1. Protection of their persons in his absence 2. Promise of his presence to rest their faith on in the meane time Cant. 5. the Church would not open unto Christ when Christ called he goes away in displeasure at her unkind answer but he left behind him drops of Myrth some sweet worke of the spirit that made her spirit yearn within her which wrought compunction for her offence and quickned her to seeke him ver 25. His desertions are never totall Vse Which may comfort poore souls affected in sense of Christs absence feelest thou a want of Christs presence he hath left some pledge behind him and he is perhaps nearer then thou thinkest 1. He hath given thee a promise he will not leave thee long 2. He hath given the spirit which hath wrought some grace of trembling for offending him some grace of fainting and longing after him some grace of seeking him as him whom thy soule loveth some grace of prayer breathing earnest and inward desires not satiate without him some grace of fortitud sustaining the heart for the present and enabling to undergoe many troubles for his sake yet abiding and waiting for him this sweet hunger and thirst shall be satisfyed Mat. 5. 6. Note 3. That Christ will shortly come againe after his smiting within a very few dayes learne that as Christs desertions are not totall so neither sinall Christ never goes away but he will see us againe Iohn 16. 22. 1. His displeasure

pluckt out of the fire miserably smeared scorched and in that burnt but pluckt out Reas. 1. To try our faith and obedience as in Isaac who must not be delivered till the knife be at his Throat When Jonas was wrapt in Waters in the bottme of the Sea then came deliverance 2. To see our inability to help our selves therefore our Lord would not hold Peter from sinking nor help him till he cryed Master save I perish 3. To set forth his mighty power which sets in when all meanes faile Lazarus must not be raised till the fourth day when it is impossible to the power of nature nor Christ himselfe till the case was hopelesse after the third day and Disciples faith somewhat quailed 4. Sore crosses drive to God and make us seeke him diligently Hos. 5. 15. upon which search he will be found Manasses out of Fetters would never seeke the Lord that is the Lords season to be found of him David will cry out of Deepes and Moses at the red Sea when there is no way of escape cryes to the Lord and the Lord cuts out a way 5. It is Gods ordinary dealing with Sinners when they come to extremity ●ecoms either to Conversion as Peter Confusion as Judas Vse 1. Comfort to the Saints in their great troubles seeing the Lord departs not for ever but departs for a season that he might returne for ever Nay his comforts are the nearest when affliction is at the height as in the Body the disease come to the height is most raging most hopelesse but presently there is a change and recovery but not before the disease have beene desperate so here Josephs Brethren were in great extremity and knew not what way to turne themselves and even when Joseph must needs discover himselfe unto them after he had long dissembled his affections So the Lord seemes not to know us when we are knowne well enough and hides his affections when they yearne within him toward us Psal. 9. 9. He is a present refuge in time of affliction he steps in to Abrahams comfort not till the third day not till Isaac was bound on the wood and the deadly stroake a fetching he steps in for Peter not till the night before he was sl●ine Act. 12. Vse 2. Not to be too hasty to limit the Lord for time or manner of deliverance whose helpe comes never too late 2 King 5. 11. Naaman would be cured by his owne devised meanes I thought he would in the place have called on the Lord and touched and healed the Leprosie and John 11. 32. Mary would have had Christ there before her Brother was dead as if now he had beene come too late But in these and such like examples we are taught to shut up our own eyes and leave all to him who knowes times and seasons and meanes of our good Vse 3. Nothing can keepe God from his Elect nor them from him Peter here was not onely in an exceeding strait of affliction but led away in temptation and swallowed up in the quicke sands of a number of hainous sins yet being the Lords the Lord lookes on him and fetches him out The Belly of the whale could not keep Jonas from God nor God from Jonas but he must deliver him againe The hellish Behemoth may seeme to swallow up Peter or any other of Gods Children but he must deliver him again In Peters example Act. 12. we see the strongest prison watch chaines cannot keepe the Lord from him nor here a stronger prison and chaine of sin cannot still bind him but the Lords very look looseth him David rescues the Sheep out of the mouth of the Lyon and Bear the true David rescues his out of the Divels jawes and mawes death itselfe cannot keepe the Elect from God nor him from them but at the second resurrection the Grave the Sea the fire water and all elements shal give up their dead to Christ and even not sin which is the death of the Soul nor the Grave of sin which is continuance and rotting in it shall still hold the Elect but this first resurrection of grace shall deliver them up to Christ and give up their dead unto the life of grace c. Which doctrine must not encourage to sin but stir up to repentance and the life of God that thou mayest have some good testimony thereby of thy Election The inward meanes of Peters repentance 1. Remembred 2. Weighed the words of Christ. Note 1. A strong forgetfulnesse in Peter who had forgotten the words of his Master so nearly concerning him spoken a very few houres before yea almost the last words of his loving Master unto him yet he forgets them quite as not spoken Because the corruption of our memoryes in things that are good as unable to retaine good things as a five to hold water and who can deny this to have beene the beginning of all the sinne and misery we are wrapped in that Adam suffered to slip out of his memory the words which God himselfe had spoken a little before and the cause why Peter here was foiled that his memory was corr●pted in all the acts of it The memory sanctified hath four actions 1. To commit and place in the mind needfull things 2. To retaine them as in a store-house 3. To recall them on occasion 4. To apply them to our owne needfull uses Peter now doth none of all these and so fals foully Vse 1. See in our selves the same corruption and such forgetfulnesse as we have lost what Peter speaks to us as Peter often before the Preacher have done speaking Quest. What is the cause Answ. 1. Want of estimation old men remember things they care for Psal. 119. 129. thy testimonyes are wonderfull therefore doth my soule keep them 2. Want of affection Psal. 119. 16. I will delight in thy statutes and I will not forget thy word 3. Earthlinesse for things Heavenly and earthly cannot be minded together the same eye cannot looke Upward Downeward 2. See how many errors we are given up unto by reason of this corruption which did we remember the severall lessons we heard we durst not we would not venture upon Vse 3. The remedy of helping our memoryes 1. Often hearing a continuall Monitor 2. Meditation holds things as our owne 3. Godly conference a whe●stone of grace 4. Prayer gets the Spirit whose office it is to bring things to our memory Use these conscionably as seeing in Peter how a corrupt memory corrupts the whole man heare the word carelesly as Peter his Lord no marvell if thou run as far as Peter who had never returned had not the Lord looked upon him And as into sin so into smart and punishment Deut. 18. 19. joyned with Judg. 3. 7 8. When Peter remembred his Lords words THEN when the sin was done and he in so fearful manner denyed his Lord but not before so men forget the word of Christ while they

purpose and practise their sin but after the sin committed it shall come one time or other into their remembrance Let Peter deny and dissemble a while let him lye and swear forswear and curse let him forget himselfe and the words of his Lord yet a little while and he shall remember himselfe Reas. 1. The Word shall take hold on thee one time or other Zach. 1. 6. David in the pride of his heart sends out to number the People never thinks of Gods word against it till Joab had done and so soone as ever it was done his heart smote him and he confessed his folly 2. God crosses the conceits and conclusions of sinners applauding themselves in sinne Oh I shall have peace feare nothing he sayes to his soule rest thou hast enough for many years God crosses it Thou Foole this night shall it be required Vse Sinne thou as merrily as thou canst as securely against the Word a day of remembrance comes when thou thinkest them forgot they shall be brought to minde Because God is patient and holds his peace the evill heart thinkes him like himselfe but a time comes to set thy sins in order before thee Psal. 50. 21. O consider this ye that forget God Let his silence and long dayes breake off thy sinne and lead thee to repentance and not fill up the measure of it Consider 1. Gods silence cannot make him forget any thing he hath to doe 2. He is the same that ever he was and his memory is not so short as thine thy sin is written with a pen of Iron in thy forehead 3. What madnesse to thinke all is well that begins well and never respect the end but run along to deny thy heart no pleasure a wise man cannot thinke a present misery better then a future mercy 4. Sin is sweet as Ratsbane in going down but he that forgets the danger and followes his pallate to please it shall be shortly put in remembrance to his cost or like that Poyson that makes men dye laughing 5. Sin is ever in the way and never rests but the order of God brings it first before his goodnesse and patience secondly before the Law and sentence Thirdly before execution and judgement All which shew it is an high point of wisdome to remember the latter end of sin which is bitternesse Vse 2. To teach us to remember our selves and wayes in season and so order our wayes as that we goe not on to the perfecting of sin Quest. How Answ. David set the Lord ever in his sight and so fell not Psal. 16. 8. Abraham walked with God Henoch and other holy men Quest. How may I doe it Answ. 1. If before the action thou consultest with God and his Word 2. If in the action thou remembrest the Lord whose service it is or ought to be 3. If after the action thou presentest it before the Lord if good seeking approbation if evill seeking a cover and pardon Secondly The weighing the words of his Master THE voyce of the Cocke not onely puts him in minde of his Masters words but moves him to bethinke himselfe better as one that by wofull experience begins to finde all true that his Master had said Peter had heard his Master telling him of his weaknesse and frailty but he weighed not that word he thinkes himselfe strong enough for all that he had heard his Masters word telling him that he should shamefully and suddenly even that night deny him thrice but he weighes not that word he scornes to be thought so wicked But now weighing the words of his Master he findes himselfe in a wofull case now he feeles the verity of his Masters prediction the vanity of his owne presumption now he rates himselfe that he heard not the first Cocke that he might have prevented the fearfull fals he had taken now the second crowing hath put him in minde of the whole matter Doctrine Not the hearing of the Word but the weighing of it makes it a powerfull meanes to helpe us out of sinne A man may hear the Word a thousand times as Peter heard the words of his Master many times repeated but without weighing and considering it shall never either prevent or repent of any sin Adam heard the word of God well enough but not well weighing it was taken by the first temptation Reas. 1. As meat never so good received into the stomack if it be not retained and digested into wholesome nourishment is so far from profiting as it is very hurtfull so the word never so powerfull coming into the minde if it be not considered and weighed goes as it comes leaves no fruit of instruction or consolation but ordinarily more hardens and tends to condemnation 2. Not the hearing of the word makes it powerfull on the conscience but the weighing it for let a man heare all the Sermons in the World if he weigh not the word of God in the Author of it in the truth in the eternity in the necessity of obedience unto it he shall easily loosen himselfe from obedience further then himselfe listeth But this consideration makes the word weighty in it selfe and upon the consideration that God whose word it is will ever make it good on the godly in mercy on the wicked in justice and judgement 3. Is it onely weighing of the Word that makes sinne weighty and burdensome many remember their sins but weigh them not and so carry them lighter then a Feather others remember them and weigh them in false weights or in a false manner or lay a false finger on the Scale our owne judgement and corrupt affections are as false weights or we favour our selves or we would not have our sins so heavy so great so damnable though we be Sinners as other men be But if we weigh them in the ballance of the law we shall find them weighty and exceed the Mountaines of the Earth or in the curse of the Law we shall find them so heavy as they weigh us downe to Hell Or in the Doctrine of the Gospell the least of our sins so heavy that it weighs Christ out of Heaven or else the Sinner for ever 1. Resolve with David Psal. 112. 15. I will meditate on thy precepts and consider thy wayes he knew it is not hearing or knowing that discernes betweene truth and falshood but weighing and discerning in the ballance of sound judgement Why doth the Vsurer hold his sinnes or the Drunkard or the Sabbath breaker c. not because they know not what is good what is evil or because he is not taught but he weighs not nor considers the word of God he weighs the word in his false weights and not his false wayes by the weights of the Word ballance of the Sanctuary they weigh not the sinne in the sentence of the Law nor by the bitter end but present profit or pleasure So why doe men generally boulster themselves in all their sinnes and embolden