woman beleeueth the Angell once assuring the promise which he a man was often told and that by the Lord himselfe It is said of Abraham Rom 4.18 That against hope he beleeued in hope that he might become the father of many nations according to that was spoken So shall thy seede be and being not weake in faith he considered not his body now dead when hee was about an hundred yeares old neither yet the deadnesse of Saraes wombe he staggered not at the promise of God through vnbeleefe but was strong in faith giuing glorie to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to performe and therefore was it imputed to him for righteousnesse So holy Marie knowing her selfe to be a Virgine and by that ordinarie course of nature she could not bring forth a child yet minding there was a sure promise made by the God of truth recorded by a holy Prophet beleeued by all the Israel of God Behold a Virgine shall conceiue and beare a Isa 7.14 sonne and shall call his name Immanuel And seeing now the God of her fathers had spoken to her by his holy Angell Gabriel Luk. 1.30 Thou hast found fauour with God and behold thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe and bring forth a sonne and shalt call his name Iesus She firmly beleeuing that with God nothing is impossible that all the promises of God are most sure she strong and stedfast in her most holy faith gaue glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to performe made this sweete answer Luk. 1.38 Behold the handmaide of the Lord be it vnto me according to thy word It followeth then that as Abraham the Father of the faithfull was accounted righteous by beleeuing so likewise the faith of holy Marie was imputed to her for righteousnesse and so consequently for blessednesse as it is said Blessed is she that beleeued If any hard of beleefe take exception and say Maries blessednesse is auouched onely by a woman let such remember that Elizabeth that said it was both an holy woman a Prophetisse and the word of God speaketh euidently of her Luke 1.41 Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost Moreouer if any say we hold it for good that sound true and particular beleeuing the promises of saluation giueth assurance of full blessednesse but is Maries faith such in beleeuing she should beare a sonne yet remaine a Virgine still We desire such not to seuer things so nearely ioyned together her faith of hauing a sonne and her faith in her sonne who also is the Sonne of God blessed for euer For it is euident by the word that she both beleeued her own saluation by him the Messiah as Abraham did as also with a fuller light of knowledge that the hope of Israel should be her sonne By the one she hath a prerogatiue to be blessed aboue all women by the other a preeminencie amongst all the Lords holy ones By comparing Scriptures together we shall see very clearly that we ought not so to restraine the meaning of those words Blessed is she that beleeued We reade in Genesis Gen. 15.5 The word of the Lord came to Abraham againe One shall come out of thine owne bowels he shall be thy heire looke now vp to heauen and tell the starres if thou be able to number them and he said So shall thy seede be and Abraham beleeued the Lord and he accounted that to him for righteousnesse It is not to be gathered hence that Abraham was accounted righteous in beleeuing he should haue a wonderfull great posteritie like the number of the starres for multitude but he formerly beleeued this promise of the Almightie Gen. 12.3 In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed Now the latter promise Gen. 15. containeth in it the former Genes 12. and hath ouer and aboue it a promise of the boundlesse enlargement of the Church which should be blessed with him by the promised seed euen by him who is called Shilo Gen. 49.10 Isa 7.14 Dan. 9.26 Immanuel and Messiah So the holy Virgine Marie euen before the Angell came to her soundly beleeued in the promised Messiah and that he should be the sonne of a Virgine as the Prophet Isaias had foretold but after that Gabriel the Lords messenger had reuealed more to her she beleeued that she was that Virgine to whom this dignitie and prerogatiue was freely giuen to be the mother of the most holy Immanuel So hauing the common faith of blessednesse with Abraham this peculiar faith aboue Abraham for he saw Christ afarre off but she felt him in her wombe first saw him manifested in the flesh heard his gracious words enioyed him as her sonne and Sauiour we may hold it as a manifest truth that she was before all in true and holy faith in the Sonne of the euerliuing God hauing testimonie of her faith and blessednesse from the whole Church of God as is prophecied All generations shall call her blessed Luk. 1.48 and from the sound and worthie fruits of sauing faith which are mentioned in the word It is among the praises of Abrahams faith by Christs owne mouth Ioh 8.56 Your father Abraham reioyced to see my day and he saw it and was glad Marie did not onely reioyce in God her Sauiour Luk. 1.47 but also magnified the Lord that is with heart and voice praised and extolled the greatnesse and goodnesse of God to her and the whole Church From her faith flowed the glorifying of God ioy and gladnesse to her owne soule and a comfortable reuiuing of the hearts of all the godly by witnessing in her sweete song the fulfilling of Gods promises for helping vp his seruant Israel Luke 1.54 We conclude then that the Virgine Marie was a gracious woman freely and fully beloued of God a Maide and a Mother a faithfull Israelite a primarie Christian an holy prophetisse a daughter of God by adoption a Mother of the Sonne of God by speciall fauor blessed in bearing Christ blessed in beleeuing in Christ blessed by him on earth blessed with him in heauen for euermore The first vse and fruite Which wee must reape by knowing and beleeuing that Marie was blessed in beleeuing is that we be taught and strengthened by her example to seeke all our blessednesse out of our selues in Iesus Christ as he is the Head of his body the Church Eph. 5.23 and by him as he is our holy Redeemer and Reconciler Rom. 3.24 And that this gift is giuen of God and receiued of vs by faith onely For that faith and no other grace giueth vs right vnto Eph. 2.8 and maketh vs owners of this blessednesse which is in Christ the proper act of this faith being to receiue Christ and apply him to vs in particular So that we must be soundly instructed and vnmoueably setled in this high holy doctrine of the excellency of faith and
who in their owne sense were miserable when their wiues and children and all that they had were caried a way captiues and yet behold after carefull vsing of good and discreete meanes 1. Sam. 30.3.19 recouered all that the Amalekites had taken away So though for a moment we are deiected and seeme to be forlorne yet God in his time Psal 63.5 which is alwaies simply best giueth a recouery with comfort and reioycing in the Lord. Noahs arke may be much tossed rocked and shaken but drowned it cannot be so the faith of the Saints is assaulted weakened and battered but neuer finally and wholly ouercome 2. Cor. 4.8 We are troubled on euery side yet not distressed perplexed but not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed The bush burned and consumed not Exod. 3.2 for God was in the middest of it To draw to an end that the called chosen and faithfull may haue sincere rest tranquillitie comfort of mind and conscience a true and vndoubted assurance of eternall blessednesse by Iesus Christ God that is the giuer of the gift giueth also witnesse thereof Rom. 8.16 Gods Spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God 1. Ioh. 3.24 And as Iohn saith who most clearely and often teacheth this infallible certainty Hereby we know he abideth in vs 4.13.5.13 euen by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. Now the fruits of our spirit renewed by his Spirit though they are not all in all beleeuers in like measure and at all times yet are they of such power as giue vs comfort and discerne vs from the vngodly and wicked they are to vs pledges of Gods loue and as the gate of heauen as namely a searching out of our sinnes and defections a groning vnder the burthen of them an hatred and abhorring of them a striuing against them a labour and watchfulnesse to preuent sinnes and timely to cut off the occasions of them a mourning for the sinnes of the land an hungring after righteousnesse true loue to God and his children and the word of his grace patient hope waiting on God knowing that he will blesse both prosperitie and aduersitie vnto vs a desire aboue all things to please God vprightnesse of heart without hypocrisie and endeuour to keepe a good conscience to walke in our calling faithfully and chearefully boldnesse with God in humble prayer thankfulnesse for all his goodnesse to vs these and the like do assure vs that we are borne of God As for our certainty to perseuere in grace the foundation of it is not on the earth for so it would fall but on the Lords faithfulnesse He now hath the keeping of vs and of our blisse it is not in our hands as it was in Adams who quickly lost it He will confirme you to the end 1. Cor. 1.8 that ye may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Iesus Christ God is faithfull by whom ye are called vnto the fellowship of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Yea he hath made a sure Couenant so to renew vs Iere. 32.40 that He will put his feare into our hearts that we may neuer depart from him Maruellous is the light that God hath put into mans eye whereby he seeth the earth about him and the heauens aboue him without paine in a moment but more admirable is the sight of faith which can see before the world God electing vs to saluation in his Sonne our head in the world redeeming vs by his Sonne our Mediator after the world glorifying vs with his Sonne our King in the heauens for euermore The loue of God which is our life is ancient free sweete constant great vnspeakable incomprehensible and eternall God hath giuen his Sonne to be our Sauiour his Spirit to be our Comforter Isa 60.19 and he will be our glorie eternally Let all the Lords redeemed say and that continually with deuout and religious hearts My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit reioyceth in God my Sauiour Blessing and glorie Reu. 7.12 and wisedome and thanksgiuing and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euer and euer Amen The comfort of a Christian by assurance of Gods loue to him MY peace of heart my happinesse My sweetest ioy is this Ephe. 1.4 That God me lou'd ere world was made And purpos'd me to blisse Iohn 13.1 This sure decree for lasting life This bountie great and free Ephe. 1.5 Iohn 6.39 Rom. 5.12.17 He hath fulfild in Christ his Sonne Whom he hath giuen for me Our fall in Adam fearefull was We left a cursed race Yet Christ our King the Lord of life Act. 15.11 Iohn 5.25 Hath sau'd vs by his grace A powerfull voice his Gospell hath To raise vp dead in sinne 2. Thes 2.14 Act. 11.17 Whom he doth call effectually Are strongly brought to him I call'd I come I runne with ioy I haste Lord vnto thee Mar. 10.49 As Bartimeus boldly went When Christ said Come to me Act. 11.18 Repentance thou doest giue to life The seale of thy sure loue Mat. 21.32 By it I stand in state of grace As new-borne from aboue When Law doth giue me sight of sinne Rom. 7.7 1. Chro. 34.27 My soule doth melt and rent My troubled sp'rite and broken heart Doth grieue and much lament Iob 33.27 Ier. 31.19 Psal 32.5 1. Tim. 1.13 I am asham'd of all my faults To God I them confesse I iudge my selfe a wickedwretch And of my selfe helplesse When sinne and Satan bid despaire Gods voice speakes to mine eare Beleeue in Christ his grace is great Act. 16.31 Shake off mistrustfull feare He mercie shewes to humbled men Heart-wounded he doth cure Luk. 4.18 Luke 1.53 He fils the fainting soule with ioy Their comfort he makes sure He great he good he slow to wrath Exod. 34.6 He kindnesse shewes to all He casts-off none that seeke to him Iohn 6.37 Yea he doth sinners call All ye that wearie are of sinne Whom it doth lode and quell Come ye to me I will you ease Mat. 11.28 My peace with you shall dwell These gracious words of Christ my Lord Cant. 5.2 Ier. 31.3 These comforts strongly pierce This Gospell moues my heart to bleed My sobs for sinne increase Psal 51.4 That I my God my Father deare With sinnes should so prouoke Gen. 39.9 And hauing found such mercy rare Should so cast off his yoke Iere. 9.1 A floud of teares I do desire To weepe both night and day Ephe. 4.30 Thaâ— I haue grieu'd the spirit of grace And turn'd his face away In stead thereof some holy flames Are kindl'd from aboue Luke 7.47 And many sinnes to me forgiuen My God I do much loue My selfe my seruice ioyfully Psal 119.106 A fresh to him I vow With setl'd heart to tread the path That he doth best allow Gen. 5.22 My
highly fauoured the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women Thou hast found fauour with God and behold thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe and bring forth a sonne and call his name Iesus He shall be great and shall be called the Sonne of the Highest and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid and he shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome there shall be no end Then said Marie to the Angell How shall this be seeing I know not a man And the Angell answered and said vnto her The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee shall be called the Sonne of God And behold thy cosin Elizabeth she also hath conceiued a sonne in her old age and this is the sixt moneth with her who was called barren For with God nothing shall be vnpossible And Mary said Behold the handmaide of the Lord be it vnto mee according to thy word This most ioyfull wonder that God will dwell with man be man be borne of a Virgine is the first sweete Prophesie and gracious couenant that God made to man in Paradise Gen. 3.15 The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head that is Iesus Christ the seede and sonne of the Virgine Marie shall destroy the diuell that spake by the serpent and his kingdome and worke mans full deliuerance and eternall blessednesse This worke of God so strange and glorious is the fulfilling of the prophesie of Isaiah Isa 7.14 A Virgine shall conceiue and beare a sonne and she shall call his name Emmanuel for in the fulnes of time appointed by the Lord The word was made flesh Ioh 1.14 and dwelt among vs full of grace and truth euen he who is holy harmelesse vndefiled Heb. 7.26 separate from sinners and made higher then the heauens The holy God that of old declared himselfe from aboue the Mercie-seate in the Tabernacle Exod. 25.22 Heb. 1.2 hath in these last dayes spoken vnto vs by his Sonne whom he hath appointed heire of all things by whom also he made the worlds This rare miracle so wonderfull in the eyes of men Angels which had that due acclamation Luk. 11.27 Blessed is the wombe that bare thee and the paps that gaue thee sucke will more clearly appeare in the excellencie of it if we compare it with the conceptions and birthes that the worthiest women euer had or with this of the blessed Virgine Marie And to begin with the ancientest EVA the mother of vs all when she had conceiued and borne a son thankfully acknowledged Gods loue therein Gen. 4.1 saying I haue obtained a man by the Lord. Yet had she no comfort of him 1. Ioh. 3.12 For he was of that wicked one and slue his brother but Maries ioy was sound full and lasting for she did not onely obtaine a man of the Lord Act. 4.27.5.31 but a man which is the Lord. The holy childe Iesus A Prince and Sauiour euen the Lord of glorie 1. Cor. 2.8 of whom not onely Elizabeth a good woman and Gabriel an holy Angell gaue so honorable a testimonie but euen God the Father from heauen thus witnessed This is my welbeloued Sonne Mat. 3.17.17.5 in whom I am well pleased heare him Peter also auoucheth 2. Pet. 1.17 that He receiued from God the Father honour and glorie when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glorie This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased SARA when she was ninetie yeares old was made ioyfull with this comfortable promise of the Almightie I will blesse her Gen. 21.6 and will also giue thee a sonne of her yea I will blesse her and she shall be the mother of nations Kings also of people shall come of her If Sara praise the Lord saying God hath made me to reioyce all that heare will reioyce with me I haue borne to Abraham a sonne in his old age much more may blessed Marie say God hath made me to reioyce and from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed Luk. 1.48 for he that is mightie hath done for me great things and holy is his Name For I haue borne a sonne Reu. 17.14 who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Prince of peace the increase of whose gouernment and peace shall haue none end Isa 9.6 he shall sit vpon the throne of Dauid and vpon his kingdome to order it and to establish it with iudgement and with iustice from henceforth and for euer A King shall reigne and prosper Iere. 23.5 and shall execute iudgement and iustice in the earth in his dayes Iudah shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him the Lord our righteousnesse This King shall reigne ouer the Gentiles Rom. 15.12 Mat. 1.21 Reu. 1.5 and in him shall the Gentiles trust He shall saue his people from their sinnes and make all his redeemed Kings and Priests vnto God HANNA the godly wise of Elkana was barren a long time but when with earnest prayer and teares she had begged and obtained a sonne of God euen Samuel and giuen him to the Lord all the dayes of his life and had brought him when he was weaned to Silo that he might appeare before the Lord and there abide for euer she praised God chearfully and reioyced in his saluation 1. Sam. 2.5 and that the barren had borne Now if this holy Prophetisse gaue praises to God for such a worthy and gracious sonne 1. Sam. 3.20 euen faithfull Samuel the Lords Prophet much more had the blessed Virgine cause to magnifie the Lord that made her mother of such a sonne as is both the greatest Prophet and holiest Priest that euer was Of this Prophet thus Moses writeth and Peter reporteth Act. 3.23 A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise vp vnto you of your brethren like to me him shall ye heare in all things whatsoeuer he shall say vnto you and it shall come to passe that euery soule which will not heare that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people He is the wisdome of God Ioh. 7.46 that spake as neuer man spake He that maketh knowne to vs all things that he heard of his Father Ioh. 15.15 He that taught with authoritie of a Lawgiuer Mat. 7.29 that with his gracious words giueth his Spirit Act. 10.44 opening powerfully bowing the heart making all his elect wise to saluation 2. Tim. 3.15 through faith which is in Christ Iesus This holiest PRIEST was after the order of Melchisedech Heb. 5.2 had compassion on the ignorant and them that are out of the way He in the daies of his flesh offered vp prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares and was heard and became author of
the chastisement of his peace shall light vpon me Dan 9.24 To finish transgressions and to make an end of sinnes I will make my soule an offering and be cut off from the land of the liuing I will make my graue with the wicked Isa 53.10 and yet see my seede and prolong my daies and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in my hands I will make intercession for transgressors Dan. 9.24 and bring in euerlasting righteousnesse This will I do Psal 40.8 for the Law of God is in my heart The eternall Father being euer well pleased in his Sonne agreed yea before determined that this soueraigne Remedie should be propounded before he pronounced the sentence of iudgment Yea he plighted the Couenant of grace betweene him and man in few words but containing in them the fulnesse of true comfort and blessednesse The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head Gen. 3.15 Thus was the great controuersie decided and the disceptation ended Mercy and truth met together Psal 85.10 righteousnesse and peace kissed each other Iustice was satisfied Peace and Truth well pleased Mercie triumphed Sin was abolished Death destroyed Hel vanquished Satan troden vnder foote Man eternally saued Heauen opened Angels ioyfully sung Glorie be to God in the highest Luk. 2.14 and on earth peace goodwill towards men O that mans heart were rightly affected to reioyce vnspeakably praise God vncessantly for this glorious harmonie where the wisdome power mercie iustice and truth of God meete in one to worke mans reconciliation to God and his eternall blessednesse Psal 107.8 O that the redeemed of the Lord would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and for his wonderfull workes to the children of men O what an incomprehensible loue is it that the Sonne of God Phil. 2.6 who being in the forme of God thought it no robberie to be equall with God yet made himselfe of no reputation and tooke vpon him the forme of a seruant and was made in the likenesse of man being found in fashion as a man he humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto death euen the death of the crosse Thus the blessed Immanuel that as Iacobs ladder Gen. 28.12 ioyned heauen and earth together must be equall to God to satisfie Gods iustice and procure his loue to vs he must be in the forme of a seruant a man a brother a kinsman Touched with the feeling of our infirmities yet without sinne In which holy mysterie Iob was well instructed when so confidently he reposed all his comfort in his kinsman Iob 19.25 in his Redeemer I know that my Redeemer the word is Goali my kinsman liueth and he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see God Without this kinsman of our flesh and mighty holy Redeemer there is no coming to God but as Ioseph said Except your brother be with you Gen. 43.5 ye shall not see my face So high is Gods maiestie and so low is mans wretched estate that to make an vnion and attonement betweene vs we stood in neede of such a Mediator as must be both the Sonne of God and of the seed of Abraham The Physitions tell vs how the soule of man from heauen and the body from earth Bright in Melanch 9 are by the spirit of life brought to liue together in a maruellous concord and vnitie The soule is meerely diuine the body meerely a lumpe of earth but that which maketh either to affect other be as handfasted and comfortably to dwell together is the spirit though not so excellent as the soule yet cometh it from the diuine influence of life and not of it selfe earthy So the golden clasp whereby God will be ioyned to man dwell with him Ioh. 1.14 and in him is the Word incarnate equall to the Father and the holy Ghost touching his Godhead but inferior to them touching his manhood By him we haue accesse vnto God with boldnesse by him we haue right to the eternall inheritance by him we haue comfort in our strangest and strongest temptations It is written for our comfort that He is not ashamed to call vs brethren Heb. 2.11 saying I will declare thy Name among my brethren Ioseph highly aduanced in Egypt Gen. 47.11 did not onely preserue all his brethren from perishing in that great famine but procured also for thē and that with the Kings good liking that although as shepheards they were abhorred of the Egyptians yet they possessed Rameses in Gosen euen the best of the kingdome So our tender hearted Ioseph Christ Iesus our most louing brother flesh of our flesh hath reconciled vs to God and so preuailed for vs Luk. 12.32 That it is our Fathers good pleasure to giue vs the kingdome Let euery true Christian then be comforted with this free full and lasting loue of God towards vs in Christ and returne the sacrifice of daily true and heartie thanksgiuing and say Blesse the Lord O my soule Psal 103.2 and forget not all his benefits who forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thy diseases who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with louing kindnesse and tender mercies Blessed is she that beleeued THE SECOND DEGREE of the blessednesse of the blessed Virgine Marie is set downe in these words Blessed is she that beleeued Luk. 1.45 for those things shall be performed which were told her of the Lord. Blessed Marie beleeued in the Messiah and Sauiour promised as all the holy ones of that age did and in greater measure and daily shewed forth the fruits thereof Christ dwelt in her heart by faith before he was conceiued in her wombe She beleeued moreouer that He should be the blessed fruit of her wombe that the holy promised seede should be her seede that the Sauiour of all the elect should be both her Sonne and her Sauiour Her faith was holy sound and strong when passing ouer all earthly thoughts that might haue moued to doubtfulnesse she rested firmly and faithfully on the Lords word and promise with sure assent and much certainty saying Be it vnto me according to thy word Luke 1.38 Whereas Zacharias a man that walked in the ordinances of God without reproofe hearing the promise from an Angell that his aged wife should beare a sonne doubted through some vnbeleefe Luke 1.20 and therefore was made dumbe for a time till Gods promise was fulfilled Is it not a rare excellent and glorious faith to beleeue that which neuer any before did beleeue to haue sure confidence setled perswasion without wauering and to seale that God is true when the promise made seemeth contrary to all sense reason and experience Looke we on the faith of Abraham so often extolled in the Scriptures and consider if her faith was not as great stedfast holy and excellent as his if not more admirable in that a
sanctification Secondly it is Gods ordination We are his wormāship Eph. 2 10. created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath before ordained that we should walke in them Thirdly there is a necessity of the doing and presence of good workes for the manifestation of the righteous iudgments of God when he will come to be glorified in his Saints and crowne his owne works in them Mat. 25.35 Reu. 22.12 For he will iudge all men according to their deeds And giue to euery man as his worke shall be Fourthly a necessity is imposed vppon vs because we are debters as it is said Luk. 17.10 We haue done what was our dutie to do Rom. 8.12 And Paul saith Ye are debters but not to the flesh but to God our Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier Euer thinke we on it Tit. 2.14 that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purifie vs to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes The obligation and bond of our debt is our Baptisme We are buried with him by Baptisme into death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so we should walke in newnesse of life Fiftly because there is no other way to eternall blessednesse but by the practise of holinesse For though good workes cannot be the cause of saluation but onely Iesus Christ as it is said Isa 49.6 I will giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my saluation vnto the end of the world yet are they the way and path vnto life and blessednesse Pro. 12.28 In the way of righteousnesse is life and in the path thereof there is no death Ye haue your fruite in holinesse Rom. 6.22 and the end euerlasting life The vses of good works are many and great in regard of God our selues others and our holy profession First God is glorified by our good workes which are being rightly performed a speciall part of his holy worship and seruice Ioh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruite His grace is manifested by enabling vs vnto a measure of obedience Eze. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and do them God is honoured and praised for them and by them They glorified God for me Gal. 1.23 1. Pet. 2.9 Ye are a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him which hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light 1. Pet. 4.11 Do it as of the abilitie which God giueth that God in all things may be glorified through Iesus Christ As a father delighteth in a dutifull sonne so God delighteth in all those that beare his image imitate his holy nature that take pleasure in well doing Ioh. 4.34 whose meate and drinke it is to do their fathers will Secondly by our blamelesse and good conuersation we become followers of the example of Christ of his Saints Ioh. 13.15 I haue giuen you an example that ye should do as I haue done to you As Christ forgaue you Colos 3.13 so also do ye Take the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the Lord Iam. 5.10 for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Thirdly by our holy life and obedience to God we gaine assurance that God hath chosen vs to be heires of saluation 2. Pet. 1.10 Giue diligence that ye make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall If we loue in deed and truth We know we are of the truth 1. Ioh. 3.19 and shall assure our hearts before him Thus the truth of faith is knowne for faith that hath no works is dead Gal. 5.6 being alone Neither Circumcision nor vncircumcision auaileth any thing but faith which worketh by loue Thus also is the soundnesse of repentance knowne Act. 26.20 I shewed to them that they should repent and turne to God and do works meete for repentance Fourthly by carefulnesse of well performing our dutie we are heartned to looke for the performance of Gods free promises made vnto vs. So Moses had respect vnto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11.26 Godlinesse hauing the promises of this life 1. Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come We may looke for obtaine if God see it expedient for vs long life a blessed posterity peace plentie ioy of heart preseruation in the euill day and whatsoeuer good is 1. Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast vnmoueable alwaies abounding in the worke of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vaine in the Lord. Gal. 6.9 Let vs not be wearie of well-doing for in due time we shall reape if we faint not Know that whatsoeuer good thing any man doth the same he shal receiue of the Lord. Fiftly they that liue righteously escape curses and calamities when the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 2. Pet. 2.5 For when God spared not the old world he saued Noah the eight person a preacher of righteousnesse God said he would spare Sodome and Gomorha Gen. 18.32 Isa 65.14 for ten sake that were righteous Behold my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart but ye shall crie for sorrow of heart and shall houle for vexation of spirit Sixtly they that are of vpright conuersation and are studious to abound in good workes shall auoid offences Giue none offence 1. Cor. 10.32 neither to the Iewes nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God Mat. 18.7 2. Cor. 6.3 For wo vnto the world because of offences Giuing none offence in any thing that the Ministerie be not blamed Seuenthly by our good deeds we win others to God or make way and prepare some to conuersion I am made all things to all men 1. Cor. 9.22 that I might by all meanes saue some Haue your conuersation honest among the Gentiles 1. Pet. 2.12 that whereas they speake against you as euill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Rom. 11.14 I magnifie mine office if by any meanes I may prouoke to emulation them which are my flesh and might saue some of them 1. Pet. 3.1 Ye wiues be in subiection to your husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues Eightly righteous behauiour stoppeth the mouthes of the aduersaries that they cannot speake ill of vs. So the loyall and iust cariage of Dauid towards Saul ioyned with loue and meeknesse preuailed so far that he made this acknowledgment Thou art more iust then I. 1. Sam. 24.17 1. Pet. 2.15 So is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the
THE BLESSEDNES OF MARIE the Mother of IESVS LVKE 1.28.45.48 Blessed art thou among women Blessed is she that beleeued All generations shall call me blessed ANCHORA SPEI LONDON Printed by RICHARD FIELD dwelling in Great Woodstreete 1618. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL AND WORTHY LADIE Ladie DOROTHY ZOVCH the vertuous wife of Sir EDWARD ZOVCH Knight at Oking IOHN SHAW desireth increase of all true comfort here and hereafter euerlasting blessednesse THe Scripture of truth wherein the mysteries of Religion are treasured vp hath three amongst others not a litle more eminent most worthie of our daylie and holiest meditations They are by some called Bernardus in Vigilia Natalis The wonders of wonders are in themselues most admirable and surpassing comfortable for vse manifested by the Highest Ioh. Heid feldius for the sure blessednesse of all Gods children without which all men had perished eternally Not to speake of the blessed Trinitie the greatest of all mysteries the three here meant are three Vnions or Couplings in one of things in themselues most different The first is the Vnion of the Godhead to Manhood in the person of Iesus Christ whereby he is God and man Immanuel God with vs. The second is the Coupling of Motherhood and Virginitie in one woman the blessed Marie whereby her Sonne is called The Sonne of man The third is the begetting of Sauing-faith in the soule of sinfull man whereby a sonne of Adam becometh a childe of God an heire of saluation The first and third of these mysteries are ioyntlie declared by Paul in these words Great is the mysterie of godlinesse 1. Tim. 3.16 God was manifested in the flesh Beleeued on in the world The second was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah Isa 7.14 Behold a Virgine shall conceiue and beare a Sonne These are comfortable secrets which none fruitfully know but the Lords heritage that are taught by his Spirit These manifest how God is neare vnto vs and dwelleth with vs and in vs as in his holy Tabernacle These are the appointed means of our saluation and blessednes These mysteries so high and holy must be sought into by humble and earnest prayer with much reuerence of heart by reading hearing and intentiue meditation we must beleeue them and reioyce greatly in the sound and lasting consolation they bring vnto vs. When man by his sinne was wofully fallen from God and the blessednesse wherein he was set and by his Apostasie had cast himselfe and his posteritie into the state of damnation then euen then did God manifest his vnspeakeable loue in restoring him againe into the fauour of his Creator and to the hope of a greater blisse then that which he had lost It was agreeable to the Lords holynesse for manifesting his mercy and iustice that as man made the fault so man should make the amends But man alone could not do it the Creator onely could repaire the creature God therefore becometh man that so he might throughly do it And he was manifested in the flesh not for a small time as he appeared to the Patriarches but the second Person in Trinitie Iohn 1.14 The WORD euen the only begotten of the Father was made flesh and dwelt among vs full of grace and truth That man might be made partaker of the diuine nature enioy eternall peace with God The Captaine of our saluation tooke not on him the nature of Angels Heb. 2.16 but he to tooke on him the seed of Abraham in all things it behoued him to be made like his brethren that he might be a mercifull and faithfull High-priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the sinnes of the people This is the first high glorious and comfortable mysterie The second craueth of vs like holy admiration and firme faith Will God dwell in a Tabernacle in a Temple or as Salomon saith 1. King 8.27 Wil God indeed dwell on the earth will he that made the heauens take flesh of the wombe of a Virgine haue her indeed to be his mother and yet she continue a pure and vndefiled maide Yes assuredly it is a wonder without all example and a miraculous worke of him Psal 146.4 that alone worketh wonders Motherhood and virginitie meete in Marie the most blessed of women in her alone And hath correspondencie to that admirable Creation in the beginning where Eue the mother of all liuing was miraculously made out of the side of man alone so of the wombe of a woman alone was borne the holy Messiah euen Iesus Christ our Lord for the fulfilling of the Couenant of grace which God made with man The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head Gen. 3.15 This is the second secret and high mysterie of Christian Religion The third wonder is that faith and mans soule so meet that man who is a sinfull sonne of Adam by faith becometh a child of God according as it is written Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Here we may take vp Dauids words and say Psal 144.3 Lord what is man that thou takest knowledge of him or the sonne of man that thou makest account of him The difficultie of sound beleeuing in the Messiah the Sauiour of his elect and the wonderfull mercy of God in that rare grace will better appeare if we call to minde how that euen in Paradise man beleeued not God when he said Gen. 2.17 Thou shalt die the death and did beleeue the diuel Gen. 3.4 Ye shall not surely die Now that man is fallen from integrity and captiued in Originall and Actuall sin to beleeue a promise of eternall life that God will make him an heire of heauen for Iesus sake is aboue all humane learning sense and reason And this hope and confidence is onely in that litle flocke where Gods Spirit doth powerfully worke it How few beleeue Isaiah complaineth Isa 53.1 Who hath beleeued our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed How great a work of God faith is Paul witnesseth Who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.19 which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Certainlie as there was a darknesse in all Egypt that might be felt Exod. 10.22 but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings Euen so all the chosen Israel of God now haue Christ the light of the world dwelling in their hearts by faith But the whole world of Hypocrites and vnbeleeuers loue darknesse and abide in it for euermore Hereupon it followeth that Iewes Turkes Pagans Vnbeleeuers and Hypocrites who haue no communion by faith with the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh abide vnder the curse and wrath of the Almighty But the chosen litle flocke to whom the mysteries of Christs kingdome are known who soundly and with all their heart beleeue in Iesus Christ the Son of God conceiued by the holy Ghost
borne of the virgine Mary that he the promised Messiah is their king priest and prophet and by his obedience vnto death hath wrought their full Redemption and made their reconciliation with God these through faith in his bloud haue Christs righteousnesse imputed to them for the attaining of saluation these haue a ioy glorious and vnspeakable these cleaue to God in true holines and in the end for this their Mediators sake receiue a crowne of righteousnesse and the blessednesse promised that lasteth euermore This litle Treatise will so far lay open vnfold these three profound mysteries as may giue occasion to the well-minded readers to make further search into so high holy and necessarie doctrines as are primary pillars of true Religion And now worthie Madame in that I commend vnto you my poore endeuours contained in this litle booke it is out of a good desire to further you in the best things to procure you some litle helpe to get greater increase of the chiefe blessings to cast in my myte by writing also to adde that way somewhat to your spirituall treasure of knowledge holinesse and comfort as one desirous to be thankfull to God for his manifold mercis to you in that since your coming among vs you make it daily euident that you haue a hearty loue to true Religion and take much comfort in the Ministery and publike worship of God established as also that by your good example blamelesse conuersation you grace your holy profession going before many in many Christian duties Assure your selfe your careful labouring to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ will giue you an heauen vpon earth and shall be your crowne in the day of the Lord when all those that suffer their hearts to be stolen away from God and godlinesse by excessiue cares or pleasures of this world shall haue their sorrowes come vpon them like armed men and their end shall be fully miserable Mind you it well I pray you Eccl. 8.12 Though a sinner do euill an hundred times and his daies be prolonged yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that feare God which feare before him But it shall not be well with the wicked neither shall he prolong his dayes which are as a shadow because he feareth not before God Earnestly constantly seeke after those lasting ioyes where is mirth without all mourning life without vexation eternall happinesse by a blessed communion with the eternall God who wil be all in all to them that loue him Passe ouer no day wherein you call not to minde the many sweete free blessings of the almighty bestowed vpon you but by them prouoke your selfe to offer to him the heartiest sacrifice of thanksgiuing that you can attaine to accōpanied with hūble faithful feruent prayers for increase of his best blessings to you and yours that your happinesse begun here may be continued euerlastingly Act. 20.32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I pray God your whole spirit and soule and bodie be preserued blamelesse vnto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Be thou faithfull vnto the death and I will giue thee a crowne of life Reuelation 2.10 THE BLESSEDNES OF THE VIRGIN MARIE the Mother of our Lord IESVS CHRIST LVKE 1.28.45 Blessed art thou among women Blessed is she that beleeued THE holie Euangelist Saint Luke Luke 1.28 writing the miraculous Incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ that is his wonderfull Conception and Birth describeth the messenger that manifested these glad tidings to be the Angell Gabriel the woman that should be mother to Iesus by name Marie by condition a Virgin affianced to Ioseph of the house of Dauid the place of their dwelling Nazareth a towne of Galile in the land of Iudaea the time in the dayes of Augustus Caesar the child to be conceiued and borne of her by name Iesus by office and dignitie a King ouer the house of Iacob for euer by nature the Sonne of the eternall God by speciall fauour and in regard of his humane nature the sonne of the Virgin Marie conceiued in her wombe the holie Ghost comming vpon her and the power of the Highest ouershadowing her she thrice by holy Oracle assured that she is exceedingly blessed The Virgin Marie lineally descending from the royall Kings of Israel found grace and fauour with God was freely beloued of him precious and honorable in his sight had great honour put vpon her was exceedingly blessed by Gods speciall loue to her euen blessed aboue all women Maries blessednesse is twofold The first is singular and proper to her selfe a prerogatiue granted to her alone and neuer to any other creature euen to be the Mother of Iesus Christ the Sauiour of all the Elect the mother of Emmanuel God-with-vs euen God manifested in the flesh Thus saith Gabriel from heauen Blessed art thou among women Luke 1.28 thus saith holy Elizabeth on earth Blessed art thou among women 42. and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe The second is that hauing obtained like precious faith with the Saints in the common saluation she with them abiding in the truth of Religion did beleeue and waite for the promised Messiah and her owne saluation by him as in her holy prophecie she acknowledgeth Luke 1.47 My soule reioyceth in God my Sauiour She had also a peculiar proper holy faith in a peculiar promise which was made to her alone Gen. 3.15.12.3 which was That the blessed seede in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed should be her seede that the Sonne of God would become her sonne and be borne of her wombe and of these holy Elizabeth the mother of Iohn Baptist Luke 1.45 saith Blessed is shee that beleeued Blessed art thou among all women The singular blessednesse and rare prerogatiue that Marie at once is a maide and a mother beareth a sonne and is still a Virgine is both a daughter of God and a mother of the Sonne of God is a wonder of wonders a strange miracle glorious and comfortable not fruitfully beleeued of any but of them that are taught of God who maketh knowne the mysteries of his kingdome to babes and little ones according to the good pleasure of his wil and this part of the sauing truth he writeth in our hearts by his Spirit and the manifestation of it is in his word thus recorded by the Euangelist Saint Luke In the sixt moneth Luke 1.26 the Angell Gabriel was sent from God vnto a Citie of Galile named Nazareth to a Virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph of the house of Dauid and the Virgins name was Marie and the Angell came in vnto her and said Haile thou that art
saluation to them that obey him This most holy Heb. 7.25 high PRIEST is perfectly able to SAVE them that come to God by him seeing he euer liueth He is our REDEEMER Ephes 1.7 In whom we haue redemption through his bloud He is our RIGHTEOVSNES Rom. 5.19 By the obedience of one many shall be made righteous He is our RECONCILER 10. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne He is the MEDIATOR of the new Couenant Heb. 12.24 9.24 entred into heauen now to appeare in the presence of God for vs. He is our ADVOCATE with the Father 1. Ioh. 2.2 and the propitiation for our sinnes he is at the right hand of God Rom. 8.33 and maketh intercession for vs. BATHSHEBA the mother of King Salomon had great cause to blesse God that gaue her a sonne so great so good who gaue such honor vnto his mother as is remēbred in the holy word 1. Kin. 2.19 that The King rose vp to meete her and sate downe on his Throne and he caused a seate to be set for the Kings mother and she sate at his right hand But blessed Marie had a greater and better sonne euen him Rom. 14.11 to whom all knees bow euen him of whom it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Heb. 1.6 This sonne did highly honour his mother First in his subiection to her for it is written that he was obedient to her Luk. 2.51 Secondly in his holy care for her and that in his extreme anguish on the crosse Ioh. 19.25 There stoode by the crosse of Iesus his mother and when he saw her and the Disciple standing by whom he loued he saith vnto his mother Woman behold thy Sonne then saith he to the Disciple Behold thy mother and from that houre that Disciple tooke her vnto his owne home And whereas conformitie to Gods image and sound holinesse is a great part of true blessednesse this most godly Virgine shewed forth singular and rare vertues for being at a Mariage with Christ at Cana in Galile her Loue and Compassion was made euident when she spake to her sonne They haue no wine Ioh. 2.3 her meeknesse that kept silence when Christ rebuked her also her godlinesse in directing perswading to that which is the summe of our duty most agreeable to that voice of God from heauen Heare him Mat. 17.5 when she exhorted saying Iohn 2.5 Whatsoeuor he saith vnto you do it She suffered much affliction for Christ and so was partaker of that dignity of the Saints Phil. 1.29 that both beleeue in Christ and suffer for his sake both when she liued as an exile with him in Egypt Mat. 2.14 as also whē Simeons prophecie was fulfilled in his bitter passion Luk. 2.35 A sword shall passe through thy soule She persisted constantly in the profession of Religion and continued in and with the holy Church and assembly of the Saints in all true holinesse as it is said They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication Act. 1.14 with the women and Marie the mother of Iesus and with his brethren Thus it appeareth euidently that she was a blessed mother of a most blessed Sonne euen blessed among and aboue all women The first vse and fruite for Confutation We knowing and beleeuing the wonderfull conception and birth of our Lord Iesus Christ do controll the madnesse and confute the damnable heresies of all that impugne the two distinct natures of that one person Immanuel Isa 7.14 who is the Sonne of God eternally and the sonne of Marie borne of her wombe in the fulnesse of time decreed before the world was made or that any way derogate from his Propheticall Priestly or kingly offices by which he wrought the saluation of his Church This doctrine soundly grounded on the word of God refuteth the Iewes of this age that yet waite for MESSIAH who is already come in humilitie to redeeme his Saints and will the second time come in glorie Heb. 9.28 to crowne them and confound his foes 2. Thes 1.8 and will then repay vengeance to all them that know not God and obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. Yea moreouer As euery spirit that confesseth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God so euerie spirit that confesseth not 1. Ioh. 4.2 that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof ye haue heard that it should come and euen now already is in the world There is no other true Messiah but Iesus Christ the Sonne of the virgine Marie whose blessed mouth hath said Iohn 8.24 Except ye beleeue that I am he ye shall die in your sinnes The second vse and fruite for confirmation Our holy faith and soundest comfort are confirmed strongly in the ancient gracious Couenant of God made in Paradise often renewed to the Patriarches and Church of the Iewes accomplished when God was manifested in the flesh dwelt among vs when Christ was borne of the Virgine Marie as it is written In the fulnesse of time Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that were vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Rom. 10.10 With the heart we do beleeue and with the mouth we confesse that Iesus Christ conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgine Marie is the Immanuel God with-vs foretold by the Prophet Isaias made like vnto vs in all things Heb. 4.15 Ioh 1.29 yet without sinne Euen that Lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world Euen he by whom all effectually called Heb. 9.14 receiue the promise of eternall inheritance For be it that we all were conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie and corrupted in all the parts of our soules and bodies yet the Conception Birth whole nature of Christ our Sauiour was fully sanctified by being vnited to his Godhead and imputed to vs so that the holinesse of Iesus is a robe to couer all our sinfulnesse and whereby we shall stand most gloriously in Gods sight in the great day of the Lord. For as Ester Ester 5.3 aduanced from low estate to be a great Queene had not this dignity put vpon her for her selfe alone but also for the comfort of all her kinred euen all the Iewes so that the glorious Messiah was borne of the blessed Virgine Marie was not her blessednesse alone but redounded to the ioy honour and saluation of all that beleeue in him Rom. 10.11 be they Iewes or Gentiles This high holy and comfortable mysterie why God would become man to worke mans saluation though it be greater then can be well expressed yet let vs endeuour stammeringly to vtter what we haue learned therein Iudg. 9.8 And as Iotham in
the name of his elder brother and in his clothing so we putting on the Lord Iesus Christ Phil. 3.9 may be found in him not hauing our owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ and may say with the Church or seede which the Lord hath blessed I will greatly reioyce in the Lord Isa 61.10 my soule shall be ioyfull in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of saluation he hath couered me with the robe of righteousnesse as a bridegroome decketh himselfe with ornaments and as a bride adorneth her selfe with iewels Now concerning faith we do not teach nor beleeue that we are iustified or saued for our faith or the worthinesse of it but we cleaue to the word and beleeue as therein we are taught namely Gal. 3.11 The iust shall liue by his faith We are iustified by faith haue peace with God Rom. 5.1 Gal. 3.26 We are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus To him that worketh not Rom. 4.5 but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is COVNTED to him for righteousnesse And that comfortable bill of acquittance Act. 13.38 Be it knowne vnto you men and brethren that through this man is preached vnto you forgiuenesse of sinnes and from all things from which ye could not be iustified by the law of Moses by him euery one that beleeueth is iustified Vnderstand for a fuller clearenesse in this point that like as it is said of Timothie continuing in holinesse and sound doctrine 1. Tim. 4.6 In doing this thou shall saue thy selfe and them that heare thee It is not meant that Timothie or any Minister doth saue otherwise then as instruments Who is Paul 1. Cor. 3.5 or who is Apollos but Ministers by whom ye beleeued So though no other faith iustifieth but that which worketh by loue the same neither iustifying together with loue nor faith hauing his efficacie from loue yet faith which saueth Eph. 2.8 Ye are saued by grace through faith and not of your selues it is the gift of God saueth not as it is a worke or as it worketh by loue but as it receiueth Christ Iohn 1.11 that in him we may be righteous Euen as fire giueth comfort to the frozen and be nummed with cold not by the light thereof but by the heate of it As God giueth his Sonne vnto vs and in him eternall life so giueth he also to euery of his faith to be as a hand to receiue the gift so that they which receiue abundance of grace Rom. 5.17 and of the gift of righteousnesse shal reigne in life by one Iesus Christ It is true that true faith is neuer alone that is it is not fruitlesse barren or idle as that in Hypocrites but it is effectuall or there is a worke of faith 1. Thes 1.3 and labour of loue Yet it alone and no other grace iustifieth as to them that will be wise according to the word it is very manifest Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ euen we haue beleeued in Iesus Christ that we might be iustified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be iustified This needeth no further declaration but is as cleare as that short speech of Christ to the same effect Mar. 5.36 Onely beleeue And that also Luke 8.50 Feare not beleeue onely and she shall be made whole And this doctrine maintaineth Christs honour and extolleth his bountie who giueth to the thirstie of the fountaine of the water of life freely Reu. 21.6 And it giueth to the broken in heart and sorrowfull soule much and sound comfort in greatest conflicts and terrors of conscience and when for sinne Satan would draw vs to despaire Let vs then cheare vp our hearts refresh our fainting spirits with the holy harmonie of the Apostles all of thē so sweetly sounding out this learning of our blessednesse by faith in Iesus Christ Saint Iude thus exhorteth Iude 21. Build vp your selues on your most holy faith looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Iames requireth we aske in faith Iam. 1.6 nothing wauering Iohn assureth vs that it is the commandement 1. Ioh. 3.23 that we should beleeue on the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ Paul setteth downe very briefly the summe of the Gospell Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ Act. 16.31 and thou shalt be saued Peter in a great assembly taught Act. 15.9 that God put no difference betweene them and vs after that by faith he had purged their hearts Why tempt ye God to lay a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our fathers nor we are able to beare but we beleeue through the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ to be saued euen as they do Yea To him giue all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10.43 that through his Name whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes A fourth obiection If good works do not answer the righteousnesse of Gods Law nor iustifie nor satisfie nor merite before God it may seeme they are vile in your eyes or at least you make small account of them and you set a doore wide open to carnall liberty and all licentiousnesse of liuing O be it farre from all that professe Christianitie so to thinke or speake for good workes are a maine part of that worship of God which he commandeth and will call vs to account for they are the end of our Election assurances of our Calling companions of our Iustification the practise of Sanctification forerunners of Glorification the effects of grace the life of Religion the beauty of Christianitie witnesses of faith nurses of hope fruites of loue euidences of thankfulnesse our sacrifice to God our acceptance with men the difference betweene Saints and reprobates the truth of repentance a turning from dead workes preseruatiues from scandals a lasting debt and dutie they adde honour to our profession peace to our consciences further our reckning they are seales of saluation the way to the kingdome follow vs to Gods tribunall they are our walking in the waies of God and our blamelesse conuersation without which we are as fruitlesse trees fitted for the fire and hypocrites that without all helpe shall be cast into hell for as the word of truth teacheth Heb. 12.14 Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord. Take knowledge then and be minded that we beleeue and teach both a necessitie of good works and sundry excellent vses of them A necessitie of good works we do beleeue First because of Gods commandement Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded that we should keepe thy precepts diligently Leu. 19.2 Be ye holy for I am holy This is the will of God 1. Thes 4.3 euen your
reioyceth in God MY Sauiour It was no affectation of singularitie in that gracious woman to say MY Sauiour as though he had bene hers alone But so she well expressed the life of true and liuely faith vnto vs. And after her example euery Christian for himselfe is to beleeue his owne saluation building his assurance first on Gods loue in Christ 2. Cor. 5.19 reconciling vs to himselfe Secondly and on the truth of Gods free and vnchangeable promises sealed in our hearts by the spirit of adoption We receiued not the spirit of the world 1. Cor. 2.12 but the spirit which is of God that we might KNOW the things that are freely giuen vs of God It is a conceit without warranty to think this was a prerogatiue granted to her alone or to Peter Paul or some few that haue it by reuelation for euery one that is effectually called doth particularly with such application to himselfe so beleeue as she did and hath no sound and certaine comfort till he so beleeue Marke it heedfully how Paul so applieth to himselfe the promise of life and then to all euery of the faithfull that loue Christs coming I haue kept the faith 2. Tim. 4.8 henceforth is laid vp for ME the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue ME at that day and not to ME onely but to ALL them also that loue his appearing He that doth not beleeue particularly and faithfully that Christ Iesus is His Sauiour his beleefe is no better then the faith of diuels they beleeue Christ is a Sauiour to some men but they beleeue not that he is their Sauiour As of old euery one that sprinkled his dore posts with the bloud of the Paschall Lambe Exod. 12.13 was assured by the promise of God that he should escape the destroying hand of the Angell so euery one is baptized seuerally that he may haue a personall beleefe that His sinnes are washed away in Christs bloud and He shall escape the wrath to come Philip will not baptize the Eunuch till he professe such a faith Act. 8.37 Thou mayest be baptized if thou beleeuest with all thine heart We haue a cloud of witnesses of the holy ones that thus apart to themselues applied the promises of God whose steps we must follow if we wil haue true peace in our soules Iob expresseth his faith apartly and particularly thus Iob. 19.25 I KNOW that MY redeemer liueth In Isaias we reade My soule shall be ioyfull in MY God Isa 61.10 In Abacuk I will reioyce in the Lord Abac. 3.18 I will ioy in the God of MY saluation In Zacharie I will say it is my people Zach. 8.8 and they shall say the Lord is MY God So Dauid Psal 27.1 The Lord is MY light and MY saluation Elizabeth the mother of Iohn Baptist Luke 1.43 Whence cometh this to me that the mother of MY Lord should come to me Thomas the Apostle after he was healed of his vnbeleefe could say MY God MY Lord. Ioh. 20.28 Paul most holily acknowledgeth I liue by the faith in the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 who hath loued ME and giuen himselfe for ME. It is no presumption to beleeue all that God hath promised nor to waite for all he intends to giue vs. But it is the great sinne for which the holy Ghost will reproue the world Because they beleeue not on Christ Ioh. 16.9 As a wounded man hath not comfort of his incarnatiue plaister till it be laid on his sore so haue we no fruit of Gods sweete promises till we apply theÌ„ close to our soules Who knoweth not that the commandements Thou shalt not kil nor commit adulterie nor steale are giuen to euery of vs as if he had said Thou Iohn Thomas Peter c. shall obey me when I say Thou shalt not kill c. So the promises of saluation for comfort are spoken to vs as if he named euery beleeuer seuerally It will do thee no good nor put any comfort into thy soule to beleeue the resurrection of the dead and life euerlasting except thou beleeue that thou thy selfe shalt at the end of the world rise againe and enioy life euerlasting â—â—ias prophecying of the coming of the Messias into the world Isa 9.6 saith not onely A Child is borne but vnto VS a childe is borne vnto VS a sonne is giuen So the Angels that were messengers of glad tidings say Luke 2.11 Vnto YOV is borne this day a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. So the Prophets and Apostles lay downe to their hearers their particular sinnes particular punishments and particular comforts when they repent Our dutie and comfort it shall be where God speaketh to all his generally to apply it our selues particularly As Seeke ye my face my heart answered vnto thee O Lord Psal 27.8 I will seeke thy face The third vse and fruite Is comfort and reioycing for the certainty of blessednesse by faith in Christ Iesus So the Virgine Marie hauing much assurance of her owne saluation Luke 1.47 Her spirit reioyced in God her Sauiour So the Lord bad his seauentie disciples Luk. 10.20 Reioyce that their names were writtten in heauen Now reioycing which God commandeth is for good things that are certaine and not vncertaine Be it so that such as know not that the Lords loue is towards them are euer full of doubting and vncertaintie and say the Apostles Disciples of Christ by Christs reuelation might be sure and certaine of their owne personall and seuerall saluation but so cannot others Let such be put in mind that where true faith is there is also a true assurance of blessednesse the holy Ghost teaching vs that faith assurance and reioycing in the Lord go together Rom. 5.1 Iustified by faith we haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom also we haue accesse by faith into the grace wherein we stand and REIOYCE in hope of the glorie of God Phil. 4 4. Againe Reioyce in the Lord alway Agreeable whereto is that in Peter 1. Pet. 1.8 In whom though ye now see him not yet beleeuing YE REIOYCE with ioy vnspeakeable and full of glorie And for assurance and certaintie the holy exhortation is Heb. 10.22 Let vs draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith We could not attaine to this assurance of Gods loue But that we haue receiued the Spirit which is of God 1. Cor. 2.12 that we might KNOW the things that are freely giuen to vs of God He it is that perswades our hearts infallibly enabling vs to beleeue the power truth and loue of God to vs. 1. Pet. 1.5 We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation What more assurance can we desire or what surer ground of reioycing then to know that we are kept for saluation and saluation kept for vs as it is there also said
1. Pet. 1.4 That the inheritance incorruptible is reserued in heauen for you Yea that we might haue strong consolation we haue the Lords oath Heb. 6.18 abundantly to shew to the heires of promise the immutabilitie of Gods counsell for blessing vs. And as the Lord is true in his promises so is he cōstant in his loue the word witnessing that Iohn 13.1 Hauing loued his owne which were in the world he loued them vnto the end Hence it is that we haue boldnesse Ephes 3.12 Heb. 4.16 Rom. 5.2 1. Thes 1.5 and accesse with confidence by faith of him Knowing the power of the word The Gospell comming vnto vs in power and in the holy Ghost and in much assurance and the power of faith that it is a ground or confidence Heb. 11.1 A substance of things hoped for the euidence of things not seene The phrase or speech of Scripture is not to doubt of Gods loue to weene trow or thinke well but to haue cōfidence assurance to beleeue and to know Iohn 6.69 We beleeue and know that thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Rom. 4.21 Abraham was strong in faith fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe Most comfortable are the words in Iohn Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sonnes of God Now are we the sonnes of God 1. Ioh. 3.2 and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but WE KNOW that when he shall appeare we shall be like vnto him for we shall see him as he is Paul vseth much vehemencie herein 2. Cor. 13.5 Proue your selues whether ye be in the faith examine your selues KNOW YE not your owne selues how that Christ Iesus is in you except ye be reprobates And in another place 1. Cor. 3.16 KNOW YE not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Martha speaking of her brother Lazarus that was dead saith Ioh. 11.24 I KNOW that he shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day Can we know a certainty of the resurrection of the dead and may we not as well know the other parts of our faith which we confesse a particular and true assurance of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and of our liuing euerlastingly in the kingdome of Christ Sure we are the Lord checketh doubting and reproueth staggering mistrust fearefulnesse vnbeleefe and wauering where we haue any promise to stay vpon Iam. 1.7 Let not him that wauereth thinke that he shall receiue any thing of the Lord. Mat. 21.21 Mat. 14.3 If ye haue faith and doubt not O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt and Why are ye fearefull Mat. 8.26 O ye of little faith If it be obiected that very faithfull and holy men haue doubted bene deiected and bewrayed their lacke of this assurance of faith as Ionas Ionas 2.4 when he said I am cast out of thy sight Dauid when he brake out Is his mercie cleane gone for euer Psal 77.9 doth his promise faile for euermore Iob when he ran into extremitie of passion Iob 6.9 O that God would destroy me that he would let his hand go cut me off To these and the like we returne this answer that like as the beautifull Sunne is sometime eclipsed and the light of it to vs-ward is diminished for a time and as Iacob when he had preuailed with God and got a blessing Gen. 32.31 yet halted on the one thigh so the holiest vpon the earth fall faile in dutie and yet recouer thēselues through the seed of grace which God hath put in them 1. Ioh. 3.9 and so constantly to the end persist in grace and sanctimonie Yet to make it plaine by a fuller manifestation know First that at the first conuersion of a sinner he hath not full assurance of Gods loue to him but beleeuing his sinnes are pardonable afterward by spirituall growth he cometh to perswasion they are pardoned lastly to an infallible assurance and certainty thereof as we reade of Abraham Rom. 4.21 8.38 and Paul Faith is first like a bud then a blossome and after fruite of a full growth Eze. 47.3 As the waters that issued out from vnder the Temple first tooke the Prophet to the ancles thē to the knees after to the loynes lastly became a riuer that could not be passed ouer so are the graces of God in his children small at the first and haue their growth both by degrees and by attending to the word of his grace 2. Thes 1.3 So Paul thanked God that the faith of the Thessalonians grew daily 2. Secondly by some fall into a heinous sinne faith is much weakned euen as a mans body is by a sharpe and sore disease which moued Dauid to cry Psal 51.11 Cast me not away from thy presence take not thy holy spirit from me restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit 3. Thirdly in time of grieuous tentations when Satans suggestions moue him to thinke hardly of God and to thinke of himselfe that he is but an hypocrite deceiuing both himselfe and others though God be good to his Saints yet hath he forsaken him that he is no true member of Christs Church but as a dead branch Notwithstanding this fall in the spirituall combate there is a recouerie Psal 37.24 God putting his hand vnder that though he fall yet he falleth not away In such fearefull skirmishes it is with Gods elect as it was with the Patriarch Iacob in his trials for he once thought that he had lost three of his children Ioseph is not Gen. 42.36 and Simeon is not and ye will take Beniamin yet through the kindnesse of his God he receiued them all three againe to the great ioy and gladnesse of his heart So when faith seemeth to be quite lost and extinguished or at the most like a sparkle of fire couered with embers yet where it once was in truth it is recouered fully as in Dauid and Peter and manifesteth it selfe Mat. 8.25 somewhile in 1. Prayer for though fainting faith said We perish yet strugling and recouering faith cryed Ionas 2.7 Lord saue vs. Ionas soule fainted in him Yet remembred the Lord and his prayer came to him in his holy Temple Otherwise by 2. Hope On thee O Lord do I waite Psal 38.15 thou wilt heare me my Lord my God Why art thou cast downe my soule why art thou disquieted within me Waite on God for I will yet giue him thankes he is my present helpe and my God In 3. Humiliation also 2. Sam. 15.26 If he say I haue no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good in his eies The perplexitie of some in sundrie temptations is not vnlike Dauids and his men at Ziglag
care is now to walke with God To trust in him for aye On him to hope and him to loue In all things to obey 1. Cor. 10.31 Psal 145.2 Psal 16.3 His glorie I will soundly seeke His praises forth will tell In Saints on earth will I delight In vertue that excell Psal 119.111 His holy word will I esteeme As rule of life most pure And striue to liue as it directs To make my calling sure 2. Pet. 1.10 The life of grace as way to blisse I wholly will embrace And shun allwaies of wickednesse That may my life disgrace Yea I will warre against all sinne 1. Tim. 6.12 Ephe. 6.10 And stoutly still will fight Perswaded sure through Christ my King To conquer by his might And though through frailtie of my flesh I faile I fall or sinne Mine inward man doth it detest Rom. 7.15 And loath to lie therein My heart can witnesse that by me When Gods Law was transgrest It was not I but Adam old Rom. 7.17 Indwelling-sinne my guest Which like vnto Goliah strong Doth daily vexe and rage Whereas mine inward man is weake Like Dauid yong of age Yet shall mine inward Dauid once 1. Sam. 17.51 Triumphantly preuaile And great Goliah ouerthrow Who doth so sore assaile Meane while each conquest ouer sinne Makes Gods loue to appeare Psal 116.17 And I new thankes and praise to him Will offer in his feare Another signe of Gods sure loue I cannot chuse but know In that both Diuell and foes did rage Psal 41.11 Yet could not me downe throw For God my strength did me vphold And kept me safe and sure 1. Sam. 12.22 Psal 136.1 He is no changling now to shrinke His mercies still endure And though my fals bring griefe and feare I shall not fall away Iohn 8.28 The sheepe of God cannot be lost Although they go astray Eze. 34.11 For Christ doth go to wildernesse When one sheepe he doth lacke He seekes it there vntill he find Mat. 18.12 And brings it on his backe The Couenant old to do vs good And put in vs his feare Ier. 32.40 That we from him should not depart It doth my soule much cheare Luk. 22.32 That Peters faith might neuer faile Christ here on earth did pray He now in heauen my Aduocate Will me vphold and stay A surer seale a sweeter pledge God giues me inwardly His holy Spirit which in my heart Rom. 8.16 Doth Abba Father crie My free Adoption he makes knowne 1. Ioh. 2.20 My deare Redemption seales My full Attonement with my God Rom. 8.16 He inwardly reueales He bends my heart vnto his will Eze. 36.27 He guides me by his Law To trust in him to loue him still On him to stand in awe His pow'r sometimes though I feele not Through sinne and fleshly feare Yet seede of grace sowne in my heart 1. Ioh. 3.9 In time doth me vpreare His loue so old so sweete so firme My heart with ioy doth fill Whom once he loues he neuer leaues Ioh. 13.1 But doth embrace him still The legacie of lasting life Rom. 6.23 His gift it is most free How then can any thing debarre Or keepe the same from me Wherefore were seales to Couenant set Mat. 26.28 Isa 34.9 Why did our Lord oft sweare But to cheare vp the fainting soule And make his loue appeare Hence I by faith vnto my selfe Gods promises apply Gal. 2.20 And say with Paul Christ so lou'd me That he did for me die Ioh 18.17 Ioh. 20.24 Mat. 12.20 And though with Peter I fall farre Or do with Thomas doubt Thou that breakst not the bruised reede Nor smoking flaxe put out As thou didst them restore in grace And made them to abide So wilt thou me who onely art Ioh. 20 28. My King my God my guide So whether it be thy holy will Rom. 14.8 That I shall liue or die I am thine owne and so shall be Now and eternally Luke 1.47 Wherefore in God my Sauiour My soule do thou reioyce In praysing of his holy Name Lift vp a chearefull voice Psal 107.22 In offering vp such sacrifice Lord make me spend my daies Make it my studie and my ioy To giue thee thankes and praise The Complaints of a Sinner The Comforts of our Sauiour SINNER COnceiu'd in sin in sin brought forth Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.14 Rom. 5.12 Gen. 8.21 Sold vnder sinne I was Seede of all sinne in me vile vaine I vglie am alas SAVIOVR A Sauiour I am to that flocke 2. Cor. 6.17 Ioh. 1.13 1. Cor. 6.11 Whom I anew create Thou borne of God by new-birth art Through me in happie state SINNER The Law of God as iust and good Rom. 7.10.7.12 Doth blesse who it fulfill But me for my foule faults and sinnes It doth both curse and kill Gal. 3.10 SAVIOVR The holy Law of God most high I haue fulfilled for thee Rom. 10.4 Heb. 8.10 Act. 16.31 Beleeue the Couenant of my grace And blessed thou shalt be SINNER The guilt of sinne breeds griefe dread Rom. 6.21 7.11 It woundeth as a sword Psal 38. An hell on earth it seemes to me What helpe for this O Lord SAVIOVR 1. Pet. 3.18 1. Pet. 2.24 When I the iust for vniust died And bare your sinnes on tree From guilt of sinne I clearly set Eze. 18.27 Repentant sinners free SINNER Rom. 6.23 1. Cor. 10.5 Sharpe punishments with wrathfull rods By each sinne we procure What mortall man can them escape Or yet the stripes endure SAVIOVR Iohn 1.29 Ioh. 3.16 Deut. 8.2 The Lambe of God your sinnes hath borne Beleeuers are made free To worke amendment rods are sent To trie and humble thee SINNER Rom. 7.23 Sinnes bondage blinds besots my mind My heart to euill bends Rom. 8.7 To hate the good to loue the bad To aime at sinfull ends SAVIOVR Rom. 6.22 Thou seruant made to righteousnesse By my grace art set free 2. Cor. 10.4 Though yet a while thou tug and toile Till warfare ended be SINNER Through flesh so fraile I oft am foild Rom. 7.15 What I would not I do What good I would I leaue vndone Rom. 7.19 This weakenesse works my wo. SAVIOVR Yet spirit oft the flesh doth courbe Rom. 7.22 1. Cor. 9.27 Rom. 8.13 And shall in time all sway This battell will a conquest bring To perfect peace make way SINNER The wicked world on euill set 1. Ioh. 5.14 Allures me vnto sinne Hath sundry snares and fearefull plagues Iam. 4.4 And oft wraps me therein SAVIOVR Thy home is heauen seeke after it 2. Cor. 5.2 Vaine worldly pleasures flie A friend to world is foe to God Iam. 4.4 Loue thou the things on hie SINNER The vglie Diuell sweld with spite Reu. 12.17 To sinne doth tempt me still And Lion-like seekes here and there 1. Pet. 5.8 Whom to deuoure and kill SAVIOVR Iam. 4.7 Ioh. 12.31 By faith resist and he will flie From heauen he is out cast Rom. 16.20 And vnder foote he shall be trod Through my great power at last SINNER Heb. 2.15 Vnwelcome death so gastly grim Vntimely comes with speed Heb. 9.27 My precious life it will cut off And keepes me in much dreed SAVIOVR 1. Cor. 15.55 Philip. 1.21 I conquer'd Death Deaths sting is gone It ends thy cares and sinne To lasting life it s as a gate By it thou entrest in SINNER Luk. 16.24 Hell-torments are a liuing death The paines of easelesse wo Reu. 19. â—0 For sinners these prepar'd of old These fright my heart also SAVIOVR Iob 42.6 Mourne for thy sinnes abhorre thy selfe Haue stedfast faith in me Reu. 20.14 I vanquish'd death and hell also For all that faithfull be SINNER The dreadfull day of doome drawes on When all men must appeare 2. Cor. 5.10 The Iudge is iust our sinnes are great Act. 17.31 What will then ease my feare SAVIOVR The righteous Iudge thy Sauiour is Iohn 5.27 Who will thee surely blisse But hypocrites will send to hell Mat. 24.51 The righteous doome is this SINNER O Sauiour sweete my life my light Instruct me to know thee What is thy will what is that good Thou hast laid vp for me Vnfained faith in me increase And make me strong therein To vanquish Satan doubts and feares And each presumptuous sinne Teach me with patient hope to waite On thy good pleasure still With true submission of my heart And conquest of my will My frozen heart set thou on fire With loue of thee my Lord With loue of grace of heauen of Saints With loue of thy sweet word The holy feare of thy great Name So put into my heart As may cause me from wickednesse And from all sinne depart The sacrifice of daily thankes From ground of heart I giue To thee my God with ioyfulnesse By whom my soule doth liue Let all my life set forth thy praise And therein neuer ceasse O grant me growth in godlinesse O let mine end be peace FINIS