and judge againe If prophane Despysers of holie SCRIPTVRE vvho disdayne to reade or obey what GOD commaundeth therein bee not to bee ranked in the same Roll. For GOD draweth so â—igh vnto vs in His Word speaking vnto vs as a king vnto his Subjects or a Master vnto his Servauntes that the obedience or disobedience which wee giue to His Speaches resolveth directlie and immediatelie vpon GOD HIMSELFE For vvhat is it else to heare and belieue and obey GOD but To heare and belieue and obey His Speaches And vvhat is it Nor to take notice of GOD to despyse and disobey GOD but Not to take notice of His Speaches not to reade His Wrytings and not to care for anie thing that Hee commaundeth promiseth or threatneth Therefore hath the LORD written the Great thinges of His Lawe vnto vs even to bee a Touch-Stone not onelie to trye all mens Doctrine there-by but also to trye all mens disposition towardes Himselfe and howe they stand affected to His Honour whether as Foes or as Friendes For What readier way is there to get evidence of a man destitute of the Knowledge Fayth Loue Feare and the rest of the partes of the Image of GOD than to finde him destitute of the Knowledge and Loue of the SCRIPTVRE What surer Signe of a man who for the present is enemie to GOD and to the enlargement of His Gracious Kingdome than to find him traducing the perfect Law of the LORD and marring to his power the free course of the Scriptures light which is the Scepter of CHRIST'S Kingdome Agayne What surer Signe of a Chyld of Promise begotten of GOD than to see him with DAVID PSAL. 119. making more of the Scriptures nor of a kingdome and powring out all his Affections vpon it as vpon the nearest Meane where-by GOD'S Spirit may be conveyed into his soule for perfecting of Holinesse and the readiest Chariot to carrie vp his spirite to dwell in GOD for perfecting of his happinesse Wee shall find also answerable to GOD'S Purpose of trying men by His Scripture His Wisdome giving a due meeting vnto men as they doe make vse of His Scripture Doe they not reade it or doe they reade and not consider it Doe they not weygh what is imported by it in sense and meaning It fareth with them as with those to whom CHRIST sayd MATTH 22.29 You erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Doe they not loue it Behold their Plague 2. THESS 2.10.11.12 Because they receaved not the loue of the Trueth that they might be saved for this verie cause sayeth the Text God shall send them strong delusion that they should belieue a Lie that they might be damned Doe they not steadfastlie belieue what they learne in Scripture In God's judgement with the foolish and vnstable they are suffered to wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction were they never so great wits 2. PET. 3.16 Doe they not studie to giue obedience vnto the knowne Trueth of it He dealeth with them as with Israell PSAL. 81.11 My people would not hearken vnto My Voyce and Israell would none of Mee Hee counteth Himselfe rejected because His Word was rejected But what followeth Vers. 12. So I gaue them vp vnto their owne heartes lust and they walked in their owne counsels But to such as will bee Christ's Disciples indeede Students seeking to grow in Knowledge Beliefe and obedience of His Word seeking to loue Him and keepe His Sayings Hee promiseth IOHN 14.26 to sende vnto them The Spirit of Trueth the Comforter the holie Ghost to teach them all things That is To perfect their knowledge more and more by His Spirit to fill their hearts with joye and comfort according to His Trueth and to make them holie more and more And why are all these styles given Even to show that such as will haue Christ's Spirit to worke anie of these must seeke Him to worke all of these joyntlie or not to haue Him for working anie of them at all Neyther Comfort without Trueth nor Comfort without Holinesse The same is it which Wisdome cryeth PROV 8.34.35.36 Blessed is the man that heareth Me watching daylie at My Gates wayting at the Posts of My Doores For who so findeth Mee findeth Lyfe and shall obtayne favour of the Lord. But hee that sinneth agaynst Me wrongeth his owne Soule all that hate Mee loue Death Therefore howe thou doest hate Death and loue thyne owne Soule howe thou standest affected towardes GOD and the fellowship of the COMFORTER the holie SPIRIT the SPIRIT of TRVETH and towardes the enlargement of the Kingdome of CHRIST let thy affection TOWARDS the SCRIPTVRES more aboundant dvvelling in thy selfe and FOR the SCRIPTVRES more free course amongst others beare witnesse Fare-well THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE HEBREWES WHen Peter wrote his second Epistle to the scattered Hebrewes there was extant an Epistle of Paul to those same scattered Hebrews also received in the Church for a part of Canonicall Scripture distinguished from Pauls â—ther Epistles 2. Pet. 3.15.16 Therefore amongst other reasons this may bee one to make vs thinke this Epistle must be it For it is without reason to thinke that the Churches should bee negligent in keeping such a Iewell commended vnto them by the authoritie of two chiefe Apostles or lose Pauls Epistle and keepe Peters which maketh mention of it The summe of the Epistle BEcause the Hebrews were hardlie drawne from the observation of Leviticall Ordinances vnto the simplicitie of the Gospell and in danger of making Apostacie from the Christian Fayth by Persecution the Apostle Paul seueth before their eyes the Glorie of Iesus Christ in His person farre aboue men and Angels by whose Ministerie the Law was given not onelie as God Chap. 1. but also as man Chap. 2. and in His Office aboue Moses Chap. 3. Threatning them therefore if they should misbelieue Christs Doctrine Chap. 3.4 and aboue the Leviticall high Priest Chap. 5. Threatning them agayne if they should make Apostacie from Him Chap. 6. yea aboue all the glorie of the Leviticall Ordinances as Hee in whom all those thinges had their accomplishment and period of expyring Chap. 7.8.9.10 Threatning them agayne if they should not persevere in the Fayth of Christ vnto which perseverance through whatsoever difficulties hee encowrageth them by the example of the Faythfull before them Chap. 10.11 and by other grounds of Christian comfort Chap. 12. That so in the fruitfull obedience of the Gospell they might follow vpon Christ seeking for that Citie that is to come and not for their earthlie Hierusalem anie more Chapter 13. The summe of Chap. I. IF you shall make comparison O Hebrewes the Ministerie of the Gospell shall bee found more glorious than the Ministerie of the Law For the manner of Gods dispensing His Will before Christ came was by part and part and subject to His owne addition not after one setled manner but subject to alteration and by the Ministerie of men the Prophets Vers. 1. But
anie Angell 2. The Father hath sayde to Christ Sit Thou on my right hand vntill I make thyne enemies thy Foote-stoole THEN 1. Christ's Kingdome will not want enemies 2. Yea his enemies shall bee such as there shall bee neede of divine wisedome and power to overcome them 3. GOD professeth himselfe Partie agaynst all the enemies of Christ's Church and Kingdome 4. GOD will put them at vnder piece and piece and altogether at length 5. Their opposition and overthrow shall serue to glorifie Christ's Kingdome and Governament they shall bee his Foote-stoole 6. In the meane time of this Battell Christ in his owne Person shall continue equall in Glorie and Majestie with the Father beholding the Victorie brought about and bringing it about with the Father vnto his Souldiours comfort Vers. 14. Are they not all ministring Spirits sent foorth to minister for them who shall bee Heyres of Salvation 1. THE Angels are all ministring Spirites THEN 1. Angels are not bodies but their substance is invisible 2. They are all of them even these that are called Arch-Angels the greatest of them but servantes to Christ and none of them must haue their Master's honour that is anie religious worship of prayer or invocation made to them 2. They are sent foorth for Service or Ministring THEN Their employment is about God's Children to attende vs and serue vs at Christ's direction not to bee served by vs by anie devotion 3. Christ's Subjects are called Heyres of Salvation THEN 1. They are Sonnes 2. And what they get is by Heyrship by vertue of their Adoption and Sonneship not by merit of their workes 3. And they shall surelie get Salvation as an Heritage never to bee taken from them The Summe of Chap. II. FRom the former Doctrine hee inferreth seeing Christ is so glorious let his Gospell bee steadfastlie believed Vers. 1. For if the disobedience of the Law given by the Ministerie of Angels was punished Vers. 2. Farre more the disobedience of the Gospell so gloriouslie confirmed Vers. 3.4 For Christ is greater than the Angels even as Man and hath all thinges in subjection to him Vers. 5. As David witnesseth speaking of elected Men with their Head the Man Christ Vers. 6.7.8 And albeit wee see not that subjection yet fullie accomplished Vers. 8. Yet it is begun in Christ's personall exaltation And for his short humiliation vnder the estate of Angels by suffering wee must not stumble For it is both glorious to himselfe and profitable for vs Vers. 9. For God's glorie requyred that our salvation should bee wrought by sufferinges of the Mediator Vers. 10. And to this ende hee behoved to bee part-taker of our nature as was foretolde Vers. 11.12.13 That hee might take on our due punishment that is Death Vers. 14. And deliver his owne from the feare thereof Vers. 15. And herein wee haue a Priviledge aboue the Angels in that hee tooke on our nature and not theirs Vers. 16. And by his sufferinges a ground of so much greater Comfort in Him Vers. 17.18 The Doctrine of Chap. II. Vers. 1. Therefore wee ought to giue the more earnest heede to the thinges which wee haue heard lest at anie tyme wee should let them slip 1. THerefore wee ought to giue heede c. From the Excellencie of Christ's Person hee vrgeth the Beliefe of his Doctrine THEN 1. CHRIST must bee esteemed of as becommeth the Excellencie of His Person 2. The way howe CHRIST will bee respected of vs is by respecting His Doctrine And the Excellencie of His Person should procure our reverend receiving of His Word and steadfast holding of it 2. Hee will haue vs to take heede lest wee should let it slip The word is borrowed from rent and leking Vessels or sandie ground THEN 1. The Gospell is a precious Liquor worthie to bee well keeped And wee of our selues are as rent Vessels readie to let it slip when wee haue heard it or lyke sandie ground which keepeth not the rayne 3. For this wee ought to giue the more earnest heede THEN The Conscience of the worth of CHRIST and His Gospell and of our owne vnfitnesse to retayne it should sharpen our Vigilancie and Attendance to keepe it else wee will doubtlesse let it slip 4. Hee sayeth not lest shortlie but lest at anie tyme. THEN It is not sufficient to belieue the Word for a whyle and for a whyle to remember it but wee must gripe it so as never to quyte iâ— by misregarde or misbeliefe For Fayth and loue of the Trueth is the good memorie that speciallie hee requyreth heere Vers. 2. For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast and everie transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward 1. HEe reasoneth from the Law spoken by Angels THEN The Angels were employed in giving of the Law they did blow the Trumpet they from GOD vttered the Word to Moses 2. The word spoken by them was steadfast THEN What GOD delivereth by the Ministerie of Messengers is authorized and ratified by GOD. 3. Everie transgression was punished THEN The punishment of transgressours of His Law is a proofe of GOD'S authorizing the Doctrine 4. Hee calleth the Punishment a just Recompense THEN There is no evill befalleth sinners more than they doe deserue None hath cause to complayne of injustice Vers. 3. How shall wee escape if wee neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to bee spoken by the LORD and was confirmed vnto vs by them that heard Him 1. HOw shall wee escape The Apostle joyneth himselfe with them in the Threatning THEN So should Preachers threaten their people as willing to vnderlye the same punishment except they flee the sinne for which they threaten others 2. Hee reasoneth from the punishment of the Law breaking to proue the punishment of misbelieving the Gospell THEN 1. The not-embracing of the Gospell is a greater sinne than the breach of the Law The despysing of Forgiuenesse is much worse nor the making of the fault 2. Examples of judgement vpon Transgressours of the Law are Evidences of greater judgementes to come on the misregarders of the Gospell 3. Hee calleth the Gospell so great a Salvation because of the free Offer of Remission of sinnes and eternall Lyfe in it THEN The greatnesse of the Benefit to bee gotten by the Gospell aggreageth the sinne of the misregarders of it 4. Hee sayeth not If wee reject denye or persecute the Gospell but if wee neglect THEN The neglect of the Doctrine of the Gospell the carelesse receiving of it the not-studying to know it is sufficient to draw downe heavier judgementes than ever fell on the breakers of the Law albeit a man bee not an Vnder-myner or open Enemie to the Gospell 5. Hee descrybeth the Gospell to bee that Doctrine which Christ himselfe preached and his Apostles from him THEN Wee are not bound to belieue anie more for Gospell than that which is made cleare vnto vs by His Apostles word And the misregarding of other doctrine which is not
Partie THEN The vse extent and nature of GOD'S Worde must bee well studied lest through misstaking or ignorance heereof a man should missapply or missregarde it 2. The first propertie of the Worde it is Quicke That is dieth not when those die to whome first it was directed but endureth speaking on with that same authoritie to all that heare it in all tymes after THEN The Word is not a dead Letter nor expyred with former Ages but the same to vs that it was before to others fit for operation and working the worke for which it is sent for convincing or converting the hearer alway 3. Agayne it is Powerfull That is not fitte to worke onelie but actiue and operatiue in effect actuallie bynding the Conscience to obedience or judgement make the Sinner what opposition hee will Yea it falleth a-working on the hearer if hee belieue it presentlie to cleare his mynde rectifie his will and reforme his lyfe and to bring about his good and safetie If a man belieue it not it falleth a-working also presentlie to binde him guiltie vnto judgement and to augment his naturall blyndnesse and his heartes hardnesse and to bring on some degree of the deserved punishment vpon himselfe albeit not of its owne nature but by the disposition of the Object wherevpon it worketh THEN 1. The Worde wanteth not the owne effect whensoever it is preached but alwayes helpeth or hurteth the hearer as hee yeeldeth to it or rejecteth or neglecteth it 2. Wee shall doe well to obserue what sorte of operation it hath vpon vs seeing it must haue some that wee may bee framed to the better by it 4. Another propertie of the Worde It is sharper than anie two-edged Sworde because it pearceth speedilie thorow a brasen Brow and dissembling countenance and a lying mouth and thrusteth it selfe without suffering resistance into the conscience of the most obstinate with a secret blow and maketh him guiltie within his owne Breast THEN 1. Let not Preachers thinke their labour lost when they haue to doe with obstinate sinners The stroke is given at the hearing of the Worde which will bee found vncured after 2. Neyther let dissemblers please themselues with a fayre countenance put vpon the matter as if the Worde did not touch them but rather giue Glorie to GOD in tyme when they are pricked at the heart For if they still dissemble the wound receaved of this Sworde the wound shall prooue deadlie 4. Pearcing even to the dividing a-sunder of the Soule and the Spirit That is Those most secret devyses and plottes of the mynde or spirite and those clossest affections of the heart or soule towardes anie forbidden evill this Worde will finde out yea it can divyde a-sunder the Soule and the Spirit the heart and the mynde and tell the man how his Soule or heart cleaveth to the sinne and how his mynde plotteth pretenses to hyde the evill of it from himselfe and others even in those sinnes which haue not broken foorth but lye as derne in the mynde as the marrow in the bones And it can put difference betwixt the purposes of the heart and the thoughtes how to compasse the designe and howe to hyde the convoy Or those wayes â—owe the Sinner doeth begayle himselfe and secketh to syle the eyes of others the Worde doeth decypher and distinguish all these thinges which selfe-deceaving sophistrie confoundeth THEN 1. Secret purposes fall vnder the judicatorie of the Word as well as practises accomplished 2. Pretenses and excuses will not put off the challenge of it 3. Nothing remayneth but that wee giue vp our selues to the Wordes Governament fleeing what it dischargeth and following what it commaundeth Vers. 13. Neyther is there anie creature that is not manifest in His Sight but all thinges are naked and opened vnto the eyes of Him with whom we haue to doe To cleare the power of the Word hee bringeth in the propertie of GOD whose Worde it is and setteth vp the Sinner's secret thought in the sight of the all-seeing GOD with whom hee hath to doe THEN 1. GOD is the Partie with whome the hearer of the Worde hath to doe and hath his Reckoning to make and not the Preacher 2. GOD joyneth with His Worde and giveth it that searching and discovering and pearcing Vertue 3. GOD'S Omniscience and All-seeing Sight should make vs looke to our inward disposition so shall this and other lyke Exhortations and Threatninges haue better effect and fruit in vs. Vers. 14. Seeing then that wee haue a great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens IESUS the Sonne of GOD let vs holde fast our Profession 1. HEE giveth them a Direction for entering into their Rest To holde fast their Profession That is In fayth and loue to avow the Doctrine of CHRIST THEN 1. Hee that would enter into Rest must bee steadfast in mayntayning and avowing the true Religion of CHRIST 2. Hee who quyteth the Profession of the Trueth of CHRST taketh courses to cutte off himselfe from GOD'S Rest. For if wee denye CHRIST Hee will denye vs. 2. Hee commaundeth To holde fast our Profession THEN 1. GOD will not bee pleased with backe-slyding or coldrysnesse or indifferencie in matters of Religion because this is not to holde it fast but to take a loose grippe which is the readie way to Defection 2. There is daunger Lest our Adversaries pull the Trueth from vs. 3. The more daunger wee fore-see the more stronglie must wee grippe the Trueth 3. The Encowragement which hee giveth to holde fast is Wee haue CHRIST a great high Priest c. THEN 1. As wee haue neede of Threatning to dryue vs to enter into GOD'S Rest So haue wee neede of Encowragementes to drawe vs therevnto 2. All our Encowragement is from the Helpe which wee shall haue in CHRIST and that is sufficient 3. CHRIST is alwayes for vs in His Office albeit wee doe not alwayes feele Him sensiblie in vs. 4. Hee calleth CHRIST A great high Priest to put difference betwixt the typicall high Priest and Him in whom the trueth of the Priesthood is found THEN What the typicall high Priest did in show for the people that the great high Priest doeth in substance for vs That is reconcileth vs to GOD perfectlie blesseth vs with all Blessinges solidlie and intercedeth for vs perpetuallie 5. Hee affirmeth of CHRIST That Hee is passed into the Heavens to wit in regarde of His Manhead to take Possession thereof in our name THEN 1. CHRIST'S corporall presence is in Heaven onelie and not on earth from whence He is passed 2. CHRIST'S corporall presence in Heaven and absence from vs in that respect hindereth not our Right vnto Him and spirituall having or possessing of Him 3. Yea it is our Encowragement to seeke entrie into Heaven that Hee is there before vs. 6. Hee calleth Him IESUS the Sonne of GOD to leade vs through His Humanitie vnto His Godhead THEN No Rest on the Mediator till wee goe to the Rocke of His
they cannot get Repentance Because they maliciouslie renounce Christ and crucifie Him a-fresh vnto themselues That is drawe on the guiltinesse which His Enemies who crucified Him did lye vnder by Apostasie allowing their crucifying of Him THEN 1. An Apostate from CHRIST'S Doctrine doeth CHRIST as open shame as hee can and sayeth in effect of CHRIST that His Doctrine is false and not to bee mayntayned 2. An Apostate alloweth Iudas and the Iewes for crucifying of CHRIST and accounteth CHRIST no other worthie than so to bee dealt withall 3. Renouncing of CHRIST maketh Repentance impossible For Hee is a Prince to giue Repentance vnto ISRAELL And therefore hee who will not quyte CHRIST nor His true Doctrine is not debarred from Repentance having nor from Salvation Vers. 7. For the earth which drinketh in the rayne that commeth oft vpon it and bringeth foorth Herbes meete for them by whom it is dressed receaveth Blessing from GOD. Vers. 8. But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected and is nigh vnto cursing whose ende is to bee burned HEE giveth a reason of the punishment of Apostates from the lesse to the more vnder a similitude from Land-labouring thus As GOD blesseth such men who after paynes taken on them bring foorth the Fruites of good Workes So doeth Hee curse those who after paynes taken on them doe bring foorth but evill workes And if it bee but equitie that GOD curse Professoures who bring foorth but evill fruites in their lyfe Much more equitie Hee should curse Apostates who professe open hostilitie agaynst Him The similitude SHOWETH 1. That men are lyke vnmanured land before they bee brought within the Church but after they are made part-takers of the Gospell then are they lyke manured Land within Hedges GOD'S Husbandrie 2. That such as begin to bring foorth Fruites worthie of Repentance GOD blesseth and maketh more fruitfull 3. That the Meanes of Grace vnder the Gospell are to our Soules as Rayne and Labouring and other Husbandrie is to the Ground Vers. 8. But that which beareth Thorns and Brieres is rejected and is nigh vnto cursing whose ende is to bee burned THE Similitude SHOWETH 1. That a man may perish for not bringing foorth the Fruites of the Gospell allbeeit hee fall not into the sinne agaynst â—he holie Ghost 2. That there is as great reason why GOD should cast away a man who amendeth not his lyfe by the Gospell as that an Husband-man should giue over labouring of a piece of evill ground 3. And by this meanes also showeth That God's most severe Iudgements haue all of them moste equitable reasons 4. That there is a necessitie of bringing foorth the Fruites of Well-doing if a man would be free of the Curse eyther of Apostates or of the barren Land Vers. 9. But Beloved wee are perswaded better thinges of you and things that accompanie Salvation though wee thus speake 1. HEE mittigateth his threatning of them for feare of hurting their Fayth Beloved sayth hee wee are perswaded better thinges of you though wee thus speake THEN 1. A Preacher may threaten fearfullie those of whome hee hath good hopes yet with prudencie lest hee harme them 2. And people threatened must beware of weakening their owne Fayth knowing that threateninges are not vsed to weaken Fayth but to put away Securitie and Sloathfullnesse 2. Hee taketh his Assurance of them from such thinges as accompanie Salvation THEN In the Fruites of Fayth there are Markes and Evidences of a man's salvation to bee found which may giue a charitable perswasion of their blessed Estate to such as knowe them Vers. 10. For GOD is not vnrighteous to forget your worke and labour of loue which you haue showed towards His Name in that yee haue ministred to the Sayncts and doe minister 1. THE reason of his good hopes of them is their by-gone and present Fruites of Loue towards CHRIST'S Name and His Sayncts THEN 1. The Workes of Loue done for the Glorie of CHRIST or to His Sayncts for CHRIST'S sake from tyme to tyme as GOD giveth occasion are evident Markes of a man's salvation and more sure Tokens of saving Grace given than Illumination and Tastinges spoken of before 2. No loue is to be reckoned for Loue but working Loue. 3. No workes are right Workes which flowe not from Loue to CHRIST 2. Of such Workes hee sayeth that GOD is 〈◊〉 vnrighteous to forget them and so prooveth their Salvation because such Fruites accompanie Salvation THEN 1. With the Grace of laborious Loue towardes CHRIST'S Name the Grace of Salvation doeth goe in companie 2. Iustice doeth agree with Grace in the Rewarde of Well-doing because the Rewarde is graciouslie promised and Righteousnesse maketh Promises to bee performed 3. The man that loveth CHRIST 〈◊〉 deede and in trueth hath that which is moste â—errible in GOD for the Pawne of his Salvaâ—ion even His Iustice. 3. These are they whome hee reprooved for weakâ—esse of Knowledge Chap. v. Vers. 12. whome 〈◊〉 hee commendeth for their good Affection and â—â—â—ites THEN 1. Meane knowledge if 〈◊〉 bee sanctified and sound will bee fruitfull in the â—orks of Loue. 2. This Vertue of Loue is no exâ—use for sloathfull following of the Meanes of Knowâ—edge wee must growe in Loue and grow in Knowâ—edge also Vers. 11. And wee desire that everie one of you doe showe the same diligence to the full assurance of hope vnto the ende 1. HEE exhorteth to continue diligent vnto the ende THEN 1. The diligent haue neede of exhortation to goe on 2. Exhortation to perseverance Importeth not suspicion of falling away but serveth to farther Perseverance rather 3. No other Tearme-day is set to our diligence but the ende No licence to slacke or giue over 2. The ende of their going on in diligence is their fâ—ll assurance of hope THEN 1. Whatsoever measure of assurance men haue they may yet obtayne a fuller measure of it Still wee must studie to growe 2. Constant diligence in the works of Loue is the readie meane to foster and augment our Assurance 3. Christian Hope is not a Conjecture or Probabilitie but an Assurance Vers. 12. That yee bee not sloathfull but followers of them who through Fayth and Patience inherite the Promises 1. HEE setteth the Example of the Fathers before them to bee imitated THEN 1. So manie examples as wee haue in Scripture of the Godlie gone before as manie Leaders and Encowragers must wee reckon our selues to haue 2. The Paynfull and not the Sloathfull are the true Imitators of allowed Examples 3. In the Way to Heaven there are manie things befalling vs which make it vnlyklie wee shall come there for which cause there is neede of Fayth 4. A tyme must interveane and troubles also ere Heaven bee possessed There is therefore neede of Patience also 2. They inherite the Promise sayeth hee THEN 1. The moste patient and paynfull Servauntes of GOD get not Heaven by Merite but by Inheritance 2. They get not Heaven by Merite but by Promise Now
to the greatest THEN 1. The Newe Covenant admitteth all Rankes and Degrees of Persons and excludeth none high nor lowe that loue to embrace it 2. It may bee in sundrie poynctes of Trueth some of them bee ignorant and misstaken more nor other some But of the saving Knowledge of GOD in CHRIST they shall all haue light in a saving measure 3. The greatest as well as the meanest in what-so-ever respect of Place or Giftes must bee GOD'S Disciples in the studie of Saving Knowledge and heartie obedience Vers. 12. For I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnesse and their sinnes and their iniquities will I remember no more 1. TO make vs belieue the former Promises hee addeth to a Newe Article of Remission of Sinnes because from the Conscience of those ordinarilie doe aryse our Doubts and difficultie of drawing neare to GOD. THEN 1. The Conscience of Sinne must not dryue vs away from GOD but rather force vs to run vnto GOD more humblie because onelie to such as come vnto Him in His CHRIST is Remission of Sinne promised 2. What-so-ever sorte of sinnes they bee Vnrighteousnesse or Sinne or Iniquitie they shall not hinder GOD to bee gracious to the Penitent fleeing to this Covenant for Refuge 2. In saying For I will bee mercifull 1. Hee maketh His Mercie pardoning Sinne the REASON of His bestowing the former good things His giving of one Grace the Reason of giving another even Grace for Grace 2. Hee maketh His Mercie the Ground of all this Favour and nothing in the man's person or workes or worthinesse of his fayth 3. The word MERCIFVLL is in the Originall PACIFIED and doeth importe both GOD'S respect to the Propitiatorie Sacrifice of CHRIST which pacifieth Him towardes vs and also our duetie in looking towardes it as the Pryce of our Reconciliation 3. In that the LORD joyneth the Promise of putting His Lawe in the mynde and wryting it in our heart with the Promise of Remission of Sinnes HEE TEACHETH VS That Hee will haue everie Confederate Soule that seeketh the Benefite of this Covenant to joyne all these Benefites together in their Claime vvith Remission of Sinne seeking to joyne the illumination of their mynde renovation of their heart and lyfe at least in their desires and endevours and not to fever one of them from another but studie in vprightnesse to haue them all 4. Whyle Hee sayeth Hee will remember their sinnes no more HEE TEACHETH 1. That Hee will never forgiue sinne nor forget it but set it ever in His sight till a man enter into this Covenant with Him through CHRIST 2. That when Hee hath forgiven sinne Hee forgetteth sinne also what-so-ever Hee remitteth Hee remooveth from His rememberance Vers. 13. In that Hee sayeth A Newe Covenant Hee hath made the first olde Nowe that which decayeth and waxeth olde is readie to vanish away FROM the name that the LORD giveth this Covenant in calling it New hee draweth two Consequences The first That the former Covenant by this word was declared olde Next That as it was declared olde so was it declared shortlie after to bee abolished THEN 1. The least word that proceedeth out of GOD'S Mouth is weyghtie and worthie of consideration 2. What-so-ever GOD'S Word doeth importe by due consequence must bee taken for GOD'S Trueth and GOD'S Mynde as if it were expressed 3. Seeing CHRIST is come and the tyme is nowe of this Newe Covenant wee knowe that by GOD'S authoritie the Leviticall Ordinances and whole forme of the Legall Covenant and Ceremoniall formes of worship are abrogated The summe of Chap. IX THEN That you may see this more clearlie Let vs take a view of the typicall Ordinances in the olde Covenant and of their accomplishment in CHRIST Vnder the olde Covenant and typicall Tabernacle there were sundrie shadowes Vers. 1.2 The Tabernacle divided in two rowmes and their furniture within them both Vers. 3.4.5 In the vtter rowme the Priestes resorted daylie Vers. 6. In the inner rowme onelie the high Priest once a-yeare Vers. 7. The close-keeping of which rowme signified That the Way to Heaven was not to bee fullie cleare during the tyme of those shadowes Vers. 8. Nothing done then externallie could quyet the Conscience Vers. 9. All beeing but temporaâ—ie shadowes imposed till CHRIST came to reforme all Vers. 10. But when CHRIST came Hee gaue to those shadowes accomplishment For Hee was Priest of the true Tabernacle of His owne Bodie signified by the typicall Tabernacle Vers. 11. And by His owne Bloode entered into Heaven for our aeternall Redemption Vers. 12. For if the Types procured a Ceremoniall cleansing Vers. 13. Howe much more shall His Bloode truelie and in effect procure our Iustification and Sanctification Vers. 14. And therefore that Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe might bee given to the Faythfull both then of olde and nowe Hee behooved by His Office to make His Testament and die Vers. 15. For so requyreth the nature of a Testament Vers. 16.17 Wherefore the typicall Testament of olde also behooved to haue a typicall death as LEVIT xvj maketh playne Vers. 18.19.20.21 Yea everie Cleansing of the Types and everie Remission behooved to bee with Bloode Vers. 22. Therefore the thinges represented by the Types behooved to bee cleansed by better Bloode even the BLOOD of the MESSIAS Vers. 23. For CHRIST entered not into the typicall Sanctuarie but into Heaven it selfe Vers. 24. And offered not Himselfe often as the imperfect Leviticall Sacrifice was offered Vers. 25. For then should Hee haue often died But His once Offering was sufficient for ever Vers. 26. And as GOD appoynted men but once to die Vers. 27. So CHRIST was but once offered till the Tyme Hee come to Iudgement for the Salvation of the Faythfull Vers. 28. The doctrines of Chap. IX VERS 1. THEN verilie the first Covenant had also Ordinances of Divine Service and a worldlie Sanctuarie THE word Ordinances in the Originall is also Iustifications in the plurall number so called because they represented our Iustification WHEREOF WEE LEARNE 1. That as other thinges were typed vnder the Lawe so also was our Iustification and the manner of obtayning the same shadowed foorth 2. That those things which then were called IVSTIFICATIONS were so called onelie because they were the Representations of the way of obtayning IVSTIFICATION for they did not justifie 3. That albeit IVSTIFICATION bee onelie one yet the types thereof were manie no one of them beeing able to expresse the Trueth but in parte 2. By calling them Ordinances of Divine Service hee teacheth vs That sometyme those Ceremonies which are nowe abolished were during their owne tyme partes of GOD'S externall Worship in regarde of the Commaundement of GOD injoyning them 3. By calling the Sanctuarie Worldlie hee teacheth vs To thinke of all the externall Glorie of Leviticall Service onlie as the earthlie representation of Heavenlie things and vnder all these earthlie shadowes to seeke in to an Heavenlie signification Vers. 2. For there was a Tabernacle made
for the certayne performance of His Word THEN As men vnderstande GOD'S Nature so will His Word weygh with them And such as knowe Him best will stande most awe of and belieue His Word most Vers. 31. It is a fearfull thing to fall into the Handes of the Living GOD. FROM this knowledge of GOD'S Nature hee pronounceth howe fearfull a thing it is to fall into his handes as an adversarie to bee punished THEN 1. It is praesupposed that such as reject the Mercie of CHRIST shall not bee able to reject Iustice but must fall into His Hand 2. The aeternitie of GOD maketh His Wrath terrible For He liveth for ever to avenge Himselfe on His Foes 3. The Terrour of the LORD what Torment Hee is able to inflict and that for ever is a fitte Meane to make men beware to make Apostasie from CHRIST Vers. 32. But call to rememberance the former dayes in which after yee were illuminated yee endured a great fight of afflictions FOR a Meane to helpe them constantlie to goe on hee directeth them to make vse of their former patience and experience of troubles for the Gospell THEN 1. Even they who haue suffered for CHRIST haue neede to bee stirred vp to constancie and to bee terrified from Apostasie 2. The more men haue suffered for CHRIST they ought to bee the bolder in the Profession of His Trueth and the more readie for new Sufferings 2. Hee maketh the tyme of their first troubles to bee after Illumination THEN Some doe enter into troubles for Religion at their verie first conversion and are yoaked in Battell agaynst Persecuters beside other Onsets of Satan and their owne nature Vers. 33. Partlie whylest yee were made a gazing stocke both by reproaches and afflictions and partlie whylest ye became companions of them which were so vsed HEE maketh their troubles in their owne persons by reproaches and afflictions the first parte of their fight wherein they were a gazing flocke to the worlde THEN 1. Such as are called to suffer for CHRIST are set vpon a Theater to giue proofe of their Fayth and loue to CHRIST before the worlde 2. The blynde worlde wondereth at such as adventure to suffer anie thing for the Trueth of CHRIST thinke but ignominiouslie of CHRIST and His Cause and of those that mayntayne the same 3. Reproaches and tauntes of the Godlie by the worlde are reckoned vp to them for partes of their Christian Crosse and of their Glorie before GOD. 2. The next parte of their Fight was their part-taking with such as did suffer the lyke THEN 1. It is the parte of true Christians to countenance them that confesse CHRIST yea and to joyne with them that suffer for Him 2. Communion with the sufferinges of others is reckoned vp for a parte of our owne sufferinges 3. To suffer patientlie our selues or take a parte with others in their sufferings will cost vs a Battell Vers. 34. For yee had compassion of mee in my Bondes and tooke joyfullie the spoyling of your goods knowing in your selues that yee haue in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance HEE commeth to particulars and first their compassion towardes himselfe in his bondes is remembered by him THEN 1. Compassion with Sufferers especiallie when it is manifested to the afflicted partie for his Comfort maketh the compassionate person a part-taker with the sufferer 2. Such compassion should bee remembered by the sufferer thankfullie and recompensed by seeking their aeternall Welfare who haue showed them such great kyndnesse 2. Another particular is their joyfull enduring the spoliation of their goods THEN 1. When tryall commeth of mens fayth in CHRIST such aâ— mynde to bee constant must prepare themselues to quyte their goods if GOD please so to honour them with employment 2. When wee see wee must lose our goods for CHRIST'S sake or suffer anie other inconveniencie we ought to doe it chearfullie and count our gayne in CHRIST more than our losse in the worlde and if wee finde trouble to leâ— our Adversaries know as little of it as wee can namelie seeing there is no cause of griefe if our eyes were opened and our earthlie affections mortified 3. Their encowragement and cause of joye was the sensible feeling within themselues of the Comfort of aeternall Riches in Heaven keeping for them THEN 1. It is the assurance of our healenlie Inheritance which must make vs readie to quyte our earthlie mooueables 2. Who so getteth a heart to quyte anie thing on earth for CHRIST shall haue better in Heaven than hee can lose heere 3. GOD vseth to giue Earnest of what Hoe is to giue in sensible feeling of spirituall Riches to such as belieue in Him 4. When men can esteeme of thinges heavenlie as they are that is enduring goods and of thinges earthlie as they are that is perishing mooueables then shall they readilie quyte the earthie in hope of the heavenlie Vers. 35. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of rewarde NOw hee exhorteth them to goe on in this bolde avowing of CHRIST For this Confidence in the Originall is such as hath with it a full and free profession of all their fayth THEN Confidence and bolde avowing of the Trueth is requyred A playne and full testimonie must wee giue to CHRIST'S Trueth Our confidence in profession is in parte casten when our testimonie is sparing 2. The encowragement hee giveth is the hope of a rewarde THEN 1. Constancie in avowing of CHRIST shall bee well rewarded although not of deserving yet of GOD'S Grace 2. Hee that quyteth his profession renounceth the Rewarde promised to the Constant. QVESTION But doeth not this Exhortation importe the Elects vnsetlednesse and vncertayntie of perseverance I ANSWERE Not but onelie his weaknesse of himselfe and neede of such Exhortations to farther his constancie 2. The daunger of dishonouring GOD in some particular slip or fall is ground sufficient for this Exhortation and this is the moste of necessitie it can importe 3. The Exhortation beeing given to the common Bodie of the visible Professoures toucheth them properlie and noâ— the Elect formallie Vers. 36. For yee haue need of patience that after yee haue done the will of GOD yee might receaue the Promise HEE giveth a Reason Because they haue neede of Patience therefore they must not cast away their Confidence THEN 1. The Rewarde will not bee given till a tyme interveane 2. And Troubles will lye on in the meane whyle to make the tyme seeme the longer 3. Patience is needfull as a Meane to fit vs to attende 4. Confidence of the Trueth must supporte our patience 2. The tyme of their patience hee setteth as long as GOD thinketh good to employ them and after that the Rewarde commeth THEN 1. The tyme of patience is as long as GOD hath anie thing to doe with vs in this worlde 2. Patience must not bee joyned with ydlenesse but with actiue obedience of GOD'S will as Hee requyreth it 3. After that employment
wee turne away from Him that speaketh from Heaven FRom these Considerations hee chargeth them to beware lest they make light account of CHRIST'S Doctrine The word importeth a shifting of CHRIST speaking by some excuse or pretence THEN 1. The way to eschew Prophanitie and Apostasie is to embrace and make much of CHRIST'S speaking vnto vs in His Worde 2. VVhat-so-ever pretences and excuses a man vse to cloake his not-giving heartie obedience to the Doctrine of CHRIST it is but a refusing of Him and a turning away from Him make of it what hee will 2. Hee vrgeth this by threatening more certayne and heavie judgementes than vpon the despysers of Moses who is sayde to speake on earth because hee was but the earthen Vessell which carried GOD'S Will to His People and by earthlie Types and Figures made offer of Grace vnto them But CHRIST as GOD by His owne authoritie casting Heaven open in the playnnesse and spiritualitie of the Doctrine is sayde to speake from Heaven THEN As much as CHRIST'S Person is more excellent than MOSES and His Authoritie aboue his and the Heavenlie Clearnesse of CHRIST'S Gracious Offer aboue his darke Types As much more heavie and certayne Wrath shall overtake the despysers of His Doctrine nor the despysers of MOSES Lawe 3. Hee joyneth himselfe in the same daunger with the people if hee should turne away or refuse THEN Preachers shall doe well to lay the edge of their Threateninges to their owne Heartes and to enroll themselues amongst the threatened That bitternesse towardes the people may bee seene to bee remooved and their owne sluggishnesse may bee rowsed vp seeing they haue none to preach vnto them but themselues Vers. 26. Whose voyce then shooke the Earth but nowe Hee hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth onlie but also Heaven To put an edge vpon the Threatening hee showeth howe terrible CHRIST is in shaking of the Earth by His Voyce at Mount Sinai and by the shaking of Heaven and Earth at the Day of Iudgement THEN 1. The terrible quaking of the Earth and burning of the Mount SINAI was pronounced by the Voyce of CHRIST who therefore is declared to bee the LORD GOD for so EXOD. xix is Hee called 2. His Terrour at the Daye of Iudgement may bee seene in that little Resemblance of Mount SINAI 3. The terriblenesse of CHRIST should make vs stand in awe of His Word Vers. 27. And this word Yet once more doeth signifie the remooving of those thinges which are shaken as of things which are made that those thinges which can not bee shaken may remayne He commenteth vpon the Testimonie of HAGGAI Chap. 2.6 and from this word ONCE concludeth That Heaven and Earth shall passe away and bee chaunged at the power of CHRIST'S vttering of His Voyce That these chaungeable Heavens and Earth beeing remooved Hee may make a Newe Heaven and a New Earth wherein His Subjectes and His Kingdome over them may remayne for ever setled THEN 1. It is a good Meane to get the vnderstanding of GOD'S Mynde in the Scripture to consider and weygh the force of the wordes thereof and what they doe importe by due consequence 2. No more chaunge shall bee of anie thing after the Day of Iudgement because but ONCE MORE and no oftener is CHRIST to shake the same 3. It is for the standing of CHRIST'S Kingdome that the creature is mooved shaken and chaunged All thinges made shall bee shaken but CHRIST'S Kingdome and the Salvation of His Subjectes shall never bee shaken Vers. 28. VVherefore wee receaving a Kingdome which can not bee mooved let vs haue grace whereby wee may serue GOD acceptablie with reverence and godlie feare FRom the nature of this Kingdome graunted vnto vs in CHRIST and from His terriblenesse he exhorteth vs to steadfastnesse of Fayth and humble obedience Hee sayeth Wee haue receaved it because wee haue receaved the Right and Title by the Gospell and soâ—e beginning of it THEN As wee receaue CHRIST in the Gospell wee receaue the Kingdome of Heaven with Him in Right and Title yea in begun Possession which groweth by degrees 2. Hee requyreth of a Receaver of this Kingdome reverent serving of GOD. THEN Right is given to this Kingdome before our service bee done Not because wee haue served heere-to-fore but to obliedge vs to serue GOD heere-after 3. Hee will haue vs to serue GOD acceptablie that is pleasantlie and chearfullie Next with reverence or shame fastnesse and Godlie feare THEN 1. It is not anough that wee doe such workes which belong to GOD'S Service but we must take heede to the manner of doing of them that they may bee done with a readie affection and good will 2. Next That they bee done in the sense of our own weaknesse vylenesse and vnworthinesse 3. And thirdlie That they bee done with reverende regarde to GOD in such a Godlie feare as may make vs circumspectlie handle and meddle with His Service as the word importeth 4. That this may bee the better done let vs haue grace or holde fast the grip of grace whereby wee may serue GOD sayeth hee THEN Hee that would haue strength to serue GOD must studie by Fayth to lay holde on GOD'S Grace in the Gospel and having layd hold thereon to hold it fast for other wayes wee can neyther haue heart nor hand to serue GOD. But hee that is fastened on the Grace and good will of GOD towardes him will drawe Cowrage and Strength from this believed Grace to serue GOD chearfullie and reverentlie Vers. 29. For our GOD is a consuming Fyre BEcause the holiest men haue neede of the Spurres of GOD'S Terrour to stirre vp their laysie flesh hee closeth with a Watch-word of MOSES DEVTER 4 24. terrifying the people from ldolatrie or Imagerie which hee applyeth for making men circumspect in their manner of worship TEACHING VS THEREBY 1. That to serue Idoles and follow a false Religion and not to serue GOD in reverence and Godlie feare in the true Religion will bee both alyke plagued 2. The words doe teach vs That GOD'S entering into Covenant and laying downe of the fead and enimitie agaynst vs maketh Him not to lay downe His awfull Majestie over vs. 3. And therefore wee must bee so confident of His loue towardes vs as wee remember in the meane tyme that Hee is a consuming Fyre to the vngodlie and prophane Professours of His Name The summe of Chap. XIII NOwe that you may bee fruitfull in the Fayth I recommended to you in short BROTHERLIE LOVE Vers. 1. HOSPITALITIE Vers. 2. COMPASSION with sufferers for the Trueth Vers. 3. CHASTITIE Vers. 4. CONTENTATION Vers. 5.6 STEADFASTNESSE in the TRVETH which GOD'S Messengers haue taught you Vers. 7. For chaunge who will CHRIST in Himselfe and in His Doctrine chaungeth not Vers 8. Beware of the Leven of IEWISH Doctrine such as is DISTINCTION OF MEATS and others lyke Vers. 9. For they who mayntayne the Leviticall Service can not bee part-takers of CHRIST
with vs Vers. 10. This was praefigured in the Law Vers. 11. So was CHRIST'S contemptible vsage Vers. 12. And wee must followe Him and bee contented of reproach for Him Vers. 13. For wee haue no place of Rest heere but looke for it heere-after Vers. 14. Therefore let vs followe the Spirituall Signification of those Ceremonies and sacrifice vnto Him our Prayers and Prayse and good workes Vers. 15.16 Obey your Ecclesiasticall Governoures in their Office for their Charge is great and you haue neede not to grieue them Vers. 17. Pray for mee for I shall bee found an honest Man what ever bee mens speaches of mee Vers. 18. But pray you for mee for your owne good Vers. 19. And I pray GOD to finish His begun worke in you graciouslie Vers. 20.21 And because I haue but touched thinges briefelie in this short Epistle take Exhortation in good season when your Teachers doe preasse such Doctrine vpon you more at length Vers. 22. It may bee that TIMOTHIE and I see you shortlie Vers. 23. Deliver our Commendations Vers. 24. And Grace bee with you all AMEN Vers. 25. The doctrine of Chap. XIII VERS 1. LEt Brotherlie loue continue FRom this first Precept LEARNE 1. That the first Fruit of Fayth which GOD requyreth is Loue and constant loue amongst His Children 2. That our mutuall loue must be sincere kyndlie as if it were grounded on Bands of Nature Vers. 2. Bee not forgetfull to entertayne Strangers for there-by some haue entertayned Angels vnawares FRom this Precept LEARNE 1. That wee are readie to forget Charitie to Straungers especiallie to bee Hospitall vnto them 2. That the possibilitie of finding Straungers better men nor wee take them to bee should over-ballance the suspition of their sleightnesse and should set vs on to doe the duetie 3. That if a man intending to doe good doe more nor hee intended to doe it shall bee imputed vnto him no lesse than if hee had intended the same Vers. 3. Remember them that are in Bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversitie as being your selues also in the bodie FRom this LEARNE 1. That it is no new thing for the World to put Bonds on them who seeke to bring them out of Bondage 2. That Prisoners for CHRIST are readilie forgotten of such as are at freedome 3. Such Mens Bondage should bee esteemed as our owne even vntill GOD set them free 4. That other distressed People also shall bee helped by vs if wee consider what may befall our selues before wee die Vers. 4. Marriage is honourable in all and the Bed vndefiled But Whoremongers and Adulterers GOD will judge FROM THIS WEE LEARNE 1. That Breakers of Wedlocke and vncleane persons in a single lyfe are both reserved vnto GOD'S â—udgement howe lightlie soever men let them passe 2. That Marriage beeing provyded of GOD for a Remedie of Incontinencie maketh Vncleannesse the heavier sinne 3. That seeing it is GOD'S DOCTRINE to commende Marriage for Honourable and hath pronounced it not onlie Lawfull but Commendable in all persons of what-so-ever Place or Calling and hath justified it for Vndefiled to traduce this estate of lyfe as not holie or not beseeming an holie man or an holie Calling and to forbid Marriage to persons of anie calling must bee as it is called I. TIM CHAP. iiij vers 1.2 The doctrine of the Devil Vers. 5. Let your conversation bee without covetousnesse and bee content with such thinges as you haue For Hee hath sayde I will never leaue thee nor forsake thee HEre wee are TAVGHT 1. That the enlargement of our Desires to haue more and more worldlie goods whether wee bee rich or poore is disallowed of GOD. 2. That GOD requyreth Contentation with our present estate howe meane soever it bee and counteth it Covetousnesse not to bee contented 2. To make vs contented hee giveth vs GOD'S Promise made to IOSHVA Chap. 1.5 for our provision innecessaries THEN 1. The Promises made to IOSHVA or anie other holle Man in Scripture for Furniture in his Calling may bee verie well applyed vnto vs for Helpe and Furniture in our Calling 2. Fayth in GOD'S Promise for our Mayntaynance must both stay our feare of want in tyme to come and giue vs contentment with that which wee haue for the present 3. A generall Promise of GOD'S beeing with vs and assisting of vs is as sufficient for all particulars whereof wee stand in neede as if they were expressed Vers. 6. So that we may boldlie say The LORD is my Helper and I will not feare what man shall doe vnto mee BY applying of the Promise made to IOSHVA hee concludeth Warrand to apply DAVID 'S gloriation agaynst all perils PSAL. 118.6 THEN 1. Hee that can apply one Promise to himselfe may confidentlie apply another also 2. The weakest true Believer hath as good ground of confidence in GOD for everie good needfull for Soule or bodie as the LORD' 's chiefe Prophets and as good Warrand to apply the Scriptures to their own vse which speake of them 3. Hee who believeth in GOD needeth not to feare what flesh can doe vnto him 4. Fayth then doeth its parte duelie when it glorieth in the LORD agaynst all opposition Vers. 7. Remember them which haue the rule over you who haue spoken vnto you the Word of GOD whose Fayth follow considering the ende of their conversation THat they may bee steadfast in the Fayth hee setteth before them the Example of GOD'S Messengers who had instructed them in the Trueth and led a lyfe conforme there-vnto WHEREIN HEE TEACHETH VS 1. Who is worthie to bee a Guyde to a People to wit the man who speaketh the Word of GOD and not his owne Dreames believeth the Trueth which hee teacheth and hath his conversation answerable 2. The best respect that a Preacher can craue or that a People can giue to a Preacher eyther in his lyfe-tyme or after is to remember the Trueth of GOD taught by him and to make vse thereof 3. In as farre as Preachers haue spoken the Word of GOD and made it the ende of their conversation People are commanded heere to remember Them and imitate Their Fayth but no farther Vers. 8. IESVS CHRIST the same yesterday and to day and for ever THis Sentence SERVETH FIRST To show the aeternitie and immutabilitie of IESVS CHRIST in Himselfe and all His Properties of Trueth and Loue and Pittie c. AGAYNE It serveth for a Reason of keeping fast the Doctrine taught from Him by our faythfull Leaders because IESVS CHRIST will still allowe and mayntayne that Trueth once given out by Himselfe and can not choose to change His Trueth being first and last lyke Himselfe AND THIRDLIE It serveth to encowrage vs to bee constant in the Fayth because IESVS CHRIST is vnchangeablie the same in loue and care towardes those who belieue in Him in all Ages for their preservation and deliverance in all Cases wherein they can fall for His Trueth as Hee hath given proofe in