PANOPLIA Or the whole ARMOUR OF GOD Explained and applyed for the Conduct and Comfort of a CHRISTIAN in all his Tryals and Tentations AS ALSO The Dying Preachers LEGACY in several Sermons being the last Labours of the Reverend Author in the course of his Ministry TOGETHER With certain seasonable Considerations proving the Lawfulness and Expediency of a set Form of Lyturgy in the Church All prepared for the Press by the Reverend Authour before his decease and now made publick for the Common Good By RICHARD VENNER late Rector of St Maries in Warwick 2 Cor. 10.4 For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds c. LONDON Printed by T. Ratcliffe for John Durham and are to be sold at the Rofe and Crown in St Paul's Church-yard MDCLXII TO THE Right Honourable Right Worshipful and others his Worthy Parishioners and diligent frequenters of the Ordinances of God of the Parish-Church in St. Maryes in Warwick together with the whole Body of the said Burrough Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ his dear Son IT was never want of good Will that hindered me from appearing to you in Print before this time that after my Decease you might have a more visible remembrance of the Truths you have been taught by me and which I hope you have received and practised to your own Everlasting Comfort but other Indigencies or Shortness of Means and the like and the Incessant Exigencies of so great a place have prevented me thus doing until now you know that about a year and six moneths since it pleased God to visit me with very sharp sickness yet continuing me with strength for the discarge of my Place I bethought my self upon what fit Text I should pitch whence I might express my Last Farewell to so worthy an Auditory And by Gods Providence lighting upon this the Apostles Farewell to his beloved Thessalonians I was resolved to speak something of this to you In the perusal of which My Labours you will find variety of matter suitable with the Text and with these times There may be some will find more then they look for And others I am sure will find those things which will be very welcome to them I hope all will be candidly accepted for I am sure it was so intended and delivered But howsoever preaching takes with men yet your dying Pastor had always an eye to what might please God in the practise of his Ministry I do now leave this with you as the last Legacy of my Love nor could it be with greater affection and greater desire of your good and growth in grace If it had been from the hands of more eminent Worthies in the Church Elegances of Speech and Complements in serious things suit not with sick beds and dying groans Whatsoever this small piece be I leave it to you from the deepest bowels of my dearest love to you in the Lord Jesus and the good Lord crown this with my other labours and seal them upon you to your Eternal Good Your faithful Pastour and Servant in the Service of the Lord Jesus RICHARD VENNER Memorandum A Speech made in St. Maries Church in Warwick the second day of September 1660. for the satisfaction of the Congregation there assembled upon my beginning to Read the Book of Common-Prayer again publickly in the Church after sixteen years discontinuance BEloved Before we begin Prayers let me preadvise you of some things Sudden Changes in the Church or State have often been attended with sad consequences and events Many have been the sad changes and wofull alterations of which we of this Nation have had miserable experience for these eighteen years last past Amongst which after the most execrable murther of the late Kings Majesty of blessed memory and with him the abolition and extirpation of Kingly Government to the utter undoing of the whole Nation both Church and State as much as in them lay and the irrecoverable and irreparable ruine of them both I say after such a nefandum scelus a wickednesse not to be named amongst Christians There have befallen two other things which do much reflect upon the Church which are 1. The extirpation of Episcopacy and 2. The expulsion of the Liturgy or form of Common-Prayer or Gods publick Worship and Service and of divine Administrations 1. For the first viz. Episcopaay It is I think sufficiently proved and may therefore be easily granted that there is ground enough in the Gospel and the practice of the Primitive and succeeding Ages for the continuance of Evangelical Paternal Primitive Episcopacy in the Church to the end of the World so long as the Lord Jesus is the chief Bishop of our souls 1 Pet. 2.25 See King Charles Answer to Alex. Henderson and to our English Divines at the Isle of Weight See also Bish Bilson Bish Hall Yet this Government must down Root and Branch without either conviction or tryal or any consideration of Primitive practice and all this only to satisfie the ambition and avarice of some men who did eagerly desire and greedily gape after the Bishops Authority and Estates Which Government thus overthrown we have been left without any Government in the Church ever since Septemb. 1. 1642. just eighteen yeares compleat this day to the great distraction and confusion both of this Church and Nation But I shall say no more of Episcopacy at this time of which much might be said but I leave it to the wisdome of the King and Parliament to settle such a Government as shall be most conducible to the Churches welfare faxit Deus Episcopacy being thus rooted out yet the mischief of these men is not ended 2. The next thing which must be expulsed and quite excluded in the Church is the Liturgy or form of Gods publick worship divine Service and Administrations commonly called the Book of Common-Prayer c. And neverthelesse that Set-forms of Prayer c. have good authority from the Word of God 1. God Commanded a set-form of blessing the people Num. 6.23 2. And David appointed set-psalmes for several occasions as the Titles of them do shew Psalm 92.3 And Joel a set-form of prayers for a solemn Fast Joel 2.17 4. Yea and Christ himself that commands us to pray after such a manner and prescribes us a Rule of prayer Mat. 6.9 even he commands us to use the set-forms of words by him prescribed Luke 11.2 Thus you have divine Authority enough for a set-form of Prayer yet add 5. Of all prayers premeditated prayers are the best Eccl. 5.1 and of such those allowed by publick Authority are to be preferred before those which are to be uttered by any private Spirit 6. Besides all the Churches in the Christian World in the first and best times had their set-forms of Liturgy many of which are extant in the writings of the Fathers 7. And yet more Let our Liturgy be compared with the Liturgies
swasions to prevail with them Durum est quod non cedit sed recist Tactui◠Mat. Mart. VVhen men harden their hearts and stiffen their necks and strengthen their Faces like the Flint the Adamant the Anvil or the nether-Milstone as with Iron-sinews and brows of Brasse Esay 48.4 See Zach. 7.12 Job 41.24 like the Leviathan And thus did Pharaoh Exod. 7.14 against all Plagues and Judgements Zedekiah 2 Chron. 36.13 against all Councels for his safety The Jewes Jer. 7.26 Acts 7.51 and all impenitent persons Rom. 2.5 who after their hardnesse and impenitent hearts treasure up wrath c. and this hardnesse is accompanied with unbelief Mark 16.14 Impenitency Rom. 2.5 Wilful ignorance and blindnesse of understanding Ephes 4.18 19. When men shut their Eyes against the Light and are resolutely and obstinately bent to persist in evil doings as Jer. 44.15 c. Such hard ware and work have Ministers to deal with ☞ And is it not a marvellous mercy of God to make his Messengers as hard as Resolute in the discharge of their duty and pursuance of that which is good as the people are in evil For thus saith the Lord to the Prophets I have made you as a defenced City as an Iron-pillar and brazen walls Jer. 1.17 18. and your Faces strong against their Faces even as an Adamant harder then Flint against their wickednesse Ezek. 3.7 8 9. Waiting when they will return to the Prophets c. for they must not return to the people ☞ This is a great evil and the Note of an ignoble Spirit to be inexorable to the Intreaties of God for their God waites and knocks and bids us open And we refuse all But mark the issue 2 Chron. 13.15 16. 2. The next to be Reproved are such as are disaffected when Councel is faithfully prepared tenderly delivered and fitly applyed for the peoples good Many make it their work to pick quarrels either at the Message or the Messenger the matter or manner of delivery c. it s easie to find fault This disaffection hinders many of the good they might receive Thus did Johanan and the proud men discredit the Prophet and his Prophesie Jer. 43.44 I doubt many Preachers and Hearers neglect this but let it not be so with us let good affections be answered with the like and good counsel with obedience I have shewed you a Preachers 1. Labour which is endless And 2. Love which is unutterable which Love I have cleared by the example of the Apostle who 1. did insinuate upon King Agrippa 2. And became all things to all men 3. Did beseech as an Ambassador 4. And did behave himself as a Nursing mother to them in twelve respects Solomon the Ecclesiastes or the Preacher The Prophet Isaiah The Lord himself to them of old And The Lord Jesus to his flock Reas To these I added Arguments in respects of 1. God whose Glory is thus best advanced 2. Our selves to whom it is our credit and profit 3. Others to whom it is the best good And 4. The means used which this way are most like to succeed Uses are of 1. Reproof to Ministers if too dull or diverted And 2. To Hearers if too hard or disaffected to good Counsel Use 2. Informs us if souls are so precious how vain then are they who set souls at so low a rate as many Ministers and people do their own and the souls of others as if they were of no value Ministers by neglect or ambition to rise or eagerness after many things c. set aside this main thing of gaining souls to God And people scarce care upon what account they loose their souls if Honour or Profit how unjustly soever gotten do but invite them thereunto Good God! How many men of latey ears have hazarded themselves dangerously upon this rock How great is the grief if the Fishers c. can catch nothing c. much more if their industry only gain injury Ap. Yet this is the case of many Fishers of men And how foolish are they that can prize Liberty Recovery or Dignity c. procured and conferred by men and yet do undervalue these glorious Gospel-proffers for their souls health Use 3. Exhorts Prize your Pastors affections and add to them by your prayers Use 4. Of Consolation Where this concurrence is how good is it This harmony of affection is happy and successful You have heard of the Preachers labour and Love The peoples Duty and Excellency remains to be spoken of I do now descend to the third particular viz. The peoples duty This duty of the people is in relation to the Preachers work For a Receiver presumes a Giver Where nothing is given nothing can be received The Earth gapes still if the clouds be dry so that in this description of the peoples duty you have four particulars 1. A Giver 2. A Receiver 3. A Walk And 4. The manner and end of Walking I. Ministers are the Givers For you received of us saith the Apostle The Priests lips preserve knowledge Mal. 2.7 The tongue of the learned gives a word in season c. Isa 50.4 We must give warning Counsel Comfort c. as need is Ap. When all are Givers they give nothing because there are no Receivers yet our brain-sick Fanaticks fancy such a thing Every one is a Teacher and thinks he knows more then enough no need of receiving they are so full already But I leave these to their Fancies and to their windy fulness II. If we must give you must receive If our Doctrine drop down like dew or rain You as the earth the tender herbs and the grown grass must receive it If we be as Jakeh you must be as Agur Prov. 30 1. If we as Fountains or Springs of Water poure out you must be as the fruitful valleys which receive benefit by the same If God by us gives Doctrines to mollifie and fructifie your hard and barren souls it is not for you to remain like the rock the dry desert and barren wilderness no way bettered by the influence of heaven If God by us set up a light as a Candle upon a Candle-stick to give light to all that be in the house it is for you to receive it and not to wink against but to walk in the light as Children of the light till you received the inheritance of the Saints in light These things premised yield us this Result Doct. Giving and receiving are relalative and mutual actions which reflect upon each other Se ponunt tollunt invicem And Christians must take great care in both You need no proof of this for God is the great Giver and all we are Receivers All else are under him as stars Reas And for Reasons for this consider the 1. Giver 2. End 3. Gift and 4. Danger 1. Giver Because God by himself his Messengers and Means gives much he is indefatigable inexhaustible Quest Is it not a great affront and indignity to the Majesty on high to
people of what condition soever they be neverthelesse the manifold Commands of God and the abundant Councel and Advice which is given in this particular Case I shall no longer insist upon this Point in any other instances or further Inlargements Only I shall pray heartily for the amendment of these fore-mentioned Faults which are of so much concernment to Church and Kingdom and to the right ordering of all publick affairs I do now descend to the rest of the peoples duty consisting in the walk and the manner and end of such walking Here in as in the former Point I shall conjoyn both these particulars into one main point of doctrine for our use which will make the Doctrine full and Use offectual Touching the walking in this Text you must understand that walking is appliable to God and man 1. To God and so it notes his presence Gen. 3.8 as in the Garden c. and providence for good or evil towards us Levit. 26.12 28. 2. To men it signifies the motion of the Body from one place to another in which is terminus à quo ad quem via per quam c. The whole progresse of mans Life in matters of Faith and Manners Gen. 5.24 Enoch Psalm 119.1 pasfim And hence observe this Doct. Every mans life is a walk and but a walk it begins at our Birth and ends at our Death and is but short at the longest In every life there are Terms viz. à quo ad quem via per quam and these terms do differ ex Diametro are quite crosse one to another according to the way in which we do walk For if our way be good then our Terms are from Satan to God Sin to Grace Hell to Heaven But if it be bad then our Termes are contratrary For this Walk is appliable to good and bad in their several wayes and this leads me to take in the rest viz. the manner and end of thus walking viz. so as to please God for this is the Consolation and this will be the perfection of a Christian and this makes the Point full being conjoyned together viz. Doct. Every mans life is to be ordered so that we may please God in our generation and in the course of our conversation This the Apostle prayes earnestly for viz. Thut we may walk worthy of the Lord to all well-pleasing Col. 1.10 This all will easily grant that we should all live to please God but the Businesse is not so easily done and upon due search we shall find it is a very hard work to live as we ought and here you may Dicotomize the world and all the ways terms of all men walking in the world all which are either pleasing or displeasing to Almighty God and this puts us upon one main Inquiry viz. Quest How should we so walk that we may please God and wherein doth this walking consist that we may discern for this being known we shall easily see who they be that displease God in the course of their life and practise Now in answer to the grand Question observe that the distinctive Notes and Characters of such as walk and do please God are such as these 1. They are such as walk with God as Enoch and Noah did in their Generations Cen. 5.22 and 6.9 And you know how God translated the one from Earth to Heaven so that he never saw death Heb. 11.5 and preserved the other with his whole Family in the general Deluge when the whole world besides was drowned Heb. 11.7 And all because they had this Testimony that they pleased God 2. And that walk before God as Abraham and David did in their time in integrity and uprightnesse Gen 17.1 24 40. 1 Kings 9.4 and David made use of all deliverances to this end Psalm 56.12 13. of his soul from death and feet from falling that I may walk before God c. ☞ These were men that so walked with and before the Lord that they made a progresse as Travellers do in a Journey in their holy path they were neither idle nor stood still much lesse were Retrograde or apt to Retreat they ran to the Goal and gained the Garland of Glory This is our duty God expected it and if we perform it God will crown it accordingly These walked not inordinately c. but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exactly and according to Rule Eph. 5.15 Not after their own Fancies Imaginations inventions as many ignorant superstitious ceremonious Formalists and Fanaticks do to the great danger of their Souls and these men in their walk way and practice aimed not so much at the applause of men as the approbation and acceptation of Almighty God 1. Enoch walked not with the world but with God and God took him out of the world as too good to live in the same with such men 2 Noah was a Preacher of Righteousnesse in a most unrighteous Age when the earth was filled with violence as our Land was of late the old world did neither love him nor would hearken to him or Regard his preaching though for their own good the result of all was the Lord preserved him when the rest perished 3. Abraham believed in God in a most Idolatrous Age and walked before God when others forsook him the Result God blessed him abundantly called him his Friend Jam. 2.23 and gave him the honourable title of the Father of the faithfull Rom. 4.11 16. 4. And David was much afflected with the evils of his time insomuch that his Eyes gushed out with Rivers of water because men kept not Gods Law Psalm 119.136 These Evils he endeavoured to Represse as he was able Psalm 101. and God gave him the testimony of an upright heart 1 King 9.4 5. Many others did the like Princes Prophets Apostles the care of those men was to please God Had those men learned to smooth and slick to temporize humour and concur with the times c. sure they might have had the favour of the World in a very high measure for the World will love her own John 15.19 But this they sought not after it was besides and below them and hereupon this Record of Honour lyes upon all their Graves as well as upon Enochs that they pleased God Heb. 11.5 the reward of wel-doing is with them whereas had they walked with they had perished with the world 1. And those men that walk so with and before the Lord as those men Enoch c. did are said ever since to walk in Gods Lawes and Commandements in his Judgements Ordinances wayes and Pathes Psalm 119. passim in the name of the Lord Micah 4.5 not only in external profession but in the true Faith and Knowledge sincere Worship and Service of God Idolaters walked in the name of their Idols as Papists and others do but without any truth of faith or worship In the Spirit Gal. 5.16 i.e. By the directions of the Spirit of God suitable with the holy Scriptures
Conflict 1. Secure your propriety in God 1 Sam. 30. David at Ziklag 2. And the goodness of the Cause as 2 Chron. 20. 3. And the weighty consequences of a good cause else we shall be Slaves 4. Have an eye upon Christ your Leader in this Conflict Psalm 45.3 4. 5. Keep mutual Communion one with another as Mal. 3.16 Acts 28.15 6. Set Faith on work as Heb. 11.34 and the more because of the Promises of the Gospel which to do consider the promise of 1. Gods Assistance Psalm 27.14 2. Good success as John 1.6 and John 26.33 Be of good cheer I have overcome the world 3. Recompence to men resolute in good 7. Enlarge your Love for Love worketh much in 1. Feeble women 2. In fearful Ewes for their Children their Lambs 3. Jacobs hard service was short and easie upon this score 8. Keep a clear Conscience this will make a man bold and couragious 9. Improve Experiences these will add much confidence to courage 10. Go on in this spiritual Combare self-denyingly in the strength of God as verse 10. before 1 Sam. 17.45 See Psalm 20.6 7 8. But Psalm 68.17 18. the Chariots of God are twenty thousand thousands of Angels c. And he hath led Captivity captive c. Thus I have finished three Uses from the first seven particulars of the point 1. Use informs us of the great danger the Church is in because of the Tares Heresies Errours and Schisms which 1. Apostate Romanists 2. Antient Hereticks And 3. Modern Separatists Anabaptists Brownists and Independents have sown and by them greatly corrupted and disturbed the Churches Doctrine Unity Peace and Concord p. 13.2 to 22.1 2. Use from the second and third particulars informs us of the Churches weakness to withstand such Adversaries by her own strength p. 22. 3. Use informs us what need the Church hath of both Wisdom and Courage to resist such mighty Enemies You may remember the Doctrine which is comprehensive of this and the three former verses as it is repeated viz. Doct. 1. That the Church when at the best 2. Had need to be strong in the Lord. 3. And compleatly armed 4. To stand and withstand 5. Manifold Wiles 6. And mighty Assaults 7. Of so many and potent Enemies 8. As do assault environ and storm Her 1. Within and 2. Without 9. And especially in the Evil day 10. And yet that she may stand and remain victorious and triumphant over all in the end when all is done 1. This point hath been fully proved by Scripture and Reason 2. And three Uses are finished which inform us of 1. The Great danger that the Church is in because of Heresies Errours and Schisms of Apostates Romanists Antient Hereticks Modern Separatists 2. The Churches weakness to withstand c. by her own strength 3. What need the Church hath of Wisdom and Courage to resist so many Wiles and Assaults of such mighty Adversaries Now because these Enemies do storm us both within and without Let me add a fourth Use consisting of two Branches viz. 1. How mistrustful we should be of our own hearts within us 2. How heedful against the world and occasions of sin without us 4. Use which may be prosecuted as the rest doth informs us 1. How mistrustful we should be of our own hearts Reas And great Reason we have so to be if we do but consider what the Lord speaketh by the Prophet Jer. 17.9 The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it which sentence containeth a lively description of the great pravity and deep corruption that is in our hearts Heart is here put for the Soul or Mind as usually Jer. 4.4 and 5.24 And all its parts Vnderstanding Will and Affections For the whole inward man the corrupt deceitfulness of which is very hard to be discovered or known either by 1. Others 1 Cor. 2.11 None knoweth the things of a Man save the spirit of a man c. 2. Or our selves Isalm 19.12 Gal. 6.3 Jam. 1 22. The expression of the Prophet is very significant where 1. The heart is put for the mind and soul with all its parts Hallebh guacobh 2. Deceitful wily fraudulent prone to supplant circumvent and deceive as Jer. 9.4 every brother will supplant or trip up his heels And Jehu did 2 Kings 10.10 Hence Jacob had his name from holding his brother by the heel Gen. 25.26 and 27.36 Hosea 12.3 Or it signifies also perverse full of pravity crooked and uneven as ways full of windings and turnings and Ergo hard to find Ap. So it is with mans heart full of windings Turnings Nooks and Corners Wiles and Sleights Isa 29.15 16. Wo to them that seek deep that will pretend one thing intend another and inwardly purpose quite contrary to what the tongue and outward carriage and behaviour doth pretend and promise Psalm 31.6 and 55.13 14.20.21 Ap. We have had experience enough of this 3. Above all things Miccol prae omnibus or persons above ought It is so sly and wily that no creature in wicked subtilty and dissembling can go beyond it 4. And desperately wicked Ve Anush Hu Et Anxium ipsum it is but one word in the Text and is diversly rendred viz. 1. Desperate or 2. Deadly or 3. Conjunstim desperately bent unto and set upon deadly mischief and deceitfully to destroy Psalm 64.5 As 1. Abner did by Amasa 2 Sam. 20.9 10. 2. And they by the Prophet Jer. 11.18 19. and 12.6 3. And Ishmael by Gedaliah Jer. 40.14 16. and 41.1 2. Ap. How many in our days have discovered the desperate wickedness of their hearts by their practises 5. Who can know it Surely none but God to whom alone the Prophet ascribes this Excellency verse 10. I the Lord search the heart Jer. 17.9 10. Not others 1 Cor. 2.11 Nor we our selves Psalm 19.12 No nor God himself in the esteem of wicked men For they say as Job 22.13 14. Psalm 10.10 Isa 29.15 Who seeth and knoweth c. So full of shifts and fetches so unsearchable are mens hearts Ap. I doubt many are of this perswasion in our days els men would act otherwise then they have done in these times By this you may easily perceive why Satan is so intent and indefatigably industrious to storm us 1. Within i.e. in our souls whiles we bear about us that Traitor that is ever ready to deliver up the keys and open the gates of the City and Fort of our Souls our Selves to give him entrance and peaceable possession that he may exercise his Dominion in us Ap. In this sence our hearts are compared and said to be 1. A great deep Psalm 64 6. In which men dig deep to hide their Counsel from the Lord Isa 29.15 2. And Evil Gen. 6.5 and 8.21 in every imagination continually like a deep Well full of mud and unsearchable to the Bottom and continually foul in every spring that supplies it 3. A Treasury yea the very root and Nursery of
of the hope that is in us 1 Pet. 3.15 with meekness and fear 2. And to preach the Gospel when lawfully called thereunto 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. Rom. 10.14.15 You know that the whole course of our lives is often compared to a Way Walk or Journey and also to a Warfare and for either of these men do make such provision and preparation as is necessary and so we must do here as the Text here teacheth us the point is That Doct. We who are Christian Soldiers must make diligent preparation to profess and practise the Gospel and also to preach and publish the same as we shall be lawfully called thereunto ☞ This point doth consist of two branches The first of which concerns all and the second concerns only the Preachers of the Gospel We shall take them a sunder and begin with that which is universally necessary for all Christians viz. To profess and practise the Gospel of Christ. Exp. The Gospel is so called q.d. a Goodspel or Gods-Spell viz. of Christ Gal. 1.6 7. and 3.8 which was preached unto Abraham long since and it doth contain 1. The History and Narration of the things which Christ spake and did which are of excellent use for our Instruction Imitation and Consolation Mark 1.1 2. The whole Doctrine of the Word both of Law and Grace and whole matter of instruction to rule to guide us under Christ Who Mark 1.14 Came preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God And thus we stand bound and hear believe profess and practise the same 3. The glad tidings of remission of sins and eternal salvation the Doctrine of Free grace and obtaining righteousness by faith and teaching the true way how to attain perfect Righteousness and Eternal Life This was manifested of old in referrence to Christ to come to Abraham Gen. 12. In the Covenant Gal. 3.8 To us in respect to Christ already come Luke 2.10 Rom. 11.27 18. This is my Covenant c. as concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes c. This Gospel we are commanded frequently to hear and believe Mark 1.15 Acts 1.57 To yield obedience to it Rom. 16.17 16. Titus 2.11 12. And to walk uprightly according to the truth of it This is styled 1. Glorious 2 Cor. 4.4 1 Tim. 1.1 2. The power of God to Salvation Rom. 1.16 3. Childrens bread Mat. 15 26. Milk for babes 1. Pet. 2.2 4. The word of Gods grace Acts 14.2 5. The word of Faith Rom. 10.8 6. The Savour of his knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14 15 16. 7. The ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3 8. and of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 8. The Word of Truth Ephes 1.13 9. Of life Phil. 2.16 10. The Doctrine which is according to godliness 11. The form of sound words 2. Tim. 1.13 12. The good word of God Heb. 6.5 Reasons which may be added to these honourable appellations of the Gospel are because by this we are begotten to God 1 Cor. 4 15. And in it we have our legacy of peace and salvation Isa 52.7 and of all things conducible thereunto This requires Faith Love Repentance Self-denial Crucifying the flesh a new Creature the putting off the old man and putting on the new man Thus we have heard what the Gospel is viz. it is good tidings and what it doth contain How we ought to hear believe and obey it walking uprightly according to the truth of it and that from divers motives wrapt up in the manifold Honourable Appellations wherewith God hath crowned it in reference to our great benefit by it and these do induce the main Reasons by which we are induced hereunto And likewise we have heard what it doth require of us that we may be saved Concerning all the particulars which it doth require It doth concern us to enquire whether our selves or our Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ walking worthy of the Lord who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light and also unto his Kingdom and Glory and of our heavenly Vocation wherewith we are called Ephes 4.1 Ap. If we walk regularly answerable to any one of these then we are rightly said To walk worthy of them all or else we walk worthy of none of them I. To walk as it becometh the Gospel is to lead a life agreeable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that because 1. The Gospel may not be evil spoken of through us young women must be so qualified that the word of God be not blasphemed Titus 2.5 So also Propfessors and Instructers of others must take heed of breaking the Law lest the name of God be blasphemed through us Rom. 2.17 as those Captives of Israel profaned the name of the Lord among the Heathen Ezek. 36 19 2. The Gospel may be adorned by them in all things as those good servants did Titus 2.9 10. And those whom the Apostle so exhorteth 3. And that we may be exemplary to others and instruments of their Conversion This is to walk as becomes the Gospel and those that do walk so shall be blessed Gal. 6.16 Have peace and salvation at the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2.11 12 13. For the grace of God i. e. the Gospel that bringeth salvation hath appeared c. II. To walk worthy of the Lord is in a conformity to his Image our relations to him as of a good Wife to so worthy a husband dutiful Children to so good a Father loyal Subjects to such a Magnificent King who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 Ap. Every of which doth conclude us in all the Duties of each Relation and doth discover unto us the Iniquity Folly and Misery of all such who do desert this husband for any other or disobey so good and tender a Father or rebel against and revolt from this blessed Potentate and do become voluntary Subjects to the prince of darkness you will all say This is a bad change yet how many are guilty of all these transgressions referring to each relation and do make this change usually III. To walk worthy of the holy and heavenly Vocation which Christ hath given us by the Gospel wherewith we are called by Christ in the Gospel and by which we receive the Spirit whereby we are sealed to the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 This Vocation or Calling is holy and heavenly because it is a voice descending from heaven infusing heaven into us here and inducting us into heaven at the last all which it doth effect by calling us to Holiness which it begetteth and cherisheth in us here and crowneth with perfection for ever in Heaven This Vocation is either external by the Preachers or internal by the Spirit as Acts 2.10 Both are the fruit of Gods Free Grace and of his love to mankind And this holy Calling teacheth us how to walk worthy of the Lord and this Vocation it self and the Gospel
stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her young spreading abroad her wings takes bears about her young upon them so the Lord alone did lead them c. He advanceth them to the high places of the earth fed them with the encrease of the Field with honey and oyl butter and milk with the fat of Lambs and Rams and Goats with the chiefest wheat and they drank of the purest wine And thus would he do by us all did not our sins turn away and withhold good things from us Jer. 5.25 Reasons of this point are in Respect of God our selves others the meanes used 1. God All souls are his Ezek 18.4 and most precious in his sight and in themselves he calls for the heart Prov. 23.26 and what profit is it to win the world and lose his soul Mat. 16 26. His glory is most advanced by winning souls which is a main motive to excite us to use our best art and skil to effect it The question will not be how much credit or profit but how many souls we have gained to God by the Gospel Thus in respect of God 2. Our selves Because it is for our Credit profit Credit see Prov. 11.30 The fruit of righteousnesse is a Tree of life and he that winneth Souls is wise That wins them to God from evil to good whether by councel or example or both the verse is an Allegory made up of familiar Metaphors of a Tree yea of life to which he is resembled a comparison drawn from Hunters Fishers and Fowlers 1. It is for the credit of trees to be like that tree Psalm 1.3 and those Eze. 47.12 Or that tree Dan. 4.10 11 12. which did so flourish were a shadow shelter and yielded so much fruit to many to sustain them and such an One is he that righteous man that winneth Souls such a Man is stiled a Tree of life in allusion to that Tree Gen. 2.9 and 3.22 because God hath planted them blessed them and enabled them to do much good to others 1. As to the similitude or comparison to Hunters Fishers c. Our Saviour when he called his Apostles stiles and makes them fishers of men Mat. 4.19 He taught them the Ministers dutie by their own trade as Psalm 78.71 72. like those fishers upon the holy waters Ezek. 47.10 the world is the Sea Unbelievers fishes Ministers the Fishermen the Gospel the Net Nor are any kind of fish sinners excepted from this fishing Gal. 3.28 See the Annotations on both places cited It is for the credit of the Fisher that he catch much c. Ap. If by Light and Life we gaine men to God Luke 5.5 6 7. John 21.3 like Salt do season the Souls of many This is the highest credit and comfort of a Pastor it is not applause credit or profit which they aim at but to gaine upon good ground this praise Quod artem norint animas ad Deum convertendi T. Cartwright James 5.19 20. For if any do err from the Truth and one convert him Esay 5.19 20. 2. Profit For this makes for the great good of the Teacher Dan. 12.3 They that be thus wise or such Teachers shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament and they that turn many to righteousnesse as the Stars for ever and ever they shall enjoy an incomprehensible and exceeding and eternal weight of glory a rich Recompence for all their labours 2 Cor. 4.7 3. Others This is the greatest good we can do for them viz. to win them to God for this delivers the captives of Sathan into the liberty of the sons of God that 's woful this a joyful and blessed Liberty 2 Tim. 2.25 26. Restores and revives men from Diseases Death the Graves of corruption unto light and life and perfect health raiseth from the dust and dunghil c. to the new Jerusalem from the lowest station to the highest condition Psalm 113.7 8. Ap. Should men do so by us we should valew the courtesie O be perswaded that he does you the best turn that aimes endeavours most for the good of your Soules 4. The meanes used the more it savors of kindnesser the more like it is to prevail Man should be so ingenious as to be won with Love rather then forced with Rigor Facilius ducimur quam trahemur we are more easily led then drawn and enforced when the hearer cannot but fee Love in the lookes of the Teacher affection in his Face compassion in his countenance and the zeal of his heart in his hearty expressions c. how can it but enter and pierce the heart and rend like Nailes fastened in a sure place and make him be perswaded that all is spoken for his good Sure where the patient is well perswaded of the love an skill of his Physitian the Potion is like to have the better working the physick to be the more prevalent Ap. So it is here all Councel will do the better and have the kinder working if you be but perswaded of the love and good will of the Teacher which indeed is inexpressible and unutterable ☞ For faithfull Pastors I am sure may proportionably make use of that saying of the Apostle Phil. 1.8 God is my Record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. A most affectinate expression conjoin'd with a serious attestation of Record of Almighty God who searcheth the heart and the most exquisite and Excellent Regulation of true Christian affection viz. that it was in the Bowels of Jesus Christ Not a carnal but a spiritual affection it was for Christs sake and because they were in him that he loved them so well and it was according to Christs to his mind and his example in whom are the most tender Bowels of affection and who therein as in all other Excellencies is the most absolute pattern of the utmost perfection see Mat. 9.36 You have heard the Point and the proof of it I do now descend to use Use is of Reproof and that to both sorts viz. To the Agents and Preachers when they are either too dull or diverted to a wrong course To the Patients or Hearers when they are either too hard or disaffected with what is cordially intended for their good 1. The Agents edge is too dull when Minister or others neglect this duty and have no respect to this winning way What opportunities have many upon the souls of their Friends c. and Neighbours which yet neglected and how many Ministers as well as others are as carelesse as Cain or Gallio the Deputy and as ready to ask the question with Cain Am I my brothers keeper Gen. 4.9 Acts 18.17 Ap. The Countrey rues this and many souls lost by this neglect But if you have a Form of publick worship and service of God if that be performed is it not enough and have not Ministers and people done their dutie sufficiently c. Answ I answer and I pray mistake me not for I am
which were dictated by the same Spirit 2 Pet. 1.21 Many in our Times pretend to the Spirit marvellously and strangely but they lay the Scriptures aside By this you may know their Spirit to be a Spirit of Errour not of God but a delusion of the delusion of the Devil In newnesse of life Rom 6.4 Having Received a new life of Regeneration from Christ in whom they are ingraffed and now as graffs in the true stock do bring forth fruit accordingly In good works Eph. 2.10 which God hath ordained that we should walk in them Here try your works whether good or no All is not gold that glisters Hypocrisie vain-glory boasters bad ends are such as spoyl our seeming good works as with man these have been and are too frequent amongst us 2. These men that so walk as Enoch c. did are also said to walk in the old in the good way Jer. 6.16 Many pretend to Antiquity but are much mistaken as Papists for their Religion which indeed Statu quo Is but an upstart Sect a Novel invention Many Protestants also in respect of somethings which are now accounted old are much mistaken also Many would have things to be good because they be old but except you unite goodnesse to the oldnesse you say nothing The old mans hoary head is a Crown of Glory to him Prov. 16.31 Yea but how if it be found in the way of Righteousnesse but the old sinner of an hundred years old is accursed Esay 65.20 ☞ It is not simply the oldnesse but the goodnes of any thing that doth really commend it else sin is very old viz. from our fall in Paradise in the beginning all vice violence is very old viz. from before the Flood the old world was sick of it and God was sick of them for it and you know what befell them Gen. 6. Capitibus sequent Yet in Solomons sence all vice is but a new invention Eccl. 7.29 But mark his ground viz. because God made man righteous Gen. 1.27 Innocency was first and Christ the antient of dayes in the beginning Sin came in afterwards an egg of our own hatching Esay 59.5 So that Tertullians Rule is very true Quod antiquissimum est verissimum God is Truth it self who is from Eternity and innocency is of the Truth which was the first state of man Ap. Thus every thing the nearer it is to the Fountain the Original the truer it is in its own Nature Thus it is with Religion the way of our walk of old that Religion which kept closest to God his Word and Precept was best and this the idolatrous Israelites rejected So in the New Testament that Religion which is nearest to the Doctrine and practice of Christ his Apostles and primitive purity is the best which many Christians do marvellously swerve from Ap. Popish additionals and ostentous ceremonies c. do not add to but impair not beautifie but deform and deface the goodnesse of true Christian Religion power And thus we must reason with all Papists Idolaters and superstitious persons in the world whose Ceremonies and vanities are meer Novel Inventions and the very Ground-plot of all their novel Fancies and erroneous Opinions that have so pester'd the Church in our times For say they in effect If the Pope may propound what Rules he pleases and press them as lawes to be inviolably observed why saith the Pastor or principal person of each particular Assembly may not I do the same upon a better principle as they speak and by the Dictates of the Spirit though without the Word of God To close this this old way is applyable to divers things but I have given you Gage enough to judge of antient things by their goodnesse but not of their goodnesse by their Antiquity Choose the eldest things that be the best and as you are wise in your Choise so shall you be happy in the fruition of old and excellent things Thus much for the old way 2. Now next such are said to walk in the way of good Men in the paths of the Righteous Pro. 2.20 Phil. 3.17 i.e. after the best pattern and Presidents Men worthily Renowned and most fit to be imitated by others This Rehoboam did a little while viz. three years 2 Chron. 11.17 and so long he prospered but he soon grew weary of it and then many changes came upon him But Josiah that Renowned Reformer of Religion he clave more conscionably and constantly to the good wayes of David and walked in them irreversibly for which he is Renowned for ever and that upon Record to all Generations 2 Chron. 34.2 3. The men that walked as Enoch c. did are also said to walk or live by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5.7 i.e. in belief and hope of things promised by God in his Word And to walk in Faith for else no pleasing God Heb. 11.6 Love Eph. 5.2 And in all things circumspectly Ephes 5.15 And in Truth 3 John 4. as the truth of Gods Word prescribes sincerely and constantly according to the Rule prescribed by the Apostle Gal. 6.16 peace shall be on them c. and after his Example Phil. 3.17 4. And lastly These men that thus Walk are said to walk worthy of their Vocation Eph. 4.1 and worthy of the Lord Col. 1.10 1 Thes 1.12 and that in all Wisdom Col. 4.5 and with all the Heart 1 King 8.2 3. i.e. in sincerity and integrity both objectivè and subjectivè the Rule and our selves They that walk otherwise may justly be said to walk by sence things obvious to sence are the utmost object of their care Not in faith towards God resting wholly upon him Nor in love towards others or themselves Heedlesly and at Random without circumspection and after their own Fancies Not in the Truth nor by the Rule or good Example further then they please Neither can they be said to walk worthy of either their Vocation or the Lord but crosse to both or wisely but foolishly that are only taken with toyes and trifles Or in integrity but in much partiality both in respect of the Rule of the Word some of which only they will make use of and of themselves some parts or powers they are content to employ for God and sometimes for some ends but not their whole selves either intirely or constantly And for the manner of these mens walking they walk honestly Rom. 13.13 1 Thes 4.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 decenter as well becomes us Vprightly and shall ascend Gods holy Hill and God will be their Sun Psalm 15.2 and a Buckler Pro. 2.7 and Gods Word doth them good Micah 2.2.7 Do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly in integrity Psalm 26.11 Pro. 19.1 and bumbly Micah 6.8 with their God so also they are said to walk At liberty Psalm 119.45 Not in sin but as freed from sin c. Surely Pro. 10.9 Upon sure ground Others on Quick-sands Safety Pro. 3.23 Under good wings of protection
Use I. Informs us how wanting we be in performing good works how wicked we be in producing and practising so much evil as provokes the curse of Christ Use II. Of reproof to men of all ages babes old and young for that having so much means they continue so weak sick and wicked as they do and produce no better fruit Use III. Exhorts men of Eminency and Authority and all men to labour for proficiency which to effect prune and lop off superfluities which hinder growth and fruit viz. Idleness Pride Worldliness Custome of smaller sins and ill company Make use of such things as further Increase and Fruitfulness viz. Industry Humility heavenly Mindedness Conscience of all duty and Gods Society All which are soveraign Antidotes against Dwarfishness and Barrenness and then provide for growth and fruit thus Get the Spirit and let the Vine-dressers be diligent Make use of Ordinances and Means Exercise your Graces and use good company Use IV. Of Examination teacheth us to try whether we Increase or not Use V. Of Comfort But alas When can all this be done Not in a moment or in one hour c so that I am at a stand what to do the acceptance of me and my labours of late and the manifold exceptions against both my sickness and weakness neither considered nor pitied have put me almost upon the resolution of the Prophet Jer. 20.8 9. viz. To preach no more for as he so have I been rewarded c. But that I have a glorious God and Father in heaven that design'd me to this work from my birth a gracious Redeemer that doth command me often to feed his Sheep John 21.15 16 17. A blessed Spirit that doth encourage and strengthen me hereunto That many Souls are to be edified and instructed I have a Conscience to be discharged as in the sight of God A great Account to be answered and cleared And a Soul to be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus And but that the Word of God is as a fire burning in my heart with zeal for his glory and the good of souls I had been utterly discouraged long since in our confused times But a necessity is upon me yea woe is to me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Cor. 8.16 Therefore with the Prophets Isa 62.1 Jer. 4.19 I will not nor I cannot hold my peace for Sions sake for your souls sake till your righteousness appear in brightness and that you do grow on to perfection in some good measure Therefore though aged and weak I shall resolve with aged St. Peter not to be negligent to put you in remembrance of the things that concern your salvation though you know them and be established in the present truth 2 Pet. 1.12 13 14 15. Now to pursue our premised and intended Method I hope I need not produce many particular proofs For the whole Scripture aims at this and perswades us to grace and to the fruits thereof by many Arguments 1. Yet to give you in a few for many St. Peter layes a strict charge upon us for the root 2 Pet. 3.17 18. Beware of being misted c. But grow in grace c. Auxanete implies Motion and Augmentation Growth and Increase a progress to a fulness and abundance 2. And for the fruit our Apostle is as serious 1 Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast c. Always abounding 3. And for both the Apostle tells us That this is the main end of the work of the Ministry and the manifold gifts of God upon men viz. For the edifying of the body of Christ unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ vers 13 14. That we be not children c. But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the Head Christ c. and may receive increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Ephes 4.12 to 17. 4. And answerable hereunto are our Apostles incessant prayers for the Colossians Col. 1.9 10 11. That they might be filled with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that they might walk worthy of the Lord c. being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God strengthened with all might by his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness And this is a passing from strength to strength fath to faith and from glory to glory 1. From strength to strength Psalm 84.7 i e. Never weary but encreasing in strength and courage till they came to Mount Zion to Gods House so doth the Christian till Heaven From Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 Not to several kinds of Faith but from one degree of faith to another till it do attain its full accomplishment in Life Eternal From glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 i.e. From glory begun upon Earth by Grace to glory consummated and perfected in the glory of Heaven Thus much for Scripture proof 2. I shall add a few instances of either sort proficients non-proficients men of stature and Dwarfs fruitful and barren 1. For the first sort Christ is the incomparable president and most transcendent pattern in this for he encreased in wisdom and stature c. Luke 2.5 2. For stature he encreased by little and little as Children do and that Lege humanae naturae by the course of Nature Enthyminus And for Wisdom although the fulnesse of the Godhead did dwell in him bodily Col. 1.19 and that God gave him the Spirit beyond measure John 3.34 Yet because he assumed a reasonable Soul as well as an humane Body the Deity thereto united was so vailed that the graces thereof discovered themselves by certain degrees according to the nature of his humane Faculties so he is said to encrease And he encreased in Wisdome Experimentally for though he was a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5.8 ☞ As God he was absolutely perfect and needed no encrease but as Man consisting of an humane Body and Reasonable Soul and as a man obvious to sufferings he is said to encrease in wisdom and stature c. But this first is an instance beyond Example a President that admits no parallel incomparable 2. Come we to a second that reflects more upon us viz. The Thessalonians that were here exhorted to this duty how are they commended 2 Thess 1.3 4. in that the Apostle gives thanks to God for them that their Faith grew exceedingly and that their Charity towards each other abounded so that the Apostle c. did glory in them in the Churches of God c. Oh how well were it if all people would give their Teachers cause thus to glory but these Examples are Rare 1. Their faith encreased in regard of the Object when they apprehended more profound Mysteries of faith then before Subject When more confirmed in the Mysteries apprehended and that we give a more full Assent unto them without any staggerings or
which our good works are directed must be good else spoil all The end crowns or shames the work Now the end of our works that they may be justified must be the glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine c. The edification of our neighbour the discharge of our Obedience testification of our Faith 2 Pet. 11.10 answering of our calling in Jesus Christ Ephes 4.1 Escaping the punishment or sin and the destruction of the wicked obtaining the Glory of Heaven with many other subservient ends Ap. These things considered do clearly evidence to us That Works without warrant from the word of God how speciou soever they be in pretence and outward appearance as were the Ceremonies of the Jews so of Papists and superstitious persons to this day yet they are rejected for God is not pleased but with what himself prescribes We may not devise new things in Gods Worship as we please Where the Agents are Unbelievers and not accepted of God If the Tree remain uncorrupt so is the fruit and Ergo both are unacceptable Where there is no purging of our selves nor preparation to good works there cannot but be very many miscarriages When good works are not our business but fall in by accident or are inforced by some extremity as by sickness or death or when we begin too late when it is with us as with them Prov. 1.27 28 c. and Mat. 25.10 But we ne glect our opportunity whilest we may and lose all when we never make them our delight as we do other matters of natural concernment such as to eat and drink c. When our good works are for sinister base or bad ends As to be seen of men Pharisee-like Mat. 25.5 To devour widowes houses Mat. 23.14 or to act mischief To suit with the multitude and please the world as they did John 7.7 That hated Christ and persecuted the Apostles John 16.2 who thought it well done And some real good work may be done to this end To purchase our own pardon and peace with God as Papists and Patrons of Merit think they do though thereby they do frustrate the merits of the Lord Jesus for us In a word The ends of our works are many and that both good and bad as they are directed by the Agents and Workers of them But if they be not suitable with the Rules before expressed and that our works will not endure the tryal of the light as John 3.20 21. Whether they be of God or no. We have great reafon to suspect yea and to reject our own works as unacceptable and displeasing to Almighty God Thus much touching the Rules concerning our good works II. But now if any should say You have given us Rules for our works Quest But what are the works in particular in which we are so to abound Answ Good works are such as are performed by the grace of the holy Spirit out of a true faith according to the prescribt Rule of the Law to the Glory of God the certainty and assurance of our own salvation and the Edification of our Neighbour Wolleb p. 192. Polan p. 256. And these good works must be performed out of such a true faith by which we are sure that they are commanded of God and that both we and our works are pleasing to God through Christ Pol. 258. And for the names conferred upon good works They are called the fruits of the Spirit from their efficient cause Gal. 5.22 Ephes 5.9 The fruits of Faith from the instrumental cause The works of the Law from the form because suitable to it and from their quality good works and good fruits For their number for they are numberless extending to all the affections and actions of a regenerate man Wall p. 293. and to all those things prescribed by the moral Law of God about which such actions and works are conversant Bucan 334. So that for this I must only say as the Apostle doth conclude Phil. 4.8 Finally brethren saith he whatsoever things are true honest just pure lovely and of good report every vertue And every praise-worthy action enters into the list and helps to make up the number and measure of works that be good in the sight of God Bucan p. 333 334. As to the causes of good works they are many especially these 1. The principal efficient cause it God his Grace and holy Spirit who doth begin continue and perfect all our good works in us Phil. 1.6 2.13 He that begins will perform to the utmost And it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do c. For without him we can do nothing John 15.5 So then our good works are not the fruits of our own free-will as Pelagians Papists and too many others think 2. The instrumental cause is Faith which is the Root whence all good works do spring Gal. 5.6 For it worketh by love 3. The matter of our good works is our affections and our actions and all things about which they are conversant 4. The formal cause of them is their conformity to and agreement with the Word of God Psal 119 1.2 c. Deut. 4.2 Ezek. 20.18 19. Mat. 15.9 Else all is vain worship 5. The final cause or end of our good works is manifold and may be distributed into things referring to 1. God 2. Ourselves And 3. Our Neighbour In reference to 1. God His glory is the main end our due obedience to his Will and Command and our thankfulness for our Redemption and all other benefits are hereby testified 2. Our selves We do good works to evidence the life of our faith which else is dead being alone Jam. 2.17 Solitaria To get sure that we are justified before God for Bona opera sequuntur justificatos non praecedunt justificandos To make sure our Election to eternal life 2 Pet. 1.10 To exercise nourish and strengthen our Faith to adorn our Vocation to avoid temporal and eternal punishment that we may receive the Reward of well-doing freely promised by Almighty God Mat. 25.21 23. Well done good c. 3. Our Neighbour That we may be hurtful to none but useful and profitable to all to our power Thereby to edifie the faithful and to win unbelievers Wal. p. 260 261. As for the Species or particular kinds or forms of good works The particular actions so styled are very many yet you may distinguish or distribute them into three Channels viz. As works referring 1. To God 2. Our selves And 3. Our Neighbour 1. To God and so the whole worship of God and every particular branch of the same are good works whether they refer to the inward Worship of God as a right and true acknowledgement of God Love towards him Trust and Confidence in him by a lively saving faith and assured hope in him as also by Humility and Patience in the sence of his greatnesse and goodness to us even in our Afflictions The inward and outward worship of
God jointly and together Such are the Acts of Invocation of God by prayer with fasting sometimes as Dan. 10.2 3. or by lawful oaths whether assertory or promissory affirming some needful truth or promising some lawful and useful thing as oaths of judgement or of Allegiance giving of thanks by a celebration of God and giving him glory in the approbation admiration and right estimation of all his works By a confession of him and one faith in him Vel voce vel martyrio in word and deed in expression or martyrdome By an observation of such Ecclesiastical Rites and of such holy times as have warranty in the Word of God as in the right use of the Ordinances of God his Word and Sacraments and the observation of his Sabbaths and the like but be sure we walk not nor make progress in these things of divine Worship without a divine Warrant 2. To our selves in the exercise of those divine Graces and Vertues with which God hath endued us viz. Our Wisdom Courage and Temperance in the several branches of it viz. Sobriety Chastity and Vigilance c. as is requisite And in the study of true Glory by vertue These are good works and in these we should be exercised And as our good works do refer to God our selves 3. So also to our Neighbour in divers respects which do reflect upon the soul as well as the body such are 1. Humanity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we express our love and good will to men in gesture word and convenient offices Pol. p. 312. 2. Civility in the moderation of our external manners and gestures towards others and that both in our language actions shunning scurrility and unseemly things and using Urbanity in a civil and seeming way 3. Christian Charity which is the mother and root of I. Liberality which communicates both Counsel and Comfort 1. Counsel when we impart our gifts for the good of others in reproving instructing admonishing or incouraging and praying for others To reduce them from evil and to excite you to that which is good These are good works Jam. 5.19 20. For if any of them do err from the truth c. And no less good than to pull an infant or weak person out of the fire or water to save them from perishing Jude 23.2 Comfort by lending and giving cheerfully and liberally according to our Ability to the relief of our brethrens necessity and especially to such as are godand of the houshold of faith Psalm 41.1 2 3. Isa 58.6 to 13. Gal. 6.10 II. True Friendship and amity both publick and private and that for piety and vertues sake as was betwixt Jonathan and David 1 Sam. 18.1 Pol. pag. 318. III. A mutual Sympathy both by commiseration and congratulation of our Neighbours both in their sorrows and joyes Rom. 12.15 IV. A readiness to procure anothers good both in his fame and goods his reputation and ectate Phil. 2.4 1 Thes 5.11 Thus Humanity Civility and Christian Charity do produce excellent good works for our Neighbours Peace Solace comfort and advantage Let me name one or two more which are viz. 4. The Exercise of the common justice righteousness and equity which should be amongst men in their affairs and dealings and this is either universal which consists in the agreement of our whole life with the Law of God and obedience to all those Laws in special which do most concern and belong to us or particular in the performance of those things wherein we stand bound to others in some peculiar manner This is either privative concerning our own Calling and Station and that both in our lawful obtaining it not by money or unjust means as in Papacy c. And our care to discharge our duty in our places with that sedulity and diligence which is requisite Rom. 12.11 and with that fidelity and trust that we may give up a good account of the same as modest Moses was in his place Heb. 3.2 5. Or publick in the Administration and Dispensation of Justice both commutative and distributive This Justice is a Verue of large Extent and hath an influence into our whole Lives and is the very Bond of all publick Societies and Communities and Affairs of Nations But I hasten for I may not inlarge upon such an ample Subject V. Lastly A restraint and Moderation of such inordinate motions of mind as usually arise from pride anger or desire of wealth or honour the common Make-bates of the World vid. Pol. page 314 315. But Cure the first by modesty humility and teachableneffe The second by meeknesse longanimity placability The third by contentment in every condition Phil 4.11 and by a serious and due consideration of the uncertainty mutability and vanity of all earthly contentments Honours Riches Pleasures all are vanity and vexation of spirit You have had the Point the Proof Explanation Doct. Increasing in Grace and abounding in good works is a Christians excellency as well as his Duty This was the Point for which you have had Scripture Instances Arguments or Reasons As also a view of the Grace which you are to encrease in and of those good works in which you are so to abound Concerning which good works you have had a view of the Rules of good works by which they are to be ordered of the works in themselves and that in their nature and Definition Names Number Causes and Species or kinds of good works and that in Respect of God our selves our Neighbour In all which if we did abound we should be sure to have peace with God and abundant comfort in our own consciences in the evidence of our Faith and of our implanting into Christ and that we are fruitfull Branches in him and that we and our works are accepted of God as Cornelius was Acts 10.2 4. and that our good works will never leave us but will attend and follow us as Rev. 14.13 both in Life and Death even as the shadow doth the Body untill they bring us to the Reward of well-doing the joy of our Lord in the eternal life of glory Mat. 25.21 23 34 46. Of God in all acts of piety true Devotion towards him Our selves in the way of Regularity exact Walking Our Neighbour in the works of Christian Charity in all which c. I have done with the proof and clearing of the Confirmation and Explication of the Point I do descend to the sixth and last thing in the method propounded viz. the Application which is manifold in the several Uses of Lamentation Reprehension Exhortation Examination and Consolation 1. Use is of lamentation and that upon this occasion ☞ Me thinks whilest we have been viewing these good Works before-mentioned we have been with Saint Paul in Paradise and have heard and seen strange and wonderfull things But now being descended with him to the Earth in the Use and Application of these things and to see what is done among men we may say with him that