hath landes or ample possessions that therefore thou needest not nor should apply thy minde to vertue or thy hand to worke the truely noblest that euer was Iesus Christ God man whose creatures and worke all Nobles and Kings are wrought with his hands vnder his supposed father Ioseph in the craft of carpentarie in all subiection till the time of his publike ministerie came wherein hee behoued to goe about his true Fathers businesse Iacob a great Patriarch and borne to great possessions eueÌ„ the whole land of Canaan which flowed with milke and hony yet sent to seruice by his parents who loued him more deerely and wisely then many who cocker vp their children now and thinke it an indignitie to put them to handie-crafts or seruice being a great deale lesse able to sustaine them nor hauing so sure a promise that God wil so prouide for them yet hee being so great a mans sonne thought no shame nor griefe to serue full 21. yeares in the colde frost of the night without sleepe and hote sunne burning of the day and when hee had many seruants and goods yet still serued painfully albeit vnder an vnthankfull Maister Moses sometime called the sonne of King Pharao was called by God to bee the leader of his people to Canaan from keeping of sheepe in the field Gideon sonne to Ioash father or chiefe of the Ezrites who had many seruants as is euident Iudges 6. 27. was found threshing wheate himselfe when the Angell called him to bee Iudge of Israel Saul who is called 1. Sam. 9. 1. the sonne of a man of Beniamin mighty in power named Kish was sent to runne through many countries with one seruant onely a foote to seeke his fathers Asses that were lost with no great prouision of money or victualls as appeareth vers 7 8. and thereafter called to bee King of Israel Dauid likewise from keeping of sheepe Elisha that great Prophet called from the Plough Amos from keeping of cattell many of the Apostles of Iesus Christ who shall iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel and whose doctrines are the twelue foundations of the wall of that spirituall Ierusalem were called from painefull fishing Paul a man of great learning and authoritie yet a Tent-maker and if thy parents how noble or gentle soeuer they bee thinketh thee better then these or thou thy selfe then indeede thinke shame to worke or to apply thy minde to some kinde of vertue or vocation neither trust onely to thy lands or possessions for God may giue Sathan power as hee did concerning Iob to try thee and take thy goods from thee many waies vnexpected and neuer thought of Seeing also he hath giuen them to thee freely as sufficient meanes to increase and imploy thy talent as Salomon saith Prou. 17. 16. As a price in thy hand to get wisedome if in idlenesse notwithstanding without any vocation thou suffer the same to perish and waste the means price improfitably they shall make thee howsoeuer for a time the more honored acceptable before meÌ„ yet the more inexcusable and vile before God whoÌ„ thou so dishonourest for many of these forenamed had greater possessions then thou canst haue yet laboured with their hands It is not thy landes that maketh thee noble or gentle it is onely vertue Nobilitaâ— sola est atque vnica virtus and thy predecessors obtained this title only by some vertuous acts which is deriued to thee increase therefore the same by vertue impaire it not We reade of an ancient custome and most laudable amongst the Romans that none was suffered to goe in the publike streetes without some instrument in his hand to be thereby known of what vocation he was of to shew he was not an idle drone in the bee-hiue of the CoÌ„monwealth to teach him that whatsoeuer hee was not to be ashamed of his calling And amongst the Indians in these daies before they eate they vse to take an account what they haue earned or wonne Iustinian the Emperour of Rome exercised himselfe in the lawes and perfited the law of Nations Mithridates king of Pontus was a Phisitian who first found out that excellent compound called froÌ„ his own name Mithridatum Quintus Cincinnatus was called froÌ„ the Plough to be Dictator of Rome And we read of Dyonisius who being expelled from his Kingdome that by the vertue he learned in his youth hee liued in teaching a few youths in a schoole and therefore onely was called backe to his Kingdome againe Homer in commendation of Vlisses accounteth this as a note of great honour mentionating that he could make his owne ships himselfe Quintus Fabius a most noble Roman with his owne hands painted the walls of the Temple of Salus and not thinking shame thereof but rather couÌ„ting it a laudable and auowable thing agreeable with his honour degree affixed thereto vnder wrote his name Achilles is recorded to haue bin so cuÌ„ning in cookery that he thought it no dishonor at a certaine time to shew the same in dressing a royall and sumptuous supper to certaine Ambassadours who came to him Constantine the Emperour also had his liuing a long time â—as it is reported by drawing And a certaine learned Philosopher in Grecia vaunted that his cloake the ring hee wore on his finger were of his owne making esteeming it a great praise he could doe so Therefore take example of these that by thy owne vertue thou maiest rather shine before thy predecessors then to glance onely by their light studie to bee called not onely one of such a race which is by thy parents but a vertuous one of such a race which is by selfe By trusting to lands or possessions oft times vertue is neglected and infamie or no fame followeth when poore mens sonnes not hauing lands to trust to but leaning only to vertue and Gods grace come to great honour riches and renowne both which experience teacheth to all men The pouertie of such as are idle without any vocation commeth as Salomon saith like a traueller in the hie way or the necessitie of an armed man which is suddenly or hastily and therefore it is that so many Noblemen or Gentlemen make away with their lands which their antecessours by their vertue and hard purchase obtained and left to them they by vertue got it they by idlenesse vice consume it Hence aso it is that so many old and young sturdie beggers are in a kingdome or citie education without vocation From idlenesse also in youth it is that so many miserable spectacles are seene of so many that goe to the gallowes who behoued to steale because they applied not their minde to any vertue being young dum vires annique sinebant and now could doe nothing else Hence it is that so much wickednesse aboundeth and is committed in the world as in the time of Sodome and the primitiue world Whereby wee may know that the second destruction by fire as the first was by water is not farre
is so restrained in many places the mouths of Gods seruants so shut vp and the veritie repressed and bound as it were is Alexander the Copper-smiths profite will cease if Paul preach where Gods Arke commeth in place Dagon must fall and if Iesus Christ in such humilitie be suffered to bee acknowledged the Sauiour the Hie Priests honour iurisdiction and profit must cease if Daniel be suffered hee will discouer the Priests knaueries and Elias will shew that Baal is no God nor heareth not when Moses commeth with the Tables of the Law from the mount the golden calfe must downe if when Michaiah commeth to speake the truth freely he beleeued Zidkiiah the falsflattering Prophets with their hornes of yron should be put out of credit fauour and authoritie if Iohn the Baptist should be obeyed then Herod must put away his Herodias And where Gods sincere and pure word only getteh place and libertie downe must goe idolatrie and not a relict or hoofe thereof remaine tyrannicall authoritie of these who with Diotrephes loueth the preheminence and to rule as lords ouer the Lords inheritance must bee trod downe vnder the humble feete of Iesus Christ and of his word who pratleth against Gods true seruants with malitious words not therewith content neither they themselues receiue the brethren but forbiddeth them that would and thusteth them out of the Church The triple crowne must yeelde to the crown of thornes al popish ethnish apish ceremonies must fall downe before this Arke of Gods pure worde where the worde of Christ who came to serue getteth right place gracious Lord must cease Caeser must haue that which belongeth to him and all pastours with Paul must graunt themselues to bee seruants onely to Christs flocke for his cause their right title is the most honorable that they can haue euen the title which Iesus Christ is called by to bee Sheepheards of soules where Gods word shineth their shining before the flock must not be in gold silkes but in good workes where Gods word ruleth their rule and gouernement must be onely by Gods word their scepter that scepter which subiects scepters to it selfe their crowne their flocke you are my crowne saith Paul their sword not temporal nor Caesars but that two-edged sword that is in Christs mouth Gods and all their authority from Christs commission onely As my Father sent me so I send you where Gods sacred Law commeth there they must not worship the golden calfe of profit onely neither can Alexanders Diana bee so fat vnto him but with Moses they must looke onely for the reward of God Christs kingdome is not of this worlde in it then they must not looke for any recompeÌ„ce Paul saith I haue fought a good fight c. from henceforth is laid vp for me a crowne c. there is the reward hee looked for I goe saith Christ to my Father to prepare a place for you this is Christs promise For in the world you shall haue affliction and if you were of the world the world should loue you but because you are not as I am not therefore it hateth you In it then nor of it Pastours must not thinke their reward to bee and if in the world of the same they haue here their reward it is to bee feard that they shal neuer haue any other but as the world loueth theÌ„ they the world again that their coÌ„demnation is like to bee with the world also Therfore where Christs word taketh place worldly profite and full bagges must depart and albeit the Minister must liue of the Altar to supply necessitie yet Christ for Christ and his glorie onely must bee preached pride in the hie Priests and auarice in Iudas was the first betraier of Christ pride and auarice now is and euer shall be the only betraier of Christ and his cause and they know little the power of Christ in their heart or soule as they preach his name with their mouth who with Zebedeus sonnes here seeketh onely for their prefermeÌ„t because they haue followed him but they who truely follow him must denie here se suos sua take vp their crosse and follow him The same is his answere to all Ministers as it was to Peter who when hee asked what they should haue because they followed him he answered that they should sit on twelue seates with him and iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel so he saith to euery Minister that followeth him truely as they did not that hee shall be so or so powerfull in the world for hee hath chosen the weake ones of the world but that hee shall sit at his right hand with him in his kingdome when he shall iudge all the Tribes and Nations of the world they then who pertaine vnto that kingdome will desire that great reward honour only more then all the honour and kingdoms of the world with their glory esteeming all as dung to win Christ many soules vnto Christ to know the power of his death resurrection in themselues and see it in their flockes But who pertain not to this kingdome they wil preferre their owne profite before all things if the preaching of Gods word hinder or take away their profit with Alexander that Diana goe not downe they will stirre vp kings kingdoms cities rulers and people against Paul and his preaching and if thirtie pennies may be had Christ Iesus shall be betrayed with a kisse If this light and fire of Gods word should come in place it would consume like Moses rod or serpent the serpentine and profitable fire of purgatorie If it were preached plainely vnto Gods people and to the soules of men that we must come onely to Christ who callâ—th and commandeth vs aske of the Father who can denie vs nothing through him according to his will and that the King against whom wee commit the offence onely can forgiue the same Where should the golden pardons of the Pope goe or the profit of the confessors if it bee preached that Christ the Master had not a hole to repose his head in nor so much mony as could pay tribute for him and â—or Peter And if it be reported how Peter Acts. 3. said Siluer or golde haue I none where shall the princely pallaces of the seruants goe the great treasured heapes of golde they lay vp Paul soiourned in a poore Tanners house that dressed leather and when hee sent for his cloake and his scrolles he maketh no mention of any great treasure but hee laid vp his treasure in heauen where the moath the canker nor the theefe coulde not come gaining and treasuring by his Talent many soules to God Peter got a great treasure and conquesed much when at his Sermon so many soules were conuerted to Christ ioyned to the Church But these fat woolues and dumbe dogges they care not for such a treasure or conquest woe be to them for they doe not the worke of the Lorde at all
neither can flesh and blood reueale the same to vs. In the third part he desireth God to deliuer him from all impediments whether of his owne flesh of sinne the world Satan or his outward enemies which might hinder or stay him any waies from walking more freely in the paths of saluation and his word And in the last and fourth part being priuie to his own conscience of the institution of his former life and equitie of his cause hee imploreth Gods constant assisting grace in the administration of the rest of his life committing and commending to his eternall protection for euer himselfe and his cause So farre in generall concerning the Author Intitulation Notation Argument and Diuision of this Psalme for an Induction to the specials following Now concerning the speciall notation argument and diuision of this second octonarie or section The first verse whereof by the assisting grace of Gods spirit shall be by vs handled The notation of this second octonarie is by the second letter of the Hebrew Alphabet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beth wherewith euery verse in the originall contained in this section is noted and beginneth The signification thereof as all Hebrew letters signifie and therein excelleth all other letters is double for it is either Confusio as Ambrose turneth it and so the reason why this octonarie is noted therewith is thus that whosoeuer redresseth his way by Gods word seeketh him with his whole heart wandereth not from his commandements hideth his promise in his heart that he sinne not against him declareth the iudgements of his mouth delighteth in the way of his testimonies meditateth in his preceps and forgetteth not his word whosoeuer I say obserueth these eight things contained in this octonary of eight Verses shall neuer see Confusion This same reason and promise is set downe more briefly in the 5. 6. verses of this Psalme the words whereof are these O that my waies were directed to keep thy statutes this is the wish or conditioÌ„ the promise by way of infereÌ„ce followeth TheÌ„ should I not be confounded the condition repeated When I haue respect vnto all thy commandements But wee must vnderstand that there is a two-fold confusion for there is CoÌ„fusio damnationis a confusion of condemnation inflicted vpon the reprobate by God in his iustice for iust desert and punishment of their sinnes of the which the Prophet of God in this place meaneth and there is confusio contritionis a confusion of repentance proper to the godly which proceedeth of humilitie and sorrow for their sinnes wherewith God in his mercie moueth their heart that so hee may accept them in his fauour raise them by the comfort of his spirit and forgiue them their iust desert for their offences which euery one must haue who would escape that eternall and fearefull confusion of euerlasting destruction The other signification of this Letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beth is Domus a house whose figure it representeth and so the reason is thus that whosoeuer would bee counted as one of Gods house and so bee saued As God the Master of the house is pure and cleane his house and seruants cleane likewise so thou who would adioyne thy selfe in thy youth to their societie and eate at his table thou must be cleane also Cleansing thy waies according to his word putting on that white cleane robe of the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ that wedding garment seruing him in his Family in purity holinesse of life by obseruing these doctrines which are here set down in this section to doe the same The Argument of this Section is this as in the former generally to all men hee commended the desire of godlinesse and keeping of Gods word shewing the estate of such to be blessed and that to be the only way to attaine to true perfect happines for euer so now in this octonarie and first verse thereof particularly hee commendeth the same desire of pietie and obseruation of Gods word vnto young men first and that for two chiefe causes moouing him Whereof the first is because that age placeth a man vncertaine betweene two wayes what course of life to chuse as Xenophon reporteth of Hercules out of Prodicus and Cicero in the first of his Offices saith Imprimis autem constituendum est qui nos quales esse velimus quae deliberatio est omnium difficâ—llâ—na Wee must first appoint what men and of what sort or calling wee would bee which aduisement of all other is hardest and most difficult in such an hard doubtfull deliberation therfore the Prophet here sheweth that no better nor surer counsell can bee then to follow Gods word as our counsellor which may both direct and retaine vs in a good course of life and therefore not to delay time till olde age but to beginne in our youth which whosoeuer neglecteth and therein hardens his heart in sinne that man hardly is or can be recalled and brought except it be by the extraordinarie mercie of God to repentance and a good life hereafter The second reason is because youth is carried with a more headlong force vnto vice lust and vaine pleasures of the flesh Therefore it hath neede of straiter discipline more carefull watching and harder brydling and more diligent instruction by the word of God which except it be adhibited timely there is great perill and it is to be feared lest head-longs in the vehemencie of their course they bee carryed suddenly into vtter destruction which lamentable experience hath too often taught to be true The diuisioâ— of this octonar is in three chiefe parts The first whereof is contained in this first Verse which God willing shall be entreated of wherein being to shew the excellent effects of Gods word in this whole Psalme is that it keepeth from sinne it quickneth it bringeth peace and gladnesse to the heart it giueth vnderstanding c. thereby the more to induce and mrue euery man to a greater desire and loue thereof He setteth downe heere the first particular and cheife effect of Gods word as to all ages and men so chiefly and more particularly commending and commanding the study exercise and desire thereof to youth the firstage capable of the same for the reasons and causes aforesaid The second part of this octonarie is from the 1. Verse thereof to the 15. wherein hee setteth downe his owne example for confirmation and further moouing of yong men to embrace his former exhortation and it containeth foure seuerall confessions made vnto God The first of his great desire to Gods word in seeking him with his whole heart with a prayer to confirme him the more therein The second of his great care and estimation he had thereof in hiding it in his heart for the end that hee should not sinne against him The third of the declaring of the iudgements of his mouth with his lippes and the fourth of the great delight he had therein as in all riches
of the Apostle generally Let all things be doâ—â— decently in loue without dissimulation being as the spring from whence our reuerence and honouring one of another should proceede and the end likewise to bee loue out of a pure heart and of good conscience and of faith vnfaâ—â—ed Thirdly and last of all let euerie young man according to the prescript rule of Gods worde take heede vnto his way of godlinesse and religion to redresse cleanse the same which indeed is the most profitable vocation of all others for as the Apostle saith Godlinesse is great gaine and for bodily exercise it profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that that is to come Salomon also Prou. 14. 27. saith that The feare of the Lord is a well-spring of life to auoid all the snares of death it is a most precious jewell the comfort glory and value whereof surpasseth all vnderstanding the straight way whereof albeit displeasant hard to the flesh for a time yet it is most delectable pleasant to the spirit and soule for euer It is a tree hauing albeit gall in the roote yet hony in the top whose fruit endureth for euer And in the feare of the Lord is an assured strength Therefore seing it is more amply spokeÌ„ of before I cease now with this exhortation only of th' Apostle to al yong men concerning the same Let euery one embrace the grace of God that bringeth saluation vnto all men which hath appeared and teacheth vs that wee should denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the mighty God and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purge vs to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good workes forgetting that which is behinde and endeuouring our selues to that which is before and following hard toward the marke for the price of the hie calling of God in Christ Iesus hauing our conuersation in heauen continually from whence wee looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ counting all thinges dung that wee may win him and may bee found in him endeuouring onely that wee may know him and the vertue of his resurrection and the fellowship of his afflictions and bee made conformable to his death that at last we may be fashioned likewise vnto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe In the meane time whatsoeuer things are true whatsoeuer things are honest whatsoeuer things are iust whatsoeuer things are pure whatsoeuer things pertaine to loue whatsoeuer things are of good report if there bee any vertue or if there be any praise let vs thinke on these things to doe the same and the God of peace shall be with vs here by grace and wee with him for euer hereafter in glory We must redres our waies the Prophet saith here In taking heede thereto according to Gods word We must not then read heare or know onely the word of God but practise do the same in purging taking heed to our waies according thereunto It is that good seed that Christ speakes of which must not only be receiued with ioy but must be retained and laid vp in a good and honest heart to bring forth good fruite according to the measure of Gods grace We must doe as Israel did Exo. 19. 7 8. and 24. 3. when Moses proposed Gods Commandements vnto them they answered All that the Lord hath commanded wee will doe not heare or know them onely So Moses commandement and exhortation to the people Deut. 4. 6. Behold I haue taught you ordinances and lawes as the Lord my God hath commanded me that yee should doe euen so within the land whither yee goe to possesse it keepe them therefore and doâ— them for that is your wisedome c. The peoples desire to Moses againe was chap. 5. 27. Goe thou neare and â—eare all that the Lord our God saith and declare thou vnto vs all that the Lord our God saith vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it The condition also that God maketh by Moses that hee will exalt blesse them is chap. 28. 1. If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and obserue and doe all his Commandements which I command thee then the Lord thy God will set thee on high and all these blessings shall come vnto thee c. So 19. 9. Keepe therefore the wordes of this couenant and doe them that yee may prosper in all other thinges that yee shall doe So 30. 14. The word is very neare vnto thee euen in thy mouth and in thy heart for to doe it Iohn the Baptist Matth. 3. 8. said vnto the Pharisies that which all men shoulde doe Bring forth fruits therefore worthy of amendement of life And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite is heweâ— downe and cast into the fire And Christ our Sauiour saith Matt. 7. 17. Euery tree is knowne by his fruites for euery good tree bringeth forth good fruit and a corrupt tree bringeth forth euill fruits A good tree cannot bring forth euill fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit For doe men gather grapes of thornes or figges of thistles Therefore so let our light shine before men that they may see our good workes and glorifie God our heauenly father For as in Morall Philosophie it is said Omnis virtus in actione consistit all vertue consisteth in action so truely in diuine and true Philosophie it may be likewise said that all Religion and Christian vertues consisteth in practise and not in pratling of them onely The figge-tree that Christ accursed had a faire shew by his leaues a farre off that he was like to haue fruit also but because he had none therefore by Christs curse hee withered presently It is not a faire shew likewise or pretence and profession of religion that God doth accept but wee must with our outward shew haue the inward substance and life of Religion good workes proceeding of true faith and loue Wee must not onely professe in word but in deede and action also imitating not onely Christs sayings but his holy life and doings Luke 6. 46. hee saith But why call you mee Master Master and doe not these thinges which I speake A seruant not onely acknowledgeth his Maister in word but must also in deede hee must not onely heare and know his Masters will but except hee doe it also hee shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12. Mat. 7. 21. Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord saith our Sauiour shall enter into the Kingdome of heauen but hee that doth my Fathers
and doe not then follow the chiefe Pastor Iesus Christ onely who hath gone before vs in a most perfect and holy example of life as for him hee riseth or falleth to his owne Master and is to be left to God whose seruant he is For that the hearing and knowledge onely of Gods voyce and word is improfitable to our saluation without the practising of the same in an holy life and conuersation by a true faith in Christ the Apostle Paul testifieth Rom. 2. 13. For the hearers of the law saith hee are not righteous before God but the doers of the law shall bee iustified And the Apostle Saint Iames 1. 22. giueth an expresse coÌ„mandement to all Christians saying Be ye doers of the word and not hearers onely deceiuing your owne selues so that we deceiue our selues greatly when we thinke that we haue done our dutie when we haue heard and knowne Gods word no the diuell and reprobates doe so also but to vs who looke to bee saued by Christs blood passion the word of God must bee powerfull to saluation God working with it in our hearts begetting and increasing a liuely and true faith in vs which must shew it selfe by the fruite of charitie and good workes when God speaketh vnto vs vttereth his voyce by our ordinary Pastors we must take heed if we haue that inward feeling which the Apostles confessed they had at the hearing of Christ Luke 24. 32. for the same spirit which wrought in them then worketh so now also in the hearts of the Elect And they sayd betweene themselues did not our hearts burne within vs while hee talked with vs by the way and when hee opened to vs the Scriptures Let vs consider if we haue this fire of the mouing and quickning spirit of God who worketh together with his word in our hearts let vs examine if by this powerfull operation of hearing Gods word faith and repentance bee begotten or encreased in our hearts Let vs try againe if this repentance bee true by abstaining by Gods grace euer thereafter from sinne that it raigne not in vs and if our faith bee liuely by not onely abstaining and abhorring so from euil but also doing good and godly workes according to our power the measure of our faith and Gods grace in vs following the example of the poore widow albeit we haue but little yet thereof to impart somewhat to Christs members laying it vp so in his treasurie then we are the truesheep for the Pastour maye preach and we duely heare his voyce but except he goe before in a holy life and we follow after in a sanctified conuersation talke that wee haue faith as wee will yea that thereby wee could remooue mountaines cast out Diuells and worke many miracles as many reprobates shall pleade at that day in Christs name wee are notwithstanding but as tinckling cimballs if wee haue not charitie and good workes and shal receiue that fearefull Away from mee I know you not Christ is offered to vs in his word we must not onely take him in our mouth by hearing but by a liuely and true faith wee must chew and eate him by vnfained loue charitie digest him and by our good workes holy conuersation shew that we are renewed ingrafted and growne in him so that hee may be not onely ours but vs and wee not only his but him he is that fruitfull vine if we be then in him we must bee fruitfull branches the fig-tree was commanded to be cut downe because it did beare no fruit the naturall Oliues were reiected because they lost their fatnesse if they had beene the sonnes of Abraham they had done the workes of Abraham if we be the sonnes of God by adoption and true members of Christ wee must learne of him for hee was humble and meeke wee must be holy as he is holy else wee haue no parte in him It is not enough to heare the Kings seruants message but without excuse wee must come to his supper and eate of the fat killed calfe in the white wedding garment of holinesse and a godly life Hee that saith that hee loueth God and yet hateth his neighbour he is a lyar and he that saith that hee loueth God and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar also the reason is giuen by the Apostle plainely 1. Iohn 5. 3. For this is the loue of God that we keepe his Commandements and his Commandâ—ments are not greeuous And also In this wee know that wee loue the children of God when wee loue God and keepe his Commandements The thing that Iesus Christ the first the last sheweth that hee tooke notice and knowledge of in the seuen Churches to whom he writes in the Reuelation and vnder their name to his whole Church militant to the end is I know thy workes Reuel 2. 2 9 13. 19. and 3. 1 8 15. Also when that glorious Iudge of all flesh shall come and all his holy Angells with him and shall sit vpon the throne of his glorie there to iudge and reward all the Nations of the earth that shall be gathered before him hee shall iudge euery one according to his workes for in that great and last day he shall say vnto the sheep at his right hand Come yee blessed of my Father inherit yâ—e the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world the reason For I was hungred and ye gaue me meate I thirsted and yee gaue me drinke I waâ— a stranger and you lodged me I was naked and you clothed me I was sicke and you visited me I was in prison and you came to me And the contrary shall hee say to the reprobate goates at his left hand who did not the same and must depart into euerlasting paine For albeit it be most true that faith onely iustifieth before God whosoeuer beleeueth that Christ is the Sonne of God shall bee saued because God he seeth the heart and searcheth the most inward deepest cogitations thereof and many hath beleeued with the theefe at the last houre and in Gods mercy haue beene saued so onely by faith Yet as the Apostle saith Iam. 2. 24. Wee see that of workes a man is iustified and not of faith onely because wee cannot enter into the heart to perceiue and behold the inward faith but by the fruits wee see it onely and that a man by such a fruitfull true liuely faith is iustified for good workes which alas in these daies are rare as faith loue their roote is colde and almost none left vpon the earth are the way wherein wee must walke to iustification albeit not the matter or cause thereof they are not the euidence of our faith as saith the Apostle Iames 2. 18. Shew me thy faith out of thy workes and I will shew thee my faith by my workes There is their nature vse they are the assurance to vs of our election and the makers sure of the same and
whosoeuer hath time meanes and opportunitie as few are but hath in some measure to doe good workes whereby their election may be confirmed to their owne conscience their faith in Christ shewed and testified before the world God their heauenly Father thereby glorified and his children their brethren therby strengthened and yet notwithstanding doth not verily howsoeuer they say that they haue faith Gods Spirit word testifieth the contrarie and that it is a dead faith they brag of which Sathan himselfe hath and trembleth verse 19. which being dead in it selfe can neuer apprehend nor apply that true life of the soule Iesus Christ and his righteousnesse the godlies onely comfort for faith worketâ— with by works as the fire doth by heate through workes is faith made perfit as the Apostle testifieth and as hee reasoneth Iames 2. 14. What auâ—â—leth it my brethren though a man saith hee hath faith when he hath no workes can the faith saue him For if a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of daily foode and one of you say vnto them depart in peace warme your selues and fâ—ll your bellies notwithstanding you giue them not those thinges which are needefull to the body what helpeth it Euen so the faith if it haue no workes is dead in it selfe And after confirmation of this by the example of Abraham Rachab he concludeth For as the body without the spirit is dead euen so the faith without workes is dead Wee see then that as workes without faith iustifieth not For whatsoeuer is done without faith is sinne euen so faith without workes being dead iustifieth no maÌ„ before God and that it is neither sufficient to Pastour to preach and know Gods word except in practising it he go before his flocke by good workes nor that it is sufficient to the people or sheepe who would bee accounted of Christs sheep-folde to heare or know Gods voyce except they also follow and practise the same by good workes following the holy and vnspotted life of Iesus Christ the Lambe in whom they hope to bee saued Let therefore Pastor and people old and yong from the highest to the lowest striue by a holy life and fruitfull of good workes to shew themselues to bee true branches in Iesus Christ the vine and liuely members of his blessed body and as he who hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all manner of conuersation as becommeth the Gospel of Christ zealous of good workes Not hearing or knowing our Masters will onely but in taking heed to our wayes to redresse the same according to his word and will reuealed therein executing and doing the same and when we haue done all that we can doe confessing and acknowledging our selues to be vnprofitable seruants so shall we be assured in our owne consciences by Gods spirit that we are sheepe of his pasture and children of his inheritance so shall wee bee knowne by the world by our confession and profession of Christ in an holy and christian life to be members of his Church and Kingdome also and so at last we shall be found worthy in Christ to walk with the Lambe when he who gaue his life for vs here shall giue vs eternall life with himselfe for euer hereafter According to thy word that is making thy holy word O Lord the rule and square according vnto the which we may take heed vnto our wayes and redresse the same We see then here first the excellencie and great vertue and vse of the word of God It is a rule according vnto the which wee may and should redresse purge and rectifie our sinfull vncleane and erronious wayes It is that breath of God which breatheth life in the face of the soule of man as by the word of God in the first creation was man raysed out of the earth and placed in the garden of Paradise so by this word of God which is neere vs in our mouth and heart is the new creation and regeneration of the heart of man whereby his soule is raysed from earthly and carnall affections and placed in the pleasant garden of Christs church to eate of the tree of life and liue with him for euer It is the voyce of God that is dayly heard in the garden of his Church not onely asking euery Adamite and sinner but shewing him also where and in what estate he is by sinne and Sathan calling him not to a curse for sinne but a blessing and inuiting him to come to the seed of the woman to that tree of life and second Adam Father and Sauiour of our spirits Gods word is a Lampe that shineth euer in the candlesticke of his true Church to direct our footsteps in the path to life euerlasting with himselfe It is that two-edged Sword that powerfully proceedeth out of his owne mouth which pierceth thorow the inward cogitations of the heart to redresse the same and diuideth the marrow of the bones to giue fatnesse to the soule It is that seed which beeing sowed and layd vp in a good and honest heart maketh euery Christian to bring foorth acceptable fruit vnto Gods glory and their owne soules comfort It is the Power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue the same It is that Instrument or Spade which diggeth about the rootes of our hearts to make vs sweet and fruitfull to our long suffering and patient Master lest we should be pulled vp by the rootes ere the axe of Gods wrath should bee put to our rootes and wee be cut downe and throwen ouer the hedge of the vineyard into vnquenchable fire Gods word is that Snedding knife which cutteth away the rancke leaues of sinne which with their darkenesse doe ouer-shadow our soules and keepe away that comfortable ripening sunne of Gods fauour to shine vpon vs that our sowre grapes may become sweet It is a Hammer to beat downe euery high exalted hill or proud cogitation of the heart that as Gyants would rebell and fight against God It exalteth euer the low valley or humbled dejected soule euen to the throne of God in confidence boldnesse It is that sâ—â—ngstone of the sonne of Dauid whereby euerie Christian and souldier of Israel must kill that mighty Gyant the reuiler of God and enemie of his seruants who seeketh not to giue their bodies to the fowles of the ayre but their precious soules to the hell-crowes of sinne and the deuouring vultures of eternall torments It is the knife whereby the fore-skin of euery Christians heart is circumcised and cut away before hee can be in the new couenant of grace or be counted a true Israelite in spirit it is the gladdest tidings that euer came to the soule and the true testimony or witnesse-bearer of Iesus Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of him it is a Christians life My words are life saith light and life and without the comfort of the same our life is death and our light Cimerian darknesse