doctrine else but a Pharisaicall leauen alwaies to bee purged out of Churches and states as the Iewes vpon some occasions were to purge al leauen out of their howses Let no man say it is but a little and such a difference which may be tolerated for euen the Pharisies doctrine was much of it more true theÌ„ this Pharisaicall doctrine of theirs yet was their leauen hid in it as in this the nature whereof is though it be but little yet to sowre the whole lumpe In a word as Caleb Ioshua said of Canaan the land is a very good land If the Lord loue vs hee will bring vs vnto it euen so if the Lord loue vs hee will expell these Giants from vs and giue vs security in our owne land from the Anakims or if not if any of these strangers abide with vs our faithfull prayer and hope is that as Salomon numbâ—â—ing all the strangers in the land set them to worke in his Temple euen a hundred three fiftie thousand and sixe hundred so our wise and peaceable Salomon and Soueraigne will continue to set euen thousands of these to worship with vs in the Temple yea and in this one circumstance passe Salomons wisdome in not chusing ouerseers of themselues to cause them to worship The Lord Iesus strengthen his Highnes heart vnto this and many mo honorable workes and make vs happie in his long and prosperous Raigne to his renowne and glorie in this life and fruition of the blessed Crowne of righteousnes at the peaceable end of his through comfortable daies Amen FINIS COMMON PLACES OF CHRISTIan Religion more largely handled in this Commentarie 1 ACtuall sinnes pag. 121. 2 Angels their nature and fall pag. pag. 63. The combate between good and bad Angels pag. 84. 3 Apostles and Apostleship pag. 119. 4 Bookes of God pag. 48. 5 Callings pag. 43. 6 Catholike Church pag. 32. 7 Charitie pag. 135. 8 Christ a Sauiour pag. 151. 9 Christs comming to iudgment pag. 112. 10 Christian liberty pag. 30. 11 Church properties and markes of it pag. 32. 12 Church Censures and excommunicacation pag. 143. 13 Commandement first pag. 35. second pag. 36. third c. pag. 39. 14 Crosse to be taken vp pag. 34. 15 Diuinity of Christ. pag. 149. 16 Feare of God pag. 85. 17 Hope pag. 138. 18 Images pag. 36. 19 Intemperance pag. 89. 20 Iudgement day pag. 68. 21 Iustification by faith only pag. 26. 22 Keyes of the Church pag. 31. 23 Knowledge in the creatures naturall reasonable spirituall pag. 88. 24 Loue of God towards man contra pag. 15. 25 Magistracie pag. 76. 26 Mercy of God pag. 13. 27 Naturall corruption pag. 127. 28 Peace with God Man the creatures pag. 14. 29 Perseuerance pag. 11. 30 Regeneration pag. 28. 31 Repentance pag. 33. 32 Resurrection pag. ibid. 33 Reprobation pag. 48. 34 Saluation by Christ alone how to whom pag. 151. 35 Sanctification pag. 7. 36 Table second pag. 41. 37 Vngodlines pag. 49. 38 Vocation pag. 5. 39 Wisdome of Christ. pag. 150. 40 Worship of God pag. 38. DOCTRINES MORE CHOISE and generall collected and vrged in this Exposition 1 TO bee a seruant of Iesus Christ is more honour then to bee allied to Princes pag. 3. 2 Faith is a most excellent treasure pag. 17. 3 The Saints are the keepers of this treasure and must fight for it pag. 45. 4 It is a subtiltie of Satan to thrust the profane and wicked into the societies of the Saints pag. 47. 5 Publike teachers in the Church must of necessity be called and why pag. ibid. 6 Gods grace may not bee turned into Wantonnesse pag. 51. 7 No outward priuiledges are profitable 〈◊〉 of their right vse in faith and repentance pag. 56. 8 Great iudgements are at the beeles of great mercies if abused pag. 57. 9 DistractioÌ„ followeth vnbeliefe which is therefore to be vnmaâ—ked and auoided pag. 57. 10 Gods seruice is the only liberty and freedome in sinne is to be chained in bondage pag. 67. 11 The mercy of God euery way matcheth his iustice pag. 70. 12 To take a view of the sinnes of the last times is necessarie for euery Christian pag. 71. 13 Our bodies are the Lords and therefore must be giuen vp to his seruice and preserued in holines pag. 75. 14 Sleepe in sinne and spirituall dreames the cause why so fewe embrace theÌ„ Gospell pag. 73. 15 A Christians dutie is to watch and be sober pag. 74. 16 Not to speake euill of but blesse Magistrates pag. 80. 17 Scripture is knowen to bee Scripture by Scripture pag. 83. 18 The Diuel the author of Idolatry pag. 8â— 19 Not to requiâ—e euill for euill a Christian precept and an angelicall practise pag. 87. 20 Christian meeknes must be tempered with Christian zeale pag. 89. 21 Caines way may not bee beaten by Christians pag. 90. 22 Couetousnes in all but teachers especially to be auoyded and why pag. 96. 23 Contentation a speciall vertue and how atteined pag. 98. 117. 24 In feasting Gods feare must be preserued in the heart pag. 102. 25 All Ministers must be able to teach sound doctrine pag. 104. 26 Hearers ought to be as parcht land to to receaue it pag. ibid. 27 ChristiaÌ„s being trees of righteousnes must be 1. wel rooted 2. liue 3. beare fruit 4. beare good fruite in Christ the stocke pag. 106. 28 Wicked men are inwarly as vnquiet as the raging sea pag. 108. 29 Ministers as startes must receaue their light from Christ the sonne of righteousnes pag. 109. 30 All secrets of heart and life naked before God pag. 114. 31 The duty of the Church to remember the words of the Prophets and Apostles and why pag. 119. 32 To mock and scorne godlines a maine sinne of the last age pag. 121. 33 It is the property of the vngodly to follow and walk after their owne vngodly lustes pag. 122. 34 It is a great sinne to sepâ—rate from the assemblies of Gods people pag. 124. 35 To be a naturall man a fearefull sinne and who he is pag. 126. 36 Euery one ought to build vp himselfe vpon his most holy faith pag. 129. 37 The doctrine of faith a most holy doctrine pag. 131. 38 Euery man is to preserue loue towards man and the meanes pag. 135. 39 The duty of euery beleeuer is to restore and recouer offenders and the meanes pag. 141. 40 All glorie dominion maiestie and power is to bee ascribed to God and Christ of all his creatures in all things for euer Amen pag. 154. QVESTIONS DETERMINED AND the most of them disputed in this Commentarie 1 WHether this Epistle be Canonicall Scripture pag. 1. 2 VVhether a man may change his name pag. 3. 3 Whether sanctification bee from the Parents pag. 8. 4 Whether sauing grace may be lost pag. 11. 5 Whether the Scripture be to beleeued for it selfe pag. 17. 6 Whether it be sufficient of it selfe pag. 18. 7 Whether God created all things pag. 20. 8 Wherein
people may be destroyed indeed but not vtterly for we must alwaies beleeue the Catholike Church vpon earth Elias in his time could not behold it but yet there were 7000. reserued from that general apostasie of those daies When the Lord visiteth his owne house in iudgement his manner is to leaue some remnants whom he saueth lest their destruction should be like this of Sodome and Gomorrha So Isaiah acknowledgeth Except the Lord of hostes had reserued vnto vs euen a small remnant wee had been like to Sodome and the people of Gomorrha Vse This may teach vs true humility in regard of our own deseruings and true thankfulnes in regard of Gods gratious dealing with vs both of which must be often acknowleged of euery member of the Church and euery man must confesse and say with the Church Lam. 3. It is the Lords mercies that wee are not vtterly consumed Secondly in these people obserue the iustice of God and his seuerity in such an vniuersall destruction sparing none but destroying euen the children with the parents who sinned not in following strange flesh as their fathers did which maketh this a strange and vnsearchable iudgement whence the Atheists condemne these bookes of Moses whence this iudgement is fetched as attributing to God crueltie and iustifying in him iniustice But herein to cleere the iust proceeding of the most righteous God we are to know first that the childe is Gods creature and the life of it is Gods hee being the Lorde of life so as hee may take it away when he pleaseth hauing power to doe with his owne as hee will Secondly children are partâ— of the parents and therefore the Lorde may iustly infold them in the punishment of their fathers sinne to manifest his greater detestation of it Thirdly children are borne in originall sinne and therefore God may iustly inroll them with their parents not onely in temporall punishments but in euerlasting condemnation also Thirdly in this people who are made examples note that as wicked a people as these haue had mercie offered them Isai. 1.10 The Prophet calles the Iewes Princes the Princes of Sodome and their people the people of Gomorrha that is such Princes and people as matched Sodome and Gomorrha themselues in wickednes and yet hee inuiteth them vnto repentâ—nce with proffer of mercie and promise of pardon yea though their sins were as red as scarlet he would then make them white as snow vers 18. Whence we may learne that the mercie of God euery way matcheth his iustice in iustice he ouerthroweth Sodome and Gomorrha and in mercie saueth those who were euery whit as wicked as they his free grace bringeth those to heauen who by their sinne equalled themselues to those whom his iustice had detruded into hell Yea it offereth and giueth repentance to them which are holden in the snare of the diuell and ruled at his will 2. Tim. 2.25 Manasseh himselfe who broke off his couenant with God by making league with the Diuell found mercie with God vpon his repentance Vse Let not the greatnes of our sinnes dismay vs from seeking the Lord thy sinnes are not aboue the sinnes of Sodome and Gomorrha for which mercie hath been obtained vse thou also meanes to turne vnto God and there is mercie in store but see thou abuse not this mercie vnto sinne Fourthly note that in the same time this people of Sodome and Gomorrha was destroyed Lot escaped though he was in Sodom for at the time of the execution the Angell led him out from among them and not before Which teacheth that although the Lord seeme sometime to neglect his deare seruants and leaue them in tribulation yet the instant time of their necessitie sheweth his gratious and seasonable regard and remembrance of them The Israelites had a promise that after foure hundred and thirtie yeeres they should be deliuered from their bondage in Egypt which promise the Lord was not vnmindfull of neither for the substance nor circumstance of time for in the very same night that the time was expired their deliuerance was wrought according to the promise Our dutie hence is to learne in the middest of our afflictions with quiet hearts to rest and relie our selues vpon God waiting his time wherein hee will come in mercie vnto vs. Fifthly note that with this people of Sodom and Gomorrha the other Cities Admah and Zeboim because they followed their sinnes were likewise destroyed Where we learne to auoide the wicked manners and fashions of the world not imitating these lesser Cities which imitated the greater in their wicked manners but on the contrarie follow the example of Dauid in shedding riuers of teares when hee beheld men not keeping the lawes of God Wee should not with drie eyes behold mens impieties yeâ— for this end our hearts should be like vnto Lots when wee see the sinnes of our people breake out as the sinnes of Sodom and Gomorrha our righteous hearts should be vexed within vs in the daily seeing and â—â—aring of such vncleannes So much of the people punished Now followeth the second point in the example namely the sinnes for which Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed in these words They committed fornication and followed strange flesh First they committed fornication Secondly they committed sinnes against nature it selfe following strange flesh To vnderstand the vilenes of these sinnes consider two things first the cause and occasion of them and that was abundance of prosperitie and plentifulnes of Gods blessings For Sodom was as a Garden of God enriched with varietie of profits and pleasures this caused Lot to chuse Sodom to dwell in This ground nourished foure bitter rootes from which these sinnes of fornication and following strange flesh did spring reckoned vp by Ezechiel chap. 16.49 The sins of thy sister Sodom were first Pride by reason of prosperitie Secondly fulnes of bread that is they gaue themselues to eating and drinking excessiuely for so saith Luk. 17.28 Thirdly Idlenes which was the daughter of their securitie Fourthly Vnmercifulnes and contempt of the poore and these must needs nourish all sinnes of vncleannes vnto which adde a fifth sinne mentioned Gen. 19.9 and 14. that is contempt of heauenlie admonition and instruction for they scorned Lot while hee warned them of their danger The second thing in their sinne is the measure of it They sinned in like manner c. The originall signifieth and implieth not onely a bare committing of sin but a giuing of themselues ouer to commit their filthie lusts and that impudently and shamelesly which the Prophet Esay noted also chap. 3.9 They declare their sins at Sodom they hide them not shewing that they were past all shame in these most shamefull sinnes Yea they boasted and gloried in them both which may be gathered in Genesis 19. â— and 9. Doctr. 1. By these sins we are taught to take a view of the sinnes of these last times vnto which that of Ezechiel vnto Ierusalem may bee properly applied Thou
not Angels here consider the 1. Persons sinning the Angels 2. Sin it selfe and in it the 1. Author set downe Negatiuely not God Affirmatiuely but themselues 〈◊〉 2. Parts Negatiue vvhich kept not their first 〈◊〉 Affirmatiue but left their ovvne habitation 3. Measure of their fall A totall defection 3. Punishment in two degrees 1. Custodie Reserued in chaines vnder darken 2. Full punishment vnto the iudgement of the 〈…〉 Cities with their 1. Names Sodome and Gomorrha and the cities about them 2. Sins 1. According to Nature 1. Committed fornication 2. Followed strange flesh 2. Against Nature 1. Committed fornication 2. Followed strange flesh 3. Punishment wherin Vse set foorth for example Matter suffered vengeance of eternall fire 2. Assumption vz. But these seducers take libertie to sin prooued by enumeration of their sinnes in their 1. Ground or fountaine Dreamers 2. Kindâ— 1. Vncleannes They defile the flesh 2. Contempt of Magistracie 1. Proued from their Affection or iudgement They despise gouernment Speech or practise speake euill of them that are in authoritie 2. Amplified three waies 1. They blaspheme glories and dignities 2. By comparison from the greater thus Michael durst not raileâ— enlarged by the 1. Persons contending 1. Michael 〈…〉 2. 〈◊〉 2. Cause about the bodie of Moses 3. Speech of Michael The Lord rebuke 〈◊〉 3. They speake euill of a thing they know not 3. Intemperance in it the Cause naturall knovvledge Worke corrupt themselues as beasts vvithout reason 4. Crueltie against Gods people comparatiuely called Cains vvay 5. Couetousnes by similitude from Balaam with the Measure they are powred out or cast avvay Ground Hope of reward or vvages 6. Ambicious gainsaying of the truth illustrated by Comparison with that of Core The end of that Perished in it as he did 7. Riotousnes prooued by examplâ— and instance from Loue-feasts in which 1. Sin Fed themselues with neglect of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Ground of it vvithout feare vz. of God 3. Fruit of it makes them spots in theâ—◠〈…〉 8. Vnprofitablenes in their places Clowds vvithout vvater 9. Vnconstancie Carried about vvith euery vvinde as light clowds 10. Baâ—renneâ— in themselues illustrated by a comparison and described by foure degrees of naughtines vz. 1. Corrupt trees that is without good fruite 2. Altogether fruitlesse that is vvithout any fruite 3 Hopelesse of fruite tvvice dead that is certainly 4. Hopelesse of life it selfe Plucked vp by the 〈◊〉 11. Impatience raging vvaues of the Sea foaming out their owne shame 12. Vnstablenes in doctrine vvandring starres 13. Murmuring 14. Complaining which proceedes from Discontentment with their outward present estate The frowardnes of their owne disposition 15. VValking after their ovvne lusts 16. Proud boasting 17. Admiration of mens persons 18. Couetousnes for aduantage 3. Conclusion inserted in verses 13.14.15 vz Therefore these seducers shall be destroyed This conclusion is Propounded vers 13. For vvhom is reserued black darknes Confirmed vers 14.15 and that by an ancient testimonie in it consider the 1. Author Enoch not the fourth but the seuenth from Adam Cains sonne of Seth. 2. Preface He prophecied of such saying 3. The testimonie it self wherein 1. The Lords comming to iudgement 2. His iudgement being come which is Generall to iudge all 〈◊〉 Speciall Persons all 〈◊〉 Manner 〈◊〉 conuince 3. Cause of this iudgmeÌ„t 2. fold Deedes described by Qualitie 〈◊〉 Manner of 〈◊〉 vngodlily Words set out by 2. properties Cruell Vttred 〈◊〉 him i. 〈◊〉 3. An Apostolical testimonie that such there shuld be in it 1. A preface But ye beloued remember c. vers 17. 2. The testimonie it selfe and in it are two things 1. The time when these wicked men shall abound in the last times 2. What manner of persons they shall be described by two properties 1. Mockers 2. Fleshly walking after their owne lusts 3. The application of it to these persons who are indeed 1. Mockers common to makers of Sects 2. Fleshly hauing not the spirit 4. A direction in some meanes tending to this maintenance of faith in 5. rules coÌ„cerning 1. Faith on which as vpon a foundation they must build vp themselues inforced by A motiue most holy faith The meanes praying in the Holy Ghost 2 Loue of God in which they must keepe themselues 3. Hope looking for the mercie of God c. and in it three things the 1. Person on whom the Saints must waite by hope vz. our Lord Iesus Chriâ—â— 2. Thing for which they must waite vz. Gods mercie in Christ. 3. End of their hope Eternall life 4. Christian meeknes in recouering weake offenders in which consider the 1. Way to begin this recouerie in putting difference 2. Manner of performance Haue compassion of some 5. Christian seueritie in gaining of obstinate sinners in it the 1. Rule it selfe Others saue vvith feare 2. Manner of it Pulling them out of the fire 3. Caueat for better obseruation of it and hate euen the garment vvhich is spotted by the flesh 3. Epilogue or conclusion consisting on a praising of God wherein three things 1. Person praised Christ Iesus 2. Inducements mouing to praise him drawne from 1. His power Propounded here To him which is able c. Amplified by foure effects 1. Keeping the Saints that they fall not 2. Presenting them faultlesse that is iustifying them 3. Presenting them in the iudgement day before the presence of his glorie 4. Possessing them with ioy euerlasting 2. His wisedome To God only wise 3. The work of our redeÌ„ption our Sauiour 3. Forme of praise wherein foure things 1 What things are ascribed to God vz Glorie maiestie dominion povver 2. That these belong to Christ only 3. The circumstance of time novv and for euer 4. The affection of the heart euer needfull in the worship of God in the word Amen A GODLIE AND LEARNED EXPOSITION VPON THE EPISTLE OF IVDE EXPLAINED IN PVBLIKE LECTVRES BY that reuerend man of God M. WILLIAM PERKINS and now published for the vse of the Church of God Vers. 1. Iude or Iudas a seruant of Iesus Christ and brother of Iames to them which are called and sanctified of God the father and reserued to Iesus Christ. THe generall ayme and scope of this Epistle is partly to declare the dutie of all Christians and partly to set out the corruptions of those and these dayes and times in both which euery one may receiue edification who are desirous either to follow the former or auoid the latter In which generall consideration we are to note three things concerning this Epistle before we come to shew the parts of it in particular First the Authoritie Secondly the Superscription Thirdly the Argument or substance of it First concerning the Authoritie two questions are to be answered The first question whether this Epistle be canonicall scripture And secondly how we may know the certeinty of it Concerning the former Luther and others who acknowledge it to be a profitable wâ—iting denie it to be Canonicall scripture and alleage foure reasons
cries out that he was vile and abhorres himselfe After these examples we must euer keep our hearts as emptie vessels readie to receiue more mercie Thirdly note the measure of mercie asked he praies for continuance and increase of mercie to those who had alreadie the riches of mercie Whence we learne first that all the good we haue or can doe is of meere mercie not onely for the beginning and continuance but also for the increase thereof as grace is no grace vnlesse it be euery way grace so also of mercie Which takes away all conceit of merit seeing mercie filleth vp all the roome and leaues no place for merit Secondly that the Apostle here also coÌ„firmeth the former grounds of our perseuerance for by this prayer grace is to be added to the former graces yea multiplied so the Lord dealeth not giuing ouer when he hath giuen one grace for first he giues his seruant power to beleeue secondly he giues an execution of this power Neither there giues ouer but by a third grace giues continuance of that power yea and addes a fourth which is an execution of that continuance Thus he deales with all true beleeuers not onely in respect of faith but of obedience also Phil. 2.13 God worketh both the will and the deed Philip. 1.6 He that hath begun this good worke in you will performe iâ— vntill the day of Christ. So as this may well be called a multiplication of grace seeing euery beleeuer hath one grace more than Adam had he had power to obey so the renewed haue Secondly he had the act of obedience so they also haue Thirdly hee had power to perseuere which they likewise haue but hee had not the act of perseuerance which they hauing therein farre excell him The second thing desired in the prayer is peace namely the peace of God whereof he is the author and it is the vnitiâ— and concord of man with God and with the creatures Touching this peace note three things the foundation of it which is Christ the second Adam euen as the first Adam was the author of discord and emnitie Ephes. 2.14 Secondly the manifestation of it this peace is offered in the preaching of the Gospel which therefore is called the glad tidings of peace Rom. 10.15 and the Ministers of it the Embassadors of peace 2. Cor. 5.20 Thirdly the kindes of this peace it is two-fold first betweene person and persons secondly betweene person and things The former hath sixe heads I. Peace betweene man and God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost properly called reconciliation whereby God in Christ is at one with man and man thorough Christ at one with God of which when man is once perswaded in his heart then comes this peace Rom. 5.1 from which springs another namelie tranquillitie of minde when the mind is quieted in all things that befall without grudging or impatience and that because it is the reuealed will of God Philip. 4.11 II. Peace with the good Angels Ephes. 1.10 for men being at peace with God the Angels are become seruants and ministring Spirits vnto them Hebr. 1.14 III. Peace with a mans self consisting in two things first when the conscience sanctified ceaseth to accuse and in assurance of Gods fauour beginneth to take his part to excuse and speake for him before God Secondly when the will affections and inclinations submit themselues to the enlightened minde of which if either be wanting man is at warre with himselfe and the peace of God ruleth not in his heart Coloss. 3.15 IV. Peace of true beleeuers among themselues who before they beleeued were as Lions and Cockâ—triseâ— Esai 11.6 but now in the kingdome of Christ haue put off that sauage nature and become peaceable as Act. 4.32 the number of beleeuers were all of one heart V. Peace of the faithfull with professed enemies namely when they endeuour to haue peace with al men Rom. 12.17.18 not requiting euill with euill VI. Concord of the enemies themselues with the true Church for often the Lord restraineth the malice and rage of his enemies and inclines them to peace Thus Iacob and Iosephs familie were preserued in Egypt and Daniel was brought in fauour with the chiefe Eunuch Dan. 1.9 The second branch of this peace is when al things creatures conspire and agree for the good of the godly This is called good successe promised Psal. 13. Whatsoeuer the righteous man doth it shall prosper Vse First in that mercie is first asked and then peace wee are by the order taught that peace and good successe are grounded on mercie so as men for the most part take a preposterous course who would haue good successe in health wealth peace honour learning c. in that they seeke it out of assurance of mercie in the pardon of sin whereas this ground must first bee laid as the foundation of al blessing and good successe Secondly we must endeuour that this peace grounded vpon mercie may haue place in our hearts that wee may haue boldnes in regard of God comfort in our consciences peace with our brethren quietnes and contentednes in all conditions of life c. This peace shall preserue our hearts in all things Philip. 4 7. This was Dauids securitie in the middest of his enemies and danger of death he would now lie downe in peace because the Lord did sustaine him Psal. 4. vers 8. This grace preserueth the heart vndanted in many afflictions euen as a souldier that takes the enemies Ensigne cares for no blowes or wounds so hee may carrie away the Ensigne so hee that preserues the peace of God in his heart makes light of afflictions seeing hee holdeth that which counteruaileth all of them The third grace desired in the prayer is loue which is a most excellent vertue preferred before faith and hope in some respects and made the end of the Commaâ—dement Loue is diuersly taken in the Scripture sometime it signifieth the loue of God to the creature and sometime the loue of man to God and man and so it is taken in this place being set after mercie and peace as a fruite of them In the handling of this vertue consider three points in generall before wee come to the speciall parts of it First what this loue is The loue of God and man is a certaine diuine and spirituall motion in the heart causing it to be well pleased in the thing loued and mouing it to affect communion therewith in these two consists the nature of true loue to God and man Secondly Whence hath loue his beginning A. Not from nature for the wisedome of the flesh is emnitie with God yea there is in euery mans nature a disposition to hate God and man when occasion is offered let the naturall man say neuer so often he loueth God herein he lieth and deceiueth himselfe for vrge him to frame and conforme himselfe vnto the word wherein he should testifie his loue here his wicked heart hating to be
nature but not Adams sinne Againe Christ came of Adam but from him as a beginning and not by him as by a father whereas all other men are both from Adam and by him This is a maine ground of our religion without which there could bee no redemption Aduersaries hereof are First our common people who say they euer kept Gods law and loued him with al their heart and their neighbours as themselues and thinke hence all is well but were it so as they dreame they had neuer fallen in Adam and so Adams sin had not gone ouer all men Secondly the Popish Church first in teaching that the Virgin Mary who came of Adam by ordinary generation was conceiued without sinne notwithstanding she was saued not by her bearing of Christ in her wombe but by beleeuing on him with her heart Secondly in that they teach that men are not wholy dead in sinne but in part or halfe dead yea that being a little holpen they can keepe the law as though by sinne men had not been wholy depriued of the glorie of God The 11. ground is that the Law and Gospell are two parts of the word of God and are diuers kindes of doctrine By the law I vnderstand that part of Gods word which promiseth life to the obeyer By the Gospell that part which promiseth it to the beleeuer These I say are diuers kindes of doctrine to the cleering of which consider first their consent and agreement Secondly their dissent and difference First the Law and Gospell consent first in the Author of both which is God Secondly in their generall matter for both require iustice and righteousnesse to saluation Thirdly in their end namely the glorie of God Secondly they dissent in sixe things First the Morall law is written in nature by creation yea and since the fall we haue some remainder of it in vs. Rom. 2.15 The Gentiles shew the effect of the law written in their hearts but the Gospell is not in nature but aboue the reach of nature created much more corrupted The ground of the law is the image of God but the ground of the Gospell is Iesus Christ. Secondly the Law will haue vs doe something that we may be saued by it and that is to fulfill it The Gospel requireth no doing of vs but onely beleeuing in Christ. Ob. But beleeuing is a worke to be done Ans. The Gospell requireth it not as a worke but as it is an instrument and the hand of the soule to lay hold vpon Christ Rom. 4.5 and 3.21 and 10.5 Hence is it that the Law requireth righteousnes inherent but the Gospell imputed Thirdly the Law is propounded to the vnrepentant sinner to bring him to faith but the Gospell to the beleeuer to the begetting and increase of faith Fourthly the Law sheweth sinne accuseth and reuealeth iustice without mercie but the Gospell couereth sinne and is a qualification of the rigour of the Law The Law saith Cursed is euery one c. The Gospell qualifieth that and saith Except he beleeue and repent euery man is accursed Thus the Law which onely manifesteth iustice is moderated by the Gospell which mingleth mercie and iustice together iustice vpon Christ mercie vnto vs. Fiftly the law telleth vs what good workes must bee done the Gospell how they must bee done the former declareth the matter of our obedience the latter directeth vs in the manner of obeying the former is pleased with nothing but the deede the latter signifieth that God is pleased to accept the will and vnfained endeuor for the deede it selfe Sixtly the Law is no worker of grace and saluation no not instrumentally for it is the ministerie of death the Gospell preached worketh grace onely though the Law may be a hammer to breake the heart and prepare the way to faith and repentance Aduersaries hereof are The Papists who hold that they are one doctrine only but herein differing that the Law is more darke the Gospell more plaine the former more hard to fulfill the latter more easie that is as the roote of a tree this as the bodie branches by which premises they would conclude Christ to be no Sauiour but an instrumēt rather for vs to saue our selues by he giuing vs grace to keepe the Law for a sinner must needes bee saued by works if there be no difference between the Law and the Gospell and if the Law which requireth workes were not moderated by the Gospel which requireth not workes but faith The 12. ground is The word was made flesh Ioh. 1.14 This is a maine ground as in 1. Ioh. 4.3 Euery spirit that doth not confesse that Christ is come in the flesh that is euery doctrine in which Christ is denied to be come in the flesh is not of God but of Antichrist Now by word I vnderstand the eternall sonne of God the second person in Trinitie the very substantiall word of the Father It is added was made not as though the sonne of God was turned into flesh and ceased to bee Gods sonne but as Heb. 2.16 in that he tooke not the seede of Angels but of Abraham The meaning then is that the Sonne of God abiding still the word tooke that is receiued into his person our nature Phil. 2.7 He tooke vpon him the forme of a seruant The word flesh signifieth first mans nature which Christ tooke vnto him namely a true nature of man not phantasticall or apparant onely Secondly the whole nature of man consisting of true and perfect soule and bodie with all things that belong to the entire nature of man for if he had taken mans nature only in part he had redeemed it but in part Thirdly the properties of man in soule minde will affections in body breadth length circumscription c. Fourthly the infirmities and frailties of mans nature without sin where must be noted that Christ tooke not all infirmities of mans nature as sin and corruption neither euery personall infirmitie of euery person as blindnes Gowte or this and that particular disease Here by the way it may be asked whether Christ had obliuion in his agonie as some haue thought To which may be answered That euen whē he vttered those words Father if it be thy will let this cup c. it is not fit to attribute obliuion vnto him which properly is a forgetfulnes of those things which we are bound to remember for thus wee should draw sinne vpon him but rather to ascribe it to suspending of the memorie which is when a man neither forgetteth nor remembreth For as in the will be three things 1. willing 2. nilling 3. suspending of the will which is neither of the former so also is it in memorie which remembreth forgetteth and suspendeth memorie for a time Now the summe of the whole ground is That the Sonne of God the second person and so abiding tooke vnto him the perfect nature of man in all things being like vnto vs sinne onely
the power of godlinesse and will not suffer it to feaâ—e it self there seeing the loue of the world and the loue of God cannot stand together Thirdly many hauing this forme cannot abide to subiect their hearts and liues vnto the lawes of God yea they would exempt their speeches and affections from such strictnes and count it too much precisenes these are al fruites of the vngodly heart of which the fewer wee can see in our selues the more they be and the more to be bewailed 2. Vse Further hence wee are to take out that lesson which the Apostle teacheth 1. Tim. 4.7 To exercise our selues vnto godlinesse for if vngodlinesse bee such a mother sinne we must endeuour our selues to the contrarie For which purpose we must first prepare our selues thereunto else wee shall faile in the whole exercise by learning to acknowledge Gods prouidence presence mercie and iustice in euery thing Gal. 4.8 When the Galathians know not God they worshipped them which by nature were no gods no godlinesse can stand with the ignorance of God neither can it be exercised in particular actions vnlesse we behold him thus in the particulars Secondly to this exercise of godlinesse wee must first inwardly worship God in our spirits soules hearts affections not in lips only speeches outward actions For the right worshippers worship him in spirit and truth Paul serued God in his spirit Qu. How shall a man doe this Ans. True inward worshippe standeth in two things first in faith secondly in the actions of faith Faith is that whereby a man generally beleeueth the whole word of God containing the Law and the Gospell to be the truth of God it selfe and particularly concerning himselfe three things first Gods mercie in the forgiuing of his owne sinnes Secondly his presence in all his actions Thirdly his prouidence ouer all euents good or bad that befall him The actions of faith are two first subiection of the heart vnto God in three respects first to Gods iudgement that seeing hee passeth sentence against our sinnes we also should call our selues to account for them confesse them condemne our selues for them and intreate for mercie Secondly to his word and lawes of both Tables by heartie and conscionable obedience willingly taking vp his yoke suffering our selues to be directed by all his lawes Thirdly to the good pleasure of God knowne by the euent whether sicknes or health want or abundance in departing from our owne wils and patiently yea thankfully submitting them vnto his blessed will The second action of faith is the eleuation or lifting vp of the heart vnto God incessantly both in suing for his grace and aide in the seasonable supplie of our necessities as also in blessing him for blessings receiued In these stand the practise of the true worship of God in the spirit which is true godlinesse vnto which wee may be incited by these reasons first because this godlinesse hath the promise of this life and the life to come 1. Tim. 4. that is the godly man hath title to all blessings of all kindes Secondly Godlines is great gaine 1. Timoth 6. Euery man affecteth gaine but if any man would attaine it let him bee godlie Men are often crossed in the world and things succeede not with them they are not prospered in their callings and duties of it and seeing no reason of it marueile why they should not thriue as well as others whereas indeede being vngodly men they want that which should bring in their gaine Thirdly leâ— the consideration of the last iudgement ioyned with the dissolution of heauen and earth moue vs hereunto 2. Pet. 3.11 Seeing all these things shall be dissolued what manner of persons ought we to be in holy coâ—â—â—rsation and godlines As though hâ— had said seeing nothing else shall stand vâ— in stead but godlines how are we to 〈◊〉 our selues to the practise of it Fourthly the appearing of grace teacheth vs to denie all vngodlines and to liue 〈◊〉 in this present world Tit. 2.12 If this be the end of the Gospels appearing and we haâ—e been they to whom 〈◊〉 hath appeared with peace and prosperitie aboue fourtie yeeres how can wee bee but vnexcuseable and speechlesse before God if wee remaine vntaught in this dutie but continue still in the waies of vngodlinesse The fourth adiunct whereby the seducers are described is their doctrine in these words They turne the grace of God to wantonnes In which consider two points first the sinne or vice here condemned Secondly the duâ—ie or contrarie vertue commanded Before wee can know the former we must search out the meaning of the words And first by grace is meant the doctrine of the Gospel called in the former verse by the name of faith so it is called Titus 2.11 The grace of God hath appeared teaching vs c. because it teacheth vs that remission of sinnes and life euerlasting are obtained onely by the meere grace of God in Christ. By wantonnes is properly vnderstood that sinne whereby men addict themselues wholie to intemperance incontinencie and vnlawful pleasures but here it must be taken generally for a licentious prophane kinde of liuing and libertie of sinning Turne that is they displace the grace of God applying it from a right to a wrong end and that not onely in practise of life but in propounding of doctrine tending thereunto As though hee had more plainly said that whereas the doctrine of grace in the Gospell teacheth men free iustification by faith in Christ without the workes of the law these men peruert this gratious doctrine and teach that therefore men may liue as they list and so themselues doe also by which same sinne such seducers are elsewhere noted in the Scripture Rom. 3.8 Some gathered from Pauls doctrine the same libertie saying Why doe wee not then euill that good â—ay come of it And 2. Pet. 2.19 some such are mentioned who beguiled diuers with wantonnes through thâ— lusts of the flesh promising vnto them libertie Ecclesiasticall histories mention in any such who sprung vp after the Apostles daies 〈◊〉 the Libertines Simon Magus and his disciples who â—â—ught that men might lawfully commit fornication So also the disciples of â—aâ—ilides Euâ—omius and the â—â—osticks Heretikes who taught that men might liue as they list seeing â—ow such libertie was procured them being freed from being vnder the Law any longer which sinne died not with those cursed heretikes but the Diuell hath in these last daies reuiued it especially in foure sorts of men first the Libertines of this age who hold with the former that being vnder grace wee are free from the obedience of the Law Secondly the Anabaptists who vpon the consideratioÌ„ of abundant grace peace in the new Testament and of the libertie obtained by Christ teach that Ciuill iurisdiction and Magistracie is vnlawfull as also to make warre and to take an oth before a Magistrate which sort of men are not so well knowne here as
in other Churches but are daungerous enemies wheresoeuer both to the grace of God and good of man for where the Ciuill sword doth cease there can no societie stand in safetie Thirdly another kind of Libertines are the Papists and the Popish Church with the whole Romane Religion themselues being open enemies vnto the grace of God and their whole religion turning it into wantonnes and libertie of sinning and that diuers waies First God hauing of his grace giuen vnto the Church a power of the keyes to open and shut heauen that religion hath turned it into an instrument first of prophanenesse in setting vp an new Priesthood to absolue and lose men sins properly in offering a sacrifice for the quicke and the dead so abolishing the sacrifice of Christ. Secondly of iniustice for by it they depose Kings and Princes they free subiects from their alleageance they stirre them vp and encourage them to conspiracies rebellions and maintaine in other states factions ciuill warres and seditions and al by vertue of their power Thirdly of horrible couetousnes for by it they sell pardons for thousands of yeeres the which sales haue brought to the Church of Rome the third part of the reuenewes of al Europe which one practise if there were no moe prooueth plainly that that Church turneth the grace of God to the libertie of sinne Secondly their whole Religion is a corrupted Religion and maketh the receiuers of it the children of Satan more than before for first it maketh men hypocrites requiring nothing but an externall bodily and ceremoniall worship without any inward power of it as in fasting it requireth onely a shew of it as to abstaine from flesh and white meates but they may vse most delicate fishes the strongest wines and sweetest spices and in other parts of their religion is no lesse hypocriticall Secondly it maketh men proud and arrogant teaching the freedome of will vnto good if the holie Ghost doe but a little help it that a man can merit by his workes that hee can satisfie Gods iustice by suffering for sin yea that hee can performe some workes of supererrogation who can hold these points and be humble Thirdly it maketh men secure teaching that they may haue full pardon of all their sins by the power of their keyes for mony and that though they haue no merits of their owne they may buy the merits of other men yea although in their death they faile of repentance yet for some mony they may be eased in Purgatorie What shall any rich man now care how he liue or die seeing all shall be well with him for a little mony Fourthly it maketh men in their distresse desperate teaching that no man can be assured of his saluation without some reuelation Fiftly it reuiueth the old sinne of these seducers teaching that diuers men and women may not marrie that were adulterie and yet openly tolerating stues and vncleannes Which what is it else but to maintaine wantonnes whereby the chiefe teachers of that Church witnesse themselues the right successors not of the Apostles as they pretend but of these seducers and other wicked heretikes old and new The fourth sort of Libertines are carnall and formall Protestants who first turne the counsell of Gods election into wantonnes by reasoning thus If I be elected to saluation I shall be saued let me liue as I will or if not I cannot be saued doe what I will or can because Gods counsels are vnchangeable and thus conclude to spend their daies in all wantonnes Secondly they turne the mercie of God into wantonnes thus reasoning in their hearts Because God is mercifull therefore I will deferre my repentance as yet for at what time soeuer a sinner repenteth God will put away all his sins out of his remembrance what yong Saints old Diuels Thus the timely acceptance of Gods mercie offered is become a reproch besides many moe who because the Lord deferreth punishment set their hearts to doe euill Thirdly others vnder pretence of brotherly loue mispend all that they haue in wantonnes riot excesse companie keeping gaming to the beggering of themselues and vndoing of their owne families vnto which they ought to shew their loue in the first place Fourthly others vnder pretext that the Iewish Sabbath is abrogated and that Christ hath brought such libertie as hath abolished distinctions of times take libertie to keepe no Sabbath at all whence many tradesmen will do what they list on this day and dispatch those businesses which they can finde no time for in the weeke daies Fiftly some because they would humble themselues commit diuers sins and continue in others these say in themselues Let vs continue in sinne that grace may abound all these sortes of men turne the grace of God into wantonnes and practise the vice here condemned The 2. thing to be considered is the contrary vertue and y◠is to make a godly holy vse of the grace of God and to applie it to the right end for which God vouchsafeth it vnto vs to wit that wee might be thankful vnto him and testifie the same in obedience to all his lawes Which appeareth first by testimonie of Scripture Luk. 1.74.75 We are deliuered 〈◊〉 of the hands of our spirituall enemies to serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse Rom. 6.16 We are vnder grace therefore let vs giue vp the members of our bodies weapons of righteousnesse Tit. 2.11 The grace of God hath appeared teaching vs to denie vngodlines Secondly the end of all Gods graces is that wee should be furthered in holinesse of life we are elected that wee might be holy the end of our calling is that we may be Saints Iustification freeth from punishment of sinne Sanctification from corruption and sinne it selfe Faith purifieth the heart Loue containeth vs in obedience he that hath hope purgeth himselfe and so of all other graces Thirdly Christ is a Mediatour two waies first by merit to procure life and worke our saluation secondly by efficacie that is whereby his death is powerfull to cause vs to die to sinne and his resurrection to raise vs from the graue of sinne to a new life and he is no Mediatour by his merit to those who are destitute of this efficacie Vse We haue in this land been many yeeres partakers of this grace of God our dutie then is to make a holie vse of it and walke thankfully before God Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God which he had in the former chapter mentioned that ye giue vp your selues a holie sacrifice to God no more forcible argument can be vrged to stirre vp men to thankfull obedience than this for if Gods mercie in Christ cannot mooue what will Let this then perswade vs likewise If we beleeue God to bee our Father that is a great grace Let this grace moue vs to walke as children before him let the grace of our redemption mooue vs to walke as redeemed ones rescued out of such captiuitie
defection and departure from God Secondly if they were destroyed for vnbeleefe wee must on the contrarie exercise our faith daily and inure it in the daily apprehension of Gods prouidence power protection iustice and mercie and thus walking vndismaid we which haue thuâ— beleeued shall enter into the rest prepared for the people of God when as many shall not enter for vnbeleefes sake Heb. 4.3 and 6. Euen as Caleb and Iosua only entred into that good land because they beleeued that God could and would bring his people thither Thirdly this must teach vs obedience for vpon this ground that they were destroyed for vnbeleefe Dauid inferreth this coÌ„sequent Psal. 95. To day therefore if yâ— heare his voyce harden not your hearts which Moses also maketh the ground of his exhortation to the people â—o feare the Lord because 〈…〉 destroyed for vnâ—eleefe Deut. 1. â—â— c. Fouâ—â—hly in that destruction of bodie and soule followes of vnbeleefe let such persons as when iudgements are vpon themselues wiues or children runne to Witches and Wizards for ease as though they were bewitched and make that the ground of their harmes bee enformed that their owne wretched hearts haue bewitched them which being full of vnbeleefe bring plagues of al kinds not onely vpon their bodies but their soules also Art thou strangely diseased the witch that hath brought it vpon thee is thy owne wicked heart which knoweth not to relie it selfe on Gods promises and protection Fiftly were they destroyed because of their vnbeleefe let not vs iudge of our sinnes by the crooked rule of our owne reason but by the law of God wee can iudge murther theft and adulterie great sins but wee neuer espie the mother sin of all which is our infidelitie the maine sinne of the first Table and the nurcerie of other sins we neuer bewaile it we account lightly of it and therefore the Lord taketh the reuenge of this sin into his owne hands and punisheth it with destruction both of soule and bodie so odious it is in his eyes and ought therefore to bee as hainous in ours also The fourth thing in the example is the manner of the speech which at the first seemeth to bee generall as though all they had been destroyed which beleeued not whereas indeed it is special for all that beleeued not were not destroyed seeing that all vnder twentie yeeres were exempted and saued Num. 14.29 who were reserued that God might still haue his Church among theÌ„ and that there might be of them a people left to possesse the good land according to the promise where note that to bee true which Habacuâ—ke ascribeth to God that in his iustice he remembrâ—th mercie by which mercie the younger soâ—â— are here spared which warranteth vs to pray in common iudgements that the Lord powre not ouâ— his whole wrath vpon vs neither in our temptations vtterly forsake vs and giue vs ouer to Satans malice seeing hee hath manifested such goodnes towards his Church that in iudgements he hâ—th remembred his mâ—rcie But here it may bee asked 〈◊〉 this can stand with equitie that eâ—en thâ—se men should bee destroyed for it seemeth that they repented of this sin Numb 14.40 yea they confessed it and mourned for it and offered to passe into Canaan yea and were very readie to hasten into the land Ans. They repented indeed but fainedly it was farre from true and sincere repentance and sorrow for euen in the very same place it appeareth that they disobeyed God for when he had passed sentence against their sin commanding that they should returne into the wildernes of Arabia vers 25. and there abide fourtie yeeres and die there they would not submit themselues to that sentence but in all haste they would goe forward to Canaan according to the promise although against a particular commandement yea Moses himselfe could not stay them but that brought on their neckes a more speedie destruction as appeareth in the end of the Chapter Whence note the wicked nature of the deceitfull heart of man which in distresse when Gods hand is stretched out against it can faine a false repentance and counterfeite humiliation which causeth many a man in sicknes to vow amendement of life if euer God raise him againe and yet as soone as the scourge is ouerpassed he forgetteth the hand of God his owne vowes and promises and falleth backe into the same bad courses againe which consideration may mooue vs to watch ouer our hearts and suspect them of this deceit whereby they can frame and faine a false repentance when indeede there is nothing lesse then soundnes in it The fifth point in this iudgement is the generall vse of it namely that wee should frame our selues to repentance for this particular sin of vnbeliefe vpon which we behold such a fearefull destruction in Gods owne people To the practise and performance of which we must doe foure things first laying aside the common perswasion of the fulnes of perfection of our faith we must come to the discerning of this sin in our selues which is the first step to repent of it and the rather because it is our mother sin Now because this sinne is so inward and secret and so hardly to be discerned for our helpe herein some directions may be giuen for the especiall of it in some signes and fruites thereof which euery man shall find in himselfe lesse or more For first we beleeue not as we ought the particular presence of God in all places and times towards vs for we are ashamed to doe and speake many things in the presence of men which in the presence of God men not being by wee make no bones of either to speake or doe so as mans presence keepeth vs in some awe which Gods presence cannot doe Secondly wee beleeue not the particular prouidence of God watching ouer vs but either not regard it at all or not as wee ought which appeareth by these three things first if wee haue health wealth friends fauour means we are well contented we can think our selues very well and can then relie our selues on God but if God take these away oh thâ—n wee are troubled much disquieted and discontented the reason whereof is because the heart is not setled in the perswasion of Gods special prouidence which if it haue a pledge of God can trust him otherwise not at all but as the Vsurer trusteth not the man but his pawne so men relying themselues on these pledges trust neither God himselfe nor for himselfe Secondly in any distresse let our friend promise vs helpe wee are well cheered but let God in his word promise supply of all good and ease in our troubles we reape little or no comfort from thence this is a manifest fruite of inbred vnbeleefe Thirdly in sicknes or any iudgement any meanes is vsed for case and freedome yea there is too common running and riding to Witches Charmers Cunning men and women for men waite not on
by God Yea so farre haue they gone on in this delusion that they are become spectacles of follie to the whole world for if Iohn Baptist had had so many heads as the Papists brag of he had been a monster of men besides though the Crosse wheron Christ was crucified was no greater than as ordinarie man might beare yet so many seuerall peeces thereof they pretend themselues to haue in seuerall places as would load a shippe Ob. They say they had all those â—â—likes by reuelation 〈…〉 Ans. These 〈…〉 are but 〈…〉 illusionâ— to maintaine Idolatrie besides that 〈◊〉 the word being 〈…〉 perfect 〈◊〉 in all matters to bee beleeued or done vnwritten reuelations are no proofes of doctrine but are luâ—â—ly to be suspected The third thing in the verse is the manner of his speech in which obserue three things first what speech the Archangell would not vse He would not speake euill Secondly what speech he vsed The Lord rebuke thâ—â— Thirdly the reason or cause of both because he durst not speake euill First of this cause as being first in nature which is sâ—â—d to bee feare Now to know what kinde of feare it was consider that the 〈◊〉 is a three-fold feare first from entire nature secondly from the corruption of nature thirdly from grace The first is a naturall propertie whereby the creature seekâ— to preserue it selfe and to shunne danger which feare is not 〈◊〉 in it selfe for it was in Christ when he said his soule was heauie euen vnto the death and if 〈…〉 possible let this cup passe from me but this is not here meant The second feare proceeding from corruption of nature in men and Angels is that seruile feare when the creature feareth nothing but due and deserued punishment the conscience being guiltie vnto it selfe and accusing for sinne and the heart destitute of faith and loue of God which if it were present would cast out this slauish feare which is no other than the feare euen of the Diuels themselues who beleeue and tremble Iam. 2.19 but neither was this the feare of the Angell The third feare is from grace and it is a gift of the spirit of God who therefore is called the spirit of feare working in men and Angels a care to please and a feare of displeasing God in all things this is the feare here meant which was in the Angell In which consider three things further first the beginning of it which is faith euen in the Angels themselues whereby they beleeue the power iustice soueraigntie and Lordship of God ouer them and that they must be subiect and obedient thereunto but in man it is a faith apprehending the mercie and fauour of God reconciled by Christ this feare in Angels and men therefore is the fruite of their faith Seconâ—â—y the propertie of 〈…〉 is to make the subiect of it to feare the offence of God 〈…〉 euill of the world to 〈…〉 properly 〈◊〉 of all because by it God is displeased and in the next 〈…〉 of iudgement consequently but 〈…〉 the first place Psal. 119.12 〈…〉 trembleth for feare of thee and I 〈…〉 stand of thy iudgements This was the religious feare of Dauid first a fearing of Gods offence and then a standing in awe of his iudgements thirdly the vse of it which is to make man and Angel make conscience of sin Exod. 〈…〉 the Midwiues spare the Hebrew 〈◊〉 it will not suffer the Angell hereto reuile the Diuell The feare of God saith Salomon causeth to 〈◊〉 euery 〈◊〉 way yea it frameth to obedience and i◠〈◊〉 because it keepeth the heart from defiling it selfe Our dutie hence is to pray that the Lord would put into our heartâ— this religious feare which they containe vs in awe of his Maiestie and so keepe vs from offences wherein wee may resemble this Angell as also to be a welspring of life vnto vs not onely 〈◊〉 escape the snares of death but to quicken and prouoke vs in the wâ—â—es of life euerlasting Secondly wee must auoide the sinne which the Angell was 〈◊〉 of namely the boldnes of sinning especially in these daies wherein then aduenture and rush vpon sinne without feare or shame The second point herein is what speech the Archangell would not vse that is cursed speaking or railing iudgement Which to know what it is obserue the differences of iudgement which is two-fold either publique or priuate Publique iudgement iâ— when a man is called by God to iudge the creature and this is two-fold first of the Magistrate secondly of the Minister The Magistrate is called by God to seeke out the misdemeanours of men and according to the offence is to pronounce a righteous sentence 〈◊〉 to the taking away if the cause 〈◊〉 of the temporall life it selfe The Minister is also in the name of God to pronounce the curse of the law vpon vnrepentant sinners and the promise of the Gospell vnto the penitâ—nt Secondly priuate iudgement is when the creature passeth iudgement against â—â—other without calling from God but vpon priuate grudge anger stomacke and reuenge this is here called railing iudgement and it is practised three waies first in speaking falsehoods and vntruths against others Secondly in speaking truths but with intent of slandering and detracting from the good name of others Thirdly in misconstruing mens sayings and doings to the worst part when they may be taken in the better this railing speech the Angell durst not vse Hence we learne to make conscience of this sinne of slandering reproching and reuiling others from which the Archangell abstained dealing euen with the Diuell himselfe but many of vs who can vtter the prouerbe That it is a shame to belie the Diuell are contented yea and readie to belie and detract from the children of God our brethren by this railing iudgement Some will say what may we neuer vse this kind of iudgement Ans. Neuer no not against the Diuell but if wee would take vp iudgement against any creature let it bee against our owne selues for our sinnes here we may passe sentence freely and so escape the iudgement of God as for others wee are to iudge by the iudgement of loue which hopeth speaketh thinketh and suspecteth the best and couereth the worst euen a multitude of sinnes The third point is the speech which the Archangell vsed in these words The Lord rebuke thee Which words are a forme of prayer in which he commendeth and remitteth reuenge vnto God desiring that the Lord to whom iudgement belongeth would restraine correct and repay the Diuell for his malice Here it may bee asked what shall we doe when wee are wronged Ans. Learne of the Angell not to requite and repay euill for euill neither in action speech or affection but leaue all reuenge vnto the Lord. Zachariah being stoned to death vniustly desired no reuenge but said The Lord see and require it Christ himselfe being accused before Pilate answered nothing and when he died he prayed for those who crucified him
they which take libertie to sinne and vnto them addeth this fourth That they haue followed the way of Caine. In which first we will shew the meaning of the words and then obserue the doctrines In the former consider two things first what is the way of Caine secondly why they are said to walke in this way of Caine. The way of Caine is that course of life which Caine took vp to himself in following the lusts of his owne heart against the will of God It is described in Gen. 4. of which way there be seuen steps or degrees but euery one out of the right way The first step was his hypocrisie he worshipped God by offring sacrifice as Abel did but his heart was not a beleeuing heart as Abel◠was his worship was outward ceremonious but not in spirit and truth for his heart was an euill heart of vnbeleefe The second his hatred of his owne onely and naturall brother prosecuting him with wrath and indignation testified by the casting downe of his countenance vpon him the reason of all which was because his own works were euill and his brothers good 1. Ioh. 3.12 so as his brothers offering being accepted and his reiected he feared that Abel might get the birthright and become the Priest Prophet and King in the familie and euery way as he deserued be preferred before him for thus much is signified in these words Genes 4.7 that if he did well Abels affection should bee subiect vnto him and he should hold his rule ouer him The third his murther whereby hee slew his righteous brother The fourth his lying vnto God saying he knew not where his brother was hauing slaine him and extenuating his sinne denied himselfe to be his brothers keeper The fifth his desperation after that God had conuicted him and pronounced sentence against him for being cursed for his sinne he cutteth himselfe off from the mercie of God in saying My punishment is greater than I am able to beare The sixth his securitie and carelesnes hee regardeth not his sinne nor the conscience of it but busieth himselfe in building a Citie and calleth it after the name of his child that seeing his name was not written in heauen he might yet preserue his name and memorie in the earth The seuenth and last which was the highest step of his way was his prophanenes for from thencefoorth he cast off and contemned all the care and practise of Gods worship which appeareth Gen. 4.26 Then men began to call vpon the name of the Lord. Which wordes haue relation to the whole chapter going before concerning Caine and his posteritie who had vtterly reiected the seruice of God and betaken themselues to other affaires Caine himselfe to his building Lamech to his lust being the first founder of Polygamie for hee tooke vnto him two wiues Iabal to the framing and pitching of Tents Iubal to Musicke Tubal Caine to other curious works But when Enoch was borne then men began to affect better things to call vpon the name of the Lord then the true worship of God formerly neglected began to bee restored This is the path wherein Caine walked The second point is in what regard these seducers are said to follow Cain◠way and that is in regard of all these seuen sinnes but especially in the hatred and crueltie which he practised against his brother for as he was bloodily and maliciously minded towards his brother though he gaue him good words till he saw his time conuenient to execute his conceiued malice so is it with these seducers they may seeme for the season otherwise affected yet indeed they carrie a hatefull affection to the Church of God and against those also that endeuour in the building vp of the same Doct. Hence first note that the way of Caine is the high and broad way of the world The Turks and Iews follow Caines footsteps in the profession and practise of all prophanenes in that they denie and despise the Messias the Sonne of God yea and persecute with a deadly hatred all Christians and are neuer satisfied with the spilling of their blood The way of the Papists also is the way of Caine carrying within them the same heart towards Protestants which Caine did towards Abel without any conuiction of them either of heresie or of wickednes and no otherwise than Caine they now carrie themselues quietly and silently till opportunitie may serue them which if it were offered we should feele and haue fearefull experience of the fruits of a Cainish heart in them as Abel did Besides the doctrine of the Romish Church teacheth the way of Caine for it stādeth wholy in outward Ceremonies borrowed partly from the Iewes partly from the Heathen yea it traineth vp men to bee hypocrites because it is onely a dumbe and dead shew without any power or life of godlines Againe it teacheth desperation in that by it no man ought to be assured of his saluation for that were presumption as also that a man must satisfie the iustice of God for his sinnes and can neuer obtaine pardon without confession of all his sinnes in the eare of the Priest And to come neerer home euen among our selues this way of Cain is not vnbeaten our hypocrisie lying malice but aboue all our prophanenes will conuince vs hereof Doe not men goe backward in religion as those that shake off the waies of God Is not the Gospell of farre lesse reckoning among vs than it hath been heretofore Is that wholsome doctrine not lesse respected now than it was twentie yeeres agoe and much lesse therfore obeyed which is a manifest argument that Caines way is generally the beaten way of this age 2. Doct. Secondly wee must be warned to turne out of the way of Caine into the waies of God Qu. Which is the way of God that wee may walke in it Ans. It is altogether contrarie to the way of Caine for first in Gods way is sinceritie God is worshipped in the spirit and not in hypocrisie Secondly loue of God and men testified in word and deede opposed to Cains hatred Thirdly in Gods way is faith which resteth vpon Gods mercie and prouidence euen against feeling both in life and death opposed to Caines desperation Fourthly wisedome whereby the heart is stirred vp to seeke Gods kingdome peace of conscience inward ioy and in the second place for the things of this life Fifthly in Gods way is faithfulnes and constancie men that begin in the spirit end not in the flesh but are faithfull to the death whereas the way of Caine is to begin with sacrifice but end in profanenes This is the way of God in which we must walke vsing all good meanes whereby wee may be both set and contained therein especially the word preached and the Sacraments which meanes the very Pharisie himselfe could acknowledge when he said to Christ Master thou teachest the way of God truly So the Prophet Esay saith Ye shall heare a voyce behind you
edification so as the generall commandement admitteth this limitation that men must be pleased but onely so farre as it tendeth to Gods glorie their owne good and edification So Rom. 12.18 Haue peace with all men but yet with a double limitation first if it be possible secondly if it be in you or so much as lieth in you wee must not carrie crosse and thwart mindes as being enemies vnto peace but applie our selues to the preseruation of it in our selues and others thus shall we testifie our selues to be admitted into Gods kingdome wherein the lion and lambe play together and the yong childe with the Cockatrice Isai. 11. Whereby thus much is signified that men once conuerted shall be so changed and altered that if they were neuer so fierce and cruell against the Church and one against another before yet now they shal be framed to a peaceable and meeke disposition towards all men Now to perswade vs to the practise of these rules consider first that these are the last times wherein most men are louers of themselues and louers of men for their owne aduantage euen so farre as by them they may attaine and retaine their wealth pleasures and pompe but few are they that loue men for God or his graces in them now seeing the times more call for these duties let vs bee the more carefull in them Secondly loue amongst men is the bond of societies for what else linketh man to man but loue which therefore the Apostle calleth the bond of perfection and truly for it maketh men speake and thinke one thing and perfecteth their societie Seeing then Christian societies are Gods ordinances and preserued by loue wee are to labour the more in the preseruation of it Thirdly the office and action of loue is most excellent for the manifold gifts and graces which God bestoweth on men for the vse of the Church and Common-wealth are all hereby made profitable thereunto all ordered hereunto aright and all hereby applied to their right ends and vses the gifts of knowledge tongues artes wisedome and such like without loue they puffe vp but it is loue that edifieth 1. Cor. 13. and which causeth man to applie and vse these gifts to the good of man The third rule for the maintenance of faith concerneth Hope in the next wordâ— looking for the mercie of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Wherein is contained a description of hope which is this Hope is a gift of God whereby we waite for the mercie of Iesus Christ to eternal life For the better conceiuing of which grace consider in the words three things first the person on whom wee are to waite by hope namely our Lord Iesus Christ together with the properties of this waiting which are foure first it must be certaine without doubting for the Apostle ascribeth a full perswasion and assurance vnto our hope as wel as vnto our faith Heb. 6.11 neither doth hope make a man ashamed by disappointing him of the thing hoped for Rom. 5.5 Secondly it must be against hope that is against all humane hope reason sense and whatsoeuer may be grounded vpon these Thus Abraham beleeued against hope Rom. 4.18 Thirdly it must be a patient waiting on Christ Rom. 8.15 If we hope for that we see not we doe with patience abide for it for otherwise the thing hoped for deferred maketh our waiting painfull and tedious Fourthly it must be grounded vpon the word and promises of life Psal. 130.5 My soule hath waited and I haue trusted in his word Heb. 6.18 the ground and anchor of our hope is made not onely the promise but the oath of God who cannot lie although he should not sweare that we might hâ—ld fast the hope that is set before vs. The second point is the thing for which we must waite which is not for gold siluer honours pleasures but only for the mercie of God in Christ vnto life eternall by which we must not vnderstand the beginnings of mercie for these we alreadie here enioy and hauing the present hold thereof need not hope for the same but for the full measure and accomplishment of Gods mercies hereafter to be enioyed The like manner of speech hath Paul Rom. 8.20 We waite for our adoption and redemption not that wee are not alreadie adopted and redeemed but that it is not as yet fully finished and accomplished in vs as hereafter it shall be The third point is the fruite and profit of this waiting and that is life eternall and therefore is added vnto life eternall giuing vs to vnderstand that our waiting shall bring vs vnto and set vs in the possession of this life So as the description standeth in setting downe two effects of hope described first that it causeth to waite on Christ for mercie secondly that it doth not faile nor make a man ashamed for he waiteth vnto eternall life and in this expectation is put in possession of the same From the former effect we learne first to put a difference betweene hope and confidence first by hope we waite on Christ but by confidence we rest vpon him and quiet our hearts in him Secondly hope is of things to come and confidence of things present at least made present by faith Matth. 9.2 Haue confidence and thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Whence we may discerne an error in Popish religion They teach with vs that a man is to haue confidence in Christ but they include it vnder hope and will not permit that it should bee referred to faith because then they should be drawne to grant a speciall faith But that is erroneous seeing confidence is not of things to come as hope is but of things present and therefore although confidence goeth with hope yet it is no branch of it but proceedeth from faith Secondly seeing this waiting is a certaine expectation of Christ hence I gather that there is a speciall faith for if there bee a speciall hope there must needes be a special faith to ground this speciall hope vpon for wee can neuer certainly waite for that whereof we are vncertaine whether it belong vnto vs or no he that hath receiued the earnest may certainly waite for the whole summe but it is faith which receiueth the earnest of the spirit from whence our hope is raised Heb. 11.1 Now faith is the ground of things hoped for for which cause it is that hope also hath his full assurance ascribed vnto it as well as faith And hence wee may further take knowledge of another of their errors whereas they teach that hope indeed is ioyned with a certaintie but they distinguish of certaintie which is they say either of the will or vnderstanding hope they graunt hath the certaintie of will but not of iudgement and vnderstanding but this is false seeing the Apostle Heb. 12. commandeth to reioyce in hope which no man can doe vnlesse the iudgement be certaine and setled he that is not certaine of mercie can neuer hope certainly
for mercie Thirdly wee learne hence to waite by our hope in Christ for life euerlasting euen to the death that must be the white which must euer be in our eye at which wee must continually direct our aime We haue many examples of holy men who haue gone before vs in this dutie Iacob when hee was making his will inserteth and as it were interlaceth this speech O Lord I haue waited for thy saluation Gen. 49.18 Moses had his eye euer vpon the recompence of reward Heb. 11.26 Iob would trust in the Lord yea although he should kill him Iob. 13.15 Dauid was much and often in this expectation of the Lords mercie Psal. 40.1 In waiting I haue waited on the Lord that is I haue instantly waited and mine eyes haue failed me whilest I haue waited for my God Psal. 63.3 and Psal. 16.9 My flesh shall rest in hope his hope was that his flesh should rise againe vnto life euerlasting Obiect But how cā we nourish this hope will some man say seeing we are so tossed perplexed with so many miseries and grieuances in this life Ans. Paul meeteth with this obiection Rom. 1.3 We reioyce in tribulation Qu. How can we doe so Ans. When wee subiect our selues vnto God in afflictions he sheddeth abroad his loue in our hearts and this breedeth patience which bringeth foorth experience and experience hope which maketh not ashamed being the helmet of saluation and our anchor which staieth our ship in the troublesome sea of this life Fourthly if wee must by our hope waite on Christ then in all our requests and petitions vnto God we must abide the Lords leisure not limiting him or prescribing the time vnto him of hearing for herein our hope must exercise it selfe Further from the obiect of this waiting which is the mercie of God we may learne diuers points first that there is no such merit of worke as the Papists dreame of for then might we waite for iustice and of due lay claime to life eternall But here we haue another lesson read vs namely that the Saints of God iustified sanctified and so continuing for to such Iude wrote as verse 1. must waite for the mercie of God vnto life eternall Yea let a man keepe all Gods Commandements hee shall merit nothing he doth but his dutie In the second Commandement the Lord saith he shewes mercie on thousands but who are they euen to them that loue me and keepe my Commandements If Adam had stood in innocencie he could not haue merited any better estate than hee was in how much lesse can wee since the fall nay Christ as hee was man alone could not merit nor did not but in regard of the personal vnion But the Papist will here say that life eternal is promised vpon condition and if wee can keepe the Commandements wee may merit I answere if wee keepe the condition of our selues wee may merit indeed but this is impossible for euen our keeping of the condition were of mercie and mercie and merit will neuer meete and stand together Secondly if we waite for mercie in Christ then must wee altogether despaire in regard of our selues of euer attaining life euerlasting for hope sendeth a man out of himselfe and causeth him wholy to relie himselfe vpon Christ. Thirdly if we must waite for the accomplishment of mercie which tendeth to life euerlasting then much more must wee in our dangers or troubles waite for Gods mercie in our deliuerance If wee must waite for the greater wee may for the lesse Hab. 2.3 At last the vision shall speake and not lie though it tarrie waite And Isai. 28.16 He that beleeueth maketh not haste This meeteth with mans corruptiō who in present trouble will haue present help or else he wil fetch it from hell it selfe from Satan and Sorcerers but such neuer learned to waite on Gods mercie for saluation for then could they waite his leisure in lesser matters for health and ease and with more comfort make farre lesse haste Secondly from the second effect or fruite of hope namely that it deceiueth not nor disappointeth him that hopeth note first a difference betweene humane or carnall and religious or Christian hope The former often deceiueth men at least when death commeth all such hopes perish but the second neuer deceiueth a man in time of need no not in death it selfe Secondly hence a man may and must beleeue his owne perseuerance in grace for where this hope is such a man cannot fall wholie from Christ for then his hope should disappoint him neither from his owne saluation because this hope laies hold on the mercie of God vnto eternall life and herein can neuer frustrate his expectation or make him ashamed Thirdly if our hope bring vs to the fulnes of happines and to the accomplishment of mercie hereafter then it bringeth vs to the beginnings of this happines euen in this life for the beginning of life eternall is in this life and standeth in the conuersion of sinners vnto God and in amendement of life and whosoeuer hath true hope hee is thereby stirred vp vnto daily repentance and reformation of life 1. Ioh. 3.3 He that hath this hope purgeth himselfe euen as he is pure Now there is none of vs but wee say wee hope for life eternall and looke to bee saued by the mercie of God in Christ it standeth vs thē in hand to trie the truth of this hope within our selues and manifest the truth of it vnto others and both these by this note namely that we finde it to purge our hearts and liues and that it conforme vs vnto Christ for if we hope to be like him after this life we must labour to resemble him euen in this life by being in some measure pure holy innocent meeke louing c. euen as hee was for otherwise if our liues be not in some reformation of our selues and conformitie to our head sutable to the profession of our hope it is but pretence of hope and will make men in the end ashamed Vers. 22.23 And haue compassion of some in putting difference and others saue with feare pulling them out of the fire and hate euen that garment which is spotted by the flesh THese words containe the two last rules tending to the preseruation of the faith both of them teaching how we may and are to recouer and restore those who are fallen or declining from faith or good conscience For the better vnderstanding whereof consider in the words two things first the way to begin this recouerie which is in the end of vers 22. By putting difference Secondly the manner how they are to be recouered expressed in both the rules the former concerneth Christian meeknes Haue compassion on some the latter concerneth Christian seueritie and other saue with feare Concerning the former the way of this recouery is to put a difference that is by Christian wisedome to distinguish betweene offenders For our direction wherein wee must know that