Thus the Image of God was turned into the similitude of Satan light into darknes and holines into vnholinesse God had put on our Fore-parents the Coate of an vnderstanding minde Holy vvill from whence proceeded Power of Mouing vvell but hauing broken the Commandemeâ— loe they were stripped of their Coâ— and they perceived themselues Nâ—ked Genes 3.7 The Coate put off tâ— Sun was set and the Dark-night can vpon them and the Seed of their loyn And therefore in the worke of Regâ—neration and Newe birth the spirite God beginneth to build where Satâ— first cast downe namely with rectifâ—ing the Mind and then with sanctâ—fying the Will which is called the puâ—ting on of the Ephes 4.24 Newe man This Garment the putting onâ— the second Adam Christ Iesus by opâ—ning the doore of her conscience shâ— insinuateth shee cannot do because was darkenight that is because heâ— Minde was possessed with ignorancâ— thinking that darknesse that is Ignâ—rance shal be to her a sufficient excusâ— of not arising out of her bed of securâ—tie and worldlie ease I haue put off my coate howe should I put it on is then aâ— though she should say I in my Fore-pâ—rents ADAM and HEVAH haue put off my spirituall Coate of an vnderstanding minde and holy will sithence which a spirituall darknesse hath raigned over me by reason vvhereof I can not see howe to put on that Garment aright therefore thou must haue me excused Thus the sinfull soul pleadeth ignorance and darknes when the King of knowledge light standeth at the portall of her doore with a torch in his hand wherewithall to enlighten her not vnlike to a foolish person in bed who called vpon by the Kings messenger for preparance vnto the entertainment of his King should replie It is night I cannot see to attyre my body the King must stay till the daye shine in at the windowe Were this a fit answere for a subject especiallie if the King himselfe were at the doore and offered vnto him at the windowe the benefite of torche light Verilie Christ knocketh not by any minister of his but therewithal he offereth to the soul sitting in darknes sauing light and knowledge But as â— Iewes having in the middest of thâ— Ioh. 1.9 That true Light vvhich lightneth eâ—ry man that commeth into the world bâ— Chap. 3.19 louing darknesse more than light thâ— would not knowe him except to 〈◊〉 him and bury him with a stone seaâ—on his head that so he should not 〈◊〉 so in these daies men will plead ignâ—rance when God hath lighted maâ— Lamps amongst them When Spâ—tuall Light namely DAVIDS Lâ—terne Psal 119.105 is proffered vnâ— them toucheth their knockles 〈◊〉 cannot see the wood for trees yet thâ— can see to dash out the Light neithâ— will they knowe these lights that wâ— Iohn 1.8 Iohn beare witnesse of the Light lights except to persecute them iâ— prison them kil them that so if it weâ— possible the Light might be put oâ— that offendeth their bleared eies aâ— makes their lewd workes manifest so much as multitudes nowe say wiâ— the wicked in IOB Iob. 21.14.15 Depart from 〈◊〉 â—or vvee desire not the knowledge of thy vvaies Who is the Almightie that vve should serue him But let such wicked ones knowe 2. Thess 1.8.9 That the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighâ—ie Angels in flaming fire rendring vengeance vnto them that do not knowe God and which obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ Well Christ will come sodainlie as doeth a theefe Revel 16.15 Blessed therefore is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked and God make all Angels and Men to see his filthinesse But mark that this poore soul confesseth her spiritual nakednes althogh by an interrogation she maketh it too difficult to bee attyred A confession which fewe will bee brought vnto in these daies for they rather will say I am not more naked than others more ignorant than such If they may pull others into their Confession so be it they will more easilie confesse somewhat but to single out themselues and to particulate their owne sinne that vâ— fewe will come vnto Which sinâ— confession although it bee a lifting of the head towards repentance yeâ— it nothing availeable without Repâ—tance or Conversion it selfe It is not â—ficient for thee to lie in the bed of â—dultery and to confesse that thou hâ— put off the coate of Chastitie exceâ— thou arise from Adulterie and put 〈◊〉 the coat of Chastitie Flie evill and good Prov. 28 13. He saith SALOMON that 〈◊〉 knowledgeth and forsaketh his sinnes shâ— finde mercie The second part of her answer lyiâ— in these wordes I haue washed my feeâ— howe should I defile them Is as much if she saide I haue fitted my affections â—therwise in so much as if I arise and opâ— vnto Thee I see not howe I shall do it bâ— with embasing and endamaging my selâ— By Feete every where in holy writ meant the Affections or Will which the container of the affections Bâ— Moses Exod. 3. putting his shoes off froâ— his feet is there vnder ment a putting â—ff or laying aside earthly carnall and â—eastlie affections By the Iohn 13. washing â—f feete commended by Christ to his Disciples is signed foorth the bearing â—f holy affections one towards anoâ—er When DAVID saith Psal 119.59 I turned my â—eete into thy testimonies hee meaneth â—eturned his affections to Gods law â—nd indeede the feet willinglie go on â—r turne to that way the Heart affects By all which appeareth my former â—onclusion to bee true namely that he thought her selfe in an estate good â—nough for the present season ey â—hat nowe to rise were but a defilement to her waies an endangering of â—er health An answere notablie wicâ—ed and highlie worthy the departure of Christ and yet an answer given by many to Christ in these daies who can say I affect the Word and the pure Government of the Church of Christ not one of them wisheth more good â—hereto than I do but because of the present pollicie of the Land becausâ— of my present calling wherein I muâ— bath my selfe as in a bed I cannot â—rise and shake of these thinges for thâ— entertaining of Christs Scepter anâ— holy government but first I shall dâ—file my name and credet which namâ— and credite with the world I must aâ—fect and secondly by reason of cold Lawes abroad I should by arising tâ— giue place to Christ hazard the losâ— of libertie and revenewes which I aâ—fect as my life And indeed the praiâ— of men rather than of God and the râ—gard of bodily ease before souls helth is so deare vnto this serpents broodâ— that lick the dust go with their beâ—lies vpon the earth that if they be dâ—prived of these they are readie to staâ— and hang themselues with Achitophâ— in a halter These say in their heartâ— what profit shall we haue in openinâ—
repenting is more sweet and comfortable for lastâ—ie shee meeteth with the Daughters of Ierusalem the visible Church or body of Christ to whome she communicateth her perplexed estate that so togither with her as feeling members they may bewaile her vnto her welbeloued with loue of whome shee â—s nowe not a little wounded Thus much for the whole now to the parts The sillie sinner having returned aâ— vntoward answer out of her bed of Sâ—curitie Christ hee ceaseth knockinâ— not awayting her lewde leasure aâ— longer therefore drawing his hanâ— from the doore he departeth This â— doth because as his presence makeâ— her wanton so his Adieu for a seasoâ— may happely cause her to search intâ— the cause and by litle and little be dâ—uen into a dump and so after that â— as inquisitiue after her Loue lost â— before she was toying and negligenâ— The like course the Lord was vrged â— take with Hos 5.15 Iudah and Ephraim that â— Israel the greatest Tribe put for thâ— whole They not listening vnto hâ— voice by Hoseah other his Prophet IEHOVAH determins on the case thâ— I vvill go and returne to my place till thâ— acknowledge their fault and seeke me â— their affliction they will seeke me diligeâ—â—lie By these two witnesses appeareâ—â— the cursed crookednes of our nature who the more we are woed the moâ— wilfull we be but being once set at six and seven almost or altogeather cast off even then if ever wee seeke after Christ I wil not say oh ye two Sisters Iudah and Israel hearken but oh ye two Sisters England and Scotland harken how long by the voice of his Prophets sounded out in wordes and writings hath hee called vpon you for reformation of manners how haue the hearts of your Magistrates bene knocked vpon that once Christ might bee received fully and not onely in part that not onely hee might vse his voice â—n your judgment seates but also his hands for executing judgment and justice in equal ballance not passing by â—he Murders open professed Atheisme Adulteries thefts of the Rich and Noble as also to render vnto the Widowe Orphane and Strangers their â—ight howe long hath Christ sued vnâ—o ye for obedience to his Scepter and Power born exercised in his church â—ut ye answer as being fast a sleep and not yet well wakened Christs voice too homely and his spiritual ordinâ—ces too naked for such a cowpleâ— spangled Sisters as is England Scâ—land His worde and ordinances shâ— not further bee received in knoâ— Christ till his heart ake then they â—gree with present pollicie the plâ—sures of festered consciences Wâ— well mock on If Christ can doeâ— good by the voice of his owne Pâ—phets but day by day shall bee posâ— off if not haue a flat answer He sâ— not raign over vs then expect ere loâ— his departure his lamentable depâ—ture As two sisters by naturall vnâ— and Evangelicall covenant ye waâ— hand in hand but not without bitâ— one another take heed that by Châ— his desertion ye consume not as â— Gal. 5.15 Apostle saith one another that phraim eat not vp his brother Maâ—ses and Manasses Ephraim and aâ— that a third eate you vp both I hâ— said Sure I am that if Christ breaâ— house and depart ye haue to exspect no better judgment than had Ezek. 23 Aholah and Aholibah Ierusalem and Samaria What prerogatiue royall haue ye oh â—he Rulers of the Earth before Iudah and Ierusalem that knock the beloâ—ed ye will sleep on and scarse lift vp â—our leaden heads vnder your armes â—n your Pillowes while his holy voice â— sounded out by his Prophets and â—et suppose to scape scotfre Gal. 6.7 Be not â—eceived God will not be mocked as â—e sowe assuredly ye shall reape If the â—ord for disobedience cast off the Iew his kins-man according to the fleshe â—nd hath at this day marked him forth â—ith bloody Cain to wander in the â—rth as an abject If for the establishâ—g their owne devised Priesthoode â—nd vnholy ordinances the Lord stirâ—d vp the Assyrian King to come aâ—ainst the ten Tribes of Israel who led â—hem away Prisoners neither what is â—ecome of them can bee heard off to â—his daye What art thou oh Brutus Land that the Lord should forbeaâ— thee and not rather hastely forsaâ— thee ey cause one of you to whip anâ—ther till both be wearie Pro. 14.14 For the heâ— that declineth shall be satiat with his oâ— vvaies VVhat is the Lord that yâ— should tempt him Is he vnrighteouâ— Is he like vnto thy selfe He is patieâ— and of long suffering saiest thou I deede he is so and that thou maistâ—â— by his former sparing thee thouâ— now no longer he deferre Iudgmenâ— He goeth to battle with a leaden fooâ— but come he once in the field he wâ— as hardly be intreated to depart witâ— out bloodshed Hee hath called aâ— knocked vpon both your doores â— within your Pallaces First by Peâ—lence Secondly by present Famiâ— VVhat followeth in the third placâ— Alas alas fearfull and horrible Bloâ—shed Pestilence and Famine came nâ— like dumb dogs but had there Angeâ— or Men sent of God preaching theâ— withall the Cause and the End But tâ— heede lest when the sworde passeth thorough and it will assuredly ere it be long if you repent not least I say when the sword passeth through you it preach in an horible confused noise not in a distinct voice lest in steade of hearing the liuely voice of the Prophet your eares heare nothing but clashing of weapons and armor horrible lamentations and roarings crying out Aes me Aes me Rev. 6.17 the great day of IEHOVAHS wrath is come and who can stand If you will not otherwise be wakened this way the Lord will wake ye and rowse ye vp If faire means wil do no good he wil put a cutting bit in your mouthes sharp spurres in your sides and ryde yee vp and downe till your eies be open your harts ake with the burden of your sinns and you vnfainedly fall downe and cry out in the bitternes of your soules Haue mercie vpon vs oh God haue mercy vpon vs we are weary of our by-pathes we covet peace oh our God that so vvee may serue thee in the Sepulchers of our Fathers Wee hâ—â—â— abused thy Prophets ôh Lord vve repâ—â—â— it Oh take away our Sinnes and let 〈◊〉 Sun-shine of thy countenance once agaâ—â— shine in our streets and we shall not onâ—â— professe thee in word but also in deed 〈◊〉 Lord heare oh Lord forgiue oh Lord câ—â—sider and do it deferre not for thine owâ— names sake oh our God VVit is nothiâ—â— worth till it be bought nor will mâ—â— know what Christs face is till he haâ—â— turned his back 2. Sam. 24 David seing the pâ—stilence inflicted on his poore subjecâ— could crye out Oh Lord I haue sinneâ—â— yea I haue done vvickedly The Prodâ—gall being throughly bit with faminâ— came to himselfe and repented bâ—â— neither pestilence
Mediatours 1. Tim. 2.5 For there is but one Mediatour betweene God and man even the man Christ Iesus but improperly are they so called namely because as faithfull feeling members they communicate to the Lord their fellow-like miserie therfore it is that the Saints interceeding for any their poore members they come vnto the Father not by theâ—selues but by the Sonne for his Reu. 8.3 Cuser is onely Gold and in him is the Fâ—ther vvell pleased Let the Saintes departed haue their due let the Sainte liuing haue their due neither to either or both do attribute the Lords due But what would shee haue them to impart to her beloved namely this That she was sick of Loue alluding vnto a Virgin over-rapt with an amorous conceipt who by reason of her Betrothed his absence is ready to sound and to passe away in a loue-qualme Dauid but wanting the Tabernacles presence he Psal 84.2 faynted howe much more would hee haue fainted and faultered vnder loues affection if so he had lacked the feling presence of his God that could not be contained within any materiall Tabernacle or Temple Shee here was arrived at the Lords Tabernacle namely at the societie of Saints but shee yet attained not the comfortablâ— face of him that hath promised thaâ— Where two or three are gathered togither 〈◊〉 his Name there in the middest he will be She sees the body but not the Head She therfore maketh suite eye chargeth the body by reason of that dutie which is owing from member to member to acquainte her beloued with this namelie That she vvas sick of Loue. She that before would make no better vse of Christ his knocking at her dore must now be glad to seeke after Christ and knock at his dore She that before would not make better vse of Christ his priuate petition must now be glad to come vnto Christ by publike petition and that vnder the broade seale of his church when Christ knocked called suited she lay snorsing in her sinne just therefore that now shee knocke call and suite vnto Christ though come out of sinneâ—ey she who before for keping fellowship with the City had neglected fellowship with Christ and his mystical body just it is that now she should come vnto Christ no other way but by fâ—seking vnto his body An acquittanâ— for sinne is not so easily woon Maâ—â— thinking they haue it goe vnto hell iâ— a dreame many feeling the want thâ— of do labour for the plakard of Remâ—sion but seeking for it where it is noâ— they pop into hell without it Somâ— feele the want labour for supplied that Grace and quickly haue it by reason they come roundlie off at Christ Call Others finding their box emptâ— of that quittance do labour for it bâ— obtaine it at leasure by reason of theiâ— former rude behauiour to their Caâ— Turne not therfore God his gracâ— into wantonnesse if thou do then expect either to haue thy conscience sâ—red with ane hot yron that so thou maâ—â— passe vp and downe a Goate brande to hell or at the best awaite a black glooming day wherein thy soule shâ— be stripped in the eyes of manie anâ— thou in body and soule whipped froâ— one place to another before thou oâ—taine the heauens-charter of sins reâ—ission Isa 38.14.17 Hezekiah chattered like a â—rane and mourned like a Doue before 〈◊〉 had assurance that his sinnes were â—â—st behind Iehouahs back neither was Dauid who so oft was bet in the lords â—orter vnacquainted with passing â—hrough this fierie fornace before he â—â—s fit Golde to receiue Iehouahs imâ—resse But as their comming vnder his lash correctory may fear vs from â—allyinge with repentance so their â—nce meting with the Sun-shine counâ—â—nance of their beloued may teach â—s not to dispaire of mercie consideâ—ing Iehouah desireth not the death of â— sinner but rather that hee would reâ—ent and liue Lastly for some necessiâ—e vrgeth brevitie that perplexed â—â—ule may vndoubtedly beleeue and â—â—pe for happy release who truly can 〈◊〉 My soule is sick of Loue as Dauid â—â—de Psal 42.2 My soule thirsteth for God If God haue giuen thy soule to hunger 〈◊〉 thirst for righteous things it is because hee is minded afterwarde to 〈◊〉 thee As a prudent housholder wiâ— there bestowe his meate where fâ—â— he perceiueth appetite hunger sâ— the housholder of the Church eueâ— Christ Iesus reacheth there forth hâ— hidden Manna where first hee perceiâ— spiritual appetite Need maks the nâ—ked run and hunger breakes the stoâ— walls neither will any thing stop stâ—â— or quench the soules want the soule wish Cant. 8.6.7 for loue is strong as death devâ—ring as the graue like to fiery coales and vehement flame This Loue of God waâ— not in Cain in Esau in Achitophell â— Iscariot for if it had Cain had not beâ— finallie impatient Esau had not nourished fury in his brest Achitophel wolâ— haue thought no shame that the loâ— should haue shamed him in frustrating his delphik-like oracle nor woâ— Iscariot haue demed Christ his oblatâ—on insufficient to saue him If wee would not bee driuen inâ— these straites let vs preuent that 〈◊〉 timely Resurrection from Sinne. If wee haue slept away the third sixt ninth and tenth houres yet let vs not now at the last houre shame to arise goe into the Lords blessed vineyarde and there labour with others for the peny of promise Euery man woman in that vineyard worketh in some honest roome and holy calling one bearing the infirmities of another labouring to doe all their things in loue Awake therefore oh Sleeper arise it is day nay the Sun is redy to set and to leaue our horizon Christ tendreth his mercy as yet but after Sunset catch christ and mercie where thou can I haue no promise of mercy for thee Happie is â—he who by others harmes is more warie let this sinners affliction feare thee from sleepe and let her patience and discreit cariage lead thee vnto the infallible Vision of peace where peace of conscience is not finally failing howsoeuer sometimes it stands a far of for a season Serò sed seriò surgit An Animadversion SOme from my Epistle to Englaâ— prefixed to the Sommons to Dooâ—day would gladly collect That I heâ— vnlawful for a Pastor of the new Testamâ— Church openly to rebuke open sin Such 〈◊〉 know that I neuer was so absurd naâ— would haue them to know that I woâ— not onely haue publike sinns publiâ— rebuked but which more is I doe leeue that such offenders not satisfy the congregation by apparant humâ—ation vppon the Churches rebuke â— Church ought first for keping her sâ— vnleauened secondly for the humblâ— such sinners without delay to excomunicate such Because of Salomons speach Prov. 26 I haue said now no more but becaâ— of his next speach vers 5. I haue saâ— thus much and so an end