sinne Rom. 7. 7. Endure reproofe patiently and amend 8. If we feele the power of sin daily weakned in vs. 9. Especially of such sinnes which haue most preuailed heretofore 10. And mourne vnfainedly for the sinnes of others 10. Labouring to pluck others out of the fire and warning them by our example 2. Vse Of comfort That we haue right in Christ Thirdly this serues for comfort and that many wayes As 1. In that God hath left infirmities in vs therefore haue we hence assurance of our right in Christ who came to saue sinners and shall haue experience of the power of Christ in the dayly subduing and mastering of our corruptions And therefore To preuent despaire 2. Let vs not despaire in our greatest tentations seeing the greater miserie the greater mercie As it is God our Father that hath left sinne in vs yea in the dearest 1. Ioh 1.8 Eph. 5.19.20.21 Rom. 5.3 4. Galat. 4.6 7. to aduance his free and constant loue so hath he giuen his Sonne to reueale this loue vnto vs by the operation of the Spirit shedding it abroad in our hearts through the dayly assurance of the pardon of our sinnes and continuall enabling to conquer the same Rom. 5.2 3. Not to imagine our case singular 3. To this end let vs not thinke our case singular seeing the best haue not been exempted from infirmities whereby Satan would driue vs to despaire but rather the greater our infirmities are the greater experience may we looke for of the mercies of our God who will lay no more vpon vs then we shall be able to endure 1. Cor. 10.13 but will giue an issue with the temptation that so wee may be able to beare it That infirmities shall not fester in vs. Iob 33.15 Acts 2.36 37 38. 4. Lastly though we haue infirmities yet let this comfort vs that our God wil not let them fester in vs but by the power of our conscience or ministerie of the word or by some outward chastisment c. we shal know our iniquitie that so we may performe seasonable repentance and this is the next obseruation that followeth in the text out of the practise of our Sauiour with his Church who doth not flatter her in her sinne by concealing the same as a false Prophet would haue winked at it and onely stood vpon commendation yea happily ascribe that which was not true but deales faithfully with her As he commends her for her good parts so hee reproues her for that euill of her decay And this teacheth vs 3. Doctrine Sinne to be reproued Leuit. 19.17 Reasons that Wee must reproue our brother plainely for his sinne So doe wee testifie and approue 1. The faithfulnesse of our calling and dutie vnto God in deliuering the whole counsell of God as well reproofe for sinne as prayse for well doing 2. Tim. 3.16 2. Tim. 4.2 2. Our loue to our brother both in preuenting Gods iudgements by our reproofes or else sanctifying them vnto a sinner 3. At least we iustifie God 4. and make the sinner without excuse Ezech. 33. 5. and saue our owne soules 6. As also hereby wee prouoke him to repentance and so by renewed repentance to perfection Leuit. 19.17 And shall wee not hereby put the Christian to the tryall of his soundnes If he will endure reproofe there is hope of him he is best able to beare it he will make best vse of it Tit. 1.15 or is not this the meanes to make him sound Is not this a meanes to cast off the hypocrite and so to rid the Church of her most dangerous enemy And this 1. condemneth the flatterer Vse 1. Of reproofe to the flattering teacher that either will see no euill in his brother but is still beating vpon the good that is in him puffing him vp with conceit thereof or if he see any euill will not reprooue him plainely but either excuse it or diminish it or daube it vp hardning him in his sinne c. Ezech. 13. 2. They are here reprooued 2. Of the peruerse and malitious that cals darkenes light and light darkenes 3. Of the respecter of persons that iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous Esay 5.21 whereas our Sauiour iustifies the good and condemnes the euill 3. As also they that stumble at strawes and make mole-hils mountaines omitting the sinnes of great ones or the great sinnes of their brethren for fauour and affection but enforcing to the vtmost euery light escape in the godly or their enemies putting more thereto yea taking occasion thereby to disgrace their profession c. Whereas our Sauiour Christ heere spares not the greatest and most famous Church and whatsoeuer is amisse in her lets her know plainely of it 2. Of the people 2. Tim. 4. Galat. 4. The people also are here condemned that hate those that reprooue them and rather heape vnto themselues such teachers as will flatter them in their sinne then intertaine those that deale faithfully in reproouing Amos 5.11 Micah 2. 2. Vse of instruction Hos 6 5. Esay 58.1 Iohn 16.2 Secondly here is instruction 1. to prayse God for faithfull teaching when God cuts downe by his Prophets and conuinceth the world of sinne 2 And also to mourn where the Church is pestered with flatterers that cry all is well Peace peace all the congregation is holy Ieremy 6. Numb 16. Ieremy 28. Ezech. 34.13 14. 3. Heere is matter of tryall both for Minister and People If the one will rebuke sharply and the other brooken If the Minister wil not cease to reprooue till â—e haue either conuerted or conuinced If the hearer will desire to be smitten till he doe amend yea when he doth his best still desires to be humbled searched that still he may increase 4. Wee learne heere by our Sauiours example how to reprooue for sinne namely 1. Exemplary not being pertakers with him in his sinnes but by our contrary constancie and good example iustifying our reproofe taking away all exceptions and this hath place alwayes when other meanes of reproofe will not be admitted 2. Truly not chalenging of what is not not condemning all for some nor being caryed with heare-sayes or surmises but as we know and what we know Thou hast lost thy first loue Sinne how to be reproued 3. Plainely Thou art the man 2. Sam. 12. 4. Particularly Letting him see his particular sinne not in the clouds not generally and yet here we may vse sometimes Parables and propose it in another case to prouoke vs to apply vse to our selues 2. Sam. 12.2 3. 5. Louingly not with reproachfull tearmes not with imperious and insolent vpbraydings but with grace and compassion considering our selues and preuenting obstinacie and imputation of malice vsing to this end insinuations of our loue to preuaile the better Rom. 9. and hazarding our vttermost to saue a soule not behinde his backe but to his face adding the promises of the Gospel if he doe repent and
before we are healed And do not our great sinnes require a sharpe corrasiue can we be brought to sound repentance till we be cast out of our selues and but by a sentence of death euen by the terrors of hell must we not haue some sence of what we haue deserued that so we may by repentance auoide the vengeance to come And may it not now so fall out that the Lord will not heare our prayers because we regard iniquity in our hand shall Israel preuaile while the excommunicate thing remaines Are we fit for the comfort and ioy of Gods fauour so long as our sinne stands before him to grieue his spirit must he not goe vnto his place that we may seeke him diligently 8 God knoweth what is fittest for vs and he doth what is best for our present condition to bring vs to repentance And therefore in stead of complaining on God that he hath done vs wrong herein let vs in the name of God complaine against our selues What is it which he could haue done which he hath not done vnto vs And what haue not we done against him which we should not doe how haue we not in all things requited him euill for good And therefore in stead of desiring comfort let vs search and trie our hearts how we haue offended our gratious God let vs iudge our selues that we may not be iudged of him so shall we take Satans office out of his hands in accusing of our selues 9 The way to preuent satans accusation is to accuse and iudge our selues so shall we stop his mouth and confound his malice and making hereby our way vnto the throne of grace we shall find the blood of Iesus to speake better things for vs then the blod of Abel first to wash vs thorowly from our sinnes and then to minister ioy and gladnes vnto our soules 10 That we are not the greatest sinners For our further comfort herein because when we are about this practise of iudging of our selues and the Lord by this inward rod drawes vs thereto It is now Satans policie to keepe vs in these distractions and so to sucke vs in despaire by perswadings that our case herein is singular Either none are so grieuous sinners as we are or else none so deeply plunged in this extremity as our selues Therefore learne we this to resist his fiery darts First though we should be the greatest of all sinners yet shall the mercy of God appeare the greater in pardoning so grieuous a sinner more glory shall redound to his name in being so incomparably mercifull more loue is due from so great a sinner more care to please so bountifull a Father Secondly it will not appeare that we are greater sinners then any so long as we feele our sinnes and desire to be eased of them seeing these two things make vp the measure of sinne Who is the greatest sinner either not to feele sinne at all by reason of hardnesse of heart and the conscience being past seeking or else to despise and reiect the remedy against sinne though we haue some sense thereof either through Pride that we need it not or through despaire that we thinke it will doe no good Thirdly though we are not the greatest sinners in comparison of others 11 It is not vnprofitable to commence our selues to be the greatest sinner yet shall it not be amisse to comence our selues to be such partly because we know our owne estate best and not others and therefore in this respect we may esteem our case more hainous then any other and partly because we are more enflamed with the loue of Christ and so in the abundance of his loue doe discerne our vnworthinesse and corruptions more and more in our selues That so still we may more deny our selues and labour to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse ought we not in charity to thinke others better then our selues may we not hope the best of the worst because the Lord may recouer them And is there any outwardly so vile but that our hearts tell vs we find far more fearfull corruptions within vs then possibly we can challenge others by that which appeareth outwardly and shall not our charity to others call vs more into our selues that so we may more narrowly search our owne hearts more iudge our selues that we may not be iudged of the world shall not the sence of our vilenesse make vs more compassionate vnto others that so the Lord may haue compassion on vs And can we be too vile in our eies that so we may hunger more earnestly after the mercy of God And therefore though others may be greater sinners then we yet is it wisedome for vs to feele our selues to be the greatest that so there may be no place left for going further on the score that we may now thinke it sufficient that we haue spent the time past yea too much that we haue already so prouoked our God that we may not differ our repentance any longer that the meanes of God may not be reiected of vs. If we wisely consider the policy of satan herein howsoeuer he lay to vs that we are the greatest of all sinners yet hereby he intends to plunge vs deeper in sinne to driue vs to despaire that so we may despise mercy so depriue our selues of the possibility of it And therefore to admit wee were the greatest sinners though we feele our selues to be in worse case then any this shall be a meanes to be more emptied in our selues the more to faint after the mercy of God in Christ Iesus Nay is it not satans policie by perswading vs that we are of all sinners the chiefe if he cannot plunge vs in despaire yet to make vs secure and carelesse We know the worst and therefore let vs make no bones of sinne let vs not trouble our selues with any such reckoning Gods mercies are greater Christ merit is sufficient doe we what we can Gods purpose can not be altered Thus doth satan play vpon the left hand and on right now vrging to despaire because neuer any so bad as we then prouoking to presumption be we neuer so bad And doth not our wise and gracious God bring light of this darknesse that because we are so vile therefore we not presume any further It is the wonder of Gods loue to tender grace to so great sinners and shal be the glory of our father to giue hope to such castawayes it shall be our greater comfort that he accepts such forlorne wretches It shall be our greater care now to redeeme the time and to labour more abundantly in more powerfull obedience to testifie againe our loue to so exceeding bountifull a Sauiour And shall we then doubt that our God will againe receiue vs into fauour who hath so freely loued vs being his enemies And therefore To this end call to mind former mercies Be we wise now to call to mind the dayes of
A FAMILIAR TREATISE laying downe CASES OF CONSCIENCE Furthering to perseuerance in SANCTIFICATION By Thomas Cooper preacher of Gods word Printed at London by Iohn Beale for William Welby and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Swan in Paules Church-yard 1615. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL MY HARTIE Wel-willers the Ladie Rumney Mr. Springham Mr. Slany Mr. Parkhust Mr. Clarke Mr. Vincent Mr. Mosley and Mr. Th aire and the rest of my Christian auditors and louing neighbors grace mercie and peace from God the Father through Iesus Christ our Lord bee multiplied RIght worshipfull and dearely beloued in the Lord Iesus It is the mercie of the Lord that wee are not vtterly consumed because his compassions faile not Hath not our long prosperitie hardened our hearts and lulled vs in securitie And when we say peace and safety may not a sudden destruction come vpon vs as the trauaile vpon a woman with childe and we shall not escape Doe not our impudent and desperate sinnes daily call downe for vengeance against vs in that we put the euill day farre from vs that wee may still approach to the seat of iniquity hardning our hearts yet more and more that we cannot repent And is not the enuious man busie to sow tares now wee are asleepe Are not our aduersaries watchfull and dil gent in their malicious and bloody practises against the Church of God practising daylie the ouerthrow thereof will any thing serue their turne but to roote cut and destroy and are we generally any better then such trees as are able to bee hewen downe and cast into the fire Hath this vnprofitable fig-tree for all this dressing and fencing for all this lopping and donging yet brought forth fruit worthie of repentance Surely though we should neuer so much stand vpon our iustification with Saul that wee haue fulfilled the Commandements of the Lord that we are an holy people the Lord shall finde no iniquity in vs c. yet the bleating of the sheepe and lowing of the oxen the sparing of Agag and reseruing of his offals is a notorious euidence to conuince our hypocrisie And therefore though we flatter our selues with Agag that the bitternesse of death is past because happilie the Lord in great patience hath yet waited vpon vs and put off many desperate blowes that might haue light heauilie vpon vs yet certainly when hee sees a conuenient time he will execute vengeance and wound the hairie scalpe of all those that goe on in their wickednesse And is not this a speciall euidence that we goe on in our sinnes and intend not repentance because we either hate to be reformed and haue cast the word behinde our backes or els heape vp teachers according to our own lusts which may prophecie of new wine and strong drinke to morrow shall be as to day or much more aboundant And is it not a fearefull argument of the wrath of God readie to seaze vpon vs in that wee haue chosen and embraced the world that thirsts after our blood and haue cast out that sword which should stand in the gappe to turne away the vengeance What then is the reason that we are not vtterly consumed that our aduersaries the Papists haue not had their desire Surely they shall not say where is now our God because they shal not blaspheme that great glorious Name of our God which is called vpon of vs And therfore not vnto vs oh Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy Name giue the glory euen for thy truth righteousnes sake Thogh we are not worthy of the least of Gods mercies thogh we haue deserued to be ouerwhelmed with all his plagues yet the Lord is worthy of all praise and glory and therefore he hath deliuered vs that we might glorifie him and shall not the Iudge of al the world do right wil he punish the righteous with the wicked must not Lot be taken out of Sodom before the vengeance be inflicted shall not euen one be a means to spare the Citie for his sake Behold here another ground of the patience of God euen the holy seed that yet remaines the Lord hath a litle flocke which is as deare vnto him as the apple of his eye this hath hee chosen it vnto him in Iesus Christ before the foundations of the world were laid This he hath made glorious through his beautie which he hath set vpon it this he hath promised to bee with vs to the end of the world can any thing be against vs if the lord be with vs shall not he make our enemies our footstool shal not the lord tread Satan vnder our feet blessed be God in Iesus Christ that hath made bare his mighty army in the sight acknowledgment of our enemies Did not the papists once acknowledge that God was become a lutheran do they not feel to this day that he that keeps Israel doth neither slūber nor sleep hath not our God watched ouer vs when wee haue slept in security hath not hee foght for vs when our carnal weapōs haue bin confounded hath he not got himself the glory of al our deliuerāces that so we might at length giue him the glory of his free mercies that so we might not be afraid of any euill tidings that still we might feare and depart from euil while the wicked rage are careles surely howsoeuer the pit is digged for the wicked and the consumption decreed shall passe ouer to the confounding of hypocrites howsoeuer sinner in Sion shal be afraid and feare shall take hold of the hypocrits when Gods wrath approcheth yet shall the vpright heart then lift vp their heads because their saluation draweth neere The purging of the Church of hypocrites shal be the preparing thereof to greater glorie and safetie and the anointed of the Lord shall gaine more honour and securitie when the Lord Iesus shal be more aduanced vpon his holy hill of Sion And are not our enemies hastening hereunto hath not the patience of policie enraged them more and more and doth not their wickednesse so breake out that it can no longer be endured Is it not time together with the safety of our soules to prouide also for the securitie of our liues and states Blessed bee the Lord for the vigilance and courage of the state Oh blessed bee our God for his watchfulnesse ouer vs were not all our building and watching else in vaine And is it not then more then time to keepe our God waking by our prayers and teares Is it not his time to awake out of securitie that so we may make our peace with God that he may stil for his glory preserue the peace of his Churches that he may still preuent and confound the enemies of his Church And could I now hold my peace in this day of good tydings when the Lord hath euen againe giuen vs our liues for a prey and pluckt vs as a prey out of the teeth of the deuourer Haue I not vowed
a yeerely remembrance for that great deliuerance from the gunpowder Treason and doth the glorious Lord still giue new occasions to reuiue that great deliuerance Are not his mercies renued euery morning vnto his so great is his faithfulnesse and shall not we renew our thankfulnesse by renewing our repentance Shall wee not remember from whence wee are fallen by remembring from whence we haue been deliuered that so we may iustifie the free mercie of our God in our great deliuerances and renewing our right in Iesus Christ that so we may recouer our first loue and be enabled to walke worthy of the mercies of our God in strengthening the things that are readie to die and continuing with all patience and perseuerance that no man take away our Crowne from vs Are not our earthly Crownes often shaken that so we may bee sure of the heauenly inheritance which cannot bee shaken that so we may hasten from this prison to that citie which is aboue And hath not our gratious God giuen vs euen Eagles wings that we may mount vp from the loue of this world that we may flie away from the entising vanities theeof so come to that eternall rest May we not liue by faith in the experience of these so strange and vnexpected deliuerances that he which hath deliuered doth all still deliuer vs yea for his Names sake will deliuer vs from all vnreasonable men yea from euery euill worke that so we may be made meet for that glorious inheritance And shall not this litle sparke yeeld some light hereunto till the depth of mischiefe being further discouered the candle may be lighted and set vp vpon the hill to direct all to come out of Babylon to further the Saints in their iourney to the heauenlie Ierusalem surely as it pleaseth God to lend oportunity and libertie so shall I not be wanting by Gods grace from that light to kindle such a torch that may either burne vp all the stubble of Popery or else may sufficientlie warne vs to auoid the danger thereof Meane while I haue thought good to take this occasion to maintain the soundnes of our spirituall standing and recouery out of any decayes therein that so wee may bee thereby fitted to those further mercies which the Lord hath in store for vs. And seeing it hath pleased God to make you instruments beloued of my setling in the Citie and exercise of my calling I haue accounted it my duetie to consecrate these first fruits of my setled labours vnto you beseeching the Lord to giue you vnderstanding in all things and to preserue you blamelesse and vnspotted in these euill times vnto the day of Iesus Christ to whose gratious protection I doe most hartily commend you resting in him Your worships poore remembrancer at the throne of Grace THOMAS COOPER TO THE CHRISTIAN READER WISDOME TO DISCERNE HIS Estate aright and grace to grow forward to perfection BEloued in the Lord Iesus it is a most dangerous and yet very easie and plausible delusion to conceit vnto our selues an estate in grace when as yet we remain the bond slaues of Satan And it is a very difficult and yet most necessarie triall to discerne our constant abiding and proceeding in this estate of grace For to passe by these who make a mocke of conuersion as being a touch of noueltie a brand of inconstancie and imputation of hypocrisie who is there almost that flatters not himselfe to bee in the fauour of God and so interessed in his grace And hath hee not many such pretences and colours hereunto which may so abuse his iudgement Galat. 6.5 that he may thinke himselfe to bee somewhat when he is nothing and so refusing to bee found in Christ by being lost and emptied in himselfe thereby become worse then nothing Better neuer to haue beene borne then so to be deceiued Oh how the wisedome of the flesh prooues heere enmitie against God! Rom. 8.7 Iohn 9 43. Occasions to conceiue a false conuersion 1. Complexion 2. Natures impotencie Is not this the iudgement vpon the world that they which see not might see and that they which see might bee made blinde Consider first I pray you how nature occasions this deceit Is any lesse badlie disposed by the benefit of his complexion Is any restrained from some act of euill by natures impotencie and deformitie Behold euen these to the naturall man prooue very dangerous stumbling blockes to rest in nature as affoording some shew of good more then is of others of an harder constitution as breaking out lesse into grosse euils then such who by natures ability are more prone and prouoked thereto and so to reiect the holy meanes of conuersion and is it not esteemed a sufficient measure of goodnesse to bee lesse euill then others howsoeuer the desire and fountaine of corruption be the same in all Is not the seeming good which by natures benefit shewes foorth in the world accounted currant holinesse and thereby excludeth the true power of well-doing For is this any more then what brute beasts may boast of Is the heart lesse euill because the hand cannot act nay is it not more rebellious the lesse it hath it desire do not such wish for and talke delightfully of what they cannot doe will they not sport themselues in others that can do the same will they not take their fill if power be restored or is the heart the better because through benefite of complexion we are ingenuous sociable c. are not these fitter matter for Satan to worke on to draw vs into fellowship in euill to make vs instruments to deceiue our selues and others 3. Education Especially if to this shew of natures righteousnesse Education be adioyned whereby the minde being informed in knowledge and restrained by ciuilitie natures euill is heereby more kept vnder and it seeming good set out more saleable and beautious to the sinister iudgement howsoeuer now nature being puft vp hereby hath gained no other then a weapon of vnrighteousnesse to fight against God and his word to commit sinne more dangerously by how much it is enabled to couch it more closely and smooth it more cunuingly yet this with the world passeth for a currant conuersion Must we not onely not doe euill but also doe good and can wee doe any good of our selues vntill we be in Christ and will we hunger of Christ vntill we deny our selues especially if some such change now appeare in the outward man whereby wee may either differ from the rudenesse and grosse abuses of our parents or differ from the barbarous and desperate sprouts of our childhood and vntamed youth Is it not hence conceiued that we are now conuerted seeing now our childish and youthfull vanities are restrained seeing wee are growne more sober and regular although all tends to no better then ciuill honestie to fit vs for the world that so we may more hopefully and easily swallow the baites thereof although when wee are from vnder the
take holde again by vnfained repentance It is no shame to be chalengd of failings for the best ar not without it shal be thy wisdom to reform the least seing otherwise thy God may come against thee For thy better enabling herein Peruse this treatise ensuing let it be in Gods feare a touch-stone vnto thee to make triall of a sound conuersion Reuel â— and take it as a preseruatiue to keepe thee in the power of godlinesse that so thou mayst not leaue thy first loue If by pride or security thou hast bene left to thy selfe and so hast left thy former measure view thy selfe diligently in this present glasse and vse it as a meanes for thy recouerie and perseuerance If by second thoughts thou hast now gained more light glorifie God for any encrease and comfort thy selfe that thou maist also encrease yet remember that we are still to grow and therefore expect not what may be said seeing my health and study affoords only breuitie and my manifold afflictions might haue occasioned a decrease or at least haue cut off all liberty to impart my store vnto thee and therefore blesse God the rather for this lengthening of dayes and do not distast because it smels of the smoake least if thou feare affliction thou shalt find no comfort herein And let me againe aduise thee not to stare vpon the colour which happily may bleare thine eyes but to looke into the woofe to humble thine heart Neither misconstruing what may be well digested left thou bee peruerted by a stumbling blocke nor despising the pearle Math. 22.14 because it is vnpolished least thou loose the nut because thou canst not crack the shell Though many are called yet but few are chosen and therfore if few digest this pill let them not condemne the physicke but their own il-disposed hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 7 Those that can get meat out of the eater and sweetnesse out of the strong let them praise the glorious Lord Ioh. 12 who bringeth light out of darkenesse and not cease praying vnto our gracious Father that he would turne our darknesse into light and enable vs to worke while yet wee haue the light that so we may approue our selues the children of the light and be prepared to that light which shall neuer be changed into darknes Euen so be it Come Lord Iesus Come quickely In whom I rest thine vnfainedly THOMAS COOPER PARTICVLAR OBSERVATIons and Cases and Conscience treated herein 1. The supplie of a powerfull Ministery is a gratious meanes of reformation 1. Case How to discerne our estate in the acceptance of God by the vse of the word 2. The best haue their infirmities and are subiect to grieuous sinnes 1. Why infirmities abide in the Saints 2. Caso How nie our estate in sanctification by infirmities 3. Sinne to be striuen against though we cannot possibly subdue it wholly in this life 3. Sinne is to be reprooued Case 1. How to reprooue sinne 2. Triall of our estates by enduring reproofe 4. The least sinne in the Saints is sufficient to make the Lord to come against them Case 1. Why God chasteneth sinne in this life 2. How God punisheth sinne in his children which he hath punished in his Sonne 3. How to make peace with God in our corrections and try our estate in grace thereby 5. Quest How the Church may be said to leaue her first loue seeing she is commended before that she fainted not 6. Sinne of omission to be seuerely reprooued 7. The Elect must goe forward and perseuere in grace Case 1. Why perseuerance and growth in grace is necessary 2. How to grow in grace 1. By auoiding Apostasie 2. What are the meanee of Apostasie namely 1. Corrupt iudgement It markes on the left hand and on the right 2. Corrupt practise It manner and signes and that on the left hand and on the right Motiues to prouoke vs to constancy in well-doing Meanes to enable vs to grow and encrease Meanes to preuent Apostasie in the sense of our failings Markes of triall that we haue thriuen in grace Doct. 8. Euery true conuert hath a first loue Case The markes of first loue The reasons why God vouchsafeth his first loue vnto those that are conuerted vpon their first calling Doct. 8. The Saints may leaue their first loue Case Meanes whereby first loue is lost twofold 1. Withdrawing that which may cherish what this is 2. Adding that which may coole What these are Namely 1. Spirituall Pride how this cooleth and decayeth loue and how to remedy it what is falsly reputed spiritual pride the remedy 2. Carnall policie by what meanes this abateth first loue 1. How a friend to Religion 2. How our enemie 3. Prosperitie how first loue is hereby decayed and it remedie 4. Abuse of Christian libertie how this decayes this loue with the remedie 5. A corrupt and dead ministerie that this also cooleth first loue and by what meanes together with the remedie Here obserue False imputations of leauing first loue Case 1. In the right vse of their Christian libertie 2. By enioying prosperitie 3. By vse of spiritual wisdome in auoiding of trobles 4. Faith how and when to be giuen account of and to whom 5. How to discerne inward sufficiencie to make open profession of faith in the time of trouble 6. How to discerne an outward calling to witnesse to the truth in perilous times 7. Wherein we may be silent and how 8. Names habits whether in affliction they may be changed in times of persecution and how far That 9. Apparell may be changed and how farre Other imputations of leauing first loue as 4. Discretion in reproouing sinne 5. Outward and inward afflictions 6. Honest prouision for the familie 7. Libertie in the vse of things indifferent 8. Whether want of former feelings of ioy may be an imputation Case That we haue left our first loue Gods prouidence and resolution of iudgement herein Iust occasions of this want of feeling of comfort from our selues Case How to behaue our selues in this want of ioy Meanes to resist tentations that arise from this want of comfort 1. To remember the suffering of Christ 2. And his glorious conquests 3. That this is an argument of the soundnes of conuersion 4. That these inward buffetings preuent outward baites of pleasure 5. That God is able to deliuer vs proued by many reasons 6. That he will deliuer vs. 7. That the time is not past 8. That the stronger tentations the shorter and and more comfortable issue 9. This is a means to try renue sound repentance 10. God knoweth what is fittest for vs. 11. Satans tentations preuented by accusing of our selues 12. That we are not the greatest sinners yet 13. It is not vnpofitable to conceiue our selues to bee the greatest sinners To this end 14. Call to mind former mercies 15. That God differs our refreshing in great mercy 16. That we must not iudge our selues by our tentations or condition therein
be or what others are yet let not this discourage vs in our present measure or from attaining further because he which hath giuen others more is the same also vnto vs and will bee in like measure both accepting what he giues for the present and perfiting of his owne worke in due season 2. That though wee are sometimes ebbing and sometimes flowing in the measure of holinesse yet our God is alwayes the same vnto vs. And therefore measure wee not his loue by our different measure of increase but rather resolue we that as when we increase more we haue more cause to loue him because hee answers our endeauours so when we seeme to goe backward we haue then cause to loue and trust him more that so hee may recouer vs as wee haue more need of his loue when wee faile to lead vs forward againe so we haue as great need of his loue when we haue done our best to emptie vs of all carnall respects of vaine-glory c. that so it may appeare his onely loue hath occasioned this increase all this seruice shall redound to his glory 3. That in the worke of grace wee must liue by Faith and not by sense not measuring our estate by what wee are in our selues but by what wee are in Christ not what we are for the present but what wee shall be in the life to come And therefore comfort we ourselues that as the least sparke of grace is an euidence that we are ingrafted in the Vine so being the Vine we shall be daylie purged and prepared to bring foorth more fruite that what wee doe for the present shal be accepted as perfect in Christ and the more sense wee haue of the imperfection thereof the more may we be assured of our interest in Christ Iesus the more shal we be prouoked still to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse that so in him and through him the worke may be perfited Fourthly Make wee tryall of increase by these markes 3. That wee grow in euery part aswell inward as outward 2. That we discerne our corruptions more and are more humbled for them 3. That our affections to the world are more lessened and quieted 4. That we are more contuetned with our estates and can more cast our care on God 5. That we are more willing to endure afflictions and ready to lay downe our liues for the Name of Christ 6. That wee can more grieue for the sinnes of the time and yet labour more hartilie the conuersion of sinners 7. That wee are more sober and wise in the vse of Christian libertie 8. That wee are more cheerefull and able to holy dueties and so doe more hunger after our dissolution and are willing to die 9. That he can be emptied of all by respects yea of all respect vnto our selues for the glory of God 10. That wee finde such sinnes most weakened to which formerly we haue bene most subiect 11. That howsoeuer we differ in practize yet still our desires are more enflamed especially vpon our fayling to more constant obedience Lastlie For our comfort learne wee that our God that commands perseuerance giues grace to the same and therefore we shall continue and not finally decay wee shall leaue out first loue but not loose it altogether 1. Philip. 6. Iohn 13. Luke 22.33 Wherein note That euery conuert hath a first loue that is Doct. 7. Euery true conuert hath a first loue when God hath reuealed his loue vnto him in Christ and by the Spirit of God it is shed abroad in his heart then is the heart of a sinner inflamed to loue God againe then is it enlarged with ioy vnspeakable and glorious 1. Pet. 17. for so great saluation then doeth it striue to expresse it thankfulnesse vnto God for so great mercie then is loue as strong as death much water can not quench it Cant. 8. And this is called his first loue and it is discerned by these markes 1. By his renouncing of all in comparison of it and parting with the dearest for the enioying of it First loue discerned by markes Matth. 13. Ioh. 6. Coloss 3.1 so did the Apostles forsake all in act so must we forsake all in affection and in act too so farre as it may hinder our enioying of Christ Zacheus Luke 19.6.7 2. When we endure any affliction for the Wordes sake 1. Thess 1.9.10 and that with great ioy in the holy Ghost Hebr. 10. Ephes 1. submitting our selues to the power of the word though it be neuer so bitter to the flesh and crosse the lusts thereof 3. When we reuerence highly the Ministers of the Gospell Galath 3.4 thinking nothing too deare for them Act. 16. 4. When we cleare our conscience of all sinne by which our sweet fellowship with Christ may bee hindred so Zacheus Luke 19. not being ashamed to confesse our particular sinnes and renouncing them vnfainedly 5. When for Christs sake we loue his poore members 1. Tim. 1.15.16 17. and impart of our worldly goods bountifully to their reliefe Luke 19. Zacheus 1. Ioh. 2. Ioh. 13. Psal 16.2 6. When wee continue in the powerfull meanes of the diuine worship Act. 2. 7. When we consult not with flesh and blood nor communicate with it but doe vtterly renounce the same in regarde of heauen Act. 9. Galath 2. Matth. 8. c. 8. And being rauished with the sweetnesse of the loue of Christ Luke 22.33 wee enlarge our selues to declare the same to our brethren labouring to bring them to Christ by plucking them out of the fire Ioh. 1.18 Iude 22. The wisedome and mercie of our God in vouchsauing his children vpon their conuersion this liuely and ardent affection of holy loue is manifold Reasons of this first loue First hereby to scale vnto them the trueth and assurance of this blessed Change by this sensible and sweet change of their affections that whereas before they could not relish and brooke the power of the worde neither had any delight in the excellent but esteemed their persons contemptible and odious deemed of their wayes as madnesse or hypocrisie now finding by the mercie of God their hearts enflamed to the loue of the worde though it vtterly confound all former hopes and cut off wholly all future expectations for the flesh and withall pretending such to bee most deare vnto them who are hated of the world and in regarde of outward appearance are not able to requite our loue and yet because they are in Christ are therefore for his sake to be beloued may wee not hence assuredly conclude vnto our soules that wee are translated from death to life because wee loue the brethren is not this our euidence that wee are now chosen out of the world because we loue those whom the world hates is not this an argument that wee are now in Christ because his loue onely constraines vs to loue his members and seeing our loue vnto them is to make them like
witnesse a good profession as being inwardly furnished with gifts and outwardly led foorth by the Spirit to maintaine the cause of Christ Iesus our Sauiour The one of these we shall discerne How to discerne inward sufficiencie to make open profession of saith in the time of trouble 1. By sound knowledge of the cause in particular which we are to make good by whatsoeuer sufferings so that our iudgements are throughly informed and so our consciences conuinced with the trueth doe finde rest and comfort therein Ephes 3. Phil. 1. 2. By our ardent loue vnto that trueth which wee haue apprehended and hearty desire that by any our neuer so great affliction it may bee glorified in the hearts of the Saints 1. Philip. 27. 3 By our especiall apprehension of Gods singular mercy towards vs in accounting vs so worthy as to make profession of that truth 4. Hence we euen long and desire to taste of that cup which the profession of that truth may cost vs. 5. Yet so as that our most ardent desires are subiect to contrary buffetings for feare of our owne inability in our selues and therefore John 19. 6. Rather desiring the grace of the Spirit so to conduct vs in the combat that Gods cause may be honoured in our constancy therein then we in any sort magnified thereby nay that we shall haue in respect of the flesh any good issue out of them howsoeuer we haue many gracious promises yea likelihoods for the same 7. And therefore simply submitting our selues to the will of our gratious Father rather to vndergoe any the most grieuous extremity then the least disparagement may redound to his glorious truth 8. Finding in our selues a gratious contentment in our God arising vpon long experience of the deceitfulnesse of the world and faithfulnesse of our gracious Father and 9. So discerning in our selues a readines to death as being prepared thereto by daily mortification and experience of our sweet society with our blessed God 10. As that withall we especially for this end desire life euen to witnesse a good profession and giue glory vnto our God in auouching and sealing vp his eternall truth with our moment any sufferings To this end 11. Finding in our selues an ability of faith relying rather on Gods promise to guide vs with his counsell then our owne experience to wade thorow the affliction Thus may we discerne inward sufficiency to make profession of our faith And for outward calling How to discern an outward calling to make publike profession of faith in troubles and leading forth by the Spirit thereunto there are these markes of it First in respect of vs as that 1. We haue already published and declared that truth and so now much more it being called in question are to iustifie the same 2. Are also prouoked by our people that haue depended on vs to make good the same for the establishing of their faith lest our suppressing or deniall may shake and make shipwracke thereof 3. Are especially called thereto by the Magistrate who may require a reason thereof and forced by the gainsayings of the enemy to defend the same Secondly in respect of the truth And that 1. When it is openly resisted and gainsaid of a peruerse generation not onely priuately and indirectly and when 2. By the suppressing thereof the glory of our God is necessarily impeached the power of religion vndermined c. otherwise in matters Wherein we may be silent 1. Of difference which reach not thus far we may be silent respecting the peace of the Church and dealing rather with our God in prayer for the reformation of such breaches and by all priuate and peaceable meanes rather enduring an inconuenience or couering an infirmity then by any publike opposition making a rent and diuision in the Church of God 2. As also if our persons rather in malice are aimed at then the truth oppugned we may auoide the rage by flying concealing c. 3. At leastwise though we be not altogether silent yet so far we may conceale the truth 1. As it is not demanded 2. And may satisfie the honest purpose of the questioner 3. Yea may happily by stumbling of him and turning his edge vpon another so thereby diuert his malice from our selues So did our Sauiour put the Pharisies and Sadduces together and thereby escaped So did he for a time goe aside and walked no more openly neither committed himselfe vnto them because he knew what was in them and his time was not come Nay may we not shape such an answer to our aduersary not only to conceale part of truth as Samuel did 1. Sam. 16. but euen to giue vp the wicked to their owne counsels that will not obey the truth bidding them goe vp and prosper as Michaiah did 2. King 22. yea in an holy derision vpbraiding their carnall confidence Reioyce oh young man and take thy fill Eccl. 11. And seeing they will not be reclaimed and hate to be reformed may not the prudent keepe silence in such euill times 2. Chron. 2. Amos 5. Or so only speake as to leaue the incorrigible to their lusts Prou. 9. ceasing to rebuke a scorner that we may wisely auoid his hatred and so pronouncing the wrath of God against him in yeelding him vp to his owne lusts as that he may blesse his soule in this fearefull liberty and we by this wisedome may maintaine our holy liberty Oh that we were wise to consider of these things and to whom the arme of the Lord shall reueale them Ose 14. For the waies of the Lord are righteous and the iust shall walke in them but the wicked shall fall therein As for the changing of our features and habits for a time to auoid vnnecessary trouble herein I take it Names and habits whether they may be changed and how far Names not to be changed we may thus far be iustified As though 1. Not to change our names And that because they are of a diuine institution as well as ciuill imposed not only to make distinction of our persons from others but to be witnesses and pledges of our profession and both memorials of Gods former mercies towards vs as also euidences of Gods euerlasting couenant with vs to be our protector and preseruer for euer And therefore not to be denied if we be demanded the same lest therein we deny our faith neither to be changed because our profession must not be changed Especially seeing by deniall or changing we shall not onely not aduantage our selues to the thing we intend namely not to be knowne seeing by other markes of proportion or complexion we may be bewrayed but being discouered we shall hereby adde vnto our affliction not only being iustly exempted out of Gods protection by reiecting the badge thereof our names but exposed also the rather to the rage of man as being tainted hereby with dissimulation c. Abrahams name changed and no warrant because this was
old remember we that the fauour of God hath formerly shined vpon vs meditate we of the wonderfull things that the Lord hath done for our soules and can the Lord forget to be mercifull shall the couenant of the day and night be broken Ierem. 33.20.21.22 that then should not be day and night in their season Then may the couenant of the Lord be broken with his seruants surely al the armie of Heauen cannot bee numbred neither the sand of the sea measured so will the Lord multiply his mercies vnto his children so will he neuer faile them Heb. 12 3. Esay 49.15 nor forsake them though a mother should forget the fruit of her wombe yet wil I not forget thee saith the Lord though I correct thee in iudgement yet will I not vtterly cast thee off Ierem. 30.11 saith the Lord for I am God in the midst of thee whom I loue I loue vnto the end Ioh. 13.2 and therefore for a while haue I forsaken thee yet in euerlasting compassions will I gather thee againe Esay 54.8 As I haue sworne that the waters of Noah shall no more goe ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I will not be angry with thee for euer nor rebuke thee to thy destruction yea well may the mountaines remoue and the hils fall downe though heauen and earth shall passe and the night and the day shal be no more neither yet shall the couenant of my peace fall away sayth the Lord that hath compassion on thee for my word endureth for euer I haue sworne by my holinesse that I will not faile Dauid And what shal then separat thee frō the loue of God 13. That all the Saints haue drunke of this cup vnto thee hall thy greatest sins serue to magnifie the loue of God vnto thee Oh but here Satan doth reply that herin thy case is singular neuer any so deiected and cast down as thou art the saints of God haue passed their time more cheerfully they haue been confident in God resolut of his fauour they haue been heard of the Lord in their greatest extremities they haue been deliuered reuiued again and therfore seing thou remainest stil in this agony canst find no cōfort hath not the Lord forsakē thee that reiects thy praiers that neglects thy teares seeing thy afflictiō encreased thou seest no end therof Surely the Lord giue vs vnderstanding in al things say our case were such as neuer were any like vnto vs yet may not the Lord doe with vs what he will if he should cast vs into hell should we not desire his glory aboue all things And if by this our greater abasing he intends to propose vs as ensamples to them which shal beleeue in time to come to make vs presidents of his exceeding mercies shall not he haue the more glory and we haue the more comfort in the end And yet for our present comfort herein is there any tentation here befallen vs that belongs not vnto man that the Saints of olde haue not gone before vs in that euery childe of God more or lesse must certainely vndergoe nay haue not many of Gods children exceeded vs in this temptation Iob. 3.1.6.2 Psal 77. consider wee the example of Iob and Dauid of Ieremie and the rest haue not the venome of Gods arrowes drunke vp their spirits haue they not broken out into many bitter complaints and blasphemies through the extremity of their paines haue they not euen seemed to forsake the Lord and giuen ouer their interest in his loue and goodnesse Ier. 20. And hath the gratious Lord yet kept thee from these horrible out-breakings or mayst thou happily bee left so farre as the worst yet seeing our gratious God hath restored euery one of them yea then refreshed them when they haue bene at the worst wll he not also raise thee vp againe oh thou of litle faith 14 That God differs our restoring and refreshing in great mercy If thou thinkest he will not because he doth it not consider how long this rod hath lien vpon thy betters and canst thou not bee content to stay the Lords leisure as well as they shall not the Lord recompence thy longer stay with more durable comforts Had not Dauid these buffetings euen all his life haue not many of Gods deare children beene exercised heerewith to their death yea in their death haue been hereby stumbling to the world as if they died desperately vnto whom their holy life doctrine was a condemnation because they would not bee reclaimed thereby and shall this encourage to prophanesse and exclude vtterly repentance to see such die so vncomfortably whose life was so conformable to the word so contrary to the world And therefore though I cannot heere promise thee any time when the Lord will returne thy captiuity and refresh thee with former comfort yet I dare promise thee that there is a time of refreshing Act. 3.19 at hand And whatsoeuer thy emptying bee now yet then thou shalt be filled with the fulnesse of God and so enioy at his right hand pleasures for euermore yea all thy abasings in this life shal be meanes to further and hasten thee thereunto if thy afflictions are at the worst they will haue the sooner end and thine euerlasting ioyes shal be begun the sooner though it should by thy death yet thou shalt be a great gainer by it And I dare promise thee further that the Lord will lay no more vpon thee then thou art able to endure 2. Cor. 10.13 but will giue an issue with the tentation that thou mayst be able to beare it though the righteous perisheth and no man regards it Esay 57.1.2 yet they are but taken away from the euils to come 2. They shal rest in their beds sorow shal flie away 15. That we must not iudge our selues by our tenrations Only here let me adjure thee to stay thy selfe herein by these rules First that thy God will not esteeme of thee as thou art in thy tentations they proceed of Satans malice and thine own infirmity therefore thy gratious Father will not impute them vnto thee yea thou striue against them condemnest them therfore thy louing Father will not condemne thee for thē Secondly be thou wise to iudge of thy better part thou striuest and canst not preuaile thou prayst and art not heard what then are thy prayers not heard at all because thy particular request is not granted Is not thy person euerlastingly accepted and so a cuppe of colde water shall not loose his rewarde In the name of GOD I adiure thee therefore not to iudge peremptorily of thine estate by any present or particular action or successe Is not the Lord wise to turne thy sinnes to good and will he then let thy true endeauours fall to the ground though hee answers not thy prayer in yeelding thy particular request yet doth hee not answer it better in giuing thee still grace to pray vnto
earnestly to raise them vp againe that so together with them thou maist be perfected Heb. 11. vlt. that so maintaining the fellowship here on earth thou maist be better fitted to the communion in Heauen 6. And as thou hast hereby greater occasion to aduance the mercy of thy God in not leauing thee altogether in sustaining thee so wonderfully and saue thee in this thy decay so shalt thou be prouoked hereby to trust more perfectly thy God though he should abase thee further not only in leauing thee to this inward triall of a languishing spirit and eclipse of ioy but as the manner of Gods prouidence is to prepare vs by these inward afflictions to outward troubles for the further triall of our faith and increase of his power and mercy in our protection and deliuerance If now it shall please our glorious God to lead vs through fire and water to pronounce a sentence of death against vs that we may not trust in ourselues but in the liuing God which raiseth from the dead That so after we haue suffered a little we might be fitted to eternall ioyes that so in our outward sufferings our inward consolations may abound Is not here a gracious recompence of our former losse Is not here a maruellous meanes so to restore the same that God may haue the glory that we by this meanes may be prepared vnto glory shall not our loue be now gloriously tried in suffering for the will of God shall it not be much more testified in enduring so great afflictions shall it not hereby be purged of all selfe-loue and carnall respects that so it may be fitted to fulnesse of ioy shall not our patience here be tried in waiting the good pleasure of our God that so we may be perfect and intire wanting nothing 1. Iam. 3.4 Surely howsoeuer it fall yet let it comfort vs that the holy Ghost doth not here challenge the Church of Ephesus that it hath lost all her loue or that it hath absolutely lost her first loue but only that it hath left it for a time and therefore it may recouer againe And it hath but left her first loue not altogether is bereft of all loue well may it leaue it first loue but it shall not loose all And for our further satisfaction take we these rules that we are soundly in some measure recouered and haue regained true ioy and comfort of our saluation 1. If our ioy beeing restored wee are also more enabled in the practise of godlinesse growing more in grace and in obedience to the word 2. If our ioy bee daylie accompanied with sorrow for sinne and feare of our selues that wee may fall againe with more sobriety in the vse of worldly comforts and more hunger after durable ioyes 3. If wee are more weaned from the loue of the world and take lesse ioy in the flesh and earthly things knowing no man after the flesh 4. If we can reioyce in the further encrease of the Church and flourishing estate thereof abroad though it go not so well with our owne particular 5. And can also weepe with them that languish abroad though our owne cup run ouer 6. Still submitting our selfe to the crosse 7. And triumphing in our greatest tribulations 8. If our ioy be powerfull to raise vs daily from sinne that so renuing our repentance it may be increased 9. If it be sincere and pure not so much resting in our selues as that God may haue the glory euen comforting our selues that for Gods sake principally we haue done his will and not for any by respects vnto our selues And this is the last lesson to be obserued out of this Scripture Namely That the Saints shall not loose vtterly Doct. 7. The Saints shall not loose their first loue Reason 1. Ose 2.19 Esa 49. Esa 27. though they may leaue for a time their first loue Luk. 11. Psal 92. 2 Tim. 4.19 1. Because the Lord hath promised to continue his loue towards them Ioh. 13. 1. Ioh. 17. Ierem. 31.33 c. 2. Their afflictions doe tend to their perseuerance as purging out their sinnes Esay 1.25 3. Their sinnes turne to their continuance in grace 1. as making them afraid of sinne 2. and more expert to conquer the same 3. more fit for grace by making them more humble and hungry after it 4. more mercifull to others and therfore mouing the Lord to haue more compassion on them 4. His hand is continually put vnder vs in our greatest failings and therefore wee shall rise againe Psal 37.24 5. His end in leauing vs for a time is to make vs take faster holde on him to make vs more deny our selues that we may be found in Iesus Christ in heauen 6. Their Sauiour liueth and triumpheth to make them more then conquerours Rom. 8.36.37 Ioh. 12.32 and to draw vp all after him 7. The spirit and word shall abide in them to hold them on in grace Ioh. 15. And therefore 1. This condemneth the blasphemie of Papists who teach that the Saints may fall finally and therein doe impeach the power and faithfulnesse of God or that they may so loose their faith for the present that it must be repaired anew againe 2. It checketh the insolencie of the wicked that reioyceth at the fals of the Saints and insult ouer them seeing that though they fall they shal rise againe Mic. 7.9 Psal 41.11 3. As also it reprooueth the infidelity of the Saints who doubt of their recouery and wrong the faithfulnesse of God and power of their faith grieue the blessed Spirit and deny in a sort the merit of Christ 4. Heere is first instruction for the world to iustifie Gods faithfulnesse seeing hee doth not forsake for euer Lam. 3.24.25 5. Heere the Saints are lessoned as to feare their fals and not to sinne vpon presumption of recouery so not to distrust of Gods mercy in their greatest failings seeing the Lord is faithfull and they shall recouer thogh not so sensible a measure as before they had yet sufficient to fit thē to the enioying of that happinesse that the Lord Iesus hath purchased for them And therefore let them vse the holy meanes that they may recouer namely such as are before laid downe in the recouery out of apostasie and regaining first loue and hold out to the end And if happily with all our labour we shall yet be to seeke of what we would haue For the further satisfying and comforting of the conscience obserue we thdse two things First that it is one thing to leaue our first loue and to be luke-warme neither hot nor cold We may not haue such feeling of Gods loue as formerly we had Difference between leauing first loue and lukewarmnesse and this may prouoke vs to more industry to recouer againe as the ioy of Gods spirit may be an occasion by reason of spirituall pride that we may remit of our zeale and yet we may still be resolute in iudgement what should be done though happily in our practise we may abate of what we haue formrly done 1. Wheretas luke-warmnesse ariseth frome a peruerse and deceiued iudgement that we are rich we want nothing and therefore what need we now be so earnest and painful why may we nor abate of our labours and sit downe and take our ease may we not be wholly c. 2. Hereupon it is another note of luke-warmnesse to grow indifferent to any side to be between both ready to entertaine what may stand with the streame and so to runne with the tide as occasion serueth But it is not so with such as haue simply lost their first loue they are neuer quiet till they haue recouered againe they cannot endure any other loue to share in their affections oh it reioyceth them to consider what a true and faithfull loue they had they are now more fond of him when he absents himselfe at euery stone must be rowled all corners searched to find him againe Cant. 5. and they giue not ouer till they haue recouered him 2. That there is great oddes between leauing our first loue and loosing it altogether we may leaue in regard of a former measure and yet hold a true gaine which shall cleere vs of luke-warmnesse and though we leaue a measure yet we loose not all because the least remaining will be a meanes to recouer againe if not so much as we haue had yet so much as shall serue both to keepe from finall apostasie and further to eternall glory 6 And therefore here is matter of exceeding consolation to the elect of God not to trust their owne vnbeleeuing hearts much lesse Satans lies but to rest on the faithfulnesse of God not iudging themselues by what they are in their decay but by what they were in their first loue and so pressing the Lord in his faithfullnesse and their former experience they shall be vpheld in their greatest failings by a secret power and in good time the Lord will appeare vnto them to bring foorth their righteousnesse as the light and their wel-doing as the noone day that so their latter end may be better then their beginning Glory be to the Lord Iesus