with him and be at peace thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob 22 21. For did not HEZIKIAH King of Iudah feare the Lord and the Lord repented him of the evill he had purposed against him Ier. 26 19.12 16. Hos 10 12.6 1. Ier. 26.3 12.6 18 8. Amos 5 4. Ezek. 18 27. Iob 33 23. Ob. I haue indeauoured my selfe in the worke of Repentance what I can and yet my Affliction continueth pressing mee very sore A. Then cry vnto the Lord and hee shall saue you out of your distresses Psal 107.19 Saying Haue mercy vpon me O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me for my bones are vexed Psal 6.2 Take away thy rod from me and let not thy feare terrifie me Iob. 9.34 Turne thou vnto me and haue mercy vpon mee for I am desolate and Afflicted The troubles of my heart are inlarged O bring thou mee out of my distresse Looke vpon my Affliction and my paine and forgiue me all my sinnes Psal 25 17. O remember not my former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent mee for I am brought very low Helpe me O God of my saluation for the glorie of thy name deliuer me Psa 79.8 I stretch forth my hand vnto thee my soule thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land Heare me speedily O Lord for my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like vnto them that goe downe into the pit Psal 143 6. O Lord correct me but in iudgement not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing Ier. 10.24 I am like a flower that is cut downe which flyeth also as a shadow and continueth not and doest thou open thine eyes vpon such a one And bringest thou me to iudgement with thee Iob. 14.2 Thine hands haue made me and fashioned me together round about yet thou dost destroy me Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me into the dust againe Iob. 10.8 Are not my dayes few Cease thou and let me alone that I may take comfort a litle before I go whence I shall not returne Iob. 10.20 Psal 79.5.77.7.85 4 25 6 7 39 12 13.88.1.88 14.102.1 118 25.119 77 143 8.11 Iob. 10 1.13 24.14 6. Ier. 17 14.17 Psalm 42 6 119 107. Isa 64.8 Q. When by these meanes I haue found comfort and deliverance what am I then to doe A. In that day thou shalt say O Lord I will praise thee though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away thou comfortest me Behold God is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord IEHOVAH is my strength and my song he also is become my Salvation Isa 12.1 My soule wait thou onely vpon God for my expectation is from him He only is my rocke and my salvation he is my defence therefore I shall not bee mooved In God is my Salvation and my glory the rocke of my strength and my refuge is in God Psal 62 5. For thou hast taken away all thy wrath thou hast turned thy selfe from the fiercenesse of thine anger Psal 78 38. Thou hast delivered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feet from falling Psal 116.8 My lips therefore shall greatly reioyce when I sing vnto thee and my Soule which ho u hast redeemed my tongue also shall talke of thy Righteousnesse all the day long Psal 71 23. I will say vnto thee thy Righteousnesse O GOD is very high who hath done great things O God who is like vnto thee Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles hast quickened me againe and hast brought me vp againe from the depths of the earth thou hast increased my greatnesse and comforted me on every side Psal 71.19 To the end that my glory may sing vnto him and not be silent O Lord my God I will giue thee thankes for ever Psal 30 12 49 15.22 22 63 7.66 8.30 3 103.1 4.85 2 3 116 7 9. Isa 61 10 49.13.38 20. Exod. 4 31. Luk. 17.15 Psal 35.18 85.9 116.5 CHAP. XXVIII Of Persecution Ob. I Know now that in the middest of Iudgement the LORD will remember Mercie notwithstanding the feare I haue of falling into the hands of men is the very breaking of my heart A. I Even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye and of a man that shall be made as grasse And forgettest the Lord thy maker that spreadeth forth the Heavens and layeth the foundations of the earth hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor as if hee were ready to destroy And where is the fury of the oppressor Isa 51 12 Behold I will make thy Face strong against their Faces and thy Fore-head strong against their Fore-heads is an Adamant harder than flint haue I made thy Forehead feare them not neither be dismayed at their lookes though they be a rebellious house Ezek. 3.8 Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father but the very haires of your head are numbred Feare ye not therefore for you are of more value then many Sparrowes Math. 10.29 So that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I wil not feare what man can do vnto me Heb. 13 6. â— For the Lord God will helpe me therefore shall I not bee confounded therefore haue I set my face like a flint and I know I shall not be ashamed He is neere that iustifieth me who will contend with me Let vs stand together who is mine Adversary Let him come neere to usee Behold the LORD GOD will helpe me who is hee that shall condemne me Loe all they shall waxe old as a Garment the Moth shall eate them vp Isa 50 7. Numb 22 18.38 verses 24. 12 13 23 8. Heb. 11 27. Psalm 140.12 Ob. But doe I not with these eyes see many of my Brethren how cruelly they haue beene handled by them Psal 22 12 13 143 3 4. A. All that will liue godly in CHRIST IESVS shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3.12 As formerly he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 that the Brother shall betray the Brother to death and the Father the Sonne and the Children shall rise vp against their Parents and shall cause them to die And you shall bee hated of all men for my names sake Math. 10.21 These things haue I spoken vnto you that you should not be offended they shall put you out of the Synagogue yea the time commeth that whosoever killeth you will thinke that hee doth GOD Service And these things will they doe vnto you because they haue not knowne the Father nor me But these things haue I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I haue told you them Ioh. 16 1. Notwithstanding if the world hate you you know it
Neh 1.10 Thy holy Cities are a wildernesse Zion is a wildernesse Ierusalem a desolation Our holy and our beautifull house wherâ— our Fathers praised thee is burned vp witâ— fire and all our pleasaâ—t things are laid wast Wilt thou refraine thy selfe for these things O Lord Wilt thou hold thy peace and afflict vs very sore Isa 64 10. know that for thy sake wee haue suffered rebuke Ier. 15.15 Arise O God pleade thine owne cause remember how the foolish men reproach thee daily Forget not the voyce of thine Enemies the tumult of those that rise vp against thee increaseth continually Psal 74.22.74.7.8.83.12 Ios 7.8 O Lord though our iniquities testifie aâ—â—inst vs doe thou it for thy names sake 〈◊〉 our backslidings are many we haue sinâ—ed against thee Ier. 14.7 Yet doe not â—â—horre vs for thy names sake doe not disâ—race the throne of thy glory Ier. 14.21 â—et thy worke appeare vnto thy seruants â—â—d thy glory vnto their children Psal 90. â—6 Let our mouthes bee filled with thy â—aise and with thy honour all the day Psal 71 8. That men may know that thou â—hose name alone is Iehovah art the most â—igh over all the earth Psal 83.18.106 â—7 22.25.79.13.9.13.43.4.22.22.74 â—â— Deut. 9.26 Bring our soules out of prison that wee â—ay praise thy name the righteous shall â—mpasse vs about because thou hast dealt â—â—untifully with vs. Psal 142.7 And 〈◊〉 men shall feare and declare the workes â—f God for they shall wisely consider thy â—oings The righteous shall bee glad in â—he LORD and shall trust in thee all the vpright in heart shall glory Psal 64. â— Let not them that waite on thee O Lord GOD of hosts be ashamed for ouâ— sakes let not those that seeke thee be coâ—founded for our sakes O God of ISRAEL Because for thy sake wee haue bornâ— reproch shame hath couered our faces Psâ—l 69.6 Ah Lord God behold thou hast made thâ— heauen the earth by thy great power anâ— stretched out arme and there is nothing tâ— hard for thee Thou shewest louing kindnesse vnto thousands c. the great thâ— mightie God the Lord of hosts is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke Ier. 32.17 And is thy hand shortned that it cannot helpe or is thy eare heauy that thou canst not heare Isa 59.1 Thou O Lord remainest for euer thy throne is from generation to generation Wherefore doest thou forget vs for euer and forsakest vs so long time Lâ—m. 5.19 why shouldest thou be as a man astonished As a mighty man that cannot saue Ier. 14.9 For thou art the God of our strength why doest thou cast vs off Why goe wee mourning because of the oppressions of the Enemie Psal 43.2 Our Fathers trusted in thee they truâ—ed and thou diddest deliuer them they â—yed vnto thee and were deliuered 〈◊〉 trusted in thee and were not conâ—unded But I am a worme and no â—â—n a reproach of men and despised â—f the people Psal 22.4 Thou hast also â—rought thy people out of the land of AEGYPT with a mighty hand and hast gotâ—â—n thee renowne Dan. 9.15 Lord where â—â—e thy former louing kindnesses which thou diddest sweare vnto DAVID in truth Psal 89.49 Thou diddest make me hope when I was vpon my mothers breasts I was â—â—st vpon thee from the wombe thou art â—y GOD from my Mothers belly be not farre from vs for trouble is neere and â—here is none to helpe Ps 22.9.71.5 Cast vs not off in the time of old age forsake vs not when our strength faileth Psâ—l 71.9 22.20 Isa 33 2. Ier. 32 21.14 8. Isa 51 9. 2 Chron. 20 6 12. Psalm 22 21. Exod. 32 11. Remember Lord the reproches of thy servants how we doe beare in our bosome the reproches of all the mighty people wherewith thine Enemies haue reproached O Lord wherewith they haue reproached the footsteps of thine anoynted Psal 89.50 Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked further not their wicked deuices least they exalt themselues Psal 140.8 And let them not reioyce over vs let them not say in their heart ah so would we haue it let them not say wee haue swallowed them vp Psal 35.24 35.19 25.1.2.13.4.36 11.86 17. Lam. 5.1 Deut. 9 26. Psal 79.10 Exo. 32.12 Ioel 2.17 Psal 68.3 O satisfie vs early with thy mercy that we may reioyce and bee glad all our dayes Make vs glad according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted vs and the yeeres wherein we haue seene evill Psal 90.14.15 O that the saluation of ISRAEL were come out of Zion When the Lord bringeth backe the captivity of his people IACOB shall reioyce and ISRAEL shall bee glad Psal 14.7.43.3.83.3.86.17.40 10. But thou hast couered thy selfe with a Cloud that our Prayers shall not passe through Lam. 3 44. Thou hast vtterâ—y reiected vs thou art very wroth against it Lam. 5 22. Awake why sleepest thou O LORD Arise cast vs not off for ever wherefore hidest thou thy face and forgettest our afflictâ—on and our opâ—ression Psaâ— 44 23. Hast thou vtterly reiected Iudaâ— Hath thy soule loathed Zion Why hast thou smitten vs and there is no healing for vs We looke for peace and there is no good and for the time of healing and behold trouble Ier. 14 19. O thou sword of the LORD how long will it bee ere thou bee quiet Put vp thy selfe into the scabberd rest and be still How can it bee quiet seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Zion there hath hee appointed it Ier. 47 6. Now therefore our GOD the great the mighty and the terrible GOD who keepest Covenant and mercy let not all the trouble seeme little before thee that hath come vpon vs. Neh. 9.32 But redeeme Israel O God out of all his troubles Psal 25 22 40 1 40 17. Ier. 15 18. Psal 119 84.119 123.89 46.13 1.80 4 74 9.22 1. Q. When God giueth deliuerance vnto his Church what shall become of their cruell persecutors A. When the Lord hath performed his whole worke vpon mount Zion and on Ierusalem I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high lookes Isa 10.12 They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame and their dwelling places shall come to nought Iob 8.22 and perish the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambes they shall consume into smoake shall they consume away Psal 37 20. They that devoure thee shall be devoured they that spoyle thee shall be spoiled and they that pray vpon thee I will giue for a pray Ier. 30.16 As they haue shed the blood of Saints and Prophets so they shall haue blood to drinke for they are worthy Reuel 16 6. For the Lord will plead the cause of his Servants and spoile the Soule of those that spoiled them Prou. 22 23. So that the wicked shall be a ransome for the righteous and the transgressors for the vpright Prou. 21 18. Isa 33 1.49 26.51.23 Numb 24 8. Psal
vs of and said Did not the LORD deliver vs from the Spanish Inuasion in the yeare LXXXVIII But now the LORD hath forsaken the Palatinate and delivered it into the hand of the SPANIARD Iudg. 6 13. 1 Sam. 4 13. Deuteronomie 28 25. Nahum 3 11. A. ISRAEL hath sinned and they haue also transgressed my Covenant which I commanded them for they haue taken even of the accursed thing c. Therefore they could not stand before their enemies Ios 7 11. And because they served not the LORD their GOD with ioyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart for the aboundance of all things therefore doe they serue their enemies which the Lord hath sent against them in hunger and in thirst and in nakednesse and in the want of all things Deut. 28.47 Who then gaue IACOB for a spoyle and Israel to the Robbers Did not the Lord hee against whom they haue sinned For they would not walke in his wayes neyther were they obedient vnto his law Therefore he hath powred vpon them the fury of his anger and the strength of Battaile and it hath set them on fire round about yet they know not and it burdeneth them and they lay it not to heart Isa 42 24. Therefore the Emperour before and the Spaniard behind haue devoured ISREAL with open mouth and yet for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still For the people turneth not to him that smiteth them Neyther doe they seeke the LORD of Hosts Isa 9 12 65.12 10 â— 4 66 24. Leuit. 26 17 25 26 32. 32 26.36 Ier. 7.30 19.9.2 King 21 1. Amos 6 8.1 Sam. 28 19. Lam. 4 11. Thus when Israel did that which was evill in the sight of the Lord c. The anger of the Lord was hote against Israel and hee delivered them vp into the hands of the spoylers that spoyled them c. so that they could not any longer stand before their Enemies Iudg. 2 11. Likewise the armie of the Syrians came with a small company of men and the LORD delivered a very great Host into their hand Because they had forsaken the Lord GOD of their Fathers 2 Chron. 24 23. Iudg. 3 7.8.3.12.4.1.2.6.1.13.1.16.20 1 Chron. 10 13.2.16.7 1 Sam. 4.2.10 1 King 14.25.2.13.1 Exod. 32.25 Q. But haue the sinnes of the Palatinate beene so great as that there is â—o way left whereby they may escape the Enemies hands A. If yet they shall confesse their iniquity the iniquities of their Fathers with their trespasse which they trespassed against me and that also they haue walked contrary vnto me and that I also haue walked contrary vnto them c. If now their vncircumcised hearts be humbled and they doe accept of the punishment of their iniquity then will I remember my Covenant with them and also my Covenant with Abraham will I remember and I will remember the Land â—euit 26.40 And when they shall walke after mâ— I will roare like a Lion when I shall roare then the Spaniard and Emperour shall tremble They shall tremble as a Bâ—rd out of Aegypt and as a Doue out of the Land of Assyria and I will place them in their Houses saith the LORD Hos 11 10. Vp therefore and let them sanctifie themselues against the morrow Ios 7 13. Psal 81 13. Which that you may doe remember then the King of Aegypt came vp against Ierusalem because they had transgressed against the LORD c. Therefore hee left them in the hand of Shishak Wherevpon the Princes of Israel and the Kings humbling themselues saying the LORD is righteous And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselues the Word of the Lord came to Shemaiah saying they haue humbled themselues therefore will I not destroy them but I will grant them some deliverance and my wrath shall not bee powred out vpon IERVSALEM by the hand of SHISHAK 2 Chron. 12 2. Yea many times did hee deliver them but they provoked him by their Councell and were brought low for their iniquities neverthelesse hee regarded theyr affliction when hee heard theyr crie And he remembred for them his Covenant and repented according to the multitude of his Mercies Psal 106.43 Thus also will the LORD waite that he may bee gracious vnto you and therefore will he be exalted that hee may haue mercy vpon you for the LORD is a GOD of iudgement Isa 30.18 For he will iudge his people and he will repent himselfe concerning his Servants Psal 135.14.2 Chron. 15 3 33 9 32 25.1 King 21 27. Iona. 3 10.4.2 Hos 10 12. Deut. 4 29. Iudg. 6 11 33 1 Sam. 12.7 Q. What vse are we and they of the Palatinate to make hereof A. Therefore feare not for though yee haue done all this wickednes yet depart not from following the Lord but serue the Lord with all your heart neither turne yee backe for that should be after vaine things which cannot profit you nor deliver you for they are but vanity 1 Sam. 12 20. And if ye doe turne vnto the Lord with all your hearts then put away the strange Gods and Ashtaroth from among you and prepare your heart unto the Lord and serue him onely and he will deliver you out of the hand of your Enemies 1 Sam. 7 3. Hosea 13 1. Lament 3 40 41. Deut. 13 17. Ieremiah 3 12.2 Chronicles 30 8. 2 Sanctifie you a fast call yee a solemne assembly gather together the Elders and all the Inhab tants of the Land into the house of the Lord your GOD and cry vnto the Lord Ioâ—l 1 14. And say take away all iniquitie and receiue vs graciously so will we râ—nder the Calues of our lips Ashur shall not saue vs we will not ride vpon Horses Neither will we say any more to the worke of our hands yee are our GODS For in thee the Fatherlesse find mercy Hos 13 1. O Loâ—d our God other Lords besides thee haue ruled over vs but we will remember thee onely and thy Name Isay 26 13. Rise vp Lord and let thine enemies bee scattered and let them that hate thee flee before thee and returne O Lord vnto the many thousands of Israel Numb 10 35. Or if thou wilt nâ—eds afflâ—ct vs let vs now fall into the hand of the Lord for his Mercies are great and let vs not fall into the hands of men 2 Sam. 24.14 Whose tender mercies are cruell Prou. 12 10. Neh. 1 5 9.32 2 Kâ—ng 9 â—5 Psal 10 35 8 1 2. 1 Kings 8 â—3 Q. When GOD hath delivered vs â—om our enemies what are wee then 〈◊〉 doe A. Awake awake Deborah awake â—â—ake vtter a song arise Barak thou Son Abâ—â—oam Iâ—dg 5 12. Come and beâ—â—ld the workes of the LORD what desoâ—tions he hath made in the earth Hee â—aketh the Warres to cease vnto the ends of â—he earth he breaketh the bow and cutâ—th the speare in sunder he burneth the â—hariots in the fire Psal 46 8. Sing â—nto the LORD for hee hath triumphed â—â—â—riously the
righteous Or is it gaine to him that thou makest thy wayes perfect Iob. 22 2. Looke vnto the Heavens and see and behold the clouds which are higher than thou If thou sinnest what doest thou against him Or if thy transgressions bee multiplyed what doest thou vnto him If thou bee righteous what givest thou him Or what receiveth hee of thine hand Iob 35 5. Psal 16 2. Which of you having a Servant Plowing or feeding Cattell will say vnto him by and by when he is come from the field Goe and sit downe to meate And will not rather say vnto him make ready wherewith I may sup and gird thy selfe and serue mee till I haue eaten and drunken and afterward thou shalt eate and drinke Doth hee thanke that servant because hee did these things that were commanded him I trow not So likewise yee when yee shall haue done all these things which are commanded you say Wee are vnprofitable servants wee haue done but that which is our duty to doe Luk. 17 7. Q. What was it then which moued the LORD thus liberally to deale with vs A. Because the Lord loved you and because hee would keepe the Oath which he sware vnto your fathers Deut. 7 8 9 6. Herein is loue not that wee loved GOD but that hee loved vs 1 Ioh. 4 10. And wee loue him because he loved vs first 1 Ioh. 4 19. For was not ESAV IACOBS brother saith the LORD Yet I haue loved IACOB Mâ—l 1 2. For the Children being not yet borne neither having done good or evill that the purpose of GOD according to the Election might stand not of Workes but of him that calleth it was said vnto her The elder shall serue the younger as it is written Rom. 9.11 So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom. 9 15. And so Mercy and Truth are met together Psal 85 10. Exod. 33 19. Ier. 31 3. Rom. 11 32. Iam. 5 15. Psâ—â— 25.11 Ob. But why doth he yet find fault For who hath resisted his will Rom. 9.19 A. Nay but O man who art thou that replyest against God Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou made me thus Hath not the Potter power over the clay of the same lumpe to make one vessell vnto honour and another to dishonour Rom. 9 20. Woe vnto him that â—huâ— striveth with his Maker let the Potsherd striue with the Potsherds of the earth c. Woe be vnto him that saith to his Father what begettest thou Or to the woman what hast thou brought forth Isa 45 9 And is it not then lawfull for mee to doe as I will with mine owne Math. 20 15. Ob. â—he branches were broken off that I might be graffed in Rom. 11 19. A. Well because of vnbeliefe they were broken off and thou standest by faith be not high minded but feare For if God spared not the naturall branches take heed least hee also spare not thee Behold therefore the goodnesse and severity of GOD on them that fell severity but towards thee goodnesse if thou continue in his goodnesse otherwise thou also shalt be cut off And they also if they abide not still in vnbeliefe shall be graffed in for God is able to graffe them in againe Rom. 11.20 Boast not therefore against the branches but if thou boast thou bearest not the root but the roote thee Rom. 11 18. Q. Why what is the reason of this free and vndeserved mercy of GOD A. 1 That no flesh should glory in his presence but according as it is written let him that glorieth glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1 â—9 â—1 2 That yee might learne not to thinke of men aboâ—e that which is written that none of you be puffed vp for one against another 1 Cor. 4 6. Q. What may this free mercy of God teach vs A. To say O the depth of the Riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of GOD How vnsearchable are his iudgments and his wayes past finding out For who hath knowne the mind of the LORD Or who hath beene his Counseller Or who hath first gâ—ven to him and it shall bee recompenced vnto him againe Rom 11 33. 2 To say not vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy Name bee given the glory Psalm 115 1. Fâ—r as for mee I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies and of all the truth which hee hath shewed vnto his Servant Gen. 32 10. For off him and through him and for him are all things to him therefore be glory for ever and ever Amen Rom. 11 36 1. Cor. 4 7. 3 I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living Sacrifice Holy and acceptable vnto God which is your reasonable Service Rom. 12 1. And sow to your selues in Righteousnes and reape in mercy H â— 10 12. 4 Pray saying Remember me O my GOD concerning my good deeds and spare me according to the greatnesse of thy mercy Neh. 13 14 22. Crying Grace Grace vnto it Zach. 4 7. Q. Are these blessings common vnto all degrees of men A. Will hee regard your persons saith the LORD of Hosts Mal. 1 9. Hee will blesse them that feare the LORD both small and great Psal 115 13. Neither is there respect of persons with him Eph. 6 9. For he that is called in the LORD being a Servant is the LORDS free man 1 Cor. 7 22. 1 Tim. 2 4. Q. Are not these bâ—â—ssings peculiar vnto the nation of the Iewes A. In thy seed saith GOD to ABRAHAM shall all the Nations of the earth bee blessed Gen. 26 4. Is he the GOD of the Iewes onely and not of the Gentiles also Reu. 3 29. There is no difference betwixt the Iew and the Greeke for the same Lord over all is rich vnto all that call vpon him Râ—m 10 12. Iohn 11 51. Zâ—ch 6 15 8 23. Isay 60.4.5 9.10 verses 60 22.11 10.42 6 45 23 49 6. Gen. 12 3. Acts 10 15.28.28.28.11.20.15.11.14 21.14 27. Mat. 12 21. Ioh. 10.16.12 32. Ob. But doth not PAVL say that vnto the Israelites pertaineth the promises A. True and therefore it was necessarie that the word of God should first bee spoken vnto them but they put it from them and thereby judiâ—â—â—â— themselues vnworthy thereof wee turned to the Gentiles For so hath the Lord commanded vs saying I haue made thee a light of the Gentiles that thou shouldest be foâ— Salvation vnto the ends of the earth Act â—3 46. And God which knoweth the hearts beare witnesse to the Gentiles giving them the Holy Ghost even as hee did vnto the Iewes putting no difference betweene vs and them after that by faith hee had purified their hearts Acts 15.8 That the Gentiles should be fellow Heires and of the same body and partakers of his promise in CHRIST by the Gospell Eph. 3 6. There is therefore neither Iew nor Greeke there is neither bond nor free
Rom. 3.23 by the Law comes the knowledge of sinne Rom. 3.20 Whereby sâ— many as are of the workes of the Law arâ— vnder the curse Gal. 3.10 Whereupon the Gentiles which followed not righteousnes haue attained to righteousnes euen the righteousnesse which is of faith But Israel which followed after the Law of righteousnes hath not attained the Law of righteousnes wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the workes of the Law For they stumbled at the stumbling stone Rom. 9.30 And if Abraham were iustified by workes he hath whereof to glorie but not before GOD Rom. 4.2 Seeing then it is one God which shall iustifie the circumcision by faith and vncircumcision through faith Rom. 3.30 Therefore wee conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law Rom. 3.28 1 Cor. 4.4 Rom. 3 21 22. Gal. 2.16 3.8.4.3.2 Ob. But there rose vp certaine of the sect of the Pharises which beleeued saying That it was needfull to circumcise them and commanded to keepe the whole Law of Moses Acts 15.5 A. Men and brethren you know how that a good while agoe God made choyce among vs that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the Word of the Gospell and beleeue now therefore these men did but tempt God in putting a yoke vpon the necke of the Disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare Acts 15.7.10 Ob. Moses himselfe describeth the righteousnesse which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall liue by them A. But the righteousnesse which is 〈◊〉 faith speaketh on this wise Say noâ— thou in thine heart Who shall ascenâ— into Heauen that is to bring downe CHRIST from aboue Or who shalâ— descend downe into the deepe that is to bring CHRIST from the dead But what saith it The Word is nigh thee euen in thy mouth and in thine heart that is the Word of faith which wee preach And which with the heart wee beleeue vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.6 Q. Is the Law then against the promise A. GOD forbid For if there had beene a Law giuen which could haue giuen life verily righteousnesse should haue beene by the Law but the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise of the faith of IESVS CHRIST might bee giuen to them that beleeue Gal. 3.21 Q. If righteousnesse be not by the Law why was it exhibited The Law was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made Galathians 3.19 And it was our Schoolemaster to bring vs to Christ Gal. 3.24 Moreouer the Law entred that the offence might abound but where sinne abounded grace did much more abound that as sinne had reigned vnto death so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life by IESVS CHRIST our Lord Romanes 5.20 21. Ob. But if while wee seeke to bee iustified by CHRIST wee our selues are found sinners Is therefore Christ the minister of sinne Gal. 2.17 A. GOD forbid For if I builde againe the things which I destroyed I make my selfe a trespasser For I through the Law am deade to the Law that I might liue vnto GOD Gal. 2.17 You therefore are as free anâ— not vsing your liberty for a cloke of maliciousnesse but as the seruants of God 1 Pet 2.16 But if ye are lead by the spirit ye arâ— not vnder the Law Gal. 5.18 The fruitâ— whereof is loue ioy peace long-suffering gentlense goodnes faith meeknes teÌ„perance against such there is no Law Gal. 5.22 Q. You haue well satisfied me in the article of iustification tell me therefore what vse I am to make thereof A. 1 Let the wicked forsake his way and the vnrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne vnto the Lord for hee will haue mercy vpon him and to our God for hee will abundantly pardon Isai 55.7 and will blot out their sinnes when the time of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 But if they will not obey his voyce let them beware of him for hee will not pardon their transgressions Exo. 23.21 But the soule that doth presumptuously shall be cut off from among his people Numbers 15.30 31. 2. Take vnto you words and turne vnto the Lord and say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs graciousty Hosea 14.2 Pardon I beseech thee mine iniquities according to the greatnesse of thy mercies Numb 14.19 And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Psal 143.2 and 41.4.51.1 c. 25.11 3 Because when you haue thus praied the Lord wil say I haue pardoned according to thy words Num. 14.20 therfore hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plentifull redemptionâ— Psal 130.7 131.3 4 Say Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgresions of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercy Micah 7.18 Psal 103.1 c. Isa 44.23 5 Say Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods children It is God that iustifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that is dead yea rather that is risen againe who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.33 For in the Lord shall the seed of Israel be iustified shall glory Isa 45.25 61.10 6 Account therefore all things but losse for the excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus your Lord. For whom Paul also suffered the losse of all things and did account them but dung that he might winne Christ and be found in him not hauing his owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of GOD through faith Phil. 3.8.9 and 3.3 c. 7 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and be not intangled againe in the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 8 What shall wee say then shall wee continue still in sinne that grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6.1 2. And shall wee sinne because we are not vnder the Law but vnder grace God forbid For brethren you haue beene called vnto liberty onely vse not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5.13 Romanes 7.5 6 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 1 Peter 4.1 c. Rom. 7.1 c. 8.12 9 Be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiuing one another euen as God for Christs sake hath forgiuen you Eph. 4.32 For if you forgiue men their trespasses your heauenly Father will also forgiue â—ou But if you doe not forgiue men their trespasses no more will your heauenly Father forgiue you your trespasses Math. 6.14.15 Col. 3.13 Mat. 18.22 Math. 18.33 CHAP. VI. Reconciliation Q. YOu hauing thus dispatched the promise of iustification tell me what grace is that which doth next and immediately flow from it A. Beeing iustified by faith wee haue peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ
Rom. 5.1 Who is our peace and hath broke downe the middle wall of partition betweene vs hauing abolished in his flesh the enmity euen the Law of commandements contained in ordinances for to make to himselfe one new man and so making peace Eph. 2.14 whereby in Christ Iesus we who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ and by him we haue an accesse by one spirit vnto the Father Ephes 2.13 Col. 1.21.2.14 2 Cor. 5.19 1 Tim. 2.5 Isa 26.3 27.4 2 Thes 3.16 Q. May not this peace and agreement once made be againe lost A. Peace I leaue with you my peace I giue vnto you not as the world giueth it giue I vnto you Ioh. 14.27 For this is as the waters of Noah for as I haue sworne that the waters of Noah should no more go ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I will not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee for the mountaines shall depart and the hils shall be remoued but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace be remooued saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Isa 54.9 Numb 25.12 Isa 9.7 Phil. ◠7 Q. What other grace hath this peace with God attending it A. Ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 whereby the meeke shall ioy in the Lord and the poore among men shall reioyce in the holy one of Israel Isa 29.19 And shall be full of ioy with his countenance Act. 2.28 And be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse Psal 63.5 By meanes whereof Iob had songs in the night Iob 35.10 And Dauid was made exceeding glad with Gods countenance Psal 21.6 Nehe. 12.43 Psal 33.21 Ier. 4.2 Psal 104.34 Ioh. 15.11 17.13 Psal. 89.15 Isa 65.18 Acts 8.39 16.34.13.52 Psa 4.7 Isa 9.3 Q. What followeth vpon this our peace and ioy in God A. 1 Peace with men For then shall they beat their swords into plowshares and their speares into pruning hookes nation shal not lift vp sword against nation neither shall they learne warre any more Isa 2.4 The wolfe shal dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie downe with the kid and the calfe and the young lyon and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them Isa 11.6 The hatred of Ephaim shall depart and the aduersaries of Iudah shall be cut off Ephraim shall not enuy Iudah neither shall Iudah vex Ephraim Isa 11.13.65.25 Micha 4.3 Zech. 3.10 Gen. 21.27 Zech. 9.10 Isa 66.12 2 Peace with all other creatures For they are at league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field they are at peace with them Iob. 5.23 Because God hath established his couenant with them and with their seed after them and with euery liuing creature of the fowle of the cattell and of euery beast of the earth Gen. 9.9 and with the creeping things of the ground Hosea 2.18 And the feare of them and the dread of them shall bee vpon euery beast of the earth vpon euery fowle of the ayre vpon all that moueth vpon the earth vpō al the fishes of the sea into their hand are they deliuered Gen. 9.2 Ob. You tell me of peace and ioy but behold trouble and sorrow Ier. 4.10 A. You now haue sorrow but your hearts shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh. 16.22 For light is sowne for the righteous ioy for the vpright in hart Ps 97.11 Marke the perfect man behold the vpright for the end of that man is peace Psal 37.37 And though now the earth be moued and though the mountaines fall into the middest of the Sea though the waters thereof rage and be troubled and the mountaines shake at the surges of the same yet there is a riuer whose streame shall make glad the Citty of God Psalme 46.2 Whereby they shall lift vp their voyce and shall shout for the magnificence of the Lord and shall reioyce Isa 24.14 Q. What are the means whereby this ioy and peace with God and the creature may be maintained A. 1 Pray saying The Lord of peace giue vs peace alwayes by all meanes 2 Thes 3.16 That wee may see the good of thy chosen that we may reioyce in the gladnesse of thy Nation that we may glory with thine inheritance Psal 106.5 Let the righteous be glad let them reioyce before thee yea let them exceedingly reioice Ps 68.3.51 8.5.11.40.16.48.11.122 6.7 1 Sam. 25.6 2 The worke of righteousnesse is peace Isa 32.17 And to as many as walke according to this rule Peace shall be on them Gal. 6.16 I will therefore heare what God the Lord will speake for he will speake peace vnto his people and to his Saints but let them not turne againe to folly Psal 85.8 For the wicked are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast vp mire and dirt There is no peace saith my God to the wicked Isa 57.20.48.22 Rom. 8.6 14.17 Iames 3.18 2 Corinth 13.11 3 If you would haue peace with men prouide things honest in the sight of all men If it be possible as much as lyeth in you liue peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 And therefore seeke peace and pursue it Psal 34.14 And follow hard after the things that make for it Rom. 14.19 4 Would you haue peace with the creatures To the pure all things are pure Titus 1.15 And euery creature of God is good if it be receiued with thankesgiuing For it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer 1 Tim. 4.4.5 CHAP. VII Adoption and Regeneration Q. What followeth vpon our iustification and reconciliation A. To be the children of God through faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 For to as many as receiued him to them hee gaue this prerogatiue to be his sonnes euen to them that beleeue in his name Ioh. 1.12 Who came to redeeme vs that were vnder the Law that wee might receiue the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4.5 Behold therefore what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3.1 Math. 5.9 Reuel 21.7 Ob. This seemes to be no great matter for they liue in no such outward pompe nay their condition seemes to be worse than other mens Psal 73.5 A. The Kingdome of God is not of meat and drinke Rom. 14.17 nor commeth with obseruation neither shall they say Lo heere or lo there for behold the Kingdome of God is within you Luke 17.20 and is all glorious there Psal 45.13 Q. But what portion and inheritance hath God for such as be his children A. The Father loueth the Sonne and hath giuen all things into his hand Ioh. 3.35 In whom we also haue obtained an inheritance Ephes 1.11 For if we bee children then are we heyres heyres of God and ioynt-heires with Christ Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.7 Psal 16.5 Ob. This belonged vnto Abraham and to his seed but not to the sinners of the Gentiles A. If you be Christs then are you
There is a reward for the righteous Q. BVt suppose wee haue Gods acceptance is this all wee shall haue for our well doing A. Hee that soweth righteousnesse shall also haue a sure reward Prou. 11.18 And euery man shall receiue his owne reward according to his owne labour 1 Cor. 3.8 Whether hee be bond or free Ephes 6.8 So that hee which followeth after righteousnesse and mercy findeth life righteousnesse and honour Prou. 21.21 For behold the Lord God will come with strong hand and his arme shall rule for him Behold his reward is with him and his worke before him Isa 40.10 So that a man shall say verily there is a reward for the righteous verily he is a God that iudgeth the earth Psalm 58.11 Prou. 19.8.24.4.21.21 Iob. 34.7 c. Therefore Vzziah so long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper 2 Chro. 26.5 Hezechiah also wrought that which was good and right and true before the Lord and prospered 2 Chro. 31.20 17.3 Numb 25.11 Math. 26.13 Exod. 1.21 Zech. 3.7 Gen. 22.16 Ierem. 35.18 Heb. 11.5 Gen. 18.17.19.24.12 with 26.2 Chro. 14.7 c. 2.13 18 Psal 18.20 Ob. Much good is done which God may neither see nor obserue A. The Lord searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines euen to giue euery man according to his wayes and according to the fruite of his doings Ierem. 17.10 For hee is the great and mighty God the Lord â—f host is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke for his eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sons of men to giue euery one according to his wayes and according to the fruite of his doings Ier. 32.18 And doe runne to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 Psal 111.5 Ob. But may not God forget our weldoing A. God is not vnrighteous to forget your worke and labour of loue which yee haue shewed towards his name in that you haue ministred to the Saints and doe minister Heb. 6.10 For he remembred his holy promise and Abraham his seruant Psal 105.42 And when they that feared the Lord and speake often one to another the Lord hearkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought vpon his name Mal. 3.16 I haue waited long and yet hauâ— no reward A. Yet bee not weary in weldoing foâ— in due season you shall reape if you faint not Gal. 6.9 For how euer the sonne of man be aâ— one gone into a farre countrey to receiâ—â— vnto himselfe a kingdome yet will he returne Luke 19.11 And come in the glory of his Father with his Angels and theâ— hee shall reward euery man according to hiâ— workes Mat. 16.27 Therefore turne thou to thy God keep mercy and iudgement and waite on thy Goâ— continually Hos 12.6 Ob. As for works of mercy wherein I doe part with my goods the more good I doe for others the lesse good remaines to my selfe A. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth The liberall soule shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prou. 11.24.25 Hee which soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Giue and it shall be giuen vnto you good measure pressed down shaken together running ouer Luke 6.38 For God is able to make all grace to abound towards you that you hauing sufficiency in all things may abound in euery good worke As it is writen Hee hath dispersed abroad he hath giuen to the poore his righteousnesse remaineth for euer 2 Cor. 9.8 Psalm 112.9 1 Kings 17.16 Isa 32.8 Psalme 41.1 Q. Why will God thus reward our weldoing in this kind A Because the administration of this seruice not onely supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thankesgiuing vnto God whiles by the experiment of this minsteration they glorifie God for your professed subiection vnto the Gospell of Christ and for your liberall distribution vnto them 2 Cor. 9.12 Math. 5.16 Q. What is the vse of this A. 1. To confute the scorner for what man is he then who drinketh vp scorning like water which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity and wâ—keth with wicked men For hee saith profiteth a man nothing that hee shouâ—â— delight himselfe with God Iob 34.7 And what profit is it that we haue kept hâ— ordinances and that we haue walked mourâ—fully before the Lord of hosts whicâ— call the proude happie and say that sucâ— as worke wickednesse are set vp yea theâ— that tempt God are euen deliuered Where as they that feare mee shall be mine saitâ— the Lord of hosts in that day when I maâ—â— vp my Iewels and I will spare them as man spareth his owne son that serueth him Then shall ye returne and discerne between the righteous and the wicked between him that serueth God and him that serueth him not Mal. 3.14 Thefore hearken vnto mee yee men of vnderstanding far be it from God that he should doe wickednesse and from the Almighty that hee should commit iniquity For the worke of man shall be render vnto him and cause euery man to finde according to his waies Iob 34.10 Mal. 2.17 2 Pray saying Remember me O my God concerning this and wipe not out my â—ood deedes that I haue done for the house â—f my God and for the offices thereof Neh. 13.14 Doe thou O Lord recompence my workes and giue vnto mee a full reward Ruth 2.12 And let thy mercy be vpon me according as I hope in thee Psal 33.22 3 Be strong therefore and let not your hands be weake for your worke shall be rewarded 2 Chron. 15.7 And as euery man hath receiued the gift euen so minister â—he same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 1 Pet. 4.10 Because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in all thy workes and in all that thou puttest thine hand vnto Deut. 15.10 And shall also recompence thee at the resurrection of the iust Luke 14.14 Deut 14.29 Gal. 6.10 Eccles 11.1 Hebrews 13.2 Colloss 3.24 Prou. 3.28 1 Tim. 6.17 Isa 3.10 Q. Among other good works shew mee how the works of charity must be done that so I neither neglecting thâ— worke nor faile in the manner of doing them may bee sure not to faileâ— my reward A. Take heed that you doe not your almâ— before men to be seene of them otherwiâ—â— you haue no reward of your Father which in Heauen But when thou doest thiâ— almes c. let not thy left hand know whâ— thy right hand doeth that thine almâ— may bee in secret and thy Father whicâ— seeth in secret himselfe shall reward thâ— openly Math. 6.1.16 And whatsoeueâ— you doe doe it heartily as to the Lord aâ—â— not vnto men knowing that of the Lord yâ—â— shall receiue the reward of the inheritance for yee serue the Lord Christ Col. 3.23 2 Hee
shadow of death light is sprung vp Mat 4 16. And we know that the Sonne of GOD is come and hath giuen vs an vnderstanding that we may know him that is true 1. Ioh. 5.20 Which in other ages was not made knowne vnto the Sonnes of men as it is now reuealed vnto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the spirit Eph. 3 5. Ioh. 1 18 Pro. 2 6 Iob. 32 8. Pro. 18 15 14 6. Thus the Romanes were filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another Rom. 15 14. 1 Cor. 1 5. Psal 119 98 99 100. ver Ioh. 15 15 Ioh 17 25 17 6. On the contrary a Scorner seeketh wisedome and findeth it not Pro. 14 6 he is ever learning and neuer able to come to the Knowledge of the truth 2. Tim. 3 7. His way is as darkenesse hee knowes not at what he stumbleth Prou. 4 19. Hee shall dye without instruction and in the greatnesse of his folly he shall goe astray Pro. 5.23 Prou. 18.2.14.18.3.32 Iob 17.4 Pro. 14.8 15.14 Hos 4.6 Q. What may this teaeh vs A. 1. Not to be as the Horse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding Psal 32.9 No nor yet to bee as children but in vnderstanding to be men 1. Cor. 14 20. Suffering the Word of CHRIST to dwell in you richly in all wisedome Col. 3.16 2. Pray that GODS wayes may bee knowne vpon earth and his sauing health among all Nations Psal 67.2 And for your selues that you may vnderstand the wayes of â—his Commandements Psal 119.27 and behold the wonderfull things of his Law Psal 119.18 Psal 119.7 33 34 73 125 169.171 ver 2. Tim. 2 7. Of Faith Q. Which is the second sanctifying Grace A. GOD will fulfill in you all the good pleasure of his goodnesse and the worke of Faith with power 2. Thes 1 11. Wherby euery one that hath heard and learned of the Father commeth vnto CHRIST Ioh. 6 45. For STEPHEN was a man full of Faith Acts. 6 5. And the Faith of the Romanes was spoken of throughout the whole world Rom. 1 8. Acts 24 14 27.25 Ioh. 10 42. Q. What may hence be learned A. Because all men haue not Faith 2. Thes 3 2. Therefore build vp your selves in your most holy Faith praying in the holy Ghost Iud. 20. and saying Lord increase our Faith Luk. 17 5. Lord wee beleeue helpe our vnbeliefe Mark 9 24. Of Trust Q. It beeing long betwixt the promise and the accomplishment of it how may wee in the meane while bee vpheld A. Thou shalt stay vpon the holy one of Israel in truth Isa 10 20. Vnder his Wings shalt thou trust Psal 91.4 For he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of them that are a farre off vpon the Sea Psal 65 5. Whereby they that know his name will put their trust in him Psal 9 10. Math. 12 21. Isa 51 5 Psal 40 4 84 12. Thus Dauid trusted in the Lord Psal 31 6. And the people rested themselues vpon the words of Hezekiah King of Iudah 2. Chro 32 8. Psal 20 7 11 1 18 2 52 8.144 1 2 56 3 4. Iob. 13 15. Q. What would you hence inferre A. Commit thy wayes vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe Psal 37 5. thy thoughts shall be established Pro. 16 3. And happy shalt thou be Pro. 16 20. For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Princes Psal 118 8. Surely men of low degree are vanitie and men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the ballance they are altogether lighter than vanitie Psal 62 9 115 9 146 3 4 34 22. Isa 2 22 26 4 31 1 36 6 Pro. 3 5. Of Hope Ob. GOD may not onely delay his promise but also by some euill occurrent vnsettle my confidence A. The wicked indeed is driven away in his wickednesse but the righteous hath hope in his death Pro. 14 32 For Abraham against hope beleeued in hope Rom. 4 18. so Christ is in you the hope of glory Col. 1 27. Thou hadst saith Iouâ—â— cast me into the deepe in the midst of the Sea and the Flouds compassed me about all thy billowes and thy waues passed ouer me Then I said I am cast out of thy sight yet I will looke againe towards thy holy temple Ion. 2 3.4 And now Lord what waite I for my hope is in thee Psal 39 7 46 2 33 22 119 81 Psal 119 166. Lam. 3 24. Isa 8 17. Micha 7 7. Tit. 2 13 Acts 26 6. Iob 5 16. Q. What vse is to be made hereof A. Therefore looke you also for the mercy of our LORD IESVS CHRIST vnto eternall life Iud. 21. And waite on thy GOD continually Hos 12 6. For happy is he that hath the GOD of IACOB for his helpe whose hope is in the LORD his GOD which made Heauen and Earth Psal 146 5 33 22 Lam. 3 25 26. Hos 12 6. Ob. Then is euery one happy for who will not say that his Hope is in GOD A. The hope of the Righteous shall be gladnesse but the expectation of the wicked shall perish Pro. 10 28. The eyes of the wicked shall faile and they shall not escape and their hope shall bee as the giving vp of the Ghost Iob. 11 20 8 13. c. Iob. 27 8 9 10. CHAP. XXI Of Loue Feare Sorrow Humility and Repentance Q. WHat other Sanctifying Grace will GOD bestow vpon us A. He will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to loue the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart and with all thy Soule that thou maist liue Deut. 30 6. Pro. 8 17. Cant. 1 4 3 10. Psal 26 8. Psal 116 1. 1. King 3 3. Thus MARY MAGDALEN shee loved much Luk. 7 47. I also loue the LORD Psal 18 1. Yea LORD thou knowest all things thou knowest that I loue thee Ioh. 21 17. And if any man loue not the LORD IESVS CHRIST let him be Anathema Maranatha 1. Cor. 16 22. Q. What may this teach vs A. To pray that the Lord would direct your hearts into the Loue of GOD 2 Thes 3 5. And that your loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all Iudgement Phil. 1 9.1 Thes 3 12. 2 Labour to keepe your selues in the loue of GOD Iud. 21. Of Feare Q. But that our loue be not exorbitant wherewith shall it be swaved A. He will giue you one heart and one way that you may feare him for euer for your good and the good of your Children after you Ier. 32 39. And you shall feare the LORD and his goodnesse in the latter dayes Hos 3 5. Psal 34 11. Deuâ— 4 10. Isa 2â— 22 23. Hos 3.5 For thus the Midwiues feared God Exod. 1 17 And OBADIAH feared the LORD from his youth 1. King 18 3 12. So did CORNELIVS with all his houshold Acts 10 â—
not see many a man how they are vanquished by the world and brought into subiectioÌ„ of the same A. Whosoever is borne of GOD overcommeth the world and this is the victory that overcommeth the world even your faith 1 Ioh. 5 4. Ob. Wee for our part haue no more power against the world than wee haue against Sathan A. CHRIST gaue himselfe for our sins that he might redeeme vs from this present evill world according to the will of GOD and our father Gal. 1 4. And prayed not that he should take vs out of the world but that he should keepe vs from evil Ioh. 17 15. Ob. If the child of GOD haue overcome the world whence is this vanity which is done vpon the earth that there is iust men vnto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the wicked againe there be wicked men to whom it hapneth according to the worke of the righteous Eccl. 8 14. A. Can a bird fall in a snare where no fowler is Amos 3 5 Affliction commeth not forth out of the Dust neyther doth trouble spring out of the Graue Iob. 5 6. Is there any evill in the Citty which the Lord hath not done Amos 3 6. From the Lord of Hosts which dwelleth in Mount Zion Isa 8 18. Who formeth the light and creates darknesse who maketh peace and creates evill he even he doth all these things Isâ— 45 7. Gen. 45 8. â—am 3 38 Psal 17 12. Q. What may hence be learned A. Therefore leâ— no man be mooved by these afflictions for you your selues know that we are appointed therevnto For we told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it comes to passe and you know it 1. Thes â— 3. For shall we receiue good at the hand of God and shall wee not receiue evill Iob 2 10 4 17.1 Sam. 26 9. Ioh 18.11 Q Why what is the disposition of GOD towards his Children in theyr afflâ—ctions A. As a man chasteneth his Son so doth the Lord chasten them Deut. 8 5. For whom he loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastising GOD dealeth with you as with Sonnes For what Sonne is theâ—e that the Father chasteneth not If ye be without chastening whereof all are partakars then are ye bastards and not Sonnes Heb. 12 6. Revel 3 9. Q Shew me wherein this fatherly disposition of his in affl cting his children is exercised and expressed A. 1 He doth not afflict willingly nor grieue the children of men Lam. 3 33. 2 In all their afflictions he is afflicted Isa 63 9. For when Israel put away the strange Gods from among them and served the Lord his soule was greeved for the miseries of Israel Iudg. 10 16. And his bowels were troubled for them Ier 31 20. Saying Saul Saul why persecutest thou mee Acts 9 4. For we haue not an high Priest which cannot bee touched with a feeling of our infirmities e Hebr. 4 15. But hee that toucheth vs toucheth the Apple of his owne eye Zach. 2 8. Psal 103 13 2 King 13 4.13 23 2 14.26 Acts 26 14. 1. Pet. 5 7. Mat. 6 25 34 2 Chron. 36 15. Ob. In all my afflâ—ctions I haue had an eye vnto GOD but yet could never discerne any such affection in GOD towards me A. Then say vnto GOD O LORD I haue waited for thee in the way of thy Iudgements the desire of my Soule is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee With my Soule haue I desired thee in the night and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning Isa 26.8 Looke downe from Heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holinesse and of thy glory where is thy zeale and thy strength the sounding of thy bowels and of thy Mercies towards mee Are they restrained Doubtlesse thou art our Father though ABRAHAM be ignorant of vs and Israel acknowledge vs not thou O LORD art our Father our Redeemer thy Name is from Everlasting Isa 63 15. c. Psalm 77 7. Q. But why doth GOD lay Afflictions vpon vs being his children A. What hath the Lord now done Is there not cause 1 Sam. 17 29. namely 1 To prevent sinne For hee openeth the eare of man and sealeth their instruction that he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man Iob. 33 16. And lest he should be exalted aboue measure there is given him a thorne in the flesh the messenger of Sathan to buffet him 2 Cor. 12 7. His way also is hedged vp with thornes and there is a wall made that hee may not finde his pathes Hos 2 6. Therefore feare not because of affliction for GOD is come to prooue you that his feare might be before you that you sinne not Exod. 20 20 13 17. 2 To remoue sinne For if they be bound in fetters and holden in the Cordes of Affliction then hee sheweth them their workes and their transgressions that they haue exceeded He openeth their eare also to discipline and commandeth that they returne from iniquity Ioh. 36 8. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Iacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sinne Isa 27 9. and that he may be made partaker of his holinesse Heb. 12 10. For which cause we faint not for though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Cor. 4 16. Hos 5 15. Isa 26 9 4.4 2 Cor. 7 8. Zach. 13 9. Ezek. 39 22 Numb 12 11. Ezâ—k 20 37. Mal. 3 2. Thus the Israelites in their trouble visited the Lord and powred out a prayer when his chastisements was vpon them Isa 26.16 Mâ—nassen after his affliction knew that the Lord he was God 2 Chro. 33 1â— 34 27. Gen 42 21. Psal 119 67. Iob 40 4 23 16. Iona. 3.3 Luk. 15.17 But for the wicked why should they be smitten any more they fall away more and more Isa 1.5.22.12 Hos 7.10 Amos 4 6. 3 To make vs trust in God For wee had the sentence of Death in our selues that wee should not trust in our selues but in GOD which raised the Dead 2. Cor. 1.9 And GOD suffered Israell to bunger that hee might make them know that man doth not liue by Bread onely but by euery Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man liue Deut. 8 3. The remnant also of Israell and such as are escaped of the house of IACOB stay not vpon him that smote them but shall stay vpon the Lord the holy one of Israel in truth Isa 10.20 4 For our tryall God left HEZIKIAH to try him that hee might know all that was in his heart 2. Chron. 32 31. And hee left the Cananites to remaine to proue Israel whether they would keepe the wayes of the Lord and to walke therein Iudg. .3.4 IOSEPH also was sold for a Servant and his feet were hurt in the fetters hee was layd in the Iron vntill the time that his word came
the Word of the Lord tryed him Psal 105 17. And a sword shall pierce through thine owne soule also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed Luk. 2.35 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy GOD led thee these 40. yeares in the Wildernesse to proue thee and to know what was in thine heart whether thou wouldest keepe his Commandements or no Deut 8 2. Gen. 22 1. Gal. 6 17. Reu. 2 10. 1. Pet. 1 7. Iob 23 10. 5 To make vs conformable vnto CHRIST That wee may know him and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable to his Death Phil. 3 10. For wee all are weake in him 2. Cor. 13.4 Filling vp that which is behind of the afflictions of CHRIST in our flesh for his bodies sake which is the Church Col. 1.24 Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World 1. Pet. 5.9 6 That wee may escape the Iudgements of the wicked When wee are iudged wee are chastened of the Lord that wee should not bee condemned with the World 1. Cor. 11 32. IOSEPH was sent before into Egypt to preserue life Gen. 45 5 7 IOSIA was gathered to his Fathers and to his Graue in peace that hee might not see all the evill that was to â—â—me 2. Chro. 34.28 Blessed â—herefore 〈◊〉 the Man whom GOD chasteneth and â—eacheth him out of his Law that he may giue him rest from the dayes of adversitie vntill the pit bee digged for the Wicked Psal 94 12. Exod. 23.28 c. 7 To further vs vnto Saluation For ought not CHRIST to suffer these things and to enter into his Glory Luk. 24.26 And if wee suffer wee shall also raigne with him 2. Tim. 2 12. For our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for vs a farre more exceeding and Eternall weight of Glorie 2. Cor. 4 17. Though now for a season if need bee wee are in heavinesse through manifold Temptations that the tryall of our Faith beeing much more precious then Gold that perisheth though it bee tryed with fire might be found vnto praise and honourâ— and glorie at the appearing of IESVS CHRIST 1. Pet. 1.6 Confirme therefore the soules of the Disciples and exhort them to continue in the Faith and that wee must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdome of GOD Acts 14.22 Phil. 2 8. Luk. 23.40 8 That we may the better esteeme of Prosperity My wrath saith GOD shalâ— not bee powred out vpon Ierusalem by the hand of SHISHAKE Neverthelesse they shall be his servants that they may know my service and the service of the Kingdomes of the Countries 2. Chro. 12.7 8. 9 That wee may comfort others For whether wee be afflicted it is for your consolation which is effectuall in the induring of the same sufferings which wee also suffer or whether we bee comforted it is for your consolation and salvation 2. Cor. 1.6 Heb. 4.15 10 For examples sake to the wicked Because saith GOD they haue prophaned my Name among the Heathen whether they went I will sanctifie my great name which was prophaned among the Heathen which they haue prophaned in the middest â—f them and the Heathen shall know that I â—im the LORD saith the Lord God when I shall bee sanctified in them before their eyes Ezek. 36.22 For I will set my Glory among the Heathen and all the heathen shall see my Iudgement that I haue executed and my hand that I haue layd vpon them c. And the Heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into Captivitie for their Iniquitie because they trespassed against me and therefore hid I my face from them and gaue them into the hand of their Enemies Ezek. 39.21.23 Q I know now that GODS Iudgements are right and that hee in faithfulnesse doth afflict vs Psal 119.75 But what moderation doth hee obserue in the same A. Hee will not lay vpon man more than is right that hee should enter into iudgement with GOD Iob 34.23 Neither hath hee dealt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs according to our Iniquities Psal 103 10. But exacteth of vs lesse than our iniquities deserue Iob 11 6. Ob. Though our Afflictions bee not according to our Sinnes yet may they presse vs beyond our strength Iob 6.12 A. Through the Lords mercies wee shall not bee consumed because his compassions faile not Lam. 3 22. Wee are troubled indeed on every side but not in distresse wee are perplexed but not in dispaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed 2. Cor. 4 8. As vnknowne and yet well knowne as dying and behold wee liue as chastened but not killed as sorrowing and yet alwayes reioycing as poore and yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2. Cor. 6.9 And though wee fall wee shall not vtterly bee cast downe for the LORD vpholdeth vs with his hand Psal 37 24. Neither will hee execute the fiercenesse of his anger hee will not returne to destroy Ephraim for hee is GOD and not Man the holy One of Israel in the middest of them Hos 11 9. Whereby vnto the vpright there ariseth light in darknesse Psal 112.4 And when I said my foot slippeth his Mercy held mee vp In the multitude of my thoughts within mee his comforts delight my Soule Psal 94 18. No man putteth a peece of new cloath vnto an old Garment for that which is put in to fill it vp taketh from the garment and the rent is made worse neither doe men put new Wine into old bottles else the bottles breake and the Wine runneth out and the bottles perish but they put new wine into new bottles and so both are preserved Math. 9 16. And will GOD plead against thee with his power No hee would put strength in thee Iob 23 6. and strengthen thee with strength in thy soule Psal 138.3 55.22 34.20 Isa 27 8 28 27 28 29 43 2 3. Exod. 3 2. Numb 11 11. c. Ionah 1 17. Amos 9 8. Ier. 10 24. Ob. Notwithstanding this moderation if God should bee alwayes wroth the Spirit should faile before â—im and the soules which hee hath made Isa 57.16 A. The Lord will not cast off for ever but though hee cause griefe yet will hee haue compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3.31 And though the Afflictions of the righteous bee many yet the Lord will deliuer them out of them all Psal 34.19 The Lord vpholdeth all that fall and raiseth vp all those that are bowed downe Psal 145.14 Wherby they shal forget their misery and remember it as waters that passe away Iob. 11.16 And it shall come to passe that as he hath watched over them to plucke vp and to breake downe to destroy and to afflict so will hee watch over them to build and to plant saith the Lord. Ier. 31.28 who deliuereth vs from so great a death ond doth deliuer vs. In whom we trust that hee will yet
reason of the enemy and avenger All this is come vpon vs yet haue wee not forgotten GOD neyther haue wee dealt falsely in his Covenant Our heart is not turned backe neyther haue our steps declined from his way Though hee hath sorely broken vs in the place of Dragons and covered vs with the shadow of Death Psal 44.15 Woe is me saith IEREMIE for my hurt my wound is grievous But I said truly this is a griefe and I must beare it Ier. 10 19. I IOHN am also your Brother and Companion in tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of IESVS CHRIST Rev. 1 9. Take therefore my Brethren the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the LORD for an example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Iames 5 10. 2 Timoth. 2 5. Psalm 119.83 141 143 39 9.123 2 38 12 13. Isa 26 8 39 8. 1 Sam. 26 19 2 15 25 2 16 11. Iob. 1.21 1 Corinth 4 12. Q. Why what will a mans patience profit him A. Behold wee count them happy which indure You haue heard of the patience of IOB and haue seene the end of the Lord that the Lord is verie pittifull and of tender mercy Iam 5.11 And so ABRAHAM after hee had patiently endured hee obtayned the promise Heb. 6.15 Blessed therefore are all they that wayte for him Isa 30.18 For the Lord is good vnto them that wait for him to the soule that seeketh him It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord Lam. 3.25 In your patience possesse yee your soules Luk. 21.19 And let Patience haue her perfect worke that yee may bee perfect and intire wanting nothing Iam. 1.4 And take my yoke vpon you and learne of mee for I am meeke and lowly in heart and you shall find rest vnto your Soules Math. 11.29 And it shall be said in that day loe this is our GOD wee haue waited for him and hee will saue vs this is the Lord wee haue waited for him wee will be glad and reioyce in his Salvation Isa 25.9 Therefore waite on the LORD bee of good cheere and hee shall strengthen thine heart waite I say on the Lord Psal 27 14. Saying why art thou cast downe O my Soule and why art thou disquieted within mee Hope in GOD for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God Psal 43 5.42.11.62.1.2 Q. By what meanes may this Grace of patience bee attained A. 1 If any of you lacke Wisedome let him aske of GOD that giveth to all men liberally and vpbraideth not and it shall be given him Iam. 1.5 2 This is my comfort in my Affliction for his Word quickneth me Psal 119.50 And if my delights had not beene in his Word I had perished in mine Affliction Psal 119 92. 3 I remembred his Iudgements of old haue comforted my selfe Psal 119 52 I haue considered the dayes of old and the yeares of ancient times I call to remembrance my Song in the night Psal 77.5 I remembred the yeares of the right hand of the most high I remembred the workes of the LORD surely I remembred his wonders of old Psal 77 10 11. And so strengthened my hand in GOD 1. Sam. 23.16 Psal 119 52 143 5. 2 Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4 17 18. 1 Sam. 17.37 Q. When comfort and deliuerance comes will it abide by vs A. Whereas thou hast beene forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an everlasting excellency a ioy of many Generations Isa 60.15 For a small moment haue I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Isa 54.7 Lift vp your eyes to the Heavens and looke vpon the Earth beneath for the Heavens shall vanish away like smoake and the Earth shall waxe old like a Garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but my Salvation shall bee for ever and my Righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa 51.6 A woman when shee is in travell hath sorrow because her houre is come but as soone as shee is delivered of the Child shee remembreth no more the anguish for ioy that a Man is borne into the world And yee now also haue sorrow but I will see you againe and your heart shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh 16.21 For you shall bee saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvation yee shall not bee ashamed nor confounded world without end Isa 45 17. Amos 9.15 Ob. This your discourse imports much comfort notwithstanding all which I doe remaine but in the forlorne hope A. Are the Consolations of God small with thee Iob 15 11. Fooles because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Their soule abhorreth all manner of meate and they draw neere vnto the gates of Death Psa 107.17 18. Wherefore then doth a living man complaine A man for the punishment of his sinnes Lam. 3.39 And why cryest thou for thine affliction Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine Iniquities and because thy sinnes are increased I haue done these things vnto thee Ier. 30 15. Thine owne wickednesse correcteth thee and thy backslidings shall reproue thee Know therefore that it is an evill thing and a bitter to haue forsaken the Lord thy GOD and that his feare is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts Ier. 2 19. Ob. If our transgressions and our sinnes be vpon vs and wee pine away in them how shall we then liue Ezek. 33.10 A. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy selfe but in me is thy helpe Hos 13.9 Therefore returne thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for ever Onely acknowledge thine iniquities that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy GOD and yee haue not obeyed my voyce saith the Lord. Ier. 3.12 If thou were pure and vpright then surely hee would awake for thee and make the habitation of thy righteousnesse prosperous Though thy beginning was small yet thy latter end should greatly increase Iob 8.6 It is meete therefore to say vnto God I haue borne chastisement I will not offend any more Iob 34.31 32. Wherefore if iniquity be in thy hands put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles for then shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and shalt not feare because thou shalt forget thy misery and remember it as waters that passe away And thine age shall be cleerer than the noone-day thou shalt shine foorth thou shalt be as the Morning Iob 11.14 Turne thou therefore vnto thy GOD keepe Mercy and iudgement and waite on thy GOD continually Hos 12 6. And acquaint thy selfe I pray thee
aliue Numb 21.35 So shall yee also know that I am the LORD your GOD dwelling in Zion my holy Mountaine then shall Ierusalem bee holy and there shall no Stranger passe through her any more Ioel 3 17. Isa 41.10.41.15.16 Deut. 9 3 7.22 3.21.22 33 17. Ios 21 44. Psal 89 23. Isa 63 3.26 1. Examples Numb 31 7 8. 1 Sam. 19 8 1 27 8 1 30 16. 2 Sam. 3 1 2 5 25. 8 1 2 6 13 14.2 12 26. Exod. 17 13. 14 30. 2 Chron. 32 21. 2 King 19 35. Ios 10 40.12 20. Ob. But our Enemies are many and mighty and therefore not to bee subdued A. GOD shall breake in pieces mightie men without number set others in their stead Iob 34 24. Hee is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened him selfe against him and prospered Which removeth the Mountaines and they know not which overturneth them in his anger which shaketh the Earth out of her place and the pillars thereof tremble c. Behold hee taketh away who can hinder him Who will say vnto him what doest thou If GOD will not withdraw his anger the proud helpers doe stoope vnder him Iob. 9.4 12. But your Enemies are men and not GOD their Horses flesh and not spirit when the Lord shall stretch out his hand both hee that helpeth shall fall and hee that is holpen shall fall downe and they shall all faile together Isa 31. â—3 For there is none like vnto the GOD of Iesurâ—â— Who rideth vpon the Heavens in thy helpe and in his Excellencie on the skie The Eternall GOD is thy refuge and vnderneath are the everlasting armes and hee shall thrust out the Enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them Deut. â—3 26 Whereby thou shalt know that the Lord is greater than all Gods for in the thing wherein they deale proudly hee is aboue them 〈◊〉 18 11. For the Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels the Lord is among you as in Sinai in the holy place Psal 68 17 And hee shall bring them downe that dwell on high the loftie Citie he layeth it low he bringeth it low even to the ground he bringeth it even to the dust The foote shall tread it downe even the feet of the poore and the steps of the â—eedie Isa 26 5. For a people great and many and tall as the Anakins the LORD destroyed before Israel Dâ—ut 2 21. Of whom it was said who can stand before the Children of ANAâ— Deut. 9 2 Were not the Aethiopians also and the Lubimâ— an huge Host with very many Chariots and Horse-men yet because ASâ— did rely on the Lord hee delivered them into his hand 2 Chron. 16 8. If therefore thou shalt say in thine heart These Nations are moe then I how can I dispossesse them Thou shalt not bee afraid of them but shalt well remember what the Lord thy GOD did vnto PHARAOH and vnto all Aegypt the great temptations which thine eyes saw and the signes and the wonders and the mighty hand and the stretched out arme whereby the LORD brought thee out So shall the Lord thy God doe vnto all the people of whom thou art afraid c. Deut. 7 17. Numb 23 23. Psal 91 13. 1 Sam. 2 9. Deut. 20.1.33 29.11.22.23.2 Sam. 5 20. Isa 40 12.40 22 40. â—8 63 3. Psal 108.10.60 12. Examples Deut. 4 37.3.8 Ios 23.9.11 1. Iudg. 7 12. 1 Sam. 13 5. Ob. You tell me of great things the Lord will doe for his people but I see no meanes to effect the same A. He will haue Mercy vpon the house of Iudah and will saue them by the Lord their GOD and will not saue them by Bow nor by Sword nor by Battaile by Horses nor by Horsemen Hos 1 7 But by a sling and a stone 1 Sam 17.49 With trumpets of Rams-hornes Ios 6 20 With an Oxe goade Iudg. 3 31. By Iâ—el Hebeus wife Iudg. 5.27 By Ehud a man lame on his right hand Iudg. 3.15 By Gedeon whose family was least in his Fathers House 6 15. And that when there was no Smith in Israel 1 Sam. 13.19 One man shall chase a thousand and two put tenne thousand to flight Deut. 32.30 Ios 23.10 As with Ionathan and his armour bearer 1 Sam. 14.13 And in the want of other meanes one enemie shall helpe to destroy another 2 Chron 20.22 Iudg. 7.22.2 Chron. 20.17 2 King 19.6 For hee will send his feare before thee Exod. 23 27. And he will put the dread of thee and the feare of thee vpon the Nations that are vnder the whole Heaven who shall heare report of thee and shall tremble and bee in anguish because of thee Deutrinom 2 25. They shall licke the dust like a Serpent they shall mooue out of their holes like Wormes of the Earth they shall bee afraid of the LORD our GOD and shall feare because of thee Micha 7 17. As well as SAVL who was afraid of DAVID because the Lord was with him 1 Sam. 18 12. So the hearts of all the Kings of the Amorites fainted Ios 5.1 And were in great feare for GOD is in the generation of the Righteous Psal 14 5. Isa 19 17.33.14 Zach. 12.1 Deut. 11.25.28 10. Ios 29. Num. 22 3. Psal 53 5. Gen. 35.5 Q. Seeing the promises of Preservation from Enemies are such and so many what may this teach vs A. Therefore say yee not a Confederacie to all them to whom all these people shall say a confederacie neither feare you their feare nor be afraid Sanctifie the LORD of Hosts himselfe and let him bee your feare and let him be your dread 〈◊〉 8.12 And strengthen yee the weake hands and confirme the feeble knees Say to them that are of fearefull heart Be strong feare not Isa 35 3. â—1 13 Deut. 20 3. Num. 14 9. 2 King 19 6. â—oh â—4 1. 2 Trust yee in the LORD for euer because in the Lord IEHOVAH is everlasting strength Isa 26.4 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Man it is bettter to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in Princes Psal 118 8. O Israel trust thou in the LORD hee is their helpe and their shield O house of AARON trust in the Lord hee is their helpe and their shield yee that feare the Lord trust in the Lord hee is their helpe and their shield Psâ—l 115 9. 3 Arâ—se and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne Iron and I will make thy hooves Brasse and thou shalt beate in pieces many people saith the LORD Micha 4 13. Bee of good courage and let vs play the Men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and let the Lord doe that which seemeth him good 2 Sam. 10 12. CHAP. XXXIX Of Deliverance out of the foresaid evils Ob. AH my LORD if the Lord bee thus with vs Why then is all this come vpon vs And where bee all his Myracles which our Fathers told
high to shew forth thy loving kindnesse in the morning and thy faithfulnesse every night Psal 92 1. For many O Lord my God are thy wonderfull workes which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to vs ward they cannot be reckoned vp in order vnto thee if I would declare and speake of them they are moe than can be numbred Psal 40 5. Thy mercy also O Lord is in the Heavens and thy faithfulnesse reacheth vnto the Clouds Thy righteousnes is like the great Mountaines thy iudgements are a great Deepe Psal 36 5. How precious are thy thoughts vnto mee O GOD how great is the summe of them â—f I should count them they are moe in number than the sand Psalm 139.17.31.19 â—2 4.5 Blessing and glory and wisdome and thankesgiuing and honour and power and night bee vnto our GOD Râ—u 7.12 For ever and ever 1. Tim. 1.17 and from everlasting to everlasting and let â—ll the people say Amen Psalm 106.48.63.3.4.69.30.31 Isa 63.7.25.1 Psalm 104.33.34.1.35.28.116.13.40.9.45.17 Exod. 15.11 Psalm 57 7.147.1.33.1.34.3.97.1â—.68.4.30.4.47.6.7 Psalm 72.18.135.1.19.136.1.103.20.150.6.72.19 CHAP. XLIX The properties of GODS Promises Q. GReat cause indeed haue we thus to giue thanks for here are many Promises and for all purposes both great and precious if they be as true as good A. These things saith the Amen the faithfull and true witnesse Reu. 3.14 are the true sayings of GOD Reuel 19.9 I IESVS haue sent mine Angell to testifie these things in the Churches Reu. 22.16 Therefore write these words are true and faithfull Reu. 21.5.22 6. For GOD will performe his truth to IACOB and his mercie to ABRAHAM which hee hath sworne to our Fathers from the dayes of old Miâ—h 7. â—0 Hee confirmeth the word of his Serâ—â—nt and he performeth the counsell of his Messengers Isa 44 26. Hee said not vnto the seed of IACOB Seeke yee my face in vaine I the LORD speake righteousnesse I declare the things that are right Isâ— 45 19. For it is GOD that cannot lye who hath thus promised before the World began Titus 1 2. Whe efore let GOD be true and every man a lyar as it is written that thou mightest be Iustified in thy sayings and ouercome when thou art Iudged Rom. 3.4 2 Cor. 1.18 Pâ—al 58.11.33.5.12 6.30 5. Num. 23 19. Q. What good witnesses can you produce that may conuince vs of the truth of these things A. Though saith CHRIST I beare record of my selfe yet my record is true I am one that beare witnesse of my selfe and the Father that hath sent mee beareth witnesse of mee Ioâ— 8 14 18. who is true and I speake to the world the things which I haue heard from him Ioh. 8 26. The Disciple also whom IESVS loued testâ—fied these things and wee know that his testimony is true Ioh. 21.24 IOHN indeed did no miracle but all things that IOHN spake of this man were true Ioh. 10 41. And every one that hath received his testimony hath set to his seale that GOD is true Ioh. 3 33. 1. Ioh. 1 5. Q. Who haue at any time vpon their owne experience proued them so to be A. Behold this day I am going the way of all the earth and you know in all your hearts and in all your soules that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your GOD spake concerning you all things are come to passe vnto you not one thing hath failed thereof Ios 23 14.21.45 For it came to passe at the end of foure hundred and thirty yeares as was promised Gen. 15 14. even the selfe-same day it came to passe that all the hostes of the LORD went out from the land of Aegypt Exod. 12 41. vnto whom the LORD gaue all the Land which hee sware to giue to theyr Fathers and they possessed it and they dwelt therein And the â—ORD gaue them rest round about acâ—â—rding to all that hee sware vnto their â—athers and there stood not a man of all â—heir enemies before them There failed â—ot ought of any good thing which the LORD hath spoken vnto the house of ISRAHL all came to passe Iosh 21 43. So that he hath dealt well with his servants according to his Word Psal 119.63 And all his counsels of old are faithfulnesse and truth Isa 25 1. 1 King 8 20. 2 Chron. 6 15. Q. What then may this truth of GOD in promising teach vs A. 1 To beleeue for if wee receiue the witnesse of men the witnesse of GOD is greater For this is the witnesse of GOD which hee hath testified of his Sonne 1 Ioh. 5 9. Wherefore sirs bee of good cheere for I beleeue GOD thus it shall bee even as it was told mee Act. 27 25. For shall mortall man be more iust than GOD And shall a man bee more pure than his Maker Iob 4 17. Rom. 3 3 4. Luk. 11.13 2 To say Lord GOD of Israel there is no GOD like thee in Heaven aboue or on Earth beneath who keepeth Covenant and mercy with thy servants that walke before thee with all their hearts 1 King 8 23. Wherefore blessed bee the LORD which spake with his mouth vnto DAVID my Father and hath with his hand fulfilled it 1. King 8.15.20 3 To Pray saying Remember the word vnto thy seruant vpon which thou hast caused me to trust Psal 119.49 4 Thou also shalt keepe my couenant therefore thou and thy seed after thee in their generations Gen. 17 9. As well as the Iewes who did according to their promise Else as the Prophet shooke his lappe and said so GOD shall shake out every man from his house and from his labour that performeth not his promise even thus be he shaken out and emptied vnto which say Amen Nehem. 5 13. 5 For which and also say Lead me in thy truth and teach me for thou art â—e GOD of my saluation Psal 25 5. Ob. I doe now acknowledge GOD to â—ee true of his Word but was he not â—ooued to make these promises for â—ame thing of speciall worth he see to â—e in vs deseruing the same A. Were yee not as the Ethiopians vnto â—e O children of Israel saith the LORD Amos 9.7 For even TERAH the Father of ABRAHAM and the Father â—f NACHOR they serued other Gods Iosh 24.2 So hath the LORD also called thee being a Woman forsaken and afflicted in spirit and as a young wife when thou wast refused saith thy GOD. Isa 54 6 And when he passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thy owne blood he said vnto thee when thou wast in thy blood liue Yea he said vnto thee when thou wast in thy blood live Ezek. 16.6 Isa 51.1.2 Hos 14.4 Ob. Though hee did finde vs wicked yet doth he not leaue vs so and therefore for some fore-seene good that would bee in vs hee might be moued hereunto A. Can a man be profitable vnto God as hee that is wise may be profitable vnto himselfe Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest
shall not bee delivered Amos 9 1. But it shall be with you as if a man did flye from a Lion and a Beare met him or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall and a Serpent bit him Amos 5 19. Isa 30.16 Amos 2 14. Ob. If we cannot escape by flying we will then hide our selues in some darke Corner of the earth Iob. 22 12 13. Psal 94.7 Isa 29 15. A. I know Ephraim saith GOD and Israel is not hid from me Hos 5 3. Neither is there any creature which is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open vnto the eyes of him with whom we haue to doe Heb. 4.13 Whereby it shall come to passe that though you die into Hell thence shall my hand take you though you climbe vp to Heaven thence will I bring you downe and though you hide your selues in the top of CARMEL I will search and take you out thence and though you be hid from my sight in the bottome of the Sea thence will I command the Serpent and hee shall bite you Amos. 9.2 Hos 7 2. Zach. 4. 10. Iob. 12.22 Ob. If this be our case wee will then cease from open sinning against GOD and what wee doe wee will doe in such sort as no eye shall see vs A. Woe vnto you that seeke deepe to hide your Counsell from the LORD and your workes are in the darke and you say who seeth vs And who knoweth vs Surely your turning of things vpside downe shall bee esteemed as the Potters clay For shall the worke say of him that made it hee made mee not Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it he had no vnderstanding Isay 29.15 You take Counsell but not of me and you cover with a covering but not of my spirit that you may adde sinne to sinne Isa 30 1. But the spirit of man is the candle of the LORD searching all the inward parts of the belly Prou. 20.27 And his eyes behold his eye-lids try the Children of men Psalm 11.4 To giue every Man according to his wayes and according to the fruit of his dooings Ierem. 17 10. Psalme 139.2 c. Ob. But will not a guift in the hand pacifie Gods wrath A. The LORD your GOD is the GOD of Gods and LORD of Lords a great GOD a mighty and a terrible which regardeth not persons nor taketh rewards Deut. 10 17. For every Beast of the Forrest is his and the Cattell vpon a thousand Hils Hee knoweth all the Fowles of the Mountaines and the wild Beasts of the Feild are his If he were hungry he would not tell thee for the world is his and the fulnesse thereof Psal 50.10 Wherefore then doe you harden your hearts as the Aegyptians and PHARAOH hardened their hearts 1 Sam. 6 6. For because there is wrath beware least hee take you away with his stroke then a great ransome cannot deliver thee Will hee esteeme thy riches No not Gold nor all the Forces of strength Iob. 36 18. Ob. Whatsoeuer you can say I know that GODS mercies doe surpasse the measure of our sinnes and hee that made vs will saue vs. A. He that made you will not haue mercy on you and hee that formed you will shew you no favour Isa 27.11 But it shall come to passe when you heare the words of this curse and you blesse your selues in your heart saying Wee shall haue peace though wee walke in the imagination of our hearts to adde Drunkennesse to thirst the LORD will not spare you but then the anger of the LORD and his iealousie shall smoke against you and all the curses that are written in this booke shall lye vpon you and the Lord shall blot out your Name from vnder Heaven Deut. 29.19 Ob. I know that God is not so much without pitty but that if when trouble commeth wee doe crie vnto him hee will heare and haue Mercie vpon vs. A. You shall then cry vnto the LORD indeed but hee will not heare you hee will even hide his face from you at that time as you haue behaved your selues ill in your doings Micha 3 4. And hee will say vnto you goe and cry vnto your GODS which yee haue chosen let them deliver you in time of your Tribulation Iudges 10 14. Not that the LORDS hand is shortned that it cannot saue neither his eare heavie that it cannot heare But your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your GOD and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that he will not heare For your hands are defiled with bloud and your fingers with iniquity your lips haue spoken lyes your tongue hath muttered perversenesse Isay 59 1. Wherfore behold he will bring evill vpon you which you shall not bee able to escape and though you cry vnto him yet hee will not hearken vnto you Ier. 11.11 Hosea 5.6 Iudg. 11.7 Ier. 14.12.7.13 Ob. If Mercie cannot bee had for our owne sakes yet by the Prayers of the Righteous and for their righteousnesse sake wee shall bee deliuered A. Though these three men NOAH DANIEL and IOB were in it they should deliver but there owne soules by their righteousnesse saith the LORD GOD Ezek. 14.14 And though MOSES and SAMVEL stood before mee yet my mind could not be towards this people cast them out of my sight and let them goe foorth Ierem. 15.1 Therefore they shall not pray for this people nor lift vp crye or prayer for them neither intreat mee for I will not heare them saith the LORD Ierem. 7.16.14.11.11.14.15.5.16.5 Ob. But will GOD destroy the righteous with the wicked Genes 18.23 Or shall one man sinne and will hee bee wrath with all the Congregation Numb 16.22 A. Did not ACHAN commit a trespasse in the accursed thing and wrath fell on all the Congregation of ISRAEL And hee perished not alone in his Iniquity Iosh 22.20 2. Chron. 28.19 Notwithstanding runne yee to and fro through the streets of IERVSALEM and see now and know and seeke in the broad places thereof if yee can finde a man if there bee any that executeth Iudgement that seeketh the Truth and I will pardon it Ier. 5 1. But from the least of you to the greatest of you every one is given to Covetousnesse and from the Prophet even to the Priest every one dealeth falsely Ieremiah 6 13. The good Man is perished out of the Earth and there is none vpright among them they all lye in waite for bloud they hunt every man his Brother with a Net that they may doe evill with both hands earnestly The Prince asketh and the Iudge asketh for a Reward and the Great man hee vttereth his mischievous desires so they wrap it vp The best of them is as a Brier the most vpright is sharper than a thorne Hedge therefore the day of thy Watchmen and thy Visitation commeth now shall bee your perplexitie Micha 7 2. Numbers 16 26. Ezekiel 22.25.22.30 Ob. If I may be sure to escape so long
vntill some common Iudgement come vpon our whole Land I shall doe well enough A. If thou continue thus presumptuously to sinne the LORD shall separate thee vnto evill out of all the Tribes of ISRAEL according to all the Curses of this Covenant that are written in this booke of the Law Dâ—uteronomie 29 21. As well as he did ACHAN who for his sinne was by all ISRAEL stoned with stones and his goods with all that hee had burned with fire Ioshua 7 25. Woe therefore bee vnto thee wilt thou not bee made cleane When shall it once bee Ieremiah 13.27 CHAP. LIIII Of the Wicked Converted Q. IF our sinne guiltinesse deserue such inevitable Iudgements goe thou neere and heare all that the LORD our GOD shall say and speake thou vnto vs all that the LORD our GOD shall speake vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it Deuteron 5 27. A. The LORD hath heard the voyce of your words and said vnto mee I haue heard the voyce of the words of this people which they haue spoken vnto thee they haue well said all that they haue spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would feare mee and keepe my Commandements alwayes that it might bee well with them and with their Children for ever Deuter. 5.28 But yee dissembled in your hearts when yee sent me vnto the LORD your God saying Pray for vs vnto the LORD our GOD and according to all that the LORD our GOD shall say so declare vnto vs and wee will doe it And now I haue this day declared it vnto you but yee doe not obey the voyce of the LORD your GOD nor any thing for the which hee hath sent me vnto you Now therefore know certainly that yee shall dye by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence in the place whether yee desire to goe and to soiourne Ier. 42 20. For yee cannot serue the LORD for hee is an holy GOD he is a iealous God he will not forgâ—â—e your transgressions and sinnes Ioshua 24.19 How long then halt yee betweene two opinions If the LORD bee GOD follow him but if BAAL then follow him 1 King 18.21 And hearken to mee yee men of ENGLAND that GOD also may hearken vnto you Iudg. 9.7 Giue glorie to the Lord your GOD before hee cause darknesse and before your feet stumble vpon the darke Mountaines while yee looke for light hee turne it into the shadow of death and make it grosse darknesse But if yee will not heare it my Soule shall weepe in secret places for your Pride and mine eyes shall weepe sore and runne downe with teares because the LORDS Flocke is carried away captiue Ierem. 13 16. Q. Wee haue indeed besides all other Sinnes dissembled with the LORD but now the Lord GOD of Gods the Lord GOD of Gods hee knoweth Iosh 22 22. that him will wee serue and his voyce will wee obey Iosh 24.24 The LORD bee a true and faithfull witnesse betweene vs if we doe not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy GOD shall send thee to vs. Whether it bee good or whether it bee evill wee will obey the voyce of the LORD our GOD to whom wee send thee that it may bee well with vs when wee obey the voyce of the Lord our GOD Ierem. 42 5. Iosh 24 21 24. A. Then gird your loynes and lament yee Priests howle yee Ministers of the Altar come lye all night in Sackcloath yee Ministers of my GOD c. Sanctifie yee a Fast call a solemne Assembly gather the Elders and all the inhabitants of the Land into the house of the LORD your GOD and cry vnto the LORD Ioel 1 13. Ier. 4.14 Zeph. 2 1. Ioel 2 12 â—5 Iona 3 8. Ioel 1 13. Psal 46 8. Lam. 2 14. Ioel 2 17. Iam. 4 8. Saying Wee acknowledge our wickednesse and the iniquities of our Fathers for wee haue sinned against thee Ierem. 14 20. Wee haue sinned and haue committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly and haue rebelled even by departing from thy precepts and from thy Iudgements Neither haue wee hearkened vnto thy servants the Prophets which spake in thy Name to our Kings our Princes and our Fathers and to all the people of the Land O LORD righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs confusion of faces as at this day because of our trespasse that wee haue trespassed against thee Dan. 9 5. O our GOD wee are ashamed and blush to lift vp our face to thee our GOD for our iniquities are increased over our head and our trespasse is growne vp vnto the Heavens And now O our GOD what shall wee say after this For wee haue forsaken thy Commandements Ezra 9 6 10. O LORD wee beseech thee let now thine eare bee attentiue to the Prayer of thy servants who desire to feare thy Name and doe confesse our sinnes which we haue sinned against thee both we and our fathers house haue sinned Nehe. 1.11.16 And haue gone astray like lost sheepe therefore seeke thy seruants for we will not forget thy Commandements Psalm 119.176 Turne vs againe O GOD of hosts and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saued Psal 80.7 Doe thou incline our heart vnto thee to walke in thy wayes and to keepe thy Commandements and thy statutes and thy Iudgements which thou commandedst our Fathers 1. King 8.58 That which we see not teach thou vs if wee haue done iniquitie wee will doe no more Iob. 34 32 13 23. Psalme 80.18 Psalme 143.8 2 Doe you take hold of his strength that you may make peace with him and you shall make peace with him Isa 27.5 And thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob. 22.21 And because no man commeth vnto the Father but by CHRIST Iohn 14.6 Nor vnto CHRIST except the Father draw him Iohn 6 44 Therefore pray saying Draw me we will run after thee Can. 1 4 3 Wash yee make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seeke Iudgement releeue the oppressed iudge the Fatherlesse plead for the Widdow Come now and let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes bee as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like Crimson they shall bee as Wooll Isa 1.16 Yet the LORD will wait that he may haue mercy vpon you and therefore will he bee exalted that he may haue compassion vpon you for the LORD is the GOD of Iudgement Isa 30 18. Hosea 13.9 Ezekiel 33 11. Zach. 1.3.8.16 Ier. 18 11. Mal. 3.7 Psal 4 4. Eccl. 12.23 1 King 8 61. Isa 66 1.2 4 Beeing thus conuerted you should enter into a Covenant with the LORD your GOD and into his oath which the LORD your GOD shall make with you so shall he establish you this day for a people vnto himselfe and be vnto you a God as he hath said vnto you and as hee hath swore vnto your Fathers Deut. 29 12. Nehemiah 9.38 2 Chronicles 15.12.23.3 2 Chronicl 29.10.34.31 Ezra 10.3 Q. Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken Isa 39 8 Wee doe therefore enter into a Covenant that we will be the Lords people 2 Chron. 23.16 And wee our Wiues our Sonnes and our Daughters even every one of vs having knowledge and vnderstanding doe heere enter into a Curse and into an Oath to walke in GODS Law which was given by MOSES the Servant of GOD and to obserue and doe all the Commandements of the LORD our GOD and his Iudgements and his Statutes Neh. 10.28 The Lord our God will wee serue and his voice will wee obey Iosh 24.24 Nehem. 9.38 A. Then haue you delivered your selues out of the hand of the Lord Iosh 23 31. And as you haue avouched the LORD this day to bee your GOD and to walke in his wayes and to keepe his Statutes and Commandements and his iudgments and to hearken vnto his voyce so the LORD hath avouched you this day to bee his peculiar people as he hath promised you and that you should keepe all his Commandements and to make you high aboue all Nations which he hath made in praise and in name and in honour and that yee may be an holy people vnto the LORD your GOD as hee hath spoken Deuter. 26.17 And these very stones shall bee a witnesse vnto you for they haue heard all the words of the LORD which hee hath spoken vnto you they shall bee a witnesse vnto you least yee deny your GOD Iâ—sh 24.27 For this cause wee also will not cease to pray for you and to desire that yee may bee filled with the knowledge of his will in all Wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding that yee may walke worthy of the LORD vnto all pleasing beeing fruitfull vnto every good worke and increasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 9. Now the GOD of peace that brought againe from the dead our LORD IESVS that great Shepheard of the Sheepe through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through IESVS CHRIST Heb. 13.20 And our LORD IESVS CHRIST himselfe and GOD even our Father which hath loved vs and hath given vs everlasting consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and worke 2 Thes 2 16. Now vnto him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the onely wise GOD and Saviour be Glory and Maiesty Dominion and Power now and ever Iud. 24. And now Brethren I commend you to GOD and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are Sanctified Acts 20.32 The Grace of our Lord IESVS CHRIST bee with you all Amen Revel 22.21 FINIS
shall bee as with the people so with the Priest as with the Servant so with the Master as with the Maid so with the Mistresse as with the buyer so with the seller as with the Lender so with the Borrower as with the taker of vsurie so with the giver of vsurie Isa 24 2. Iudg. 18 18.19.22 Q. What benefit doth the Church receiue by the government of Kings A. When the Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof are dissolved he will beare vp the Pillars of it Psal 75. 3. He is the light of ISRAEL 2 Sam. 21 17. And the beautie thereof 2 Sam. 1 19 23 4. The very breath of your nosthrils and vnder his shadow you shall be preserved Lam. 4 20. And a man shall bee as a hiâ—ing place from the Wind and a covert from the Tempest as Rivers of water in a dry place and the shadow of a great Rocke in a weary land Isa 32 2. Kings shall bee your nursing Fathers and Queenes your nursing Mothers Isa 49.23 For the Iewes and all ISRAEL dwelt safely every Man vnder his Vine and vnder his Figge-tree from DAN even to BEER-SHEBA all the dayes of SOLOMON 1 King 4 25. And GOD saved ISRAEL by the hand of IEROBOAM 2 King 14 27. 2. Sam 8 3. Q. By what meanes doth a King become so blessed an instrument of our good A. Because by GOD it is that Kings Reigne Prou. 8 15. He shall giue him another heart 1 Sam. 10.9 And hee shall be turned into another man 1 Sam. 10 6. And the wisedome of God shall be in him to do Iudgement 1 King 3 28. For it shall be when he sitteth vpon the Throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a Copie of the Law in a booke And it shall be with him and he shall reade therein all the dayes of his life that hee may learne to feare the Lord his God to keepe all the words of this Law and the Statutes to doe them Deut. 17.18 Whereby a divine sentence shall be in the lips of the King and his mouth transgresseth not in Iudgment Prou. 16 10. But hee shall raigne in Iustice and your Princes shall rule in Iudgement Isa 32 1. For David raigned over all Israel and executed Iudgment and Iustice among all his people 1. Chron. 18 14. And iudged vprightly Psal 75 2. And that was because the Lord loved Israel 1 King 10.9 2 Chron. 2 11. For as when the Righteous are in authority the people reioyce so when the wicked beare rule the people mourne Prou. 29 2.4 Prou. 28 15 16.29 12. Eccl. 10 17. 1 Sam. 28 3 2 5.12 1 Kings 15 1â— 2 10 28 2 14 5 6 2 23 3. 2 Chron. 14 3 29 3 34 3 2 36.22 2 Because the worke will bee too heauie for one man neyther is he able to performe it alone Exod. 18 18. He afâ—er the wisedome of his GOD that is in his heart shall set vp Magistrates and Iudges which may iudge all the people Ezra 7 25. And place such over them â—s are able men such as feare GOD â—en of truth hating covetousnesse to bee â—ulers of thousands and Rulers of hundreds and rulers of fifties and rulers of â—â—nnes to iudge the people at all seasons Exod. 18 21. And the King shall charge them sayâ—â—g Thus shall yee doe in the feare of â—he LORD faithfully and with a perfect â—eart So that whatsoever cause shall come to you of your Brethren that dwell in their Cities c. You shall warne them that they trespasse not against the LORD 2 Chron. 19 9. Yee shall not wrest the Iudgement of the poore in his â—ouse Exod. 23 6. But yee shall iustifie the Righteous and condemne the wicked Deut. 25.1 Which that yee may the better doe yee shall take no gift for the guift blindeth the wise and perverteth the words of the Righteous Exod. 23.8 Neither shall you respect the person of the poore nor honour the person of the mighty Leuit. 15.19 You shall take heed what yee doe for yee iudge not for men but for the LORD who is with you in the Iudgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you Take heed and doe it for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God nor respect of persons nor taking of guifts 2 Chron. 19.6 Thus shall you iudge the people at all seasons and it shall be that every great matter you shall bring vnto me but every small matter you shall iudge so shall it be easier for me when you shall beare the burthen with mee Exod. 18.22 1 Sam. 7 15 16. Deut. 16 19 1 17. Ier. 22 3.21 12. Amos 5 15. Micha 3.1 Psal 82 2. Prou. 18.5 2 Sam. 23 3. Q. What good shall come to vs by these substitutes in Gouernment A. As the Mountaines shall bring peace to the people so the little Hils by righteousnes Psal 72 3. For God led his people like a flocke by the hand of Moses and Aaron Psal 77.20 And Mordecay sought the wealth of his people and spake peace vnto all his seed Esth 10.3 Psal 72.4 Iob. 29.12 2 King 8 6. Q. What may the promise of good Rulers teach vs A. To pray saying Let the Lord the GOD of the spirits of all flesh set a man â—ver the Congregation which may goe out before them and which may goe in before them and which may leade them out and which may bring them in that the. Congregation of the LORD â—â—e not as Sheepe which haue no Shepheard Numb 27.16 But that wee may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honestie 1 Tim. 2 2. Q. When wee haue a King and others sent of him to gouerne vs what is required of vs A. 1 Feare the LORD in truth and with all your hearts because if you shall doe wickedly you shall bee consumed both you and your King 1 Sam. 12.24.25 2 I exhort that supplications and prayers with giving of thankes bee made for Kings and for all that are in authority 1 Tim. 2 1. Wherein because the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the Rivers of water he turneth it whethersoever he will Prou. 21 1. Pray giue the King thy Iudgments O Lord and thy Righteousnes vnto the Kings Sonne that so he may iudge the people with righteousnes and the poore with Iudgment Psal 72 1. And as thou hast set thy Servant over thy people giue him an vnderstanding heart to iudge thy people that heâ— may discerne betweene good and bad for who is able to iudge this so great a people 1 King 3 9 And take away the wicked from the King that his Throne may be established in righteousnes Prou. 25 4. Blesse Lord his substance and accept the worke of his hands smite thorough the loynes of them that rise against him and of them that hate him that they rise not againe Deut. 33 11. Let him abide for ever before thee O prepare mercie and truth which may preserue him so
will I sing praises vnto thy name for ever Psal 61 7. And the King also shall ioy in thy strength O LORD and in thy salvation how greatly shall he reioyce Psal 21.1 80 17. 1 King 8 25. 3 Honour the King 1 Pet. 2 17. Aâ— did ARAVNAN who when hee saw the King comming towards him he went out and bowed himselfe before the King on his face on the ground 2 Sam. 24.20 And be not hasty to goe out of his sight Eccl. 8 3. 4 Let them bee had in double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 For for this cause pay you tribute also for they are GODS Ministers attending continually vpon this very thing Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custome to whom Custome Roâ— 13.6 Even vnto CAESAR the things that are CAESARS Math. 22.21 5 Submit your selues vnto every ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2 13. And let every Soule bee Subiect vnto the higher powers for there is no power but of GOD the powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of GOD and they that resist shall receiue to themselues damnation For Rulers are not a terrour to good workes but to the evill Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power Doe that which is good and â—hou shalt haue praise of the same for â—ee is the Minister of GOD to thee for good Rom. 13.1 For in the light of the Kings Countenance is life and his savour is as a Cloud of the latter raine Prou. 16 15. And as the dew vpon the grasse but his wrath is as the roaring of the Lyon Prou. 19 12. And as the Messenger of death hee that is wise will pacifie it Prou. 16 14 20 2 Math. 22.21 I counsell thee therefore to keepe the Kings commandement but yet according to the oath of GOD. And stand not in an evill thing for he doth whatsoever pleaseth him Where the word of a King is there is power and who may say vnto him what doest thou Eccl. 8 2. Numb 27 20. Ob. How comes it to passe that so many thousands in a Kingdome should subiect themselues vnto the government of one man A. As in Iudah the hand of GOD was to giue them one heart to doe the commandement of the King and of the Princes 2 Chron. 30.12 So doth hee still bow the hearts of all Men Even as the heart of one man vnto him 2 Sam. 19.14 Whereby all that hee commandeth they will doe whether soever he sendeth them they wil goe according as they hearkened vnto MOSES so will they hearken vnto him Iosh 1 16.4 14. Q But is this the case of every King to haue all his people in subiection A. No for the Children of Belial say of theyr King how shall this man saue vs And doe despise him and will bring him no presents 1 Sam. 10.27 And doe despise dominion and speake evill of dignities Iud. 8. Saying Wee will not haue this man rule ouer vs Luk. 19 14. As Sheba the Sonne of Bichri who blew a trumpet and said we haue no part in Dauid neither haue wee inheritance in the Sonne of Iesse 2 Sam. 20.1 Num. 12.1 Q. What is the danger of such Rebels against their Soueraigne A. Whosoever will not doe the Law of the King let iudgment hee executed speedily vpon him whether it be vnto death 〈◊〉 to banishment or to confiscation of â—oods or to Imprisonment Ezra 7 26 And if the sonnes of ZERVIAH bee too â—â—ard for him the Lord shall reward the doer of evill according to his wickednesse 2 Sam. 3 39. Thus MIRIAM for speaking against MOSES became leprous as white as snow Numb 12.10 And the Earth swallowed vp DATHAN and ABIRAM with â—ll that they had Numb 16.32 For they doe not reiect man but GOD that he should not raigne over them 1. Sam. 8.7 2. Sam. 16.5 Numb 16.49 Iudg. 9.53.9.16.9.10.11 Q. What may this teach vs A. To pray saying The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the LORDS anointed 1. Sam. 26.11 2 Curse not the King no not in thy thoughts and curse not the rich in thy bed chamber for a bird of the ayre shall carry thy voyce and that which hath wings shall tell the matter Eccles 10.20 Ob. But shall euen he that hateth right gouerne Iob 34.17 For I saw vnder the Sunne the place of Iudgement that wickednesse was there and the place of righteousnesse that iniquitie was there Eccles 3.16 Her Rulers doe love with shame give yee Hosea 4.18 Shall the throne of iniquitie haue fellowship with thee which frameth mischiefe by a Law Psalm 94.20.82.5 Eccles 10.5 Zephan 3.3 Micha 3.9.1 Sam. 8.11 Isa 3.12.10 1. Habac. 1.2.1.13 Nehem. 5.15 2. Kings 24.4 Amos. 6.12.5.7 Isa 29.21 Micha 3.2 A. EPHRAIM is oppressed and broken in iudgement because hee willingly walked after the commandement Hos 5.11 They make the King glad with their wickednesse and the Princes with their lyes Hos 7.3 Notwithstanding to subuert a man in his cause the LORD approveth not Lam. 3.36 Wherefore if thou seest the oppression 〈◊〉 the poore and violent perverting of â—â—dgement and Iustice in a Province â—â—rvell not at the matter for hee that 〈◊〉 higher than the highest regardeth and â—â—re be higher than they Eccles 5.8 〈◊〉 GOD standeth in the congregation of 〈◊〉 mighty hee iudgeth among the Gods Psalm 82.1 Hee doth execute the â—â—dgement of the Fatherlesse and Widâ—â— Deut. 10 18. And shall iudge 〈◊〉 Righteous and the Wicked for there 〈◊〉 time there for every purpose and 〈◊〉 every worke Eccles 3 17. when â—â—e LORD will enter into Iudgeâ—â—â—nt with the ancients of his peoâ—â— and the Princes thereof Isa 3 4. And will powre out his wrath â—pon them like Water Hosea 5 10. And breake them with a rodde of Iâ—â—â— and dash them in peeces like a â—â—tters vessell Psalm 2 9. Deuteron â—7 19. Ecclesiast 4 13. Hosea 5 5. â— Sam. 28 17. 2 Chron. â—5 27. Micha 3 12. Amos 5 12. Dan. 4 25 33. 1 King 20 42. Psal 82 6. Isa 3 15. Q. If this bee the condition of Rulers and of men in Authoritie in the commission of Iniustice what vse are they to make of it A. 1 Bee wise now therefore O yee Kings be instructed yee Iudges of the earth Serue the LORD with feare and reioyce with trembling Kisse the Sonne least hee be angry and yee perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psalm 2 10.29 1. Amos 5 24. Prou. 20 28. 1 Kings 2 46. 2 Rob not the Poore because hee is poore neither oppresse the Afflicted in the gate for the LORD will pleade their cause and spoyle the soule of them that spoyled them Prou. 22 22. Deliver them that are drawne vnto death and those that are ready to bee slaine Prou. 24 11 12. Ob. If notwithstanding what is said such should continue to