What say you then of pâ—turing God in glasse windowes to worship A. It is one of the abominations in Poperie electely condemned by the Lord Deut. 4. 14. 19. Rom. 1. 23. Q. Why is God said to haue his Being of himselfe A. Because all that wee haue we haue from God but whatsoeuer God hath hee hath of none but of himselfe alone Heb 1. 3. Q. How are wee to conceiue of God A. By his properties That God is a Diuine power First most Mightie Secondly most Wise. Thirdly most Iush Fourthly most Mercifull And fiftly Infinite Q Wherein appeareth the gâ—eas might and power of God A. First in making the world of nothing all the world being not able to make oneâ—â—lly flie Secondly in vpholding it now 5622. yeares Whereas Iron houses that men make will moulder away 〈◊〉 â—any lesse Thirdly in conuerting the soule of a sinner it being a harder matter then to make the world For in creating the world the Lord found no resistance nothing that stood vp against him to hinder his worke but in conuerting the soule of a sinner the Lord findes a resistance â—en labouring to hinder his worke in them and opposing themselues against it Ephes 1. 19. Q What vse may wee make of this Propertie A. First that seeing wee be glad to get the fauour of mightie men wee be more carefull to get the Lords fauour who is mightier then they all Psal. 20. 7. Secondly that wee faint not in any trouble seeing God is most mightie that takes our part For no man is so poore but God by his power can make him rich No man is so sicke but God by his power can make him whole No man is so weake but God by his power can make him strong Heb 13. 6. Thirdly that wee feare to displease him who is able to doe vs more haâ—â—e then all the men in all the world can doe Luk. 12. 5. Q What is the second Propertie of God A Hee is most Wise. Q Wherein appeareth the Wisedome of God A. In two things principally First In framing the world so wisely that men and Angels may wonder at it If the Sunne had been set lower it would haue burnt vs if higher the beames of it with such comfort would not haue reached vnto vs. If all had bin Summer heaâ—e would haue parched vs. If all had beene Winter cold would haue killed vs. If all had beene Day many a â—â—ser would haue killed vp himselfe and his seruants and his cattell with too much working many an angry man would haue killed himselfe with Fretting Secondly In ordering the things of this world with such most excellent wisedome surpassing all admiration For somethings wee may buy as Meate Drinke and cloathes And somethings againe wee cannot buy when wee haue meate wee cannot buy a good stomacke to our meate When wee haue Corne wee cannot buy seasonable weather to soweour corne most wisely God hath layd vp some part of euery blessing with himselfe and retained it as it were in his owne hand that men might bee driuen thereby more often to resort vnto him For if men might haue all things here below They would neuer goe so farre as Heauen to fetch any thing thence Q. What vse may wee make of this Property A. To rest contented with that portion that God giues vs with that weather which God sends vs with those losses and troubles that God brings vpon vs. God is wiser then the wisest of vs and therefore knowes alwayes what is fittest for vs And therefore to thinke when God sends vs sicknesse that health were better when God takes away our children it were better to haue them still It is the folly of our hearts to make our selues wiser then God Q. What is the third Propertie of God A. Hee is most Iust. Q. Wherein appeareth the Iustice of God A. In blessing the godly and punishing the wicked Q. How stands it then with Iustice that the godly are commonly in worst state A. Very well for though they haue but little yet they haue more contentment and more ioy in that little then the wicked haue in all their plenty Psal. 37. 16. Secondly though they haue but little yet God giues them a true and an holy vse of it they spend and vse that little well Esay 23. 18. Thirdly that little they haue is a pledge and a pawne that God hath greater things reserued for them As a man is put in possession of the whole field by receiuing a little Turâ—e in his hand Prou. 13. 9. Fourthly that they want outwardly they haue inwardly Psalme 45. 13. Though they be not rich in the purse yet they are rich in Faith Iames 2. 5. Though they haue not gold yet they haue that which is better then gold Iob 28. 15. 16. 1. Pet. 1. 7. Fiftly that which God is behinde with them in this world shal be paid them with vantage in the world to come Mat. 19. 28. Q. What vse may wee make of this Propertie A. That seeing all our sinnes were punished in Christ they cannot in iustice be punished in our selues againe eternally and therefore all they stand fully discharged before the Iudgement seate of God who by a true a liuely faith haue receiued Christ. For as when the Surety hath answered the debt it cannot in any right be demanded of the debtor againe So seeing Christ hath discharged for our sinnes we ought not in any equitie to be charged with them Esay 53. 5. Q. Why then are the godly punished when they sinne A. They are punished not in Iudgement but in Mercie to weaken the strength of sinne and to keepe vnder the rebellion of their nature which still dwelleth in them Psal. 119. 71. Q. What may wee further learne from this Propertie A. That God will right wrongs of his children 2. Thess. 1. 6. 7. And that the wicked haue good cause to hang downe their heads knowing that God in Iustice for euery sinne will be auenged of them they must pay full sweetly for euery oath they sweare for euery lie they tell for euery Sabboth they mispend and therefore with trembling hearts they may looke euery houre when the fire will fall from Heauen that shall burne them when the great Iudge shall appeare in the cloudes who will condemne them Prou. 11. 21. Q What is the fourth Propertie of God A. Hee is most Mercifull Q. Wherein appeareth the mercie of God A. First in making vs Men when hee might haue made vs Beasts In making vs wise when hee might haue made vs starke fooles In giuing vs limbes when he might haue made vs lame In giuing vs sight when he might haue made vs blinde Scondly in prouiding things needfull for vs. When wee are sicke herbes to heale vs when wee are cold fire to warme vs when wee are hungry meate to feede vs when wee are naked wooll to cloathe vs. And the more to commend his Mercies hee prouides vs of all thesethings when wee are his
will all like Balteshazar be found light wanting of that integrity and worth which God requires as it is Isa. 46. 6. All our righteousnesse is like filthy cloath so that it cannot make any currant payment to Gods Iustice. Fourthly The debt of sin is an infinite debt the Schoolmen proue this one sayes well So much the greater is the sinne as is the person against whom it is committed but the person of God is infinite so that euery sin committed against God is infinite and we are guilty of it Now we know Infinite sinnes cannot bee taken away but by an infinite act because very reason will teach vs that the plaister must be of the same extension with the soare c. So he that is guilty of an infinite fault must haue an infinite act to remoue it No finite power can doe this no summe of money can redeeme it for then a man might redeeme others as well as himselfe but as I say it must be no finite act and so no man liuing can pay this debt of sinne Therefore because no man liuing can pay it Hence ariseth our request that we pray to God to forgiue it of his free goodnesse and mercy and so we come to The second generall Head Of this Petition which is the request Forgiue vs our Debts c. Wherein three things are to be considered 1 The matter of the Request 2 The extension of it 3 The Time First for the matter of the Request It is as we see forgiunesse of sinnes we pray to God for mercy nay we doe more we do altogether confesse that it is the Lords free goodnesse to release vs from the curse that we haue deserued Here see two things First That we haue all need of the forgiuenesse of sinnes We haue not more need of our daily Bread then wee need the pardon of our offences wherefore wee are taught euery day to seeke it here by our Sauiour and the Prophet Dauid shewes the vse of Gods mercy vnto him should effect so much a seeking and drawing neere vnto God in prayer vpon a sight of our sinnes Therefore shall euery one that is Godly make his prayer vnto thee in a time when thou mayest be found c. So that we haue all great need to pray instantly and often for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes for if the Angels cry Holy holy holy vnto the Lord c. Much more may sinfull men who haue their consciences loaden with offences considering Gods infinite Holinesse and their owne vilenesse cry vnto God to passe by so much impurity in them that sinnes being forgiuen they may stand before him on better termes then before Euery man can cafily find that they haue need of daily Bread but not one of many that they haue need of Gods merciful forgiuenesse If there were an Inquisition made into our hearts who examines so narrowly as he should for offending so great and good a God we doe indeed customarily say Lord forgiue vs our sinnes but where is the feeling the compunction of spirit the drawing to particulars the secret examination of our sinnes the iudging of our selues and such like we haue peraduenture made some search into our consciences by reason of our sinnes yet we are not wise to know our danger to humble our soules for our trangressions to make vp the breach betwixt God and our selues to pray heartily for the forgiuenesse of sinnes with a feeling conscience and sense of the excellency of the same Secondly in that we pray for forgiuenesse of finnes this shewes that The forgiuenesse of sinnes is a most excellent and speciall mercy that all should seeke for Because we bee sinners we must therefore be earnest and constant sutors to the throne of grace that our sinnes may be remitted released and washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ. This made the Prophet Dauid cry out againe and againe for mercy And the Prophet Hoshea in many places comforteth Israel as well as chideth them And Moses also after Israel had sinned vseth this as an especiall Argument Therefore now if thou pardon their sinne thy mercy shall appeare c. But let vs come to example If a man had committed such an offence that he could no otherwise escape death but by the Kings Pardon he neither could nor would be at rest till by one means or other he had obtained the same written and sealed to which done he would carry it home locke it vp safe and many times looke vpon it with ioy and comfort This is the case of euery one of vs by reason of our sins whereby wee haue committed flat Treason against the Lord thereby deseruing ten thousand deathes Now then what must we doe but sue for a pardon appeale to the throne of Gods mercy for the getting and obtaining thereof be sure that it be sealed and confirmed by the bloud of Iesus Christ then laying it vp sure that we may often looke vpon it to our eternall ioy and comfort Now that this is so appeares by two reasons first it is excellent because it is one of the greatest blessings that God giues to any in this life as Psal. 32 1. Blessed is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sin is couered and Isa 33. vlt amongst other priuiledges this is reckoned vp as a great one The people that dwell therein shall haue their iniquity forgiuen speaking of the happinesse of those that shall be ioyned to the true Church Yea vnlesse we haue this there is no Beast Dogge Serpent Toade or any vile Creature but is infinitely better then we for when they die they goe but to the earth but we without forgiuenesse of sinnes to hell and endlesse paines and torments Secondly the greatest danger wee stand in by the meanes of sinne shewes the excellency of it for otherwise not hauing our sinnes forgiuen the Diuell will deale by vs as Laban did by Jacob when he had escaped him Laban did pursue and ouertake him searched all his Stuffe when if he had found any thing of his owne he would haue seized vpon him his goods wiues and children bringing all backe againe with him So it is with vs without a release and protection from the danger of our sins the diuell will pursue and seize vpon vs and all we haue looke into euery corner of our liues when if he can finde any thing of his owne in vs any sin vnrepented then will hee seize vpon vs and carry vs with him into Hell for euer Quest. Well then seeing the forgiuenesse of sinnes is such an excellent and needfull mercy what is the reason that so few seeke after it Ans. Reason 1 One reason is The want of due consideration because we neuer looke into our hearts liues and courses neuer thinke how it stands betwixt God and our soules for this cause we thinke neither of our debt nor how to get out of it The seruant in the Gospell was found infinitely indebted
but with a condition If I my selfe can beleeue and repent I shall bee saued Now when a man hath this worke of Faith in himselfe this makes him labour to repent his sinnes to beleeue in Christ and when hee hath repented and beleeued then followes the great act of Faith whereby a man beleeues that his sinnes are pardoned and his soule shall bee saued and so some acts of Faith gee before Repentance and some follow after Then that Repentance shewes it selfe before Faith in the life of a Christian is most euident and plaine For first a man must needes bee humbled for his sinnes hee must groane vnder the burden of them and crie to heauen against them before hee can lay hold by Faith that they nee pardoned and â—…itted So wee see Dauid 2. Sam. 12. 13. hee was humbled for his sinne before hee could perceiue and perswade himselfe that his sinne was pardoned or receiue comfort I have sinned against the Lord and then follows The Lord also hath put away thy sinne thou shalt not die Many are the examples in the booke of God where wee may see how the most part of the people of God were well and truly humbled by Repentance before Faith raised them But here some may say Obiect How comes it to passe then that some haue beene comforted by Faith who were but slenderly if at all humbled by Repentance as wee see in Lydia Act. 16. 14. whose heart the Lord opened that shee attended the things that were spoken And in the Eunuch Act. 8. 39. of whom it it is said presently vpon his hearing of the word from the mouth of Philip And hee went on his way reioycing Answer I answer this difference ariseth of this First in some there is apprehension of the ouglinesse of sinne so much as nothing can fixe their conceits and imaginations another way in which case though comfort come it cannot so soone make impression Secondly some doe so exceedingly apprehend the Punishment due to sinne that though Promises come pardon be proclaimed yet they remaine heauy and lumpish still not being able to raise vp themselues and set their Faith aworke to beleeue so good newes though they haue repented of their sinnes Where againe in the other First there is a strong apprehension of the greater which is the mercie of God beyond all and a lesser sight of their owne sinne which makes their act of Faith so much the more easie And secondly there is in them a large apprehension of Gods offering of redemption in Christ and saluation in his blood which with good affection they receiue and so are comforted So that the case is according as it falleth out diuersly in the Conuersion of a sinner In whom there are two apprehensions first apprehension of the greatnesse and guiltinesse of his sinnes Secondly an apprehension of the mercy of God offering of Redemption and Reconciliation in the death of Christ. Now because it falls out in the conuersion of a sinner that somtimes hee apprehends more strongly the one and sometimes the other that so accordingly is his ioy or sorrow great or small And therefore if a man in his first conuersion haue a more strong apprehension of his owne sinnes and all his thoughts is carried vpon the beholding of his miseries and wofull estate this makes him to lament and mourne bitterly many a day together but if at his first conuersion with a sight of sinne a man behold such an infinite sea and depth of Gods mercies as is farre beyond all his sinnes and the infinite merit of the death and sufferings of the Sonne of God Euen as Flakes of fire falling into the Ocean sea are quenched with the abundance of water so all his sinnes falling into the maine sea and Ocean of Gods mercie in Christ are all couered and put out so as his heart is filled with ioy and gladnesse as it fell out with Lydia and the Eunueh Act. 8. and others LECT III. III. THE NATVRE OF Repentance ISAIAH 1. 16. Wash yee make you cleane put away the Euill of your doings from before mine eyes Cease to doe euill Learne to doe well c. I Haue read in the stories of this time that they which trauell into Virginia and Guiana or among those sauage and desolate countries carry a Tinderboxe with them and when night comes they make a fire or light vp a candle to see where to sleepe and rest the more safely Euen so God hath left vs his holy Word to bee as a tinderboxe vnto vs to strike fire and light vp a candle to direct vs through the darke wildernesse of this world so as they who will see the mercies of God must take the booke of God into their hands and as by striking of fire the traueller is the safer and hath the meanes of light to direct how and when to rest so must wee raise a light out of Gods word to conuey vs home to heauen Therefore of all other things let vs take heed that wee doe not despise this kindnesse and goodnesse of the Lord whose bountie leades vs vnto Repentance of which I spake the last day First wee haue heard the Necessitie of it Secondly the Order of it with other graces and now in the third place wee are to treate of The Nature of Repentance and of this the rather because there is a kinde of Faith and Repentance which deceiues vs in their Nature for there are a number of men and women that haue a shew of Repentance and thinke themselues in a good estate and well enough when indeed they are not and haue but a meere shadow of Grace so that wee may not bee deceiued in a matter of such moment and weight I haue thought it good to make it knowne vnto you what is the true Nature of Repentance But before I shew you the true nature thereof I will first refuce the false account which the world hath of Repentance some take repentance to bee but some sorrow for sinne so that when the hand of God is vpon him or that hee lies sicke lame or any way perplexed if he then can vent some few sighes and say Lord haue mercy vpon mee a sinner I am sorry that I haue offended he supposeth it is Repentance but this Ahab did and more this Iudas did with publike confession yet neuer repented so that if outward sorrow for sinne or a sad looke or a sigh or such like were true Repentance what Reprobate is there almost in the world but doth this and many a day Yea such as liue in grosse and knowne sinnes can crie to God for mercie and confesse their offences and thinke they haue obtained a grace from God in so doing seeming sorry for their sinnes though yet they liue in knowne sinnes as I said against their owne conscience and continue presumptuously in their wickednesse Yea how many thousands are there who neuer obtained any grace or mercy at all to bee
cause of Repentance 1 The first furthering cause is the Mercies of God and the remembrance of them for when God puts vs in minde what hee hath done for vs or wee our selues consider what wee haue lost or hazarded by reason of our sinnes who cannot but relent and acknowledge the same considering of Gods goodnesse as it is Rom. 2. What dost thou not know O man that the bountifulnesse of God and his goodnesse leadeth thee to Repentance for looke how many mercies God doth bestow vpon vs so many strong motiues they are vnto Repentance So Ierem 2. God shewing his former kindnesses vnto them expostulateth the matter to bring them vnto Repentance and Confession Ezek. 20. 43. the Lord shewes for the other And there shall you remember your wayes and all your doings wherein you haue beene defiled and yet shall Ioathe your selues in your owne fight c. and Iob. 35. 10. hee complaineth that none remembred the mercies of God and therefore they were not heard in their prayers because they wanted faith to repent To vrge the point yet more that the mercies of God moue much to Repentance see Luke 5. when Peter saw the great draught of fishes Lord saith hee depart from me a sinfull man Thus Gods mercies did bring Peter to the acknowledgement of his sinnes Euen so the mercies of God should bring vs to make this vse of it to bring vs to the consideration of our sinnes and to repent for them and to loue the Lord for his goodnesse and for his mercy and fauour bestowed vpon vs. If a wicked wife should slip away from her husband and commit many faults against him If hee not withstanding send her loue tokens from time to time this kindnesse of her husband must needs bee a mighty meanes to drawe her backe againe in loue and obedience vnto him Euen such is the kindenesse and goodnesse of God towards vs that though wee slip and slide from him by our sinnes yet hee sends to vs loue tokens his mercies and his blessings euery day from time to time to bring vs home by Repentance Helping cause of Repentance 2 The second Helping or furthering Cause is The Iudgements of God this is a principall cause in furthering of our Repentance as wee may see Genesis 42. 12. of Iosephs brethren when they were in trouble then they confessed their sinnes being accused Nay but to see the Nakednesse of the land you are come So the Prodigall sonne when hee was in miserie then hee came home to his Father So Isa. 26. 16. Lord in trouble haue they visited thee they poured out a Prayer when thy Chastisement was vpon them so the Lord doth mightily conuince them of sinne and neglecting his Iudgements I hearkned and heard but they spake not arâ—ght no man repented him of his wickednesse saying what haue I done euery man turned to his course as the horse rusheth to the battell and Zephan 3. 5. hee sayes The iust Lord is in the midst thereof hee will not doe iniquitie euery morning doth hee bring his Iudgements to light but the vniust knoweth no shame So Amos 4. the Lord there complaines of this that hee sent his Iudgements from time to time hee sent mildewes and blastings and many other iudgements and yet he complaines Yee returned not vnto mee If a sheepe goe astray from his sheepheard out of the flocke hee will set his dogge at him as if hee would kill him or worrie him and yet hee hath no purpose to hurt him but to driue him home to the fould againe for when the sheepe is come home hee rates and calls off his dogge So the Lord doth by vs if wee goe astray and turne from his sheepe-fold then hee sets his dogge at vs as if hee would kill vs the dogge of pouertie or the dogge of lamenesse or of blindenesse or of sicknesse or some crosse or some other iudgements and yet hee hath no purpose to hurt vs it is but onely to bring vs home vnto him for if wee bee once brought home hee calls off his dogge againe and rates him which is Gods end in all afflictions which hee from time to time sendeth The third helping or furthering Cause is our owne Considerations as Psal. 119. Dauid saith I considered my wayes and turned my feete to thy testimonie So vntill wee come to consider our owne wayes wee can neuer turne vnto God Now this consideration must bee in foure things First of the strict account wee must giue vnto God at the day of Iudgement for all those sinnes wee doe not repent of in this world If wee repent then the Lord will forgiue vs but if wee doe not repent bee assured wee must answer for our sinnes wheras vpon repentance Christ will answer for vs and wee may confidently put away the reaccount lying vpon Christ vnto which the Apostle alludes 2. Cor. 1. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in vs so our Consolation also aboundeth through Christ. Secondly of the fearefull estate wherein wee liue vntill wee haue repented not being the friends of God but heires of hell not hauing interest in any promise but liable to the Curse of the Law vpon which ensues death and torments Which is the third thing those vnspeakable tortures the soule for euer shall endure with the deuill and his angels for euermore Fourthly the consideration of foure other things First The Necessitie of Repentance that is is such a necessarie grace that wee cannot bee saued without it for there is but two wayes either to Repent or else to perish For if a man weresicke and a Physitian should come to him and temper for him such a Potion which if hee did not take hee could not choose but dye one would thinke a man could not choose but take it though it were against his stomacke Euen so wee are all sicke of the disease of sinne and the Lord hath tempered a Potion for vs to drinke and hee telleth vs if wee doe not take it we shall not escape condemnation Now this Potion which the Lord hath tempered for vs is Repentance therefore wee must bee contented to take it though it bee against our stomacke The Second consideration is The vtilitie and profite wee haue by it for if wee repent God will forgiue vs but if wee repent not God will make vs answer for it at the great day of Iudgement here is our choice Repent and bee forgiuen Repent not and perish so the Lord promiseth Forgiuenesse vpon Repentance Isa. 1. 18. Though your sinnes werâ—red as scarlet hee will make them white as snow if you repent and obey that is in Gods account it shall bee so The Third Consideration is The readinesse of God to receiue vs then hee will turne his frowning anger into louing fauour his cursings into blessings his iudgements into mercies so soone as the Prodigall sonne came home to his Father wee see
offer vp spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. So that doe what wee can all sacrifices and seruices be onely acceptable to God through him Vse 3 Thirdly seeing all our Repentance is vnperfect so long as we liue in this world Therefore no man is to dismay himselfe and bee too much cast downe if hee doe not finde repentance to be perfect in him If hee doe not finde a perfect hatred of sinne loue of God indeuour to please God in that he requireth In this case one must not too much afflict himselfe because he cannot attaine to things impossible in this life considering that it is not perfection but truth of Repentance that God looks for in this life in which case S. Paul comforts the abiect saying 2. Cor. 8. 12. For if there be first a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that a man hath not The second maine thing is That because euery mans Repentance is imperfect in this life Therefore there must bee an increase thereof in the life of a Christian As wee increase in other graces so increasing in the grace of Repentance Therefore Christians haue no cause to bee dismayed at this when God brings them off againe and againe to renew their Repentance A number of poore Christians cannot tell what to make of this when they haue repented their sinnes and beene comforted with the Promises of the Gospell and gone on a long-while in a cheerefull estate vpon a sudden all their old sinnes are cast vpon them againe to terrifie them worse then before and so by a heauy recourse of sorrow they become much perplexed and amazed But let such thinke that this is nothing else but Repentance As in a little childe when hee begins first to write hee frames his businesse somewhat vnhandsomely when he hath perfected a letter his Master sets him to make the same letter againe vntill he doe it better and better vntill at last it bee excellently well Euen so because there are not those firme and true intensions of our affections in our first Repentance the Lord is faine to goe ouer againe with vs and to set vs anew to repent of our old sinnes thus is the growth and frame of a Christians progresse in grace to goe it ouer againe still vntill it come to perfection I haue heretofore obserued that a tree alwayes growes vntill it come to his full pitch of state yet it growes not alwayes in one sort but sometimes it growes in the boughes sometimes in the branches sometimes in the root Euen so it is with a Christian hee hath his times of growth hee doth not alwayes grow in one and the same sort but sometimes in one Grace and sometimes in another sometimes in knowledge faith loue obedience c. and yet bee in a good estate though he be put still to renew his Repentance from time to time which if I may so speake becomes so much the purer like gold when it is often refined by ardent and often praying againe and again therfore distressed Christians in this case haue no iust cause to be so perplexed and cast downe as many times they are Wherefore seeing it is necessarie still to grow in Repentance and that it can neuer bee too pure nor perfect not too often gone ouer in this life wee must therefore labour and euery day indeuour to be more and more penitent for our sinnes bitterly to lament them and increase in the detestation and hatred of them so making vse both of the mercies and iudgements of God this way as to further vs in the growth of our repentance So we see Peter did by occasion of Christs mercie vnto him in the draught of fishes Luk. 5. 8. Hee fell downe on his knees and said depart from me I am but a sinfull man ô Lord So did the Lords people by occasion of the iudgement in the Thunder and lightning 1. Sam. 12. 19. say vnto Samuel Pray for thy seruants vnto the Lord that wee dye not for wee haue added vnto all our sinnes this euill to take a King thus must we grow in this as in other graces It is therefore a great corruption for any to desire to grow in other graces if this be neglected and to doe some things conscionably and to neglect those other maine duties in Religion For if one had a childe and the childe should grow in one part and not in another one hand and one leg should thriue but not the other but keepe still at a stand how bitterly would he complaine of this and yet so is it in the state of many a Christian one part of the graces of God growes well but the other doth not grow at all many increase in knowledge shew a great deale of zeale of deuotion haue sufficiencie of faith and are cheerefull in their obedience but they grow not a whit in Repentance they are not a whit more humbled for their sinnes more penitent and cast downe before the LORD and therefore can say what cause haue wee to bee deiected and afflicted so for it but let vs of better knowledge learne to bee better affected our care being to bee more and more humbled for our sinnes Wee see in Nature when a man is buried and layed in the ground the more earth and mould you cast vpon him the more hee consumes from day to day being so much the more vnfit to rise vp againe suppose aliue from vnder the weight and burden of the earth which presses him downe Euen so it is with the sinne of a Christian when a man hath buried sinne in himselfe the more hee increaseth his repentance and holy humiliation the more earth and mold hee casts vpon it in this kinde the lesse able will it be to rise and reuiue againe nay our sad and serious Repentance will make it that it shall not rise againe Now there be three wayes wherein a Christian must increase in the Grace of Repentance as well as in other Graces 1. In the Number of his Graces 2. In the Measure of his Graces 3. In the good vse of them First for the Number of Graces see what Peter saith 2. Pet. 1. 5. Adde to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance Patience and to patience godlinesse c. And so 2. Cor. 8. 7. Therefore as yee abound in euery thing in faith and vtterance and knowledge and in all diligence and in your loue to vs see that yee abound in this Grace also Therefore it should grieue a Christian to heare a man speake of any grace which hee hath not in himselfe Fine and daintie women we know who haue a delight in curious gardens if they heare of any goodly Plant or delicate Flower in another bodies garden they neuer rest till they haue got a slip of it into their owne yea here they beg a root and
might be conuinced in their consciences to confesse that the whole Soueraigntie of glorie and renowne is due vnto him Q. Declare this more fully A. Wee pray that the Lord would stand vp for his owne glorie that the Lord would get himselfe glory and praise by blessing and defending the godly and by punishing and afflicting the wicked Q. Doe not many herein pray against themselues A. Wee all pray that if wee bee any lett or hinderance to Gods glory so that the Lord be the worse thought of for our sakes that hee will recouer his glory at our hands yee though it be with the destruction of vs. Q. What is the second thing wee pray for A. That wee may acknowledge with inward feeling of our hearts the excellent and holy things that bee in God that wee may doe the Lord this honour to thinke that he is most Mightie and therefore will defend vs when the whole world is set against vs that hee is most Wise and therefore will doe nothing but it shall be for our good That hee is most pittifull and therefore will pittie vs when no eye else will looke vpon vs that hee is most lust and therefore will stand vp in our iust defence Q. What is the third thing wee pray for A. That wee so liue and so carry our selues in the whole course of our wayes as God may haue glory by vs That as a good seruant doth his Master credite so the Lord may heare well for our honest life Q. What is the fourth thing that wee pray for A. That wee may bee so wholly possessed and taken vp with the care of the Lords praise that wee may neuer speake or doe any thing but with this minde and to this intent to get some honour and some glory to the Lord thereby Q. What are the euills that wee pray against A. First that wee may not bee so blinde but that wee may see the great glorie of God that shineth in the world his Prouidence wise gouernment care for his people and the Iudgements that hee brings vpon wicked men Secondly that wee may not doubt of any of the excellent things that bee in God That hee hath not power enough to protect vs Mercy enough to forgiue vs Wisedome enough to direct vs in the safest course Thirdly that wee may not dishonour the Lord by our vngodly and wicked life That wee may not bee a shame to the Gospell men thinking the worse of it for the loosenesse of our liues that professe it Fourthly that wee may not seeke our owne praise more then the praise of the Lord and so greedily hunt after our owne credite that wee care not in the meane time though the Lords honour lye in the dust Qu. What doe wee pray for in the second Petition A. For the meanes of Gods glory that his kingdome may come among vs. Q. How doth this Petition depend vpon the former A. In the first Petition wee prayed that wee might glorifie God and now we pray that God would rule in our hearts that wee may glorifie him the better For vnlesse God rule vs by his Spirit wee are so set to pursue our owne praise and peace and pleasure that wee shall neuer glorifie him sincerely while wee liue Qu. What is the meaning of this Petition A. Whereas the Deuills kingdome is come already and Sinne holds vp the Scepter in a number of our hearts wee here pray as men weary of it that Gods kingdome may here come into our hearts and the Deuill and sinne may no longer rule among vs. Q. What is the kingdome of God A. Gods kingdome is twofold The kingdome of Grace The kingdome of Glorie Q. What is the kingdome of Grace A. The kingdome of Grace is that whereby God gouerneth the hearts of the faithfull in this world Q. How doth God gouerne vs in this world A. Two wayes Inwardly By his Spirit Outwardly By his Word Q. How by his Spirit A. When by his Spirit and grace conueyed into our hearts hee not onely shews vs the good way wherein we should walk but also leades vs in the way and giues vs strength to continue in it and checks our hearts when we goe amisse Q. How by his Word A. As Princes rule their Subiects by those Lawes and statutes which they make So God rules vs by his Word hauing there taught vs what is right and what is wrong or what is lawfull and vnlawfull for vs. Q. What are the speciall good things that wee pray for A. Wee pray that God would giue his gratious and good spirit into our hearts to the gouerning and guiding of vs in our wayes that wee may so liue as the good Spirit of God would haue vs liue c. and further increase this good worke when it is begun Q. Doe all pray thus with desire to haue it so A. No many say Thy kingdome come that would not for any good Gods kingdome should come vpon vs Many would bee sorry in their hearts to doe no more then God would haue them doe to part with so many sinnes and leaue so many vanities as God would haue them leaue Qu. What is the second good thing that wee pray for A. That God would rule vs by his Word that wee may not be left to wander after our owne hearts but that wee may haue the word of God to a continuall directing of vs in an honest course Qu. What is the third thing A. Wee pray for all the good helpes and meanes that may further Gods kingdome and namely for good Ministers and good Magistrates Q. What doe wee pray for good Ministers A. That God would giue good Ministers to all places faithfull and able men full of Spirit and power who may build vp the decaies and the ruines of the Church and seeke vp the lost soules of their brethren and bring them home to the Fold of Christ. Secondly Wee pray that God would blesse and continue such as wee haue already that they may not be discouraged in their labours nor hindered in the Lords workes but may minister with great grace and cheerefulnesse amongst vs. Thirdly wee pray that God would make their Ministry effectuall to vs for our good that it may worke vpon our hearts to the killing of sinne and the strengthening of Gods graces in vs. Q. What doe wee pray for Magistrates A. First that God would raise vp such as may bee Fathers of the Church such as may tender Religion and wound with the sword of Iustice the head of all vngodlinesse in the land Secondly that God would blesse and continue those that be such especially our gratious King that his dayes may be as the dayes of Heauen and his Throne may be established in prosperitie and peace as long as the Sunne and Moone endure Q. What is the Kingdome of Glory A. It is that whereby God shall more fully raigne in vs in the world to come when all sinne and wickednesse shall be taken from vs.
these are in a man nor in a mans will vntill God worke and fulfill them by his mightie power For first a man hath not eyes to see the good things of God Deut. 29. 3. saith hee Yet the Lord hath not giuen you a heare to perceiue and eyes to see and eares to heare vnto this day Secondly man hath neither desire nor appetite till God worke it in him as it is Phil. 2. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed or to will and to doe of his good pleasure Thirdly though wee had eyes to see good things and will to delight in them yet haue wee no strength and power to performe them vntill God will as Iohn 15. 5. For without mee you can doe nothing So then this is the doctrine of Repentance that if God worke not in a man these motions by his power there is no repentance Nay we see God onely workes man vnto repentance by the power of his Spirit and Grace so that hee is the first Cause of Repentance Of which let this be The Vse Vse 1 That because the Efficient cause of Repentance is God onely wee must say as St. Iames saith If any man lacke wisdome let him aske of God that giueth vnto all men liberally c. So let vs say of Repentance if any man lacke repentance let him aske it of God and hee will giue it him It is said of the Rocke Psal. 78. 20. Behold hee smote the Rocke that the waters gushed out and the streames ouerflowed c. Euen so let vs pray God by the power of his Spirit and grace to smite so hard vpon our rockie hearts that by and by may gush out from vs floods of repentant teares Vse 2 Secondly let vs learne to take God at his offer or else at another time wee may goe without it and hauing it let vs stirre vp our selues to be thankfull to God for it Cause of Repentance 2 The Second Cause of Repentance is called The Instrumentall Cause and that is the preaching of the Word as it is Luk. 24. 27. saith hee And that Repentance and remission of sinnes should bee preached in his Name amongst all Nations so that preaching is the Instrumentall cause thereof for though God giue Repentance it being wrought by him in vs yet hee doth it by meanes wee must not thinke that God will open the Cloudes and come downe from heauen and poure Repentance into our hearts or drop it in vs but hee hath ordained that wee shall get it by the preaching of the Word for thereby wee are made partakers of the graces of his holy Spirit Now consider there are two things to effect this The Preaching of the Law and the preaching of the Gospell the first that a man may see his sinne and the fearefull estate hee is in by the same The second that he may finde there is a remedie and that it is not in himselfe The Law prepares a man for Repentance shewes him all his sinnes and his damnable estate before yea it terrifies the conscience euen to the very flinging of him downe to hell and though this be not an infallible signe of grace to be thus terrified and restrained yet it is the occasion of it because it helpes to prepare vs and make vs willing to lay hold of Repentance as God workes in vs. As a man that makes choice of a tree to build with first he cuts it downe with his axe ere hee lay it flat vpon the ground and when he hath done so then hee applyes his line and tooles vnto lopping the boughes and so hewes it and squares it to make it the fitter for his worke Euen so doth the Lord first hee beates a man flat downe with the sentence of the Law and horrour of his sinne and then hee lifts him vp and restores him with the promises of the Gospell And whereas many thinke that it is a strange worke of God to deale thus with a man and that when God doth deale thus that man is in a wofull and lamentable estate the truth is that then the Law from God is a fitting and working a man to bee fit for eternall life and thus though the Law cannot bring a man to Repentance yet it is a meanes of preparation And then after this commeth the Gospell as a powerfull instrument and workes Faith and other Graces in vs by a diuine assistance The vse is Vse Because then the preaching of the Word is thus a powerfull cause of Repentance that wee make much of it and imbrace it esteeming it a pretious Iewell of Gods Treasurie yea and to seeke and hunger for it by all meanes If a man were grieuously sicke vpon his bed and that it were told him that in such a ground such a herbe did grow which applyed would quickly ridde him of all his paine and griefe if hee had any meanes to come by it sure hee would creepe thither vpon his hands and his feet to haue it no paines would bee irkesome vnto him so hee might recouer his health againe euen so when a man is deadly sicke of sinne as wee should all bee and it shall bee told him that in the preaching of the Gospell there is such a herbe of Grace the Flower of Repentance that will cure him of his sinne and restore him to the life of glorie I hope no man is so desperate and carelesse that will neglect the hearing of it Now what shall wee doe in this case but as it were to creepe on our hands and knees that is to vse all meanes to attaine the same and bee partakers of the benefites of the Gospell that wee may bee saued O! shall wee bee more carefull in such a case of our bodyes then of our soules Now besides these two Causes that may bring vs vnto Repentance there bee other three causes which are called Cause adiuvantes Helping or furthering causes because though they doe not worke Repentance in themselues yet they doe exercise a man to the helping and furthering of this worke in him I declare it by a similitude when one would saw a Tree three things are requisite vnto this worke First there must bee a saw which is the Instrument Secondly there must bee one to pull and mooue the saw to apply it to the Tree which is the Efficient cause Thirdly there must bee a certaine oylie and liquide matter to make the Saw runne which is Causa adiuvans the Helping cause which smoothes the Saw and makes it runne with case So it is in this great worke of Repentance the Saw or Instrument to worke is the preaching of the Gospell which doth sawe and worke vpon the conscience as the Instrument of God and God himselfe is the effectuall puller or workeman to worke Repentance in vs. So that Now the Helping Causes are especially three 1. The Mercie of God 2. The Iudgements of God 3. Our owne Considerations Helping
how willing and how ready hee was to receiue him So it is with euery sinner so soone as hee returneth home to God the Lord is presently readie to receiue him and to forgiue all that is past The Fourth is That one day wee shall dye and know not how soone when if wee die without Repentance wee must be damned for euer Therefore this should make vs repent and turne vnto God I remember the meditation of a learned man saith hee The estate of a sinner is like a man trauelling or going a iourney and as hee went hee fell into a pit full of snakes toades and serpâ—nts in the mouth of which pit there was a tree a bough whereof as hee fell hee catcht hold of and did hang thereby at the roote whereof there was a leane and hunger-bitten beast that euery day did gnaw to pull it downe which beast is death which seeing one day it will gnaw the roote in peeces it shewes what need wee had of Repentance LECT V. V. THE TIME OF Repentance HEB. 4. 7. To day if you will heare his voice hardon not your hearts WEE spake the last day of the Causes of Repentance First of the Efficient Cause which is God Secondly of the Instrumentall cause which is the preaching of the Word or the Gospel Thirdly of the Furthering or helping causes which I said was The mercies of God the Iudgements of God our owne considerations Now the next thing wee are to speake of is The Time of Repentance for it is in vaine to know what wee haue to doe if wee deferre to doe it in due time or take exception to the time as you see the Iewes did when they were called vpon to build the Temple after their returne from the captiuitie Hag. 1. 2. This people say the time is not come the time that the Lords house should bee built So for vs to say the time is not yet come wherein wee should repent but if God tooke it ill that they should put off the building of a materiall house what will hee say vnto such as deny the building vp of their soules to life euerlasting But such is the depraued nature of man that when wee should seeke God and reforme our selues wee take exception to the time yea when wee are pressed vnto this dutie by a godly Minister wee are readie to cry out with the deuills against Christ Math. 8. 29. Art thou come hither to torment vs before our time The reason of this delay is because if wee haue serious and sad thoughts of repentance wee thinke and conceiue that we haue true repentance indeed But wee must not so deceiue our selues to say I haue thought so I had a purpose to repent and doe the duty c. But to come to The time of Repentance it may be considered 1. Generally 2. Particularly The Generall time of Repentance is the Time of this life for there is no repenting when a man is dead Therfore here are two rules in the Generall First that this whole life is the time of Repentance Secondly that after death it is a worke cannot be done Therefore let no man presume of further mercy then he is able to call for which is in the time of this life All the Scripture is cleere for this as Iohn 9. 4. I must worke the worke of him that sent mee while it is day the night commeth when no man can worke So Gal. 6. 20. As wee haue therefore opportunitie let vs doe good vnto all and Eccles. 9. 10. Whatsoeuer thy hand findeth to doe doe it with thy might for there is no worke or deuice nor knowledge nor wisedome in the graue whither thou goest and this wee see that as the time of doing good is in this life so is the time of Repentance and as wee can doe nothing being dead no more can wee repent being dead For this purpose Ieremie reasoneth with the people Giue glorie to the Lord your God before hee cause darkenesse and before your feet stumble vpon the darke mountaines And Dauid saith Psal. 39. vlt. O spare mee that I may recouer strength before I goe hence and bee no more So then if wee haue any thing to doe doe it with all thy might if thou haue to repent repent earnestly if thou haue to pray pray feruently if thou haue to heare heare diligently if thou haue to giue giue cheerefully for when thou art in the graue all opportunitie is gone all time is taken away I remember a pretty meditation of a learned man saith he As long as a murtherer is in the way to the Iudgement seate hee may make friends to compasse the matter but if the Iudge haue giuen sentence and hee bee condemned then hee may looke for the hangman for the sword and for the halter and for the darke dungeon Euen so as long as wee are in the way to the Iudgement that is as long as wee are in this life wee may labour to compasse the matter wee may make friends with God but if once wee be dead and the sentence haue passed wee may looke for the diuell and hell to seaze vpon vs and therefore saith hee my good brethren let not the time of your life passe without Repentance for death will come and the iudgement will come therefore grieue and sorrow mourne and lament whilst you haue time and liue here It is true indeed that all the wicked in Hell shall repent euery veine in their hearts when they shall see what styes and stables they haue made of their bodies by their sinnes of Idolatrie Adulterie Drunkennesse Swearing and prophanenesse they shall mourne and lament and waile for it but they shall haue no benefite or profite thereby for this bond of Repentance shall be Afflictiue and Poenall it shall bee to their further increase of torment therefore if wee would haue comfort by Repentance wee must repent betimes in this life for it is better to sorrow and mourne here where wee may haue comfort then hereafter when we can haue none In worldly businesse either planting building or purchasing we make haste whilst wee liue to see all things done betimes and settled during our liues nay wee thinke it will not bee so well done as when wee our selues ouersee it And shall wee not much more regard the preparing and fitting of our selues for Heauen which cannot bee done vnlesse wee faithfully repent in the time of this life so as it was commanded to Hezekiah to settle his house in order for hee should die so are wee pressed to the duty of Repentance before wee die that in our life our soules may bee prepared for Heauen Is it not then high time for all wicked men to prepare themselues to Repentance in this life considering all hope is debarred them after death Now there be diuers Reasons why this is so that Repentance must not be put off First Because the delaying and putting off