we follow the spirit of God leading vs and putting the speech into our mouthes why strengthen we the hands of the wicked that he cares not to returne by promising him life Ezech. 13.22 Once falling on a wandering Starre they call such trauellers who had forraged France Italie it seemes to seeke his Religion I heard him thus bewray his inclination to Poperie and his reason to preferre it in his choise forsooth that a man may be saued holding the faith and Religion of Rome our selues confesse That any can be saued in our heresie as they tearme it Papists confidently denie Thus were the answers 1 That argueth not they had more veriâ—ie but we more Charitie 2. But who Iudicious amongst vs euer taught that a Papist vniuersally ioyning in the tridentine faith and religion can be saued nisi fortè detur Regressus in viam 1 They are pointed out such whose Names are not written in the Lambs booke of life 2 The lyes they beleeue such as damne vers 11 12. 3 And I demand Are they Schismatiques onely or rather heretiques or both then why are we meale mouthed why feare wee to say liuing and dying Papists they cannot be saued Yet in this peremptorinesse its good to be aduised 1 There are differences of Errours Papall not all in the foundation their opinion of Number and efficacie of Sacraments of seuerall orders in the Angelicall and Ecclesiastique Hierarchie c. are all erroneous yet not hereticall 2 In modo tentionis difference is obseruable in some misled with errour of Times the assent is tremulous not peremptorie perhaps resolution holden to change sentence when better reason shall sway them It may be also care and endeauour of better information with propense inclination to the aduerse doctrine of such for their propension to Truth in generall my charitie is hopefull 3 But there are who vniuersally ioyne in all errours of faith and Religion taught in that Church of such except God giue them Repentance what lets to say they are in remedilesse perill of eternall damnation see Apoc. 14 9 10 11. Vse If loue of trueth sway vs not Oh yet let this terrour of the Lord preuaile with vs. The noise of damnation is fearefull except to men of reprobate mindes dreadfull more then that of Thunder I beseech you as you tender your poore soules bought with the pretious blood of Christ made to bee immortall called to enioy the glorious Deitie beware how in your hearts you turne backe to the Aegypt of Poperie heare them not that say saluation is to bee found in the Church of Rome Christ is the Sauiour of his Å¿ Eph 5.23 body are limmes of Antichrist members of Christ Obiect What then became of forefathers What of so many nations yet vnder that bondage Conclude wee all vnder remedilesse perill of damnation Resp There is a kinde people saith Austin curious to know other mens liues carelesse to reforme their owne Et Nos charitably cautionate for others saluation take heed least not prodigall of our owne Ordinate charitie begins at home How God deales with others in iustice or mercie humanitie may incline mee something to enquire howbeit wisdome aduiseth to haue principall eye to my selfe t Hos 4.15 Though thou Israel play the harlot yet let not Iudah sinne And if others will serue Idoles yet I am of Ioshuahs minde I and my house will serue the Lord. Iosh 24.15 2 Quaero ego what became of Gentiles nations all except Israel till times of new Testament God u Act. 14.16 suffered them all to walke in their owne wayes yet now admonisheth all to turne from those vanities to serue the liuing and true God 3 Yet as no man saith of those nations particulars were all damned some Proselites were of Gentiles admitted into Iewish Church others I doubt not many chosen vessels of mercie so in depth of Popish heresie were many in all times found in maine foundations Orthodoxe and opposite to the preuailing faction On which foundation though they built hay and stubble yet with that losse x 1. Cor. 3 15. their soules were saued 4 That also is remarkeable Popish errours were not all from the beginning in that height whereto they are now growne nor vrging to assent so strict and peremptorie as since the Trent Councill Libertie there was in the maine that concernes the heart of Faith and Religion to opine to dissent from iudgement generally receiued which libertie also many vsed I doubt not but with comfort to their soules 5 Gods iudgements are sometimes open sometimes secret alwayes iust 1 y Rom. 11.35 Who hath giuen him first 2 That any of Adams posteritie are saued is of his meere mercy If others perish there is no iniustice But that they perished that liued and died in vassalage vnto that Antichrist Saint Paul warrants me to assent Iustly because they receiued not the loue of the truth The sinne noted as cause of their damnation hath two branches 1 Want of loue to the truth of the Gospel 2 Reiecting that grace of God tendered to their soules They receiued not the loue of the truth There is 1 Knowledge 2 Faith 3 Loue of the truth There may be knowledge where is not faith faith where is not loue of the truth Those reuolts were z Heb 6 4. enlightened knew the way of truth Saint Peter ads more they were a 2. Pet. 2.18.20.21 cleane escaped from them that are entangled in errour hauing obteined sanitie and rectitude of iudgement in matter of faith More then that some kinde b 1. Tim. 1.19 4.1 of faith they aspire vnto firme perswasion of the truth of Euangelicall doctrine Yea some perhaps retaine it while they perish Their maime is in their affection 1 They loue not the truth 2 Yea reiect not truth but loue of truth tendered to their soules Thus I conceiue the Lord sending his word to the Church not onely tenders it to their eares but enlightens the vnderstanding of many worst men to know presents to the minde the amiable excellencie of the mysteries therein contained shewes the goodnes brought home to the soule of euery faithfull and obedient receiuer c Mic. 2.7 Are not my words good to him that walketh vprightly I aske your iudgement The old way is the good way therein you shall d Ier. 6.16 finde rest to your soules The e Ioh. 8 32. truth shall make you free thus doth the Lord wooe the affections labouring to enamour them of his truth Happie is hee who as f Gen. 9.27 Iaphet is allured he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Iustly they perish who against themselues g Luke 7 32. despise the counsell of God and h Act. 13 46. put from them so great saluation they iudge themselues vnworthy euerlasting life But is knowledge or loue of truth tendered to all perishing vnder Antichrist Resp And I demand as Paul of Iewes i Rom. 10.18 haue they
weepe they grow and decay liue and die together Mutually though differently they are nourishable each to other faith to charitie hath the respect of a cause the apprehension and n 1 Iohn 4.19 assurance we haue of Gods loue to vs o 2 Cor. 5.14 forceth after a sort to loue of God and his children Charitie to faith as an euidence Would I perswade my selfe to loue of Brethren thus I discourse When I was an p Rom. 5.10 enemie I was reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne q 1 Iohn 4.11 If God so loued me ought not I to loue his Children Would I strengthen my faith and perswasion of Gods loue to my soule Thus I proceed r 1 Iohn 3.14 They that loue the brethren are translated from death to life My heart tels me I loue the Brethren Thence I inferre the conclusion for faith to claspe closer vnto Therefore I am translated from death to life Vse In Christ Iesus neither Circumcision auaileth any thing nor vncircumcision Å¿ Gal. 5 6. but faith which worketh by loue None euer loued Gods childe quâ talis into whose heart the sense of Gods loue was not first shed at least instilled by the holy Ghost giuen vnto him feelest thou thy loue to any of Gods children languish know it s discomfortable I meane if Gods Image shining in him allure not affection Hellishly euill if that be the reason of thy hatred or lesse louing yet wouldst thou frame or halfe force thy heart to his loue Thy faith if any will suggest how God the father of that sinner or enemie when thou wast an enemie reconciled thee to himselfe how daily t Lam. 3.23 his mercies are renewed notwithstanding his u Psal 7.11 daily prouocations by thy sinnes 'T is faithlesnesse onely that makes vncharitable Doth faith faint or wauer Charitie puts new life addes vigour vnto it Tell me thou who doubtest of Gods loue to thy soule how feelest thou thy heart affected towards them that are Gods findest thou thy selfe enamoured on the beautie of Gods Image shining in his children doth that draw thy affection my soule for thine thou art beloued of God It s the weaknesse of thine vnderstanding to beleeue the praemises and doubt of the conclusion The great God of heauen and earth * 1 Iohn 4.12 No man hath seene at any time his Image he represents to vs in his children willing thereby to eleuate our affection to himselfe assuring vs that he accepts and esteemes that loue of his portraiture as loue of himselfe O we of little faith why doubt we of loue to our God while wee loue those that are Gods or question Gods loue to vs whose hearts he hath framed to loue of his children I doubt not what euer Papists say but where faith is there is charitie nor Papists themselues but where charitie truly so called is there is faith It s hard to say whether our lacke of faith be imputable to lacke of charitie or our want of loue to defect of faith yet to th'exercise of faith and x Iac 2 18. euidencing of it charitie is much auaileable Thus thou maist encrease it 1. y 1 Pet. 2.17 Loue brotherly fellowship Ignoti nulla Cupido nor is any such loadstone of affection as societie of Gods children 2. As z 1 Pet 4.10 euery man hath receiued the gift so let him distribute hee shall so euidence gaine loue of Brethren 3. a Eccl. 7.21 Giue not thy heart to euery word that men speake and b Mat. 7.3 why seest thou the moats of thy Brother Loue c 1 Pet. 4.8 couers a multitude of sinnes Lesse amiable seemes Gods Image by curious noticing their naeues and blemishes Before we passe to th' issue and effect of their growth th'amplification of their abundant charitie cals for our notice In it are two things 1. Vniuersalitie 2. Reciprocation The charitie of euery one of you all towards each other An vniuersalitie so drawne out into singulars I finde not in any other the Churches to which Paul wrote Stiles they haue aâ—l of Churches of men Sanctified of Beleeuers of Brethren c. Yet so as by sequels of errours and faults reproued we may easely collect the denomination giuen a potiori parte And are forced to flie to vniuersale Accommodum or other distinctions of realtie and profession with the like in explication Here onely is charitie the life of faith character of Christianitie ascribed to all and euery Not one amongst them all but charitie abounded in him May we thinke of this or any other particular Church visible on earth it s wholly free from hypocrites Certainly where faith and charitie concurre there be sinceritie And if these sister Graces were thus abundant in all and euery of the Church at Thessalonica doubtlesse there was not an hypocrite amongst them To the question thus 1. Non implicat though in Agro that is in Mundo there is Tares and good Seed though in Area that is in Ecclesia visibili there be Chaffe and Wheat yet a select parcell there may be as a little Horreum of the Lord wherein is none but wheat An Israel God may haue on earth consisting of none but Nathaniels d Iohn 1.48 Israelites in deed in whom is no guile Non implicat But who can exemplifie 2. But what if wee say Pauls charitie guided it selfe onely by th'imperate and exteriour acts of faith and charitie Suppose Confession and Beneficence Certainly the gifts he knew not but by the fruits And might not these be performed by Hypocrites I know no outward Act of faith or charitie but an Hypocrite may performe and iustly gaine from men Reputation of being faitâ—full Prayer and Confession Acts of Faith cannot Hypocrites performe My meaning is May not an Hypocrite forme a Prayer volubly yea passionately pronounce it so as that to men though of Pauls spirit he may seeme to haue his infirmitie e Rom. 8.26 helped by the Spirit of God May not an Hypocrite endure some fight of affliction for the faith why may not ambition of being reputed faithfull to God perswade in the Church to suffer as much as vaine glorie did amongst Heathens in loue of their Countrie And what proud Pharisee cannot giue an Almes What wise Pharisee cannot conceale his pride or make choise of honest rather then prophane to be his Beadesmen How wise is hypocrisie growne in our times how cautionate to auoid the noticed notes of insinceritie For my part I know not any outward Act or office of pietie or charitie but Esau might haue performed as much as Iacob Cain as Abel Simon Magus as Simon Peter I like Pauls charitie and will endeauour to imitate it to thinke he hath faith whom I see zealous for the word of faith desirous to drinke in if but by th' eare the f 1 Pet. 2.2 sincere milke of the word To iudge him mercifull who doth workes of mercie feeds
of doctrine That chiefly is remarkeable in storie that about the time of Gregorie the great what time Antichrist grew towards clearest Reuelation and was now to be installed and entituled Oecumenicall Bishop Miracles of all sorts began to be multiplied Read Gregories Dialogues and what Paulus Diaconus and other following fables report of all sorts of wonders for confirmation of all sorts of Popish errour and superstition I will not denie but the things reported were many of them true in genere Rerum I dare halfe sweare they were all false in genere Miraculorum that were pretended wrought for confirmation of Poperie Whither and when the gift of Miracles ceased in the Church might here not impertinently be enquired but the volume growes biggish Vse 1 But sure me thinkes they longed to haue their Bishop knowne Antichrist their Church Antichristian when this came into the number of Notes of the Church Gloria Miraculorum so was Antichrist to be aduanced into his Throne so the people to be besotted who receiued his Character Not but that Miracles truely so called are testimonies of Truth vt supra But that the maruels they brag of are mira onely if true not miracula And many of them false lying reports meere fables and no better Such that of Syluesters curing Constantines Leprosie in his ministring Baptisme to him at Rome when it s well known his Baptisme was not at Rome but by a little superstition deferred till the end of his life fables a thousand I could fill you withall of Miracles and little lesse then miraculous apparitions of Saints and Angels for confirmation of purgatorie prayer to Saints for dead and such like Popish trash Thomas of Aquine is supposed to be gratulated by the blessed Virgin for his paines taken to cleare her birth from originall sinne with her owne voice from heauen Bene de me scripsisti Thoma Saint Bernard deuout in superstition in veneration of her was once saluted by her Image miraculously giuing him the time of the day Good morrow Bernard But well considering what Dauid speakes of Idoles they haue mouthes and speake not he is bold to minde her That her Ladiship had forgotten her selfe for it was not permitted to women to speake in the Church sexcenta sunt huinsmodi Vse 2 2 Contra istos mirabilarios against these miracle-mongers Christ his Prophets haue made vs cautionate while they minde vs they may teach truth l Iohn 10.41 that doe no miracles Iohn did no miracle yet all hee spake of Christ was true and they may be m See Deut. 13. Mat. 24.24 Impostors who giue signes and wonders The Diuell himselfe cannot worke a miracle his power though great yet is not infinite yet suppose him to giue a signe and wonder which I am not able ito discriminate from a true miracle In weaknesse perhaps might say as Pharaoes Magitians Digitus Dei est hic yet if he misled me from veritie of doctrine or life taught me in Scripture whither Diuell of Hell or n Gal 1 8. Angell of Heauen I should hold him accursed Spero obsecro vos qui credente mundo ipse non credit magnum est ipse prodigium To doctrine taught in our Churches belong o Heb. 2 4. miracles of Christ and his Apostles And with all deceiueablenesse of vnrighteousnesse The second meanes of his aduancement deceitfulnesse all kinds of falshood and cousenage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 take here to denote iniustitiam vniuersalem whither it be qualitas efficientis or finis is doubtfull if efficientis This the meaning with all tricks of cousenage imposture and legerdemaine that wickednesse it selfe can deuise or exercise faigning apparitions of Angels and Spirits forging decrees of Councils corrupting Fathers sembling dissembling pietie swearing forswearing dummodo ob Rem fawning flattering bribing threatning forcing vsing pro re nata ca Time would faile mee to reckon vp all their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their methods and Arts of cousenage and imposture whereby they haue raised and still support their state Achitophâ—l Machiauil cursed Moamed himselfe may seeme honest in policie in comparison of Romish Clergie Be wise as Serpents pleaseth be it as the old Serpent the Diuell Innocent as Doues as their practise showes deserues the obiliske the veru of their Index expurgatorius by such wicked policie hath Poperie aduanced it selfe If it denote the end or issue of their deceitfulnesse this is the meaning deceit leading to vnrighteousnesse via vitae the way tending to life via Iustiâ—iae the way tending to righteousnesse so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the outpath leading to wickednesse making the people as themselues iniurious to God vniust to men cruell to themselues Their doctrines dissenting from our Churches all such 1 either in the matter 2 or in their annexa and natiue sequeles as to any iudicious man seriously viewing them will appeare Concording are the liues of their deluded sectaries Vse Lord that it might worke in vs so much pietie as to detest it so much wisedome as to discerne and flye from their impious their wicked Religion were not vicious nature too too sensuall and licentious it could with no patience endure thought of Poperie Is this the sanctitie of doctrine that encloseth the Church to Rome Robbing God of his honour Christ of his Mediation Princes of Soueraigntie of life Parents of Children for Religion that teacheth violation of faith though with oath plighted to Heretiques tolerates halfe ligitimates fornication in some case Incestuous marriage c. The wisedome from aboue is p Iac. 3.17 pure full of mercy and good fruits The doctrine of Gods Grace teacheth to q Tit. 2.11 12. deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts instructs to pietie iustice temperance a Religion yee haue here as a circle whose circumference is fraud whose center nothing but vnrighteousnesse what may if this will not worke our abhorrence from it If that may not preuaile attend yet seriously what is subioyned In them that perish The subiect or persons on whom it fastens such as perish vnderstand it exclusiuely onely such as perish Periphrasis Reproborum not infrequent in Scriptures See 2 Cor. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.3 alibi So stiled because their perishing is certaine and ineuitable r Iude v. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And that doctrine is now entering execution they being as I may say in the Act of perishing It should seeme then they are onely castawayes men destined to damnation who are seduced by this Antichrist see Apoc. 13.8 14.9 10 Reasons are euident 1 Their Errours of Iudgement are in the fundamentals of Faith they hold not the head Col. 2.19 1 Cor. 3.10 11. 2 In Religion against the heart and life of pure worship abominable Idolatric 3 The seduced mostly vnreclaimable so strong is the delusion sent vpon them Apoc. 14.9 10. May we dare to say so of Papists Resp Had we the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that becomes Gods Ministers wee should dare seeing therein
i Rom. 4.17 enabled to do what it s exhorted to do Ps 27.8 My heart answered thy face Lord wil I seek k Rom. 6.17 ye haue obeyed from the heart that forme of doctrine into the which you were deliuered The phrase seemes purposely chosen to expresse the efficacie of diuine doctrine in the hearts of his children as if they were cast into it as into a mould and came forth bearing the stampe and figure of it See 2 Cor. 3.18 Vse Say not now in thy heart who shall ascend into heauen to search those court roles whither thy name bee written in the Booke of life the word is neere thee euen in thy heart That if thou haue selt it such as Paul describes it Spirit and Life enabling to be and doe what it prescribes leauing impressions of holinesse mercy loue and such like heauenly properties as it selfe breathes thou maist rest assured of thy Calling and Election Blessed is that soule that discernes impressions of the Word and Spirit of God in it selfe It s sealed to the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 Instrument of vocation our Gospell vnderstand not an Euangelicall storie written by Paul and his Associates as by Matthew and the rest But their preaching of the Gospell their publishing the glad tidings of remission of sinnes reconciliation with God saluation purchased by Christ to all beleeuers The Gospell is 1 Gods as the Author and sender of it 2 Christs as the matter and next reuealer of it out of the bosome of his Father He is the Angell of the Couenant 3 Pauls as l 1 Cor. 4.1 a dispenser amongst others of the mysteries it containes Our Gospell that is tropically our preaching of the Gospell That the instrument and meane of their of our vocation two things commended to our notice 1 the matter or quality of the doctrine whereby our effectuall calling is wrought its Gospell 2 The Act conuersant about it or the manner of propounding it when its powerfull to our calling that 's preaching Of the first that its Gospell and not Law Scriptures plentifully witnesse 1 That 's the m Rom. 1.16 17. power of God to saluation for it onely reueales the righteousnesse of God the meanes of reconcilement vnto him therefore stiled the n 2 Cor. 5.19 word of reconciliation 2 That o 2 Cor. 3.6 9. Spirit not Letter the ministration of the Spirit the ministery by which the Spirit giues life and ability to doe what it prescribes Howbeit in the conuersion of a sinner there is vse of the Law and that ministery of condemnation 1 to humble the soule swelling with conceit of righteousnesse by p Rom. 3.20 conuincing it of sinne 2 To make it q Rom. 7.9 sensible of miserie to which for sin its lyable 3 That so it may be our r Gal. 3.24 Schoolemaster to Christ preparatiue therefore it is to conuersion yet as Moses brought onely to the borders of the promised land Ioshuah set them in possession So the Law prepares vs a people to Christ the Gospell makes vs so Iohn 1.17 Of the second In what manner propounded Resp Preached vnto vs. What call we preaching Resp Not euery telling a faire tale in a pulpit or singing a piece of descant vpon a Text But the 1 opening and interpreting of the doctrine of the Gospell and 2 the applying of it to the state and vse of the hearers Compare these Scriptures Neh. 8.8 Luk. 24.27 32. Iob 33.23 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.24 25. Whither this be done publiquely e suggestu in the Congregation or in priuate Conference de Scripto or memoriter with a set Text or without matters not to the nature of preaching But that this is the meane ordinary of vocation the meane ordinary sine quo non Scriptures are plentifull Rom. 10.14 17. How shall they heare to belieue without a preacher 1 Cor. 1.21 It pleased God by foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that belieue Hence the charge so strict to Timothy deliuered with solemnest adiuration to preach the word 2 Tim. 4.1 2. and woe to vs to whom the dispensation is committed if we preach not the Gospell 1 Cor. 9. see also Ezech. 3.18 34.2 But is not reading the Scriptures to the people preaching Resp In large sense it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a publike proclaiming of the word of God But shall we say that preaching which in strict sense Scripture so cals for shame when Paul bids Timothie preach the word meanes he read it distinctly see his owne explication and drawing that whole into parts 2 Tim. 4.2 when he commands to study to show himselfe approued a workman that needs not be ashamed ment he reading distinctly 2 Tim. 2.15 rather right diuiding the word When Christ ascended on high and gaue ſ Eph. 4.8 11. gifts to men fitting them to the worke of the ministerie in their seuerall degrees was this amongst their habiliments Mistake not as if I would vilifie publique Reading I know it Gods ordinance vsefull and efficacious to the ends whereto it s assigned And haue so farre expressed my iudgement in my rude notes on the former Epistle Howbeit would haue no man in loue of his ignorance or ouer-loue of ease so farre mistaken as to thinke he hath done the whole of that worthy that t 1 Tim 3.1 5.17 18. toylesome worke of the ministery when he hath read faire seruice vnto the people Nor be so erronious against sense as to thinke reading that kinde of preaching which Scripture makes instrument of effectuall calling Of Gods selecting it and separating it to this vse other Reason we can giue none saue his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 1.21 Howbeit Congruence you may obserue 1 Cor. 14.25 2 Tim. 4 2. 2.15 And would you please seriously to view and compare Congregations wanting this meanes with those to which God hath granted constant preaching of his Truth the greatest Antipreacher shall be forced to see as great oddes as betwixt Sodome and Sion in her beautie betwixt ignorance and knowledge betwixt ciuility and sanctity betwixt corruption and grace betwixt the sonnes of God and the children of Belial Vse 1 On which ground I hope I may without presumption minde my reuerend Brethren of the Ministery of what Paul with solemnest adiuration chargeth vpon Timothie to u 2 Tim. 4.2 preach the word to be instant in season out of season 1 the * 3. itch of the eares hath infected the people that 's little 2 x Acts 20.29 Wolues enter or insideate not sparing the flocke 3 We watch for their soules as those that y Heb. 13.17 shall giue account 4 Bloud of soules cries lowder then that of Abel which yet God threatens to z Ezech. 3.18 require of vs in case of our negligence 5 a 1 Cor. 9.16 Ezech. 34.2 Woes are many to rouse vs with all comfortable promises many to animate and encourage 1 the b Mat 28.10 Lord shall
are said to be already saued that is eternally saued from our sins and after a sort now set in possession of saluation because wee haue now beginnings of eternall life and z Rom. 8.24 hope that makes not ashamed of the consummation so now to haue receiued euerlasting a Luke 16. consolation 1 In the beginnings 2 In assured hope of consummation In end of life expecting all b Apoc. 21.4 teares to bee wiped from our eyes and to enter into the ioy of our Master For which cause perhaps the mention of hope is subioyned The second gift issuing from Gods loue and assuring vs of audience is hope They consider and handle it two wayes 1 As a passion where they deliuer vs the generall notion of it 2 As a vertue Theologicall As a passion so they point vs to 1 The generall office or act of it that is expectation Heb. 11.10 2 The obiect which is thus circumscribed 1 It s bonum euill things we feare or grieue at hope not for 2 Bonum absens for what a man sees or enioyes why doeth hee yet hope for Rom. 8.24 3 Arduum not without difficultie obtained Things easely compassed are as already enioyed no branch of fortitude spends it selfe in the acquiring 4 Possibile for who but a foole hopes for things of meere imposibilitie As a vertue Theologicall so it s described the firme or certaine expectation of future beatitude arising from grace and precedent good workes Too narrowly for wee hope also for 1 Deliuerance out of temptation 2 Sustentation in temptation 3 Perseuerance 4 Growth and confirmation in grace Yea c 1 Tim. 4.8 blessing of this life so farre as they are expedient sith these also are conueyed in the promise Thus rather extend the nature of it firme expectation of all good things God hath promised and not yet exhibited The epithite Good Goodnesse of Christian hope amounts out of 1 The matter or things hoped for things d 1 Cor. 2.9 that neither eye hath seene nor care heard nor haue they entered into mans heart to conceiue So surpassing is their goodnesse all things that e 2 Pet. 1.3 concerne life and Godlinesse 2 Certainetie of obtaining Christian hope f Rom. 5.5 makes not ashamed Founded on 1 Fidelitie 2 Power of God 3 Merit and intercession of Christ 3 Regularitie it expects 1 Onely things promised 2 So and no otherwise then they are promised 1 Temporall things limitatiue 1 If expedient 2 With exception of the crosse 3 Reseruation of power to the promiser to chasten particular disobedience 4 Distinctiuely either in the particular or in the equiualent by way of commutation and compensation with spirituall 2 Spirituall blessings after the rate of distribution in this life 1 Rather quoad essentiam then gradum perfectionis 2 In competencie for finall victorie not in perfection 3 Prouiding alwayes g Iohn 1.33 gratious qualification or disposition and vse of meanes to partake them Vse At this cape of good hope arriues euery good Christian euery true Nathaniel and Israelite indeed The rest are all either first hopelesse or secondly ouerhoping That because aliens from the couenants of promise 2 This for that without euidence and due qualification they fondly expect the promise Vse h Heb. 6.19 This hope hold fast as the Anchor of our Soules amids all stormy gusts of temptation Meanes to establish it 1 Those two immutable things wherein its i Heb. 6.18 impossible for God to lie His promise if that bee too little his oath 2 k 2 Cor. 1.20 The ratifying of them in the blood of Christ and his continuall appearing before God for vs. 3 The l Rom. 4.18 power of God enough to make vs aboue hope to belieue vnder hope 4 His dealings with his other Saints for they are m 1 Tim. 1.16 exemplarie so wee resemble in behauiour 5 Recording Gods dealings with n 2 Tim. 4.17.18 our selues in former times 6 Prouided alwayes we performe vnalterably our restipulation The common fountaine out of which they issue is Grace that is free fauour vnmerited beneuolence The common spring of all spirituall blessings to vs. Dupliciter gratis saith Bernard they come vnto vs. 1 Sine merito 2 Sine labore nostro another dupliciter you may adde 1 Contra meritum 2 Vltra vires 1 Hee is found of them that seeke not after him Rom. 10.20 Yea of them that contradict him ver 21. 2 We were in times past disobedient seruing the lusts and diuerse pleasures therefore o Tit. 3.3 4 5. not of workes of righteousnesse which we had done but according to his owne purpose and grace he saued vs. 3 And had wee not by such courses merited perpetuall adoration and shutting vp vnder vnbeliefe 4 When wee were of no strength Christ which is our hope and comfort died for vs. See Rom. 5.6 8. Vse Pride not thy selfe in the fruition for p 1 Cor. 4.7 what hast thou that thou hast not thus freely receiued Swell not with contempt of brethren either wanting or inferiour in their measures For first are wee in nature q Rom. 3.6 better then they Secondly and r 1 Cor. 4.7 who or what is that discriminateth thee Vse freely to the glory of the bestower though thou receiue no recompence from men nor present sensible comfort from God ſ Mat. 10.8 Gatis accepisti gratis da. Despaire not of obtaining though thou want merits strength strenuous will to obtaine There is in God what selfely inclines him to giue without and against merit without our labour beyond our abilitie rich grace free bountie c. VERS 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in euery good word and worke THE blessing prayed for as necessary to preuent seducement 1 Comfort 2 Stablishment Comfort what it is see supra Sometimes sorrow oppresseth Oppressit me t Isai 38.14 Domine succurre mihi her comfort is refreshing Matth. 11.28 reuiuing Isai 57.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Speake to the heart of Ierusalem Isai 40.2 Sometimes feare surchargeth comfort is then encouragement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the exciting of our fainting and languishing spirits Quest. How prayed for when already giuen Resp 1 To be continued 2 Encreased Necessitie of it and prayer for it to our perseuerance easely appeares 1 Perpetuitie of pressures and temptations as waues in the sea following one in the necke of another 2 u Heb. 12.4 Posibilitie of greater 3 Owne readinesse to multiply our owne feares and sorrowes 4 Fearefull issues of withdrawing it 1 * 2 Cor. 2.7 Swallowing vp of sorrow 2 Slow pace in goodnesse 3 Dulnesse of spirit in performance 5 Little or no encouragement to goodnesse the times afford vs. Vse The Father of mercies and God of all consolation grant it vnto vs. The rather considering the season presently dolorous likely to be more Considering our sinnes these are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginnings of sorrowes This yet
against a graue Minister Dispoream if vpon examination they be found other that quarrell at Clasicall Preachers Lord that the Sages of our Church would seriously thinke of it our steeresmen pittie their poore brethren who climbe the Masts and draw the poope beare burthen and heat of the day how should they doe their duetie with ioy and the people be framed to conforme in Religion Might reason preuaile with lewdnesse and absurdity I would adde my aduise to these opposites And yet the most hare-braind amongst these absurd fooles would be thought wise The lewdest miscreant is affected with repute of honesty If Paul if Gods Spirit can iudge you are but absurd fooles lewd miscreants whosoeuer maliciously oppose to your Ministers or seeke to entangle them in the snare For all men haue not faith The Reason of prescribing this petition on behalfe of their persons q.d. And maruell not we desire your prayer for deliuerance for all haue not faith to restraine them from maligning the Doctrine and Teachers of faith Faith meanes he the morall vertue fidelitie That n Mat. 23.23 acception of the word is not infrequent in Scripture and thither bends the Antithesis But God is faithfull Rather sith the streame runs that way the vertue Theologicall yet withall suppose the other implied q. d. All are not faithfully or indeed that which they pretend and show for in faith For that he would be vnderstood of men in the Church professing faith I make no question 1 Idle had it bin in the Apostle to minde this people of Pagans and such like that they wanted faith selfely they knew it 2 Nor could their feare and discomfort which in the Antiâ—hesis he anticipates arise from any other then children of the Church professing to belieue Infidelitie is not all amongst Pagans faithlesnesse is as much in the children of the Church in many professing to beleeue many o Iohn 2.23.24 25. beleeued in the name of Christ when they saw his Miracles yet did not our Sauiour commit himselfe vnto them Durst not our Sauiour betrust himselfe with beleeuers A thousand liues he might haue put into their hands had they indeede beleeued in him But he who saw what was in them discouered infidelity lurking vnder the vizar of professed faith Want of imperate Acts of faith euidence it thus number them 1 p Act. 15.9 puritie of heart and life 2 q Gal 5.6 loue of God his ordinances and children 3 Deuotion 4 r 2 Cor. 4.13 Confession 5 Å¿ Iam. 2.14 15 c. Workes of Charitie and Mercie c. where these are not be bold to say there is no truth of faith be vaunts neuer so confident of Abrahams 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saint Augustine wrote comfortably de perseuerantia sanctorum Vse 1 there is a Script bearing title de Apostasia sanctorum Stuffed with Examples of many supposed to haue reuolted from faith But it would be enquired whither these who t 1 Iohn 2.29 went out from vs were euer truely of vs. whither these who reuolted from faith had euer any more then the show of faith in Scripture men beare names of what they show and are not Quest Then what loose they Resp That which they seemed to haue the show of faith pietie u Luke 8.18 sanctity they carried in the Church I say not all Scriptures or instances may thus bee explaned yet doubtlesse many But the more ought we to blesse God for specialty of his grace to whom he hath giuen truely to beleeue in him For * Acts 17.28 being liuing mouing for sense and reason for x 14.17 food and raiment for raine and fruitfull seasons I cannot but blesse God and admire his goodnesse Lord y Psal 8.4 what is man that thou art so mindfull of him yet these are common to me with heathen many with Bruits For meanes of saluation and z 1 Iohn 5.20 minde to know him my heart is more enlarged to praise his mercy yet these are common to me with hypocrites in the Church But that he hath blessed the meanes to my soule to worke true faith and repentance vnfained now thankes be to God for his vnspeakable gift who can expresse the noble acts of the Lord or shew forth all his doings once I know 1 my merits no more then others my demerits haply as great as others 2 The same meanes of faith vouchsafed to the faithfull but blessed vnto me to make me faithfull 3 Impediments in me and opposites to faith as strong as in another 1 blessednesse of minde to conceiue the mysteries of his kingdome 2 pride of reason scorning to subscribe to anies Ipse dixit to rest on naked authority bare testimony of God himselfe expecting argument and demonstration to euidence conclusions Theologicall yea articles of faith But blessed be God who hath subdued these high thoughts to the obedience of Christ when thousands of others are shut vp vnder vnbeliefe For all men haue not faith Perhaps Paul meant to point them to the fountaine of this lewdnesse and absurdity in procuring the vniust vexation of himselfe and his Associates that is want of faith The source as of most sinnes so chiefely of persecuting the Ministerie had they faith but as the graine of Mustard-seed they could neuer grow so lewd or absurd to molest the instruments of their belieuing Had they knowne they would not haue crucified the Lord of glorie Did men belieue had they euer a 1 Pet. 2.3 tasted how gracious the Lord is they would neuer vexe the Ministers of God b 1 Cor. 3.5 by whom they belieue Rather c Rom. 6.4 lay downe their owne necks for their safety and preseruation Faithlesse Infidels and no better they shall euer be to me whom I see maliciously bent against the persons of their faithfull Pastors VERS 3. But the Lord is faithfull who shall stablish you and keepe you from euill THE words seeme intended to preuent the feare might arise in this people from meditating their owne danger in the Apostles as also the intermingling of false brethren faithlesse beleeuers with the Churches of God Though that be true you as I may iustly expect vexations and perils from such yet be not dismaied God is faithfull who will stablish you and keepe you from euill In which comfortable speech of the Apostle two things to be obserued 1 The Blessings as arguments of comfort propounded 2 Next the ground of the blessings Gods fidelity The blessings two both acts of the Lord towards his children 1 Stablishment that vnderstand their firme setling in gracious goodnesse so as vnmoueably to persist therein without defection compare 1 Cor. 1.8 Act. 11.23 Eph. 3.16 17. and that excellent parabolicall expression of it Mat. 7.25 2 Cautelously vnderstand it 1 Shakings and wauerings in the very purpose may befall vs by violent blasts of temptations Psal 73.2 13. 2 Intermissions of the exercise of grace may betide vs yet semen manet 1 Iohn