It auoucheth the Conuersion of the Iewes Lastly it confirmeth that Iewe and Gentile shall be vnited together in one Visible CHVRCH Together with many particular Obseruations incident to these as appeareth by these particular Doctrines and Instructions following Obseruations in these Meditations are 1 GODS Decree ordereth second causes 2 Prayer the most effectuall meanes to accomplish Gods will for our good 3 God onely the authour of the Conuersion of a Sinner 4 The Conuersion of a Sinner is by perswasion of the sweet promises of the Gospell 5 The Faithfull haue onely right in Gods blessings 6 The Gentiles to be conuerted 7 The Posteritie of the Church to be respected and prouided for 8 Good Parents may haue a wicked Generation 9 The faithfull shall be recouered out of their greatest falles 10 The Iewish Religion True 11 The Church a little Flocke 12 The Church obscure and invisible in the world 13 The true Invisible Church consists onely of the Elect. 14 The Church of God moueable not tyed to any place 15 The Church weake and corruptible subiect to infirmities 16 The Church Militant in this life 17 The Church is the resting place and safe-gard of the Elect. 18 The Church a stranger and Pilgrime in this life 19 Constancie and Perseuerance a note of a true member 20 The Saints shall abide and dwell for euer 21 The Iew to be conuerted and finally gathered in 22 The Churches Vnitie and so perpetuitie and perfection 23 There is a Malignant church as well as a True 24 The Malignant church mingled with the true beleeuers 25 The wicked and Malignant shal be in subiection to the true THE BLESSING OF IAPHETH God perswade Iaphet that hee may dwell in the Tents of Shem. Genes 9. THAT these words may the better tend to our edification wee are to consider First the Occasion and Coherence of them Secondly the words themselues The Occasion is layd downe in the 7. former verses Namely 1. Noah his first sinne of Drunkennesse with the Occasion of it vers 20. 21. And therevpon his other sinne of Inciuilitie he lyes naked vncouered euē briutishly in the Tent. Secondly C ham his sinnes 1. Of beholding his Fathers Nakednes Not with griefe as hee should haue done but with a kinde of delight and derision thereof 2. His malice and crueltie in acquainting his brethren with this infirmitie of his Father Thereby both to make his aged and reuerend Father despised in the eyes of his Children and also to make them partakers with him in this sinne of reioycing at and deriding the corruption of the Ancient 3. The pietic of the other two Sonnes of Noah Shem and Iapheth discouered 1. In their courage and constancie that would not be drawne by his example to fellowship in euill 2. In their modestie that they would not so much as looke vpon their fathers nakednes as also 3. In their wisedome that by a strange gate of going backwards and putting a garment vppon their shoulders by this meanes without offence they performed a Christian and ciuill dutie of couering their Fathers nakednes Vers 23. Herevpon it followeth that Noah being thus fitted to sobrietie partly in that his Distemperature is well qualified by rest partly also his nakednes being couered as a figure no doubt also of his sinne couered and pardoned by the LORD Is saide to Awake from his wine that is frō his sinne that was caused thereby as appeareth plainely by that which followeth Namely because he not onely knewe what his younger Sonne had done vnto him wherevnto because hee was enabled by the spirite of Prophecie therfore his sin had not depriued him of the vse of that gift which not being repented of it must needs haue done for the present But further also as the Father of the Familie yea as the Prince and Iudge of the worlde euen in Gods stead he both executeth his Authoritie ouer his Sonnes and that in cursing this wicked Cham as also in Blessing the other two gracious Children orderlie First Shem as the eldest both in age and religion Blessed be the God of Shem and let Canaan be his Seruant therein bestowing a double blessing vpon Shem One vpon his soule that he might continue in the worship of IESVS CHRIST his GOD and Sauiour That the God of Shem being blessed of Shem constantly might continue to blesse Shem the father of the Iewes performing his faithfull promises vnto them euen to their last conuersion and restoring in the last dayes when All Israel shal be saued as it is writtē The delieuerer shall come out of Sion and shall turne away the vngodlines from Iacob And this is my euerlasting Couenant with them when I shall take away theyr Sinnes 2. Shem is also blessed in his outward estate in that hee shall be Lord ouer his cursed brother his posteritie The true Church of God shall preuaile and ouercome all the enimies of the same Thus Noah hauing blessed his eldest sonne Shem partly in recompence of his present well-doing but especially as in Gods steed discouering the free loue of God in confirming an infinite reward farre beyond all proportion of an imperfect and finite obedience Proceedeth yet farther to blesse his other sonne Iapheth as being partner in the good action and therefore in equitie to be partaker of the recompence thereof And this blessing vpon Iapheth is not so much personall vnto himselfe that as he had begunne so he would dwell in the Tents of Shem that is continue in the true worship of God But because the holy Patriarke by the spirit of prophecie did foresee that the posteritie of Iapheth as fell out within few hundreth yeares after should fall from God to Idols Therefore hee not onely prayeth vnto God for the restoring of the Gentiles which were the posteritie of Iapheth to the sincere worship of GOD in IESVS CHRIST but prophetically also declareth therein the will of God that Iapheths seede should belieue in the Promised-seede and withall addeth the Ioynture of this new-married Bride vnto her Sauiour Namely that the belieuing Gentiles shall also be enlarged farre and neere vpon the face of the earth as rulers and conquerors of the world and all the enemies of the Church And let Canaan that is the posteritie of the wicked for euer be subiect vnto the seruants of Iesus Christ Thus is Iapheth also blessed by his father Noah being the mouth of God himselfe both declaring what was to come to passe concerning the posteritie of Iapheth euen the Gentiles confined especially in this parte of the world which wee inhabite called Europe and extending to all those nations in all partes of the world that are not eyther properly Iewes or of that cursed race of Cham scattered towards the South in Affrica c. As also auouching the certaintie thereof as by the riches of Gods mercie hath bene alreadie for this sixe hundred yeares accomplished and is daily persiting vntill the comming of the Lord
may dwell in the Tents of Shem This is the summe of the Blessing to dwell in the Tents of Shem. 1. That is to be ioyned vnto the Iewes both in the true worship of God as also in the priuiledges thereof 2. What is the true worship of God This is described vnto vs 1. by the subiect Shem who was the Father of the Iewes fignifying thereby vnto vs that the religion of the Iewes for substance is the true worship How shall this appeare Surely by these circumstances First Shem was the eldest Sonne not onely by Nature but by Grace Hee first in his Fathers house called on the Name of God The Iewes of him were also the first-borne First in the temporall Election first in the set worship of God and so also in the spirituall election And therefore seeing the truth is most Ancient the olde way is the true way Therefore the religion of the Iewes is the true worship of God Secondly That which was commanded of God and performed both for the substance and manner is the true Religion Such was the religion of the Iew wholly commaunded of God both for matter and manner enformed from Gods owne mouth Exod 20. Directed by his owne finger euen to the square and building of the Tabernacle And therefore the Religion of the Iewe was the true Religion And so all will worship is a false religion that which God onely commaunds is the truth onely Pet 2. 1. 19. Colloss 2. 23. Thirdly That which procures saluation to the performer is the truth Such is the religion of the Iewe As not onely pointing at Christ to come But applyâ—â—g Christ as come alâ—eady though not in the Flesh yet in power and efficacie as being a Lamb slaine from the beginning of the world Fourthly True godlines is not onely available for the life to come but euen for this life also Such was the religion of the Iewe so long as they walked after this rule so long the Lord blessed them and aduanced theyr temporall estate maruellously as hee promised Deutron 2â— Leuit 6. and accordingly abased them as they failed therein Fifthly And is not that the truth to which all must yeeld by which all must be directed Must not they returne vnto vs and not we vnto them Ierem 15. 12. Shall not all nations take hold of the skirt of a Iewe and say we will goe with you because the Lord is with you Zach 8. Must not Iapheth dwell in the Tents of Shem not Shem in the Tents of Iapheth Sixthly And shall not the Truth abide for euer Shall not the remnant of Israel be saued Shall not the Iewes though for a time cast off yet bee brought in againe And so the promise of God certaine Gods couenant with the Iewe euerlasting And so the originall truth the euerlasting truth The Iewes religion as most ancient so most permanent and perpetuall Seuenthly Was not the Iewe an abomination to the Aegiptian Is not that the truth which is hated of the world Behold then the true notes of the true Church and worship of God and 1. Trye we our selues by these whether we be in the faith or no Knowe wee not that Iesus Christ dwelleth in vs except we be reprobates 2. Cor 13. 5. 2. Discerne we wisely our estate by these that it is not so well with vs as happily wee may flatter our selues Ioh 8. Hee is not a Iewe which is a Iewe outward onely Rom 2. It is not the circumcision of the Flesh but the circumcision of the heart which God accepteth Rent wee therefore our hearts and not our garments and turne to the Lord our God whose mercies are euerlasting who loueth Truth in the inward parts And though he correct vs with the roddes of men yet will not take his sure mercies from vs Iapheah shall dwell in the Tents of Shem. And is the Church of God the Tents of Shem Howsoeuer afterward glorious in Shems posteritie both for number and outward magnificence yet now meane and contemptible as abyding in Tents Now little and almost invisible as confined to one Familie and not containing all thereof consisting onely of eight persons whereof the one was a Cast-away Beholde wee heere then the condition of the Church of God and therein consider wee further these necessarie Adiuncts thereof First It is a little Flocke Luk. 22. 32. for whom it pleaseth our heauenly Father to prouide a Kingdome though many are called yet fewe are chosen Matth 22. though without number in it scife yet in comparison of the reprobate but a little flocke euen as the gleaning of grapes after the Vintage Matth. 7. 1. Yea as signes and wonders so are they in the worlde 1. So is the good pleasure of our God who will haue mercie on whom hee will haue mercie 2. So narrow is the gate that fewe enter therein 3. So hard a saying it is to Flesh to hate it selfe to be borne againe to take vp the Crosse to become Fooles that we may be wise that no maruell if the wisedome of our Flesh be Enmitie against God that the most forsake Christ it will necessarily followe Ioh 6. Who will belieue our report which is so vnlikely so distastfull to corrupt reason And if not many Mightie many Noble c are chosen It is no wonder Because they will not with Marie choose the better part which shall not be taken away from them First Oh how vaine then is theyr conceit that dreame all shall be saued How fearfull is their course that so liue as vnlesse all bee saued it is impossible but that they must bee condemned Is it safe following the multitude seeing fewe shall be saued Will the example of great ones deliuer from Hell howsoeuer they may shelter vs from bodilie punishment Why then doe we make them our warrants to runne the broade way Why then doe wee aduance them aboue all that is called God as if theyr Lawes were absolute theyr authoritie vncontroulable Is it not better to obey God then man Must wee needes runne to Hell for companie Is it not enough to yeelde our bodies and goods which they gaue vs not Who so is wise let him consider these things First Let him feare him that can kill both body and soule 2. Let him not freat at the prosperitie of the wicked and yet giue vnto Caesar the thing which are Caesare 3. Let him be little in his owne eyes that so he may be contented with his portion though it be the Crppe of Affliction So it bee a proseruatiue from sinne a Badge of his Maister Christ a Pledge of his louing Father a spurre to perfection a procurer of an vncorruptible crowne 4. Let it not grieue him to be salsely charged with singularitie that hee is an odde-Fellow that he walkes alone that he is more nyce then needes that he is no good-Fellow No Friend to Caesar seditious pestilent This was the portion of the Saints This
Euen Prayer vnto God that he would hasten his worke in the blessing of Iapheth in the calling of the Gentiles 1. So must the Saints pray for the accomplishment of Gods will Prayer is the most effectuall meanes to preuaile with God So doth the Sonne of God teach vs to pray That the will of God may bee done 2. So haue the Saints practized vsually to obtaine Gods mercies 1. Sam 2. Iam 5. Ioh 14. Math 12. Math 6. 3. So haue they preuailed for the remoueall of his iudgements Ion 3. Esay â—8 37. Psalm 105. 4. And so hath God promised by this meanes euer to be found of vs both to deliuer vs out of euill Psal 50. 15. And to heape blessings vpon vs. And no maruell For 1. Is not Prayer that life of our Faith wherein we renue our right in Christ Iesus and so in him preuaile with God Ephes 6. 18. 19. for all things that make for our good Psal 34. 1. Cor 3. 2. And doth not Prayer sanctifie the blessing vnto vs that as we haue it in loue so wee may vse it to Gods glorie and therein laye vp a good foundation against the day of Christ 1. Tim 4. 5. 1. Timoth 6. 17. 3. Nay doth not our prayer comfort vs that though wee obtaine not what we desire yet we haue done Gods will and so shall haue better then we desire euen the grace of sweete Communion with our blessed God yea the grace of patience to waite his leysure yea the grace of Contentment in him aboue all things yea the grace of Supplie of that which shall enable vs in our wants yea the grace of aboundant recompence of our stay a double Restitution of whatsoeuer wee haue wanted yea an hundreth folde in this life an infinit recompence in heauen 2. cor 4. 17. 18 4. And shall not Israel that preuailes with God preuaile also with men Osee 11. 2. 3. Genes 32. Exod 16. Vse 1. Surely so we pray in Faith 1. 6. without doubting and Ignorance In Patience without wearysomnes submitting to the will of God Math 27. Galath 6. so our prayer be in loue to our God respecting his glory in loue to our selues desiring the best for vs and in loue to our neighbour without wrath or enuie so we pray in hope So contenting our hearts with the enioying of the present as that still we waite and begge for the things to come forgetting what 's behinde in respect of that 's before Phil 3. Howsoeuer the Lord neede not to be put in minde what hee will giue yet we must pray to put our selues in minde of what we haue need as also to approue our right for the supplie thereof Assuring our selues that the Lord will fulfill the desires of them that feare him Psal 25. 21. Psal 14. 5. And hee will certainely fill the hungrie with good things so they witnesse vnfainedly theyr wants by theyr earnestnes in begging and labour to bee found of GOD not hauing theyr owne righteousnes but cloathed with the righteousnes of IESVS CHRIST as well Praysing God for what they haue as begging what they want and submitting to Gods will for the manner of the supplie though being otherwise confident on God that he will certainly prouide Genes 22. If we be denied either wisely faulting our selues that we haue asked amisse or not faulting God howsoeuer who giueth how and when iâ— pleaseth him sufficient to our Faith though happily crossing â—ence reason Comforting our selues that the crossing of nature will be the triall and encrease of grace so that we doe still vse our spirituall weapon of Prayer thereby preuayle wee shall still with God howsoeuer we decrease in the flesh and who would not weaken such a treacherous and noysome enemie Can we better disgrace and abuse the same then when wee haue done our best therein yet not onely we craue a blessing from God thereon therein signifying it vtter inabilitie in it selfe to good but further also intreate the Lorde to pardon the best endeuouts and not to enter into iudgement with vs for our best seruices Psal 143. Oh how doth this vtterly condemne and crucifie the flesh Nay doth not heere a gracious hart wholly abase and denie himselfe that so hee may fully and whollie be interessed in the free mercies of God in Iesus Christ So doth Noah by prayer interesse his sonne Iapheth and his posteritie in the Couenant of grace and so by Faith doth hee prophesie of the Calling of the Gentiles And so from these words as a Prayer we come now to consider them as a Prophesie God perswade Iapheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem That is The Lord shall in the acceptable time by the Ministerie of his Gospell through the mighty operation of his holy spirite encline and allure the heart of the Gentiles to returne vnto him by kissing the Lord Iesus and for their saluation relye onely on the merites of the promised Messiah For the better opening of which Prophecie consider wee briefly these particulars therein 1. The Author that must accomplish this great worke of the couersion of the Gentiles Namely the Lord our God God perswade 2. The manner and meanes whereby this conuersion is accomplished namely by perswasion and alluring the reasonable part God perswade Iapheth 3. The Parties to be conuerted or rather returned to the embracing of Iesus Christ namely Iapheths posterity eueÌ„ the GeÌ„tils 4. The Religion and Faith to which they are to be conuerted Namely the Religion of Shem and this is amplified First by the subiect of this Religion namely Shem signifying therein diuers especiall markes of true Religion As First in that heere the true worship of God is noted by the Tents of Shem as hauing it Agnomination from him who was the eldest in his Fathers house the father of the Iewes which were the first borne first in the Loue of God First in the simplicitie and puritie of diuine worship First in the outward endowment of the Mariage bed First in the priuiledges and loue tokens of the Bridegroome doth not this make to the confirmation of that excellent truth that Truth is most Ancient and so therein leades vs to an excellent mark of the true Church namely whose foundation is that first and most ancient Truth Secondly In that the Church of God is heere confined to the Tents of Shem who though he were the Father of that posteritie which afterward as a figure of the inward beautie of the true belieuers was enlarged in outward pompe multitude and beautie yet now in the greatest puritie and simplicitie of godlinesse which shee was to recouer and practise vnder Iesus Christ was neyther for multitude so populous nor for outward glorie and beauty so conspicuous Doth not this also leade vs to two other marks of the true Church of Iesus Christ namely that it is a little flocke in respect of those which are without And 2. that it is
blacke and many times Inuisible to the carnall eye at least wise subiect to contempt in the world as wanting the outward complement and ornament of the strumpet Lastly In that the Church is heere confined to the Tents of Shem who beeing the first borne and the portion of God and therein a figure of that true and onely portion which the Lorde from all Eternitie hath set apart to saluation to shewe forth the riches of his glorious grace Namely the Elect Doth not this plainly teach vs that the Elect only are properly the true Church of God but the Hypocrite onely in shew and as we say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by representation c. abusiuely Thus are wee led by this consideration to discerne the substance and true members of the Church of Iesus Christ And Secondly In that this Religion of Shem is amplified by the qualitie and condition therof when it is called the Tents of Shem heerein the holy Ghost doth expresse vnto vs a six-folde condition of the Church of God in this life 1. That it is a place of abiding and shelter for rest and protection c. as is a Tent which in those dayes was the best and most conuenient meanes for the comfort and protection of mankinde therein deciphering vnto vs the benefites of the Church of God Namely that it is the place both of refreshing and protection that wherein wee receiue ease to our mindes and supplie to our wants and protection from danger and iniuries Secondly howsoeuer the cursed posteritie of Cham and Canaan are saide to builde Citties and dwell in them thereby expressing their affection to this life desire of constant enioying the happines thereof most deceitfull and transitorie yet the Saints of God are commended vnto vs to remaine in Tents which being Habitations not onely weake and sleight in comparison but moueable also vpon euery sudden occasion and especially vsed in military affayres Doth therein shadowe out vnto vs three other conditions of the Church of God in this life Namely 1. That it is Imperfect 2. And subiect to manie infirmities 3. That it is Militant heere on Earth as beeing to fight the fight of Faith 4. That it is also a Stranger and soiourner in this wretched worlde hauing heere no abiding Citie but looking for a Citie which is aboue not made with hands but eternall in the heaueÌ„s 5. Lastly In that the Church is heere saide to lye in Tents which being to be remoued from one part to another and thereby to be pitched in whatsoeuer place conuenient Doth not this also poynt out vnto vs two other conditions of the Church militant in this life Namely that shee is not tyed locally to any certaine place but remooueable for the contempt of the Gospell from one Nation to another and 6. that by this meanes shee is dispearsed ouer the face of the Earth So that in euery Nation whosoeuer feare God shall be accepted of him Thus by this Metaphore of Tents are wee led to the consideration of the true conditions of the visible Church in this life Lastly That wee may also know who are the true members of this Church the holy Ghost pointeth out these vnto vs when hâ—e saith that he may dwell in the Tents of Shem signifying by this phrase of dwelling that hee is a true member that dwelleth and abydeth constantly in the Church of God not making it his Inne for a Night Much lesse vsing it as his Theatre for delight but vsing it as his dwelling and mansion continually Yet so as hee remembers it to be but his Summer-parlor or rather his moueable Tent And therefore so resoluing constancie of abode here as that still he be preparing to that durable house in Heauen so keeping residence in this his moueable Tent as that hee be readie yea desirous to remoue to that Citie of God the new Ierusalem which shall neuer be remoued And These are the particulars that are contained in this prophecie Of which by Gods grace I will entreat briefly plainly in their order And first of the first Author and meanes of true conuersion This is heere auouched to be the Lord onely God perswade Iapheth God is the onely Author of the conuersion of a sinner This is that prerogatiue that he chalengeth proper to himselfe Prou 31. Ezech 11. Zechiel 36. Hebr 7. 9. 2. Tim 2. 23. This doe the Saints willingly and thankfully attribute vnto him Ierem 10. Ierem 30. 1. Lament 5. Psal 80. Ps 49. And surely First Who is able to bring light out of darknes but God onely 2. Who able to dissolue the works of the diuell but the Almightie God Hebr 2. Luke 11. 3. Who able to forgiue an infinite debt but an infinite power 4. Who was able to satisfie an infinite wrath but an infinite Deitie 5. Who would haue sent God to dye but God alone 6. Who could haue raised vp man from the dead but onely God 7. Who giues the blessing to the Word the ordinary meanes of conuersion but the mighty God 8. Who searcheth and moueth the heart without which there can be no true conuersion but onely God Ierem 17. o. 9. How could our conuersion be free if God were not the Author of it 10. How could it be constant if the mightie God did not keepe vs 1â— How could we know the truth thereof but by the spirit of God Rom 8. 1. Cor 2. 12. Who can doe more then create a thing of nothing but onely God Ephes 2. 4. 5. c. Let then mans free will keepe silence that Gods Free-loue may bee aduanced And let mans power bee confounded that Gods power may be exalted Let none dispaire in his greatest Impotencie seeing it is God that conuerteth Neyther let the greatest gifts presume seeing God conuerteth of nothing If the poore receiue the Gospell Blessed is hee that is not offended And if heauen suffers violence by the ignorant and conteÌ„ptible Let the many Noble and mightie acknowledge theyr destruction to bee of themselues Seeke we vnto God in his Word the ordinarie meanes of our conuersion And pray wee that God will set vp his King vppon his holy hill of Syon that hee would thrust foorth labourers into his Vineyarde that the Haruest may come in and Iapheths posteritie may dwell in the Tents of Shem. Maruell wee not that the Word hardens many seeing God must giue the blessing thereto and therefore adioyne we to the outward Ministerie thereof conscionable preparation before and examination after the meanes by prayer and Meditation with our God that hee may giue the increase to what hath bene sowne Abuse wee not the patience of GOD in not hearing when hee calls least after when wee crie hee will not heare vs but to day let vs heare his voyce and not harden our hearts Heb 3. Psal 95. Neither let vs stumble at the infirmities of the vessell
and disavowing confidence in the greatest by submitting the blessing thereof vnto our God that so giuing God the glory of his mercies hee may enlarge himselfe vnto vs to the making of vs meete to be vessels of glorie And thus are the Saints Lords of the earth And thus is the Church of IESVS CHRIST spread farre and neere ouer the face thereof That not onely the God of them may be blessed by one Nation at Ierusalem but that Iapheth also may be enlarged and diffused to dwell in the Tents of Shem that the Gentiles being dispersed farre and neere might receiue the Gospel and also being Conuerted might Conuert their Brethrem euen all the Nations vpon the face of the earth GOD enlarge IAPHETH So then Iapheth must bee perswaded and enlarged aswell as Shem. The Gentiles must bee conuerted aswell as the Iewes And why Surely God hath so decreed it from all Eternitie and reuealeth the same by his eternall Word long before the accomplishment thereof Hee accomplisheth it in particulars as pledges of a more plentifull Haruest and he permitteth obstinacie to come vpon the Iew that the wilde Oliue might be engraffed So in the fulnesse of time was this harnest brought in in part by the Husbandmen of the Lord IESVS and in the fulnesse of time shall the fulnesse of the Gentiles be brought in that the remnant of the cast-away Israel may be reaped in with glory And are not the wayes of God most equall herein Shall not the winde blow where it pleaseth Hath God any respect of persons Is not God the Lord of all the earth Was not the blood of Christ auaileable to saue euen a thousand worlds Must not the Church to this end be a Traueller vpon the face of the earth shall not the sound of the Word goe to the ends of the world Must we not pray for all sorts because God will haue some among all sorts to be saued Is not this our little sister that hath no breasts yet shall giue sucke Is not this the barren that shall bring foorth and haue more children then the married wife Are not these the infinite number which none could reckon which should stand before the Throne and the Lambe with long white robes and Palmes in their hands Thus shall the Gentiles imbrace the Gospel 1. And is not the word of God Yea and Amen Is not Iapheth perswaded and the Kingdome of Christ enlarged among vs Hath it not a long time rested in the tabernacles of Iapheth 2. And was it remooued from the tents of Shem that so it bee planted in the inhabitants of Iapheth Oh then let let vs consider that Shem is to be replanted 3. Let vs desire the restoring and reclaiming of the first born 4. Let vs feare the casting off of the Little sister seeing the elder was cast off and is to be recalled 5. And let vs looke for the remoueall of the Gospel from one nation to another where it is not retained with conscience profit And if God will not forsake vs till wee forsake him take heede then we put not from vs the word of life And what if we be preparing a place in Virginea or Ireland to receiue the same 6. These must haue a calling and we a cooling for the time that we may be prouoked to zeale euen by foolish and forlorne nations and recouer our first loue by extending it to our brethren That as the falling of one Nation may bee the raising of another so this revniting of the Gospel may bring in the number of the Elect that so our war-fare being finished our glory may begin neuer to haue an end Thus shall Iapheth bee perswaded to dwell in the moueable tents of Shem that Shem and Iapheth may dwell for euer in full and constant happinesse But some will say what neede Iapheth to bee perswaded to dwell in the Tents of Shem who already was a member with Shem of the true Church as performing the duties of pietie to God and men Wee answere that the holy Ghost not onely entendeth the person of Iapheth as desiring his continuance particularly in the true worship of God but especially hath reference to Iapheths posteritie as foreseeing their declination from true Religion to Idolatrie which fell out not long after and therefore directing the Spirit of holy Noah not onely as a Father to desire the returne of his posteritie to the Church of Christ but especially as the mouth of God to pronounce their restitution in the ages to come Whence wee learne many notable Lessons As first that godly parents and beleeuers ought not onely to haue care for the present but also for the future estate of their posteritie the true Church of God that so it may abide in the Faith of IESVS CHRIST So do they imitate GOD who prouides for Eternitie so doe they approoue their Faith when they see a far off so do they testifie their loue which abides for euer 1. Cor. 13. So doe they manifest their hope in the full accomplishment of the Elect So do they further the propagation of the Church to her perfect consummation Communion in heauen To this end are they commanded to declare the will of GOD vnto their children To this end did they set vp Monuments of Gods speciall loue and memorials of his will and fauour not only to testifie their thankefulnesse for the present but to teach the Generations to come that the people which were to bee created should prayse the Lord. And if they were worse then Infidels that prouided not for the outward estate of their posteritie where is then their Faith that neglect the soules of their successors Oh what a curse then is Barrennesse and depriuation of posteritie How much greater a plague to make wicked our posteritie by preposterous worldly prouision and neglect of Spirituall Legacies How happy those parents that sendssuch wicked seed before thē But thirce vnhappy they that reioyce in their wickednesse prouoking them by euill example to imitation of euill and applauding euill imitation vnder pretence of ligitimation as if to differ from them in sinne were to bee degenerate and bastards How can they call GOD their Father that neglect to bee nursing fathers to his Church either caring for their owne as if the time to builde Gods house were not yet come and therefore they neglect the restoring of it or else lay it further desolate as eclipsing their glorie and confounding their pleasures Oh where shall such Iulians appeare that seeke to repaire Babylon againe and deriding the poore members of CHRIST that they must suffer affliction doe therefore adde affliction to affliction and cry downe with it downe with it euen to the ground Surely though Abraham know vs not and Israel hath forgotten vs yet the Keeper of Israel doth neither slumber nor sleepe He is our Father and will haue compassion on vs and
seruant to Iapheth vntill the Bond-woman be cast out with all her Children that Iapheth may enioy alone the Heauenly Canaan FINIS CASES OF CONSCIENCE resolued in this Treatise 1 HOw the Prouidence of GOD subordinates meanes pagin 4. 5. 2. How we must pray with the speciall marks thereof pag 7. 3. Of true Conâ—â—eâ—sion together with the Causes Manner and seuerall Markes thereof pag 11. 12. 13. 14. 4. How to approue our right in all outward Blessings pag. 20. 5. Information to Parents how to behaue themselues in regarde of their posteritie whether they be good or euill pag 24. 25. 6. How to be preserued from falling into sinne pag. 26. 7. How to be raised from sinne pag 27. 8. Why the Saints ofttimes misse of such Comforts which heeretofore they haue enioyed pag 28. 9. Markes of true Religion pag 28. 10. How we may knowe our selues to be of the little flocke pag 32. 11. Howe to discerne the woorth and Excellencie of our Estate in grace pag 33. 12. Of the Estate of the Church in this life subiect to infirmities the vse and benefite thereof pag. 40. 13. Howe to performe the Christian War-fare that wee may conquere pag 4â— 14. The securitie of the Church and howe to procure the peace and welfare thereof pag 46. 15. How wee may know our selues to be strangers in the world p 47. 16. How wee may procure and assure our constancie in holines p. 49. 17. Causes of the falls of Gods children 50. 51. 52. 18. Proofes of the generall Calling of the Iewes pag 54. 10. How to knowe that wee are not Reprobates nor Hypocrites pagin 56. 57. 20. How to make vse of an hypocrite Luk. 22. 33 Psal 23. 8. c. Ps 51. 15. 16. Math. 28 Acts 2. 3. 4 Acts 3. 4. Acts. 13 Esay 54. 1 Rom. 11. 26. 27. Esay 5â— 20. Esay 27. 9. Ierem 31. Let Canaan be his seruaÌ„t Esay 2. The calling of the Gentiles God enlarge Iapheth 2 cor 4. 6. Rom 8. 29. I. Doctr Gods decree ordereth second causes Ro 829. 30. Genes 22. 2. Reg 5. 1. Cor 1. 21. 22. 23. Acts 26. 11. 2. Cor. 4. 7. 8. Reasons 1. Difference of meanes and their reasons in the Elect Reprobate Math 13. 13. 560. Ioh 6. 66. Psal 82. 12. Prou 14. 14. Rom 8. 2. Thess 1. 6. 71. Vses 2. Tim 3. 13 Pro. 11. 2. Thess 3. 12 Esa 29. 8. 3. Luke 10. 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rom 8. 29. 2. Doctr Prayer the most effectuall meanes for accomplishment of Gods will for our good 2. Chron 6. 21. 22. 23. 2 Cor 12. 8 Iob. 41. Matth 19. Iacob Reasons why we must both pray though God knowe what wee haue neede of Phil 3. Iacob 4. 3 Note Psal 143. Icrem 2. Rom 3. 1. 2. 3. The first Church the truest Church a little flocke Cantic Church inuisible The Elect onely the true Church 6. Conditions of the church 1. That it is the place of refreshing safetie Hebr 11. 2. Imperfect 3. Militant 4. Stranger Hebr. 11. 5. Not tâ—ed to any place Math 21. 6. Dispersed euery where Act. 10. 34. 35 Coll 1. 6. The true meÌ„ber abides dwells in the Church 2. Cor 5. 2. 3. Doctr God onely the Author of the coÌ„uersion of a sinner Reasons 2. Cor 4. 6. 1. From the power of God 1. Rom 3. 4. 1. Cor 3. 8. Ierem 10. 23 14. 2. His free loue 1. Pet 15. 11. 12. Vse 2. Phil 1 Cor 1. 27. Matth 11. Ioh 5. 39. 2. Thess 1. 6. 7. 2. Doctrine The Conuersion of a sinner by perswasion Obser The bodie how far subiect to force in conuersion Dutie of Minister Of Magistrate Deutro 13. 2. Cor 9. 14 Psalm 18. Psal 45. 1. Cor 6. Rom 12. 1. 2 Vse The bodie how to be fitted to be seruiceable to the soule to the worke of Conuersion The soule not to be forced but perswaded 2. From the meanes of Conuersion Rom 7. Rom 5. 5. Rom 7. Rom 8. From the manner of Conuersion Esaâ— 1. 4. From the substance of conuersion Rom 1. 5. From the marks of conuersion Rom 8. Math 15. 2. Pet 1. 3 Psa 119. 46 Vse Two-fold 2. Cor 8. 12. Esay 42. 3. Reuela 3. Vse Zach 13. 2 Tim 2. 23. Ps 119. 32. 0. Sweeter then hony and the hony-combe Ps 19. Ioel 2. 14. 1. Cor 14. Vses of Instruction Pro 1â— 3. 1. Col Markes of constant obedience and meanes therto Gal 6. 2. Thes 3. Ierem 23. 1. Ioh 4. 1. Thess 4. 1. Ioh 2. Ephes 4. Esay 30. 24 25. Vses of Comfort Ioh 17. 12. 1. Pet 1. 5. 1. Thess 5. 13 1. Phil 29. God enlarge Iapheth Math 6. 22. 5. Doctr The faithfull onely haue right in the blessings of this life Reasons Vses Psal 127 1. 1. Tit 1. 13. Psal 37. 1. Tim 6. Matt 6. 33 1. Tim. 4. 5. Psal 62. 10. Math 16. 8 Eccl 11. 1. Matth 19. Ps 62. 10. 1. Tim 4. 2. 1. Cor. 8. 10. Genes 2. Iosh 4. 22. 6. Doctrine The Gentiles to be conuerted Reasons Ruth 1 Iob. 1. Rahab Iudg. 2. Rom. 11. Acts 10. 34. 35. Heb. 11 Reuel 12. 1. Col. 6. 1. Tim. 2. 2. Cant. 8. Esay Reuel 7. Vse 1. Cor. 1. Note 1. Chro 15. 2. Act 13. 48. Note A. Question Answere 7. Doctrine Saints must haue care for the posteritie of the Church Reasons Deut 6. 7. Iosh 4. Psal 132. 8. 1. Tim. 5. Vse Psal 131. Esay 69. 15. Ose 14. 3. 4. Zeph 3. Esay 59. 16. Zoph 3. 11. 12. Esay 58. 12. Psal 102. 18. Psal 2. 6. 8. Doctrine Good parents may haue a wicked Generation Rom. 11. Vse Iohn 8. Matth. 16. Cal. 5. 13. Gal. 5. 15. Eccl. 18. 2. Ierem. 17. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 19. Rom. 9. Note 9. Doctrine The faithfull shall be recouered out of their greatest fall 1. Iob. 3. Rom. 7. Rom. â— â—4 1. Cor. 11. 31. Psal 89. Vse A Christian how preserued from falling How recouered and raised vp againe Ezech. 18. Ierem. 18. Ose 6. 2. 1. Iosh 1. 7. 8. 1. Cor. 7. Psal 5. 12. 13. Psal 32. 5. Vse of comfort 2. Cor 5. 7. 2. Pet. 1. 8. 9. Reassons Why God denies vnto his childe that measure of comfort which heretofore he enioyed 10. Obseru Thereligion of the Iewe Why the true religion and thence the marks of true religion Ierem 6. 11. It was not so from the beginning saith our Sauiour Christ Ierem 31. Ezech 11. Hated of the world Vse Ioel 2. The Church a little flocke Reuel 7. Isay 5. 19. Matth 11. Reasons Matth 17. 1. Cor. 3. Rom 8. 7. Esay 53. 1. Cor 1. 27. Luke 10. Vse Psal 44. 1. Pet 1. Vse of Instr Matth 10. Psal 37. Math 22. Psal 131. 2. Tim 3. 12. 13. Heb. 12. 8. 9. 2 Cer 44. 15. 16. 17. 2. Nehem Ioh 14. Vse of comforts Math 27. Psalm 105. 16. 17. Num 23. Matth 27. 1. Cor 6. 2. 13. 1. Pet 5. 4. 5 Ioh 17. Luk 22. 32. 1. Tim 2. Rom 16. 1. Cor.
15. Ps 112. 8. 9. Rom 5. 3 Ro. 8. 36. 37 Ierem. 39. Reuel 27 Meanes to discouer the power hereof 2. Cor 3. 7. 2. Pet 1. 8. Psal 73. 3. Ps 91. Psal 37. 1. Phil 4. 12. 2 Cor 12. 1. Cor 15. 1. Cor 2. 2 Cor 4. 6. 1. Cor 4. 4 Zach 12. Et penitus toto deuisos orbe Britannos Zach 8. Psal 45. Ezech 16. Obs 12. The Church obscure and inuisible in the world Reason 1. Pet 2. 11. 2. Tim 2. Ps 73. 23. Cantic 5. Psal 130. Vse 1 2 3 Ioh 6. Malach 2. 4. 5. Matth 15. 1. Sam 5 Esay 8. 19. 1. Cor 4 18. 19. Zach 2. Cantic 1. Esay 4 5. Ioh 14. Coll 3. 3. 1. Sam. 15. Genes 4. Gene 42. 43 Matth 19. 1. Cor. 10. Iude 23. 2. Tim. 2. 2. Tim. 4. Acts 13. The true invisible Church consists onely of the Elect. Acts 11. 13. Vse Iohn 15. Zach. 13. 8. 9. 1. Iohn 2. 19. Luke 8. Marke 20 Psal 149. 7. Acts 24. 6. Acts 26. 28. 1. Cor. 8. 2. Matth. 9. Cant. 5. Exod. 5. Iohn 7. 46. 2. King 5. 3. Sam. 6. Ezech 33. Matth 22. 1. Cor. 1. 21. 22. 23. Rom. 8. 7. 8. 1. Cor. 3. 18. Deut. 4. 6. Psal 37. 26. 1. Cor 12. 8. Obser 14. The Church of God moueable 2. Cor. 5. Vse Obser 15. The Church of God weake and corruptible subiect to infirmities Rom. 7. 24. Reasons 2. Cor. 4. 7. 2. Cor. 12. 8. 9. Rom. 7. 2. Cor. 5. Heb. 2. 4. Heb. 10. Vse Phil. 3. 3. Obser 16. The Church militant in this life 1. Tim. 2. Reasons 1. Tim. 4. Rom. 34. 35. 2. Cor. 7. 1. 2 Rom. 7. 24. 2. Tim. 4. 2. Tim. 4. Rom. 9. 24. 25. Flesh World Satan Vse Luke 2. How to fight that we my conquer Ierem. 15. Luke 12. 45. Matth. 10. 2. Cor. 5. 2. Cor. 15. Rom. 12. 1. 2. Cor. 1. 6. Obser 17. The Church is the Tents A place of repose and shelter for the Elect. Iohn 16. Cant. 2. Esay 55. 1. 1. Phil 10. Psal 107. 2. Tim 4. 18. 89. Gal. 3. Eph 5. Vse How to procure the quiet welfare of the Church 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 1. Tim. 5. The Church a Strranger on earth 2. Cor 5. Genes 14. Hebr 11. Psalm 119. 1. Coll 6. 2 3 4 5 Ioh â—4 6 7 1. Pet 2.11 8 Ierem 4.8 Psal 55. How we must knowe our selues to be strangers Esay 5. 19. 14. 1. Cor 4. 15. â— Ioh 2. 19. Obs 19. A note of a true member to be constant in holines Psal 92. 13. Hebr 6. Galat 3. 3. Luk 8. 13. Ioh. 5. 35. Ose 6. 4. 1. Pet 1. 18. Ose 2. 14 Ioh 15. 1. Pet 1. Reuel â— Vse Meanes and Notes of abiding in the Church and continuaÌ„ce in Religion Matth 5. 20 2. Tim. 4. 8. 1. Phil 6. Obseruat 20. The elect shal continue to the ende Rom 7. 22. Rom. 8. 33. 34. Ioh 12. 32. Ro. 8. 28. Esay 1. 27. Rom 8. 34. Iob 13. 15. Miche 7. 9. Psal 44. 30 Cause of the fall of Gods childreÌ„ Spirituall Pride Securitie Presumption Exod 4. Hobs 3. 5. Mich 4. 6. 7. Zeph 3. 10 Zaâ—h 8. 13 Matth 11 20. Psal 38. 7. Psal 130. Ion 2. Esay 26. 19 4 Neglect 〈◊〉 the meanes 〈◊〉 preseruation 5. Grosse siâ—â— vnrepeÌ„ted oâ— Rule Rule Note of Iobs triall Iob 19. 28. Iob 29. 10. Psal 125. Doctrine 21. The Iewes to be restored Reuel 21. 1. 2. 3. Ierem. 51. 33. 34. 35. Ezech. 36. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. c. Vse Tremellius and others Mich. 4. Zeph. 3. Doctr. 2. The Church his Vnitie and so perpetuitie and perfection Ephes 4. 1. Cor. 12. Vse Zach. 8. Acts 2. 42. There is a malignant Church â—3 Doctr. Reasons Matth. 25. Vse Iohn 8. How to apâ—roue our â—elues not to â—ee of the malignant Church 24. Doctr. Militant Church a mixt company Matth. 13. 1. Ioh. 2. 19. Iohn 15. 22. Luke 12. 47 Vse Matt. 7. 23. Reuel 11. 2. Esay 33. 4. How to approue our selues not to be hypocrites Prou 25. The hypocrite a seruaÌ„t to the Elect. Iob 27. Hebr 6. 4. 5 Vse How to make vse of an hypocrite 1. Cor 10. Galat 6. 12. 2. Cor 15. Galat 5. 1. Cor 7.