of beleeuing the mysterie of the Gospel so farre aboue the capacity of Men and Angels being a commandement infinitely harder then all the commandements of the Lawe Morall which haue their ground in nature by creation But to beleeue that God will quicken the dead and iustifie the vngodly and saue sinners c. Is a commaundement against nature reason and sense and all creatures and all power and authority in heauen and earth commanding to beleeue the contrary Yet this honour doth Faith giue to God commanding vs to beleeue and this obedience that we renounce Nature and Reasons Rule and Authoritie and all creatures to obey God as most wise true and faithfull and King Prince only that by his Word creates and commands all things 1. Thes 2. Receiuing his Word not as the word of men but as it is indeede the Word of God of soueraigne authoritie with vs aboue all creatures Faith hath God for its obiect beleeuing God as first and chiefely for himselfe his Person and Authority sake so in the second place for the reasons and proofes giuen by him Some things we must beleeue simply and only vpon Gods commandement because he bids vs beleeue them though he giues vs no light of reason nor no proofe to our sense by experience as the principles of Religion Some we beleeue because he giues vs cleere reasons and prooues his words by sensible experience and vndeniable arguments to reason and sense Psal 119.140 Thy Word is prooued most true therefore thy seruant loueth it as Ioh. 20.29 Thou hast seene Thomas and beleeued blessed are they that haue not seene and haue beleeued only vpon my commandement Ioh. 3.12 If when I tell you earthly things ye beleeue not that is doctrines demonstrated with naturall sensible proofes to your reason and sense here on earth How will ye beleeue when I shall tell you of heauenly things aboue reason and sense to conceiue commanding you to receiue them vpoÌ„ bare diuine authoritie without reason grounds to beleeue If we beleeue not God nor honour him as true in his word proued by good reasons grounds reuealed to vs and light shining to our vnderstandings much lesse will we beleeue him vpon his bare word to honour him as God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first part of liberty by Christ is of heart our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which we goe boldly to God and to the Throne of his grace The second is that liberty of our mouth to speâ—ke to God Maruailous largenesse of mouth and liberty of speech to speake to God freely in prayers praises and thankesgiuings Wee are all by nature dumbe and deafe to God by a dumbe and deafe spirit of Satan possessing and dwelling in vs till Christ redeeme vs to be his owne seruants we neither can nor dare speake to God But Christ our Lord giues vs in Redemption an open large mouth to speake to God to sing to him and praise him as Psal 51. Open thou my lips that my mouth may set forth thy praise Isa 51.11 The Redeemed of the Lord shall come and sing in the height of Sion Psal 40.2 Ezek. 12. Therefore God is said to put a new Song of praise in our mouths and to poure on vs a large spirit of supplication to take to vs words as Hos 14. For this is the principall End of our Redemption that we should haue libertie of speech to call on God and praise him that our mouthes should be open to him to set forth his glory as it was the chiefe end of our creation Isa 43.21 Rom. 10. This people haue I formed for my selfe they shall set forth my praise Therefore with the mouth we confesse vnto saluation and sing to the Name of the Lord. Therefore Dauid prayeth That God would not vtterly take the word of truth out of Psal 119. his mouth And this is Gods couenant Isa 59.11 As its the End of our creation and redemption and the chiefest part of our happinesse So the contrary is the chiefest part of our misery by our Fall to haue our mouthes shut vp as beasts from prayers or praises Reason The nourishing vertue of meate feeding the heart and strengthning it opens the mouth to ioyfull praise as Psal 22.26 Psal 63.5 Dan. 5.4 They ate and dranke and praised the gods of siluer and gold How much more then the Saints fed with Christs body and blood and that plenteous redemption that is in Christ praise him Reason Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth is inlarged to poure out Math. 12.34 If the Treasure of the heart bee large the mouth will largely dispense Christ is a most rich Treasure in the heart of all store of good therefore the mouth must needs be answerable to open and confesse and vnfold the mysterie of Christ and to praise him Where there is nothing of God and Christ in the heart there is no mouth opened but shutte vp to confession and praises Vse Hereby we may know if our sinnes be pardoned and we redeemed in heart and soule considering how our mouthes are opened and tongues vnloosed to Apologize for our selues as 2. Cor. 7.11 and to plead our cleering and Iustification in Christ to pray and call vpon the Name of the Lord to praise and confesse his mercy and truth Heb. 3.1 consider the high Priest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is whom we all confesse as 1. Tim. 3.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is by ioynt confession of all it s a great mystery c. Haue we left booke prayer though I simply condemne it not but allow it in yong Christians while they are as babes and nothing differing from seruants but true Christians coÌ„tinue not in this bondage but grow vp to this libertie to pray in the H. Ghost Iude 20. as the Spirit giues them vtterance haue we a naturall liberty facillity of mouth to speake of holy things not as Socrates taught by rote Can we speake more abundantly and fluently in the causes of God then of any thing else in the world and sing more ioyfully of Gods mercies waies and workes Vse This is also an euidence of our future Redemption and liberty in due time out of any misery if God before open our mouthes and inlarge the liberty of speech to prayer praises thankesgiuings The Spirit of Redemption and libertie is now in vs and hath begun our freedome and will perfect it If God were purposed to shut vs vp in prison of perpetuall bondage of perdition from him his face and presence hee would also shutte and seale vp our lippes that we should not haue libertie to speake and pray to him make any suite as Matth. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But if hee giues our soules liberty out of the Diuels prison from that dumbe and deafe spirit to come to him in prayer and to tender our petitions to him it s an euidence that he intends our perfect deliuerance
A TREATISE OF FAITH AND OF SOME PRINCIPAL FRVITS THEREOF Deliuered in two Sermons vpon the third Chapter of the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians Verse the 12. With some additions and Enlargements tending to the satisfaction of such as are in doubt whether they haue Faith or no and to the comforting of such as are troubled about the weakenesse of their Faith By G. Throgmorton Minister of the Word of God Ephes 3.12 In whom we haue boldnesse and accesse with confidence by the faith of him LONDON Printed by I. â— for William Sheffard and are to be sold at his Shop at the entring in of Popes-head Alley out of Lumbard-street 1624. A TREATISE OF FAITH AND SOME FRVITS THEREOF EPHES. 3 1â— In whom wee haue boldnesse and accesse with confidence by the faith of him THe Apostle in the former verses had by many excellent titles set foorth the glory of the Gospel and his Office and Ministerie in preaching of it aduancing it farre aboue the Law and the Ministerie of the Church in former ages The Gospel he commends and sets forth especially by the subiect matter thereof which is Iesus Christ In this verse he continueth his praise of the Gospel from the sauing fruits and effects as it s receiued by faith and Christ the subiect matter thereof rightly apprehended The principall scope of the Apostle in this verse after his commendations of the Gospel is to shew the excellencie of faith in the gospel apprehending Christ aboue all naturall faith and confidence in any creature and aboue all faiths and religions in the world as the onely sure and infallible meanes of saluation This excellencie of true sauing faith in Christ is set foorth from the vertues or fruites it brings foorth in the heart and soule or inner man of him that hath it such as no other faith or any other Religion that leads vs to any other creature or meanes or name vnder heauen or in any other Gospel or doctrine can breed that is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that accesse to God by Manuduction with that confidence and freedome of speach Therefore hee inferres by way of exhortation in verse 13. that they should shew forth these vertues of their faith in all afflictions and not faint The Exposition of the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth Manuduction or leading by the hand to God 1. Pet. 3.18 Which being performed by Christ our Mediatour the Sonne of God taking vs by the hand we goe with boldnesse confidence to God This wee haue in and by Christ the second Adam The necessitie whereof is raised from this ground originally That whereas the first Adam and his posteritie were cast out of Paradice from all fellowship with God and from the tree of Life the way shut vp against him Gen. 3.24 and kept with a Sword drawne full of Terrour and Horrour Christ Iesus the second Adam not onely opens the way againe by his blood Heb. 10.19 20. and makes a new liuing way but takes vs by the hand to lead vs to God with boldnesse and confidence remoouing all matter of feare and the sword shaken This is also opposed to that going to God by the old Church vnder the Law at mount Sinay in the giuing of the Law and first Couenant of workes by the Manuduction of Moses their Mediatour Gal. 3.19 They had not this Manuduction with this confidence they stood afarre off trembling and might not goe vp into the mount to God Yea so terrible was the sight that Moses himselfe their Mediatour said I feare and quake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebr. 12.21 And whereas all this came originally by receiuing and admitting the deuill and his counsell beleeuing his false gospel and promises So contrarily all this good comes to vs by beleeuing Christ Iesus the Son of God whom God hath sent from Heauen to vs to redeeme and saue vs Acts 7.37 that great Prophet whom God hath raised vp to vs of our brethren like to vs and by receiuing him for our King Priest and Prophet by faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such a one as God hath sent and giuen him to vs. Also by faith in Moses the people had accesse to God and by taking and following him their Prophet they came neerer to God and God to them then any other Nation and people as Deut. 4.7 What Nation is there to whom the gods come so neere to them as our God is neere to vs in all that wee call to him for yet had not they by Moses that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so neere to God nor with that confidence as now all Nations haue by Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth open manifestation and appearance Such as were of forward disposition and free spiri s to expresse themselues boldly without seare of their aduersaries were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aâ—…st Rhet. lib. 2. with glorious liberty which stands in lifting vp of the face countenance and in freedome of speech it s opposed to the effects of the sentence of condemnation by the Law when malefactours and guiltie persons arraigned and conuinced by euidence of inditements that they can say nothing for themselues beeing abashed and confounded haue both their mouthes stopped and their faces couered and so carried away to execution This appeares in the arraignement and sentence passed vpon Caine Gene 4.13 14. which made him crie out that his punishment was greater then hee could beare because hee was cast out from the earth and from Gods face hee should bee hidden hauing his owne face as couered with eternall shame neuer to come to appeare before God to sacrifice or pray to him But hee that beleeueth in Christ shall not be ashamed 1. Pet. 2.6 Rom. 10.11 Haman after the sentence of death was passed on him his face was couered and hee had out of the Kings presence neuer to appeare more before him And this is the state of all the damned vpon the last sentence of condemnation passed oâ— them that they aâ—e punâ—shed with euerlasting perdition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the face and presence of the Lord. 2. Thes 1.9 neuer to come and appeare before him nor to speake or to pray to him or to praise him and for confusion of face and shame wish the mountaines to fall on them and the rockes to couer them Contrarie to this woefall estate of the damned is this blessed and glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Saints by the sentence of the iustification of life in Christ that without shame or fear they may come beforâ— God with open face 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Cor. 3.18 and not as Moses with his face couered verse 13. may behold the glory of the Lord with open face and bee changed into it verse 18. For hauing our sinnes pardoned and our persons receiued into fauour with God wee may behold his face and glory as reconciled in iustification
naturall good things haue a naturall way prepared by creation wherby to be attained but there is no way to attaine to that supernaturall chiefe good it s a light which cannot bee attained vnto 1. Tim. 6.16 The way is now prepared by grace that is Christ the Sonne sent from Heauen Ioh. 17.3 not borne by nature as a naturall way but sent from aboue as a Ladder reached vp to Heauen Gen. 28.12 Gods saluation which hee prepared before the face of all people Luk. 2.31 Luke 2.31 Question How is it then that wee are said to prepare the way Matth. 3.3 Answere Our preparation is for Christ who is the way It s not a way made by vs to God but a fitting of our selues for Christ who is the way and that is as much as in vs lyeth remoouing the things that hinder vs that is our sinnes by repentance and by faith receiuing Christ Not that repentance and Faith are our way or any meanes to attaine God our chiefe good but as preparations qualifications for Christ who is the only way and meanes of obtaining God For faith of it selfe and Repentance doe not iustifie vs or commend vs to God but dispose vs for Christ to inioy vse and improoue him in whom we walke as in the way to God and eternall life and happinesse Faith and Repentance and al◠good works are not worth a rush nor haue any vertue to bring vs to God but as they are from Christ and doe vse improoue Christ By faith we receiue and choose Christ as the only way to God forsaking all other waies and meanes and by repentance wee walke in Christ as in the way to God Col. 2.6 As yee haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him so that neither Faith nor repentance are the way but Christ Therefore as yee haue receiued Christ by faith as the way so walke in this way by Repentance that is forsaking all sinne and all meanes of safetie and lying vanities make vse of Christ Iesus only for all sauing good Who is made vnto vs of the Father Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification Redemption 1. Cor. 1.30 For Faith Repentance and all the works in the world without Christ cannot bring vs to God and are of no worth with God but as they make vse and improouement of Christ Vse Let vs therefore care for nothing but to get Christ and let Christ be the End of our Faith and Workes All our gaine and aduantage in life and death Phil. 1.21 and then let Christ alone for bringing vs to life heauen and happinesse Let vs by Faith make way for Christ to come into our hearts to be our Prophet Priest King Sheepheard that we may receiue him offering himself and then hee will make way for vs to God to heauen and eternall happinesse Let vs as sheepe that goe astray daily by Repentance Conuert and returne to Christ the Sheepheard of our soules 1. Pet. 3. vlt. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accesse with confidence or a confident accesse not such as was vnder the Law with feare and trembling where the sight was so terrible that Moses said I feare and quake See Heb. 12.12 13. with verse 18 19 20. Wee come not before God as Diuels and Malefactors drawne into Gods presence as before the Iudge with feare and trembling to be arraigned vnwillingly inforced by conscience nor yet as vncertaine beggers that roue and wander vp and downe for helpe and knocke at euery doore and so goe to Gods doore but know not what intertainement they shall haue there But wee haue good assurance and good securitie and go confidently in exspectation of finding good entertainment with God Heb. 12.12 13. Lift vp your weake hands and strengthen your feeble knees and make streight steps to your feete least that which is halting be turned out of the way c. As if he had said There is great danger and feare we bee turned cleane out of the way if we goe not confidently in the way Prou. 18.10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth to it and is exalted Running implies confidence Psal 33.6 They shall runne to him and their faces shall not be ashamed c. Vse This the property and vertue of this true Faith in Christ the Sonne of God our Mediatour whereby we must prooue and trie it and difference it from all faith in all creatures and all meanes out of Christ and all that affiance that man can haue in any naturall worldly helpes that this Faith in Christ steeles the heart and strengthens it with inuincible confidence more then any faith in any religion or any creature in the world It breeds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a confident glorying and boasting Heb. 3. 2. Chron. 20.20 Trust in the Lord and ye shall be assured Rom. 5.2 that is your hearts shall be confident and free from those feares scruples auxieties whereby carnall men that trust in earthly things Luk. 12.29 hang in suspence like Meteors in the aire wasting themselues and their liues with continual cares feares and griefes and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Iam. 1.6 7 8. running from one helpe to another and are neuer secure Psal 27.14 Be strong and he shall strengthen your heart that is seeke all your strength and safetie by faith in God and not in earthly things and God shall strengthen your hearts with confidence No faith breeds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but this Luke 1.4 that is full certainty and Act. 2.36 Phil. 3.1 All other refuges that men flye vnto are with doubting anxiety and some distrust whether our workes or mediation of Saints or Angels or any creature because both the refuges themselues are not sure nor cannot promise certaine infallible helpe and therefore can giue no full securitie to the minde but God is a most sure inuincible and impregnable defence and strong tower and therefore the righteous runne to it with full confidence or secondly the meanes that men vse to attaine thereto may faile them and therefore they vse them not without care feare anxiety but Christ is a most sure and infallible meanes to bring vs to God and cannot faile and therefore this Faith in him breeds that confidence That as God is a sure strong and vndoubted defence that no man can make question So is Christ his Son like him as sure a Meane and Mediatour to come to him and to obtaine him But of this vertue of Faith and how it s increased and confirmed in Christ the obiect shall appeare more in the next Sermon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is boldnesse of face and freedome of speech Of all the vertues of Christ which he dwelling in our hearts exerciseth in vs Psal 3.3 this is one of the chiefe that he is the lifter vp of our heads and exalts our faces before God and giues vs free liberty of speech to plead with God that wee poore sinners dust and ashes