assaulted by Satan and his instruments let all the people of God pray for their constancy patience successe of their ministery for their deliuery and preseruation and then no doubt the ministers shall speede and prosper the better and the comfort of their perseruation shall redound to the people And I am left alone Herein Elias if we diligently heed the story and time wherein he prophecied who a little before thought that he had conuerted most of the Israelites and now he thinketh that they haue vniuersally reuolted from true religion wee are taught that the most excellent seruants of God haue their errours and infirmities one while they conceiue ouer-well of men and another while ouer-ill Act. 15. ver 37.38.39 1. Vse If so rare and singuler men these many times erre and are deceiued let no man presume too much of his owne knowledge learning and iudgement but walke humbly and alwayes suspect his owne ignorance and weakenesse and let him iudge rashly or ouer-hastily of no man but reserue all secret iudement to God If none for the present ioyne with him in the open defense of Gods worship or if none such be knowne yea if they should all forsake him as all forsooke Paul when he was conuented before Nero let them not bee discouraged but goe on boldly trusting in God and the goodnesse of their cause and God will assist strengthen deliuer yea and glorifie them God being on a mans side who can be against him nay he hath more with him then against him and other mens generall Apostacie or starting aside from their dutie and obedience cannot possibly depriue him of his crowne for hee shall liue by his faith and the more temptations and discouragements hee findeth to hinder him the greater will be his praise preferment and exaltation in the end But what saith the answer or oracle of God to him i. We must rather in this Apostacie of the Church attend what the Lord the God of trueth saieth then rest vpon the coniecture of Elias â— haue left or reserued to my selfe i. I haue preserued from death and idolatry 7000. men i. a great number of men women and children for seauen a set number is put here as in other places of Scripture for one indefinite or vncertaine number that haue not bowed their knees to the image of Baall i. that haue not polluted themselues with idolatry no not so much as in outward gesture and action Euen so at this present time i. in the time of the new Testament there is a remnant i. a small remainder of Iewes in comparison of those that perish through the election of grace i. whom God of his grace and fauour hath elected to euer-lasting life and which shall be saued by faith in Christ. Questions out of the 4. 5. verses Doth the Church of God neuer faile or cease to be vpon the earth An. No for albeit many times and in many places the church ceaseth to be visible conspicuous and glorious yet the true Catholicke and inuisible Church which consisteth onely of the number of the Predestinate and Elect euer was is and shall be and shall alwayes remaine in the world in one place or other For first it neuer failed when it was brought to the greatest extremities but at length it hath alwayes lifted and put forth her head out of the darkenesse where-with it was oppressed Secondly Christ his kingdome is eternall and shall neuer end but shall last and indure for euer when other kingdomes shall bee ouerthrowne destroyed and extinct Thirdly Gods couenant made with the Iewes and Gentiles viz. that hee will be their God and the God of their seed is euerlasting and vnchangeable therefore there must needs be some in whom the couenant must bee ratified and accomplished Lastly Gods promises cannot lye and his power can doe althings and God doth nourish and preserue the church by his word and prouidence when impietie and idolatry euery where preuaileth 2. Que. Had God any church and people in the middest of the darkenesse of Poperie when tyrants and false Teachers laboured vtterly to roote it out An. Yes as may especially appeare Apoc. 12.16 where the woman the Church flying into the wildernesse i. to places vnknowne to the aduersaries had a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundreeh and three score dayes i. they were nourished by ordinary meanes by hearing some true things of their owne Teachers and partly by learning true faith and doctrine of other better teachers partly by reading the holy scriptures and by meditating and musing of it by themselues and by conferring with others Secondly the Papists had some things that appertaine to the true Church as Baptisme albeit not altogether purely administred the Scriptures the Apostles Creede the Commandements the Lords prayer and a certaine ministerie Thirdly in the ruinous state darkenesse and Apostacie of a Church the very reading and repeating of the word yea the very sound and report of it is by Gods extraordinary working sufficient and effectuall to saue all those whom God will haue saued Act. 11. v. 20. 21. Iohn 4.28.29.40.41 42. Rom. 10 18. Lastly God hath his Church and seed euen in Babylon albeit in faith and affection separated and disioyned from her Apoc. 12.7 and these the Dragon maketh warre with Likewise Apoc 18.4 where Gods people are exhorted to come out of Babilon c. ergo there were some elect and some of Gods people there Quest. Therefore may not we perswade our selues that many of our Ancestors and fore-fathers were saued in the middest of Poperie An. Yes doubtlesse as well as in the corrupt and Apostaticall time of Elias for nothing hath in the Papacie befallen the Church which hath not befallen vnto it in times past Secondly besides the reasons expressed in the answer to the former question many of them kept and held the principles and foundations of faith and so rightly enformed their children seruants and families therein Apoc. 13.8 Thirdly there haue beene some that haue alwayes and openly by preaching writing and disputation opposed and set themselues against the corruption of error Apoc. 11.3.4.5.6.11 12. and this is also manifest by Illyricus his catalogue of the witnesses of the truth Fourthly many thousand children Baptised and so holy dyed in their infancie and child-hood before they could be infected and poysoned with the pestilence of error and so were saued Fiftly God pardoneth many faults and infirmities in his children whose hearts and mindes are right with him Mal. 3. v. 17. Lastly many of our Ancestoâ—â— albeit transported with the common invndation of error did before the end of this life repent of their sin and vtterly renounce and disclaime their owne merites and all confidence in them and relied vpon Christ onelie by true faith and so were saued Q. Why doth God sometimes suffer his Church to bee brought into such affliction darkenes extremities that the
not erre and be deceiued in iudgment A. Yes for first if that notable Prophet of the Lord Elias erred in iudgment of the Church and Samuell the Prophet was deceiued in the choise of Isâ—i his sonnes yea and the Apostles themselues for a time were ignorant of the Article of the resurrection of Christ and of his kingdome yea and Peter after that the holy Ghost in the day of Penticost had descended vpon him knew not that the Iudaicall differences of meates were already abrogated thought the Gentiles were not capable of the Gospel except withall they should admit of and receiue the ceremonies of Moses his law if these Prophets Pillars of the church were ignorant and did erre euen in matter of faith why may not much more other both Pastors and people erre that haue not nor neuer in this world shall haue any such extraordinary calling gifts and illumination Secondly the Church and the principall members of it sinne alwaies and are ignorant yea and many times erre in the right interpretation of the Scripture ergo they may erre in faith But herein lyeth the difference first the true Church buildeth her faith onely vpon the Canonicall Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles secondly shee neuer stiffely and obstinately as heretikes doe maintaineth any error against the maine principles and foundations of true religion Q. Hath God cast away his people A. Gods couenant and sauing promises are neuer made frustrate and voide by the vnbeliefe of the multitude nay if there were but one true beleeuer in the whole world God would not breake his promise and couenant with him for all the rest Thus Noah and his familie were saued when all the world besides perished Thus Lot was preserued when the Sodomites were suddenly destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from heauen Thus Simeon Anna and a few others were saued in a generall corruption of doctrine and manners and lastly in the mystie fogge and more then Aegyptiacall darkenesse of Poperie Christs two faithfull witnesses .i. the small number of his true Ministers and constant champions and confessors albeit cruelly massacred by the Romish Antichrist ascended vp to heauen in a clowde their enemies seeing them Nay amongst the vnbeleeuers themselues and Idolaters in the Papacie God saueth many by reason of the promise of his couenant pawned with them hence it is that he conuerteth many before the close and end of this life whom otherwise hee might iustly leaue in their idolatrie and so destroy them Reason The reason hereof is first because the truth and performance of Gods promises resteth in him-selfe and not in any man whatsoeuer Secondly all his sauing gifts are without repentance .i. constant and vnchangeable 1. Vse Let vs hang all our saluation on Gods couenant and promises onely for all other helpes and additaments of men are vaine false and will faile and deceaue vs. 2. Vse Secondly let vs lay hold vpon and apprehend them all by faith and so inclose and impropriate them to our selues for onely faith doth giue vs right vnto them yea and infeoffe vs in and giue vs liuery and seison of them I also am an Israelite From Pauls example and conclusion wee learne That euery godly and beleeuing man may be fully perswaded and assured by faith that hee is a member of the true church and that hee shall vndoubtedly bee saued and therefore it is his dutie firmely to beleeue so much Rom. 8. v. 23. 38.39 Reason The reason is the promise and assurance hereof is made to the beleeuer sanctified person Psal. 15.5 Psal. 24. v. 3.4.5 Secondly doubting and despaire of Gods loue and fauour and of our saluation is a great sinne and against the attributes of Gods truth mercy and goodnesse and if wee doe great wrong and iniurie vnto good and faithfull men when wee call their loue and loyaltie into question much more when we doubt of the goodnesse and truth of the infinite and vnchangeable good maiestie of God And particular doubting distrust and dispaire is often and much condemned in the Scriptures Math. 14. v. 31. Luke 12. v. 29. Heb. 12. v. 12. 13. Vse 1. Hereby is condemned that false and comfortlesse opinion of the Romanists that depriueth and dispoileth faith of his forme and of his firme apprehension and application and maketh it nothing else but a generall beliefe of the promised blessednesse of God and a giuing of an assent to other mysteries reueiled of God touching the same which the very diuels and reprobates haue or may haue 2. Vse Wee must labour and striue by the continuall and carefull vse of the word preached the Sacraments prayer and conference and obseruation of Gods fauours towards vs both in blessings spirituall and temporall to attaine vnto the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and full assurance of it and hauing once obtained it to norrish and cherish it by the same meanes Q. Hath God forsaken his people whom he knew before A. Here Gods fore-knowledge beeing taken for his speciall fauour for his Predestination and adoption of them which is alwaies firme and vnalterable wee are taught these two conclusions First that the Predestination and the Election of Gods Saints is firme certaine and vnmoueable and can neuer be lost and that not onely in Gods decree but also in their owne sence and feeling Rom. 8.33 Tit. 1.1 Rom. 9.11 Rom. 11.7.2 Pet. 1.10 For it is a foundation that cannot bee shaken Secondly it is grounded vpon the rocke and therefore the gates and power of hell cannot preuaile against it Vse It checketh the Papists who make predestination mutable and vncertaine and so would despoile and disarme vs of the maine ground of all comfort Whom he hath fore-knowne In that here the cause why God doth neuer finally reiect or forsake his people is onely ascribed to his fore-knowledge 1. to the pleasure of his good will inward fauour and eternall predestination it excludeth and remoueth all mans merites and all outward dignities prerogatiues and excellencies what-soeuer from beeing any cause of it And no maruaile for if man though regenerate cannot in respect of his finite and sinfull nature merite ought at Gods hands hauing a being both by nature and grace much lesse could he merite ought before hee had any being or existence at all Vse Ergo seeing there is no cause of glorying in vs or any outward ornament and seeing nothing mooued God to elect vs but onely his meere mercy and fauour let vs ascribe and returne with thankfull hearts all the glory and praise thereof to him to whom alone it appertaineth Know yee not what the scripture saith of Elias In that it is here presupposed if not granted that the Iewes to whom Paul especially addresseth his speach for by an Apostrophe hee afterwards speaketh to the Gentiles from the 13. verse to the 25. were most ready and expert in the scriptures we are aduertised how profitable nay how necessary the
their proceedings three things should haue beene considered of them First that they had the holy Scripture for warrant Secondly that their affections were in tune and well composed Thirdly that their ends and aymes were directlie to the honor and glorie of GOD but of these respects the blinde reprobates haue no regard Vse The vse hereof serueth to check and controule many insolent surly and swelling Gentiles that not rightly weighing and ballancing the true causes and reasons did falslie imagine and so fondly erre that the Iewes were cut and cast off for their vnworthinesse and that their vnbeliefe was the proper cause of their admittance and substitution into their empty places and roomes and heereby they highly conceited themselues as though they were more worthy before God then the Iewes 2. Vse Heereby is mette with-all the pride and ill affection of some who reioyce at other mens ruines and downe-falls whether in religion or in outward estate or both whereas it is iust with God thus to giue them ouer and they that seeme to stand may fall into the like Apostacie and iudgments for they by nature are made of no better mettall then others and they stand no longer then God doth support them Through vnbeliefe they are broken Heere wee see and vnderstand what a vile and dangerous sinne misbeliefe and infidelity is it is the roote and fountaine of all disobedience it draweth Gods anger vpon vs it hasteneth his iudgements it depriueth vs of Gods promises and nullifieth and maketh frustrate his couenant Hence it was that the Iewes were growne out of request with God lost their prerogatiues ceased to bee Gods people and lastly most of them were excluded from the kingdome of Heauen Vnbeliefe was the first sinne of Adam and Eue and was the cause of their fall and so of all the sinne and miseries that befell vnto all their posteritie Infidelitie debarred the Israelites from entering into the blessed land of Canaan a Type of the kingdome of heauen it is the cause of all Apostasie and reuolting from GOD and his Euangelicall trueth It maketh Gods heauenly and sacred word vnprofitable vnto the hearers it maketh all things impure and vnlawfull vnto men Titus 1. verse 14.15 and in a word it is the fore-runner and meritorious cause of damnation and destruction The reason hereof is because it wilfully refuseth the grace of God offered it doth distrust and discredit Gods word contemne his promises rebell against his will and to conclude it reiecteth and shutteth out Christ the cause author and finisher of redemption happinesse and holynesse 1. Vse Wee must therefore beware of infidelitie and vnbeliefe wee must be prouident that it doe not wound vs with his dartes and then the Gun-shotte of all other temptations shall neuer blinde nor batter vs let vs therefore put on the complet harnesse of God and the armour of proofe i. a liuely faith which will quench and blunt all Sathans Dartes well may wee bee seduced for a time but not alwayes nor vnto death for faith preserueth the Castle of our heart and it ouercommeth the world Secondly wee must alwayes thinke and speake honourably of Gods word and labour to bee riche in the knowledge of his wil and with full purpose of heart cleaue vnseperably vnto GOD and by assent of minde applie and claspe fast Christ Iesus and all his sauing graces and promises vnto our owne selues and then nothing shall bee able to dampe or daunt vs much lesse to seclude and seperate vs from Christ and the certaine enioyment of the heauenly Ierusalem Thou standest by faith that is Thou profitest in thy profession and practise of Christianitie by faith i. by a firme assent of thy minde relying vpon Gods grace and acknowledging and receiuing Christ as he is reueiled in holy Scripture from whence this necessary collection ariseth The grafting in of the Gentiles into the Oliue doth not depend vpon their owne worthinesse vertues and merits but onely vpon faith assenting vnto and firmly apprehending Gods gratious promises Now this faith is a free yet a most rare gift of God not common to all professors but peculiar onely to the elect from it proceedeth both the beginning and the continuance of their engrafting into Christ and hereby wee are made partakers of Christ and of saluation and without this faith wee are in worse estate then any vassall vnder the Turke or any Spanish Galley slaue for their seruice is onely bodily and temporall but this is spirituall horrible and if they repent not eternall Heb. 2. ver 15. 1. Vse This doctrine serueth to argue and reprooue those that condemne the doctrine of faith whereas without it there is neither iustification nor saluation By it wee are made the children of God Iohn 1.12 and stand and sticke to Christ the true Vine and hereby wee are interessed in Christ and all his sauing merits and gâ—aces 2. Vse Wee must loue the Lord and feare him for his great mercies shed vpon vs and for his pretious promises made to vs for they are not procured by our deferts or endeuours but frankely and freely bestowed vpon vs of God 3. Vse We must nourish and preserue faith and see that it be not of story or a temporarie faith but a true iustifying faith For a true iustifying faith is such a roote such a foundation and assurance so built and founded vpon the Rock Christ and the sacred Scriptures that the gates and power of Hell cannot preuaile against it and as for temporary and historicall faith like a flower like painting and like guilt and it will soone fade away and bee defaced Be not high minded When wee see proud hipocrits to contemne and condemne other poore men for their present misbeleife and miseries and to admire and magnifie their owne selues they must be terrified with Gods iudgements Isa. 28. ver 9.10 Luk. 16.15 Apoc. 3.16 and 17. Act. 13.40.41 Math. 21. v. 33 The reason hereof is first that otherwise no good can bee done of them if they bee not pulled out of the fire of Gods iudgements they wil be burned and if they bee not violently awaked they will droppe away and die in their slumber as they do that are bitten by an Aspe Secondly for that if they will not repent they may be left without excuse in Gods sight Vse 1. Let vs therefore beware and bee aduised that we do not braue out and insult vpon others least God call and conuert them in his mercy and plague and punish vs in his iudgement for our pride and contempt Vse 2. Let no man presume of his owne ability and strength as though hee could stand by it in temptation neither let him please himselfe in a conceite and imagination of his owne constancy as though hee might liue securely and dissolutely and yet escape all danger least God correct and plague him for his conceitednes in suffering him to fall into grosse sinnes and greeuous
God in holy scripture Ezek. 11.37 Rom. 9. Rom. 15.4 Ioh. 20.31 Apoc. 9. and 17.18 The reason hereof is because they are very necessary for the confirmation of our faith direction of our liues and therfore God would not haue vs in any wise ignorant of them much lesse to doubt of the truth of them Secondly God would hereby shew and declare the sufficiency of the scriptures and so consequently warne and lesson vs that we giue no credit to bee ruled by any fained reuelation or humaine traditions in matter of saluation but only consult and search the scriptures which containe a plaine perfect and all sufficient doctrine both for faith manners and for sauing of our soules Vse 1. The first vse is to condemne partly the supine and merueilous negligence and extreame slouthfulnesse of them that know not such necessary and fundamentall points and principall conclusions so euidently and so oftentimes spoken of and vrged in the sacred scriptures or the vnexcusable vnbeleife and Atheisme of those that will not beleeue such plaine places and proofes of Gods word but say or at least thinke that the scriptures are vntrue the fables or the politicke inuentions of men to keepe and râ—taine men in some feare and awe These are the Marchiuillians matchlesse in euil of our times Vse 2. We must neuer stagger 〈◊〉 or doubt of them neither at any time cal the certainty and accomplishment thereof in question but rest in them and repaire strengthen and quicken our faith by them for to this end were they giuen As it is written Ministers and preachers must leâ—rne hence not to broach and vtter their owne conceits or the inuentions of men but to speake and preach the holy and wholsome word of God only Luk 4.11.20 Isa. 8.20 Act. 26.22 Reasons hereof are first God so requireth and commandeth Ioh. 4. Isa. 8.20 Ier. 2. Secondly the word of God is for all and in all points that concernes faith and good life of and in it selfe perfectly sufficient 2. Tim. 3.16 and 17. so that it neither admitteth addition nor detraction Thirdly we haue for our light and direction the continuall practise of all the Prophets and men of God in the olde Testament and of Christ the Apostles and Euangelists in the new Fourthly the often and vnsauorie and vnfruitfull blending and addition of humaine vanities doth but darken and diminish the power puritie and efficacie of Gods word Vse 1. Hereby are condemned first the Papists that will not admitte and allow the Scripture to bee the sole and all sufficient rule and touch-stone of Doctrine and faith but adde and equall to it their decretalls traditions c. Secondly the hearers must take heed how and what they heare they must try the spirits and doctrines by the touch-stone of Gods word spirit and then retaine the good and if ought be dissonant from the sacred scripture they must refuse and reiect it The Deliuerer shall come out of Sion Christ the Redeemer Seeing that the Iewes and so all we Gentiles haue need off and haue giuen vnto vs of God not onely for our temporall but especially for our eternall deliuerance and saluation a Deliuerer and a Redeemer we see what wretched and miserable sinners we are by nature children of wrath lost sheepe Math. 15.24 Vassals captiues and slaues vnder sinne and Sathan Luke 4. V. 18. Lying and liuing in the shadow and point of death Ephes. 2.2 and for feare of the second or eternall death al our life subiect to bondage Hebr. 2.15 The reason hereof is for that all men without this Deliuerer and Redeemer to omit their temporall miseries and malladies are in farre worser estate then any brute beast or vgly toad or any other vilde creature for when it dieth his life and woe endeth together with it but the death of man without a Redeemer and without faith in him is but the beginning of vncessant and euerlasting terror and torment Vse Let vs labour to feele and finde our selues to bee thus wretched and miserable and acknowledge that without Christ his suffering and obedience we euerlastingly perish we must from a touched heart acknowledge that shame and confusion belongeth vnto vs that of sinners we are the greatest and therefore wee must intreate the Lord to be merciful vnto vs to receiue vs into his grace and fauour And therefore it standeth vs in hand carefully to labour and endeauour that Sathan doe not fore-stall bewitch and possesse our hearts with his deceites and illusions and so take all sense of our miseries from vs wherein they must needes pine and perish that seeke any other by-waies or shifting euasions Vse 2. Wee must in time seeke vnto Christ onely for helpe for pardon of sinnes and for saluation he hath eternall life in himselfe and is author of eternall saluation to all that obey him and for our better direction herein we must craue and desire the instructions aduise and assistance not only of our pastors and ministers but also of our Christian and beloued friends and acquaintance And shall turne away desections and vngodlinesse from Iacob It is the proper office of Christ Iesus to reconcile the reuolting Iewes and by consequence all the elect in the world to God his Father 1 Ioh. 2.1 and 2. Râ—m 5.8.9.10 Ioh. 1.29 Act. 4.12 The forme and manner is by his death and passion to make payment and satisfaction to Gods iustice for their sinnes 1 Ioh. 1.7 1. Pet. 1.18 Secondly by not imputing sinne vnto his elect and by imputing his owne righteousnesse vnto them 2. Cor. 5. ver 21. Thirdly by abating and weakning the multitude and might of sin in them by the power of his word and efficacy of his spirit Rom. 6. ver 3 4.5.6 Lastly by quite abolishing and remouing them at the houre of death and at the day of iudgment Apoc. 14.13 Hebr. 9. ver 28. Act. 3.19 The reason hereof as he is the blessed seed in whom all nations are blessed he is the roote and foundation on which all Gods promises depend and in whom they are yea and Amen Finally God hath sanctified sent and sealed him alone to be Sauiour Mediator of the world Vse 1. Therefore we must seeke for saluation in none els but in Christ in his only merits righteousnes sufferings for he alone trod downe the wine-presse of Gods wrath and by his death and obedience made satisfaction to his diuine iustice And this is my couenant to them Gods couenant with his people is certaine sure perpetual and alwaies kept on Gods part Act. 3.15 It is the foundation of saluation The reason hereof is because it is ratified and confirmed by Christ his death as no humaine couenant can be for they only last whiles the parties liue Secondly it is in time sealed in the hearts of Gods children by faith Ephe. 1.13 as also renewed and confirmed by
THE VVORLDES RESVRRECTION OR The generall calling of the Iewes A familiar Commentary vpon the eleuenth Chapter of Saint Paul to the Romaines according to the sence of Scripture and the consent of the most iudicious interpreters wherein aboue fiftie notable questions are soundly answered and the particular doctrines reasons and vses of euery verse are profitably and plainly deliuered By THOMAS DRAXE Minister of the word of God AT LONDON Printed by G. Eld for Iohn Wright and are to be sold at his shop neere Christ Church gate Anno. 1608. To the Right Honorable and most vertuous Lady the Lady LVCIE Countesse of Bedford grace and peace with increase of all holynesse and happinesse THe wisdom power and prouidence of God as it doth right Honourable most eminently and admirably appeare and shine forth in the frame preseruation and gouernment of the vniuersall world and of all things therein conteined so in the mystery and matter of predestination in the illumination and blinding saluation and condemnation both of Iewes and Gentiles it is most deepe yea past mans founding out For who can comprehend the depth of Gods councell or render any particular reason of it why God who had amongst all the nations of the earth elected and selected the Iewes to be his onely peculiar and beloued people with whom he made such a singular couenant of mercy and saluation to whom appertained the adoption the glory the lawe the seruice of God of whom are the Fathers and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God blessed for euer-more should for so many hundred years euen from the Apostles preaching vnto our dayes generally cutt and cast them off from being his people and Church and by occasion of their vnbeliefe and desertion haue in their roome and stead so generally in all countries and kingdoms of the world adopted and substituted vs Gentiles who formerly were nothing but Wilde Oliues no people not beloued strangers from the Couenants of promise without Christ without hope without God in the world The reason I say and mouing cause of Gods decree and councel is vnserchable and past finding out yet if we duly examine and consider the euent and execution of it we cannot but discerne acknowledge that God hath most iustly reuenged himselfe vpon the Iewes powred out his wrath vpon them to the vtmost For before Christ his incarnation they often misused derided persecuted slew Gods prophets since they refused murdered the Lord of glory they forbad his Apostles to preach to vs Gentiles they persecuted and killed them and from that time to this present houre cease not to blaspheme spiâ— out their venim against Christ his church his gospel and his seruants And yet notwithstanding all this is it not a mistery to bee wondred at and adored that God hath in all ages of the Church chosen reserued to himself and called to Christ a remnant of them which is vndoubtedly a fore-runner and argument of their generall conuersion not far off Secondly it is a maruelous worke of God not without his mistery that the Iewes howsoeuer wandring and dispersed in al countries almost should stil continue such a distinct and vnconfounded nation so innumerable in multitude and so constant in the keeping and obseruing of as much as they possible may their ancient lawes rites and ceremonies Thirdly they haue bin in the times of greatest persecutions when the tirants of the world sought to extinguish and root out the scriptures and still are the faithfull keepers preseruers of the old testament all this may put vs in some good hope of their future calling and conuersion Lastly God hath as Saint Paul manifestly proueth made an euident promise of their plenary calling saluation when the full number of vs Gentiles is successiuely come into the church Thus seeing their miserable state for the time past and also at this present and that a remnant is alway remayning the conuersion of the nation of them is dayly expected we must not passe by so memorable a worke of God without vse application By their fall and apostacy wee must not only iustifie but also tremble stand in awe of Gods iudgments feare to offend the diuine Maiesty and beware least through vnbeleife contempt of the gospel and profaine security we at length attract draw the like iudgments vpon our selues Secondly in that so great a multitude of them shal be againe ingrafted into Christ and beleiue the gospell we must be so farre from despiseing them or scandalizing them by our ill life and example from despairing of their saluation that we must heartily pray for them and by our zealous profession and holy life and conuersation study striue through the working of the holy Ghost to reduce them into the right way Lastly Christian Monarches Magistrates must not only by enacting and execution of seuere lawes represse their vile and intolerable vsuries whereby they plague oppresse many poore Christians and punish with al sharpnesse their horrible blasphemies against Christ and his gospell but cause them being vnder their authority subiection to be by degrees instructed in Christian religion and for the sooner effecting of it to compell them to heare the gospell Then shall the miserable and seduced Iewes bee brought home the world reuiued the hearts of Gods people replenished with vnspeakeable ioy all nations shal glorifie God in Christ and we shal al in short time be fully finally perfected and glorified This is most noble Lady the summe and subiect of this small volumne which hoping that it will bee profitable and comfortable to many I thought good to publish it and in many respects mee mouing to commend the protection and patronage of it to your Honour First your Honour is zealous religious wise and learned and alwaies haue beene and still are in these regards illustrious and renowned Secondly you to your greatnesse ioyne goodnesse to your honor humilitie and to your knowledge Chiristian kindnesse and benigniâ—ie and therefore you cannot but accept of iudge of and read at your leasure any sound and holesome treatise that directeth and furthereth you therein Lastly I am so deeply obliged and indebted vnto your most noble and religious Parents and to the honourable studious and hopefull Knight your brother that the signification of my thankfulnesse doth in equity also belong vnto your Honour Wherefore I most humbly beseech you gratiously to respect my small labours and to make vse of them for your edification Thus desiring your good acceptance and crauing pardon for my boldnesse I pray the God of heauen to encrease you in all honour and grace to make you a noble Cedar in his house a bright Starre in his Church fruitfull in all good workes happy blessed in your good courses and after fulnesse of age faith and felicitie to crowne you with euerlasting glory in his heauenly kingdome Amen Couentry Nouember 1608. Your Honours
Can any man be said to be a naturall branch of the church seeing that all are sinners and children of wrath by nature Aff. per distinct ibid. 30 What persons fal away from the fellowship of the church p. 67 31 In what manner and by what inducements doe men fall away ibid. 32 Is not God changeable in his couenant and promises seeing that he changed his former bountifulnesse towards the Iewes into rigour and seuerity neg p. 77 33 Can the elect wholy loose or bee depriued of faith and grace neg ibid. 34 Is predestination conditionall depending vpon mans beleife or vnbeleife neg p. 78 35 When is likely to bee the time of the Iewes conuersion p. 88 36 Whether they shall euer recouer the holy land neg ibid. 37 What the fulnesse of the Gentles doth signifie p. 89 38 Whether this fulnesse be yet come in or not or any other countries and kingdomes are in probability yet to bee called and enlightned p. 90 39 What is ment by all Israell whether the Iewes Gentiles or both ibid. 40 Whether the comming of the Deliuerer vnto them must be vnderstood â—oâ—ily or spiritually p. 91 41 Can one and the same people be truly said to be beloued of God yet his enemies aff in diuers generations p. 102 42 Is any man called and conuerted by reason of his parents merites and worthines neg ibid. 43 Can the giftes and graces of Gods spirit in the elect bee taken away neg p. 103 44 Doth God euer repent dist ibid. 45 Is God any cause of vnbeleife in man dist p. 109 46 Are all men by nature equally guiltie and prone vnto cuill aff ibid. 47 How then commeth it to passe that one naturall man is outwardly better then another ibid. 48 whether there be any vniuersall election or grace neg p. 110 49 If Gods waies bee vnsercheable how then are we commanded to serch the scriptures p. 116 50 Hath not God reueiled all his will and counsailes to Prophets and Apostles neg ibid. 51 Why are wee commanded to giue glory to God seeing that we can adde nothing to his perfection p. 117 The worlds resurrection Romans Chapt. XI I Demaund then hath God cast away his people God forbid for I also am an Israelite of the seed of Abraham of the tribe of Beniamin God hath not cast away his people which hee knew before know yee not what the Scripture saith of Elias how hee communeth with God against Israell saying Lord they haue killed thy Prophets and digged downe thine Altars and I am left alone and they seeke my life c. WHat then may some repining Iewe obiect hath God that is vnchangeable in his decree couenant whose compassions faile not cast away .i. hath he wholy and vniuersally cast of and excluded from righteousnesse and euerlasting life his people that is the Israelits or Iewes for whose faith preseruation he hath wrought so many miracles whome hee hath fastned and affianced vnto him-selfe by so sollemne a couenant and by so many pretious promises whom he hath enobled and renowned by so many illustrious Patriarches God forbid .i. farre bee that from any mans thought and imagination for it cannot be For I also am an Israelite of the seed of Abraham of the tribe of Beniamin .i. I by mine owne example can testifie the contrary for I notwithstanding I formerly was a Pharisie a Blasphemer a Persecutor and an Oppressor am not cast of but I am an Israelite therefore God hath not cast of all God hath not cast of his people whome he knew not before .i. Albeit God hath generally reiected and cast of the bodie and greatest number of the Iewes that were called and so deemed in their owne eyes and in the estimation of the world by reason of the tenor of Gods couenant and the ceremonies and outward excercises of religion called I say and reputed to bee Gods people yet those amongst them whom hee knew before .i. whom he predestâ—nated to saluation whom hee acknowledged and approued for his owne and whom he preuented by his speciall fauour this people he neuer fayled nor euer will renounce and relinquish Know you not what the scripture sayeth of Elias i. I for resolution of this doubt referre you to the word of God I hope that you are neither so supine and negligent that you haue not read it nor so grosse of capacitie that you vnderstand it not how he maketh request or intercession vnto God saying against Israel i. in how lamentable and zealous maner he complaineth against them namely that they were all fallen away from the true seruice of God vnto the worship of the Idoll Baal Lord they haue kâ—lled thy Prophets digged downe thine altars i. they haue testified and declared their virulent hatred rage and malice against thee and thy truth by murthering and massacring all thy holy and sincere Prophets Priests Leuites that by preaching doctrine examples and practise would not assent too and applaude but condemne and oppose themselues against their idolatry and as for thine altars erected and builded vp long agoe by these holy Fathers for thine honor they haue defaced and destroyed them And I am left alone i. none else constantly and sincerely serueth God in the kingdome and none doe or dare publickly defend thy cause but my selfe and they seeke my life that is they thinke it not sufficient to haue committed all the former insolencies and villanies but they also to make vp the measure of their iniquitie and in hope to roote out euery true worshipper laye waite for my life Quest. Is Gods couenant made with his people by mens vnfaithfulnesse euer abolished and dissolued A. No for it is grounded onely in GOD who is vnchangeable and not in man who is a lyar lighter then vanitie it selfe and therefore not to be trusted Secondly Gods couenant is an euerlasting couenant and his mercy extendeth vnto a thousand generations therefore wee must not for the vnbeliefe of some condemne all but rather hope well of all 1. Cor. 13.7 Q. Whether doth Gods fore-knowledge in the Scripture euer make a difference and distinction betweene the Elect and the Reprobate A. Yes many times as in this and other places of holy Scripture where Gods knowledge and fore-knowledge is taken for the good pleasure of his will for election and his speciall loue and approbation as in Rom. 8.29 1. Pet. 1.2 2. Tim. 2.19 Psal. 1.6 Q. Was it a sinne in the idolatrous Iewes to demolish and pull downe altars seeing that they were set vp and seated in places where they ought not A. Yes for their minde and intention was wicked for they did not destroy and ouerthrow the Altars because they were not set vp onely in Ierusalem where they ought to be by Gods expresse commandement but because they would not haue sacrifice done to God onely Q. Whether that the true Church of God in the mysteries of predestination and other points of faith may
with ioynt harmony and consent of heart and bodie fly and shun all iust shew and appearance of Idolatry Euen so then at this present there is a remnant through the election of grace This verse conteyneth the illustration and probation of Paules proposition touching the reiection of the Iewes and the summe of the comparison is this Euen as in the daies of Elias all the children of Israell seemed to haue fallen away from the true worshippe of GOD to the adoration of Baal and yet notwithstanding there were seauen thousand though vnknowne to Elias that neuer bowed their knee to the Idoll euen so at this time there is a reseruation of many elect amongst the Iewes albeit the greater part of them for the time are cast away From this application and comparison of the Apostle this instruction and doctrine offereth it selfe to our consideration viz. That God is alwaies true and like himselfe and neuer changeth his nature couenant promises Psalm 89. vers 33 and 38. Romanes 3 4. 2. Samuel 7.28 And therefore it cannot bee that hee hath wholy reiected all the Iewes For God is voide of all corruption and alteration in his essence it can neuer faile but remaineth the same from etâ—rnity to eternity Secondly he is constant and vnmoueable in his will he keepeth all his decrees once made and he neither changeth them nor hath any need so to do 1. Vse This serueth notably for our comfort and consolation in this life for Gods decree of election is certaine the grace of God in his elect is perpetuall Rom. 11.30 Ier. 31. ver 31. Therefore we cannot miscarry 2. Vse Whereas God is alwaies like him and vnchangeable we must learne hence to be constant stedfast and vnchangeable in all duties of piety to God of sobriety to our selues and of charity and iustice towards all men otherwise as it is a shrewd and fearefull signe of Bastardy when the child in nothing resembleth the parents so it is a dangerous signe that wee bee none of the Lords when we are so ticklish fickle and false in our duties and couenants both to God and men herein nothing resembling the Maiesty of God V. 5. A remnant through the election of grace V. 6. And if it be of grace then it is no more of workes or els were grace no more grace A remnant From the warrant and authority of this and the like places it euidently appeareth that the number of the Elect and of those that shal be saued is at all times verie small and few in comparison of those that are reprobates and that perish but especially in the time of a generall or long continued defection and Apostacie Luke 18.8 Math. 7.14 They are a little and a contemptible flocke they are but a remnant and reseruation a tenth Isaias and Paul say though the number of the children of Israell were as the sand of the sea yet shall but a remnant bee saued Isay 10.21 et 22. Rom. 9.27 Narrow is the way that leadeth vntolâ—fe and few there are that enter into it Math. 7. ver 13 and 14. The cause of this small number of them is not because Christ doth enuy saluation to any for he doth most kindly inuite and allure all to come vnto him but because the greatest number refuse the grace of saluation offered vnto them and will not by faith receiue and apply it 1 Vse It ouerthroweth the error of them that determine of a church by a perpeâ—uall multitude whereas alwaies though sometimes more and sometimes lesse it is the least number by many degrees that treadeth in the right way that followeth the truth and that entereth in by Christ. 2 Vse We must comfort our selues against the paucity and fewenes of Gods children that his can neuer fall a way neither can they perish these God alwaies hath a tender regard of he doth take notice of them confirme and defend them against all crosse euents and after-claps And as for other mens profanesse vnbeliefe Apostacy it shal nor can neuer any whit preiudice their fauor and felicity for euery man shall beare his owne burden and euery man shal be saued by his owne faith or condemned for his owne vnbeliefe and impenitency V. 6. And if it bee of grace then it is no more of workes or els were grace no more grace but if it be of workes it is no more grace or els were workes no more workes And if it be of grace The election calling and reseruation of a remnant proceedeth onely from Gods meere mercie and fauour and not from any fore-seene faith workes or any outward priuiledge whatsoeuer for els grace i. not of grace but wages giuen vnto them for the worth and dignitie of the worke But if it â—ee of workes then it is no more of grace i. arising from the gratious loue pleasure and good will of God â—â—sls i. â—f it be of grace were worke no more worke i. the merit of workes were no more merite but a free gift From the Apostle his practise reasoning and concluding thus from the contraries the affirming of one of which doth necessarily deny and take away the other this fundamentall point offereth it selfe to our view and consideration That in the matter and mysterie of mans predestination iustification and saluation all disposition of mans will all fore-seene faith and workes all naturall and peculiar prerogatiues are wholy debarred and shut out from beeing aâ—y impulsiue moouing and working cause of it and that they proceed onely and wholy from the euerlasting decree and good pleasure of God The Scriptures are most plaine and pregnant for the demonstration of this principle Romanes 9.11 Ephesians 1.5 Iohn 15.16 Acts 13.48 Deut. 10.15 Further reasons to backe and fortifie this assertion are these first all disposion of mans will followeth predestination as doth likewise faith and workes and therefore cannot possibly be any cause of it Secondly it is naturally bent vnto euill continually and therefore cannot deserue ought at Gods hand and as for faith and workes they are fruites and effects of election therefore no cause of it they are also vnperfect and therefore voide of merite Thirdly they are the gifts and workes of Gods spirit in vs therefore not of our selues or from our owne worthines and touching natural and speciall prerogatiues they in the Iewes proceeded from Gods couenant and not from naturall generation for Iewes and Gentiles are alike conceiued and borne in sinne Fourthly the holy Patriarkes neuer rested much lesse gloried in them More-ouer if Gods predestination were caused by foreseene faith and workes then might an euident reason be giuen of it which Paul vtterly denieth and if workes could merit ought by their owne worthinesse then grace should be destroyed Gods glory empaired and all the workes of our redemption obscured Lastly God hath chosen vs from euerlasting in himselfe in Christ to the praise of his glorious grace and hath made vs vessels of mercy of
their conuersion and with that reuerend Father say O Lord Iesu thou doest iustly reuenge the contempt of thy selfe and this vnthankefull people is worthy whom thou shouldest most sharpely punish But O Lord remember thy couenantâ— and regarde the afflicted for thy names sake Also grant vnto vs that are of all men most vnworthy whom notwithstanding thou hast counted worthy of thy merciâ— that wee profiting in thy grace may not bee instruments of thy wrath against them but that wee may rather by the knowledge of thy worde and by the examples of an holy life through the working of thy holy spirit reduce them to the right way that thou maiest once bee glorified for euer of all nations and people Amen The fall of them the riches of the world Quest. Can good come of euill and saluation of the Gentiles come from the fall of the Iewes is here the corruption and dying of one the cause and generation of another Ans. Although euill can neuer produce good as the proper cause of it yet indirectly and by occasion it may worke it Thus wee see that from euill manners and the corrupt behauiour of men good lawes haue their beginning and originall Secondly the omnipotencie and infinite maiestie of him that at the first drew light out of darkenesse can draw good out of euill The riches of the world the riches of the Gentiles Here by riches is meant the sauing knowledge of the Gospell the grace of Gods spirit remission of sinnes and the assured promise and expectation of eternall life whence I gather and propound this doctrine That the grace and knowledge of God is the onely true and lasting riches and that alone that maketh the owners and possessors blessed Hence the godly poore are sayde to be rich in faith to be riche in GOD Luke 12.21 This is the true riches and properly theâ—r oâ—ne for they shall neuer bee taken away from them and they that are possessed of them shall neuer hunger nor thirst Io. 4. This is the treasure hidde in the field of the Church which when a man hath found bee hideth preserueth it and for ioy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field This is that pretious pearle which a marchant finding selleth all that he hâ—th and buyeth And as a man albeit otherwise as poore and miserable as Lazarus being possessed with no worldly goods and hereditaments yet if hee haue of his owne a goodly pretious and costly Iewell he cannot bee but rich euen so he that is enriched with the pretious Iewell of the grace and knowledge of God albeit hee otherwise haue nothing yet before God hee is verie rich That Gods Sonnes are rich albeit they are in the account and estimate of the world and in worldly respects they are many times poore and bare the Scriptures in other places afford plentifull Testimonies 1. Cor. 3.21 Ephesi 2.17 1. Tim. 6.19 1 Vse Wherefore let vs not dote vpon earthly and perishable things which can neuer make the possessors happy and blessed before God but let the word of God dwell richly and plentifully in vs let vs seeke to compasse the knowledge of it with all care and indeauour for of all other things it is most pretious and it alone being tempered and receiued by faith doth solace and satisfie the heart and yeeldes true and perfect contentment vnto it 2 Vse We must so labour and so order the matter that Christ be our treasure and our rich pearle and where our treasure is there must our heart bee also otherwise if wee make neuer so goodly and great purchases in the world and bee neuer so stored and furnished with worldly wealth and want this spirituall treasure this spirituall gould siluer Iewels c. we are in the eyes of God and so shal be one day declared before the eyes of all men to bee most beggarly and banckrupt naked and ignoble Luk. 12.21 Apoc. 3.17 V. 13 For in that I speake to you Gentiles in as much as I am an Apostle of the Gentiles I magnifie or adorne mine office V. 14. To trie if by any mâ—anes I might prouoke them that are of my flesh to follow them and might saue some of them I speake to you Gentiles viz. which are called from among the Gentiles in as much as I am an Apostle of the Gentiles i. I haue beene called of Christ principally that I should bee the Doctor of the Gentiles that I might carrie his name before them Act. 9.15 Gal. 2. ver 7. and 8. I magnifie mine office i. I ommit nothing that may appertaine to set it forth and make it famous and illustrious for this is glorious to my ministery 1 Cor. 15.10 1. Thess. 2. vers If by any meanes I might prouoke i. by preaching and my example stirre vp them that are of my flesh i. those that are sprung of the same Ancestors and so entirely beloued to follow them i. to beleeue in Christ and embrace the gospell and might saue some of them i. bring to the obedience of faith and by consequence to saluation Q. It is proper to God alone to conuert men to God how then can the ministers be said to conuert saue he alone giueth faith Eph. 2.20 he alone giueth repentance 2. Tim. 2.25 and hee alone softneth and mollifieth the heart Ezek. 32 An. God conuerteth and saueth as the proper effitient cause and author of it working inwardly and making the ministers doctrine effectuall but the ministers and preachers do it as outward meanes and instruments propounding offring and applying Gods promises vnto their hearts whose ministery is onely so farre-forth sauing and conuerting as it pleaseth God to prosper blesse it Act. 8. v. 31.37.38 Act. 10.43 2. Cor. 5 v. 18. Act. 16. v. 14. V. I magnifie my Ministery that I might prouoke them and might saue some of them Wee here from Pauls practice and paines in the adornation of this ministery learne wherein the dignitie ornament and true honor of the ministery doth consist not so much in titles pompe prebends multiplication of benefices glorious apparrell eminencie and superiority of place albeit there is and needes must bee an inequality and difference of order and degrees in the ministers for composing of controuersies and auoyding of confusion as in diligence of teaching in aduancing true religion doctrine and life and in winning many to Christ. 2. King 2.12 Act. 20. ver 28. The reasons hereof are these First God hath ordained them and their calling to this end Act. 26. and if they execute it not their sinne is greeuous and their iudgment most fearefull Secondly hereby Gods name is magnified amongst men and the sweet oyntment and smell of his gospell is dispersed farre and wide Thirdly they confirme their ministery and comfort their soules here and gaine addition of glory in the life to come 2. Cor. 2.16 Apoc. 11. Dan. 12.3 Vse The vse hereof is first to taxe
bountifulnesse and Gods seueritie Ques Is not God changeable in his promises couenant seeing that he cast of the Iewes whom formerly hee chose and loued Ans. No for first he speaketh of the nation in generall which were his people onely by outward profession and not by secret election Secondly they were grafted in the Church but neuer predestinate to life eternall for then they could not haue falne away Eor the Election of God is a firme foundation and all the gates and powers of hell cannot shake it much lesse preuaile against it Towards thee bountifulnesse if thou continue in his bountie Ques Seeing that continuance and perseuerance in grace and faith seemeth to consist in our owne power and will which is weake and changeable cannot the elect and regenerate loose faith and so wholy fall away from God Ans. No for first constancy and perseuerance doth not consist in our owne power and will but it is an effect of Gods election an especiall marke of a man regenerate 1. Iohn 2.22 Secondly by this manner of speaking the holy Ghost intendeth to correct pride and presumption in men and to stirre them vp to a godly indeauor to maintaine and cherish their faith and to be workers and instruments of their owne saluation by vsing all the good meanes that God hath sanctified for that purpose Thirdly faith albeit the flame and outward effects of it may be quenched for a time yet the fire was neuer put out but at the least blast of Gods word and spirit it is kindled againe and breaketh forth into a bright flame Lastly that regeneration and the gift of faith is neuer wholy lost it is most cleare and manifest by many testimonies of scripture God putteth his feare into their hearts that they can neuer depart from him They haue the seed of grace and of faith remayning in them and they alwaies keepe it The grace of God in them is a Well of water springing vp into euerlasting life Christ is alwaies a mediator for them and praieth for them effectually the comforter doth abide with them for euer God doth neuer cast them off and they shall neuer perish Ioh. 6. and 10. They if they abide not still in vnbeliefe shal be grafted in Q. How can predestination bee eternall and certaine seeing that it dependeth vpon mans beleefe or vnbeleefe An. Our beliefe or vnbeliefe dependeth vpon predestination for they that are elected to eternall life beleeue Act. 13.48 and they that are eternall refused cannot beleeue nor obey the Gospell Ioh. 8. and therefore predestination dependeth not on it for the second causes hang on the first that is the decree of God and not the first on the second Secondly our engrafting into the Church dependeth not vpon our owne power and free-will but onely vpon the power of God and his mercy Thirdly wee must distinguish of the times The Iewes that liue in one time or age may bee generally reiected but not so in another especially when their fulnesse shall as wee daily expect and pray for come into the Church and they bee by faith Abahams children Fourthly the Apostle speaketh not of euery perticular but of the people and nation in generall Lastly their duetie is shewed vs that they ought not to please themselues in their ignorance and vnbeleife but to desire to come to true vnderstanding and faith V. 22. Behold the bountifulnesse and seuerity of God The whole world is but a Theater of Gods mercie and iudgements for whatsoeuer is done in it hee doth it either as the efficient cause if it bee good and so farre forth as it is good or if it be euill he effectually permiteth it and most wisely and to good ends ordereth and gouerneth it and that alwaies without any fault of his as here we haue an instance in the Iewes reiection in the election of the Gentiles Psal. 115. The reason herof is first because God is almighty and therefore nothing is or can bee done in the world but by his decree and knowledge effectual working or at least by his effectual permissiō secondly God sitteth not idle in heauen as Epicures others vainly imagin but alwaies worketh doth care for and order the things of men preparing and propounding rewards to the Godly and reseruing and prouiding punishments for the wicked Gen. 6.5.6 Gen. 22.1 Deut. 8.2 13.3 Isa. 4 1.20.21.22.23 Vse Let vs attribute and ascribe nothing to chance or fortune but ascribe all to Gods holy prouidence who decreeth and fore-seeth gouerneth ordereth and directeth all things euen the least and most vile things and that in a most excellent maner to most excellent ends and if nature nihil facit frustra then the God of nature who is wisdome it selfe doth nothing but to excellent purpose Towards them which haue fallen seuerity We by other mens sinnes and falls must bee humbled and stand in feare least by our vnbeliefe and other sinnes that flow from it wee draw Gods anger and iudgments vpon vs. We haue infinit spectacles hereof in scripture as against the old world that in the daies of Noah was drowned against the Sodomits that were destroied with fire and brimston from heauen of many thousand Israelits that perished were destroied in the wildernes for murmuring for rebellion for fornication for idollatry and for tempting of God Iud. Epist. v. 7. of the Iewes exiled their owne country and led once and againe into captiuity and many other both generall and particular iudgements recorded in scripture both in the old testament and also in the new yea all ages and our owne experience yeelde vs store and variety of examples The reason hereof is because God is mercifull vnto vs and would not haue vs perish but to come to the knowledge of the truth and to repentance and so to saluation Secondly God is iust and hateth sinnes alike in all and if we will not take warning by others God will censure and punish vs sharpely Vse 1. Let vs pitty and commiserate their wofull condition that haue prouoked Gods indignation against them let vs commend them to God in our praiers and do out vttermost endeuour to recouer them Vse 2. Let vs marke and meditate vpon Gods seuerity against the Hungarians and the Greekes and other places of Europe that haue beene captiuated and inthralled to the Godlesse and barbarous Turkes together with Asia and Affrica Let vs also consider the great and long Apostacy of Spaine Italy and other countries in the West part of the world from Christ to the Romish Antichrist and withall behold Gods incomparable mercies so long and so strangely continued vnto vs and our nation Let vs acknowledge our owne vnworthinesse and be alwaies thankefull vnto God for so great mercies and beware least we contemne the ritches of his goodnesse and patience that leadeth and prouoketh vs to repentance and take heed that that be not found in vs which we taxe and condemne
and receiue the Gospell Lastly the Macedonians albeit otherwise in affliction and extreame pouertie by their free and willing contribution and collection for the reliefe of other distressed Saints prouoked the Corinthians to doe the like 1 Vse Hereby lette vs learne and be admonished what should be the scope of our doctrine life and zeale namely that it may bee a motiue and prouokement vnto others to resemble vs in good things that are pleasing and acceptable in Gods sight Let vs then breake-off and surcease from enuie spites and all contempt for hereby we rather kill them then conuert them and harden them then helpe them forward 2. Vse Here is condemned the ill zeale and example of Papists Turkes Anabaptists Schismatikes and the like who hereby seduce and scandallize others and if they do not destroy their faith yet they much impaire and weaken it woe to these that giue and raise great offenses better it were for them if they repent not that they had neuer beene borne For that God hath shut vp all in vnbeliefe In that God hath shut vp all .i. Conuinced them by his lawe and word and declared them thus to be captiuated and inclosed in the prison of their sinnes that it might appeare and bee there notified to all men that the pardon of sinne and their saluation proceedeth only from Gods mercie we learne this instruction viz That all men are sinners vnrighteous prone vnto euill and slow vnto good yea and vnfit and vnable to it and are hereof attainted and conuinced by the lawe of God in so much that they are in no better estate before God then guiltie and condemned persons and malefactors who trembling and astonied looke for nothing but death Psal. 6. V. 3.7 Psal. 130. V. 3. Psal. 143. V. 2. Thus must Paul before that God shew mercie vpon him be conuinced and proued to be a blasphemor and persecutor an oppressour Mary Magdalen to be an impure and filthie liuer Peter to haue denied Christ his Lord and Sauiour three times and that with cursing and swearing that it might appeare that saluation consisteth onely in gods free mercie and not in mans worthynesse or workes 1. Vse Let vs not please our selues in nobilitie stocks gentry witte wealth priuiledges for God respecteth not these but the heart and the worke of the spirit much lesse lette vs think not hardly or dispaire of others especially of the Iewes for we deserue no more at Gods hands then they but are alike conceiued and borne in sinne and by nature the children of wrath as well as they Eph 2.3 2. Vse Here are condemned those that iustifie them-selues before God and that will be saued by their owne workes and so presumptiously and proudly either deminish or denie the grace and free mercie of God then which nothing can bee imagined more iniurious and disglorious to the diuine goodnesse and clemencie 3. Vse Wee must learne with sorrow and greefe to confesse and lay open our sinnes before God yea to be abashed ashamed and confounded in regard of them and withall flee to the throne of grace and supplicate for mercie and forgiuenes For the more miserable wee finde our selues to bee and the more wee depend vppon Gods helpe and goodnesse the more fauour wee shall obtaine and the sooner procure mercy at his hands That he might haue mercie on all That is of all sorts both amongst Iewes and Gentiles In the matter of our iustification vocation saluation Gods mercie is onely seene and neither Iewe nor Gentile are saued otherwise then by his fauour and mercie Titus 3. v. 4.5 Eph. 2. v. 3.4.5 Rom. 3. v. 20.8.7.24.12 The reason hereof is first because Iewes and Gentiles are alike guilty before Gods iudgement seate as it hath beene before proued Secondly God is bound and beholding to none for who hath giuen him any thing but it shall be recompenced And therfore al whom he saueth he saueth by his meere mercy and grace and not for any matter or merit that he could find in them 1. Vse Here is condemned the grosse and palpable error of those which thinke that in the processe of time all shal be saued yea the very diuels as Origine dotingly dreamed Wheras the fewest are elected called iustified and none shall bee saued but they and this will the last iudgement make manifest to all the world 2 Vse It serueth also to ouerthrow refute the fond false opinion of al mans merits for we receiue all things from Gods meer mercy and there is no place for mens deserts and merites 3. Vse Thirdly wee must not abuse and peruert GODS mercies to the lust and libertie of the flesh for his mercie is proper and reserued for them that feare him and are displeased in them-selues for their sins not for such lewd and presumptious minded Libertines that haue no feare of God before their eyes Lastly though with the Saints of God in Scripture wee sometimes through Satans suggestion and our owne frailtie and negligence fall into many great and grieuous sins yet we must neuer dispaire of Gods mercies but repent whiles we haue time and by faith apply them to our selues For they are bottomelesse most plentious and neuer faile them that truly repent and beleeue The sixt part of the Chapter V. 33. O the deepenesse of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! How vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies passe finding out V. 34. For who hath knowne the mind of the Lord Or who was his Counsailer V. 35. Or who hath giuen vnto him first he shal be recōpensed V. 36. For of him and through him and for him are all things to him be glory for euer Amen Sense O the deepnes of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God .i. the riches of his deepnes or O the deepe plentifull and Ocean Sea that can neuer be drawn dry of these attributes of Gods knowledge and wisdome whereby God knoweth his and when he will call them and most wisely and iustly determineth of them and disposeth and gouerneth all men and all actions albeit our poore and shallow vnderstanding cannot apprehend it and many times iudgeth amisse How vnsearchable are his iudgements i. his meanes manner both in chusing and refusing in shutting vp all vnder sinne in sauing and condemning men cannot possibly be sounded and found out by mans reason and his waies past finding out .i. no man can find out his secret purposes and disseignes for they are not reuealed in the Scriptures V. 34. For who hath knowne the mind of the Lord Sense Viz. Who hath knowne his purpose and counsailes secret iudgements that are not disclosed and declared in the word Or who was his Counsailer In the creation and preseruation of the world in the redemption gouernment and saluation of his Church he needed not mans aduise and counsaile but performed all by counsaile of his owne will V. 35. Or who