we want it wee must vse the meanes to get and obtaiâ—e it and if wee finde our selues possessed with it wee must then preserue cherish and norish this holy flame with the knowledgâ— of Gods word with the vse of the Sacraments by conference by meditation by prayer by practise of good workes and by hope expecting and waiting for the ende of it euen the saluation of our soules For first our faith through the frequency and violence of temptations is often fore assaulted and weakened and therefore it had neede be repayred and confirmed Secondly onely that faith that vsually doth growe and encrease is the sauing and liuely faith and shall neuer be extinct for defect of oile nor pine away by any spirituall consumption but continueth firme and vnmoueable and obtaineth the promises Eph. 4. 11. 12. 13. Lastly if faith haue not as before specified his continuall supply of food it will faile as the wine did at the mariage in Cana of Galil if it be not norished and preserued it will wither like the corne sowen in the stony ground for want of moisture and it wil be lost as we see how it was in the foolish virgins at the Bride groomes comming and that argued that it was not true faith in existence but onely in apparence and that it was rather an opinion then a deepe impression for otherwise the faith of Peter and so of Gods elect shall not faile and the gifts of God namely that directly concerne saluation are without repentance Luk 22. 32. Rom. 11. 19. neuer extinct or taken away But that neither with the ignorant nor with the hypocrites nor yet with the Papists and other heretikes wee content and deceiue our selues with a mocke faith an historicall and temporary faith or with a crackt and erronious faith insteed of that which is sauing and iustifying we must found and search our soules whether wee bee Orthodoxe and vncorrupt in the principles of faith whether we rest wholy vpon the right obiect whether it be ioyned with particuler application and lastly whether we discerne and find in our selues the inward outward signes and euidences of it for then vndoubtedly wee haue that faith that iustifieth the sinner purgeth the heart engrafteth vs into Christ and saueth our soules But of these and the like particulers briefely and in order Principles and foundations of faith are these preaching of the word of God is the ordinary and principall meanes of saluation Rom. 10 14. Christ is both God and Man in one person perfect GOD and perfect man man to suffer and dye and satisfie for sinne in our nature that had offended and God to support his humanitie to giue efficacie and power to his doctrine and miracles and to adde infinite merite and desert to all his actions and sufferings Thirdly onely faith is the hand and instrument to apprehend and apply CHRIST vnto vs with all his blessingâ— and so to iustifie vs. Faith is like the eye which albeit in the acte and vertue of seeing it is alone yet not solitarye and alone in the bodye but ioyned to other parts so faith albeit it alone iustifieth vs before GOD yet it is not solitarie and alone but alwayes according to the proportion of it accompanied with holy life and good workes Gal. 5. verse 6. There are onely two Sacraments which Christ instituted and left vnto the Church Baptisme the sacrament of our new birth and entrance into christianity the outward signe whereof is Water and the Lords Supper the sacrament of our growth and perfect nourishment and encrease in Christianity the outward signes and matter whereof are Bread and Wine remaining both Bread and Wine for substance both in the sacramentall vse of them and afterwards as Paul maketh it manifest 1. Cor. 11. 26. 27. That no man performe and fulfill the lawe and therfore no man is to hope and looke for righteousnesse and saluation by that obedience which hee sheweth to the lawe Rom. 8. 3. Gal. 2. 15. 16. That we cannot make satisfaction to God for the least of our sinnes but that Christ alone hath most fully and onely performed it 1. Pet. 2. 24. Apoc. 1. 5. 6. That the saluation of all that beleeue is certaine and infallible not onely in Gods decree but also to themselues Rom. 8. 38. Heb. 10. 22. and therefore that the opinion of the Papists is wicked which make faith vncertaine and so holde our saluation to bee doubtfull That all doctrine necessary to saluation is contained in the Scriptures so that nothing is either to be added to it or detracted from it Deut. 4. 2. Apoc. 22. 18. 19. Gal. 1. 8. That the knowledge of the Scriptures are necessary for all sorts of people for their saluation and therefore that they ought to read them that they may thereby learne and vnderstand what God would haue them to beleeue and doe Iohn 5. 39. Mar. 12. 24. Math 22. 29. That God alone is to be adored of vs and that no part of diuine worship is to bee giuen vnto any creature Math. 4. 10. That holinesse of life good workes as effects and consequents of faith and the way wherein wee should walke Ephes. 2. 10. is necessarily required of all that will be saued Hebr. 12. That the Sacraments are onelye signes and seales of righteousnesse and not causes of saluation and therefore our saluation doth not so depend vpon them that they that want them must needs bee damned whereas our saluation consisteth onely in Christ his merits Marc. 16. 16. which none can dispoile and dismantle vs of That Christ his body was but once conceiued of the substance of the Virgin Mary and cannot bee made of any other matter and that CHRIST hath onely one body and therefore it is not made of Wheate bread as the Papists say it is dayly for it is not the seede of Dauid and bread is not the flesh of the Virgin That the humaine nature of Christ is now onely resident and contained in heauen and therefore it is not to be adored in earth Acts. 3. That the whole force vertue and efficacie of our saluation and redemption is in the onely and once offered sacrifice of CHRIST Heb. 10. 12. 14. and that this sacrifice could bee offered of none but Christ who was to be a Priest for euer Lastly to omit diuers other articles which bee more plaine and confessed it is a foundation of faith to know beleeue and hold that then immediatly after the dissolution from the body the soules of the righteous are carryed by the Angels into heauen and the soules of the wicked and impenitent are carryed by the diuill into hell and that the same bodyes with all their perfect partes and demensions shall for substance bee raised vp by CHRIST at the day of iudgment Iob. 19. 25. 26. Of this maine and principall article many are ignorant or at least not iuditiously and soundly perswaded as may appeare by the examinatioÌ„ of the ignorant people both
goeth Apoc. 14. 4 they shall see his face and his name shal be in their for-head Apoc. 22. 4. Finally the tabernacle of GOD shal be with them and hee will dwell with them and they shal be his people and GOD himselfe shal be their GOD with them Apoc. 22. 3. Now if the sight salutation and company of man and Wife Father and Children Kinsfolke and acquaintance friends and welwilâ—ers that are farre distant and haue beene long absent one from another bee so admirably gratefull and so wonderfully delightsome how much more desirable maruelous and vneffable will the continuall sight and fruition of GOD the Father Christ the Sonne our redeemer and the Holy Ghost our comforter bee vnto vs in the Parliament and Throne of Heauen And if Moyses that onely talked and had conference with GOD in the Mount but fortie dayes was so glorious in his face at his discent and returne that the Children of Israell could not or durst not behold it how much more vnspeakably Maiesticall and glorious shall they bee that haue fellowish not as sinners with GOD on earth for a fewe dayes but as perfectly sanctified in the Pallace of Heauen for euermore Herevnto in the second place I may well adioyne the mutuall ioyfull and vnutterable communion with all Angells Archangels Patriarks Prophets Fathers Apostles Euangelists Confessors Martirs and all the true Saintes of GOD of all degrees for euermore who by how many degrees and in how many properties especially in knowledge in Holinesse and loue they exceede and excell all mortall creatures so much more rare and incredible comfort shal they by their mutuall fellowshippe communicate one to another They shall not be ignorant one of another nor strange and suspected one to another much lesse false and hollow as in this worlde partly by reason of ignorance partly by reason of hypocrisie and partly by reason of humane infirmities it commeth oftentimes to passe but they shal be all one in will and consent liuing and louing together in perfect harmony of concorde and charity Vse The consideration hereof must cause vs to shun decline and abhor ill and contagious company what in vs lyeth and to haue our hearts and mindes inflamed and possessed with a longing desire to bee dissolued in the time appointed and to enioy the most blessed fellowshippe of GOD of the Lambe and of all the Saints and Angels in glory for euermore The second partickle to bee made lightsome and vnfolded is the perfection of the glorified soule and the body Touching the soules iust and perfect men they now after their dissolution from the body are replenished with infinite ioye and triumph in the Heauenly Ierusalem Luke 16. 25. Hebre. 12 22 23. Math. 25. 21. 23. but their ioye shal be much more encreased when the soules shal be reunited to their bodies Phil. 3. 20. and when the whole number of GODS elect Saints are accomplished and come in Apoc. 6. 10. 11. Heere they shall in Quires and companies mutually and eternally magnifie and praise the Lord as afterwards I will more fully shew when I come to speake of the rest of their prerogatiues Secondly in the minde vnderstaÌ„ding their shal be no error ignorance dulnes but cleere iudgemeÌ„t perfect wisedome 1. Cor. 13. 12. for wee shall be in perfect light and the wisdome of GOD shall manifest it selfe vnto vs secondly in the will and affections there shall bee no extasie or distemper but perfect righteousnesse integritie perfect loue of God and his saints aâ—d Angels and absolute conformity to Gods will Lastly the body it shall be a bright glorious beautifull strong nimble perfect and inâ—orrupt instrument habitation and receptacle of the glorified soule It shall be so bright and glorious that it shall shine forth as the sunne and shall send forth beames of light Math. 13. 43. It shall rise a glorious bodie 1. Cor. 15. 43. It shall bee like to Christ his body ergo no doubt most glorious Phil 3. 20. Some glimpse taste and representation hereof wee haue in the transfiguration of Christ whose garment was white and glistâ—red Luke 9. 29. it was very white as snowe so white as no Fuller can make vpon the earth Marke 9. 3. In Moses and Elias that appeared to our Sauiour in glory Luke 9. 31. and in the sundry and glorious apparitions of Angels in the old and in the beginning of the new Testament It shall bee a strong body for it shall rise againe in power and not in weakenesse as 1. Cor. 15. 43. It shall be a nimble body as well able by the proper forme of it to ascend as to descend as may be collected out of 1. Thes 4. 17. Math. 22. 30. Phil. 3. 20. compared together It shall bee a beautifull and goodly body because it is and shall be a vessell of honour as Rom 9 33. Lastly it shall bee perfect and incorrupt because as there is no fault defect and deformitie in it so it shall be a spirituall body 1. Cor. 15. 44. spirituall not because the substance shall bee changed for glorification taketh nor away the trueth and demensions of a naturall body but because it needeth none of these outward and earthly supplyes and helpes of meate drinke apparell sleepe rest mariage Phisick light c. for Christ shall bee in steed of all these vnto it and supply all 1. Cor. 15. Vse 1. The first vse that ariseth from the consideration and meditation of the body and soule ioyntly glorified is a notable comfort for Gods children that for the time present liue obscurely and in great contempt in no regarde and reputation traduced and troubled in euery place for they shall see the Lord haue immediate fellowship with him and shall shine as the sunne in a cleare skie Vse 2. In any bodily defect weakenesse sicknesse ache paine vlcers deformitie lamenesse and maimednesse we are not to be discontent and offended but endure them patiently For first they are but fatherly corrections and trials Heb. 12. 7. and 8. Secondly they are but temporary Thirdly the dearest and holyest of Gods children are as well subiect to them and beare their portion in them as much as any yea much more then other Psal. 73. vers 5. 15. Lastly they shall be taken all away and eternall glory and perfection shall succeed in their place And thus much of the explanation and description of the mariage what it is The fourth Section THe priuiledges and prerogatiues of this mariage remaine to bee considered and they are principally foure first a perpetuall and solemne sabboth which the saints of God shall inuiolably obserue in singing the new song of their redemption Apoc. 14. 3. they with one voyce and heart shall singe and acknowledge that Christ hath redeemed them to God by his bloud out of euery kindered and tongue and people and nation Apoc. 5. 9. and hath made them vnto their God Kings and Priests and in the 7. chap. 10. 11. 12. they
it Secondly marriage is honorable in all men it hath his chastity it is for the comfort of man the medicine of incontinence the meane to preserue the world and the seminary of the faithfull therefore in it selfe not inferiour to a single life Thirdly if single life were so holy and meritorious a state before GOD as they would make it then all vnmarried persons should be so But the examples of Absolon Adoniah Iudas c. euince the contrarye Secondly it should bee without the least taint of concupiscence Thirdly the Scriptures would auerre and auouch it Fourthly albeit virginity and single life in times of generall persecution be more to be wished and more conuenient then marriage yet then Paul rather wisheth that all men in respect of the time present were such then commandeth and inioyneth them 1. Cor. 7. 7. For he leauerh them to their liberties And this occurrence of affliction and trouble seemeth to bee a principall cause why Bishops Ministers so sparingly were married in the Primitiue church for some 200 yeares after the Apostles decease Lastly I conclude with Saint Augustine Melius est humile coniugium quà m superba virginitas Secondly in that the true Church is called by the name of Virgin in respect of her sound faith and pure affection to Christ wee are first admonished hereby to beware of and to shunne as the very plague or poison of our soules the dangerous and damnable errous and heresies of al Papists Turkes Anabaptists Schismatikes Pâ—gans â— For these like a gangrene cankar eate into corrupt our soules they put out the light of our vnderstanding and wound the vitall parts of spirituall life Mathew 6. 23. 2. Pet. 2. vers 2. 3. Apoc. 13. verse 7. and 8. 2. Thessa 2. vers 9 and 10. Secondly wee must entirely and vnfainedly loue Christ. Ioh 21. Hee must be our loue as Ignatius saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is that Christ his loue was crucified he alone must haue our hearts Pro. 23. ver 26. We must account al things but losse and dung in comparison of gayning him Phil. 3. 8. Hee is the pretious margarite or pearle wee must sell all that we haue to purchase it Mat. 13. 46. Finally our loue or affection to Christ his word and Sacraments must bee so feruent so fiâ—y and so vehement that no water should quench it nor the floudes drowne it and we should greatly contemne al substaÌ„ce in respect of it Cant. 8 6 7. This meeteth with those that haue a forme and shew of godlines yet they would serue God and Mammon two coÌ„trary maisters if they be worldlings or if they be licentious they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. louers of pleasures more then God Wherfore let vs auoide all hipocrisie and loue Christ sincerely for as Christ himselfe is simple sincere in his nature and in his promises loue and workes towards vs so let vs labor in some good conformity to behaue and carry our selues to him And thus much touching the first branch viz. that there is such a contract and of the vses of it 2. The second point to be considered in this spiritual coÌ„tract or vnion is the definition nature and forme of it This contract therfore is that mistical spiritual yet real substantial vnion coniunction between Christ and the Church whereby they are made one flesh and by special compact consent haue right interest one in another yea abide and dwel one in an other In the clearing and manifestation hereof three particulars are to bee handled first that this coniunction is onely spirituall not naturall or carnall Secondly that it is reall and substantiall and lastly the order and manner of it is to be touched It is mysticall and spirituall first because the persons betweene whom it is made viz. Christ as man and the Church militant are farre distant in place and therefore it cannot bee any naturall or carnall coniunction Secondly because the meanes and manner of working it are spirituall it needs must be spirituall also Now it is wrought effected not by nerues bonds â—inews as this naturall coniunction betweene the body and the soule is caused but by the spirit of Christ which he sendeth from heauen into vs and by our faith stirred vp by his spirit whereby we send it vp againe to him so that this coniunction must needs bee as spirituall so relatiue and mutuall First therefore that Christ sendeth his spirit into vs and that the same spirit that dwelleth in his manhood and filleth it with all graces aboue measure is deriued thence and dwelleth in all the true members raising vp and working in vs faith and strength whereby we apprehend him loue whereby wee affect him and all other graces needfull for euery mans saluation it is pregnantly prooued by these places of scripture following and the like Hee giueth vs of his spirit and hereby wee know that he dwelleth in vs and we in him Iohn 4. 14. God hath sent forth the spirit of his sonne into our hearts which crieth Abba father Gal. 46. Lastly the church is the habitation of God Eph. 2. 22. and the temple of God 1. Cor. 6. 19. Secondly our faith ascendeth vp to Christ. Acts. 7. 56. doth incorporate vs into him Ephes. 3. 12. 17. and hereby wee both liue and dwell in him Galath 2. 20. But this our faith is spirituall and inuisible for wee walke by faith and not by sight 2. Cor. 5. 6. And faith is the ground of things that are hoped for and the euidence of things which are not seene Heb. 11. 1. 2. Obiect But some perhaps will obiect that wee feed vpon Christ in the Sacrament we indeed eate his flesh drinke his bloud Iohn 6. 55. 56. Ergo our vnion is not spirituall c. Ans. Albeit wee really corporally and substantially receiue partake of and eare the elements and outward signes namely the bread the wine according to Christs institution in memory and representation of his body broken and his bloud shed and yet wee receiue and feede vpon Christ by faith For not euery one that eateth the bread and drinketh the wine in the Lords supper doth feede vpon Christ but onely the true beleeuers who feed of him both in the SacrameÌ„t and also out the Sacrament as may appeare Ioh. 6. 17. 51. Secondly as the Fathers in the time of the Law did all eate the same spiritual meate that we do and drinke the same spirituall drinke but they did it onely by faith which apprehendeth things to come as present for Christ was not then incarnate much lesse was he dead euen so we receiue and partake of Christ that is spiritually by faith and not carnally and substantiallye as the Papists imagine 1. Cor. 10. 3. 4. Thirdly Christ is now in heauen there contayned and his body there glorified therfore cannot he be eaten carnally corporally substantially for hee is many millions of miles
7. 12. Christ sanctifieth clenseth his Church by the Washing of water through the word that he may make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle c. Eph. 5 26 and 27. The graces that Christ bestoweth vpon her are as chaines to adorne her as Myrrh Incense and the spices of the Merchants to persume her as Purple and Skarletto clothe her as pretious Iewels to beautifie enrich her finally shee as Queene standeth at his right hand in a vesture of the gold of Ophir Psalme 45 vers 9. More particularly Christ trimmeth and prepareth his spouse First by offering and affording vnto her the means and ministery of grace and saluation as the Preaching of the worde Ephesians 4 11 12 13. the seale of the Sacraments Mathew 28 19. 1. Corinthi 1 23 24 25 26. Herevnto may be added troubles crosses and afflictions which albeit in their owne nature they bee euils and plagues for sinne yet the quality and property being altered by Christ his death they are made meanes to humble vs medicines to purge vs sowre sauce to make vs to relish better the Heauenly foode of our soules bridles to curbe and restraine vs from sinne and spirituall directers to guide vs to the Kingdome of heauen Secondly Christ trimmeth his spouse by the continual and effectual in working and efficacy of his blessed Spirit For without this all the outward meanes should bee onelie for conuictment of men and for their more iust condemnation and not for conuersion or consolation for by it hee alone giueth the encrease 1. Cor. 3. hereby he epeneth meÌ„s vnderstanding to vnderstaÌ„d the scriptures Lu. 24. ve 32. he openeth their hearts as hee did Lydias to attend vnto good doctrine Acts 16. ver 14 he coÌ„uerteth their hearts as he did the heart of Cornelius all that heard the words with him Ac. 10. ve 44 hereby he leadeth them into all truth Iohn 16. 13 he dwelleth in them 1. Cor. 3. 16 he regenerateth them Ioh. 3. 5. 8 finally he comforteth strengtheneth them Ioh. 16. 8 in that he is the principall in trimming and preparing the Church his spouse and that vnlesse hee giue grace and successe al other meanes albeit neuer so good holy be vaine and frustrate it must teach ernestly and continually by praier to desire and entreat the Lord to prepare vs to make vs meet for his kindome and to make the ministery of his word and Sacraments and all other good means profitable and effectual vnto vs herein wee must say with the Church in the Cantikles arise O North and come O South and blowe on my garden that the spices thereof may flow out and then let my beloued come to his garden and eate his pleasat fruite CaÌ„tickles 4. v. the 16. The instrumentall trimmers adorners of the Bride are specially and most singularly the ministers and Preachers of the word For these doe with Paul labour to present their congregation as a chast Virgin vnto one hul band lesus Christ 2. cor vers 1. 2. They haue the ministery and embassie of reconciliation committed vnto them 2. cor 5. ver 18. They are the Preachers of faith repentance Mark. 1. ver 15. Math. 3 2. Act. 26. 20. They haue the keyes and authority subordinatly vnder Christ to binde and to loose to remit and to retaine Mat. 16. 19. Ioh. 20. ver 23. finally they are the outward organes meanes of illumination conuersion and saluation as may appeare Act. 26. 18. 1. Tim. 4. 16. 1. cor 1. 21. Hence it is that Philip must teach and conuert the Enuch Act. 8. 35. Ananias Paul Paul Lidia and Peter Cornelius Act. 9. 10. 11. Act. 16. 14. Act. 10. ver 7. and 3. 4 The vse hereof is to teach in no wise to neglect despise or distast the Preaching of the worde and other Holie meanes of our Saluation as many and most do vpon the perill of their owne saluation but vse them with all care reuerence diligence and constancy And therefore what a shame is it for most men yea what an occasion to aggrauate their condemnation that they will for supplie and obteyning of earthlie foode prouision and aduancement trudge and trauaile farre and neere almost to euetie market and faire and in the meane time neglect the foode of their Soule suffer it to pine and to perrish they are more churlish to it then Nabal was to Dauid more without compassion then the rich glutton was to Lazarus and more hard hearted and mercilesse then the Iayler to innocent Paul and Sylas who put them into the dungeon or inner prison and locked their feete fast in the stocks Act. 16. 24. And thus much of the principall preparer of the Bride and also of the instrumentall Thirdly the subiect or person that is thus prepared of Christ and his ministers that is also as a voluntary and vnderstanding creature by remouing the bar and incumbrances of infidelity idolatry and impenitency and by vsing and frequenting all the holie meanes of begetting confirming and increasing the sauing graces and gifts of God is this spouse of Christ the Church the elect the beleeuers and in a worde all that desire and seeke to be saued For these are often and continually warned and perswaded in the Scriptures to watch Marke 13. verse 35 36. to bee sober and to watch vnto prayer 1. Peter 4 7. and to haue feruent Charity amongst themselues verse 8. to repent Act. 17. ver 30. to purge themselues 1. Iohn 3. 3. to put on the brest-plate of faith and loue 1. Theff 5. 8. and hope of saluation for an helmet ibidem to beware of surfeting dronkennes and the cares of the world Luke 21. 34. to waile yea sigh mourne for the redemption of their bodies Rom. 8. vers 20. 21. 22. 23. To vse the world and all things thereof as though they vsed them not 1. Cor. 7. 27. to feare God and giue glory to him Apo. 14. vers 7. to make an eccho and cry with the Bride in the Apocalyps come euen so come Lord Iesus Apoc. 22. vers 14. 20. and lastly at the discerning of the neere approch of Christ by the accomplishment of the last signes such as are the ruine of Romish Babilon the conuersion of the nation of the Iewes in the kingdome and countries into which they are dispersed the roaring of the Seas and waters c. reioysingly to looke and liâ—t vp our heads because our full redemption draweth neare Luke 21. verse 28. Apoc. 19. 7. This espoused virgin or Bride therefore must of necessity being stirred vp and assisted by the spirit of GOD and hauing the meanes of grace so abundantly ministred vnto her get the wedding garment of faith and holines Math. 22. vers 11. 12. 12 make her selfe ready Apoc. 19. verse 7. to desire to bee disâ—olued and to be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. and to endeuour to be acceptable to him 2. Cor. 5. Reasons and arguments further
in what horror vexation thinke we they shal be in when they shall suffer full and euerlasting shame and punishment Secondly they vpon the perfect sense of their infinite sinnes and vpon the full apprehension of Gods infinite indignation shall euerlastingly dispaire and shall alwayes desire to dye and shall not dye Apoc. 9. 6. Thirdly in their minds and wils being vnspeakeably infected and possessed with enuie and malice they on the one part seeing themselues depriued of so infinite glory and plunged into so endlesse miseries by reason of their sinnes and offences and on the other side either by present sight and view as some diuines collect out of Luk. 13. 28. Luke 16. 23. Apoc. 14. 10. or else which is an vndoubted truth by keeping in fresh and perpetuall memory the absolute and glorious estate glorification of the godly at the last day obseruing and perceiuing the godly whom they in their life time so scorned abused wronged persecuted to be so vnconceaueably blessed shall be tormented and vexed with an vncredible enuie Isa. 66. 23. 24. Psal. 85. 10. 11. Luk. 16. 23. We haue some instance hereof in proud Hamon that cursed Agagite that could in no wise endure the exaltation of Mordocheus but it was a sword to his heart and a vexation to his conscience And if the enuious in this life repine yea and pine away at the felicitie and fauours of others how much more will they then enuy when they themselues shal be incomparably more miserable and the godly vnspeakably more blessed Fourthly the reprobate shal be as wel tormented in their bodies which haue bin the vessels instruments of sinne and iniquity as in their soules for as their bodies shal be darke â—inglorious and deformed contrary vnto the glory of the elect so shall they be tormented not with any materiall fire for theÌ„ the worme of conscience the carcases of the slaine and the metaphoricall speeches especially in the Apoc. 22. 23 that describe and delineate vnto vs the ioy and glory of heauen should be litterally vnderstood which is very absurd to thinke but with that which is equiualent yea farre more extreame namely the full and finall wrath of God ceazing and inuading the soule and body as appeareth Apoc. 14. 10. They shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God yea of the pâ—re wine that is powred into the cup of his wrath and shal be tormented in fire brimston before the holy Angels and before the Lambe for euermore they shall drinke vp the dregs of Gods wrath which is their portion to drinke Psal. 74. 10. Psal. 11. 6. Lastly because they must in soule body suffer the vnsupportable indignation of the Lord are called and so indeed are vessels of wrath prepared to destruction Now if the anger of a Lion of a Beare robbed of her whelps much more of a mighty Monarch be so perniciousâ— and daÌ„gerous how much more incoÌ„parable then is the wrath and indignation of the Almighty and the most iust Lord who is to his enimies a consuming fire Hebr. 12. 29. and whose wrath burneth vnto the bottome of hell Deut. 32. 22. God giue vs grace by our godly feare true repentance and sound obedience in this life to preuent it Amen Thus much of the generall and particuler punishment of those that are excluded The last point and part to be handled and wherewith we will conclude the whole treatise is the manifold and wholsome vses that we are to make of this doctrine first therfore the serious consideration and meditation of the state paines of the damned must be a forcible motiue to diswade and reclaime vs from committing sinne and iniquitie for feare of falling into the same condemnation Chrysostome in his 13. Homilie or sermon vpon the Romaines saith well to this purpose Vtinam inquit vbique de Gehenna dissereretur non enim sinet in Gehennam incidere Gehennae meminisse c. that is would to God euery man would speake of hel for to remember hell will not suffer a man to fall into hell for if the due consideration of seuere humane lawes that shall be duly executed doe keepe the most vnruly from offending much more will the serious consideration of the paines of hell if men haue grace to thinke on them reforme amend men Iâ—de 23. Secondly the Preachers Ministers of the word of God when they see perceiue the deadnesse dulnesse â—and impenitencie of the hearers must labour by laying open the multitude and torments of the damned to draw men to feare God and to repent their sinnes Math 23. 33. Heb. 10. 27. Apoc. 14. 9. 10. 11. The third vse is to teach vs not to be enuious against the wicked nor to repine at their temporall dominion and prosperitie for first neither they nor their pompe nor prosperity shall continue long but perish suddainly Psal. 73. 18. 19. 20. Psal. 37. 12. Secondly they haue for the most part their portion in this life Psal. 17. 14. Lastly their damnation is iust sleepeth not 2. Pâ—t 2. 3. wherefore wee must rather commisserate and pitty them yea and pray God to conuert them for in so doing we shall please God discharge our owne duties perhaps in the end be a meanes to win and reclaime them Fourthly lastly finding in our selues by due examination that God hath deliuered vs from so great condemnation and made vs heires in hope of eternall life we must continually and from our hearts giue all glory praise vnto God Apoc. 5. 9. 10. Col. 1. 12. 13. 14. and hereby bee stirred vp to be stedfast vnmoueable aboundant alwayes in the worke of the Lord 1. Cor. 15. 57. 58. Now the Lord God the fountaine of mercies and the father of our Lord Iesus Christ grant wee may performe these duties and continue constant like pillars in his loue and seruice to the end for his beloued sonnes sake Iesus Christ our onely redeemer and mediator Amen AN APPENDIX or necessary addition touching the doctrine nature and vse of the Sacraments propounded in plaine and profitable Questions and Answeres very requisite and comfortable for euery Christian to know TO THE VVOR shipfull Learned and Religious Gentleman maister Thomas Gibbs of Watergaull Esquier Thomas Draxe wisheth encrease of grace and of all prosperity and for a monument of his loue and duetifull affection consecrateth this small adioynder following The Doctrine nature and vse of the Sacraments Qu. WHat signiâ—ieth this word Sâ—ments An. A â—ouldiers oath made to his Captaine whereby he is sworne to be true to and consecrated to the â—eruice of the generall and from that original signification it is drawne by the common consent of the Church to signifie the Holy Sâ—ales of Gods mercie For as the souldier by his oth administred and taken bindeth himselfe to the seruice of his generall so wee by the vse of the Sacraments binde our selues to God and to his worship Qu What is a Sacrament Ans.