Euerie one shal haue reward according to his worke We ought not to condemne or iudge any to bee reprobate albeit to bee without feare of GOD and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Psal 64. vers 4. c. Because it is a secret only reserued to God therfore he hath said Iudge not that ye be not iudged Matth. 7.1 Iam. 4.12 Because the Lord is not so merciful in forgiuing as he is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor an Apostle as he did by Paule Acts. 9.3 Because the very godly haue been greatly ouergone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israel 1. King 19.10 These 3. steppes doo leade vs vnto destruction Barn The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing and perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs That we might knowe the will of God and followe it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of God Ioh. 20.31 That in beleeuing wee might haue life through his name Ioh. 20.31 The whole scriptures are diuided into three parts Bar. Lawe Prophets Gospell The Lawe The Gospel consist in doing in beleeuing This may perswade vs to beleeue the authoritie of the Scriptures to be true Bib. The secret testimonie of the holie Ghost in our hearts which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godlie agreement of all parts together with the orderlie disposition certaintie and successe thereof The Scriptures do set forth vnto vs amongst many other three especiall matters which we ought to remember The frailtie of man and his prone inclination to euill The iustice of God and his seuere punishment appointed for obstinate transgressors The mercie of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euerie one ought effectually to know and search the holy Scriptures for Knowledge Confirmation Consolation Because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error Because wee must beleeue nothing but that which is approoued by them Acts. 17.11 Because in them is cōtained eternal life We may gather knowledge in the Scriptures three manner of waies By attendant hearing of the same well preached By diligent reading of the same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open thē Act. 8.30 The word of GOD then draweth vs vnto him Bib. When it is so preached and heard as we vnderstand and learne what is taught thereby When we receiue thankfullie that which is giuen promised and assured therein When we bee moued with desire and diligence to do that which it commandeth The word of God then hath his perfect worke when it is Preached truelie Beleeued faithfullie Followed effectuallie Such as will not beleeue the word of God what followeth If the righteous scarcelie bee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinner appeare 1. Pet. 4.8 Euerie vnfaithfull shall die in his vnfaithfulnes saith Esdras 2. Esdr 15.4 Euerie vnbeleeuer is condemned alreadie Iohn 3.18 and shall be punished with euerlasting perdition 2. Thes 1. Ignorance can no way be excusable For that which maie bee knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs. Rom. 1.19 For those that knowe not the lawe shall perish without the lawe Rom. 2.12 For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leueticall law argueth no excuse to be admitted Leuit. 4.2 Our Sauiour Christ describeth by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of his word Matth. 13. Such a one as heareth it and vnderstādeth it not by reason the euill one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioye but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word hee is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceiptfulnes of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God Because his holie mysteries are there laid open which are hid obscure to manie Because we may bee vnited and coupled together by receiuing the Sacraments Because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requestes where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will he bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three ancient and excellent ornaments Preaching Praier Sacraments Preaching ingēdreth faith Praier increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregatiō ought to pray for all men without anie difference of Nation kind age or order Beza 1. Tim. 2.3 4. Because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospel wil haue his Church gathered together after this sort therfore praiers to be made for all Because God should not els bee manifested to be the onlie God of all mē vnles he should shew his goodnes in sauing of al sorts of men Because his Sonne Christ Iesus should not be seen to be the onelie Mediator between God and of all sorts of men by hauing taken vpō him that nature of man which is common to al men vnlesse he had satisfied for all sortes of men and made intercession for all Sacramēts are Signes or badges of christianitie Seales or pledges of our faith Assurances of our saluation whereof there be 2. Baptisme The Lords Supper The Sacrament of Baptisme Bib. Teacheth vs to put on Christ that his righteousnes may couer our sinfulnes Galat. 3.27 Assureth vs wee are so grafted into Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away Ephes 5.26.27 Chargeth vs to mortifie and die to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Bib. Sheweth vs that the bodie and bloud of Christ crucified is the onelie foode for the regenerate Assureth vs that Christ is whollie ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto life euerlasting Requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with vnitie amongst brethrē The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is vnworthelie receiued when we receiue it onelie by the visible signe without regard of the inuisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome than good consideration or more for feare than good affection when we receiue it disorderlie beeing dronken or with a corrupted conscience cōtinuing in malice or enmitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper must be receiued reuerentlie eaten effectuallie digested thankfullie therefore let euerie one trie and examine his knowledge his faith his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holie Sacraments yet we may receiue them by the euill Articl Religio 26. Because they do it in Christ his name and not in their owne Because their wickednes cannot take away the effect of the ordinance Because of Christs institution promise so it be receiued rightly by faith These three things are to to bee noted whereof heretofore there hath arrise
some question concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper By whom we receiue it with whō we receiue it How oft wee receiue it we ought rather to receiue it at the hāds of the good Minister if it be possible yet we must not reiect the ministerie thereof by the wicked so it be done formallie Artic. pe we maie cōmunicate with euerie one so they be not such as are notoriouslie knowne to be dronkards adulterers and such like for that is prohibited 1. Cor. 5.11 we may receiue at al times so our faith and conformitie bee fit for the same otherwise it will turne to our condemnation saith Paule 1. Cor. 11.27 It is a pitifull nay rather a pestiferous thing to see such placed in the Ministerie as be Ignorant Negligent Impudent in learning in their calling in their liuing For where there is no vision the people perish Prouer. 29.18 For they are accursed that doo the worke of GOD negligentlie Ier. 48.10 For their lewdnes maketh the word of God worse liked of 1. Sam. 2.17 Idle Ministers vnpreaching Pastors and such like are called nothing els but blind watchmen Esa 56.9 domme dogges Esa 56.10 subtile foxes Eze. 13.4 who destroy Gods vine for their own aduantage Godlie Preachers and Pastors will be verie carefull of the sinceritie of their doctrine of the integritie of their liues of all their whole actions that it bee agreeable to the word of God they be cōformable to the same word they bee profitable to the example of others These sayings may moue preachers and such like to be verie carefull watchfull fearefull Because they must one daie yeeld an account of their stewardship Because his bloud shall be required at their hāds that dies in his iniquity thorow their negligence Ezek. 33.6 Because an hard iudgement shall trie him that beareth rule Wisd 6.5 Godlie Preachers Pastors are greatlie to be accepted loued obeyed for their office sake for their workes sake for commandement sake Because they represent the person of God Luk. 9.41 Mar. 10.41 Because they dispose his secretes mysteries 1. Thes 5.13 Because they are appoynted ouerseers and watchers for our soules as those that must yeeld accompt for them Heb. 13.17 S. Peter willeth preachets pastors such like to feed their flock caring for it 1. Peter 5.2 Not by constraint but willinglie Not for filthie lucre but of a readie mind Not as though they were lords ouer Gods heritage but as examples to them S. Paul shewed a most worthie example to preachers and such like by his duetifulnes painfulnes contentment in preaching in labouring in liuing For he ceased not by the space of three yeares to preach and warne euerie one both night and day with teares Acts 20.31 For he wrought with his own handes to minister to his necessities not onelie because he would bee chargeable to none but also to helpe to releeue others 1. Cor. 4.12 For although his liuing was little yet he well accepted of all estates without coueting any mans siluer gold or apparell Acts 20.33 Preachers must teach the word of God whether the people regard it or no Because it may be a testimonie against the vnbeleeuers or neglecters of the same at the latter day Deut. 18.19 Because the Lord will vse the means of his seruāts to make the wicked more faultie to proue his Iere. 7.27 c. Because it is their duetie to bee instant in season and out of season 2. Tim. 4.2 The spirit of prophecying or preaching is sometime giuen to the wicked aswell as the godlie as appeared by Caiphas Iohn 11.51 Saule 1. Sam. 10.10 Iudas the Apostle therefore wee must trie the spirits whether they be of God 1. Ioh. 4 1. The word of God ought not to be exempted from any estate neither ought to be cōtemned in any person in respect of his condition calling or vnworthines professing the same profitable considering God hath called Plowmen from the fields to be Prophets 1. King 19.19 20. Shepherds from the folds to be zealous professors Psal 78.7 Fishermē from their nets to be followers of him Mat. 4.18 We must not condemne or contemne the Ministers of God if by infirmitie they fall into horrible offences for Sathan hath beguiled the most godlie professors as Lot that ancient Patriarke became incestuous Gen. 19.30 Dauid that excellent Prophet committed homicid 2. Sam. 11.25 26 Peter that good Apostle prooued periured Iohn 18.27 It is verie dangerous to despise persecute or conspire the death of the ministers of GOD as may appere by these three examples Iezabel did threaten the death of Eliah yet hee liued and was taken vp into heauen when she died was eaten of dogges 2. King 19.35 36. Saul intended the death of Dauid yet hee escaped and became King but Saul procured his owne death most desperatlie 1. Sa. 31.4 2. Sa. 1.9 15. Herod put to death Iohn Baptist but as his deedes were detestable before God so his end was ignominious to the world for he was eaten to death with wormes Acts 12.13 Preachers Pastors such like of all others are most of all subiect to contempt and enmitie Because Sathan by policie procureth many to a disdaine of their persons as a meane to induce them to a disliking of their doctrine Because the Spirits of error are now spread abroad which wil deceiue the harts of many and cause them to become cursed speakers especially against Gods ministers 2. Tim. 3.2 Because these are those perilous daies wherin it was long sithence prophecied that manie should be despisers of thē which are good 2 Tim. 3 Peter was three times commanded to feede his flocke which is expounded 3. waies with sound doctrine with honest life with good hospitalitie Bar. Ich. 21. This worde behold doth commonlie import some great admiration vnto vs as it is vsed concerning Christ at his Natiuitie Passion Second comming Behold saith the Angel to the Shepheards I bring you glad tidings that vnto you is borne this day a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Luk. 2.10 Behold at his yeelding vp of the ghost the vaile of the Temple was rent in twaine the earth shaked stones were clouen the graues opened c. Math. 27.51 Behold saith our Sauiour Christ I come shortlie my reward is with me to giue to euerie man as his worke shall be Apoc. 22.12 Christ Iesus came into the world Not as a Iudge but as a Phisition Not as a destroyer but as a Sauiour Not to call the iust but sinners to repentance Christ Iesus descended came as was promised Of the seede of Abraham Of the tribe of Iuda Of the stock of Dauid Beth-lehem brought him forth Nazareth brought him vp Capernaum was his dwelling place Theoph. Christ Iesus was transfigured vpon Mount Thabor Matth. 17.1 was crucified at Ierusalem Heb. 13.12 was taken into heauen at Bethania Luk. 24.50 He liues vpon the earth before his passion 33. yeres after his resurrection 40. daies Acts 1.8 Christ Iesus consisteth of three parts
guide them by counsell To defend them by power Psal 78.72 c. Such as are called to be Rulers and Magistrates ought to be Men of courage fearing God Exod. 18.21 Men dealing truelie hating couetousnes Exod. 18.21 Men of wisedome and vnderstanding Deuteronomie 1.13 Such as intend euill attempts or vse any rebellious meanes or mischief against Gods annointed Kings and Princes should remeÌ„ber the end of these 3. examples Dauid hauing but priuily cut off the lappe of King Sauls garment was touched vehementlie in heart for it 1. Sam. 24.5 6. Absalom hauing betraied King Dauid his father came to an vntimely death for he was hanged by the haire of his head vpon an Oke 2. Sam. 18.14 Achitophel being a Coadiutor in preferring the lewd practises of Absalom against his father when hee perceiued his counsell preuailed not he went desperatlie and hong himselfe 2. Sam. 17.23 He that will vse reuerent obedience to his Prince must be verie carefull to consider how dangerous it is to offend in thinking euill in vttering euill in committing euill for the soule of the heaueÌ„ shal carrie the voyce and that which hath winges shall declare the matter Eccle. 10.20 for it is written Thou shalt not speake euill of the Ruler of thy people Exod. 22.28 for if the Lord doth detest the euill intent and forbid filthie speaches how much more doth he abhorre the act of euill and wil punish the malefactors There be 3. points commendable and necessarie for him that is in authoritie To haue the fauour of the people To procure their wealth To bee gentle and louing toward them Ester 10.3 c Good and godlie Magistrates ought to be obeyed in respect of Conscience Feare Necessitie Because they are ordained of GOD whose will is they should be obeyed Rom. 13.5 Because they are his ministers to take vengeance on all that do euill Rom. 13 4. Because where no rule is all things goe to ruine Iudg. 16.6 Herein consists the whole duetie of Magistrates To defend and preserue the godlie 1. Pet. 2.14 To bridle and punish the wicked 1. Pet. 2.14 To iudge righteouslie betweene both Deut. 16.18 Magistrates ought continuallie to remember That the higher they are placed the sorer is their triall Wisd 6.8 That their negligence in suffering euill is their iniquitie That the ill example of themselues is a double sinne There be three things not tollerable in anie Magistrate Partialitie Crueltie Briberie in respecting persons in ministring iustice in detayning right for that is abomination in the sight of GOD. Leu. 19.15 Deut. 1.17 for such measure as they mete shal be met to theÌ„ againe Matth. 4.24 for fire shall consume the houses of bribes Iob. 15. Hee that will bee master ouer a godlie houshold must knowe his owne duetie to his familie as Wife Children Seruants and how to vse them being well disposed euill inclined The duetie of the housholder is To knowe the state of his flocke Pro. 27.23 To instruct them in the feare of God Psal 78.5 To prouide carefullie for his familie 1. Tim. 5.8 The husband ought to haue a speciall honest care and loue to his wife in 3. respects Because she commeth of his owne flesh and therefore who will bee bitter to his owne bodie Because they are the weaker vessels and therefore who will not beare with their infirmities Because she was made as a comforter to man therfore he is worse than a beast that wil be cruel to her There be three causes should mooue and make the wife obey honor and submit herselfe to her husband The prioritie of mans creation The superioritie of his placing The iniquitie of the womans procuring because Adam was first formed then Eue afterwarde for his sake 1. Tim. 2.13 because man was made to beare rule whereunto Paule verie well alludeth and saith that as Christ is the head of the Church so is the man of the woman Ephes 5.23 because the man was deceiued by the womaÌ„ wherevpon God enioyned her amongst other this punishment of subiection 1 Tim. 2.14 Gen. 3.16 Parents must euer haue a great regard of their children in obseruing three things That they bring them vp carefullie in the information of God least they growe graceles Ephe. 6.4 That they bridle them discretly while they are yong least they grieue them when they are old Prouer. 22.6 That they prouoke theÌ„ not too rigorously at anie time least they discourage them Col. 3.21 Such children as are obedient to their parents shall haue this benefite They shall liue long vpon the earth Ephe. 6.1 2 3. They shall prosper in all their proceedings Ephe. 6.1 2 3. They shall haue ioye of their owne children Eccle. 3.6 Children ought to obey their parents by the law of God by the course of Nature by the rule of Reason So it bee in the Lord. Mat. 10. â—7 Masters should continuallie remember That they haue a master aboue that seeth all That they shal receiue for the wrong they offer of him who respecteth no persons That they bee as carefull to redresse their owne faults as readie to reproue their seruants escapes Herein consists the duetie of Seruants To obey their masters in the Lord without murmuring To doo their duetie in singlenes of heart without eye seruice Ephe. 6.6 To suffer patientlie rebukes and chastisements without resisting Riches oftentimes be the meanes to cause Impietie Securitie Miserie As appeares by the parable of The yong man Mar. 10.22 The rich man Luke 12. Diues and Lazarus Luk. 16 Wicked wealthie worldlings should do well to consider continuallie of these places Amos. 6. vers 1. Esai 65. vers 13. Iam. 5. vers 1. A rich man shall hardlie enter the kingdome of heauen Matth. 20. Such as gather their goods by vsurie briberie extortion or such like vnlawfull meanes what followeth They gather them for such as Salomon saith as will be good to the poore Prouer. 28.8 The rust of their gold siluer as Iames faith shall be a witnes against them and eate their flesh as it were fire Iam. 5.3 They lie in graue like sheepe as Dauid saith death gnaweth vpon them Psal 49.14 Although worldlings do make their God of their goods yet the iust man doth but esteeme Gold and siluer to be coloured earth yea but dung Phil. 3.8 Worldlie wealth and voluptuous feeding to be filth and famine Dignitie delight to be smoake which the ayre consumeth sodainlie Riches are good in this respect If wee can vse and bestowe them to that end they are giuen vs. If we can as willinglie leaue them as receiue them If we set not our hearts on them as they increase Psal 62.10 It is a vaine thing for a man to hunt so greedilie after worldlie goods or take such great delight in gathering Because hee shall beare nothing with him when he dieth Psal 49.17 Because hee cannot prolong his life with them though he hath abundance Luk. 12.15 Because they will not auaile him in the daie of wrath