Selected quad for the lemma: soul_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
soul_n	body_n	bring_v	death_n	8,551	5	5.4004	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64251	Peter his repentance shewing, among other things, these two points for edification I. what weakenes remaines in Gods owne children, especially in times of triall and danger, and to, what little cause they have to trust their hearts, or be confident of themselves, but get to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. II. what is the power of Gods grace and covenant, for renewing His children by repentance, and so, what encouragement they have to return after every fall, and goe on in their course of watchfulnesse, humiliation, prayer, and magnifying of Jesus Christ / by Dr. Thomas Taylor.	Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632.	1653 (1653)	Wing T569; ESTC R20311	101,739	76

not deny thee if I should dye with thee 4. The effect of it drawing all the Disciples into the same sin with him likewise said they all Note 1. In that Peter falleth into the same sin againe and against the meanes used by Christ that the Child of God through strength of his corruption may fall often into the same sin notwithstanding good meanes against it For 1. It is a very hard thing to lead them out of themselves almost nothing but experience of their former fals which is the Mistris of fooles bringeth them to see their folly so here in Peter all Christs warnings too little and so long they must fall sense of weaknesse is their greatest strength 2. Till the judgement be changed the Actions be the same Peters judgement is disguised with an erroneous misjudging his owne estate he is the same man after Christs speech as he was before and so contradicteth him as before as the most of the Fathers lived in Polygamy not because it was ever lawfull but their judgement being darke and erroneous in it their practise was answerable and who of Gods Children see not that they know but in part and grow dayly to see errors in themselves which they never saw before as Peter saw not so much in himselfe as he did after 3. Weakenesse of grace and regeneration in part causeth even the best to goe every day over the same wants and common infirmities as wandring thoughts idle speeches unjust anger c. which frailties as they be daily renewed so they must daily renew their repentance and daily lay hold on Christs perfect merits for justification this weaknesse of grace gave Peter up againe to this sin of contradicting his Lord. 4. The same ends remaine still which may move the Lord to leave his Children to themselves and to fall in the same sort to try excite humble them worke more serious sorrow make them more watchfull c. which was the issue of Peters fall here Vse Not to enbolden any in sin or unto sinne for we speake of frailties not of presumptions for which we can give small comfort but to raise up to the comfort of the Covenant such as are toyled with their corruptions and finde themselves mastered with the same lusts sundry time● notwithstanding their strife and watch against them To thee I say the sense of thy weaknesse is a great part of thy strength labour to grow up in soundnesse of judgement and in strength of grace and though the Lord thy God for good ends sometimes let thee slip into the same frailties his right hand is under thy head and thy condition is not worse then the rest of the Saints in the world Christs dear Disciple here is moiled in the same sinne but not cast off for it Note 2. In that Peter more vehemently denyed and contradicted his Lord that every repetition of sin maketh sin the stronger for as the body the more it is nourished and fed the stronger it groweth so sin in the soule every new act is an addition of strength till it come to an habit it is the Apostles comparison Jam. 1. 15. speaking of the conception and perfection of sin when lust is conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Beside corruption is cleane contrary to grace as grace if it encrease not i● decreaseth so corruption if it decrease not it getteth strength and encreaseth Vse Against them that say they will repent hereafter plucke up a twig let it not grow to be a Plant dash the braines while a childe a Sore the longer it is let alone groweth more incurable finne fashioned by continuance groweth to another nature Take heed and feare thou hast an holy God to doe withall and a corrupt heart of thine owne though some grace And God observeth not onely the sin but the sinfull manner of doing and degrees of sinning carelesnesse carnall confidence pride of spirit slacknesse in use of holy meanes relapsing all very dangerous If I should dye with thee I would not denie thee Note 3. PEter thinks himselfe strong enough to be a Martyr now when he hath not learned the first principle of Religion nor to know himselfe before he promised though all men should be offended he would not Now before he will deny him he will dye the death it is nothing now with Peter to be a Martyr Peter considereth not of what metall he is made that he is dust earth and a lumpe of sinfull mire unable to any thing 2. He considereth not his present danger though forewarned that he is now ready to be made a prey to Satan and in the Lyons mouth 3. He considereth not that every good and perfect gift is from the Father of lights but hath power in himselfe to stand out the greatest of all trials and therefore within a few houres the contempt of this power of God drives it quite from him Vse Let us well watch the pride of our owne nature Nature is so proud in every one of us that it will build up a tower to heaven though it prove but a Babel and Confusion Pride of heart will make us sacrifice to our owne Nets and rob God of his glory Peter had good things and true grace in him but not acknowledging them in the giver puffes him up and darkens them whereas grace received and acknowledged in the giver are so far from puffing up as they make humble Grace in Abraham comming neer to God maketh him say I am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. 2. In good things take heed of preposterous and rash zeale which here Peter fals by guide it by the Word by Faith by Prayer by thy calling by considering our selves and thinke it safer to fear then to be very confident of thy self Likewise said they all THE fourth is the effect of Peters presumption he drew in all the Disciples into the same sin 1. which was the stronger 1. Because they had heard our Saviour reproving Peter for his rash confidence 2. They had never yet tryed their strength 3. If they had they should not at all have contradicted his word who had said all ye● shall be offended 4. This terrible threatning of themselves and Peter should have set them out of themselves and clung unto him and said O Lord we know our weaknesse if we doe not thou knowest it we know thy truth and cannot but beleeve thy Word oh therefore doe thou take care of us thou that art the faithfull Shepherd keepe us silly Sheepe from wandring from thee But they imitate Peter they must be as constant as Peter and must never seeme more fearfull then he They must not be behinde him neither in comforting their Master nor in professing their zeale to their Lord. Note 1. Frailty in the best no graine without some chaffe no flour without some bran no rose without some thorne there is in the best matter of humiliation the

it is the mercy of wicked men to whip Christ and if any mercy indeed must be shewed it must be to Barrabas not Christ. Vse 1. Count it an hard case to be beholden to evill men Jacob knew the inconvenience and refused the kind offer of Esau who either himselfe or his Servants would guard him in his way Gen. 33. 13. Balaac will not inrich Balaam but first he must curse Gods people Vse 2. See thy favour benot mingled or poysoned doing harme and mischeife The Heathen Emperors would shew mercy if the Martyrs will cast but one graine into the fire their favour must be bought dea● The Witch will favour thee the Divell will cure thy Body but he must have thy faith thy soul the Father the Master will allow his Children or Servants sports recreations but on the Sabbath day when the refreshing of the Body is the corruption and destruction of the Soule Many Fugitives goe away and find favour and preferment in Rome Doway and in Popish Countryes but on condition they be come traytors to God in open Idolatry and to their Prince and Country in open rebellion and practice like Satans kindnesse to Christ all this will I give thee if thou wilt fall downe Note 3. By what manner of Tempter Peter fals a Woman not a man a silly Maid a very weake party Quest. Why Answ. 1. Peter presumeth that all men could not cast him downe Christ had denominated Peter for his solidity and firmnesse and he thought himselfe ●ure enough but now he shall see more evidently his frailty to be so suddenly cast downe by a fraile Woman he shall see now that the strength he boasted off is blowne away by the breath of a silly girle 2. To shew him the more as his pride was more then the rest a shamefull fall for so great a professor to fall before so vain a Woman Abimelech would rather kil himselfe then endure the disgrace to dye by the hand of a Woman but as pride goeth before shame so Gods justice will shame proud Peter that when he cometh to himselfe this circumstance shall kill him and touch him at the quick the shame shall be as ill as the hurt Vse 1. How easily God overthroweth the pride of man he need not come in his owne person he need not bring a Champion or man of War against him but the sillyest creature is strong enough to confound them a silly boy or girle shall be Tempter too strong for as presumptuous a Professor as Peter The Lord who resisteth all sinners is said often to resist the proud that is after a speciall and severe manner because they will draw Gods glory upon themselves he commonly so resisteth them as he turneth their glory into shame and confoundeth their pride by weaknesse hath God neither Angels nor men to command against Pharaoh yes but will rather confound him with an army of frogs flyes Catterpillars in derision of his pride the same God could have turned the dust of the Earth into Lyons Wolves Bears of strange greatnesse and fiercenesse to have met that fierce and cruell King that said who is the Lord and in spight of him oppressed the People but in scorne of his pride he turned the dust of the Earth into Lice who made him and his enchanters confesse it was the finger of God Proud Herod who assumed the glory of God to himselfe it is the voyce of God not of man the Lord consumeth him with lice the basest of the Creatures and not so much honoured as wicked Jezabel to be eaten of Dogs but of Lice Historians writes of a City in France that was depopulated and wasted and the Inhabitants driven away by Frogs A History reporteth of a Town in Thessalonica rooted up and overthrowne by Moles We read of Pope Adrian choaked with a Flye Thus the Lord playeth as it were with his Enemies scorneth to come himselfe in field upon them but armeth the meanest of his creatures against them Let this humble us under the mighty hand of God presume of nothing in our selves be proud of nothing least we know by wofull experience that a thing of nothing shall cast us down If our pride shall resist God Gods weaknesse shall resist us and we shall know to our cost that the weaknesse of God is stronger then man never was pride of heart unrevenged with fals sin and shame Note 4. The temptation is the same in effect with the former This man is one of them she accuseth not Peter for a Malefactor or a wicked Liver but onely that he is one of Christs Disciples and this is matter of accusation she thinkes sufficient Note what are the many quarrels of evill men against the godly and what are their accusations because they are of the number of Christs Disciples and Followers Act. 15. 19. the Accusers brought no crime of such things as I supposed but had certaine questions concerning their owne superstitions and concerning one Jesus c. Here they hate not Peter but so farre as he was with Christ. Reas. 1. Evill men cannot hate evill for it selfe but for sinister respects yea they love it and will not leave it and therefore evill men commonly accuse not for evill but for good Reas. 2. Darkenesse fights not against darkenesse but light and the greatest light most John 7. 7. because it testifyeth of Christ himselfe most and against the Members for the head sake a Thiefe hates the light Reas. 3. Wicked men lie still under the woe of them that call good evil and evil good through corruption of judgement not renewed by grace and therefore you shall still observe that the greatest fault objected by the wicked against the godly is for most part the doing their duty as here in Peter was it not Peters duty to be with his Lord what other cause in Prophets Apostles in Christ himselfe Vse In these dayes also to be with Christ is matter of accusation enough against a godly man John 9. 22. 34. the blind man was excommunicated because he had been with Jesus Papists after the same manner exercise deadly hatred against the Gospell and excommunicate as Heretiques all that stand to the Doctrine of justification by the only grace of Jesus renouncing merits of works of Papists and after a subtill manner out of the depth of Satan have laid under the reproach of Heretiques such as walke according to the Rules of Christ and his profession in their course renouncing the Libertine wayes of the World and watching more narrowly over their owne These at the first restoring of religion and casting out of superstition and Romish Idolatry Papists who gnashed their teeth for envy at the Lords great worke branded with the names of Puritans Precisians and holy brethren c. ever since and at this day more then ever what is the ordinary quarrell and scorne but the same taken out of the mouths of Enemies thou art one of

beginning Note also the contrariety of the wicked from God himselfe he provideth safety for his Children by night Esau was admonished by night not to speake roughly to Jacob. The Wicked alway tend to destruction of themselves and others And the Cocke crew NOTE 1. It appeareth it was in the Night that Christ was apprehended ●nd in that how watchfull and diligent Christs Enemies were to worke malice and mischiefe against him so were the Sodomites busie all Night to abuse themselves and doe mischiefe Gen. 19. Solomon saith wicked men cannot sleep till they have done evill Prov. 4 16. and sleepe departeth from them unlesse they cause some to fall Judas will watch an opportunity against Christ even in the night to betray him Reas. 1. Because they are carried wholly and naturally unto evill without any inward restraint it is a sweet morsell and perhaps the Lord seeth them not 2. Darkenesse maketh them more bould and fitter for a worke of darkenesse as Judas apprehends and Soldiers lead him away 3. Malice against Christ and his Members in the wicked never sleepeth but watcheth occasions against them they resemble Satan their guide 4. Having got occasion they will not slip it but execute presently though at midnight they breake their sleep for it 5. Yet God overruleth that it should be typifyed by a Paschall Lambe killed by night Exod. 12. 6. as himselfe was slaine in the evening of the World Vse Good men on the contrary learne to watch in the Night for good and gracious purposes let thy reines teach thee Wisedome in the Night David professeth he will not go up to his Bed nor suffer his eye lids to slumber till he have found out a place for God Tully saith it were a shame for him that Catiline should be more watchfull for the destruction of the Common-wealth then he for the safety and preservation of it In sparing sleep for good purposes is a recompence Gen. 19. 4 29. Consider that Night-sins have day plagues 2 Sam. 12. 12. consider Job 35. 10. God giveth Songs in the Night and his mercyes walke round about thee all night long he keepeth watches for thee he thinketh on thee and doth for thee that thou doest not for thy selfe keepeth thy house Body Goods Soule while thou sleepest and therefore in the night do thou thinke of him Psal. 119. 55. In the night season oh Lord I thought on thee In the night commune with the Lord by prayer meditation and confession Psal. 77. 60. In the night I commune with my heart and search out my spirit in the night desire after the Lord Isa. 26. 9. so the Church with my Soule have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within me will I seeke thee early in the night praise the Lord at midnight I will rise and praise thee Examine thy imployment of thoughts in the night when thou goest to bed and risest whether thy thoughts run after money and mucke world and businesse whether on revenge pride hatred sports or whatsoever A good heart hath a better treasury within it selfe and without it for thee to feed on meditate and be serious and remember still how diligent we should be in Gods wo●ke cursed is he that doth Gods worke negligently Jer. 48. 10. Note 2. God would admonish Peter according to his word by the Cocks crow if so be Peter will take knowledge of himselfe but Peter doth not Quest. Why it may be being midnight he was sleepy and could not hear Answ. But Peter had got his first sleepe before Christ went thrice and found them sleeping besides Peter was now afraid and feare and danger kept him waking enough and therefore the cause was 1. His heart was asleepe and regardlesse of his sin and so long all the Cocks in the World cannot wake him 2. The time appointed for his wakening was not yet come he had denyed but once as yet he must deny thrice let the Cock crow never so often Note A fearfull consequent and Companion of sinne is induration and blindenesse here we see even the godly themselves sleep fearefully after sin how did David cast hit conscience asleep after he had committed Adultery his heart is hardened and after the Adultery he falleth into Murther and yet along time he is not wakened till the Lord by his Prophet wakeneth him Gen. 37. 24 25. when Josephs Brethren had taken him and stript him and cast him into a pit then they sat-downe to eat bred a man would have thought they should have sat downe to weepe for their sin but their sin hath so blinded them they rejoyce together as if they had nothing offended nay now almost twenty yeares they carry their sin and never take notice of it Reas. 1. Because mans heart naturally is hard being infected with the poyson of originall sin and this hardnesse is increased by our owne sins conceived or consented to or committed or repeated or continued there was no deadnesse or dulnesse in Adams conscience in innocency 2. Sinne hath a property to stun and benum the conscience and Soul of man for as a man falling from an high place lieth a great while in a swoon or trance and cannot help himselfe so the Children of God in their fals of Sin David afte● his Sinne was a dead man without sence of sinne or of comfort he had lost his heart his joy his feeling till God created and restored him againe Psal. 51. 3. The supposed pleasure of sinne doth drowne Judgement disturbe Reason and blinde Conscience so as it can sooth it selfe and thinke his owne sinnes lesse or scarce sinnes every man thinkes his owne breath sweet and delight in sinne brings on custome and custome in sinne taketh away the sense of sinne Vse 1. Beware of a sleepy heart and benummed conscience a most fearfull fruit of sinne and far worse then sinne it selfe most men are in love with their Consciences when they lye still and quiet and this is the case and conscience of the common Protestant who takes that for quietnesse and peace which is indeed death it selfe or a deadly lethargie of Conscience But this dead Conscience is like a dead body layed in the grave sleepes lyeth still and is cleane forgotten but shall awake and rise again be more active then ever it was either in Mercy and in season as in the godly when they shall sustaine sorrow enough and taste the soure sauce of their sweet meats and out of deepe sorrow recover their joy as in Peter Or in Justice and too late as in Judas who slept all the while he conspired against his Lord but no sooner wakened but he went and hanged himselfe here was the most fearefull wakening because his denyall of his Lord was of maliciousnesse Peters of infirmity Many living in grosse sinnes thanke God they never were troubled in Conscience proclame their shame and misery Vse 2. If a Conscience renewed in part can be so blinded

Spoylers Vse 1. Where Satan begins his temptations begin our resistance we are wise for our Bodyes to prevent diseases in the first grudgings so for our Soules kill the hellish Serpent in the shell Eph. 4. 29. Give no place to the Divell Wise Citizens keepe every Enemy without the Wals. Solomon first betakes him to Idolatrous Wives then to Idolatrous worship sin as we 〈◊〉 a good fellow one hangs to another as bars one sin cannot well be defended without another or covered 3. One faculty corrupted corrupts another imagination being corrupted by cogitation of sinne that corrupts the judgement the judgement corrupts the affection so as there is delectation in sin affections corrupts the will bringing it to consent the will corrupts the parts by repeating custome and habit thus sin in the Soul as a gangreene in the body eates up the next parts till it speedily mortifie the whole 4. The Lord in justice often punisheth sinne with sin as Pharaohs sin with obstinacy and hardnesse Exod. 9. 12. The Gentiles by giving them up to their hearts lusts Rom. 1. 23. Vse To stay beginnings of sinne sinne as an Infant at first may easily be overcome as being weakest stop the fountaine close the windowes else thou shalt find it easier to get into the midst of sin then find the way backe againe Israel went at his owne pleasure into Egypt but could not come backe againe into Canaan when they would A man may leap quickly and nothing lets him till he come into the bottome of a pit but he shall get out with more leasure and difficulty Means 1. Therefore our Saviour saith Watch and pray least you enter into temptation if once ye enter ye will not come out without a foyle much lesse move to sin and offer temptation 2. Buckle the feare of God unto thee which is the beginning of wisedome else thou goest headlong in sin experience we have of men that at first are ashamed somewhat of what they doe and get some Cloaks some covers to hide themselves under but by a little continuance grow to some boldnesse and cast away feare very shortly grow to impudency and hardned faces in their sins care not nor feare what men see or say of them and presently from not fearing man come not to feare God at all but as Nimrod was a mighty Hunter before the Lord so these mighty Drunkards before the Lord mighty Adulterers Usurers Swearers Cursers Raylers before the Lord no fear of God restrains them take heed therefore and feare If a Pillar a Rocke one chosen by Christ could fall so headlong let us not presume on our strength Psal. 4. 4. stand in awe and sin not Heb. 11. 7. By faith Noah being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seene moved with reverence prepared the Arke to the saving of his houshould through the which Arke he condemned the World 3. Consider thy danger to fall and so far so suddenly under prop thy selfe with good meanes afforded by God to up hold thee as 1. The preaching of the word many say what need so much preaching what need Preachers be so instant so earnest in threatning us God is mercifull for all that but God will make good their words against the soule of the wilfull Sinner seest thou no need of such earnest preaching thy blind eyes see not the danger before thee but Gods Seers do that notwithstanding their paines and labour thy sinne is a ripening and thou art running headlong or rather flying swiftly to thine owne damnation if the Trumpet will not awake thee I feare thou art dead 2. Make use of the rods and crosses of God brought on thee to stay thee from the excesses of sin where the Lord cannot prevaile with the rod of his mouth he comes with the rod of his hand and lasheth him sometimes with the losse of Goods or Friends Wife Children c. sometime with shame and loose of good name and respect suffering them to fall into some notorious and shamefull sinne sometime with smart and pain in Body with lingring diseases c. and all to helpe them out of sinne if these be slightly passed by they are forerunners of mischiefe as thou makest haste in sin to come to the height so the curse hasteneth which will oppresse thee eternally as Elyes Sons regarded not their Fathers admonishions because God would destroy them 3. Let the mercyes and favours of God be so many Sermons of repentance Rom. 2. 4. Knowest thou not that the bountifulnesse of God should lead thee to ●●●entance and a note it is of a wicked man not to be drawne to God by cords of love Isa. 26. 10. Let mercy be shewed to the Wicked he will not repent in the land of uprightnesse he will doe wickedly Hast thou any life in thy Soule and feelest not what great mercyes God offereth unto thy soule body thy selfe and thine Hast thou any sense and understanding in Scripture and seest not how the Lord still makes sin more grievous by mercyes received and despised Isa. 1. 2. 2 Sam. 12. 7. in David himselfe Gen. 49. 2. Rubens excellency gone because being excellent he gat up into his Fathers bed a fearfull thing to have meanes of repentance without the grace of repentance Register up the mercyes of God to thee as the ancient Beleevers did set up an Altar in thine heart to offer Sacrifices of praise and thankes take thy selfe to taske aske the question oh what have I done for all the benefits c. shall I do so still Let thy thankefull obedience be as a monument set up that others may see that Gods mercyes have deeply affected thee Doctr. Note 2. That Peter was not so assaulted by both the former temptations as by this nor is in so great danger The last temptation is commonly the worst and strongest and most dangerous and the most dangerous reserved till the last place Satan bids not Peter curse himselfe if ever he knew the Lord for this he would have detested but first follow aloofe and then goe into the high Priests Hall then sit among Gods enemies then doe as they did and having once denyed his Lord stands to it stoutly So Judas he doth not at first bid him betray his Lord for as wicked as he was he could not be ●am repentè improbus but first to covetousnesse and blinded his eyes with the offer of thirty pieces and then struck up the matter by degrees and yet after the betraying of his Lord he must goe and hang himselfe He doth not usually tempt the Adulterer to cast himselfe upon the bed of his Harlot but first David must looke upon Bathsheba and that is a small thing then grow to liking then to familiarity and then to commit the hainous fact of Adultery He doth not usually tempt the cruell man to murther his Neighbour or Brother at first which is fearfull and desparate but first to dislike and fall out with

him then to hate him then to kill him actually Reas. 1. This is Satans method in his temptations to begin with small things wherein so much blacknesse appeares not which are easily swallowed wherein men are more secure as not thinking them to need any great resistance but there he meanes not to stay experience of every day shewes that being to deale with melancholly dispositions he makes them discontent and impatient in some crosse or losse which is a great sinne but lyes close and hides it selfe as in a just sorrow then brings them to discontent themselves in Gods blessings they joy not in Husband Wife Children wealth nor any thing then to fall out with himselfe no joy of themselves and then the last temptation is worst to kill thy selfe or thy Children which was too blacke at first and needed a time to prepare them 2. Satans subtilty who knowes well by lesse temptations to make way to greater as a cunning Thief by a little hole can wrinch up and open a great Gate so this subtill Serpent can by a little hole winde himselfe into the heart and cast open the doores to all Robbers and Spoylers Vse 1. Where Satan begins his temptations begin our resistance we are wise for our Bodyes to prevent diseases in the first grudgings so for our Soules kill the hellish Serpent in the shell Eph. 4. 29. Give no place to the Divell Wise Citizens keepe every Enemy without the Wals. 2. The lesser the sin to which thou art tempted the more suspect the Enemy that he 〈◊〉 a further drift hid from thee suppose that be but a little one it hath certainly hold of a greater though a little poyson be deadly he tempts thee to goe into such a company thou leavest thy calling thou spendest thy time abettest idle persons in idle courses there thou pourest out vaine words there thou scornest jestest quarrellest there thou swearest cursest perhaps as Peter Satan bid thee not at first curse and sweare but this was his intent thus he hath gained and made thee a greater looser then thou lookedst for Seldome tempts he men to hate all religion at first but first scorne these Puritans hate such and such a Pre●cher raile on him belye him persecute him heare him not he never preacheth good to thee and thus by degrees leads him to cast up all religion and to turne plaine Atheist 3. Feare not to be too precise nor scorne others as being so what say some they be so precise they may not sweare a small Oath nor we may not be merry nor passe some time in sports and recreations we may never be angry or speake one hasty word we must be Saints flesh and blood must be without infirmities 1. But first Satan desires but to get thee to pretend this against thine owne safety 2. It is more then thou art aware off when Satan hath prevailed that then thou shouldest account thy watch against small Sinnes scruple and precisenesse 3. If Satan should here desist thou mightest with more reason so plead but by these lesser evils he knowes how to make way for greater and you shall not heare one of a Thousand thus pleading for small sins but some raigning sin or sins have him under or shall have 4. Nay happy might we be if we could meet every sin in the first rising of the heart cut off Adultery in the looke murther in the angry thought choake idle words within the throat and cut off evill actions in the motions in the occasions this is a precisenesse that well pleaseth God and disappointeth Satan in his further designes resemble such as are taught by grace thou canst not be hard enough for that Enemy Doct. Note 3. Peter having a bad cause thrust it on by bad meanes before by false swearing now by fearfull execration and cursing of himselfe and indeed bad meanes are never far to seeke but are at hand to boulster up bad courses and even good men are ready to use bad meanes for their owne safety and purposes Jacob must get the blessing by a lye or two as Peter here will escape death by denying the Lord of life Lot will save his Guests by prostrating his Daughters Vse 1. Beware of these base tricks to save our selves by many urged and some scarce urged in things they would conceale flye with Peter to lying to false swearing by horrible oathes and to fearfull cursing God confound me as God shall judge me God let me never live let me never speake let me sinke where I stand I would I were hanged c. and all this while call God a Judge against themselves Alas thou knowest not what thou Sayest or Doest This ordinary cursing in true things or false is an open and notorious brand of a forlorne and wicked miscreant who without all feare of God tosse curses against themselves and others as tennis bals out of their mouths these tongues are kindled with the fire of Hell James 3. 6. How contrary is this to the nature of Gods childe who is called to blesse and be blessed of God for ever is a Sonne of blessing who must not curse them that curse him but a Priest unto God Rev. 1. 5. whose office was to blesse the People Numb 6. 23. Rom. 12. 14. Blesse and curse not How contrary to the nature of the blessed God who being full of mercy and compassion is made an executioner of the malice of wretched men Doest thou thinke that God will be at the command of every mischievous wretch to wreake their malice as the Divell is at the Witches command Object Then my curse doth him none ill Answ. Thou throwest the sweet name of God into a sinkehole and hast executed thy malice and art a Man-sl●yer c. You have lately heard how that same Curse compassed and doth still the Jewes at this day His blood be on us and our Children And thy curse against thy selfe or others shall as a Garment cover thy selfe and as water come into thy Bowels and rot thee away according to thy curse Many stories I could alledge of such as whose Curses have instantly over-taken them some in one kinde of death some in another If God have let thee hitherto outstand thine owne curse of thy selfe it is to provoke thee to Repentance and bewaile so high a sin against Gods soveraignty and thine own salvation Vse 2. See in Peter how little Swearers and Cursers are to be beleeved many Oathes and Curses make not a matter good but farre worse and lesse credible for he that makes no bones of needlesse Swearing or Cursing be sure hath made none of a lye no more then Peter will a wise man think thou speakest truth because thou swearest and cursest I would be charitable but I cannot be so blind but thou mayest Lye as well as Sweare or Curse uncalled as here these Men beleeve Peter as little as before Vse 3. Peter sins so foulely as he could doe

fault in that Herod would not let go Herodias Vse 3. In use of meanes still to depend on Gods blessing that he would open the ear and accompany his word with his blessed Spirit for the hearing eare is from him Job 33. 14. God speakes once or twice and one sees it not till he open the eares of men which were sealed ver 10. God hath spoken not once but a thousand times amongst you but a number of tuffe corruptions in the heart are like ear-wax which stops that the voyce cannot enter in This is the cause that many are like the Fish in the Sea who lives in salt Water but without all taste of Saltnesse A setled ministry is like the salt of the earth under which many live without any seasoning because they neglect the higher teaching even the spirit of truth that must lead them into all truth John 16. 2. Externall meanes to bring Peter to acknowledgement of his sin Christs looking backe upon him non oculo exteriore sed oculo clementiae By this looking backe of Christ we must not conceive a bar turning of his face or eye upon Peter nor an extraordinary looke or countenance for Christ also set his eyes upon Judas when he came to apprehend him and on Pilate sitting ready to sentence him and on the Jewes stoning him who were never the better by Christs looking upon them but with his looke he adjoyned a gracious and secret efficacy of his blessed spirit The very lookes of Christ was a most real and effectual Sermon to Peters heart the tongue of Christ was now otherwise employed in defence of his innocency and putting of the malitious accusations of the wicked Jewes but the eyes of Christ silently speake unto Peter after this manner oh Peter dost thou thus persist in denyall of me thy Lord where is thy faith thy fidelity thy love thy great promises of not forsaking me have I made thee of a poore Fisher a chiefe Follower of me to this end is it not enough that thy eyes see me despised and refused among mine enemyes but thou must also deny and refuse me oh Peter these vex my Body but thou my mind thy unkindenesse is greater to me then theirs and thus the Lord might take up the complaint Psal. 142. 4. I looked on my right hand and behold there was none that would know me all refuge failed me and none cared for my Soule he looked for no great helpe on his left hand among his Enemyes for even his dearest friends and Disciples on his right hand failed him and knew him not Note 1. Christ hath an eye of grace and favour for his People in all sad cases I have surely seen the affliction of my People in Egypt Exod. 3. 7. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his eares are open unto their cry Psal 34. 15. Reas 1. His heart is upon them continually and then no wonder if he have a loving eye toward them because where the heart loves the eye lookes and is loth to be taken off as it was said of the Temple 1 King 9. 3. mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually 2. Is there not a cause Peters case in the Text tels us that even a good Soule needeth Christs looking to it that so it may recover out of every fall and stand in termes of favour with God all meanes else without a gracious aspect from Heaven will never keep us tyte in the course of true piety 3. When all is well with the soule in respect of grace and gracious conformity to the will of God yet there needs a good looke from Christ in respect of sound comfort which is the light and life of the Soule The loving kindnesse of God is better then life and if he hide his face a little the good Soule is soone troubled Psal. 30. 7. Vse 1. Which may marvelously chear and refresh the spirit of Gods people in all sad cases that go over them from time to time and not onely in afflictions or persecutions for righteousnesse sake but in all their foyles and fals into sin wherewith their righteous soules are much troubled and sometimes ready to sinke into despaire yet remember for your comfort that the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity lookes also unto him that is poore and of a contrite Spirit to revive the heart of the contrite ones and when such doe most put away comfort as too good for them he will restore comforts to the Mourners Vse 2. If Christ have an eye to thee in all thy sad cases doe thou ever remember to keepe thine eye open unto him yea both thine eyes First an eye of Faith to wait for the gracious issue he will please to give out of all thy trials Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord say with the Church in their proverbial speech In the Mount the Lord will see and be seene What if the visi●n stay beyond thy time in hastinesse prefixed for deliverance yet in due time it will speake and not lye Still therefore make use of thy Faith which is the evidence of things not seene and the foundation of things hoped for Secondly the eye of Obedience still keepe close to him in Dutie whether he deliver or no still have respect to all his commandements remember how the promise runs to keep thee in thy wayes and in these ways be sure he will take his time and the best time to grant deliverance or any mercy thou wantest He is a God of judgement and waites to be gracious to his People and blessed are they that in his owne way waite for him Isa. 30. 18. Vse 3. Lastly if God have ever an eye of love to his People then wo be to his and their enemies his eye of jealousie is set against them to root out and destroy as the Egyptians marching against Israel Exod. 14. 24. The Lord looked on their Host and troubled them So in Psal. 11. 6. 7. Vpon the wicked he shall raine snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup why for the righteous Lord loveth rightousnesse his countenance doth behold the upright it is time therfore for such to humble themselvs before God and his people and take the Counsell which Pilates Wife gave him have thou nothing to doe against that just man Note 2. Peter was now at a very low Water both in respect of sin and danger not knowing well which way to turne himselfe and now his Lord lookes backe upon him so to turne the streame againe The Lord many times lets his People be brought into a very low estate and then turnes their captivity for them Zachariah 3. 2. The state of godly men is to be as brands

went to them and so fell by them Prov. 1 10. If Sinners entice consent not 2. Consider who thou art Peter should have remembred himselfe to be a Disciple by grace separated from this gracelesse company so thinke with thy selfe I am distinguished and severed from the world by grace of Adoption and a Son of God oh what an honour to Peter or for thee to shew thy selfe a Son of God in the midst of a naughty generation 3. Look upon ungodly examples to detest them to grieve at the dishonour of God to grieve at the wickednesse of man made to the Image of God how did good Lot vex himselfe at the uncleane conversation of Sodome 2 Pet. 2. 8. What a paine was it to David to see the transgressors Psal. 119. And make this use of it to blesse God that thou art not so far given up whose nature is as vile as theirs 4. See them to stop them if it be possible if there be hope of doing good admonish them 1 Thes. 5. 14. warne them that are unruly warne them of the wrath of God coming on them that do such things win them and pray for them and their amendment 5. If there be no hope to win them yet by thy godly carriage convince them checke them confute shut their mouthes Let thy light shine in despite of their darkenesse to glorifie thy Father and at least let them see thy watch and godly care to preserve thy selfe from their contagion 6. If thou hast beene a little tainted and drawn aside by them go forth quickly like Peter and bewaile thy sin to which sorrow of Peter now we come And Peter wept bitterly PETER as he had chosen a fit place so he expressed his repentance by an excellent token and signe of it which is abundance of tears both salt and dry Quest. Whether is weeping alwayes true repentance for sin Ans. No for then Esau and Judas had beene truly penitent but where is true sorrow it will often wring out teares which are not repentance it selfe but an effect of true repentance Quest. Whether are teares necessarily required in sorrow for sin Ans. In true sorrow of sin must be allwayes a deep displeasure with himselfe sighs and groanes of a broken and bleeding heart for the displeasure of God which is a supernatural motion of the heart But as for that bodily and sensible motion of the heart which produceth tears and crying it is always cōmendable where it is but not always simply necessary for sundry things may hinder teares and yet true sorrow be with dry cheeks As Reas. 1. Abundance of griefe may stop teares as a man may weepe for his friend and cannot at the death of his owne Son 2. Sometimes the constitution of the body will afford none when the consolation of the heart desires to ease it selfe by them 3. Sometimes the Spirit of God supplyes joy and comfort in the midst of their heavinesse which abates the sensible smart although it abates not the displeasure of our wils against sin but enlargeth it 4. Teares proceed from many causes outward as excessive joy excessive sorrow anger compassion and in a word both from fained repentance and unfained as we may not count them among the infallible signes of true repentance and sorrow for sin FINIS Instruunt Patriarchae tam erran●es quam docentes Parts of this History 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quum animadvertisset Bez. Many offended in Christ and how 1 Coa 1. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 〈◊〉 James 5. Mat. 5. Rom. 12. Ephes. 5. 16. Holy profession offends at this day Acts 24. 14. Comfort to godly Preachers and professors Mat. 7. 29. Offend none justly A trial of true religiousnesse Scope Divine conclusions differ from humane Luke 2. 34. Mat. 7. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 26. Christ according to his many benefits hath many names Christ why called a Shepherd Zech. 13. 17. How Christ is Gods fellow By whom he was smitten Comfort in Christ our Sheepherd Be patient in all smitings Mourn for sin which caused Christ to be smitten Sudy to be thankfull to Jesus Christ. Not all hated of God who are smitten by him The liker to God the more smitten Jer. 18. 18. Comfort because Gods hand is in it Church called a Sheepfold why Christians why called Sheep 1 Pet. 5 8. Note thy weake disposition even after grace received Imitate Sheep and wherein 1 Cor. 2. 2. Of the scattering of the People Luk. 24. 11. Esay 63. 3. No marvell if unsound fall quite away Let none trust trust his own heart 2 King 8. 13. Arme against shaking trials Mat. 26. 41. Thinke not much to be left alone in a good cause John 16. 32. Make muc● of the 〈◊〉 season of grace and peace Gospell upon sad news soon yeelds comfo●t Why Christ would meet them in Galilee Wonderfull gentlenesse of Christ. Gal. 6. 1. He never quite leaves his Desertions neither totall nor finall Psal. 30. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Iohn 5. 4. Comfort thy self with the assured end of every tryall Christ prevents his with loving kindenesse Christ an everlasting guide to his See hence our happine●●e Peters rashnesse in five particulars Noact of faith in a Promise Prov. 28. 1● Note and watch pride of heart Fear of humility and of infidelity Holy fear to be ever cherished Paraphrase Christs divinity he knows s●crets that are to come 2 King 5. 26. Christs humanity he reprocheth not Peter for denials foretold Grounds of it In like cases do as Ch●ist did We never know our selves aright till Christ teach us Suddenly we are apt to fall from very good resolutions Hos. 6. 4. Prouder then others falworse then others Motives to humble walking with God Cumulation of sin in Peter Four here observed Godly apt to fall into the same sin And why 〈◊〉 Comfort to troubled spirits Repetition of sin makes sin the stronger We are apt to over-ween the good that is in us Jam. 1. 17. Sin is of an infectious nature Parts Why God prevented not this fall of Peter Many other sins no●ed in Peter more then in other Disciples Peters sin in ●oing into the Hall John 18. To avoyd sin avoyd occasions To avoyd occasions keepe close to the word Suffer not for Christ till called Phil. 1. 29. Nature no sufficient in divine matters How we are to shew love to a friend Good men quickly the worse for bad company And why Abhor sinfull society Psal. 16. 3. Psal. 120. A sinful indifferency to run into all company James 3. 10. Gen. 6. 2. Joyne to godly company Peter had one end God another Warming the body sometime chilleth the Soule When by a warme fire take heed of temptation Occasion of Peters sin by the Priests maide When a man tempts God a Tempter soon meets him Favors of wicked deare bought An ill case to be beholden to wicked men Weak tempeters can foyle stout men Judg. 9. 54. Mans pride easily overthrowne Jam. 4. 6. Acts 12. Accusation enough if