Revealed 3. Experimental The Ministry of the Angels is three fold either to adore or to praise or to glorifie God continually To this purpose do they stand in the presence of God ever more ready to do his Commandments as Isai 6. 2. Luke 2. 14. Rev. 5. 11. 12. Ps. 103. 20. Dan. 7. 9. 10. Part of the Ministry of Angels respecteth the Church for they are Ministring Spirits sent forth of God to Minister for the good of those that shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1. 14. For the good of all these they Minister first in this life 2. In the end of this life and 3. In the last judgement In this life they watch for the good of their bodies and for the good of their Souls and that from the beginning of their days to the end of them Psal. 34. 7. In the end of this life they carry the Souls to Heaven as they did the Soul of Lazarus Luke 16. 22. In the last judgement they do gather all the Elect together that they may come before Christ and so enter into Eternal fruition of glorie both in body and Soul Matth. 24. 31. Another part of their Ministery concerneth Gods Enemies and it is to execute judgements upon his Enemies at his command Of Man and his State Man was made after Gods image and resembling God in holiness In the excellent State of Mans innocency these things are to be considered 1. The place in which he was set in his innocency and that was the garden of Eden that pleasant place Gen. 2. 15. 2. The integrity of Mans Nature he was Created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 24. There are two parts of Mans first integrity 1. Wisdom for he had a true and perfect knowledge of God and his will as far as it was to be performed of him and of the counsel of God concerning all Creatures Genes 2. 19. 2. Secondly Justice which was a conformity in his will affections and powers of his body to the will of God 3. Man's dignity which consisted in these things 1. In Man's Communion with God God rejoyced in Man made in his own image and Man did fervently love God and this appeareth by God's familiar conference with Adam Genes 1. 29. Secondly in his Dominion over all the creatures of the Earth Gen. 2. 19. Psal. 8. 6. Thirdly in his Decency Comeliness and Dignity of body for though he was naked yet was he cloathed with the best and excellentest roabs even with innocency There was imprinted upon him by God a Princely Majesty so that there could not then be any thing in him unseemly Gen. 2. 25. Psal. 8. Fourthly in his labour of body which was without pain or grief Gen. 3. 17. 19. 4. Man's subjection to God for he was bound to perform obedience to these commandments of God He was not to eat of the two forbidden Trees The commandment concerning the Trees was as a proof and a trial of Man's obedience The Tree of life was a sign to Man to confirm to him his perpetual abode in the garden of Eden if he did continue in his obedience Rev. 2. 7. The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a sign of death to him if he did transgress Gods Commandment Gen. 2. 17. 5. Man's calling which was to obey God's Commandments and to dress the garden of Eden Gen. 2. 17. and 2. 15. 6. His diet which was the herbs of the earth and the fruit of all the Trees save of the Tree of life and of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil and all the other Creatures Gen. 1. 29. 30. and 9. 3. His free choice to perform or not perform these Commandments Thus were our first Parents Created in perfect innocency But mutable And thus it pleased God to prepare a way to the execution of his Decree Of the Fall The fall was of Man and Angels Angels fell by leaving that good state wherein God had placed them Jude 6. In their fall may be observed 1. Their corruption arising from their fall by reason of which they are full of malice and hatred and hatred and by reason of this they do set themselves against God and insatiablely desire to destroy all mankinde and that they may do this as much as in them layeth they do neglect neither force nor fraude to act it withall 1 Pet. 5. 8. Eph. 6. 12. Joh. 8. 44. Their degrees and diversity for one of them which is called Baalzebub is chief and Prince of the rest of the Devils and he is far above the rest in malice Matth. 25. 41. Rev. 12. 7. He is also called the Prince of this World and the God of this World 2 Cor. 4. 4. Eph. 22. 3. Their punishment God after their fall gave them over to perpetual torments without any hope of pardon Jude 6. 2 Pet. 2. 4. By this we may see what great punishment they deserved and that grievous sins will be grievously punished Their punishment was first their dejection from Heaven 2 Pet. 2. 4. And the shortning and limiting of their power Job 1. 12. Secondly a grievous pain and torment in the deep which is endless and infinite in time and measure Luke 8. 31. Matth. 25. 41. Rev. 20. 10. Of Mans fall The fall of Man was his revolting from his obedience to sin Sin was his transgression of Gods Commandment or Mans fall was his disobeying of Gods Commandment in eating the forbidden fruit wherein these things are to be considered 1. The manner of Mans fall The Devil having immediatly before fallen himself perswaded our first Parents that both the punishment for eating the forbidden fruit was uncertain and that also God was not true in his word unto them Having done this he blinds the eyes of their understanding and they being thus blinded straight began to distrust God and to doubt of Gods favour And when he had brought them to a doubting he moved them to behold the forbidden fruit which so soon as they saw in its beauty upon his motion of them to this purpose he then stirred them up to desire it and from the desire of it he moved them to satisfie their desires And so the Woman pluckt the fruit and did eat and gave it to her husband and he did eat Gen. 3. 1. to the 8. Thus did they willingly fall from their integrity God for just causes suffering it 2. The greatness of their transgression which appeareth by these trespasses that they committed in that action of disobedience 1. They doubted of Gods word 2. They being bewitched with the Devils promises cease to fear Gods punishment and thus become puffed up with presumption and enflamed with the desire of greater Dignity and will no longer believe Gods threatnings 3. They forsake Gods word and seek after other wisdom 4. They are proud and seek to magnify themselves and to become like God 5. They contemne God and against their
10. 10. Psal. 22. 22. Christian Apology or profession of Christ in word is when with fear and meekness we are always ready to confess the truth of Christian Religion as often as need requireth and that in the presence of unbelievers that the name of God may be glorified 1 Pet. 3. 15 16. Act. 7. 1. to the end We are not bound to make this confession of our faith before unbelievers that are past all hope of repentance For holy things must not be given unto Dogs Matt. 7. 6. Profession of Christ in time of danger indeed is called Martyrdom Martyrdom is an undergoing of the punishment of death for the profession of Christ in the Doctrine of Faith and for Justice and for the salvation of the brethren For Justice John Baptist was beheaded of Herod Mark 6. 18. 27. 28. Christ laid down his life for us so ought we if need require for the brethren 1 John 3. 16. For maintaining the Doctrine of Faith Stephen was stoned Act. 7. 59. And yet this doth nothing let Christians the using of all holy security for the safety of their own lives For as Christ hath shewed in the Gospel It is lawfull for Christians in times of persecution if they finde themselves not sufficiently resolved and strengthened by the holy Spirit to stand to fly from place to place for the security of their lives Matt. 10. 23. Joh. 10. 39. This Christ did and advised his Disciples to do the like Upon such occasions as these Paul fled to Tarsus Act. 9. 30. And upon like occasions Eliah fled for his life from Jezabel 1 Kings 19. 3 4. Thus much for the profession of Christ which concerneth Christ himself The profession of Christ which concerneth his Members is either 1. Edification or 2. Alms. Edification is every particular duty of us towards our brethren which may further them in their growing up in Christ and Unite them more surely to him Rom. 14. 19. To edification belong these things 1. To give good example Matt. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12. 2. To exhort Heb. 3. 13. Rom. 1. 12. 3. To comfort 1 Thes. 5. 14. and 4. 18. Jam. 5. 16 20. 4. To admonish Rom. 15. 14. 1 Thes. 5. 14. They do observe a holy manner of admonishing who do ever admonish in the spirit of meekness and so as if they themselves were guilty of the like infirmities and of such faults as they do certainly know by them whom they admonish out of Gods word Gal 6. 1. Matt. 7. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Matt. 18. 15. Rom. 15. 14. Levit. 19. 17. Alms or relief is that whereby the rich out of their abundance ought freely largely and with open hands to supply the wants of the poor and that to the utmost of their ability and sometimes beyond it 2 Cor 8. 3. Acts 2. 44 45. In the days of the Apostles all those that were converted to the Faith by the powerfull operation of the holy Spirit esteemed no worldly thing they had their own but held all their worldly store Treasures and inheritances in common yea they sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every one had need So much for Edification Alms. The fourth degree of the Declaration of Gods love is Glorification Rom. 8. 30. Glorification is the perfect transforming of the Saints into the image of the Son of God Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 14 49. Psal. 17. 15. Glorification is begun in this life and exceedingly enlarged at the day of death and will be fully and throughly perfected at the general resurrection in the last day death of the faithfull is a sleep in Christ In this sleep the Soul is for a time severed from the body 1 Cor. 15 17. Act. 7. 60. The body lieth in the earth and seeth corruption and at length is raised to greater glory than at first it had 1 Cor. 15. 36. The Soul is severed from it that being fully sanctified it may immediatly upon its departure from the body be transported to Heaven Luke 13. 42. â—3 Rev. 14. 13. Remedies against death or the fear of it are these 1. If we consider that it is nothing else but a freeing of the faithfull from the Tyranny of the world flesh and Devil and a placing of them safe under the shadow of the wings of Christ 2. If we consider that death and the grave are sanctified to us through the death of Christ 3. If we do consider that Christ is gain unto us as well in death as in life Phil. 1. 21. 4. If we consider that the pains of death are nothing to the comforts after death 5. That we shall see God in the brightness of his glory and Majesty and be received into the company of glorified Spirits in Heaven 6. That our Souls shall be clad with glorie instead of our bodies 2 Cor. 11. 5. 7. That we are by it free from all the power of the Serpent and of the sting of death 1 Cor. 15. 55. Heb. 2. 15. 8. If we do not so much think of our death as exactly and diligently consider our life For he that liveth well cannot die ill and he that liveth ill doth seldom die well 9. That the Angels of God are ready to carry our Souls into Heaven so soon as they do depart from our bodies And our Souls being by them brought into Heaven shall there magnify the name of God And shall there wait for and pray for the consummation of the Kingdom of glorie and for the full and perfect felicity of body Soul Rev. 5. 8 9. and 14. 2 3. and 6. 10. The estate of the Elect at the last judgement The manner of the last day is this 1. Immediatly before the coming of Christ the powers of heaven shall be shaken the Sun and Moon shall be darkened the Stars shall fall from Heaven Matth. 24. 29 30. Then the elect and faithfull seing this shall lift up their heads and rejoyce But at this sight the Reprobate shall fear and tremble Luke 21. 26 28. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2. The Heavens being on fire shall suddenly pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat and the earth and the works therein shall be burned up 2 Pet. 3. 12 13. At the same time when all these things shall come to pass the sound of the last Trumpet shall be heard sounded by the Arch-Angel Matt. 44 31. 1 Thes. 4. 16. Then shall Christ the Lord come suddenly in the Clouds with power and glory and great train of Angels Matt. 24. 30. 1 Thes. 4. 17. 3. At the sound of this Trumpet all the dead shall rise And those that are found alive shall be changed in the twinckling of an eye which change shall be in stead of death 1 Cor. 15. 51 52 53. Then shall all the bodies of the elect and faithfull be glorified and made glorious like the body of Christ Then their bodies shall
the acknowledgement of Gods calling is A tasting of heavenly gifts as of 1. Justification 2. Of sanctification 3. Of the powers and virtues of the world to come This tasting of heavenly gifts is a sense in their hearts by which they do feel and perceive the excellency of Gods benefits but they do not enjoy the same For they do not feed on these banckets nor are they nourish'd by them but they do onely taste of them Heb. 6. 4 5. 5. The fifth Degree of the acknowledgement of Gods calling is 1. An outward holiness of life for a time under this is comprehended a zeal in the profession of Religion 2. A reverence and fear towards God 3. An amendment of life in many things as it was in Herod Mark 6. 20. and in Simon Magus Acts 3. 13. 2. Degree of the execution of the decree of reprobation in those that are called by an uneffectual calling is A falling away again after calling this cometh to pass after this manner 1. The reprobate is deceived by some sin 2. His heart is hardened by the same sin 3. His heart being hardened becometh wicked and perverse 4. Upon this followeth unbelief so that he will not consent unto Gods word though he heareth it knoweth it 5. There doth immediatly upon this unbelief follow an Apostasie or a falling away from Faith in Christ Heb. 3. 12. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 19. Apostasie is sometimes a sin against the holy Ghost The sin against the holy Ghost is so called because it is done contrary to the illumination of the holy Ghost It is a set and a stubborn obstinate malice done knowingly against God and against Christ and that after illumination or enlightning by the holy Spirit Heb. 10. 29. It is a general or totall defection and Apostasie from God after enlightning by the holy Spirit out of meer stubborness and malice of heart Heb. 10. 29. and 6. 5 6. It is hard to know when a man committeth this sin 1. because the root of it which is malice lurketh secretly in the heart and therefore it cannot be easily discerned This sin is not found in all the reprobates because many of them die before they are enlightned by the holy Spirit of God Those that commit this sin do never repent and therefore can never receive pardon The elect cannot commit this sin therefore those who do feel in themselves a sure Testimony of their election need never dispair After Apostasie followeth pollution which is the very fulness of all iniquity and it is altogether contrary to sanctification Gen. 15 16. He doth not Apostatise nor sin against the holy Ghost that in time of persecution doth either rashly or for fear deny Christ for Peter thus for fear did deny Christ Matth. 29. 73 74 75. He that doth ignorantly persecute the Church as did Paul doth not sin this sin 1 Tim 1 13. And as did the Jews Act. 3. 17. and 2. 37. 3. The third degree of the execution of the dâ—cree of reprobation in those that are called by an uneffectual calling is Damnation by which they are delivered up to eternal punishment The execution of damnation beginneth in death and is finish'd in the last judgement Luke 16. 22 23. The execution of the decree of reprobation in those which are not called is this 1. They have by nature ignorance and vanity of minde Eph. 4. 18. 2. Hardness of heart followeth this by which they do become void of all sorrow for their sins Ephes. 4. 18. 3. There doth follow this hardness of heart a reprobate sense that is an extinguishing of the natural light of reason or of the judgment of good evil And 4. when the heart doth cease to sorrow for sin there doth follow a committing of sin with greediness Eph. 4. 19. 5. Upon this followeth pollution which is the fulness of sin And then 6. a just reward is given to all these viz. fearfull condemnation Eph. 4. 18. Rom. 1. 28. The estate and condition of reprobates when they are dead is this 1. Their bodies being dead lie in the earth 2 Their Souls are tormented in hell Luk. 16. 25 1 Pet. 3 19. 2 Pet. 2. 4. And in the last judgement their bodies and Souls being united shall be cast into the most fearfull and terrible fire of Hell Matth 25. 41. Reprobates when they die do become sensless and astonish'd like unto a stone as did Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 37 38. Or else they are overwhelmed with a terrible horrour of conscience and with a despairing of their salvation as if they were overturn'd and swallowed up as with a gulf of the Sea as Judas Matth. 27. 5. Their condemnation is this At the sound of the last Trumpet they that are alive shall be smitten with horrour and with fear and they shall be changed in a moment and those of them that are dead shall rise again and their bodies shall then be made immortal and cast into eternal torments Matth. 25. 41. Joh. 5. 29. 1 Thes. 4. 16. 17. Christ will pass this sentence of go ye cursed upon them and this being by him pronounced against them immediatly everlasting death shall follow The manner of which is this 1. They shall be separated from the glory and presence of God 2 Thes. 1 9. 2. They shall be punish'd with eternal confusion and with bitter reproaches For all their secret wickedness and sins shall be revealed 2 Thes. 1. 9. Isai. 66. 24. 3. Their fellowship shall be with the Devil and his Angels for ever Matth. 25. 41. 4. Their bodies and Souls shall be tormented with horrour and exceeding great anguish through the sense and feeling of Gods wrath which shall be poured out upon them for ever Isai 66 24. And by reason of their great tortures their punishment is called Hell fire a worm weeping and gnashing of teeth and outer darkness Rev. 21. 8. Matth 13. 42. Isai 66. 24. A Corolary or the advantage over-plus or last Conclusion IN this which hath been spoken concerning reprobation the Justice of God in punishing sin doth appear And from it ariseth Gods glory which is the end of punishment For this cause also every good Christian must in all things propound Gods glory as the end of all his actions Rom. 9. 14 15 16 17. 1 Cor. 10. 31. The Application of Predestination How to discern and judge of our own predestination Rules 1. All the elect in Gods good time are assured and sure of their election in Christ to eternal life Rom. 9. 14 16. John 15. 5 18 19. 1 Cor. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2. The elect do come to the knowledge of their election by the effects of their election 1. The effects of election are the Testimony of Gods Spirit Rom. 8. 10. 2 The works of sanctification 2 Pet. 1. 5. to the 10. 3. If any doubt of this Testimony it may be known whether it doth come from the Spirit of
own consciences sin against his Commandment 6. They prefered the Devil before God 7. They are unthankfull and drive out the holy Spirit of God from dwelling in them and thus despised that everlasting blessed Union 8. They murthered both themselves and their progeny 3. The fruits and effects of it upon it there arose a state of unbelief and by it we are all included under sin Rom. 11. 32. Of Sin Sin is threefold 1. A participation of Adam's transgression and guiltiness by being in his loyns when he offended as Heb. 7. 9. 10. It is said of Levi that he paid Tythes in Abraham because he was in the loyns of Abraham when Abraham paid Tythes 2. Original sin which ariseth out of the former transgression Original sin is a corruption engendred in our first Conception by which the faculties of Soul and body are prone and disposed to evil Psal. 51. 5. The remnant of God's image which man retained after his fall were certain Notions concerning good and evil as that there is a God and that he doth punish sin and that there is an everlasting life and the like all which serve to make men without excuse in the sight of God Rom. 1. 20. From the fall our mindes receive ignorance by it we were deprived of knowledge in the things of God by it we were made ignorant of his sincere worship and eternal life 1 Cor. 1. 14. Rom. 8. 7. By it our mindes are disabled to understand spiritual things though they be taught us Luke 24. 45. 2 Cor. 3. 5. From the fall our mindes received vanity for we think falsehood truth and truth false-hood Eph. 4. 17. By it we have gotten a natural inclination to conceive and devise onely that which is evil Genes 6. 5. Jer. 4. 22. The increase of sin in the understanding is either a reprobate sense As when God withdraws the light of Nature Joh. 12. 40. Rom. 1. 28. Or 2. The spirit of slumber as Rom. 11. 8. Or 3. Spiritual drunkenness Isai 29. 9. Or 4. Strong illusions as 2 Thess. 2 11. The remnant of Gods image in the conscience is an observing and watchfull power like the eye of a Keeper reserved in Man partly to reprove And partly to repress the unbridled course of his affections Rom. 2. 15. From Adam's fall the Conscience hath received impureness Titus 1. 15. This impurity worketh these effects 1. It causeth Man to excuse sin or cloak it as when a Man by his outward service of God doth excuse his inward impiety Mark 10. 19. And it excuseth intents not waranted by Gods word 1 Chron. 13. 19. 2. It doth accuse and terrify us for doing good and this we may see in Idolaters and Superstitious persons who are grieved when they do omit to perform Idolatrous and counterfeit Worships to their Gods Col. 2. 21. 22. Isai 29. 13. 3. Effect which it worketh is when the Conscience doth accuse and terrify for sin as Genes 50. 15. Joh. 8. 9. Impureness encreased in the Conscience is such a sensless numdness as that it can hardly accuse a man of sin Eph. 4. 19. 1 Timoth. 4. 2. This senslesness springeth from a custom in sinning 1 Sam. 25. 37. or else from some grievous horrour and terrour of the Conscience as Gen. 4. 14. The Symptomes of this disease are blasphemies Trembling of body fearfull dreams Act. 24. 26. Dan. 5. 6. The remnant of God's image which remaineth in Man's will since the fall is a free choice either in Natural Actions as to Nourish to engender to move to perceive Or in humane actions that are common to all men whither they concern manners families or Common-wealths In all these outward actions Man hath free-will either to choose or to refuse them though it be but weak as Rom. 2. 14. By Adams fall the will received impotency insomuch as it can not will nor lust after that which is indeed good and which doth please God and is acceptable to him 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 5. 6. Phil. 2. 13. And it received by Adams fall an inward Rebellion whereby it doth utterly abhor that which is good and will and desire onely that which is evil The will in the first Act of conversion to God is not an agent but a patient as it doth appear by this For The affections have by Adams fall received a disorder and by reason of this disorder they do eschew good and pursue that which is evil Rom. 1. 26. 1 Kings 21. 4. The body by Adam's fall hath received a fitness to begin sin for it bringeth in all objects and occasions of sin to the Soul Genes 3. 6. And the body hath received a fitness to execute sin even so soon as the heart thinketh it Rom. 6. 13. 16. Of Actual sin 3. Actual sin ariseth from Original sin Actual sin is either inward or outward Inward Actual sin is in the Minde Will and affections The Actual sin of the minde is the evil thought assented to or the evil resolves purposes and intents thereof Examples of these Actual sins are these As When a Man thinks that there is no God Ps. 10. 4. and 14. 1. Or That there is neither providence nor presence of God in this World Ps. 10. 11. An immagination of safeguard from peril and yet there is a course of sinning Ps. 10. 6. Rev. 18. 7. Better esteem of a Mans self then ought to be and worse esteem of others than ought to be Rev. 18. 7. Luke 18. 11. When a Man thinketh that the Gospel of God's Kingdom is meer foolishness 1 Cor. 2. 14. And when a Man thinketh uncharitablely and malitiously of such as serve God sincerly Matth. 12. 24. When a Man putteth the day of death far off Isai 28 15. When a Man thinketh to run on in sin and yet that he can eschew the pains of Hell Isai 28. 15. When also a Man thinketh that though he hold on his sins yet that God will defer both his perticular judgement and the last judgement Luke 12. 19. 45. When as God doth open our eys we do see these evil thoughts rebelliously rising in our mindes even as sparckles out of a Chimney yet in this will carnal Men pretend a good meaning These are the examples of the Actual sins of the minde The Actual sins of bothwill and affections are all wicked motions inclinations and desires Gal. 5. 17. Of outward Actual sin Outward Actual sins are all those in the committing of which the Members of the body do joyn with the faculties of the Soul to act them Such sins as these are infinite Psal. 40. 12. Outward Actual sins are either sins of Omission or of Commission both which are either in Word or Deed The degrees of the sin of Commission are these Jam. 1. 14. 15. 1. Temptation when as the Devil offereth to the minde that which is evil to allure a man to sin John 13. 2. Act. 5. 3. 1
Chron. 21. 1. And this is also effected by occasion of external objects which the senses perceive Job 31. 1. Of Tentation Tentation hath two parts 1. Abstraction 2. Inescation Abstraction is the first thought of committing sin by it the minde is withdrawn from Gods service for which it should be always ready prest Luke 10. 27. * Inescation is an evil thought conceived and for a time retained in the minde and it being thus kept in the minde it doth by delighting the Will and Affections lay a bait for a Man to draw him to consent 2. The second degree of sin of Commission is Conception Conception of sin is when the heart consents and resolves to commit sin Psal. 7. 14. 3. The third degree of it is the birth of sin That is the very acting and committing of sin As when the faculties of the Soul and the powers of the body joyn together to act sin The fourth degree of the Commission of sin is the perfection of sin That is when sin by custom is made perfect and ripe And then it bringeth forth death and damnation and this is all that the sinner reapeth by his sin an example of this we have in Pharo The differences of sins of Commission are these 1. To consent with an offendour and not actually to commit sin Eph. 5. 11. This a man doth 1. When he doth in judgement allow the sin of another Num. 20. 10. 12. 2. When the heart approveth in affection and consent as do Ministers and Magistrates when they do conceal and winck at offences 1 Sam. 2. 23. 29. 3. When sin is done indeed by Counsel presence or inticement as Rom. 1. 13. Mark 6. 25. 26. Act. 22. 20. 2. The second difference of sin of Commission is Sinning ignorantly that is when a man doth not expresly and distinctly know whither that which he doth be a sin or not or if he do know it he doth not acknowledge and mark it 1 Tim. 1. 13. Numb. 35. 24. 1 Cor. 4. 4. Ps. 10. 13. 3. The third difference of sin of Commission Is when any Man sinneth upon knowledge but yet of infirmity as when a Man fearing some eminent danger or when a Man amazed at the horrour of death doth against his knowledge deny that truth which otherwise he would acknowledge and embrace Such was the fall of Peter arising from the rashness of his minde mingled with some fear Thus do men offend by the strength of the corruptions of their flesh provoking them to that which their heart doth detest Rom. 7. 19. The fourth difference of it is Presumptuous sinning upon knowledge as Psal. 19. 13. of this kinde is 1. Every sin committed with an high hand or in contempt of God Numb. 15. 30. Secondly presumption of Gods mercy though we do evil and run on in it Eccles. 8. 11. Rom. 2. 4. 5. The fifth difference of sin of Commission is Sinning upon knowledge and out of self malice against God Of this kinde is the sin against the holy Ghost The punishment of sin Man is punisht for sin first in this life either 1. In body As 1. by care for the provision for his body and by trouble for the things of this life Genes 3. 17. Secondly by proneness to diseases Matth. 9. 2. Joh. 5. 14. Deut. 28. 21. 22. Thirdly by shame of nakedness Genes 3. 7. Fourthly by pains as are in Women in Travail and Child-birth Genes 3. 16. 2. In Soul As 1. By a trembling of Conscience Secondly by care Thirdly by trouble Fourthly by hardness of heart Fifthly by madness Deut. 28. 28. 3. In both body and Soul As first by a fearfull subjection to the Regiment of Sathan Colos. 1. 13. Heb. 2. 14. Secondly by a seperation from the fellowship of God and a trembling at his presence Eph. 4. 18. Gen. 3. 10. 4. By divers calamities and damages in his goods Deut. 28. 29. 5. By the loss of dignity and Lordly Authority which he had over all the Creatures and by the vanity weakning corrupting and abating of the excellencie virtues and powers of the Creatures as Rom. 8. 20. 21. 6. Or in his name By infamy and ignominy before and after his death Jer. 24. 6. All these things come alike to all yet doubtless it is by reason of sin by Adams fall and since that by our improvement of our Original and Actual corruptions Secondly Man is punisht for sin at the last gasp First by death or 2. by a change like unto death Rom 6. 23. Thirdly Man is punisht for sin after this life by an eternal separation from the presence of God and from his exceeding excellent glory 2 Thes. 1. 9. Of Election and his foundation of it Predestination hath two parts 1. Election 2. Reprobation 1 Thes. 5. 9. Election is the decree of God concerning the salvation of some men to the praise of the glory of his grace Eph. 1. 4. 5. 6. This decree of God is the book of life wherein the names of the Elect are written Rev. 20. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 19. The execution of this decree is Gods effectual working of all those things which he purposed for the salvation of the Elect by the same means with which he purposed to do it Rom. 18. 29. 30. The foundation of this decree is Christ Jesus Heb. 5. 5. Isai 42. 1. Eph. 1. 4. The means of accomplishing this decree is Gods Covenant and the seal thereof Gods Covenant is either the Covenant of works or of grace Gods Covenant of works is the moral Law or ten Commandments Gods Covenant of grace is his free promise of Christ and all his benefits to man if man will repent him of his sins and by faith receive Christ The Seals of the Covenant are the Sacraments Gods Covenant of works which is called the moral Law Decalogue or ten Commandments is devided into two Tables The first Table containeth four Commandments The second Table containeth six Commandments Every Commandment is both affirmative and negative That is it doth both command and forbid As it is Affirmative it bindeth at all times but not to all times As it is Negative it bindeth at all times and to all times Under one Vice expresly forbidden are comprehended all of that kinde yea the least cause occasion or inticement thereto are forbidden Joh. 3. 15. Matth. 5. 21. The first Commandment Thou shalt have no other Gods before me In this first Commandment are these affirmatives First that we must acknowledge God Secondly that we must acknowledge no other God but him The marks of the true love of God are these 1. To hear his word willingly 2. To speak often off him 3. To think often off him 4. To do his will without irksomness 5. To give body and all for his cause 6. To desire his presence above all and to bewail his absence 7. To embrace all such
resting from the work of sin Exod. 31. 13. Ezek. 20. 12. And of the blessed rest of the faithfull in the Kingdom of Heaven Heb. 4. 10. Isa. 66. 23. And as it was observed the seventh day after the Creation of the World and was then solemnized with other Ceremonies Numb. 28. 9. But in the light of the * Gospel the Ceremony of the Sabbath is ceast colloss. 2. 16. 17. The Sabbath was by the Apostles translated from the seventh day to the day following Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2. And this day is called the Lords day because our Saviour rose again there on Rev. 1. 10. The Sabbath is moral as it is a certain seventh day to preserve and conserve the Ministry of the word and the solemn worship of God in the holy assemblelies of the Church and for this cause we as well as the Jews are upon this day enjoyned rest from our vocations Isai 58. 13. It is also moral because servants and Cattel are on this day freed from their labours In this Commandment we are not forbidden any holy things or things of present necessity as the preservation of life or the maintaining of the glory of God or a Sabbath days journey Act. 1. 12. Or journeys unto the Prophets or places appointed unto the worship and service of God 2 Kings 4. 23. Or works of mercy in the securing either of life or goods Matth. 12. 12. Or provision of meat or drink Matth. 12. 1. Or watering of Cattel Luke 13. 15. Or curing of diseases as did Christ and his Apostles by praying and calling upon the Name of God Or the necessary voyages of Marriners Or the tending of a flock by shepherds Or the necessary imployments of Medicines Mark 2. 27. The Negative part of this Commandment is this We must not pollute the Sabbath of the Lord Matt. 24. 20. Lament. 1. 7. Levit. 19. 30. We are here forbidden the works of all ordinary callings and all unnecessary things Exod. 16. 29. As fairs on the Sabbath day Nehem. 13. 19. All manner of Husbandry plowing sowing reaping mowing and bringing in of Harvest Exod. 34. 21. All jests scurrility sports revellings all manner of Prophanes and Hypocrisie The fifth Commandment Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long upon the land which thy Lord thy God giveth thee The Affirmative part of this is this Here is commanded reverence or civil respect to the aged and gray hairs where it is found in the way of holiness Levit. 19. 32. wisdom 4. 8. 9. Prov. 16. 31. Obedience to the Lawfull commands of Parents Rom. 1. 30. Eph. 6. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 9. And relief of them when they stand in need 2 Tim. 3. 3. Here we are commanded to obey superiours yea though cruel but not in wickedness Rom. 13. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. 18. Act. 4 19. 1 Pet. 2. 19. 20. Genes 16. 6. 9. Colloss. 3. 23. 24. Rom. 13. 1. 2. And to pray for Superiours for Elders that rule well and for such as are in Authority 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2. and 5. 17. We are here commanded to salute one another with holy signs 1 Pet. 5. 14. Rom. 16. 16. Thus did Moses salute Jethro Exod. 18. 7. Jacob the Shepherds Genes 29. 4. And Boaz the reapers Ruth 2. 4. Here Superiours are commanded to carry themselves as brethren to inferiours Deut. 17. 20. As did Iob to his servants as did Naaman to Elisha 2 Kings 5. 13. 14. They must be as lights to shine before others by good example of a blameless life Tit. 2. 2. 3. 1 Pet. 5. 3. Phil. 4. 9. They must rule in the Lord Deut. 17. 19. Collos. 4. 1. They must provide good things both for the bodies Souls of those that are under authority Rom. 13. 4. Isai 49. 23. Psal. 13 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. They must punish light faults by rebukes and great faults by correction First In punishing They must make a diligent enquiry and examination concerning the fault committed Secondly they must discover to the parties offending the grievousness of their Crimes that they may be sensible of the evils they have done Thirdly they must defer and omit punishment in hope of amendment Eccls. 7. 23. 1 Sam. 10. 27. Fourthly they must punish in Gods Name and not in their own and that with an holy reverence Deut. 25. 2. And as did Joshua Achan Josh. 7. 19. 25. Fifthly in their punishing they must aim onely at the glory of God and the best good of the Soul of the party offending as Prov. 20. 30. Parents are here commanded to provide for the good estate of their Children 1 Tim. 5. 10. Cruelty must not be used in punishing Eph. 6. 4. 9. Jam. 2. 13. Here we are commanded as concerning our selves to preserve the gifts and graces God hath put into us Phil. 4. 8. Men do offend against themselves when they do extinguish the gifts of God Matth. 25. 2. 26. Natural Parents and Superiours are no otherwise to be obeyed but in the Lord Eph. 5. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 9. By Parents here is meant natural Parents Magistrates Ministers Elders and such as excell in gifts of God To the four first of these men do ordinarily give honour and they receive it as their due Joh. 5. 44. But Christians faithfull men and true believers are by the command of Christ forbidden to call any man Father upon Earth Matt. 23. 9. Or to esteem of themselves one greater then another or to go about to take upon themselves any Authority or Dominion one over another Matth 18. 4. and 20. 25. 26. The Negative part Here contempt of Superiours are forbidden Genes 9. 22. Prov. 30. 17. Exoâ— 117. And disobedience Rom. 1. 30. 2 Tim. 3. 2. Gen. 6. 2. 28. 8. 9. Parents are here forbidden cruelty to their Children either in correction threatning or provocation Eph. 6. 4. 9. Servants are here forbidden stubborness Titus 2. 6. And deceitfulness Tit. 2. 10. To fly from their Masters 16. 6. 9. To resist lawfull Authority 1 Pet. 2. 20. And to obey unlawfull commands Gen. 39. 12. Act. 4. 19. Here is forbidden The rebellious disobliging of Children their lawfull duties to Parents Matth. 15. 4. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 4. And the disobliging of such as are now subjects Their lawfull obedience to Princes as 1 Sam. 26. 8. 9. Here we are forbidden to offend our equals either in word or deed Matth. 20. 20. 21. 24. The sixth Commandment Thou shalt not kill The Affirmative part of this is this Here we are commanded to preserve the wellfare of our Neighbour both in body and in Soul Rom. 12. 15. Job 29. 15. 2 Cor. 8. 3. Joh. 11. 25. Isai 24. 16. To help him in his straights to the utmost of our powers and that speedily Prov. 3. 28. Levit. 19. 17. To help him to bear his troubles by taking part with him sharing with him in his adversities Ps. 119. 136. Isai
answers 3. When we interpret every thing a miss and take it in the worst part as did Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 25. And Hanun 2 Sam. 10. 3. 1 Chr. 19. 2. 4. 3. Here Ministers sin against their Neighbours even to a killing of them 1. When as they do not preach the Word of God to their charge and when they do not instruct them in the right ways of Truth and of life Prov. 29. 18. Isai 56. 10. Ezek. 3. 18. 2. When they do not preach to all or when they preach negligently Jer. 48. 10. Rev. 3. 16. Isai 62. 6. Act. 20 28. 1 Pet. 5 2 3. Ministers may be absent from their charge in the case of sickness For the necessary and publick good of the Church Colloss. 1. 9 and In the violence of persecution when it is enforced particularly against his own life and there is no danger nor discouragement to his people by it Here we are also forbidden to sin against our selves 1 Either by hurting our selves Or 2. By killing our selves Or 3. By endangering our selves Matth 4 6. And yet all this doth not hinder us from obeying this command of Christ viz. If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Matth 16 24. For saith Christ learn of me for I am meek and lowly of minde and you shall finde rest unto your souls Matth. 11. 29. The seventh Commandment Thou shalt not commit Adultery The Affirmative part Here we are commanded chastity in body and minde Chastity is the purity of body and Soul The minde is chaste when it is free from fleshly concupiscence The body is chaste when it doth not put in execution the lusts and concupiscence of the flesh 1 Thes. 4. 5. 1 Cor. 7. 34. Modesty and sobriety do preserve chastity Modesty is a virtue which keepeth in every work a holy comelines Modesty is seen in the countenance and eys when as they do not express nor excite the concupiscence of the heart Job 31. 1. Genes 24. 56. Prov. 7. 13. Modesty is also seen in a mans words when as his talk is holy decent and comely Gen. 4. 1. Ps. 51. 1. Isai 7. 20. Judge 3. 24. Matt. 12. 19. Prov. 10. 19. It is the note of an Adulteress and strumpet to be a giglot and loud tongued Prov. 7. 11. Modesty is also seen in Apparel as when it is worn in a holy comeliness Tit 2 3. Holy comeliness is that which expresseth to the eye the sincerity of the heart and the Godliness Temperance and Gravity either of Man or Woman Sobriety is a virtue which consisteth in the holy use of food Rules to be observed in the use of diet 1. The chiefest at the Banquet or Table ought to consecrate the meat to God by saying Grace 1 Sam. 9. 13. Mark 6. 39. 41. Act. 27. 35. 2. We may furnish a Table with store of dishes for necessitie and for good entertainment of a friend and for delight Luke 5. 29. Joh. 2. 2. and 12. 2. Ps. 104. 15. 3. At Feasts we must chuse the lowest romes Luke 14. 7. 10. Prov. 25. 6. 4. We must eat at due times and not at unseasonable hours Eccles. 10. 16 17. 5. We must eat and drink moderately that is to strengthen the body and for the refreshing of the Soul to perform the actions of godliness Luke 21. 34. Prov. 23. 29 30 and 25. 16. and 31. 4. 6. We must especially think of these things when we eat at great mens Tables Prov. 1. 2 3. 7. At meat we may use Godly mirth Act. 2. 46. 8. Table talk must be such as may edify such as was Christs talk at the Pharisees Table Luke 14. 1. 16. Matth. 9. 10 15. 9. After meat we must not cast away the residue Joh. 6. 12. 10. At a Feast we must eat sufficient and leave the rest Ruth 2. 14. Chastity is double single life wedlock Those that are single must first have a care to keep their affections and bodies in holiness Psal. 101. 9. 1 Joh. 2. 13. 14. Eccles. 12. 1. 2. They must fast often 1 Cor. 9. 27. 3. They must take heed they burn not in lust 1 Cor. 7. 9. Chastity in wedlock is when the holy and pure use of wedlock is observed Hebr. 13. 4. Cautions for preserving purity in wedlock 1. Contracts must be made in the Lord and with the faithfull onely Malach. 2. 11. 1 Cor. 7. 39. Deut. 7. 3. 2. Both parties must separate themselves at the times of a Womans disease and at the times of fastings Ezek 18. 6. 1 Cor. 7. 5. 3. Wedlock must be used rather to suppress than to satisfie the corrupt lusts and concupiscence of the flesh and mainly and chiefly for the enlarging of Gods Church by an holy seed Rom. 13. 14. 4. It must be used with prayer and thanksgiving 1 Tim. 4. 3 4. The Negative part Here is forbidden the lust of the heart or the evil concupiscence of the flesh Matth. 5. 28. Colos. 3. 5. Burning in the flesh that is an inward servency of lust whereby the Godly motions of the heart are hindred overwhelmed and as it were burnt up with a strange and contrary fire 1 Cor. 7. 9. All strange pleasures about generation which are forbidden in Gods word All pleasure with beasts Levit. 18. 23. All pleasure with Devils such as Witches by their own confession say that they have And why may not a Spirit have society with a Witch as well as eat meat All pleasure of lasciviousness with one of the same kinde or Sex Levit. 18. 22. This is a sin which they commit whom God hath given over unto a reprobate sense Rom. 1. 26 27. This was the sin of Sodom and from its being so commonly used there it was called Sodomy All carnal pleasure with those that be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity are here forbidden Levit. 18. 6. All Fornication that is the lying carnally with a maid that is not his wife that lyeth with her Deut. 22. 28 29. 1 Cor. 10. 8. For this sin with the Idolatrous Moabitish women there were in one day of the Israelites with a plague twenty three thousand men slain All Adultery that is all carnall pleasure with one that is married or betrothed Deut. 22. 22. to the 24. Adultery is a marveilous great sin as may appear in that it was punisht with the punishment of Idolatry Rom. 1. 23. Prov. 6. 29 32. Adulterers break Gods Covenant of marriage Prov. 2. 16. 17. Adulterers abuse their own bodies and dishonest them 1 Cor. 6. 18. They do bereave their Neighbours of a great and irrecoverable benefit namely of chastity By the Law of God the Children of Adulterers were excluded the Congregation of the Lord till their tenth Generation Deut. 23. 2. The Adulterer maketh his family a stews Davids Adultery was punisht in Absoloms abuse of his Concubines 2 Sam. 16. 21. A mans posterity feeleth the
the presence of God as did David Psal. 32. 5. 2 Sam 12. 13. Luke 15. 19. 2. By a craving earnestly to God for pardon of our sins and by perseverance in fervent prayer for the same purpose Luke 15. 21. Act. 8. 22. Rom. 8. 26. Hosea 14. 2 3. 3. An especial perswasion imprinted in the heart by the holy Ghost by which every faithfull man doth apply all the promises of the Gospel to himself Matth. 9. 2 and 15. 28. Gal. 2. 20. This perswasion is and ought to be in every one before he have any experience of Gods mercie Matth. 15. 22 27. Joh. 20. 29. Heb. 11. 1. In natural Phylosophy we do first see things true by experience and afterwards assent unto them Thus we are perswaded that water is hot because we perceive the heat by putting our hand into it But in the practise of Faith we must first stedfastly believe and then the experience and feeling of comfort will follow 2 Chr. 20. 20. It is therefore very ill done of any that they should doubt of their salvation because they do not always feel the especial motions of Gods holy spirit in themselves The lowest degree of Faith is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is a weak Faith or a little Faith like to a grain of Mustard-seed or to smoaking flax which cannot flame nor give out heat but onely smoak Matth. 8. 25. 26 and 7. 20. Isai. 3. 4 2. Faith may be then said to be feeble when either the first of the five motions or the last of them is weak and feeble yea though the other three motions do remain strong Rom. 14. 2. 3. Rules to know this kinde of Faith by are these 1. A serious desire to believe and endeavour to obtain Gods favour is the seed of this Faith Matth. 5. 6. Rev 21. 6. Psal. 145. 19. 2. An earnest use of means to encrease the least spark of Faith that so it may get growth by little and little Luke 17. 5 6. Faith is stirred up by earnest prayer and meditation and by making progress and going on in the ways of perfection and in the exercise of godliness The highest degree of Faith is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or full assurance by this a man doth find in himself a certain perswasion and assurance that God doth love him will together with Christ and all his graces give him eternal life Rom. 4. 20. and 8. 38. 1 Sam. 17. 36. Ps. 23. 6. A man doth not come to high degree of Faith till after a sense and long experience of Gods love and favour 2. The second degree of the Declaration of Gods love is justification By this through the obedience of Christ true believers are accounted just in the presence of God 2 Cor. 5. 21. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Rom. 5 19. The parts of justification are 1. Remission of sins with a freeing from the guilt and punishment of them and that through the satisfaction made to God for them by Christ Collos. 1. 21 22. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 2. Imputation of Christs righteousness by this those that believe have the guilt of their sins covered and are accounted just in the sight of God Phil. 3. 8 9. Rom. 4 3 4 5 6. The obedience of Christ is called the righteousness of God and of Christ of God because it is of God Of Christ because it is out of us and in the humanity of Christ as in a subject To justification is joyned Adoption By Adoption we do receive power to be actually accounted the Sons of God by Christ Eph. 1. 5. Priviledges that come unto us by Adoption are these 1. By it we are made Heirs apparent to God Rom. 8. 17. 2. Fellow Heirs with Christ yea Kings and Priests Rom. 8. 17. Revel. 1. 6. 3. By it all our afflictions yea even our wants and offences are turned to trials or fatherly chastisements inflicted upon us for our good Rom. 8. 28 36 37. Psal. 89. 32 33. 2 Cor. 12. 7. 2 Sam. 7. 14. 4. By it we have dominion over all the Creatures yet so as that in this life we have onely right to the thing but after this life we shall have right in the same 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. Heb. 2. 7 8. 5. By it we have the Angels Ministring spirits for our good Heb. 1. 14. Psal. 34. 7. The faithfull alone have the true use of Creatures 1. Because their persons are made acceptable unto God in Christ and in him they have restitution made them of the right use of Creatures which was lost in Adam so that they may use them freely and with a good conscience The third degree of the Declaration of Gods love is sanctification By it we are delivered from the Tyranny of sin and by little and little renewed in holiness righteousness 1 Joh. 3. 9. Rom. 8. 1. The parts of sanctification are first mortification By this the power of sin is abated and sin is killed in the faithfull Rom. 6. 2 3. 4. Gal. 5. 24. Mortification is wrought in us by the power of the holy Spirit abolishing sin in us and regenerating or renewing our spirits 2. Vivification By this inherent holiness is begun in us and by little and little augmented and inlarged by the power of the holy spirit For first we do receive the first fruits of the spirit and then by degrees we have a continual encrease of them Eph. 2. 21. and 4 23 24. Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 23. Vivification is a benefit that springeth unto us by the resurrection of Christ and is wrought in us by the holy spirit Phil. 3. 10. It is this that createth holiness in the heart of the adopted ones of God Rom. 8. 9 11. Job 33. 24 25. Inherent holiness is distinguish'd according to the several faculties of the body and Soul of man 1 Thes. 5. 23. The parts of inherent holiness are these 1. An illumination of the minde to know and understand the will of God which illumination is both the holiness of the minde and the renewing of it Colos 1. 9. 1 Cor. 12. 8. Illumination of the minde is 1. Either spiritual understanding by which it acknowledgeth the known truth of the word of God 2. Or spiritual wisdom by which the same truth is applied to the good ordering both of particular things and of particular actions as persons place and time require The effects of spiritual understanding and of spiritual wisdom are these 1. To discern betwixt good and evil Heb. 5. 14. Phil. 1. 10. 2. To discern spirits 1 Joh. 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 21. Act. 17. 11. 3. To meditate upon the words and works of God Ps. 1. 1. and 119. 33. 4. To know and acknowledge a mans own inward blindness Psal. 119. 18 33. 2. A sanctification of the memory by which it is inabled to receive a good thing offered to the minde and to keep it and remember it as there
is need Psal. 16. 7. 119. 11. Luke 2. 51. 3. Sanctification of conscience This is a grace of God by which a mans conscience excuseth him for all sins after they are once pardoned in Christ and also of his upright walking in the whole course of his life 1 Tim. 1. 19. 1 Cor. 4. 4. Act. 23. 1. and 24. 16. Ps. 26. 1 2 3. 1 Joh. 3. 21. The inward peace of God doth arise from this sanctity of conscience in all godly men yea and the outward alacrity and chearfulness of countenance also Phil. 4. 7. Prov. 28. 1. Job 33. 24 25. 4. Sanctification of will by which through the renewing of the affections by the holy Spirit a man doth begin to will that which is good and to refuse evil This is such a state as that the will is partly freed from bondage and partly in bondage to sin Phil. 2. 13. Rom. 7. 18. to the 22. 5. Sanctification of affections by this in the power of the holy Spirit the affections move well and rightly 1 Thes. 5. 23. Rom. 7. 24. The chief affections are these 1. Hope by this with sighings we look and wait for the accomplishment of redemption Rom. 8. 23. This Hope when it is grown strong and lively hath its {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is It s full assurance even as Faith hath Heb. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2. Fear of offending God because of his mercy 1 Pet. 1. 17. Psal. 130. 4. 3. A contempt or a base account of all worldly things in respect of Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 7 8. 4. A love of God in Christ which is as strong as death and as a fire that cannot be quench'd Cant. 8. 6. 5. An fervent zeal to Gods glorie Rom. 9. 3. 6. An anguish of minde for our own sins and also for the sins of others Psal. 119. 136. 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. 7. An exceeding great joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. The sixth part of inherent holiness is sanctity of body By this in the power of the holy spirit the body is made a fit instrument for the Soul to accomplish that which is good by it Rom. 6. 19. Of Repentance and fruits thereof Repentance doth follow Faith and sanctification and yet in such as are converted it doth first manifest it self Repentance is when a sinner turneth to the Lord Act. 26. 20. Ezek. 33. 11 19. 1 Joh. 3. 3. Repentance is then true when as any one by the motion and instinct of the holy Ghost doth purpose will desire and endeavour to forsake his sins and to turn unto the Lord and to become a new man Psal. 119. 112. Act. 11. 23. The fruits of repentance is Christian conversation in which we bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life Matth. 3. 8. A Christian conversation is such a course of life as in which we do follow Christs example through the power of his spirit dwelling in us perform new obedience to God Matth. 11. 29. 1 Pet. 4. and 2. 21. and 3. 10 11. Of new obedience The parts of new obedience are these 1. The denial of our selves Matth. 16. 24. 2. The profession of Christ The denial of our selves consisteth 1. In Christian warfar 2. In the patient bearing of the Cross The parts of Christian warfar are 1. The preparation to the battel 2. The combat The preparation to the battel consisteth in the use of the compleat armour of God Eph. 6. 13. The pieces or parts of the compleat armour of God are these 1. Truth Eph. 6. 14. 2. Justice and righteousness Eph. 6. 14. 3. Evangelical obedience which is the shoeing of the feet with the shooes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph 6. 15. 4. Faith Eph. 6. 16. as the shield whereby we must quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 5. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6. 17. 6. The Helmet of salvation Eph. 6. 17. 7. Continual and fervent prayer with watching and fasting Eph. 6. 18. 1 Pet 5. 8. The Combat is a mutual conflict of them that fight spiritually The Combatants or Warriours are the Tempter and the Christian Souldier Eph. 6. 12. The tempter is the Prince of the power of the air that is the Devil and his Angels which are spiritual wickedness in high places Their helpers are the flesh and the world The conflict of all these enemies is temptation by this they do provoke a man to commit such wickedness as is hurtfull to the salvation of his Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. In the Souldier we must consider his resisting and his fall Resisting is an action whereby the Souldier through grace working inwardly in him doth withstand temptation 1 John 2. 14. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Eph. 6. 16. Psal. 91. 13. The Souldier must strengthen and confirm himself with these preservatives 1. When a man is tempted to sin he must not onely abstain from it but also earnestly love and follow after the contrary viz. righteousness and holiness 1 Pet. 5. 9. Eph. 4. 27. Jam. 4. 7. 2. He must never consent to Sathans words whether he speak truth Mark 1. 24. or accuse falsly Joh. 8. 44. or flatter dissemblingly Act. 16. 17. 3. He must look for one temptation after another and then especially when his enemy seemeth to be at rest with him as though he had made a truce with him For Sathan is such an enemy as will never make an end of his malice 1 Pet 5. 8. The fall of the Souldier is then when he fainteth through infirmity and as being subdued by the power and violence of his enemy Gal. 6. 1. The remedy for the restoring a man thus fallen must be by instructing him in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1. Here for encouragement every man may remember this for his comfort 1. That in whomsoever there is a willing heart That man shall be accepted for that grace which he hath and is manifested in the willingness of his heart not for that which he hath not 2 Cor. 8. 12. 2. He that will live godly in Christ must always remember in all these things that the power of God is made perfect through our infirmity 2 Cor. 12. 9 10. Of the assaults in this Combat 1. The Devil assaults a man about his effectual calling The temptation here is this The Devil striveth to blinde a mans minde and to harden his heart least the word of God should work in him to salvation Matth. 13. 4. to the 19. This temptation must be resisted by giving ear and endeavouring to receive the word that so through the spirit of God it may be grafted in our hearts and spring in us Luke 8. 15. Heb. 4. 2. Jam. 1. 21. Preservatives for the resisting of this temptation are these 1. Meditate on the power and use of the word Eccles. 1. 17. and 5. 1. 2. Attend diligently unto