will Rom. 9. 11. 2 To aduance in him the greatnesse of his iustice So also Rom. 9. 3 The riches of his mercy 1. Cor 10.31 Ephes. 2. in bestowing saluation on him 4 And also to aduance his bountie in communicating his goodnesse vnto him And so 5 To manifest and reueale his wonderfull wisedome and power and goodnes in the preseruation and gouernment of him and 6 Thereby to procure the glory and praise hereof to bee giuen to him alone And therefore 1 As wee must not thinke that we were made to serue our owne turnes to eate and drinke and so let vs labour to answer these ends of our creation 1 in striuing to aspire to our first estate by being recreated in Christ 2 sanctifying all things vnto vs by the word 3 returning the strength in obedience to our God These were the ends and caâ—â—â—ses of mans Creation The manner whereof was this 1 In respect of the workeman the whole Trinitie consulted of and concurred therein thereby implying the excellence of the worke 2 Concerning the work consider 1 The Time euen when God had made all the rest for mans vse then the Lord made him to partake thereof 2 And when he had made him rested from all his workes of creating any thing anew that it might appeare how the Lord would euen repose and quiet himselfe in this worke and communicate himselfe especially thereto Pro. 8. the world were laid such as eye neuer saw neither can enter into the heart of man to bee enioyed of vs in an eternall kingdome And comforting our selues in our choyce of God and heauen howsoeuer if wee measure it by the present we may stumble as looking not onely behind to what was prouided for vs before wee were but also looking before vs to what we do enioy nay looking a far off to what is set before vs that so we may not be weary nor faint in our minds And so vsing all good blessings in this life as to lay vp a good foundation by them against the day of Christ. Labouring still if by any meanes we can attaine to the resurrection of the dead Thus of the time 2. Obserue we the Authour of our Creation which was the holy Trinitie hee it is that made vs not wee our selues Psalm 95. no we cannot so much as make one haire of our heads Math. 6. And this 1 Reproueth naturall wisedome which not appreheÌ„ding the omnipotency of God who could make all things of nothing out of that false conclusion that nothing could bee made of nothing inforced a more absurd that the world and man was eternall and so denyed the Creation As also the Atheism of the world which out of these false grounds place onely happinesse in this life denying the resurrection and condition of a better 2 This teacheth to worship this God alone and to haue relation dependance onely to him as being the worke of his hands 2 As also to be implyed in our selues for his glory who of nothing made vs for the same 3 And so depend vpon him for our preseruation and perfection 3 Consider wee the matter of our Creation Which was generally of nothing such is properly Creation Particularly of nothing like to what we are such is properly generation when like begets like as being made of the 1 Dust of the earth concerning our bodies 2 But touching our soules the Lord breathed into vs the breath of life and so man became a liuing soule Genes 2. And this Composition of both body and soule from Such diuers matter Reproueth 1 the Anabaptist which vnder pretence of spirituall liberty denieth subiection to earthly gouernors seeing concerning the body outward earthly things we are bound to man As also the 2. Liberine that onely dreames of such an vse of the soule which might serue to satisfie the flesh as if the happines therof coÌ„sisted only in this as to serue the body for the coÌ„mitting of sin whereas the soule was principally created to serue the Lord and so to informe the body as that the members also thereof might bee giuen as weapons of righteousnesse to serue the liuing God Rom. 6. 2 This teacheth a diuersity of subiection of the same creature as in regard of the body and such things as belong thereto he is ought to be subiect to man but in the soule onely and immediately to the Lord and to man for his sake and yet so as these may not be diuided in either respect wee cannot so giue man the Body but from and by the Soule euen for conscience sake Neither can wee so reserue the Soule vnto God but that it obedience must be expressed in and by the body Rom. 12.2 least our seruice be plaine hypocrisie only the mater is in the diuersity of order respect as the body to man immediatly by the soule the soule to God immediatly expressed in the body yet both immediatly intirely from God and for God Rom. 11. As also this comforteth in this diuersity of subiection 1 That what is yeelded vnto man for Gods sake is not lost but safely put to keeping to the Lord and so by him profited either here to be restored better or to be repaied so at length as to bee onely in subiection to the Lord to be for euer with him 2 What is reserued intirely vnto God in truth though it be not for the present answered with that correspondency of the outward man yet shall this neither be imputed if there bee a willing minde as to challenge the sincerity of the inward man but rather to try and aduance the soundnesse thereof and it shall further still be a meanes of more gratious conformity of the outward that so both at length may concurre in perfect obedience to the Creator Thus of the composition Now if we particularly yet further weigh the seuerall matter of each First that man was made of nothing that is of no pre-existent substance This 1 Confoundeth infidelity that we cannot depend on God without meanes And 2 Informeth faith to restore God beyond without and contrary to meanes 3 Confirmeth the faith of the Resurrection though all may seeme to bee resolued 〈…〉 nothing And 4 Instructeth in the discerning of the nature practise growth of sanctification which as it began of nothing in vs as of our selues so it is daily led forward by denying of our selues that in vs that is in our flesh dwelleth no goodnesse discerning that wee haue to be as nothing both in coÌ„parison of what we shall haue as also in respect of any thing as of our selues furthering thereto but especially emptying our selues of all confidence therein or glory thereby that the Lord alone might bee honoured in his onely worke Secondly in that man was made of the dust of the earth we learne 1 Not to be puffed vp in regard of nature seeing it came from no better then the earth 2 Neither to despise
the most vnlikely contemptible meanes for our good seeing the Lord made vs of such 3 Neither to seeke after great matters in the world seeing our originall was so meane 4 Neither to set vp our hearts in this life but rather to prepare to death seeing to the earth we must 5 Comforting our selues that our misery in this life is not eternall seeing we are of the earth 6 And seeing this corruption must put on incorruption therefore learne we to follow hard after the marke if by any meanes we may attaine to the resurrection of the dead looking by faith a farre off for the changing of these vile bodies And comforting our selues in our better part that the soule is immortall and therefore labouring to haue our conuersation in heauen and to be made meete for that glorious inheritance Thirdly that man was made a liuing soule immediatly breathed from the Lord eternally to liue with him This teacheth 1 That the soule is immediatly subiect vnto God ought onely to bee bound by him principally must depend on his blessed will 2 That it must be exercised in heauenly things agreeable to the nature and end thereof 3 That it is subiect to eternall punishment for sinne and therefore ought to saue it selfe from that fearefull vengeance Matth. 3. 4 That eternall hapinesse is due thereto for wel-doing and therefore should not faint nor be weary thereof 5 That as the creation is immediate from God though the body be from man so also is the Recreation and Renuing of the soule immediatly from his meere mercy in Christ without any help or concurrence from man 6 And therefore we are not to rest in any naturall faculties of the soule as if they were sufficient to saluation or could further thereto but rather discerne wee wisely That the wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God 7 And so let vs deny our selues that we may be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse Phil. 3.8.9 Yet so 8 As that seeing we haue free-will in naturall and morall actions concerning the outward act though not for the truth or manner or end of well-doing therefore do we what is ours in entertaining the meanes of saluation As come wee to the word and though we cannot discerne it naturally neither propose the right end therein least if wee forsake God in not doing so farre as wee may he may iustly forsake vs in denying a blessing to the means that so our condemnation may be iust and inexcusable 9 That the soule was breathed into the nostrels not into the eares or mouth or eyes this argueth the imbecillity and frailty of our life as if it depended on our nostrels Esay 2 22. Thus of the matter Fourthly consider we the manner of our creation and therein the Excellencie and ends thereof For the manner we were created in Gods Image not that either wee were made of the Essence of God or that God must bee like to vs hauing humane shape although if we respect the second person in Trinity it might wel be that as he was to take flesh in the fulnesse of time so euen at the present when man was made hee assumed extraordinarily an human forme and so also after that forme and Archetype made man But we were created after the Image of God in holinesse and righteousnesse that is The soule being breathed into the body from the Lord was indued with diuine and heauenly qualities As 1 Immortality 2 Excellent light of reason and vnderstanding acknowledging God and his will discerning the nature and essence of things 3 True righteousnesse of the minde and heart and all the faculties thereof in which was inflamed true loue and feare and confidence in God 4 Most absolute consent of the will obeying the iudgement of right and reason from compulsion bondage and misery 5 Excellent strength and vigor of body free from all infirmitie diseases troubles death And 6 Admirable glory and maiesty 7 Destinated to eternall life in heauen 8 Which should haue propagated an immortall kinde according to the Image of God 9 Yet all this mutably 1 That so if Man had ouercome the Tempter his glory had beene the greater 2 That way might bee made hereby to the reuelation of the eternall mercy of God to his elect in Iesus Christ as also of his Iustice in the condemnation of the wicked for the refusall of the Messiah and in him of their saluation And hence ariseth the excellency of Man 1 By the consideration of his creation especially that in respect of the mutability thereof hee was to be interessed in the Messiah so to be restored preserued by him vnto saluation Hence also arise the ends of mans creation 1 To aduance the goodnesse and bounty of the Lord in ordaining saluation for him by his sonne 2 That the Lord hereby might haue the onely glory of all his mercies 3 That Man might haue the dominion ouer all the Creatures 4 That also he might bee as it were a sweet Companion with the Lord in eternall glory and happinesse And 5 That hee might bee made meete hereunto by the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer Ioh. 17. And by spirituall and bodily worship according to his knowledge 1. Cor. 6. Whence we may learne 1 To admire and conceiue worthily of this loue of God in making vs thus like vnto himselfe and so to expresse our loue vnto him in striuing to bee like vnto him 1. Ioh. 4. 2 To magnifie his admirable wisedome in making our estate such as in regard of our free-will to be subiect to change and so to rest content with the will of God in things more contrary to nature and vnlikely for our God seeing the Lord out of this mutable estate raised so much good euen to aduance his holy sonne Iesus and in him to renue and establish our formerly mutable condition 3 And seeing the Lord did ordaine this condition to be therefore mutable that so man being left to himselfe might bee the chooser and author of his owne fall therefore learne we to iustifie God and to condemne our selues that so we may not be iudged of the Lord. Lastly seeing the Lord as hee ordained the fall of man mutable so hee ordained a Redeemer before the fall to recouer the same Therefore let this comfort vs in all our troubles whether vpon vs or expected that vndoubtedly we may expect a good issue therein seeing we were first apointed to glory so to deliuerance from thē and so appoynted to afflictions to make vs sit for glory And we are here taught to loue the person of man as bearing Gods Image though we may hate the sinne Thus of the Creation CHAP. IX Of the fall of Man WHerein man continued not as being left to himselfe and so fell away from God in obeying the suggestion of the Serpent and so fell away from his former estate of Innocencie and happinesse through disobedience of the Commandement plunged himselfe and
his whole posterity as hauing receiued en estate for it into a most fearefull bondage of sinne and Satan and to all such punishments as were due to the breach of the Commandement The occasion hereto was the righteous law of God which the more indifferent it was and easie to be obeyed did 1 The more discouer the malice of Sathan against the Commandements And 2 the more conuince the breach of man and so 3 aduanceth the more the mercy of God in prouiding a redeemer The instrument of this fall and manner therof was the suggestion of Satan enuying mans happines working in him distrust of the word tickling him with the outward obiect the Apple but especially with a conceit of a more excellent estate And setting vppon the weaker vessell when she was alone Breeding discontent of the present estate and hatred of God as if he did enuy their happinesse did not therfore loue thē so being distracted in their iudgment to redeeme vs Math. 4. Luk. 2.49 2 In taking our nature vpon him Mat. 2 Luk. 1. 3 To the Law in fulfilling it perfectly which we had broken Esay 53. 4 In vndergoing the punishment when hee had fulfilled the Law Rom. 5.19 10.4 And by these his sufferings our redemption was secondly wrought out These sufferings of Christ were First either in the humility of his Natiuity or his whole life such miseries as sin had drawne vpon vs that hee might sanctifie them vnto vs as in the body Hunger Cold Pouerty c. Heb. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 2 In the soule 1 Ignorance Mat. 11.13 Mar. 13.32 2 Tentations Matth. 22.35 Matth. 4.1 3 Sadnesse Ioh. 12. 4 Ignominies Mat. 12. Secondly or at his Death such paines as we had deserued and here he suffered First in his body as 1 Preparations to death 1 Accused of Blasphemy 2 Buffetings by the Souldiers Mat. 27. 28. 3 Whipping and scourging 4 Crowning with Thornes 5 Carrying of his Crosse. 6 Nayling to his Crosse. Ioh. 19. Secondly death it selfe heere consider 1 The ignominious manner vpon the Cursed Tree Gal. 3. 2 The cruelty vsed vpon his dead body as being pierced to the heart by that mercilesse Souldier Ioh. 10.34 3 His ignominious buriall and detaining for 3 daies in the graue These were his sufferings in body Secondly he also suffered for vs in his soule that 1. In his whole life 1 Griefe for the sin of the world especially of his own countrymen who refused him Ioh. 1. 2 The mockings of the wicked 7 That by his death hee might ratifie the eternall Testament of grace Heb. 9. 8 That hereby sinne and death might be destroyed and the Diuell that had the rule of death Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 6.20 9 As also taking away the feare of death 10 That sinne might not rule ouer vs but 11 That we might die thereto 12 That we might liue onely to Christ. 13 And liue for euer with him 14 And lay downe our liues for him Now because it was not possible that the Sonne of God should be holden of the sorrowes of death for then had he not been iustified and acquitted from our sins therfore by the power of his God-head he raised vp himselfe so accomplished yet further the work of our redemption Rom. 4.25 Act. 2.24 And so Christ Iesus our redeemer obtained a glorious conquest by his resurrection from the dead that First ouer the law in abolishing the curse dominion rigor therof Secondly ouer Satan hel chaining vp Satan destroying for euer the powers of hell 1. Cor. 15.57 Thirdly ouer sinne and that 1 In taking away the sting and guiltinesse thereof 2 Abating the rage fury of the same Rom. 7.24.25 3 Healing in some measure the corrupt fountaine of the same 4 Weakning the force and daily eating out the very corruption thereof Rom. 6.12.13 Fourthly death is also conquered and subdued and that 1 By taking away the sting therof 2 By destroying the dominion of the same Rom. 5.14 3 Sanctifying it to the Godly to whom it is the gate to euerlasting life 1. Thess. 4. 4 Raising vp our flesh from the graue 1. Cor. 15. And thus by this glorious conquest of our captaine Iesus Christ is recouered vnto vs Heb. 12 2· First the fauour of God our Father whose children we are now become in Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 5.18 1 Ioh. 3.1 Col 1.20 Secondly the fruits of this fauour which are 1 Faith in the Sonne of God whereby being iustified before God we haue 2 Peace of Conscience with God and man Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.4 3 Ioy vnspeakeble in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 4 We become fruitfull in all good works and so therby become meet partakers of saluation Col. 1.12 The earnest whereof we haue in this life first by the inward testimony of the spirit 2. Cor. 1. Eph. 4. Secondly by our outward similitude conformity to our head Christ Iesus being changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2. Cor. 3.18 And wee shall fully enioy it in the life to come where shall be 1 Ceasing of all sinne infirmities sorrow Reu. 7.17 2 Perfect knowledge of God 3 Perfect righteousnesse and holinesse not to be changed Eph. 5.27 4 Fulnesse of ioy Psa. 16. 5 Excellent glory 6 Immediate fruition of and coniunction with God 1. Cor. 13.12 7 Continuall praising of God 8 God shall be all in all 1. Cor. 15. 9 Perfect loue to each other though in diuersity of glory 10 Knowledge spirituall of each other as they haue had fellowship in this life in good 11 Triumph ouer all enemies 12 Eternall happinesse and blisse for euermore 1. Pet. 1.4 All these hath the sonne of God purchased for vs CHAP. XI Of the Appliclication of this benefit by faith how it wrought in vs. THe meanes whereby all these are made ours This faith is wrought in vs by the preaching of the word Rom. 10.17 And that first of the Law First discouering our misery vnto vs in particular both From what a blessed estate wee are fallen Rom. 3. Rom. 7. as also Into what a woful and desperate condition we are now plunged not onely by reason of our sinne Being able to do nothing but displease God Gen. 6.5 And that in regard 1 Of the trangression of Adam which lies vpon vs Rom. 5. 2 The fruit of this transgression euen a generall infection corruption of all the powers and faculties of soule and body As First the substance of the soule 1 before being simple is now become double through hypocrisie 2 Before being mortall naturally and spiritually is now spiritually dead Eph. 2. Secondly the gifts of the soule As 1 the minde through ignorance become vaine in it discourses Eph. 4. Rom. 2.21 2 Of the vnderstanding filled with blindnesse and darknesse and not sauouring the things of God Eph. 4.17 3 The Conscience wounded seared defiled
and strengthen vs in the worke of grace Therefore hauing now laide downe the true Patterne of Holinesse and liuelie practise thereof my purpose is GOD willing shortly to furnish thee with such variety of helpes as may serue both to vphold and encrease this blessed condition And seeing wee shall not want many Lettes and Hinderances to interrupt and so to linger vs in if not quite to breake off this holy course Therefore by GODS grace I doe intend in the third place to discouer those seuerall Rubbes and impediments and withall to instruct how wee may encounter and subdue the same And withall As GOD shall lend health and liberty to adde such motiues and encouragements both from the present benefites of this constant walking as also from the future recompence which waits the same as may throughly settle vs in the practise thereof Meane while let vs in the name of GOD bee faithfull in a little that so wee may bee fitted to further blessings being thankfull for the meanes wee enioy to this end and labouring thereby to serue one another in loue praying for the peace of Ierusalem and seeking the same aboue our chiefest ioy that so in the peace thereof wee may haue peace euen a gracious liberty to walk with our God in constant obedience to whom in Iesus Christ through the blessed Spirit bee praise and Dominion in all the Churches Amen FINIS * Greenham Perkins Rogers Downam and Arthur Dent c. Reasons of â—â—â—he Deity Alexander Vse Natures vse for the knowledge of GOD. Vse Intelliâ—â—â—ent Vse Eternall Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Rom. 1. Psalm 81.1 Vse Note Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.1.2 Sect. 1. What a person is Vse Trinitie what Persons how they differ Order of Persons Order of workes Vse Vse Note Ends of Creation Vse Time 1. Cor. 2. Vse Body Soule in regard of the Analogy betweene the Creaation and Regeneration 2. Cor. 12.11 Vse Sect. 6. 2. By sufferings where what they were 1 In whole life 2 In death 3 In body 4 In soule Sect. 7. Conquering and how Vse of his death Sect. 8. The benefit of our Redemption 1 By sence of our misery fall from our first estate The greatnes therof 1 By sinne 2 By fruite of sin what they are 1 In this life 2 In the life to come 3 Particulars of hell torments Sect. 1. The word the guide of this direction Sect. 2. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 1. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 2. This course to be known though impossible to be kept Sect. 3. It is not impossible Sect. 4. It is necessary 3 To encrease in righteous 4 To recouer out of euil 5 To further our callings Sect. 5. It is most conuenient for all sorts 1 For Babes 2 For strong men 3 For men in prosperity 4 For the time of offliction Sect. 6. And profitable Sect. 7. And pleasant where The benefite of constant godlines there in the priuiledge of Christians Sect. 2. Repentance how performed 1 By knowledge 2 Sorrow 3 By confession In generall In particular 4 By iudging 5 By flying to Christ. 5 Forsaking sin how Section 3. Helpes to repentance Sect. 4. Markes of Repentance Vse of Repentance Note Sect. 7. Trial hereof Ahab Rom. 2. Sect. 2. The degrees of this worke Sect. 3. The markes of particular assurance Sect. 4. The degrees thereof Weakenesse of Faith How knowne The grounds hereof Sect. 1. The heart a sleepe and by what meanes Sect. 2· The heart to be awakened and how Sect. 3. The heart awakened must be examined And how 1 By a true rule 2. An holy manner 3. To a right end Sect. 4. The heart examined must be established in the worship of God And how How to know the beloued sin How to conquer it Sect. 7. Trial hereof Sect. 1. The parts of the spirituall armour and first of the girdle of Truth Its parts are Sect. 2. 1 A rectified Iudgement The benefit thereof Sect. 3. The sanctified conscience and how discerned How put on The benefit thereof Sect. 4. The sinceri-of the will It markes It measure The benefit hereof Sect. 5. The well ordering of the affections how discerned The benefit thereof Sect. 6. The sinceritie of the Tongue Wherein it is seene Sect. 7. Of speech and 1 Of the preparation to it 2 And bee hath promised to blesse this meanes to this end 3 And the Saints haue practised this duty profitably Sect. 8. The matter of speech Sect. 9. How to speake of God Sect. 4. How to speake of our neighbour Sect. 15. What heere to be auoyded How to speake in dispraise of our selues Sect. 14 Of things to be spoken How to speake of what wee know Sect. 15. The maner of speech 1 It must be gratious Sect. 16.2 Our speech must be true Sect. 17. Of the bonds of truth 1 Euidences How to affirme in doubtfull cases 3 The matter 4 The manner 5 He that may sweare 6 The ende and causes of an oath 6 Before whom we must sweare 7 When 8 How an oath binds 9 The abuses of an oth Sect. 21. Of flattery Sest 22. Concealing of truth Sect. 23. The third grace of speech Reuerence and that 1. In respect of God 2. Of man Sect. 24. To giue holy names to to our children Sect. 25. Reuerence to our superiour Here forbidden 1. Blasphemie 2. All abuse of scripture 2. Abuse of our selues Sect. 26. A fourth grace of speech Sobrietie and Modestie And where in Sect. 27. Of saluatioÌ„s Popish blessing to bee moderated Sect. 28. Of soft ananswering Sect. 28. Of reproofe of sinne Sect. 30. A fit grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy It conditions How fitted to the boord How for bed Here to bee auoyded 1 Iesting with it bounds 2 Laughter Sect. 31. A sixt grace of speech care of our neighbours good name 1 How performed 2 What auoyded Sect. 32. The seuenth grace of speech slownesse briefnes Rules herein Sect. 33 Of silence and the right vse thereof Things to be conceald And first wherein silence is to be vsed 1 Concerning God 2 Concerning our selues 3 What to be conceald Aug. lib. ad conser 4 Before whom we must keepe silence Sect. 34 Last part of the Girdle Conformiâ—â—â—ie of outward actions The end what 1 Gods glory 2 Edification how accomplished How applied Benefite of this part of the Girdle Sect. 35. The Breast-plate of righteousnesse 1. What it is 2. The vse of this part How to bee attained and preserued Sect. 37. A fourth part of the Armour the shield of faith It vse Sect. 38. The fifth part the helmet of hope Sect. 39. The last part the sword of the Spirit 1. It vse 2 How obtained 3 Triall â—â—â—ereof 4. How kept on Sect. 40. The general benefit of the whole armie Sest 1. Difference of euill Sect. 2. What the euill of sin is Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge Sect. 4 How farre sinne hath taken hold on man The benefit of this knowledge Sect. 4. Gods
THE CHRISTIANS Daily Sacrifice CONTAINING A daily direction for a setled course of Sanctification The third edition corrected and enlarged with a thousand spirituall rules tending to Perfection Diuided into threâ— Bookes by TH. COOPER LONDON Imprinted by N. O. for WALTER BVRRE and are to bee sold in Paules Church yard at the signe of the Crane 1615. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND TRVELY NOBLE LAdies my very bountifull Patronesses the Lady LVCIE Countesse of Bedford the Lady HARINGTON Barones of Exon grace and peace from God the Father through our Lord Iesus Christ bee multipleed RIght worthie Ladies As there is nothing that better becommeth the righteous then to bee thankefull vnto the Lord for his great mercies bestowed vpon vs. So I am perswaded in nothing more hath our gratious God aduanced his wonderfull goodnesse vnto our sinfull nation Then in that great deliuerance of our Prince and people from that hellish plot of the Gunpowder Treason For as the Redemption of mankind by the pretious blood of Iesus Christ hath therefore the priuiledge to be of all other benefits the most excellent farre exceeding our Creation or any other blessing of God because thereby mankind was restored to a more excellent estate then it lost in Adam so how soeuer the Lord in mercie vouchsafed vnto this Nation as it were a new creation by the Ministerie of good Queene Elizabeth of happy memory who restoring vnto vs the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ we were thereby euen pluckt out of the fiery fornace of Antichrist and new borne again to the hope of eternall glory yet because we haue not receiued the loue of the truth and did not gloryfie our blessed God in our obedience therunto therfore did we iustly forfaâ—â—â—te our right in that great blessing and so deserued vtterly to bee depriued thereof And was not this our general fere in those dayes when the Light of our eys grew dimme and the sunne of our happines was set in these parts that together therewith the light of the Gospel also should haue bene taken from vs surely if the Lord had not them beene on our side when the arme of the flesh failed vs. If hee had not reserued an â—â—â—â—â—â—ly seed to stand in the gappe wee must needs haue bene as Sodome and Gomorrha But blessed be the name of our God for euer that in his eternall mercie had reserued a Ioseph for vs euen a royall Branch of that holy seede to renue and maintaine our glorious light And haue wee walked worthie of so great saluation surely if there were nothing else to condemn our vnthankefulnesse for so great a blessing Euen that accursed Powder Plot in steed of all other arguments is sufficient hereunto For as the vnthankefulnesse of the Papists was here noâ—â—â—oâ—â—â—iously discouered that hereby intended the subuersion of the state which had so gratiously vouchsafed lâ—â—â—fe and peace vnto theÌ„ So did this also conuince the vnprofitablenesse of the Protestant who for the abuse of his Talent was hereby summoned to his account and in his owne desert must needes haue beene ouertaken with this iudgment And therefore was it not the free mercie of the Lord that wee were not vtterly consumed Were wee not plucked euen as a brand out of the fire were wee not wonderfully redeemed euen by the mightie power of God from that horrible pit Did not the Lord thereby raise vp a mightie saluation for vs euen by his owne immediate arme that he alone may haue the glory And shal we not theÌ„ take vp the cup of saluation giue thanks vnto the name of the Lord. Surely as there remaines no more sacrifice for sin for such that do treade vnder foote the blood of the Son of God So I am perswaded that if we shall despise so great saluation and forget this wonderfull worke which our God hath done for vs we shall in vaine hope of the like deliuerance The Lord will do no more such great workes among vs because of our vnthankefull and vnbeleeuing hearts And therefore seeing the gratious Lord as he sanctified that deliuerance vnto me his vnworthie seruant by a speciall deliuerance from the malice of vnreasonable men which in the verie instant of our reioycing had layde a snare to entrappe my soule so hee hath hitherto giuen me my life for a pray from many other extremities Can I do better then I haue begun so still to imploy it in the meditation of Gods great mercies Ought I not do my vttermost to awaken this secure age and prouoke the Saints to an holy entertainement of so great saluation Can I do lesse then take occasion hereby to testifie my thankefulnesse vnto those that haue bin instruments for the maintenance of my life and studies Surely deare ChristiaÌ„ Ladies as I must acknowledge my selfe hereby bound for euer vnto your Honours so accept I beseech you this vnfained pledge thereof and bee prouoked herby to a wise redeeming of the time that so you may be prepared to a blessed eternitie Take these holy rules herein contained as a true guide to leade you safely in all occasions thereunto and make account of my best deuotions and endeuour here after to further to the same And so I commend your Ladiships to the grace of God in Iesus Christ. Resting in him To your Honours euer deuoted TH. COOPER The Preface to the Christian Reader describing the occasion and seuerall vses of this Treatise THE many excellent treatises and larger discourses concerning the power of godlinesse which it hath pleased the Lord of glory to furnish his Church withal in these later daies as they haue made good the faithfulnes of our God vno vs of our Church of England therein auouched against all schismaticall spirits that yet there is an holy seed among vs so if they shall not bee a witnesse against vs doe they necessarily require in the right vse thereof that we be transformed into the same image from glory to glory And therfore howsoeuer it may seeme both needlesse and preiudiciall after so many graue and experimentall rules concerning sanctification to adde any more in this kinde yet seeing it hath pleased God to direct mee to a further labour herein weigh with me I pray thee in equitie these reasons hereof First I doe hereby professe my thankefulnesse vnto God for those excellent labors of his Saints that now rest from their labours and their fruits follow them Secondly I would haue thee know that I am not ashamed of this foolishnesse of preaching and practicke Diuinitie which is such a mystery to the world and stumbling blocke vnto the wisedome thereof Thirdly howsoeuer I do professe that I am not able to attaine such perfection as I haue here in conceiued yet I would haue thee know further that I would rather haue a rule to condemne sinne in the flesh and so to confound the old man that thereby the new man may follow hard after the marke then not to giue testimonie to that light
which hath shined so gratiously vnto me then to conceale my iudgement though it may condemne my practise Fourthly May it please thee to consider with me Can a man walk in the Sunne and not bee warme and where two lie together will there not be heate and can the light be hidden nay ought it to be hidden Ought we not being conuerted conuert our brethren doth not the light shine vnto vs and can we hold our peace Is not the night coming fast on vs when none can worke 5 Can wee doe lesse in these dayes then conuince a prophane world 6 Can we do better then strengthen that which is ready to die purging and triall And is it not more then high time that wee should gather our selues before the decree come forth Is it not certain that our master wil not loÌ„g deferre his comming and shall not that seruant be blessed whom his master comming shall finde so doing euen freeing himselfe and departing from euill Shal not the wise man see the plague and hide himselfe the foole run on be punished Shall not the wise virgins prepare oyle in their lampes to meete the Bridegrome whiles stripes are preparing for the back of the scorner Behold then the oyle that thou must bee furnished withall Shall not this be thy store house dayly to furnish thee with meanes whereby thou must walke fruitfully with thy God in ech dutie of thy calling whereby thou maist entertaine each seuerall occasion chearefully that so while thou hast the light thou maist walke in it that so thou maist bee found in peace at thy masters comming Doe the times require in regard of the continuance of plentifull meanes that by this time thou shouldest haue bin a teacher of others and yet art thou to learne the grounds of thy faith Behold here then the grounds of Sanctification propounded and opened vnto thee that thou maist be soundly entred into the schoole of Christ Iesus that thou maist trie thy selfe whether thou hast laide a good foundation or no hast thou built hay and stubble vpon the foundation hast thou gone a stray from that perfect rule and therefore hadst need to returne backe againe Behold The doctrine of repentance to sustaine thy iudgement aright here maist thou trie thy selfe whether thou hast repented or no hereby maist thou approue thine interest in Iesus Christ. And to this purpose is the doctrine of repentance proposed before the doctrine of faith Not that it is or can be in nature before it for how can the fruite be before the tree can we loue God vnlesse hee loue vs first can wee forsake our sinnes vnles the loue of Christ constrain vs must we not beleeue sinne pardonable before we can forsake it Is not our sufficiencie of God through Iesus Christ to subdue iniquitie Is not Iesus Christ aswel-the authour and finisher of our faith And is it not sinne before God though it seeme neuer so glorious among men whatsoeuer is not of faith And without faith is it possible to please God Must we not first be in Christ before we can be new creatures and do we not liue by faith in the Sonne of God And doth not the death of Christ daily kill sinne in vs doe wee not dayly rise vp in him to newnesse of life And do wee not approue our selues hereby liuing members of his body Is it any more wee but Christ that now liueth in vs Is not this to liue by faith in the Sonne of God Loe here our repentance being a fruit of our faith in Iesus Christ is also an euidence vnto our soules that we are in the faith and so our faith which in nature is before repentance hath yet repentaÌ„ce in order accoÌ„panying the same and by this liuely fruit is discerned of vs and thus hast thou in the next place a gratious direction how to discerne and reuiue thy most pretious faith that so thou maist bee sure that thou hast not laboured in vaine Now seeing the work of Sanctification is begun in weaknes rather in the purpose of the heart then any constancie of outward practise and hypocrisie wil be sure to mingle it selfe with our best endeauours if it be possible to blast the the verie blade Therefore art thou informed in the next place how to prepare thy heart in the seruice of God how to comfort thy selfe in the testimony thereof notwithstanding thy dayly failings in the practise of weldoing And seeing the heart of man is deceitful aboue al things the cause of all thy failings ariseth from the not guiding of thy heart Therfore art thou taught how to arme thy heart with that complete armor of a Christian souldier And so thou art instructed in the vse of each seuerall peece therof that so thou maist be ready at all assayes To this end in the next place are propounded vnto thee those two maner occasions and imployments of thy whole life namely to prosecute good and forsake euill and so thou art instructed how to performe the one and leaue the other how to discerne sinceritie in either And because the true Christian life is a continuall growth therefore art thou further informed how to discerne this growth in grace thou art furnished with meanes wherby thou maist grow and thou art comforted in the weakenesse and hinderances of thy growth And seeing thankefulnesse is a special badge of our loue vnto Christ a principal means to renue our right in him that so from him we may renue strength and supply of grace to grow forward perfection therefore art thou taught also how to bee thankefull thou art informed in the truth and right vse of this dutie And as by these meanes thou art hastning to perfection so art thou further prouoked to constancie perseuerance And gratiously informed how thou maist continue to the end not onely confirmed in thy greatest fayling that thou shalt recouer but instructed also gratiously how thou maist hold out Namely By holy watchfulnesse and iealousie ouer thy heart and wayes that so thou maist preuent securitie and presumption and gratiously goe on and perseuere in weldoing And that thou maist not bee ouercome with the cares of the world not be to seeke at any time of the present assistance of thy God therefore thou art enformed aboue all things to make thy requests manifest vnto God and directed so to aske that thou maist receiue And so thou art informed how to maintaine thy peace with God and to repose thy selfe sweetly in the bosome thereof And mâ—â—â—ist thou not also learne hereby how to beginne the day with God Art thou not instructed how to sanctifie thy family by holy exercises how to sanctifie the occasioÌ„s by holy and feruent prayer Art thou not directed how to walke in thy calling art thou not comforted in the issue there of Art thou not further informed in the right vse of thy diet that so thou maist eat to liue and â—â—â—e to the glory of thy maister Art thou instructed
neuer soundly peaceable Tim. 4. 1. Cor. 1.2 Esay 57.1 4 The Memory fit to retaine euill to forget good Heb. 10.22 5 The Will captiuated to euill yet running headlong thereto but to choose or do good altogether auerse Rom. 8.5.6 Ioh. 8.39 Rom. 6.16.17.20 7.14 6 And so the Affections led violently after the sway thereof As also 7 The Conuersation most lothsome to God and Man 1. Tim. 1.15 8 The Thoughts impotent and vnsatiable to euill and infinite therein 9 The Members seruants of Iniquitie 10 His best actions greatest abominations Prou. 28.9 Io. 3.31 Psalm 50.16 11 His glory also lost 1. In that he hath lost his soueraignetie ouer the Creatures 2 And that reuerend maiestie of his Person A second part of mans misery is the fruite of his sinne Namely that First He is most odious to God and most iustly accursed of him Col. 1.21 and this curse is mainfest First vpon his Person which is subiect to all infamy 2 Vpon his Body by those fearefull and innumerable plagues diseases iudgements of famine c. which lie vpon men and consume them in this life Deut. 28.15 Gene. 3.17 3 By that horrible abuse of Gods blessings which are bestowde on him making the creature to grone vnder this bondage of corruption and so to increase the score against the life to come Ro. 8.19 Secondly Vpon his Soule and that first in this life 1 In being giuen vp to a reprobate sence Rom. 1.23 2 Depriued of the knowledge of God but so farre as shall make him without excuse Psal. 49.15 3 To bee past feeling through the hardnesse of his heart Ephes. 4.19 4 Thence to commit sin with greedinesse and so to make vppe the measure thereof 5 Thence to fall into wofull and irrecouerable despaire Gen. 4. and to discouer the same by madnesse blasphemies c. Secondly In the life to come by 1 Vtter separation from the presence of God and happinesse for euer 2. Thess. 1.21 2 Perpetuall communion with Satan and the infernall spirits so of all torments Esay 34. Especially First Desperate sorrow for an irrecouerable losse Secondly Insufferable waight of the wrath of God Thirdly Sensible torment yet not to be expressed Math. 3. 1 Without intermission Reu. 14 2 Without end Apoc. 20. Fourthly the worme of conscience accusing and gnawing continually Esay 66. Esay 50. Fifthly Bitter enuy at the happinesse of the elect expressed by gnashing of teeth Mat. 13.22 Sixthly vnsatiable desire of sinne without hope or ability to commit the same Seuenthly Restlesse content in this fearfull condition Thus the law discouers to man his misery And therefore First it is to be preached to sinners 2 Tim. 4.2 Secondly Men are to be acquainted with the particulars of it Thirdly And to yeeld to the power thereof that so driuing men out of themselues it may lead them to Christ who is properly reuealed vnto vs in the preaching of the Gospell which doth especially beget and perfect the worke of iustifying Faith and that 1 Because the Gospell reueales God in Christ not as he is in the law auenging sinne but reconciling the world vnto him by not imputing sin thereunto 2 Hence a sinner is enabled to iustifie Gods righteousnesse and mercy in pardoning sin 3 And so hence proceedeth to apprehend in particular the pardon of his sin And that in this manner 1 By making vs to beleeue our miserie through a particular application thereof vnto our selues Rom. 7.9 Rom. 15.4 Mat. 9.12 2 By working anguish and sorrow in spirit for the same Act. 2.37 Ier. 21.18 Iudg. 2.3.10 3 Aduising what to do Luk. 15.17 Ierem. 8.6.7 and considering deepely what we haue done Reu. 7.24 4 Submitting to Gods will to be guided hereafter according to the same Luk. 17.9 Eze. 36.2 Act. 9.6 9 Heauenly conuersation Phi. 3.20 10 Readinesse and patience to and vnder the crosse Rom. 5. Phil. 1.27 11 Desire to bee dissolued and to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 Thus is Faith wrought in vs thus may we discerne the work therof And this is properly iustifying faith it differs from all the rest 1 Because it onely is the certaine confidence whereby we apply Christs merites vnto our selues that we may bee esteemed righteous before God 1 Cor. 1.11 2 It onely concernes spirituall gifts such as belōg to saluation 3 It comprehendeth all other kindes of faith but is not comprehended by them 4 It only obtaineth the inheritance which the rest may see though not apprehend nor attaine vnto Rom. 3.28 Rom. 4.5 And this faith is thus effectuall and discerned by these markes 1 Acknowledging what is in the Scriptures to be true 2 Finding our selues bound to beleeue them 3 Applying principally the promise of grace Ioh. 8.36 4 Boldnesse on this confidence to rely on this present grace 5 Ioy in the present blessing but especially in the saluation to come 6 Desire to bring forth the fruit of an holy life whereby wee are made partakers of the diuine nature and so made meete to that happines wherinto no vncleane thing shall enter Iam. 2. 2. Pet. 1.3 Col. 1.11 Reu 21.27 Hence we may learne 1 That there is no holinesse in nature and therefore no happinesse from thence Rom. 3.9 2 Though Christ be offred to al yet all do not receiue him Rom. 5. 3 No man knoweth iustifying faith but he that hath it 4 Our righteousnes is of faith laying hold on Iesus Christ. Phil. 3 9 5 Being redeemed by Christ we must be zealous of good works which God hath ordained vs to walke in 6 That wee may not erre in wel-doing nor be weary thereof we must haue a Guide to direct vs therein Ioh. 11.9 7 Certainty vpon the assurance of Gods promise that though his faith may languish and be ecclipsed yet it shall neuer faile finally 8 And therefore still striuing with doubts and tentation and getting the conquest ouer them CHAP. XII This Guide is onely the perfect word of God 1 BEcause it is the briefe of Gods reuealed will Psalme 40.7 2 It reacheth not onely to the outward but inward man also is a discerner of the secret thoghts and reins Heb. 4.12 3 It is that will of God which the Lord would haue to this ende communicated vnto all Colos. 1.6 Ioh. 5.35 4 It is sufficient and absolutely perfect to accomplish whatsoeuer concernes our entrance or perfection to eternall life 2. Tim. 3.16 5 It is a sure and euerlasting word able to accomplish that which it promiseth or threatneth and giuing grace to perform that in some measure which it enioyneth Eph. 6.17 1. Pet. 1. 2. Pet. 1.19 Psal. 19.7 Psal. 119.93 6 It is most plaine and easie to be apprehended as being a light shining in a darke place 2. Pet. 1. Pr. 8.2 2 Cor. 4.4 Hence it followeth 1 That whatsoeuer is not warranted by the word is sinne Apoc. 22 18. Deut. 4.2 Prou. 30.6 2 That the Law of nature
written in our hearts is no sufficient rule of life 1. Cor. 2.14 Mat. 16.17 Rom. 2.12 3 Much lesse the Lawes of nations are perfect rules to liue by Deut. 4.6 4 No wil-worship is accepted of God Matth. 15.9 Colos. 2.23 Deu 12.8 5 Nither a good intention makes a good action 2. Sam. 6.6 6 Nor an erroneous conscience excuseth an euill fact or maketh that which is doubtfull good Rom. 14.23 7 No not Ignorant Deuotion auailes in Gods worship Rom. 10 2. Act. 13.50.51 8 Much lesse the lawlesse lusts of our hearts which tend to the destruction of life Eph. 1 22. 9 Neither is the Multitude a iustifiable warrant for our actions Exod. 23. 10 No not the examples of any further then they square with the word 1. Cor. 11.1 11 Neither the word it selfe in the letter but in the spirituall meaning thereof Math. 5. 12 And the meaning of the word to be fetcht not from any other but the Word comparing spiritual things with spirituall things 1. Cor. 2.13 13 Yea the true meaning must be appplied by faith before our actions can be warranted therby Rom. 14. So doth the word containe a perfect direction of our life CHAP. XIII What this direction is namely to serue God daily and constantly THis direction is a daily and constant endeuour to serue God And 1 Because the Lord requires such a dayly and constant course Philip. 3.15 Gen. 17.1 Iob. 1.5 2 The Lord giues grace and appoints means for the performance thereof as the continuall inhabitation of his spirit and the fruite therof the holy seed that remains in vs. 1. Iob. 3.8 3 The Saints of God haue practised such a course Psal. 1. Genes 18. 1. Cor. 15. 4 To this ende were we redeemed that we should serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of ous life Luk. 1. 5 God doth dayly bestow blessings vpon vs therefore wee must dayly serue him Lam. 3.23 Psal. 103.2 6 Christ Iesus maketh continuall intercession for vs that wee should daily yea hourely and continually performe acceptable seruice vnto God 1. Iob. 2.2 7 Satan is neuer weary of tempting vs therefore wee should haue our loines girt and bee alwaies vpon our watch to resist him 1. Pet. 5.8 8 Wee haue not a daies warrant no not an houres certaintie of life therefore we are at no time to be vnprepared because we know not the houre when our master commeth Math. 24. 9 We are pilgrims and trauellers in this world and therefore wee must trauell each day homeward to our country Heb. 11.12 1. Pet. 2.11 10 By our calling we are watchmen souldiers c. and therefore we must daily be exercised in this spirituall warrefare 2. Timothie 2.6 Hence it followeth 1 That to fancie any such seruice out of the word which is not daily and constant is sinne Hosea 6.4 2 To thinke that the seruice of the Sabboth is all that God requireth is also sinne Esa. 1.13 3 It is in vaine to serue God at randome and not in an holy and constant order 4 To put off the seruice of God to the end of our life is most presumptuous Psal. 95.7 5 To thinke I haue any libertie or time to serue sinne is Atheisticall 1. Pet. 4.2 Ephe. 5.16 6 That it is not wil-worship to performe this seruice seeing it is warranted by the word 7 That it is no nouelty to serue God after this manner 8 Neither is it precisenesse to tie our selues hereunto seeing it is reuealed and therefore beelongs vnto vs. Deut. 29.29 Ephes. 5.15 Therefore that we may serue God according to his word we must perform dayly and continuall obedience to to him Coloss. 10. CHAP. XIIII What this dayly course is namely a constant purpose to serue God how ANd this is first a purpose of the heart to serue God as God wholly and continually He. 13.18 Act. 11.13 2 This purpose is setled and rooted in the heart and bringeth forth some constant fruit of obedience euery day Col. 1.23 3 It is also sincere and generall hauing respect vnto al Gods commandments in all things desirous to please him dayly and to bee fruitfull in euery good worke Psa 119.6 Col. 1.10 4 It is in wisedome both auoiding all occasions which may hinder as also vsing the best meanes may further the execution thereof 5 It is constant and earnest not giuing ouer though it be preuented and interrupted but hereby is more kindled and enflamed to weldoing Fifthly it is spirituall and respects the ends which are two 1 Gods glory not any worldly or vaine respects 1. Cor. 10.31 2 The eternall saluation of my soule not any trāsitory or outward blessing Phil. 3.8 1. Pet. 1.9 3 It enioynes these so farre as God shall inwardly enable and outward means permit rather to put vs in minde what we should bee then what we can bee in this life 2. Cor. 8.12 Hence it followeth First that though this course were impossible yet were it necessary to be known and indeauored of vs. 1 That it might bee a dayly rule of our life 2 That it might continually humble vs vnder the mighty hand of God 3 That it may daily driue vs to Christ 4 That it might weane vs from the world fit vs to eternal happines Hence it followeth Secondly that it is not impossible in some good measure to keepe such a course and trade of holines 1 Because he presumes not absolute perfection which indeed were folly for any to dreame of in this life but is onely a following hard to the make and furtherance to perfection Phil. 3.13 2 It is no harder a taske then what the Saints of God do desire to attaine Psal. 90.12 haue voluntarily vndertaken and in most comfortable measure performed Genes 5.22 3 It may stand well with our ordinary callings 1. Tim. 4.8 4 Neither doeth exclude our lawfull comforts 2. Tim. 4.8 Hence it followeth Thirdly That it is no more then needs must to take this course 1 Because hereby we shew our selues obedient to Gods commandement Gen. 17.1 Secondly Wee do also approoue the soundnes of our obedience as 1 That it is hearty not Hypocriticall 2 Not by halfes but generall 3 Not temporary but continuall 4 Not indifferent but conscionable 5 Not enforced but free cheerefull Deut. 28.47 6 Not vncertaine but constant 7 Not carnall but spirituall Thirdly Heereby we increase in righteousnes and holines as being First Confirmed in well doing and that 1 By the knowledge of our heauenly thrift 1. Thes. 4.10 Mat. 25.16 2 Thanfulnesse vnto God for it 3 Commending the successe to God 4 Crauing his further supply 4 Recouered also we shall bee out of euill 1 By seeing our escapes Ieremy 3.13 2 Iudging them 1. Cor. 11.32 3 Denying our selues Math. 16 4 Casting our selues vpon Christ. Math. 11. Fifthly Hereby also our outward callings are furthered as 1 Being sanctified by this spirituall exercise 1. Tim. 4.5 2
vnworthy of them Gen. 32.10 2 Giuing God the glory of them with thanksgiuing Mat. 26. 3 Seasoning them with holy religious thoughts and chearfull yet profitable conference Iudg. 14 Luke 14. 4 Offring the strength of them vnto God in our callings 1. Kings 19.8 The triall of the right vse iâ—â—â— 1 If our comforts beneath descend from comforts aboue 2 If in these finite and corruptible things wee see an infinite eternall good 3 And these earthly things are seales thereof vnto vs and life vp our hearts thither 4 If we find such contentednes in them as alwaies affords desire fitnesse to spirituall blessings 5 If in regard of their shortnes fully to satisfie vs and our abuse of them and aptnes therto we see in them our mortalitie and so hunger after our dissolution The benefit hereof 1 We shall auoid superstition and that damnable doctrine of diuels 1. Tim. 4.2 2 We shall be better enabled to spirituall duties Mat 26.30 3 We shall vse the Christian libertie aright Rom. 14. 4 Wee shall further nature to grace 5 Wee shall eate of our owne and so be blessed Psal. 128.1 6 Wee shall prouide safely for the time of famine eat to liue Psal. 33.10 Psal. 37. 7 Wee shall make vs friends of this Mammon of iniquity ease our selues well of an heauy burthen Luke 16. 8 We shall be ready to die and prepared to the meate that shall endure for euer Iohn 6.27 And thus much concerning our food The like may we conceiue concerning our apparell CHAP. VI. Of apparell WHich that wee may the rathe vse aright 1 Consider we that our clothing is a badge of our sinfull state and therefore let vs not reioyce in our sin let vs not giue strength thereto by vanitie therein 2 That herein wee frame our selues to the guise of the countrie wherein we liue auoyding the new fanglednesse of other nations 1. Zeph. 9. 3 That we be constant in our generall habits and alter not the same 4 That in the vse of apparell we are subiect to the authoritie of the Magistrate Rom. 13. 5 That when we put on our apparell we remember that excellent clothing of Christ Iesus his righteousnes and the fruit thereof that clothing vpon in glory and immortalitie 2. Ephes. 2. Cor. 5. 6 That when wee put off our apparell we remember also to put off sinne so to lie down with peace of conscience as not to resume sinne againe together with our apparell 7 Be we carefull that we disguise not our selues with the monstrous fashions of the world lest together with this outward fashion we pertake with them in their sin and so share with them in their punishments 8 Take wee heed lest by our shamelesse disguising we so bring it to passe that the Lord when he comes to iudgement acknowledge not his owne creature 9 Consider we the prouidence of God herein that apparel that hath no heate should notwithstanding be a meanes to get and maintain the same that so 1 Our hearts bee not set vpon the same 2 That we labour for that onely which may answere the right end namely 1. to procure warmth to the body 2 To adorne the same 3 That we depend vpon the blessing of God therein Psal 127. 4 That in the want thereof we despaire not of Gods loue seeing 1. he which makes the cold apparell to be a meanes of heate can also maintaine the heate of the body without apparell and 2. no man knoweth loue or hatred by these things Eccl. 9.1.2 5 Learne wee hereby that the body is better worth then the raiment and so the soule more pretious then the body Mat 6. 6 And yet presume wee not of heate without the vse of these meanes 7 And let this serue to humble vs that the greatest cause of our pride we haue from the beasts that which hath heate in it selfe doth yet receiue heate from that which hath none 8 To confirm vs not to neglect the most vnlikely meanes 9 And thus keeping our selues within the bound of necessity sobrietie religion authority ouâ— callings auoyding of offence c. we shall by Gods mercy attain to a right vse of these outward blessings and so 1 Shall reeiue them as pledges of the immortall cloathing 2 Shal be assured of Gods mercie in the present vse of them as being now sanctified vnto vs c. 10 Remember we that sin hangs vpon vs all our life long and therfore let vs not set it faster on by vanitie in apparell But rather 11 Let vs sigh and hunger for that clothing which is aboue and especially labour to adorne the hidden man in the heart 1. Pet. 3. 12 Consider that this glory of apparel is the shame of the wearer causing them to be counted light wanton proud consuming their outward estates disrobing the soule of spirituall graces and exposing to more grieuous tentations as lust theft and pride Our iudgements being thus rectified and resolued concerning our right and vsage of apparell we may safely vse 1 Euen the most pretious as our callings do allow Gen. 41. Gen. 24. Psalme 45.10 Mat. 6.27 2. Chro. 9.27 2. So there be no vanity in them Esa. 3. 3 So we remit of our libertie to the more fit worship of God in fasting c. Ion. 3. Esth. 4. 4 So we more especially intend the adorning of the mind 1. Tim. 2 9. 1. Pet. 3.3 5 So we make them not means and ensigns of our pride lightnes c. Esa. 3.16 6 So that our care be moderate for the same Mat. 6 28. 1. Tim. 6.8 7 As also sutable vnto our seuerall callings and degrees 8 Approuing our selues herein vnto the examples of the grauest and most frugall Phil. 4.9 Mat. 3.4 9 Especially correspondent to decency and holines Tit. 2.3 1 So that the man must not weare that which belongs to the woman Deut. 22.5 2 Our apparell must bee fit to execute our seuerall callings 3 As also such as may expresse the seueral vertues of the mind 1. Tim. 2.9.10 Obseruing these ends in the vse thereof 1 Necessitie to defend vs from heat and could 2 Honestie to couer our nakednesse Os. 2. Sauing onely the face and hands 3 Honour 1. Cor. 12.23 1. Thes. 4.4 to adorn our persons and callings 4 Contenting our selues with our naturall fauour and complexion 2. King 9 30. 5 Aiming herein at a spirituall vse as before especially our death and resurrection The benefit hereof is 1 Our outward estate maintained and honoured 2 The inward beautie and grace of the mind furthered 3 Abuse of time preuented which we must giue account of 4 Gods creatures vsed to their right end and in an holy manner whereby not only their groaning is eased Romans 8.19 But they fitted as meanes of the worship of God and so furtherers of our eternall happinesse 1. Tim. 6 19. 5 The iudgements of God auoided Esa. 2.11 Zeph. 3.11 6 We better enabled to
Iob. 31. 5 Wee must not cloy our hearts with them but keepe them intirely to God Psa. 62. 6 We must not be puffed vp with them Psa. 75. 7 We must not tye nor measure God onely by them Psa. 30.6 8 Wee must bee willing for his sake to part with them either for the good of others or to auoid our owne hurt Mat. 10.37 9 And all this not as if they were ours but Gods to dispose wholly to his glory and the good of his Church and Children Math. 19.29 13. Col. 3.23 Rom. 12. Secondly because the ouer-high conceit of these things is no small occasion to be-witch our hearts with them therefore let vs labour to rectifie our iudgments concerning prosperity that so our ouerweening opinion thereof may bee abated and our affections rectified therein To this end First consider that though they are Gods blessings yet they are giuen for the most part to euill men and become snares and pits vnto them Psalm 69. And therefore if there were no other preheminence euen the wicked in these excell vs. 1. Tim. 6. 2 Acknowledge we that the best haue beene tainted and much defaced by them and behold wee in their example what may befal vs. as Salomon and Dauid 2. Sam. 12. 1. King 5. 3 That they neither haue beene nor shall bee any certaine inheritance to the best but haue changed their master according to the good pleasure of the giuer Pro. 23 4 That we deserue nor the least of them and with all our industry without Gods blessing cannot compasse them and when we haue them they are but lent vs Psa. 127 Gen. â—â—â—2 5 That in the iudgement of the best they are but vanity and breede vexation of Spirit Nay that indeed they are nothing yea lesse then nothing Eccles. 1.2 1. Cor. 7. 6 That the enioying of them is not simply a note of the loue of God 7 Neither when they are taken away is it an infallible token of Gods displeasure 8 That the Lord can supply vs without them 9 And he is and will bee better vnto vs infinitely aboue them Thirdly wee must bee carefull in the right dispensation of them 1. Cor. 7. And that in this manner First we must principally honor God with our substance Prouerbes 3. And this is done 1 By acknowledging we haue all of his free mercy Gen. 32. 2 Willingly confessing from what a low estate the Lord hath raised vs Gen. 32. 3 By thankfulnesse vnto him for the least as well as for the greatest 1. Tim. 6.8 Eph. 5.20 4 By faithfulnesse in a lower estate that so the Lord may increase vs Mat. 25. And this is performed 1 By following our Calling as contentedly and humbling our selues therein being increased as when wee began with nothing Deut. 8.11 Phil. 4.11.12 2 We must now much more be open handed and that especially to the houshold of faith 2. Cor. 9. Gal. 6.10 3 We must not thinke it enough to comfort the body but wee must also minister to the soule which few rich men make conscience of neither indeede are able to performe Gen. 18. 2 Wee must honour our selues in God with them by eating the labours of our hands Psa. 128. and that not only for necessity but for ornament also But yet with these conditions 1 That wee exceed not our callings 2 That wee remember Ioseph in trouble Amos. 6.5 3 That wee be alwayes fitted to spirituall duties Luk. 21.34 4 And ready to be abased as we haue abounded Phil. 4.11 The triall of the right vse of our prosperitie is 1 That wee haue attained the same by holy meanes as prayer c. Gen. 31. 1. King 3. 2 That our heauenly thrift goes forward with our earthly and exceeds it 1. Timoth. 6. Mat. 6.33 3 That the more wee enioy of these things the more wee feare our selues and keepe a more speciall watch ouer our soules to preuent pride and security and prophanesse 4 That these outwarde things weane vs from the loue of the world 1. Cor. 7.29.30.31 5 That we are prepared to suffer afflictions and to bee tempted of them Luk. 9.23 6 That though wee giue these things their due yet wee account them all as dung in respect of Christ. Phil. 3.8 7 That wee make them our seruants to our Christian Callings Luk. 16.19 8 And instruments to most good 9 That our prosperity bee mingled with some outward or inward crosses 10 Especially that though wee prosper yet wee are grieued with the miseries of others Helpes hereunto are 1 To consider we are but strangers and pilgrimes in this life and therefore had need to goe lightly on our iourney 1. Pet. 2.11 2 We are but tenants at will 1. Tim. 6.17 3 Stewards for other Luk. 16. 4 Must giue vp a large account at the day of Christ Iesus Luk. 12 48. The benefit hereof is 1 We shall glorifie God herein 2 Enioy this estate with more comfort and constancy 3 Benefit others more gratiously thereby 4 As also herein the heauenly blisse shall be sealed vp vnto vs. 5 Hereby we shal discern enioy the right vse of our Christian liberty 6 And by the right vse thereof prepared to a more glorious measure of happinesse 7 We shall also be better fitted to afflictions to purge out corruption CHAP. X. Of Aduersity and the right vse thereof AND this is the next occasion daily occurring euen to vse Aduersity aright A direction very needfull 1 Because the derest Children of God haue failed herein Psalm 73. 2 Wee profite in nothing more then in an holy vse of afflictions Psa. 119.71 3 God sheweth himselfe in no occasion so maruelous as in this Psal. 107. 4 Sathan hopes in nothing to trip vs a herein Iob. 1. 5 The world hath no more effectuall means to condemne the generation of the iust then by their troubles Iob. 8. Act. 28.4 That we may therefore vse aduersity aright First learne we to informe our iudgements concerning the same as 1 Concerning the Causes 1 That they come not by chance but are appoynted of God sealed vpon vs Ioâ—â—â— 33.15 Amos 3 2 That they are imposed in loue and of very faithfulnesse Psalme 119. 3 That there is some cause of them in vs though presently not knowne to vs. And these causes may be 1 Either chastisement for some sinne past or present 2. Samuel 21.1 2 Preuention of some sin wherin wee are like to fall as securitie pride c. 2. Cor. 12. 3 Triall and exercise of some graces of God in vs. 1. Pet. 1.7 Especially of our loue to God Gen 22. Iob. 1. 4 Conuincing the world of slanderous imputations as that wee serue God for these things Iob. 1. 5 To draw vs neerer to God and cause vs to haue experience of his power and goodnesse Iohn 11. 6 Recouery of some graces which by prosperity haue been decayed in vs. Hos. 5.15 7 As also for the encrease perfection of grace
27 Yet acknowledge we before God that wee are not cleare and so abhor we our selues in sackcloth and ashes Iob. 11. 28 If we suffer as euill doers yet remember we that the crosse is not so much sent as a punishment for sinne as a remedie against it Psal. 119.77 And comfort wee our selues that the Lord helpeth the abiect and vnworthy 29 Moue we the Lord from the senee of our owne weakenes Iob. 6 vtter inability as of our selues Psal. 6. 30 Protest we our faith in God Iob. 13.15 and patience in waiting vpon him Psalme 123.2 Mich. 7.9 And aboue all things vse wee feruent prayer Iam. 5.13 And this shall most steed vs in the time of trouble And possesse our soules in patience Mat. 10. 31 Bind we the Lord to vs from the manifestation making good of his fauour in that he suffers not our enemies to triumph ouer vs. Psal 41.11 32 Meditate we of the shortnes of life and so of the end of troubles The triall of our right vse of afflictions Is 1 That the power of sinne bee weakened and our corruption purged out 2 That we be more powerfull in spirituall duties and yet humbled in them 3 And more compassionate towards our brethren and yet more zealous against sinne 4 That wee bee more wained from the loue of the world and in prosperitie be amended by the afflictions on others selues and so submitting to the wisedome of our superiours yet so 9 As that we do nothing against a truly informed conscience lest in seeking to auoyd troubles from men we cause our conscience to become our scourge and then God which is greater then the conscience shall much more condemne vs. 10 And yet rest wee not vpon a scrupulous or erroneous conscience lest hereby throgh obstinacie we thrust our selues vpon the edge of authority 11 So vsing diligence and con science in our places and withall 12 Labouring to giue mild and soft answers Thus may we preuent vnnecessarie troubles c And seeing the wiseman sees the plague and hides himselfe Therefore seeing the Lord wiâ—â—â—l visite a sinfull nation so as that hee will reserue a remnant from the common desolation Therefore here First learne wee how to foresee a plague 1 By faith resting on the word denouncing the same 2 By experience comparing the sinnes present with the sinnes of former ages and so collecting from the constancie of Gods prouidence that as he hath punished like sinnes formerly so will he also meet with like sinners 3 By the qualitie and measure of the sinne we may guesse at the time and nature of the scourge Secondly And wee haue also these markes when the plague stands at the doore 1 When sinne is ripe that is 1 When the sinner sits in the seate of the scorner 2 When he is drowned in securitie 3 When hee hath made vp his measure by persecution Math. 23.32 4 Where in his carnall wisedome hee chooseth the rod that Lord that wee may not be condemned with the world 2. Cor. 11.31.32 7 Hereby wee are kept in the life of grace and power of weldoing kept gratiously 8 From securitie and 9 Apostasie as also 10 From spirituall pride and 11 Hypocrisie the causes therof 12 By these wee are prouoked to more compassion towards our brethren and so 13 To maintaine the fellowship and to auoyd separation Heb. 10. Gal. 6.1 And are 14 Deliuered from generall iudgements Psal. 94.13 15 And so being fitted for comforts we are pertakers of them in more aboundance 2. Cor. 6.7 16 And can vse them more spiritually 17 Hereby wee are dayly raised out of sinne and so renue our repentance Os. 5. 18 As also are sent vnto our gratious God in prayer that wee may be partakers of his assistance Esay 26. Os 5. 19 And so our Faith is quickened in the expectation of the promises 1. Pet. 1.5 Iam. 1. 20 And we more gratiously exercised in humilitie and patience Iam. 1.2 21 And so prouoked to hunger after Christ Iesus and to wait for the glorious appearance of the sonnes of God 22 And being by afflictions dayly scoured and purged we are made meet partakers of that glorious inheritance with the saints in light Col. 1.12 23 And so are gratiously hereby not onely taken away that we shal not see the euils to come Esa. 57.1 as Iosias 24 But wee are euen taken vp by these as in a fierie chariot to partake of that vnspeakeable and eternall weight of glory which is reserued for vs in the heauens 2. Cor. 4. CHAP. XII Thus are we to behaue our selues in afflictions and trie our estates thereby ANd to this end seeing each day as it brings it trouble with it so it wants not it comfort to sweeten and season the same And aboue all our conscionable performance of family duties and priuate exercise of prayer and a vaile hereto Therefore bee wee carefull to obserue and performe such duties conscionably Which are 1 Priuate examination prayer thereupon to begin the day withall 2 Reading of the word to stirre vs vp to 3 Family Prayer with the household 4 Catechising of the Family 5 Singing of Psalmes Gen. 18. Of which in particular in the second generall part of the Helpes God willing And these are dayly to bee performed 1 Because we are yet ignorant of what we should know and forgetfull of what wee haue knowne 2. Pet. 1.13.15 2 New tentations and occasions require new strength and meanes thereto Luke 9 3. 3 Hereby we maintaine the life and power of grace cherish the spirit and grow dayly 4 And are better fitted to the Sabaoth Act. 13. 5 And renue and encrease our sweet communion with God Ioh. 5.39 Gen. 18.17 The maner of performance is 1 Wee must appoint and keepe set times for the same 2 Preparing thereto with some premeditation of our owne inabilitie former abuse and necessity thereof 3 If by ordinary occasion wee haue bene interrupted or preuented for once recouer we our selues at the next opportunitie against the day of the Lord Iesus 5 Wee procure stabilitie and constancy for the time to come 6 Wee yoake and diminish our dayly tentations 7 We keepe sin from sleeping with vs. 8 By repentance remouing it our sleepe becomes more sweete and comfortable 9 Our labours afterward proue lesse irkesone 10 We walke with God and expresse the true pilgrimes life Ge. 4 11 The carnal and worldly minded will otherwise condemne vs. 12 And we leaue our hearts to be buffeted with much infidelity and distraction Now that we may the rather performe this dutie Consider we 1 That the very heathen in some sort by the light of nature practised it 2 That if trouble here bee it is to the flesh to which wee are not debtors Rom. 8.12 3 That it is no more then God commands and Christianitie requires at our hands Psal. 4.6 4 That when wee haue done all we can wee are but vnprofitable seruants therefore we had need strâ—â—â—ue