seeing the Lord giues the blessing but rather giue the glorie vnto God and for his sake honouring the instrument Comforting our selues that hell shall not preuaile seeing God is the stronger Math 16. Luke 11. 22. 23. And no lesse then Heauen is the reward seeing God is Recompencer Thus is God the Authour of our conuersion But by what meanes doth he occomplish the same Doth he vse miracles to amaze or tortures to compell Doth hee vse Euthasiasmes to inspire or Dreames to reueale a worke vnto vs Surely no The holie Ghost saith God perswade Iapheth That is God incline the heart allure the minde of the Gentiles by convincing their conscieÌ„ces with the power of the truth framing their will and affections to embrace the same subduing their whole man to the obedieÌ„ce thereof As if the spirit of God had plainely taught vs That The Conuersion of a sinner is a perswasion of the minde to beleeue and inclining of the will affections to embrace the Lord IESVS And this shall appeare vnto vs by these circumstances 1. First by the Subiect of Conuersion Man 2. By the Matter and meanes of Conuersion Namely the word of GOD applyed and made essectuall by the operation of the spirit of God 3. By the Manner and order of a true Conuersion 4. And lastly by the Substance and Markes of true Conuersion Concerning the Subiect of conuersion Man and woman these consist of two parts 1. Of a corruptible bodie 2. Of a reasonable and immortall soule Of which Two the Bodie serues onely as an instrument to conuey the meanes of conuersion to the soule and to execute outwardly the effects of true conuersion and therefore is not properly the subiect of conuersion As being a spirituall work effected by a spirituall meanes and therefore fastning and working on a spirituall substance And this is the soule of Man which being Spirituall and eternall is therefore capable of this worke of the spirite and meanes of happie eternitie Notwithstanding because the bodie shall bee partaker with the soule of the fruite of Conuersion Namely conformitie and subiection to the spirite and eternall glorie Therefore as it cannot be separated from the soule in the worke of conuersion So it must be ordered by such meanes as it is subiect vnto thereby to further our conuersion And so to be as an instrument in the worke of Sanctification So also a partaker of the benefite thereof Hence is it that howsoeuer the minde cannot neyther ought to be forced by man as being beyond his reach and power yet the bodie being therefore subiected to the power of Man that by man it may further the conuersion of the soule is thereby also subiect to some compulsion from man Who in Gods stead is both to tender the meanes of Conuersion by the care vnto the Heart by the bodie vnto the minde which is the dutie of the Minister as also if neede require when the refractorie minde will detaine the body from the vse of the meanes is further euen to force the bodie by bringing it euen against the mindes will to heare the Word That so by the power therof eyther the rebellious minde may be reclaimed or at leastwise made inexcusable especially that in performing this dutie he may be free from the blood of his people or rather become a true nursing Father vnto them And this is properly the office of the Magistrate who though hee haue power euer life in the case of refractorie obstinate blaspheming of the Truth and desperate continuance in Atheisme and Heresie and therefore ought not to suffer cyther Idolater or Blasphemer either Atheist or damnable seducer of the people to a false worship any longer to breathe to the infection of others yet in the case of conuersion and bringing men to God hee is no â—â—rther to force â—â—e bodie then that still it may be seruiceable to the soule Leâ—iâ—g conuerted and also further the minde to be subdued by these spirituall weayons By which the Reason beeing captiuated and conscience perswaded and convinced and so the â—ill enclined and allured to embrace the Truth when once the hâ—â—rt shall endite a good matter and 〈…〉 with the loue of God then shall the tongue become the pen of a ready writer the outward man shall put cheerfully in execution what the â—â—ward man desireth and purposeth That so glorifying our GOD â—n bodie and soule which hee hath thus renued in this reasonable Sacrifice of the New-byrth we may in due season be crowned both bodies and Soules with that glorie in the newe Ierusalem which is aboue And therfore as this condemneth all Antichristian Tyrannie whereby all hope of sound Conuersion is vtterly cut off whilest by extremitie of torture the bodily life is depriued so also the negligence of the Christian Magistrate is iustly reproued in leauing the papist to his libertie or winking at him shewing extreame crueltie to his soule while hee pretends clemencie to his bodie And if the refractorie must bee compelled from a false worship to the meanes of a true Oh then faire be it froÌ„ the heart of the godly Magistrate to tolerate a false religion Is not this the way to prouoke the wrath of God that so hee may diuide vs in Iacob and so destroy vs in Israel And seeing the iust man must be a lawe to himselfe If then the bodie must be the meanes to conuey grace to the soule If it may further our entertainment of true conuersion Oh then let vs learne to subdue this enemie and beat downe this corruption 1. Let vs humble it by fasting 2. And not aduise with it in spirituall worship 3. Feare we the complement thereof 4. and rest wee at no hand in any ceremoniall deuotion of the same 5. Take we no care for the Flesh to satisfie the lusts thereof Rom. 18. And auoyde we all affectation in gesture c. with an intent to be obserued of men so shall we offer holie violence to the bodie in preuenting it ministerie to satisfie the lusts of the minde and thereby make it seruiceable to the soule as furthering the same in the worke of holines And thus is the outward man subiect to a kinde of violence not onely from others but euen from our selues Perswaded it cannot bee and therefore it must be forced Now for the soule of man The case hereof is otherwise Spirituall it is and therefore not subiect to outward violence And reasonable therefore only lyable to such a violence which rather ouercoms by perswasion theÌ„ forceth by persecution as rectifying the reasonable part not destroying the nature thereof as delighting the vnderstanding with the light that ouershadoweth it So convincing the conscience that it giues peace vnto it So reclayming the will and captiuating the Affections that it restores them to a most gracious libertie to performe a reasonable seruice vnto God This shall further appeare most euidently vnto vs
Iesus So that these words do properly containe the Decree of God concerning the Calling and bringing-in of the Gentiles to the Faith of Iesus Christ occasioned by the sinne of Noah So is 1. God able to bring light out of darknes 2. so doth hee turne the euils of his Children to theyr good as all things else 3. So haue Parents Authoritie to blesse or curse their children as occasion serueth So ought Magistrates 4. Yea euen Parents also to haue an holie care for a Religious posteritie Deuteron 6. 7. Genes 1 But my purpose is not to stand vpon these points I come rather to the words themselues Which are to be considered eyther as 1. A prayer for Iapheth 2. as Prophecie what God had decreed to performe vnto Iapheth and his posteritie hereafter 3. As Prophecie in part accomplished and further yet to be finished concerning the calling of bringing in the fulnes of the Gentiles And first In that they are a Prayer for the accomplishment of that which they with all doe auouch Gods decree for it certaine performance We learne That seeing the Decree of God is subordinate vnto meanes or rather doth subordinate meanes vnto it So wee are not to presume or builde thereon without vsing the ordinary meanes therevnto Howsoeuer likely or vnlikely in our Iudgement we must not hope for saluation vnlesse we climbe the ladder of Sanctification as being the likely meanes thereto Nay though it be vnlikely that Abrahams offering vp of his sonne should bee a meanes to haue him restored and in him the accomplishment of the promise though it be vnlikely that washing in Iordan should heale Naaman of his leaprosie yet where God commands there the vnlikeliest shall preuaile 1. for the exercise of our Faith and triall of our Obedience as 1. both making that which is otherwise sinne to be warrantable 2. and aduancing Gods power and glorie in working so farre aboue and contrarie to the meanes And though it bee foolishnes to the Grecian and a stumbling-blocke to the Iewe that the hearing of an earthen vessell should raise vp Earth and hell to Heauen deliuering a slaue of Sathan to be the Sonne of God yet what God ordayneth that hee also blesseth That the glorie may bee vnto him and not vnto man Not that the Lorde is not able to worke without meanes but that hee is to deale with men that cannot conceiue him but by meanes Math 3. Exod 20. 21. And therefore seeing the Lorde hath decreed and ordained some to saluation others to perdition Euen so hath he ordered his workes in a different varietie for the more holy and righteous accomplishment of his will concerning those contrary ends of the Elect and Reprobate Whereof some he hath ordained to be likely and easie 1. thereby to encourage his Children the rather to entertaine them 2. and to make the wicked more inexcusable that will neuertheles despise them being so readie and profitable Other meanes the Lord of wisedome hath also disposed hard 1. and vnlikely thereby to trie the Faith of his Children and 2. exercising theyr Patience in wayting on God for the issues of them 3. and to teach them Humilitie to giue God only the glory of his mercies notwithstanding their best endeauours tried by the difficultie of them 4. As also by this prouidence the Reprobate are iustly hardned and confounded Who as they would not embrace the other meanes as being easie and so in their eyes contemptible So they shall not conceiue and digest these as being harde and vnlikely passing the reach of reason and carnall wisedome And so not submitting to anie which the Lorde hath appoynted for good they shall stumble vpon such that lie in their way for euill being iustly giuen vp to their owne councels because they haue forsaken God that so being satiate with theyr owne wayes they might reape the fruite thereof euen the ripening of sinne in this life and the full measure of vengeance in the life to come 1. And do not they then iustly exclude themselues from heauen that builde vpon Gods Decree concerning their saluation without conscience of holines presuming that Gods decree shal stand howsoeuer they daylie growe worse and worse shall not the issues of this way howsoeuer seeming good to these deceyued men be the issues of death doe they not by this desperate tempting of God runne headlong to destruction 2. And doe not they also iustly exclude themselues of the comforts of the earth that say A Lyon is in the way the meanes are difficult or God will prouide What neede wee vse any Is it not a Decree that as Hee that soweth shall haue plentie So he that laboureth not shall not eate Doe not these men dreame of a Feast but when they awake they are an hungrie 3. Haue we any further warrant of the protection of the Almighty then that we walke in our wayes Psal 91. Can Beggars and Gentlemen looke for a blessing that vsually walke in no calling Can Players and Gamesters Vsurers and such like expect other then a curse that walke only in an vnlawfull calling And shall Oppressors and Cheaters thinke to prosper shall not ouer-reaching buyers and deceytfull-Sellers that abuse a Lawfull calling put all theyr gaines into a broken bagge and to winne the world loose theyr owne soules 4. And whereas there is difference of meanes and therefore to be vsed in their order the spirituall first Matth 6. 33. and then those for this life Do not they renounce Heauen that make sure first for this life Oh that we were wise with Marie to choose the better part As not to refuse the vnlikelyest where God commands yea not to distrust our God where no meanes are offered so to choose the fayrest as they lye in our wayes and yet not to rest vpon them lest we robbe God of his glorie and our selues of the comfort of them Abac 1. Psalm 62. 10. 10. Oh what comfort is here stored vp vnto vs that the Lord submits to our infirmitie in offering meanes to leade on our weake Faith Matth. 13. 11. What Wisedome is heere taught vs to become all vnto all that we may winne some vnto Iesus Christ 1. Cor 9. 12. How gracious is our God vnto vs that seeing we cannot heare him speaking vnto vs and liue Exod 20. 21. therefore he tenders saluation vnto vs by such instruments as beeing subiect to our infirmities might with better experience teach vs and with more compassion waite on vs 2. Tim 2. 23. that at length we may be saued 13. Lastly heere is sound comfort vnto the Saints that bee the meanes neuer so vnlikely all shall turne to their good they are subordinate to Gods will hee will surely giue a blessing Thus doth Noah vse the meanes thus God gaue and daylie giues a blessing therevnto But what meanes is it that Noah vseth Surely most excellent and effectuall
vs wings as to auoyd vnnecessary and desperate extremities so to flie speedily in the execution of the will of God That by this willing minde we might not onely be comforted in respect of our outward failing seeing the Lord hath promised Not to quench the smoaking Flaxe nor breake the bruised Reede but encouraged also and enabled to constancie and perseuerance that so continuing to the ende the Crowne may not be taken from vs. Thus by the marks of conuersion is the manner thereof confirmed vnto vs Thus by this manner thereof are we assured of the continuance of the same And is our Conuersion then a worke of grace and free compassion from the Lorde Is it accomplished by the word of peace and sweet promises of the Gospell applyed to the fainting soule by the Spirite of grace and Compassion Is it conueyed vnto vs by vessels of Infirmitie which might better haue compassion on vs and allure vs to mercie as being subiect to it and therefore hauing experience of our miserie Is it effected by melting the heart with the apprehension of the loue of God Is is perfited by enlarging the heart to the obedience of our God Well then may fire and fagot confound both bodie and soule well may Antichrist enlarge an earthly monarchy with sword and outward violence but the milde voyce of the Gospell must conuert the soule The meanes to fill Heauen must be the alluring of the spirit Oh why dispaire we to conuert though now miracles are ceased seeing by the power of the Word the secrets of the heart are made so manifest that God wil be acknowledged to be in vs that so we may conuert vnto God If they will not belieue Moses and the prophets neither will they belieue though one come from the dead and yet to coÌ„uert a sinner is more wonderfull theÌ„ to raise froÌ„ the death How vainely do they bragge of a Church that exclude the word of God how can we hope for the continuaÌ„ce of a Church where the sound therof doth not coÌ„tinne what hope is there of coÌ„uersion where doctrine is not deliuered by which the mind is perswaded what feare of further peruersion where lawes are not executed to coÌ„pell men to perswasion where deceiuers are permitted to poyson with corrupt perswasion Who so is wise let him consider this Let him see the plague and hide himselfe Let him trie his conuersion by the perswasion of his Iudgement that he is rooted in knowledge not wauering in opinion Let him examine his effectuall calling by the readinesse of his minde and cheerfulnes in obedience euen to all the will of God not a part thereof that constantly and continually not being weary of well-doing being more ready to doe well then for the present he is able and so enabled to well doing that at length he may attaine his desire as of perfect obedience which he shall attaine so of perfect happinesse the recompence of his labours full contentment of his vtmost desires And therfore let him pray for the continuance of the gospell to quickeÌ„ his desires Let him earnestly desire the confusion of Antichrist that sonne of darknes enemy to this glorious light Let him be wise to discerne betweene the chaffe the wheate to trie the Spirits and hold what is good Let him especially make much of the Annoynting and hearken to the voyce behinde him not grieuing the Spirit nor quenching the motions thereof that still there may be light in the Land of Goshen in the dayes of Famine hee may haue enough Exod 8. Iob 5. Comforting himselfe that seeing his conuersion is from Gods alluring of free loue and perswading by a power vnresistable not desired by him therefore being conuerted he shall surely hold when Heauen and earth shall passe though thousands fall daylie at his right hand and ten thousands at his left hand yet shall not this plague of Apostasie seaze on him who is kept by the mightie power of God vnto that great day that hee may be presented blamelesse vnto the Lorde Iesus And therefore not being discouraged for theyr going out from vs that were neuer truely of vs but rather enlarged with continuall praise vnto his God that leaues not him also to himselfe to fall away with this present euill worlde but still humbles his flesh to keepe life in his soule and counts him worthie to suffer with his Christ that so the life of Christ might daily appeare for his approching to glory Thus doth God perswade Iapheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem. Thus is a Christian conuerted by perswasion And thus doth God giue him a Dowrie with his marriage Iapheth being perswaded is also enlaged The kingdome of heauen being bestowed interesses also the Faithfull in the possessions of the earth The true belieuer alone is the right owner of all Gods blessings He that first seekes the kingdom of heaueÌ„ shall haue these things also cast vpon him Matth 16. 33. So profitable is godlines aswell for this life as that which is to come 1. Tim. 4. 8. 9. So Christ being ours who is Lord of all in heauen earth Math 28. all with him is ours both in heauen and earth 1. Cor. 3. Rom 8. So haue wee onely grace to vse those well and therefore are only fit for them So are those onely fit for vs as being sanctified by vs vnto vs. Oh how vaine then is theyr boasting and labour that toyle for these things without grace how fearfull is their account that possesse them without Christ What comfort haue we in the least seeing it is vnto vs as all what hope of that which shal be sufficieÌ„t for vs What wisedome ought wee to vse to make first sure of the best what conscience in approuing our right by our holy vsing of these things What Faith in a better right by renouncing Confidence in these by our williingnes vpon iust occasion to part with them either to the good of our brother though we cast our bread vppon the waters or to the glorie of God though wee euen cast our liues after them Shall not hee which thus leaueth House or lands haue recompence an hundred-folde shall not hee finde his life that thus is willing to loose it Oh how can we better shewe our free power ouer these things theÌ„ by keeping them short that they may haue no power ouer vs neither ouer our hearts by Couetousnes which is Idolatrie nor ouer our bodies by pinching and niggardlines nor ouer our Coâ—sâ—â—â—nce by making difference where God hath made all good nor ouer our libertie by abiectnes and scrupulositie Oh that we would learne to renew and increase our soueraigntie ouer the Creature by our daily subiection vnto God in acknowledgment of our unworthines of the least in crauing his blessing euen vpon the greatest As by the sense of our vnworthines renuing our right in Christ
and disavowing confidence in the greatest by submitting the blessing thereof vnto our God that so giuing God the glory of his mercies hee may enlarge himselfe vnto vs to the making of vs meete to be vessels of glorie And thus are the Saints Lords of the earth And thus is the Church of IESVS CHRIST spread farre and neere ouer the face thereof That not onely the God of them may be blessed by one Nation at Ierusalem but that Iapheth also may be enlarged and diffused to dwell in the Tents of Shem that the Gentiles being dispersed farre and neere might receiue the Gospel and also being Conuerted might Conuert their Brethrem euen all the Nations vpon the face of the earth GOD enlarge IAPHETH So then Iapheth must bee perswaded and enlarged aswell as Shem. The Gentiles must bee conuerted aswell as the Iewes And why Surely God hath so decreed it from all Eternitie and reuealeth the same by his eternall Word long before the accomplishment thereof Hee accomplisheth it in particulars as pledges of a more plentifull Haruest and he permitteth obstinacie to come vpon the Iew that the wilde Oliue might be engraffed So in the fulnesse of time was this harnest brought in in part by the Husbandmen of the Lord IESVS and in the fulnesse of time shall the fulnesse of the Gentiles be brought in that the remnant of the cast-away Israel may be reaped in with glory And are not the wayes of God most equall herein Shall not the winde blow where it pleaseth Hath God any respect of persons Is not God the Lord of all the earth Was not the blood of Christ auaileable to saue euen a thousand worlds Must not the Church to this end be a Traueller vpon the face of the earth shall not the sound of the Word goe to the ends of the world Must we not pray for all sorts because God will haue some among all sorts to be saued Is not this our little sister that hath no breasts yet shall giue sucke Is not this the barren that shall bring foorth and haue more children then the married wife Are not these the infinite number which none could reckon which should stand before the Throne and the Lambe with long white robes and Palmes in their hands Thus shall the Gentiles imbrace the Gospel 1. And is not the word of God Yea and Amen Is not Iapheth perswaded and the Kingdome of Christ enlarged among vs Hath it not a long time rested in the tabernacles of Iapheth 2. And was it remooued from the tents of Shem that so it bee planted in the inhabitants of Iapheth Oh then let let vs consider that Shem is to be replanted 3. Let vs desire the restoring and reclaiming of the first born 4. Let vs feare the casting off of the Little sister seeing the elder was cast off and is to be recalled 5. And let vs looke for the remoueall of the Gospel from one nation to another where it is not retained with conscience profit And if God will not forsake vs till wee forsake him take heede then we put not from vs the word of life And what if we be preparing a place in Virginea or Ireland to receiue the same 6. These must haue a calling and we a cooling for the time that we may be prouoked to zeale euen by foolish and forlorne nations and recouer our first loue by extending it to our brethren That as the falling of one Nation may bee the raising of another so this revniting of the Gospel may bring in the number of the Elect that so our war-fare being finished our glory may begin neuer to haue an end Thus shall Iapheth bee perswaded to dwell in the moueable tents of Shem that Shem and Iapheth may dwell for euer in full and constant happinesse But some will say what neede Iapheth to bee perswaded to dwell in the Tents of Shem who already was a member with Shem of the true Church as performing the duties of pietie to God and men Wee answere that the holy Ghost not onely entendeth the person of Iapheth as desiring his continuance particularly in the true worship of God but especially hath reference to Iapheths posteritie as foreseeing their declination from true Religion to Idolatrie which fell out not long after and therefore directing the Spirit of holy Noah not onely as a Father to desire the returne of his posteritie to the Church of Christ but especially as the mouth of God to pronounce their restitution in the ages to come Whence wee learne many notable Lessons As first that godly parents and beleeuers ought not onely to haue care for the present but also for the future estate of their posteritie the true Church of God that so it may abide in the Faith of IESVS CHRIST So do they imitate GOD who prouides for Eternitie so doe they approoue their Faith when they see a far off so do they testifie their loue which abides for euer 1. Cor. 13. So doe they manifest their hope in the full accomplishment of the Elect So do they further the propagation of the Church to her perfect consummation Communion in heauen To this end are they commanded to declare the will of GOD vnto their children To this end did they set vp Monuments of Gods speciall loue and memorials of his will and fauour not only to testifie their thankefulnesse for the present but to teach the Generations to come that the people which were to bee created should prayse the Lord. And if they were worse then Infidels that prouided not for the outward estate of their posteritie where is then their Faith that neglect the soules of their successors Oh what a curse then is Barrennesse and depriuation of posteritie How much greater a plague to make wicked our posteritie by preposterous worldly prouision and neglect of Spirituall Legacies How happy those parents that sendssuch wicked seed before thē But thirce vnhappy they that reioyce in their wickednesse prouoking them by euill example to imitation of euill and applauding euill imitation vnder pretence of ligitimation as if to differ from them in sinne were to bee degenerate and bastards How can they call GOD their Father that neglect to bee nursing fathers to his Church either caring for their owne as if the time to builde Gods house were not yet come and therefore they neglect the restoring of it or else lay it further desolate as eclipsing their glorie and confounding their pleasures Oh where shall such Iulians appeare that seeke to repaire Babylon againe and deriding the poore members of CHRIST that they must suffer affliction doe therefore adde affliction to affliction and cry downe with it downe with it euen to the ground Surely though Abraham know vs not and Israel hath forgotten vs yet the Keeper of Israel doth neither slumber nor sleepe He is our Father and will haue compassion on vs and
may dwell in the Tents of Shem This is the summe of the Blessing to dwell in the Tents of Shem. 1. That is to be ioyned vnto the Iewes both in the true worship of God as also in the priuiledges thereof 2. What is the true worship of God This is described vnto vs 1. by the subiect Shem who was the Father of the Iewes fignifying thereby vnto vs that the religion of the Iewes for substance is the true worship How shall this appeare Surely by these circumstances First Shem was the eldest Sonne not onely by Nature but by Grace Hee first in his Fathers house called on the Name of God The Iewes of him were also the first-borne First in the temporall Election first in the set worship of God and so also in the spirituall election And therefore seeing the truth is most Ancient the olde way is the true way Therefore the religion of the Iewes is the true worship of God Secondly That which was commanded of God and performed both for the substance and manner is the true Religion Such was the religion of the Iew wholly commaunded of God both for matter and manner enformed from Gods owne mouth Exod 20. Directed by his owne finger euen to the square and building of the Tabernacle And therefore the Religion of the Iewe was the true Religion And so all will worship is a false religion that which God onely commaunds is the truth onely Pet 2. 1. 19. Colloss 2. 23. Thirdly That which procures saluation to the performer is the truth Such is the religion of the Iewe As not onely pointing at Christ to come But applyâ—â—g Christ as come alâ—eady though not in the Flesh yet in power and efficacie as being a Lamb slaine from the beginning of the world Fourthly True godlines is not onely available for the life to come but euen for this life also Such was the religion of the Iewe so long as they walked after this rule so long the Lord blessed them and aduanced theyr temporall estate maruellously as hee promised Deutron 2â— Leuit 6. and accordingly abased them as they failed therein Fifthly And is not that the truth to which all must yeeld by which all must be directed Must not they returne vnto vs and not we vnto them Ierem 15. 12. Shall not all nations take hold of the skirt of a Iewe and say we will goe with you because the Lord is with you Zach 8. Must not Iapheth dwell in the Tents of Shem not Shem in the Tents of Iapheth Sixthly And shall not the Truth abide for euer Shall not the remnant of Israel be saued Shall not the Iewes though for a time cast off yet bee brought in againe And so the promise of God certaine Gods couenant with the Iewe euerlasting And so the originall truth the euerlasting truth The Iewes religion as most ancient so most permanent and perpetuall Seuenthly Was not the Iewe an abomination to the Aegiptian Is not that the truth which is hated of the world Behold then the true notes of the true Church and worship of God and 1. Trye we our selues by these whether we be in the faith or no Knowe wee not that Iesus Christ dwelleth in vs except we be reprobates 2. Cor 13. 5. 2. Discerne we wisely our estate by these that it is not so well with vs as happily wee may flatter our selues Ioh 8. Hee is not a Iewe which is a Iewe outward onely Rom 2. It is not the circumcision of the Flesh but the circumcision of the heart which God accepteth Rent wee therefore our hearts and not our garments and turne to the Lord our God whose mercies are euerlasting who loueth Truth in the inward parts And though he correct vs with the roddes of men yet will not take his sure mercies from vs Iapheah shall dwell in the Tents of Shem. And is the Church of God the Tents of Shem Howsoeuer afterward glorious in Shems posteritie both for number and outward magnificence yet now meane and contemptible as abyding in Tents Now little and almost invisible as confined to one Familie and not containing all thereof consisting onely of eight persons whereof the one was a Cast-away Beholde wee heere then the condition of the Church of God and therein consider wee further these necessarie Adiuncts thereof First It is a little Flocke Luk. 22. 32. for whom it pleaseth our heauenly Father to prouide a Kingdome though many are called yet fewe are chosen Matth 22. though without number in it scife yet in comparison of the reprobate but a little flocke euen as the gleaning of grapes after the Vintage Matth. 7. 1. Yea as signes and wonders so are they in the worlde 1. So is the good pleasure of our God who will haue mercie on whom hee will haue mercie 2. So narrow is the gate that fewe enter therein 3. So hard a saying it is to Flesh to hate it selfe to be borne againe to take vp the Crosse to become Fooles that we may be wise that no maruell if the wisedome of our Flesh be Enmitie against God that the most forsake Christ it will necessarily followe Ioh 6. Who will belieue our report which is so vnlikely so distastfull to corrupt reason And if not many Mightie many Noble c are chosen It is no wonder Because they will not with Marie choose the better part which shall not be taken away from them First Oh how vaine then is theyr conceit that dreame all shall be saued How fearfull is their course that so liue as vnlesse all bee saued it is impossible but that they must bee condemned Is it safe following the multitude seeing fewe shall be saued Will the example of great ones deliuer from Hell howsoeuer they may shelter vs from bodilie punishment Why then doe we make them our warrants to runne the broade way Why then doe wee aduance them aboue all that is called God as if theyr Lawes were absolute theyr authoritie vncontroulable Is it not better to obey God then man Must wee needes runne to Hell for companie Is it not enough to yeelde our bodies and goods which they gaue vs not Who so is wise let him consider these things First Let him feare him that can kill both body and soule 2. Let him not freat at the prosperitie of the wicked and yet giue vnto Caesar the thing which are Caesare 3. Let him be little in his owne eyes that so he may be contented with his portion though it be the Crppe of Affliction So it bee a proseruatiue from sinne a Badge of his Maister Christ a Pledge of his louing Father a spurre to perfection a procurer of an vncorruptible crowne 4. Let it not grieue him to be salsely charged with singularitie that hee is an odde-Fellow that he walkes alone that he is more nyce then needes that he is no good-Fellow No Friend to Caesar seditious pestilent This was the portion of the Saints This
seruant to Iapheth vntill the Bond-woman be cast out with all her Children that Iapheth may enioy alone the Heauenly Canaan FINIS CASES OF CONSCIENCE resolued in this Treatise 1 HOw the Prouidence of GOD subordinates meanes pagin 4. 5. 2. How we must pray with the speciall marks thereof pag 7. 3. Of true Conâ—â—eâ—sion together with the Causes Manner and seuerall Markes thereof pag 11. 12. 13. 14. 4. How to approue our right in all outward Blessings pag. 20. 5. Information to Parents how to behaue themselues in regarde of their posteritie whether they be good or euill pag 24. 25. 6. How to be preserued from falling into sinne pag. 26. 7. How to be raised from sinne pag 27. 8. Why the Saints ofttimes misse of such Comforts which heeretofore they haue enioyed pag 28. 9. Markes of true Religion pag 28. 10. How we may knowe our selues to be of the little flocke pag 32. 11. Howe to discerne the woorth and Excellencie of our Estate in grace pag 33. 12. Of the Estate of the Church in this life subiect to infirmities the vse and benefite thereof pag. 40. 13. Howe to performe the Christian War-fare that wee may conquere pag 4â— 14. The securitie of the Church and howe to procure the peace and welfare thereof pag 46. 15. How wee may know our selues to be strangers in the world p 47. 16. How wee may procure and assure our constancie in holines p. 49. 17. Causes of the falls of Gods children 50. 51. 52. 18. Proofes of the generall Calling of the Iewes pag 54. 10. How to knowe that wee are not Reprobates nor Hypocrites pagin 56. 57. 20. How to make vse of an hypocrite Luk. 22. 33 Psal 23. 8. c. Ps 51. 15. 16. Math. 28 Acts 2. 3. 4 Acts 3. 4. Acts. 13 Esay 54. 1 Rom. 11. 26. 27. Esay 5â— 20. Esay 27. 9. Ierem 31. Let Canaan be his seruaÌ„t Esay 2. The calling of the Gentiles God enlarge Iapheth 2 cor 4. 6. Rom 8. 29. I. Doctr Gods decree ordereth second causes Ro 829. 30. Genes 22. 2. Reg 5. 1. Cor 1. 21. 22. 23. Acts 26. 11. 2. Cor. 4. 7. 8. Reasons 1. Difference of meanes and their reasons in the Elect Reprobate Math 13. 13. 560. Ioh 6. 66. Psal 82. 12. Prou 14. 14. Rom 8. 2. Thess 1. 6. 71. Vses 2. Tim 3. 13 Pro. 11. 2. Thess 3. 12 Esa 29. 8. 3. Luke 10. 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rom 8. 29. 2. Doctr Prayer the most effectuall meanes for accomplishment of Gods will for our good 2. Chron 6. 21. 22. 23. 2 Cor 12. 8 Iob. 41. Matth 19. Iacob Reasons why we must both pray though God knowe what wee haue neede of Phil 3. Iacob 4. 3 Note Psal 143. Icrem 2. Rom 3. 1. 2. 3. The first Church the truest Church a little flocke Cantic Church inuisible The Elect onely the true Church 6. Conditions of the church 1. That it is the place of refreshing safetie Hebr 11. 2. Imperfect 3. Militant 4. Stranger Hebr. 11. 5. Not tâ—ed to any place Math 21. 6. Dispersed euery where Act. 10. 34. 35 Coll 1. 6. The true meÌ„ber abides dwells in the Church 2. Cor 5. 2. 3. Doctr God onely the Author of the coÌ„uersion of a sinner Reasons 2. Cor 4. 6. 1. From the power of God 1. Rom 3. 4. 1. Cor 3. 8. Ierem 10. 23 14. 2. His free loue 1. Pet 15. 11. 12. Vse 2. Phil 1 Cor 1. 27. Matth 11. Ioh 5. 39. 2. Thess 1. 6. 7. 2. Doctrine The Conuersion of a sinner by perswasion Obser The bodie how far subiect to force in conuersion Dutie of Minister Of Magistrate Deutro 13. 2. Cor 9. 14 Psalm 18. Psal 45. 1. Cor 6. Rom 12. 1. 2 Vse The bodie how to be fitted to be seruiceable to the soule to the worke of Conuersion The soule not to be forced but perswaded 2. From the meanes of Conuersion Rom 7. Rom 5. 5. Rom 7. Rom 8. From the manner of Conuersion Esaâ— 1. 4. From the substance of conuersion Rom 1. 5. From the marks of conuersion Rom 8. Math 15. 2. Pet 1. 3 Psa 119. 46 Vse Two-fold 2. Cor 8. 12. Esay 42. 3. Reuela 3. Vse Zach 13. 2 Tim 2. 23. Ps 119. 32. 0. Sweeter then hony and the hony-combe Ps 19. Ioel 2. 14. 1. Cor 14. Vses of Instruction Pro 1â— 3. 1. Col Markes of constant obedience and meanes therto Gal 6. 2. Thes 3. Ierem 23. 1. Ioh 4. 1. Thess 4. 1. Ioh 2. Ephes 4. Esay 30. 24 25. Vses of Comfort Ioh 17. 12. 1. Pet 1. 5. 1. Thess 5. 13 1. Phil 29. God enlarge Iapheth Math 6. 22. 5. Doctr The faithfull onely haue right in the blessings of this life Reasons Vses Psal 127 1. 1. Tit 1. 13. Psal 37. 1. Tim 6. Matt 6. 33 1. Tim. 4. 5. Psal 62. 10. Math 16. 8 Eccl 11. 1. Matth 19. Ps 62. 10. 1. Tim 4. 2. 1. Cor. 8. 10. Genes 2. Iosh 4. 22. 6. Doctrine The Gentiles to be conuerted Reasons Ruth 1 Iob. 1. Rahab Iudg. 2. Rom. 11. Acts 10. 34. 35. Heb. 11 Reuel 12. 1. Col. 6. 1. Tim. 2. 2. Cant. 8. Esay Reuel 7. Vse 1. Cor. 1. Note 1. Chro 15. 2. Act 13. 48. Note A. Question Answere 7. Doctrine Saints must haue care for the posteritie of the Church Reasons Deut 6. 7. Iosh 4. Psal 132. 8. 1. Tim. 5. Vse Psal 131. Esay 69. 15. Ose 14. 3. 4. Zeph 3. Esay 59. 16. Zoph 3. 11. 12. Esay 58. 12. Psal 102. 18. Psal 2. 6. 8. Doctrine Good parents may haue a wicked Generation Rom. 11. Vse Iohn 8. Matth. 16. Cal. 5. 13. Gal. 5. 15. Eccl. 18. 2. Ierem. 17. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 19. Rom. 9. Note 9. Doctrine The faithfull shall be recouered out of their greatest fall 1. Iob. 3. Rom. 7. Rom. â— â—4 1. Cor. 11. 31. Psal 89. Vse A Christian how preserued from falling How recouered and raised vp againe Ezech. 18. Ierem. 18. Ose 6. 2. 1. Iosh 1. 7. 8. 1. Cor. 7. Psal 5. 12. 13. Psal 32. 5. Vse of comfort 2. Cor 5. 7. 2. Pet. 1. 8. 9. Reassons Why God denies vnto his childe that measure of comfort which heretofore he enioyed 10. Obseru Thereligion of the Iewe Why the true religion and thence the marks of true religion Ierem 6. 11. It was not so from the beginning saith our Sauiour Christ Ierem 31. Ezech 11. Hated of the world Vse Ioel 2. The Church a little flocke Reuel 7. Isay 5. 19. Matth 11. Reasons Matth 17. 1. Cor. 3. Rom 8. 7. Esay 53. 1. Cor 1. 27. Luke 10. Vse Psal 44. 1. Pet 1. Vse of Instr Matth 10. Psal 37. Math 22. Psal 131. 2. Tim 3. 12. 13. Heb. 12. 8. 9. 2 Cer 44. 15. 16. 17. 2. Nehem Ioh 14. Vse of comforts Math 27. Psalm 105. 16. 17. Num 23. Matth 27. 1. Cor 6. 2. 13. 1. Pet 5. 4. 5 Ioh 17. Luk 22. 32. 1. Tim 2. Rom 16. 1. Cor.