anie other comfort in the world And thus hauing signified my good wil and testified my dutie praying your worship to vouchsafe the reading of that wherein I haue taken some paines although it bee not so much worth I commit you to the tuition of the Almightie and humbly take my leaue Your VVorships in his praiers to God for you and yours S. I. ⧠The Comforte of ADOPTION Rom. 8. 15. 16. 17. For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption wherby we cry Abba Father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that wee are the children of God If we bee children wee are also heires euen the heires of God and heires annexed with Christ. This Text standeth on three parts 1 The greatnesse of this benefit by comparison of contrarietie Ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage but of adoption 2 The assurance of adoption The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit 3 The worthinesse of adoption If wee be children we are also heires THe Methode that the Apostle vseth in this Epistle to the Romanes is first concerning Iustification and Righteousnesse Secondly concerning Sanctification Holinesse And after that according to his order he intreateth of Adoption which is a gift a priuiledge and dignitie added to the former Through repentance and a liuely faith taking hold of the promises of God we are made righteous and so taken and so accounted before God by the means of Christ and being made righteous we are also indued with a measure of Gods spirit grace to holinesse of life So the hauing receiued these two excellent gifts we haue a ful assurāce of Gods fauour towards vs and that is performed by adoption Which is a seale certain token vnto vs that we deliuered from the curse of the law which is the ministration of death and condemnation Whereas the assurance and full perswasion of our adoption is the ministerie and doctrine of all comfort and consolation The text which I haue reade vnto you may be deuided into thrée seuerall parts Whereof the first conteineth the greatnesse of the benifit of adoption in consideration of the fréedom we reap therby being deliuered from the slauery and feare of the lawe in these words Ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but the spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba father The second part containeth the assurance of our adoption in these words The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God The third part sheweth the worthinesse of our adoption in these words If we be childrē we are also heires euen the heires of God heires annexed with Christ The greatnesse of the benefit of adoption in consideration of the fréedome we reape therby being deliuered from the slauerie and feare of the lawe is verie well expressed by that place of scripture set downe in the Epistle to the Heb. 12 agréeing with this For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but the spirit of adoption ye are not come saith the Apostle to the mount that might be touched nor vnto burning fire nor to blacknesse and darknes and tempest Neither vnto the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words which they that heard excused themselues that the word should not be spoken to them any more for they were not able to abide that which was commanded And so terrible was the sight which appeared that Moses said I feare and quake But ye are come vnto the mount Sion and to the citie of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem and to the company of innumerable Angels and to the congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen and to God the iudge of all and to the spirits of iust and perfect men They that are vnder the lawe are also vnder the curse of the law and where the curse is there is nothing to be looked for but death condemnatiō which bringeth foorth trembling feare And so much the more are we in feare in bondage and slauery subiect to the curse condemnation of the lawe to death and gods dreadfull iudgement because we are borne the children of wrath Wherefore God sent his natural sonne Christ into the world that through his grace he might adopt vnto himselfe many childrē of vs which otherwise were but miserable castawaies Who by the grace frée fauour of God being adopted haue not only their sinnes pardoned and forgiuen but also are cladde with the innocencie and righteousnesse of Christ whereby they are brought into fauoure and are made of fearefull captiues being vnder the bondage of sinne and Sathan the ioyfull sonnes and children of God set at libertie to doo the workes of God and to liue in his holie obedience What greater feare can there be to our consciences then when this is pronounced against vs Cursed is hee that continueth not in all the workes of the lawe to doo them And he that offendeth in one point of the lawe is guiltie of all Who is it amongst vs all that can say my heart is cleane And who is it that cannot iustly condemne himselfe in the breach of euery particular point of Gods lawe and of his commandements And if our heart condemne vs God is greater then our hearts and knoweth all Here hence therfore can nothing arise but feare and such a feare which is beyond measure leading vs vnto desperation making vs to thinke no better of our selues then as miserable wretches forlorne destitute of all comfort as Cain was who in fearful sort went alwaies mourning and crying out saying My sin is heauier then I can beare The punishment of God is stil vpon me and my conscience is neuer at rest So is the sinfull and fearful conscience alwaies in the estate of a seruant stil fearing the whip and the scourge and as a gally-slaue vnder Turkish thraldom whose life is no better then a torment And if the deliuery of the law were so fearful that he that had least cause to feare and was beloned of God did tremble quake how much more fearefull and terrible shal the execution of that law be Moses the blessed seruant of God in a fright the onely beloued son of God in déep agonies the one trembleth the other for anguish sweateth bloud And how should not the children of wrath be ouerwhelmed with horror considering our heauy burden of sin which bréedeth within vs especially them that are truely touched as it were a sea of sorrow whose waues as they cannot be numbred so are our sorrowes neuer at an end vntil God send fréedome one waue still ouertaking another one feare in the necke of another Being possessed with the spirite of bondage how may it be that we may auoid our dolefull dumpes So is it with them that haue any féeling of that fearefull estate y◠hangeth ouer their heads Whereas by nature we are all of vs
this great benefit and high dignity is fully reuealed in such sort that they doo testifie euen to the ende of their liues that they looke for and earnestly desire the full accomplishment hereof Whereas the course of a good life is soone altered in the vngodlie who with the Dogge returne to his vomite and with the Sowe that was washed to her wallowing in the mire Shewing and giuing manifest proofe that the hope of adoption was neuer surely and certainly setled in them deceiuing others much more themselues with showes and shadowes imbracing the comfort of the worlde and setting light by the comfort of Gods good spirite which they should desire euen as hungry hearts which thirst for pleasaunt water-brookes There remaine diuerse other notes and markes betwixt Notes of the assurance of adoption the godly and vngodly concerning adoption to know who are adopted and who are not amongst the rest these two especially The first is heartie and feruent praier to god in the name of Christ The second is that they which haue an especiall testimonie and witnesse from the spirit of god of their adoption haue also in their hearts the same affections to god which children haue to their fathers and which the godly doo owe one to an other The same spirit that testifieth to vs that we are the adopchildren of god doth also make vs to vtter our praiers to Praier Almightie GOD with feruencie of heart and minde Now this hartie feruent and loude crying in the eares of God can the diuell giue to no hipocrite neither to any vngodly person For it is the speciall marke of the spirite of God Yea it is the thing that the diuel hateth most whereby we resist the diuel and whereby also he is driuen backe from vs which is a part of that spirituall armour whereby we are defended from him In all places where by the counsell of Christ and his Apostles we are admonished to take héede these are their words Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation For the diuel goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whome hee may deuoure This is such a waightie matter to ouerthrowe the workes of the diuell that he hath especiall care by all meanes to kéepe his children the vngodly from it Marke the vngodly at any time and sée whether they haue any minde and zeale to pray or if they do it at any time it is rather for fashion sake or any other consideration then willingly rather vpon an extraordinary necessitie and extremitie then vpon any ordinary dutie or dutifull affection Which is to small effect for not euery one that can say Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen Marke if they bee not giuen to anie thing else then to submit themselues to so godly an exercise Diuers hinderances can the diuell laie before vs to withdrawe vs from praier And in the vngodly especially the guiltinesse of their consciences doth make them afraid to remember God Or if at any time they can finde in their hearts to pray the remembrance of Gods iudgements and punishments for their hainous and vsuall offences hanging ouer their heades doth make them to thinke of Gods presence no otherwise then as of the presence of a fearefull iudge How then can they call him father whose consciences cannot as yet be throughly certified of the forgiuenesse of their sinnes Yea so farre off is it that the wicked and vngodly should be giuen to praier that euen the godly are oftentimes backward therein And therefore the spirits of God which beareth witnesse to the hearts and consciences of the godly that they are the children of God I say the same spirit helpeth our infirmities and remoueth our backwardnesse and by good motions doth stirre vs vp and incourage vs thereunto directing also our requests according to the will of God Yea although we know not how to pray or what to pray as we ought or with what earnestnesse of minde for all these matters are straunge to flesh and blood yet the spirit of God it selfe maketh request for vs and that with such sighs and grones which cannot be expressed We sée therefore how that praier is a true marke of the certaintie of our adoption and so much the more by that we shall féele our selues often giuen thereunto and often to vse it in all reuerence and humilitie and earnestnesse especially when we feele the motions of Gods good spirit to moue vs therunto As also the wicked and vngodly may know themselues to be farre from adoption because they neither féele any such motions being ouercome of the diuels temptations and are also most backward most vnwilling to bowe their knées and to humble their hearts The second especiall note or marke wherby they that are the adopted children of God are discerned and knowne from them which are not adopted is that in the harts of the adopted there are such affections to godward which children Godly and Christian affections ought to beare to their fathers Namely loue feare reuerence obedience thankfulnesse For they call not vpon god as vpon a terrible iudge but as vpon a mercifull and louing father And these affections they haue not whom sathanilludeth and abuseth with a phantasticall imagination of their saluation For it may be that through hipocrisie or through custome they may call god father but in truth and from the heart they cannot do so deceiuing themselues thinking that they belong to god when as another day they shall finde cleane contrary For the triall of these things I meane whether we loue and feare god aright as we ought to doo and as it becommeth the adopted children of god is perceiued in a godly and Christian life For they that féele their heartes set to séeke Gods honour and who studie to know his will and commandementes and frame themselues thereunto leading their liues not after the desire of the flesh to serue the deuill by sin but set their minds to loue honor obey and serue God for Gods owne sake and for his sake also to loue their neighbors whether they be friendes or foes doing good to euery one as oportunitie serueth and willingly hurting no man such may wel reioyce in God perceiuing by the trade of their liues that they vnfainedly haue the right knowledge of God a liuely faith a stedfast faith a true and vpright and sincere feare of God by which fruits they giue certaine declaration of that adoption whereby they are sealed vnto God But they that cast away the yoke of Gods commandementes from their necke giue themselues to liue without true repentance after their owne sensuall mindes and pleasures not regarding to know Gods word and much lesse to liue thereafter such sée not their own hearts thinking that they loue God and feare him and trust in him taking themselues to be the adopted children of God yet are farre wide and their foolish heart doth leade them far astray What is it for vs to thinke we
works thereof comprehended in these thrée propositions All both Iewes and gentiles are vnder sinne that is are iustly condemned for sinne All haue sinned and are iustly depriued of the glory of god that is of euerlasting life All the world is subiect to the iudgement of god And herein is the praise of his iustice in that we deserue it as also the praise of his mercy in that fréely in Christ he forgiueth vs so great damnation So that here it resteth that there is but one way of But one way of saluation saluation to wit Iesus Christ and his righteousnesse apprehended by faith For the gospell of Christ is the power of god vnto saluation to euery one that beléeueth to the Iewe first and also to the Grecian Vnto which faith although VVorkes that works are necessarily adioyned and are as the light which is séen togither with the flame yet they auaile not vnto iustification but rather signifie that a man is inwardly iustified before god Therefore although faith be not without workes yet faith alone without workes doth Faith onely iustifieth iustifie The lawe manifesteth sinne and death which was before the lawe it causeth wrath and dooth not reconcile vs vnto God but the true reconciliation and purification The righteousnesse of God commeth only from the righteousnesse which is of God And séeing righteousnesse is not sound by the law it is necessary and behoouefull that we looke for righteousnesse elsewhere And because man could not accomplish any righteousnesse therefore least hée should vtterly perish God exhibiteth a way which he promised of olde whereby he should be iustified and saued before him Christ is our righteousnes without the lawe The matter and grounde of this righteousnesse is Christ apprehended through faith who is offered vnto all because all haue sinned Which righteousnesse is fréely giuen without any merit of ours for wée are iustified freely by his grace through the God the au thour of this righteousnesse redemption that is in Christ Iesus The authour of this righteousnesse and iustification is God for hée so loued the world that hée gaue his only begotten sonne to bee offered vp for our sinnes and to make full satisfaction that whosoeuer beléeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Whom GOD set foorth to bee a reconciliation through faith in his blood Righteousnes in the death and resurrection of christ The materiall cause is the death and resurrection of Christ for hée was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification The cause formall or instrumentall is faith whereby as it were with an hande wée apprehende the righteousnesse of GOD. For with the heart man beléeueth vnto saluation and to righteousnesse Christ is our reconciliation through faith while wée laie holde of the promises The end of this righteousne what of Gods mercy in him The finall cause is the glorie and praise of the goodnesse of God in that being enemies hée reconcileth vs vnto him Wherefore we are not saued by workes or partly by faith and partly by woorkes but all our reioycing is excluded by the VVe are iustified not by workes but by faith lawe of faith And our iustification dependeth onely vpon GOD that his glorie might be established for the promise of God is through faith and not by the lawe For as the lawe is the cause of wrath so is faith the appeasing of our consciences whereby we vnderstand that we are iustified And if any man make the lawe his grounde and his rocke hée is fallen from grace for they are vtterly abolished from Christ whosoeuer are iustified by the lawe So that they that put their confidence in the workes of the lawe Christ shall profit them nothing By whome onely wee obtaine to bee called the sonnes of god and the heires of the kingdome of heauen by whome we are deliuered and redéemed from the lawe that wee might receiue the adoption of sonnes For GOD hath giuen the spirit into our hearts that we may cry Abba father Which spirit we receiue by faith and not by the workes of the lawe for they that are vnder the lawe are vnder the curse and vnder moste dreadfull feare And the generall proposition of the Apostle is that no man is iustified by the lawe for the lawe is not of faith but the iust shall liue by faith For by faith wée are the séede posteritie and children of Abraham and heires by promise and fellowe heires with Christ of his euerlasting kingdome By the lawe and the couenant there is a difference betwixt the Iewes and the Gentiles but by by faith there is neither Iewe nor Grecian there is neither bonde nor frée there is neither male nor female For all are one in Christ Iesus Therefore by faith is iustification whereby the scriptures foresawe that the gentiles should bee saued and that the lawe could giue no life and that by the lawe there was no righteousnesse because the scripture hath concluded all vnder sin that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ shuld be giuen to them that beléeue Therefore it is by faith that it might come by grace that the promise might be sure vnto all both them of the lawe and to them of the seede of Abraham Wherefore séeing the righteousnesse of man by nature is nothing else but wickednesse and hipocrisie backsâ—iding by excuse boasting by vaine knowledge without practise and that the lawe cannot be fulfilled because the corruption of man is quite contrary vnto it and abhorreth the lawe and that we are all vnder sinne and so by the lawe vnder damnation in that it letteth vs to vnderstand the hugenesse of our sinne and the curse and punishment due thereunto euery mouth is stopped and all the world subiect vnto the iudgement of god and to that damnation which the law of god and the corruption of our nature requireth And that the Apostle might bring vs to the perswasion of the iustice of faith which is the pathway and the highway vnto saluation he saith that we know that whatsoeuer the law saith it saith it to them which are vnder the lawe So that there is but one way of saluation euen the righteousnesse of god There are three braunches of the righteousnesse of God by saith Remission of sinnes by faith whereof are thrée especiall braunches Remission of sinnes Imputation of Christ his righteousnesse Sanctification newnesse and holinesse of life Remission and forgiuenesse of sinnes is giuen to the church and faithfull of god in that of his frée mercy and goodnesse their sinnes are blotted out and the account made voyd that they shall not be called vnto iudgement neither shall any punishment be exacted at their hands Whereby all satisfaction falleth to the ground in that of his frée mercy and goodnesse the Lord putteth away the remembrance and punishment of our sinnes forgiueth al our infirmities redéemeth our life from the graue and crowneth vs with
life in the spirite Spirit for righteousnesse sake Which spirit quickneth our mortall bodies beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Whereby we are ridde from the spirit of bondage which is in feare and are indued with that of adoption which bringeth foorth good frutes which the father accepteth though indéed they be of small perfection not aunswerable to that high calling which is in Christ God doth not only by imputation accept our workes but Affliction the end of this fight also by affliction trieth our obedience before we come to that spirituall rest which he hath prepared for vs and we in hope enioy Yea we are heires with Christ Howe or in what respct If so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him Which affliction and persecution is the end of our spirituall fight the entraunce into glory Which in this world is to vs as a proofe of our patience our patience a helpe to experience our experience a furtherer of our hope which hope maketh vs not ashamed The proffite of affliction because the loue of God is shed abroad in our harts by the holy ghost which is giuen vs. Againe it maketh our infirmities and imperfections knowen vnto vs it correcteth our sinfull desires the euill lusts of our flesh it bringeth vs to a mutuall and harty loue one of an other it bréedeth in vs a couragious mind to withstand the assaults of Sathan it increaseth in vs the hope of our election frameth vs to immortality worketh a most effectual and gladsome Perseuerance in affliction is the stay of the spirituall man comfortable meditation of the life to come Only we are to take héede of this downfall that we faint not because the crowne of glory is not giuen but to him that ouercommeth and endureth vntill he come to the end of his race Moreouer vnto these commodities which come vnto vs by reason of these afflictions there are also added most Consolatiō in affliction comfortable consolations For it is the will of God that wée suffer affliction for his name sake and blessed are they that do so And if God be on our side who can be against vs All things come from the prouidence of God if with gladnesse wée receiue blessings from the Lord why should wée not in all obedience receiue punishment correction also Wée knowe also that al things worke togither for the best vnto them that loue God and to them that are called of his purpose Yea our afflictions indéed light afflitions which are but for a moment cause vnto vs a farre more excellent and an eternall waight of glory Not that wée in respect of those afflictions are worthy of the same but because it pleaseth the father to giue vnto his children the kingdome of heauen Let vs therefore with all patience wait for the perfection of our adoption euen the redemption of our soule and body And though wée sigh while wée are in the flesh yet are wée not alone for our bretheren also which haue the first frutes of the spirit sigh togither with vs yea euery creature groneth with vs also and trauelleth in paine euen to this present time vntill it be deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God And séeing euen the creatures shall be restored how comfortable should our hope bée while wée looke not on the things that are séene for they are but temporal but on the things which are not séene which are eternall For the which with patience wée abide knowing that our hope is not of those things which wée sée and shall in time most certainly come to passe Not only our bretheren and euery creature sigheth with vs but also the spirit is partaker of our gronings and while wée offer vp our praiers to god in our afflictions and extremities the spirit helpeth our infirmities and in a greater measure maketh request for vs with infinite sighes which The spirit a helper of our infirmities ignoraunce cannot bée expressed Yea hée helpeth also our ignoraunce in that according to the pleasure and will of God he maketh request for the saints and he which searcheth the harts knoweth what the meaning of the spirit is Moreouer the finisher of our hope and the crowne of our glorie euen Christ Iesus which is dead yea or rather which is risen again who is also at the right hand of God he maketh intercession and request also for vs. Nowe then are there any accusers of whome we The assured confidence of saluation which wee haue in God through Christ ought to be affraied before God seeing that God absolueth vs as iust can sathan charge vs or doeth his accusations anie whit auaile séeing that through faith in Christ wée haue peace towards god and our conscience is deliuered from the guilt of sinne Who shall laie any nay the whole burthen of our sinnes to our charge It is god that cleareth it is god that iustifieth yea it is Christ that vnladeth vs. Come vnto me saith he ye that are heauie laden and I will ease you and refresh you Who shall condemne vs Is it not Christ that hath redéemed vs who also shall come to be A caueat our iudge Only let vs cast aside our high mindes which are lifted vp with merit and desert and confessing our vnworthinesse Humility is greatly requited to Iustification in all feare and humilitie let vs approach vnto the throne of grace there to receiue these bounteous almes and rich treasures which the gifts of Sheba nay the wealth of Salomon cannot accomplish which neither siluer gold or precious stones yea the delicatest treasure in the worlde nay the worlde it selfe may match and counteruaile Which heauenly treasure could by no other meanes be bought and purchased for vs but by the precious blood of Iesus Christ who as an innocent lambe without spot How our righteousnesse and iustification is accomplished was offred vp for our sinnes euen the iust for the vniust who being frée from sinne and knowing no sinne yet was made sinne for vs that is a sacrifise for sinne that we might receiue I say this rich treasure euen the righteousnes of God in him redemption and iustification So that the punishment of our sinnes is swallowed vp in victorie that with the Apostle we may in ioy burst foorth and say O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the lawe But thankes be vnto God who hath giuen vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Who shal seperat vs then from the loue of Christ shall tribualtion or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword As it is written For thy sake are we killed all day long Wée are counted as shéepe for the slaughter Neuerthelesse in all these things wée are more then conquerers
God heard vs whose hart the Lord opened that she attended vnto the things that Paul spake Our election is made sure vnto vs by the testimony of the spirit 1. Cor. 2. 12. Now we haue receiued not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are giuen to vs of God 1. Ihon. 3. 24. Hereby we knowe that he abideth in vs euen by the spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1. Ihon. 5. 20. We knowe that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him And by the testimony of our conscience Ro. 8. 15. 16. For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Pal. 4. 6. And because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his sonne into your harts which crieth Abba Father Ko 8. 14. For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God By the vertue of Gods spirit the elect are deliuered from the slauerie of sinne and it doth perswade and conduct them to will and worke the things which please God Phil. 2. 12. 13. Wherefore my beloued as ye haue alwaies obeied not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence so make an end of your owne saluation with feare and trembling For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the déed euen of his good pleasure Ihon. 8. 36. If the sonne therfore shall make you frée by his spirit ye shall be frée indéed Rom. 6. 18. Being then made frée from sin ye are made the seruants of righteousnesse But because this faith is but weake and only begun in in this life that we may not only perseuere in it but also profit by it it is sealed in our hearts by the vse of the Sacraments Mar. 16. 16. He that shall beléeue and be baptised shall be saued but he that will not beléeue shall be damned Act. 2. 38. Then Peter said vnto them Amend your liues and bee baptised euerie one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receiue the gift of the holy Ghost Rom. 6. 3. 4. Know ye not that all we which haue bene baptised into Iesus Christ haue bin baptized into his death We are buried then with him by baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the father so we also should walke in newnesse of life Gal. 3. 26. 27. Ye are all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus For all ye that are baptised into Christ haue put on Christ verse 29. And if ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams séed and heires by promise Gal. 2. 11. 12. In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands by putting off the sinful bodie of the flesh through the circumcision of Christ In that ye are buried with him through baptisme in whom ye are also raised vp togither through the faith of the operation of God which raised him from the dead Ephe. 5. 26. 27. 28. Christ so loued the church that he gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word that he might make vnto himself a glorious church not hauing spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it shuld be holy without blame The note thereupon Baptisme is a token that God hath consecrated the church to himselfe and made it holy by his word that is his promise of frée righteousnesse and holinesse in Christ 1. Pet. 3. 21. Noahs flood To the which also the figure that now saueth vs euen Baptisme agreeth not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but in that a good conscience maketh request to God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10. 16. 17. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ For we that are many are one bread and one bodie because we all are partakers of one bread Rom. 4. 11. After he receiued the signe of circumcision as the seale of the righteousnesse of the faith which he had For this occasion it is mentioned that we being iustified by faith haue peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. Then being iustified by faith we haue peace toward God through our Lord Iesus Christ By whō also we haue accesse through faith vnto this grace wherein we stand and reioyce vnder the hope of the glory of GOD. Neither do we so only but also we reioyce in tribulations Where faith is there is also perseuerance and a stedfast purpose to continue Phil. 1. 6. And I am perswaded of this same thing that he that hath begun this good worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ Nomb. 23. 19. God is not as man that he should lie neither as the sonne of man that he should repent Hath hée said and shall he not do it And hath he spoken and shall he not accomplish it Psal 23. 6. Doubtlesse kindnesse and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life and I shall remaine a long season in the house of the Lord. Psal 27. 4. One thing haue I desired of the Lord that I will require euen that I may dwell in the house of the Lorde all the daies of my life to beholde the beautie of the Lord and to visit his Temple Mat. 24. 24. And except those daies should bee shortened there should no flesh be saued but for the elects sake those daies shall be shortned Lest they should fall away as it is said of Enoch that he was taken away lest he shuld be deceiued by wickednesse and sinne Iohn 6. 37. All that the father giueth men shall come to me and him that commeth to me I cast not away Iohn 17. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou kéepe them from euil Iohn 10. 27. 28 My shéepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of mine hand Iohn 13. 1. As he loued his owne which were in the world vnto the end he loued them Hebr. 10. 23. 24. c. Let vs kéep the profession of our hope without wauering For he is faithfull that promised And let vs cōsider one an other to prouoke vnto loue and to good workes Not sorsaking the fellowship that we haue among our selues as the manner of some is but let vs exhort one an other and that so much the more because ye sée that the day draweth neare For if we sinne willingly there remaineth a fearefull
he said vnto them Ye are from beneath I am from aboue Ye are of this world I am not of this world I said therefore vnto you that ye shall die in your sinnes Phil. 3. 2. Beware of dogs beware of euil workers beware of the concision Iohn 6. 64. But there are some of you that beléeue not for Iesus knew from the beginning which they were that beléeued not and who should betraie him Although men must be vsed after diuers sorts some by gentlenesse and some by sharpnesse 2. Tim. 2. 24. But the seruant of the Lorde must not striue but must be gentle toward all men apt to teach suffering the euil men patiently Instructing them with méeknesse that are contrary minded prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance Mat. 3. 7. O generations of vipers c. Esay 1. 10. O Princes of Sodome and people of Gomorrha The eight Chapter How euery man may with profit apply this vniuersall doctrine to himselfe IT is most euident that they which teach that mans saluation Iustification by faith is vnprofitable if it be seperate from election either in part or wholly dependeth or is grounded in works destroy the foundation of the Gospel of God And contrariwise they that teach Iustification fréely by faith ground on a sure foundation but so that they build vppon that eternall counsell of God whereupon Christ himselfe and the Apostle Paul folowing Christ his steps groundeth his doctrine For séeing perseuerance in faith is requisite to saluation to what purpose shall faith serue me except I be sure of the gift of perseuerance Nor we néed not feare lest Peace of conscience depēdeth on Predestination this doctrine make vs negligent or dissolute For this peace of conscience whereof we speake ought to be distinct and seperate from foolish securitie and he that is the son of god séeing he is moued and gouerned by the spirit of God will neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and dissolution Then if by this doctrine we had but this one commoditie that we might learne to assure and confirme our faith against all brunts that might happen it is manifest that they which speake against and resist this artickle of religion either through their wickednesse or else through ignorance or some foolish blind zeale which happeneth when men will measure God according to the capacitie of their owne wits subuert and destroy the principall ground and foundation of our saluation And in very déed although some as I must confesse do it not purposely yet do they open notwithstanding the doore to all superstition and impietie As for them which now adaies maliciously oppugne the truth I beséech the Lord euen frō the heart either to turne their mindes if so be they appertain to the elect or else to send them a most spéedy destruction that by their owne example they may confirme and establish that doctrine which so maliciously they resist These other I will desire most instantly and require them in the name of GOD that they would better aduise themselues what they do Now to touch bréefely how this doctrine may be applied let vs marke that all the workes of GOD euen the least of all are such that men cannot iudge of them but in two sorts That is either when they are done or else by foreséeing them to come to passe by the disposition of the second and manifest causes whose effects haue bin diligently and by long vse obserued As men accustome in naturall things to do wherein notwithstanding men are wonderfully blind In this matter then which is most obscure of all others it is no maruell if mans witte be driuen into this strait what is determined as touching himselfe in this secret counsell of God But because these are most high misteries and therefore stand in the obseruation of those causes which passe all naturall things wée mnst néedes séeke further and come to Gods word which forasmuch as without all comparison it is more certaine then mans coniectures so it can best direct vs herein and assure vs. The scripture then witnesseth that all those that God How a man may haue assurance of his election hath according to his counsell predestinate to be adopted his children through Iesus Christ are also called in their time appointed yea and so effectually that they heare the voice of him that calleth and beléeue it so that being iustified and sanctified in Iesus Christ they are also glorified Wilt thou then whosoeuer thou art bee assured of thy predestination and so in order of thy saluation which thou lookest for against all the assaultes of Sathan Assured I say not by doubtfull coniectures or our owne fancie but by arguments and conclusions no lesse true and certaine then if thou were ascended into heauen and had heard of Gods owne mouth his eternall decrée and purpose Beware thou beginne not at that most high degrée for so thou shouldst not be able to sustaine the most shining light of Gods maiestie Begin therefore beneath at the lowest order and when thou shalt heare the voice of god sound in thine eares and in thy heart which calleth thée to Christ the onely Mediator consider by litle litle and trie By what signs faith is known diligently if thou be iustified sanctified in Christ through faith For these two be the effects or frutes whereby the faith is knowne which is their cause As for this thou shalt partly know by the spirit of adoption which crieth within thée Abba father and partly by the vertue effect of the same spirit which is wrought in thée As if thou fal and so declare indéed that although sin dwell in thée yet it doth no more raigne in thée For is not the holy Ghost he that causeth vs not to let slippe the bridle and giue libertie willingly to our naughtie and vile concupiscences as they are accustomed whose eyes the prince of this world blindeth or else who moueth vs to pray when we are cold dull and slothfull Who stirreth vp in vs those vnspeakeable gronings Who is he that when we haue sinned yea and sometimes wittingly and willingly ingendereth in vs an hate of the sinne committed and not for the feare of punishment which we haue therefore deserued but because we haue offended our most mercifull father Who is he I say that testifieth vnto vs that our sighings are heard and also moueth vs to call daily God our God and our father euen at that time when we haue trespassed against him Is it The assurance of the vocation is knowen by faith and so by the vocation the election not that spirit which is fréely giuen to vs as a gift for a sure and certaine pledge of our adoption Wherefore if wée can gather by these effects that we haue faith it followeth that we are called and drawen effecttually And againe by this vocation which we haue declared properly to belong to the
God for if righteousnesse be by the lawe then Christ died without a cause Rom. 10. 4. For Christ is the end of the lawe for righteousnesse vnto euery one that beléeueth And chapter 11. 5. 6. Euen so then at this present time is there a remnant through the election of grace And if it be of grace it is no more of workes or else were grace no more grace but if it be of workes it is no more grace or else were worke no more worke Ephe. 2. 4. 5. 8. 9. 10. But God which is rich in mercie through his great loue wherewith he loued vs euen when wee were dead by sinnes hath quickened vs togither in Christ by whose grace ye are saued For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of god Not of woorkes least any man should boast himselfe But that we should be carefull to shewe foorth good workes therefore hée speaketh in the next verse Verse 10. For we are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them 1. Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his own purpose and grace which was giuen to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was 1. Pet. 2. 12. And haue your conuersation honest among the gentiles that they which speake euill of you as of euill doers may by your good workes which they shall sée glorifle god in the day of the visitation Perseuerance in faith is requisite vnto saluation Mat. 10. 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name But hee that endureth to to the ende shall be saued Mat. 24. 45. Blessed is that seruant whom his maister shall finde so doing Now we need not feare lest this doctrine make vs negligent or dissolute For this peace of conscience whereof we speake ought to be distinct and seperate from foolish securitie and he that is the sonne of God seeing he is moued and gouerned by the spirit of God wil neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and dissolution Rom. 5. 1. 2. Then being iustified by faith we haue peace toward god through our Lord Iesus Christ By whom also we haue accesse through faith vnto this grace wherin we stand and reioyce vnder the hope of the glory of god Rom. 8. 12. 13. 14. 15. Therfore brethren we are debters not to the flesh to liue after the flesh For if ye liue after the flesh ye shall die but if ye mortifie the déeds of the body by the spirit ye shall liue For as many as are ledde by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Ephe. 1 4. Aâ— he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue 2. Tim. 1. 7. For God hath not giuen to vs the spirit of feare but of power and of loue and of a sound mind 1. Iohn 3. 20. 21. 24. If our heart condemne vs God is greater then our hearts and knoweth all things Beloued if our heart condemne vs not then haue wée boldnesse towards God For he that kéepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him And hereby wée know that he abideth in vs euen by the spirit which hée hath giuen vs. This matter of Predestination is obscure aboue all others vnto the wit of man but opened and reuealed vnto vs by the word of God The Scripture therfore witnesseth that they that are predestinate vnto saluation are first called and that so effectually that they heare and beleeue and fructifie then also are they iustified and sanctified and in the life to come glorified Iohn 6. 44 45. No man can come vnto me except the father which hath sent me drawe him by the force of gods word and by the secret working of his spirit And I will raise him vp at the last day As it is written in the Prophets And they shall be taught of God Euery man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the father commeth to me Acts. 2. 47. And the Lord added to the Church by the Apostles preaching from day to day such as should be saued Iohn 10. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. â—ée beléeue not for ye are not of my shéepe as I said vnto you My shéepe heare my voice and I knowe them and they followe me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall ueuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of my hand My father which gaue them me is greater then all and none is able to take them out of my fathers hand Acts. 13. 48. And when the Gentiles heard it they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as were ordained vnto eternall life beléeued And chap. 16. 14. And a certaine woman named Lidia a celler of purple of the city of the Thyatirians which worshipped God heard vs whose heart the Lord opened that she attended vnto the things that Paul spake Hebr. 3. 7. 8. Wherefore as the holy Ghost saith To day if ye shall heare his voice harden not your hearts as in the prouocation according to the day of temptation in the wildernesse And. chapt 42. For vnto vs was the Gospell preached as also vnto them but the word that they heard profited not them because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it Consider by litle and litle and try diligenly if thou be iustified and sanctified in Christ through faith For these two be the effects or ftuites whereby the faith is knowne which is their cause 2. Cor. 13. 5. Proue your selues whether ye are in the faith examine your selues knowe ye not your owne selues except ye be reprobates Rom. 8. 30. Moreouer whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified As for this thou shalt partly knowe by the spirit of Adopion which crieth within thee Abba father Gal. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. That hée might redéeme them which were vnder the lawe that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes And because ye are sonnes God hath sent foorth the spirit of his sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba father Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Nowe if thou be a sonne thou art also the heire of GOD through Christ Rom. 8. 15. For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father And partly by the vertue and effect of the same spirit which is wrought in thee Rom. 16. 17. The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God If we be children we are also heires euen the heires of god and heires annexed with Christ 1. Iohn 3. 24. For he that kéepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he
giuen to wicked waies with gréedinesse and are so subiect to the bondage and slauery of the diuell and of sin that we thinke no way better then the broad way that leadeth to destruction thinking that heauen is in this world and that hell is but an old wiues tale saying vnto our selues Peace peace and all is in safety when sodainly either death shall ouertake vs or the latter day bring vs to iudgement True it is that which the eie seeth not the heart rueth not and the diuell hath diuers deuices to blinde the eies of our vnderstanding to make vs still to run on vntill it be too late to turn backe Being destitute of the grace of God and not as yet regenerate we are holden vnder the euill spirit of bondage setting all our delight in earthly and transitorie things yéelding vp our selues to our fleshly desires being strangers from God and strangers from our redéemer strangers from the life to come and altogither vnacquainted with his grace Wherby although we may think we are in the estate of fréedome and as fréemen yet are we of no better account then the basest seruants that liue and againe vnder such a maister whose seruice is nothing els but tyrannie shaddowed ouer with flattery a roaring lion seeking after his pray a gréedy wolfe clothed in a shéep skin But as Christ came into the world to destroy the workes of the diuel so hath he caused his grace to be published and sent his spirit into our hearts to open the eies of our vnderstaÌ„ding to turn our harts and make them relent to make vs sée how cruell our maister is whome we serue and how dangerous an estate we are in being nothing but bondage slauery death destruction And this is the peculiar effect of the spirit of God and of his grace to shew vs our miserable estate by the law of God to strike our consciences with the rememembrance of our sinnes that we may vnderstand that we are in a desperate estate vnlesse we fly to Christ for succor Wherfore being directed by the spirit of god our stubburn harts are made to yéeld and to shed abundance of teares in consideratioÌ„ we haue offended God Which spirit of fréedom prouoketh vs to flie vnto Christ our only succour by a stedfast faith to take hold of the promises of gods mercy through the death of Christ whereby it commeth to passe yâ— our sins are forgiuen and although we are vnworthy therof are we accounted numbred among the children of God This is that spirit of adoption that maketh vs reioyce vnder the glorious libertie of the sonnes of GOD. Which maketh our ioy so much the more aboundant in consideration of our fearefull estate whereby we were so miserable So that wee may boldly triumph with the Apostle saying Reioyee in the Lord alwaies and againe I say reioyce For what greater ioy can there be then the ioy and peace of a quiet conscience being fully resolued of forgiuenesse of sinnes and of the fauoure of God who hath aduanced vs to so high a dignitie as of his enemies to make vs his sonnes and children Wherefore in meditation of our former estate let vs follow the Apostles counsaile 1. Pet. 1. 17. Passe the time of your dwelling here in feare and liue not carelesly as thongh we might doe what we list much like to wanton children which had néed continually to be corrected with the rod. But as the Apostle saith Brethren be not children in vnderstanding but as concerning maliciousnesse be children but in vnderstanding be of a ripe age so manie I say brethren as concerning wickednesse and vngodly behauiour let vs be children but as concerning the feare of God let vs grow from strength to strength vntill we be of a ripe age A dutifull seruaunt standeth alwaies in feare and distrust that that which he doth to his maister be not perfitly and sufficiently done as one desirous to continue his maisters fauour and good liking toward him So also a dutifull child should be careful still to please his father for feare not onely of loosing his fathers good wil but also of hindering himselfe from the which otherwise his father would leaue him and do for him How much more should an adopted child looke vnto himselfe and to his waies because he is taken in but of fauour without any desert and onely vpon pitie and compassion rather then vpon any other consideration Wherefore it is not for vs to make a triumph of our adoption and to make our boast and vaunt of it but rather in a godly sort to humble our selues through feare forecasting with our selues how to continue Gods good will toward vs which through our negligence and carelesse behauiour may be remooued For as they that come to goods to landes and possessions by fauour friendship and by adoption through their own foolishnes may dispossesse themselues of all so if a godly wisdome be not vsed the benefit of adoption may greatly be disgraced in vs and we may bring our selues into that case as iustly to thinke that we are none of Gods children So did that godly king Dauid and that holy blessed Apostle S. Peter by their infamous sinnes so alter the certaintie of their adoption as though they had quite béen forsaken of God So the it is not without great cause that the Apostle vseth these words Let him yâ— standeth take héed least he fall As if he had said let the adopted children of God take héed lest they offend God and let the testimony of a good coÌ„science be alwaies a reioycing vnto them and that the certaintie of our adoption may alwaies be warranted vnto vs. Where is therefore our ioy or where is our chiefest care grounded and setled not in the things of this world neither in this world Better it is to be in the house of mourning then to be in the house of laughter better it is to mourne for our â—innes past then in worldly sort to reioyce of our adoptions Considering that wheÌ„ Adam and Eue were in the chiefest worldly ioy and thought themselues in the estate of Angels and in high fauour with God they procured theÌ„selues to be mimiserable wretches and not worthie the name of gods children Who before had a blessing if they had continued in the fauour and grace of God and could haue perceiued their happie estate or if at lestwise they could haue foreséen the danger that would haue followed but instéede of a blessing they receiued a curse and instéed of fauour great displeasure Although we may be certified of our adoption yet it behâ—ueth vs so long as we dwell in this world and are compassed with this our sinnefull flesh to be circumspect and wise to be warie and watchfull knowing that the broade way is as neare vnto vs as the narrowe way the right hand as neare as the left the diuel tempting the world inticing the flesh yéelding nay fighting and resisting the good spirit
to be refused and hated but that which should procure Gods fauour toward vs there is nothing but that which is his and none of ours Which is his mercy and louing kindnesse whereby he calleth vs imbraceth vs closeth and adopteth vs as those for whom he reserueth a kingdome So much for the first part of this text that as touching the greatnesse of of the benefite of adoption in consideration of the fréedome we reape therby being deliuered from the slauerie and feare of the lawe and being altogither eased of the burden which commeth by the spirit of bondage Where also you haue heard howe and in what order and manner we are made and adopted the children of God 2. The second part sheweth the assurance of our adoption The assurance of adoption in these words The same spirit meaning the spirit of adoption beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God And verie necessarie is it that the weake spirits and doubting minds of Gods children should thus be strengthned and confirmed who haue many a thousand thought to cast them beside the stedfastnesse of their hope still giuen to wauering still giuen to distrusting For how can it be otherwise séeing the diuell hath diuers pollicies to cast vs into feares which vnlesse we were mightily susteined by the spirite of God were inough vtterly to ouerthrow vs our mindes and consciences being most easie to be cast downe Because as the Apostle witnesseth to the Heb. cap. 2. 15. All their life time they were subiect to bondage for feare of death sitting in darknesse and in the shadow of death looking rather for their destruction then for their saluation Carnall Gospellers wordly professors can perswade themselues any thing but they that are truly touched and humbled in so ioyful a change as from the feare of destruction to be made partakers of adoption liue as it were betwixt feare and hope wondring howe they should be made partakers of so excellent an estate as from the children of captiuitie to be made the children of freedome from the the children of wrath to be mads the children of mercy Weake minds faint harts vntill the assurednesse of faith hath banished all distrust The testimonie of their adoption may bee somewhat setled in them and although not in all yet in most of them it is but weake and can scarcely be perceiued by reason that they find in themselues a great strength of sinne and féeling also the grace of God to be in a smal measure as it were a fewe sparkes vnder a great heape of ashes and which as yet is more the continuall accusations of the diuell mouing our consciences to dispaire The strength of sinne was so great in that elect vessell of God S. Paule who had such an euident token of Gods adoption that he was wrapt into the heauens and sawe those thinges which were not to be vttered so that the loue of God was confirmed toward him in miraculous sort the strength of sinne was so great in him that he was in a manner violently drawne to do that which he hated What I would saith he that doo I not but that which I hate that doo I. And I finde such motions in my sinfull flesh rebelling against the lawe of my minde which preuaile so farre with me that they leade me captiue vnto the law of sinne The reward and wages wherof wee knowe is death By which reason it séemeth we should be greatly daunted and dismaied in respect of our adoption vnto life Againe the want of the féeling of the graces of God dooth worke such a coldnesse of spirit and such a dulnesse in our sences which may well bréede a doubfulnesse in our mindes and to make a wauering conscience to pleade against it selfe Which made the Prophet Dauid who was so highly in fauour with God greatly to faint because the graces of God in respect of his gréeuous sinnes laie as it were buried within him So that with griefe of minde he cried out for so great a want O Lord create in me a cleane heart and renue thy graces within me Restore me to the ioy of thy saluation hide thy face from my sinnes and put away all mine iniquities make mee to heare of ioy and gladnesse and let the certaintie of thy adoption and of my comfort be established in my heart Finally the diuell mouing our consciences to dispaire may bréed the greatest doubt in our harts and make vs beléeue that though we are adopted yet that we are not Gods children but rather that we are forsaken of him Wherein we must alwaies remember the propertie of the diuell which is that he goeth about like a roaring lion séeking whom he may deuour Whom saith the Apostle Resist being stedfast in faith and hold fast the hope of your adoptioÌ„ It is sathans desire to wiâ—â—ow vs as wheat but he that hath procured vs to be adopted and by whose means we are made the sonnes and children of God praieth for vs yâ— we might be strengthned and also sendeth his spirit into our harts to help vs in our praiers and maketh requests for vs with sighes which cannot be expressed Wherefore although the accusations of of the diuell be of great force to throw vs downe yet are the helpes which it pleaseth God to graunt vs more auailable to raise vs vp againe Whereby it commeth to passe that our hearts and consciences being setled in the assurance of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and we being sanctified by the blood of Christ are inwardly and fully perswaded of our adoption in such sort that all doubting is remoued away and all distrust banished Yet neuerthelesse because by the meanes aforesaid that is by the strength of sinne which dwelleth within vs the weakenesse of gods graces the troublesome accusations of the diuell the stedfastnesse of our adoption may sometime or other be called in question therefore God of his goodnesse to support our féeble spirites and weake thoughts hath giuen vs his owne spirit to be a fellow witnesse with our spirit fully to perswade and assure vs. For the elect chosen childreÌ„ of God haue in themselues the spirit of Iesus Christ testifying vnto them and perswading them that they are the adopted children of god The same spirit of god his fatherly goodnesse and that he wil be a father vnto vs and that he would haue vs so to account of him beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of god For this cause amongst diuerse other names wherewith the holy ghost is intituled this is one especiall name and title that it is called the spirite of adoption because it worketh in vs the assurance of our adoption Also it is called a pawne or earnest as we may reade 2. Corinth 1. 22. It is God who hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Thus by two most effectuall parables â— similitudes are the children of god confirmed in the certaintie of
their adoption by the parable of an earnest pennie and by the parable of a seale In making of a bargaine when part of the price is paide and laid downe in earnest then assurance is made that all the rest yâ— remaines behind shal be wel truly paid And as when an indenture or lease is made for the peaceable possession of any lands tenements for the terme of a mans life or for long time the seale of the landlord is put too to make the matter most certain sure so when the childe of god hath receiued thus much from the holy ghest as to be persuaded that he is adopted and chosen in Christ he may be in good hope and is alreadie put in good assurance fully to eâ—ioâ— eternall life in the kingdome of heauen So familiar is God with vs as to bring vs to be perswaded of his good will by such meanes as are most vsuall with vs. For what is more vsuall with vs then either the order of an earnest penny or a seale to put vs out of all doubt and to warrant that thing which we haue vndertaken Therfore the Apostle in an other place doth giue vs great comfort shewing forth the determinate purpose of god coÌ„cerning this matter God saith he sent forth his son and made him subiâ—â— vnto the curse of the laâ—â— that by vndergoing the penaltie punishment which that curse and wrath of God did import he might redéeme them which were vnder the condemnation of the lawe vnder the bondage of sin and â—athan hell that being released and deliuered they might receiue the adoption of sonnes Wherfore saith he and the most chéerfully thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Now if thou be a sonne thou art also the heire of God through Christ This assurance of gods holy spirit is then most effectual wheÌ„ it shall yéeld vs greatest comfort and that is at the time of our departure out of this world and in the houre of death When all worldly comforts shal vanish theÌ„ shal this come in place gods blessings in this world shall shall then take their leaue wealth and possessions wife and children friendes and acquaintance and we shall goe naked out as we came naked in only this glorious apparel and this heauenlie raiment shal remaine that we are the adopted children of God that being along time strangers and pilgrims here on earth we shall nowe come to our home and to our inheritance reserued in heauen for vs. Here also shall the greatnes and the swéetnesse of the comfort appeare that when the diuell shal be most busie with vs to lay our sinnes to our charge and when death shall approach and the time of our passage drawe neare and when he shall vse all meanes possible to put vs beside the assured hope of our adoption then shall the comfort of Gods good spirit so strengthen our harts and consciences against the assaults of the diuel that he shal go away vanquished and we imboldned TheÌ„ shal our minds be lifted vp with cheerfulnesse knowing that our redemption shall fully be accomplished and our adoption sealed and perfectlie confirmed vnto vs. Contrariwise the wicked at the houre of death How Adoption respecteth the wicked which in their life time haue flattered themselues with the hope of their adoption shall then féele no certeintie neither anie comfort of the holy Ghost but in stéed of comfort they shall féele the horrible and dreadfull accusations of the diuel then to take place be of force against them The wicked and reprobate cannot haue the testimony and witnesse of gods good spirit to assure them that they are the children of God although for a time their vaâ—ne imaginations may deceiue themselues as also the diuel imitating the spirit of god doth vsually perswade carnal men and hipocrites that they are adopted and that they shal be saued But this perswasion of the diuel is but an illution and their deceiued hearts are not established by the assurance of Gods spirit which filleth the heart with ioy Whereas their hearts are full of doubtfulnesse full of distrust full of dispaire It may be they may beléeue for a time but as for that stâ—dfast and induring faith whereby they may trulie say that God is their father this is onlie in the elect children of God and those that are adopted Whose perfect regeneration it pleaseth God to begin in this world by sowing in their harts the immortall séed of life whereby he doth so certainly seale vnto them the grace of his adoption that it shall continue firme vnto the end In the meane time the faithfull are admonished carefullie and humblie to examine themselues least in stéede of a true faith concerning their adoption a carnall kinde of securitie créepe into their minds and growe vpon them and compasse them about euen as the Iuie doth the Oake The wicked haue neuer the féeling of gods grace but after a confused sort taking hold as it were rather of a shadow then of a bodie Because the spirit of God doth truly and properly seale the forgiuenesse of their sinnes onelie in the hearts of the godlie and the elect that they may apply the same by an especiall gift of faith vnto their comfort Confusedly I say the vngodlie receiue the grace of God not that they are partakers togither with the children of God of regeneration but because they séeme to haue a ground of faith after a common sort which is hid with a vaile and couering of hipocrisie Yet notwithstanding it may not be denied that God doth lighten their mindes so farre as they may ackowledge his grace and goodnesse toward them but this common sence and féeling of his grace is so distinguished from that comfortable assurance of gods spirit which is in the elect that the wicked come neuer to that sounde comfort and ioy which adoption bringeth with it For God dooth not so farre shewe himselfe fauourable vnto them as to take them into his guarde and kéeping as though they were quite deliuered from the punishment of their sinnes and from the feare of eternall death and damnation but only for the present time God doth giue them a taste of his mercie Neither is it amisse that God doth lighten the mindes of the wicked with some féeling of his gracious fauour the which anon withereth and vanisheth away through the hardnesse of their hearts through their vnstedfast mindes and through their owne vnthankfulnesse and backsliding wherby they make themselues more culpable and the more inexcusable all which is wonderfully brought to passe by the manifold wisedome of God That spirit of ours which the Apostle talketh off is a renued heart and a sanctified minde that fully and perfectly receiueth the benefit of adoption and vnto which spirit of ours gods spirite doth also beare witnesse that out of all doubt we are the adopted children of god The vngodly they haue but as it were a glimse but vnto the godly
belong to God and yet liue in sin what is it if we come to the church and in an outward shew of good works would haue others to thinke vs to be Gods deare children when neither our owne heartes and consciences neither yet the spirite of God can testifie that we are such as we would séeme to be both before God and in the sight of men S. Iohn saith plainly 1. Ioh. 1. If we say that we haue any company with God and walke in darkenesse doing that which displeaseth God we lie and the trueth is not in vs. Loue and obedience to God shew forth our adoptiō but they that passe not for the commandementes of God shew that there is no loue and obedience in them 1. Ioh. He that saith he knoweth and loue God and yet keepeth not his commandements is a lier Some falsly perswaded themselues that they loue God when they hate their neighbours but the same Apostle telleth them If any man say I loue God and yet hateth his brother he is a liar He that saith he is the light and hateth his brother he is still in darkenesse he that loueth his brother dwelleth in the light but he that hateth him walketh in darknesse and knoweth not whither he goeth for darkenesse hath blinded his eies And moreouer he saith Hereby we manifestly know the children of god from the children of the diuel he that doth not righteously is not the child of god neither he that hateth his brother As the tree is knowne by his frute so is our adoption made knowne vnto vs by godly and christian affections Let vs not therfore any further deceiue our selues in thinking we are the adopted children of god when as yet we haue a greater delight in sin then in god For then our sinful liues shall declare the contrary against vs and shall make vs to be ashamed of our boasting whatsoeuer we shall think or say for our selues It is not our fond and vain imaginations that the spirit of god doth witnesse vnto but a sanctified heart and a cleane soule and a pure life is the house that the spirit of god doth dwel in and which also doth giue such manner of people a full assuraunce that they pertaine to god and that as they are the sonnes of god in this life so shall they be the saints of god in another life Also this is no small token of our adoption when we féele our hearts inclined and our minds maruellous desirous Hearing God◠word to heare the word of god preached According as we read Iohn 8. He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therfore heare them not because ye are not of God For who do more scorne and disdain to heare gods word and do make a iest of it then they who as we terme thē are gracelesse and make litle reckoning whether they be accounted the children of god or no. So that by the contrarie it may euidently appeare that they in whome the grace of god hath taken effect do greatly reuerence and greatly regard the word of god Because not only from time to time it is a meane to seale gods promises in our hearts and to make vs more and more to reioyce in the Lord but also by little and little the selfesame marke in their foreheads And although I might recite more I wil adde but one other token of Gods adoption in his children and that is that they are sorrie Sory to see others offend whē they see other do wickedly and endeuour to withdraw them from their wicked waies giuing them counsell and admonishing them to the contrary hating their sinnes and louing their soules Exhorting also their brethren and sisters to continue in the grace of God according to the counsell of the Apostle Let vs exhort one another and prouoke vnto good workes Take héede brethren lest at any time there be in any of you an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God But exhort one an other daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Praying continually that the spirit of God which hath assured vs of our adoption may rule and raigne in vs and that from so holy a roote may spring godly blossomes as faith loue mercy patience humilitie chastitie desire of Gods word hartie good will to his ministers diligence in praier togither with all increase of righteousnesse They that earnestly and with a good heart heare Gods word and bring foorth worthie frutes they that reuerence and regard the ministers of Gods word they that exercise themselues in all good workes they whose delight is in them that feare God and who make much of the Godly and who also are sorrie to sée others fall from God they no doubt are such who may certainelie assure themselues of their adoption and of the loue and fauour of God So much for the second part of this text noting out vnto vs the assurance of our adoption and confirming vs in the same set downe in these words The same spirit beareth witnesse wiih our spirit that we are the children of God 3. The third part which followeth is nothing else but ioy and comfort honour and dignitie If we be children we are also heires euen the heires of God and heires annexed with The worthinesse of adoption Christ In which words are conteined the worthinesse of our adoption and that in as high degrée of honour as may be Nowe we are no more seruants subiect vnder the feare and bondage of the lawe but the sonnes of God hauing obtained his fauour through the meanes of our elder brother Christ Iesus If sonnes we are more then sonnes and that is heires and that not of an earthly patrimonie Heires but of the kingdome of heauen Heires of kings or emperours nay more then that heires of God yea and fellowe heires with Christ our Sauiour which sitteth at the right hand of God far aboue al principallitie might and power and dominion in most excellent dignitie A seruant lightly is neuer preferred to that dignitie as to be made an heire and how should it come to passe y◠wee being seruants and bondslaues vnder the spirit of bondage feare should obtaine so great a fréedome and dignitie as to be the heires of God but only through the bountifulnesse of God which passeth all the preheminence and dignitie y◠man can gine or is or would be willing to giue especially to a seruant And how should we that are seruants sinners perswade our selues of so great a dignitie as to be made heires if it were not that the spirit of God did assure our hearts y◠our reconciled God had made vs his children his sonnes and of sonnes heires It is not a thing vsuall in the world that the sonnes of any one man should all be heires no although their progenitors were nobles Our prouerbe is that a man of smal wealth is called bnt ayonger
sée that nothing is so rife there as corruption sinne and vanitie desiring to be deliuered from this bodie of sinne and from this vale of misery Let him that hath bought a yoke of oxen reioyce to proue them let him that hath purchased a farme make hast to furnish it and to possesse it let him that hath newly married a wife weary himselfe in his blinde pleasure let him that hath store of corne take care to build new barnes let him that hath wealth and riches and great store rest himselfe thereupon But let as many as are well minded with the Prophet Dauid say The greater sort craue worldly goods and riches do imbrace But Lord grant vs thy countenance thy fauour and thy grace For thou thereby shalt make my heart more ioyfull and more glad Then they that of their corne and wine full great increase haue had The Apostles wishing ioy to them that they wrote vnto mention not any worldly matters but the things that they wish vnto them are Grace mercy and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Iesus Christ They pray that God would open the eies of their minde and increase his knowledge in them How without our desert he hath chosen vs vnto life before the foundations of the world how through his mercie and precious death of his deare sonne we are redéemed and saued How of the enemies of God we are made his deare children by adoption howe by his grace and holy spirit we are not only called but also directed into newnesse holinesse of life how by his prouidence he suffereth vs not to want as also by the same how he turneth away all hurtfull things from vs and lastly how he nourisheth and cherisheth within vs the stedfast hope of the life to come That we may reioyce with the Apostle Eph. 1. 2. Blessed be God euen the father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ Wherein although our chiefest ioy ought to be placed in heauenly things yet are we to be aduised that we do not make too base account and too vile a reckoning of those comforts and blessings which God hath graunted to vs in this world As to enioy publike peace and quietnesse to haue obedient wiues and tractable children trustie seruants and faithfull friends and such like tokens of Gods fauoure toward vs. And therefore hath God granted vs wisedom to estéeme of euery thing in his due place For if concerning those creatures of God which we think to be altogither vnprofitable the wise man willeth vs not curiously and disdainfully to aske What is this wherefore is that For God hath made all things for their owne vse howe much more concerning the blessings of this life ought we reuerently to be affected and also thankfully to accept of them But al the ioy of the godly concerning these worldly matters and blessings of this life is in the sober moderat vse of them wheras the wicked do abuse them to riot and excesse Wresting them from those ends for the which God hath appointed them which are his glorie our comfort and the mutuall benefit one of an other Wherin the Apostle 1. Cor. 7. 29. doth wisely counsel vs. This say I brethren because the time is short heereafter that both they which haue wiues bee as though they had none and they that reioyce as they that reioyced not and they that buy as though they possessed not and they that vse this world as though they vsed it not For the fashion of this world goeth away and here we haue no certaine dwelling place Whereas the ioy of the wicked in these worldly blessings which are no blessings to them but matters of further condemnation for their abusing of them is out of measure and altogither sinful Such as was in the daies of Noah they ate they dranke they married and gaue in marriage and such as was in the daies of Lot they bought they sold they planted they built their hearts being oppressed with surfetting and drunkennesse and they altogither ouercome and drowned in the cares of this life euen then when the latter day and the day of their destruction did suddeinly come vpon them To these may be added another ioy as comfortable to the Reioyce in infirmities soule conscience of a godly man as any of the rest And the is when they reioyce of their infirmities Not y◠any should reioyce in their sins but y◠by the grace of God by the power of his holy spirit we haue the mastry ouer those sins wherof we haue manifest proofe in our selues y◠they would haue the mastry ouer vs wherby we should become y◠bondslaues of y◠diuel and wherby we shuld throw our selues headlong into hell Wicked inclinations grow with vs euen from the cradle which as time age and yéeres procéed come on take strength begin to master vs and rule vs. Our field is all growne ouer with thistles and thornes and our life is nothing else but a platforme of vices And as the foure complexions in man are mingled in the constitution of the nature of man yet one quallitie is predominant ruleth the rest for either we are sanguine and pleasant or cholericke and angry or melancholicke and sad or phlegmaticke and heauie so is the soule of man infected with the pollution of sinne and with the mingle mangle of naughtie corruptions that he can discern no remnant of that perfection wherin it was first created that you may well say the soule of man is nowe become a mixture of sinnes yet one sinne among the rest challengeth the chéefest roome and beareth the greatest sway One is giuen to pride and euerie one noteth him by that vice another to drunkennesse and hée is knowne to be a tosseposse another to theft and robbery and he is pointed at and priuily marked for that another to fighting and he is called a slasher and a swingbuckler another to whoredome and the beast is spued at and his company loathed for suspition of a French disease and so in all vices if a man list to runne through them Wherin the wicked folow the course of their wicked nature and y◠with a great delight felicitie as though it were the only ioy to be desired and y◠with such gréedines as though they could neuer be satisfied and withal such blindnes headlong affection that may wel be pitied but it is a doubt it will neuer be amended y◠in mercy they might be saued That the Apostle might wel say of them 2. Tim. 2. 26. that they are in the snare of the diuel are taken of him at his wil. Yea they reioyce in his seruice and wil by no means be deliuered although they be neuer so much perswaded therunto no not after seuen seuen yéeres but offer their eares to be bored through in token of perpetual seruice and sell themselues to worke wickednesse as