man to marry before five and twenty nor a young woman till twenty My Reasons are 1. Because the married Condition requires people that have some experience in worldly Affaires and specially in Religion 1 Peter 3.7 the Apostle would have the Husband to be a man of Knowledge Now this Knowledge how to govern a Family wisely and religiously cannot be attained without a considerable time Adam was a Man of full Age and Eve a Woman not a Childe when God brought her to Adam Of all people that we read of in the Scripture Kings did use to marry soonest that so they might have Heires betimes yet we reade of few of the Kings of Israel that married before twenty 'T is not for Children and green-heads rashly to run upon such weighty undertakings they that marry in such haste shall repent by leisure 3. Mutability and unconstancy they be not settled nor stayed in their judgements 'T is the younger sort that usually are led away with errour Old Birds stayed Professours are not so soon caught with this Chaffe Hence the Apostle Exhorts young Timothy to continue in the Truth 1 Tim. 4 16. 4 Rashness Headiness and Revenge such were Rehoboams young Counsellours 1 Kings 12.6.10 Youth is voyd of judgement Prov. 7.7 and apt to fly in the face of a Reprover 5. A disesteeming and sleighting of old Age. They were young ones that mockt the Prophet 2 Kings 2.24 and despised Iob 30.1.12 'T will be our wisedome to fly these lusts betimes It s a comely sight to see mortified and self-denying young people They are subject to stronger Temptations and more violent Affections there is a greater propensity to sinne in youth and therefore the Obedience is the more excellent and acceptable when out of love to God we can break through all these Young persons have many suiters the World the Flesh the Devil all cry be mine be mine They all ly in wait for the flower of our dayes The Flesh casts baits the World digs pits and the Devil sees snares So that unless we be magnanimous and resolute we shall be foiled and overcome 6. A sixth sinne of Youth is Neglecting the seasons of Grace not knowing the day of their Visitation a sleighting the tenders and offers of Gods Grace unto them There is a time when the Lord cometh a wooing to the Soul and by the motions of his Spirit knocks at the doores of our Hearts for entertainment Revelations 3.20 The Devil doth his utmost to hinder the match and therefore he perswadeth young persons that they are too young to be godly and too young to deny themselves in point of pleasures and carnall delights he tells them they may believe and repent time enough hereafter when they are Old He dealeth with them as the Philosopher did with the young man that came to him desiring him to tell him when he should marry Oh said the Philosopher thou art too young not yet not yet at last he grew old and then he came to know when he should marry Not at all now said he The Application is easie 1. Let such consider that there are thousands and ten thousands now in Hell that thought to have repented Hereafter Many have an Intentionall but no solid Repentance they resolve to repent but they resolve not when and so delay till the day of Grace bee past 2. Consider it is not in our power to repent when we please God must give us the Grace 2 Timothy 2.25 they way of Man is not in himself It is God must turn us or we shall never be turned Iremiah 31.18 He must draw us or we shall never runne after him Canticles 1.4 Iohn 6.44 We must observe Gods time or we loose all 3. How dost thou know that thou shalt live till thou art old younger and better then thou are gone Shorter graves then thine may be seen 4. Suppose thou shouldest live till thou wert old yet thy heart may then be so hardened that thou canst not repent and because when God called thou wouldst not answer therefore thou shalt cry and shalt not be heard Prov. 1.24 Ier. 22.21 22. 5. If it were in our power yet we may in no wise deal so dis-ingeniously with our God as to give the Devil the Marrow of our Youth and reserve the dry bones of our old Age for God It is no wisedome to lay the greatest load on the weakest Horse Old Age though in it selfe it be a Blessing yet is accompanied with many troubles sicknesses and diseases they are the Dreggs the Lees the Winter of our dayes As all Rivers meet in the Sea so all diseases meet in Old Age Hence it is called the evil day Eccles. 12.3 4 5 c. then the Eyes grow dimme the Eares deafe the Hands tremble and the Leggs are feeble and the Memory failes 'T is a time of spending not of getting and such compulsive Repentance is seldome true They are cursed that offer the blinde and the lame in Sacrifice Malachi 1.8 ult and if the blinde and the lame were abhorred of Davids soul much more of Gods 2 Samuel 5.8 'T is the greatest Wisedome in the World for young persons to know the day of their Visitation and to improve the Seasons of Grace seeking the Lord while he may be found Isaiah 55.6 and opening when he knocketh 'T is good sayling whilest the Ship is sound the Pilot well the Marriners strong the Gale favourable and the Sea calme The onely way to finde the Lord when we seeke him is to seeke him in due time even Now 2 Corinthians 6.2 Behold Now is the acceptable Time Now he calleth all men every where to Repent See how the Holy Ghost prevents Objections I 'le repent hereafter No it must be now Acts 17.30 31. Object I am rich or I am poor I am a Iew or a Gentile and cannot repent Answ. He calls All men Object I dwell amongst ill neighbours Answ. He calls all men every where The time present is the only time the Time past is gone the time to come we have no assurance of the time present is our time Hence we are called upon so oft to obey whilest 't is to day Psal. 95.7 8. Heb. 3.15 and to return i. e. presently Isai 21.12 In all obligations say the Lawyers where no time is specified there the condition is presently to be performed So Ier. 13.15 16. Zech. 1.4 Zeph. 2.1 2. Now because we are naturally averse and backward to this special duty I shall give you 20. Considerations to Quicken you 1. Consider that this speedy repenting and turning to God in our youth is Comfortable because 't is a good evidence of the Truth of our Repentance as late Repentance is seldome true so speedy repentance is seldome false It 's a good sign we have made God our God indeed when with David we can seek him early Psal. 63.1 and with Zaccheus we make hast to receive him joyfully Luke 19.6 This
and flouds of error which have appeared in former ages will meet in this Ocean They will come forth in a Third Edition Auctiores non Emendatiores enlarged but nothing bettered The Sinners of former times were but children in wickednesse the Sinners of the last times shall be men As that old Serpent the Devill the older he growes the more subtle and experienced he is so it is with the wicked who are the Seed of the Serpent the elder they grow the more skillfull Practitioners they be in sin they are wittily wicked and understand more how to contrive Sin and defend Errours by the improved experiences of their own and former times As it is in every Art by length of time custome and experience it is improved to a greater degree of finenesse and exactness so it is in this of sinning time and experience make men more cunning in wayes of sin and more subtle to defend them Those Sins and Errors which formerly were dammed up shall in these last and loose times break forth with greater violence Now Heresie Blasphemy Envy Pride Atheisme Hypocrisie Apostasy contempt of the Gospel prophanation of holy things c. will exceedingly abound The Devill is broke loose and now there appeare amongst us with open face Arrians Arminians Socinians Anabaptists Familists Separatists Mortalists Perfectists and a compendium of all these in one Quakers The common crying Sins of other nations are riâ—e amongst us here you may find the Drunkennesse of the Dutch the Lust of the French the Italians Ambition the Spaniards Treachery the Laylanders Witchcraft the Covetousness of the Jew the Cruelty of the Turk and the Monsters of Munster The Reasons are obvious 1. In respect of Satans rage the last times will be the worst The Devills time now growes short and therefore his wrath grows great Revel 12.12 Satans malevolence is a Spur to his diligence and he labours to supply the shortness of his time with the sharpness of his assaults insomuch that the Devills themselves seem to be possest of far more violent Devills they rage above their ordinary rate since their Kingdome is so near an end Dying creatures bite most fiercely Besiegers make their last onset upon a Town or Castle the most resolute and terrible of all others Satan now sets upon Soules by seduction most furiously because when these Times are at an end his Work is also at an end in this kind He 's like a malicious Tenant who perceiving that his Term is almost expired doth what he can to ruine the house Or like a bloudy Tyrant who suspecting the loss of his usurped Soveraignty makes havock amongst his Subjects 2. This is the Worlds Old age 't is its last and worst time for Old age is the Winter of a mans dayes the dregges of his life full of weaknesse coldness diziness and virtiginous all our dayes are few and full of misery but Old age in respect of those diseases and infirmities which oppress both Soul and Body is most miserable and therefore Solomon calls it an Evill day Eccles. 12.2 This evill day in a spiritual sense is come upon the World it 's come to its Old age I had almost said to its Dotage it drawes upon the Lees and its dregges are apparent 'T is now Winter with the World it growes old and cold according to the Prophesy of our Saviour Matth. 24.12 speaking of the Fore-runners of the end of the World he sets down this as one speciall Sign That iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold That Sin abounds and superabounds none can deny that Love waxeth cold there are many complaints Where 's our fervent love to God his Ordinances his Wayes and People The World saith one hath been once destroyed with Water for the heat of Lust and shall be again with Fire for the coldness of Love Latimer saw so much lack of Love to God and goodness in his time that he thought verily Doomes-day was then just at hand what would he have thought had he lived in our age wherein it were farre easier to write a Book of Apostates then a Book of Martyrs yea so grossly degenerate shall the last dayes be that Christ makes a question whether he shall find Faith in the Earth when hee comes Luke 18.8 false Prophets will so abound in those last and loose dayes that if 't were possible they would deceive the very Elect Matth. 24.24 2 Pet. 3.3 4. 1 Pet. 4.1 1 Iohn 2.18 19. 2. Old mens Heads by reason of weakness are full of Phantasies so the World in this its decrepit Old age and declining time abounds with fantastick fopperies and follies The world is crazed in its Intellectualls and Crazed in Moralls crazed in its Doctrines and crazed in its Discipline It hath many gray hayres Signes of old age and death approaching yet such is its Security that it is insensible of them She knowes it not Hos. 7.9 but as it was in the dayes of Noah so it is and will be in these last dayes Men give themselves to eating drinking marrying c. and other sensual delights till judgement arrest them Matth. 24.37 38 39. Yea so prolificall and fruitfull are the vaine Fancies of these last doting times that they may not unfitly be compared to a Mathematicall line which is semper divisiblis in semper divisibilia and hath no end We are so divided and subdivided that Love and Unity are fled the land Non enim partes solùm sunt inter nos sed partium novae partes This should be matter of Lamentation to us and cause sad thoughts of heart 3. Old age is testy and troubled with morosity old persons usually are froward and hard to please So in this dotage of the World men are very froward and perverse they cannot endure sound doctrine but are ready to fly in the face of a Reprover 2 Tim. 4.3 4. In Old age the Senses decay Seeing Hearing Tasting are impaired 2 Sam. 19.35 So in this decrepit age of the World it 's Spirituall senses are lost 't is so blind that it cannot discern between Light and Darknesse Truth and Errour so deaf that it cannot hear the voyce of the Charmer charme he never so wisely so senselesse that it cannot savour the things of God Vse Whilst we complain of the badnesse of the times let us not make them the worse for us but let us so walk that we may make these last times the best times and these Perilous times Glorious times Get convincing lives be burning and shining lights Walk up unto your Priviledges answer your Gospel-light with Gospel-lives how oft is this duty prest upon us Eph. 4.1 Phil. 1. â—7 Col. 1.10 1 Th. 2.12 We should all make the times and places we live in the better and not the worse for uâ— Magistrates should be so zealous against evill-doers and Ministers so active against Sin and Error and Governours of Families so carefull to Rule for God that
28.4 4. These Impostors do not onely deceive these silly women but they bring them under the Devils yoke they make slaves and prisoners of them they bind them with the cords of error and then they lead them whither they please They deal with their Proselites as the Devil doth with witches he promiseth them liberty but brings them to prisons promiseth them pleasures yet gives them pain promiseth them Riches yet keeps them poor promiseth them life but gives them Death They ensnare them with their Pythanalogy and hold them as fast with their lyes and flatteries as a Jaylor doth his Prisoner which he keeps in bondage 2 Tim. 2. ult or the fisher his fish which hath swallowed his bait 2 Pet. 2.14.18 These Satanicall fishers of men put on the Visors of Piety and preach liberty pleasure ease as other fishers cozen sometimes the eye and sometimes the taste of the silly fish so these have variety of baits but none so catching as that of carnal liberty Hence they are said to bewitch men Gal. 3.1 to enchaunt and delude men Rev. 18.23 and make them drunk Revel 17.2 It will be our wisdom then to submit our selves to the word of God and from the heart to obey its commands so shall we know the truth and the truth will keep us free from the power of sin and error Iohn 8.32 the keeping of a good conscience is the way to keep faith and sound doctrine 1 Tim. 1.19 get the heart once establisht with Grace and then you will not be carried about with every wind of doctrine Heb. 13.9 get Gods fear once planted in your hearts and then you will never depart from him Ier. 32.40 VERSE 7. VVhich Women are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth THe Apostle goeth on to shew what women they are which are brought into bondage by seducers viz. such as are unconstant unsetled and given to seek after novelties and curiosities they are not content with plain truth revealed in the Scripture they must have novum aut nihil some new light some new-found doctrine or else 't will not down with them this unsettles them and makes them run hither and thither after this and that man but all in vain They make a great adoe but to little purpose they are alwayes learning yet learn nothing which they should learn Now the Reason's of their Non-proficiency are 1. Either because they have no better Teachers they follow false Prophets and blinde Guides and when the blinde shall lead the blind no wonder if both fall into the ditch These may seem wise in their own eyes when in truth they know nothing because they know not the truth which is the foundation of all knowledge 2. They thrive not for want of a right disposition within They love their lusts better then the truth and this barres the heart against holy Learning Intus existens prohibet alienum When their judgements are blinded with lusts and their hearts hardened through sin how should such thrive 2 Tim. 4.3 3. Or else they seek not after sound and saving truth but all their enquiry is after some curious novelty they love to heare and learne nothing else in this point being true Athenians Acts 17.21 Well they may toyle and take a great deal of pains for some aery notions and empty speculations that they may come ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to some kind of knowledge but never ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word in the Text to such a knowledge as brings forth an acknowledgement of the truth in the power of it 4. Oft times they are meer Scepticks in Religion they are ready to question every thing but they believe nothing they have no foundation no resting place they lay out their mony but not for bread and therefore 't is no wonder if they spend their labour without being satisfied Error cannot satisfy the soul we must enquire for the good old way of truth and Holinesse if ever we would find rest for our souls Ier. 6.16 God who is the great Lord of all will have his commands obeyed not questioned He loves Currists and not Quaerists He prefers obedience before disputes We have disputed so long till we have almost disputed all Religion out of doores We should study rather to live well then dispute well therein lyes our happinesse Mat. 7.24.25 Iohn 13.17 The Spirit of God writes not Notions but Assertions in our hearts it establisheth them so with grace that the gates of hell cannot prevaile against it though such may by the violence of a tentation be moved yet are they like Mount Sion which can never be removed out of its place Heb. 10.23 and 13.9 Against Scepticks and Seekers See that excelent Tract of Mr. Gelaspy his Miscelanies cap. 10 11. yet how many delight in giddinesse and count it a bondage to fixe a belief affecting free-will in thinking as well as in acting And though the Sect of the Phylosophers of that kind be gone yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veines though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the Ancients The Scepticisme and Affectation of Novelties is the great sin of England at this day As many are much taken with new Fashions so many are much taken with new Opinions new Doctrines new Teachers and new Expressions Yet the Apostle doth not blame these women simply for seeking after knowledge for the wiser sort of Heathens have commended that but he blames them for hunting after Novelties and vain speculations and in the meane time neglecting the sound and saving truths of the Gospel This is celeris cursus extra viam a swift running to destruction 'T is true all the godly are learners the knowledge of the truth is not Innata but acquisita not born with us but attained by means yet they are not ever learning they know the truth in which they firmly rest and from which they suffer not themselves to be moved and never till then have we profited in our learning when we are made so able to discern the truth as that we are satisfied with it and our consciences are at rest by it even in the saddest dangers Ephes. 4.13 14. 1 Thes. 1.5 6. 2 Pet. 1.12 2. I wish this were not the sin of silly men as well as of silly women to be alwayes learning yet never come to the knowledge of the truth how many are men in yeares yet children in understanding 1 Cor. 14.20 and when for the time they might have been Teachers they had need to be taught the elements of Religion Heb. 5.12 though the knowledge of the best in this life be imperfect and we are alwayes learners here yet we must strive forward toward perfection and not alwayes stick in the place of bringing forth Hos. 13.13 nor be like a horse in a mill still going round in
wise men evident to all men Now as God confounded those Egyptian sorcerers of old before all the world so he will confound those that oppose his truth and Ministers that they shall prevaile no further 1. Observe That Hereticks and false Prophets are bounded and limited by God They cannot hurt when where and whom they please but whom God pleaseth though the will of hurting and seducing be of man yet God orders it to his praise Revel 7.3 As God set bounds to the Sea saying hitherto shall ye come but no further and here shall thy proud waves be stayed Iob 38.11 So he limits the malice and madnesse of men how far they shall prevaile he onely can stop these seas of errour and bound these floods of false doctrine which are ready to overflow the face of the world The flood of the Arrian Heresie had almost overflowed the whole world but the Almighty bounded it and though in this age it seem to return and is ready to overflow the earth again yet our comfort is God hath set it bounds which it cannot passe All Heresies have their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Non ultra their limits which they cannot passe Our comfort is that both the deceivers and the deceived are ordered by the providence of God Iob 12.16 he sets down the time when they shall begin and limits them how long they shall continue he orders how far men shall deceive and to what height they shall come and prevaile and when to stop them that they may proceed no further for as the maliciousnesse so the deceivablenesse of men would know no bounds if God did not bound it but because he doth therefore though they would yet they shall proceed no further No man can do good till God assist him and no man shall do hurt when God will stop him Rev. 20.3 These seducers in the Text had a mind to proceed further their will was to oppose truth and propagate errour in infinitum without end but they have now gone to the utmost of their line they are come to their border and bound they shall proceed no further but it shall appear to all men that the doctrine which they stood for was nothing else but a bundle of folly and that the Doctrine which they withstood was the truth and wisdom of God 2. Observe here the difference that is between Truth and Falshood The one hath its Non ultra it suddenly riseth comes to its height and then vanisheth 'T is a plant which God hath not planted and therefore is rooted up Matth. 15.13 't is no sooner discovered but 't is explodâ—d by the people of God especially Heresies are seldome Long-lived such Meteors last not long such Mushroms soon vanish witnesse Becold Knipperdolling Phifer c. Though for a time they may deceive many yet in a short time God discovers their Hypocrisie to their reproach The Church is like a Lilly amongst Thornes Cant. 2.2 Tyranny and Popery on one hand and intestine Hereticks on the other Yet God in his wisdom so orders them that not onely their wrath but their rage shall turn to his praise and the remainder of their rage he will restrain Psal. 76.10 Every Heresie is like a cloud which for a little time darkens the Church and then vanisheth We may say of them as Athanasius said of Iulian Nubecula est transibit citò But truth though it meet with opposition at first and hath few followers yet increaseth and prevailes against all opposition It hath its Plus ultra 't is perpetuall and endures for ever The devices of men shall fall but that which is of God shall stand Acts 5.38 39. Heaven and earth may fail but not a jod or title of Gods word shall fail This stands more firme then the Pillars of the earth or the Poles of Heaven There is nothing so perfect on earth but it hath an end Wisdome Beauty Riches Strength David saw an end of such perfections Psal. 119.96 onely Gods word abides for ever Isay 40.8 Matth. 24.35 Truth may be prest and opprest but never totally supprest becanse it 's built upon the word of God which is an invincible rock Eph. 2.20 Let not then the flood of Heresies which hath overflown the land make us despondent or despaire for as we have seen their rise and reigne so we shall suddenly see their ruine What 's become of the Arrians Donatisâ—s Novatians Pelagians c. though like a mighty flood they drowned all for a time yet like a flood they were quickly dried up again God is the same to the same sinners he that brought down the Sects and Schismes of former ages can and will in his due time bring down ours Quest. But when will it once be we rather see an increase then a decrease â—f Sects and Heresies Answ. Yet in due time God will arise and will visit their sin upon them and cast them out as an unprofitable branch Quest. But when is that fit time Answ. When the Church is lowest and all seems to make against it so that all its power is gone then God appeares Deut. 32.16 Gen. 22.14 Exod. 3.9 cum duplicantur lateres venit Moses God lets things come to extremity for his own greater glory When Ashur cannot save us but we are fatherless and helpless then God loves to shew mercy Hos. 14.3 Psal. 12.5 and 78.58 when we lye like dry bones in a helpless forlorn condition then God comes and breaths upon us and makes us live Ezek. 37.11 to 15. when the earth languisheth Isay 33.9 10. Now now now will God arise Exod. 14.13 14. when Iob had lost all and was poor even to a Proverb then God appears and gives him double makeing his latter end better then his beginning Iob 42.12 when the Priest and the Levite passe by then comes the good Samaritan with the Oyl of gladness When father and mother forsake us then God takes us up There is a wheel in the midst of all these wheels and when we think they go backward God can make them go forward Ezek. 1.16 and when 't is night with us he can make it light Zach. 14.7 at even when we expect nothing but darknesse then it shall be light T is at mid-night when he 's least expected that the bridegroom comes when the Ship is sinking and Lazarus stinks in his grave and all men forsake Paul then Christ appears When we are in the greatest danger then God is nearest to deliver He 's auxilium in angustiis praesentissimum Psal. 46.1 when there is no visible means by which Iacob should arise but he 's low in Temporals and low in Spirituals then God appears Amos 2.5 God is never nearer to his people then when they are in the greatest extremity Though the world see it not and sometimes his own people cannot discern his presence and therefore they cry How long Lord wilt thou hide thy self God was never nearer to
Auditours may be convinced of the Truth he pleads for and the errour which he opposeth Where the Gospel is plainly and powerfully preached there Satans Kingdome suddenly falls Luke 10.18 When the Sunne ariseth the Clouds scatter and where the Son of Righteousnesse is powerfully preached and published Hereticks hide themselves and dare not make that open sale of their Wares as they doe in dark corners Let us therefore pull off their Masks of Liberty their sleeves of Sanctity and their Trappings of Hypocrisie Let us expose their errour stript and naked in their own Natural deformity and they will soon be exploded by all so that they shall proceed no further 5. Observe As God confounded the Magitians of old so he will confound the Juglers of our time in his due time They shall not alwayes prosper that oppose the Truth the time is at hand when their madnesse shall appear and they shall proceed no further As God hath brought down those which were of No Religion so he will bring down those that are of All Religions Deus dabit his quoque finem Babel must down as well as Babylon and the making of them naked is a preparatory work to the making of them desolate Revelations 17.16 God is a just God he 's alwayes like himself to the like sinners he sends the like punishments He 's Iehovah he changeth not but is the same yesterday and to day and the same for ever So that as the promises made of old to believers must be applied by us Ioshua 1.5 compared with Hebrewes 13.5 though the Promise was made to Ioshua yet all the faithful must apply it to themselves for that which belongs to one believer as a believer belongs to every believer What he promiseth to one he promiseth to all which are in that condition for though some may have more Grace yet none have more merit So on the contrary the judgements of God denounced and executed on sinners of old must be applyed by us against the sinners and seducers of our time for whatsoever was written aforetime was writen for our Learning Romans 15.4 Gods judgements on Pharaoh for oppressing Gods people must comfort us when we lie under the oppressions of Tyrants Gods judgements on Corah Dathan and Abiram who usurped the Priests Office and opposed Moses and Aaron endeavouring to Level both Magistracy and Ministery must comfort us who are troubled with the like or worse sinners He that punisht blasphemers of old will not suffer the blasphemers of our time to goe alwayes unpunisht Let this therefore comâ—ort us that as God confounded the Egyptian sorcerers of old who opposed Moses so in his due time he will confound those that oppose his Truth and Ministers he will discover their madnesse unto all even as theirs also was and then they shall proceed no further for though they Rage yet our comfort is the Lord Reignes Psalm 97.1 'T is not said the Lord hath Reigned that we know nor the Lord will Reign for that we believe but the Lord even now in the midst of all these confusions yet still Reigns He destroyeth Destroyers levels Levellers and spoyles the Spoylers of his people He is not onely a Titular but a Tutelar King he Rules and commands all the Kingdoms of the World as pleaseth him he pulls down one and sets up another in the Throne and none may say unto him what dost thou If the Devil Reigned we should all be ruined if the people Reigned we should be confounded but that which comforteth Gods people is this that the Lord still Reigns in the midst of all his enemies Hence the Church sings five or six Halleluâ—ahs together and all for joy that the Lord God Omnipotent Reigns Revelations 19.1 to 7. Let us not then be despondent because of the Devil and his Agents but remember he is but a Creature 2. He 's a chained Creature Iude 6. Revelations 2.10 under the perfect subjection of this great King 3. He 's a conquered Creature Christ hath conquered him for thee and he hath promised to conquer him in thee Romans 16.20 4. He 's a cursed Creature he was cursed in Paradise and is under the everlasting curse of God 5. At the last day thou shalt sit in judement on him 1 Corinthians 6.3 Secondly What though the Devils Agents are many and mighty yet there is a Wiser and a Mightier then they who hath set them their bounds which they cannot passe I have read a Story of a company of men that were at Sea in a great storm and all being ready to be drowned and crying out there was a little boy and he was laughing and said Why are you thus troubled my Father is Pilate of the ship and he will have a care that the ship do not miscarry So when we consider though the Church like a ship in a storm be ready to sink yet that God is the Pilot of the ship and governs all in wisedome for the good of his people this may quiet us in the midst of all our Trials Object If God thus limit wicked men and rule over them how comes it to pass that he suffers wicked men to Tyrannize over his people as they doe Answer We must not condemn Gods wayes because we cannot understand the Reason of what he doth There are mysteries in Gods Kingdome as in all Kingdoms there are secrets of State not fit for all to know 'T is as easie for a man to rake up all the Sea in a Cockle shell as to know the Reason of Gods actions in his Eternal Counsel we must not condemn what we cannot comprehend for God is infinitely wise and knoweth how to bring light out of darkness and order out of confusion 2. He 's infinitely just though his wayes be secret and full of darkness to us yet they are alwayes just When clouds and darkness are round about him then righteousness and judgement are the Habitation of his Throne Psâ—l 97.7 He can make a medicine of the poysenous oppositions of wicked men their â—alice shall be as Horse-leeches to suck out the bad blood as a File to take off the rust as rubbish to cleanse the vessel and wash away the filth and as a Touch-stone to try the Graces of his Children And though his Providences seem to cross his Promises yet wait the Conclusion and you shall see and say he hath done all things well We see in a Clock though the wheels run cross and contrary one to another yet they all conduce to the going of the Clock Iosephs imprisonment is the way to his preferment and Iona's drowning was the means to â—ave him from drowning We must not judge of Gods Actions before they be formed and finisht If a man should come to an Embroyderers shop and behold his work when 't is half made it would look ill favouredly but saith he stay till it be all done and you will commend it When a man puts silver into the Furnace when 't
sight to see Old Mâ—ason's old Cedars in the house of God old disciples whom no storms nor tempests can drive from the truth Acts 21.16 like the Church of Thyatira to have our works more at last then at the first Revel 2.19 like spiritual Sampson we must break the cords of difficulties forgetting what is past and pressing towards the work Like Heroick Luther whom men nor devils could draw or drive from the truth And like another Caesar not cease from doing till all be done Nil actum credens cum quid superesset agendum Instat atrux Lucan Pharsal l. 2. To this end we must first labour to know the truth for how can a man walk in a way which he doth not know 2. When we have found the way we must walk in it with full purpose and resolution Ier. 6.16 Acts 11.23 let the understanding be never so clearly convinct yet if the will resolve not to obey there is no good to be done 3. Lay a good foundation dig deep he that will build high must lay low Deny your own strength and wisdom for in his own strength shall no man be strong 1 Sam. 2.2 9. but we must be strong in the Lord and the Power of his might if ever we look to overcome Ephes. 6.10 if ever we would be able to do or suffer we must get vertue and strength from Christ. Philip. 4.13 We are never stronger then when we are most apprehensive of our own weaknesse 1 Cor. 12.10 nor ever weaker then when we trust most to our selves as we see in Peter and in the book of Martyrs the timerous trembling souls who suspected their own strength were faithful to the death when the proud and Self-confident basely turned with the times 4. Put on the whole armour of God and gird it close to you An ignorant unbelieving unarmed man hath no heart to fight 't is the man that hath the shield of Faith the helmet of Hope the breast-plate of Righteousnesse the girdle of Truth c. that like the valiant horse rejoyceth to meet the armed man Iob 39.19 20. the Apostles were armed with these graces and see how boldly they go on in despight of all opposition 2 Cor. 6.4 to 8. He that would see more of Constancy and perseverance let him peruse Dike on Conscience cap. 9. p. 130. c. Barkers Serm. before the Parliament 1648. on 1 Cor. 15. ult Gatakers Serm. on Revel 2.10 fol. p. 317. Downams Guide to Godlinesse l. 3. c. 1. and l. 4. c. 8 9 10 Hildersham on Psal. 51.7 Lect. 144. to 150. all those six last Lectures are very useful for our times M. Vennings Serm. on Rev. 2.5 In the things which thou hast learned Observe That even the best are learners here Whilest wee live in this world though we should live Methuselahs dayes yet we may learn something still We know but in part and the most perfect are imperfect here Object We have the Spirit to teach us Answ. So had David who yet desires to be taught still Psal. 119. So had Paul who yet prest forward toward the mark still Philip. 3.12 13 14. he disclaimes perfection and desires to know Christ more clearly Our learning doth not hinder but further the work of the Spirit in our souls Timothy that had a plentiful measure of the spirit for he was an Evangelist yet must give himself to reading and meditation still 1 Tim. 4.13 Such is the profoundnesse of the Scripture that he who knoweth most may still learn more and the more we know the more we shall acknowledge our ignorance And hast been assured of or as others read it which hath been committed to thee The truth was not barely delivered to Timothy but it was committed to him to be kept as a sacred Treasury with the greatest care Observe That the Truth of God revealed in the Scripture is a sacred depositum a choyce Treasure a precious Jewel which must be carefully kept by all Christians and especially by the Ministers of Christ. The Oracles of God and the doctrine of the Gospel is more specially committed to our care and fidelity that we may publish it to others 'T is true every private Christian in his Sphere and Calling ought to preserve the truth and contend for the faith Iude 3. we cannot keep the truth without strong contention the word signifies to strive with all our might or say some it's to strive one after another in our places and successive generations Insuper certare or certamen repetere it 's not enough to strive once and to assert the truth but we must doe it again and again after one another as oft as the Truth is opposed But the Gospel is committed primarily to the care of Christs Ministers they are his Heralds to proclaim and publish it to the world as appeares 1 Tim. 1.11 and 6.20 and 2.1 14. 1 Thes. 2.4 Titus 1.3 1 Cor. 9.17 Gal. 2.7 of all men Ministers must hold fast the faithful word Titus 1.9 we must hold it against all opposition and hold it with both hands hold it with all our strength hold it in our Judgements in our Affections in our Practice part with it at no rate to Schismaticks Hereticks false Prophets c. As Moses was faithfull and would not part with a hoof to Pharaoh so we must not part with a tittle of Gods truth to his enemies for all Truths even the least are precious truth is like gold which is glorious in the Ray and Spangle as well as in the wedge As 't is in Practicals he that makes no conscience of little sins will quickly be drawn to greater so 't is true and holds in Doctrinalls he that admits of a little error will soon be drawne to a greater Though every truth be not fundamental yet every truth is a guard to the foundation the outer skin of an Apple lyes remote from the heart yet if you pluck that off the heart will soon be rotten The finger is not a vital part but a Gangrene in the finger will in a short time reach to the very vitals and corrupt the blood with the spirits Not onely the garment of Truth but the fringes thereof are useful and must be preserved Numb 15.38 39 40. We experimentally see that those who forsake Truth in Discipline quickly fall to errors in Doctrine We shall hardly find a man that erres in the one to be sound in the other As therefore we must count no sin small so we must esteem no error small for the least truth of Gods Kingdome doth in its place uphold the whole Kingdome of his truth Take away the least Vericulum out of the world and it unworlds all Potentially and may unravell the whole Texture Actually if it be not conserved by an extraordinary power 2. Consider that truth is the choycest gift which God ever gave to the sonnes of men it is better then any created Ens or Bonum which
were the Messiah Christ proves it out of Isay 35. 53. and 61. when others Questioned the Resurrection Christ confutes them out of Exodus 4. I am the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob When a Question arose about Divorcements Christ hath recourse presently to the Old Testament and alledgeth those words Genesis 2. For this cause a man shall leave Father and Mother and they two not they twenty as the Polygamistical Anabaptists would have it shall be one flesh So when the Pharisees accused Christs Disciples for breach of the Sabbath Christ presently defends them with an Old Testament proof Matthew 12.3 compared with 1 Samuel 21.6 So when the Scribes and Pharisees taught for Doctrines the Precepts of men Christ confutes them out of Isay 29 13. When Christ would teach men to deal justly and to doe as they would be done by he proves it from the Law and the Prophets which comprehend the whole Old Testament Mat. 7.12 So did Paul Acts 26.22 and 28.23 he taught nothing but what was written in the Law and the Prophets So Ephesians 6.2 3. and Peter confirmed what he said out of the Old Testament 1 Peter 2.4 and 1.1 15. When Paul would fright men from murmuring he brings an Old Testament Example 1 Cor. 10.6.11 All these things are written for our Example So he proves Justification by Faith out of the Old Testament by Abrahams being justified by Faith Rom. 4. He proves the maintenance of Ministers to be due from the Law 1 Cor. 9.7 8. All this proves that the Old Testament is not abrogated 3. The Word of the Lord endures for ever not a Jod or tittle of it shall pass away till all be fulfilled Matthew 5.18 But the writings of Moses and the Prophets are the Word of God Hence they are called His Statutes his Testimonies his Law and his Commandements and in our doubts we must to the Law and Testimony as our Rule Isay 8.20 and Peter tells us 2 Peter 1.19 that we have a more sure word of Prophesie speaking of the Old Testament whereunto ye do well to take heed as to a light shining in a dark place and if they do well that take it for their Rule and Guide then they do ill that reject it to follow some Ignis fatuus some New-light of their own inventing 4. He that denieth the Old Testament when it crosseth his Lusts will when a Tempation comes deny the New Testament also for the Pen-men of the Old Testament were inspired with the same Holy Spirit of Truth as were the Penmen of the New There is but one Spirit 2 Corinthians 4.13 and it cannot speak Truth in Paul and falshood in Moses but the same Holy Spirit which spake by Peter Paul Iohn c. Spake also by Moses Isay David Ieremy Luke 1.70 Hebrewes 1.1 2 Peter 1.21 Question one and you will quickly question all Question Moses and you will question Matthew Question Matthew and you will question Paul till at last with the Quakers you have cast off all For what is the Old Testament but the New obscure And what is the New Testament but the Old made plain both have an eye to Christ they being saved in the Old Testament by believing that Christ would come and we in the New by believing that Christ is come So that deny one and you will quickly deny both 5 The Anabaptists themselves who cry out most against Old Testament proofs yet are as ready as any to borrow proofs from thence when they think it may make for their advantage Thus the Anabaptists in Germany that cried down the Old Testament yet went about to justifie their rising against their Superiours from the Example of the Israelites rising against Pharaoh and when we demand what grounds they have to preach without a call they can then cite Numbers 11.25 2 Chronicles 17.7 Ioel 2.28 I hope they will allow us the same Liberty which they take themselves and when we cite Old Testament proofs against Tolerations and for punishing blasphemers with death they will not be offended 6. How shall we be able to convince a Jew that Christ is the true Messias It must be out of the Old Testament for the New he wil not believe Now that Christ is already come according to the Promises and Prophesies of him is as cleare as the Sunne by Old Testament proofes 1. He came into the World at the time foretold Daniel 9.24 after seventy weaks i. fourty nine years the Messiah shall come therefore the Messiah is now for from that time till now is two thousand yeares and more as appears by History 2. The place of his Birth was foretod Micah 5.2 and accordingly Christ was born at Bethlem Matthew 2.6 3. 'T was prophesied that he should be meeke and lowly not a glorious earthly King that should come with fire and sword to subdue Kingdomes Isay 42.2 Zech. 9.9 accordingly he was so Matt. 11.28 4. 'T was prophesied that he should be crucified Psalm 21. Isay 53. and he was so Matthew 26.3 'T was prophesied that he should rise again Psalm 16. and he did so Matthew 28. and Gods judgements on the Jewes to this day who desired his blood might be on them and their children and it is so for at this day they are a cursed scattered contemptible people This Argument convinced a Jew fourscore yeares agoe in England Thus we see the necessity of the Old Testament in this respect See more Reasons in Master Rowles Confession of Faith p. 30.31 c. An Answer to the Anabaptisticall cavils against the Old Testament Objection If the Old Testament be not abrogated then we are still bound to Circumcision Sacrifice and other Legal Rites Answer It doth not follow for though these Jewish Ceremonies are now abolisht yet it may be useful to know them though we are not bound to the Practice of them 1. That we may see what the Jewish Paedagogy was and how God ruled his Church then 2. That we may be thankful to God who hath set us in a better condition and eased of all those tiresome journeyes and costly sacrifices Now what fallacious arguing is this because the Types and Sacrifices of the Old Testament are abolisht Ergo all the Old Testament is abolisht Every freshman can tell them à parte ad totum non valet Argumentum E. g. Some compounded Anabaptists are notorious Heretickes shall we therefore conclude that all are so All that they can gather is this That since the Ceremonial Law is ceast Ergo something in the Old Testament is ceast This no man denies but under this pretence to cast off all the Old Testament wherein are so many excellent instructions tending to Faith and good Life is most unjust and ungodly dealing and this may serve in Answer to that Socinian Argument from Heb. 8.13 and 7.18 where the Old Covenant is said to vanish Answer The Apostle speaks not there of the Doctrine of Moses and the
For the condemning of Vsury and oppression how full is the Old Testament yet Usury is scarce mentioned in the New Testament 3. How then should Magistrates put Blasphemers Adulterers and witches to death since the scriptural warrants which make these crimes Capital are contained in the Old Testament and not in the New 4. Then it would not be unlawful to marry within the Degrees forbidden in the Old Testament and not in the New hence some Sectaries have maintained that 't is lawful to marry within the Degrees forbidden in the Old Testament c. 2. Since the Old Test. is the very word of God and there are contained in it so many excellent promises to support our faith and so many precious Truths and Commands for the direction of our lives oh let us read it study it meditate in it night and day Psalm 1.1 2. As Ministers must preach the whole counsell of God to their people Acts 20.27 so people should desire to hear and know all Gods counsell revealed to us in the Old and New Testament things revealed concerne us Deut. 29.29 â—ince we have Moses and the Prophets we must not expect Revelations Luke 16.29 This is that foundation upon which all the faithfull must build Ephesians 2.20 being built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets i. e. on the Doctrine of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament a house without a foundation will soon fall He that knowes not Gods will revealed in Scripture must needs miscarry Hence 't is that Christ would not have us barely read but search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 of the Old Testament where we shall find many excellent Lessons 1. There we may see the glorious work of Creation how God made man holy and happy how we lost this happinesse and how by Christ we are restored again Gen. 3. and 2. To fear us from sin here we may see Gods judgements on the Old world Sodom Pharaoh Egypt Ierusalem and Lots wife whom Christ commands us to remember Luke 17.33 and if we must remember her why not all the rest of these examples which are recorded in the Old Testam 3. Here are many sweet promises to quicken us to obedience Deut. 28.1 to 15. 4. Here are Precepts for practice to direct us in our duty 5. Here we may see the examples of Gods servants walking up to those Precepts and how wonderfully God preserved them in their integrity Here you may see Abrahams Faith Lots Hospitality Iobs Patience Davids Zeale Iosephs Chastity Noahs Righteousnesse Moses his Meeknesse Ioshua's Valour These must be as so many goads to quicken us to the like Graces and as so many Looking-glasses for us to dress our selves by 6. The Old Testament gives great light to the New there is a mutual Harmony and agreement between them so that like stones in an Arch they strengthen and hold up one another We cannot so well understand many places of the New Testamentt unlesse we compare them with the Old Hence Christ oft speaks and the Law Iohn 1.17 and and 5.46 Luke 24.27 44. who could understand that dark Epistle to the Hebrews which is even composed out of the Old Test. it's Types and Allegories if he have not some insight iâ— the Old Test. So Iohn 3.14 cannot be understood without some knowledge of the brazen Serpent mentioned in the Old Test. The Old Test. in many things is larger then the New and so is very needful to be known There 's Physicks in Genesis Iob Psalms 2. There 's Ethicks in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes for the right ordering of our lives 3. Politicks in the Judicial Laws of Moses very useful for the well-ordering of a common-wealth 4. There is in the Old Testament the best pleasantest and truest of Histories from the beginning of the world to our Saviours time here we have the Rise and Ruine of many famous Kings and Kingdomes for the space of nigh 4000. yeares exactly and faithfully which is the life and glory of History set forth unto us Other Histories may be excellent but Scripture-History excels them all Let us then embrace the Scriptures of the Old Testament as the good word of God written for our Learning and a word that still speaks unto us as unto Children Heb. 12.5 and 13.5 1 Cor. 10 11. in Doctrines Exhortations and Comforts And since Old and New Testament are both the infallible word of God let us receive it with all Humility and Thankfulnesse as an Epistle sent to us from the great God Here is the Fountain the Life and all the Treasures of wisdome included Here is all things needful for our salvation in it is nothing superfluous or vaine but a sweet harmony and agreement of all parts and therefore is to be wholly received by us for as the Phylosopher delights in all Aristotle the Physician in Galen the Orator in Tully and the Lawyer in Iustinian so and much more should a Christian embrace the whole Bible and welcome it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prizing it as one of the choycest gifts which ever God gave to the sonnes of men How zealously did our Fore-fathers considering their light affect the Scriptures when one of them in the beginning of the Reformation gave a load of Hay for a piece of the Epistle of Saint Iames in English How will their forwardnesse condemn our backwardnesse and their zeale our Lukewarmnesse The Holy Scriptures c. So here what a large Encomium and high commendation the Holy Ghost gives of the Scriptures even such as is given to no other book in the world besides 1. He commends them in respect of one speciall property and adjunct viz. their Holinesse The Holy Scriptures 2. From their Effects they are able to make us wise unto salvation 3. From their Authority Verse 16 17. Utility Verse 16 17. Perfection Verse 16 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Holy Scriptures 'T is not simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Those eminently holy letters those sacred Scriptures the article is emphatical and therefore the Holy Ghost to distinguish these sacred writings from all profane writings gives them such Adjuncts and Epithets as are incompatible to all other writings whatsoevr Now the Reason why God would have his word written is this viz. that it might be kept the better and be propagated to posterity and be more easily kept and vindicated from corruption then Revelations could have been 2 Peter 1.19 Observe The word of God is holy Scriptures this is it's proper Adjunct and excellency 't is holy Rom. 1.2 They are perfectly holy in themseves all other writings are prophane further then they draw some holinesse from them which yet is never such but that their holinesse is imperfect Now the Scriptures are called holy in five respects 1. In respect of their Authour and principal cause viz. the most holy God 2. In respect of the Pen-men aud instrumental cause they were holy men
fare the better for them every day why is the heap of chaff kept from burning but because there 's some wheat mixt with it but if once the wheat were out the chaff should soon be set on fire When once the number of Gods Elect is accomplisht the world shall not stand a moment 'T is just with God to take them from us for our abusing them we cast dirt and God casts dust on them many great men are fallen of late in this our English Israel nigh an hundred godly Ministers are taken from us within the space of three years past many of them young and eminent for Piety so that we this day are weakned both in Church and State Ioseph is not and Simeon is not and Benjamin is not all these things are against us This is and should be a Lamentation to us Now since there is such aboundance of false fire and fein'd zeal in the world we had the more need to try our own Some are mislead by a blind zeal Rom. 20.2 Others by an indiscreet zeal Matth. 26.51 Luke 9.52 53 54. Iohn 8. ult Others by an hyrocritical zeal they pretend Religion but they intend their own inriching So Demetrius pretended the preservation of Religion when indeed he intended his own silver Trade Acts 19 24. 1. True zeal is known by the Rise and Original of it 1. If it be wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God we are not born zealous for God his Truth and People but by nature are full of enmity to all these Acts 9.1 Phil. 36. Paul in his natural state persecutes the Church out of a blind zeal many mistake the fire of their own flints and the fire of Hell for this celestial fire But the Author of all true zeal and Heavenly fire is the holy Spirit of God which is oft called fire Acts 2.3 4. Matth. 3.11 because like fire it inlightens and heats our cold and frozen hearts Luke 24.32 A man that hath fire in his bosom will quickly be sensible of it Prov. 6.27 28. 2. T is operative like fire daily burning up our lusts purging out our dross and working out our scumme 'T is the true purgatory fire which all beleevers pass through Isay 4.4 2. It springs from knowledge as David first beleeved and then spake so the zealous man first knows Gods Will and then is zealous in the prosecution of it Blind zeal is rather fury and madness rashness and rudeness then zeal 'T is celeris cursus extra viam It 's like mettle in a blind Horse which carries the Rider into many dangers Like a Ship without a Pilot which runs it self on many Rocks and Sands Like wild-fire in a Fools hand or the Devil in the Demoniack which cast him sometimes into the fire and anon into the water The Jews had a zeal after Legal Rites and Ceremonies but 't was a blind zeal that But spoiled all Rom. 10.2 as without knowledg the mind is not good so neither is the man nor his zeal Prov. 19.2 as blind obedience is no obedience so blind zeal is not zeal Such is the zeal of Papists and Sectaries 3. It springs from a Love to Christ this constrains us to do and suffer for Christ. 2 Cor. 5.14 As Christ loved us and spent himself for us so the sense of this love being shed abroad in our hearts will make us to spend our selves for him This fire of Gods love to us will make us contemn all other fire 4. When it springs from a Love and Compassion to our Brethren when all our admonishions and reproofs come from a spirit of love and tenderness and are mixt with meekness and mourning this is true zeal Thus Samuel 1.16 tells Saul plainely and sharply of his sin yet mourns for his person Lot reproves the Sodomites for their wickedness yet calls them Brethren Gen. 19.7 Christ was angry at the sin yet mourned for the sinners Mark 3.5 So doth Paul 2 Cor. 12.22 Hot and moist is the best temper both in nature and grace When men rave and rage and are full of bitterness then Satan casts out Satan and they do more hurt then good These hate the sinner and not the sin when the good man is merciful to the sinner but cruel and unmerciful to the sin 2. True zeal is known by its End viz. Gods glory It can be content to decrease so Gods honor may increase Iohn 3.30 As true zeal comes from God so 't is for God and his glory and not for self The hypocrite may seem very zealous but 't is for his own ends like the Shecaâ—ites that would be cirumcised that they might get cattle Gen. 34.33 Iehu did an act that for the matter was good but his selfish Vain-glorious ends marred all and made it murder Hosea 1.4 3. By the properties and effects of it which are five 1. It increaseth by opposition Like Fountain-water 't is hottest in the coldest weather As water cast on lime by an Antiperistasis burnes more fiercely The more the wicked oppose Gods Law the more David loves it Psal. 119.126 If Michol mock David for dancing before the Ark he 'l resolve to be yet more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 True zeal over-looks and over-leaps all lets and impediments difficulties are but whet-stones to fortitude Heroick spirits know not what discouragements mean Many waters of opposition cannot quench this ardent love but intend it rather Cant. 8.6 7. As we see in Iacob Gen. 32.24 25 26. and the Woman of Canaan Tell Caleb there are Anakims and he 'l say le ts go up couragiously against them Numb 13.30 Tell Paul of bonds why he fears not death Hypocrites make a great shew till they meet with oppositions and then like snailes they pull in their horns 2. It will make us abound in duty if there be the fire of zeal within there will be a flame of a holy Conversation without love especially zealous love is bountiful it thinks it can never do enough for God he 's glad he hath any thing of worth to lose for him and resolves with the Martyr if he had as many lives to lose as he hath haires on his head and as much blood to venture as there is water in the Sea it should all go for Christ. They are ready to act to their power yea and beyond their power 2 Cor. 8.3 Zeal is a very high and intensive heat of all the affections it makes us burn in our love to God in our desires after him our joy in him our fear to offend him our indignation against all that speak or do any thing against him or his Psal. 139.21 Ier. 13.9 10. 'T is not so much any one Affection as the intensive Degree of all when they are all improved to the utmost for the furtherance of Gods glory and the good of his People A zealous man is a man of mettle and spirit he 's all life and activity 'T
thee Isaiah 51.2 1. Objection I am but a woman the weaker Vessel and therefore my zeal can doe but little good Answer Yet thou mayest doe somewhat for God we reade in Scripture what great things God hath done by women Deborah and Iael two excellent women The one ruled with an Heroick Spirit the other killed Sisera a valiant Commander Iudges 4.4 5.22 The woman of Abel by her prudence saved the City 2 Samuel 20.16.22 Abigail by her wisedome preserved her husband and family from an imminent danger The Shunamite that great good woman stirred up her husband to entertain Elisha to the great benefit of her family and Hester was a means to save the Jewes from ruine God loveth to hang the greatest weights on the weakest wyres and to doe great things by weak Instruments that his Name may have all the Glory 3. Objection It is good to be discreet and wise in what we doe Answer Discretion doth not hinder but further our zeal it doth not diminish it but directs it and therefore they are not to be Opposed but Composed and made subservient to each other Prudence doth not abate our Diligence but guideth it in its work it teacheth us not to doe lesse but to doe better Thus there is an Harmony amongst the Graces and we may in no wise set them at variance amongst themselves Yet 't is the property of the men of the world to accuse Gods faithful ministers who tell them discreetly and zealously of their sins for rash heady men and such as want discretion Thus when Bishop Latimer reproved the sins of the Court they would accuse him for lack of discretion It rejoyceth me saith he when my Friend telleth me that they finde fault with my indiscretion for by likelyhood the Doctrine is true for if they could finde fault with my Doctrine they would not charge me with lack of discretion c. 4. Objection It is good to be moderate Vertue consisteth in a mean Answer Moderation in our own causes and quarrels doth well Phil. 4.5 But moderation and indifferency in Gods Cause is not moderation but luke-warmness and coldness which God abhorreth and if wicked men will not content themselves with moderation in pursuit of their lusts and Idols Ier. 8.2 but will spend their estates lavish Gold out of the bag upon them Isay 46.6 shall not we in an holy prodigality spend our selves and what we have from God for his honour 'T is true in Moral Vertues which are circa res medias the mean is best But Religion admits of no mediocrity e. g. our love to God and our hatred against sin can never be too intense Yea no Vertue in its formal Reason can be too much intended nor admit of an excess that man that saith he hath zeal enough had never any true zeal at all The Apostle saith its good to be zealous in a good thing and is not zeal then best in the best things and are there any things better then God his Truth Worship People Is it good to be earnest for a friend and is it not much better to be zealous for God The things we strive for are so Excellent that no zeal can be too much 'T is for a Kingdome for an Heavenly Kingdome 't is for Christ for grace and glory and if thou canst finde any thing in the world that better deserveth thy zeal let it have it 5. Objection The Apostle would have Timothy to be gentle 2 Timothy 2.24 Answer True for he was imployed amongst the Gentiles who were newly converted to the Faith and therefore must be wisely and gently handled such bruised Reeds must not be broken but when men are obstinate they must be rebuked with all authority Titus 2.15 6. Observation If we be thus zealous we may loose all Answer True and yet be no loosers neither The Martyrs lost all and yet were gainers God will make up your losses in a better kind Matth. 10.37 Let us do our duty and commit the success to God Many like Ammaziah could be content to do Gods Will but they are affraid of looseing some hundreds of Talents by it but the Prophets answer may satisfie us The Lord is able to give thee much more then that 2 Cor. 25.9 7. Observation I may bring paine and sorrow on my selfe by my forwardness Answer Thou mayest bring greater sorrow on thy selfe by thy backwardnesse 2. Wee see what pain men will endure to preserve a Natural life and shall we endure nothing for our spiritual life 3. God will assist thee and in the multitude of thy perplexities he will delight thy soul Psalm 94.19 8. Observation The world will thinke us mad and out of our wits if we thus oppose their sinfull counsels Answer This is no new thing Christ himself was called mad and they said that he had a Devil Mark 3.21 the Disciple is not above his Master But of this see more in 2 Tim. 3.9 9. Observation I am of a dull and heavy constitution and therefore it cannot be expected that I should be so hot as others Answer See how 't is with thee in other things art full of life spirit and activity for profits and pleasures and yet hast thou no mettle nor life for God and his worship certainly the fault is not in thy cold constitutiâ—n but in thy wretched corruption where thou lovest thou hast heat enough Let a man touch the coldest of you in your gains pleasures reputations and you have heat more then enough onely Gods honour lieth unregarded by you 2. Suppose thou art of a sad and heavy constitution yet Grace is above Nature it rayseth and rectifieth it 'T is like gold in the Mine which turneth every thing into the nature of it Hence the Spirit of Grace is compared to Oyle which is a Royal liquor and will be above all Now to quicken you take these Considerations and Motives 1. Consider this is no Arbitrary or indifferent thing but 't is that which God hath oft commanded That we should love him with all our strength i. zealously and sincerely Deut. 6.5 and do what we do with all our might Eccles. 9.10 Rom. 12.11 Striving and earnestly contending for the faith Iude. 3. The compound implieth an ardent and vehement defence of the Truth we must contend for it with our utmost strength Truth is a precious Jewel and heavenly Treasure which we must labour to preserve unto Posterity One grain of it is of more worth then all the world Malim ut pereat totus mundus quà m veritatis mica said Luther Little deviations from the Truth must not be suffered least they increase to greater as thin exhalations turn into thick clouds and little sparks make great fires God will not have his least commandments contemned Matth. 5.19 Hence Christ commands us not onely to destroy Vulpes sed Vul peculas even the litle Foxes that hurt his Vine Cant. 2.15 But we are not put to contend pro tricis
sweet and pleasant things or nothing They forbid Gods messengers to preach to them unless they 'l preach smooth and pleasing things of peace prosperity and pleasure though they walk in a sinful path and have no right to them Isai. 30.9 10. They say to the seers see not and to the Prophets prophesy not to us right things speak unto us smooth things prophesie deceits They love such as preach the visions of their own brain and sow pillows under mens elbows dawbing with untempered mortar Ezek. 13.10 11. When Prophets prophesy falsly and people shall love the lyes and flatteries of such Impostors better then Gods truth what will the issue and end of such practices be but misery and destruction Ierem. 5.31 and 6.12 13 14. Micah 3.11 12. But as for sound men they love sound Doctrine they desire it Psal. 43.3 They come to it Iohn 3.21 and bless God for it 1 Sam. 25.32 33. Observation 5. In the last dayes there will be many false Teachers There will not be one or two but there will be heaps of them the world will swarm with them Men will have variety of lusts and those call for variety of Teachers to uphold them Good Men and specially good Ministers are rare they are one of a thousand Job 33.23 But wicked ones abound there is much dross but little gold much chaff but little wheat many weeds few good flowers If the Devil have any work to do he wants no Agents to effect it If Ahab will not hearken to Micajah a true Prophet the Devil hath four hundred false ones ready to delude him 1 Kings 22.6 21 22. If men once set open their doors they shall not want Deceivers When Prophets prophesie falsly and people love to have it so 't is just with God to send them Teachers according to their own desire that he who is Heretical may be Heretical still and he that is profane may be profane still When men sleight truth they shall have Teachers which shall be Gods Executioners to bind them and blind them and lead them into error As God punisht the contempt of light in former ages by giving men up to Antichrist to be deluded by Monks Friars Lyars because they received not the truth in love so now he punisheth formality and contempt of the Gospel by giving men up in the hands of Socinians and such like Seducers which shall feed them with fables instead of truth Such as go to their Assemblies may say of them as Dionysius Calderminus said of the Masse Eamus ad communem errorem Let 's go to the shop and sink of errors Let us get our hearts stablisht with grace and then we shall not be carried about with these strange Doctors and their various doctrines Heb. 13.9 6. Observe as all other parts of man so amongst the rest the ear hath it's diseases Since the fall we are â—razed in our intellectuals in our morals and diseased in eyes and ears hence we read of a deaf ear Isai. 6.9 10. Micah 7.16 Rom. 11.8 an uncircumcised ear Acts 7.51 a dull eare Heb. 5.11 and an itching ear which is all for vain new curious things In the last dayes men will be so delicate that they will not endure common truths nor plain and profitable preaching but their Itching ears must have Clawing speakers which will speak sweet and pleasing things And this is the reason why one false Teacher prevails more in an hour in a corner then a Preacher of Truth can do in many years 't is because he preacheth Placentia and vents such things as are sutable to corrupt Nature Salt is fitter for such then Oyl though it be more searching yet it is more soveraign This Itching-disease was never so common as in our dayes we can meet with few but they have scabs upon them one hath the seal of Arminianism another hath the botch of Socinianism One hath the itch of Anabaptism another hath the scurff of Antinominianism Some have the itch in their feet they run after fools and fables some in their eyes they wander after vanities and others in their ears harkning after novelty We read in Scripture of a twofold itch A penal itch afflictive itch upon the body Deut. 28.27 The Lord shall smite thee with the scab and with an incurable itch Now this is nothing comparatively for though it be irksom to the body yet it may be good for the soul however 't is a judgement by which God is honoured but the itch of sin is the evil of evils there 's no goodness in it 2. There is a sinful spiritual itch upon the soul which is sevenfold viz. an itch of 1. Novelty 2. Curiosity 3. Singularity 4. Popularity 5. Flattery 6. Disputing 7. Quarrrelling 1. There is an Athenian Itch when men are all for Noveltie They must have Novum aut nihil Ordinary Truths will not down with them they must have New-notions which are extraordinary They are surfeted with old and wholesom Truths they must now hear some New Doctrine Acts 17.19 Not that a modest humble inquiry after Truth is to be condemned as Novelty as the Papists condemn us for Novelists because we have forsaken their by-paths to walk in the good old way which leads to rest Ier. 6.16 But 't is no wonder that pious paths seem new to them to whom the Gospel it self is new 2. An Itch of Curiosity when men will be wise above what is written Rom. 12.3 1 Cor. 4.6 And love to pry into Gods secrets and scan the Mysteries of Religion by carnal reason God oft plagues such curiosity with a fall when pride is in the saddle a fall is on the croopâ—r this pride is the mother of heresy Yet how many pry so long into the secrets of nature till they are past grace and seek so long after the Philosophers stone till at last they find the Devil himself God is displeased with such 1 Sam. 6.19 'T is his prerogative royal to have something in several that he might be the more admired in his deep mysteries we should not therefore desire a reason of his wayes beyond his revealed will Deut. 29. ult Rom. 9.20 In this our safety is to â—it still Exod. 33.18 20. And with the Apostle to adore those depths and counsels which we cannot fathom Rom. 11.33 See more in Church his Treasury p. 149 c. Granatensis p. 436 c. Tactica 5. Cap. 4. Sect. 4. p. 50.51 3. An Itch of singularity how many in our dayes for fear of popularity run into singularity they grow weary of sound solid savory and approved doctrine hunting after some aery speculations delighting themselves in some Terrâ— incognita in some untrodden paths of Divinity till thy fall into a snare This was the disease of the School-men like Nimrod to get themselves a Name they builded Babels to their own confusion I wish this scabies scalpenda this skurvy itch had onely infected the Vulgar but alas
whose main adversary is in his own bosom With what face can he fight against the beasts of the time who is himself a beast 3. The Matter is good 't is for Christ and his Kingdom for his truth and people and that against the basest enemies against sin and Satan and a world of wicked men There is nothing worth contending for in comparison of Gods truth and worship as we must contend for the obtaining of it so also for the preserving of it Iude 3. 'T was the great honour of Chamier that he strenuously fought the Lords battles against that man of sin and though many sons of the French Church had done worthily yet he excelled them all 4. The Manner of this fight must be good we must strive Lawfully if ever we would be crowned 2 Tim. 2.5 As those that strove for Masteries were not presently graced with Garlands unless they strove according to the Lawes prescribed though never so difficult and painful So unless we fight both for matter and manner both in preparation and execution according to the Rules prescribed in the Word we can never attain the Crown of Righteousness 5. The End must be good 't is that which crowns and denominates the work The end of all our working and warring must be to the Glory of God and the salvation of our own and others souls Else let the matter be never so good if the end be self all is lost as we see in Iehu and the Scribes and Pharisees Many fight but it is for their lusts and not for God Iames 4.1 As the heathen in their Agonies fought and run for the honour of Apollo Neptune or Iove but nothing for Iehovah 6. The Armour is good it is composed of the Graces of the Spirit which are compared to Gold Psalm 45.13 't is golden and compleat armour Ephesians 6.13 7. 'T is good in respect of the Issue 'T is victorious the gates of Hell connot prevail against it As Sin Satan Death Hell could not conquer Christ so they shall not be able to conquer the servants of Christ who are by faith ingrafted in him Hence Paul so confidently assureth himselfe of a Crowne of Righteousnesse 8. Our fellow-soldiers are good all the people of God throughout the world dayly fight this good fight against the enemies of their salvation yea the Saints in Heaven were all soldiers in the Church Militant before they came to the Church Triumphant 9. The Reward is good there is none like it It is no lesse then a Crown not of silver or Gold but of Eternal life The Glory of it is unspeakable Hence it is called hidden Mannah a Tree of Life c. Rev. 2.10.17.26 and 3.21 I have finisht my course Q. d. I Paul the aged have fought the good fight and have not onely begun but I have finisht my course Observe 'T is a great comfort to be an old soldier of Christ. Men cashire old decrepit men out of their camps but the older soldiers we are in Christs Church the better and the more acceptable to him 'T was Mnasons commendation that he was an old Disciple Acts 21.16 Paul was converted as the learned conjecture about 25. for he is caâ—led a young man when Stephen was stoned Acts 7.58 Now adolescency by Physitians and others is conceived to begin at 12. extend it self to 25. for when a man is come to his full stature he is called Adult now Paul lived 34. years after his conversion for he died in the thirteenth of Nero so that by this computation he was 61. when he suffered Martyrdome yet he was still the same even when he was Paul the aged as he stileth himselfe Philemon 9. as when he was young Old age is a Crown of Glory and Honourable in it self God commands us to honour such Leviticus 19.32 the Ancient and the Honourable are joyned together Isay 9.15 but then 't is most honourable when it is found in a way of Righteousness Proverbs 16.31 and if in any way of Righteousness then specially in the Ministery when it is fully and faithfully discharged An old Professor of the Truth who hath served God in his Generation deserveth respect and honours but an ancient zealous Minister of the Gospel who hath done and suffered much for Christ his white-head and silver-hairs call for double honour God oftentimes blesseth such with long life as some reward of their labours Psalm 91.16 Prov. 3.16 1. Such begin betimes to serve God and the sooner we come in to him the more honour and service we do him The Apostle mentioneth it to the praise of Andronicus and Iunia that they were in Christ before him i. they believed and were Christians before him Romans 16.7 This made Saint Austine lament that he was converted so late to Christ. 2. He is an old acquaintance of Christs to whom he more familiarly revealeth himself then to young Novices Genesis 18.17 Moses was but 40. dayes in the Mount with God and his face did shine what is 40. dayes to 40. years walking with God Such a one may do much with God for a person or Nation God delights in the prayers of his old servants such as Moses Samuel Noah Iob and Daniel c. 3. He is one that hath got the Art of serving God All Trades have a Mystery Religion hath its Mystery also young beginners are bunglers at it but old Christians are Naturalized and habituated to the holy duties of Mortification and self-denial 4. He is rich in experience a young beginner hath no experience of the deceâ—ts of sin and Satan it is the old soldier that can tell you of the Policies and stratagems in War Iob 12.12 't is with the ancient that there is wisedome and much experience A young man is happier that doth live well but an old man is happier that hath lived well he hath passed through those dangers and difficulties those temptations and Passions which young ones are sayling towards 5. He is a well-rooted firm resolved Christian. An old Disciple is like a Rocke when a young one is like a Reed tossed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine Ephesians 4.14 These adorn Religion in holding out to the last against the solicitations and allurements of sin and Satan They esteem Christs service the best service they are never weary of it though sometimes the flesh clogging them they may be weary in it and this is a great Argument of our sincerity when we are rooted trees of Righteousness fruitful and flourishing in old age Psalm 92.14 6. They shall have a greater reward As they have done more service in their Generations so they shall be recompenced answerably They have been instruments of winning many souls to Christ and so shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Daniel 12.3 Childrens children are the crowne of old Age 't is true of Natural children Proverbs 17.6 But no children are so glorious and glistering a Crown
as those which are spiritual what a comfort is it to a good man when he cometh to die and reflecting on his life past shall see how many he hath won to Christ and can say Behold I and the children which the Lord hath given me And if Hercules had a Crown of Poplar given him for his Conquest over some Monsters what Crownes may these Spirituall Hercules expect who have conquered the Lion of anger the Cacus of covetousness the Hydra of luxury the Cerberus of pride and the Geryon of persecution I have finished my Course Or I have ended my Race Hence Observe 1. That the life of a Christian is a Race 2. We must not onely begin but finish this Race The life of a Christian is oft compared to a Race we must not creep but Run the wayes of Gods Commandements Psal. 119.31 We must not onely be Peripatetickes and Walkers as Enoch and Noah were Genesis 5.22 and 6.9 Though the times that Noah lived in were corrupt times yet he kept himselfe pure shewing like a Light in the middest of a sinnefull Generation the bent of his heart was set to walke with God So did Hezekiah Isay 38.3 and Zachery and Elizabeth Luke 1.5 6.7 In persecuting times they walked with God even in Old Age. But we must also Runne we have a great deal of worke to doe in a little time and therefore had need to be active All our Graces are imperfect as we know but in part 1 Corinthians 13.9 So we believe but in part and hope imperfectly but our Knowledge must increase Ephesians 1.17 18. Colossians 1.9 10. Our Faith must increase 2 Corinthians 10.15 and our Hope abound Romans 15.13 We must forget what is past and press forward towards the marke Philippians 3.12 14. We must So runne that we may obtain 1 Corinthians 9.24 To this end we must Run 1. Rightly 2. Speedily 3. Patiently 4. Cheerfully 5. Circumspectly 6. Resolutely 7. Persevereingly 1. We must run Rightly and Well So did the Galathians for a time Galathians 5.7 Many Runne but it is Celeris cursus extra viam in a wrong path We are all by Nature out of the way we must therefore inquire for the right way which is the good old way of Truth and Holynesse Ieremiah 6.16 which may be known by its narrownesse strictnesse precisenesse it is a way beset with many dangers and difficulties it is not strawed with Roses but Crosses it is beset with many Oppositions and Tentations So that we must strive till we come to an Holy Agony putting to all our strength as Wrestlers doe that strive for Masteries it is a quickening expression 2. You may know which is the right way t is an Holy not a loose licentious way Isaiah 35.8 Having found the right way we must not sit still but 2. We must speedily goe forward in it we must not steppe too and fro for Recreation but still goe on till we come to our journeyes end If God call us to seeke his Face our hearts must answer presently Thy Face Lord we will seek Psal. 27.8 3. Patiently we must Runne and not be weary Isay 49. ult We shall meet with many difficulties there are many Briars and Thorns in our way so that without the shoes of Patience we should tire in our Race Hebrewes 12.1 Many thinke to come to Heaven presently at a Jumpe with a Lord have mercy upon them but Christianity is a Race and not a Jumpe 4. Cheerefully As God loveth a cheerefull Giver so he loveth a cheerfull Observer of his Sabbaths Isaiah 58.13 and of all his Commands he will be served with a willing minde 2 Chronicles 28.9 Psalm 110.3 5. Circumspectly Ephesians 5.15 and discreetly Colossians 4.5 We have many eyes upon us that watch every steppe we take both God and Satan set a Print on our heeles and observe all our goings Job 13.27 and the wicked watch for our halting Jeremiah 20.10 Besides there are many impediments that lye in our way to hinder us in our Race as the cares and pleasures of the World we must get wisedom to discern these snares and avoid them 6. Resolutely and couragiously Like spirituall Sampsons we must breake the Cords of all Oppositions which would hinder us in our Race if all Nations will walke in the name of their Idol gods much more should we Resolve to walke in the Name of our God for ever and ever Micah 4.5 To incourage you have an eye to the Prize and the recompence of Reward Heb. 11.26 and 12.2 7. Persevereingly and constantly We must not onely beginne but finish our course so did Christ he finished his Worke John 17.4 and John fulfilled his course Acts 13.25 Paul regarded not his life so he might finish his worke Acts 20.24 We should serve out our whole time that at last we may be Denizons and Free-men of Heaven Acts 13.36 Such aâ— abide with Christ in all Temptations he will appoint to them a Kingdome Luke 22.9 Sad then is the condition of those that insteed of Running sit still all the day idle Matth. 20.6 like dead fish they go down the stream of the times without any resistance It may be they goe round in Duties like a horse in a Mill but they never goe forward but dream as some Quakers doe of such an absolute perfection and equality with God that the very glorious Saints and Angels dare not assume to themselves and upon this blasphemous conceit they sit Idle which plainly sheweth they have no true Grace for that is like fire it is an active lively purifying thing it will make a man flourish in his Old Age Psalm 92.12 13. like the Sun it never resteth but is in perpetual motion like the Light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Proverbs 4.18 Others like Creviâ—e goe backeward the former sort like Joshuas Sunne stand still and these like Hezekiahs Sunne goe backward few are like the Naturall Sun which goeth forth of his Chamber like a Bride-groom rejoycing to run his Race Psalm 19.5 These like the Galatians begin in the Spirit but end in the Flesh Like the stony and thorny ground they beginne to make a shew but it was the good ground onely which brought forth fruit with Patience Luke 8.14 15. Others Runne but it is after their Lusts they pursue shadowes and vain delights which cannot profit them Others Runne but it is after the vain fashions and sinfull customes of the times It is a signe men are but carnal when they walk according to man 1 Cor. 3.3 Rom. 12.2 Others Runne too much on the Right hand as our Separatists and Semi-separatists Others Runne too much on the Left-hand As Atheists Papists Ranters Now the Devil cares not which way we fall whether on the right-hand or left so he can but ruine us he cares not how We must therefore keep the narrow way of life without turning on either hand Deuteronomie 5.23 See Rules for Right Running in
Haggards such Coppingars and Colliars as are famous for nothing but Ignorance and Impudence but malice and wickedness is a great burden But it may comfort us that Christ himself was thus exercised before us He endured the contradiction of sinners Heb. 12.3 If we be contradicted by wise men we can the better bear it but to be contradicted by foolish rebellious sinners goes hard yet such is the vanity of the Vulgar that one such an ignorant and brazen faced sot especially if he have liberty and a little success is cryed up by them as the onely man and one such a Demetrius though but a Smith pleading for gain shall be heard before a Paul pleading for Christ and Heaven Acts 19.24 25. Hath shewed me much evil 4. Observation 4. Wicked men that oppose Gods truth and people do but labour in vain They do but Shew what they would do they cannot bring their wicked desires into acts according to their intents Their intent is to root up the Name of Israel and to destroy the Gospel and by opposing them they increase the one and spread the other Acts 8.1 Wicked men serve Gods will though against their own wills Their designs Accidentally though not Intentionally fulfil Gods will Iosephs brethren little thought to have advanced him by selling him yet God had so decreed it their selling him furthers it Pharaohs daughter thought little to Nurse up one that should be so signal an opposite to her father Thus God catcheth the wise in their own craft he makes their Plots to become their plagues and their own doings to become their undoings he snares them in the work of their own hands Iob 5.12 13. Psal. 9.16 The Lord reward him according to his works 5. Observation 5. Imprecations against the malicious and incurable enemies of the Church are lawful David a man of Prophetical Spirit frequently used them against such men Psal. 69.22 to 29. and 10.9 6. to 22. So did Moses and others Deut. 27. Iudg. 5.23 Ier. 17.18 Lam. 3.64 65 66. So did Paul 1 Cor. 16.22 Gal. 5.12 These men had a Prophetical Spirit and saw into the final estate of those whom they cursed and so might better do it then we who want that extraordinary gift of the Spirit Object Christ commands us to bless our enemies and not to curse them Matth. 5.44 and so doth Paul Rom. 12.14 Answ. We must distinguish of enemies 1. Some are Private enemies and onely wrong us 2. Others are Publick enemies and such as oppose the truth of God of these also there are two sorts 1. Some are Curable and they are such as persecute the truth and people of God out of Ignorance and blind superstition for such we must pray so did Christ Luke 23.34 and Steven Acts 7.60 Many have been converted by such Prayers as those Iews Acts 2. and Paul by Stevens Prayers 2. There are malicious and incurable enemies who wittingly and wilfully oppose the truth of God out of malice so did Alexander here and therefore the Apostle curseth him and such we may pray against Yet least any should offend in Imitating the Saints in their Imprecations these Rules must be observed 1. Imprecations against particular persons must be rarely used We must not with the men of the world fly presently to curses 1. Because we now want that Spirit of Prophesy to discern who are incurable enemies which the Saints then had 2. It is very hard to keep a right measure in these Imprecations and not to mingle our own private affections with them 3. It is safer to pray Indefinitely against the enemies of truth in general as against Antichrist the Turk and those profest enemies of Gods truth and people 4. It is safer praying against the Plots of wicked men then against their persons So did David 2 Sam. 15.31 he prayes against the plots and counsel of Achitophel so Peter and Iohn pray against the threatnings of wicked men Acts 4.29 Now Lord behold their Threatnings 5. Pray not absolutely but conditionally 1. That if they belong to Gods Election he would be pleased to call them 2. If this will not do but they persevere in their persecuting the people of God then beseech him to correct them and to lay some temporal chastisement on them for their amendment so David Psal. 83.17 Fill their faces with shame that they may seek thy Name 3. If it appear to us that they are incorrigible and incurable enemies to God and his truth then we may desire as Paul doth here that God would glorifie his Justice in their destruction It is not for us by open force and violence to resist them Prayers and Tears are our best Weapons and therefore Paul goeth to God by Prayer for aid The Lord render to him according to his works This is the best revenge when we call on God and bring him in to our help committing our cause to him who judgeth Righteously 6. Observation 9. God observes all the wayes of wicked men and first or last he will reward them according to their works So much is implyed in this Apostolical Imprecation He eyes all the wayes of men and they shall have according to their doing Psal. 28.4 5. Ier. 32.19 2 Cor. 11.25 Rev. 18.6 Be not then offended at the prosperity of wicked men for though a sinner do evil an hundred times and his dayes be prolonged yet in the end it shall not be well with him Eccles. 8.12 13. VERS 15. Of whom be thou ware 1. Observe WE must shun the society of incurable sinners Whilest men are hopeful and curable we must try all means to win them But when we perceive that men are obstinate and incurable we must leave them least we be infected by them Rom. 16.17 Tit. 3.10 2 Iohn 10. But of this at large on 2 Tim. 3.5 For he hath greatly withstood our words 2. Observation 2. Opposing of the truth is very grievous to a gracions Soul Paul doth not complain of any personal trouble though he were now in Prison but that which afflicted him was that Alexander should thus maliciously resist the truth and hinder the Gospel God hath but two things which are dear to him in this world viz. His Truth and his People and these should be dear to us Our Zeal for them should consume us as it did Christ Iohn 2.17 Gods people are baptized with fire as well as with water and must be hot and not luke-warm or indifferent in the things of God 3. Observation 3. Wicked men do not so much oppose our persons as our Preaching They hate us not as men but as Ministers because we publish the truth that condemns their wicked practises The truth hath many opposers 1. Sometimes Learned men oppose it by their wit disputing and writing against it 2. Tyrants labour to suppress it by cruelty and great men by their authority Never was power yet in the hands of men but for the most