The Way to Blessedness, Treatise · Part 1 · Subpart

The Way to Blessedness · Treatise · Part 1 · Subpart

p. 45Proposition II.

The second point offered to us in this verse is,

2PropositionThe Prophet pronounceth him blessed, who stands not in the way of sinners.

To erre from the right way, especially in this darknes, or at least dimme light may befall any man, but to per…ist in an evill way when it is discovered, is the part of a brutish, not reasonable creature: the Prophet therefore proceeds to that further degree and step of wickednesse, namely, wilfulnesse and obstinacie, after reproofe and conviction. Let us first cleere some of the words, that wee may goe on with more profit. Sinners; Certaine is it that all men are sinners, if we take the word in the largest sense:Rom. 3.23. Rom. 5.12.Rom 3:23Rom 5:12 For all men hauehave sinned, and are deprived of the glory of God: sinne, and death the attendant of sinne have gone over all men: in which sense the most righteous man on earth may be called a sinner. But this word is often vsed in Scripture by specialtie, for notorious sinners,Esay 57.20.Isa 57:20 such, who sweltring & boyling in sinfull lusts,Iude 13.Jude 1:13 fome out their own shame, in an open scumme of all filthinesse. In this sense Mary Magdalen before her conversion,Luke 7. 39…Luke 7:39 was accounted a sinner:1 Sam. 15. 18.1 Sam 15:18 that is, one knowne, and commonly noted to goe on in grosse sinnes. Thus the Amalekits are called sinners. Such then are here called sinners, 1 King. 21.251 Kgs 21:25who liue in open & notorious sinnes: as Achab who sold himselfe to worke wickednesse: who accustomed to sinne, follow it with greedinesse.,Eph. 4. 19.Eph 4:19

2 To stand, is such a position of the body, wherein it begins to settle it selfe to some rest: and therefore by a metaphor ordinarily in Scripture is taken for such a disposition of minde, whereby resisting all opposition, or p. 46perswasion to the contrary, we resolue to maintaine the course we hauehave begun.1 Cor. 16.13.1 Cor 16:13 Thus is it taken in the good sense: Stand in the faith;Ephe. 6.11. 13.14.Eph 6:11Eph 6:13Eph 6:14 wher to stand is so to harden our selues in continuance of our holy profession, that we resolue to die, rather then to be removed by any tentation and assault of the enemie.

Lastly, the way argues also a perseverance, and proceeding in any course; That is, a way where no stoppage is, but a path continually trodden, and beaten by the passenger. Now evill wayes may be considered either in doctrine, (so heresie is called an evill way) or in manners, and conversation; so an habituall or customarie sin is an evill way. In all these words is expressed a further degree of sinne. A sinner in this sense is more then an ungodly man, the way more then counsell, standing more then walking. And every one of these words imply continuance, perseverance, and stubbornesse in evill. This then is the meaning of the words: Whosoever doth not rest in sinne, nor stubbornly persist in the rebellious course of notorious offenders, him the Prophet pronounceth blessed. No proofe shall need; the proposition being sufficiently evidenced in it selfe, and every converted sinner a strong witnesse for it. The grounds or reasons may bee first in God, his infinite grace, which opens a posterne vntounto his favour, for those that unfainedly returne unto him, and forsake their evill wayes, hee covers **See Ier. 3.1. 12,13,14.Jer 3:1Jer 3:12Jer 3:13Jer 3:14all their past rebellions, and imputeth not sinne unto them. Secondly,Ezek. 18.21, …2, 23.Ezek 18:21Ezek 18:2Ezek 18:23 in the Prophet, his knowledge of Gods goodnesse, as well by an outward and ordinary revelation in the word,Iob. 33.23. 24.26.27.28.Job 33:23Job 33:24Job 33:26Job 33:27Job 33:28 as by an inward experience in himselfe. He had walked in some counsels of the ungodly,Psal. 119. 59.Ps 119:59 but yet considering his wayes, and turning his feete into the testimonies of his Lord; he found mercy and favour. The Prophet therefore first knowing,Psal. 32.1,2.Ps 32:1Ps 32:2 blessed is the man whose wickednesse is forgiven, to whom the Lord imputeth no sinne. Secondly, being assured by an infallible and inward experience,Psa. 32.5.7Ps 32:5Ps 32:7 that when we hide not our iniquitie, but acknowledge and confesse our p. 47sinn…, the Lord forgiveth the punishment, and compasseth such about with joyfull deliverance; upon these grounds builds this certaine truth, that the man is blessed, who although he hauehave walked in the counsell of the ungodly, yet being reproved, stands not in the way of sinners, but turnes his feet into the old and good way. Gather hence first these instructions.

1Instruction 1. The heart of man (as it is in nature) is not onelyonly prone to evill, but resolute in it: resisting all meanes of recalling, and hating to be reformed. See Psal. 50. 17. Rom. 2. 5. Men will harden their hearts, and make them as an Adamant, Zechar. 7. 12. and by no meanes will yeeld to God in his word. Some perhaps will object, wee may see many wicked men of better temper, then so: Thus Rehoboam obeyed the word of the Lord by the Prophet Semajah. 1 King. 12.22 24.1 Kgs 12:22Thus Amaziah hearkened to the voice of God, and sent away the Israelites: and Herod heard the word gladly, 2 Chron. 25. 7.…0.2 Chr 25:7reverenced the Preacher of it, and did many things. Mark. 6.20.Mark 6:20But we must know that the action of God bending men to subjection, may be double: either by a common grace of restraint, or particular of the sanctifying Spirit. Thus the Lord workes in Heathens. I kept thee that thou should'st not sinne against mee: Gen. 20.6.Gen 20:6bowing them to some kind of yeelding to some parts of his will, for the good of the faithfull, peace of the Church, and other ends best knowne to his wisedome. Secondly, he plants obedience of faith in his children, and brings their wills, and affections under the yoke of Christ, creating in them a new heart, and conforming them to the divine nature. But when both of these are wanting, doe but obserue how men rush into all impietie, breaking thorow all lets, never regarding threatnings of the Law of God, promises of the Gospell, shame of men, their own future or present good, or hurt: no better then mad men, worse indeed then bruit beasts. Cōsider Pharaoh, Exod. 5. 2…Exod 5:2God cō māds him to let his people go serue him, he defies God, & questiōs who he is, he sees divers miracles, but is moved nothing p. 48at all; At length his owne Inchanters tell him, this is the finger of God, Exod. 5.2.Exod 5:2hee relents not, hee sees himselfe annoied with vermine, and his Countrey destroyed, yet will not stoope: his owne servants intreat him to dismisse them, yet still he refuseth:Exod. 8.19.Exod 8:19 when he was compeld to seeke vntounto God by Moses, and promises obedience, no sooner had he rest,Exod. 10.7.Exod 10:7 but instantly breakes promise, and furiously threatens Moses. At length when affrighted with instant feare, death, and hor…our,Exod. 10.16. 17. 28.Exod 10:16Exod 10:17Exod 10:28 he was enforced to thrust them out of his Land, yet presently after he a…meth all AEgypt to fetch them backe againe: and perisheth, but yeeldeth not. But he was an Heathen: looke then to Professours;Ier. 18.6.Jer 18:6 God shewes the Iewes by a palpable demonstration, that they were in his hand as clay in the Potters they deny it not, hee cals them to repentance, and tels them a plague else was neere them: they speake desperatly,; surely wee will walke after our owne imaginations, and doe eueryevery man after the stubbornesse of his wicked heart. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 18.The Prophet still followes them with admonition; they acknowledge him a Prophet, a Priest, a Wise-man: yet obstinately conspire against him, and against the word. HaueHave not wee such liue among us? Yes, thousands of swearers, drunkards, covetous, who stand out against God, his word, their owne conscience, their owne good and happines, and scorne all stoppage. Neither is there any meanes (without the power of God concurring and working with it) which can prevaile.Esay 1.5.Isa 1:5 Are they smitten? they fall away more and more: Reu. 16.9.Rev 16:9they breake out to blasphemie, but mend not. Are they kindly intreated, and waged with blessings? The fatter they grow the more they kicke. Deut. 32. 15.

2Seing man is not onelyonly borne in sinne, but bred in iniquitie, there is now no way left him to come forth unto a blessed estate, but onelyonly by the path of repentance, turning the heart to God, and becomming a new creature. See Luk. …3.3.5. Vnlesse you repent, you shall all likewise perish. All men naturally are going in the broad way to p. 49destruction; All hauehave sinned, and are deprived of the glory of God. Rom. 3.23.Rom 3:23This broad way therefore must bee forsaken, and we must entet into that narrow tract, if we meane to attaine a blessed estate. Certainely as the Israelites could not enter into the Land of promise till those Rebels were consumed among them, so till these cursed affections which by continuall rebellion labour to vexe the Spirit, begin to die and drop away from us, we are not fit to enter into the Kingdome of God. Luke 13. 3…4.Luke 13:3Mat. 11. 21.Matt 11:21Those Galileans whose bloud was mingled with their sacrifices, and those who perished by the fall of the tower in Siloam, were no greater sinners then others: hence that woe pronounced to those vnrepentant sinners.Mark .1.4. Hence our baptisme wherby we are entred into the Covenant of grace,Luke 3. 3.Luke 3:3 is called the baptisme of repentance:Acts 13. 24.Acts 13:24 and as Iohn the Baptist, Mat. 3.2.Matt 3:2so also Christ begins his sermons;Mark .1.15… The Kingdome of God is at hand, repent, and beleeue the Gospell. **Gal. k. 15.Nothing is availeable to this end but the new creature, neither i…deed can we be in Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 17.2 Cor 5:17till we are newly created, and moulded. For repentance is that saving grace of God, whereby we are changed and become other men, altogether contrary to our former estate. The word of God is as a mould, in which the image of Christ is liuely graven by the finger of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 18.2 Cor 3:18into which when the holy Ghost hath cast us, we are transformed into the same fashion. Read, and consider well that similitude, where the Gospell is compared to a mirrour in which beholding the image of the Lord, we are transformed into the same likenesse.Ephe. 5.8.Eph 5:8 The first alteration is in the mind from darkenesse to light: Before so perverse in our judgement, that wee esteemed spirituall (even Gods) wisedome as folly, 1 Cor. 1. 21. 23. & 3.…6. 7. 14.1 Cor 1:211 Cor 1:231 Cor 3:61 Cor 3:71 Cor 3:14but after this new birth, we discerne in this folly (for so foolish men count and call it) no lesse then a divine, and heavenly wisdome. The second change is in the will, & affections: the same will, which h…retofore refused to hearken, an… pull'd away the shoulder, Zech. 7. 11.Zech 7:11now chuses, and rests in that object of faith which before it rejected. Mary hath chosen the best part. p. 50Luke 10. 42.Luke 10:42The affections are from earthly changed into heavenly, honouring, and fervently loving, what they despised heretofore and hated.Rom. 8. 5.Rom 8:5 They who are fleshly savour the things of the flesh, but the spirituall man savours the things of the spirit. Col. 3.1,2, 3.Col 3:1Col 3:2Col 3:3They who are risen with Christ, take off their affections from the world, and set them upon Christ. The last transformation is in the outward man, both in words, & workes, see Ephe. 4. 22, 23, 24, 25, 28. the like read Colos. 3. 8, 9, 10, 12, 14. Man therefore by consenting to the Devill, and revolting from God, lost that divine image which was printed in him, but received a new Character of Satan, being wholy conformed to that Prince of darkenesse. But God in much mercy having compassion on men, and chusing them to his glory, hath set out his word as a fire,Ier. 23.29.Jer 23:29 and hammer to melt, and fashion them againe to that image which they left, and so restore them unto their former puritie and estate. Thus his word is his voyce crying o…t unto us, Stand in the wayes, and behold, and aske for the old way, which is the good way, and walke therein, and you shall find rest for your soules:Ier. 6. 16.Jer 6:16 againe he puts forth his power with his voyce:Rom. 1.16.Rom 1:16 whence the word is called his power to salvation: so that as in the creation he spoke the word, and it was done; his voyce being actiue and doing what is commaunded: so in this new creation, when he speakes the word, let there be light, let there be fruit, instantly light, and fruit insues: when therefore men hearkning unto this powerfull word, working salvation, are renewed in their mind, and walke in newnesse of life, they find no little rest and peace to their soules for the present, and are in the way to that eternall and glorious rest, in which consists the supreame perfection, and happinesse of man.

3Wilfull continuance, and stubborne perseverance in a sinfull course, after warning and admonition from God in his word,Luke 12. 47. 48.Luke 12:47Luke 12:48 is a state much further from blessednesse, then grosse ignorance. He is lesse worthy of favour, who knows his Maisters will, and doth it not, then he that neither p. 51doth, nor knowes it: rebellion is no better then witchcraft.1 Sam. 15.231 Sam 15:23 Those words (Acts 17. 30. that time of ignorance God regarded not) though they cannot be wrested to any connivence of God, as if he winked, and would not see those foule sinnes of the Heathen, yet cannot but import more danger to such as continue in this ignorance, when God hath su…ficiently revealed himselfe & his will. Lesse excuse hauehave they, and much deeper condemnation,Ioh. 3.19.John 3:19 who when light appeared, loved darkenesse more then light, then such who ever sate in darkenes, and the shadow of death. The long-suffering of God manifests it self abundantly in bearing, & forbearing, granting longer time, summoning by his workes, and warning them by his judgements, & afflictions, but especially by his word, calling out to them and shewing their danger:Iob. …3. 14.Job 3:14 He speakes once or twice; hee whets his sword before he strikes, Psal. 7.12,13.Ps 7:12Ps 7:13bends his bow and makes it ready, before he shootes out those swift arrowes; he cuts not off till there is no hope of healing, he spares till there is no remedy. 2 Chron 36. 16.2 Chr 36:16But the more gracious he hath been in giving warnings, the lesse favourable is he in his judgments;Amos 3. 2.Amos 3:2 you only hauehave I knowne of all the people of the earth, therefore will I visite you for your iniquities.

This certainely is the reason, why the Israelites before the comming of Christ, were often more sharpely visited with the rod, then any other Nation, their neighbours: & after the comming of Christ, hauehave been made the publike spectacle of all the world for misery, because in the time of the Prophets, the Lord affoorded them many glorious beames of spirituall light, more then to all other people, and afterwards gaue in unto them that great Light of the world to walke openly before them. As their light therefore was more, so was their rebellion, as their rebellion, so their punishment. An old diseased body which hath worne out all medicines, & growes still worse, is farthest from recoverie and health. When that g…eat Husbandman expostulates with his Vineyard, what could hauehave been more done unto my vineyard, which I hauehave not done to it? p. 52Esay 5. 4.Isa 5:4and yet complaines,Esay. 1. 5, 6.Isa 1:5Isa 1:6 it brought forth wild grapes, it was far from a blessing: when the more we are smitten, the more we fall away, so that from the head to the foote there is nothing but swellings, and sores, full of corruption, we are far from health.Ier. 2.27.Jer 2:27 When we turne the backe not the face to God, let us know it had beene better for us not to hauehave known the way of righteousnesse, 2 Pet. 2.21.2 Pet 2:21then after we hauehave knowne it to turne from the holy Commandement.

2Refut.Here is fit occasion, (and the times require it) to confute, and reproue our obstinate Papists (who in name only are Catholikes) who having been convinced, or at least vexed with the light of the Gospell; hauehave some hated, resisted, and blasphemed; some winked, and shut their windowes against it… that it might not enter; stubbornly resolving to cleaue vntounto that man of sinne, and stand fast in his accursed and palpable errours. Is not that child of perdition rev…aled? Hath not the finger of God in his word painted, and pointed him out, that hee who even shuts his eyes, cannot but grope and feele him? HaueHave not his stoutest Champions been driven by dint of that two-edged sword into shamelesse corners, and beene forced in his defence to steele their fore-heads, and without blushing to d…ny things as generally knowne, confessed, and openly in view, as the Sunne in his brightnesse? As namely, that the ancient head-ship or government of Rome by Emperours stands yet firme, that the Emperour of Germanie is the Emperour, Commaunder or Head of Rome, who yet hath lesse to doe there, then the Popes skullian? Are they not compelled to deny that other Kings hauehave shared out the Empire among them? and so are bound to maintaine, that this Territorie subject to their Emperour (which is hardly equall to a Dukedome) must bee divided into tenne Kingdomes?See Revel. 17. 12.Rev 17:12 Yea that the Kingdome of Antichrist shall bee, not a mystery of iniquitie, but an heathen persecution? Are they not compelled to grant and maintaine impossibilities? that the Devill shall beget Antichrist of a woman, & p. 53this woeman must be of the tribe of Dan? that in three yeares and an halfe Antichrist shall conquer and subdue more Countries, then it is possible for any man in that space to travell, and run th…ough? Fitly doth the Spirit compare the Grecian Monarchie to a Leopard, Dan 7. 6.Dan 7:6the swiftest of foure footed creatures, and yet winged, nay beyond any fowle, with foure wings, for more speed, because in so short a time, as ten yeares, that most prosperous Commaunder Alexander the great, brought into subjection the greatest pa…t of the earth then knowne: But what beast, what fowle, must this Papisticall A… tichrist be? How many feete must he hauehave? How many wings? Who in much lesse then halfe this time, shall bring under his yoake, and raigne over many moe Countries and people then ever Antichrist …new. Is it possible in reason, that any who hath not pluckt out his eyes, should thinke the Pope Christ his subject? nay, Deputie? who opposeth and exalteth himself aboue all that is called God? Doth he not challenge to be unto the Vniversall Church, an head to giuegive influence, a Monarch to giuegive Lawes, nay a Spouse, to giuegive and receiue benevolence: so that to be subject to the Pope is of necessitie to salvation: nay doth he not usurpe, and with all tyrannie maintaine a Monarchicall Omnipotencie? Surely that judgment mentioned by Tertullian is fallen upon them; They beleeve without Scriptures, that they may beleeve against Scriptures. We evidently see the Prophesie of the Apostle fulfilled in them,2 Thes. 2.10, 11,12.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:112 Thess 2:12 Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, therefore God hath sent them strong delusions, that they should beleeve lies, that all they might be damned, which beleeved not the truth. But the Popish Faction a…firme, that they cannot bee accounted heretickes, because they hauehave never bee…e convicted, nor condemned by a generall Councill, But first it is su…ficient conviction to proue an hereticke, that his errour is manifest…d unto him by the Scripture, unlesse wee will thinke Simon Magus no hereticke, untill hee was dead, p. 54and rotten, because no Councell before his death condemned his errours. Againe the Papists maintaine things openly interdicted in generall Councels. Thus they use, & defend in their Pope the title of chiefe or highest Priest, censured, and forbidden by the 3. Councell of Carthage: so also the worship of Angels is by them stiffely maintained, yet condemned plainly by the Apostle in the old heretickes, Colos. 2.18. and after by the Councell of Laodicea. They set up images in Churches prohibited by the Councell of Eliberis. But what hope is there that this harlot will reforme any errour, who in her head Paul 4. in his Epistle to Gropper, condemning certaine abuses, & doctrines,S…ss. 6. c. 1.2.3. as being such which could not by that way, (that is by Scripture) be defended, yet never reformed any, either abuse or doctrine; nay who in her whole representatiue bodie, the Councill of Trent, is not ashamed to conf…sse, that Christ ordained, and distributed to his Apostles (non conficientibus) not ad…inistring the Sacrament both bread and wine: and cannot deny but that it was so continued in the primitiue Church, yet take upon themselues power to determine that whole Christ, & the true Sacrament is received in the bread alone: and that the Church hath authoritie to alter this institution of Christ; with a most brasen face challenging right to change any thing in the Sacrament, excepting the substance, and so consequently denying the bloud of Christ (repr…sented, and presented in the Cup) to be of the substance of the Lords Supper.

3Let every soule try here his claim to this true blessing. Two notes …re here offered unto us, by which we may come to an infallible knowledge of our estate. 11. How art thou disposed to that word of God which cals thee out of thy sinne? be it either some gracious promise, or sharpe reproofe, how standest thou affected to it? The word is a fire to melt, and soften the iron heart of man, that it may be fit to receiue the impression of Gods image. Thus Iosiah melted:2 Chro. 34.272 Chr 34:27 the hearts of Gods people tremble p. 55at his voyce: and when they profit, are pricked in hearing. Either thou standest in the way of sinners,Esay 66. 5.Isa 66:5 or else it is thus with th…e.Acts 2 …7.Acts 2:7 Amaziah can with some patience heare, and follow the commaund,2 Chron. 25. 10,16.2 Chr 25:102 Chr 25:16 but hate the reproofe of the word.1 King. 20.13. & 1 King. 22.8.1 Kgs 20:131 Kgs 22:8 Ahab can approue and obey the counsell of God in ordering his Armies, but hates Michaiah, who would order his conversation according to the rule of God. Oh! then consid…r how thou art disposed to the rebuke of Christ: as Moses who preferred it before the treasures of AEgypt? or as Herod who beheaded his messenger? How of…ē hast thou heard that gentle reprehension, joyned with a gracious invitaton; O yee disobedient children returne, and I will heale your rebellions?Ier. 3.22. 25.Jer 3:22Jer 3:25 doth thy heart then answer? Behold we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God, we lie down in our eonfusion, and our shame covereth us. Ier. 31.18,19Jer 31:18Jer 31:19Hast thou lamented with Ephraim, Thou hast corrected me, and I was chastised: Convert thou me, and I shall be converted, for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after I converted, I repented, &c. Zech. 12.10.Zech 12:10Thus doe these heires of happinesse:Iob .42.6. they will lament, they will mourne as for an onelyonly sonne: they will abhorre themselues and lye downe in ashes.

22. Examine thy estate by thy care, and endeavour to rise, after thou art slipt and fallen.Psal. 119.59. 60.Ps 119:59Ps 119:60 Dost thou consider thy wayes, and turne thy feete into the testimonies of the Lord? Dost thou make hast, and delayest not? David strucken downe with that sinne of adulterie and murder, and benummed with so many blowes of Satan, lay a while as dead; but when the rebuking voyce of God called unto him, and testified Thou art the m…n:2 Sam. 12.7. 13.2 Sam 12:72 Sam 12:13 how soone did hee awake from his swoone, and expressed a whole world of griefe in one word I hauehave sinned? As thou hast fallen with that Saint, so hast thou risen with him? and renewing strength hast fortified thy selfe, and art become even impregnable on that side? The more foule thy sinnes are, the more are thy teares, and sorrow, the more thy louelove to thy gracious Lord, pardoning such, and so many p. 56offences? Obserue every where this disposition in the Saints, and happy art thou, if thou canst finde it in thy selfe. But thou shalt see Ahab humble himselfe in sackcloth, but still proudly and rebelliously disposed in heart. Thou shalt heare the sinner say; They hauehave stricken mee, but I was not sicke, they hauehave beat…n mee, but I knew not; when I awoke therefore, will I seeke it yet still. Pro. 23. 35.Prov 23:35If it be thus with thee, if thou confessest thy sinne with thy lippes, but forsakest it not in thy heart, how shouldest thou find mercy? If thou tremblest for feare of judgement, as Felix, and yet nourishest in thee a corrupt heart: and puttest off the word, I will heare another time; what art thou better, nay how much worse then that Heathen? Consider what str…ames of teares flowed from the eyes of Mary Magdalen? What fire of louelove burned in her heart? How did Paul humble himselfe in respect of his pers…cution? How ardent his louelove to Christ, flaming out in all his actions? Thus will thy heart be affected, thus thy actions directed, if thou art in the same estate.

4Reproofe.Here come under reproofe; 11. Those rebels which wilfully set themselues to resist the word of God, and put it from them. Two sorts may we find among this kind of people. One which more openly, other that more secretly oppose it. Of the one more grosse opposers, we read in the old Testament.Mica. 2. 6. Prophesie not, say they to them that prophesie, they shall not prophesie to them, that they shall not take shame. Esay 30.9,10, 11.Isa 30:9Isa 30:10Isa 30:11This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not heare the Law of the Lord; which say unto Seers see not: and to the Prophets, prophesie not right things unto us: speake unto us smooth things, prophesie deceit?: Goe out of the way &c. And the like we find in the new.Acts 4.18. & 13. 45. & 18. 6.Acts 4:18Acts 13:45Acts 18:6 They commaunded them not to speake at all, nor teach in the name of Iesus. But when the Iewes saw the multitudes they were silled with envie, and spake against those things, contradicting and blaspheming. Againe; they opposed and blasphemed. Such we see every where, corrupt men, sold under sin, and heardned in it: some drowned in a senselesse p. 57ignorance, that neither doe, nor will know any necessitie of this light, and therefore wholy despising all prophecying. And to cover their shamefull Atheisme, they stand much upon prayer, and doe not a little magnifie it in word: But their words are wind: they doe as much despise prayer indeed, and as openly expresse the contempt of it in their actions as of preaching. Some againe of more knowledge will not deny the necessitie of it, as knowing it too shamefull to affirme there is no need of that, which Christ openly testifies to be the one needfull thing. Luk. 10.42. they will therefore come to it, perhaps frequent it, it may be pay for it: but then they must hauehave preachers acco…ding to their owne, not Gods heart. If he will spend an houre in the pulpit in vaine flourishes of humane wisedome, keepe off from their conscience, and two or three houres in the Ale-house, or Wine-Taverne, this is the good Church-man, nothing to deare for him. But if he be such as dares not please men,Gal. 1.10.Gal 1:10 least he be turned out of Christ his service; who would rather seeke their good, then their good will; if he bring home the rebuke of Christ to their hearts, labour to beat downe their rebellion, and draw them to the obedience of the Lord Iesus, they will not abide him, but devise an hundred slanderous discouragements, and use all even the most wicked meanes to stop his mouth. Many other are there, which not so openly resist the word, yet in some private and retired actions stand out in rebellion against the Lord. How many thousands liue among us, convinced of their sinnes, y…t living in them, and following them with greedinesse? Doth not the covetous know, that he is an Idolat…r: that extortioners, usurers, and oppressours shall not ent…r into the Kingdome of God? doth not the drunkard, swearer curser, Sabboth-break…r know he liues in sinne, and is under the curse, and wrath of God? yet doe they reforme their wayes; and make conscience of dutie, when they hauehave warning from God? How farre are th…y from it? Looke to the meaner p. 58sort, they harden themselues in ignorance; looke to the great ones,Ier. 5.3.4.5.Jer 5:3Jer 5:4Jer 5:5 they hauehave altogether broken the yoke. Oh! that these would turne into their hearts, and consider what they doe: that they would well ponder first the folly, then the heinousnesse and hatefulnesse of this their behaviour: certainely nothing can be invented more fooli…h: no marveile if the Wisedome of God continually deba…es these men with the title of fooles in the Proverbs: for can any naturall folly be compared with this? Find in all th… world such a foole, that wilfully will runne into knowne and confessed destruction? that will struggle with his Master, whom he knowes stronger, and able to over-master him. And doe not men know and acknowledge God to be Almightie, not to be resisted? yet will they provoke him. Are we not naturally afraid of those who can kill the body? and where is the feare of him who can kill body and soule? Now how odious it is and hainous, may appeare in two circumstances; first the greatnesse, secondly the goodnesse of the person whom we offend & provoke;Mala. 1.14.Mal 1:14 The Lord is the great King, and his name dreadfull even among the heathen: the pure Angels, nay the rebellious devils tremble at his presence. His goodnesse to us is unutterable; he is our Father, the fountaine of our life, and all blessings which we enjoy, expect, or desire. How great an offence is treason against a King, the Lords annointed? how hainous the rebellion of a child against a father? how detestable the insurrection of unnaturall Absolon against David his King and Father? so compleate a King, so loving a Father? how grievous to thy soule is the rebellion of thy wife, child, or servant? hence God compares it to witchcraft;1 Sam. 15.23.1 Sam 15:23 for in it as in witchcraft, the Covenant is broken, God renownced, and the Devill acknowledg…d for God and Lord; our vowes of obedience to God utterly broken & our soules delivered up unto the service of the Prince of darkenesse and disobedience.

2What tongue can sharpen it selfe sufficiently vponupon this p. 59occasion to cut a passage through rockes, and Adamants, unto the secure and carelesse hearts of men? what trumpet can sound loud enough to awake their dead spirits? God created us most blessed, and gaue us power to stand in that happy estate: we wilfully forsooke the meanes and it: Since, when we were carried downe in the torrent of our lusts, into utter destruction, and are even sinking into that bottomlesse pit; he casteth out to us the cords of his louelove, to draw us, haleth to us with a loud voyce to looke about, to see, and consider our danger; betimes to take hold of mercy, before we sinke and are past recoverie. In the meane time, as if we were rather bathing in the very fountaines of all felicitie, then swallowed in these whirl-pools of death and hell, we passe along plesantly, never o…ce respecting his voyce or dreaming of any danger. The Lord hath sent in among us his Heralds never so many, never so loud; they hauehave cryed out to us, they hauehave lifted up their voices like trumpets, and hauehave shewed us our crying sinnes: what hath followed? Some few (as the shaking of an Oliue tree, two or three berries in the utmost boughs) hauehave hearkened and trembled at the word; and taking hold of the rocke of their salvation, hauehave tu…ned their feete into the old and good way: some hauehave obtained, but the rest are hardened. How lamentable a spectacle is ready to meete us at every turne? numberles numbers of men and women, young and old, rich and poore running a vie, who shall safest plie himselfe in the waye… of sinne, and who shall first & deepest plunge himselfe into hell. Surely as the men of God were wont to go to the house of the Lord, (Psal. 42. 4) so go these men to the chambers of death, with the voice of singing, as a multitude that keepeth a feast: how truly may God expostulate with us, as once with his people?Hos. 4. 2.Hos 4:2 by swearing, & lying, and killing, & stealing they break out, and bloud toucheth bloud:Psal. 82.2,3,6 7Ps 82:2Ps 82:3Ps 82:6 how often & loud hath God by the voice of his Embassadors cried in the cares of earthly Gods, how long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? p. 60Doe right to the poore, and fatherlesse; doe justice to the afflicted and needie: If not I hauehave said you are Gods, and the children of the most high, but you shall die as a man, and you Princes shall fall like other. Ezek. 22 7.Ezek 22:7But may we not still complaine? In thee hauehave they oppressed the stranger, in thee hauehave they vexed the fatherlesse and widdow? How frequently and earnestly hath the great Iudge of all the world in his Law charged Lawyers.Exod. 23.6,7, 8.Exod 23:6Exod 23:7Exod 23:8 Thou shalt not overthrow the right of the poore in his suit. Thou shalt keepe thee from a false matter: Thou shalt take no gift, for the gift blindeth the wise, & perverteth the way of the righteous. Haba. 2.6.If you goe on, shall they not take up a taunting proverbe against you, and say; hoe they increase that which is not their owne: how long? and he that ladeth himselfe with thicke clay? yet still is it true; in thee hauehave they taken gifts to shed bloud: Ezek. 22. 12.Ezek 22:12and they louelove to say with shame bring you: Hos. 4.18.Hos 4:18they eate up the people as bread:Psal 14.4.Ps 14:4 they build, plant, purchase, and make no end, till their heires spend it as ill as they got it.

How straitly hath God commaunded the rich,Deut 15. 8.Deut 15:8 thou shalt open thy hand to thy poore brother, and lend him sufficient for his need. Thou shalt not giuegive to vsury to thy brother, vsury of money, Deut. 23.19.Deut 23:19vsury of meat, or vsury of any thing that is put to vsury: thou shalt releeue thy brother, thou shalt take no vsury nor vantage. Lev. 25.35, 36.Lev 25:35Lev 25:36He that was infinitely rich became poore for our sakes, 2 Cor. 8. 9.2 Cor 8:9that we through his povertie might bee made rich. Luke 12. 33.Luke 12:33Sell that you hauehave, and giuegive almes, make you bags which wax not old, a treasure that can never faile in heaven. Psal. 15. 5.Ps 15:5If not know the Vsurer, 1 Cor. 0.10.or Extortioner shall never enter upon my mount: Know that thou shalt weepe and howle, and the rust of thy treasure shall eate thy soule like fire:Iames 5. 1, 3.Jas 5:1Jas 5:3 and so thou hast heaped up (goodly) treasure for thy selfe against the last day, even treasures of wrath against the day of wrath. Rom. 2.5.Rom 2:5Yet to how many thousands may we say; thou hast taken vsury and increase, thou hast defrauded thy neighbour by extortion, Ezek. 22.12.Ezek 22:12and hast forgotten me saith the Lord God. How many that buy the poore for silver, and the needie for shoes? Amo…. 8 6.How continually hath the Lord called upon us? p. 61Take not my name in vaine; Exod. 20.7.Exod 20:7sweare not at all: aboue all things sweare not. Mat. 5. 34.Matt 5:34O doe not this abominable thing, which my soule hateth. Iam. 5.12.Jas 5:12Is it not enough that thou refrainest prayer, and prayse, but thou wilt blaspheme? Wilt thou turne those calves of thy lippes my due sacrifice, to dogges or hell-hounds barking against thy Creatour? Remember thy selfe and me,Zech. 5.3.Zech 5:3 and know I will not hold thee guiltlesse: my curse shall here light vponupon thee, how much more hereafter? Yet still the Land mournes for oathes. Men hauehave made a conspiracie; all sorts, sexes, ages hauehave whet and set their tongues against heaven, & hardly one of an hundred that feares an oath.

How loud hath God th…ndered his woes against i… temperate persons?Esay. 5.11.22.Isa 5:11Isa 5:22 Woe to them that rise up earely to follow drunkennesse, and continue till night vntill the wine doe inflame them: woe to them that are mightie to drinke wine, Esay. 28.1.Isa 28:1and strong to powre in strong drinke: woe to the drunkards of Ephraim. Hee counselleth,Pro. 23. 31.Prov 23:31 looke not on the wine when it is red, and sheweth his colour in the cup. Luke 21. 34.Luke 21:34Take heed least your hearts be oppressed with surfeting and drunkennesse. If not; know that day will come upon you unawares: no drunkard shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven … 1. Cor. 6. 10.1 Cor 6:10yet what place is there where this devill of drunkennesse hath not entred into the swine, and carried them headlong into destruction: Court, Citie, Country,Esay 28.7. 8.Isa 28:7Isa 28:8 nay even the Vniversities all hauehave erred because of wine, and are out of the way because of strong drinke: for all their tables are full of filthy vomiting, and no place is cleane: the Dutch manners hauehave followed the Dutch errours, and the stench of it is gone vp to heaven, & incessantly cals vponupon the justice of God for vengeance.

Even then when all Religion and Charitie lamentably implored our helpe in fasting, praying, and humbling our soules, to intreat the Lord for his afflicted Church: when the Adversaries roared in the midst of the Congregation and set up their banners for signes, Psal. 74. 4.Ps 74:4we were so farre from fearing that curse of Meroz, Iudg. 5. 23.Judg 5:23for not going to helpe the Lord p. 62against the mighty, or at least striving for them by prayers & h…miliation,Esay 22…13.Isa 22:13 that when God called to weeping and mourning, behold joy and gladnesse, slaying oxen, killing sheepe, eating and drinking, for to morrow we shall die. Doth not the word daily sound in our eares?Pro. 5. 8,15, 18, 19. & 6. 25. Pro. 5. 11. & 6.26.Prov 5:8Prov 5:15Prov 5:18Prov 5:19Prov 6:25Prov 5:11Prov 6:26 Drinke the waters of thine owne cistern: rejoyce with the wife of thy youth, let her breasts satisfie thee at all time: but keepe thee farre from the strange woman, and come not neere the doores of her house: desire not her beautie in thy heart, else shalt thou bee brought to a peice of bread. Thou shalt mourne in the end, when thou hast consumed thy flesh and thy body: yet what fruit hauehave we returned to God from the fulnes of our long peace, but this,Ier. 5.7.8.9.Jer 5:7Jer 5:8Jer 5:9 I have fed them to the full, yet committed they adulterie, and assembled themselues by companies in harlots houses; They rose up like fed horses, every one neighed after his neighbours wife: and what followes but even that threatning, shall I no… visit for these things, shall not my soule be avenged on such a Nation as this?

To draw a little neerer to our selues in particular; doe not the Messengers of Christ sojourning among us, as his Leigers, daily call, intreat, and invite us to repentance? Turne you, cast away all your transgressions, make you a new heart, aud a new spirit, for why will you dye? Ezek. 18. 31.Ezek 18:31When God hath allotted you six dayes, and appropriated but one to himselfe; when he doth not challenge two or three houres, but the day to be separated to his holy service, when hee hath hedged and and walled in this his peculiar, with so many cautions & motiues, why will you thus transgresse against the Lord? why will you, or how dare you make it common by doing your owne workes, and speaking your own words on the Lords day? When the Lord hath so fearefully adjured us,2 Tim. 4.1.2.2 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:2 I charge thee by God, and the comming of the Lord Iesus Christ, preach the word, be instant in season, out of season: and so often and strictly charged you, Iam. 1. 19.Jas 1:19bee slow to speake, but swift to heare: 1 Pet, 2.2.long for the sincere milke of the Gospell, that thou mayest grow by it. Take heed how thou hearest: why doe wee n…glect Christ Iesus speaking p. 63to us in these glad tydings of salvation?Luke 8. 18.Luke 8:18 Why doe we turn away our eares, & say in heart as those wretched Iewes, we are Lords, wee will no more come at thee?Ier. 231. When we admonish you, Speake every man the truth unto his neighbour: let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which tends to edifying: Ephe. 4.29.31 & 5.3.Eph 4:29Eph 4:31Eph 5:3Put away bitternesse, anger, and all evill speaking: let no uncleannes be so much as named among you, as becommeth Saints, for none such hauehave inheritance with God. Clense thy heart from the leaven of maliciousnesse; purge thy tongue from railing, reviling, slandering, when wee are thus earnest with you, what fruit reape wee from all our labour? we speake in the ayre, we see these sinnes, and many other spring, grow, and flourish among you. Some very few hauehave their hearts opened, but most shut up their eares and hearts, least Christ knocking by his word should enter: and while wee mourne for them in secret, they openly laugh at us, while we pray for them, they mocke and flout us. But what will you doe in the end thereof? Know assuredly (and oh that he who hath the keyes of David would let this knowledge into thy heart) Thine owne wickednes shall correct thee, and thy turnings backe shall reproue thee. Ier. 2.19.Jer 2:19Know therefore and behold it is an evill thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my feare is not in thee, saith the Lord of Hoasts.

5Consolat.Hence may the contrite, and broken heart gather strength, and comfort it selfe in the Lord, God hath not cast away sinners, but hath purposely sent his sonne to heale and saue them. Therfore he is annointed, and made the Christ of God, Luke 4. 18.Luke 4:18that he might heale the broken hearted, that he should preach deliverance to the Captiues,Acts 26.17. …8.Acts 26:17Acts 26:8 & should set at libertie them that are bruised. Therfore Christ sends his Messengers, and his word, to open mens eyes, that they may turne from the power of Satan, vntounto God, that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith.

p. 64The Lord hath opened unto us a passage to returne to his grace by Christ, and to eternall happinesse. But some dejected soule will say, O I hauehave walked in the counsell of the ungodly, I hauehave not onelyonly delighted in wicked companie, but all my life hauehave I spent in vanitie, and noisome lusts. I hauehave greedily followed the pleasures of youth, and hauehave not with-held from mine eyes whatsoever they hauehave desired: when my pleasures grew loathsome, then with as much violence I pursued the world, and the covetous desires of it; and all my care and delight was here on earth to plant, build, and purchase for my selfe an earthly convenience. As for those fruits of the Spirit, that house made without hands, eternall in the heavens, the inheritance of the Saints in light, I seldome dreamed of it, but neglected the gracious offers of God.

But let me aske thee; Dost thou not still persevere in the way of sinners? Now that thine eyes are opened to see thy vanitie, dost thou lament thy folly, turne thy feet with hast into the good way?Ier. 10. 23.Jer 10:23 Dost thou cry uncessantly O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe, neither is it in man to walke and direct his steppes; O therfore turne thou mine eyes away from vanitie, and quicken thou me in the way. Psal. 119. 37.Ps 119:37Dost thou labour to redeeme thy lost time? know then all is safe with thee. Some will reply. O but my sins are an heavie burden, too heavie for me, pressing down… my soule to hell. Then hast thou right unto Christ; ther…fore be of good comfort, arise he calleth thee; Come un…to me all you that are wearie and heavie laden, Mat. 11.28.Matt 11:28and I will ease you. Cast away this cloke of s…ame, and come unto thy Saviour. But I am the chiefe of sinners. Another claimes this precedencie, who was yet the chiefe of Saints. For this cause heinous offenders hauehave beene received to m…rcie, 1. Tim. 1. 15. 16.1 Tim 1:151 Tim 1:16that, that for thy example Christ should shew all long suffering to those which should beleeve in his name: beleeve therefore, and thou shalt be saved. O but my time is past: I hauehave not regarded God heretofore in his word, and now I am shut out foe ever. No time is past, while thou hast any time, p. 65God hath not tied himself unto thy times, but hath put thē into his owne hand: So long as he lends his voyce to call, thy time is not past. But alas I feele a world of sinful filthines still dwelling, & rebelling in me, now more then ever. Know this is rather a symptome of health, then sicknes. Thou feelest sinne more now, not because it, but because thy health, and sense of Spirit increases: diseases in their strength dead the senses, so that little paine is felt, but when life prevailes, and begins to expell the sicke matter, our paine with our sense returnes.

Know assuredly, he that hath dethroned sinne raigning in thee, can easily subdue sinne fighting against thee. Look then into thy bosome, if thou findest there an heart melting, and trembling at the word, thrusting it selfe with all humble subjection into the yoake of Christ: answering to his call, Seeke my face, Lord thy face will I seek, thou art then in that true way which leads to blessednes, nay that way which is blessednesse, even Iesus Christ thy head.

6ExhortationLet every soule therefore stirre up it selfe, and first weighing that warning given us by the wisdome of God, If sinners entise thee, consent thou not, walke not thou in the way with them, &c, Pro. 1. 10. 11. 15.Prov 1:10Prov 1:11Prov 1:15then take words of exhortation, and lay them to heart: say unto thy soule; Thou hast wearied thy selfe in thy wayes, and hast found nothing, thou hast hunted for the delights and pleasures of the sons of men:Eccle 2.1.2. 8.9.10.Eccl 2:1Eccl 2:2Eccl 2:8Eccl 2:9Eccl 2:10 thou hast …ken pleasure in pleasant things, thou hast proved thy selfe with joy, and when thou hast caught it, thou hast found it vanitie: thou hast said of laughter thou art mad; and of joy, what is it that thou doest? thou hast gathered to thy selfe silver and gold and chiefe treasures: thou art wonderfully increased, and behold all is vanitie and vexation of spirit. Say unto the world, so many yeares hauehave I served thee in all thy profits and pleasures; I was in the day consumed with heat, and with frosts in the night: my sleep departed from mine eyes, and thou hast changed my wages tenne times: (Gen. 31. 7 40.) my childhood I gaue thee for p. 66babies, my youth for wantones, my riper age for riches, & behold all is vanitie: and now except my God had beene with mee, thou hadst sent me away empty (Gen. 31.42.) Say unto sinne, O thou wicked and bewitching strumpet thus long hauehave I waited upon thy pleasures, and fulfilled thy sinfull lusts, I hauehave polluted my selfe, and am become as an AEthiopian; I hauehave doted upon thee, & served thee with greedinesse: for thee had I forsaken all those rich graces, and hopes layd up for me in heaven: and what hauehave I gained, I hauehave sowen the wind, and reaped the whirlwind; I hauehave sowen to the flesh, and reap…d corruption: all my wages are nothing else but death and hell, and should I serue thee any longer? Say unto the Lord Iesus, I come unto thee most blessed Saviour, full of confusion, that so late I come unto thee, whose service is glorious freedome, whose wages everlasting happinesse:Hosea 14.3.Hos 14:3 take away all mine iniquitie, and receiue me graciously, so shall I offer the calves of my lips. But if thou findest thy heart still lingring and prolonging the time in this Sodome, quicken it with these motiues. Doe I mocke at his idle paines, who spreads a fishing net upon the mountaines, plowes the sands, or sowes the seas? Can I forbeare laughing to see a man seeke for grapes among thornes, or figs from thistles? & shall I practise my selfe what I deride in others? seeke now for an earthly paradise? heaven in earth? happinesse in worldly misery? Doe I thinke he deserues to be deceived, who being often abused with lies, will still trust? & shall I giuegive credit to the worlds lying flatteries? hath not all my life beene fed with vaine promises? every state I found full of vanity for the present, but still bearing me in hand that better was comming. My childhood seemed grievous, being kept from liberty, and prisoned in continuall feare and subjection: but it promised much happinesse in youth. My youth I found much worse, full of labour and travell without, hurried with lusts within: but an haven was shewed me in marriage, & riper age: but this incresed my cares within, and paines p. 67without: and what shall I hope farther?Esay 30. 18.Isa 30:18 to find rest in the graue and hell? Againe hath my gracious & long-suff… ring Father all this time waited that he may hauehave mercy on me? Hath my most loving Saviour thus long stood at the doore of my …are, and knocked, and still cals unto me Open to me my love, my head is full of the dew, and my locks with drops of the night, Cant. 5.Song 5and shall I any longer delay, and plead excuse? Do I accurse the prid of that**Hildebrand or Gregory 7. pope of Rome. Antichristian Prelate, who exalting himself aboue not only the meaner, but the higher Gods on earth, nay even the Augustus, enforced the Emperor to stand without… begging entrance, and pardon, while he solaced himselfe with his Matilda, and shall I proud worme, dare to hold out the Creator, & Lord of all things, who stands & intreats for entrance into my heart, and beseeches me (me vile earth & ashes) to be reconciled to him? When his own deere Spouse deferred him, did she not seeke long before she could find him: but the watchmē soon found her, smote her, & wounded her: & if it were done thus to the greene tree, what shall be done to the dry? Esay 26. 8.9. 13.Isa 26:8Isa 26:9Isa 26:13Away therfore from me all yee wicked vanities, for I will keepe the commandements of my God. Lord I will wait for thee in the way of thy judgements, the desire of my soule is to thy na…e, & to the remembrance of thee. Other Lords …aue ruled me, but I will remember onelyonly thy name. Psal. 143.10.Ps 143:10Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my Lord, lead me by thy spirit into the land of uprightnesse.

Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornfull. As in earthly possessions, men first trade & busie themselues in the world, and …mploying what they get, begin to gather stocke, & increase their substance; Lastly being now full, & well furnished, they purchase, plant, build, settle themselues & their estates: so is it in spirituall evils, and that sinfull condition of man. The portion of sinne bequeathed us by the first Adam we employ, & tra…fick with it: and so we soon grow to more fulnes of evill, come on to habituall, customary, and notorious wickednes: at length we write our sins with a pen of iron, & with the point of a diamond, Ier. 17.1.Jer 17:1and p. 68graue them upon our hearts:Dan. 6 24.Dan 6:24 so finishing our iniquitie, we seale up our sinnes, and by these deeds of darkenesse settle our soules in much securitie, in this miserable purchase. Like dead men we lie downe in our lusts, and (as some great persons) proud of our rottenesse, with much cost and ostentation build up our sepulchers of this body of death, compose our selues in our grau…s, and set up our rest in them. Here therefore the Prophet layes down the lowest degree of sinne (even that which is next to hell) and in avoiding it, the least degree of happinesse. So then in this third proposition;

3PropositionDavid pronounceth that man blessed who sits not in the seat or chaire of scorners.

For some opening of these words, consider what is here meant by sitting, what by a seat or chaire, lastly who are scorners. A seat or chaire (as wee know) properly taken, is some frame of wood, or other matter purposely made for the resting of the body; and by Metonymie (because Princes & Iudges had thrones and chaires of state, where the people being assembled, and standing about them received judgement: see Psal. 122. 5. and Exod. 18. 13.) hence a seat is taken for precedencie, power, & authoritie. Thus the seat of Moses is used for his power, and authoritie in the word,Mat. 23. 2.Matt 23:2 which God committing first to Moses, derived to all his successours: so the Throne or seat of David for that temporall preced…ncie and power whereby he governed and judged that people. So likewise sitting, being a position of the body composed to rest, is by Metonymie used for exercise of authoritie and power.Revel. 18. 7.Rev 18:7 I sit as Queene. The Lord saith to my Lord, sit at my right hand:Psal. 101. 1.Ps 101:1 and by a Metaphor being lent from the body to the soule, may signifie either to rest in sinne, or to use a Lordly power, or freedome to follow it. Thus wee read of a Lord of anger, a Lord of appetite, (for so is the word, Prov. 22. 34. and 23. 2.) so then to sit in the seat, may intend, both that securitie of wicked men, whereby they sleepe in sinne, and resolue to rest in it, p. 69and also for that lifting vp, and pride, shaking off the yoak of Christ, iudging, and p…osecuting the good, and Godly. Lastly scorning is an action of men, wherey they thinke, and speake basely of any thing, and from contempt, rising out of pride, reiect it… A scorner therefore every where in Scripture, is taken for such a sinner, who being flesht in all wickednesse, fild, and puft with pride, and vaine conceit of his owne wit, despiseth the wisedome of God in the word, and makes a jest of sinne, the reprover, and reproofe of it, see Pro. 1. 22. and 14.9. when men conceive well of their owne wayes, and are bladderd vp with a windie opinion of wisedome in themselues, then they basely esteeme of other counsell, mocke, and deride whatsoever comes crosse of their owne praejudging conceits. The sence then of this proposition is. Although thou hast sorted thy selfe with worldlings, and hast beene misled in their vngodly courses, although after many reproofs, thou hast neglected the grace which was offered; and hast now long continued in thy folly, even despising in thy carnall conceit the wisedome of God in his word, yet if thou now returnest, leanest not still to thine owne wit, but yeeldest vp thy selfe to the yoke of Christ, thou art heere already, and shalt be must more heereafter happy, and blessed.

To witnes this truth (beside many other) the whole 15. chap. of S. Lukes Gospell may be fitly cited: where in those parables, especially that of the Prodigal (spending, rioting, never returning, till by extreme miserie he was scourged home, yet then graciously receiued, entertained with a feast, and clothed with the best robe) our Saviour a…firms much ioy to be in heaven for one sinner, that converteth. Even scorners are called to repentance, and grace offered; and the Prophet invites, and cals to such,Pro. 1. 22.Prov 1:22 Be no more mockers least your bonds increase. Esay 28.22.Isa 28:22And it is more then probable, that some of those who mocked the Apostles as if they had beene overtaken with wine,Acts 2.13. 41.Acts 2:13Acts 2:41 were not onelyonly called by the word, but throughly recalled, and pricked in their hearts, baptised and saved.

p. 70The grounds and reasons of this (as the former) proposition may be. 1. In God, his infinite and unutterable merciemercy, taking no delight in the death of the sinner, but calling to returne, and ready to receiue.Esay. 55.7.Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, and he will hauehave mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 2. In David, who had both by the word, and no question by experience, seene this worke of Gods merciemercy in many notorious sinners.

Instruction.Gather hence these instructions. 11. There are divers degrees of sinnes and sinners, many steppes and staires in the descent of death; some lower then other, and neerer to the gates of hell. Some transgresse of ignorance, some of knowledge; sinnes of knowledge are some of infirmitie, not without strugling, some of presumption: nay even these of presumption, some of them not committed without feare or remorse, with purpose of amēdment; some with an high hand, as in defiance of God, and open contempt of his justice. There are many respects which aggravate sinnes, and make them either more or lesse odious. The sinne of an eminent person more scandalous and hainous, and therfore not onelyonly punishments but (which is not to be read with neglect) sacrifices of greater price set out for them.Levit. 4. 3.22. 23…27…28. Levit. 21.9.Lev 4:3Lev 4:22Lev 4:23Lev 21:9 Sinnes of ignorance in a Priest were propitiated with a yong Bullocke, the same sinne in a Ruler reconciled with a male goat, in other with a female. A Priests daughter if shee play the whore must be burnt with fire. So the excellencie of the person offended aggravates the offence; reviling the Prince, more then railing at a subject; blaspheming God, worse then slandering man. Many circumstances there are w^ch lessen a trespasse, or increase it; whence our Saviour more deeply censures the Iewes then Pilate, they Gods people, he an heathen; they from outrage, and furious malice, with threats, and tumult driue him against his judgment, to corrupt judgement, and abuse the Ordinance of God, p. 71even his justice; but he desirous to content the people, fearefull to incurre Caesars displeasure,Iohn 19. 11.John 19:11 labouring to saue the innocent, was at length overcome by their importunitie and clamours, therefore had they the greater sin. Verily the justice of God, proportioning a greater measure of damnation to some, then others, necessarily argues the sinnes of men to be of divers size and measure. The sinne of Bethsaida, Capernaum, Chorazin, more intollerable then those of Tyre, Sidon, Sodome or Gomorra.

Sinnes and sinners may well be resembled to diseases, and diseased bodies. Every disease as it more distempers the body, and disturbs that just proportion, and mixture of humours convenient, and agreeable to nature, so is it more grievous: some so strong, that they catch, and infect; & the bodies infected sonoysome, that they spread their poyson, and even dart…out venome to wound others, with whom they converse. Thus every sinfull disease of the soule, as it is more contrary to that spirituall crasis, or temper of life, in which God created it, is more foule, dangerous, and even infectious.Levit. 18.25…Lev 18:25 Hence we reade that many Lands hauehave beene polluted and tainted with some noto…iously sinfull people, and even sicke of them, till it had spued them out. So was it with the Canaanites. Nay even the Israelites also after they were entred into the Land, defiled it with idols, and false worship, and were therefore cast out: see Ier. 16. 13. 18.

And surely as any sin is more heinous, foule, and abominable, so is it more strong to infect: witnes that monster of idolatrie, which how soon it poysoned the whole world, and how easily yet it sh…ds its venome into the hearts of men, the old heathenish, Iewish, and now Popish Idolaters su…iciently testifie: no lesse contagious is swearing, drunkennesse, cursing, and such other: what reasonable man can deny these sinnes to be as catching, as pox, plague, or any like disease of the body. No sooner entr…d that image worship into the earth, but it shed it selfe into the whole body of the world, and hardly one member p. 72even Abraham escaped, and even he not untainted. In the time of Ieremie the land mourned for oathes, in our time it is to be wondred, that the land sinkes not to hell under the burden of this sinne: there is hardly one of an hundred that makes conscience of all oathes: they hauehave pettie oathes (as they account them) and coyne strange Gods to sweare by, the Masse, Ladikin, or Lakin, and much like grosse profanenesse they continually use without feare or wit: yet is cursing as ordinary as swearing, and d…unk…nnesse comes not behind any of them, how gen…rall it is, and how it hath, and doth infect, witnesse the ruine of many families, the pining and leane cheekes of many wiues and children, and the loathsome stinke of it in every corner.

2One degree of sinne is but a step to another, leading or rather driving to further iniquity; look as it is with these positions of the body, when we hauehave long walked, wee desire to make some stand; when we hauehave stood a while, we will set downe and compose our selues to more rest: so is it with the soule in these sinfull dispositions, when it hath walked in the counsels of ungodly men, it will stand with sinners in their obstina…e disobedience, and when it hath stood in those rebellious wayes, it will sit down with mockers, & rest it selfe in the chaire of scorning. Certainely as that pure a…d glorious Spirit (when he enters into the heart of man, and …nlivens him with his gracious presence) leads him through every good path, stirres up, directs, and strengthens him to walke in the counsell of God, to stand in the old and good way, and leaues him not till he hath seated him in fulnesse of grace, and glory: so when those spirituall wickednesses in high places, Satan with his legions, enters and possesses the heart of any man, he driues him th…ough all the degrees of sinne, carries him headlong, and suff…rs him not to stoppe (unlesse the Lord over-rule him) till hee bee plunged in the bottomlesse pit. Hence it is, that the faithfull are first awaked,Ephe. 5.14…Eph 5:14 and commaunded to stand up, to p. 73receiue light, and being once raysed, and quick…ed with Christ, Psal 84 7.Ps 84:7they goe from strength to strength, till they appeare all of them before the Lord in Sion. They mend their speed, and runne in the way of Gods commandements; burning in louelove,Phil. 3. 13.14.Phil 3:13Phil 3:14 they forget what is behind, reach forth to that which is before, & presse hard toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. 2 Tim. 3.13.2 Tim 3:13Hence is it, that wicked men wax worse and worse, rush into all impietie, as an horse to the battell, and being caught and violently driven (as a ship in a storme) with the tempest of their sensuall desires, never stop but in eternall death.2 Pet… 1. 5,6,72 Pet 1:52 Pet 1:62 Pet 1:7 So as the godly goe on from faith to vertue, from vertue to knowledge, from knowledge to temperance, &c. so the wicked man laying a foundation in ignorance buildeth upon it wilfulnesse;Read Ephe. 4. 18,19.Eph 4:18Eph 4:19 wilfull darknesse growes up to obstinacie, and hardnesse of heart, hardnesse procures senslesnes, want of feeling ushers into wantonnes, and delight in sinne: and this delight brings in greedinesse. O there is in the sinfull heart of man a praecipice, and strange downefall in the desire, and practise of iniquitie, which will not indure any stay till it be cut off by God, being either stopped by his grace, and turned into the good way, or stroken with death, and sent to their place: hurried with sensualitie they cannot cease to sinne, drinke iniquitie as a thirstie man water: as it drawes them, so they draw it with cart-ropes: they will take great paines to doe …ickedly. 2 Pet. 2.12. 14.2 Pet 2:122 Pet 2:14And as a man that wilfully flings himselfe from an high rocke or steeple, cannot stay,Iob 15. 16.Job 15:16 but still fals,Esay 5.18.Isa 5:18 and the further hee goes, sinkes with more force and speed,Ier. 9.5.Jer 9:5 so is it with our sinfull nature; altogether like those swine in the Gospell, which being left to the Devill, were carried by him, and could not stop till they came to those steepe rockes, nor stay there, till they had cast themselues downe into the sea, and were stifeled.

Obserue it in some particulars; When Satan had kindled in the heart of Cain that hellish brand of p. 74anger, it could not be quenched with the neerenesse of bloud, and deere relation of an onelyonly Brother, till anger had enflamed it with hatred, and hatred broke out into actuall murder. So in Sodome fulnesse of bread, or luxury breedes idlenesse, idlenesse lust, and lust rushes into that bestiall filthinesse against nature. And would to God some remnants of this cursed disposition remained not still in the faithfull; howsoever it be over-mastered by his Spirit dwelling in them, and raigning for Christ. When David gaue his eyes leaue to wander in wanton lookes, his eyes draw his heart to wanton thoughts and desires, and his heart driues on his body to actuall uncleannesse. Thus was he carried headlong to adultery: adultery puls him on (under pretence of saving his credit) to make Vriah drunke, and at length to murder him. Consider this with feare, and not onelyonly know the falsenesse and cunning deceiveablenes of the heart, but remember that when men even Gods chosen giuegive way to sinne, God often suffers them to be carried down in the current of it, that before they can thinke of it, they are almost sunke, and swallowed in death and despaire.

3There is that vnmeasurable pride in the heart of man that it will with no great difficultie be brought to mock God in his word, in his works, in his Saints. For as God is denied, so is he derided, eyther in word, and open profession of Atheism, or more secretly, in rebellious actions, proceeding from inward contempt of God. As there are some which hauehave denied God in words, through feare, and weakenes, which yet confessed him in their heart:Tit. 1.16.Titus 1:16 so are there many who professing God in their words, deny him in workes, being altogether abominable, disobedient, and to every good worke reprobate. Neither are these Atheists to be found among Heathens onelyonly,Pro. 1. 25. 29.Prov 1:25Prov 1:29 but every where swarme in the visible Church of God. How often doth the wisedome of God complaine of, and threatens the despisers of his word?Ier. 20 7.8. & 17. 15.Jer 20:7Jer 20:8Jer 17:15 How often doe the Prophets cry out of them? I am in derision daily; every one mocketh me, the word of God p. 75was made a reproach to me, and a derision daily: 2 Pet. 3.3.2 Pet 3:3see the manner of their skosting.Iude 18.Jude 1:18 They say unto me, where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. Thus Ezekiell chap. 33. 32. So likewise God is mocked in his workes by those Atheists, which being foretold by the Apostles, wee see daily walking after their lusts. Numberles are they that mocke God in his Saints; see Psal. 14. 6. and 69. 7. 9. 11. 12. It might seeme a strange and marveilous thing, that even those who professe Christ should mocke him: should mocke him in his word, and despise his wisedome in those ordinances which himselfe appointed, and commended to his Church: unlesse the Spirit had shewed us the cause of it; namely,1 Cor. 2. 14.1 Cor 2:14 the naturall man discernes not the things of God, but judges them folly: now we know that folly is the most proper object of scorne. And many hipocrites are in the visible Church, who hauehave Lord often in their mouthes, yet never in their hearts; but are in deed, howsoever in shew they seeme otherwise, naturall, sensuall and divellish. Doe but obserue the ordinarie behaviour of men in this open light; how common is it for men to absent themselues from the publike service of God in the Sabboth, never blushing in plaine termes to prefer their owne vaine conceits before the ordinances of God? affirming and maintaining, that they can serue God as well at home, and in the chimney corner, by reading some good booke, &c. as in the Church by hearing the Preacher? And so wilfully blind are they, that they cannot see how basely in this they esteeme of Gods wisedome, who continually employes his servants, and commands them to be instant: the wisedome of God sends them Prophets, Apostles, wise men, &c. Mat. 23. 34.Matt 23:34If God send them dare wee thinke it needlesse? were hee not more then fond, who would send a Guide with a man, who without any direction can as well come to his journeyes end? How ordinary is it to draw neere to God in his word, to set before him, yet openly by sleeping, reading, nay many times talking, proclaim… the contempt and scorne in which p. 76they hold that Ordinance, the power of God to salvation? This behaviour were intollerable toward men, yet God must take it at our hand.Mal. 1.8.Mal 1:8 Offer such service to thy Prince, and try whether he will be content with it, and accept thy person? If he commaund thee to attend his pleasure at the Court; and sets thee a day, darest thou breake day with him? darest thou refuse? and answer, that thou canst doe him as good service at home? If thy father be in conference with thee, direct thee how to assure to thy selfe and thy posteritie thy inheritance, were it not an impudent contempt in the meane time to stand prating with some servant, or lye downe and sleepe?

How palpable then is our base conceit of God, and his words, that when we heare his Wisedome affirming, blessed are they that heare me, & wait upon the posts of my doors,Pro. 8. 34.Prov 8:34 Get thee forth (if thou wouldest finde me) by the steppes of the flocks, Cant. 1.7.8.Song 1:7Song 1:8and feed thy kids by the tents of the shepheards;Heb. 10,25.Heb 10:25 warnes us not to forsake the Assemblies, dare reply againe, I shall doe as well at home in mine owne house, as in his Courts, I shall as soone finde him in my private walkes, as among the flockes and shepheards. The cause of this contempt questionlesse is, that soveraigntie, and dominion of lust in the heart, which swayeth the whole man, yea even rides him, as with a snaffle, turning him from the way it liketh not, and driving him as with a spur, to any action, though never so unreasonable. This the Apostle intimates,2 Pet. 3 3.2 Pet 3:3 where he giues a generall cause of this action in scornfull men; namely, their following of lusts: & more particularly those worldly lusts of covetousnesse are most strong this way to draw the heart unto this despising of the word.Luke 16. 14.Luke 16:14 All this heard the Pharises, who were covetous, and they mocked him. Thus those mockers Ez…k. 33. 31.

4Howsoever it pleaseth the Lord sometimes even out of the chaire of scorning, to bring some home to his own dominion (so to manifest the power of his word, and the wonders of his grace) yet certainly such are farthest off p. 77from his kingdome, and in a more remote distance from happinesse, then other degrees of sinners. For in some kindes it is not with sinfull dispositions, as with these postures of the body: the body which walkes, neither stands, nor sits; the body which stands, neither sits, nor walkes; and that which sits, neither walkes, nor stands: but that soule which stands in the way of sinners, walks in the counsell of the ungodly, and hee which sits with scorners, both walkes and stands with sinners. For as a reasonable creature includes and comprehends both vegetation and sense, and as higher degrees of holines containe the lower: so in sin, he that sit… in the seate of mockers, in the same instant walkes in the counsell of the ungodly, and stands also in the way of sinners. Mocking of Gods Messengers, and despising the word is expressed by God to be the last and lowest degree of sinne in his people, immediately going before destruction. 2 Chron. 36. 16. scorners are an abomination to men: Pro. 24.9.Prov 24:9therefore Sarah could not indure mocking Ismael to stay in her house with her son, Gen. 21.9.10. How much more detestable are they in those most pure eyes of God, and shall be thrust out of his house? A fearefull curse God pronounceth upon any child that shall mocke his Father in the flesh, or despiseth his Mothers instruction;Pro. 30.17.Prov 30:17 the ravens of the valley shall picke out his eyes. Surely then that soule which mocketh his Creatour, and despiseth the instruction of the heavenly Ierusalem, that fowle of the ayre, who pickes up that good seed, shall devoure it.

2Examinatiō.Try here thy wayes, see and consider how far thou hast proceeded in the paths of death: hast thou hearkned to the counsell of the ungodly? hast thou stood with sinners? so that after conviction and checks of conscience thou hast still gone further, and sate downe among the despisers and mockers? Thou art even at the pits brinke, there is but a step betwixt death and thee, and if thou dost not quickly draw backe thy foote, thou wilt soone fall into a bottomlesse perdition.

p. 78Now because every one flatters himselfe, and drawes out his name from this number, remember (as before was shewed) that God is mocked in his workes,Pro. 17. 5.Prov 17:5 in his word, in his Saints. For even he that mocketh the poore, reprocheth his Maker; and all these kinds of mocking are either inward by despising (see Prov. 1. 22. 24. 25. thus Michal despised David in her heart;2. Sam. 6.16.2 Sam 6:16) or outward, partly by word injesting, flouting, scornfull speaking (thus Elisha was mocked,2 Kings 2. 23.2 Kgs 2:23 come up thou bald head, come up thou bald head) or by actions and gestures, as Christ was derided by the Souldiers, they cloth him with purple, they crowne him with thornes, they bend the knee &c. Now then consider thy wayes. The Lord in the Sabbath calls thee to remembrance of that great worke, the creation of thee, and all the world, & that greater, of thy redemption by Christ: hast thou not here sate with scorners? For hast thou neither in thy heart lightly esteem'd, nor in thy words jested, nor in thy actions slighted this solemne day? and so scorned that great work of God offering grace unto thee in his Ordinances? How many must confesse themselues guiltie of this sinne? For the word; when thou hast heard it sometime threatning, sometime promising, hast thou not set it at thy heeles? hast thou neither in thought, word, or action sleighted it? When thou hast conversed with the Saints, hast thou not despised that holy fellowship, and skoffed like profane Ismael? Common and ordinary is this abuse, and too few who can exempt themselues from this sinne. Looke therfore about thee, and quickly retire thy se…fe, least thou fall into that pit, whence there is no returning: for if thou continuest to goe on in this last degree, thou maiest soon proceed so farre that thou shalt never be able to retire. Certainely to crucifie Christ againe, to make a mocke of him to forsake the holy fellowship of the Saints, and after knowledge wilfully to plunge our selues into sinne; not some particular sinne, but that generall renounci…g of our holy profession (which will easily, and soone insue upon this p. 79scorning, and is but the last degree of it) is a state, not onelyonly dangerous, but desperate, see Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 25. 26. 27.

3Reproofe.How sharply then are all scorners to be rebuked? as 1. Those who inwardly despise, or outwardly deride God in his workes. Do but consider how generall this sin is by some few particulars, for how doth the prid… of the rich and wealthy carry them in heart to despise the poor, and to expresse it in their words and actions? How basely do they account of them? as if they had no fellowship with them in the same nature and grace. Let a man converse with us, who b…ares an high sail, whose lands, w…alth, friends… apparrel are fair, he hath all respect, and curtesie from us, be he never so poor in grace, nay openly known to be a bondslave to sin, and Satan: But if a man of meane parentage, and estate, though indeed a sonne of God, rich in grace, and heire of glory, have any thing to do with us, we will hardly afford him a kind looke, or word. How common is this vanitie to despise the wisdome of the poore? Eccle, 9.16.Though the wisdome of God hath openly testified,Pro. 28. 6.Prov 28:6 The poore which walketh in his uprightnes, is a better man then the rich which peruerteth his way, yet will not men beleeve it. For the better man ought to hauehave more respect: we finde it by experience too true: that friends, and Brethren reiect th… poore, be they never so instant with them:Pro. 19.7.Prov 19:7 & so g…nerall is it, that he ascribes it to all; what the cause of this contempt is, God himselfe telleth us.Pro. 14.21.Prov 14:21 The sinner despiseth his neighbour, but he that hath mercy on the poore is blessed, where despising and shewing mercy being opposed by God, teacheth us, that when wee withdraw our hand from doing them good, or oppresse them then we despise them: and this despising is not onelyonly, sinfull, but rises from grosse, customary sin: so that when we are hardned in rebellion, then we proceed to despise the poore, and God in him: But oh, thou vaine man, thou proud earth, art not thou the same clay of the same potter? and who hath separated thee? who makes rich, and p. 80poore. How presumest thou to despise the worke of God, being thy selfe the worke of his hands? Looke to thy beginning and ending, and spie out (if thou canst) any difference betwixt thee and the poorest. Art thou not servant to the same Lord, wearest thou not the same livery of skin and flesh? dost thou not sleepe in the same dust and nakednesse? wast thou borne with lands, treasure, or scepters in thy hand? what difference in the graue betweene thy mace and his mattocke? Oh if thou hast so much light, looke a little into thy heart, and see there a farre more miserable and desperate povertie. How poore is thy understanding in spirituall light, and treasures of knowledge? how poore thy heart in bowels of merciemercy? how needie art thou in faith, louelove, and those heavenly riches? Thou which art beggerly in the true, canst thou despise the want of **Luke 16.11.Luke 16:11wicked riches? Hast thou not received all from God? Art thou not his debtour? why boastest thou of thy debts? of that, of which thou art onelyonly a Steward, and accountable to thy Master? Certainly as that earth which is replenished with precious mettals, is altogether in the superficies barren and unfruitfull, so is it with …arthly men, who when they are swolne up with this worldly wealth, are most miserable beggers in the true and durable riches: insomuch that the Truth himselfe hath spoken it,Mat. 19. 24.Matt 19:24 a Camell shall as soone be drawne through the eye of a needle, as those men into the Kingdome of God. Boldly I dare a…firme it, that he hath never felt his inward miserie, who despiseth outward povertie.

Againe consider how contemptuously other workes of God are used by most men; for to omit many; that worke of his mercy in having patience with us, and forbearing us, how is it despised, how scornfully abused? May we not say to thousands with the Apostle,Rom. 2.4.Rom 2:4 thou despisest the riches of his bountifulnesse, and patience, and long-suffering: doe we not see with our eyes the complaint of Salomon verified among us?Eccle. 8.11.Eccl 8:11 because sentence against an p. 81evill worke is not speedily executed, therefore the heart of men is fully set in them to doe evill. Nay certainely so profane is the heart and so full of cursed Atheisme, that when the Lord holds his tongue, Psal. 50 20.Ps 50:20men begin to thinke that God is like to themselues. But surely in nothing more palpably appeares our contempt of God in his workes then in the open, wilfull, & even despitefull breach of the Sabbath, so often, and n…ver enough reproved. For first it is a day consecrated, and set out by God as holy, for remembrance of those two greatest workes of Gods power, wisedome, and goodnesse towards us, namely the Creation and Redemption. Againe it selfe is one of those workes of God, which especially manifesteth his grace towards us, and is one of his louelove-tokens, in that he hath set out this day as a signe, a working and e…fectuall signe, whereby we in …anctifying it to him, shall finde and feele he is our God, Ezek. 20.12.Ezek 20:12who sanctifies us to himselfe. Besides in setting downe that precept, he hath particularly hedged in our transgressing nature, provoking us by many strong motiues to obserue it… laying forth meanes to helpe us, tying a threed of remembrance about our hearts, that wee might bee wholy without excuse, so that whosoever with care reads it, he cannot but see, that the Lord more presseth that commandement, and inforceth it upon our conscience then all the rest, as being the meanes whereby hee writeth all the rest in our hearts. Doe but now behold the practise of men (and not to mention the Papists, who holding not the head Christ Iesus) regard not his day, but abuse it, & maintain the abuse to any journey, or other affaires, but deifying the Saints, most superstitiously obserue dayes by the Pope dedicated to their service:) l…t us look unto our selues. Are not Ministers charged, nay fearfully adjured to preach the word, to be instant in season, & out of season: 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2.2 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:2yet how many despise the very season of sowing that precious and immortall seede? As great a charge is given to the people for hearing, and as great, and more is their neglect and contempt, openly proclaimed p. 82by them, as well by their spending some of those few houres of Gods publike worshippe in their owne workes, abroad in the field, or at home in their beds, by their fires &c. as also by an impudent avouching and defending their sinne; scorning all reproofe, and deriding the reprover, Nay even some that are called and reputed honest men, and boast themselues to bee good keepers of their Church, make no conscience to mispend the rest of the Sabboth, in any vaine, or idle employment, taking liberty to dash out any instruction they hauehave received with ordinary, nay many times unlawfull, and at any time sinfull recreations.

Whence can this behaviour proceede, but from a notorious contempt of God? from a grounded Atheism and wilfull unbeliefe of heart? And what? Art thou indeed stronger then God? Ier. 7.19.Jer 7:19Dost thou provoke him to anger, and dost thou not provoke thy selfe to confusion of face? Oh! know and remember God is not mocked, and when hee denounceth so frequently unto thee for this sinne destruction of body and soule, he **See Esay 29 20.Isa 29:20mockes thee not. Thine owne reason will teach thee; as thou sowest, so shalt thou reape: if thou sowest the wind, thou shalt reape the whirlwinde, if thou sowest contempt, thou shalt reape derision:Pro. 3.34.Prov 3:34 with the scorner hee scorneth.

2. Mocking God in his Saints must here bee reproved, 2the most common sinne of this Age. Everie abject scornes Christ in his members, and indeede despiseth not so much the person, as holinesse in the person. Holinesse without all question is that Attribute of God in which he most excells, and delights, the very beautie of the Lord. Here wee admire his power, grace, mercy, but in heaven the Saints and glorious Angels beholding his face, are ravished with that beautie of his holinesse, and in their prayse, double this propertie, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of p. 83Hosts: In man it is the very image,Esay 6.2.Isa 6:2 Rev 4.8.Rev 4:8(when hee is begotten unto God as his child through the immortall seed of his word) hee doth resemble his heavenly Father: which therefore the Lord commaunds us to follow, and to labour for it,Levit. 11 44. 45.Lev 11:44Lev 11:45 and sets downe the penaltie of our neglect,1 Pet. 1.15.161 Pet 1:151 Pet 1:16 wee shall never see his face;Heb. 12 …4.Heb 12:4 but shall bee banished from his presence. It is the very end why God hath chosen us,Ephe. 1.4. & 5. 26.27.Eph 1:4Eph 5:26Eph 5:27 why Christ hath given himselfe for us; yea the effect of his bloud, the especiall worke of Gods Spirit dwelling in us.2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4 In a word it is the very nature of God communicated to us. There is no sinne therefore which more evidently exalts it selfe against Christ, none that reacheth so high toward heaven in defiance of God, as this, when men despise in heart this image and nature of God, and in despitefull termes and gestures publish themselues the scornefull enemies of holinesse.

How common this divellish profanenesse is, may easily bee seene; first in fastning the odious name of Sectaries and Heretickes upon those which desire and endeavour to flie the corruption which is in the world through lust, and in truth of heart to follow after righteousnesse: for if a man with feare and trembling striues to eschew evill, and doe good, and hath set up his resolution to walke godlily, righteously, and soberly in this present world; how soone is hee branded by worldly and wicked men with the name of a Puritane? Which being ancient Heretikes, sheltring their ranke and stinking sinnes under that abuse of Scripture, To the pure all things are pure: pretended themselues to be cleane, pure, and holy in the practise of all filthinesse. Nay, they are not afraid (if they discerne in any more shewes of godlinesse then ordinary) to deride him, by applying to him that title, which is the most honourable, that p. 84belongs to a Christian, as, This is one of the holy Brotherhood, one of the holy Sisters: Surely if they think them not such, and speake ironically, accounting them hipocrites of whome they thus speake, (for thus they excuse themselves) then are they most vnexcusable, who dare abuse to mockery the greatest honour, that ever God vouchsafed the creature: to be a Brother, and heire with Christ, and to apply a name appropriate to Gods Saints unto such, as they esteeme no better then whited tombes, and painted sepulchers. And because folly is the especiall object of contempt, they are come to that height of bold Atheisme, that they will impudently terme such Gods fooles. But as the Apostle affirmes the folly of God to be farre aboue the wisedome of men: so these fooles (as they call them) of God, are farre aboue these worldly wise Achitophels, who with all their policie can never escape, nay by it runne into destruction and perdition of body and soule. That these should be Christians, who mocke Christianitie, that these should bee children of God, who scoffe at the Brotherhood of Christ, let them beleeue who can; for my selfe I cannot see how the greatest charitie (which is alwayes joyned with wisedome) can otherwise account of these men, then of most wretched Infidels, filled with contempt of Christ, and hellish Atheisme: well therefore may we pray against their wickednesse;Psal. 31.18.Ps 31:18 let the lying lips be made dumbe, which speake grievous things proudly, & contemptuously against the righteous. Psal. 79.4.12.Ps 79:4Ps 79:12We are a reproach to our neighbours: a scorne and derision to those that are round about us: Render seven fold into their bosome the reproch, wherewith they hauehave reproched thee O Lord.

3Those that despise the word of God, and him in this his Ordinance, are here evidently condemned. Let such know it is impossible to separate the despising of the meanest in Gods Ministrie, from the contempt of Christ, and God his Father,Luke 10.16.Luke 10:16 he that despiseth you despiseth me, and p. 85he that despiseth mee, despiseth him that sent mee: where Christ in generall speaketh of all Ministers, whom hee employeth in the glad tydings of salvation, and particularly of such as were not Apostles, but the seventie Disciples, who (if we consider them at that time) in the knowledge of Christian mysteries of faith were farre inferiour to the most ordinary Professours at this day. In vaine therefore shall men plead before the tribunall of Christ; Lord when did we heare thee preaching unto us, and scorned thy word? for he will, nay hath already answered, he that heareth whom I send, heareth me: and therefore what you hauehave done to the lowest of these my messengers, you hauehave done unto mee. Moreover there is nothing more certaine then this judgement of God, that hee will mock…, and scorne thy word, when thou with as much earnestnes shalt sue to him, as he now to thee.Pro. 1.25.26.Prov 1:25Prov 1:26 B…cause you despised all my counsell, I will laugh at your destruction, and mocke when your feare comm…th: See also Psalme 2. vers. 4.

And herein the Romish Church manifesteth her whordome, in that shee hath, and still doth make a mocke of that most holy word of Christ. Surely that which Pope Leo 10. spoke, the rest of that Hierarchie thinke, and are not dainty to expresse their thoughts in their actions, who blasphemously boasted, that the fable, or tale of Christ had brought them no small advantage. Evidently in those two actions doe they discover themselues what they thinke of Religion.

1. That they turne the whole streame of it into the bottomlesse gulfe of their covetousnesse and ambition, & frame it wholy to earthly ends, accepting no doctrine, nor allowing it as good, which tends not to the advancement of the Clergie, and either directly, or by some fetching about, brings them in profit or honour. This cannot but appeare to any man, who doth not winke, or lookes not through Iesuiticall spectacles.

p. 862. In that they equall such humane writings with the divine, in which shines no sparke of divine light, but are branded with manifest untruths and impossibilities, and ascribe such workes to the holy Ghost, wherein the Authour protests his end of writing,2 Macab. 15. 2 last verses. to delight the eare of the reader, nay desires to be excused for slender and bare speaking.

4Comfort.Hence arises much consolation to an afflicted soule, which having a deepe sense of sinne,Comfort. speakes as the Apostle, I am chiefe of sinners. How farre soever thou hast gone in evill, if thou turne from it, and …efusest any longer to sit in the chaire of scorning, thou shalt be accepted and blessed. There are three degrees of men departed this life: the first, when a man is newly dead and layd out; another cos…in'd, and going to the graue; a third buried, and stinking in the tombe. Christ raised all these: Iairus daughter in the house: the widowes son upon the beare, going to the graue:Ephe. 2.1.5.Eph 2:1Eph 2:5 Lazarus in the sepulchre: he quickens by his spirit, not only those that are dead, but buried also in sinnes and trespasses. Feare not therefore but come unto Christ, or rather receiue Christ comming to thee: beleeue onelyonly, and thou shalt liue.

5ExhortationTake heed now to thy foote, and enter not into the way of scorners: be no more a mocker, least thy bonds increase. Thou canst not but see every where profane men (the plague of these last times) making a jest of Religion,Esay. 28.52.Isa 28:52 despising God in his workes, in his word, in his Saints: set not in with them, but flie from them, as from the pestilence.

And for a motiue to stop thee from this course, consider thei… steppes, how many feete hauehave gone that way, how few returned? Thou shalt find they perish by skores (2 King. 2. 24.) but hardly one or two single soules retyring safely from this last steppe of sinne. But especially awaken thy soule from this sinne, with assurance of like measure from God: O seriously thinke with thy selfe; will not the day come, is it not running poast toward p. 87me, and I know not how neere, when I shall fi…de no comfort but onelyonly in peace with God? My pleasures, my wealth will forsake me, my friends will weepe for mee, my body full of deadly griefes, my soule pinched with thousand pangs of conscience, the bell summoning me, the graue gaping for me, my accusers one without, another within mee, and the Iudge who cannot bee bribed, much lesse any longer mocked, …eady to arraine me. Oh then how welcome to mee will be the least hope, that God would lend me a mercifull eare to heare me? If hee should then deride my petition, scorne my supplication, and laugh at my miserie, what can be expected but a fearfull instant damnation? how soone would those foule spirits plunge my desolate soule into that eternall torment, that lake of fire & brimstone? Shall I then willingly plucke this infinite misery upon my head? Hath not the Truth, which cannot lie assured me, and will not my reason confirme it, that he scornes the scorner? How should I looke upon his face when he must be my Iudge, whom I scorned to be my friend? How shall I stand before his wrath, whose grace I d…rided? O therfore my soule prevent this mischiefe betimes, accept of grace while he offers it: seeke, search sue for it now, that thou mayest then assuredly finde it: goe forth to meete it, which is sent to meete thee: take hold of it and leaue it not, which will hold up thy head at that day, & will never leaue thee, till thou art seated in eternall happinesse.