Fruitful Instructions and Necessary Doctrines, Part 78 – Part 110
78 We muſt applye our thoughtes delight, and deſires to profit our neighbour.
THe lord our god commandeth vsus, to bring our deſires, thoughtes, and delightes, vntounto the good and benefit of our brethren: and that wee bring not onelyonly handes to do well to our neighbours, but alſo heartes, thoughtes, deſires, luſting, longing and delighting therein: according as the Apoſtle teſtifieth of himſelfe, that hee was delighted with the lawe of God according to the inner man: whereunto accordeth the holye Ghoſt by the mouth of Salomon ſaying:Pro. 21.15 It is ioye to the iuſt to doe iudgement. Manie hauehave beene brought to doe outward things in themſelues good, which neuer had any ioyefull deſire in them to glorifie God with them: but the holy ghoſt worketh in his, not only a change of workes,Pſ. 51.10. but alſo an alteration of thoughts, deſires, & delights, yt their deſires may be holden within yt which is good, wherin it behoueth a Chriſtian to be carefull,Deu. 29.4. euē thus to tranſforme his delights: not taking it ſufficient, if hee ſhall hauehave brought thē at any time, frō yt which was euill, vntill he hauehave ioyned them to yt which is good. Wherfore, let our care be encreaſed this way, & let vsus be far frō thinking yt the grace of god only reacheth vntounto the deede and full conſent, letting deſires and thoughts take their libertie in their corruption: but we muſt confeſſe (as the truth is) that his grace not onelyonly brideleth thoughtes from ruſhinge into that which is euell: but alſo giueth them a ſweete taſte in that which is good and holdeth them greatly thereunto. Wherfore let vsus ſeeke after the grace of God, not only to ſeaſon our deeds, but alſo our thoughtes and delights therewith, that our ſtudie & thoughts may be occupied in that which is acceptable vntounto him.
79 Concupiſcence reſtrayned by the Papiſtes.
THe Papiſtes doe reſtrayne this worde of concupiſcence, to thoſe euill affections & deſires which import a reſolute will, and full conſent, the which is againſt the natural ſence of Moyſes, and yet is it a doctrine fully concluded among them. And although they cannot deny that to be pricked and prouoked with an euell and wicked deſire is a damnable vice,Ex. 20.17. and which proceedeth from originall ſinne, and from this corruption which we draw from Adam: yet they imagine that after Baptiſme this is no more a ſinne.Deu. 5.21. As if ſuch a fantaſie come into the minde of man, to doubt of the promiſes of GOD, to murmure againſt him, to bee angrye with him: when a man ſhall bee afflicted, if it come into his fantaſie to accuſe God of iniuſtice and crueltye, this is not a ſinne, ſaye the Papiſtes. Neither are theſe of the rudeſt and ignoranteſt ſorte amonge them whiche ſpeake thus, but this is a generall reſolution, and doctrine vniuerſally concluded on, in al their diueliſh Sinagogues. There is not a Synagogue among them, where this hath not beene receaued as an article of faith: namely that a man being prouoked and ſtirred vppe by ſome wicked deſire ſinneth not,Ro. 7.7. that if hee bee tempted in himſelfe to commit murther, to commit fornication: and briefely to be guiltie of al the crimes in the worlde: if ſo bee, that he conſent and aſſent not thereunto, that is to ſaye, if hee reſolue not himſelfe herein, to ſay that he will put in practiſe his wicked conceit, and that hee ſtaye not himſelfe heereon to pleaſe himſelfe in this wicked affection: all this (ſay the Papiſtes) is no ſinne. This is (ſay they) but to exerciſe vsus in combate and fight againſt ſinne, and wee then declare that wee are valiant champions, and that ſinne beareth not rule ouer vsus, or reighneth in vsus. Nowe (in deede) it is true, that the faithfull ſhewe well that the ſpirite of God reighneth in them, when they repel and beate back ſuch temptations, knowing that they are contrarie vntounto God, and that hee condemneth them. It is certaine that hereby it is ſhewed, that God hath giuen vsus victorie ouer ſinne, and that the vertue and power of his ſpirite abideth in vsus, and yt we are ſtout and valiant champions to bid battell againſt Sathan. But this is not to ſay, that we are exempted and freed from all fault,Io. 3.6. Ro. 7.14. and that wee may ſo plucke out of vsus all ſinne, and ranſome our ſelues ſo fully, as if it might not ſtayne and ſpotte vsus any longer. We are farre wyde from this.Ro. 3.9.23 Gal. 3.22. For on the one ſide it is true, that wee hauehave great cauſe to prayſe GOD, that he beſtoweth this grace vponupon vsus by his holy ſpirite, to ſurmount and ouercome all wicked affections: but in the meane time, we ought to bewayle our ſelues knowing that wee are on our parte ouer weake, and that if hee take not pittie vppon vsus, foraſmuch as we hauehave within vsus an euill conſcience, which is to prouoke his vengeaunce againſt vsus: wee ſhoulde well deſerue to bee throne downe of him into the bottomleſſe pit of death.
80 Concupiſcence without conſent is ſinne.
IN the former commaundementes, the Lorde condemned whatſoeuer wicked affections our heartes conceaue: but there is great difference betweene a ſette will, and affections whereby wee are tickled. Therefore by this laſt commaundement, God requireth ſuch integritie of vsus, that no corrupt luſt ſhoulde mooue vsus vntounto euill, howeſoeuer it be that we conſent not vntounto it. And heerein God woulde open and diſcouer the ſhame and reprooch of the Papiſtes, and howe that the greateſt Clerkes among them are more rude and ignoraunt then the poore vnbeleeuers, which neuer hearde one worde of the holy ſcripture.Deut. 6.5. Mat. 22 37 Luk. 10.27. Mar. 12.30 Ro. 13.9. It is ſayde that the ſumme of the Lawe is, that we louelove God withall our heart, withall our ſoule, and with all our minde. Let vsus nowe conſider, if a man conceaue any thing againſt GOD, if he conceaue anye euill luſt or deſire of fornication or ſtealing, although hee cleaue not at all vntounto it, yet one part of his ſoule and vnderſtanding is alreadie corrupted, and he loueth not GOD with all his heart. There is no queſtion of the heart, but of this apprehenſion and conceiuing of the minde, which is in the ſoule of man. Nowe he ſheweth that there is great vanitie in this, that the feare of God, withholdeth him not, as it ought. It followeth then, that he is culpable and condemned, becauſe he diſchargeth not himſelfe, in louing GOD, as he hath commanded him. And thus, we ſee, that euill and wicked thoughtes are condemned, and that wee cannot ſo excuſ… them, but that God ſhall woorthilye puniſh vsus for them. And let vsus knowe that although men neuer conſent vntounto euill, to hauehave their will reſolutely bent thereunto: yet ceaſe they not to be accurſed before God, if he would vſe his ſeueritie againſt them.
81 In euill deedes left vndone, and in good deedes done, we may be deceaued.
THe vnderſtanding that Chriſtians hauehave of their eſtate how it fareth betweene GOD and them, is better taken and hath ſurer proofe and more certaine teſtimonie from their deſires and inwarde affections vntounto the lawe of God, then from their outward doing of thinges commanded by the law. Euil things may be left vndoone for feare of puniſhment,Mat. 6.16. for deſire of commendation, or auoyding of euill ſpeech, or for that we are not tempted with thē, when notwithſtanding the heart ſhal not in any reſpecte miſlike of them.Eſay. 29.13. Good thinges alſo may be doone for prayſe of man, for hope of merites with God,Mar. 7.6. when yet the affection ſhal nothing be mooued that way. And this is nothing before GOD, to auoyde euill from our hande, but to imprint it neuertheleſſe in our heart, or to doe good with our hande without anye deſire of the heart.
So that both in euill deedes left vndone, and alſo in good deedes done, we may be deceaued. But if the inwarde affection of the heart ſtand deſirouſlye affected, after that which God hath commaunded vsus to doe vntounto men, & hatefully affected towards that which God hath forbidden, this change cannot be wrought there, but by the ſpirite of God alone. As for the prayſe, and diſpraiſe of the people, it reacheth nothing ſo far. Wherfore let vsus embrace this deſire vntounto the duties commaunded vsus, not giuing any reſt vntounto the Lorde in our prayers, before we ſhall obtaine this inward teſtimonie which is aboue al exception to be taken againſt it: and without the which outward doinges are of no account before the Lorde,Pſ. 42.21. Ro. 12.8. 2. Co. 9.7. who looketh into ye affections of man, and embraceth a chearefull and delightfull giuer.
82 No man fulfilleth the lawe throughly.
MEn by their good wils can neuer finde in their hearts to giuegive ouer the opinion which they hauehave of their owne righteouſneſſe, except they bee compelled and forced thereunto. For although we be ouerwhelmed with ſo many vices as is pity to behold: yet the worſt and deepeſt rooted vice in our nature is pride, or preſumptuouſneſſe,Gen. 6.5. which is a ſelfewilled perſwading that there is ſomewhat in vsus: inſo much that although God tell vsus, that there is in vsus but euill, lewdnes filthineſſe, and vncleanneſſe, and that al the vertue which we dreame vppon is but vanity and leaſing: yet can hee not compaſſe to humble vsus, vntill we our ſelues perceaue our owne neede, and hauehave proued it to our faces. The holy Ghoſte by Saint Paule doth pronounce that all they which are of the Law are accurſed.Gal. 3.10. Whereby he meaneth that ſo long as men reſt & muſe vppon their owne workes, and thinke to obtayne grace by that meane before God, they be accurſed.
For like as he that forſaketh himſelfe, and renounceth all that he hath of his owne, and groundeth himſelfe vppon the onelyonly mercye of God, is of faith: ſo contrariwiſe he that thinketh to bring any ſeruice wherwith to bind God vntounto him, or imagineth to recompence him with his merits, is of the Lawe.Deu. 27.26. And nowe, ſeeing that the law curſeth all them, that performeth it not to the full, it is certaine that all men from the greateſt to the leaſt are guiltie. For the ſumme of the Law is, that we louelove God with all our hearte, with all our ſoule, and with all our minde,Deu. 6.5. Ma 22.37. Luk. 10.27 Mar. 12.30 Ro. 13.9. and our neighbour as our ſelfe. That is to ſay, We ſhould louelove we ſhould hate, we ſhould feare, wee ſhould hope for nothing, but in GOD and to his glory. Wee ſhoulde thinke or muſe vppon nothing in our minde & vnderſtanding, but that may make to the honor and glory of God. Wee ſhould do nothing to any other, which we would not willingly be contented ſhould be done vntounto vsus.
If we examine our ſelues by this rule, wee ſhall neede no other iudge then our ſelues to condemne vsus. For certaine it is, that no man can keepe the Lawe, that is to ſaye, no man can diſcharge himſelfe throughlye of all thinges that the Lawe commaundeth. For it is not in vaine that it is called an intollerable burthen.Act. i5.10 Alſo wee ſee our owne infirmity, and there God ſheweth vsus an Angelicall holineſſe. And how then is it poſſible for vsus to attaine vntounto it? Neuertheleſſe the faithfull being guided and gouerned by Gods ſpirit, do keepe the Law that is to ſay, they walk according to the rule that is geuen them in the ſame.
83 No man ſhalbe iuſtified by the deedes of the Lawe.
ALthough wee endeuor to keepe a cleare conſcience towards GOD, and to leade a blameleſſe life through charitie towards men, according to the preſcript rule of Gods Lawe: yet our ſo doing, muſt not be with intent to purchaſe grace fauour, or righteouſneſſe thereby at Gods hand (for that belongeth onelyonly vntounto Chriſt, and no man liuing ſhalbe iuſtified by the deedes of the Lawe) nor to glorifie our ſelues to the worldward: For whoſoeuer ſeeketh the glorye of men is deſtitute of the glorye of GOD,Ma. 5.16. &c. 1. Pet. 2.12, & hath receaued his reward alreadye) but onelye to glorifie GOD by ſhewing forth the mighty working of his ſpirit in vsus, to the benefite of our neighbors to the ſtabliſhing of our owne conſciences in the faith, and to the confuſion and ſhame of the aduerſaries which do ſlanderouſly miſreport ye doctrin of ſaluatiō which we profes.
If we deale after this manner, then doeth Gods woorde put vsus out of all doubt, that ſinne ſhall not get the vpper hand of vsus, becauſe we be not vnderunder the Law, but vnderunder grace. And this continuall renewing & maintayning of the battell, againſt Sathan, the worlde,Ro. 6.14. and our owne fleſh, aſſureth vsus, that although we be neuer ſo full of infirmities, yet are we grafted into Chriſt, and growne into him by reſembling his death, in that we are crucified, and dayly labour to crucifie ye old man with him: by means wherof we grow vp again into ye liknes of his reſurrection, through newnes of life to the glory of God for euer. Finallye it warranteth vsus that wee bee firmlye ſetled and grounded in Gods election ſo as we cannot in any wiſe periſh, for ſathan is not deuyded againſt him ſelf,Ro. 6.4, 5.6. Ma. 12.2 6 the wor…lings hate not the world nor the things therein: fleſh and blood miſlike not the corruption of old Adā: neither can any man come vntounto Chriſt except the father drawe him.Iob. 6.44.
84 The dignitie of the Goſpell.
THe Goſpell is not a common doctrine, nor a doctrine lightlye to be regarded: And although it hath pleaſed God that it ſhould be preached by the meanes of men, which are but fraile creatures, and oftentimes of ſmall accompt:1. Tim. 1.11. yet is it not therefore to be ſaid that the doctrine which they pronounce through the ſpirite of God, is therefore the worſe or to bee eſteemed of leſſe value: for the goſpell is a goſpell of glory, that is to ſay, a glorious doctrine, wherein the Maieſtie of God appeareth.Ro. 1.16. If the power of God ought to bee in eſtimation with vsus: that power ſhineth in the goſpell. If the goodneſſe of GOD bee worthy to be ſought for and loued of vsus: The goſpell is an inſtrument of that goodneſſe: Worthy therefore it is, to be reuerenced and embraced if the goodneſſe of God be to be reuerenced, and as it is an inſtrument of our ſaluation, ſo is it to bee looued of vsus.
85 The Goſpell encourageth to godlineſſe.
AS there is nothing cā keep good children ſo much in obedience then to know their fathers good will towardes them: ſo nothing can more pithyly moue good Chriſtians to the ſeruice of God, and keeping of his Law, then in his goſpel to learne his vnſpeakable goodneſſe and mercy towardes them.
Moreouer the ſame Goſpell that teacheth vsus by Chriſts bloode onelye to attaine remiſſion of our ſinns,Eph. 2.10. Luk. 1.73. Tit. 2.11. doth teach vsus alſo that the ende of our redemption is to liue in the feare of God, and no more to be ſubiect vntounto ſinne. God the Father by his ſonne Ieſus Chriſt hath deliuered vsus from ſinne and ſathan, and therefore muſte we nowe forſake them, and liue in the obedience of him that hath ſo mercifully and ſo freely redeemed vsus. For this cauſe doe wee profeſſe to forſake the Deuill and all his workes,Ro. 6.4. and as the Apoſtle ſaith, binde our ſelues to riſe with Chriſt in newneſſe of life,Ro. 13.12. that ſeeing we be nowe made by him the children of light, we ſhoulde hauehave no more to doe with the woorkes of darkeneſſe.
86 The will of God muſt bee our direction.
IF we will praye rightly vntounto God, We muſt knowe what his will is, and to vnderſtand the ſame wee muſt knowe what hee ſheweth vsus in his woorde, wee muſte compaſſe all our requeſtes according to his holy will, and reſt our ſelues vppon his promiſes.
And whereas the ſcripture ſpeaketh of the will of GOD after two ſortes:1. Tim. 2.4 Gen. 6.6. it is not as though hee had a double will, but it is becauſe of our groſnes and rudeneſſe. And whereas it is alſo ſaid, that GOD is ſometimes angrye, ſometimes ſorrye,1. Sam. 13 11. and that hee repenteth himſelfe, it is not as though GOD had anye ſuch paſſions and affections of man: But the holy Ghoſt applieth himſelf to our weakneſſe, becauſe wee cannot comprehend God in his incomprehenſible Maieſty.
87 God hath his elect in all countries.
VVHereas it is ſaide, that God will hauehave all men to be ſaued: the meaning is not that God wil ſaue eueryevery particuler man,1. Tim. 2.4. Ttt, 2.11. but it is to be vnderſtood of all countreyes, and of all nations, ſo that whereas in times paſt he choſe but one certaine people to himſelfe: now he hath his elect in all places, & his mercy is ſhewed to all the world: The promiſes which were giuen to the Iewes onelyonly are now ſtretched vntounto the Gentils which were ſeparated from God,Eph. 2.12. and cut of and baniſhed from all hope of ſaluation.
88 The foundation of God abideth ſure.
WHen we ſee ſuch turnings that they which ſeemed to be forwardes in religion do giuegive back and withdraw themſelues from the kingdome of heauen:2. Tim. 2.19. yet for all that wee muſt not thinke that the Church is deminiſhed. And although the number of them whō we thought to be faithfull is by this meanes ſmaller: yet let vsus be aſſured that how ſoeuer the world go, there is a ſure foundation, God will alwaye keepe his church, and there ſhall alwayes bee ſome to call vponupon him, and to worſhippe him:Pſ. 72.5. and this may be ſufficient for vsus for aſmuch as our ſaluation is ſo ſurely ſetled vponupon the grace of our God in that it hath pleaſed him to chooſe vsus before the world was made and ſo to account vsus among the number of his children.Ep. 1.4.
89 We hauehave no power in our ſelues to ſerue God.
EXperience teacheth vsus verye euidently that wee hauehave ſuch imbecillitie and weakenes in our ſelues,Pſ. 46.1.2. that we are not able to continue in the ſeruice of God vnleſſe wee hauehave a greater ſtrength then is to be founde in our mortal nature: For ſuch is our frailty that we are ready to fall at eueryevery ſtep, and moreouer the deuil ceaſeth not to aſſault vsus daily, which importeth that we could not bee able to reſiſt him vnleſſe wee had an higher vertue. But God who ſeeth our imperfection, doth not at any time bring vsus out to combats but therwithall he giueth vsus ſufficient ſtrength to withſtand them,1. Cor. 10.13. and alſo our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath receiued al vertue & power to fortify thoſe yt are his that they be not forſaken: and yet notwithſtanding we muſt prepare our ſelues to an inuincible courage if ſo bee that we will go on with our vocation and calling:Mat. 28.18 but they eſpecially that muſt lead the way to other, (I meane the miniſters of the worde of God) they hauehave neede of this heauenly helpe, for Sathan wil more fiercely & more dā gerouſly bende his aſſault towardes them, then towards any other.
90 God wil trie and proue our hartes.
WE muſte not thinke to ſerue God at our eaſe and reſt, for he wil trie and proue what hartes we hauehave to employ our ſelues to his wil. And this is the cauſe why he letteth looſe the bridle to the wicked & granteth peace and reſt to the naughtye perſons:Pſ 44.21. and on the other ſide ſuffereth his children to bee moleſted by them, and this is the matter that wee are ſo often exerciſed and tryed: but we hauehave the remedy at hande, for the ſcripture ſheweth vsus that the grace of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſhal be cō mon vntounto vsus if ſo be,2. Tim. 2.1 we embrace it and caſt it not away through our negligence.
91 The word of God abideth for euer.
IF we will proue our faith and obedience towards god, the truth of his word muſt thē raigne ouer vsus,1. Pet. 1.23. we muſt frame our liues thereafter, wee muſt know yt it is an abiding and immortall truth not flitting nor changeable, it is not a temporal doctrine to ſerue for a ſeaſon, but the mynde of God was that it ſhould be of force in theſe dayes, and vntounto the ende of the world, and that the world ſhoulde ſooner periſh and heauen and earth decaye then the authoritie of the law or of the prophets ſhoulde bee diminiſhed:Mat. 5.18. Luk. 16.17. 2. Tim. 3.15. and therefore we muſt ſuffer our ſelues to bee gouerned by the holye ſcripture, referring our ſelues thether without ſeeking wiſedome in any other place.
92 It is not ſufficient onelyonly to read the ſcripture.
THe ſcriptures are giuen vntounto vsus from aboue, not to the ende wee might hauehave them onelyonly in bookes and ſo laye them vp as our treaſure as many men do: neither yet are they giuen that we might ſimply and ſleightly read them,Mat. 7.21. Ro. 2.13. Ia. 1 22. as though it were ſufficient to read: either that by a ſuperſtitions opinion, the reading of them might be in ſtead of worſhip and diuine ſeruice, as the papiſtes doe, and as the Iewes continuallye do on the Sabboth dayes: but they are geuen to this ende that they might be read with diligence, and with a minde deſirous to finde out thoſe things which belong to true knowledge and true godlines.
93 The Scripture is profitable.
THere is nothing in the ſcriptures which may not ſerue to our learning and inſtitution of our life: there is no vaine or vnprofitable thing contained in the oracles of god and therfore we muſt profit in the reading of the ſcripture vntounto pietie and holines of life.2. Tim. 3.16.17. What ſoeuer is ſet down therin we muſt labour to learne it, for it were a reproch againſt the ſpirite of truth,Io. 16.13. if wee ſhoulde thinke hee hath taught any thing which were not materiall for vsus to know: ſecondly whatſoeuer is taught in the ſcriptures, let vsus know that it tendeth to the encreaſe of godlines: For hereunto ſpecially do they ſerue,Ro. 15.4. as namelye to erect the mindes of men (being prepared vntounto patience and ſtrengthened by conſolations) vntounto the hope of eternall life, and to keepe them in the meditation thereof.
94 The ſcripture is diuinely inſpired.
THe ſcripture calleth no man, but as is well agreeing either to his nature, his affections or his maners. It flattereth no man (although it giuegive very honorable names and titles to the faithfull) neither blameth it anye body but vponupon iuſt cauſe. For the ſcripture is diuinely inſpired and endited by the holy Ghoſt which is a teacher of all trueth and a hater of lyes.
With feare and reuerence therfore, with care and diligence wee ſhoulde reade the holy ſcriptures and heare the preaching of the Goſpell: for therin doth God open his mouth to giuegive vsus wiſedome.Io. 4.24. And we muſt not imagine any carnall thing of God ſeeing hee is a ſpirite: we muſt not reſort to the preaching of his worde and to the publicke prayers ſlacklye or for cuſtomes ſake, or to auoyde the danger of the lawe, as do the hypocrites, the ſuperſtitious and Idolaters: but to th'end we may receaue and learne wiſedome of God through his grace and goodneſſe, whereby we knowing him, maye walke in his feare.
95 The ſcripture muſt be read with reuerence.
THe readers of the ſcriptures muſt be ſearchers and not corrupters, wreſters, dreamers, or ſuperſtitious murmurers. For the Scriptures do not require anye ſearching, but that which is godlye, humble and deſirous to knowe and embrace one trueth onelye: otherwyſe a man maye fynde ſome whiche reade the Scriptures but not to ſearche out Gods trueth, but rather to hinder the ſame. Euen ſoe, Herode inquired out the trueth out of the ſcriptures concerninge the place where Chriſt ſhould be borne,Mat. 2.4 not to the end he might worſhip him, but rather to deſtroy him. Alſo the Phareſies ſaid not to Nicodemus beholde what is writē in the ſcripture cōcerning chriſt: but they ſaid ſearch & looke, for out of Gallilye riſeth no Prophet. So in like manner wicked and vngodlyeIo. 7.52. men do ſearch the ſcriptures to corrupt the ſame to their owne deſtruction.
96 Faith in Chriſt.
IT is very neceſſarie for chriſtians to know, firſt wherof faith in chriſt doth come: what wee muſt beleeue concerning Chriſt, and in what, faith in Chriſt is to be continued and confirmed.Ro. 10.17 Faith (the Apoſtle ſaith) commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God: Secondly, if ſo be faith commeth by hearing of the worde of the Lord, and if it be our parte to abide in the ſame, and that wee ought not to beleeue anye other thing then the verye ſame which is ſet before vsus by the worde, whereby wee conceaue faith and beleeuing in the which wee abide: very fooliſh are they which at this day ſay they knowe not what to beleue and what not, for if ſo be they were abiding in the word of the Lord they ſhoulde knowe what to beleeue: but becauſe they hauehave already applyed their eares and minde to humaine doctrine, it commeth to paſſe that they being ignorant of Gods trueth, are carried about with eueryevery winde of doctrine the which is forbidden by the holy ghoſt.Eph. 4.14. Thirdly this alſo is manifeſt, in what chriſtian fayth ought to bee maintained and confirmed,Io. 8.31. when our ſauiour Chriſt ſaith yt they which continue in his worde are his true diſciples. So that we muſt abide in that from which wee hauehave conceaued our faith. We are begotten by the worde of truth thorough faith,Iam. 1.18. & by the ſame we are ſtrengthned and confirmed.
97 Chriſt hath freed vsus from the lawe.
OVr Lorde Ieſus Chriſt was ſent to redeeme them that were vnderunder the lawe, that wee might receaue the adoption of ſonnes. Hee was moreouer our peace when hee ſhedde his bloud to wype out all our ſinnes,Gal. 4.5. to deliuer vsus from all our debtes, when he became a curſe for vsus and was become ſubiect to all reproch to couer all the faultes which we had committed. And whereas God was our enemie (as alſo we on our partes were enemies to him) in Chriſt may wee beholde our agreement,Eph. 2.14.15.16. and ſo likewiſe the attonement which was made and accompliſhed.
98 There is no chaunge in God.
WHereas it pleaſed God to hide the witneſſe of his Goſpel for a ſeaſon from the Gentilles, and afterwarde to hauehave it preached throughout all the worlde, and chuſe ſuch a fitte time for it, as hee had determined in his ſecrete Coun…: we muſt not ſaye that he is chaungeable therefore:Iam. 1.17. but wee muſt learne to worſhippe and reuerence him in his prouidence with all humbleneſſe, confeſſing that nothing proceedeth from him but moſt iuſtly and moſt wiſely,1. Tim. 1.17. and that whatſoeuer hee hath once determined, and whatſoeuer he doth, cannot be controlled.
99 The will of God muſt be our rule.
WE muſt not giuegive our ſelues too much to our luſtes, as by nature we are prouoked thereunto, but alwayes wayte vponupon God, to ſee what his good will and pleaſure is and with patience and quietneſſe wayte for the ſame, and although manie thinges fall not out as wee would hauehave them, but wee thinke to our fooliſh reaſon that God ſhoulde hauehave doone other wiſe: yet muſt we bridle our ſelues, and ſhewe that obedience vntounto God, that his counſell may be a ſufficient rule for vsus,1. Ti. 2.7. remembring alſo that God hath his due time, and it is not for vsus to appoint him a time when hee ſhall doe what he hath to doe, this authoritie and office of commaunding is not in our handes,Act. 1.7. neither is it in vsus to knowe the times and ſeaſons which the father hath put in his power.
100 Howe the way is opened for vsus to pray.
AS often as the goodneſſe of God is witneſſed vntounto vsus, and be promiſeth vsus his grace although we be wretched ſinners. As oft alſo as wee heare that our ſinnes were forgiuen vsus by the death and paſſion of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, and that then payement was made for all our debtes,Col. 2.14. and the obligation that was againſt vsus diſpatched and rent in peeces, and God made at one with vsus. We hauehave the way opened vntounto vsus to pray vntounto God, as alſo the Lorde ſayeth I will ſaye vntounto them which were not my people,Hoſ. 2.23. thou art my people and they ſhall ſay thou art my God: therefore ſo ſoone as our Lorde GOD maketh vsus to taſte his goodneſſe, and promiſeth vsus that euen as he ſent once, his onelyonly ſonne vntounto vsus, ſo nowe he will accept vsus in his name: wee neede not doubt to come vntounto him, for it is aſmuch as if he commaunded vsus to praye, and the one hangeth vppon the other.
101 The drift of the Scripture.
THe whole courſe of the ſcripture teacheth vsus, eſpecially and aboue all thinges, that wee ſhoulde not doubt, but aſſure our ſelues and vndoubtedly beleeue that God is mercifull, louing and patient,Iam. 1.6. that he is neither diſſembler nor deceauer, but that he is faithfull and true and keepeth his promiſe: yea and hath performed that he promiſed in deliuering his onelyonly begotten ſonne to death for our ſinnes,Luk. 1.69. that euerye one that beleeueth in him might not periſhe, but hauehave euerlaſting life.Io. 3.16. Here we cannot doubt, but GOD is pleaſed with vsus, that hee loueth vsus in deede, that the hatred and wrath is taken away,Ro. 4.25. ſeeing hee ſuffered his ſonne to die for vsus wretched ſinners.
102 We are aſſured of the fauour of God.
GReat cauſe hauehave wee to yeelde moſt heartye thankes vntounto our good God, foraſmuch as it hath pleaſed him to deliuer vsus from this monſtrous doctrine of doubting, wherein we were nouſſed in the time of ignorance: ſo that wee can nowe aſſure our ſelues that the holy ghoſt cryeth & bringeth foorth in our harts groninges that cannot bee expreſſed.Ro. 8.26. We are commanded in the goſpell to beholde, not our owne good workes, or our owne perfection:Ro. 3 22. but God the promiſer and Chriſte the Mediator. Contrariwiſe, the Pope commandeth vsus to looke,Eph. 2.8.9 not onelyonly vntounto GOD the promiſer, nor vntounto Chriſt our high prieſt: but vntounto our workes & merits. Here on ye one ſide doubting and deſperation muſt needes follow: but on the other ſide aſſurāce of gods fauour and ioy of the ſpirite, if wee cleaue vntounto God who cannot lye. For as he promiſed ſo hath hee deliuered his ſonne to deth ye through his bloud he might redeeme vsus from our ſinnes and from eternall death.Tit. 1.2. In this caſe we cannot doubt vnleſſe we will vtterly denye God.
103 The libertie of a true Chriſtian.
A True Chriſtian is the childe of grace and remiſſion of ſinnes, becauſe he is vnderunder no lawe, but is aboue the lawe, ſinne, death, and hell. And euen as Chriſt is free from the graue, and Peter from the priſon,Mat. 28.6. ſo is a Chriſtian free from the lawe. And ſuch a reſpect there is betweene the iuſtified conſcience and the lawe, as is between Chriſt rayſed vp from the graue, and the graue it ſelfe, and as is betweene Peter deliuered from the pryſon,Act. 12.9. and the pryſon it ſelfe. And, like as Chriſte by his death and reſurrection is dead to the graue, ſo that it hath nowe no power ouer him, nor is able any longer to holde him, but the ſtone beeing rolled awaye, the ſeales broaken, and the keepers aſtoniſhed, hee ryſeth agayne, and goeth awaye without anye lette: and as Peter by his deliueraunce is freed from the pryſon, and goeth whyther hee will: euen ſo the conſcience by grace is deliuered from the lawe,Heb. 13.9 and ſo is euerye one that is borne of the ſpirite.
104 The firſt point of a true Chriſtian.
THE kingdome of Chriſt is not earthly, but a ſpirituall kingdome, by the power of the holy ghoſt raigning and floriſhing in the hearts of men, and ſetting it ſelfe againſt the workes of the Diuell and of the worlde, and therefore looketh for no other thing in the worlde,Io. 18.36. but miſerie and trouble. Wherefore the firſt point of a true Chriſtian is, ſo farre as mans frailty can ſuffer,1. Io. 2.15. to renounce the worlde and the affections and pleaſures thereof and with the comfort of Gods merciemercy in Chriſt Ieſu to arme himſelfe with patience againſt all the miſchiefes yt the Deuil or the world can raiſe againſt him. A true profeſſor of Chriſt & his goſpell maketh this account before hand and looketh for no other, and becauſe he knoweth yt life of a Chriſtiā is a warfare vponupon the earth, he vnderſtandeth alſo that Chriſts ſouldiers which wil profeſſe to fight vnderunder his banner may not in this life looke for wealth,Io. 15.18. proſperitye and quietneſſe, eſpecially whē he ſeeth the Diuell, the world and the fleſh ready prepared to ouerthrow him and to bring him to confuſion. Whoſoeuer therefore dallieth with the worlde, ſheweth himſelfe more then half a traytor againſt Chriſte, much more they that for the worlde, revolte from Chriſt.
105 A note to knowe a true Chriſtian.
THere is a moſt certaine note, whereby the true children of God are knowne and diſcerned from the children of the worlde: if by the ſpirit of God they be regenerate vntounto innocency and holineſſe.Ro, 8.9 For as GOD by his ſpirit conſecrateth vsus for temples to himſelf, ſo by the ſame ſpirite he dwelleth in vsus:Io. 14.17. 1. Cor. 3.16.17 and ſo the ſonnes of God are counted ſpirituall not in reſpect of a full and abſolute perfection: but only for the newneſſe of life begunne in them, and becauſe they hauehave the ſpirite of God abiding in them, howeſoeuer they feele ſome reliques of the fleſh remaining.Ro. 8.10. The kingdome of the ſpirite is the aboliſhing of the fleſh, and in whō the ſpirit of Chriſt raigneth not, they doe not appertaine vntounto Chriſt. They are not Chriſtians that ſerue the fleſh for by plucking him away from his ſpirit, they make him like to a deade image or carcaſſe.
106 A true Chriſtian is partly vnderunder the Lawe, and partlye vnderunder grace.
A True chriſtian is deuided into two times. In that hee is fleſhe he is vnderunder the Law, in that he is ſpirite, he is vnderunder grace. Concupiſcence,Gal. 5.19 couetouſnes, ambition, pride and ſuch like vices do alwaies cleaue to the fleſh. Alſo ignorance, contempt of God, impaciency, murmuring and grudging againſt God, becauſe he hindereth and breaketh of our counſells, our deuiſes and enterpriſes, and beecauſe hee ſpedilye puniſheth not ſuche as are wicked rebellious and contemptuous perſons. &c.
Such manner of ſinnes are rooted in the fleſhe of the faithfull, wherefore if wee beholde nothing but the fleſh: wee ſhall abide alwaies vnderunder the time of the Lawe, but theſe dayes muſt be ſhortned or no fleſh ſhall bee ſaued. The Lawe muſt hauehave his time appointed wherein it muſte hauehave his ende the time thereof is not perpetual but hath his end,Ma. 24.22 Ro. 12.4 Ro. 6.9 which end is Chriſt but the time of grace is eternall. For Chriſt being dead, dieth no more. He is eternall, therefore the time of grace is alſo eternall.
107 The ſpirit of Chriſt, dwelleth in Chriſtians.
VVEE muſt always remember, that free remiſſion of ſins, cannot be ſeperated from the ſpirit of regeneration: for yt were aſmuch as for to rent Chriſt in peeces. Which thing if it be true, as indeede it is moſt true, then are the aduerſaries of the goſpel void of the true ſence of the holy Ghoſte,2. Cor. 5.5 when they charge vsus with arrogancy in that we dare acknowledge the ſpirit of Chriſt, dwelling in vsus.
For either wee muſt denie Chriſt, or confeſſe, that we are Chriſtians by his ſpirit.
It is pitifull to conſider their horrible falling from the word of God, foraſmuch as they doe not only boaſte themſelues to be Chriſtians without the ſpirit of God: but alſo ſcorne and ſcoff at the faith of others bring ſurely grounded vponupon the rocke, but ſuch is the philoſophy of the Papiſtes, the ſpirit is indifferently ſometimes called the ſpirit of God the father, ſometime of Chriſt, not onelyonly becauſe all the fulneſſe thereof is ſhedd vppon Chriſt,Col. 2.9. as he is our mediatour and head, that from thence might redoūd to eueryevery one of vsus his portion: but alſo becauſe the ſame ſpirite is common to the father and the ſonne, who hauehave one eſſence, and the ſame eternall Deity
108 Chriſtians muſt be conſtant,
BY conſtancy and perſeuerance in faith, how many cruell perſecutions ſoeuer are exerciſed againſt vsus, what greeuous offences ſoeuer are obiected againſt vsus by them that fal: although the deceitfull error of falſe Prophets doe reſiſt our faith,1. Pet. 1.9. yet notwithſtanding at the length wee ſhall receaue the ſaluation of our ſoules, which is the ende of our Faith.
Chriſt therefore acquireth this fortitude of thoſe that are his.Ma. 24.13 that they perſiſt and abide ſtoutly in ſight, againſt all the impedimentes of their Faith.
Thus alſo Paule commaundeth vsus to doe,2. The. 3 13. that wee bee not weary of well doing.
And in an other place he ſaith,2. Tim, 2.5 that no man is crowned except hee ſtriue lawfully. Wee muſt therefore beare all things with a bolde minde and ſtoute courage which the Lord ſhall lay vponupon vsus.
109 The dutie of Chriſtians.
IT is the parte of Chriſtians ſo to liue, ſo to behaue themſelues, and ſo to ſuffer all thinges, that Chriſt onelyonly may be the cauſe of the hatred and perſecution which they ſuffer: and then this, is, and ought to bee a comforte vntounto vsus, that if wee ſuffer for Chriſt, then are wee his, then ſhall wee ſay with the Apoſtle Paul, Wee labour and are rebuked becauſe wee truſt in the liuing God,1. Tim. 4.10. which is the ſauiour of all men, eſpecially of thoſe that beleeue. This is a great conſolation and comfort, that how great ſoeuer the dangers bee, if faith bee preſent it is able to lift vp a diſcouraged harte.
For hee that onlye continueth to the ende, committing himſelfe vnderunder the tuition and protection of the Lord He (I ſay) at length ſhalbe ſafe, although he bee deliuered to the deathe and hated of all men.Ma. 10.22 This ſafetye and health is promiſed not by reſiſting but by ſuffering as the Lorde doeth plainely declare.Luk. 21.19 By your pacience (ſaith he) poſſeſſe your ſoules. The which containeth a woonderfull conſolation.
They whith fight vnderunder princes, are doubtfull of the victorye, but Chriſte promiſeth victory without all doubte, to them that fight to the ende. Let vsus not therefore feare or doubt to fight for the glorie of the Lorde,Mar. 13.13 althoughe the whole world riſe againſt vsus, beecauſe an happye and proſperous ende is promiſed vntounto vsus of Ieſus Chriſt the ſonne of God, which is a faithfull keeper of our ſaluation, if wee continue.
110 The Fruite of our communion with the death of Chriſt.
IF Wee bee Chriſtians, then muſte appeare in vsus the ſigne of our Communion with the deathe of Chriſte, whoſe fruite is that the fleſh be crucified with all our concupiſcences.
Ro. 6.8.Howbeit we may not therefore count this communion as none, becauſe (as yet) wee doe feele ſome reliques of the fleſh to liue in vsus: But wee are continually to ſtudy for the encreaſe therof, vntil we are come vntounto the marke. For it is well if our fleſh bee continually mortified, and wee hauehave well profited, when the fleſhe being ſubdued, hath yeelded to the holye Spirit.
And there is an other communion of the deathe of Chriſt, whereof the Apoſtle Paule ſpeaketh in diuerſe places,2. Cor. 4 10 and namely to the Corinthians as touching the bearing of the Croſſe, after whiche followeth the participation of eternall life.
Newneſſe of life muſte bee followed after of Chriſtians the whole courſe of their whole life: for if they ought to repreſent in themſelues, by the mortification of the fleſhe, the Image of Chriſt, and life of the ſpirit: That muſte bee done once for all, but this muſte continue ſtill.
Not as though the fleſhe were mortified in vsus in a moment: but beecauſe wee muſte not reuolte, or go backe in mortifying the fleſhe. For if wee turne backe vntounto our filthines, we denie Chriſte,Ro. 8.10. of whom wee cannot be partakers, but by newnes of life.