Timothys Task, Part 3

Timothys Task · Part 3

p. 30The third generall Head and Doctrine.

THis particle of connexion (And) stands not heere idle, but coupleth and ioyneth those things together, which if we louelove not our liues so ill, as to loose them; we must not vnloose,Ezek. 3. 17. 18.Ezek 3:17Ezek 3:18 and doe asunder. Sonne of man, I hauehave made thee a watch-man, &c. When I shall say vntounto the wicked, thou shalt surely die and thou giuest him not warning, nor speakest to admonish the wicked of his wicked way, that hee may liue; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquitie, but his blood will I require at thy hand. Here therefore is another head, and a chiefe point, whereunto we are exhorted, p. 31and in which our care must (as the next words import) grow gray-headed, the very same in effect with that exhortation which the Apostle in the Miletaine Councill,Act. 20. 28.Acts 20:28 gaue vntounto the Ministers of Ephesus. Take heed therefore vntounto your selues, and to all the flocke, whereof the Holy Ghost hath made you ouer-seers, to feede the Church of God, which he hath purchased with that his owne blood. Ministers are, as Christians, so Christs Embassadours, Christians, for their owne good chiefly, Embassadours for their brethrens. As Christians they must reconcile themselues to God, as Embassadours, seeke the attonement of others. No Timothie hath done sufficient in taking heed to himselfe, if he neglect his doctrine. We must duely he Quercus institiae, oakes o… righteousnesse, or righteous our selues, but wee must be Quercus in a derivatiue sense, that is, such as are to be sought after for spirituall sustenance, and reliefe Nihil ei sua i…stitia suffragatur, de cuius manu anima pereuntis exigitur. Christ compares vsus to housholders, Math. 13. 52. The provident housholder, doth not provide for a day onelyonly, but stores vp, to the end he may bring forth, out of his treasure, both new and old as need requires, so ought wee by studie, reading, hearing, conference, meditation, and all good meanes, enrich our braines, and brests, that as faithfull and good Stewards of the Lords houshold, we may prouide, and bring things forth to the benefite of the familie. If either wee be ignorant of this practice of providing, or negligent to dispose of our provision, then Pauls vae, 1 Cor. 9.1 Cor 9or Ieremies curse, fals soule on vsus. It is opus Domini, the Lords worke we hauehave in hand, which must neither bee left vndone,Ier. 48. 10.Jer 48:10 nor yet done without due regard. Who shall rebuke the obstinate, comfort the feeble binde vp the broken hearted, seeke what is lost, bring againe what is driven away, and reduce a despairing soule from hell, if the Priests lippes preserue not knowledge? how shall the ruder know falshood to flye it, the truth, and how to try it, tryed, to retaine it, retained, to conferre their practice therewith, if the blinde leade the blinde? how (I pray you) shall the vulgar see sin, p. 32and the meanes to subdue it, wrath, and the way to shunn it, death, to avoide it, and life to secure it, if the Master in Israel know not these things?

The discreet housholder makes a difference betwixt his family, and him that tarryeth but for a day, betwixt his familiars and strangers, in the matter, and manner of his entertainment. Neither doth he giuegive the like vsage to all. The like must be done in doctrine, the dyet of mens soules, wee must hauehave milke for some, for others stronger meate, ignorance craues instruction; if affected, obiurgation; straglers must be corrected, lingerers exhorted, contumacy threatned, and mourners comforted. Wee must know when to mourne with Christ, and when to pipe with Iohn the Baptist. We must be the sonnes of thunder sometimes, aswell as consolation. The vineger of the Law, and oyle of the Gospell must be so wisely tempered, and wrought together, that proud and haughtie spirits presume not, that bruised reedes breake not, smoking flax fall not into pangs of despaire.1 Cor. 9. 22.1 Cor 9:22 Wee must learne to become all things to all men, that by all meanes we may saue some; wee must not therefore onelyonly care to be wise our selues, but dispose the wisedome of God to others:Ezek. 34. 2.Ezek 34:2 should not the sheepheards feed their flockes? Let thē answere the Prophet, that thinke otherwise. The Lyon hath roared (saith Amos) who will not be afraid?Amos 3. 8.Amos 3:8 The roaring of this Lyon,Motiue 1. made the Apostle roare for feare:1 Cor. 9. 16.1 Cor 9:16 Woe is vntounto me if I preach not the Gospel, and hee will one day teare all idle and dumbe dogges in pieces, for reward of their silence, and sinfull negligence. If the terrour of God, which I, or rather the Prophet perswades, cannot perswade vsus to prevent our owne danger. The like necessitie of others doth sollicite vsus, who cannot be saued except they beleeue, nor beleeue, vnlesse they heare,R…v. 10. nor heare, except we speake. Take heed vntounto your selues, is but one halfe of the Apostles counsell; and to all the flocke, there is the whole. Are we obliged, or bound hereto? whereof (saith he) neither Satan in malice, aliance by friendship, nor corrupt patrons by Simonaicall cōpact, p. 33but the Holy-Ghost hath made you ouerseers. not to fleece, but feed, Psal. 84. 10.Ps 84:10the end of your vocation, The Church of God, no meane honour in Dauids esteeme, which he hath purchased with his owne blood, such a price as cannot be valued to the worth. 1. Loe heare the deitie of the Patron. 2. The dignitie of our commission. 3. The purpose of our election. 4. The price of the thing committed to our charge, there is no one of these which might not, much more ought they all, to stirre vp our diligence, and awake our care. May any man without danger attend a flocke, which he hath more will to fleece, then skill to feed? can hee without breach of dutie, (I dare say sacriledge) neglect his dutie to such a Mother, as the Church of God? Dare hee deny his seruice to such a Master as hath set him ouer her? can hee without treacherie, suffer that to perish through his negligence, which Christ hath bought at so deare a rate.2 Cor. 5. 14.2 Cor 5:14 The louelove of Christ constraines vsus heereto. No man can adorne 3the bride, but the bridegroomes friend; and he cannot louelove the bridegroome, who showes not his affection by his effect of feeding the flocke committed to his charge. The best proofe of our louelove to the great Pastour, and Bishop of our soules, lyes in the performance of this great worke, that as by faith we apprehend Christ, and in him, our owne salvation, so we labour in louelove, to comprehend so many as we may, within the compasse of the promise. They therefore that louelove God, will doubtlesse labour in his Vineyard, that by the beames of their light, the grapes thereof may bee ripened, which if we doe not, it is past coniecture, that wee louelove not; and if the louelove of God be not in vsus, the fiercenesse of his wrath, and wrath of his furie is kindled against vsus, & bent to consume vsus.

Let vsus further see, and consider (the last inducement to take heed to doctrine) whether the reason heere vsed by our Apostle, to enforce his precept, can convince our reason, and confine our affections, to their right channell, in so doing, &c. Behold an honour and vtilitie, such as the world cannot paralele, vtilitie, that in so doing wee saue p. 34our selues; honour, that not our selues alone, but those that heare vsus.

One profit we reape by a faithfull discharge of our place, and calling is encrease of gifts, and growth of grace. It is his manner who giues, because he hath giuen, to requite the godly vse of his gifts, with his latter and larger graces, so that fiue talents employed gaine fiue, two other two, and one will multiply, so it be not hid.

Another benefit we hauehave hereby, is, that which is better then the Empire of Alexander, the riches of Croesus, the topaze of Ethiopia, the Emeraude, the Iasper, the Hyacinth, and all the gold of Ophir, euen the peace of conscience, which Timothie may, (if it bee not otherwise through his owne default) enioy more constantly, and more plentifully 3feast with, then other men. The third vtilitie is that saluation which we with our faithfull hearers, and our hearers with vsus, hauehave in common. If any place, or stand, may claime diligence, then doth that best deserue it, wherein diligence may most please God, and pleasure others. what more pleasing to God, then the advancement of his name on earth, the enlargement of his Kingdome in Heauen? what more pleasurable to man, then to enioy that peace in this life, which passeth vnderstanding; Gods presence in the next, without separation?

If the tenure of a mans land, or propertie of his goods come in question, Iustian may besteed him. If his bodie be diseased, Aesculapius can ease him. It his state be bare, or next to beggerie, friends may enrich or relieue him. The being we hauehave, is from the parents of our bodies. If a man be put in feare of life, or other losse, Caesar, or his substitute may command the peace. Mans minde is naturally fraught with ignorance, and full or rudenesse, therefore schooles are founded for education. But what are the goods of this world, compared to the life of man? what is mans life, without Gods merciemercy rightly felt? what is soundnesse of body;Psal. 63. 4.Ps 63:4 to the health of soule? a worldly and outward peace with men, to that vnspeakeable, and glorious peace which p. 35man hath with God? What is humane science,The worke of the ministeri… the Worthiest Worke. In want whereof the best ornament of the naturall man, compared to the sauing and sanctifying doctrine, which giues assurance of mans redemption? suppose a being, (and it is not impossible for a man so to be) stript of the rest,1. mans life is Worse then death. whereof Iobs storie is a rich record, but without the knowledge of our saluation in Christ, and reconciliation with God, I may say of the rest, as Iob of his three friends:2. his health hurtfull Miserable comforters are see all. Iob. 16, 2. Two potent Princes,3 His peace the strong mans possession. lay claime to both thy soule and body; the Prince of Peace, and duke of darkenes. It highly concernes thee to know, vtriregno, to whether kingdome thou dost belong.4 His learning like Vriahs letters. Repaire to some Timothie, & he will cleare this case of conscience. Revel. 3. 8. Thou art naturally poore, blind, and naked,5 His nature polluted in her purest natural…. embrace that truth which Timothie teacheth, and it wili enrich thee as gold doth, adorne thee as Robes doe, and as eye-salue cure thy spirituall blindnesse. The expert Physician, turnes thy sicknesse into health; but he is an odde man, and one of a thousand,Iob 3. 23.Job 3:23 who in the bitterest pangs of a distressed minde, can couer thy sinnes, and recouer thy soule. The naturall Parents beget,6 The Prerogatiue of his birth a bankarisme in grace. and bring forth, but to mortalitie, yea miserie immortall, except regeneration, which thou hast by Timothies helpe, come betweene. The Magistrate, procures thy peace with man, whose breath is in his nostrils, whose wrath is mortall as himselfe. Or if he liue so long, that thou see the graue before him, yet thy goods or bodie beares the smart, thy soule is not endangered, but Timothie drawes vp conclusions of peace twixt God and man, whose wrath workes both on soule and body,Math. 25.Matt 25 euen to the casting of both into that place where the tormenters are spirits created of vengeance, the torment, fire, the manner, burning, and the measure, enternitie. We reade of Prometheus, that when he had framed man of the earth, but senselesse without life, being by Minerua's helpe lift vp to Heauen, he tooke thence fire from the Sunnes wheele, which applyed to that earthly Masse of mans body, gaue life to it. That which is fabled of Prometheus, is truly verified of our Timothie, who elevated p. 36in affection, and conversation, to Heauen, to him who is the true Minerva, the liuely Image of his Fathers wisedome, thence as it were à solis rotâ from Mal…ch his sonne of righteousnesse, the fountaine of light and life, he brings the fire of sacred doctrine, which laid, and by him applyed to the hearts of men dead in trespasses and sinnes,1 Cor. 9. 1.1 Cor 9:1 doth quicken and make them his worke in the Lord. Many daughters hauehave done vertuouslie, but thou surmountest them all (saith S…lomon) describing a good huswife.Prov. 31. 29.Prov 31:29 So may I say, that many commodities come to man by the helpe, and hand of man, but Timothies part excels them all. Since other benefites but better our outward state onelyonly, which makes many worse then otherwise they would be,For case and prosocritie slay the foolish. or procure the welbeing of the body, which is but the outward rinde of man;Prov. 1. 32.Prov 1:32 or purchase a better being of the minde by knowledge which is vaine, without the knowledge of Christ crucified, or giuegive a being in this life, by which, though we hauehave a name we liue, yet we are dead; or long being,1 Tim. 4. 6.1 Tim 4:6 which makes the end more bitter, and loathsome, vnlesse we be in Christ, new creatures. Since Timothie by his doctrine adornes the soule,2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4 our nobler part, with the noblest qualitie, making it partaker of the divine nature. If men would rightly consider Timothie, and Timothie, himselfe, and them: they him as the Minister of Christ, and their saluation, he himselfe as one, them, as ouer whom the Holy Ghost hath set him; as they would be more swift to heare, that they might be saued, so could not he be slow to speake, that they might heare. So from the vtilitie, to the honour,1. From the …onour. the other branch of this Motiue. It was an honorable place which Ioseph held in Pharaohs court, yet Da…id himselfe a King, prefers the basest office in the Church of God, to the greatest glory that worldly Kings without the Church can either inioy thēselues, or confer vpō others. I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of God,Psal. 84. 10.Ps 84:10 then to dwell in the tents of vngodlinesse. To be a controwler steward, or treasurer in a Christian kings court, or a keeper of the great seale, i… a roome of more respect and honour▪ p. 37then the other: but to be a steward, treasurer and disposer of his mysteries, on whose thigh that name is written, Th… King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, is such an honour as kings themselues hauehave therewith beautified their scepters,Witnesse David a Prophet and Sal…mō a pr…cher. and enobled their crownes. To be the servants, friends, and sonnes of God, the heires of his kingdome, and coheires with Christ, is a prerogatiue, and that such as many Kings and Princes, hauehave never attained, and yet this honour hauehave all Gods Saints. But to bee Gods messenger to his people, and as it were the peoples mediator to him againe to open and shut the gate of life, to hauehave ratified in heauen what he doth on earth, to succed the sonne of God in that ministerie and function, which hee exercised himselfe in the daies of his flesh; to be a fellow laborer in the blessed work of the more blessed Trinitie, the salvation of soules, is such an honour, as none may take vntounto him, but he that is called of God,Heb. 5 4.Heb 5:4 as was Aaron. Good men shall receaue crownes, their pilgrimage finished, but good Ministers, not onelyonly receaue themselues,Heb. 2. 4.Heb 2:4 but by their labours purchase crowns to others. The iust man (as saith the Prophet) shall liue by his faith, but the man of Gods mercy, as he liues himselfe, so he begets other to the life of faith. Righteous men shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament,Dan. 12. 3.Dan 12:3 but they that turne many to righteousnesse (Righteous Ministers) shall shine as the starres for ever and ever.

Our Saviour Christ spared no paines on his tender body to traine vp soules in his fathers schoole,Iohn. 4. 34.John 4:34 hee was so wholly taken vp with the excellency & execution of such things, that he quite forgot to eat his meat.Act. 20.Acts 20 Pauls imploiment this way was aswell private as publike, by night as day, not without testimony of his teares. What is the charge which Paul giues to his pupill Timothy, 2 Tim. 4. 1. ….2 Tim 4:1is it not to preach the word? But how? With a holy importunity, bee instant, in what measure, or quantitie might Timothy say? so seldome, as all shall think it done in season? No, but such & so much as some will thinke, and not sticke to say (as too often they both say and thinke) that it is out of season, In season and p. 38out of season, wherein if he faile, both is duty broken, and danger incurred, whereof hee is one day to heare with terrour and confusion of face. The Church is a garden which we must weed: a fountain which we must keep both sweet and cleare: she is her husbands iewell, wee must watch for her safegard: she is his best beloued, he therefore that loues God, must spare no paines to keepe her chast. If I forget thee O Ierusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning, my pulses beating,Psal. 137. 5. 6.Ps 137:5Ps 137:6 my lungs breathing, & let his tongue cleaue to the roofe of his mouth, who preferres not Ierusalem in him mirth, that is, the welfare of Christs flocke, before all other ioyes in the world besides. This glory of ours (my brethren) so David calls it, and all other the instruments God hath lent vsus, of his glory, and our husbandry, if they be not kept in vse they will become vnserviceable, & shall be eaten vp with the rust. Wee are called by God into his vineyard, which if we dresse not with diligence, prune uot with care, and wisely vnderprop by our good example, the Master will come, pull vsus out by the poles of our heads and put vsus to tread the great wine-presse of the wrath of God.R…v. 14. 19. Christ compared his Disciples to a cittie that is set on a hill,Math. 5. 14.Matt 5:14 we may also compare them to the hill, or mount whereon the cittie stands. 1. Montes are eminentiores terrae partes, more seene and obiect to mans eye, then plaines & lower places, so in that height of place wherein they were set to be seene of all, more integritie, and pietie was required, then in the ordinarie ranke of professours. 2. The grass springs purer, & more wholsome for pasture on those tops and heights of hills; so the Lords flocke, and sheepe of his pasture feed better, and fat sooner by Pastors examples, then by private persons.

Tum demum exempla probantur,

Quando rex aliis quod inbet, ipse facit.

Thirdly, the dewe and moisture, which falls from heaven vponupon Hermon, Psal. 65.Ps 65descends from thence vponupon the plaine of Bashan, clothing her vallies so thicke with grasse, that they laugh and sing,Cant. 4. 6.Song 4:6 so from those mountaines of Mir…h, & p. 39Incense drop and distill the dewe of heavenly doctrine, godly consolation, and saving grace, such as causeth the Saints to reioyce for their glory,Psal. 149. 5.Ps 149:5 & to sing lowd vponupon their beds. This was prefigured in the law by the golden bell, & pomegranate placed about the skirts of Aarons robe.Exod. 28. 34.Exod 28:34 The pomegranate signified the sweet savour of Christs death: the golden bell the Gospell preached; the ioint mixture of them both did intimate thus much, that God would make manifest the savour of his knowledge,2 Cor. 2. 14.2 Cor 2:14 & the saving knowledge of his sonnes sufferings by his Aarons and preachers in every place.

Now what is the doctrine which Timothy must teach, and take heed vntounto? for matter,Tit. 2. 7.Titus 2:7 the truth of God, without traditiō, for measure, fully, keeping naught backe, for manner, in a holy boldnesse,1 Pet. 2. 2.1 Pet 2:2 discreet roundnesse, in louelove with diligence,Act. 20. 20. 27.Acts 20:20Acts 20:27 applying himselfe to the hearers capacitie, with desire of Gods glory and their good.Ier 17. 27.Jer 17:27 His words thus guided by knowledge,1 Cor. 13. 1. 2.1 Cor 13:11 Cor 13:2 backt by truth, tempered with louelove, applyed with discretion,Prov. 25. 11.Prov 25:11 and forced from a knowne watch over his owne waies,Eccles. 12. 11.Eccl 12:11 shalbe like apples of gold in pictures of silver; like the words of the wise, which are as goads, & nailes fastned by the Masters of the assemblies. As goades they shall rowse them out of the sleepe of sinne, as nailes fasten, and ioyne them close to Christ their head. Hee shall be vntounto them the sweet savour of God vntounto salvation, they an acceptable sacrifice vntounto Christ, by his admonition. But where is this truth found? in the Turkes Alcoron, or Popes Canon?Iohn. 14. 16.John 14:16 No, but with him alone, who saith of himself, I am the way, wherein walking we stray not: the truth, which imbracing, we erre not: and the life without which we die, although we liue, a spirituall death, in a naturall life. To this Christ, all both Prophets and Apostles send vsus, as the welspring of life;Iohn. 5. 39.John 5:39 and Christ to the Scriptures, search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to hauehave eternall life; and they are they which testifie of me. Where he is so far from impeaching that authoritie, & sufficiency which the Iews gaue vntounto the Scriptures, that he doth not only, as it were p. 40countenance and covertly commend that their opinion, but openly argue and reason therefrom. Notwithstanding the Church of Rome doth not only wrest, corrupt, misconstrue, contradict, and disanull these Scriptures, but teach for doctrines,Math. 15. 9.Matt 15:9 mens precepts. Rome was sometimes a famous Church,Rom. 1. 8.Rom 1:8 her faith was published throughout the whole world;—sed quantum mutatur ab illa? How farre is she fallen from her first louelove? for her children hauehave committed two evills. They hauehave forsaken the fountaine of living waters,Ier. 2. 13.Jer 2:13 which refreshed the Saints hearts in their necessity with sound comfort,Rom. 1. 7.Rom 1:7 and digged them pits, that cā hold no water to comfort her now revolted brood withall.

S. Paul taught and Rome receaued it:Rom. 3. 28.Rom 3:28 that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the law.Foure diff…rences, de…ated betwixt, Rome, & Rome, that was and is.

The Romanists maintaine a iustification by workes,The first about the efficient cause of our insti…ication and salvation. and a merit of the same, without the faithllThe faith which Paul meant implies … confident boldnesse and firme perswasion. Heb. 3. 6. Eph. 3. 12. Rom. 4. 20. which respecting the word relies thereon without a …, finding in God a safe harbour as in the bosome and necke of rest it selfe. Ps. 11. 1. Repairing to the Master of heavenly requests, vseth foreign, libertie of speech in asking as his will, and our wan…s direct, or otherwise as her state requires, being in the mean time supported & possessed foreign with assurance of obtaining her suit. Secondly it appropriats and applyes the promise of salvation personally as it doth also other the treasures of Gods Church, Act. 15. 11. David by this faith praiseth God for the forgiuenesse of his particular sinnes. Ps. 103. 3. Paul assureth himselfe of Gods favour and louelove in this life, and of his vndoubtable salvation in the next. Gal. 2. 20. Iob comforteth himselfe with the assurance of his redemption and r…surrection to life, Iob. 19. 25 26. 27. I knowe, &c. This Christ iustified in Thomas, crying my God and my Lord, when he reioyned, thou hast beleeued Thomas. Mary of her selfe, when her soule reioyced in God her Saviour. This kinde of beleefe our adversaries vtterly renounce and revile which yet makes the difference betwixt Christian obedience and godly honestie, and civill carriage and honest in…ideli…ie, and without which it is impossible for to please God. Heb. 11. 6.Heb 3:6Eph 3:12Rom 4:20Ps 11:1Acts 15:11Ps 103:3Gal 2:20Job 19:25Heb 11:6 which Paul meant.

1 Against the professed and profound disputes of our Apostle there, and elsewhere.

2. Against the end of good workes; supreame, which is Gods glory. 1. Cor. 1, 21. subordinate, being ordained for vsus to walke in. Eph. 2. 10. By walking therein to winne others. 1. Cor. 7. 14, witnesse our faith, I am. 2. 18. Testifie our thankfulnesse. Luk. 1. 74. 75. and settle vsus in the assurance of our salvation. 2. Pet. 1. 10.

p. 413 Against the law and Prophets. Moses proposing a reward of mercy not merit to them, that louelove God and keep his Commandements. Exod. 20. 6. David deriving expresly all reward therefrom. Psal. 62. 12. and pronouncing him a happy man to whom the Lord imputes righteousnesse, without workes, as one interprets, who could neither mistake his meaning, misconstrue his scope, nor erre in right conference of the Scriptures. Rom. 4. 6.

4 Against the tenor and title, by which the state of salvation is firmely holden, which is the adoption of sonnes, no earned hire of mans service, since the seed of the bondwoman cannot inherit, with the free-borne. Gal. 4. 30.

5 Against the light of reformed reason, since wee afford, 1. nothing vndue, for he made vsus and not we our selues, yea and made vsus againe, both in our redemption and renovation. Psal. 100. 2. Nothing proper, he working in vsus, as subiects, by vsus, as instruments, both wil and worke. Phil. 2. 13. 3. Nothing profitable for what can wee doe, so well as to deserue of him, to whom our weldoing doth not extend, Psal. 16. 4. Nothing proportionable to Gods bountie whether we doe or suffer, obey or beare, for what is a light and momentary affliction to that glory which for, first, weight cannot bee countervailed by a world of woes, 2, Cor. 4. 17. Secondly, for eternitie admits, neither abatemēt, limit, nor intermission. Rom. 8. 18. Thirdly, for excellency surpasseth all, that eye hath seene, eare hath heard, or any heart of man can conceaue. 1. Cor. 2. 9. Fourthly, so farre, as no speech can vtter because it is vnspeakable.

6 Against the drift and maine scope of the Gospell. 1. Manifesting that righteousnesse in Christ alone, by which the law is fulfilled, Gods iustice satisfied, and life obtained so absolutely, that if righteousnesse bee by the law, &c. So plainely as not of workes, least any man should boast himselfe▪ so peremptorily, as yee are abolished from Christ whosoever are iustified by the law,Gal. 2. 21.Gal 2:21 yee are fallen frō grace;Eph. 2. 9.Eph 2:9 distinctly,Gal. 5. 4.Gal 5:4 with direct exception to our righteous deeds. 2.Tit. 3. 5.Titus 3:5 Speaking of the never enough admired meanes of our p. 42salvatiō,Heb. 10. 14.Heb 10:14 as of a thing already done not to be done, perfectly, not in part, by another for vsus, not by our selues, or any worke of God in vsus.Eph. 2. 5.Eph 2:5 Freely without merit or motiue on our pa…t.Rom. 5. 6. 8.Rom 5:6Rom 5:8 Fully without our furtherance, in our incogitancy without knowledge. Having neither will to affect our spirituall welfare,Rom. 5. 10.Rom 5:10 we being dead in such desires; nor goodnesse to deserue well,Rom. 5▪ 6.Rom 5:6 being vngodly sinners; nor reason to expect such good, being enemies, nor power to doe for our selues,Heb. 5. 9.Heb 5:9 because we were of no strength. 3. Pointing out Christs person for the author,1. P…t. 1. 18. 19. his blood for the price, his passion for the mean,Heb. 9. 22.Heb 9:22 his glory as the finall cause, the riches of his goodnesse as the efficient and impulsiue,Eph. 1. 6.Eph 1:6 so that the true Christian need neither buy it in the royall exchange of the Romish merchants,Eph. 2. 7.Eph 2:7 nor seeke it by intercession of Saint or Angell, nor can challenge it for the worthines of his owne workes, or thinke to purchase it by the overplus of other mens.

7 Against all grounds of Christian confidence and consolation. 1. The mercy of God which is lesse magnified by mans merit.Rom. 11. 6.Rom 11:6 2. The merit of Christ which is mangled and made insufficient without supply of theirs. 3. Grace which is disclaimed,Rom. 5. 1.Rom 5:1 for if it bee of workes then is grace no more grace. 4.Gal. 2. 21.Gal 2:21 Peace of conscience which is discarded, for being iustified by faith we hauehave peace with God.Rom 4. 16.Rom 4:16 5▪ Christs death which is frustrated. 6. The assurance of Gods favour which is forfeited, therefore it is of faith that the promise might be sure to all the seed. 7.mmWhich is yet the fittest mean to set f…rth the grace of God as the Apostle himselfe there imports. Faith. 8. And the promise, which are made voide and of none effect.

8 Against our Saviours application of the exāple drawne from the husbandmā.…uk▪ 17. 8. 10. God owes vsus no thanks though we doe all things commanded, bec…use wee ought to doe th…. Where or what is our desert then, who doe not all? If an earthly master owe not so much as thanks to his servant for his good service, on whose head hee made not the worst haire blacke or white, into whose hands he put no pith, neither infuseth the least force into any other part, much lesse is the heavenly master and maker of mankinde, bound, or beholden to such for their broken service, as he fashioneth secretly in their mothers wombe, supports by his providence each moment of their p. 43time,1. Ioh. 4. 19.1 John 4:19 and begets to the hope of better things. Such as hee loues first,1. Cor. 4. 7.1 Cor 4:7 or they could not re-louelove. Such as he giues to, or they could not re-giuegive.Phil. 1. 6.Phil 1:6 Such as hee beginnes it in, or they could doe no good.1. Cor. 15. 10.1 Cor 15:10 Such as he goes on with, or they could not persist in the good begun. They therefore that extenuate grace, to apparell nature with her stolne plumes, that obscure Gods glory to leaue matter of glorying in themselues, never learned that language of the spirit, when they hauehave done all they can to say they are vnprofitable servāts. If servants, then out of duty they ought to doe what possibly they can doe; if vnprofitable, what so great vertue can spring thence of power to turne dutie on mans part toward God into debt on Gods side towards man? Which were in some sort to make the creator inferiour or subiect to the worke of his owne hands, and to advance the clay aboue the Potter.

9 Against thennPapists confine Gods kindnesse in Christ to this present life, averring Christ to hauehave merited gra… for them, by the right vse whereof they truely and properly merit for themselues, and are fully worthy of everlasting life, after that insolent assertion of the Rhem. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Hereby 1. they make Chri…s merit a remote and inchoating cause in this businessē, their owne the compleat and immediate. 2. Christs infinite worth of finite efficacy, their owne sorged, finite & defiled workes of infinite force. 3. the sure…y to pay a debt, not for the discharge of the debter, but to the end that the debter should more fully and sufficiently discharge it himselfe. 4. Men more beholden to themselues then they are bound to God, sithence he only enables them by grace to doe well, they are thenceforth to depend vponupon their own deeds, by which they deserue that life, to the attainement whereof all that ever Christ did serues but as an introduction or disposition which they can accept of, or reiect at their pleasure. 5. They set vp too arrogantly mans ri…hteousnesse against the righteousnesse of God. Rom. 10. 3. 6. So should workes merit which are 1 too due to deserue, as Christ: Luk. 17. 2. Too impure and void of proportion with eternitie, as Ferus grounding on Isa 4. and Rom. 8. 18. 3. Not our owne but his workes in vsus, as Paul. Eph, 4. Then good habits and deeds which God hath enabled vsus to doe binds him in iustice to giuegive vsus more, so that he should be vniust if he gaue it not. Against Durands vnanswerable reason that no mans free gift can bind him to giuegive more. 7. Then should that grace either make our workes perfect; o… mans imperfect workes should thereby become meritorious. If the first, whence come the complaint… of men in the state of grace▪ yea of highest stature in that state. Rom. 7. Psal. 130. If the latter, the… must God, who is perfectly iust, change this righteous sentence of his law that every transgressor is c…r…sed, and only the perfect keeper thereof blessed. Gal. 3. 10. 12.2 Tim 4:8Rom 10:3Rom 10:6Luke 17:2Isa 4Rom 8:18Rom 8:3Rom 7Ps 130Gal 3:10Gal 3:12 extent of Gods mercy, and full effect of Christs merit whose meares they pitch in this life onelyonly.Ioh. 3. 16.John 3:16 dishonorably to God whose bounty in giuing his beloued sonne to the end &c. should so lesse bestead then his owne p. 44intention, and the Evangelists relation beare vsus in hand. Discomfortably to man whom they desperately expose to that curse whereto all are liable,Gal. 3. 10.Gal 3:10 who for life relie vponupon their owne performance of the law.2 Tim. 1. 18.2 Tim 1:18 Dissonantly to that which the Gospell giues thereto,Heb. 9. …8.Heb 9:8 aswell at that as this day. Detractingly to that righteousnesse which is shouldered out of its proper place,2. Cor. 5. 21.2 Cor 5:21 that redemption whereof wee pertake not fully,Luk 21. 28.Luke 21:28 and in each respect,1 Cor. 1. 30.1 Cor 1:30 till after dissolution,Heb. 10 19.Heb 10:19 and then onelyonly through him,Ioh. 14. 2.John 14:2 who was therefore giuen,Eph. 3. 6.Eph 3:6 that blood and obedience which is the proper, compleat, and meritorious meanes of our entrance that ascentiō which is the immediate cause of our session in the heavēliest places.

10 Against the nature of God himselfe, who is … mercifull, gracious, and bounteous not through obligation, as indebted to any, but by a voluntary communication of his gifts and graces flowing originally from his good pleasure as the fountaine and first motiue,Eph. 1. 5.Eph 1:5 exhibitiuely from Christ,Eph. 2. 7.Eph 2:7 whose death and passion are the only meritorious cause, & (to vnfold the effect of an impatible nature after an humane manner of speech) are impulsiuely occasioned vponupon the exigence of mans misery.Ps. 103 13. 14.Ps 103:13Ps 103:14 2. Whose pleasure and purpose is absolute within himselfe,Rom. 9. 11.Rom 9:11 and whatsoever hee delights in,1. Sam. 12. 22.1 Sam 12:22 or doth good to without himselfe, is for that which is in,Isa. 43. 25.Isa 43:25 and from himselfe.Ezek. 36. 22.Ezek 36:22 3. Whose indulgence is nether deserved,Rom. 9. 11.Rom 9:11 nor desired, but hee promiseth and performeth freely out of an inward and essentiall propertie, without all externall prevention or provocation.Rom. 11. 35.Rom 11:35 4. Who delights in shewing mercy, not vrged, allured, or outwardly set on worke, but out of a liberall and selfe inclination, a gratuitall and independent propension of nature, doth he pleasure vsus,Mi…. 7. 18. 19. because mercy pleaseth him. 5. Whose kindnes towards vsus in Christ Iesus is much disgraced and disparaged by the pretended worth of mans workes, since no created vertue is so powerfull, or power of vertue, to binde, & bring the creator within a compasse of a debter.

11 Against the scope of that parable, Mat. 20. each part whereof speakes pithely against all ability in man to merit. p. 45Doe the labourers offer their service, or the householder goes forth to seeke the labourers? Loe merciemercy preventing by invitation,Isa. 65. 1.Isa 65:1 I am found of those that seeke mee not. Come they vponupon their call? It is mercy and that moving by attraction,Iohn 6. 44.John 6:44 no man can come to mee, except the father drawe him. Labour they being come? They are enabled thereto by influence of grace.Phil. 2. 13.Phil 2:13 It is God that worketh in vsus both will & deed. Recea…e they the peny their labors ended? Behold mercy rewarding out of a benevolēt dispositiō, Is thine eye euill, because mine is good? doth he stop the murmurers mouthes by an impeacheable power and preroga…iue, that it was lawfull for him to doe as he lifted with his owne? then if his worke had earned, and not his larges giuen the hire, he could not rightly cal that his own, which was alienated, and become anothers, nor (which was more) assume the libertie of giuing equall recompence to vnequall labours, with a due reseruation of that iustice which giues to eueryevery one his owne. nay then their eyes had not beene euill and envious (as was obiected) but Gods distribution in giuing to them their pence too, who came in the last houre. had beene partiall and vnrighteousooIf nature the… pride her selfe of any inb…ed vertue and pro…er power of so much as assenting to her first call, cut her in the mouth with that negation, Not vntounto vsus O Lord: if of strength to concurre and cooperate with grace assisting, curbe her againe with Not vntounto vsus. If yet borne vp with her borrowed plumes she soare so high as to claime heauen by merit, for her habitation, conuince her of pride and pr…sum…tuous intrusion by warrant from him, vntounto whose name we giuegive all the glorie of our pre…ention, employment, compensation..

12 Against the truest touch-stone of the trueth of doctrine: for if the glorie of God cannot be communicated to any creature without a curse. Isa. 45. 8. compared with Ierem. 17. 5. then the point wherein they differ from S^t Paul, is a Popish device, hewen out of the invention of mans braine, since it diuides Gods honour, and imparts the incō municable glory of the Creator to the creature.

13 Against the experience and profession of Patriarkes, Prophets, Apostles, and other the men of God, who never stood on like tearmes with their Maker. I am not worthie p. 46(said Iacob) of the least of all the mercies,…. 3…. 10. &c. much lesse did he thinke himselfe worthy, fully worthy, (as the Romish Pharises are opinioned of themselues) of euerlasting life. Dauid the man after Gods owne heart, appeales from the iustice of God,Psal. 143. 2.Ps 143:2 to his mercy: Enter not &c. Iob who had letters of commendation from God himselfe, not onelyonly debarrerh himselfe of the plea of innocency before Gods Throne:Iob. 9. 20.Job 9:20 If I iustifie my selfe, my owne mouth shall condemne me. If I say I am perfect, it shall also proue me perverse; but debaseth and beateth downe all imagination thereof in others,Verse 2. 3. how should man be iust with God? if hee will contend with him, hee cannot answere him one of a thousand.2 Cor. 12.2 Cor 12 That priviledged Apostle, so abundant in labours, 1 Cor. 15. 10.1 Cor 15:10so much in perils, and more then a conquerour in all,2 Cor. 11.2 Cor 11 yet out of himselfe (a regenerate person) to bee found in Christ,Phil. 3. 9.Phil 3:9 renounceth his owne righteousnesse, to be invested with the rich mantle of Christs merit.

14 Against their owne forces affronting them:Papists act their opposite part on the Popes owne theatre. for, suis & ipsa Romaviribus ruit, the division of languages is the confusiō of Babel. Decet parabola gratiam non debitum esse, &c. the Parable teacheth vsus, that whatsoeuer God giueth vsus, it is of grace, not of debt, saith a deuout Friar Ferus vponupon the Parable. Math. 20. In his iudgement 1 life eternall is a reward of mercy, no recompence of mans merit. 2. He drawes the reasons from the imperfection and disproportion of the reward, and our workes alleadging for proofe. Isa. 64. Rom. 8. 18. 3. Touching the word Merces he giues this caveat, Quod si audis mercedem polliceri, scias non ob aliud esse debitum quàm ex promissione divina. Gratis promisit, gratis reddit. 4. of merit he ouerthroweth all imagination, and disalloweth the very name. If therefore thou thinkest to attaine and retaine the fauour of God, let no mention of merit walke through thy lips.

Their Angelicall Aquinas vponupon Tit. 3. 5. seconds him thus.

Ponit rationem salutis, excluditur ratio praesumpta, includitur v…ra, praesumpta quod propter merita nostra simus saluati, quam excludit cum dicit non ex operibus, &c. Rom. 11. 5. p. 47Deut. 9. non propter iustitias &c. vera ratio …st sola miserati… dei. Iam. 3. 22. Luc. 1. Didacus Stella, Stell in Lue. 7. pag. 215.a starre which sometimes beautified the Romish firmament, subscribes to this truth.Non me aspicias, &c. when hee desires not to bee looked on in himselfe, without the respect and reflexion of Christs righteousnes. Looke not on me, but first behold thy onelyonly Sonne. If thy eyes looke angerly on our sinnes, and behold me at the first fight,Moriar, peri…. I shall die, I am vndone; but if thy eyes behold thy Sonne, and through him, mee at his backe, I shalbe safe, the beames of thy eyes passing by thy Sonne, shalbe meekned and made gentle in him, and so modified, come vntounto mee; place therefore betweene thee and me, him thy Sonne, his crosse, his blood, his passion, his merits, that so thy iustice passing through his blood and merits, when it comes to me it may be gentle and full of mercy.

Lastly. Against Gods open reiection and resolute …oome passed vponupon all such workes as want warrant for their matter out of his word,The defect whereof caused God in iealousie as ho…e as fire, to renounce the ordinances of his owne lips, the sacrific…s and other seruices of the lewes. right forme for manner which is faith working by a lowly louelove, and aime not at Gods glorie (the Spheare which giues motion to all godly actions) as their principall end. Seeing then the Papists exercise themselues chiefly in matters not commanded, or if at any time they so doe, yet is not done after the minde and prescript of the Commander, since the end whereat they aime, is a mistaken marke of their owne setting vp, to wit, desert of Gods favour, and their owne iustification:Isa. 1. 12. 15.Isa 1:12Isa 1:15 seeing all, or some, or one of these dead flies is alwayes found to corrupt the ointtment of the Popish Apothecaries, God will not in mercy crowne,Rom. 3. 27.Rom 3:27 much lesse in iustice admit the merit of any such as not onelyonly disrobe him of a part of that glory,Isa▪ 42. 8. and 48. 11.Isa 42:8Isa 48:11 which is solely and wholly due vntounto him, and which he will not giuegive to any other,Rom. 4. 16.Rom 4:16 but make him withall a chiefe recepter of their theft and robbery.The second difference about the assurance of saluation.

Secondly, Saint Paul preached the certaintie of mans saluation, making it the end of our free iustification by faith. Th…y call this a diuelish faith. qqConc. …rid. Sess 6 c…p. 3. …. 15.cloathing them with curses as with a rayment, that subscribe vntounto it. The pulses of p. 48Poperie beat sorrOne reason why the Church of Rome cannot attaine this assurance, lyeth pa…tly in the change, partly in the corruption of that seed and food whereof she sho…ld …e b…d and brought vp. For where the right seede is rightly sowne, where the true bread of life is faithfully broken with…ut m…xt…re of mans leauen, and the milke of the word s… cerely suckt in, there it attaines the end for which it was dispatched, by causin… the faithfull soule to put off, in the Apostles sense, feare of death, and louelove of life. to assront Angels, withstand principalities, & contest with powers, to dispense with things present. for passing things to come, for suspend…ng with the affrightment of height, and discouragement of depth, as vnable any, or all of them (backed with the countenance of any other creature) to separate it from the louelove of God which … in Christ Iesus. Rom. 838. 39. doubtfully about the assurance of God… fauour, and particular certaintie of saluation (whereof yet S^t Peter would hauehave vsus to be perswaded, and with all diligence to seeke certificate) that she descries her selfe, to bee not diseased onelyonly, but dead, dead through distrust and infidelitie. The pens and tongues of her champions crosse so palpablely the maine drift and scope of the Scriptures in this head point, that they proclaime the things wherein they are exercised to be no …a…ers of true godlinesse, because men are not built vp the…eby in the knowledge of their owne saluation (the confirmation whereof is one subordinate end of weldoing, 2 Pet. 1. 10.) as Pauls hearers were, when he grounded the defence and tryall of his doctrine, vponupon their experience, and proficiency in this very point; which if they had not attained so certainely, as they could not therein be deceiued, then had his preaching done them no good, his provocation had beene frivolous, and to no purpose, examine your selues, &c. to countervaile or out-countenance this truth of particular assurance they hauehave excogitated, a numberlesse number of toyes and vntruths, to turne men out of the way, to peace and tranquillitie of minde, they hauehave traced out by paths tending to destruction, and discruciation of mens soules, and the multiplication of their sorrowes. Such are Purgatorie pardons, pilgrimages, sale of superfluous workes, Beades, Granes. Rosaries, Medals, with the like hallowed things, things of great value, and rare vertue in their fancies, who sit in Popish darkenesse, and the Romane cell of death. But why do our adversaries so traduce this doctrine, to induce their doubtfulnesse and distrust? The children of this world are wise in their generation, amongst whom none hauehave beene found more wise, more worldly, then the Romish crew, to support and prosper their avaritious and ambitious hopes. p. 49Demetrius and the siluer-smiths hauehave gotten their goods by this craft,Act. 19. 25. 28.Acts 19:25Acts 19:28 therefore Diana of the Ephesians must bee great.Act. 16. 18. 19.Acts 16:18Acts 16:19 If the maide at Philippi be dispossessed of her divining spirit, then farewell the hope of her Masters gaines. Should not they then couer the light which otherwise would discouer them? Is it reason they abiure such charmes as hauehave beene, and still are of power to coniure wauering and vnstable spirits, within the bounds of their Churches circle, and cause them stoope to the lure of their insatiable lucre? —Quis nisimentis inops? Were they not reasonlesse if they should not (I say not onelyonly willingly recept and receiue) but (as they doe) ēxtort and steale such golden oblations?

Accipe nunc Danaum insidias & crimine ab vno,

Disce …m…es:—

See heere the deceitfull dealing of these treacherous Graecians, and by this one we may discerne the rest. S^t Paul taught godlinesse to be great gaine,1 Tim. 6. 6.1 Tim 6:6 but the Paules & Popes of Rome hauehave since reversed, or at least inverted that sentence, by making gaine godlinesse, and godlinesse a pretence vnderunder the covert and colour whereof, they might with lesse suspition, or if it were possible, generall consent and conniuencie aspire to Satans stile,Eph. 2. 2.Eph 2:2 that as D…us mundi, supreme god of this world, they might raigne and rule the same atssO. a…u…o vocis mundi mode…aris habenas, … merito in terris diceris esse deus. If the seuerall points of Popish doctrine, with the meanes of planting and supporting them, be throughly weighed, Poperie will appeare to be but a wittily contriued policy, ingrossing prioritie, wealth and worldly pleasures. will.The third difference touching mans perfection in this morta…l life. Thirdly, he by an instance drawne from his owne person, proueth mans obedience to labour with defect in this life, and his perfection to be imperfect, whom yet I suppose to hauehave beene perfecter then their lord god the Pope is.Rom. 7. 15. 18. 19. 21.Rom 7:15Rom 7:18Rom 7:19Rom 7:21 They on the other side doe, and ouer-doe; they doe all commanded, and that perfectly to satisfaction, they ouer-doe so farre, as to spare superfluities, and ouerplus of oyle to supply the wants of such foolish Virgins as will buy at their rate, of fiue kindes of righteousnesse that p. 50raigne in the world. 1. The imaginarie iustice of some conceited ones. 2. The ciuill carriage of men morally good. 3. The glorious shew of counterfeite Israelites. 4. The fained perfection of Popish professours. 5. The sincere endeavour of true Nathanaelites. the first in opinion is last in Gods acceptation, and the last first: but who they? Avant selfe-soothing iust ones,Prov. 26. 12.Prov 26:12 the wings of your hopes are clipt, which letts you to soare, you are not they. Repent ciuill worldlings, they were as honest as so, who were but corrupt branches,Act. 17. 12.Acts 17:12 before they beleeued. Howle yee hypocrites, though you shine like glowormes, yet hauehave you not that holinesse, without which no man can see the Lord. Purge you,Heb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14 purge you Romane Catharists, the sounder and purer you seeme opinatiuely,Math. 9. 12.Matt 9:12 and in your owne conceit, the more impure,Paul. and dangerously sicke you are. He was purer and perfecter then so, who was pained, and complained, Miser homo, Rom. 7. 24.Rom 7:24O wretched man, &c. His wayes were likewise directer then yours,Dauids. yet not so direct as was deseruedly wished, Psal. 119. 5.Ps 119:5that he could fully and perfectly keepe,Psal. 130. 3.Ps 130:3 (whereof you notwithstanding falsely boast) Gods righteous iudgments. God alone is that light which admits no mixture of darkenesse, but if any man say that he hath no sinne, hee sinnes so saying, deceiues himselfe, depriues his soule of pardon, his conscience of true peace and turnes the truth of God into a lie, which saith that in many things wee offend all, the most renewed in many, the vnregenerate in all. For your ouer-deeds they exile you by an Ostracisme from the common-weale & wel-fare of Gods Israel. They are therefore but fig-leaues, wherewith you labour to couer your owne and others nakednesse; and the more you couer, the more you discouer the guides which hauehave misled you, namely, nature and tradition.Math. 19. 26.Matt 19:26 It is a carnall conceit bred and brought vp in the wombe of our corruption, I hauehave observed all these things from my youth. And where humane edicts, stand for diuine statutes, men may easily ouer-weene▪ The gate is straite that leades to life,Math. 7. 14.Matt 7:14 whereat tradition can not enter, it is so fraught with that, which God requires p. 51not;Iohn 3. 7.John 3:7 the way likewise thereto is narrow, which nature through blindnes cannot finde; for except a man be borne againe, &c. Reioyce true Christians, though you cannot doe (through frailtie) that good which ye would, through Gods grace your defects are couered, your desires shalbe accepted, the good ye would doe shalbe imputed, the euill you ha…e, and through strength of corruption, or violence of temptation are haled to, shalbe discharged, seeing there is no condemnation to them (though the reliques of sinne remaine in them) that are in Christ.Rom. 8. ….Rom 8

S^t Paul commanded eueryevery soule to be subiect vntounto the higher powers:The fourth difference about subiection to temporall sowers which they discl…i…e themselues, and dispence with in others. the reason? because there is no power but of God. They arme subiects against their lawfull Soueraignes. They commaunde the slaughter of Christian Kings as an act meritorious, and Canonize the agents for Saints. such seede they cast into the Lords field, such tares are sowne by the man of sinne, and his Emissaries. Such is the salt wherewith the falsely surmised Peter of Rome, or rather the salt-Peter wherewith wrought to the temper of their sierie passions,Rom. 13. 1.Rom 13:1 they hauehave attempted to blow vp States. How is the faithfull Citie become an harlot?Isa. 1. 2….Isa 1:2 it was full of iudgement, and iustice lodged therein, but now they are murtherers. Her faith is turned into infidelitie, her piety into aspiring policy, her profession into faction, her godlines into ga…ne, so that where the seed was vncorrupt, & the soile once good, Infaelix lolium & steriles dominātur avenae. By reason hereof,1 Tim. …. …. that they consent not to the wholesome words of the Lord Iesus Christ, and to thettThe bl…s…d Tri…i…ie, w…h which the true Church and her children onelyonly hauehave fellowship, 1 Iohn 1. 3. i…yneth with such … …taine and keepe Christs doctrine. The Father will hauehave the Sonne heard. Math. 17. 5. the … the Sonne is an essentiall marke and sure of signe Christs sheepe. Iohn 10. 27 and the … the promised Tutor and teacher of the Church for euer Iohn 14. 26. subscribes to that truth … Christ hath tau…ht, inspiring vsus with the true effects thereof. so that they who …bey the F…th…rial …ring his Sonne, the Sonne, in hearkning to such as he sends. Luke 10. 16. and where the inward w…k… of Gods spirit concurres with the outward word of reconciliation, there men increase with the … of God. Col. 2. 19. whereas they who practise their owne devices, placing great … in their vse, whilst they despise Gods owne device, and spurne against his appointed meanes, hauehave neither promise from the Father of spiritual thrift, who teacheth, but by the Sonne, nor furtherance from the Son, who clenseth but by his w…rd. Iob. 15. 3. nor assurance or assistance from that spirit wh…ch … and prospereth such onelyonly, as the Father hath planted, & the Son purged with his heauenly du….1 John 1:3Matt 17:5John 10:27John 14:26Luke 10:16Col 2:19Job 15:3 doctrine which p. 50duplicate page p. 51duplicate page p. 52is according vntounto godlines. What for want of good seed, the word partly taught, what for excesse of darnell, their owne additions, so many monstrous births are brought forth by the whoore of Babylon, the purple harlot, which opens her quiuer to eueryevery arrow. Add to her wresting and misconstruction of Scriptures, this further that she doth, —Noua pascua quaerere, & amnes, Gadd after,The Papacy is a hotch potch, composed of the shreddes of other heresies. and guide her louers to other pastures, and streames, then that greene pasture, wherein Dauid fed: those still waters which refreshed him, chusing rather to bathe in the puddle of her owne inventions, then to wash in Bethesda, Gods poole: delighting more to defile her selfe with the one,…. King. 5. then with the Syrian Leper to be clensed by the other. Whose impudencie is such, that out of Luciferian pride of spirit (incident to none but the Antichrist) she challengeth to be heard before the Scriptures: whose impiety is so great,Rev 22. 18.Rev 22:18 that she dare speake where they command silence,Tradition discountenanced. and that vponupon paine of the greatest paine that God can impose. Why did S^t Paul send this Epistle to Timothie left at Ephesus about the Lords businesse, since it containes the same things which he receiued from his mouth? Had Timothie so …iven a head, that Paul beganne so soone after his departure, to distrust his memorie? could he so soone be carried away with errour or worldly cares,2. Tim. 3. 15.2 Tim 3:15 who had dedicated his childhood to devotiō? Might not Timothie his asseveration, whom they well knew to hauehave beene taught by Paul, and left to that end for some space amongst them, might not the bare affirmatiō, I say, of his doctrine, to be Apostolicall, and suckt (as it were) from Pauls teat, hauehave supplied the place of an Epistle, to authorize his person, & stablish his doctrine, as well for after, as present times? Certes the Apostle might hauehave spared his pen, and paines, if he had beene Iesuited in this point, touching the authority of vnwritten traditions. Did the Apostles, Prophets, and Euangelists,Rom. 15. 4Rom 15:4 (all guided by one spirit) propose to themselues the same end in writing, that they had in preaching the message of life? it is more then plaine that they did. If mans perfection p. 53in this life,Ioh. 20. 31.John 20:31 and eternall saluation in the next, was the marke whereat they aymed in both,2. Pet. 1. 12. 13.2 Pet 1:122 Pet 1:13 then why should some onelyonly of things necessarie,2. Pet. 1. 2.2 Pet 1:2 be registred, and other of the same nature,1. Cor. 15. 2.1 Cor 15:2 and like necessitie be exposed to neglect, oblivion,Luk. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4.Luke 1:1Luke 1:2Luke 1:3Luke 1:4 corruption & discountenance of times,Gal. 1. 6. 7.Gal 1:6Gal 1:7 the moathes which bred in the Apostles owne traditions, and encumbred them, vponupon the absence of their persons? Rash and inconsiderate actions are incident, to mans weake & improvident spirit; the omniscient spirit of God doth nought in vaine, nought but vponupon deliberate grounds. If then the wil and word of God could hauehave beene kept purer and more entire, or alike entire and pure by tradition as writing, why was it written? Or if any part thereof (my speech keeps still within compasse of things necessarie) why not the whole? Was God so forgetfull, as when he had purchased and promised life to his Church,There is no likelyhood that God would hauehave so many things of greatest necessitie reserved to the publication of the putatuie deitie of the Pope which hee hath not revealed by his sonne. not to prescribe the way to it? Or so ignorant that man can devise a neerer, better, and safer meane to saue himselfe by, than God hath done? Was it out of good providence and discretion to omit things necessarie, & commend vntounto vsus matters of lesse importance? Was it out of envy, that he would not hauehave his minde fully knowne to man? Or impotency that hee could not aswell hauehave revealed it wholy, as by halfes? Or out of exception, that fi…er pen-mē should record the rest then his Evangelists and Apostles were? When, or where doth God cancel that seale, and call it the commission which alone was authenticall? Wills he the end without the meanes, or such a meane as warres with it selfe, and disappoints of the end it should attaine? Did Moses or any of the Prophets in the old? Did the Evangelists or any of the Apostles in the new so mince the matter, as some doe? alter, and add to the Testators minde: allow or disallow (as some presume) what they thought meet? Can God bee charged with such blasphemies, or his actuaries, and pen-men iustly challenged for such treacherie? The law of the Lord is perfect.uuCan ought be added to that is perfect? May addit, …o be made without marring it? Dare any mar where addition is as dangerous as it is needlesse? Doth the spirit delude vsus calling that perfect wherein so many things lacke and those of necessary vse? How much safer were it to fasten on the written truth which sufficeth to salvation then to forge vntrue writings, and vnwritter▪ truths to the destruction of … soules. Therefore they alone richly and fully afford things needfull to bring vsus there to. Mat. 10. 19.Matt 10:19 May p. 54not this perfection be comparatiuely taken, that a fuller & clearer knowledge of God is had in the lesser booke of his law, then in that larger volume of his creatures? But the Prophet attributes such a perfection thereto, as can imply no defect, vnlesse the vigor, and force of the cause bee inferiour to the vertue of the effect, converting the soule. Esay examines both faith and life of Priest and people by the law and testimonie. If they speake not according to this word, it is because (being but blind leaders of the blind) there is no light in them. The Apostles preached no other things then those which the Prophets and Moses said should come. The doctrine which Timothy is here charged to looke vntounto, and touching which hee was to charge others that they taught no other, was not contrary but consonant to those Scriptures, wherein Timothy was trained from his youth; and those Scriptures were able to make him wise vntounto salvation. what may wee thinke of S Paul? was not he a good Christian? How doth he proue that and approue himselfe? But this I confesse, &c. Act. 24. 14. These words Paul spake. When? accused by Tertullus, and other Iewes, before whom? Foelix a governour. In what cause, & particular case? The rule of right worship. Who did suggest the words he vsed? The spirit of God, for such was the promise, To what end and purpose were they vttered? To proue the truth of his religion, pietie and profession, where of God was author, antiquitie an ornament, the Prophets witnesses, and their records did containe the tenour: which tenour is here made the touchstone of Gods truth and triall of his sinceritie. Now either did Saint Paul faile in his proofe, the spirit notwithstanding prompting him, or God failed in performance of his promise; or the Scriptures suffice to make a true and perfect Christian, such as Paul was in this life, and an inheritour of salvation (as we doubt not but he now is) in the next. If it were otherwise, the Apostle would never hauehave vndergone the burden of so bold an assertion, as elsewhere he doth. But**The same things for substance being penned which were preached. 1. Papists preaching the Pope & his decretaline doctrine which is besides and contrary to S. P. Gospell cannot keep without compass of the cu…se 2. Their Romanū Evangelium, a Gospel framd on the Popes owne anvile A^• 1592. ascribes to certaine holy beads, and the like trumperies, with the vse of some Ave Maries, Pater nosters, or our Ladies Psalter. asmuch as P. Gospell giues to the bloud of Christ. viz. remission of sinnes to all men in every place. Can any Christi is heart but abominate such blasphemies, and yet behold more abominations then these. 3. A Iesuits Gospell broaching such blasphemies, as neither earth nor heauen can heare without trembling and astonishment. Here Maries milke is mingled with Christs blood, as the Soveraignst salue for a sicke soule, and which yet is more horrible and hellish (if ought can be) the milke is pr…ferred as more pretious. Vbera dextrâ, vulnera prensabo levâ. though that we (chosē p. 55by God to doe the worke of Evangelists) (to whom yet he restraines not his speech, but goes further and ascends higher) Or an Angel, meaning no evill one (as Satan when he doth transforme himselfe) but an Angell from heaven, pretending he were sent from God. If an Angell from heaven preach, &c. And that no man thinke these words of execration to hauehave fallen from him vnawares, or lesse advisedly, he toucheth the same string againe, saying as he said before, and leauing his latter supposall as a thing not possible, that such contradiction should come from heaven, hee iterates thus. If any man preach any other, &c. As holy men of God spake,Ver. 9. so they wrot by divine instigation, For first the Scripture the writing surpasseth all other writings.2. Pet. 1. 21.2 Pet 1:21 2. The whole Scripture aswell the law which is the Gospell fore…told,2. Tim. 3. 16. 17.2 Tim 3:162 Tim 3:17 as the Gospell which is the law fulfilled, is not a Rabbinicall fancie, Anabaptistical revelation, popish fiction, or any other humane suggestion. But thirdly, inspiration giuen of God. 4. The vse whereof is manifold, as, 1. to arme against errour in opinion which it improoueth. 2. Corruption of life, by correcting iniquitie, & to furnish with a contrarie abilitie of holding. 3. That truth in iudgement which it teacheth. 4. That righteousnesse of life, wherein it instructeth. Some admitting the vtility of the Scriptures, gaine-say their sufficiencie, but amongst other errours it refells this convincing the authors for gainesayers of Gods spirit and purpose, seeing it is not meerely said to be profitable, but so profitable as naught is wanting therein to make 5 absolute, perhaps the people or laitie in whom so great …urniture of knowledge is not required; not those only, but the Pastor too the man of God. And if an Angell from heaven, much lesse Antichrist regreet, wee ought not to be troubled thereat, sithence the spirit of God doth not content himselfe with so plaine an affirmation thereof, but to beat the absolutenesse, and all sufficiency of Scripture into mens braines, and breasts, hee repeateth the thing againe more fully then before, being made perfect, or throughly furnished. May not the matter for all this be p. 56yet minced and this perfectiō, or through furniture meant of most good workes? To all good workes required of mā to doe. HaueHave the Scriptures God their author? Afford they all things necessary to soundnesse of faith and sinceritie of life, in their vse? Is the end of their transmission to posteritie by writing, to make mē absolute, so absolute that there is no good worke wherewith God is pleased, & which hee requires in those whom he will saue, but they instruct him in it, and how to doe it? Then wee are content that this errour of the Scriptures perfection should close our eyes, desiring no other, no safer conduct then they reveale, to that celestiall Elysium,

Sedes vbi fata quietas

—ostendunt.

Where the rich man saw Abraham and Lazarus in his bosome. Let all such as cannot be content with the Scriptures direction, goe as farre as they can, (Non equidem invideo, miror magis.) Beyond all perfection, for the further they goe, the fuller assurance of Gods favour they forfeit,Psal. 63. 4.Ps 63:4 the more frequent feeling of that louelove and kindnesse, which is better then life it selfe, they forgoe, because they goe from God. We seeke not, we wish not to be wise or perfect aboue the folly and imperfection of that which is written: that is for higher wisdome, or perfection, then that which leadeth to life, & it rightly so called, life eternall.

Thy word (saith David) is a lanthorne vntounto my feet,1. Scriptures prescribe fully and precisely both what for matter we are to …oe, and decline. & a light vntounto my path. Ps. 119. 105. The light of the lanthorne descries the evill we are to decline. By the guidance of this light we may bee led forward to the practise of all good.Tit. 2. 11. 12.Titus 2:11Titus 2:12 What thought is there of mans heart which may not hence be established if doubtful?Prov. 2. 9.Prov 2:9 subdued if headstrōg? What words idle,Prou. 10. 18.Prov 10:18 or evill are not here reproued, and may not be reformed?2. Cor. 10. 4. 5.2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:5 And wherewithall shall a young man (in whom affections most rage,Col. 4. 6.Col 4:6 and raigne) clense his way? What sorrow so great,Eph. 5. 3. 4.Eph 5:3Eph 5:4 or maladie of minde,Psal. 119. 9.Ps 119:9 which the tongue of the learned may not hence allay?Isa. 50. 4.Isa 50:4 what infirmity p. 57bodily,No man can rightly praise or prize this pearle, who is not acquainted with Davids practise Ps. 119. Solomons direction and our Saviors search. Iohn, 5. His preparation must bee reverence, humiliti… his insinuation, attention his cō panion, industrie his guid, and prayer the spokesman and the commentarie.Ps 119 or affliction worldly, may not mans spirit be taught hence to sustaine? Here is the season of salt, the force of fire, the defence of armour, the nourishment of meat, the solace of marriage, of spoiles the profit, of victorie the pleasure, of light the direction, of musicke the delight, the sweetnes of hony, and the hony combe. In heavinesse it cheares vsus, in wandrings recalls vsus, giuing health to our bones, peace to our liues, & content to our soules. The faithfullest coū seller, strongest supporter, best interpreter of strange evēts, and heavenliest moderatour of crosse occurrents.aaBy this seacard may every wise Christian so guide & stere his owne vessell whether in slorm or calme, as to awake with god in the morning, to walke all day long vnderunder his protection, to ly downe in peace & cōmune, with him in the night season. Prov. 22. Deut. 33. 12.Prov 22Deut 33:12

Further since the matter of our practise without the right maner of performance, is but a carcase of religion without a quickning spirit: the Scriptures make knowne vntounto vsus that mans deed in Gods matters, is but a desire, at most an endeavour, which endeavour must bee thus conditioned. 1. Sincere, for he with whom we hauehave to doe, requres truth in the inward parts. 2. Serious, or earnest, for heaven is the hold which none surprise, saue such as will take no nay. 3. Setled or constant, because he that is holy must bee holy still. 4. Vniversall or entire, for whosoever shall keepe the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guiltie of all. Now what more sit rule or perfect square can be found to frame the Lords building by, then that which laies the foundation in sinceritie, reares vp the walls in fervency, covers the whole by constancy, and keeps it holy by entire obedience. Their madnesse hereby appeares the more, who accuse the scriptures of want and imperfection, to the ende they may peice and patch them vp with their vnwritten verities, indeed lying vanities, traditions, or rather (**Sad. advers. Monach. Butdeg. as a compleat and a most acute diuine calls them) contradictions. Which first Preiudice, yea frustrate Gods purpose in penning the Scriptures. These things are written that your ioy may be full.1. Ioh. 1. 4.1 John 1:4 Againe these things, &c. Ioy is the companion, and salvation the end of faith.Ioh. 20. 31.John 20:31 No ground of sollid peace, & true ioy can be wanting,Mischiefes accompany traditions and their Patrons. where fulnes therof is found to spring, and the meane is not imperfect which begets a perfect faith, nor doth that faith frustrate which brings salvation. The Evangelist S. Luke Luk. 1. 1. 2. 3. ….Luke 1:1Luke 1:2Luke 1:3wrote not of some only but all p. 58things, which he had searched out perfectly, yet no other, then the Apostles were witnesses, and Ministers of, to Theophilus, that he might knowe the certaintie of those things wherein he had beene instructed. 1. Lukes diligence, which was not perfunctorie. 2. The successe, that perfectly. 3. The extent, that all. 4. Their authoritie, that no other then the Apostles themselues delivered. 5. The estate of the person to whom they were dedicated, Theophilus who before had heard and been instructed in them. 6. The state of the time wherein Theophilus lived, hauing himselfe heard, & beene taught of the Apostles. 7. The end of committing these things to writing, which was to cōfirme him in the things he knew; convince plainely 1. That not only that which the Apostles taught as necessary to salvatiō is writtē. 2. But also that the writing of such things is more necessarie on our parts who heard not the Apostles preachings & instructions as he did. 3. And to beleeue and embrace nothing of things necessary, as Apostolical, which hath notbbScriptures the sole, and sufficient guid to heauen. therfore they but wearie their bodies, & spend their spirits who walke in by paths, & the faster they run the farther they are out of the way, since they run not so as they that obtaine. scriptū est for the best warrant.

They falsifie such attributes as confirme the same.Secondly, Is not grace an infallible earnest of glorie? By the word wee are brought and stablished in this happie state,Act. 14. 3.Acts 14:3 else why is it called the word of grace? Seeke we more then life? By the light of this Lanterne we are led thereto.Phil. 2. 16.Phil 2:16 Else were it mis…earmed the word of life.Act. 13. 26.Acts 13:26 Desire we better things thē such as doe accompanie salvation? it reveales the same and how to attaine them. Else should the spirit delude the Church. Need we more or other food then that which nourisheth to life,Heb. 5. 18.Heb 5:18 and it eternall? And if when we were enemies, wee were reconciled to God by the death of his sonne,Rom. 5. 10.Rom 5:10 much more being reconciled (by the ministers of the word) wee shall be saued by his life. Either these titles are vntruths, or the Scriptures containe all necessarie truth for reformatiō of life and sincerity of beleefe.

Admitting them, we cānot beleeue the scriptures which purposely and peremptorily forbid all additions of men.Thirdly. Ad thou not vntounto his words least hee reproue thee & thou be found a lyar, which trade of lying and making of their p. 59owne, if with the popish crew, it were not rise, they could not sell so cheap as they doe; nor so cause their volumes swell, but, Quid Romae faciant, simentiri nesciant? VVhat should they doe at Rome if they could not over-reach?

They load the spirit of God with blasphemous imputations of falshood,Fourthly, & cōtrariety▪ The first, because it averres so pregnantly the sufficiency of the scriptures.Papists a peremptory blood they dare giuegive God the lie. The latter, because many things are fathered thereon contrary to that which is revealed;1. Tim. 4. 1 3.1 Tim 4:1 as adoring of images, calling on Saints, worshipping their breaden God, massing, communicating in one kinde, with those which S. Paul calls the doctrine not of Divines but Divells.

They rase the old foundation,Fiftly. and erect a new Canon. The foundatiō personall is rased. 1. In deifying, & adoring a man, the man of sinne, as the sonne of man. 2. In doing no lesse to a peece of paist. 3. In adoring the creaturesccAs Ancells and Saints with invocation, Images with adoration, Beads and other hallowed toyes with a power that is proper to faith and repentance. The blessed mother of our Saviour, with 1. prayers. 2. A power over her sonne to command him. 3. In matters of mercy to manage them. And. 4. The milke of her breast with … equall vertue and efficacy to Christs blood. with the spoiles of their maker. They destroy the foundatiō doctrinall,Stap. in praes. … rel. princ. doct. The papacy is pitched vponupon the sand of mans fancie since it finds no sure footing in the word or erect a new Canon in being wise aboue that which is written. We hauehave saith (a Rhemish ringleader, & master builder of the Babilonish Synagogue) another foū dation of Christian religion, diverse from the Apostolicall and propheticall scriptures. Therefore a new, another rule.

They take the wall on Gods word. The Coūcel of Trent embrace this trash of Apostolicall (as they stile thē) indeed Apostaticall traditions pari pietatis affectu & reverentia, Sixtly.with the like reverence & pious affectiō that they doe the Scriptures.Sess. 6. Decr. 1. Non minus meretur inter Ethnicos, &c. St. in Luc. 10. 16.Luke 10:16 He doth no lesse deserue to be counted an Ethnick, who refuseth Ecclesiasticall traditions, then hee that reiects the Gospel, saith Stolla. Papists in their Practise & punishments out-run this opinion fortifying traditiō with fire & sword,Cap. de eccl. porro si plus vivere … &c. whilst they trample Gods edicts vnderunder foot. Eckius doth not obscurely intimate that mē must liue more according to the authoritie of the Church, then after the p. 60Scripture.Luth. in Gal. 1. 7. & 4. 6.Gal 1:7Gal 4:6 The lawes & rules of their irreligious orders are, and hauehave been strictly kept in the omission & contempt of Gods commandemen…s.God indeed doth dignifie & privi…edge his Church but with such caution & reservation that be e…pects and enacts of her the authoritie of a law-giver. The contempt of their idolatrous & adulterous Masse, the eating of a peece of flesh vponupon a friday, is more abhorred and rigorously intreated then the horrible guilt of Homicide, theft, avarice, vncleanesse, or cursing of parents. Whither tends the pretended authority of the Church aboue the scriptures, if not to prefer the darknesse of her traditions before the light of Davids Lanthorne? To make Abanah and Pharpar rivers of the Italian Damascus more soveraigne then all the waters in Gods Israel?lam. 4. The subiectio of aspouse Ps. 40. 10. 11. 12. The homage belonging to a Lord. Mal. 1. 6. The honour and power that pertaines a head. Eph. 4. 15.Ps 40:10Ps 40:11Ps 40:12Mal 1:6Eph 4:15 VVhat other thing is meant by that blasphemous and vnchristianddMade by Bristow in his Motiues. challenge, provoking Protestants out of the weake and false castle of onelyonly scriptures into the plaine field of Traditions? Whereby more strength & authority is giuen to tradition for confirmatiō of truth, and confutation of heresie, then to Scripture. What speakes their immoderate praises of tradition? those disgraceful reproaches cast on the Scriptures?**Set out by Gregory the thirteth. The Canon Law strikes it dead, affirming the Apostolicall See of Rome to be respected with such reuerence that men rather desire to know the ancient institution of Christian Religion frō the Popes mouth, then from the holy Scriptures; and they onelyonly enquire what is his pleasure, and according to it they order their life and conversation. wherein three grieuous crimes are combined with one breath. Arrogancie, defection and Antichristianisme. It is pride intollerable for thē to ascribe, or the Pope to assume an authority and power of enacting Lawes in Gods kingdome. Plaine Apostacy to take heed to Popish fables & commandements of men that turne away from the truth.Tit. 1. 14.Titus 1:14 Vndoubted Antichristianisme to challenge hearing before Scriptures, & instead of searching them to enforce subscription to the Popes pleasures. The Asse finding the Lions skin, puts it on to domineere ouer other beasts, but when his Master found him, (whether his long eares bewrayed him, hapning to be seene, or his braying betrayed him, fortuning to be heard) though he deceiued p. 61others, yet him he could not gull. The Italian beast hath cloathed himselfe with the Lions skin, euen the skin of the Lion of the tribe of Iudah, I meane the power and authority of God, whereby he Lords it ouer all Fathers, Councils, Church & Scriptures. His Sycophants see and publish with applause; but to such Masters in Gods Israel as examine his title by the touch-stone of truth his long eares, which from farre, suckes in such vniust aspersions, his brayes & brags of two swords, his concealement, & putting of Gods Candle vnderunder a bushell, that he might with lesse reluctation doe his feares in the darke, his traducing of Scriptures for obscuritie and insufficiencie, his impeaching of their authoritie, his suiting of their sense to the complexion of times, his changing of the very articles of faith,Articulos fidei soluit Pontifex maximus Episcopus vniversalis, Caput Ecclesiae, Dominus Deus noster Papa. & founding of new, his silencing of that breath in cases controversed, which must cōsume him, his preferring of chaffe to wheat, of that which is worse then water to the wine of Gods Cellar, his supercilious & superlatiue stiles, with other like, bewray him to be the Asse, the Antichrist, who was to sit in the Temple of God, as God. 2. Thessal. 2. 4.

There is but one Law-giuer,Seuenthly. whose 1 allowance they lack,Iam. 4. 12.Jas 4:12 whose 2 Lawes they disanull. Could God more plainly reiect such seruice,Whatsoeuer des…nds from the lynes of mans braine is monsbane in Gods busines. reproue such practice then he doth by that censure, which yet they contemne?**Math. 15. 9. In which kind… none hauehave so much pes…ered the Church as they whose traditions are 1. dissonant to the truth. 2. for varietie infinite. 3. in vse fruitles. 4. in effect dangerous. 1. impeaching the authoritie. 2. implying an insufficiency and 3. shouldring out of the exercise of Gods word.Matt 15:9 In vaine they &c. wherein our Saviour covertly proposing his will and word for the alone rule of all acceptable service, and opposing mens precepts to that doctrine which is divine, vtterly and vniuersally condemnes all such rules of his worship, as are contrary to, or besides the Scriptures. And all works groū ded vponupon such rules as are not learned out of the word, though for wisdome they make a shew as if they came frō Heauen, for humility they seeme to proceed from a mortified mind, & for austerity do not spare the body, yet (take it vponupon the word of an Apostle) do they neither please God, nor profit vsus, since they are things of no value. Now Christ p. 62we know to be truth it selfe, and Paul we acknowledge to hauehave lighted his torch at our Saviours lampe,Marke 7. 8.Mark 7:8 but who are these that presume to lay the cōmandements of God apart, 1& obserue the tradition of men? 1. Such as are zealous in their profession:Rom. 10. 2.Rom 10:2 so were they whose zeale notwithstanding the Apostle reproues,Verse 13. because it was not vshred with knowledge.The secret of the Lord is amongst them that feare him. 2. Such are ouerawed with a feare, not priviledged & spirituall feare, whereof the Prophet speakes, Psal. 25. but such as is taxed by another Prophet, because taught by the precepts of men. Isa. 29. 13. 3. Such as are wearied with pilgring,The true seruice of God consists not in bodily exercises, which profit not, but in the exercises of godliues, the practice wherof is most hard, & burthensome, & in truth impossib…e to the natural mā. Rom. 7. 8 Such is the curbing of our irregular wils, and breaking the clods of our vntowardnesse.Rom 7:8 pined with fasting, & clogged with imposts of voluntary service: the Pharises did likewise furrow sea & land, fast often, sting thēselues with thornes, lye vpō planks, beat their heads against wals, till blood sprung, yet never a whit more liked or allowed of God. Math. 5. 20, who requires not mangled but mortified members. Col. 3. 5. a liuing sacrifice, a reasonable service. Rom. 12. 1. And Baals Priests, who went further (lancing their flesh with kniues. 1. King. 18. 29.) were farre enough frō Gods kingdome. 4. Such as are wary & heedfull, but in the service of the worst Master, whilst they obserue their owne ordinances. 5. Such as run in the course they vse, but with more haste then good speed, since they walke not in the rode-way wherein Dauid safely ran, Psal. 119. 32. but run in those wayes wherein God suffered the Gentiles for to walke (1.) their own wayes. 6. Such as beleeue in Christs merits;A voluntarie and cheerfull resignation of our selues to Gods vsage. Luke 9. 23. bow euer it standwith our temporall comfort. a delight in holy exercises, which by nature we cannot rellish. Psal. 119. 97. a keeping of the heart in such plight as may command good motions, and hauehave dominion ouer vnruly passions, which Chirst cals a kingdome. Luk 17. Salomons conquest, & a great one too Prov. 16 32. a daily fostering of saith, with a constant fruition of her fruits & attendāis. Ioy▪ peace, louelove, thanksgiuing, equabiliue of mind in estates, a propension & willingnes to dopart hence at Gods pleasure, breaking out sometimes into a desire of dissolution. Phil 1. 23. a forsaking of the world, not locally in habitation (as they do who confine themselues to some Frierie) but spiritually in affection, as they who re…ouace that corruption which is in the world through lust, vsing it as though they vsed it not. 2 Pet. …. 4. 1 Cor. 7. 31.Luke 9:23Ps 119:97Luke 17Prov 16:32Phil 1:231 Cor 7:31 but not as true Christiās ought to do, seeing their trust in Christs merit is, that he hath purchased grace for them, to merit for themselues Heauen by free-will if they list, thereby to be iust before God in themselues, and fully worthy of Gods kingdome, by which kind p. 63of belie…e they are abolished from Christ,Rhem. vponupon 2 Tim. 4. 8.2 Tim 4:8 fallen from grace, and bereft of the benefits of his merit,Gal. 3. 1. & 5. 4.Gal 3:1Gal 5:4 as were the bewitched Galathians in the Apostles dayes.

Againe,Papists pretending blasphemously that they fulfill the Law, doe disanull the law by their superstitious devices. when they draw men from the wholesome pasture 2of Gods word, to repast and feed in the strengthlesse chaffe of mans braine, doe they not reiect the commandements of God, that they may obserue their owne traditiōs? In the three estates of humane gouernment, Oecomicall, Civill, & Ecclesiasticall, the papacy masked with pretence of Religion & regularitie (Davus like) disturbes all. In the first which is Domesticke prohibiting mutuall offices of louelove,Papa perturbat omnia. obedience, hereditary succession, & due benevolence twixt Master & seruant,Poperie out of a transcendent prerogatiue can godly transgresse all bounds of nature, religion, humanitie, and ciuill societie, forbidding the performance of promises, couenants, oaths, declaration of truth vponupon oath, to these who worship the God of their fathers after the manner which they call heresie. father & sonne, husband & wife. In the second dispencing with allegeāce, disposing of scepters, deposing Caesar, & crowning of murtherous attēpts against his person with a Lawrell of new-sprung martyrdome. Touching the third, Diruit, aedificat, mutat diuina prophanis. He destroyes & puls downe what God hath built, & with those Nimrodian rebels in the tower Babel seekes to raise the wals of Babilon higher then any mischance can soare, ††Maio…sū, &c.as Niobe somtime said of her selfe. He changeth divine precepts into prophane & blasphemous fictions;I sit as a Queen & shall see no mourning. Rev. 8. 7.Rev 8:7 whilst in eueryevery commandement & branch of the Law, the word is made of no authority by the traditions which he hath ordained. By this time I doubt not but we see good reason of obseruing that Apostolicall rule.**1 Pet. 4. 11.1 Pet 4:11 He that speaketh, &c. The Prophets are Gods factors, sent to negotiate in these remote Regiōs. There traffick is the reconciliatiō & gain of soules. the Church is the ship wherein they imbarke, the world the sea whereō she floates, the word the card that directeth her course. Timothie as Pilot keepes the sterne. Tradition is the rock which he must shun. The place of arriuall is the promised Land, that coelestiall Canaan which is aboue. His exchange there the richest for commodity,See Gualter on Mat. 15. 19. & Mar. 7. 7.Matt 15:19Mark 7:7 & rarest for perpetuity, euen the saluation of himselfe, & those that saile with him. Let Timothie then take heed to himselfe, that his life be vnreproueable touching the grosse offence, to doctrine, p. 64that it be pure & profitable, to perseverance, lest beginning in Leo he end in Cancer. 1 Cor. 9. 16.1 Cor 9:16Let him looke to saying, because a necessitie is laid vponupon him, Woe is, &c. to doing, because such as say & do, shalbe counted great in the kingdome of God,Math. 5. 19.Matt 5:19 aswell this of grace as that of glory. continuance, because not he that runs fast for a spurt, & setls before he come at the goale, but he that endures & not that for a time, neither till the sun of tribulation begin to scoarch, but he that endures the heats & sweats of this holy Climate, & that to the end he I say, or rather Christ saith it, & he alone shalbe saued. Iudas shone for a space, & gaue a flash as if he had bin a fixed star amongst the twelue, but time discovering his false faith, he proued a Comet or shooting star, being drawn down, & withdrawn with a Quid dabitis? what will ye giuegive me & I will deliuer him vntounto you?Math. 26. 15.Matt 26:15 S^t Paul on the other side approued himselfe to be a fixed star in the Churches firmament. 1. by his owne heedf…lnes, since he knew nothing by himselfe. 2. by his industry in teaching, whilst as a candle he spent himselfe to giuegive others light.1 Cor. 4. 4.1 Cor 4:4 3. by cōtinuance in holding out vntounto the end,Act. 20. 20 24.Acts 20:20 witnesse that Swan-like song, I hauehave fought, 2. Tim. 4. 7. 8.2 Tim 4:72 Tim 4:8&c. that louelove that his appearing. Against which appearance the Lord prepare vsus by a care so circumspect, as may keepe vsus vnspotted of the world, a diligence so succesfull, as may gaine others, & by such a continuance in both, as may be intreated with that approbation. Euge bone serue. It is well done good seruant & faithfull,Math. 25. 21.Matt 25:21 &c. Blessed is that seruant,Math. 24. 46. 47.Matt 24:46Matt 24:47 whom when his master commeth, he shall sinde so doing.

Soli DEO gloria. ConfIrMet qVoD In nobIs operatVs est JehoVah.

FINIS.

End of the text · Robert Mandevill, Timothys Task (1619)