A Golden Chain, Chapter 41
CHAP. 41. Of the first Assault.
ASsaults are threefold.
The first is, about the Christian mans effectuall calling. The temptation is, the enterprise of the diuell to blindfold mans minde, and to harden his heart, least the word of GOD should worke in him to saluation. Matth. 13.4. And as he sowed, some fell by the waie side, and the fowles came and deuoured thē vp. 5. And some fell vponupon stonie ground, where they had not much earth, and anon they sprang vp, because they had no depth of earth. 6. And when the Sunne rose vp, they wer parched, and for lacke of rooting withered awaie. 7. And some fell among thornes, and the thornes sprung vp and choked them. 19. Whensoeuer a man heareth the word of the kingdome, and vnderstandeth it not, the euill one commeth, and catcheth away that which was sowne in his heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seede by the way side.
A resistance in those that are called, is wrought by the spirit of God, that causeth men to lend their eares to heare, and doth ingraffe the word in their hearts, that the immortall seede of regeneration may spring in them. Psal. 40.6. Ioh. 6.44. Act. 16.14. Iam. 1. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthinesse, and superfluitie of maliciousnesse, and receiue with meeknes the word that is graffed in you, which is able to saue your soules. 1. Pet. 1.22. Seeing your soules are purified in obeying the truth through the spirit, to louelove brotherly without faining, louelove one another with a pure heart feruently. 1. Ioh. 3.9. Whosoeuer is borne of god sinneth not: for his seede remaineth in him, neither can he sinne, because he is borne of god. A resistance in those that are to be called, is when in a sincere heart they doe ioyne the word which they hauehave heard, with faith. Luk. 8.15. But that which fell in good ground, are they which with an honest and good heart, heare the word and keepe it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Heb. 4.2.
Here are certaine preseruatiues to be noted.
I. Premeditation of the power and vse of the word. Eccles. 4.17. Take heede to thy feete, when thou entrest into the house of the Lord, and be more neere to heare then to giuegive the sacrifice of fooles: for they knowe not that they doe euill. Chap. 5.1. Be not rash with thy mouth, nor let thine heart be hastie to vtter a thing before god: for God is in the heauen, and thou art on the earth: therefore let thy wordes be few.
II. Diligent attention of the minde. Act. 16.14.
III. An hungring desire of the heart. Ioh. 7.37. Nowe in the last and great day of the feast, Iesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drinke.
IV. Integritie of life. Psal. 26.6
V. The casting away of euil affectiōs. Iam. 1.22. And be ye doers of the word, and not hearers onelyonly, deceiuing your owne soules.
VI. The inward consent and agreement of the heart with the word preached. Act. 2.37.
VII. An hiding of the word in the heart, least we should sinne. Psal. 119.11. I hauehave hid thy word in mine heart, that I might not sinne against thee.
VIII. A trēbling at the presence of God in the assemblie of the Church. Esay 66.2. For all these things hath mine hand made, and all these things hauehave been saith the Lord, and to him will I looke, euen to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my words. Act. 10.33. Then sent I for thee immediatly, and thou hast well done to come: nowe therefore are we all here present before God, to heare all things that are commanded thee of God.
The fall, is either a coldnesse in receiuing the word, and a neglect thereof, or else a falling into errours.
The remedie for this, is subiection, which must be made to the iudgement and censure of the brethren and ministers. Reuelat. 3.15. I knowe thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hote: I would thou werest cold or hote. Gal. 6.2.1. Tim. 1.20. Of whome is Hymeneus and Alexander, whome I hauehave deliuered vntounto Satan, that they might learne not to blaspheme.