Satans Sophistry Answered, Part 2

Satans Sophistry Answered · Part 2

p. 147A comfort for the feeble minded: wherein is set downe that spirituall combat which is betwixt a Christian and Satan.

Lidia.

SIr, I heard you with much comfort, when you preached vponupon the temptations of Christ. I pray you instruct me concerning the temptations of a Christian, and giuegive me leaue to aske you certaine questic…s.

Paul.

Say on.

Lidia.

What is it which we call Christi… warfare?

Paul.

Christian warfare is concerning the right way of fighting in the spirituall battel.

Lidia

Which be the parts thereof?

Paul.

The parts thereof, are the preparation to battell, and the combat it selfe.

p. 148Lidia.

How may I prepare my self vntounto it?

Paul.

To the preparation, you must vse the complete armor of God. Eph. 6. 13. For this cause, take vntounto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the euill day: and hauing finished all things, stand fast.

Lidia.

How many parts hath this armor?

Paul.

The parts thereof are especially six: 1. truth: 2. iustice: 3. Euangelicall obedience: 4. faith: 5. the word of God: 6. continuall and feruent prayer with watching: as you may reade, Eph. 6. 14. Stand fast therefore, your loynes girded about with veritie, and hauing o… the brest-plate of righteousnesse, 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace. 16. Aboue all, take the shield of Faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fierie darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of saluation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. 18. And pray alwayes with all maner of prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watch thereunto with al perseuerance and supplication for all Saints. 1. Pet. 5. 8. Be sober, and watch: for your aduersarie the diuel, as a roring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure.

Lidia.

What then is the combat?

Paul.

The combat is a mutuall conflict of them that fight spiritually.

p. 149Lidia.

Who are the warriors?

Paul.

The warriors, are the tempter and the Christian souldier. Ephes. 6. 12. For we wrastle not against flesh and bloud, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly gouernors, the princes of the darknesse of this world, against spirituall wickednesses, which are in high places.

Lidia.

Whom call you the tempter?

Paul.

The tempter, is the Prince or his helpers. The Prince is Satan and his Angels, which are spirituall wickednesses in high things. His helpers are the flesh and the world.

Lid.

What is the conflict of these warriors?

Paul.

The conflict of all these, is temptation, whereby a man is prouoked to commit such wickednesse as is hurtfull to the saluation of his soule. 1. Pet. 2. 11. Dearely beloued, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrimes abstaine from fleshly lustes, which fight against the soule.

Lidia.

What must I note in this Christian souldier?

Paul.

In the souldier, two things are to be considered: his resisting, and his fall.

Lidia.

VVhat is his resistance?

Paul.

Resistance is an action, whereby p. 150the souldier doth withstand temptation, through grace working inwardly in him. 1. Iohn 2. 14. I write vntounto you babes, because ye hauehave knowne the Father: I hauehave written to you fathers, because ye hauehave knowne him that is from the beginning: I hauehave written to you yong men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye hauehave ouercome the wicked. 1. Pet. 5. 8. Ephes. 6. 16. Psal. 91. 13. Thou shalt walk vponupon the Lion and Asp, the yong Lion and the Dragon shalt thou tread vnderunder feete.

Lidia.

How is this resistance confirmed?

Paul.

To confirme this, these preseruatiues which follow are very necessary.

1. When you are tempted to sinne, do not only abstaine from it, but earnestly louelove and follow after the contrary. Iohn 8. 44.

2. Neuer yeeld or consent to Satans words, whether he speake the truth, accuse falsly, or flatter dissemblingly. Iohn 8. 44. Ye are of your father the diuell, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he hath bin a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him: when he speaketh a lie, then speaketh he of his owne; for he is a lier, and the father thereof. Marke 1. 24. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What hauehave I to do with thee, Iesus the sonne of the most high God? p. 151And Iesus said, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. Act. 16. 17. She followed Paul and vsus, and cried, saying: These men are the seruants of the most high God, which shew vntounto vsus the way of saluation, &c. August. serm. 241.

3. One temptation is to be looked for after another, and then especially when our enemie after he hath set his snares, is at rest: for the diuel neuer maketh an end of his malice, 1. Pet. 5. 8.

Lidia.

I hauehave heard how to resist: teach me (I pray you) what is his fall.

Paul.

The fall is, whereby the souldier through infirmitie fainteth, being subdued by the power of the enemie. Gal. 6. 1. Brethrē, if a man be fallen by occasion into any fault, ye which are spirituall, restore such a one with the spirit of meeknesse, considering thy selfe least thou also be tempted.

Lidia.

If I fall, how may I rise?

Paul.

To this appertaineth the spirituall remedie: now a remedie, is a thing hauing aptnesse to restore him which is fallen to his former estate. Gal. 6. 1.

And here two things must alwayes be thought on.

1. If there be a willing mind, eueryevery one is accepted for that grace which he hath, not p. 152for that which he hath not. 2. Corint. 8. 12, For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

2. In all these things, whosoeuer wil leade a godly life in Christ, the power of God is to be made perfect through their infirmitie. 2. Cor. 12. 9. And he said vntounto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is made perfect through weaknesse: very gladly therefore will I reioyce rather in mine infirmities, that the power of God may dwell in me. 10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christs sake, for when I am weake, then am I strong.

Lidia.

But since Satan is mine aduersarie, instruct me how many his assaults be.

Paul.

Assaults are three-fold.

Lidia.

VVhichWhich is the first?

Paul.

The first is about the Christian mans effectuall calling: and the temptation is the enterprise of the Diuell, to blindfold mans mind and to harden his hart, lest the word of God should work in him to saluation. Mat. 1… 4. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowles came and deuoured them vp. 5. And some fell vponupon stonie ground, where they had no… much earth, and anon they sprang vp, because p. 153they had no depth of earth. 6. And when the sun rose vp, they were parched; & for lack of rooting withered away. 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 cometh, and catcheth away that which was sowne in his heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seed by the way side.

Lidia.

How may I resist this assault?

Paul.

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 seed 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 maliciousnes, 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 seed remaineth in him, neither cā he sin because he is borne of God. A resistance in those that are to be called, is, when in a sincere heart they do ioyne the word which they hauehave p. 154heard with faith. Luke 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.

Lidia.

What certaine preseruatiues are to be noted in this resistance?

Paul.

1. Premeditation of the power and vse of the word. Eccles. 4. 17. Take heed to thy feete when thou entrest into the house of the Lord, and be more neare to heare then to giuegive the sacrifice of fooles, for they know not that they do euil. Cha. 5. 1. Be not rash with thy mouth, n… let thine heart be hastie to vtter a thing before God: for God is in the heauen, and thou art … the earth, therefore let thy words be few.

2. Diligent attentiō of the mind, Act. 16. 14.

3. An hungring desire of the heart. Ioh. 7. 37. Now 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.

4. Integritie of life. Psal. 26. 6.

5. The casting away of euill affections Iam. 1. 22. And be ye doers of the word, and n… hearers onelyonly, deceiuing your owne soules.

6. The inward consent and agreement of the heart with the word preached. Act. 2. 37.

7. An hiding of the word in the heart lest p. 155we should sinne, Psalm. 119. 11. I hauehave hid thy word in mine heart, that I might not sinne against thee.

8. A trembling at the presence of God in the assembly of the Church, Esa. 66. 2. For all these things hath mine hand made, and all these things hauehave bene, 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; now therefore are we all here present before God, to heare all things that are commaunded thee of God.

Lidia.

The God of power preserue me from this assault by these preseruatiues: but how may I fall in this temptation?

Paul.

Your fall, is either by a coldnesse in receiuing the word, and a neglect therof, or else by falling into errors.

Lidia

What then must be my remedy?

Paul.

The remedie for this, is subiection, which must be made to the iudgement and censure of the brethren and Ministers. Reuel. 3. 15. I know thy workes, that thou art neither cold nor hote: I would thou werest cold or hote. Gal. 6. 2. 1. Tim. 1. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I hauehave deliuered vntounto Satan, that they might learne not p. 156to blaspheme.

Lid.

What is the second assault?

Paul.

The second assault is concerning faith.

Lid.

How may one be thus assaulted?

Paul.

By an illusion, which the Diuell casteth into the hearts of godly ones: as when he saith: Thou art not of the number of the elect: thou art not iustified: thou hast no faith: thou must certainely be condemned for thy sinnes, as Mat. 4. 3. Then came to him the tempter, and said: If thou be the Sonne of God, command that these stones be made bread. Now as he dealt with Christ, so will he with Christians.

Lidia.

What helpes doth the Diuell abuse, for the strengthening of such illusions as these?

Paul.

1. He abuseth Aduersitie: as dangers, losses, persecutions, iealousie, grieuous offences, &c. So in Dauid, Psal. 73. 12. Loe, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches. 13. Certainely, I hauehave cleansed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie. In Iob 13. 23. How many art mine iniquities and sinnes? Shew me my rebellion and my sinne. 24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and takest me for thine enemie? 25. Will p. 157thou breake a leafe driuen to and fro, and wilt thou pursue the drie stubble?

2 The remembrance of sinnes past. Iob 13. 26. For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth.

3 A feeling of death euen alreadie at hand.

Lidia.

How may I withstand these?

Paul.

By a true faith, applying Christ with all his merits particularly, after this manner: I assuredly beleeue that I shall not be condemned, but that I am elected and iustified in Christ, and am out of all doubt that all my sinnes are pardoned. Esa. 53. 11. He shall see the trauell of his soule, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many: for he shall beare their iniquities. Rom. 8. 38. For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. 39. Nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.

Lidia.

GiueGive me a preseruatiue that I may resist.

Paul.

Your best preseruatiue is, in temptation, not to behold faith, but the obiect of p. 158faith, which is Christ. So did Paul, Philip. 3. 12. Not as though I had alreadie attained vntounto it, either were alreadie perfect: but I follow, that I may comprehend that, for whose sak… also I am comprehended of Christ Iesus. 13. One thing I do, I forget that which is behind, and indeuour my selfe to that which is before. 14. And follow hard toward the marke, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. So must all. Ioh. 3. 14. And as Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse; so must the sonne of man be lift vp, that he that beleeueth in him should not perish, but hauehave life euerlasting.

Lid.

What is my falling in this assault?

Paul.

Your falling is doubtfulnesse, and distrust of your election, & of Gods merciemercy Psal. 77. 6. I called to remembrance my so… in the night: I com…ned with mine own heart and my spirit searched diligently. 7. Will in Lord absent himselfe for euer, and will he shew no more fauour? 8. Is his … cleane gone for euer? doth his promise faile for euermore? So Dauid of himselfe saith: Psalm. 22. 1. My God, my God; why hast thou forsaken me, and art so farre from my health, and from the words of my roaring?

Lid.

What is my remedie?

Paul

The remedie is double:

p. 159First, the operation of the holy Spirit, stirring vp faith and increasing the same. Philip. 1. 6. I am perswaded of this same thing, that he that hath begunne this good worke in you, will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ. Luk. 17. 5. And the Apostles said vntounto the Lord, Increase our faith.

The second is, an holy meditation, which is manifold:

1 That it is the commandement of God, that we should beleeue in Christ. 1. Ioh. 3. 23. This is then his commaundement, that we beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ, and louelove one another, as he gaue commaundement.

2 That the Euangelicall promises are indefinite, and do exclude no man, vnlesse peraduenture any man do exclude himselfe, Esa. 55. 1. Ho, eueryevery one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and ye that hauehave no siluer, come, buy, and eate: come, I say, buy wine and milke without siluer and without money. Mat. 11. 28. Come vntounto me all ye that are wearie and laden, and I will ease you. Ioh. 3. 15. That whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, but hauehave eternall life. Also the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper, do to eueryevery one seuerally apply indefinite promises, and therefore are very effectuall to enforce particular p. 160assurance or plerophorie of forgiuenesse of sinnes.

3 That doubtfulnesse and despaire are most grieuous sinnes.

4 That contrarie to hope, men must vnderunder hope beleeue with Abraham. Rom. 4. 18. Which Abraham aboue hope beleeued vnderunder hope, that he should be the father of many nations: according to that which was spoken to him, So shall thy seed be.

5 That the merciemercy of God, and the merit of Christs obedience, being both God and man, are infinite. Esa. 54. 10. For the mountaines shall remoue, and the hils shall fall downe: but my merciemercy shall not depart from thee, neither shall my couenant of peace fall away, saith the Lord, that hath compassion on thee. Psal. 103. 11. For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth, so great is his merciemercy toward them that feare him. 1. Ioh. 2. 1. My babes, these things write I vntounto you, that ye sinne not: and if any man sinne, we hauehave an aduocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the iust. 2. And he is the reconciliation for our sinnes: and not for ours onelyonly, but also for the sinnes of the whole world. Psal. 137. 7. Let Israel waite on the Lord: for the Lord is merciemercy, and with him is great redemption.

p. 1616 That God measureth the obedience due vntounto him, rather by the affection and desire to obey, then by the act and performance of it. Rom. 8. 5. For they that are after the flesh, sauour the things of the flesh, but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit. 7. Because the wisedome of the flesh, is enmitie against God: for it is not subiect to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. 7. 20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but the sinne that dwelleth in me. 21. I find then by the law, that when I would do good, euill is present with me. 22. For I delight in the law of God, concerning the inner man. Mal. 3. 17. I will spare them, as a man spareth his son, that reuerenceth him.

7 When one sinne is forgiuen, all the rest are remitted also: for remission being giuen once, without any prescription of time, is giuen for euer. Rom. 11. 29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Act. 10. 43. To him also giuegive all the Prophets witnesse, that through his name, all that beleeue in him, shall receiue remission of sinnes.

8 That grace and faith are not taken away by fals of infirmitie, but thereby are declared and made manifest. Rom. 5. 20. Moreouer, the law entred thereupon, that the offence p. 162should abound: neuerthelesse, where sin abounded, there grace abounded much more. 2. Cor. 12. 7. And lest I should be exalted out of measure, &c. there was giuen vntounto me a pricke in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9. He said, My grace is sufficient for thee.

9 That all the workes of God are by contrarie meanes. 2. Cor. 12. 9. My power is made perfect through weaknesse.

Lidia.

By the blessing of God I will not forget to practise these soueraigne remedies if Satan at any time seeke to take away my faith, and to cut off this hand by which I must apply, or to blindfold this eye, by which I may behold Christ sitting at Gods right hand, as Stephen did. Let me heare, I pray you, the third assault, and what it concerneth.

Paul.

The third assault is concerning Sanctification.

Lid.

What is this temptation?

Paul.

The temptation is a prouoking to sinne, according as the disposition of eueryevery man, and as occasion shall offer it selfe, 1. Chron. 21. 1. And Satan stood vp against Israel, and prouoked Dauid to number Israel. p. 163Ioh. 13. 2. And when supper was done, the diuell had now put into the heart of Iudas Iscariot, Simons sonne, to betray him.

Lid.

Let me not be ignorant of Satans enterprises. How will he allure to sinne?

Paul.

In this temptation, the diuell doth wonderfully diminish and extenuate those sins which men are about to commit, partly by obiecting closely the merciemercy of God, and partly by couering or hiding the punishment which is due for the sin. Besides, there are helpes to further the diuell in this his temptation: as first, the flesh which lusteth against the spirit, sometimes by begetting euill motions and affections, and sometimes by ouerwhelming and oppressing the good intents and motions, Gal. 5. 17. For the flesh lufteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrarie one to another, so that ye cannot do the same things that ye would. 19. Moreouer, the workes of the flesh are manifest: which are, adulterie, fornication, vncleanenesse, wantonnesse. 20. Idolatrie, witchcraft, hatred, debate, emulations, wrath, contentions, seditions, heresies. 21. Enuie, murthers, drunkennesse, gluttonie, and such like, whereof I tell you before, as I also hauehave told you before, that they which do such things shall not p. 164inherit the kingdome of God. Iam. 1. 14. But eueryevery man is tempted, when he is drawne away by his owne concupiscence, and is entised.

Secondly, the world, which bringeth men to disobedience, through pleasure, profite, honour, and euill examples, Ephesians 2. 3. Among whom we also had our conuersation in time past, in the lustes of the flesh, in fulfilling the will of the flesh, and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, as well as others. 1. Iohn 2. 16. For all that is in the world, as the lusts of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world.

Lid.

How may I resist this temptation?

Paul.

Resistance, is made by the desire of the spirit, which worketh good motions and affections in the faithfull, and driueth foorth the euill. Gal. 5. 22. But the fruite of the spirit is louelove, ioy, peace, long suffering, gentlenesse, goodnesse, faith, 23. Meekenesse, temperancie: against such there is no law. 24. For they that are Christs, hauehave crucified the flesh, with the affections and the lusts thereof. 26. Let vsus not be desirous of vaine glorie, prouoking one another, enuying one another.

Lid.

GiueGive me here some preseruariues, that I may resist.

p. 165Paul.

The preseruatiues are these.

1 To account no sinne light or small. Gal. 5. 9. Alitle leauen doth leauen the whole lumpe. Rom. 6. 23. For the wages of sinne is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

2 To auoide all occasions of sinne. To these rather agreeth the Prouerb vsed of the Plague: longè, tardè, citò: that is, aloofe, slowly, quickly. 1. Thessal. 5. 22. Abstaine from all appearance of euill. Iud. v. 23. And other saue with feare, pulling them out of the fire, and hate euen the garment spotted by the flesh.

3 To accustome thy selfe to subdue the lesser sinnes, that at the last, thou maist also ouercome the greater. Rom. 13. 4.

4. To apply thy selfe to thy appointed calling, and alway to be busily occupied about something in the same.

5 To oppose the law, the iudgements of God, the last iudgement, the glorious presence of God, and such like, against the rebellion and loosenesse of the flesh. Pro. 28 14. Blessed is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into euill. Gen. 39. 9. There is no man greater in this house then I: neither hath he kept any thing from me, but onelyonly thee, because thou art his p. 166wife: how then can I do this great wickednesse, and so sinne against God?

Lid.

But alas, I see Satan foyles me in many sins: instruct me I pray you, with some rules against them. Say I be angrie vnaduisedly, or desire to reuenge wrongs done vntounto me, how may I remedie this my sinne?

Paul.

Against vniust anger, or priuate desire of reuenge. Here meditate, 1. iniuries; they happen vntounto vsus by the Lords appointment for our good. 2. Sam. 16. 10. 2. God of his great goodnesse forgiueth vsus farre more sinnes, then it is possible for vsus to forgiue men. 3. It is the dutie of Christian louelove, to forgiue others. 4. We must not desire to destroy them, whom Christ hath redeemed by his precious bloud. 5. We our selues are in daunger of the wrath of God, if we suffer our wrath to burne against our brother. Forgiue saith he) and it shall be forgiuen. 6. We know not the circumstances of the facts, what the mind was, and purpose of them against whom we swell.

Bridles or externall remedies, are these: 1. in this we shall imitate the clemencie of the Lord, who for a very great season doth often tolerate the wicked. Learne of me, for I am humble and meeke. 2. There must be a p. 167pausing and time of delay, betwixt our anger and the execution of the same. Atheno…rus counselled Augustus that he being angrie, should repeate all the letters of the Alphabet, or A B C, before he against another did either speake or do any thing. 3. To depart out of those places where those are, with whom we are angrie. 4. To auoide contention, both in word and deed. Do nothing through contention.

Lidia.

Say I sinne by couetousnesse and ambition: what must I do?

P.

Remedies against those bad desires of riches and honor, are: 1. God doth euen in famine quickē and reuiue them which feare him. Psal. 33. 18. 19. The eye of the Lord is vponupon them that feare him, to deliuer their souls from death, and to preserue them from famine. 2. Godlinesse is great gaine, if the mind of man can be therewith content. 1. Tim. 6. 6. 3. we do waite and looke for the resurrection of the bodie, and eternall life: therefore we should not take such carking care for this present mortall life. 4. We are seruants in our fathers house, therefore looke what is conuenient for vsus, that will he louingly bestow vponupon vsus. 5. The palpable blindnesse of an ambitious mind, desireth to be set aloft, p. 168that he may hauehave the greater downe-falle and he feareth to be humbled, lest he should not be exalted. 6. Adam when he would needes be checke-mate with God, did bring both himselfe and his posteritie headlong… destruction. 7. He is a very ambitious rob God, which desireth to take that comme… dation to himselfe, which is appropriate only to the Lord.

Lidia.

Admit Satan allures me to carnal vncleanenesse; how may I preserue my selfe that I may with the wise virgins enter with the bridegrome?

Pa.

Preseruatiues against the desires of the flesh: are, 1. He that will be Christs disciple, must eueryevery day take vp his crosse, Luk. 9. 23. 2. They which are according to the spirit, sauour of such things as are according to the spirit, Rom. 8. 5. 3. We ought to behaue … selues as citizens of the kingdom of heauen, Philip. 3. 20. 4. We are the temple of God… 1. Cor. 3. 6. Our members, they are the mē bers of Christ. 1. Cor. 6. 15. And we ha… dwelling within vsus the spirit of Christ… which we should not grieue, Eph. 4. 30.

Lid.

How may I fall in this temptations?

Paul.

When you being preuented, fall … some offence: Gal. 6. 1.

p. 169Lidia.

What doth Satan when one is thus …llen?

Paul.

Here Satan doth wonderfully aggrauate the offence committed, and doth ac…use and terrifie the offender with the iudgements of God. Mat. 27. 3. Then when Iudas which betrayed him, saw that he was condem…d, he repented himselfe, and brought againe the thirtie peeces of siluer to the chiefe Priests and Elders: 4. Saying, I hauehave sinned, betraying the innocent bloud: but they said, What is that to vsus? see thou to it. 5. And when he had cast downe the siluer peeces in the Temple, he departed, and went and hanged himselfe.

Lid.

What remedie is there if that I fall?

Paul.

The remedie is, a renewed repentance, the beginning whereof is sorrow, in regard of God for the same sinne; the fruites hereof are especially seuen. 2. Cor. 7. 9. Now I reioyce not that you were sorrie, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye sorrowed godly, so that in nothing ye were hurt by vsus. 10. For godly sorrow causeth repentance vntounto saluation, not to be repented of: but worldly sorrow causeth death. 11. For behold, this thing that ye hauehave bene godly sorrie, what great care hath it wrought in you: yea, what clearing of your selues: yea, what indignation: yea, p. 170what feare: yea, how great desire: yea, wh… zeale: yea, what punishment: in all things … hauehave shewed your selues, that ye are pure in this matter.

Lid.

Repeate out of this place those seuen fruites of repentance.

Paul.

First, a desire of doing well.

Secondly, an Apologie, that is, a confession of the sinne before God, with a requiring of pardon for the offence. Psalm. 32. 5. Then I acknowledged my sin vntounto thee, neither hid I mine iniquitie: for I thought, I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse vntounto the Lord, and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne. 2. Sam. 12. 13. Then Dauid said vntounto Nathan, I hauehave sinned against the Lord: and Nathan said vntounto Dauid, The Lord also ha… put away thy sinne, thou shalt not die.

3 Indignation against a mans selfe, for his offence.

4 A feare, not so much for the punishment, as for offending the Lord. Psal. 130. 3. If thou streightly markest iniquities, O Lord who shall stand?

5 A desire to be fully renewed, and to be deliuered from sinne.

6 A feruent zeale to louelove God, and to embrace and keepe all his commandements.

p. 1717. Reuenge, whereby the flesh may be ta…ed and subdued, lest at any time afterward such offences be committed.

Lidia.

Blessed be God, that thus teacheth …e by you. Let me speake yet vntounto you concerning calamities: I reade in the Scriptures of the patient bearing of the crosse; what wil it teach me?

Paul.

The patient bearing of the crosse, teacheth how Christians should vndergo the burden.

Lidia.

VVhat (I pray you) is the crosse?

Paul.

The crosse is a certaine measure of afflictions, appointed by God to eueryevery one of the faithfull. Math. 6. 24. If any man wil follow me, let him forsake himselfe, take vp his crosse and follow me. Col. 1. 24. Now reioyce I in my sufferings for you, and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake which is the Church.

Lidia.

How must this crosse be taken vp?

Paul.

We ought to take vp this crosse willingly, euen with both hands, when it shall please God to lay it vponupon vsus. And after we hauehave taken it vp, we must beare it with patience and perseuerance. Col. 1. 11. Strengthened with all might through his glorious power, vntounto all patience and long suffering with p. 172ioyfulnesse. Luke 21. 19. Possesse your soules with patience.

Lidia.

How may I preserue patience?

Paul.

The preseruatiues of patience, are first strength by the holy Ghost. Phil. 4. 13. I am able to do all things through the helpe of Christ, which strengtheneth me. Phil. 1. 20. It is giuen to you for Christ, that not onelyonly ye should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake. 2. An holy meditation which is manifold.

1. That the afflictions of the faithful come not by chance, but by the counsell and prouidence of God, which disposeth all things in a most excellent sort. Gen. 45. 4. 5. It was God that sent Ioseph into Egypt. 2. Sam. 16. 10. The Lord biddeth Shemei curse Dauid. Psal. 119. 71. It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learne thy statutes. Hence it is euident, that afflictions to the godly are ineuitable. Act. 14. 21. By many afflictions you must enter into the kingdome of God. Mat. 7. 14. The gate is streight and the way narrow that leadeth vntounto life, and few there be that find it. Iohn 16 20. In the world ye shall hauehave troubles.

2 That albeit afflictions are grieuous, yet are they good and profitable. For they are helpes, whereby men being humbled for their sinnes before God, obtaine peace and p. 173holinesse of life. 2. Cor. 1. 9. We receiued sentence of death in our selues, because we should not trust in our selues, but in God, which raiseth the dead. Esa. 26. 16. Lord, in trouble hauehave they visited thee, they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was vponupon them. Hos. 5. 15. I will go and returne to my place, till they acknowledge their fault and seeke me: in their affliction they will seeke me diligently. Psal. 78. 34. When he flue them they sought him, and they returned, and they sought God early. Ierem. 31. 18. I hauehave heard Ephraim lamenting thus: Thou hast corrected me, and I was chastised as an vntamed calfe: conuert thou me, and I shall be conuerted. Heb. 12. 11. No chastisement for the present see…eth ioyous, but grieuous: but afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse vntounto them which are thereby exercised. Psa. 30. 5. Weeping may abide at euening, but ioy commeth in the morning. Iohn 15. 2. EueryEvery branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth …re fruite. 1. pet. 1. 6. Wherein ye reioyce, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heauinesse through many temptations. 2. Cor. 1. 4. The God of all comfort, which comforteth vsus in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in affliction, by the comfort wherewith our selues are comforted of God. p. 174Rom. 5. 3. We glory in afflictions, knowing that affliction bringeth patience. Heb. 2. 10. He did consecrate the Prince of their saluation through affliction. We permit Chirurgians that they both bind vsus lying diseased in our beds, and seare vsus with hot irons, yea lanch and search our members with rasors: and lastly, we send them away vsually with friendly and kind speeches, & often with a golden fee for their thus handling vsus. Shal we thē suffer so many things of a Chirurgian, to cure a bodily disease, and will we not giuegive God leaue to cure by afflictions the most festered diseases of our sicke soules?

Lidia.

What is to be gathered hence?

Paul.

By this we may gather, that the afflictions of the godly, are signes of their adoption. Heb. 12. 6. Whom the Lord loueth, he chasteneth, and he scourgeth eueryevery sonne that he receiueth. 7. If ye endure chastisement, God offereth himselfe vntounto you as vntounto sonne…. And that they are to them, the Kings high way to heauen. Iames 1. 12. Blessed … the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that louelove … 2. Cor. 4. 17. For our light affliction which i… but for a moment, causeth vntounto vsus a farre more p. 175excellent and an eternall waight of glory.

3 That God hath promised fauour, mitigation of punishment, his presence and deliuerance. Philip. 1. 29. 1. Cor. 10. 13. God is faithfull, who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue measure, but with temptation will giuegive deliuerance. 2. Sam. 7. 14. Psal. 50. 15. Call vponupon me in time of trouble, and I will deliuer thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. Psal. 121. 4. He that keepeth Israel, will neither slumber nor sleepe. Esa. 43. 2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the flouds, that they do not ouerwhelme thee: when thou walkest through the very fire, thou shalt not burne, neither shal the flame kindle vponupon thee: 3. For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel thy sauiour.

4 That in all troubles of the faithfull, Christ is a companion. 1. Pet. 4. 13. Reioyce that ye are partakers of the afflictions of Christ. 2 Cor. 4. 10. EueryEvery where we beare about in our bodie the dying of Christ, that the life of Iesus might also be made manifest in our bodies. Col. 1. 21.

5 That the Angels are readie to defend such as feare God. Psal. 34. 8. 2. Kings 6. 16. Feare not, there are more with vsus then against vsus.

p. 176Lidia.

But of all calamities, the remembrance of death is fearful vntounto me: giuegive me (I pray you) some few preseruatiues against it.

Paul

Against the feare of death, note these preseruatiues:

First, death it freeth the godly from the tyrannie of Satan, sinne, the world, the flesh, and eternall damnation; yea frō infinite both perils and losses, and doth place vsus both safe and happie vnderunder the shadow (as it were) of Christs wings.

Secondly, Christ by his death hath sanctified vntounto vsus both death and the graue.

3 Christ is both in life and death, gaine to the godly, Phil. 1. 12.

4 Those consolations which the spirit of Christ doth suggest to the soules of the faithful, do by many degrees surmount the dolors of death.

5 The desire of that most bright and glorious beholding of God, and the presence of those Saints which are departed before vsus.

6 In stead of our bodies we shall be clothed with glory, 2. Cor. 5. 1.

7 The sting of death, namely sin, is then so taken away, as that that serpent can no more hurt vsus. 1. Cor. 15. 55. O death, where i… thy sting! O graue, where is thy victory! Heb. 2. p. 17715. That he might deliuer all them, which for feare of death, were all their life time subiect to bondage.

8 We should not so much thinke of our death, as to take an exact account of our life. For that man cannot die ill, who hath liued well: and he seldome dieth well, that hath liued badly.

9 The Angels they stand at our elbowes, that so soone as a Saint departeth, they may with al speed immediatly transport his soule into heauen.

Soules being once in heauen, remain ther… till the last day of iudgement, where they partly magnifie the name of God, and partly do waite and pray for the consummation of the kingdom of glory, and ful felicitie in body and soule. Reu. 5. 8. And when he had taken the booke, the foure beasts and the foure and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, hauing eueryevery one harpes and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the Saints: 9. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the booke, and to open the seales thereof, because thou wast killed, and hast redeemed vsus to God by thy bloud, out of eueryevery kinred, and tong, and people, and nation. Reuel. 14. 2. I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harpes, 3. And they p. 178sung as it were a new song before the throne: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long Lord, holy and true? doest not thou iudge and auenge our bloud on them that dwel on the earth?

Lidia

Yet for all this, Satan in the time of temptation, and at the houre of death, wil go about to perswade me that these things do not belong vntounto me: what must I do then?

Paul.

Descend into your owne heart, see whether you hauehave Gods spirit or no, testifying vntounto you that you are Gods child: for as many as hauehave the spirit of God, they are the children of God.

Lidia.

But how shall I know whether this testimonie come from Gods spirit, or from carnall presumption?

Paul.

First, by a full perswasion which you shall hauehave; for the holy Ghost will not barely say it, but perswade you that you are Gods child, which the flesh cannot do. Secondly, by the maner of perswasion; for the holy Ghost draweth not reasons from the works and worthinesse of man, but from Gods fauour and louelove: and this kind of perswasion differeth much from that which Satan vseth. Thirdly, by the effects of that testimonie; for if the perswasion arise from presumption, it is a dead perswasion: but contrariwise, it is p. 179most liuely and stirring, if it come from the holy Ghost: for such as are perswaded that they are elected and adopted the children of God, they wil louelove God, trust in him, and cal vponupon him with their whole heart.

Lidia.

Alas, I find this testimonie maruellous feeble in me: are there not other meanes by which I may be comforted in this temptation of Satan, that I am not Gods child?

Paul.

Yes verily, if you feele not the flame of Gods spirit in you, then must you iudge of it by the heate: and if you find the effects of sanctification in you, you are without doubt in the state of grace.

Lidia.

Which (I pray you) be they?

Paul.

Of all the effects of sanctification, you may iudge of your adoption by these that follow: First, if you feele your wants, and with griefe bewaile the offence to God in eueryevery sinne. 2. If you striue against the flesh, that is, resist and hate the first motions thereof, and with griefe, thinke them burthenous and troublesome. Thirdly, if you desire earnestly and vehemently the grace of God, and merite of Christ to obtaine eternall life. 4. When you hauehave obtained it, to account it a most precious i…well, and all things to be as dung in respect of it, Phil. 3. 9. 5. If you louelove p. 180a Minister of the Gospell, as he is a Minister, and a Christian as he is a Christian; and if need require, can be readie to giuegive your life for them, 1. Iohn 3. 16. 6. If you call earnestly vponupon God, euen with teares. 7. If you desire Christs comming to iudgement, that an end might be made of these dayes of sin. 8. If you flie all occasions of sin, and endeuor to come to newnesse of life. 9. And last of all, if you perseuere vntounto the last gaspe in these things. For, as one saith, he that wil serue God, must beleeue that which he cannot see, hope for that which is deferred, louelove God when he shewes himself an enemie; and thus remaine to the end.

Lidia.

These indeed are sure effects of sanctification, but euen these are weake in me as the former.

Paul

Are they so? Then know that God tameth you, yet so as you must not therewith be dismaied: for it is certaine, that if you hauehave faith but as a graine of mustard-seed, and be as weake as a yong infant, it is sufficient to ingraft you into Christ: and therefore you must not doubt of your owne election, by reason of your weaknesse. A child holding a staffe in his hand, holdeth it as well as a man, though not with so much strength; and you p. 181laying hold vponupon Christ by faith, though you do it neuer so weakely, it will suffise for your saluation. Nay, if one hauehave not yet felt these effects in his heart, he must not conclude, he is a reprobate, but must rather vse the word of God and the Sacraments, that he may hauehave inward sense of the power of Christ drawing him vntounto him, and an assurance of his redemption by Christs death and passion.

Lidia.

He that opened the heart of Lidia to heare Paul, open my heart to know and do these things.

Paul.

Amen.