The Admirable Convert, Part 9

The Admirable Convert · Part 9

p. 414VERSE 43.

Text.And Ieſus ſaid vntounto him▪ Verily I ſay vntounto thee, To day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe.

HItherto of the Penitents Petition. Now followeth Chriſts anſwer, Verily I ſay vntounto thee, &c.

Wherein are obſeruable,

1. Chriſts aſſeueration, (Verily.)

2. Perſon to whom, (Thou.)

3. Promiſe it ſelfe, (Shalt bee with me.)

4. Place (Paradiſe.)

5. Time, (This day.)

And Ieſus ſaid vntounto him, Verily I ſay vntounto thee, &c.

The word Engliſhed here, Verily, p. 399in the originall is, Amen, and is ſeldome or neuer tranſlated either in the Greeke, Latine, Engliſh, or any other language. It is vſed often both in the old and new Teſtament: And the vſe thereof is twofold.

Firſt, it is vſed for an earneſt wiſh and deſire of the heart: and thus when Dauid had appointed Solomon to be Ruler ouer Iſrael, Benaiah the ſonne of Iehoida anſwered Dauid, ſaying, Amen: 1. King. 1.36.1 Kgs 1:36therein teſtifying his vnfained deſire that it ſhould bee ſo. And thus in thoſe ſolemne curſings which the Leuites muſt pronounce with a loud voice in the hearing of the people; The people to ſignifie that their aſſent thereunto, to eueryevery particular thereof muſt ſay, Amen. And thus it is vſed in our Church at the ſhuting vp of our prayers, wherein wee p. 416teſtifie our deſire to be heard and anſwered in thoſe things we pray for.

Secondly, the ſame is vſed againe for an earneſt affirmation and aſſeueration, as in that ſpeech of our Sauiour vntounto Nichodemus, wherein the word is twice together repeated, Amen, Amen, Dico tibi, Ioh. 3.11.John 3:11&c. Verily, verily, I ſay vntounto thee. And is there in that place, as alſo in this, in the nature of an oath, wherein our Sauiour will aſſure Nichodemus, and alſo this Penitent here, of the vndoubted certaintie of that hee ſpake, and promiſed, binding his promiſe here for the further confirmation of his faith, with a kinde of oath, Doct. 1 Verily I ſay vntounto thee.

It is a wonderful hard thing truly to beleeue.The Doctrine that from hence may be concluded for our Inſtruction, is; How difficult a matter it is truly to beleeue in Chriſt. p. 417Chriſt promiſing this Penitent forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, the ſaluation of his ſoule, and that that very day he ſhould be with him in Paradiſe. Hee is faine for the further confirmation of his faith, to vſe this aſſeueration, Verily, and all to perſwade him of the truth of his promiſe. To beleeue aright in Chriſt, is not a worke of Nature, nor a thing that a naturall man in himſelfe is diſpoſed to, but it is a ſupernaturall worke of Gods Spirit.Phil. 1.Phil 1 To you it is giuen to beleeue, ſaith Paul, yea it is a work of Gods Almighty power:Ephe. 1.19Eph 1:19 That ye may know the greatneſſe of his power to vsus ward who beleeue, according to the working of his mightie power. This made the Prophet Iſaiah to complaine, and to ſay,Eſay 53.1.Isa 53:1 Lord who hath beleeued our report, and to whom hath the arme of the Lord beene reuealed? p. 418The old world would not beleeue Noahs preaching.Gen. 6.Gen 6 Neither was Lot regarded of his ſonnes and Sodomites, Gen. 18.Gen 18but hee ſeemed vntounto them as if he had mocked. Wee may ſee this in Gideon, he was a man ſent of God to be a deliuerer of the people of Iſrael, the Lord had aſſured him by his Angell that he would deliuer Iſrael out of the hands of the Midianites by his hand. Yet he is ſo hardly brought to beleeue this, as that he asketh a ſigne:Iudg. 6.14.36.Judg 6:14Judg 6:36 If thou wilt ſaue Iſrael by my hands, as thou haſt ſaid, behold I will put a fleece of wooll in the threſhing place, &c. The like we hauehave in Sarah, albeit ſhee had heard the promiſe that God had made to Abraham her husband,Gen. 17.16Gen 17:16 that God would giuegive her a ſonne,Gen. 18.12Gen 18:12 I will bleſſe thee (ſaith God) and giuegive thee a ſonne. She laughed at it. Which was as much p. 419as if ſhe ſhould hauehave ſaid, This is a ieſt indeed. Wee may ſee this moſt cleare in the people of Iſrael, though the Lord from time to time had giuen good demonſtration of his louelove, power, goodneſſe, and merciemercy towards them, which might hauehave cauſed that people for euer to hauehave truſted in his helpe, and neuer to hauehave deſpaired of the ſame in time of their greateſt need. Yet ſtill when the outward meanes of their deliuerance failed, they beleeued not Gods promiſes, inſomuch that the Lord againe and againe complaineth of them:Num. 14.11Num 14:11 How long will this people prouoke me? How long will it bee ere they beleeue mee? for all the ſignes which I hauehave ſhewed among them? And, How oft did they prouoke him in the wilderneſſe, and grieued him in the deſert?

The like example of mans imbecillitie p. 420and weakneſſe in beleeuing the promiſes of God. Wee may ſee this in Zachary, the father of the Baptiſt, who bewrayeth his infidelitie in this, that could not be induced to beleeue the Angell touching a Sonne which Elizabeth his wife ſhould beare vntounto him.Luk. 1.13.Luke 1:13 Which promiſe the Angell amplified for the further confirmation of his faith. Firſt, by his Office, hee ſhould goe before Chriſt. Secondly, from the graces of God which ſhould be beſtowed vponupon him, and the effects of his Miniſterie. Notwithſtanding all this, Zachary remaines ſtill incredulous and diſtruſtfull, ſaying vntounto the Angell,Ver. 18. Whereby ſhall I know this? The Angel had aſſured Zachary before, that the Lord had heard his prayer,Ver. 13. Feare not Zachary, for thy prayer is heard. And yet hee is hardly brought to beleeue p. 421the promiſe. The like wee may ſee in Peter, a man full of faith, and the holy Ghoſt; in ſo much that when Chriſt bade him come vponupon the Sea,Ma. ….8. hee left the ſhip, but a waue ariſing, his faith failed him. And thus was it with the Virgine Mary, when as the Angell came vntounto her, and told her that ſhe had found fauour in the ſight of God:Luk. 1.39.Luke 1:39 How ſhall this bee (ſaith ſhe) ſeeing I know not a man? It ſeemed to her a ſtrange thing, that ſhe ſhould hauehave a child when ſhee had not companied with a man. So that let the Lord promiſe immediately by himſelfe, by his Angels, or by men, yet are we hardly brought to beleeue: So hard and difficult a thing in the heart of a man faith is. Neither is this a thing to bee wondered at.

For firſt, Faith is none of thoſe Reaſ. 1 p. 422plants that grow in the garden of our hearts naturally:Epheſ. 2.8.Eph 2:8 No it is not of our ſelues (ſaith the Apoſtle) it is the gift of God. Nature hath furniſhed vsus with no principle at all concerning Chriſt, concerning eternall life, or the ſaluation of our ſoules. And hence it comes to paſſe, that becauſe the meanes whereby God vſually worketh faith in our hearts, and ſo conſequently ſaluation, ſeeme vntounto our carnall reaſon to be vnlikely, wee preſently reiect them, like Naaman, when hee was commanded to waſh in Iordane ſeuen times: Are not (ſaith hee) Admah and Pharphar, 2. King. 5.2 Kgs 5riuers in Damaſcus, better then all the waters in Iordane? Euen ſo that by Chriſts death we ſhould come to life, by his ſhame that we ſhould come to glory; by his ſtripes that wee ſhould bee healed;Iſa. 53.5.Isa 53:5 and that the p. 423Goſpell ſhould bee the word of reconciliation, that hath no eſtimation for wiſedome or authority in the world: O how hard a thing is this to bring our corrupt hearts to beleeue this?

Secondly, there are many Reaſ. 2 things in the doctrine of ſaluation that are ſcandalous to the wicked. In which reſpect the Apoſtle ſaith,1 Cor. 1.33.1 Cor 1:33 That the preaching of Chriſt crucified, was to the Iewes a ſtumbling blocke, and to the Greekes, fooliſhneſſe; yea, Chriſt himſelfe is to ſome a very Rocke of offence. 1 Pet. 2.8.1 Pet 2:8How then is it poſſible that ſuch ſhould euer attaine this ſauing grace truely to beleeue?

And laſt of all, this is that treaſure Reaſ. 3 that God hath reſerued for his children, & for none but thoſe that are heyres of life,Phil. 1.Phil 1 To you it is giuen to beleeue. And when the Apoſtles preached the Word, the p. 424Text ſaith,Acts 22.Acts 22 As many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued, and is therefore called the faith of Gods elect. As for wicked and vngodly men, the Apoſtle concludeth of ſuch,1 Theſ. 3.21 Thess 3:2 All men hauehave not faith.

Vſe 1 Seing then it is ſo hard and difficult a matter, truely to beleeue, this ſhewes that the faith of the greateſt part of the world is no better then preſumption, who albeit they neuer ſought this grace at wiſedomes houſe, nor at the word of faith, which is the Goſpell,Rom. 10:Rom 10 For how can they beleeue on him on whom they hauehave not heard? yet perſwade themſelues that they hauehave faith as well as the beſt, as if it were ſo eaſie a matter truely to beleeue, which indeed no leſſe power muſt effect in vsus, then the mighty power of God. Eph. 1.19.Eph 1:19Such men doe wonderfully deceiue themſelues. p. 425How many hauehave wee amongſt vsus that liue in groſſe and palpable ignorance, and turne their backes vponupon the ordinance of God, hauing no delight therin, liuing in all manner of open prophaneneſſe, theſe men muſt needs be ſtrangers from the couenant of promiſe, and howſoeuer they may brag of their hope of eternall life, yet as the Apoſtle ſaith, They are without hope, Eph 2.2.Eph 2:2without God in the world.

Yea, but they beleeue, ſay they, all the Articles of the Chriſtian faith, and repeate them daily. But this may be a dead and vaine faith, when it doth not worke by louelove of piety towards God, and charitie towards men. And notwithſtanding all this, the Lord will profeſſe againſt ſuch in the laſt day,Mat. 7.22.Matt 7:22 Depart from me ye workers of iniquity.

p. 426Yea, but they come to Church, heare the Word, receiue the Sacrament, pray to God, and meane well, though they be not ſo preciſe and forward as others are. O but conſider that of the Apoſtle, Without faith it is impoſsible to pleaſe God. And againe, The word which they heard, Heb. 4.Heb 4profited them not, becauſe it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it. It is faith that is all in all, that giues acceptation to all our ſeruice wee doe vntounto God,Heb. 11.6.Heb 11:6 and without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe him.

Queſt. But how may I know that my faith is true, and ſuch a faith as is proper and peculiar onelyonly to the elect, and not that common faith which may be in a common Proteſtant?

Anſw. Firſt, by thoſe proper fruits that 1follow a true iuſtifying faith, not onelyonly a ciuill life, iuſt dealing, p. 427outward performance of holy duties and the like, which may bee in a naturall man, and an vnbeleeuer.

But by thoſe proper fruits of faith, which are peculiar onelyonly to the elect; Such as are an inward louelove of God, of his Word, and Children, a willing ſubiection of the heart and life to Gods will reuealed, a conſtant communion with his Maieſtie in prayer, &c. which are the proper fruits of a true beleeuer, and euermore flow from a iuſtifying faith.

Secondly, by our daily increaſe 2in the worke of mortification to the old man, and workes of viuification to the new, wherein the faith of a true beleeuer is daily exerciſed, purging the heart,Acts 15.9.Acts 15:9 and purifying the conſcience daily from dead workes, and inclining the ſame daily to the performance p. 428of the duties of holineſſe readily and chearefully.

Vſe 2 Secondly, this may ſerue to admoniſh eueryevery one to labour for the truth of this grace, as for ſaluation it ſelfe, without all which, all thoſe excellent and pretious promiſes, profit not at all: faith is all in all in the matter of ſaluation; yea, ſaluation it ſelfe is attributed thereunto, Beleeue and thou ſhalt be ſaued; Acts 16.Acts 16where that is attributed to the inſtrument, which belongeth indeed to the principall efficient to ſhew the excellency of this grace in it ſelfe, as alſo the neceſſity therof in thoſe that look for life and ſaluation. This is that will ſtid vsus in the euill day, this giues vsus to participate of the new couenant, and will aſſure our hearts of the full fruition of euerlaſting life at laſt:Ioh. 3.16.John 3:16 Verily, verily, I ſay vntounto you, hee that beleeueth p. 429on me, hath euerlaſting life: where Chriſt bindes his promiſe of euerlaſting ſaluation onelyonly vntounto the beleeuer, with the like aſſeueration he doth vntounto this Penitent here, Verily this day thou ſhalt bee with me, &c.

And laſt of all, this may ſerue for ground of comfort vntounto all Vſe 3 Gods people, that they bee not diſcouraged, though they finde infidelity in them; wee hauehave no grace in this life in perfection, and they that hauehave had the greateſt meaſure of faith, as wee hauehave heard, yet hauehave had the ſame mixed with doubtings and feares. And therefore it is recorded of the people of Iſrael, that when they were deliuered out of captiuity, they were like men in a dreame. Pſal. 126.Ps 126OnelyOnly wee are to take heed that wee doe not pleaſe our ſelues, or reſt in any ſuch doubtings, for p. 430that will bee maruellous vncomfortable, but to labour to come out thereof, and to get aſſurance, which is done by frequenting the publike miniſtery of the Word, whereby faith is begotten and increaſed in vsus, by the reuerent vſe of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper,Rom 4.11.Rom 4:11 for that is the Seale of the righteouſneſſe of faith, by renewing of our repentance daily, and by keeping a more ſtrict watch ouer our liues, whereby wee ſhall come daily more and more to bee ſettled and ſtabliſhed in our holy and pretious faith.

Text.Verily I ſay vntounto thee, &c.

The next thing wee are to obſerue in Chriſts aſſeueration, is the certainty of his promiſe, the which to perſwade this Penitent vntounto, Chriſt is pleaſed to binde p. 331with a kinde of oath, verily. q. d. Thou ſhalt not neede to doubt, or any way call into queſtion that I now promiſe vntounto thee, that thou ſhalt be this day with me in Paradice, for I aſſure thee thou mayeſt reſt vponupon it, that I will make good my word therein; though thou ſeeſt mee now without forme or beauty, forſaken of all, and accounteſt thy ſelfe vnworthy of ſuch a mercy, Verily I ſay vntounto thee, this day, &c.

That wee may obſerue in the next place is, that

There is an vnchangeable certaintie Doct. 2 in all Gods promiſes,There is an vnchangeable certainty in al Gods promiſes. Mat. 24.Matt 24 his Word ſhall ſurely bee accompliſhed: Heauen and earth ſhall paſſe away, but my Word ſhall not paſſe away. He is not as man, that hee ſhould lye, or the ſonne of man that he ſhould change. Hath hee ſaid it, and ſhall hee not doe it? p. 432who hath reſiſted his will? Hee is moſt iuſt in all his promiſes hee maketh with his ſeruants, and will in his due time accompliſh all his iudgements threatned againſt the wicked, hee is yea and Amen, Reu. 2.Rev 2The faithfull and true witneſſe. I will not falſifie my truth (ſaith the Lord) My couenant will I not breake, Pſal. 89.33Ps 89:33nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Wee may ſee this in the Lords manner of dealing with his ſeruants, as to Abraham, Dauid, and the reſt. Thou wilt (ſaith the Prophet) performe thy truth to Iacob, Mic. 7.20.Mic 7:20and mercy to Abraham, as thou haſt ſworne to our forefathers in old time. Mal. 3.6:Mal 3:6I am the Lord, & change not, and therefore he is called Iehouah, one, that as hee hath his being of himſelfe, and from himſelfe, ſo giueth he the being to all creatures, that hauehave their being, p. 433ſo likewiſe giueth he being to all his promiſes. This is that Ioſuah obſerueth concerning the Lords promiſes made vntounto the people of Iſrael,Ioſ. 21.44.Josh 21:44 There fayled nothing of all the good things which the Lord had ſayd vntounto the houſe of Iſrael, but all came to paſſe. We may ſee this in that firſt couenant and promiſe God made with Adam hauing ſinned,Gen. 3 15.Gen 3:15 The ſeede of the woman ſhall bruiſe the Serpents head; what though the ſame promiſe ſeemes to be forgotten, it being almoſt 4000. yeeres after, wherein God made the ſame good.Gal. 4.4.Gal 4:4 Yet when the fulneſſe of time was come, God ſent his Sonne. Wee muſt not tye the Lord to any time when to helpe, hee knoweth the fitteſt and the beſt time to relieue his diſtreſſed ſeruants.

Neither are we to be diſcouraged, though we be no by and by p. 434deliuered out of miſerie. The people of Iſrael were promiſed deliuerance out of captiuitie, yet it was a long time firſt. Dauid was delayed ſo long, before deliuerance came, as that hee crieth out,Pſal. 13.Ps 13 How long wilt thou forget me? God dealeth with men herein as a Phyſitian dealeth with his Patient, when he requireth wine in the fit of a burning Feauer, I will not giuegive it, ſaith hee, not becauſe he will neuer giuegive him wine, but becauſe hee knoweth when it is beſt to giuegive it, thus dealeth hee with his ſeruant, making choice of the moſt ſeaſonable time to ſend comfort.

And as the Lord will in his due time make good his promiſes vntounto his children; ſo will he alſo make good thoſe his denuntiations of iudgements againſt the wicked. What became of his p. 435denuntiation againſt the old world in the dayes of Noah? Gen. 7.Gen 7As God had a time to threaten, hee had a time alſo to puniſh. What became of that iudgement the Lord threatned againſt Iericho, Ioſ. 6.26.Josh 6:26that the man ſhould bee accurſed of God that ſhould go about to reedifie that curſed Citie: That he ſhould lay the foundation in the bloud of his eldeſt ſonne, and reare vp the gates thereof in the bloud of his youngeſt ſonne. What though this Iudgement ſeemed to be forgotten many hundred yeares, did not the Lord make the ſame good afterwards in Hiel? 1. King. 16.34.1 Kgs 16:34And ſo likewiſe concerning the Prince of Samariah, that would not beleeue the Prophet, touching that plentie the Lord would giuegive in that City,2. King. 7.2 Kgs 7 the iudgement threatned for his incredulitie was afterwards inflicted vponupon him.

p. 436Though the Lord bee full of lenitie, to keepe off his hand a long time from the wicked, yet all his iudgements ſhall bee accompliſhed in their ſeaſon; and in the end the Lord will pay them home. For whatſoeuer hee hath ſaid in his Word ſhall ſurely come to paſſe. Though it go well with the wicked a while, and they flouriſh like a greene Palme-tree, though their Cow calue in due ſeaſon, though they hauehave riches, and leaue Inheritances to their babes; yet there is a day of reckoning, when all things that God hath threatened ſhall be accompliſhed.

Reaſ. 1 And the reaſon hereof may be drawne from the vnchangeableneſſe of Gods nature.Mal. 3.6.Mal 3:6 I am the Lord and change not. Curſed Balaam can acknowledge this truth, perceiuing in himſelfe how hee p. 437was led by an ouer-ruling hand to bleſſe Gods people when hee faine would hauehave curſed them. God is not (ſaith he) as man that he ſhould lye, Num. 23.19.Num 23:19neither as the ſonne of man that he ſhould repent. Hath he ſaid, and ſhall he not do it: hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he not accompliſh it? Hee is (ſaith Iob) of one minde, and who can turne him? Iob 23.13.Job 23:13He doth what his minde deſireth.

Secondly, God is a God of Reaſ. 2 power, able of himſelfe to performe and bring to paſſe whatſoeuer the purpoſe of his will is; for which cauſe he is called the God of might: able to do whatſoeuer hee will in heauen and earth. So ſaith God of himſelfe to Abraham, I am God all-ſufficient. Gen. 17.1.Gen 17:1The ſame ſaith he to Iacob, Gen. 35.11Gen 35:11I am God all-ſufficient, grow and multiply. Our Sauiour Chriſt ſaith,Mat. 19.26Matt 19:26 With God all things are poſsible. Moſt p. 438plentifull be the places that commend vntounto vsus the power of God, and all to ſhew that nothing can hinder him from executing the purpoſe of his owne will.

Vſe 1 Seeing then that there is ſuch an vndoubted certaintie in Gods Word, both in reſpect of his promiſes made vntounto the godly, as alſo in reſpect of his threatnings denounced againſt the wicked. This may ſerue for ground of ſingular comfort vntounto the godly. For hereupon may they ſtay themſelues in a comfortable expectation of all thoſe promiſes he hath made vntounto them in his Word. How many prophecies and promiſes hath the Lord already fulfilled for his Church and people, which were neither in the power of Sathan, nor in the craftie deuices of wicked men to make fruſtrate. Such as are the manifeſtation p. 439of Chriſt in the fleſh; the calling of the Gentiles, &c. So ſhal it be touching all thoſe promiſes that are not yet accompliſhed. Such as are,

The calling of the Iewes; what though now they be cut off for a time, through their vnbeleefe,Rom. 11.Rom 11 God hath promiſed to graft them in againe; and he will make good his promiſe.

The ouerthrow of Antichriſt, That hath made all Nations drunke with the wine of her fornication: What though now ſhe ſit as a Queene, and ſaith, I ſhall ſee no more ſorrow, God will bring her plagues vponupon her in that day, when he will viſit her in wrath, and render vengeance vponupon her, for all her ſpirituall whoredomes ſhe hath committed, and innocent bloud of the Saints ſhe hath ſhed.

p. 440The reſurrection of our bodies, what though now they moulder to aſhes, and taſte of corruption, they ſhall not periſh in corruption, but the Lord Ieſus ſhall raiſe them vp in the laſt day, and make theſe vile bodies of ours like vntounto his glorious body.

The comming of Chriſt to iudgement; What though the curſed Atheiſts of the world ſay, Where is the promiſe of his coming, for ſince the beginning all things continue alike?2. Pet. 3.4.2 Pet 3:4 Yet the day of the Lord will come as a Thiefe in the night. And hee that hath promiſed to come, will come, and will not tarry.

Yea, for whatſoeuer we hauehave a promiſe, ſay, I know whom I hauehave beleeued. 2. Tim. 1.122 Tim 1:12His word is vnchangeable as himſelfe is, who is truth it ſelfe, and cannot lye.

Vſe 2 And as this yeelds matter of p. 441comfort and conſolation vntounto the godly, in the vndoubted expectation of his promiſes that are yet to come; So ſerues it alſo to ſet out vntounto vsus, the miſerie of all wicked and vngodly men, eueryevery impenitent and hard-hearted ſinner, for God will not dally with vsus, but will in time make good all his threatnings hee hath denounced againſt ſinne and ſinners; for God is vnchangeable, true in the one, as in the other: he tendereth his Iuſtice as he regardeth his mercy. Oh the miſerie of eueryevery impenitent and hard-hearted ſinner, that lieth in ſinne, and ſo vnderunder the curſes of the Law, hee is as ſure one day to partake of the ſame, as if he were vnderunder them already. And indeed if the queſtion were asked, what difference there were betwixt the damned in hell, and the impenitent on earth: I know p. 442none other but this, the one is a reaping the reward of ſinne, the other is a heaping vp of wrath againſt that day: the certaintie of iudgement is to them both alike. O that all wicked and vngodly men could but ſee their happineſſe, that that day is not yet come vponupon them, but that the Lord doth yet affoord them a ſeaſon of grace, and time to repent in; and that they would remember Solomons Prouerbe, A prudent man foreſeeth the euill, Pro. 12.3.Prov 12:3and hideth himſelfe. It is righteouſneſſe that deliuereth from death. Whereas Riches auaile not in the day of wrath: Pro. 11.4.Prov 11:4nor no outward thing can profit in the euill day.

Text.Verily I ſay vntounto thee.

As Chriſt was pleaſed to compaſſionate this man in this time of p. 443his miſerie, pardoning his ſinnes, and receiuing him into fauour; ſo he would hauehave him perſwaded of his louelove herein, and no way to doubt or queſtion the truth of his promiſe. Verily I ſay vntounto thee,

Gods children as they hauehave Doct. 3 Gods Word to aſſure them of the pardon of their ſinnes vponupon their repentance,Godly muſt labor to be perſwaded of Gods louelove towards them. ſo it is his pleaſure that they ſhould beleeue the ſame his promiſes vntounto life and ſaluation, and no way to doubt of the truth thereof. This is the tenure of that couenant of grace God makes with his Church. This ſhall bee my couenant, Ier. 31.33.34.Jer 31:33Jer 31:34I will make with the Houſe of Iſrael, after thoſe dayes, ſaith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and I will be their God, and they ſhall be my people, &c. And they ſhall all know me from the greateſt of them p. 444to the leaſt of them. It is the ſpeech of the Spouſe that ſpeaketh thus, My beloued is mine, Can. 2.16.and I am his. The Church there was throughly perſwaded of Chriſts louelove: againe, Behold (ſaith Saint Iohn) what louelove the Father hath ſhewed vntounto vsus, 1 Ioh. 3.1. Ver. 2. Ver. 14.1 John 3:1that we ſhould be called the ſons of God. Now we are the Sonnes of God, &c. and hereby wee know, &c.

Obiect But this Thiefe might know this, becauſe Chriſt did aſſure him of the certaintie of his ſaluation: but what is that to vsus, doth it therefore follow that we may?

Reſp. Yes verily this comfort is not intayled and appropriated to this Penitent onelyonly, but he would hauehave all his ſeruants to make their calling and election ſure, 2 Cor. 13.52 Cor 13:5and to work out their ſaluation in feare and trembling; and for the further clearing of this truth, conſider

p. 445Firſt, that the promiſes of God Reaſ. 1 howſoeuer they be made in generall tearmes, eueryevery one is bound to make a particular application thereof vntounto himſelfe. As in Princes Lawes and Proclamations, all the Subiects ſtand bound to take notice ther of, and to make a particular application thereof vntounto himſelfe, as if the ſame law were made for his owne perſon. Euen ſo the Goſpell and the promiſes therein made vntounto the faithfull, runne in generall to all beleeuers. Now eueryevery ſoule that would hauehave the comfort thereof, muſt make the particular application thereof vntounto himſelfe, according to that of the Prophet,Hab. 2.5.Hab 2:5 The iuſt ſhal liue by his owne faith.

Secondly, eueryevery one ſhall bee Reaſ. 2 ſaued by a particular faith of his owne; no man can bee ſaued by another mans beleeuing, no more p. 446then one man can bee nouriſhed by another mans feeding. The iuſt ſhall liue by his owne faith. No faith is of that nature that it is euer exerciſed about applying of Chriſt, his merits, his righteouſneſſe and obedience to the ſoule of eueryevery true beleeuer.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, the Lord to this end hath giuen vsus his Sacraments which are called the Seales of the righteouſneſſe of faith, Rom. 4.11Rom 4:11and theſe we know are deliuered in particular to eueryevery one, thereby to aſſure him of Chriſt, the pardon of his ſinnes, and the ſaluation of his ſoule in particular.

The vſes follow.

Vſe 1 This ſerues then in the firſt place to let vsus ſee what an vncomfortable Tenet that is in the Church of Rome, that teach and hold that no man in this life can attaine to any aſſurance of his p. 448ſaluation, other then coniecturall, vnleſſe it bee made knowne vntounto him by ſpeciall reuelation; nay, more by the Councell of Trent, he is in danger of an Anathema, that is, to be accurſed, that ſhall affirme that hee is aſſured of his ſaluation. He that will be a Papiſt, is bound by the rule of that religion, to the end and period of his dayes to liue in ſuſpence, a moſt vncomfortable religion, and then the which, what more vncomfortable Doctrine, it being the breaknecke of all true comfort vntounto a Chriſtian ſoule.

We teach and hold that a Chriſtian may doubt, which is not his vertue, inaſmuch as doubting is oppoſite vntounto faith, and therefore if the one bee commanded, the other muſt needs bee forbidden. They teach & hold that we muſt doubt, and let him be aſſured, ſaith p. 448the Councell, if hee either thinke or indeuour any certaintie or aſſurance. Miſerable comforters are they, as Iob ſaith of his friends: and herein what doe they elſe, but rob God of his glory, and depriue a Chriſtian ſoule of his chiefeſt ioy.

Now I would not be miſtaken, as though I meant that the comfort and aſſurance of a Chriſtians ſaluation, were ſo firme and certaine, as that the ſame were neuer intermixed, and ouer-clouded. There is no ſuch aſſurance in this life to bee looked for, nay rather Gods people hauehave felt much feare and doubtings in themſelues. Hezechias complaines,Eſa. 39.Isa 39 that the Lord had bruiſed his bones like a Lyon. And Dauid is full of complainings,Pſal. 31.22 Pſal 77.7.Ps 31:22Ps 77:7 I am caſt out of thy ſight, will the Lord ſhew no more fauour? and hath hee ſhut vp his louing p. 449kindeneſſe in diſpleaſure? And againe,Pſal. 69.3.Ps 69:3 My eyes faint for wayting ſo long vponupon my God. Nay, I dare adde this further, that hee which neuer doubted of his ſaluation, had neuer true faith to beleeue aright the pardon of his ſins, and the aſſurance of his ſaluation, for hadſt thou faith, thou mighteſt aſſure thy ſelfe that Sathan would winnow thee.

But what manner of aſſurance then is this you ſpeake of? Queſt.

Not an aſſurance that is free from doubtings and feares, Anſw. but ſuch an aſſurance that labours after aſſurance. Aſſurance that wreſtles and combats with doubtings and feares. It …s the wiſedome of God by this meanes to ſettle and ſtabliſh the hearts of his ſeruants. A man that hath newly planted a tree, will bee euer and anone ſhaking of it, not purpoſing to ouerthrow p. 450it, but to ſettle it the more: and thus the Lord by ſuffering the faith of his choſen ſometimes to be ſhaken, will hauehave their hearts rooted and grounded in him, whileſt they learne to deny themſelues, and to reſt in him their ſtrength.

Vſe 2 Secondly, ſeeing it is the pleaſure of our good God, thus to cheere vp the hearts of his choſen in their Pilgrimage here, to fill their hearts with ſuch ioyes, and to giuegive them ſuch ſecret and ſweet raptures in the ſence of his fauour in his Sonne, whereby with the Spouſe they role themſelues vponupon the beds of roſes, Can.as ſhe confeſſeth, and that to cauſe them ſo much the more cheerefully to ſerue him. This may ſerue for our inſtruction to try our hearts, and to ſee whether the worke of grace and of faith be wrought in vsus. It is the p. 451aduice of the Apoſtle,2 Cor. 13.52 Cor 13:5 Proue your ſelues whether ye be in the faith: & how ſhall we doe this, but by making particular application vntounto our ſelues of thoſe things wee beleeue. In the matters of this life it is eueryevery mans care to deale vponupon certainties, for tenures of lands, for Conueyances, Leaſes, &c. Councell is entertained, and eueryevery word therein is ſcanned, men will not deale but vponupon good grounds. But alas, for the matter of our chiefe inheritance, how ſimply doe men deale therein, they are content to reſt vponupon a bare hope, and thinke that a Lord hauehave mercy vponupon mee, will ſerue the turne. What meaneth the Apoſtle to ſay, GiueGive all diligence to make your calling and election ſure: but to ſhew that a Chriſtians chiefeſt care muſt be for this.

But how may a man come to Queſt. p. 452this aſſurance of his ſaluation?

Anſw. Wee muſt get good euidence and aſſurance of our faith in Chriſt, for ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, As many as beleeued in him, Ioh. 1.12.John 1:12to them gaue he this power to be made the ſonnes of God, euen to them that beleeue on his name. And againe, We are ſaued by faith. No man can hauehave the ſpirit of adoption, that wants faith to beleeue.

Now for the obtayning of this grace of ſauing faith, the ordinary meanes is the preaching of the Word:Rom. 10.17Rom 10:17 faith commeth by hearing, and the Goſpell is called the word of faith: vponupon that then wee are to attend with all care and diligence, as we looke to get faith, and ſo conſequently, the ſaluation of our owne ſoules.

Vſe 2 Secondly, the Apoſtle giues this note how to know our adoption, and ſo conſequently whether p. 453wee be in the ſtate of ſaluation or not,Rom. 8.16.Rom 8:16 His ſpirit beareth witneſſe to our ſpirit, that we are the ſonnes of God.

Now concerning this teſtimony of Gods ſpirit, I will not make my ſelfe ſo skilfull to define what it is, it is better felt then expreſt. The Prophet cals it The hearing of a voyce behinde vsus, Eſa. 38.21.Isa 38:21whereby the heart comes to be perſwaded of it reconciliation with God.

But how ſhall I know that my perſwaſion is not preſumption? Queſt.

There be two ſpeciall markes whereby we may diſtinguiſh betwixt them. Anſ.

Firſt, that vndoubtedly is the voyce of Gods ſpirit, when comfort and aſſurance is felt in the heart, after ſuch time as the heart hath firſt beene humbled and caſt downe in the ſight and ſence of ſinne;Pſal. My heart (ſaith Dauid) is as p. 454waxe, it is molten in the middeſt of my body, for in the time of a mans ſecuritie, when hee hath little or no apprehenſion of ſinne, then for a man to hope well, and to conclude of his owne ſaluation, is no ſtrange thing; nothing is more vſuall in the world amongſt meer naturall men that neuer felt the ſmart of ſinne, then to bragge and boaſt of this aſſurance of ſaluation: but alas, they raiſe vp this building but vponupon a ſandy foundation, which will neuer ſtand in the time of tryall: for it is Gods manner of dealing vſually in this work of mans ſaluation, to lay full low, whom hee intendeth to aduance full high; by ſorrow to bring them vntounto ioy, by death to bring them vntounto life, and by their humiliation for ſinne, to bring them to glory: ſo that when a man hath once truely felt the ſmart of ſinne, p. 455when a man hath once combated with Gods wrath, and the terrors of hell hauehave poſſeſſed his ſoule, here is a good foundation to build the hope of heauen vponupon, for humiliation is the ground of exaltation, and after this to ſtay a mans ſelfe vponupon the promiſe of God in Chriſt, is vndoubtedly the voyce of Gods ſpirit, a token of true comfort, and a note of true ioy.

Secondly, when comfort ariſeth Vſe 2 from the comfortable vſe of the meanes God himſelfe hath appointed, ſuch as are the preaching of the Word, the reuerent vſe of the Sacrament, prayer, reading of the Scripture, meditation, &c. for the Lord is euer a maintainer of that courſe which hee himſelfe hath ſanctified and ſet apart to the ſame end: ſo then try thy aſſurance thus, hath it beene layd in godly ſorrow for ſinne? haſt thou p. 456attended the poaſts of the Lords Sanctuary, &c. This is vndoubtedly the voyce of Gods ſpirit, and not of preſumption. But if on the contrary part, thou neuer yet felteſt ſuch griefe of heart for ſinne, thy conſcience did neuer yet torment thee in the ſight and ſence of ſinne, neither haſt thou euer had any delight in the Lords Sabbaoths, nor the duties of holineſſe, &c. O deceiue not thy own ſoule, thy hope of heauen, of eternall life and ſaluation is meere preſumption, and no true aſſurance.

Text. Thou ſhalt be with me

2 To whom.The next thing wee are to obſerue, is the perſon to whom the promiſe is mad…, and that is the Penitent that had confeſſed a good confeſſion, and h…d giuen ſo good teſtimony of his faith in Chriſt, p. 457acknowledging his deitie at this time, when all the world deſpiſed him, and reſting on him alone for life and ſaluation, to him is the promiſe made, Thou ſhalt be with me.

Whence we may note firſt of Doct. 1 all,The prayers of the godly very effectuall with God. The wonderfull force of the prayers of the godly, how powerfull and effectuall the ſame are with God. Such as lay a good foundation in humiliation for ſin, and hauehave laboured by true repentance their reconciliation with the Almightie, theſe are they that preuaile moſt of all with God in prayer. See we this in the example of this poore Penitent, who hauing giuen good teſtimonie of his true repentance and conuerſion vntounto God, how powerfull is he in prayer, what a gratious anſwer doth the Lord giuegive vntounto him, Verily, thou ſhalt bee with me. p. 458The beſt way to hauehave our wills ſatisfied and our requeſts granted, is to be godly, for to ſuch is the promiſe made.Pſal. 145.18.19.Ps 145:18Ps 145:19 God is neare to all that call vponupon him, yea to all that call vponupon him in truth. Hee will fulfill the deſires of thoſe that feare him, he alſo will heare their cry and will helpe them. We may ſee this in the Lords mercifull dealing with the people of Iſrael, who being ſore oppreſſed by the Canaanites, who tooke of them priſoners, they humbled themſelues, and beſought the Lord, and the Text ſaith, The Lord heard the voyce of Iſrael. Num. 21.3.Num 21:3Yea the Lord to teſtifie that his readie diſpoſition, to h…are and to grant the prayers of his ſeruants, declareth by his Prophet, ſaying, Before they call I will anſwer, Iſa. 65.24.Isa 65:24and whileſt they ſpeake I will heare. Thus Dauid, Pſal. 120.1Ps 120:1I called vponupon the p. 459Lord in trouble, and he heard me. The faithfull being ſuters vntounto God, are alwayes ſure of good ſucceſſe, yea many times aboue that they aske or thinke, as wee ſhall ſee hereafter in this Penitent, that the Angell telleth Cornelius, a godly man,Act. 10.4.Acts 10:4 that his praiers were heard. Yea the more Gods people can get their hearts to be broken and humbled in the ſence of their ſinnes, the more powerfull and effectuall are their prayers with God. A broken and contrite heart, Pſal. 51.17.Ps 51:17O God, thou wilt not deſpiſe. This Dauid found by comfortable experience in himſelfe, that when in the pride of his heart hee had numbred the people, for whoſe ſinne the Lord ſent that grieuous plague vponupon them. When hee humbled himſelfe, before the Lord, confeſſed his ſinne:1. Chron. 21.17.27.1 Chr 21:171 Chr 21:27 It is I that hauehave ſinned: But what hauehave p. 460theſe ſheepe done? How ſuddenly vponupon this did the Lord command the Angell to put vp his ſword? When Iſrael was in great affliction and diſtreſſe, ſtill They cried vntounto the Lord in their troubles, and the Text ſaith,Pſal. 107.10.Ps 107:10 He deliuered them out of their diſtreſſe. How powerfull were the prayers of Moſes againſt the Amalekites, Exod. 17.Exod 17that Iſrael preuailed all the while the hands of Moſes were held vp, and he beſought the Lord in the behalfe of the people: Yea Ioaſh doth acknowledge that the prayers of Eliſha, 2. King. 13.14.2 Kgs 13:14an holy Prophet of God, ſtood his kingdome in more ſtead, then all the chariots and horſemen of Iſrael could do.

Neither is this to be wondred at, that the prayers of the faithfull are of this force with God to preuaile with him. For,

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, God giueth vntounto his p. 461choſen ones the Spirit of ſupplication and prayer; Zach. 12.Zech 12Which doth ſo enable the faithfull vntounto this duty, that they will hauehave no nay, or receiue no repulſe at Gods hand, according to that of the Apoſtle;1. Ioh. 5.14.15.1 John 5:141 John 5:15 This is the aſſurance we hauehave in God, that if we aske any thing according to his will, he heareth vsus. And if we know that he heareth vsus, whatſoeuer we aske we know that we ſhall hauehave the petitions we deſire of him.

Secondly, to comfort the Reaſ. 2 hearts of his ſeruants, and to miniſter vntounto them a comfortable expectation to be heard in praier, he is pleaſed to paſſe his promiſe out of his owne mouth, and to aſſure vsus by his owne word, that we ſhall obtaine our deſires, ſaying, Aske, and ye ſhall hauehave: ſeeke, Mat. 7.7.Matt 7:7and ye ſhall finde: knocke, and it ſhall be opened vntounto you. For eueryevery p. 462one that asketh, receiueth, &c. This is indeed the very groundworke and foundation of the Chriſtian prayer, namely, Gods promiſe, which is as true and vnchangeable as himſelfe is, without which wee could neuer ſo confidently come vntounto him.

Obiect. But many of the godly hauehave praied much and often vntounto God, and yet the Lord ſeemeth not to heare nor to anſwer?

Anſw. God doth not forget his ſeruants, though for a time he defer to anſwer. God made Abraham a promiſe of a ſonne by Sarah, this Abraham expected, ten, twentie, yea almoſt thirtie yeares, who would hauehave thought all this while that God had forgot his promiſe? but yet we know at laſt in a ſeaſonable time God remembred the couenant and promiſe that he made with Abraham, and p. 463Sarah had a ſonne. The Lord promiſed the poſteritie of Abraham the Land of Canaan, yet in what a miſerable bondage were they in, in Egypt vnderunder Pharaoh, and that for the ſpace of foure hundred and thirtie yeares; who would not hauehave thought that ſurely God had not remembred his promiſe to Abraham? yet at laſt the Lord brought them out with a mightie hand and ſtretched out arme.

But what might be the reaſon of the Lords dealing with his people after this manner? Queſt.

Doubtleſſe God delayeth to anſwer the requeſts of his ſeruants till a more ſeaſonable time; Anſ. like a skilfull Phyſitian, whom when his Patient being ſicke of a burning Feauer, ſhall aske wine, will not giuegive it him, knowing indeed that that is no time to drink p. 464wine. The Lord, in whoſe hands are times and ſeaſons, chuſeth euer a fit time to anſwer the requeſts of his ſeruants.

2Secondly, the Lord will hauehave many times the caſe of his ſeruants deſperate▪ and they themſelues paſt all hope of deliuerie, in reſpect of any humane helpe; to the end his owne power, louelove, goodneſſe and mercy ſhould bee acknowledged in ſending vntounto them vnexpected deliuerance. How could the Iews but acknowledge Gods goodneſſe towards them in the time of Heſter, when they were all appointed vntounto death, when beſides all hope the Lord ſent them deliuerance? How could Iſrael but acknowledge his mightie power and ſtretched out arme, when they came out of the land of Egypt, when the Sea was before them, the Egyptians behinde p. 465them: the mountaines on each hand of them, and they left voide of all humane helpe and meanes to eſcape?Exod. 15.Exod 15 Now was it a ſeaſonable time for the Lord to ſteppe in, that his owne power and ſtretched-out arme might be ſeene. At what a low ebbe did the Lord bring Daniel, Dan. 3.Dan 3and thoſe three worthies, when one in the Lyons den, the other in the fierie fornace, when all hope of deliuerance was paſt, and humane help failed, then was his power moſt ſeene, and then was deliuerance moſt ſeaſonable.

Thirdly, in Gods delayes then 3is there a ſeaſonable time for the exerciſe of all thoſe graces that hee hath betruſted his ſeruants withall, ſuch as are, patience, faith, hope, &c. For it is the ſtorme that proues the Mariner; and the battell, the Souldier: whoſe experience p. 466and valour till then cannot be knowne.

Vſe 1 If the prayers of Gods ſeruants be thus powerfull and effectuall with him, This may be a notable incouragement for all Gods people, to be frequent in this dutie, and to be inceſſant in their prayers, and not to giuegive him ouer, though wee be not anſwered at firſt. No doubt Hanna and Zachary had often prayed for children, yet obtained not. Notwithſtanding they prayed ſtill, and at laſt the Lord heard them. So Daniel he was in heauineſſe three weekes of dayes,Dan. 10.12Dan 10:12 and to his thinking God heard him not, yet the Lord heard him indeed from the firſt day, as hee ſaid to Daniel, From the firſt day that he had ſet his heart to vnderſtand.

Paul when the pricke of the fleſh was giuen vntounto him, the meſſenger p. 467of Sathan was ſent to buffet him; hee therefore beſought the Lord that it might depart from him. But he receiued this anſwer, My grace is ſufficient for thee, 2 Cor. 12.7.8.9.2 Cor 12:72 Cor 12:82 Cor 12:9my power is made perfect in thy weakneſſe. Paul was heard though not at the firſt: and therefore when wee ſhall pray for ſome bleſſing of the Lord, which we ſtand in need of, or when we ſhall craue power of the Lord ouer ſome vnruly affection of ours; though we hauehave not anſwer by and by, yet wee are not to leaue off. This Chriſt teacheth vsus when he ſaith, Shall not God auenge the elect, that cry day and night vntounto him? Luk. 18.Luke 18Marke there Chriſts ſweet application of that vnrighteous Iudge, to teach vsus to continue our ſuites, and to hold out, and then we ſhall not miſſe in the end.

Secondly, this ſhewes the happie Vſe 2 p. 468priuiledge of Gods Church and people, that no man ſhould ſay,Mal. 3.14.Mal 3:14 It is in vaine to ſerue the Lord, and what profit is it that we hauehave kept the commandements, and hauehave walked humbly before him? It is ſure to go well with them, they are in great credit & eſteeme in the Court of heauen; they are all Fauourites to the great King of heauen and earth, and he hath commanded ſuch at all times, to hauehave free acceſſe vntounto him, and to inlarge their deſires with a promiſe of a gracious anſwer,Ioh. 16.24.John 16:24 Aske (ſaith our Sauiour) and ye ſhall receiue, that your ioy may bee full. What though for a time they lie vnderunder troubles and ſorrowes, miſeries and afflictions,Rom. 8.37.Rom 8:37 Are they not herein more then conquerours through him that hath loued them? The preſent miſeries of the faithfull cannot hinder their happineſſe, p. 469but through the Lords goodneſſe they ſhall make way to their euerlaſting felicitie.

Let all Gods people then walk worthy of this calling, and take heed that they no way forfeit his fauour and louelove. There is no comfort like vntounto this in this life, at all times to hauehave free acceſſe into Gods preſence, and to hauehave a comfortable returne of our prayers, to obtaine health in ſickneſſe, reſt in trouble, ſafetie in danger, ioy in ſorrow, comfort in aduerſitie, yea hope in death, and aſſurance of future happineſſe with this Penitent here when wee depart hence: then the which what greater royalties and priuiledges can there belong to any?

Thirdly, ſeeing all the faithfull Vſe 3 are thus ſure of audience, and a comfortable returne of their praiers at all times; This may prouoke p. 470all Gods people to be frequent in this dutie, The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and deliuereth them out of all their troubles. And againe,Pſal. 81.10.Ps 81:10 The Name of the Lord is a ſtrong Tower, the righteous flie vntounto it, and are helped. The Lord doth call vponupon vsus that we ſhould call vponupon him.Pſal. 50.15Ps 50:15 Call vponupon mee in the time of trouble, and I will heare thee, and deliuer thee. This is the onelyonly refuge of a Chriſtian in time of trouble and diſtreſſe. OnelyOnly care muſt be had, that wee be earneſt and conſtant in our ſutes, For the prayers of the righteous auailes much, Iam. 5.16.Jas 5:16if it be feruent. God deliuereth the poore when hee crieth. Pſal. 72.12.Ps 72:12If wee would hauehave hearing, there muſt bee crying. God poureth forth flouds of grace: But vponupon whom?Iſa. 44.3.Isa 44:3 On the thirſtie ground. Indeed many pray, and preuaile not, becauſe they do it p. 471ſo drowſily and careleſly, the Lord defers to keepe them, becauſe they are not fit for helpe, they ſtriue and wreſtle not with God as Iacob did, and this is the reaſon that the godly many times are not anſwered in prayer.

Thou ſhalt be with meText.

Many were the offences of this man, and of long continuance, yet mercy in a moment taketh them all away: very ſweet and comfortable may our leſſon be,

That the ſinnes of the Peni…ent Doct. 2 cannot hinder their ſaluation,The ſins of the Penitent cannot hinder ſaluation. but the Lord is mercifull to great ſinners when once they come to ſee their ſinnes, and truely conuert and turne vntounto him; wee may ſee the truth hereof in this preſent example. Here we hauehave an example of humane frailtie, of a man led p. 472by the ſway and ſwinge of his owne corruptions, one that had runne riot a long time, liuing by rapine, cruelty, cutting of throats, ſhedding of bloud, and in all manner of exceſſe, without God in this world, led by the god of the world, yet now at laſt receiued into fauour. It skils not what our ſinnes are, or how great they hauehave beene, but how true our ſorrow and vnfained our repentance is: repentance going before, mercy euer followeth after. This the Prophet teacheth in the name of the Lord, Waſh you, make you cleane, put away the euill of your doings from before my eyes, ceaſe from euill, &c. Come now and let vsus reaſon together ſaith the Lord, Though your ſinnes be as ſcarlet, they ſhall be as white as ſnow, and though they he red like crimſon, &c. The ſame the Lord declareth p. 473by his Prophet Ezechiel, Eze. 18 21 22.23.Ezek 18:21where he ſaith, If the wicked will turne from the ſinnes he hath committed, and keepe my ſtatutes, and doe the thing that is lawfull and right, he ſhall ſurely liue and not dye. This truth is further cleared by that of Iob, God (ſaith hee) looked vponupon men, Iob 33.27.28.Job 33:27Job 33:28and if one ſay I hauehave ſinned and peruerted righteouſneſſe, and it doth not profit me, he will deliuer his ſoule from going into the pit, and his life ſhall ſee the light. Yea, this is the thing that Salomon prayeth for in that excellent prayer of his at the dedication of the Temple, If they turne vntounto thee with all their hearts, 1 Reg. 8 471 Kgs 8:47in the land to the which they be carried captiues, and returne, and pray vntounto thee ſaying, We hauehave ſinned, wee hauehave tranſgreſſed and done wickedly, then heare thou their prayer in heauen, &c. Conſider p. 474the example of Manaſſes, 2 Chro. 33 12.13.2 Chr 33:122 Chr 33:13how deſperately wretched and ſinfull ſoeuer hee had beene, yet in his captiuity, returning vntounto the Lord with all his heart, found mercy with him. Of Peter that denyed his Maſter,Luk. 17 48 Act. 16.26.Luke 17:48Acts 16:26 of Paul that perſecuted the Church, of Dauid that committed Adultery and Murther, of Salomon that fell to idolatry, of Mary Magdalene, out of whom were caſt ſeuen deuils, of the Iewes that crucified the Lord of life,Act. 2.37.Acts 2:37 of the Iaylour, &c. All which repenting of their ſinnes, and returning from their iniquities, had their ſinnes pardoned, and were themſelues receiued into fauour: neither is this a thing to be wondred at, for,

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, conſider that it is a thing agreeable to Gods iuſtice, that he ſhould be gratious and mercifull to thoſe that truely repent, for ſo p. 475ſaith the Apoſtle, If wee confeſſe our ſinnes, he is faithfull and iuſt to forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and to cleanſe vsus from all vnrighteouſneſſe. VponUpon this ground, the holy Apoſtle tearmes that which God will beſtow at the day of account vponupon the elect, a Crowne of righteouſneſſe, and that which ſhall be conferred vponupon them by that righteous Iudge, not becauſe the workes of the faithfull are meritorious, as the gloſſe of the Papiſts is vponupon that place, but becauſe of the Lords mercifull promiſe made vntounto eueryevery true beleeuer in Chriſt, and hauing made himſelf a debtor by promiſe (ſaith an Antient) it is agreeable to iuſtice that he ſhould performe the ſame.

Secondly, to hauehave ſinne pardoned, Reaſ. 2 is a ſpeciall priuiledge of the Church, and the members of it p. 476onelyonly.Eſa. 33.24.Isa 33:24 Thy people that dwell there ſhall hauehave their iniquities forgiuen: Yea, it is part of that promiſe God hath made to thoſe that are within the couenant. The dayes come ſaith the Lord, that I will make a new couenant, for I will forgiue their iniquitie, and remember their ſinnes no more.

Reaſ. 3 A third reaſon may bee taken from the nature of true repentance, which doth as fully blot out ſinne out of Gods account, as if the ſame had neuer beene committed, for whereas ſinne is a debt, forigue vsus our debts; Repentance is a cancelling of that band, and a diſcharging of that debt.

Vſe 1 Seing then that the ſinnes of the penitent cannot hinder their ſaluation, this Doctrine may bee a Noahs Doue, a meſſenger of glad tydings vntounto the godly, and that which may yeeld ſingular comfort p. 477to eueryevery penitent ſinner. Is thy heart truely humbled in the ſence of thy ſinnes? is it thy chiefeſt griefe and ſorrow that thou haſt offended ſo good and ſo gratious a God and Father in Ieſus Chriſt? doth thy ſpirit droope and groane vnderunder the burthen of thy tranſgreſſions, ſo as thou abhorreſt thy ſelfe with Iob, Iob 42.6.Job 42:6and repenteſt in duſt and aſhes? Thou canſt paſſe the ſentence of condemnation againſt thy ſelfe, acknowledging that if the Lord ſhould doe thee iuſtice, he might iuſtly condemne thee for euer. Conſider then for thy comfort, this being thy caſe, God cannot with-hold from thee comfort, it cannot ſtand with the rule of iuſtice to deny thee mercy. Nay, more, thou mayſt in a holy boldneſſe challenge God of his word and promiſe, which it cannot p. 478ſtand with his honour and iuſtice not to performe. God ſhould not be iuſt in his promiſes, if he ſhould not pardon the ſinnes of the penitent.

O how may this comfort the hearts of ſuch as mourne in Sion, that hang downe their heads as being aſhamed to lift vp the ſame to heauen, that goe mourning all the day long; let ſuch comfortably apply this doctrine vntounto themſelues. Thou deſireſt nothing more in all the world, then Gods fauour, his countenance & grace, and it is thy greateſt griefe that thou inioyeſt it not: Remember to thy comfort, Chriſt will not quench the ſmoaking flaxe, Mat 12.20Matt 12:20nor breake aſunder the bruiſed reede; he can as well deny himſelfe, and ceaſe to be God, as to deny mercy to thoſe that truely ſee their ſins, are humbled for them, and ſue p. 479vntounto him for the pardon of the ſame. And for thy further comfort herein, conſider that thy ſins, whatſoeuer they hauehave beene, hauehave beene but the ſinnes of a poore, weake, and fraile man, and the mercy thou ſhalt hauehave in the pardon of them, is the mercy of a God, euen of a God of mercy, betwixt which there is no compariſon.

But doth not God without repentance, grant remiſſion of ſins, Queſt. how then is remiſſion of ſinnes, ſaluation, and eternall life his free gift?

I anſwer, that remiſſion of ſins, Anſw. and eternall life, is his free gift.

Firſt, becauſe howſoeuer they 1are not giuen without repentance and faith, yet they are not giuen for theſe things ſake.

Secondly, euen theſe gifts and 2graces, truely to repent, and to p. 480beleeue, are not of our ſelues, neither are they common to all, but they come from God, prouing (ſaith the Apoſtle) if at any time God will giuegive them repentance vntounto life.1 Tim.

3Thirdly, repentance and faith are requiſite not to ſhew for what, but rather to ſhew to whom remiſſion of ſinnes, and eternall life doth belong and appertaine, and ſerue to qualifie Gods people for the promiſes of life and ſaluation.

Vſe 2 Secondly, ſeeing that repentance for ſinne doth thus qualifie a man for remiſſion of ſinnes, and ſo for life and ſaluation: it ſhall then bee our wiſedome to labour for repentance aboue all things in the world, to lay hold vponupon the opportunitie of grace offered, and ſpeedily to returne, not to deferre the ſame from day to day, leſt our hearts come to bee hardened p. 479through the deceitfulneſſe of ſin: take wee heed that wee doe not abuſe his patience and forbearance, or take occaſion of libertie to turne this grace of his into wantonneſſe:Rom. 2.4. Rom. 6.1.2Rom 2:4Rom 6:1Rom 6:2 Shall we ſinne (ſaith the Apoſtle) becauſe grace ſhould abound? God forbid. Nay rather let vsus know that they that wait vponupon lying vanities, Ion. 2.8.Jonah 2:8forſake their owne mercy. The longer that any remaine in the mire of ſinne, the faſter they ſticke therein; God will not at all times offer the like mercy,Reu. 3.Rev 3 neither will he euer ſtand and knocke at the dore of our hearts; let vsus then lay hold vponupon the opportunitie offered, leſt our repentance at laſt come too late.

Thirdly, ſeeing wee hauehave ſuch Vſe 3 a mercifull God & louing Father, that is ſo ready to ſhew mercy, and to receiue vt into fauour vponupon our true repentance; Let vsus labour p. 480to bee like vntounto God, and ſhew that wee are children of ſuch a Father, by our long ſufferance towards our brethren that iniure vsus. There is no one thing that doth more manifeſtly declare the image of God to be renewed within vsus, then this propenſeneſſe and ready diſpoſition to forgiue the iniuries of our brethren.

How earneſtly doth the Apoſtle perſwade vntounto this duty, when he ſaith, Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloued, bowels of mercy, kindeneſſe, humbleneſſe of minde, meekeneſſe, long-ſuffering, forbearing one another, &c. And to this end Chriſt propoundeth that parable in the Goſpell, of the King taking account of his ſeruants, and therein ſhewes the mercifull dealing of him that had ten thouſand talents forgiuen him, yet would take his p. 481fellow by the throate for tenne talents; and therein will teach vsus that if we would hauehave pardon at Gods hand for the greater, wee muſt forgiue the leſſer, whereas ſuch as wil not forgiue the iniuries of others, this ſhewes that they are ſtamped with the very image of Sathan, who was malitious and a murtherer from the beginning, and indeed there ſhall be iudgement mercileſſe to him that ſheweth not mercy.

Shalt be with me

Here wee hauehave the promiſe it ſelfe,Text. 3. Promiſe it ſelfe.which is to be with Chriſt in his glorious kingdome. That in as much as by faith he was able to diſcerne Chriſts Deity in this baſe and low degree of his humiliation, and by a liuely faith did reſt on him alone for life and ſaluation. Chriſt will not ſuffer his faith to faile, nor himſelfe to bee p. 482diſappointed of the end thereof, but grants him his hearts deſire. Verily thou ſhalt be with me. The Inſtruction is,

Doct. 1 That they that in miſerie ſeeke vntounto God,They that in miſery wait vponupon God, ſhall not miſſe of comfort in the end. and reſt on him, ſhall bee ſure of comfort in the end. There is no labour loſt in ſeeking and ſeruing of him, but howſoeuer their preſent miſeries are great, yet as Mordecai ſaid to Heſter, Deliuerance will come. Let thy heart be in the feare of the Lord continually (ſaith Solomon) for ſurely there is an end, Pro. 23.17.Prov 23:17and thy hope ſhall not bee cut off. So Dauid, Marke the vpright man, Pſal. 37.37Ps 37:37and behold the iuſt, the latter end of that man ſhall bee peace. Pro. 11.7.Prov 11:7Whereas the hope of the wicked ſhall periſh. And as Iob ſaith,Iob 27.8.Job 27:8 What hope hath the hypocrite when God ſhall take away his ſoule? Meaning indeed hee hath no hope. And againe, There p. 483is no peace to the wicked, Iſa. 48.22.Isa 48:22ſaith my God. So that the condition of Gods people, euen in their deepeſt aduerſities and miſeries, is farre better then the condition of the wicked, in their chiefeſt proſperitie: For the one is ſure that the end of his life will end his miſery, and finiſh his ſorrow, and enter his poſſeſſion of euerlaſting felicitie. Whereas the candle of the wicked at laſt ſhall be put out, and their fleeting pleaſures which they hauehave had for a time heere, ſhall bring at laſt an eternall weight of torment, as our Sauiour ſaith, Woe to you that laugh, Luk. 6.Luke 6for you ſhall waile and weepe. Would we hauehave ſome examples for the further clearing of this truth? How many miſeries did the Iſraelites go vnderunder, and that for the ſpace of foure hundred and thirtie yeares, yet at laſt the Lord p. 484gaue them reſt in the promiſed Canaan? How long was Dauid perſecuted before he came to the kingdome, and after, yet at laſt the Lord gaue him reſt? Againe, how ſore were his inward feares and terrours by reaſon of ſinne, yet at the laſt filled with comfort? How dealt the Lord with Iob, both in reſpect of his outward man, and temporall eſtate, of a great Prince the Lord brought him to the dunghill. And for his ſoule, doth hee not often complaine, that God Had ſet him as a But to ſhoote at. And that the Arrowes of the Almighty had drunke vp his ſpirits, yet at laſt dyed peaceably? And there is reaſon for it.

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, the Lords owne promiſe, Call vponupon mee in the time of thy trouble, Pſal. 50.15Ps 50:15and I will heare thee, and deliuer thee. Which promiſe of p. 485his the Lord hath euer made good from time to time, putting an end at laſt vntounto the miſeries of his ſeruants, and giuing them reſt: and in this regard there is nothing in all the world more ſure and certaine, then the good ſucceſſe of the hope of Chriſtians, it neuer miſſeth of that it aymeth at, for their hope which is the Anchor of the ſoule, hath faith for the ground of it,Rom. 5.5.Rom 5:5 whereupon it faſteneth it ſelfe. And further, Gods truth and faithfulneſſe to aſſure them of the truth thereof.

Secondly, it is God that inclineth Reaſ. 2 the heart to ſeeke him, and cauſeth the ſoule ſo to hunger and thirſt after him. All which are cleare demonſtrations that the Lord hath a purpoſe to giuegive them comfort at laſt. VponUpon this verie ground Dauid concludeth the helpe and deliuerance of Gods p. 486people in diſtreſſe,Pſal. 10.17.Ps 10:17 Lord (ſaith he) thou heareſt the deſire of the poore: thou prepareſt their heart, and thine eare inclineth thereunto.

Thirdly, God delaying to helpe his ſeruants by and by in time of miſerie and diſtreſſe, doth prouoke them to pray ſo much the more earneſtly and frequently vntounto him, drawing away the heart from the world, and cauſing the ſoule to hauehave the more ſecret communion with the Almightie, and ſo muſt needs bring comfort in the end.

Vſe 1 Seeing then that thoſe that ſeeke vntounto God, and wait vponupon him, ſhall hauehave comfort in the end, as we ſee in this poore Penitent here. This may ſerue then in the firſt place to ſtay the godly in the time of their ſoreſt trials, not to deſpaire, not to murmure, repine and complaine, as if their p. 487caſe were deſperate: For in due time they ſhall reape, if they faint not. What though for a time they beare the burthen and the heate of the day, when the Euening commeth they ſhall not miſſe of their reward; and then they ſhall ſee, and acknowledge with the Apoſtle,Luk. 21.18Luke 21:18 That theſe light and momentany afflictions which are but for a ſeaſon, ſhall bring with them an eternall recompence of reward. In the meane time let vsus poſſeſſe our ſoules in patience: tarrie the Lords leaſure, and waite vponupon him; our labour ſhall not bee in vaine in the Lord. After all the boyſterous ſtormes in this life, wreſtlings againſt ſinne, Sathan, and our owne corruptions, and againſt malitious and wick d men, Deliuerance will come, and the godly ſhall find it moſt true in the end, that they that waite p. 488vponupon him ſhall not bee aſhamed.

Vſe 2 Secondly, it may ſerue to admoniſh vsus, that we take heed that we do not preuent the Lord, and foreſtall that comfortable iſſue we might hauehave of our miſeries and afflictions, either by not ſeeking of him, when miſerie is vponupon vsus, or by vnlawfull wayes and means to ſeeke to come out of them This is indeed to rob God of that honour that is due vntounto him, in waiting for his helpe; and our ſelues of that comfort wee might otherwiſe hauehave, of a ſeaſonable deliuerance if we had ſought and waited vponupon him.

Thou ſhalt be with me.

That is, with the ſoul of Chriſt, for his body went from the croſſe to the graue, q. d. Since thou haſt confeſſed my name, and deſireſt principally the fruition of mee, thou ſhalt be ſatisfied in the thing p. 489thou deſireſt, Thou ſhalt be with me. Note hence,

That the ſoules of the faithfull Doct. 2 after this life hauehave the fruition of Chriſt,The ſouls of the faithfull in death are gathered to Chriſt. and are gathered vntounto him. So ſoone as the ſoule goeth out of the body, it goeth immediately to heauen, or hell. The Scripture maketh mention but of two wayes, the broad, and the narrow, and theſe leade but vntounto two places, either to endleſſe bliſſe, or into Euerlaſting torment; there is a Paradiſe you ſee here for the Penitent, Luk. 23.43.Luke 23:43or an Abrahams boſome for a Lazarus. And there is again a Gulfe of hell for the Glutton, Luk. 16.Luke 16or Euerlaſting torment for the Impenitent. No third place can bee found in all the Scripture.

So Paul, I deſire to be diſſolued, Phil. 1.23.Phil 1:23and to be with Chriſt. The faithfull can bee no ſooner diſſolued, or their ſoules ſet at libertie, but they p. 490are gathered vntounto Chriſt. As for the wicked, with Iudas they go to their owne place, Act. 1.Acts 1that is, to Hell, out of which there is no redemption.

Reaſ. And it muſt needs be ſo, in regard that Chriſt is the head of beleeuers, and they are his body, yea eueryevery true beleeuer is a member of this body. Now it is impoſſible that the head ſhould be glorified, but the members muſt needs participate with the ſame glory together with the head. This Chriſt prayeth for of his Father,Ioh. 17.24.John 17:24 Father I will that thoſe thou haſt giuen me, be with mee where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou haſt giuen me.

Vſe 1 This meereth with the doctrine of Purgatory ſo much vrged, and preſſed by the Church of Rome, as the moſt gainfulleſt doctrine of their Church. It is wonderfull p. 491to ſee how the great Rabb…s of that Church are troubled about this fire of Purgatory, both what it is, where it is, how long it ſhall burne, the conditions of thoſe perſons that ſhall hauehave that fauour to come into it, and the like: ſome holding one thing, ſome another. Some hold it to be Saint Patrickes hole in Ireland: ſome, Etna, that Mountaine in Sicily, that burneth continually: or in the Popes Kitchin, they ſhould ſay, where there is indeed a true fire, maintained daily by the Fees that come in by that imaginarie fire.

But what ſhall I ſay, it is a doctrine that as it hath no footing at all out of the word of God; ſo were the Primitiue Fathers themſelues, either ſtrangers vntounto it, or doubtfull of it.Aug. de Ciuit. Dei. lib. 21. Ch. 26. Auguſtine who liued foure hundred yeares after p. 492Chriſt, plainly ſheweth, that in his time it was not receiued,Tertium locum penitus ignoramus. nor beleeued for any Article of faith, and in ſome places of his writings he abſolutely denieth it.

Fiſher, ſometimes Biſhop of Rocheſter, ingeniouſly confeſſeth, That there is no Scripture to proue Purgatory; Roff contra aſſert. Luth.and may we not iuſtly deny that for the which there is no Scripture to proue it? Nay more, he confeſſeth, that ſeldome or neuer any mention is made of Purgatory, either among the Greeke or Latine writers.

Legat qui volet Graecorum commentariose… nullū quā tum opinor de Purgatorio ſermonē inueniet, &c. Iſa. 57.2.Isa 57:2Nay rather the Scriptures teach the contrary, as that of Iſaiah, They ſhall enter vponupon peace, and they ſhall reſt vponupon their beds, eueryevery one that walketh before the Lord in righteouſneſſe. And amongſt all thoſe ſacrifices that were appointed in the time of the law, for the Prince, for the Prieſt, p. 493and for the Congregation, Leu. 5.6.Lev 5:6all were appointed for the liuing; and none that euer wee reade of were appointed for the dead. Doubtleſſe either God was very forgetfull of them, or elſe this Doctrine of Purgatory was not hatched.

When Paul directs the Church how they ſhould carry themſelues towards the dead, Phil. 3.Phil 3he giues no direction at any time to pray for the dead. Saint Iohn ſaith, Bleſſed are the dead that dye in the Lord. And the holy Ghoſt addeth further,Reu. 14.13:Rev 14:13 From henceforth they reſt from their labours. Now to enter vponupon peace, and to reſt from their labours, and yet to ſuffer helliſh torments for many yeares, are things incompatible, and cannot ſtand together. Beſides Chriſt hath promiſed reſt, and refreſhing to thoſe that are heauy laden, and come vntounto him, ſaying, Come vntounto p. 494me all ye that trauaile, Mat. 11.28Matt 11:28and are heauie laden, and I will refreſh you. Now what refreſhing and reſt is this, to frie in the flames of Purgatory?

Surely the Scriptures know no ſuch third place, but that the ſouls of the righteous, ſo ſoone as euer they depart out of the body, they go with the ſoule of this Penitent here into Paradiſe, or into heauen the place of euerlaſting ioy and felicity. And the ſoules of the wicked go immediatly to Hell, a place of euerlaſting torment, there is no middle place betwixt theſe. But as there are but two ſorts of perſons, ſo there are but two ſorts of places. Beſides it ſtands not with the rule of Iuſtice, that the ſoule ſhould be puniſhed without the body, ſince the body and the ſoule were copartners together in ſinne. But the Church of Rome p. 495knew well enough what it did to broach this doctrine, and what they do in maintaining the ſame at this day. But we wil leaue them and come vntounto our ſelues.

This may ſerue for matter of Vſe 2 ſingular comfort and conſolation vntounto the godly, that inaſmuch as the ſoules of the faithfull in death are gathered vntounto Chriſt; they may comfort themſelues, that this worke of repentance for ſinne, of mortification, of ſanctification, howſoeuer it may ſeeme painfull for a time, yet it will bee gainfull in the end. Let ſuch then comfort their hearts and ſay, O my ſoule returne thou vntounto thy reſt, for the Lord hath beene beneficiall vntounto thee. And ſay with Dauid, Pſal. 23.Ps 23Though I walke through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will feare none ill, for thou art with me. This, this is it that makes the true beleeuer p. 496looke death in the face, and ſupports him againſt the feares of the graue, an aſſured perſwaſion in death to be gathered vntounto Chriſt, yea it is a true note of an honeſt heart, ſo to walke with God in life, as willingly and cheerfully to imbrace the ſentence of death at laſt. Wheras on the contrary, it is a note of a ſoule ſoyled with corruption, or elſe indued but with a ſmall meaſure of ſanctification, to bee kept vnderunder the continuall feare of death.

…adice.

Vſe 4 The Scriptures make mention of a twofold Paradice,Place. Terreſtriall and Celeſtiall: The Terreſtriall or earthly Paradice, is that Paradice in the which Adam was placed by God himſelfe, a place of excellent felicitie, beauty and glory, and out of the which, both Adam and his poſterity after him,Gen. 2.8.Gen 2:8 euen p. 497vntounto this day were caſt by reaſon of their ſins. There is beſides this, the Celeſtiall Paradice, or the kingdome of heauen, into the which the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, the ſecond Adam, was now to enter, and doth promiſe this Penitent here the fruition therof with himſelfe, whereby is meant indeed the happie and bleſſed eſtate of glorified ſouls in the kingdome of heauen, as it appeareth plainly by that of the Apoſtle Paul, 2 Cor. 12.2 Cor 12that when hee was caught vp into Paradice, he was caught vp indeed into the third heauen.

But why doth our Sauiour call heauen by the name of Paradice? Queſt.

In regard no place on earth could better reſemble the kingdome of heauen, Anſw. and being to ſpeake to men, and not to Angels, Paradice was the moſt excellent place, a place of pleaſure, ſolace, p. 498and of all delight, and therefore did moſt fitly ſhadow out the variety and excellency of thoſe delights and pleaſures in the kingdome of heauen. And herein will teach vsus,

Doct. In heauen is the perfection of happineſſe.That in heauen there is the perfection of all happineſſe, of pleaſure and delight.

The great pleaſures in the garden of Eden, where there were trees of all ſorts, and Riuers for pleaſures and delight, doth moſt excellently ſhadow out vntounto vsus, thoſe pleaſures reſerued for the Saints in Gods kingdome; which happineſſe of eueryevery true beleeuer ſhall in the laſt day appeare to the whole world, to men and Angels, when he ſhall come as the Apoſtle ſaith,2 Theſ. 1.10.2 Thess 1:10 To be glorified in his Saints, and to be made maruellous in all them that beleeue. There is to bee looked for, the perfection of their p. 499glory, eſpecially when the bodies of true beleeuers ſhall come to be glorified with their ſoules; for ſo ſaith the Apoſtle,Phil. 3.21.Phil 3:21 He ſhall change our vile body, and make it like his glorious body, and then their bodies and ſoules ioyned together, and glorified together, muſt needs inioy the perfection of their happineſſe and glory, and for the haſtening of the conſummation thereof; the Saints vnderunder the Altar cry, How long Lord, Reu. 6.10.Rev 6:10as indeed expecting and longing for the full fruition of that glory.

This happineſſe & glory what it is, if we had the tongues of men and Angels, wee are not able to expreſſe it; the Apoſtle tearmes it A moſt excellent, 2 Cor. 4.172 Cor 4:17and an eternall weight of glory, when hee ſhall appeare, we ſhall be like vntounto him, (ſaith Saint Iohn. 1 Ioh. 3▪2.1 John 3:2) The Church is compared to a Bride, and the Lord p. 500Ieſus Chriſt to the Bridegroome; Reu. 19.8.Rev 19:8now what can be imagined here, that can yeeld more ioy and contentment, then a marriage day, when the married couple enioy the ſweet content in the fruition of each other. Thus are true beleeuers decked and trimmed with the white robes of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, as a Bride, ſuteable and fit for ſo pure and glorious a Bridegroome.

Vſe 1 This lets vsus ſee then in the firſt place, the great aduantage that comes vntounto eueryevery true beleeuer by death; here they ſow in teares, there they reape in ioy; they liue here in this world, as in a tempeſtuous ſea, there they lye at anchor and reſt, as in a Hauen. Now is their time of ſeruitude & bondage, then is their yeere of iubile. Here are they exerciſed continually with ſorrowes, feares, cares, buffetings p. 501within, and fightings without. There they ſhall reſt from their labours, and enter into the ioy of their Lord, there to inioy him, in whoſe preſence is the fulneſſe of ioy, and at whoſe right hand there is pleaſure for euermore, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſaith, The eye hath not ſeene, 1 Cor. 2.9.1 Cor 2:9the eare hath not heard, &c. We hauehave in our times ſeene many glorious ſights, our eares hauehave heard of greater, but our hearts are ſo large, that they many times conceiue great things indeed, and yet the happineſſe of the Saints in heauen, ſurpaſſeth them all. And therefore what wonderfull thing thou ſeeſt at any time, ſay that this is not it, for the eye hath not ſeene it; what wonderfull thing thou haſt heard of, ſay this is not it, for the eare hath not heard. Yea, whatſoeuer thou art able to comprehend in p. 502thy heart, ſay that it is not it, for the heart is not able to conceiue.

Now what greater happineſſe can betide any of Gods ſeruants, then to be raiſed vp to ſuch a ſtate of glory, as neither eye hath ſeene, eare hath heard, &c. When the Queene of the South beheld the glory of Salomon, his attendants, the order of his houſe, dyet, ſeruants, and the like, ſhe concludeth thus,2 Reg. 10.18:2 Kgs 10:18 Happy are thy men, and happy are theſe thy ſeruants that ſtand before thee alwayes, &c. Did ſhee pronounce ſuch to be happy, that ſtood continually before Salomon, and heard his wiſedome? O how great then ſhall be their happineſſe that ſhall come to behold the bleſſed Trinitie, Father, Sonne, and holy Ghoſt; what ioy will bee there, when we ſhall ſee thoſe ten thouſands praiſe the Lord day and night? And if Peter, Iames, p. 503and Iohn, vponupon Mount Tabor, were ſo rauiſhed, as that they deſired to pitch their Tabernacles there: O what raptures and ioyes may the godly expect, when they ſhall ſee and enioy the Lord Ieſus Chriſt their beloued Bridegroom, not vponupon Mount Tabor, but vponupon Mount Sion, not to be ſeparated ſuddenly aſunder, as the Diſciples were there, but to enioy the full fruition of Chriſt for euermore!2 Cor. 12.2 Mat. 25.2 Cor 12:2Matt 25 This is called the third heauen, the Bridegroomes Chamber, an euerlaſting habitation, lightened with the glory of the Lambe.Reu. 19.5. Reu. 21.23.Rev 19:5Rev 21:23 The company there, Saints and Angels, the time of their abode, for euer and euer.The happineſſe of the ſoules of the Saints after this life.

Furthermore, theſe things doe manifeſt the happineſſe of the ſoules & bodies of the S^ts there.

Firſt, whereas here in this life we cannot but prouoke the Lord p. 5041daily by our ſinnes, the very conſideration whereof is a dagger to the hearts of Gods people, and makes them to cry out with the Apoſtle, and to ſay, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliuer me from this body of ſinne? there they ſhall ceaſe to ſinne, and ſhall bee wholly ioyned to the Lord in truth and righteouſneſſe, neuer to diſpleaſe him any more.

2Secondly, all the imperfections of the ſoule ſhall bee done away, and our knowledge ſhall be perfect, all ignorance ſhall bee done away, infidelity, diſtruſt, &c.

3Thirdly, wee ſhall not neede there the Word, Sacraments, prayer, &c.

And for our bodies at that day, they ſhall likewiſe bee freed from ſinne, from corruption, and from all the miſeries and infirmities that cleaue vntounto them here, And bee p. 505made like vntounto his glorious body.Phil. 3.21Phil 3:21

O how may this affect our Vſe 2 hearts with a longing deſire of that time, when we ſhall thus ſee the face of God in glory, it ſhould moue vsus to long for that time, when this glory ſhall be reuealed. Rom. 8.Rom 8Surely, if wee looke for a part in this kingdome of heauen, wherin is all perfection of happineſſe, wee cannot but deſire the comming of the ſame, and to cry and ſay with the Church, Come Lord Ieſus, Reu. 22.20.Rev 22:20come quickly.

This day

Here wee hauehave the fift and laſt 5circumſtance in this Text at firſt propounded,Text. Time when.and that is the time when this promiſe ſhall bee fulfilled, This day. Verily this day thou, &c. q.d. what though thy miſery be great, and torment grieuous, that thou ſuffereſt, yet thy time is but ſhort, thy deliuerance is at p. 506hand, verily this day, &c.

Where wee may note firſt of all, the Lords bountifull liberality towards his ſeruants that ſeeke vntounto him in time of miſery. This Penitent deſireth onelyonly to be remembred of Chriſt, when hee ſhould come into his kingdome, but Chriſt promiſeth more, This day ſhalt thou be with me.

Doct. 1 God giues more many times vntounto his children,God many times giues more then his ſeruants aske. then they either aske or thinke; hee is many times larger in giuing, then they in deſiring. It was but to be remembred when Chriſt came into his kingdome, that the Penitent requireth, Chriſt promiſeth him not onelyonly to be remembred, but alſo to bee with him, to bee with him this day, to bee with him this day in Paradice. God is vſually more liberall in giuing then his ſeruants in deſiring.Gen. 32.9.10.Gen 32:9Gen 32:10 Iacob deſires onelyonly p. 507food and rayment at Gods hands, but God giues him more, as Iacob himſelf confeſſeth: God gaue him two bands, and abundance of goods, and cattell beſides.1 Reg. 3.9.13.1 Kgs 3:91 Kgs 3:13 Salomon deſires onelyonly an vnderſtanding heart at Gods hand to gouerne his people, God giues him not onelyonly wiſedome according to his deſire, but abundance of wealth beſides.1 Sam. 2.….1 Sam 2 Hannah intreates the Lord to take from her the curſe of barrenneſſe, and to giuegive her a ſonne, the Lord granted her more then ſhe deſired, he gaue her many ſonnes afterwards.

How many came to our Sauiour in the dayes of his fleſh, ſome ſicke of one diſeaſe, and ſome of another, deſiring help, whom our Sauiour did not only make whole of their infirmities, but alſo pronounced that their ſinnes were forgiuen them.Luke 19.Luke 19 Zacheus came p. 508onelyonly but to ſee Chriſt, and hee obtaines not onelyonly the thing hee deſired, in getting a full ſight of Chriſt, but he hath this honour, to talke with Chriſt, to inuite him to his houſe, yea more then all this, to hauehave his ſoule euerlaſtingly ſaued by Chriſt.

Reaſ. Neither is this a thing to bee wondred at, for ſuch is the Lords bounty and goodneſſe towards his ſeruants, taking pleaſure in their proſperity. And hence it is that the Apoſtle writing to the Epheſians, ſaith that he is rich in grace, Eph. 1.7. Pſal. 23.Eph 1:7Ps 23a moſt bountifull maſter, making the cup of his ſeruants to ouerflow, and is therefore called the Father of mercy, 2 Cor. 1.2 Cor 1and God of all conſolation.

Vſe 1 Seeing then that God is ſo liberal a maſter, giuing many times vntounto his ſeruants, more then they aske or ſeeke, this may be an excellent p. 509motiue with vsus, to bring chriſtianitie into requeſt, inaſmuch as we ſerue ſuch a bountifull maſter. Seruants commonly inquire after ſuch maſters, and will deſire to liue in ſuch places, where they ſhall bee bountifully rewarded. This we are ſure of, that the Lords ſeruants ſhall bee bountifully rewarded with him, he is euer better then his word vntounto his people. Why are we then ſo backward in our ſuits vntounto him? Are we in miſery and diſtreſſe? As a father pittieth his children, ſo hath the Lord compaſsion on them that feare him. O but I am vnworthy of mercy: God giues mercy, not for our merit, but it is his free gift, O but I am a great ſinner, and prouoke him daily? Hee remembreth whereof wee are made, hee conſidereth that wee are but duſt. He hath ſaid it, and he will doe it. p. 510He will fulfill the deſires of them that feare him, Pſal. 145.18.Ps 145:18hee alſo will heare their cry, and will helpe them.

Vſe 2 Secondly, ſeeing we are to deale with ſo liberall a Lord, that giues vntounto his ſeruants more then they deſire: hence ariſeth our comfort and incouragement in prayer, to flye vntounto him in al times of miſery and diſtreſſe, for ſo hath the Lord ſaid,Pſal. 50.15.Ps 50:15 Call vponupon me in the time of thy trouble, and I will heare thee and deliuer thee. Doe wicked men perſecute vsus? doth Sathan continually ſolicite vsus? doe our corruptions preuaile with vsus? doe the thoughts of death and of th… graue affright vsus? yet ſtill we hauehave the boſome of a louing Father to flye vntounto. Behold this Penitent now at this time, aſtoniſhed no doubt at the ſight of death, and thoughts of his account hee is to make before the great tribunall. p. 511O happy he that could now flye into the boſome of his Sauiour, as the … to the Arke, that elſewhere could finde no reſt. Now may hee ſing …at ſweet Requiem vntounto his ſoule, Returne vntounto thy reſt O my ſoule, for the Lord hath rewarded thee. We ſhall not need to feare any …xceſſe in faith, as if wee could beleeue more then the Lord would, or could do vntounto vsus; for his grace is euer more plentifull then our petitions; hee giueth more then we aske, hauing his hand ready to giuegive, before we can get our mouthes open to deſire.

This day.

As Chriſt is pleaſed to anſwer his ſeruant, and to grant him the thing hee prayeth for: So it is a thing remarkable, to conſider in the circumſtance of time, the ſpeedie performance of the Lords p. 512promiſe, This day. q.d. thou ſhalt not onelyonly be remembred of mee, which is the thing thou deſireſt, but thou ſhalt euen this preſent day hauehave an end put vntounto thy miſerie, and thy ſoule receiued into glory. Note hence,

Doct. 2 That a man may be in miſerie and ioy in an houre.A man may be in miſerie & ioy in an houre. Though the afflictions of Gods ſeruants are many times ſharpe and grieuous, yet the Lord makes them many times but ſhort and of ſmall continuance.Pſal. 94.Ps 94 Heauineſſe may endure for a night, but ioy commeth in the morning. The miſeries of the righteous are neither durable nor incurable. In the multitude of the ſorrows of my heart (ſaith Dauid) Thy comforts hauehave refreſhed my ſoule. The Lord doth aſwell foreſee their arriuall, as their launcing forth; and the end of their troubles, as the beginning of the ſame. p. 513Many are the troubles of the righteous, Pſal. 34.19Ps 34:19but the Lord deliuereth them out of all. And indeed,

If the Lord ſhould not deale Reaſ. 1 thus with his ſeruants, they would hauehave their hearts ouerwhelmed with ſorrow, and themſelues faint and ſinke vnderunder the burthen of their ſufferings. Now it is his gracious will, not to breake the bruſed reed, nor quench the ſmocking flaxe.

Secondly, the end of all afflictions Reaſ. 2 and miſeries that betide the godly here, is but to humble them, and bring them nearer vntounto God. Now when any affliction ſent hath wrought this effect, God preſently remoues the affliction, as a wound when it is whole the plaſter falls off.

Thirdly, life it ſelfe is not long, Reaſ. 3 but ſhort, and of ſmall continuance. Now miſeries cannot bee p. 514long where life is ſo ſhort.

Vſe. This ſerues then to teach vsus in all our miſeries ſtill to waite on God, with this Penitent here; for, as Mordecai ſaid to Heſter, Deliuerance will come. There is nothing more ſure and certaine, then the deliuerance of Gods people out of miſerie. As God makes prouiſion for his children of correction as of food, and not at ſometime to taſte of correction, is a ſigne rather of a Baſtard then of a Sonne: So will the Lord ſee to …, that they ſhall not want a ſe…ſonable deliuerance.

Let no man then ſay in time of proſperitie,Pſal. 30.6.Ps 30:6 I ſhall neuer be moued. Neither let any ſay in times of aduerſitie, I ſhall neuer be reſtored. For God can turne thy night into day, thy heauineſſe into ioy, and thy mourning into gladneſſe, and all in a moment of time. Oh but p. 515thou haſt laine long among the po…, and thou haſt often ſought the Lord. What then? By ſo much the more precious will deliuerance bee, and thou fitted to praiſe his name, when the Lord ſhall deliuer thee.

This day.

The laſt Inſtruction we are to Doct. 3 obſerue hence is,Such as hauehave ſhewed mercy in an euill day, ſhall find mercy in the euill day. That they that ſhew mercy in an euill day, ſhall themſelues find mercy in the euill day.

Chriſt being now to ſuffer, and lying vnderunder many reproaches: This poore Penitent pitieth Chriſt in his miſerie, pleades his cauſe, and cleareth his innocency, This man (ſaith he) hath done nothing amiſſe. And now Chriſt ſhewes mercy to him, in time of his greateſt need. The Penitent pitied Chriſt, and commiſerates his miſery being an innocent. p. 516Chriſt pitieth the Penitent in time of his miſery, and receiueth him to mercy. That which our Sauiour had formerly taught his diſciples,Mat. 3.7.Matt 3:7 Bleſſed are the mercifull, for they ſhall obtaine mercy: hee maketh good to this poore Penitent. His mercy to Chriſt, is recompenſed with mercy from Chriſt. Oneſiphorus, that good man, ſhewed mercy to Paul, 2. Tim. ….16.Hee often refreſhed me, and was not aſhamed of my chaine▪ but when he was in Rome, he ſought me diligently, and found me. What then? The Lord grant vntounto him that he may finde mercy of the Lord in that day.Verſe 18.

An excellent example whereof we hauehave in Ebedmelech, who vnderſtanding that Ieremy was in priſon,Ier. 38.9.Jer 38:9 and there ready to periſh for hunger: He pleades his cauſe vntounto the King, and procures his deliuerie. The Lord remembred p. 517this kindnes of Ebedmelech, I will deliuer thee in that day, Ier. 39.17.Jer 39:17ſaith the Lord. Ioſ. 6.17.Josh 6:17Rahab ſhewed mercy to the Lords ſeruants when they ſearched the land of Canaan, hid the ſpies, and preſerued their liues. This kindneſſe of hers is requited with the ſafetie of her owne life.

The Shunamite that was ſo kinde vntounto Eliſha, 1. King 17.10.1 Kgs 17:10making ſuch prouiſion for him in his trauaile, loſeth nothing by it in the end; her mercy to him, is recompenſed with mercy to her and hers.

And Chriſt ſhewes how hee will proceed in iudgement at the la… day, with wicked men,Mat. 25.Matt 25 I was h…gry, &c.

And the reaſon hereof is, Becauſe Reaſ. 1 mercy to ſuch as are in miſerie, is an excellent fruit of faith; and ſuch as God hath promiſed to crowne, and to reward at laſt.

Secondly, it kindleth the affections Reaſ. 2 p. 518of thoſe that hauehave beene relieued, to pray vntounto God for ſuch, as hauehave beene ſuch inſtruments of their comfort, and to praiſe God for them; by which means the Lord is moued to ſhew mercy.

Vſe. This teacheth all Gods people to lay hold vponupon all opportunities that ſhall bee offered vntounto them, of doing good vntounto others, eſpecially to ſuch as are in miſery. It was Iobs comfort, that The bowels of the hungry did bleſſe him. Pitie the diſtreſſed in their need, and the Lord will pitie thee in thy greateſt need. Do wee not deſire mercy in the houre of death, and in the day of iudgement? The way to finde merciemercy then, is to ſhew mercy now; otherwiſe, There ſhall be Iudgement mercileſſe to him that will ſhew no mercy.Iam. 2.13.Jas 2:13

FINIS.