The Light of Faith, Part 2 · Section 28
§ XXVIII. The order of our conuerſation in our generall calling, all our liues.
OVr generall calling is to beThy duty in thy generall calling. Chriſtians, the higheſt dignity of the ſonnes of men; here i… behooueth all to bee inquiſitiue what it is we owe in anſwerableneſſe to this our high calling, all our liues, and in all conditions and changes of life; that former text in, 1 Cor. 7. 24. giueth it in the lumpe, all thy dayes, abide with God to whoſe communion and fellowſhip thou art called by the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt his ſonne: and in the ſeuerall ſtates of life as in affliction, in pouerty, in ſickneſſe, in perſecution, and in death, in eueryevery of thoſe changes of thy mortall condition; abide with God therein. The remainder therefore of the rules concerning our conuerſation towards our ſelues are thus caſt: as they concerne our generall calling, they frame vsus in our abode with God,
1 All our liues,
2 In ſeuerall changes of life,To abide with God alwayes. as in wealth, affliction generally conſidered, pouerty, ſickneſſe, perſecution, the laſt worke wee hauehave to doe, which is, how to dye or in preparation for death.
For our abode with God inWhere. the walkes of Chriſtianity, without conſideration of the ſeuerall alterations of life we are ſubiect vntounto, ſeing here we walke by faith not by ſight 2 Cor. 5 7. theſe things attend about thy faith.
1 The examination and triallRules about thy faith. of thy eſtate, Whether thou be in the faith or no, a matter ſo fearefully neglected, almoſt by all: We are not more miſerable in the multitude of our tranſg…eſſions and the numberleſſe ſwarmes of inward maſterleſſe paſſions, aff…ctions and luſts, then in our wretchleſſeneſſe about the triall of our eſtates: wherein wee put all to hazzard, and bleſſe our ſelues in our own wayes, ſaying to our own heart, ſurely no euill ſhall befall vsus. Yet where the Miniſtery hath beene in any life and power, nothing more ſpeakes our reprobation then this Careleſſe ouerture. 2 Cor. 13. 5. and ſelfe deceit hath beguiled vsus if we giuegive not all diligence to make our calling and election ſure, 2. Pet. 1. 10. Gal. 6. 4, 5, 7. I muſt from Gods owne mouth, tell you that hee was neuer effectually called, who careth not to be ſure that hee is in the faith, and in the eſtate of ſaluation. The heart that was euer affected with the knowledge of his damnable eſtate by nature, and of the way of Saluation by Chriſt alone, cannot take quiet reſt, till he know in ſome meaſure out of the euidence of Scripture & experience of grace wrought in his heart, that Chriſt is in him, and he tranſlated out of that kingdome of ſinfull darkeneſſe. If now thy heart be wonne to this tryall, I preſent thee with theſe two trees to behold in deepeſt thoughtfulneſſe.
Note here, that any one branch or fruit of either roote, will proue thee enwrapped and folded in that bliſſefull eſtate, or curſed condition.
2 The ſecond rule is, that we build vp our ſelues on our moſt holy faith, Iude 20, hauing examined, and vponupon examination found our ſelues to be in the faith: and this we ſhall doe, if
1 Wee indeauour to vnderſtand more fully, and to take into our hearts with more inlarged thoughts, the myſtery of God the Father, and of Chriſt, that our hearts may be comforted, (being knit together in louelove) vntounto all riches of the full aſſurance of vnderſtanding. Col. 2. 2. and for this cauſe praying in the Holy Ghoſt, that Chriſt might dwell in our hearts by faith, &c. Epheſ. 3. 17. 18. 19.
2 If wee inure our ſelues to liue by faith, the onelyonly ſafe, happy, and comfortable life for a Chriſtian vponupon earth. By this the heart can ſay to God in all diſtreſſes; Thou art my hiding place, Pſal. 32. 7. Hab. 2. 4. Now let the power of thy faith cauſe thee to reſt on God, and liue in him.
For iuſtification and ſaluation, by caſting thy ſelfe into the mercifull armes of thy Lord, ſpread out vponupon the Croſſe, who will conuey to thee, himſelfe, the vertue of his death and obedience, and the power of his ſpirit, to quicken thee out of thy ſinnes here, and out of the graue to raiſe thee at the laſt day. Draw not backe, dye rather at the throne of grace.
For ſanctification, thy faith being the roote of all graces, and the attractiue vertue and magneticall force of thy heart, to draw thee vp to Chriſt, and to extract life and quickning grace from eueryevery part of Chriſt, his incarnation, his life, death, reſurrection, aſcenſion, ſeſſion and interceſſion: that which maketh eueryevery ordinance profitable. Baptiſms, Mark. 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. receiuing of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 29. the word heard, Heb. 4. 2. and prayer, Mat. 21. 22.
For preſeruation: where thou muſt hauehave,
1 A diſtinct knowledge of the promiſes: for they are pabulum fidei, the food of faith. An abſtract thereof I giuegive thee here applyed to ſeuerall occaſions.
The penitent, contrite, and humble heart is ſure, in all eſtates
Of the free fauour of God, Hoſ. 14. 4. in tendreſt compaſſion, more then motherly, Eſa. 49. 15. in euerlaſting conſtancy, Ier. 31. 3. as the waters of Noah, as the ordinances of heauen, Ier. 31. 36. & 33. 20. Eſa. 54. 10.
Of Chriſt, and the redemption wrought by him, and of the ſpirit of Chriſt by couenant, Eſa. 59. 20. 21.
In the ſtormes of afflictions, l…ue by theſe places, Pſal. 89. 33. & 50. 15. Heb. 12. 3. 4. Pſal. 34 19. Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. and that ſweet promiſe of giuing liberally, euen wiſedome to behaue our ſelues vnderunder the Croſſe, if wee aske it, Iam. 1. 4. 5.
In the midſt of the venemou… arrowes of ſlanderous reproaches, headed with the poyſon of Aſpes, ſhot from the tongue of a rayling Shemei, for Chriſt… cauſe, 1 Pet. 4. 14. Pſal. 31. 1…. 19. Heb. 12. 2. 3.
VnderUnder wrongs by them that profeſſe true religion in their vniuſt cenſures: remember Iob, and what an end the Lord made, Iob 4. 6. & 11. 2 3. and Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 4. 10. Eſa. 66. 5.
Againſt aduerſaries, Eſa. 41. 11. 12. Gen 12. 3. Gal. 3. 9.
In temptations, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Rom. 16. 20. Luc. 22. 31. Heb. 2. 18. & 4. 15.
Againſt daily infirmities▪ Exod. 34. 6. 7. Mat. 11. …. H…b. 4. 16. Eſa. 55. 1, 2 3. & 42. 3.
In our ſpirituall barrenneſſe lamented, Hoſ. 2. 19. Eſa. 54. 5, 6.
In caſe of relapſe, when the heart i… ſmitten for it, Hoſ. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
In caſe of diſmayedneſſe, vnderunder corruptions great & ſtrong, and the thoughts of our indiſpoſition to any thing that is good, Ezek. 36. 25, 26, 27. Phil. 4. 13.
Againſt the feare of falling away, 1 Cor. 1. 8, 9. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 2 Theſ. 3. 3. Ier. 32. 40. 41. Ioh. 10. 28. 1 Ioh. 3, 9. & 2, 27. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 5.
In ſpirituall deſertions, Eſa. 30. 18. Pſal. 77. Eſa. 54. 7. 8.
In the workes of thy calling, Heb. 13. 5. Pſal. 37. 2, 3.
In the waies of thy houſhold, Pſal. 127.
In loſſes for Gods cauſe, 2 Chro. 25. 9. Mark. 10. 29. 30.
In the valley of the ſhadow of death, Pſal. 23. & 73. 26.
In all, in any eſtate, Pſal. 84. 11. Rom. 8. 18, 28, 32.
Looke alſo vponupon the promiſes to ſeuerall graces, and to ſeuerall degrees of true grace contained in ſuch places as theſe, Mat. 5. 1, 2. to 13. 2 Chro. 16. 9. 2 Pet. 1, 5, 6, 10, 11.
2 Thou muſt then hang vponupon theſe breaſts of the Churches conſolations, by beleeuing and applying them to thy ſelfe, and ſucke out the milke that may nouriſh thee, and make thee grow, if ſo be thou haſt taſted, that the Lord is gracious.
3 Keepe a Regiſter of Gods mercies in his prouidence ouer his Church in thy time, as neere as thou canſt, or at leaſt ouer thee and thine, a role of experiments.
How aduantagious this is, Dauids practiſe and precepts ſhew in many Pſalmes of his, Pſal. 78. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. to the end, & 107: 43. & 105. & 106. & 66, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.
Theſe three rules concerne2 Rules about thy repentance and obedience. thy faith: furthermore, ſith wee daily tranſgreſſe, and repentance is the worke of our whole life; and ſeeing nothing more blemiſheth obedience, then inconſtancy, to walke like a Chriſtian, attend theſe rules following, about thy repentance and obedience.
1 H…l… firmely and iudiciouſly in what things the power of godlineſſe doth conſiſt, that the full bent of thy ſoule may bee placed on theſe things: the rather becauſe theſe are the laſt and perillous dayes in which men ſhould hauehave the ſhew, but deny the power of godlineſſe, 2 Tim. 3, 5. It conſiſteth not in frequenting the publike aſſemblies, in ſet houres of deuotion, in taskes of reading, in the outward abſtinence of faſtings, in profeſſing or talking, in knowledge for diſcou…ſe, in ſtrictneſſe of ſhunning controuerted ceremonies, in opinions, in a ſtraine of praiſe and words, though all ſtamped in Gods minte, in defying the corruptions of the time, in deſcrying publicane-like ſinners, in praiſing the Martyrs or Saints departed, in commending former, and diſcommending the preſent, in cenſuring others, in holding profeſſion with the forwardeſt in ſincerity, in reuerencing a Philip, a godly Miniſter, in giuing liberally to the maintenance of Gods worſhip, &c. But in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt, in humility, patience, goodneſſe, meekeneſſe, and truth, in mercy and righteouſneſſe, dealing in mortification of the fleſh, gouernement of the affections and the tongue, in heauenly mindedneſſe, ſelfe-denyall & contempt of the world, in the life of a pilgrime, and a conuerſation with feare, in long-ſuffering▪ and gentleneſſe, in ſobriety and temperance, in faith and fellowſhip with God, in brotherly kindeneſſe, and charity amongſt men.
2 Keepe (by a watchfull ſuruey of thy heart) a bill of thy ſinnes, that moſt annoy thee ſince thy profeſſion, as the Apoſtles made many of them agreeing to the eſtates of their hearers ſeuerally, 1 Pet. 2, 1. Epheſ. 4. 31. Col. 3. 8. 9. Thus ſhalt thou know what to confe…ſe and lament before God: thus ſhalt thou ſee how thou groweſt in grace, by the dying of thy preua…ling ſinnes. The profit is not knowne, but by thoſe that hauehave practiſed it.
3 Seeke after, and pray earneſtly for direct thoughts, to ſee how farre thou haſt a…tained, and what is yet wanting in the graces of the ſpirit, or the meaſure and degrees of them; which graces God requireth, and hath heretofore, and doth ſtill adorne the hearts of his children with, Phil. 3. 11, 12, 13. To helpe thee herein, that place of Paul, Gal. 5. 20. which ſetteth downe the fruits of the ſpirit, is to be often weighed, and that of Peter, 2 Pet. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. And the illuſtrious examples of the Lords worthies in Scripture; a catalogue of them we hauehave in Heb. 11. the reſt wee may obſerue in our reading and hearing.
4 Quench not the ſpirit, no… grieue it: but ſtirre vp the gift that is in thee, and improue it, 1 Theſ. 5. 19. Epheſ. 4. 30.
5 Addreſſe thy ſelfe alwaies to the battell, and take to thee the whole armour of God, Eph. 6. 10.
6 In thy ſolitarineſſe, meditate ſeri…uſly of thy ſinnes, of redemption by Chriſt, of death, of iudgement to come, of the glorious workes of Gods prouidence, of the ioyes of heauen, and the holineſſe there obtained, of the torments of hell, of the vanity of all things vnderunder the Sunne, of the true glory of Chriſtian graces, of the immortality of the ſoule, and of the ſweet and ſumptuous feaſt of a good conſcience, &c.
But here be wary, firſt, that there creepe vponupon thy heart, no inſnaring delight vponupon the remembrance of ſome former ſin that hath beene a minion ſinne; ſecondly, that vponupon no imagina…y plot we entertaine any proiect of a new ſinne; thirdly, that the apprehenſions of the exceeding riches of glorious grace in Chriſt, be not an occaſion of any looſeneſſe ſecretly in thy heart, to leſſen ſinne, or looſe the reines to euill affections, but behold ſinne, as that that nailed thy Sauiour to the Croſſe, and that which could not hauehave been pardoned, if th… Sonne of God had not dyed for it.
7 Keepe thy heart in the heart of inflamed louelove to God, the glories of whoſe nature and in ſpeciall, the riches of whoſe grace ſhould in amore vsus: whoſe workes of mercifull prouidence, and in ſpeciall, the fauourable audience of our prayers, ſhould fire vsus with deſires after him, Pſal. 18. 1. & 116. 1.
8 Foraſmuch as Chriſt will come at the laſt day in flames of fire, taking vengeance on them that obey not his Goſpell, and according to the Goſpell, ſhall the ſecrets of men be then iudged; therefore it behooueth all to take ſpeciall notice of the ſins againſt the Goſpell, and take heed they liue not in any of2 Theſ. 2. 9 Rom. 2. 16. them, for as nothing is more to the glory of God, and comfort of a mans owne▪ ſoule then to ſerue God in the Goſpell of his Rom. 1. 9. 2 Cor. 9. 13.Sonne then … profeſſed ſubiection to the Goſpell, and to hauehave ou… conuerſation in this world, not with 2 Cor. 1. 12fleſhly wiſedome, but by the grace, of God, for in whomſoeuer it is found, in them it is exceeding grace, 2 Cor. 9 14. ſo what is more damning then to turne this grace into wantonneſſe, and to tranſgreſſe and not to abide in the doctrine of Chriſt? Iude 4. 2 Ioh, 9.
To helpe thee herein I hauehaveA rowle of the ſinnes againſt the Goſpell. gathered a rowle of the ſinnes aagainſt God in Chriſt, or againſt the Goſpell of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and do here preſent them to thee. Sins againſt the Goſpel are committed againſt Chriſt, or Chriſtians, or Chriſtian graces in vsus, or men that are not Chriſtians that liue with vsus.
1 Sins againſt Chriſt are againſt,1 Againſt Chriſt. 1. his perſon, 2 His natures, 3 His offices, 4. His doctrine, 5. His virtues of life, 6. His ordinances 7, His ſpirit, 8. His day, 9. His diſcipline.
The ſinnes againſt Chriſt are firſt againſt his perſon; ſo heeHis perſon offendeth
That denieth that Ieſus of Nazareth is the Chriſt, Ioh. 8. 24. this man ſo remaining ſhall dye in his ſinnes, hee is a lyer, 1 Ioh. 2. 22.
That ſaith that hee is the Chriſt Mat. 24. 24. this is a falſe Chriſt.
That hath baſe thoughts of Chriſt, Eſa. 53. 3.
That denyeth the vnion of the humane and diuine nature in the one perſon of the ſonne of God, Ioh. 1. 14. hee beholds not his glory, the Glory as of the onelyonly begotten of the Father.
Secondly againſt his natures His natures.both Diuine and humane:
Againſt his diuine nature he ſinneth;
That denyeth that Ieſus is the Sonne of God, 1 Ioh. 4. 15.
That denyeth the Father and the Sonne, 1 Ioh. 2. 22. hee is Antichriſt.
That denyeth that God dwelleth in Chriſt bodily, Col. 2 9.
Ag…inſt his human nature hee ſinneth.
That denyeth that Ieſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, 1 Ioh. 4. 3, this is that ſpirit of Antichriſt.
That denyeth he was like vsus in all things, ſinne onelyonly excepted, tempted like as we are, touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Heb. 2. 17. and 4. 15.
Thirdly, againſt his Offices, His offices.in the whole, and in the partes, in the whole, as againſt his Mediatorſhip, and ſo hee ſinneth.
That worſhippeth God without Chriſt, and not in his name Mediation alone, Rom. 1. 9.
That ſaith he hath no ſinne, or hath not ſinned, as deepely as the Scripture chargeth eueryevery man in Rom. 3. 11. 12. &c. Pſal. 14. 1 Ioh. 1. 7. 8. there is no truth in this man.
That ſeeth not his eſtate of enmity out of Chriſt, for a Mediator, is not a Mediator of one, that is, of parties that are alone and are not at odds. Gal. 3. 20.
Againſt his Offices in the partes, as againſt him as King, and ſo he offendeth;
That maketh or taketh traditions & precepts of men for lawes & articles of faith, Mat. 23. 8. 9. 10. this is to be called and to call men Rabbi, Father, Maſter.
That exalteth himſelfe aboue all that is called God; or that is worſhipped, ſo that he as God ſitteth in the temple of God, ſhewing himſelfe that he is God, 2 Theſ. 2. 4, this is that man of ſinne, that ſonne of perdition, that head of Apoſtacie or of the Apoſtaticall Church that oppoſer, that Antichriſt, that wicked one; verſ. 3. 8. 9.
That placeth Chriſts kingdom in meates or drinke, Rom 14. 17.
Againſt him as Prieſt both expiating and interceding:
Againſt his expiation are theſe ſinnes,
The eſtabliſhing of our own righteouſneſſe, Rom. 10. 2. 3.
Expiating Ceremonies, Col. 2. 20. 16. 17. called rudiments of the world,
Hauing confidence in the fleſh, Phil. 3. 3. that is in carnall prerogatiues, or ability. Glorying in any thing ſaue in the Croſſe of Chriſt, Gal. 6. 14.
Againſt his interceſſion are theſe ſinnes;
Angel-worſhip. Col. 2: 18. 18.
The mediation of Saints, 1 Tim. 2. 5.
Againſt him as Prophet of the Church are theſe ſinnes;
Philoſophy when it becomes vaine deceit, Col. 2. 8.
The affectation of titles in the Church and the giuing of flattering titles, Mat. 23. 7.
The pr…ſſing of thing arbitrary, as neceſſary & ſo to lay a ſ…are on Chriſtians, 1 Cor. 7. 6. 10: 25: 35.
Forthly, againſt his Doctrine His Doctrine.there are diuerſe wayes of offending; as to receiue the grace of God in vaine, 2 Cor. 6. 1.
To turne this grace into wantonneſſe Iude 4.
To beguile or bee beguiled from the ſimplicity that is in Ieſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 11. 3.
To neglect our reconciliation Eſa. 5. 2. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 20.
To vſe our liberty for a cloake or …ccaſion for, Maliciouſneſſe, Gal. 5. 13. Licentiouſneſſe, 1 Pet: 2. 16.
Vnbeleife, an euill heart in departing from the liuing God, a ſoule that doth with draw: in whom the Lord ſaith his ſoule doth take no pleaſure, Ioh. 3. 18. 36. Heb. 3. 12. and 10. vlt.
Impenitency, Mark. 1. 15.
Apoſtacy, 1 From the truth, Heb. 6 4.
2 From the practice of godlineſſe, 2 Pet. 2. 29.
3 To the world from which we were redeemed, & had made an eſcape 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Demas his ſin 2 Tim. 4. 10.
The Prophaneſſe of Eſau, Heb. 12. 16. For one morſel of meat he ſold his birth-right.
Feare to confeſſe Chriſt, Mat. 10. 32. 33.
To liue without Chriſt and common with him, Epheſ. 2. 12.
To hauehave a forme but deny the the power of godlines, 2 Tim. 3. 6
To ſpeake euill of the good way of God Act. 9. 9.
To bee euer learning and neuer come to the knowledge of the truth 2 Tim. 3. 7.
To waxe worſe and worſe, 2. Tim. 3. 13.
Not to receiue the louelove of the truth, 2 Theſ. 2. 12.
Not to walk worthy our high calling, and Chriſt Ieſus that hath called vsus C…l. 1. 10 Epheſ. 4. 1, 2.
To ſleepe out the day of grace, and time of our viſitation, Luc. 19. 42. Heb. 3. 7, 8. Epheſ. 5. 14.
Fiftly, againſt his vertues of His virtue…life; ſo he ſinneth, that doth not imitate Chriſt in his praiſes, 1 Pet. 2 9. Mat. 11. 29. Sufferings, 1 Pet. 2 21. Heb. 12. 2.
Sixtly, againſt his ordinances, His ordinance, aswhether againſt any of them ſeuerally, or all of them ioyntly. Againſt any of them, as againſt prophecying or preaching, and ſo in the miniſter, it is ſinfull.
To preach with wiſedome ofPreaching words, 1 Cor. 2, 1.
To preach in an vnknowne tongue, or a ſtile that paſſeth the capacity of the auditory, 1 Cor. 14. 19, 28.
To preach of enuy, vaine-glory, or couetou…eſſe, 1 Theſ. 2. 5. 6. Phil. 1. 15, 16.
To runne before hee is ſent, and craſtily to creepe in vnawares, Ier. 23. 21. Iude 4.
To teach lyes in hypocriſie, and doctrines of deuils, and not to bring the doctrine of Chriſt, and God in him, 2 Tim. 4 1, 2, 3. 2 Ioh. 9, 10.
To daw be with vntempered morter, to propheſie viſions of peace, when there is no peace. To be women-Prophets, to ſew pillowes to all armeholes, with lyes to make the heart of the righteous ſad, whom God hath not made ſad; and to ſtrengthen the hands of the wicked, by promiſing him life: the miſapplying, and vnskilfull diuiding of the word of God, and true doctrine, Ezek. 13. 14, 16, 18, 22.
To be as a dumbe dogge that cannot barke, or will not barke, or hunts vp and downe for his couetouſneſſe, but wa…cheth not for ſoules, Eſa. 56. 10, 11. Phil. 2. 21. Heb. 13. 17.
Againſt preaching, in the hearer, it is ſinfull,
To deſpiſe prophecying, 1 Theſ. 5, 20.
Not to receiue Chriſts Miniſters, nor beleeue their report, Eſa. 5. 3, 1, Mat. 10, 14, 15.
To put it from them, Act. 13, 46. this is to iudge our ſelues vnworthy of euerlaſting lif….
To gaineſay, contradict, and blaſpheme Rom. 10, 21, Act. 13, 45.
To louelove the Miniſter the leſſe, by how much the more hee loueth them, and can ſpend, and be ſpent for them: and to reckon him their enemy, becauſe hee tels them the truth, 2 Cor. 12. 15. Gal. 4. 16.
To hauehave itching eares, that will indure ſound doctrine, but after their luſts, to heape to themſelues teachers, 2 Tim. 4, 3, 4.
To withſtand the paſſage of the Goſpell, and enuy the ſpread…ng of it, and to forbid preaching, 1 Theſ. 2, 16, Act. 13, 8, & 17, 5.
To receiue to houſe, or bid God ſpeed to him that bringeth not with him the doctrine of Chriſt, 2 Ioh. 10.
To neglect or forſake the aſſemblies of Chriſtians, Heb. 2. 3, & 10, 26.
Againſt hearing he offendeth,hearing.
That taketh not heed how he heareth, Mark. 4, 24. To this duty is required ſpeciall preparation.
That receiueth the word, as into the high way, or into ſtony ground, or among thorne…, Math. 13, 3, to 8. which is expounded in verſe 18, to 23. See the place.
That he…reth, but is forget…ull, and doth not practiſe, which is the beſt art of memory, Mat. 7, 26. Iam. 1, 23, 24.
That marreth his taſte with enuy, malice, guile, hypocriſies, euill-ſpeakings, and bringeth not the deſires of a babe newborne, 1 Pet. 2, 1, 2.
That humbleth not himſelfe at Gods feet to receiue his words, laying aſide all ſuperfluity of naughtineſſe, and receiuing it with meekeneſſe, Iam. 1, 21.
Againſt prayer in the Holy Prayer.Ghoſt: and ſo he ſinneth
That neglecteth the priuiledge purchaſed by Chriſt, who …y his bloud hath opened the …oly of holies, and made way to the Father, Heb. 10, 22.
That asketh, and wauereth, …am. 1, 6.
That asketh to ſpend on his luſts, Iam. 4, 3.
That in asking is weary and faint, not preſſing with holy importunity and perſeuerance, Luc. 18. 1, 2, 3, 4.
That prayeth, but not all manner of prayer nor watcheth thereto, Epheſ. 6. 18.
That is not much in asking, till his ioy be full, Ioh. 16, 24.
Againſt Baptiſme, and ſo heeBaptiſme. ſinneth
That is ignorant of the Father, Sonne and holy Ghoſt, of their louelove, grace and Communion into whoſe name hee was Baptiſed.
That beleeueth not the operation of God in that Sacrament. Rom. 4. 11.
That reſteth in the outward waſhing without the anſwer of a good conſcience, 1 Pet. 3. 18.
That liueth in ſinne. Rom. 6. 2, 3.The Lords Supper.
Againſt the Lords Supper: and ſo he offendeth;
That examineth not himſelf, nor iudgeth himſelfe before hee come, 1 Cor 11. 28: 31.
That diſcouereth o… hath any pride againſt the poore Saints, deſpiſing them, not t…rrying for them or any way breaking fellowſhip and communion, … Cor. 11. 20, 21, 22, 23. This is not to eate the Lords Supper,
That diſcerneth not the Lords body, 1 Cor. 11. 29. through ignorance or otherwiſe.
That neglecteth to receiue as oft as he may, 1 Cor. 11 26.
That commeth to the communion, and goeth to maſſe or hath any fellowſhip with Idole worſhip, 1 Cor. 10. 21. 22.
That come together for the worſe and not for the better, 1 Cor. 11. 17.
That eateth with leauen in his veſſell, 1 Cor. 5 7.
That come one hungry and another full, 1 Cor. 11. 21. 34.
That keepeth not a ſolemne, faithfull and feeling remembrance of Chriſt and his death for him, Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 25.
Againſt all of them it is aAll. ſinne,
For the man in the Aſſemblies to hauehave his ordinary cou…ring on his head 1 Cor. 11. 4.
For the woman in the aſſemblies to be without a couering, and to goe in her haire, 1 Cor. 11. 5 6. 7.
Theſe are the ſinnes againſt Chriſts ordinances.
Seuenthly, againſt his ſpirit it is ſinnefullHis ſpirit
To grieue the ſpirit, Epheſ. 4. 34.
To quench it in the motions thereof in our ſelues or others, 1 Theſ 5. 19.
To lye againſt it and tempt it, Act. 5. 3, 9. the ſinne of Ananias and Sapphira.
To ſet to ſaile, or offer to buy the gifts of the ſpirit, Act. 8. 13. the ſinne of S…mon Magus.
To deſpite the worke of it wilfully, Heb. 10. 26. the ſinne againſt the Holy Ghoſt,
Eightly, againſt his day His day ſo he ſinneth;
That reckoneth it other then the Lord Chriſt his day. Rev. 1. 10. Pſal. 118. 24.
Not to be a willing people, in the day of aſſembling of his armies in the beauty of holineſſe, Pſal. 110. 3.
Ninthly, againſt his Diſcipline His Diſcpline.where thoſe ſinnes are eminent;
The ſinne of Diotrephes that loued to hauehave the preheminence 3 Ioh 9.
The neglect of the excommunication of lewd brethren, … Cor. 5. 2.
To ſuffer a woman to preach Rev. 2. 20.
To ſuffer Heretikes, that hold falſe d…ctrine, Rev. 2. 14, 15. and to admit the doctrine and willes of Balaamitiſh ſeducers.
To lay hands ſuddenly on any, 1 Tim. 5 22.
To c…ſt out thoſe that tremble at Gods word, Eſa. 66. 5.
Thus of the ſinnes againſt Chriſt.… Againſt Chriſtians
2 Sinnes againſt Chriſtians are committed againſt them either conſidered as one body and members of that one body, or as ſet in priuate or ſeuerall eſtates.
Againſt Chriſtians conſidered as one body, there are theſe ſins,
Schiſme 1 Cor. 12. 25. and Factions, 1 Cor. 1. 12, 13.
Want of fellow feeling 1 Cor. 12. 26.
N…t improouing our gifts to their edification 1 Cor. 12. 7.
Not to thinke ſoberly and deale faithfully in our places & offices, according to the meaſure of gifts and graces beſtowed on vsus, Rom. 12. 3, 4, 5 6.
Not ſtriuing together for the faith of the Goſpel, endeauoring to be of one heart, iudgement, and minde, and to keepe the vnitie of the ſpirit in the bond of peace, Phil. 1 27. Epheſ. 4. 3.
Againſt Chriſtians as ſet in ſeuerall eſtates, he ſinneth
That deſpiſeth one of Chriſts little ones, Mat. 18. 6 10. Or layeth a ſtumbling blocke in his way.
That iudgeth this ſtrong brother in the vſe of his Chriſtian liberty, duplicate page duplicate page Rom. 14. 3.
That mixeth himſelfe and keepeth company with lewd & diſordered brethren 1 Cor. 5 11. 2 Theſ. 3. 14.
Theſe are the ſinnes againſt Chriſtians.
3 The third ſort of ſinnes againſt3 Againſt Chriſtian graces in vsus. as the Goſpell, are ſinnes againſt Chriſtian graces in vsus, ſuch are, 1 Faith, 2 Hope, 3 The louelove of the Godly, 4 Repentance, 5 The affections of godlineſſe.
Againſt Faith he offendeth;Faith
That beleeueth not in Chriſt, for his iuſtification and ſ…luation▪ Ioh 3. 17.
That examineth not himſelfe whether hee be in the faith or no. 2 Cor. 13 5.
That eſteem…th not of Chriſt aboue all, and of all things elſe as dro…fe, that hee may be found in him, Phil. 3. 8 9.
That negl…cteth aſſurance, Col. 2 2. 2 Pet. 1 9, 10.
That wants faith to hold out in Prayer, Luke 18. 1, 8.
That calleth in queſtion the louelove of God in Chriſt in time of affliction, fainting in himſelfe, Heb. 12. 2 3. Eſa 49. 15. and 40 27.
That bu…ldes not himſelfe on his moſt holy faith, Iude. 20.
That liues not by his faith on the Sonne of God, Gal. 2 20.
Againſt Hope he ſinneth;Hope.
That purifieth not himſelfe as Chriſt is pure, 1 Ioh. 3. 2.
That abuſeth the world placing his hopes below, 1 Cor. 7. 30. 31. 2 Cor. 4. 18.
That neglecteth the ſtudy of the promiſes that concerne our happ…neſſe in heauen.
That neglecteth preparation for death, Pſal. 49 Luke 12. 19. this is the foole.
That caſts away his confidence, Heb. 10 35.
That …eſts in the ſpiders webb of a preſumptuous hope, Iob 8. 14, 15. he is an Hypocrite;
That doth not his diligence to attaine and keepe the full aſſurance of hope vntounto the end, Heb. 6. 10.
Againſt louelove to the godly, itLoueLove. is a ſinne;
To hate the brethren, Caines ſpot, Ioh. 3. 12, 15.
To mocke them, Iſhmaels blot, Gal. 4. 29. Gen. 21. 9.
To deride the Infirmities of the Saints: Chams ſinne, Gen. 9. 22. 25.
To perſecute them, though we ſhould thinke wee did God ſeruice therein, Ioh. 16. 2.
To hauehave the faith of Chriſt with reſpect of perſons, Iam. 1. 1. 2.
In doing good, not to prefer the houſhold of faith, Gal. 6. 10.
To neglect the offices of louelove to Chriſt in his members, Mat. 25. 41. to. 46.
To offend the weake brother by the vſe of thy Chriſtian liberty, while it is left free, Rom. 14. 15.
To wound the conſciences of the weake 1 Cor. 8. 12.
To hauehave our charity waxe cold, Mat. 24. 12.
To ſeeke to helpe a brother fallen and not with the ſpirit of meekeneſſe, Gal. 6. 1.
To ſay I hauehave in vaine waſhed my hands in innocency becauſe the wicked proſper and the godly are plagued eueryevery morning, Pſal. 73. 13, 14, 15.
To forſake the publike aſſemblie and priuate fellowſhip of the Saints, or not to hold fellowſhip in the Goſpell, though wee otherwiſe hauehave fellowſhip, not conſidering one another, to prouoke vntounto louelove, and to good workes, Heb. 10 24. 25, Phil. 1. 5.
Againſt Repentance he ſinneth;Repentance.
That con…eſſeth not his ſins without hiding them, Pro. 28. 13. Pſal. 32. 34.
duplicate page duplicate page That mourneth not for ſins, Rom. 2. 3.
That forſaketh not his ſinnes, Pro. 28. 13.
That repents faignedly, Ier. 3. 10.
That repents deſperately, as Cain and Iudas.
That repents by holues and in ſome things onelyonly; as Ahab and Herod.
That repents too late as did Eſau. Iob. 27. 9. Pro. 1. 26. Heb. 12. 17.
That refuſeth to returne,
That wil not frame his doings to returne, Hoſ. 5. 4.
That falls into the ſame ſins after repentance, Hoſ. 14. 1, 4.
That falls away from his repentance quite 2 Pet. 2. 19, 20.
That clo…kes an Impenitent hart, which is done theſe wayes.
By reſting on the outward worke of religious duties. Mat. 3. 8, 9.
By reſting on priuiledges, Iohn 8. 33. 34.
By reſting on a pure profeſſion and aſſociation to virgin profeſſors, or reſpect vntounto or with ſome eminent Miniſter, Mat. 25. 1. 2. Ioh. 5. 46. and 9 29.
Againſt the affections of godlineſſe,The affections of godlineſſe. thus he ſinneth;
That loueth not the Lord Ieſus in ſincerity, Epheſ. 6. 24. 1 Cor. 16. 12.
That reſteth in the name that he is aliue, but yet is dead, Rev. 3. 1, 2.
That looſeth his firſt louelove, Rev. 2. 4.
That is neither cold nor hot, Rev. 3. 15.
That preſſeth not forwards but looketh backe to what hee hath attained as ſufficient. Phil. 3. 11. 13.
Theſe are the ſinnes againſt4 Againſt men that are not Chriſtians that liue by vsus. Chriſtian graces.
4 The fourth ſort are againſt not Chriſtian men that liue with vsus, or men without, to whom the report of our profeſſion commeth; here he ſinneth,
That ſpends himſelfe in iudging of them 1 Cor. 5. 12.
That forgets that gentleneſſe and meekeneſſe that ſhould be ſhewed to all, knowing what once we were, Tit. 3. 2, 3.
That walketh not wiſely to them that are without, Col. 4. 5.
That walketh ſcandalouſly or offenſiuely, 1 Cor. 10. 32.
That neglecteth thoſe things that in their eyes are winning, and may adorne his profeſſion. Tit. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 3. 2.
That neglecteth the ſtudy of thoſe things that will preſerue the honour of his perſon. Phil 4. 8.
Thus for our obedience in3 Rules about thy hope. which we abide with God as Chriſtians.
Moreouer, in aſmuch as, in our calling to be Chriſtians, our new birth entitleth vsus to the inheritance of heauen when wee dye, ſo that the Lord knoweth all ſuch for no leſſe then his ſons and heires in Chriſt, all the dayes of their life; That the Chriſtian may abide with God, hee muſt bee rightly ordered about his hope. And here
1 Thou muſt ſtudy the promiſesPſal. 119. 49. & 16. 9. 10. that concerne the glory of heauen, and the reſurrection of thy body at the laſt day: for hope is of good things to come, which God hath promiſed, and faith beleeued. Behold then the ſaluation promiſed, and pray that the Lord would open the eyes of thy vnderſtanding, to ſee the hope of thy calling, Eph. 1, 18. ſo ſhall thy hope of glory, cauſe exceeding ioyes, and admired patience in greateſt miſeries, when thou ſhalt vponupon wiſe computation conclude, that the ſufferi…gs of this preſent time are not worthy to bee compared with the glory that ſhall be reuealed in vsus, Rom. 8, 18. Ile giuegive you but a few places for taſte, for the glory of the reſurrection, 1 Cor. 15, 42, 43. Phil. 3, 21: for the glory of heauen, Ioh. 15. 24. Pſal. 16, 11. 1 Ioh. 3. 2.
2 Doe all diligence to the full aſſurance of hope vntounto the end, Heb. 6, 11. in the labours of louelove, miniſtring to the Saints out of that louelove wee beare to Chriſts name, verſe 10. and in ſetting before vsus the faith, patience, and good works of thoſe which now inherite the promiſe of heauen, verſe 12. The ground of a liuely and good hope, is Chriſt in vsus, Col. 1, 27. and wee may be aſſured our hope abuſeth vsus not, if it preſſe vsus to purifie our ſelues, as Chriſt is pure, 1 Ioh. 3, 3. Deſiring further conformity to his image; with, and through whom, we are heires of glory: and if it leaue vsus more humble in our ſelues, and more diligent in the vſe of the meanes of grace.
3 Forme in thee, frequent meditations of heauen, the louelove of Chriſts appearing, and the patient waiting for his comming. To theſe the Lord direct all our hearts, 2 Theſ. 3, 4.
In this manner abide with God, all thy life, mourning for thy failings, and preſſing on towards the marke, for the price of the high calling of God in Chriſt Ieſus.