Ten Sermons for the Worthy Receiving of the Lords Supper, Sermon 3

Ten Sermons for the Worthy Receiving of the Lords Supper · Sermon 3

p. 73The third Sermon of the Lords Supper.

ISAIAH. 1.

17 Learne to doe well: ſeeke iudgement: releeue the oppreſſed: iudge the fatherleſſe: and defend the widdowe.

18 Come now, and let vsus reaſon together, ſaith the Lord: though your ſins were as crimſon, they ſhall be made white as ſnowe: though they were red like skarlet, they ſhall bee as woll.

19 If yee conſent to obey, yee ſhall eate the good things of the Land.

LEarne to doe well.] Doct. 4 Hauing ſhewed them what they muſt not doe; All muſt be Chriſt his Scholers.Now hee proceedeth to declare what they muſt doe, and biddeth them doe well: and becauſe there was in them no fitneſſe hereunto, therefore he wiſheth them, to [Learne] to doe well. Whence the Doctrine is: that,

All godly, and penitent perſons, while they liue in this world, muſt alwaies be learning to doe well: and apply their minds to know, what duties of religion, and of righteouſneſſe they ought to performe, and in what manner they muſt be performed.

So ſaith our Sauiour, Take my yoke vponupon you, Math. 11.29.Matt 11:29and learne of mee, &c. For I am meeke, and lowly in heart, and yee ſhall finde reſt vntounto your ſoules. As if he ſhould hauehave ſaid: If any take vp my yoke, and continue not to be a learner, from my word, how to beare the ſame, either hee himſelfe will be wearie of it, or others will perſwade him to take vp the diuels yoke, or mens p. 74yoke: (which is much at one: for they are both of one ſide) therefore learne of me, (ſaith Chriſt.) And that they might the ſooner be drawne thereunto, hee remoues the reaſons that might diſcourage them. Obiect. For they might thinke, Oh I am ſo full of corruption, and my nature is ſo ouergrowne, and ouerrunne with ſinne and iniquitie, that if I ſhould come vntounto Chriſt Ieſus who is perfectly holie, and righteous, hee could not but be angrie with me, and ſharpely chide and rebuke me: Nay, Anſwer. ſaith Chriſt, you need not feare that, for I am mecke, and therefore not ſo prone and ready to fall out with men that hauehave corruption, and are wearie of it, as you imagine.

Another might ſay: Obiect. but alas I am ſo blockiſh, and ignorant, that if I ſhould come to bee inſtructed, Chriſt Ieſus would deſpiſe me.

For the anſwering of that obiection, Anſ. he ſaith, that he is lowlie in heart: and the propertie of thoſe that are lowly, is, neuer to contemne any for their defects and imperfections; but rather, to pittie them, and helpe them: and therefore they may boldly hauehave recourſe vntounto ſuch a teacher as our Sauiour is, and expect to bee ſtill further informed by him in all the waies of godlineſſe and righteouſnes.

In this regard, Math. 10.42. Iohn 15.8.Matt 10:42John 15:8Chriſtians are called Chriſts diſciples, which ſignifieth nothing elſe, but to bee Chriſt his Scholers. And it is giuen as a note and brand of a forlorne and deſperate wicked perſon, Pſal. 36.3.Ps 36:3that hee hath left off to vnderſtand to doe good. And on the contrarie, it is ſet downe as an euident ſigne of a maruellous ſanctified and holy man, to acknowledge ſtill that hee knoweth but in part: that hee knoweth nothing as hee ought to doe: and to cry out, 1. Cor. 13 9. 1 Cor. 8.2. Pſalm. 19.12. Pſal. 119.33.1 Cor 13:91 Cor 8:2Ps 19:12Ps 119:33who knoweth the errors of this life? clenſe mee from my ſecret ſinnes. Teach mee O Lord the waie of thy ſtatutes, and I will keepe it vntounto the end: with many the like requeſts. And it muſt needs bee ſo; that they that are truely conuerted, and in any good meaſure acquainted with their owne hearts, ſhould be thus inſtant to be ſtill further directed and taught.

Firſt, Reaſons. becauſe they perceiue the darkeneſſe that doth naturally ouer-ſpread their minds; 1and that thoſe which hauehave moſt light, The mind is blind, the hart deceitfull.hauehave very little in compariſon of that they ſhould hauehave, and might hauehave had, if they had conſtantly, and conſcionablie p. 75imploied themſelues in the vſe of the meanes which they hauehave enioied. They know well inough, how readie their fleſhlie hearts are to deceiue them, vnleſſe they goe often to God by feruent praier, and to men by holy conference to bee directed in the right path wherein they ſhould walke. And this makes them ſo deſirous of ſome vnderſtanding. They wiſely conſider, that the drift, and whole ſcope of all their actions, ſhould be to pleaſe the Lord, and therefore they would moſt willingly bee informed what his good will and pleaſure is in euerie thing.

2 Secondly, hee hath commanded them to grow in grace, 2and in the knowledge of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. 1. Pet. 3.18.1 Pet 3:18There is no further growth in faith, or in any other grace then there is in knowledge. A man may know more then hee beleeueth; but hee can neuer beleeue more then hee knoweth. True knowledge is as it were the chiefe wheele in a clocke, that draweth all the reſt of Gods graces after it: and if that ſtand ſtill, all the reſt muſt needes ſtand ſtill with it. And therefore it was, that Dauid praied ſo often, and ſo earneſtly, Pſal. 119.Ps 119Teach mee thy ſtatutes: open my eies that I may ſee the wonders of thy Law: &c. Why? (might ſome ſay) was not the Prophet wel taught, when hee was a teacher of others, and one of the holy men of God, whom the ſpirit vſed as an inſtrument to penne a great part of the Scripture? Yes ſurely, few were better inſtructed then he was: yet he found ſuch great blindneſſe of minde, and deceitfulneſſe of heart ſtill, when he came to matters of practiſe, that hee neuer ceaſeth crying for more vnderſtanding of heauenly things. As alſo the wiſe man exhorteth, to call for knowledge, to ſeek her as ſiluer, Prou. 2.3.4.Prov 2:3Prov 2:4and to ſearch for her as for treaſures. That as couetous men neuer thinke they hauehave gold and ſiluer enough: ſo Chriſtians muſt neuer thinke they hauehave heauenly wiſedome enough, 1. Cor. 14.1.1 Cor 14:1but ſtill couet more and more after ſpirituall things.

1 Heere are thoſe ſharpely to bee reproued, Vſe. 1 and much to be condemned, who are too too well conceited of themſelues, and of their owne wits: that will bragge and boaſt, that they are not ſo ſimple, but they know well enough how to ſerue God, and to doe the duties that pertaine to them in their p. 76families: they hauehave not beene ſo many yeeres maried, nor liued ſo long in the world, but they know ſufficiently without teaching, what belongeth to the dutie of an husband, of a father, Note. of a maſter, and all other things that a Chriſtian man ſhould know. Theſe fooliſh men in ſaying thus, doe little conſider what they ſpeake againſt themſelues: and how farre they diſcouer their own nakedneſſe hereby they make it apparant, that they hauehave in them no Chriſtianitie at all: for what? are they wiſer then all the Prophets, and righteous men that liued in ancient times? they ſaw and acknowledged their great want of the vnderſtanding of holy things: and that not for modeſties ſake, 1. Sam. 1.11.13.14.1 Sam 1:111 Sam 1:131 Sam 1:14but they and others rued it, and felt the ſmart of their defects that way. How foulely was Eli ouertaken through ignorance, in cenſuring, & condemning good Hannah for drunkennes, when ſhee was powring out her ſoule before the Lord, becauſe ſhee moued her lips onelyonly, and vttered no words in his hearing, but ſpake in her heart vntounto God? And the like might be ſaid of many indiſcreete ſpeeches, & actions of the diſciples of Chriſt, before the reſurrection, and till they had receiued the ſpirit of vnderſtanding in a more plentifull meaſure.Want of wiſdome.

And to come more particularly to our ſelues: who hath that wiſedome that he ſhould, hauehave to make his vſe of proſperity, or aduerſitie? to profit by Gods hand in merciemercy or in iudgement, vponupon our ſelues, or others? nay, who hath attained to that ſoundneſſe of iudgement, as to vnderſtand the Scriptures ſo well as hee ſhould when hee readeth them, or heareth them read by others? or (which is a farre eaſier matter) to make a right vſe of them in applying them to his own ſoule, when they are plainely and ſoundly preached, and expounded vntounto him? he that thinketh that hee knoweth any thing fully and perfectly in theſe matters, let him be aſſured that hee knoweth nothing as yet, Prouerb.as hee ought to know: and as for him that is wiſe in his owne conceite, there is more hope of a foole then of him. For a naturall foole, though hee bee not capable of inſtruction, and aduiſe, yet by the whip may bee kept within ſome compaſſe: Prouer. 27.22.Prov 27:22but nothing will be auaileable with a conceited foole. Though thou ſhouldeſt bray him in a morter (as the wiſeman ſpeaketh) among wheate braied with a p… ſtell p. 77yet will not his fooliſhnes depart from him,: you may ſooner driue his ſoule out of his body, then you can driue folly out of his ſoule.

This is for our inſtruction: Vſe. 2 that if wee would carry the name of Chriſtians, and be ſuch indeed, then we muſt learne our dutie, to the intent we may doe it; and eueryevery one ſtriue principally to know what hee himſelfe ſhould bee. Many labour to ſpeake well, and to hauehave words of diſcourſe: but let vsus learne to [doe] well: which if we endeuour to doe, then:

Thirdly, here is matter of great conſolation for vsus: Vſe 3 for hereby we may gather good aſſurance vntounto our owne hearts, of the ſoundnes of our repentance, and conuerſion vntounto the Lord: this beeing here in the text ſet downe as an infallible note, of thoſe that hauehave indeede turned from their euill waies to ſerue the liuing God, that they learne to doe well. Propoſing of good queſtions.Therefore they may take this for their comfort, who are ſtill propoſing of good queſtions, what they muſt doe, and how they muſt do it? by what meanes they may get out of this or that ſinne, and attaine to ſuch or ſuch a grace? how they may be moſt profitable, helpefull and comfortable to themſelues and others? this was the practiſe of the Publicans and fouldiers, and of all ſortes that were inwardlie touched in their conſciences by the preaching of Iohn Baptiſt: Luke 3.Luke 3eueryevery one of them came vntounto him, ſaying, what muſt we do? & of the Gayler, who when once he began to be humbled, came trembling, and fell downe before Paul and Silas, ſaying, Sirs, Act. 16.29.30.Acts 16:29Acts 16:30what must I doe to be ſaued? for howſoeuer Gods ſeruants hauehave learned for the moſt part, what things in generall muſt be done, yet ſtill they hauehave many ſcruples and doubts in their conſciences: as, whether ſuch and ſuch things come within the compaſſe of their callings? what warrant there is for it in the word? whether it may be done at ſuch a time, in ſuch a place, before, with or amongſt ſuch perſons? what circumſtances they muſt obſerue in their proceeding? what affection they muſt carie in the matter; and the like. For they finde ſuch a Sea of hypocriſie and pride in their hearts, that they thinke they are neuer ſufficientlie furniſhed with wiſdome and goodneſſe for the performance of holy duties, but are ſtill icalous and ſuſpicious p. 78of themſelues, leſt they ſhould be led aſide with byreſpects.

Howſoeuer ſuch men and women thinke, and ſpeake hardlie of themſelues, and are ſtill bewailing their manifold imperfections, and failings in eueryevery good exerciſe, yet the Miniſters of God, Note. finde, that of all others, they are the worthieſt hearers, and practiſers, and receiuers of the Sacrament. Manie count them learned Chriſtians, that hauehave gotten ſuch knowledge, as that they can ſay much: but they are in truth the beſt learned, that hauehave obtained grace to doe much: according to the exhortation of the Prophet in this place, Learne to doe well.

[Seeke iudgement.] Now becauſe men will very eaſily ſhift off generall precepts, hee contenteth not himſelfe with the former exhortation, but as hee had bidden them to doe well, ſo here hee commeth to particulars, and ſheweth them wherein their chiefe and ſpeciall care and endeauour ſhould bee to doe well, Seeke iudgement, &c. Hee had before charged them, that their hands were full of blood: and that their great men, and men of authoritie were notable oppreſſors and ſpoilers of their brethren, and neighbours that were meaner then themſelues: following after rewards, and not iudgeing the fatherleſſe and the widowe, nor ſuffering them to hauehave equitie according to the goodnes of their cauſe: but rather abuſing their authoritie to the hurt of the good, and to the maintenance of the bad, in their lewd and ſinfull practiſes. If honeſt men had neuer ſo good a cauſe, and neuer ſo good a conſcience, yet if they brought them no bribes, they were likely to goe by the worſt: and if ſinnefull and wretched perſons had neuer ſo ill a cauſe, yet if they preſented them with great gifts, they ſhould carie it from all others. Now the Prophets purpoſe being to bring theſe men to repentance, hee ſaith, Seeke iudgement, that is, Search diligently, what ought to bee done according to your places; and when you know it, ſee that that you practiſe it. Whence ariſeth this point: that,

It is a note of true repentance, Doct. 5 and of an honeſt and ſincere heart, to diſcharge the duties that belong vntounto vsus in our places p. 79and callings. For looke what is here ſaid of Magiſtrates, Euerie one muſt doe his owne dutie.and men of higher places, that if they would manifeſt the ſoundneſſe of their repentance, and the vprightneſſe of their hearts, they ſhould leaue off their oppreſſion, and fall to equall dealing betwixt man and man: the like holds in all other callings, and among men of all ſorts and degrees, to wit, that they put to their vtmoſt endeauour, to finde out what are the works of that vocation wherein God hath ſet them, and accordingly to doe the ſame, reforming the ſpeciall things, wherein they hauehave faulted heretofore.

This Iob ſets downe as a marke, that hee was no hypocrite, (though his friends iniuriouſly charged him to be ſuch a one) becauſe hee was carefull of thoſe good duties that did pertaine to him in his place, both as hee was a Magiſtrate, and as hee was a rich man; in both which reſpects, hee ſhewed all good faithfulnes; for as hee was a Magiſtrate, hee ſaith, I releeued the poore that cried, and him that had none to helpe him. Iob 29.12.Job 29:12The bleſſing of him that was readie to periſh, came vponupon mee, and I cauſed the widowes heart to reioice: I put on iuſtice, and it couered mee: my iudgement was a robe and a crowne, &c. Neither would hee ſhift off matters to eaſe himſelfe, and to free himſelfe from paines and troubles; but (ſaith hee) If I knew not the cauſe, I would ſearch it out diligently: and though the pray were in their hands, nay, as it were in the mouthes of thoſe that were ſtrong, and fierce as Lyons: Yet he ſaith, that hee would breake theiawes of the vnrighteous man, and plucke the pray out of his teeth. Hee would aduenture himſelfe for the innocent in a righteous cauſe, though it were with as great danger, as for a man to pull the pray out of the iawes of ſome hungrie and ſauage wild beaſt, that would be ready to deuoure any that ſhould come neere him.

Then as hee was a rich man, Iob. 29. Iob 31.16.Job 29Job 31:16hee ſheweth that hee diſpoſed his wealth to that end which God had appointed. I was (ſaith hee) a father vntounto the poore. I reſtrained him not of his deſire, nor cauſed the eies of the widowe to faile. I did not eate my morſels alone, but the fatherleſſe did eate thereof. And from his youth hee grew vp with mee, as with a father, &c. I ſawe none periſh for want of clothing, nor any poore without couering: p. 80but their loines bleſſed me, becauſe they were warmed with the fleece of my ſheepe.

Further, that this faithfulneſſe in a mans owne calling, is a notable teſtimony of an honeſt heart, and of a good conſcience, it appeareth by the ſpeech of our Sauiour, where he approueth himſelfe, and his actions vntounto his father, ſaying, Father, Iohn 17.4.John 17:4I hauehave glorified thee on the earth: how prooues hee that? I hauehave finiſhed the worke which thou gaueſt me to doe. Many times men ſet vponupon workes which God neuer commanded them to doe, but which their owne fleſh, and Satan bade them do: or if they begin to goe about good workes that the Lord commandeth, they doe not goe thorow with the ſame, as Chriſt Ieſus did: and therefore they neither bring glorie to Gods name, nor comfort vntounto themſelues by that which they doe: but this is it indeed that will ſtand men in ſteede, when they ſhall come to make their accounts before the Lords iudgement ſeate, if they can truely ſay, Lord I hauehave done the worke that thou didſt appoint mee; I hauehave beene exerciſed in thoſe buſineſſes and affaires which thou diddeſt enioyne me, & hauehave gone thorow with the ſame. So, when the Lord Chriſt Ieſus would commend a worthy ſeruant; what is the commendation that hee hath giuen him? Matth. 25.Matt 25that hee hath faithfully imploied thoſe talents and gifts, that his maſter committed vntounto his truſt, 1. Cor. 4.2.1 Cor 4:2vntounto his beſt aduantage. And this (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) is required of diſpoſers, that euerie one be found faithfull: That is, that they diſcharge eueryevery one the duties that pertaine vntounto them in their places, withall due care, and conſcionable regard.

This ſerues for the iuſt reproofe of thoſe that make ſome ſhew of Chriſtianitie, Vſe 1 and would faine goe vnderunder the name and number of ſound profeſſors of the Goſpell, and yet are moſt vnfaithfull in their owne charges. Many are good neighbours abroad, but bad gonernors at home. They can aduiſe others for the beſt, but they hauehave no care at all to order their owne families in the feare of God. Many husbands are kind and courteous abroad, but churliſh and vnmercifull to their yoke-fellowes: and to their Children and ſeruants at home. Many wiues will ſeeme religious, who yet are not helps in their familie, p. 81obedient to their husbands, fearing to offend them: nor ſeeking in all good and lawfull things to content and pleaſe them. Such maſters, and husbands, and wiues, can hauehave little comfort of their faithfulneſſe, when they faile moſt in thoſe things, wherein the power of godlineſſe ſhould moſt ſhew it ſelfe; namely in diſcharging a good conſcience where they are tied ſo to doe by the neereſt and ſtrongeſt bonds.

And this is a great fault in diuers ſeruants, who when they hauehave gotten a little knowledge of religon, and can diſcourſe of ſome points thereof, begin to thinke that then they hauehave a diſpenſation to be idle and ſlothfull: headſtrong, and maſterfull, teſtie and impatient when they are told of their faults, and the like. Oh this is a wofull vſe that they make of their reading, and hearing the word of God: Titus 2.9.10.Titus 2:9Titus 2:10if they had well obſerued that which moſt concernes them, they ſhould hauehave found that the Lord commandeth ſeruants, to pleaſe their maſters in all things, not anſwering againe, and to ſhew all good faithfulneſſe, that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things. Epheſ. 6.5.Eph 6:5And againe, Seruants bee obedient vntounto them, that are your maſters according to the fleſh, with feare, and trembling, in ſinglenes of your hearts, as vntounto Chriſt. And no leſſe effectuall is that other place of Paul to Timothie. Let as many ſeruants as are vnderunder the yoke, count their maſters worthy of all honour, 1. Tim. 6.1.2.1 Tim 6:11 Tim 6:2that the name of God, and his doctrine be not euill ſpoken off. And they that hauehave beleeuing maſters, let them not despiſe them, becauſe they are brethren, but rather doe ſeruice, becauſe they are faithfull and beloued, and partakers of the benefit. And that was a thing worthy ſingular commendation in Iacob, that hee ſerued Laban (though a couetous, Gen. 31.6.40.Gen 31:6Gen 31:40deceirfull and hard maſter) with all his might. Being in the day conſumed with heate, and with froſt in the night, his ſleepe alſo departing from his eies. And therefore thoſe ſeruants are much to bee blamed, that make religion an occaſion of their vnfaithfulneſſe, which, by how much it is more thorowly and deepely rooted and ſetled in the hearts of any, ſhould, and will make them more true and truſtie; more conſcionable and fathfull to their rulers, and gouernours. And the like may bee ſaid of children, what gifts of knowledge, and ſpeech ſoeuer they hauehave, they can hauehave no comfort of the p. 82ſame, vnleſſe they giuegive all honour and reuerence, and ſhew all dutie and obedience vntounto their parents, as the Lord commandeth them.

This may be an inſtruction vntounto vsus. Vſe. 2 Would wee be Chriſts ſcholers? then the firſt letter and leſſon that wee muſt learne is, to doe well in our places. Are wee children? let vsus labour by ſearching of the Scriptures to know our duties, and to doe them. Are wee ſeruants? let vsus get vnderſtanding of the things that doe moſt concerne vsus in our places, and let our practiſe bee anſwerable to our profeſſion, and then wee ſhall ſhew our ſelues to bee truely religious indeed. And the ſame exhortation might bee giuen to all others in their ſeuerall vocations: which if wee can follow, whatſoeuer our callings be, wee ſerue the Lord Chriſt in them, and ſhall be ſure of full reward from him. Oh but my calling is meane, and my ſeruice baſe. Though your worke be baſe, yet it is not a baſe thing to ſerue ſuch a maſter in it. Note. They are the moſt worthy ſeruants, whatſoeuer their imploiment bee, that do with moſt conſcionable, and dutifull hearts and minds, ſerue the Lord, where hee hath placed them, and in thoſe works, which hee hath allotted vntounto them.

[Releeue the oppreſſed.] Hauing in the former words ſhewed them that they muſt doe that which is iuſt, and right: hee cōmeth now more particularly to declare vntounto them wherein that conſiſteth, namely in ſhewing mercy to ſuch as are in miſery: and in being meanes of comfort vntounto them, that are in diſcomfor, tand griefe of heart. Whence this doctrine may be collected: that,

It is a moſt acceptable ſeruice vntounto the Lord, Doct. 6 to comfort and releeue his people when they are in miſerie and diſtreſſe.Mercy to the afflicted an excellent ſeruice. Pſal 41.1.Ps 41:1

This is a worke ſo well pleaſing vntounto God, that hee pronounceth him happy and bleſſed that conſidereth wiſely, and iudgeth charitably of the poore and needy: though they hauehave no abilitie to helpe them, nor to direct and counſell them; yet if they can but prudently and mercifully conſider with themſelues, ſurely this man or woman, hauehave caried themſelues ſo holily and blameleſly, that this ſtroke is not fallen vponupon them for their wickedneſſe, nor for their fooliſhneſſe, p. 83but for their good and comfort; as in the end it will appeare. This merciful iudgement and cenſure concerning thoſe that hauehave many and ſtrange, and heauy croſſes lying vponupon them, is a thing that God much regardeth, and recompenceth in all that are ſo affected towards his poore diſtreſſed ſeruants. This alſo the Apoſtle Iames yeeldeth as an vndoubted marke of true religion, ſaying, Pure religion, Iam. 1.27.Jas 1:27and vndefiled before God, euen the father, is this, to viſit the fatherleſſe, and widowes in their aduerſitie, and to keepe himſelfe vnſpotted of the world. His meaning is not, that it is religion it ſelfe (for it is a thing belonging to the firſt table) but a ſigne of the ſame, when our faith in God, and louelove vntounto God, maketh vsus pitifull and liberall towards the children and Saints of God, and ſuch as he would hauehave reſpected and relieued.

So, at the great and generall day of iudgement, when all the world ſhal come to receiue ſentence according to their works, whether good or euill, what is the matter of commendation that is giuen to the elect, and the moſt euident marke of difference betweene the ſheepe and the goates? euen this, Mat. 15.35.Matt 15:35that they deſired to doe good, not in ſome one or two, or in ſome fewe, but in eueryevery worke of merciemercy, and of charitie. That they fedde the hungry, gaue drinke vntounto the thirſty, clothed the naked, viſited he ſicke and impriſoned. And on the other ſide, the reprobate ſhall not be charged ſo much that they did hurt, as that they did not the good that they might hauehave done vntounto poore Chriſtians in their wants and miſeries.

And further, Reaſon. this ſheweth it to be an excellent ſeruice for one to ſtretch forth his hand in relieuing the needie, and in ſuccouring diſtreſſed ſoules, that whatſoeuer kindneſſe is done to the leaſt of them, Chriſt ſets it on his ſcore, and counts it as done vntounto himſelfe, and hee will acknowledge it, and reward it, both in this preſent life, and in that which is to come.

EueryEvery one will come to this, that if Chriſt Ieſus ſhould repaire vntounto their houſes hungry, or thirſtie, or cold, or naked, they would with all their hearts part with any thing they hauehave to refreſh and releeue him: let ſuch heare then what Chriſt himſelfe ſaith to them that ſhew merciemercy to the poore Saints. p. 84In as much therefore as yee hauehave done it to one of the leaſt of theſe my brethren yee hauehave done it vntounto mee.

Which is firſt for the great condemnation of them that do altogether ſhut vp their bowels of compaſſion from Gods children in their ſorrowes, Vſe 1 and temptations, and afflictions. Whoſoeuer hath this worlds good, 1. Iohn 3.17.1 John 3:17and ſeeth his brother hauehave need, (ſaith the Apoſtle Iohn) and ſhutteth vp his compaſſion from him, how dwelleth the louelove of God in him? This goeth ſore againſt ſuch; in not louing his children, they proclaime vntounto all the world, that they louelove not God himſelfe, and therefore are not beloued of him: and if it be ſo with thoſe that doe not make manifeſt their louelove by ſhewing merciemercy; what ſhall wee thinke of thoſe that are ſo farre from pitying, and releeuing the diſtreſſed; that they are readie to adde affliction to the afflicted. It's iuſt vponupon you, (ſay they) your indiſcretion and want of wiſedome; in that you made more ado then needs, and would bee more preciſe then wiſe, and more forward then your neighbours, &c. hath brought you to all this woe and miſerie. This is cruell and vnmercifull dealing: if they would do them no good, they ſhould do them no hurt. Yet this was the caſe of Iob and of Dauid in their great calamities and perplexities: and wee may reade of the lamentable complaints that both of them made in that reſpect. If it be a marke of a damnable perſon to withold merciemercy from the ſorrowfull and heauie hearted, then what ſhall become of them that lay heauie burdens on thoſe that are preſſed downe too low before? if there ſhall bee iudgement without merciemercy, to them that ſhew no merciemercy, much more fearefull ſhall their ſtate bee that are ſo full of crueltie towards them whom the Lord ſo tenderly reſpecteth?

Here is a ſingular comfort for Gods children, Ʋſe 2 that are in many wants and neceſſities: ſo long as there is any godly man or woman that will doe any thing for Chriſt his ſake, and for their owne comforts ſake, they ſhall not bee deſtitute of reliefe. For God hath commanded his ſeruants to ſuccour them, and hath made many gracious promiſes to ſuch as are mercifull, and will beare the burdens of others. And if men ſhould faile them, the Lord himſelfe will looke vntounto them; p. 85who beholds their troubles, and ſees their teares, and is acquainted with all their griefes. And hee that bids others to be mercifull, will not be vnmercifull himſelfe. And therefore it is, that men doe denie vsus helpe and comfort many times, becauſe God would hauehave vsus draw neerer vntounto him; whoſe eies are euer vponupon vsus, Note. and whoſe eares are alwaies open to heare the cries of the poore, and of thoſe that are humbled before him.

Therefore let the Saints of God make full reckoning that one way, Pſal. 72.Ps 72or other they ſhall be prouided for; if men will not, God will. OnelyOnly let them bee ſure that they bee found in the number of thoſe that be humble in ſpirit, and broken in heart, for to ſuch alone doe the mercies of God appertaine. If one bee a gamſter, or an vnthrift, a riotous perſon or a drunkard, or giuen out to any ſuch reproachfull vice: or if there bee any that will not take paines to get their liuing, by diligence and labour in their honeſt calling, but giuegive themſelues to idleneſſe and ſluggiſhneſſe, God himſelfe will not (in mercy at leaſt) and his children muſt releeue ſuch kind of perſons: Hee that will not labour, muſt not eat: 2. Theſ. 3.10.2 Thess 3:10and the beſt almes for ſuch is, to giuegive them nurture and correction, that they may deſiſt from their lewd behauiour, and betake themſelues to better courſes,

18 [Come now, let vsus reaſon together.] Heere the Prophet is about to meete with an obiection that they might make. It's long ere men bee brought to the ſight of their ſinnes: but when they come once to perceiue the multitude, and grieuouſneſſe of them, they begin to thinke their caſe remediles, and that it is in vaine to hope for pardon: But God bids them make no ſuch concluſions, and therefore he ſaith, [Come now, let vsus reaſon together:] which is in effect, as if he ſhould hauehave ſaid, If you hearken what the diuell and the fleſh can ſay, that will rather make you diſpaire, then beleeue: and therefore heare you withall what I can ſay, which if wee could doe, we ſhould eaſilie ſee that the arguments of Satan, and of our owne wretched carnall reaſon, are but deluſions, and that Gods arguments will ſwallow them vp all, euen as Moſes true Serpent did the Serpents of the ſorcerers. Hence wee may learne this doctrine: that,

p. 86They that will come to the Lord, Doct. 7 God is to bee heard before any.and doe him ſeruice, muſt not hearken what reaſons fleſh and blood can yeeld them againſt it, but what reaſons God can giuegive them for it.

The diuell will hauehave much to ſay againſt goodneſſe; and our owne fleſhlie wiſdome will hauehave as much: and the world will bee as great a pull-backe vntounto vsus, if wee will giuegive it the hearing: but if wee can lend an attentiue eare vntounto the Lord, wee ſhall finde that he will bring better arguments to perſwade vsus to goodneſſe, then all thoſe our enemies can, to diſwade vsus from it. And therefore it is that men are ſo often, and ſo groſlie deceiued, becauſe they heare what the one ſide can ſay to diſcourage and hinder them: but not what the other can ſay, to hearten and draw them onward in good waies. For if they did bring a ſpirituall eare to receiue the proofes that are brought from the word, they would bee mroe forcible to bring them to God, then all other meanes could bee to allure them to forſake God, and to embrace this preſent world. Therefore when the Lord would hauehave men to practiſe any dutie, or to forbeare any ſinne, wee ſee what ſtrong reaſons he bringeth for that purpoſe: as is euident (together with innumerable other places) in the ſecond and in the fourth commandement. And thence it is, that men doe ſo commonly and ſo wretchedly tranſgreſſe thoſe commandements, becauſe they doe not well weigh the Lords reaſons to the contrarie: for if they did, they would neuer incline ſo much to ſuperſtition, and Idolatrie: nor euer ſo giuegive themſelues to the prophaning of the Lords day, but know that it is farre better to procure Gods bleſſing by keeping it, then his curſe and vengeance by the violating of it.

Holy Iob (wee ſee) tooke that courſe that the Lord would hauehave vsus take for the repreſſing of all inordinate luſts and affections. Iob. 31.1.Job 31:1I made (ſaith hee) a couenant with my eies; why then ſhould I thinke on a maide? A carnall ſinfull man would hauehave thought this too much curioſitie and niceneſſe: What? not to looke on the beautie and comely viſage of a woman? at leaſt not to take ſome libertie for thoughts tending that way? it's too too much preciſeneſſe: who can take any notice of ſuch things in vsus? 2Oh (ſaith Iob) What portion ſhould I hauehave of God p. 87from aboue? and what inheritance from the almightie from on high? q: d: I durſt not giuegive way vntounto the fleſh in any ſort, for that were the directeſt courſe to depriue my ſelfe of the comforts of the word and ſpirit heere, and of the crowne of happineſſe, which is reſerued for the Saints in the world to come. Albeit I ſhould ſpeed little the worſe with men, yet I ſhould bee ſure to come ſhort of many ſpeciall fauours and bleſſings of the Lord. And further hee addeth: Is not deſtruction to the wicked? 3and ſtrange puniſhments to the workers of iniquitie? q. d. Suppoſe I ſhould eſcape the cenſures of men, yet hath not the Lord meanes that I cannot conceiue of, for the puniſhment of rebellious ſinners: and though things may be ſmoothered for a time, cannot be bring ſecret ſinnes to open ſhame? grant that it be kept cloſe from the eies of the world, yet doth not hee behold my waies, and tell all my ſteps? though the eies of men take a view onelyonly of the outward actions, yet he looketh vponupon the inward diſpoſition, and affection of the heart; theſe and the like reaſons he vſed to keepe himſelfe in order, and to fright his conſcience from all manner of ſinne and impietie, as is more fully deſcribed vntounto vsus in that Chapter.

And good reaſon there is, Reaſon. why wee ſhould eſteeme Gods arguments aboue any other, becauſe hee is wiſdome it ſelfe, and therefore ſeeth what is beſt for vsus; and hee is louelove it ſelfe, and therefore will direct vsus in the way, which ſhall appeare to be moſt ſafe and moſt comfortable in the end, what ſtumbling blocks and rubs ſoeuer wee finde therein for a ſeaſon.

The diuell, the world, and the fleſh bring onelyonly ſhewes of reaſon, & pretend louelove vntounto vsus, when they mean nothing leſſe as the euent will plainly manifeſt: but Gods reaſons will hold out when they are waied in the ballance, and what hee ſaith ſhall ſtand when heauen and earth ſhall fall: and if wee take thoſe courſes that he would hauehave vsus, wee ſhall plainely perceiue at laſt, that hee meant vsus more good in ſo aduiſing vsus, then wee could poſſible thinke or imagine.

This ſheweth and condemneth their follie, who, Vſe. 1 when they hauehave motions or perſwaſions to vndertake any good thing, or any purpoſe to become more ſober and ſtaied in their cariage p. 88and courſe of life, will firſt heare what their carnall friends can ſay, and what the world, and their owne fleſh can alleage to the contrarie. Alas theſe men are more likely a great deale to renounce all goodneſſe then to continue in the practiſe of any godlineſſe. If once they giuegive care to the reaſons of the deuill, and of the fleſh, they are gone. For as the perſwaſions of God, by his word and ſpirit ſhould make vsus begin, ſo muſt they cauſe vsus to hold on, or elſe wee ſhould faint in the midde way, or rather turne aſide, and walke in a quite contrarie way.

And as this is true in generall for the profeſſion of Chriſtianitie, ſo is it as true in all particular duties; as to giuegive inſtance in ſome: thoſe that hauehave to deale in matters of ſtrife and contention, for the moſt part, are poſſeſt with this conceit, that if they ſhould not anſwer like for like, and returne one diſgracefull ſpeech for another, and requite one iniurious action with another, euerie one would in a ſhort time grow bold with them, and be ready to wrong and abuſe them. But where doth God ſay ſo? Nay the very truth is, that when they ſeeke by ſuch meanes to right themſelues, and by ſuch ſhield, Note. to defend themſelues, and to repell their aduerſaries, whereas they had men onelyonly againſt them before, now they hauehave three for one againſt them: to wit, God and men and their owne conſciences: whereas if they would follow Chriſt his rule, Mat. 5.44.Matt 5:44to bleſſe thoſe that curſe them, and to doe good to thoſe that hate them, and to pray for thoſe that hurt and perſecute them, and ſo ouercome euill with goodneſſe, they ſhould certainlie hauehave the Lord, and their owne conſciences on their ſide, and it may be alſo make their foes to become their friends by that meanes. Rom. 12.20.Rom 12:20For the wiſedome of God telleth vsus, that this is the way to heape coales of fire vponupon their heads: which ſhall either melt them, and turne their affection to vsus: or burne them, and leaue them more inexcuſeable before God, and their owne conſciences, and ſo haſten his iudgements vponupon them. If men can be patient, and content to ſit downe by wrongs offered, God will ſtand for them, and reuenge the quarell of the meeke; and that which men thinke will be the readie way to drawe infinite troubles vponupon their owne heads, and vtterly p. 77to vndoe them, we ſhall finde to be the directeſt path that leadeth vntounto peace, and quietnes, and that courſe which will indeede make vsus for euer. Mat. 5.5.Matt 5:5For (as our Sauiour promiſeth) the meeke ſhall inherite the earth.

Others there are that thinke: if we ſhould make conſcience of religion, and begin to reade the word, to frequent ſermons, to hauehave prayer in our families, and the like, this would make vsus to bee ſcoffed, and mocked at, and to be tearmed preciſe fooles for our paines. But let ſuch heare what the word ſaith, that pronounceth them bleſſed, Pſal 1. Pſal. 119.Ps 1Ps 119that delight in the law of the Lord, and meditate therein day and night, and that ſeeke him with their whole hearts: yea albeit they ſhould meete with ſome diſgrace, and oppoſition in the world: bleſſed are yee (ſaith Chriſt) when men reuile you and perſecute you, Matth. 5.Matt 5and ſpeake all manner of euil againſt you faiſly, for my names ſake: Reioice and bee glad, for great is your reward in heauen. Is it not better to endure a little mocking from men for a time, and that for weldoing, then to vndergoe the wrath of God for euer for ill doing? Conſider in particuliar what benefit we may reape by the miniſtery of the Goſpel. Iſai. 55.3. Iam. 1.21.Isa 55:3Jas 1:21Heare (ſaith the Prophet Iſaiah) and thy ſoule ſhall liue. Receiue the word with meekeneſſe (ſaith Iames) which is able to ſaue your ſoules. Reuel. 1.3. Prou. 28.9.Rev 1:3Prov 28:9Bleſſed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this Prophecie (ſaith the ſpirit in the Reuelation,) and on the other ſide; hee that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law, his prater ſhall bee abomination, Prou. 1.24.25.26.Prov 1:24Prov 1:25Prov 1:26(ſaith Salomon) and againe the wiſdome of God ſpeaketh thus: Becauſe I hauehave called, and yee refuſed, I hauehave ſtretched out my hand, and none would regard: But yee hauehave deſpiſed all my counſell, and would none of my correction: I will alſo laugh at your deſtruction, and mocke when your feare commeth. Theſe, and the like places, if wee could thorowly conſider of, they would worke more powerfully with vsus, to cauſe vsus to deſire the word, and to retaine, and keepe our hearts ſtill in the louelove, and liking of it, then all the reproaches, and perſecutions in the world could, to withdraw our affections from it.

But for want of this, many ſore and dangerous, yea, ſometimes deſperate euils doe befall men: for if wee conſult with reaſon, it will tell vsus that either our ſinnes are ſo great, p. 90that they cannot be pardoned: or elſe ſo ſmall, that they neede not be repented for. This made Cain and Iudas, thoſe curſed and damnable reprobates, to diſpaire, and caſt off all hope of mercy, becauſe they would not hearken what God, or his ſeruants could ſay, but onelyonly what Satan and their owne fleſh could ſay: whereas if it had beene poſſible for them to hauehave looked into the promiſes of life made vntounto grieuous ſinners, and in aſſurance of faith, hauehave craued remiſſion and pardon for their offences, they might hauehave beene forgiuen; euen Cain and Iudas, as well as Peter and Paul: for they had all committed damnable ſins in themſelues: and that repentance which preuailed for Peter and Paul, would hauehave beene as effectuall for the two other, if they had attended to Gods voice, and humbly and earneſtly ſought for merciemercy at his hands.

This ſerues for our inſtruction, Vſe 2 that in al our griefes and miſeries, wee ſhould reaſon rather with God then with men. For if wee be in diſtreſſe for our eſtate, or in ſickeneſſe of body, or in perplexitie of ſoule; in any of them or in all of them, let vsus goe vntounto men, Note. and they will moſt commonly ſerue vsus as Iobs friends did him; lay ſorer burdens on vsus, rather then eaſe vsus of thoſe we carrie alreadie; and make our caſe a great deale worſe then it is, rather then miniſter any helpe and comfort vntounto vsus.

But if we can heare and beleeue what the Scriptures of God tell vsus; wee ſhall finde that our ſtate is neuer vnrecouerable: but that if wee can bee trulie and ſoundly humbled, there is hope and helpe for vsus, that God will giuegive vsus an happy end of all our ſorrowes, and make vsus great gainers by all our afflictions and temptations.

[Though your ſinnes were as Crimſon, they ſhall bee made white as ſnow.] In theſe words, the Prophet hath reference to that that went before, where he had charged them that their hands were full of blood. Obiect. Verſe 15. For hereupon they might reply: if wee bee ſuch grieuous ſinners, how can wee dare to come vntounto God for fauour? is it not a terrible thing to appeare before him, that is ſo iuſt, and ſo holie? how then can we looke that he ſhould bee mercifull vntounto vsus? It's a thing p. 91not to be expected. Anſwer. Say not ſo (ſaith the Prophet) that is but a reaſon of the fleſh: as if God were no fuller of mercy then mortall men are: or as if he could do no more then they can: yes, wee muſt know that howſoeuer men be vnable to change crimſon, or ſcarlet colour into white againe, albeit they ſhould lay all their wits and endeauours together, and pull one thrid from another: yet God can make your ſins that are as crimſon, and as ſcarlet, to become white as wool, yea as ſnow it ſelfe. If wee once fall a waſhing of our ſelues, God will ſet in with vsus, and neuer leaue, till all our iniquities, (euen in our owne apprehenſion and feeling) bee quite and cleare remoued from vsus, ſo that none of them ſhall be imputed vntounto vsus, but all ſet vponupon Chriſt his ſcore.

They that waſh themſelues by godly ſorrow, Doct. 8 the Lord will waſh them from all their ſinnes by the blood of his ſonne: Penitent perſons ſhall bee waſhed from all their ſins.that whatſoeuer offences wee repent for, wee ſhall bee ſure to hauehave a pardon for.

So that the queſtion is not what our faults hauehave beene, but what our repentance is. If wee bee truely deiected on our part, it's all one with God whether our tranſgreſſions hauehave beene more or leſſe, greater or ſmaller: if wee repent truely, wee ſhall bee pardoned fully, bee our ſinnes what they can bee, ſecret, or knowne. So that though wee ſee ſpots in our ſelues, yet God will ſee none: nay when wee ſee our deformitie moſt, God will make it moſt cleare vntounto vsus, that his eyes are quite turned away from the ſame. This is euident in the Prophet Ieremie, where hee ſpeaketh thus concerning them that ſhould bee made truely penitent for all their euill waies and workes, after their ſeuentie yeeres captiuitie. In thoſe daies, and at that time (ſaith the Lord) the iniquitie of Iſrael ſhall bee ſought for, and there ſhall be none: Ier. 50.20.Jer 50:20And the ſinnes of Iudah, and they ſhall not be found, for I will bee mercifull vntounto them whom I reſerue: and the ſame is promiſed in another place, 1. Iohn 1.9. Ezek. 36.25. &c.1 John 1:9Ezek 36:25where the holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh thus: If wee acknowledge our ſinnes, hee is faithfull and iuſt to forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and to clenſe vsus from all vnrighteouſneſſe. And the like is couenanted in Ezekiel, where the Prophet bringeth in the Lord, ſpeaking in this manner. Then will I powre cleane water vponupon you, and yee ſhall bee p. 90duplicate page p. 91duplicate page p. 92cleane, &c. where God himſelfe vndertaketh to be the waſher, and the blood of Chriſt is the water. Now there are two things which terrifie penitent ſinners, and cauſe their hope of obtaining merciemercy either vtterly to faile, or at leaſt in a great parte to faint and waxe feeble. Concerning both which, the Lord in this place giueth them comfort. One is the multitude and exceeding great number of euils whereof they are guiltie, now for that hee telleth them, that he would waſh them from all their filthineſſe, without exception.

Another thing that doth vſually diſquiet the hearts of thoſe that are turning vntounto God, is, that their ſinnes hauehave been hainous and extraordinarie, and many of them ſuch as hauehave broken the couenant, of which ſort is Idolatrie: concerning which, Zach. 13.1.Zech 13:1hee addeth, and from all your Idols will I clenſe you: and in an other place, that hee would open a fountaine of grace to waſh them from all ſinnes, euen from ſinnes of ſeparation, and ſuch preſumptuous offences as deſerued excommunication from Gods people, yea and to bee cut off by the ſword of the Magiſtrate.

And there is no cauſe to the contrarie, but that God may remit and pardon one ſinne as well as another, (excepting only the ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt, which ſhutteth vp the heart from all repentance) and all as well as one.

1 Reaſon. Firſt, becauſe Chriſt Ieſus hath ſatisfied for all alike: for the greateſt as well as for the ſmalleſt: for eueryevery one as well as for any one: Iſa. 53.4.5.6.Isa 53:4Isa 53:5Isa 53:6for ſo ſaith the Prophet Iſaiah. He hath borne our infirmities, and carried our ſorrowes, &c. Hee was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, & broken for our iniquities. The chaſtiſement of our peace was vponupon him, and by his ſtripes wee were healed. All wee like ſheepe hauehave gone astay: wee hauehave turned eueryevery one to his owne way, and the Lord hath laid vponupon him the iniquitie of vsus all. Whence it's plaine and euident, that Chriſt hath paied our whole debt, and not a peece of it onelyonly: hee hath diſcharged our pounds, as well as our ſhillings and pence: and hath ſuffered for our muſt horrible and fearefull rebellions, as well as for our ſmalleſt ſlippes. And therefore as an honeſt creditor when the ſuertie hath ſatisfied him for all that was owing, will not come with after reckonings, nor challenge any thing of p. 93the debter: ſo neither will the Lord lay any thing to our charge, his ſonne Chriſt Ieſus hauing laid downe the full price for our iniquities, whereby his wrath is appeaſed, and his iuſtice perfectly ſatisfied. That is one reaſon on Gods part, why hee muſt of neceſſitie blot out of his booke and out of his remembrance, all the offences of repentant ſinners, without any exception at all.

2 Another reaſon there is on our part, that hee that repenteth truely for one ſinne, doth repent as truely for all the reſt: and though none doe particularly know and diſcerne all the errors of this life, yet God will accept of a generall humiliation for them, and confeſſion of them, ſo that from both theſe laid together: (that neither Gods iuſtice is vnſatisfied, nor any ſinne vnrepented in thoſe that labour to waſh their ſoules by true and godly ſorrow) it is apparant, that there is no tranſgreſſion, no not the moſt hamous, that ſhall ſtand in record againſt them, but all ſhall be remitted and couered from Gods ſight, that hee ſhall neuer looke vponupon them in anger and indignation for the ſame.

Indeed thoſe that hauehave fallen in to more notorious and grieuous crimes, Why the pardon of great ſinnes is not ſo ſoone apprehended.cannot ordinarily get the aſſurance of their reconciliation vntounto the Lord, ſo ſoone as others, that hauehave not beene ſo great offenders: but the cauſe hereof is in themſelues, in that ſuch open and ſcandalous offences doe make an exceeding great breach into their faith, and bring maruellous great hardneſſe vponupon their hearts: and they are very vnwilling to ſet their conſciences vponupon the rack, & to ſift and examine their owne ſoules, to the intent their hearts may bee pierced and wounded for their ſinnes: but they will rather ſhift and ſcamble, and put off their humiliation as long as may bee (as Dauid did, Pſalme 32.) ſo that it's a wonder they euer get out of the ſnares of the diuell, till God either by ſome ſharpe rebuke, or by ſome fore affliction doe rouſe them, and as it were by violent hand pull them out thence.

But if once they come to great ſorrow for their ſinnes: and in humbleneſſe of heart, and aſſurance of faith can make claime to the blood of Chriſt, they ſhall be diſcharged & freed from all their tranſgreſſions, and bee brought to that puritie p. 94and whiteneſſe, which they neuer dreamed ſuch miſerable ereatures as themſelues could hauehave attained vntounto.

For confutation of that wretched errour of the Papiſts, Vſe 1 that would beare men in hand, Againſt Purgatorie.that there is a Purgatory, where ſome men after this life muſt hauehave a further purging and ſcouring then heere they hauehave attained vntounto: but ſee heere what the Lord ſaith: Though men hauehave broken foorth into neuer ſo many abominations, though their ſinnes were as crimſon, and as ſcarlet, yet if they would ſeeke to waſh & cleanſe themſelues by the meanes that God hath appointed, hee giueth them his faithfull promiſe, that they ſhall be made white as wooll, yea white as ſnow, as if they had neuer offended at all. To what end then ſhould men appoint a ſecond waſhing, when God himſelfe hath vndertaken to waſh vsus from all our filthineſſe, and from our greateſt corruptions? as hath beene more largelie declared before. What an abſurd thing is it, to imagine, that we muſt goe thorow a ſtrange inuented fire, which may more thorowly purge away the droſſe of our corruptions, as if Chriſt his blood were not ſufficient to make vsus white as ſnow! This is but a carnall conceit of mans fooliſh braine: for if fire, and enduring of paines and torments could hauehave ſcoured off ſinne, the reprobates in hell ſhould hauehave beene purged therefrom long agoe. But God alone hath cleane and precious water, and a skilfull and powerfull hand to effect that worke: and in the Reuelation, Chriſt Ieſus, the true and faithfull Witneſſe, telleth vsus how all our vncleannes may be couered from Gods eies: Reu. 3.18.Rev 3:18I counſell thee (ſaith he to the Church of Laodicea) to buy of me white raiment, that thou maiſt be clothed, and that thy filthy nakedneſſe may not appeare. Nakedneſſe there is in the beſt: but Chriſt his righteouſneſſe is that garment which muſt couer it, and then God will neuer in anger and diſpleaſure looke vponupon it, but in merciemercy and goodneſſe looke vponupon the holineſſe of his ſonne, wherewith our ſoules are inueſted, and all our iniquities hidden and couered.

Secondly, Vſe 2 heere is matter of great comfort vntounto thoſe that that doe in good earneſt ſet vponupon this worke of cleanſing and purging themſelues: they ſhall not be deſtitute of companie to ioine with them: for God himſelfe will aſſiſt them, and inable p. 95thē to go thorow with that worke: and therfore this ſhould incourage vsus vntounto the exerciſes of humiliation, and of examination and iudging of our ſelues: for are not a few teares well beſtowed vponupon God, when he will thereupon beſtow on vsus the blood of his ſonne?

Many are afraid to aduenture vponupon the worke of repentance, leſt they ſhould bee driuen thereby to deſperation: but let vsus neuer feare that, though our vncleanneſſe be neuer ſo great; though wee bee ſtained and died from top to toe, within and without, in eueryevery part and power of ſoule and body, by reaſon of our originall corruption, and actuall tranſgreſſions, ſo that all the men in the world cannot take away the foule ſpots and horrible ſtaines of ſinne that cleaue vntounto vsus, and are ſettled in vsus: yet the Lord of heauen, who hath all ſufficiencie of power in his hand, can and will (without any difficultie) purge vsus from eueryevery one of our iniquities, by ſprinkling on our hearts the precious blood of his owne ſonne, which is as it were a ſouereigne Bath, ordained for the cleanſing of the ſoules of his elect from that contagious leproſie of ſinne, wherewith they are wholly ouer-ſpread. And therefore let none bee diſcomforted in regard of his many and greeuous offenſes, ſeeing that the Lord hath entred into a ſure couenant with vsus, for the pardoning and healing of them all; who can as eaſily cure the moſt deadly wound, as the ſmalleſt ſcarre: and the harder the cure is, the more hee ſhall bee glorified, in ſhewing foorth the riches of his merciemercy towards poore ſinners that ſtand in need thereof. Our greateſt extremitie, is Gods fitteſt oportunity.

Now the chiefe meanes that he vſeth for our cleanſing and ſanctifying, Meanes of cleanſing.are two:

One is the word, 1which being receiued into the heart by faith, doth purifie the ſame: The word.according to that of our Sauiour to his Diſciples, Iohn 15.3.John 15:3Now are ye cleane through the word that I hauehave ſpoken vntounto you.

Another meanes is the Sacrament, 2whereby God is ready to conuey vntounto vsus the merit and vertue of his ſonnes death, The Sacrament.by the effectuall operation of his ſpirit, that Chriſt may be vntounto vsus holineſſe for our ſanctification, 1. Cor. 1.30.1 Cor 1:30as well as righteouſneſſe for our iuſtification. God doth not offer vntounto vsus onelyonly the outward p. 96elements, but hee is more willing to giuegive vntounto vsus the things ſignified thereby, then any earthly father can bee to giuegive foode vntounto his hungrie child, that crieth for ſome reliefe at his hands when he hath all plentie and abundance whereby to ſupply his need: I ſay, hee is ſo much more willing then any earthly father, as God is kinder then man, and his ſtore more plentifull then mans: and it's leſſe coſt, and leſſe paines vntounto him, and yet more for his praiſe to refreſh the thirſtie ſoules of his poore ſeruants, then for a mortall man to ſatisfie the appetite of his hungry child. For (as the Prophet ſpeaketh) Mercy pleaſeth him: Micah. 7.8.Mic 7:8there is none that can take more delight in following after their recreations, and pleaſures that doe moſt affect them, then the Lord doth in ſhewing himſelfe fauourable vntounto thoſe that ſeeke merciemercy and grace from him in thevſe of his ordinances.

[If yee conſent to obey.] Obiect. The next thing that might hinder and diſmay them from turning vntounto the Lord by ſound repentance, is, that he is ſo holy and righteous, and his law ſo ſtrict and rigorous, and they ſo ſinfull and rebellious, that it were in vaine for them to goe about to yeeld obedience thereunto, they ſhould neuer attaine vntounto it, and therefore as good for them neuer to begin the worke, as not to accompliſh and finiſh the ſame. And thence it is, that a number ſit downe as ſluggards, and neuer ſet one foot forwards in the way of godlineſſe, becauſe they imagine that there is a greater difficultie in Euangelicall obedience, then indeed there is: little knowing what Gods meaning is, Anſ. when hee calleth vponupon vsus to be obedient: For his purpoſe is not to vrge vsus to a perfect fulfilling of the Law, ſuch as was required of Adam before his fall: but onelyonly that wee ſhould doe our beſt endeauour, and labour to conforme our ſelues to his will, as neere as wee can: if there be a true ſincere louelove, and a harty conſent to ſhew our ſelues dutifull and loyall ſubiects to him in all things, it is as much as hee exacteth of vsus. The doctrine to be learned from hence is this: that,

God accepteth of penitent perſons, Doct. 9 the will for the deed: as for the fulfilling of the Law in abſolute perfection, that Chriſt alone hath performed: hee hath paid our debt, and p. 97canceld the band, Coloſſ. 2.Col 2and taken away the hand-writing that was againſt vsus: Now this onelyonly remaineth for vsus, that wee hauehave a good inclination, and a willing mind, to performe our dutie, and labour to the vtmoſt of our ſtrength ſo to doe; ſeeing and bewailing our manifold imperfections, errors and failings in eueryevery one of our ſeruices: which if wee can doe, God will be as well pleaſed with vsus through his beloued ſonne, as if wee had keept the whole Law, without any departing from it at all, either to the right hand, or to left. That which is ſpoken in the matter of communicating vntounto the neceſſities of the Saints in the Epiſtle to the Corinths (to wit, 2. Cor. 8.12.2 Cor 8:12if there bee firſt a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not) holdeth as true in all other ſeruices; that wee are accepted with the Lord, according as wee are inwardly affected, albeit our actions be not anſwerable to our deſires: for hee that hath a ready minde to doe what hee can, and doth the ſame, would be as ready to doe a great deale more, if his abilitie did ſerue: and therefore the Lord will ſhew his gracious acceptance of that which is done by him, though it bee neuer ſo little, as well as if it had beene a matter of farre greater worth.

Now that the true purpoſe and intent of the heart, is that which God principally regardeth in his ſeruants, may be made yet more cleare by examples taken out of the Scriptures. We may reade in Geneſis, what God ſaith of Abraham: Gen. 22.16.17Gen 22:16Gen 22:17By my ſelfe hauehave I ſworne, (ſaith the Lord) becauſe thou haſt done this thing, and not ſpared thine onelyonly ſonne, Therefore will I ſurely bleſſe thee. And why? Iſaac was not ſlaine: but Abraham withdrew his hand from him, and ſpared him: yet becauſe he was content to kill him, and made all things ready for the ſacrificing of him, God accounteth it as good, and rewardeth it as well, as if hee had killed him indeed.

So Dauid had but a purpoſe to build the Temple; which worke was afterward laid vponupon Salomon, and by him performed: yet the Lord giueth him a good teſtimony, and a large reward for his readineſſe that way: hee was content to ſpare him, becauſe hee had beene at great paines before, 1. Chron. 17.1 Chr 17in ſhedding the blood of many enemies of the Church, and ſome remained p. 98yet ſtill to be ſubdued by him: yet this he telleth him for his comfort, 2. Chron. 6.82 Chr 6:8Whereas it was in thy heart to build an houſe vntounto my name, thou diddeſt well that thou waſt ſo minded. And beſides this, hee biddeth Nathan to carrie him this meſſage, that the Lord would build him an houſe, and would raiſe vp his ſeed after him, 1. Chron. 17.10.11.12.1 Chr 17:101 Chr 17:111 Chr 17:12and imploy his ſonne in that honorable ſeruice of building an houſe vntounto the name of the Lord, and that hee would eſtabliſh his throane for euer. And there is reaſon why God ſhould accept of the will as well as of the deed: for

1 Firſt, Reaſons. why doe wee thinke hee will hauehave regard vntounto the deed? 1becauſe it is his owne worke: and is not the will his worke as well as the deede? that is moſt certaine, for the Apoſtle ſaith to the Philippians, Phil. 2.13.Phil 2:13It is God that worketh in you, both the will, and the deed, of his good pleaſure. And therefore if wee can beleeue that he is pleaſed with our good actions, wee may be as well perſwaded that hee is delighted with good motions, and holy deſires that are ſtirred vp in our hearts by his owne good ſpirit.

2 Another reaſon, 2why God taketh ſuch ſmall things in good worth, Pſal. 103. Mat. 3.17.Ps 103Matt 3:17is, becauſe hee is both in name and nature a father, yea, an heauenly father, and therefore hath compaſſion of thoſe that feare him, euen as an earthly father hath of his child that ſerueth him. Now hee that is a mercifull, and wiſe, and louing father (as thoſe will bee euer moſt mercifull to others, that hauehave taſted moſt of Gods merciemercy to themſelues) when hee ſeeth that his child doth as well as hee can, though it bee but ſimply and poorely, yet hee will ſhew his liking of it, and commend him for it: Note. and ſo will God deale with vsus: though we cannot do things perfectly, yet if we do them obediētly, he wil ſhew his louelove & approbation of vsus and of our works. When a litle child doth cheerefully aime & ſhoote at the mark which his father propoſeth vntounto him, though by reaſon of his weaknes he ſhoote very wide and ſhort; Yet it is as well accepted of his father, as if he did hit the white: and the like fatherly dealing ſhal we find in God: that if we befaithfull in a little, he wil eſteeme of vsus, as if wee performed a great deale more. Indeed when we hauehave put off the image of the firſt Adam, & hauehave put on the Image of the ſecond Adam, and hauehave changed the earth p. 99for heauen, then wee ſhall not onelyonly obey truely, The perfection of a Chriſtian heere. Nehem. 1.11.Neh 1:11but perfectlie: but heere it is in truth (and ſo it muſt bee eſteemed) one degree of perfection to ſee our owne imperfections. And that was in Nehemiah, and in thoſe of his time: O Lord I beſeech thee, let thine eare now harken to the praier of thy ſeruant, and to the praier of thy ſeruants, who deſire to feare thy name. Hee could not ſay, that they did ſo feare his name as they ſhould: but this they could ſay, that they deſired to doe it better: which deſire was a fruite of the grace it ſelfe.

This ſhould inſtruct and incourage vsus ſtill to bee doing in the ſeruices and workes of God. Vſe.

Oh, but wee finde many imperfections, Obiecti. and many wants and weakeneſſes in our ſelues.

What of that? If we aime at perfection, Anſw. and hauehave reſpect to eueryevery commandement of God, and come as neere the marke as we can, the Lord will accept vsus according to that wee hauehave, and not reiect vsus for that we hauehave not. If wee could obey perfectly, to what end were Chriſt his obedience? and if God ſhould looke after none, but thoſe that can fully pleaſe him in all things, hee ſhould bee a Lord and a maſter, without ſubiects and ſeruants. Pſalm. 130.3.Ps 130:3If thou O Lord (ſaith Dauid) ſhouldeſt marke what is done amiſſe, who ſhould ſtand?

Therefore though wee cannot pray with that feeling, heare and read with that profit, ſing Pſalmes with that ioyfulneſſe and cheerefulneſſe of heart, as wee ſhould: though wee cannot forgiue our enemies, long for Chriſt his comming, hauehave ſuch a tender feeling of the afflictions of the Saints, nor attaine to ſuch heauenly meditations, night, or day, as wee doe deſire, and as God doth command; yet let vsus not bee diſcouraged: if we ſtriue to bring our wicked fleſh to the performance of theſe duties, and though we hauehave much adoe with it, yet if wee draw it as a Beare to the ſtake, vntounto Gods worſhip, and to the performance of Gods duties in publike and priuate: and when we feele moſt backwardneſſe and vntowardneſſe in our nature, yet wee conſent in our very ſoules, that the Law of God is holy, and good, and iuſt: and that our wils and affections, are indeede very corrupt, and rebellious, but we would rather then all the world that things went otherwiſe with vsus: p. 100that ſinne might bee ſubdued, and grace planted in ſteede thereof: and it is our continuall griefe, that God ſhould bee ſo gracious, and kind, and liberall to vsus, and we can be no more obedient, and loyall, and ſeruiceable vntounto him: if (I ſay) wee find ſuch a heart within vsus, we need not be diſmaied, but may cheerefully goe on, with full perſwaſion, and vndoubted reſolution, that the Lord will be mercifull vntounto vsus, and take our obedience in good worth.

OnelyOnly, that wee may not deceiue our ſelues, let vsus bee euermore carefull to vſe the meanes whereby wee may grow better; and auoid the meanes whereby wee may bee made worſe. (As was more largely taught in the former Sermon, in the end of the 3. Doctrine.) For if one ſay that hee deſireth heauen, and yet will neuer frequent Sermons, nor good companie, where hee may bee inſtructed: nor vſe any priuate or publike exerciſes of religion, whereby hee may bee edified; he is no more to bee regarded, then a ſluggard that pretendeth that hee meanes to hauehave a good crop, and yet will neither manure, nor plow, nor ſowe his ground; but when others are labouring, hee is ſleeping, or loytering: as no man will euer looke that the one ſhould hauehave a plentifull harueſt of Corne; ſo will no wiſe man beleeue that the other ſhall obtaine a plentifull crop, either of grace heere, or of glory hereafter.

[Yee ſhall eat the good things of the Land.] Before hath beene ſhewed, that all repentant ſinners ſhall hauehave the blood of Chriſt to waſh and clenſe their ſoules: now in theſe words is declared, that they ſhall not onelyonly hauehave ſpirituall grace, but alſo right vntounto, and the right vſe of all the benefits of this life. Whence this doctrine may be gathered: that,

Obedience to Gods commandements, Doct. 10 though it be not perfect, True obedience brings outward preſperity. Deut. 28.1.2. &c.Deut 28:1Deut 28:2brings the bleſſing of God vponupon vsus for outward things, as well as for inward.

This is promiſed in Deuteronomie, where Moſes ſpeaketh thus vntounto the people of Iſrael: If thou ſhalt obey diligently the voice of the Lord thy God, and obſerue and doe all his commandements, which I command thee this day, then the Lord thy God will ſet thee on high aboue all the nations of the earth. And all theſe p. 101bleſſings ſhall come on thee, &c. Bleſſed ſhalt thou bee in the Citie, and bleſſed alſo in the field, &c. and ſo he goes on, ſhewing that true and faithfull obedience, is that which bringeth all maner of bleſſings for body and ſoule, for name and eſtate, yea, and for ſeed and proſperitie alſo. 1 Tim. 6. & 4.8.1 Tim 6And therefore the Apoſtle telteth Timothy, that goodlineſſe is great gaine, and that it hath the promiſes of this life, and of the life to come: in which regard Dauid ſaith, I hauehave beene yong, and now am old; Pſal. 37.25.Ps 37:25yet I ſaw neuer the righteous for ſaken, nor his ſeed begging their bread. Hee had ſeene (and ſo may wee) that children of great men hauehave broken forth into many horrible ſins, and ſo hauehave beene brought to a ſtrange, and miſerable, and violent death, and to many wofull ſtraites and extremities before their death: but hee neuer ſaw (neither ſhall wee ſee) the godly ſeed of godly men, forſaken of God and men, and left as vagabonds to beg their bread: but God hath euer had (and ſtill will hauehave) a ſpeciall care of them; and euer made al neceſſarie prouiſion for them: either hee himſelfe by a more particular prouidence of his, caſteth ſufficiently of theſe outward things vponupon them; or bleſſeth their labours, ſo that they are made a meanes of maintenance vntounto them: or if they faile that way, hee moueth the hearts of ſome or other of his ſeruants, to pitie them, and to ſupply their wants; ſo that whatſoeuer their neceſſities be, they are freed from that curſe that is denounced againſt the ſeed of the wicked, to wit, Pſal. 109.…0.Ps 109that they ſhould wander vp and downe as vagrants, begging their bread, and making a trade of that vile and wretched courſe of life.

And there is cauſe why we ſhould reſt fully reſolued of this point, Reaſon. that none of Gods houſhold ſhall euer want neceſſarie reliefe. Becauſe all will yeeld that hee is the gouernour of heauen and earth, and the diſpoſer of all things in them both: and then they muſt grant further, that thoſe that are beſt, and doe beſt, ſhall ſpeed beſt; becauſe God loueth them moſt: and how then can we make queſtion, whether or no, the Lord will beſtow vponupon them a competent meaſure, and a comfortable vſe of theſe earthly bleſſings, ſeeing all is in his hand, and hee wiſheth ſo well vntounto his owne people? eſpecially ſeeing hee hath ſtraightly charged vsus, not to care what wee ſhall eat, Math. 6.25.Matt 6:25or p. 102drinke, or what wee ſhall put on: but firſt to ſeeke the kingdome of heauen, and the righteouſneſſe thereof, promiſing vsus faithfully that if wee doe ſo, all other things ſhall bee eaſt vponupon vsus.

And as he hath promiſed this, ſo hath he from time to time performed it; as we may obſerue thorowout the booke of Iudges, of Samuel, and of the Chronicles: for there it is to be ſeene, that when godlineſſe proſpered in the ſoules of Gods people, they proſpered in their outward eſtate: and when ſinne (on the other ſide) made hauocke in their ſoules then the Midianites, and the Philiſtims, and other enemies, made hauocke in their Country: when they and their Kings thriued in piety, and in zeale for religion, and for Gods glory, then it went well with them for outward plentie and abundance: but when Idolatrie and impietie began once to thriue in their hearts, and in their land, they neuer had long, nor ſetled proſperitie, but their enemies hands & ſwords preuailed againſt them for the taking away of their liues, and the ruinating of their eſtates.

Heere is matter of terrour for all wicked worldlings, Vſe 1 that thinke to aduantage and aduance themſelues by ſinfull and naughty courſes; Prouerb. 10.2that is an ill way to riſe: for, the riches of iniquitie ſhall not prosper. Though they build their houſes neuer ſo high, and aduance their neſts vntounto the ſtarres, yet the Lords hand ſhall pull them thence, and caſt them downe into the very duſt. They thinke their houſes, their names, and their ſubſtance ſhall remaine for euer, and that they ſhall make themſelues and theirs, by ioining houſe to houſe, and land to land; by oppreſſing the poore and needie, and by defrauding the fatherleſſe and the widow, and ſuch as cannot right themſelues. But alas, they little conſider in the meane while, that God is the Iudge of the world, and that he will reward eueryevery man according to his workes. They imagine their eſtate ſhall bee according to their wealth: and ſo it might be indeed, if God were not the gouernour of the world: but ſith he is ſo, it ſhall goe with eueryevery one according to that hee is, and not according to that he hath. And therefore as God would hauehave it proclaimed to the godly, Iſa. 3.10.11.Isa 3:10Isa 3:11Say yee, Surely it ſhall goe well with the iuſt, for they ſhall eat the fruit of their works: So he would hauehave it denounced againſt the vngodly, Woe be to the wicked: it ſhall bee euill with p. 103him: for the reward of his hands ſhall bee giuen him. They ſhall reape that which they hauehave ſowed. It were an abſurd thing for one that hath ſowen nothing but cockle and fitches, to expect a good crop of wheat, or barly, or ſuch like corne: and as contrary to all reaſon is it, for them that ſow iniquity, to thinke they ſhall reape any thing but affliction. They may delude themſelues with vaine hopes, and bragge, as much as they wil: but doe we thinke ſuch proud, and malicious, and cruell men, ſhall obtaine any happineſſe and proſperity from the Lord? Nay ſurely, he hateth both them and their practiſes, and therefore they and their wicked ſeed ſhall be rooted out: as we may ſee it verified in many of the Kings of Iſrael, as in Ieroboam, Ahab, Baaſha, &c. and moſt notably in that place of Ieremy concerning Iehotakim the ſonne of Ioſiah: Woe vntounto him (ſaith the Lord) that buildeth his houſe by vnrighteouſneſſe, Ier. 22.13. &c.Jer 22:13and his chambers without equitie: he vſeth his neighbour without wages, and giueth him not for his worke, &c. Shalt thou reigne becauſe thou cloſeſt thy ſelfe in Cedar? Did not thy father eat and drinke, and proſper, when he executed iudgement and iuſtice? &c. Where is declared, in the example of Ioſiah, the godly father on the one ſide, that the true knowledge of God, and the practiſe of godlineſſe, and of righteouſneſſe, bringeth all true honour and proſperitie: and on the other ſide, in the example of Iehoiakim the wicked ſonne, is ſhewed, that impietie ioined with oppreſſion and cruelty, with fraud and deceit, and iniurious dealing, doth bring the curſe of God in life and death: that it maketh a man liue a baſe and diſhonourable life, and die a ſhamefull and ignominious death: that while he is in the world, he ſhall liue vndeſired: and when he goeth out of the world, hee ſhall die vnlamented.

This is alſo for our inſtruction; Ʋſe 2 that if wee would hauehave the good things of the land, and eat of the ſame, that is, hauehave the comfortable vſe and enioiment thereof, then let vsus yeeld our free conſent to bee dutifull and obedient to the Lord. Otherwiſe a man may hauehave the things of this life, and yet not hauehave his part in them: Hee may hauehave much meat, and drinke, and apparell, and riches, and honour, and yet hauehave no ſound comfort in any of them all. A poore man that feareth God, though p. 104he feed on courſe bread, on greene hearbes, or on pulſe, as Daniel and his companions did, yet may receiue his food more cheerefully, and looke a great deale more freſhly, then wicked vnregenerate men doe, or can doe, when they hauehave all abundance and variety.

Therefore let this encourage men, if they would hauehave good things either in right, or in poſſeſſion, to labour to get religion into their hearts: and to bee as much afraide of ſinne, as of miſerie: and as deſirous of grace, as they are of proſperitie. Which if wee could doe, wee ſhould find Gods eies open to conſider of vsus, and his hand to releeue vsus continually in all our wants, and neceſſities.

And as wee ſhoudl bee thus carefull for our ſelues, ſo wee ſhould bee alſo for our children. There is no good parent but would wiſh his children might be prouided for, and liue in the world like men: Now heere is the way to purchaſe them a good eſtate heere vponupon the earth: vſe meanes to bring them vntounto the feare of God, and to hauehave faith in God: for when the Lions that are full of might, Pſal. 34.10.Ps 34:10and rage, and crueltie, doe lacke and ſuffer hunger: then they which ſeeke the Lord, ſhall want nothing that is good. God will hauehave a care that his ſheepe ſhall hauehave conuenient paſture, and bee in good liking, though the Lions be pined and hunger-ſtarued; and when ſtrong and mighty men are in miſerie and debt, in want & neceſſitie, euer ſhifting and ſcambling, and yet getting nothing: then Gods poore & weak ſeruants ſhal hauehave that which will ſatisfie & content them: Heb. 13.15.Heb 13:15for God hath ſaid, that hee will neuer leaue them, nor forſake them. Therefore are they the moſt prouident and wiſe parents, Pſal. 37.11.Ps 37:11that bring vp their children in the inſtruction and information of the Lord: for ſuch ſhall poſſeſſe the earth; and the generation of the righteous ſhall bee bleſſed. Children are not alwaies the better for the goods of their parents, but they are alwaies the better for their goodneſſe: for when it is ſaid in that 112. Pſalm. 112.2.Ps 112:2Pſalme, that they are bleſſed, it is more then if it had beene ſaid, they ſhall enioy honour, credit, wealth, and whatſoeuer outward bleſſing elſe can be named: for that implieth thus much, that they ſhall hauehave the good gifts of God ſo far as they are needful for them, & that they ſhal hauehave the right vſe of them.

p. 105But this may ſeeme quite contrarie: Obiect. The wicked floriſh.for commonly wicked and prophane perſons liue in all manner of plenty, when the godly ſuſtaine penurie and ſcarcity: and therefore in appearance, godlineſſe is not the beſt courſe to procure a happy and proſperous eſtate.

For the remouing of this doubt, wee muſt conſider, Anſ. that howſoeuer the wicked of the world ſeeme to thriue beſt, and to enioy great matters, in compariſon of that which good Chriſtans hauehave; yet in truth their caſe is nothing ſo good as is the caſe of Gods ſeruants, but in the middeſt of al the things that they poſſeſſe, they are very miſerable: for,

1 Firſt, they hauehave right to nothing, They hauehave right to nothing.but are meere theeues and vſurpers, and ſhall anſwer for laying hold of thoſe things, that are in truth none of their owne. A thiefe may break into the Kings treaſurie, yet it is none of his, but hee ſhall quickly bee thruſt out thence: and ſo may a moth creepe into a veluet gowne, yet hath it no right there, Iob. 27.18.Job 27:18but may bee bruſht out at the owners pleaſure: and the ſame is the caſe of all vnregenerate perſons: they are intruders into other mens poſſeſſions, and the great Landlord of the world may thruſt them foorth when it ſeemeth beſt vntounto himſelfe, and call them to a reckoning for medling with thoſe things, that they could lay no lawfull claime vntounto, by any one clauſe or title that is contained in Gods Law.

2 Secondly, as they hauehave no right to hauehave any thing; They hauehave the right vſe of nothing. Iſa. 57.20.Isa 57:20ſo neither hauehave they any comfortable vſe thereof. There is no peace to the wicked, ſaith my God. But they are like the raging waues of the Sea, that cannot reſt, but are ſtill toſſed too and fro; from one ſide to an other; and caſt vp filthy mire and durt. And when they are moſt loude in their laughter, and ſeeme to bee moſt pleaſant and merry, euen then their mirth is full of hollowneſſe, and diſcontentednes: for let them but hauehave ſome apprehenſion of death, or of any ſudden and extraordinarie iudgement likely to befall them: nay let them bee but a little croſſed, and diſgraced by any of their companions, they wil bee ſuddenly diſtempered, and much daunted, and many times fall a trembling, eueryevery ioynt of them, Dan 5.6.Dan 5:6as Belſhazzar king of Babel did at the ſight of the hand writing p. 106on the wall. And if no ſuch thing doe betide them, yet they are ſtill purſued by ſuch enemies, as will ſuffer them to hauehave no great quietneſſe, nor comfort in the things of this preſent life which they doe poſſeſſe. If we ſhould ſee a Bucke hunted through a greene paſture, where there is much pleaſant graſſe, and many ſweet and pleaſant flowers, and ſprings of water, we would not thinke his caſe very happy, nor that hee had any great inheritance there, when wee perceiued the hounds following cloſe at his heeles: yet ſuch is the ſtate of all ſinners: they hauehave a large and pleaſant walke, perchance in this world, but they are ſtill hunted with many noiſome luſts, of couetouſnes, and pride, and filthines, and the like: and Satan, and the world hauehave them euer in chaſe, and ſhall purſue them ſtill, till they hauehave driuen them into hell it ſelfe, if they alter not their prophane, and wretched courſe of life.

3 Further, Gods curſe is vponupon all.they hauehave the wrath of God lying on their bodies and ſoules, which poiſoneth and inuenometh all that belongeth vntounto them. His terrible and vnauoidable curſe ſhall euer cloſe with ſinners: ſo that though they eat and drinke, and wallow in their pleaſures, yet they can finde no ſound delight, nor true contentment therein: becauſe being poſſeſſed with hardneſſe of heart, and blindneſſe of mind, and being giuen vp to a reprobate ſence, all things that they hauehave, are imbittered by their owne ſinne, and Gods heauie vengeance falling vponupon them.

Put caſe all a mans bones were broken, and one ſhould put on him a veluet coate, beſet with pearles and diamonds, in the moſt rich and coſtly manner that might bee: and he ſhould begin to thinke, and ſay, Now I truſt I ſhall bee at eaſe, and ſhall hauehave no more cauſe of complaint; alas poore man, his rich attire cannot take away his paines: euen ſo fareth it with the vngodly: ſinne hath ſet them out of ioynt; nay it hath ſo wrought on all the powers, and parts of ſoule, and body, that it hath, as it were, chruſht all their bones in peeces: and what ſound peace, reſt, or comfort can they then finde, from all theſe outward things of the world that are caſt vponupon them, till there bee ſome cure wrought on their ſoules?

But it is quite contrarie with Gods children: though they p. 107be preſſed, and pinched with many diſtreſſes and wants, and driuen to many extremities, and ſtraights, yet they may bee fuller of ioy in the middeſt of their afflictions, then the wicked are in the middeſt of their iollity. Acts 16.Acts 16Paul and Silas were fuller of gladneſſe, and of true contentedneſſe in the dungeon, when their feet were faſt in the ſtocks, then Herod was on his throan, hauing all his flatterers and Sycophants about him, Note. to extoll and magnifie him. The very teares of the people of God, are ſweeter and more comfortable, then the greateſt ioy of carnall and wretched ſinners: for the Lord is with his, in merciemercy and goodneſſe: whereas his face is bent againſt the wicked and impudent: Pſal. 37.Ps 37and thence it is that a little that the righteous hath, is better then great riches of the vngodly. Better is a dinner of greene hearbs, ſeaſoned with the bleſſing of God, then many daintie diſhes poiſoned with gods wrath and malediction.

And albeit, the Saints of God bee ſometimes depriued of theſe tranſitorie things; yet they ſhall neuer bee depriued of Gods fauour: and that want of outward things, ſhall bee ſupplied with inward graces. They hauehave a ſure promiſe, that they ſhal hauehave ſufficient: and God neuer giueth leſſe then he promiſeth, though many times he do giuegive more: and if that which is wanting in droſſe, be paide home in good Gold, we need not much to complain, as if we were looſers by ſuch an exchange. Therefore let vsus ſhut vp all with that ſaying of Salomon: Prou. 2.20.21.22.Prov 2:20Prov 2:21Prov 2:22Walke thou in the way of good men, and keepe the waies of the righteous: For the iuſt ſhall dwell in the land, and the vpright men ſhall remaine in it. But the wicked ſhall be cut off from the earth, and the tranſgreſſors ſhall be rooted out of it. But if yee refuſe, and be rebellious, ye ſhall be deuoured by the ſword. Obiect. This maketh for the preuenting of a third obiection. For ſome might ſay, It were good indeed in theſe regards, if wee could repent for our ſinnes, and waſh our ſelues from our filthineſſe: but if we do not, wee hope wee ſhall doe well enough while we liue, and bee ſaued when we die: For God is not ſo ſeuere as men would make him, but he is gracious and mercifull: and therefore wee meane to take our courſe, and ſtill to proceed in the ſame, and yet I truſt to ſpeed as well as the beſt of them: Nay, Anſwer. (ſaith the Prophet) doe not ſo: for if yee refuſe to obey, and bee rebellious, p. 108yee ſhall bee deuoured with the ſword. As if he had ſaid, God indeed is readie to forgiue and to clenſe all ſorts of ſinners, that ſee how and wherein they hauehave offended, and are troubled for their offences, reſoluing to leaue and forſake them, and to practiſe the contrarie duties: but they that refuſe to obey, and continue in their obſtinacy, the Lord will neuer forgiue them, nor purge them from their iniquities: but their ſinnes ſhall cleaue as faſt vntounto their ſoules, as the die doth vntounto crimſon, or ſcarlet, that can neuer by any Art, or ſtrength of man bee reduced to their former whitneſſe againe.

And therefore the Prophet telleth them, if ye refuſe to obey, ye ſhall be deuoured with the ſword: it is ſure ſome feareful and ſtrange plague or other ſhall fall vponupon you, and vtterly conſume you. As God hath mercy in abundance for penitent ſinners: ſo hath hee iudgements in as great plentie for obſtinate rebels, that refuſe to ſubmit themſelues vntounto him.

Now the things before ſpoken of (both bleſſings and fauors promiſed to the penitent, and plagues and puniſhments denounced againſt the obſtinate) hee confirmeth by one maine argument, The mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it. As if hee ſhould hauehave ſaid: Doct. 11 let men neuer diſcourſe, nor obiect on the one ſide, or on the other: for God hath ſaid it, and hee will doe it. Hee is true, and cannot lie; hee is wiſe, and cannot change; hee is iuſt, and cannot bee corrupted; he is almightie, and cannot bee reſiſted: and therefore whatſoeuer his mouth hath ſpoken, that his hand will bring to paſſe.

Hath God then ſaid, Vſe 1 Whoſoeuer eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, Iohn 6.56.John 6:56hath eternall life, and I will raiſe him vp at the laſt day? then is it impoſſible that ſuch ſhould euer taſte of Gods wrath, or ſuſtaine the puniſhment of eternall death. Obiect.

Oh, but Chriſt is in heauen, and wee are in earth, and how can wee then eat his body and blood? Anſw. Faith hath a long and an high reach, and the ſpirit of Chriſt hath as great a reach, to conuaie the ſame vntounto vsus: and our communion with him is not carnall but ſpirituall.

Oh, Obiect. but hauing ſo many corruptions and rebellions, as I hauehave, how is it poſſible that I ſhould bee clenſed?

The mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it: Anſw. and therefore neuer p. 109cauill againſt it, nor make queſtion of it any more. Indeed vnbeliefe cannot ſee how this ſhould be effected: and therefore ignorant vnbeleeuing Papiſts hauehave inuented a carnal maner of eating and drinking the body and blood of Chriſt: And hauehave found out a Purgatory to ſcoure off that ruſt of ſin, that hath ſo eaten into mens ſoules: but all ſuch deuiſes, for the waſhing away of ſinne, are but as muddy water, that will not make vsus one whit whiter, but rather fowle vsus a great deale more. Gods meanes onelyonly are effectuall to make vsus cleane and pure in his cies, and able to ſtand with boldneſſe before him, without any feare, or trembling.

On the contrarie, Ʋſe 2 this is for the terror of thoſe that hauehave their conſciences ſo ſeared, through long cuſtome in ſinning, that notwithſtanding all the threatnings denounced againſt preſumptuous ſinners, they doe continue ſtill in their idlenes, their prophannes, and all kind of wickedneſſe: let them goe on, and let them walke in the waies of their owne hearts, and follow their owne counſels, Eccleſ. 11.9.Eccl 11:9and their carnall and wretched deſires: but withall let them know that for all theſe things God will bring them to iudgement. And if ignorance will not wholly excuſe men, but that they ſhall bee puniſhed for their offences: then how many and how grieuous ſhall their ſtripes be, that know their maſters will, and doe it not? Surely if Chriſt ſhall come in flaming fire to render vengeance to thoſe that doe not know him: 2. Theſ. 1.8.2 Thess 1:8much more will hee come in wrath and indignation againſt thoſe that doe know, and yet will not obey the Goſpel. But as for thoſe that ſee their infirmities, and daily lament, and grieue for them, and ſtriue againſt them; let ſuch be of good comfort: Reuel. 2.2.Rev 2:2their painfull labour is known vntounto the Lord; and their earneſt deſire of faith, and louelove, and repentance, is a grace well pleaſing to the Lord: And they ſhall not onelyonly finde merciemercy for the pardon of their ſinnes, and grace for the ſanctifying of their ſoules; but outward bleſſings alſo for their eſtate: for the mouth of Lordhath ſpoken it.