The Churches Security Together with the Antidote, Part 5
Thus wee see by the example of this Church in the Canticles; The Church subiect to …in and error.as of diuers others, it is subiect, as to other sinnes, defects and errours, so to a kinde of winking or slumbering euen in the good and prosperous estate of it. But in this place the Church was in no dead sleepe, much lesse had her faith extinct, for shee discerned and tooke notice of her infirmitie, which shee could not otherwise hauehave done if she had either soundlie slept, or had wandered in darkenesse.Ioh. 12. 35. Which beeing so, wee are to make a two-fold vse of it.
Vse. 1. First wee must not for certaine defects, infirmities, wants, and some small spottes and blemishes, either in doctrine or discipline, much lesse forsake, and denie the Church that holdeth firmely and purely the foundation. Neither must wee for certaine spottes, balcknesse, defects and deformities, doubt of much lesse despaire of our owne estate and saluation so long as our heart is right with God and wee are sound in the faith of our Lord I…sus Christ. For Christ hath made a satisfaction to Gods iustice for all our sinnes, and there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ, in whome sinne albeit it alwaies dwell, yet it neuer swaieth and raigneth. And as for sinnes of ignorance; weakenesse and infirmity the Lord pardoneth,Psal. 103. v. 12 and 13. and passeth by them in his sonnes and seruants.
And as a louing husband will not take away his louelove from his wife,A simil…ude. nor cast her off for euerie fault and want, so long as shee keepeth her louelove entirely, and sincerely to him. So GOD will not cast off his louelove, nor forsake his Church or any particular member of it, for speciall wants and frailties in particular commandementes, so long as they by faith cleaue vntounto him, and generallie labour to please him.
Vse. 2. Secondly seeing that sleepinesse, drowsinesse, negligence and securitic in the Church doth not please God, but offend him and cause his Maiestie both by inward snibbes, yea and sense of his indignation: and also oftentimes by sundry and fearefull iudgements and thunderclaps (especially when it is growne to any deadnesse of heart and is hardly sensible of her decay and decline) doth labour to rowse and awaken them as hee hath of latter yeares this Island by clamor and still triumpeting of his ministers; by daungerous, and neere effecting of the Papists gunshot; shogging and shaking of the earth vnderunder vsus, noyse of the windes, and roaring and inundation of the waters, eclipting of zeale in manie, and threatenings pronounced against vsus for our abuse, neglect and contempt of his holie Gospell, that hee will send and bring vponupon vsus not a famine of bread,Am…s. 1…. 12. but of Gods worde: wee all of vsus must take knowledge thereof, repent of our sinnes betime,zep 2. V 1…2.… fanne our selues beefore the decree come forth, meete the LORD in the waie, yea and kisse the Sonne Christ Iesus,Psal. 2. 12. by true subiection, faith and obedience,Psal. 2. 12. least hee be angry …nd so perish in the way, when his wrath shall sodainly burne. Gouernors of the Church.Let the Gouernors, Rulers and those that hauehave the greatest eminencie and authority in the Church looke dilligently to their charge for the remouall and redresse of ignorance, error, Atheisme and Popish superstition, and for the aduancement and countenancing true Religion and vertuous liuing.Passor…s and Preachers. Let the Reuerend Prelates and Pastors of the Church, Ministers, and Preachers of the word beware they do not Performe Gods worke negligently; let them wisely and couragiously speake and admonish the wicked of his way, lest God require his blood at their hands. Ez…chi. 33. 8.Let them keepe backe nothing but shew vntounto their people all the councell of God, Acts. 20. 26. 27.that they may bee pure from the blood of all men. And let them preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season, improue, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering, and Doctrine. For the time will come when they will not suffer wholesome Doctrine: but hauing their eares itching, shall after their owne lusts get them a heape of teachers: 2 Tim. 3. 2. 3. 4.And shall turne their eares from the truth, and shall be giuen vntounto fabl…s.
Thirdly let the ciuill Magistrates,Magistrates, and ciu…ll Rulers. whether Superiors or Inferiors defend and assist the Pastors, and Ministers, lette them draw out the sword of Iustice and cutte downe sinne, lette them promote true religion, roote out errour, and Idolatry. Let them execute Iustice and iudgement without respect of persons, let them spare, and defend the innocent, let them prouide for the wants of the poore, let them shine as lights before the people by all godly & vertuous example, and finally let them, (as farre as their power and authoritie will extend) take order and do their indeauour that the people vnderunder them may lead a quiet, and a peaceable life in all godlines and honestie. 1 Tim. 2. 2.Finally let the people and subiects feare and serue God,Peoples duty. repent of their sinnes, honour their King, obey and be subiect to authoritie, louelove and reuerence their Ministers, submitte themselues to the word of GOD, and liue in brotherly louelove, & vnitie, one with another, which GOD almightie graunt for …esus Christes sake Amen.
And thus much of the Churches fault and infirmitie.
2. SECTION.
NOw it followeth to speake of her confession and acknowledgement of her slumbring and carelesnes, contained and couched in these wordes I sleepe. From whose example and practise we are taught without all denying,Confession of sinne. suppressing, or lessening our sinnes, to make a willing, and ingenuous confession of them all unto allmighty God; to the intent that God may forgiue, and forget them, and remoue or mittigate the …uills and punishments that they hauehave brought vppon vsus. For further confirmation and illustration hereof; we hauehave both commandement in S…ripture, and also publike and priuate excercise of it. The Lord by the Prophet Hosea Hosea, 13.exhorting the Isralites to repentance prescribeth them a set forme of repentance saying. Take vntounto you words and turne to the Lord and say:Vers. 3. Take away all iniquitie, and receiue vsus gratiously &c.Vers. 4. As…ur shall not saue vsus &c. neither will wee say any more to the workes of our handes (yee are) our Gods.
Secondly when wee are exhorted to repent, and amend, wee are withall exhorted to confesse our sinnes, for confession is as the First, so a most necessary part of repentance. Heere-vppon Iob Iob. 33. 27.saith, if one say, I hauehave sinned, and peruerted righteousnes and it did not profit me. Then God will deliuer his soule from going into the pitte, and his life shall see the light. If wee confesse and for sake our sinnes, Pro. 28. 13.wee shall finde fauor. Againe, if wee acknowledge our sinnes, God is faithfull and …ust, (Viz. in his promise) to forgiue vsus our sinnes, publike conteslion.and to clense vsus from all vnrighteousnes. Publike examples wee hauehave in Nehemias making a large and mournefull confession of his and the peoples sinnes.Nehe. 9. 5. 6. 7.
Secondly in Daniel, who in the name, and behalfe of the people maketh a confession of his and the peoples,Dan. 9. 5. 6. 7. and confesseth that Iustice belongeth vntounto God, but shame and confusion to them, &c. Thirdly of the Isralites in Isaias his time, who all acknowledge themselues to hauehave beene as vncleane thing…, Isai. 64. vers. 4and their righteousnes as a filthy rotten clout: and of the people in Samuell the Prophets daies; saying,I Sam. 12. 19 we hauehave sinned in assuming vsus a King besides all other sinnes. Herevnto may bee annexed and referred the example of the Niniuites confessing their sinnes vntounto God,Ionah. 3. vers. 8. & 9. and of the people that came to Iohn the Baptist to bee baptized of him,Math. 3. v. 6. confessing their sinnes Viz: voluntarily and in a generall manner onelyonly.Priuate consession. Priuate practise, and presidents hereof wee hauehave in Dauid confessing and bewayling his folly in numbering the people, I Exod. 21. 8.his adultery in polluting Vrias his wife,Psal. 51. 3. 4. 5. and his murder in causing her innocent husband, & his good subiect, to be slaine in warre. Dauid before hee had confessed his sinnes (as appeareth) could find no ease day nor night, but his bones consumed, & he roared al the day: but as soone as he in heart purposed to confesse against himselfe his sinnes vntounto the Lord, Psal. 32. 3. 4. 5.God forgaue the punishment of his sin. Iob. 9.Likewise in Iob who acknowledgeth himselfe to be vilde before God, and that he cannot answer one word for a thousand. Thirdly in the Prodigall childe, who confessed that he had sinned against heauen and against God, Luke. 15.and that he was no more worthy to be called his son.Vers. 21. Fourthly of the contrite Publican, who would not lift vp his eyes to heauen, Luke. 1…. 13.but smote his breast saying God be mercyfull vntounto me a sinner. Luke. 5. 8.Fi…tly in Peter that accknowledgeth him-selfe a sinfull man, and of Paule that in regard he had bene a blasphemer, a persecutor,1 Tim. 1. Vers. 15. an oppressor, (albeit ignorantly) confesseth himselfe to be the greatest amongst sinners.
The person to whome confession is to bee made is first properly and principally GOD;Psal. 51. 54. for against him onelyonly hauehave wee sinned, and done euill in his sight, hee alone knoweth all our sinnes, and he alone pardoneth and forgiueth all our sinnes and that for his owne names sake, Psal. 51. 4.and for his Christ his …ake, merites, suffering, and mediation. And therefore it is folly, vanitie, superstition, yea bondage and impossibilitie, to make confession of al our mortal sins to a Priest (as the Papists make shew of, and require in their care confession) no commandement, no practise, no example, hereof is extant in the sacred Scriptures, and it began not to be vrged vntil 800. yeares after Christ. Secondly Dauid and others repented, and receiued remission of sinnes without confessing their sinnes in particuler to any man Psal. 32. 2. Sam. 12. 12.
Ob. But is it lawfull, & conuenient some times, and in some case to confesse our sinnes to our Pastor, Minister, or Christian brother?
An. Yes, for Iames willeth men to confesse their sinnes one to another,I am 5. and this priuate confession is to be made not of all knowne sinnes, but onelyonly of that sinne which troubleth and vexeth the conscience; or of that whereby our neighbour is annoyed, and wronged. And that in two cases; first when …ase and comfort is sought for in trouble of conscience,Priuate confessiō to men when lawfull. and here before confession be made, no helpe can bee obtained: For as the Phisition must know the disease before hee can apply the remedie, euen so the Minister, or brother cannot comfort, or councell the distressed, before that he hath discouered his griefe. And herein the persons to whome confession is to be made are especially the faithfull Ministers and Pastors, who for their callings,Isai. 50. 4. guifts, and experience, are of all men most apt and able to direct, informe, and comfort the troubled conscience. And thus Dauid confessed his sinne to Nathan, 2. Sam. 12. 13.and the people to Samuell (as hath bene before touched.)1 Sam. 12. 19. Secondly wee are to confesse our sinnes to our neighbour whome wee hauehave wronged, or offended by word or deed; that wee may giuegive some satisfaction to him, and pacifie his anger and displeasure, and so bee reconciled to him. In this case CHRIST preferreth reconciliation to sacrifize,Math. 5. 23. 24. and would hauehave vsus first be reconciled to our brother, and then offer that wee left at … Altar.
Reasons further to moue, induce, and perswade vsus (in the godly sorrow & contrition of our hearts) to make confession of al our knowne sins vntounto God, are specially these. First hereby we giuegive glory vntounto God and …ustifie him in his word and corrections,1. Reason. 10. 12. 27. who the more we debase our selues before him (in respect of our sinnes) the more we glorifie God,Iohn. 9. 24. from whome nothing is hid,Psal. 51. 4. and the more vile, and base that we are in our owne eyes the more pretious and glorious in Gods; and when wee thinke and confesse that we are lost in our selues wee are found of him. The second reason is,Psal. 32. 5. because vnlesse wee confesse our sinnes before God, wee can finde no ease of them, but they will more paine and torment vsus. The stomacke that is ouercharged with some vndisgested meates that doth annoy it,A similitude. or with Rheume or Flegme is …ased by a vomit: euen so the soule that is burdened with sinne is eased and relieued by confession, and accusation of it selfe.
Thirdly without confession, there is not, nor cannot bee any true repentance, for it is a part of it, yea the gate, dore, and foundation of it, and if the heart bee holy, contrite, godly sorrowfull, it cannot but manifest, and discouer it selfe by the confession of the mouth which speaketh out of the aboundance of the heart.
The last reason is because without confession of all our knowne sinnes vntounto GOD, there is no remission of sinnes.Prou 28. ve…. For hee that hideth his sinnes shall neuer prosper, and the more wee hide them, the sooner, and more sodainely will they issue forth to our shame and confusion,A similitude. like as the waters the more they are dam'ed vppe, the more violently will they breake forth. Dauid before hee confessed his sinnes,2 Sam. 12. 12. hee found not pardon. And vppon his confession hee was immediately pardoned.
Seeing that confession of sinne, is so necessary,Vse. 1. & that it is not so easie a matter to finde out all our sinnes, we must not onelyonly try & examine our deedes, words, and thoughts by the strickt and straight line and rule of Gods lawe, which is the discouerer, and reuealer of sinne; but because our knowledge is vnperfect, and wee blinde, and partiall in our owne cases, we must be content to hauehave our sinnes ript vp and laid open by publike doctrine,1 Cor. 14. 25. and preaching; and indure it albeit, it neuer so much gall, wound, and shame vsus: and also admitte and allow of priuate, and brotherly admonition. For all these are holy, & the ordinary meanes ordained and sanctified of God for our humiliation, repentance and recouery, which whosoeuer neglecteth contemneth, or refuseth, hee can neuer truly come to the knowledge and conscience of sinne, much lesse repent of it, and so be saued.
Secondly wee must not onelyonly confesse those our sinnes vntounto God, that are more enormous, and haynous & these Vse. 2.that are many times odious before men; but also our secret, and particular corruptions, faultes, blottes, weakenesses, infirmities, yea and also sinnes of omission, and neglect especially of prayer, praise, thankesgiuing vntounto God. And we must hauehave a true touch and godly sorrow for them: for the least sinne in it owne nature beeing committed against the good and infinite maiestie of God,Rom 6. and his vndefiled law deserueth death. Psal 25.Thus Dauid desireth pardon of the sinnes of his youth, Psal. 19. 11.yea of his vnknowne sins. Iob. 1. 5.Thus Iob offered burnt offerings for his children eueryevery day fearing least his sonnes had sinned, and had blasphemed God in their hearts. Thus Paule was afflicted and troubled in him-selfe for his originall sinne,Rom. 7. vers. 24. crying out, and saying. O miserable man that I am, who shall deliuer me from this body of death? Dauid hauing onelyonly vponupon extraordinary aduantage,1 Sam. 24. 6. and occasion cutte of the lappe of Sauls garment, Psal. 119. 18.was troubled in his heart. He also confesseth his blindness & ignorance in Gods matters. The Church of God in Isaias his time doth acknowledge that whereas they erred from Gods waies, Isai 63. 17.& that their hearts were hardened from his feare, it came for their vnthankefullnes, & that God in iustice was the author of it. Lastly when they omit good duties to God or men, or faile in the manner, and measure of them, they make confession of it, we hauehave failed & we hauehave rebelled, &c. And in another place:Lam. 3. 42. all this plague is come vponupon vsus, as it is written in the law of Moses, Dan. 9. 13.yet made we not our praiers before the Lord our God, &c. And of this we must hauehave a care to repent, because by leauing our duty vnaccomplished wee oftner offend, then by sinnes committed: and if GOD should require it at our handes, the smallest sinne of omission it is enough to condemne vsus.Psol. 130. 3. And therefore Dauid saith if thou O Lord straitly markest iniquitie, who shall stand? And againe,Gal. 3. 10. cursed is eueryevery man that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the law to doe them. And here is a notable touchstone whereby the children of God are discerned, and distinguished from all reprobates whatsoeuer. The reprobates (and that but now and then) are touched with, and make confession of some great, and notorious sinne, as wee hauehave examples in P…arao, in Caine, in Iudas. But for their smaller sinnes, particular infirmities and sinnes of omission, they hauehave no touch, sense and feeling at all.Rom 8. ver. Contrariwise the elect, and regenerate of God, doe euen grone and sigh vnderunder the burden of these lesser sinnes, they make confession of them, and desire to be eased, and lightned of them, for they know that hereby they offend GOD,Rom. 7. 19. which they would in no wise doe, and therefore Paul saith, the goo… thing which I woul… I doe not, but the euill thing which I would not doe that doe I: so that here hee is grieued for his particular sinnes both of commission and omission, or leauing of good vnperfourmed.
And thus much of confession and the vses thereof.
THE THIRD SECTION.
But mine heart waketh.
HAuing spoken of the Churches flumber and securitie, wherein her infirmitie, and weakenesse appeared: it followeth that now I propound, and apply the Antidote or remedy contained in these words. But mine heart waketh. The heart here, which is naturally the seate, and fountaine of life and motion, principally and properly signifieth, faith, whereby the Church in this her drowsinesse, and slumbering securitie, waked, that is laid true hold of Christ, and seffered not her delight in him to vanish. Some shadowe and resemblance hereof wee may see, and obserue in naturall sleepe, wherein the outward senses rest, and cease working, but yet the phantasia or imagining part is commonly in action and motion. Euen so a true iustifying faith: albeit it bee for a time obscured, and the externall actions of it appeare not, nor are felt and discerned; yet the seede, roote, and foundation of it alwaies, remaineth and abideth. This beeing so, I from the authoritie of this place, gather this doctrine, and conclusion viz: that, doctrine. That the faith, and other sauing graces that proceede from it and accompany it; neither faile, nor are wholy, and finally lost in the children of GOD, no not in the greatest temptations, falls and decaies that can possibly happen vntounto them, but it shall reuiue, and bee in time recouered, and confirmed.
The seede of eternall life may for a time bee hidden in them, and not shewe forth it selfe, yet it abideth in them. 1. I…oh. 3. 9.The fire of the spirit of GOD may bee cooled yea and couered in them, but it is neuer extinct. The shining Sunne of righteousnesse by reason of the interposition of the earth betweene them and it, may bee eclipted, but yet it neuer departeth out of the firmament of their heart. They may seeme for the time to bee dead trees without leaues or fruite, but they retaine sappe of grace in their heart.
They outwardly may seeme to themselues, and to others, to bee but drosse, yet they are before GOD vessels of siluer and gold. They may esteeme themselues in the time of distresse, bare, yea bankerupt; and yet notwithstanding hauehave, and retaine in their hearts, the precious marga…te, and pearle of the grace of GOD, yea and Christ himselfe the treasure of eternall life. They like the two disciples that went to Emaus, may talke togither of the scriptures,Luk. 24. 14l. 15, 16. yea, and communicate, and conferre with Christ himselfe, and yet their spirituall eyes for a time may bee so holden that they cannot knowe him. They may conceiue Christ in their heartes, and yet now, and then, not perceiue the motion of this heauenly Embrio. Lastly they may bee cast into a swound, or traunce, in so much that no spirituall breath can be discerned in them, & yet hauehave life and heate at the heart.
That the truth, & soundnes of this conclusion, Viz. that Gods spirit, the gift of faith, and sauing grace in the true members of the Church, can neuer perish or bee vtterly lost, but in time bee reuiued, may more manifestly and euidently appeare, these Scriptures following must be he… ded and attended.
Hee that drinketh of the water that I shall giuegive him shall be ne…er more a thirst, Ioh. 4. ver. 14.nay I shal be in him a wel of water springing vp to eternall life, therefore it cannot be dried vp, for it springeth continually, & ceaseth not, vntil it hath brought him to euerlasting life.1 Iohn. 3. 9. Whosoeuer is born of God sinneth not, id est doth not commit that sinne against the holy Ghost, no nor other sinne with delight, and continuance; for his seed abideth in him. Simon, Simon, Luke. 22 31. 3 2.Sathan hath desired you to winnow you as wheat, Viz. that passeth through the riddle, the chaffe remaining. But I hauehave praied for thee that thy faith faile not,Heb. 7. 2 5. yea hee liueth alwaies to make intercession to God for the Church. But Christ his prayer is alwaies heard.
Their louelove to God, to his word,Ioh. 11. 42. to his Children is neuer lost, for much water cannot quenche louelove, neither can the floods drowne it, Cant. 8. 7.louelove doth neuer fall away, & no maruaile seeing it is a roote and foundation. 1 Cor. 13.The calling and gifts of God are without repentance,Eph…s. 2. 17. that is the inward calling of God,Rom. 11. 29. and his graces that concerne saluation are constant, & neuer (wholy) taken away; for as God is vnchangeable, so are his gifts and decrees. Mal. 3. 6.God hath vntounto the Gentiles granted repentance vntounto life, Act. 11. 18.if eternal life be the effect, and consequence of it, it can neuer be lost: I saith the Lord will forgiue their iniquitie, …er. 3. 1. 34.& will remember their sinnes no more. Therefore they can neuer dye out of Gods fauour, not bee depriued of the grace of iustification, whose sinnes shall neuer bee charged vppon them. They are alwaies greene oliues before God,Psal. 1. 3. their leaues, that is to say, their sanctification neuer …adeth,2. Tim. 1. 19. the continue in the Apostles doctrine, and in the fellow ship of the Church; their election is a sure foundation and certaine,Col. 2. 5. 6. they are rooted, and grounded in the faith: And lastly as their persons can neuer perish, but shall be saued, so answereably cannot their gifts and graces that are the meanes to bringEph. 4. ver. 30. them to eternall life. Touching their persons and so their faith, they are sealed to the day of redemption, their names are writtē in the booke of life, the gates of hell cannot preuaile again…t them,…oh. 13. 3. Christ loueth them to the end and nothing can separate them from the louelove of God,Rom. 8. 38. they are giuen of God to Christ to be saued, Ioh. 10. ve. 2…and none can take them out of his hands, and 1. Pet. 1. 5.(to conclude) they are kept by the power of GOD through faith vntounto saluation.
And if humaine testimonies, and those of most excelent and ancient diuines be to be respected, when the scriptures be so plaine and plentifull, then amongst many others the iudgement of that most iudicious father Saint Augustine is most notable, who saith horum …ides quae per dilectionem operatur, profecto aut omnino non deficit, aut siqui sunt quorum …ides d…icit, reparatur antequam vita ista …initur. de correptione et gratia cap. 7. Their faith which worketh by louelove either neuer faileth at all, or if it do faile in any, it is repaired againe before the life be ended.
Obi. Saul, Simon Magus, Iudas, Himeneus, and Alexander, fell away from faith, made shipwrack of it, and a good cōscience, and lost the spirit and grace of GOD, therefore the elect may wholy loose their faith, and the spirit of regeneration.
Answer. The argument or consequence followeth not; these were neuer elected nor euer t…uly iust, or righteous before GOD. Saul was an hipocrite, persecuted Dauid, and died fearefully: Iudas was the childe of perdition, and in his best estate hee was but a theese, and an hipocrite Simon Magus his hart was not right in the sight of God howsoeuer he was other wise deemed, and esteemed before men.Act. 8. 21…. And as for P…ymeneus, and Philetus they neuer had true iustiying faith which neuer faileth but only an historicall, or temporary faith which hipocrites may hauehave, and which in time of temptation fadeth, and falleth away.
Ques. But how far forth may, and sometimes do the elect and regenerate loose faith, grace, and the spirit of God?
An. First they, notwithstanding that their adoption and interest to eternal life remaineth firme, & sure; yet by their sins do & may loose y• inward feeling of Gods fauour,Hosea. 5. v. 15. & be left to themsel…es for a time, in their troubles & afflictions, Secondly vntill they repent of their sinnes they feele not, nor finde in themselues the outward act and effects of imputed grace. Thirdly touching inward and inherent grace, albeit the seede, and habite of it cannot bee lost by reason of confirming & succeeding grace, yet the outward worke and apprehension of it may for a time cease and be suspended as wee hauehave examples in Dauid, Iob, Anna, Ezechias, and others.
Ques. In the most greeuous, and extreame assaults and temptations of the children of God, what grace of God remaineth in them so, as that they, and others of sincere orthodoxe iudgement may bee kept from dispaire, and conceiue good hope that they remaine in Gods fauour?
An. These following; the louelove of God, of his Son Christ, of his word, and of all his children in generall. For they neuer hate God, hate Christ, hate his word, hate his children, but louelove and like them. Secondly they thinke, and speake oft of God, and his waies, desire to bee reconciled vntounto him. Thirdly they pray vntounto God, which though they cannot doe alwaies in feeling, yet they do it in faith; and this faith without feeling is more precious, and more highly esteemed with God then faith with feeling, for it wholie and simply relieth vponupon God and his word. And herein as they bee blessed that beleeue, and see not, so (vndoubtedly) they are most happy that trust in, and depend vponupon God … (for the present) hauehave no feeling. Lastly they reioyce, & finde maruelous contentment when they know or heare of the good estate and prosperity of the church in generall, or any member, or part of it in particular: and when it goeth ill either with the Church or any member thereof, they vponupon the notice thereof mourne, greiue, lament; And this argueth that they euen in the night, cloude, & tempest of their present affliction are liuely, and feeling members of the Church of God, because they hauehave a sympathy, and such a mutuall compassion; and this point, that saying of Paul confirmeth, and striketh it (as wee vse to phrase it) dead; if one member suffer all suffer with it, if one member be had in honour all the members reioyce with it.1. Cor. 12. 26.
Que. But God is an holie God, an hater, and a punisher of sinne, one that requireth truth in the inward partes, & that we walke before him, and be perfect, how then will hee or can hee, beare with such want of feeling, so many complaints, so many defects, corruptions and wants in his children?
An. The Godly are better within then without &1. Sam. 16. 7 GOD requireth the heart more then the worke, man looketh on the outward appearance, Mat. 12, v. 20but the Lord beholdeth the heart. A broken heart is an acceptable sacrifice vntounto him. If our faith be but as the graine of m…stard seede, yea as smoaking flaxe which for the present can neither yeeld light nor heate, yea and weake, like a bruised reed, if it can but touch the hemne of Christ his garment, yet if it be sound, hauing onelyonly God, Christ and the promises of the Gospell for the obiect, and it doe growe and encrease, it is accepted with GOD for a perfect faith and is sufficient for saluation.
Secondly God is a most indulgent,Heb. 12, v. 6, and 7. and louing Father to his children looking onelyonly vntounto, and accepting the better part in them which is his owne worke, and passing by and pardoning their defects,Psal. 32, 1, 2. sinnes and imperfections as though they were not at all;Rom. 8, 33, 34 and therefore they are blessed be…ause their sinnes are not imputed and GOD iustifieth them, who shall then condemne them?
And as wee respect an heape of corne,Similitude. (albeit the greater part bee chaste) for the corne and not for the chaffe, and giuegive it the denomination of corne, and as wee esteeme a mountaine, or mine of Gold, or Siluer (though vnwrought, and vnrefined) for the gold, or siluer and not for the drosse, and for the more precious parte cal it gold or siluer: Euen so our heauenly Father accepteth & regardeth his children for their better partes; of faith, and sanctification, and taketh no notice of their faultes, and defects (albeit they bee farre more in number then their virtues.)
Vse. 1. First this doctrine of the perpetuity, and continuance of grace in Gods children serueth to checke and condemne that false, and comfortlesse doctrine of the Romish Synagogue, who holdeth and maintaineth and that by the cannons of the …ridentine councel, non modo infidelitate per quam et ipsa …ides amittitur sed etiam quocun…q alio mortali peceato acceptam iustificationis Tr…dent Concil ses. 6. ca. 15grasiam amitte et omnes qui laethalta committant peccata a Christs gratia seper…entur. That the grace of Iustification receiued is lost not onelyonly by vnbeleefe by which faith it selfe is lost, but also by any other mortall sinne, and they that commit deadly sinnes are seperated from the grace of Christ, which vile doctrine (as before hath beene prooued) is the breake-necke of faith directly against the word of God.
Vse. 2. Secondly it serueth for the consolation and reuiuing of the afflicted conscience of Gods children, for being in the estate of grace they can neuer bee depriued of it, but, God that hath begunne the good worke will finish it,Hose, 6, v. 1. 2. hee that hath wounded the Church will heale it, though shee fall she shall rise, and when shee shall si… in dark nesse the Lord will bee a light vntounto them,Mic… 7. v. 8. and therefore let no man for his owne, or any of Gods seruants temptations, fals, and frailties, despaire either of his owne, or any other mans restitution, and saluation;Rom. 11, v. 23 for God is able to restore them, yea and will restore and perfect them.
Vse. 3. Seeing that in eueryevery greiuous temptation, wee suffer much losse, either by abating and remitting of our faith, our zeale, our hope, our louelove, our strength, our ioye, feeling; or els by falling into some grosse and greiuous actuall sinne, as did Noab, Lot, 'Dauid, Sol…mon, Ez…chias, Peter &c. Wee must labour by all good, and holy meanes to repaire our decaies, and recouer our losses. We must nourish the spirit of God, by prophesie, praier &c. cherish our lampes with the oile of faith. If our nets bee broken wee must with Iames and Iohn mend them, if our wedding garment bee rent or torne wee must repaire it. And as in Pauls nauigation when through the feare of death, and through an exceeding tempest,Acts 27 and for that the sunne and starres in many daies appeared not, the mariners, and souldiers for foureteene daies had no appetite to their meat, or did any thing at all; yet at last, beeing comforted and reuiued by Paul, they did at his exhortation, for the safegard of their liues take foode: euen so, if through the tempests of temptations, wee hauehave, longer then it was meete either abstained from, nor had any appetite to spirituall foode, it is time (before we famish) to receiue it and to recouer our appetite.
If with the Church of Ephesus we hauehave lost our first louelove, we must repent,Apo. 2, 4, 5. and consider from whence wee are fallen, and doe the first workes; if with the Church of Sardis wee hauehave a name that weeApo. 3, 2. liue and yet are dead wee must awaken and strengthen the things that remaine that are readie to die. If with the Church of Laodicaea Apoc. 3, 16. 19.wee by reason of ease and prosperitie grow luke-warme, and are neither cold nor hote, we must bee zealous and amend.
Lastly, if our sinnes hauehave wounded vsus, and left vsus halfe dead as the theeues and robbers did the man that fell into their hands betweene Iericho a…d Ierusalem; Luk 10, 11, …. 30, ad 37.wee must in the Inne of the Church entreate, and procure the good Samaritane Christ Iesus to powre wine and oile into our wounds, and to take charge of vsus and heale vsus, so shall wee bee in staetu quo prius, yea and our latter end wilbe more glorious and comfortable then our beginning.
And thus much of this point viz. that sauing grace in the elect neuer faileth.
THE FOVRTH SECTION.
BVt mine &c. Here the Church findeth and feeleth grace in her heart, & by faith layeth hold on Christ, so that notwithstanding, that her temptation had in part preuailed, yet shee before the extremitie, and bitternesse of it came; professeth and assureth herselfe and others that her faith was vntainted, and her heart sound with GOD. Her walls and outward buildings were somewhat crazed, and battered, but the strong Castle of her faith in Christ vntouched. From this her confession wee learne to our comfort that the elect, and Saints of GOD (of whome alone his Catholike Church doth consist)The elect assured of Gods fauour and their election. are (except onelie in the greene blade, and insancie of the Church or in the night and tempest of some great temptation) perswaded and assured in their owne consciences by Gods spirit that they are in the state of grace, and saluation, and shall neuer fall away from it.
Now that we may be assured that wee hauehave faith in our hearts, and so are in fauour with GOD, wee hauehave most plaine,Rom. 8, 15. and pregnant places of holy scriptures to prooue it. God hath sent forth the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts whereby wee cry Abba father, wee hauehave receiued the spirit of Adoption, whereby wee cry abba father, the same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit, that wee are the children of GOD. But this witnesse is not coniecturall but most certaine; for the spirit can neuer bee deceiued, therefore vndoubtedlie they knewe that they were Sonnes.Ephes. 3, 12.
Thirdly by the spirit wee hauehave boldness and enterance with confidence by faith in him, for the spirit expelleth all feare, 2. Cor. 13. 5.that is all doubtfulnesse and mistrust. Prooue your selues whether that you are in the faith, examine your selues, know yee not your owne selues howe that IESVS CHRIST is in you except you be reprobates. Now CHRIST was in them by grace and iustifying faith,Gal. 2. 20. and not by his power and miracles only, as Bellarmine would hauehave it,1 Ioh. 4. 17. for by this faith men liue in Christ, yea liue for euer.1. Ioh. 2. ve. 20
But you knowe the spirit for hee dwelleth with you, and shall bee in you: therefore if wee know the spirit to bee in vsus, wee must needs know our faith and iustification that proceedeth thence.Dan. 7. 24. Yee hauehave an ointment from him that is holy and knowes all things. Here the Apostle alludeth vntounto the old figures of the law, and the ointments where-with the Priests were annointed and specially the high Priest a figure of Christ, who is stiled by the name of messias, or anointed. Now the anointing of Priests and Kings in the old testament was a representation of the gifts of the holy Ghost, and this is the cause why the holy Ghost is here,1. Ioh. 3. 14. and else where named foreign or ointment, and the sense is that the true beleeuers hauing the holy Ghost,1. Ioh. 4. 14. know all things (necessary to saluation) and by his power preseuer in faith,1. Ioh. 5. 18. 20. ergo they also know that they are in Gods grace and fauour. And againe we know that wee are translated from death to life because wee lou…e the brethren. Hereby we know that we dwell in him and hee in vsus because he hath giuen vsus of his spirit. He that beleeueth in the sonne of God hath the witnes of God in himselfe. Iob. 19. 26. 27Now this is not a doubting, or coniecturall knowledge but an holy perswasion wrought in Pauls, Rom. 8. 38. 39.and so in all our hearts by the holy Ghost.
I know my redeemer liueth (saith Iob,) and that I shall see God in my flesh, and mine ies shall be hold him, and none other for me Lastly (to be breife) I wil conclude with that of Paul; I am perswaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principaliites, nor powers, nor things present or things to come, nor beegth, nor depth, nor any other creature shal be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ I…sus our Lord. But least any man should obiect that this perswasion was proper onelyonly to Saint; Paule and that hee had it by some speciall reuelation for the answere hereof.
A…s. Rom. …. 5.Wee must note that the ground of his … ▪ viz: the louelove of God in Christ I…sus is common to all the faithfull, for it is shed in all their hearts. And Paul, in another place, maketh the assurance of saluation common to him with all the faithfull, saying, there is laid vp for mee a Crowne of righteousnesse, 2. Tim. 48and not to mee onelyonly, but vntounto all them also which louelove his appearing, albeit some hauehave it in greater measure then others.
And that this doctrine may bee the more easily conceiued of vsus; I will explaine and make it lightsome by some familier comparisons and similitudes. Can a man carry fire in his hand,Similitudes & comparisons. and not feele it, and can a man containe the holy flame of Gods grace in his heart, and not discerne it? Can a woman be wedded to an husband and not know it? And can wee be conioyned to Christ, yea and ingrafted into him, and not perceiue it? Can a man buy, and possesse a precious pearle, and a rich treasure, and yet bee ignorant of it, and can the Church by faith buy, and apprehend Christ, and not be aware of it? Can a man doubt of the garments where with he is cloathed, and can the Church cloathed with the sonne of righteousnesse neuer see nor obserue it?1. Ioh. 2. 20. Can the elect (the friends of God) know all things needfull for their saluation by reuelation from him, and shall they erre and be ignorant in the knowledge, and certaintie of their owne iustification, and saluation? Can the sense bee deceiued about his proper obiect? And can all spirituall senses faile, and beguile vsus? Can hee dwell in vsus, and we not see him? Can hee dwell in vsus, and wee neuer feele him?Luk. 24. v. 32. Can he speake peace to our soules and cause our hearts to burne within vsus, and we not heare him? Can hee feede vsus with the hony, wine, spices, fatlings, and delicates, and wee hauehave no tast, and relish of them? Can Christ perfume his spouse with mirrbe, and incense and with all the powder of the merchant,Cant. 3. 6. and shee not smell it? Can Christ lodge and lie with vsus,Apoc. 3. 20. and we with him, & neuer spiritually touch him? Finally shall the Church and must shee reioyce that her name is written in heauen, and yet hauehave no certaintie of it? Wherefore this doctrine of the assurance of faith, and of the grace of God is certaine, infallible, and neuer faileth. But before wee … attaine vntounto this certainety of faith, and sauing grace,Meanes to come to assurance. wee must dilligently and reuerently heare Gods word, know it, and our sinnes by it, be truly humbled by it, dispaire of our owne abilitie; ascent, and subscribe vntounto the Gospell; hope and desire pardon, hunger and thirst after grace, craue pardon of our sinnes, and particularly apply vntounto our selues the promises of mercy, and saluation made vntounto vsus in the Gospell, and continue herein,1. Sam. 17▪ 36. and then in processe of time after long sence, obseruation, and long experience of Go…'s fauor an… louelove Psal. 23. 6. Yea after that we hauehave bene long excercised in temptations,2. Timi 4. 7. 8. and bene old beaten soldiers in Christs battaile wee shall attaine vntounto this fulnesse, and firmnesse of faith.
By this doctrine is confuted and ouerthrowne that erroneous and desperate doctrine of the Romish Synagogue, Vse. 1.who albeit they teach that men may by their workes merite saluation, and satisfie Gods iustice, yet they contradict themselues (which is proper to Babel… the mother of confusion) and considently hold and teach, that no man can be certaine of his saluation in this life by an ordinary and speciall faith, but onelyonly by extraordinary reuelation and hope, which hope ministreth (as they say) but a coniecturall certaintie. If this their position were true, how could euer Iob in his extremities hauehave comforted himselfe in the vndoubted hope of his resurrection to eternall glory. Would euer Moses hauehave forsaken Pharaohs court, and the glory, pleasure, and preferments of it,H…b. 11. 25. if he had not had an eye vntounto, yea an assurance of the recompence of the reward in the life to come? would Manahen that had beene brought vp with Herod the Tetrarch so debased and subiected himselfe to so much enuie,Acts. 13. 1. 2, and so many pcrils, and dangers by entring into the holy ministery, had not the expectation, and assurance of eternall happinesse induced him herevnto? And (to absolue this point) how could, or would so many thousands of Martyrs (since the Apostles times especially) hauehave suffered so much rebuke, so great losses,Heb. 10. and 11. chapters. so many tortures for Christ, and his Gospell, yea, and most cruell deaths and persecutions, had they not been secured in their soules of the fauour of God, and beene verily perswaded that they stood in the estate of grace, and should in time be glorified?
Seeing that the knowledge of our e…tate before God,Vse. 2. and the certaintie of Gods fauour and louelove is so admirable and vnualuable a benefit communicated to none but Gods children, and to them that seeke his face in Christ, let vsus neuer rest, nor be quiet vntill we hauehave sued out our qu…etus est, and hauehave procured this certaintie. Let not marrying of wiues, Luk. 9. v. …5.buying of Farmes, trying of Oxen, oues, & boues, & pecori campi, hinder, and stay vsus from getting this assurance.
What shall we so toile and moile, and so sue and seeke with so much paine and cost, to ascertaine vntounto our selues and ours, lands, liuings, leases, patents, reuersions, (which notwithstanding by reason of our mortalitie, and the might, malice, and cunning of men, we (oftentimes) can neither long, nor peaceably enioy) and shall we not much more seeke the kingdome of God, and the righteousnesse of Christ? shall not we labour to secure vsus of Gods vnchangeable fauour; and to get the grant, yea, and begining of eternall and vnspeakeable happinesse, which wee may assuredly obtaine, and the obtaining and purchase whereof is worth ten thousand workes: And therefore Curare externa neglectis internis (imoaeternis, (as one saith well) caec…tas est, that is, to hauehave a care of these outward things, and neglect and passe inward, and eternall things is blindnesse, nay madnesse. For what will it profit a man to gaine the whole world, and loose his owne soule, or what ransome or recompence shall hee giuegive to r…de…me it? surely none. GOD therefore make vsus wise to saluation, and grant that we may alwayes looke to the maine chance, and make choise of the better part, Amen.
And thus much shall suffice to hauehave spoken of the churches, faith, confidence, and feeling.