The Lambs Spouse, Section 2
The second section.
They that were ready.
NOw (as order requireth) we are to treat and dispute of the fitnesse & preparation that ought to be in the true Church of Christ and is required of …hem against his second comming: For as these wise Virgins were before-hand prepared in faith, grounded only vponupon the scriptures and relying vponupon Christs only merits, in feruent louelove and sincere affection to Christ, and in hearty desire and earnest expectation of his comming: so must we also, if we would be assured of our contract and vnion which Christ in this life, and enioy his glorious presence and hauehave perfect fellowshippe with him in the world to come; trimme prepare and make ready our selues against the solemnization of the marriage: and therefore it is said in the Apocalyps; the marriage of the Lambe is come and the bride hath made her selfe ready. Apo. 19. 7.
And so they are presented as a chast Virgin vntounto one husband Iesus Christ. The truth and necessity of this preparation is plainely and plentifully set forth in the scriptures, whether we r…spect Christ as the princypall and inward trimmer of the Bride, or the ministers of the word as his agents and instruments, or the B…ide her selfe, as the proper subiect of it. First Christ trimmeth his spouse the Church, and therfore the holy company of his elect are sayd to come downe from heauen, prepared as a Bride trimmed for her husband. Apoc. 21. 2. that is, purged from all corruption, GOD through Christ doth make vsus meete to bee partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Col. 7. 12. Christ sanctifieth & clenseth his Church by the Washing of water through the word, that he may make it vntounto himselfe a glorious Church, without spot or wrinckle &c. Eph. 5, 26, and 27. The graces that Christ bestoweth vponupon her are as chaines to adorne her, as Myrrh, Incense and the spices of the Merchants to persume her, as Purple and Skarletto clothe her, & as pretious Iewels to beautifie & enrich her, finally shee as Queene standeth, at his right hand in a vesture of the gold of Ophir, Psalme 45, vers. 9.
More particularly Christ trimmeth and prepareth his spouse. First by offering and affording vntounto her the means and ministery of grace and saluation, as the Preaching of the worde, Ephesians 4, 11, 12, 13. the seale of the Sacraments. Mathew 28, 19. 1. Corinthi. 1, 23, 24, 25, 26. Herevnto may be added troubles, crosses, and afflictions, which albeit in their owne nature they bee euils and plagues for sinne, yet the quality and property being altered by Christ his death; they are made meanes to humble vsus, medicines to purge vsus, sowre sauce to make vsus to relish better the Heauenly foode of our soules, bridles to curbe and restraine vsus from sinne, and spirituall directers to guide vsus to the Kingdome of heauen.
Secondly Christ trimmeth his spouse by the continual and effectual in working and efficacy of his blessed Spirit. For without this all the outward meanes should bee onelie for conuictment of men, and for their more iust condemnation, and not for conuersion or consolation) for by it hee alone giueth the encrease. 1. Cor. 3. hereby he epeneth mēs vnderstanding to vnderstād the scriptures, Lu. 24. ve. 32. he openeth their hearts (as hee did Lydias) to attend vntounto good doctrine. Acts 16. ver, 14, he cōuerteth their hearts as he did the heart of Cornelius: & all that heard the words with him. Ac. 10. ve. 44, hereby he leadeth them into all truth. Iohn 16. 13, he dwelleth in them. 1. Cor. 3. 16, he regenerateth them. Ioh. 3. 5. &. 8 finally he comforteth & strengtheneth them. Ioh. 16. 8, in that he is the principall in trimming and preparing the Church his spouse, and that vnlesse hee giuegive grace and successe al other meanes (albeit neuer so good & holy) be vaine and frustrate, it must teach ernestly and continually by praier, to desire and entreat the Lord, to prepare vsus: to make vsus meet for his kindome, and to make the ministery of his word and Sacraments, and all other good means profitable and effectual vntounto vsus, & herein wee must say with the Church in the Cantikles, arise O North and come O South, and blowe on my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: and (then) let my beloued come to his garden, and eate his pleasat fruite. Cātickles 4. v. the 16. The instrumentall trimmers, adorners of the Bride are specially and most singularly, the ministers and Preachers of the word. For these doe with Paul labour to present their congregation as a chast Virgin vntounto one hul band lesus Christ 2. cor. vers 1. 2. They hauehave the ministery and embassie of reconciliation committed vntounto them. 2. cor. 5. ver. 18. They are the Preachers of faith & repentance Mark. 1. ver. 15. Math. 3 2. Act. 26. 20. They hauehave the keyes and authority subordinatly vnderunder Christ to binde and to loose, to remit and to retaine. Mat. 16. 19. Ioh. 20. ver. 23. finally they are the outward organes & meanes of illumination, conuersion and saluation as may appeare. Act. 26. 18. 1. Tim. 4. 16. 1. cor. 1. 21. Hence it is that Philip must teach and conuert the Enuch. Act. 8. 35. Ananias, Paul: Paul Lidia; and Peter Cornelius. Act. 9. 10. 11. Act. 16. 14. Act. 10. ver. 7. and 3. 4
The vse hereof is to teach in no wise to neglect, despise or distast the Preaching of the worde, and other Holie meanes of our Saluation (as many and most do vponupon the perill of their owne saluation) but vse them with all care, reuerence diligence and constancy.
And therefore what a shame is it for most men, yea what an occasion to aggrauate their condemnation that they will for supplie and obteyning of earthlie foode, prouision and aduancement, trudge, and trauaile farre and neere, almost to euetie market and faire, and in the meane time neglect the foode of their Soule: suffer it to pine, and to perrish, they are more churlish to it then Nabal was to Dauid: more without compassion then the rich glutton was to Lazarus, and more hard hearted and mercilesse then the Iayler to innocent Paul and Sylas, who put them into the dungeon or inner prison, and locked their feete fast in the stocks. Act. 16. 24.
And thus much of the principall preparer of the Bride, and also of the instrumentall.
Thirdly the subiect or person that is thus prepared of Christ and his ministers, that is also as a voluntary and vnderstanding creature, by remouing the bar and incumbrances of infidelity, idolatry and impenitency: and by vsing and frequenting all the holie meanes of begetting, confirming and increasing the sauing graces and gifts of God: is this spouse of Christ, the Church, the elect, the beleeuers, and (in a worde) all that desire and seeke to be saued. For these are often and continually warned and perswaded in the Scriptures: to watch, Marke 13. verse 35, 36. to bee sober, and to watch vntounto prayer, 1. Peter 4, 7. and to hauehave feruent Charity amongst themselues. verse 8. to repent. Act. 17. ver. 30. to purge themselues. 1. Iohn. 3. 3. to put on the brest-plate of faith and louelove 1. Theff. 5. 8. and hope of saluation for an helmet, ibidem. to beware of surfeting, dronkennes and the cares of the world Luke. 21. 34. to waile yea sigh & mourne for the redemption of their bodies. Rom. 8. vers 20. 21. 22. 23. To vse the world and all things thereof, as though they vsed them not, 1. Cor. 7. 27. to feare God and giuegive glory to him Apo. 14. vers. 7. to make an eccho and cry with the Bride in the Apocalyps, come euen, so come Lord Iesus Apoc. 22. vers. 14. & 20. and lastly at the discerning of the neere approch of Christ by the accomplishment of the last signes such as are the ruine of Romish Babilon, the conuersion of the nation of the Iewes in the kingdome and countries into which they are dispersed, the roaring of the Seas and waters &c. reioysingly to looke and li…t vp our heads because our (full) redemption draweth neare Luke. 21. verse. 28. Apoc. 19. 7. This espoused virgin or Bride therefore, must of necessity being stirred vp and assisted by the spirit of GOD, and hauing the meanes of grace so abundantly ministred vntounto her, get the wedding garment (of faith and holines) Math. 22. vers. 11. 12. 12, make her selfe ready Apoc. 19. verse. 7. to desire to bee dis…olued and to be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. and to endeuour to be acceptable to him. 2. Cor. 5. Reasons and arguments further to induce and perswade her hereunto are these first the transceudent and incomparable dignity and maiesty of the person, to whom she is contracted, and to whome, she is to bee married, and that is Iesus Christ, the Kings sonne, the King of Kings: and Lord of Lords: the naturall heire of heauen and earth; the mighty Iehoua: the euerlasting father he that hath all power in heauen and earth; and God hath so he ighly exalted him at his right hand and giuuen him a name aboue all names, that at the name of IESVS should eueryevery knee bow of things in heauen, of things in earth, and things vnderunder the earth, Philip. 2. vers. 9. 10.
Wherefore if King Pharaoes Daughter being wedded to earthlye Salomon, must hearken vntounto him, consider and incline her eare. Yea forget her own people, & her Fathers house; Psa. 45.Psa. 45. 10. verse 10. how much more must eueryevery good Christian, espoused & affianced to the heauenlye Salomon IESVS CHRIST our Sauiour, performe these duties.
And if the Maides and Virgins that went in by course and appointment to great King Ahashuerash, that raigned from India vntounto Aethiopia, ouer a hundred and twenty seauen Prouinces, Hester. 1. verse. 1. were before hand sixe moneths, purified with Oyle of Myrrhe, and sixe moneths with sweete odours, Hester. 2. vers. 12. So much more must the members of the Church, before they shall or can enioy CHRIST IESVS his presence in glorye; not for a fewe dayes or moneths; but all the dayes of their life, they must purge, sweeten, and prepare them-selues; for hee alone is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and no power or Ma…estie in earth can compare with him. And by our coniunction and marriage with him, wee shall bee exempted and freed from all euills what-so-euer, and possessed with all good things vnspeakably for euer-more.
Secondly, by the strange iudgements of Almighty GOD, especially in the foure or fiue yeares last past, whether generall, or more particular, wee ought, as by so many voyces and signes of our omnipotent GOD preaching from heauen vntounto vsus (and almost at the end of the world) teaching and exhorting men to seious repentance, and to bee mooued and stirred vp more speedily, and specially to prepare our selues to meete GOD in the waye, wee must submit and humble our selues before him, forsake our sinnes, giuegive glory to him; and entreateth him by prayer and by repentance, to quench the fire of his begun wrath and indignation. For it is an vndoubted truth, that if to all our other sinnes there be adioyned security and deadnesse of heart, that punishments from God are both hastned and doubled: and the remouall and ceasing of one plague, is nothing else but the occasioning and beginning of another, as we may read in Exod. against Pharao and the Aegyptians, Chap. 8. 9. 10. 11.in the 4. of Amos against the Israelites, and in the 15. 16. 17. chapters of Iohns Apocalips against▪ Antichrist, and the experience of former and later times in many countries doth verifie it. Herevpon Gods destroying Angell; and his killing Arrowe, the consuming pestilence hath (not long sithence) destroyed so many thousands in this Iland, and yet is not ceased. All the foure Elements which otherwise would fight for vsus, hauehave beene armed against vsus; First the ayre, partly by his often Eclipses portending perhapps the eclipting and darkning of the glory and soundnesse of the truth, and other temporall euils, partly by prodigious and vnvsuall stormes and tempests, giuing warning of the wrath to come. Secondly the fire by consuming and burning so many houses and habitations within these few yeares: seemeth to presage eyther the fire of the last iudgement, or else some fearefull and strange euent. Thirdly the Seas and waters in diuers parts of the kingdome, hauehave most horribly roared, swelled, broken their banckes; and encroached vponupon the maine land, and firme continent, so terrified the people the beholders, and done so much harme. Adde herevnto the vnwonted, sudden, and wonderfull invndations of Riuers and Brookes, as though like vntounto the men of the olde world wee all deserued to bee drowned. Lastly the earth by his moouing and shaking sensibly perceiued in many places, hath declared the Lord to bee angrie, Psal. 18. 7.and seemeth to proclaime against vsus that wee are vnworthy to liue vponupon it, wee must generally and particularly returne vntounto him, by vnfained repentance; and then they shall bee but fatherly corrections, and gentle warnings vntounto vsus. But if wee persist and insist in our sinne and securitie, then let vsus beware and feare least they bee but the beginning of (further) euills. And euen Herodotus an heathen historian diuinely speaketh: Cùm Deus puniturus est gentem vel vrbens, prodigiis id priùs solet significare. That is, when God will punish a Nation or Cittie, he vseth to giuegive significatiō of it by prodigies▪ & this doth the destructiō of Icrusalem and the dispersion of the nation of the Iewes, witnesse and warrant plainely vntounto vsus.
Thirdly, the approaching and neernesse of the day of the LORD, must bee a Trumpet to fore-warne and waken vsus, and as the voyce of thunder to terrifie vsus from our securitie, and to compell vsus to watch and pray, that wee may bee accompted worthy to escape all these things that shall come, and that wee may stand before the sonne of man. Luk. 22. verse 36.
Signes and fore-runners of our Sauiour IESVS CHRISTS second comming already fulfilled, are these, not onelyonly the destruction of Ierusalem, and the Temple of GOD manye hundred yeares agoe accomplished, but more specially, the discouerie, reuealing, and the decaye of the Romish Antichrist, that false Prophet, and King of the Locusts, within this foure score and sixteene yeares last expired. 2. Thessalon. 2. verse. 8. Apoc. 17. verse. 16. and his ruine and the ouerthrowe and vtter desolation of his Babylon and Metropolis surelie is at hand, as the Scriptures foreshew it to come to passe. Apoc. 18. verse. 8. For their sinnes of Idolatry, of filthy and abhominable liuing, of the bloud-shed of so many millions of GODS elected saints, of most horrible and vnmatchable conspiracies and treasons against Christian Kings and states, as their most execrable and damnable plot of powder treason, wherein they purposed at one blowe to hauehave blowne vp and destroied, both our most excellent and mightie Soueraigne, the most hopefull Prince Henry, together with all the honorable personages, and the state of the kingdome there assembled, doe to their publike and eternall shame, (amongst infinite other their villanies) demonstrate, are (as it were) come to the full: and GOD hath (in part) and will remember their iniquitye.
Adde herevnto their shamelesse corrupting and mangling of the writings and volumes, both of the ancient Fathers, and also later writers, yea those of their owne faction, as Iansenius, Ferus, Bertram, &c. togither with the burning of so many olde copies: both of the ancient and also of the later writers of their owne, that in ought made against them.
Lastly, their late, yet most lewd, lying, sophisticall and hellish doctrine of Aequiuocation, shifting euasions, and mentall reseruations, when they are called into question before ciuill Magistrates, doth by their Bookes and practise euince.
A third signe, already in great measure fulfilled, is the aboundance and shamelesse defence of sinne, deadnesse, & dulnesse of heart, whereby men are neither sensitiue of their sinnes, nor aware of Gods iudgements; and want of true faith on the earth; as may bee discerned by so much Atheisme and Hypocrisie, Luk. 18. 8.so little inuocation of Gods name, so horrible and vsuall Blasphemie, and such vile practises of iniustice and oppression: wherefore CHRIST that sitteth on the …lowde, must needes shortly thrust in his Sickle and reape: for the Grapes of sinne, and the har…est of iniquitie is ripe.
A fourth and dreadfull signe and fore-runner of the last iudgement: are strange Meteors, Comets, new, or blazing starres which hauehave beene euidently seene and noted,Luke 21. ver. 11. as anno Christi, Math. 4. 7.1572. and anno 1577. many Countries and kingdomes, beyond the Seas anno 1604 and 1605. about the beginning of October in 17. degrees of Sagittarius shinyng forth gloriously after the sunne setting; in figure and colour not vnlike vntounto that which thirtie and two yeares agoe was seene in Cassiopeia, without beard our tayle, rounde, pure and bright, so that manie of the learned thought it to bee Venus Starre and the most excellent Astronomers, in the beginning of it, tooke it also for the euening Starre: Keckermanus, Disp. Philos. Extraord. pag. 373. and 406. adde herevnto a late Comet appearing Northwest, 1607.
Vse. 1. The noting, seeing and contemplation of these and the like fearefull and ominous signes and occurrences, should driue and drawe to feare almightie GOD,Isa. 47. 13 and 14. and stand in awe of him, that causeth and sendeth them; as Lodowicke the first Emperour the Father of Charles the great answered one Edmund and Astrologer, that abusing wordes of Scripture, exhorted him not to feare the Comete which hee then sawe: let vsus not feare the Comete sayth hee, but the creator of it, and let vsus praise his clemencie, who doth vouchsafe by such iudgements to remember vsus of, and to reprooue vsus, for out dulnesse and sluggishnesse.
Secondly let vsus (taking also as à praesagium and forerunner of the last daie) bee aduertised and induced heereby to prepare our Lampes, to furnish the Oyle and to make readie for our Lord IESVS CHRIST at his comming, that we may goe with him vntounto the marriage and enter into his ioye. Amen.
Thirdly the consideration of infinite losse, detriment and torment that will follow (if wee doe not in this life, the time of grace and reconciliation prepare our selues) must driue and compell vsus herevnto, for they shalbe excluded out of Heauen, and bee punnished with euerlasting perdition, form the presence of the Lord, and from the glorie of his power. 2. Thess. 1. 9. and the shall hauehave their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Apoc. 21, ver. 8, and the smoke of their torment shal ascende euermore and they shall hauehave no rest day nor night, Apoc. 14. vers. 11. Wherefore if the former argument cannot like an heauenly Adamant and Loadstone drawe vsus to preparation, (as this Argument is most effectuall & preualent with the regenerate,) yet let the threatning of damnation, like a terrible thunderclap, or a great peale of ordinance rowse & awake vsus from sinne, and driue and enforce vsus to make our selues ready. And if the feare hereof in very Reprobates, can worke so far forth as to compel Simon Magus to desire Peter, and Iohn to pray to the Lord for him, that none of the things that they had spoken might come vponupon him, Act. 8. 24. and when Paule disputed of Iudgment, it could make Faelax to tremble. Act. 24. 26. much more must it preuaile with those that make a better profession, and waite for eternall redemption.
Lastly our Sauiour Christ, and Paul &c. by this argument endeuoured to awaken the secure. Mathew 23. 33. 2. cor. 5. 11.
And thus much in generall of the person that is to be prepared and to pr…pare her selfe.
Now that we may proceede more orderly in this point, and the reader may take the more benefite, and profit by it. We are first to propound the principall heads of this preparation, and Secondly the proper and set time of it. The principall heads are these foure, faith in Christ; Secondly purity and innocency of life. Thirdly the duties of charity and good workes, and lastly a feruent desire, and huely hope in the patient expectation of the consumation of the marriage.
The first head is faith, which is nothing els but a perswasion of the fauour of GOD towardes vsus in Christ, or as Saint Paul to the Hebrewes defineth it, the foreign or substance of things hoped for, it is called a substance, not for that in very deede it doth subsist, and hath abeeing, but because it doth present, and as it were set before our eyes that which is promised by GOD. Hebrewes 11. 1. Apoc. 1, 8. and it is foreign that is a demonstration of things not seene; the worde signifieth properly a conuincing of the conscience, for faith doth so conuince him that doubteth hee can doubt no more, not otherwise then if hee sawe them with his bodily eyes, and herevnto is to bee referred that saying of Christ. Thomas because thou hast seene thou hast …eleeued, but blessed are they that hauehave not seene, and (yet) hauehave beleeued. Ioh. 20. 29. Therfore sayth that giueth vsus an assurance of the accomplishment of Gods promises, whether corporall, or spirituall, temporall, and eternall, must needs bee the first, and the principall part of this preparation: this is the entry dore whereby wee are admitted vntounto God, and into his house. Ephe. 3, 12. without this it is impossible to please God for hee that commeth vntounto God must beleeue Hebre. 11, 5. and what soeuer is not of faith (that is done in a conscionable knowledge of Gods will) is sinne Ro. 14. 23. faith is the eye of the body, if the eye be single id est the faith sincere, thēal the body shal be light: but if the eye be darke id est the faith corrupt, & vnsound, then the whole body is dark, so that neither hand, foote &c. can execute and performe his function. This faith is the stomach of the Soule to attract, digest, and conuert into good bloud, and norishment, the Heauenly food of Gods word, & if it either want appetite, to desire, power to digest, or strength to retaine &c. the whole body must needes by degrees languish, and decay: finally it is the roote, foundation, and the instrumentall cause of our iustification, regeneration, victory ouer sinne, and satan, peace of conscience, and eternall saluation. col. 2. 5. 6. Ephe. 6. 16. Act. 15, 9. 1. Iohn. 5. 4. Rom. 5. 1. Mar 16. 16. Ioe. 3. 15. 16.
Thus wee see by the properties, effects, and vses of faith it is necessary, & there can bee no preparation acceptable to God without it; wherefore if we want it, wee must vse the meanes to get, and obtai…e it: and if wee finde our selues possessed with it, wee must then preserue, cherish and norish this holy flame with the knowledg… of Gods word, with the vse of the Sacraments, by conference, by meditation, by prayer, by practise of good workes, and by hope, expecting, and waiting for the ende of it, euen the saluation of our soules. For first our faith through the frequency and violence of temptations, is often fore assaulted and weakened, and therefore it had neede be repayred and confirmed.
Secondly onelyonly that faith that vsually doth growe and encrease, is the sauing, and liuely faith, and shall neuer be extinct, for defect of oile; nor pine away by any spirituall consumption, but continueth firme, and vnmoueable, and obtaineth the promises Eph. 4. 11. 12. 13.
Lastly if faith hauehave not (as before specified) his continuall supply of food, it will faile as the wine did at the mariage in Cana of Galil, if it be not norished, and preserued, it will wither like the corne sowen in the stony ground for want of moisture, and it wilbe lost as we see how it was in the foolish virgins at the Bride groomes comming, and that argued that it was not true faith in existence; but onelyonly in apparence, and that it was rather an opinion then a deepe impression: for otherwise the faith of Peter, and so of Gods elect, shall not faile, and the gifts of God (namely that directly concerne saluation) are without repentance. Luk 22. 32. Rom. 11. 19. neuer extinct, or taken away.
But that neither with the ignorant, nor with the hypocrites, nor yet with the Papists and other heretikes wee content, and deceiue our selues with a mocke faith▪ an historicall and temporary faith, or with a crackt, and erronious faith, insteed of that which is sauing, and iustifying, we must found and search our soules, whether wee bee Orthodoxe, and vncorrupt in the principles of faith, whether we rest wholy vponupon the right obiect, whether it be ioyned with particuler application, and lastly whether we discerne and find in our selues the inward & outward signes, and euidences of it, for then vndoubtedly wee hauehave that faith that iustifieth the sinner, purgeth the heart, engrafteth vsus into Christ, and saueth our soules. But of these, and the like particulers briefely, and in order.
Principles and foundations of faith are these, preaching of the word of God, is the ordinary and principall meanes of saluation. Rom. 10 14. Christ is both God and Man in one person, perfect GOD and perfect man: man to suffer and dye, and satisfie for sinne in our nature that had offended, and God to support his humanitie, to giuegive efficacie and power to his doctrine and miracles, and to adde infinite merite and desert to all his actions, and sufferings. Thirdly, onelyonly faith is the hand and instrument to apprehend, and apply CHRIST vntounto vsus with all his blessing…, and so to iustifie vsus.
Faith is like the eye, which albeit in the acte, and vertue of seeing, it is alone: yet not solitarye and alone in the bodye, but ioyned to other parts: so faith, albeit it alone iustifieth vsus before GOD, yet it is not solitarie, and alone, but alwayes according to the proportion of it accompanied with holy life and good workes. Gal. 5. verse. 6.
There are onelyonly two Sacraments which Christ instituted, and left vntounto the Church, Baptisme the sacrament of our new birth, and entrance into christianity, the outward signe whereof is Water: and the Lords Supper, the sacrament of our growth and perfect nourishment, and encrease in Christianity, the outward signes and matter whereof are Bread and Wine, remaining both Bread and Wine for substance, both in the sacramentall vse of them, and afterwards as Paul maketh it manifest. 1. Cor. 11. 26. 27. That no man performe and fulfill the lawe, and therfore no man is to hope and looke for righteousnesse and saluation by that obedience which hee sheweth to the lawe, Rom. 8. 3. Gal. 2. 15. 16. That we cannot make satisfaction to God for the least of our sinnes, but that Christ alone hath most fully, and onelyonly performed it. 1. Pet. 2. 24. Apoc. 1. 5. 6. That the saluation, of all that beleeue is certaine and infallible, not onelyonly in Gods decree, but also to themselues, Rom. 8. 38. Heb. 10. 22. and therefore that the opinion of the Papists is wicked, which make faith vncertaine, and so holde our saluation to bee doubtfull.
That all doctrine necessary to saluation is contained in the Scriptures, so that nothing is either to be added to it, or detracted from it, Deut. 4. 2. Apoc. 22. 18. 19. Gal. 1. 8.
That the knowledge of the Scriptures are necessary for all sorts of people for their saluation, and therefore that they ought to read them, that they may thereby learne and vnderstand, what God would hauehave them to beleeue, and doe, Iohn. 5. 39. Mar. 12. 24. Math, 22. 29.
That God alone is to be adored of vsus, and that no part of diuine worship is to bee giuen vntounto any creature, Math. 4. 10.
That holinesse of life, & good workes as effects, and consequents of faith, and the way wherein wee should walke, Ephes. 2. 10. is necessarily required of all that will be saued, Hebr. 12.
That the Sacraments are onelye signes and seales of righteousnesse, and not causes of saluation, and therefore our saluation doth not so depend vponupon them, that they that want them must needs bee damned, whereas our saluation consisteth onelyonly in Christ his merits, Marc. 16. 16. which none can dispoile and dismantle vsus of.
That Christ his body was but once conceiued of the substance of the Virgin Mary, and cannot bee made of any other matter, and that CHRIST hath onelyonly one body, and therefore it is not made of Wheate bread (as the Papists say it is dayly) for it is not the seede of Dauid, and bread is not the flesh of the Virgin.
That the humaine nature of Christ is now onelyonly resident, and contained in heauen, and therefore it is not to be adored in earth, Acts. 3.
That the whole force, vertue, and efficacie of our saluation, and redemption, is in the onelyonly, and once offered sacrifice of CHRIST, Heb. 10. 12. 14. and that this sacrifice could bee offered of none but Christ, who was to be a Priest for euer.
Lastly (to omit diuers other articles, which bee more plaine, and confessed) it is a foundation of faith, to know, beleeue, and hold, that then immediatly after the dissolution from the body, the soules of the righteous are carryed by the Angels into heauen,Luke. 16. vers. 22. and the soules of the wicked and impenitent, are carryed by the diuill into hell: and that the same bodyes with all their perfect partes, and demensions shall for substance bee raised vp by CHRIST at the day of iudgment, Iob. 19. 25. 26. Of this maine and principall article many are ignorant, or at least not iuditiously and soundly perswaded, as may appeare by the examinatiō of the ignorant people both in their sicknesse, and otherwise. These heads, & foundations viz. they that shall either with Atheists deny al, or with the Church of Rome deny, or by consequence ouerthrowe most of them, or with the common, or vulgar protestant bee ignorant of them; cannot possibly (for the time present) hauehave true faith, for faith can no more then a temple, a house, or any other edifice bee without his many grounds, and foundation. Wherefore if we erre, or bee ignorant in these, or in the like principles of faith, let vsus by diligent hearing of the word, reading of the Scriptures, and Orthodoxe bookes, by consulting the Godly learned, and by earnest prayer to GOD for illumination and vnderstanding, seeke to bee better informed, and resolued.
The second point to bee considered, is whether Christ with his onelyonly merites, and obedience bee the onelyonly Obiect of our faith, so that in matter of saluation wee vtterly disclame, and renounce all other feined merites, satisfactions, intercessions of men, and Angells, for Christ alone is our perfect redeemer, and mediator. Act. 4. 12. Heb. 7, 25. Phi. 3.
The third point, whether our faith doe not onelyonly rest in abare and naked knowledge, and history of Christ, (as the fayth of the deuills, and reprobates doth) but also apply, and appropriate Christ, yea and enclose (as it were) him, and all his merits vntounto themselues, and their owne saluation: for as without vse, and application of the weapon there is no defence, or anoyance: without vse, and application of medicine no cure, without vse, and applie of meate and drinke, no continuance of life, without putting on of apparell no warmth, or hiding of our vnseemly partes, without acceptance, and perticuler acknowledgement of the Kings generall pardon, there is no forgiuenesse: so vnlesse we apply and appropriate Christ with all his obedience, and merites vntounto our selues wee hauehave no comfort; helpe, and benefit by him wee do ebut beate the ayre, run at randome, and shoote at the rouers.
Wherefore to conclude this point, wee must say with Dauid, O Lord my strength and my redeemer, Psal. 19. 14. Iob. 20. ve. 21.and with Thomas the Apostle, My Lord and my God, and with the Church in the Canticles my welbeloued is mine, and I am his. Cant. 2. 16.
Fourthly we are a little to consider, & take a view of some pregnant, & remarkable signes, and effectes of true faith, whereby (as by certaine trusty intelligencers) we may be informed, and certified whether we hauehave true fayth, or not.
First it is one signe of a beleeuer to ioyne, and associate himselfe to those assemblies and those people wherein, and amongst whom the true, & sincere worship of God is professed, and established: for in the 2. of the Acts of the Apostles it is sayd the Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saued. Act. 2. 47. And it is a note of perdition for a man to forsake the holy assemblys, & so to withdraw himselfe and his faith from GOD. Hebrewes. 10. 25. and 39.
Thomas absenting himselfe from the Apostles and their fellowship but some eight daies, or there abouts was so hardned in vnbeleife that he would not beleeue the testimony, and asseueration of the rest of the Apostles that told him that Christ was risen, except hee might see the print of the nailes, Ioh. 26. ver. 25.and put his finger into the print of them, and put his hand into his side, and had not CHRIST beene so mercifull vntounto him, as to condescend to his infirmitie, and withall to molli…ie his heart hee had perished in his obstinacie. What then is to bee sayd of them that seldome, that negligently, yea that neuer come into GODS Chamber of presence to heare the blessed Preaching of his word, and to pertake of the Heau…nly Manna of the Sacraments, surely they are in a most dangerous and desperate case.
A second note of faith is, constantly, wisely, and boldly to confesse and maintaine the doctrine of saluation, and all the foundations of fayth when we are therevnto called: For we must beleeue with the heart, and confesse with the mouth. Rom. 10. 10. We must hauehave Christ his name written in our forheads. Apoc. 14. 1. Wee though we liue wheresathan hath his throne, must keepe Christs name and not deny the faith. Apoc. 2. 13. Whereso … it standeth vsus vponupon to looke to our selues, and to beeware that wee bee not daunted with scoffes, and slaunders, terrified with feare of trouble, and persecution, seduced with flattery, ouercome, with false perswasions, and corrupted with offer of profit, and preferment. For if wee bee ashamed of Christ our good Lord, Maister, and Redeemer, he wilbe ashamed of vsus, if wee deny him, hee will deny vsus before his Heauenly Father, and all the Holy Angells: and contrarywise if wee confesse, and honour him before men, hee wil confesse and honour vsus. Finally wee are (then onelyonly) made partakers of Christ if wee keepe sure vntounto the end foreign foreign, id est, the beginning of our assurance, (or wherby we are vpholden.) Heb. 3. 14.
A third euidence of fayth is to shew and make knowne our dislike, and hatred of errour, and false doctrine, yea to set, and oppose our selues against it, so farre forth as our calling will warrant.
Thus Dauid professeth that hee hateth all false waies. Psal. 119. 104. and 128. Thus Paul being at Athens, and seeing the Citty foreign id est that is addicted to Idolatry, it is sayd that the Spirit in him foreign was prouoked to indignation. Acts. 17. 16. and thus the Angell of the Church of Ephesus is commended, because hee could not forbeare them that were euill, because hee did examine the …alse Apostles & found them out. Apoc. 2. 2.
A …, and that a more inward, and in…allible note of faith is with Ezechias, Dauid, Iob, Anna, Gedeon, and others to beleeue, and depend vponupon God, euen then when wee hauehave (for the present) no feeling, and when in trouble we see no meane of deliuerance, for this is a demonstration that we rely wholy, and only on his helpe, and therefore is most acceptable to his maiesty, yea, if God in our seeming, and apprehension should wound vsus, bee an enemy vntounto vsus, write bitter things against vsus, yea, and kill vsus, yet must wee trust in him. 2. Chro. 32. 31. 32. Isay. 38. ver. 2. 3. Psalm 77. 7. 8. 9. Iob. 13. vers. 15. 1. Sam. ver. 15. …udg. 6. 13. 2. Sam. 15. 26.
For God many times leaueth his Children without sense, and feeling of present comfort, & that partly to bring them to repentance for sinnes past. Iob. 13. 26. partly to make them knowe themselues for the time present. Deut. 13. 2. 3. partly to preuēt sinnes in time to come. 2. Cor. 12. 7. 8.
A fourth, note is the gift, & practise of prayer, or the inuocation of Gods name in the only mediation of Christ, for this is a speciall character, and note of an elect of God, whereby he is discerned from an Infidell, or reprobate, and is knowne to bee one of Gods Children. Rom. 10. 14. 1. Cer. 1. 3, 2. Tim. 1. 19. and contrariwise it is a brand of an Infidell, or an Atheist neuer to pray. Ieremy 10, 25. Psalme 14, 4. But that wee bee not deceiued herein, for ignorant people may mutter ouer, and say by rote certayne prayers, and the hipocrite, may make a goodly shew, certaine rules must bee obserued and heeded.
First that our praiers bee made in knowledge of Gods will, otherwise they are not made in …ayth, and so cannot please God. Rom. 14, ver. 4.
Secondly that in priuate we pray not so much by prescript for me, as according to the present sense, & feeling of our owne wants, & imperfections crauing the supply of them.
Thirdly, that it doe not consist in a few words of course, but bee enlarged as time, and our present necessities occasion vsus. 1. Sam. 1. vers. 15.
Fourthly, that the matter and subiect of our prayers bee chiefely, and in the first place, the aduancement of Gods Gospell and kingdome, the remission of our owne sinnes, and the saluation of our soules, and then in the second place to pray for temporalls, and outward things, but alwayes conditionally, and with subiecting our wills to Gods will. Math. 26. ver. 39.
Fistly, it must not be only for a brunt vponupon a sudden motion, or onelyonly in time of great trouble, but daily, and continually, for thus are wee taught to pray incessantly, and neuer to giuegive ouer vntill God grant our requests. 1. Thes. 5▪ Luke. 18 7
Sixtly, wee must pray in humilitie, and in vnfained louelove to God and men, for the proud mans prayer God reiecteth, Luke 18. vers. 14. and the malitious mans prayer, and sacrifice is abhominable. Lastly, (not to be tedious,) wee must not pray onelyonly for our selues, and kindred as carnall men (in their manner) sometimes doe, but for the whole church of God vponupon earth, and for eueryevery state and condition of Christians, as Kings, Counsellers, Rulers, Iudges, Magistrates, the reuerend Prelates, Pastors, Preachers, Ministers, commons, and most earnestly and compassionately, for those whom wee know afflicted, hated, persecuted for the truth, and Gospels sake, or for any good cause whatsoeuer, or where-soeuer.
If thou finde all these signes of faith, or most of them in thy selfc, be thankfull to GOD for them, and which of them thou feelest, and perceiuest thy selfe to bee destitute of, in part, or whole, seeke for the obtaining of it, and if thou bee wholy voyde of them, then it is high time, whiles opportunitie serueth, to labour to procure them by all holy meanes. Looke therefore to the maine chance, get and nourish faith, and thou canst▪ not perish: but want, or neglect thou it, and thou canst not bee saued, I am horum mauis accipe.
To the former notes, and testimonies of faith, may very well be added puritie, and innocencie of life, and a liuely hope of eternall glory, for these are certaine and infallible notes of faith, and peculiar effects of it, but of these I purpose to treate distinctly, and more at large in the two next points of preparation, wherof these are branches. And thus much of faith, the foundations obiect, application, and notes of it.
The second principall head in this preparation, is puritie, and innocencie of life and conuersation. This is a notable and peculier worke, and declaration of faith, and it proceedeth, as naturally from it, as the beames from the sunne, the waters from the fountaine, and the fruites in their season from the fruitfull tree, herevpon fai…h is said to purifie the heart, Acts. 15. 9. faith, and repentance are both preached together, and so ought to bee practised, Mark. 1. 15.
The necessitie of this holinesse, and innocencie appeareth plainely: without holinesse, no man shall see God. Heb. 12. …4. except Christ washe vsus wee hauehave no part with him, …ohn. 13. 8. except a man bee borne of water, and the holye Ghost, hee shall neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen. Iohn. 3. 5. Finally no vncleane thing shall enter into the heauenly Cittie, neither whatsoeuer worketh abhomination, or lyes, Apoc. 21. 27. Likewise innocencie and harmlesse simplicitie is a cognizance and badge of them that are prepared for Gods kingdome; for they must bee innocent as Doues, Math. 10. 16. harmelesse as yong children, Mat. 18. 3. without guile in their mouthes, Psalm. 32. 2▪ suffering wrong rather then offering it, and dooing no man iniurye, but labouring to doe good to all men; and no maruaile, for beeing borne a new and cast into a new molde, wee must operari secundum formam renouatam, according to our new nature, so must be our actions; and if wee bee rightly regenerate, the effects that doe retaine the similitude of the cause, must needs entertaine some correspondencie with it.
Secondly, Christ Iesus the vnspotted Lambe of GOD, will neuer marry with the Church, vntill shee bee first washed and sanctified, Ephes. 5. 26. 27. and they onelyonly that hauehave not defiled their garments, idest, corrupted their conscience with grosse and grieuous sinnes, shall walke with Christ in white, Apoc. 3. vers. 4.
Thirdly, being contracted, and ingrafted into Christ, that is, holinesse it selfe, we must not walke after the flesh, but after the spirit, Rom. 8. 1, wee must be conformable vntounto Christ his death by mortification, and to his resurrection, by newnesse of life, or else wee are no liuely members of his body, but dead and rotren flesh. It is an axiome in Philosophy, quo quid propinquius bono…eo melius, Aristo. 3. Top. wherefore if we be in Christ, and contracted to him, wee must needs be better, for wee are not onelyonly neere him, but of him, and he in vsus, and we in him. And that our holinesse and innocencie of life bee not rather in the flowre, then in the fruite, and in pompe more then in proofe, we must sce that it be constant, and encrease; … as wee continually, partly by ordinary slips, and infirmities, and partly by spirituall conflicts, & combates, receiue some losse, foiles, decayes; so must we dayly endeuour to strengthen our selues, to repaire our decayes, and to mend our garments, and to regaine, and recouer our losses, And as generatio vnius est corruptio alterius, so wee must see how by the engendering of holynesse, sinne doth decrease; for as one kingdome cannot endure two Kings, so the kingdome of Christ cannot consort with the dominion of Satan.
Wherefore we must not please, and content ourselues with the out-ward shew of holinesse, or deceiue our selues with the opinion that men may conceiue of vsus, out-ward shewes are like Sodome Apples, goodly in colour, and appearance, but if a man crush, and open them, they are nothing but powder, or ashes, and as for mens opinion of vsus, it is no certaine euidence of our inward holines, for Hipocrisie is spunne with so fine a …, that it can deceiue the most Godly, and iudicious (at least for a long time) in the world, thus Dauid was deceiued in Achitophell his …amiliar and counsellor, the Apostles in Iudas, and the whole Church in Nicolas, one of the seauen Deacons.
Secondly wee must not onelyonly bee innocent our selues, and holy, and here-vponupon thinke wee may endure filthy speach, horrible blasphemye of GODS sacred name, false imputations laide vppon iust men, open drunckennesse, and notorious profanesse in others; but we must (if wee hauehave any dramme, or sparke of grace in vsus, or any partickle of zeale for God,) rebuke them, and shew our hatred, offence, and opposition against them. Eph. 5. 11. Herein our louelove to God, our hatred of euill, our strength, and resolution in Godlines is euidently discryed, and discouered Luke. 23. 41. Act. 14. ver. 14..
Thirdly wee must beware, and shunne ill company and fellowship; for if wee bee not armed with speciall grace, and also most chary how wee come into their company, they will soone infect, coole, and corrupt vsus. They are as the pestilent vapor to the apt and open body, as fire to the tynder, as pitch to the hands, as Dalila to Sampson, and as Iesabel to Achab; they are so ready and forcyble by their ill president, and perswasions to infect, and our nature soe weake, and impotent to resist if it bee not alwayes assisted with speciall grace, and the spirir of God, that the Holiest, the Wisest, the Strongest hauehave hereby soone beene defiled, and polluted, how much more those that either hauehave very little grace, or none at all, and that make no conscience, and choise of their company.
The third head, or principall part in preparation is Charity, and the Fruites, and effects of it, charity, or louelove is the fulfilling of the lawe. Rom. 13. 10. it is the bond of perfection. Colo. 3. 14. For it knitteth, and bindeth all other vertues together, that they be not dissolued, and it prefereth them; this charitie dependeth vponupon the louelove of God, and cannot bee in any hethen, the shadow of all other vertues (besides this) may bee in Pagans, as pi…ty, bountie, modestie, patience &c. but not this, & this doth vnite, and ioyne all the members of the Church together. Finally without this, if wee hauehave all other rare perfections yet before GOD wee are nothing. Cor. 13. 2. Charity is in respect of the eternity of it greater, yea preferred before sayth, and hope. 1. Cor. 13, 13. for sayth, and hope determine with this life, but louelove abideth for euer.
Againe in respect of the obiect, and the visibility of it, it is greater then either sayth, or hope, for fayth, and hope hauehave for their obiect only GOD, and Christ, but louelove extendeth it selfe to God, and man. Rom. 8. 25. fayth is in it selfe inuisible, but louelove, and charity perspicuous, and apparant. Iac. 2. 16. 18. this charity, and louelove is not onelyonly in tongue, in promises, and in affection, and welwishing to men, but also in truth and indeede, as 1. Iohn. 3. 18. Charity is bountifull and seeketh not her owne. 1. Cor. 13, 4, 5. it is communicatiuum sui, that is, imparteth that which she hath to others, and here that principle of Philosophy is verified, bonum quo communius eo melius; the more common it is the more comfortable. It doth not (as many of our inclosers) impale, imparke, and hedge in the common groundes, and fields to her priuate vse, to the weakening of the State, and the ruinating of the Communalty, but like a fountaine, sendeth, and streameth forth her waters vntounto others, shee is so farre (as it is to be feared many practise) from appropriating to her selfe in part, or in whole the poore mens stocke, and collection-mony gathered, and giuen for building, or repaireing of Churches, or Townes, that hauehave beene consumed by fire, that she liberally giueth of her owne. But (to ende this point) the practise whereof should neuer ende. As faith worketh by charity, so there are certaine particulers wherin her Offices are most conspicuous, and obseruable. First we must bee lights, and lamps to others by our examples, and not looke who will begin first, as Mathew 5. 16. 2. Cor. 9. 2.
Secondly when our brother offendeth, we must in charity, and discretion admonish him, and not to suffer him to perish in his sinne (as many do) rather deridyng him, then directing him, Mat. 18. 15.
Thirdly, wee must exhort, and perswade others to Godlines, and good workes, Heb. 3, 13. Fourthly we must by Simpathy, and fellow-feeling, & especially by words of Scripture rightly vnderstood▪ and well applied, comfort, and cheere the afflicted. 1. Thessa. 5, 14, and therefore wee must not post, and put off, all to the minister, as though it cōcerned not vsus at all. Fiftly we must pray for others, and especially for their conuersion, and saluation. 1. Timot. 2. 1 2. and that both publikly, and priuately. And lastly eueryevery man must according to his ability, & other mens wants and necessities willingly & seasonably impart of his worldly goodes for their releife, Acts. 2. 21. 2. Corinthi. 8. Galla. 6. 10. 1 Iohn. 3, 16. This is the touchstone of many, and most mens religion in these last and worst dayes, for herein they are most fauty and defectiue, but let them that will not doe good with their temporalls, beware least they for omission heereof, iustly bee condemned with the two rich worldling, in Luke Chapter 12. 17. 19. and Chapter 16. 24, and with infinite others at the day of Iudgement. Mathew 23. 42. 43. 45.
The last point, and branch of the preparation is hope, desire, and expectation of the marriage, and the glorie, and ioye of it, and herevpon it is that hope is called the Anker of the Soule, sure, and steadfast, to stay, and sustaine vsus in all stormes, and tempestes of temptations, Hebre. 6. 19. yea the kingdome of Heauen, which wee waite for, is called, A blessed hope. Titus. 2, 13. this hope of eternall glorie), is a notable meanes to stirre vp men to purge, and reforme themselues. 2. Iohn 2. 3. with the expectation of which blisse, wee must comfort one another. 1. Thesalonians 4, 17. and wee must both in temporall, and spiritually tryalls not growe impatient, as the rebellious Iewes that could not expect, and stay for Moyses fortie daies, but would needes in the meane time play the Idolators; but with the woman of Canaan, after a first, second, and third repulse hope still Mat. 15. 27. 28, we must with the Creeple, in Iohn sometime before wee be cured waite thirty eight yeares. Ioh. 5. 5. 7. Wee must with Abraham against hope, beleeue vnderunder hope, Romans 4, 8. And as the Iewes patiently (many of them) waited in hope of the accomplishment of Gods promises many yeares, both their deliuerance out of Egipts tirranny, and afterwards out of Babilons captiuitie, yea and expected, and desired many hundred yeares the Incarnation of Christ before that they in their posterity enioyed it: so must we also tarry the Lords leasure, in patience, and in hope fustaine our soules. Psal. 37, and waite all the daies of our pilgrimage vntill Christ come vntounto vsus by death, or the last iudgement, for our full, and finall redemption. Shall the husbandman waite for the pretious fruite of the earth, and hauehave long patience vntill hee receiue the first, and the latter raine, and shall not wee bee much more patient, and settle our hearts, seeing the comming of the LORD i… so neere. Iam. 57, 8.
To this hope wee must annexe, and adioyne an earnest desire, and ardent prayer; as for the accomplishment of other promises, so specially for the second comming of our LORD and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST.
Hence it is that wee are tought to pray thy Kingdome come, Mathew 6, 10 to hasten vntounto the day of the comming of GOD, 2 Peter 3, 12. to desire to bee cloathed with immortalitie, yea, to si…h for it. 2. Co…inthi. 5. 9 We must say come LORD IESVS, come quicklie, Apoc. 22. 19. 20. How long LORD IESVS, how long? Apoc. 6. 10. 11. Wee must with the creatures foreign that is carefully, and desirously looke for. Romans 8. 19. as hee that out of a prison grate, or casement, putteth forth his head to behold a farre off him that is expected.
Reasons in briefe to kindle and encrease this hope, and desire of this solemnization, and per…ect coniunction with Christ, are especially foure: First the example, and feruent desire of the creatures, who albeit they be sin-lesse, yet because mans sinne hath corrupted them, and doth continually peruert and abuse them; they in their kinde feruently desire to bee freed from this bondage, and to bee restored into the glorious lib…rtie of Gods children; much more wee that hauehave receiued the first fruites of the spirit must long and looke for a farre more glorious estate. Roman. 8. 19. 21. 22. 23.
Secondly, the infinite miseries, troubles, persecutions of the world, and the vanitie, ticklish and sickle estate, and mortality of all things herein contained, must stirre vp our hearts desire, and expectation of full redemption, and glorification, Phil. 3. 20. Heb. 13. 13. 2. Cor. 4. 8. 9, 17. Collos. 3. 1. 2. 3. to this purpose doth the triumphant Church in heauen, (in a generall sort) desire the end of the world, that the Lord may iudge, and auenge their bloud that was shed vponupon the earth, Apoc. 6. vers. 10.
A third reason, and that more principall, is that an end may bee put to all sinne, and wee may hauehave perfect victorie ouer it, yea, and treade downe Satan vnderunder our feete; for then we shall be deliuered frō all the relicks, stumps, root…s, and remainders of sinne. 1. Cor. 15. 55. 56. Rom. 16. 20. Apoc. 3. 4. and 19. 8. Whereas in this mortalitie, wee dayly, and eueryevery moment, sinne against, and offend our GOD, breake all his commandements, and prouoke his anger, and pull downe many iudgements vponupon vsus. Rom. 7. 17. 18. 19. and 23 24. Gala. 5. 17. yea all our obedience, and our best actions, are tainted with sinne, and so vnperfect, Isa. 63. Tit. 3. 5. 1. Cor. 13. 10. 11,
Lastly, the fruition and enioyment of Christ his glorious presence, and perfect fellowship, must be a forcible, and effectuall meanes to confirme our hope & enflame our desire, Phil. 1. 23. Hebr. 11. 25. 27. for here is the banquet that neuer endeth, the mariage that lasteth for euer, the triumph that is perpetuall, the absence and remouall of all euill, and the presence and possession of all good; but hereof wee must speake more at large in the third generall section.
Here,Vse. 1. by this doctrine are condemned all Sadduces, Athe…sts, Nulli-fidians, and Scorners of Christs comming, who because they walke by sense, and not by faith, by reason, and not by Scripture, and follow their owne lusts; and will not bee ruled by the line of Gods word, deny, and deride the doctrine of the resurrection, Christs second comming, heauen, and hell, as 2. Pet. 3. 3. 4. 2. Tim. 2. 17. 18.
Secondly,Vse. 2. here are reproued, and conuinced all Epicures, Libertines, looseliuers, and all worldlings, and voluptuous persons, who albeit they in worde deny not any Article of faith, as the former did, and doe; yet they denie the power of all religion in their hearts, and so liue as though there were neither God nor diuell, heauen or hell, louing riches more then religion, and pleasures more then pietie. 2. Timot. 3. 45.
Vse. 3. Thirdly wee shall by obseruing and noting the measure & quantitie of our hope, and desire of Christs comming, &c. iudge of, and discerne the quantitie of our faith; for these being necessary effects of faith, if they be great and liuely so is our faith, and if they bee weake or dead, so is our faith; for the tree is knowne by the fruites, and the cause by the vndoubted and proper effects of it; And thus much of preparation, and the principall parts of it.
Now we are to come to treat of the speciall opportunitie, and time when, both this generall, and particuler preparation is to be made, & that is onelyonly the present time, and this present life, whiles the day, the light, and the truth lasteth, and while the meanes, and ministery of grace, reconciliation, and saluation are offered, and continue, Titus 2. 10. Gal. 6. 10. Ioh. 9. 4. Ioh. 12. 35. 36. 2. Cor. 61. before our hearts be hardened with the long custome of sinne, and so they become vncurable, Hebr. 3. 13. Acts. 28. 27. whilest C…rist knocketh at the doore of our hearts. 3. 20. before the night commeth. Iohn. 9. 4. and the doore bee shut, Luke. 13. 25. for in the graue, in death, and hell, noe praysing of GOD, and no time of repentance, and reconciliation, as Isay. 38. Luke. 16. 24. 25. the Bride must trimme her selfe in this life. Apo. 19 7.
Now must the wedding garment bee prouided, Math. 22. 11. this life is the time of grace, for the ministerie of reconeiliation is onelyonly here. 2. Cor. 5. 18. 1. Cor. 15. 24. and 28. Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 13. for at the daye of iudgement it shall wholy cease. Lastly, Christ forgiueth sinnes (onelyonly) in earth, Luk. 5. 24. and the Apostles, and so the ministers of the word in al ages succeeding them, binde and loose, retaine, and remit sinnes in earth, Math. 16. 19. Iohn. 20. 23. wherefore we must seeke the Lord …hiles he may be found, and in the sixe dayes of this life, prouide vsus of the heauenly Manna, that wee may keepe with him an euerlasting Sabboth in the highest heauens.
Here is ouer-throwne that vile and damn…ble doctrine of the Popish purgatorie, who imagine, and teach that the soules of many are temporallye tormented in Purgatorie flames, and that they may bee eased and released of their torments, by the prayers and intercessions and satisfactions of the liuing, and specially by the pardons of the beast, I meane not Nebuchadnezar transformed for seauen yeares into a beast, but the Pope eternized for one; whereas first, this late coyned doct…ine is iniurious and derogatorie to Christ his all-sufficient satisfaction, who dyed (onelyonly) once to put away sinne, Heb. 9. 26. Hebr. 7. 25. and in all places of scripture, merite, satisfaction, and redemption, is onelyonly ascribed to his bloud, to his stripes, to his sufferings, both in soule immediatly, and also in body ioyntly and apart, &c. Secondly, he that beleeueth is saued,Vse. 1. and he that beleeueth not is cōndemned already, viz. in the decree, and by the word of God▪ Iohn. 3. 8. Thirdly, who-so-euer repenteth not, and beleeueth not, dyeth in his sinnes, and so vndoubtedly perisheth, Iohn. 8. 21. Ezechi. 18, 24. Luke 13. 3. 5.
Fourthly, the rich glutton making intercession to Abraham in behalfe of his fiue bretheren found no fauour, but receiued a iust repulse & reproofe, Luke. 16. 29. 31.
Fiftly, Dauid whiles the child borne in adultery liued, prayed for his life, but as soone as it was dead, then hee ceased p…aying, and fasting for it, for hee knew it would not auayle. 2. Sam. 12. verse. 22. 23.
Lastly, the penitent thee…e that suffered with Christ, and neuer had done good, vponupon his serious repentance, and firme faith, albeit wrought miraculously at the last houre, had a promise made him to bee that same daye with CHRIST in Paradice, Luke 23. 43. which Saint Paul enterpreteth to be the third heauen. 2. Cor. 12. 3. 4. beeing compared together. Now if any man had gone to purgatorie fire, and should there be further p…rged and prepared, no doubt he had beene one, sed haec hactenus de questuosissima papistarum fabula.
Vse. 2. Secondly, seeing that there is no libertie, and peace of conscience vntill men repent, Prou. 18 14. and no actuall pardon, and that the time to repent, a…d prepare our selues, is onelyonly this life, which is short, momentary, & transitory, and wherein, the children dye as well as the ancient, yong-men as well as the olde, the strong and lustie, as soone, and as sodenly, as the weake, it must learne, and schoole vsus in no wise to deferre our repentance, and time of preparing our selues, but to begin betimes, and to hold on to the last breath.
For first we are bound,1. Reason. and commanded to serue God in spirit, and trueth, and that all the dayes of our life, Luk. 1. 74. 75 ergo, we must not put and post of all to old age, not knowing whether we shall euer liue to it, or not.
Secondly our iourney to heauen being long,2. Reason. the preparation great, and the time very short and vncertaine, we must bee wise, and redeeme it, and repent when we may.
Thirdly, we must with Salomon, Iosias, Timothy, Ioseph, and others, serue God in the dayes of youth, and in the floure of our age, when our memory is most apt and firme, our vnderstanding most sharpe, our sences most liuely, & we may best lay the foundation of an holy and comfortable old age, thus are we commanded and exhorted, Eccles. 13, 1. Psal. 119. 9. Psal. 78. 6. 7. and it is their greate commendation. Tit. 1. 4. 2. Tim. 1. 5. 2. Epist. Ioh. 4. 1. Ioh. 2. 12. 13, 14. Whereas otherwise they that neglect, and omit to reconcile themselues vntounto God in their best time, & in the daies of their child-hood, and youth grow in time senceles, and brutish, and hard hearted, and are iustly forsaken of God in their old, and impotent age, that had no care, and conscience to feare, obey, and serue him in their youth.
Thirdly it is seldome, and rarely seene, that men that hauehave liued all their life, and spent all their golden dayes (as they call them) in superstition, sinne, and vanity, should vndoubtedly turne vntounto God in their old age. It is more wonderous then vsuall, and there are onelyonly some examples of it in Scriptures to keepe the aged from dispaire, but they are very fewe and rare, that we should not (as most doe) presume to much of it.
Lastly of all ages, olde age (if it bee not before rooted, and grounded in fayth, in louelove, and in the practise of Godlinesse) is of all ages the most vnapt, and vntoward, to performe these duties, to begin, and lay the foundation of repentance, and to make it ready for Christ. Wee may in this case in some sorte say, Can a man bee (new) borne when he is old, can he enter into his Mothers wombe againe, and bee borne, Iohn 3. 4. not being ignorant, and misvnderstanding the doctrine of regeneration, as Nicodemus; but onelyonly in another sense affirming that time to be the most vnfit. And there is sufficient reason for it; for in olde age the memory decayeth, the strength fayleth, the senses are infeebled and wast, then are the euill daies of sorrow, and labour, of payne, and aches, then the daies, and yeares approch, when men shal say that they hauehave no pleasure in them. Ecclesi. 12, 1, 2. then sathan is most egar, and busie, knowing right well, that then he must loose all, or gaine all, wherefore let vsus with the wise Virgins prepare our selues whiles wee hauehave time, let vsus walke in the light whiles the light shineth, and seeke the Lord whilst wee may finde him. Isay▪ 55. 6. 7. Which GOD grant. A men.