Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John, Part 7

Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John · Part 7

p. 674Apoſtaſie.

MATTH. 24.12, 13.

And becauſe iniquity ſhall abound, the love of many ſhall wax cold.

But he that endureth to the end, the ſame ſhall be ſaved.

IT is well obſerved concerning thoſe two deſtructions of the world,Ludolf, de vita Chriſt l. 2.6.87 that as the firſt was by water for the heat of their luſt, ſo the ſecond ſhall be by fire, for the coldneſſe of their love. The deluge of iniquity ſhall quench the love of many. But he that endureth, &c. It is but a He in the ſingular number that holds out to the end. The moſt are of them that draw back to perdition, and not of them that believe to the ſaving of the ſoul, foreign. Heb. 2 12. Confitetur ſe eſſe Apoſtatam, ſed beatum & ſanctum, qui fidem diabelo datam non ſervavit. Melch Ad. in vit Luth p. 145. Sleidan Comment.Heb 2:12Heb. 1.39. The oppoſition there imports that incredulity is the root of apoſtaſie; that (I mean) whereby a man departs from the living God. It was laid to Luthers charge, that he was an apoſtate. He confeſſeth that he was an apoſtate, but a bleſſed and holy one: ſuch as had not kept promiſe with the devil, but fallen off from him, and his Church malignant. The like imputation the Papiſts laid upon thoſe famous Italian converts, Zanchius, Peter Martyr, Paulus Vergerius the Popes Nuncio, who began to write a book, Adverſus Apoſtatas Germaniae (that was the title) againſt the Lutheran apoſtates: but by ſearching into their tenets, with purpoſe to confute them, was converted by them, and leaving his Biſhoprick, and that whole Synagogue of Satan, lived and died a painfull and powerfull Preacher of Gods truth in Germany. Galeacius Caracciolus alſo, an Italian Marqueſſe, p. 675and nephew to Pope Paul the fifth, hearing Peter Martyr reade upon the 1 epist. to the Corinths, was converted by him, and leaving all went to Geneva. Where when he was afterwards tempted by a Jeſuite to revolt for money: he cried out,His life tranſlated by Croſh. Let their money periſh with them, who eſteem all the gold in the world worth one daies ſociety with Jeſus Christ and his holy Spirit. And curſed be that Religion for ever, that ſeeks by mony to corrupt mens mindes from the ſimplicity of Christ. The Papiſts do at this day propoſe rewards to ſuch as ſhall relinquiſh the Proteſtant religion, and turn to theirs: as in Auſborough, where they ſay there is a known price for it of ten florens a year: in France, Relation of Weſt Religion ſect. 16.where the Clergy have made contributions for the maintenance of runagate Miniſters: ſuch as were Bolſecus (whom the Papiſts afterwards hired to write Calvins life, where ſo many lines,Religion…m ephemeram bab…re exiſſimabatur. B…z. Melch Adam. do vit exler. Theolog P …. Ibid. p …9. Redijt Steiſerus ad Pontificiot & miſe è periiſſe du…ur. Scultet. Annal. 118. ſo many lies) Baldwin that notable turn-coat, that changed his religion three or four times at leaſt for advantage, and died at laſt of envy, that another was preferred before him, as Chaplain to Henry the third of France, when he went to take poſſeſſion of the Kingdome of Polonia: Petrus Carolus, that odious apoſtate, and troubler of the true Church: Staphylus, Speiſerus, Briſſonettus, and others long agone: As of late, Bertius, Tilenus, Spalatenſis, and many other renegadoes, re-entred by the unclean ſpirit, who made their laſt ſtate worſe then the firſt, as the Jaylour laies load of iron on him that had eſcaped, Luk. 11.26. Theſe, as they ſin not common ſins; ſo, for moſt part (as it is ſaid of Korah, and his company) they die not common deaths: they ſeldome eſcape the viſible vengeance of God whom they have forſaken: witneſſe Arrius, Julian, Valerian, Spira, Spalatenſis, Judge Hales, Guarlacus, Bomelius, Latomus Lovanienſis, who to his end had nothing elſe in his mouth, but that he was damned, and rejected of God,Act and Mon… fol. 1999. and that there was no hope of ſalvation for him, becauſe that wittingly againſt his conſcience, he withſtood the manifeſt truth of his Word. Yea, thoſe that never went ſo farre as to perſecute the truth, but denied or diſſembled it only, have fearfully periſhed. In the ſtory of Philbert Hamlin Martyr, a certain Prieſt, his hoſt whom he had inſtructed in the truth, revolted. To whom he prophecied, That nevertheleſſe he ſhould die before him. He had no ſooner ſpoke the word, but the Prieſt going out of the priſon from Hamlin, was ſlain by two Gentlemen, who had a quarrell to him. Where of when Hamlin heard, he affirmed, He knew of no p. 676ſuch thing, but only ſpake as God guided his tongue. Ibid. 834.Likewiſe we reade of William Wolſey Martyr, that when he went to execution, he left ſix ſhillings eight pence to be delivered to one Richard Denton a Smith, dwelling at Welle in Cambridgeſhire, with this commendation, That he marvelled that he tarried ſo long behinde him, ſeeing he was the man that firſt delivered him the book of the Scripture into his hand, and told him that is was the truth, deſiring him to make haste after as faſt as he could, Denton at the receipt of it, anſwered, I confeſſe it is true; but alas I cannot burn. But he that could not burn in the cauſe of Chriſt, was after wards burned againſt his will,Ibid. 1558. when Chriſt had given peace to his Church. For anno 1564. on Tueſday, April 14. his houſe was ſet on fire: And whileſt he went in to ſave his goods, he loſt his life, with two other in the ſame houſe. Among the Angrognians and their neighbours in France, it is certainly known, that thoſe that yeelded to the adverſaries were more cruelly handled then the others that continued conſtant to the death.Ibid. 873. See how God hateth apoſtates. When Caracciolus Marqueſſe of Vicum, reſolved to leave all, and go to Geneva, The life of G…eatias Caracciolus, p. 21.he opened his minde to ſome of his moſt familiar friends, and wrought upon them ſo farre, as they promiſed and vowed to accompany him, &c. But divers of them, who for a time ſeemed to beled with a moſt earneſt zeal of Gods glory in this action, when they came to the borders of Italy, and conſidered what they forſook, firſt began to look back, afterwards went back again indeed. Where purpoſing to ſerve God in their pleaſures, and in the midſt of Popery, they were, after, taken by the Spaniſh Inquiſition. Latimer, …orm. 7. Before King Edward.&c. Others have fallen under a worſe torment, the terrour of their own conſciences, wh…ch they were not able to ſtand before: As I might inſtance not only in Bilney, who, after he had borne his fagot, was ſo terrified, that his friends were afraid to let him be alone: If they brought him comfortable places of Scripture, it was as though a man ſhould run him thorow the heart with a ſword, as Latimer teſtifieth. In Bainham who could not reſt till he had publikely recanted his recantation, praying every body rather to die then to doe as he had done: for he would not feel ſuch a hell again as he did feel for all the worlds good; In James Abbes, Act. and mon. fol. 328.who having yeelded to the Bi…hop of Norwich his perſwaſions, and received a piece of money from him was pitiouſly vexed, till he went again to the Biſhop, and there threw him his money,Ibid. 1528. and ſaid, Is repented him that he ever conſented to p. 677their Wicked perſwaſions: In Thomas Whittle Martyr, who could never be quiet till he had gone to the Biſhops Office,Ibid. 1632. and torne the bill of his recantation, for the which Bonner firſt buffeted him ſoundly, and then burnt him: In Thomas Benbridge, who feeling the intolerable heat of the fire, cried out, I recant, and ſubſcribed to certain Popiſh Articles at the ſtake upon a mans back, and ſo was led back to priſon. But ſoon after, he retracted what he had ſubſcribed, and the ſame-day-ſeven night he was burnt indeed, or rather broiled by the vile tormentours.Ibid. 1857. The like befell Richard Sharp a Weaver of Bristow, who likewiſe ſuffered for that truth, which he had recanted, ſaying,Ibid. 1861. I am ſorry that ever I denied my Lord God, &c. But beſides all theſe that recovered of their relapſes: What ſhall we thinke of Pendleton, who reſolved that as he came not frying into the world, ſo he would not goe out frying?Ibid. 1504. but roared upon his death-bed, and full fore repented (if it were not too late) that ever he had yeelded to Papiſtry, and been ſo ſparing of his fat and fleſh, whereof he had vowed to Saunders he would ſee the uttermoſt drop molten,Ibid, 1363. and gobbet conſumed to aſhes, before he would forſake God and his truth. What ſhall we thinke of Steven Gardner, who cried ou… upon his death bed, That he had denied his Maſter with Peter, but never repented with Peter, and ſo, both ſtinkingly and unrepentantly died? Of Mt West Chaplain to Biſhop Ridley, Ibid. 1904.who refuſing to die in Chriſts cauſe with his Maſter, ſaid Maſſe againſt his conſcience, and was ſo vexed by his conſcience, that ſoon after he pined a way with ſorrow? What ſhift Shaxton and Harding made to die I know not.Ibid. 1558. & 1570. A couple of apoſtates I know they were,a Theſſ 2. and fair warning they had; but that God had given them up to the efficacy of errour to believe a lie, becauſe they would not receive he love of the truth, whereof they could not but be convinced. Harding (a little before King Edward died) was heard openly in his Sermons in London, to exhort the people with great vehemency, That if troubles came, they ſhould never ſhrink from the true doctrine of the Gospel, that they had received: which yet he himſelf ſoon after did. The Lady Jane (whiles ſhe was priſoner, wrote an excellent letter to him, wiſhing him to remember the horrible Hiſtory of Julian of old, and the lamentable caſe of Spira of late.Ibid. 1292. Return to Chriſt (ſaith ſhe) who now stretcheth out his arms to receive you, ready to fall upon your neck and kiſſe you, and caſt off all to feast you with the dainties and delicates of his own precious bloud: p. 678which undoubtedly, if it might ſtand with his determinate purpoſe, he would not let to ſhed again, rather then you ſhould be loſt. Thus ſought that ſweet Lady to charm and reclaim this adder; but he turned the deaf ear to her, and died an obſtinate Papiſt, a Prebend of Gaunt. Shaxton was ſomewhat more toughly handled, but with no better ſucceſſe: for evil men and ſeducers wax worſe and worſe, deceiving and being deceived. This Shaxton in King Henry the eights daies, being Biſhop of Saliſbury, at the coming in of the ſix Articles reſigned up his Biſhoprick,Ibid. 1578. together with Latimer, rather then to forgoe the peace of their conſciences, and ſo remained a great ſpace unbiſhoped, till King Edwards time, who reſtored them. But when Queen Mary came in, and changed religion, Latimer ſuffered, but Shaxton turned not only a Papiſt, but a perſecutour and perſwader to Popery. When William Wolſey Martyr, and ſome others were brought before him,Ibid. 1558. Good brethren (ſaid he) remember your ſelves, and become new men. For I my ſelf was in this fond opinion that your are now in: but I am now become a new man, Ah, ſaid Wolſey, are you become a new man? Woe be to thee thou wicked new man, for God ſhall juſtly judge thee. And ſo he did I doubt not: it being his uſuall courſe to hang up ſuch notorious apoſtates in gibbets, as it were, for example to others He that betraied the Rhodes was well ſerved. For his promiſed wife and portion were preſented: But the Turk told him, that he would not have a Chriſtian to be his ſon-in-law, but he muſt be a Muſulman, that is, a believing Turk both within and without: And therefore he cauſed his baptized skin (as he called it) to be taken off,Speculum belli ſacri. p. 157. and him to be caſt in a bed ſtrawed with ſalt, that he might get a new skin, and ſo he ſhould be his ſon in-law. But the wicked wretch ended his life with ſhame and ſorrow. Theoderick an Arrian King, did exceedingly affect a certain Deacon, although an orthodox. This Deacon thinking to ingratiate and get preferment, became an Arrian, which when the King underſtood, he changed his love into hatred, and cauſed the head to be ſtruck from him, affirming, That if he kept not his faith to God, what duty could one expect from ſuch a perſon? King John of England, being overlaid in his Barons wars, ſent Embaſſadours to the Monarch of Morocco for aid, offering to hold his Kingdom of him,Heyl Geo p. 714 and to receive the law of Mahomet. The Moor marvellouſly offended with this offer, grew into ſuch diſlike of our King, that ever after he abhorred the mention of him. Solyman the p. 679great Turk, ſeeing a company of many thouſand Chriſtians fall down before him, and hold up the ſore-finger (as their manner of converſion to Turciſme is) he asked them,Voi…ge into the Levant. p 111. What moved them to turn? They replied, It was to be eaſed of their heavy taxations. He diſdaining that baſeneſſe, rejected their converſion, and doubled their taxations. The form they uſe when they turn Turks is this: I confeſſe that there is but one God only,Melch Adam. in vit Gerla…hij. and Mahomet his ſervant. I confeſſe alſo that I am come from the falſe to the true religion, and I utterly renounce my former faith, together with all the adherent Articles. After this, they are circumciſed, and doe put on a new turbant, as a badge of a Muſulman or right believer. We reade of two Dutch-men (the one a Divine, the other a Baker) that became Mahometans not many years ſince, upon what diſcontent, or other motive, I know not.Ibid p. 816. The Miniſters name was Adam Neuſſerus, once a Paſtour of Heidelberg, who fell off firſt to Arrianiſme, and then to Tureiſme. He died miſerably at Constantinople, Octob. 12. Anno 1576 (much in the ſame manner, as Arminius did at Leyden, who was grievouſly tormented with a cough, gout, ague, and inceſſant pain in his belly,Hiſt. of Low-countrey. with a great binding and ſtopping under the heart, which cauſed much difficulty of breathing. He ſlept alſo very unquietly, and could not digeſt his meat, &c.) But to return from whence I am digreſſed; This Neuſſer when he came to die, was thus comforted by the Baker above-ſaid, and other his friends, Be of good chear, brother, we ſhall meet again in Paradiſe, where we will drink with you, and take large carouſes. As for the Dutch Baker that turned Turk, his name was John Ferber once of Backnang in the Dutchy of W…rtemberg: and when the Emperour of Germany his Embaſſadours came to Conſtantinople with preſents of Sultan Selymus, as they entered the Turks palace, amidſt many thouſand Turks, one of the multitude cried out in the Dutch tongue,Melch. Adam. ubi ſupra. Of what religion are you? Which is the firſt queſtion in the Dutch Catechiſme. The Embaſſadours wondered at the words, and found out afterwards who it was: and that by thoſe words he j…ared and derided the Chriſtian religion. So did not the King of Morocco above-mentioned: for talking with King Johns Embaſſadours he told them, that he had lately read Pauls epiſtles, which he liked ſo well, That were he now to chuſe his religion, he would,Heyl. Geo p. 714. before another, embrace Chriſtianity. But every one, ſaith he, ought to die in his own religion: and the leaving of the faith, p. 680wherein he was borne, was the only thing that he diſliked in that Apoſtle. This was his Heatheniſh conceit of that elect veſſel, who himſelf counted it a ſingular mercy, and worthy of all thanks, that he had grace to change his religion,1 Tim 1.12, 13.1 Tim 1:121 Tim 1:13 I was a blasphemer, ſaith he, a perſecutour and injurious: but I obtained mercy, becauſe I did it ignorantly: for elſe it had been the unpardonable ſin, as Ferbers ſin might well be. Biſhop Latimer in a Sermon afore King Edward, tels of one who fell away from the known truth, and after fell to mocking and ſcorning it: yet in the end he was touched in conſcience for it.2 Cor. 13.8.2 Cor 13:8 Beware of this ſinne, ſaith he, for I have known no more but this that repented. What evil ſoever we doe, we can doe nothing against the truth, but for the truth, ſaith S. Paul for himſelf, and all true Chriſtians. But apoſtates become altogether filthy, Pſal. 53.3. None being worſe then thoſe that have been good, and are naught: and might be good,Ezek. 24 13.Ezek 24:13 and yet will be naught. In their filthineſſe is lewdneſſe, their ſcum boils into them: It is with them, as in that caſe, Levit. 13.18, 19, 20. If a man had a bile healed, and after brake out, it proved the plague of leproſie, he was utterly to be excluded. Theſe judge themſelves unworthy eternall life, unfit for Gods Kingdome, Luke 9.63. they caſt themſelves into hell-mouth, Heb. 10.39. where they are like to have the greater meaſure of torment, by how much they are fallen from greater hopes and likelihoods of heaven: as Adam, the more holineſſe and happineſſe he had, the greater was his ſinne and miſery upon his fall.

But, beloved, we are perſwaded better things of you, and things that accompany ſalvation, though we thus ſpeake, ſaith the Authour to the Hebrews,Heb 6 9. Heb. 3 12. Heb. 4 12. Heb 5.4.Heb 6:9Heb 3:12Heb 4:12Heb 5:4 after he had both bidden them beware of Apoſtaſie, and chidden them for their non-proficiency, and to awaken them out of their lethargy, had ſet before them the curſed condition of ſuch as commit the unpardonable ſinne, which begins in apoſtaſie, goes on in perſecution, and ends in blaſphemy.Deut. 32 5Deut 32:5 But this ſpot is not the spot of Gods children, as Moſes hath it. Fall they may fearfully, but not finally, they cannot poſſibly fall ſo low, but Gods holy hand is ſtill lower under them,Ioh. 10. Ioh. 17.12.John 10John 17:12 to raiſe them up again. None can take them out of the Fathers hand: the Sonne loſeth none of thoſe that were given him by the Father, but the ſonne of perdition, who was never of his body, though he ſeemed to be, by reaſon of p. 681his office: And the holy Ghoſt the Comforter abides with his for ever. He is called an earneſt, not a pawn.Joh. 16.14.John 16:14 A pawn is to be returned again, but an earneſt is part and pledge of the whole bargain. The Papiſts teach a totall and finall falling from grace. The Lutherans are forced to grant a totall (though they deny a finall) leſt they ſhould be brought utterly to abjure that errour that they hold in common with the Papiſts concerning the efficaciouſneſſe of the Sacraments. Bertius▪ the Arminian ſets forth a book with this horrid title, De Apostaſia Sanctorum, and was therefore called by King James, bloudy Bertius. They deny that the truly regenerate are certainly of the number of Gods elect, ſith there is not (ſay they) ſo vaſt a gulf betwixt the regenerate and reprobate,Lege D. Prideaux Lect. p. 191. but that they may paſſe over the one to the other, ſo that reprobates may become regenerate, and believers unbelievers; for a time at leaſt. An uncouth and uncomfortable doctrine. Bellarmine ſaith, That which is true grace, veritate eſſentiae only, may be loſt, not that grace which is true, veritate firmae ſoliditatis. If by the former he underſtand common grace, by the later, ſpeciall grace, we are of the ſame judgement.

1. Common grace may come to nothing, whether it be ſuch as fits a man for ſome particular calling only, as in Saul, 1 Sam. 16.14. And thoſe idle ſhepherds who loſt their gifts, Zech. 11.17. Or ſuch as fits him for a common profeſſion of religion only; A form of knowledge, Rom. 2.20. and a form of godlineſſe 2 Tim. 3.5. wherein a man may goe farre, doubtleſſe, as Judas, Demas; doe much for God, as the ſtony ground; ſuffer much, and not ſhrinke in the wetting, as the thorny ground; have a counterfeit of all ſaving graces, as the ſorcerers of Aegypt had of Moſes his miracles; be a ring-leader of all good exerciſes, as Joaſh was the firſt that complained of the negligence of his beſt Officers, in not repairing the Temple, &c. 2 Chron. 24.4, 5, 6.2 Chr 24:42 Chr 24:52 Chr 24:6and yet be nothing in truth, and come to nothing at length, Heb. 6.6, 7. 2 Pet. 2.20.

2. Speciall ſaving graces proper to the elect: and theſe are either radicall, originall, fundamentall, ſerving to the being of a Chriſtian, as faith, hope, charity; or ſecondary, flowing from theſe, and ſerving to his well-being only, as joy of faith, confidence of hope, zeal and fervour of love. Theſe are, as it were, the luſtre, ſhine and radiancy of the radicall; the beams of the Sunne, as thoſe the body of the Sunne; the leaves of p. 682the tree, as thoſe the ſap and ſubſtance; the back of ſteel that may be put on or taken off the bow,Levit. 6.11, 13. Prov. 31.18.Lev 6:11Lev 6:13Prov 31:18 &c. The later we may loſe, and perhaps irrecoverably, Pſal. 51.12. Not ſo the former: for like the fire of the Sanctuary, and the good houſe-wifes candle, it never goes out. But though the reins be conſumed, yet the root of the matter remains in Gods people, Job 19.27, 28. A partiall decay there may be even in fundamentall graces, and that both inward (in the judgement, as the Galatians, and affections, as the Epheſians, Revel. 2.4.) and alſo outward, the acts of grace may be remitted, the exerciſe abated, as an angry man for the time exerciſeth not reaſon,Happy is he that can ſay in a ſpirituall ſenſe, as it was ſaid of Moſes, that after long profeſſion of religion, his ſight is not waxed dim, nor his heat … bated. Pſal 5 1.Ps 5:1 nor a ſleeping man motion. Yea it is a diſputable question (ſaith one) whether any Christian (except he die ſoon after his converſion) doe go ſtedfastly on from ſtrength to strength, without ſome ſenſible decay of the inward power of the graces wherewith he is endued. Some good ſouls have ſo farre declined, as Solomon, Samſon, Aſa, others, that it might be ſaid of them, as Jacob ſaid of Joſeph, He is dead, ſome evil beast hath devoured him. David fell from the upper loft as Eutychus, and brake his bones. Jonas ran as farre from God, as he could by land, and then took ſea, &c. After this, he fell to juſtifie his former frowardneſſe, and yet no caſt-a-way. Solomon was prodigall of his ſpirituall portion, and ſpent well nigh all: He eat up the zeal of Gods houſe, that had once eaten him up: And he that had built a Temple to the living God for himſelf and Iſrael in Sion, built a Temple to Chemoſh, in the mount of ſcandall, for his miſtreſſes of Moab, in the very face of Gods houſe: For this, Bellarmine ranks and reckons him among reprobates, but very uncharitably. For, what if the water ebbe, the babe not ſpring in the womb, the Sunne be eclipſed, the tree withered in winter? What if Iſrael flie once or twice before the enemy? Shall they never return, recover, prevail, conquer? Is there not life in the root, A bleſſing in the branches, Iſa. 65.8? Is not Ʋzzah a King ſtill, though a leper? And may not Nebuchadnezzar return to his Kingdome? If once we be a royall generation, our leproſies may deform us, not dethrone us. Still we ſhall have the right, and, at length, the poſſeſſion of that glorious Kingdome, wherein we were inveſted from eternity. Sampſon fell ſo farre, and (twenty years after he loved the Philiſtim-woman, Judges 15.20. p. 683when certainly he had repented of that ſinne) he returned to Gaza, and went in to a harlot, that we ſhould hardly take him for a godly man, did we not finde his name in the liſt of thoſe Worthies, Heb. 11. But, like a tame Hawke, though he flew f…r…e, yet he came to hand again. So will all that belong to God: recover they ſhall of their relapſes, though with difficulty, yet ſometimes with advantage: As a bone well knit, after breaking, as a paſſenger makes more haſte after wandering.Mark 16.11.Mark 16:11 They may be as dear to Chriſt afterwards as ever. Goe tell my Diſciples and Peter: He muſt know with the firſt, that his Lord was riſen, notwithſtanding his ſhamefull deniall of him. Thou art beautifull, O my love, as Tirzah, &c. ſaith Chriſt to his Spouſe,Cant. 6.4 with Chap 4.1, &c.Song 6:4 after ſhe had backſlidden and recovered: as amiable ſhe was in his eyes in every point, as ſhe had been before her fall: her hair, teeth,Mal. 2.16.Mal 2:16 …emples, as fair and well featured as ever. He hates put…ing away, having married his Hephtſibah to him in faithfulneſſe. He ſends for us by his Spirit in our out-ſtraies,Cant. 5.2.Song 5:2 and looks us up again, as is ſweetly ſet forth in the Parable of the loſt groat, the loſt ſheep, the loſt ſonne. He knows that at our worſt we are not forſakers of the Covenant, Dan. 11.30. Wicked doers, verſe 32. Withdrawers to deſtruction, Heb. 10. ult. They ſleep but their heart waketh that belong to God, they ſlumber with the wiſe Virgins, but yet their lamps are burning: The ſpirituall life runn…s to the heart, and leaves the outward man deſtitute; yet, as there are ſome pulſes that diſcover life in the ſickeſt: ſo is it here. Theſe two never fail on Gods part, his love which is unchangeable, and his grace a fruit of his love. And two on our part,See D Sibb… on Cant. 5.2.Song 5:2 the impreſſion of that love, and the gracious worke of the new creature. Chriſt never dies in his people, no more then he doth, or can doe at the right hand of his Father. He hath both praid and procured that our faith fail not.Mat. 24 24.Matt 24:24 Impoſtours ſhall deceive, if it were poſſible, the very elect. Poſſible it is respectu rei, non reſpectu Dei. Grace in it ſelf is loſable,1 Pet. 1.5.1 Pet 1:5 but we are kept by the … of God through faith unto ſalvation, ſaith Saint Peter out of his own experience. And his counſell afterwards is very good. Ye therefore, beloved, ſeeing ye know theſe things before, beware lest ye, being alſo led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own p. 684ſtedfaſtneſſe: But grow in grave, &c.2 Pet 3.17.2 Pet 3:17

1Firſt, Hearken not to Impoſtours and ſeducers, they wax worſe and worſe (and make others to doe ſo too) deceiving and being deceived.Preſervatives from Apoſtaſie 2 Tim. 3.13. Col. 2 4. Revel. 9 8. Rom. 16.13. Anno 1539.2 Tim 3:13Col 2:4Rev 9:8Rom 16:13 By their pithanology and pretended humility, Coloſ. 2….18. theſe locuſts, with their womens faces, inſinuate and deceive the hearts of the ſimple. Thus. Jacobus Sadoletus (a man of ſtrict life and excellent learning) wrote moſt eloquent and perſwaſive letters, Deſideratiſſimis ſuis (as he calleth them) To his moſt affectionately deſired friends, the Senatours and Commoners of Geneva: wherein he left nothing unſaid,Calv. Opuſc. Pithanologiae nunquam deſunt pſeudotheologi…. Bucholc. Sozom l. 2. cap 6, 7. whereby he might allure them to return again into the boſome of that Whore of Rome. The like art was uſed, whiles there was any hope, to the late famous Queen Elizabeth. Placilla the Empreſſe, when Theodoſius ſenior deſired to conferre with Eunonius, diſſwaded her husband very earneſtly: leſt being perverted by his ſpeeches, he might fall into hereſie.

2Secondly, He that will hold out to the end, muſt lay a good foundation of humiliation, dig deep enough at firſt, and caſt up all the looſe earth, that his houſe may ſtand. His repentance muſt be ſincere, univerſall, conſtant, ſuch as whereby the heart may be renewed: for the old heart will not hold out the hardſhip of holineſſe;foreign opponitur foreign Heb. 10.36. Gallorum Inſu brium ut primus impetus major eſt quam vi. roru…, ita ſequens minor, quam faeminarū. Charles the 9 came into the field like thunder and lightning, but went out like a ſnuff. Guicciard. Exod. 19 Prov. 4.18. Pſal. 19.5Heb 10:36Exod 19Prov 4:18Ps 19:5 when it comes to ſuffering eſpecially, but will leap out of the ſire, as a Cheſnut that hath not been cracke at the top: And as the ſtony ground, the ſeed ſtraightway ſtarted up, and as ſoon withered, becauſe not well rooted. The good ground is noted to bring forth fruit with patience, or tarriance for the fit ſeaſon. Leap-Chriſtians are not much to be liked, that all on the ſudden, of notorious profane become extremely preciſe and ſcrupulous. Violent motions are not permanent. Aguiſh fits breed ſluſhings: blazing comets ſooneſt fall, haſty curs bite leaſt, heady horſes quickly tire, Hot at hand ſeldome holds out. That trumpets ſound in the mount was louder and louder; the winde (whereto true grace is compared, Joh. 3.) riſeth higher and higher: The path of the just is as the ſhining light, that ſhineth more and more unto the perfect day. Not like Joſhuah's … …t ſtood ſtill, or Heaekiahs Sun that went backward, but Davids Sun that rejoyceth as a Giant to run his race, and turneth not again till he hath finiſhed it. The Galatians did run well but were interrupted: The Epheſians leſt their firſt love: The Philippians decaid in their good p. 685will to S. Paul, though afterwards their care of him flouriſhed again, Phil. 4.10. The Corinthians mingled themſelves again with fornicatours, after they had been waſhed from their filthineſſe.foreign. 1 Cor. 5.…. foreign, Rurſus commiſceri poſt ablutionem. Significat non …amſcortationibus ſo polluere, quam polluti… converſari familiariùs. Par. in loc. Act. and Mon. fol. 1680. Col. 2.6.1 Cor 5Col 2:6 M^r Bartlet Green Martyr, was converted by Peter Martyrs Lectures in Oxford. Afterwards, being ſent to the Innes of Court, through the continuall accompanying of ſuch worldly young Gentlemen, he became by little and little a compartner of their fond follies and youthfull vanities, as well in his apparrel, as alſo in banqueting and other ſuperfluous exceſſes: which he afterwards, being again called by Gods mercifull correction, did ſore lament and bewail; and being founded on a rock, as he had at firſt received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, ſo he walked in him, and ſuffered for him.

3Thirdly, Before you begin, ſit down and caſt what it will coſt, to build the tower of godlines: conſider what neceſſity there is to encounter and conquer ſo many corruptions, croſſes and incombrances in the way to heaven. Put your ſelves oft to thoſe queſtions of abnegation, and ſay, Can I deny my ſelf in my worldly wiſdome, naturall wit, carnall friends, old companions, pleaſures, profits, preferments, eaſe, excellency of learning, in mine eſtate, liberty, life and all? Can I take up my croſſe and follow Chriſt thorow thick and thin, thorow fire and water,Act. and Mon. fol. 1430. Ibid. 1438. thorow good report and evil report, reſolving (with William Flower Martyr) That the heavens ſhall as ſoon fall, as I will for ſake my profeſſion, or budge in the leaſt degree? And can I ſay as that other Martyr John Ardely did to Bonner, If every hair of my head were a man, I would ſuffer death in the opinion and faith that I am now in? Many will profeſſe to doe much for Chriſt, but nothing it is that they will ſuffer for him: they come forth as thoſe ſouldiers with lights and torches to ſeek him, yea with bils and ſtaves, as if they would fight for him. But when he ſaith,Pelago ſe non ita commiſſuru… eſſet, quin, quā do liberet, pedē referre poſſet. In the Palatinate ſcarce one in twenty ſtood out, but fell to Popery, as faſt as leaves fall in Autumn. as to them, Here I am, Take up my croſſe and follow me, they ſtumble at the croſſe, and fall backwards. The King of Navarre told Beza, He would launch no further into the ſea, then he might be ſure to return ſafe to the haven: Though he ſhewed ſome countenance to religion, yet he would be ſure to ſave himſelf. Again, Many in their low eſtate could pray, profeſſe, reade, &c. who in proſperity reſemble the Moon, which never ſuffers eclipſe, but at her full, and that by earths interpoſition. Ionathan followed the chaſe, and Samſon his parents, p. 686till they met with honey. A dog follows his maſter, till he comes by carrion. So many a Demas, Judas, Diotrephes, follows Chriſt cloſe till taken off by the world; the love whereof eats out the heart of grace, as adventitious heat conſumes the naturall; as Pharaohs lean kine devoured the fatter.Tit 2 12.Titus 2:12 Deny therefore all ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, thou that deſireſt to live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in this preſent world.

4Fourthly, Standeſt thou by faith? And wouldeſt thou ſtand?Rom. 11.10.Rom 11:10 Be not high-minded, but fear. Pride goes before a fall, as it did in the apoſtate Angels, in that Man of ſinne, and in thoſe Illuminati, Relat. of Weſt. Relig.a peſtilent ſect in Arragon; who affecting in themſelves and their followers a certain angelicall purity, fell ſuddenly to the very counterpoint of juſtifying beſtiality. Apoſtaſie takes root moſt an end in ſpirituall pride; which, like a drone in the hive, or moth in fine cloth, is a great waſter. All graces tend to humbling, and humility is conſervatrix virtutum, ſaith Bernard, that which keeps all the graces together: It is alſo both a grace, and a veſſell to receive more grace,foreign, of foreign. Inn…datam ha bete. For God gives grace to the humble. Be ye therefore cloathed with humility, ſaith Saint Peter, 1 Pet. 5.5. The word there uſed comes of a primitive that ſignifies a Knot, becauſe humility ties the knot of the chain of graces, that none of them be loſt; as pearls or beads are eaſily loſt, where the bracelet is broken. Gods gifts in a proud heart (which makes men ſecure, uncharitable, idle) ſigh under our abuſe, and God hearing them groan, gives them the wings of an eagle.

5Fifthly, Propound to your ſelves the beſt paterns, and the higheſt pitch of perfection: not reſting in any meaſure of grace acquired; ſo as to ſay as thoſe in Zachary, Bleſſed be God, for I am rich, but advance forward toward the high price, as Paul did, Phil. 3. And Nil actum credens dum quid ſupereſſet agendum, as Caeſar, who thought there was nothing yet done, till all was done. Beginnings are not ſought for of Chriſtians, ſaith S. Hierome, but ends of things: And it is a rule in the civil Law, Nothing ſeems to be done, if there yet remain ought to be done. For that which is but almost done, is not done at all, ſaith Baſil. And not to goe forward, is to goe backward, ſaith Bernard. It had been good for Iudas never to have p. 687been an Apoſtle, and for Iulian never to have been a Chriſtian; becauſe to begin well, and not to hold on,Gen. 37.3.Gen 37:3 is but to clime up higher, that he may fall the farther. Let our ladder therefore reach to heaven, as Jacobs did: let our garments reach down to our feet, as Ioſephs did: let us offer a whole burnt-offering with the very tail alſo, Exod. 29.22. Let the fire from heaven never go out upon the hearth of our hearts, as that fire of the Sanctuary, Levit. 6 12. Let us not look back with Lots wife, nor turn again when we go forward, as thoſe living creatures did not, Ezek 1.12.1 Sam. 6.12.1 Sam 6:12 but as the Philiſtims kine that drew the Ark in a new Cart (though milch kine, and had calves at home, yet) they held on their way, lowing till they came to Bethſhemeſh: ſo let us amidſt ſo many avocations and diſcouragements hold on our way to heaven,Jer. 50 4. 2 Pet. 2.20. Rev. 3.14.Jer 50:42 Pet 2:20Rev 3:14 going and weeping with our faces thither-ward. The dog to his vomit, and the ſow to her mire, are Canonicall Proverbs, ſuch as ſhould make a Chriſtian ſpew to think on them. God will ſpew out all that doe not ſo, as he did the Laodiceans, who ſaid they were rich and wanted nothing. They had falſe weights of their own, and therefore were grievouſly cheated with light gold. Whereas S. Paul, who was a fair deal better then the beſt of them, was ſtill ſtriving and ſtraining after more, and is therefore called by S.foreign. Chryſoſtome, Inſatiabilis Dei cultor, a greedy inſatiable worſhipper of God. Forgetting what is behinde, ſaith he, and reaching forth (as runners doe) unto thoſe things that are before, I preſſe toward the mark, I purſue or perſecute it (the word ſignifies) with eagerneſſe of affection: I follow it as one that will not leave, till I have that which I follow; but if I fall, I will up again and to it, and not give over: no more then when I was a perſecutour I did, till I had him, whom I perſecuted. Thus S. Paul; and he ſubjoyneth, Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded. foreign. Xenop. foreign.As who ſhould ſay, Seem we to our ſelves or others never ſo perfect, or be we never ſo perfect in compariſon of others, yet let us be thus minded, to ſtrive to further perfection. And a little after, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk ſo as ye have us for an example. For our converſation is in heaven &c. Ever after he had been caught up thither, and heard things unſpeakable, he became unſatisfiable, till he gat thither again. So was Moſes after he had been in the Mount, and received the Law. He no ſooner was come down thence, but he was at it, Exod. 33.13. Shew me thy way that … I may know thee. God p. 688grants him that requeſt: Is he ſatisfied? No: he muſt have more yet. God muſt go along with the people. Well, I will do this thing alſo that thou hast ſpoken, ſaith God, verſ. 16, 17. Is he content? No: for he ſaid, verſ. 17. I beſeech thee ſhew me thy glory. God ſhews it him: Is he well yet? No: God muſt pardon the ſin of his people too, and take them and him for his inheritance, Chap. 34.9. Adde this fruit of his favour to the reſt, and then Moſes hath done, for preſent at leaſt. The covetous is not ſo greedy of gain, as the godly of grace. He alwaies cries, Give, give, and never hath enough.Si dixiſti, ſuſficit, periiſti, Aug. If once thou ſaieſt, It is enough, thou art undone, if thou ceaſe to go forward, thou beginneſt to goe backward, &c.