The Signs of the Wicked Man, Chapter 1 – Chapter 5
CHAP. I.
Containing the ſignes of open wicked men.
THE tryall of the eſtates of all ſorts of Chriſtians, may bee performed by examining themſelues by two ſorts of ſignes; ſome are ſuch as deſcribe the wicked man, and ſome ſuch as deſcribe the godly man; and of the tryall of the godly man, I hauehave intreated before. Wicked men in the Church are not all of a ſort: for ſome are manifeſtly prophane and careleſſe of the Kingdome of God; and ſome are in outward ſhew, ſuch as profeſſe the ſeeking of Gods Kingdome, but yet in deed and in heart are without God and without Chriſt, and ſuch are all Hypoctites. Wicked men of the firſt ſort, are diſcerned by ſuch markes as theſe: and ſo he is a wicked man,
1. That can ſpend whole1. Hee is a wicked man, 1. That liues without God. dayes or weekes without ſeeking after God, or Chriſt, that accounts it no part of his care to looke after God, or any ſecret acquaintance or communion wirh God in Ieſus Chriſt, that liues, as the Apoſtle ſayth, without God, and without Chriſt, and therefore without hope in the world: that ſeldome or neuer thinkes ſeriouſly of God, Epheſ. 2. 12.
2. That continually2. That auoids the ſociety of the godly. ſhuns and ſtriues to auoyd the company and ſociety of ſuch as feare God, and in his heart loues not ſuch as be religious, and make conſcience of their wayes: This man is certainely in darkeneſse, that hates Gods children, as the Apoſtle Iohn often ſhewes in his firſt Epiſtle; eſpecially when he hates them, becauſe they follow goodneſſe.
3. That ſauours only the 3. That ſauours only earthly things.things of the fleſh, that finds a taſte and relliſh only in earthly things, that placeth al his contentment in the things of this life: Rom. 8. 1. Ioh. 2. 15.
4. That is vncapeable and vnteachable in the things of God, and godlineſſe,4. That is, diſcerns not the things of God. hauing the Goſpell and the glory of Religion hid from his heart, ſo as he ſees nothing in the Kingdome of Ieſus Chriſt to be admired, and deſired of him, and when he enioyes the meanes, cannot diſcerne the things of God, 1. Cor. 2.
5 That willingly haunts 5. That ſorts with wicked men.with wicked and prophane perſons, and delights in them, and chooſeth them for the companions of his life, Pſal. 50. 2. Cor. 6.
6. That of malice perſecuteth6. That of malice perſecuteth the Truth. and reprocheth & deſpighteth the knowne Truth, ſpeaking euill of the good way of God, which hee himſelfe hath knowne, and acknowledged before, Heb. 10.
7. That hath in him7. That allows himſelfe in Atheiſticall thoughts. thoughts of Atheiſme raigning, conceiuing vile things of God, without ſorrow or trouble of heart for them, or rather deſiring he could proue them to be true, wiſhing there were no God at all, Pſalme 14. 1.
8. That calls not vponupon8. That calls not vponupon God the name of the Lord, who is ſuch a one, as wholy neglects this ſeruice of God in himſelfe and his Family, vnleſſe it bee for faſhions ſake, without care or vnderſtanding, Pſalme 14. 4.
9. That was neuer chaſtned9. That is not chaſtened of God. of the Lord: For they are baſtards and not ſons, Heb. 12.
10. That can ſpend his10. That neuer examines himſelfe in known ſinne. dayes without examining himſelfe, whether Ieſus Chriſt bee in him or not: That mindes it not to bee ſure, that he is in the faith, 2. Cor. 13. 5. Ioh. 17. 3.
11. That flattereth himſelfe11. That applauds himſelfe in known ſinne. in his owne eyes, when hee is threatned for ſin, and bleſſeth himſelfe in his heart, when his iniquity is found worthy to bee hated, Pſal. 36. 1, 2. Deut. 29. 19.
12. That ſecretly lothes,12. That lothes the Word of God conſtantly. and contemnes, and in his heart conſtantly frets at the Word, when it is conſcionably and powerfully preached, that findes in the good word of God a deadly ſauour, 2. Cor. 2. 15.
13. That liues in hypocriſie,13. That allowes himſelf in Hypocriſie and knowes he diſſembles conſtantly in the ſeruice of God, and doth not deſire to leaue it, nor take any courſe to reſiſt it, or humble his ſoule in ſecret for it.
14. That deſires not the 14. That refuſeth knowlege.knowledge of Gods wayes, and ſeriouſly accounts good courſes to be vnprofitable courſes, Iob 21. 14, 15, 16.
15. That hauing the15. That in great diſtreſſes humbles not himſelfe. hand of God vponupon him, & liues in ſorrow and miſery, & yet neuer ſeekes to God, nor humbles his ſoule before God, nor acknowledgeth Gods hand, or if he doe, doth not labour to make his peace with God, 2. Cor. 7. 10. Ier. 5. 2, 3.
16. That cannot be touched16. That cares not for the afflictions of the godly. with compaſſion, or care for the afflictions of the Church and people of God, Amos 6. 5. and is mercileſſe, Mat. 25. Iam. 2. 1. Ioh. 3.
17. That hath no deſire17. That will not vnderſtand to do good. to be taught to doe good, but either cares not for Heauen and godlineſſe, or thinkes himſelfe wiſe enough to finde the way without asking, Pſalme 36. 1, 3.
18. That is not affected18. That is inſenſible of ſpirituall Iudgements. with feare or ſorrow vnderunder ſpirituall iudgements, ſuch as the famin of the Word, abſence of God, hardneſſe of heart, or the like.
19. That is a cuſtomary19. That is an ordinary ſwearer. ſwearer, and repents not of it: God threatens he will not iuſtifie ſuch offenders, but purſue them as his enemies, Com. 3.
20. That makes not conſcience20. That is careleſſe of Gods Sabbaths. to keepe Gods Sabbath: for God hath giuen the Sabbath as a ſigne between him and the people in the point of their Sanctification: ſo, hee that cares not to prophane the Sabbath, by that ſigne is known to be none of Gods people, Exod. 31.
21. That not only commits21. That is a worker of iniquity. ſinnes againſt his knowledge, but ſerues ſin, and is a worker of iniquity, loues it, defends it, and reſolues to continue in it, & placeth his felicity in it.
22. That beleeues not in 22. That beleeues not in Chriſt.the Sonne of God, as they do not, that either deny his comming in the fleſh, or his perſon, or his offices, or elſe reſt not vponupon him for life and happineſſe, Marke 16. Iohn 3. 17. 1. Iohn 4.
23. That in any one23. That hates to be reformed. particular ſinne, knowing it to be a ſinne, hates to be reformed, Pſal. 50.
24. That hath not the24. That hath not the Spirit of Chriſt. Spirit of Chriſt. For if any man hauehave not the Spirit of Chriſt, the ſame is not his, Rom. 8.
25. That cannot forgiue 25. That cannot forgiue his enemies.his enemies, nor pray for them that hate him, and wrong him, Mat. 6. For if men forgiue not vntounto men their treſpaſſes, neither will God forgiue them their ſins, as is likewiſe ſhewed by the parable, Mat. 18. 32.
26. That loues not God,26. That loues not God. and ſhewes it,
1. By an habituall forgetfulnes of God, of which before.
2. By his vnwillingnes to doe Gods worke, his commandemēts being alwaies grieuous vntounto him, and it ſeeming euill to him to ſerue the Lord, 1. Ioh. 5. 3.
3. By inſenſibleneſſe of the diſhonor of God.
4. By louing his pleaſures, or profits, more then God.27. That feare not God.
27. That feares not God, and ſhewes it,
1. By not caring for Gods diſpleaſure, ſo hee might eſcape Gods puniſhment.
2. By comming into Gods preſence conſtantly, without any awfull regard of Gods Maieſty.
3. By ſinning in ſecret withall ſecurity, being onelyonly carefull to auoide the eyes of men.
4. By contempt of the threatnings of God in his Word.
28. That is dead in treſpaſses 28. That is dead in ſinne.and ſinnes, Epheſ. 2. 1, 2. that can be guilty of many and monſtrous crimes, and that as if hee were a dead man, continues vnderunder the burthen of them without ſorrow, or feare, or remorce, or care of amendment, Epheſ. 2. 1.
29. The Apoſtle Paul 29. That is guilty of any of his ſinnes in the Apoſtles Catalogue.puts a number of offenders in diuers groſe ſinnes into a Catalogue, and pronounceth of them all, that without repentance they cannot inherite the Kingdom of Heauen, 1. Cor. 6. 9 Fornicatours, Idolaters, Adulterers, the Effeminate, Sodomites, Theeues, Couetous perſons, Drunkards, Reuilers, and Extortioners: and ſo in the Gal.
30. All thoſe that cānot repent, 30. That cannot repent.that is ſuch as cannot pray, nor cōfeſſe their ſins to God, nor bewaile them, nor any way ſet themſelues ſoundly to reforme them.
CHAP. II.
Containing the ſignes of Hypocrites.
THus of the markes of notorious and wicked men: The ſignes by which hypocrites may be known, follow, and theſe are of two ſorts.
Firſt, ſuch as deſcribe2. ſorts of theſe ſignes them ſo, that themſelues may thereby know themſelues.
Secondly, ſuch as giuegive occaſion to men to feare their ſoundnes, and ſhew, that they are likely to fall away, though for the preſent they make ſhew and profeſſion of Religion, and doe eſcape much of that filthineſſe, which is in the outward liues of others.
For the firſt, theſe are the ſignes of an hypocrite.
1. To profeſſe Gods13 Signes of hypocrites. Couenant with his mouth; and deny it in his workes, Pſal. 50. 16.
2. To do his workes of purpoſe to be ſeen of men, when hee might conceale the knowledge of them, & doth this of purpoſe chiefly, becauſe he would hauehave the praiſe and applauſe of men, not ſeeking the approbation, or praiſe of God, Mat. 6. Rom. 2. 26.
3. To make cleane the out-ſide of the platter, and let the inſide be foule: To bee like a painted ſepulchre: To auoide apparant outward faults, and yet to harbour a world of wickedneſſe in his heart, without any true repentance for it, Math. 23.
4. To cenſure ſmall matters in others, and be guilty of great crimes himſelfe: To ſee a moate in another mans eye, and not care to caſt out the beame in his owne eyes, Math. 7.
5. To pretend care of piety towards God, and yet be vnmercifull to men; or neglect works of mercy to the poore, that hee is able to do; and yet vnconſcionably omits it, Iam. 1. 26.
6. To require many things of others in their practice; and yet make no conſcience of obſeruing them in his owne practice: To binde heauy burthens vponupon other mens ſhoulders, and not to touch them with his owne finger, Math. 23.
7. To arrogate to himſelfe the titles of godlineſſe, and yet enuy and hate goodneſſe in others, and to endeuour to hinder them, or oppoſe them, that would enter into the Kingdome of heauen, Math. 23.
8. To praiſe the dead, or the abſent ſeruants of God, and yet deſpiſe and perſecute ſuch of Gods faithfull ſeruants, as are ſet ouer them, and to diſobey them, Math. 23.
9. To ſpeake faire to mens faces, and behinde their backes to reuile and ſlander them.
10. To draw neere to God with his lips, when his heart is far from him: In the daily ſeruice of God to allow himſelfe in the habite of diſtractions, making no conſcience to worſhip God in his ſpirit, Eſay 28.
11. Neuer in ſecret to make conſcience of prayer to God; and not to cry to God, except it be in ſickeneſſe, or great aduerſity; diſ-regarding prayer in health, and proſperity, Iob. 17. 9, 10.
12. With prophaneneſſe to neglect Gods commandements, and to be onelyonly diligent to vrge & obſerue mens precepts, or the traditions of men, Math. 15.
13. To puniſh, or reproue ſinne in ſome, becauſe he hates them; or to forbeare reproofes or puniſhments of others, becauſe he feares or fauours them.
CHAP. III.
Containing the ſignes of ſuch as are likely to bee vnſound, and will not hold out.
THus of the firſt ſort of ſignes of Hypocrites: Now follow ſuch probable ſignes of hypocrites, as men may take notice of, and doe vſually foreſhew their falling away at length, though for the preſent they make great ſhewes. Amongſt them16. Signes of an vnſound Profeſſor. then that make profeſſion of Religion aboue the common ſort of people; theſe are likely to bee vnſound, and not hold out▪
1. That ioyne not themſelues to Gods people, but forbeare conſtantly, or forſake apparantly their fellowſhip, Heb. 10. 24.
2. That are not carefull and deſirous to reforme their houſholds, & to ſet vp Gods worſhip in their Families; that are good abroad, but practiſe not godlineſſe at home.
3. That cuſtomarily liue in any ſinne knowne to bee ſo to themſelues, without ſorrow, or amendment, whether it be in their particular Calling, or generall Conuerſation.
4. That conſtantly and with delight chooſe out vngodly men to bee their chiefe companions and friends.
5. That are wilfull in the vſe of the vanities of the world, and will not be reclaimed from their exceſſes, or offences that way.
6. That are ſtiffe-necked, and will not abide reproofe and admonition, but ſhew themſelues conceited, and ſelfe-willed.
7. That are full of raſh zeale, and ſhew it by paſſions, and violent furies about leſſer matters, and yet hauehave ſome notable faults in themſelues, wich they make no conſcience of.
8. That are ſwift to ſpeake, and full of words, and forward to expreſſe their maſterlike conceits, when they neither hauehave calling, nor fitneſſe, or power of the holy Ghoſt. The language of an humble Chriſtian, that hath true grace, differs wonderfully from the empty and impertinent language of the hypocrite, who is ſeldome aſſiſted with efficacie of matter.
9. That liues inordinately, being idle, and attends not the labours of a lawfull Calling, that is found ordinarily in his neighbours houſe, and is apparantly negligent and ſlothfull in the duties of his Calling.
10. That is more vexed for want of reſpect from others, then for his owne diſabilities in his conuerſation.
11. That ſeemes glad of the company of ſome that feare God, but cannot abide others, either for the meanneſſe of their place, or becauſe the world contemnes them, though without cauſe, & though there be no iuſt exception againſt their ſincerity. They that hauehave Religion in reſpect of perſons, louelove not any for Religions ſake.
12. That liue cuſtomarily in the ſinne of ſwearing, or lying.
13. That is careleſſe of the ſanctification of Gods Sabbath.
14. That hath had no maner of affliction of ſpirit for particular ſinnes.
15. That is pertinacious in the defence of gainfull and delightfull ſinnes.
16. That confirmes himſelfe in the cuſtomary neglect of ſome of Gods Ordinances altogether, either publike, or priuate.
CHAP. IIII.
Shewing vntounto the wicked the hope to bee ſaued, if the fault bee not in himſelfe.
HItherto of the ſignes of wicked men, who muſt bee perſwaded to abide the triall without deſpaire; for the ſignes doe not ſhew them, that they cannot be ſaued; but onelyonly, that for the preſent they are not in the eſtate of ſaluation actually, which though it may, and ought to be grieuous vntounto them, to conſider in what fearefull miſery and ſinne they liue in: yet they hauehave reaſon to know and beleeue, that they may bee ſaued as well as others: yea, the acknowledgement of their miſery is one ſtep to ſaluation.
Now that wicked men may not die, but take a courſe to bee ſaued, two things are by them to bee attended: firſt, the arguments of hope, that prooueArgumēts of hope. they may bee ſaued, and that there is a remedy for their miſery. Secondly, the rules, that ſhew them what they muſt do, which being done, they may bee certaine of their ſaluation.
For the firſt, that they be ſaued, theſe things may hopefully aſſure:
1. That God hath ſworn, 1. Gods oath.that hee deſires not that the wicked ſhould die, but rather that hee ſhould turne from his euill waies, and liue, Ezech. 18. 21.
2. That God hath with2. Gods patience. ſingular patience borne with him all this while, and hath not laid him beneath for all his ſinnes, who long ſince deſerued Hell; and the Lord hath taught it too, that hee is patient, that men might repent and bee ſaued, Rom. 2. 4. 2. Pet. 3. 9.
3. That God offers his 3. The offer of grace to all.grace to all, and hath made no exception againſt any particular man, and therefore why ſhouldeſt thou except thy ſelfe from ſaluation, when Gods grace is tendered to thee as well as others? God ſends his Goſpell to eueryevery creature, euen to all Nations, Mark. 16. 13.
4. That God hath ſent 4. Sufficient ſatiſfaction made by Chriſt.his owne Sonne to be a ſufficient ſacrifice and propitiation for the ſinnes of all men: Hee is the Lambe of God, that taketh away the ſinnes of the world, Ioh. 1. Rom. 3. 25. 1. Ioh. 2. 1. and in him is God well pleaſed, and would hauehave all men know, that hee is content to take ſatiſfaction from Chriſt, Math. 3. 17.
5. That God hath placed5. The meanes continued them in the viſible Church, and doth yet continue the meanes that is able to ſaue their ſoules, Act. 20. 32. Iam. 1. 21.
6. That God hath declared himſelfe concerning ſinne, that there is one onelyonly ſinne that in it6. One onelyonly ſin ſimply vnpardonable. ſelfe is ſimply vnpardonable; All the reſt may bee forgiuen.
7. That God hath ſaued7. As great ſinners ſaued. as great ſinners as they, ſuch as were Manaſſes, Mary Magdalene, Dauid, Paul: Many amongſt the Corinthians were fornicators, drunkards, raylors, and the like, yet were iuſtified, ſanctified, and ſaued, 1. Cor. 9. 10, 11. And theſe hauehave obtained mercy, that in thē Ieſus Chriſt might ſhew forth all long-ſuffering, for a pattern to them which ſhould afterwards beleeue to euerlaſting life, 1. Tim. 1. 13, 16.
CHAP. V.
Shewing how faith may bee gotten.
THE rules of direction follow. This then is the queſtion: What ſhould a man doe, that he may be ſure of his ſaluation, the man, I ſay, that for the preſent doth not finde the grace of Chriſt in his heart? I anſwer: That his principall care muſt bee to vſe all meanes to get the graces of the godly Chriſtian formed in his heart: And herein the Lord hath ſhewed vntounto men ſingular mercy, that as hee hath ſhewed wayes in his Word, how his ſeruants may diſcerne the graces, that are as ſo many ſignes & pledges of Gods louelove, and their own ſaluation; ſo hath hee in the ſame Word laid downe cleere directions, that ſhew how eueryevery grace may bee attained and formed, and nouriſhed in the hearts of men.
Queſt. And firſt I will beginne with faith, & the Queſtion is: What ſhould a man do, that he might attain faith?
Anſ. He that would beleeue, muſt obſerue theſe rules.
1. Hee muſt in the firſt1. He muſt conſider of Gods promiſes. place betake himſelfe to Gods promiſes: For without the promiſe of grace it is vnpoſſible, faith ſhould euer be formed aright in a man, hee muſt labour to ſee what the Lord ſaith diſtinctly vntounto ſinners: I will inſtance in that one promiſe, Ioh. 3. 16. God ſo loued the world, that hee ſent his onelyonly begotten Son, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him, ſhould not periſh, but hauehave life euerlaſting: Now his care muſt bee, ſeriouſly to marke, and cleerely to vnderſtand Gods meaning, which in this promiſe is to aſſure ſaluation to any in the world, that will beleeue in Chriſt.
2. Hee muſt then conſider2. He muſt take notice of Gods cō mandement to beleeue. Gods commandement concerning faith, that God doth require him to beleeue, and is ſo farre from being diſpleaſed with him for beleeuing in Chriſt, that for this cauſe hee will damne him in Hell, if hee beleeue not, Ioh. 3. 17. 1. Ioh. 3. 23. Hee doth as exactly require vsus to relye vponupon this courſe of ſaluation by Ieſus Chriſt, as hee doth require any thing of vsus in the Morall Law: and as we ought not to ſweare, or commit adultery, or ſteale; ſo ought we not to dare to liue without beleefe in Ieſus Chriſt.
3. Hee muſt pray heartily3. He muſt pray for faith. to God to giuegive him a heart to beleeue, and to forme faith in him; for faith is the gift of God, Eph. 2. 8. Hee ſhould pray ouer the promiſes, and beſeech God to incline his heart to reſt vponupon them, as the beſt treaſures in the world: cry vntounto the Lord, Lord help my vnbeleefe.
4. Hee muſt abſolutely lay aſide all thought of his owne righteouſneſſe by the 4. He muſt renounce his owne righteouſneſſe.workes of the Law, and look onelyonly to Ieſus Chriſt, and the righteouſneſſe in him, elſe hee will faile of the righteouſneſſe of God, Rom. 10. 3.
5. Hee muſt waite vponupon5. He muſt waite vpō the Word preached. the powerfull Preaching of the Goſpell, as the onelyonly outward ordinary meanes to beget faith, offering his ſoule daily vntounto God, and attending to the Word of God, ready to obey the motions of the Spirit, knocking at the doore of his heart in the Miniſterie of the Word, knowing that from this Ordinance of God, hee is to expect the gift of faith: Hee ſhould betake himſelfe to it, with reſolution to waite with daily expectation, till the Lord bee pleaſed to ſend the Holy Ghoſt into his heart: And this is a generall rule for this, and all other graces of the Spirit: as men louelove their owne foules, ſo they muſt prouide to liue where the Word of God is preached conſtantly, & in the power of it: for from thence they ſhall receiue vnſpeakeable help and furtherance in all the wayes of God, Rom. 10. 14.