THE BLESSEDNESS OF MARIE the Mother of JESUS. LUKE 1.28.45.48. Blessed art thou among women. Blessed is she that believed. All generations shall call me blessed. printer's device of Richard Field ANCHORA SPEI LONDON, Printed by RICHARD FIELD dwelling in Great Woodstreet. 1618. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL AND WORTHY LADY, Lady DOROTHY ZOUCH, the virtuous wife of Sir EDWARD ZOUCH Knight, at Oking: JOHN SHAW desireth increase of all true comfort here, and hereafter everlasting blessedness. THe Scripture of truth, wherein the mysteries of Religion are treasured up, hath three (amongst others) not a little more eminent, most worthy of our daily and holiest meditations. They are by some called, Bernardus in Vigilia Natalis. The wonders of wonders, & are in themselves most admirable, and surpassing comfortable for use, manifested by the Highest, joh. Heid feldius. for the sure blessedness of all God's children, without which, all men had perished eternally. Not to speak of the blessed Trinity, the greatest of all mysteries; the three here meant, are three Unions, or Couple in one, of things in themselves most different. The first is, the Union of the Godhead to Manhood, in the person of jesus Christ, whereby he is God and man, Immanuel, God with us. The second is, the Coupling of Motherhood and Virginity in one woman, the blessed Marie, whereby her Son is called The Son of man. The third is, the begetting of Saving-faith, in the soul of sinful man, whereby a son of Adam, becometh a child of God, an heir of salvation. The first, and third of these mysteries, are jointly declared by Paul, in these words: Great is the mystery of godliness; 1. Tim. 3.16. God was manifested in the flesh.— Believed on in the world. The second was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah: Isa. 7.14. Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son. These are comfortable secrets, which none fruitfully know but the Lord's heritage, that are taught by his Spirit. These manifest how God is near unto us, and dwelleth with us, and in us, as in his holy Tabernacle. These are the appointed means of our salvation and blessedness. These mysteries so high, and holy, must be sought into by humble and earnest prayer, with much reverence of heart, by reading, hearing, and intentive meditation; we must believe them, and rejoice greatly in the sound and lasting consolation they bring unto us. When man by his sin was woefully fallen from God, and the blessedness wherein he was set, and by his Apostasy, had cast himself and his posterity into the state of damnation: then, even than did God manifest his unspeakable love in restoring him again into the favour of his Creator, and to the hope of a greater bliss then that which he had lost. It was agreeable to the Lords holiness, for manifesting his mercy and justice, that as man made the fault, so man should make the amends. But man alone could not do it, (the Creator only could repair the creature.) God therefore becometh man, that so he might thoroughly do it. And he was manifested in the flesh, (not for a small time, as he appeared to the patriarchs,) but the second Person in Trinity, john. 1.14. The WORD, even the only begotten of the Father, was made flesh, and dwelled among us, full of grace and truth. That man might be made partaker of the divine nature, & enjoy eternal peace with God: The Captain of our salvation took not on him the nature of Angels, Heb. 2.16. but he to took on him the seed of Abraham; in all things it behoved him to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful Highpriest, in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the sins of the people. This is the first, high, glorious, and comfortable mystery. The second craveth of us like holy admiration and firm faith. Will God dwell in a Tabernacle? in a Temple? or as Solomon saith: 1. King. 8.27. Will God indeed dwell on the earth? will he that made the heavens, take flesh of the womb of a Virgin? have her indeed to be his mother, and yet she continue a pure and undefiled maid? Yes assuredly, & it is a wonder without all example, and a miraculous work of him, Psal. 146.4. that alone worketh wonders. Motherhood and virginity meet in Marie, the most blessed of women, & in her alone. And hath correspondency, to that admirable Creation in the beginning, where Eve, the mother of all living, was miraculously made out of the side of man alone: so of the womb of a woman alone, was borne the holy Messiah, even jesus Christ our Lord, for the fulfilling of the Covenant of grace, which God made with man. The woman's seed shall bruise the serpent's head. Gen. 3.15. This is the second secret, and high mystery of Christian Religion. The third wonder is, that faith and man's soul so meet, that man who is a sinful son of Adam; by faith becometh a child of God, according as it is written: Gal. 3.26. — Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ jesus. Here we may take up David's words, and say: Psal. 144.3. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him, or the son of man, that thou makest account of him? The difficulty of sound believing in the Messiah the Saviour of his elect, and the wonderful mercy of God in that rare grace, will better appear, if we call to mind, how that even in Paradise, man believed not God, (when he said, Gen. 2.17. Thou shalt die the death:) and did believe the devil, Gen. 3.4. (Ye shall not surely die.) Now that man is fallen from integrity, and captived in Original and Actual sin, to believe a promise of eternal life, that God will make him an heir of heaven, for jesus sake, is above all human learning, sense and reason. And this hope and confidence is only in that little flock, where God's Spirit doth powerfully work it. How few believe, Isaiah complaineth: Isa. 53.1. — Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? How great a work of God, faith is, Paul witnesseth:— Who believe according to the working of his mighty power, Ephes. 1.19 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead. Certainly as there was a darkness in all Egypt, that might be felt: Exod. 10.22. but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings: Even so all the chosen Israel of God now, have Christ the light of the world dwelling in their hearts by faith. But the whole world of Hypocrites and unbelievers, love darkness and abide in it for evermore. Hereupon it followeth, that jews, Turks, Pagans, unbelievers, and Hypocrites, who have no communion by faith with the Son of God manifested in the flesh, abide under the curse and wrath of the Almighty. But the chosen little flock, to whom the mysteries of Christ's kingdom are known, who sound, and with all their heart, believe in jesus Christ the Son of God, conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the virgin Mary; that he the promised Messiah, is their king, priest, and prophet, and by his obedience unto death, hath wrought their full Redemption, and made their reconciliation with God: these through faith in his blood, have Christ's righteousness imputed to them for the attaining of salvation; these have a joy glorious and unspeakable; these cleave to God in true holiness; and in the end, for this their Mediators sake, receive a crown of righteousness, and the blessedness promised that lasteth evermore. This little Treatise will so far lay open, & unfold these three profound mysteries, as may give occasion to the wellminded readers, to make further search into so high, holy, and necessary doctrines, as are primary pillars of true Religion. And now, worthy Madam, in that I commend unto you, my poor endeavours contained in this little book, it is out of a good desire, to further you in the best things, to procure you some little help, to get greater increase of the chief blessings; to cast in my mite by writing also, to add that way somewhat to your spiritual treasure, of knowledge, holiness, and comfort, as one desirous to be thankful to God for his manifold mercis to you, in that since your coming among us, you make it daily evident, that you have a hearty love to true Religion; and take much comfort in the Ministry, and public worship of God established: as also that by your good example, & blameless conversation, you grace your holy profession, going before many, in many Christian duties. Assure yourself, your careful labouring to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord jesus Christ, will give you an heaven upon earth, and shall be your crown in the day of the Lord: when all those that suffer their hearts to be stolen away from God and godliness, by excessive cares or pleasures of this world, shall have their sorrows come upon them like armed men, and their end shall be fully miserable. Mind you it well, I pray you; Eccl. 8.12. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know, that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him. But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God. Earnestly, & constantly seek after those lasting joys, where is mirth without all mourning, life without vexation; eternal happiness, by a blessed communion with the eternal God, who will be all in all to them that love him. Pass over no day, wherein you call not to mind, the many, sweet, free blessings of the almighty, bestowed upon you; but by them provoke yourself to offer to him, the heartiest sacrifice of thanksgiving that you can attain to, accompanied with humble, faithful, fervent prayers, for increase of his best blessings to you and yours; that your happiness begun here, may be continued everlastingly. Act. 20.32. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance, among all them which are sanctified. 1. Thes. 5.23. And the very God of peace sanctify you throughout, and I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord jesus Christ. Amen. Be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelation 2.10. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE VIRGIN MARIE, the Mother of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. LUKE 1.28.45. Blessed art thou among women. Blessed is she that believed. THE holy Evangelist Saint Luke, Luke 1.28 writing the miraculous Incarnation of our Lord jesus Christ, that is, his wonderful Conception and Birth: describeth the messenger that manifested these glad tidings, to be the Angel Gabriel; the woman that should be mother to jesus, by name Marie, by condition a Virgin, affianced to joseph, of the house of David; the place of their dwelling Nazareth, a town of Galilee in the land of judaea; the time, in the days of Augustus Caesar: the child to be conceived and borne of her, by name jesus; by office and dignity, a King over the house of jacob for ever; by nature the Son of the eternal God; by special favour, and in regard of his human nature, the son of the Virgin Marie, conceived in her womb, the holy Ghost coming upon her, and the power of the Highest overshadowing her, & she thrice by holy Oracle, assured, that she is exceedingly blessed. The Virgin Marie, lineally descending from the royal Kings of Israel, found grace and favour with God, was freely beloved of him, precious and honourable in his sight; had great honour put upon her, was exceedingly blessed by God's special love to her, even blessed above all women. Mary's blessedness is twofold. The first is singular and proper to herself, a prerogative granted to her alone, and never to any other creature: even to be the Mother of jesus Christ the Saviour of all the Elect, the mother of Emmanuel, God-with-us, even God manifested in the flesh. Thus saith Gabriel from heaven, Blessed art thou among women, Luke 1.28 thus saith holy Elizabeth on earth: Blessed art thou among women, 42. and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. The second is, that having obtained like precious faith with the Saints in the common salvation, she with them, abiding in the truth of Religion, did believe, and wait for the promised Messiah, and her own salvation by him; as in her holy prophecy she acknowledgeth: Luke 1.47. My soul rejoiceth in God my Saviour. She had also a peculiar proper holy faith, in a peculiar promise which was made to her alone, Gen. 3.15.12.3. which was, That the blessed seed, in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed, should be her seed; that the Son of God would become her son, and be borne of her womb; and of these, holy Elizabeth, the mother of john Baptist, Luke 1.45. saith: Blessed is she that believed. Blessed art thou among all women. The singular blessedness and rare prerogative, that Marie at once is a maid and a mother, beareth a son, and is still a Virgin; is both a daughter of God, and a mother of the Son of God; is a wonder of wonders, a strange miracle, glorious and comfortable: not fruitfully believed of any but of them that are taught of God, who maketh known the mysteries of his kingdom to babes and little ones, according to the good pleasure of his will: and this part of the saving truth, he writeth in our hearts by his Spirit, and the manifestation of it is in his word, thus recorded by the Evangelist Saint Luke. In the sixth month, Luke 1.26. the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, unto a City of Galilee named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a man, whose name was joseph, of the house of David, and the Virgin's name was Marie, and the Angel came in unto her and said; Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. Thou hast found favour with God, and behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and call his name jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of jacob for ever: and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Marie to the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said unto her: The holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be borne of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren: For with God nothing shall be unpossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word. This most joyful wonder, that God will dwell with man, be man, be borne of a Virgin, is the first sweet prophesy, and gracious covenant, that God made to man in Paradise. Gen. 3.15. The woman's seed shall bruise the serpent's head: that is, jesus Christ, the seed and son of the Virgin Marie, shall destroy the devil (that spoke by the serpent) and his kingdom, and work man's full deliverance, and eternal blessedness. This work of God, so strange and glorious, is the fulfilling of the prophesy of Isaiah: Isa. 7.14. A Virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and she shall call his name Emmanuel; for in the fullness of time appointed by the Lord, The word was made flesh, Ioh 1.14. and dwelled among us, full of grace and truth: even he who is holy, harmless, undefiled, Heb. 7.26. separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. The holy God, that of old declared himself from above the mercyseat in the Tabernacle, Exod. 25.22. Heb. 1.2. hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. This rare miracle, so wonderful in the eyes of men & Angels, which had that due acclamation; Luk. 11.27. Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck; will more clearly appear in the excellency of it, if we compare it with the conceptions and births that the worthiest women ever had, or with this of the blessed Virgin Marie. And to begin with the ancientest: EVA, the mother of us all, when she had conceived, and borne a son, thankfully acknowledged Gods love therein, Gen. 4.1. saying: I have obtained a man by the Lord. Yet had she no comfort of him, 1. joh. 3.12 For he was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: but Mary's joy was sound, full, and lasting; for she did not only obtain a man of the Lord, Act. 4.27.5.31. but a man which is the Lord. The holy child jesus. A Prince and Saviour, even the Lord of glory; 1. Cor. 2.8. of whom not only Elizabeth a good woman, and Gabriel an holy Angel, gave so honourable a testimony: but even God the Father from heaven, thus witnessed: This is my well-beloved Son, Mat. 3.17.17.5. in whom I am well pleased; hear him. Peter also avoucheth, 2. Pet. 1.17 that He received from God the Father, honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him, from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. SARA, when she was ninety years old, was made joyful with this comfortable promise of the Almighty: I will bless her, Gen. 21.6. and will also give thee a son of her, yea I will bless her, and she shall be the mother of nations, Kings also of people shall come of her. If Sara praise the Lord, saying: God hath made me to rejoice, all that hear, will rejoice with me: I have borne to Abraham, a son in his old age: much more may blessed Marie say, God hath made me to rejoice, and from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Luk. 1.48. for he that is mighty hath done for me great things, and holy is his Name. For I have borne a son, Reu. 17.14 who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. The Prince of peace, the increase of whose government and peace shall have none end; Isa. 9.6. he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice, from henceforth and for ever. A King shall reign and prosper, jere. 23.5. and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth; in his days judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely, and this is the name whereby they shall call him: the Lord our righteousness. This King shall reign over the Gentiles, Rom. 15.12. Mat. 1.21. Reu. 1.5. and in him shall the Gentiles trust. He shall save his people from their sins, and make all his redeemed, Kings and Priests unto God. HANNA, the godly wise of Elkana was barren a long time; but when with earnest prayer and tears she had begged and obtained a son of God, even Samuel, and given him to the Lord all the days of his life, and had brought him when he was weaned, to Silo, that he might appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever: she praised God cheerfully, and rejoiced in his salvation, 1. Sam. 2.5. and that the barren had borne. Now if this holy prophetess gave praises to God, for such a worthy and gracious son, 1. Sam. 3.20. even faithful Samuel the Lord's Prophet: much more had the blessed Virgin cause to magnify the Lord, that made her mother of such a son, as is both the greatest Prophet, and holiest Priest, that ever was. Of this Prophet thus Moses writeth, and Peter reporteth: Act. 3.23. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren like to me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you: and it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. He is the wisdom of God, joh. 7.46. that spoke as never man spoke: He that maketh known to us, all things that he heard of his Father: joh. 15.15. He that taught with authority of a Lawgiver; Mat. 7.29. that with his gracious words giveth his Spirit, Act. 10.44. opening & powerfully bowing the heart; making all his elect wise to salvation, 2. Tim. 3.15. through faith which is in Christ jesus. This holiest PRIEST was after the order of Melchisedech, Heb. 5.2. had compassion on the ignorant, and them that are out of the way. He in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, and was heard;— and became author of salvation to them that obey him. This most holy, Heb. 7.25. high PRIEST, is perfectly able to SAVE them that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth. He is our REDEEMER, Ephes. 1.7. In whom we have redemption through his blood. He is our RIGHTEOUSNESS: Rom. 5.19. By the obedience of one many shall be made righteous. He is our RECONCILER: 10. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. He is the MEDIATOR of the new Covenant: Heb. 12.24 9.24. entered into heaven, now to appear in the presence of God for us. He is our ADVOCATE with the Father, 1. joh. 2.2. and the propitiation for our sins; he is at the right hand of God, Rom. 8.33 and maketh intercession for us. BATHSHEBA, the mother of King Solomon, had great cause to bless God, that gave her a son, so great, & so good; who gave such honour unto his mother, as is remembered in the holy word, 1. Kin. 2.19 that The King rose up to meet her, and sat down on his Throne, and he caused a seat to be set for the King's mother, and she sat at his right hand: But blessed Marie, had a greater and better son, even him, Rom. 14.11. to whom all knees bow; even him, of whom it is said, Let all the Angels of God worship him. Heb. 1.6. This son did highly honour his mother. First in his subjection to her, for it is written, that he was obedient to her. Luk. 2.51. Secondly, in his holy care for her, and that in his extreme anguish on the cross. joh. 19.25. There stood by the cross of jesus his mother, and when he saw her and the Disciple standing by, whom he loved: he saith unto his mother, Woman behold thy Son; then saith he to the Disciple: Behold thy mother; and from that hour, that Disciple took her unto his own home. And whereas conformity to God's image, and sound holiness, is a great part of true blessedness; this most godly Virgin showed forth singular and rare virtues: for being at a Marriage with Christ at Cana in Galilee: her Love and Compassion was made evident, when she spoke to her son, They have no wine; joh. 2.3. her meekness, that kept silence when Christ rebuked her; also her godliness, in directing & persuading to that which is the sum of our duty, most agreeable to that voice of God from heaven, Hear him: Mat. 17.5. when she exhorted, saying: john 2.5. Whatsoevor he saith unto you, do it. She suffered much affliction for Christ, (and so was partaker of that dignity of the Saints, Phil. 1.29. that both believe in Christ and suffer for his sake:) both when she lived as an exile with him in Egypt; Mat. 2.14. as also when Simeons' prophecy was fulfilled in his bitter passion: Luk. 2.35. A sword shall pass through thy soul. She persisted constantly in the profession of Religion, and continued in, and with the holy Church and assembly of the Saints, in all true holiness: as it is said,— They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, Act. 1.14. with the women, and Marie the mother of jesus, and with his brethren. Thus it appeareth evidently, that she was a blessed mother, of a most blessed Son: even blessed among, and above all women. The first use and fruit for Confutation. We knowing and believing the wonderful conception and birth of our Lord jesus Christ, do control the madness, and confute the damnable heresies of all that impugn the two distinct natures of that one person Immanuel, Isa. 7.14. (who is the Son of God eternally, and the son of Marie, borne of her womb in the fullness of time, decreed before the world was made;) or that any way derogate from his Prophetical, Priestly, or kingly offices, by which he wrought the salvation of his Church. This doctrine sound grounded on the word of God, refuteth the jews of this age, that yet wait for MESSIAH, who is already come in humility to redeem his Saints, and will the second time come in glory, Heb. 9.28. to crown them, and confound his foes; 2. Thes. 1.8 and will then repay vengeance to all them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord jesus Christ. Yea moreover, As every spirit that confesseth, that jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: so every spirit, that confesseth not, 1. joh. 4.2. that jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God; and this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard, that it should come, and even now already is in the world. There is no other true Messiah, but jesus Christ the Son of the virgin Marie, whose blessed mouth hath said: john 8.24. Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. The second use and fruit for confirmation. Our holy faith and soundest comfort, are confirmed strongly in the ancient gracious Covenant of God made in Paradise, often renewed to the patriarchs and Church of the jews, accomplished when God was manifested in the flesh, & dwelled among us, when Christ was borne of the Virgin Marie, as it is written: In the fullness of time, Gal. 4.4. God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of Sons. Rom. 10.10. With the heart we do believe, and with the mouth we confess, that jesus Christ, conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the Virgin Marie, is the Immanuel; (God withus,) foretold by the Prophet Isaias; made like unto us in all things, Heb. 4.15. Ioh 1.29. yet without sin. Even that Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Even he by whom all effectually called, Heb. 9.14. receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For be it, that we all were conceived in sin, and borne in iniquity, and corrupted in all the parts of our souls and bodies: yet the Conception, Birth & whole nature of Christ our Saviour, was fully sanctified, by being united to his Godhead, and imputed to us, so that the holiness of jesus, is a rob to cover all our sinfulness, and whereby we shall stand most gloriously in God's sight, in the great day of the Lord. For as Ester, Ester 5.3. advanced from low estate to be a great Queen, had not this dignity put upon her for herself alone, but also for the comfort of all her kindred, even all the jews: so that the glorious Messiah was borne of the blessed Virgin Marie, was not her blessedness alone, but redounded to the joy, honour and salvation of all that believe in him, Rom. 10.11. be they jews or Gentiles. This high, holy, and comfortable mystery, why God would become man, to work man's salvation, though it be greater than can be well expressed: yet let us endeavour stammeringly to utter what we have learned therein. judg. 9.8. And as jotham (in the book of judges) used a parable to declare his mind more plainly, saying: The trees went forth on a time, to anoint a king over them, & so forth: So we desire without offence to use a Dialogue or disputation, to see if this mystery so profound may be better understood, or leave a deeper impression of so holy learning. When Adam (and in him all his posterity) by disobedience had sinned against God, before he should receive the doom of his just damnation, sundry stood up to plead. JUSTICE took the first place, and with much vehemency alleged, that the righteousness of God required, that unless there were a full satisfaction made by man for man's transgression, man must necessarily die, and that eternally, for his sin; and that God could not be just, if any of his debts should pass unsatisfied. Infinite justice is wronged, therefore must man endure infinite torments. The most holy and just God hath spoken: Gen. 2 17. In the day thou eatest of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt die the death: Again he hath said: Deut. 27.26. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the Law, to do them. Yea and again: The soul that sinneth shall die. Ezek. 18.5. TRUTH likewise stood up and said: My sentence must needs be, to second & make good all that justice hath spoken: for what God saith is true, all his words are as the faithful witnesses in heaven, and He will be known by executing of judgement: Psal. 9.16. Be ye well assured, Num. 23.19. God is not as man, that he should lie: hath he said and shall he not do it? and hath he spoken, and shall he not accomplish it? MERCY then put forth her voice, Give me place also to stand for, and to witness, what is noted in the Scripture of truth. For though I may in no part derogate from justice or Truth, whose greatness I know and reverence: yet know ye also, that Mercy will lose neither her right or pre-eminence, but will take first place of you both: for it is allotted by the word unto me. It is first said, Gracious and (then) Righteous is the Lord. Psal. 25.8. Yea let it be engraven in pillars of marble, and written with letters of gold, and in the hearts of all the holy ones: Psal. 145.8. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great mercy. Yea I will avouch it confidently, that where there is one title of God's justice, (He maketh not the wicked innocent;) there are seven titles of his Mercy: jehovah, jehovah, Exod. 34.6 strong, merciful, and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in goodness and truth, reserving mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin. If justice say, man shall die: Mercy saith, he shall live. Eze. 16.6. PEACE then very mildly took part with Mercy, and said: Sister Truth, I blame thee not for speaking on justice side, for we have learned that God is true in his threatenings, none will herein gainsay thee: but speak unpartially, (as I well know thou wilt when it cometh to thy turn to speak again:) is not God also as true in his holy Covenants, and all his sweet promises? But without more urging thee, I will speak for us both, and in the words of the holy Ghost.— As I have sworn, Isa. 54.9. that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn, that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee; for the mountains shall departed, and the hills shall be removed, but my kindness shall not departed from thee, neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. If rigour of justice should take such place, that man for his Sin should eternally perish, than Mercy and Peace should be quite banished out of the earth. But I know assuredly, That he will speak peace unto his people, Psal. 85.8. and to his Saints. The Lord will bless his people with peace. Yea unto man, Isa. 9.6. & for man is given the Prince of peace. WISDOM then (as best able to decide this controversy) took place and said: All of you have spoken well, and as beseemeth you; for God will make his Name glorious, in manifesting before men and Angels the holiness of his justice, Truth, Mercy and Peace. Mercy must be showed, otherwise man cannot be saved; and yet God will not show Mercy to violate or wrong his justice. There is a way found out by him whose name is Wonderful and Counsellor, Isa. 9.6. how to please you all, and to give you full contentment, and to save men from deserved damnation. There is a law made by the most High, the Just and Merciful God, wherein it is thus enacted.— If thy brother be impoverished, Levit. 23.47. and sell himself to a stranger by thee, after he is sold he may be bought out, ONE OF HIS BRETHREN may buy him out:— any of the KINDRED of his flesh among his family may REDEEM him. According to the equity of this law, some second Adam that is a Brother, must make the Redemption and Atonement, who can pay all the forfeits and debts of man, who can die, and yet overcome death; die and be no debtor to death, but merely of love, lay down his life, to save other from dying; who can perfectly fulfil the whole Law, and purchase the Creator's favour, and an eternal inheritance. For God by his Commandment requiring of man, sound, full, and perfect obedience; without a perfect and complete obedience, will not make man righteous: and threatening a curse, & setting down the penalty, will admit of no satisfaction, but by the suffering of that curse denounced by God himself. Now such a surety, and man of worth that can thus suffer, and thus do, where shall he be found? Here Adam and all his sons were silent, dejected, and heartless; for no such could be found on earth, man could do nothing to work his recovery, no more than a dead man can raise up himself out of his grave, Ephes. 2.1. being dead in trespasses and sins; so that Desperation was ready to arrest Adam, and to take him from God's gracious presence for ever: but the SON OF GOD came in due time to help at need, and to save that which was lost, and he graciously spoke; I will take flesh of the womb of a Virgin, I will become man, rather than man shall perish, whom I created after mine own image. He fell not altogether of himself, but by temptation of another; & another that is more mighty shall raise him up, and restore him fully into the favour of his Creator. And this shall be accomplished, as Wisdom hath made it plain unto you, & altogether according as it is written of me in the volume of God's book: Isa. 53.5. The iniquity of all shall be laid on me, and I will make reconciliation, I will be wounded for man's transgression, the chastisement of his peace shall light upon me. Dan 9.24. To finish transgressions, and to make an end of sins, I will make my soul an offering, and be cut off from the land of the living; I will make my grave with the wicked, Isa. 53.10. and (yet) see my seed, and prolong my days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in my hands. I will make intercession for transgressors, Dan. 9.24. and bring in everlasting righteousness. This will I do, Psal. 40.8. for the Law of God is in my heart. The eternal Father being ever well pleased in his Son, agreed, (yea before determined,) that this sovereign Remedy should be propounded, before he pronounced the sentence of judgement: Yea he plighted the Covenant of grace between him and man, (in few words, but containing in them the fullness of true comfort and blessedness,) The woman's seed shall bruise the serpent's head. Gen. 3.15. Thus was the great controversy decided, and the disceptation ended. Mercy and truth met together, Psal. 85.10. righteousness and peace kissed each other. justice was satisfied, Peace and Truth well pleased, Mercy triumphed, Sin was abolished, Death destroyed, Hell vanquished, Satan trodden under foot, Man eternally saved, Heaven opened, Angels joyfully sung; Glory be to God in the highest, Luk. 2.14. and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. O that man's heart were rightly affected (to rejoice unspeakably, & praise God uncessantly,) for this glorious harmony, where the wisdom, power, mercy, justice and truth of God meet in one, to work man's reconciliation to God, and his eternal blessedness! Psal. 107.8. O that the redeemed of the Lord, would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! O what an incomprehensible love is it, that the Son of God, Phil. 2.6. who being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God, yet made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant; and was made in the likeness of man, & being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Thus the blessed Immanuel (that as jacobs' ladder, Gen. 28.12 joined heaven and earth together,) must be equal to God, to satisfy God's justice, and procure his love to us: he must be in the form of a servant, a man, a brother, a kinsman; Touched with the feeling of our infirmities, yet without sin. In which holy mystery, job was well instructed, when so confidently he reposed all his comfort in his kinsman, job 19.25. in his Redeemer: I know that my Redeemer (the word is Goali, my kinsman) liveth, and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; & though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Without this kinsman of our flesh, and mighty holy Redeemer, there is no coming to God, but as joseph said: Except your brother be with you, Gen. 43.5. ye shall not see my face. So high is God's majesty, and so low is man's wretched estate, that to make an union and atonement between us, we stood in need of such a Mediator, as must be both the Son of God, and of the seed of Abraham. The Physicians tell us, how the soul of man from heaven, and the body from earth, Bright in Melanch. 9 are by the spirit of life brought to live together in a marvelous concord and unity. The soul is merely divine, the body merely a lump of earth: but that which maketh either to affect other, be as handfasted, and comfortably to dwell together, is the spirit, though not so excellent as the soul; yet cometh it from the divine influence of life; and not of itself earthy. So the golden clasp whereby God will be joined to man, dwell with him, joh. 1.14. and in him, is the Word incarnate, equal to the Father and the holy Ghost touching his Godhead, but inferior to them touching his manhood. By him we have access unto God with boldness, by him we have right to the eternal inheritance, by him we have comfort in our strangest and strongest temptations. It is written for our comfort, that He is not ashamed to call us brethren, Heb. 2.11. saying; I will declare thy Name among my brethren. joseph highly advanced in Egypt, Gen. 47.11. did not only preserve all his brethren from perishing in that great famine; but procured also for them, (and that with the King's good liking) that although (as shepherds) they were abhorred of the Egyptians, yet they possessed Rameses in Gosen, even the best of the kingdom: So our tender hearted joseph Christ jesus, our most loving brother, (flesh of our flesh) hath reconciled us to God, and so prevailed for us, Luk. 12.32 That it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Let every true Christian then be comforted with this free, full, and lasting love of God towards us in Christ, and return the sacrifice of daily, true, and hearty thanksgiving, and say: Bless the Lord O my soul, Psal. 103.2. and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Blessed is she that believed. THE SECOND DEGREE of the blessedness of the blessed Virgin Marie, is set down in these words: Blessed is she that believed, Luk. 1.45. for those things shall be performed which were told her of the Lord. Blessed Marie believed in the Messiah and Saviour promised, as all the holy ones of that age did, and in greater measure, and daily showed forth the fruits thereof; Christ dwelled in her heart by faith before he was conceived in her womb. She believed moreover, that He should be the blessed fruit of her womb, that the holy promised seed should be her seed, that the Saviour of all the elect should be both her Son and her Saviour. Her faith was holy, sound, and strong, when passing over all earthly thoughts that might have moved to doubtfulness, she rested firmly and faithfully on the Lord's word and promise, with sure assent and much certainty, saying: Be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1.38. Whereas Zacharias (a man that walked in the ordinances of God without reproof, hearing the promise from an Angel, that his aged wife should bear a son) doubted through some unbelief, Luke 1.20. and therefore was made dumb for a time, till God's promise was fulfilled. Is it not a rare, excellent, and glorious faith, to believe that which never any before did believe? to have sure confidence, settled persuasion without wavering, and to seal that God is true, when the promise made seemeth contrary to all sense, reason, and experience? Look we on the faith of Abraham, so often extolled in the Scriptures, and consider if her faith was not as great, steadfast, holy, and excellent as his, if not more admirable, in that a woman believeth the Angel once assuring the promise, which he a man was often told, and that by the Lord himself. It is said of Abraham, Rom 4.18 That against hope, he believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that was spoken, So shall thy seed be: and being not weak in faith, he considered not his body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb; he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully persuaded, that what he had promised he was able to perform, and therefore was it imputed to him for righteousness. So holy Marie, knowing herself to be a Virgin, and by that ordinary course of nature she could not bring forth a child: yet minding there was a sure promise, made by the God of truth, recorded by a holy Prophet, believed by all the Israel of God: Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Isa. 7.14. son, and shall call his name Immanuel: And seeing now the God of her fathers, had spoken to her by his holy Angel Gabriel: Luk. 1.30. — Thou hast found favour with God, and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name jesus: She firmly believing, that with God nothing is impossible, that all the promises of God are most sure, she strong and steadfast in her most holy faith, gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able to perform; made this sweet answer. Luk. 1.38. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word. It followeth then, that as Abraham the Father of the faithful, was accounted righteous by believing: so likewise the faith of holy Marie was imputed to her for righteousness (and so consequently for blessedness) as it is said: Blessed is she that believed. If any hard of belief, take exception, and say, Mary's blessedness is avouched only by a woman: let such remember, that Elizabeth that said it, was both an holy woman, & a prophetess, and the word of God speaketh evidently of her: Luke 1.41. Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. Moreover if any say, we hold it for good, that sound, true, and particular believing the promises of salvation, giveth assurance of full blessedness: but is Mary's faith such, in believing she should bear a son, yet remain a Virgin still? We desire such not to sever things so nearly joined together, her faith of having a son, and her faith in her son; (who also is the Son of God blessed for ever.) For it is evident by the word, that she both believed her own salvation by him the Messiah, as Abraham did; as also with a fuller light of knowledge, that the hope of Israel should be her son. By the one she hath a prerogative, to be blessed above all women: by the other, a pre-eminency amongst all the Lords holy ones. By comparing Scriptures together, we shall see very clearly, that we ought not so to restrain the meaning of those words, Blessed is she that believed. We read in Genesis; Gen. 15.5. The word of the Lord came to Abraham again— One shall come out of thine own bowels, he shall be thy heir; look now up to heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them, and he said: So shall thy seed be, and Abraham believed the Lord, and he accounted that to him for righteousness. It is not to be gathered hence, that Abraham was accounted righteous in believing he should have a wonderful great posterity, like the number of the stars for multitude; but he formerly believed this promise of the Almighty: Gen. 12.3. In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Now the latter promise, Gen. 15. containeth in it the former, Genes. 12. and hath over and above it, a promise of the boundless enlargement of the Church, which should be blessed with him, by the promised seed, even by him who is called Shilo, Gen. 49.10 Isa. 7.14. Dan. 9.26. Immanuel, and Messiah. So the holy Virgin Marie, even before the Angel came to her, sound believed in the promised Messiah, and that he should be the son of a Virgin, as the Prophet Isaias had foretold: but after that Gabriel the Lord's messenger had revealed more to her, she believed that she was that Virgin, to whom this dignity and prerogative was freely given, to be the mother of the most holy Immanuel. So having the common faith of blessedness with Abraham, & this peculiar faith above Abraham, (for he saw Christ afar off, but she felt him in her womb, first saw him manifested in the flesh, heard his gracious words, enjoyed him as her son and Saviour,) we may hold it as a manifest truth, that she was before all in true and holy faith in the Son of the everliving God, having testimony of her faith and blessedness from the whole Church of God, as is prophesied— All generations shall call her blessed; Luk. 1.48. and from the sound and worthy fruits of saving faith, which are mentioned in the word. It is among the praises of Abraham's faith, by Christ's own mouth: Ioh 8.56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad. Marry did not only rejoice in God her Saviour, Luk. 1.47. but also magnified the Lord, that is, with heart and voice praised and extolled the greatness and goodness of God to her and the whole Church. From her faith flowed the glorifying of God, joy and gladness to her own soul, and a comfortable reviving of the hearts of all the godly, by witnessing in her sweet song the fulfilling of God's promises for helping up his servant Israel. Luke 1.54. We conclude then, that the Virgin Marie was a gracious woman, freely and fully beloved of God, a Maid and a Mother, a faithful Israelite, a primary Christian, an holy prophetess, a daughter of God by adoption, a Mother of the Son of God by special favour, blessed in bearing Christ, blessed in believing in Christ, blessed by him on earth, blessed with him in heaven for evermore. The first use and fruit Which we must reap by knowing and believing, that Marie was blessed in believing; is, that we be taught and strengthened by her example, to seek all our blessedness out of ourselves, in jesus Christ, as he is the Head of his body the Church, Eph. 5.23. and by him as he is our holy Redeemer and Reconciler. Rom. 3.24. And that this gift is given of God, and received of us by faith only: For that faith and no other grace giveth us right unto, Eph. 2.8. and maketh us owners of this blessedness which is in Christ, (the proper act of this faith being to receive Christ, and apply him to us in particular.) So that we must be sound instructed, and unmovably settled, in this high & holy doctrine, of the excellency of faith, and the necessity of it, for receiving jesus our Saviour to be our own, and in him to have and enjoy free, full, and eternal salvation. Look we carefully into the gracious dispensation of our blessedness, and we shall find it both plainly and plentifully taught in the word of grace. Life is primarily in the Father, from him in the Son, and that for as many as receive him,— The Father hath life in himself, joh. 5.26. and he hath given to the Son to have life in himself, but not only for himself, but for all that believe on him.— This is the record, 1. Ioh 5.11 that God hath given TO US eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Now if it be given to us, we must receive this life and blessedness, and Christ the giver to dwell in our hearts by faith. Eph. 3.17. By it we have a near union with his person, as members of his body, whereof he is Head, giving us life, (as feeling and motion are from the head, to all the natural body.) And communion with all his graces, to our full blessedness. And that it is the proper act of faith alone, to RECEIVE, is thus taught.— The true Light came unto his own, and his own received him not; joh. 1.12. but as many as RECEIVED him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE on his name. Paul thus speaketh, Gal. 3.14. — That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, through Christ jesus, that we might RECEIVE the promise of the Spirit THROUGH FAITH. In the same sense the word of laying hold on is used, expressing the nature and act of true faith, in this exhortation: Fight the good fight of FAITH, 1. Tim. 6.12. lay hold of eternal life, whereto thou art called. Faith is not a disposition to holiness, or a beginning of other virtues, which united together, might be meritorious of life and glory; (as some have greatly mistaken it) but it is a receiving apprehension, laying hold on, and applying of Christ unto us, for whom, and by whom, we are acceptable to God, and heirs of blessedness. Our judgement and faith must be grounded on God's holy word, which is most plain and clear in this great mystery. It is no where said, thy faith hath begun virtues in thee, (though indeed there is no true virtue, but which floweth from faith; but it is said by the Lord himself. Luke 7.50. — Thy faith hath saved thee; as also, 1. joh. 5.24 — He that believeth, hath passed from death to life. And the holy Apostles, in like manner set forth the sweet and comfortable fruits of faith. Heb. 10.39 — We follow faith to the conservation of the soul. In another place, he saith: Rom. 3.24 We are justified freely by his grace, through the Redemption that is in jesus Christ, whom God hath set forth, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, to declare at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and a justifier of him which believeth in jesus. To this agreeth that in Peter: 1. Pet. 1.9. Receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Christ jesus is the object of our faith, which assureth us of our adoption, justification and full blessedness; and hath his seat partly in the understanding, partly in the heart. In the mind and understanding, faith is a sure knowledge and apprehension, that jesus Christ the son of the Virgin Marie, is the eternal Son of God, the long promised blessed seed, the Saviour of all his chosen; And in the heart, it is a true and sure persuasion, (wrought also in us by God's spirit) a confident application, that I have right to him as given to me: waiting for all my blessedness through him, relying, and casting myself wholly upon him. So I put to my seal, joh. 3.33. that God is true, just, and gracious, infinitely good, that extendeth such mercy to me, freely, for his beloved sons sake, neither dare I do that wrong to God and myself, as to mistrust and doubt of his gracious promises, He that shall believe and be baptised, Mar. 16.16. shall be saved. Ye are of God in Christ jesus, who of God is made unto us, 1. Cor. 1.30 wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Having Christ to be ours, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth, we have by him free pardon of all our sins and unrighteousness, the imputation of Christ's righteousness to be ours, by his free gift, redemption through his blood, freedom from the curse and rigour of the Law, from guiltiness, bondage, and punishment of sin, from condemnation and hell torments. By him we have Reconciliation and Atonement, sure, sweet, and lasting peace with God, boldness with confidence to come to the throne of grace; the spirit of Adoption, whereby as dear children of God we call him our Father, joying in his presence, desiring to do his will; we have prosperity and adversity sanctified unto us, to further us to grow up to full holiness; we have peace of conscience, sense of God's love, joy in the holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, teaching, enlightening, guiding, upholding, and comforting us, repairing the image of God in us, setting beauty upon our souls, giving grace to be fruitful in holy desires and meditations, in all good words and works; strength to persevere in the knowledge & love of the truth, and careful practice of all piety, to fight the Lords battles valiantly & prosperously, to get Satan trampled under our feet, to triumph in Christ, and finally with him to be partakers of glory and eternal blessedness. An objection and doubt From these words of the Apostle,— Now abideth faith, 1. Cor. 13.13. hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity. If charity be greatest, (say some) how then doth faith justify, and assure every believer of his blessedness? Let such be put in mind, that although charity in two respects be greater than faith: yet is it not that grace which receiveth justification and life, but the excellency and greatness of it is seen in other things. First, charity is greater than faith, in continuance of time, never falling away, never ceasing, but lasting ever more as may appear in the words going before, from 8. verse. Faith and hope bring us to Christ, possessing him, and with him, full blessedness, there will be no more use for them twain. Like as a man got into his country, arrived where he will ever abide, needeth no more a ship to pass over the seas. Faith & hope end with time: Charity over liveth all time. When faith and hope cease with the world, charity then cometh to a fuller perfection. Secondly, charity is greater in fruitfulness, to do good to God's people, (the proper work of faith being to fetch comfort from Christ, and convey it into our own soul.) Faith casteth her eyes on God, and all his gracious sweet promises. Charity looketh on men compassionately, to help and comfort them; and even this good fruit springeth from faith, as an apple from midst of blossom that grew before it. Faith is the ancient and the true mother both of hope and charity, and worketh by love. Gal. 5.6. All these three graces are excellent, but faith is first, & hath pre-eminence, first in giving all glory to God, that in his love he made a free Covenant of salvation, and that in his truth he performed the same. Secondly, it is greatest by giving to man hold and possession of the promised mercies, so that by it as with a hand, he taketh hold on, receiveth and locketh fast into his heart the Covenant of salvation, yea receiveth Christ to dwell in the heart, jer. 23.6. who is the Lord our righteousness. Faith is like to the root of a tree, that from the earth sucketh in nourishment, to beget and continually to preserve and nourish the life and fruitfulness of it: but charity is like the branches of the tree, which having received vital sap, do put forth their fruits in due season, and according to their kind. Faith may be compared to the Magnes or loadstone that draweth iron to it, and keepeth it fast: Charity to Hematites, that putteth out a virtue to stay bleeding. Faith is a Receiver: Gal. 5.5. We through the spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Charity is a Giver, for having much given and forgiven by Christ, we love much, Luke 7.47. and give back a reflex of our love, even true thankfulness to God, and sundry fruits of hearty love for his sake, especially to them that excel in virtue. As in the body the eye and ear, have their several powers and offices, the one to see, the other to hear: so in the soul have faith and charity. Faith clingeth fast to Christ, to have in him justification from sin, and his imputed righteousness to be ours. Charity showeth forth the measure of our sanctification, to hollow God's name, to make sure our election and calling, and willing and doing good to the Saints that are on earth. And this may suffice for answer to the first doubt: but fasten we yet our eyes more fully on the beauty of faith, whose fairness and worth we cannot sufficiently admire. That one place which is in the third of john, and may be called the sum of the Gospel, openeth the treasure of grace to our view, and the excellency of saving faith, in these words: God so loved the world, joh. 3.16. that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have life ever lasting. Consider we aright the true causes of our blessedness; and how great a gift it is, and to whom it befalleth. The first moving cause is the free love of God, his rich grace, mercy & bounty. The second cause, is the Son of God given unto us, who also gave himself to be our ransom, perfectly able to save them that come to God by him. The third is the means or instrumental cause, which is faith or belief, the very hand and mouth of the soul, to receive jesus Christ and all his riches to be ours. The fourth cause is the end, for which the Father gave his Son; & hath two branches, the one, removing of evil deserved, (That we should not perish:) the other, the bringing in of our blessedness purchased, expressed in these words, (But have everlasting life.) When the Law accusing showeth us our sins, and Gods angry countenance and just wrath against us, even eternal damnation; when sin and iniquities separate between God and us, then must we apply by faith to our fainting souls, this glad tidings uttered by Christ, & the like, to keep us from despair. True it is, that the wounds of sin are deadly; but it is true also, that the salve and remedies to heal and help, are very sovereign, to every one that is sound in the faith, and layeth them to his soul, Rom. 13.14. as a man putteth on his garment to keep him from the cold. As our sins are deformities, that make the soul foul and ugly, we have Christ purging them by himself. Heb. 1.3. As they keep us in bondage, we have Christ redeeming us with his precious blood. 1. Pet 1.19. As they are evil deeds that cannot be undone, we have Christ covering them. Psal. 32.1. As they are debts greater than we can pay, we have Christ forgiving them. Rom. 4.7. As they are offences against God, making us worthy of eternal death, we have Christ not imputing our sins unto us. Rom. 4 8. As they are disobedience against God and his law revealed to us from heaven, we have Christ fulfilling the law for us. Rom. 10 4. Yea we have from the same never failing fountain of grace, Rom. 4.11. Christ's righteousness imputed to us, by which we are accounted, and are righteous, as if we had wrought all righteousness ourselves, even as one friend setteth another free, fully paying his debts for him. As Caiphas (overruled by God's spirit) well prophesied, That jesus should die for that nation: joh. 11.50. saying, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider, that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And Paul very comfortably teacheth, describing the faith of Abraham: Rom. 4 23. — And it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him, but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up jesus our Lord from the dead. How clear is it in the word, that as Adam's disobedience made us all sinners, so the obedience of Christ maketh all true believers righteous? the words of the holy Ghost are these: As by one man's disobedience, Rom. 5.19. many were made sinners: So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. For like as our sins were imputed to Christ, when he suffered for us, and bore our sins in his body on the 1. Pet. 2.25. tree: so his righteousness is imputed, and reckoned to be our righteousness, through God's gracious acceptance, most just and wise dispensation. Which also to the Galathians, Gal. 3.13. is thus set forth: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us.— That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, through jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And yet more plainly to the Corinthians. 2. Cor. 5.21 God hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Now for the bringing in of blessedness, mentioned in the second branch, called everlasting life: it is so great, so good, and glorious a treasure, as no heart yet can sufficiently conceive of the worth & excellency thereof, where he shall always behold God in his glory, and be satisfied with his likeness, Psal. 17.15. yea conformed unto him, and partakers of a full and endless glory. It is the bounty and kindness of the Highest to all his chosen little ones, Tit. 3.7. — That we should be justified by his grace, and be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life: Rom. 8.15 that we be annexed heirs with Christ, Psal. 16.11. and possess the pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore. Now let it be carefully observed, and well remembered, that while we so highly commend the saving-faith, that ascribeth glory to God, and bringeth such comfort to man's soul, we arrogate nothing to ourselves, as if it were in our own power to believe; but we acknowledge it merely to be the free gift of God, as we are taught, Heb. 12.2. That jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. We may not say that it is attained by man's skill and industry, but that it is a peculiar gift to Gods elect, as the holy word teacheth us: Phil. 1.29. — To you it is given to believe in his Name. It is a work of God, neither common nor small:— Ye believe according to his mighty power. Eph. 1.19. And when God by the ministery of his word, and power of his Spirit, hath wrought it in us; yet through our infirmity, it is weak & imperfect, such as standeth in need of daily increasing and confirming; so as that the Apostles of Christ prayed, Luk. 17.5. Lord increase our faith. Even where faith is in truth, and sound, it is but as a beggars hand to receive a King's bounty; or if you would have a gayer similitude to express it, it is like the fiery chariot that carried Eliah up to heaven: or like a gold ring that hath a pearl or ruby set into it, the worth of the ring not being from the gold, but from the precious pearl in it. Excellency of faith is in apprehending and applying to us the most precious Object of it, that is, Christ jesus, and in him eternal life; which the word doth plainly say, is the gift of God, Rom. 6.23 given only to believers; yet not for the worthiness of their persons, or faith, but merely of God's love and free favour, as inheritances befall to men for whom they are prepared. 2. Sam. 9.7 As lame Mephiboseth was set continually at the king's table, not for any worth in him (being also a deformed cripple) but only for jonathans' sake: so we find acceptance with God, but altogether because he hath loved us in his beloved. So that both the blessing, Ephes. 1.6. & to be made capable of it, is his most free gift. We see that Kings suffer their Nobles to enjoy much honour, and great prerogatives, yet they will suffer no favourite to wear their crown: So the Lord out of his infinite and most rich grace, bequeatheth to us in his holy Testament, the legacy of eternal life, and putteth faith into our hearts to seal the assurance thereof unto us; yet the honour (for the exceeding gift) he reserveth to himself, Isa. 45.25. and will give it none other. We are all equally under the curse; but when God calleth outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit, giving to us faith to believe in Christ our righteousness, our hearts are much comforted, and we greatly rejoice in the lord He that spared not his own Son, Rom. 8.32 but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. If the Son of God obey the Law for us, die for us, make intercession for us; why should we doubt of blessedness by him, seeing he casteth off none, but such as cast him off through their unbelief? Heb. 3.18. — To them that believed not, he swore they should not enter into his rest. Dare man commit his life that is so precious unto him, to a ship made by the skill of man, in it to pass over the wide & stormy seas: and shall we not boldly commend the whole safeguard of our souls and bodies, to the Son of the everliving God, that laid down his life for the saving of us? Dare Benhadad put his life into the hands of his enemy, upon this ground, that he had heard that the Kings of Israel were merciful: 1. Kin. 20.31 and shall not we that are professed Christians, and desire to be accounted for the children of the Highest, confidently, fully, and joyfully resign ourselves to jesus Christ, to claim the merciful promises made unto sinners? especially seeing he is at peace with us, is our peacemaker, and taught us that he came to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15 Gal. 3.26. and that he hath made us the children of God by faith in Christ jesus: joh. 6.47. with a Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, hath everlasting life. Among all the seven nations of the Canaanites that for their abominations were destroyed, the Gibeonites only were wise, and escaped deserved destruction; Ios. 9.13. for they sought, and obtained peace with the Israelites: and yet had nothing to plead for themselves why they should be spared, but put themselves upon their mercy, pretending that they came from a very far country, showing their old garments, old shoes, old bottles, & mouldy bread. So of all the people on the face of the earth, they only will be found wise and happy, that distrusting their own works, (done before grace as altogether sinful:) and those done after grace received, (as very faulty for not right using of them,) wholly despair in themselves, rely upon, trust to, and cast themselves fully on the rich mercy of God, and the holy merits of jesus Christ; and firmly believe, that it is a true saying, 1. Tim. 1.13. and worthy of all men to be believed, that jesus Christ came to save sinners. As jonas was willingly cast into the sea, jonas 1.12. to stay the raging of it, that all in the ship with him might not perish, and they upon his suffering, enjoyed a calm and desired safety: so Christ jesus to appease the wrath & curse that would have fallen on us, suffered, and gave himself for us, Ephes. 5.2. an offering to God for a sweet smelling savour; by it God's justice is satisfied, his wrath appeased, and all believers reconciled. As he that was guilty of manslaughter, though he could make no satisfaction for the blood he had shed, yet if he sought to the appointed city of refuge, by God's merciful dispensation and pardon, he was set free; Num. 35.28. (but it was) at the death of the Highpriest: So we that can plead nothing for ourselves, being guilty of many and great sins, (every one whereof deserveth God's curse and damnation;) yet if we be truly humbled for them, seek unto Christ and believe, Heb. 10.19 We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of jesus: and are commanded that we draw not back unto perdition, Heb. 10.39 but be of them that believe to the saving of the soul. For albeit our sins are as bonds, death as a tormentor, hell an eternal prison, the devil as a sergeant to arrest, and as a jailor there to keep us, because we are indebted ten thousand talents to the great King, (who will have the debt paid) and we are utterly unable: yet one comfort, joh. 8.36. (and but one) is left us. If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Now he hath freed the believing, as our Highpriest, Heb. 7.22. and as our surety paying our debts to God for us. Christ hath once suffered for sins, 1. Pet. 3.18 the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. Colos. 2.14 Yea hath blotted out the handwriting that was against us; and is a justifier of him which believeth in jesus. Rom. 3.26 And like as Abraham with a strong hand rescued Let his kinsman, Gen. 14.16 when he was under the captivity of his enemies: after the like manner, jesus our King and kinsman, Colos. 2.15 conquered Satan, spoiled principalities and powers, and delivered us out of his claws. For when the judge and the Law are satisfied, what hath the jailor any more to molest the prisoner? Yea such is Christ's loving kindness to all unfeigned repenting sinners, that believe, & with the whole heart seek to him, Tit. 2.14. that He redeemeth them from all iniquity, & withal doth purify them to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. A second objection and doubt. jam. 2.21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Out of these words of S. james, some gather, that to be freed from sin, & so to obtain blessedness, (for blessed is the man to whom God imputeth none iniquity;) is for the merit and worthiness of good works. To which we answer, that not only the words, but the true meaning of them is diligently to be pondered, lest we should think one Scripture to be contrary to another, which cannot be. Gather we then the true sense of them from the word itself; for as no man can see the Sun that shineth, but by the light of the Sun: so neither attain we to the right understanding of the word, but by the other Scriptures, as this may clearly be unfolded by the words of S. james going before. For he well knowing, that many who by their profession were Christians, but in their conversation Libertines and Epicures, such as made show of Religion, but denied the power of it; speakers of the word of God, but not doers of his will, even such as turned the grace of God into wantonness: laboureth to set before them the danger thereof, and how they deceived themselves, either not understanding, or not regarding the nature of true faith; & he maketh it plain to them, that they had no true faith, and by this argument, that they had not such works as necessarily proceed from a right faith. (Reasoning as our Lord jesus Christ did: john 8.39. If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham; but ye go about to kill me that tell you the truth, this did not Abraham.) Assuring them, that faith if it have no works, is dead in itself. jam. 2.20. Wilt thou know O vain man, that faith without works is dead? For as where there is no heat, there is no fire: so where there is no good fruit, there is no true faith. But where faith is, there works follow, and flow from it; as Abraham, by a rare and ready obedience, in a service so contrary to nature, and in appearance also to the great promise made unto him, did make it manifest, what true trust and steadfastness of faith he had in the Lords holy promises. By faith, Heb. 11.17 Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called. God gave testimony of these fruits of faith, when he said, Gen. 22.12 Lay not thy hand on the child, for now I know thou fearest God; seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thy only son, from me. On the other side, an hypocritical and dead faith, Mat. 21.19 is like the fig tree with fair leaves, but hath no fruit on it; or if it have a fruit, all we read of, is compared to the faith of devils; & the fruit, fear and trembling:— Thou believest there is one God, jam. 2.19. thou dost well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But true faith hath with it, joy and gladness: 1. Pet. 1.8. Though ye see him not, yet do you believe, and rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious. The manner of speech which the holy Ghost useth, must be carefully observed, if we will not fall into heresies. What a dangerous novelty of speaking is it to say, holy works done in faith are satisfactory, and meritorious of eternal life? whereas the word of God only saith, Heb. 11.4. — That they obtain witness of righteousness. As we read, By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice ●hen Cain, by which he obtained witness, that he was righteous. As faith that is effectual and fruitful, giveth glory to God for his goodness and true performance of all his holy promises, in their appointed time: so the works that spring out of it, bear witness to ourselves and others, that we are not fruitless trees, which are near the curse, but planted by the water's side, that bring forth fruit in due season, whereby God is glorified, our hearts comforted, and the faithful praise God for us. But on the contrary, such as have a bare knowledge, & assent unto the truth, or presumptuous persuasion, not rightly grounded; such as believe there is a God, but believe not in God (having no assurance he is their God) their gains in the end is to be deceived of their hope, and to be put in fear, horror, and trembling. Yea the fearful and unbelieving— shall have their part in the lake which Reu. 21.8. burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. If any will yet persist to press the words of james, we urge his words for our assertion, who saith: jam. 2.23. — The Scripture was fulfilled, which saith: Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. But to reconcile Paul and james, understand, that james speaketh how Abraham was justified declaratively, but Paul actively or effectually; which distinction ariseth both from the words, & handling of the subject in question. If we would compare Genes. 15.6. with Genes. 22.19. and james 2.18, Abraham was approved for righteous, when he believed God's promise, even before Isaac was borne; so it is as plain as can be spoken, Gen. 15.6. — He believed in the Lord, and he accounted it to him for righteousness. But Saint james showeth how he declared it, and made it manifest in work and deed, by a rare obedience to God,— When he offered Isaac his son upon the altar. jam. 2.21. His faith so rested on God's promise, that although Isaac were killed, and burnt to ashes,— Yet God was able to raise him up, Heb. 11.19 even from the dead: from whence also he received him in a figure. All that are taught of God know, that faith worketh by love, Gal. 5.6. that it cannot be idle or fruitless, Eph. 2.10. God having created us anew unto good works, which he hath ordained that we should walk in. Though they go not before justification, yet do they follow it: where the Lord forgiveth sin, he also giveth a power to resist sin, to hate and shun it, with a sound desire to practise such holiness as through Christ is pleasing to God. Though some ignorant people say, We are justified for our good works: yet the holy Ghost saith otherwise, namely, that We are justified freely by his grace, Ephes. 1.7. through the Redemption that is in Christ jesus. Even that grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in his Beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Even that grace, which is God's eternal free bounty, and love to us, in electing, calling, adopting, and justifying us in Christ, who is the Lord our righteousness; jer. 23.6. not that infused grace, which is but as a drop, and fruit of the other, consisting in the renovation of the new man, which being but in part, (for they that have greatest measure, Rom. 7.16 do what they would not, and leave undone what they would do,) is not able to stand before the Tribunal seat of justice, which exacteth entire & absolute obedience, Deut. 27.26. accursing every one that confirmeth not all the words of the Law to do them: Which moved David to power out this desire of his soul: Psal. 143.2. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall none that liveth, be justified. And Paul, who as touching the righteousness which is by the Law was unrebukable, yet counted all things loss, Phil. 3.8. and did judge them as dung, that he might win Christ, and might be found in him, that is, not having his own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, even the righteousness which is of God through faith. A third objection and doubt. It is said of the godly professors in Sardis, that had not defiled themselves, Reu. 3.4. that they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy: there is then (say some) a worthiness in our faith or works, or both together, by which we merit our blessedness. That we may not mistake this place, (seeing no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation: 2. Pet. 1.20. ) confer it with Luke 20.35. They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead: and that in 2. Thessal. 1.5. That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye suffer: And we shall perceive that these are worthy by acceptation in mercy, worthy by the righteousness of Christ imputed, not by holiness inherent: the reward of going clothed in white, or to have a kingly dignity, and much beauty set on them, is not a merit or a reward for the desert of their works, but of the mere grace and mercy of God for the merits of Christ, for whom, we and our works wrought by his Spirit, find acceptance and favour, the Law teaching that the reward is of mercy. Exod. 20.6 And the Gospel telling us— That the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall be showed unto us. Rom. 8.18. The crown of life is of God's promise, not of our deserving, jam. 1.12. as it is said, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him. The things which some call merits, (very unfitly and not according to the phrase of the Scriptures) are the nurses of our hope, the provocations of love, the signs of our election, the forerunners of our future happiness, the way of the kingdom, not the cause why we reign. It is jesus Christ, the holy Lamb of whom it is properly spoken: Reu. 4.11.5.12. Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: and, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. He alone purchased his Church with his own blood. Our robes are made white in the blood of the Lamb. Our persons, Reu. 7.14. our service, & our works, have acceptance with God, only for jesus sake, as it is said: Eph. 1.6. He made us accepted in his Beloved, and our spiritual sacrifice, is acceptable to God by jesus Christ. 1. Pet. 2.5. As no man's free gift can bind him to give more, but he that receives more, is the more bound to him that gives it; therefore hence it followeth, that by the good deeds which God hath enabled us to do, he is not bound by the debt of his justice to give us more, that he should be unjust if he gave it not, but we rather are bound to him. And if he give any reward to our welldoing, this is, not that he is a debtor to the works, but of his own liberality. How unfitly are good works said to be meritorious, seeing they are not ours originally, but Gods? Phil. 2.13. he working both the will and the deed, and that of his own good pleasure. But as they are ours, they are debts due to God by his holy Law binding us to do them; and more, jam. 3.2. they are imperfect, For in many things we offend all, they are faulty, not done always with sincerity, fullness of desire, or not with whole strength, zeal and continuance, as the Lord requireth; yea they are unequal to the recompense: When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, Luk. 17.10 say: We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do. Let not our hearts be lifted up in conceit of the worthiness of our doings, Habac. 2.4. as is usual in all Hypocrites; but desire we that (as they that look through green glass, think all they see green) the Lord will look upon us in the face of his Anointed, and accept us as righteous in him, who is our righteousness. Gen. 27.24. That as jacob got a blessing which was not due to him, in the name of his elder brother, and in his clothing: so we putting on the Lord jesus Christ, Phil. 3.9. may be found in him, not having our own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ: and may say with the Church (or seed which the Lord hath blessed,) I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, Isa 61.10. my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the rob of righteousness; as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels. Now concerning faith, we do not teach, nor believe, that we are justified or saved for our faith, or the worthiness of it: but we cleave to the word, and believe as therein we are taught, namely: Gal. 3.11. The just shall live by his faith. We are justified by faith, & have peace with God. Rom. 5.1. Gal. 3.26. — We are all the children of God, by faith in Christ jesus. — To him that worketh not, Rom. 4.5. but believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is COUNTED to him for righteousness. And that comfortable bill of acquittance: Act. 13.38. Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you forgiveness of sins, and from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses, by him every one that believeth, is justified. Understand for a fuller clearness in this point, that like as it is said of Timothy, continuing in holiness and sound doctrine: 1. Tim. 4.6 — In doing this thou shall save thyself, and them that hear thee. It is not meant that Timothy or any Minister doth save, otherwise then as instruments, (Who is Paul, 1. Cor. 3.5. or who is Apollo's, but Ministers by whom ye believed?) So though no other faith justifieth, but that which worketh by love, (the same neither justifying together with love, nor faith having his efficacy from love:) yet faith which saveth, Eph. 2.8. (Ye are saved by grace through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,) saveth not as it is a work, or as it worketh by love; but as it receiveth Christ, john 1.11 that in him we may be righteous. Even as fire giveth comfort to the frozen, and be numbed with cold, not by the light thereof, but by the heat of it. As God giveth his Son unto us, and in him eternal life: so giveth he also to every of his, faith to be as a hand to receive the gift, so that they which receive abundance of grace, Rom. 5.17. and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, jesus Christ. It is true, that true faith, is never alone, that is, it is not fruitless, barren or idle, as that in Hypocrites; but it is effectual, or there is a work of faith, 1. Thes. 1.3 and labour of love. Yet it alone and no other grace justifieth, as to them that will be wise according to the word, it is very manifest: Gal. 2.16. — Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of jesus Christ, even we have believed in jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law, shall no flesh be justified. This needeth no further declaration, but is as clear as that short speech of Christ to the same effect, Mar. 5.36. Only believe. And that also, Luke 8.50. Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole. And this doctrine, maintaineth Christ's honour, and extolleth his bounty, who giveth to the thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely. Reu. 21.6. And it giveth to the broken in heart, and sorrowful soul much and sound comfort, in greatest conflicts and terrors of conscience, and when for sin Satan would draw us to despair. Let us then cheer up our hearts, & refresh our fainting spirits, with the holy harmony of the Apostles, all of them so sweetly sounding out this learning, of our blessedness by faith in jesus Christ. Saint Jude thus exhorteth: Jude 21. Build up yourselves on your most holy faith— looking for the mercy of our Lord jesus Christ unto eternal life. james requireth we ask in faith, jam. 1.6. nothing wavering. john assureth us, that it is the commandment, 1. joh. 3.23 that we should believe on the name of his Son jesus Christ. Paul setteth down very briefly the sum of the Gospel. Believe in the Lord jesus Christ, Act. 16.31. and thou shalt be saved. Peter in a great assembly taught, Act. 15.9. that God put no difference between them and us, after that by faith he had purged their hearts. Why tempt ye God to lay a yoke on the disciples necks, which neither our fathers, nor we are able to bear? but we believe through the grace of our Lord jesus Christ, to be saved, even as they do. Yea To him give all the Prophet's witness, Act. 10.43. that through his Name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. A fourth objection. If good works do not answer the righteousness of God's Law, nor justify, nor satisfy, nor merit before God: it may seem they are vile in your eyes, or at least you make small account of them, and you set a door wide open to carnal liberty, and all licentiousness of living. O be it far from all that profess Christianity, so to think or speak; for good works are a main part of that worship of God which he commandeth, and will call us to account for: they are the end of our Election, assurances of our Calling, companions of our justification, the practice of Sanctification, forerunners of Glorification, the effects of grace, the life of Religion, the beauty of Christianity, witnesses of faith, nurses of hope, fruits of love, evidences of thankfulness, our sacrifice to God, our acceptance with men, the difference between Saints and reprobates, the truth of repentance, a turning from dead works, preservatives from scandals, a lasting debt and duty; they add honour to our profession, peace to our consciences, further our reckoning; they are seals of salvation, the way to the kingdom, follow us to God's tribunal; they are our walking in the ways of God, and our blameless conversation, without which we are as fruitless trees, fitted for the fire, and hypocrites that without all help shall be cast into hell; for as the word of truth teacheth; Heb. 12.14 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Take knowledge then and be minded, that we believe and teach, both a necessity of good works, and sundry excellent uses of them. A necessity of good works we do believe. First, because of God's commandment: Psal. 119.4. Thou hast commanded that we should keep thy precepts diligently: Leu. 19.2. Be ye holy, for I am holy. This is the will of God, 1. Thes. 4.3 even your sanctification. Secondly, it is God's ordination: We are his workmanship, Eph. 2 10. created in Christ jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them. Thirdly, there is a necessity of the doing, and presence of good works, for the manifestation of the righteous judgements of God, when he will come to be glorified in his Saints, and crown his own works in them: Mat. 25.35 Reu. 22.12 For he will judge all men according to their deeds. And give to every man, as his work shall be. Fourthly, a necessity is imposed upon us, because we are debtor, as it is said: Luk. 17.10 — We have done what was our duty to do. Rom. 8.12 And Paul saith: Ye are debtor, but not to the flesh, but to God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, Ever think we on it, Tit. 2.14. that jesus Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify us to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The obligation and bond of our debt is, our Baptism.— We are buried with him by Baptism into death: Rom. 6.4. that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we should walk in newness of life. Fiftly, because there is no other way to eternal blessedness, but by the practice of holiness. For though good works cannot be the cause of salvation, but only jesus Christ: (as it is said, Isa. 49.6. I will give thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my salvation unto the end of the world:) yet are they the way and path unto life and blessedness. Pro. 12.28. In the way of righteousness is life, and in the path thereof there is no death.— Ye have your fruit in holiness, Rom. 6.22 and the end, everlasting life. The uses of good works are many and great, in regard of God, ourselves, others, and our holy profession. First, God is glorified by our good works, which are (being rightly performed) a special part of his holy worship and service. joh. 15.8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit. His grace is manifested by enabling us unto a measure of obedience: Eze. 36.27 — I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements and do them. God is honoured and praised for them, and by them:— They glorified God for me. Gal. 1.23. 1. Pet. 2.9. — Ye are a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him which hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1. Pet. 4.11. — Do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified, through jesus Christ. As a father delighteth in a dutiful son: so God delighteth in all those that bear his image, imitate his holy nature, that take pleasure in well doing, joh. 4.34. whose meat and drink it is to do their fathers will. Secondly, by our blameless and good conversation, we become followers of the example of Christ, & of his Saints: joh. 13.15. I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. As Christ forgave you, Colos. 3.13 so also do ye. Take the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, jam. 5.10. for an example (of suffering affliction, and of patience.) Thirdly, by our holy life and obedience to God, we gain assurance that God hath chosen us to be heirs of salvation. 2. Pet. 1.10. Give diligence that ye make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things ye shall never fall.— If we love in deed and truth— We know we are of the truth, 1. joh. 3.19. and shall assure our hearts before him. Thus the truth of faith is known, for faith that hath no works is dead, Gal. 5.6. being alone. Neither Circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth any thing, but faith which worketh by love. Thus also is the soundness of repentance known: Act. 26.20. — I showed to them, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Fourthly, by carefulness of well performing our duty, we are heartened to look for the performance of God's free promises made unto us. So Moses had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Heb. 11.26 (Godliness having the promises of this life, 1. Tim. 4.8. and that which is to come.) We may look for, (& obtain, if God see it expedient for us,) long life, a blessed posterity, peace & plenty, joy of heart, preservation in the evil day, and whatsoever good is. 1. Cor. 15.58. Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Gal. 6.9. Let us not be weary of well-doing, for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. Know that whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same he shall receive of the Lord. Fiftly, they that live righteously, escape curses and calamities, when the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. 2. Pet. 2.5. For when God spared not the old world: he saved Noah the eight person, a preacher of righteousness. God said he would spare Sodom and Gomorrha, Gen. 18.32. Isa. 65.14. for ten sake that were righteous. Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart: but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. Sixtly, they that are of upright conversation, and are studious to abound in good works, shall avoid offences: Give none offence, 1. Cor. 10.32. neither to the jews nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God. Mat. 18.7. 2. Cor. 6.3. For woe unto the world because of offences. Giving none offence in any thing, that the ministery be not blamed. Seventhly, by our good deeds we win others to God, or make way and prepare some to conversion. I am made all things to all men, 1. Cor. 9.22 that I might by all means save some. Have your conversation honest among the Gentiles, 1. Pet. 2.12. that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Rom. 11.14. I magnify mine office, if by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 1. Pet. 3.1. Ye wives be in subjection to your husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. Eightly, righteous behaviour stoppeth the mouths of the adversaries, that they cannot speak ill of us. So the loyal and just carriage of David towards Saul, joined with love and meekness, prevailed so far that he made this acknowledgement:— Thou art more just than I. 1. Sam. 24.17. 1. Pet. 2.15. So is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Ninthly, by charitable works the poor distressed are much relieved, and such are commended and commanded in the word of God: Philem. 7. We have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, brother job saith: job 29.12. I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him; the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widows heart to sing for joy. To do good, Heb. 13.16 and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Tenthly, when we do such works as beseem them that repent, we countenance the Gospel of Christ, and our holy profession. Therefore even servants are commanded so to walk, Tit. 2.10. That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. And this precept is given to all the faithful: Phil. 1.27. — Let your conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ. Furthermore let it be well remembered, that to the well doing of a good work, all the four causes must meet together: the two external, the Efficient and the End: the two internal, the Matter and the Form. By the Efficient is meant, the Author, worker, or doer of a good work, who is no mere natural man, for he doth not perceive the things of God, 1. Cor. 2.14 much less do them. No hypocrite, who doth all for himself, even when he pretendeth most holiness; as judas could say, joh. 12.5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor: but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare that was put therein. No wicked man, Pro. 15.8. whose very sacrifice is abomination to the Lord. But he must be in Christ, a new creature, a regenerate man, one that hath faith purifying the heart, Act. 15.9. and which giveth him assurance, that for Christ, both his person and his work is accepted with God. As God had first respect to Abel, and then to his offering: Gen. 4.4. So it is Gods chosen that he hath ordained to bring forth fruit, joh. 15.8. and be glorified that they bear much fruit. He being the true author of all good works, working in his both the will and the deed. Secondly, the End, and principal scope of all our works, is the glorifying of God: Whether ye eat or drink, 1. Cor. 10.31. or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Pro. 3.9. Honour the Lord with thy riches, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. There are also other lawful subordinate ends of good works, as in those nine several uses before mentioned, is made plain. Thirdly, the Matter and substance of good works, is not every devised work of man upon his good meaning and good intent. Our Saviour reproveth the pharisees, for their traditions and services of God of their own devising, Mat. 15.9. saying: In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Whatsoever I command you, Deut. 12.32 take heed ye do it; thou shalt put nothing thereto, nor take aught therefrom. So that nothing can be a good work with God will allow, but only what he hath commanded. The Law of God teacheth what good works we must do: as Christ out of it, answered to the young man, that would know What good thing he should do, Mat. 19.16. Phil. 4.8. to have eternal life. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things; these things which ye have learned, received, and heard in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you. Fourthly, the Form and manner of doing them must be as the Lord commandeth: 1. In faith, Rom. 14.23. 1. Pet. 2.5. the heart having a well grounded persuasion, that for Christ they are pleasing to God. 2. In love, as the precept is, Let all your things be done in love. 1. Cor. 16.14. Tit. 3.8. Whence springeth, 1. A carefulness:— They which have believed in God, be careful to maintain good works. Also 2. Readiness, and forwardness, Tit. 3.1. Gal. 2.10. — Be ready to every good work. Only they would, that we should remember the poor, the same which I also was forward to do. 3. Timely for the good of the receiver. Pro. 3.27. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hands to do it; say not to thy neighbour, Go and come again, and to morrow I will give thee, when thou hast it by thee. 2. Cor. 9.7. 4. Cheerfully, for God loveth a cheerful giver. Thirdly, discreetly, and with judgement, Eccles. 8.5. For a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgement. And as in the Psalm: Psal. 112.5. A good man showeth favour, and dareth and will guide his affairs with discretion. Doing first good to them that excel in virtue, and then to others, after the example of the Samaritan. Yea providently to take occasions of doing good: As we have opportunity, Gal. 6.10. let us do good unto all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith. Fourthly, Plentifully. The praise of Tabytha is, Act. 9.36. that she was a woman full of good works and alms deeds. Charge them that be rich, 1 Tim. 6.18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Fiftly, zealously and earnestly must good works be done, with fervent desire of heart, and outward diligence.— He gave himself for us, Tit. 2.14. to purify us to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. Sixtly, Constantly also, and not for twice or thrice, and then give over. Let us not be weary of well doing, Gal. 6.9. for in due time we shall reap if we faint not. Thus we teach good works, thus we practise, thus we encourage all thereto, Colos. 1.10 yea— We cease not to pray that we may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. The second use and fruit Which we are to make by our knowledge of holy Mary's blessedness, is, to be informed and taught, that it is the nature of true faith, to apply to our own selves apart, personally & particularly, the promises of salvation, and to put on Christ, as a man putteth on his own garment upon his body: not only to believe that Christ and all his riches is ours, but also that Christ is mine, and I am his. So said the Spouse of Christ: My beloved is mine, Cant. 2.16. and I am his: so said the holy mother of Christ; Luke 1.47. My soul rejoiceth in God MY Saviour. It was no affectation of singularity in that gracious woman to say, MY Saviour, (as though he had been hers alone.) But so she well expressed the life of true and lively faith unto us. And after her example, every Christian for himself is to believe his own salvation, building his assurance, first on God's love in Christ, 2. Cor. 5.19 reconciling us to himself. Secondly, and on the truth of God's free and unchangeable promises, sealed in our hearts by the spirit of adoption:— We received not the spirit of the world, 1. Cor. 2.12 but the spirit which is of God, that we might KNOW the things that are freely given us of God. It is a conceit without warranty, to think this was a prerogative granted to her alone, or to Peter, Paul, or some few that have it by revelation: for every one that is effectually called, doth particularly, with such application to himself, so believe as she did; and hath no sound and certain comfort till he so believe. Mark it heedfully, how Paul so apply to himself the promise of life, and then to all, & every of the faithful, that love Christ's coming:— I have kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4.8. henceforth is laid up for ME the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give ME, at that day; and not to ME only, but to ALL them also that love his appearing. He that doth not believe particularly, and faithfully, that Christ jesus is His Saviour, his belief is no better than the faith of devils; they believe Christ is a Saviour to some men, but they believe not that he is their Saviour. As of old every one that sprinkled his door posts with the blood of the Paschall Lamb, Exod. 12.13. was assured by the promise of God, that he should escape the destroying hand of the Angel: so every one is baptised severally, that he may have a personal belief, that His sins are washed away in Christ's blood, and He shall escape the wrath to come. Philip will not baptise the Eunuch till he profess such a faith: Act. 8.37. Thou mayest be baptised if thou believest with all thine heart. We have a cloud of witnesses of the holy ones, that thus apart to themselves applied the promises of God, whose steps we must follow, if we will have true peace in our souls. job expresseth his faith apartly, and particularly thus: job. 19.25. I KNOW that MY redeemer liveth. In Isaias we read: My soul shall be joyful in MY God. Isa. 61.10. In Abacuk: I will rejoice in the Lord, Abac. 3.18. I will joy in the God of MY salvation. In Zacharie, I will say it is my people, Zach. 8.8. and they shall say, the Lord is MY God. So David, Psal. 27.1. The Lord is MY light and MY salvation. Elizabeth the mother of john Baptist, Luke 1.43. Whence cometh this to me, that the mother of MY Lord should come to me? Thomas the Apostle after he was healed of his unbelief, could say: MY God, MY lord joh. 20.28. Paul most holily acknowledgeth: I live by the faith in the Son of God, Gal. 2.20. who hath loved ME, and given himself for ME. It is no presumption to believe all that God hath promised, nor to wait for all he intends to give us. But it is the great sin (for which the holy Ghost will reprove the world:) Because they believe not on Christ. joh. 16.9. As a wounded man hath not comfort of his incarnative plaster, till it be laid on his sore: so have we no fruit of God's sweet promises, till we apply them close to our souls. Who knoweth not that the commandments, Thou shalt not kill, nor commit adultery, nor steal, are given to every of us? as if he had said, Thou john, Thomas, Peter, etc. shall obey me when I say, Thou shalt not kill, etc. So the promises of salvation for comfort, are spoken to us as if he named every believer severally. It will do thee no good, nor put any comfort into thy soul, to believe the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting: except thou believe, that thou thyself shalt at the end of the world rise again, and enjoy life everlasting. ●●ias prophesying of the coming of the Messiah into the world, Isa. 9.6. saith not only, A Child is borne, but unto US a child is borne, unto US a son is given. So the Angels that were messengers of glad tidings, say, Luke 2.11. Unto YOU is borne this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. So the Prophets and Apostles lay down to their hearers their particular sins, particular punishments, and particular comforts when they repent. Our duty and comfort it shall be, where God speaketh to all his generally, to apply it ourselves particularly. As Seek ye my face: my heart answered unto thee, O Lord, Psal. 27.8. I will seek thy face. The third use and fruit Is comfort and rejoicing for the certainty of blessedness by faith in Christ jesus. So the Virgin Marie having much assurance of her own salvation: Luke 1.47. Her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour. So the Lord bade his seventy disciples, Luk. 10.20 Rejoice that their names were written in heaven. Now rejoicing which God commandeth, is for good things that are certain, and not uncertain. Be it so, that such as know not that the Lords love is towards them, are ever full of doubting and uncertainty: and say, the Apostles & Disciples of Christ, by Christ's revelation might be sure and certain of their own personal and several salvation, but so cannot others. Let such be put in mind, that where true faith is, there is also a true assurance of blessedness: the holy Ghost teaching us, that faith, assurance, and rejoicing in the Lord, go together. Rom. 5.1 justified by faith we have peace with God, through our Lord jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and REJOICE in hope of the glory of God. Phil. 4 4. Again, Rejoice in the Lord always. Agreeable whereto is that in Peter. 1. Pet. 1.8. — In whom, though ye now see him not, yet believing YE REJOICE, with joy unspeakable and full of glory. And for assurance and certainty, the holy exhortation is: Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. We could not attain to this assurance of God's love, But that we have received the Spirit which is of God, 1. Cor. 2.12 that we might KNOW the things that are freely given to us of God. He it is that persuades our hearts infallibly, enabling us to believe the power, truth, and love of God to us. 1. Pet. 1.5. We are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. What more assurance can we desire? or what surer ground of rejoicing, then to know that we are kept for salvation, and salvation kept for us? as it is there also said: 1. Pet. 1.4. — That the inheritance incorruptible is reserved in heaven for you. Yea & that we might have strong consolation, we have the Lords oath, Heb. 6.18. abundantly to show to the heirs of promise, the immutability of God's counsel for blessing us. And as the Lord is true in his promises, so is he constant in his love, the word witnessing that: john 13.1. — Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. Hence it is that we have boldness, Ephes. 3.12 Heb. 4.16. Rom. 5.2. 1. Thes. 1.5 and access with confidence by faith of him. Knowing the power of the word: The Gospel coming unto us in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance; and the power of faith, that it is a ground or confidence, Heb. 11.1. A substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The phrase or speech of Scripture, is not to doubt of God's love, to ween, trow, or think well: but to have confidence, assurance, to believe and to know: john 6.69. We believe and know that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. Rom. 4.21. Abraham was strong in faith, fully persuaded, that what God had promised he was able to perform. Most comfortable are the words in john: Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.— Now are we the sons of God, 1. joh. 3.2. and it doth not yet appear, what we shall be; but WE KNOW, that when he shall appear we shall be like unto him, for we shall see him as he is. Paul useth much vehemency herein: 2. Cor. 13.5 Prove yourselves whether ye be in the faith, examine yourselves; KNOW YE not your own selves, how that Christ jesus is in you, except ye be reprobates? And in another place: 1. Cor. 3.16 KNOW YE not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? Martha speaking of her brother Lazarus that was dead, saith: joh. 11.24. I KNOW that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day. Can we know a certainty of the resurrection of the dead, and may we not as well know the other parts of our faith which we confess, a particular, and true assurance of the forgiveness of our sins, and of our living everlastingly in the kingdom of Christ? Sure we are, the Lord checketh doubting, and reproveth staggering, mistrust, fearfulness, unbelief, and wavering, where we have any promise to stay upon. jam. 1.7. Let not him that wavereth, think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Mat. 21.21 Mat. 14.3. If ye have faith and doubt not. O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? and Why are ye fearful, Mat. 8.26. O ye of little faith? If it be objected that very faithful and holy men have doubted, been dejected, and bewrayed their lack of this assurance of faith: as jonas, jonas 2.4. when he said, I am cast out of thy sight. David when he broke out: Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Psal. 77.9. doth his promise fail for evermore? job, when he ran into extremity of passion. job 6.9. O that God would destroy me, that he would let his hand go, & cut me off! To these and the like we return this answer: that like as the beautiful Sun is sometime eclipsed, and the light of it to usward, is diminished for a time: and as jacob, when he had prevailed with God, and got a blessing, Gen. 32.31. yet halted on the one thigh: so the holiest upon the earth fall; & fail in duty, and yet recover themselves through the seed of grace which God hath put in them, 1. joh. 3.9. and so constantly to the end persist in grace and sanctimony. Yet to make it plain by a fuller manifestation, know: First, that at the first conversion of a sinner, he hath not full assurance of God's love to him, but believing his sins are pardonable, afterward by spiritual growth he cometh to persuasion, they are pardoned; lastly to an infallible assurance and certainty thereof, as we read of Abraham, Rom. 4.21 8.38. and Paul. Faith is first like a bud, than a blossom, and after fruit of a full growth. Eze. 47.3. As the waters that issued out from under the Temple, first took the Prophet to the ankles, them to the knees, after to the loins, lastly, became a river that could not be passed over: so are the graces of God in his children, small at the first, and have their growth both by degrees, and by attending to the word of his grace. 2. Thes. 1.3 So Paul thanked God that the faith of the Thessalonians grew daily. 2. Secondly, by some fall into a heinous sin, faith is much weakened, even as a man's body is by a sharp and sore disease: which moved David to cry, Psal. 51.11. Cast me not away from thy presence, take not thy holy spirit from me; restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and 'stablish me with thy free spirit. 3. Thirdly, in time of grievous temptations, when Satan's suggestions move him to think hardly of God, and to think of himself that he is but an hypocrite, deceiving both himself and others; & though God be good to his Saints, yet hath he forsaken him, that he is no true member of Christ's Church, but as a dead branch. Notwithstanding this fall in the spiritual combat, there is a recovery, Psal. 37.24. God putting his hand under, that though he fall, yet he falleth not away. In such fearful skirmishes it is with Gods elect, as it was with the Patriarch jacob in his trials, for he once thought, that he had lost three of his children: joseph is not, Gen. 42.36. and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin: yet through the kindness of his God he received them all three again, to the great joy and gladness of his heart. So when faith seemeth to be quite lost and extinguished, or at the most, like a sparkle of fire covered with embers, yet where it once was in truth, it is recovered fully, (as in David and Peter) and manifesteth itself, Mat. 8.25. somewhile, in 1. Prayer; for though fainting faith said, We perish: yet struggling, and recovering faith cried: jonas 2.7. Lord save us. jonas soul fainted in him, Yet remembered the Lord, and his prayer came to him in his holy Temple. Otherwise, by 2. Hope:— On thee O Lord do I wait, Psal. 38.15. thou wilt hear me my Lord my God. Why art thou cast down my soul, why art thou disquieted within me? Wait on God, for I will yet give him thanks, he is my present help and my God. In 3. Humiliation also: 2. Sam. 15.26. If he say I have no delight in thee, behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good in his eyes. The perplexity of some in sundry temptations is not unlike David's, and his men at Ziglag, who in their own sense were miserable, when their wives and children, (and all that they had) were carried a way captives; and yet behold, after careful using of good and discreet means, 1. Sam. 30.3.19. recovered all that the Amalekites had taken away. So though for a moment we are dejected, and seem to be forlorn: yet God in his time, Psal. 63.5. (which is always simply best) giveth a recovery, with comfort and rejoicing in the Lord. Noah's ark may be much tossed, rocked and shaken; but drowned it cannot be: so the faith of the Saints is assaulted, weakened, and battered, but never finally and wholly overcome. 2. Cor. 4.8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed: perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. The bush burned and consumed not, Exod. 3.2. for God was in the midst of it. To draw to an end, that the called, chosen, and faithful, may have sincere rest, tranquillity, comfort of mind and conscience, a true and undoubted assurance of eternal blessedness by jesus Christ, God that is the giver of the gift, giveth also witness thereof. Rom. 8.16. God's Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. 1. joh. 3.24. And as john saith (who most clearly and often teacheth this infallible certainty,) Hereby we know he abideth in us, 4.13.5.13. even by the Spirit which he hath given us. Now the fruits of our spirit renewed by his Spirit, though they are not all, in all believers, in like measure, and at all times; yet are they of such power, as give us comfort, and discern us from the ungodly and wicked, they are to us pledges of God's love, and as the gate of heaven: as namely, a searching out of our sins and defections, a groaning under the burden of them, an hatred and abhorring of them, a striving against them, a labour and watchfulness to prevent sins, and timely to cut off the occasions of them; a mourning for the sins of the land, an hungering after righteousness, true love to God and his children, and the word of his grace; patiented hope, waiting on God, knowing that he will bless both prosperity and adversity unto us; a desire above all things to please God, uprightness of heart without hypocrisy, and endeavour to keep a good conscience, to walk in our calling faithfully and cheerfully; boldness with God, in humble prayer, thankfulness for all his goodness to us, these and the like do assure us that we are borne of God. As for our certainty to persevere in grace, the foundation of it is not on the earth, (for so it would fall,) but on the Lords faithfulness. He now hath the keeping of us, and of our bliss; it is not in our hands, as it was in adam's, who quickly lost it. He will confirm you to the end, 1. Cor. 1.8. that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye are called unto the fellowship of his Son jesus Christ our Lord. Yea he hath made a sure Covenant, so to renew us, jere. 32.40. that He will put his fear into our hearts, that we may never departed from him. marvelous is the light that God hath put into man's eye, whereby he seethe the earth about him, and the heavens above him, without pain, in a moment: but more admirable is the sight of faith, which can see before the world God electing us to salvation in his Son our head, in the world redeeming us by his Son our Mediator, after the world glorifying us with his Son our King in the heavens for evermore. The love of God (which is our life) is ancient, free, sweet, constant, great, unspeakable, incomprehensible and eternal. God hath given his Son to be our Saviour: his Spirit to be our Comforter, Isa. 60.19. and he will be our glory eternally. Let all the Lords redeemed say, and that continually, with devout and religious hearts: My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour. Blessing and glory, Reu. 7.12. and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever, Amen. The comfort of a Christian, by assurance of God's love to him. MY peace of heart, my happiness, My sweetest joy is this: Ephe. 1.4. That God me loved, ere world was made, And purposed me to bliss. john 13.1. This sure decree for lasting life, This bounty great and free: Ephe. 1.5. john 6.39. Rom. 5.12.17. He hath fulfilled in Christ his Son, Whom he hath given for me. Our fall in Adam fearful was; We left a cursed race: Yet Christ our King, the Lord of life, Act. 15.11. john 5.25. Hath saved us, by his grace. A powerful voice his Gospel hath, To raise up dead in sin: 2. Thes. 2.14. Act. 11.17. Whom he doth call effectually, Are strongly brought to him. I called, I come: I run with joy, I haste Lord unto thee: Mar. 10.49 As Bartimeus boldly went, When Christ said: Come to me. Act. 11.18. Repentance thou dost give to life, The seal of thy sure love: Mat. 21.32. By it I stand in state of grace, As new-born from above. When Law doth give me sight of sin, Rom. 7.7. 1. Chro. 34.27. My soul doth melt and rend: My troubled sprite, and broken heart, Doth grieve and much lament. job 33.27. jer. 31.19. Psal. 32.5. 1. Tim. 1.13 I am ashamed of all my faults, To God I them confess: I judge myself a wickedwretch, And of myself helpless. When sin and Satan bid despair, God's voice speaks to mine ear: Believe in Christ, his grace is great, Act. 16.31. Shake off mistrustful fear. He mercy shows to humbled men, Heart-wounded he doth cure: Luk. 4.18. Luke 1.53. He fills the fainting soul with joy, Their comfort he makes sure. He great, he good, he slow to wrath, Exod. 34.6. He kindness shows to all: He casts-off none that seek to him, john 6.37. Yea he doth sinners call. All ye that weary are of sin, Whom it doth load and quell: Come ye to me, I will you ease, Mat. 11.28. My peace with you shall dwell. These gracious words of Christ my Lord, Cant. 5.2. jer. 31.3. These comforts strongly pierce: This Gospel moves my heart to bleed, My sobs for sin increase: Psal. 51.4. That I my God, my Father dear, With sins should so provoke: Gen. 39.9. And having found such mercy rare, Should so cast off his yoke. jere. 9.1. A flood of tears I do desire, To weep both night and day: Ephe. 4.30. Tha● I have grieved the spirit of grace, And turned his face away. In stead thereof, some holy flames, Are kindled from above: Luke 7.47. And many sins to me forgiven, My God I do much love. Myself, my service joyfully, Psal. 119.106. A fresh to him I vow: With settled heart, to tread the path, That he doth best allow. Gen. 5.22. My care is now to walk with God, To trust in him for aye: On him to hope, and him to love, In all things to obey. 1. Cor. 10.31. Psal. 145.2. Psal. 16.3. His glory I will sound seek, His praises forth will tell: In Saints on earth will I delight, In virtue that excel. Psal. 119.111. His holy word will I esteem, As rule of life most pure: And strive to live as it directs, To make my calling sure. 2. Pet. 1.10. The life of grace, as way to bliss, I wholly will embrace: And shun always of wickedness, That may my life disgrace. Yea I will war against all sin, 1. Tim. 6.12 Ephe. 6.10. And stoutly still will fight: Persuaded sure through Christ my King, To conquer by his might. And though through frailty of my flesh, I fail, I fall, or sin: Mine inward man doth it detest, Rom. 7.15. And loath to lie therein. My heart can witness, that by me When God's Law was transgressed: It was not I, but Adam old, Rom. 7.17. Indwelling-sinne, my guest. Which like unto Goliath strong, Doth daily vex and rage's: Whereas mine inward man is weak, Like David young of age. Yet shall mine inward David once, 1. Sam. 17.51. Triumphantly prevail: And great Goliath overthrow, Who doth so sore assail. Mean while, each conquest over sin, Makes God's love to appear: Psal. 116.17 And I new thanks, and praise to him, Will offer in his fear. Another sign of God's sure love, I cannot choose but know: In that both Devil, and foes did rage, Psal. 41.11. Yet could not me down throw. For God my strength, did me uphold, And kept me safe and sure: 1. Sam. 12.22. Psal. 136.1. He is no changeling now to shrink, His mercies still endure. And though my falls bring grief and fear, I shall not fall away: john. 8.28. The sheep of God cannot be lost, Although they go astray. Eze. 34.11. For Christ doth go to wilderness, When one sheep he doth lack: He seeks it there, until he find, Mat. 18.12. And brings it on his back. The Covenant old to do us good, And put in us his fear: jer. 32.40. That we from him should not departed, It doth my soul much cheer. Luk. 22.32 That Peter's faith might never fail, Christ here on earth did pray: He now in heaven my Advocate, Will me uphold and stay. A surer seal, a sweeter pledge, God gives me inwardly: His holy Spirit, which in my heart, Rom. 8.16. Doth Abba Father cry. My free Adoption he makes known, 1. joh. 2.20 My dear Redemption seals: My full Atonement with my God, Rom. 8.16. He inwardly reveals. He bends my heart unto his will, Eze. 36.27 He guides me by his Law: To trust in him, to love him still, On him to stand in awe. His power sometimes though I feel not, Through sin, and fleshly fear: Yet seed of grace, sown in my heart, 1. joh. 3.9. In time doth me uprear. His love so old, so sweet, so firm, My heart with joy doth fill: Whom once he loves, he never leaves, joh. 13.1. But doth embrace him still. The legacy of lasting life, Rom. 6.23. His gift it is, most free: How then can any thing debar, Or keep the same from me? Wherefore were seals to Covenant set? Mat. 26.28 Isa. 34.9. Why did our Lord oft swear? But to cheer up the fainting soul, And make his love appear. Hence I by faith, unto myself God promises apply: Gal. 2.20. And say with Paul, Christ so loved me, That he did for me die. Ioh 18.17. joh. 20.24. Mat. 12.20. And though with Peter I fall far, Or do with Thomas doubt: Thou that breakest not the bruised reed, Nor smoking flax put out: As thou didst them restore in grace, And made them to abide: So wilt thou me, who only art joh. 20, 28. My King, my God, my guide. So whether it be thy holy will, Rom. 14.8 That I shall live or die: I am thine own, and so shall be, Now and eternally. Luke 1.47. Wherefore in God my Saviour, My soul do thou rejoice: In praising of his holy Name, Lift up a cheerful voice. Psal. 107.22 In offering up such sacrifice, Lord make me spend my days: Make it my study, and my joy, To give thee thanks and praise. The Complaints of a Sinner. The Comforts of our Saviour. SINNER. Conceived in sin, in sin brought forth, Psal. 51.5. Rom. 7.14 Rom. 5.12. Gen. 8.21. Sold under sin I was: Seed of all sin, in me: vile, vain, I ugly am, alas. SAVIOUR. A Saviour I, am to that flock, 2. Cor. 6.17 joh. 1.13. 1. Cor. 6.11 Whom I anew create: Thou borne of God, by newbirth art, Through me, in happy state. SINNER. The Law of God, as just, and good, Rom. 7.10.7.12. Doth bless who it fulfil: But me for my foul faults and sins, It doth both curse and kill. Gal. 3.10. SAVIOUR. The holy Law of God most high, I have fulfilled for thee: Rom. 10.4 Heb. 8.10. Act. 16.31. Believe the Covenant of my grace, And blessed thou shalt be. SINNER. The guilt of sin, breeds grief, & dread, Rom. 6.21 7.11. It woundeth as a sword: Psal. 38. An hell on earth it seems to me, What help for this O Lord? SAVIOUR. 1. Pet. 3.18 1. Pet. 2.24. When I the just, for unjust died, And bore your sins on tree: From guilt of sin, I clearly set Eze. 18.27. Repentant sinners free, SINNER. Rom. 6.23. 1. Cor. 10.5. Sharp punishments, with wrathful rods, By each sin we procure: What mortal man can them escape, Or yet the stripes endure? SAVIOUR. john 1.29. joh. 3.16. Deut. 8.2. The Lamb of God your sins hath borne, Believers are made free: To work amendment, rods are sent, To try, and humble thee. SINNER. Rom. 7.23 sins bondage, blinds, besots my mind, My heart to evil bends: Rom. 8.7. To hate the good, to love the bad, To aim at sinful ends. SAVIOUR. Rom. 6.22. Thou servant made to righteousness, By my grace art set free: 2. Cor. 10.4 Though yet a while thou tug and toil, Till warfare ended be. SINNER. Through flesh so frail I oft am foiled, Rom. 7.15. What I would not, I do: What good I would, I leave undone, Rom. 7.19. This weakness works my wo. SAVIOUR. Yet spirit oft the flesh doth courbe, Rom. 7.22. 1. Cor. 9.27 Rom. 8.13 And shall in time all sway: This battle will a conquest bring, To perfect peace make way. SINNER. The wicked world on evil set, 1. joh. 5.14. Allures me unto sin: Hath sundry snares, and fearful plagues, jam. 4.4. And oft wraps me therein. SAVIOUR. Thy home is heaven, seek after it; 2. Cor. 5.2. Vain worldly pleasures fly: A friend to world, is foe to God; jam. 4.4. Love thou the things on high. SINNER. The ugly Devil swelled with spite, Reu. 12.17. To sin doth tempt me still: And Lion-like seeks here and there, 1. Pet. 5.8. Whom to devour and kill. SAVIOUR. jam. 4.7. joh. 12.31. By faith resist, and he will fly, From heaven he is out cast: Rom. 16.20. And under foot he shall be trod, Through my great power at last. SINNER. Heb. 2.15. Unwelcome death, so ghastly grim, Untimely comes with speed: Heb. 9.27. My precious life it will cut off, And keeps me in much dread. SAVIOUR. 1. Cor. 15.55. Philip. 1.21 I conquered Death, Death's sting is gone, It ends thy cares and sin: To lasting life it's as a gate, By it thou interest in. SINNER. Luk. 16.24. Hell-torments are a living death, The pains of easeless woe: Reu. 19 ●0 For sinners these prepared of old, These fright my heart also. SAVIOUR. job 42.6. Mourn for thy sins, abhor thyself; Have steadfast faith in me: Reu. 20.14. I vanquished death, and hell also, For all that faithful be. SINNER. The dreadful day of doom draws on, When all men must appear: 2. Cor. 5.10 The judge is just, our sins are great, Act. 17.31. What will then ease my fear? SAVIOUR. The righteous judge thy Saviour is, john 5.27. Who will thee surely bliss: But hypocrites will send to hell, Mat. 24.51. The righteous doom is this. SINNER. O Saviour sweet, my life, my light, Instruct me to know thee: What is thy will, what is that good, Thou hast laid up for me. Unfeigned faith in me increase, And make me strong therein: To vanquish Satan, doubts, and fears, And each presumptuous sin. Teach me with patiented hope, to wait On thy good pleasure still: With true submission of my heart, And conquest of my will. My frozen heart set thou on fire, With love of thee my Lord: With love of grace, of heaven, of Saints, With love of thy sweet word. The holy fear of thy great Name, So put into my heart: As may cause me from wickedness, And from all sin departed. The sacrifice of daily thanks, From ground of heart I give: To thee my God, with joyfulness, By whom my soul doth live. Let all my life set forth thy praise, And therein never cease: O grant me growth in godliness, O let mine end be peace. FINIS.