THE BLESSING OF JAPHET, Proving THE GATHERING in of the Gentiles, AND Final Conversion of the jews.  
Expressed in divers profitable Sermons.  
BY Thomas Cooper.  
LONDON, Printed by T. C. for Richard Redmer, and are to be sold at the West end of Paul's. 1615.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, SIR THOMAS HAYES, LORD MAYOR OF THE City of London. The Right Worshipful, the Aldermen his Brethren; and the Sheriffs of the said City; Together, with the worthy Commissioners, for the plantations in Ireland and Virginia: Grace and peace from God the Father, through our Lord JESUS CHRIST, be multiplied.  
Right Honourable, Right Worshipful, And dearly beloved in our Lord jesus.  
IT is the holy commandment of our blessed Saviour Christ jesus, unto his servant the Apostle Peter, that he being converted, should strengthen 
Luk. 22. 33  his brethren And it is the duty of every faithful Servant unto his heavenly Master; Hereby doth he approve himself a living member of jesus Christ, even to teach the ways of God unto the wicked; that sinners may be converted 
Psal. 23. 8. etc.  unto him, that the ways of God may be known upon earth, his saving 
Ps. 51. 15. 16.  health among all Nations; Accordingly hereunto, it was, that the blessed Apostles after the glorious Resurrection of the Son of GOD, when they had received their Commission, and were furnished with gifts accordingly: First tendered the Gospel unto their Brethren in the flesh, the Nation of the jews, as being sent unto the lost sheep of 
Math. 28  the house of Israel; And when they had put it from them, and did account themselves unworthy of eternal life, Lo they turned to the 
Acts, 2. 3. 4 Acts, 3. 4.  Gentiles: and so the barren & desolate became fruitful, & hath had more children than the married Wife. Thus by the ministery of Apostolic 
Acts. 13 Esay. 54. 1  men, was the Gospel first published to this Nation. And after many fearful and yet most righteous judgements iustscted thereupon, for the contempt of the s●me, together with the outward settling of the State, in the reuniting of those Royal houses of Lancaster and York, The glorious Gospel also of jesus Christ was restored unto us: that so we might be constantly settled in the favour of God. And propagate the s●me, to our posterity and brethren, the Nations far 〈…〉 u●till the great day of the glorious appearance of jesus Christ. To this end was it, that the Lord of the Harvest did not only water this precious seed, with the blood of the M●●●tirs abundantly, that so it might take ro●te downward, but very graciously also cherished the samewith a most glorious sunshine of long peace & prosperity: that so it might bring 〈◊〉 fruit upward to amendment of life. And notwithstanding our continued unthankfulness for so great salvation: for which we had deserved, that when the light of our eyes was taken from us, the li●●t also of the Gospel should have been removed: Yet still hath it pleased our gracious. God to visit us from on high, with his saving health: and by the ministry of our gracious Sovereign, Iames (whom the Lord in mercy proster in this holy work, that he may enlarge the bounds of this glorious Kingdom far and near:) By this blessed nursing Father are we not only now united into one government, and so the great occasions of Inward hostility mercefully quenched; but further also, by his gracious Authority it hath been, that the barbarous and desolate places of the Land are now replenished, with the power-of the Gospel. Yea, the rude & savage nations far & near, in Ireland and Virginia, have had this blessed light conveyed and enlarged unto them. And who are they that have been forward to help the Lord against the mighty? Who have enlarged themselves for the enlarging of the glorious Gospel of Christ: Surely, as the Lord hath enlarged himself abundantly, unto this honourable City, above all the places of the Land, both in the fitness of the earth, & the dew of heaven, even in all outward benefits, and spiritual blessings, in heavenly things: So blessed be the name of his Majesty for ever, that hath hereby sanctified these portios unto you (Right Honourable, worshipful, & my dear Countrymen) that your hearts and purses are enlarged plentifully, to the furtherance of this great and glorious work of the gathering in of the Gentiles: that the plantations in Ireland & Virginia, are much furthered by your industry. And have you not already received the first fruits of your labours in Virginia? Is not a Virgin lately married unto jesus Christ, and become one with you in the Household of faith? Hath not the Prince of our peace hereby established an inviolable league between those Nations, and our Colonies; that so we may not doubt of good success, in those enterprises? In the name of God, therefore (Right Honour: Right wor:) go on in this glorious work: Can you do God better service, then in promoting his Kingdom, and demolishing daily the power of Satan? Can you do better service unto yourselves, than not only to ease the Land of that rank blood, which threatens some great sickness: but especially, to provide some retiring place for yourselves, of so be the Lord, for our unthankfulness should spew us out? And if that the Lord shall hereby translate his Gospel from one nation to and here or rather, as we hope, shall provoke us by such Foolish for lost Nations, to a greater zeal unto the Gospel, to hold fast that which we have, lest no man take away our crown from us; shall we be any losers hereby▪ if we exchange some of our transitory Blessings which we have forfeited by our abuse, for the establishing and recovery of durable riches, that they may not be taken from us. Surely, if my poor endeavour can avail aught hereunto: As I have heretofore, and now in this Blessing of japheth) done my endeavour to approve unto your wisdoms, the just undertaking, & performing of so holy a work; So by the grace of God, neither shall my poor prayers, nor any future industry be wanting; that so I may strengthen the things that are ready to die at home, and nourish the things, that are newe-borne abroad. And thus I humbly entreat your Honour, and your worships, to conceive of me, and to accept graciously these Meditations, as a true pledge of my love unto this honourable City, wherein I was borne, and bred up: and a seal of my labours for the furthering of what soever may tend to the advancement of the glorious Gospel of jesus Christ. To whose blessed protection, I do most heartily commend you all: and do rest in him.  
Your Honours, and worships, ever bounden: Tho: Cooper.   

THE GENERAL CONTENTS OF THIS TREATISE.  

FIRST, it discovereth the marvelous and gracious work, of the Conversion of a Sinner: both by the Author, Nature, Means, whereby; and the Marks and effects thereof.  
Secondly, It declareth the true estate and condition of the CHURCH of GOD; both that which is Invisible, and the Visible also: Together, with it several Qualities and Marks in this life.  
Thirdly, It proveth the Calling of the Gentiles.  
Fourthly, It avoucheth the Conversion of the jews.  
Lastly, it confirmeth, that jew and Gentile, shall be united together in one Visible CHURCH.   
Together, with many particular Observations, incident to these: as appeareth by these particular Doctrines, and Instructions following.  

Observations in these Meditations are,  

1 GOD'S Decree, ordereth second causes.  
2 Prayer, the most effectual means to accomplish Gods will, for our good.  
3 God only the author of the Conversion of a Sinner.  
4 The Conversion of a Sinner, is by persuasion of the sweet promises of the Gospel.  
5 The Faithful have only right in God's blessings.  
6 The Gentiles to be converted.  
7 The Posterity of the Church, to be respected and provided for.  
8 Good Parents may have a wicked Generation.  
9 The faithful shall be recovered out of their greatest falls.  
10 The jewish Religion, True.  
11 The Church a little Flock.  
12 The Church obscure and invisible in the world.  
13 The true Invisible Church consists only of the Elect.  
14 The Church of God movable, not tied to any place.  
15 The Church weak and corruptible, subject to infirmities.  
16 The Church Militant in this life.  
17 The Church is the resting place, and safeguard of the Elect.  
18 The Church a stranger and Pilgrim in this life.  
19 Constancy and Perseverance a note of a true member.  
20 The Saints shall abide, and dwell for ever.  
21 The jew to be converted, and finally gathered in.  
22 The Church's Unity, and so perpetuity and perfection.  
23 There is a Malignant church as well as a True.  
24 The Malignant church mingled with the true believers.  
25 The wicked and Malignant shallbe in subjection to the true.     

THE BLESSING OF JAPHET;  God persuade japhet that he may dwell in the Tents of Shem. Genes: 9 

THAT these words may the better tend to our edification, we are to consider;  
First, the Occasion and Coherence of them.  
Secondly, the words themselves.  
The Occasion is laid down in the 7. former verses: Namely, 1. Noah his first sin of Drunkenness, with the Occasion of it. vers: 20. 21. And thereupon, his other sin of Incivility, he lies naked & uncovered; even briutishly in the Tent.  
Secondly, I'm his sins,  
1. Of beholding his Father's Nakedness; Not with grief, as he should have done: but with a kind of delight and derision thereof.  
2. His malice and cruelty, in acquainting his brethren with this infirmity of his Father: Thereby both to make his aged and reverend Father despised in the eyes of his Children, and also to make them partakers with him in this sin, of rejoicing at, and deriding the corruption of the Ancient.  
3. The piety of the other two Sons of Noah: Shem; and japheth, discovered. 1. In their courage and constancy, that would not be drawn by his example, to fellowship in evil. 2. In their modesty, that they would not so much as look upon their father's nakedness: as also 3. In their wisdom, that by a strange gate of going backwards, and putting a garment upon their shoulders; by this means, without offence, they performed a Christian and civil duty, of covering their Father's nakedness. Vers: 23.  
Hereupon it followeth, that Noah, being thus fitted to sobriety, partly, in that his Distemperature is well qualified by rest; partly also, his nakedness being covered as a figure, no doubt, also, of his sin covered, and pardoned by the LORD; Is said to Awake from his wine, (that is) from his sin, that was caused thereby: as appeareth plainly by that which followeth: Namely, because, he not only knew what his younger Son had done unto him: whereunto, because he was enabled by the spirit of Prophecy, therefore his sin had not deprived him of the use of that gift, which not being repent of, it must needs have done for the present: But further also, as the Father of the Family, yea, as the Prince and judge of the world, even in God's stead, he both executeth his Authority over his Sons, and that in cursing this wicked Cham: as also, in Blessing the other two gracious Children, orderly.  
First. Shem, as the eldest, both in age and religion.  
Blessed be the God of Shem, and let Canaan be his Servant: therein bestowing a double blessing upon Shem; One upon his soul, that he might continue in the worship of JESUS CHRIST, (his GOD) and Saviour: That the God of Shem, being blessed of Shem, constantly; might continue to bless Shem, the father 
Rom. 11. 26. 27. Esay: 5●. 20. Esay: 27. 9 jerem: 31.  of the jews: performing his faithful promises unto them, even to their last conversion, and restoring in the last days, when All Israel shallbe saved: as it is written, The delieverer shall come out of Zion, and shall turn away the ungodliness from jacob; And this is my everlasting Covenant with them, when I shall take away their Sins.  
2. Shem is also blessed, in his outward estate, in that he shall be 
Let Canaan be his servant.  Lord over his cursed brother, & his posterity. The true Church of God shall prevail: and overcome all the enemies of the same.  
Thus Noah having blessed his eldest son Shem, partly, in recompense of his present well-doing, but especially, as in God's steed, discovering the free love of God, in confirming an infinite reward, far beyond all proportion, of an imperfect and finite obedience; Proceedeth yet farther, to bless his other son japheth; as being partner in the good action, and therefore in equity, to be partaker of the recompense thereof.  
And this blessing upon japheth, is not so much personal unto himself, that as he had begun, so he would dwell in the Tents of Shem: that is, continue in the true worship of God. But because the holy Patriarch by the spirit of prophecy, did foresee, that the posterity of japheth, as fell out within few hundredth years after, should fall from God to Idols: Therefore he not only prayeth unto God, for the restoring of the Gentiles, which were the posterity of japheth, to the sincere worship of GOD, in JESUS CHRIST; but prophetically, also declareth therein the will of God, that japheth's seed should believe in the Promised-seede; and withal, addeth the jointure of this new-married Bride unto her Saviour. Namely, that the believing Gentiles shall also be enlarged 
Esay 2. The calling of the Gentiles.  far and near upon the face of the earth, as rulers and conquerors of the world, and all the enemies of the Church. And let Canaan, (that is) the posterity of the wicked, for ever, be subject unto the servants of jesus Christ. Thus is japheth also blessed, 
God enlarge japheth.  by his father Noah, being the mouth of God himself, both declaring what was to come to pass, concerning the posterity of japheth; even the Gentiles, confined especially in this part of the world which we inhabit, called Europe; and extending to all those nations, in all parts of the world, that are not, either properly jews, or of that cursed race of Cham; scattered towards the South in Africa, etc. As also avouching the certainty thereof: as by the riches of God's mercy, hath been already for this six hundred years accomplished: and is daily persiting, until the coming of the Lord jesus.  
So that these words do properly contain the Decree of God, 
2: cor: 4. 6. Rome 8. 29.  concerning the Calling, and bringing-in of the Gentiles, to the Faith of jesus Christ, occasioned by the sin of Noah: So is 1. God able to bring light out of darkness, 2. so doth he turn the evils of his Children to their good, as all things else. 3. So have Parents Authority, to bless or curse their children, as occasion serveth. So ought Magistrates: 4. Yea, even Parents also, to have an holy care, for a Religious posterity, Deuteron: 6. 7. Genes: 1▪ But my purpose is not to stand upon these points, I come rather to the words themselves.  
Which are to be considered, either as, 1. A prayer for japheth: 2. as Prophecy, what God had decreed to perform unto japheth and his posterity hereafter. 3. As Prophecy in part accomplished: and further yet to be finished, concerning the calling of, & bringing in the fullness of the Gentiles. And first, In that they are a Prayer, for the accomplishment of that, which they with all, do avouch God's decree for it certain performance: We learn;  
That seeing the Decree of God is subordinate unto means; or rather doth subordinate means unto it: So we are not to presume or build thereon, without using the ordinary means 
I. Doctr: God's decree ordereth second causes.  thereunto. Howsoever likely, or unlikely, in our judgement, we must not hope for salvation, unless we climb the ladder of Sanctification, as being the likely means thereto.  
Nay, though it be unlikely, that Abraham's offering up of his son, should be a means to have him restored, and in him, the 
Ro: 829. 30.  accomplishment of the promise: though it be unlikely, that washing in jordan, should heal Naaman of his leprosy: yet where 
Genes: 22.  God commands, there the unlikeliest shall prevail: 1. for the exercise of our Faith, and trial of our Obedience: as, 1. both making 
2. Reg: 5.  that which is otherwise sin, to be warrantable, 2. and advancing God's power and glory, in working so far above, and contrary to the means. And though it be foolishness to the Grecian, and a stumbling-block to the jew, that the hearing of an earthen vessel, should raise up Earth and hell to Heaven, delivering 
1. Cor: 1. 21. 22. 23.  a slave of Satan, to be the Son of God, yet what God ordaineth, that he also blesseth. That the glory may be 
Acts 26. 11.  unto him, and not unto man. Not that the Lord is not able to work without means, but that he is to deal with men: that cannot conceive him but by means. Math: 3. Exod: 20. 21. 
2. Cor. 4. 7. 8.   
And therefore seeing the Lord hath decreed and ordained some to salvation, others to perdition: Even so hath he ordered his works in a different variety, for the more holy, and righteous 
Reasons, 1. Difference of means, and their reasons, in the Elect, Reprobate  accomplishment of his will, concerning those contrary ends of the Elect and Reprobate.  
Whereof, some he hath ordained to be likely, and easy: 1. thereby to encourage his Children, the rather to entertain them: 2. and to make the wicked more inexcusable, that will nevertheless despise them, being so ready, and profitable.  
Other means the Lord of wisdom hath also disposed, hard, 1. and unlikely, thereby to try the Faith of his Children: and 2. exercising their Patience, in waiting on God, for the issues of them: 3. and to teach them Humility, to give God only the glory of his mercies, notwithstanding their best endeavours, tried by the difficulty of them.  
4. As also by this providence, the Reprobate are justly hardened and confounded; Who, as they would not embrace the other 
Math: 13. 13. 560. Ioh: 6. 66.  means, (as being easy) and so in their eyes contemptible: So they shall not conceive and digest these, as being hard, and unlikely, passing the reach of reason and carnal wisdom. And so not submitting to any, which the Lord hath appointed for good, they shall stumble upon such, that lie in their way for evil: being justly given up to their own counsels, because they have forsaken God; that so being satiate with their own ways, they 
Psal: 82. 12. Prou: 14. 14. Rome 8. 2. Thess: 1. 6. 71.  might reap the fruit thereof: even the ripening of sin in this life, and the full measure of vengeance in the life to come.  
1. And do not they then justly exclude themselves from heaven, that build upon God's Decree, concerning their salvation, without conscience of holiness: presuming that God's decree shall stand, howsoever they daily grow worse and worse? shall not 
Uses.  the issues of this way, (howsoever seeming good) to these deceived men, be the issues of death? do they not by this desperate tempting of God; run headlong to destruction? 
2. Tim: 3. 13   
2. And do not they also justly exclude themselves of the comforts of the earth, that say; A Lion is in the way, the means are difficult, or God will provide: What need we use any? Is it not a Decree, that as, He that soweth shall have plenty; So he 
Pro. 11. 2. Thess 3. 12  that laboureth not, shall not eat? Do not these men dream of a Feast, but when they awake, they are an hungry?  
3. Have we any further warrant of the protection of the Almighty, then, that we walk in our ways? Psal: 91. Can Beggars and Gentlemen look for a blessing, that usually walk in no calling? Can Players and Gamesters, Usurers, and such like, expect other 
Esa: 29. 8. 3.  than a curse, that walk only in an unlawful calling? And shall Oppressors and Cheaters think to prosper? shall not overreaching buyers, and deceytfull-Sellers, that abuse a Lawful calling, put all their gains into a broken bag, and to win the world, lose their own souls?  
4. And whereas there is difference of means, and therefore to be used in their order, the spiritual first, Matth: 6. 33. and then those for this life; Do not they renounce Heaven, that make sure 
Luke 10. 4  first for this life? Oh that we were wise with Marie, to choose 
5  the better part. As not to refuse the unlikeliest, where God 
6  commands: yea, not to distrust our God, where no means are offered, 
7  so to choose the fairest, as they lie in our ways, and yet not to rest 
8  upon them, lest we rob God of his glory, and ourselves of the 
9  comfort of them. Abac: 1. Psalm: 62. 10.  
10. Oh what comfort is here stored up unto us, that the Lord submits to our infirmity, in offering means, to lead on our weak Faith. Matth. 13.  
11. What Wisdom is here taught us, to become all unto all? that we may win some unto jesus Christ? 1. Cor: 9 12. How gracious is our God unto us, that seeing we cannot hear him speaking unto us and live? Exod: 20. 21. therefore he tenders salvation unto us by such instruments, as being subject to our infirmities, might with better experience teach us, and with more compassion wait on us, 2. Tim: 2. 23. that at length we may be saved. 13. Lastly, here is sound comfort unto the Saints, that be the means never so unlikely, all shall turn to their good; they are 
Rome 8. 29.  subordinate to Gods will, he will surely give a blessing. Thus doth Noah use the means; thus God gave, and daily gives a blessing thereunto.  
But what means is it that Noah useth?  
Surely, most excellent and effectual, Even Prayer unto God, that he would hasten his work, in the blessing of japheth, in the calling of the Gentiles.  
1. So must the Saints pray, for the accomplishment of Gods will: 
2. Doctr: Prayer, the most effectual means for accomplishment of Gods will for our good. 2. Chron: 6. 21. 22. 23.  Prayer is the most effectual means to prevail with God: So doth the Son of God teach us to pray: That the will of God may be done: 2. So have the Saints practised usually to obtain God's mercies. 1. Sam: 2. Iam: 5. Ioh: 14. Math: 12. Math: 6. 3. So have they prevailed for the removal of his judgements. Ion: 3. Esay: ●8. 37. Psalm:: 105.  
4. And so hath God promised by this means, ever to be found of us; both to deliver us out of evil: Psal: 50. 15. And to heap blessings upon us. And no marvel, For  
1. Is not Prayer that life of our Faith, wherein we renew our right in Christ jesus, and so in him prevail with God? Ephes: 6. 18. 19 for all things that make for our good. Psal: 34. 1. Cor: 3.  
2. And doth not Prayer sanctify the blessing unto us, that as we have it in love, so we may use it to God's glory, and therein lay up a good foundation against the day of Christ? 1. Tim: 4. 5. 1. Timoth: 6. 17.  
3. Nay, doth not our prayer comfort us; that though we obtain not what we desire, yet we have done Gods will, and so shall have better than we desire, even the grace of sweet Communion, with our blessed God? yea, the grace of patience, to wait his leisure; yea, the grace of Contentment in him above all things; yea, the grace of Supply, of that which shall enable us in our wants; 
2 Cor: 12. 8  yea, the grace of abundant recompense of our stay: a double Restitution of whatsoever we have wanted; yea, an hundredth fold in this life, & an infinite recompense in heaven. 2. cor: 4. 17. 18 
job. 41. Matth: 19   
4. And shall not Israel that prevails with God, prevail also with men? Osee: 11. 2. 3. Genes: 32. Exod: 16.  
Use 1. Surely, so we pray in Faith. 1. 6. without doubting, and Ignorance. In Patience, without wearysomnes, submitting to the will of God. Math: 27. Galath: 6. so our prayer be in love to our God, respecting his glory: in love to ourselves, desiring the best for 
jacob:  us: and in love to our neighbour, without wrath or envy: so we pray in hope: So contenting our hearts with the enjoying of the present, as that still we wait and beg for the things to come; forgetting 
Reason's why we must both pray, though God know what we have need of.  what's behind, in respect of that's before. Phil: 3. Howsoever the Lord need not to be put in mind what he will give, yet we must pray, to put ourselves in mind, of what we have need: as also to approve our right, for the supply thereof: Assuring ourselves that the Lord will fulfil the desires of them that fear him. Psal: 25. 21. Psal: 14. 5. And he will certainly fill the hungry with good things, so they witness unfeignedly their wants, by their earnestness in begging, and labour to be found of GOD, not having their own righteousness, but clothed with the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST; as well Praising God for what they 
Phil: 3.  have, as begging what they want: and submitting to Gods will, for the manner of the supply, though being otherwise confident on God, that he will certainly provide. Genes: 22. If we be denied, either wisely faulting ourselves that we have asked amiss, or not faulting God howsoever: who giveth, how, and when i● pleaseth 
jacob: 4. 3  him, sufficient to our Faith, though happily crossing ●ence & reason. Comforting ourselves, that the crossing of nature will be the trial, and increase of grace, so that we do still use our spiritual weapon of Prayer; thereby prevail we shall still with God, howsoever we decrease in the flesh, and who would not weaken such a treacherous and noisome enemy: Can we better disgrace and abuse the same, then when we have done our best therein: yet not only we crave a blessing from God thereon, therein signifying it utter inability in itself to good: but further also, entreat 
Note.  the Lord to pardon the best endevouts, and not to enter into judgement with us, for our best services: Psal: 143. Oh how doth this utterly condemn and crucify the flesh? Nay, doth 
Psal. 143.  not here a gracious heart wholly abase and deny himself; that so he may fully and wholly be interessed in the free mercies of God in jesus Christ.  
So doth Noah by prayer, interest his son japheth and his posterity, in the Covenant of grace: and so by Faith doth he prophesy of the Calling of the Gentiles. And so from these words, as a Prayer, we come now to consider them as a prophesy.  
God persuade japheth, to dwell in the Tents of Shem; That is,  
The Lord shall in the acceptable time, by the ministery of his Gospel, through the mighty operation of his holy spirit, incline, and allure the heart of the Gentiles, to return unto him by kissing the Lord jesus; and for their salvation, rely only on the merits of the promised Messiah.  
For the better opening of which Prophecy, consider we briefly these particulars therein;  
1. The Author that must accomplish this great work of the coversion of the Gentiles: Namely, the Lord our God. God persuade.  
2. The manner and means, whereby this conversion is accomplished, namely, by persuasion, and alluring the reasonable part. God persuade japheth.  
3. The Parties to be converted, or rather returned to the embracing of jesus Christ: namely, japheth's posterity, even the Gentiles.  
4. The Religion and Faith, to which they are to be converted, Namely, the Religion of Shem, and this is amplified: First, by the subject of this Religion, namely Shem: signifying therein divers especial marks of true Religion, As,  
First, in that here the true worship of God is noted, by the Tents of Shem, as having it Agnomination from him, who was the eldest in his Father's house, the father of the jews, which were the first borne: first in the Love of God. First in the simplicity 
Icrem: 2.  and purity of divine worship; First, in the outward endowment of the Marriage bed. First, in the privileges, and love tokens of 
Rome 3. 1. 2. 3.  the Bridegroom: doth not this make to the confirmation of that excellent truth, that Truth is most Ancient: and so therein leads 
The first Church the truest.  us to an excellent mark of the true Church▪ namely, whose foundation is that first and most ancient Truth.  
Secondly, In that the Church of God is here confined to the Tents of Shem, who though he were the Father of that posterity, which afterward, (as a figure of the inward beauty of the true believers) was enlarged in outward pomp, multitude, and beauty; yet now, in the greatest purity, and simplicity of godliness, which she was to recover and practise under jesus Christ, was neither for multitude so populous, nor for outward glory and beauty? so conspicuous: Doth not this also lead us to two other 
Church, a little flock. Cantic: Church invisible.  marks of the true Church of jesus Christ, namely, that it is a little flock in respect of those which are without: And 2. that it is black, and many times Invisible to the carnal eye, at least wise subject to contempt in the world, as wanting the outward complement, and ornament of the strumpet.  
Lastly, In that the Church is here confined to the Tents of Shem, who being the first borne, and the portion of God, and therein a figure, of that true and only portion, which the Lord from all Eternity, hath set apart to salvation; to show forth the riches of his glorious grace, Namely, the Elect: Doth not this plainly teach us, that the Elect only, are properly the true Church 
The Elect only the true Church.  of God, but the Hypocrite only in show: and as we say, (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) by representation, etc. abusively. Thus are we led by this consideration, to discern the substance and true members of the Church of jesus Christ. And  
Secondly, In that this Religion of Shem, is amplified by the quality and condition thereof, when it is called the Tents of Shem: herein the holy Ghost doth express unto us a six-folde condition of the Church of God in this life.  
1. That it is a place of abiding, and shelter for rest and protection, etc. as is a Tent, which in those days was the best, and most convenient means for the comfort and protection of mankind: 
6. Conditions of the church; 1. That it is the place of refreshing & safety.  therein deciphering unto us the benefits of the Church of God: Namely, that it is the place both of refreshing, and protection, that wherein we receive ease to our minds, and supply to our wants, and protection from danger, and injuries.  
Secondly, howsoever the cursed posterity of Cham and Canaan, are said to build Cities, and dwell in them, thereby expressing their affection to this life, & desire of constant enjoying the happiness thereof, most deceitful and transitory: yet the Saints of God are commended unto us, to remain in Tents, which being 
Hebr: 11.  Habitations not only weak, and sleight in comparison, but movable also upon every sudden occasion, and especially used in military affairs: Doth therein shadow out unto us three other conditions of the Church of God in this life. Namely, 1. That it is Imperfect: 2. And subject to many infirmities: 3. 
2. Imperfect.  That it is Militant here on Earth, as being to fight the fight of Faith. 
3. Militant.   
4. That it is also a Stranger, and sojourner in this wretched world, having here no abiding City, but looking for a City 
4. Stranger. Hebr. 11.  which is above, not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens.  
5. Lastly, In that the Church is here said to lie in Tents: which being to be removed from one part to another: and thereby to be pitched in whatsoever place convenient. Doth not this also point out unto us two other conditions of the Church militant in this life? Namely, that she is not tied locally to any certain 
5. Not t●ed to any place. Math: 21.  place, but removable, for the contempt of the Gospel, from one Nation to another: and 6. that by this means she is dispersed over the face of the Earth: So that in every Nation, whosoever fear God, shall be accepted of him. Thus by this 
6. Dispersed every where. Act. 10. 34. 35 Coll: 1. 6.  Metaphor of Tents, are we led to the consideration of the true conditions of the visible Church in this life.  
Lastly, That we may also know who are the true members of this Church; the holy Ghost pointeth out these unto us, when h●e saith, that he may dwell in the Tents of Shem: signifying by this 
The true member abides & dwells in the Church.  phrase of dwelling, that he is a true member, that dwelleth and abideth constantly in the Church of God: not making it his Inn for a Night. Much less, using it as his Theatre for delight: but using it as his dwelling and mansion continually. Yet so, as he remembers it to be but his Summer-parlor; or rather his movable Tent: And therefore so resolving constancy of abode here, as that still he be preparing to that durable house in Heaven: so keeping residence in this his movable Tent, as that he be ready, 
2. Cor: 5. 2.  yea, desirous to remove to that City of God, the new jerusalem, which shall never be removed. And,  
These are the particulars that are contained in this prophecy: Of which by God's grace, I will entreat briefly & plainly, in their order. And first, of the first Author, and means of true conversion: 
3. Doctr: God only the Author of the conversion of a sinner.  This is here avouched to be the Lord only.  
God persuade japheth; God is the only Author of the conversion of a sinner.  
This is that prerogative that he challengeth proper to himself, Prou: 31. Ezech: 11. Zechiel. 36. Hebr: 7. 9 2. Tim: 2. 23. This do the Saints willingly and thankfully attribute unto him. jerem: 10. jerem: 30. 1. Lament: 5. Psal: 80. Ps: 49. And surely,  
First, Who is able to bring light out of darkness, but God only? 
Reasons.  2. Who able to dissolve the works of the devil, but the Almighty God? Hebr: 2. Luke 11. 3. Who able to forgive an infinite 
2. Cor: 4. 6.  debt, but an infinite power? 4. Who was able to satisfy an 
1. From the power of God 1. Rome 3. 4.  infinite wrath, but an infinite Deity? 5. Who would have sent God to die, but God alone? 6. Who could have raised up man from the dead, but only God? 7. Who gives the blessing to the Word, the ordinary means of conversion, but the mighty God? 
1. Cor: 3. 8. jerem: 10. 23 14. 2. His free love. 1. Pet: 15. 11. 12.  8. Who searcheth and moveth the heart, without which there can be no true conversion, but only God? jerem: 17. o. 9 How could our conversion be free, if God were not the Author of it? 10. How could it be constant, if the mighty God did not keep us? 1●. How could we know the truth thereof, but by the spirit of God? Rome 8. 1. Cor: 2. 12. Who can do more than create a thing of nothing, but only God? Ephes: 2. 4. 5. etc.  
Let then man's free will keep silence, that God's Free-love 
Use. 2. Phil:  may be advanced: And let man's power be confounded, that God's power may be exalted. Let none despair in his greatest Impotency: seeing it is God that converteth. Neither let the greatest gifts presume, seeing God converteth of nothing. If the poor receive the Gospel, Blessed is he that is not offended: And if heaven suffers violence, by the ignorant and contemptible, 
1 Cor: 1. 27.  Let the many Noble and mighty acknowledge their destruction to be of themselves. Seek we unto God in his Word, the ordinary means of our conversion. And pray we that God 
Matth: 11.  will set up his King upon his holy hill of Zion: that he would thrust forth labourers into his vinyeard, that the Harvest may come in: and japheth's posterity may dwell in the Tents of Shem. Marvel we not that the Word hardens many, seeing God must give the blessing thereto: and therefore adjoin we to the outward 
Ioh: 5. 39  ministery thereof, conscionable preparation before, and examination after the means, by prayer and Meditation with our God, that he may give the increase to what hath been sown. Abuse we not the patience of GOD, in not hearing when he calls? least after when we cry, he will not hear us: but to day, let us hear his voice, and not harden our hearts. Heb: 3. Psal: 95. Neither let us stumble at the infirmities of the vessel, seeing the Lord gives the blessing: but rather give the glory unto God, and for his sake honouring the instrument. Comforting ourselves that hell shall not prevail, seeing God is the stronger. Math: 16. Luke: 11. 22. 23. And no less than Heaven is the reward, seeing 
2. Thess: 1. 6. 7.  God is Recompencer.  
Thus is God the Author of our conversion. But by what means doth he occomplish the same? Doth he use miracles, to amaze, or tortures to compel? Doth he use Euthasiasmes, to inspire, or Dreams, to reveal a work unto us? Surely no: The holy Ghost (saith) God persuade japheth: That is, God incline the heart, & allure the mind of the Gentiles, by convincing their consciences, with the power of the truth, & framing their will; and affections to embrace the same, subduing their whole man to the obedience thereof. As if the spirit of God had plainly taught us, That; The Conversion of a sinner, is a persuasion of the mind to believe; and inclining of the will & affections to embrace the Lord JESUS.  
And this shall appear unto us by these circumstances. 
2. Doctrine: The Conversion of a sinner by persuasion   

1. First, by the Subject of Conversion, man..  
2. By the Matter and means of Conversion; Namely, the word of GOD, applied and made effectual, by the operation of the spirit of God.  
3. By the Manner and order of a true Conversion.  
4. And lastly, by the Substance and Marks of true Conversion.   
Concerning the Subject of conversion, Man and woman, these consist of two parts: 

1. Of a corruptible body.  
2. Of a reasonable and immortal soul.   Of which Two, the Body serves only as an instrument, to convey the means of conversion to the soul, and to execute outwardly the effects of true conversion, and therefore is not properly the subject of conversion: As being a spiritual work, effected by a spiritual means, and therefore fastening and working on a spiritual substance. And this is the soul of Man, which being Spiritual and eternal, is therefore capable of this work of the spirit, and means of happy eternity. Notwithstanding, because the body shall be partaker with the soul of the fruit of Conversion: Namely, conformity, and subjection to the spirit, and eternal glory: Therefore, as it cannot be separated from the soul in the work of conversion: So it must be ordered by such means, as it is subject unto, thereby to further our conversion: And so to 
Obser: The body how far subject to force in conversion.  be as an instrument in the work of Sanctification; So also a partaker of the benefit thereof. Hence is it, that howsoever the mind cannot, neither aught to be forced by man, as being beyond his reach, and power, yet the body, being therefore subjecteth to the power of Man, that by man, it may further the conversion of the soul, is thereby also subject to some compulsion from man; Who in God's stead, is both to tender the means of Conversion, by the care unto the Heart; by the body unto the mind; which is the duty of the Minister; as also, (if need require, 
Duty of Minister.  when the refractory mind will detain the body from the use of the means, is further, even to force the body, by bringing it, even against the minds will to hear the Word: That so, by the power thereof, either the rebellious mind may be reclaimed, or at leastwise made inexcusable: especially, that in performing this duty, he may be free from the blood of his people: or rather become a true nursing Father unto them, And this is properly the office of the Magistrate, who though he have power ever life, 
Of Magistrate. Deutro: 13.  in the case of refractory & obstinate blaspheming of the Truth, and desperate continuance in Atheism, and Heresy, and therefore ought not to suffer either Idolater, or Blasphemer, either Atheist, or damnable seducer of the people to a false worship, any longer to breath, to the infection of others, yet in the case of conversion, and bringing men to God, he is no ●●rther to force ●●e body, then that still it may be serviceable to the soul▪ Le●i●g converted; and also further the mind to be subdued, by these spiritual weayons; By which the Reason being captivated, and conscience persuaded and convinced: and so the ●ill inclined and alured to embrace the Truth, when once the h●●rt 
2. Cor: 9 14 Psalm:: 18.  shall indite a good matter, and 〈…〉 with the love of God, then shall the tongue become the pen of a ready writer, the outward man shall put cheerfully in execution, what the ●●ward man desireth and purposeth: That (so glorifying our GOD) ●n 
Psal: 45.  body and soul, which he hath thus renewed, in this reasonable Sacrifice of the new-birth; we may in due season be crowned both bodies and Souls, with that glory in the new jerusalem, 
1. Cor: 6. Rome 12. 1. 2  which is above.  
And therefore, as this condemneth all Antichristian Tyranny, whereby all hope of sound Conversion is utterly cut off, whilst 
Use.  by extremity of torture the bodily life is deprived: so also the negligence of the Christian Magistrate is justly reproved, in leaving the papist to his liberty, or winking at him, showing extreme cruelty to his soul, while he pretends clemency to his body. And if the refractory must be compelled from a false worship to the means of a true: Oh then! fair be it from the heart of the godly Magistrate, to tolerate a false religion; Is not this the way to provoke the wrath of God? that so he may divide us in jacob, and so destroy us in Israel. And seeing the just man must be a law to himself, If then the body must be the means to convey grace to the soul, If it may further our entertainment of true conversion: Oh then, let us learn to subdue this enemy, and beat down this corruption. 1. Let us humble it by fasting. 
The body how to be fitted to be serviceable to the soul, to the work of Conversion.  2. And not advise with it in spiritual worship. 3. Fear we the complement thereof: 4. and rest we at no hand in any ceremonial devotion of the same. 5. Take we no care for the Flesh, to satisfy the lusts thereof. Rom. 18. And avoid we all affectation in gesture, etc. with an intent to be observed of men; so shall we offer holy violence to the body, in preventing it ministery, to satisfy the lusts of the mind, and thereby make it serviceable to the soul: as furthering the same in the work of holiness. And thus is the outward man subject to a kind of violence, not only from others, but even from ourselves. Persuaded it cannot be, and therefore it must be forced.  
Now for the soul of man; The case hereof is otherwise: Spiritual 
The soul not to be forced, but persuaded.  it is, and therefore not subject to outward violence. And reasonable: & therefore only liable to such a violence, which rather overcomes by persuasion, than forceth by persecution, as rectifying the reasonable part, not destroying the nature thereof: as delighting the understanding with the light that overshadoweth it; So convincing the conscience, that it gives peace unto it: So reclaiming the will, and captivating the Affections, that it restores them to a most gracious liberty, to perform a reasonable service unto God.  
This shall further appear most evidently unto us, if we consider in the second place, the means of true Connersion: Namely, 
2. From the means of Conversion. Rome 7.  the Word of God, assisted by the blessed Spirit; which in that it consists of two parts, to wit, the Law, and the Gospel: Howsoever by the Law we are brought to a sight of sin, and so thereby prepared to Conversion, and as it were entered therein, as being cast out of ourselves, and cast upon JESUS CHRIST, yet by the sweet promises of the Gospel, we are alured and persuaded to believe in the Lord JESUS; which is the very work and perfection of our true Conversion. So are our hearts more 
Rome 5. 5.  and more suppled, and broken, through the love of CHRIST, shed abroad in our hearts: So are we bound unto our GOD, with the cords of love, as that we attain a most glorious liberty 
Rome 7.  of the sons of God: So are we led captive under sin, that in the inward man, we delight in the law of God: So are we subject to Afflictions, as that we are more than Conquerors over them: So is Death the end of our sin, and entrance to our glorious liberty. Thus doth the Word discover the estate of our conversion: thus doth it allure and satisfy us in the whole process and consummation thereof.  
And doth not the manner of our Conversion avouch as much: 
Rome 8. From the manner of Conversion.  that it is by persuading, and mollifying of our hearts?  
Doth not the Lord himself allure and invite us to embrace these means, proffering us wares with money; wooing of us, to open unto him, by testimony of his patience, and pledges of his love, stretching out his hands unto us all the day long. And those not empty, but dropping down mirth, and tendering most invaluable riches, the rather to allure unto him. Doth not wisdom invite us to a Feast and allure us with her delicates? Doth not the Lord prevent us with his grace, that we may be plentiful in good works? Doth he not allure us to holiness, when he imputes the righteousness of his Son unto us, and not only accounts that ours, which he freely gives, but accepts that to be his, which by our corruption is defiled? Doth not the Lord offer parley? Come, let us reason together; Hath he been a wilderness 
Esa● 1.  unto us? Nay, what could he have done unto us, which he hath not done?  
Thus doth the Lord persuade and allure our Conversion: And are not his Ministers led by the same spirit? Do they come unto us with a rod? or not rather with the spirit of meekness? Are they not his Ambassadors to treat with us; Nay, his Orators to beseech us to be reconciled unto God? Are they not ready so to woo us, that they not only are contented to deliver the Gospel unto us but even their own souls, so dear are we unto them: so little dear is their life unto them, in regard of preaching the Gospel, that we may be saved? Are they not our fathers, to beget us in all love and compassion to be the children of God? Are they not our Noursing-mothers', to dandle and suckle us, as new-born babes, with the milk of the Gospel, that we may grow up thereby? Are they not our shepherds, to lead us into the green pastures, to dress, and tenderly look to us, as the tender lambs of jesus Christ? Are they not God's fisher men, to allure us as with a bait: thereby, not to constrain us by force, but to catch us with a wile. And do they not in all this persuade us reasonable men, by most reasonable and tractable means, to a matter most reasonable, even to return unto God?  
For to proceed now to the substance of our conversion: and thence to prove this manner of our Calling, by Alluring; as also 
4. From the substance of conversion. Rome 1.  the equity thereof? Is our Conversion any other, than a restoring us to that estate which heretofore we enjoyed in Adam, and lost by the malice of Satan? And ought there to be any thing more acceptable unto us, then to come forth of Darkness into a marvelous light, to be delivered from bondage? yea, from bondage of Satan: unto the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, to be plucked out of the horrible pit, and advanced to the highest Heavens, to be made Lords of all, who before were vassals unto all; To be at peace with all, who before had all against us. Such is our conversion. Is there any thing more reasonable?  
Is it not most reasonable and equal, that God should have his will, who hath decreed our conversion? that he should enjoy the service of his creature, which is obtained by conversion? that he should be loved of his children, that are so made by conversion? Is it not meet & convenient, that we should be holy, as our God is holy: that to eternal happiness, we should be made meet by perfect holiness? Ought not members of the body to have the like 〈◊〉? Ought not citizens of the same heavenly jerusalem, to be of one mind? Nay, ought not fellow-heirs of the same kingdom, be of the same nature, of the like beauty, and glory? Such are we with jesus Christ: and such are we made by conversion. And is it not most equal that the Lord jesus should have what he hath purchased at so dear a rate? 1. Pet: 1. 1. Cor: 6. Lastly, what true mark is there of our conversion, which doth not own this truth, that we were not compelled, but persuaded & alured thereunto?  
Have we peace of conscience, and so are at peace with God? 
5. From the marks of conversion.  who could have procured this, unless God had given it? how could we have received this, unless the mind had been alured, and nourished with the love of God? no entertainment of God's love, but by overcoming the heart with love; No true evidence of God's love unto us, but by out love unto him again. No sound evidence of our love unto our God, but by our readiness to forsake all for his sake, but by our delight in the excellent, & enlarged heart towards them, not by constraint, but of a ready mind: 1, Pet: 5. 3. 4. So much we love our God, as we desire his continual presence, and perpetual fruition of his blessed society: By this do we know that we are of God, that we come boldly to beg, or rather challenge his promise, that we will not be said nay, but are answered in our chief desires. Thus God freely promiseth, 
Rome 8. Math: 15.  and offereth means to us not deserving it, that so we may not be discouraged, but rather invited to embrace the same. And because God's love is free, therefore it prevails upon the most unlikely: delivering the captive, & giving sight to the blind: swallowing up despair in mercy, and crowning corruption in glory. And because he maketh us partakers of the divine nature, therefore also he enables us freely to love him, and cheerfully to obey him: 
2. Pet: 1. 3 Psa: 119. 46  to run the way of his Commandments, after he hath set our hearts at liberty: yea, he maketh our feet like Hearts feet, so that by the help of our God we leap over a wall: yea, he giveth us wings, as to avoid unnecessary and desperate extremities, so to fly speedily in the execution of the will of God. That by this willing mind, we might not only be comforted, in respect of our outward 
Use, Twofold.  failing, seeing the Lord hath promised Not to quench the smoking Flax, nor break the bruised Reed: but encouraged also, and enabled to constancy, and perseverance, that so continuing to the 
2. Cor: 8. 12.  end, the Crown may not be taken from us. Thus by the marks of conversion, is the manner thereof confirmed unto us; Thus by 
Esay: 42. 3.  this manner thereof, are we assured of the continuance of the same.  
And is our Conversion then a work of grace, and free compassion 
Revela: 3.  from the Lord? Is it accomplished by the word of peace? and sweet promises of the Gospel, applied to the fainting soul, 
Use.  by the Spirit of grace and Compassion? Is it conveyed unto us by vessels of Infirmity? which might better have compassion on us, and allure us to mercy, as being subject to it: and therefore having experience of our misery. Is it effected by melting the heart, 
Zach: 13.  with the apprehension of the love of God? Is is perfected by enlarging the heart, to the obedience of our God? Well then may fire 
2: Tim: 2. 23.  and faggot confound both body and soul: well may Antichrist enlarge an earthly monarchy, with sword and outward violence: 
Ps: 119. 32. 0. Sweeter than honey, and the honeycomb. Ps: 19 joel: 2. 14. 1. Cor: 14.  but the mild voice of the Gospel must convert the soul: The means to fill Heaven, must be the alluring of the spirit.  
Oh why despair we to convert, though now miracles are ceased? seeing by the power of the Word, the secrets of the heart are made so manifest, that God will be acknowledged to be in us, that so we may convert unto God. If they will not believe Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe though one come from the dead; and yet to convert a sinner is more wonderful, than to raise from the death. How vainly do they brag of a Church, that exclude the word of God? how can we hope for the continuance of a Church, where the sound thereof doth not continue? what hope is there of conversion, where doctrine is not delivered, by which the mind is persuaded? what fear of further perversion, where laws are not executed, to compel men to persuasion? where deceivers are permitted to poison with corrupt persuasion? Who so is wise, let him consider 
Uses of Instruction. Pro: 1●. 3. 1. Col:  this, Let him see the plague, and hide himself: Let him try his conversion, by the persuasion of his judgement, that he is rooted in knowledge, & not wavering in opinion: Let him examine his effectual calling, by the readiness of his mind, and cheerfulness in obedience, even to all the will of God: not a part thereof: & that constantly and continually; not being weary of well-doing, being more ready to do well, then for the present he is able: and so enabled to well doing, that at length he may attain his desire; as of perfect 
Marks of constant obedience, and means thereto: Gal: 6. 2. Thes: 3. jerem: 23. 1. Ioh: 4. 1. Thess. 4. 1. Ioh: 2. Ephes: 4. Esay: 30. 24 25.  obedience, which he shall attain: so of perfect happiness, the recompense of his labours, & full contentment of his utmost desires. And therefore let him pray, for the continuance of the gospel, to quicken his desires. Let him earnestly desire the confusion of Antichrist, that son of darkness, & enemy to this glorious light. Let him be wise, to discern between the chaff & the wheat: to try the Spirits, and hold what is good. Let him especially make much of the Anointing, and hearken to the voice behind him, not grieving the Spirit, nor quenching the motions thereof: that still there may be light in the Land of Goshen, in the days of Famine, he may have enough. Exod: 8. job: 5.  
Comforting himself, that seeing his conversion is from God's alluring of free love, and persuading by a power unresistible, not desired by him: therefore being converted, he shall surely hold, 
Uses of Comfort.  when Heaven and earth shall pass: though thousands fall daily at his right hand, and ten thousands at his left hand, yet shall not this plague of Apostasy seize on him, who is kept by the mighty 
Ioh: 17. 12.  power of God, unto that great day, that he may be presented blameless unto the Lord jesus. And therefore not being discouraged 
1. Pet: 1. 5.  for their going out from us, that were never truly of us, but rather enlarged with continual praise unto his God, that 
1. Thess: 5. 13  leaves not him also to himself, to fall away with this present evil world, but still humbles his flesh, to keep life in his soul, and 
1. Phil: 29.  counts him worthy to suffer with his Christ: that so the life of Christ might daily appear, for his approaching to glory. Thus doth God persuade japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem. Thus is a Christian converted by persuasion. And thus doth God give him a Dowry with his marriage. japheth being persuaded, is also enlaged. The kingdom of heaven being bestowed, interesses also 
God enlarge japheth. Math: 6. 22. 5. Doctr: The faithful only have right in the blessings of this life. Reasons.  the Faithful, in the possessions of the earth. The true believer alone is the right owner of all God's blessings. He that first seeks the kingdom of heaven, shall have these things also cast upon him. Matth: 16. 33. So profitable is godliness, aswell for this life, as that which is to come. 1. Tim. 4. 8. 9 So Christ being ours, who is Lord of all in heaven & earth, Math: 28. all with him is ours, both in heaven and earth. 1. Cor. 3. Rome 8. So have we only grace to use those well, and therefore are only fit for them. So are those only fit for us, as being sanctified by us, unto us.  
Oh how vain then is their boasting, and labour, that toil 
Uses. Psal: 127 1. 1. Tit: 1. 13. Psal: 37. 1. Tim: 6. Matt: 6. 33, 1. Tim. 4. 5. Psal: 62. 10. Math: 16. 8 Eccl: 11. 1.  for these things without grace? how fearful is their account that possess them without Christ? What comfort have we in the least, seeing it is unto us as all? what hope of that which shallbe sufficient for us? What wisdom ought we to use, to make first sure of the best? what conscience in approving our right, by our holy using of these things? What Faith in a better right, by renouncing Confidence in these? by our williingnes, upon just occasion to part with them, either to the good of our brother, though we cast our bread upon the waters, or to the glory of God, though we even cast our lives after them?  
Shall not he which thus leaveth House or lands have recompense an hundred-fold? shall not he find his life, that thus is 
Matth: 19  willing to lose it? Oh how can we better show our free power over these things, them by keeping them short, that they may have no power over us: neither over our hearts, by Covetousness, which is Idolatry; nor over our bodies, by pinching and niggardliness, 
Ps: 62. 10. 1. Tim: 4. 2. 1. Cor. 8. 10.  nor over our Co●s●●●nce, by making difference, where God hath made all good: nor over our liberty, by abjectness, and scrupulosity?  
Oh that we would learn to renew and increase our sovereignty over the Creature, by our daily subjection unto God, in acknowledgement of our unworthiness of the least, in craving his blessing, even upon the greatest. As by the sense of our unworthiness, renewing our right in Christ, and disavowing confidence in the greatest by submitting the blessing thereof unto our God, that so giving 
Genes: 2.  God the glory of his mercies, he may enlarge himself unto us, to the making of us meet to be vessels of glory: And thus are the Saints Lords of the earth.  
And thus is the Church of JESUS CHRIST spread far and 
Josh. 4. 22.  near over the face thereof. That not only the God of them may be blessed by one Nation, at jerusalem, but that japheth also may be enlarged and diffused, to dwell in the Tents of Shem; that the Gentiles being dispersed far and near, might receive the Gospel; and also being Converted, might Convert their Brethrem, even all the Nations upon the face of the earth.  

GOD enlarge JAPHET.  
So then japheth must be persuaded and enlarged, aswell as 
6. Doctrine. The Gentiles to be converted. Reasons. Ruth. 1: job. 1. Rahab. judg. 2. Rom. 11.  Shem. The Gentiles must be converted, aswell as the jews. And why? Surely God hath so decreed it from all Eternity; and revealeth the same by his eternal Word, long before the accomplishment thereof. He accomplisheth it in particulars, as pledges of a more plentiful Harvest: and he permitteth obstinacy to come upon the jew, that the wild Olive might be engrafted. So in the fullness of time was this harnessed brought in; in part by the Husbandmen of the Lord JESUS, and in the fullness of time, shall the fullness of the Gentiles be brought in, that the remnant of the castaway Israel, may be reaped in with glory. And are not the ways of God most equal herein.? Shall not the 
Acts 10. 34. 35. Heb. 11: Revel. 12. 1. Col. 6. 1. Tim. 2. 2. Cant. 8. Esay.  wind blow where it pleaseth? Hath God any respect of persons? Is not God the Lord of all the earth? Was not the blood of Christ available, to save even a thousand worlds? Must not the Church to this end be a traveler upon the face of the earth? shall not the sound of the Word, go to the ends of the world? Must we not pray for all sorts, because God will have some among all sorts to be saved? Is not this our little sister that hath no breasts, & yet shall give suck? Is not this the barren, that shall bring forth, and have more children than the married wife? Are not these the infinite number which none could reckon, which should stand before the Throne, and the Lamb with long white robes, and Palms in 
Revel. 7.  their hands? Thus shall the Gentiles embrace the Gospel.  
1. And is not the word of God, Yea, and Amen? Is not japheth 
Use. 1. Cor. 1.  persuaded, and the Kingdom of Christ enlarged among us? Hath it not a long time rested in the tabernacles of japheth? 2. And was it removed from the tents of Shem; that so it be planted in the inhabitants of japheth? Oh, then let let us consider, that Shem is to be replanted. 3. Let us desire the restoring and reclaiming of the first born. 4. Let us fear the casting off, of the Little sister, seeing the elder was cast off, and is to be recalled 5. And let us look for the removal of the Gospel from one nation to 
Note.  another, where it is not retained with conscience & profit. And if God will not forsake us, till we forsake him; take heed 
1. Chro: 15. 2. Act: 13. 48.  than we put not from us the word of life. And what if we be preparing a place in Virginea, or Ireland; to receive the same? 6. These must have a calling, and we a cooling, for the time: that we may be provoked to zeal, even by foolish and forlorn nations; and recover our first love, by extending it to our brethren. That as 
Note.  the falling of one Nation may be the raising of another; so this reuniting of the Gospel may bring in the number of the Elect: that so our warfare being finished, our glory may begin, never to have an end. Thus shall japheth be persuaded to dwell in the movable tents of Shem; that Shem and japheth, may dwell for ever in full and constant happiness.  
But some will say, what need japheth to be persuaded to dwell in the Tents of Shem; who already was a member with 
A. Question.  Shem, of the true Church, as performing the duties of piety, to God and men?  
We answer; that the holy Ghost, not only intendeth the person of japheth, as desiring his continuance particularly in the 
Answer.  true worship of God; but especially hath reference to japheth's posterity, as foreseeing their declination from true Religion, to Idolatry, which fell out not long after: and therefore directing the Spirit of holy Noah; not only as a Father, to desire the return of his posterity to the Church of Christ, but especially, as the mouth of God, to pronounce their restitution in the ages to come. Whence we learn many notable Lessons.  
As first, that godly parents and believers, ought not only to have care for the present, but also for the future estate of their 
7. Doctrine: Saints must have care for the posterity of the Church. Reasons.  posterity: the true Church of God, that so it may abide in the Faith of JESUS CHRIST. So do they imitate GOD, who provides for Eternity: so do they approve their Faith, when they see a far off: so do they testify their love, which abides for ever. 1. Cor. 13. So do they manifest their hope in the full accomplishment of the Elect: So do they further the propagation of the Church to her perfect consummation, & Communion in heaven. To this end, are they commanded to declare the will of GOD, 
Deut: 6. 7. Josh. 4.  unto their children. To this end, did they set up Monuments of God's special love, and memorial of his will and favour, not only to testify their thankfulness for the present, but to teach the Generations to come, that the people which were to be 
Psal. 132. 8. 1. Tim. 5.  created should praise the Lord. And if they were worse than Infidels, that provided not for the outward estate of their posterity: where is then their Faith, that neglect the souls of their successors?  
Oh, what a curse than is Barrenness, and deprivation of posterity? 
Use.  How much greater a plague to make wicked our posterity, by preposterous worldly provision, and neglect of Spiritual Legacies? How happy those parents, that sendssuch wicked seed before them? But thrice unhappy they, that rejoice in their wickedness; provoking them by evil example, to imitation of evil: and applauding evil imitation, under pretence of ligitimation; as if to differ from them in sin, were to be degenerate and bastards. How can they call GOD their Father, that neglect to be nursing fathers to his Church? either caring for their own, as if the time to build God's house were not yet come, and therefore they neglect the restoring of it: or else lay it further desolate, as eclipsing their glory, and confounding their pleasures. Oh, where shall such julian's appear, that seek to repair Babylon again, and deriding the poor members of CHRIST, that they must suffer affliction, do therefore add affliction to affliction, and cry, down with it, down with 
Psal. 131.  it, even to the ground.  
Surely, though Abraham know us not, and Israel hath forgotten 
Esay 69. 15.  us, yet the Keeper of Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep. He is our Father, and will have compassion on us: and when he seeth that we are confounded thoroughly in our carnal confidence, and take unto us words, and say unto him: Take away all our iniquity, 
Ose. 14. 3. 4.  and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of our lips, Ash●● shall not save, neither will we ride upon horses; neither will we say any more unto the work of our hands, ye are our Gods: then will the Lord heal 
Zeph: 3. Esay 59 16.  our rebellion, and love us freely: then shall his own right hand sustain him, when all help from men faileth. Then shall he take away out of the midst of us, them that rejoice in our pride, & we shall no more be proud of his holy mountain. Then will he leave in the midst of us, an humble & poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord: & in those shall it appear, 
Zoph. 3. 11. 12.  he hath care of the posterity of the Church. For there shall be of these, that shall build the old waste places; they shall raise up the foundations, for many generations, They shall be called the repairers of the breach, and the resteres of the paths to dwell in. And this shall be written 
Esay. 58. 12. Psal. 102. 18.  for the generations to come, that the people which shall be created and converted in Virginea, Irelan, or elsewhere, may praise the Lord. Oh, prosper the works of our hands, ò Lord, fo● the accomplishment of thy will, in bringing in the fullness of the Gentiles: Oh, prosper thou again, and again, our handy works, and holy desires; that thy King may be set upon the holy Hill of Zion; and 
Psal. 2. 6.  our King, and his happy issue, may continue the Gospel to the generations to come; that so he having care for the advancement of thine earthly Tabernacle, thou mayst continue and so advance his corruptible crown, as to make it an undoubted pledge unto him and his, of an uncorruptible crown to all eternity.  
Thus may there be care for the posterity of Zion. And is there not great reason it should be so? Have not the best fallen, where this care hath been neglect? ddid not japheth's posterity falaway to the worship of Idols? May not good Parents have a wicked generation?  
1. Is God tied to nature? 2. Or, shall nature necessarily 
8. Doctrine. Good parents may have a wicked Generation.  enforce grace? 3 Are there not usually evil seed of an holy stock? 1. To confound nature, and 2. advance the free election of Grace? 3. yea, to chastise gracious Parents, for presuming onthe present, and so neglecting holy discipline, to humble nature to grace. 4. Can it otherwise be, where only nature, and not grace, is the seeds-man to posterity? 5. And must it not be so, that grace only may be magnified, and God only glorified? 6. Are not Gods ways unsearchable? 7. Is not his Wisdom infinite? 8. Is not his will as absolute, and 9 his justice a great deep? 
Rom. 11. Use. john 8. Matth. 16.   
1. In vain therefore doth the Pharisee boast of Abraham, and Antichrist; and very foolishly do parents abuse, the providence of God, either in neglecting Discipline; either upon fear that it is bootless, as if it must needs fall out that their children will prove graceless; or in pampering the flesh, in hope that their issue will not abuse it. They are holy, and so is their seed, and therefore why should they not use their liberty, though it be an occasion to the 
Cal. 5. 13.  flesh. And are not they as much faulty, that punish the infants for 
Gal. 5. 15. Eccl. 18. 2.  their father's offence, making a necessary conclusion, that grapes cannot come of thorns: And therefore condemning peremptorily the children of wicked parents, upbraiding the poor infants, with their parents vices; denying them means of salvation, as Baptism, etc. Because their parents happily have abused it. Is not this to restrain God to man? Is not this for man to intrude into God's prerogative, who is the only discerner of the 
jerem. 17. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 19  heart; who only knoweth who are his? Oh, how much better were it to leave the secret things to God. Deut. 29 29. and make trial of the means which are revealed, and obvious unto us: not making the sin of the parents a bar of God's mercy to the children, Who will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy: but rather 
Rom. 9  admitting the child to the means of mercy, where the parents obstinacy and contempt is no present bar thereto, and so watching over them more tenderly, the more their estate is to be feared; that so by holy education they may be fitted to that grace, whereunto in such case usually they are appointed, for the advancement 
Note.  of God's free mercy.  
Surely, howsoever it fall out, yet here is our comfort, that when we have done our part, our labour shall not return in vain: either our care shall be a means to maintain an holy posterity, or keep us from being partakers in the judgement of a wicked posterity. Well, they may be a grief unto us, to make us hunger after our happiness, and so happily, they may be means to hasten us thither: how soever, our labour shall return into our own bosom, to make us more holy though they prove more wicked. And though the world shall upbraid us, with that, wherein they should pity, & rather keep silence, seeing it is Gods doing; yet shall this also turn to our good. God shallbe justified by the world, while it reproacheth us: as having done herein his good will and pleasure: and we shall be comforted, in regard of their reproaches: so we have this testimony, that having done our best, we submit to Gods will, as giving him leave to do with his own what pleaseth him, yet not neglecting to do his revealed will in displeasing our flesh; and so in God's stead, executing his wrath, where otherwise we must love; and hating the sin, though we reverence his work. Thus, though good parents may have a wicked posterity, yet may they either by this means reclaim them, or at least avoid fellowship in their plagues: And doth not the Lord here, give good hope of their reclaiming? Did he not provide a Saviour, before man had sinned? doth he not here foretell of it, & so assure the return of the Gentiles, before yet they were; much less were fallen away? Did he not provide an Hester to deliver his Church, before ever Hamans' plot was dreamt of to endanger the same. Oh, the faithfulness of our God how certain is his love, how certainly shall we return, though we fall for a time.  
Can the truly Righteous, possibly fall away finally? 1. Is there any 
9 Doctrine. The faithful shall be recovered out of their greatest fall. 1. job. 3. Rom. 7. Rom. ●. ●4. 1. Cor. 11. 31. Psal. 89.  end of God's mercies? 2. Was there any beginning of his love? 3. Have not all the Saints returned? 4. Doth not our Saviour live for ever, to quicken his eternally? 5. Shall not thy Spiritabide with us for ever? 6. Shall our iniquity cancel what our righteousness did not confirm? can the Lord deny his word? 7. W●l he give his glory to another? 8. Doth he which is born of God sin at all, either in the regenerate part, whereby he still pleaseth God, or finally in the unregenerate; which finally, shall be perfectly cleansed, or abelished? 9 Shall not all things work together, for the good of the elect? & shall their sin then, otherwise provoke God against them, as to judge them in this life, that they may not be condemned in the life to come: so to chastise them with the rods of men, that his mercy be not taken from them?  
A way then with that hellish doctrine, that robs God of the glory of his faithfulness, and power; and man of the sound comfort 
Use.  of his salvation, by evacuating Christ's death, and avouching the uncertainty and inconstancy of salvation. And avoid we, presumption to fall, though we shall rise again, seeing God will not be merciful to presumptuous sinners: and the least fall of the Saints, though it cannot finally exclude from salvation, yet may it grievoufly deface the beauty of sanctification; and so make this present life very bitter and uncomfortable unto us: howsoever it cannot utterly deprive us, of the comfort of the life to 
A Christian how preserved from falling.  come. Rather learn we in God's fear, To keep ourselves from falling: by, 1. Fearing ourselves: 2. and walking always in God's presence: 3. rest we wholly on the word, 4. and renounce carnal wisdom, 5. avoiding all occasion & appearance of evil, 6. learn we to use aright our Christian liberty, 7. and common we daily with our hearts to prevent security. 8. Walk we in our calling to prevent idleness & curiosity, 9 and call we earnestly on our God that he suffer us not to be led into tentation. 10. Keep thy judgement sound that we cannot be too holy, 11. and conscience tender, by racking it daily by the Law: 12. reprove we sin boldly in others, to keep us from the like. 13. Meditate we on the punishments of sin, to keep us from presumption, 14. and remember we how the dearest Saints have smarted, to prevent singularity; 15. Especially look we up unto jesus, and what he hath done for us: that the consideration of his infinite love may keep us from dishonouring him, that the meditation of his intolerable plagues, may preserve us from crucisying him again. 16. Consider we the difficulty of being saved, and therefore let us do our best: and lastly, remember we our end and reckoning we must give up, the one so uncertain, the other so sure, and unavoidable, that so at no time we be found unready.  
Thns may we be kept from falling into sin: And thus also 
How recovered and raised up again. Ezech. 18. jerem. 18. Ose 6. 2. 1. Josh. 1. 7. 8.  may we learn to arise out of the same. As, by meditation of God's commandment to have us return: and pondering of his promises that he will heal and renew us. To this end, look we up unto JESUS, that triumphs over sin, and makes daily intercession for pardon thereof, and see we our iniquity through the glass of his mercy, that so despair being prevented, we may find our sin pardonable. Then press we to the Throne of grace, with a broken and humble spirit, and testify we our just hatred and indignation against our sin, by justifying our God, and imposing some Spiritual humiliation on ourselves. Oh, let our souls refuse all other comfort; till the conscience be quieted in 
1. Cor. 7.  the blood of the Lamb: and give we the Lord no rest, till he return to his rest, and restore unto us, the joy of his salvation? 
Psal. 5. 12. 13. Psal. 32. 5.  Now let sin be confessed in particular; the more to break the heart, and that against ourselves, to the justifying of our God. Now let Vows be renewed; not only to avoid the like sin, but to be more wary of all occasions, and appearance of evil: Redeem we the time more conscionably, and watch we more narrowly over our own hearts, & outward man; withdrawing them from the love of the world, & arresting them in the presence of God: persuading ourselves that we are not thoroughly returned, till at least we have had some glimpse of God's favour renewed in JESUS CHRIST, though not discerned in that glorious object which dwelleth in the light that none can attain unto; yet apprehended by the beams thereof reflected on our hearts, by our peace with God, & contentment in his will: who though he happily restore us not presently to that full measure of feeling and joy, we heretofore enjoyed, yet remember 
Use of comfort. 2. Cor: 5. 7.  we, that we live by Faith, and not by sense: and that our whole life is no other than renewed repentance. And therefore comfort we ourselves, that what we feel not, we must and shall believe; as by Faith seeing a far off: so contenting ourselves 
2. Pet. 1. 8. 9  with what is presently restored to be sufficient: as that still we live by faith, hungering after the best graces: not only the restitution of such measure, which heretofore we enjoyed: but even the enjoying of that fullness of joy and pleasures which is at the right hand of GOD for evermore. Wisely discerning the providence 
Reassons. Why God denies unto his child that measure of comfort which heretofore he enjoyed.  of our God, in not resting so much on feeling, as heretofore we have had. Not only for the trial of our Faith, if now we can rest on our God without feeling, but also for the preventing, and subduing of spiritual pride; to which, seeing extraordinary feeling of God's favour, is a great occasion, through the malice of Satan, raising hence singularity, & so security and remissness in well doing: if not robbing God of his glory: Therefore it pleaseth our good God, though he restore peace unto us, yet to withhold from us wisely, such draughts of joy, that so we might forget what is behind, & hasten to that which is before, as both taking less delight in any worldly contentment which before was sweetened unto us, by that overflowing of Spiritual joy: and fainting the more earnestly, after that full and constant measure thereof in heaven, that so our joy may no more be taken from us. And therefore striving more diligently, to make us meet partakers of that glorious inheritance, that so in due time, as a rick of corn, we may be carried into the barn, and received into our Father's eternal joy.  
Thus may we recover out of our most desperate falls; thus may we be comforted in the measure of our recovery: as being that which is fittest to hasten us to glory.  
And thus shall japheth be brought again to the Tents of Shem; the Gentiles shall be restored to the true worship of God, as a true and lively figure unto us, of the constancy of God's love, in restoring his children, & recovering them out of their greatest falls. And these are the lessons we may learn from this, that japheth shall dwell in the Tents of Shem.  
And is it a small thing, that the Gentiles, which were originally without God; yea, who had forsaken God, shall once be restored again to the knowledge and worship of jehovah: Surely marvelous things are spoken of thee thou City of God? Wonderful are the mercies that hereby the Gentiles have been invested with. Shall we wade a little further into the particular consideration of them? Follow we then the spirit of God in the unfolding of them: What is the general sum of the Blessings, that japheth shall enjoy? It followeth, That japheth may dwell in the Tents of Shem This is the sum of the Blessing, to dwell in the Tents of Shem. 1. That is, to be joined unto the jews, both in the true worship of God, as also in the privileges thereof.  
2. What is the true worship of God? This is described unto us, 1. by the subject, Shem: who was the Father of the jews, signifying thereby unto us, that the religion of the jews for substance, is the true worship. How shall this appear? Surely by these circumstances. 
10. observ Thereligion of the jew, Why the true religion and thence the marks of true religion. jerem: 6. 11. It was not so from the beginning saith our Saviour Christ.   
First, Shem was the eldest Son; not only by Nature, but by Grace; He first in his Father's house, called on the Name of God; The jews of him, were also the first-born; First, in the temporal Election, first, in the set worship of God, and so also, in the spiritual election. And therefore seeing the truth is most Ancient, the old way is the true way: Therefore the religion of the jews is the true worship of God.  
Secondly, That which was commanded of God, and performed, both for the substance and manner, is the true Religion; Such was the religion of the jew; wholly commanded of God, both for matter and manner; informed from Gods own mouth. Exod: 20. Directed by his own finger, even to the square and building of the Tabernacle. And therefore the Religion of the jew, was the true Religion. And so all will worship is a false religion; that which God only commands, is the truth only. Pet: 2. 1. 19 Colloss. 2. 23.  
Thirdly, That which procures salvation to the performer is the truth; Such is the religion of the jew: As not only pointing at Christ to come; But applying Christ as come already, though not in the Flesh, yet in power and efficacy; as being a Lamb, slain from the beginning of the world.  
Fourthly, True godliness is not only available for the life to come, but even for this life also: Such was the religion of the jew; so long as they walked after this rule, so long the Lord blessed them, and advanced their temporal estate marvelously, as he promised: Deutron: 2●. Levit: 6. and accordingly abased them, as they failed therein.  
Fifthly. And is not that the truth, to which all must yield? by which all must be directed? Must not they return unto us, and not we unto them? jerem: 15. 12. Shall not all nations take hold of the skirt of a jew and say, we will go with you, because the Lord is with you? Zach: 8. Must not japheth dwell in the Tents of Shem, not Shem in the Tents of japheth?  
Sixthly. And shall not the Truth abide for ever? Shall not the remnant of Israel be saved? Shall not the jews (though for a time 
jerem: 31. Ezech: 11.  cast off) yet be brought in again? And so the promise of God certain, God's covenant with the jew everlasting. And so the original truth, the everlasting truth. The jews religion, as most ancient, so most permanent, and perpetual.  
Seventhly, Was not the jew an abomination to the Egyptian? 
Hated of the world.  Is not that the truth, which is hated of the world?  

Use.  Behold then, the true notes of the true Church, and worship of God, and  
1. Try we ourselves by these, whether we be in the faith or no? Know we not that jesus Christ dwelleth in us, except we be reprobates? 2. Cor: 13. 5.  
2. Discern we wisely our estate by these, that it is not so well with us, as happily we may flatter ourselves: Ioh: 8. He is not a jew, which is a jew outward only, Rome 2. It is not the circumcision of the Flesh, but the circumcision▪ of the heart, which 
joel: 2.  God accepteth. Rend we therefore our hearts, and not our garments, and turn to the Lord our God, whose mercies are everlasting: who loveth Truth in the inward parts. And though he correct us with the rods of men, yet will not take his sure mercies from us: japheah shall dwell in the Tents of Shem.  
And is the Church of God the Tents of Shem: Howsoever afterward glorious in Shems' posterity, both for number, and outward magnificence; yet now mean, and contemptible, as abiding in Tents. Now little, and almost invisible, as confined to one Family, and not containing all thereof, consisting only of eight persons, whereof the one was a Castaway.  
Behold we here then the condition of the Church of God, and therein consider we further these necessary Adjuncts thereof.  
First, It is a little Flock; Luk. 22. 32. for whom it pleaseth our heavenly Father to provide a Kingdom, though many are called, 
The Church a little flock.  yet few are chosen, Matth: 22. though without number in it scife, yet in comparison of the reprobate, but a little flock: even as the gleaning of grapes after the Vintage. Matth. 7. 1. Yea, 
Revel: 7. Isay: 5. 19 Matth: 11. Reasons. Matth: 17.  as signs and wonders, so are they in the world.  
1. So is the good pleasure of our God: who will have mercy on whom he will have mercy.  
2. So narrow is the gate, that few enter therein.  
3. So hard a saying it is to Flesh, to hate itself; to be borne again; to take up the Cross; to become Fools; that we may be wise, that no marvel if the wisdom of our Flesh be Enmity against God, that the most forsake Christ, it will necessarily 
1. Cor. 3. Rome 8. 7. Esay. 53. 1. Cor: 1. 27. Luke: 10. Use,  follow, Ioh 6. Who will believe our report, which is so unlikely, so distasteful, to corrupt reason?  
And if not many Mighty, many Noble, &c: are chosen, It is no wonder; Because they will not with Marry, choose the better part, which shall not be taken away from them.  
First, Oh how vain then is their conceit, that dream all shall be saved? How fearful is their course that so live, as unless all be saved, it is impossible, but that they must be condemned?  
Is it safe following the multitude, seeing few shall be saved? 
Psal: 44. 1. Pet: 1.  Will the example of great ones deliver from Hell, howsoever they may shelter us from bodily punishment? Why then do we make them our warrants, to run the broad way? Why then do we advance them above all that is called God? as if their Laws were absolute, their authority uncontrollable? Is it not better to obey God then man? Must we needs run to Hell for company? Is it not enough to yield our bodies and goods, which they gave us not? Who so is wise, 
Use of Instr: Matth: 10. Psal: 37. Math: 22. Psal: 131. 2. Tim: 3. 12. 13. Heb. 12. 8. 9 2: Cer: 44. 15. 16. 17. 2. Nehem: Ioh: 14. Use of comforts.  let him consider these things. First, Let him fear him that can kill both body and soul. 2. Let him not fret at the prosperity of the wicked; and yet give unto Caesar the thing which are Caesare. 3. Let him be little in his own eyes, that so he may be contented with his portion, though it be the Crppe of Affliction: So it be a proseruative from sin, a Badge of his Master Christ, a Pledge of his loving Father, a spur to perfection, a procurer of an uncorruptible crown. 4. Let it not grieve him to be salsely charged with singularity, that he is an odde-Fellow: that he walks alone, that he is more nice than needs; that he is no goodfellow; No Friend to Caesar; seditious, pestilent: This was the portion of the Saints. This they had because they were contrary to the world, because they were of this little flock. And, Let this comfort the Saints, that wisdom is justified of her children; Nay, it shall be justified of the enemies thereof. When joseph is tried, and his 
Math: 27. Psalm:: 105. 16. 17.  cause is known, the Princes shall deliver him, and do homage unto him. Balaam shall desire to die the death of the righteous: pilate's Wife shall wish him to have nothing to do with that just man: Nay, judas shall confess he hath sinned, in betraying of 
Num: 23.  Innocent blood; And shall not the Saints judge the world? Is not this the victory of our faith, that it overcometh the world? 
Matth: 27. 1. Cor: 6. 2. 13. 1. Pet: 5. 4. 5 Ioh: 17. Luk: 22. 32. 1. Tim: 2. Rome 16. 1. Cor. 15. Ps: 112. 8. 9 Rome 5. 3 Ro. 8. 36. 37  Shall not this little flock be preserved blameless unto the day of Christ? Will the great shepherd of our souls lose any, that he hath washed with his blood? And is the servant above the Master? Is it not our honour to be entertained as Christ jesus was? If we suffer with him, shall we not reign with him? Shall we not treadsathan under our feet? Shall not death be swallowed up in victory? Shall we not see our desire upon our enemies? Shall we not laugh at destruction, and rejoice in tribulation, because we are more than Connquerours through jesus Christ? Mean while, lest the hope that is deferred should prove the fainting of the soul, Are not the Saints Lords of all the earth? Have they not right to all? Have they not grace to use all well? Have the wicked any thing but for their sakes, though they can beteeme the Saints nothing? Is not the small thing that the righteous hath, better than great riches of the ungodly? Psal: 37. Shall not the righteous put on the Raiment which the wicked have made? job: 27. Do the wicked heap up silver as the dust, and shall not the Saints divide it? If they be in Affliction, must not the Saints pray for them? Genes: 20. If any trust be to be committed, who then faithful but the Saints? If any desperate judgement come, who then delivered, but the Saints?  
Ebedmelech shall have his life for a prey, because he spoke kindly for the servant of God: and jeremy shall be delivered, and possessed with the Revenues and commodities of his enemies. He shall have his liberty to serve God in the land of judea, 
jerem. 39  when the great ones shall be carried captives into Babylon, and there lose their honours and lives.  
Lo thus shall this little flock prevail in this life; and shall it not also be crowned in the life to come? Shall not God wipe all tears from our eyes, and crown us with eternal happiness? 
Revel 27: Means to discover the power hereof. 2. Cor: 3. 7. 2. Pet: 1. 8. Psal: 73. 3. Ps: 91. Psal: 37. 1.   
Oh that we were wise, to know our own strength, to use it to our best behoof, to live by faith, that sense deceive us not. To see far off, that present things distract us not. To enter into God's Sanctuary, that we may be kept sound in judgement, to discern aright of God's providence; and to walk in our ways, that, so we may not fret at the prosperity of the wicked, nor desire to eat of such things as please them; That we may not tempt our God, by not keeping in our ways: and thereby exceeding the bounds of his providence, exclude ourselves his protection.  
1. That we could learn true Contentation in our God, in whom we shall be abundantly satisfied, in recompense of any worldly disaster whatsoever; will not he be better unto us 
Phil: 4. 12.  then ten Sons? Is not his favour more worth, than all the deceitful savours of Princes? Are not his riches durable? Is there any vexation in his ways? Oh that by prayer and meditatton we would grow familiar with this glorious God, that he may open his treasures unto us, and reveal his sweetness unto our 
2 Cor: 12. 1. Cor: 15.  souls; Should we not be ravished, and taken up into the third Heavens? should we know any man after the flesh? should we not discern all things, and yet be judged of none? Should we not possess all things, even when in a sort we have nothing? Should we esteem to be judged of men, or of man's judgement? 
1. Cor: 2. 2: Cor: 4. 6. 1. Cor: 4. 4:  Should we be afraid of men?  
Should we not walk constantly with our God? Should not Virginia receive us? Shall not Ireland be our sanctuary, to call on the name of the Lord? seeing there it shall be well with us? Nay, if we pass through fire and water, will not the Lord be with us? Esay: 4●.  
Who so is wise, let him again consider of these things: This little flock is as dear unto the Lord, as the apple of his eye. It is his glory, his delight, here will he dwell for ever. And if he be with us, who can be against us? Could the gunpowder treason take effect? shall not Antichrist be confounded? shall not jerusalem be a cup of poison to all the enemies thereof? shall not the Church be a stumbling stone, that whosoever seek to remove it, shall be broken in pieces therewith? Hath the Lord begun to enlarge us 
Zach: 12.  far and near to Virginia, and Ireland, and are not their hopes in vain, that seek to root God's church out of England? Are not their challenges unnatural, and wicked, that denieus to have a Church of God in England? hath not God wonderfully preserved this little Island, this Angle of the world? that in former Ages was not known, or accounted to be any part of the world? Hath it not been the Sanctuary of all the Christian world? Have not all the neighbor-nations taken hold of the skirt of an Englishman? have 
Et penitus toto devisos orb Britannos. Zach: 8.  they not joined themselves to us, because the Lord is with us? Are they not happily sheltered under our gracious government? Are they not one with us, in this late renewing, and increase of our blessed UNION.  
So may the Lord still more unite us in the unity of the spirit, that the bonds of our peace may be more holy and inviolable. So may the desire of all Nations be unto us, that our desires may be enlarged to all nations, for their comfort and conversion.  
So may the Lord bless all our holy designs far and near, for the establishing of peace, and setting up the Kingdom of his Christ, both abroad and at home. So may all the devices of Antichrist and his Locusts be still confounded: So may their eyes rot in their heads, in looking for the day to build up Babel again.  
So bless thou oh Lord the holy meetings of the State, that in the continuance and increase of the liberty of the Gospel, we may secure our liberty, and advance thy glory, we may provide for the liberty of our posterity, in conveying thy worship unto them, more glorious than we found it. That so, in the increase of thy glory, thy Church may be continued, and propagated, in the happy issue of our anointed, thy servant, james our gracious King and Governor, & his posterity, even till it have accomplished it warfare, and be taken up to glory. Thus is the true Church of God a little flock. Thus shall this little flock be preserved, and presented glorious unto her bridegroom jesus Christ: And shall not this little flock have a certain evidence thereof, even in her condition in this life? May she not assuredly persuade her heart, that the Lord will make good his word; as advancing his free love, & giving him the glory of all his mercies? 1. And doth not the Lord reserve the glory entirely to himself, when he brings light out of darkness, and shows his power in weakness, working by none, or most unlikely means?  
Consider we (I pray you) to this purpose, the Condition of the Church of Christ militant here on earth; yet further shadowed out unto us in these Tents of Shem. What great outward beauty was there here, when the house of God was in Tents? what pomp and visibility, in this simplicity and meekness?  
Behold then another mark and cognisance of the true Church of God in this life. The glory that she hath, is especially within: Her 
Psal: 45. Ezech: 16. Obs: 12. The Church obscure and invisible in the world. Reason. 1. Pet: 2. 11. 2. Tim: 2. Ps. 73. 23. Cantic: 5. Psal: 130.  beauty, is that which God hath imparted unto her? She is fair by my beauty, which I have put on her Spiritual beauty, from an invisible God. As for her show in the world, she is black and contemptible, 1. even as her head Christ jesus; that had no form nor beauty in him, and other she cannot be, so long as she is a Stranger, a Soldier in this world: She must needs have blows, and falls too. How can she choose but be soiled, being to travel in such slippery & miry places? 1. And is it not good she should be thus black, to prevent spiritual pride? Doth not this manifest the carnal desposition of the wicked; who stumble at this outward baseness? Are not the Saints hereby purged of corruption, and so prepared to glory?  
Is not the Lord glorified in accepting such blackness? doth not his free mercy triumph in saving such deformity. Is not Christ's sacrifice available to heal such infirmity? Can a true member be discerned by sense? Is not our greatest part in Heaven? 1. How 
Use 1  deceitful then is that Church which is always glorious, and 
2  visible: How doth the pomp and bravery of the strumpet, 
3  deform & defile the chaste spouse of jesus Christ? Is not the word 
Ioh: 6.  of God truly glorious in the spirit, doth not the outside kill? Is it not the spirit that quickeneth? doth not the Authority of man, abase and annihilate the power thereof? Are not the Prophets 
Malach: 2. 4. 5.  justly vile before the people, because they are partial in the law? adulterating the same by the intentions of men? obscuring & depraving the simplicity and inward beauty of the gospel 
Matth: 15.  by their outward varnish, and carnal polishing? And shall not Dagon fall before the Ark of the Lord? Is it not enough that 
1. Sam: 5: Esay: 8. 19 1. Cor: 4 18. 19  the foundation of God stands sure? the Lord knoweth who are his.  
Though we be as Wonders, yea, as the offscouring, in the reputation of the world: Are we less dearer unto God, than the apple of his eye? Are we not all fair in his sight, and no spot to be found in us? Is not the Church even then the glory of 
Zach: 2. Cantic: 1. Esay: 4: 5.  God, when she is most inglorious in the world?  
Is it not because we are accepted with God, that we are despised of men? And are we not despised of men, that so we may hate the world, and cleave more firmly to our God, that 
Ioh: 14.  so we might be more and more cleansed, to be made fit for our glorious God? Doth not our inglorious estate in this life, prepare us to the glory of the life to come?  
Let it therefore content us that we are known unto our God; and let it be our comfort, that our life is hid with Christ in God: 
Coll: 3. 3.  that so, when Christ which is our life shall appear, we may also appear with him in glory.  
Let them beg Honour of the people, that are cast out of God's favour. And let such build up resting places and mansions 
1. Sam. 15. Genes: 4.  in the earth, that are runagates from God, castaways from his favour, having no hope nor right in the heavenvly mansions. If God cast these things upon us, we have a right in them, and so have 
Gene: 42. 43  grace to use them. The Church obtains honour in Egypt & Babylon, even in the land of her captivity, she prospers, & is renowned. Only let us not ambitiously seek this worldly greatness. It must not 
Matth: 19  be so with us. The servant is not above his master; and the Master (though Lord of all) yet was servant unto all: that so we might learn of him to be humble and meek; that we might learn to be abased, as well as to abound; that we might become all unto all, to win some unto CHRSIT JESUS. Let us not therefore, much less, stand peremptorily upon this outward pomp, as if the Church were but in her infancy, when she was in her native purity, and simplicity; but the more outward glory she hath gained, the more she grows to perfection: and therefore as the times are, cannot be without worldly dignity. All things are lawful, but all things to all sorts not expedient. Greatness 
1. Cor. 10.  breeds envy, not love usually: and how shall we win them if they do not love us? Fullness breeds security, and security idleness; how then shall we pluck them out of the fire, 
Jude 23.  if we will take no pains? How shall we give up our account with joy, if we bury our talon in a napkin? How shall we make 
2. Tim. 2. 2. Tim. 4.  our ministery fully known, without suffering afflictions?  
The Lord give the Church more and more favour with Princes, that as it hath begun, so it may increase, even in outward peace and prosperity, and a flourishing estate, which may serve as a good means for the propagation of the Gospel; that japheth may dwell for ever with Shem in his father's house. Thus, though japheth dwell herein tents, meanly and obscure, yet shall both Shem and japheth shine gloriously for ever, in most durable mansions, even in the Kingdom of heaven, which shall not fade nor be diminished.  
Shall we consider yet further the ground thereof. Must not japheth dwell in the tents of Shem, the first borne of his father, the son of the inheritance, the stock of the promised seed? 
Acts 13. The true invisible Church, consists only of the Elect.  And are any then of the true Church of CHRIST, but they alone, that have the privilege of the first borne, who are of the election of God, for whom the father hath ordained a kingdom? And will the Son lose any that the Father hath committed unto him? Did he die for any but for his Church, who is the Saviour of his body, which is his Church? Is he the Saviour of any especially, but those that do believe? 1. Tim. 4. 8. And do any believe, but those that are ordained to everlasting life? Acts 13.  
Behold, here the true members of the Church of jesus Christ; even they alone, whose hearts are purified by Faith; only such are they, that are dead unto the world, and know no man after 
Acts 11. 13.  the flesh: that have their conversion in heaven, whose names are written in heaven, whose head CHRIST JESUS, is ascended, to draw them up into heaven after him.  
Oh, that we were wise to try ourselves, that we did not content ourselves to be branches; unless we bring forth fruit, seeing 
Use. john 15. Zach. 13. 8. 9 1. john 2. 19  then the fruitless shall be cut off: and yet the fruitful shallbe cut and lopped, yea pass through the fire; though it be not consumed thereof. Doth the hypocrite make a show? his candle shall be put out. Is he gone out from us? he was never with us, yet must be still be with us, that he may purge out our corruption, and be cast out from us, when his iniquity is ripe, and sin being made out of measure sinful, becomes inexcusable and desperate. Yea, which is the wonderful providence of God, & power of the word, he cannot choose but be with us.  
The sweetness of the Word allures and enticeth him, he is 
Luke 8. Mark 20: Psal. 149. 7. Acts 24. 6. Acts 26. 28. 1. Cor. 8. 2. Matth. 9 Cant. 5. Exod. 5. john 7. 46.  caught thereby, to give consent unto the same, to receive it with joy, yea, to do many things galdly, yea the power of the Word binds kings in chains. It makes Felex tremble; and brings Ahab to his sackcloth: yet for all this, Agrippa will be (at the best) but almost a Christian: Knowledge puffs us, and so not accompanied with grace, hardens the heart against grace. What is this Carpenter's son? What is thy Beloved, more than other beloveds? Who is the Lord, that I should let Israel go? that I should part with my sin, for a dream, or a report? Do any of the Rulers believe in him? Are not Abanah and Pharphar, Rivers of Damascus, better than Iorden? must I be taught by an earthen vessel? See how David is become as a fool, that uncovereth himself 
2. King: 5. 3. Sam. 6.  in the eyes of carnal Micholl. The jew now seeks a sign: and the Rich man despiseth Moses and the Prophets; none will serve his turn but a messenger raised from the dead. This base Micheah, prophesieth no good unto him: he will not give him leave to bury his father; and therefore you must pardon him: hear you happily he will, for his credit, and advantage: but the truth is, his heart is taken up with his covetousness; pleasure, 
Ezech: 33. Matth: 22.  etc. He hath bought a Farm; or married a Wife; he hath knowledge enough: he must live, and he may be too holy; he may run mad, or seditious; and therefore he cannot come: Or, if yet he come, he wanteth his wedding garment: & therefore the issue is, he must receive his sentence, and comes only to be cast out. Thus is the wisdom of GOD, 
1. Cor. 1. 21. 22. 23. Rom. 8. 7. 8. 1. Cor. 3. 18. Deut. 4. 6.  foolishness to the flesh, and therefore the wisdom of the flesh, is enmity against GOD: the more it heareth, the more it is hardened, and ripened thereby unto the day of vengeance.  
Only the true Believer becometh a fool, that he may be wise; his wisdom appears in obeying the Word: his wisdom shines in converting and confirming others. It is his true wisdom to abide in the Church, his abiding in the Church makes the Church eternal, and the Church crowns his constancy, with eternal glory in heaven.  
Shall we proceed yet further, to the confirmation hereof. Consider we then the providence of our GOD, in the government of his Church; how doth he guide her by his counsel that he 
Psal. 37. 26. 1. Cor: 12. 8.  may bring her unto glory? how doth he advance his power in her weakness? how doth he perfect his power by her weakness?  
Behold, japheth shall dwell in the Tents of Shem, he shall dwell for ever, and that in tents that are to be removed: And shall the Church endure for ever, and yet dwell in movable Tents. Oh, consider, and wonder at the wisdom and power of God. 
Obser. 14.   
The Church in this life dwelleth in tents. It is not tied to any place, lest God's power should not be infinite, and his mercies 
The Church of God movable. 2. Cor. 5.  not free, and everlasting to his people: nay, it is not tied to any time, it is so permanent on earth, that it is movable to heaven: because, while it is in the body it is absent from the Lord, and therefore it is movable to the attaining of hit full desires, even for ever to be united unto her head JESUS CHRIST, for ever to enjoy the fellowship of her GOD, the fruit of her labours.  
Why then do we flatter ourselves in vain, with the continual 
Use.  mercy of our GOD? why do we boast of his glory and habitation among us, seeing we drive him from us, by our unthankfulness: and cast his words behind our backs? Shall not the Kingdom of heaven be taken away from us, and given to a nation that will bring forth better fruit? Shall not the Lord give us up to our own councils, and satiate us with our own ways? Let the man of God hear the rod, and who hath appointed it: let him see the plague, and hide himself: let it comfort joseph that Egypt shall receive him, when Canaan casteth him out: let it comfort Israel; that when Egypt is renounced, Canaan shall be ready for him. Our God is the God of all the earth; his Church is movable, that it may be spread over the face of the earth. This traveling of his Church, is for the gathering of the Saints; when the Saints are gathered, the Churches warfare hath an end. When her warfare is ended, her present glory beginneth: and now she hath an immovable and durable house, for to enjoy for ever her constant and everlasting glory.  
Shall we yet further wade into the consideration hereof, that 
Obser. 15. The Church of God weak and corruptible, subject to infirmities. Rom. 7. 24.  she may be fully satisfied with the reason of the same?  
Behold then; the Church of God in this life dwelleth in Tents; she is not only movable, that she may be enlarged to perfection, but she is also weak, and subject to infirmity; her best abiding here, is a transitory Tent, a very fit, yet frail habitation, even a body of sin, and lump of corruption, though finding some shelter, and refuge thereby: yet in great weakness, and not exempted from storms, so exposed to weather, as thereby greater 
Reasons.  storms are prevented; so subject to infirmities, that infirmities may be healed, and corruption abolished: a very earthen vessel, frail, and contemptible, that the glory might be of God and not 
2. Cor. 4. 7. 2. Cor. 12. 8. 9  of us: having a stub remaining in the flesh, notwithstanding all earnest desire to be eased of it, that God's power might be seen in weakness, and his mercy perfected by infirmities, that while we wrestle with these infirmities, we may have experience of the sufficiency of his grace, & may sigh to be delivered from 
Rom. 7. 2. Cor. 5.  this burden of corruption, that we may be clothed with sufficiency of glory: that out of the sense of our weakness, we may have more compassion of our brethren, and so labouring their 
Heb. 2. 4.  conversion, may make sure, and enlarge our Crown: and being daily covered with Christ his righteousness, to cover her infirmities, 
Heb. 10.  might have free, and daily access (with comfort) unto the Throne of grace, to be accepted in her service, and supplied in her wants: being always gracious in the eyes of her Husband, and fitted by his grace, to her full and final Communion with him for ever in Heaven.  
And is the Church of God in this life subject to infirmities? Is she not perfect, and entire; but labouring to perfection? Is she 
Use.  growing in grace, and following hard after the mark, that she may daily deny herself, & take up her cross, that being conformable 
Phil. 3. 3.  to her head, she may be crowned with him in glory?  
What life then is in that member, that is not daily quickened by Christ? What truth in that Church, that boasts of perfection? what hope of that Church which grows worse and worse? shall corruption discourage from, of not rather drive unto Christ? shall infirmity cast off, or not rather interest in our Saviour: let not darkness stumble thee, where Christ doth cover with his beauty: neither forsake thou the society, that is accompanied with corruption, lest thou forsake thy Saviour that healeth corruption; and came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  
As thou shalt find him seldom in the house of the Pharisee, so by this thou shalt there find him, that the Pharisee is abased and confounded in his righteousness: and therefore so comfort thyself in corruption, as to have it abolished, not nourished in thee: so approve thyself, a lively member of jesus Christ, as that thou daily diest unto sin, in submitting to the will of thy God, and daily killest sin, in doing Gods will against thyself: For what?  
Doth not the Church of God abide in Tents? Hath she not pitched 
Obser. 16. The Church militant in this life. 1. Tim. 2. Reasons. 1. Tim. 4. Rom. 34. 35.  her field to fight the battles of the Lord? Doth she so dwell in Tents, as not to remove from them? is she otherwise subject to corruption, then daily to fight with, and conquer the same? Is she not a pressed soldier under her Captain Christ jesus, that so in him she may be more than conqueror, not only over all affliction, but even over all sin, and the wages thereof whatsoever? And is there not a necessity laid upon her, as she will maintain her peace with God, to exercise continual war against herself: can she otherwise conquer sin, than not to suffer it to reign over her? Can she otherwise sigh earnestly for her 
2. Cor. 7. 1. 2 Rom. 7. 24. 2. Tim. 4.  delivery from that bondage, then to strive against that tyranny, and daily to cast off the yoke thereof. Can she expect the crown, before she have sought the good fight of Faith? except she strive as she ought to do? Do not many seek to enter in, and 
2. Tim. 4.  shall not be able? Do not many run in a race and yet one obtaineth?  
And ought not then the Church to strive even for the best, with the best? Must she not so run that she may obtain? Can she choose but fight continually, that carrieth a living enemy 
Rom. 9 24. 25. Flesh. World.  continually within her; that hath the world, that deceitful and importunate enemy, daily to assault her without? That hath that old adversary so subtle, so violent, so mighty, so unwearied, daily plotting her destruction on every side. Now casting in his fiery darts of fearful temptations, then casting out 
Satan.  whole floods of persecution to swallow her up: sometimes assaulting on the right hand, with pride and presumption; eftsoons oppugning on the left hand, with horrors and despair? Can she be like unto her Master, if she do not suffer with him? Can she reign with her Saviour, if she do not conquer with him?  
What peace then can there be, since the whoredoms of our nature are so rife, and corruptions so rebellious continually? 
Use.  Is there any way to procure our peace, but by maintaining continual war against our corruptions? Are not they deceived in 
Luke 2.  the estate of grace, when the strong man armed keeping the house, all is quiet? Do they not in vain boast of perfection, who necessarily must fight daily, if they will proceed in grace? Do not they in vain plot for ease to the flesh, whose true peace is procured, by daily curbing and subduing thereof.  
And seeing many begin in the Spirit, that end in the flesh: 
How to fight that we my conquer.  Oh, that we were wise; to sit down before we enter into Christianity, to cast up our reckoning, what our Religion will cost us, that we must have blows at the least, if not resist unto blood.  
Oh, that we would learn to strive lawfully, that so we may stand fast, and finish our course. Surely, if our cause be good, and we lawfully called thereto: if our weapons be spiritual against our spiritual enemies, if we strike with the word, and bear of blows by Faith and patience. If we are always fearful of ourselves, and watchful over our privy corruptions. If we daily renew our strength in CHRIST, by continual and fervent prayer. If we fence our head with the brest-pate of hope, and arm our hearts with daily repentance, and examination of our ways. If we prepare continually for new assaults, and have our eyes fixed upon the recompense of the reward. If we assist our weak brethren by counsel and correption: And multiply our thanksgivings unto our GOD, as he crowneth our combats, keeping special Records of our special combats, and erecting Trophies of them to the glory of our God. If we take no thought for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof: but daily put on the LORD JESUS, by a renewed, and quickening Faith.  
And so committing ourselves in well-doing, into the hands of our faithful Creator, we suffer afflictions, and bring forth fruit with patience, not casting away our confidence, which hath so great recompense of reward; but continue to the end, and stand fast having finished all things: there is laid up for us, undoubtedly a crown of righteousness, which the LORD JESUS, will bestow upon us in due time, as those that have fought the good fight of Faith, and finished their course with joy.  
And may we not hence reap assured comfort in all our combats, that seeing our Captain is CHRIST JESUS, our cause the Lord, our end Salvation, our enemies such, as are both necessary, and yet spoiled and conquered to our hands.  
Therefore, as our quarrel will be glorious, under such a Captain, against such enemies: so our conquest will be certain, even as our Head is Conqueror.  
Oh, how may this establish us, against the reproaches and contradictions of the World, that we are contentious persons, and 
jerem. 15. Luke. 12. 45.  strive with the whole Earth, that we bring a sword, and set variance in our own flesh?  
Did we desire this day of affliction; or rather, are we not called: yea, thrust out thereto? Do we not labour peace, 
Matth. 10. 2. Cor. 5.  and is it not the world that spurns against it? Is our war to any other end, then to procure peace with GOD? Is it not by most sweet and peaceable means: even by Prayers, and Tears: by entreaties, persuasions, humblings of the flesh? Is 
2. Cor. 15.  not this Yoke exceeding sweet, and this burden passing light? Is it not most reasonable to offer up this sacrifice unto 
Rom. 12. 1.  God?  
Is it not most acceptable, to be offered up in jesus Christ? Is 
2. Cor. 1. 6.  it not most comfortable, that as our troubles do abound, so our consolations do much more abound in CHRIST JESUS, to uphold us for the present: that so many combats, so many conquests, so many conquests, so many crowns to establish us for the time to come.  
Oh, what a comfort is here unto the Saints of GOD! that though they have pitched their Tents, yet still they dwell in Tents, the place of their warfare, is the place of their safety. The Church exposeth to the combat, and provideth means for the conquest, being their retiring place in their falls, & resting place for their refreshing: Their armory to serve them with weapons; and their forge also, to whet and sharpen them to the battle. She that presseth them to the warfare, teacheth their hands to fight, and bindeth up their wounds, and giveth rest unto their souls.   

The Church is the safeguard, and shelter of the Elect. 
Obser. 17. The Church is the Tents: A place of repose and shelter for the Elect. john 16.   
No salvation without it, though no carnal rest within: no true happiness but from it, though to be of it, is of all men, (if our hope were only in this life) most wretched and miserable. Here is no rest to corruption, that incorruption may be obtained. here is all peace in CHRST JESUS, though in the world we must look for nothing but afflictions from the world: yet the Church is in the world; and therefore shall have Kings and Queens to be her Nursing Fathers, and Foster Mothers, that the Elect may be gathered, and the reprobate convinced. here she sleeps with her beloved, and finds his 
Cant. 2.  yoke easy: here she is refreshed with his Flagons, and ravished with his perfumes: here she delights in his presence, and is lovesick with his beauty.  
What shall I say; the Church is God's House, yea the gate of Heaven: and can there be greater safety, where GOD is the Owner? Can there be happier security, where heaven is the purchase?  
The Church is Christ's spouse, his beloved, his undefiled. And can there be danger, where sin is not imputed? Is there any lack or loss in Love? shall not all the world be forsaken, to cleave to the wife of our bosom, to give her rest and contentment, to delight in her beauty, to give her honour, as the weaker vessel, to provide abundantly for her, to spread the wing of the garment over her, for protection, to dwell for ever with her; to rejoice in her love continually? Is not the Church the lords portion, and inheritance given by God the Father, to his son jesus Christ, by him to be preserved unto perfection and glory? Psal: 2. Ioh: 17.  
Is it not the bed of Solomon, wherein the Christian soul takes his sweet and sure repose, as being guarded with the Lord worthies, his blessed Angels; to put off all dangers, and prevent disquietness? 3. Cant: 7. Psal: 34. Is it not the mountain of the Lord, even as Mount Zion, the place of his Holiness, that shall never be removed? Psal: 125, 1. 2. Is it not the pillar of truth? 1. Tim: 3. 57 contenting and establishing it followers therein? Psal 2. 6. & 3. 5. Is it not as a cup of poison, and as coals of fire, to confound and devour all the enemies thereof? Zach: 12. Is it not as an heap of stones, to break in pieces whomsoever shall oppose thereto? 1. Pet: 3. Is it not the Ark, to preserve the true believer in, amidst all the Tempests and overslowing of sin and sorrows? Is it not the Marketplace, that affords the children's food, even milk for babes, and strong meat 
Esay: 55. 1.  for men? Hebr 5●. Is it not the privy Chamber of jesus Christ, wherein he communicates that joy unto his Elect, that the world hnowes not of; which is unspeakable and glorious, passing all understanding? Cantic: 1. 3. 1. Pet: 1. 8. Is the Church otherwise black, but that she is also comely and acceptable in the eyes of our Saviour? Doth she remain in the Tents of Kedar, any otherwise, but that still there is light, & all safety in the land of Goshen, though all Egypt be filled and consumed with the Arrows of God's vengeance? Is not Peter a sleep sweetly, even in the prison, laden with bolts? Act: 12. Do not the Apostles rejoice in Tribulation? Do they not gain and thrive in their greatest troubles? Act: 5. Do they not live, though they die daily? Possess they not all things, though they have nothing in comparison? Do not the weak gain, by their sufferings to speak more boldly? Are not the wicked confounded by their marvelous protections and deliverances? Is not Heaven sealed up unto 
1. Phil: 10. Psal: 107.  them, by their Heavenly and gracious conversation, by their mighty preservation, in, and out of all their troubles? And is not the Church the body of Christ? Is not he our head, and we his members? And did ever any hate his own flesh? Will not Christ preserve, and cherish this mystical body, that to redeem and purge the same, spared not his natural body, but gave it 
2. Tim: 4. 18. 89. Gal. 3. Eph: 5.  even to the death, even the cursed death of the Cross, that he might sanctify and wash us, to present us as a pure Virgin unto himself, to make us glorious, & perfect without spot or wrinkle?  
1. Why are we then fearful, Oh we of little Faith: why awake we this beloved with our contentions and outcries? seeing our Husband hath deeepely charged his beloved should not 
Use  be awaked? Why seek we not our peace, in the peace of Zion? why hasten we not the confusion of Antichrist? why do we not labour the peace of jesusalem, and welfare of Zion? Why dream we of carnal peace, seeing our beauty is within? why plot we for the flesh, which is an enemy to our peace, whose peace is perdition, & contentment confusion? Should we not join together against the common enemy? Oh let our unity be in the spirit, to maintain the true bond of peace. Surely, if we could pray unfeignedly for the peace of jerusalem, and take these little Foxes 
How to procure the quiet & welfare of the Church.  that destroy the vineyards: If we shall cast out those whips of scorpions that have made the breach, & give way unto the power of the word: which is the only procurer of this peace. Setting 
1  up the Lord and his ordinance only to reign over us; and 
2  subjecting and compelling man by holy discipline, to the obedience 
3  thereof, maintaining continual war against sin & corruption, 
4  and making glad the heart that God hath comforted: If we would 
6  ease the Church of all unnecessary eye-soares, and pray for such 
7  Nursing-fathers' as God hath raised up for the maintenance of it 
8  peace. If the messengers of this peace be had in due estimation, 
9  for their works sake. And the friends of the Church be 
10  nourished & advanced. This is the way to procure peace to the Church, thus shall the prosperity of Zion be maintained. And then if we we live by faith, we shall delight in these Tents, howsoever movable 
1. Tim. 5.  & frail to a carnal eye. It shall be our comfort that God's power shallbe seen in weakness, & his wisdom in human infirmity, that God may have the glory: and we further informed, so to rest in these Tents, as still to look for a City which is above: As remembering that our greatest safety in this life, is but to dwell in Tents, even as strangers and Pilgrims in this vale of misery. 
The Church a Strranger on earth, 2. Cor: 5.   
The Church is a sojourner and dweller in Tents, She hath here no abiding City: She is absent from the Lord; And therefore, Is as A Stranger and Pilgrim in the World.  
So were the fathers of our faith of old, they dwelled in Tents, and wandered up and down, seeking for a City to dwell in. So hath the Church traveled from City to City, from one Nation 
Genes: 14. Hebr: 11. Psalm:: 119.  to another: By this means, the sound of the Gospel is gone through the world: All nations have been convinced; the Saints have been gathered, the elect marvelously protected, their faith increased, and preserved to things not seen; their flesh hath been humbled, and their sanctification perfected. And can they look for better of the world, then to be handled as Strangers? Can 
1. Coll: 6.  they desire better, then to be used as Strangers? That so, they may use the world as a stranger, and hunger after their Country 
2  which is above. That so, being changed from Vessel to Vessel, 
3  they might graciously decline the sins of the wicked; And 
4  thereby also be delivered from their judgements. 
5   
Whence we may learn; 1. As what to judge of those that set 
Ioh: ●4.  up their rest in this life, promising and plotting here for perpetual 
6  residence. 2. So to try our right in heaven, by our account of and 
7  entertainment upon earth. Namely, that we use the world as strangers, 
1. Pet: 2.11.  and are used therein as strangers. Surely, If we set not our 
8  hearts upon these things, but are contented with the portion that 
jerem: 4.8.  our God doth allot us: If we can learn to want, as well as to abound, 
Psal: 55. How we must know ourselves to be strangers.  & are willing to part with all, rather than to part with Heaven; esteeming each in it true worth, as the blessing of God, & so using it holily, & soberly, to the glory of the Giver: & our own fitting to grace, & yet esteeming the best as dung, in respect of jesus Chr: If we can impart plentifully, to the necessity of our brother, & forego cheerfully for the advancement of God's worship; If we do not envy the prosperity of the wicked; & yet rejoice in the prosperity of the Saints; If we are envy & minted, even in the least portion in this life: So that the least is thought too much, that goes beside the worlds mouth. If we be accounted Signs and wonders in 
Esay: 5. 19 14. 1. Cor: 4. 15.  the world; and are made spectacles to Men and Angels. If we be esteemed singular, and like no body: Men, not fit for society, not worthy to live. If as the world would fain be rid of us, so we are desirous to be rid of it: groaning daily under the burden of our sin, and yet bearing patiently such afflictions as serve to purge our corruption: yet so, that we see by faith our final deliverance, & earnestly sigh to put off this body, of sin. By these marks we shall know that we are Strangers in the world. By these we may be sure that we are Citizens with the Saints. And so shall we dwell in the Tents of Shem, not only continue constant in the sincerity of religion, but also dwell in the house of God for ever; even in that house which is not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. So it followeth.   

God persuade japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem.  
1. Though we are strangers in the world, and to the same, yet we are not strangers and passengers in the Church: Here we dwell, if we be lively members: if they went out from us, they were 
●. Ioh: 2. 19 Obs: 19 A note of a true member to be constant in holiness. Psal: 92. 13. Hebr: 6. Galat: 3. 3. Luk: 8. 13. joh. 5. 35. Ose: 6. & 4. 1. Pet: 1. 18. Ose: 2. 14 Ioh: 15. 1. Pet: 1. Revel: ●. Use.  none of us; The true member of Christ jesus dwelleth in the Church: not Inneth for a day, and so is gone, but abideth and continueth constant unto the end. He that is planted in the house of God, abideth in the Courts of the house of God. It is not enough to have a taste of the heavenly gift. It is not sufficient to begin in the spirit: for such may end in the flesh, and fall away without recovery. To rejoice in God's word for a season, and to bring forth righteousness as the morning dew: this is the propriety of pharisees, and the just challenge of hypocrites, and Apostates. And is there not great reason why we should be constant in the worship of the Almighty? Is not our God eternal, and therefore will have continual service? Doth he not bind us hereto, with everlasting bonds of love? Doth he not further, and enable us by continual means? giving us his Spirit, to abide with us for ever, providing a Mediator, to make continual intercession for us, promising a crown, if we continue to the end.  
1. Oh how vain then is their confidence, that think they may be too holy? how fearful their condition, that esteem it great wisdom to abate in sincerity: as if their former zeal courage were folly and rashness? How ought the Saints to try their sincerity, by their abiding in God's house? How ought they to labour constancy, and perseverance to the end? Surely, 1. if 
Means and Notes of abiding in the Church, and continuance in Religion.  they shall be settled in judgement, that they can never be sufficiently holy, because the greatest measure in this life is too short, If the Lord measure it by his justice. If they shall be faithful in the practice and power of godliness, proposing jesus Christ to be the pattern, and reward of well-doing, leveling it by the word, not by examples or custom. If they shall have respectly to all God's Commandments, not claiming immunity from the least, nor despairing to attain the greatest. As desiring and purposing more than possibly they can do, and yet doing more than the ordinary service, though it be of the most righteous and vainglorious 
Matth: 5. 20  Pharisee?  
If they shall be watchful over their ways, redeeming the time, and neglecting no occasions, to make sure their election. If they do labour unfeignedly, the conversion of their brethren: and be thankful unto God, as he renews his mercies, giving him only the glory of all his gifts, as finding themselves unprofitable Servants. And so quickening their Faith in the merits of of their Saviour? shall increase in knowledge, and abound in practise, renewing their obedience, by daily repentance; and purging out corruption, by suffering afflictions willingly? If they can wait with patience, the recompense of the tewarde, howsoever by Faith they see and lay hold thereof. If they are prepared to their end, and have their Accounts ready: fearing themselves most, when they have greatest graces, and resting most on God: when all sense doth fail them.  
If they can use the world as a Stranger, not entangling themselves therewith; and yet by their Christian liberty, enjoy a right therein.  
If they can forget what is behind, and follow hard to what is before, not thinking they have attained, or comprehended, but as they are comprehended of CHRIST JESUS, until the Lord in them be all in all.  
Thus, if they shall behave themselves, If these marks be found upon them: Oh blessed is that Servant, whom his Master findeth so doing; Shall he not give him a crown of righteousness, that hath thus happily finished his course?  
And shall not the glorious Lord make good his word: Will he not give us constancy, that requires it at our hands? Will he not perfit the work that he hath begun in us? Yea surely, japheth shall dwell in the Tents of Shem; The Elect shall abide for 
2. Tim. 4. 8.  ever in the sincerity of Religion: He cannot fall finally, though he fall grievously for a time: He cannot fall wholly, for he delighteth 
1. Phil: 6. observat 20. The elect shall continue to the end. Rome 7. 22. Rom. 8. 33. 34. Ioh: 12. 32. Ro. 8. 28. Esay. 1. 27. Rome 8. 34. job: 13. 15.  in the Law of God, in the inward man; the evil which he doth, he would not do: and therefore it is not he, but sin that dwelleth in him. It is God that justifieth, who then shall condemn? CHRIST JESUS hath died for him; nay, he's risen again: and seeing he is gone up, shall he not draw all after him? And what then shall separate us from the love of God? What may hinder the constancy of the Believer? Do not all things, yea, his very sins, turn to his good? Do not his Afflictions pluck out corruption, and so prepare him to glory? Is he not more than conqueror through CHRIST, that loveth him? Although the Lord should kill him, yet, doth not he still trustin him?  
Rejoice not then against me, oh mine enemy; For though I fall, I shall rise again. And why art thou in heaviness, oh my soul, why art thou cast down, and disquieted within me? Seeing, 
Miche: 7. 9 Psal: 44. 30 cause of the fall of God's children.  if thou trust in God which raiseth from the dead, Though thou art dead in sin, yet shalt thou be raised up again? If sin do not reign in thee, it shall never Triumph over thee. Only be wise in the fear of God, to discern the causes of these thy falls, that so thou mayest comfortably recover again.  
1. Hast thou been exalted above measure, and puffed up with 
Spiritual Pride.  spiritual pride, of those graces that thy God hath bestowed on thee? 
Security.  and hast thou hence grown secure and careless of welldoing, and yet presumptuous of God's mercies, spending on th● former stock, as if thou hadst no further need of Christ jesus, 
Presumption.  or wert so full of him, that thy cup runs over, not with sound joy in the heart, proceeding from the fullness of thy SAVIOUR, but with a frothy and carnal joy in the face, proceeding from the sense of thine own worthiness.  
No marvel now, if the Lord confound this thy vain confidence, by withdrawing the light of his countenance from thee, whereby now walking only by thine own light, thou findest nothing but darkness; either inwardly, in thy conscience, speaking fearful things against thee, or outwardly in thy life, being tainted with some gross sin, occasioned through thy vain presumption, & carnal security, which increasing inwardly the horror of thy soul, & charging it afresh, with the guilt of renewed actual sin; If now the laws of Hell begin to gape upon thee; If thou art overwhelmed with the terrors of the deep, observe herein thy just desert, that hast thus tempted thy God; and magnify the mercies of thy God, that will not tempt thee above thy strength. For behold here Light, more gloriously shining out 
Exod: 4. Hobbs: 3. 5. Mich: 4. 6. 7. Zeph: 3. 10▪ Za●h: 8. 13▪ Matth: 11▪ 20. Psal. 38. 7. Psal: 130. Ion: 2. Esay: 26. 19.  of Darkness: when thou art thoroughly abased, and emptied of carnal confidence. Then shalt thou most fervently desire to be easied of thy Saviour, the more thou feelest thy sins a burden which thou canst not bear. And if thou lookest up unto thy God, when all help on earth doth fail, thy God will hear thee, though crying out of the deep; yea, out of the belly of Hell. Thy dead heart shall arise, and thou which dwellest in the dust shalt awake, and sing when the Lord shall return with his countenance upon thee, and restore unto thee, the joy of his salvation.  
Hast thou been careless of the means which should have upheld thee in the power of holiness. Namely, the powerful preaching of the word, and conscionable administration of the Sacraments? Hast thou neglected thy ordinary spiritual sword, and 
4 Neglect 〈◊〉 the means 〈◊〉 preservation  so grown faint in thy calling. Hast thou grown indifferent, in the use of the means, admitting any so it uphold a form of godliness, and so neglecting to try the spirits, thou hast grieved God's spirit in thee, whereby thou hast been humbled, through the withdrawing of it assistance. Hast thou hereby been lest to thyself, & so fallen into some apparent and gross wickedness to the reproach of thy profession, and wounding of thy conscience?  
Hast thou lain herein without repentance, for want of conscionable 
5. Gross si●● unrepented o●  dealing. No Nathan hath reproved thee; yea, let no man reprove: because the Priests are like unto the people, the blind would lead the blind in security to destruction.  
Oh remember the wisdom of thy GOD herein, who would have thee certain of thy state, even in this thy fall, because it came by such a means as must necessarily befall thee; seeing it hath befallen the most excellent, no tentation otherwise hath here overtaken thee, than what hath, or may befall the dearest child of God. Hadst thou fallen in thy calling, and thy conscionable use of the means: hadst thou grown faint, when there was food abundantly, and unprofitable in the wholesome word of life, thy case had been more singular, and so then the more doubtful. But if David being without means of preservation, give way to tentation, and so is ensnared therewith: Though he fall grievously, 
Rule.  yet he shall rise again; and his rising being effected by the true and lively means, Namely, the reproof o● Nathan, and his obedience thereunto, shall both give evidence that his Fall was recoverable; as being through neglect of the means, and that his recovery is sound and effectual, as being wrought 
Rule.  by the true means.  
Indeed I confess, the Lord may work extraordinarily, in some particulars; As that job may fall, for his trial, and yet use the means conscionably: stand faithfully in his calling: yet 
Note of jobs trial,  seeing the end of God's trial was so to justify the soundness of his standing: as yet to discover some imperfection therein; that so by this trial he might be led forward to perfection, may we not challenge job of imperfection, and so of failing in the measure of his calling, which though the Lord did not principally intend to chastise, in this his gracious trial, but rather to try the soundness and truth thereof. Yet did he by this exercise, both prevent Apostasy, and also most happily further to perfection.  
And might not job be subject to spiritual wickedness, as spiritual pride? discovered by his Impatiency, censurings, &c: howsoever he could not be charged with gross open crimes? Which being far more dangerous, than any outward evil: was therefore more necessarily (though not to be punished of God, as an enemy) yet to be purged out of the Lord, as a gracious Father, and that with a sharp medicicine answerable to such a disease? 
job: 19 28. job: 29. 10.  Surely though the holy man reached at an higher matter, yet did he not unwillingly acknowledge God's purpose, in this refining and purging of him: not justifying his friends, who charged him wrongfully to be only plagued for his sins. Yet justifying his God, who not only might thus deal with him, as being his creature, but aught so to deal with him in mercy, to make him more conformable to his Creator.  
And had not the Lord his end herein? Did not just job come forth of the furnace, more purely and gloriously? shalt not thou also being purged, be graciously delivered? And shall not thy greatest falls further thee thereunto; as making thee more humble, more hunger after Christ? And what then can separate thee from the love of God, in JESUS CHRSIT? Who is more ready to receive thee, than thou to run unto him; who invites thee to him; who will keep thee in him, that so thy falls shall make thee more wise, not to rely on thyself, nor any other broken reed, but to root thyself more firmly on the Rock, and so grow more constantly in grace; that still walking in fear of thyself, thou mayst walk in the faith of thy Saviour, and so trusting 
Psal. 125.  in the Lord; thou shalt never be removed?  
And that thou mayst have an undoubted evidence hereof: Behold what followeth. japheth shall dwellin the Tents of Shem. Though Shem for a time be rejected, that japheth may be gathered in: though the jews be cast off, that the Gentiles may come in; yet when the fullness of the Gentiles shallbe accomplished, then shall Shem return again to the true worship of God: and howsoever the jew hath stumbled a long time at the Cross of Christ, yet shall he at length, so embrace the Lord JESUS, that the glory and zeal of his profession, shall allure and receive the scatter of the Gentiles, who after the fullness is come in, shall either remain to be called, or being called, and yet despoiled of the outward beauty of their profession, shall now take hold of the skirt of him that is a jew, and be provoked by his zeal, to join with him in the power of Religion, that so there may be one shepherd, and one sheepfold, prepared to meet the Bridegroom, when he shall appear in glory.  
So then, If japheth shall dwell in the Tents of Shem, the jews shall then have a full and glorious conversion, before the second 
Doctrine 21. The jews to be restored.  coming of the Lord JESUS: And why not principally at jerusalem, the old place of their worship, though not in the pride of the holy mountain, which is destroyed, yet in the power of the Spirit, reigning in the midst of his enemies; and in that pure language serving the Lord with one consent. Shall not the Lord be as able to plant in the jew again, as he was able in his room to plant in the Gentile for a time? Must not the jew be provoked by the Gentile to embrace the Messiah; even as the Gentile was provoked by the falling of the jew. And have we not daily experience of the jews coming in again? Doth not the Lord every day give pledges hereby, of a fuller harvest? Are not these Haruengers and Forerunners of the great Armies of the Lord? And can the day of the Lord JESUS be accomplished, till this Word be fulfilled? Do not all the Prophets bear witness hereunto? Shall not the Lord be glorified in the salvation of the first borne? must not jew and Gentile, make up one body of CHRIST, and worship the Lord JESUS, in one Spirit? Shall not the restoring of the jews prepare the Gentiles to meet the Lord JESUS in the clouds? Is not this that 
Revel. 21. 1. 2. 3.  new jerusalem, that holy City, which comes down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride trimmed for her Husband? Which though for a time, in regard of her present state of Apostasy, s●e turn an enemy for the Gentiles sake, to occasion their calling: yet s●eing she is eternally beloved for the Father sake? Can her iniquity make the election and Faith of God of none effect? Nay, rather shall it not make for the further revelation of God's free love towards his children, in receiving them again into mercy; even as the prodigal son, when in regard of their present state, they appear most unworthy thereof? And is this obstinacy any other but in part till the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, so that the remnant of the election shall certainly be gathered in? Shall not this restoring of the Gentiles be the reviving of the world, restoring new glory and beauty unto the the same: when as the jew and Gentile shall join together, in the pure worship of God?  
Thus shall the Redeemer come unto Zion, and unto them that turn from iniquity in jacob, saith the Lord. Esay 59 20. Thus jacob shall hereafter take root, and Israel shall flourish, and grow and the world shall be filled with fruit. Esay 27. 6. In those days will the Lord make a new covenant, with the house of Israel, and with the house of juda; he will put his law into their inward parts, & write it in their hearts; and he will be their God, and they shall be his people: Yea, he will forgive that iniquity, and remember their sins no more. Though he have forsaken them for a season, 
jerem. 51. 33. 34. 35.  yet in everlasting compassions will he gather them again. Esay 54. 8. Doth not the Lord gloriously figure out their return, 
Ezech. 36. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. etc.  by their deliverance out of Egypt, and return out of the captiviof Babylon? So that though Israel shall remain many days without a King, and without a Prince, and without an offering, and without an Image, and without an Ephod, and without a Seraphin: Yet afterward shall the children of Israel come out and seek the Lord their God, and David their King; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3. 4. 5.  
Lo, this hath the Lord promised, and shall he not make it good? shall not this receiving of the jews, confirm, and forerun the most comfortable doctrine of the resurrection? As being shadowed out most lively hereby. Revel. 21. 2. Ezech 37. Esay 29. 18. 19  
Which as it justly condemneth our base and odious account 
Use.  of that holy Nation; and also reproveth our cruel dealing towards them: so it teacheth us, to pray heartily for their Conversion, and to use all holy means for the effecting thereof; praising God, for the labours of our holy Countrymen, (and others) to this end, and rejoicing in those gracious pledges of this undoubted blessing. Tremellius, and many others, Comforting our 
Tremellius, and others.  selves; that our posterity shall enjoy more glorious times of the Gospel, when jew and Gentile shall join together, and worship the Lord with one shoulder: assuring ourselves that this great coming in of the jew cannot be far off, seeing the fullness of the Gentiles, is well-near come in. And preparing ourselves in this fullness of the Gentiles to greater troubles, which doth and will certainly arise by this Apostasy of the Gentile. And yet in patience possessing our souls, seeing the end will not yet be; the jew must come in, and Antichrist must be destroyed. And then let us lift up our heads, Because our salvation draweth nigh. Even so, hasten thy Work; O God: for the glory of thy great Name. Thus shall the jew be gathered to the Gentile; and so they shall be one sheepfold, and one Shepherd? Thus shall Shem be restored that japheth may dwell in his Tents: so though the Church consists of jew & Gentile, yet shall both dwell in the same tents: contentions shall cease. & the partition wall, shall now surely down, that both jew and Gentile, may serve God in one 
Mich. 4. Zeph. 3.  pure language and worship their God with one shoulder.  
Behold now the Church's UNITY, and consent: though 
Doctr. 2. The Church his Unity, and so perpetuity and perfection. Ephes. 4.  differing in the fle●h, yet still agreeing in Spirit, though divided for a time, yet at length again so compact and knit together, as that as one man, it shall be ready to meet their Saviour, and for ever to be with him.  
This the God of Unity, in his good time shall accomplish, and that by one Baptism to unite them, by one Word to eng●affe them again, by one spirit to incline them, by one faith to confirm them, that so they may be one body, though consisting of many members; serving one God and Father of all, through the 
1. Cor. 12.  gift of JESUS CHRIST their alone, and all sufficient Saviour.  
And therefore, though outward Unity can be no certain note, 
Use.  of a true visible Church, where in there must be heresies, that the faithful may be tried; wherein there must be hypocrites, to provoke to soundness and sincerity; especially, where verity is excluded, or miserably corrupted. As it falleth out in the Romish Synagogue, which must necessarily therefore fail, as wanting this pillar of Truth: as being a kingdom fearfully divided against itself; Yet when the Lord in mercy, shall join both jew and Gentile together, by one bond of Truth; even to kiss 
Zach. 8.  the blessed Son of righteousness: then shall they be also of one mind and heart, consenting happily together, in the pure worship of the Lord, and so waiting (very wisely) their Master's second coming to judgement, even as they sweetly continued together in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship, in breaking of Bread, and Prayer; to confirm their holy entertainment of 
Acts 2. 42.  the Lord JESUS, first coming in mercy.  
So faithful is the Lord to perform hereby his promise, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against this little flock: so wise to confirm our Faith, in the accomplishment of this promise, to wait upon the Lord, for the performance of all the promises, that are revealed in the word; that so we might be made meet for the enjoying of them, and by the power of Faith, lay hold of eternal life.    

THE SECOND PART. THE SUBJECTION OF CANAAN.  And let Canaan be his servant. 
WELL, thus have we heard, the nature and properties of the True visible and militant Church. Thus have we also discerned the Privileges thereof. Now let us consider further, of the Church malignant:  
It followeth.  
And let Canaan be his servant: That is, Seeing Canaan is the son of the bondwoman, and therefore must have no inheritance with the son of the free woman; howsoever he may for a time abide in the family, and enjoy both outward communion, and privileges with the sons of Adoption: Yet, let Canaan be servant to japheth, and to his posterity, the malignant Church shall be in subjection to the true; though for a time the hypocrite may provoke and insult over the true member, yet shall this both serve for the good of his Saints, to purge out their dross, and provoke them to perfection: and when their warfare is accomplished, all their enemies shallbe brought in subjection. Psal. 72.  
So then, first, it appeareth that there is as well, a Cham to mock and curse, that he may be accursed; as a Shem to bless, that he may be blessed: as well a Cain to murder, that he may heap up damnation to himself: as there is an Abel to offer up an acceptable sacrifice, and so be made a sacrifice, that he may be freed from corruption; that he may be so crowned with incorruption and eternal glory: not the Family of our Saviour CHRIST himself shallbe free from a judas, ●tray or to betray his master, that he may offer up his soul a sacrifice for sin: and perform a plentiful redemption for his mystical body.  
A malignant Church there hath been, and must be to the world's end.  
It is the decree of the mighty God, that some shall be on the 
There is a malignant Church. ●3. Doctr. Reasons. Matth. 25. Use.  left hand, everlastingly appointed to be vessels of wrath. And therefore, the fall of man is also determined and so disposed, that the malignant Church may be left in that estate, which it hath willingly chosen, and may be ripened thereunto, by refusing or abusing the means of salvation. And therefore, vain is that dream, that all shallbe saved & vainer their conceit, that though in their daily practices, they are hastening to destruction: yet still they are confident, their estate is as good as any: their hearts are good, they mean well: they are but flesh and blood: the Lord is merciful. And will the Lord be merciful to presumptuous sinners? If the heart be good, will not the fruit be according? can we gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Surely no: They are of their father the devil, because they do his works: they are led captive at his will, into all manner of wickedness. And therefore his servants they are, to whom they obey; he will pay them 
john 8.  their wages, even the wages of sin, the second death.  
And therefore if thou wilt know that thou art not of this accursed race, dive not into the secrets of God, & say; If thou art damned, thou canst not do withal. It is in vain to strive against God's will: in vain to wash thy hands in innocency. But in the Name of God, go to the revealed word: and therein discerning what thou art by nature, labour by the power thereof to feel this thy 
How to approve ourselves not to ●ee of the malignant Church.  wo●ull condition; yea, to feel it a burden that thou canst no way endure: and so hunger thou after jesus Christ, to be eased thereof: apply him by faith, for the acceptance of thy person into the favour of thy God: and put him on by faith, that so thou mayst be renewed in the spirit of thy mind, towalke worthy of so great salvation, & yet still labour how to be found in him, not having thine own righteousness, that so renewing thy repentance daily for former failings, thou mayst receive continual virtue from this fonntain, to the daily cleansing of thy polluted nature, & to enable thee daily to more constant obedience; that so thou mayst grow up in him (which is the head) into all holiness, in the fear of God: when thou hast finished all things, yet standing fast in him, that thou mayst with patience expect the recompense of the reward, & patience may bring forth the perfect work in the trial of thy Faith, that so thou mayst receive the end of thy Faith, which is, the salvation of thy soul. Thus must thou assure thyself, that thou art not a reprobate. 1. Cor. 1●. 5. 6.  
But where is this Malignant Church to be found? Surely, reprobate Cam sucks of the same breasts with chosen Abel: both Shem, and Cham are nourished in the same Family, and preserved in the same Ark. The Lord is the Saviour of all men, but especially of those that do believe. 1. Tim. 4.  
The malignant Church is sorted even with the Elect, and chosen Generation. 
24. Doctr. Militant Church a mixed company. Matth. 13. 1. joh. 2. 19 john 15. 22. Luke 12. 47  The hypocrite and true believer, make one Militant Church. The tars must grow up with the wheat, until the time of harvest; lest in plucking up the tars we pluck up the wheat also: and there must be deceivers, to try, and purge the Elect: Yea, to assure the Saints, that the house doth of right appertain to them, when those that are in the Church shall willingly go out thereof, howsoever for a time they have roosted therein: that it may appear, they were never truly of us. Shall not the hypocrite hereby be made inexcusable? Must he not be beat with many stripes, because he knows his masters will & doth it not? Doth not the admirable power & wisdom of God appear, in ordering these two contraries in the same fold, that each may further other, to their contrary end? Shall not the justice of God be made glorious, in severing the Sheep from the Goats, at that great day? That unto the Lord alone, may be ascribed the glory of all his works.  
And therefore, as this serveth to reprove such, as dream of 
Use.  such a Church in this life, which may be free from this mixture, because it is only proper to the Church triumphant, to have all her vessels holy unto the Lord, to have every member truly sanctified. So it also condemneth those which shroud themselves under pretence of this mixture, assuming therefore their state to be good, because they are only members of the visible Church: They are Professors: They will come to the Church: They are Christians, they hear the Word, partake of the Sacraments, etc. Have not those which have boasted of greater matters, & been truly interressed in more glorious outward privileges: 
Matt. 7. 23.  yet not withstanding, heard that fearful voice; I know you not, depart from me, ye workers of iniquity. Hath not the court which is without the Temple been cast out, and given to the Gentiles? Have they not trodden underfoot the holy 
Revel 11. 2. Esay 33. 4.  City? Have sinners in Zion lived afraid? Hath not shame come upon the Hypocrites? could they be able to dwell with the devouring fire? could they endure the everlasting burning, because the common privileges be abused?  
Surely, as we may not leave a Church because of this mixture, lest we also deprive ourselves of the true & special privileges thereof: So we must not content ourselves only with the outward evidence, lest in the day of reckoning, we be found too light.  
And therefore labour we so in the Church, that we may be also true and living stars, even lively members, and true branches of the Vine, CHRIST JESUS.  
And that we shall do, if not despising and rejecting the outward means; as the word, Sacraments, because the hypocrite abuseth them upon pretence of revelation, or a more Spiritual 
How to approve ourselves not to be hypocrites.  worship. We do not yet rest, and content ourselves herewith, but rather try all things by the blessed Spirit; praying in the Spirit, and understanding by the Spirit, what the Letter delivereth; and by the grace of the Spirit, abiding in the Spirit: and not only in the outward man, still hungering in the spirit, after the best graces, and walking by Faith, and not by sin: aiming above all at the glory of our GOD; and endeavouring that our whole spirits, and souls, & bodies, may be kept blameless, unto the coming of out Lord JESUS.  
Thus may we approve ourselves, to have chosen the better part. Thus may we discern ourselves, to be chosen to the better part, not to love the world, though we must needs be in it. Not to be of the hypocrites, though in the same Church we are conversant with them.  
Comforting ourselves, that as there is a time, that the son of the bondwoman shall be cast out; so while yet it is our Lot to abide in the flock, to be troubled and tried with this viperous generation.  

Yet shall Canaan be but a servant to japheth.  
The Hypocrite, so long as he abides in the Church, is subject to the true Believer.  
All his gifts shall serve only for the good of the Elect, 
Prou: 25. The hypocrite a servant to the Elect. job: 27.  though for his own further condemnation. Though he should heap up silver as the dust, and prepare Raiment as the clay: He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. Hath he knowledge for any other end but to confound others, though himself be a cast away? Do his gifts abused, serve to any other end then for a touchstone, whereby to try and compare the gifts of the elect, that they may not rest in any outward gifts, but only upon JESUS CHRIST?  
Is he not the purse-bearer for the good of the Church, doing good for vainglory, or by respects, that so having his reward already, he may be excluded the reward to come.  
Is he any other than a stool, to dress food for the children? well may he lick his Fingers, he may have a taste and glimpse 
Hebr: 6. 4. 5  thereof, but his Stomach is over-cloyed with the love of the world. It is enough to taste, and it will be too much that he hath tasted.  
And is he not in the day of trouble, a servant to the Elect? Doth he not prove a ransom for the just? Is he not for his 
Use.  prosperity and vainglory, the object of the enemy's malice? Him they envy, for the pride of his holy Mountain. Him they thirst after, for his pomp and riches. And while they are rifling him, do not the righteous escape? Is not that desire of the wicked satisfied? Is not God's purpose accomplished for the purging of his Church, for the preservation of his chosen? Lo thus Canaan is a servant unto japheth.  
And therefore, 1. let this serve to humble the Hypocrite in his greatest pomp, he is no better than a slave for the Churches good; So that the more he enjoyeth, the greater shall be his condemnation.  
And let this comfort the Elect in their greatest abasing, their greatest Enemies shall serve their turn: And can the LORD then fail them, or forsake them?  
Only be we wise, not to lose our right, let us not despise the Hypocrites gifts, because he abuseth them; Neither let us 
How to make use of an hypocrite. 1. Cor: 10. Galat: 6. 12. 2. Cor:: 15. Galat: 5. 1. Cor: 7.  close with him in his shows, and yield ourselves to be measured by his line, lest now he insult, and rejoice in our flesh, and so bring us into bondage.  
But in the Name of GOD, stand we fast ', in the liberty which CHRIST hath purchased for us, and be we not Servants unto men, but to win them to Christ, So shall Canaan still be a servant to japheth, until the Bondwoman be cast out with all her Children; that japheth may enjoy alone the Heavenly Canaan.    
FINIS.   

CASES OF CONSCIENCE resolved in this Treatise.  

1 HOw the Providence of GOD subordinate's means. pagin: 4. & 5.  
2. How we must pray, with the special marks thereof. pag. 7.  
3. Of true Con●●e●sion, together with the Causes, Manner, and several Marks thereof. pag. 11. 12. 13. 14.  
4. How to approve our right in all outward Blessings. pag. 20.  
5. Information to Parents how to behave themselves, in regard of their posterity, whether they be good or evil. pag. 24. 25.  
6. How to be preserved from falling into sin. pag. 26.  
7. How to be raised from sin. pag. 27.  
8. Why the Saints ofttimes miss of such Comforts, which heretofore they have enjoyed. pag. 28.  
9 Marks of true Religion. pag. 28.  
10. How we may know ourselves to be of the little flock. pag. 32.  
11. How to discern the worth and Excellency of our Estate in grace. pag. 33.  
12. Of the Estate of the Church in this life, subject to infirmities; the use and benefit thereof. pag. 40.  
13. How to perform the Christian warfare, that we may conquer. pag. 4●.  
14. The security of the Church, and how to procure the peace and welfare thereof. pag. 46.  
15. How we may know ourselves to be strangers in the world. p 47.  
16. How we may procure and assure our constancy in holiness. p. 49.  
17. Causes of the falls of God's children. 50. 51. 52.  
18. Proofs of the general Calling of the jews. pag. 54.  
10. How to know that we are not Reprobates nor Hypocrites. pagin. 56. 57  
20. How to make use of an hypocrite.