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PRINCETON, N. J.
Collection of Puritan Literature.
Division
Section
Number
ESSEX "DOVE,
PRESENTING
THE WORLD WITH
AFEVVOFHER. Olive
Branches:
OR,
(lA tajle of the JVorl^es of that ^(euerend^
Faithful!, ludiciouS;, Learned^ and holy MI-
niftcr of the Word , M^ I o h n Smith, late
Preacher of the Word at Clanertn^ in E s sex.
Deliueredin three JeHeraU TrcaSifesyiz.
1 His (jTonnds ofHeligiin*
2 An Expofition on the Lords ^rayer'm
3 ui Tye^.tife ofRepent^incc.
Vprightnessb hilth Bo idnesse.
I Ti M, 3* i^.
'^niwuhoul Contromrjie, great U the Mylleryifgodlinefe, GodmaniftMtn tbt Tltjft, la-
Jltfiediv the Spirit,fccKe of ^ngelsyPreacbtdvntothe Gentilei, bdeeuedon inths fi'erld^ reed'
ucdt/p into Glory,
Printed hj A,l^oi ^fffgc Kdafxrde 5, and arc to be fold at his houk in lh< Old Baily,
in GrCCAQ Arbor^ac the £gac oi ;hc AiigcU. t^2^<
- ^
m
r
1
J
9
^ -^^ wjjV «iV •'i?' 'i^ ''^r "> -i^ -i^ "'i^ "??••
TO THE RIGHT
HONOVRABLE, Tho^
MAS, Lord Coventry of
Alesborovgh, Lord K e e-
p B R of rhe Great Scale of ErJ^/dn4f rude, yndige-'
Jled great for melejfe lumpe , v ntill
by Diuine power, it had anima^
ted that, and all things therein
contained, fetting them in their
moft beautiful! formes;breathing,
as natural! life in man,fo,at length
a more abounding Ipirituall \ik^
which ftiould vent and difFufe it
felfe in fomany thoufand feuerall
gifts and excellencies,as ("in a ma-
ner)there are feuerall Chriftians;
elpecially in the Minifters of the
" Word;
'DedicatorieJi
Word : whofe lippesy as theytre^
fetueknoypledgeSo haue they their
kuerall abihties , fome to caji
do'wne^raife'Mpy in treat, perfaade,
cojimncCy inJiruB, threaten, in/inu--
ate^ reformCy illujlrate, expUine, o-
peHydiyidc, and conueigh truthes to
the feuerall capacities of their
hearers. In which the Author
of this BookeCa man well known
to yourHonours)being fo excel-
lently fomctime adorned with a
compound of thefe and many
moe gifts, (in mod whereof hee
excelled) thatthc memory of fo
pious ypatnfulJ, 3.nd learned a. man
of God might not be forgotten, I
aduenturedto fhrowdthis booke
vnder your Honours wings of
protecflion, to receiue fome luflre
and countenance by your fauour,
A X clearing
TheSpiJlle.
clearingtheobrcurity thereof, in
place of the curious hand of the
moll worthy Author now dead;
who as he n^^/^^and his Name and
Fame(l hope) yet /> and euer will
he precious in your fight ^- So I
hope the Relation hee fometime
had with lome of yours^ and eftu
mation from you^would purchafe
meeafily a pardon for this intru^_
dingboldnejje^whtrthy I haue af-
fayed to declare my felfc euer^
Tour Honours in a^ bumble
duty bound^
L Hart.
.1
To the Reader.
Kno\\> not W'hat Apologie to mcks for
my fclfe^ that woW tn the copio/u midti*
plicity 'cr aline Jwhith wa^^ That ifa thoufand
fcuerall men had all written on thcfc fcucrall fubiej^s :
yet he couid wifh them all Printed. For^faid he)though
all doe agree in the maine, yet fhould we fee a diffcircnt
carriage of elegancy and variety of the fame fpirit in the
diucrs diftributions,amplifications,and profecuiions of
the CsLTncCabiQ^iW hereby ( at le^fi )t his profit Vi^onldcome^
that the foule mig ht now and then be ruhiflved in the admira-m
tien of the rnrities of that Wonder, working fpirit,W/7/c^
fodijfiifeth itfclfe in choice of excellent aibtltties( all excjui'
ftte and diners') among fuch multitudes sffenemll men.This
with the delight I tooks i^J reading , trimming a-nd Anting
them 0Ht(with very much adoe ) t&<^ether with the defire I
had to deefome poore (eruice to the Churchy and perpetHat9
the memory of the All-dcfcrtiing,moft worthy, and lear-
ned Author ( fomettme my dear e friend) itnb oldened met
to venter them vnto thy i/ifW .* attherequcflofhisfomm
time deare Wife and ExecHtrix»f befeech thee therefore^
f auo^r ably ^t9 cenfure^hat is done ^ accepting the fame tn
good part from him^^ho chufed rather to prefent thee with
a few QmmnxQS'^hich fell from this Holy njans Preach-
ing:
T$tke Reader.
ing J thettAltoietherbury infilmcc wlih him , hl^ Words
and \y orkes . TrttHt u , he xvrott an infinite^ intricate ex •
ceediH£ fm^H dreuiated hand : out of alt hspe andj>9fithilU
tyro be read (a faulty et incident to too m^ny good Prea*
chers , ^^htreby they rohbe Pofterity of their Labours ) by
reafoH whereof thefe three Tre4tifes(mjingled a^ they are)
'^ere^'^ith mnch adoejpy a painfull PVriter^and other hehes
fetcht (as it >^ere)mt of the fire, andfo brought to thi/ttft-
perfe^ perfe^rion. The former tWO,by him were nener in^
tended for thepMike view: onely that p/Repentancc with
his o^ne Epifile, he had appointed for the Trejfe^at onr ear*
neflintreatyJbHtleftitvnfinif%U to his mind. Therefore
if therein thoufindefl any thing pleafing for thy (rood : and
JocaKfl meafHreEi vngae Leoncm : indge^iftte Ecch© of
his voycz^the traces of hisfoot-fteps.^tf/i/r^ in fcattercd
vnperfea Notes ; what Were thofe fwcct and Excellent
StrainesofLearniftg^^c^Piecy, where^i^t^ith he V\;as moft
plentifully indowed^ani^^here'^ith this 'Booke had beene
moreabmdantlyfioredif his exaEi curienshand had Um->
nedit out for thi^ vfe. Much more J might fay of him but
W^)' ^ould I f feeingit "^ere hut to extenuate the V^orth of
fuch ajhining and a burning Lampc , by labouring to ex*
prejfe^ that ^hich ^^ vnexpreffable , and which my ia^w^
rance^asneuer able to reach or fearchi?ito, Onely my re^
ejuefl vnto thee now is^toforgiu: my wcakeneffcy and thofe
mangling miftakings , Xvhieh {by my ignorance a?id>^ain
efiudgement to dijpofe aright) arc found therein : affurinq-
tbyfelfe I meant>^sU, though Icouldtjot reach the ty^uf^
tude of the Juthor Oi f '^ifnd \ nor amplifie hii hreuitie's
(04 not daring to meddle With ApcUes vnfinifhed Pi.
dure ; ) which gre At fauour pall bind me yet further to
^yme at t hy goed ; r emmiing tn the mea.*ie time^
Thy fcruant in Cbrijiigfia^
« ' r . . I»Har r»
An Alphabetical! Tabic to this worthy Workc :
Wherein ws would intrcat the Reader to take notice of
Ms one thitngyto iv;>,that this Bookc is diuidcd into three feuc-
rall Treatifcs, and therefore the Table is n?sdc accordingly,
as for inftance^ where yon fccT. i. that ftands for Tr^^-
tife I. T. 2, that ftands for Treattfe i. T. g. for Trc^e an t$]^tnd hotb
Snbatth And ^etkc dty« J
T.l.p.72,73,74.
CAtbolickeibid' :bem.irkcs «f\ Dcath,jT. I, p. 1 01, the benefit s
that gad bej^f^es an his
Churchy T.I p. 102.
€ommuniofl,<'//^fCommiini.
on 0fSai»ts,T. I. p 102,103.
ride Fcllowfhip.
Company , that the c^rjpany of
the godly are0g99d helpf to nn
holy life. T.I.p.^p
ConferencCjiV/ end, T.i . p. 5 x .
Cenfefsion , ^^h ether in rep en-
t4nce^ ntan he btHnd to confeff'e
hu firmest 9 men y T.^.p.IlO.
Confiderarion, Jt is an hilping
caufe to repent4mce^. 3«P'4^-
WibiVii consideration, mnfthe
of fonre things* ibid.&C
Couctcoafncifcj^/^r canfes ofit^
4nd remedies^ T. I . p.4 1 .
Creator, w/y (joA it fo tniied^
T.i.p.8o,8i. I
Creed, why called the t^foftles
Creed, T.ip.75. i>//?4rf/,
ibid.
Crucific, of (thrifts bein^cxuci
fed, T.I. p. 87.
Cup,f /jr Cup in the Sacrament^
whether to be adminiftredto all
^rrtft. T.i.p,ij8.
3S. rvithmAHj circumfiafiLes
thereof, p. 8p po, whether 4
f'ridn may fray for his owns
Death, T.I. p.114. ofth$
death cfChrift , whether any
for^etit. T.i»p 136, i#aW4
man may defire iit oven death j
T» 3 .p. 5 4« That a man may
truely repent^ mdyetfhe^ but
little (igne of it at the day of
deatk^T.^ -P 1 3 %'their Mufes
ffftt fT.'^.p, 140,141 »ri(F^/r«
mraHcaufe of want of c cm fort
r?f death,T.3.p 145 tht)^ay
to dye comfortably ^T. 5 .p.I4i^
147. /» tht^y^ay there dre
tVto thinjrs^T. 3 « p* 1 49> I ^ 0«
Reafens to frepare ^^s for
death, T.^.p.ijOjijij&c.
Preparation for death jtandi
in fine thttrfj,T'^P'l^2,dCCd
there mufi be an holy ds,fofitfu
on in deathjT. 3 .p. 1 6 1. Which
Jtands in fixe things, i^^*'
DebtSj)^byfins are caSeddcbts^
T.i.p.iai.T- 2. p. P5>. ^bat
we are adfaRen into ^^^ dcbCjl
T.a.p.ioi. tb^^eareftota-*
bU to pay t^jy debt, V. 2. p.ioi
Ochy,/Hereafittj wbj Hf^y^P^W
THE TABLE,
m/in fallirtg Inh the fame (InnB
AgAine ^^ftCY Yifsmanct ^ m%y
be remedy JJJirm^t.T.^p^^y
but not fo eajily as others^ T 2.
it^ y, " , 1 o I •
EArth, ^hy there nreinty | Bathcr,<)/^i;^;/jf Father, V.i.
h ords TrAyer but one Tetit^ P»7 §• therein '^se may finde
en for earthly things^^ t^ofor j ^ ^od i% Father, T. i .p. 1 05-,
n$t delay m repetitAntf^ T.i*
t>cprccation , y^h^titU^ r.3.
he.mea/y^ ^* i .p • 9 4 P 5
JEnd , ofde^ring the end >dfiithoHt
'vjing themennesy 7".2.p.3a»
Eft ate , what it is in our [clues y
1. 1 ,p.i j.vj^kf ^ f «^/;r//?,t. I.p. 1 5;
EuilI,ill^orke in vs^
ibid.&c.28. ho^\\>etnAyfet^
tie it in our hearts ^ ibid, wn
mnJ^praj\\Hthk%tc , T. 2,
Feaftings,^(>U' U'^fiilfT. i .p. 3 o
BcUowShipM'hxt fellowfhip ^»
hi He ^ith Chrifty r. i , p. 1 g 2 ,
I o^. wherein it fiafids^ ibid*
Forgiuencffe, what we are to be*
leche^concernwg it, f . i .p. i c^ *
how to apply it to A marjsfelfe.
THE TABLE.
T. I .p. I C>4. <>/ the 'Petition/ of j onely^
ffirfpm^tjejfe ,T .1 .p,l lO^l 2 2,
the tnfirHEiion andconfoL^tton
yve haMC by thu Petttion^ T. I .
p.l2 2, 123. that )>;eh(tHe nil
need offsrgtHcrieffcX. 2 .p . I 09
that forgiucneflc u e may pray
for the kjngdome i?/glory.T.2
p. 5 1.5 2.
G03,/701V knO'WnCy T. 1 . p. 1,2,
^f/j.tr /jtf is^r.i .p. 2 . r^^r Wf^
rtrfffl concetue of him by hu
propcrtieSyl.i.p- 2 .the ^fe of
G od 4 properties yT. J .p J^Jw"^
m^ny perfons there be m the
Godheadjt.i.p.y.ec -jZ.that
heis ^Imtohty^T.i. p.yp-
y^hy a (Creator ^ T.i.p 8o,8i.
hoW God w our Father ^T» l .p
ioZ,of Gods Name y T. i.p,
X lo.>T/{)iyf mnfl pray to God
Codlincfle^ ho^ tteceJJ'Ary tof^U
uattotjf^.l.p.-X 3. h9W tfi be fin
a holy life, ibid, fart hcr\irjcej
thereto, T. I.p' 24. thepttrts
o/godlineflc.uv;rtr,T.i.p.43
pr /?*?/• difference betweene the
fateoftbc^odly^ ^nd of the
Yi'ick/d, T.I. p 63.
Gorpel,\v/;.ir it ?V,T, 3 p. 1 3 . r^c
w/i//f r/-;/;^^ promiftd in i>,ibid«
/W(? -y/fj of it ,ibid,SiC.t he df'
ferencebetWee^e the Law and
the Qo{pc\\y T.I p.i5#
Grace,r> w ro ^^ nonrifljed^ T. i .
p. 66, impediments cfgTXCC^
T.3- p. 57' ho^ alhrtftian
tnay ^row in ^race^T.^.p.i^^
Grow, of groww^inthe £race
'of repentance y Treat. 3. p,
183. /jfitt? a Chrijiian may
grow ifi /race ^ T.3. p.ip4i
H.
HAIlpWinc, />/ / he Petition^
Hallowed be thy 7{ame,
T. I p- 1 1 o, 1 1 1 . gods Name
hallowed ofvSf three Wayes,
T.2.p 3 ijhree things helping
hercH-nto, T. 2. p. 3 5.36.
Ha.'\ve,Whei her I aw full for men r«
] M}earclor:ghl\vc^ T.I.p. 3I»
Hearr,\V^^r a man rKufi doe to re*
forme thchcan^ T.l.p. ?<>.
what W^enrnfl jirf plant tntt^
T I . p . 2 7 . hoWw'c mnf brinf
THE TA
^- iur hearts U Un: mtb g^d
ibid.
HolyGhoft, vide Spirit, what
^ebeleeu: CQncernifig the Ho-
I3' Ghoft, r.i .p. 9 5 . "^h^t hee
y^yrk^thia vs,p 96,hoiv .tm.ii
fnty k>29\v \}fhether he hath the
Holy Ghofi, ibid.
\{i\sh2X\^Sy their ditties toWarJs
thcirwiucs, T.I. p. 55,54
Humi!iation/v^^r it is^mdhj^
tobe fsy farmed y T.3 p. 73.
/.
INward, ^hntach^.n^e repen-
tancem^keth in th. jnward
7»^H, T. g.p.^I.
ludgement, of the Judgement
day^t ip.^l.the circnmftitn^
' ccsthsreof^Wl^p 9^ 9$>Vrhe'
I theraft '^tjhfornJX.i.^iij^
' the iudgemcnt of (jod is d-rt
I' hdp?7^ caufe of repentance^
T.jp.44.
luftice , X^herein the luitice of
God appeareth^ T. I .p.4» ^oW
• ] it ^ands Vjith his Iiiilicc, that
f the godly are commonly in
vporficjhte^ T.i p 4.
Iullification,^«>\V Vcee are iultifi.
cdby faith, T>l.p J Z-hffW de-
clare J J ibld^ &:c that to the
gr^eeofiw'iiinQ^UOTi ^ewuft
ioynefm^ificAtion^t, 2 p. 1 2 o.
''k.
K\\lho\^ toViWfi^y T. I .p.2 5 .
Kingdome, oft hat Pttttio^f^
Thj Kiogdomc come, T. i.
BLE.
p. 1 1 1 iits depeffdttffce ^sth t^^
farmer ^ibid. Gads King^om^
twofold^Ta.pjiz, Vffhitxmf'
pray for in it, ibid.& T,2 p.
^o.the euils th^tp Vtee pray a*
gAinJi in that "Tetition^ T. I .p.'
114. the impediments of the
comming of Chriji in otherj,
T. I . p. 41 . and in oy,r felnes^
T.2 p ^Zr a definition of the
Kingdoms of ff race, T-2.p.
43. horv the Kingdome of
grace is already come, T. 2 p,
44. the cxcelUiicies of this
Kmgdome of grace before alt
others y T. 2 . p 4 5 . a further
fcope ofthii Petit io>7^thy king"
dofnQcome, T.2. p 46, tWa
wayes by which the Kingdomc
^fgodmaycemetQ i>s, T. 2*
p.5^^5?-
Knowledge, of the knowledge
ofgod^what, T.i . p, l^.fts
parts, Vfiith the vies thereof^
ibid.
i.
L Aw yW hat there m^ifi he in vs
toha^icthe Law ejf equally
tqvporkevpQHvs, T.g.p. i,
the LnWofa foare^fdld vfe t&
an vnregenerate m^.«^ffU', T.i.p.57. j
'iAdi[\tvs,theirdiityytip59fio \
hlcinCSyofde/iriiJg to obtame the \
end y Without the vfeofthe
incancs> T.2 . p. 3 9, Meanes
to ^ro'win jrracej T.3.P ig6.
^ZXC)^y\'^heretn (jods mercy apm
pc.irtthT.l, p. 5. tbevfes tt^
p. 6. the n\zzc^ of(^odi6 an
hdpir.g caiife to repent ancCt T,
3-P-43'
BLE,
Meric,4f^^/V;jf Popijh merits, T*
3 p.iSy
Miniflers/Zj^iV^/zfy, T.i.p.5 5»
hi'ivxhyh'jW tobe modtrite in tty
T.I.p '^'^^Whether acontirjHm
/iH per/it c/;t can cncr be merry,
T.3.p.icy.
Moderation, */ moderation in
mirth y T. i. p'3 3 . more of it,
T.2 p. 84.
MournlngjVide Sorro.v.
NAmc, We mitfl lone our brc*
thren in their immes^* I •
p.4 1 . fix duties reqptircd here.
Hfito^ibid.oftheNameofQod
Ti p. 1 10.
Nir;hr, what We are to doe when
night C(?wf J *>/, T.I p'7 5.
O.
OBedicnce, of obedience to
the Witiof (Jod, T. i • p.
29. hoW Wee. m.iy bring our
hearts ir^ ibid.
Occaliortjf i^>rf if we Wsnld aiioyd
fin. We mnfinuoydthe Occafl-
on, T.2 p.124.
Office, hoWthey thaf.tretr/ Ot-
fice fi}ctild carry the?:ifelHcSy
T.I p53 64.
Ovdcr, of WelLorderi^ig our lutes ^
T.i.p.29«
Outward, Wh,zt a chnnje repen-
tance niAkes ia the OLitwiri
wi««^> T,;.p. ;4.
Pardon,
tr 0
THE TABLE.
7,
PArdoT\,thatvporjp2ivdon of
former finnts^ thediiiellis
ready to f aft en new vpon vs,
T.I.p 120.
ParcntS,r/7tf/V dntytoW^grds their
childr en fr,l^p. ^6 ^^j. how to
be hononrcdoftheir children,
T.i.p.58.
Paftors vi, MiniflerSjT i.pi^j.
Patience, ho\\> to fit our [clues to
be pa,Z:€nt in trouhle^T. I .p 44.
"^e miifi Jhnv forth patience
in the hoiire of death, T. 2 . p.
^^5' their helpes tothisp2.ti-
ence, T.2.p 166.
"^cvkdionjof the pcrfcdion of
ffood rvorkSyT.^.p. i%6.ofthe
perfe<9:ion of repentance in a
rhrifti^n^ T. 3. p. 187,188.
Tov^'QTyWherein^ods power ap*
pearcth^ T.i.p. 2
Prayer, it is commended a>6 afpe-
ciall part of godlineffe ^ T. I .p .
44,^5. thefittejf time for tt,
T.i.p.45.VFWprayer^^,T.i
p. 10^. T.2.p. 2, how many
thinfTiinityT: i.p-ioy.T.a p.
2 ,ofthe Lords Prayer^ and its
f(irts^ih\d. ho\y; to -prepare our
felnes to prayer, ibid &c. of
the prayers of the common fort
T. I .p. 1 09 . Why ^H miift pray
T,2.p6.8. directions therein,
T.2 p 10.11. jyhetheraman
may vfc afet forme o/praycr,
r,z.p^ii,Why wemi-tji pray
to god enelyyT, 2. p. 1 5, PVitk
rvhat affe^ion We muft pray^,
T.2. p. I 'j.two groHtids off^ith
?^prayer,T.2 p. 19, 20,21.
fVemiifipr^y with fear e and
renerence^T. 2 .p. 2 5 ,the things
that we mufi labor ftr in pray-
CV ^'T .z .p,i6 y^y * reafons to cnm
force our Petitions, -1,2. p,i 34
''^l^i^l^^^hevfesefity T. 2»
p.131.
Preface ,U'/7y Chriji vfeth a Pro^
face be fire his praier,T.2.p. 1 3
Punifhmcnt, hoVip to keepeamo^
deration therein^ T* I .p.do,
R,
13 Ecrcations,l7ow? to bee vfed^
fv T.i.p.32,
Regeneration, three vfes oftbs
La\\> in a regenerate man , t.
3 P 7)8.
RelapfCjVide falling a way. The
cafeofrthp^c^T.'^.p.i^.cau^
tions of falling away^i. 3 -p.P ^
coforts ^/^f^'relap^e,T. 3.P.P5.
Repentance, r/:7^ necefsity of u^
T.3,p.i8,ip, the vfes of its
necepty , t . 3 .p, 2 o ♦ f> j order ^
T. ^*P'l^'the difference of the
workes of faith , and true re-
pentance,!.3. p. 2 3. thena»
tnre of true rcptma.ncc, T. 3,
p, 2 J, the World dec ei nek ther»
/«,T,3.p.2 8. repentance <:/f-
fined^ Treat. 3 . p. 2 p. what 4
change repentance workethin
the whole man ^ t'S'P- S'^S^j
THETAELE.
Seethe CAufcsX. 3 . ^- 3 7) 3 ^ 3
40.-/ the helping c^tt^es^ C. 3 .
p.43,4^rk time of repen-
tance,:. 3 .4P' 5 ^- ^^f^^f^^'^f^^g
rcpetance t. 3 .p. 5 2 •P^<' ^^^^»
rftf/o^?; irfejy repentance is vst
to be deferred^ t. 3 • p. 5 3 > 5 4.
&c. InthefarttcuUr tt?ne of
repetance,r/;frf are fix thwgs
toheeo'r7fidered,t.^.p-(iO> the
practice 0/ repentance, t. 3.
p,6j.there<:(refonre thwgsin
repentance, t. 3.p*<>8. the
impedimcuts ofit^ C. 3 • P-7Pj
Jo, 82, 85. /;oiv ro remoae
thefg impcdtmems^X.. 7, p. 8 7.
ri[?d? cafes ofttyt. 3 p. 8 9. of the
iteration ofir^t. 3 .p. 1 05. that
Wf bothw-iy , «««^ w/^/if rf/7f;7r
often, f^r one and the fAmefm,
t. J. p. 1 04. three cakfes why
we wiift rsne^ our repentance
t.3 .p. I o6ficCAvhethera pe^e-
TeHtfinner 014 ener bcc merry ^
t.3.p.i09./'f^r^i' not alwayes
true tokens c/'repent»nce,t.3 .
p. 12 0. vide plura /^f^^Tj. in
repentance r^f/'ff/ eomfortat
eHrdeathtt»S»P''^^7» that a
WAnmay truely repent^ and
jet^je^ little figne of it at hi6
^cathyt*^.p»l 3 Sjhree CAufes
*///,t.3.p.l40. of the contra-
ries o/repentancc,t.^ P« ' 75 j
175. vnfomid repentance,
Wjjr,t.3.p.l7^, t^e forts of
i'??yi>«ff< in the
grace o/repentance.^^cf Well a.s
many other graces ^l.^ ."^ .1 ^ z
Reproofe, w/74/ thi?fg; are reqrn^
rf^/>reproouing^ t.i.p.37.
Reftitution;, whether a njan re-
penting^is hGividto reftitutiof),
t.^.p.i I 5,1 15.
Refurredion, of Chrifis refur-
rcdien, \vi:h the circumfiarj^
ces thereof, 1. 1 .p ^oWha t \Vc
^-re to belecne concerning it,t. I
Rcuolt^viderelapfc.
S.
Sabboth, tbefanClificatienofit is
the veryfi:ieiv and life of ail 0-
ther Chnflian duties ^Z, I -p. 4 7
ho'A^faJiciified^ihldjhepHbltke
exerctfes of it ^w hat ^t* I .p.4p.
the prtuate^t-i ,v>»^0,ho\v long
the Sabboth d^h lafi,p.^2.
"^hemt begins^ t.i.p. 55.^/
[pending the Sabbotll, t.i.p. .
7^7
^s
Sacra.
THE TABLE.
' Sactaments, vide Sttpperof
the Lord^The name of a Sacra-
mentjT. |.p 129. anddefini.
tie»Xi>ithrht^ vje y ibid.»«w-
herofrhem^T. l,p. 1^0. hee
that comes to the Sacrament,
mfiji" hMte rWo hands , T. i.
ptl^^V^ho they are that take
no good by }he receiiung of the
Sacrament, ibid, the d'Jfe.
reme betveeene ours and the
Topijh Sacrament, T. i.
p. I 3 5:. \vhe» Chnfi ordained
the Sacrament, T. 1 . p . 1 3 yr
whether all may come to the
Sacrament, T. i . p . 1 4 1 . of
trjall before V^e come to the
Lords Supper^ ibid, of our be.
hdhiourin reccimng of the Sa-
crament, T 1.P.141.WW
we are to do after receiui^Jg it^
T. I .p . I j^^jhe reafon offofeL
domerecetHWg f>,T.i.p.I4^'
Saltation, ho^ a man may be it-
ued, T. i# p. I o. vide Life
et email, T i p.iod.
San^ification,w W, T. i. p. z i .
/;oiv/«»randified, ibid.&c. its
fruits y T.I p. 2 2. that to the
^race <9/iuftification, H'^ muft
)abonrtoioyne fandification,
T.2.p.I2©.
ScripturCSjfcoVk? knovcne to be the
Wordof^odyJ .1,^,2, their
drift. T. I. p 10. howtoreade
themwithprofityT»i.p,6j^6S
Sctuznts.t heir duty ^ t. i.p.6i,
6t^6cc.
Sinne, Ottr finfull efiate\r\ i*
p. II. cf finnc origin all and
a^uall ^ ibid, three forts of
a^uallCinr\cs,T,i.p 12. the
mifery of our finne full eft ate,
p I 2,1 3 . by wh^t meanes W^r
become forro^fnH for (innc,
T. I p. 1 4, no man able to fret
himfelfe from all Cmn^y T, i.
p. 24. hoW' a man may kne>)p his
darUng (inne,ibid. he"^ to kilt
finne, T.i.p 25. (inncsw/?j
called debt.
T.I.p. 121. T. 2.
p.^p. the meanes that (jodvm
feth in deliiiermg vs from fin,
T. t .p. 1 2 y.originall leiTiy'^hat,
T^i.p.x T.o.ho^ taken a^ay in
baptifmeyibid, that vpon par-
dofi of former fianes, the dPHcll
u ready alrvayes to fafien ne^
vponvsy T.2,p.l20.
%\ly^hat is meant by Chrifls fit-
ting ^? the right hand ofGody
T.l.p«9i.
Sobriety, "^haty T»i.p.3o. in
meatesyibid.inapparell, t* I.
p. 3 I. aftd in other creatures.
T.1.P.32.&C. of other things
therein fobricty fiiOHld bee
f)e^ed T.l.p.33«
Sonne, ^^^by C^rifi is called gods
ONELT Sonne, ^hen as wee
alfa are called fonSy T.l.p.84.
Sorrow, vide mourning, by
r^hat meanes wee may become
(orvy for «HrJit:»eSyr.i»p.i^0
how to bee moderate thereigy
Til.p.JJ.
THE TABLE.
T. 1 .p,^^So\::OW for finnf re-
ijhiresfiHC quail feat ion s^-v 3 .
P-74'
Spirir,ride Holy Ghoft, T.I. p.
9 5>9^i97'^^^ mnrkcs "^'hers-
hywepfAy k^ow whether ^ee
hAfte the Holy ghofi 6T no;v. i .
p.cpS.
Subieftion, the wiues fnbicdion
to her hf/ifrand, declared ^T, i.
Suffer, ofChrifis fuffcrings, t.i .
p.8(5.
Supper, the Lords Supper, vide
Sacrament, T. 1. p. 152.
the Hcedfnlneffe ofit^ ibid, the
refemhlances het^eene the
'BrcAd and the 'Body in the
Lords Sifppcyy T.r. p. 133*
\\>hether wee recett^c ncthino-
hnt a fig^ne in the Lords Snp-
pfrjT.i.p.lj ').t he rcfcmh lance
betweene the 'Blood and the
Wine in the Lords Supper^
T.l.p.137.
r.
TEarcs, they are not alwayes
true tokens of repentance^
T . 3 p. I 2 o, ho>^ tofnd Cora-
fort tnzz^VCSy T. 3. p. 121.
three things for whUhantan
way Jhed leaves, T 3. p. 12 3.
hinderanees of penitent teares^
•T. 3. p. 127. that a man may
tritely repent^ and yet not Jhed
tcarcs, T,3. p,i2^,i2p,tbe
reafons why fome men Artfe
fometimes^ and others rcioyce^
at the fir fl connerfon ^ T, l.
p.132.
Temple, ^hat are ^ee to doe i?e^
fore ^ inland after We aoe tuto
r/;^TcmplC; t. i.p.72_,73,
74, &c.
Temptation, of that Petition :
Lead vs not into temptation,
T.I. 123, 124. Ccd tempts
tio many ibid. hoVo Cjod work^s
f« temptation, and yet is free
fromfmne^ ibid, the ends that
'^e pray again ft ^in that Wry^V,
Leadvs not into temptation,
T. I .p. J 2 5 J hat Wr^ may pray
not to Ife tempted, t. 2 .p. 1 2 1 .
tWo kinds o/remptations thac
a man is fahielJb vnto, t. 2.p»
tlz.th^it we are exceeding dpt
toyeeldt6XQn\^l2Lt\Olfi, t. 2.
p.i 2 3 . ho^^ (Jod may hefaidto
tempt,e^ ho^^ not^T. 2ip. r 2 j.
the vfes ofityT,! .p. i 2(5. whe^
ther a mm may refiji tempta-
tion by the power of T^jthrc^
T.2.p.I2p,l30.
Teftafncntj rvhat^ T.i.p.ijp.
thctenoHr o/^y/^Teftamenrs
ibid,
Tryall , we jhould daily try our
efiates ^r»i. p. 6 y,
VNregenerate, a four c fold
vfe of the Law to the vn-
regeneratc,
THE T
Vowes, the yej^^cmbnvice of
them 4r$ helves to an hely life^
T.l.p.65?.
Vfury,\v/;^^ T. i.p« 40. how aL
loWcdby cur La\vcs,ibid, \\'hy_
»ot condemned in the T^^^^W
Tefiawent, ibid.6cc.
WAtchjVP^ miijl^^AtchoHcr
our life, T.i.p. ^7,
Vs^i^Qjoerdnty^ T.i.^,^^^'^6.
her fHbleUlon hoV^ decUred,
ibid.
V^'lW^efthat Petition , Thy ^ill
he ^owfjT-I.p. 115. VVW the
"^hH ofCjod /<,ibid. how done cf
ofvsjihi^, hisirv of the u4ngels,
jT. I . p. 1 1(^. Will 4ndi Tefia-
ment^y^-'kUyT.i.p.i^^, hoW
mmyv/ils (Sod did make fi^id.
ABLE.
three metiues to fuhie^l vs t§
thermit ofgoU^T.l.p 48,4p»
)i\fhofe tPill mtifi be done , T . 2 .
p. 58. ^ods ^X'iH cppofed by
three )vills,T.z,p.$^,6o.what
will ef /^
Q^ ('Vhat gather wee of this f
ji. That our firft, and chicfcft care
muft bee to feruc God, Math.^^n.
Pro 4.7.
Q^^H^hem doth this DtBrine meetc
w'tthall f
^, Firftwidithofcthacthinkc it enough to liuc ciuilly and
honeftly in the world, iwuing no louc to Religion no care c£
fcruing God.
Secondly, itmceteth with thofc ; who though they haue Tome
care of it •, yecmakeit not their firft and chidelt carCjbut let euc-
ry worldly biifinetic rake place before it.
Q^^/fotv doe we: kriow thtre is a God ? God.
e^.Firft, by ihcvScnptures. Secondly by the light of Reafon.
(X^H^hat bee the reafo»s f
%/i, ThcfirftudiawnefromtlKWorkcJ of God: The fe-
B cond
Grounds of RtU^^tonl
*
cond Is taken from the Teflirnonic of our owne ConrcicnccI
Q^ivhat is thefirfi ?
ji. When wee fee a faireand a goodly ToWcr , though we
faw not the workman when he built it , yet wee eafily conceiue
that there was fome Archite^l that framed it, and fct it vp 5 So
when wee fee the glorious frame of Hcauen, and Soinh, wee eafi-
ly concciucj that there is a God who made it , though wee fee
him not.
CX^Ivhat is the fecondf
tA. When as a man hath committed any horrible hCt a^
murder, theft, blafphemie,and the like 5 Though he hide it from
men, yet hee fecles ( then efpecially when he is wakened vp with
fome iudgement ) continuall gripings and gnawings, and feare-
full terrors in his heart, which is nothing elfc, but a fccret guilti-
nelle, and a clofe feehng , that there is a God, who will re*
uenge it.
Q^H^hatisGodf
ji. God is a Spirit, or a fpirituall fubftance, hauing his being
of himfelfc, hkn/^i^.
CXi^^hat gAther wee of this that God is a Spirit f
A, That they that conceiue God cobee like an old man fit-
ting in hcauen, worfhip an horrible Idol in ftead of the true
Qo^^Luke i^,'^(), Numbers 13.1 9.
Cii^hat jxj joH then of ftcinrtng God in glajfewwdowes to
yfiQYJhip f
e^. It is one of the abominations in Poperie, clcercly con-
demned by the hordy'Dent.^, 1 4. 1 5. Rom. 1.23.
CX^^ffijy is God faidto hane his Being of htmfelfef
e//. Becaufe all that wee haue, we hauc from God , but what-
foeuer God hath, hee hath of none , but of himfclte alone,
Heb 1.3.
Qt^^How arewee to conceiue ef God ?
A. By his properties, That Gc^ is a Diuine power. Firft
moft i^/^/?;/r. Secondly moil fVtfe. Thirdly moft luj^. Fourth*
ly moft Merctfully An^ fiftly Infff/te,
CX^wheremapdeareththegreai m:ght and power of God?
A. Firft in making the world of noch'ng,aU the world being
not able to make one lilly flic Secondly, in vpholding it now
Crcund^ ofRtVgion
'^6tt' yf arcs- ; Whereas lion houfcs that men inakc will moulder
away in many Idic.
Thirdly, m conuerting the foule of a finner, it being a harder
matter, then to n akc the v\ oild : For in creating the world , the
Lord tound no relillancc, nothing that llood vp againft hini to
hinder his workc, but in conucrcing the foule of a finner the
Lord findcs aicf>lbncc,nienlabouiing to hinder his workc in
(hem, and oppofiiigtiicmfclueisagainflit, EfhefiAc),
Q^^fVh^c vje /».
the great fudge :liall appearc m Jk clondcs^ who will coiidcmnt
chcm, Prffh. it.lt.
Qi^iVhAt u thefjnrthProptrticofCodf
eW. Hcciswo^ MerctfttC,
' ^X^^^^^^^^^pp-'^treth themnxi'eof Cjodf . ^.^. . . ;.
e//. Firll in making vs Me»^ when hce riiightfiaite mi^e v$
Bearts ; in making vs mfe^ when hce might haue n»adc vs llarkc
fooles^; Ingiuing vs bmbes^ when he might haue made vslame 5
I n gluing vsyr/A/, when he might haue made vsblindc?
6condiy, in prouiding things nccdttill for vs. What wcfe 'are
ficke,hcibe>co hcale vs; when wee arc cold, fire to warmc v$:
when weearchuiigr^s nxatetofeedevs : when wee are naked,
wooll tocloathe vs. And the more to commeod hjs Mercicj,
heeprouides vs of all ihefcthings, when wee are his gieacell ene-
mies; N J man will doc fo much for his friend, as God doth for
hisfocs. Wee ca.nc into the worl'i with neuer a penny in our
Puife, with ne-ier a (lieate in our Barnes, with iKuera Iheepe in
our lolds, wiih ncacr a Coace on our backe , and yet cIk Lord
hath hlledojr hues with great abundance.
Thirdly , in Iparing of oui' finncs, and that^liucrfly. Firft, in
B 3 hiding
Grounds $f ^tUgl$n.
hiding imany of our finncsfTom chc eyes of the world : For if the
world knew as much by vs as God knowcs, che bcft man that
liucs would blufti ro Ihcvv his facc^ ,,..;,,
, Secondly, in gluing v$ a time to repent ; for if God fliouli
damne euery finner fo foonc as hee fjnnes againft him , wofuU
were our cafe, for none would be faucd : ic is Gods mercy, that
wccliueand breathe vpon the Enrth, being guikie of fo many
rebellious mutinies, andtieafons againft our heaucnly King, as
Thirdly, in vfing all meancs to draw vs to repentance like
one that would gladly vndoe a doorc j he tries key after key, till
he hath tryed cuery key in his bunch. So God hath tryed by
Mercy , and tryed by Judgement ; he hath tryed by pouertic,and
tryed by plenty, becaufe he would gladly by fome meanes bring
vstohim,£y^j'5.4. Aswlicn a great fifh is caught vpon the
hooke,thefilh pulls and the man pulls,and thcfidi pulls againc.
SoGodand thelinfull foulc lie wrefting together,, the foulc
drawes toHeH, and God pulls to Heaften, fo fame Gp4 would
hauc vs, who care tot 4ttle to be faucd of him, ,, • i -., .
CX^^JVhatvfe may (pee make of this Pro fertie?
A, Firfl-jthat men hauegoodcaufeto loue God, fencing hcc
doth more for them then the decrcft friend in the world v\ lUdoj
Ifwcfhould iniure your friend but halfc fo much, ai> we iniura
God, he would foonc caft vs off, PfaL 17.10. . v
Secondly , they doe the Lord of Heaucn great wrong who pray
to ^cf^irgtH Marji or to any of the Satnts^ as if they were more
fauourabjy inclined to Mercte then the hox^PJal, 50. 15.
Ql^ivhatuthelaftProperttepf Godl ■
A, Hct IS Ifffirtite,
Wheretn appeareth the infiyiteneffe of God ?
^ , ,. ^ Firft, in refpc6l of Time, 7
^- ^" ^^° *'"gi Sccondly,,n refpc.^ of Place. 5" . ,
I, Jnrefpe^ of Time ^ bccaufchoc is euerlaftiog without begiRs-
ning, and without end, bey ond all time, £y^ 5 1 .5.
;; Inrefpe^ofplace^bccaufehciillethallplaces with bis pre-
hnc€y'Pfilm0 ii^.y.i,
Qu^ fVhat vfe doe weemakf of thus l^rspertit ?
A. i 1^) CO w<^lk< WKh icarc And i;cuercncc all our daics , be*
caufc
Grounds $f Religion ^
caufe God Is in eye- witnclfc of all wc doc, or fay, and thacfore
wcc ought to walkc with as great fhamcfaccdndrc , and baf}iftjl-
ncirc bcForchim, as before the greatd^ Prince or powa in the
world, 'Prt?^. If. 1 1.
Secondly, not tobc difmaycdin any trouble, becaufe God i$
cuer at hand to take our part 5 Asachildc will not care for the
fcruants, fo long as hcc is in his fathers prefencc, T^fal, 1 3 .4.
Thirdly ,that the diume Nature ought rather with reuercncc to
bcadorcd, then curioufly tobc fcarched, for feeing God is infi-
nite in all his nature-, Co mightie that none can conceiue how
inightiehe is, fo wife that all the wits in the world cannot tell
how wile he 1$ 4 Wee arcno more able to comprehend his excel-
lent Nature, then wee are to grafpe the Mountaines in our arnacs,
or to i'pan the bioadeft oF theSca with our fingers, i .Tim.6.i6>
Qu. Horv many fcrfons he there in the Godhead i Godbeid*
tA. Three, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghoftr/^ '^-^^
Qu. I I it necdfuUfor vs to k^vrw the dtftiftcltOH^ftht Perfonif
fy4. Very neediijll, for die Turkes and the Icwcs confclfc
one God, but becaufe they dcnicriic diftinfifc^27
-^. The Father is that Perfon inthe GodhcadjWho begcfttth
the Sonne,T/^/. 2 .7. -^-JJ
Qu. ^hat is the Sonne? K
A. The Sonne is thf t perfon, vvho is begotten of the Father^
Qu. yyhut is the Holy ghoft I ^'
nyi. The Holy Gholl is that Perfon , who procccdeth from
thenijboth from the Father and thcSonne,/*/?^ 1 5.26. ^^/.4.^.'
Qu^. Wm not the TiXther before tlje Sonne 1 ' "- -^U
ty€. ThcSonneiseuerlall:ing as well as rhc Father, for the
Sonne is the W ifdomeof the Father, and therefore as wee cannot
fay, there was any tunc when God was without wifcdome : So
B 4 v>cc
L.
t Gni^ds efReligiifU
wcf cannot fay there was any time, when God was without %
SonncT'r^.iJ.ij. _. ' •■
Qu. Are there not three Gods ai there Mf^r three Per fins f
ui. No. For all the three Perfons, are but one and the felfc-
fame God ; fo that as the Root, and the Body, and branches of
a tree, are all but one tree 5S0 the Father, the Sonne.and the Ho-
ly Gholl arc all but one God, and therefore they that conceiuCj
the three Perfons to befo diftin£^,as three men are 5 they cntcr-
taine a falfc conccite of the Luing God, ^<>r.S.4.
Qu. JVhat vfe m^y wee m^kr of this ?
ty(. That whofocuer worfhippcth one of the diuine Perfons,
wprlhippeth them all, becaufe they arc all but one and the felfc-
fame Ciod 5 And therefore men may not thinke when they pray
to one of tlie diuine Perfons, the other is paiFcd by, but hec that
honoureth one, honourcih all, an^ hee that prayeth to onc,pray-
€chtoall,/.9/?;j5.2 3.
<, 1 N Q*i*' . ^^<^^ ^^ft ^^^ feme God, Hw^
yi. According to his Word, notafccr our fancies, but as God
himfclfc will be ferued, 2)^*M 1. 3 2.
-^ Qu. IvhAt gather wee of this?
A, That all will-wor(hip brought in by men without warrant
irf the Word of God ,• is to be condemned, C^ark^ ij. 1 7.
Qu.; fVhat it the vtord af God ?
^ 'jTha^t which i% contained in the holy Scriptures in the
mrd6f09d, BqojcdRof thft oli and new Tellatncnt, there God fpcakes vnto
vs,and breakes hismmdetam)harly,how and m what fen hec
WiU bci^ru^d 6f vs'; z.Tim. 3 . i(S.
Qu. H^hat vfe may wee make ofthts f
A. To remember, that as oft as the Bible appeareth, thcbleC-
fed mouth of God is opai to j^ftrud vs, ard that they which re-
gard not the Scriptures, regard not the voycc of God, and ihcy
that fuffcr the Bible to lyeclafpcd and Ihut in th.eu houfcs, doc as
it were feale vp the mouth of God that hee may not fpeake vnto
them. !»<'.*»
Qu. HffVQ know wee that the Script tires are the word of God?
A. By the powa ol: them. forGod alone is able to conuert
thcfouleof a hnncr, and to beget faith, and therefore lecing vhc
preaching of die S4;npcar<:s hach begotten faith in vs, and con^
utrted
Ufrt€c!v5 vnto God, wcc ii:ull nccdcs confcflc , men from our
ownc Ucling, that d^Saipcurci arc the vciy armc and power
of God.
Qii. }Vhy are they tearmed the old and new Tefiament ?
j4. Becaui'e as a man by his Will and Tcllanicnt difpofcth
thofe lands and goods whirb he hath : So God in the Scriptures,
hach bequeathed .nany bkfllngs, as ic werca nmubei* of legacies
to tlie Tonnes of men.
Qu. Whtttdtd Cjod bequeath in the OldTeJl^ment ?
A. Saluanon and ecernall Peace to thofc that fulfill the Law;
Mil'cne and hell, and ctemall death to thofe that breakc the Law,
'J)euf.i^.i^.
! Qu. l^hatdtdgodhqueathwtheNewTeflament?
A. Saluacion and eternall Peace to thole that beleeuc in
Chrift, and contrariwife ; Condemnation and Eternall death to
thofe chat bcleeuenoc in him: By the Old Teftamcnt none jn,-
herire, but thofe that fulfill the Law. By the New Tcftanient, all
thofe inherite, whobeleejc in Chriil, ^^M. irl^tCiC
Qu. Are ail the Bor^k^s mthe Bible to be recetned alike ?
A, No^fordie A pocryphall, are no further to bee receiued,
then chcy^coi*f.nt wuh the Canonical! bookcs ^ or with found
reaK>r!. -^,j. t -vA.v^,
Qu. JVhat Bo'h^s are dnomcalll
y A, AllintheNwW TcftaniCnr,^nd fo many in the OM as
were writcfn by 4^>/''?i,,oiariyof the Prophets, fo that all are
Canoni call f roil. Ge-^efis to Ma^Mrhy who was the lail Prophet.
Qu. IV I y .ire they cabled Cancmealil
A. Bccaufediey are the r jleto djre(ft our faith, and our lifc'j:
for ^^^tke 5 So that as
tl\cyworkcall by Mile and hue 3^ fovyfcniuil fquarc out bodi
our Faith and our lile by tiiefcholy tJookes^
<\jVh*it B?okj are Apooj^hali f
A, All in the Old Tcjlamey^t^tlnx. were written after the time
of die Prophecs,as the firll o^ ffdrM, and the fecond cf Tobith,
ludethy TV fedsme, Ecclejtufiut^^ ,01 ft f»^ Srrach, ccrtaincpeeccs
oi Eilhery and "Bar el, with tht Prajer of Manages , the i . of
MaccabcHSj and thefcynd^
Q^lVhj
ri ' CriunJs of Hellghn.
Q^ why Are not theft CaMonkail as vpellai the reff.
tA. Bccaufc they were not wricren by Mofes^ ox the Pro*
phets, who were the penne-mcn of the Holy Ghoft,but by other
godly men, who hauing not fo great a meafure of the Spirit,
could not write all things foheaucnly, and fopuielyas the Pro-
phets did.
'*-'Q^Fhy arc they called ^pocryfhaU ?
e^. Bccaufc they come not forth with publikc authoritic
from God, but crept in clofely^and by llclth into the Church : for
Apocryphall \u Greckc fignifieth a thing lurking in a hole or a
corner, to (hew that thefe Bookcs arc not nobly borne ; And
therefore howfoeuer they may be profitable, yet they ought not
to fpeake with cquall authoritie in the congregation of the Lord,
Ql^Hadwee ntt need of good warrAnt to ftrike off fa many
Bookes from the Canon f
A, So wee haue Chrift himfelfc, who interpreting all the
Scriptures, interpreted no more but Mofes and the Prophets.
And therefore feeing thefe Bookes of Tohithjudeth and the reft,
belong neither to Mofes, nor the Prophets, as being written af-
ter their time. Itismanitcft that our Sauiour Chrift, hath (hut
them out from the Canon of the Scriptures, Lnke 14.27.
Q^^yvhat id the drift and fiope of all the Scriptttres ?
A, To teach vs how to be faued, and to chalke out the way
Unptuut* ^^^ leadeth vnto true happineffc, and eternall hfe, i,Tim. 3.15.
-lohn 10.7,1,
Q^How may a man he fatted^ ^ i:>>
A. There are three things required of him that will be faued.
SAtuatioH. Firit, he muftkjiow and bee perfwaded of his owne miferablc
eftatc, by nature, and be humbled for it.
Secondly, bee muft bee perfwaded of his happic eflatcin
Chrift.
Thirdly, he mu(lpra£life that godly and Chri(lian kinde of
life, which cucry one is commanded to liuc, that beleeues m
Chri(l. ■;
(i^PVhat is the firfl thing reijHtred of him that wtll he fane d^
A, Hecmuftknow his miferable eflate in himfelfc, how
vvrachcd and how wofuU bee were if God (liould not lookc
vpon
Vpon him with fauour, andmcrcicin thcfaccof Chrifl.
Q^ H^hy kt it rteedfHHto k»ow «Hrmtfcrabie cJIaic f
A, Bccaufc the iight of it will fend vs more fpccdily to
Chrift. Secondly , it will iiiakc vs fct greater price on the bene-
fit, which wc haueby hiin
Q^ Hovr doth thi^appeare f
A. For when we fee, how deeply wc arc indebted, and in-
dangercd to God, that it isnodribling fumme that we owe him,
bucfohugca mattei,ihat neither wee, nor all the Friends we
hauc, are able to difci large it •, This will make vs fcekc more care-
fully CO Chrirt to difcharge it for vs,and orfer occafion to thinke
more highly of liim, who hath brought vs a full difcliarge for fo
great a debt. ^.
(^^JVhat ii our Sftate in our felkts ?
A. Wee arc dead in finnes, likea Corfc, that islaycd out, and
waites but the buriall, to be call into the graue.
Q^.Hew are wee falne into thU efintc? Ficif,
. _- ^V:in\why A dams (\nnc%, 7
^. Two wayes,-^ ^^j ^^^,^1^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ J S,»n,.
Q^vhdt WAS Adams finne ?
A, The eating of the forbidden fmit, whereby he wrapt vp
himfelFcjai^d all his Pofteriticin diewrathof God, as wee fee a
Noble man by committing Treafon, not onely hurts himfelfc,
but llaines his blood, & doth hurt to his children toOyRom.^. i i. *
Ql^What gather wee of this f
A, That he that will Aand off from Chrill, had need hauc
a good purfc, when he (hall not onely pay that which himfelfc
owes, but that alfo wherein Adam his father was indebted to
God.
CX^lVhat is etir owne ftnne ? Our finfuU
A. Ourowncfinne^ i.0figInallSinnc,7 » ?^^'*
is of two forts, "^ 2.A(ftuall finncj ^ '^' ^^
Q^^H-'hat is orhinallfinne f
A. Originall linnc is that backwardnciTc , and vntoward-
ncire of our nature, whereby we ftand not indifferently atfcdcd,
bat vtter enemies to all the duties ®f obedience, and bolindTc r«*
duired of v s, -R ^wf,7 . 2 3 .
• ' Q^ In what part is Qrigin^lljinnc ? . »
,.JX.; . X It
12 CrpunJ^ (ffR^iifdn.
%y4. Itliatliftrlckcnijiccapoyrontlirongli all our parts, fo
that they arc all bent againft God like a forcoFRebclls^ tluchaiic
put then j1 clues in arinesagainft theii Kiiig,^/i/.5.27.
Qu , How ii the XJnderflAndiKg corrupted ^ ..:...>
A. It is blindcand ignorant in the things of GcxJ, arid thfrcij
fore euen they that are wife and vvittie in the matters of the world,
inthcmatcns of Godareof nocapacKie, and of no concciic,
I. C^. 1.14,
Q;^ HoTP is the will corrupted. ^
A, Itoncly willcthandluftahafteieuill, like a fickc man,
that cares not for wholfomc meate,but hi> ftomacke oncly (buids
cofluppcrraucc,and that which is naught, //iwrj 4.5,
C^ IVhat is Atinad finne f
-A. That which arifeth from the corruption of our nacurC|
like fparkes from a Fuinace, (74^^.5. 1 9.
Cl^How ntAny forts are there of tt ^
C i.Euill thoughts in the mindc
v4 Th r 3^'E^^^^^^fi^^S'" ^^^hcarr.
C •• ' i'i- ^"S3.EuilIwordsand workes arifing thence,
L Math.i^.i^,
Q^ fyhatffdther wee of thkf f
A, That wc arc not dead in fomc one finre, but arc dead \n
nnany fmnes, the foule being wounded in cucry p^c^ anU liaujng
bled as it were to death at euery ioynt.
Qu. what tf the mtftrie of thit eft ite f
A. Exceeding great, partly in r<*fpcgcd vnto vs 5
riovv>A'eehauenoright,nor inccrcftinany oFthcm. As a dead
jnanlofethall that his Father by will had betjueathed him.
Secondly, the calamities, that are bine vpon v$; on our bo-
dyes-, riches, ficknelfc, and death it FcUc : on our foulcsjfearejfor-
row and dcFpaire.
Qu. iVlmt is the Cfirfc cf (jod on the things that lelong v«-
to vs t
A. In our Goods, hinderanccs and loifcs. In our Name, infa-
inic and reproach. In our cliildren, fcruancs, paraits^and friends,
infinite miferics that may gricue vs.
•Qu. fVhat IS the C^rje of Cjod tn the I fe to come .<*
A, Etcrnall damnation both or body and foule in hell fire 5
Whereas the llaie of the wicked is much more miferable tlien the
ftatcofadoggejoratoadej For when they die all their Haiferiey
end,
l^ Grounds of Rcligionl
end, but when the wicked dyc,thcn thcjj: grc;itcft miferle begin j,
Q^Vhat will the fight of our miferahle eflate worke in vs ?
Ae In thofe that belong to God, it will worke true humilia-
tion and forrowfor their linnes. For when they fliall fee thcm-
felues fomany waycs guiltie of the wrath of God ; This will
melt them into tearcs, and turnc their ioycs into heamnclTe, and
all their mirth into mourning, ^eHt,i%,i6,iy,
Secondly, toconfider that wee arcfubieft to all the curfcs of
God: And therefore if fome one bee fo heauic and intolerable,
that it makes vscuen weary of our hues 5 How will it be with v$,
when the whole wrath of God (hall be pouied out vpon ys,Deut.
28.45.
Thirdly, to confidcr that we arc fubie- T- f- J ^ An Hiftoricall faith, ?
CX^k^hat is HtHertcall fatth ?
A, ThflHilloricall faith, is that, whereby a man belccucs in
gencrall, there is a God, and that there is faluation in Chrift, but
korhis life, hcc cannot apply any of thcfc things particularly to
any comfort of himfclfe, this faith may be in the Reprobates and
in the diuels, lames z . 1 9 .
Q^fVhat if I^fiify^yig f^ith ?
A. The luftifymgfaithisthat whereby a man belceucs, not
onely that there 1$ a God ; bur,inparticular, that hec is his God.
Not onely, that Chrill is a Sauiour 5 but in particular, his Saui-
our, as Tifjow^ faid in fohrtio.iS, Thon art my Gody and my
Lord, And asT^^^/alfo faith to the ^alat.i.io, I Itue by faith
in the Sonne of (jod wh^ hath loned mee^ and gmen himfelft
formee,
Ql^Hojv 16 it declared^that fpeciall Faith &f needfuli ?
A, If a man be impleaded for deb:, it (hall not be enough to
fay, fuch a man at fuch a time payd a great fumme of money for
other men, but he mull bring his Euidence that hec was one of
thofe for whom hepay d iti>o it is not enough to fay, that Chrift
dyed forfmne, vnlcllethou be able to fliew thy Euidence, cuen
fpcciall faith, that Chrift dyed for thy finne.
Q^ ivhat is the meanes to beget Faith f
A. The outward moft vfuail meanes , whereby faith \i
wrought in v$, is the preaching of the word,A!«w. i o. 1 7.
Qu. ^hat gather wee of this ^
A. That they that abfcntthcmfelues from the preaching of
the word, or marke it not when they bee prefant, depriyc them-
felues of themeancs of Faith, andfo confequently of all thchap-
pindic, that comes by Chrift.
Qu, JVhat it the mward meanes ?
A, The working of tkc Spirit of God,vvho opcncth the heirc
C f»
ti
Ti'ultes 9f
faith.
luftificat'toft*
Grounds of Rtligien.
tobelccuc thofe things that are preached, AEls i^. i^.
■ Q^ iVhat learnc ypee by this ?
A, That faith is not of our felucs, but the gift of God, and
therefore wc ftand wholly beholden to God for our faluation,
who hath giuenvs Chrjft, and alfothehand of Faith to rcceiuc
him, Ephef.i.^.
Q^ J^ujl wee reft htre^ when faith is begotten in vs f
A. VVc tnurt labour by all iDcanes to itrengchen and increafc
our faith, and daily to grow into a more fweet teelmg of the louc
of God in Qhii^^Rom. i, 1 7.
Q^ IVhat q at her wee of this ?
A, That thofe inen who ncgle^ the ordinarie meanes to en*
crcafe faith, as preaching, praying, reading, meditating, the Sa-
craments and the like, hauc no true fauing faith : Becaule fauing
faith continually growes, and increafeth in thofe that haue it.
C^^yhat arethefr tiites and benefits of Faith ?
e^. Wc inioy wonderfuU libeities , and priuilcdges theieby.
Firft,wearciuilificd. Secondly, we are adopted ana made the
fonnes of God. Thirdly, we are fandified by faith in Chrill.
Q^ How are we tuft 1 fed by Faith ? "
A, In that Chrift,hauing clccrely difchargcd for all our fins,
wee know and arc alfui-ed vpon the pi"omifc and the word of
God, that though wcfinne daily, and there be infinite matters of
condemnation in vs : yet wee fliall not bee challenged, nor im-
pleaded for any of our finncs, butihall be accepted as iuft, and
righteous for the obedience of Chrift,^o.8. 5 3 .
Q^^^How is thia declared ?
A. By a fimilitude ; For no fuitc in law holdeth againft tlic
wifc,fo long as her husband hues 5 but if the wife owcth any
thing, her husband muft anfwer for itcEuenfo when otir foules
by true faith are efpoufed and marned vnco Lfus Chrift, if the
Dcuill lay any thing aga;nrtvs,hce cannot bring his Adion a-
gainftvs, butagainll Chrirtour head and husband, who hath
VJidcrtakento anfwer for vs.
Q^ fV!?at is the fir ft fruit of luHiftcation ?
A. The firft fruit, is Peace of Cvyijacnce. For whereas before
WC had a hell in our hearts, and our ronfciencc was eucr accufing
Vi^and anaigningvsfor ouiTuuics, now we hauc reft and pescc
V^ith
C round: of Rtligton i ^
^itliGo^Kom.^.^,
Qu. ivhat is th fofirth fruit of lujlification ?
A. Senfiblefecling of the loue of God 5 for the godly fliall
cucn fenfibly pcrcciue, that they arc in good regard, and in good
account with the Lord, in that hee takes not euery occafion to
breakeofF, and to be angcric with them, but palleth by many
iniurics, and many wrongs that arc done againft him, Rom.^,$,
Q^^^PVhjit ts the fecond bencfite we receine by faith tn Chrijl?
tA' We aie daily Adopted and made the Tonnes of God, Adoption.
Q. i/^»' are wee made the fonrtes of God by faith ? ^
A, By faith we arc made one with Chriltj members of hii
bodyjflelh of hisPiclh, and bone of his bone, And therefore,
feeing Chrill is the Sonne of God, we who are one with Chrift,
muft needs bee the Tonnes of God 5 for being members,and parts
of Cliiill, wc hauc good right and inccreft in all dichonour, that
arifcth vntoour Head, Ephef^,*^o.
Q^fyhat are the frnits of our Adoption ? Truitei of
c^. Wc arc thereby made tlie hcircs of God, and Iiauc all his Adoption.
C t royalties
201 Cr^andf of Religion,
royalties, indthe right of his Crownc, and kingJome made 6-
ucr to vs, fo that if God be mod blelFcd, then wee fhall bee moft
blclFe d, who muft fit downc in the Throne • and in the king-
dome withhim,^^w.8.i7.
Qu. How (lands thij with the poor Cy and hafc efl^^e of Gads
chiliren here .<*
aA, Very v\'ell 5 for they are yet vnder age, and their lands
are not yet come into their hands, and therefore no niarucll, if in
this their minoritie, they differ nothing from Seniants, though
they beLordsof all,G^/.4.i. j
Qu. wh:?
A. Weenie allured liicirby, that Gcd rcictlj for vs, ti.d
VvaidKih oner V5, ?nd ilcligluccli rodoc vs g*">i)d, for being our
Fadicr, weniay-iruicomiclucswciiiall hiicelunia radiei i I
A. Wc may pray yvich boldnclle and alHiriince, that wc (hall
be heard : For as a cliddc vvjll inoane hjnifelxc to hij tachcr, jchin-
kiiig that f aiiy \\\\{ hv.^lpe bun ,his owne fa:chqr vViU do^ it ; ^So
we nay boldly pourc fordi all our complaints intD.ihe lapp(i of
God with aluirance, that it any ican hcare vs^bee will (being qur
Father) be molt ready to hcare, and to helpc vs,! John^.i^,
Q^ IVhat ts the fixt frun of our Adoption f .-- i^jLt^iii
A Wee kiiovv that God will accept our poorc liruice, a^fid
our vveakc obedience at our hands. For eucn as a father had ra«
ther heare his httlechildertainmer, then fomc otiicrs fpcak plain-
ly 5 So God i s more plea! cd with the vveake pray ers,and the hnall
obedience of his children, then wjth all die toy IcSjaud labours oF
thevvicked,//c^.ii.4. vK">r.^?^,\.^^r\n^7''^ }\{
Qo. f-Vhat ts the third l^enefke wee rccciue by f^ith in
Chrtflf . '-... [,.\C.
. A. S^n^flificatioii, whereby vvcar^ freed fr.'im the Bondage ^'^^j^/^^tj^,-^^^
of finne,and by little and little enabled through the fpinc of
Chrilt dvvclling in vs^ toioiie that which is gobd, and to walkc
ink, i.^*r.6.ii.
Qu. Hovt arewe fanclifiedbyFAtth?
A. .Faith makes vsittciupers; of Cb|:ift» aivi Chriil is the
bead, diililU Life and Grace, and holiii(CtIc into all his parus
So that thc7 vyho arc Uuilb, mullnccdcs panakc of the
C X Sj^uic
Spirit and life of ChY\(k^Ephfff^.iS. \
Qu. How is this further declartd I i
-<^. As a wildc Oliue being ingrafted into a naturall, and a i
^ kindc ftockc , loi'ech his wildc nature, and partakech of the
ilocke : So we being once ingrafted into Chriil, fcele our natu-
rall corruption by little and little to abate, and the fan6^ifying i
grace of Chnft to pourc forth itfelfe into vs, and partaketh of
the goodnelVe of the ftockc.
Qn, what gather we of this f '^ i
A, That they which liue wickedly and loofely, howfocucr i
theyprofeirejyetthey haue indeed no pait of, nor portion in ^
Qi\x\^yEphef,^,^, j
"^iuitts of Qu. Jyhat are the fiuitcf of SanElification ? 1
fan^fficatjon, ^^^ pirft fpirituall freedome and libertie, from the cnbon- '
dagcmcnt of finne 5 For whereas before, the Deuill and Sinnc 1
didfopoireirevSjthatforourliucs, we could doc no more, but \
what he would haue vs. Now we haue willingndle, and able- i
nelTe through the fpirit of Chrill to liue holily and rightcouily
in ttcfight of God, Luke i 74.75.
Qu. fVh^t is the fecondfrnit of SaHclificatioti ? - I
A. Exceedingcomfortindoing well, as Chrift faith j It is i
xneate and drinketo doemy Fathers wjU : vSo it doth vs as much
good as our meatc, and it makes vs eucn glad in our hearts, when !
we can remember we haue done any thing that plcafcdi God, 1
py^/. 1 19.14.
Qu. }Vhat is the third fruit of SanBtjication ? j
A. Deliueranccfrommanyeuill$,whcrcinfo the wicked and i
vngodly fall, for whereas the wicked are Hiamed many times i^or 1
their wickednelfe: As theft, treafons, oppreffions, and the likcj i
The godly liuing well, get a good name amongrt men, fo that
they which will not liue like thcra will fpeakc well of them, i
Aats 5. 13. I
Qu. ^hat'fsthe Uftfrftitof SanElification? \
A. A &irther fcahng of our election, and our adoption in'
Ghrift. For by nature, wee are wholly giucn to that which is
naught : And therefore, if there be any loue of righteoufnellc, or |
hate cf (innc in vs, it is a token that we arc regenerated, and fa 1
confcqucntly thcfonacs of God,^<'w.8.i4. i.Pcr.i.io. \
Q^lVhat
ground of^dgton m jj
Qu. IVhM is the thtrd thi»^ re^nired af him that 'mill h§
fuMcU r
A. Hcv chat win be faued, mud cnd^uour himfcUcto IcacU
Chnllian inda godly lifc,^/f^.i 1.I4.
(y^yhar gather we of thts J*
A, Tbathowloeucr men poFclfc -, yet vnlelTetlicy labour to
t«frair.c,and amend their hues, chcy fliall ncuer be faued.
Qu. SeetKg rvec^re fiHcd Ifj ftitth onelj : How ts good life (Zodliit^'
needfn/i 1 0 fxin^tion f
A. Good life i$ nccdfull not as the caufc of faluation : for wee
ire faued by the freefauour of God in Chrift, but it is nccdtull
as tlie pathway, that leadech to faluation : Eucn as a friend (liould
giuc vs a great deale ok Treafurc vpon the top of an hill ; the trea*
furc were ours by our friends gift, and yet wee fhould not cnioy '
it, ynlclfe we would climbe vp the hill ; So heaucn and faluation
\% ours by die gift of Chtiil, and yet we cannot cnioy it, ynL-ift
by agodly,anda good life, we will walkevnto it,!./"/^.!.^,
Qu. fyhcre muft wee If egin the godly hf f
A, Firil a man mull labour to rcfornie his heart, to bring it
out of loaewithfiru-.e, and to like well of the holy things of
God, /rr 4. 14.
Qu. How ts this declared ?
A. It a man would make a bad tree good, ir is not enough
CO chop of the branches, and the boughs, vnleife he cliange the
very nature, and fappe of the tree: So vnletfe the very nature of
the heait be changed, and the innermoll affection bee altered in
it,all our labourin the godly life is but call away, 2.Cet vscleanfe our [e lues from all filth'weffe of the fiefh^and fptrit, \
# and grow v^ tntc f nit fool ir/effe tn tlye feare of God ^ Heb, i i.i,
Q^^ivhat gatf)errveofthi^^ \
A, That they which haue reFormed fomc one finne or more, j
and yccTutFcr fome other to flccpequictly and polFcilc them, arc \
riiorc of the truth of the godly hfe, i John i .8. j
Q^ Nq man k able toffee himfelfe from euery fnne,
A, Yet eucry man muftftriue and labour for it, and it muftJ
be his griefc that he cannot attaine it. Wcmuft not fufFcr fmnc ;
to dwell peaceably, and quietly in onr hearts, but wee muft eucr ;
be warring, and fighting to driueit thence, z.C hisfpccidlljinnel \
A, Bccaufethedeuill will labour mightily to hide it from vs..
Therefore fome diligence muft bee vfcd to difcoucr it. Fii-ft,
a man muft markethecourfcof hislifc, and fee what fmnes he is
mofttempted with, which fmncs he IS Icaft^blc to rcfift, whati
of all other he can hardlieft forgoe, and that be it one, or more ■
arc mafter finne$ in him.
ii Secondly, bee muftmarkc, what fmnes raignc moft- in the ;
place and in the countrey where hedwclls 5 whatfinncs arc the
chiefe in his kindred, and in thofe that companiewith him. For^
hardly can a man dwell in Sodome , but hce Ihall cany fume
fmatchof the fmncof i'ip^^wr, (j^;;.lp.3 3. - • ^
' Thirdly, liee muft markc the iudgements of Goii,' that fall vp*
onhim,for God hath engiauen vponcucry itidgement,thcname
of the finnc for which hce Tends it : So that a man in his punifll-
mcntjmayplaincly readchis fmnc. As Dawd finning in his;
pcople^was punillieduihis people. And Pharaoh finning in
rdrowningthc Infants, was drowned lumrdfc. And therefore,,
vvben v^ccare punilhcd in our goods, let vs thinke wee haue fin-
ned inourgoods; Whenwccarc pumflicd in oui* childiai, then ;
Ict^
Grounds of Relict en. w 1 y
Ictvs tfiinkc wcliauednncd in our children, and fo mi our wiucf
in our hicnds, and the rcll.
Fourthly, lallly if ciiele mcancs v\ill not vvorke ; it i^ good to
confulc with Tome wife and fome dcarc friend of our ilatc, and in-
trcatehijn in the louc o'[ God, and our fehies, tint he will tell vs
in truth, what finncs hcefces vs nioll prone, and inclined vnco.
Qu, ff^ij4t mnjl A m.i» doe for the wetikcniKg irindhllnjg of hit
Jinnes f
yi. When a man hath found out his finnes, then he mud get Killing of f^rn
him to the Miniftry, and to the Bible, and there marke the ( piri-
tuall places, that mecte with fuch iinncs 5 thofe of all other hcc
inu(t lay to heart, and be continually muling, and graring on j
asifamanbegiuen tofvvearing^lethinilookcJTr./^zz^-^i 5.12. If
a man bee giucn to hghtncllc or the like, let him looke, £phcf^,
5. Where it is faid, no whoiemonger, neidicr any vncleanc per-
Ton, hath any inheritance in the kingdomc of Chrill:, and of
God-, and lb cuery fpeciall finne, a fpccjall place, Tfal.ii^. 1 1.
Cl^jyhc^.t gather wee of thu ?
eW. Tlutthcy wiio cither in hearing or reading tlic words
flippcby thofc places, which make moftagainft rhem, andflrikc
deepeil at their faults, Ihall ncuer attaine to true reformation of
jheir hearts.
Q^ I-yhfJ is the pcd'rid helps to weaken f>me ?
A. A man mull marke what feedcs his (inne, where \t getteth
(licngth. For asBre «s nouriilied with fe.vcll ; To there is cuer
fomcwhat that nouriflieth our (inncs: If a nan can findc that,
andrcibrme it, hce iliall foonc weaken the gvcatLll cornTpcion
that is withnhiir. As if companiedraw thee cofinne, away witii
that compauic: If feareot dilpleafurc, away with thatfeare: If
hope of coirmodities, away with diat hope, /^*?;/;. 5. 2 p.
Q^ }yhat gnther wee of this ?
A, That they, who fay tiiey would faincleaue finne, and yet
Icauc not luch coirpanie, vfe fuch pallimcs, fuch meanes as they
know cannot butnourith and increafe it in them, doe but de-
cciiicthemfclucs. Asif a man would clap drie faggots vpon the
-fire, and fay he doth meanc to quench if, when nidced hec kin-
illcsictiiemorc.
Q^^Wh^u ii the third he Ipe to WiAk£ftftnne ?
A. A^
2S Gfdfifjdi cf ^ctigJcn.
\y4. A man mud cry to hcaucn, and beggc the Lords aydc
and hishclpinghandjasaliulccliilJejifhc liauca tough (licke,
which he can not brcakc,runne$ to his father wich it, that hc«
icay brcakcitforhim : Sobecaufcwc cannot inafter our finncs,
therefore we inuft runne to God by prayer, ilut hcc may niaftcr
them and kill them in vs, l^Jal.^i .4.
Q^^ JVhat gather wee of thi* f
yi. That they who puipofc and refoluc to leauc their finnes,
and yet aie not often vpon their knees crauing ftrength from
hcaiicn, and grace toleaue tiian, (hall neucr (hake them off.
CXi^iyhat if thefe things works not t
A. If thcfe things workc not vpon vs, wcc muft confidcr
vvhac is thereafon, why they doc not workejcithar wcc doc not
vfethem fo diligently, and fo carefully a$ wee fhould, or clfe wc
haue vfed them but a little while : A man cannot fell a great
Oakc with one ftrokc of an Axe, it will askchim many a blowc;
^ So our finnes being offo great a growth, will not quickly down.
It is well if after many labours, and much paines, wee 11 ay fcclc
them begin, i.C
^' ^^° i z/p^ntuall vrtderfiandtna^ I Cohfu^. . .
Spiritu iflvnm Q^ J'Vhat ts JpirttHall v^dcrfi.indwg f
derlldftd vg. A, A gcncrall knowledge, v/hat is to bedonc,Pr<7;/.9.io. \
W^Momi. CX^lVjjat ufpintH.Ji J^/Jidome?
A, A particular waighingoFthecircumftance oftimc,placc,j
and perfon, to know what is expedient, i.C^r.6. 12.
Q^Vh^-itis ths vfe of o:ir Knowledge f ]
A, Itwill bee, as a cand'c of chvMoiile to light it, and (liincj
vntoit in the waycs of God : For many timis wee finnc, when ;
wethinkcwcdoenotfinnej and many times wee would doc
well, if we had knowlcdi^e (5c ludgcmcnt how to Jo ir, ?ph.\.\%,^
C rounds of ReligieH. a y
Q^ ivhat gather wee of thu /
A, Thac they which fay, they cany as good a n)indc to reli-
gion as tiic bell:, and yet take nopaincs to grow in the knowledge
of it, doc but deccme thcinfclues,//o/r4.(i,
Q^J^hat IS the fourth tht»^ ?
^. Obedience to the will o?God : to hauc our hearts at com- ...
mandenicnc, fothat in any dutie at anytime, we can haiie it preft
and rcadic for the Lord ; So that ifGod fay but louc this, wee can
loueit : 11 God fay, beare this, wc can bcare it : IF God fay, but
leauc this, wee can leaue it. And this not onely, when Gods will
and ouratfe^tion fute together, but euen then, when there is an
vttcr difagreement bctwceiie them,/^r.42.d.
Q. How may wee bring our hearts to obedience .«*
A. Firfl, to conlider that God louesvs dearely : And there-
fore, he wil^neuer command any thingac our hands, but it Ihall
be for our good, ler. 3 !• 3 9.
H Secondy . to conlider, Go^ is farre vvifer then wee, and there-
fore his courfe is becrer ihen oun.Pfu/A 1 9. 24.
TIiirdly,toconrider,wcowco'-:rliucs and our liberJes, and
all we liaucto God,and therefore when God commandsjhc com-
xnands but his owne, i .Cor^. 1 9. 20r
Fourthly, to con'ider, vveelhall haue no good fucceirc in our
wayes, if wee Icaue the Lords, HoJ.s. 1 3 .
Fihly,roconfider,that the Lord will not bkirevs inhisownc
wayes, what vnlikehhcod focuer there be,that it fiiall not fpeed,
Sixtly,la{lly toconfider, that our obedience to God, is the
placing of hiniinhisfeate cf gione,and as it were, the crowning,
of him to bee our King : So that to difobcy him, is todifchime,
And renounce his dc mnion ouer vs, Dent. 16. 1 7.
Q. fVhat isthcfccondgeneraHthtngreqmredofvs^
A. WelUordciingofthclifc,that our whole bchauiour bee
feemely and feafoned with grace, as well when wc arc in fecrer,as
inthc fight of men, Ephef.i,io.
Q^f'hat mufl wee prft doe in the wcR ordering of oftr life ?
A. Wee muft (it downc and confider our ilate, of what con- Ordering tf
dition, and place wee be. If a Chnftian, then wee llandcharged **'' ''/"'♦
witlidiediitics of a Chnftian ; If amaftcr,ihcn wcperforniC the
dmics
JO Grounds* of Religion.
duties of a mailer : If a Fa.hcr^ tlicn the duties of a Fat!ier,and to
of the reft.
C^ JVhat Are the common dittifs efeuery Chr'ifiUn ?
C I .To hue fobcrly in reipc^ of hiiiifclfc.
v^. They bc^ i.To hue rightcoufiyjin refped of his ncigh-
of three forti, "S hour.
^^.TohuehohlyinrefpefTt ofGod,T/r.2.iz.
Q^yJoy doth the A^oHle begin firft with onrfeUes ?
u4. Becaufe a man is giucn naturally to louc himfcifc, and to
fcekc his ovvnc good. And therefore if wee cannot hold within
compalle ofdutie towards ourfclucs, niucli lelfclhall vvcbc able
towards others.
Q^Vhat is the dntic which wee owe vnto eur [elues ?
A, To liuc fobcrly , and temperately in this prefcnt world.
Q.,^^JVhat ii this fobr'tetie which the Apoftlefpeakes of}
A. ArHodcrate, and fparing vfe of our lawftjll liberties;
Sohi'iet'ie* which moderation mufl be kept in all the a^^ions that concernc
oui- felucs 5 in our diet, in our recreations, in our mirth, in our foi-
rowes, and fo in the reft.
iX^^HowPyAll wee k^epe this godly moderAtion in our Dyet ?
ViDUt, -^ If two things be cared for :Fjrft,that it bee not too coftly,
toofumptuous : no though our purfe will bearc it, and ourabili-
tie reach vnto it. The Glutton, which wee readc of in the Gof-
pcll, was able enough to maiiitainehis cheire,for hcedyed rich.
And yet for his feafting on earth, hce was fainc to faft in hell:
And the Deuills made as merry with hiifoule, as euer hct made
merry withhismeat,Lx^)^^i().i9.
Q^/j it not iawfudto fcafi enr Neighbours ?
A, YeSjitislawfuJl to make Feafts of louc, as the old Chri-
ftians did in lude i i.verfc. Bur neitiier muft this bee common,
nor vfuall euery day, nor to fare more then for honcft and fo-
hzxAc\\^t*.Not common^ Ifiy $6. 12. Not excclfiue^ Nehe^
fniah^.i2.
Q^J^Vhatis the fee end thing ?
A. Wee muft looke, that we vfe not thofemcatcs and drinks,
which wehauc ( how homely, and how meanc foeuer they bee ) j
intempcratcly, that wedocnotfurfer,nor feed cormorandy, to |
the glutting, and whole fatisfying of the flcHi ; walhing our |
braincs !
I/I Apf>a.rttL
Grounds of Rehgion. k j
braines wlch drinke, and bafting our bodycs wirfi mcatc more
then wz^s^Ez^ek^ 1 6. i ^.FHlnejje of bread^ was one of die Virr.cs
of Sodomejfiy 5.12.
Q^ HoTvjhaii wee be fober and moderate in our Appjircll ?
A. IficbenortoogariOi, too lighr, too collly,orrtrange,
biicgraue, vfuall,bcrecining our Calling and our Counrrey
ftrange Actyre iicondcajnedjif;?/:'.!. 18. light mdwa^ron Attfre
i.Tim.i.c).
Q^Doethe Scnptnres fine any cert /line diretlhni for At^
tyre ?
A. There are two Rules to be kept in our Attyre. Firfi:,that
wee doe nor itretch torth our felues vrto all that wee may, and
gocas farreas our place and abilirjc aiII let vs, but cut (licit orf
Ib.nc part oFrhat which is lavviuU, tor men ot our degree, iJTim.
1.9.
Secondly, that we fquare our felues to the mod fober of our
age,degree,cu'iditionjand{lateotlik,i.T(?r.3.5. Alfowchauc
anexjiiiplcin tlie i.i'.tw.ij.iS. where che holy Gholl clearcch
Kiiig D.z/.-'-V, ihacliegaueno occadon totheeuill which canic
vponl'lsda'ighter^ becaufeinapparcll l:ee kept her within the
rule appointed, and let ha* goe no ochawife, then other maydes
oi herai^c,olace,anJ condition went.
Q,^// Kothira but 'ipparell to be cnrcd for f
A, Yes, regard mull be had of our garc,of our hayre,of vvliar-
focucr wcarcfctout,andattyred wirh. Jn this alio an iioneft,
and godly moderation muil be \^td,^ Thac our gate be nor llate-
ly and proud : Thar our hay re be woi vndccently long : Thac no
more ornaments be hanged vpon vs, then fecmelinclle, and diac
Chriftian fobrietie, which hath beenefpoken of, will permit. 0/
the q^.ite^ Iftjf ^.16 Of the reft, I . Pet. 3.3.
QL;_/i it not Liwfiillfjr men to hane loy.g hAjre ?
e^. The Apoillcfaith l.Cc;W///A.i2.i4. ftrs a fJpitme for a
m^n if hti we Are lono h^ure. And therefore vnlclle it be not law-
^ull for men to fliamethenjfclues, it is not lawful! for men to hauc
long hay re: Andhcgtuc^ vs fuch a reafo:i, as bring v%'cll weigh-
ed, may mooiie them much -^'Doth nor nature it jelfc teach y oh,
f* thhee ; Asif he had faid, Though men haue neither religion
nor hoadly, nor grace, nor any conlcicnce in them ; yet nature
it
3« Grounds (f Rtligm.
It fclfc may toach thcm,that wlien they glorie In their long locks,
xhey glory in their fliaiTic.
Ql^How mxj fpee vfe $ur recreations nujderatelj and LtW"
tA. If wee be notexccHiuein them, if wee fpcnd not too
much time vpon them, but vfe them fo fparingly, thit thereby
we may become the more fit, and checrefull in our calhng, C^lif,
4.5. and redeeme the time which we doe not, when our exercifes
doc not make vs more fit for our duties.
Secondly, if we be not eagerly fet vpon them, that wc fall to
fwearing, chafing, fretting, quarrelling, or hurting our neigh-
bours cornc, grade, cattell, and the like.
Thirdly, if wc vfethem atlawfull and conuenient times, not
when wchaue fitncire to better diings, nor vpon die Sabboth,
nor in time of priuate, or publike mourning, /ijfecli' yi ^^'^.^ niuftnocrallily be angry with them, for loue futTc-
rcthlong,it vvrll put vp many iniurics, and palle by many
wrongs, and thereForc they that Fall our, and fuffcr chcir louc to
qiKncli For euery otfcnce, declare euidcndy they hauc no loue,
hzc Solomons So:-ifr S.t.
Q^^JiJMay we e not be ^y^g^f") I ^
A.'^cY^ A, Yc$ : but therein three things muft be looked vnto. Firft,
that the caulebe lull and eameft,/^4//'.5.2 2.
Secondly, that oui' anger be not funoUs : that it breakc not oUft
into immoderate heatc, into curfing, banning, remhng and the
like,£p/?f/4.3i.
Thirdly, that it hold not long, for bothftiould fceke Recon-
ciliarion: As the father rannc to nxet his fonne and the fonnc
his Father. And rhtrcFore, they that being once falne out, will
neuer be icconciled againe, or ftraine counefie, who {liall begin,.
bewray notably their want oF loue, (f^/;.4.i(). i.Ctfr.3.11.13,
Q^^/;4r 16 the fecond point oflmvardlone I
A, Weemurtnotcnuy their good: It muft not gricucvs to
fee others wealthier, wifei*, and better thought of then our felues :
Wee muft be as glad of their welfare,as oF our ownc,afld reioycc
as much to heare them praifed,as we would doc if our fclucs were
commended, ^(?w. 1 2. 1 5.
CX^JVhat i6 the third point of Inward hue f
A, Wee mull not take that which may be well meant in ouill
part ; wee muil not be too iealous, and too fufpicious of our
brethren, vpon euery conceite, thinking hardly of them, Rom^
1.29.
CX,^fVhAt is the fourth point of Inward loue ?
tyf. Wee mull not dijdaine them, nor let vp oUr felues a-
gai nil them : For though in fomcone gift, they came bchinde
vs, yet happily in fome other they goc before vsj and though
they doe not, yet happily, they hauc not had fuch helpcs, fuch
meancs,lo many fvvccc njotigns to bring than on as wehauc had,.
Q. Hoy* mnff vfce P^cw onr hue ^h oht words ?
oX. Wccinuflnotrpcakcbittcrly,rcoffingly,norcrotrdyto M ;/v><(r.
them : if Nvc be vvroiigeci, yet wc niuft dcalc coldly, gently, and
niildcly with them, notlntterlyjAmcs 4.1 1. ^ot Jcoffin^ij^ Get?,
^ 1.9. 10. net crojfclj, Tro. 1 5.! .
C^^^Afay wee not he fame times /harpe in our fpeech ?
A, Yes, but in Gods caufe, raihcr cheu in our onne^and nei-
ther in both, till wee fee gcnde nicanes will not woi ke : as aPhy-
fitian vfeth Arong Medurines, when the weaker will doc helpe,
Nehem.i'if.iS'
Secondly, wee mud notfpeake euill of them bchindc their
bacts, but by louc conceal* thofc mfirmities that are in Lhcm,vn-
Icllc either Gods glorie, or tncir good liiall require an opening
cf their faults, l,h'et.^,%. i.Cor.i i.i 1.
Thirdly, wee muft notbrawie, and wrangle conrencioufly a-
bout quclbons that (hall arife amongll vs, i .Fwr. 3 . 1 5. i (J.
Q^ //<>» WAry? jpce [hew hue to themtn our deeds .'
A, Wee mull not withdraw our felucs from them in their tn ottr Dttdr,
needed, but to our power and abilicic, feekc to make their hues
fwcet and comfortable to them j We n.uil not be altogether our
ov\ncmen,(hut vp within ourowne proHte, and pleafufi s. and
wholly taken vp ot them : B'/.t by loue wee n.ull goe out of eur
felues to the good and profitc of our Brethren, T>eht, i^.yxo
thci I .
Q^ }Vhat gather -wee of this ?
A, That they whoarerofarieotf from helping their needy
brethren -jthat they make euen a fpoy le, and a prey o^ them^moll
vnchrilbanlyenae.iling their milcncs, and by vfury and hard
bargaincs, putting of them further into debt and danger, they
ha ie nodrop ofhumanitie^much lelle any found ground of Chri-
ftiunitic in aiem,L a t6 there rvherein we mfijljhcw §ur lotted
A. Wee mull not doe any violence to their peri on, wee muft
neither fmite them, nor hur^ thern in life or hrnbc, as appeareth,
Lc«/r. 24. 1 9.20. For though theCeiemony of that Law be now
abrogated, yet the equitieot it llai ids llill inllrength.
Qu. what further thiiiq is there todecLire our (one f
A, Wc HHill not procure hurt to their perlons by any mans, ^^^^^^^^''^
3^ Grot$ndsofRtl:^ion, i
fo ten icily the Lord would liaue vs regard our b-ethren, that wi
fiiould nor be any occafion, whereby hurt and danimagenient
may grow vnco them, i.Ch*-on.iiAc^,
Qu. Wheit gather wee of this? \
A. That they who delay fuires in law, or blowc talcs into-i
mens heads, and fogiue occafion of blood, or they tliat rallily j
Vjcntcr mens liucsFord:icirprofitc or pleaiure, arc highly giultic '
of the want oflouc.
Qu^. Shall wee thi»k^ ourfelnes difcharged towards onr Bre^-
threns perfoHS, when wee ha fie performed this ? J
A, No, thechieFell thing is yet behinde, loue to their foulcs, i
which is the very life of Chriftian Xouc^Rom.io.i, '
Qu. How mufl wee loue them in their foulcs f • j
S:iuks*i ^* \Wce muft moumc and be lorry for their finncs,as Chriftj
wept ouer lernfalem ; fo we mult weepc oucr the foules of our I
brethren, /^r. 1 3. 1 7. ';
Qu. what isthe fecondth'mgl \
A. Wee muft pray for them, that the Lord would forgiue
them, and fill their hearts with the riches of his grace, /^wff/^
15.1C). I
Q^CJ^^ not one mans prajer get pardon for another mani
Jlnnes f ti
A, Itmay,as itappearethin thci.lohn 5.1^. and yet no?
without the faith of him, whom we pray for : For without faithi
it isimpoITible to pleafeGod,//;z(pcakesof,/*reHt.
24.15.
Secondly, they that arc not careful! to difchargc their ownc
dcbt5,/7^/.37.ii.
Thirdly, they that findcany thing that was loft, and arc not
carcfulltorellore it :Foras aMafter layes certaine loofc money
vpanddownehishoufc, to try whether his fcruants will ftcalc
it : So when weelightvponany thing thajtwas loft, let vs re-
member, the Lord makes rryall of our honefty, whether wc will
polTeiTe with an euill Confcience one penny-worth of our neigh-
bours goods or nofDeut, i i . 3 .
' Fourthly, they that hauc hired or borrowed, or taken any
thingtokeepe, and arc not careful! as much as in them lyes to
reftore it as good as it canic,£Ari?^.22. 14.
CX^JVh^t is thi third thing wfocrebj weemnflp^ew hue to enr
Neighbours goods /
^. Wee muft not get away by force or fraud any thir g, that
is his: wee mull futfer him to reft in a peaceable pollcfhon of
thofc things which the Lord in mercy for the comfort of his life,
hadi caft vpon him, i.7'/;r^4,<^.
CX^^fVhat learne wee bjf this ?
-^. That in bargaining, we muft alwayesgiue bini a penny-
D 4 worth
1^0 Gromds of KtUgiovh^ \
worth of ware for his penny : CouccoufnelTe'ancl grecdinclTe oE i
gaincmiifl not rate our Conimcditic, and let price vpon our i
Wares, but we mull looke as neere as may be, that the goodnclfc \
oftheCoiumoditiewcrell, cuen in truth and good confcicncc
bee quail to tliac money the Buyer paycs for it, LfHrt.i^.i^, \
15.16. I
O^vho be they thAtarc condem?isd hereby ? j
yl, Firft, it condcinneth all vttering of dcceitfull and.naugh- ,
xy \yzrcs, ylm(?s2,(j.y, ., .^
Secondly, it condemneth thofethat ouerfell' their Commodr- ,
ties, and labour to dfiuc the price as high as poffibly they can, j
^wJu" 8.4.5. !
Thirdly, it condemneth thofe that vfc falle Meafures and fallc
weights, or if they be true, yet they cau fo cunningly conuey the
matter, and hdpe it with a Height, that the Buyer js lure to coinc i
thort of hisdue,D;j/iiMr Are the remedies of it ?
e//. Thcranediesaretvvo: FiiiF to reft contented with our
prcfcnt eilate, as in the portion which the Lord in wifcdoine
kiiowes to be fitr ell for vs,f /'//4.1 1.
Secondly, to haue hearts Ib-ongly perfwadcd, that the Lord
will not leauc vs norforfake vs in our need, but gratiouily will
fupply vs with the riches oF his poAcr, whatfocuer is wanting in
YS,i/-^<'^5.7.
Qu. ^Vhat is the U(^ thing rvhere'tn we muTt hue our brethren ?
A. Wcc mud louc theimn dicir names, taking care For.their
crcdi;c
42 Grounds of Religion.
a'cdltcand efl:imation,thac we bring not any blot or blcmlfli vp-
on tlicm,buc by loue, maincainc and vphold their good report,
7/1.3.2.
Qu. what is the fir ^ dnt'te wse ar: charged with tn this ie*
halfc f
A, Whcnfocucr occafion fcrucs, wcmuft be willing to make
report of thofc graces and good things that be in chein,and ro bc-
flow their iuft and deferued commendations on them ; Wc mufl
not be giucn to fmotherand conccale our brerhrcns praifejco bu-
ry and rake vp their commendation* in the dull, but be forward
iarcmembringthofe things,whercbycrediteandcllimation may
grow vnto them, '^.lohn i ix>erfe,
Q^^fVhat is thefecond daty requ'tred ofvs ?
A, If wcheare them falfly cliargcd witli any crime^wc muft
ftand out in their defence, being content to hazard and aducn-
cure fomepart of ourownc credite and welfare for them, i^Sam,
CX^fVhat is the third dutie required of vsf
A. Wee muft not raifevp any fiander or lying tale againft
them. It is a foule finne to gadde vp and downe from houfc to
houfe, whifpering in this body es eare, and that bodycs earcj this
tale and that tale to the difcrcditing of our brethren, Leu»i^,iy,
CX;Jvhat is the fourth dutie required ofvs f
A, Wee muft not open our cares to giue entertainment to
them that carry tales. For the law of God not onely condem-
ueth thofe that firft fet them on foote,but euen thofc alfo^that by
approuing them, and lending an eare vnto them, doe as it wero
vndcrproppc, and vphold the fame. And therefore it (hall be no
cxcufc tofayjthat we were not theauchours, and firft^roachers
of them: Butif wc behaftieto barken to flying talcsTor giuc
countenance to eucry buiiebody that will fill our cares ; thac
flull be iuft caufe to condemnc vs in this behalfc, Exod.z^.i,
Prou.i<;,i'^,
Q^^^hat is thefift Dutie required of z/s f
A, Wee muft not blaze abroad the infirmities and offences
of our brethren 5 if by any priuate dealing they may bee refor-
|iicd,Trcalc« that
we may hauc the more time to bdtow jn pr?ua:c prayer, and bee
themorecheerefuliiDLhercll of the excrcifcs ihat are beiiindc,
T/^/. 1 1 9. 148.
Q^ tvhat is the equitie of thU Dntte f
tA* That if wee cut fliort our Cecpe, when our ownc buO*
nclTcis in hand, much more Ihould wee doc for the Loid* : and
if we cannot make a good mcalc when we hiue a worldly niattcr
in hand, much lelle inould we dwell vpon our dilkcs, whai the
glory and honoiu: ot God c; Hs vs Bronidieii].
. Q^lVhat learne wee by this f
A^ That their (inncis very great, who being contcrt to rife
early all the rdl of the wccke, yet giuc theii.fclucs to floth and
fluggilbnctfc exceedingly vpon the Sabt)och day, bcwrayu g
ihereby their prophanc and worldly mindc, that ciicy carry more
good will to iheir ov^ ne bufinclle^then they doe to the Lords.
Q^ jyhat are (be prtuate dnttes of the Sabbethi^fterwe hane^
be (He at Q.H chf
A, A ioyf'ill thankf-giuing to God for the gratious and
good things, chac we haue hcarci,blcfling the Lord m our foulcs,
that it hath plcafcdhiratapourc out his wholt heart vnto vs ia
thciiuiiiiry of the Word, and to reueale thofe things in ot7t
ir gather wee of this f
A. That their finne is exceeding great, who fo foonc as
their backs are turned vpon the Preiicher ruiine pref'ently into
theworld, and fall immediately into fpeech of- worldly mat*
tcrs, as if they had beene at a Market, or a Beare-bayting, vn-
befeemingthe Gofpellof Chnft, thchohnclleof the day, and
the lionour of the place from whence they came.
Q^ f^hat n the fourth prtnate dmte I
A. Reading of the Saipturcs for the further ftrengthening
and fettling of our faith. For if the goaly Chnlban muft readc
fom«vYhacnuhcBibk€Ucry day, this ex^crcifc may not in any
E X wife
f 2 GfOdnds ofRelighri,
wife bclayd to flccpe on the Sabboth day, Pfat r.lT
Q^;J(Vhat is the Ufl priuate dutie oft he SMoth f
A, Comforting of our brethren, both relieuing them wheh
they be in need, and inftrU(f\ingthem when they want jnftru-
^lonyMath^M.M.
Q^vhy hath the Lord appointed fo munj Exercifes vpon
the Sal? both?
A. Not f o burthen vs, and tyre vs out with the number of
them, but to make the Sabboth more eafie for vs 5 for how te-
dious would it be if wefliould doe nothing clfc bur pray, or
nothing elfebutreade : But now the Lord hath appointed vs
varietieandchangeof duties, that being weary in one, wee
might recreate and refreOi our felues in another.
Q^ How long doth the Sabboth Ufl }
A, Not fome few hourcs of the day, but the whole da)%
LeHtt.z^.^i,
Q..^JVhat u thereafonhereof?
^.Becaufcon the Sabboth day,wc are ta make our prouifion,
and toil: ore our (clues for all the weeke,fo that all the reft (^ the
daiesmay feelethebcnefiteand comfort of diisone day, and
therefore men mull notthinke it is fome few houre«^ a litile in
die morning, aad a little in the afternoone, that will ftore vs
with all that faith, loue, patcnce, humilitie, that is needtull for
vs : The greateil part being leant able to get vp in many daies
fo much as will feruc them for one.
Q^^^JVhat gather voce of this ?
^. That they who thinke it enough to fpend an hourc in
the forcnoone, and an houre in theafternooneat Cliurcli, neg-
lecting the reft of the day, knovv not what k is to fandific a
Sabboth to the benefiicof their foules.
C^ If (he whole d:iy mufl be holy to the Lord ? why then doc
wee eateanddrini^j rtnd fleepe on th:: Sabboth day f
A^ BccauTe thefc are workcs o. iiecclhtK. Secondly, be-
caufe they lend their helpes to the fandtifying of zht Sabboth :
For by llceping in the night, and caung jn th<: day moderate-
ly, men arc the b::ttcr cnapl :i to 51c cbi oagh with the duties
of tl>c Sabboth, doc being able to hold out in diem, if thefe
cojoforts
Grounds of R cVigton. 5 5
'comforts and rcfrcflimgs fliouU bee taken from thcniJ
Q^ when clot'n the S abbot h becrin .'*
A. O'jer n'giit at the iljutting m of the day, as appcarctk
cuidcncly.^^r/^/f.i^.ji.
Q^^what IS rhf rt 'fon hereof?
A, That the nighu before, iiught be (as ic were) a prepara-
tion to die Sabbodi, both to put theinln miiadc what they arc
to looke for the next day, and alio by pnuate prayer, and re-
peating chat they heard the wcckc bci^oic, to make them die
readier and the fitter for it.
Q^ fV.n not thh Law particular for the Terves onelj ?
A, No ; For the Chriftian Cliurchcs obfcrucd ic as well x%
the lewes, and therefore St.Augufitne tnhU 25 1 . Sermon De
rtf»w^#r(frtf//r enabled the Lords day ihould bee kept irt
French Chnrches.znd ihc CoHncelUfTorragdrt in the Chur*
dies of Sfaine, which vie the Spaniards they fay hold cuen td
this day.
Qu. // thU aH that is required in the Chriftian life ?
A, Befides thefe general I Duties, there «rc many panicular
duties requii ed or vs. He that is a Father, muft thmke that hcc
flands charged v\ith the duties of a Father. He that is a Mafter
inuftthinKfl that the duties of a Mafterwill bee looked for ar
his h?^nd$, and 10 of a Scr-iant, of a Subieft , and the like.
C^^What learse wu bj this ?
tA» That a man mull not chinke himfelfe difcharged, if he
hauc walked with fomc tare ni the generall duties of a Chri-
ftian; vniaic ajfo iic pertonne the fame in thofe particular du-
tici, whidi m regard of his particular (late and calling,arc layd
vponhiiTu , .
Q^ ivhfirmitic$
haunting and waiting vpon the Sexc : And therefore eucry
aduantagemuft not be taken again ft her, but wee mult brcake
through many difcourtdics, and many wrongs to hold louc
|Wid friendlhipiwith her.
Q^jvhatis the thirdly urie^ "5
^.Hetnuft giuc honour vnto hcr,as vnto the weaker vdTelK
Q^fvh^i
CX^JVhdt is meAttt hj this I
A. Hce muft haue her in good reckoning and In good re-
gard, not dilpilinghcrfor the infirmities oF her Scxc, but ac-
counting well of her for the graces wliatfoeuer that are in her,
cfteeming heras a vellell, as one needfull and ncccirarie in the
houfe. "
Secondly, he muft prouidcforher the bed he can, hce mufl
not fetoucr her the whole care of his prouifion 5 but as (hec is
the weaker vdlcll, fo he mull thinke in the maintainancc of the
Familie to be afiilled more vvcakely by her.
Q^ Wh^t PS the Wines dntte to her hHsi>nnd ? //'/«#;«
A, Shee mull bee fubie(fl to her husband, humbling her
felfc to the yoakc of gouernment, which God hath layd vpon
her. For God hath made the man the head of the woman, and
therefore this mull abate all pride and fclfe-loue, and workc
true honour in her heart towards him whom God hath made
the chiefe in the houfe, i.Pet.^.i,
Qu. How is thts further decUred?
A, That the husband is Gods deputic, and Gods Licutc-
nant in the houfe, as Chrill is in the Churrh, and therefore to
dcfpife the husband is to defpife God ;to difobey the husband
in lawfiill things, is to difobey God, becaufe they lift vp thcm-
fclues againft the powa , which God hath placed in his ownc
deed and roomc,Ephef^.ii,
CX^Why doth the Script fire heate fo much irpon this dtstyt
A, Becaulc there is a IccTet fwelling in the heart which will
hardly brooke the gouernment of the man, efpccially,if in any
good qualities they goe beyond him. ^
CLHow musi th:s fiibiedttn he declared ?
A. Both by rcuerend fpcech, and all humble behauiour to
her husband. Some take it to be their grace to fpeake rudely
and bluntly to him. But it was 5^r^/?jhonour that (hee obeyed
tyUfrdham and called him Lord, i.Pet.'^.^.
Q^^i^dt IS the rexfon hereof \
A. A man is bound to loue his wife, though there bee no-
thing in her that deferueth loue • But becaufe a man is not eafi-
ly brought tothisloue, whacihereis not fomecaufc of loue;
E 4 ' *" ' ThcfC;;
5 6 Grounds of Rdtghft.
Therefore the Lord would hauc the wife by g<;rvtle ind fwca
bchauiour , dcfcrue, and win louc at her husbands hands.
CX^fVhat ts the fccond Duty of the wift ?
A »Shec muft be of pure conuerfation ; no hauockcr , no
waftcrof her husbands goods, no inticer of him to dslhoncll
tliiiTgs, Uke lobs wife, tliat was lohs tempter, not idle.noi (lug-
gitli, no bablcr abroad of her husbands faults, T^rour^ i. lo. 1 1.
Q^ VVhoit is the third, duty '^
A, Sbec mufl Feare her husband, and fhc muft bee loath tc
dirpleafehiin, fuch a tender care (he muft hauc of his conifoit,
and of his peace, that (he muft not do vsiilmgly dicieaft thing,
that may dirplcarehim,£^^5/.5.Z3.
^ Qu^, ^hM is the fonrth Dnty f
A. Shce nauft not be proud and coftly in her attyrc, ftret-
chingoutherfelfetoali thatfliema\', but keeping vnder her
husbands abili tie, rather then any whitaboucit,i.?^f. 3.3.
Q^IVhat IS thefift J>Hty I
^, She muft cnrertainc no fecrct diflike of her husband,
but reft her minde with all contentment in him, cucr pleafing
her fclfem her husbands face, ^;;r.5. 9. 1 o.
Q^ whatsis the Ufl Dutie ?
A, Shec muft be of a meeke and an humble fpirit, not gi-
Uento curling, brawling, frcttmg and fuming with him,but by
ineeknelle and loue fupport hnn m his haftindre,ralhncllc,and
other mfir mitics, which he hath , i . Pet. 3.3.
ISLuntu Qs^ what is the Barents duty to thetr children ?
A. They muft bring them vpm the feare of God ^ they
muft fecke to pli^ce religion and true godhnellc \\\ their hearts :
They muft not only tram them vp to hue ciuillyXs: houcftly in
the world ; But their chicfeft care muft bee to acquaint them in
their tender yeares with the wayes of Goi,£//?.6.4,
Qu. yvhifLt IS the jecond Dnty ?
tA, They muft not be churhlh and bitter tothcm,moping
them too much, but huing with feme chcciwtulneirc aiijong
them, C6>/. 3.21.
Qu. hVhat is the third Dntj f
A. T hey muft aoc.Icc then Children runnc out , but hold
then?
Grounds of Rtligion. '"57
tlicm in and correal them moderately for their faults^ for bet-
ter the Parents by difcrect coricdion n^ake their children
weepCjtJKu their children through their vngratious bchauiour,
inaKC tlicir aged Parents wccpc, and lay downc their hoanc
heads with lorrovv in the ^i^wz^ProH. 1 9. 1 8.
Qu. IVhat IS the fourth Duty ^
A, They mul^: confecrate fuch as bee fit vnto the Lord, as
eyfnn.i did SAmnely bdlowing the rell in fomc hoi icll Trades,
To that none be futfcrcd to lyc idle vpon their hands.
Qu.. rVi^at 14 the fft "Duty ?
A. Mothers muft nurfe their children at their owne brealh,
forcucnthc Eftrcdges in the Wildernellc draw our their
breads vnto their young , and profter food, but tiien there
Icauc their egges to be hatched by auothcr,Gf«.z 1.7,
CX^fVhat u the Jixt Dutj ?
A, When their children be ready^ they miift be carefull to
match them with men cfvndei Handing and luch asfcare God:
They niuft chiefly lookcnot how rich they be, how pcrlbna-
ble they bc^ but how godly they be
Qu. /s It not Uwff4!lfor a (^hnsi'un t6 rfMteh with a lew f
A, No.forthisis^ainpingof the holy Iced, and avvilfull
flingiiig of our fehics into a continuall teitipt.ation 3 a lugging
of o'!rlc! jes with a continuall yoke.
Q^ f'f^hat is the jeiienih Dmj f
A. They muft fo labour, and care moderately for outward
th'n^s, that when they depart this life, tbcy jiiay leaue fome
biclhng amongll their feed,
Q^ JVhat ledrne wee by this ?
' A. Thattheirrinneisgrear, wVo line h in the houfe ; but it muft be our care that all
within our gates, and vnder our powa and authoritic may fcarc
theLord,Gc
loath to ouer-worke his beall -, how much more his feioiant , in
whofcfacc hee may fee die irm^c of God ihining, as well as in
feisowne,/^^ 3^''3«
CX^^hat is thesr fourth dntie ?
A, They mull pay them truly for their pains /or the labou-
rer is worthic of his hire, i.Ttm.^.io.
Q^^^JVhat gather we of this I
A, That their (inne is great , who fend away their feruants
cmptic after all their toy le. Lahan is the pattcrncthat fuchnica
may be painted by : they can well be content jthat their leruams
fliould labour and toyle,and fpend out their hearts aiui (bcngth
in their feruice 5 but care not th». ugh they go away without one
hali-cpenie for their paines,^r«r. 1 1. 1 3 . 14.
CX^PVhat is their fift dntte I
A, They muflchallen them withdifcrcdon and moderati-
on for their i:aults : for the Lord would not haue the feruants life
by any hard dealing of ours to be made weai ifome and bitter to
them. We read of furious 54«/,Tha»: his fpirit was naftringat
any little word : and oiNabal^ lo fierce ihac a inan could not
fpcake to him. To the likercproch or thofe that will hcare no-
thing when they be m heat , but let euc y thing flie that firft
comcstothcirhands,Lr/^.25 49.H0W niany blcfFingsdjd La^
ban lofc , oncly by entreating a good feruaiit ill ? Tiiis makes
our Seruants , eucn the lew els oi our houfe, wcaric of our fer-
Uice.
(X^IIow may thej k^epe a moderation intheir pH»iJhmentf I
A. If they lookechat the caufe be iuft. Seconcily,That the
puniQimcnt be Cjquall as may be to die offcncc^kceping vndcr it
ratUcr
Crpnnds of Religion. 6 1
rather then my whicabouc it, 'Deut.is.i^i.
Q^iyfjAt ta their fix t Dime to tlnm ?
A, They 11 luftwinkc at many /lippcs, ajid psflc by mafty
faults tbrough Irue. For jfthe Mailer (houldtake the forfeit of
cHcry offence • he Hiall neuer line in any peace, but vexe him-
ftfUcinore then his feruants that offend hirn,£<:r/(f/7.2 3 .
Q^^H^h.tt rcitforj is there to moue vs to this ?
f " e^. As they arc fcruants vndei vs ; fo we are fcruants to a
greater Lord. Wherefore, if wee would not baue God rake vs
ataduantagefor eucry (inne,wee mulT: not take our feruanrs
ihortfor cueryfault^f^/; <)»
Qu. IFfjat is their fecond T^Htj ?
ji, Seruants mull be diligent to pleafc their Mafl:ers,hauing
atendercare, that nothing may Hippc through their fingers,
which may offend them : Tliey mul\ fceke euen to fit thciw-
fcluesto them ( fofaiTe forth) as they may with an vnllained
Confcience to the honour, rjid not whole diOionour of their
Mailers with whom they dv\ellp7/>.2.9-
Q£. Whiit Tcafon is there to fiirre them vp to this ?
.y^. In leruing tlieir Mailers they ferue the Lord Cbriflr.
And thei'cfoi-c if a man would bee aihamed to ferue Ciiritl
(loilifully, or idly, or grudgingly, he mull be adiamed to ferue
his Mailer ii, his Mailer bcuig but Chriflsdcputic,and Lieu-
tenant inthehoufe;^c leaft point ©r
pinne,nor make hauocke, and fpoilc of: their racatc, or of any
thing clfethat comes into their bands,/c/?.6.i z.
Q^PVhat u thefift Duty i
A, Scruants muft (hew all good hithfulneiFe to their Ma-
ftcrSjdifcharging their places wich all truft jnthe places cora-
fnittcdtothem^notbeTeemmg themfclues, whiles tiicir Ma-
tters arc m fight,and proclay ming loofencire and libertie when
they arc gone, buc carrying thcml'elues with as great trullintllc
!ntheirabfcnce,as if they wereprclent with them, 8phej,C»
Q^ IVhat reafon is there to hringthem to this ?
A, To confider, that that which they hide from their Ma-
tters they cannot hide from Godjfor though their Mailers fee
them not, yet God lookes vpon them from heauen with a
bright andaOiiningeye^andhe fees them mamtaming and ga-
ming, and trifling out their time 2 and therefore when their
Matters backe is turned, they mutt ttill thmke the Lords backc
is not turned vpon them, Heh,^, 13.
Q^ IVhat is their fixt ^Duty f
e/^. Seniants mutt tender chcaedite of their Matters jbury-
ingtheir priuatefaultswithin the priuate walls, by no meanes
pubhlhiiigrhefecriciesof thchoufe, no not then, when they
are departed from them, i.Pron. i i.l 3.
Q^fVhit is their /afi 'Duty ?
A, They n.uft fettle themfelues in their feruice, and not
vpon eucry light difpleafurc be flitting to a new. A good fer-
uant is not then going cuery day ; buc is f omecimes 10. yearcs
in a place together, as Ucoh was ; But now in lo. yeares, the
g'-cateftparc will kaue zo/eruices by their Wills, ^tf«. 16. 8. 9.
Qj^ fVhat generall reajonsarc thereto edge them on to thefi
Vntiesf
tyf. Chriftian fcruants muft fo behauc thcmfeluc$,that they
may
traybcan honour to tLcGorp€ll,thatas?o//;^rrwa$ ghd of
Jole^h : So nieii may fay, thrrc arc nofuch fcriiaiKs as the
fcruancs of Clinft for faiLlifulndlc, care, and diljgencCjand ho-
lidbc,chry may carry thotorchvnto all the reft, 1.7^/^.6.7,
Q^ IVhat IS the Dhty of thofe that he in office f
A. They mull be men ot courage, they \\\{\. not let CT^ery r^fr;,
bold-face dafli them, ardbearcthcnj dovNUc, but ftoutly op-
pole chcmfclucs to chc difcontinuancing ot cuciy dilordcr tliac
raigneSjD^iK/.i.i/.
Q^lVhar^arher wee of thit f
A, That ai men wilhallthingswerc well, fo they muflhauc
courage tor the truth to oppole themTelucs agauiil ail chofc that
be hmdercrs of their goods/(Cr.9 , 3 .
Q^ ^hat isthetr fecoftdT>utjf f
u4. They mull bee men tearmg God, and therefore they
muft make a confcience of their Calling, and bee content ra-
ther tod ifpleafc their deareft friend then todifplcafethc Lord;
rather tolofe mens fauours then Gods: rather the whole world
fliould frovvne, then God \howd fro wnc vpon them, i.Cbron,
Q. f^hat is the reafa n hereof ?
A, Bccaufe this isa great damping, and agrcat cooling to
them that arc in place, they date not execute their othce icit
Rirn riiould be argiy with them, and iherefore Gods fearc mud
be oppofcd, as a brazen buca^ler to (he fcare di men : to thinkc
that as men will be angry \i we doc it •, fo Gudwillbc angry if
WtcdiK it not : a> men wll vcxe vs, if wee preiFc it 5 fo God
Will vexc vsandbcternbleand fearefull to our fculcs if wcc
pvelleitnor. And who art thou thatteaieft the face of men,
andfeaicll not the face oi the mighcy God. who is able wjiia
©ne blall ot his mouth to blovve thee into hell, ard with the
leall couch of his finger CO fling dovvnc the pillcrs of heiuen
and earth about thine car^s,/*?^ ^2.2i,
Qji. ^nat is thetr'^htrd Dmy ?
A' They muft be men hating couctoufncire, they muft noc
bccrogrecdilyCet vpon their game, that they will fparc nei-
tha tuiiC nur money to difchargc their dwics. But they mull
bcc^
^4 Grounds of Religion^
be contcne many times to paffcoucr all rcgari of thetafclucs,
tnd cuen to let their owne bufineiTc flccpc, that the ctufcs of
God and the people may be i'^ on iooz.Sxod. 1 8.1 1 .
Qu. whattf their foHrth Duty f
■A. They muft not be ready to doe all vpon a brainc, but in
matters of moment, and beyond their reach bee glad to aduift
with thofe tiiat be wifer and skilfuUer then thcmfciues, Exod.
iS.iz.
CX:JVh4t is their UFl T>tUy ?
A, They mult apply themfclucs to their office, that is, cucr
fct^and buckle thanlclues to pcrforme the duties of it, Heh,
12. 2.
Qu. ^hat leAYn€ wee hj this f
A, That they haue much to anfwcr for, who being chofca
to the offices of a Towne, flecpein them, and (lubber them o-
uer they care not how, as if Magiflracic were a chaire of cafci
C\^JVha.t is the dmy of Trtuate men f
Sublets. A. They muft make choyceef fie and able men eo rule a-
raong thcmyDeut. 1.13.
QiL fVhat gather wee of this ?
A, Thatit isagrcatfinnetocaftoUr offices wee care not
where, ncHerrcgardmg the fitnclFe and abilitie of the parties
that wee name. So we fet vp officers in the Church like icarre-
(srowes in a field, Idoll officers like Idoll fhecpheards ; That
haue eyes and fee not, eares and hearc not, mojjthes and fpeakc
Hot againll any thing that is amilTc.
Q^ what is their fecQvd Dmy I
cy/. They muft notlhift out thcmfelues from the offices of
the Common-wcalc, or of the Church, finding fome reafona-
blc fitncireinthemfelues to difcharge them: For what is this,
^ but to bury our Talent in a napkin, and depriue our beijig of
all the bcncfite and comfort of our graces,*P/7;/.2.i4.
Q^ what ts their UFi Dntjl
A. They muft reuerence and regard thofe, whom God
hath placed in office and authoritie, thougli otheivvile in many
rcrpe«fbinferiourtothcm,^^7i3^5« i
Q^;JVh^ is the dMig ofth$ F aft Mr eft he Church ?
id. Hoc
Crotwds of R eli^hffl g j
u/4, Hc€muftapprouc himfelfc both to his owne confci- paficrr
cncc, and to the ludgcinent of others to bee the Mimrtcr of
God, i.Cor.6.S,
Q^ fV/jat is the Duty of the People to their PaFloun ?
tX They rouft fecke to haue agodly aixi a good Miniftcr p^^^j
placed amongrt their. '
CX^How mnfl wee fcekf ft I
ji. By prayer vnto God, that he will raifsvp faithfull ind
good Partours to his people, Math.^,'^%,
Q^ IVhat gather rvee hj this ?
yl. That their Fault is exceeding great, who content them-
felues with that weakeminillric which they hauc, are not ofc
vpon their knees, and doe not labour careftill in their places to
fct vp a lufhcicnt and an able man among them.
Q^^rhat is their fecondT)Hty I
A, They mull pray for their good Miniflers, that God
would poure grace into their lips, and wifedomc^into their
hearts, that they may fpcake the word Faithfully and feelingly^
to the people. For as when Mofes hands Fell downc, A^rott
and Hnr helpt to bearc them vp: So when the good Mefefes of
our land waxc weary in their labours, and are out of heart •, by
the Prayers of Gods people,thcy mull beftrengthencd in their
Minilby and chcarcd vp againe,C(?/.5.3.4.
Q^fVhat is their third Duty f
tyf. They mull loue the Minifters of the Word, and that
not with ordinarie and common loue, fuch as they beilowc
vpon euery one 3 But with fingular loue aboue iherell, i.Thejf.
Q^vhat i^the re^fon hereof ?
A. Mcnloucthembelljwhich wifli them bed : But none
v/i(h vs more good then the good Miniilers 5 For they would
haue vstobcallfaucd 5 tube Kings in the ncwicrufalem, and
to lit crowned ingloric with Chnll vpon his dirone, For this
they labour, and watch and! pcnd their llrcngrh, caring more
for vs then we are tov our Iclues. and theicFore they del'cruc to
be loued in an high degree ^C*? '.4. 1 5.
y^ Q^yhat jb fh($r fursh 'Duty r
' F .^.They
'C
^ g Grounds of Relsgr$n.
A, They mudreu^rcnce the Miniftcrs of the Gofpell, hi^
uing them in good reckoning, and in good rcgird,not accoun*
ting of them, as the prophane fort doe, as of the bafcH and
mcanellin chcworld,Ltf/^,zi.8» i.Cor,\.t),
Q^ [Vhat Mtmflers are mofl to he efteemed ?
yl. Miniilcrs arc more or lelletobe accounted of acco^'ding
to the benefice, which the Church recciueth by them. And
likewilejcheyarcrobcchad in greatcll regard, who haue la-
boured nioft for the profiting of the people, i.C^r. 11.23.
Q^^What arethe hclpei and meanes to continue vs in this
good eoHrfe f
Helpn to A HO- ^ ^^^ ^^^ helpc,is dihgencc,whcn a man beftirs himfclfc
fyUfe. ingoodneire,andpurfucthrehgioneuen at the hccles, labou-
* ring in ic notably, and fweating about his foulc. And there-
'DiRgencf^ fore Chriftianity is commonly compared to an Occupation or
a Trade, becaufe there is no good to be done in it, vnlclFc it bee
throughly applied, i.Pet.i.io,
Q^fVhat u the reafon hereof f
A, Becaufe a man goes no ftirther in Chriftianity, then hcc
driucs forward his foule, and luggs it on. And therefore iFhcc
once flackehis paines 5 let him looke alfo that his loue, and his
zeale will quickly flake.
CX^^hat leArne we Ifj this I
A. That they who content themfelues with a cold profeffi-
onof thcGofpcll,and to goe along in Religion for company
fake, and doc not gird their loynes, andfet themfelues vnto ic
ferioufly, fliall ncuer attainc to any foundnelTc in it, ^vu.
13.4.
* . Qs;jvhatis the fec$MdH€lpe?
^raea wuri- ^^ y q ndiurifh our graccs,and to plic the fire of the Spirit,
^^' that it goe not out fo foone as we feclc any declyning ot our
ftate, as coldnetfein prayer, deadndfe of heart , wcanncirc in
good duties 5 not to let the difeafe to grow, but uiJiriCdiatcly to
labour thcrcforming of it, Heh, 12.13.
Q^^Declarethp^ more fully f
A. Asa man feeling the grudging of an Ague, fcekcs to
mcctc with it, and 10 prcucnc It before it come; So when wee
\ fccic
Grounds ofRehgUn
fcckanydcclyningof ourflatc,ificaiKitpangof finnc, wee
murt gather vp our fclucs from that wcarincITc and dcadndfe,
and coldnelTe that is grovvnc vpon vs.
Q^PVhat ts the third Helpe ?
e/^. To let a watch oucr all our life : to lookc that wc fpeak re \pXh 'our
nothing, but what God would hauc vs fpcakc, and that wee Life.
thi»kcnothing,but that which God would hauc v$ thinkcand
doc. And that wc hauc the Lords word, and the Lordj War-
rant for cucry thing that wc take in hand, /7i«/. 3^.1,
Cl^fVhat gather rvce of this ?
A. Thatthcy who let their Hues kimnc ar randomc, they
care not how, and doe not fiirt confidcr before they doc any
thing, what God would hauc them doc 5 and before they dealc
in any bufincife, how God would haue them dealc 5 and before
they fay any thing,what God would liauc them fay,muft needs
offend exceedingly.
CXc^tVhat is the foftrth Helpe ? ^
%A. Totrieour ftaccdaily 5 how we come forward, what Daily TrUil,
gaine wc make, and whether our profite be anfwerable to our
time, and to our Minillcrs paincSj how finnc dyeth in vs, what
corruptions are yet ftrong, and what paincs wee take for the
weakening of them 5 This will comfort vs and encourage vs
forward, if we haue done well, and make vs afhamcd of our
floth, if wcbc not the better by our meanes, i.Cor.i 5.5,
Q^ ^hat IS the fift Helpe f ^
A. Reading of ihcScripaircs priuarely as often as wc can. Scriptures >m*
though itbc(.hcleire,andchat which we want at one time to ^^''^g*
fupply it anochcr, fo that wee bee conftant in our cowfe,
iojh.i.^.
Q^ How may wee reade the Scriptures with profite f
A, Fii-iljif wee remember it is God that fpeakcs in the Hewttreadi'^
Scripture, and therefore when wc open the Bible, wcdoe open with profile*
the mouth oi the bldfcd God :o fpcakc vnto vs 5 So that wnen
wccomc to readc, wc may fay as ^^w«r/laith, Speaks Lord for
thjfferHantheareth, z,Pet.l.ll,
Secondly, if wethinkc that God comes nottotalkewith vs
of trifles, for ihisbefecmcth no. the Maielbc of God 5 but hec
F z comes
6t €r0unds ofRtlighrfi
comes tofpcakc with vs of matters of great momejit,& of grcit
weight, of fuch as conccrnc the cucrhfting welfare of our
foules, and thcrcForc we arc to quicken vp our fcltics in the hea-
ring of him, D Sixtly, if wee meditate of it afterwards, and lay vp that
which wee vnderftand, and askc of that which wee doe not,
u4^s 8.34. Praying to make it proficable.
Qu. f^hat is the fixt Helpe f
Marhinfr far- '^' Toreadctwiceorthriccina wecke, as our leifure will
mulan, afford thofe places of Scripture, which concerne our particu-
lar calling jtoconfider with whatfaithfulnellc wehaue walked
in the duties that are there commanded. As he that is a fcruant
ropcrufethofc Scriptures, that lay downc the duty oft Ser-
uant ; and he that is a Mailer thofe places that dcfcribe the du-
ties of a Mailer. This will bee a great aduantage to godlincirc,
to hauc the Lord fo often calling vs,and ringing dutic continu-
ally in our earcs, D^^r.i 7.18. 1 9.
7 X^u. ^hat is the fenertth Helped
Mtditdth'/t tn A\ To be alwaycs meditating on good things, and fet the
gt'tdJbings, Biindeonworkein holy thoughts, efpccially to confider the
curfed cftate of the wicked to auoide it, and thchappie cflate of
the godly, and to be heartened tothelike,/7^/.i 1 9.97*
Q^ fVhat difference is there betweene the fiate of the godly y
and of she wtcked,
Q/V. Great difference ^/vhile they liuc.but greater when they,
die;
Grinndt of RetigUfi. 6^
die: For the godly die like lambcs, they make a Tweet clofe : ,
they fall allcepc in the armes oF Chrift 5 Whereas the tvicked
die like hoggcs, that goe grunting and whyning to their death:
fo they llruggle tor lite, and flicke to the world, and are loth t©
die, iViirM^.13.10.
Q^ H^hat t^ the etqhth Helfef f,
A, To make an holy vfe of our Troubles, to remember Affliaion
they arc as wliippcs in die hand of God to fcourge vs home to ^^^^fitd.
him, /'/i/. 1 1 9.67.
Qu. How u this declared f
A, By a Similiiudc : For if a fheepc runnc from his fellows,
the Hicephcard fcts forth hisdoggc afcer him, yet not meaning
to weary the (hccpe but to hunt him home to the flocke againc.
So when we wander aftray away from God, the great (licepc-
heard of our foules fers out his dogge after vj, fometimes po*
ucrty,fomcciine$ ficknelFe, foiiietimes dearth of cornc to chafe
vs from our rinnes,and to driue v$ to God againc.
Qu. yyhat ts the ninth Helpe I
A. To bring our felwes oft in rememberanc€ of the vowes ^
and coucnants which we hauemade with God, and to call vp- Rj^ff^^^^^c*
©n our fclucs for the performing of them : For if it be dilhonell q^^^^^I^ '
eobreakcv\ithmcn,how much more if wee fljall not kcepc
touch with God,/Y^:/.6^.l 3 .14.
Q^ yvhat is the tenth Helpe f , g
A To vie the company of the godly, that we may bcc the commknio'a(f
better by it ,7y^/. 119,63. Sdtnty,
CX^fVhat good IS gotten by it?
A, Firll, Wee are thereby prouokcd to bee like them : As
SaHl\ wicked n^an falling into the company of the Propl^cts,
and feeing liow godly they fpent their time, was made aihamed
of his ownc life, ajid began to prophcfie with them, i Sam,
I9.14.
Sccondly,we hauc our benefite in all their gifts 5 wee are di»
wifer for their wifcdome, and their zeale kindles ours, as one
candle hghcj another, ProptAi.io.
Tiiirdly,we are cher by kept in fomc compallc, and our cor-
ruptions nipt in the hcad,thar they dare not ftirre, lojh.i^.^ i.
F 2 Founh-
, Fourthl/jweiircthcfcccrrmnyrimesfoftherr fak^^^ j
wucaling that to them, whicb he would nochauc done to V$,
i.Kthgs ^.i^, •.-.'iff/- ji jyl«l sjh i
^j y^' To wichll:andandaiioyd all the lectcs which may f!o^ i
n'ithflindi»i 2"^ hinder vs in our Chrirtian courrcs,be it pleafure or prbfiic, \
Lcncs, c r company «r friend, away with ewery diiiig chat may hkider i
Cl^fVhat u the U[i Helpe f \ i
miy Praaijh , ^' ^^ ^"*^g ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^y ^^y^ prafHfe, diat o^r wliok j
hfc may benothing ^fc, but a walking with God^and a coh-
tinuall iourney ing tow ards our heaucnly home, x ,Tfm,^.-r,
Q^ f^hai k> required in the dailj/ Pra^iifel^ ,..»... ^.
A, Fiift a catai nc Preparation to the day ^and then the ho- i
ly (pending of the day it felfc. , \
Cl^fVh^ is the'TreparationftcedfidlU
A. Becaufcasamanintime ofacominon plague taketh \
fomewhat in the morning next his heart to keepe out the in- '
fedion 5 vSo the world bemg mightily poyfoncd with finnc^thc
Chrillian mull lay fomc good thing next hjs heart, elfe euery
thingthathedeales inwiiljnfe^h]m,/^y^/.ii9,i4X. '
- Q^ybatis the firfi thuig wherevptth wee mufl begin the^
day? -a. pi. 00. ^
VM}fyVrafi''fi A, Wee mull feeketo awake with God^tohaue our mindes i
hfrpff ranning on hun^asfoencaswelookevp 5 For wee cannot a-
wakefo foonc, but with Gods BleQmg, and Gods Mcvcyes be
vp afore vs : And therefore let God be in the beginning o£ our
thoughts, and let him haue the firft place in the day, CMarks i
1-35. '- I
Q^ IVhat are wes tke» toSQ/jJider of I -i .
"i A. That weehauclicpLmpi'crwectlyvindcr the Lords de- '
fence, then jf wehad had Iron walls, and Brazen doorcs codc^ |
fend vs : When we were bit adccpc and could not watch our
fdues 5 then the Lord watciied oner vs, and l^e fet a guard of I
Angels tgkeepc vs. And therefore feeing we haue rctlcd with
fuch latecic vnderGods defence, let vs thankc hun for his mer-
cy, and fceke to diuc vndcr die wing ot tl^ AlmightiCp and ,
to
to goc niadowcd with the hand of hi$ protc<^ion all the day,
' Qu. yvhut ^Xfme to Qoyifldcr dfei
A. Thatwenrcthcferuantsot God, aswcc WCJU to bed-
And tiiCiefoi e,,that wee mull fpcnd the day in his fcruicc, noc
in doing what we lift, but in performing thofe duties that hec
n-'qinrstii. For feeing this ii the caufc why wc.v\erc bornc,and
v/hy God lets ysliuehcie in thig world, that Wee may lerijc
him ; Wee arc tochinkceuery morning when we rife^ that God
lets vs liue one day more, but to hauc one dayes feruice more at
our hands ; and if he let vs liue another day, Jt is byt to hiuc
anotha day es feruice at our hands. Therefore, as our fcmants
gctvptodocour budnellcjfomuft wc rife to doc the Lordj,
I. Cor. 1 5.:; 4.
Qu. jyhAt are wee to ^oe then .<*
A. Then wc are to take a view of our worke, to caft in our
Leads, what are the daycs wherein wciiiuft fpend die day; The
confiderationofourpv^:pcftat^ and calling will foonc lead v$
to this ^ For many times we are to thinke^ I am a Qiriftian,
and thercfoie I mulf fpend this day like a Chriftian 5 I am a
Father, and therefore I mnft pcforme the duties of a Father : I
dill a Preacher or % Maftcr or a Sa'uant,&c. Lnke 1 4. z8.
Q^PVhat learne wee hy thtst ,„ j ^ ,., . ., ,- . ^,^-^
Jt. That it is not poffible for thofc fimpic foulcs to liflc
well, which know not what i^re the particular dunes whicK
their ownc place and calling require at their hands. For bovy
€f^\\ < hpy fpend die day Chriilian-likej d^c know noc what
Chnllianuic mcancs < And how can they hue like Fathers,that
know noc what belongs \o the duty of a father ? And tiKreforc
cueiy one chit will hue well, mu/t hauc at his fingers. cnd^ tbfi
draft of duties mentioned bcforc,£/)^f/'4.i8. .:i'j.;;:i(
Qu. ^nd may wee then fafely enter ^J^n the day f O
A, No in no wife, till our fpiricuall furniture be on,and w'C .
fcaue taken vntp ys die whole armour of God, without tl^
wjiieh \y^«'pi^tt:r into th,c worl4 like a naked iiian:iutorbC:hpJd;
And chci ctore when our cloathc« goe on, then let v& rcmo^^^ba
to put on our vatucs to, Efh,6, 13. . / O
F 4 ClJHat
71 Grt'mds of Kdigion^
Q^^JF^at are the p^rts of thii zyirmonr^
tA* The Parts arc ^.
mily Amour, Firft^ Smcentie, and a faichfull and a true heart to Go^;
that wcmakcnor (hew ofmorc then wee hauc, but fecke that
our inward care, zealc, louc of God, may be anfwerable to that
which wc outwardly profelTe.
Sccox\^\YyRf^hteoHfneffe,zv\d, anvprightand honefl minde
to our brethren, that whatfocucroF theirs rhall coinc into our
hands, (hall palFe in peace and fafetie as good as it came.
Thirdly, Prep/irathnfor ajfitciions, to be readietolay down
our Hues and all we haueat the feet of Chrifl, and to vndergoc
patiently thofc troubles which the cuill of thefeeuill daycs Ihall
caft vpon v$ .
Fourthly, Faith, to pafwade our felues, that God is at peace
with vs in Chrift, and therefore that he will bletic vs, and bcc
with vs in all our paines.
Fiftly, Knowledge of Gods willy todire£l vs wl^at wee hauc;
to doc, and to beatc backc the fundric temptations that thall fee
vpon vs.
SiTC^'j ^Prayer in the fpirit, and fcruent and earned prayer
vnt© God, that he will be with vs, and leade vs throughout the
day, and enable vs by his power to difcharge n\ fonie meafuir,
the duties that are layd vpon vs.
(Xi^Tea, hut poore men wtll fajthej haue no time nopra^ ?
A, They might rather fay, they hauc no will to pray 5 For
they that can findcalwaies time to eate in their greateft bufi-
nelTe, would fure findea time to pray, if they minded God, as
they minde their meate. Againe, when they hauc moll bufi-
iieire,itisbutrifingaquairerof an haurc fooner. Little doc
they care for Gods blefling, that vviH not take fo little paines to
hauc it.
(X^Howff the ^hriFlianto fpendthe dxy ?
r>€f /^ending. ♦ A, If thedaybecaSabboth day, wee muft fet our felues
Jigrds dof, wholly apart for the Lord, we mult not let any worldly buli-
Dciretakcvsup,butrcfoit diligently to the Mmillry of the
WOrd,/y2f;58.i3. - * "'^1
OLwhat are wee to doe as we come f
Cr^nfids 9f Relighn. " y ?
A, Wcc arc to think c'witli our felucs whether wee arc go-
ing: wc arc going into Gods prclVnccjinto tlic pidcncc of that
Maicllic chat is grcatei" then all the Kings and Princes of the
world j and therefore with what fearc and icuerence fliould wc
comcinto his fight, at vvhofc feet all the Kings in the world
mull cad downc their Crowncs,and the Angels ftand with co-
ucrcd faces , as not being able to behold the excellent glonc that
/liineth \Vi\\\\w^Ecclef.c^.\y.
Q^ PVhAt Are we to doe when we are come ?
A. Then we mull attend with care and confcience to the
Miniftry of the word of God, rcmembring, that though the
voyce be the voycc ot a man : yet the word is the word of God,
and therefore we may not let it fall to the ground, but fet open
all thedoorcs of our hearts, that it may hauefreeacccllc, and
entrance to workevpon vSji.TheJf.i,i^,
CyfVhat are we to dog after ?
A. Wee are to lift: vp our hearts with great thankfulnefTe to
God for the good thir.gs that we Iiaue heard ; and then wee arc
to examine our felucs vvhac wehaue profited, what wee know
now wliich wc knew not before : what vertuc is llrengthened 5
what vice is weakened in vs, and when wegochome^ then wc
'muif remember, that wc talke ( as the two Difciples did of Ic-
fus Chrift.) We mull not runne out into the world, and fpeech
of worldly jnatters^ fo foone as we be cojue out of the Church;
but then meditate with our felucs, or confcrre with others of
that which wc hauc heard^e^cTj 8.39.
^ Q^ what are we to doe when we are come home ?
f A. To call our Children and our fcruants to account, to fee
what profite they hauc made of die day,andtoipendthereilof
the day in reading and in prayjng, in comfoiting the ficke.
This is to faiiiflifie a Sabboth to the Lord. •
Q^vhat if the daj be u working daj^how are wc to fperrd it
then ?
A. If the day be a working day, then after prayer is per- n'tci^edAj^
formed, wearc to fet vpon the dutycs of our Calhng checrc-
fully, and to walkc in them witfh fuch faithfulndle and trull,
that wcc may approuc of oui- care and good confcience, not
onely.
/
^ij. Grounds ef Relighn^ .
onely to men, but to the Lord hiinfelfc \
Q^fVhat is the fecond thing f j
.)Jw^. Wc€ mufllookc that our godly drc in the meanc while ;
be not hyd afleep, but cuen in the middcft of our bufincircjhfc ,
vp our mindcs to God, and craue his blefling vpon eucry thing,
that wc take in hand, and many times m the day thanke him i
iorhisgoodncirereioycinginhim,ajs in the greatcft portion :
and treaiure that we haue,Tr<7//. ^.6, ^
Qu. JVhat is the third thir.gl \
I ji. Our next caie muft be, that wc vfc well our lawful! li-
berties, whicli God hath giucnvs for the coiiifort of our life,
tliat we QY^ctoX not in ourapparell, going beyond our abilicie, j
^ or tli^fe bounds which moddlie hath fct vs 5 *rhcn that we ex- i
cecd not in our meates and drinkes,feeding either too daintily,
or too cormorantly on thoTe nicane difiies which vvee hauc. j
5 Thirdly, that we exceed not in our rainh, cither in imniode- i
rate lightnelFejOr babiOily reioy cing m things which we ought
M not. And laftly, that wcfpend no more tmic idle, then may ^
fcruetorefredi vs.
Q^f^hat is the fourth thiy^g f
A , Care mull be had, that we hurt not our brethren in their
bodyes, goods, or names, or any thirg belonging to them,but '
that we be helpcfuil and comfortable to them all the waycs wcc
may 3 That we commend their ellatc by eameft prayer vnto 1
Qod,that we labour for theiccouering of them in their falls ;
that wc ilirre them vp as we are able, to good things: that wee
oppr die tliem nor, dccciue them not,6cc.
CX^fVhat if the /ajl thwa ? '
A. For the better performing of all thefe duties, wc are to
vfe thtmeancs that God hath giucn vsj as daily prayer,rcAding
of the Scriptures : trying of our ellatc,&.c And thougli wee
cannot vfe all thcfe cuery day ; yet to vfe To many of them, as
conuehientlywemay,andtoadde the reft as our Icifurc and
opportunitic wijl ^fford ; This is aii holy and aChriftian-lik(i
fpcnding of the day, wherein a tnanmay reft with peace, alfu-
ring himfelfc, th^the icadcs a life in fomc rneofuie plcafing to
God,
Grinds $f^eVtghn^ 7 j
'Q. what Art me to doe at night ?
A, When the night IS con ic,clnfn we arc to looke backe,
md to niarke how wc haue (pent the day : tiicn wee nuill oil
ourftfUias toa reckoning, and anaa'ount, how wee walked in
the duties oFoui'Calhng: then how wee haiic behaued owe
fellies towards God ; towards our bredircn ; towards our fellies.
It wcfinde chat wehaucipent it v\ell,dientoblclIcGod, and
tothankchiiniorit ;ifnot,thentobchunib!edby ic, and to
fceke to God tor comfort and gi*ace, that wc may he dpwne iii
liis fauoiir,and niakcan end of all after-Teckonings:*' '*"
Ou. F9r fnrther fraclrfeof Religion 5 JVhatts tobee don^f
A. Wee mui^ fee what is to bebchciied, and pratflifc d;c ^k^ Qmdt)
fame : The fomme whereof is concajned in \}i}%.^AfoslUs
^ YCide,
(y yyhj is it cji lied the Apoflles (/rcede ?
A, No^, that tJK ApoJIies mzdc it 5 for then it fliould bee
Canonicall Scripture, as well as thcrcil of tJKjr Writings : Bac
becaafcit containes the fumme of rlic Apoftlcs db^flrjnc,
Cy^KoivrH.wypArtshxth the Creed f
^ The firft treat eth of God. 7
A, Two, -^ rj^i^ j-^^^^^^ ^jr^i^^ church, f
Qu^ pyhat IS the Jbmmf if the Cr^ed ?
A, Wee profelfc therein, that wc bclceiie in Gad, diftin«ft
in direePerfons, The Fadier, die Sonne, and the Holy Ghoih
And that this God harh gaiheicd to himfelfc a Church •, that is,
A company of fairhfill people, vpon whom hce will bcftowe
his graces m this world, and the glory of his Kuigdoirx in the
world tocoine.
Q^ fKo^rf /> it to bcleeuc in G^dl
A. Noi barely to bclcciiechat there is a God, ( for the Dc-
nilU doc fo, and cremblc,) and if this were our taithj our faith
were nobctcr then the dcirdls faith, and therefore to belccue
in God, is to put our whole trull in God, and rail our Ulues
vponhimina1lcllatcs,tobcea(ruicd in our hearts, wee lliall
findchimaGodjthatis mercitUil and good to vs in all our
Ticed^,2 Tlw.i.ii.
Q^lVhat gathcrwe of thisf
yS Grounds of KtUghrii
A, That they who arc clcanc out of hear t in their troubles ,'
be they neucr {q grcar^ or feckc to windc out of themfclues by
vnlawfull iiicanes, they care not how, doc not bclicucin God.
And therefore fo oft as they fay the Creed they lye ^ becaufc
they lay they Truft in him ; when indeed they arc not inward-
ly perTvvaded that he will he! pc them.
Qu. How many ki»^-s of faith bee there ?
An Jliftoncad faith, which the deuilU may
V haue,/ able CO doc vNhatrt>euer hcc will in
Hcaucn and in Earth, no power being able to hinder his work,
and to hold out againd hwD^T/kf. 1 14.3.
Q^ G'>d cannot doe all things, for hee cannot jinne ?
A, It is true, that God cannot doe any thing that is contra-
ric to his Nature to doCyHeb.6- 1 8. hee cannot lye, i.Tim.i. 1 3 .
hcc cannot deniehis word, and yet he ii Almighty : Becaufc
thcfc things imply not power, but want ot power.
Q^fVhat mcAne wee when wee fay : Wee beleeue in (jod AU
m ghty f
e^. Webeleeuenoc onely thatGodis Almighty in him-
fclFe, but that he is Almighty for our good, and wee (liall feelc
thebenefiteot thac Almightie, and infinite power that is in
him.
(X^What vfe mxy wee makj of this I
ex^. It ferueth ro ftrengthen ourfaith,not only concerning
the things of this life, but alio of the life to come.
Qa. Hew for the things of this life ?
A, Seeing God is Almighty 5 diat is, able to do all things :
Wee know we arc ncuer ^o poorc, but God is able to enrich vs,
neuer fo lowe, but God is able to exalt vs ; neucr To heauy , but
God is able to reioycc vs j neucr fo entangled, but God is able
to loofe ys^Rom.^ 2 1 .
Q^^^Haw for the things of the life to come f
A. Seeing God is AUnighty, wee know, that though our
wcakcnelle be great, and our corruptions many : yet God is a-
ble to carric vs comfortably through the vafl and warring
Wilderncircof this world intothcland of happincirejandcter-
nall reft, /c^.io.29,
CX:^mr9L
to Grounds of Religml
Qu. TTow ti Cjoi fecondly flit J to he Almighty ?
A, Bccaufeall the might and power chat is in any of the
creatures is from God, the leall thing in the world being not
able to mouc it fclfey but by the llrength and power which it
hath from God.
CX;^Jv!)At gatJier yvee of this ?
A. That the Sparrow hghts not on the ground : that a
hayre falls not from the head : that a leafe dropps not from the
.trce,but it i$ ordered and difpofcd by the mighty hand of God,
M^Ath.io.i^.^o,
Q^fJI>oth nothing then happen by fortune and chanct f
A, Surely no : thcfearc tearmcs brought in to robbc God
of his gloric in the gouernment of the world. For cuer, that
which fccmes to be mod cafuall, is caricd wholly by a fccrcc
hand of God, Prou. 1^.33.
Q^JVhat vfe may we make of this ?
A, Firft, it will teach vs patience : For feeing all things arc
wrought by the hand of God 5 we make our account that fick-
nelfe, lolfcs, miferies^thcy arc all from God,and therefore mull
be borne contentedly, vnletfe in the pride of our hearts, wc wil
lift vp our felues againil the Lordji.S4m, i6ao»
Qu. fVhat is the fecund vfe ?
A. It will teach vs coinfort 5 for feeing nothing is able to
lift vp it fclfc without the Lord, wcc are to make our account,
that a dogge cannot waggehis tongue, a wicked man cannot
moouchis hand againft vs without his leaue and hccnce, who
is our Father, I oh. 1 9 . 1 1 .
Q^^jvhat is the third vfe f
A, It will teach vs thankfulnclFe : For feeing it is God that
workcth all in all 5 it is God alone, who is to bee blclfed for all
the comforts that we hauc, bccaufe it is he that cnchneth mens
hearts to vs, and caufah this or that thing to doc vs good,
1.5^^.25.32.
Cl^JVhy if (jod caRed the Great our af Heauen and Earth?
CrtcL -.
o ^2 i.WhathisO^rtfis. ^ :<>
H is office i s fct 5 i. By the Titles, 7
OUttvvowaycs, c t-Sythe a^ioMSofft.^ ^.n.v-.,... .
Qu, fVhatu thefirfiTn/e? < ^ .^.i ^.IrjsdgT ....
A. lejns, which fignifieth a Sauiour, according td th^O
Afath .1.11. Thou [halt call his name ////«•
- 'Qa IVhat doth hee fine vs frQm .<*
A, Fn>m 1 innc and Jie punilhinents thereof. -t
•/*Q^ Ffot9 d^th hee fane vs fromfittHef '\\ in il,'jjo.'» ir^'
A. By dchucring vs from the guiltmelTe of finnC* iJo^n
G 1 7.
St Grounds of RtU^t§n.
f .7. Andfccondly by freeing rsfrorr. the power of (inne^tfiat
itraignc not in vs,/<7/7.8.24.
, Q^ How doth Chrifl fane vs from thevf*niP:>m€Kt ^fflnne f
A, Firft^by deliuering vs from the v\ratli qF God, that wai
kindlcdngainft vs,i,Theffli. i o.
Secondly, by deliueiing vs from rhc clamours and cryes of
ourowncgmlqcconfckncc, which continually accufcth vs
Thirdly, by deliuering vs From the paines of Hell,i?<»«;.8.i.
Fourthly, by deliuering vs from the power ol: the Dcuill
who before ruled vs as a Lord, Wi?^. 2. 14.
Q^j_f^/w/ is th€ Tftetimrse then of thefe words • / beletue in
leffisf
A, The meaning is, that I bcleeue, there is a life and Salua*
tion in lefus Clirill for all that come vnto him : And that as he
is hfu^ 5 fo I (hall finde him a, lefm^ char is, a Sauiour to fauc
me from finne, and all the puniftimcnts due to it : So that
though I be afifiner ; yet through the Spirit of Chrift working
in me, I Ihall finne euery day Iclfe then otha 5 and through the
Lords mercy, I fhallnot come into condemnation for ajiy o£
thofe finnes, which through frailty and weakenelTc 1 commit.
Q^^^h,'it is the fecond tttle of our Samour ? u
A, Hce is called Chrift, who was amioyntcd, and it is the
fame that Meffixi is in Hcbrew,/6'/?.4.2 5.
Q^i^^ovp WAS Chrifl annoy nted ?
A, Not with bodily oyle, as the Kings and Pricfts, and
Prophets were in the old Law, but with the holy Ghoft, the
- Spirit of God without meafurc being poured on him, Acis
10.38.
Q;^ Whereunto was Chrift annoyraed vpith t he holy Ghofk
^» Tobeethe King, the Pried, and Prophet to his
Church. Jic ;j4; , (, r.
Q^:^hy is Chrtft [aid to bee the King of the Church f
A, Becaufeitisgouemed by tlie Law of Cluift, and fe-
•ondly , becauii it is defended by iiis power againit the ,rage of
the dcuill, of linnc^ and ©i all ihccfleinics tha t pppofc it,LK^.
Q^ lyhy is Chnfi faidi to be the Prtc/f of the Cnnrch \
A, Firft.bccaufe hcchath made anattoneirmt for it, of- g
fring vphisownc Body vpon die Altar of the Cruirc. And
fccoiidly, bccaufc l^c makcth intcrccHion in Hcaucn, contiim- ^•
allyincrcating God for the peace and fafccic of it,f/ji^prii. gf , f 1115^ life,, ^pd
the life to come belong vnto dicin, ^ A ^
Qu. How are they Pricfts^
A. They arc Prjcfts to otfer vp their owne bodyes and
foulcsby holy fcruice vnto God, And fecondly to intrcacc God
for thcmfclucs andcheir bretiircn,i./'rr.2.5.
Q^ How are they "Prophets ?
A. riiey are prophets both to ftand out .vnto the death for
tho mamtamanccof the truth,and alio to teach that which they
know to others that knew it not, Acls 2.1 7.
Qa a^at thtnkiyijH of thofe who doe not fo f
G 2 A. How-
(4 driflndf tf Ktlighn,
t/t. Howfowcr they carry the name of Chriftians, yet inu
i deed they be none, buc mcetc bypoaitcs and diircinblcrs; what-
focucr they pretend.
CX^lvhat are wee t9 heUette c$HCerm»^ the P^rfon ef
Chrtjtf
A. Wee are to bclecucj f . Tk:it hee is very Go J.
two things, (^ Z. That h'ee is very maft,
Q^ Hovf doth the Creed fherv him to be God f
A, Firft, becaufc he is the Sonne of God. For as hee that is
the Sonne of naturall man, muft needs be a man : So hethatis
thenacnrall Sonne of God, muft needs be God. And therefore
he ii called the mighty Godjfay 9.^. the ^/ejfed God^ Rom,^,6*
and the true God, i l^h.^, 20.
Q^Why was it needfullthat ("hrift/houid be Gedl '
A, Hee that muft rcdecme v«, muft bearc the infinite wrath
of God. But no creature in Heauen or Earth, was able to bearC
the infinite wrath of God,and to rife vndcr it. And therefore
none but God was able to redccme \$^lob 9.13.' ^^-:^' ^^
Qu. IVhat isthe fecondReafoKf
A. That the death of Chrift might be of infinite valuc,and
of infinite price to redeemc vs. For it was more that God was
fcourged: that God was nay led to the Crolfe t that God was
killed for v$, then if all the Angels and men in the world had
futFered,v4(^.2o.28. '"^
' Q^ fVhat gather wee of this y that Chrift u God f
A^, That if -^i^^»j being buta man was able to condcmne
v$ 5 much more Chrift beitig God, is able to faue vs, Rom,
5.17. • -
Qu. How is Chrift /aid to he the onely Sonne of God, fiein^
aU the faithfuH are fi alfo f ^>* ^ ^
Qneff SfiMi* '^' ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ onely Sonneof God by Nature, and wee
are the fonnes ot God by Adoption and Grace: Chrift is the
Sonne of God -, bccauTe he was borne of God : And we be the
fonncsofGod, becaufeitpleafahGod m tauour to accept vs
for his fonr cSyT fal. 8 1 5..
u. ivhAt IS the fecond Tftie, whereby it is ftnwfd that
QodV
J. In
Qu. P
Grounds of R digion. 8 jc
A, Incbatliceis called our Lord. For God \\ oiir oncly
Lord57)f»r.8.i4.andihCTcforcrceinghcn}u(lbcc ackno.vlfld- Q^fiQid.
gcd CO be our Lord : he mull alio bee ackuowkdgcd to.bgiour
God,/^/'.2o.2S.
Q^ IVhy is Chr'tfl called ofir Lord ?
ji. Becaufc the godly ones are ruled by him, tlic wicked c-
ucr labouring to lliakcotf their yoakc,^«-^i 9.14. -.k
^- Secondly, bccaufe he ruleth for our good, wce.hauing the
whole fruicc and benefice ot his goueiniucnc in the world,
Q^ IFhat is the meAmtig then of thefe words 5 / be lee fie in
Jefus Chnf} our Lordl y/.j^jiii .1.
A, 1 belceue chat he was but a baij: rnan : bl/t the Soi^nc o£
God, that came CO rcdecmc the world jCuen he that rulerh \^i\i
all power, both in Heauen and m Earch 5. ai)vi theret^r^Jsjmclt
mighty to fauc all thofe, who by true hi.th, flie vncorhiwj.^j.)
Qu. 7Vhy was it necdfy.Uthat Chrtj} jhouldbeeman f "> \^»*At
A. Becauichccouldnocluffcr4iK'lMsdiyiile;NmH**i;'^ Jirft, Vvt^H^Vrt
and thcrcl-orc vnlcllc he had taken vpon him the weafe^ r ^tur<$ ' "
oF man ; hecould net haue fut^eredfor vs, i.Tim, i^iyJ , ;
Secondly, becaufe man had lix^ned •, ai>4 thcreFcuiC k/ was
nocdtuU that map, lliould futfer for jTmiiG, Hf^.iACtojh .Vv
Thirdly,thachcm}glitbethe iiiore picntul'and tenderCGJ \%
hauingteltin hin/eile the n:a]iy wcakmllcs and inlirmitics^
that our nature is fubicifl to, //c /». 2. 1 7.
Q^ How did Chri[} become man I ' O . O .
n ,-^. 'Hewa^ Concerned by the Holy G\ioft^.Wr*19 ^L^^^c
Virginc -I'^/.ir/. _ —Jr . n; ! *"» :
Q^ How wa,i heconceiHsdhy the Holy Ghosi f
' . A, Tlieholy GhoiHanaifiedchcflelhof the Virgin, and
then Fore cicatcd tiie Body of Cluill without mans hclpe,L;^^
- * Co'ficaucd uy
e/i. That he might be pui-e from originall linne in his
conception, //^^.y 26.
Q^ trlxfW4i hipor^ne of a y^JYgm f ^
A. Tluchis ilrange birth mipht mouc men to lookc for ^^^ff'^^. ^[j^^
G 3 lome ^ ^
Stf Grounds of Kelfg)0H.
fome (Irangf workc at his hands,//<.7.i4.
Q^ PVhat Heretiqnes are rehnkid by this Art tele ?
A, »y/«j/?j-againftnin-, and the T^^yj/f againft him : the
5tiffettingy2ind the
JVrath of GodyV4\\\c\\ was greater than them all.
(^ ^Vhj do the Martjrsjnfferfo ch^ercfHHj , and Chrijl fi
htamij ^
A.TU
Grounds of Religion g-
A. The Martyrs though they felt palncs In their bodirt,yec
they were infinitely comforted in their foulcs:but Chriih'in-
.ward forrowcs were more than his outward ^i\\\z%,MAt.ic. 3 X.
Qu. F»r rvhat caufe dtd Chrifl fujfer f
A, He fuffercd for our finnes j vvc are they that caufed the
death of the Sonne of God ; as wc increafcd finne , fo the tor-
ments were iacixafed vpon him,//i^ 53«5'
Qu. ivhut vpAi this Pontius Pilat ?
A, He was thxcgoucrnor of /, Deputic to Tthcrtm Cd- ^''^f^^' ^^''^^
JAY Emperor diRome.Luke 3.1. ^' ^^'*
Qu. y^hj is he here me yit toned f
A, To (hew, That the Sceptar was now taken from TuiUh,
and therefore this was the time wherein Chrifl (hould come,
Ge?/.^y.tO»
Ql^JVhy W4S Chrijl csndiPnMed NeiK
88 Gromds ofRdtgton^^ j
went a nioft vile death , the death of the Crolfe in om* bchalfe ^
^. At noone day^that all 'iien might fee clecrely life & faU
uation 1 i Feed vp vpon the Croirc/^/^. 3.14. ^
Q^vherew^6(^hriflcrHCified^ \
A. Witbour the Citie, to ihew that vvcc mQll: goe out from '
this vvorld;if wc will be partakcts of the Crclleot Chnrt, Heb^^,
■*=''^^^' 12.13..
Q^vho drdcrncifie Chr'tFi ? ;
yl. The Zf w'^/jvvho longed for Chrilts coinn^ingjvcc killed
him when they had him, i .Thef.i.i^.
Q^ fVhat miracles -were done at itf
A, Tiicrc was darkcneire From high noone till three of the i
clocke. God put out the candle oFhcaucn,thac man micrht Icauc:
worke : When Man would nor blulh/he Sun was aOiamed and
hid his Face: When ineis hearts would not quake , the earth !
quaked for feare : and when mens hearts A'ould not r^nt , the J
vaile of the Templcrent in twainCjC^f-ar.iy. . .^ ^
QX^^JVhat WHS the third dc a ree ofChrtfts hnmilUtion f ]
PM^;* A, His death. '
Ql^jvhy did not Chrijl come dow?isfiom the Cro£} , oj the'^
lewcs would ham had him ? \
B A, IF Chnfthad ccmedownefrom the Croflc, the lerves i
would haue haled him to it againc , and ^o the condemnation.
would haue been the greater. !
If ChriiV had come downe,he had left the worke of our re- I
dcmption vnperfect : and therefore howfoeucr it might haue ^
beenc much For Chrifls iionouito haue come downe, yet ten- i
dring our goixl more than his ownehonour, hce was content '
with iharac and rcproch to (lay ftill vpon this Crolfe. !
3 Chrifl llicwed then a greater miracle than thar^if they would ;
bcleeue. For it was more to nfcfrom death after they had kil- ■
led him j than to come downc From the Crollc when hce was. ^
aliue. '
Q^Hsrv did Chrirt die ? \
A, He died a voluntaric death;and ;i holy death.
GroH7tds of RcUgidn. 8 ^
Q^Iow dtd(^hri^ die a voluntarie death I
Iri. Hcdicdnoc vvichexcremiricot- painc, ascthcisdof,but
lie willingly yceldcd vphis lit:e,when lie could hauc liued lon-
ger jF he would, /c/mo. i 8.
Q^ flow did Chrifi die An holy death ?
yi. Thoiighhee had niany ihaipc confli(n:s before his end,
ycrhcn*)adca Iwcec clofc, in lb much that the Centurion was
inorc inooiK-'d widi i'lis fwccc death , than widi all diciuiracks
which Ik had fccne.yl^^^ 15.39. "'^
Q^^lVh^ did Chrifi die \
A, To free vs froai cternall death 5 for vnlelFe Chrift had
died on eaith, wc had died eucrlallingly i-n Hell.
Q. Tea^ hut the Godlie die day ly.
A. But their death is notapunilhment for finne^bur a paf-
fage to Hcauen and Eternall life, Andrheretore it is one of the
greatcll blellings that God can bellow vpon a godly inaH^/'/;//.
1.2;.
Q^ IVh.it Fruitknie we by ChriftsT>eath ?
''A, Kciiiiffion tor ourlinnes •, for Jullice will not fuffa* that '
one otfcnce be twice punilhcd. And therefore feeing God hach
puniiliedall our finnes in Chriil. (vnlelle we renounce the be-
nefit wchaue by Chr ill) hce cannot now punilli them incur
leluesagainc,rp/.53.5. ■- ,»
Mortification of Unne 5 Chrlfts death obtaining not onely 2
pardon for linnes paft, but alfo Arengih and grace, to weaken
and bring vnder thofe corruptions that are yet behinde, i.Cor.
l.^Q,
Q f^'^hat ts the fourth deorce of ChrtrtshHmiltMtoni , , . ,
^Vi 1 • J ^ J AiidBHfied,
^.Hc vas buried.
Q^ H^hy tva^ Chrifi buried ?
A. For two caufes : Firi1:,the more to alfure vs of his death 5 '
for dead inen,and not liuc men be put into the graue.
Toconhrme vs the more,That Gods wrath 1$ appeafcd tho- 1
rougii Chriil , as the Sea was calmc whai Icnas was call out of
theSfiip.
yXiJ^hat FrHtt hanc wc h y Chrifi f bHriaJl.
u-L By Chrilb buriall finnc is buried in vs, lb that vre hauc
ftrong
vpo> Grounds of Kdigicn.
ftrong liope, that ir ncuer fliall arife, Rom,^.C*
C^ What tsthe Ufl degree of Chrifts HHrniU^tton ?
A. Wt^dejcendediyjto belli
CX^PVhat isthefirfl Degree of C^mjls ExAltatienl
Third dav Hee ^' ^^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^-^ ^^^ ^^^-^^ daai?2e from the dead^
Yofe graine Q^^fVhat is the meamng h ore of l
fiffffi tbc Dead, A^ That as a man rliac chops vp a morfell that is tcx) hoc
for his mouth, cannot hold it, but is glad to glue it vp againc:
So death hauing fwallowcd vp our Saaiour Chrift,and finding
him too hot for him could not hold him, but was glad to rav
dcrl>imvp againc, Acis i.i^,
Q^When did Chr;Jl rtfe I
A, The third day^ not the firft day, left the Icwcs (hould
thinkc he had not bccne dead indeed, but had been in a trance,
Not the fourth day, left his DifciplesOiould haue defpaired if
Chrift had becne longer ablcntfrom thtm^Lnke 24.2 1,
CX^JVhat difference is there htweene (^hrisls rijing, and
9Hrs I
A, Chrift rofcby his ownc power, but wee fliall rife by the
power of Chrift, as in a fliipwracke, one fWimmcs to the bank,
and a many hang at his hecles, and hccdrawcs thcra all out to
the fliorc, i.Cfir.15.22.23.
Cl^^JVhat are the frmts of Chrifls rtjing ?
A, Wee arc allured hereby, that Chrift harh difchargcd
for all our finncs : For if Chrift had not payd our whole debt,
if but one finne had bcene left behinde, Chrift could not haue
rifcn from death, the guiltinelle of that one finne would haue
kept him downe. And therefore God in raifing Chrift, hath
declared himfclfe to be fully fatisfied, and contented for all our
finnes,^#w.4.25.
Secondly, by Chrifts riflhg, we arc raifcd vp to ncwnctre of
life. AsitJsalhamcfortheSeruantsto lye in bed when the
Mafter of the houfe js vp : So feeing Chrift is rifen, it ftiall bee
our fliaine, if wee lyeftill found a fleepe m finne, Rom.6.^.
Thirdly, wee arc allured thereby, thac our bodies (hall rife a-
gaincj being parrs and members of Chrift, and liuing by the
umcvSpirif, which raifcd Chrift out of cbegraue, i .Theff^ 4.
Grounds ofKeltghn^ p i
Q^Vh4t is the feco»d d,egret of QntSls ExMi^tion :
A. Hee a fr ended into heAtten,
QlVhut IS the meamytg hereof>
^. That Chrill left the Earth, 2nd went vp to Heauen, fo lueafcc/tdcd
that he IS no longer in Earth according to his bodily prefcnce, '^^*' ^^''^'^^*
cither vKibly or inuifibly, Ioh.16 7.
Qu. ^^hat thtnkejfou then of the Read ^refettce of Chrtjls
hodi m the SacrAwe^t ?
A, Itisdireaiy contrary to the Articles oF our Faith, as
Chril\ hiinfelfc (Lewes, /...>■
CX^Sheiv jet more ftilly the menLn'tng of the Creed i ft. thjf
fittihO' '^
A, The fitting downe of Chrift, at the right hand of God,
isthcmftallingoi-himinhibKingdoine, and in his Throne,
the aduancing and lifting of him vp to bee the head of the
"Church, and that perfon by whom God will rule all tilings
both in Hcaucn and in Earth,/'^//.!.^.
O what Icar/ie we of this f
A. That Chnll is now exalted in hiskingdomC) and in his
Pridlhood;^o ch*^ now headjijimilrcth both his kingly cx his
' ' Pnertly
Cr$upids $f Relighfi. pg
Pncf^Iy office, with greater might and Maicftic then can he«
did before.
Q^ fVh^t fimt IhXMc wee hj the Hftirtg vp »f ChrtFl in hit
Prienhoodi
tA. Wee know thereby that ChriUs Inrerccflion fliall bee
more profitable for vs. For if Chrilh prayer on Earth was al-
vvayei heard -wee may well thi nice that being Sutour for vs in
fo great Maidlic and glory, hc« H.all noc bee denied, Rom,
8.34.
Q^yvhAt fruit hnue we hj the Itftwg vp cf Chrtfi tnhis
kiHgdome f
A, Firil, wee know that now he is more able to bldfc the |
. Church, and euery member of it 5 And therefore if hcc then
' healed the ficke, fed his followers with filfell prouifion , made
thcminiftryof the Word etFc£luall j much more 1$ hcc able to
doc it now,2 ,C<7r. 9 %
Secondly, wee know that Chrift is more able to defend the 2
Church, and fubduc all the enemies o^ ir,and ftampe them vn-
' dcr fooce , And therefore if heethen caft out deuiils,he is now
much more able to caft out finnc : and if then hee were able
with one word to calmethe Sea : hee is now much more able to
Icattcr all our Doubles, and to difpcric thein,i^<7«;. 1^.20^
Q^yhat gather rvee of this f
ji. That they who doubt of Gods fauour, or fearc they
(hall not be able to hue this hard yeare •, or thinke they Ihall nc-
uer ga Rehgion, or ouercome the lets, howfocuer they fay
they belceue : yet doe not indeed bclecuc diat Chrill fits at the
Right liand of God 5 that is, that hee more mightily admini-
ftrethhis Kingdomc and Prielf hood now, then euer hee did
before.
Q^^PVhat is the Ujl degree of Chrijli Exaltation f >.
A, Frojii thence hee fliall conic to ludge quick aud^^cad. ybt indgemn^
Q^ }fi)at is the meamng hereof? *. i • - " (-^^
A, That Chrill in the aid of the world, when the finnes
of men be ripe, (hall dcfcend in a Cloudc and fit downe vpon
his throne, and allbotli great and fmall Ihall lland before him,
and the Bookcs (hall bee opened^ and duy Ihall bcc iudged
acccrdmg,
^4 Grounds of Religlcn.
iccording to the things that they hauc done, be tjiqr good, 'or
bee they euill.
Qu. IVhat note wee hence f
A, I . That there fhall be a ludgcmcnr.
1. The gcncrahtieof the Judgement.
3.Thc Perfon oi the ludge.
4. The Time of it.
Qu. Hvw know wee that there Jhall it a ludgement f
A. Firft, by the Scriptures.
Secondly, by the hght of Rcafon.
(X^fVhAt ScriptHres froueit ?
A, Iftde l/^A$.l.Cor,5Ao*Aci.iy,lt.
Ci^JVhat H the Reajon ?
' A, WcknowthfetGodisa iuft and righteous God, and
therefore hee cannot but make the ftatc of the godly better
^: \ then the lUtc of cfic wicked. But in this world it is not fo : For
godly LaxutrM lycs pyning at the doorc, while the wicked
^/»rf^« fits furi:ctting at the Board, And therefore there muft
bee a Judgement, that the godly may bee blelfed, and the wic-
ked punilhed.
^^JVhat fruit haue we hjf this f
A. Wee know that Chrifts comming, is for the further
glorifying of his Church, and the punilhing of the enemies of
it. And therefore, howfoeuer we are here prdFed and affl ifted
forawhilc, and crowned with contempt (as our Mailer was
wfth thorncs ) yet a day will come, when all our infirmities and
mifcries (hall hauean end, and tlie faces of our cneiiiics (hall be
Ellcd with {hame,i.T-^rj^i.d.7.8.
Q^^JVhat are wee taught coMerniug the generaltty of the
ludgement f
e^. That all (hall be iudged,bodi quicke and dead
^> . CX^^lVho are meant thereby f
A, By the quicke arc meant they, whom Chrift fhall finde
aliueathiscomuiing j And by the dead, they arc meanr, rliat
(hall bee dead before; 00 that all (hall be iudged,^cw.i4.i o,
Q^ ^hat gather wee of thi^ ?
A, That a day will come, vylicii eucry one of vs (hall giuc
an
Grounds ofRcligtcn* 9 5
li tn account to God for his whole lifcfor cucry 01th that he hath
fvvornc 5 For cuery he that he hath told 5 for euery penny that he
hath dccciucd ; for euery Sabboth thathehath prophancd And
!' therefore, that wee niuft be caretull to flie thefe finncs, and the
hkc, as wee will anfwer to God tor theconcrane at die ludge-
I' nientfcate,
Q^vho JhaU be the fudge ?
^. Chriftin hishumaneNature/(7^«5.21.27.
Q^. IVhat learw wee hy th td ?
|, ji. That Chrills comming (hall be comfortable to the god-
ly, and feareftill to the wicked -, Cornforrablc to the godly, be-
I caufehelhall be their lodge, wIk) is their Sauiour, Luke 11.28.
I FearefuU to the wicked, bee lufe he fliall be their ludge, whole
blood they hauc dd pilcd^whofe Minirter$ they hauedifgraced,
|. vvhofe name they haue blafphemed, whofe Sacraments they
haiie contemned, whofe Sabboths they haue prophaned, Ren,
6,1 S- 16*
Q^ H^hen Jhallthe IndgemeMt bee ?
e/^. In the end of the world : what yeare, or what day, or
what houre knoweth no man, no not the Angels but God a-
lone, o^^?//'.24.3^.
^ Q^_^^^ nw^/^ the Lord hatie it fecret ?
' A, That m€n might be al wayes vpon their watch ,and pre-
paring for it: For the count day will come fuddenly, and ther-
forc we muft euer keepe our reckonings ftrcight, left it come
like a thiefe in the night to lleale away all our peace and pro--
Iperitiejandpleafuresfor euer, /^/*^r/(.3o.35.
Q^Vhut is the third Perfon in whom wee mfifi beleene f
^. The Perfon of the Holy Ghofl. llduuc'tnth
Q^ yvhat Are rvee to be lee He concerning the Holy Ghofl ? H^iy Qho^^
A. Two things ^ Firlt, thar he is the eftentiall Power of the
' Father and of the Sonne 5 the fame God in nature, bur diftin^
in Perfon : That hee proceedcth from the Father, the Scripture
isplaine, A/;ATi5.i^.Tharhccproceedethfrom the Sonne, is
as plaine,(7^/.4.6. That lie is adiilind perfonfrom them both
iscleare, /o/?« 14,1^.
• i>ccondly, tliathe i5theSau(5\ificrof Gods clc(fl, and there-
fore.
p6 GritmdsefReUgionl
fore lice IS called the Holy Ghofl, not oncly bccaufc he is Iioly
in himfclFc, but alfo bccaulc he makes vs Iioly/andifying both
our b#dyes and our foules vnto God.
Q^^^What Itarne wse Ify this ?
ft/< Thar by nature wee are more baiTcn then the barrcn-
dl ground in the world ; hauing no fparke of grace or good-
nelle in vs 5 And therefore, if there be any louc of vertue, any
hatred of finne, wc may well know it is not of our fclues 5 but
the Spirit of God which wrought it in our hearts, ?hiL% .13.
Qu. WhAt doth the Spirit ofyt^
(X^lVhat ii the fonrth thing f
A. Spiricuall Gouernment j For by nature wee arc fo ba-
bi(h, that wee know not when to fpcake, nor when to hold our
peace; how to pray,nor how to vfc our Chnftian hberties,6cc.
And therefore the i>pirit of God is giuen vsasa guide to duewt
vs in euery thing that wctake in hand,/^«/z?.8. 14.
Q^ PVhat t4 the fift thmg f . .
exf. Comfort m\ Troubles j For the Spirit of God ( a(Tu-
ring our hearts, that God loues vs in Chrift ) makes ysto con-
temnc the vanities of the world, and ( letting vs in hopcoT die
hfe to comc)ir)akc$ vs fct the idTc by the dungs oi this \\kJoh.
14.16. Q^^hus
irOun$fs of R dt^tcfil ^ ^
tow that hi
hath the Spirit of God ?
A. If a man Fcele himfelfc better able to concciuc the My*
fteries of Faitli, and to take profite by the Minilby of the
Word, citlicr to the begetting or ihengthening of Faith in
him: This is a fure token, that he hath the Spirit, Atl.ic.i^,
Q;^ JVhat is the Jecond Marke -
A, if a man feelc a fenfible change \n himfelfe 5 fo that hcfr
loues that good which hec thouglit hee (hould ncuer loue, and
hates that euill which hee thought hee (liould neucr hate 5 and
fcts himfelfc with diligence to the weakening and kiliinw.7.ii.i3 .
Qu. ^yhat doth the fccond part of the Creed cntre^te off
. r^r 1 • \ I Xhe Church,
X Or two thmgsX , ^/ ^ p c^ l a. j.^
^ ^ 2, / he beneptes benorped zipon tt,
CX pyhy is the Chnrch mentioned tmmediatlj after the D9'»
Urine of the Trinitie ?
ui, Bccaufc, vvhatfoeucr the holy Trinitie hath wrought, 7^4^^;, >^,
ihcy haue wrought it for the good of the Church. And dicrc-
fore the benefifc of the Father in Creating: of the Son in Re-
deeming: of the holy Gholl in Sandifying wholly and en-
tirely bclongcth to the Church : It is the Churches dowric.
CX^^hat learne wee hy thU \
A, That if a man can approuc himfclfe to bee a tnie mem-
ber of die Church : Then hee may allure himfclfe diat hec hath
hispartinChrill: But if lice bee net a true member of the
Church 5 then neither God nor Chrill, nor life, nor faluation
belongs vnto him, v/J?/ x.^,
CX^fVha: // the Church i
^. The Church is the whole company of Gods Eleil: in
all places, and mall Ages, knit by true Faith vnto Icfus Chrill
their held, Ephef.i. 10.
Q^ cyfre none bnt the EleEl trpte members of the Church f
A. Hypocrites and wicked men may bee in the Church,
but they arc not of the Church j They may be in the outward
H X ibcictjc
%9o GfiHnds of Religion,
focictie, and fcUowfliip of the Churcli mingled for a time,'
but they are not true members of it, becaufethey arc not knit
by true faith vnto Chrift their head, !./« i.i 9.
C^ ^hy an the vijible ^ffemhhes called the Church ^
s. A. Bccaufeincharicie wee arc to thinke they belong to
Gods Ele£lion, till by Apoftafic, ornotoriousemlllifc they
giue prooFc ro the contraric.
Q^^fVhat are wee to beleeue concerning the Church t .
A -r !-• ^l.Thatitishoty. ;^
-i^. TvvothingsX ^/ . . • ^ / /.
° C I. That ft u CathoUijUe.
Q^JVhy is the Qhurch fatd to be Holy ?
A. Becaufc all the true members of the Church arc waflied
from their finnes by the blood of Chrift, and haue holinclle in
fomemeafurc begun in them, Ephef.^.i%.
(Xi^PVhat learne wee bj this ?
A, Thatthcy who arc not holy, that is fan^T^ified in forac
mcafurc by the Spirit of Chrift, belong not indeed to the B ody
of the Church, and therefore arc quite caft off from all bene-
fice by the death of Chrift.
Q^ why ts the Church caUed Catholike ?
^, Catholike^ is as much to fay, as VmuerfaU, or generaJl*
So that when wee fay, Wee beleeue the ^aiho/iks Chnrch.Thc
jneaning is,that wee beleeue thcChurch is not now tyed to any
one Councrie, as it was before Chrifts comming, to the lewes
onely, but in euery Nation, whofoeuerfcarcch God and wor-
kcth rightcoufneire, is accepted of hira,£/>^^/i. 14.
CX^/s Mot the Chnrch of Reme the Catholiks Church?
A. No: For the Catholike Cliurch cannot fall away from
the faith, Math.i6a2. But the Church of Rome yh^ih no more
priuiledge in this point, then any other Church •, for it botU
may and hath dcpancd from the faith, ^^w.i i.ix. And there-
fore it is not the true Catholike Church.
(X^ffhat bee the marines of the true (^hurch f
A, I. Synccre preaching of the Word.
I. A right vfe of the Sacrajncnts.
Q^ Is not the Popes do^rine fonnd ?
Ak Nj jfor whereas the ocripturcs teach,, tluc God aloni
Grounds of RtUghn, \ o i
is ro be worftiippcd, A^-?r/;.4.Thc To^e tcachetfi tfiat wcc j»jly
vvcarll lip Saints, the Wood, the Crucifix with the fame diulne
V^'orlhip charbclongs to God. Where the S::rJpturcs teacli,
that tlierc is one Mcdiatour bctwecncGod and Man, tlic Man
Icfus Chriil : Tlic Pope tcacheth, that eucry Saint and Angcll
may be a mcdiatour for vs.
Qu. Hnuethey not a right vfs of the Sacraments ?
. A. No : For whereas Chnll and hit Apolllcs niiniftrcd in
both kindcs : chcy giue nothing but Bread vnto the people :
Where Chrill and his Apoftles celebrated it in a knownc
tongue J they inuniblcvp all in a Itnngc tongue, which the
people doc not vndcrftand.
Q^fVhat doth the Pofc make the chiefc mark^s of the
Church ?
At, Firft, Antlqultie. Secondly, Vniuerfalitic. Thirdly,
Succcflion o£ BiOiopsand confent.
CX^Doth not the yinttqH^tie of the Church of Reme prooue
it to btthetrtis Church ?
A. N05 for as old as it is, it is not fo old as the DcuilL A-
gainc^hcrc is as grcatdifocnce betweene old Rome and Rome
now ^asisbctw^enca chafte Virgin anda common Harlot.
Qu» ^eth notUmuerfalitie prooHe it, Pot before Luther t
ttme.altwere of the Romifh faith f '>».i ; ■■
j4. That is not fo ; For before Luther^ the V^aldenfes, and
the Chriftian Churches in Greece, m i*y4rmenjA, in Syrut^ in
c^r^oyjWiand other pi aces, as much abhorred fcllowfhip with
thcFopcasvYcedoe. >Secondly, if it bad becnc fo, yet who
knowes not, that %i.hhn hathforetokk^^*. 1 3. 3^*// .8. that all
the world thoidd worlhip the Bcafh' ' • * ".* '
Q^ Dothnotfficceffion ofBsjhojnfram Pctcrprootte$t ?
yi. No i For Catpha^ had fucccdion from Aaxant and yet
condeimedChrilf, and thcirowncilories tell, that there haue
f>ccneMonllcrs rather then BiQiops that haue fate at Rome,
7"i^ng thcmfcUics, Pope againll Pope, and Cardinall
againft Cardinall, Doctor againll Doftor, and thac in matccrs I
of" taich, concerning the cfhcacie of the SacrairiCnts, The Vir-
gin y^/^r;, matter of Orders, Iu(bfication,ee by thu f
A, That as one candle lights another j So one man raufl
bring on an other vnco God.
Qu JVhAt is the Ufl- thing wh^ffin th< ^ommmnoM^ of Sams
A. It confifh in the commiinicarJng of the goo3 things of
this life CO the mutuall helpc and comfort one of aiiothcr, ac-
cordmgly as God liathcnabled vs, .^^7/4.3 J,
Qu. ivhat gatheri^eeofdyts't' . 1 VErri I -ouj
A. That they who arc wholly taken vp with the care c£
their owne good, and doe not by loue goe out oFthemfclucs td
the comfort of their brethren, whatfoeucr they pretend, yet .
they belong not to the Communiorv erf '5;kines indeed, i.{^^
Qu^. lyhat ia'the fecondBenejitif " ^ ^ ''
A, Forgiucnelfe of vSinnes.
Qu.. what are wet to belecne c^HkiWiW7g this ?
-i^.Fourc things, Firit, that the Q^mch hath her Sinn cs, I
Euen the god licit in this world: Not ondy they who walke Theftrgme^
with no care: But «ucn tlicy who Cct a molt narrow watch oucr ^^^^ ^[I*^^^^*
tlieir wa es,and that not Ion e venialland petty l]nnes,but euen
deadly wounds,whcrd^ without the ^oour of God,they uiighc
Ciuseiy die.
H 4 That
Q
1 04 CfAtinds 9f ReUgi^l
S * -That tliofefinncs, h ovr great focucr they ar^, are freely' fbr-
glucn, and pardoned in Chnlt. vSo that Gods people after
Faith and Repentance lland as clcerely difchargvd of them, as
if they had ncuei' committed them. •<;•''
J V Th4t God fdrgiueth not onely the guile o^ finne, but alfo
thepuniihmcntof it : For puniftiment isnotdue, bur inregar-d
of die guilt ot finnc. And therefore die guilt ccaling, die pu*
niiliment n::uA alio ceafe with ic ..i;>
^ -^^.^ Laftlyj the godly cannot commit the finncagainft the holy
Ghoil:, it being vn pardonable, and thelinnes of tlie godly be-
ing all pardonable and pardoned m Clirill. And therefore,
hovvfoeuer they may linnc of ignorance and of weakenelfei:
yet they ei^uer fmnc wjUuigly^ikibbornlyjand prefumptuouf*
\j againft God,-^ -^ i ( -x. ' ' i .'. m^n • • • ' -
Qu- Hojv am I to applj this Article to mj felfe f
J^ A, By beleeujng that 1 haue many fms, aad diofe fo great,
that without the Lords mercy, I may;bceiuftly damned fori
thcm^'Sacondly, that all thcfefinnes arcforgiuenin Chnft, fo
that I (hall neuer bee challenged for any of them. Tliirdly, ife
God puhilli mccitany time, it is not for my fins which be par-
doned; but cither for my tryaJl,or to keep downc the corrupt!^
ens of my hcart,tbati;liey breakc nQtout. Laftly, that hovvfo-*
cuer I may fall of infirmity, ytt I. Iball bee fo flrengthened in
grace,that I Iball neuer wilfully artdpiirppfelyoppofciiiy felfe
againft the Lord. -)■ ^? t-, r r #
* Q^yyh/nt are the henefites which G^/Lmli iefiave vfon. bfx
Chnrch, in. the world to (;ome ?: - . . r . . a. J t; . . , . . - j f i ^: 41 . i
rhe nefHrrefiu ^ Two ^ ^^^/^/«^'-^^'"^« ^/ ^^^ ^o^J- 1
*?t of the Bid^%. ' 'XhuaEHerUjltHgLtfe, ^
c//. JVhftt Are wee to beleene Qoncerning the RefHrrecii^n ?
i.That the body Ihall nfc againCj ,
i.That the famebody ihall xifeiagaine;
j4, Foure things, J % .That it Ihall rile a glorious Doay .
'4,Thatitisthe pnuiledgeol' the godly
onely to rife fo..
(X;^ ^^"^h^ow wee that th^ hody^ fh^^U riff ^
-^ By the Scriptuie,and by the power of God, M^r. ii,x\.
(\jvhap
CrfiU7ids of Rcltgien. I dj
Qu. WhAt Scripthrcf prone it f
Q. N^jv fs it proMed by the porver of God ^
A. Bccaulc ic is as eafic for God to raife man out of chcduft,
as ic vvasac fiiil to make him of the dufl : Ic is cafier to raifc
niaiijthcnconKikehim. For as when a houfc falls, cheftones
reinainc, and ihc timber renjaincs, oncly it warns the fornic
and talhion oi an houlcr-ifa ^^+if n a man dyes, the foulc rc-
manie>,a!id thebodyrema)ncs,at ieaftwifcthc bones, tjie I'par
and chicrcraftcrs of thehoi]!c,and thcrdorcthcy may the more
ealily be knit together andfalhionedagainc.
Q^Vhy Jhail the fame body rife ?
A. Becaufe it were iniullice to puniQi that body for finnc,
that had ncuercommJt^edlinnc, and to crowne another body
with Chrift, and not t^z faiiic that had fuficrcd for him.
Q^^^Horv Jhalitt rife a glorioftsbodjf I
A. Firll:, it lliallriieimmortalljhunger and third and <;oId,
afxi licknclTc, and death iLall no rixDreprenailcagainrt it.
Secondly, Jt Hiall rife in pcrfc(fl Hate ; The Power of God
fupply ing all thofe members that now bee wanting ; hec that
jacked an eye, lliali then receiue an eye ; and hec chat,l3.cked an
apn>e, ihalhhen hauc both armcs rcfored.
Thirdly , it fiiall rife more beautifuU tiien it was at firft : Foe
hce that is now crooked, he lliall be Itrcightened 5 and Jiec that
is now wcake lliall be ilrengthened 5 and hec diat is too biggc
(hall bee leirencd : And hec that is foulc lliall lliincHkcthc Sun
in hi strength.
Fourthly, it Ihall rife a fpirituall body, rcadic and willing to
doc any duty tliatthc vSpirit Ihall cnioync.
Q^^Shall »ot the rvtck^d rife too f
A. Yesthcy (liall rife; but it were better for them if they
might ncucr rife : it they might dye as adoggc ora toade dyes.
They Hull rife, but it is, that their torments may be the greater,
their bodyes alfo then feeling as much, as now their foulcs
ftele.
. Qlfffhat /A the lafi benefit I
A, Eualafting life
Q^h(it
105 Grounds of Rclighn.
Qu. WY?4/ are wee to beleeue cortcernirig it \
Ijft EucrU- A, Tiiac the ftate oF gods people fhall beeinfiniccly more
Z^''"'^' happy in Hcaucn, when God (hall bee all in all, raigniiig im-
nicdiatly in his Saints \
Q^ivh^ttlearneweehythu ?
A, That wee arc fee in a better ftate by Chrift,thcn wc loft
hy Adxm ; For by AAam wee loft but an carihly Paradice, bu(
by Chrift wee haue rccoucred an hcaueuly for it.
CX^fVhat elfedoewee beleeue of this fotnt ?
A, That this happic cftatc of Gods People fliall bee fot
cucr, the comfort of jc increafing, rather then abating any
whit.
Cy Declare this,
A. I n the delights of this world, the grcateftioy is at firft
(as when a luan eonies out of the cold to a good fire, after his
ioy abates by little and little, vntiU at length hee bee weary of
it.) But when a man hath beene in heaucn a i ooo yeares, hcc
(liall findc as much ioy and contentment, as the firft houre that
hee came thither,
Q^ Shail not the wicked rife to enerUfling life ?
A, No : For theirs is an euerlafting death 5 they are eucr dy-
ing, and yet can ncucr dye : euer confuming, and yet can neuer
tonfumc : euer burning, and yet can neuer burnc : like the SaU*
mander that hues in the fire.
CX.H0rp may a man attatne to Et email life I
A, Ondybyaliuelyfaithinthe Sonne of God: when a
man ftands perfwaded in his heart through the holy Ghoft^
that this is a chicfe part of Chrifts purchafe, which without the
high price oFhis blood wee could neurr attaine,
Q^Vhat are the meanes te flrerrcthen Faith I
'Q^-\t\yord,
A, Thrcc,KThe5:rrr^w^;///.
C'KwA Prayer.
Q^ What is Prayer ?
A. Prayer is a pouring forth of the Sculc before God in
chefcehrg otour wants, togetha' with aa carmit ddirt vk re-
medy ior tlic Umc. ' ' ''
Ttnytr^
Gnunds df Relighrt. 1 o 7
Qu. tJow many things are re^jntrcdin Prayer f
C i.Thacaimnknowchis wants.
A. Thrce^zThathcccainclllydclire CO hauc them fup-
things,"S plied,
^ 3. That tor this end h.cc put vp his furc to God,
Q^ ^f^hj d'.d the Lord teach vs a [et forme ef pr.tyer f
A, Becaiilc wee are notable to lookc into the bottcinc of
our ovvnc hcArrs, nor to carry our felues in fuch a wife courfe,
as becomir.eth Ipeakcrs to (b great a King : Therefore the Lord
vouchf. fed todire(f^ vs with his ovvne niouch,thac keeping our
fclucs to the rule that hec hath let vs, wee might be allured that
our prayers (liould be to his good hking and well accepted.
C^ How manjf pm^ts be there of the Lords T^rajrer ?
r i.TheTr^/rcf.
A Tlirec54Ki.rheTia thdt yvce pray for I
A, That vvecnnybce lb wholly pollclTed, and taken vp
with the care of the Lords pralfc, that wee may neuer fpeake or
docany thing, but with tliisminde, and to this intent to get
fome honour, and fonic glory to the Lord thereby.
(^ jyhiXt are the euills that wee pr^iy againfl f
A, Firll, that wee may not bee lb blindc, but that vvcc may
fee the great glorie of God, that rhine:h in the world, his Pro^
uidence, wife gouernment, care for his people, and the 1 udgC"
ments that hce brings vpon wicked men.
Secondly, that wee niay not doubt o^ any of die oiccUcnt
things tl'.at bee in God •, That hcchaihnot power enough to
protecl vs J Mercy ciiough to forgiue vs, WifedouK enough to
dirCift vs in the fafeil courfe.
Thirdlyjfhatwcemaynotdidioncur the Lord by our vn*
godly and wicked life: That weenay net bee a fliarre to the
Gofpell, men thinkingthe vvorfc of it^for theloofcndle of oui
liucsthat profelfeit..
Fourthly , that wee may not fceke our ownc praife more then
thcpraifeoftheLord 5 and fo greedily hunt after onr ownc
credite^thatwcecarcnotin the meane time, though the Locds
honour lye in the duft:.
Qu. yvhat doe wee pray for in the fecond Petition.
u^. Forthcjneanes ot Gods glory, that hi>s kingdomc may '^h¥^l^*f')*
come among vs. '*''''^*
Q^ How doth this Petition depend vpon the former ?
A. In the fiiic Petition, wee prayed, that wee might glorl-
fie God : and now we pray that God would rule in our hearts,
that svee may gloritie him the better ; For vnlellc God rule v$
by his Spirit, wee are fo let to purlueour ownepraifcjand peace
and pleafurc, that wcc (hall ncuer glorific him tinccrely while
VS'CCllUC,
%xi Gnunds ^ KtUgioffi
Qa ^hat is the meamng ef this ?€titi$H ?
A. Wliercas die Dcuills kingdomc is come already, and
Simic holds vp the Scepter in a number of our hearts, wee here
|)ray as men weary of ir, that Gods kingdome may here come
into our hearts, and theDeuill and finnc may no longw ruk
tmongvs.
Q^ IVhAt is the kingdome of God f
A. Gods king- C The kingdome of (jrace. 1
dome is twofold, ^ The kingdome of ^/^r/r.i
Q^ fVhdt is the kmgdome of Grace f
ft/^. The kingdome of Grace is that whereby God goucr-,
neth the hearts of the faithfull in this world.
(X^^How doth God goner ne vs in this world ?
^ -, \ Inwardly By hts Spirit.
Q^^Hew hy his Spirit f
A, When by his Spirit and grace conueycd into gut hearts,
hee not oncly fhews vs the good way whercui we (hould walk,
but alfo leades vs in the way, and giues vs ftrength to continue
in it, and checks our hearts when wc goc amilTc
Q^ How by his Word / 1
e//. As Princes rule their Subiefts by thofc Lawes and fti-
tutes which they make ; So God rules vs by his Word, hauing
there taught vs what is right, and what is wrong, or what is
lawfull and vnlawfuU for vs.
Q,^^hatare the fpec tall good things that wee pray for f
A. Wee pray, that God would giuc his gratious and good
fpirit into our hearts, to the goucrning and guiding of vs in
our waycs, that wee may fo hue, as the good Spirit of God
would haucvsliue,<3cc. and further increafe this good workc
when It is begun.
(X^^Doc all pray thw with defire to hane it fol
A, No 5 many fay, Thy kingdome cjme^ that would not for
any good, Gods kingdome (hould come vpon vs : Many
would bee forry in their hearts to doc no morc,then God would
hai.e them doe to part with ^o many finnes, and Icauc 'io many
vanities as God would hauc them leauc.
<\whAt
Grdund^ ofReMghn n ->
Qu. ffi&x/ is the feeond ^tod thing that tPeeprAyfor T
A. That God would rule vs by his Word» that wcc n^iy
not bclctcto wander after our ownc hearts, but thac wcc may
1i::ucthe wordof God to a continual! dircding of vs in an
honert courfc.
Qu. f^^hat is the third thing ?
A. Wcc pray for all the good hclpcs, and mcanc5, that may
furtl:icr Gods kingdonic, and namely for good Minifters, and
goodMagillraccs.
Q^ Wioat doe wee pray for good tJMintjlers f
A. That God would giue good Miniftcrs to all places,
Bithfull and able men,tuU of Spirit and power, who may build
vp the dccaies and the ruincs qt' the Church, and fecke vp the
loft foulcs of dieir brethren, and bring them home to the Fold
of Chnfl.
Secondly, Wcc pray that God would blcirc and continue
fuch as wee haue already, thac they may not be difcouragcd in
their labours, nor hindered in the Lords workes, but may mi-
niila' with great grace and chccrefulncire amongft vs.
Thirdly, wee pray that God would make their Miniftry
ctJc^fkuall to vs for our good, that it may worke vponour
hearts to the killing of finne, and the ftrcngthening of Gods
graces in vs.
Q^J^'hAt doe wee fTAj for ^JMagiHratesf
A, Firft , that God would raife vp fuch, as may bee Fathers
of the Church : fuch as may tender Religion, and wound with
the fword of luftice, the head of all vngodlinellc in the land,i
Secondly jthat God would blclleaiid continue thofe that be
fuch, cfpccially oui" gratious King, thac h.is daycs may be as the
dayesof Hcaucn,and his Throne may be cftabliilicd in pro-
fperitic and peace, as long is tlic Sunne and Moonc endure. "^
Q^ JVhat 14 the Kingdomc af Glory f
t/^. It is that whereby God iliall more ftilly raignc in vs in
die world to come, when all finne and wickcduellc ihall be ta-
ken from vs. .•^\'r\ 3iii
Q^^hat doe wee here pTity fyr?
%/f. That God would make an end of this wicked vvorld,
I and
fi4 Grounds cf KtUgtdft.
ind liaftcn to ludgemcnt, to the vttcr confounding of the wic-
ked, and the more full and perfcd Saluation of thofe that- be-
long vnto him.
Qiu why Are vfee to pray for the day ef Indgement f
A. Chiefcly for this end, that the name of God may be no
moredilhonourcdin the world, butthekingdomeof finncand
Sathan may hauc an end.
Q^^JDoe all wifi for the day of ludgement ?
A, No, many had rather it would neucr come. For O ! if
God (hould come to ludgement, what fhould become of a
number in the world ? they fliould ay to the iiilh coucr vs,aiid
to the mountaines fall vpon vs. And therefore, though they lay.
Thy ki^gdome come, yet they would be glad in their hearts that
Gods kingdomc might neuer coirc
(Xt^JVhat is the Jecond thing wee pray for f
" ' A, Secondly, wee pray for the day of our owne death, for
HO other end, but that wee may make an end of (inning, and
difpleafing of God. For feeing how prone wee arc co cuill^
and how the number of our finncs incrcarctheucry,day like old
trees that gather molle ; This mul^ make vs weary oi the world,
and fo toligh and groane in our fclues, defiring to bee dilFol^
ued^ and to be with Chrift.
CX^^May a man then pray for his ovfne death I
A, A man may norpray forit of impatience as a number
doe, who bee running our of the woiid, fo foone as they feele
thecrolfc : Butonely in thcdefire to be disburdened of the bo-
dy of finne,andtoferue God intlie holy hcaucns, with greater
freedomeand Iibertic dt fpirit then here they can doe.
Q^JVhat are the Suills that wee pray agatnfi f
'^ A. f irft, wee pray, that whereas wee haue kept open houfc
For finneand Satan thcfe many ycarcs,thcy may no longer ouer-
comc vs, and preuailc againft vs.
Secondly, wee pray againft all the Icrts and hinderanccs of
Gods kingdon)eboihat home and abroad, as the Turkes zrA
che Pope.
Thirdly, wee pny agilnl tScloiic of this world,- that wcc
•ttjay not do.c vpoii ic^ delinng t,> p;olong oua' daycsin it, but
that
that wcc may be alwaycs ready tockparc in peiec, and to htftc
hence to our hcaucniy home.
Q^ iVhat doe voce pray for tn the third Petithn ? -
y^. That vs'cc may doe Godi will in Eanli readily and wil- Tip ^IHbt
lingly, as the Angels doe in Heaucn. aouc,^*
Q^ Hojv d&th thks /*ettti0» depend Zfofi the other f
t/{. Before wee prayed chat God would rule v$, and now
wcc pray that God would g'uevs fottaiid plyabk hearts tluc
^ce iray ycclJ our fcJues to be ruled by him.
Q^tVhat u thi vf'tJlof godf
A, The will of God 1$ rhat which is r^iealed in his Word,
and n^ay bee confidercd in three things. Isrihw: is Gods will
wee Oiould leaue our I'lnncs, before they Icaue v$ Secondly, ic
isGods wjllvveelbould lead a Chriftiao and a godly life, !•
Theff.^T,, Thirdly, k is Gods will acc fhoukl beire quietly
andcon'cnccdly whatfoeuer it mall pleafehiin in his wilcdomc
to lay vpon vs. So that v»,'cepiay,that Gods will may bedoj.e.
^ ///?o^^, both of vs, CT*
"^ Dc nobtf & noftris, and of vs and ours.
Qu. ^hut are the g ood things w<:e pray for f
A. Wee pray that v^ee may Icax our iinnes -, that wcc may
Ic'ueour fweanng, becaufe it is Gods will wee fliould not
fwearc; our coucting, bccauic it is Gods will wee lliould not
CoUCu
Qu. kyhdt is the fecond thing f
tyf. Wee pray that wee n.ay hue rightcoufly, and holily in
the world, that wee may louc our brerhreii, becaufe it i.s Gods
will ACC (hould louc them ; that wee niay make confcierhcc of
all our waycs j bccaule ic is Gods will wee ihould njake cenfci*
ciice of tliein.
Q^ H'hat father wee of thu ?
A. That they which pray, that they may doc Gods will,
and yet haue no care to doc It: They that pray againft finne,
and yethugge it, and kcepe it warmcin their bofomes, doc but
mocke God in their prayers.
Q^ iVoAt ts thethtrd thing waprtiy for ?
A. That wcc may humble our fclqcs with patience, arui
I 2 conK
lit Grounds of ^tligion.
contentment to thofcfcucrall troubles and tryalls which thS
Lord (hall bring vpon vi*
Q^vhat Ufirne we h this f
I A^ Thac their finnc IS great, who prsycuery day tliat Gods
will may be done on them 3 And yet when it is done, Fret and
iiiirie,andragcagainftit-, aiid had rather a great dealc their
ovvnc wills were done then the Lords.
CX^tlow fftufl wee doe the wtU of God I
A, As the blclled Saints and Angells in Heaucn doc ir,
though not in the fame mcafure, yet in thcfame manner.
Q^How doe the Angells doe tt f
i A. Firftjihey doc it willingly and chcarefiilly, and there-
fore they arc defcribed to bee winged, to (hew tliat they flic
about it.
Secondly, they doc it faithfully and not by halfes.
Thirdly, they doc it conftantly, as well at one time as at
another.
Qu. JVhat then doe wee fray for tn this later fdrtaf the Pe-
titiOH ?
A, Firft, wee pray that wee may cheercfully obey God like
Cbrift, that faid it was nieate and drinke to him to doc his Fa-
thers will.
Secondly, Wee pray that wee may not doc Gods will by
halfes, but faithfully obey God in cuery dutie rcc]uired of vs.
Thirdly, wee pray that wee may be conftant jn this courfc
not to feruc God by moodes and fits, but at all times, and in all
companies, as wellm one f^ate as in another.
V- iX^JVee cannot pojfi^lj doe the wtU of God fo ferfecily as
%ke Angels doe tt,
tyi. I ndced we cannot, fo long as wee dwell in thefc wcake
houfcs of clay : Yet wee muft ftill afpirc to abetter lifc,deliring
in a greater mcafurc to feruc God. .14 »i-»»..
Q^ IVhar gather wee of thts \
€x^. A electa difference between the godly and the wicked -
For the wicked eucr thinkc they haoe religion and good liues
enough, thougli tney hauc neucr fo httle. But the godly xKuer
faqshc chcmfdycs nxxi^ but ftiU ^\x& cp waikc more obed^
CroutiJi df RelighfK J\j
cntly, faichfiilly and vprightly with God. " ^
Qu. fVhat d^e nvte nske ittthe fourth Petition f
yi. All things nccdftill for this hie. ^i> iv.a\ .1 ■;
Qj^ fyh^ doe wee pray for the thtngs of this life fir Jl f
A. Firfl, to the cad, that being difpatchcd of our worldfy Q]ue vi thU
cares, ind hauing things nccdranc aforchand, wcc might with diy ou,- daitf
nx>rc hbcrtic fcckc after thofc things which conccrnc the ^'^'*^*
foulc. >"
Secondly, that finding the Lord eafietoyccid in thefc things
of Idfe good, wcc might bee the irorc imboldcncd to follicirc
biiu for the greater. For hce that will not trufl the Lord for his
meat and dnnle, will nottruft him for the fauing of his foule:
And hce that thinkes the Lord will (land with him fbr a pecce
of bread, will cafilyfliinkc that God will (land with him for
ftcmalllifa
Q^H^hat is Truant by Bread in this fU<:e \
A, Not oncly bread, but whacfoeuer is as needful I, and as
conifonablc as breads as health and flrength to worke in ouf
Callings, houfts to dwell in, peace and frieiAds, and good fcr-
uantsAc, ; ^ ;-
Qu. IVhy doth ths Lord name nothing l^Ht nread ?
A, To teach v« to bee content , if wee haue no more but
breadj feeing wcc askc naniore ; if God giuemorc, wee are to
take it diankfully, and to vie it well: But if God (liallcutfbort
our fare, and bring it to bread oncly, yetwec^nrcto reft with
contentment in it,/'/'//.4.i 1. 1 2.
Qu. fyhat gather ivee of thrs ? -"
A. Thatthcy who pray for hca pes of gold and filuefj for
ftatcly and gay houfcs, for fumptiious fare, for great huings^
anddielikc, iinnc in praying, becaufe not Ghrilt, biit Cone-
toufnctrc taught them to pray fo. :u.j ;; ,\.Uiu-:ju
Q^IVhj doe wee ajkc our Bread of God, feeing marty of 'tt
haue meanes euer to get it?
;> //. Bcaolcaliour paincsisnot able ro procure v$ onf
morfcll of bread, without the Lords bkding bee vpon it j and
therefore wcc pray God cuen to giue vs that Bread that wee' la-
bour for,knov\iiig that without hts hU (Ting wee may as focnt
I 3 pfrilli,
5^
III Gfiimisiff Rilfgfmf^
pttifti, wteft wcluuc thcgrcatcft mtincs ta ftci V$, as \^C9
wochiue no mcincsac A\\jP/al,tiy,.ut»
lu. IVhutliMrnerveehythuh
V That wcc mull aslurdly bcggc bread of God, t\m is,
jood fuccefiion in our affaircs> when wcc hanc the greateft
incancs in chc world, a$^ when wee hauc no nicancs at all, nci-
shcr money nor friend, nor counfcll to coinpallc it. n
CX^fVhaf needthej tiske If read, who hnuc hrenA tnough I
A, Firll, though wee hauc bread : yet the bread that wee
baue is none of ours: For by fmne wee forfeit eucry day all wcc
bauc into the hands of God, and wee difpolTeirc oOr fclues of
all righr, aad title to it. And therefore valeirc the Lord reft ore
YsandgiucitvsagaincTvccdpc but vfurpc vpon any thing
that wcc hauc.
Secondly, though wee hauc the fubftanceof breads yet we«
hauc not the ttafFe of bread, that is, the nourifhing and feeding
of it, but from God alone. Vnldtc God bletrc it, as good take
a mouthful! of grauell, as a moudi-Bill of meate. And there*
fore eucn thcn,when wee haueour Tables full of bread ^yet we
bad need pray ilill for our daily Bread, becaufc our bread with*
out his blcffing (hall no more nourifli v$ then a ftonc.
Q^Vhj ^o€ W€€ faj • giue vs 9m hrtMd, a»4 H§t gi$$t met
mj Bread f
A. To (hew that wee muft not regard our fclues alone, but
in a fellow feeling pray for other rQeii:> wanes as well as lot our
ownc.
Q;^ fVhom doth this condemne ?
A, Firft, itccndemneth the couetous man who had rather
fay, Giue mcemy Bread, then giue vj our bread, wifhing well
indeed to no body but himTcIfe i
Secondly, it condcmncth thofc, who bee fpoylcrs of their
brethren. For it is as much as if hce lliouid fay to God j Lord
doc thou giuc him bread, and I will take it from him: Doc
chou make him nch, and I will make him poorc : Doc thou
make him merry, and 1 will make him fad.
Q^ JVhy dte wee fray b tt( for (he Br ead of one day f
^ A, Quill teadKch vs thacby to rcllraiuc asKi cut fliort our
cares
cirtffor Ac timtto c©mc, and noc to bcc tormented with the
fcarc of any hard dhtc afore hand, but to rcTort to the Lord for
the neccflitic of the day in the day thereof, M4th,6, 3 4.
Qo, wbdt iftcoHrafemem hsac wee to dte fa f
A. Gods care fof the httle Birds. For when they hauc dy-
licdjthcy know not where r^fuppc, and when they haue fupc,
they know not Hfhcre to dyne, and yet God fcedah them from
day to day jhow much more fafcly may we rdl vpon the proui*
daiccof o«T God, alFuring our felucs, that he that feeds vsthis
day ,wil feed vi the next day, & the next, &A> to ourhucicnd.
C^ what other reafon u there t
A. The Lord would bring vs cuery day in prayer to him :
For feeing wee askc but the bread of one day, when that day is
pad, our patent and our grace is out. And therefore wee tnuft
come to the Lord chc next day to renuc it againe.
Q^ ^y^At elfe doe wee learue Ify this f
A, Wee aske our bread euery day of God,a» being rot able
to liuc any one day without him, and therefore it mult bee our
fliiefeft care to ftand ^^^ by God,to kcepe him our fricnd,who-
focuer bee our foe, and that hccmay bee plcafcd whofoeuer is
difplcafcd with vs.
Qu. why doe wee fny our Breadi --^'t^ piiof^^; ?bf,0.
C A, Wee arc hereby taught to aske our cwiie Breid, thfk
which wee hauc laboured for in fomchoncil calling or ether,
for that oncly isours,which is gotten by lawful! 3nd by honed
mcancs : That which is vnlawiully gotten is none o^ ours, it
is not our bread which wee hauc ot God, but the diuill and fin
n the purueycr and prouiclcr of it. ''>»*] ^v
Qu^. What eat her wee of thi^ i
A. Firll, that a man cannot catc his Bread with a good
'ConfciencCjthat hath not done fomcthing according tohis abi-
litic, ikeng.h and place, to inakc hiiLfclte in fomc lort fit and
worchyoiic. ' j r .ii4ii*..-i.
Secondly, that thclrffnne is great, who dcfirc other mens
brsiJ, aiKi aft noc conrcnrrd with their owne. And thcr-
forc brcakcin vpon. their bralircn, fecking to defcate cither
d^j'r nr iglsboursot thcu: houCcs, or their fcruants of their wa-
1 4 B«'
&
fj^cs, or tl*ir labourers of their by re, or the poorc oF their re*
lefc, whidi in right and conlcicncc is due vnto them.
Cl^wh St is meant hy daily Br eadi
A. Irhat vvhidi is n^ctc, and conucnicr»t For thcday^ The
.NoWenU4^ hath need of iiiorc then the iiieane man : hee rhac
hath a greater charge, hath need of naore, then hee that hacli a
Idle charg
. ^Xi^-^ffdhowmnchii conHenient farvsl\^ > ^\ . /,v*h
A. The Lord bids vs not aske any fet and ccrtainc ftincitut
so leaue that to him, and to his moft wife dilpofitioji, who
iknoUes better, then wee what will fcrue our turncs.
■ Q^/f^h^t learne wee herace^
A, That it can bee no fmall conufort to vs, that the Lord is
moft priuieto our cftatc, and knowcs wlut children^ whatfer-
•uants, what charge wee haue, what earnings, what commings
in, and what gomgs our, and accordingly will fo vs with that,
jfthichhee (ball ludge to btc nicetcft for vs,i .T'r/.f .7. ^\'^*'^ -f
^ Qu. Doe we casks ^^^fi thif$gs ahfolntely »/ Cjodi
A, No, wee aske them no fiir thcr then they may ftand with
Gods gloric, and thereforcjf chey may bee any mcancs whcrc-
i>ywee»iiay glorifieGoltlic better, wee pray that wee may
haiJe them: if they may not, wee pray that both bread and
friends, and llrcngth, and hcalrh, aiid all may bee taken
from vs. ,
Q^fVhat doe.-wee 4jki i^ the fift Fetithn ,^ Lfi ici it o ion 1 1
Fo^-pue vsottr A, Wee pray for the forgiucneire of the fames that bee
t (X;Ji^hy is thij PetitioHl^it to the form :r I
-_A, ForrA'ocaufes; Fiiftjbccaufc witliout the forgiucnetii
bfiour fjnncs,all the bread in the world will not doc ys any
good : For whatOiallit proficea inan to haue a mountainc of
gold, and yet to cariy a flrc-markeinhis foule, the brand andi
markc of a condemned man, and to know chat whenfoeucr he
goes hcnccj iiec goes damned to the dcuillj/^fi//'. j 6.16.
n^^yffhAfl.CArnewcAjtthf^.l . ,. i^u:.
.fvj ji. That
A^ Thic cacry Chrilliin man and woitian rauft ruakc it
tficirchiddliludy, and chcirchicfd^ care tofindc Mercy and
fauour with God in the forgiucndfc o^ their fmncs, ratha- then
lo iftioy ten thoufand worlds without it.
C^ivhnt fa? the fecondrcajoni u^.wi ;; ^ . x.ni
A, Our finnes are lb many and fo grieuous agiinrt the
Lord, that wee are not worthy oF one morfell of meatc co put
into ^ur mouthcs : yea, wee dd'eiue cuen to bee llarucd, and fa-
milhcd vpon the Face ok the canli. And therefore, becaufc our
iinncsarcchc barrc and llop, that let and hinder Gods blcffings
From vs 5 therefore wee pray God ro forgiuc our iinncs, tliac
tlie true hindrance oF our comforts being taken away, ail his
blcflTings inmoftrich and plentiful! Ion may ilowc vnto.vs^
Qu fVhy Arc our finnei ca^d debts ? '. "io 7, «/» i :t:6 ^ .i^j
A, Becaufc, as a debt bindcs a man either to farisficthc par-
?tc,or to goetoprifon ; Soour finncsbinde vs^ cither to Fatil-
ficG^KlslutFicCjOrtogocto hclh yt
A. f jrft, that v^eare all rn the Lords ^<^t^ and it is not-
fomcdribiing fommc that wcc owe him ^ but idiouland Ta-
1 e«rs at the leall, more then vycc and all the friends wee hauc be
abletOvifcliarge: "^^^ • '^Vi^-ff • -.rr :^
Secondly, that vnldfe God be contented For than, wee ai^o
furcto goe to hell, where w eefnall endure, not a moncthj or a
yearcs imprifonmcnt -, Bu€ wee (hall lye bound in the cliayncs
of horror and darkndfe, as long as tnere is a God in heaucn to
rcucngeour finises, and the Dcuill in hell to torment vs for
them.
Thirdly, that there is no way to dcale with God j but oncly
by intreaty and by rcqudl : Wee cannot choppc and change
with him as the Popctl%inke$-, Lord 1 haucfomany linnes,aiKi
here are (b many good deeds For them : Bi|t wee muft beggc ouk
pardon^ and become humble furours to the Throne oF grace,
that God For Chriftsfakc would (hew Mercy vpon vs.
Fourthly, that wc Diall findc rkc Lord ready For to yeeld vn-
to cur futc^cTpeciafly feeing the Lord Icfus, who littcth ^t t\\c
light
t*
121 Gnunds if lUliglif^i
right hinS of God, is anlntcrcdrour for rs ?
Q;^ Afmji wcepraf thw euery (Uj .' >
%yf. As wcc pray cucry day for our daily Bread, fo wtf niixft
alfo Dray daily for rbc pardon of our finnes : Tb: pardon of
our linnes being as needful! cucry day as the bread chat wcc
iiuoby.
Qu. ivhat mdj this ttAch vs I
A. That wcc finnc cucry day, bowfocucr God iliall bldfe
irsorpuni(hv5,orreachor touch vs with his Spirit, yet wcq
know aforcliaod, that wcc (hall finnc to morrow, and the next
day, and ^o cucry day to our dying day.
Secondly^thatwccfinnc often cucry day, and therefore wcc
Q>eakc in tlic plural 1 number, ForgitiG vs ourfinnts: as hauing
many finnes to beforgiucn j And though wcc bee able to dif-
cerne but a few of our finhcs : yet our ignorance is the greater,
who fin roany times, when wee thinkc we doe not finnc
Thirdly, that as wcc finnc daily, fo it muft be our care cuc-
ry day to make cucn with the L^vd, that wcc come not widi
aftCT reckonings, with finnes of lo.io.or 30. yearcs old noc
repented of,bur chat cucry day wcc reconcile our fclucs to God,
forthc finnes of that day, that whcnfocucr wee fhall die, wcc
may haue bat the finnes of one day.
Q^^WloAt it meant hj thcfc words : F^r iHcn wee ffvgifU
them,
A. They con- C i. A Comfort »
taine, \ i.Anl/jIirM^icfi,
Qu. fVifAt is the comfort .'
A. That if wee who arc full of hatred and rcucnge can for-
giue our brethren : much inoir wil the Lord who istull of Mer-
cy and companion bee ready co forgiuc vs. For wcc arc not to
thinkc, that wee can goc beyond the Lord in any grace, and
therefore if wcc can louc him that loucs not vs, and palfc by
many wrongs wc# may well thinkc, wcc Ihall findc the Lord
much more fauourably inclyncd to vs,
Q^// liHT forgtMeneffe a. caufe why (jodftrgiufs vs f
A. No : For if weclorgiuc our brajiren lomc licdc fault,
chat is no reaign why God Ihould foLgiuc.vs our huge and
mighty
1
mlgUticfinncs: ButthcLordaddcsthisasafurc tcAimonic of
our roulcs,tlur if we who hauc but a drop of Mercy can forgiuc
«ur Brethren, much more will the Lord, who is cucn full of
goodndlc forgiuc vs.
iX^jVhat IS the InflrnElton I
A. That wee (liall ncuer findc fauour at Gods hands, till
fuch time as our brahren findc loucand inercy, and good dea-
ling at our hands. For looke what w cc bee to others when they
offend vs ; thcfainc wee lliall findc God to v$, when wcc ok-
fend hi in.
(X^yvhom dork this D oHrine coniem>te f
XFirftjit condcmneth thole who wil vfc extremity to tlicir
bieihrcn, that will not by any iiicancs bate of thcirrighty but
eagerly puriltc cucry aduantagcthcy can get againft them.
Secondly, it condemneth thofe that will fay they forgiuc
and forger, and yet notwithftanding the mcmoric of it it moll
quickc in their hearts, and vpon cuery little occallon they
breakcoutagainc. Alas, doc wee looke for fuch forgiuendfe
at Gods hands ? how 1$ it d;ni that our Brethren can findc na
t>ettcratourhamis^ - '^ *. .* *; ' '
Thirdly, it condemneth ttiofc ttiatcan bcc content to for-
giuc fome fmall offences of their brethren : but if it touch
tnem foinevvhat ncerc in their goods or names, oh then the
fruttcr is htynous and To prciudiciall, it toucheth vs fo deeply,
that it may not in any wile findc fauour at our haixls ? Why
alas our brcdircn cannot commit any (b gricuous offence a-
gainft vs, but wcc commit farre greater agamft the Lord, and
therefore as wee except againll them : fo wee may well looke,.
the Lord will except againlt vs.
Q^ ff' /?*/ d'Jt wee praj f(jr m the fixt T^etttion \
A, Wee pray for llrcngth and grace againll finnc;.
CX^fVhj are there two Petit tons for the Sonic ^ 4inA hut ofjt
for the Body \
A. The Lord would teadi vsthcrcby,that our care for hca- AndUid vs
iKnly things (hould be twice fo much as our care for, eanhly-, *".'•'*' ^^^^
and therefore, where wee are once vpon our knees for the ** '*'**
bkffiiigsofthcbody^vsoclhould bcc twice vpon our kiiccs
for
A
)t24 Cr$t$nds$fRtHgm.
forthcbkflingsof ourSoulcs. w
Qu, Havf doth thu Tettrhn depsnd vfunnc Ihinetli vpon a At^A carcalle there
anfeth a (linking and a loathromcfir.ell, and yet the Sun is not
thccauTe of it, but the corruption of the carcalfc : So in euftry
«ftionGod is thecaulc of the motion which is good ; But if wc
fmnein moouing, that con.cs of che Deuillorof ourfelues.
Founhly, by ordering the cuill of the Aif^iontofomegood
end. As a Father feeing his childe to bee bufic about the fire,
catchcdi his finger and thrulh it to a coale, to make him the
inorcarfraid of it attcr: So God fometimes lets vs tafteoffinne,
that wee may the more detell it, and hate it while wee Hue.
CX^How many parts are there of thii ^et'ttton f
A. Two: Firft, wee pray that wee may not bee tempted to
finnc. And fccondly, though that wee bee tempted 5^ yec that
v,'ec inay not be ouercomc of finne.
Ql^Vhy doe wee praj that wee may not hce tempted to
finne ?
j4. Wee know our owne weakndretobcc fo great and rn-
able to refill tcmptiitions, that wee pray that wee may not bee
tempted : So rcadie wee arc to yeeld to finne, tiiat wee pray wc
rnay not bee protioked to it. Often wec(innc,and oftner wee
(hould finne, if wee wereoftner tanptcd to it 5 Many times wc
arc aiiprie, and yet if wcchadoftcr occaftons, wee would ofter
bcan|ir. "^^ '" '
CX^fVljat gather wee of this ?
A. That their finne 1$ great who fling thcmfelues into tcn-
tation,that will take vp their dwellings in thofc Tovvnes, and
venture them! clues into thole companies, where they know arc
many ond {Irong cntifements vnto finnc. 'What doe they clfc
but otler the dcuill Blockes of aduantagc againft themfclues,
and hold him the Oirrop, that his Tentations may the more ca-
fily mount vpon them.
Qa> fVhat are the Eh tils that wee pray again fi /
t/^. They:'
t%6 Gr0unds $f ReUgtciii
SiStTtne withoHt vs, sa the Deulll ind the
world,
of two forts, ^^i.Sr-iyiervithin vs, as the Corruptions and
^ luih of our ownc hcarrs.
Q^ PVljAt doi wee pray for a^aumft the ^Detail \
A» That whctcas the dcuill is woonc to pull a vizard vpoit
-V'pon his face, and totranflate himfclfc into an Angel! of light-
that wee may haucwifedome coxlifcrje hiin^and ibciigdifrora
heauen to (land againfl him.
Q^ T)oth net euerj one hate the Denill t
A. Indeed many will fay, fie vpon the Dcuill, and fay they
dctcft him with all their hearts ; and yec in leading a prophanc
and a wicked life, they bearehiniaoout \\\ their bodycs with
them. t.
Q^ IVhut doe tvee prAy for again ft the fVorU i
A, Firll, that wee may not bcc poyfoned, and corrupted
with the bad examples that bee abroadc : That wee may not
Catch the infe^ion, but Iceepc our Iclues vnfpotted to the
world-.
Secondly, that neither our friends by flatteric, nor our foci
by f care, may quench vs m good things, and drawe our hearts
from God.
Thirdly, that our worldly cares may iiot oucrgrow our god*
ly cares, ^o that wee haue more loue to th« frothy dungs of chif
life, then to thofe that concerne the J ife to come.
CXiJ^hat doe wee pray for agatrji our owne fufls f
A. That God will weaken rlicltiengrh and power of fir>nc
in vs euery day, that wee may fccle it eiLJicr clcane killed or fo
mightily weakened that as a n an that Imth rccciued his deaths
wound J though hce hues and breathes, yec languifheck and
faintah, anddroopeth euery day more and more rntill he dye :
.So finncmay haue Idle and Idle ilicjugth, till at length it haue
noftrcngthatall.
Q^ fVhy doe wee askc all thcfe things of Cod f
A. Bccaufc wee arc not able of our felucs to (land jthclaft
enemy being ilrongcr then wee, and therefore wee pray to bee
girded with the foengih o^ God, tliat through his might wee
ma
imy doc tliat which of our fclucs wcc lliould ncucr doc.
Qu. IVhat other thing d)e weepraf for f
A. That \i wcc fail into linnc ,rhac wee miy not lye in ir,
butrhat the Lord will findc vs out in our falls, and fccke vp
our loft fojlcs, and bring vs vpon the Ihouldcrs of his mercy
tohisfoldagainc.
Q. D o€ the ^ odtf finne then 04 wed as the wicl^eei f •
^. Yea, but the godly are eucr delnous co bee dcliucred
from linne, and thcrcN:)rc doe botli pray and vvat:h againlt it,
whereas ihe vviekcd Iiuggcitand kecpc it warnie in their bo-
fonies, andarcwJl content tocouwinuem ir, vfing no meancs
togctoutoHt.
Q^.yvhat meanesdof^h (J uirf- in d-!fHerh:g vs frompnne ?
A. Thechiefcil uxines, is the Min Itry ot the word, it be-
ing the hand of God, whereby lice p. 'Iktli vs out of iinnc, 2&\
beal^ islugg'd out of- the nure: And therefore wee pray, chat
vs'cc may bee obedient to it, and profice by u, that it may make
vs wife vntoSalnation, and mighty through God to wJthlland
all allauks liiat iifeagainit vs.
Q^^ yvhat IS I he la^i part of th c Prayer \
A. The Conclufi'on or fhutting vp of the Prayer.
Cy ^hat ts thevfe of the Cone In fi on ?
A^ It containeth certaine Reafons to ftrengthen our faith, p^y thine U the-
that wee (hall be heard. For this is a great caule why our pray- {r^igatpfr, ^f,
crs come focoldlyfromvs without heart or life, bccaufc wee
ftandnot ftrongly pcrfwaded in our hearts, that wee Oiall fare
the better for our prayers, and Ihall neua* returnc emptic ban*
dcdtrom the Lord.
C) hf^har are the Reafons ?
A: Thefirll is taken from the kingdome or gouernment of
God q.d. Lord thou art our king. And thereforeasit ts for the
glory of a King, that his vSubie(fls bcc in good rtate,rafe from
thcirencmics, and abounding with all good things : So thou
Lord O.alt much commend thy fclfe, and thy gouernmenc to
the world, if thou prouidcft well and fulhcitntly for vs, who
bee the worOiipperi and fcrucrs of thee.
Q. // this confidcrmisn f 9 full of comfort ?
A. It.
I f 8 Grdunds of RcUgtPtf,
A, It mud needs yccld all the childi-cn of God great asm-
fort, that the kingdoinc is come into their Fathers hand, and
hee hath taken vpon him the care and the prouifion for them,
who fittcth at thcfterne of tlie world, and doth whacfoeucr he
Will boch in heauen and earth, Pftl.^y.i,
Q^Vhait is tl'ye fecond Reafon ?
A, The fccond is taken £rom tlie power of God q.d. Lord
I haue asked nothing, but thou art able to glue it ; My wants
bee not fo many, but thou art able to fupply them : My flnncj
bee not fo great, but thou canft forgiue them : My enemies bee
not fo ftrong, but thou canftfubdue chcm : I therefore cannot
but haue great hopc,^ feeing it js in fhy power and hand to doe
imec good.
CX^JVhatu the third Reafon ?
A, The third is taken from the glory of God. Indeed if
wee pray not, then it is our fault it weefpeed not well : But if
wee pray in Faith and reuerence^and inakc our rcqudls known
vnto the Lord ; then it (hall bee for tke Lords honour to be as
good as his word, and hee (hall gethimfclre great praife in the
world by hearing the poore and wcake prayers that bee made
vnto him.
CX^What learne wee by this ?
tyi* That the Lord hath ioyned his ownc glory with our
good, and therefore will heare vs and blelfe v$, it it bee but to
hold vp hisowneellimation and honour in the world, Szaek^
' Ql^ffim other feufe doe thefe wtrds yeeld vs ( Thine is the
Clone, )
A. Whatfocucrgift or Gracethou flialtbeftow vpon vs,
wee will wholly imploy it to thy honour: wee will rather fccke
thy gloiy? rhen our ownc praife, or peace, cr pleafure in the
good vfcof MjPfal,^ 1 .8.
(X^JVhat learne wee by this I
A. That feeing wee aske health, and peace and plenty to
this end, that wee may glorific God the better, that when wee
haue thd'e things wee bee not found to bee farrc Iclfc carcfull of
it, dicn before we had thero,!^^ «/. 31.15.
Q^ Hijat
V
Gr$undi of KdigUn. ^jjj
(X^}yhAt elft dee yon note in thefe Keitfons >
A. TlucallchcReafons bcc from withowc vs, and none
from within vs, thcK being nothing in the bed oi'vs, in the
merit and wortiiincirc whacof, wccmay thinkc to bee heard |
whatfocuCT cnclincs the Lord to hearc vf, it '\\ chicflly and
wholly in himfclfc and not in vsfDa». 1 9.1 8.1 9.
Q^ffhat if that ether me Anes ^f ^ren^thenin^ Faith f
A, The Sacraments? *^
Q. Whtnce hnue the Sacraments their name ? -
A, Oi i\\cL2,t\ncviQX^ SacramentHm, which fgnifies an Sidame^t,
oath, whereby Souldicrs were woont to binde themfelucs to be
true to their Captaines : So in the Sacraments, wee fwcare and
bindcourfclucstobec true and faithfiill feruants vnco Icfiu
Chrift. '^
Qj^ ff^hat is a Sacrament f
A, It is a vifible figne of inuifible Grace : So that in cucry
Saaamcnt there are two things. The vifible figne that we may
fee: And the inuifible Grace that wee cannot lee. As in Ba^
r//«if,thcreisa walhingof the body, and there is wafhing of
thcfoule: Thewadiingof the body with water, a man may
fee; But the wafhing of the Soule with the Blood of Chrift,hc
cannot fee : So in the Lords Supper, there is a feeding of the bo*
dy, and there is a feeding of the foule ? The feeding of the bo-^
dy with Bread and Wincjieemay fee: But the foule with the
Body and the Blood of Chrift, hee cannot fce,burby faith.
Q^ IVhat ii the vfe of a Sacrament f
A. Toconfirme our faith by that which wee fee, in the*
truth of that which wee doc not fee. Asm Baptifmej the wa-
Oiing of the Body with water, alfureth our hearts, that our
foulcsare likcwife wafhed with the blood of ChrilL And the
recciuing of Bread and Wine in the Supper is an euidence that '
the Body and Blood of Cliiifl is as truly rcceiued by faith,
Kom./^.O'
Q^ fVhat if the vifible figne in a Sacrament ?
A, It is the outward Elenicnt, together with thofc Cere-
monies that are vfed about it. As in Baptifme^ water, and the
pouring on of water: In the Lords Supper, Bread, and thc^
K bicr.king
breaking J and taking and caring of it,
Q^ivhdt is the InHtfible (jrace I
^ji* Chrift with all his bcncfites.as tiuly offered to ou heart j
andfoules, as the outward Elciiiencs are to die body , (jaUt^
3.17.
Q^lVhat harne wee hy thh ?
A. Twodiings. Firll, that wee rcceiuc no more In the Sa^
craments, then wee doe in the bare preaching of the word.
For the fame Chriil anddiefamc Benefited are tendered to our
faith in both, onely the fignificjrtion is more hucly in the Sa-
aaments, and ihepromifes of Grace more particularly appli-
ed, A?^// 1.12.
. Secondly, that the old Fathers rcceiued the fame Grace by
their Saaaments, that wee doc by ours, for they rcceiued
Chrift.
Q^^HovfTtMny Sacrameitts are there f
Q^whatistheomrvardJtgnei^iBaptiJmef
faptifme. ^, Water, and the pouring on of Water.
Q^^fVhatis the JigmficatuiH of it.
A, As the Water poured on the body waflietli away the ^-^
thineire of the fleih : So the blood of Chrift being poured vp-
on the foulc, waiheth away the filthinelfe of finne.
Q^^^JVhdt finne hane children of a day old f
A. They hauc Originall finne, which is a fccret naughti-
tinellc of nature, whereby they arc wholly giucn and inclined
to that which i$euill,y/^48.8.
(X^Horp is this taken away in Baptifme ?
A^ In Baptifme wee recciuc the Spirit of Chrift, and this
Spirit workesvpon our heartsrenewing Jaem, and enclining
them to better things, and cuery day by little and little prcuai-
ling and getting ftrength and ground of thofc corruptions that
areinvs,T/>.3.5.
Q^UHay ChildrM hee fined that dye without Baptifme f
'J A, Vndoubtedly they may ^ For God hath not tyed his
Gra^c to the Saci^u^ntS; but ^uc a^any timci hee workes
without
Gr^wd^ dfRelighn I ^ X
without them : And therefore it is not the waS of Baptlfmc,
but the contanpt of BaptifniCjchac bringeth danger, tiAEl^ lo.
44.cr47.
Q^'h^t ffoofe u there of tt f
A. Circumciiion was as llraighrly required in the old Law,
as Baptjfmc is in ihc New Tdlainent, Gen,ij,\j^. Bur chil-
dren char dyed without Circunicifion might bee faued 5 A$
naiTxly thole that dyed before the 8.day 5 And therefore Chil-
dren may be faued wicbouc Bapcifme.
C) yvijat other -profffe is there ?
A, Children that aieele^ed to Saluatlon, arc holy before
Bapcifme, i C^r.7.i4.thcyaie within the Coucnant, Gen.iy,
7. the kingdome of heauen belongs vnto them, y^^ril;. 10.14,
And chererore vndoubtedly they may be faued.
• Qu. How then doth okr SAmonr fty, lohn 3,5. Except a
fHAH hee borne of fVater And the Spirit hee cattftot enter tnto the
i^ngdome of God?
A. Wee are to marke the perfon to whom heefpeokes it, to
Ntcodemks, who might hauc beene baptifcd if hee would : So
thatourSauioursfpeechreaciicchnofurcher^butto thofc who
may Iwuc Bapcifme and will not: Forif noncabfoluccly might
bee faued without Baptifmc, how could the Thcefc bee faued
who was conuertcd vpon tlic Croire,L«i^2.3.
C^ If tt Uwfnll for a pnuate perfon to Baptife ?
A, No: Forthis is rocoiTUpt the holy Seales : For none
may meddle in the holy things, bur they that arc wananccd
thereunto by the Lord: But priuatc perfons men or women,
Lauc no warrant fronu he Lord to Biptife, and therefore they
mav norpreiumero mternjcddle in it, //r^.5.4,
Q^ fVhat other Rcafon is there ?
A. Baptifme is * part ot the pubiikc Miniftry of the
Church, 4^4;/^. I X 19. Bur priuatc perfons, and chiefly women
niay not intermeddle in the Churches Minirtry. And there-
fore they upy nor take vpon them to Bapcife, \.Ttm,i.ii.ii.
CD Tc,i, bnt there u a caft of necfjfitie in it ?
A. ThereisnoneccfTitierobreiketheLavvof Cody if wc
may hauc die Sacraments according 10 the Lords inllitucion,
K 1 we
1 3 1 Cr bunds of Ecligh^»
wc are to accept them with ThankFulndrc, if wee cannot, wcc
muft not thiiikc ic lawfull to conrx by them wcc care not
how.
Q^Zipporah ifs cdfi of wcejfuf* did Circftmcife her
4hild4.
\A* Thcrcafon dorh not hold ; For the Sacraments of the
New Teihmcnt are tycd to the Miniftry ; And tlierefore nono
but the Miniftcrs may intermeddle in them : But the Sacra-
ments ot the Old Tellamcnt were nottyed x.q the Priefthood
(as appearah ) for that Chrill and his Apoftles caufed kill
the Patreoucr, vfcho were not of the Tribe of LeHi^Luk^ziA^i
Alfo in that lolhuit did circumcife,/«5/Z>.5. 3 ^
/ ^ Q^^fVhat is the other Sacrament ?
A, The Szcnmcnto^ the Lord f Supper.
CX^fVh)^ ii the Lords Supper Mcedfull after -wee he J^ apt i fed ?
The Lords ^* Bccaufc by Bapcifme wee doeenter into the houfchold
5*j5^tfr. of God , and by the Lords Supper wee are fed, and nouriihcd in
the fame : So that Baptifmc is the Scale of our entrance into
Chrift : and the Lords Supper giucs vs our fiirther growth and
continuance in him, I. ^i. By a fimilitude. For as a Mailer makes prottifion for his
Family, that they may be the more able to goe through with
thcirworkc'.SothcLord hath appointed this Saaamcnt, for
theftrengtheningof his people, that they may bee the better
able to hold out m the holy labours and duties required at their
hands.
Q<^ fVhat learne wee by this ? i
A, That they who come feldojne to the Saaament muft
\ needs bee very faint, and wcakc in thcfpirit 5 As a man fccles
his ftrength through long fading to abate^fo that he is not able
to walkc with any cheercfulnclle and comfort in hiscalling.
Q^^^What is the outward fi^nt in the Lords S upper f
tyf. Bread and Wine, anddicSaaamcntall Rjtcs that bcc
vfed about them.
^Xi^hatdfth the Bread fi^nifie f
t/f. It ligmfies the Body ot ChrifL
cXijrhfu
Q^ H^at reftmbUnce is there betweene the Brcait a»A
Cbrtfts Body f
eJV. Firrt:, IS the body cannot liuc without bread, no more
can our foulcs liuc without Chnll. And thacforc wcc mull la-
bour forChrifl, isvvcc doc for bread, lohnC'^l*
Secondly, as bread ilrengttiens tlic body ,& makes it the more
iblc and fit to workc : fo that the eye ^^% the clecrcr, the hand
mooues the quicker, the foot fcts the taftcr for it : So Chrift re-
cciuedby faiclirtrengihencth thcSoulc, and makes ic mighty
dirough God, to performc the duties of obedience required o£
it, P/?//. 4.1 3.
Q^ yvh^t Bread did Chrifl vfe in the Sacrament ?
u4, Ordinaric and common Bread, iuch as was vfually at
diar time eaten with their mcates.
Qu. f^hj did Chrifl vfe common Bread f
A, Firft, left men ( if the food had bcene finer ) fhould
haue left the care of feeding their ioules, and fallen to filling
their bellies.
Secondly 5 that as Naman learned, becaufc the Waters of
Jordan were not better then the Waters of D/ima/cw : There-
fore, it was not the water of lor dan, but the God of Ifraell^that
cle*nnlh body glorious in Heaneti
fct dowi^cin great MajAbe vpon the Thioi^ oi God, bur it is
K4 iii«
6
1 3 g CrdumJs of Rdigkff*
bis wounded body , his bleeding body, his dead bod/j that oUr
faith mull feed vpon: So that here w eare led backeto the crolFc
of Chnftjthat wee may lay to our inouchcs,andcucrfuckc lift
and Saluacion out of jiis blecdi ng fides.
Q^How may rvee feed tp^n the dead body of Chriji \
A, By faith wee mull fee our fclues vpon Mount Cahery^
and there behold our Lord vpon the Crolfe vvich his (houlders
trickling, with hi& head fpinning, with his hands llreaining,
with his fides gulliing , all his body running dovvnc with
blood, and then fay, Behold, this irthc Body that is giuen for
mec : Thefc fides were whipped, that mire might bee fpared :
Thefc hands were nayledthat njine mjghc bee freed ; Thefc
cheekeswerebufFeted^ that mine might bekilfed : This head
was crowned with Thornes, that mine might be crowned with
glorie ; Thefe torments Chrill lufFered on Earth, that I miglx
not fuiFcr greater things in Hcll,Z^c/;,i2.io.
Q^^lVhat ts the fecondRtafon ?
A. To fiiew that wee were the Authour s, and caufcs of the
death of Chrill. Jt was our finncthat brought all thefe punifh-
ments and thefc paincs vpon him : As an vnthrift that comes
behindc hand, snd bis furerie is made ropay for ail : So all our
finnes were charged vponChrills head, and hcc was fainc to
fuffa' whatfocuer wee (Ipuld haue futfercd for ihem- "Tfdmje
53-5.
Q^^Whut leAYm kh€ hy this I
•l.^;«wi ThAt if wee detcft /«^««/, that betrayed Chrilt,and P/-
Ute that condemned him, and the I ewes that killed him j Much
more Ihould wee hateour finnes, that were the chicle caufes of
his death.
Q^ To what endmnfl r^ee celebrate the Lords Supper f
^. Tollir]rcvpoAu;fakb,taai?jpic liucly conlidcracion of
the death of Chr ift^' ;•'';.;• 7 .•' • ■ '
Q^// there any that forget the Death ef Chr'tfi ?
A, Too many forget ir, or v^cry coldly confider it. Firft,
they tliat will doe nothing for their brcthjirn,,litck confidering
fcow juuch Chrift batJi oonefor chem. Secondly, they that
liutiafionc. Ikclc consider* vvUt Chrift fulfercd tor it.
■■-'■-: ' -" -- Thirdly,
Cr$u7ids of RiUghn. X 3 7
ThirJty,thcytliarwilIbcarc no cli! grace for Chrifl, little rc-
incmbcrhow hcc was di' graced For ihein. Laftly, tlicy tliat will
Icll thciTiUlues For a tr.fle to the Deuili, little coulidcr how
dcardy they were bought.
Q^ }f^hy areihcrctwofgnesm thi Lords Snpfery and hut
due i» Bupr.J'Tcf
A, Chrill is fet forth in Baprifir.c, as wafliing the fouk
from iinne: And therefore, becaufe water of it I'clfe is eiiougli
to walh the body .therefore there needed nothing elfc to fjgni-
fie the wafljing of the fouic. But in the Sacrament ot the Sup-
pci , Chrill is propofed, as a nouri^liment feeding vs riid vp-
holding vs indiehfe of Goace: And therefore, bccaufc bread
isnotfurticientto fuftaine the bodily lite without wine, nor
wine vvidiout bread. Therefore two ftgnes were appointcd,to
fliew that wechaue our whole nourifhtiient by Chrill.
Qu. ivhat refembU;:ci U then hct^eene the Wine and
Chrifls blood f ■'
j4.Kz Wine makah glad the heart of men, and a man ha*
uing tailed of it^forgertedi die trouble and the mifcric that lies
vpon him : So die blood of Chrift ( which fpeaketh better
things then the blood oi ay^bel, eucn peace and faluation to
thofethac killed bij"n) bringcth vnfpeakablc ioy aiwi comfort
to the heart, Eph.i. 13.
Secondly , as wine breeds good bloodySc 2po6. fpirits in a man,
and a man hauing tailed ot it, the very colour and thellrength
of it will appeare in his face ; yea, it will make his very breath
fmcll thefvvccter for it : So the blood ot Chrill breedcs good
thoughts, and good dclires, and good atfe^flipns in the heart,
and a njan-hauing called of it by hith, all his a6lion«and all his
thoughts will be full of the good talte, and good rehih of the
Q. JVljen dtd C^tniji ardaim this Sn&nnaetit ?< ' L : ji : ; - , .j
/^ A. After Supper, that is, after the eating of the PaJcnail
lainbe. When th jy had now fmiiciendy filled then.rducs with
nieate, and lb netted not any fuither nouriQinicnc for this life j
to Ihew that it is not the bodily hfe,hut tke fpir^tuall, thaic hcc.
feekes to feci; and to nourilh in thcn^L^.% za .20.
^^8 CronndsofReligtCft
(X^JVhat learne rvee by thh f
A^ That men muft come to tho Lords Table not to fill
their bellies, but to feed their 1 bules, to haue their faidi iheng*
thcned, their zcak kindled, their loue inaeafed, all their graces
to bee quickened in them.
Qu. what elfe may bee ^hferHed in the time t
A. That the Dilciplcshauing Tupped before, had fo mode-
rately vfed the matter, that they were fit to racciue t-he Saaa-
ment afterwards, which may reach vs to vfe fuch fobriety and
moderation in our meaces ,that wee bee not thereby made any
way vnfit for holy duties
Q^ jyhgm doth this meet w^thaE ?
A, It mceres with thofe, who ftuffe therafelues with meate,
especially vpon the Sabboth day 5 That thereby they become
vtterly vnfit for any holy DiKie, being readier to flecpe then to
hearc, and to fceke eafefor the body, then any comfort tor the
foule.
"'■ ' ' Qu. Is the C^ppe indijferenth to hee ^dm'miftred vnto all ?
A. If the Bread muft bee adminiftred vnto all, much more
the Cuppe, Chrifts commandement being more cxprclle for
the Cuppe, Math, 16.17,
-"''*Qu. iVhj did Chrtfi f^k£ ff^ch exfrejfe mention of the
' A. Chrift being a Prophet forefawin his Spirit, that the
'Pope would denic the people ihe Cuppe, but not the Bread,
^iana therefore hee hath giucn a more cxprclle clwrge for the
teu^pc,^6 breake the nccke of this herdie before it rofe.
< ' ' • Q^^pyhat gather rvee of this I \.
A. ThatchcPapifts bearing hatred to the truth, througli
the iuft iudgcment of God vpon than, are commonly caft vp-
on tkefecrrours, which may moft eafily and moft plaincly,bc
conuinccd by the Scriptures.
Qu. Ho^ PS yVmethe Bloodof Christ f
A, It is not properly indeed his blood. ( For Chrifts blood
wds not then in the Cuppe, but in the veynes ainl arteries of his
^Bbdy,cire how could the fouldicnluue (bed it the next day,)
but it is called his blood, becaufcit isn iigne and a figure of his
Wood-' Q^Z/cw
Q^ Tfow u this pvoMcd ?
A, Firft, the drinking of blood was condemned by the
Law asan!iornblcthirg,/'vd';y.7.27. but Chnftneuer brake th«
Law Mtth.^.iy. And hcrctoie bee drankc noc his owne
blood nor commanded others to drinke ic carnally.
Secondly, ChriftexpounashimreUc; Forlcil fotne fliould
iniftakchismcaning,helhewe$inthevery next verfc, that ic
wai not Blood, but very Wine, that hcediunke,/^/4//j, 1^^.29.
(X^hf^'hjfs ChrtflsBloodeaHedthe Blood of the new Tefla^
ment f
A, Bccaufc the new Teftamcnt was ratified and confirmed
by i r, 7/^^.9. 1 ^.
Q^ what is a Te figment f
A. It is that which wee commcnly call a dead mans Will,
Tvhercby hec giu« away his goods, and dilpofeth of his lands
and liuings that belong vnro him. Such awill Chrift made at
his death, that hec gauc away all he had. The Souldiers had
his Garments, the graue had his Body, heaucn had his Soule :
Buthisrighteoufnelle, hisholindle, his merits, his kingdomt
and glory he bcftowed vpon his people.
C^ How fnanj Wih dtd the Lord make .'
A, The Lord madctwoj An Oldyvtll, \r t
Wills or Teftamems, I And a Neiv mil, ^^''^•4-M-
Q^ iVhat vpoi the tenour of the Old l^Vtli or Teftament .«'
^. Therein the Lord bequeathed lite and Saluation to
thofconely that fulfill the Law, ^-9 W.I 0.5.
. Q;^ ivhat is the tenour of the JVe rv Tcfldment ?
A, Therein the Lord bequeathes hcauen, and the happi-
ndTethercot tothofcthatbcleeuein Chnllj^^w.io.t;.
d^Vhj did the Lord Makj thrr UterTeflamertt f
A, Bccaufe wee were all cut off of all by the former, for
that gauevs nothing, but vpon condition that wee fliould ful-
fill the Law, and therefore feeing wee could not pcrforme the
condition, wee could not recouer one penny by the Will.
Therd-orcthc Lord to relicue vs made a new will, and annexed,
an eafier condition : That all iliould be faucd who bclceue iri
Chrjll^//r^.8,^.7.
Q^Vhat
14^ Grounds e/ReligtOiii
Q^ IVhat gather wee of this ? "^
u4, Tnacthe Papilh folly is exceeding great, who hukc
our rtatc farrc worfc by thefccond Tcftament then it was ^
the firft. For by the firft Teftaincnt Merits oncly were requi-
red to Saluation : But by the later (as they fay) both our whole
taike of workcs is required, and bclidesthat, Faith in the Mc-
diatour 5 So that our condition is now harder then in the Old
Tdlament, Godxequhring then but workes onely •, but now i%
they fay, both faith and workes, as ncedftjJl to Saluation.
Q^/yh^ doth C^rifi [Ay his BUodi^Jhed far maffj^
A, To (hew that all hauc not benefite by the blood of
Chrifl. For though Chrifts blood bee a fountaine to wa(h a-
vvay vncleanendle : Yet wee fee a number had rather runnc
ftirther into the mire, then come to the lauour of Chfilb blood
Bo wa(h away any oneconuption that is in them.
(X^Whj did C'hriftlhed his hUod I
A. To purehafc pardon, and forgiuenetfe for our finncs,
Chrift fufferingthat in his body andfoulc, which wee fliould
haue fufFered for our iinnes.
Q^ Haue wee no other bene fite by the Blosd of Chrift ?
A, Yes : Through the blood of Chrift, wee bee not onely
difcharged of the finnes that be paft, but wee hauc Itrcngth ana
poweragainftthofcTentations and eujll motions that bee to
come, //tf^.^.14,
Qu. Horv haue wee this?
A, Euen as a Corrafiue, being applied vnto the difcafcd
part, cates out the corrupt flcfh, and dra wes out the poyfon and
the venome that is in it : euen (o the blood of Chrift being ap-
plied by faith eates out the dead afFe
clcanendFe dryed in vs all.
Q^lVh^tt^ the third p0!»t ?
tA* Thirdly, wee mull lookethat our hearts confent with
ourmouthesindieprayers oF die Church: That wee lye not
to God, and fay wee bewaylc our liiines, when indeed wee bee
ncuer a whit forry for them : That wc repent vi oF our Faults,
when intruch wee haue not Fo much as a purpofe to amend :
Wee liFtvp our hearts to God, when many times wee doe net
fomjch asthinke oF God. For whatanheauy thing is it to
Fmne there, where wee come to crauc pardon oF our fmncs,
C^ H^hat is the fourth Point f ' **
A, Fourthly, wee are to markc what is done in the holy ml-
iiillration, not to Fit in a biowne lludv, as a number doe, bur to
fixcourcycs vponiheSacrair.entalllignes, and when wee fee
the Bread broken and pulled in pcecei ; Then to rhinke, cuen
Fo was the Bodic oF our Lord, rent and tome vpon the CrolFc
For our Finncs. Wlicn wee teethe Wine pjured out ^ Tiien to
thinke,eu(rn Fo was the Blood oF Chrill poured out oF his
Bodic,thac I might haue health and comFort by it : And there-
foro
144 Grounds of 'Religion.
forcwhcn I reach out my hand to recciuc the bread : Then I
mud looke tlut my heart be ready co receiuc Chrift who is df*
fcred to my Faith.
Ql^What ts the fife Tfitnt ?
eyf, Fiftly, the Lord hauing fealed the Couenant on his
part J wee are hkewife to Couenant on our pans, that feeing
it hath pleafed God co Forgiuc the iinncs that bee pa(V, and to
bring vs into fauouragaine 5 That therefore by his BlcfUng,
wee will ncuer hue as wechaue hucd ; wee will neuer fpend
our time as wee haue fpent it ; wee will neuer loue finne as wee
hauelouedit: But the red oF the dayes,that wee haue to Hue,
ihall bee wholly dedicated and vowed vnto the Lord.
(X^fV/jAt is the Ufi: Point f
A, Laftly, when ourfelues haue receiued, then wee arc to
looke how others receiue ; that feeing wee bee all feruants of
one Lord, all feed at one Table, all nouriThcd with one meat ^
That therefore, there may be more mercy, more kindenetfc,
more Chriftian loue among vs ; And it may bee our (hame;
that wee cannot liue peaceably togedier on Earth j who hope
one day to liue joyfully together in heauen, i .C.i
A^fiv.Vli^i
Orourtds of Religion. * \jl%
t^frfw. Firll, it irccceth with thofe, wfio ftt fomc at
Acy hauc rccciucd, runnc immfdiatcly lo pre plisnerdir j
fpcndiiigthcbdl part of the day ii> gaddirf^, si^d lwil«
luig,d.atitnjay iullly bee feared, that die Deuill n^kej
a better m«l^ct tluc day^ dicn hec doth a^any daycs
bdidc. } 5r|. r.i>
Secondly, it mectcs with a nun.ber , that will Saint
it, ard lice very deooucly that day 3 But the very next
day or few daycs aixcr, they retumc to their oldc bent,
and runnethanlcluei, as deepc in the mire as chcy were
before,
Qu- fyhdt is the third thittgf ^ ^ * ^
Anjw. Wee inuft bring our fellies often into minde of
the Couenami and vowes which wee haue made to God,
chinking with •ur felues, that fucli and fuch a day, wee
were betore the Lord, and there wee fwarc in his hearing, .
and in the hearing of his People, that wee would ncuer liuc
as wee haue liued : Wee would lye no more, curfc no more,
bcare no more malice : And therefore, what a ludgen^nc
(hall wee pnll vpon our heads, if wee Ihall not bee carcfull in
fomegood meaiurc to performc it.
Qu. irhatii the fourth thing?
Anfw, Foiffthly, wee arc to markc how the Sacrament
vrorkes vpon vsiWhahcr wee finde our felues the better
for it J theftronger to relill finnc : the chccrcFulla in Gods
feruice, the tenderer to our Brethren : And if it doe not
worke J Whatisthereafonof Jt ? Whether want of pre-
parat'on, or want of reuaence , or want of care after*
wards 5 that the next time wee come, wee may come to b«t^
•erfruite.
Q^ H^hatis ^heUfithipfg ^
u4kJw, Wee muft not bee long away, but fo foonc as we
fecle ariy dcadncile, or coldnelle, or weaknclle to grow vp-
on v$: wee are to make recourfehKheragamc for ihe reco--
uering of our llrength : For as a man in a long lourney Iwcf
need of many Baucs ; So the Cluiftian that hath a long
L louriicy
14^ Cronndii^ ^tligi40.
Journey togocfrom Ea«h to Heauen, from San to God,
from Mort^ititco Iinitiortalitie, had need to come oFc to
the Lordi Table CO bccrcfrcfticd. o ruq iiJ- ifb
Qucft, }VhM iJ the rcafMthen jhar feme come fi /rA
^nfwer. Many of the Paffengcrs doc not fcclc thc»
t, ,, ,iiccd J no, though they bcc ready to droppc downc
yjr,3f, viDtO-^VcrydHcb; Butfuchasfoeicrhcwancy
I 4hcy arc caKfuU to vfe the Lords
hclpeagainftit^
.,J» .U-
:.ij ,','-•' -'■^vi :;.iijr.j.n "35
> . ;
J
:ino( i: ff. lid j^f|j iifiiii i»iJ xh od i -'t
I 1
THE
SVB STANCE
A N D P I T H
O F P R A Y E R;
OR,
ABRrEFE, HOLY, AND
HEAVENLY Expo si ti on ON THE
LonDs Prayer.
Bcino'tlie Summe and Marrow of diuers
SermonSjWrictcn and preachcd^by that HoIyjLear-
ned, Rcucrfnd,p,r>dlLjdicioi3sDiuinc : M^John Smith^
late Preacher of the Word,at Qauerlni in Effex, And fomc-
time Fcllovvof S ^ lohns Colledgeio Oxonferd*
Vprightaejfc hath boldnejfe.
Vrr/ml ahvsyei rmth all payer andfHpplicaiionm the Spirit, atid tvaUbini thereunto >y*/fe AJBl
pcrfeneraHceyirjdfuppl:(aU0)tfor all Saims^
I. ON DO .V,
^sinzz* '*^r W^ '
AN
EXPOSITION
ON THE
LORDS P RAYER.
J
Mat t h. ^-9*
(tAfter this nJAfincr therefore pr^v yer. Offr Father
which art in heaucn^HaUo^cci he thy NAtn?.
Thj Kirgdcmccome, Thy ^'tH he dune, inearth 04 it is
m heauen.
Gine vs this d^j par ^<^y(y bread*
jirjdfor^me'vs our debts ^as vpe for^iue our dehtdrs*
ty^ndUade vsn^t irjtotentftattoH , but delinervs from
entll, I^ or thine is the Kwidome^ thefo'^-er and the^Ury^
forcHer,Am^n,
Auing nlrcady fpoken of the
firft part of Chrilli2n profcfsi-
GD : chefccondfollo-vethiand
that IS Prr,yn\\sj\\cxcm we can
h4 ^nuinobcrnrguide to dircfi
^^ vs ,thcn t\\c Lord hinsrelf c, nor
fwoftcr words then thbfr (o
iffK;ctinllorourSauiourChrirt,
TliLTC arc then two things
conimcndedvnto vsin the words o[our SA^ifunr-fh ijt.
Az I A
l£; 'Jfur thu mdnmr therefore ffdj pe^
X A 2)/vzycthtoGodt
that when any man prayeth^the Lord would gme vnto
him , as hce knowcth hisiheart. For the Lord onely
... knowcth the hearts of the children of men. Bywhidi
it is euident, that the Lord accounteth not of that pray-
er which comes not from the heart.
Oh that men of this world did well confider this,
\ they thinke that if they tumble out words of prayer,
though their mindes wander and are vnftcdfaft,though
I their thoughts be vpon other, things ; though their
hearts
i
K^fier thit maurter therefore ?ray yee] 5 !
hearti be tranfporrcd with diuers wanderings J ycf ' |
they pray vnto God. But the truth is, t^atasPraycris \
an A^ion and Motion ofihc Heart, fo if the Heart doe ,
not ioync in prayer, thou ghamanvfe words ncuer To \
4;w,^f«.2 2.5. vfcd his feruants \
and his Afle to hclpchim in his iourncy , but when hcc ^^^'^^»^^^^ <
came to Moupt ^Mortah ( the place of worftiip ) then ^^^^"'^
he difcharged them, and left them a farrc off; So world-
ly thoughts are toUerable and lawfull; if we vfe them
as feruants , to carry vs through this our iourncy from
Enrth to HcAHcru But when we come home to prayer,
to prefcnt onr felues before the Maiefty of God ; then
wcmuftdifmifle, and difcharge them. So that this is
thcfirft thing to be obfcruedin frayer.th^lPrAjeris
4in Action or motion of the hcarf.
The fecond thing in prayer is, that Trayer u a ntotL '^
$n of the heart yO^ it is It f ted vp und eUnatcd vnto God with
intetittHcneffeanddehotton^ according to that which Da^ "^
mdflithy'Pfal.^, 3. fn the womin^yf^tllj dtrc^ me vntoVfAh^^i*
theeyand IvptliX^atte : and P fa/, 2^..i. Vnto thee ^ O T[(iLi$,i^
Lord ! will J lift vp my fonU, CTC. Thus in prayer^xhcic
inuft be alwayes an earned lifting vp of the hoart vnto
God , that whereas our aff^dions ordinarily dwell
here below , by prayer, they mufl b. carried abouc
Snnfie and tJAioone^ and Starrej^ to the Very Throne of
grac«/o fcek^ things needfall at the hand^ ot God. A
A 3 learned
. . ^Afttr thisniAnhtr therefore pray yee»
vmaruib.$: karftc^ Father dcfincsPrayertobe nothing but ^wirw^?:
^^fi4» tho- vp of the heart vnto (jod. So that prayer is like the
Fiery Chariof fiery Chariot, in w^^ £//^ wastranfported from earth
intoheauen: cuenfo by Prayer, we are carried out of
ourfducs^ out of this world, and all worldly things, to
be prefent with God inthehigheft heauens. So that
there muU be fpeciall excitation of the Heart in Pray-
er, that thereby we may come ncerervnto the Lord
himfclfe : which is thefecond thing to be obfeiued in
Prayer.
3 The third thing in Prayer is, thaf\\>ehecarefHlltode^
VfaUi o.7» Jtre things that bt needfully as Pfal, 1 0.7. Lord , / hon hafl
heard the de/tre of the poorest honprcparefi their heart ^c^c,
P/iU7,4, and T/al.ly.^, One thing haue f defiredofthe Lord.c^c.
■ So Py^/. 38. p. Lord I po^re mj Viphole defire before-
thee.cfr-c. So thk in euery prayer there muft be an ear-
ned defirc : vrhence we raay confider two things in
Prayer.
r Afenfe and feeling of our ovf',ie miferies and Volant s^
2 zAn earnef; defire to hattethemfuppljed,
^ , ConccrmnglhQRvii^ there mnfi he a feeling and for^
mer apprehenfion of our wants » By which meanes, a man
fhall the wilh'nglier pray for a fupply of the fame. If
wedoenotfindtheFeauer^feele thefits.bcnotpreflcd
withit,aswithaheauy burden; no man will feclio. and why? bccaufc they had
a fenfe of their owne mifery, that made them cry. ©.
ibers ftould hauc fcene the faluation of God,blefied the
meanes oi their lleden-'ption that God had fcnt into
theworld. But oh las men buried in darkcncffe, they
could fee nothing ; ond/ the ftiifc gf jnifcry makes
men
After thU tnannw therefore pnj jee» ' "^
meincryvntoGod. SoSxod^ij. j^ Mo/es crycd vn^ £xod^i7,^^
to the Lord, dec the fcnfe of danger thus fcthimon.
O Lord ( faith he) thefe j)cople be ready to Jf one me, c^c*
Thuswcfcc^itmullbearcnfeand feeling of our xuife-
riesand wants,which rauft driue vs topraycr.
There wi^fi hf an earnejl deftre to hake them fnpflyed ; 3
for though a man fee his wants, and yet doth not re-
gard them, norvvilliorindeuourto haue them rclec-
ued, this man will neucr pray to God ^fo that it is not
enough for a man to haue a fcnfe and feeling of his
wants, and to buft'evnderthsm. and hang dov\nc the
head as a bulrufh, but he muft earneftly deiire and fceke
fupply for them at the hands of God. So JehoJJjapha
layes, 2 Chro», 20.1 2. O Lord, ^^e be not able to fta^d, 1 Chron.iQ^ it*
bntoHr ey(s are towards thee, c^c. So lam. I. f. If avy Um^us*
mJriUckexvifedoTfre^iet him a6k^ of ^odyC^c* So that in
prayer there mufl l3e a de/iring of needfull things ar the
hand of God. For as ground when it is dry , opens it Groundt
felfc into clefts an ' :ranics 5 and gapes towards Hea-
ucn, as though it would deuouretheCloudcs. Somuft
the rrucChrifrian beaffcfted in prayer, earneflly defi-
ring the fuppiy of his wants at the hands of God.
Thus i^appeares,a man may fpeake words of prayei a
hundj?€dtimts, andyetneu<:rpraytruely, if his heart
be not difpofed and affeded to Godv Prayer being ( as
Ihauefaid) firfl a motion of the heart ; fecondl7,not
cucry motion. but that which iscleuated and lifted vp
to the Lord ; thirdly, not euery lifting vpof the heart,
but whereby we defire things needfull; fourthly there
muftbea fnfe of our wants; fiftly^andlaiiof alljea,
chiefcftofall, an carneft defire to haue them fupplyed.
And thus,as when many hands Ift at a burthen, ft is Many hanl^
the eafier heaucd vp ; fo when all thefe concurre togc-
ther,Prayer is the more fully made, and thcbetterac-
cepted.
A 4 The
6 l^fterthis manner therefore prajyeei
2 The fecond general! thing in this Duty of Pr4yer^ fa;
Cenexal point
For though the bare words of Chrift might bee
enough for vs , and we (hould anfvvcr all temptations,
liAm jai* as the Umc man anfwered the Ji^vcs : John 5. 1 1 . Hee
"^ho healed me ^faid vnto mee^Tdke vp thy bed andVcaikf^
So we may fay, Hee who healed me with a plaiftcr of
his ownc blood , Hee that deliuered me by his owns
deathman i payed the ranfome for my finncs : ipfe dixit
tniht : Hc faid to me,Pr4j thns^&c. Yet becaufe much
fubtilty and infirmity lies in the heart of man , I will a
little enlarge my felfe in this point,though I fay this an-;
fwer might be enough for vs.
Firft then^therc be certaine OhieEli97is to be anfwc.
XQi.fVhy^e need not pray : Secondly, we wiUfhcw the
%e^ut to make a change in our fclucs , Draw T^\an\fcap.i.
our hearts and aftedionsnecrervnto God. As an in^deviHu^'jinu
cicnt Father well obfcrues, where he moft cxccllenily ^^^•^.^"^*^i' j
wdl opens the very famepoint^^c. ouli[ixis,&c,
4
The fccond ObieithoHt meanes to Obicaion an-^ |
eficl the fame. For God hath not onely decreed thc^^^red, i
particulars.&c.but God hath airo ordayned, thatby
fuch and fuch mranes, we Ihould be led vnto the ends.
Now becaufc pnyer is a mcanes, and a fpeciall mc«nes
to accomplifl) the Decree of God. Therefore wc muft
pray, for this doth not take away prayer ,bucconfirmes
it rather. For example, Gai decreed co prolong f/f - 1 Kjnc, 20,5*
^ekiah's life^&c. and yet z\\z prayer o^tfez.ekiah, was a
fubordinacemeanes to accomplilTi the Decree of God,
&feruingtothatpurpofc. Take another examplCi^t?/ |
17. 31. God had decreed to faue all in the (Lip, but
how ? by racanesof thcfhip,forwhcn theMafterand
Souldicrs would haue ^c6, into the Boat ; The Apoftle ^7.27.31,
Tanl told them , that vnlcflc thcfc tarried alfo , they i
could not be fancd. Sotoapply this rnco our purpofej i
God hath decreed to giuc fuch and fuel 1 bIcfsings,com-
forts^and graces to his Saints^and yet not CO giue them
but by the mcanes of prayer^&c. So that if we w li noc
¥fc prayer, we muft not looke for any thing to be either */
granted or obtained. * ' :
Hauing thus difpj^Cchc thefc Obicd ofqcd ; that W^ J^'f /''-J. ^^fj°;\\'
^^•5''5- aedleth,n,pr^y,&c. Sothat.tisaclcareCotnmandc.
mcntofGoi thatvv-. n,Hfi pr-> Now as we make a
Snfcience of any of the Goramafidernents of God. So
So we muft learne to be cnfciorable m this There
L no man but will make fomc confc.cnce of fteahng
and killing,and why becaufe.hc knowes God fo com-
nsands him. Now you fee it is the Commandement of
God to pray, let it then be our care to performe it ac-
cordingly /and more then this, it is fuch a Canman-
dement of God, asthat no man can excufe himfelfc if
, ,„, henealeait. And therefore (ia.th-^«i,#« ) Th>'» ..
'^'^''^""' Im mc.mc alms to tk nuAy , fc.r««/. thon hafi net
UcrcWirballtonUeHcthem. Thou needcfi not come, ma
the ContretMion becaufe thm art d.fea'ed, thoH needeftnot
n,nr,tethe/cke,beeaufetbyfirer,£th will^ot beare tt ; but
there is none fo poorc,fo lame.lo needy .(o weake in the
body,but^en'"ftP^''y5 fo that ifwedoc not pray, ict
vs lookefor noihingatthc hands otGod.
* Secondly V.ecaufe it is the munes to coruey alithc blcf.
Rcafon «hy fw.s ofQod vnto onr foules 5 for Prayer is tne very key
lt:^\U^2cf4 weopcnalltheTreafurics ani «orehoBfesof
M«'knl.^^. Godspowerand goodreffe:Chruifaith/I^<.r^ 11.24.
Wh.it Licr yee a^ke of god tn prayer , b,leeue, 6-c. So
I to5..4. I lohn 5.14. T: his is the confidence that x,ehaHe m h,m
that fie asKe ""J '^^'"1 "''''^"'^ *" '"' *'" •^'"1'""'"''
vs So that Prayer is a mcanes to coniieigh all graces
and blefsings vnto oar foules. 1 he woman of Sama
- thoH h4\thmn to draw : but God be thanked , tliough
„ the Wei of Go'ds goedneffe be deep yet we haue fome-
^"f''"' what to draw with : the holy bucket of praya will
^fter thft mdfimr therefore prjy yee* 9
diueintothcdepthcsofGod, and fetch vs waters of
comfort from them , yea fearch the very loweR hot-
tome of grace that is in God : as diners of the Fathers .'^^i^ijl./ifcendh
wellobferuc. So that thefc things are tuiJent induce. ^''■ff^^'^^-W/^-
mcntstoeacryChri(tianmantopray. For as. ifthcrc^'^f^ '''^''''^'•
were a goodly fountaine, that feeds a whole towns, g^-Z^o^q^^,;^
yctifmcn haiic not vctTels and pipes to carry \\'a:cr imcrra :npj{er
Jiomevnto their houfes, they were neucr the better. ^^^'^^^ cl-c
So,though there be a Fountaine of gooinclVe in God, ^^^^yf^fl- ^^^*
yet prayer js the meanes to conueigh it Vn:ovs, and llTA,^*Jf'
bring It home vnto our fouleSj&c lainc,
Th'MiXy^BeCi^.nfc it is thencte cf a kicked m, in not to ,
//r.ij, *P/4/. 14-4. 'Dauid fa-th plainely, Theycd'uwt Rcafon^why
vponthcLord^cj-c, Ifaiah^6^ 7. Notes, that it wasa wefliouM
great figncof the calamity of the Church, when the ^"y*
(^hMe^ns h/tdtake^iaWay the riches of the Temple ^and the jr^ 'l.'^ ^'
daily facrificeceafed. Euen foit isaforefigne of Gods Tempic'rob-
difplcafurc, when the daily facrifice of prayer ceafeth. bcry.
It is withaChriftianthen, aswhenthc Chaldeans haireBion hom^ to^ray.
^Whereih^there arc two things to be confidercd.
X Whj Chrifi gines thii Dire^i$n ?
2 iVhat the*DireUi0nis.
I'OX the fir ft, u hy Chrifi giuesadireftion , there bee
three Reafonsofit.
I
Firft, To kcipe the Y^eak^JeJfg of fuch 4U cnnnot fray :
Kcalonwhy This rcafonis touchcd,L*iil:^ ii-i. w here when C^r//?
Chriftgiucs ceafcd pra\ ing , oncof theDifciplcs came vnto him,
to prav lay mg. A^ajter^ teach vs to pray, a4 lonn aIjo tanght hts
Uf(eii',i, di /ciples. Whctcupon ^/jri^/ dcliuered this forme of
prayertothem. Sothatasifay, It was to hcipe the
wcakcneiTe of fuch thai arc not able to vtter their own
thoughts and d( fires. Therefore Chnft,z% he puts good
thoughtsin our hearts, by his holy^Spirit : io here hcc
puts
^fttr thl mAnntr therefore pr a j yee» 1 1
puts good wortJs into our mouthes j yea the xvor^s
ofpraycr. So the Lord, //ords , and ttnnc tothf
L^rdy^^dfay vrif9 him ^Tnke ^\Vay a!li;/ie[fiity , avdrcccine
vs^racioHJlj^fo vciH\yf render the iaUes of our lippis* In
ge/i.^y.ii, ]t$C:\'idofJoftphihdiZUc nounfhcd his Fa. Cw 47.12;
ttier and his Mother, and all the houdiold ; ycz^H^i'^^i^'icif.z
put meat into little childrcns mouthes. So doth the
true Idfeph the Lord lefus, he doth put euen mcate into
the mouthes of his children; that is, hee doth put the
very words of prayer into the mouthes of (uch as can-
not pray.
There hath been a qucftion, whether a man may vfe n^r^
a fct forme of praycr^or pray vpon a booke. -<^»' •
BiKthequeftion need be no queflioD amongft vs, -^sf
for wefeebyChrifts^xamplej If a man haue not the
gifttovttcr prayer in his ownc words, better vfeano*
ther mans helpc, then quite to omit fuch a worthy
duty.
Titefecond re^fon '^hyflorift gines a dtre[fi$» to p^^y,' 2
WaSjT^ correEl a number oferrenrs and chltcjuities that be Reafon why
in prayer. This is the reafon that is giuen, both in this Chnft giucsa,
place,and chap.7 . where Chnlt faith,^^ not ^ the Hea- ^''^^'^''^ ^o
then, hut after this wanner pray yet ^ctrC So the Lord ^^^^*
prtfcribeth this forme ofprayer,as a corredion of the
abufcs and corruptions which othcrwife might crccpc^^^ g ^^
intoour prayer. Saint FW faith, Rom.Z, 26. ForV^ee
k^oVp >iot how to pray as Wf ought , &c. For hovvfocuCf
we can fpeake wifely in the eares of men , yet wee arc
the verieft foolcs in the world when we come to fpeake
vntoGod. Andfo(aslhauefaid j tohelpe the errors,
and defecfis of prayer, our Sauiour Chrilt hathgiuerj-
vs a diredion how to pray 5 for as ^pr/4« faith , Hee .
yvhoh.ithgtHenltfe,hpithalfotanght "vsho^ to pray, Di* ' *
nines fhcwj th^tthciivwaid intent without the ^6tU
on
ti K^fter thli mannrf therefore pr a j *jte\
on,isasmuchasthcaSionitrdfe for though the afti-
on be gooiyit if the manner be not foalfo, God will
(,^tf8 5. .not acccptit. y/t/.5 8.3» The people fay, IVehanefa^
tfisd and fnrifj%(d our j elites^ Q^ c, but the Lord faith. Tee
faflreftnfe afjd d- hate, and to [mite ^'iththefifl cfwuk^d^
■rcjfe^crc'i Sq though that the adipn be good , yet be-
caufe the manner of performing it was not , God did
t ck^.i 5^,13. by the Prophet reprehend it.,^ So i Ckren. 15.13. D4-
ttids adion was good, whenhc fought to bring vp the
ArJve,butbecaufc the manner was not good, b.ccaufe
he did not feeke God deuoutly^but put Gods Arke vp-
on a Cart , whereas it (liouldhauebeene carried vpon
Priefts fhouldcrs, the Lord made a breach amongft
them^&c So thatvvc (coin regard ©f gracious acccp-
tation,the manntr of ihc adion is as much as thca^i-
on it felfc. And thus svc may not oncly pray , but wee
. mw{\ pray^toacceptAUop , and keepe a due manner in
our prayers 'fuv;.-,
■ > , ■...."...■. . '
5 The tiiird Reafon is, 'That Wr nti^ht hme the greater
Reafon why p.jfurance that Cjod wtll hcare vs '^'hcn \Vf pray ^ c^c. As
^i"'^/'"^* ^ i>/:''^5.l4r. 7'/7/>;y <^(^r jffarArce , thAt tf W£e aske a-y
loprav^ * f^-'^f,^cc'Hdin-^tohk\\i^Jif^e-ht(ireth vj. Now no man
1 lobn. 14 ^sn doubt, that v\ hen vvcfoUo^v Chrfts dirt d. on, wee
askeaccoidingtoGods wi'l I and fo noqucflicn but
Woman of Tc- God wjII htare vs^ . When the woir.n.n of j ekoah maJe
^w/;* arepoittOijD^«/^r/iihibfqnn^^^
£aid , Ji, rjotr the hand op: iO:M />' ^ h:s ? -which w )ic n hcc
2. Sam,\^.i^, vnderftood that it wa^fo, Dai'id d:d tl.c- bcttci accept
of it : Eucn fa, when a poorc Chriftian comes to prayer
vnto Godjand the Lord (sath J spot t hu tongue tan^ ht by
thn^ i H not Chrifi acoH^ft lie/' in t hts a'(1im_ f .we nuy.
thinke tlic Lord will the rather entertainc and accept
Cjfri^'U ^^ ^^- ^^'^^^ Cypriw faith , ^s the Lord enr Mi'Jhr hath
tan^ht.vs. : and of prayer. It ts ajrteraly^ rtida farriihar
kjjtd of prayer ^toim\ cat' Cvd W^ith lui 4})\>}[s WfordstlVljieffifT^-
ry one pntyes^t he JLgrd kno^c'i t he yyordi cf his Som^* * o
you
;l.*w -v
0 ur Father vphkh art in TU^ttin. I »
you fee the Reafons^why it pleafed Chri/l to c^iuc t di.
rcdion in prayer : Firft,co hdpc the wcaknciTc of (uch
as cannot pray: Secondly, to corrcjd a nun^bcr of cr-
roLirs in prayer : Thir-:ly, that we might; haue fo much
the greater acceptation with God.
Nowwecomctothcfccond thing in the ftibdii^i.
/ion. ^ ' ,^;.
2 What Ml) V eciton u.
Which followes in thcfe words: Oftr Father \\^ hie h ^
iirt in Meaner;, o-c. Of thiscitcdion there «rc three ^^^^"^^""<^^»
partf^ ^ o: .:
1 The Preface.
2 7he Petitiens,
3 The Conclnjion*
FirftjTherc is a Preface, for our 5^;//
i^* Out Fdthtr which art in Huutnl
l^in,or earthly power , that wee haue to dcale with Jri
prayer^but a glorious and great God,before whom wc
ought to tremble, before whom the very Angels ftand
with an awfulJ regard and reference ; at the fecte of
whofc Thronc^all Kings of this world caft downe their
Crownes; therefore fowcmuft hauc the more care,
how and in what fort wc come before him. ifaman
Specck to a Were tofpcake to a mortail King, in a matter of fomc
King, imporrancc,how would he labour to fit himfelfe for it :
tocompofchisfpeech^hisgefture, all his adions, that
there might be nothing to offend. How much more
when wc, who be but duft and aihe$,worme$ meat and
rottenneffc, 'comc into the prefencc of Almighty God,
ought wc to be prepared and labour fo to bee compo-
fed^that nothing offend this great God of ours.
^e mufi prayl
3 WhAt he the dnties retjnircd $fthem thdt pr4y ?
Firft,w€muftpray,toGodonelyj Tor (^hnfi he di- J6
rcdcthvs toprayvDtoourheaucnly Father: Thuswc
muft pray vnto none but Him. feeing by Chrifts ownc
Rulc,we are dircdc J vnto God onely , as in the whole
Scriptures iseuident,P/7/7.4.^./fz#ci5f thin^j let your re- P^'M,^;
^ue/hiejhewent0(jeciirtPrayer,c^» SoUm.i.^. IfanyUrmi^U
efyoH lathe wifedomejet him Aske it vf ^od. Saint Paul
fhewes the ground of this, 'Kom. 10.14. '^^^ hoW Jha/l ^^^.i^.i *;
they caff on him in f^hom they haue net heUened ? Now by
the Rules ofChriftian faith, we arc bound tobeleeuein
no*ie but in God onely ,& fo our prayers to be direded
oncly vnto him. Of which there be two Rcafons, why
the Lord will haue prayers dirc&cd oncl/ to him«
fclfc.
pirft, That n ptan mt^ht h^ge an imntediMte depend a fict -
vpon GodyAnd not depend vporj any creature : or any pO W- Keafon \»Iiyi.
cr of Angels, but vpon God onely : being earned by Prayer mui
ioamediace relation vnto God^ as our Sauiour teaches. b« ^hen (jodgtnes ij^ that cnelj which u hefifor vj..
3 Secondly X hat we ntnjl- pray in loue. For Chrift in^
AfTcaion \v* ftruding vs to fay ( Onr Father ) would tcach vs louc
tauftprayin. andchmty; that is, not onely to pray forour felues,
but alfo in the behalfcof our brethren; forthisisadu-
; ty rcquifrte in onr prayers, to take in the whole Com-
munion of the body of Chrift, thatcucry one may haue
a part in our prayer. So holy men of God hauc done
^fatMi.6, before Vs/Dauid faith , Pray for t he peace cf IcrfifaUm^
l^eaccbe \^ithin thy'rvalls^ andprof^erity Within thy Palla^
l^an.^.io. ccs»f/eprayej (jcd to hearc the prayers Which he madejpca^
king^a?jd prajitify a>:dcoufcfimg his fms ,And the fun cf his
people, Whereljpon an Angellcame Hying vnto him.
U'PJ^Sii^f Fray one for another in the ttme cf trouble. Thus by the
rule of Chrid, wc ran ft not oncly pray for our felucs in
faith.butfor our brethren alto, in loucand compafsion,,
and fcllo wfecUng of the w ants 2c needs one of another.
Shipjiwdingt WJicnpaany fl)ips Trade and Tr^fiuckc ypon the fea.,
Oar fithcr which Art in Jhiucn. ' j ^
fomc goc for one thing^and forac for another, fomc goc
to one pUcCjind feme to another; and yet all tends to
thegoodofthcCotincrcy. So Icis in the prayers of the
Saint5,fome pray for one thing, forrc for another, fomc
for graccjfome for remifsion of finncs , fomc fof peace
of confcicncc, fome for temporall blefsings, ajid yet all
in the end for the good of the Church.
I (hould now corac tofpeake of the Duties of them
that pray : but firit I mail :< little enlarge mj fclfe in the
former of Faith and Louc, which ftieuldhauc bce^K
touched before.
Faich,being a mainc pillar and foundation , where- ^^^ grouais
upon this building of prayer confift*, yea, fuchaoncas ofFaich.
J may truely affirme, Sint tjua non : Ere I goc further
Iwillfhew twe grounds of faith.
1 %A pcrf^dfon ofthcpt^er of^odth4t he can.
Z ty^perf^^fien of Ggds ^illingnejfe^ th/itbeemX
h/lpc VJ.
Tor ifwc doubt, either ofliis pow€r,thathe cannot,
crhis wili.tl^thc will not hclpe vs,thOB§hhebeable,
Wc can neuer pray in Faith ; that is, with vpdoobtcd
a{r« ranee that God w ill heare vs. And becaufe the grea-
teft qucftio is,of the will ofGod/or not manyCcpecial-
ly amongft C hriftians)! fuppofe, doubt of the power of
God. Chnfi firft rcfolues and fetdes vs in that point,
and fhewes that God is ( 0»r Father, ) and becaufe be
is our Fathcr,vvc (hall be Cure to find a moft fatherly af-
fcdlioo in him, that no father fhall be fo ready to hearc
the requefts of his children » as the Lord will be to heare
vs in all things wc pray for. So that this is one ground
of our Faith^not to thinke we com;? rnto God as vnto
a Rrangcr that doth not rcfped or regard vs in our
needs ; but we come to him as to a Father and one
B b 3 that
rk. «
^Q Our Father which drt in Uenucn.
that doth louc vs, tenders vs, and will be as ready to
releeucvs,as the dearcft friend vvchaucinthiswoild.
p/2^.to3*i5, So7)^/^/W faith, P/^/ 105. 13. Asa father yutitth hk
MdUiJui^ij, chiUrcfi^c^c* And ^ ill your Father Whichis in
Hcauen.giHe his holy Spirit vmo thofe \K'ho a^ke it. So that
this needs muft be a goodly comfort vnto a poorc Chri-
ftiantoconfider of, becaufe it is our Father, not a
ftranger, our good Father, our louing and compafsio.
nate Father that deales with vs, fo that wee lliall cafily
/ind him inclined to goodnefle and mercy towards vs.
Many place* of Scripture doe inlarge this ^ and all to
ftrcngthcnourfaich^and make vs come the readier vn--
to
Our Tdthtr which drt in Hedtiett, 21
to God. P/4/. 2 7. 10. ThcH^hmyfMthcr and my mother Tfil*i7*^o,
fitoulU ferftke ine^yet the Lord ^X^t'Ugathcr me vp.c^c. ffa^ Jp,45»M»
49.1 5. Can a worn an for get her child , andKot hake (om»
tapt9n vpon thefomie of her wombc ? Tea, they nmy , CT-f.
Where the Lord hifnfelfefhcwcs, and fayes thathce
will noc forget vs: fothat knowirg this loue, care
and rendcrncfle of the Lord,&: that he hath this fatherly
affcdion in him , we may well thinke, the Lord will be
f mod ready tohearcand hclpevsinaUthat wcprayfor.
Alas, they that be not thus perfwadcd, that God hath
fuch a heart,borome,and bowels of loue open vntovs,
chat he hath a fatherly care and coinpafsion towards
vs ; he,l fay ,that hatb not this fweet and comfortable
apprehenfion of God.that knowes not God to be a Fa-
ther to him, muftneedes make faint and cold prayers
vntoGod. Butwhofoeuer fliallbc perfvvaded in his
fouICjthat the Lord is become a Father vnto him, ac-
cepteth of him ashisfon^whatjsit^butthat fuchaman
may hope for at the hands of God, which ( as I (aid) is
the firft ground of our Faith 5 vix^* ^y^ ferf^^afim that
God will kearc vs >^hen vpepray vnto him*
The other ground of Faith is, Aperf'^afon of the pow *
er of god : for if he be w illing to hclpc,and yet not able, Ground of
as wanting power, whatare wee the better? but re- ^^^ *
inaine enen wcake people ; fuch as 'ffaiah fpeakcs of.
Chap* ^ . 7. fft t hap day h e fhalfweart^ frying » I Cfinnot be an /y^,^ ,7^
helper. for there is no bread in mtne hc^-f And it makes VS
vncomfortable in that we goe about ; but Chnji flicw-
cth that all power abidcth in God , and all things arc
fubied vnto him, whether in Hcauen or in EaitU, or
vnder the Earth ; yea, bc rules andgoucrnes all, and \%
able tofupply whatfocuer man ftands in need of. As
may be feenc, FfaL 50. throughout : and "PfaL 1 1 5. 3 . PRjo*
But our (jodis in heauen^ he doth vphatfoeuer he wilt : and P/^/'H J^S*
Deut,^ 3.36. There u »Qne like god^ O righteous people^ 'Vtut.^1.16^
which rtdcth vpon tJjc Hcattens for thy hdpc^andonthe
Bb 4 CloHdes
Sz Cur Fdther which drt in tit^uen.
ClottJej in hij£leryy&cSothil in troth all that he doth;
is to flicw forth his goodnfffff and power in helping v$,
Ofwhichhchathgiucnfufficicnt teftimony in Scrip-
tures, that he both can and will fupply our wants in
whatfoeuer we ftand in need of. Indeed earthly fathers
theyflnay be willingtohclpc their childrtn , but they
- *<%5.M. arc not alwaycs able , as we may read , a Kw^. p. 14.
When the little child cryed out to his father, My
headyiny head ; hecould doe no more then command
one to carry him vnto his mother,and fo the child died-s
but the Prophet came,atKi by the power ofGodrefto-
red him. So in all thingselfethepowerofGod,as it is
manifeft in things aboue our reach , fo it h extended
cucnin this world, when it pleafcth him to fulfill all
things that men can dcfirc. And therefore wee fee the
tlmhXi^ Uycr cryed out, tJlI at th.^. 2, ^jy after if thou wilt, thoi^
?[al,%. CAnfimakemedeane. SoDauid^Pftl.S. attributethall
things ro the power of God. Yea,C^r//?himfelfc, con-
M^thAJ^l€, feflcth this in his prayer, when he faith, Matth, 14^ 36.
Father, Omma t%bi pftbiltH^ all things are pofsible to
thee. So that thefebe the two pillars of faith, to aide
and giue wings to our prayers. A perfwafion both of
thf will and power of God to hclpe vs : thus hauc wc
: done with that fitftaffcftioa wc nauftpray with 5 in
i , lAithi
Thcfecondaffcftionwemaft pray withallris lone •
for Chrift teaches vs to fay {Onr Father ) and not my
Father, ( Gine vs ) not me ; teaching thereby chat wee
TOuft not pray for our fclues onely, but for others alfo.
Wc mnft take in the whole body of Saints,all thai? louc
God: all that thinke God their Father, yea, all the
TyS/aiii^t world that are the children of God. So Daitid , TfaL
^*y^'' l2i.6.Ciilhyl^r'Ayforthej>€ace of lerufaUmi andfam*
5.6, Pray one for another y&c. So thatChriftiansmuft
not ondy pray in faith , but in louc > and that for the
fommunionofthc whole body of Chrift, whereof he
himWfc
Our Fdtho tphich art ii lUduen, ^ ,
luinfjlfjisa member: forauhcflckemrunthc Gof- sickcman.
pjll, whcnhccoaldnot com.* vnco Chriil ( Atii\ez. hUr^ix^i.
3. ) vpon his O/Vnclcg^es^rhough his fait!i was great,
ani cNac hcc bsleeu:d Chnft could hcale him ; was
borne vp:n the fhoiildersof fourc m:n , who let him
do.vncac the !i9U fete p, and brought him ro the prc-
(l-nceoFChriil : So mu^ we doc by our brcthrcn^hov.
cucr they can pray in faith thcmfdii.-s, yet malt wee
pray in loiicfor thcni. If thiscourfc were kept amongfl
vs_, thatwe did thus pray one fjr another ; O what a
comfort would this bctoafflidedani diilrefTcJ foules,
to think that whcnfoeucr they went about to pray vneo
GOD, there were many thoufand hands and hearts
lifted vp to God in their behalf^. I am perfvvaded it
would much animate CLicry Chriftiartto goe forward
in this Chriftian dury ; thu j you may fee, ho ,v efhcaci-
ous this aflfrdion of lout is, but hereby \% not meant
eucry fu i Jen vvifh forme «:)od of fo Tie particular per-
fon3,or priuate refpcd af friendsj riuals.allyes.acquain-
tancc,or fuch like, wherein we may exercifc our fclaes ;
but the generall care of the Church of God, and loue to
our brethrcn,ashauing tiding of our fellow members^
The third aflfedion that wc muft pray wIth,is(7V<'^^'
affedions muft neuer ftay till they come as high as Hca-
ucn, where God is. And fo oft as we pray/o oft in our
thoughts, and in our minds, wc muft rife higher then
thecloudcs.aboucSunncandMoone, anda'hhe Stars.
£lt.i.i\\\% ftory fhewes, that hee was carryed in a fiery e//'?j#
Chariot into Heauen , euen fo muft we by prayer bee
tranfportcd out of this world, to beprefent with God
inthehighcfthcaucns. Itwasafigne betwixt r>*j«/W
and lon.ithAny\^\\^K\ he (hot his ArroweSjthat if any ofionuham Ar-
them fell niort,there was no danger in it, &:c. Soitis^^^^^*
not with our aftidions.if they be Ihort, and not cleua-
ted and carried vp as high as Heauen, there is great
hazzard and danger, that the Lord will not accept, nor
regard them. Thushaucwefeene,wichwhataffedion
wc
26 Our Fd th(r whid dfl h HuutiC
L wcmuflpray. In Faith, in L cue, wii^Rcucrcncci
VvithElckiation.
YctcrewecomctotheT^f/V/w, wccmuft coofidcr
ccrtaine dntUs of them that pray.
I^ Firfi^WewHftUheHrfcrthe^raceofadepticH.YorhoVf
Dutic of can we truly call God Fathcr.if we beuot his children ?
thcmihac Alas, w hat doc we othcrwifc^but fo oft as wc pray rn-
P^y- to God , To oft continually vvc doc lye in the earcs of
Cod. It is like the aggrauation of %yirjania4 his fmnc,
'^tls 5.4, ji^, J ,4. 7 koH hafi not lyed-vnto mAnjpHt vnto (^od. So if
IVJt come vn to G od in prayer, & call him fatherland yet
be not hischildrcn/he very fame may be faid of vs,&c.
Then you fee now^what great caufc there is,that cuery
man (hould labour for thii grace of Adoption in him-
felfe,to repent his finnes, to lay hold vpon the pranifes
of thcGolpelljto be rcnned by the Spirit oiChrift^xhiz
we may truely call God Father, bccaufc now wee haae
his true word, ifwe be his children, he is our Father:
yea, we may the bolder goc vnto God, and challenge
him of hispromifc^according to that comfort in Hofta,
HvjTi.io. afterfomanythreatnings,c^4;?.i.jo. TteMrttbefonnes
J}/ the Lining CQd^0'C,
t } The fccondDuty is, That ^e mufi Uhiur to hperfw^"
Dutj, dedcf the fatherly c Are and hue of ^cd tc^nrds vs', that
wehaue a Father in Heauen,one that doth refped and
regard vs, And fo whatfococr our cftate is in this
world; though ncuer fo poore and meane^yei to thankc
God,that w t haue our honour with the Lord, wc may
come as boldly into the prcfence of God as the grcatcft
M^,\,^ o\ Kir}£^Pri77c e fiX Monarch of the world, as MaUc. 2 . 1 o*
1 lohn^^i* Hake ne not aU one Tether I and I hhn 3 . 1 .'Behold Vfhtit
lcHetheFatherhrtthfl}e]\>ed9rj'VJ, that^e fhouldhe called
the fans of God? fo Chat as 1 fay, it is our honor,comfort,
and happincile, that what efiate focuer we be of in this
.u orld^} £C wc kfiOW/hac he who h the Father (^IKinp^
is
Our Fdthtr which artw Hnufn. ^y
is our gracious ani good Father, by the mcanci an J
TntnlioUtftit Chrtji.
The third Duty is, that feeing God ii our Father, 5
XVe€ tf^dekour to S)ipnlk^ r^orthy of fuel) dfMtbcr ; tha: WCC ^^^y-
doe notdifi'ionor,anddirgracehimbyoHrfins, i Pn,i. ^^ct 1,17.
27. cy^ndify«M c/iflhtm father, pajfe the time ofjourpil-
^rim4£emfcjre. Thus if we proclaimc God our pa -
chcr,thcn ourcarc muft be to vvalke worthy oFhim -> Ir
is the blame that God laycsvpon the /fWr/, lercm.^.^. lerem^.u
Thou hitftpiid then art tkj Father, and yet then doefl eniH
msre and more ^c^c. So when men will call Vpon God as
aFathcr^andyethauenocaretoplcafe and obey him,
CO doe his will and honour him with a true hearty O
how (hall this one day light heauy vpon their hearts,
howfocucr we doe not fcele,or regard it in this world .
Thusthcn,ifwecaUGod Father truely, carry in our
hearts A fe:kdpurpore,neucrtooffcnd him, howfjeuer
our owne wcakneflTcs and fraikicf put vs by ; yet the
end of our life mull be that we waUe vvorthy ©f fuch a
father, that is ^ftriue with flelh and blood, asfirrcas
pofsibly we can, to liue in holinc^^ and ri^htcoufneflc,
to come to repentance and compunftionof fp rir, ene-
rydaytorcnueourGoaenant, for the aincndment of
ournnfullliues.
Hitherto of the Prcfacc.or entrance into this Prayer, fjk
the vfe of all whrch may be : firfl, to reioycc in it as a i
goodly blcfsing , that God would vouchfafc to be a Fa-
ther to fuch as we be ; efpecialJy,meB fo filly and meanc
in the eyes of the world : fecondly, to comfort our
fclues in this, that what eftatc or condition foeucr W€c
be of, yet to thankeGod that wee haue a heauenly Fa-
ther,onc thatrcfcruesaKingdomefor vs, greater and
better then this whole world. So much for the Pre-
face; novY come we to the Petitions as they lyo in
order,
I pETinoi;^.
rv*V ^'.' 41^ r3r. -V^ 'S?^ ^l^ ^!^ ^V '^^ ^?^ J^^
29
V^ ^^v
^'o^ -/^ 1/r -i^ "o "4» "ir -kT ^/^ ^^^ -fr' -/^
'• PETITION
HAllovpedhethj U^me.
Hey be fixe in number, whereof the
three firft concerne. The glory ofqod^
Thclaft threc^Oxr o^^ne^ood.
In the three former, the firft ;?n?}rj
for tke^loryef Cod tn it felfe : the Tc-
Cond and third,/r4)'/ and regarded, it is well. For wee
fee we are here taught to begin all our prayers with the
^cfire ot this, before we pray for daily bread, yea, any
thing elfc belonging to our lelues : Yea, ( as one faith)
before the Km^cme ofCjtd^ veeyrAjfsr the ghry efg§d :
to (licw that if we could redeeme the giory of ^*<^ with
lofle, I (ay , not of our ownc Hues onely, bat our owne
^^.^.j. fouIcsjWe muft bee contented : i cchU \\>ip my felfe r«
heJefarMted f $m ^/?r// for my 'Brethren ^ &€» 2% if hec
(hould ivf^iiGed may hane any glory by it, then I conli
be contented to rcdcenae his glory with my life , nay»
lofe my part of ctci nail happncfle : as tJ%i'i>fes wifht,ra«
txcl^ 2,31. ^^^^ ^hen g§d ihouid be diflhonoured^to be blotted out
ofhisBoc>ke.
^ Secondly ^Th4tV^em»J^freftrrethe£hry of Ged heZ
Ldlbn, f^^f *// ether things in this ^erld. And what end wec
feeke.labourfor,plcadfor,dcfire,ortrauellfor,wcmu(l
remember in all to prefcrre God aboue all, fo that ho w-
foeuer we can be patient and quiet in other Cafes, yet
when it comes to the Cafe of Gods glory, then wemnft
begmrorouzeand ftirrcvp ourfcluesjloasto haue all
xK^'in^.i^. ouralicdionsinHimcdu)Vs: ss^/m/?,! Ktygs i(^,i^.
fo to (a) to our iclues. / httnt been: ^caloiu fer the Lord
^;^-3 7-34. 9^'* ^i ^^/^^ • So did He\jkj^h, when SemiAchinb had
fcnt
I^aUmtd be thy ^ame. g f
fcflt him a rayling letter, he went and opened it before
the Lordjts that which more touched him , when the
Lord was didionoured , then when his kingdome and
life was thrcatned. So Qjrifi himfclfe that patiently
heard all the reft of the Diuels temptations , yet when
he came to take the honour from the Lord : then Chri[t
begins to rouzcvp himfclfe, and chide him. AueydSa^ MauL^iKu
tan^It u ^rittCNfl ho^fiAlt \V9r(hip the Lord thy (jody And
him ondyjliAlt thou feme ; Thus euen againft the migh-
tieft,wc mud ftand out for the glory of ged^ How la-
mentable a thing then is ic for wicked mcn,who can let
the glory of^*^ be trodenvnderfoot,andfuffer him to j ••!
be df fpifed , dilhonoured and blafphemed from day to
day ,and yet let it pafTe as a thing of nothing; O how
ftall we be able to anfwer this another day I or giue an
account for itjWhen^o^fhall come to iudgevs for our
Cnnes? Wefecin the whole courfc of Scripture, God.
isalwayesmorereaJy toftirreinourcaufe, when the
matter ccncernes vs^then when it concernes himfclfe.
So dealt hec by Catue : The Lord let him goe for the 0^,4.7*
wrong he had done to himfelfe, for his bad facrificc, for •
his hypocriticallvvorfhip ; but when he began toma-
ligne his Brother, then faid God vnto him : What haft
thou done ? Thevoyee of thy Brothers Closed cryeth vnta
me from thegronnd. So dealt the Lord by Ph^traoh, hec ^^*'♦^^•
was contented to put vp all the iniuriesagainft him-
fclfe; his Idolatry, his blafphemy , and fuch like : But
when he began to ftirre once againft the Church , and
the Lords people, then the Lord oppofed him, and
when he would nor dcfid from his crueltyat the laft^ he
drowned him and all his hoftc in the Red Sea. Now if
the Lord be thus ready to (hew himfclfe , and ilirrc in
our caufe , then ought we to be much more r^ady, and
rouzcrpourfelues toftirrcinhis, againR alloppofiti-
onsuhacfoeuer. t
Thediicouc-
Tile kconi thing confu'crible in tbi$ Petition, is, 'y°f''«"C'
c c r /;
1#
' I*
ipijon.
1 2 JiA^ovftd he thy Nd me.
The difcoaerlng of oht corru^ttQn hi it : that 1$ , a ncglcS
of Gods Name,and an immoderate care of our ownc :
for when wee pray , Hallowed be thy N.ime \ th«re is a
fccret oppofition bctwecne our name;and the Name of
(^od : we be all too carcfullofour ovvne name, to deriuc
the credit and glory ot things to our fclues : but Lord
teach vs to glorifie thy Name aboue all , and before all.
Ow.ii,4* gen. 1 1 . 4. Wee rcade that the people built a Tower
whofe top might reach to Hcaucn, and all to purchafc
tothemfeluesaName, but not at all to get any Name
vntothe Lord,or inlargehis glory : butfortheincreafc
jp4n.i.$9. of their owne. This did NabHchadnezjzr in his pndc
afpire to t Is not this great "B^bylov Xvhich I hake but it for
the honfe of my Kingdome, and for the honenr cf my tJ^f^^
ieflle. So that I fay, this is our owne corruption that
wc fo neglc£l the Name of God in his glory , being fo
carefull of our owne. Thus the Lord complaines of his
Hi^i^u^. people,^4^.i.3.That they built houfcs forthemfelucs,
went into the woods, fctcht home timber, fquarcd it
and carued it, to make houfcs for themfelucs , but left
thehoufcofGodvnbuilt. So it is with vs in this cafe,
wc can build vp our owne names , doc any thing to
grace and honour our fclues^but not one amongfl: thou •
ftnds, thinks ofaduancing of the Name of God: thus
doe we all leane too much to the corruption of ou r Na-
turejbutoh I why doe not the thoughts oiDauid come
i?id tbs
Lord hath taken awa)\blejpd be the Najne of the Lord, Sa
then this is that we pray for^that of all other things ws
may giue glory vnto God : according to that admoniti-
on of the Angell,i^r;/f/.i4.7. Feare (jod^ and aine glcry
to him; for the honrc efhis Judgement is ceme^ A>7d W0rp)ip
himi Ani ZgHnz.ReucLi^.j . Let vs be glad Mid rcieyce^
And glue glory to him for the mar}iage cf the L4mbs u
come, So'that whatfoeuer is laid vpon vs, what change
of edatefoeuer the Lord fends , we muft giuc the glory
to God^ and confcfie with our mouthes^ that he is wor-
thy of all honour.
Thirdly, iVe mtiftglorife (jsd hi onr Imes^thzx. WC may
foliue.asthc Lord may hauc glory and honour by vs^
andnodifgrace, forourgood life is an honour to the
Lord, as C^r//?himfe!fc faith, o^/.z//?. 5.1 ^» Let yonr
Itght fojhine ht foremen^ thut they mxyfeeycHr (road )X^orkej
a:ni glerific ysnr Fttther which is in heanen^ (^c. So I Fit,
2. 1 2. the Apoftlc faith, Aid h.mc your couiierfxtien ho^
ficjt among the Gent ties, th;zt they Which fpCAhs taiti of you^
4Hof (H^H doers ^maybj your feQdworkes^}^>hich they fiaU
HdUowtd he thy ^Atne. 35
piy^lortpeGod. Somuftwc pray, thatwcdoe ndt dif-
gracethe Lord by our finrcs, butliuefoas the Lord
may be honoured by vs. It ii for this purpofc a good
•^ meditation wbich cnc of tlie Fathers hath : Ciod
* ' ("faith he) tfsM (peaks vnte itfwn^rxO mun^ifthou haft no
^' ciire oftkiKC cl^'w credit crf^fety^jethauc a care of mine,
** Thifike fn.m tkat I nm dt/honotired hy thy fwne , for if
*' any dijgrace or (hame thereby reft vpon thy f elf e , muth
^^msre vpon meWhor^tthdH ou^hteft to regard: hut if thou
<* couldeftfo put it ouer with ioliity and CArelefneffe , yet it i
** Goddifgracedbyitjtherfore O man ytho^hthon neglect thy
^^ fdfe ytcddcr my glory ^ defies not my honour. Thus it is
clecre,as our good lite honours God : fo our ill life dif-
honourshimias ^tfw.2.24. faiththe Apoftle. Forthe %6m,iAA'
Nume of God ii bUfpemed amon^fi the (gentiles through
you, O then! let vs all take heed ofthis,thatNVc tender
the glory of God; letvs pray, that wee mayfo liucin
this world , conuerfe here amongft men, that the Lord
may be honoured by vs, and not diftionoured by our
grofTe aid prefumptuous finnes*
For our hcipe herein, There be three things ^htch may 5
quicken ^s to thi4 duty and car e» Things to
Firft , to confider , That all the creatures doeglorifie <^^^^^^^^^
g odtn their kinde: as the Pfalmift fpcakes. T/;^ Z^^^- gforyf
uens declare the glory of (^od^C^c. So in ihc RcueUt ion, {
it is written of all Creatures ; That all they \>thich are pfai,j^,i,
in heauen^and in earth ^(^c, A ndthefturc beafts [aid A - KtutU 5.1 $♦
mcntwhen glory \\>d4 giu:n to the Lord* Therefore n0W*"^^^»
feeingthat all Creatures. not oncly mod: noble, as An-
gels and Spirits^but the very lovvcft and meancft , yea,
the infenfible Creatures giue glory to God in their
kind : oh how great (hall our (innes bc,and how much
our wickednclTe ag»rauated,if we doc not care to bring
glory vnto him. O with what gladncflc lliould wee
perfwade one another to this dut;c, that feeing there i&
no creature, but in his kiadc,doth in fome racafifte, (ct\
^ C c 3 out
out the glory of God , how often fiiould man much
more mcd.tate then and pradife the fame i
i Secondly to confiier,TW//W^^^(;(i, he'^ii
^lorifievs : wc cannot be fo ready to fct out the Lordc
Name and praifes, but he is morcquicke to requite
x'5^»x.3«, and exalt vs: .as it is written, i Sam i. 30. For them
th^t honour mc^ ( vet II honoHr^cfrc. 7 hey who defpife me fljal
hedefpifed, Vnto which we may vfe the words of our
iQlmi7*Ay!f* Sauiour,inthatrolemneprayer5/'o/?;7i7.4,<^, wherehe
thus (amongft other arguments ) prayes for glory. /
haue glorified thee en earth, J h;iue fimpied the )X'ork^ Whtch
thoHgAHefi me to dee : and no'^gLrifie thoH mefl Father
^itb thine o^ne felfe : with the glory that I had wtth
thee before the vporld^as. So that when vve haue glori-
fied God in the time of this life; .then may vve aflliredly
cxped that the Lord will glor .fie vs at the day of death:
but if wee haue no care to glot ifie him in this world ;
1^0 w can we be perfwadcd that he will glorific vs, aftec
our departure hence*
I
Thirdly^ to COnMcr ^7 hit god WiH fenerely pH^ripj the
contempt of his f lory : for there is nothing in this world
that he doth more tender then his glory. For which he
commanded his people thus: Thoif (J).i!t not fiue my
I glory to another. Yea fee for ncglefl of this duty , how
.t.Q feucrely he pnniflied his people, whofecarkalFes allpe-
*> rifhed in the wilderneflfc : btcaufc they did not alcribe
and giuG glory to the Lord. Yea the hand of God fcl vp-
on A^ofes and ^yiaron , becau fe they failed in this duty •}
/^i^w«2o.i2, 'Becatife ( laid hcc ) youdid net fa Ufie me in the eyes of
the chifdren of Ifr'ael^ yonpraiinot brin^ I his {y>ifregAti$n
into th^ land that I ha'*c otiien them* Thus if God will (o
fcDercly pum fh the negled of his glory in his own deare
children an J fcruantSjho^v Ihal they efcapc that are not
fo deare vntcj him > and yet arc much more faulty in the
famekinde*
^'il* uti « <-
Tbt
fldVomi be thy Kame. 1 7
TUefiandpttrtifthks Petit lon^U; that as WCC pray ^
that we our felucs may glorific the Name of God, So part of ihb
y^^efray (hat others m*iyd«efo alfo JThzt the whole world Pctiuon.
may know and acknov\ ledge the Goodntflb , Mercy,
WifcdomCjPower and Gicatntfie that is in God. So
wee arc exhorted to doe by the Prophet, Cihevn-^f'^^^^*^'
$9 the Lord (the familtes ef the people ;) ^tae vnto the
L9rd^lory firidpo)^(r,c^e» Gtmevnto the Lord the glory
•jhU NAmc^^c Ierem,i'^.i6» (zithht^G me glory vn- Ivfcm^iia^t^
io the Lordyonr (jod^ befere he brmg darf^enejfe oner the
Und c^c. Sothatit isdccre, wc muii not onely glorific
God our felues but alfo be cartful! that others , c fpeci-
allyferuantsandchildrcnvnder vs, doe the like: as
wc readeof/o^, that bccaufc he was iealous oi his chiL -^^^ i.J.
drcnsadions. he offered facrihce for chem : and the
Lordhim(cIfe(aithoftx^^r66. j, could fay, Let the Lord bee ^^' ^^-^^
glcrt fed ^"^hich is fpokcn ofall thofe who be worfhip-
pcrsof the true God. So the Pharifes,loh?j^,2^. were ^°^'^ 9.M*
contented co fay vnto the blindman, (jiue^^lory to Cjod,
but they would not allow ofChrift the mcanes of their
faluation: for/aid they vnto him, wcknow that this
manisafinner,whcrcby]tappeares, that the common
courfe of the world is, to defire the glory of God w ith-
OHt the mcanes of his ^iory.
In
40 Thy Kw^i0mec9me*
In this Petit ion alfo^^i m^y ohferue threi thtn^s,
I Firft,wVien wc pray that the Kingdome of God may
Scnfc of the comc; ft is in sppofition to another Ktngdeme that is ulrea^
Pcutiont dyintheVf^orld: forthc finnesofmcn : The kingdome
ofdarkencffe, and of the Diuell, which is a great and
mighty kingdome, and hath a number of proppcs and
pillars to rphold it: as for the Kingdome of Chrift
there be a very fmall company to vphold it : but the
kngdomcofdarkncflc hath a number of great ones to
fuftaineic, whole fwarmes of people in cucry corner,
one would wonder at the multitude, and at their con-
ditions. For howfoeuer men will fay,! defie the diuell,
and (^according to the cuftome ) fpit at himjjet as long
as they doe the will of the Diuell, pradifing workcsof
darkencflc, there is no hope that by their indcuours
they can aduance the Kingdome of God i or lab our that
it (hould come vpon them. Doth not either ignorance
or blindncfle eate vp their fouks.fo that they bee either
lyars/wearers, adulterers, fornicators, couetous, drtin.
kards,contentious,&c. wherein folongas they conti-
nne,thcy be the very proppcs and pillars to vphold and
jfhoulder vp the kingdome of darkcncflc and the Diuell.
Thus itappeares the Diutll is a great Monarch, becaufc
thegreatelt partofthefubicif^s inallKingdomesfcruc
him,be obedient to him, anddifobcoitnt vnto God:
tpheCji.t. theyrunne,asthc Apoitle fpeakes', £/7/:>^/ a. 2. j^fttr
the Prince that rkleth in the ayre ^ cnen the fpirir that no^
% C(7y.4.4. "^orketh /v the children ofdifobedience. So I Cor.^ 4 It is
itiidyJhat theCjodofthts }^> or Id hath blinded their nttnJes,
C^c. For as God rpake the word and it was done , fay-
GCTf.i.ij, m^^Let there he ho ht^and there viraj li^ht: So the Diuell
^^S^^' cannot fo foone ipcake the word , but by and by it is
donCjby worldly n:en. Hccannofooncrfay, let there
bee an oath , lye , bribe ,quarrcll, fifhion. or wicked-
ncfTc , but by and by- fomeonc or other puts it in
pradifc.
Thus
7*^7 Kltigdomccetnc, . i
Thus he rulcslikc a Goi in this world, a great pitty
it'S, that men fheuld (o be dcceiucd , for God will
pulldowne theKingdckmeotdaikentdCjatTdfec vptl^c
Kingiomc of his dcare fonnc Yea, this kirgdomc
mulTfirft be pulled dowr>c,erc the other be crcdcd.For
as in laying a foundation, whcnone vvoulJbuildancw
houfe^hc firllpuls downc the ruincs of the old , fo muft Houfc.
hciirlt pulldovvne this kingaomc of the Diuell, crc
thatotherofChrift be fct vp. Wherefore heere wee
pray againft this kingdome of darkeneiie that God
would dcftroy it, for which at this day, there is grcst
need wc fhouldfo pray, becau fc the Kingdoms of the
Diucll {% like a Sca,which as Philofophers fay , gets in Sea la.mng*
one placcjfitlofe in another: So is it with it, iookc
how much ithachloftby a dc^edion and reuolt from
Popery ,fo much hath it f in a manner ) got by the filthy
finncofDrunkennefTe, Irreligion, Pride, Contentions,
andother foule finnes of this land, what need haue wee
then to pray, that God would pull downe this king-
dome of the diucll^and eucry where fc t vp that of Chnfi
fefw.
Sccondly^JnthatweprayferthcKin^dome of (jod to i
come : It jhevpeth, that there art a number of impediments Thing obfcr-
and lets to hiy/derthis KtKjrdcme from eovtmini. Which "^^'
arc of two forts.
1 Many impediments in others*
2 Too many in ourfelnes.
Concerning others,we fee daily , how men arc drawne t
by example, bv ill counicll by diucrs difcouragcments, ^o- others,
whereby rhcy arc affrighted from fecking the peace of
thcGofpell: zstJ^^tth.io.-^i: when the blind men ;^,.,o,^^
crycd out on C/'r//,the multitude rebuked them , be- '**' '^ *
cauTe they Oiould hold their peace , fo it is with vs in
this worl i,how arc we fcoft and derided, yea , chidden
againc and agame, if wc feruc God in finccrity,and be
?ealuu5
^2 Thj Khgdoms comf.
zealous for the comming of this Kingdoft^e. See It in
the beginning, when the children of Ifr^rel canr.c out of
Amalecl^, E^ypt ^ how were they hindre-dand flopped in their
iourncy. So whcnfoeuerv\e (tall begin to make after
Ghriit, we fliall bee Cure of a many lets and impedi-
ments ; like vnto the Pharifecs in the Gofpell , who
^ were ready to anfvvcr the Officers, and difcou rage the
people from foilowingaftcrehrift^ faying, Doe any of
tht Kklers Ocleene in himtOftf this people whok^eW tiet the
Law f Thus ic is with the whole fwarme of wicked
mcn.who difcharge men from the wayes of God*
2
^ Againc, wee hsuc too many impediments in our
In-pedimcnts ^*^^^^- SclfeJoneJoue of the \^orldJene of riches yhonciiy^
incur fclucs, preferment ^^nd fuchlikc, as it is John I 2.42,43. faid
lohn 1 2, 41,43 ♦ of many, that they beleeued in OmJ} ; but becaufe of
the Phanfes they did not confeffe him , for they loucd
the praife ofmen more then the praifcof God. But we
muU not doc fo, for though we fit farre in darkencfle
from letting in thclight of God vnto vs, orhoweuer
we feemc to dole vp our eyes from beholding the light,
yet let vs not be fo contcnted^but pray to the Lord that
he would breake through all thefchinderances and im-
pediments,and let downe his graces of mercy and louc
foamongflvs, by his grace, that this Kingdoms may
come vpon vs^yt a^that We may doe ?s the Palfie man
Talfjcman. did, who brake through the roofe of the hcufe to come
to C/jr//?; Remcbring that the Lord lefiis brake through
all impediments and hinderances, to come vnto vs and
fill vs with his blefsings , wherein we may further ob-
ferue two things,that in Chrifls comming to vs, &: cur
comming to him, a number of Icttes and hinderances
do concui re.-yct he hath (b, wrought by his Spirit.as we
can (ii)\T hy KtHgdor/fecor?ic ; andhc fo cucrcomesall,
as he will ac length fay vnto ys, Come yee bUffcd of my
Father jfihcnt the Kirigdcrne prep/iredfurjoii^(yc.
The
thy Khgdomci'{>m<\ 4}
l['r\t third thiT}j^ ,prciysd fortntlif Petit i^i^ //, 1\\M 5
Wtpray, '^*'''-5 Ff^^H
^. form chiipc-
X FortheKtf7gdomecf(^rAC6. tiiion,
2 F<7r r/>t" Kin^domc of glory.
Which two KingdamcB dilfcr not in nsnirc, but
onely in meafurc and in degrees : for the Ki ngdomc of
grace isnorhing elfcibuc a beginning aid inclioation of
thcKingdomeofgloiyjthcrcbejngno way to attainc
vnco the one, vnldle they parte througli the other. Jt
is a common cuftome of the world , that mort men
afpirc to the Kingdome of glory ; and yet cannot en- '-'^
diirethc Kingdome of grace, how Ihoiild they cuer at-
taineit, thinke you? vvethatby Gods blefsing, arc
better taught , therefore firft, pray hccre for the
Kingdome of grace , to be goucrned and ruled by the
Lord here in this world. But more particnUrlj let vs Dcfimcion ©f
fee what the Kw^domc ^f grace is ? namely, Thef^cctall %f^^^^'''^^
-power of Chrifl whereby he r tiles and goaerrjes in the con^ '^
fiienges AndfouUsef all his fcrnums. This is the King-
dome which we do pray for, that the Li>r^/f//// would
fet vp a Throne in our hearts to rule and gouernc in vs
by the'rulc of his Spirit, fubduing and bringing vnder
all our thoughts and confciencesto himfelfe. Now all
men doc outwardly fpeakewellofChrift, thinkcfure
enough to be faucd by him jbut yet cannot endure to be
guided and diredcd by the Spirit of C/:?ri/?,but in cffeft
coc whatthofe wicked /nv^/ fay, L«/:^ ip.14. \Vee will ^^^^^^-M*
r^ot hauc this man to r eigne oner vs, Soitis with mo ft of
the wor'd, they can be content to hearc of Chrift as a
Sauiour, to haue the Word preached, and to fee the
Gofpell flourifh : hut they ^ill not hnne him reigne ^
ftridly dircdthcminall their anions, reftraine them
In their pafsions,and guide them in their lines : doing
v/hatfocucr feemes good in their ovvne eyes. Yet trl; ^"j
we proceed.
Here
44-
ThjKingd6mtc9me.
OHc&. Here arifcth an OhieaionAs Luke ip. 1 1, our SauiJ
our fpcakes,r i?4r the Kingdometfg^d is come Already:
how then are wee direded to pray for that which is
come ?
J, r lanfwcrintworefpeas; firft, It is true that the
'''^ Kingdome of grace is begun already, therefore we pray
^ that as it is come to othcrs/o alfo that it may come to
vs, that we may feelc the power and cfFcds of it in our
nfAH hearts and Hues. Therefore as SfaH.Gen.ij. 5 8. w hen
Gc«.i7*38t he faw that his father had bleffcd his brother facob, cry.
ed and roared out.Blep ms my father ^euen me alfo ; thus
muft we doc when we fee the Kingdomeof God to
come rponothers^how God rules in them by his Spt*
rit orders them in their liue$,dircds them in their con-
fciJnccs,we,l fay >muft pray that the fame grace of God
may continually attend vpon vs.
Againe,though the Kingdome of God be come al-
ready, yet we pray for an increafe thereof^ that euery day
we and others might feelc the power of it more and
more in our hearts and Hues, For there is no man but
fceles himfelfe.in Come fort and raeafure bound and in-
n.m . .^ 1 J thralled to the Temptations of finne. Holy Panl him-
Kom.vixM. ^^^^^ complaines ofc this,/ delight tnthe La^ of godcon^
cermm thetnner maf^M I fie nrjotherUw tn my members,
rebelling ^f^irjft the U^ of my mtnd. And furcly the ftatc
sicVc man of the godly, are like vnto a man that hath been deadly
Godly, fickc,and now isfo on the men 3 ing hand, that he is per-
aduenture able to creepe abroad with a ftaffc , yet not
able to do the tenth part of the bufinelTe that he fees ho
(hould andatfomctimeswaswonttodoc. Thus it is
with the beft of vs all, whilft we Hue here , though the
Kingdome of ^mfi be come amongft vs, yet had wee
need to pray, that it may more and more come into our
hearts,thatw«mayfeeletheftrengthand vigour of ^r
to
Thy Khdcmi come. ^5
toourcnJIcfTccomforc^and full recoucry of our health
in C^rift. Yea, great reafon there is why wee fliould
thus pray for the Kingdome of Cknfl ^ being that no
Kingdomc is comparable vnto his : there being is
much diftercnce betwixt the Kingdonie oiChrifl , and
otherKingdomcs of the world , as there is betwecne
HcAHtn and Earth ^ and that for dtuers refpeds.
'^VC^JnYegdrd of contuiuAnce ^ior tlXXS\Vj Kingdomcs ^'J«r<-'n.i,i.
Yet we mnfl further know, thatwcdoenotoncly
pray for the Kingdom of grace :^/<^ alfofor all good means
conducing and leading vntoit, for eucry thing that may
incite and helpe to the Kingdome of grace amongll
vs. As for good Magiftrates, Minifters, a pure right
Tfe of the Sacraments : holy difcipline of Chrift in the
Church for the good gouemment thereof ^and for cuery
thing that may further this great worke of God a-
mongft vs. So i Tim^z . i. Saint Paul wils that Prayers
be made for all mcn^and for Kings and Princes , and for
all that be m authority : That vnd^ythcm vpe way line ct
godly ^ fcaceable, f:nd a ^uiet l/f^S And {^hrifi himCclfCy
Matth,$,l3, ^^^fatih.^*^^. commandspraycrs tobee made vnto
the Lord of the Harueft. that he will fend forth labou-
rers vnto his harucft. Soyonfceitis our duty to pray
for all the mcancs which may aduance this Kingdome.
Worldly men can fay ^thcy dcfire that the Kingdome of
Chrift may comc,thcugh they carenot a rufh for Hea-
uen
Tij Kipf^Jeme ccme. 5; ^
bcfl or Mewfjcflc of lifc^for the Word, or Sa'ntj, orMi-
niflcrs,or Holy orders otC^r//, without which there
caiibcnoKjngdorr.eof^/:r;y?among(lvs. It was not
oncly a tyranny in Fharaoh ^to take away the flraw from f aW.^x;
the pcople.but alfo when hcc had fo done, to require of FbarMb^
them the whole taleof Brickc,as formerly. So it is the
madncfleofthc world, they takeaway the Word and
the Sacraments , the holygouemmentof Chrift, and
when they haue thus doncyet they thinke to haue their
whole talc of Brickc : as much Patience, Loue, Humi-
lity,Faith, Obedience, Sobriety, Temperance, and the
like ; as if all thefe gracious and good meanes were en-
tertained amongft them. But wee muft remember
what the Scripture iSLilh^Where there is r.o vifion , there „ ^
f/7f;>r£';>/f;?fr//];. Therefore whenfoeuer wee fettle our ^^
felucs to remainc any where: as little //^^c faid to his
father^ when they went vp to the Mount AUrtnh \ 'Be^ Jfm.
hold the Vi'ood and the fire j but ^here if the ojfering ? So ^^^'i^'T*.
fhould we fay whereibeucr we goe to dwell. Loc here
is a Church good ayre^a good houfe^meanes enough to
incrcafe wealth ; but where is the Preacher ? and the
meanes ofgracc.for the falaation of our foulej.
•
Therefore feeing weought,andmu(lpray,r/o' -^%- F/K
decree come. Let vs pray vnto God often^that he would
rule and ralgoe in our hearts/o by his holy Spirit : that
1 finne may nolongcr rule vs, nor wee bee ruled by our
fcIucSjbut that God would rule and guide vs in all our
I wayes/o that in all things we may be ready to fubmic
I our felucs to the holy gotiernmcncof God : as Saint
rffHlv/riZQSyTh.it the peace ef God may dWellin our hfarts CclcftiK,
plenteoHJly : and with 'Danid^ that God would guide vs Tjn^^.^tt^
vnto the day of death : and then this will bring great
ioy vnto vSyZ^Zeph^w.^h fpcikcs^whcnthe King of//- Z-^^'h^U
rAclisin t!iemidrtofvs,thcn wefhallfccnocuill. And
vrithalMctvsofttn remember tv-) pray, that there be no
want ofgoucrnmcntjbut that God by himfclfc may rule
r Od and
i...
*•*.
7(fj Khgd$me com.
and rcjgoc in vs, that though the world louc loofcnc^e^
and cannot cndare this kingdomc, yet wc miy be ply .
Blindffia.% able and yeclding to be rnled by it. For ai the blind-
man i% beft and fafcft, whofe eyes being (hut , folio wes
his guide : fo is eucry Ghriftian when they difclaimc
their o wnc wit,rearon,and vviredome,and are ruled and
guided by God in all things. Yea, the people of God
neuerthinkethcmfelaes better, then when they bevn-
derthegoaemmcntot God, andfubmic wholly to his
will,and info doing, let vs not be oiicouragcd forour
weakenelL' and wants, for if wc indeuour to doe thi^
finccrely. grace (which at firft in rs is like {zt^^ becauft
itmuftgrow, not like draw whicli cannot increafe)
will grow f rem a Jittle,to great ncife of ftature.and pro-
portion in time.
No^ thfrebe three Motines to mone vs to thi^/ktm
ieHion to the vpill of God.
I The firft is, //vV^ wiUmt haue god to he onr Kin^^ )^ee
fliAll be fnhieUs And jlnnes in avporfe Kin^dome i as the
LordfpeakcsbyiT/^yf/, topcrfwadethem to admit of
Gods Kingdome :, 'Becanje then bafl Kotfemcd the Lord
t>ikl xl 1% ^^y 9^^ ^'^^ ioyfulnejfe and withcUdneJfe of heart, for the
ahunda-rxe efallthi'^^SjthereforeJJi^lc thonferue thitse ene^
mies ^hkh the Lord Jh^tS fend againji thee, in hunger ^thirf
ATtdin nakedneffe^cind in^.xnt cf all ttoings, So the Lord
^(;hrmAi.%^ threatens his people with captiuity, 2 Chron. 1 2. 8 for
their finnes, (ay ing ^ NeHertheleJfc,yee jh.^Il be his fer^
ftants y that jce may k^o\\f r^y fernice y and the fernice^
aft he Kinjdomes of the Countrey : So that if we will not
be Gods {eruants,we (hal furc be fubieds and flau«s vn-
to a tyrannous kingdOxTie,s kingdome of many Lords :
-^g Hart vponthc Mount aines of Bet her : So in the
2^f«f^2i.ao. l^eHelatioriyComeyLord lefus^Comc qukk^lyr, and Saint
Row.S.ai. PWfheWes, That all the Qeatures dee groyne for this
happy day ofChrifis appearance : So that here, in the (c-
cond place , we pray that the Lord would abolirti and
Impcrtmcnc. darken all the Kingdomes of this world : amongft
whom the holy Ordinances of God appointed vnto
them for peace, are abufed to their condemnation.
D/i»,4.S, So in Da uel^ This Kingdome of C^r//? is compared
toatree,vnderthc(hadow whereof, the beaftsofthe
field might reft , and the birds of the ayrc find fhelter ;
Xfi«.i3,i, Therefore the Apoftle fayes. It is ordained of God , Co
that though we haue nocaufetomarmureorgruJgeat
the kingdomes of this world, buttothankeG OD for
thcm,yct we muft know cuery ftacchath his abufcs^and
Lfaieman. fohaucthefe. Butas alamemaninagardcn, though
he cannot doe that worke which one that is perfcdly
abletowalkccaftdoe, yet hee fcrues, and is vfcfull to
fpeakCjdired , and fray away birds, keeping much an.
noyance from the fruit thcrof which othcrwife might
^ be loft. So it is with worldly goucrnmcnts and ftates,
though they be not fo well ordered as they might bee.
yet?lf) UJy can dcny,but they fray awiy cncmie?^ mt-^
ny dangers^ and many raucnous birds that would tlfc
dcuowrvp the fruits of our labours. Therefore wc pray
not for the Kingdomc of Chnfl in any dct<;Ilation to ^
thcfe earthly kingdomes,butoncly bccaufe we prcfcrrc
the KiogdomcotC/jn// before them. We thanke God
for the Kingdomcj oi this world , but we w^ould much
more be thankeftill for the Kingdomc of Chrifi. As
men that vfe a Coach to bring them to a houfc.as foone ^^(^oacii*
as they come therc/end away the Coach , as hauii g no
more vfe of it: SothcKingdomesofthisworldjbcbut
as Coaches, hclpes and furtherances to transport and
carry rs co a better Kingdomc,the Kingdomc of Chrifi :
where being arriued^farewcll all the Kingdomcs of the
world.
The renfons ^hy Wepyeferre^^nd cjhecia^y pr^y for the Reafonj y/hj
Kwzdcniscfjrlory are diuers. Firft, "Bcc^HfetK rj^r/^ vvepray,cfpor
t/r'j n. r r L- n J 4r • cially for tbc
earthly Kw^^aemsSyVJofl of vs are fnbietts a?td m fen ours, ^.^^gtiom^ of
but in the kingdome ofglory we fhall be all Kmgs, no cioiy*
King in this v/orld can be fo glorious » but the pooreft ' i
and meancft Chridian there fhall be as glorious as hee;
as ChrilHpeakes,t^/«r//;,ip.28. Vercij Ifayvutoy^a, A'^'^^-i?^***
thMtyce V\:ho b^MC felioWed we in t he "F^.^^aieratiort , vphen ^,^r^ ^^ .^
the Sonne ofmiin(hxUft in the Throne of his ^lory y yea^
al[o fi](ill fit vpen twelne threnes^ p^^^'^^^ ^^^ twethe Tribes
of/frAel,
mm
Secondly^ Bccaufe m^^ny gricunnces ,vi.4. of^n^.^ faith our Sauiour. So it is hii Jherepi.illhee tjo
Bees. more forro^. Bees wce know bee driucn from their
Combes and Honey vvithal.ttlermoake 5 euen fo the
vexations, puihcrs and fmoakes, which wee findc on
thcfe earthly kingdomes , fhould make vs all long for
that happy Kingdome Q^Chnfiy wherein there fluil bee
nothing to annoy vs.
3 Thirdly, 'BecaHfe earthly Kirj£dcmes s theyyeeldvs
pence and tranqHillity , but for a time oncly ; for either
they end or wc end, and foallcomes to nothing; But
ourhappincflcin Chrifls Kingdome (hall be for eucr
andeuer: for when wchaue liued a hundred thou-
fand tboufand yeeres in the full inioymcnt of it , wee
haac more and more and more ages without end to
nchrau^%. pofi^^^^ it ; therefore Heb.i 2.2 8. it is called a kingdome
which cannot be fhaken ; good reafon then hauc wee
whofe eyes he hath opened to behold this kingdome^ to
pray cfpecially and groanc for it.
Now there be two waycs , whereby the kingdome
of God may come vnto vs.
I ^e^ieraPy at the day 9fJndg etncni .
2 P^irticfiUrly^at theday of onrowne death,
, Wc pray for both th:fc : Firll.that God would bcc
Thing wc prny pl^afcd to folJ vp the times, make an end of this
for. worlds haflenchcgrcatconimingof his dcarc Sonne:
Kml.6.10. Thus the Saints cry vnder the Alrar; How lo-^g Lord
Holy and true : dofl thou not aues^^e cur blood o?j thenfthiit
dwell on the earth ? We know this kingdome of Chnft
cannotcomc, butfirftch*rc mud bee a diflblutionof
this
Thy Kin^^iomc ceme* ^ 3
this world, when all the glory thereof n^u Q turne to
nothing: ( as Peter fpcakes} The Earth and a/i the ipf^j.xi dye , pmii
he liHC aj^ainc ? AFi the daycs of my ^.f pointed time voiU /
PW,7,i3. >^^tctilln:ychAngingfiiatliome^Cfrc, S^dPaul^ Philip,
1 .23. profcfTcSj / defiretobee Uofed^ and ts he with
Chrijhwhkh is beft ot all.
It is true indeed, that no man may defire the day of
death out of difcontentmeRt with life, becaufe cf the
troubleandcroffcsof this world: It was fonas faulc
to doe (o yet in two refpeds j one may pray for death,
yc2.his ownc death.
Rcfpc^s to Firfl:, That Vi^e ntay mah an end of finning and offen*
pra> for death, ding (j O D ^ that whereas hee euery day breakcsout
I in the di (honouring of (SOD, which vexes and
grieneshim, hee raay pray the Lord to (hortcn thcfc
daycsoffinne: with abatement of our dayes, fo fini-
ffiingour offences, as Saint Paul docs: O "Wretched
man that I am ^ W/;re m^ty eniey the bleffed frkitlc^ »ftht
prefenQeof (^od ^04 his holy Angels doe,
j^(?/?jyouknoWjdclircdbutto fee the backc parts
of God on the holy mountain?, for hee could not fee
his face and liue.
If>1i'^y?/roderiredtoree but a glimpfc of his glory,
as it were through a creuice or a chinkc; how much
more excellent will hi the fhining of his face in full
glory? therefore becaufe cuery day wee liuc in this
world, wcelofeaday in Heaucn , as detained from
him, who is our true life indeed : wee may therefore
pray, that as foone as may be , wee may finifh rp our
courfe in this world^ and cry to be away, togoehome
tQ
Th) Klngdomecome. ^5 I
to the houfeofour Father, to the pofllTsion ofa bettc'^
life. the Kingdomc ofGlory , and happincflc pre-
Hired for vs^ for which wee ire taught to 1
prav. Thj Ktn^domc ccmc* \
^■»*^- -L" ^ ^r-J^^^^M—QT'^^r^
3 PE-
11 Wit I ■* n ■! -J
- *" »■! I I 11- »<— «Miiw>MiwaaeiLjLj-_JL;'. ■JCj.'uwmju j— ■^gw
>_l»<[i«f I l^"!— ■ JJ <
57
5- PETITION-
Thji ypillhe done euen in Earth as it
isinHeauen.
Ee hauc heard before, that in the firft
Petition, we pray for the glory of
GodjSnd in the fccood for the means
of his glory , thit is, that the king-
dome of God may come into our
hearts , and rule vs by his Spirit.
Novv in this third Fetitton ^c praj
thiit we may l^e contested tofkhmit vntoit^ and he d'^xyes
ready to doe the Lords willy a'fjd ?20t pur o^nc» So that
whereas in the former Petition , we prayed for the in-
ward gouernment of God, the worke of grace, holy
motions, ftriuings in our felues^hat the Lord would do
his part j no;v we pray that vvc may be willing to doe
our part,not rcfift this inward gouernmcnt of God^ bee
ready eucr to yeeld obedience vntoit. All the Quefti.
on ( as one fayes very well) betwixt God and V5 is,
whofe will fhall be done, Gods will fhould, but man is
vn willing to haueit fo,but afpires co hauc his own will
for the rule ot'hisadiotfis, this is that which breeds all
the quarrell betwixt Goi and vs: Now ourSauiour
Chrilljhe teaches vs in this Petition, to giue all the So-
ucrainty to God, to take his part agamft our fclucs,
praying to doc his will, whatfocucr may befall vsin
this
r
5 i Th] will ht dont In tirth^a^ it is h lUdntn,
thi« world: Thush«ttc wcthefommeofthePctitioni
in which;ihrcc things iri to be confidcrcd,
I Whife'^iUfffitJllfedciU ^ GoJs VvilU
2 What "^ii cfGod \>e mnft doe f
Hisrcacalcd will , that is, the will of God rc-
ucaled in his Word, his fecrct will being a
thing rcfcrucd tohimfelfCjthf other,^«d? ad n9s,
belonging vnto vs^to follow as the rule of our
anions.
5 In W/?^? manner xvc mnfi doe it ? As the Angcls
doe in hcaucn.
J Concerning the firft^ whofe yi'ill muft he done ? It is
Whofewill thewillofGod, that will is it vvc all pray that wcmay
mud be done ? doCjObcy /ubmit to it in all our adions, and courfcs of
life, fothat this will of God may be the ondy rule of
P/S/.49.8* our wils : Thus T>aHid^iQi^S^% : Idcfire to dee thy mi
P/d^X43,io* O God : And againc,hc praycs : Teach me, O Lord^ t*
dte thy^m. As if he (hould fay,! need no body ro teach
me to doc my owne will 5 but Lordinftru^mec that!
may doc thine. So the Apoftle 'Teter exhorts ws for ho-
I Tf/#4.i» ly \iiQflJj)t to Hue any longer in t heflejjj re t he btfts cfmcti^
bm to the will of ^od: SothatGods will mud bee the
Ruler and Moderatorofour vvills^allourdaycs, bring.
ing our will to Gods.and not Gods will to ours, as Ba^
laamdid* To this purpofe Saint ^H^^nftine (aith well
Crooked flick, on /'/4/.44.(5r. Jf a m^n lay (tcrcokcd fiick^ vfon an enen
IcHetl^roHndytheftickeandffreHfidillfHtetO'iethcr^biitthe
f/iult^ii ifi thefticke. In this cafc thou muifi not ftriuc to
bring thffcuen ground to the crooked fticke , bucbovv
the crooked fiickecuen with the ground: So it \% be-
twccoe Gods will and ours, there is a difcrcpancy and
iarring betwixt thcm,but where is the fault , not in the
will ofGod, but in our crooked and corrupt aftcf^ions:
in which cafe , wecmuft notfeckc to bring Gods will
vntooursj but be contented to rc^^tifie and order the
crooked-
7hy ipi/t hi dint m evth ds It is /» hanert, 5 ^
crookcdneffc of our will by the rcdicude aa 1 Sai^.6litle
ofthe Will ofGod,which murt be the rule of oar willcs;
forwiiich caufe wcprayjT^jrrM' be iloney(:^c,
No'vV thiswillofGodisoppofed to three other vvils WillofGod
which be in the world: Tirit, thcDiucll hath a wiil, ^PP^^ic^^by
which is euer a crofsing the will of God. God would ^^/ ^.^^ ^'^^^^
liauevsdoeoncthiiigjand the diuell would haue rs ^^^ ^^*
doc another. Ifonce the will of Go i be knowne, by
and by, itis eafietoknowthc D uells will, bccaufejc
ftands in a meere contrariety and oppofition to tlie
will of God.
Ifanymanobiedandfay,Ihopethercisnoinan fo o^/V(f?.
wicked as to doe the will ot the DiuelU ,
lanfwerjitniould befojyet through corruption oiAr^f,
nature ,we arc all naturally made to obey the w ill of th^
Diuell, more then the wiilof God. cx4';/^»^, wcfcc,
when the will of God, and the Cvill of the Diuell hung
vp in an equal! ballance by him^how foone was he ready
to be guided by the Diuell, rather then to obey the Will
of God. And fo the beft ofvs,howfoeuer we pray daily ,
Thy ^ ill be done ; yet what a ftirrehaue we to bring our
hearts vnto it, how gladly would we take a contrary
courfe if we might3andhauc Gods will another w^ay of
our owne /
Ijbucmayfomc fay, if there be fuch danger In the ohie^t,
Diuels wjll.how Ihall it be knowne and auoyded ?
I anfwerjvery readily and eafily, and that by exam- Anf
pie: ifamantellalye,whofe willisiti* not the will
ofGod,for he faith, P«f^\V;2y/}'«V7^. But the wiilof the i^phef.j^.i^.
Diuellisl/ing, asit faid of e^/^^r;?'^/,-^^. ^. 3. why ^^ ^
h^th Saltan filled thine heart to lie I So it is of fvvcaring '*'^*i'
& 0th s prophanneffe,which is not thewill of God but
the
60 Thy will be dpHt in iAtth diiti4$» huHin]
HehfAiAi, the will of the Diuell. The like we hauc, Hebr.ii*i€]
Let there he no frophane perftrtyO^ Efau^amortgftjof* , c^f •
andfoinallthereft. So long therefore as wee liuc in
ourfinncsagainftconfciencc, and will not repent of
themandamendourliues, folongaswebe thus giuen
ouer to wickedncffc^our wills ftand in fabiedion to the
John 8»44. will of the Diuell : as Chrift (aid to the lewes , Tee 4rc
rfyour Father the Diuell : So he who doth the workes
ofthe Diuell, without doubt isathisfubicftion ;this i%
the firft thing wc pray againft, that we may not doc
the will ofthe DiuilU
1 Secondly,There is a will of the flefh , as the Apoftle
Ephcf.i,^. cz\\sit,Ephefl»'^. TheftiljiIlingthe>^iEofthepjh. A-
gainft this will wc pray alfo, and that we may be ena-
bled to bring our will in fubiedion to the will of God :
1 for which there be two maine reafbns $ Firft, becaufc
Rcafon. our ownc will is moft crooked and corrupt, vntill God
rcnue it ; for the will of man vnrenued,doth extraordi-
narily rcfift the will of God. As the rebellious /rivfx
lmm.A^^\6. faid/frfw.44 1(5. TbeVpordthat thou haft Jpoken vnto
vs in the Name ofthe hord^e will not heare of it of thee*
ichn f,i)Ot So John 5.40. Chrift complaines of the le'^es : 'Bnt
yoH vpillnot come to me, that ye might haue life. And PfaL
3 5. all the Pfalmes ftcwfo much, fothat the will of
man isapparantly rebellious, till God alter and change
itby the power of grace. Therefore wc pray that our
will may beoucrmaftred by the power ot grace, foasto
^ fubmit to Gods will. Secondly, becaufeGods will is
^cjfon. alwayes better then our will. J^^^^i would needs haue
his o wne will in eating of the forbidden fruit , but I
pray you whofe Will was the better? Gods will faid.
Thou (halt mt cate : but mans will would needs eate.
Now ^confideringthecurfcs which came after) any
foole can tell which was the better. The Marriners,
w4didthCiMarrrners ) O my brethren, yon Jhcnld [
hjue hcark/J^dviito the Lsrd y aad obeyed and kspt clcfg
Viito hiWy^Jidfo huii efynna edthls lojfe ,
Thirdly, There is the will of the world, which is flfll 3
oppofitctothe willofGod ;for when the world wills
vs fuch and fiich things, commonly God wils the con-
trary : therefore we muft try and approuc of nothing j
further then it agrees with the will of God : fo that \
when any thing is determined or wifhcd f or,let vs hauc i
acaretothe vvarrant&lawfulnelTc of it. TheDiuels ,
in the Gofpcl , you fec,arc charged to fpeake no more
ofthenamcoflerus.bccaufeic was not the wil of God. ^
So Peter and 'John anfwcred boldly to the /nv a, >y/;^* ^£ii^.i^.
ther itberight mthefi^ht ef (jod to obey yon rathrr then
(jod, indgeyoii, So the thtcc children Commanded to \
fall down; before Nahnshadnez^cirs golden Image, an- j
fvvered like wife : Be it k^owne to thee/} King ! that wee \
y^ili not [erne thy gods ynor worpjip the golden image ^hich . J
thoHh.tfifetvp, So that I fay , whatfoeuer thewillof
mancommands,wemuftalwaycslooketo the will of
God, and hold our felucs vnto it, as the oncly rule of all
cur adions and courfes ; Thus when we pray, TV^W///
^^ ^(?;i^ Jt is in oppofition to thcfc three wils.
X Thefnlfeand>^ickcd>i^illeftheT>iHelL \
1 7 he corrupt and crooked will of the Flejh^ |
I The perucrfe and ahnfi>ig will of the IVorld*
SoatrueChrillianinalleftatcsoughttopray, Lord
grant th.u I mxy not gnide my felfe by thefe ^tlls , but th^t i
f mty b: always ready to be dtreliedby thy will : And fo \
1 h*ue done with the firll point,T/?j ^Ulbc dont. \
The
6i Thy mil l^ dene h earth 4s it u h heatten.
t The fecond thing to be obferued in this Petition, is^^
Thing, vbat What'^illofCjodmhfihc done ^ Not the fecret will, but
^'"dt^/"^ the rcuealed v;ill of God in his Word ; for herein the
rouUbcdonc. pjQeUyfcth great art and cunning . contrary to Gods
will.tobuzze in mens heads, many intricateandfccrec
things, vnder the colour of art and deepe neceflary
knowledge, leaning the principall matters and maine
points. But we mull know, that it is the rcuealed will
of God,not his fecret will muft be the rule of our liues.
'DeutAiMt, As God fpeakcs to tJ^ofes, T>eut. \ Z. vlt. ToHJhalldge
P/i/iii^.ioj.. onelythat Icomntandjopt, And P/^/.l ip.ioj. 'ft is fat d
bj the Prophet y Thj Word is a Unthorne to myfcet^^nda
light 1 0 my fathes. Thus whatfoeuer the fecret will of
G ODbce ; let vsalwayes hold to that will of G CD
Marrincrs. reuealed in his Word : doing as Marriners when they
are at Sea, who when they haue no dircdionto fayle
by, call vp their eyes to hcauen, and are altogether di-
pcle-ftarrc reded by the Pole-ftarre: So muft wee doe in all our
adionSjthinke ofno other guide or diredion , but the
bright ftarre cf the holy Word of God, which will (afc-
ly ccndud vs to the hca;ien!y City, Wherefore,becau(c
this will and Word of God, muftflillbe looked vpon
as our Compaffcjlctvs labour to know it, and be ac-
quainted with it,that we may be fitted to be aduifed
Uhn^.l$*\ byir. To this purpofeChrift faith, hh^ $.^p. Sc/trch
the Scripturrsfor they are they which teftifie of me : Vn-
Ufh % ^^ which Saint P^///addcth, That they are nhlc to njdks
vswtfevr7toftlfuiIo?2:3Lt)d JcJIj.1,'5, he faith, Let rot
this bffoke of the LaVif depnt out oft hy mcnthjh/it meditate
therei?id:iy r.nd night ^cf;-c. Moft men, you fee, will haue
c^..,„„u^^i_ a booke of Statutes in. their houfes, and ifthey bero do
any great fnatter , tncy vvi.l doe nothing before they
looke on their booke ; cuen fo, bccaufe the Bible is the
BookeofOWj Statutes, the bell: men fiiould get this
booke into tl^ir houfcs and read it thcmfelues , or get
others to rcade for them , that thereby they m^y firft
know
Thj wtS he dint in earth as it u in heauen. (^ j
know the will of God, tud thenpradifctoperformc
it. Whereby you fee what a great fault it is amongflvs,
that fuch a Chriftian duty is fo much negle Aed. There-
fore let vs labour to corrcd this corruption in our
felues.and fo pray that we may doe the will of God :
firiljlabouring to know it , and afrer wards putting it in
pra^ifc. Novv,as depending vpon this,
Thcr€ HreffMre IpcctAB wills vphicb (jod reqairci
in his Word.
It is the xviH ifCjodthAt \};eeJhoHld bee penitent far onr %
finaes : to which end God fpcakes by the Prophet £{/-
kielj Asl liue^fiith the Lord god, I defire not. the death £^^t3 }♦'*♦
cfdfinner^ hut that the wicked tHrnefrom b'^ WAyand liuCj
Cfrc. So I Pet*^ p. It isfaid, God is patient tovfdrdsvs, * ^^^3•>•
And^ouldh^ne no man to pcrijh , but that aH men Jlionld
csme vnto repentance : fo you fee it is the will of God
that we {hould repent vs of our finnes, that howfocuer
vvecannotdoeourduty,lia«aswe(bould,yet alwaycs n
logrieue at our hearts,bc wounded in our foulcs , that
we haue offended God, and cannot doc as we ought.
Tkey fay that wounds which bleed , will the fooncr Bleeding
heale, but when a man hath a grieuous wound , and ^o""^'-
does not bleed, there does vlually great danger follow.
Soitisin a wounded confciencc which ble«ds: when
weareforrowfulljlaraenting weeping, mourning, and
meditating of our (innes, then comfort foUowes, but
when no remorfe or repentance foUowcs for finnes
which offend God^this is very dangerous.
Secondly// >^ the \^illofgodth4t Wf beleene in Chrift : *
As I hhn 5.23. 7hii is tht Commandcment, thatW^ee be- ^ ^^^^ ^*J*
leeue yn t he T^ame of his Sonne lefpu Chrifl, For though
we be finncrs, and infinitely guilty in our felues, yet ic
is the will of God, that we (hould lay hold vpon the
promifcs of Grace, and imbrace lift and^faluatiosi
E e oSTcifd
0
y
54 T'h tpiB ht dene in earth ^ it U in le^nen]
offrrcd rnro vs in the pcrfon ot his dcarc Sonne. Men
inaih pwracke,begladtolay hold on any thing that
may bring them to the Ihoarc; fo muft wee doe in the
Shipijiacke* dangeroabfh p vrackcofourfouleSiCaftbothourarmcf
about fidis Chnft crucified, and killed, thatheraay
bring v$ farcl; to our hcaucnly Countrey*
3 Thirdly, It is the "^itlofGsdth^t \^e Ihould Une afdn^
Bified.and 4 heauerjly life^ here in this world . As x Thef.
4.3. Thif is thf Vvili of^od, euen our fanHtficatiort : for
bccaufc hee is willing to come amongft vs , and re-
mainc with 7$, he would hauc vs forfake our finoes,
and keepc both body and (oulc, as a pure Temple for
., his holy Spirit to dwell in ; for if 'S^/rr/fc^^^r was fo
feuerely punifhed for abuGng the vcSds of the Tem-
ple , dedicate vnto GOD : what (hall wee bee, if
wee defile and contaminate the Temple of the Holy
Ghoft.
A Fourthly, Jt u the ^illof^'h;itfee»
weth good in his eyes ^ Sowbcn we pray ( Thy \\>ili bee
dene ) the fpeciall care is to confiJer oF thcfc fourc
things : which if wee pray for, let vs labour hy all
meanes to pcrforme the fame ; for what a Rrange thing
is this for a man to come before G OD in prayer,
to lift VD his hands and eyes vnto hcaucn, intreating
that ^0^^ will may be done^and yeihaue no care to doe
7hj willhe done in arth oi it u in huncn. ^5
it, being vnwiUing to repent of finncs , and to lay
hold on the promifcfi ofGhrift? to which purpofcit
wasawaighty fpeech of a learned man : }Vce may m
weUjpit vpon C m R i s T^ hufct Him , beate Htm with
rjddesy h»W before Htm^ ^ith curfed mocking^ Jay ^Hajle
KiTtfofths fewes^cfrc * m kneeU tn His Chnrch ^ tn our
PfWy and f(ty ( Thy >^tll bee done ) and yet nener hunt
4Hy care to doe tt ; bnt grieue (jed with oar fmncs addc
wickedfleflc to wickcdncffc, day by day, oeuer think-
ing of reconciling our fclucs, and examining our hearts
and confcienccs, torcformationandncwneflcoflifc.
The third gcncrall part of this Pctition,i$ ; In what . j
manner "^ee mufi doe the \};tS of god ? You fee wee pray General thing
that we may doe it in Earth, as they doc it in Heauen , »" ^^« V^xxur
that is as the Angels and bUffcd Spirits doe ic which arc ®"'
in the prcfencc of ^ O Z> , and the rcafon of^ this i$^
bccaufcf as wchauc heard before in all duties jthe man-
ner of athingf in regard of grateful! acceptation) is as
much as the thing it feifc.
As if one build a man ahoufc, yet if he doc not build Hoofc*
it tothcmindeoftheowncr, ifitbcc too high or too
low, too wide.Bat^orfuch like^ he thiokes all his char^
ges loft.
So Hone ploH^h a field ^ what 18 all hislabourand^'^l^Plo^B^^
paines^if it be not to the will of his Mafter ? .^o in holy ***•
daties,howfoeuer we doe the will of God , yet it vvcc
doc it not in fuch and fuch manner as ^^<^ prefcribcth,
he will not accept it. Yea y ScbooUm^n fay , that the i^iodtn rti adit
ground of this is , becaufe The manner of the thir/^ is ^/^F'^^'^F*'"
WeM commanded as the thing ttfelfe, So Jeremj , Cnrfed
he he vfko doth the \iforke of the Lord tie^Ugently, Though
it be the workc o^Cjod^ yet curfed is hee, yea , (fo much
the morc)ifhcc doe ic negligently, not in fuch fort as he
(hould.
It is faid oiNonh to his praifc^ thathce not onelv ^\i
alUhings, butalfoin the very fame fort and nunner
£e a as
Hch.z,u~^ as the Lord had commanded. tJMefes was commarfl
dcd to doe all things according to the patternc (hewed
him in the Mount , this is that we praj' for in thclaft
claufeofthis Petition.
In which two things are cfpecially to be confidcred.
I Why the Lordfetchetk vs a Tatterfsefrcm Heaucn^^
and not rathirfrom^Qod wen inthU ^orld f
■a HsVp^And in ^hat manner the Angels doe the ^iH
efGodf
Concerning the firft. There are fowre fpeciall Rea."
fons of if , why the Lord fetches vs a Patternc from hea-
Bcn,rather then from Earth,
w 'BirSkyBecaH/e a rare exampU doth mofl mone vs» Few
examples i n this world be rare , and thofe few that be,
arefodarknedand clouded with contrary examples,
that they hardly moue vs. To this c&6t "Danid faith,
«^ . The Lord looked from HeancnfandfaWi that none did good,
j^a.^lXr* ^ofiotoMe. So f fa. 64.6^ j. the Prophet brings in the
people confefsing, Wee haue all been m ^n vncleane things
and OHT Right eon fneffe is a^ filthy clout es , ^c. And hcc
C0ncludes,/t?r there is none that fiirreth vp himfelfe to call
vpoHthee, Yea,alfo of this Saint /'Wcomplaines, .«/-
7l>;/Jp.i,i, firmatinely, PhiUp, 2.2. For allfeeke their oxvr,^, and ntt
that which if lefm Chrijfs : So bccaufe there is fucha
rarity of good examples in this world, therefore our Sa-
uiour Chrift fends vs as farre as Heauen, to take our e»-
>4^incr», ampls from thence .-as Marriners on the Sea, who arc
alwayes guided by the StarreSjbeeaufe they want in the
Sea 6rme markes to dired them home to their ownc
Countrey. So mud we dot ^becaufe we want firme and
fure examples in this world ,to raife vp our thoughts by
into hcaucnand mount vs beyond the clouds : we muft
take ourpatternc from thofe blcflcd Spirits and powers
that continually doe fcrue in thcprefcnceofGod.
Tlic
rhj rviS be dene in esrth m it k in hedaen. 4f
7 he fccond is, becnufe t hofrfey^e examples that an in %
the'^orld^ benotfHreandfcrfeti, bnt haue their defeEis»
S2L\TitPaftl(2<»\ haue raid) likcncth the examples of
holy men. to the cloud that led the people out o^F^ypt^
which had two parts^one bright, another darke, fomc-
what to be followed, fomcwhat to be declined. Now
becaufe the corruption of our nature is fuch , that wee
are more prone toiraitatecuill then good , to follow
Dniiid in his finncs, rather then in his teares, to follow
fP.ter in dcniall of O^nft ^ rather then in his repcn-
tance,thcrefore to helpc this^our Sauiour Chrift direds
vs to the example of holy Angels which be pure and
perfc<^.
Thirdly yljccaiffe thcfe earthly examples he hut of men ^
ter^cftri/UJike vnto our felnes. But Angels be the moft
noble fpirits of God, the glory and beauty of all crea-
tures : fo that the diredion is forcible $ If Angels elc-
uated and lifted vp to fuch a high degree , be^ajwayes
ready and willing to doe the will of (jod , thcR much
more we that be men much meaner and lower then
they be. Saint /'^;^/teIsvs,thatG'i><^ when he bringeth
his firft begotten Sonne into the world, he faith. Let all Hc^.iX
the Angels ef (jod worJJjtp him : why giucs hee fach a
charge vnto Angels ? was there any doubt^but that the
Angels were ready to ftoupc and doe feruicc to the
Sonne 6^ god } The anfwer muft be, that it was efpeci-
ally,toraifevpmentodoethe like: that if the moft
noblefpirttsof^oflf/allandfinkedowne ac the feet of
Chrift, then much more, we that be but du ft and athes,
Wormes-meat,atid wretched mcn,niuft be ftill ready
to fall before him, and to. doe him feruice. Thus our
blcffed Sauiour in this place, fticwcshow prompt and
ready the holy Angels bee todoe the will o£ god, and
therefore doththemore incite and ftirrcvs vp to bee
like them.
Fourthly, That VfC may mahe our covHerfation heanerrly^ ^
Eej while
^g Thy wiff he d^nt tn utih^ds it h in Heanen.
whilcV^^elfe vfon earth i That though OUr bodici bcC
here vpon ground, yet that wc might conucrfe about
thcStarrcs, amongft At^gcls and Archangels, and all
thcblclTcd fpints continually attending to doe Gods
PR|a*» Will. AccordingasSaintPWfpcakeSjPW.^.io. BttC
9ur corjuerfadoft kf in heanenyfrom "f^hence alfi we loohf fer
a SaHiour, enen the Lord lefm Chrifi^ c^c. And of mco
thuseleuated,herayCS,E;)/>ir/2. 1 9. 7\(<>^ therefore weg
B^hef^x,!^, Mre no more firan^ers arjdf§rraigrjersJ}Ht ['tti^ens X^itb tht
SAmts^und of the houfiiold efQ^^d, Thus,as I fay, though
we hue vpon earth jet in affwdion, we muft Uboar to
be io/ned to this heauenly troope of Cxleftialland blcf-
fed * pirit$,wh;ch attendtodoc the wiliofGod.
Kow the An- The next thing to be confidered,is ; //^W the ^Angels
fchdoc Godf d9e the^til of ^od F and in what manner : for feeing
^^^' Chrifi hath fet thcnn for our example, it is good for v«
to koow what altitude and height wee biuI\ afpire to,
2nd syr!f ^t, though we be not able to reach it. Kow
there b?many waycs for our imitation , wherein An-
gels performc the will of God,
,"^ TiTiiyTheydoe the ^iH of ^ed in purity of afeElion*
noc for any by-reafons or relpcfts^but in (incere obedi-
ence onely^becaufe it is the wiliofGod; as itislaidby
the Prophet DanidyFfdl. 103. to. Tee jingels th4t exm
P/4/.io3t»©. ceH $» Jirengthyth4t doe his commnndements tn chyinj th$
voyce of his "pQord.&c* So maft we performc ^c will of
God in purity of aSeSion^becaufe it is the will of God$
onely defining to pleafc him in doing thereof. Thui
TfiUif.fS, Saint-T^x/i exhortation is, £phef,6.6. Thdtwedeethe
xpiHof God from the heart* And 7>/^/.lI9 5(^. faith thc
TrophcttThis I hadlfec4Mfe I hpt thy Precepts. So Olir
care mull be to doe chat which he commands in founJ-
nclTe of heart, without any worldly rcfpeds. Manjr
- timcs,indecd.mcn doc thc will of God,but it is not one
^f any purity ot af cftitA to Oodi friU|MtcbfaMi(c it i$
• \
rij pit hi i^nt in Ufti us It is In huutn. §f
for their ovrnc profit,and brings t hem worldly cafc/alfi
comfort orfoincothcrrerpeds,as Ph4raoh,who would
let the people goc, not in any obedience Tnco God, or
bccaufc God had commanded ir,but in hope of his owii
cafe. Jhclikc of ty^ If ncr^ 2 Sam.^. Who thought to ^y^j^.j;
cflablifh the Kingdomcto Danid , not in obedience to
Godjbut to maintaine his owne greatncfle and power,
andoucofpriuatereucnge rpon others.
SccQT\^\ytt/^fig^is doe the will of god with reddinejfe^ y
ocuerdifputingorreafoningvpon the matter , but u
foone as they vnderftand it to be the pleafurc of God
andhis will>byand by, they arc ready to performc ic
SQE^ek^t^ 7. As foone as the Angels had their charge, f ^4 j.y;
by and by they went forth to pcrforme it. And Ddniel Dsn,t^i4»
8 16. Nofoonerdid the voyce command (jahriel co
make the man vndcrdand the vifion, but he came tod
floadneerevnto him. Somnft we doc,ncner to difpu tc
or debate the matter, pretending cxcufcs , but as foeae
as we know his will, by and by addrcfle our fellies to
pcrforme it. So did Peter^ Luke j . 5. When hec was ^4« M^
commanded to let downe his net, and you knew the
fucccflcjthcy were fcarcc able to pull in the net , for the
multitude of fifhca . So the Goncrnours feruants , fehn Ifbn x.7,
1.7. When Chrifl bid them fill the pots with water,
("which he turned into wine)neucr rcafoned nor difpu-
tcd vpon itjbut did as they were commanded, So PpiU
18.44. It is foretold of that change to be wrought by
Chrilt: ji s foone 04 they heart tf me ^thej fitdH ibey mee.^f'^'^^'^^
Thus muft we adrtflfc our fclucs to doe the will of (jod^
with all readincflc m euery thing. But if wee examine
our reUjc$,we fhall findc fuch a ftrange backewardncflc
and rclu(ftation in our hearts ; how vnwilling bee wee
to come to this duty, what adoc hath the Lord with
vs,as is wondcrfulljcre wc canbe brougl 1 10 Icarne thil
lefibn : howoftdocweflyeoff andyceldto fcnfe and
rcafonf Well, wc muft learncco fee, diQ.kc an J pray
£e4 ^gainft
*/• TUfj wlU be dfine in earth as it U in heauen.
igainftthisTntowardneffcin ourfclues.and that 6"02>
would giue vs more true iudgcmcnt and rnderftan-
ding,with chcercfuU vviliingncffe to doe what he com-
mands vs.
J X\\\X^\^,^ngcUdBethe^illof(joA'1ifithdeh^Mion^
that \% , take fingular delight and comfort in doing of it,
fomuft wcendcuour to doe it with delight and ioy;
vMif^-^i^ likeas C/7r//?fpeakcsofHimrelfe,/c?^^4.34. OMym^at
utodoethewillofhimthdttfentntee^ and fi^ijlj his works*
QeiiM.iu And it muft not be gncuous in Abrahams fighc for the
Ghilde and the Bond- woman to be turned out of dorcs.
So we muft not ihinke it enough to do good duties, but
alfo lookethat wee haue fpeciall delight in doing of
Pfal.119.16. them; asD^/^iWprofcffes,T/^/.iip.i6. f mil delt^ht:
7yi/.4.7» Tny felfeinthyftatHtes^ ^c. And Pfal.^,y, Thonhafi
put gladneffe in my hearty more then in the time V^hcn their
come and their ^ineincreafed. But now this is our finnCy
that though in many things wee arc contont to obey
^6'^^ and to doe his will, yet we dodt with fo little de-
light or fpirituallioyAvithfuchirkefomncfle, redjoof-
neffc, and vnwillingnefTe , that wee endanger all the
grace of our well-doing. In this cafe it fares with ?s,
g , asit did with £^/, whofaithof himfclfe : that he
went in the bitterneffe and heace of his fpirit. So,
though we are contented to goe, that is , to doe as ^od,
wils,yetitiswith that repining and backewardncffe,
that it loofcth the benefit of the adion.
A Againe, The An f els with earneft-Keffeand intentiuentjfe
dee the Wiitof^ud *thQy ck>e'noc freeze in their bufineflc;
Dan.^^iu but bend all their ftrength about it. So 'Dan,^. 21.
fayes, The An^clc/imef^tftly flytrjg ^untame 5 fo muft
we doe the will of G'c^^not coldly and idlcly , but with
all our intention and power; yea^thisfhouldalfomouc
vs, in- that this is the commandement of ihcLord.*
Dent, 6, ThsH^jalt lone the Lord , mtb all thy hart,. .Mpith all thy
^ foHlf^
Thj xvlSbe d$fte in esrth ^ it u in ht.xutn^ j\
fouU^and^ith nil thy might. Thus mucli alfo DAu:d con-
kffcs^Pfti. 1 19.4 Thau hAJ} commanded vj to k^rpc thy ^P**^ J9«4'
-prucpts diligently. Many indeed doe the will ot LjoJ. in
fhew, buctjoldly, loofely, Infily, with dead aticdions,
there is no life in their obedience, nor fpirit in their
praycr5,how then can they thinkcthat God will accept
ofthem. HethatlkikesvponalittlcVioll, and would Sound Violl.
know whether it bee found or not, hearkens to the
foani^forifit gitie but a dull found , if the ringing bee ^
not (hrilljhc knowes that there is fome crackc or Haw in
it : So it IS With vs in our obedience, when we giue buc>
adeadfound, be not fhrill, fuUoFfpirit and life ; and
when good duties come but flicke and coldly from vs,
ccrtaincl/ wee haue fome dangerous cracke and flaw
within vs, againl\ which wee muft pray and fcckc for
reformation.
Fiftly , They doe the will cf God With con/I.tncy and con* 5
tinnt^cei not at One time, and ncgkd it at another,
but they arc alwayes ready and feruiceable. So mud
wee bee ready to doe at all times, and mall places. As
D^utdpraycs/Tfjl.ii^ 35. Teach mc^O Lord^ the vi^syPfil.Tj^,^^
ofthyflatutesjand I fh til k^epe it vnto the end. So Pfd,^i\ ?/i/,44.i8.
18. the Church profeffes, Onr he.trt u not tHme.ib !cke,
neither hatse onrfieppes declined from thy WAy. And Luke '^'^^^'^T*
i.y^^. It isfaid we fhould/fr;^? him ail the dity es of our
life Jnholineffe and rifhteonfne/fe. Indeed, for a Ht or a
fpirt wc can be content to doe fOjheare the word , and
frame our fclues to fome good courfes, but to walke on
in a conftant courfe,ani doe the will of ^c?^ , as well at ''^•
one time as another, this is hard : for com m'only men
doe by their Religion, as great men doe by their Retay- ^^tayncrs,
ncrson Fead dayes, theycomevp, and arc all put in
filkes and vclUets, commanded to attend ; but as foone
as the time is paft, they are fent to the Countrey againe,
tofloaenit asthey did b?fore. Eucnfo doe we mour
courfesof Religion, when a great day comes, a Com,
munion
7 a Thy wiS It dint in edr4h ^huin hemeaZ
manionday,orf«chlikc; thcnwc gctonallourdcoo^
tioo , wcc irc ready to doe iomc feruicc vnto gainc, we may , and muft doc this, to abftainc from
groifcr^naes which duls the conrciencc , and deadens
it in time : and then for the other frailties accompany-
ing our htc; Wee (hallfindc God a merciful! Father
(vponourconfefsion ) pardoning and pafsing by all
our infirmities : whenwcc indeuourtruclytodoc
his will; as here wc pray 2 T hy vi^iH ke ti§nt $m
tsrfb iucn ss it S4 in HtMHtn^
♦ PE-
mmmmmammmmmmmmmmmmmm
o
^^^
75
A. 4^^ ri!^ o?- ^^'^ 'V^ 'ff' .-^Z- J^'^ .^I^ A^o 'i^^
1^ /ij:vN^4i^Vc:.4viA\'.^-^«- I «c;->^A^'l^->IA«r^,^%^
.^ JZ C*i^ U^: ■^-iJ' ^^^ •-^ ^-2 I K> V J '^ _^
"^I^ "ir"^ "^> "i^ *"ifi^ ^> '^iT ir "V* '^r -^i?*.
+. PETITION
Giuc vs this day our daily
^?ead.
]Herein before I come to the Petition ,
I muft firft fpeakc fomewhat of the
order. Hauing in the three former
Petitions , prayed for the glory of
God, we arc here taught to pray for
our ownc good , that God would
giuc vs all things needfull for this
life : by which order of the Petitions j our Saniottr
Chrift would teach rs two things.
1- To Order ^
i To mtderAte eur care in the thin as of this life*
For the firft, touchmg the crderi»f of our care ^ for V
things ofthislife» Religion doth not exclodc ail care To order ov«
for our felucs,but ooely to bringit in due order,that we ^^^re.
may goc the right way to fpecd. Tirft, caring for thofe
things which belong vnto the Lord, then afterwards
prouiding for fuch as belong vnto our felues. Wc may
fcckc our daily Bread.but we muft fceke it in due order,
wee may not fecke it before Gods.glory, Gods King-
dome Gods will, but firft the one/ and then the other.
Qucftionieffe, the thinking of our daily Bread , is not
"^iiiavvfull,yea,euery thing belonging to this temporary
j6 Giue vs this dtij our daily Breads
life, may be lookt after : but firft Gods glory mull
MAttb,6.^l^ Weigh do wnc all,as Chrifts Counfell is^ty^nrth, c». 3 5 ,
Firji.feeke the Kingdome ofCjod and his right eonfiie^}^ and
all other thmgsjh^ he adrnwifired vnt9 yen. So Chrift
r.»^«xe.4i» faithtO t-^4rr;b^,L«i^e 10. 42, One thirtg is needfuH^
Abraham fcr- God mufi hane the fir fi place. We rcadc that Abrahams
uantt feruant , when there was meat fct before him , would
not eat till he had done his Mailers bufincffc, which hcc
came for: and when he had once difpatchedthat^thcn
the Text faith, He did eate and drinke. So muft wee doc
in the bufineffc wee come for , concerning the glory of
Cod,theKiftgdomeofGodyC^c. When wee haue done
thatjWe may reft vrith the better confcience, and lookc
vntoour felues for oar daily Breads and ordinary com-
forts of this life.
Bat the world arc quite contrary, they beginnc with
the care of themfelues, their owne delights, cafe , and
pleafures : and then if any ouerplus remaine , or haue
any fparetime,they can be content to looke out a little
for the glory of God. But you fee oar Sauiour Ghrift
would hecre rcdifie our thou§hts,and order our care in
thefe things*
* Sccond\y-,To moderate oHr care ; thatwc doe not dc-
To »oderaic (]j.g q^^ ^^,jy Bread in any fort raftily , but onely with
oui care. fubordination to the befl things ^ fo farrc forth as may
ftand with the glory of God, the Kingdomc of Chrift,
and the doing of his will ; and fo farre forth as thefe
temporary things may be a furtherance and a helpc rn-
Watcr CO a to thofc better things. As a man wanting water to
Mill driue a Mill, n^uft not too greedily open too many
Springs and Sluces, for fcareof^Iutting and damming
itvp: So muft it be with our wants in this world; for
an ouer-hafty dcfirc and indeuour to fatisfie th cm may
quickely drowne vp our care for fpirituall graces , rot
caringwhat becomes of the glory of God , fo wcv* may
inioy our bafe cpnccntmcnts^ Wherefore our Sauiour
Cri/e vs this Jai our Jaily BresJ, yj \
flicwfs that ih? care of thcTc earthly things, muil be i
with fubordination to Gods glory* ^'hy we prjj
for daily brcai
Another point to beconfickred, is, why we firft pray fi^^^^f t^^^^n^^
rbr our daily Bread , andaftcrwardsfor the pardon of * * |
our finncb ? for in all reafonjOnc (hoiild thinke that the
pardoning of (inneSjbcing modncceliary fhould be firft,
and then the Other? I anfwcr, there are two Rcafons
of it,
Firfl, Qsrift coneiefcerjded herein fvHrvpeak^neJfcy and t
'^OHldgracioufly^ firfi dtfpatch vs ofottr worldly care , txnd 7^a/(?f(»
feareof Vf4nts J that haHtfig earthly thtrj^s fnf ply ed^ \^fr
might h4ue the more leifnre to atte;fdand h better j>repa~
.redfer^heheauenly. Becaufe many times we arc fo di.
fturbedand incombred about earthly things, that wee j
hauc little care for heauenly thoughts , which in that ]
eftatc be vnwclcomc vnto vs,hauing but bad entertain- '
menc.
As the Woman of Samaria was fo troubled about ;
the Fountaine water, John^, lo. as (he could hardly ^''^'^ ^"^^^
hearken to concciueof the water of life which Chrill
fpakeof. And as the children oi Ifrael hearkened wot
vnto drifts , by rcafon oftheanguifh of their fpirits,
fo it is with vs in our troubled thoughts, for the things
of this life. Wherefore oar Lord hauing a regard to this
our weakncffc, would Firft riddevs of the care of thefe '
earthly things , that we might with the more care and
attention^apply our felues to heauenly.
A fecond Reafon is , That by experience &fthefmalfer
things ^ Wf might cltmbe vp to the h»pe of greater. For at "JUAfun»
firft, men be not cafily perfwaded of the Remifsion of ,
fmnes-, andhigh Myfteriesof eternallhappincffe, but ^
muftbcbrought to it by (leppes and degrees. There-
fore our Sauiour worketh vpon vs in this place with a !
fecret wifedonie, that by finding God to be good vnto
vs,
y S Ghe vsthU ddy on r daily Breai^ j
vs,in food and rayment,the things ofthisIife,wc might
Icarne to reft and rclie vpon him for a better \lk to
come, for it is a fure thing, that he who will not truft I
vnto God for meat and drinke , and fuch like, will not
truft him for the faluation of his (bule, and hee that i
g^,> thinkes that GOD will f tand with him for a piece of
Bread, will neuer bclecuc that God will giae him par- i
don of his finne$,and heauenly glory ; Chrifl: therefore !
would hauevs begin at the fmaller, that finding the '
Lord fauourable and friendly in thcfe Icfler things, wee ,
- may be drawen to conceiue,that he will be as graciouf- !
VcffcH trycd ^7 inclined in greater matters. As a man that would
try a rellell ; firft^he pats water into it^and fuch mcanc
liquor 5 And then if it hold water well , he is the more
bold to truft it with Wincor liofajoUs.znd the like. So ,
when we findc God to be good vnt© vs , in the meaner ^
things ©fchis life, this makes vs the more bold to relyt '
and reft vpon him for greater things belonging to etcr-
nall faluation. |
I
Now to come to the Petition it felfc, therein are dim
uers particulars to be confidered*
I what his that V^eprajfor ? ( Bread, )
2 OfW^hom ^eoik^h i ( Of^od,) Lord doe thou i
giuc it,meaningaf God doe not giue it,we fhall
' neuer hauc it. 1
■i
* 5 'By Vi'hat rights' (Of Free^gi ft ) Vfe doc t\Qtdc» \
ferue it, but pray, doe thou giue it vs good |
Lord. 1
4. IVhat <^Hantity of 'Bread wee pray for ? ( 10>ailj ]
'Bread) onelyfo much as is Sufficient tofuftajfi .j
vs for a day. I
5 Whofe Bread "^c prajfor ? (Our ovpne) not bread j
of othcrw^
6 Fer 1
GtMC 'vs thk Jay cur daily Bread.
i For vrii'^m wt mke ? ( For Biirfelucf 4nd others.)
7 For how lo»^ time f(Otielyfora day . )
( giue vs thii tlay our daily Bread, ) Concern inc; the
firft thing wcaske,2?rfrf^; herein W€ arc to con'fider.
1 ^he Extent of theTe^rme^
2 Thi Li rm I tat ion ofit>,
Tiv(\yCot the Extcfff OK of thcTctrrr\c, by Bread out %
Sauiour Chrift doth not meane, that God fliould giuc
vs bare bread and nothing elfc.But by 'BreAdjhe mcancs
all things clfe.as needful! ro mans life, as Bread is/o that
whatfoeucr is comfortable and hclpcfuU co the life of
man is here couered vnder the name ot Bread , as wee
fec,i Sam^.j, "D.^niiiOiid to tjl/ephtlfojljeth , and thou i Sm.^^l
jhMt fate bread contiKtinlly at my Table ; Thereby mea-
ningall things concurring to the comforts of this life.
So /p.4.1 . ^ye Wille.H our oWw bread ^and Weare onr oxvnt jfa,M^i^
garment s^crc. Tliat isjiue of our owne prouidon , get
all things needful! for this life. So thac by Bread hcere
fas in many places of Scripture) our Sauiour Chrift
meanes all manner of comforts of this life. For wee
know that many hauc bread, yet if they hauc not other
good blcfsings ofGodjhoufesand harbour, fire and wa-
tcr^cepe,hcalth,andreft^they may forall that pcrifhs
therefore when we pray for bread , we pray thac the
Lord will gfuc vs whatfoeucr is needful! to fultaineour
weakc and frailc life in this world.
And for the Ltmttation^we know that breaJ isa ne-
ccffaryandanccdfull thing. Itisnota friuolous t'ning
of fuperf^uity,that we may well want^but a moll nccef-
D.ry thing: wherein our Sauiour Chrirx hath heere fo
bounded our dcfires to guide them to n-edfuU things
oncly, Bread, or that which is as nuo.iuil as IJrcad:
fo that if we once goc beyond the corapaflo and reach of
brt^ad;lf wcc dcfiLC a thing chat is not nccdiull, a'fuper-
V f fluoas
S e due vs this cU) Oftr d^tlj Bread.
fiaous thing to nourilh vanity and pride i then wc may
notexpea that the Lord will giue vs that thing which
we pray for, becaufe, being not Bread.it is out of the
> compade of the Lords grant -. of which the Lord com-
tfiLjZ.iZ. plaines,?/4/.78.i8. ofl.ispeople. And theytcmpted
God in their heart^by requiring meat for their luftes.So
Um^A,^, fam.^^.^.Hc^zdsvsvJhy Chriftiansaskeand haue not :
Tee aske and banc not , becaufe ye ^ke amijj}, tofpend vpon
jonr tufts ^(^^c fothat our Sauiour Chrift by limiting
vs to Bread a!one,tcacheth vs to aske only things need*
full at the hand of God.
phie^. Bat why doth the Lord hcerc mention Bread oncly,
and nothing but Bread ?
^j^nf* lanfwer^thisistoteachvs, that if God glue vs no-
thing but Bread oncly, yet wee n^ufl be contented 5 If
God giue mcre,we mad be more thanktfuU, but if the
Lord abridge our dyet.and bring it to bread onelyjthat
is^to fo much as will maintaine life and foule together,
(as we fay) yet we mult bccontented^becaufe wee haue
as much as wc pray for. So Taahobs pradifc and prayer
Gw.iS.io. was, (Jert. 28. 20. jind'^nll ^iiie meet read to cat e^and
t tim^6^%, cloathestofut on ; as the ApoRlc wils vs , i Ttm. 6. 8.
when vpe hanef&od and raimeat Jet vs therewith he centen'
ted , all ioyning here with Chrifts precept for our dirc-
Aion,
'% Sccondly^pyeofkettofCody Lorddce then ^Ine I's our
Tread, wherein we are to take notice of two things.
1 Of our dutie^that wefeekefor 'Bread no vphere^hnt At
the hands of Cjod,
2 Of our v^eakfmffe and frailty^ t hat haue nothing of
OHT fclnesjjut ^hat God giue s vs,
•j Concerning the firft^ wee haue many examples in
Scr.pture, totcachvs toliftvpoure^tsandhcarts lo
hea-
clue IS t his day cur daily Bread. % i
heaucn in praycr,Iooking tor nothing dfc-whcre : that
bclopgstothecon-ifortsof this life. Tor faith •Z)<^fa^,
Pl'il' 1^6, 2 5* It tJ hcwhich^iucthfoodto^I/JIejh. So ^A''*3^«*^'
rfdl,\A^' '5* The ej(sofn!l)>?aitcvpOfithce^ af:dthouV[aU\ii^-\^-
cmefi them meat m cine {e^ fen : Thus all good things are
to be fought for from God. What a wretchednefle is
then amongft men of this world, and grieuous finne,
when they haue any (ickneffe jamcncffc^iirange difeafes,
orvnlookc for accidents, they doenot feekcGodfor
their daily Brcad,or mitigation of thofc things by pray-
er,or humbling themfclues before God : but runnc to
Sorcerers, and Witches, andvnlavvfuUmeancs , as
ihough the Diuell were more mercifull then God, or
Hell more ready to afford them comfort then Heauen :
O the end of fach is fearefull,asthat of 5^«/, whom the i chYon,io,ii^
Lord IS faid to haue killed, becaufe he asked counfell ac
a familiar fpirit. Some other examples there be to this
purpofejbut 1 paffe them. But the furome i$; as wee
mufl beg all good things from God,fo learne wCjthough
the Lord doe not by and by giue vs. yet to tarry his lei-
fiM'e,and not to repineormurmureat any thing More-
ouer, we muft al waycs acknowledge, that all the bread
wc haue, (though our cup doc ouerflow ) comes from
GodjWe haue no bit of bread, nor the leaft comfort wee
haue, but all comes from him vntovs ; asjD^;^er thereof
Which the Scripture termes the ftafie of Bread : ax
/yS 5.1.' rP-5 • I • ^^^ thrcr^tens to breiske the f^ajfc of breads Now
though wee haue the fubftancc, yet if wee haue not the
fiaffeof breid with the power, we are neuer the better,
for without Gods bl.f sing 5 there will benomotcfec*
dingandnourifbinginit, thcnof averyftone, yea, ai
good take a mouthfullofgraiKli,asa mouthfuUof bread
without Gods blefsing vpon it ; othcrwife wrath at-
tends it ;as Ffal 136,15. ^ t IS WldyioHega-^e them their
dcfirCy but withall heffit Icnmiejje into their fonles . And
fojthough we haue bread, yet wcmuftprayG ODto
blelTeit vnto vsjOrelfe we fi^all be neuer the better for
it. This is a point which mofto^ the world know nor,
they thinke that ifthcy haue bread in their houfes, and
tablcs^all is fafe, they <»cede not pray to Cjod for Bread.
But if wee would confidcr that aU ^hc{e things come to
noihing;
CfMC HJS thii d.VJ O'jr /I'^^'7v J?/'^ Y- gj
nothing vnlcffc the Lord atf jH a blcfsirg vnto It \ and i
brcativ vpcntlic.a w:th fwccciicilc frOM his mornh,
chi$ would m^ACVs doc our duty, and pray heartily !
Tnco ^W to bkfle our brcad,anJ to giucit.
Thirdly ^ *S y \);hut ri^hc^d^ee dcmmund our brcAd ? VfCC ^
doc not challenge it of duty.or right, but pray that God I
would giucit of his free goodncfle and grace: fo that '
herein we profcflc ourou^nc finfulnefle and guiltincflc i
tobefuch;,inrcg«rdof(jnnc, that we be not worthy of i
oncaropofdrinkc, orbit of bread, rjor can by any
meaner procure it to our felues. For cuery day by our
finncs wee forfeit all we haae to God : diflpofcfle our
felucs of all right and title to that^or the leaft and mea- ;
reft blcfsing of this life ; therefore vnleife God doc i
giueit, and releafe rs of cheforfait, and admit vs
into fauour , we be but intruders vpon his blcfsings, :
which tcacheth vs two things, |
Firft, that feeing we be worthy of nothing, wether- f
fore acknowledge the Lords goodnede and mercy in it:
that we hauc gr^^at and many blcfsing ( who yet if wee J,
haue but a bit of bread,inIoy more then wc deferue^and |
a great deale more then wc can challenge)be not there- I
fore forgetful! of this blcfsing, but confeflfc from
whence it comes : with gcod J*takob^gef/,'^ 2,1 o. lam Gm.p^io^ 1
not worthy of the Uafl dfatlt by mercits. So Daniel j 2 S/im, 2 Sart.-j,Zt
7.8. H'ho am 7,0 Lcrd <^od,tind Vi;h,it if my houfi , that
thou hajl brought me hitherto : Thus muft WC doe COO- J
fidtring our great vnworthincffc.
Ifwebenotworthyofapfeceofbread, then much i
kffj of the ioyes of Heaucn : for if wee ^i'.nnoc dtfcrifc
our bread at the hands ofGod, much Icflc can webea-
ble to deferue cucrlafting life.
The Papifls thinkc they can deferue with thwr
works, and fo make themfclues worthy of hcaucnly.
Ff 3 glocy,
I ^ Giut vs thk diy 0»r diily Bresd.
glory ,God not giuing it as a gift , but as their iuft wa.
ges and hire. ButourSauiourChrift (hewcsthatGoJ
dothgiuc vs our daily Bread freely ; yea, and therefore
fliewes that God doth much more freely giuc vs Hca-
tfmji^tl* uen : as Rom.6. 23. 'Bnt the gift $f ^od u etem^H. life
through lefpti C^rifl our Lord. Away therefore with the
Pride of the I'^apifts that dare challenge Hcaucn as«
due.
gj. Fourthly, Hc^ mnch "Bread^e fray for f {Daily
^rf^^Jfomuch onely as may be fufficicnt, weedoe not
pray foranexcefsiuc quantity of bread, but we pray to
the Lord togiue vs fo much as is need full, fit to fulbinc
oar wcake and finfull nature. The children of /yr^f /de-
fired racate for their lull, notthcirhunger; and when
theyhadit,inioyeditnot, but the wrath of God came
vpon thcmjthercfore we muft take notice of this , and
Icarnc to moderate our defires, to defire only fo much
^«,i8ixo» ^^ ^^ fufficicnt for vfc^and no more, as Uacoh does. Ce»,
2^.10»IfthoH wilt he with me and keepe me in the H'^j that
J ^oCyand ^illgiue mee hithcHt dargersj^ut they that he onerJadcn^are re^idy
tofinke vpon euery florme. So it is when men moderate
themfelucs in the things of this life, they pafle through
thii life with lelTe danger ; arc the fitter and more con.
tented t© go home to their heauenly country. But when
they ouerlad the (hip of their bodies , taking in more
then they can carry : inioy more then they can tell how
to difpolcofjthey arc ready tofinke,and to cad away all
their precious Merchandize. Therefore kt vs pray ta
God to giue vs fufficient bread and no more.
O the corruptions of our life^ w hat cxceffe, is now
crept
CiHCVSthu ddj our Jailj Bread, «i ^
crept Into this world ? men arc not content with great ^
milters butmuftaboundeucnto exceed others, cay,
we ncuer ccafc till wcc haue wrcfted all out of other !
mens haRds.gotallthc money out of their purfes, aU 1
the goods in their houfcs; but take heed of this: low \
Mcddowes or Marlhes, when they came tobcouer. LowMcd-
flowen,and the water to ftand in them , breed nothing ^«>*csoutf- ^
but Froggcs and Toades , that continually crccpc and ^"^^^ i
annoy them. So it is with our heartSjhowfoeuer other-
wife fruitful! and capable ot fome goodneflcyet if once '
they come to be ouerflo wen with couetous defires, and
grow muddy and myery , as (landing pooles^they will i
breed nothing but frogges and filthy lu fts , finnes that
croke and cry to annoy and terrific vs. Now becaufc
by Bread ("as you haue heard^wcYndcrdand all things j
needfull for the fuftentation of this life, wc muft leai nc ^
alio not onely torefraineourdyet,butcokeepeamoJc- \
ration in all things appertaining ro this life, and hold i
ourCeluesclofetogood order and temperate fobriety
that our dcfires be not like a Tea which hath no bounds i
nor bottome. £/ii«f though a prophane man)couId fay, i
/ hane enQH£h mj brother j but OUr corruption is other- tfau^
wifc,wc cannot be contented with any mcafuri?, what- \
focuer wc haue is not fufficicnt : Nay, though we hauc
enough,yetftill we defire more and more, w^ee canoe- '
uer be filled. The Lord complainesoFthis,//^. ^.-^.fvoe lya.^.;*
he vnto them that ioyne honfe to heufe, c^c* And Habakki Hat-xi^.i.f • ■*
2. y. Hee paints out a proud man that neuerkecpcth
at home, who inlargcth hisdefire as Hell, and is as
dcath,and cannoc be fatisfied, but gathcrcth vnto him-
felfe all Nations. So Saint 'BazjII in treating of a couc- ,
tOUS man, faith, ThathetieHCrceafethdaynorni^ht^no'
thi>ijrfyit fi ^eth him^no bouiids containes him^ but tdkes hold \
€fali,a^;d turnes aU into itfelfe,asf}^ift Toners arifw^from Swifc Riucif ♦ ^
/mill b.-gin-iings ^by little and little ^exceedingly trjcrcafe^tiH
at lengthy With force ^nd violence they notonely breaks oner
I heir bankes , but beare do\^ne whatfoener they meet With ."
Ee ^ 5#
^5 Che vs this Jdj cur i&Yj Ittsi.
So it is '^ith the cductcm mcriyi^c. But wc mufl leartie ro
tcpreffethis aff-dioninourreIu?s,indpray roGodfor
an orderly moderation in all things. One (airh well,
Couetbus That a cone tons r?ia*t is like a Mole , dig^ in^^ and UhsHYivgy
^ec
jirayfor a qaamity of*Bread, yet \\;e doe not determine how
much. Wee doe not fay, Lord giue vs fo much and fo
much bread, to teach vs ail to leaue the particu-
lars to the Lord , wee pray to be contented with that
which He in his wifedome doth determine, A man
may indent with a friend , as the man in theGofpell:
Indenting* Lend mee fine loaues : but none of VS may indent with
God,butreferreall toh safsignation and appointment.
As a man making challenge to a field , yet is contented
to referrc the matter to friends , and ftand to their a*
ward : fo much the rather^if they be iufl and wife.how
much more ought we to fabmit all vnto God.
- Thefift thing is^Whofe hreadWe fray for / Ourownc
bread^not the bread of others, but we pray to God to
giue vs our owne bread. Now ourownc bread is that
we hauc faithfully and honefdy laboured for in our Cal-
ling.wcll gcc by lawfullmeancSj and nomore. This is
that w hich the Lord promifcch as a blcfsing vnto his
people.
Che vs this J a) our daily Brea.h 1 7
pcoplr, Pf.iL 12^. 2. Tkit they /ktii e^.te the Lihcur of/^fAl*iil.i^
their h.vi(is^Jh\}st\\^ Apo(i!c,2 r^r-f. v^ "• Comtrands iT^^j.ii.
cuery one ro workc w;thquiernc(le,and catc their own
bread ; fo that there arc tu o kindsot Bread vnlavv full.
I The bre.idsftciienejfe,
1 'Brcid of the father Ifjfe and W^icksdnejfc,
The firftiSjWhenamanhathno Calling, no imploy' i
nent no ability to doe bufineflCjand yet is idle,mirpen-
dino his time , and is carelefle of himftlfe , this man
dorh not eate his ovvne bread, becaufe he doth nothing
to make ic his owne,&c.
Secondly,thc Bread of vvickednefle and of the Fa- i
therlefle, when a man doth by opprefsion»deceic, cofe-
nagc, and fuch like, eate vp the Bread oi others , yea
bread of the Fatherlcflc,and of the poore^and of the ho-
neftjthis alfo is none of his ovvne bread, and fo cannot
be eaten with peace of confcicnce^ therefore let vs
looke to eate of our ovvne.
The DiudI came to Chrift in his hunger, and would Manh.a^
hauehad him turne ftones into bread, hee could not Stones^
preuaile with Chrift.but he doth with many men. In-
deed when men get bread by vnlawfull meanes, by ly-
ing,cozening, deceit: &c. then they not depending vp-
on Gods prouidence in lawfull meanes,do turne ft ones
into bread, and take the Diucls counfell , not being ru-
led by God as they (hould. VVecread//j.ii.7. Inthat^y^^n.y,
great change to be wrought vnder theGofpellj Itis
raid famongft other things ) The Lyon^ fija/l cateJlraV^
like the Oxe : Meaning, that then where that change is
trudy wrought, they Ihall be fc farrc from feeding and
raucning vpon ethers ( as formerly ) that they fhall cat
ftraw. be eafily pieafed: and brought to a better confor-
mity, being contented with mean,& their own things.
So a man truelyconuertedand brought into the King-
dome of Chriil , will rather eate lUavv^fccd mcanely,
be
3 g Glut vs this idy our ddilj Bread.
be contented with what God allowcs him,then by any
vnlawfuU meanes come by his food.
1 hus you fee wc pray for our ownc Bread, that wee
may prouidc bread orderly for our fclucs , and not liuc
vpon others,or vfe vnlawfull meanes. The Poets fay^
r/;j7>/. that ty^olm gaue Vlyfn all his windes in a boxc, who
when he wasaflecpe,thcughtithadbecnegold, andfo
opningtheboxjletoutthe winds, w^^ had like to haue
loft all their liues and put them in danger of drowning.
So many times it is when men will not bee contented
with their owne ; by doing wicked pradires,and per-
forming vnlawfull anions, they raife rp ftormesantt
tempeftsagainftthemfclues, euen many times to put
their liues in danger. Therefore let vs bee contented
with our ownethings.
^ Sixtly, For Vchem W^ doe pray ? For other r oi rvetl as
ourjeluci 5 ( Gi;ie vs our daily Bread, J which WOrd
hath a double relation.
X RclpeUinely to that which ^ent before.
2 To the reft of t he members ofChrifts body.
Which is firft vs that haue hallowed thy Name,i// that
defired thy Kingdome might come into our hearts ^ vs
that had care to doe thy will , Lord gikc vs enr daily
Bread: So that this Petition is conditional! , asithec
(hould (SLy^Lord ffV^ehane ntnethfje things^ thcngme vs
our daily Tjread^thcn feed vs^ then Lord gine vs all things
fieedfitU for our life. But if vvechaue done nothing for
thee, then wec^rc rot clsime that thou (houldtfl doe
any thing for vs, for hovvfoeuer thon haft promifed to
do vs good,yet we muft feare thee,and firft Honour thy
T/4'.34.^. JsJame. As /-/•/. 54 5;. Feare the Lfrd,')ee his Saints for
Koehing- wantcth to them that feare him. So that firft wec
muft obey and plcafe him, ere we may with boldnefle,
vfe thcpromiicstoour comfort: for wi:h what face
can wee ftand vp and lay claimc to Gods promifes,
when
Giite vs thu day Pur c/ar/y Bread. f^
when we haucnot performed th?condirions, and arc
notqualitied like thofc parties and perfonstheprorni-
fts were made vnto i as ^ch.i Uidio liher.imsWhLnhcc
demanded, Is n peace lebii ; wh.it pe.ue ( [Aid hce) fo Ic'm.
Lug- as the whoreddtncs of thy mother le'^cbell and her ^
wttckcrttftsare yet in great number ? So may I fay , fo
longasmcndifhonourGodjhaucnocarcof his glory ,
louc of his Kingdomc,no defirc to doe his willjiow doe
they looke to haue their daily Bread, theirpcacc, or
thingsncedfull for this life.
A fccond relation is, To the refi ef the m when of
Chnjh body ; and fo wec arc taught to pray , not Lord
giucme; but,Lordgiucvsourdaily Bread : So that
1 Chriftian man muft not regard himfclfconcly, but in
a fellow-feeling of other mens miferies , hce muft pray
for their wants as well as his ownc. The couetous man
he had rather fay, Lord giuemee Bread , thcngiuevs
Bread : but the true Chriftian^e^^tendshis care and louc
vnto the whole body of Chrift, whereof he himfclfe is
a me mber. As ty^hraham fitting in his tent doorc,in the Abraham^
coole ofthcihadow, pittyedthem which were traueU
ling in the heatc,and was ready to rcfrcfh them : fo it
iswitheucry true Chriftain , they arc tender-hearted
and haue a fimpathy with others miferies. So v/e fee in
Nature, when the Sunne fhincs vpon thcfeinferiour
bodies, if folid bodies when they refled their beames SunfHnIng*
they call their lighr and heat vpon other bodies that
are neared about them : but ifthey be empty and hol-
lovv bodies.fuch as haue no folidity . they take all inta
thcmfelu'S, andreflednot: So it is in this cafe, they
that be found Chrillians oncly poffefTed with power of
grace , they cannot hold any goodnefle to themfelucs,
but are ready to rcflcd it,and make others partakers of
it: fomu ft our labour and care be: not be hollow and
falfe.but fincere and cruc afifeding the good oFothcrs^as
of our felues.
Thelaftchingtobeobferuedinthis Petition; is, for 'j
how
^Q Ciut vs this ^ay oar diilyBresd.
how long time we pray for bread: Bntadayonely^(GiHe
vs tins duyoHT daily "Bread ^ ) of which there be three
Keafcns.
1 Firft.Ttf teAch vs to depend vpon (jodfrem day to day ;
bccaufe wcvfually rcfl not in the prefcnt blcfsings of
God vpon vs,but are eucr catling and contributing for
the time to come. Therefore our Sauiour Chrift fct-
t£th this do wne to preuent our carking and caring for
the things of this life: foriffromday today the Lord
giuc vs bread, vve mud be contented, and leaue all the
prouifion for future times vnto the Lord,whogauehif
owne people Bread,but for a day oncly,£.ve^.i6. That
they might altogether depend vpon Gods goodncffc
little bird*. *"^ heaucnly care from day to day. The little birds(a$
we all know) when they haue dined, know not where
to fuppe,and when they -ore fed one day , they know not
where to feed then€xt|and yet God prouides for them,
and if God remember and fauour them , much more
may we rely vpon his care and mercy towards vs :pcr-,
f wading our felues, that he who feeds vs to day, will
feed vs ro morrow, this wceke, next weekc, this yecrc,
next yeere,and fo for euer as we truft m Him.
2 Secondly, To teach vs to Jiu^ evceedha d^.refuHy^ as if
ourUfl day were come : for our life is io vncerraine and
hangs by fuch a flender thred, that wee know not how
foone in may be broken and gone, and there fore our Sa-
uiour Chrift would haue vs Hue exceeding carcfolly and
watchfully ouer our felues from day to day euen to cur
laft
ixodxi^u* The people o£ffracl wee know doe eate the PaflTeo-
VafTcouwr yg^ ^^^ith their loyncs girded, as men ready to depart at
cacing* ^ (l^on warning , fo mufl we eat our dinners and fup-
pcrs, as ready to depart and take kau e of this world at
all times or whenfocucr the Lord will haue vs,
3 Thirdly J 7 h^t cnery day Ut m.iy come to (jcd in prayer :
to
Cffte vs thU ciA) our ddily Bread, p I
to be nor a day from ium, Tor ifwe made our fuites be-
fore rr.cn ondy, we would atttnd their Icifurt.^, much
rr.orc mull: we wait vpon God : wee may well thinkc
when the day is pall , our pattcnti.^ expired, andour
grant cndcd^till we haue renewed it againc/o that cue-
ryday(as we haue faid)we are taught to come to God
in praycr,to rcnue our Patents and grants of blefsings,
that God may extend his mercy vnto vs. For it is tlie
corruption of the worldjyeajofour courfe nature, that
we wouKi not cox-ne vnto God once in a monech , nay,
not in a ycere,if meere nscefsity do not driiic vs. There-
fore our Sauioj:rChrift hath ftinted this Petition to a
day onely, that euery day we may learne to fuc vnto
God, to haue communion with him, in begging the
things ofihis life : that fo wee might be led the more
happilyvntothofeetcrnall better things of life cuerla-
fiing ; and fo to be led by the vfe of thcfe wcake tempo-
rary refrelhmcnts, t« the feeding vpon that bread of
life, which the Sonne of man doth glue his Saints
and fcruants Somuchftiallfcruerforthcfoflrth
Petition ; come wc now te
th« fift.
5 PE-
■ 11
-i^ -^^ ''^r --^ "o "4^ ""' "i> -"/^ "^i^ -^
5. PETITION
ojlnd/orgiue ys our dehts^as v^c aU
foforgiue ourdebto) s.
, Vr SauiOuT Chrift ( as we haue fcenc ) in
the three firft Pecinons, teachcch vs to
begthofc things tending vnto the glory
oFGod, and the mcancs conducing vnto
the fame : and in the three lall, tobcgge
foroiirownc good things, tending both to the comfort
ofthishTe, and of that tocome: as the for^inencfe of
y/^;«f/,a fandihed and aholyh'fc^ afsifted by'the power
of grace.
in the former Petition ,wc haue heard, on what con.
ditions and how we onght to beg for the good things of
this life, w^^^ as things ncceffary, tcnd.cfpecially to the
bodily preferuation oF health and life.Now here in this
5 Pet ition,wc come to the good of eternal! life, and this
is either the grace of HJhfic.uio^s in this Petition^ or the
grace ofS^^^tficatio in rhe next , which yet is no fur-
ther good , then as we apprehend and bring home the
comfort of It The world in their ignorance doevfual-
ly fay, fV.iowill [Irxvvs any good f Meaning, agood
Lcare,?archare,or bargiine,noc knowing any good be-
yond the good oF this lifi.* : But there is a further good
to be aimed at, For holy D vni proceeds andlookes vp
higher,fay in^But Lord Uft thou vp the Mt of thy conn- Ffai.^^'
tf nance
94; ■ \^odfergtuevsm debit,
tennnce vttn vi. Lcrd let met hunt the f(eUȣ if thy fa'
Hour^ndifrbcfor^iumpcfmyfiniet : anAgr^ce tol,»t
■^lUinthyf^mr , h4tm£fwt}eA>:djn,.'.llioywtt^n,y
MeM portion- Sol ray,after thcgood of thishfe , our
dailvBread.we are here willed to pray for the good of
a better life , pardon of our finnes , and then grace and
ftrenethagainftthens. ^ ^ . . „.
But before I come to th« Petition , twoquellions
muftbeanfwcred.
I why there ii httt sue Tetition ftr earthly things,
and two for heaneitly, thit is : ( daily "Bread) and
in the other. 'Eix&fParden ftr finnes: Second-
ly ^Pfrgracesafainfi them.
a Why this Tetitim is linked tt the farmer ^ iya
coniuniiiue prJlife ( ^iue ■vsthu day our daily
Bread ) sA'td forgiue vs our fines. Which
dofe coniundion we find not amongft the reft.
For the firft I anfwer , it is for two fpeciall reafons.
Tirft , Bfcaufe the Lordmuld not bane vi too carefitSfor
worldly things, but to he holy and heauenly minded, as much
a, maybe ; that we might be difcreet in our demandy
and not dwell too long vpon earthly things. It is the
cuttome of the world," fwho vfeto pray j not to care
how Ions they continue their fute for daily Bread be-
ina pleafed to ccndudeall vnder that, as^fif./?;. 7.
H,ft ,.,4. , 4 The Lord complaines, They fmhle themfcluesfor
^ thc,rC9rncandmne, the things that they onelytknke on
and carcforJo M they could be contented conti-mally topray
for thm. Wherein our Saniour Chrift perceniing a
natarall corruption in vs, would therefore haue vs
foonetohauc done with this thing, and by and by to
adrelfc our fclues to better, to feeke more pertinent
matters,pardonotrinne..faliutionof foulcs; Arcngth
andmeartestoliuchohly, without which, all the reft
would turnc to nothing , though we had as much as
Sea anc^ Land could afford vs : fo that 2s Birds v^ hich Birdi dipping.
dippc into the Sea ro ecu their food , foarc rpagainc
snd quickly rife ^ left they fhould dull their wings^and
wet their feathers that they cannot fiyc: So in our
prayers, wcmuft take heed that we doe not diue too
decpe into the world, bringing our sfildicns folow,
as vvc cannot jriOunt and ra ifc vp our heauy hearts to
the contemplation of thofc hcaucnly blefsings and
graces as the Lord would haue vs.
Numbers ofmcn though they fecme likely in thii
world,yetarcHketheLeadandPlummetsofaClocke, piummctsofa
that continually driuc downe.ward, and had need dill ciockc.
to be wound vp. So it is with vs in praying for fpiri-
tuallblefsings: we decline and draw dovsne- wards,
fo much to the world , as we are heauy and dull in rai-
ling vp our fclues towards heauen. Let vs then rtco-
uerourfclues, and raifevp, and windc our hearts vp,
and our th.oughts as high as heaucn,to the loue and me-
ditation of bcauenly things.
In a Garden, you fee #hen men haue ftore of heauy Mould mljit
mould, they mingle it with Chalke and Sand to make glcd,
it high and lighter; fo when our thoughts be heauy,
earthly,andlumpifh,ourSauiourChrift would h^aevs
lift them vp with the cogitation and thinking of better
things. IntheLaw^ things that crept vpon all foure,
were forbiddcn,yetifthey hadfeettoleapevp withall, Creeping
they were iudged tobe cleanc.Eucn fo,hov;foeuer fomc ^^^^^^ lea*:
thoughts are about the things ofthisvvorld,our Trades P'"S^P*
andbufincfle, yet if we haue legces to leapevp with,
that we can raife our hearts to God^and better thitigs;
when wecomctoprayand proltrateour fclues before
God: it is not to bee condemned^ they may paflc for
clcane well enough.
But if chey ahvayes creep on the ground, ifncucr rai-
fed higher then the earth, ifno go d thoughts of God,
if no looking vpward to better thngs,0 then nodoubc
they were vncleane; not legally vncleane as the beaOs
G^ wcrC|
p6 jindforgwe vs rir debts,
were, hot really vnclcane in the fight of Go^ and his
holy Angels.
% Secondly, ToJliiwvSy th^t $Hr care mnfl he twice ft
fftHchfor kcauenly things 44 for earthly : WCC muft hauc
twice as much care ot'our foales^as of onr bodies : beg,
gingofcnerfpirituall, then temporall things. In the
Smduary Law, the waightofthcSanSuary was double, to the
wcxghu common waight, which was to fhew that the Lord
mud alwayes hauc double waight in matters that ap-
perraine to the Lord, in the faluation of our foulcs : in
all fuchchingi^doubltf waight, double care, double in-
deuour: but how cleane contrary is it with the
world , who lay all the bent ofcheir care vpoa earthly
things , and theirindeuonrfortranficory things of this
life ; whereas we are taught by our great Teacher , aL
way to oucr weigh oar earchly cares with more hea-
nenly meditations, that thus hauingquicted our con.
fcicncesjwcmaythe morefafclygoe about our world-
ly affaires. ^
2 AgainCjto the fecond queftion, I anfwer , this is tn^
Qucftionan- nexcd to the former Peticion to fhew vstwo things.
Iwcred, Firft , That pmrdon cfftnnes is m necefary oi onr daily
' 'Bread: Therefore with praying for Bread, wee arc
Aniwcrc. taught alfo to pray for pardon for our finnes and offcn.
ces. So that it is very neccffary to haue thefc tw^o
ioynedtagethcr,thatwhenlocucr wee pray toG O D
toputmcac inourmouthes; wee alwayes remember
that there is more excellcnc things to bee lookt after,
thcrn this temporary f.od the pardon of finnes^ with
hope of eucrlalting life inHcaucn.
This is the rcafon why our bkift'd Sauiour fo clofely
ioyncdthcfetogcthcr that the thoiiglit of this tempo-
rary Bread might mDucvi to defire the B'-cad ot Life,
for which c.iufc Chrift wouU hauc chefc two Petitions
councded togttluT.
The
Thc7^tt'o (barlytr.cD^h in oticr things) fay well
IntMs: Avvoniamak'.stv^ochildicn to Nuifc, the ^j^^j^ ^^if^;
oreisavcry mcaneonc, dcforrrcd, crooked, tlndc,
and rot likely to liut long ; the other as gco. ly a child
as may bc,bcaui:fu'l,v\dl-tauoDrcd5and likely, infinite-
ly, to out- liuc the other. Now the fooliili woman, who
bcltowxsall her care, dil gcncc , and attendance \-pon
the woi ft chtldc , and ncucr lookcs vnro the bcft , muft
needs be ignorant. nndTcT> foulilh info bad a choyce,
andfogreatanegkca.
So is it withvs, wee hauc taken two children to
nu rfejOur Body ,and our Soulc^they be the children, and
thcSoule- we know, is infinitely better then the Body,
more beaut 1 full, and of longer continuance ; and yet
like the toolifh Narfe, wecbctiow all our care, labour^
and paines about the worft, wee arc all for the body,
carelittle forthefoulc, which yet mult liue when the
body ftiall ^\^' But our bkffcJ Sauiour would haue
both children lookt vnto, the Body refpeiSed, the foule
rcmembrcd, wherefore he frridly conne(as and ioynes
thcfc two Petitions together.
Second!y,this Petition was fo conneded to the for- 2
mcr,co fhe^W : That tboi^^h (Jodftae vs our danly 'Bread^ Ai/wcr
jet if]\'C bane not pardon ofoHrfmnes^ aU the 'Bread of the
W0rld eart doe vs no ^oad.For it isafvvect andmoft com^
fortable thing to the confcience , tobeperfwadcdof ^
Godsfauourin the forgiucneffe of finnes. For if one
haueall thevariety of good things in this worldjthough
his meat be tJ^-fanna trom heaucn,Kayment as precious
as >^rtr<7r;j Robes his lifeaslongas that ofMethnfalcm,
his ftrcfigh as Samp/on, Beauty as Abfabn: Glory, Wife*
dome and Riches, like Salom$n^ yet ifhe hauc not this
Petition granted him, which Chrift here fpcakesof;
The f4rddftof hisfmrjts all isloil. a I s nothing worth;
yea, interrourofconfcicnCv, aliisdifpleaiin^and rn-
comfox table.
Gg X For
---''
J^
pS K^fidfor^tte 'vs our dclts^
Vox^m\\C\\n%Ly^I'^tth,l6,z6 , \Vh.it [fjaHit frefit a
man to winfie ths whole ^orld , ar.d hfe his [oule , or \)phiit
ra>;[omeJl)all a mmgiucfor his [side ? This queftion Ter^
TofPul qu'idpro- ttilU^in dcmaunds : iVhat wtH all thy d^.imy dijhss izzKulc
^^'^ y^'^V"^' th^e^ifthey dochut feed thee to the fire of Hell ? Therefore
^dmnim oaf- remember to fay, Lordgine me d:uly B read ^but O ! Cjiue
cau mealfovurdoyiofmyfwnes I forvnieffs I haue a Feeling
fcnfcofihyfauour, and hopeofhcauen, all things clfc
are nothing vnto ms. We knovv that condemned men
Towcrcon- Iq the Tovv'erjWhohanegooily lodging, he wcll^ great
dcranedmen. attendance, yet haucpoorc, ornoconrifortinaiithis;
when theydailycxped to be brought forth to executi-
on. Euen foil is with all the magnificence and glory
of this world , there is no conitort in any part thereof,
without the forg'UGneiTeoFour finnes : one muft goe to
hell. The rich Gluttonfvve read j when he was in h'ell,
howfoeuer he poffcfll^d all things in this hfc, and was
glorious in eftimation and riches, yet afterwards they
profited him nothing ; nay^they were the greater corra-
(iue vnto him y as he had formerly ioyed and flowed
therein: who found by wofull experience , that one
dropofC/^r/^jbloodjOneDrammc of the forgiueneflc
oFfinneSjhad done him more good, then all his infinite
wealth and (lore ofmoney. Let vs then ail pray with
Vfil.$o* ^^tHidfPfd*f^O' Caftme-fiot avpnyfromthy ^re'crice, and
take not thy holy Spirit from ms.gmc mc^With daily Bread^
forfrineneffe offinnes , and ho^fjener thou deale with me in
the thiijg-s of this World^yet let me hjiue ths comfort nf the
fain at ion of my foul e.
Hitherto ofthe entrance into the Petition , and the
queftions touching the fime; In the Petition it fclfc^
three things are to be confidercd.
1 ny^ Confepion^
3 tARcqptcfl.
3 o^ Condition*
^ to the confclsioo chrcc chingi arc to be obfcrucd
tf?s.
I Thar inerypfifTt is 4 ^eht*
% Th it \Vt he all fallen into / bif Deh»
J That we be n^t ahle to pay this Debt*
For thrn wc woulJ ncucr pray to hauc this debt for-
giucn jf wc wcrt- al)!e to pay it.
FirIt,concei nir>g the Confifion, yjzc acktrow ledge fin- t
tobcaccDC, ( tof by litbtshrrearemcantfinnes J asT^^Coafcf;
Chnll inanochct pJacc tcat'.ietf' his DjfciplcSjL^i^f 1 1 . j^"*!^
4. ^nafsr^iHe vs onr fitfrret, ^o the debt Wcfpctkcof,
is the debt offinnc; uhichfor two caufcs is compared
Vir^jBecMHp it arifeth after the manner efd deht*,fatZ% V
idcbtfas wcktiow) anfcth vpon the non-payment of
xroney^aod not performance of that whtch if due: fo.
b ca.ifc wc haue n^t rendred vnto the Lord that whichj
is his due,nor payed him that (cruicCjloue,honour,obe-
dicnce & c. that we owe him , being mightily bch ind
IV ith him ; Hf-ncc it is , that we come to be mightily
inocbted Tnco the Lord, being fo farre in arrerages to*.
to him, and fo (inne arilcth in the fird placc^ alter the
I&annerofadebt,
Secondly it is con'parcd to a debt, hecanfe it bwJes vs »«
Uadiht i tor as a debt bindesvs either to payment, or
to puni(hmf=nr to content the party, or to goe to prifon,
fodoc our finf»es binders cither to content the Lor4
inhisIufiice,or toTndcrgocctetnal damnation, fo that
there is but one of two waycs toefcapc ludgcmcnt, ei*
ther to content diumc luftice, ortorndcrgoc punilh-
Tnent. And yet the debtoffinnc is a wcrfc debt then a-.
«yothcr,for t isnot a money matter to be imprifoned
for,butthis caitk him into HcU, for cucr and cu^r- In-
i Gg 3 deed • I
'4i$ ^cd*the Law fiatfi becni^ fttitasr, for d man that made
not payment of his debt, was to be fold, his wife, his
children, and all he had. Amongft the 75r?r//;/4>7j the
Lawes were more crndl%r If the d^br were rofpayed,
cucry creditor v^^stotakc aWay (o much of his ftefh,as
the debt came vnto, but thefc were cour[es barbarous
and cruell . Now by the lawes we fee, to be ca ft in pri-
fonisthepunifhmcntinflifted for a debt. But for the
debt of fmne^we fhall not only be caft into prifon^which
J isHel^but there fijffcrpaines and tormcnts^ealdeflc and
'■•ft' " i "\ V ' ^
*^^'-'''^' ,*Anotherthi[i^iSithatfinneisnotlikc adcbt weowe
iitthis; wopld^for many a mart^ shbugh not able- tO pay
his debtjOr not able to pay the intereil for the tiffte, y fef^
may deuifc fome meanes to auoyde and fhift it off by a
^ trick^cetcnd danger in the way ^ or confcicnee in the
buiineiife arif all faile he may die,a4id then no body cati:^
compell him tbpay the dett^ but naman in the world
caa lhift'oft^ciie>debtof finne^;^fi-M :. >f^ tj^/i -i) u: 4
f ^Eiril!,b;ecau^eGod^sabletoproue eucry debt that
W^cowetiimjfefe hathit ih a booke, as lob fpeake$',^^<»?/'. '
Jj Secondly, wee cannot fue for fuch^ProteSfott^ai
thcpower of Princes giuein this world; there isno-
thing able to l^rotedivsYromihe Lord: ■ r.i!
J :Tficrc isno^^^ing av^ay t that wil woz help vs neither,
f-\li I ^O > Fourthly,
04 m atf$foriiue ear dtbtors. ',^1
TourtWy, Death cannot free vs from the debt of fio, 4
for howofcucr by death wee arc oat of the VTurcrs
hand yet wee cannot cfcapc outof thehandi.ofCod,
Thcrcforclct vs make this vfc of it. Feare him ( -^^i^h
our Sauiour)^^*«r when he hath killed the body^can cajl both
fuU u»d hodj mtff hell : fo that of all debt , the debt of
finne is the noft grieuous , wherefore let vsbce care-
fulUbpuc all, things to auoyde and gccout of this debt.
A man that lo ;es qaietncfll- and peace, <;anno^ abide to Pcaccloucii.
runncindcbr,0*ioa/ carcfull wiilhc br tofhunncit,hc
Will Hue hardly and poorely,goc thinnc, and liue of his
owne; fomultwedoc, ifweluue our owne peace and
quiet fafety, auoyd this grieuous debt of {ioncby all ^^^.^
meanes. Elpccially, in a[.c take heed we continue not
in this wofull debt. Butdoe as a man doth when hee
comes into an Inne, call s for no more then hee meanes innc-
to pay, for though hee fee a great deale of eood cheere ,^.r i.
before him in the hou(e, yet hee cdnfiders whaihis
meanes and ability is, for otherwife, ifhencuerthjnke
ofit,butcals, in for all he fees without thought how to
difcharge it, when the rcckning comes, and he not able
to pay , it is fhame vnto him , bciides the danger of im-
prifonment; fofarethit withvs^it is good to take vp
no more then we arc able to pay for: but howfoeueir
we fee a number oFj7,oodly things in this world,which
may allure vs, and ft t our deO res on fire, caufing ex-
pence of money kt vs take heed of being in debt s efpc-
cially ofthis debt of finne. thp- wor,ft pf,^i^Jiep. ^ 1 ' „; ^5; .
' ' '•: ,.'»,- .rl
The fecond thing in thisConfcfsian, is, That ^we?i ^.
TKn into tht-s debt ofjinne : yea, and very ,farrc, for w hich
wee p ay not forgjue vs our debt, but.iorgiue v^our
debts, bccau/e theriC a-re Jtgfpat nurnUcrof, thcmV So
tliathcreis a pi a ine con fefsi on , th4t wcarej|l ii'nners,
and griaious rinners,euen thcbtftof vs , for this is not a
praycrto:(omeo' the word, but for the holy Appftles,
the Dircip!ci> of Clif ^^il^ j^a^ for th^ whplc Cliurch dif-
Gg 4 perfed
2m.i.%. pcrfed all the world oucr. So faith, /^w. 3, a. Irtw^nif
J Itiin i«2» things xvefinyjc dH : and I f&hn 2, a. Chrill is faid^X) fac
the propitiation for our finnes, ^tndnot for onrs o»ely ,
Ub9'Z^ -' hHtffirtkffinnesofthe whole vf$rld* And Job confcffcs,
Jfhe ^duld contend >^ith (jod^ bee could not anp^er him oxi
rj^.143 ,i« ^fa thoHptnd : So D^ntd pray es , Enter not into indge^
ment with thyfiruant, O Lord , for i>i t hy fight fliaU none
that Uueth be infiificd^ Yca , and Salomon in his prayer>
iTpigi Sf^tf. r King* S.46. ContcfTcs, 7 hat there is no man who finneth
not ■: Thus we fee that no nun liuing is exempted from
this debt of (inne.
^ A J ^ The vfc hereof iSjtohumblc vs before God in regard
•^ * ofthisdebtoffin^toconfcffcour owne vn «vorthineflc,
and that the ludgements of God on vs for our finnes
arciuft, to fay therefore as the Church doth. J'^ii
MlcMh,7'9* y ear e the wrath of the Lord , becanfe I hane finned againjt
himi&c.
3.'
Vfe. 2. * Secondly ,To labour as much as may be to cleare this
debt, which cannot be done by our feiues, but by Ci[?r//f
Prf.^.i,^. /r 5
Mble top^ytht5 debt ofourfclncs : forif Wec wcrc able to
faciafic it, what needed we to pray to God toForgiueit?
which prayer, is a plaine confcfsion that we ai e not able
to difcharge it : we cannot fay with the fcruant jn the \
Gofpcll, C^iflcr^ apprafe thi»e /inaer.and I y^ill pay thee MJt(h,\%^\9, I
dR. We be not able to pay halfe, nor whole,norquar-
tcr,nay, not any thing at all towards the fatisfadion of
diuinc luftjcc : fo all our furc is in this Petition , that 1
the Lord would pardon and forgiuc ic, feeing wee arc !
notabletodiCchargsit our fclues. The Papifts fay,
though they cannot pay the whole (i.btoffinnc, yet ,
they can pay a good pare ofit, andbemgal ttleholpc 1
by Chrift,they may eafily difchargs the whole, making j
vp the reft with thciio\vnemeritj». Bat if wclookea '
little into the Point , we may eafily fee that no man li-
uing ( fauc the lotljefus ) \s able to pay this debt of ,
finnerfl proueitthus ) TS(jM^n can pay God )^ith his Argumenca-
$wne : But aHfhe (Toodthatwe haneorcnudoeAS the Lords g^inflthcPa-
€\0ne^wd ?f«ne of ours but the Lords : thncfcre no mAn can ^*"^*
foytheLerdXl^ithit^
i
The Propofition I prouc by comparifon? Suppofea "^^/^wi/*
Steward owes an hundred pound vnto his Matter^, and Steward,
hath nor a penny of his ownc; I demand now" jWhether ^
the Steward may lawfully pay his owne debts with his .
Maflers money ? It is out o^qucftion that hee cannot.
Now this is our cafe, all wehauc, is but the Lords mo- I
ney^nothingofour owne, as 'X>4/^ee are hut vnprofitahle /truant s»
Now becaufe wc owe a double debt ; firft, the debt of
finne,fecondly,the debt ofdcath, it is cuident by per-
forming the debt of death , wcc cannot difchaige the
debt of iinne,
l*%e^afon. Thirdly ,Eucry debt muft be payed with currant mo-
ney ,as theScripturefaithj^f.'j.zj.id. tytbrakam payed
for hisfepulthre , ^oo jhckels of lurratn mpncy^ amonfft
fj^ erchants. Jfich as Voan's nothing of value nor wa ghtm
Now (]od know es all our feruice wants waight, vvhen
itcomtstobe waighed;for cne cannot pa> a debt with
lighr and crackt Angels, or footheied V 'Old. N, or can
wefjtisfierhe Lord with our counterfeit v^^orkcs : for
vvhen they (hall come into tiiC exad ballancc of his lu*
ftice thtv will all like 'Baltejjja'^ar be found light : wan-
ting of that incegritv and worth which God rtcju les:
as it is, 7^.46. 6. AU our ri^ht (OH fncfje IS like filthy iloarh^
fothat it cannot make any currant payment to Gods
luftice.
A(!{kin£i T.i.
4«7.
Fourthly,T/;c dtht of fin is an infinite diht : the School-
TafU$ fjraul'.ii w^fw proiiethis : one iayes wcil , So much the greater is
fee ' ' '
tOi
y.catimi^quM- thefinne^oA is thepcrfon iijr.iinfl whom it is commit tt:d : buc
^cfit'aforia ^i^g pcrfon of God is infinite, fothat cuery fin commit-
Jicccmr!^ tcdagainllGod^is infinite^aod wc are guilty of it. Now
wc
44 wiforgtue our debtors, j^^
WC Icno W ; In f flit e finncs Cannot bee taken aW^ay but by 4*
fnfimu.H'i; becaufc very reafon will ccachvs, that the
pUidcrmuftbeofche fame extenHon with the loare,
&c. Sohcthit isguilty-ofan infinircfaulc, mufthauc
an infihirc act to remoue it. No finite power can doe
this,no ftimmc oFm :)ney can rcdecme it, br then a man
might redeemc others as wcil as himfclfc, but as 1 C:iyy'
itmuftbcnofinitcaflj andfojno man iiuing can pay
this debt of finne. Therefore ^bifCtiufe no man Iiuing tan
pay it , Hence arifeth oar requeil that we pray to God
toforgiue itot hiji frc^goodnefTeand mercy, and fo wc
come to
The fe f Qnd'7 engrail fie ad: "-^ =
Of this Petition, which is the rcqueft: F»raiue vs 0nr
DettSyCrC' Wherein three things are tobeconfidered,
1 Them4ttler pffhe'Recjf/fJf,'
2 \rh€;€xtefjJionpjit»
3 The Time,
Vk^ Sort he matter of the Reafnefl : It is as WC Cecfoy^'
gtHnejft' <»/y?«^fj,wepray to God for mercy, nay,we doe
morCjWe do altogether cotifeffe that it is the Lords free
goodneGTc to releaie vs from thecurfe that wchaue dc-
lerued : Here (ec two things ;
Firft,T^^f\Vf hane Allnesd of the forgintneffe'tf finntf*
We hauc not more heed of our' dally Bread y then wt e
need the pardon of our offences ; wherefore , v/ee are
taught eucry day to fecke it here by our Sauiour : and
the Prophet T^Auid {hcwes,the vfcof Gods mercy vnto
him Ihould e8Fe(ft fo much,a feeking and drawing neerc
vnto God inprayer,vpon afight ofour fianes 7 There-
fore (hall cuery one that is Godly,make his priyer vnco
thee in a time when thou mayeft b; found, &c. So that
■*^-
wehiuc ill great need to pray inftantly and often firt
Che forgiueneffe of our finnc$,for if the Angels cry , //r-
lj,holyylfoly,vmothe L»ri^,dre* Much moic may finhill
men whohauc their confcitnces loadtn with offences:
confidcring-Gods infinite Holin^^ffc, and their owne
\rjleneiTe,cry vnto God, to paffe by fomuch impurity in
thcm.that finncs bcng forgiuen, they may (land before
hini'.n better termcs then be fore. JEucty man canca-
fily find rha: they haue need of daily Bread , but not one
of many that they haue need of Gods merciful for giue-
iitrte if there were an I pqoifitjon made into our hearts,
who examines fo narrowly asheflioald, forcffcnding
fo great and good a God? we doe indeed cuflomai ly
{zy^Lordforpucvj cttrfinnis 4«/V, cry outagamc
and againc for mercy. And the Prophet Hofhea^ m ma«
ny places, xomfortcth /Jraelas well aschi leththem.
An J fj^i^fes alfo ( after Ifracl had finned J vfc th thii as
__^ an cfpcciall Argument : ThereferenoWy tfthon pardon
thei.-fmut^thy mircjjhuUaffcarc^c^c, ^ut let VS Come to
example.
If
04 rvcdlfo forgine enr debtors. 107
If a man had commi tted fjch an offence that h-: conld Caplmll
riD othcrwife cfcipe death but by the Kings Pardon^ ^'^^'^^*-
he neither could nor would be at re II till by one meuns
or other, he had obtained the fame, v/rictcn and (baled
tOjWhich donCjheAvorildcsrry it homcjockc itvp fafc,
and many rimes lookc vpon it with ioy and comfort.
This is the Cafe ofeiiery o Ve of vs by reafonof ojr Hns,
whereby wee haiic conimitted ilat Treafon againil: the
Lord) thereby deferuing ten tho'.jfand dcatlics. Now
thcn,wha: mult wc doe ? but fue for a pardon appcalc
to the throne of Gods mercy, for the getting and obtai-
ning thereof , be fure t'lat it be fealed and confirmed by
theoloudof /r/"«iC^r/)?, then laying itvp fure, that we
mayoftenlookevponit to our eternall ioy and com*
fort.
NovvthatthisIsfo,appeares by tworcafons: firfl, j
it is e >:cellcnt, bccmfc tt ts one oftbegrcAtefi blejjb7gs t h;it
God giites to any itithis hfc : as Pft'. 321. B!e(['ed is hce Tfil.y.,!^
wh^fc wickedfjcffe tjfor^imriy and \\ho\e fin i-s conereA: and
l[.i ^^.-v/r^amongfiotherpriuiledges, this is reckoned ifa.^^.-Ji,
Vpas a great one. The people th.it dwetl therein jlj^ II lutts
their t^iiijjiity for^inen I fpeaking of the happinc(Te of
ihofe that fhall be ioyned to the true Church. Yea,vn-
lefle wc haue this, there is no Bead, Dogge, Serpent,
Toade,or any vile Creature,but is infinitely better then
we, for when they die,thcy goebut to the earth, but wc
(without forgiuenefle of finnes) to hell and endlcfib
paines and torments.
Secondly, the grcateft danger wee ftind in, by the ^
mcanes offinne, die wes the excellency of it , for ocher-
v/ife, nochiuingOLirfinnes forgiuen, the Diiiell will
deale by vs as L.ib.fn did by facol;, when he ha i cfcaped '^-'^'ji'i.iic^b,
hioi. L z^%t;7did purfue and oucrtakehim, fearched all
his StufFjjWhcn.if he had found any thing oF his o vvne,
he would haas feized vpDn him, his g^ods , wine?, and
childi'en,
1^1 i^mforgiUCf^souratttSt
children, bringing all bacV;c againc with him* Soitis
withvs, without a rclcafe and protcdion from the
danger of our fins j the diadl will purfuc and feize vpon
vs and all vvc hauelo )ke into cue ry corner of our liucs
U'btn if htcan^ndeany th n^ofhjbOvvncinvs,an) fin
vnrtpcntcd, tlien v\ 11 hcc feize vpon vs^and carry vs
\Mchh:m into Hdl for cucr.
'S^* W'^ll then, feeing thcforgiueneffeoffinnesisfuchait
excellent ;^»iid needful! mercy, what is the rcafon that fo
itwfccke after It?
-^c/^ One reafon hXhe Wmw/ ofdne conftderation ; becaufc
i^K^afon, weneiierlooke into oui hearts liues, andcourfes.nc-
uerthinke how it {lands betwixt God and our (oulesj
for this caufe, we thinke neither of our dtbt, nor how
to get out of It. The fcruant in the Gofpcll was found
inhnitely indebted vno his Mafter,but when did itap-
piarefo, asheewascomiincedofit? when the c;d)C
bookc wasfearchi into and particulars ript open, then,
and neuer till then , was hce found to be (o greatly in*
debted. So it is with vs,we thinkc all well enoDgh^ rill
God come to reckon with vs in particular, and let our
(innes in order before vs,as he fpeakes,^/^/ 50 and then
this monflrous fight driuesvs to a due confidcration of
our wofull and wretched ftatc.
a . 'ReafotJt A fecond rcafon is, ^ blinde and foolijlj frefuptftuous
perfWaJion that God rvill [he^ vs mercy ^ tbongh ^e doe not
feeke it , ^.nd thoptgh we take Uttle or no painesfor it. The
greatefi part of the world,as you fce,liue in their finnes
without repentance , neuer come vpon their knees to
the throne of grace , to aske pardon for them, whatis
the Reafon i* becaufe( as they (ay) God ismercifull a
good maB,and they may doe wel' enouj^h : all is not fo
Arid as thefe preachers would make vs bt kenc ; but
the truth is J If God be merciiQU.it is to fuch as fecke f c *
and
iU w: ^Ifoforgittt our debtors . i ^^
and repent for their finnes^asZ-.vw.^.^^. T'>c: LordU Um-yx^,
co9d t9 thfmthu trujt n: htm , anJtothc fonl: tkitfcekrth
htm, Th.sifvvcfcckefor, an Ipr'zem.^rcy, wcc may
haucit butifvvefcckcitnot; and find nowant of i:,
nor pray earncftly for ic, it is a fure fignc we are yet in a
mifcraWe natu rail c Rate: that though there [30 ag O-
ccan of Mercy in the Lord, no one drop flull lunnc vn-
tors; but one day, fach (hall cry like Z)///rrjforadrfiof »rs, ilriue p *rhips and pray
aga nft foTie on; lin.ic t'ut tro'.ibl.s vs.buc we fcldorrxc
cnlargeoir hearts to diCnd do vninparc'culars, that
ourfccrc: fa jltswaiconnwle 1j U, cojctoirneiTc and
the like m ly he foe g.u 'n : as the nM/ prophet by his c)c-
amplc,te4:heth vs ; I'Vho C4n vjdcr^aid hU fault s^ctsnfc Ffali^.n^
msfrdfninyfecretftnnes.
Th^th'td thing is Thetim' fifths R'-^iefi: : \vc fee ic g
inLil\ be our dail/fiitcvnro Go i, as cusry day we pray Thsclns«,
f jr Ji»'y Bread, fo -nail Yepra/t3Gv>d for the pardon
of oar finnes. Thi< is aTpjcall point, that eucry lay wc
in^ke 4tcoacm:ac aai cec jajiUau j^i vvich G 0 J for o it
finnes.
finnes, becaufc cucry day vvcKnueonr fins and offend
God^therfore \vc had need cuery day to rcnue cur lutes
Gci7,$\2. and prayers vnto God. When y^dr,fin was fallen, the
Text faith , ^^od cawe to him in the cook efthe day ; The
Lord would not let him fleepc in his finnes, but ctme
andawokchim, putting him in remembrance of his
^'ndcanc, f]nne. Soin the Lavv;Uamanvverevncleane,yctwhen
the Euening came Jie mud walh his doathcs, and fo be
reconciled accordingly.Euen fo^though w^e be vncleane
by rcafon of our finnes j yet if we wafti our felues by the
true teares of Repentance , we fliall be reconciled to
God^andaJraitted into the Campc againe. This then
may teach vs. tbat howfoeuer we haue our daily flippcs
andfals;yet if we doc cuery day labour to make our
peace wich Gcd/or the finnes of the day, that we doe
not let them runne weekely , and monthly, and yeareiy,
wemaybefureto find mercy at the hands of God.
Now there be diueis Reafons to moue vs to this du.
ty.and make vs renue our prayers daily without omif-
(ioa.
X Yii^^BccAufe we (ire very frorje to forfct our Jir/r7es^^:c»
thing fooner* Therefore it is good to rem' rr. be r them,
A Steward, thefboner.the better. A Steward who hath large rcc-
konings,and but a {hort memory, he muft haue the oft-
ner recknings, ycajCuery dayes account cafl vp : fo be-
caufe w e be forgetfully and a numbc r of finnes doe eafily
flip vs,we mult dcfirc cuery day to make eucn with the
sphf.j^,!^^ Lord, The Apoftle counfels vs^Eph('f.^,i6, Let r;ot the
Sur.ne wrath. Snmic goe dow»e vponyour Wrath, If then the Sun muft
not goe downe vpon our wrath, to admonifh vs not to
bemerciledcmuchmoreoughtwc to take heed of that
the Lords wrath go not down vpon oar fins, for want
of our repentance.
a. Secondly,^rf ^«/^ thefrejhcrfenfe offmnes is at the ^rfi^
for by referring repentance , it takes'away the fcnfe of
finne.
finnc,as the memory thereof. WounC5^"^^^'?^» olcVd Wounds \>W
inoft when they be frcfh, thcDthcydoe moft feelingly ^< . becau^-'^ -^^""^^ ofoor finnes^if they be long
kept from fearching, opening and laying them before
the Lord. Let vs therefore prcuent the mifchiefe which
may follow oar dclaycs, making vpon all occafions a
continu ill and fpcedy attonemcnt with God.
The third gcnerall part of this Petition^is,
? The rondition ofthefams^
Pan of the ^ y- . ,
Pccition* We pray to God toforgine vs , as we forpite others :
yet this cannot be a cftufe of Gods forgiueneffe, but a
condition onely : It can be no r^«/f , for as the Schoele--
men fay, Finiti adin^nitHm rMa efi proportio : There is
no proportion of the Finite^to the Infinite thing. And
fo no reafon , becaufe wee forgiue our Brethren forae
fmall matter, that GOD fliould forgiue vs the infinite
debt wc owe. Therefore, no caufe, but a condition of
it. Very reafon will teach vs this,that it is in the pow-
er of ths giucr to prefcribe vpon what coDditioa he
lohn i3,8* giues his gift ; as Chri[t faith toP^r^r, John 1 3.8. Vn^
iejfe I Wf^Jlj thee , thott JJjalt not bee clcane : As if hee
had faid,l am content that thou haue part with mee in
mykingdome and dory, but yet there is a condition an-
nexed; £A:r9t /"iv^j/jr /ji^f, except thou obey me, fub-
mit thyfelfevnto me.thoumayeflnothaucit. So God
didgiucvntoP^A/Ztheliuesof all that were with hini
AaixiiA ti in the ftiip,yet it was conditional!, £.vcf;^^/jf/^^^/^^i>i
theSy.f,yecamotbefafe. And fomu ft we be contented
to reft vpon the meanes which God hath appointed :
and be willing to performe fuch conditions as hee in-
ioynesvntovs. But the wickednefle ofthe world, and
corruption ofmen : that willingly will not come to any
conditions with GOD, but would haue theblefsing
J.,.!, without the condition : like the kinfman of Ruth , hee
would haue had the land, but when he heard the Con-
dition that he muO. haue 7<£///; to wife, he rcfufcdthe
Rich man. bargainc. So the Rich man in the Gofpel would nauc
^ we dlfofdrgiut dor debtsrf. i j 3
ha3ctcmalllifc%butvvhen he heard the con:IItioti, that
he muft Icaue aU and foilo vv Chnfi in a poorc cQatc , he
would not meddle with ic, but went away fonowfull.
So it IS with the world flill. and fo it is with mod men,
they would hauc the blefsing, they would haue life
eucrlaftingjorgiaencfle of finncs, and the like, but they
will noHe of the condition , totorgiue the offences of
others. But let rs remember, if wclooke to inioy the
Lords blefsingSjWe muft come to his conditions i wee
may not hauc them vpon what tcar?h:s wcc will,
but be contented to accept of them on what manner
the Lord will giiie them vs-
Now the Conditions , that the Lord giues TSjarc, '
Fir ft; £.^1//^ to be done : For the Lord doth not fay , man ^^^^*
mu ft content me forhisfinnes, let mee haue fo many
tearcs/omuch forrow from thee proportionable to thy
offwnces : fpcndasmany daycsin my feruicc , as thou
haftfpent m the feruice of finne. But what faith hce >
For^uteJorgiHe, be ready and forgiue others, and thou
flialt euer find me more ready to torgiue thee. So that
it is an eafie condition which the Lord prefcribes. O
wc might thinke it abundantly vvel with vs,if wc were
able to purchafe fo excellent a mercy as the forgiueneffe
of fins, at any rate whatfoeuer, yea^though we bought
itwithagreatdealcofpainesandtranfitorygoodsjyea,
life it feUc, but the Lord lets it come at an eafier ratc^at
fucha poore pricc^that it is wonderfull he impofeth no
more vpon vSjthcn to forgiue others? Thisfliewes his
goodncffcjloue, and mercy, and all to make vs confc jSTc
the greatneflc of the fame. As NAamtms feruant faid vn-
to his Mafter : 'ff the ^,'ophet had commanded thee d iK/^i^^f3•
greater thtng^voouldejt thou not haue done it for thj health? ^^^''^^ ^^^
But now , onely to w^jJ; /ind hi ilenne , what a thing is "^^^■
this? So the Lord may fay, had he prcfcribed rs any
difhcuit and hard matter, for the rem fs ion of our
finnes , would wee nor haue been? gkd of it /' but
now when hcc hath impofcd fo eafie a ta^k;- vpon vs, as
Hh a t<>
I x^ K^ndforgtuc vs ear aean,
CO forgiue others, what flaall be faid vnto vs if wee nog*.
Icdit.
'i Secondly, ^ condition pnfitMe t$ enrfchies^ofne pro-
Profitable to fit to the Lord at all ; what doth he gaine by our forgi.
^urfcluftj, uing of our brethren , but iall the profit redounds vnto
oar fcIues,both bccaufe we (hall be the more gentle and
fitted vnto goodneffc : and many times by this meanes,
wefhallhauethcnaore fauour and loue by winning ma-
ny vnto vs^ louc and kindneflfe : God caufing vs finde
from others ,9s they rcceiue from vs ; fo gaining fome,
whom neither (harpneffe^ threatnings, norforrowes
could reconcile. LooKe incu the story of the ^r^wjres,
a KmgJ,i%^ ^ Kinp 6.2 2. When the King oVfrad \ hauing them
in his power J would haue killed them; No faith i:7;yi;;r,
fet bread and water before them , that they may eat«
and drinke,and goe to their Matter, by which occafion,
the bands of the Ammites^ ( it is faid) came no more
intotheland of//r^f/ to annoy it, Sogreat profir came
bythiskindncffeandgoodneffe: fowill it turne alto-
gether to our profit and benefit, if wecanpra(!^icethis
duty in forgiuing of others.
•- Thirdly yit u a co?jditiof7Vphich doth mueh further and
HclncfulL ^f/p^ vs in the expeUatiort and hope of hlefsings hckt for ,
For if we who be but men,that haue but a drop of mer-
cy^can forgiue our Brethren, we may well thinke, that
the Lord who is the Ocean and full Sea of graces , mufl:
Sunnc fining and vvillbemoreready toforgiue VS. When we fee the
on a wall, Sunne fliine vpon a wall, wee eafilyconceiue thatic
Ihiaes more brightly and glorioufly within his ownc
Orbe. So vvc finding fo much more mercy in our felucs,
toforgiue our Brethren, may cafily tuutciuctlnac there
is much more mercy in the Lord to forgiue vs, bccaufe
he is tlie very Fountaine of all chat mercy and forgiue-
neffe v/c (hew toothers.
Thus as the bicfsing is conditional!, fo muft wee per*
forme the condition ; if yve hope for Gods fauour.
■ ' Hes!
H ■» -♦*
44 ret alfofcrgiuc cm ddtcrf. 1 1 5
Hcrcccrressqrcilfcntctrrrfwcrcd, H /j r/^X'^.'^/*/.
t hn- (Clitics tictb 1 he Lo a } rtfc r:h 1 his (of.^HncK z).tc vs.
Bccaufe by all nxirxs he would rcur fh ar.d pc^/lnf,
fcrue loue amongft \S2S much as iray be : for whcj cas
by the taint and corruption of finnc.w.e are ready to fall
aiundcr by infinite quairtls and larrcs, and (o to pull in
pieces and rent the fwcct bonds of brotherly fociety:
wherein the Diucll ha:h played his part by bringing in-
to the world diuifion and didtntion amongfl: vs; the
Lordinhislouc/cekestovnitcand draw vs into one :
thereforcfofali conditions jimpofingthis oflouevpon
vsithac if the loue of God do vs good, we maybe pleased
to doe good one to another. By this golden chiine, he
fcekes to linke and tyc the whole world together: ther-
fore we (hould by all meanes fhunnc anger and matter
of offence. Chrirtiansftiould be like Rootes well grow- ^ooc
-J- PETITION
ftAndleadips not into tentation^but
deliuer ysjrom euilL
Fter prayer for our daily bread, we hauc
been taught , to pray for the forgiuc-
nc(r;:ofourfinnes^ which was :o ^ew
that without the pardon of our finncs
( through Gods fauour aod mercy)
all the bread in the world is nothing
worth. It is nothing to haue all the blefsings o:Sea
and Land^thcrewith to perifh io finnc , and ac lall be
datnncd with the diuell, therefore after prayer for
our daily Bread, we are taught tafeeke for pardo.ifor
our finnes,reconciliation with God*
Now in this (ixt Petition, wc arc taaghc to go- one
ftep furthcr,and pray to G O D for che grace of Sani^i-
ficatioBjthat we miy not onely haue our finnes pardo-
ned,but our fpiritsalfo awakened and ftrcngchcned to
rccouer lifc,worke vivification^ hauing power and ver-
tac wrought to refiftthem^ Co as wemay no more fall
into finnc , but that we may be kep: by the power of
Godinallholycourfes. This is thatvvc pray for in this
Petition, that asGoi hath freed vs from our {Inn:^;,!o
wc may be freed from finae hereafter ; In rumme,T/j tt
\^c mty not be ledinto tgntAtion, But whereas there miy
feeme a connexion of tvvo Pcticioasin on«:,it miy teach
J5 two things. "^ * " 1 Firft,
^ . 3 K^ndlcAi vs net into Untitm^
Firft , Th^.t vpen far don of former fwnes^thi DiueXk
alWayes ready tofafien nt^pmics vpon vj. Therefore af-
ter par Jon ofour finnes, wc pray that wee may be kept
from more fmncs, ai knowing the Diuell will be bufic,
not onely .not to let vs alone fo, but fecks by all xneanes
to fupplant and (urprizc ys , as the Apoftle fpcakcs,
2 Ccr, 1 1 . 3 . But I fcarc , left as the Serpent beguiled
^/«r,through his fubtilty/o your mindes might be cor-
ruptcd.ficc. andiPrr.j.S. 'Befober f faith he ) and
^ at eh for your adnerfary the Diuell oi a rc^rinjr Lyon^ ^aU
hth about .feekjng ^ioom he may deuour. So that ho WCOCr
Wc may relyc vpon the pardon of our former finnes, the
Diuell if ready ftill to thruft new finnes vpon vs.As wc
Prifontr know if a prifoner get out of prifon, and make an
cfcapt d, efcape^the lay lor will not let him goe fo, but make Hue
>nd cry after him,raifc the Gonntrey ,lay all the Town*
and wayes to takchim,tillat laft he feaic vpon him,and
bring him backe to the funking Dungeon which he
came from. So doth the Diuell dcalc by vs, when wee
haue made an efcape^srot out of the prifon-houfe ofour
owne finnes, hewillnotlctvsgoefo, but makes after
vSjlayes ail bay tes and ginncs pofsiblc, to fee if pofsibly
he cao intrap vs, that fo he may carry vs backe to our
former old courfes to walkc m the wayes of darkneffc.
So wc fee the grieuoufncffe of fins^and daily tentations,
are infeparable companions in this Mki for wee (hall
ncucr haue our fTnnes forgiucn, but the Diuell will bee
ready to tempt vs vnto other finncs/o to lay a new load
vpon vs.
Seconily ,Tifc4^ to the grace of lufii f cation y'^emuft aU
Vcayes labour to ioyne Sancitficatien : that is,we mull not
oncly labour to haue our finnes pardoned, but alfo mor-
tified, and the power thereof weakened, forbyfinnc
there be two things alwaycs remaining.
I The guilt effinrn*
Z T he corruption of it^
Tht guilt of Jtmity is 4 binding of vs to thcpunifh-
^
' But itliutr vsfr$m ettiti, i i X
l«:nrf'a$ I haue raid)by order of diuinc lu Aice , which
iscakcn away by the Lords mercifull forgiucncffe , but
when the guilt \s taken away, the corruption of Imnc
rcmaincth.vvhich IS a wayward difpofuionofthcToulc,
wlicrby it is wholly inclined vntocuil,and vnfic and vn-
able for hcauenly things .Now this is that wc pray for,
that God would not onely take the guilt of (inne away,
wirhth? punifkimcnt and penalty duevnto it; bucthe
corruption oMt alfo ; this is our dcGrc: others indeed
are well enough content to hauc their finncs pardoned,
but CO hauc them mortified, retrained, wcakn«d, and
the power thereof abated and quite killcd^bot a few de-
fire heartily. But we who know the danger and bic-
ternefleoi:'finne,muft praya'fo to hauc the (oulc Sandi-
fied,the faculties redifiw^d, and fet in the fame beauty,
that the L ORD in th;^ beginning gaue it. When
a man harh broken anArmeora Leggc/omcfoolcs care Anneei Leg
no more but to be eafed againc , fo the Chirnrgion can broken,
giucthem fomcwhacto takeaway the ache, they go no
further : but they who be wife doc net onely feckc to
h2ue the paineflakedjbutalfo to haue the bone well fct
againe,that by that meanes there be no blemifli or dif.
proportion to the reft of the body. So it is with a true
Chri(lian,bc doth not onely defire to be rid of the painc
ofhis finne^thc aches of his foule , butthevery corrup-
tion ofitalfo healed and mortified in him. Dauid con-
ioyncsthefctwo together, Pfal. 103.2,3, Blefc thepjai^^^.^^^^
LfrdyO my foule^ and forget not 4illhts benefits : "^hofor-
^i'itth ,illthineim^mtie^andbealeth all thy dtfeafes. The
like WC hauc, T/^/. 51 9,10. \yhcxehcp:iycsy Hide thy
face f rem myfijnes^ andblet out ali my iniquities, create in
me a. aleane heart fi (jod , and rene^ a right jptrit i>f met*
Thus after lufliffcationt he praycs for fandification,
which alfomufl be our care through the courfe of our
life. So much of the connexion.
The Petition it fclfe hath two Branches in It,
I fVejtraj thM ^e may netic tcmptgd vntofinm.
a That
i That thoui hvfcbe tmftcd^yet v;c may vot jceld vh^
t$ it.
Now there be two kinds of Temptations cbfcrue-
dble,which we are fubicd to in the courfe of our hues.
X Oftryals And tent At ions tofnnc*
2 Offic k^J^Jf^ ^^d difeafes .
Tcntation,is any prefent prouocation, or inclination
to finne^which is a bait laid by the Diuell ^or our owns
flcHi againft vs. When we pray therefore, not to be led
into tentation,we pray that we may not hauc any pro-
uocation or inticement tofinne, that may cuercomeor
intrap vs,in leading vs from that loucduty^ and obedi-
ence we owe vn to the Lord : Co that the words in this
firft part of the Petition , containc tvvo principall
things.
1 t/^ (^ofife^ion,
2 ey^ Rcqaefi,
J Firftjinthat we pray not to be led into tentation.
Here is a clofe confejfion that ortrjlnnes deferne it , that the
Lord may infily Icatte vs vntothe^HRaKdpo^croftcnitta*
7{omA,i^» tatioff. As it is faid of the (J entiles ^l^m, l .24, JVherefore
alfo ^odgcMC them vp to their hearts lujls^to doe thirras vn-
2 rhcfuu^ fcemdy. So i The f. 2.1 1 .It is faidjbtcaufc they went on
inthelouc ofdarkntflc, & receiued not the loue of the
truth, that they might be faued; ForthiscaufcGOD
(houldfend them foongdelufion, that they fhould be-
letuealie. So that God in his iuft iudgement giuesvs
vp to our finnes , making one finne the punifhment of
another. This the Lord fliev/es plainly in the parable
Vincf aid. cf the YincySLvd^Efay 5 . 6. For fo alfo a man that hath
a Vineyard, aslongas it beares well, hee will fence it,
weed itjand hedge it,that no hurt coitjc vnto fr, but if
it grow barren,and yceld hira no profit , then he caafes
the hedge to be thrownc downe , pull away the wajj,
aniletinKoggcs, Swine, and Verminetodeuourcit.
So doth God' order and deale in th: bn/incfle of our
fouks, fo long as we bring forth branches fiourilhing
and
hut ddlutf vs from cttiU. ,
anJivvorthy the fruit of the Gofpcll/o long Wc ir« fen-
ced and tended well c;ircd lor of (jod. But when wee
grow barrcn,bringfoithbryersanJwccds,then all our
labour is loft : when although the Lord doth not jcc
in hogges and fwinc, yet doth thcDiucll andall the
powcrofdarkntfrCjComeinvpcHit: and blindes and
hardens v:, more and morcjby rcafonthat wehaiieabu-
fed the gifts and graces which the Lord firft bcftowcd
vpon vs.
The fccond part of tliis confcfsion is.TLtt \ve ^re ex- 2
cecdtHf; prone toyccldvnto temptation : Wherefore wee
acknowledge that the Lord in luflice may giuc vs vp ro
the temptations of the Diucll, for which caufe we pray
that we might not be tcmpted^becaufc we find fu ch in -
firmityinourfelues that ifwe be tempted, (a thou fand
to one) we fhallyeeld tothetentation ; for the corrup-
tion of man is hkc vnto dry Tindcr,ready to kindle and q^j^ xindcr
take fire with cuery little fparke. So ready are wee to
be carryed away with euery little temptation ; where-
fore our Sauiour Chrift wills his difciples to pray^T^.-zf
they enter not into te^itation^ as knowing how feeble ^^'^•^^"*'»
and wcake they were to refift it. Men know not them-
fclucsjif they doc not know this, how ready and prose
they be to lay hold on euery tcntation, {o that it is good
for euery man to be iealous of himfelfc.If one had a bo- Body of Gurv
^"^ all ofGunpowder^how careful! would he be not to powd cr.
come necre the fire,afraid of euery little fparke; euen fa,
knowing our o wnc procliuity to (innc,how ready euery
fparke (that js, euery temptation ) is to take hold vpon
vs, we ought tobethemorecarefulljby allmeaoes to flie
away from the occa(ir>n<; of ir. O how ready arc we to
bragand vaunt ofourftrength , that all theDiuelsin
Hell fliall not be able to corrupt vs : and th :smany
timesalfociatcourfelues with Drunkards , Swearers ^
and vnclcane perfons. Little do thcfc men knaw them-
fclues and ch "ir owne corruption , that they be fo apt to
^^z firc,and I'caJy coyecldta temptation. And albeit
they
^ - ^^d Icddvs not info tcntAtiots^
they fcapc away with life as /^cc^ did, >^t many times
they goe away halting, andcarrya wound and fcarrc
With them to their dying day. As let a man fticke a
Candle on a Candle co a ftone wallthough the Candle do net burnc
w*^^» through it, yet it will leaue a (hre vvd fmutch behind it,
[oylingthewallXoasit will not cafily be wyped out.
Thus it is with tentations, though they doe not all the
mifchiefe they would and might doe, they will yet be
fure tokaue an imprefsion of filth and ilaincs behindc
them.
^ The fecond part of this fir ft Branch of the Petition i$^
The Reqiifft , that feeing weare fo prone to yeeld vnto
tcntation, we pray that God would not leaue vs vnto
our felues ,or giue vs oucr te them,but that we may bcc
kept by his power and mercy^not onely from finne, but
fromallthe occafions of it : which Ihewes.if we wo^ld
keepe our felues from finne, we muft fhunne the temp-
tation, baits andprouocatioDs thercunco^orelfcnot a-
uoydingtheoccafion.wefhallneucrauoydthe finne it
felfe , confideringthe procliuity ofournaturevntoit.
Can a man (faith S(ilomon)i2k^ fire in his bofome , and
not be burnt ? goc vpon coales and not finge his fect^cn-
tertaine many finncs^and not be faulty? It is impofsible.
Teter (as we know jwasasbold,and ( in fhew ) as well
fetled as any man 5 but when he came vnto the high
Priefts Hall, and was thruft in amongft that wicked
creWjhe thought it was good policy to (ay as they faid,
doe as they did , and fo molt fhamcfully denyed his
Maftcr,but on the other fide^good fofe^h (as we rcadc^
was not onely careful! to auoyde the finnc , but the oc-
cafionofit,wh£n he wasinticed by his lewde Miftris:
he hearkned not vnto her to lie with her , he durft not
tarry in her copany.So that herein confifts the wifdome
# ofaChriftian,toauoyd allthcoccafionsandprouocati-
rioodceafing.onsvntofinne. When the Lord determined tocaufc
the flood of waters to ccafe from off the face of the
earth : It is faid he flopped the tountaincs of the dccpc,
aind
Lut Acltutr V 5 from cudl. 125
and fhwt the windowcs of heauen. So bccaufj there be
ceitainclloodsoffinncin vs, \vccmu([ ilopthcfoun.
taincsbcloiv.andthewindowcsaboue: all occa/ions
and prouocations leadini^ vnco it, that we may auoyde
the torrent and oucr- flowing thereof. Chryfojlcnuh^K^
well,/'/' /^ ii^ CAficr matter to anoyde the eccafioyi^ the?2 when
the occafion is ojfcrcd^tOiiuoyvlc t heji^jfie. ^n eafier t hiiig
for 4 bird tojlicby a fnare^ then '^hcnpite Is intcVigUd vcU h
it^toefcdpeofit ofthcdarjjjey^twdauo^dit, Tliusmufl the
wifedome of- the Lord teach vswifcdomc toauoydthe
occafion, as the finne it felfe.
But from hence arifeth a great ^Hfflior? , //y\smtZnX,t\\t (Kill of finns ^ not
Petition* any bodily euill, of wounds, troubles, difcafcs, and th«
like^bur the cuill of (inne whereby God is prouoked and
offended : being fo called, euill j''^*"^ &c. by an excel-
lency or exccffe, becaufeof all cuils, itistnegreateft
cuill in this world,to haue an euill confcience , to be of
a lewd life, a fwearer, drunkard, vncleane perfon, &c.
This is the gt eatcft cuill^abouc pouerty,fickneffC)blind-
ncfTeJamenellcorany worldly lofTe whatfoeuer : thogh
moftof the world do not thinkc fcj^ Demand of them
what
1
but dclitm vtfrom tulU, ^ 2 ^
wtac Is the grcatcft cuill in the world ? fome will {z^\
1 wicKcd wife , fomc the lo(k of dcareft friends, fomc
want of hcalth.moneyjand the like, fomc one thing,and
fomc another, as their ignorance and fancy Icadcs them,
but the trath is, v. c fccthcgrcatcfteuillistheeuilloF
finfle: Which I thus prouc.
Tba^Tiffifi fieciJshe ths great ej} cuill which fefar.ttcth jir^rumcnt^
vs fr$m the ^rCiitcfi good,
God U the grs At eft good: andfir.tiefeparatcth a mm from
Cjod ; lerem.
Therefor^fiffne mufi needs he the great eft einll of aU 9^
thers.
For neither poucrty , fickneffc^ blindneff^, lamenelfe,
nor any afflidion^of it fclfe) feparates from God : ray,
they being fandified, draw vs ncerer to God, to know
hinn bettcr,and truft more in him ; zsZeph, 3.1 2' / vv«//z#.5.i2*
0ilfo leane in the midft of thee , an affh^ed artd poore people^
and theyjl)all trnft in me. Therefore ofallcuils^the eaiU
of (in is thegreateft.feeingit depriacs vs ot thegrcarcft
good of all the fweet and comfbrtable communion
with GodjhisAngels,and all the ioycs of Heaucn, and
briflgs to communion with the diuell and his angels, to
Hell torments for euer, ^z{zt\\ov CMary wept and
tooke on when Chrifl: vvas remoucd from her fight. Oh Mary weeping.
(fayes fhe) They haue tAkenaw^iy mj Lard^ and 1 k^ow not
Xtifheretheyhane layd him: So is eucry true Chriltian
difcoaragcd , hauing loft fcnfc of communion with
Chrift: whenheapprehcndcthhow his finncshauerai-
fed vp a partition wall betwixt God and him,this ofall
forro wes is the *reateft : Nay^in this cafe, nothing can .
comfort vntill the Sunnefliine: Againc, vntill the
Sonne of Righceoufneflc difcouer hirafelfe fome way to
the foulcjby fomc bcames ©f his fauour : as the Chur-
ches experience was in that dolefull eftatc, L^.m 1.16. umnui,\6^
For thefc things I '^•'eepe/Hine eye, mine eye runneth do^^ne
'^ith^atey y bee AH^e the (fom fort er that ^jould relic ne my
fonU y iifarrefrom mce^ cfrc* So is it with eucry finnc-
I i (icke
■iit r>ett ddiiter 'vs from mU,
fickeroulcvntilUheyhaue found aad rccoucred Gods
fauour loft.
t^T^ !♦ Thevfc ofthisis^thatfccingof alleoills, finne is the
greateftjvvc muft learne foto eikeme and account of it.
Whata world IS it to fee, how men will complainc of
v/orldly cuills,poucrty,toothachc, headache, and fuch
Jikc^and neucr complainc of our finnes, whereby the
foule is made a (Iranger to God^ and we reputed as ene-
mies vnto him.
Vfs. 2. Another vfe may be, to admonifh rs that our greatcft
catemuftbetoauoydcfinne: wecfcehovv carefullwc
be roauoyde fire and water, hunger and thirft, naked-
neffe & wants,how much more fhould we ftudy to flye
from finne : feeing if all the cuils of the world were
compared in one , they are not able to bee fo great
^ughfi.Hoifj.^i cncuiliasthe euillof finne, which as Saint tyiugHjline
fayes is [wect but the death bitter , which attends it in
t5tfw.i4. thebottome. ThepeoplCji 5^,v?.i4* faw honey drop,
2ndyet( though they were extreme hungry) n^ body
durAtaltcit -.becaureofthecurfcfohowroeuerweefee
Honydrop- the honey of this world droppes,pleafurcs of finne, yec
ping. Jtisnotbelltoradethem,bccaufeoFthcciirre and bit-
Tortcis. ter fruit of finne. When Porters are hyrcd to carry a
load, they vfefirft to feeleand poife it with their hands,
to fee ]f they be able to vndergoc it, for if it be coo hca-.
uy, they will not meddle with it. So flioiild we doe
before we meddle with finne, confider the burden and
xvaightofir,waighthc danger and punifbment, thatfo
finding it of all euih the grcatcft , wee may flic and
fiiunneit.
-./- Tdyecor2tCtncdthc?ito endure patiently the cnUl ef pre^
•^ *-^' vij\]njcnt^ that wee may efcnpe the chuI of (irfnc -^ feeing
GOD of his infinite wifedome inflids the one
that we may be freed from the other: as one well fay C5;
tefTcr euill. A wife workeman, Will vndcrgoe the ieder euill to a-
Ciururgion. uoid ths greater : as the Ghirurgeon cuts off one mem-
ber, left all the body iliould be infcdcd; or as in afire
hut ddiuer vs fr&m taiff. i i #
men will pull dowpc three or fourc houfcstofauct
whole Tow ne. Soitmuflbcourwifedonic, by endu-
ring the kfler, to auoyd the greater cuill of finnc^ for
theeuille^Punifhmcnt, is not abfolutcly and fimply
eCiill f'euill in it felfc j ic indeed fcemes cujll to hiiii that
good in regard cf Gods lufticc. But the euill of fin, it \s
abfolutely ^ (imply euil in it fclfe: bccaufc it is a dircd
auerfion and turning away from him that is only good.
The fecond thing rcmarkeable in this laft Branch of
the Pctitionjis, to obferue two or three things from
hence, that we deiire to be dcliuered from euill.
FJrftjO^r oUv;^ indhilny, that Wtf (?c not Able to dcHner
oitrfclucs. K is God that nnuftdeliuerand keep vs from
allfinne.Sothat inconfefsionofour owne frailty and
weaknefie, wee acknowledge allpovVcrtobeofGod
whichmuft deliuervsfromeuill: yea, from this great
euill of fin. So Trr^r /he wes, ThatVpcearclirptfrdrfthe J^**'*^-^*
p6>\Vf r of (jod, through faith "jnto falnation. And [hrtj} ^^^'^ ^7-1 5*
prayesfor his difciples^ Th^t the Lord would kecpe them
/rcw^«/7/.SothatitisGodonely who keepes vs from
cull, wc are not able to keep our felues fro the very leaft.
Jt hath been a queftion,whcther man can rcfift teni- 2j!Sfiz
tation by the power of Nature without grace, wherein
£om<: o^tUt Schoolmeij ^ gocon very (moothly , fome
worfeand morcharfhly.
But the truth is,th3t no man by the power of Nature Arf,
^''nota^siftcd bygracf Jisabletorcfiit the lead tcmp-
tation.This not onely Saint e/^/<^///?;>7r,againfl: the ?f-
/;i^/4r7/,{hcwesbymany ftrong rcafons; but al(b very
reafonwillconfirmcit. For, ^
!7\^v2i%vi:2Xmtxcy. Ferthonh^tft deliiicrcd r,:d my feet from
frJlnifr. This the people dt God muft cfpecially pray for
to bcfreed from the power of (inner Bur oh ! the grea-
teft part of this world haue no tare to bee deliuered
from this grcate it eu :11 ; So tl .ey naay be deliuered from
troLibIe,danger,rickncfle^ they thinke all is well with
them.ihey are content to liucand dye fo j yea to rot in
their (innes. As tuc children oilfrad cryed vnto Mo.
iut delitter vsfrom tniS, i ? i
^fefXeiifScrpentes^ went to liauc the fiery Serpents re- Fiery Sec*
fnoued, being well enough plcafcd to rctaine their fms, p^ms*
fo they were rid of the Serpents. So doe the men of this
world defire to be rid of the Serpents , worldly griefes
and wants^annoyances, fickneflejlameneflc, vcfcafona-
blcweathcr,andruchlikc,btitoocareto be rid of the
greatcfleuilloffinne.
The third thing is an Interrogation, by wayofde- Que^.
maund. ^yh4thethe€HttlsoffittHe^ whiihW^ehercpray to 5
bedeUneredfrom ? ^ Thing.
I anfwer ingenerAtt^ wc pray to be dcliucrcd from all Anf
finnc,(b it comes in vnreftraincd : LorddcUuer vs from t
tutU ; that is/rom all euill. So chat we pray to be deli-
ucredfromeuery cuilIway,asD.f*;W, P/;?Aii9. ^oi« I T^f^-^^9*^^^^
hxucrefrainedmy feet from eueryemllway y that I mijbt
keepethy commaKdemetits, So the Apollles exhortation » Ccr.7.1.
iSyL€t 'VS clenfe our felkesfrcm aHfiltbineffe of the fejh and
Jpirit ^perfeHiMg fan^if cation in the fcare of the Lord. It
is the common corruption of the world, that they bee
carcfiiU to auoyd fomc finncs, and not others. Like le^
horaw yV^ho tooke away the Images of j5^^/,and yet de- Images Baa(^
parted not from the (innes of feroheam. So it is with
intny of vs,we can be contented to take away the Ima-
ges of 5^^/, to be afraid of fome groffc and grieuous
finncs/uch as Murthcr^Thcftjhigh Trearon,&c. and yet
they will continue in a number of other finnes vnrepeH-
tcdof. But wcmufl fiie from all finnc, as much as may
be. IfaThcefchauefoundoneholeinahoufe, at that Atfaccfc#
one hole,he may carry out all the wealth and treafure of
thathoufe. So if the Diuell findcbutone hole in our
hearts, oncclofefinne wc arc addided to^ at that one
hole hce will rob vs,and carry out all onr treafure, Icaue
vs neuer a good grace to fland by vs at the day of
death ;
Thus much in gencrall* %
Secondly jVf cpr^y partickUrly to be deliuered from In jurticuliu-,
three wicked cuills j Firfl, From the tntli of a wricked i
112,
t^nddeliucr vsfrom eu'tO,
hearty bccaafe it is the fountaine that allouraaioni
come from; for which caufe the ApoWcs exhortation
Vel - lu 15, ^^^^- 3* *^- Brethrcntahhecd^left there bs in anj of
* ^' * yen a^ciiillheart,t$defArtn-^ay from thiltHtngqod.Kvki,
TmLr.u thcwiremanscounrdliS;Pr(?«.4 23- ^^^P^ ^h ^^^''^
Xvith all dil' gene e^f or from thence eommeth life. If a man
would hauc good water about his houfe, he muft cfpe-
cially look vnto the clcanfing of his Springs^for though
he clenfe his Pipes and Conduites,yet if his Springs bee
fouleand muddy^he isneuer the better. So bccaufe ihc
heart is the Fountaine and Spring of all euill , wee muft
cfpccially looke to that.
The fecond kind of euils which we pray againft.are
offe^ifiue f ^^//j.fcandalous to our holy profcfsion, fuch as
doc not onely bring difgrace vpon our felues, but m
fome fort alfo caft difgrace vpon the Lord himfelfc.
Which is contrary to that rule of the Apoftle, i Cor. 10.
I CO). lo.l U 3 a. (j'tue no sf erne neither ce the Ie\};es ncr to the (] entiles,
nor to the Chnrch ofGvd : euen as I fleafc all men in all
%CoY.^,i^. things,&c. SoP^«/faich,2Chom defray, hath no authority
to grant it. This was (eene when the Mother oiZebedtes
Tonnes came vnto Chrift,de(iring a requcft ofhim, that
her two fonnes might Gl^theoneAt hii right hand^ thco^
ther at his left harid^in his Kingdome ,vnlO which Ghrifts
anfwerwas; firft, ingeneraall, Tee k^o^ not^hatjec
^Jb,C^ t^.and then he tcls her. But to fit on my right hand
Mitth,iQ,iOt and en my left , is net mine togiue j but it fhailbegiHeu to
them^for ^hom it is prepared of my Father. Here (he peti-
tioned amiffe,in fuch fort as came meerely from affcdi-
on and fauour to her children , this is one impediment,
fuing vnto one who hath no authority to grant^ at leaft
in that thing.
2 Secondly ,^i(7^« though the party hath authority y yet hee
hath not po\^er and ahiltty to doe it. As in that defolation
Ifd^l .7« of/wfi^f <«^prophefied of, 7/^.3.7. iVhereJome flmdd come
arrdhang vpen helpleffe helpers : this anfwer(hc fhcwesj
they make. In that day fliallherwearc/aying,/^ x^ilhot
be\in healer -^f or in my honfe is neither bread nor cloathtng^
make me not a ruler of the people, So Mat,i'j.l6.WQ read
a complaint made vnto Chrift by a certaine man whofc
fonne being lunaticke and brought to his Difciples,they
could not cure : thisisalfo a difcouragement, if wee
dou bt of the parties ability to helpe.
3 Thirdly, when though the party wee come to hath
both
thefoxviY And thegkry^ ^ , _
both authority and ab:l;ry : yet is vnvpiHhi^to fr.intj as
WC fee in cl^urljfh 7yV<^.^/; towards D^nid^ ShaU I then i SAm,\^.ii,
take my brsad and my Watery andmyfle[l) th.it I bane killed
for my Jhearers , and ftneit vnto men^ wh^m I kfiow >:ot
whence tbey be ? thefc be chc three impediments which
ifthcy pofTeffcone throughly with a preiudicc, may
hinder prayer : either not to be, or if :i,\^,
Leriijit htm doe Wh^tfcemcth himgood> And 7) auid Pfui l (aLi^^).
5 pp. faith, J ^a^dttmbcjf opcficdf:ot n?y month , bccaitje
thoudidfiit*
The fecond rcafon \s taken from The power ofCj O D; 2. T^c.fon,
that is, the ftren^th and abiltictodocall whatfoeucr
vveprayforornecd,is Gods. Earthly Kings many ti»"ncs
want power,though they be willing to hclpe their fub-
ie^sandferuants 5 as when the poore woman crycd
out to the King oilfracl f jn agreat didrcfTc of hunger)
Hclpemy Lordfi Ktrtjrl Heanfwered: Sechig thj Lord
dothnotfiiccotirthee^howjljonld I helpethee^ Thus we ma-
ny times want povver^, but there is no want of Power
and ability with God, feeing out of the rich llorc-houfc
of hisabundant plenty, hce js able to fupply what wee
flandinneedofiAsthe Apofllc fpeaks, /;;?/;. 5. 2 o. !/>/-£ -j/^r^ ^n,
10 him t her fore t h,it is able to do exceeditig txhmidantly^ahonc
all that We either arc able toMkeor thiKk.e, Oe all glory for
«ucr. Thus it is a good thing for eucry man to be p:r-
fwaded ofth'is^that we can aske nothing at the hands
ofGodjhut he can giue it. Whereupon the Leper ^ and ^^,,^;^ g ^
fo the Centurion,both come toChrift with this fpcech,
Lord if thou W'ilt^thon ca>if} tnJtki me elcane. And 2 Cor.^ ^ ^^^ g
8. He fliewcs this much ^ Thnt God is ^.blc to nj^ik^all
grace abound iu them, Crc^ Peter (\MC reade^fo long as he
carried his eye to Chrift^hc was able to walke vpon the
waues of the Sea.Buc when he^ookt away from Chrif-, p^^^^^ 5^^,
and caft his cies vpon the Wlndes and BiHowes,by and walking.
by he began to (inke. So is it with vs in this world , as
long as we can caft our care vpon the power of God, Co
long we may be vpheld in all temptations and troubles:
a^ a man flandingon the top ofa high Tower, isfafcfo^ man on 3
long as he lookesvp,butlooking downwards , isreadyTowi
toUU. So It is with vs, wher\vvedoenot lookevnto
Heaucn ,
ti «
I40
The fower and theglorj^
Heauen^ but loekc on feares and other things Jowne;.
wards,we by and by are in danger of drowning. It {%
a good thing therefore cuer to lookc vnto the power of
God, confidcringthatwhatisimporsiblctoman, ij
pofsible with G odjWith whom all things are pofsible.
^Tle^fon The third reafon is taken from the glory of God,F(7r
^^ ^^ ' thtficu the glory, f or cucrnndeHcr, That is to fay , Lord
it is thy glory and honour to doe thefe things that wee
pray for,and though not for our fakes, yet Lord doe it
for thine owne honour and names fake, which is abouc
all things a flrong motiue . there being nothing which
moremooues, and preuailes with him, then his owne
glory. The glory of God, is as it were the eye of God,
his tendered part, yea,fuchapart , as hewjilnothauc
touched: as /7^?^^ fpcakes thereof. fL>liy glory \kiIII
notgiue to (tnothcr^( faith the Lord.) So though nothing
in t1ic world be in vs.and we haue no meric.being to fal
into the duftjet this is fure that the Lord will thinke
^rd AC n VP^''^ \s,^%'I)auid(^^dks,PfaU^OA7-'But1^.mpeorc and
.joi^j^ .17. ,^^scdy,ycttheLordthifikethonme^&c. hc WiUthmkeon
whatfoeuer concernes his owne glory and honoriCon/i-
der we then what a great mercy this is vnto vs,that the
Lordhathlaptandfoldcdvp our good in his glory. As
7 , the luie is (o wrapt about a tree ,T hat it cannot be fel'd,
but we muft fell the tree alfo :fo is the glory of God in-
folded and wrapt in our good, that they both goc togc-
ihcr.
Thefe things confidcrcd, let vs ftriuc in our prayers,
with humblcne(rc,confefsion,{hamc, importunitic,gi-
uingalltoGod, and emptying our fclucs of all good
Oin,\%. things in our felUes. So ^yibraham (pc2kcs vnto God,
J h^KC prcfiimcd^that ^.mhut dnft Atid ^Jhes to fpeake vnto
lfa,A,oAj. the Lord. Sohc fayes//^. 40. 17. t^ II Nations hcfort
him are ^ nothings and (key are c9Hntcd t9 him lefe thctt
nothing^and vanity.
Thus muft wee come downc all and be abafned in
cttrownefiaht, referring our felues in prayer to the
good
f^T (Utr anA erter, ^ ^^
good will ofGod, vfing ftcoiig Arguments , and mnch
Pacicnct ip Humility.
This laft word containes a rcflcd^ion or inference of
our defircs. Some learned men take it for an allcnt of
faithjbut though in Poficionsan:! Propo(itions,ic bcfo,
yet in prayer icisalwaycsvfed as a route of rcflecf^ion,
uimen^qoeiLordUtitbeCo.'^'^'^ fliewesthac there miiil:
begreat attention in our prayers, the mind muft be H:-
rioufly fixed vpon that we fpcike for to the Lord,with-
out Graying and wandringthoughts. It is an opinion
of the Papilh , that if a mm haue a gcnerall intent to
pray,itis no finne to cntertaine wandring cogitations,
lb chat a man may gciw^on with his beaicsjahdfinifh vp
thcnum'.):rot his dotiili fayings for all his bufineiTe.
As th:y that haue a iourney to London ^ if they put lourncy to
thcmfeUieson the wa/j nccdneaer think-j on Lo^don^ London*
for euery itep the horfc takes, fcts him forwards. Bit
our SauiojrChiilt hire fhevves che flit contrary , that
we muff finidi vp our prayers, with ths fame attention^
carnefi:neire,andferucncy,vvith which they were be-
gun , all wandring thoughts being expelled. Fort'o
lon^ and no longer we pray, then our minde i% eleua-
ted aivd lifced vp vn:o the Lord.
Saint Au^iijlync fayes well to this purpofe; who
intenduofpeaketooneinaferious matter, anJ then
turnes his talke to another ? who will haue a fuit to a
ludgCjbcgintopropofe the matter, and then turn- his o ,
fpwcch to his friend (landing by ? who can fuffer this? „•„„,
who can endure it ^ much more then when wee come
to G O D in prayer, ought we to haue our thoughts
fet, and minies prepared to be actentiue vnto that
which is faid : like Holy Dauid: to bee able to fay,
tJ^Iy heart i6 ^xed^ O LO R D^ 'LyMy heart is fixed :
fi^A^ mj glory ^ &c* chat vve may not appearc before
the
the Lord : with flat,dcad,heatty fplrits,aftd wandering
thoughts : but with rauiihed hearts and mindcs fc-
rious» thirfty, earned, attentiactlongingforthc
things prayed for •, We way alwaycs conclude
our prayers comfortably ,to our euerla-
fling reioycing,to cry ,Euen fo Lordj
p^effi etiam Domineleps.
»i^.'
FfH.fs
THE
POORE PENITENT
OR/
THE DOCTRINE OF
REPENTANCE.
As It was Preached in diuers Sermons^ by
that Reuercnd, Learned, HoIy> Painfull, and Ju-
dicious Diuine^Mr.I o H N S M I T H, latcMiniftcr
of the Word of God at CUtterw^ in Effex 5 And Ibmc-
time Fellow o^StJohfts Collcdge in Oxonford,
Publillied iincchis death for
theHungrie.
Vpricutnes Hath Boldnes.
Isay 48.18.
0 thdtthoH hadHhearl^^tnedtomy Commandementty then had, thy fiat% betne aj 4
Riutr, andtby Rigbte9k/fie[fe as the Yvattes of the Sea,
Thy fitdalfobadheene£tth€ fond, and the of-fpringof th}b9ivt/slf{efbe grxttili,
kisHamtJhikldndtbauehtentcut pjfnordejirfiyed/rombe/trf mfe%
LONDON,
i Primed by ^J. for Ge(fr^e Edwards, zt\dtY€tobc fold at his houfc
ui the Old Baily , m Greene Arbor^ic chf fignc of
tbcAngell, i^t^
A *
To the "^B^eader.
Hnftian Reader, I lend thee
here the fowre and bitter
Pill of Rcpentance,yet fcare
it not, for it comes not to
ki 11, but to cure thee. Ic may
bee bitter in the tafte j but
take my word for itj it will bee healthful! in
di^eftion I know thou canft indure to fweat*
purge, and coyle tor the health of thy mortalj
bodie j why wilt thou not doe as much for the
euerlaftluggood of thy immortal] fouIe<^ If
thoubeeftan Atheift,! leauethee in thy gall
of bitterncfTc vnto thy perdition ( except chou
Repent:) bat if a Cliriftian, I pray thee rer
memberjWhattheSpiritot God /ayes. Euciy
one that haih this Hope in him, pur^eth him-
fclfeeuen as he is pure. Are all things l^e-
Aaa 1 come
rt^
To the Reader.
come new by Chrift ? and doft thou thinke to
goc to Heaaen in the old rocren defiled ragges
of the firft i4^4Bj ? there bcin^ no change
Vv rought in thee ? Decciuc not th v (elfe , th^i c
is no remcdjcj it thou wilt not niourne for
finncj rhou fhalt mournc for iudgcinent. if
thou wilt not (hed tearcs here for thy ofJcrccs,
there is no remedie, thou nuift of neceflitie
weepc for euer in Hell, where ftull bce( faith
ourSauiour) wailing and gnadiing of teeth
world without end. Be not therefore ( likeE*
phraim) a deceitful 1 Merchant : weigh thhigj
rightly in the ballanceof ihe Sandluarie : aiid
remember (as God wifhes of his people If-
rael ) that thy chicfeit wilcdome is to renr»em*
berthefe things: The miferie of finne ; The
Happinefle of Hohnefle, and thv later end:
wbichif thouneglccleftj all thy other atSioni
are and fhall prooue but mecre foolifhnelfe ia
the fight of God. Vanauifhedby the impor-
tunitieof afriend(in hope it might prooue
profitable forthy good ) I gaue way to the
Printing of ihisfmall Treatrfe: th.ivigh (in re-
gard of my ownewcakneJfl^e) I did ri^t hope
toliucfo longastorcuiewandpublifh it my
felfe Pardon therfbre I intreate thee the wantji
and failings thereof : Feed on the honey :
fupply
To the Reader.
jfl^pply the reft wirh thine ownc moiintins;
niorcamplcMeJuationsrand withihehclpof
others of this nature, vfeic by Gods blcHing
as a poore heipe to hft thee vp one ftep higher
vpon Jacobs ladder (which is the end 1 aimed
at ) vntill fome other of more leai nincy,pietic,
cxperienccand wifedojne crcdforthy fake a
more excellent fabricke vpon this vvcakc
foundation, wliich hce heartily wifhes :
ThjfcruantinChriflJeJns^
loHH Smith*
Bbb 3
To the Chriilian
Reader.
Entk Reader if offer here ^nto
thy yicvp a Ireatije of Refm--
tanccyy^hich I found in thefiu-*
dyof theme ft ^orthie Author
a little after his death : '^^r it ten
in an extraordinarie fmallrug-*
ged blotted coppie : -^hichfince that time "^ith ex^
ceeding care and paines^ yvas thus fitted for the
puhlike good j hoping that thou yrihtakeit in good
p^rt as /; ^, though the cXA^t cur ions hand of the
Author ^as not to perfiteit^ as hee intended ^if he
had liued a little longer. J kno'^thediucrs Bookes
already extant ^^pon this jubieCt^rnight hau^^dtf-
courage d me e fo^as to baue /pared my paineshere^
in: but that as diners meates diuerjl^ cooked ^.ni
drefSed^ fit be/} diuerfitie of Palares and queajie
flomacks : So J hoped that perhaps the plaine and
imufuad handling of thislreatile^mightcomf rt^
incourage^ andftirrc ^pfomc one or otber-ifupp')'--
wg
To the ChriUian Reader.
ing from the ftorehoufe and fountaim of the euer
abounding Spirit yfome-sp bat not obferued^ or at
kaji not thm cooked bj any other. For '9thich caufe,
and that the memorie andpaines offo learned 9 holj^
i;f Judicious a man ofGodyfbould not be altogether
buried and forgot , it hath bsene thi(6 by Gods aj^i-
fiance publijhed^ Letmee therefore intreate thy
charitable Cenfure of-^hat is done for Gods gloria
and thy goody for '^hich, Ipromififome other 'Vj^ I . A worke efthe Law»
T\^ 1,A wcrks of the Cojpel,
<^- That the Law r ay eife^ually
'* worke vpon vs, and bring vs vnto
that for which it was appoimcd
of God , there mud bee
I. A knowledge of the Lav^,
1. ^napjibcMtoHof the Larr.
Of the knowledge of the Law wee hauc already fpoken,
now are wceioinrrcat 5 How enery man may ^pp()f tt to
/?/w/^//<', and lb thereby both nicafurc hii ownc cou^fes,
andcurbe his wicked jifc. For cutnas the n.:in SUfia, '^fi^
i T^e vfe $fthe Latv
«tlC'»i4.U. x.^r/W^.4.34.appplycdhis body vnto tlic dilldcs body,'
bis cyc< vnco his eyes 5 his hands vnto the childes hsnds j
and his mouth vnto the childcs mouth,&c. and then it ap-
peared what difference there was betwixt the childes cold
body, whicii began to rcceiuc \\it from EHJh^es warmc
body: So when a man fliall apply the law of God vnto
hin-fclfc vnto his hearc, hce Ihall foone pcrceiuc what x
damnable cdatehee is inland hovvFarrcftiort hce comes of
the meanes to auoide death and damnation. So then, the
bcft courfe Forcuery man is, to apply the Law of God vn-
to himfelfe^and mealurc his owncadlions by it 5 for a man
may hauc a great deale of knowledge of the Law of God,
and yet be neucr the better for it, if hec bee pot wife to ap-
ply the knowledge vnto hi mfelfe, and examine his ownc
courfesandlifcbyitjfor this will difcouer vnto him all
liisfpots and blemiflies: and leaue no corner of the foulc
vnranfacked. Eucn as a workman comming to hewgh a
PceccofTim- apeeceof timber, hee takes a line or a threcd, and applyeg
ker. it vnto it, by and by hee ^tts where it 1$ marked or chalkod,
orcrookedjorftraitc, and fo proceeds in his workc accor-
dingly: So let a man apply the ftraitc threeds and lines of
the law of God vnto himfelFc, and by and by hee Czcs his
owne euill wayes : where hec performed too few duties,
wherehecprofccuted too much his ownc will, and how
there remaineth vnto him a reward, accordmg to his cuill
or good actions. So then cuery C iriftian who taketh care
to apply Chrill vnto himlclfcj mull nor onely know th«
Law of God, but know how to apply the fame vnto his
ownc foulc and confcience : that the Law may affright,
wound, and bring him vndcr, both to a fenfc of linnes
prefent venome and bitterneire, as alfo to an vnfaincd and
found totall hatred tliereof for the time to come. Now of
the Law thus apply cd, there is a double vfe j
I, In the rftrin "UnregenerAte^
Z. In the mAH Regenerate,
In the the Vnrcgcncratc man, dicrc is a fourcfold vfc
dwreof.
Firft,
to an vnregtnerdtc min. j
Firft, It Phwcs him ^enfrttlly what is Jinne \ for d mm ^^ '•
by his owiic !ighc of his eyes ai^d rcalon, is not able to dif-
coucr hi 3 dileal'c vnto himtclfc, Rom.^. lo. Torhy the Law
commetb the kpowlcdge ff Swn€ : and {^hap'7-7'^^J» ^
k^ew net Ji»»f l^t*c by the Law, So then, the law of God
difcoucrs and dil'playes finnc vnto vs. O, wcc cannot fee
with the light of our owne eyes and vndcrftinding.if God
hcipe vs not to fce.Wccarc not by nature infpircd to know
good and bad. N '♦, vntill the law ot God difcouer vnto
vs what finnc is, it is impo.^ibk* tor vs to difccrne our mi-
fcrie. Asa man that is brought into a darkcroome cannot AiJarkc
tell how it ftands, whether niuated, or towards a yard or ^oomc.
Orchard, nor i)ow it is adorned, and made handlonic and
*fine, or othervvife lyes fluttilh and bcaftly, but bring a can-
dle into the roomc, or tarry till rhe Sunnc rifcth, and by
andbyeucry thing is apparant : So let a man lookc vpon
the hght of his owne reafon or vnderftanding, and he will
quickly fill into euery ditcli, and ronnc headlong into the
by- vaycsotfrailtic, corruption and wickedndfe. But let
God light vp the candle ot- his law, and by and by we (hall
fee v\hat is good, what is not good: what is lawfull, and
what is vnlawfull for vs. This is the firll vie of the Law in
the man vnrcgencratc 5 itflicweshim generally what finnc
is, dm it isalinnetolye,tofw€are,to make our tablc-talkc
of fikhy actions, to be difobedicnc to fuperiours, and that
wcc mull bee dilrobed of our owne filthy clbtc. The Law
of God i fay, can difcouer vs, whether wee offend in
thoughts, words, or aclioni, and make it cafily knownc
what linne and corruption dwelleth in vs. As the Lepers j^p^,^
faid vnto thcnjfelucs, i.Kwg.y.r^.Wce doc not irW/, this iKjng.f.f
day ts a day of good ttdtpigs 5 Let vs rtfe^drc. So the Law
or God can make a man lay vnto himfelfe; I doe not well
to lye, to fweare.to dice, to mifpend the Sabboth ; to riot
in cuill companie, to bee inipatienr, proud, couetous, a
backDiter,6<.c.O let ine rife and get me away fpeedily from
this nufcraok condition leil euill befall ni&
Bbb 2 The
Vfc t. Thcftcond vfe of ib.c Law to a man vnregcncratfij,'
To pew htm the Fettrfulmffc of finyie, what a grieuotis and
ftarRilI thingfinnc i$: how dangcrousFor a fimplc iranto
ofFcnd fo great a God, to nii:urrc the indignation cf fb
Woman '^^S^ ^ Maidlic. A woman hopeth fhc is with childe,whcn
piincd. fhcc Feclcth many Hitches, longings, and otiier diftempc-
raturesoF hcrbody, but when her greatnclfc and fwcHing
wombcappearcs, then is fliee alFurcd^ and not oncly findcs
it Co, but ere her dcliuerance Fceles diuers violent pangs
and gricuous convulfions : So when men runne on in fin,
the Law of God at length makes their wickedncife appa-
lant, not without perturbations, an guifh and forrow, till
there bee a delmeranccfrom the fame, and tlic haiiioufncirc
of their cranfgreffions •, Againc,a$ a man hauing a foulc
Dime face, bcdurted, or befpotted race, doth neither know the fame,
norfceketowafhormakc icdeancjtill fomc friend bring
him a glaffc, or he himfelfe lookc in one of purpofc, then
is his ouglineiTe quickly difcouered, andhec is afhamed of
his former deformity 5(0 fareth it with a man in finne, hcc
knowcth nothing, nor fceleth his owne wrctchednelfc, till
the law of God acquaint him with his miferic, and (hew '
him the ougly and befpotted face of his tranrgrcflions :
, yea,tobce loathfomc and abominable, foulc as any vile
Lepers vnder the Law. Yea, the law of God pleades as ic
J^7»» J . were in Gods behalfe ; and faith, as in IJay 7. i^ , It it n
fjndll thing for jf OH to grteue ms^ but you will alfo griene
my God f This is the fecond vfe of the Law, not onely to
(hew vs what fin is but alfo to difcouerthe greatnetfc and
hainoufnelfc of the finne: and what a fearfnll ellate wcerc-
maine in vnder the fame, with the vengeance and puni(h-
ments that muft and will cnfuc vpon it, if wee continue
in the fearc full eftatc thus prefenccd before vs,
y^^ ^ ■ Thethird vfcof the Law of God is, that h Jhewet in
ffirticHlarone to becaftnncr 5 a great and gricuous (inner
in the fight of God,fo that the law of God doth not oncly
ihcTvaraang^cncrally vvhatisfinne^or how gricuous and
contagious
h i0 Tnreiencrdte mini j
ieomigious a thing finnc is, but it alfo (Ticwej ^ inin that
he hiiiifclfcis a rinncr,a great and man ifcft offender agai nil
thcMaicfticof agrcat God.fo that a man mud not bee
contented withthcfirllor fecond ducic, but come particu-
larly vntohimrclfc,orclfc the Law wilUollovv him at the
heeles with Tues homo, and inake him afliamcd of his
wickcdneire,orvnwillingnelleto bee dilcoucred. It will
doc as NuthanAi^to Damd^ at firll hee began with Para- jJatbofL
blcs,andlayed open not onely a finne, but the hainouf-
ndfe of the finne: but at laft hee came neerer, and in plain
Ccarme^faid, 7lMtf//7i?W(?, So doth the Law of God dealc
with all fmncr^, and neuer leaucth them till they apply it
oarticularly to thcmfelucs, and be able or willing to fay as
]DAHid^i\(hyPfai.^ui.j4g^tnftthee,agair2fithe€oritljhaue pr^ -
IftnncdjMddofiithueHtliinthj fightj&c^ * *^'
The fourth Vfe of the Application of the Law of God Vft 4*
1$, Thdt it Jhcwcs 4 nMn what a TtteoHd eslMt hee 14 tn by
reafen of hu finne ^ and rhat hee is a gricuous tranfgreirour
in the fight of God, for the Law plcadcs and (hcwcs Gods
caufc, that hee is prefent at all times, in all places, and hath
no rdpeft of perfons j but reprooues all, (hewing, that wc
arc fubicdl to vengeance, but by the meanes of Chrifl, {o
rfiat the Law of God workcs thefc cffc^s in a man.
Firft, The feareof DamttdtioMt many a man can in a i
brauerie fcomc death, and fet little by any torture, but at
lad hecburds out with an old faying m a Father : N'oh mo^
ri fed Damnoirt metMc, I am not atf raid to die, but I am
affraid to be damned ; I am not affraid of the paines of
death, but I am affraid of the paines of Hell.
Secondly, 5^4ifi^ in a man: for continuing in filthinefle, %■
bycommittmg fuch finnes, whaeby hecknoweshehath
offended God, as Rom.C.ii . the ApolHe askes, fVhdtfi-Hi$ ^*^.«'i '•
hdd yoM then of thofe things whereof y oh Are now nfhAmed^
C^^.l'o chat thcLaw of Gi>a will hring great Ihanie vpon
Bbb 5 ra
LAmi$'i.^4
' 5 ThevpoftheLm
vsfor our finncs,it will make aman loathe to be knownc,
t^k^^*ll* and afraid to looke vp to heaucnas the Publican,L/^i(j^ i8.
1 3 .Bnt the ^HhUcanftAnd'mg a fane ojfytpould mtfo mttch
Ai lift vp hU ejes to heanen to tray : So the Law will fhamc
vs and make vsaffraid of God, and of our felues.
Thirdly, Gr/efe and forrow for the lojfe of God hy reafon
of oHrfinnes : yea, theteare of thislolle makes vs cry out as
it is, Lment. 5. 1 6. The Crowne of our head U faKen^ woe vtt"
to vs that wee hane finned 5 Oh how many patfages arc
there in the Pfalmes, of griefc^vexation of minde,and trou-
ble of Confcience, yea, Iheddmg of tcares and fuch like,
for the finHing againft God, and this not onely in the per-
fon of Damd, but in the behalfc of the Church of God,
and to (hew eucry Chriftian, what a dangerous eftate hee is
in, that continueth in his wickedneire againft God^and of-
fend«thhimby his finne.
UHAh, Fourthly , D ejlre of Reconciliation^ for as Micah^Indg •
ly.i.could not be quiet though hee had the money, and
brought it 5 as long ashce thought his mothers curie lay
hcauy vpon him, but fought by all means to be reconciled,
fofarech it with a man vnder finne, after the Law hath told
him what curfc and vengeance hec is fubie£l vnto ; O how
can hee bee quiet or at peace, though hee bring all the facri-
fices in the world, if hee be not reconciled to God and his
Word. If the Law of G^ hath once wrought vpon a
man, that hee may fee in what a dcfperate eft ate hee ftands,
then of all other things in the world, hee moft defires to
be reconciled to Chritt
Thus the Law makes a man fit to rcceiue Chrift^that be-
fore knew not what it meant, for by flicwing amanhis fin,
the grcacnctre and grieuoufncirc of the fame, by making a
manaccurehiml'elfe,andconfeircinwhat an eftate hee is
in : as farre as damnation, fcare to lofc God, ftiame to be in
fo dcfperate an eftate, and a longing after the quictnclle of
his foule, and purchafing the peace of confcience ; co^j-
dcrinj'
dcrlngrlicLaw ayes out vpon Iiim with a loudc voice,
how hfc haili incurred the wrath of God : then hath hce no
other refuge, but to flic vnto Chrift, and by his mcancs to
defTrcreconciliation with God, which muft needs bee ioy
after the fight of his finnc: and this is the vfc of the Law
for the vnregencratc man .
Now in a Regenerate man there arc three vfe$ of the i
law, in Apphcation thereof. Firft, Ta kfcfc dowrte his Vfc of the
*Pr/^^thachecmay nocfwell, nor bee any wife pufr vp ^*w.
with his fpcciall graces and gifts. So SifPaul confciles,
l.Cor,ll,y, %/4»ci Ufl I [htnld he exalted oHt ofmeAfHre^ iXo/'.ii.yn
there w4s gtuen vnto me a pric^e in thefle/h,c^cSor though
wee be in the ftatc of Grace, and may prefume of many
comforts and priuiledges belonging to our eleftion, yet
left wee be puffed vpand ouer prcfumptuous with opinion
of the (late wee are in, the Law can keepe vs downc, and
make vslooke vpon the blacke feet of our frailtie and cor-
rupt! on, as if wee were ftillvnder the curfc of God. It is
read ofthcPeacocke, that in the midft of her pride and Pcacockc,
fpreadingof her glorious tayle, all is fuddenly abated vp-
on the calling her eyes vpon her blacke feet : So la the
proudeft boafter of his ownerighteoufnelfe, or the priui-
ledges of a Chriftian, looke downe vpon his finncs which
the Law may tliew him, and hce will quickly hang downc
the head and beedeieded in countenance.
The fecond vfc of the Law to a man Regenerate, Is Tif %
kcepe him fafi vnto Chrtsl, as the onely meanes of hu [aL Vfc of tfic
wAmd, /7^/,l I9. LextHA IncernA'TedibHi : Thy Law u
a lanterne to mj feety&c. ts if wee were to bee lighted and
Cbied. dire£ledin our way, But are wee not free from the Law }
Anfw*. lanfwerjwecarcfrcefrom the burden and vengeance of
the Law, but not from the obedience, fofarrc forth as it is a
pattcrnefor our liucs, and wecarebound in confcience to
obferue the fame, fo ncere as poflibly all our indeauours
can attaine vnre, wherein no man (hall bee blamed of con>
Riinglhon of the marke, if his aime and leuell bee to hie
it : So againe, weearefreed from Jewifh Ceremonies, and
not bound to finijh them as they were a burden vnto v$,&
onely a type of Chrift, but where the Law tyes us to a ho-
lineifeand (Iri^neife of life, where it Ihewes vs what finne
is, and the deformitie of thefamc ^ or what is pertinent to
faluation, wee are bound to obferue and make it a paccerne
for our liueSjfo then the Law not only driucs vs ro fee our
UMh 1.19^ finnes, but to acknowledge thcni, as i John 1.9. If wee ae^
i^ow ledge OHT JinfteSf hee $s tufl und farrhfuB to f^rgtug
vsoHr Jifsnes^and eleafffe "Vs from all in-qmtie. There is
then a ncceffitic of leadmg a holy life, for all fjch as lookc
for that blcllcdneire to come 5 this lelfon the Law muft
teach, and dire^vs and guide vs in the way 5 For as a man
wholiathalongiourney to goe,and onely hatha general!
knowledge of the place whaehee mud rert and abidc,had
MtAii A need of particular dire^ions to bring him thuiicr. with
aourmcy. more fafctie and Idle pcnll and danger : So fai cth it with
vs in this world, wee can all fay, wee mullgoc to licauen,
but cannot leadc a holy life which mull bnng vs chjiher,
nor know wherein it conlills, vnldfc the Lawe ccach vs,
and (hew the way to praftifc thoic excellent rules dci non^
ftratc4
fitited for the rule ind fqiure of our life. Loc tfccn yo«
hauc fcene of what in excellent vfc the Law is, both to
{he man Rcgenaatc and Vnrcgenerate : The next
(hing imifl bee to (hew you cbe vfe of
the GofpcU.
L S C T. IL
IX
^
Le C T. II.
THE VSE OF THE
Gofpell.
ROM.I.I^.
For I am not afhamedof the Gofpell of Chrifi ^ for it is
the power ofGodvnto falnatio^^to enery one that beUiHCth^
to the lew firjly andalfo to the Greek^.
EErcmcmbredyou thdaft
day, that to apply Chrift
vnto v$ there muft bcc two
workes 5 Firft a workc of
the Law/ccondly a workc
of the Gofpell, a workeof
the Law to huinble vs,aiid
a workeof the Gofpell to
comfort vs, and to raiftf v$
vp.Now becaufe thefc two
, workes depend one vpon
another, this IS the order that the workc of the Law muft
alwayes goe before the workeoF the Gofpell : Firtl, a man
mull be humbled by the Law, before hee bee fit to be com-
foited by the Gofpell, and fo whofoeuer thou bee, neuer
lookc to finde any true workc of the Gofpell, nil thou
haue firllfekthe true workc ofthcLaw,till thou hall bcene
humbled forthyfinncs, and fcarchcd thy owne eibtc by
the bright iluning lampe of the Law oi: God^ ncucr looke
that
r
1
ii Tk vfi $f the Giffitt.
thietlie Cofpcll will brirg peace vnto thee vntlJl tJiciiJ
tHr ♦•>•• Chrift himfclft faith, Lnk^^, 1 8. that hcc was fcnr. For u
f reach the ^ofpelltothepo»re, that hee flyouldheale the bro^
ken-heart ed^that heejhoHld Preach delmerance to the Caf»
tities^&c. So that you fee the Gofpcl I inuft be pubhfhed to
thepoore, to the broken-hearted, for till a iran bee poore
in fpirit, broken-hearted for his finnes, Chrift is not feat
to proclaimc comfort vnto him. It i$ a ground in Lavr,
Qked ante feHtentiam datam moh licet appetUrCfi man may
not appeale before fentence bee giuen, or that a man bee
AppHation. condemned in open Court, fo there is no appealing vnto
thecourtof theGofpellvntill hee bee condemned in the
Court of the Law : thus the worke of the law ftill goeth
before the workc of theGofpclL As wee fee in nature that
Sickc man . a man muft bee ficke, before hee bee healed/o before a man
hath Chrift to heale him, hee muft be ficke, yea deadly fick
of finne, yea, of his ownc finnc, and then Chrift will
come and put his body vpon his, and apply fome plaiftcr
of his blood for curing of him. And fowhatfoeucr thou
bee, ncuer lockc for a workc ot thcGofpell, till firft thou
Cornipt fore, haft felt the worke of the Law. If a man hauc a corrupt and
dangerous fore in his flcfh, if hee would bee cured, or prc-
ucntthemifchiefe of a gangrene, hee muft prepare him-
(clfe to endure both trouble, paines, and many other in*
conuenicnces, hee muft firft indure the lancing of it, then
the cutting and fquifing out the filthy matter and corrup-
tion, then diuers corrafiucs to cut out the Vlcer 5 and laftly,
if need bee , fearing and cauterilmg before the healing
plaiftcrsbeeapplyed 5 Euen fo muft a man doc in the hea-
ling of his linnes 5 Fidl, before hee obtainc a pardon, or
be comfoncd with the hope of Redemption,thc Law muft
take him in hand,fearch his frailrie and corruption, lance
his finncSjfqUife out the corruption of nature, make him
roareandcryeagaine ard againe with the fmart of his
wounds: and the gentle Cataplafirics of the Gofpell, may
be applyed, and the comforts of remiffion miniftred vnto
him from the Phyiician and Surgion of our foulcs Chrift
Icfus,
The vfe ef tht C off (II. t J
Icfus, and this i$ the workf of tlic Gofpcll. Now from i!iC
workc of the Gofpcll ihrcc i lungs aicto b< t jund out ;
l.lVhat the Go foe II u,
X. fVhAt tt rp«tkss in vs.
3 . In what manner it worker,
Firft then, the Gofpcll is, That fAtff ihewenrd^fGti,
^hicb eontAineth a m^jl hafpy and welcome mejpige of two
thtnft :
" I . That Mankinde U fnUj Redeemed hy the dedth
of Chrin.
1. That aUwhowillrepent AndlreteeHe fhaU he par*
takers of It,
Thisisthchappy andgladtydingsof the Gofpcll, by
which wee vnderltand, that there is deliuerancc and Re-
demption by iccanesof Chnft : and that wee may know
who be thus pi iuilcdgcdj fo that in the Gofpcll two things
arctobcconlidercd ;
1. JVijat PS the benefit e of the gofpcll*
* 2. f^pon what Condition .«*
Nowthcfpcciall andmajnc thing that is promifcd in
the Gofpcll is, Redemptton, that i$,lite and faluation by the
ineancsof Chrill,this I fay is the fpccitU workc oF the
Gofpcll. Thcr^areniany coiiibrtsin the Gofpcll, many
promifcs of God offered rnto vs : the conqueft of finnc,
death and hell, the forfaking of the world, but the fpeciall
rnainc thing is Life,Saluation ind Redemption by Chrifl,
a$St.frf«/bringsir, A:(?w.i.i6. For/ am not afhamed ofRom,x.iC*
the Oofpell of Qhrifl : for it is the power of God vnto fal'
ii4;/o«,c!r^. and 2.T/«r.i.io.hccfaycs, w/;crefore comfort y»Hr
felnes one another wiih thefc words ^ What words ? to bee
exhorted to hoUndre,innooencic,loue, labour, moderate
mourning for the dead, to know the end of the Refmrc^^i-
on, all which and irany other, are comprifed in the Gof-
\'?tt.i,t^ pell,and tend to faluation. ^oi,Pit,i.^. ^ce (faithhec)
KeioyC€ vfith toy vnfpeak^ble and gloriotUy to bee in hotf of
f^rr;f4///;j^-, Soas lhaucfayed,you fee by this, the firll
vfe wee may make of it, is to labour and iiideauour for life
cuerlafting and faluation, neuer regardmg the afflictions
and troubles of this life, which endure nor, and arc not
comparable vnto that crowne, fuch Hiallrcceiu; who (Iriuc
as they ought 5 For though there bee paine and trouble in
the way, yet there is much comfort and peace at the end of
theiourney. I make no rqucftion but the pafiing^f the
children of Ifrael through the Wilderneire into the land of
Wi'ltleraeflc Canaan, was a type of Cclcltial ferufulemSox as they cndu-
pafiagc' ,.gj many trouble^^wants, 6c dinrelFcs in that Wilderneire,
famine,drought,heate,tedious and wearifome iourneys,
not without repining and murmuring, before they came
into the land of C^^,w«,ye.i, when they were ready to
enter and take poirellion, there was warrcs, f eare, Giants,
Iron gates, and high walls intlicir vvay,6cc. Eucn To doc
and mull Gods children goe through the wilderneire of
this world ere they come to hcaucn and life cuerlafting,
many afflictions, much fa d n ife of heart, pO'.isrJe/corues,
dcfpights,weaknelTes,pariion3, repining and many mur-
muringsagainllGodlu.\]rclfe,yctat iaii tiie pronifcs of
the Gofpell, and hope of ctcrn'^llijc, makes thcii ioy glo-
rious and vnfprakable, and they enter iiito this Cclelliall
C4;j44;;, mangreall the oopofition of principalities and
powerSjandalitljcirfpirituall eucmics: vNnilclt liopc bcares
riiCAii vp,audthcy bclceuedieyfliali hauea bletled jlTuc of
all
TJorptoattAtnethcvfeoftheCofpell. Ij
all thcirtrcublcsandaffli^fVionsin the end. For as a mart
parting oiicr a dcepc and daiigrioijs riucr into fonic dcli-I^c^pc water,
c:.cc mcado.vfiillof variccieoF good things, cndurcth all
tlicIlorn:CS.andperillousblariSof' vvndo,orthre.'!cningof
thcrcii,pdl, in liopcof the poll.liion ot ihc plcafuics of
thcplacc. To fareth ic widi Uich who incanc to make vie oF
tl^.c Gorpcl!;die hope ct ctcinall life and laUacionjnniil ex-
tingiiiflial! Fcarcs ot our dar.{>eions psiragcs in this world,
and oiicrconie all difHc'ilricstbr our better comming to
hcauen,and diisbec faid of tiic Hrll vfe, feeing lite and fal-
uationarc duis propoled vnto vs by the Golpell oi Id us
Chrifl. The other \ fc vncc hauc to make, or woike wee
haue to doe, is to know how wee inav comDalfe ihis ; and
what wee itiiill praiSlife to actaincit, m brictc this muft be?
done by
Faith and Repentance.
For the firrt: of thefe, Faith is fo excellent a thing, and \
foablblutely needful! toatiaincdicpriuiledgesof thcGof-
pcll, as wid^out this wee can d«e nothing : and vncill thil
be loft or weakened, wee are fafe and comfortable in all
cftates. For,as though a nianfall into die hands of thceiics, Mania ftvt^ '
although rhey rob and fpoilc ium of all hee hath, yea,leuUC
himftarkenaked ina wildcrncirc to winde and wcadier,
yet if ihey take not away his life, tlicre is fvime iiope of re- !
couerie, and a man may bcereilored againc to a former c-
fl-ate.and labour to gee inorcwealcli/otaicth it with Godj I
children in thewildcmeire of this >vorld, although ihcy
arcrobd, fpoyled, and b:redu:d of .eanhly blcffingSj de- '
ried iionour, riches, preferment 5 yea, left naked as Jt were \
in the Sunnc, yet as long as faith leiiiaincSj and that they i
arc conftant in the belede of the promifcs of the Gofpcll^ j
alloihcrdiftculcies arc ouciconic by this grace, and lite '
cucrlafting which furniounteth all th.e reil.attaincd vnto at j
the !aft;how Ihould cucry one of vs then labour to pray for ''
it^ tonmfc and entertains this lb excellent and profitable |
jcsveil <
X 6 Hm t0 dU4tne the vft of the Gefpelt.
Icvvdlof faith : to liuc by ir,lbnd by ir, vvalkc by it, ancT'
doc and fuller all things in Faith (as our forefathers of
bldTed meiiioric ) inany of tlian hauc done. The com-
ircndation thereof, with the many rare eife£^s thereof is
Hf/',i I. excellently fee dovvne, Heki i . all which being a depth
beyond thatcompalle wee now intend to wade into: Wee
will by y our patience leaue to intreatc of it now,and come
to that wee efpccially intend, which is the fecond thing re-
quired of V5 for the attaining oi life and faloaaon through
lefus Chrill, whidi is.
"^pentance^
t K'''^^*!' If yoUrcade,t.^#;7^.5.3.youfliall finde what J^amAnr
NoAmant little inaidc faid ; tVoHld to ^od my Lord were r»$th the Pr9'
Maidc, ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ <» Samaria, hee vcfonldfoane del Her him of hU
ieprofie : (o lairh the Gofpell vnto v$ • Oh that you would
come v^nto Chrill, feeke after him by a luely tairh and true
repentance for your linncs, hee would dehuer you from
thethrcatning of thcLaw, ai d icleafc you of ihofc im-
pofiiblc conditions which shere you are bound vnto ; hee
would conquer death and hell tor your lake, and pay ihc
ranfon-e for your I'niies, and in the end by his Redeiripci-
on bring you vnto lifcceuerlalbng. Thus iriuit wee needs
flie or refuge vnto tliedeach and p-fTion o\ Chrill. I con-
fclFe that there is botn lite and deach m rjie Law, as there is
SaluationandRedenptionin die Gofpell-, but the Law
(as 1 faid ) bindes v$ vnto conditions which wee can neucr
pcrforme, whereas the Gofpell prop ofes life and faluation
vpon mcrccalier tearines, Thefi doe andlme 5 or T^oe not^
i^ndperijh : onely to belecuc and repent, and runnc vnto
Chrift, and hoe will healc vs of our leproljc.
This then is the diifcrencc betwixt the Law and Gofpcl^
TheLavvproifcrs life and faluation vnto vs, if wee can
kecpe the Law and ncucr finne againil God. The Gofpell
giues vs hope ot Life and Saluanon, though wee cannot
pcifoni^c
The vfc of the GofftlL fj
performc the Law, fo v^ct bclccuc ard rcp«it, which arc
tarrccaficr conditions then a(f^uall hohndic, tying vs
flridly to the obferuation ot thccommandemcnt, tczcft-
diHg vnto the fpintuall meaning oFthcfawic : fo you fee
hovvchcGofpcli probers Vihtc and laluation vpon farrc
more ealic tearnies then the Law doth 5 which fliould
make vs fo Uiuch x\\c more dihgcnt to fee into the my lie-
nes ot the Gofpcl I, where fo great priuilcdges are gran-
ted vnoo vi, and adiiiirc tliat depth oF wilcdome that
hath thihJ tempered thcleueritic ot the Law towards vs»
cuen vvhcii death was in the poc.
Of this there he two vfes*
Firft, th.u enery Christian mnfi indeaHoftr t9 k^epe Vft t.
himfelfe from finnejioXmcyj^dX, and labour in the pra-
d^ife of a holy life 5 But if heefall and finne by wcaknelLe
and frailtie, aiid fa>le in liiscourfcand race running, then
heemult fl.c vnto lefus Chrilt 5 Belccue the proniifes of
thcGorpcll, bee of good comfort in tlie Redemption of
his foulc 5 and remember ihat which Saint Patil faith,
Rom.y, The gogdwhtcb I wonld doe, I doe not -^and the Kom,j,
eHillrvbich I w.juld not doe, that doe I,
Secondly, That wee mafl take heed that wee liae nat Vft 2.
in notertnm knowne finne, for ihc world is 'io tull of vvic-
kcdncireand impictic, that many dare fay, what chough
I finne thus and thuy, yet by repentance I hope co bee fa-
ued. Yea, many grolle fwearers, lycrs, adulccrcrs, and
fuch like,can prophane godlindlc in this manner ',1 hope
forall this togoctoheaucn as well as the b«/l, Chrrtl
faidhee came to fauc, nottodcilroy the w arid, and fuch
like. But the true Chnllian cncly hec jnay make a com-
fortable vfe of the Gofpell, and apply thcfe fpecches to
thccon^foit of hisfoule ; not ihc otlK^r. And therefore
in the name of God let vs apply our fclues.vnto the fearch
of thefe things now v\hiili itjscihcdto day ; and whilfl
the ciincof faluationcnauic: ; fo: it now wcciieglcd our
Ccv timc^
18 TBe ?(ecifiue ofKefent4nce.
time, though wcc fliould giuc a thoufand worlds for it,
wcc cannot haucic here ahcr tins life. If a man come to
Market the market and cheapen fuch things as hec hath need of,
cheapniagc ^^^ y ej- will not goe to the price of them, he rauft returnc
without them •, cuen fo, feeing wee hcare at what price
God hath fet life and faluation, that they are not to bee
purchafed, but at the price of Faith and Repcntanccj and-
that God will not let them goe at a lower rate, let vs re-
folue that they will not bee gotten other wife, fo that if
weemeanc not to come to the price 5 or cannot come vn-
to Faith and Repentance, wee mud bee content to go€
home againe without Life and Saluation. And thus much
generally for the conditions of theGofpell.
NowforthcParticulars in Repentance, there arc ma*
ny worthy heads to be conHdercd : as,
1. The Necejfttie of it, wee cannot beefaued with-*
out it.
i,The Ord^r of it with other Grace So
3 . Tloe Nature of it,
^,The Caufesof Repentance,
5. The Time of it,
C.TheTraEiifeofit.
7. The Lets of it,
%, The Cafes of Repentanct^&i.
9. (Contraries vnto it,
loJncreafeof it,
I;
NE CESSITIE OF
Repentance,
Firfl: for the Neceffitic thereof, Repmtanee U fnch
4i neeeffary fract^ at no man can bee faned without it,
for there bee but twoeftates wherein cuery man liuing
Jpay b«c faucd, the iUw cf Inmcngi:, and the ftate of
Fxnt^
T^ ITecefttk. tf ItefinidHcF. < ip
?^w/W,vn to which belongs the Grace of Falth.Ncv
no man liuing cuer after the fall of ^dam can be faiicd in
thcftarcof Innocencic, bccaufc wee bee all finncrs and
gricuous (Innas before the Maicftic of God, lb then hee
that will bee failed muft bee faued in the Hate of /'r-
There bee but two pleas that any man can make vviien
hee fhall lland before God in fearc of ludgenicnt. Either
7^0/i pfccaut Domieney Lord I hauc not iinned: or Do-
mme peccant^ Lord I haue finned, S^dpoenitet peccujfcy
it repents me that I haue finned andotfended. Now no
man liuing can lland before God in the (Irength of this
firtlplea, Non peccam: Lord I haue not Iinned ; For
lam.^.z. it is written in many things wee (inne all, and iim,%^2,
iJohn 1.8. if yvei fay wee h^ue »o finne wee deceiue our , j^^^^ | j
y?/(«^/ ; And ^4/<>w »,i5
to this purpofc : /f Cjodperaduent fire will ante them Rc^
pentancet^ theacknowledgtna §f the truth j by all which
IS apparant, that no man can come out of the fnares of
Death, but by Repentance, and fo wee may conclude
that Rcpenrance is a necellarie Grace, without which w«
cannot come to life aad vSaluation. Of this there b«c
diuers ■ ^^u^^w
Ccc z t^feJ*
Vfa.
Vfc I. Firft, feeing Ropenrance is fiicli a necelTaric Grace,
That reeereyicvf OUT Rej^sntancg diuly, for fo Fane as a
man is froin Repentance, fo farre hcc is from the Grace
of life. Now in Repcntancewccinurt not take this h-
bertic to fuppofethat fomc fober and fad thoughts ( as
weetearme them) of Repentance will ferue the turne:
O what doe wee infuch llighc accounts, but euen caft
away the faluation of our owne foules ? For as we hearc.
Repentance is fucli a necelfarie grace, that vvhofocuer
carts away Repentance, cafts away the faluation of his
"^uth,^ 5,6. owne foule. Wee rcadc Rmh 4.5 .6. that when offer was
madetothckinrmantoredceme the land, hoe was con*
fc«//;. tented till it came to the purchafing of Rmh the Moabi-
tilhwomanattheliandsof 7S(^o7wi, then hec gauc oucr
andrefignedhisinterell to5o<«i.*cuen fo it is with a
number of men, they would willingly come to heauen
topurchafethefield, thatis,cometo the happy eftate of
laluationandthekingdome of God, but they will not
hauc it at the hands oi Rcpcntance,they will not be Ivjm-
bled for their finnes, they will not forfakeche wor!d,this
is thercafon why a. number will lofe eternall life, rather
then forfake the pleafures of the world , and thcfe finfull
vanities which continue fo (hoiT a time : and produce
nothing but bitterncire and vexation of minde m the end.
Vfc 1. A lecond vfe is, that feeing Repentance is fuch a neccf-
fane grace witiiout which none can be faued : That all
thofe who bane not Mreadte repented^ mu/I' norv repent^ if
theydefiretocomevfttoCf9diol?£efAHed: and behold
God in his glorie, or lookc to iland ja'bfied before
Chriil : feeing chit without this Repentdiice, these is no
promifethat doth belong vnto thee. IiiJeeJ, if a man
care not for thefe things faluation ^nd crernnll hfe, il* nee
doc nvK dciire to be faucd^ to fvc J jJ ou hi:> ^lo'-e, Uand
AT • - - - W.oie.
The Tlecefiiie ef Repent drt^e] 1 1
Leforc Chrifl,es before Repentance.
Now for the better confidcration of this, wcc rauft ^
know, The ^$jfcrence hetwcene the work^s pf Fdtth and
true RepentdHce, Firft, the Ad or worke of true Faith is i
gcnaally tobcleeue the proirufesof thcGofpelJ, that all Aft of Faith,
men who repent and belecueniall bcefaued. The fccond *
Aft or workc of Fajth is to bclecuc that the promifes bee Aft of Faith,
propofed, but with a condition^ If I my (elfc can bc-
lecuc and repent, I (hall bee faued. Now when a man
hath this workc of Faith in himfclfe, this makes him la-
bour to repent his finnes,to belccue hi Chrift, and when
hec hath repented and bclccucd •, then follovvcs the great ^
^ of Fajth, whereby a man bclccues, that hjs iinnes arc Adof faith,
pardoned, and his foule (hall bee faued : and Cofome acts
tf F^tth ^oe befere Repentdnce , ani Jome fodovf
4{fier.
Jhcn, that Repentance (liewes ic felfc before Faith in
chc life of a ChriiUan, is mpft evident and plaine. For
firil aman mull nocdcs bee humbled for his finnes, hec
nmft groanc vndcr the bui den of rficm,and crie to hea-f
Ucn againlhhcm, before hcc can lay hold by Faith, that
they bccpardo|;icda^'^dKfnitc^d : SoweAUhdy x.
^^wjjSit.i 3. hcew;^$, humbled forhi^finnc, bcforchcc ^•^''^•'*''^'
cimM gcrceiuc ^ivd pcrfw^c himielfe that his finnc was
^\i " Ccc 4. pardon
2 ]^. The Orier d/Reptntificel
pardoned, or iccciuc comfort . / ha fie fin>fed agawfl the
Lord, and then Follows-, 77?^ Lerd affo hdrhpar ayv^j thj
fmie^thoH fh Alt not dte. Many- are the examples \\\ the
bookeof God, where wee may lee howthemofl: part oF
the pcopleof God were well and truly humbled by Re-
Obicd. pcncance before Faithraifcd them. But here fo me may
lay, Hovp comes it to pa^( then thatfofn? Imuc beene com^
forte A by Faith who were hut f^e?iderly tf at all hnmbled
ACt.i^.z^, b^ Repentance, as wcc fee in Lydia, Acl.i6.i^, rvhofe
heart ths Lord opened, that /hec attended the things that
were fpoken ? And in chc Sftntich, ^^(^7.8.5 9. of whom it
it is faid prefcntly vpon his hearing of the word from the
mouth ot Fhflip, And hee went on his way re'tojcing*
Anfwer. J anlwer, this difference arifeth of this j Fitft, in fomc
there is apprehenlion of the ouglmcirc of finne fo much,,
as nothing can fixedicir conceits and imigtnatit>ns afto-
: thcr way : in vvhich cafe though comfoic come, it'caninot
fo foone make impreflion. vSecondly , fome doc fo excee-
dingly apprehend the Punifhment due tc Tinnc, that
though Promifes come, pardon be proclaimed, yet they
rcmaiHC hcauy and lumpilh ftill, not being able to rtifc
vp themfelues, and fee their Faith aworke to beleeuc fo
good newes 5 though they haue repented of their finncs.
Where againe, in the ocher 5 Firft, there is a ilrong ap'
prehcnfion of the greater, which is the mercic of God
beyond all, and a lelfer figlit of their ownc linne, whith
makes their a^fl of Faith lb much the rrtorc ealie. Ail3
iccondly, thcreisintlKma large appiiehcnfion of Gods
offering of redemption in Chnft, and faluation in'hfi
blood, which with goodatfe^ion they rcecSueandrdare
comForced ; So rhac the caft i<,;acc®i^lng'a5it fall^H' Mi^
diucrfly in the Conuef fion of a (inner ;' In wHonl \fitre
are two appehcnfioHS ^ firiljapprchenfiori of the Jgl^'-
netr:andgijilcindrc of hisfinues-, Secondly, an ap^rc-
iicnfion of the inercy of God offering of 'Rcdempcion
.1 1 1 1.^^ wt.f ^j Rccbncihacion in thecfcitii of Oinll.- NovvHaiiffe
itfallsoutinthe coj^uerfion 6f a finper)- that fc&twies^
7h€ 0 rdcr ofte^eniAnct. 2 y
hccapprclicnds more ilrongly the one, and fometiinci
the ochcr : chac To accordingly is his ioy or Ibrrovv great
or Iniall. And therefore if a man in his firft conuerlion,
hauc a Hiorcftror^g apprehenlion of his owne Ilnncs,and
all his thoughts is carried vpon thebcholding oF his nii-
fcriesandwofuU cftatc, this makes him to lament and
moiirne bitterly, many a day togcdicr: but if at his firft
conuerfion, with a fight ot linnc, a man behold 'uch an
infinite feaand depth of Gods mercies, as is brrc beyond
allhisfinncs : and the infinite merit of the death and
furfcrings of the Sonne of God •, Eucn as Flakes of fire Flakci of fire,
falling into the Ocean fea, arc quenched with the abun-
dance ot water ifo all his finnes faUin| into the mainc
fca and Ocean of Gods mercie in Chrift, arc all couercd
And put out : fo as his heart is filled with ioy tnd
gladncirc as it fell out with LjdU and the
EnnHeh, e^^^.S.and
others.
Le CT. IIL
u rt£inc
v : ri'"j'>i
rr —
L E C T. 1 1 L
III.
THE NATVRE OF
Repentance*
ISA I Atf . I.l^,
f^alhytty mdkeyoH cteAfje, pM ^wsy thcEuiltofpm
^9tHgs,from before mitt^ ejes, Cfsfc /# d^ emit, Lcartttt^
1^^ Hauc read in tfic ftorlcs of this
time, that they v\hich traufll into
Z^irgtni4 and (jHiaH^y or among
tlwlc fauagc and dcfolatc coun-
tries, carry a Tindcrboxc with
thcni, and when night comes they
inakea fire, or light vp a candle,
to fee where to (leepc and reft the
n]orc fafely. EuenTo God hath left vs his holy Word,
to bee ?s a tindcrboxc vntovs, to ftrikc fire and light vp Timdcrboxc.
acandlcjtodire^^ vs through the darkc wildcrncire of
thii world, fo as they who yviH ice the nicrcie^ ©f God,
muft
muft tike thcbookcofGod into their hands, and as by
(Inking of. fire the, traucller i« the fafcr, and hath the
ruBiirtih pf^ ),ig|it todircR how, and when to reft, fo mud
w^^^aife a hght out of Gods word, to conucy vs home
ro^icaucn ; Therefore oFall other things, let vs take heed
tlfafvvcc doc not defpife this kindndTeand goodndlc of
th? Lo;:d, whole boiintic Icadcs vs vnto Repentance : of
wUich 1. (pake die lail day. Firft, wee -hauc. heard thv'
Nct-'cfllcicvpf it. Secondly, the Order of it with otha
graces :aiui now in the third place, wee arc to create of
The NdtHre of Recent ance ^ and of this the rather, be-
caiife there is a kindc o^ Baith and Repentance which dc-
cciues vsin their NaiiiK,ibr there area namber of men
and women, thathaue a llicvv of Repentance, and thinke
themfelues in a good etlatc, gn4 vvcji enough, when in-
dec4 they are not,arid hauebut ameereniadow of Grace,
fo ctla6 w|c majrJnoipce/ecc|ucdfin a.jr^ttcr of f^ch mo-
mcnt and weight, 1 haue thought it good to inakc ic
knownc vnto y ou/,vhat ii^lU true Nature of Kcpcntancc,
But before I fhew you the true nature thereof, I will
I ficftf i^eihc- falfe account vy Juch the world hath of Re-
jWBtaoce, Tome take, repentance to h^^hwt fome firrow
for finne^ fo that when the hand of God is vpon him, or
that hec liesficke,laine,or any way perplexed 5 if he then
€ilA\%nt fojRG fev^^^]ghcs, and fay. Lord, haue merey v^on
wetiAfinner : I t}w foriy that l.liauc offended, he fuppo-
iXing. ii.i7» feth'it is Repentance: but this -/^/^^t^ did and more: this
M^ih.if.^. /«^rf^ did with publikc confclTion, yet r^euer repented:
fothatif outward forrow for fmne, or a fad looke, or a
fi^h or fuch like were true- Repentance, what Reprobate
is there almoll in. the world, but doth this and many a
day ? Yea, fuch as liue in grollc and knownefinncs, can
eric to God tor itiercie, and confclle their offences, and
thiskethcy haue obtained a grace horn God in fo doing,
fccining i brry for their iinncs, though, yet they line in
knownciinncs,asIfaidagainil their ownc confcience,
and
The Nature cfRcfentdrice. 1 9
isnd continue pi cluinpiuonny in their vvickcdndTc -, Yea,
ho.vinany ihoufn^dsarc chcrc vvlio ncurr obraincd any
grace or mc.cy ac all co bcc forry for their finncs ? O how
iarrcihortcircthclc men From Repentance! tochinkcthat
a little Ibnow tor linnc is ir.
Againc, m.irty th'tnl'e thnt the leaning of fome notori^ %
»H6 ^roffc fiiftetd RipCHtnyK^f, thofigh the whole I'tfc bee
Jltll full nf corrtiptton and trnpiette, N03 no, they arc
ciecciucd,roramanmay leauehis grollc linncs, and yet
neuQ- repent 5 yea, leaue them for vi while,and yet rcturnc
tothcmagaine: As you fee how 'Z>^«/WleU his Adultery zSim.ii^ '
at the firll, before God gauc him grace to repent, and dc-
firt a while trom many linncsaFter this: And yet was o-
uertakcn againc foully in many things contriuiwg againft
Vriah. So then you fee that a man may bee lorry tor his
finnc without repentance.
Againe,y^wr th'tKke that euery godly motion is Repen' j
tance, lb that if a man hauc but a sliouglic of God, and
defire of Grace, by and by it is Repentance: But this
Herod had, and did many things after John Baptifis
preaching gladly : This ayfgrtppA had, when hee told ^^7.26.2 J •
^aftl, ThoH almojl perfivadesi mee to bee a Qiriflian,
Thus many attainc vnto good motions, and haue a
mindcasic vvcrcco true Repentance, and yet come farrc
Ihon of It : thcfebc the counterfeits of Rcpaitance.
Thus hauing heard Repentance what it is not ? la v$
lee AtHrmatiucly what it is ; h is an abfolute change of Definition of
the whole man iHpHrpoJe of heart a>2dtHrning htm to God Repentance
and goditrtcjje, from hts former courfes avd vpicktd life :
So that It bach foure things in Jt •, Firll:, it is- a change of
aman.vSccondly,it is a change ot the whok man. Third-
ly, it is fuch a change as turneth him in purpofc of heart
from all fmnes. Fourthly, luch a change as turneth a man
&om all iuuia vnco God.
Firil,,
|o The NAtnrioftcftntmi^-:
I Firft, // // A shange, as wcc may kt Rom, i l.l.t/tnci
Kom.12,1, beemt conformed to this w»rld, but bcc joh transformed
by the renewing of y our mirtd^, And chereForc where there
is no change From the Former naturall fftate, there can be
f?fe." noRepentance^ As bringfircinroaroomc, and it will
make a change in the roomc ; it will make it light and
warmc,andFwecc,<5<:c. Euen (bif a inan truly repent, it
will make a change in bis heart, in his liFe, in his cariage,
fpeeches and coiiuerfation. It will make a proud man
humbled, a Couetoiis rwan to bee liberal 1, a Drunkard to
bcc fobcr and temperate; and an Adulterer to bee challej
ftubbornnclTeit will change into gentlencire and atfabi-
litie jtobeebriefe, of impenitent, it will make one peni-
rim* ^^"^ • ^* St.*P.gcth
The Nature ofRefentAnce. 3 X
clungeth tlie will, it changcth the afFcdions, it clungcch
eucry Uculcie both oucwaid and inward, in all the parts
and jxjwcrs of ibulc and body. VVhercFore if a man be
changed in oJic part and not in another, it is not Re-
pentance.
\hutlf a. man mnfl hee changed, in euery part, then Obic£lion,
there u a perfect ton in our Repentance , it may ieeperfeQ,
TothisI anfwcr. There is a double or twofold per- AnGvcr.
fec^ion, Firll, Of ad the parts to iiauc them changed:
Secondly, There ps a perfcUion in euery part 5 as wc fee in
achilde, there is all the parts of a man in it : as hands, ^ ^^*^*'
armcs, Icggesand {o forth, but dierc is not pcrfedion in
thofc parts. It is not come to the full Itrength and
growth : onely this is attained by degrees rhiough the
nourifhment it takes: So it is in the workc of Kcpcn-
tance, this makes a change in euery part, lo tliat euery
part is pcrfe'Ould not offend
Qod
Tie Ndture ifRepe»UHif7 ' J 3
Goi fori world, but my corruptions carry mtt To vntS
it, that I cannot choofc ; Therefore if there bet a willing-
ncffe to fmnc, there is no true repentance.
So likcwife it makes a Change in the Aff*c(f^ions.Firft, u ^ /r a-
whereas formerly linne was our ioy and delight 5 Now ^^j, ^ ^ ^'
wee forrow for ic, and it is grieuous vnto vs. Secondly, |
whereas before wee committed linnc with boldndlc, 2
now wee are afhamed of it. Thirdly, whercai before wc ^
loued it, now wee hate it : So tliatic is clcerc that there is
1 change made in the affcdions thereby: firft to inftance,
whereas at firft wee tooke delight and ioyed to finne:
BOW fuch doe forrow, mourne, and lament for it : as le-
rem, 1 1, k is faid, / banc ftirely he4rd Ephraim IsmeH- Urem.ii.
tiKg,th»H hafi chafiifed mee and I vfOi chafi fed* And
TpiL6» Dauid confelfes that hec did water his couch p^ .^
withtcares. 6'/7r;/<;7?owr on this place fayes well j If fo
great a King did[ lament and weepe for his finnes, fo
great a Prophet, and fo holy a man did Oicd cearcf, and
chat not for an hourc,but for a long time, not for a night,
but many nights,not a drop or two,but he did water his
bed with them: how much more ought wee to grieuo
and lament, and Ihed teares for our finnes, that area great
many more. For the next, whereas before wee commit-
ted finnc with boldndfe , wee now become aftiamcd
of it, and therefore if wee can finncandnot be aOiamcd
of it, but bcare it out with boldnelfc of face, it is a fign«
our repentance is not true. By the contrarie, if when wc
iiaue committed finne, wee are abaflied and afliamed to
lookc any body in the face,fo that wee could bee conten-
ted to hue in aOaue or a dungeon, or fome fuch feact
place, after thefaif^. It IS a good figne, faying, Thetimc
hath beenc when I was fo brutilli and fenflcffe, that I
cou d hauc bccne contented tohauc committed finnc in
the fight of the Sunne with boldnclfe, but now I Ihamc
tothinkeof it, if it bee thus with vs, itisa figne of true
gppentancc. As lercmie in the perfon of tlic faithful I
D d d faycs,
Y4 ^^^ Nature of RefeHtdfice.
ltr,x*x 1. fty«» J^ffren%, ^.l^.l Ije downe in confufion^ Andrfee coHer
QHr felHfsrvfthpyame, So the T^uhlican was afhamed,
and durfl not liftvp his eyes to heaucn, but hee fiiiotc
tH\e 8i ?♦ himfelfc vponthe brcft:,and faid. The Lord bet merctfui
to mec a Jtuner, And laftly, whereas before wee tookc
dehght in finnc, now wee hate, dcteft, and abhorre it,
whereas our dehght was in the waycs of vanirie,and that
the plcafurcs of iinnchauc beenc nieate and drinkc to vs,
vvce now begin to hate thcdehghts of this Iffe, euen as
i.Sam.iiii, oyfmmon, I.Sam. 1^,1^. zkcr hee had by inordinate
Ammon. j^^g dcfircd hi $ lifter Thamar 5 did hate hei* after fo much
IbmaTo ^^^ ^^^^ . ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^j^lg ^, j^j^ Q^j. ^^^ bcloued fins,
hate them as much or more, as cuer wee formerly loued
them. And therefore if fo bee wee fee in vs renewed and
changed atFeftions from that wee were, from cuill to^
good, this isafigne of true Repentance, when fuch a
change and alteration is wrought in our Inward Man.
t
Now, 44 Repentance makes a change in the Inxfard
Cliangc inthc »»4» ; fodoth it in the Outward aljo in our ty^iitons : not
outward min. oncly rcnewingour heart, but our whole life, that wher-
a$ in the beft part thereof, wee hauc done feruicc vnto
finnc, it maketh vs now doc fcruice vnto Chnfl 5 yea,
that wee neuer thought to doc ; as in the Parable of the
M^th.ihil* twofonncs : theonelaid, hee would not goc, yet after
repentance hcc went and did cleanc contrary. So inthc
M^ry MAt/k-^ hiftonc of CHary Magdalen^ O Lord I how were all
/f», her aiflions changed, when fiiec was changed by repen-
tance, flicc that was woont to fit in glone at fumptuous
Fcalh and banquets, leancj all now tofitdowne at Icfus
fcete vpon the ground : Sheethat was wooiit to clip and
i4 kilfc ha louers wnh wanton jmbraces, left all to kilTe th<
feet of herSauiour, (hee that had curled her haire, artd
haddielfcd it with Pcarle and colli inclfe for wicked and
intifng purpofes, la it now hang loofcly about her face
and head to be a towell to wipe the fcete of lefus, fhethat
h^d wandring e)e^, and thought vpon nothing bud
Iwj^lcs
Tk ^{jitari of Rcfenunci. 3 j.
feiles and plcafurc, makcth thtm now a founcalne of
tcarcs to walh her Sauiours fccr. Her cares which were
open to hcarc nothing but iDUlickc and filchy talke, novr
arc ready CO hcarc Chrill fpcaking vnto her : her fectc
which foniiCily carried her into vainc companie,arcnow
the indrmrrenrs to bring her inro the houfc of God : and
that tongue which before fpakc filthily, idly and loofely,
is nowiinploycd in the praifcsof God : and fo forth for
all her gellure and apparcllj&cOlwliat an alteration was
here ? what a change did Repentance workc, through
foule and bodie in the inward 6c outward man. And thux
mull it w orkc vpon vs all , or ell'e wee come not neerc the
nature dt true Repentance. For true Repentance vvcrketh
vpon finncrs in che fame manner ; The hands now take
vpi Bible, and with as great delight reade the word of
God, as they before followed their fports : the fectc thac
carried die body to houfes of iniquitic, are now as ready
to carry tl^cin to the houfeof Chrift : the Eares that were
woont to hearken to lafciuious talke, and bee taken with
amorous louc-longs, are now attcntiue to Sermons and
the word ot God. The eyes that were rouling about to
meet with temptations, arc now fixed on a Preachcr,and
hauc couenant made with them : In a word, the hcarc
and aiTcclion that was fraughtcd with finfull and idle
fancies and motions, are now full of holy meditations,
and bulled with diuinc cxcrcjfes.
Thethirdching in the Nature of true Repentance is, \
thitt wee mnfi not onely bee changed tn party hnt wee mnft
bet turned from all finne : as *Ddutd faith, Pfal. lie?, p/a/. up loi
/ hane re framed my feet from euerj eutU way : Y'hat I
may k^epe thy word -, lb th^t it wee turnefrom one finne
or from many finnes, and not from all and cuciy finne,
it isnotiruciepciuancc- yihalf 2nd Ind^ turned from
one finne, but not troin all : hec repented of betraying ^
hisMaftcr, but not of his other linnes of couctoufiKlfe,
&c. tbcrgfoie he fell into de< paire. O but there is no man obicft.
Ddd 2 VvIk)
f^
icmit,
I John.
Aafwcr.
!f.Sd/».
4
Obicftion*
whaliucth and finneth not in foinc fmnc or other rTor
SzJ^.mes fayes : /« maMjf things wee fmne Ali,Vnzo which
itii2d6cdyiJoh». If wee fajf that wee haue no finne in
vs, wee doe hnt deceiue our felnes, and the truth is not in
vs. How then can wee turncfrora cucry finnc ? I anfwcr,
}Ve muft tfirne away from all finne y though all finne d^
not turne away from vs : but is ready to catch hold of
and follow vs, lb muft wee dcalc with all linne, as Sa-
w/i/r/did with Sanl, ^^w/^f/rcfolucd to depart and went
away 'ixamSaul: But .J^^/catcht hold of hiin and would
not let him goc : So muft wee depart from all finnc.in rc-
folution and indeauour, part company, turne backe,look
downe, and frowne vpon all : though it bee true that fm
will pull vsbackc, catch and lay hold vpon vs, ftay vs
againft our will : this much ii all wee can doc vvhilft wcc
dwell in thcfc houTcs of clay.
The fourth thing in the Nature of repentance is. That
Wee muft not oncly turne vnto God, as the Prophet lere^
mie hath it 5 O Ifrael ! If thou r e turne ^ returne vnt0 me,
faith the Lord, 1 but how fliould wee turne vnto God?
I anfwcr, wee muft not onely turne vnto God as our Sa-
uiour andour Redeemer, for fo wee turne by faith, hut
w^c r/,^ft turne to htm as the guider andgoucr^our of our
Hues, Bccaufc many are well contented to haue
God their Sauiour and Kedeema-, who
rcicd him for the guide and go-
uemour of their
liues.
L
CT.4.
^
■^ ^.
L
E C T.
IIIL
II I r.
THE CAVSES OF
Repentance.
Act. II. i8.
PfiyfH they heard thefethinfs they held their feaee^ and
glorified God, f^jtng^ then hath gcdaljo ymo the Gcntilts
granted Kepsntuncevntoltfe^
^EE (V^wcdvnto you the laft dfty
the true N.turc of Repentance,
lel\ any one (hould bcc decciutd
in a matter ot fo gcit momem,
and thinkc due hee hath this
Grace, when indeed hcc hath buc
a ihcw and ihadow thcrof : whcr»
in wceconiidered foure things j
f irft, tha-: Repentance was a diarge in a man. Secondly,
thacit was a change of ihe whole iiian. Thirdly, ihatic
was fucW a change as made 1 man Icaue and tu^nc from
all iinne.Fourthly ,that k is liich a change as turns a n an
from alKinne vntuGod: As ^cif.26.2o, itisfaid, That .^^^ j,
thejf /hoM R:'pf/ft S'tdr^frne ta God, uttd d^e ncies nuete
for Repentance^ So that repcnrancc is a turnjng vnto
God. By frnnc a man is auaicd and turned away from
Ddd 3 him,
J 8 The Caaps of Repent iyjce^
hifTijby Repentance a mnn turnes viuo God againe, ti
one willing CO bcgoucrncdajxJ guided by him in all his
courfes : for vnlctk this bee, ic, can ^bee no true Repen-
tance. The nature whereof is, as wet banc heard at large;
Icrcmainesin the next place that wee come to treatc of
T^y CAHfes of RefsntAncc, which arc of three 1 ores,
I For the firft , The frtKcipali effct'M cuife is Cjod, For
CaufcofRc- itisGodonely who can make vs repent, no man can
pcnuncc. workc it, wee cannot compalTe it our felues, but God
mud worke it by the graces of his holy Spirit : as Paul
2,r;w.2.iy. hath ir, ^.T/«;.2,.2^. fajth hfe, ^robuing ifgdd.f^rfd^
uenttire wtil giuethim repenfanrc to thf' ack^ijip/^d^i-r^.g of
the trfith. Whereby hec prooues thatGod onely is the
giuer of Repentance, and no good duty can bee per-
formed vnlene God ftirre a man vp vnto the fame : So ac-
;^<3.ii.28. knowledgeth the Church df the Greekcs, entance is a worf^c in a
yhyficke. 2mns owne power, that ic is like the Apotliecaries Phy-
fick which a man may fct in .his windovv and tilyc it .aj
his lloinacke icrues him :, So chcy thinkc>that.jHc^edi
tanccnuy rcllvponamansovVnc will 5'yVa^ many pre*
fume to lay, that if they may hauc but one houre to re-
pent iiibefore the day of death, it is asgoodias-nhaugli
they had had a rVvhole yeare to rhinkc vpon k. But' yoii
foe.chat Repentance is'not in our power, ' ic is a gifc?, «
worke of God, to that wee cannot repent when wee wi!.!,
but when God will cdicretorcicmuil b'^e our cak-e to take
lepencancewiicn God prc:>^K^r5ir>\indwHisit. Lookc irt
Etb 12,17* theitory of 8far4;^ Htb.itiJ^fi, ho«)orCf refufcd it, and
fought It dworkcicinhim,a$ic is, Ph$I.i.ij. Far it is G§i
i»hich workfth in you lf$th the vfid d»d the deed, ( or to
will and to doc ) of his good plcafurc. Thirdly, tkough
wee hid eyes to fee good things, and will to delight in
them, ycchaucwccnoftrcngth and power to pcrformc
libn if.5» them vntill God will ; as hhn 1 5.5. For wtthont mee yoH
CA}i dse nothing. So then, this is the do6^rinc of Repen-
tance, that if QiA workc not in a man chdc motions by
his power, there ii no repentance* Nay , wc fee G od «nc-
ly workcs man vnto repentance by the power of his
Spirit and Grace, fo that hec isthc firft Caufe of Kepcn-^
tMHce, Of which let this be
The Vfe.
Vfc r. That becaufc the Efficient caafe of Repentance \i
lm^us»^ God onely , wee muft fay ( as St James faith ) ^fany man
Ucke w'tjdome, let him aske of (jod that giueth vnto aH
men lilferally,&cSo let vs fay of Repentance, if any man
lacke repentance, let himaske it of God, and hee will
giue it him. It is faid of the Rocke, PfaLy%,io, Behold
hee fmote the Roeke that the waters gujhed out^ and the
fiteames of4erfl9wedy&c. Euen fo let vs pray God by the
power of his Spirit, and grace to fmitc fo hard vpon our
rockic hearts,that by and by may gufh out from vs floods
of repentant tcares.
Vft 2» Secondly, let vs learnc to take God at hisolTcr, or elfc
, at another time wee may goc without it, and hauing it,
let vs ftirrc vp our fclues to be thankfull to God for it.
1 The Seesttd Caufe of Repentance ^ is called The Inflru*
CaufccfRc- w^«M/f ^4«/? ; and that is, the preaching of the Word
pcntancc. as it is, Lhk^i^.iy. faith hec, ^ndthat Repentance and
rcmtjfion of finnes jhottld hee preached tn his Name a-
mon^f} allNathns^ fo that preaching is. the Inibumen-
tftU
The Cdttfes ofRefentin^e. 43
tail caufc thereof, for though God g'uc Rrpcntance (Ic
being wrought by him iu vs ) y cc hce doth it by meancs,
vfccinullnot chinke that Gcd will open the Cloudts
and com« downc from heaucn, and pourc Repentance
imoourhcirtj,ordrop it in vs, but hce harh ordainrd
chat wccfhall get ic by the preaching ot the Word, for
thereby wee arc made partakers ot the graces of hjs holy
Spirit. Novv conlider there are two things to etfcift this.
The Preaching of the Law, and the pleaching of the
Goi'pelljthefirllthacaman may fee his linnc, and the
foaretull ellatc hee is in by the fame : The lecond,ihat he
may findcthercisarcmcdic, andthatit" is not in him-
felfc. Tlie Law prepares a man for Repentance, fhewcs
him all his fmnes, and his damnable cflate before 5 yea, it
terrifies thcconfcicncecucn to the very flinging of him
downe to hell : and though this be not an infallible figne
of grace to be thus terrified and retrained, yet it is the
occali^n oF it, becaufe it helpes to prepare vs, and make
vs willing to lay hold of Repentance as God workcs in
vs. Asa man that makes choice of a tree to build with. Tree.,
firil he cuts it downe with his axe, ere hce lay it flat vpon
the ground, and when he hath dene fojthen hee apply c$
his line and tooles vnto lopping the boughes, and fo
hcwes it, and fquares it to make it the fitter for his worke.
Euen fo dorh the Lord 5 fidl hee beates a man flat downe
with the fentence of the Law and horrour of his finne,
and then hee lifts him vp and reilores him with the pro-
mifesof the Gofpell : And whereas many thinke that it
i$a rtringc woikc of God to deale thus with a man, and
that when God doth dealc thus, that man ig in a wofull
and lamentable ertatc: the truth is, tliac then the Law
(from God) isa fitting and working a man, to bee fit
for cternall life, and thus though the Law cannot bring
a man to Repentance, yet it is a meanes of preparation :
AiKithcnat^'rcrthiscommcth the Gofpell, as a power-
full inftrument, and woikcs Faith ard oth^ Graces in v$
by a dirune aifilUncc,
. The
42 The Caufes pfRefentam.
yc^ji Becaufethcn the preaching oFtl^c Word is thus &
powcrFull caulc oF Repentance, that wee make much of
icandimbraccit,cllcemingic a precious Icwcll oF Gods
Trcafuriejyea^andtofcckc and liuiigcr for it by all
p - mcancs. Jf a man vvej^e grieuouiiy lickc vpon his bed,
^ * and that it were told hnn that in fuch a ground, fuch a
herbe did grow which applyed would quickly ridde him
of all his paineand gncFc •, iF bee had any mcanes to
come by it, lure hec would creepe thither vpon his hands
and his ^ca tohauc it, nopaines would bee irkcfomc vn-
to him, fohce might recojer his health againe, euen fo
when a man is deadly fickc oF finne ( as wee Ihould all
bee ) and it Oiall bee told him that in the preaching of
the GoFpcU, there is fuch a herbc oF Grace^ the Flower
oF Repentance, that will cure him oF his fmne, and re-
(lore him to the life oF glorie, I hope no man is fo defpc-
rate and carclclTe, that will neglect the hearing oF it.
Now what fliall wee doc in this cafe, but as it were to
crccpc on our hands and knees, that is, to vfc all meanes
to attaine the fame, and bee parrak rs of the bcncMtes of
the Gofpcll , that wee n^.ay bee faucd : O I (liall wee
bee more cavefull in fuch a cafe of our bodycs then of our
foules ?
3
Now befides thefctwo Caufes, that may bring vs vn-
Helping Cau- to Repentance ; there bee other three caul'cs, which arc
fcf of-Rcpcn- cz\kdCafij£adiHva»tes I Helping or furthering, caufes,
t^ ncc. bccaufe though they doc not worke Repentance in thcm-
felues, yet they doe excrcifc a man to the helping and
furthering of thiswotkeinhim : I dcclarcitbya limili-
tude, when one would faw a Tree j three thiilgs are re-
quifite vnto this workc. I'irft, there wuil bee a faw which
isthcliillrumcnt. S ec and ly,t here muftbec one to pull
and moouc the faw, to apply it to th« Tree 5 which is the
Eliicicnt
Sawc*
rhe Caups 0fReftniAfs):tr 4 j.
Efficient caiifc, Thirdly, there mull bee a certainc oyh'c
end liqiiide rnarccr to make the Saw vun?ie-, which is Ct.v-
/t ^is//^ f. v',v/. -the Helping caul e : which fmoochcs rhc
Saw and jilakcs it riinnc \\ ith calc : 5>o it \% ni this rrettt -• •' "^
vvorlve oF Repentance : the Saw or Inltrurrieiic to workc,
istheprc.ichmgot'the Golpell, which doth fawc and
workevponthecoufcience, asdic Initrument of God :
ahd God him("clicis thcetFc«fhiall puller or workcjuante
vvorkc Repentance ill V5. 56 that
No^v the Uclpi^iw r*' ijThc^MerCfe of God.
faufis arc cfpccialiy ^2. The Ipidgemenrs of God,
diKCt .J . C'l.Our qwKeConfidemtteyts,
The firil furthering caufc is, the LMercta of iSiiAkiTd, \
the remembrance of them, for when. God pucs vs in W^lp«n^ cjufc
mindcwhathce hatkdone for vs, or wee oar felucs cxin- °^^^P«fl»ancc
(ider,what wcehaiieloftor hazarded, by i-cafon of ,our
flnnes, who cannot bii: relent aV'a 'acltnbv^^IW^e ^hc -»»-.-* •«*
lame? confideriiigof (jods^g^^odddrci^'ds'lt is yl'i?^^i.i: K^^,^^ ' *
what dojl thou not knoyv O mix I that the BjUritiftflneJfe
ef Goda^idh/s ^oodnejf^ /^adeththee to Rcfic^r^nce :ior *i
lookc how many Aiercies God doth beftow vpoil' vsl To
many llrongmotiucsthey arc Vntc}R<*pt:ftta'ncrf'Sb''/'(j'- icreffjS]'^^ '"^
tem.i.God flicwing his former ■kifidnelTcsVhto'thVrn*
cxpoftulatcth the matter to bring theiti vnro Repentance
and Confcffion, fz^ek^io.^^y. tlic I^ord l];iewc3 for the ^^^{:»i«.4J.
Qt]^^r^,(l/^nd there Jhall jiGH rcrfteryibtr pHftv^ji^ nrrd
aU yoHrdoiri9^swhereijf yon hane heene defiled j iihd Jh
fi^iil lentlyc yanr fe lues tn joky owne Jtf!*t,e^c, and/o^. Job.%ulo%
ySi' ^-^' I^^^' coniplaineth, that none remen^bied the mer-
cies of God, and thcretbrc they wae not heard in their
S"'ayjcr;^,bel:aiilc rl^cy-^aritccri'»iitb to repent. To vrge
e pofnt yet more, j:hat'thefccrcies of God, mouc much
to Repentance, fee L^h 5. when Peter faw the great Lk{,i>
^riuglic of firt^^s, Lord ( f>iith hce} depart from meafn^
fiilLma^i .;Xlius Gods mercies did bring Fcter to the tic-
knowkdgen;evi, of his finnes. Eucn ib the macici of
God
44 7^5^ Cdufes ofRepenfmi}
God (liould bring vs to make this vfc of it,to brli^ vs to
thccoiUidcr;tioiiot" ourfinnesand to repent for them,
and to lo'jc the Lord for his goodnelFe, and For his mercy
Wife* and Uiiour beftowcd vpon vs. Ira wicked wife (hould
flip away from her husband, and coiLmit many faults
againllhim^U hccnocwithftanding fend her louc to-
J^cnfgh Chnfi, Secondly, of the z
fcarcfuilclhte whcran wecliuc vntill wee hauc repen-
ted : not being the friends of God but hcires of hell, not
hauing interelt in any promife : but liable to the Curfc of
the Law, vpon which cnlues death and torments.
Which IS the third thing : thofc vnfpcakablc tortures 3
diefouic for eucr Oiall endure wivh the dcuiU and his
angels
4< rheCdufrnfRtftntdncf.
4 angels for cuermorc. Fourthly, the confidcration of foi^c
ocha* things.
* Firft, TheNeceJfitieof Repentance y that ic i$ fuch a
nccctfaric grice that wee cannot bee faucd without it, for
there is but two vvaycs, either to Kepcnt or elfe to rerilh,
A fickc mane For if a man vvereticke, and a Phyfitian fhould come to
\ him and temper For him fuch a Potion, which if hce did
not take, hec could not choofe but dye, ouc would
thinkc a man could not choofe but take ic,though it were
againft his ftomacke : Eucn ^o wee arc all ficke of the
difcafcof Iinnc,andthe Lord hath tempered a Potion
for vsto drinke,and hee telleth vs, if wee doc not tike
it, we Ihall not cfcapc condemnation . Now this Potion,
which the Lord hath tempered for vs, is Repentance,
therefore wee muft bee contented to take ic though it bee
againft our ftomackc.
1 The ^tfr^Wconfideration is, Thevtilitie ^nd profite
rvee hane by it, for if wee repent God will forgiuc vs, buc
if wee repent not, God will make vs anfwer tor it at the
great day of Judgement : hcic is our choice, Repent and
bee forgiuen, Repent not and perilh : fo the Lord promi-
tJa.iAt, fcch Forgiucnelfc vpon RcpenLancc, //ii.i.iX. Though
y$Hr finnes wertred as fcarlet, hee wtd make them whtte
as fnovPy tfjoH repent andohey^ that is, in Gods account
it (hall bee fo.
^ The 7l6;r^ Confideration is: The readinejfe of Cjod
to receiuevf-y then hec will turne his frowning anger into
louing fauourjiis curfings into ble(Iings,his judgements
into mercies j fo foone as the Prodjgall Ton nc came home
to his Father, wee fee how willing and how ready hec
was to rccciuc him : So it is with cucry finner fo foone as
hccreturncthhometoGodjtheLord is prefcntly rcadic
to. leceiue him, and toforgiue all that is paft.
The
tht Caufes of RcfentdfJce. '^j
The fourth is, ThAt one daj wee [hall dye, and k»orp 4
not hfwjoone, when, if wee die without Rcpentance,wec
mull be damned for cuer. Therefore, this Ihould make
vs repent and turncvnto God. I remember the medita-
tion of a learned man: faith hccj Thselbcc of a linncr One in a
jsbkcamantraueUing or going a iourncy, and ai hco iourncj.
went, hcefell into a pit full ot fnakes, toadcs and fcr-
pcnts, in the mouth of which pit there was a tree, a
bough whereof ( as hcc fell ) hee catch t hold of, and did
hang thereby, at the rootc whereof there was a leane and
hunger-bitten beaft, thateuery day did gnaw to pull it
downe, whic4i bead is death : which ficing one day
it Will gnaw the rootc in pceccs,it (hcwcs
what need wee had of
Repentance.
• *
L E C T. V.
4»
L E c T, y.
.ii.jii 'Jl.
V.
."X
1 r J ■ ^» •
THE TIME OF
Rc|>bncance.
H E B, ^y.
T^ii; if/o» wiH h€4ri hi4 wee, h4ri(m n$9 fem
^EE fpake the faft ^Kf» ^ CjAl.Clo* tAs ypee haue therefore opp&rtHm-
Z4fUf.9ilo* f^i ^^ vsdoe gced vnto all, and Ecclef^, 1 0» Whatfhctur
thy hand fmdetb to doe, doe it with thj mi^ht, for there
is ne werke or deuice^ nor k>iow ledge ^ nor wife dome in the
ff^ane y»hither thou goefi j andthis weefee that as the time
jj^ doinggood is in thii Ufc, fo is die time of Repen*
B
The Time Of Repenufk%^ _ jr
wnctf, and as wcc can doc nothing being A-juJ, no m^jt
can vvcc rcpcflc being dead, for this purpofe ^^^'«wf j^^^ ^^
rcafoncch with the people, ^/i^enUfice.
Aclofijjtt' wcc liuc without Rcpcnrancc, rfic Worfc It
will be to repent : therefore the beft is to crie vnto God
fectirnes : H^hen 9Ht Inart is ^ucrwhelmed. As in difeafcs
the phyfickcis alwaycs tempered to tfie llrength oF the
difcafed, but thelonger ic is deferred, the n-iore dange-
rous is th; cure : So it iswith vsforour finnes, wee mull
haucthe Phyfickc of Repentance cure vs, according ta
ihcipctfurc of our finnes, as i haue llievred. If a man
<7i€atBurdcn<, hauc made himfclfc a great burden to carry, and fhould
allay iteiihi$backc,andlbheefindes it vneafie, and ta
preirchimverymuchjif he (houid then throw it downd
and put a great dcalc more vnto it ^ and then begin ta
li^it againc, bucvpon the fecond tryall finding it hea-*
uicr then before, if hcclliouldlall inagrcatragc, till hee
addc twice as much llrength and labour to carry it the
lighter 5 would vsec not thinkc fuch a one foolilh, thus
Wilfully to increafc his burden i fo is it with the children
of this world 5 bccaufe they tinde Ropcncancc foincwhac
vncafic at firft, they call it from them, and by that cira^
chcy comcagaine ( hauing added more (innci, and made
their burden heauicr) they arc compelled to their greater
forrowand greater Repentance, to wralUe with fo gric*
uous a burden^ at a wondrous great diTaduantage,
)t is more
plcadng.
Old rciuitot.
'9*Qhr9naiit
The Fifth Reafon vthy early Repcntanc 'S better then
late, is : Becanfe it is morepltAfi^g vnto God : for hee for
the moft part rcckonech more of an old difciple theii of ar
new. As wee fee in experience, vfually one will make
more account ofan old fcruant then of a new, hee will
commit more trull: to him, and bee more fan;ihar with
him. Eucn fo the Lord makes more ra komng or an old
Difciple, then of a new, wlKrcfore by all iheic rcafons
wee may fee, that early Repentance is better then late.
Atid therefore now Icc vsdoe asit is faid, 1 .Chrdri.tiAC* .
uirtfe therefore and bee doina, the Lord will be wtth thee :
So feeing wee haue To many finnes to repent vs of, and
chat GcximuiUuuexhc ic»ipicoi our fouler i>ew builr,
and
X
trA rf-idlficd •, let v$ vp betimes, ind be doing with our
Repentance. K^Pro.-i^M, Say not vnto thf Metghbour ?^o,yi%.
^oe Mnd come agMsne tomorrow : but gme when t!:oH bafi
ft bji thee 5 So lay not vnto God, vshen licotFcrs thee Re-
pentance, goc and come againc i 1 will lillen to this ano-
ther time, but liiUn while it istiiiie, and retufc not mcrcic
Vthcnitisfonccrethce, Wee fee that in the pra^ifc of
n)cn,thcy cannot indure to bee put off from day to day p^.^-g ©jr
in dioic things they dcfirc tohauc, but ihcy will take it as
in iniunc done vnto them : So the Lord tikes it as a great
i J iurc and wrong done vnto him, when men puc off
their repentance from day to day.
The common couric of the world is to deferrc Re-
pentance vnto the day of death, thinking that to be the
fitted time for it : But Cuch are deceiued, for of all other
times this is the word for ir^ md chat bcuulc of two
impediments ;
l.OneinMatHre,
1.7 he other in (jrace,
Thefirft impediment in Nature is. The 1>oloHr and i
pawe wheretn the pArtte at that time u, for when paincs Imp«dimcnt
bee vpon a man, how vnfit is he ihcn to repent, when it *|.j "o»'c
is tedious and irkfome to fpcake or hcare any noyfe ; O **
how vnfit is a man then to fct all his finnes in order be-
Fore him, to forrow and mourne for them, and that hee
hath offended, by them, fo gratious and good a God ?
Inthiscafcjitbcfalls vnto many at fuch tin.eSjas it did
with the Ifraelitcs, £AW.(S.9.cJ^<'/rjtoldthcm, that the y^^^^'i"*
Lord would bring them out of ^gjp^y that hee would *
takeaway the burdens from their (boulders, and that hee
would bring them into the land di Canaan, whicU hee
had Iworncvnto their Fathers, to giuc vnto them : But
the text fhevvis, Thai they dtd not hearken vnto Moles,
for the angutpj of fptrity and becaufc of the crtiell bondage
they were tn. So for the moft part when paincs and iick-
ncJe arc vpon one^ hcc is not fit, to liftcu vnto any good
couufell t
5$
Impediment
atthc hourc
of Death,
Fhintian.
Impediment
atiiearb,
A Candle.
4
Impediment
in our death.
The Ti?97e ef Refent4H€i:
coimrdl or admonition, that any one cin bring him be
it neuer fo cojntorcablc vntoothcis ; thcrci-orc thetiiucof
death, IS amort vnfittmie For the beginning ot Repen-
tances
Secondly, Becanfe the time of death to a ftdturallman
( vnnll kec hath repented ) ^ «f ali other timer the mofi
terrtlfle and ffiarfnll: VncillJicchaue obtained the allti-
rancc of the forgiucnclfc of (inncs, and that heancn and
.happinetfe belongs vnto hiinJFa Phytitianftiould omc
ro take away a legge or an anne From a man, what a Fear-
full thing would It bee? how much more fearci-ull to a
■Buurail man is death, v.hich comes not to take away a
Icgge or an arme onely, but torcnt body a»d foule afun-
der^to bee at lart tormented For euer? 60 that when
death comes with ^o dokFull an errand to feperate two
old Friends, this time mull needs bee a moft vndii'pofecl
fcafon to repent in.
Thirdly, Becaufe of wdrldly Cogitations, as tVie difpo-
fingof wife and children, houFc and lands, and other
goods, all thelc mull needs hinder the motions of Re-
pentance. As iFaman haueaciindle hghtcd in a Mine
vndcr the earth, it it bccnccre or vndcr a dampe, this
will come, and put outthe candle ; So when m the time
oF ficKnclfe there is a candle liglued oi good motions
and medications ot Repeniance: then thefe new muti-
nous cogitations enter in,to thmke what iliall become of
wiFeandchildren, this and that friend, and how to bc-
ftow our goods : thefc like a dampe c^itinguiih the
good thougiits ot Repentance.
:, ITheFourdi is, That G >d then ordi>mri[y pumj%ej our
neglcti of this duty rn enr health, venh hard^cjfe of heart
enoHr death-beds: As it is Pro.i. B:cauic hce called then
to vs,and wee would noz anfwer : tlicrcForo we call vnto
lum, and he will not anfncr vs, cucn whcu our tcares
come
The Time of Prpenta^ce jp
comclikca whiilewindc, andoirf loynt, wee Ihould nc*
uer be quiet vntill Repemance haue puc all in frame a-
Ctnfidly,iti$arpcciaIltiii cotKq)cnt5ncc,W&^«j«^ %
$$uhem€»r of(^§dy euherpnH i^e §r prmate fAlls vpjH vs ;
IstncProphccdicwcs, J/4,iC i6» Lord in tyttlflc hnue lfi.2€ i^
they vifitcdthce^ they poMreu.!4t a prayer if hen tby cha^
ficmrtg Wiii vp9n them.So Lumrnf. ^ ^o. faith i he Church, 1,4m j 40*
Let vs jeAreh and try onr W4 «'#/, a>:d t^ifne vnto the Lord*
When God fends fickndlc, bhndndIc,or liincnctrdollc
in our gooGS tT»aid%rcpuration.prctCTniCrt,orfuchhke;
then IS \ fpcciall time co rcpmc vs of oiir finncs. For Vf.
ii a furc cliii]g that the iudgcirents cf God oonie by rea-
fon oF our liimes, and fo qudbonlctre God will renew
hii tudgeiiiCntSj^t wee renew our finncs 5 which cannot
be rcuiooued but by Repentance. If amanshoufebcon Houftoalu^;
fire, he will carry out hu^ Flaxc and Towe, Wood and
Straw, with euery thing ^^t which is fit and likely co
augn -cnt the fire : and then doth hcc cry for helpe and
Soure on water CO quench it; euen To becaufc our finnes
oenourith the 6re of Gods wradi, and will confume our
ibulcs, if wee doe noc carry thtm out of fight by repea-
tince, therefore we Hiould fee about this worke : and take
away all that matter which may inaeafe the fire of Godt
vengeance vpon vs : which is to put away our finnes by
repentance 5 as wee fee Deut.^,10. Mofes did, for thus ^'*A^4»-
be records It J AndthtLardv^M very angry with Aaron
to hdKc deftrcjtdhtm :a»d I prayed for Aaron the fame
time. Here you fee how a iuagcmcar was remooucd by
>rf^r#^/repentancCj and -^*;/ir/ prayer. Wee fee if thit
Kings Writs be out againft a man to attach him, BaylifFs -
ind Shaifcs lying in waitfor him incuery comer to ar-
fed him : fuch a man will prefently labour to compalle
the matter, and bring it to agreement for fearc ol: impri*
fonmcntiSo when the Writs of God aie out againft vs, KingiWcIrj^
aiui his ludgemeius Uke Sergeants and Baylifcs doggc
vs incuery corner : what Should we doe in this cafe I but
labour tocompaife the matta betimes, to bee wifer for
our ^Ics and immortal} tic, thcnthcy aieforahttletcm* -
jponllpuiulhwcnt ui thu hit ; and co jcuakc a good vfe of
Godc
$'i The Time $f Repent duct.
Coi% iudgcmcnts vpon others : tlic omiffion whercS^
KttttK9't^* rnadcrhc Spirit of God coinplainc thus, Retiei,^.io,yi^d
the remnant of the people which were not killed by theft
plagues J repented not of the warkfs of their hands, whorc
the Lord complainech of them, that they had no regard
Amc(^^6^ to his iudgcinents. So Amos j^C- -And I alfo haue gtHen
yen cleanneffe of teeth tn all yonr cities, and want of bread
fh ally oHrpUces, yet hakeyee not returned vntt mee,Jatth
UT.^.l , fljg J^gyd, The like we hauc, ter.^. 3 . Thou haflflriken
them, but they h^iue not grieued, thou haH confumed
them, i?ut they haue refftfedto receiue correction, (^c. So
that by thcfe pfaces you fee, ic is a fpeciall time for vs to
call vpbh God when his hand is vpon vs,and wee feeap-
pj'rantly, that our finneS doc pull his iuJgemcncs nccrcr
koA nccicr vs,
- Thirdly, when God affoords vs any fpecikJt mednei,
thehheelo'tl^et for JpiciaHaEt ions and affcUions, in tur^
fling towards him : as at the comming of fohn Bapttfl^
MAth^l.io. Math.^Ao, And now alfo the axe is layedvnto the r*ote
of the tret : before the axe of God was layed to the
boUghes and branches, but now to the very rootc, ac
which time there is no rcmcdic,but that Eue ry tree which
brtnfeth not forth good fruit ymufl hehewen djwnandcafi
^.17.50. into the fire. So it isfaid, v^c?.j7.3o. And the times of
this irnorance God winked at , hnt now hee commandeth aS
wen euery where to repent 5 So that when God fends fpc-»
* ^^'* ciall mcancs, this li a fj5k'iall time of Repcrittncc. Shipi
that hauc lycn long in the harbour, yet as foone as the
winde blovves, by and by they fcr forward to their inten-
ded iotirncy, asicisTilid,^i:7.i7..i i. And when the fouth"
winde blew foftly ( fuppsfi^gth At they had obtained their
furpyfe J they loojed thence, Euen fo ihould we doe^when
we haue ly en long in the harbour of iinne, done httlc
good in Religion, &t to the Church of God,yet when the
winde blowts, when God offers gratious and gooq
mcancs, when wc haircfofalrc an opportunit'ic!,vs'c Ihoula
lay
d^,^7^^*^
The Time ef ncp'nunce. g^
lay hold vpoiuhc good tilings rliat be for our falimlon.
So that this muil ncHs be a fcarcfull abulc oF Gods kind-
nclTc and goodnclfc 3 cIul when it is a fpcciall time oi'
Repentance : througli our coi niptions vvcc nakc ir a fpc-
ciall cinicof vvantonncireand vncleanncllc, and wee arc
Co Farrc from being the better for all our fpeciall nieancs,
that wee become worfe and worle: and fo bring iudgc-
racnt vp'oii vs. OurSauiourCliriil Math.ii. doth vp- JK^r'-.i »,
Hraidthofe Cities wheicinhcc had done moll of his great
workes, bccaufc for all this they had not repented them
of their (ins,vvhere he tells them That itjlalihe ^ajterfor
Sodomc and for Gomorrah in the day ofludgement, then
fqr them : So if wee doc not profitc by the preaching of
the Word, and the good meanei whicli arc amonglt vs
at this day : theeflateof 5i?^67w^and GommtrrAh at due
great day , (hall be ealier and better then ours . So let vs
cake heed it benotfo with vi, for what a fearefxilUignc of
damnation is this ? when wee thus fet open the gates of
hell, by bein^ no morecarefull to come to Faith and Re-
pentance, and other lauing graces, m the n^idftof fucla
abundance of nieancs?*'' ^' *' '*' * '* " *
^- i.i.ii
Fourthly, I'c is a fpeciall Time of Repentance, yphen a
vfee goe about any nreM works : For many times in out
honell labourSjthere are many crolfes and troubles which
doe befall vs, bccaufc we haue not repented. Therefore it
mull bee our wifedoiijc, when wee goe about any great
worke which wee would haue to profper, then to repent^
left we incounter with great crolles. So S^ra 8.2 1. hce f-V'-^ f it^
prad1ircd:vSo £ ft her ^.i6.So /ehoJJ?jphar^i.(l2ron.io, 1 1. ^/^^.4 »«•
The omifTion of thisdutie you fee wasdangerous, lofh,y, ;
For as wee (in daily, fomud wee daily renew our rcpen*
tance, let v« then repent euery morning before wee rifc^
9{f ;7arl» The dewatd who hath but a Ihort memorie, will be often
cadingvp his accounts and reckoning with his MaiW^
^ he will neutr let them tarry too long without cleering
and makingeuen^fobecaute that our memorie is ihort»
and that wee foone forger our linnes, we ihould defire to
haue often reckoning with the Lord, euery day to make
CLCr> with him. f^ we would thus often doe, wee Oioiild
haue but a lew fins to repent vs of w hen wee come to die.
litifc BrooJfc. VVec fee by experience, if iman haue a little Brooke that
rupncs through his ground, as long as he keeps the chan-
xiellcleanethatthcv\atcrsiiiayd)llauoide, it will neuer
annoy hmubut \i he iuHcr the guttas to be dopped widi
tTiUddeaiid durt, and weeds rodopthecouife and cany*
irg ot the water, by aid by it willoucrflow his ground*
And cucn fo, though a man haue fomc finnes which au-
fioy and trouble huii, yet it he will be daily cleanflng die
cham^l of his bcan» and xi^t chc chaiinrll open by
Kcpctuancc,
Tht Time c/RefentaJiii!' tf j
Repentance, there will bctlic Iciledangrr to his foule, as
wee fee it was faid of DMttJt praiftifcj'Pp/.d. Hce calkes v'n'.A
of a vexed foule, weaiifoiieiKlIcwKh groaning, making
his bed CO fwimrnc widi ccarrs, confuining oi his eyc5,
and the hke; fo mull out Repentance come with (Ighes,
groanes, weeping and wringing ot- the heart (ificwcre
pofiiblc)chacro wee be the better all jred, that it is vnfai-
ned and rightly bred j and that it is luch vnto which God
will haue rclpcO.
Sixtly, the laftfpcclall time of Repentance 5 is at the ^
houreof T>cath •, for then indeed is the Time to renesv
our Faith, Repentance and all other Graces, or neuer.
Eucn as a man that hath beene at great charges for ihc
building of a (hip to carrie himlelte fafely a very long Shipbuilding*
iourney,when hee is ready to put foorth into the Tea jthea
hee efpccially lookes, that all his Malb, Sayles, Anchors,
and Tacklings be ready, fit and prepared 5 fo howfoeucr
a man deale with his Faith, Repentance, and other gra-
ces all his li^e time, yec now when at the houre of death,
hee comes to lance forth into fo rough a Sea, for his laft
iourney ; he mui\ then Jookc all ouer againe, and fee that
nothing be wanting, but that his faith, prayers, peneten-
cie, louc, and fuch like, be in a readinelle for to condu^
him in peace ind fafetic vnto the end of his laft iourney.
But commonly men doc by Repentancc,as great men doc
by Banquets, when a great Feaft comes : they fit and gaze Banquets*
and admire, but their ftomacks are gone j many in this
cafehauenotlomackstoeate : So many men looke at
thefe excellent things of God, admire them, but will not
eate : will not repent, leaue their finnes,6cc. But let vs in
the Name of God who know better things ,and haue not
thus learned Chrift, gocon,r€rolue, labour and pratflifc
Repentance, crcit bee too late; which now is our next
Point to be handled the next time.
Fff Lect, VL
• U(
J'.'.
A V
-5rr.r?-»-rA " U' /> .h
I .V.
3^ "A^.i;.. i^iii. ,y.,i:i*.
-n.
i-c:
Id £v .
L
E C T.
vr.
VL
THE PRACTISE OF
Kepcntance.
Thtrefore^alfo mw ( fdiththe Lcriy)Tnrni yeeemn
to mce wtth AHj/ourhcArt, 4ndw$th frflw^ tindwith wee^
fing. And with moHrnipi^ 5
^r.d rent your heart, and not your garments , ftni
tHrne vmo the Lord yanr Ged ^ for hee u graciffts eini
mtrcifnil, flow to anger, and of ^r eat kindenejfe, and re*
ffntJ htm ef the emit
^^ EE fpakc the lad day of the Time
of Repentance iW\'lKa we fhewcd,
that tor ciKry new f nnc, there
muft bee a new a£l of Repen-
tance, and (o as wee linnc daily,
wee n lUft daily repent. For (as I
then fhewed ) if a man hauc a
little Brook which runs through
bis ground, as long as hee kecpes the cliannell cleane,
pulls vp the weeds, and durt, and fand from ftoppmg is
yp,hce 1$ lure it will not annoy him, nor oucinowc hrs
bimkcs; So as long as a inandoih daily renew Hisrcpen-
Fft 2 tance.
^ The Praafje cf Repeat d^cc.
unce>anc! pull vp thewccdcsof his finncs from his hearty
hcclhallbefurethac thcriuci'ofGods incrcy will vunne
' finoothly and cuntntly into his foulc, thus then you fee
Jlcpcncanceisadaily duty,andonelyinthc time o\ this
fife to be performed: as wee commit daily finnes, fo had
wee need of daily Repentance.
Now thcnext point vvc arc to fpeakc of , is of The
Pra^ffeof Repeffta^tce, or manner how wee muft Re-
pent, for it may bee fome men will bee readie to octpc
and fay, feeing Repentance is fuch a necelfarie duty , as no
man liuing can be faued without it, and feeing the time.
of this hfc is^nothing elfe, but a rime left oi God to.Re-
pent ; and fo I am willing to perfornie this great worke,
but alas, I know not Viow, nor in what manner I (hould
repent : fo that as the Difciplcs faid vntoCh'rill,L»i^i i.
I. Lord teach vs to praj^ (amsiy v^ct lay, Lord teach vs
to repent, wee be willing to I'cp^ntj. but know not how
oor in what mannet;>^ A wi : v - 1 . . r ^^x-? ^^ ':
Wherefore wee are to know that in the praif^ife of Re-
pcntancc, there mull be fours feucrall things, that is, in
the prefenting of our fellies before the Tlvone of Gods-
Maieftie,andattciiiptipg or performing this our duty of
Repentance 5 for the acquilitionof our laluaaon^ therci
amftbc,
s ^l, HumtltacioHf
^^ Refilntiojii
Which be the foure things required in the Praftifc o£
Repentance.
•^ ^xx^itherfmu^ye ExamwAthrty for euery one that
will repent, mull firit examine himrdfc in the matter of'
Repcniance,how tofinde out his ov\nc finnes andoifen-
ces, for how can a man repent him o: his finnes, if he doc
pot know thcjii i fghc that would repent, muft fir ft la-
bout
SxammAtion«
rh fntiife of Repent Anct^ ^
bour to come to the knowledge of his finnes, and he cJn-
not know his lin$, bur by examining his heart, and his
owne wayej, that he may findc out his ownc ftrayings
and wandrings from the Lord, by die rigliKous rule of
the Law of God, the word of God muft be 4e candle to
light themindc,and to dire,-.\.-.
fearch and trie our vfayeSyAnd turne a^aine vnto the L9rd.
Meaning diatYnldfe we willfceke and fcarch into our
owne hearts to findeoutthc things that are amilFc ; and
fo feckeand fearch, a« a man looking diligently for a
thing loft,wholightcch a candle and fearcheth euery cor- Thlntloit
ncr, till he hath found the thing, wclhallncuerbeableto
findcoutallourfinnes: So i he Prophet fay cs, PfaLiiQ. pfal^ii9,S9<
59. 1 cortjidtredmy rvityci 4nd turned mj feet vnt9 thy
tefttmonies. Seeing d)cn it was die coniidcration of his
owne way c$, which made him turne into tlie waycs of
God, let vipraiflife thefamc. The likrwee hauc in ihc
ftoricof theProdigalironnc,Z,//i^i3.i9. Andwhen ^^ LnkAttSi
came to himjeifc, he fa id, I wiB, retumeto my father ^drc
When Iichad examined his owne Aate and condition,
then iccamcintohjsmindeto rcturne vnto his Fathers
fo then the Point is, T/^^ri^ the TraEltfe of Repentance
ihiremtfihee examination of our ovfnevfoyeSy which is
a thing contrary to the com fc of the world, who arc
prone to looke into other mens wayes and negle(fl their
ownc. The bcafts KcHeh^H, were fuJl of eyes wtthtny
butthcmoft men hauc eyes without to looke ijito other
mens fccTcts, but not into their owne faults at home;
fuchmenmaybc likened vnto husbands, who becaufc
they hauevncjuiet wiucsathome,loueasmuchasmaybc Ulwirr^'^
to be abroad, becaufc they can no fooner put their heads
widmuhedoorcSjbutbyand by tlicir wiucs are vpon
them, euenfo ic is widi him that hath a bad confciencc,as
vncbJuu).tkkthacUa bad wife, no fooner hcc can come \
Fff 3 ^' " "" home
*^^ rhe frn ^ife ef Repentance^
home jntohimfelfe^buc by and by his confcience rs vpoa
him,rcady to raik at him and rebuke him for his finnes,
^o that he long^ as much as may be to be abroad, and to
dealc with other mens finnes, rather then his ovvnc. But
I C^/'.iT.jif *P^«/ tells \^ I.C^r.ll.31. That yvee muft iudgs onr
JeLtes, if wee would hdne God not to iudge vs. Thcirforc
eucry Chriftian man Ihould fct vp a Tribunall and
Judgement feare in his ovvne heart, and make a Iblemnc
arraigncmcntof himfelfcthat is to fay^chat he fofet him-
felfc before God, that he flrrtvndertake the triall of his
ownc wayes, and confider wherein he hath offendcd.and
what finnes hehath committed againfthim, then he muft
bring the bills of indiftment againft himfelfc, make a
prefentment of his owne faults, where hee hath finned,
when offended, and how difpleafcd fo good a God. And
thus cuery man muft ludge himfclfe, th«t God doe not
iudgc him : for a iudgement muft come. St. Aufiert fay cs
well, That fo $ften as a man remembers his finnes , (jod
forgets them. If thou examine thy fclfe, God will vrgc
no further 5 if thou iudge and condcmnc thy felfe,God
will not iudgc thee 5 if thou punilh thy fehe, God will
fparc thee. So then this is the firft Point, wee muft exa»
mine our fclucs how wee haue offended. Now in this exa-
mination there arc two things required :
l,Theremtifi be a right Rule to examine by^
2. There bee certMne Heads ^ vfon which rveemufi
examine,
' B Firft, for the Rulc,Therc arc ccrtaine falfe Rules which
yalfcRule, wc muft remember neuer to take hold of. Vwikj That a
man doe not examine himf elf e by htrnfelfe^ for a man may
be in a better cafe then formerly , andya in no good c-
ftate: he may hauc left grollcfinneSjparticular (inncs^and
yet be deceiued infinitly (hort ot true goodnetfc : So that
aminis butatalferule vntohimfclfc,when hewiJ thinkc
all to be well, bccaufehefindes fomcbetta times chcnhc
ws wont. To this effed SuTsfU ivjcs^ i^Cw^.ioJir:
IVhns^
The Vrsnifc of UepentdJice. 71
}f^}erefofeiethim rvootht ike:h he ftundcth^mke heed Ie!t ^•^or.i9,iU
hie fJl, AndagaiTic, 2.CV.11.12. hcccondcumcs this j.ctfj.ii.ii,
rule, Tcying: H'ee are not nj thai nMwbcrvfho compart
thcmjclhei with (hcmJeUus,
Thcfecond falfc Rule xs^when a man wtll examine him" *
y^i^ ^^<>r/;cr,by and by hcc fees where i: was crookcd.So wFieii
% man hath thus applycd hinifclfc vntothc Law of God,
hecfoonc (liall fee wherein he hath becnc finfull and Faul-
tic. So this Rule God giucsvnco his pccjplc, Deut.-^o.t^
Obej his vfikf, accordmg vnt9 mH th^t u commanded
thee.
Now for the heads which wee muft examine all our
finnesby,theybe,
l,I/iward,
t. Outward,
And God is the ludgcof all, that i$,wccmul^ examine
our felucs of all our finnes committed againft God, and
againft our Brethren. There is a corruption in nature ii^
the examining of our finnes,weedcale by our fclucs as a
falfe ludge doth by an offender : examine him fo flight-i
ly, that one may fee he would willingly fauehim : oriViat
he isaffraid to finde him faulty : euen fo in theexaitiining
of ourfeluesatthe bed, wee looke but at our outward
imnes3 being loath to fearch into the inward feaets of
our foulcs, to finde out the poyfon and corruption of our
hearts, for from the heart commcth all manner of wic-
kednetfcs : fo that the true examination muft be of all our
finncs, fo farre foonh as by any mcancs wee can come to
the knowledge of them : both of finncs againll the firft
and fecond Table, feact or open what kinde foeuer
they be, Tradf-mcnyouknow (efpccially in great Ci*
ties) vfctokecpeabookeof all their expenccs, of their
layings out and commings in, and fo are often calling vp^
their accounts to fee whet her they gaineor lofe in matters
of the world,fo wefhould take an account of all our a£\i-
onSj and keepe a rcgifter of them 5 euery night wc (hould
caft ouer our accounts, to fee how wee haue finned and
offended God, and how often, how weehiue repented ;
if we finde things to be well 5 wee fhould bleffe God for-
it, and if wee finde things to be amiffe^wc fhould be hum-
bled in our foulcs for it : thus vvc mull lab(?ur to view all
T'he TrA^lfc of Repentance] ^^
©ur af^lons:as v^ccfceGoddici, G^».i. when Gcxl liaci ^'^-U
made an end of his fir It daycs workc, and fo of the iclt,it
is iaid ; Hce beheld theftyn^, und toe ail that he had made
yvM vtry good. So (li ^uld we from day to day take a view
of ouf workes, fpccclies, and the hkc^tofee whether they
hauc bcenegoodor bad.
I I
The fccon J thing in the Pra^flifc of Repentance is //)»/- *
milutton : for v\lien a n an hath fccne tliac lie is a finner Hi*"^'^'^"*****
and lyei in finne, this is not enough, but cl;en great care
mull be had alto to be humbled for them j that is, bitter-
ly tov\eepc and mournefor rhcm, euen to the fhedding
of many tcares if ic bee poffiblc; So Peter did, Math, M&th^tc 75.
2^75. it isfaid, ^yindhe went out And wept hitterlj,&e»
So cMary Magdalen, Lnk^y.'^^. it is faid 5 ^nd fhee Z.»ttMt«
fiood hehtndc htm wicpinfyand h^van tevraP? his feet with
tcArei , and then to rripe them with the haires of her head.
So Danid Pfi/.C.CXou^ciTcs ofhimfclfe, ^U the night I ff^l^6A.\
ntak^ my bed fw'tmmey Irvatermjcoucb rvitb my t cares.
So wclee ic is a plainecafc, wlien once we hauelecne our
finncs, the next thing to be done is, to bee humbled for
them,a$ 1 haue faid euen to the fliedding of tcarei, which
in Gods fight arefo precious and acceptable, that hee ga- >
tkersand puts them vp in his bocdc, as P fa/, f; 6^2* Then pfa.^e^S;*
telle fl my wundrings ,pHt than my teares into thy bottle^
all ocher tcares bl I to the ground, and are to little pur-
Eofc, but eucry tearcthat a man llieds for finne, that hec
ath offended God : he gathers thcfe vp. But alas, what
(hall 1 fay ? I doubtn;e not one of a 1000. of vs let tears
fall in this kindc, and for this caufc you goe mourning ,
and want con ifortbccaufe you leeke It not the right way
jn godly forrow firll to be humbled, and then to reioycc. •
It IS alamentabl: thing that many of you be twentie/hir-
tie, and forty y eares old, and yet you liaue neuer flied one
tearc for finnciO what a lamencable cafe is this? that -
Chri ft may now come and i ay coyou as hee did vnta
thorewon.cn,Z.«<^23 1%. O daughter i of HierHfAlem^lM\^x\,%%
T9Cefi
74 7'ir FraH fe fif Repent inef.
"fifgefe »dt for meCy bat rvecpe for your fe/fifs^c^c. It is i
good thing to vvccpc for C'.irift in regard of the panics
and troubles which hccfutfcrcdjand d.d befall vntohim
as our furetic •, but it is a greater grace to wccpc for finnc,
and that thereby v\ee haue difplcafcd fo good a God.
Which ( I take it ) made Sr. Ano^HiHue lay, that M^rj
Magdalen brought two things to Chrift, her qyncmcnt
t and her tearcs, and yet her tcarcs exceeded her oyntmcnc
in rweetndlc,&.c.
•1 Now this forrow for finnc doth require fiue quahfica*
tions: Firll, there mult be (^ Ddor Cordts, or Contrttto*
d^'i i7* MUy) the forrow of the heart 4 ;r Contrition : as cx^<^.l.
37. it IS faidthofc three thoufand who heard J^'etcr •, wen
P/^.51, prtcked in their hearts: 2ii\dP/a/.^l, ty( eontr$te and a
broken heat^ O God thou wtlt net dtfpffe. So that this
forrow muft not be outward onely wuh the fadnelTc of
the face, but it mull be a forrow of the heart, as PJai.c^ .
the Prophet complaines, mj foufe ts vexed wnhm mee^
&c. It IS called otlier- where the pouring out of the heart;
^or tkis IS mod certainc, when the I'oule m good earned
fets to wraftlc for heauen, then there is notmicfor vs to
dillcmblc with God.
% Secondly, it muft be 'Z)itAisce, ^ r
but in regard of thciudgcmcnt chat flioulci befall him. Zo
IhcIm vvasforry for liis iinncnot btcaufc ot linnc.buc by M-ofh,
rcafonitwasfo horrible a thing to betray his Malkr ;
this wai it which made fo horrible and incureablo a rent
in bis tonlcicncc: others againe forrow for linnc in an
other kinde,becaufc they would be well accoun:ed of, by
the bcft in^n and women :they would fccinc to be religi-
ous : becaufc this is a fa ire way to preferment and profice:
when yctnoncof all this is godly forrow : for this cries
alwaycs with holy O.iW, and laments moftiins againfl:
QciA : Agatnfl thee^agaiyjfl thee oncly hune I finmd and P/al.s\»
done eutllm thjf fight y that thou majefi he tfift inthj indge*
mentSyO'c,
Tliirdly ,it muft be Dolor f Attic ul at Is : a man muft b« 3
forrowfull for his finnes in particular, whereby fiec hath
offended God. It is not er.ough tor a man to be forrow-
full generally becaufc hcc is a (inner, but hec muft draw
himfelfc to more parciculars^toan account, in what man-
ner, and with what hnnes he hath difpleafed God, Hert,
heri, hodie, hodie, ycftcrday, ycfterday • to day to day i
becaufe as one faycs well 5 Dolojm verfittur tn generAli-
htu, adecciuet loues generally : therefore letvs know, the
duty confills in particulars, and we muft come ( {q farrc
as it ispo(riblc)vnio the account of cucry day, yea, euery
houres finne, and be ^o forry for them. Thus the people
conielfcd, lSaw, i 2. i 9. For wee haue added vnto all onr j. sam. 1 2,1 9.
finnes this eutll^ to ask^fdr vs a King,&c. So I^ftdg.io.lo, Indg.iQ.io, \ ,
they fty, IVee haue finned ^iga'mj} thce^ hoth becduff wee
hatie forfikcnoHr God, a^id ferued Baalim. Now as con-
cerning particular forrow, we muildocas Phyfitiansdoe phydtlanBH
with di leafed bo4ics, when they findea gencrall diftem*
peraturein the body, they labour by all the art they can
to draw the humour to another place,and then they break
it, and bring out all the corruption that way ; All which
is done for the eafe of the patient. Fuen ^o we muft doe
whcnvvcluuc a general! and confufcd forrow for our
finnes
fS The TtAttifi fifRefenumil
finncs 5 labour as much as may be to draw them \Titd pir^
ticulars : as to fay, in this, and in this, and at fuch and
fuchatimCjinfuchan occaGon, ixul in fuch a place I
hauc Ijnncd againil my God.
j,| ThcFourth thing in godly forrow is, Delor Repre*
henJtvHs,^xc^xchcrX\\xz(ouovfj which is fuch a forrow,
Traine of that though it begin but in a few particular$,yct at length
gunpowder, it draweiin all with it : cucn as a traine of gun-powder,
whcnonecorneis fetonfire, it will notleauc vntill all be
fired and in a blaze, fo true forrow though it begin but
with one or a few finncs : yet it drawes in all the reft ere
longjfor which we haue not forrowed. So Dautd we fee
JP/tfl.M- ^^^ "° ^^^ ^y rc^^on of one finne, Pfd,^ i . but at lad it
was not long ere it came into many heads, and fcthim t-
workctocomplaincofmGrc-,yca,cuen to looke backc to
his originall corruption: cuen fo wee muft not thinkc ic
enough to repent of one fpcciall or particular finnc, and
fo ceaic j but our forrow mud extend it felfc vnto all : wc
muft gather in Wiih our particular finnes : which fliewcs
the great 6icicCi which for the moft part is in the Repen-
tance commonly vfcd in the world : If they repent of
one finne, they chinke it is enough and reft in that: So
Msih, //^^<« did make a (hew of Repentance for one offence:
and fo many other doe -, yea, and with teares : who yet
milfc of repentance,becaufe ihcy neucrdcfcend to fearch
and trie their fclucs in particulars : for true foirow fo be-
gins^ as it at length drawes in all.
M ThcFift property in this forrow is, that it be Dol$r
frop9rtionalts : that is, if our finnes bee great, our forrow
for iin muft be fo much the greater : \i lins bee few and
little, our forrow may bee the Iclfc, and fooncr attainc
peace cl confcicnce : Therefore this miift needs be a great
! corruption and felfe-deceite in the ordinarie repentance
of the world : that what kinde of finne fo cuer they
(;oiumit^ there is but one mcafurc of foirow for it. Wee
may
h>ay {^toh.ii,
^rcAti^ 'ybo Pgrer in denying his Malkr, it was a great ^^^''^*
liimc, and therefore his Ibrrovv wasproponionablc j it i$
faid, Th(» Pcccr ivC'it ont and rvept httterij : So He^eki. ^ iXhfo^.
comrtiittcd agrcat iinne, in tlicwinghis treafurej and lice
was brought very low For it. So iF we haue finned great-
ly, it IS cercair.c our Ibrrow mull bee proportionable, as
vvcefecby expaiencc, he whofalicch into the fnidft oFRiucrfalha
a riuer, mull labour and take more paincs to get out, »q»
then he who ll)ppcthin but at the brinke oFit jcucn fo f
wecFall into grcac finnes, it mull and will coll vs more
furrow and tearcs, then if wc fall into Idfer finiics oncly.
The Third mainc thing I fliewcd in the pra^lifc of 3
* Repentance, is Deprecation : which is, a lending vp of ^^^^^^ th'inge
carn.il and heartic petitions and requefts vnto God for
thcpardonoffinncs, when once lie hath fcenc himlelfc
to beea wr^eccliedandagrieuouslinner : then to beggc
tumbly at the Throne oFgrace for lei us thrifts fake to
haue them all pardoned aj\d done away : Infummcto
haue good things giucn, andalleuills they deferue re-
moued: this is Deprecation. H< ly Dauid was exceeding
frequent in this duty in many Pialmcsj as Pfal.^i. Blst P/*«4sr#
«ut all my offences y and wajh meefrom my fnncs : So the
^uhlicany Lnk. 1 X. O Lord bee msrCtfnll to mee a jinner : ^"^ ' ^*
Thus in this cafe wee mull not reft like fuda^ vpon a bit- ^'^^^w*
terjfovvre and hcauy ten embrance oF our finnc onely,
but become hufiible Tutors to the Throne oF Grace For
mercic, according to Daatds expaiencc. Pfai. 3 1 .6. For pfa. j i.e.
thts Jh^ll esiery one that if ^odiy, maks hps praysr vnto thee
h an acceptable t/m^jOciror what meanes he they Qiould
pray vnto God For ? for houl es or lands, or gold , or fil-
ucrjno,Forno other thing, cfpccially, then the Forgiuc-
ncllc oi linncs : So in this cafe a man mull behaue him- ■
fclfe, a$ a poore prifoncr at the barrc, when the Judge Prifcner.
Hands vp ready to giuc Icntencc vpon him^ he falls down
ypon
Thi fn^ifc of JRepetitdffa.
Vpbn his knees, and lifts vp his hanrls, lookcs nifiilly:,
' fpeakcs pitifully, and bcggcs for his Ijfc.Hc cannot miire
DM,9.%o, tofpccd 3tGodshand,as D.i^ifldi6yD4».(^.2o.cu€nCo,
iF a finiwrcan pierce the heauens with h'scryes, and fo-
lici^cGodcarnd^ly, noquedion, hcfliallat length hcarc
thcvoiccofChrirt fay vnco him by his Spirit 5 Gu^ in
peace ^ thy finnes Areforgiuen thei,
4 The Fourth and laft point in the Pra^ife ofRepen^
t4HCe is, RefolutioHyto watke with Gad in newneffe of lifs^
T^a,K\ 1 9, as D^u/ddidj *?/i/. 1 1 9. / hatte f»er»e avd wtllperforme
p/i/.2 9. !♦ t9 l^gne thy r'tghteoM Uvf : and PftL ^^.i. / fktd I wiU
take heede to my wayes that I ojfendnot with my tongue,
^fal^i I ^. ^ nd againCj/y^/. i i 9 . / eonfidered my wayes , a^dtur.ned,
my feetvntothyTefiimonies. Iinadchaftc and delayed
not 5 the time is now; not deferring till hereafter, now
wee rouft refolue to leaue our finnes, to walke with God
with ncwneireoFlifc, and with all watchhilneireoucrour
ownc hearts :then vnto refolution wee inuft ioyne a ho-
ly, conftant inocauour, viing all gocd mcanes, and re*
moouing the lets and hinderances which t^op and
hinder our repentance, which is now tho
next thing wee arc to
fpeake oF.
TT
Lfe CT. 7.
7^
L
E C T.
VIL
VII.
THE
IMPEDIMENTS
ofRepentance.
I OB. 15.31.
Let Mthim that is deceiHc^trH^ in v4Hit$e,for V4»h
ti^Jhsll hihis recontfencc^
He Spirit of God by Salomon hath
iuftly taxed all things vndcr the Sun
to be vanitic and vexation of Spiricj AU va«iti«,c
lb may I iuftly now being to fpcakc
of the impediments of Repentance,
cenfure all thefc lets and hinderances
whch dctainc men from this {o necclFarie Grace, vndcr
the Name of vanitic, whatfoeucrthcy bee : and vanitit
(hall be their recompencc. Wee fpakethc laft day of the
Frad^ifc of Repentance, wherein mull bee foure things;
Firft,# man muft fcarch out his (inncs by the bright can-
dle of the word of God. Secondly, when he hath found
out lus finncs,thcn he muft bcc forty for tbcin. Thirdly,
then
So Th ipHpedimtnts o/Reffittdttcf.
Thcnhee mufl pray to God in Chrift Icfus toforgiuc
them. Founhly, Then hcniuft rcfoluc againft thcm,rhat
is, renounce and rcinoue them as farrcas may be. Which
pra^ftife oFrcpcntancc muft be not oTjly once in an age, or
a mans hfe : but as our fumes be dayly , fo our repen-
tance mull be cueiy day performed fo long as wee hue in
this life,
J Now in th - place we arc to fpeake of t!ic fm^du
ments ofrepentt^ncc ^ and thofe deceits which Iiinder men
and women from this dutic. Generall or vniuerfall mo-
tion (as School einei) fay) iscaufed two waycs; Firll^Ei-
ther Agendo, by enforcing vpthat which wee meanc ta
Stone. mooue, as when a man flings a Hone with his hand : Or
RemoHeptdo prohihns (juodtmpedit^ or remoouing of that
which hinders the motion j as when a ftone Ueth vpon a
ftelfc, when one pullcs this away, then by and by oownc
falls the ftone of his owne accord,ardyef hee who pulled
away the fiiclfe caulcd that motion of the ftone.But how?
Not Agetjdo, by flinging of the ftonc downe 5 but by Ri*
inoH€)ido ^rohihcrts , remoouing of that which hindered
the motion of it. Now as it is in vniuerfall motions , fo
alfo it is in fpeciall motions of themmd -, for they be cau*
fedjfiift either dirc cte, nor coiuenecre tins ducicoF contriti-
on. Thusasiiaid, euery man mult looke to himfeUe,
whatthat IS vvhicli hinders his repentance. Wc fee when -ni.i^T.^A^.,*
Chrilt Cdltouctncduiel, A/..'/. 17. i9.iii4di!cip]escame Mat^ij^ig,
Viito him faying , fViy cottid mt wee ca(i him out? So
when A'efee othcis in thecourfe or their iitt,and midll oF
their linnei brougiit vnto repentance, moarring& wee-
ping for.linnes wlieicby they liaue utfended QocX • let vs
looke into our fclucSjand enquire at our own hearts^vvhy
wc doe not rcpnir,v\hy wccaimot do as other good peo-
pledoe. Wchaueilie rauieiiieancs, tlicfanic preaching,
the fame cxiiortarionb ,yea the laUieiudgemcnrs,.hefame
punilhmeiKSjthcfaaje atflichons. But alas, Where fi.all
we hnd that man, or that vvonifJDjtvlioiiie thus careiull to
feaicli into thenifelues ? 1 here iS not one ot a hundred,
bu: they he llill in ihcr jinnes wjthoucrcpentancc: ar.d
few or none delii.cs to icarcli into the caufe what it j$
which hindcisxhcn: lepciicari^e y making them a nap. to
Ggg (0
Sickc man«
2i The ■^t^pidtmc-rUs of Refentdvci. ^
fogooJadurv. /V'ce iVcin experience, l;c one come to
Candle^, i-i.^ light a candle, ific will i:ocprdeniV take fire, wee
imagine and runiie by and by to coiUidei what Oiould be
the rcalon ot ir, and wee ludge that the wicke is wet, or
foincching isamillc O how wifcn en can bee for the
ihings of this hfc^and arc carckllc for thofc things which
concernc cccrnall happinetlc.
Wee are CO know then that the Impediments of Re-
pentance be of two forts ;
I , Some bee m the Itidgement,
1 . Some b:e tn the yijfecitOKS,
Euen as when a man is licke, and will not take tlic
good phy fick which would cure hnn^the defci^l: is, either
in his ludgcment or in his Atfedions.In his ludgcincnr,
bccaufe either hee doth not teeic himlcUe to bee licke,
though hec be ill, hec hath no apprehenfion thtieof, or if
lieedoc,yethee doth not take it to be dangerous or dead-
ly • or though hee chinke it dangerous, yet he thinkes hec
may remouc it without Phylicke, or it he muft haue phy-
fickc, ycthcnccds notiuchphyficke, or in fuch qualitie
as IS there prefcnbcd.Yet there may be for all this a ilormc
in his Affections, though the ludgemenr doe come on to
yceld : for either a man uiay be fo bulicin che world that
hec cannot actend it, or fpare timefor it, or hec is fo ten-
der, that he cannot abide the lead thing which may of-
fend him, or thinkepiiyficke to i>te bitter as many doc«
Yea, a number will choofe to die, rather then meddle
with it. Now the! e be the rcalons partly in ludgemenr,
and parcly in the Atic^ions,vvhy fuch licke patientswill
not admit of that phyficke which uiight doe them good.
As the cafe is in bodily ficknclle, fo is it with thole who
arc fpiriiually licke with (inne. Repentance is that phy-
ficke which God hath appv.intcd for the healing of themj
and curing of their foulcs. which potion finfuU men rc-
fufc to take, the caufes being as I haue Ihewcd, partly in
the 1 udgeiqcutp and pan ly in the affcdions.
lia
^'
The imped'ments of Kepentdnct. -Sj
In the Indgementj tlicre be foure impediments of Re- j
pcncancc 5 Y]i\\^lf-'caufe men doc not kjidw or jlnde thfm- Impediment^
Jelues tobee fick^ of fmne^ nor would luuc others to
thinke iheiii fiCf;e, rlity prcllinic tlia«:ri-orc that all is well
vvich tliem, tor they knovv ncirher dilcaicnor infirmuic,
andfobccauloihcy liucasorhcrsliuc, and doc as others
doc, they thinkc RcpcncaiHenccdlellc : and feeling no
fick die, they ncucrthinkc oF Piiydckc. Thiskindc of
dcceite is rcprooued, lob 1 5:.3 1. Let net htm that U de- lob 1 5,3 1^
ceiued trufi in vanitte^fdr varatie /hall hi hts recommence.
So wee fee Aial.i^y, when God bade the peoplereturnc MoJ.i.?.
from their fin ncs vnto him, chey anfwered ftubbornly,
fVheretnjhall wee retnrne I So doc the wicked men of
this world anlwer God, wherein haue wee offended?
wherefore ihcmld I repent I This is the firil Impediment
in mdgemcnt, when men doc not fii^c thcmfelucs lickc
in iinne.
The fecond is, when men k^ow them fe lues to bee fckf *.
cf ftnnc, but dee not thtnke thetr ftnnes to bee deadly j Impediment,
Tliey thinke indeed they haue foinc frailties, fomc im-
pertciSt lor.s, ron.cpecciclinsjfon.crmall lins; but inaccu-
img ri-iemrclvjcs,'.hey can fay as the Pharifcc, Lnke i^. I
thanke (jod I am no Adulterer, Extortioner, &c. And
fo they thinke the iilduei in no danger. As a man that
in tiie cagcrncirc of figiuing, rccciucth a fniall wound onc fjoHrlnc.
with afwoid, and nc.xr lookes ?lxer it, or diinkes it
worth Lhccu;jJig-,ro ii.en mthe affaires of the world, ad-
ding tin rolin, ncuei lookearter ihcm as needing Kepen-
tanc^', b^caufc ihey fu^p jfe chem (light and Imalljcxc. ■
The third I.iipedi»nent;is,7'<6<8/ th^tigh they take tkt?»' 3
J'clii^S'to bcs [inner s^ and their finr.si to be deadly ; yet they Tmpedimcnr;,
th'nk^ that G /d l3 mc af'-ill, a qr at tons God,andihey may
bet ja-tcd^tihoH' ktps .ta»ce. mK*D:ut.i.j. Tht Lord ^tf*^^^'
thH>tueri Again :i fucb : and plaincly allures luch pic-
(uniptuouipciiuns, that his wrath (hall raioakc ngainlf
G g g i iuch
g^ The ImpsJtmcnts ofReftrtuniel
fuch, andhc would not be merciful I vr.to them 5 but all
thecurfcs v\xittcn uithat Book fhould come vpon them,
yca,this is that which fohn Bapttfi cxprobratctn the lews
Math.i.^, for, A^ath,^,(^, J^fid thinkc not to fay with your fsfues^
wee haue Abraham for our Father: for verilj I fiy vnto
you, that Cjod is able euen of thefe Jioyjes to raije vp chtl^
dren vnto Abraham.
4 The Fouith is, That thotigh wee thi^ke Repey^tancc U
Impediment, needfull^yet wee need not ( f^iy fome ) fe flrici a kl'^dc of
Repentance as the Scripture fpeakes of? If a man can
fay. Lord fojgiue mee^ wee are all (inner Sy and fuch like,
it isfufficientjit will feme the turne well enough. Tha-
Exod, roah thought Repentance was needfuU^but it was a (l)ght
one, hee did not thin kefo llrict a one needfull as was
prefcribed. So ^^/// thought Repentance needfull when
i»^/z»^.i J.i4» Samuel came and told him what hechad done, Tet faith
hee. Honour wee before the Teople,\iztcz\c^ no: whe-
ther he had any honour before God or not, fo the people
jnight honour him. Thefe be the foure Impediments in
the Judgement whicU hinder and keepe backe Repen-
tance: either that wee doe not finde our felues to bee fm-
ners, or though wee befinnerSjyetnot (o great finners to
require Repentance, or though wee be fmners, yet God
is merciful!, and can fauc vs without our Repentance ;
Or, though wee muft repent 5 yet i hat there is no need of
fo ftruft a Repentance,
Now as there be thefe impcdiir.cnts in the ludgcmenr,
fo there bealfo in the Atfe<^ionsdiuersletts/oi' although
a man findcs hin.fclfeto be a finncr againlt God and his
owne conlcience, and that there is no way of Reconcilia-
tion to come out ot his ijnne, but by Repentance 5 Yet he
dill findes impediments in his Arfcclions to detaincand
hold him froiiuhis fo ncccllanedutie.
The
rht Imfedimmts ofRtfenidhctj % j
^he Impediments in the
Arcfirft, Tfje lofid of the vporld^ when men are Co carried g
away witl\ t he louc thereof jthat they cannot attend vnto impediment
•Repentance, I'o taken vp with the cares of hFr, and the i" the Affc£t' •
hopes of pWl ures, profitc, prefcriiicnc,and fuch hke,that °"''/
fthcy can ncithrr come to this account 6^ reckoning of the
foulc with Repcntajice, nor dare aducnturc vpon it, for
fearcof lolingthcbenefitcsof a prefent life. Sach was
the cafe or chofc wh<* were inuired to Chritls Banquet,
M It h. ti.fi ^Such alfo \s our cafe, wee arc aUfointemiuc JUath.ix.s^
to thefe worldly atfaircSjOurFarnaes^our wiues.ouroxen,
&c. that we cannot come vnco Repentance, which is, the
£ai ic^uct of our foulcs oo accainc faluacioQ.
The next is, The [oneofotir Pfeafurt, that is, men t
cannoc ab dc the fobcr and fad things that belong to Re- Impediment.
pentance,they niuilben}crry, they mud haue their dc- Pfal'^^^i^^ i:
lights. paiiunes,and dcuiccs, as Efiyii.\ 3. The Lord ifgyxt^i^^
complauies, that when he called to forrow and mour-
ning, behold loy and gladnelFe, killing of oxen, eating
of flclh,anddrinkmgof wine.rhuspleafurc is great a let.
The third is-, The lone ofonr own Eafc^ox men cannot 3
endure to take any panics in prayer, holy duties, thing Impediment,
appertaining to the fauing of their foules : they had
ratner lye warme in their fott beds, then rife to religious
cxercifes, then goctoiieauen in tlias fiery chariot It is
faid,^4fA.i.Tlut when Chrill was borne, all Ifraell j^afh.il
was troubled, and why ? they thought Chnli could not
come nitohiskingdome without a great deale of trou-
ble, and it might be,coll many ot their hues : Co doe ma-
ny now adayes ihunne religion for their owne cafe. 1 1 is
Taid, Pfaij Thej dtfptjedthe phaJuntUnd 5 and why did
Ggg 3 tb.ey
'g 6 TTjt Impediments of Repent ance.
«ood lard, - they dcfpifc it, for it was a pkafant land indeed : and i
goodland ? y/b^fudi a place, asthcjr could haqe bccne
contented to haucihioy edit 5 but bccaufc it asked of
them fo much painc, trouble, and ( in their fight) hazard
to goe to ic 5 therefore they did defpife ic : euen fo heauen
, it is a good thing, and men could be content with that,
but becaufc it will colVthem fuch a deale of trqublc and
»ri J n paines, therefore they care not for it.
4 The Fourth ktt is, The lout of thetr finnes^ men and
Impediment, women arc fo intangled with them, that they cannot
kaucthojifortheir liue5,-C<>^rffA.2.3. how were all Ic^
Birthof Chrift rufalcm troubled, and thePrkftsfor the birth of Chriil: :
and Efau he could not kauc his ftrangc wiues, hce did fcr
Gw*i8'9- dote vpon them, (^en,%%,^. Although hereby he loft the
• fauour of his Father. Euen fo men doe dore vpon theic>
finnes, and fo loue them, that they had rather part withi
Heauen and happinelle, and with Gods fauour thca >
with thcaio .
'•J The Fifth is. The dejlreto keepe credkevpiththe werid:
Imvtdimtnu ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ 5 ^°*" ^^^^V ^hinkc, if they repent
and take a new courfe of life, the world will then poinc
at them, they (hall be accounted prccifc and pure men,
this is that which doth hinder many men in their Repen-
tance rSotothispurpofc the Jewes, Pharifces inquire.
Jffi'«.4.22.i But doe any of the Rulers beleeue in him f 2LV\(Moh?i^.ii,
it is faidj That many belesHedinhim^ bm dtd not confejpt
himbecakfe of thelewes. Now, this is the rcafon why
men Hue in their finnes without Repentance, becaufc
they are not wife to finde outthefpeciall ktt, which doth
hinder them. If I might be bold to nuke a fecret quefti-
on in the Church now, to know what is the reafon wee
doc not repent and feekc Gods fauour ? feeing wee hauc
heard, it is fo ncedfull, fo nccellark a Grace, without
which no man can be faued,why then doe wccnot repent
«uid fcckc Gods fauour, what i$ that which doth hinder
' ' you?
The Impediments ef Repent^pJ^K - 87
you ? 1$ it not ktts either in iadgcmcnts or in afFc£lion$ ?
Is it not becaufc you thinkc you arc not finncrs ? or not
great (inncrs f or that you thinkeyoumay be faucd with-
out Repentance, or at leaft^ \i this may not bee, yet thac
you need not lb lenous, particular and l^ri<^ a Repen-
tance : as we teach you our of the word. Jt thefe let you
not, are there not then Ictts in your Affe^ions ? that you
foloucthevvorldjandareibvigilant about the things of
this life, that you hauc no tiiwc to thinkc of your finnes :
or is it nor bccaufe yec loue your pleafures, and cannot a-
bidethefad thoughts of Repentance 5 or, bccaufe you
loue your ovvne cafe, and cannot abide trouble 5 or is it
not becauic you loue your finnes and dote vpon them ? or
is it not bccaufe you would keepc credite with the world?
How can you be able to anfwcr tothefc things ? I grant
it is an eafic matter to finde out the lett, and t© lay the fin-
ger on rhc fore, and to fay, this is the Barre which hin-
dreth 5 but men'are loath todcalefo roundly with them-
fcJues, a3 to fcarch out that which doth hinder their Rc-
pcncaiice I
Now when we hauc found out the Imoedimcnt, wee
muftrcmoueit 5 It was the care of the women when they ^^^^» ^^
came to the Sepulchre of Chrill, to remoue the ftone: fo Sepulchre*
our care mut\ be to remooue out of the way, what doth
hinder and let vs in the courfe of Repentance. We reade
i.5^;w.2o.i2.Thatwhen allthepeoplef^ood (lillat -/^- t.sam.ioiz,"
w^/«f/ dead corps, the men tooke it and drew it out of /f*^tf/.!w corps,
the way j and then the people ( v\ho formerly rtood ftill
as they came) followed their leaders. Euen Co muft wee
doe, when our thoughts beat a ftanc^, and will not fuffer
vs to goe on in the race of Repentance, by and by ridde
them out of die way, remooue them when they (lindcr
vs,pull them afidc,call a cloth oucr them,and let nothing
hindcrvs in our Chrirtian courfe. To this purpofe wee
may oblcruc Abrahams wifedome and care, Gcrt.ii.^,
when he went to facrifice his lonne, the text faithpthat he
PSS4 K&
88 7htlmftitintnu $ftefern4picf»
Scrnantilcft, left his fcruant with thcA lies, and why To ? that his fer-
uantsmlght not hinder hiiu with their clamours and
cries, ty^haham m godly wifcdomc left them with the
AlTes *, cucn fo muft wee dee in the cafe of Repentance,
with whatfocuer may hinder vs incur Chrjlhan courfc
of feruiceandholy duty : wee mult Icaue fuch things
with the Alles 5 ( that is,) wemuft renounceand remouc
fuch things whatfoeuer they be, that wee bee not difap»
pointed : and if it be defers of iudgemcm and afFcdi-
ons which hinder vs, wee mull pray vnto God to ic-
naooucthe fame. And wherefore all this I Becaufe there
are but two gates all men are to enter in at, there is a little
Iron gate of repentance, which opencth ro life and falua-
tion, to heauen and happinetle, and to Gods fauour, and
the great golden gate is that ot worldly pleafure and pro-
foe, which openeth and Icadeth to death and deftru»fki«
on, to hell and to torments for cuer. Threfore at your
choice be it ( deare Brethren ) which gate you will enter*
vin at,thc Iron gate of prayers and repentance in this hfe
of Chnftianitic, which leades vnto the houfc of
God, or the golden gate of worldly pica-
fures leading to Hell ind
deihudion,
L E C T, 8^
z»
^2
Lect. vim.
the cases of
Repentance.
Firft the cafe of Rclapfe;
Revel. 15.
Remember therefore from vohence tho/f Art f^Ueyt^And
Repent, And doe thefirfi worlds : or elfe / will come vnto
thee q'AickJy, And remoone the Candlefltcke out of this
fliicey vnltffe thou repent,
EF fpakcthc laft day of thcXcttS
.md I irpcdimentso^ Repentance,
hecaufcas I laid our way is made
'nro Repcnrance by rcinoouing
:'.e Lcrts: Now the nexcthin^ wc
lie cofpeakeoFlstlTC Cajes of Rep-
entance ; wlicrin the firft fh^ll be
rl e cajc of KtHolt or Kelapfe, as
they tearinc u,4N; that \SyfVnerher a man that h^th ofTce rr- Que(^.
)fnUX htm of Aftnnc 3 m^j faliaoAint into th< fame (inne,
L Vmo '
i' "».
^0
Anfwcr.
Riotour.
APapift.
£x6d.9'Z2»
Ui'^tJ*
Math,
AFcllon,
T^je Jirfi cafe ofRelaffil
I.
Vnto which I anfwcr, that If a man haut not foHndly
repented him of his Jinne, ifhee hane failed in any one
piint of hii repentance, in [nch cafe hee ?nay fall cafity
affaine into the fame ftnnes : As for cxaniple,a man hath
beenc a notorious riotour and cup- compar ion, hee comes
eftcrwardsto lookeinto the hatctijlnefle of his finnc, to
condcmnc it in iudgcment^to mifiikc it in affc^lion, and
yet bccaufehc could ncuer bring his heart to refolue and
fight againft it, to figh and be truly penitent j to fafhion
himfelfc to the vfe oi goodexercifes 5 as Prayer, Medita-
tion, and a folemnearraignement oF himfcUc, andfuch
like, he may cafily fall againc, becaufe hcc hath failed in
fomeonc point of his Repentance. vSo a man who hath
beenc a Papift, and a wor( Hipper of ftocksand ftoncs,hc
comes to fee his finnc, to diflikc it, to condemne and re-
folue againft it 5 thereupon heeturncs from Poperie,and
yet becaufe he is not truely turned into the obedience of
the Gofpell, to walkein holinetfe before God, failing in
fome one ormoc parts of his repentance, hee may fall to
be a Papift againe. So 'Tharoah did in fome manner re-
pent him of his (inne, yet becaufe hee failed in the due
pradtifc and performance of the dutie, his heart being
corrupted, hee remained obftinate. So the Lord com-
plaines of the people, in the Propheficsof Efay and Z^*
remte 3.3. Thou hadjl a whoores forehead, thdu refnpdfi
to hee aflame d •, So that becaufe of vnfound repentance,
a maYi may ealily fall into the fame finnes againc. I$idai
faw his fmncs and confelfcd them, but becaufe he did not
pray vnto God toforgiue thcm,nor refolue againft them,
he fell away. Wee fee in experience, if a man hauc a Fel-
lon or a foarc vpon his hand, or a by le about him, if hcc
doe not draw out the corruption the better, but fuffcr it
toranklcorfwell againe, hauing ftopt it too foonc, it
will breake out agauie, and put him to further trouble
and paine: Eucnlb it is in the nature of Repentance 5 a
number there be who hauc not fe^rcht dieir hearts i^thc
quick,
ThefirflcafeofRelapfc. ^j
quickc, or futfcred thcai co bleed ouc all the corruption •'
AndfohaijingdcakparcKilIy and vnfoundly in their re-
pentance, they iindc ic a n;at[er of great difficultic to
haue the heart pcrf edjy foujid : this js the firil part of the
Anfwer.
Yea, But if a m^n hd^e fourr^iy repented htm of his Obiccl
firjyjci, whether ts it pojjil^iefor that msn to full agai Kef
To this 1 2iVi^\NCX, There is a generalt, and there is 4 Anfv.
^TarticnUr Repentance, Generall repentance is at a mans
firilconiierfion, thenhc repents of allhislinnes 5 Parti,
cular repentance js, when a man repents of fomc one par-
ticubrlinne, which is committed after. Now a man may
repent generally for all his linnes, and yet hec may cafily
alfo fall into particular (nines againc, iox euery thing ft
workes ( as they fay in Philofophie ) according to the pro"
fertie of his ow»e »Attire, And lb General! repentance can
but worke a generall diflike of finne. Now therefore a
man may millikc iinnc in generall, and yet fall into par-
ticular fmnes of which Ik hath fo generally repented.
I but if a man doe repent him of Particular finncs, Qucfti^
Vvhethcrmay hce fall into themagaine or not ?
-•/
To this I anfwer, that if a man doe Repent truely of AnAr. «
particular fmnes, fuch is the grace of God that hee doth
not ealily fall into them 3gaine, and when he doth, it is ,
feldome or very rare, and is much ditfcrcnt from his for-
mer falls. Firft, not eafily ; for the bittcrneire and tart- I !
nelFc thereof is fuch, that it Icaucs fuch an impreflion be-
hindc it, as they tremble to fall into the like im againe. ^ ,
Weereade, £;co^.i3.i7.i8. that when God lead the f^'^^'*!?* 17* ^
children of Ifraeloutof z^gjpt, hedidnoc leadethem **' •
the readieil and ncercll way, but hce led them through
the wildernclVc, a dangerous and fearfull way, full of fie- j ^^^^^^ p^^^^
ric Serpents 3 and why ^o I Th^t thej might be affraid to grinatioo, j
retHrnc \
g z The firfl cafe ofReUffe .
returne to ^y£gjft. And cucn fo doth he dealc by his fcr*
ijants when hce brings chcm out of the bondage and
thraldomcof finne, hce Icades than a tedious and pain-
full way by many tcarcs, by many forrovvs 5 yea,thc i^carc
of Death and Hell j and all this, diat tlicy n ay be atRaid
to raumeagainc vnto f^m all the confcience of duty , but onely from feme
parttcnUrs ; The wicked ol: the world when they fall m-
tofinne, doenotftay thcmfclucs in fomc one part'cular
iinne„
The fiffl cafe ofRcUffe. 9 3
finne, hue let aU goc at ranJomc, ard 11 akc a confcicncc
oi: nothing. Buc the people of God, though tlKy failc
ii-jfoiriConediicic, yet .bey hncfmccrcIyaiidcareRilfy in
aUthe!ijrti?elc(p Ala hi-s heart wdc per-
fsEl with the Lordail bis duyes So DAfttdihou^ a tin-
ner in feme dungs cxculcch hitiifclfc, J-'J^/, 1^.11. .Far / ^Y-^/'iS.ii.
huHck^pt thcvp.if:sof-the Lord, and hane not wickedly
dep>trted from my God, Yea, it is further laid of Daufd^
thathcc wasa inanatterGods ownc heart, and kept all
thccoininandeiiicjus ot God, failing in the mati:er of
Kr/4/?,roliOyvfocucrche godly Fall, they tall not from
all die duties ot Rehgion, grace and goodnelFcjbut hold
cheinfelucs to prayer and other holy duties. As a man in
thecliu>bing of a ladder, though hisfbot« llrp, yet ithcd L^^J'^^r-
hold iurcly by Ins hands, h^e will not lee hishold goc : fa <^'i'»^^"5-
it is with the people of God, though their feet Ihp
through fraikie and vveaknelle, yet they hold fait by the
hands, and wall not let goc their hold of Heaucn which
they hauc by faith in God. :v^^,-.. ■'■: ..ii .^^rml
Againc, If they fall, they fall rvith finfe arjd rejt- ^
^..|«rf, there is a kinde oF loaching and reluiftacion in Camion with
their falls ; The motions ot thelpinc feeke to hinder the ^^^^c*
workes of the fielh : as Ga/ 5. ly. Forth f jiejb luflet}^ 4- Qal.yi 5.
qainft thi: fpirttyandthe jpirit agatrift the flejh^ fi that
yoH csinnot doe thojc things which yee woftld. I hus though
a man doe tall afcei Repentance, yet there is cuer ioyn'd
.with it acertaincvnvvillinpnelleio fall, and follow the
motions of th.e rienj : as a man diat is loath to doe that
whicii hce is dravvneand forced to doe, as bz.Papcl layes
of himrdtc, Kom.y.l^. For that :vh;ch Id^e, /allow not: Kom 7 ij,
for what I wo'^ldy that doc I not , but what I hate, that doe
cfc .VVcefee this alio jn Teter, hcc dciived hvs Mailer
fcarefull/, and very faintly, but yet prciencly got him in-
to
P4 * The f^rJlcdfeofRdapp.
to the porch fronnhc prdFc oF the people, and was in-
deed alhaired of whathcc had done; as a man who by
Oncdurtic. mifchauce is all bcallly and durcy, is loach cobc fecncby
day 5 foafrtTdnnemcn are aihamcd to a ppearc before
Godj being confounded and Itrikcn in their very confci-
* encc : So in Exodus in the llonc of ^aron^ Exod. ^Z.2^
you may rcadc how fame would hee hauelhifced otF that
Gnnc f what excufesdid hee make, how loath was hcc to
docit i • - /^il
- Thirdly, Chm fi?rm}dt^e,rY]cr) fmnc in this kinde ffar-
Thev fall ^ully, with a rcctet fcarc, they are atfraid to finne 5 they
withfcarc. tremble and feare at Godsdifpleafuie, whereas the world
areeucry way fcarelellc, bold and venturous, and pratlifc
iinneasif they wcreneitha* affraid ot Heauen or Hell,
orthelolfcot Gods fauoiir, which though they hauc
' heard of, yetchcy finne llill. But when the true Chrilli-
-^^"^^'*'- aniinncs^ itis C»«z formtdi>fe, withtcarc, as the fourc
Fourc Lepers. Lepers en cred the Campe orthc AJJjnam and rob'd
tlieirrcnts, bui with a kindc of feare and nenibling,
2,Kjng^7* t.Ktng.y.&c* Soic is with ihc people of God in their
finiies, the heart is ilruckc, andxhey arcafliamcd of what
they doe, being ?tfraidto biing Gods iudgemenrs vpon
them. Theretoretlu'rc is a preat ditfercncc in the falls of
theoncand the o:her ^theonegoes on in iin with bold-
•"* iielle,ihe other are affraid, and tremble ac Gods difplea-
fure. There is (wee know) a greac duicrcnce betwixt
€oing anci Jmnthat falls,and him th?t goes into a dccpe dangeious
vratcrf '" .v\?ter •, hcc that falls into a water, hcc docs it with fcjrc •
.hccisd'.fmayed at tiiepenll and danger hee li in, but hee
'that goes in of hiirfelieJiathapurporecodi^richedoth
itaduifcdly, andis.ncucratiraidj Dirr boiuly aduenturerh
on the danger jloK IS with iie pcv)ple ^t Gcxi, they fall
into thnr Ijnncs witlitcaic out o\ ihe-irailrie ok the flelli,
againfi tiiCir owne n-iindcs, to the difp'«*.j!ure of their
hearts, buttheieft due not i\ biar finne pjipofcly and
aduilcdiy. .
Fouichly,
FoTirtblv, Though the godly /C///, yet they ds fire to re- a
CfHcrMrd to nfen^wne •, as I oh i^-j . for ther: is h,pe (7/Thcy d^-'Trc to
a tn^e , tf n he€ cut doivhe, th^t tt -^ili fproi^te afatae, ^W ^'^^ ^g ■ >nc.
that the tg*hicrhruvch thereof vJ Hi r.ot cea(e : Thonrry tht * '*''•
roore thereof wnxe old tn ine ea- th^ andthejlocke dfe tn
the grannd', Ejca To ic is with \\\c people ot iaod, iluc
lunv! bcLier the p races ot G(xi >^<:ci\f m them, and thit
they wcxcdncin chcm, yecaskiig as there is life in rhc
roorc J and ihac rlierooce once comes ro b?c watered and
renewed by the grace of the Spirit, they liuc agaire by
Kejemance, a^iimingvnroKet'orlmtion and ncwnclle
o\ lite ; as youfa V in D^^^ui^ Pater, Ai.iry U)^^gduiin,
A^Amt^Jfes :So D^ft/d, T^(af[i\ <;.vk. i hauc gontaiiray pfni nn.yft
itke a hfl jhee^e \fc iliecp-tonld a-
gaine 5 Co tlie people oFGod v\hcn they Fall by their lins
and coiTiiptions, they are not at quiet or rdl vnciU they
luue returned bojrc to God, and arc in the iheeptold
againc.
Now it may bee fomc man may bcobie(f^,////:>iif hefo obicc>
th.1t ore mi-ry frill agitne tttto the fame fi^mes after Re^
peyitance ; rvh^t comfort cart any rth^n hune tn this estate,
J anfwcrjthere jretwoconiFortsbelongingthcreunto. Anfw.
Firft, that chough men may Fall Fo at.cr Repentance, yet I
thej nener fall q>ftte away y fo h^g it6 they hold them to the
'vfe of g?od mea>es^ :Lii€nd\:o PrSiycr. reading, mcdicati^
on, and other religious exercilbs, reading and hearing of
the Word preached : the adinimrtnng ^F. tl/c Socra-
rnents,vMth watchFuliiclIe ouer oiir ownc hearts^ IrJts,
and coi!iFes. 'PatttdicW noc vshen hee wa* coi^ltanc in iSam.
thefecouiles, but when hcc begin to bee looFe and idle.
60 likevviFc fudah one of Licobs Fonnes, committed a Cc?ief^
great finjie; but when was it 5 when lice waS' ojnlhnt mm
good
2
5? 5 Thefrfl cap cfReUpfi.
-good courfcs, holding hinifeUe vnto good ircans ; nor,
but it was when hcc grew loofc, and leu thcfocictic of his
brethren and neglected good meancs: but if- wee hold
oiTi' ftlucs coiillanily to the meancs, wee iliall not fall into
grotic linncs. \
Ihc lecond comfort is,That although it con:e topalle
that wecdoeraU,yct our falles Oiail turne to our good : as
Saint PahI faith; /?^«.8 a8.. All things jhalirvorkt toge^
Kom-l^zl* therferthe befi^vfitcthemibat lone (Jod. And t^^ugH^
fii'fie ro this purpol'c faith , That it is good tbat the Lord
\tt foinenien fall intofinnc, that they the better n^ay fee
what ihcy arc by natme, and bee yet more humbled for
.;■ «*.r J J it: : As we fee if a childe bei bufiip'about -the firje or watcj; ^
ie And blafphe?me fha/l be i j
forgtften a man^ except the biafphemte aeainfl the Holy
Ghofl. But a man may fall into Rclapfes through wcak-
iielfc, which is not the fnn:againll the Holy Gboil^and i
therefore may be forgiucn.
Thcfecond ground is taken A co?npnratis : from the ^
condition of the Promife, Ltik^A 7.4. WiicicChriH: hath Lu{e:j,^»
giuen vsacommandcment that wee fliould forgluc our *
brother Icuentic rimes feuen times a day, fo often as hcc
repcntcth and is forrowfuil : and j^fath.6, C>hrii\ threat- A£^i^t^*ii^
neth, If yen doe fiyt forgine j^ur brother his trefpajfcs,?i0
more w: II jonrheattenly Fatlitr for ginc you your trefpaf-
fei. So then, if a man mull forgiue his trcfpalfes that his
brother trcfpalFcth againll him [o often, all which is not
A drop of nicrcic con.pared witli Gods mcrcic 5 how
H h h n uch
^ 8 The fir ft cafe ofRelapfe ,- ^
rnucli inorc wil Gc/dForgiue ihem that (inne agalnft him^
againcjandagamc, iF chcydoe repent, feeing hce is the
Ocean ci mercic and goodndrc.
0
Tlie third ground is, ab Exempllj : from fanvlified
examples oF lioly Saiptuie,for wee fee in the booke of
Itdges, when there were any bad Judges in Iliaclj the
peoplcfell away from God vnto Idobtrie, and v%'hen
ikd'-fs there came good Judges, the Prophecs came and exhor-
ted the people to returnc againe vnto God and repent,
and fo they did recouer againe. So in the B :«oke of Khgs
wee fee that when bad Kings came, they fell away from
God, and yet when good Kings came againe, the Pro-
phets preached and exhorted them 5 and ihey repented,
and were rcceiued into fauour againe. Jicrc therefore wc
hauc to acknowledge the kindnelfe and mercy of God.
It is his mercieto forgiue vs, if wee doc finne but once in
our lifetime againft him. Bucgreatand exceeding great
ishismercie; that when wee hauc finned and finned {o
exceeding oit againit him, that ( euen then) vpon repen-
.... tancchec will receiue vs. Wee readc the Lord declares
l^?YW.5 . ^^^^ much, hr. l-^f ^ r/i.ugh a man doe tall into the
^^^^.> fame finite hce hach repented of, hee may beeforgiucn,
andlhali vpon Repentance bee forgiucn. Oh then,
fliall not the delpifers of Gods kindenclle bee iudgcd
of hiin.
• -. • •
ft
. Anfw*?; ^.^^^JtyctT (s^y^Thougb'RefftitAfiGC hi poffihle ,jct it will
.l-AiV " "-(H bi
Th firfi c.xp of Re\Ui,'pi p ^
'he very hard ard difficult'^ and tint in two rcfpe^^s 5
FirlHn rcfpcifl ot God;
1 . God mil not hee fo eafily tyitrtAtedto forgtue, I do
not fay that lie will not foi giue, but chat; hec more hardly
rcmirs thcfc linnes, then others.
2. Inrcfpctl of our fellies, we/h.il/»ot finde ourfelnes
[oreAdteyHor oHr hearts fo Apt to repent, in tliis Relaple^
as othcrwifc vvcc might liauc done.
This then I fay , that if wee prcuoke the Lord too of-
ten with fonicfiniaes, wee (hall not finde him lo rcadic to
forgiucas at other times, nor foeafieto bee intrcated : So
faith our Sauiour Chriil, lohn 5. 14. Behold thon ^rt iq},-^ ^ j^^
mi,ide whole ijinne no more Jefi a worfe th/fig corns ints
thee. And fo if we doe fiiine, Veteritisaccidet ; a wotfe
thing may befall vs. Lookc into the tenth oi Mges, if^dg.io.ii.i^
and there you (liall fiiidc how the children of Ifiacl had
fallen into A poll afic concerning their .Idolatric,.which
they repented of, and. fo prayed vnto the Lord, but the
Lord would not hearc: their prayerSj but turned them off
with fcornc, deridmg them : the words are thefe-, Tct
yee h^ne forftken mec And ferued ether gods, therefore I
will deltHcr yau r>o jwsrr, goe r.r.d one vnto the (rods
whom yee hane chofen, let them delmer yon in the time
of your Tribulation, . 60 then, jf wee make no confci-
cncc tofallinto alinneufccn which wee iiauc repented
of 5 letvsnot maruell if God doe not heare vs at the
firft-, forif wee Hand vpon tcarmes witli God for the
hearing and helping of vs by and by, take heed hee fay
not vncovSjgoc away I will not helpcyou^goe vnto your
finncs, and the worldly plearmcSjproiircs, hononi's that ^
you hauefenicd, lee them hclpe you. It is true indeed,
that all the Scriptures declare God to be a mcicifuli God-,
to bee full of companion, and very ready to forgiuc^ but
^!s\\zv\ vvcc llvall therefore in^bolden our fclues to iqiine,
and defpeca;ely come toa^kc Alnriglny God, how oftcii
Hhh 2 wee
100 ThepJcAfeof Relapp.
wccmay finacs-if itbec but once or twice ids too inuch-
but fay it bcconcc or twice, and the Lord forbcares vs
with patience, then Ic-tvs beware wee doc not prouokc
the Lord by falling l)acke vnto thefamc finnes after wee
haue repentcd,for wihen it comes to Qnoties peccav/m^ts,
how often hauc'A'cc offended in the Tame linne, the Lord
no qucllion will bee much difpleafed, hardly drawne to
forgiucj and not cafily appeafed towards fuch offendeis .
?fAl 7 8,40. for hee cornplaines of fuch, Vfil.y%.^o, How often did
they ^roHokshim in thew'tlderne^e And gYtiue him in the
prj^95.8, Bcfert^ kn^Pf^Lc^$.%,TodAjf if yoHTvill heare his
voice J harden net your hearts^ as in the Trouocntton cf
the wildernejfe^ when your fathers tempted mee. And
^^^ I oh 40.5 . hee fayes. Once haue I fpoken, hnt I will fpeak^
no more 5 yea twice, hut I will proceed no further ?
j^latki 5 . CJW4//7.2 5. How often faith ^od would Ihaue gathered
thee together, oi a hennegathereth her chickens, hut yee
would not, Fortie yeares long {faith hee of his owne peo-
fie ) was I vexed with you in the vilderneffe : If it had
becne but for fomc few yeares, hee could haue borne the
matter, but it was fortie yeares together 5 God is indeed
very readic, and mercifull to forgiuc, but when it is fo
often committed, this makes Gods cares bee heauie and
ftopt to our cries 5 yea, and our felucs to bee lo much the
more vnfit for the bufineire. I fpeake not this to cut off
any man from the hope of pardon ; God forbid that wee
fhould take away mercy from the Lord, but to (hew that
men which fall into the Relapfe of the fame finnes arc in
greater danger then before, and it makes God the IcCfc
rcadic toforgiue them, and to bee intreatcd of then%
j^ Secondly, In regard of our flues, it workes a diffi'*
cultieinvs, wee beina Co n.uch the harder hearted, and
leffe readte to repent, Fiift, becaufc o: the nature of iinnc,
whichistoleaueapromptncirc and rcadinclfe in vs to
thefamefinne:leauingaft:aineandablot bchlnde it; as
ivhcn by often litting vp a burdai; v\ec findc it lighter
Thcjirjl cdfc ofRdapfc, X o i
iTKHiglitcr, and pafle avN'ay with it fo much At more
(lightly 5 fo by often offending wccrnakf oar fclucs the
rcadia* to finnc, and fo come tohardncfle of heart 5 and
backwards to repent. Tothis purpofc is tlut fpccch of
the Prophet, /rr. 13.13. Cm the ^thiapUn ch4n^e his
tk^nne, or the Lfop^rd hu j'pots, then mnj you alfo doe
^aod who are AC-ctijl^meit^ doe emll ? Second ly^ bccaufc
ss Z)/#^y?w hath it, Confuetudo pcCAndij lolht Jenjum
feccAfidi 9 fo tliat whcnaman falls into a fhnne, by con-
tinuing ia the faniC) hcc birconies the kllc fcnGblc and
fcehng of the fiiiic^ wbicii makes him the hardlier to bee
drawnc to rcpcnt^nc^. For as you fee it is dangerous for
araan tohauca bene broken often in fooae one place, for Bone brokcoc
it may hardly be ioyncd agiine^or feflcr, or ncuer come
to its fiili ftrength : So when la rcan falls into the fainc
finnc, he (ball findcmuch adoctorifc and recall hinifelfc;
as a man that at the firil goes away from the fire, it makes chill from
him the more chill and cold aftir, but after that hee hath firco
bccxKaciraein thccold, heecan the better indurcit: So
it is with fir.nc, when wcecommitit at firil, our iudgc-
jDCntsarcagainftitjOiirrearonsfightagainftit, and our
confcicnces arc checked and vnquict for it : But if a maw
C6ncinue in it and finnc oftcn^ hcc is neuer touched for it,
but his heart becomes paft feeling, fecure, and hardcwed,
and fo tilt workc is more difficult in regard of our felue^.
And thus ic appcires, that there \i pardon for fuch who
fail into the lame finneagainc; but it is vcty hard and
difficult to attainc thcfcncc and alFurancc of it.
Nowagainftthisdo^rinc there bee two Obi€(^ion$ Obic^.i,
made, thehrft of them i^ out of ///^.d.4.5. For it is im^
poffible that thty who were once irtltghtened^ Mnd haue r^-
fied of the hcAuenlj gift^ And vpere wad/^partAkcrs of the
Holy (jhoft^ andhnn: ta,fied of the good vrordof God, dnd
of the powers of the world to come ^ if they fall Away
JhonU bet renewed Ifj Repentance.
i anfwcr, that if ftsnan fall away from all grace and Anfir.
Hbh j; joodnclfe
IO:l The prfl cafe ofRelapfe..
g4,«; uhund to re*
^entoneMndthe fame fknne often: The anfwcr ia^ cafic,
but the explication is hard 5 but } will lay ic downc affir-
vrAXXM^"^ j.A mAn c Anneuer too often repc;:t him of a fin^
but the more hee repents, the more comfortable jh^R he$
hU life^Anih'u prAyns m^re ^nfirerifia : Indcc«ce,and repeat often, by tbc finne
•f an hourc wee gather matter of mourning and hcav.u
©eftcfor many yearcs after ; fothat the cafe is clecre,'t
man who hath irpentcd truly of a finnc, is bound often
f itottio ' ^^ repent of the (arBe finne. A Painter when he makes a
; goodly pirture, he drawcs line vpon line, and colour vp«
oncoloufj till hcebauc perfertcd his pirture j fb sittfb it
be in Repentance, wee mufl renew our forrow and griefe
« for finnc, till our repentance beepcr(cf told hisa that his finnc was pardoned, that God
had put away his finne, and yet DmhuI caft himfelfe
downe vyith great humilittion, would neua haue done
widi hiiTtpcmancff, but laaaentcd and raoomcd for it
lo«g after :$o tboagh wte kauf rcp€nted of a finnt , was
r n^uil not thiake teCvy om pcKc at fo cafic a rate, bat
buvibk
0/ Repent 4»cc. , ^05 ^
hiiniblc o\n foulcs vvich fnirow and t cares, rcncvvii^g our
repentance againc and againc, ncucr Icaiung till wc liaiie
pacified tljr-wrath oi God : for how often doth this holy
HJanplycthistutc? SoP/i^.i^ hcc praycs God not to i^aIxj,
rcinemba the finncj of his youth: So you r;:c D.^uid did i
repent him of thofc iinncs hce had repented of before.
chr^fofiomfi'd^ycswcWyih^z D^tutd ihW repented of iins chr/faji^
done long beforc,as though ihey had becnc done but ye* ,
licrday.
Saint T'^^/did notonely repent of his finnc of per-
fccucing the Church of God at hisfirllcoiiucrfion, yicK AH.9.9,
9. 9. but as oft as hce reincnibred it, as oft doth he fpeakc ■
of itvvith gricfcaTidlbrf^ow, i.Tiw.i.i}. I w44 before h i.rim.i^ii. '
bUf^hcmert a perfeCHtor, tntHrtouiy c^r. So l.Cor,l5*^»
f Amnotworthte( fvfcjhce ) iobeecaUcdun A-poftli.he^ ^' '*^»'' |
ctuife I perfiSHted the Qourch of God: So that St.P^tnl j
you Ice doth often roncniber his finnes pall and confcii^
fcsthem. This nmcli wee may well obfcruc when God 0'/-/// obfcruci
Ci([ ^djim omc^ Par^dtfi t^^cc {"cm hun erc^i/jfieb^^rri,^^- .
tnd fee and placed him oucr agairtll the garden in the
vciy fight and view oi the place v\hx'h hcc had lolV
through his finnc andoticnding God, and why was thii?
that fo often as hcc lookt into the garden, hce might re- j
member his fmnc and lament for it. Now that w Inch ^'
li^iw did in the beholding of the Garden, is that svhich
VNce mud doc in the beholding of Hcaucn, heefaw from ]
whence he wa5ca(^,.thrownc out of "Taradf/e by rcafon !
of his fir ne ', and wee fee what wee arc furc to lofcj eucn
l^auen it felfc by rcafon of our finnc, if wee doc not re- I
pent and hun;blc our foulcs, and that timely and daily. !
Tims you fee it is ckc«rc thita Chrulian is bound to re- j
p>ciK one and the fame finnc diners times, and as oft as he
lookcs vptobeaucn to figh and groanc for the lollcof ic, ^
and not to b«efatisficd, though he hauc rejxntedtoday, •
and fo is allured of pardon, but in the Name of God to
goc to ic againc to morrow, and to morrow> and ncucr
giucouer. ,|
Qlit<\ Aga'nrt: this doclrinetvvo chirgs may bee obfeAeJ,
Firll, ff a 7H.7KS ftyj-r^esvprihrs Rep:ntA>ics be p.trd9r)ed^
the-4 vpkat Ksed is there vpon this to repent iiny more 1 thU
'appT.ires to be: Ubmr ioj},
AnP.v.T, ] anlwerj tlut thougli a mans finncs bee parJoneJ vp*
'^f '^*^^*^," 1' on Kepenrance,yec there are three oaiifes why a mans
Repentance? repentance mull bccrcnewed •, Firil, \>tCk\i(c,Eademma^
* I ret ohligMio : tlie fame Bond reinainech lliU, Fonhough
Goi outof fr'sownegoodncifeaild mercie Forginc our
finncs, yet neucrrheldlehauc wee the fame Cauie to con*
dcirncourr€]ucs,rod:n.k;;andbec lorry for ic, becaufc
thelaniebond or cvereiraines Itill, though God hane
grfttiouily pardoned ir, yet it is our duty ro repent ilill :
Nay to fpeake as rhe truth is'5 Crefcit obligmo 5 our bond
15 the grcacer, for the more me^cy and goodnelfc God
•fhcwcsvsin the pardoning of our finnes, wechauc al-
wayes ihc more caufc to be abifcd and afhamed thac wcc
hauc finned againft him. This ( as wee fee ) made an ex-
Vta-l 51. aggeration in Dauidt griefe, //f tt foltim peccatti^ I hauc
finned againft thee alone; what had Danid (inntA a-
gainft none but God ? no qucftion againft VrUh^ Bar-
jheba^ and the people, but that went to the heart of him
moft of all, and did more deeply touch him, that he had
giucn God caufe to bee angry with him, who was fo rea-
die to forgiue him, that had (hewed him fo great kinde-
nelfeand mercy in the pardoning and Forgiuing of all his
finncs. So Gods mercic to v$ in pardoning our finnes,
thould not bee a meanesto abate our repentance, but ra-
ther to augment and incrcafe it, bccaufe there remaincs ia
vs ftili the fame feeds of ouglinelfc, vilcnclFe, deFormitie
and corruption as formerly, the pardon whereof being
great, (hould continually augment and reiterate our Rc-
Pyi/. 1 0 5 . pentance with holy 'DAnid, Pfal. 1 o 3 . Praife the Lord
O my fou/e, prat fe the Lord, and forget not all hu hene^
fites : who forfftnes thee all thy finnes, ^c. Thus Gods
Ujercic in rorgmcnelfc oF linncs lliould not abate, but
increaic
tf Eqcntince. 107
incrcafe our repentance 5 as wee fee in the ftoric of die
Prodigall'onne, L.v^-f t5.z0.licc had apurpolcro con- iA'(.i5,to.ji.
feirdus Ijnr.e, whcnhccrccurneJcohis iacher: ins Fa- ^'^^'S-^'^.
thcr Could not concaine hiiLifeltctor loy, buc runncout to
meet and laibrace him ; yet this niakeshini not llackc in
his former determination toliuniblc hiinfclfe, but rather
fpurreshimtofalldovvncand liuinblc himfclFc vnto his
Father, confening his fauks : So Gods read inelfe to for*
giue vs, fhould bee (b faire from abating our rcpenrance,
that it (liould rather prouokc vs vnto tlie fame, lb much
the more to incrcafe ir. It- a woman fliould commit wic- ^^jultcrcr*
kcdneireandfollyagainft her husband, who puts lier a-
way for if, and after A'ardslhould be bent not onely to
rccciueher aadforgiuc her freely this lewd otfence, buc
alfo welcome her, and bcrto AT vpon her rich orniments
and icwels ;thi$ kindndFeof her husbands, (if any na-
turall afFe(flion be in her, ) would make her the more to
lament and gricuc for hauing offended fo kinde and mer-
ciful] a husband, and remejnber ittoherdymgday : foic ^
is with Gods rcadmelle in pardoning our linncs, it can-
not choofe but make vs the more ready vpon all occali-
oHsfrom time totin^j to repent and bee forry that wee
had offended fo good and gratious a God.
Secondly, though a mans finnes bee pardoned vpon x
his repentance j Tet the more a mun repents ^ the more hee
fiall hauethe fenfe and. fceltng of the p^irdon of them ;
for a man may haue his Gnnc pardoned before God, and
ycthaucnofenfe and feeling in his ownc confcicncc of
thcpardon of it, for tlietc is Itill retained a feare of guilt, (
as wee fee in ^.iW, i.^^w.ii.his finne was pardoned i.s^m 12.
before God, and yet there remained (as commonly in
fuch cafes) fuchan impreffion of guilt, as hee had no
comfort for all this, or as if there had beene no fuch mat-
ter. And fo, though God forgiue our iinncs vpon our
firft repentance, yet the more wee repent, the more (zn-
iiblewcc (lull bcc of the forgmcncllc and pardon of
1 08 Tfje fcundcdft of Jttntkn
thcin. InoilKTCifcswcecanniy, ^l^Hfid^niU cafitcU
Monr.ocehity too much caution hurts not, as when a man
^^^^^- couKs to Ivxrkc acliell: or a doore vvhcrcni lyes his gold
and trcafure, hcwillturne the key againc and againc:
fir (fayes his friend ) the doore vva^ Fall before: yea but
(-Taycs the other) in cafes of this nature, it is good to bcc
fure, to make faft worke ; as tixn couetous men lay thus
by thcirtnoney and ievvcllsjfo let vsfay of our faluation,
in bufindfcs of this nature, it is good to bee furc, a fnan
cannot bee too csutclous in making and procuring a
pardon For Ins Hnnes : fothatatter repentance, a njan is
alvvaycs the better and readier to repent and comfort
himfelfe. It was the zealous and holy care of that good
.'/**^' man Iolf,chap,i.$,ioCayy I will goc fee my fonnes,forn
may bee tlhit my fonnes hane Jlnned and curfid Ged in
thiir hearts. Solhouldcuery Chriflian fay in this mat-
ter 5 It may bcc that! hauc failed in my Kepentanct, and
thacforc 1 will to it againc to makcfurc workc.
^ Thirdly J becaufc chough a inans finwci bcc pardoned
vpon his Repcntancc^yet he is ftill bound to repent them,
Becaufe repentance is retjuired net «neiy to take avay the
oHtlt 9f JinnCybf^ alfoto tal^e away the corrnpttsfi of it,
Icvra, VVccfccwhcnChrill was dead and buried, the lewcs
rolled a great flonc vpon the mouth of his grauc, and
why ? to make him fail that hec fhould notrilc^ now wc
inull doe with our finncs as the Icwcs did by Ciirift, not
onely bury them our felues and make a grauc for tlicm^
but aUV wee mull rowle a great ftone vpon them, and
fcalc thcin vp by repentance, cuery day catling mote
mold and earth vpon them, that they neucr may rife a-
gainil vs ; For often repent'tng of finne abates the ftrength
ofthi corrupt ftn of fnnein the roete. A$ a man that hath
^^* his houfc on fire, hce will not onely quench the fiic for
the prcfcnt, but pourc water alfo in the cindcri and allies.
For Fcarc of fomc lining fparkes or diffipating heatc
wliich may )yc hidden therein ; fo ruuft wcc doc by our
iinncs
iini^es vvVicn the diiicll hath '>t oirr luftson fire . it muft
bccour vvilcdonic no: oiicly lo quench the motions for
thcprefcnr, but alio as tt were to pouie water on thcm to
.quench thcalhcsof iiiinc.
Thcfecond Obicftion is, That if 4 man bee hound, O^iccV, 2#
C$ntint4ally torcnewhii Rfpentance^ and Rep9?itaiice bse
inioyncd wuh griefe and forrow^ then ;t mnjl needs fol-
low that a Chrtflian man mn ft neucr bee merrte, becauft
flill the fenje of hts owne fmne mU taks htm downe and
make htm /ad and deielled,
I anfvver, That as a man is beund to renew his Refen- Anfw.
tance.fo ts he bound to renevf hts Faith toa : Yea,thc niorc
hee renewcshis Repentance, the morehec is bound to re-
new his Faith and loy: thus as a mans finncs giue him
caufe to inournCjfo the Lords inercy m Clirift Ichis, will
giue him grace toreioyce : So that the renewing of Repen-
tancCy thonah it bring a wan to gyicfe^yet tt will not leaue
him in forrotVy but fet hi in in a moft full polFedion of c-
verlafting comfort 5 as "Dautd confclfes,?/^/. ii6yS'They P/u/.i 16. J.
rfho fowe tn teares Jhall reape in toy. So that there arc
fome tcares which will bring ioy : there is a kindc of
mourning which ends in leioycing. J t is obferucd in na-
ture, that there 1$ fome painc which brings a man cafe, p^in^,
iind a man can ncuer hauc eafe, but by the meancs of this
paine 5 As the painc of phyficke, which doth not workc
at firil without fome trouble, yet brings health at lall.
Thcpainealfo that a man feclcs in drelTing of a foare p.jnc.
( for thcie are none but I am furc will confciic it puts a
man to paine ) brings a n^an at laft to more cafe and re-
frcfliing 5 fo thatwvf may well Jay^ the paine is the caufe
of the Cure -jEuen fothe renewing of Repentance cau-
fcthapaine, no man can deny that, bccaufc it is accom-
panied with griefeand fadnclfe, forrow and teares, but ic
is Dolor dr Trtllitiafanitatis, a healing and ahcalthfull
paine^ fuch a painc as will Icauc many loycs, ^\d much
peace
1 1 o Tfje third cafe of Confefion to men
pbacc b?hindc ir. Therefore lee men ncuer bee affiaid to
renew their Repentance for their (inncSj though they re-
pented before 5 Letthcni vpon eiicry good occafion re-
pent of theinftilhbecaufethougli thiscourfeof Repen-
tance bring a man foirovv, yet it will neuer leaue him
long inhcauinellc, but bring into a fwcct and comforta-
ble peace with God and his ownc confcicnce 5 when
though weeping and heauineire may bee in the euening,
yet icy and cheerefulnclfe commeth in the morning 5
luch mourning and confeflingjranfaking of the heart
ends inblellednellc ; cuer ihemore fpirituall mourning,
the jnorc chcerefuU holy rcioycing : they come from one
roote and founcaine^ the other (hew it felfe firil : yet all is
fvvallowcd vp into reioycing at laft. Now follows the
HI.
Qafe of ''Repentance.
whether a man bee boHfid, and mufl recent of hk Jtns,
andconfcjfe themvfito menl That is, when a man hath
repented him of his finncs vnto God, whether hee muft
alio repent of his finnes vnto men fuch ashimfclfe island
notonelytoconfetfeall vnto God alone ? Which cafe,
( as the law fpeakes) hath a clouen hoofe j tliat is, it parts
and diuidcs it fclfc into two Q^eBio^s,
1 . J-Vhcther a man bee bou^d to cofjfejfe his fmnei
to men f
2. whether a man bee bound to m^kj fatisfaBton
and RcJlitHtionf
Forthcfirft, licrebc two extrcamitics to bee fliun'd:
whether a man bee bound to confelTe his finnes vnto
men ? Fii ft, the Papifts they thinke that a man is bound
to confelFeall his finnes vnto man ^ that it is nor enough
^to confelle them vnto God, vnlclle they alfo conullc
(them vnto Pnclls ; in this they arc in oncextrc^Jine 5 And
in
w Repentdrce. lix
jn the contrary are they that thinkc that a man mull cow-
fellcall Ills liiiiicsviivO God onely. Now bodi thele cK-
treamcsaicerronious, both ihcFapiih who thinke wcc
arc bound cocontcllc our finncs vnto incn, and ioii:c o-
thcr carnal I prorcllors, who thinke that wcc nuiil cow-
idle our linncsviuoGodoncly ;t"or the truth lyes in the
niiddlc way betwixt bodi : For a man is not bound to
conidlcallhisfinnes vnto any man, and yet (bine linncs
there avc which mull be coniellcd to men, ai well as foax
Other that it is enough if wecconfelFe vnto God onely.
Now For the clceringof this point,\vemu(l remember
that in the high Court of conrcicncelins be of cwo forts :
1. Sinnes agairijl God,
2. StmiesagAiAJ}men,
Asthatof i,*?rf;!W.2.25.nicwcs, If or.e wan^fmne affAinfi. uSmi.if,
arjather^thejud^e lhall'tf4dffeh[m '^but if ii.. man fume ^7
gAtnft the Lm'd^whojh^l t'atreate for him I Thellnnes
againll God are cither,
1 , KrioWfje fmnes,
2. Z/r.kiJOwneflnnss,
As Fft/. J ^.11. who can V rider fla}7d his errors 5 clca>fc P/^/. 19.124
thou rnec from my fcrct fi/wss : Now to apply this vn-
to the point: if they bee fccrct (Inncsagainll God, then
it is enough to confelle them vnto God onely, for God
oucly isoticndcdjandfo it is fufficicntto confeire them
vnto God: For It is a rule of lullicc, Pccna. non cxcedet
cul^Am 5 the punifhment fuall not exceed the Faulc, or goc
no fureiicr then thctrefpairc. So then, if our (innes bee
againll God onely, it is enough to confcLfc them vnto
God land though the Papilh fay •, No hope of pardon
vnlclle wcc contcllc our iecrec liunes vnto Pricits : yec
the Scriptures of God areclccre againft thuHj as I^fiL^ 2. P/j/. 3 J«2.
5"^
1 12 The thirJCafe $f cmftfton to men.
5. I Acknowledge my Jinrtes vnto thee^ And mine iniquitti
haue I not h'td : ffiid I will confcffe my tranfgrejfions vn*
to the Lordy^nd thou forgancft the trnqn'ttie of my fin. Ani
iA^fi8.ij.i4 To the poorc Publican 3 tliar went jnrothc Temple and
knockc his brcil, hee confcllcd his linnes vnto God, and-
faid, CJod he mere if hU vnto me afmner 5 I tcl] you (iaich
Chrillt) this inan departed CO hislioufe iuftified : and lb
wee fee it by experience in the holy Scripture, That wee
fhould confelTe our finnes vnto God ooely. It is the lay-
ChnPfJl on, ingof a learned n^n,That wee lliouldconl-eile our finnes
P/4450. vnto God^who onely can bell wipe away our fins 5 for a
man is many times alhamed to difcoucr his fecrecs to his
beft fricnds,rauch more to a flranger Pricll:: And ib ihca
(againft tiie Papiils) wee fee that we are not to confclFc
all cur finne, vnto any, but vnto God ondy : As in the
ftorie oiManaffes^ wee fee in his diftrellc it is written, z .
I Cbr9n,i X 12 C^^^^' 3 3* ' ^» ■^'^^ "when he was in affi^lion, he hefoHght
the Lord his Ged,and humbled himfelfe greatly -.before the
(jod of his Fathers, Sothen iftheybcfccret finnes, it is
enough to confelTe them vnto God onely. Whereby you
may fee that the Papills opinion is falfe -, which inioynes
a man vpon pamcof damnation to corifellc them vnto a
Priell^al I the Scripture being conciaric viuo them ifright-
ly vndcrftood.
Exception, But yet. In one cafe wee are bound to confcjfe them vn^
rcr way. In this
cafe there is a necefTitic , and wee fljould and ought con-
fclle them vnto ni€n,as Saint James hath it 5 ^Acknowledge
y&Hr finnes to one another ^and pray for one another : bur
yet wee muft take heed vnto whom wee make our fmnes
knownc. Itmuftbefuchaonc aswcctliinkeablc to com-
fort vs mourdillrcircs, and refoluc our doubts 5 liich a
one as will conccale them^and pray for vs in al occalions,
as if It v\ ere his ewnccafc.
Now
lam s^f»
NoWthcPaprftf gocftinhcr, and bring m'opladfs oF Obica. i.
Scripture againil this do^rinc, tonwinraincthciropini-
on. Thefidlisoutof v^.i/^. 5^.4. where Chrift faith to
the Leper (OJlende te Sacerdsn) But go thy rv^aj-Jhrv thy
felfe to the Prtefi : (o thatcuaie luan though God iicalc
him and dcnfc him vpon his conFeihon •, yet lie is alfo
bound to (hew hiinfclfc vnto thcPneft.
To this I anfvvcr, The Papiils in this place do alledgc Anfw.
Scripture againft Chnll,.^^/.8.4.to pcruertdic Icnlc of ^^^-^'A-.
thcScriprurc 5 for the words fay v\oi,Ccnficere te^Cjo and '
confejfe ,hy [elfe to t^e^Prteft 5 but (O'shade te)Sherv thy,
fi/fe to the Trtcfl. Secondly, Chrilh meaning is,Thac be 2
lliould therefore (licvv himfclfc vnto the Pried, to let him
know that he was clcnfcd and healed from his Icprofie,
and was now free from the pollution thereof : Chrill
fayes, Osleytdc te'^qHin ftnatns es, Sherv thy felfe ^ hecaufe
thou Art made vthole : they doe wi^ell the meaning thus,
Shew thy felfe bccaufc diou art polluted. Tlnrdly, Chrill ^
feat him to the Priell, only in cafe of leprofie, that is , of
knowne pollution : but the Papjils lay,That Chrift fenc
him to the Pried , for to confcllc his linne; whatfoeuer.
Fourthly, Ghrift fent him vnto the Pried, becaufc of the 4
precept cf Mofs, Leptit. 14. 2. where God had cnioyncd LCait.i^.u
it. Gnrid fent him , but they will hauc him to perFormc
aiiordinaricdutic.
P Thcfecond place they do alledgc, is out of S. lamely objcd.2.
5% 16. Confeffe your faults to one another ^ a/;dpray one for Iam.^^\6*
another, I anfwcr , That tl-rcplacx: doth not bind vs to Anfw,
confelfc VDto a Pried -, it a> tnuch bindcs the Pried to *
confcifc" vnto vs ; bfcauk this dutjefpoken of by Saint
Limsr^ i« a reciprocal! dutic , C^^fjf'. X 5. "y^*^ A I . Cor. 1 5 .hee faith, / aw not worthy to hte called an
A^ofile^ hecaufe I did per (ec me the Church of God. So
asnis fin was made manifell in perfecuting the Church
of God, in like manner his repentance was made mani-
feft and knowne vnto all. So then, this cafe is cleere,thac
knowne and open fins are to beconfelfed not oncly vnto
God, but alfo vnto men jthst as thcy haue knowledge of
our fins, fo alfo ihcy may haue of our rcpcntance,and that
we are changed into newnclle oi life, and that for two
i^ rcafons 5 Firll,bccaurc as men doe know of our fins,fo al-
t- fo may thcy of our repentance : The fccond is, that as wc
haue done hurt to our brethren by our bad example in
finning againll God, and drawing others by the fame ex-
ample to doe fo'alfo 5 fo farrc wcThould by our outward
example of outward confeflion and repentance draw men
Ccn 10 8» "V*^^^ God. Which was the reafon why Ahimelech, Gen,
20.8. did tell hisfcruants that which God had in a dream
reuealcd vnto him,that as many as knew of his finnc in
iik\v\gK\N 2.'^ Abrahams vi'iit, might know ot his repen-
tance, becaufe as he had done hurt by Ins bad example of
finning, fohe might againc faluc that fore by his repen-
ting : he might haue carried the matter clofely and kact--
ly that none might haue knownt it, but wee fee hec doth
reuealeitto the end it might be knowne.
Second fort of The fecond fort of ftnnes are agamfi our brethren y jumI
finncjy thcy arc of two forts.
l.Ther<
The third Cdfe ofCcnfefion t& min. 'll J
I. There tirefome (innts whtch one may commit dgaifjfi
tt man which doe not hurt htm, or tndammAffe htm : as ro
thinkcan cuill thought againft him, thcfc finncs wee arc
to contclfc vnro G ^d oncly, becaule hcc oncly knowcs
them and is otfendcd for them.
2 ^ome (inrtes agasne there are that doe hurt them^and
thc^tUireecitt damage bj them of \9hich there bee two >^,^
forts: •.'• .^^.\
Firft/ome arc fuch as we know not to be fin$,and fuch
as we hauc torgotrcn,and cannot call to our mindes to re-
nicjubcrchcm 5 ForwhichfinneSja generall repentance
or contcffion vvjUferuc the turnc,but wc muft take heed
that vvc doe not wiltully or vvilhngly forget them: in fuch
finnes wherein a man either in body , word or goods,does
hurt his neighbour, hauingno ill intent towards him^nor
attcrwaid kne wing ic, in this cal'c gcneralitic Will fcruc.
But fecondly fomc are fucS fins as we doe know of,and
fuch as in which wc well vnderftand, and remember thac
wee hauc wronged our neighbour. Now if they bee liich . ^
(ins as we doe not knowof,as 1 faid beforc.or be forgot-
ten, or we doe not know to be finnes 5 then men are not
bound to contellc them ; for clfc who could be faued, for
a number of fins were committed againft our brethren
which wc forger, and a number of finnes there arc, which
we doc HOC know to be fins againil them 5 as x.Sam.ii.'^ a-S'
Rcpeauncc* the Matnre of Repentance fi brwg all thi»gs as neere ai
may he vntQ their for mere fiat e agatne. Now wec kriow
that by the fin of iniufticcGod is offended^Sc our neigh*
hour is hurt 5 whcreforc^by our Repentance, we reconcile
Kote. ^^^ felues to God 5 and by our reftitucion vnto men, wee
Aiakcfatisfa£lion for the hurt wee haue done them; fa
that there muft be reftitution and fati$faL«JcJ c:.oui--/-
-:i{ ^.'-.•-i v:
J . u ^Ui I
i ■ • ■ . • '
.1 .
* « % t > '
119
L
E C T.
nil.
X.
THE CASES OF
Repentance;
I The cAe of Teares^
Therefore, Alft novfyfAtththe Lord: turnty^i eutn t$
meevfith all your hearty and vfith fnfiing and with Wti'^
ping andwith m&Mrnmg : .-jfitiifu 5. *
,\^.%/itt4rejtt joHr heart andnet jonr garment ti&d - -^
> C*^ Ichcrto wcc hauc fpokcn of Rc-
7^ pcntancc, with foinc cafes thcr«»
^» ofjindfomcyctrciTiainc to bcc
fpokcn of: The laft day wcc
handled the Cafe of ConfcxTion
to men. And now in the next
place bccaiife the want of teares
doth fo perplcxe many in this
great work o^ Repentance : The
Lord as in this cexr and many other places of Scripture
Iii 4 io
'4- »»* ^' -'
.\x^y^f^.'C f
1 2 o Tk feurth cdfe cf Ttdrei
focxliortlngvnro the (amcj futablc vnto whicfc istKc
Saints, pra^tife now and in all agt$ : I haa: therefore
The ftate of »• thc next place chofen to handle, 7 ht (^^ife of teares
ibc qacftion. in RtfentAnce j that is, whether entry m:*iar woman wh0
trnely regents them efthetr jhines^ muft and df»e Mecejfart"
ly Jhed tedres for them f The anfwcr whereof ( by your
patience ) 1 will lay cio^^ncm fiuc concluTions. The firft
CoHcinfiQu (hall be this ;
I A mdft may wee ft ftrJtHfte, fhtd tearet for it, dnd yet
CoiKiaCoD^ ^gf trucly repem-yteares he n$t alv^Mjes ^^tmc ftfnc
$f trfte Ref€nt4nce,
The rcafbn whereof is, becaufe the very natural! man
wiihecb wcllvncohimfeKe, del ires his owne peace ani
hearts eafe as much as may bee. Therefore when hce ap-
;>rehendschcfearft]ll iudgements of God due vnto him
brhisfinne»cuenrhcharctulneircof vile anions which
hce hath commuted, the very coafcicncc and horror of
ihefc things Will make him many tunes weepc, (o that a
fiaturall Fran may Ihcdteares for finne, and yet not rc-
C^»'i7,?^ pent him of it : as wee ^tcm f/aHy^en.iy. ^^. He wept
fonthclQlleof his Fathers biclfmg aiid his birth-right,
and yet fofarre from repenting oi his finne, that at that
fameinfhnt, alter his Fathers death hec refolued to fciU
hislprothcr* 6othcHolyrtoriciitirmc5ok S duly i. Sam,
9^am24^i^, 24.17, that when'Z)^«i^had cut off the lap of his gar-
ment, wheii hee might haue killed him, and when he had
made his innocencie knownc tohim ; Saul hcclift vp hlf
voyce and v cpt, and made conteffion of his finncs before
God, and yet te all this r/^j^.irS. wee fee hce pcrfccuied
him againe, cucn againft h:s ov\ ne confcicnce 5 lb v\e fee
hecwepc for his (inncand yet ncucr repented. Hce con-
felled hec had done ill, and that Dj«/iwa$ more rightc-
^M^.i.x). ousthen hce. So ^jiijLl.i'i^, The people of //rx// 1$
faidcohauecoueredthe Alur of God with their teares,
fi\i\\ weepingand iiiourning, and yet for ill ihac hu^d
h ^tptHtAHCi. Ill
in their fmncs without Repentance, and fald ; y^henm
Jhdll fpce rcturne i So it is clccrc, that tcarcs arc nor al-
waycsa true figncoF true Repentance, for the nioft pare
all the Religion of the world is this, that li a man can
•Winghjuilcltefo farre,not onely to be touched for finne,
but ilfo to wecpe for it, to Ihed a few tearcs, by and by
they thinkethanfcluesto bee fafe 5 yea, though they liuc
loofely and prophancly after, but this is to build vp their
conifon vpon a fafc ground, bccaufc a« wee haue heard, t
man may llied tearcs tor (innc, and yet not repent it ; 1©
that tc^i^/bcc not alwayes the true conipanioru oi true
Repentance.^
But here it mayhcc that fomc who arc willing to re- Obieft.
pcncy and ready toindeauourthis way, may obie^t and
lay. How can 4 potrc Clyrtfitan taks ^^J comfort tn btt
TcATts J If tear a btt not Alwajgs a true fignc of Rejef
1 anrwer,for all this, that there bee two waycs where- An^¥;
l)y a Chnllian may 6ndc comfon in his teares 3
1, M i mv/f looke mo the caufes efthcm,
2 ' Hec muft hok^ '»to the Ejfetl andfrust §f therm,
Hce mnft Uoke into the canfc and futtyitairte from g
whence rh^^ fliv^e •, whether it bee tor tcare of damnation
and of hell corments hccvveepes or rot, for thefe nfay
make a wicked man much tc; be afloniOied for the tiiix,
aiid repent of his finne: as A^,i^.iC, foche children of AH.2^,2^
Ifraei wiicn cIk Lord told chcni, that they Ihould not en-
ter into the land of Cayman, xci^tx\\c6 of their finnes,and
did wecpe bcforethe Lord, but ihecaufewas the ludgc-
irents and fjourgc of (j:^d vpon them, beiug chafed by
the •yimoriteSi Dent.i 45. fo that a man may weepe ro oeut.i 45,
no put pofe for the iudgemcnts and punilhmencs that tol-
Jow liiinc •, but wlien a man can wecpe for rmnc, bccaufe
it 1$ limie ( which indeed would bring Ivun vnto Repen-
tance,)
:l iz 7he fourth cdfe ^f teires
wncc,^ becaufc hcchath oflfcnded fogood a God 5 dK^
pleafcdfo gracious, and romcrcifuU a Father, done that
which isprophaneandvnfccjTjyin his iaghc, then wee
may haue ioy andcomforc in our ccarcs. < So wcc fee in
jiAtij.ii, the example oF the Tro^/^^iif/o»>if fame grtcHoPU paint.
Now in all thefe cafcs^a man hath caufe to flied teares |
fbrfinne jFirll, /» regard of the great lojfc that comes
by finne : worldlymcnas wee know wiU vvecpc for th«
lotTe of children, goods, lands, and fuch hkc ; but all the
lolfcs of the world are not comparable vnto the lollc
which comes by Iin 5 for it is neither of children, goods,
or lindsjbut by finnc we lofe the fauour of God-, all our
pans of that wee haue in Chnil, hcauen and happmelTe j
yea, wee faile of G^Klsblelfed prcicnce for euer, and fo of
all lolfcs the greatell comes by finnc : vSo that wee hau«
more caufc to mourne tor it, then tor any worldly cala-
mitieor m if eric wliatfoeuer, lookc in the llorie of L^i't ■
€nh^lHdg,\%,i^^Ttehf.He taken avMyjhy Gods which I Judg.it*^^*'
nsitde
li4 ThfinrthCaJe $fT€dris
maietdndthePrieflj 4nd yee Art ^om awAy, a»Jwff4i
hau€ I more I and wl^af is tht^ that yeefiy v»to mc^ivhaf
atUfithou I Here you fee that when thclouldicrs had ta-
>if> lafted but for a day : The floud that came
Neah, vpon the old world laftcd buc for a rtiort tjmc j the great
£fn.^i.49. famine of -/Egypt, Gen.^^ i .49. laftcd but for fcuen ycares»
and the captiuicie of Babylon hfted but7o.yeares, buc
damnation in Hell (liall be for cua and cuer, no lune
(hall end it, no incancs (liall finilh ic , no poUcic ihall
cfcape it. . ^
^ Againe, all the cuills that doc befall vs here arc parti-
' ' T A • cular cujlU, either painc in the head> tc^tb, back,or belly.
iff Repentance. X25
orrtomaclic, arinc,lcggr,5cc.butthcpaincs of Hell arc
vniucrrall inciirryparc, in all parts at once, which mull
much fiiulciply piiiic, forrow, and ddlrudion in vs.
Aeainc,all other pnincs and culllshauc their mitigati- 3
onsand liniirationsj Ifanianhatli the goute, hcc hach
alfoa fotc bed to lye in • it hcc be Feeble hcc hach one to
kadchim 5 if hec belaine, hechadi Toinebody to mouc
himtrom place to place, but it'aman bee in Heil tiiere is
no mitigation, no eale, no hclpeleFc, not (o much as a
drop of cold water to coole the heate of the mouth, but
all horror, gnefe, torment, forrow and vexation 5 {"o that
if euer a man may hauccauie to (lied teares, andfearcmif-
chiefe that may happen, he hath rcaibn to doc fo for fcarc
of hell and thofc galUy terrors of damnation tocomc^ to
bll for cucr.
' Thirdly, a man hath Teifon and caulc to fljcd tcarcs for 3
finne, in rt^nrd of thv pAtnes accow^iirtyihg thhjame :
Avhich are aeadly^,dangerous ; For if one ihould wound a
•man in the legge,hee might recouer, but pricke him if it
were but with a pinne at the heart, and the wound proucs Woundi.
deadly :vSo it is in wounding of the foulc, cuery finnc
proues deadly, and as a llabbc to the heart 5 for though
Mrcedocnot prelently feele it, though our dcadnclle and
numneircmakc vsinfenlible andcarelelFii, ' Yet in the day
of Gods vifitation, when Gods wrath Ihall fail vpon vs
and open our wounds which finnchath made, then iliall
wee roarc and crie, and indure connent enough ; thus if
weehauc caufe to wecpefor anything, wcc liJiuccaufc co ^ '^ *
wcepc for our linnes that ilrikc io dcepe to out confcicn-
cci and foules. Thus we haue againc to bewaile the hard- ^
ncllcof our hearts, that in' bodily cures can away with
the cucrinjjof a limbe, breaking of an armc oi* Icggc.and
y ct cannot a way with the fearchmg and landng of our
confcicnccs.
"^ ' Thus as ic is by Reafoni fo thfe neceifiric df m6uming
1 2 6 The fourth cdfi 0/ tutes
for finne is proucd by Exainplc, For there was none of the
holy men ot God buc they haue wept for (innc, and wee
hnue ccrtaiuely as much and more caulc to wccpe then
they had -, and yet how farrc (hort doe vvcecomc of this
dutie ? (hall I name Duuid , Darnel, Peter ^ and other ho-
ly men of God I how feruenc was holy Luther in mour-
ning and weeping for his iinnes ? had Dduid caufe to
wecpc abundantly and wata his couch with tcares, and
haue not wee cauie much more ? Had Peter czui^c to la-
ment his fall bitterly ? and haue not wee more falls then
hec had ? Had 'Da»iel caufe to bewaile his many trefpaf-
fes, and are not we guiltieof many more iniquities rlhall
Afarj Magdalen weepc,and weepcfor finne in a manner
a riuerof c<:ares,andhauc wee no caufe or neccflicic to
weepc for our many tranfgreflions ? O if wee could fearch
our fintuU and corrupt hues, and fee how wc haue offen-
ded our God, wee could not choofe but weepe tor our
.jfmncs : what not (bed tcares for finnc, when wee fee our
Sauiour fhed blood in the Gardc'V for ouc fins, and not
for any of his 5 hee being without iinne. but we arc haid-
heartidand neucr thinke vpon our Kedenjption ; N. r
flied a tcare for that which wrought blood out of Chnfts
body. O wondeituU and lamentable, what a pitious
thing is this, that wee cannot let fall a drop of water for
flnne, when hee poured out abun:iancc oi his blood for
the fame 5 yea, he did fweate it out tor grie'c and anguidi;
afigneoffiiiallornoforrow in vs; when wee cannot
wring out a few tcares, much Idle pourc out water before
the Lord, as his people fometime did for their hnnes,
%^Sm7€» i.Siimy,6. Thusiuucbof thcfccond Conclufion 5 The
third IS this: lotj
Conclufion 3.
T^ere u rjehcr a man Itmng that is able to Jhed uares
for euery finne hee doth commit*
Eucry finncic is ccrtaincdcffn^js ;€^^ye^i^pd bitter
tcares
in Repentance. ' 127
tcarcs too ; for ciicrv fnncjs commirtcd agalnft God a
holy leather 5 yea, HolindTcic (cUo and an infinite Male-
(lie J no A' wc know it is nofhiall matter to otfend God,
nor no great cnio»*ccinent to ihcd tcarcs tbr our finncs,
and ypc wfcarc liardly brought to wccpc tor one finnc of
ten tlioufand : It is fo in the generall, though it bee true
that there be loincot more feeling and tender confcienccs
then other's ; as it is fa id ot St. ILerome, that hee wept for
finnc, and was foteiideily affected, as if hce had killed a
man ^buco chat itvvcrcfo with vs 5 that wee could ac-
taine to this rendcrnclle of heart ; The hindcrances and
iiiipcdinicnts 1 cake to bee two ;
I. BlirAncffe tn Indgemcnt^
Z . Hardrtejfe of heart.
For inany are (o blinde, that they know not finnc to i ^
bee finne in their ludgcmcnts : As MaLi when they
were reproticd of tl)cii (innes, yet they fay, wherein hauc
wee finned ? or if men know finne to bee linnc, yet they
miftake jthcy thinkc great ^\m\zs> arc but pettic ones ; and
finall ones, they cllccmc to bee nothing at all, not worth
chcgrieuingat, becaufefor the prefcnt they paine not : a$
a nun hauing a bleeding wound hce fees not •, palTcs it Bleeding
ouervntillhec faints : it proouing deadly if not ftopc w°""^»
and cured.
Againc, another caufe is, HardKcp of heart, which ♦
( for all the Regenerate arc in part fanificd ) wc are fub-
iert vnto, therefore though (omz in Kepen.ance bring
forth tearcs ;ycc aiiumbcr for thnr l-ues cannot egging Irtad: And yec
poorc Laz^rm died a bjeggcr, an^ was carried by the
handsoF the Angels into ili
«< afk. ». ^ U ^i ^ X JA -^
^7
Le C T. XL
THE CASE OF
comfort in death in
Repentance;
NVM. X3.X0.
Let mee die the death of the r'tghteeuSy and let my Uj
tnibee Itkehii.
S wcc hauc a care to liuc to
the Lord/o wcc iimfl hauc a
care to die to the Lord alfo.
For as it is Rom, 14.7.8. **^»i 4.7*
None of vs imeth to htm-
felfe, and no man dieth t&
himfelfefor whether we likCy
wee line VHto the Lord, or
whether wee die^ wee die vH"
t0 the Lord-y whether wee
Hue therefore y or die^ wee are the Lords, Accordingly is
chtt rauifti'd fpccth of Balaam here in my text j Let mee Num.x^ . 1 9
die
1 J 8 The ft ft cdfe ofcomfsrt in death
d'c the death of the Righteow^ and. let K7y Ufl e^difee-li^e
hi^. Winch words, doc dpccially imply thclc three
thing:
1. Th^t there is adcxth of the ri^hteotu, that the%
mtift die d4 well as others,
2. That the death of the righteous is farre dtjferent
from the death of the wtcked,
3. That e Her J r^tanmnfi dejire to die as the riahtf*
QHS dte.
That is in peace of a good confcicncc, and fecHng of
the promifcs and con^forcsof God m^de in I ejus Chnfi^
fo that thcfc words Ihcw vs that there is greit caufe tor v$
to inquircafccr. The cafe of Repcncaiicc weelall I'pakc
of, IVhether euerj one that hath truelj relented can jhew
himfelfe cofytfort able andheauenly mindtd ut the houre of
Death I Now the anfwer I will lay downe in two
points:
I. That a wan may truely repent yay:d yet depart out
ef thu world with little «r no comjort at the
hoHre of death,
Z. That there ts ncMertheleJfe a very hopefnU and Uk^"
ly way ^wherelfj rrtte penitents may come boldly
tod e With cotnfurty tf they doe not neglett the
meanes.
Concerning thefirftpoint, Ifay a manmay rruely re-
pent huij of his (inncs, and yec (licw little or no con tort
ac the day of death. Yea ihc tniih is, that die gtcatcft
part dt Gods people asihcy hue well, fo they die well
•Stcacni figl.t. and conitorcably : as wee fee ^V^f;* did, ^ctsy.i6.Hcc
faw a heaucnlyvilion,heauen opened, and Chrifl llan-
ding at his right hand rcadic to helpe him, and eucn Co
for tlie noi\ in the day of death, the people of God fee
Cf».^o.3j»' hcauenly vilions : So /^^^^ went downc to /Egypt and
died
in Ecfentsfjce. X^p
died tlifrc cnmforrably ard ;n pracc : The like wee readc
of- /fyr^/.', v.\hoconiii aiHlccihisbnpfSto bcc rc-nooucd, Gf// jo.25,
attlieirdcparcurctroin/Iigvpr. So D.i?;?. 3. 9. it is fsiid, Pfijofietier u IfoYne of God
dothftot commit finKCy forbid Jeedremameth in htm, nei'^
ther can hctfinne hecaufe hee is borne ofQod, The godly
in this cafe arc faid not to finnc, becaufe they are prefer-
ued from finning totally or finally 5 a holy feed remaines
in them which breakes forth into repentance for all and
the lead finnes 5 and becaufe the Lord imputcth not their
finnes vnto them 5 fo as they Ihalldoe nothing which (hal
impeach their faluation : So that if a man hauehued well,
wee hauing feene the cfFe^s of Gods holy Spirit in him,
wee are not by and by to condemne him, though hee
cxprelfcandfeelcfmallor no comfort when hee comes
to die.
3
Caufcswhy
Gods people
die without
comfort*
Now there bee three Caufcswhy the people of God,
or a particular Chriftian may die with little or no com-
fort, feeling of Gods fauour j and yet hauc truely rc-
pcntccL
vTht
SI .The (^omfUxioft, or ■
I. Bj Ke^Jon of the
and the yi it is either hjf reafon ef ''^ Sxtremtttc of the '
%, Torne^lect of Grace. ,
3 . Beca,HJe ofthttr iyidtjpoftion at the ttrnc ofDcAth^ '
Thcfc be tbe chrcc caufcs why many of Gods people '
finde little coniortiiuhchoureoF death: Ftrfi, by rea- C^ufcofwant
r 1 7 c J ! L i>^ of comtort in
Jon of thetr complexion, tor grace doth ncucr abolim na- .pcath.
turc, but oncly tempers and mortifies ir. Indeed the na-
ture of Gncc is t;9abolini finfull affcdion in man, but |
luturall affciftions ic abolifhes nor,Gncly orders and keeps I
thoin witinn bounds and mcafurc ^as wee fee in the two .''.".
Kinevvhp earned the Arkc, there wasanaturall at^eftion y^^^^ carrying 1
in them which made them low as they went, iSam.iC* ihc Arkc. j
I z.and there was aU'o a power of God feenc ouei'maftfr-
ring nature, which made tiicm carry the Arkc vnto the
place which God h:;d appointed, thus Grace orders one- ,
ly, buc delboys not nature, it qualifies and dire^s it, ma-
king it a fcruant in all tilings. vSoobferucof whatconfti-
tucion a man is before Regeneration, and you fhall findc
liim of the fame afterconucrlion ; If melancholie before,
hcewill becmelancholicafter : if chollerickc, the fame
after. Hence it is diat the very bed men jiiay(hc»v a great .
dcale of difference betwixt what they were jn life, and in
the timcotdeatii ; tor if a man be choUcricke. by nature,
if formerly hee hauc becnc liallic and raOi, this man
thoiighalan«fiifi:d man,and the deare childe of God>
liiay yet ( vnlclfe a great dcale of grace with flrcngth of i
iudgeinent ouermallcr nature ) fhcw much impancj"icie,
rouchinclTc, vyaywai-dnclfe wiienhec coipestQ die.. Soif •'
a nianliaucbecneof a mclancliolie difpoQuon, of a.fad
fpccch • or few w ords in his. life, though excellci^ in
grace, this man if not oucrmaftercd by grace, tor his.lifc
15 not abjcto (}jew hijiileUc chcercfuU ai'id. c^nfowftble\
Vrhcnbcccomcs,to die. ,Oiirhcpthp;j]dc^if ainan be ©t>
afaiv.-
142 The f! ft cdfi "ifcomfoft in death
. afanguine complexiorij and fo by confequence light and
merry 5 this n-^^n although lice haiicbeenc a vildc and a
loofcliucr, yet hcc may (hew hiiufeirc comfortable at the
day of death, when yet this comfort may be not a vyorkc
of grace but of meere nature. Thus when wee fee a man
diltrufthimfelfein the day of death, wee may fet our
feluei from hisownedifpolition to comfort him 5 for iii
fome complexions, one may come to die comfortably,
though one want grace, and in fome there may be a lum-
pilhncire and difcomfon^and yet haue a warrantable end:
Therefore if wee would iudge rightly of any at the day
of death, wee mufl confider of what complexion they
are, and fo deale iudicioufly with our comforts and
Wiae. thieatnings. Asif wecpourea glalFe of wine amongd
wine, it taltes onely of wine, but if wee poure it into a
glalFe of water, then though the wine bee. predominant,
yet there will bea tangeand talte of water j eucn fo when
the grace of God is infufed into our hearts, though that
bee predominant, yet there will bee a tange and tafte of
nature in this life : which is one caufe why Gods children
/diefometimcs vncomfortably.
* Secondly, ano;.her reafon in Nature may bee, Beca»/ff
Ciufc why ofthevtolence of the Dtjeafe t for there bee fome difea-
lomc Saints «^ . s -^ , i r • n i r ■ •
die vncomfoN *^* ""* nature which workc more turiouily vpou thelpints
tably. then others doc, as a man hauing a great blow vpon the
Blow en the head, may bee fo fton ied and amazed with the fame, that
head. £^j. j^g i^^^g J- jj^g j^gj. j^gy j^Q^ know what hee ( peakcs or
doth : euen fo aholy man may be fo difeafedfor the time,
and diftrcired with the exrremitie of his paine, that hee
may breake forth into rage and paflion, hee knoweth not
r/al. 10 5. 3 3. what : as it is faid of Mofas, Pf^L r o (> . 3 3 . That t hey did
vexe hts fprii And proHcl^dhim ^ Jo that hee fpak£ vrt'
Pfthuzu ^i^.fi^^^ith huUpps. So2)^«/Wfaithof himlelfc,/>y^/.
^l*%l» For I /aid in mine haFle I am cut off from before
ithinteyesydrc. So that through extremitie and vehemen-
cicof pafliLn,a good man may breake out into things
vnfecmly.
h Repentance. 2^j
Ynfccmly, all which tcndcth to this, chat a good Chrifti-
an may die of fo ftrange a difcafe, of ilic Fluxe, bLrning
Ague, Stone, Conuullion, when either the chollcr Oioo-
tingvp into the head, or the difcafe working furioufly
Vpon tfic tender vital 1 parts, the particmay dieftrangely:
hec may talke idly, cncout through thccxtrcmitic of his
paine -jheemay hauchis bee and his mouth pulled awry.
Sec. and yet for all th'S bee the deare childe of God, find
vndoubfcdly faucd. ho one may die of an Apoplexie or
dead Pal(ic,in wiiich cafe a nian fliall hauc all his fenfcs
benummed (oy as hec may die like a blocke without (hew
of iudgement or reafon, and yet for all this bee in a blcf-
fed ftate, bccaufc though the ftatc ot his body bee chan-
ged, yet the ihte of his minde and foule remaincs vn-
couched
Yecldocnotmaintaincroraying,as if all who died Exception,
of thefc difeafcs died without comtort ; or that one may .
notdiecoiiiforrably being thus vifited; yes it is moll
dcere, that if a man be not wanting to himfelfe, and ca^ :
away the helper which God gmes hu n •, hee may die with
comforrof whatfoeucr f cknclFe hec dies of. For of all '
deaths the moil excrcarnely afflic^iueis by firc, this is ac-
counted the (harpeft and forcft of all bodily deaths, and
yet we fee many of the Marty res hauc (lie wed thcrnfe lues >
very ioyfull and comFprt able eucn in the very flames.Th? :
reafon whereof is this 5 The ^Qwer of grace is infinitely
crcAterthtn thf povper of natHre : as l,foh*j^.^. Cjrea^ J John 4 4*
ter 14 her that n tn yon, then hee that us in the world .* as if e ?. 1 1
heediouldfay^thepower of nature is the fpirit of the
crcaturCyb'Jtthepowcr of Grace is by die Spirit of God:
now thefpiritot God being greater then any created.
fpirit whatfocuer, it coUiCs to pallc thtit the. power:
of Grace brings the power of Nature vnto fubie^^ion,
andoucrtopping thole Ipirits and fenfes workea tKcee-
ding comfort, euen. in the houre of deacH.:- as wee Tec rnnrrarlc
when cojitraric wuides blow ypon a ohip, ihat which is windcs.
the.
t4? ^ Tkjift Cafe »f cmfort In t) eith
the ftrongeft carries the fliip away :' So bedaiifc there if
both natwrc and gt"ace iji vs^ and both ^ bl6we vpon the
ftlip^that is, vvoirke vpon our Ibulesyih this confli«fl, that
Vvhichische ftrongeft, working nioft effe(ftually, prc-
uailcrh at the hourc of death 5 carrying the ioule with k.
ThcTccond The fecotid(jeneratl Ct^Hfeofwant of comfort in the
gcncfAlI caufc ddj of death '\s^ The decay af Grace ^ for many times the
of want of people of God are ncgheent, growc fccurc, omit the
comfort in the ^r ..bb^l>
hourcof death wcancsor growing ni grace, grow looie, arenotcarcruU
toanrwerthatexpcdacion which is had of them, Icanc
off dihgcncein hearing the Word, ani praivlife of holy
duties: quench the good fpirit with following vaine de-
lights, glue way vnto temptations, fuffcringtriem to take
hold vpon them ; thus they breake out fomcone vvay,anrl
fome another, whereby it conies to palTe, that it is the
good pleafure of God to correal thii loofenetTe ( though
they thinkc to (hcltcr themfelucs vnderthe Almighticas
ludi*\^*^o, formerly ) but they cannot docit ; wee fee when Samf^
Jon had growneloofe in his life, bauing played the wan*
Samvfons ^^^ ^^^ S^°^ ^ whooring froir God ; when *fter thisthc
imcivt. ^htltfttms came vpon hiiT/, hee i bought to hauc done a^
at other times, but for his life hee could not, for his
ftrength was departed froirrhim : thus when fome of
Godspcoplc runnc'out in their hues, snd venture on fin,
many tinges theyj mart tor it At their deaths, eit ' the con-
flidl wkh confcience be ouerCoi^c^ and peace in thcalTu^
ranee of theforgiuenelfe of finnes be fettled : So i.Cor,
t.CerA 1,30. J i.^o.the Aportle llicwe! them, F^r thks caufe nuiny are*
iveakeaftdfcl^ amofigfi yoti^ and wAny Jleepe 5 fo that oft
times thccaufe of little coinfort ihdeath, is by reafon thaD
men liue loofcly afid carcledy when they bee well. So S^
lCor^i$^^6, PattKixihj 1 .C'erA^ s^-TheJitng of death k finyandthc
firength offmneis the Law ; Icis linne that makes the
rting of doath to bcefo grieuous, painfull, and bitter vn-
j]TnT< to vs': fo f hat is plaine; the more loofely a man hues, the
luorclicentiouilyhccgmcsliimrdfe ouer to the world,
the
$fe0mfdrt In T>cdt1il I45
cJicmercwlU death grarcand ftinghim wlien fieecomf$
CO die. Therefore iF a man would lelFcn his ownc paines
in the day of death, hee mull lookc ro letlen his ownc fin
in hisbfc j becaufc Death in death hath no fling but by
tht works 9f finne. It" a man haucan apparanc hot bur-
ring FeucT, chc more hee drinkes hoc Wines, andfeedes Burning Fc*
on ficrie fpices, the ftrongcr and more violent muft his ^"'
fitts bee ^ where by the concrary, the more fober and tem-
perate hee is in diet, the weaker llill will his fictes becj
t^'cn ^o it is in death : Death is like a powerhjll fitt of an
Agut^ if a man diftemper himfclfe before death, and liuc
loofelyantJ licentioudy, death will fliakc cuery loynt of
him with mighty terrors, and threaten to bring him to
the King ot terrors, but if a man bee .wife to weaken
death by Repentance. Humiliation, holy prayer to Gods
chen though dcach may come, yet the furic and ftrength
of itfhkllbeemuchabaced : and fo wee may hauc com-
fort in the hoyre of death, if wc be careful! to watch oucr
our hues.
The Th'trd (lenerall KeAfon is.becauf? of our »W//^^- ^ ^
Jitton at the hoHre of Death, 01 in Death, became rncn ^^^^^^^^^^^
doc not then llriuc with thcmfelues to ftirre vp their comfort in
Faith, Zealc, and the graces of God in them, and prepare Death.
thcmfelues with a good confcience todiej for a man may
haue Faith and Repentance, and other graces cf God in
him, andyabecaufeheedotb notrtirre vp thofe graces
inhim,heemaydie with iictle comfoit. A man m this
cafe is like waiting coales couered oucr with aflii!5, which Dead cotlev^.
niuft bccltirred,or elfethey will die fuddcnly 3 therefore
when a man comes to die, hee muft ftirre vp his faith,
hope, repentance, patience, care, loue, and all the graces .
of thefpirit: euenasold lacobyGen,/\t^,vlt, when hcc * * *
came to dicjdid rearc vp himfelfe, leaned on his ftafFo,
and woilhippedGod, though an old decrepid man , and
bedrid, yet hee gat hiravpvpon his knees, turned him-
fcUc, and renewed his repentance, fo muft a Chriftian
L 1 1 nisux
I j^6 The ft ft cdfi of Reftntdnce^
STBiH doc at the time of death, (lincvp himfelfc and prc^
paretoHumiliationandtodie in the Lord^ Icfl thc)f
want comfort in death, which otherwifc they might at*
A^7.6et 'D^ wine to. Sowec feegood^/f^^Mamongft aOiourc of
ftones that brayned him, yet lift vp his eyes ro licauen, Co
as hcc made all his pcrfccucors amazed at his comfortable
vifiori, and was not here a man prepared to die ? There-
fore let vsftudie and pray in this cafe, that God would
hclpc vs to rouze vp our felues againft that tin? c,
JJithtrt9 hade wee fo proceeded in this Cafe of comfort
in Death, that wee hane brought it thus farre •, that
AJnAttmaytrHely repent, and jet by occafigns dit
with fmall comfort.
Now come wee to the next point,thc n^oft obfcrmblc
©f all the reft 5 namely that
Then is a hopefnll and likely way whereby a man may
come t9 die with comfort ^ if hee will not bee wanting
to himfelfe , and negleck thofe meanes and helpei
VphichGodaffoordshim*
Now in this cafe there are two things to bee declared
vntoyou;
I . That there is fuch 4 way,
2 ^fVhat that way is ?
l, For the ground of the firft I affume Cf\\%frhat a Chri^
Ground that fiian man may bee fo fortified and compofed in himfelfe by
we€ die com' the power of grace 5 that iwhatfoeuer forrows come in
forubly. death, they fhaA bee ioyfuBy welcome vnto him. Sec this
PM 3 7- S 7« compofed eftate of the Saints well fee forth , T/t/. ^7-37.
Afarke the perfeB man ^ and behold the vpright, far the
endofihAtman is peace. So in the Hebrewes it is faid of
hfh* il I J. 1.5. thcFathcr$|T)^tf;' were racked,fiafted,hewen afHnder,and
|7«^ WtUd not bee delivered fthM they might recetne a better
RefwreUtoffo
of amfortwBeatil I47
Jic fur reel ion. SotheApoftlc faith of himfclfe, 'j4!1.i\. ^^.ii.ij.
1 3 . fVhtit dtsyec me^.ne t o wfife and hreake my heart , for ^
I ant reAcijf not to Ifee hound onely^ hut euen to dte at HiC"
tu^^km for the JVami of theLord Jcfiis. So hcc Oicwcs,
Rom.%.i6r^ 7. ty^s it is rvri[ten,for thy fake are wee kiU Km,%,%^
led ad the day long 5 wee are accounted as Jheepe for the
flaughtert&c. Tliusyoufcc a Chrillian may bcc fo com-
pofcd iu himfclfe, thatwhenfocucr death coinmcth, it
(liall not inouc him from chat comfort and fwcci apprc-
licnfion hcc hath in God. So A^accah.y,<;.6. the mother M^t^b, 7.1.«,
and her children vttcred thefc fpecches when they came 7«
to die ; They exhorted one another with the mother to die
manfully, andfaidy The Lord Cjod looketh vpon vs^ and in
truth hath comfort tn vs^&c. Another faid. Thou Itke a
fury takes} vs out of this Itfe, hut the lOng of the world
fhaHratfevsvf. The third faid, being commanded to
putforth his tongue, 7~/?r/f/>^/^r I from heauen, hut for
hi^ Uwesl dcfpife them. And fo the three children in
1>aniel 3.7. vviiena moftexquifrte death was fee before
them, they anfvvcred the King •, O Nabuchadnczzar wee ^^n. 1 7^
tire notfearefullto anfwer thee iu this matter 5 our God is
¥it^le to di liner vs^ but if not ^ wee will neuer fwerue from
the holy lawes which hee hath giuenvs : So that wee fee
plainely by the worthy examples of thefc holy men, that
Q man may be fo fortified and llrengthcncd with the Spi-
rit of Grace, that whacfoeucr death come, and whenfo-
cucr, it (hall not take away his heauenly comfort and
peace. Very prophanemen can fay, //j^/ delegation wtlt ^,-}fi{ii,j,c,
takeaway the fnfe and feehngof any paine ^ becaufc in vU^
gricfc and paincs there arc two things which concevne,
firft, Noctvum, a thing hatefull to nature and all the pro-
perties thcreoh Secondly Terceptio Nocivij a fenfiblc
feelingandpercciuingofthat which is hurtfull to na-
ture 5 .Vow lomething may bee hurtfull to nature, when
yet delegation more rauilhing with the delight of ano-
ther obie«Sl, thishurc may bcc mfcnfible, not complained
of at lead ; As a man being aflccpc, there may bee fomc- ^^^ aflf«J<»
L 1 1 2 ihin£
'i'48 ^rht fip cafi of lefenfsnce]
thing hurtfiill to nature, and ycc hcc hach no rcufc and
:[4qnin.\i,(i.'i% fccling of it. So Thom.u Aqmnas on -^f?.4. faith that
^ff tf^,4k the piling and apprehenjton §f (jods leue m^j Ifc fo great
in a m4n, that it may make htm reiojce in his fpirir, oi re*
Joined againfi all mijchiefe arid affi:^ion whatfoeu^r
Umts X .»• which is cafl vpon him. As lames 1.2. Conut it excecdtr.^
igywhen yon fall into diners t(^ntatiQns^(j;c, fo that one
may haue ioy eucn in dangerous crialls and temptations,
foitis reported of a holy Martyr in the Primitiue
Church, that when hce walked vpon the hoc burning
coalcs barefooted vttcred thcfe words, O / walk^ vpon •
thefe hot IpHrmng codes as if I vfalked vpen a bed ofRofes^
his dehght in God, and a higher, mightier apprehcnfioa
carryingaway the more fenfitiuc powers oF the foulc,
niadethatheefeltnopaine5 Or who k^owcs bni the via*
leneecf the fire might bee afrvaged^as in the cafe of the
tfyree Qhildren.
Nowif aChriftian may die thus comfortably in bur-
ning flames, in the grcatell extremitie that can be, then it
is more eafie witli diuine afTiltancetoouercomethe lef-
fcr tentations 5 tor it a heart be fandlified by the power of
Gods grace, fecdedjComporcd in it relFe,there is no doubt
but that hee may die in peace with heaucnly comfort,
though hee be in perplcxicie vpon his (icke bcd.Thus it is
clecre,chere is a very probable way, for a man to die in
comfort. If a man as I haue ihewcd before, fall into the
Man robbed, hands of thecue^, andbecrobd and fpoyled of all his
goods 5 yea, left naked and wounded in a wilderneire,yct
ifhc haue one Jewell of great value vndifcouercd, or in
fomc fure friends hand, that at lad hcc hopes toinioy and
polfclfe the fame : liis griele, forrow and vexation for his
woundsare qui ckly forgot and palfed oucr, the comfort
of that hee expe(fls and hopes tor, ouerconjming the pre-
fcntafHidion. So is it with the children of God, depri-
Hcdmdrobd of all worldly wealth, pleafures and prefcr-
aicnt, vexed attd cori^cntcd with difeafsi, gnefcs, tor-
tf amfcrt in Dcatli 14^
rurc?, pcrfccutionj ; yea, and death it fclfc. The hope of
ctcrnall lifcaffbords them fuch comfort, with the appur-
tenances thereof, that all the reft is either oueicome, or
J, outrpalTcd quickly. Yet in this C2i(c hce will fay, Lord
,, I thankethec 1 hauc my jcwell ftill, (icknclle hath ta- ^
5, ken away rr.y ftrength, and afflidioni my eafe j theeoes
jjlwuc taken away my goods : but Lord I thankc thee I
yy haue thee llill: all thcfe things haue not taken God from
,5mec, nor Chrtfl^ nor the hope of Heauen^ nor the pro-
„ te^ion of Angels, the inrcrceflion of my Sauiour, the
,, peace of confcicnce, and the hkej thus m this cafe a
,^ mans ioy remaincs (lill.
ButhowHiall wee doc when the difeafe is violent, and ^°^^^*
death it felfe fo terrible, that VnCc cannot remember our
confolation and comfons I what way in this ctfc is thac
rto die with comfort I
This is a waighty point and difficult to anfwer, there- Anftr,
fore I pray to God that as his Spirit in the houfe where
ihey were met togither, fate vpon the Dilciplcs heads in
clouen fiery tongues, that foit would plcafe him to fend
his holy Spirit to fit vpon my tongue, that fo I may rc-
uealc this great matter vnto you, and lay the burden as
handfomly as I can vpon your (houlders 5 for the more
handfome a thing is wrapped vp,the better it may be car-
ried- Now in this way to die conafortably obferue two
things required ac the hands of eucry Chriftian foulc
who would die in comfort.
I, A confiant ctntinttAll Fref oration At all times for
Death.
t . A holy dtfpojttion when wee ctme to Me,
If thefe things be pizCiiMyA prepararton to ^/>,and a
fanftified hean at the houre of death ; it is furc and ccr-
taine, wee ihall die happily and well, whatibcucr difcafc
yvcdicof. //^
Lll 3 Fkft ^^'-<^'//'
t^o
toJeath.
lofcphoCAti
mathca.
EKod.n.ii,
Thefft cafe of Repentarjce\
J. Firil therefore .there mufl: be a preparation to death/or
A Picp.iratlon a inan fliall hardly die welljf he do nor prepare for death
before death come: as it is written oUofeph of AriPnathca,
/i;/?. 1 9. 4 1. that hcc made a tombcin hisgardcn.and why
in the garden, that in the midft of all his pleafures and de*
lightSjhc might remcinberdeathjand fo prepare himfekc
for it : euen fo muft the reft of Gods people doe, prepare
for death beforc^t come. We reade that when the people
of God were to celebrate the PajfcGHerj Exod. 1 2 . 1 1 . the
text faith 5 Andthwyeejhall cate it, withyoHr loinesgir*
dedyj/oHrjhoes onjour feet ^and your Jlaffe in your hund^
and yee [hall eate it inhaficy&c. And why was this ? that
the people might be ready to palfe out of /Egypt whenfo-
cucrGod fliould call them vnto it. Euen fo mull euery
man prepare himfelfe for death, gee his ftatFc into his
hand, haue his loincs girded, his rhoes vponhis feet, that
he may bee ready to depart out of this world, when God
ftiall appoint him 5 but fuch is our corruption that a num-
ber hauc a care onely to hue in iollLty, ncglefling altoge-
ther preparation for the day of death, how to lay thcm#
felucs downe in reft and peace of confcicnce at that time.
PifTccucr,
Reafons to
prepare for
Death.
Rcafbn i.
^in>l7*i^2'
Now there be Three reafons that may moeue a n,an to
prepare himfelfe for the day of death 5 firfl becaufe of the
vncertainty of Death Mnctximiz I fay, both in regard of
time, place, manner,for though we all know that we mufl
dicjthat no man can efcape or auoidc it : yet arc thefe o-
thercircumftancesof our death onely known vnto God.
Wherefore becaufe nothing more c^taine then that wee
muft dic^and nothing fovnccrtaine as Time, Place, and
MinncTj It ftands v? in hand al w^y cs to bee prepared for
it, doing and ordering of our atfaircs betimes, as good
old Jffaac faid in this cafe to his fonne Efau, ^en.iyA.i.
Behold now I am old ^a/id know not the dxj of my Death,
come therefore dreffe me venifon^c^c. That mj fonle may
hlcffethee before I i^/^r.Euen fo muft wee doc, order all
raatccrs wifely^ exhort one axiothcr daUly whilcft it is
** - - - ^ — -■ called
'^fchmpft In D fall r ^x
caWcd to diy : doc what good wee can ; repent v« of oVSt
fins, delay no good wee art able to doe to our felues or
otbas, faying to friends, children and acquaintance, 6
rny timeis vncenainc, therefore rcnieiiiberthis and this^
doe this and this,(Scc. Thus mull wee prepare For death,
there is noneamonglt vs 1 know, but it hcchad an intent
to build ahoufc, would luidy make preparation for it pj^^^ ^^ -j^
befoichand,asTimber,brickc, morter, tyles, with other jing,
nccellaries : So feeing wee are co make fure for our felues
an cternall houfc not made with hands, ler vs bee carcfull
to furnilh our felues, to fit our felues for it, by earned
prayer, taith,picience,obediencc,&c. becaufe as I faid wC
arc vncenaine of the time,w hether to day or to morrow,
young or old, thisycare or the next ; whether in the day
or the mghf 5 whether in the houfc or the field 5 whether
amongft our friends or enemies: whether of a lingring
ora rudden,amildeora torturing difeafe ; by land oc
water : by fword or bmine,or pcltilcncc,all is I fay vn-
ccrtaine ; therefore wee muft prepare tor death, in regard
oF the certainevnccftaintie thereof.
A fecond Rcafon to inooue vs to this preparation is, Reafon %»
heCitufe rvee cm die hnt once : a»d that which can hut once
bee done, had need tobeereell done. So the Author to the
}:itht^^S^^\i\y^Hei>.().iy, It is (ippinted for men ouce to neb.^AJ'
die^and after (hat commeth lodgement. So becaufc vvec
can die but once, we (hould be very carefull to doc it wel,
feeing if it be ill done, it can neuer be mended againc. In
all other things iF a man doe amilfe at firft, hee may rc-
paircitaherwardsjbutonely in this matter of dcath,thac
is no amendment, no redemption afterwards. If a maa
flioote an armw at a inarke, if in the firft aimc, you tell Arrow (h yt*.
him what his fault was 5 that hee is ouer, or vnder, ex
wide,hc may mend it the nexttinic,or the next after that j
but in death it is not lb, once amiire and cuer vndonc ;
therefore be carcfull to die well, feeing it is but once to
bee done.
ThQxhndK^onis/rheremedileJfefi^U ^(er Death, Rcafon «•
:Ln4 foe
i%\ TBeJfi csfe ef Reftntdnce^
for lookcliow deathlcaucsa man/o ftiall iudgement find
him. As long as a man is aliuc here vpon earth, there is
hopcthar heniay becconuerrcd, repent oFhis fins, and be
brought before the throne of Grace^but if a man bee once
» dead and laied in the duft,then he can neuer attaine to re-
pentancefor his fms,Faith in thepromilcs, nor vnto one
faniflified Grace of Gods Spirir^though he would giue a
thoufand worlds if he had them ; therefore euery mans
vvifedome mull be to prepare for death before it come, ac-
EccUf'9.lo^,] cording to that ccunfell oiEccUf.^A o. whatjoener thtne
hartdfindcthto doe, doe it with all thy miabt^for there u
neither works ^or demce^ nor wtfedome tn the graue rphf-
ther thougoefi,
!^s(^iv this Preparation to T)eath
ftands infiuc Dutyes.
I
Firft, A man of v^derFtAKding wufi fHrnifh himfelfe
Dur^ of Pre- ft^ith tlnfc graces and duties that bee mofi needfuU at the
piration, ^^^ of death 5 He mufl labour for Faith and Patience .and
Obedience, with other holy graces of God jfor he cannot
thenfpare any gracc,but theie three a man (hall find more
cfpcciall need of when he comes to die •, Thcribre as No-
So4hs Arkc* ^^ made an Arke to faue himfelfe and his houlhold from
the flood before it came 5 fo mud euery man bcfoic death
come,labour to faucand fcctrehimfelfe^tliat he may hauc
a place offheltcr in theday of death. Wheieforeif a man
would die wcll^ he mull firll corns to liue well, for quc-
ftionlelfeasa manliuesjfoishelikely to die. If a irian
Tree felling, look vpon a tree when it is a felling he may giue a flirewd
ghelfe where it will fall j for looke where thegreateft bur-
den of bouglies hang or grow , that way commonly
thetrcewillfall,andeucnfo, lookc which way a mans
thoughts & affc^flions carry him in the courfe of his life,
the very faiijc inclination will fway him at the hourc of
his death. Therefore a man muft prepare to furnilh him-
,iclfe wkh abundance of holy graces chat they may ouer-
""' " ^ fway
^f comf$rt m Duth. 153
fway Uim, inhisloofingfrom carrli ro hwucn when hcc
dies : Referring all vnco God and his good will and plea-
lure vvitli holy DaHtd^ ^^y"ig) ^ ^^^^ «^ p^^ce and Jatd Pfaf,
ncths»jr Oecaufe thou O Lord h.tjl done tt.
Secondly, A man mufl^tloAt wonld die wellyarme him- ^
fi/feafAtKftthefeareofdeit:h,^OY:iW2nC2nnotd\c\\i:]\, ^^'^^. °^ ^^^"
if he be atfraid to die, therefore he mull bean-ned againll how uj'bc
ir. If any aske,how muft webcarinedigainftthcfekrc of armed agalnft
deach ? 1 anlvvcr. rhc fcarc of
Fir(k,Bj perfwad:fi^himfe/fe that it is Gods appoint- "^"^^^^^
went that hee /hall die • yea, that the very time and inan- *
nerot our death is appointed by him, yea every fitjpang,
and trouble at the tunc of death: all paiticulars arc ap-
pointed, as Chrfft flicwes, v1/^r/?.io.3o. Ent the very Math.io.io.
hair f J of ja(4r head are a/lrjuml;red Secondly f wee mult ^
arme our felues againft thefeareof death, l>j confiderina
the comfortable (late which folUweth after Der.th 5 For
Clirill hath quite akrcd and changed the nanirc thereof,
To that whereas before death and hell by meanes of our
fins were changed together to fvvallowvs vp as :t is Reu, KcueL6.i,
6.8. Death weKt before, and Heil followed after -. Now
Chrifthath d lilinked and difioyncd them, and hath made
a new vnion, To that now death goes before and heauen
followcs after to the godly and faithfull. And tliereforcas
a man that is ready to p?lle oucr Tome great terrible K iucr Grcar Riucr
into Tome dciicitc garden, mull not lo much looke vpon P^'^^S^*
the deepc waters, as thinke vpon the place whidiei* hce is
a going, To mull wee doc in our iojrney to hcauen, wee
mull not lo much bctcriifjcd with the obllaclcs in our
way : as the benefitcs wee lliall haue by dillolutionj freed
from fin, and to inioy the felicitic of the blellcd for eucr-
morc 5 yea, and to confider, that as the Angels llood rea-
die to carry Lazjtrm his loulcmto »^hrahams bufoine,
fo iland the Angels round about the beds of ihefaid:full
to carry their foulcs into heauen, which is a inainc benc-
fitc wee now luue by death -^for it u rr^ade to be the ^reat Note.
tmmieof fmne^ althongh by Jinne it fame into the world j
yet
154 Thefift Cajc $/ Repent 4nce\
yet God hath (b altered the former courfcjas he hath madf
death the oncly meanes to abohfh finnc in his fcniants j
thi^JhoHld make vs reisjce in the day of death, confide-
ring whether death brings a foulc fiacd for heauen. If a
One fcnt for nianlhould befcntfor vnto the court to ]]ue there, and
to Court. ' to rcceiuc honour from the King, if as hcc entered there
(houldrtand a terrible grim Porter at the gate, this man
would not much fearc thePorter being fent for to conjc to
the King, bur call his eyes on the Pallace, and bufie him-
fclfe with the hopes of his enicitainment at hand: ^Oy
when God fends for vs to hue with him in heauen,thougfi
death be like a tenible grim Porter, yet let vs not lookc
vpon his vgly face, but caft our C)es to heauen and be-
ycnd that, by coniidering the comforts of that place.
5 Thirdly, wee mull armc our felues againft the fearc of
Death, by confidsrtng^ that by dcAth wee dte to ftnne :
and that death is the very accomplfhing of ourfahiation:
Sinnc brings all to death, and God hath made death ( as
I faid ) a meanes to abohfh finnc, fo that firft death is the
mcllengerof God. Secondly, it is hedooretoler vs in-
toheaucn. Thirdly, it is the death of finne. Fourthly,
Death is aconfumation of our fan^lification here in this
world, therefore a true penitent foule iiath no caulc to bee
affraid of death. Indeed the wicked worldling, whofc
hope and God is his weahh,liath great caufe to be afFraid
of itjbccaufc in a moment it fnacchcs away froHi him all
that he loath beene a gathering and drudging for fo many
ycarcs together, leaning him nothing of all his hundreds
and thoufands, but a poore wooden cofhn to lye in ; this
makes him atfraid of death. And ae^aine,he is affraid of
death, becaufe jt is not a doore to let liim into hcauen,but
an open wide gate to iet him into hell where hecmuft lye
eternally tormented with the Deuill and his angels for
euer. But a godly foulc who hath his place madcjiis fins
repented of, who hath liued a watchful 1 life oucr his heart
and waycs,hath now no caufe to be terrified, but rather
as Chrirt fpcakes -^TtUftvp hii heAd4ndr€ioyc<,k^9Jvi»g
{ that
9f comfort In Death. 155
that his Redemption drAwes ntcre : and that his faluation
is now ncerer then when he firil bckcucd: So that a Chri-
ftian vntill death come may trucly fay, Aiarior dnm non
mortn^ I die whi/ft I da en? t die.
Thirdly, ^ w*^^ that vponld die welt, muTt Uhottr to 3
•sveak£» de/ith hcttmes •, It a man VTcrcto fight a combat Duty cfPre-
with an enemy for his hfe, hauing the dycting of him a p^ration
vvcckcbeforcthccombatorraore, 1 hopcno man thinks /'"^'^ *»
but that it were good pohcie, to make his eiiemic (o fee-
ble and poorc, that hcc fhould not be able to ftrike a
rtroketohurt him : So eucry man and woman huing
muil haue a combat with death 5 and yet this is a great
niercie of God fiicvved vs^ that wee haue the dieting of
death, ^o that wc may weaken it if hec will, and abate his
ftrength. Our good life weakens him, and our iins giuc
iJrcngth vnto him. Therefore if wc haue any care of our
cllatc, let vs prouide to weaken him before wee come to
the combat, that hee doe not foile and oucrcomc vs, Lee
vs dcalc vvith him as the Phidftims did with S.rpTtpfi/},^^^^^-^^-^^*
when they perceiued that hislbength lay in his haire, by ^-^^Pl^^*
and by they cut oif his haire, and made him as feeble and
weakc as other men : So muft w ec doe, intending to wea-
ken the great ftrength of death ; wee mull labour to findc
wherein his ftrength confifts, and finding that it lyes in
our linnes, weemuft then as 'Daniel fpcakes, breake off Bah. ^.17 •
©urlinnesby rightcoufneirc,indeauour to rcmooue thein
as foone as may be. Wherefore I exhort eucry one of you
^vho hope for thefauour of God, to rcpert you of your
rinnc$,and fctaworkc the power of grace, that fo
you may attaint for your co/nfortto findc
Death weakened in the day
of Death.
L E CT.XII,
»57
fi>i^-?»^K^^^%^<^^^ ?W^
i^7^}^&KB^'l^^l&^^im^i^^£>&
L E G T. XII.
THE CASE OF RE.
pentance, of comfort
in Death.
Let meedte the dtAth of the rtghteoM, a»d let my laji
TMd bee like h^^
T isonethlngto ftand a mile off and
rtiewa man a covvnc or a coiinircyj
andanochcr thingto take him by the
hand, and bring hin) into die gates, Afaircmi
and ib carry him from Arcet toltrcet, nccrc fight,
trom place to place, not onely fncw-
ing the thing a tai re err, but a part ot' the glorie of the
fame-, foin this prcfcnt Ticacifc which vvcc I;auc in hand,
k is one thing to tell you that there is a way, wlievcby the
righteous may obtainc todie well ( ifthey will not neg-
kv^ it) and another thing to take you by the hand and
goc wuli y ou from field to field, from particulars to par-
ticulars, till wcchauc put you into the gates of heaucn |
The one wee hauc done out of the abihcic-God gauc 5
and now wee delirc to pertorme the other.
The duties of Preparation 1 llicw^ confiilcd of fine
kuciiiU '
I J 8 Thejifi cafe of Rcfe»ta^ce^
fclieral! heads 5 Firll:, that a man of vtideidanding muft
furnifli himfchc with thofe graces and duties that bcc
iMoft necdfull at the day of death. Secondly, that a man
in this cafe muft arme himfelfc againft the fcare of death^
Thirdly, that a man muil learnc to weaken death be-
times. Now wee goe on.
^ Fourthly, HcewhotvoHld die welt, mnfl hegin to die
Duty of Pre- ^^//;w#J jhee muft die daily, as the Apoftle profciFeth of
piration, his owne praclife, i.^^r.15. 3 i.I protefl bj oar reiojcing
which wee hane in Qhrifi Jefpis, I die datlj. So muft WCC
doe, wee muft bee a dying daily, inuring our fclues to
Qucft. death before death come. But how ftiall this be done ? I
Anfw* anfwer, by mortifying our flefli, and newnctFe of life j
cuery afFe^lion muft b6« humbled and rcceiue a little
death 5 Thisworldmuflbee thefchoole wherein wee mufl
Icarneto die ; for it muft teach vs by the word of God, to
fet the lelFc by this world, and all worldly things. Surge-
Lcgsandarms ons when they come to cut off armcs or legges, they firft
•>'^"' tye them hard many dayes before, and fo ftop the courfc
of the blood, that what they take away, may put the Pa-
tient to no paine, euen fo muft a man doe, firft ftop the
courfe of thcfc worldly plcafures, whereby hee may bee
inablcd with comforc to Icaue thein all when God calls
Burden car- bim. Secondly, it muft teach vs patiently and fitly to
^^^* carry this great ciolFe of death, for a man that would in-
ure himfelfc to carry a great burden, hee muft firft inure
himfelfe to carry the leller j fo it is in death to go through
this coragioufly and well, one muft firft accuftome him-
felfe to beare the IclFer crolFcs, and fmaller troubles inci-
dent in this our [railelife ; for if hee cannot indure the
/^r.it.j, fmaller crolIcs,and as lerewiah fpeakes, runnc with the
footmen, how fliall one be able to indure the greater af-
flictions and runne with horfcs, in terrible oucrflowings?
Thus hee who would die well, muft die daily, cuery
croifc, trouble, or change, muft bee as a day of death vn-
cohim.
Fiftly,
cf comfort in Bedth. I y p /
Fiftly, in this cafe one inuft often pray vnto GoJ to
take away the birterncire of death-, as the Author to the puty of om '
Hcbrcwes fpeakcs, Chrilh pra^lifc \s2$^Heh.^.j. Who in Preparation.
the eUjes of ht-sflelh, \vhen hee had offered vp prayers and ^^^*y7*
fuppltcations with flrong cries and teares vnto htm that
VfAS able to fane him fror?t deaths and rvas alfo heard in
that which hee feared. It then Chrill with manv crves
and l^rong teares prayed God inlhntly and carncllly to
takeaway that cup from him, lb niuft cucry true Chri- 1
ftian be concent rogoe into his chamber or clofct, there
heartily and carndlly to pray vnto God, to take away, I
Ictlen^and mitigate thebitterncirc of thcpaincsofdeathj ^
If oncthusdoeconlbntlybeleeuciCjheelhall findegreat
comfort in the hourc of death. When the people had
lighr vpon the bitter waters of Marah, yea {o bitcer,that
they could not drinke^hem, Exod,i^.i<;, as LMofes faw Exod.is.ts*
the people in this exrrcmitiCj God Hiewed him a tree, Bitter waters
which when Mojes had call a little oi it in the water, by
and by it became fweecj euen fo nnift wee pray vnto God i
that into the birter cup ofour death, hee would caft in a
little of the I'weet wood of the crcll'e of Chrilf : I ircane J
a little fpirituall comfort in and througii his gracious pro- J
mifcs, and then as hcc endured his forrow and fweates/o '
the foureltdeatlilliall become moll eaiie vnto vs.
Thus hauing declared vnto you the duties of Prepara- |
tion for death, it remaincs I ihcwy ju how to pra^ifethc I
fame. Wee rcadc, c%/rA. 19.21. when the rich man ^'^^^♦i^*2* |
came to Chrift, dcfirous to know how hee might attainc
ecernall life, and Chriil had told him, that for attaining
theieofhecmurt fell all hee had and giue to thepoore, he
went away forrowfull. So it may be that many who come
hither tolcarne how to die, when they heare that it muft '
coll them fodearc, that there is [o much adoc about it,
andmullindiircagreat dealeof labour and painc, will
bee content neuer to goe about it. And yet as die wifi WiTcmcni
iijcntookcalongiourney, vvidia great deaje of traucll '°^'"^^- i
and
.X5P Thifift Cafe $f t^Jt^nci^
ind'paincsto findeouc Chriil:,^f his body fittie or fixrie ycares through thc'troublcfoinC ;
fcas of chis world, inurt hauca great care to lay itdownc !
wcllattbcday of death, or cliche Ihall llainc all his for- i
nicr cunning and knowledge. Thus you Ice there mull;
bee a holy difpoUtion in Death 3 which conlirts injix
things.
Firft, That it vi.in bee willing to die , yvhen the time is j j
come 5 that one doe noz then hang after the world,and dc- Thing ia a ha: j
fire to tarry longcr^when God would hiuc hiin depart by ly t peadyfor mine eyes haue feen thy filnation^ * * i
this isthefirlhhingin this holy difpofition,ro be willing
to d4e : Wherefore it is a lamentable cafe, that a number !
profelTing Chriftianitic fhould fo hang vpon the vv(i)rld !
at that time, like naturall n.en, mentioned l^ftL 17 14. PfdLi7,i4^
fyhich haue their portion in this Itfe whofc he lite thoafil^ '
hrj} wtth thj htd treafHre, r>r.It is wonderful] chat world- <
M m m hng&
'X62 Tkffi cap cf Refect awe,
lings doe thus, butthat Chriftians fliould doc fo who
hauc laycd vp their hope in God, the comforts of faluati-
on in Chrift, and expcd this as thcchiefeft happinclFc, ic
Sumb. I ;; is a wofull thing. The good people, Numb. 1 3 . when
Grapes incou- ^^ f^yy fhc clullers of grapes which were brought vp-
ragemcnt..^ onabarrcbetwcenetwo men, they made hall rowards
the land of proraifc, and incouragcd one another to rife
vp and enter : cucn fo when God hath giucn vs fome firfl
fruites of the Spirit, fome tafte of the ioyes of the life to
corae 5 fome little grapes of our heauenly countrey , what
(hoald we doe, but make hafte and difpatch fpccdily to-
enter into the full potrcflion of the fanje.
'j , Secondly, One muft then let all goe andafflj himfilfs
Thing in a ho- wholly td the falnation of his fouU 5 So wee fee the good
ly dil^ofition. theefc did when hec came to die, all his care was for the
faluation of his foule 5 though hee hun g in paine and tor-^
naent, yet hec prayes to Chrift,not for reliefe from death,
or to cafe his paine, but onely that Chrift would remem-
ber him when hee came into his kingdome 5 Eucn fo muft
wee doe, when we come to die, wee muft not looke after
our paines, nor after our cafe or worldly accounts, but
that our foules may bee faucd, how wee may ftand before
Beft thingi) God with an vpright confciencc. If a mans houfc be on
faucd. gj.g j^nd hee cannot in this danger faue all his goods, hec
will yet apply himfelfc to faue his beft things, carry out
his Jewells, plate and money, with fome of his beft houf-
hold ftuffe,tliatifanyperi(h, the worft may burne firfto
Thus muft a man doe at the day of death, when hec i ee$
that he cannot faue all, becaufe he muft lofe his foule or
his goods 5 the beft way then istolct all goe, and wholly
to apply ones felfe to faue his foule at the day of death.
V Thirdly, Om mnjl labour to die in faith, as hee hath
Thing in a liued thereinjas Hck 1 1. 1 3.1t is faid of the Fathers, all
holy difpofiti- th«£cdiedinfaith 5 They died not all in their beds,
Wfi^iMi. "^^ ^^ * J^'^S^^^S fickndfejUor amongft their fricnds,for
fojBe
#/ comfort tn f>utK i g^ \c
fomc were favvcn afundcr, fomc ftoncd, but all died in
faith . And our Sauiour Chrift wcc know when hcc came
to die, and his very grcatdl extremities of dcach vpon i
him : in the very agonic of death hee did wholly reft vp-
on God, crying our, My God^mj God : fo muft wee doc !
in thcgrcatcft paines and calamities of death, yea in tor-
ments, wholly call our felues vpon Gods loueard fauour
as our fureft hold j wee Ihould Ihut vp our eyes, and caft
our felues on his mercie,with full pcrlwafion that though i
wee (lull dwell in the dens of death for a httle while, yet
one day he will raife vs vp, and make vs partakers of
Heauen, where wee (hall haue the comfortable prefencc
of God and Iiis holy Angels and bklFed Saints for cuer.
It is oblerucdjthat when a man is in danger of drowning, I
looke what they haue in their hands they hold faft, and i
ncucr part with it, lo not when life leaucs them,fo muft j
a Chriftian foulc doe in the time of death, caft vp his |
armes and lay hold vpon Chrift,neucr part with him, no
not when the lall breath Icaues him.
The Faith a ChriUian muft die in^conffts !
sv three things, \
Firft, He muTi die in the faith of his owne Re cone i Hat i' >
on with Go^-,that God is at peace with him, and become 'r^»'?g • ™^R i
his good Father by themcanes of lefus Chrift, and there- "" *"• j
fore boldly to go vnto God as vnto our Father, knowing
that no childe can be fo welcome to his father, as we (hall
be vnto the Lord our God ,which is the comfort that the I
Church hath left vnto ha by Q\\n^yhh.iQ.iy.(joe vr4o lob.10.17.
my brethren and faj vnto them J afcend vnto my Fat her ^
andyour Fatherland vnte my (jod and your ^od-j As if hcc '
(houldfayXct it beyour comfort, that God is your Fa-
ther,heauen is your home, he is not a llrangcr vnto you, i
but your God is more compaffionatCjthen any earthly fa- |
thcr can be.This way oncly the Prodigall fonne took for 1
mercie,vvhenhiscafcwasdefpcrate,Z./<)^i5.i8. For hcc r^^ j^.g ]
thusdifputcdwiihhirafelfejwhatfoeuer Ihaucbecnc, or ' ' j
Mmm 2 wherefo-
5^4 Thtjift cafe of RepePitm}]
whcrefocncr I hauc liucd,itis no matter, yet becaufchcis
my Father I will goe home and aaue pardon in hope of
merde:So muftaman thus by the mcanes oF faith fay,
Ffd J5. J will goe to God as to my Father; Though Irr>alke in the
m'tdfl of the valley of the jlo adore of death ^ yet will I feeire
none enill : for my Father will hauc a care of nie in all c-
ftatcs: I am his, this man may depart with comfort, and
finde ioy and peace accompany his palfage.
J Secondly 5 ^ ?»^« w^ d/e in the faith of his owne hap-^
Tahhofhij fie Hf:d comfortable eflate after death, that being a true
happy ffftatc penitenr,dcathfhall be nothing elfe but adoorctolethim
to come. into cucrlafting life: So that as Chrifts death, Luk^^^i i.
*^^^9»3 !• j^ tearmed Tranfitw, a departing,a palfage onely, a paf-
fing f^rom one place to another : fo death is but a depar-
ting, a paffing from earth to heauen,from fmfuU men to
be with God, Saints ^ and Angels, and with the fpirits of
iuft men come to peife(Slion, trom things tranfitorie, to
i-tf^,i4.i4, things cuerlafting. TothisefFe«5l/<7^fpeakcs/£>^.i4.i4.
If a man die fh all heeltHeaga'me^ and all the dtje: of my
appointed time will I watte vntilt my change come. So
Vhil I'll* Pattl^T^hilip, 1.23./ defire to bee dtffolued and to bee with
Chrisl. h^2i\v\t. For wee k^ow that if oHr earthly houfi
itCoY,$.i of thUTabernacle bee di^olued^ wee hane a, btiildinq^ of
Godyanhoufe not made with hands, which is eiernall in
theheauens. Whereby is fignified the Rate of etemall
dnsf- gloiie and life cuerlafting ; and therefore as old lacob rc-
uiucd, when hee faw the Chariots and horfes come,
which (liould carry him into ^/Eo^jpt, (o bccaufe death is
Utohs Cha- ^]^g j^^j.jg Jjaj-Jot: of Almightie God, whereby all his chil-
dren andchofen are carried home vnto cternall life, let vs
comfortably lay hold vpon faith, when wee fee the chari-
ots of Almighty God lland ready at our doores, and re-
ioyce that death will doe as much for vs, ns thefe fieric
chariots did for Eltas which carried him intoheau£n,and
be no more afFraid of death then he was of that fierie cha-
riot and horfes which carried him into heauen, both ha-
liRg alike commiflionj though not in the fame manner.
Thirdly,
not.
of comfort in D cath. 1 5y
Thirdly,^^ i^t*fl d^c in the perfwafisH of our oyvn hleffcd 3
ind ioyfi/ll r ejfor eel to nyihit howlbeucr our bodies Hial be '
dilFolucd into dull, and die as others, yet that one day wc
Mnd i9yfi/ilrejt4rrecl'tortyi\\:iX. howlbeucr our bodies flial be I" pcrhvaflo/i
dilFolucd into dull, and die as others, yet that one day wc ^^.^^^^^""^'
flialaiifeck hiic again.Tlius foh fortified hinifclFcagainll
all his niilcrics with hiOpccf the rcfurredion, 2s lob ic?. ;o^i9.2j»
2^./l^niv thatrnj Redeemer linethy and hee [hall Jland
jhc Lift on the earth , and though wormes deflroy thps bodj,
yet jhAllI f:e htm in my flejh,&c. This alfo I'upportcd
the Prophet D.ititd, Tf^l. i 6. 9. fVherefore my heart vfM prj^ [ 5 « "
(rlady and my tongue reiojced^ and my ftejh re sled in hope^
forthoHrvilt not leauemy foulein the graue^ neither wilt
thoH fr^Jfer thine holy one to fee corruption. This was the
faith 6t\D/////W that hee was perfwaded that God would
bring this bodie out of thegraueat the time appointed,
and licrewith Chrill doth alio comfort hiinfeli-c in the
daycsofhisflcfli, /^.ir/;.i5.ii. That although hclhould M^th.is*zu
futVcrinany things at the hands of the Elders, and cf the
high Prieih and vScribes being (laine^ yet that the third
day hec ihould rife againe. Now that which was tlic flay
of Chrifty of /^^5 of 1),tHid, that iniill bee the flay
of cuery faithfull foule, in all troubles and affli-
dions.
Fourthly, ^ce mufl ft; eve forth efpeciall pjitience M the 4
houre 0/ tf/r.irA, for though wee hauc need of patience in Tnour patient
the whole courfe of our life 5 yet at that time moll of all: •"^"f»"g"
So the Author to the Wfi\iXQ.^z%'\\z\\z%\ For yee hane need ^^^»^o 3<5.
of p^xticnceythatvphen yee hane done the wtll of God ye^
wight receiiie the promtfc, fo all had need of patience.
This much was ourSauiours pradifc mentioned, A^.%, aTc 8,31.
3 2. Hee was led as ajheepe to the fanghtcr^ and Itke a
lamhe durnbe before the jhearers^ jo opened hee not his
w<7«/A. Now Ti'r^r Ihewes vs, that Chrill hath futfcred,
Icauing vs an example, that wee Ihould alfo futllr with
hun^i .Pt't.i.zi.BecafffeQVnUhc)^hr!ft alfj fifffered for i,Pct.2*iL»'
isjeahinff vs an examphthat wcjhould follow his fteps,
ihercforoasChnrtihewcd extraordinary paticnc; at the
Maun 3 home
ijS 7)5^!^ cdfe cf Refcntdm]
houreof deacb^fomull: vvcc meekly and patiently Tub-
m\t our felues vader the mighcichand of God when wcc
come to die.
Forour helpe in this cafe^ oh feme
three things ^hich may make ^spatienp
in the day of death.
1 Firftj To confiderthatoHr f^ineshe atwayes lejfe then
Confidcratian ourfmnei ; and that wee fcelc not the thoufand part of
to make v$ pa- ^^^ vvhich wee deferuc to fuffer : as the Church acknow-
Af^fV** ^^^ * \cdi^z^\yMtc,y,c^,Iv?iB,hciiretheif7d{gnattG»oftheLord^
becxtife I haue finned againfi h'tnty vntUl hee "f lea.de my
CAH^e and bring mee forth to the light, then fiyalU fee his
righteoufneJfe,&c,So the Theefe w^on the crollc confcf-
£:«ii:.23.40. fed, Luk^i^.^o, faying to hisfcllow, T>ofithof4n9t fears
Cod^feemg thou art in the fame condemnation : andwein^
deed mfi/jfnjfer, for Tvee receme the dne reward for out
l^r.io.ij. deeds, SoIerem,io.lc), fVoeu meeformy hurt^myw9Hnd
is grienoHt, but I faidjrHly,this is mj burden and I mnjl
beare it. So mull cuery one fay, this and this afflidion,
crolTe or mifcrie is for my (inncs 5 all this trouble and vex-
ation is nothing in regard of that which I haue defer-
ucd by reafon of my fmnes, vvhich God might haue im*
pofed vpon me.
t Secondly, to confider, That ourpatnes are nothing to
Confidcration the patnes of ChrtFi, which hee fujfcrcd for vs » Hce died
on the Crolle, wee for the moft part die in our beds, hee
died among foldiers 5 wee for the moft part die amongn:
our friends, hee was put to all extrcmitie at his death^and
wee for the moft part depart of a long lingering difcafe,
yiHgiifi}netox}i\\% purpofe faith wzW-^ Let manf^ffer what
he willy and let his patnes be ncner fo great, yet hee cannot
come neerethe reproches, the crowne ofthornes, fwsatesof
bloody buffeting s, remltngi which otir Sau'iour fnffered :
though he was God^and wc but finfull wcn^hcour Lord,
and
tf comfort in D cath, 1 77
and wee his fcruants^hce clcanc, wcc polluted -jhce inno-
ccnc and wee guilt I'c and vnrighceous. Therefore feeing
our paines in death ( at worll) arc fo farrc fliort of his^vvc
(hould be patient.
•^
^
Thirdly, Toconjidtr thefc paines 4re finite, not Ufltng,
and that they bring vs to cuerlaiii?tg eafe. So wee hauc it, Confidcratioo
KeH.i'^.l^. B/eJfed are the dead which die in the Lord ^^^'i^*^i»
from he»cefoorth, for thej rej} fi-om their labours, ^c. So
7/^.57.1^ it if faid of a righteous man, Hec (hall enter in* V"^.?7.s.
to peace : They [hall refl tn their bcds^ each one vpalk^/i holindle, patience
and meckneire : what a dealcof holy and heauenly fpcc-
ches didhee vfebebrchis death, which are cuer i^eino-
rable, chiefely his feuen lad words ; So Jacob ^ Gen,^y,
what a many gratiouslweet words cauje From him ere his
departure^ to his fonnes and Fatiiily. So Z>^»/^ before his
death blelled and inftrudcd his Fonnc Sdomon, Faying,
ey^nd thoH SAomon mj fifjije, fear e thou the Lord God.
of thy Fathers.&c. The like we haue of ^SPaul^Tim.
J hane fought a good fight ^ Ihaue fimjhedmy courfe^
{indhencc forth u.Uyed vp for mee a crowne^&c. Steuen
alfo called vpon the Lord Icfus towards his cndj and
JMofes blelFcd the twciuc Tribes o^ Ifrael 5 more inftam-
ces I might giue, but thefc may Fufhce to ihew,that cuery
man mult indeuour that his lalt woids may bee gratious
and fcemly when hoc comes to die.
The fixth Thcfixth and lad Dutieac the time of death is, Holtlj
thing in a ho- /^ refigne ones felfe into the hands ofGod^ as wee fee our
]y difpofition. Sautour C^rtft dtd^Luke 23.^6. Father wto thy hands I
j^ commend my fpirit : So Stct4cn when he was in the grea-
tclt perturbation that might bee, in the agonic oF death
faid,Ltfr<^ lefus into thy hands I commend my Jptrit, cuen
when there was a Iho wre oF ftones about his cares. Little
.... children For the mod part defirc to die in their Fathers
dvinff bofomc, or vpon their mothers lap,tucn fo muft a Chri-
^ ^' ftian
ftianintlichourcof dcatlilay dovvnchis head vpon the
fwcccbreftandbofomeof IcfusChrift, Co rcndring vp
vp his foule into the hands of the Lord. If a man had a
xnoftprctiousjcvvell which hcc did cftccme abouc all his prctloui
vvcalchjValuing thcfameatroine high rate; in time ofjcwdU
danger hec would furely make choice of his bcrt: and
chietcll friend to commit it in keeping. So feeing eucry
Chrillianhatha moil precious icwell, his foule which
dothfarrc exceed all other his wealth: therefore howfo-
cucr wee truft friends with our lands and goods^ we muft
:^ne]y truft the Lord vvi:h our bodies and Ibulcsj that hec
may reftorc them fafc againe at the laft day. So this is the
laft dutie a Chriftian liath co doc at the day of death, to
fliut vp his owne eyes, and to reft vpon the fwcct mercic
of Icfus Chrill to receiue him into gu^ric.
Ifa man doc thus prepare himfelfc for death before-
hand, and then holily difpofcof himfelfc at the dmc of
death, there is no doubt but hec (hall die well and com.
fortablv what death focuer hec die 5 no man can allure
himfelfc when hec (hall die, where 5 or of what death ^
onely weeknowifwccgoconwlththcfc hclpcs (hewed,
whenfocuer or whercfoeuer, or howfocucr, wee (hall die
the fcruants of God, Saints in heauen, in peace of a quiet
confcicncc, lo as they may write vpon our tombes and
graucs fuch godly Epitaphes, as the Holy Ghoil doth
vpon ^^'-iu/cSySoMoCci the jeruant of the Lord
dted there intbe land of Moab according
t9 the word of the Lord,
lECT, XJIL
f
■:i:
I o!
Daj.:;
'r
ban 5:3d ]•:. i:.'> f^cvajh/^
All 'A aoii^.
\H
^
L E C T. X I I L
OF THE CONTRA-^
ries to Repentance.
IeRE M. 18.12.
t/fnd they piid there is no hope^ hnt wee will walkt
After OHT owne denizes, and wee will enerj ene do€ the ima^
gtnation of his wicked heart,
(f^ Auing fpoken of the Cafes of
jT^ Repentance, efpccially of thac
^^ great cafe of Comfort in Death,
^a we are now to fpcak of the cotra-
ries of it. Foreuen as Marriners Marine^
when they goe to Sea^thcy muft at Sea,
onely not haue their courfe de-
faibed before diem in a Map,
but they muft alfo haue fpeciall
notice, of rocks,and fhelfes & fands,that they rnay auoidc
them 5 Eucn fo muft the Chriftian man not onely know
the way of the nature, parts, and properties of true repen-
tance, but alfo eucn the Contraries and oppofites thcreofj
CO decline than as dangerous rocks in hi^.fpiricuall paf-
.^72 6f%ht ContYAtUi fp RefCfftance:
fagc towards his hcauenly home. If you look inco the Pro^
^Vk*'=> 9'»5« phecic of Sz^k^ely you Ihall findc it thui written. Chap,
39.15. ty^»dthe Pajfenger which pajfeth through ths
.. |- /and, when any feeth a mans bone^ then jh all hefet afigne
* ^th '^>^^* ^^ "^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^P figncs and tokens in this
paltagcof our life, that wee may auoidc thcfe and thefc
places of danger. The minillers of God are fuch fcar-
clicrstofindcout dead bones, that is mens finnes, and
when theyhaucfound them they glue vs fpeciall notice
ofthem, and markcs that wee maycuery one looke into
our Iclucs by repentance 5 for many times wee are hinde-
red in our repentance and ncwnellc of life, for want of
difcouericand apparant markes to be dirc^cd by. Nov^
thefe contraries vnto it arc two ;
J. Impenitencte,
T. VfifoHrtd Kifentancc]
't Firft, ImpeniteKcie Ar a tfrtaifse Uocl?e layed in our way
Tmpcnitcncie ly the dentil^ when a man hath no teucb or feeling of his
whar \ JinneSybnt agamfl hU confeience and knowledge ^andindge^
Tnenty lines in knovpne finnes, which for hts Itfe hee cannot
lament nor leauCf or Jet himjelfe ag^unfl : And isthat Im-
.Kom*iS% penitencie mentioned, ^d7W. 1.5. But after thy hardnejje
and impeKttent heart treafurefi vp vnto thy fife wrath,
again!} the day of wrath and revelation of the rights oPts
ifidgcment ofG&d.T\\mi impenitencie,whenamun hath
finned J to bee as merry as if hee Iiad not finned, and nc-
3.P^/.2.i4, ucr trouble his rcll for it. Such as arc mentioned, 2. /'f/^,
2. 1 4. who cannot ceafe from (inne, eacc and drinke, arc
jolly and braucin companic, as if no ibch matter ,like vn-
to SfaUf wlio when he had comniitccd chathainousfinns
<;r».2y.24. infelhngof hisbirth-righi,(j^-?7.2 5.34. wasnowhicdif-
maycd, for faith the text : Then Jacob gane Efau bread
and pottage of lent ties, and hee did eat e and drinke^ and
rofevpandrventhisway: Thus Eiau defftfed hts birth*
ri^hr^ So /(^/'b/^/ Brethren when they had fcazed vpon
of the Cdntraria to Repent dm. 173
Kim, ftrlpcliimof hisgarircnts, and caft liiin into a pit,
wulian intcnc todclhoy lum, they were nciicr a v\liit
jiiGued vvjth tlien^attcr, but in a manner added llnnc co
f)nne,and fbldiiinitoclic If^aelttes^Cjen.'^^y.i^.mjdfate Ctft,^7,i^.
dow/jc to CAte iU}ddri;-7kc v»t til they fuiv the Ifinaciircs vrj-
to whom they fold him. So/^erem.^.iz. It is faid, IVere irrXi^,
they ^.fhjimed when they had committed abomi fiat ioks^ n.^y
they were not atallnjhamcd^ neither conldthey hltffl?. So
wee fee when wee are not touched for tliccoir.mitting of
finnc, but can be quiet and nierric contented to eate and
drinke, and flcepe as well as if there were no fnch matter,
tliisisthciinpenitait and hard licart fpoken of, when
one IS infenfiblc of finne^ for as in ibmc difeafes infenfi-
bilitic is a great ^\gv\c o^ danger, a man being moll fear-
fully (icke, when he doth not teelehis ficknelfe •, fo it is J,"!"^" i
intheflatcof finne, a man is in the moil danger, when ^^
hcc doth not fee orfeele it. So lercm.^.d, I heArker.ed
And heard, andno m.infpake aright^ no mar, repented of
his w'tcked^ef[e, ftytngy what hAite I done f And lfA.<)A 5
For the people turne not to them that fmite them^ neither
d^e they feek^ the Lord of HoTis : So Ez^^k^ 33.31. ^«^
they come to thee as thy people commeth, and they fit he*
fore thee as thy people^ they heare thy words, but they will
not doe them, for with the month theyjhew much lone, bnt-
their hearts go: afer their coHetoufmff^, Now there bee
Three caufes vphji thcjlate ofimpc^
nitcncie is fucb aJearejuHJlate
to Ime in.
^'\X^,BecA{ij€ itbindesvs fafl vnder damyjation, and '
brings vs vntohelLand tn 4 manner fhttts the doore of hell
and death vpon vs being once there. As vve reade Reu.io, T^cutLic j.
3 . That the Ani^ell layd hold on the Dragon that old Jer-
pent which is the diuel andSatany<:7 ^oHr.dhtm a thoufand
years ^nd cafi him into the bntomiiffepit ^andfhnt htm vp,
4nd ■
1 74 of the Centr Aries ti RepenUnce.
Pragon fliut ind fct a fcale vpon hiin; cucn fo doth impcnitcnclc dealc
Fp, witH vs, our (Iniics fling vs into hell, and when wee arc
thcrc^ then comes Impcnitencic and fhuts downe the
doore vpon vs, tics vs in chaincs, makes all fo faft, that
we haue no power or way to get out of the fcareRill eftats ^
4.r/^,i.i^. weebcin.Thcrefore i,Ttm.i,i6. indeauour and exhor-
tation in this cafe is appointed. Proouing if at any time
God will giue them repentance, that they may recoucr
thcmfeluesoutof thefnarcof thcdiuell, who are taken
. captiuc by him at his will : So there is a promife chat if at
any time a man doe come out of the fnares of the deuill,
and repent, he (liall haue mercic ; but it is very hard to be
done, Irapenitencic being fuch a finne as thcLord euery
; i(i'f' 3 3 • where cries out on : as Amos 3 . and ler, 3.3. ty^nd thoH
haft a whoores forehead ^ than refnfeft to bee afhamed : So
chap.^,6» ^0 man repented him of his mckedneffe^ f^V^^t
what haue I done ? euerj one returned to his courfe as the
J/49. X 3 ♦ horfe rujheth intothe Lztte&, And Ifa.c^, i 3 . For thepeo^
pie tarneth not vnto htm that fmiteth them , neither doe
g^*i(;.j3.ii. they feekethe Lerdof Hofts : ^oEz^ek^i^Ai, Asl line
faith the Lord God, I hdueno pleafttre in the death of the
yvickedyhut that the wicked turne from his wicked wayes
and line, Thrneyee^tHrne yee from yofir euiH wayes^fer
why witty OH die, 0 hoptfc oflfrael f
* SccoViAX^yBecaufe it wakes voide andfruflrates all tho
Cauic. me anes of grace and Life: Asa man dwelling in fomc
poorehoufe comfortably with his wife and his children,
Sun {hut out. ; the Sun with his bdght beamcsHiiningand breaking in
vpon them : if one ftop vp the window and (hut out all
the comfortable beams 5 there comfort is gone:euen (b it is
when God brings the fweetbeames of grace to (hine in
vpon the confciencc of a finner^impcnitencie puts a barrc
againftthem, and fnurs out all the light of the Lord and
of grace that (hines into our hearts, fo making all the
mcanesof Grace and of Eternall Life vnproficable and
fruitlcirc vnto vs^wherf ore with the holy Prophet D/tuid,
wee
of the C$ntr Aries to Refentnnct. 1 7 j
Wt mud beware of this fcaecfull eihcc, chat wc may hauc
boldnellctoray vNJchliim,/y^f/.6Ci 18. If I n^crard tni*
t^uitte tn my heart, the Lurd will not heare Wf.This makes
one fhaiiiclellc and vibfhr.ate, as cJ^A^;/^^3.37. H^^^f-
tenvunldl {^i7i\\\\ Chrift ) htnue gathered thj children to-
gether ^ euen m a, Henne gather eth her chickens vnder her
wings^ AKdyee would not '^ Thus Impcnitencic (huts out
all-thriuing in Grace.
Thirdly, Becanfe /mpemremie brings the guilt of all 5
onr/innes vpon vs : Ic is true if wc repent, as it is.Af/cah ^^"^^r
7. 1 9. (jod will pardon all onrfinnes and cafi them tn the
i&tteme of the Sea, But if wee Hue in finnc without re-
pentance, this impcnitencic will turne all our fins vpon
vs at the day of ludgemenr. Thus doth it hcapc vp wrath
vpon wrath againrt the day of Gods fierce indignation :
cucn as a man hcapcs vp gold and filuer chat is cuery day Gold and fil- '
adding and increafing It till it be .1 great hcapc 5 fo an im- ucr heaped vp;
penitent hard heart, doth cucry day hcapc vp and gather
together by heaping of f'nnes, wrath vpon wrath againft
the day of wrath: So that I may trucly fay with a learned
man, Better be the greatcU jinner in the world, and to re-
yent it, then to bee the Icajl /inner and dte in Impenitencte,
Which is the worft and mod fearfull cilace that may bee.
The vfcs of all which may be thefc :
Firfl, feeing the (late of impcnitencic is fo dangerous, vft i.
Let vs pray to (jod often tods liner vsfrom //-jthat though
through the corruption of our nature wee cannot «hoofc
bur finne, yet wcmay fee our finncs,bewailc and mournc
for them, and that wee may neuer come to that infenfibi-
litic and deadnelfc of Ipirir, ncuer to lament or bee forry
for them, but to haue ftrengrh toremouc from this cftatc,
and rifevpasfooneasmay bee: praying with the Pro-
phet, PJal, 1 1 9, 1 haue gone afiray /% a lofl fheepe, feeke
thy fernant for I doe not forget thy Commandements,
Here you fee was a going allray like a loil (hcepe 5 buf
tliis was fuch a Graying as might be foujid out againc.
Second-
1 7 5 of the Cofitr dries to Repentance;
Vfc:. Secondly, Seeing this crtatc is fo dangerous , Lnvr
Uhsnrtogst out of it as foone as maybe ; tor howfocucr
our finncsare multiplied by our corruption,ycttliis finne
oFiinpenitencie is more dangerous than all the reft , and
Stone Scpul- brings at laft a Fearcfull defpaire oi mercie vpon vs.Thcr-
cluc. Fore as the women going to the Sepulchre oF our Sauior,
were carcFul who Oiould roule away the great llonc which
lay at the mouth thereof. So lee euerie one ok vs now lay
and bcthinke our felues, who (hall roule away this great
ftonc^thishardneiTe oFheart^this impenitcnciejthis dcad-
ncile and dulnclle oFSpirit. ThereForc 2islerem, 31.18.
The Church prayesandconi^eires her Failings 5 fo let vs
i^izy ^(^amtert vSy 6 Lsrd^ and xvejhall be conuarted : and
let vs vFe the meancs diligently, whereby our heans may
be touched and fubdued to a true remorfe and fenFc gf
finne, and die Majeftie offended.
Thefecond thing contrary to trne repentance^ is VnfoHnd
refentATice^
1 This kind ©f repentance is, fFhen 4, tnanfhewesakifidc
Vnfound Re- of repent artce^but he does it not infttch fort and manner
pcntace,what? ^ (fodrequires it, as I fa. 58. 5.// ttfuchafafl as I hauc
chojfenj a d^y for a wan to ajflici htsfou/ef/s it to bcw down
hts head like a bnlrfffhy and to jpread fAckecioath cr afhes
vnder htmllVHt thou call this afafi and an acceptable day
to the Lord .<* It is Gods cxpoftulation with his people :
9S iF he (hould fay, Is th^sfuch a Fajl as Ihane c ho fen ? I
haue chofen fafli^gyindeed, and commanded tt, but y oh fat^
led in the true meaning and manner of it : I care for no
emwardpyewesy fomuch as the tnxvard hkmiltattoa. So
the Lord hath chofen repent? nce,and commanded it,buc
we mull lookeFor fuch a kind ^ nianneras the Lord hath
chofen. Now there be two forts oF vnfound repentance.
I. HypccrittcallRepent.i.yjce,
7. . X>t^erat€ Repentance,
Of
6fth€ cent t Arks to repfftt^^ce. X 77
Of the firrt, there be foure markcs or notes to difcoucr ,
hypotTiticall Repf.ntancc, ./. f'f^'hcmi is injhfw, a»d»ot Trialiofhlpo-
tPtt^e hearty when 2 imn rccrncs to repent of his (innc, cnticall rcpcn.
and vndertakctli an outward iJicw of lorrow ^cladnclfe,
without any inward compun^lion o^ fp.rit : of which die
Lordcomplaincs, ^^^fw. 3. lo. A?7d)etforaUth:syher^^^*'i*^^
trciicheroM filler ludah hath yiottfirned vnto me with her
whole hearty but fetnediy, fitth the Lord, So Hof.y.l^. Hof.j.i^.
the Lord complaines , -AKd they haue not cried vnto mee
wtth thetr whole heart ^Vfhen thej howled vpo» their bed^^
they AJfemhle t hemfebiesfor corne and wine^ and they rebel
aaawflfne, And'TfalfTj.y^.'^^. '^6.<^ndthev remem^ PfalyS.^S'l^^
bred that Cjod wtu t^ieir rocl^^ dnd the htgh Cj&dtheir Re-
deemer 3 neuerthelejje ihey did flatter him with their
mouthy and they Ited vnto him with thetr tongues. They \
had good fpccches with char hps ., but their hearts were
not vpnghr.
Secondly, When a man is more arieHedforthepuniflj' jjf
ment of hts finnc than for the Jtnne ttfelfe. As Cam faidc
vnto the Lord, Genef^, 1 3 . Mypuwjhment is greater then
lean he are j but he ncucr cried out for his fin : So Num*
21. 7. The people came to ^^^y? J , importuning him to
pray to God to remoouc the fierie Serpents from them 5
but were not lb carncll for to ren,oouc their finnes: The
Prophets are full of thcfc complaints of the people to rc-
mooue the ludgmentsof God from them : when yet their
cndeauors to remoouc their finncs were faint or none at
all J and is it not fo with ys ? Here is lometimcs a kjnde
of (hew of forroWjfadndiCjand complaining on ouraof-
fesand grieuanccs,', andfo an outward protefhon of Re-
pentance , which without thcJKan and true rduniiation
oi lite is bat an hypocriticall repentance.
Tbirdi y ^tvfjen a man repents him of a fin^and bf and by
fais Oi wilfully into the fame finne .u before', as the Lord 3
complaines by the Prophet , Pfulmxo6^\'^. They foone
forgot his worlds yAndwaited not fir hts counfell. So P^^-
r#ii^ repented often, £.van hath had gojd mcancs oF conucrfion,
growing in grace, and liumg vndcr a good ininiftrie.
Wee readc in die Iter ie oF tfin^ Heh. 12.17. bccaufc hcc
licglcded the tunc of obtaining the blclfing, that after*
ward when he would hauc inherited the blellinghee was
jreiecftedtor he found no place of Repentance, though
lice fought it carefully with teares So it l^^y bcfufpe^rted
that if a man negled repentance all his lifetime, it will
be hardly iound at lall ; For ayfugnlliHe in this cafe faith
well : If a m^n rtpent when he cun jinne no mare^ it may
he thoHqht he farf^i^s nt hu /iftne, but bis pnne fo'fxk^S
htm Hereunto b objected by ihe delayers of Heptnt^mce,
that the gooii Theefe m the C^offfy\\\% repencance was Ute
andrr^. Therefore a man may troely repent ac laft. I an-
fwcr, Ifay notfW/^r^ RepmtAnce ma^ nor be true 5 Uic
that It may failc, and be f ufpe£tcd : as for ihc ao d Theefe
confider two things: f irft,that this is arare example, the
like not in all the Bible agamc. Secondly, his repentance
was accompanied with lo many graces of the fpirit in
that difgracefull extremitie, that icw (who hauc f b liued)
attaine Viuo at the day ot death 5 etpecially fuch who hauc
hard hearts, %nd all their life-timc put it otF vnnll that
time. Butweemuftnotprelumc vpon the like, becaufc
the fecret ©f Gods acceptation is C(£ltarcA»Mmy\ DiuiiK
{ecret, and not withm our reacn.
Secondly, Qonflra'med ^^/>.*«^/«^r<», when one does rc-
pen:,but mthetimeof trouble,or in fome great ?ickncire,
affliiftions^or when thciudgeinentf ofGod are vpon hnii:
as was fcen in Pharo%h^Ex^.%.\^.cx who n it is written j
f>Ht »»/.>tf«Pnaroah/i»» that there was rejptte, hee hrird*'
ned ht6 heart y^nd heay kened not tf^r 0 them as rhc L ord had
faid. So alio A^«w^.i6.34. when die ground opened
mi I wallowed vp Kj^rah^Ddth^ai^ Aif^r^m^ wiiii ilicir
company
of th drtrarta t0 Repent dtice. 1 8 1
CO'Tipa^iie, ihcdnldren of Ifracl hearing the eric fled a-
way,antl wercat^iaid Idlchey alfo Ihouki bee fwallowcd
\rp, buL ycc notwichllandjig ahcr this ludgerncnc they
did muriivircagainllGodand agamil Mojes. So therC
isanainbcror mcnaiid women tinongit v$ that neuer
thinkeot Kei^cn.ance, bur vsixn the hand ot God lyes
hcauicvpon thcin, as It js 7/^/78 ^4.^5. ivhcnhce flew
themthcnthey fought htm ^&c,T\\cxt\:\Mc\QX.\%^vvf vn-
to God to take away the hardnclfe of our hearts from vs,
andg'ue vsa n citing re'encing heart, with the Ipirit of
grace to ouer-rulc our corruptions. Firll lee vs pray to
God, that we may repent ot our finncs with inward for-
row: Secondly, that wee may begrieued for our linnca
wdier then the pun iQiiiienc of them : Thirdly, that wcc
toay repent with refolution to (innc no more. And
iatUy^chat wee may repent of all our linnes,
thofc moft predominant as well as the
reft, which w ee iceitjc to hate
and abhorre.
Nnn 3 Lect.XIIII.
■ "jr
i8j
Lect. XIII I.
OF THE INCREASE
of Repentance.
2.Pe T. 3.18.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
crFc(fl hand ol- hifiifclfc, ycc lee him put the Pcnnc inuo a ChllcicshanJ
diildcshand jthou^^h he guide ic, his writing will not be ^c^^-
[o fairc as tliar ot'his cccIkt, becaufe ic lomeAhar partici-
pates of thcchilJcs vnskiUuliielle: So it is in this matter
of Repentance, becaufe this is not a worke which Goi
workes meeiely by hin^.felfc, bur by the nicancs of a man
liiinfcltcaffuhng, vfing his will and other arie^ions
therein ; TliereFore becaufe there is defe(5l in imns atfe^i-
on.and Kclucia-ion in his vsill, relirting well-doirg,
tfiercforc his repentance mult needs be iinpert:c£\.
T^Je fecond ObieEHon is takfn out of Scripture-^ Objc^.2.
where the Scripture ma>^y ttmes jeemcs to fpeake of the
perfeSlioPi of tt (^hrtfifjtn, fom^times comrfiandtrtgit '^2i%
Af.ith, 5.4^. Bee jee therefore perfect, even d4 your Fa."
therwhtch i-s in henuenis perfect : Sometime commtndmg
man for it : ^it \ .Cor.1.6' Horvbeit wee fpe,.jke wifdome
amongjl them that are perfect ^r^c. So T/;//. 3 i ^5 . Let vs
therefore tu manj m bee perfect be thifi mindcdy&c,
cyfnd there f.^ni//«r, in companion of others, as in the
fame third chapter of the ^ThtUpptans ^'S,? anl hath plain-
ly affirmed that he was not pci fcift before God : howeuer
now he is pcrfe d
hate all the hnnes that ener voce haue ctjr^msttidi Thui
the do^nnct>eing clccrc, the vt'es are three.
^H j; Fir(f , feemgthar no Hifin^ repentance is perfe£l in this
life, thcretore,^ w. p>ay v^to God to pardt^neur oihr tm*
per feci tons -yjo ive ntufi pray to pa don the failings of onff'
repentance • n^'t to vvcigh them m the ballance ot lulViCC,
Icrtthcy bee found light, but in the ballance ot mercic,
tvherefiiialUhings aretaKen in good worth 5 ard thcie-.
fore a*then.an lu ihtGof^Kll can-e to Chrilt with teares,
if jfij;,9,i4. faying, Lord I belciHi;^ helpt my v -.beitefe-^So mult we all
cry vnto God withmourntull and heauv hearts : Lord I
rcpciu, but for Chnftsfakc pardon the many faflin^s of
my Rt^iitahCC.
Jccondly,
of the Jncreafe of Repent 4?fce. 1 8p
Secondly, feeing our Repentance m impcrfccl in this VTc x,
life ; therefore tt u cUere^ that ho mxn by hu Renentayice
fanm.'rit any thing at the hands ef ^^d-^ TnC very
iSc/6o:'/f -«#(?* fay the icIFc fame thing: rhac any de.cdt, C/f/Vri^.^.u,
wane or unpenitencie makes our Repentance to be iinpcr- ^dcouriid.
fc(^i ;yea,ail wcecandocis full of dcfe«Sh and wants,
llicreforc no merit before God 5 and ilt' it merit nothing
at the hands of Gcxi, then when uKnhaue repented them
of their lii\s, ihey hauenccd iliU oi the Blood of- Clirill
tomakc Keconcihanonandartonemcnt for them. It i$
the opmion of fomcm the world, that if one haue repen-
ted of a linnc, by and by he (liall bcfaued by the venue of
Ji IS repentance. But the rrticii is, that though repentance
bcea iieceirane duty and difpDfirion, wKhout which no
mail huingcan btlauedmth)sllateoMlnnc 5 and though
kbcneucrfo lincrrely perforned and olien reiterated,
yetbecaufeit isfullof fomany impeik(n:ions. it had need
of the Blood oi Chnlt to pcrre6l ir,and reconcjk vs vnto
God, holy, cleane, and YnWaiTiableirt his light; ^sPetfr
tells vs ; Tee alf-, oi Itnety ft ones are hnih vp a fjfintHall p
kyftjeya-i holy T^riefthood^to offer vp fptrnttali jacr.fice^
acceptable te Godhy lefns Chrtii, So that doe what wee
can, all facrificcs and fcruices be onely acceptable to God
through him.
Thirjjy, feeing all owr Rqjcntance is vrperfecfl, fo yf^ ^^
Jong as we hue in this world ; Therefore no man is to dif.
Mty htmjelfe, and bee too fh ^-rch caH dovf/te^ tfhee doe not
finde rep:niancetobc perf'ci tn htm •, If hee doe not findc
a perfect hatred t-jf fjnne, )o\k ofGod^ indeuour to pkafc
Godinihit henxyurcth ^ Fn this cafe one niull not too
mucSafflid hiiiikle, bccaufc he cannot attaineto things
jmportibleinthis hFe jConiidenng, th^ttt is ?m perfects
en but truth of Repentance thAt Goi hskj for in tht^ hfe :
in'rvhici\carcvS.^.^///co;nforcbtheabietl;/aying, z.Cor.S.
J l.For rf there b: frf} a willing wtnde,tt t6 accepted accor^
ding to that A mAnljuth^artd not according t9 thuf a r»4/t
bath n9t.
The
ipo oftheTncreafeofRepentanee: '
J Thefecond inainc thing is^ Thnt becaufe euery manf
Maine point.* Rcpentaytce Is imperfect in thu life ; Therefore there fffufB
The iocrcafc i;ee an tncreafe thereof in the Itfe of a Chrtrtian : As we^
of Repentance increafe in other graces, foincrcafing in the grace of Re-
pentance. ThereFore C^hriftians hauc no caulc to bee dif"
rnayed at this, when God brings them o& againc and a*
gainc to. renew their Repentance. A nuinbcr of poorc
Chriilians cannot tell what to make of this, when they
hauc repented their finnes, and beenc comforted with the
ProniifesoftheGorpell,andgoneona long-while in a
clieerefullcftatevpon a fuddenjall their old linnesarecaft
vpon.thcni againeto terrifie tliein worfc then before, and
fo by a heauy recourfe of forrow they become much per-
plexed and amazed. BtitletJuchthtnkG that this is m^
thing elfe but Repentance : As in a httle childe when hec
ChlWcwri- begmsfirft to write, hce frames his buiinetrc fomcwhac
ting, vnhandfomely, when he hath perfcdcd a letter, his Ma-
fter fees him to make the famclettcr againe, vntill he doe
it better and better, vntill at lad it bee excellently well,.
Note well. £uen fo becaufe thci-c are not thofe firme and true inten-
Conatort. ^j^^^^ ^f ^^^ afFe(ftions in our firft Repentance, the Lord
is faincto goe oucr againc with vs, and to fct vs anew to *
\ repent of our old fmnes : thus is the growth and frame
of a Chriftians progrellc in grace,to goe it oucr againc
A Tree grow- ftill, vntill it come to pcrfedion. I hauc heretofore ob-
i"S* ferued, that a tree alwayes growes vntill it come to his
full pitch of ftate 3 yet it growes not alwayes in one fort,
but fometimes it growes in the boughes, fonictimes in
the branches, fometimes in the root. Euen fo it is with a
Chriftian, hee hath his times of growth, hee doth not al-
wayes grow in one and the fame fort ; but fometimes in
one Grace, and fometimes in anotlicrj fonietiirxs in
knowledge, faith, louc, obedicnce,6vC. and yet bee in a
good ellatc, though he be put ftill to renew his Repen-
tance bom time to time, which ( if I may fo fpcakc ) be-
comes fo much the purer, like gold when it is often refi-
ned 5by ardent ajiid often praying,againe and again : tha-
forc
Of the Irtcnafe of Repentance. 19 r
fore dirtrelTcd Chriftiaiis in this cafe^haue no iuft caufc to
be lb perplexed and caft downc as many times they arc. •
Wherefore feeing it is neceiraric dill to grow in Re- £xhoriat'on
pentancc, and chat it can ncuer bee too pure nor perfect, to Repentance
nor too often gone oucr in this hfc j wee mud therefore
labour, and eucry day indcuour to be more and more pe-
nitent for our iinncs, bitterly to lament them,and mcrcafc
in the dccellation and hatred of them : To makmg vfc
both oi the mercies and iudgements of God this way, as
to ftirciier vs in the growth of our repentance. So we 1 ec
Peter did, by occafion of Chrilb mercie vnto him in the
draught of fillies, L«/^ 5 ^.Heefell downt on kt6 knees and
fatd, depart from me^ I am but a ft nf nil man o Lord} So
did the Lords people by occafion of the iudgement in the
Thunder and lightning, i.Sam, 1 2. 1 9. fay vnto Samtiely
Fray for thy fernayits vnto the Lord that wee dye not, for
vpeehane added vnto all our finnes this emll to take a
King 5 thus mud we grow in this as in other graces. It is
therefore a great corruption for any to dcfire to grow in
other graces if this be negleclcd, and to doe fome things
conicionably, and to neglcjfl thofe other maine duties in
Religion. For if one had a childe, and the childe (hould childe
grow in one part and not in another 5 one hand and one
leg Ihould chriue, but not the other, but keepe (liU at a
(land, how bitterly would he complaine of this ; and yet
fo IS It in the date of many a Chridian, one part of the
graces of God growes well, but the other doth not grow
atalljmany increafein knowledge, diew a great dcalc
of zealc 5 ot deuotion, iiaue fufficiencie of faith and
are checrefull in their obedience, but they grow
not a whit in Repentance, they are not a whit more
humbled for cheir finnes, more penitent and cad down c
before the LORD, and therefore can fay, what caufc
hauc wee to bee deie^led and afflided lb for it ? but let
vsofbetcerkno»vledgc,learne to bee better affe£led, our
care bcaig to bee more and more humbled for our finnes.
Wee
ip 2 of the IfKreafe if Repentance.
Maa buri«(i, Wcc fee in Nature when a man is buried and layed In the
. ground, the more earch and mould you cart vpon him,
the more hceconfuines from day ro day, bemg 'Co n^uch
the more vnfic co nlc vp againe, (iuppofe ahue) from vn-
dcr the weight and burden ot- che earth which prelfes him
dovvne. Eucn To it is vvirh the finnc of a Chriftian : when
a man bach buried linne in himfeUe, the more hcc increa-
feih his repentance and holy huniiliation, the more earth
and mold bee cafts vpon it in this kmde, the lelfe able
will it be to rife and reuiue agame : nay, our fad and feri-
ous Repentance will make it that itHiall not rife againe.
Now there be three w^aycs wherein a Chriftian mult in-
creafein the Grace of Repentance, as well as in othpr
Graces,
>
t^ In the Number of hU Graces »
t, Inthe Meafiireof his (jraces,
3 . In the good vfi of them,
I Firft for the Numher ^fCfraces 5 fee what Peter faith.
In the number lSPetA,^,Adde to yourfatthverttte^ andtovertue knotV'
of Graces. ledge^and to \^owledge temperance ^and to temperance Pa*
tience^and to patience godlineffe,&c. And Co i,Cor.%,y,
Therefore as yee abound m enery things in fatth and utte-
rance and knowledge ^ and m all dtligence, and'tnyoHrloue
to vs^ fee that yee abound in this Grace alfo. Therefore it
(hould grieuc a Chriftian to heare a man fpeake oF any
Daintic grace which hec hath not in hi ml'clfe. Fine and daintic
women. vvomen we know who hauea dehght in curious gardens,
if they heare of any goodly Plant, or delicate Flower in
another bodies garden, they neuerreft till they haue got
a flip of it into their owne : yea, here they beg a root and
there a flip, and fo fee it into the ground. Euen fo muft a
Chriftian doe^bccaufe his fouk is che garden of Gods gra-
ces, therefore whatlbeucr grace of God hee heares ot to
bcamongft others, by and by hee muft labour to get it
.home vnto himfcUc, thcretorc it '\% great corruption
for
Ofihelrtcredfe0f1tefenime7 ' ji^j
for men to gcc fome one grace of God, :anc! iKglcft the
cell, CO gcc a little knowledge, zeale, cicuotion,^:c and
yet iieuer labour for a good confciencc, fobriecic, pati-
ence, faith, loue.&c. letting iliefc things ptllc vurelpc-
£lcd and vnrcgarded: AChrillian mull bee like a little
childc, who eucry yeare growes foiiicwhat, and addcs to A CUIUe*'
hisflaturf and growth in all proponion of pares not
growing in one member, and declining in another, lb
mull Chridians doe ^ indcuour to thnuc in all graces.
Secondly yfVeemufi^rffTPVp in the mfaffire ef Graces, 2
ts the Apoftle exhorts, i.TheJf.^.i.io. Funket more then Inthcmcarurc
vee hefeeeh joH Brethren andexhcrtyoH hj the Lord Ie» ofGracci,
jtu^ that Oi yeehaue receinedof vs how yee onght towalke
Andf fleajcGod.jo jee rveu/d abound wore And more.
So 2./^#r.3.i8. But crow tngrAce^and in the k*:owledee ef
tur LerdandSautour le/ta Chnfi, Therefore if wee be-*
lecue, let vs beleeue more-, if louc,indeuour we for more 5
if patient, la Patience haue itsperfe^l vvorkc ( as S James
fpeikcs ) that we may be entire an i want nothing. Wee
rcade A/ath.i}.'^ I. The graces ot God arc compared to
A little feed, not to a Jjrclc llonc, becaufc though a feed be Seed*
little, yet It if of fuch athnuing nature that it will not aU
waycs be little, but grow and ificreafeto his limited (la-
ture and greatncllc : So tlie thing is cleere, a Chrillian
mull increaJc as well in the Meal ure as number of Graces,
bee like the thriuing feed, not like to a little (lone that
growes no bigger 5 v\hich (hewes their fearehjll eiUte,
ivhogrow not in the ireaiure of their graces.
Thivdlyj/u the vfe of them jior one may haue good 5
Graces, and ye*: ncuer put them to any imploymenr, like ^"tnc goM
vnto thatYnthriftieferuanr, 1.^^^19.20. who tycd vp his
Talent in a napkin ; and hke that lame nian by the P( -olc
oiBt^tJjejdaJohn ^.y. who though he had lcgN,yec had no
vfe of them vntill Chi ill rcltorcd them : fo we may haue
fome graces of God,and no right vfe of them,if we be not
fc'ircfull to rub thcju vp and fct them awork, whcrfore the
O o o Church
Oiatmesu
Winfc
1^4 of tbt Inert Afc $fRtftntince^
Church praycs, C^nt,^\C. aAwakfo North, Mudcdmi
thou South, l?hivvpoH my garden , that the fp ices thereof
mA y flow out ^letrnj Ifebue^come into hti gut den and eat
his pleafant frutts. So T/al,! I ^.'^^.Dautd pray €i, Giue
mee vnderfianding and I fhail k^epe thy law^ yea I JhaU
oh feme tt with mj whole /^^^rr.Thcrforc as Maryviox. onc-
lybroughcaBoxcofoyntmcnttoGhrift, fo that all the
houfe was filled with the fmcll thereof: euen fo muft we
not oncly bring our Boxei of ointmcntSjof graces vnto
Chrilljbuteffulcandpoure them out, that God may
fniellthefauour,and others may rccciuc good by them.
Ifamanhadathoufand Tunne of wine in a Cellar*
which he had no vfc of, but were kept clofcly there, what
were any man the better for it ? but if hcc would make a
largeCifterne,andturneoutaConduitecocke into the
ftreetc, that cuery one who paffeth by might drinke ther-
of| then would they commend his bountie, and be thank*
full vnto him : So when wie haue good graces of God
which wee kecpc to our fclues, not being profitable vnto
any^it is matter of rebuke and reproch, vntiil yvcc let the
cocke runne to water and refircih others.
One thing more is to be conHdered, for condudon of
1II3 which is»
Houpa Qhrijiianmaj group
in Grace ?
For it maybe many t one would bee willing ro grow
in Grace, if they knew how ; being ready to thinke or
iebii e. a t . fay with the Icwes vnto Chrift,/^^^ 6. i8 . ivhat/hail we
doe that wee might worke the works ofGtdf So may ycc
fay to mee, you talkeof excellent du:ic$, but how (hall
wee pcrforme them ? To which I anfwer there bee fourc
things to be performed of eucry one chat would grow in
Griice.
, 1 i Tiift, fti4h4 vfi ofthtm t9 bu t^efnil th4$ they may
thrim
CftUlnifufcofrefinUHi. If 5
itrifffdpfj fr9w,iLi the Apodlc piefaibcs, % Jtt.lt, ^s UttT.ttto
ntw borne takisdtf re the fincercMilke eft hi ward, that ||°JJ *^"J^'^^-
joH mdy grovf therehj, H one fow good feeds in hu gaf- ^^cdaormX
dtn, and neucr water or weed them, or fct vp ftickes by jcd*
them for their fupport and leading vpwards, all his la-
bour will be in vainc : So if one doc not nourilh the good
feeds of Gods graces fowcd in his heart and foulc^ if hcc
doc not water, weed them, and fct vp fupportcrs vnco
them ; a thoufand to one that they will neucr thriuc nor
grow to any purpofe. Therefore wc mufldoc as the luic fuje.
doth, becaufe the (lalkc thereof is weakc, the (Iring not
being able tofapport it to grow vp ftraight, therefore it
catchah hold with his keyes and clawcs,vpon euery poft
and tree that it may climbc vp by. So becaufe commonly
wee all creepc vpon the ground, and be not able to lift vp
our foules vnto Hcaucn by our owne ftrength ; let vs lay
hold of the hely things of God, thcpromifcs of the Gof-
pdl, and the merits oi: Chrift; neucr Icauing norgiuing
them ouer, vntill they haiie lifted v$ vp vntoheauen.
Secondly, ^ee muft vfe ^E the ordintirie meAnes, he* t
fides extraor dinar te graces and prayer : for if we vfc fome Me inci to
andncglcathercft,no marucll though God denic his Srow«ojnu»-
blclfing to the reft : as if one vfe Prayer, and yet will noc
come to thepreaching of the Word 5 or if hcc heare the
Word, and negle^ the Saaaments : this man may milTc
of hisaimcand comfort: as the DifciplcSjCJW^r/?.! 7.20. i
▼fed fomemcanes, but becaufe they failed in other fomc |
in the matter of faith, therefore they wanted a blcffing on
their workcfor that time. It mull therefore bee our care
and wifedome to vfe all thcmcanes which God hath ap-
pointed, as we know by experience, goc to a Do^or for Do Aw*
a painc in the head, he prefaibcs you foure things for the '
remedic ; of which if you take but two, and negleft the
other two, no good can be done ♦, for when you returnc I
10 the Doctor and tell him, that you hauc onely taken
two of the fourc things prcfaibed : no marucll may hcc
fay jyou arc not ajrcd,vvho hauc negledcd the halieof the \
Ooo z racancf
4^
1,9& Of the tmresfl $fRefint4Hcel
mcanesapDoincedForyonrcure: Sokis, wlisn m«ti will
not be :ycd vnto all the nacancs which Gv>J hach appoin-
ted.
3 Thirdly, IVee mufi vfi aH the msttnes conJixntty which
leaned to fn tyfiaftd vs chiefly infte4d: as it is Hsh.C.y.For the earth
jf our in grace, j^ljich drink^thinthe rain th4tCQmmTth often v^on it^afjd
bringeth forth herbes meet for them bj whom it is dref.
fedyrece'meth blejfing from God, If a man hauefouHd out
A Plavftr* ^n excellent plaiftcr which will cure his fore : if fee pluck
* it away and doe not Ice it lye when he is on. the mending
band, but expofc it to the aire: Hee may relapfc into a
worfer condition, or kill himfelfc, : So when a man hacU
got fome profitcby the vfe of good mcanes,if hedoe not
then keepc to them, but grow loofe and idle, hec may fall
into as bad eftatc as before he knew of any cure : or much
Tttt% worfe. Trees that grow by the fent of water 5 if the wa-
ter be drawne from them, they cannot thriue chriuingly,
as before : fotake away the conftant yfe of good meancs
from a Chriftian, and you take away his life, hce cannot
thriue or grow.
4 Fourchly , ff^ae muftfo vfe ali the meanes as we mnji be
Meancs to cutreffiUy and indeauonr to bee bettered ^j themy and not
grow in grace, gj^gly grow^ bnt grow to a tafie of perfect ton by the vfe cf
them, cti neere as may bee. According to the Apoftlcs
Exhortacioni2.6'tfr.6.i.^
of Repentance, were two. Full, in ludgcmcnr. Se-
condly, in Atic(ftion : In ladgeiiicnt foiue waycs:
Fjift, cuher to thinkc ouv ftlucs not ficke of finne :
Goo 3 or
f ^ i of the Incfufc $f Repent 4fice.
or recondly Gcke, not fo iickc as indeed we be. Thirdly,^
if fickc, yet thic we may recouer without repcnttnce 5 oc
fourthly, if Repentance muft needs bo, yet that it necdes
not to be fo full and ftriift as Preachers tell vs. Secondly,
Impediments in our atFedions, were firft thclouc of the
wcrld. Secondly the loue of plcafures. Thirdly, thclouc
of our ownccafc. Fourthly, the lotJe of our finnes. Fiftly,
the dcfirc to kecpe credit with the world . Then we came
to The Qafes of Repentance y^\K in number: Firft,the cafe
of Rclapfe: Secondly, the Cafe of Iteration : Thirdly, the
Cafe of Rcftitution: Fourthly ,the Cafe of Tearcs: Fift-
iy, the Cafe of Comfort in death. Ninthly, The (yutrd'
rhs t0 Repent a ftce:¥ixi\. Impenitencie.5>econdly,vnfound
Repentance. Laftly,theInacafcof Repentance, in two
thmgs : Firftjthat Repentance can neucr bee but iniper-
fcft in this life:Sccondly,whcrcin it failcs ?
Thuihaue I,according to tliat abilltie God gauc,inde-
aoured to call the feed of God into your heart$,now your
wifcdome muft bee to water it, when you are at home in
y our houfes, chat ts my paines hath bcene to preach it
vnto you, fo yours maybe to remember and make a right
vfethereofjandfol end, befeeching God that the me-
tnoric of thefe things may rcmaine with you till your
dying day. That as euery day you finne,fo euery day yoa
may fo renew your Repentance, as Peter fpeakcs,
ji^, 3 . 1 9. That your finfies may hee blotted.
§Htywhem the times of refre/htH^fhall
come from the frefence.
0f the Lord.
FINIS.
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