SERMONS, 
 
 Tending chiefly co the ficcing 
 
 ofmenforthe worthy receiving of 
 the Lords Svpper. 
 
 Wherein, amongft many other holy 
 
 MrttBiomtbe Dettrines of found Repentance 
 3 >t iiu >iliation,3ndofGodsfpeciall favours unto 
 I penitent finners,and worthy Communicants, 
 
 argely and effectually handled. 
 
 TiffK?iirft.f>" I'Dod. 
 
 The'f9urel*lt l t>y Xy. c ..?._mn. 
 
 .ante is anneie'd a plaine and learned 
 Metaphrase on the Bpifllc to the Cotossi ans, 
 
 Wrkte- ' »a godly 4»d 'judicious Treacher. 
 
 There is atfo fee before the Sermons, a foort Dialogue of 
 
 Preparation, a -raining theehiefe Points that conceme 
 tbe-vorth. receiving tf the Lords ^per^nforthe 
 
 Vthod,for the bene fit and cafe of ihole that de- 
 fire direftion in ihisautter. 
 
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TO THE RIG 
 
 ^yoffhipfull^he Lady Anne C& m 
 
 Wife to Sir A n r h o n r C o p E,of Harnvi 
 
 and to her vertuous Daughtcr,the Lady Elizabeth 
 
 CofefNik to Sir William Cope, ofHardwicks : 
 
 ^. Encrcafeof Gracc 4 and allirnc Happincfe&c. 
 
 T is a thing bitter knowne, thin weilconft- 
 deredtftbat in themy fiscal Body o/chrifi 
 lefts* ^ every member hath bis fevcrall Of- 
 fice, wherein it muft attendee weak eft, as 
 well as thefirongejl: and in the Family of 
 the great Ruler oj Heaven and Ear th, each ferv ant htfb his 
 /^^tf/rT^^^^^^^w/^. t fa M€an ejl^ well 
 as the worthteft. To denymfjvtjrr^ ^ ^ Member ojthat 
 Body, or a Servant ojthat Family ,1 cannot wnhouiimury 
 to God and my felfe:toprofefJetobeJuch a one in worajfou^ 
 in deed to deny it,were no lejje dishonourable to my Head, to 
 my Majierjhandifemfortable to myfelfe. What then is to 
 be dom? 1 bethought myfelfe (for the avoiding of thefe 
 Roches) what fervice I might per forme ^ and in thinkings 
 this which I have now done^ was offered to my con ft derail* 
 on .' whereby ^as an underling in Gods Houfe hold,for want 
 of greater abilitie,lhave done my. befi endeavour to put 
 forth to the befi advantage others Talents, which elfe (to 
 the grief e of many) would have beene hidden at leaft, if not 
 utter ij lofii F$t the doing whereof % I had rather undergee 
 the cenfures offuch as are cur ions & carnally difpofed,than 
 dtprivetbofeofa bene fit, that are religions and fpiritnally 
 minded. A i let 
 
The Epiftle t)pdica^oric; 
 
 Let it not be offen five unto ym La2i'[hips 7 that I have 
 pre fumed to offer theft Sermons unto pub like view>jheltred 
 as it were under your Names\ for thad fuydry <J7/Letives 
 Which even inforiedmethm to doe, 
 
 Tifjlyin regard of the Mutter tBcrein contained^ much 
 ofitbeihgdelivered in year hearingyand&lofitfuhwg un- 
 to your affection* : whofi religion care, for the preparing 
 both ofy our /elves, 'and ofthofe that depend upouy$u i for 
 the worthy receiving of the holy Sacrament, is well known 
 unto tkofe that are acquainted with your converfatioriin 
 Chrift-lefus . 
 
 Secondly tin regard of the 4uthcrs rwhofeaffdlions, I 
 perfwade my felfe^u fuch towards you y infundryboth Civil 
 and Religious refect! sjhtt they would mefl willingly con* 
 fecrate themfelves and their Labour s^io your further buiU 
 dingupinChrifilefusv 
 
 Lafllyjn regard of my felfeyvho far many fpeeiall favors; 
 received Jo acknowledge myfelfe uwt^'My indebted^ 
 indiffohbl'jbounJ «»'°y Q '"' Atdtfbips. And having no- 
 thing ofnfinevwne of any worth ^hereby to teflifiemy u&k, 
 fiinfd r thank fulmffej. have-horr owed [of others fort hupuA 
 pofe^and wit kali annexed my band-writings that ifmyin% 
 gratitude fhouldhereafter appear e % I might by a publike: 
 Cenfure be condemned fy made afhamedfor thefamefihut 
 hoping for pardon of my boldneffe y and for favourable at* 
 ceptanceofmy good meaning in this behalfej humbly take 
 my leave^recommending your Ladifhips to the Lord^fe* to 
 the Word of his Grace\who is able toperfeB that good work 
 which he hath begun in you both, 
 
 Your Ladifliips moft bounder^ 
 
 and in all Chriftian duties to be 
 commanded, 
 
 Iohn Winston. 
 
jT<? the Chrijlian 'jRga 
 
 
 Ooke not (good Reader) to fincfl^jfi^fc 
 Sermons an abfolute difcourfe c? ahis 
 Subje£t,of Preparation to the Sacramen ?,"*** 
 for that was not intended by the Authors, 
 butoncly t\\e excitement of their prefent 
 Auditor*, as they fawoccafion: whereby yet I doubt 
 not, but a Chriftian heart (hall finde great furtherance in 
 that workc of Preparation* 
 
 Furthermorc,lct it plcafetiie Reader to be advertifed, 
 that|efre Texts handled in this Book, have neither fo ma- 
 ny £)o&rines gathered from thcm,as the Authors could 
 have done, norfo many Vies inforccd upon the Do- 
 
 *arinc^ but ot^iyf H t>w^q Wcre thought moftmcete for 
 their prcfent Auditorie. 
 
 In this which I have done J had,as theapf>r<>bation,fo 
 al$b the helpcof thofe that preached thefc Sermons fol- 
 lowing, for the revifing and perfe&ing of divers things: 
 yet (b,as their leifure could afford: and therefore, what 
 dcfc&s foever (hall be found in the manner of penning,!ct 
 them be imputed tome (if the Printer be not faulty) not 
 untothem, who were content to put a finger, but not 
 their whole hand; to this Worke. 
 
 John Winston, 
 
m 
 
 WBM9I 
 
 A Summarie Colledfcion of the Heads 
 
 of Doftrines, handled in the 
 
 Sermons following. 
 
 The Doftrine of the firft Sermon, on 
 Piov, 28, 13. 
 
 I TJ Iding ofSinne hinder eth all true projperityl 
 
 CjL a He that w ould have far don for his offence s$ mufl 
 bring before God an Acknowledgement of the fame. 
 
 3 He that -would be affnred of Gods favour , mufijoyne refor~> 
 mation with his confeffton. 
 
 4 Whofoever confeffeth his faults, And endeavours to ame nd 
 them,fhallfinde mercy from God, how flnfuUfoever he hath been 
 informer times. 
 
 The Do&rines of the fecond and tV * rt * Set m^ns,on ' ♦ 
 
 I Whofoevw+r+^to^e God wajh him -with the blond of his 
 Sonne, w**ft veafi himfelfc by godly forrow. 
 
 $ Chriftiansmuft have regard to the manner ef their good' 
 'workes, as we II as to the matter. 
 
 3 All -penitent ferfons mufl learne to doe "well, 
 
 4 Every one mufl have aprincipall care of the duties that 
 pertaine unto him, 
 
 5 Workes of mercy are very acceptable unto the Lord, 
 
 6 fn matters of religion, men mufl hearken unto Cjod^andnot 
 twtoflejh and bloud. 
 
 7 If we become trucly penitent ^neither the greatnejfe nor mul- 
 titude ofourfmnes fh all hinder our falv at ion, 
 
 8 Godlookethfor truth, not for perfection, at the hands of his 
 children. 
 
 9 Thofe that have foundly repentedsfljall not finely havejpiri* 
 tuafl graces ,but alfo corpora 11 bleffings be flowed upon them. 
 
 The 
 
A bnefc furame of the Doctrines, 8j' c j 
 
 The Doftrines of thefourth Sermon, on 
 
 'sChron. 30. r8. 
 
 1 It is the dtttie of all Cj overyears, to dray for them that belong 
 unto their charge* 
 
 2 Whofoever wouldrcceive mercy from God in the Sacrament* 
 mufi come with a fine ere heart thereunto, 
 
 3 So long as we labour to keepe thefubfrance of Cjods worjhip 
 willingly, though wefaile in feme circumflances unwillingly^ 
 Ged will be mercifull Pinto us. 
 
 4 God doth accept ,and will fulfill every fakhfull prayer thai 
 is wade unto him, 
 
 The Doctrines of the fif t Sermon, on 
 Is a. 55.1. 
 I The thirfly foule alone hath inter eft in the graces of Go d.^ 
 undftallreape benefit by the meanes of grace. 
 
 2 Whofoever commeth to Chrifl Jefut in the religious ." 
 his Ordinances, /hall have all his wants fuppiyed. 
 
 9 The be ft things are befi cheape 
 
 A ^ Qthing can fatis fie and content the mindefiut Grace, 
 
 The Doctrines ottnc nxth S C rmon,on 
 
 MaTTH.22.II. 
 
 I God is the only abfolute King over all the whole y^vdd, 
 iTbe Lord taketh notice of every guefl that fit teth at his Table 
 3 It is notfufficient to come to Gods Wedding-Feaft, but wee 
 
 mufi come as fit Cjuefts for fo great aTSanquet^andfo glorious a 
 
 Hrefence. 
 
 4 When God hath to deale even againfijiHners y yet he dealeth 
 in good and peaceable termes. 
 
 5 Sinners /hall have nothing to fay for themfehes i when God 
 entreth into judgement with them. 
 
 6 The jfreciall time and place cfthepunijljment of wicked" 
 is after this life* in Hell fire. 
 
 The Doctrines of thefeventh Sermon, on 
 
 PSAL.IIp.I. 
 
 I Religion is the way to happinejje. 
 
 1 So muchfmcerity as any one hath^fo much happinejje /hall 
 behave. 
 
3 7/ & d marvellous great prerogatw? 
 bondage offinne. 
 
 \ 4 Nothing is funerfluou-s, that is done in obedience t< 
 holy mH. * 
 
 The Do&rines of the eight Sermon,c 
 Iohn 6. 
 
 1 Byfairefpeeches to Hi\w courteous nfaget>f us ^^^t not 
 to be flayed from telling men. their fault s> when by outsailing 
 *& e are required to admonijh them. 
 
 2 Chrift Jejtu is acquainted wittiiVe purpofe of fitch as come: 
 tohisfervices. 
 
 3 A man cannot be both a Wortdling^and a Chriftian. 
 
 4 They are moft provident for themfelvesy whofe great eft la* 
 hour is for grace. 
 
 $ The efficacie of the Word and Sacrament, is from £hnft his 
 ovirne hand. 
 
 The Do&rines of the.ninth and tenth Sermons, on 
 
 i Zefut Ckrift k#*»* before what fuff erings he yeas to under goel 
 a Thy are like t a ft and l**ft, -who are moft fear efull of fallings 
 $JVo bands of kindeneffe can make wtcktd men J hitty all \unt§ 
 
 godly men, 
 
 4 Wicked men fulfill the 'will ofGod,to their owne condemnor 
 
 tion, 
 
 5 All the delights and contentments o{ themcked r men in this 
 world ^cannot countervails their miferies in the -world to come. 
 
 6 The effieacie of the Sacrament is from Gods owne hand. 
 
 7 Chrift Iefus, in the Sacrament, by corporall food giveth a 
 moft fure pojfeftion of himfelfe^nd union with himfelfe. 
 
 8 Chrift in the Sacrament doth make a full Meale. 
 
 9 Faithfull Communicants at the Lords Table, come to bee. 
 inriched by Chrift his Legacie. 
 
 A 
 
BRIEFE DIALOGVE 
 
 CONCERNING PREPARATION 
 
 FOR THE WORTHY RECEIVING 
 
 OFTHE LORDS SVPPER: 
 Taken, for the moft part, out or the 
 
 Sermons following. 
 
 Hat is the Lords Suffer ? 
 
 It is a Sacrament of the Eter nail Covenant; Mat a*. 
 I whereby, through the uf e of Bread & Wine, Vcrfc as. 
 rightly, adminiftred, and faithfully received, 
 the foules of them that are ingrafted into 
 && Chri sxarefpiritually nouridiediutoeter^ 
 
 nail life. 
 
 What then is required of thofe that will he fart alters ofthii Ioh. 6. vcr. i 
 heavenly food at the Lords Take? ?4-&c. 
 
 They muft be prepared, as meete guefts for fuch a banquet. Mat.21.12. 
 For the better attaining to this frefaration, hot* many things y cr f c U/ 
 are there to be conjidered? 
 
 Three: Firft,whatis to be done before the partaking of it : 
 Secondly, what at it: Thirdly, what after it. 
 
 What is that -which muft be done before I 
 
 There muft be firft, an examination how fit wee are to re- 
 ceive: fecondly,a premeditation of the benefits that we are to 
 receive: and thirdly, faithfull and fervent prayer for Gods 
 blefling upon our examination,premeditttiQn # and receiving. 
 
 B Of 
 
a A Dialogue ofPreparatio n 
 
 Of what points are wee to examine our felves ? 
 I FirfUn general! ,whether wc be of the number of the Faith* 
 
 Esaaainttion. foil, and have in us the life of Grace: for otherwife, wee 
 are utterly un fit t* be partakers of the Lords Supper; which 
 is appointed for food, to continue fpirituall life where it is,* 
 and aok to worke it, where it is not : to be for nourifhment 
 unto Go Js Children; but for the bane and deftru&ion of 
 Dogg& and Swine, that dare prefume to meddle with the 
 lame. 
 * Secondly, we muft examine our felves more particularly. 
 
 Concerning what matters f 
 Whether wee have attained unto a competent meafure of 
 Repentance, Knowledge, Faith, and Louc : which if we can 
 finde in our felves, wee may refolve our hearts inthatPwnt 
 ofgenerall Examination, and conclude, that wee are within 
 the Covenant of Grace, and have communion with Chrift 
 Iefus, and therefore arc in ftate to bee Communicants at his 
 Table. 
 Hotw Jbeuldwe try our felves in the matter of repentance ? 
 1 Wee muft examine, firft whether wee have at any time 
 
 Repentance. C arefully fift ec | our heart* and behaviours, to finde out as many 
 of our corruptions as poflibly wee could. Secondly, whether 
 weharebeene, and are, heartily iorrowfull for the fame. 
 Thirdly, whether wee have rightly confeflfed them before the 
 Lord, with an earneft defire of the pardon thereof. And 
 fourthly, whether we purpole and refolve for ever hereafter 
 ( through Gods gracious affiftance)to reforme both our hearti 
 and waies. 
 
 Is there any neceffity ofthatfearching ofourfelues f 
 Yes verily: for otherwiie, weefhall bee found hiders of 
 finne;whichhindereth all true profperity,and argueth phinc- 
 ly,that there is in us a love or iniquitie, and abun J 1 uce of hy- 
 pocrifie, which will keepe us from reaping benefit by the 
 Word, or Sacrament. 
 
 ffherby fhouldwe try our felves* to the intent we may come to 
 Atnorefull and mttcular fight of our corruption ? 
 
 By the Law of God, which is the true Touch- ftone;exami- 
 nii>g our (elves by every Coinmaackincnr, that fo wee may 
 
 diiccrne* 
 
 ^catching. 
 Sec the Ser- 
 
 voaen -Pro 
 a8« ij. 
 
 3ob **•!*» 
 
 Jftltif ft* 
 
ttthtLiris Suffer* 5 
 
 difccrne, if not all, yet the moft part of the corruptions of our 
 foules,and errors of our lives: And for our more orderly pro* 
 ceeding herein,we may life this dirc&ion following : where- 
 in are (et downe the chiefe Heads of moft of the fins againft 
 every Commandement. 
 
 Sinnes tgawft thefirfi Commwdcment* 
 
 i A Theifme; which is, when men either thinke there is l( *w dc f* 
 jflno God,or liveasif there were no God. Sc^refbc 
 
 a Idolatry, which is the havingof a falfe God. thcfcpaiticu- 
 
 3 Ignorance, uncapablenefTe of Knowledge, Errours and hr fin* mentio- 
 Herefies. ncd,he»*jr 
 
 4 ForgetfulnerTe of Good things, efpeciallyofthofethat ^ c ft „g^ 
 moft concerne us, and chiefly at that inftant when we (hould 3 ook * eon t i ic 
 make ufe of them: Secondly,remembringofeviUthings,efpe- commande- 
 cially ofthole that aiay moft corrupt us; and chiefly then, menujor,©* 
 whenwefhouldbemoftfreefromthethoughtofthcm. * h * ** j^*j? 
 
 5 Vnwillingneffe unto good things,principally f the beft; "^kg "' 
 readinefle unto, and wilfuineffe in evill,efpecially the worft : totlc h«a. 
 ftcondly, impatience under crwffe*. 
 
 6 DiftruftofGods power, mercy, &c.promi(es, and pro- 
 vidence.; whence carnall fearcs are wroaght and cherimed, 
 and die true feare of G«d is expelled and banifhed. 
 
 7 Prefumption upon Gods mercy. 
 
 8 Carnall confidencein Wit, Learning,Wealth,Strength, 
 Friends, &c. thinking our felves the bettcr,«r fafer.fimply for 
 them; whence arifeth pride and fecurity . 
 
 9 Much love of evill; as alfb of our felves, our friends, our 
 plealiire profit, credit, &c. Secondly, little love of God and 
 •f goodnefle, and of Gods fervants and fervices. 
 
 i yj Hatred of God amd goodnefle : ftcondly, want of ha- 
 trr d againft our o wne and others finnes. 
 
 i Abundance of worldly fbrrow, fhame and discontent- 
 ment fecondly, wartfof fpirituallgriefe and indignation a- 
 gainft our owne and others tranfgreffions:thirdly,not lamen- 
 ting for the calamities of Gods people, private or publike. 
 
 i a Immoderate carnall mirth; too little fpirituall Joy. 
 
 B2 . 13 Hard- 
 
4 A Dialogue ef Preparation 
 
 1 3 HardnefTeof heart,benummedne(Teofconfaence,or hei- 
 lifli terrors and accufations, proceeding from doing things 
 cither without or againft the Rules of the Word. 
 
 Sinnes againft the fecond Qommandement \ 
 
 i T> Afe and unwarranted conceits of God, as when wee 
 J3 frame any Image of him in our mindes. 
 i- Worfhipping of Images. 
 
 3 Adoration of Angels or Saints, observing Holy-daies in 
 devotion to them,fw earing by them, &c. 
 
 4 Approbation of Idolatry, by prefence, fpeecb, geflure, 
 filence,keeping of fuperftitious Relickes & Monuments, kee- 
 ping company with Idolaters, &c. 
 
 5 Negle&of any of Gods Ordinances, as of Preaching, 
 Hearing, Reading,lMeditation, Conference, theufe of good 
 Bookes,and of g©od company ,of private and publike Prayer, 
 Failing, making of Vowes, &c. 
 
 6 Superititious Fafting, rath Vowes, breach of lawfiill 
 Vowes, abufe of Lots, &c. 
 
 7 Want of forrow, for being borne of Idolatrous Forefi-, 
 thers. 
 
 . 
 
 SinnesAgamfL the third Comntandement. 
 
 i T>Rofeffionjoyned with -prophanenefle, whereby Gods 
 A nameis dishonoured, 
 a Abufing of Gods Word:firft,by fruitleffe fpeaking of it-.* 
 fecondly, framing je£h out of it, or againft it : thirdly main- 
 taining of finne by it :foiirthly r apply ingit tocharming,&c. 
 
 3 Abufing the names or Titles of God: firft,by admiration, 
 as by faying in our common talke, O Lord, O Iefus, &c. fe- 
 condly,by curfing, &c. 
 
 4 Swearing vainely, outragioufly, faifeiy, &c, 
 
 5 Blafpheming. 
 
 6 Taking a lawfiill Oath, without due reverence and con- 
 sideration. 
 
 7 Praying without Faith, Feeling, Reverence, Fervencie, 
 
 not 
 
to the Lards Suffer. V 
 
 not waiting for an anfwer, &c. asking evill things : ayming 
 more in our requefts,at the relieving ©four neceffitie,then at 
 the advancement of Gods glory. 
 
 8 Hearing, reading, meditating, conferring, Imging of 
 Pfalmes, and receiving the Sacrament, without preparation, 
 attention, reverence, delight, and profit. 
 
 P Light paffing over of Gods great workes of Creation, 
 Prefervation, Redemption, as alfoofother his mercies, and 
 judgements . 
 
 ^ i o Abufeofoar Chriftiaa liberty, to the hardening, enfha« 
 ring, perverting or juft grieving of any. 
 
 Sinnes a^ainfi the fourth Commandement, 
 
 I VJEgleft of preparation for the Sabbath, before it come. 
 jLV and of fitting our hearts for holy fer vices, when'it is 
 come. 
 
 2 Prophane abfence from, or unfruitfuli prefence at God* 
 Ordinance. ^ 
 
 3 Exceffi ve eating and drinking,whicn caufeth dro wfiaes, 
 and unfitnefle for Gods worrmp.^ 
 
 4 Doing any ordinary worke of our Calling. 
 
 5 All recreations, which diftracT. 
 
 6 Vaine and worldly fpeecbes and thoughts. 
 
 7 A fecret defire that the Sabbath were over. 
 
 8 Negled of calling our felves, or others, to a Reckoning 
 after holy Exercifes. 
 
 9 Giving liberty to our felves in the night,before the whole 
 Sabbath be ended. 
 
 Sinnes againsl the fifth Qommnuiement. 
 
 Sinnes of all Inferiors, in reffett of their Suferiors, 
 i \ 7 ^ 7 Ant of reverence,inward or outward, a. Neglect 
 V V of Prayer. 3. And of humble fubmiffion. 
 
 Sinnes ofallSuferiors. 
 1 Want of Uve. 2 Fayling in prayer, 3 Aid 11 giving good 
 example. 
 
 B 3 Soma 
 
^ A Dialogue »j preparation 
 
 Sinries of Children, in reffett of their Parents] 
 j Difobedience. 
 
 2 Murmuring at their Parents corre6lions, though unjnfii 
 
 3 Contemning ok them, for any defett of body or minde* 
 
 4 Vnthankfalneffe in not relieving them 5 not (landing for 
 their deferved credit, &c. 
 
 Sinnes of Parents. 
 i Negligence,in not inftru&ing their Children betimes 
 i Not correcting them till it be too late ; or doing it with 
 bitterneffc without compaffi©n,inilru<3ion, and prayer. 
 
 3 Giving th em illexample. 
 
 4 Neglecl of bringing them up infome lawftill Calling^ 
 
 5 Not bellowing them timely and religioufly in Marriage- 
 
 6 Light behaviour before them, and too much familiaritie 
 with them, whereby they become vile in their eyes, 
 
 7 Loving Beauty^ or any outward parts, more than Gocfe; 
 Image in them. 
 
 B A finne peculiar to the mother;is,refufing to nurfe them? 
 
 Servants finnes^mresjetl of their governours. 
 The three firft finnes in Children 3 mav be in Servants, * 
 
 as alfo th*fc ch4t tollm • * 
 i Idleneffe in their Calling. ' '.< • 
 
 a VmhriWntfle and unfaithfulnefle in dealing with iheir H. \ 
 Matters goods and affaires. 
 
 3 Stealing, privie defrauding of them, &c. 
 
 4 Eye-fervice. 
 
 (Divers finnes of Parents are found in Matters 'j 
 as alfo thefe that follow. 
 3 Vnadvifed entertainment of finfullfervants.Y \ . 
 s Notufingreligiousexercifeswiththemmgtadm^onim^ 
 ing nor correcting them> or doing it in an evil] manner ; grie- 
 ving more when they faile in their bufinefle, than when tljey 
 areflackeinGodsfervice. **~ 
 
 3 Not recompenfing their labours, by giving them a due 
 reward when they are with them, and when they part from 
 them. 
 
 4 Neglecl of them in fickneffe:un/uft flopping of their wa- 
 ges for that time t 
 
 r Not 
 
U the Ltrds Suffer^ 
 5 Not relieving them (if they be able J in their age', wha 
 have fpent their youth in their fervice, 
 
 Sinnes of the Wife, in reff>ett of her Husband. 
 i Fayling in reverence: which appeareth infrow'ard loofe* 
 fpeeches, or behaviour. 
 
 2 Difobedience in the fmalleft matters, 
 
 Sinnes of the Husband. 
 i Not dwelling with his Wife. 
 
 3 NeglecT: of edifying her, by inftrufttonand example* 
 
 3 Denying her comfortable maintenance^ imployment^ 
 
 Sinnes c$mmon to them both. 
 i Wanteflove. , 
 
 2 Bewraying one anothers infirmities ; difcovenng eacn 
 Others infirmities. 
 
 3 Iealoufie. 4 Contention- v 
 
 <5VWj of the ^People Jn regard of their Mlmfkcrsl 
 1 Difobeying and oppofing againft their DocTxine. k 
 n Denying them competent maintenance. 
 _, 3 NoJCfanding for them.when they are wronged. 
 
 Sinnes oj Minifters* _, 
 
 -1 SlackneCfe in Preaching. 2 vnprofitableorhurtniUl€£~ 
 I ^hia^i^ivingill example. 
 
 1 Rebellion. 2 Refilling to pay dtiesj 
 Sinnes of Magistrates. 
 
 1 Carelefneffe in eftablifring & promoting true Religion; 
 
 2 Of maintaining peace, and providing that malefaffoura 
 may be punifhed,and well-doers be encouraged. 
 
 Sinnes ofinferiours y in gifts or age. m t t 
 
 1 Not aclmowledging,nor reverencing, nor imitating the 
 Graces of their Superiours. 
 
 2 DefpifingoftheAgedo 
 
 Sinnes againft thefxth Commandement\ 
 
 I O A& Anger, Envy, Hatred, Malice. 
 
 2IA Brawling, Reviling, Throtning, and proyqktfg of 1*5 
 
 ^ B 4 **& 
 
% A Dialogue »fPref*tAthn 
 
 3 Fighting. 
 
 4 Cru«ltie in punifliing,opprefling, &c . 
 
 5 Murthering of our felves, or others, or confent thereto. 
 
 6 Immoderate worldly fbrrow : negleft of Phyficke , of 
 T/holefome diet,andexercife,furfetting,and drunkenneffe; all 
 which are enemies to the health and life of nun. 
 
 7 Cruel tie to our owne or others foules, 
 
 £ht*a agninft the fevanh CommAndems til . 
 
 i A Dulterie, Fornication, Inceft, Rape, Sodomie. 
 il\ All wantonnefle, fecret or open, alone, or with others, 
 
 4 Vnholy marriages,in regard of Religion,age, neereneffe 
 ©f bloud, want of Parents cpnfent, &c. 
 
 $ Abufe of the Marriage- r natural feperatio, Leu, 1 8. i p 
 Bed,not obferving the time of i folemne humiliation. 
 
 6 Nourtfliing of the caufes and occafions of wantonneffe, 
 as impure Lufts, Surfetting 3 DrunkennefTc 3 Idlenefle,lafcivioLis 
 ApparelLfbcietie with lafcivious perfons,lewd Books, Songs, 
 or Speeches, wanton Loo^,ri<ftares > 5tage-Pl^^Dauncing i 
 Dalliance, &c. 
 
 7 Wearies apparell contrary to our Sexe, 
 
 8 vnlawfoll Divorce. 
 
 Sinnes dgainfi the eighth Cowman 'dement \ 
 
 l/^Ovetoufneffe t andall defireofour Neighbours go©ds ? 
 Vw< albeit through feare or fhame we cannot getthem. 
 m Church-robbing. 
 
 3 Robbing of our felyes,by waftefulnes in Dyet, Apparel^ 
 Gaming, &c. by Idleneffe, unadvifed Suretiihip, Niggardli- 
 aefle, &c. 
 
 4 Robbing of others , taking away the fm-alleft things s 
 firft,by fraud ; fecondly, uncharitable inclofure: thirdly, dea- 
 ling wrongfully with the goods of the deceafed : fourthly, de« 
 ceit in buying and felling ; fifthly, with-holding either things 
 
 com- 
 
to the Lords Suffer, «. 
 
 committed unto us, or things found, lent', earned, of other- 
 wife due. 
 
 5 Not making of reftitution. 
 
 6 Counfellingjor confenting toothers in Theft. 
 
 Sinncs agaivft the ninth Commandement , 
 I T^Alfe witnefle-bearing in publike or private, or confent 
 1 thereunto. 
 
 2 Ray(ing,(preading abroad,or liftening to falfe reports of 
 Tale-bearers. 
 
 3 Raihfufpition,hard judging, interpreting things in the 
 word fen(e. 
 
 4 Aggravating and difcovering others in firmities,without 
 care of their credit, others edification* or our ownegood. 
 
 5 Flatterie. 
 
 6 Lying though in jeft, or to a good end . 
 
 7 Boafting. 
 
 8 Injurious charging of our felves to be Hypocrites in time 
 
 of temptation. 
 
 ■;, 9 Want of care of our owne and others good name, that 
 God. might have more glory . 
 
 The breach of the tenth (^ommemdenir : hy 
 
 MVltitudes of eviii thoughts and motions againft our 
 neighbours, and fcarcitie of fuch as are good. 
 
 When roe have attained to a f articular fight of our many and 
 grievous iniquities and tranfgreffions-^hat is further to bMone 
 ofus'i 2GwJ? k f ^ 
 
 Wee muft labour to bring our hearts to true forrowand sccthcScr^ 
 contrition. , mononlfa.i. 
 
 What ufe it there of that ? Doer, r # 
 
 It is very requifite in divers refpecTs \ it being a (peciall | aBl, 4«*.*« 
 meanes^to purge ourfoules from the pollution of finne, to ^iuXi. 
 jnovetneLordtohavecompafTiononus, and plentifully to Zac.i*.*o.& 
 po vvre downe his mercies upon us, without which, it is cer- i.Chre. i g. x . 
 taine there is no found repentance in us, nor mercie to be ex- 
 pelled from our God, 
 
 Sitb 
 
Confeffion, 
 Pro?, as. 
 Sectheihit- 
 ucnth Ser- 
 mon. £<:$.?: 
 
 iloh. 1.9. 
 
 2 Sam. 24,iSi 
 Dan. 9. 1 9, 
 
 X o c^* ^Dialogue of Preparation 
 
 Sith it isfo neceffary^Jhew me how it may begot, . 
 
 1 We muft befeech the Lord(from whom proceeded) every 
 good and perfect gift) to worke it in our hearts\ 
 
 2 We muft ufe all good helpes to flirre up our felves there- 
 unto : as, 
 
 1 To call to miude the multitude, and grievoufndTe,and of- 
 fenfivenefleof our finnes^together with our long continuance 
 therein;aggravating them by every circumftance, to make 
 them mo re odious to our foules-. 
 
 2 To goeto thehoufe ofmourning,and to makeafe of eve* 
 ry flroke of God, as well upon others as our felues. 
 
 $ Not onely with patience to indure, but with earn eftnefle 
 to intreat 3 and with gladneffe to accept of the helpe of fuch as r 
 have broken hearts themfelves, and Co are more able and skil- 
 foil to pierce and wound the foules of others. 
 
 4 Whenbyourownefifting, and others faithfull dealings 
 our hearts are touched with fome remorfe,let us ferxoufly and 
 throughly ponder upon the infinite mercy of God the Father, 1 
 in giving his Sonne^and of Iefus Chrift, in giving himfelfe foe 
 us; who by reafon of our finnes, were deadly enemies unto 
 him: the confederation whereof, cannot but move our hearts 
 to relent, unleffe they be altogether flintie,and hard as an A-* 
 
 damant. 
 
 When our hearts are touched with inward grief e for our fpe* 
 Hall corruptions $ what is to be done in the next place I 
 
 We muft bring them in an holy confeffion before G O D. 1 
 
 What motives are there > to induce usfo to doe .<* 
 
 Divers: for, 
 
 1 Without this, there is no promife of pardon of finne, nor 
 indeed any godly forrow, or found repentance for finne. 
 
 2 This is a foveraigne prefervative againft Relapfes, as may 
 be fcene in David, Peter, and Paul. 
 
 3 This is aneffecluali meanes to quicken our hearts unto 
 Prayer. > 
 
 4 Hereby God is much glorified, in his Truth, Mercy, and 
 Iuftice. lojb.j. verfe 1 p. 
 
 Seeing this acknowledgement of finne isfo needfull^declare how 
 it muft be performed ? 
 
 Thefe 
 
to the Lords Supper, . * j 
 
 Thefe Rules muft be obfervcd therein." 
 
 Firft,that it proceed from a good Root,-^. 
 
 i From an utter hatred of finne,not from wearineffe under 
 the Crofle, as in Pharaoh; nor from fome fudden paffton, as 
 in Saul. 
 
 2 From hope of mercy :for if that be wanting, we fhall ne- * Sanj £ 4* s ** 
 ver reft on God for pardon . 
 
 Secondly, that it be made in a good manner, viz, 
 i Heartily and fmcerely,not coldly and hypocritically." 
 2 Particularly, and with ; enumeration of ourfpeciall and to-iMs? 
 moll beloved finnes, as in P/tulznd Ez,ra, 
 What will folfovp u^onfuch a Qonfeffion? 
 A defire of generall reformation,and a full pur pofe to aban^ 4 
 don the allowance of every infirmity,and the praclife of eve- Reformation: 
 rygroffefinne. SeetteSer- 
 
 j °tt w > > , t , mon on ?foY. 
 
 Jtiow may this reformation be attained unto ? 2 $ t ^ Q Q t ~ 
 
 i Wemuftconftantlyand carefully auoid all the occafions Ada i^i8. . 
 
 of finne, and be moft jealous of our felves,where weare moft.Ifa*i.i$«- 
 
 prone to be overtaken. 
 
 a we muft conTcionably and continually ufe all the meaner 
 ofgoodneffe. 
 
 3 When we are overtaken through infirmity, we mult pre- 
 fently and heartily lament our fall,and feeke a reconciliation. 
 
 4 If thefe meanes prevaile not, we muft binde our (dves by 
 a foiemne Vow,to ftrive againft our principall fins, and mofl 
 dangerous corruptions. 
 
 What other nates are there 3 be fides thefe already jpoken of, ,~ 
 
 thereby we may be ajfured, that our repentance is found, and 
 that our hearts doe not deceive us therein ? 
 Thefe folio wing. 
 
 i If weebeuniverfall in our obedience, defiring to praclife fo 0tt f°* '~, 
 or forbeare whatfoever God would have us: not giving a dif- tance.^"^ 
 penfation to our felves for the committing of any finne, or for pfrj. i \$j. 
 the omitting of any duty; but difliking all manner of evilly ScetheSer* 
 both in our felves and others. * mononthaE -j 
 
 . 2 Ifweeincreafe in goodnefle, neither waxing worle, nor ^fei^ 13 i* # ' 
 ftanding at a ftay, but daily getting, ground of our corrupt 
 tions. 
 
j 2, A Dialogue ofTreparatiou 
 
 3 If in all our intents and a&ions we looke unto the Lord, 
 i°Cor 4» as tn€ ^ earcner °f our heartland the trier and re warder of our 
 
 workes : not ducouraging our felves, whatlbever men'thinke 
 or fpeake of us and our doings, To that God do approve of us, 
 and them ; nor contenting our (elves with mens approbation, 
 when the teftimony of God is not for us. 
 
 4 It we like beft, and defire moft that company in private, 
 and that teaching in publike , where our fpeciall corruption! 
 fhall be roundly, and wifely, and mercifully reproved and in- 
 veighed againft ; and the duties wherein wee come (horteft, 
 moft earneftly preffed, and flood upon : Neither falling out 
 with thofe tjiat admonifii us, nor denying, cloking, excufing, 
 or extenuating our faults. 
 
 What elfe is required in a worthy Receiver ? 
 a A competent meafure of knowledge , fo that he be able to 
 
 Knowledge, difcerne betweene the Elements , and the Lords Bodie and 
 Bloud, taking everything in 'its owne nature and kinde : not 
 confounding the figne with the thing fignified,nor putting no 
 difference betweene the Sacramentall and common Bread; 
 but ufing each of them in the manner appointed uy Chrift,and 
 with fuch reverence as is due unto them , and to that end for 
 which they were ordained ; namely, the commemoration of 
 Chrift his deazwpc our neerer & fuller communion with him . 
 N What further examination mufl we ufe, before our communi- 
 cating at the Lords Table ? 
 
 We muft trie whether we have Faith, or not I without the 
 Faith. which, it is impcflible topleafe God ; and whatfoever we do, 
 
 Heb.ii.<y. isfinne. 
 
 Rom. 14 3 7. what then is to be beleeved concerning this particular Ordi- 
 
 nance f 
 See the fecend That it is ordained of God, not onely to be a figne, to Gg- 
 Sei mon on n ih"e and reprefent, but a Scale al(b to confirme, and an inftru- 
 Ma.f\i 1 4^ me nt to exhibite Chrift, with all his merits, unto every Be- 
 Doct " 7 * leever. 
 
 Whj is love untomen y required in all faithfull Receivers ? 
 ^ 1 Becaufe being deftitute of that, we cannot be aflured of 
 
 Love. Gods love unto us, nor of our love unto him . 
 
 i.iofen 3. 2 We cannot, with any confidence , expeel at the Sacra- 
 
 ment 
 
to the Lords Supper. I 3 
 
 _ crament a general! ;cqua4»tance from all our debts unto God > Mar.1s.3y. 
 .. except we in love can paiTe by fimli offences in our brethren- 
 
 3 The Lords Supper is ordained as a Seale of the mutuall , 
 
 fellowiUp and communion of Gods people, as with their 
 Head Chrift, (o with one another. 
 What rules are we to obferve in love ? 
 
 1 If any indignity or injury have beene offered us, wee seetheSer- 
 innft forgive and forget the lame, and overcome eviil with manor* Uj. 1. 
 goodneffe; loving them that hate us, and praying for them Doa. x. 
 thatfpeakeandpraclifeevillagainftus- atleaft, deftringand Mat-i*. *t* 
 ftrivingfotodoe, *££ 
 
 2 If we have done wrong unto others, wee muft undoe it 
 againe: other wife our facririce and fervice cannot be accep- 
 ted. 
 
 But what tfthofe whom we have wronged, befarre ojf y that 
 we cannot feeke unto them: or will not ye eld to a reconciliation, 
 when it is fought for f 
 
 God will accept ofour true and unfained defire in that be- 
 foalfe,when a reconciliation isdefired: but occafion denied, 
 and if others will not be pacified towards us, it is their fault, 
 and not ours,nekher muft that keepe us from the Sacrament. 
 Thus much concerning Examination, 
 What is that Premeditation which muft beufed ? 
 It is a ferious confideration of the benefits which we are to OM „ ,. . 
 receiue by Chnlt. 
 What are thofe ? 2 
 
 They are fetdowne in the new Covenant ( whereof the Ezek 36.21. 
 Lords iupper is a feale)& they may be reducecfto thefe heads. Icr. ;i ; ? 1. 
 1 Firft, freedome from all manner of evill whatfoever, SeetheS«r- 
 whether of finne, or mifery in this life,or in that which is ™^°" ?ro ' x 8 
 
 to come, And 'that on 
 
 2 Secondly, the enjoyment otall good things. pfal. 1 1 $, 
 
 Si In this world; ' 1 For the in- 5 J Perfect j unification. Do ^- «• 
 and that \ ward man, £ 2 True fan&ification. 
 S2 For the out- $ A good name, eftate, 
 / C ward man. ? fafety, health, &c. 
 
 ^a In' the world, to come* all manner of happinefTe, 
 
 Having 
 
14 A Dialogue of Preparation 
 
 Having thus examine S. curftlves^concerning our Repentance % 
 Know I edge J? auk^ and Love, and a fed premeditation of 'the be- 
 nefits that are to be expected of all worthy Receivers, -what re- 
 maineth further to be done by us I 
 
 1 We niuft,before our approaching to the Lords Table, ear- 
 P.a/cr. neftly befeech his Ma/eftie to give a blefling to thofe our en- 
 devours: and where we have come (Viort in fitting our felves, 
 we are to entreat him to pardon it ; to accept of us in the me- 
 diation of his deare Sonne ; and to make a fupply of all our 
 wants, of his rich mercie and free grace. 
 
 But what tfa manfnde that he cometh veryjhort of that ex- 
 amination and preparation that is required,*? ere he not better to 
 abfent himfclfefrom the Sacrament, tiH he be better fitted? 
 S t iKc s«. In no W1 ^ e: * or ^ ^ e ^ e upright-hearted, though never Co 
 ©oh en " weake, the Lord will accept of him. And if he feele his fick- 
 t.Chron. 30, nefle to be grievous and dangerous, he hath the more need to 
 Doct, j. haften to the Phyfitian : neither is flaying from Gods Ordi- 
 nance, a m eanes to better his eftate , but rather to make him 
 worfe,aad to pull Gods heavy judgements upon his fouie and 
 body. Numb.o. 
 
 Thtu much concerning the duties tending to Prepara- 
 tion, before sur receiving. 
 How muB »rc be eUffofed in theprefent aU of receiving ? 
 
 2 Wee mud prefent our fclves with revtrence before the 
 How we are to Lord,fctting our fenfes and our faith a-worke, and needfully 
 fcecdifpofed in meditating on thefc force things : 
 
 olivine! "* x Rrftwhen we fee the Bread broken,and the Wine po w- 
 red out,we muftconfiderofthe bitter PaffionofChrift Iefus; 
 who was wounded for our tranfgreflions,and broken for our 
 iniquities; who encountrcd with his Fathers wrath>and with 
 
 ifay j|. Satan,Death,and Hell;and for our fakes,in particular,fuftained 
 
 fuch wofuil terrours in his Soule, and torments in his Bodie, 
 that he cryed out in the bittcrneffe of his heart , My God> not 
 God, why haft thonforfakenme ? and at length ftied forth his 
 moft preeious bloud , for the pacifyiig of his Fathers difplea- 
 fnre,and the f atisfying of his infinite juftice. And withall,we 
 fhonld ferioufly ponder upon theinconceiveabielovcofGod 
 the Father, in giving his onely and well-beloved Sonne , tc 
 
 fuflcr 
 
to the Lords Supper. 1 5 
 
 fufFer fuch unfpeakeablc tortures for us, who werecurfed re- 
 bels againft him: and thence be drawne to thinke on the hay- 4 
 noufhefle and odioufheffe of our Cianes, which fo farre incen- 
 fed the Lords wrath and indignation , that nothing could 
 quench the flame thereof but onely the precious bloud of his 
 deare Sonne. 
 
 Secondly,when wefce the Miniftcr diftributiig the Bread 2 
 and Wine, wee are to confider , that as thofe outward Ele- 
 ments are offered unto us by Man; fo Chrift Iefus,with all his 
 benefits, is offered unto us by the bleffed Trinitie. 
 
 Thirdly, when we reach forth our naturall hand to receive 2 
 the Bread and Wine, we *mft withali reach forth the hand of 
 Faith, to apprehend and lay h«ld of Chrift. 
 
 Fourthly, in eating the Bread, and drinking the Wine, we 4 
 muft apply Chrift, with all his merits, particularly nnto our 
 felves ; and be aflured,that as that Bread & W ine arc made the 
 nouriiliment of our bodies, fo Chrift his body and bloud arc 
 made the nouriftiment of our (oules ; and as certainly as the 
 Bread & Wine are made •ncfiibftance withus,toftrengthen 
 our bodies, and to refrefh our hearts, fo furely Chrift is made 
 oae with us, and we with him : and then our ioules (hall bee 
 ftrengthened,& our hearts fpiritually revived ;either prelcntly 
 in the very ait of receiving ;or afterwards, in due time, when 
 we (Kail (land in moft need of comfort. And therefore,in aflu- 
 ranee of Faith, we mould ftirre up our hearts, to expe<5t all the 
 fore-named bcnefits,of remiffion of finnes, and fan&i fixation 
 of our natures; together with the fruition of all neceflarie out- 
 ward bleffings, and the removall of all hurtfull croffes. 
 
 fVeHwcre it for us indeed y ifwe could lookefor thefe things to 
 be befiowed upon us: but the greatnejfe And multitude of our fins 
 isfuchythdt wejuflly feare they roiU keepe good things from us. 
 
 This doubt Ihouldnot perplexe nor trouble us, if wee bee sec theSer. 
 truly penitent for all our tranfgreffions : for Chrift hath payed mon on //* u 
 for many and great finnes, as well as tor fewer and leiter ; and Voct. r « 
 through him,the Lord is ready to pardon all,and all manner of * ,Io £ n l • % 
 iniquities, as weli the greateft of them, as the fmalleft : and if E * e * * *** 
 once our finnes be done away, all the fore-named bene fits do 
 of right belong unto us. 
 
 Thm 
 
1 6 *A r DUlogue of Preparation 
 
 Thus much concerning the Meditations that are 
 needful!, in the very att of receiving, 
 
 What is to be done after our receiving ? 
 } Firft, we muft give hearty thankes u no the Lord for this 
 
 d© 1 *' after our i nc fti m able benefit which we have received, in being parta- 
 
 rwvini . kers °^ tn e Lords Supper. 
 
 2 * Secondly,we muft carefully marke how we fpeed,& what 
 
 faccefle wefinde : and if the Lord affoord us prefent comfort, 
 we muft be much more thankefull,and indeavour by all good 
 meanes to nourilh and cherilh the fame : and if we mifleof it 
 for that time, we muft notwithstanding give God the glory of 
 his truth,in making good his Covenant, and every part therc- 
 of;and therfore with confidence and conftancy wait and pray 
 for the bieffing: refolving with our felves, (every one in his 
 ownefoule) that as fure as God is true and faithfull in his pro- 
 mifes, we (hall in the fitteft feafon, reape fruit and profit by 
 his Ordinance, which in conscience and obedience unto him, 
 we have beene partakers of Jn which regard,every particular 
 beleever may boldly fpeake, in this, or the like manner, unto 
 his ownefoule: I have with as great uprightnefle as I could, 
 communicated at the Lords Table, & there received thefealc 
 of the everlafting Covenant of grace, and therefore (hall it af- 
 furedly be performed unto me; and albeit my faith and afiu- 
 rance ofGods favour he but weake,it (hall be ftrengthened; 
 and what! oever Satan,or mine owne deluded Comcience tell 
 me,all mine iniquities are pardoned and covered, and I am at 
 
 Pf 1 a tn * s ver y ^ n ^ ant as fr ee ^ rom ** n ** n 9°^ s account,as Adam was 
 
 before his Fall, and as the Saints and Angels are now in Hea- 
 ven; ye?, as Chrift Iefus himfelfe is, I being a member of his 
 myfticali Body. 
 
 And fo for fanftification: though I be tainted with much ig- 
 norance, with many errors, with bad affeclions and evill afH- 
 ons;yet the Lord according to his covenant, will reforme all 2 
 and give me a minde to know hifo,and his will;ahd a memo- 
 ry to hold faft what I know: he will give mee a heart to love 
 him,tofeare him, and to obey his commandemerit's. I (hall 
 have Chrift his Power, to ftrengthen and uphold mee; bii 
 
 Wifedome, 
 
'ef the Lords SuppeK xy 
 
 Wifedome to inftrucl: and direct me,and his Spirieto work all 
 needfull graces in me,fo that all the powers of hell (hail never 
 be able to prevail e again ft me>much lefle {hall the afflictions 
 of this world be able £o fepar ate me from Chrift Iefus. I need 
 not feare any evill :For all jGball worke together for the be ft to 
 me, neither can I want any thing that is good, for God having R m f %. 
 given tts his Some, how fhallhe not with him give us all things I 
 
 Thirdly, we muft determine & endevour to lead a new life, v 
 
 bringing forth the fruits of Repentance, Faith and Love,more 
 abundantly than in former times; as having renewed ou, Co- 
 venant with the Lord for that purpofe:and therfbre when we 
 finde any finfull motions ftirring within us, we foould reafon 
 thus «Did I not at the Sacrament vow & covenant with God 
 to ftriveagainft all manner of corruptions ? and did I not re- 
 ceive the feale of the covenant in afiurance that I ftiould have 
 power & ftrength againft them ? why then ftiould I yeeld un- 
 to them? why fhould I beany longer in bondage unto them ? 
 nay, I will not ferve finne in the lufts thereof,but will refill: it, 
 and by the power of Chrift I {hall get victory over it: for the. 
 Lord hath faid, thztjinne (hall not have dominion over us. Io6n x'jj 
 
 So alfo when we finde want and imperfections in our beft 
 feruices,as coldnes in prayer ,diftractions in meditating, un- 
 fruitfulnefle in hearing, deadneffe infingingof Pfalmes, &c. 
 as alfo impatience or faintheartednes under crofles, difgraces, 
 Perfecutions, dec. Let us then relieve ©ur 1 elves with thefe ot 
 the like meditations; was I not lately at the Lords table,where 
 I received a pledge of my ingrafting into Chrift, who is the 
 true Vine?and is there not in him mfficient juyce of all good 
 graces to be derived to every branch that is in him?and is not 
 the fecond Adam as able to convey his vertues into me,as the 
 firft aAdam was to convey his corruptions? why then fhould 
 I not feeke to him in aiTurance of obeying ftrength to doe and 
 fuffer whatsoever he will have me?yes,I will run unto him,& Roin.6.14; ] 
 crave power and ability from him,and asking I {hall obtaine, 
 he hath faid it that will never falfifie the leaft part of his truth. 
 May it not then,bee concluded^ if immediately unto the recei* 
 ving of this Sacrament we grow worfe then we were before jhdt 
 we came unworthily thereunto , 
 
 C Yes 
 
18 JZttl'SHeofPrepiratiM 
 
 Yes verily: if we be indeed worfe mA „„.. • 
 conceit onely, it is fure thattheTeu as Wr ° l ' f , 0Wne 
 
 ordinancetobeinefieftnaU. Indeed the Z -S- T d ■ d$ 
 in their owne imaginations, and I S'oS, Sa tan f fa.rT^ 
 fcons.fcemcunto themfclves to b» wolT. §Se * 
 
 they are notfoj becaufe tbey f£e rhdr r« f " ?."^ 
 
 fiercely than ever before: but this is fo &£ K them more 
 gumentofunworthy vectivinT^Me^^P 11 ar " 
 
 very good caufetobecomfotted. dlfma M but rather 
 
 Younetdnotdrfcourageyourheartfor allthK -T^Tl 
 ofyourimperfeclionsargueththatyourevesirt, ' e , fi§ , ht 
 SeetWScr. tened than in former times, ^ITSlZ^^^' 
 mononifius. and lowly conceit ofvourfelfe ,^, m , § \ , ^""mble 
 a-ff. t. arethingLerypleafi„ y gn „ t f^^ d Sf^^f . Which 
 terser- J* hftriaobfer U ation S ofthe Com n ,SE n ^ 1 J^ ni n» 
 *on „ lC hr. fliouM obev them in P erfetfion,butonly that we 11 u Wee 
 jo. fent in our hearts, andlabourin oiir praS ^ .1 H COn - 
 
 £?ff,3. encethereunto:whichifwecandT» theL^ ^f dd ^ bedi * 
 
 ing thatweftjlenotin thelnbitanceof hisfervTce- 
 
 but onely in fome circumftances, and 
 
 that full fore againft 
 
 ourwils. 
 
 THE 
 
*9 
 
 mam 
 
 THE 
 
 FIRST SERMON OF 
 
 THELords Svpper, 
 
 Proverbs 28. Ver. 13.' 
 
 He thathtdeth his finnesjh all not fr offer* but he that confif* 
 feth andforfaketh them, (hall have mercy. 
 
 >HE drift and purpofe of thefe words, is to 
 flirreup all men to true Repentance:wher* 
 unto that they might bee thefooner indu- 
 ced, and therein better directed, hee fets 
 downe : 
 Firft,the miferable condition of impeni- 
 tent perfons, whofe ptofperity is to cloaRe their finnes : con- 
 cerning whom he pronounceth, that they that hide their fins 
 fhall not -proffer: fo long as flnne is covered, it prospers in the 
 fbule: and fo long as finne thrives in the Soule, there can bee 
 no true profperity in the ftate, either for inward or outward 
 things. 
 
 Secondly, the happinefTe of penitent perfons : they fhall find* 
 mercy: whatfoev'er their iniquities have beene, they fliall bee 
 received into Gods favour,and finde all the fruits thereof, to 
 that they teftifie the foundneffe of their Repentance by the 
 performance of thefe duties following, to wit, 
 
 Fir ft,that they come to a plain and fincere confeffion,whicfa 
 
 is op pofite v to the former hiding, \but hee that confepth,&c. 
 
 Secondly, that they grow to a generall reformation, imply- 
 
 ed in thefe words [andforfaketh themf\ 
 
 Ver. 1 3. He that hideth his finne Jhall not fro ffer, &c. 
 
 From thefe words this Doctrine evidently rifeth : that 
 
 Ca the 
 
v 2tf The fir Ft Sermon ■ 
 
 «r> n the harbouring and hiding offinnehindrerh all tmeprofperi-- 
 
 Hidin offin ty and mercy. 
 
 bindcrsacrcy; Wherefbevcr fin hath allowance and entertainment in the 
 
 ' heart,found happinefle is as far from that Party,as hehimfelfe 
 
 is from uprightnes and goodnes: God never cafteth away his 
 
 lundnes upon them that indeavour not to caft all finne out of 
 
 pfil 2. their foules. This point is made cleare unto us in the I Jaime y 
 
 where the Prophet defcribing a righteous man, and (hewing 
 that he, and he alone isableffed man, fets him out by this, 
 
 fje 2*J that in hisfpirit there u no £/*//<? .-Thereby implying,that guile- 
 
 fidnes and bleffednefle never go together. He that with a falfe 
 heart favours himfelfe in any finne, hath obtained pardon for 
 no fin. ? neither is he purged fromany fin, what ihewes foever 
 lie may make to deceive himfelfe and others. And therfore all 
 his iniquities fliail be charged upon him, the leafl of which is 
 fufficient to make him accurfed : and then how far fiich a one 
 is from happines and true profperity,any one may judge that 
 tiaththefpiritof difcerning: and this point David in that 
 Pfaime maketh plaine,by giving an inftance in his owne per- 
 ibn. He was no hypocrite indeed, yet had hypocrifie at that 
 time a great place in his heart, and thereupon he began to 
 
 E?pA 3« hidehis fin^and m invent fhifts and devices to cover thefame: 
 but whatfollpwethhereupon?^/^#//;<r/^/^ tongue(faithhe) 
 (to wit,from confefling my fin,as afterwards by his contrary 
 pra&ife it is apparant)^ bones confumed,&<; .There he fhews 
 in many words what perplexity he was in when he wasneg- 
 ligentin fearching out his corruptions.and his heart had made 
 a kinde of confederacy with fin : that howfoever he was not 
 utterly excluded from right to God* favour and true felicity, 
 yet for that time he could have no found kding nor comfort 
 of it, till he betook him to true and hearty confeffionr but then 
 ail was helped and remitted, as in that T Jaime it folio weth : 
 
 9Me A Then Iacknoyoled my Jin unto thee, neither hid I mine iniquity? 
 
 for I thought I will confejfe againfl myfelje my wickednejfe un^ 
 to the Lord, and thouforgavefl the punijhment ofmyjmne. 
 To this fame purpofe there is a heavy threatning denoun- 
 
 |&;i^ i j, ced againfl this divdlifh cunning and craft in covering of fin, 
 fcyxheProph^j^'^fl^ unto them that Jeeke deefetohide 
 
 their 
 
% of 'the Lords Supper, 21 
 
 theh c ttfrem the Lord, &€ .They that have fuch skill and 
 
 art to hide their wickednes in the darke,and to carry bad mat- 
 ters covertly and clofely, what do they get by it? they thinkc 
 
 icrcby to have the credit and reputation of wife men,& deep 
 Politicians : but the curfe of God belongs unto them, which 
 there is denounced againft them, and fhall purlue them, & his 
 hand fhall finde them out, with all their wretched and finfull 
 plots and devices, which they have hatched in thefecretsof 
 their braines, and thought to keepe clofe from God and Man: 
 and hee {"hall bring to nothing b^th them and their counfels: 
 for all their deepe reaches God can over-reach them, and his 
 judgements fhall overtake and overthrow them. 
 
 Agreeable to this is the place of fob, where it is faid, That * c b **i. 
 when Tvkkednefte is [meet to anian, and hee hides it under his 
 tongue, and favours it, &c. Then his meat fc a 11 be turned ints 
 gall ofAsfest&c. There that holy, man of God fheweth,that 
 when any one is a favourer and hider of fin, every thing that 
 fhould bee for his good, (hall turne to his hurt ; his ordinarie 
 food,his wealth,and fiibftance : and in a word,whatfoever o- 
 therwite might be comfortable unto him , all fhall gocrofle 
 with him, nothing fhall beeprofpered and blefled unto him. 
 Thefe places doe, in part, manifeft unto us the danger of this 
 cloking of finneiwhat mifery it brings; what happinefle it de- 
 prives us of:yet bcfides thofe,there are reafons that may more 
 clearly evicT and prove that it muft needs be lot for, 
 
 i Firft,thecaufesof this hiding offinne are naught: which R ea r 0HS 
 arethe&foiiowing. ; Thccaufcsof 
 
 i The firft is the love of iniquitie ? for fin is of that nature, hiding of fin, 
 that it will never tarry but where it is loved and much made i 
 
 of: it is fiich a gueft as rough entertainment would drive a- l °ve ofir. 
 wayinafhorttime. 
 
 And that fuch do love it,is very evident in that former place lob »<?. i *. 
 of fob ': where it is faid,that fcR. y wickednej[e isfweet.andthen 
 they hide />.Looke what appetite and eager defire any one can 
 pofiibly have after pieaf ant meats and dainty difhes: the lame 
 or greater have they after iinne, the love whereof muft needs 
 be odious, becaufe it is Gods utter enemy, and therefore the 
 hiding of it muft needs be dangerous. 
 
 C 3 i A 
 
22 The firfi Sermon 
 
 2 a A f econd caufe of this , is Hypocrifie ; that men would 
 
 Hypocrifie. faine feetne better than they are: and therefore they hide that 
 naughtines which is in them indeed, and make a fhew of that 
 innocencie which they are farre from . This was the caufe that 
 madeZ)^Wtodiflembleandcloke his great offence in the 
 matter ofVriah ; as the Holy Ghoft teftifleth in the Booke of 
 i King. i y. 3. s* the Kings : where it is faid,that Abitams heart was notperfebl 
 with the Lo/dhis God>as the heart ofD avid his Father, who did 
 that which was right in the fight of the Lord, and turned from 
 nothing that he commanded him all the daycs of his life f to wit, . 
 of fet purpofe,and againft his confcience, with any allowance 
 and approbation)/*^ 0^/7 in the matter ofVriah the Hittite. 
 As if he fliould have faid:Therein indeedhe was falfe-hearted; 
 andthatwasxhereafonwhyhe wasfb long ere he acknow- 
 ledged his grievous (in, and why he fell to devifing of naugh- 
 tie fliifts for the covering of his wickednefle, which brought 
 him little profperitie : nay, fo farre was he from gaining any 
 thing by it, that even oneyeares cloking of finne , procured 
 him many fore and grievous troubles , inward and outward, 
 for many yeares together . Thus we fee the caufes are bad, to 
 wit, love of finne, and damnable hypocrifie. 
 3 Neither are the effects any bettenfor, wholbever doth thus 
 
 Tke ill effefis. cover his finnes, 
 
 i Firft, he cannot pray : for ( faith David) If I regard wic- 
 hedneffe in my heart, God will not heare mee, Sinnes acknow- 
 ledged and bewayled,quicken us to prayer: but finnes allow- 
 ed and maintained, utterly difable us for pray er^tor they make 
 a pep or at ion betwixt God and us. 
 
 2 Secondly, fuch a one can have no benefit by the Sacra- 
 ment j as we fee by Judas : who, being a cunning Hypocrite, 
 and a hider of mifchievous Plots againft his Mafter, whereas 
 he was divelifri enough before , he was wholly pofleft by Sa- 
 tan after the earing of the PafTeover, and the receiving of the 
 Lords Supper: For fo the Evangelift teftifieth. That after the 
 fop (as alfo after the other Sacrament, miniftred at that fame 
 MealeJ Satan entredinto him ; meaning, more fully than ever 
 before. The like may be I aid of Simon "Magus, aAcls 8. verfe 
 
 3 Thirdly, 
 
 \i hinder crh 
 prayer. 
 
 Iiai.59.1. 
 
 jt kef pet hut 
 from bcoc fac- 
 ing by the Sa 
 crament. 
 Ich.13 27 
 
of the Lords Supper, 25 - 
 
 3 Thirdly,the Word is altogether unprofitable unto fuch: $ 
 it is choaked in the heart, that is, corrupted with finne t it is 0f > b y tl « 
 even like pure Seed caft into a filthy Sinke. Thus we fte,both !^? r ' 
 by the cades and effects, how hurtfull a thing this hiding of u 
 finne island how it (lands in the way of all trueprofperitie, to 
 keepethe (amc from comming unto us. 
 
 But againft this it may be ob/e&ed,Thatitfeemes to be un- n i- n- 
 true, that thofe that entertaine and nourifh fin in their (bules, ^ 
 ihall notprofperjfor none profper more than fuch: they com- ifal.75. 
 mit hainous and fcandalous evils, and boaft of them, and yet 
 have the World at will, and more than their hearts can wifri. 
 And on the contrary, DavidCaith^hen I declare my paine % and PfrI.38.iS. 
 amforry for my finne , then mine enemies are alive , and are 
 mighty , &c, 
 
 B.ut for the fatisfying of this doubt, we muft know r that j ^ n r- tvert 
 howfbever thefe ungodly ones hold up their heads , and pro- p £0 ipcring ia 
 (per, and bring many of their purpofes to paffe , yet none are cvill cou Jes, 
 more wretched and miferable than they. There is no more ar « a lo *e 
 certaine figne of Gods heavy dhpleafure,than for one to thrive P Ia £ uc oi Go ^ 
 in his ungodly courfes.That Child whom the Father loves,he 
 will correct betime ; and (b dealt God with David : There 
 were many greater offenders than he in Ifrael , and yet none 
 was fo much fcourged,becaufe none was fo wellbeloved.Buc 
 for one to efcape the Rod , and to be ftill further given up to 
 his owne hearts luft, to commit finne with greedinefle, this is 
 the moft heavy ftroke and fearefull judgement that can poffi- Rom.z. 
 biy fall upon any man : For by this meanes he ftill heapeth up 
 wrath againft the day of wrath,and the declaration of the juft 
 vengeance of God upon all unrighteous and unholy perfbns, 
 when the Lord fhall pay him home at full for all his evill 
 thoughts, words and Workes. 
 
 Since then it is plaine,that hiding of our tranfgreflions flops Vfe 1 . 
 up the paflage againft all true profperity,this makes for the re- + Sorts re- 
 proofe of 4. forts of men that offend in this point : namely, P"* C <1« 
 
 1 Fir ft,of thofe that are altogether blinded with ignorance, 1 
 and know not finne, nor the differences of finne ; which are ignorant psr- 
 greater, which leffer. For, till the Lord informe men by his 'on». 
 Word and Spirit, they can never fee thefe things • never dif- 
 
 C 4 cerne 
 
' 
 
 24 Tbefirft Sermon . v 
 
 cerne betwixt good and evil,nor betwixt evil and evil which 
 is more or lefle offenfive. For it is light that difcovers dark- 
 nefle,and therefore they being deftitute of the true underfran- 
 ding of the Word , and fo confequently of the Spirit, mud 
 needs faile in the difcerning>andfb alfo in the difcovering and 
 laying open of their corruptions ; and therefore faile of found 
 happinefTe. 
 2 2 Secondly,this is for the reproofe of another fort that arc 
 
 AftsT. S ° n worfe than the former,who having the knowledge of finne, 
 iXv*g*h do yet deny their faults when they are told of them , as An*-" 
 nias and Saphira did, and as Gehezi did when his Matter exa- 
 mined him. Thofe finnes that arefmothered and carried (b 
 clolely , God will manifeft and difcover as openly as he did 
 theirs : laying upon the one , thepuniftimentofafudden and 
 ftrange death : and on the other, theXeprofie of his flefh, as a 
 meanes to cleanfe his S©ule. 
 2 g Here alfo are another kinde of hiders to be condemned, 
 
 Difguifcrs of tnat will not grofly denythe facl , but will cloke k , and dii- 
 finnc guife it, and give good names to fbule faults. 
 
 Such are they that would have their gaming,and unthrifti- 
 
 nefle,and coufenage, to go under the name of recreation; and 
 
 ail their lewd meetings and abufe of the creatures of God,and 
 
 Inconvcnicn of the glorious and fearefuil name of God, under the title of 
 
 ccs that enfue good-fellow fhip,and merry meetings, &c. And fo for other 
 
 on gazoing, notorious and grievous fins ,which they paint over with faire 
 
 colours : but do fuch profper? When they get a little money, 
 
 • do they not lofe more in their fbules than that comes to? and 
 
 do they not bring upon themfelves hardnefle ; and prophane- 
 
 neffe of hearts blindneiTe and ftupiditieof mrnde:unreadinefle 
 
 and unfitneffe for any good thing : unwillingnefle to reade, 
 
 heare, meditate, and conferre of holy things? are they not a- 
 
 fraid to com e into Gods holy prefence in prayer , to be in the 
 
 company of fuch as will admonifli or rebuke them ; to be a~ 
 
 lone in the night , at fuch times as the Lord doth waken their 
 
 drowfie confeiences ? to fay nothing of many foule bra wles, 
 
 and other hainous evils , which do ufually accompanie fuch 
 
 cxercife?. 
 
 So others, when they are paffionate anddiitempcred ; tell 
 
 them 
 
of the Lords Supper. 25 
 
 ithem of it, and their anfwer is ready ; What would youiiot 
 have a man angry with fin? O this is bafe hypocrifie,and fin- 
 full difguifing cFyour fault : tor tell me, you that can be fo ea- 
 ger againft final offences in others, when they concerne your 
 ielfe, do you not beare with greater faults both in others and Note, 
 in your felfe , when they do more neerely touch the glory of 
 God?your owne heart tels you that it is fo; and therefore ne- 
 ver fuffer your violent diftempers and outrages to go under 
 the vizard of zeale againft finne , but let them go for hatefull 
 paflions as they are. 
 
 Others we {hall finde that will tearme their covetoufaefle Hurt that 
 frugality, their pride in apparell comelineffe and decency,and c0 °jl e$ b > &'' 
 the like : all which perfons little confider what great injurie S u '- in § ° " n * 
 they do to their owne f oules this while : for now the Word' 
 cannot cure them of thofe fins which they would faine thinke 
 ( though their hearts tell them otherwifej to be-no fins : they 
 can never humble themfeives by repentance for them 5 and 
 therefore they ftand guilty before Gods judgement-feat to 
 anfwer for them , befides all the hurt they (hall in this life fu- 
 ftaine in regard of them. 
 
 4 A fourth fort that come under this reproofe, are fuch, as 
 therein lhew themfeives to be clokers of finne ,-that they do s , ^ 
 not ufe diligence to finde out their finnes ; mch as are partial! n clii^n*in 
 in dealing with their owne foules,and in fearching to nnd out for C hmg\>ut 
 their corruptions^ that are loath to dig too deep.,and through- their feu** . 
 ]y to ranfacke the loathfome corners of their hearts. He* that f 
 doth not his beft^ndeavour. to come to the fight of his fecret ' ' 4 4> 
 finnes, is efteeuied of God to be a hider of them, and fhall be 
 deftkute of that happineffe and comfort that otherwife he 
 migh&enjoy : and therefore as David exhorted his enemies 
 for their good, to examine their hearts upon their beds, that Co 
 they might defift from (landing out againft him : fo he pracfti- 
 i ed it himfelfe for the good of his owne Soule, that he might 
 not long go aftray from the wayes of the Lord. / have con- p|y , 
 fidered mjwayes (faith he) and turned my feet inte thy Te fit- 
 monies. 
 
 Secondly, this ferves for our inftruclion : if we finde that Vfa z . 
 ^vedo not profper in the things of the Lord, or of the world, 
 
 let ' 
 
26 The fir & Sermon 
 
 When wc pro- let us examine if there be not fome fecret fin that is the caufe 
 Tper not, folio of it. One comes to the Word preached, and findes no helpe 
 examination, thereby , againft the corruptions unto which he is inclined; 
 nor for the pra&ife ofgood duties,uhto which he is exhorted; 
 he cannot perceive , that there is wrought in him any great 
 love unto the Saints, to the Ordinances of Goi,or to the co- 
 ining of Chriir.,&c. But he is dull and heavy when he is at it, 
 and as dend and lumpifh when is gone from it. Let him 
 karcb,and he fhall find, that there lies in his heart fome finne 
 or other unrepented, or the guilt offbme duties unperformed, 
 the venome whereof doth fo poyibn his conference , that the 
 Word of life can finde no place there ; for when the Word 
 .comes to a pureheart.it will enrer,and worke effectually. 
 
 Another comes to the Sacrament , and findes no benefit 
 thereby. Let him looke, if there lurke not within him fome 
 hidden corruption,that is thecaufe hereof: for the Sacrament 
 is mighty in operation, if it be received with a pure and holy 
 i Cor so. arTeclion ; it is the very communion of the Body and Blond of 
 Chrift. And therefore fearch and caft forth that ill Leven that 
 hath infecled thy heart, and hindred thee from the comfort of 
 this excellent Ordinance of God. And the like may wee fay 
 for Prayer, and any other of Gods Ordinances. 
 
 Likewife for the things of the world : Do we not profper 
 
 in our eftate, in our Bodies, in our Children,&c . Let us make 
 
 triall,if there be not fome wickednefle that hath countenance 
 
 with us : and if there be , thence (may we befure) comes all 
 
 Note. our woe. They that will not grieve for finne , becaufe it is 
 
 finne, fhall be driven to grieve for it, by many fore troubles: 
 
 and they that are infenfible of it when it is commited,ftiall be 
 
 madefenfibieintheend,by feeling it punifhed. And this is a 
 
 good ufe that is made of the troubles of Gods Church , m the 
 
 Lam, ?«30,4<>. Lamentations of leremyiWherefore^fay they)** the living man 
 
 forrowfufl? Why doth he turmoyle and vexe himfeife > Man 
 
 fujferethfor his finne. What is the conclpfion? Let us fearch 
 
 and try our n>ayes s and turne againe unto the Lord y &cjVe have 
 
 finned and rebelled, therefore thou haft not Jparedy&t. 
 
 ObjeElion, But we know no fpeciail finne, that fhould procure this 
 
 hand of God againft us. 
 
 Trie 
 
of the Lords Suffer. 2 7 
 
 Trie your owne hearts and wayes diligently : and then, if tAnfwer. 
 you finde no fuch iniquitie, your crofle is in Mercy , and not 
 in judgement ; for Triall, and not for Punifhment ; a Medi- 
 cine,to purge and cure ; and not a Poyfon , to infed: andde- 
 ftroy . But if we will have this comfort , we muft drive to 
 finde out what is principally amifle in us ; for the heart is de- 
 ceitfull above all things,and the Devill would make us thinke 
 that great faults are but fmall faults,and that fmall fauhs are no 1 < r. 1 7 9 . 
 faults. Let us therefore bring ourfoules to the Touch-ftone 
 of Gods Law, and then we fhall not be deceived : as he him- 
 felfe faith ; I the Lord fear ch the heart : So his Word is a di£~ Icm 7.10. 
 cerner and a dilcoverer of the thoughts and intents of the Heb.4-»*» 
 hearty and will make us able to defcrie the lame. And this let 
 us be aflured of for our comfort, That he that is truly defirous jq QtCt 
 and withall induftrious to finde out his fpeciall finnes,he ftiaU 
 have them difcoveredunto him ; becaufe that is the end why 
 God fmiteth him (as may appeare by that former place of the 
 Lamentations) that he might be brought to the fight and fenfe 
 of his tranfgreffions,and to found humiliation for them. And 
 therefore, they that upon a good and confcionable fearch 
 made, candifcerneofnogroflc or prefumptuous fin in them- 
 felves, may be comforted, notwithstanding their croffes, and 
 reft fully aflured 3 that God will not lay any thing to their 
 charge , becaufe they are enemies to finne , and not lover* or 
 maintainers of the. fame. And thus much for the firft Point, . 
 It folio weth. 
 
 \fBut hee thatconfejfeth.~] This is contrary to the former 
 hiding of finne,when wefo (earch and lift our hearts, that wt 
 come to the knowledge of our ofrencesjand the acknowledge- 
 ment ofthe iame before theXord. Whence this Doclrine may 
 be gathered: that,. 
 
 Whenever would£nde.pardon for his finnes, muftcon- DoR.l 
 fefle the fame. 
 
 He that looks for remuTion on Gods part, muft bring con- . r . 
 feffionfor his part : wherefoever finne is unacknowledged, Con{ (ij j5) 
 there it is unpardoned : no mercie, till there, bee a fight and ncc^ne, Ve* 
 confeflion of iniquitie. fore rcmitfu ^ 
 
 Therefore Daniel confefkxh his owne finnes, thefmnes of 
 
 the. 
 
22 The firs! Sermon^ 
 
 t!u;- >F their forefathers «andaggra\ 
 
 tre Mine in many words, faying;/^ have finned y and havecom- 
 N • ; 5 >* ;7> iffiity, and have done wickedly , yea wee have rebelled 
 
 fe# 16 ' • >/7yW ^ w r/ry precepts, andfiom thj judge:-) • 
 
 IVc ^ ' tf£^' thy i'er:<r:n t s the Prophets that fpake in thy 
 
 Nav -:to us appertains h open/hamejo our Kings J o our 
 
 Princes, and to our Fathers , &c. For wee have riot obeyed the 
 voyce of the Lord our God,d^c t Tea,a/l Ifrael have tranfgrejfed 
 the laiv^&c. 'Therefore the rurjc # poivred upon us j 
 
 And thus doth E^ra like wife in the behatfe of the people 
 
 Ezra,) $,e. that had taken ftrange wives :for hauing rent bis clothes and 
 
 his garment ,he fell upon his knees y and; ff read out his hands unto 
 
 the Lord his God^andfaid^O my GodJ am confoundedand afta- 
 
 medto lift up mine eyes to thee my God: for our iniquities are in- 
 
 creafed over our head,& our trefpaffe is gone up to heaven,&c m 
 
 i.% The fame courfe doth Nehemiah take: for thus he ipeaketh 
 
 in the name ofal l£xse\jVe haxe grievoufly finned againft thee, 
 
 and have not kept thy Commandement s , nor the Statutes } nor 
 
 the judgements which thon commandeft thyfervant Mofes, &c. 
 
 Sothofethat beleeved, Att % 17. 15? .came and confefjed and 
 
 fijewed their workes. 
 
 Reajons t -And there is reafon to proove that this confeflion is verie 
 
 1 neceffarie, if ever we would finde favour with God: for, 
 
 God cannot in i FirftiWithout it we have nopromife belonging to us : as 
 
 jufticc forcivc God cannot in'juftice u r ith-hold mercy from fuch as plainly 
 
 frmc unlefle j a y p en t h e i r tranfgrefTions before him : fo can he not with- 
 
 fcfllon ' C C out violating his truth, vouehfafe mercy to thofe that fmother 
 
 1 lob. I o. and hide their (fairies from him : for thus runnes the promife; 
 
 I five acknowledge our fins, hee is faithfuH ' andjuft to forgive us 
 
 our fins, and to clemfe us from all unrighteoufneJfe.'Whencc we 
 
 fee that where there is a true acknowledgement of fin, there h 
 
 promifed both a true remitting of fin,and purging from finne; 
 
 DUt where that is wanting, no fuch thing can be expected. 
 
 2 Secondly, thofe muft needs have the gate of mercy fhut 
 
 2 . againft them, that do not confefle their faults unto the Lord 
 
 i!hcre° UMt r becaufe acknowledgement of our guiltinefle is one of the 
 
 pemance. & T & ^ Ults °^ true Repentance 3 and one of the chiefe teftimo- 
 
 niesof a true penitent heart. As is manifefl in David, who, 
 
 when 
 
'ophe Lords Supper. -*■ 
 
 dealt* plainly «"*£<£ ^ZoLui,!„,l!,b„, ,*) 
 
 ,. 3 Smuftunderftandthattbis is a very foveraigne vativ / , iil8 
 hereuntoAvemultunjm^ b k flidi . forhe that tc¥0 l t i4 
 
 privative ^f^ T ^^ K Go ds I^dgement.feate, 
 
 ver felUgaine into them whiles theyUved. ■. 
 
 4 Fourthly, this is a very efitftuaH meanes to V*j^ u J3i**l 
 unto prayer,and therefore ftitt m the Scnpture we ihal fin de i * 
 that where here hath beenehearty confeffion.there have fol- 
 lowed as hearty Petitions; as we fee m the former Ixample of 
 
 & KrANchemUh commeth with the Ince ^portumty, O 
 
 Lord God of Heaven, the great and ternble God thatk,epefi 
 
 cove/ant and mercy, &C I fray thee htthme ear she attent 
 
 tndthine eyes opeJto heare the prayer of *ffi a »%f>f* 
 P rayl>efortheedaiiy,dayandm g htforthechadre,ofIfraelt^ 
 
 feria/ts.O Lord J iefeich thee, let thme eare not* hearken to 
 "the prayer of thy Servant, &c . fi , . i or :r, 
 
 / Fiftly andlaftly, this is a very great meanes to glonfie S&gft 
 ' God:inwhichregard Wj«M B»f§ M**> WffiJ gkWf 
 
hefeech thee give glory to the Lord god oflfrdel, And make cox* 
 fejfion unto him: andjhew mee what thou hap done y hide it not 
 ftow me. Now if any require, how we by this meanes /hould 
 glorifie God: I anfwer, that we give him the glory : firft, of 
 his truth, in acknowledging that which his word chargeth 
 upon us: fecondly, of his Iuftice, if he fhould proceed againft 
 us: and thirdly, ofhis mercy, in that we thereby imply, we 
 have hope that he will forgive us. For, if we did expecl no fa- 
 vour,we ihould never difcpver our filthy nakedneffe before 
 the eyes of the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth. Sith 
 then, that without this confefiion there is no promifemade 
 unto us,no found repentance in us, no ability to refill: corrup- 
 tion for the time to come:and wherefoever this isfon the con- 
 trary fidejit puts life into our prayers,and bringeth honor un- 
 to Gods name;the point is deere and evident, that this con- 
 feifion is fo neceffarie, that without it,there is no mercy to be 
 looked for from God. 
 jrfc i '; W hich maketh for the j uft reproofe and condemnation of 
 
 thole that faile in thisdutie. They pretend they would faine 
 have God to pardon their finnes, but they will bring no bill of 
 inditement againft themfelves;pnely in generall they will ac- 
 knowledge themfelves to be finners as they are,bnt will grow* 
 to no particulars at all.They have fome wit and skill to fet out 
 other mens fins to the view of the world, in every branch and 
 circumftarice thereof: fo that, many times they make them 
 greater in appearance than they are indeed : but come to any 
 offence of their owne,and if you cannot prove it,they will not 
 Rote. confeffe it: if you can prove it, they will excufe it; It was not 
 
 long of them/uch andfuch provoked them, or intifed and al- 
 lured them : but that would not ferve Adams turne, that Eve 
 perfwaded him to eate of the forbidden fruit : neither would 
 that cleere Ahah 9 xhzt Ie^abels hand was chiefe in the murde- 
 ring and robbing of Naboth .They ihould rather haveharkned 
 to Gods voice, than unto the wicked counfels and perfwafi- 
 ons of any:and if they had any worke of Gods fpirit in their 
 hearts,they would charge themfelves & not others.For grant 
 that the occafions of their fall were from others, yet the caufe 
 was in themfelves, even their owne curled corruption, and 
 
 rebellious 
 
to the Lords Suffer. 3 1 
 
 rebellious difpofition. And therefore their labouring to put off 
 the blame and fhame of their fins upon others, evidently pro- 
 claimed that they have not an underftanding mind,nor a bro- 
 ken and humble and penitent heart. And the like may be faid 
 of thole that howfbever they will come to arecitall of divers 
 mifdeineanors, either before God or men,or both:as the qua- 
 litie of their offences require : yet they doe it fo flightly and 
 coldly, that though they name particulars, it is fure they are 
 not touched with them: fuch a cold confeffion will bring as 
 cold con(olation;tbeir faint and carelefle fuing for pardon> is 
 the next way to procure them a deniall. 
 
 Secondly, this is for inftruttion, 'that we doe our bell: in- yr e 2 } 
 deavour to learn e this Art of acknowledging our fins aright : 
 let us leave off aggravatmg of other mens faults, andpafle a 
 hard cenfure and fentenceupon our owne: for that will pro- 
 cure us moft favoured the largeft meafure of mercy from the 
 Lord. 
 
 With earthly Judges, the more is confeffe^ Jvp»M«lcfe-i\fof^-. 
 &or,tne worle h in \\M y *«. e <,c witn ninr.but it is other wife 
 with the great Heavenly Iudge: the larger and freer our con- 
 feffion is,theeafier and furer andfpeedicrftiallour remiffi- 
 on be: If wee iudge our [elves ^ voejhallnotbe condemned of the 5 Q Qt f ^ 
 Lord. ' ' 
 
 Now to the intent we may perf orme this duty the better, 
 it will not be amiffe to fet down fome rules for our dire&ion 
 herein. 
 
 We muft know therefore that in found confeffion, thefe Ru],^^ 
 dungs are requifite : fcflJon. 
 
 5 1 That it proceed from a good roote. 
 4 2 That it be performed in a good manner. 
 
 1 For the firft : if the root be rottrn and corrupt, the fruit 
 fpringing from thence, cannot but be diftaftefuli to the 
 Lord. 
 
 Now, that the root may be found, thefe things muftbee 
 looked unto in our confeffion. 
 
 1 That it proceed from ahatred of finnc, 
 From hope of mercy, 
 
 1 Con- 
 
 i 
 

 The root of 
 confrffion. 
 
 Jtmuftpio. 
 cccde. 
 
 3.2; Thefirfl Sermon 
 
 1 Concerning the former ,wherefbever the hatred of fin is 
 wanting fas it was in Saul and Pharaoh y when they made ac- 
 knowledgement of their offences) it is plaine that the parties 
 confeffing are not v/eary of their fins, but of their plagues, as 
 Pharaoh was: that their acknowledgement proceedeth not 
 from inward remorfe for their faults, but from fome fudden 
 pafTion,and from the force of their naturall Confcience; as in 
 
 * Saul it is evident : for both of them fell prefently to their old 
 
 From hatred or __.„.!„ „„ 1 _„.„;*„ rt „„:„^ „„ a ..~«-m«.., a ,j «»;**. a,„ tv^ +~ *-V.~fV 
 
 done. 
 
 When & why 
 hypocrites 
 
 cofl&flc. 
 
 works and waies againe, and returned with the Dog to their 
 vomit,and with the Sow to their wallowing in the mire;and 
 fo it is with many : when the fnares of death lay hold of them, 
 or fome heavy plague lyeth upon them, or the flafhings of a 
 guilty Confcience begin to fcorch them, they are in great per- 
 plexity andanguifh, even at their wits end, and know not 
 what to doe, nor what courfeto take for the obtaining of 
 fome eafe : And then even as a Dog that hath overgorged his 
 fiomack,will vomit up that which paineth and troubleth him: 
 €0 will they in like cafe vomit out fome pafllonate confeffion: 
 looke what commet'n mil tw tk<?iV minds, and molt troubleth 
 and frighteth them,out it fhall to one or other.But as the Dog 
 when he is eafed of his former paine, will return again to his 
 lothfome vomit,and eate up that which before he had rid his 
 ftomackeof:fo will they betake themfelves to their old cu- 
 dome and fafriion of life againe,and fall to the frefli praclife of 
 thofe odious aud monftrous evils which upon the bed of their 
 ficknefte, or in the day of their heavineffe, they in a word ac* 
 fcnowledged and renounced as vile and abhominable. If now 
 of Dogs they had beene made fheepe, they would ne /er have 
 lapped up their filthy vomit againe, that were enough to 
 poyfon a ftieepe, thatpleafcthaDog. 
 
 And as Saul and Pharaoh dealt, fo did the Ifraelites in the 
 fame fort: when the wrath of God lay heauy upon them,4W 
 dm o he confumedtheirdaies in vanity ,and their yeeres in mournings 
 
 * ?-'**' &c* they returned and fought God early: But how? theyflatte m 
 red with their mouth, & dijfembled with him with their tongue , 
 For their heart was not uf right with him, neither were ^they 
 faithfullin his Qovenant. 
 
 When miferie preffed fore upon them, then they feemed to 
 - C*J1 
 
 Note, 
 
tfthe Lords Swpperl 3 3 
 
 fall out with their finnes, whereas in truth they fell out onely 
 with their crofles, as the effecT fhewedjn that when their dj« 
 ftrefles were over, they finned fHll againft Gc^pBra provoked 
 the molt Higb,by their rebellions. 
 
 This then is the firft thing neceflarily required when wee : %{h 
 make our Confefllon^that it proceed from a hatred and in* 
 dignation againft our fins, and againft our fdves for the fame, 
 2, Corinth. 7. 11. 
 
 A fecond thing is, that it niuft come from hope of mercy : ^ 
 
 V or,if that be wanting,our confefling will but be a witneffing F rom no pco/ 
 againft ourfelves for our deeper condemnation. And God mercy, 
 may /uftly fay unto us, as he did to that unprofitable fervant 
 in the Gofpd^Out of thine own mouth -will I condemn theefhoa f f^ke io>n: 
 evill fervant. If we plead guilty, and doe not fue for a par- 
 don(as we will never if we be deftitute of hope)our cafe is Co 
 farre from being made better.that it is a great deale worfe.Z*- 
 das confefied that he had finned,betraying innocent bloud;yea 
 & madereftitutionalfo:butitwas wrefted from him through 
 the horror of his Confcience, &thefearenallapprehenfion of 
 Gods wrath,beating upon his finfull heart : and therefore not 
 expecting any mercy for bis hainous offence>he never offered 
 any prayer to God, but made a quicke difpatch of himfelfe. 
 Whereas,ifhisconfeffionhadbeene joyned wiriihopeoffa- 
 vour,he would have fallen to mourning and lamentation for 
 his finne>and fo to an earneft craving of pardon for it. Thus 
 VJ^t^ what is the root of found Confeffion.' 
 
 Itfollowethtobeconfidered, how it may be made in a ^ 
 
 good manner. The manner of 
 
 And the firft thing in that is, that we confeffe heartily and confeffioa. 
 fincerely with forrow and mame, that we have provoked fo ' 1 
 
 gracious a God: So did the Publican, when he fmote upon his * c mUft be 
 bread, and fiid, Lord be merciful! unto me afinner. Ana fo did i^\ 
 Sphraim: of whom the holy Ghoft fpeaketh in this manner. ux^ t \ X \\%. 
 I heard Ephraim lamenting thus: thou haft correcled mee 3 and I 
 was chafiifed as an untamed C alfe y &c. Surely after that Icon* 
 verted, /repented: and after that I was infiruttedj fmote upon 
 my thigh: I was aflamed, yea, even confumed, becaufe I did 
 heare the reproach of my youth \ Where it is declared, 
 
 D that 
 
„4 The firfi Sermon 
 
 that after they had been long and grievoufly affli&ed, and be- 
 gan at length to be foundly humbled, they did not onelyiee 
 and acknowledge thirfinnes, but were vexed and troubled, 
 and even confounded at the confideration, and in the confek 
 fion of them; yea, even of the follies and vanities of their 
 youth,contrary to this praclif e of theirs,is the cuftome of ma- 
 ny, who will reckon up and recount their feverall iniquities 
 before the Lord; but they doe it fo idkly and drowfily as if it 
 were nothing to offend him. Whereas if a child fhouldcome 
 with fuch a rude and bold confeffion of his faults to his pa- 
 rents; or awifefpeakefofleightly of her unchafte and un- 
 holy behaviour before her Husband, they would diflike the 
 Drowfi* con,, confeffion of the faults, as well as the faults themfelves: and 
 fcffion hateful, all that heard them would cry out upon them, there is an im» 
 pudent Wife, and a graceleflechilde. And we muftnot con- 
 ceive then, that God will be pleafed with fach lame and mai~ 
 med Sacrifices. Let none be deceived, God will not be moc- 
 ked .-he pronounceth him accurfed,whofoever he be that doth 
 Icr. 48. 2. the worke of the Lord negligently. 
 
 a A fecond thing to be obferved in the manner of it is? that 
 
 ft muftbc par- we confeffe not our fins in the lumpe only, and by whole fate 
 *&^*\\ fi° d ° f as xt w.ercbut that we bring before his holy eyes our particu- 
 39«ci8JJ finDeSi lar and fpeciall fins, which will be to us a teftimony of great 
 uprightnes;for we are naturally prone, either to content our 
 felves with a generality of Confeffion, that we are great fin- 
 N hi «w- ners? ^ ^ e merc ^ u ^ unt0 us > & c. which we may do for 
 luptiojr S "our credit, becaufe we fhould be efteemed penitent perjfbns s 
 or if we come to particulars, we will rather meddle with any, 
 than with our beloved fins, which are fo deepely rooted, that 
 we muft breake up the fallo we ground of our hearts, and put 
 our felves to paine before we can be purged from them. This 
 therefore argueth great fincerity, when we can bring our ca- 
 pital! and head finnes to arraignement; as the hotyApoftle 
 iTim.M3» Pan I did, when once hee was throughly converted: I was 
 (faith he) a blafphemer^ andaperfecuter^ and an opprcjf or. And 
 Ezra 6. liftewife Ezra,yj\\o acknowledged in the behalfe of the peo- 
 
 ple their maine great finne of marrying ftrange wives, whofe 
 praclifeifwe can follow, wefhall have that good evidence 
 
 of 
 
[efthe lords Suffer. J* 
 
 of foundnefle and uprightneffe in ourfoules that fey Had. 
 
 7 Thirdly this makes for the fingular comfort or Gods &}< 
 Children, that can particularly aggravate their beret finnes, 
 that no body in the world can touch them for : their beloved 
 fnnes which heretofore they would not for a Kmgdome 
 have parted from. That ho malicious revengeful! wicked 
 mancanfofet out the faults of his enemy, whom hee hates 
 with a deadly hatred, as they can the corruptwns of their 
 owne hearts and lives. _ 
 
 Thisisafienethat their Confciences are touched by the 
 holy Spirit ofgrace,whofefpeciall and proper workeitis, to 
 couvincethe heartof finne, John Mill. Such have 
 Iowlymindcs,andbrokenhearts. - The Law may make one 
 confeflehisfaultstomeninapaffion, but itcannever make 
 amanlay them openbeforeGodin 'true contrition-: thatis 
 
 aworkeofthefpitit of IefusChnft. Let fuch goeon (till, 
 and they mall finde good fucceffe; We are given to fpeake #«$ 
 the worft of our adverfanes,and to fet forth their vile pradh- 
 fes to theuttermoft, before fuch are able and ready to take 
 them downe: what greater enemy have we than (inner And 
 where can we complaine better than unto the living God, 
 who is of infinite mercy to pardon, and of infinite power to 
 fibdue our greateft and ftrongeft corruptions ? Let us make 
 our moane to him, andhe will have companion on us^ foe 
 he knoweth our hearts, and the venome and ftrength of our 
 corruptions, better then we ourfelves doe; and if we con- 
 feflethemheartily, particularly, and conftantly beforehim, 
 he hath given us two pawnes,to wit,fus faithtulnefle, and his 
 Iuftice, for the remiffion and fuppreffion of them : If hee 
 fhouldnotforgiveus.andhealeour natures whenweehave 0DI * 
 done our part, lie flnould forfeit his Truth and his ru.fice, 
 whichcannotbechanged, but contmuethe fame for ever- 
 
 [eSfndferfaketb the wfJThis muft.and will follow upon the 
 former: and this offcreth unto usjanother point of Doctrine, 
 namely: that, ,<_ u 
 
 Itisnotjufficienttoconfeflefinne, butwetrtift alio leave d«?,1. 
 
 audforfakeit. 
 
 ^ Ds We 
 
%6 The fir ft Sermon 
 
 Sinne eiuft be yVe mu ft renounce and abandon the allowance of every ia- 
 
 S»3S& firmit y> and the P raaife of ever y S rof]fe finne - 
 
 Ted. This, as it is commanded by the Prophet Ifoiab ,\vho faith, 
 
 H" a y« W7« ■£** ^ wicked ferfake his waics, and the ungodly his owne ima- 
 ginations ', &V... So was it praclifed by thofe worthy and excel- 
 lent Converts, mentioned in the . Atls of the Apofiies y who 
 did not onely acknowledge their vile and naughty praclifes, 
 but to fhew their thorowdetcftation of them, and their re- 
 fblution to forfake them, brought their curious Bookes and 
 burnt them openly, though the price of them amounted to a 
 great value: that fo,thofe that had been witneffes of \ their Cm, 
 
 Not** might alfo be witneffes of their Repentance : and that nei- 
 
 ther themfelves nor others might be infe&ed by thofe Books 
 •afterwards : and that thofe whofe hearts were not yet tou- 
 ched with remorfe for that finne, might by their example be 
 drawne to.a did ike of it,and to hearty forrow and repentance 
 for it. 
 
 And that a found; confefFion, and a holy reformation goe 
 rogether,might be further proved,by the examples of David, 
 q£ Peter and of PW,which were formerly alledged,who ha- 
 ving once made acknowledgement of their fins, never fell to 
 committing ofthem any more. And reafon will fhew the 
 
 Mm/ens , (^oi e more fully and cleer ely : for, 
 
 1 I Firft, if there be not a leaving of fin,fure itis,there is no 
 Without rcfor- found Repentance: for, if there wer z the thoro w-hatred and 
 
 bno°^dre. un ' a ^! E ^ f ' orrow ^ :)r finne (before mentioned; it would kill 
 pentance. the fame at the very root, and then it would dye aifo in the 
 branches. 
 
 2 2 This redxeffing ofa mans waies, as well as confefUng of 
 No faith.-. j^ faults, it is .very needfull, becaufe otherwife one can haue 
 
 no affurance that he hath Faith;for that purifies the heartland 
 
 Ms i?, 94 if the heart be cleane,all that proceeds from it will beanfwe- 
 
 rable thereunto. A pure fountaine cannot fend forth impure 
 
 ftreames. 
 
 3 3 Further, hee may be certaine, that the Spirit of Chrift 
 
 There urot dwelsnotinhishearttfor wherefocver that takes porTefTion, 
 
 %hc SpuJt. j$ expels finne, and will notfufter fuch filthy ware to reft in 
 
 thatroome where it doth remaine : and if it be not in the 
 
 Ware- 
 
of the Lords Supper. j 7 
 
 Warefooufe ic cannot be brought forth into the Shop. 
 
 This ferves for thereproofe ofthofe,that fay,and will ftand yft x % 
 to it,that they have repented, and do repent daily : and why? 
 they confefle their finnes everyday. But have they mended 
 their faults that they have fo often confefled? Nay, they cannot 
 lay fo : though they repent every day,they mend no day;then 
 let tloem looke for no mercy. Bur to come more nearely to 
 inch kinde of men; they affirme they have acknowledged their j^ ote 
 fwearing andblafpheming: their drunkennefTe, and (willing: 
 their brawling and contending : their rayling and reviling of 
 mch as are better than themfelves : they have confefled thefe 
 and the like to be great faults, and havebeenefbrrowfull in 
 their hearts for them : but have they left thefe foule finnes? O 
 no, flefia and bloud is weake -> and all have their infirmities, 
 and (b have they infirmities. Nay,thef e are grofle prefumptu- 
 ous evils,andfuch as howfoever being weighed in the ballance 
 of the fleih , they feeme light ; yet being weighed in the bal- 
 lance of the San&uary, they will be found fumcient to prefle 
 them downe unto the pit of hell, if they ceafe not from the 
 practice of them . And where they fay that flefh and bloud is 
 weake,let them know,that if they be but flefti and bloud,they 
 can never enter into thekingdome of heaven. They that are 
 Chrifts, have crucified the flefti with the lufts and aflfe&ions 
 thereof: neither are wee any longer debtors to thefle/b, to live ^ora.s,; 
 according thereunto : but we muft mortifie the deeds oftheflefb 
 By the Spirit : that howfoever finnewill Ml remaine in us, 
 yet it may not raigne in our mortall W*<?/,that we mould obey 
 it in the lufts thereof, or that our members (bould be weapons Rona.tf 
 ofunrighteiufnejfe for the execution of evill any more. And 
 this we may boldly fay , that whofoever liveth in thofe fore- 
 named finnes, or the like, never yet knew what repentance 
 for finne,and found confeilion of finne, meaneth. And there- > 
 
 fore what good conceit foever fiichhave of themfelves , they 
 do but flatter themfelves, and diffemble , and fpeake with a 
 double heart. If they have had fome gtipings for their fcanda- 
 lous and finful manner of living,and thereupon have caft forth 
 fome peece of a confeflion, the beft that they can make of it,is 
 but this, that they have beene Dogge-ficke(as was fhewed -°^s e ^kc* 
 
 D 3 before) / 
 
* 3 Thefirft Sermon 
 
 before ) and fo difgorged their ftomackes of that that pained , 
 them: not in any hatred of the things (for they return to their 
 vomiteagaine)butindefire to be exempted and freed from 
 thofe bitter pangs andhellifh tortures which they finde in 
 their foules. At moil; they are but as the Sow that hath beene 
 waihed,feeing that they returne to their old filthines. There 
 • hath beene onely a change of the outfide, none at all of the in- 
 fide: for, if their nature had beene altered and renewed, their 
 words and works would have been reformed,and that not for 
 a fit, but for ever, in the whole courfe of their carriage after- 
 wards.They might indeed now and then meet with a rub,and 
 ftumblefometime*, but their walkefor the mod part, ftiould 
 be in the wayes of godlineffe ; and though they did fall, they 
 pkj . fhould rife againe, becaufe the Lord would put under his hand. 
 
 Therefore let all men carefully look unto themfelves:if they 
 Note* w ere fwearers before the Sacrament, and be fwearers ftill : if 
 
 idle perfbns, unthrifts, fcoffers, &c. before they come to the 
 Word,and continue to be fuch ftill, their cafe is fearefull. Let 
 them be afraid how they ftand in the courts of Gods houfe to 
 heare;and how they draw neere to the Lords Table to receive 
 the holy things of God. For if they come not to be helped - 
 gainft thofe grievous finnes which heretofore they have lived 
 in,let them know,they fhall finde no mercy :and if they finde 
 »• not mercy, they fhall be fure to meet with judgement : they 
 
 fhall not miiTe of one. And howfoever they may bragge that 
 they truft to be faved as well as the bed, when their lives are 
 as bad as the worft;yet they fhall find at the time oftteath and 
 when the horrible terrors of their guilty confeiences fhall fur- 
 prife them ,that all fuch boafting hath been vaine:and that true 
 repentance confifts in a change of the life without, as well as 
 of the heart within : and then if they have not forfaken their 
 finnes, they fhall be in danger, and in feare to go from the bit- 
 ter pangs of death to the everlafling paines of hell. 
 yr e 2 1 . In the fecond place, feeing it is fo dangerous to make (em- 
 
 Meanci to at- blance that we are touched with repentance for finhi.ll cour- 
 tage torcfor- fes,when we proceed not to a reformation of the fame, there- 
 madon. f or€ - lt behooves us to ufe all good meanes , whereby we may 
 
 attaine to this reformation s fuch as are thefe that follow; 
 
 I :FirfL; 
 
' of the Lords Supper. g j 
 
 i Fir ft, we muft conftantly aiad carefully avoid all the occa- l 
 fionsofthofefins which we pretend that we have been hum- *?c°oL»( cc " 
 bled for. Ifone would not be aGamefteranymore, lethim cn \i su 
 avoid the company of Gameftcrs : ifone would not be over- 
 taken with incontinency & intemperancy,or the like, let him 
 never frequent fuch places , nor aflfociate himfelf e with fuch 
 perfons, as that any temptation fhould by fuch meanes be of- 
 fered unto him. Our nature is as Tinder : ifothers do but caft Our prone- 
 the leaft fparkeupon us, we are in danger to take fire prefent- n <^ eofi mc 
 ly :and therefore as we will not fet flax,or any fuch combufti- 
 ble rhatter neere the Chimney, for feare of the worft : fo let 
 not us adventure to thruft our (elves into anyplace where 
 there is perill of infection : but bee /ealousofourfelvesinef- 
 oiewing all inducements, as unto any, Co efpeciaily unto our 
 iwne finnes,and thofe vices that we are mod prone unto. 
 
 Secondly,as we ought to forbeare all meanes of evill,fo we * 
 nuft ufe all means ofgoodnes: not one or two of the meanes, vfe aJ1 me * af « 
 wit every one of them in their places : for otherwife if we re- of S oodnc(rc - 
 /fafe all of them,or any of them, it is a righteous judgement of 
 I God that we fliould live and die in our fins. Therefore let us 
 give our felves to reading, if we can; to hearing, ifwQ cannot 
 reade,and to meditate on the Word : chiefely on fuch places 
 as make mod againftour owne corruptions; faft,pray,receive 
 the Sacrament, ufe godly conference, and then ufing thefe 
 meanes confcionably, we (hall finde that everyone or them 
 will workefome Grace, and minifter unto usftrengthand 
 vertue againft our fpeciall fins,and all rightly ufed, will make 
 us conquer ours over all our finnes. 
 
 Thirdly, if at any time we be overtaken by infirmity (as 3 . 
 
 who is not often? for in many things we offenda/f)tet us lament mldwfpccdijy 
 and bewaile our orTences,and that prefently upon the com m i t- \ tm 3 , , 
 ting of them :foriffinne be quickly and heartily lamented, 
 thecoude thereof will be fpeedily flayed, and we fhall ga'ine 
 by an infirmity, which is by that meanes foundly healed. For 
 our experience of our owne weakncfie , and fo our humility 
 will be encreaied : our difcerning of the fubtleties of Satban, 
 and the deceitfulnefle offinne, and our care and wretchfiilnes 
 to refift it hereafter, will he thereby augmented. 
 
 D 4 Fourthly, 
 
4 o The fir ft Sermon 
 
 4 Fourthly and laftly, if none of thefe meanes will ferve the 
 
 Covenant with turne, we muft binde our felves by a foiemne vow and cove- 
 God ro fighi nant t0 labour and ftrive againft our principall and moft dan- 
 
 agamaour p erous C ormption$;and to abandon them whatsoever become 
 matter finncs> o r ■-» 
 
 of us. And though we may be tempted , and that often and 
 
 ftrongly,yet we muft refblve (by Gods grace) never to yeeld 
 unto them againe. If we could thus earneftiy fet againft our 
 finnes, Sathans affaults would be nothing (o ftrong : for if we 
 lames 4- 7. did manfully refift the Djvell, he would flie from us like a Co- 
 ward : and his inftruments feeing us refolute, would hav^no 
 heart to meddle with us , and if we mould fall once or cwice 
 afterwards, the breach of our vow would fo pierce & wojind 
 our hearts, that it would make us much ftronger againft new 
 Not?, aflaults. And the true reafbn why the Divell is (b violent ii 
 
 tempting, and we fo weake in refifting, is, becaufe we hanj 
 ofr'and halt betweene two opinions as it were, and havefuci 
 faint refolutions of f orfaking our finnes, and do feldbme anl 
 fleightly make covenants for the reprefiing of them. 
 Vfc 3 , Thirdly, this is for exceeding great comfort unto thofe of 
 
 c~ Gods children that have attained to fuch a meafare of found 
 godly forrow,that for then great and grofTe finnes, they have 
 (by Gods mercy ) Jeft them all, fo that they would not com- 
 mit them againe for a thoufahd worlds. This is an infallible 
 token of an upright heart,and fuch may be fure that they have 
 a portion in the mercies of God , which he promifeth to his 
 chofen people, who confeffe and leave thir finnes. 
 Objeftion. Oh, but they finde many paffions and infirmities ftill. 
 Anfocr. ' Beitfo:yetiftheyceafetolovethem, and to give enter- 
 tainment to them, all is well. For prefiimptuous and ofFenfive 
 evils, we muft ceafe v to pracTife them : but for humane frail- 
 ties, it is impoflible that the moft penitent man ftiould be 
 How to dif- quite freed from them. If our hearts check us,and we defire to 
 finnes are V t' ^ ave ot ^ ers re P rov ^ us,and ufe the meanes before fet downe, 
 fraiities. whereby more Grace may be every day conveyed unto us, 
 
 though we be overtaken many times , as a Bird in the marc, 
 before we be aware, and have a fudden flaming in our affefti- 
 ons , that is ready to fhew forth it felfe in our outward ani- 
 ons; yet our hearts are found and fincere notwithstanding: 
 
 neither 
 
of the Lords Sapper. " 4 1 
 
 neither fhould we keepe from our fbules that comfort which 
 doth belong unto us. 
 
 [Shall finde mercy .*] Here is the promife of God upon our 
 obedience : and this we may be affiired of. Whence the Do- 
 flrine is : 
 
 That whatfoever we have beene,or whatsoever our finnes j) ll t 4* 
 havebeene, ifr we can bring confeffion and reformation, we j^ crc y tor the 
 ihall finde mercy: God will pitty us, and have compaflion on penitent, 
 us (as the word fignifieth.J 1 . Firft, we fhall have remiffion Wherein it 
 offmnes. 2. Secondly,the healing thereof,that we fhall never confifts ' 
 be under the bondage of it any more. 3 . Thirdly, the Lord 
 will accept of us, and of our fervices^ and make all the meanes 
 comfortable and profitable unto us. When we come to the 
 Miniflery, he will write his Lawes in our hearts. When we 
 tome to the Sacrament,we fhall not onely receive the blefled 
 Bread & Wine,but we fhal have communion with the Sonne 
 if God. When we offer up our prayers,God will hearein hea- *. Cor * l ° l 
 yttu and have mercy upon us, and fulfill our hearts defire. All 
 /thefe things are promifed in the Covenant fee downe E^ek^ 
 I 36.25. and fere.i 1. 31. as alfoi/k.i. 1 8. which Text is hand- 
 led in the next Sermon ; and therefore to that place, the larger 
 handling of this peint (hall be referred. Onely a word or two 
 for the ufe of it. . ' 
 
 Which is for very great confolation unto Gods Servants; Vfe* 
 who need not be difcouraged by any of their former fins, but 
 may make full account, that if they have acknowledged their 
 evill works , and cleanfed and redreffed their finfull wayes, 
 God will be (nay is already Reconciled unto them. When the 
 prodigall Sonne refolved to come home unto his Father, and r^ke it*. 
 to take new wayes,and though he had been an unthrift before 
 yet he would now mend and reforme all : his Father never 
 charged him with old matters, neither needed he becaufe he 
 charged himfelfe. If an earthly Father will and (hould'deale 
 thus,how much more will the Father of all mercies deale gra- 
 cioufly with his children, that humble themfelves before him 
 and remove their fins out of his fight: eipecially fith the grea- 
 ter mercy he (heweth to his owne children, the more glorie 
 he (hall gaine to his owne Name, 
 
 There- 
 
a Z The fecond Sermon 
 
 Therefore let us makeftitt reckoning that we (hall not on- 
 ly meete with Gods Minifters at the meanes , but with God 
 himfelf who will pardon that which is paft;and confirme and 
 ftrengtben us unto every good worke for the time to come: 
 who will give us the power of godlineife, & the life of grace: 
 who in a word will grant us (and there confirme his grant 
 unto us J the right unto, and ufe of all his mercies & bleflings 
 whatfoever, with the removall of all hurtfutl crofies. When 
 the firft Adam did but once eate of the forbidden fruit, it was 
 enough to infedl him and all his pofterity, though there were 
 but one threatning annexed to it, and none did tafte of it but 
 he alone. And why fhould not we expecl on the other fide, 
 that when our feconde^^w, IefusChrift, hath eaten of the 
 commanded fruit, and hath fan&ified it unto us by his exam- 
 ple,word and prayer ,and annexed many promifes unto it,and 
 we our felves alfo do often receive it 2 why (I fay) fhould not 
 we beleeve that it (hall be more fufficient and forcible to mi- 
 nifter holinefle and happineffe unto us , than was the forbid 
 ded fruit, to bring finne and mifery upon us ? efpecially fince 
 it is certaine,that none ever fped ill at the Sacrament,but they 
 that came with ill and hypocriticall hearts thereunto : and a$ 
 every ones confeffion and reformation hath beene more 
 found and faithfull,andhisrefolution to cleave 
 unto God more firme and conftant •• fo 
 his comfort hath been more large 
 and durable. 
 
 THE 
 
■■mmmmsm 
 
 THE 
 
 SECOND SERMON 
 
 ofthe Lords Supper. 
 
 Isaiah i. 
 Ver. 1 6. Wafbyoujnakeyou cleane: take away the evillofyour 
 works from your eyes : ceafe to do evilly 
 
 1 7 Learne to do well: feeke judgement Relieve the opprejjed* 
 judge thefatherleffe, and defend the widow i 
 
 1 8 Come now y . and let ns veafon together , faith the Lord, 
 though your finnes were as crimfonjUey Jhallbe made as white as 
 fnaw\ though they were red like fear let ^ they JhaU be as wo oil. 
 
 1 9 If ye confentto obey , yefbaUeate the good things of the 
 Land* 
 
 N the former part of this Chapter, the Pro- 
 phet hath charged thefelewes, that though 
 they carried the name of Godschildrea, and 
 of Gods people ; and thought themfelves in 
 very good cafe, yet they were indeed nota- 
 ble Traitors and Rebels againft him ; which 
 rebellions of theirs isfet out by two comparisons: for firft,he 
 compares them with the Oxe and the Ane , which though 
 they be ofthe dulleft fort of creatures, y et the one knowes and 
 remembers his owner ; and the other his Mafters cribbe : and 
 where they have received kindnes, they will acknowledge it, 
 and do fervice for it. But thefe Iewes,though they had beene 
 fed at ml^and received innumerable bleifings from the Lord, 
 yet they were unmindfull of God,and of his favours, & more 
 unreachable, untraceable , and unferviceable than were the 
 OxeortheAffe, 
 
 They 
 
44 The fee ond Sermon 
 
 They confider not whencemor why,they bad thofe many 
 mercies which they enjoyed,and therefore did fervice there- 
 withjiiot to God, but to their ownelufts. 
 
 2 Secondly , having compared them to the dulled Beads, 
 an i proved them to be inferior unto thofe unreafbnable crea- 
 tures;Hc after makes companion betwixt them and the vileft 
 finners in the world; to wit, the Soaomites .• to whom they 
 were io like for their idlenes, pride, execfle, and cruelty, that 
 he cals them by that name,Z/Vr/<r i oXzy'm§\Heare the word of 
 the Lord, O ye Princes of Sodome: hearken unto the Law of our 
 God, O peofle of Gomorrah. 
 
 But againft this they might except, and fay to the Prophet, 
 you do us wrong in thus charging and vilifying us ; we are 
 other manner of people than you take us for,and would make 
 us ieeme to be : we have many things to commend us which 
 neither Beafts nor Sodomites have: for we offer multitudes of 
 Sacrifices, andobiervefolemnedayesand Feafts, c the new 
 Moones,and Sabbaths, and make many prayers,&c. 
 
 This he yeelds they did, but thence taketh advantage, and 
 doubleth his accufation againft them, turning all thefe things 
 to their deeper condemnation, ver. n. 12. 13. 14 what have 
 Zto do with the multitude of your Sacrifices, faith the Lord? I 
 amfuA of the burnt-offerings ofRamfy&c. IVhenjecometo af- 
 peare before me, who required this of your hands, to tread in my 
 Courts? Bring no moe Oblations invaine:Incenfe is anabhomi- 
 nation unto me: I cannot fufferyour new Moones^nor Sabbath*, 
 narfolemnedayes (it is iniquity) norfolemne Affemblies. My 
 faule hatethyour new Moones, &c. And there is reafon why 
 God mould thus abhorre both them and the worfhip they of- 
 fered untohim.'For (it is added) ver. 1 5 . when they ftretched 
 out their hands to prayer >their hands were full of bloud,thzt is, 
 they were full of revenge, full of cruelty and contention, and 
 therefore they muft needs performe thofe Religions Exercifes 
 hypocritically and carnally :in which refpecTthey were worfe 
 than Sodomites:ror they did but abufe their time to idlenefle, 
 their apparel 1 to pride : their Dyet to excefle, &c but the 
 Iewes abufed the Word , and the Sacrifices , and the Sab- 
 batJbs, and other ordinances of God : and therefore as much 
 
 as 
 
of the Lords Suffer] 45 
 
 as ipirimail things are better then naturall, Co much worfe 
 were they that prophaned the former, than the Sodomites that; 
 abufed the latter . 
 
 Thus having {hewed them how bad they were, he leaveth. Connexion* 
 them not here, but telleth them how all might be amended, 
 Verfe 1 <5. Wafiyou, make yon clean* ', &c .as if hee fhould have 
 faid, I have {hewed that you have polluted and defiled yoau 
 felves beyond the Sodomites,znd fo are become exceeding un* 
 cleane, and unholy; yet if you will take my advife,and follow 
 my counfell, I will fhew you a way how you fhall helpe all, 
 and that is, to wafh and cleanfe your feiues from this your fil-. 
 thinefle, by godly and hearty forrow for the (ame:and where- 
 as you will be ready to conceive that this is a matter eafily and 
 quickly done,I tell, you that it is other wife, and therefore bid 
 you ypajbyou, make you cleane: purge your hearts and youc 
 nands,and wafh and wafh,againe and againe:and never leave 
 ..Wafting till you have made yourfelfe -throughly cleane. 
 
 Then further, that they might not deceive thcmfelves, hee 
 ^eclareth unto them more particularly what fins they fhould 
 wafh away: Take away the evil of your work£S,&c .herein in- 
 cluding an anfvver to another objection, that the hearts of 
 iome might make, concerning their Sacrifices and their Pray- 
 ers,&c.before mentioned :for they might reply upon the Pro- 
 phet in this manner; you finde fault with our Oblation, and 
 tell us that God loathes our Sacrifices and fervices ;. what then 
 would you have us doe? fhould we leave offthefe workes of 
 Pietie, and quite give over ferving of God ? 
 
 Notfo (Taith the Prophet; J. but 7^?^^ the evil of your 
 •workes: doe the works ftill,but remove that which God hates 
 an themjretaine the matter, but reforme the manner of them. 
 Now, whereas fome might be fo fhamelelTe as to fay,we have 
 done fo already,and doe to {till : whocan charge us with the 
 evillofour works,or with hollo wnefle and bypocriliein the 
 performance of them ? 
 
 To that he makes anfwere in thefe words, Take away the 
 evil of jo frr works, (from- before mine eyes.) As if he ftiould fay, ^ , 
 
 if you might be judged by men, like your felves, you vvould 
 make a fair e (hew: but in religious exercifes you apptare be- 
 fore 
 
4 5 Thefeeottd Sermon 
 
 fore the Lord, who hath fiery eyes, and efpieth the leaft ble^ 
 mifh in our fervices: and therefore looke that he fee nothing 
 jn them difpleafingunto him: for other wife, howfoever men 
 fcommend you and your wotkes, God will re j eel both them 
 and you. After this he proceedeth, and iheweth, that if they 
 muft take away the evillor their beft works,much more muft 
 they defift from their evill works: and therefore he addeth, 
 Qeafe to doe e vill, ^ 
 
 And yet this is not enough, but he exhorts theiu further, 
 doe well-, and becaufe they were ill Scholars, and altogether 
 Vcrfc 1 7^ unskilfull in heavenly matters 3 he bids them [Jcarne to do we/Q 
 as who would fay , You are naturally witty to invent mifchiefe 
 and iniquity; but for good you have no wifedome, nor found 
 . underftanding, you know not what to doe, nor how to doe i 
 you have neither a good Iudgement,nor a pure a#e&ion,and 
 therefore learne to doe well. 
 
 Then for their better direction, he commeth to the parti- 
 cular, Seeks lodgement >&c. as if he fhould have told them m 
 more words; you have beene given to oppreffion hereto- 
 tofore, and have done much wrong to poore men , that could 
 not make good their part againft you : this hath beene your 
 finne, to deale craftily and imrighteoufly : but now take a bet-! 
 ter co\\vle;Seekg Ittdgement ,that is,labour to findeout what is 
 right; and when you know it, pra&ife it accordingly; and 
 deale with others, as you would be dealt withall : give over 
 your cruelty, and exercife mercy : and be fo farre from op- 
 preffing any more, that now yee relieve the opprefed: and fo 
 farre from doing hurt hereafter, that you for th-with ftrive to 
 doe good: efpecially tothepoere, andfuch asftandin moft 
 need ofyourhelpe and reiiefe: not fuch poore as by their 
 ownelewdneffe and mifdemeanor have call: themfelves, and 
 doe ftill plunge themfelves farther into miferie : but iudgethe 
 Father leffe y and defend the tviddow ;and ftretch forth your hel- 
 ping hand to relieve fuch as are moft worthy of it, and hare 
 moft need of it. 
 
 Having thus urged them to found Repentance, to the end 
 that they mighr have no pretence to keepe them from fet- 
 ting upon it; he removethcertaine doubts that might arife 
 
 in 
 
of the Lords Supper] 47 
 
 111 their, hearts to hinder them, Verfe 18, And before hee 
 commeth to them, hee maketh preparation thereunto, fay- 
 ing, Come, let us reafon together. As though he fliould fay,now 
 I have plainely proved that it {lands you upon to repent, and 
 have fliewed you how you {kould repent, I know youfhali 
 have divers reafons from your felves, and from the world 
 to the contrary: but hearken not what your flefh, or Sathan, , 
 or men can fay, but what God faith, fame, let us reafon to* 
 gether. 
 
 Now,the firfl Ob je&ion to keepe them from turning unto Oh]eBm?, 
 God fas may appeare by the anfwere here fet downe) is thisj 
 You have charged us to be worfe than Beads or S odontites ^o 
 be fiill of cruelty and bloud,and our confeiences tell us no lefles 
 feeing then we are funke Co deepe in our iniquities, it feemes 
 ©ur ftate is unrecoverable,and fo it is bootleffe for us to fet up« 
 ©n the worke of our repentance. 
 
 Nay (Taith he) notfb, for though you be fb ftained with Anpftrl , 
 finne and impietie, as I have faid; that not onely your hands, " 
 
 Ibut your foules & bodies,& all be wholly imbrued with blou- 
 ,dy and cruell dealing,& your fins be as red as Scarlet or Crim- 
 fon, which are double dyed, and dyed in the wool], fo that 
 youthinke it impoffible to be brought to any whitenefle and 
 pureneffe againe (as indeed,in regard of men,it is impoffible) 
 yet God is able to make you as -white asfnow. Albeit you have 
 received a double dye of finne, one in your conception, and 
 another in the whole courfe of your convention all your life 
 long: yet the Lord is of that power, that he is able to make 
 you as white as wooll. There is no fin fb hainous,no % finner fo - 
 abhominable, but upon his humiliation and converfion, he 
 can and will make him as cleaneandaspurej as juft and as 
 righteous as sAdam was before his fall, and as if he had never 
 iranfgrtfled at all Not that he fhall be without infirmities: 
 but in Gods account, and acceptance through Chrift, he fhall 
 be as pure as the Angels are now in heaven, or as he himfelfe 
 fliall be,when he is anheire of glory in that blefled kingdome. Pfal. pi 
 For wherefoeverfinnc is pardoned, there it is covered from 
 Gods eyes: he will except neither againft the greatnefle, nor 
 agajnft the multitude ohhQmibutwherefwneJhathahmded y ^ om » S* 20 « \ 
 
 grace • 
 
q$ The fecond Sermon 
 
 grace fbdll much more abound. So much for* the frrft Objecliofta 
 Oh'eStion " Thefecondmightbethis;if we fhouldgeta pardon for all 
 ± " our tranlgrefTions ,and be at peace with God, andourowne 
 confciences^yet the Law is fo perfecl,& we (b imperfect, that 
 fo-holy and pure,and we fo unholy,and impure: that we fliall 
 never hold out in a conftant courf e of obedience thereunto* 
 but fliall prefently fbule our felves againe, after that we have 
 beene wafhed; and therefore as good never a whit, as nevec 
 the better: as good never to beginne, as not to continue. 
 tsfftfaerl To that he anfwereth : that if tbey doe but confent 5 and 
 
 ff*r, ft 1 9, be willing to obey ( for fo it is in the originally) they (hall eat the 
 good things of the Land, Which is in errecl, as if he ihould have 
 faid : When once you have truely and thorowly repented 
 you are not any longer under the rigor of the Law,but undet 
 Grace: you come not to a rigorous and fevere Iudge, but to 
 a mercifull and kinde Father, that looks not for perfect obedi* 
 ence,but accepts of a minde that is willing to know and keep 
 the Commandements; who doth not require of penitent fin- 
 ners that . they fhould fulfill the Law (Tor that Chrift alone 
 could doe, and did in our behalfe j but onely that they ihouirl 
 labour & ftrive to doe their beft 3 and where they come fihort, ' 
 acknowledge their fault. And that God will take in good 
 worth this kind of obedience,he will teftifie and make cleere 
 not onely by befto wing inward bleffings upon the SouIe,but 
 alfo outward bleffings for their eftate. Ton Jhalleme the good 
 things of the Land. 
 
 r Ob\eUUn % ^ ut * n c ^ e ^^ pl ace > f° me might objecT: and fay, it were 
 well if we could frame.to be religious: but I hope God will 
 {hew mercy, though there be no fuch washing and fiich adoe 
 macle about our fins,and therefore I meane to take my liberty 
 ftiU,and never to trouble my felfe about the matter. 
 
 To this he makes anfwer,17^2 o. telling them that if they 
 refufe to obey, and to do the former duties >TheyJhall be devou* 
 redyvith the Sword: that is, they fliall have fomt fearefull 
 judgement or other to overtake and confume them; for un- 
 der that one particular of the Sword, is implyed any other 
 plague wherewith God would vifite them 3 if they perfifted in 
 their difobedience. And to prove all, he brings one maine 
 
 Argument 
 
efthe Ltrds Stiff irl 49? 
 
 Argument, The mouth of the Lord hathjpokenit. As if he had 
 faid: Though thofe that repent, fee little likelihood of reco- 
 verie, let them not defpaire:; and though thofe that be impe- 
 i!itent,fee little danger of an overthrow :yet let them not pre- 
 fume: (or the Lord will aflurcdly bring to parte that which 
 he hath promifed to the godly in mercy, and that which hee 
 hath threatned againft the wicked in judgement. 
 So that you fee the fumme of thefe words is, 
 An exhortation to repentance,and an offer of reconciliation 
 and falvation to all repentant tinners. Wherein is fhewed: 
 
 1 Firft, what they muft do e,to the i8.t/^.Namely,chat 
 they ought, 
 
 < 1 Bewaiie their finnes, and rorlake th em. 1 6* 
 C 2 Learne their duties, and doe them, 
 1 Secondly, reafons to ftirre them up fo to doe. 
 
 1 One,taken from the bene fit that will redound unto 
 |them,if they praclife the former things ; to wit,that they 
 mall be fure of the free and.ful pardon of all their finnes; 
 fand they and their fervices fkall be accepted and blefied 
 ofGod. 
 
 2 Another, taken from the danger they are in, if they 
 irehife to doe this; they fhali farely taftof fome feare- 
 ► full vengeance of God 3 Tee fhali bee devoured by .the 
 jSword. 
 tvajhyouy&c. In thefe words he alludeth to the cullome of 
 the Ceremoniall Law, mentioned in Exodus - y where God ex- 
 preflely commanded, that before the people fhould heare the 
 Law delivered from Mount Sinai, theyfbouldfmttifie them- Exod* [9 t* u 
 felvesy and wafh their cloathes . W hereby two things were 
 fignified: 
 
 1 Firft, that all in themfelves areuncleane, . and fo unfit to 
 prefent themfelves before the eyes of the holy God. 
 
 2 SecondlyjthatfnotwithftandingthisJ if they indeavour 
 to Wafh themfelves,theLord will be pacified towards them, 
 and receive both them and their fervices. Now this warning 
 which heexhorts them unto, is, that which was figured by 
 that outward warning & cleanfing of themfekes,and is to be 
 performed of all that hope for mercy from die Lctd : and this 
 
 E muft 
 
* o Thefecond Sermon 
 
 muft be done,by lamenting and grieving for their corrupt anct 
 fintuU nature and behaviour, whether againft God or men. 
 This is all the wafhing that we can attaine unto, or that God 
 looketli for at our hands.For to fpeake properly, nothing can 
 cleanfe us but Chrift his bloud, which is therefore called clean* 
 watery Ez>ekj 3 6". 2 5 . And none can performe that worke,but 
 God alone. And therefore in that place he appropriated that 
 jjuttfcAj, a&ion unto himfelfe,fay;ng; I wtllpoure cleane water upon 
 you, &c % From all your •filt hint jfc 9 and from all your Idols will? 
 cleanfeyou. 
 
 Here then the purpofe and drift of the Prophet is thus 
 
 much; namely, that we fhould /oyne with God as working 
 
 , Inftruments,in reforming our hearts, & redreffing our waies. 
 
 £ *i« Whence arifeth this point of Dodrine. That whofbever 
 
 ^cquiTcd cf 8 would have God to wafh them by the bloud of his Son, muft 
 
 *^ " wafh themfelves by godly forrow. 
 
 Before the Lord promifeth any cleanfing on his part, he re* 
 quireth this kind of purging on our part. This is cleare in the 
 3*m. 4,^9, Epiftle of lames \ where he urgeth them to draw neere unto the 
 Lord) ("to wit,in the Minifterie of the Word, in partaking of 
 the holy Sacra ment,in faithfull and fervent prayer,and the reft 
 of Gods Ordinances) and then he telleth them, that God will 
 draw ntere unto /^z*;namely,in his mercy and goodnefTe, and 
 in all the fruits and effect's thereof. But then they muft wafti 
 themfelves; for he is a God of pure eyes, and cannot indure 
 iniquity : and therefore he faith, Cleanfe your hands,yefinners 
 and ptr ge your he arts, ye Hypocrites .But they might reply and 
 % ,Ts it fo eafie a matter to cleanfe bur hearts and our hands ? 
 Doth not (in cleave faft,and fticke clofe unto thefoule. ? 
 
 It doth Co indecd:and yet if they would follow his dire&i- 
 on,he fheweth them a way how they might quickly be rid of 
 their corruptions, fo that they fhould not raigne over them, 
 though they did remaine in them; and that is, zAffiiltyour 
 felveSy and forrow andwcepe: let your laughter, and je fling, and 
 foclifbfporting) be turned into mournings? your joy , into heavi- 
 nejfe & lamentation for your iniquities & provocations, wherby 
 yonhave incenfed the Lord : And then, though they were 
 brought #ever & low ; yet if they begin to caft downe them- 
 felves 
 
of the Lords Sitfferl f% 
 
 felves before the Lord,he will affuredly raife thefitip,aa there 
 
 itfolloweth. 
 
 I This duty is further commanded in the Prophefie o£?ere- 
 
 mie, where he fpeaketh to the whole Church of the Iewes in 
 
 this manner: O Ierufalem, wajh thy heart from thy wickednefe, [ crCf4%r4 . 
 
 that thonmayeft befavedx How long fh all thy wicked thoughts 
 
 remaine within thee ? In which place is declared what they 
 
 muft wafti, even their hearts: For they being made cleane, 
 
 whatfoeverproceedethfrpm thence, muft needs be futable 
 
 thereunto.Secondly,from what they muft wafh them; from 
 
 their wic '^ednefe. And laftly,to what QnA;thatthey might be fa* 
 
 ved. As if the Prophet had told them in plainer termes: God is 
 
 readie to give you falvation and deliverance, both from your 
 
 finnes, and from your miferies;but your owne back wardneffe 
 
 hindrech good things from you: you doe not your duty, and 
 
 therefore God with-hoids his mercy : And therefore wajh 
 
 thine hearty O Ierufalem^ that thou maieft befaved. 
 
 And that they needed this wa(hing,he proveth by this evil! 
 fruit that did continually fpring out of their finfull heart, lay- 
 ing, How long JhaH thy wicked thoughts remain within thee? As 
 if he had faid : Ifyou doubt of the badneflfe of your hearts, 
 lookewhat thoughts you entertaine therein; in the night andl 
 in the day;when you are at home^ and when you are abroad; 
 on the way, as you ride or walke; on your beds, as you (leepe 
 or wake, &c. Confider how many vaine and idle thought?, 
 how many worldly and covetous defircs, how many luftfuli 
 and carnall, yea wicked and impious imaginations you have 
 fwarming,& as it were muftering together by whole troopes 
 and armies within your minds,and within your hearts;every 
 one of which is a fufficient fummons, to put you in minde to 
 cleanfe your foules :for if they were pure and undefiled, fuch 
 cogitations and affections would not be ftirring there,neither 
 fo often nor fo much as now they are. 
 
 TheProphet loelin like fort urgeth the fame upon thofe &f loci* js< 
 his time/aying^tf^/zr hearts and not your ctoaths,&c. But 
 how muft that bedone. ? he had told the in the verfe immedi- vcrC n« 
 ately going before ;Turne unto the Lordwith all your heart ,& 
 withfafiing^ with weeping>& with mourning! < which is thus 
 
 E a much 
 
Theefcaof 
 godly fortow. 
 
 Ezck«36.2j. 
 
 Zcch 
 
 12.10. 
 
 a Chron. J5< 
 3f« 
 
 Verfria. 
 
 2:ch ij.i. 
 
 ca The fecond Sermon 
 
 much in effeci| Vie all meanes to pec godly fbrrow, and hoiy 
 remorfe for finne; for that is it, that will bruife 'the heart in- 
 deed,and make it gentle & plyable:For as worldly griefe and 
 heavinefle doth harden the heartland maketh it like a Flint;fo 
 fpiritual griefe doth (often it,and makes it tender as flem: And 
 a fleflily heart isalwaies acleane heart,as doth appearein that 
 former place ofEz>ekieJ- y where foftnefle of heart is fet downe 
 as an t feci, that ever followeth upon the thorow cleanfing of 
 the heart. And as this is commended, fo the pra^ife thereof 
 is prophecied and foretold by Zachary, in his 12 % Chap, and 
 the good iflue and effect thereof declared in the 1 3 . Chap. As 
 touching the n>ft,Wemay readitin the 1 o,i 1,1 2,1 3,i4.ver- 
 fes of the former chapter;/ will pome upon the Houfe of David 
 ^faith God)and upon the inhabitants ofIerufalem } the Spirit of 
 Grace^&c.& they fhall lament>&c. Where we may note flrft a 
 the grievoumcfle of their mourning (when once Gods holy 
 Spirit hath entred into their hearts) in that they ihould make 
 fuch wofiill lamentation, as one would dot for hisonely Son s 
 and for his fir ft borne : Or as the Ifraelites did tovlofiah, their 
 godly 5 and zealous,and faithfull King and Governor, when he 
 Was flain by N echoing of *s£gypt>m. the valley o$Megiddo t 
 where Uremie & all the reft mourned for him with an excee- 
 ding bitter lamentation. And fecondly,we may note the fin- 
 cerity thereof,in that they fhould not weepe for company (as 
 an hypocrite may doe)but every one apart, andjecret, before 
 the Lord. For fo it is (aid, sAndtheLand fhallbewaile, every 
 family apart >the family of the houfe of David apart, and their 
 wives apart,the family of the houfe of Nathan apart ^ and their 
 wives apart ,&c. all the families that rcmaine y every family a~ 
 part, and their wives apart. 
 
 Then for the good efred that ftiould follow thereupon, ft is 
 contained & expreffed, Cftapi 1 $-verfe 1 .the words are thefes 
 In that day there fhall be a Fountain* opened to the ho^uje ofDa- 
 vid^andtfithe Inhabitants of l£rufalemfor-fin y andfqr unflean* 
 ncjfe* Whence it may be gathered, that when once we fall a- 
 wafLing in this fort. Wee (hall notion^ wafli alone^ut God 
 will joyne with us, and open a Fountaine of mercy unto us, 
 towaih away. all manner of ii#nes, whatfoever they are, or 
 
 have 
 
of the Lords Supper. $3 
 
 have becnc ;iand to give us grace inflead thereof. Andthi* 
 promifeismadenotonelytothe^^ of David, that is, to S eeChaj*.f. 
 itrong Chriftians; but atfo to the inhabitants of IerHfalem y xh.2£ for this inter- 
 is, to weaker Chriftians. Tillfuch time as wefinde this work predion, 
 of t he Spirit in us, albeit wee be of the number of Gods eled, 
 we have nothing to do with that Fountaine^no Key can open 
 it, bur this alone,of true and hearty greife andremorfe for our 
 cuiil worke^and wayes which are not good. 
 
 This point may be further confirmed unto us by plaine rea- 
 fons drawne from the Scriptures of God : for 
 
 1 Fir ft, there can be no ibund repentance without this re- Retfom. 
 ligious and holy mourning. Therefore, when Ephraimtell to N / / a °„ nd / € j! 
 repentance,God himfelfe witneffeth,that he heard him lamen- |£" f „£*• JL 
 ting and bewayling his former finfulnelTe, and the folly ofhis fcffianci 
 youth. Till then, though there bee many requefts for the ob- 
 taining of mercy, yet they proceed from the lips, not from 
 
 the heart ,• and till fuch time as men bee wounded in their 
 foules for their finnes, they and their prayers fliall be re/ ecled , 
 For, The Sacrifices of God are a contrite Jpirit ; a contrite and pfel ^ ?. 
 broken heart he-will not dtsfife.hnd when Davids finne trou- 
 bled him, and was ever before £/»*,being as painfull unto him, vcrfc s 
 as if his bones had beene broken in peeces, and the fplints 
 thereof runne into his fkfli ; then hee might boldly and com- 
 fbrtably befeech the Lord fas hee did : ) Wafomee throughly Vcrfc *. 
 from my finnes y &c Andagaine, Purge meewith ffope, and I Vcric 7. 
 (hall be cleane ; wajh me, and IJhallbe whiter thanfnow. For 
 then he might bee allured, that hee came not to God as an hy- 
 pocrite, with a double heart ; but as a true penitent perfon, 
 with a troubled heart. 
 
 2 Afecondreafbnto {hew the neceflity of this inward N p ^ 
 touch for finne, is, That without the fame it is impoffible we wit °houtic. 
 fliould have any Faith : for the promife is made ,0 them that 
 
 are weary oftheir corruptions, as a poore prifoner is ofhis 
 Boltsand irons ; even to them chat account finne to be r uk« 4.1 ?. 
 
 dage, and acaptivity unto the cC And none have any warrant 
 to come unto Chrift,but thofe that are weary and heavy Lidem M -tch. 1 1 4 % 3 
 If they feele not their (icknefle, the Lord lefm Chrtft is not 
 a Phyfician for their tu/ne : he will notbind up the wounds, 
 
 E 3 nor 
 
^a ? he fee ond Sermon 
 
 nor care the maladies of any, but of thofewho are touched 
 and pained with the fenle and feeling of the fame. 
 
 yfe i . For reproofe of thole men and women that are audacious 
 
 and venturous enough to come before God, and to preffe into 
 his pretence with thefe or the like requefts; Lord be merciful! 
 unto us, Lord wafli us from ail our finnes, &c. and yet they 
 themfelves never labour to make their hearts cleane , but ra- 
 ther cloake and cover,nay,excufe and defend their faults. Such 
 do but take the holy Name of God in vaine : They make not 
 prayers of Faith, that lhall prevaile for them ; but prayers of 
 finne,that mail ftand in record againft them, being finhill and 
 
 Match 15.8. abhominable in Gods fight : They draw neare with their iips, 
 but their he arts are farre from God;md therefore in vaine they 
 worfhiphim. 
 
 Hence it commeth to paffe , that many offer themfelves to 
 receive the Sacrament,the Seale of the eternall Covenanted 
 come to the Word, to heare the promifes oflife ; and yet de- 
 part without all comfort & affarance of Gods favour, becaufe 
 they never came with teares for their tranfgreftions and re- 
 bellions againft the Lord ; nor with that piercing forrow, 
 which would go asneere them , and be as effectual! in them, 
 as if they Hied abundance of teares : becaufe we will not do 
 the left* which belongeth to us, God will not do the greater 
 which pertaineth to him. 
 r Secondly, feeing God would have all to warn, thebeftas 
 
 W € 2# well as the worft; let us be inftrucled , if we would have fel- 
 
 lowship and communion with God, tofearch our hearts ; to 
 the intent we may findeout the hidden corruptions thereof, 
 and bewaile the fame with a found and earneft lamentation 1 : 
 And then if w e do but aske mercie, we mail have it • other- 
 wife not. For, if one of our Children have fallen into fome 
 great and grievous fault, w r e will not forgive him, till he flrft 
 humble himfelfe, as the Prodigal! Sonne did : if there be in 
 him no remorfe for the offence committed, but he continue 
 proud and ftubborne ftiil, the Father fhouid fpoyie hischilde, 
 if hee mould mew him favour ; the beft courfe hee can take 
 with him then, is to carry a heavy countenance towards him, 
 andaftraithandoverhim, that fo he may recover him, and 
 
 lave 
 
of the Lords Supper. $ 5 
 
 favehis foule. And even in like fort will God deale withus> 
 where he loveth moft,he will check and rebuke moft,till they 
 grow to that reformation which he requirecb, and aymethac 
 in their correction. 
 
 Now to the end we may the better get this holy affection Meanw 
 offorrow into our hearts, we mull: ufe all helpes needful! for 
 this purpofe. 
 
 And fir ft,becaufe it is a fupernatural work, we muft entreat j 
 
 the Lord,according to his promife, Zach. 1 2 . to put his Spirit Prayers for it. 
 into us,and thereby to ajollifie our ftony hearts,as he hath co- 
 venanted, Ezektl 6. Other wife, we may toyle out our felves 
 in vaine ; and after a long and tedious ftrife , be as farre, nay, 
 farther from a tender heart, than we were at the beginning. 
 
 Secondly, as we muft crave aftiftanee from Heaven, fo we 2 
 muft ufe the meanes that God hath appointed: namely, 
 
 1 Firft,to call to minde our many and great offences againft x 
 
 his Ma/eftie ; and to lay before our eyes, in as particular man- Aggravate our 
 ner as we can, our corrupnons both original! and acTuall, be- finnci. 
 fore and fince our callings : confidering how grievous they 
 have been ;many of them being committed againft our know- 
 ledge, and conferences : yea, and Covenants made with the 
 Lord, for refilling and forfaking of them. Further, we are to 
 recount with our (elves, of how long continuance they have 
 beene;howofFenfive; how pernicious and infectious to o- 
 thers ; how many we have poyfoned by them , of whofe re- 
 coverie wee are altogether uncertaine; fome of them ( for 
 ought w e know to the contrarie) being already in torments 
 in Hell- fire, for the finnes where-into we have drawne them, 
 and others f perchance) likely enough to go the fame way af- 
 ter them, if the Lord do not in mercie prevent them by his 
 grace,&c. 
 
 Thefe,and the like meditations will caufe our hearts (if they 
 be not paft fcnfe and feeling) lomewhat to relent. Thus did 
 Nebemiah aggravate theirfinnes that lived in his time: and 10 Nch 9; 
 did David his own corruptions,en Jevouring in many words P(a * 5 ' * 
 to make them odious in his owne eyes : acknowledging, that 
 he was conceived infinne ( which was the fountaineof all) 
 and brought forth in iniquitie : That God requireth truth in 
 
 E 4 the 
 
- 6 7 hefirfi Sermon 
 
 the inward parts, but he had beene hypocriticallandfalfe- 
 hearted : That God had taught him wifdome in the fecret or" 
 his heart, but he had put that out ofhis confi deration, and caft 
 it behinde his back, when it ihouldhave veftrained him from 
 all thofe ill courfes that he tooke. Thefe and many other cir- 
 cumilances are either plainly expreffed, or by confeo^ent ne- 
 ceflarilyiinplyedinthat5i Pfalme ; whereby hec labours to 
 fetoutthe haynoufneffe ofhis offence, that his owne foule 
 might abhorre them, and all the world might fee his utter de- 
 reflation of them. 
 2 Another excellent meanes is, not only with patience to en- 
 
 Suffciadmo- dure, but with earneftnefle to entreat the admonitions and 
 
 jinion. reproofes of thofe which have been and are acquainted with 
 
 our courfes : for we are fo full of felfe-love, that others may 
 eafiiy difcerne more evill in vs, than we can efpy in our felves: 
 and thofe, of all other, are the beft and moft faithfuil friends, 
 that will mercifully and wifely (though foarply and roundly) 
 
 2 Sam, it. tell us of our faults : as Nathan dealt with 'David, when his 
 heart had been a long time hardened, by lying in flnnes unre- 
 pented : Which private admonition ofhis* (as wee may ob- 
 ferve) was a more eftecluall meanes for his rowfing out of 
 that dead (lumber, than any, or all the publike Ordinances of 
 God, as the Sacrifices of the Law, and Sermons of the Pro- 
 
 jq Q t e phets,&c.which all that while he had frequented. And fome- 
 
 time it is found by experience yet ftill, that a wholfbaie, and 
 found, and wife reproofe of a Minifter of God, or fome Chri- 
 ftian friend in private, throughly ftton, and erte&ually apply- 
 ed,hath done that(through Gods bkfling)that many holy and 
 excellent Sermons could not effed and bring to parte, for the 
 reclayming of Jivers from the by-path: of ini ;nry, wherein 
 they had a long time wandred and gone aftray. W hich is not 
 fpoken, as if this private dealing were to be preferred before 
 Gods publike Odinances,but that we may have each of them 
 HkS" <-a^. * n ^ Ue e ^^ rnat ^ on : ^ lat as we Should not dejpife 7rophecying s 
 
 Hcb.ia '.«• ' bwtfitffer the word < of Exhortation in the Affemblies of the 
 Saints; fo we fhould admonifh one another, .and be admonifhed 
 one of another, daily, in private, /*/? any he hardened through 
 
 Hd»> 3 • » 3 • the deceitfulnejfe ofjinne % 
 
 3 In 
 
of the Lords Supf- 57 
 
 3 In the next place, when we by our owne fearching and 2 
 
 examination, and by others plaine and faithfull admonition, Mediate on 
 have found out a great Sea of our corruptions, then let us in- God * infiaifc 
 wardly and ferioufly ponder upon the infinite mercies of the 5? rc ^ m 
 Lord our God, in giving us his deerely beloved Son ; and the 
 inconceivable love of the Sonne,in fabmit ting himfelfe to be- 
 come a sanfome for us; and that without any entreaty, de- 
 fert, or defire on our part ; yea, even then when we were his 
 mortall enemies. This was it that ca<;;ed them in the twelfth 
 ofZachary, fo to mourne and lament becaufe t'^ey confidered 
 what Chrift had fufTered in their behalfe. And this fhould 
 breake and melt our hearts (as it did theirs)that we wounded 
 and peirced our deere Saviour by our tranfgrefiions : for, the 
 Chaftifment of our peace was upon him>&by hisfiripes we were Efny 55. • 
 healed Jf he would fhed his precious blood for us, why fhould 
 we thinke it much to fhed a lew teares over him ? And fo the 
 meditation of the feverall fuftenngs of Chrift,, and of Gods 
 gracious promifes made unto us, in and through him, fhould 
 caufeour hearts to be diflblved into godly forrow. 
 
 4 Fourthly, we mull as often as fit occafion is offered, goe 4 
 unto the houfe of mourning ; where we may be put in minde M ?J te ufe °1 
 of our wofull eftate, by reafou of our wicked nature and fin- ° s croflcs, 
 full car jiage, in violating the Lords holy Precepts and Com- 
 mandements. And this is commended as the part of a godly 
 wife man by Salomon m£cclefiafies,wher£ it is faid>The heart 
 of wife men is in the houfe of mournings but the heart off 00 le sis Ecg ^7 6* 
 in the houfe of mirth. And thereafon why this is a part ofwifc 
 dome, is rendred in the 4 verfe, It is better to goe to the houfe 
 of mournings than to the houfe offeafting, becaufe this is the end 
 of all men, and the living flail lay it to his heart. 
 
 And if others chaftifements fhould afTecl: us, much more of ourownc,-. 
 fhould Gods correcting hand upon our felves, move us ; and 
 whenhefmitethus, wee fhbifid joyne with hiin,ar 1 tal e v .:s 
 part, and fmite our owne hearts : and then if Gods (brakes ^n 
 others, or on our felves doe make us mourne for our rebelli- 
 ous behaviour againftth. Lord, happy and bitffed are w-ee : 
 for fo faith the Prophet ; . Buffed is be man, O Lord, whom rfal.94, 1^2. 
 thoH.chaft.fefit and teach ft in thy Lav : And our Saviour ? x o; 
 
 Btqfcd' 
 
 
? 8 Thefecond Sermon 
 
 5 s . B/fft ofe that ;»*#?*#*, e^r.Therfore when we find our 
 
 fefVes inclified to heavihes,in refpecl of any outward (course 
 th on us,or on cur friends ;let us take hold of the occa- 
 I turrie the courfe of our griefe another way : W hich 
 if we can attaine unto., and make our finne to be our greated 
 row, CIit id lefiis i"hall be our greated joy : And we being 
 mourners ofSion, fhall be comforted in duefeafon ; our ini- 
 quities {hall be removed as a Cloud , and (battered as a Mide, 
 and we received into everlading favour. 
 
 VJe 3 . Thirdly.,tbis is for the lingular comfort of Gods Children. 
 
 What though they have beene like the people otSodome, and 
 of Gomorrah, and have lived like Beads all their life long? Yet 
 this is their hope, that they fliall not be caft off: Nay if they 
 can once begin to rince and purge their hearts , though their 
 finnes have beene never fo horrible, and odious, andahomina- 
 ble, they maybe aflured of the free and full pardon of them 
 all. Neither need they make any doubt at all her eof:. for if fuch 
 kinde of finners might not attaine to this, it were in vainefor 
 the Lord to exhort them to repentance. But we fee here^hat 
 though thefe feweshad received many Bleflings, heard many 
 Indruclions and Threatnings out of the Word,and felt many 
 Corrections from Gods owne hand,and nothing would drive 
 them from their accudomed courfe of Rebellion : Yet not- 
 .vithftanding all this , if now at lad they would grieve their 
 hearts in good earned [ and not paffe over the matter with 
 fomefleght mourning (Tor fbfarre wicked <SW/ went, when 
 D amid had told him of his fault, in purfuing him that was in- 
 nocent) but drive for a ^baking and working forrow: If J fay, 
 they would labour for this , the Lord offers them mercie ; lb 
 that they fhould forthwith be d ; sburthened of the guilt , and 
 freed from the punilhment of all their former wickednefle. 
 For when finne is once cad out of the heart , God hath no 
 quarrell againd the partie : and it can never iurke there long, 
 except it be fed with excufe and allowance. It never dickes 
 fo clofe,nor cleaves fo fad,but godly forrow will make afepa- 
 ntion betwixt it and the foule,and crufh the very head there- 
 of. That giveth life and root unto it, and makes it grow and 
 
 Ncte. bringforth abundance of fruit , when we love it, and can fay 
 
 fome- 
 
of the Lords Snfper. 5 9 
 
 fbmewhatfor it. But if we do not nourifo it in ©urfoules, but 
 banifli it thence,we iliai be accepted, whatsoever our life hath 
 formerly beene : for, as God will never f prinkle the Bloud of 
 his owne Sonne upon a carnall, and proud, and prophane 
 heart ; fo he will never deny to give the Merits of his Sonne 
 unto an heavy, and forrowfull, and contrite fpirit. 
 
 ^jTake away the evill of your yporkes from before mine eyes ."] 
 As if he ihould have faid: Hitherto you have but diflembled in 
 the duties performed by you: Which hollo wnefle of yours, 
 though men could not i'o well fee and difcerne, yet the Lords 
 eyes have beene and are ftill caft upon your doubling & halt- 
 ing, and falfe dealing. And therefore, if you would have him 
 to looke favourably upon you , take away from his fight that 
 which caufeth him tofrowne upon you ; not onely your evill 
 works (for fo hypocrites may do) but the evill of your good 
 works. For .here (we muft underftand) God did not ayme at 
 the liibverlion and overthrow of the former duties or Religi- 
 on, but wifheth them to do the fame works of Pietie ftill,but 
 in a bettei fort then they were wont to dp them.Whence this 
 Doctrine offereth it felfe for our lear ning : that, 
 
 A Chriflian muffc not onely do good things , but muft do d ^ %9 
 them in a good manner -. other wue, God may and will rejeel g. odihings 
 the works, and confound the doers of them. * n uft be done 
 
 This people here had many outward Observations ,as doth « n a g°ed man* 
 appear e from Verfe 1 2. to. the 16. Yet becaufe their fervices ycr - 
 were not performed in Faith and Love , God did utterly ab- 
 horre and deteft them. They would keepe the Sabbaths, and 
 frequent the folemne Aftemblies, but they would learne no- 
 thing at all : Though their Bodies were there , their Hearts 
 were not there ;but either about their BufinefTe in the 'family, 
 or their Affaires and dealings in the WorU; or thinkin~ bow 
 to revenge fuch or fuch an Injurie:how to relieve tb-.n .' dves 
 in fuch or fuch a neceffitie, or the lik e ; or, p crchanc. ; vorfe 
 matters. They would make long Praters, l)t\t their f cirts 
 were full of wrath, and their minds fulUi doubting: and lo in 
 other exercifes of Religion, (till they mingled their owhj cor- 
 ruption, infomuchthat God could have no liking of then. 
 Such were the Scribes & Ph<ulies alfo, who ufed tpprcach 3 to 
 
 giv 
 
Co Thefecond Serk 
 
 eive much $ \mt 9 ; topray, and ffcft oFu- n d V very 
 
 f< : for te muehChrift gr&niS them, that, they 
 yf ci ( • tffl I StepofcherSjfeirc to behold and looke upon; and 
 Graves fo covered over with Grecnfward, that one might 
 waHcoverthem againcandagaine, and yet never perceive a- 
 ny rotten bones rherein , Notwithstanding all this, the venge- 
 ance or God is denounced againft none more often and ear- 
 ned!; by our Saviour,than againft that kinde ofpeople ; as ap- 
 
 M»tih x$. peareth plameiy in the Go'pell. And why?becaufe they tooke 
 notawrr the evill of their works : for which caufe the Lord 
 
 Loke 1 6. 1 5 . * e,a *' te ^ thcm,7> ar they w rich jufiifie your felve before men y 
 but Cjod kn tmes j t rts ; for that which is highly efieemed 
 
 among men, is abhc i tab-kin the fight of God m 
 
 And the like the Gopher Jfaiah layeth unto the Iewes 
 
 I fay 2<?i 3 . charge elfewhere, feyitigj T ■'* people come neere unto me -with 
 their mouthy & honor me wi* heir lips Jbut have removed thtr 
 heart farre from me.Wz blameth them not, for that they came 
 not to Church, or that they refufed to make an outward fem- 
 biance and fhew of worfliiping him either in word or deed 
 (for herein they were very for ward) but for that they brought 
 a lame Sacrifice, or rather a dead carkafle ; presenting before 
 God the outward man, but not caring to bring before him the 
 inward man, which hee cheifly regardeth and looketh after : 
 and without which the other vs of no reckoning with him, 
 but is efteemed to be a vaine and finfull worfliip. 
 
 And the fame deteftation of fuch hypocriticall Curving of 
 him, the Lord ftieweth in another place of this Prophecy ; 
 where fir ft he declareth what kind of worfhipers hee requi- 
 red! and delighteth in ; {To him will ? looke (faith hej even to 
 
 Ifay tf s. *, j , him that is poorejfrofa contrite jpirity&trembletk at my words. 
 Thus ought all to bee difpofed and affecTed, that expeft any 
 favour from the Lord ; that becaufe hee is fo holy, and migh- 
 ty, and glorious, thoy muft come with feare and trembling, 
 through a fight and feeling of their owne bafeneffo and un- 
 worthineffe : which if they ftrive to doe,the Lord promifeth, 
 that hee will looke upon them with a mercifull and gracious 
 eye. Then in the next verfe,he fetteth down what account he 
 maketh of ceremonious worftiipers, that contented them- 
 
 felves 
 
of the Lords Stiff er\ 6t 
 
 fclvts with offering Oblations or Bullockes, and Sheepe, &c? 
 thinking, that God was beholding to them for the Tame: they 
 trembled not at the word,neither were forrowrull,nor heavy 
 hearted for their finnes:yet becaufe they were at coll: & char- 
 • ges,toferve God in Sacrifices and Incenfe,they thought them- 
 f elves as good as the befixBut the Lordiheweth there, that he 
 condemn eth and abhor rcth them and their Oblations,faying,' 
 He that offer eth a Sacrifice^vid doth not offer himfelfe, it is all 
 one as if he were a murthercr{for to that effect are the words^ 
 He that killeth a Bulloch^ is as if he flew a man: & he thatfacri- 
 ficeth a SheepyOs if he cut effaDogs necfa which was then ail 
 uncleane Beaft,& re/ecledf amongft othersjby the Leviticall 
 Law)H<? that offer eth an Oblation^a* if he ojferedSwines blond* 
 (which was Hkewife forbidden, at that time, and counted an 
 abhomination to be offered to the Lord.) And as for their in- 
 cenie and bowing downe in Gods houfe, he fheweth, that it 
 is as if they bowed to an Idoll,and bleffed it; it was as hateful! 
 and lothfcme in Gods eyes, as the moft vile and monftrous 
 Idolatry that was. Po r he required of them, in thofe outward 
 Oblations,that they lliould have fpirituall affections; without 
 which, the other were fo farre from pleafing him, that they 
 grieuoufly provoked him. Heethat did bring a Beaftto bee 
 killed, was thereby to profeffe before the Lord , that he defer- Nciei • 
 ved For his tranlgteffions to be killed himfelfe. Now, when 
 he could (land by ,and fee the Beaft (lain, with a bold face and 
 afenfeleffeheart, . not trembling at the confideration of his 
 owne wretched deferts,the Lord profefleth,that he wil nevei; 
 lookewith apktifulleyeuponfuchanone, but efteemehim 
 as a notorious malefaclor, and punifh him accordingly.And 
 that he was of power fo to.doe, he inaketh it evidentin that 
 place by this, That his hand had formed the. Heavens, an&fa- Vcr.f ^J^ 
 flyoriea a ! l the wonderrull workes that are on the Earth: and 
 they were not fb wittie to deceive the Lord, as he was wife 
 and mighty ,both to hunt them out, and to execute ftrange 
 andfcarefLili judgements upon them. 
 
 Befides thefe places, there are Reafbns to confirme this 
 Dpclrinc : for, 
 
 i FjruVGod doth as ftridly command the manner of our Rt*fi?jQ 
 
£ 2 Thefecond Sermon 
 
 obedience, as the matter ofit; and lookesas much that it 
 fhouldbe well performed, as that it be performed. Heein- 
 
 iTin>.*af . joynes the Minifter not only to preach true & found do&rin, 
 but to divide the word aright, & to apply it wifely and fitly, 
 giving every one their portion in due feafon. He commanded! 
 5ie people, not only to come to the Sermon, (for fo the wic- 
 kedeft may doe)but to come with a good and honeft heart. He 
 biddeth us not onely to pray,but to fray in the holy Ghoft, fas 
 Jz/^fpeakethjand to pray fervently, as lames ■ faith, 7£* fray er 
 
 lames %\$. of the righteous availeth much >if it be fervent; and to lift up 
 , ^ Tim. 1.8. P Hre hands in prayer, without wrath or doubting . A nd fo for all 
 other duties,he would have us to be carefull how we doe 
 them, as well as that we do them. 
 
 2 Secondly,God is a Spirit prA therfore will be worfhipfed t 
 not in outward ceremonie alone, but infpirit and truth: give 
 him the beft words that may be, if we doe not give him our 
 
 Xolro 4-v»:4. hearts, all is nothing worth. 
 
 Iudas dealt beft with Chrift, of all the Difciples, in appea< 
 ranee: for when all fhrunke from him, he ftuck to him, came 
 and bo wed himfelfe before him,falu ted and kifled him. Who 
 would not fay no w(had he not been privy to Judas his heart) 
 that he was the true and faithfull friend above all the reft, that 
 Would fhew himfelfe thus friendly in the time of adverfitie ? 
 Yet the Swords and Staves of thofe that apprehended Chrift, 
 were not fo odious unto him, as was 7/fcfehis kifTe that be- 
 trayed him,becaufe hehad an ill and corrupt minde,and a tre- 
 cherous and fatfeheartin that which he did. And fuch are the 
 fervices of aH hypocrites, even Judas his kifles; and therefore 
 they (hall be requited with ludas his reward,except they re- 
 . forme their hearts,afld amend their workes. 
 ft j; This makes for the; uft reproofe,not onely of groffefinners, 
 
 and of hollow-hearted diffemblers, buteven 9fGods owne 
 &rvants:For,none can fay he is altogether innocent in this 
 
 !>oint,but at one time or other,in one dutie or other, he hath 
 ailed more or lefle; if not in the matter, yet in the manner of 
 performing the fame. This will be more evidently feene in 
 the particulars;and therfore my purpofe is to fpeake of fbure 
 kindes of workes: namely, 
 
 Of 
 
of the Lords Suffer, 6\ 
 
 Ti Of Religion. 
 
 ^ n . . ji Of Love and Mercv. 
 
 Or the workes< ofour ordinarie failings. 
 
 C4 Of Recreation. Worki fReE 1 
 
 AndfirftjtogivemftanceintheexercifesofReligionjwho jo m ou 
 ean cleare himfelfe therein :NFor,if men come unto Sermons, 
 and of&runto the Lord their bodily prefence, doe not the 
 mo ft think they have acquitted thefelves well? Albeit in the E .vils©fhs«- 
 meane while they be altogether negligent in making prepara- ring * 
 tioafor this worke,by (earching their foales, to caft out the 
 Leaven of corruption,which wil hinder the powerfull opera- 
 tion of the Word;& by getting that fight of their wants, that 
 might caufe them to come with an eager appetite unto Gods 
 Houfe for comfort and fupply . They feldome, or at leaft very 
 coldly, pray unto the Lord to 'give them an underftanding 
 mind,and a teachable heart,to profit by the means:but for the 
 moftpart,thruft in themfelves rudely with a proud & unpre- 
 pared heart,and with unruly and diftempered affections, that 
 when they ftand in Gods holy prefence, are wandring from 
 the duties in hand, & running after their covetoufnes,or after 
 their delights;and fo if the Word come in at the oneeare, it 
 jflyes out as faft at the other. And they doe not mingle it with 
 Faith as they mould doe, but with their owne corruptions, 
 which hinder the effectuall working of it; and fo feales up Heb.4, ,. 
 unto many their own ;uft condemnations,in ftead of being an 
 inftrument of God for their edification and faluation* And as 
 for Gods own children; inftead of thofe excellent graces that 
 might be thereby wrought in- them, it oftentimes hardens 
 their hearts, and fit? them for iliarpe cevre&ion, by reafon of 
 their negligence and carelefnefle in dealing with it. 
 
 So for Prayer ;whereas they (hould lift up- pure hands, with- Corruption* ; 
 out wrath & without doubting; many never care what man- fopraycv 
 net of Sacrifice they offer unto the Lord; but are full of paffi- 
 on,which diffracts them;& full of unbetiefe, which excludes 
 them from having intereft in Gods bleflings; and fo their 
 prayers tumble cfowne againe upon their heads, and bring 
 upon them judgements in ftead of mercies. They may truely 
 fay, that they have fought for helps often, and have had no 
 
 hea- .- 
 
Erilitobcre- 
 moved by 
 Communi- 
 cants. 
 
 t 
 Ignorance. 
 
 3 
 fnbclicfc. 
 
 fy Thefccond Seymw 
 
 hearing; but it is long of themfclves : for the Sea is not more 
 full of water, than God is full or mercy to all thecal! upon him 
 in truthiznd if they could put away their unbeliefe and hypo- 
 crifie,and other evils that are mixed with their fuitsandfup- 
 plications,thcy fhould finde that none is fo kinde a Father, as 
 God island they fhould not be fo ready to aske, but he would 
 be more ready to give,if fo be they did come in faith,and askc 
 aright, as God requireth. The like may be faid for the Sacra- 
 ment ofthe Lords Supper: Divers there are that partake of it 
 as often as their neighbours doe, but they are fo farre from 
 receiving benefit and comfort there-from,that it proves hurt- 
 full and uncomfortable unto them: and why ? becaufe they 
 put not away the evill of this worke. 
 
 But what are thofe evils (may fome demand? ) They are 
 divers i 
 
 One common evill is grolTe and palpable Ignorance; that 
 men come, not difcerning the Lords Body and Bloud;that is* 
 not being able to put a difference betweene the bletTed Ele- ' 
 ments,,and common Bread and Winejand fo comming unto 
 it, no other wife than to their ordinarkfood: not conceiving, 
 much lefle well confidering, what they are to receive from 
 God, what from man; what examination is to beufed, that 
 they maybe worthy receivers, of it; what judgements are to 
 be feared, if they be unworthy receivers : and fo they feele 
 thofe judgements, before they feare them. 
 
 2 Afecond evill to be removed from this workers Vnbe- 
 liefe;which hinders us,that we cannotfind the inward vertue 
 of thofe holy Myfteries. For when we draw neere to the 
 Lords Table, we fhould make reckoning of greater benefits 
 than all the Kings and Kingdomes of $the Earth can afford us : 
 for there,God the Fatfier is the Feaft-maker; he giveth us for 
 our entertainement,the Body and Bloud of his own Sonne,to 
 feed upon:heofTereth us,and would exhibite unto us (if faee 
 had faith to apprehend it) Chrift his perfect righteoufneffe, 
 and increafeofour true holinefTe; and intitleth us to all com- 
 forts in this life,and to the crown of glory in the life to come. 
 This, many kno\y;but they want faith,to make application of 
 it to themfelves : Afid thence it commeth to pafie, that their 
 
 foule 
 

 cfthz Lw&s SMpf 6% 
 
 lies are Co barren of grace, not\yithftanding their often 
 communicating at the Lords Table. 
 
 The Woman in the Gofpeli that was troubled with ablou- Note) 
 dy iflue,foid in her heart before flie came toChrift, if I may M2r,?,£? 8 
 but touch the hem of his garment only ,1 fhall be made whole, 
 and according to her Faith,it was unto her : For that touch 
 healed both her Soule and Body : yet flie had no fpeciall com- 
 mandetnent to come, nor promife ofgood fuccefle if fhe did 
 come, nor experience ofany in her cale that had fped well be- 
 fore her: If flie were thus confidenr,having had fo few means 
 to confirme her, what ftrength of faith fliould we come with- 
 all,and what a ftedfaft expectation ofmercy fliould wee have 
 fetled in our hearts, when we come to Chrift Iefus in this his 
 Ordinance? Seeing that we have both a Commandement and 
 a promife, and the examples before our eyes offiich as have 
 found unfpeakable good by this holy Sacrament : and there is 
 more reafon why our Saviour fliould pitty us, then why he 
 fhould pitty that woman: for we have a more dangerous iffue 
 offininour foules,than fliee hadofbloud in her body; and 
 many of us have bin longer troubled with it, than fhee w as 
 with hers : andhee came rather to heale the fidcnefle of the 
 foule, than to cure the maladies of the body. And befides al| 
 the former, he fliall have more glory by faving us from finne 
 then by healing her from a bodily infirmity : and the taking' 
 and eating of the blefled Sacrament of theeternall Covenant,' 
 is much more eftecluall to draw vertuefrom Chrift, than the 
 bare touching of his Garment was: and hee is neerer unto us 
 now in his gracious prefence, than he was unto her then, in. 
 his bodily prefence, 
 
 This we fliould beleeveand reft upon: and if we doe not, 
 w r e offer unto the Lord the greater injury: for hee purpofeth 
 to be flow that upon us in truth, which hee makes offer of in 
 fhew: even to give us afullcommuniou with the righteouf- 
 nefle of the fecond Adam, as we had with the corruption of 
 the firft <*Adam % Even as the branches doe partake of the fap 
 oftheVine:andthe members of the body, have life and mo- 
 tion derived unto them from the head: fo fhall we receive 
 
 F grace 
 
66 
 
 Tkefecond Sermon 
 
 Vnchanta- 
 Mcncffc. 
 
 Ralciof 
 Charity. 
 
 M9th.18.35. 
 
 'Note. 
 
 &tyiM.*J 
 
 Siagingof 
 
 Pfalmcs. 
 
 £pri.j.i9; 
 Cpl.3.18. 
 
 grace and life from Iefus Chrift, in, and by his holy meanest 
 fo often as we doe thankfully ufe them. 
 
 3 A third evitl that muft be put away, when we are to be 
 partakers of the Lords Supper, is uncharitablenelTe, and un- 
 mercifulneffe : For this is a Feaft of Love, where wee are to 
 receive further alTurance of Gods love to us, and, an increafe 
 of our love to God & Men. And how can we look for mercy 
 if we fhew no mercy ^ Or how can we expecTrfrom the 
 Lord a generall acquittance for all our debts and trefpaffes, 
 when we will not paffe by fmall matters of offence in our 
 Brethren? Therefore as we would finde any favor in heaven, 
 let us put away from us that unloving difpofition that is na- 
 turally ingrafted in every mans heart; and ftrive to get in our 
 Soules, and to expreffe in our lives, a true love and Chriftian 
 sffeclion. And to the end we may fhew indeed that we have 
 this excellent vertue in us,let us pradlife thefe two rules : • 
 
 1 Firft, ifthou haft a grudge again ft any, labour from thy 
 heart to forgive, and for ever to forget,what(oever injurie or 
 indignity hath beene offered unto thee. 
 
 2 Secondly,if thou thy felfe haft done wrong to any other, 
 feeke to undoe it againe. Many when they have bin injurious 
 unto their neighbours, and revenged themfelves upon them, 
 wftt be ready to plead for themfelves, and fay, I am fatisfied, 
 I hope, I need not feeke reconciliation with him, for I beare 
 him no malice. But have not you given him caufe ofgriefe > 
 Have not you fpoken words that fticke in his ftomacke, and 
 wound his heart ? If you have, goe and reconcile your felfe. 
 unto your Brother; elfe your Sacrifice cannot be accepted : 
 Though you have nothing again ft him, yet if he have fbme- 
 whatagainft you,the rule of love require th that you fliould 
 feeke peace with him,ifhe will not feeke it of you. 
 
 The like may be faid of ringing of Tfalmes, men will ufe it 
 for faftiion fake, becaufe they would not feeme to re/ecl any 
 religious Service: But if they would have any edification or 
 confolation thereby,they muft fing with the heart, as well as 
 with the voyce:and make melody inwardly to the Lord, as 
 well as out wardly before men. 
 
 And 
 
'of the Lords Supper] 6y 
 
 And as thefe and the like corruptions are to be feparated 
 from the works of piety towards God: So, 
 
 Secondly, There are other evils to be removed from our 
 works of mercy,and oflovetowards men. As in the mariner Workcsof 
 ofAlmes: Ifwe thinke to merit thereby, as Papiftsdoe; or Mercy. 
 feefce vain-glory thereby, as Pharifes doe, we put not away 
 theevillofthatworke, and therefore God will rejecT: the 
 workeitfelfe. 
 
 So for admonition andreproofe, they are very neceffary to Admonition, 
 be given: yet if men doe theft duties in wrath and diftemper, 
 they ftiall doe more hurt by their bitterne(Te,and paffion,than 
 they can poffibly doe good by their admonition. 
 
 Thirdly, concerning the workes of our ordinary callings, w 
 we muft call: off thefe evils that ufualiy cleave unto them,as, Works of ou* 
 
 Firft, for Matters ; It is their duty to deale with their CaUings. 
 Servants by admonifhing them, and by reproving them; yea I 
 and if need be, by correcting them aho : which is as neceffi- J h * Ma ft« r ? 
 ry for them as their meat and drinke : but then they muft be- y ' 
 ware of wrath and outrage; ofbitternefic and cruelty, and do ngpjoyj,^ 
 as the Lord doth here: He telleth the lewes, that they were 
 worfethan bruit beafts,and nothing inferior to the Sodomites 
 in fins and impiety : But how; doth he leave them here ? Oh 
 no, he deales mercifully with them, and ftiewes them how 
 they may amend all, for otherwife they would have fretted, 
 ordefpaired. So muft matters deale; not minifter a &**?£ H ot f 
 and biting reproof,and then fling away from their Servants in — ' 
 a paffion,for that were not to deale as a Surgeon that comes 
 to healejbut as a robber, or a theefe that comes to kill : that 
 give^ a gafh, or a wound, and fo away: Nay, we muft fhew. 
 them their ficknefle: fo we muft give them a medicine: tell 
 them where they goeout of the way,and direcT: them into the 
 right way:yea,and befeech the Lord alfb, of his owne mercy 
 and goodneffe, to guide and order them better hereafter; but 
 ifwe come in fury and paffion.notto edifie them, but to eafe 
 ourfelvcs on them, they will hate the reprover, anddefpife 
 the reproofe, but never leave the fault reproved . And thence 
 it is that there are (o many complaints; never man nor wo- 
 
 F2 man 
 
68 The third Sermon 
 
 man was troubled with fuch Children, or fuch Servants \ 
 Why, what is the matter ? Oh we hauereproved them, and 
 told them of their faults ib often, and fo earneftly, and yet 
 there is no reformation nor amendment of any thing : But 
 iooke.backe to your ielfe now,and perhaps the greateft blame 
 will lye upon you. 
 
 You are flill exhorting,and dill crying out againft them for 
 their mifdemeanor,buthow?Isitnot done in a paflion to eafe 
 your ielfe, and not in compafllon to helpe them ? You have 
 given them divers bitter and cuttiug fpeeches,but how many 
 rervent prayers have you made. for theminlecret? You have 
 often bin grieved at them,and rebuked them, & do flill chide 
 them very flaarply for fayling in your, worke, but how many 
 teares have you (lied for their fay ling in Gods Service, and 
 grievous offences againft his holy Majefly ? If you cannot bee 
 thus fpiritually affected, nor afford them your prayers,as well 
 as your rebukes,you may fpare a labour for. any good that is 
 likely to come of all that you doe. 
 
 Therefore let Mailers of Families, and Parents ( likewife 
 husbands when they are to deale this way with their wives ^ 
 be carefull to doe this duty in wifedome and. moderation, in 
 love and tender afte&ion to the Soules of the parties offen- 
 ding. If the faults be private, let the admonition be private : 
 If they be great, bring ftrong arguments to convince the of- 
 fender, and to beat downe his fin: but fpare tart, and bitter, 
 and reviling fpeeches,that will rather exafperate,than worke 
 any cure upon them that are faulty and blame-worthy. 
 '&:: So for labouring in our vocations . It is good to rife early, 
 
 Labour. an <i to doe the duties belonging unto us, with all diligence, 
 
 and faithfulneffe; but then we mud take heed that we labour 
 not for covetoufnefle, nor in defire of filthy lucre,t>ut in con- 
 
 nfte, icience and obedience tp God: -For otherwife, we fhall bee 
 
 froward and diftempered when things go croffe with us : and 
 luft after the world, and dote upon the vanities of the world, 
 when things goe well with us. If we fer ve the world ,or our 
 felves in the paines that we take, we mall be vexed and difqui- 
 <eted with continual] dlifcontentmcntsj and ever turmoyled 
 
 and 
 
efthe Litis Stiff erl 69 
 
 and toffed with fome inordinate aflFe6licrft or other; ifwe can 
 get advantage by doing of wrong, wee fhallnot much fticke 
 at it: and if a commodity lye in our way, wee will not bee 
 afraid to feeke our owne gaine,though it be to our neighbors 
 great lofle. Whereas ifwe aymed at Gods glory in our dea- 
 lings and affaires of this life, we would rather fuffer wrong, 
 than doe wrong:and helpe others, than hurt them, knowing 
 that when we doe beft, we alwaies {peed beft. 
 
 And as Mafters muft herein looke to themfelves : fo muft. _fj 
 fervants in their places; they muft beware of eye-fervice: for Servants datfi 
 many there are,who when their Mafters eye is caft upon the, 
 will beftir them very bufily,and do much: but when his eye is 
 orYthem,and he abfent from them,they will either do nothing 
 at al,or very little in companion of that they might & ought 
 to do. Such muft remember that they fhould ferve the Lord 
 Chrift in their places, whofe fiery eyes are ftiliupon them, to 
 reward them if they be induftrious and painefull, and to pu- 
 nifti them, if they be careleffe, idle, and waftfull. 
 
 Fourthly and laftly, for our recreations, which being law- ^ 
 full and warrantable in themfelves, yet feeing they are ming- ^etoinomi 
 led with many horrible corruptions by the uiers, or rather 
 by theabufersofthem,wemuft be likewise carefull to put 
 away the evils of them: As, 
 
 Firft, the evill end that is propounded by thofe that are Corruption* 
 much addicted thereunto ; And what is that i For the moft thereof, 
 part, not to refre/h themfelves, but to gleane money from Tilc ^I cn| 
 their companions, unto which they have no right at all, ey- of **-' 
 ther by Gods Law, or by Mans : neither fhall they ever bee 
 able to arifwer the lofing or getting of fuch money before 
 Gods Iudgement-Seat Yet that is the Di vels fa wee whereby 
 their recreations are ufually fweetned, which elfe would not 
 be fb wel pleafing unto their fkftily taft t which is a fufficient 
 argument to con fir me the unlawfolnefle of fuch exercifes, 
 to thofe that foufethem, becaufe that this mixture, with all Note 9 
 or moft of their games and fports,is that which the worft doe 
 moft delight in,and without it, count their recreation but ait 
 idle thing,nay,ameere vexation a«d torture. 
 
 F3 A 
 
y The fecond Sermon 
 
 a A fecond mifchiefe that uftially accornpanieth fiich exerci- 
 
 Miflptndingof fes, is miflpending of too much time in their vaine delights: 
 Time, which may well be called vaine, when they either wholly, or 
 
 for the mod part hinder men from Gods fervice,and from the 
 works of their callings, and make them altogether vaine, and 
 idle, and unprofitable burdens of the Earth. Satan that old 
 Serpent (whom they ferve that are thus in bondage to their 
 fond and wretched lufts)hath many cunning wiles and crafty 
 fetches, both to allure them into his fnares, and to hold them 
 N.tte k fail: when he hath intangled themiand this is one amongft the 
 
 reft, that when one gets and feeles it comming, he ftirreth up 
 in him fuch a lull: after gold and filver, or whatfoever they 
 play for, that they cannot make an end in any time. And if 
 any onelofe,heperfwades him ( though indeed there needs 
 not any great adoe to perfwade them,their owne corruptions 
 carrying too great a fway over them in this refpeel) to play 
 one game more, to trie if he can recover that which he hath 
 loH^and not to let the winners give over with fuch dammage 
 unto him, and advantage unto themfelves : and fb let f lippe 
 many a precious houre,wherein,if they were well bufied,they 
 might get more good unto their Soules, than all the World is 
 worth. 
 
 And as in gaming, fo in other paftimes (as they call them) 
 they are fo exceffrve inrefpecl oftime,that inftead of the right 
 end of them (which is to quicken and revive the Spirits, and 
 to fit men for matters of greater importance) they pervert 
 them to a quite contrary end,and make them meanes to wea- 
 ry and tire out themfelves: fo that they are for that day,utter- 
 ly difabledfor any workeof Religion,or of their callings. 
 
 Yet it is ftrange to heare how thofe that carry the name and 
 profeflion of Chriftianity , will fhiftoffevery wholfome ad- 
 monition and rebukethat is brought againft them, with this; 
 What, will you not allow us recreation ? But it might be 
 demanded of many of them,to their fliame, what is your vo- 
 cation, thattalke fomuch of recreation ? what fore labour 
 have you undertaken fb to weary you, that you fhould ftand 
 imneed of fo much refreshing ? In. truth if things were well 
 
 examined; 
 
ofthe\Lords Suffer, jt 
 
 • examined, we fhould finde, that fuch make their fports to be 
 their vocation(if they have any at all)not their recreation.For 
 they do nothing elfe,or very little elfe,but eat,and drinke,and 
 fleep, and play, and fo confiime the dayes,and fpend the grea- 
 teftpartof their lifelike Epicures , that dreame of no other 
 happinefle, but offoliowing their delights, and giviug them- 
 felves over to beaftly voluptuoufnefle, and fenfuality. And 
 whereas reaeation fhould be ufed onelyas Phyficke, they 
 make it their ordinary dyet.If we fliould heare a man alwaies Note. 
 inquiring after skilfull Phyfitians, and calling for nothing elf e 
 but Phyficke, Phyficke ; we would prefently conclude, cer- 
 tainly this man hath a very fickly body : and what elfe can we 
 think of thofe men that are ftilifollowing after vain delights, 
 andin whofe mouthes there is nothing io ufuali as recreation, 
 recreation; what dk (I fay) can we thinke of them, but this, 
 fiirely thefe men have very fickly Soules ? There is very little 
 inward joy and fpirituall contentment in that heart, where fo 
 much is fought for,from thefe externall things. 
 
 A third evil in recreations is,inward fretting, and outward g 
 
 chafing;efpecially when they breathe out monftrous oaths, & Fitting, 
 fearfoll blafphemies againft the God of Heaven ; and horrible ?| la r fi /J 8 » and 
 imprecations, & curfed fpeeches againft his Creatures,which IaI P hcm,l, S« 
 are too too ufualin their carding,and dicing,&c.For there are 
 none more outragious people, than thofe that are carried away 
 with the ftreame of thofe unruly lufts. And whereas many of 
 them will confefle, that thefe things are amide, and fhould be 
 mended, but they know not how to do itrlet fuch know,that 
 how lawfull foever fuch recreations are unto other, it is Hire 
 they are unlawfull to them. For how can they either comfor- t ^ ote 
 tably pray for a bleffing upon that they go about, before they 
 fet forth in the morning , when they rufh on fuch occafions 
 (unto them at lea(t)of dangerous falling,^ fearfull provoking 
 of the Lord?or how can they return at night,to render thanks 
 and to looke their Father in the face with any comfort, when 
 they have been all the whole day fo bufily impioied in the fer- 
 vice of the Divel,and of their owrie (infuli ficfli? whatlawfuli 
 nfe then can they have of that, which they can neither crave a 
 
 F 4 blefling 
 
72 The fccond Serm$n 
 
 blefllng on,before they undertake it,nor give thanks for when 
 they have fini(hed it:feeing that we are commanded, whatfo- 
 Col?*!?* eve r we d j H word or deed 3 do ali in the name of the Lord Icftts 9 
 ,¥0ff , g+ v * n l shanks u-nto God the Father through him. If fiich men 
 
 therefore cannot remove the evils of this worke,it were farre 
 better for them to remove the work it felfe: (which they may 
 well do,and yet have many other honeft & Chriftian refreuV 
 ings,fufricientfor their comfort & contentment) rather than 
 fo to muTpend their money ,and time,and ftrength,and to caft 
 away thek owne Soules in the purmit of fuch bafe trifles, and 
 alluring vanities,that do fo bewitch the common fort of men. 
 Thus we have leene (as particularly as the time would per- 
 mit) what drofle of corruption is to be purged away from the 
 feveral actions and duties,wherin uponfeverall occafions,and 
 according to our feuerall callings, we are to be bufied and im- 
 ployed. Thefe evils therefore we muft with all confcionable 
 and faithfull endeavour feeke to remove,and that from before 
 tan before Gods eyes .Fo^whereas many may have this conceit, No man 
 mine cy«$. can cnar g e me j w n\ never aceufe my felfe, and my compani- 
 ons will certainly conceale and keepe all to themfelves , and 
 therefore I need notfeare the diiclofing'of my anions and dea- 
 lings: this will not ferve their turnes : for though men cannot 
 touch them,yet there is an All-feeing God, that alwayes loo- 
 keth upon them:and where his eye is difpleafed,his hand will 
 furely be avenged. And therefore if we would have any blefc 
 Pfai 6 i ^ n § m an y °^^ oc ^ s ordinances, let us wafi our hands in in- 
 nocency when wecempajfehis Altar (as the Prophet fpeaketh) 
 andcleanfeour inward parts from that,that God may diflike, 
 as well as our outward behaviour from that which men may 
 disallow of. 
 ■DqU.1* C ea f e t0 d° evi/Q From thefe words this Doctrine might 
 
 be raifed : That, 
 
 It is not furficient in a pafTion to beiorrowmt for finne,and 
 
 hourely to confefle and acknowledge it,but thefe duties muft 
 
 be fo fincerely & trTeclually performed, that there be a ceafing 
 
 from evil afterwards. But this point bath been handled in the 
 
 former Sermon,£>0#« 3. where the Reader may 
 
 finde the fame profecuted at large. 
 
 THE 
 
75 
 THE 
 
 THIRD SERMON. 
 
 Isaiah i. 17,18,19. 
 
 1 7 Learne to do well,feeke judgement, relieve the opprejfedj 
 judge the fatherlejfe y and defend the widow. 
 
 18 Come now, and let us re of on together , faith the Cord: 
 though your finnes were as crimfon y theyJball be made as white as 
 [now : though they were red like fear let, theyfballbe asweolL 
 
 l 9 tf) e w n f™t to obey, ye /ball eat the good things of the Land 
 
 Earne to do well 7^ Having fhewed them what 
 ' they muft not do ; now he proceedeth to de- 
 clare what they muft doe , and biddeth them 
 do well : And becaufe there was in them no 
 fitnefle hereunto, therefore he wiftieth them 
 to[LeArne~^ to doe well. Whence the Do- 
 Urine is, that, 
 
 All godly and penitent perfons, while they live in this IDott. 5; 
 worId,muft alwayes be learning to do well : and apply their All muft be 
 mindes to know $hat duties of Religion and of Rightcouf- Chrift his 
 nefTe they ought to performe, and in what manner they muft ScboJJciSo 
 be performed. 
 
 So faith our Saviour, Take my yoke upon you , and learne of Matt, ii.?£>, 
 me,efrcJror lam meeke>and lowly in heart, and ye jh all find reft 
 unto y &c. As if he fhould have laid : If any take up my yoke, 
 and continue not to be a learner from my Word , how to 
 bearethe fame, either he himfelfe will be weary of it, or 
 others will perfwadehim to take up the Divels yoke, or 
 mens yoke : (which is much at one : for they are both of 
 one fide) therefore learne of me (faith Chrift.) And that they 
 might the fooncr be drawne thereunto, he removes the rea- 
 fonsthat might difcourage them. For they might thinke^ 
 
 Oh 
 
74 
 
 The third Sermon 
 
 ObjcBioi 
 
 Anfver. 
 
 Objection, 
 
 Artfwer. 
 
 Mat. 10 42. 
 Ioh.l5.8< 
 
 I Cor.n 9 
 1 Coi.g.i. 
 
 Pfal.15i.Il. 
 
 Reafons. 
 
 I 
 The Minde 
 blmde, the 
 Heart deceit 
 full. 
 
 Oh I am fo full of corruption , and my nature is fo over- 
 growne,and over-run with finne and iniquity,that if I fhould 
 com e unto Chrift Iefus, who is perfectly holy and righteous, 
 he could not but be angry with me, and fliarply chide a^djre- 
 bukeme. 
 
 Nay, faith Chrift, you need not feare that,/*r lam meekc, 
 and therefore not fo prone and ready to fall out with men that 
 are weary of their finnes, as willing to helpe and heale them. 
 
 Another might fay :But alas, I am fo blockifti and ignorant 
 that if I fhould come to be inftruded, Chrift Iefus would de- 
 fpifeme. 
 
 FoV the anfwering of that obj ecTion,he faith,that he is low- 
 ly in heart: and the property of thofe that are lowly, is, never 
 to contemne any for their defects and imperfections ; but ra- 
 ther to pitty and helpe them : and therefore they may boldly 
 have recourfe unto fuch a Teacher as our Saviour is, and ex- 
 pect to beftill further informed by him in all the waves of 
 godlinefle and righteoufheffe. 
 
 In this regard Chriftians are called Chrifts Difciples, which 
 fignifieth nothing elfe,but to be Chrift his Schollers. And it is 
 given as a note and brand of a forlorne and defperate wicked 
 perfbn, that he hath left off to understand to do good. And on 
 the contrary it is fet down as an evident figne of a marvellous 
 fanftifted andholy man, to acknowledge ftill that he knoweth 
 but in part 1 that he knoweth nothing at he ought to do : and to 
 cry out, Who knoweth the err ours of his life ? Cleanfe me from 
 my fecret finnes. Teach me>0 Lord y the way of thy Statutes >and 
 I will keep it unto the end: with many the like requefts. And 
 it muft needs be fo; that they that are truly converted, and in 
 any good meafure acquainted with their owne hearts,fhould 
 be thus inftant to be ftill further direcled and taught. 
 
 Firft, becaufe they perceive the darknefie that doth natu- 
 rally over-fpread their mindes;and that thofe which have 
 is mod light, have very little in comparifon of that they fhould 
 have,and might have had, if they had conftantly and confeio- 
 nablyimployed themfelves in theufeof the meanes which 
 they have in/oyed. They know well enough how ready their 
 flefhly hearts are to deceive them, imleffe they go often to 
 
 God 
 
of the Lords Supper, 7 5 
 
 God by fervent prayer, and to his Servants to be directed in 
 the right path wherein they fhould walke. And this makes 
 them fo defirous of found under (landing. They wifely confi- 
 der,that the drift and whole icope of all their actions^ inould 
 be to pleafe the Lord,and therfore they would moft willingly 
 be informed what his good will and pleamre is in every thing. 
 
 Secondly, he hath commanded them to grow in grace > and 2 
 in the knowledge of our Lord Iefus Chrifi. There is no further l Pet.3,13. 
 growth in Faith, or in any other Grace, than there is in 
 Knowledge. A man may know more than he believeth, but 
 he can never beleeve more than he kno weth.True knowledge 
 is as it were the chiefe wheele in a Ciock,that draweth all the 
 reft of Gods graces after it : and if that (land ftill, all the reft 
 iriuft needs ftand ftill with it. And therefore it was. that I>a- 
 vid prayed 10 often,and fo earneftly,. Teach me thy Statutes: Pfol "9» 
 apenmineeyes that I may fee the -wonders of thy Law 3 &c.Why 
 ( might fomefayj was not the Prophet well taught when he 
 was a teacher of others, and one of the holy men of God, 
 whom the Spirit ufed as an ihftrument to pen a great part of 
 the Scripture? Yes ftirely,few were better inftrucled than he 
 was:yet he foundfuch great blindnefleof minde, and deceit- 
 fulnefle of heart ftill , when he came to matters of praclife, 
 that he never ceafed crying for more underftanding of hea- 
 venly things. As alfo the wife-man exhorteth,^ call for know- Pr 
 ledge, tofeeke her as Silver y and to fear ch for her as for Trea- 
 fures. That as covetous men never thinke they have gold and 
 (ilver enough: So Chriftians muft never thinke they have hea- 
 venly Wifedome enough, but ftill covet more and more after t 1 Cor.i <.i. 
 Spiritual! things. S 
 
 1 Here are thofe ftiarply to be reproved , and much to be yf e 1 , 
 condemned , who are too too well conceited of themfelves, 
 and of their owne wits: that will brag and boaft,that they arc 
 notio fimple, but they know well enough how to feryeGod, 
 and to do the duties that pertaine to them in their Families; 
 they have not beene fo many yeares married 3 nor lived fo long 
 in the World , but they know fufficiently without teaching* 
 what belongeth to the dutie of an Husband, of a Father, of a. 
 
 Matter., 
 
j6 The third Sermon 
 
 Mafter \ and alt other things that a Chriftian man mould 
 j. r know. Thefefoolifo men in fa) ing thus, do little confider 
 
 ^' what they fpeake againft thetnf elves, and how farre they dif- 
 
 cover their owne nakedneffe : hereby they make it apparant, 
 that they have in them no Chriitianity at all : for, what are 
 they wifer than all the Prophets and righteous men that lived 
 in ancient times ? They fa wand acknowledged their great 
 want of the under ftanding of holy things: and that not for 
 modefties fake, but they and others rued it, and felt the fmart 
 % Sam i"i °f tf 1 ^ defecls that way. How foulely was Eli over-taken 
 ,' I4# 4 * ' through ignorance, in cenfuring and condemning good Han-* 
 nah for drunkenneffe , when (lie was powring out her Soule 
 before the Lord,becaufe me moved her lips onely,and uttered 
 no words in his hearing , but fpake in her heart unto God? 
 And the like might be faidof many indifcreet fpeeches and 
 actions of the Difciples of Chrift before the refurreftion^and 
 till they had received the Spirit of underftanding in a more 
 plentifull meafure. 
 Want of wife- ^ n ^ to come more particularly to our felves : who hath 
 dome, that wifedome to make fo good ufe as he mould of profperity 
 
 or adverfity ? To profit by Gods hand in mercy,or in judge* 
 mentjupon our felves or others ? Nay, who hath attained to 
 that fbundneffe of /udgement,as to underftand the Scriptures 
 (b well as he fhould, when he readeth them, or heareth them 
 read by others ? Or to make a right ufe of them in applying 
 them to his owne Soule, when they are plainly and foundly 
 preached,and expounded unto him? He that thinketh that he 
 knoweth any thing fully and perfe3iy in thele matters,let him 
 beaffured, thatheknoweth nothing as yet as he ought to 
 know : and as for him *hat u wife in his owne conceit , there is 
 more hope of a fo ole y than of him. For a natur all Foole,thougfa 
 he be not capable of inftruclion and advice , yet by the whip 
 may be kept within fome compaffe:but nothing will be avail- 
 able with a conceited Foole ; Though thin fhouldefi bray him 
 Prov. vfAU i n a mortar (as the wife man (peakethj among wheat brayed 
 withapefile,yet will not hi* fooltfbneffe depart from him : you 
 may fooner drive his Soule out of his Body, than you can 
 drive folly out of his Soule. 
 
 a This 
 
j the L$rds Supper. 77 
 
 for our inftrti&ion: that if we would cany the Vfe 2, 
 liaiiie of Chriftians, and be fuch indeed, then we muft learne 
 our duty, to the intent we may doe it; and every one ftrive 
 principally to know- what he himfelfe iTiould be.Many labour iatp.cs i.t^j 
 to fpeake well,and to have words of difcourfe;but let us learn 
 to \jioe~\ well: which if we indeavotir to doe, then we fhali 
 be biefled in our worke.. 
 
 3 Here is matter or great confolation for us: For hereby Vfe ^l 
 we may gather good aflurance unto our owne hearts, of the 
 ibundnelTe of our repentance,and converfion unto the Lord 1 
 This being here in the Text let do wne as an infallible note of 
 thofe that have indeed turned from their evill waies to ferve 
 the living God,that they learne to doc weli.l herfore they may p ropo finsof 
 take this for their comfort, who are ftill propofTngof good gocd quefiion 
 queftions, what they muft doe,and how they muft do it ? By 
 what meanes they may get out of this or that fin, and attaine 
 to iu'ch or fuch a grace I How they may bee moft profitable, 
 helpeFuil,and comfortable to themfelves and others ?This was 
 the practifeof the Publicans and Souldiers, and of all forts 
 that were inwardly touched in their conferences by the prea*- 
 ching of /<?£;; Bapifi : every one of them came unto him, Lukes, 
 faying,What muft we doe ? And of the Iaylor, who when 
 once he began to be humbled,came trembling, and fell down A&.i*^ 3d 
 before P^^/and Silas } {zying,Sirs } wbat mufi I doe to befaved? 
 For howfoever Gods fervants have learned for the moft 
 part, what things in general! muft be done,yet ftill they need 
 to bee informed of many things; as whether fuch and fuch 
 things come wirhin the compafle of their callings Y What 
 warrant there is for it in the Word . ? Whether it may bee 
 done at fuch a time,in fuch a place, before, with, or amongft 
 fuch perfons? . What circumftances they muft obfervein 
 their proceeding ? What affection they muft carry in the 
 matter ? and * he like. For they finde fuch ignorance and cor- 
 ruption in their hearts, that ihey thinke they are never furB- 
 ckntlyfurni fried wuh -vifeJome & goodneflefor the perfor- 
 mance of holy duties, but ar 1 ftill jealous and fufpicious of 
 themfelves, left they fhouldbeled afide with by-refpeds, 
 
 How- 
 
*S The fecM Sermon 
 
 Howfoever fuch men and women think, and (peak hardly 
 ofthemfelves, andareftill bewayling their manifold imper- 
 'Hotel fe&ions and failings in every good exercife; yet the Minifters 
 
 of God find, that of all others, they are the worthieft hearers, 
 and pra&ifers of the Word,and receivers of the Sacrament. 
 Many count them learned Chriftians, that have gotten fuch 
 knowledge, as that they can fay much : but they are in truth 
 the beft learned,that have obtained grace to doe much accor- 
 ding to the exhortation of the Prophet in this phce 9 Leame to 
 doe-well. 
 
 Seeke judgement. ~] Now becaufe men will very eafily fhift 
 offgenerall precepts, he contenteth not himfelfe with the 
 former exhortation, but as he had bidden them to doe well, 
 fo here he commeth to particulars,and flheweth them wherin 
 their chiefe and principall care and indeavour ftiould be, to doe 
 well: Se eke judgement y &c % He had before charged them, that 
 their hands were foil of Bloud, and that their great men, and 
 men of authority were notable oppreflbrs and fpoylers of 
 their brethren and neighbours that were meaner than them- 
 felves: following after rewards, and not Judging the Father- 
 leffe and the widow, nor fuffermg them to have equity accor- 
 ding to the goodneiTe of their caufe : but rather abufing their 
 authority to the hurt of the good, and to the maintenance of 
 the bad,m their lewd and finfull pra&ifes. If honeft men had 
 never fo good a Caufe, and never ib good a Conference, yet 
 if they brought them no bribes, they were like to goe by the 
 wor ft: and if finfull and wretched perfbns had never fo ill a 
 Caufe, yet if they prefented them with great gifts, they 
 fhould carry it from all others . Now the Prophets purpof e 
 being to bring thefe men to repentance, he faith, Seeke judges 
 mentjfox is, Search diligently what ought to he done accor- 
 ding to your places^and when you know it, fee that you pra- 
 &ife it. Whence arifeth this point: That, 
 'Do&j. It is a note of true repentance, and of an honeft and fincere 
 
 Emy . on ?. heart, to difcharge the duties that belong unto us in our pla- 
 
 owncduty ces and callin g s - For look€ what is here faid of Ma §i ftrat es, 
 u and men of higher places, that if they would manifeft the 
 
 foundnefle 
 
of the Lords Suffer* 79 
 
 fbundneffe of their repentance, and the uprightnefle of their 
 hearts, they fhculd leave ofTtheir oppreflion, and fall to equal! 
 dealing betwixt man and man: the like holds in all other cal- 
 lings,and among men of all forts and degrees,to wit,that they 
 put to their utmoft indeavor,to finde out what are the works 
 of that vocation wherein God hath (et them,and accordingly 
 to doe the fa rrfe, reforming the fpeciall things, wherein they 
 have faulted heretofore. 
 
 This lob i ets do wne as a marke, that he was no hypocrite, 
 (chough his friends in jurioufly charged him to bee fuch a 
 one; becaufe hee was carefuli of thofe good duties that did 
 pertaine to him in his place, both as he was a Magiftrate,and 
 as hee was a rich man; in both which refpecte, hee {hewed 
 all good faithfulnefie : for as hee was a Magistrate, he faith, 
 I relieved the poore that crycd>& him that hadnone to help him. j f, 9( Tj"- 
 The blesfing of him that wot ready to perifb,came upon me, & I 
 caufedthe widows heart to re]oyce:Iput on)uftice,& it covered 
 me: Aly judgemeet was a robe and a (frowne, ejrc. Neither 
 would he fhift off matters to eafe himfelfe, and to free him- 
 felfe from paines and troubles; but ("faith hee) If I knew not 
 the caufe, I would fearch it out diligently .-and though the prey 
 were in their hands, nay, as it were in the mouthes of thofe 
 that were ftrong, and fierce as Lyons : Yet hee faith, that hee 
 •would breaks thejawes of the unrighteous man ,& pluckthe prey 
 cut of his teeth .We, would adventure himfelfe for the innocent 
 in a righteous caufe, though it were with as great danger, as 
 for a man to pull the prey out of the /awes of fame hungry and 
 favage wild bead:, that would be ready to devoure any that 
 fhould comeneere him. 
 
 Then as he was a rich man, he flieweth that hee difpofed 
 his wealth to that end, whereunto God hath appointed it 2 
 I was (faith ht)a Father unto the poore. Irefirai?iedhim not of lob t 9 " m 
 his defire y nor caufedthe eyes of the widow to fail, I did not eat my*°^* u . a ^ * 
 morfels alone \but thefatherlejfe did eat thereof And from his 
 youth he grew up with me.as with a father^&c.Ifaw none perifb 
 for want &fcloathing,ncr Any poorewithout covering* but their 
 loynes ble§edme t becaufe they were warmed with the fleece of 
 my Sheepe* 
 
 Further 
 
So The third Sermor, 
 
 Further, that this faithfulneffe in a mans owne calling, is a. 
 notable teftimony of an upright heart, and of a good confer- 
 ence, it appeareth by the fpeechof our Saviour, where hee 
 appro veth himfelfe, and his actions unto, his Father, faying, 
 
 I obn 1 7^4; Father, I have glorified thee on Earth : Ho w proves he that? 
 f have finiflied the worke which thou gave fl mee to doe % Many 
 times men fet upon workes which God never commanded 
 them to doe,but which their owne Flefh and Satan bad them 
 doe: or if they begin to goe about good works that the Lord 
 commandeth, they doe not goe thorow with the fame, as 
 Chrift lefus did : and therefore they neither bring glory to 
 Gods Name, nor comfort unto themfelver by that which 
 they doe : but this is it indeed which will ftand men in dead, 
 when they fhall come to make their accounts before the 
 Lords Iudgement Seat,ifthey can truely fay, Lord I have done 
 the worke that thou didft appoint mee; I have bin exercifed 
 in thof e bufinefles and affaires which thou didft injoyne mee, 
 
 Mattk.x$« and have gone thorow with the fame. So, when Chrift Iefus 
 would commend a worthy fervant; what is the Commen- 
 dation that he hath given him ? That hee hath faithfully im- 
 ployed thofe Talents and gifts, that his Mailer committed 
 unto his truft, unto his beft advantage. And this fas the 
 
 c Cor.4, 2. Apoftlefpeaketh^ is required of difpofers^ that every one bee 
 found faithful: that is, that they difcharge everyone the du- 
 ties that pertaine unto them in their places, with all due care, 
 and confcionable regard. 
 
 Vfe I • This ferves for the juft reproofe of ; thofe that make fbme 
 
 fhew of Chriftianity, and would faine goe under the Name 
 and number of found profeffors of the Gofpell, and yet are 
 moft unfaithfull in their owne charges. Many are good 
 Neighbours abroad,and bad Governours at home. They can 
 advife others for the beft, but they have no care at all to or- 
 der their owne Families in the feare of God. Many husbands 
 arekinde and courteous abroad, butchurlifti and unmercifull 
 to their Yoke-fellowes,and to their Children and Servants 
 . at home. Many wives will ieeme religious, who yet are not 
 helpes in their Family, nor feeking in all good aadlawfull 
 
 things 
 
[cf the Lords Supperl $ L 
 
 things to content and pleafe their Husbands,but are difobedt- 
 ent and undutifull unto them. SuchMafters, and Husbands, 
 and Wives,can have little comfort of their faithfulnes, when 
 theyfailemoftinthofe things wherein the power of godli- 
 nefie ftiould moft flaew it felfe; namely, in difcharging a good 
 Conference, where they are tyed fo to dee by the neareft and 
 ftrongeftBond. 
 
 And this is a great fault in divers Servants,who when they 
 have gotten a little knowledge of Religion, and can difcourfe 
 of fbme points thereof, begin to thinke, that then they have a 
 difpenfttiontobeidleandflothrull,head-ftrong, and mafter- 
 fiilUefty and impatient when they are told of their faults ;and 
 the like. Oh, this is a wofull ufe that they make of their rea- 
 ding & hearing the Word of God i If they had well obferved 
 that which moft concerns them,they fliould have bund, that 
 the Lord commandeth Servants {Topleafe their Mafiers in all Titus 19. lol 
 things } not anfwering themagain^ to fiew all gosdfaithfulnes, 
 that they may adorn theDottrin of God our Saviour in al things. 
 And 2Lgzme,Servants be obedient unto them that are your Ma- Ephcf.p.j, 
 fiers according to the fle/h, with fear & tremblingjnfinglenes of 
 your he arts, as unto Chrifi. And no lefle efFe&ua 11 is that other 
 place of Paul to Timothy: Let as many Servants as are under the I Tim* & ui\ 
 yoke^count their Mafter worthy of al honor >that the name of God 
 andhisDotlrine be not evillfpohen of .And they that have be lee-* 
 ving Maftersjet the not defpife the hecaufe they are brethren, 
 but ratherdoefervice^becaufe they are faith full & beloved 3 and 
 partakers of the benefit. And that was a thing worthy fingular 
 commendation in T^r^that he itiv^&Laban( though a cove- 
 tous,deceitfull,and hard Mafter V/V^ all his might -.being in the Gen.' 3 1*6.40; 
 day confumedtvith heat^andrpith frofi in the night ;hisjleep alf* 
 departing from his eyes. And therfore thofe Servants are much 
 to be blamed,that make Religion an occafion of their unfaith- 
 ful nefTe;which,by how much it is more thorowly and deeply 
 rooted and fettled in the hearts ofany,fliould and will make 
 them more true and truftie,more confcionable and faithfiill to 
 their Rulers and Governors. And the like may be faid of Chil- 
 dren: What gifts of knowledge and fpeech foever they have, 
 they can have no comfort of the farae,unlefle they give ail ho- 
 
 G nour 
 
22 The third Sermon 
 
 nour and reverence, and fhew alldutieand obedience unto 
 their Parents, as the Lord commandeth them. 
 
 This may be an inftru&ion unto us. Would we be (Thrifts 
 Schollers?Then the firft Letter & Leflonthat wemuftlearne, 
 is,To doe well in our places. Are we Children ? Let us labour 
 byfearchingofthe Scriptures, toknowourduties,andtodoe 
 them. Are we Servants? Let us. get underftanding of the 
 things that doe moft concerne us in all our places, and let our 
 praclife be anfwerable to our profefficn,& then we ihal flic \v 
 our felves to be truly religious indeed. And the fame exhor- 
 tation might be given to all others,in their feverall Vocations; 
 Which if we can folio w,whatfoever our Callingshe,7* */>>-?/<? 
 'fteul the Lord£hrift tn themfii (hall be fare of full reward fro him. 
 
 Oh, but my Calling is meane, and my fervicebafe. Though 
 yourworkebebafe, yet is it not a bate thing tofervefuch a 
 Mafter in it. They are the moil worthy fervants, whatfoever 
 their imployaient be,that do with moft confcionable and du- 
 tifull hearts and mindes fervethe Lord,where he hath placed 
 them,and in thofe works which he hath allotted unto them. 
 
 [Relieve the oppreffed.lfiavingin the former words {hew- 
 ed them, that they muft doe that which is /uft and right,hee 
 commeth now more particularly to declare unto them wher- 
 in that confifteth; namely, in ihewing mercy to fuchasare 
 in mifery, and m being meanes of comfort unto them that are 
 in difcomfort,and griefe ofheart. Whence this Doctrine may 
 be collected: that, 
 'B$Bfi 9 . It is a mod acceptable fervice unto the Lord, to comfort & 
 
 Mercy to the relieve his people when they are in mifery and diftreffe. 
 af u ftc< r an - CX " This is a work fo well pleafing unto God, that he pronoun- 
 ce c.u crv * ce « cet ^ them happy and bleffed, thateonfider wifely, and judge 
 charitably of the pooreand needy: Though they have no abi- 
 Tal 41. 1. lity to belpe them,or to dired and counfell them, yet if they 
 can but prudently and mercifully conftder with themfelves; 
 Surely this man or woman have carried themfelves fo holily 
 andblameleffe, that this ftrcke is not fallen upon them for 
 their wickedneffe,nor for their foolifhnes, but for their good 
 and comfort, as in- the end it will appeare. This mercifull 
 judgement and cenfiirejconcerning thofe that have many, & 
 
 flrange 
 
'of the Lords Sttpperl g^ 
 
 ftrange and heavy croffe's lying upon them,is a thing that God 
 much regardeth,and recompenceth in all that are fo afticled , 
 towards his poore diftreflfed fervants. This alfo the Apoftle 
 lames yeeldeth,as an undoubted marke of true Religion, fay- 
 ing; Pure Religion,and undefiled before God, even the Father is Tames j;*^ 
 this {To vifit the Father lejfe and Widows in their adverfity y and 
 to keepe himfelfe uufpotted of the World. His meaning is not, 
 that it is Religion it felfe (for that is a thing belonging to the 
 fir ft Table) but a figne or the fame, when our faith in God, 
 and love unto God,maketh us pittifull and liberal! towards 
 the Children and Saints of God, andfuchas he would have 
 refpecTred and relieved. 
 
 So, at the great and general! Day of Iudgement,when al the 
 World fhall come to receive Sentence according to their 
 workes, whether good or evill; what is the matter of com- 
 mendation that is given to the ElecT:, and the moft evident 
 marke of difference between the Sheepe and the Goats? even 
 this, That they defired to doe good; not in fome one or two, 
 or in feme few, but in every work of Mercy, and of Charity : 
 That they fed the hungry gave drinke unto the thirfly i cloathed 
 the naked ,vifited the fecke & imprifoned. And on the other fide, 
 the Reprobate (Kail not be charged and condemned juftly for Mwtfwf.s ft 
 this; That they did not the good that they might have done 
 unto poore Christians in their wants and miferies. 
 
 And further, this fheweth it to be an excellent fervice, for Reafinsl 
 one to ftretch forth his hand in relieving the needy,and in fuc- 
 couring diftrefled fbules:that whatfoever kindnefle is done to 
 the leafl of them, Chrift (ets it on his Score, and counts it as 
 done unto himfelfe; and he will acknowledge it, and reward 
 it,both in this prefent life,and in that which is to come. 
 
 Every one will come to this,That if Chrift Iefus mould re- 
 paire unto their houfes,hungry, or thirfty, or cold, or naked, 
 they would with al their hearts part with any thing they have 
 to refrefih and relieve him : let fuch heare then what Chrift 
 himfelfe faith to them that (hew mercy to the poore Saints; 
 In as much therfore at ye have done it to one of the leafl ofthefe- 
 my Brethren ,ye have dene 'it nnto 7»?,Math. 25 . 
 
 Which is firft for the great condemnation of them that do <yfe j ; 
 
 G 2 alto- 
 
3 4 The third, Sermo h 
 
 altogether iliut up their bowels of companion from Gocb 
 children in their forrowes, and temptations, and afflictions* 
 Whofoever hath this worlds goo d,&feeth his brother have needy 
 ilobn 3.17. f faith the k$o&\zlohn)& flmtteth up. his companion fid him> 
 how dwelleth the love of God in him? This goeth fore againft 
 fuclr.for in not loving his children, they proclaims unco all 
 the world,that they love not God himfeife, and therefore are 
 not beloved of him. And it^ it be fo with thole that doe not 
 make manifeft their love,by iliewing mercy;what fliail wee 
 rhinkof thofe,that are fo farre.from pittying and relieving the 
 diftrefTed,that they areready to add affliction to the afflicted? 
 Itis;uftuponyou(theyfay;) your indifcretion and want of 
 ■wifedome;in that you made more adoe then needs, & would 
 be more precife than wife,& more forward then your neigh- 
 bours, &c.) hath brought you to all this woe & mifery. This 
 is cruell and unmerciful! dealing : if they would doe them no 
 good, they ihcmld doe. them no hurt. Yet this was the cafe of 
 Iob^ and of1)avidm their great calamities and perplexities;, 
 and we may reade of the lamentable complaints that both of 
 them made in that refpechlf it be a marke of a damnable per- 
 fon,to with-hold mercy from the forrowfull and heavy-hear- 
 ted,then what fhall become of them, that lay heavy burthens 
 on thofe that are preiTed dawne too low before ?l£ there Jball 
 v be judgement ja> it h out mercy jo them.that (hew no mercy • much 
 
 more rearefull fhall their ftate be, that are fo full of cruelty to- 
 wards them, whom the Lord fo tenderly refpe&eth ?• 
 Ffe 2 Her e is a lingular comfort for Gods children, that are in ma- 
 
 ay wants and necefiiries:Sb long as there is any godly man or 
 woman,that will doe any rhing for- Chrift his fake, & for their 
 own comforts fafcejthey fhall.not be deftitute of reliefe : For 
 God hath commanded his fervants tcfuccour them, and hath 
 made many gracious promifes to fuch as are mercifull, & will 
 beare the. burthen of others. And if men fhould faile them, the 
 Lord himfeife will looke unto them; who beholds their trou- 
 bles,and fees their teares,& is acquainted with al their griefes. 
 And he that bids others to be mercifull, will not beunmerci- 
 full himfeife. And therefore it is, that men doe deny us heipe 
 and comfort many times, becaufe God would have, us draw 
 
 neere 
 
of the Lords Suffer. 8$ 
 
 neerer unto him ;W hofe eies are ever upon us,and whofe eares 
 are alwayes open to heare the cryes of the poore,and of thofe 
 that are humbled before him. 
 
 Therefore let the Saints of God make fiill reckoning that p &ki? 
 . one way or other they fhall be provided for ; if men will nor, 
 God will. Onely ietthem.be fure that they be found in the 
 number of thofe that be humbled in fpirit, & broken in heart, 
 for to ftch alone do the mercies of God appertaine Jf one be a 
 Gamefter,or an unthrift,or a riotous perfon,or a Drtmkard,or 
 given up to any fuch reprochfoil vice : or if there be any that 
 will not take pains to get their living,by diligence and labour 
 in their honeft calling, but give themfelves to idlenefle and 
 flugeifhnefle,Gcd himfelf will not (in mercie at ieaft)and his 
 children muft not relieve fuch kinde of perfons : He that -will z ThcCja* 
 not labour jnu ft not eate;Kn& the bed almes for fuch is,to give 
 them nurture and corredion, that they may defift from their 
 lewd behaviour, and betake themfelves to better courfes. 
 
 1 8 [Come now, let m reafon together .] Here the Prophet 
 prevents an objection, that they might make. It it long ere 
 men be brought to the fight of their fins:but when they come 
 once to perceive the multitude,and grievoufnes of them, they 
 begin to thinke their cafe remedileflejand that it is in vaine to 
 hope for pardon : but God bids them make no fuch conclufi- 
 ons 5 and therefore he faith, [Come now Jet ut reafon together:^, 
 which is in effe<ft 3 as ifhe fliould havefaid,Ifryou harken what 
 the Divell,and the flefh can lay, then will you rather defpaire, 
 trian beieeve: and therefore heare you withali what I can fay: 
 which if we could do,we fhould eafily fee,thi he arguments 
 of Satan,and of our owne wretched carnall reaibn,arebut de- 
 Iuflons,and that Gods arguments muft fwallow them up al!, 
 even as Mofes true Serpent did the Serpents of the Sorcerers. 
 Hence we may learne this Doctrine: Thar, 
 
 They that will come to the Lord,and do him lerviccmuft &°& : 'l* 
 not hearken what Reafons Flefh and Blood can yeeldthem p cd A c ? &c 
 againft it, but what Reafons God can give them for it. an !^ r °- 
 
 The Devill will have much to fay again ft goodnes -and our 
 own flefhly wifedome will have as mucb,and the world will 
 be as great a pull-backe unto us,if we will give it the hearing: 
 
 G 3 but 
 
3£ The third Sermon 
 
 but if we can lend an attentive eare unto the Lord, we {halt 
 finde that he will bring better arguments toperfwade us to 
 goodne(Te,than alltbofe our Enemies can,to difTwadeusfrom, 
 it. And therefore it is that men are fo often, and fo grofly de- 
 ceivedjbecaufe they heare what the one fide can lay to difcou- 
 rage and hinder them -.but not what the other can (ay,to hear- 
 ten and draw them onward in good wayes. For if they did 
 bring a fpirituall eare to receive the proofes that anc brought 
 from the word,they would be more forcible to bring them to 
 God,than any other meanes could be to allure them to forfake 
 God,and to embrace this prefent world* Therefore when the 
 Lord would have men to practice any duty,or to forbeare any 
 fin, we fee what ftrong r eafons he bringeth for that purpofe: 
 as is evident (together with innumerable other places) in the 
 fecond and in the fourth Commandment. And hence it is,that 
 men do fo commonly , and fo wretchedly tranfgrefle thofe 
 Commandements, becaufe they do not well weigh the Lords 
 r eafons to the contrary : for if they did, they would never in- 
 cline fo much to Superftition and Idolatry ; nor ever fo give 
 themfelves to the profaning of the Lords Day, but know that 
 it is farre better to procure Gods bleffing by keeping it, than 
 his curfe and vengeance by the violating of it. 
 
 Holy Job (we fee) tooke that courfe that the Lord would 
 
 have us take for the repreiling of all inordinate lufts and affe- 
 
 lob ji.ii clions, I made (faith hee) a covenant with my eyes ; why then 
 
 fhonld I thiflke on a Maid ? A carnall finfull man would have 
 
 thought this too much curiofitie and nicenefTe : What, not to 
 
 looke on the beauty and comely vifageofa Woman? At Ieaft, 
 
 not to take fbme liberty for thoughts tending that way? It is 
 
 too too much precifenefle ; who can take any notice of fuch 
 
 ' %rfe 2. things in us?Oh (faid fob) JVhat portion Jhould I have of God 
 
 from above? And what inheritance from the Almighty from on 
 
 high? q.d. I durfl not give any way unto the Flefh in an y fort; 
 
 for that were the direclefl: courfe to deprive my felre of the 
 
 comforts of the Word and Spirit here, and of the Crovvnc of 
 
 happinefle, which is referved for the Saints in the World to 
 
 come, Albeit I fhould ipeed little the worfe with men, yet I 
 
 fcould be fure to come fhort of many fpeciall favours & blefy 
 
 fings 
 
'vf the Lords Supperl I7 
 
 fings'of the Lord. And further he addeth, Is not deftruSlion to 
 thewickedy andftrangepHnijhments to theworkers ofiniqtihie? 
 qA. Suppofe I fhould efcape the ceniures of men,yet hath not 
 the Lord means that I cannot conceive orator thepunifhment 
 ofrebellious finners?And though things may befmotheredfot 
 a time,cannot he bring feeret fins to open fhame? Grant that 
 itbekeptclofe from the eyes of the World? yet, Ttothpot he 
 behold my v> ayes, and tell my ft eps ? Though the eyes of tnQXi 
 take the view onely of the outward actions,yet he looketh up- 
 on the inward difpofition,and affection of the hearf.Thefe and 
 the like reafons he ufed to keep himfelf in order, and to fright 
 his confcience from all manner of fin and impietie, as is more* 
 fully defcribed unto us in that Chapter. 
 
 And good reafon there is,why we fhould efteeme Gods ar- R r 
 guments above any other,becaufehe is Wifedomeitfelfe,and e4j — 
 therefore feeth what is beft for us ; and he is Love it felfe, and 
 therefore will direct us in the way, which fliall appeare to be 
 moll: fafe, and molt comfortable in the end , what (tumbling 
 blocks and rubs foever we finde therein for a feafon. 
 
 TheDivelUhe Work3,and the Flefh bring onely fliews of 
 reafon, and pretend love unto us, when they mcane nothing 
 kne,as the event will plainly manifeft : but Gods reafons will 
 hold out when they are weighed in the Ballance,and what he 
 faith fhallftand,w_nen heaven and earth fhall fall : and if we 
 take thofecourfes that he would have us,we fhall plainly per- 
 ceive at laft,that he meantus mot e good in fo advifing us, that* 
 we could poffibly thinke or imagine. 
 
 This idieweth and condemneth their folly, who, when they yr . 
 have motions or perlwafions to undertake any good thing, or 
 any purpofe to become more fober & ftaied in their carriage 
 and courfe of iife,will firft heare what their Carnal freindscan 
 fay, and what the World, and their owne Flefh can alledge, 
 Alas, thefe men are more likely a great deale to renounce a]F 
 goodneffe, than to continue in the practife of any godlinefle. ' 
 If once they give eare to the reafons of the devill , and of the 
 "Flefh, they are gone. For as the perfwafions of God by his 
 Word and Spirit, fhould make us begin, fo muft they caufe us 
 to hold on,or elfe we fhould faint iirthe mid-way, or rather 
 
 G 4 turne 
 
g5 7 he third Sermon 
 
 turne afide,and W3lke in a quite contrary way. 
 
 And as this is true in generall for the proftffion of Chriftia- 
 ttity, fo is it as true in all particular duties ; as to give inftence 
 in fome : thofe that have to deale in matters of ftrife and con- 
 tention, for the moil part are poffeft with the conceit 3 that if 
 they fhould not anfwer like for like,3"nd returne one difgrace- 
 full fpeech for another,and requite one injurious aclionwith 
 another , everyone would in a diort time grow bold with 
 them,and beready to wrong and abufe them.But where doth 
 ^St e \ God fay fo? Nay, the very truth is, that when they feeke by 
 
 fuch means to right themlelves,and by fucha (hield to defend 
 themfelves, and to repeli their adverf aries, whereas they had 
 men onely againft them before, now they have three for one 
 againft them,to wit,God and men, & their own confciences, 
 Matth. f .44. whereas if they would follow Chrift his rule , To blejfe thofe 
 that curfe them> and to do good to thofe that hate them, and to 
 fray for thofe that hurt andperfecute them^andfo overcome evil 
 with goodnejfe, they fhould certainly have the Lord, and their 
 owne conferences on their fide,and it may be alfo make their 
 foes to become their friends by that meanes. For the wifdome 
 Jom, i2.i© # ofGod telleth us, that this is the way to heape coals of fire up- 
 on their heads : which fliall either melt them, and turne their 
 affection to us,or burne them,and leave them more inexcufa- 
 ble before God, and their owneconfeiences, and fb haften his 
 judgements upon them. If men can be patient,and content to 
 lit down by wrongs offered, God will ftand for them,and re- 
 venge the quarrell of the meeke. And however in our corrupt 
 judgement we thinke,that by .patting by offences, and patient 
 bearing of in juries, we fliall expofe our felves to all manner of 
 indignities & lodes :yet by good experience we fliall find that 
 faying ofthe holy Ghoft to be true, The meeke Jhall inherit the 
 earth: and fb all delight themfelves in the abundance of peace. 
 
 Others there are that thinke:if we fhould make conference 
 ofreligion,& begin to reade the Word, to frequent Sermons, 
 to have prayer in our Families, and the like : this would make 
 us to be (coifed and mocked at, and to be termed precife fools 
 Forourpaines. But let fuch heare what the Word faith , that 
 **#!• P r ^tt#c € th them blefifed,that delight m the Law oftht Lord, 
 
 and 
 
of the Lords Suffer. 89 
 
 r *nd meditate therein day and night^andthr.tfe'^ him with their p( 4, U9 > . 
 whole hearts: Yea,albeit they fhould meet with (bint difgrace 
 and opposition in theworld:^/^^^^(fai,h Cbri(k)whe;i j^atth ?, 
 men revile yoa^andf erfecute you^andfpeake all manner ofevtll 
 againflyoufaljly^fer mj Name f *ke : Rejoyce and be glad, for 
 great is your reward in heaven .Is it not better to indure a little 
 mocking from men for a time,and that for wel-doing,than to 
 undergo the wrath of God for ever for ill-doing ? Confider 
 in particular what benefit we may reape by the Minifteryof 
 the Gofpell. He are ( faith the Prophet Ifaiah) and thy Soule jf X) 5 c .^ 
 fhatl live .Receive the Word -with \meeknefte (faith lames) whuh Iamea r.21. 
 is able tofaveyourfoules.Blejfed is he that readeth and heareth Revel. 1.3. 
 the words ofthisProphefie ( faith the Spirit in the Revelation) Pf0V 2 8 '^ 
 and on the other fide; He that turneth away his ear e from hea- 
 ring the Law, his fray er Jhallbe abomination (faith Solomon:) 
 andagainethewifedome of God fpeaketh thus, Becaufe / PrcffjujMi*** 
 have called, and ye refufed, 1 have fir -etched out my hand, and 1<5, 
 none would regard : But: ye have desf fed all my cottnfell , and 
 would none of my correElion: Iwillalfo laugh at your deftrulli- 
 9»>andtHocke when your feare commeth. Thefe, and the like 
 places, if we could thorowly confider of, they would worke 
 more powerfully with us to caufe us to deure the Word, and 
 to retaine, and keepe oar hearts ftill in the love and liking of 
 it, than all their reproaches , and periecutions in the World 
 could, to with-draw our affections from it. 
 
 But for want of this,many fore and dangerous ; yea, fome- 
 times defperate evils do befall men : for if we confultwith 
 Rcafon,it will tell us that either our fins arefo great,that they 
 cannot be pardoned: or elfe fo fmall, that they need not to be 
 repented for .This made Cain and Judas % thofecurfed & dam- 
 nable reprobates, to def paire, and caft offall hope of mercie, 
 becaufe they would not hearken what God , or his Servants 
 could fay,but only what Satan,and their own Flefli could fay t 
 whereas if it had bin poffible for them to have looked into the 
 Promifes of Life,made unto grievous finners, and in afTurance 
 of Faith have craved remifiion and pardon for their offences, 
 they m ight have bin forgiven;even Cainand JW^, as well as 
 Peter and Paul: for they hadall committed damnable fins in 
 
 thanr 
 
po *T.he third Sermon 
 
 themfelves; and that repentance which prevailed fotl'Peter 
 and Paul, would havebeene as efrecluall for rhe two other, if 
 they had attended to Gods voyce, and humbly, and earneftly 
 fought for mercy at his hands. 
 a J This ferves alfo for our inftrnclion, that in all our greifes 
 
 and miferies, we fhould rcafbn rather with God , than with 
 Men. For if we be in diftrefle for our Eftate, or in ficknefle of 
 body, or in perplexitie of Soule ; in any of them , or in all of 
 them,let us go unto Men,and they will moft commonly f erve 
 
 Ktrrt USj as fobs Freinds did him-lay forer burdens on us,rather than 
 
 eafe us of thofe we carry already ; and make our cafe a great 
 deale worfe than it is, rather than minifter any help and com- 
 fort unto us. 
 
 But if we can heare and beleeve what the Scriptures of God 
 tell us;we fhall find that our ftate is never unrecoverable: but 
 that if we can be truly,and foundiy humbled,thereis hope and 
 helpe for us,that God will give us an happy end of all ourfor- 
 rowes , and make us great gainers by all our affliclions and 
 temptations. 
 
 Though our finnes were ascrimfonjhey (hallbe made as white 
 asfnoTv.~^ In thefe words, the Prophet hath reference to that 
 that went before, where he had charged the, that their han ds 
 
 'Objection, were full of bloue^r. 1 5 . For hereupon they might reply : If 
 we be fueh grievous finners , how can we dare to come unto 
 God for favor? Is it not a terrible thing to appeare before him 
 that is fo juft and holy ? How then can welook that he ihould 
 be mercifull unto us? Say not fo (faith the Prophet) that is but 
 a reafon of the Flefh : As if God were no fuller of mercy than 
 mortall men are : Or as if he could do no more than they can: 
 Yes,we muft know,that howfoever men be unable to chacge 
 Crimfon,or fcarlet colour into white again,albeit they fhould 
 lay all their wits and endevours together, and pull one threed 
 from another: Yet God can make your finnes that are as crim- 
 fon,and as Scarlet, to become white as wooll; yea, as Snow it 
 felfe. If we once fall a warning of our {dvcs y God will fet in 
 with us,and never leave til all our iniquities (even in our own 
 apprehenfion and feeling)be quite &cleane removed from u^ 
 fo that none of them fhall be imputed unto us,but all fet upon 
 Chrifts Score. They 
 
 infwtrl 
 
of the Lords Suffer, 91 
 
 They that wafh themfelves by godly (brrow,the Lord will Do&X. 
 wafh them from all their fins by the Blood of his Sonne : that Penitent pe£ 
 
 whatfocver offences we repent for, we fhall be fure to have a fon * ^j bc 
 1 c wafhed from 
 
 pardonfor. . a ■ alhiieirfins. 
 
 So that the quefuon is not, what our taults have beene,but 
 What our repentance is. If we be truly dejected on our part,it 
 is all one with God whether bur tranfgreftions have bin more 
 or lefie,greater or (mailer: If we repent truly we fhall be par- 
 doned rully,be our finnes what they can be,fecret or knowne. 
 So that though we feeipots in our felves, yet God will fee 
 none: Nay,when w r e fee our deformity moft,God will make 
 it mod cleare unto us,that his eks are quite turned away from 
 the fame. This is evident in the-Prophet ?eremie y where he 
 fpeaketh thus concerning them that fliould be made truly pe- 
 nitent for all their evill wayes and works, after their feventie 
 yeares captivity \In thofe dayes,& at that time(foith the Lord ) ler.?; 2 ? , 
 the iniquiiie of Ifrael fhall be fought for y and there Jhallbe nonet 
 ^And the finnes offudah>andtheyJhallnot befound 9 for IwiU 
 be mcrci full unto them whom Ireferve : And the fame is pro- 
 mifed in another place, where the holy Ghoft fpeaketh thus 2 
 If we acknowledge our finnes ,he 16 faithfull and jufi to forgive 1 Job. i.9« 
 us our finnes, and to clea?fe nsfirom all unrighteoufneffe. And 
 the like is covenanted in Ezekiel,whcvc the Prophet bringeth 
 in the Lord/peaking in this manner \Then will Ipowre cleane E:z.ek-$$«&€^ 
 water^andye fiall be cleane 3 &c. where God himfelfe underta- 
 fceth to be the Wafher,and the Blood of Chrift is the Water.' 
 Now there are two things which terrifie penitent finners,and 
 caufe their hope of obtaining mercy either utterly to faile, or 
 at Jeaft in a great part to faint and waxe feeble : Concerning 
 both which, the Lord in this place giveth them comfort. 
 
 One is the multitude and exceeding great number of evils 
 whereof they are guilty : Now for that, he telleth them, that 
 he would wafi them from all their jMtbweJfe, without excep- 
 tion. 
 
 Another thing that doth ufiiallydifquiet the hearts of thofe 
 
 that are turning unto God,is 3 that their finnes have beenehai- 
 
 - nous and extraordinary, and many of them fuch as have bro« 
 
 .ken the Covenant, of which fort is Idolatry : .Concerning 
 
 which 
 
p 2 The third Sermon 
 
 \vl ' I from all your Liolsw'dlcl>A:ife youikvA 
 
 m % , -lace, he pr omifetn to open a Fountaine of Grace 
 
 to w;:fh them from all finnes 3 even from finnes of Separation, 
 and inch prefnmptnous offences as delcrved Excommunicati- 
 on from Gods People; yea, and to be cut offby the Sword of 
 the Magiftrate. 
 
 And there is no caufe to the contrary,butthat God may re- 
 mit and pardon one finne as well as another,andall as well as ' 
 one, if they be repented for. 
 Reafon i x Becaufe Chrift Iefus hath fatisfied for all alike : For the 
 
 greateft 5 as well as for the fmalleft : For every one as well as 
 for any one : For fb faith the Prophet Ifaiah.-Hehath borne our 
 «». 5$<4? * i 6 * infirmities^and carried our forrows y &e. He was wounded for 
 ourtranfgreffions, and broken for our iniquities. The chafiife- 
 ment of our peace "was upon him, & by hisflripes yve were healed 4 
 All we Itke Sheep e have gone afiray: We have turned every' one 
 to his owne way 3 andthe Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of 
 ns all. W hence it is plaine and evident, that Chrift hath payed 
 our whole debt^nd not/a piece of it onely:hehathdifcharged 
 our pounds , as well as our pence : and hath fuffered for our 
 moll horrible and fearful! rebellions.as well as for our fmalleft 
 flips. And therefore as an honeft Creditor, when the Suretie 
 hath fatisfied him for all that was owing, will not come with 
 after*reckonings, nor challenge any thing of the Debtor : So 
 neither will the Lord lay any thing to ottr charge , his Sonne 
 Chrift Iefus having laid down the full price for our iuiquitiesv 
 whereby his wrath isappeafed,andhis jufticeperfecHyfatif- 
 fied-This is one reafon on Gods part, why he muft ofnecefH- 
 tie blot out of his Booke, and out of his remembrance, all the 
 offences ofrepentantfinners, without any exception at all. 
 2 1 Another reafon there is on our part,and that is,that he that 
 
 repenteth truly for one fin,doth repent as truly for all the rcftfc 
 and though none do particularly know and difecrne all th# 
 errours of his life , yet if we make a particular r enfeffion of 
 KaLi9, faok w^know,and a generall acknowledgement of thofewc 
 
 know not,God will gracioufly accept us, and willfhew him- 
 felfe more pleafed with our humiliadonjthanhe was offended 
 with our difobedience; So that ftom both thele layd together 
 
 (that 
 
of the Lords Supper, pj 
 
 (that neither Gods luftice is unfatisfied,nor any fin unrepen- 
 ted in thofe that labor to warn their foules by true and godly 
 forrovv) it is apparant, that there is no tranigrefllon, no,not 
 the molt hainous,that iliall (land in record againft them,but al 
 {hall beremitted and covered from Gods fight, that hee fnall 
 never looke upon them in anger and indignation any more. 
 
 Indeed,thoie that have fallen into more notorious and gric- w . the 
 vous Crimes,cannot ordinarily get the afliirance of their re- don of great 
 conciliation unto the Lord., fo ioone as others that have not finnes is not 
 beencfo-grcat offenders ;but the caufe hereof is in themfelves: foioone sp- 
 in that fuch open and fcandalous offences doe make an excee- P rchcn cd * 
 ding great breach into their Faith,and bring marvellous great 
 hardneffe upon their hearts; & they are very unwilling tofet 
 their Coniciences upon the rack,and to fift and examine their; 
 ownefoules, to the intent their hearts may be pierced and 
 wounded for their finnes: but they will rather hide their ini- 
 quities, & put off their humiliation as long as may befas Da- 
 Wdid, Pfal. 3 2.JS0 that it is a wonder they ever get out of 
 the fnares of the Divell,till God either by fome lliarp rebuke, 
 or by fome fore affli&ion doe rowfe them, and as it were by 
 violent hand pull them out of the fire. 
 
 But if once they come to due iorrow for their fins, and in 
 humblenefle of heartland afliirance of Faith, can make clayme 
 to the bloud of Chrift,thcy (hall be difcharged and freed from 
 all their tranigrefTions, and bee brought to that purity and 
 whitenefTe, which they never dreamed fuch miferable crea- 
 tures as themfelves could have attained unto. 
 
 "For confutation of that wretched error of the Papifts, that yfe T - 
 would beare men in hand, That there is a Purgatory, where Agaj n ft p^; 
 ibme men,after this lire,muft have a further purging & fcow- gatonc, 
 ring than here they have attained unto: but fee here what the 
 Lord faith ^Though men have broken forth into never fo ma- 
 ny abhominations,though their fins were as Crimfbn, and as 
 Scarlet,yet if they would feek to warn and cieanfe themfelves 
 by the meanes that God hath appointed, hee giveth them his 
 faithfull promife,that they fhall be made white as Wooll,yea, 
 white as Snow,as if they never offended at all. To what end 
 then fhould men appoint a fecond W*Mng,\when God him- 
 
 felfe. 
 
p4 The third Sermon 
 
 *elfe hath undertaken to wafh us from all our filthineffe, and 
 from our greateft corruptions? (as hath been more largely de- 
 clared before. J What an abfurd thing is it,to imagine,that we 
 muft go thorow a ftrange invented fire, which may more tho- 
 rowly purge away the drofle of our corruptions? as if Chrifts 
 bloud were not fufficient to make us white as Snow? This is 
 but a carnall conceit of mans foolifh braine:for if fire and tor- 
 ments could have fcowred ofTfin,the Reprobates in hell fhold 
 have been purged there-from long agoe. But God alone hath 
 cleane and precious Water, & a skilfull and powerfull Hand, 
 to effect that Worke. And in the Revelation, Chrifl: Iefus, the 
 true and faithfull Witnefle,telleth us how all our uncleaneiTe 
 may be covered from Gods eyes: f connfell thee (Taith hee to 
 the Church of Laodicea)to buy of me -white Raj merit that thou 
 Rcvd. s 1 8 * *n a y e ft b e cloathed 3 and that thy filthy nakednes may not appear, 
 Nakednefle there is in the heft; but Chrifl: his righteoumefle 
 is that Garment which muft cover it: & then god will nevet 
 in anger and difpleafure look upon it, but in mercy and good- 
 neffe looke upon the holineffe of his Sonne, wherewith ouc 
 foules are invefted,and all our iniquities hidden and covered. 1 
 Secondly ,herd is matter of great comfort unto thofe that do 
 in good earneft fet upon this worke of cleanfing and purging 
 themf elves: they (hall not be deftitute of company to joyne 
 with themjfor God himfelfe will atfift them, and give moft 
 happy fuccefie to this their indevour. And therfore this ihould 
 incourageusunto the exercifes of humiliation, and of exami- 
 nation and judging of our feives:For are not a few teares well 
 beftowed upon God, when he will thereupon beftowonus 
 the Bloud of his owne beloved Sonne ? 
 
 Many are afraid to adventure upon the work of repentance, 
 teflthey fhould be driven thereby to defperation; outlet us 
 never feare that, though our uncleaneffe be never fo great: 
 Though we be ftayned and dyed from top to toe, within and 
 withour,in every part & power of foule and body, by reafon 
 of our originail corruption, and adfcuall tranfgreffions, fo that 
 all the men in the world cannot take away the foule fpots and 
 horrible ftaines of fin that cleave unto us, and arefetled in us; 
 yet the Lord of Heaven, who hath all (ufficiencie of power in 
 
 his 
 
of the Lords Supper, P5 
 
 his hand,can and will (without any difficulty ) pHrge us from 
 every one of our iniquities , by fprinkling on our hearts the 
 precious Blond of his o wne Sonne : which is, as it were, a fo- 
 veraigne Bath , ordained for the cleanfing of the foules of his 
 Elect from that contagious Leprofie of finne,wherewith they 
 are wholly over-fpread.And therefore let none be difcomfor- 
 ted in regard of his many and grievous offences., feeing that 
 the Lord hath entrcd into a fure covenant with us, for the 
 pardoning and healing of them all ; who can as eafily cute the 
 moft deadly wou'nd,as the Cnalleft skarre ; and the harder the 
 cure is , the more he fliall be glorified , in ftiewing forth the 
 riches of his mercy towards poor e finnersthat (land in need 
 thereof. Our greateft extremity is Gods fitted: opportunity. 
 
 Now the chiefe meanes that he ufeth for our cleanfing and M eane$ $ 
 (ancl:ifying,aretwo: cleanfing. 
 
 One,is the Word; which being received into the heart by t 
 
 Faith,doth puri fie the fame : according to that of our Saviour The Word, 
 to his Difciples ; Now are je cleane > through the word that I loh *f •!• 
 havefpoken unto you. 
 
 Another meanes,is the Sacraments wherby God is ready to 2 
 convey unto us the merit and venue of his Sonsdeath,by the The Sacra* 
 erYe&uall operation of his Spirit , that Chrift maybe unto us ™ en t- 
 holinefle for our fan&ification,as well as righteoufnes for our l &°t-i 3«« 
 juftification. God doth not offer unto us onely the outward 
 elements,but he is alfo more willing to give unto us the things 
 fignified thereby, than any earthly Father can be to give foocf 
 unto his hungry Childe , that cryeth for fome reliefe at his 
 hands,when he hath all plenty and abundance wherby to fup- 
 ply his need: I fay, he is fo much more willing than any earth- 
 ly Father, as God is kinder than man, & his ftore more plenti- 
 full than mans:and it is leiTe coif, & lefle paines unto him, and 
 yet more for his praife,to refrefh the thirfty fouls of his poore 
 iervants. than for a mortall man to fatisfie the appetite of his 
 hungry childe : For (as the Prophet fpeaketh) Mercy pleafeth 
 him. There is none that can take more delight in following af- Mic , ^ j^ 
 ter their recreations & plea ines,that do moft affect: them 3 than 
 the Lord doth, in (hewing himfelfe favourable unto thofe that 
 feefce mercy and grace from him,in the ufe of his Ordinances. 
 " ~ UP: 
 
p£ The third Sermon 
 
 : Ob]eUt0H Ufy* con f eiit t0 ^9G Tne next thing that might hinder and 
 - ■" difmay them from turning unto the Lordby found repentance 
 is,That he is Co holy and righteous, and his Law fo Ariel and 
 rigorous,and they "fo finfull & rebellious, that it were in vaine 
 for them to goe about toyeeld obedietice thereunto, they 
 fhould never attaine unto it; and therefore as good for them 
 never to begin the worke,as not to accomplifh and finifh the 
 lame. And thence it is, that a number fit do wne as fluggards, 
 and never fet one foot for ward in the way of godlinefle, be- 
 caufe they imagine, that there is a greater difficultie in Evan- 
 geiicall obedience,than indeed there is; little knowing what 
 Gods meaning is, when hee calleth upon us to be obedient.' 
 
 t/tnfoerl For his purpofe is, not to urge us to a perfect fulfilling of the 
 Law,fuch as was required of Adam before his fall; but onely 
 that we fhould doe our beft endevour, & labour to conforme 
 our lelves t© his will as neere as we can : if there be a true fin- 
 cere love,and a hearty confent,to fkew our felves dutifull and 
 loyall fub /eels to him in all things,it is as much as he exacleth 
 of us .The Doctrine to be learned from hence,is this : that, 
 God accepteth of penitent perfons, the will for the dcod. As 
 
 Do^.9} for the ful filling of the Law in abfolute perfeclion,that Chrift 
 alone hath performed;he hath paid our debt, & cancelled the 
 
 Col. i/ ' Bond,and taken away the Hand-writing that was againfl: us.' 
 
 Now this only remaineth for us, that we have a good inclina- 
 tion and a willing minde to performe our duty,& labor to the 
 utmoft of our ftrength fo to dojfeeing & bewailing our mani- 
 fold imperfeclions,errors, & failings in every one of our fer- 
 vices: which if we can doe,God will be as wel pleafed with us 
 through his beloved Sonne,as if we had kept the whole Law, 
 without any declining fro it at all,either to the right hand, or 
 to the left,that which is fpokenin the matter of comunicating 
 unto the neceffities of the Saints,in the Epiftle to theCorinths, 
 
 2 Cor.8 t i i • C to wit,*/ there befirfl a willing mind.it is accented according to 
 that a ma hath ' t & not according to that he hath not)ho]d$astYUQ 
 in al other (ervices;that we are accepted with theLord 3 accor- 
 ding as we are inwardly aftecl:ed,albeit our actions be not an- 
 fwerable to our defires:For he that hath a ready mind to doe 
 what he can,and doth the fame, w©uld be as ready to doe a 
 
 great 
 
tfthe Lords Suffer] gj 
 
 j^eatdealemore,ifhisabilitiedidferve2 And therefore the 
 Lord will fliew his gracious acceptance of that which is done 
 fcy him, though it be never fo little, as well as if it had beene 
 a matter of f arre greater worth. 
 
 Now that the true purpofeand intent of the heart, is that 
 which God principally regardeth in his Servants, may bee 
 made yet more cleere by examples taken out of the Scrip- 
 tures. We may read in (jenefis, what God faith of Abraham*. Gcn.2i.15.17 
 By my felfehave Ifworne {faith the Lord} becaufe thou hafi 
 done this thing>and not fpared thine onely Sonne fh ere fore I will 
 furely b/ejfe thee. And yet Ifaac was not flaine; But Abraham 
 withdrew his hand from him,and fpared him : < Yet becaufe 
 he was content to kill him, and made all things ready for the 
 facrificing of him; God accounted it as good,and rewarded it 
 as well, as if he had killed him indeed. 
 
 So David had but a purpofe to build the Temple; which 
 workewas afterward laid upon Salomon^ and by him perfor- 
 med: Yet the Lord giveth him a good teftimony, and a large 
 reward for his readineffe that ways Hee was content to fpare t chron.i^; 1 
 him,becaufe he had beene at great paines before, in fhedding 
 the bloud of many enemies of the Church, and fome remai- 
 ned yet ftill to be fubdued by him : Yet this he telleth him for 
 his comfort, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an houfe ~. -. 8 ^ 
 unto my Name^theudidfi well that thou wafifo minded. And . 
 
 befldesthis,he biddeth Nathan to carry him this meffage, 1 Chro.i7,foi 
 that the Lordwould build him an houfe ^andwouldraife up his ll > 1 ** 
 feed after him, and imploy his Son in that honourable fervice 
 *>f building an houfe unto the Name of the Lord, and that 
 be would efiablijh his Throne for ever* And there is reafon why 
 God fhould accept of the will as well as of the deed -.For, 
 
 1 Firft, Why do$ we thinke he will have regard unto the Reafonl 
 deed? Becaufe it is his owne worke: And is not the will x 
 hisworkeas well as the deed? Thatismoftcertaine: For 
 the Apoftle faith to the Philippians, It is God that worheth in Phil, x.13* 
 youjboth thewill^andthe deed,of his good pleafure. And thcrfore 
 if we can beleeve that hee is pleafed with our good actions, 
 wee may bee as well perfwaded that hee is delighted with 
 
 H good 
 
a g The third Sermon 
 
 good motions, and holy defires that are flitted up in oar 
 hearts by his owne good Spirit. 
 
 2 Another reafon why God taketh fuch finall things in 
 good worth, is, becaufehee is both in Name and Nature a 
 Father,yea,& an heavenly Fatherland therfore hath compaffion 
 
 p&l 1 2 ?• of thofe that fear him^even as an earthly Father hath of his child 
 
 Mai. 3- *7» that ferveth him. Now he that is a mercifull, and wife, and 
 loving Father(as thofe will ever be moft merciful! to otheis, 
 that have tafted moft of Gods mercy to themfelves) when 
 he feeth that his Child doth as well as he can, though it bee 
 but (imply and poorely, yet he will iliew his liking of it 3 and 
 
 Hotel commend him for it: And Co will God deale with us; though 
 
 we cannot do things perfectly, yet if we do them obediently, 
 he wil fhew his love and approbation of us & of our workes„ 
 When a little Childe doth cheerefully ayme and flioot at the 
 Marke which his Father propofeth unto him, though by 
 reafon of his weakeneffe he flioot very wide and fhort; yet 
 it is as well accepted of his Father, as if he did hit the white : 
 And the like fatherly dealing ifhall we finde in God : That if 
 
 Theperfeaion webefaithfullinalittle, he willefteeme of us, as if weeper- 
 
 of a Chriftian formed a great deale more. Indeed when we have put off the 
 
 tare, Image of the firft aAdam, and have put on the Image of the 
 
 fecond ^ak*«z,and have changed the Earth for Heaven, then 
 we fhail not only obey tru!y,but perfectly : But here it is in 
 truth(and foitmuftbe efteemedj one degree of perfection, 
 
 Nch.i.iii to fee our owne imperfections. And that was in Nehemiah^ 
 and in thofe of his time : O Lord, J befeech thee Jet thine eare 
 now hearken to the prayer of thy Servant^ and to the prayer of 
 thy Servants,™ ho defire to fear e thy Name. He could not fay,, 
 they did fo feare his Name as they iliould; but this they could 
 fay, that they defired to doe it better; which defire was a 
 Fruit of the Grace itfelfe. 
 
 pfe. This {hould inflruct and incourage us ftill to be doing in 
 
 the fer vices and workes of God. 
 
 QbjeBion. Oh, but we finde many imperfections, and many wants, 
 and weaknefles in our felves. 
 
 \4nfaer\ 5? hat ?ftfeat?Jf we ayme at perfe&ion,, and have refpect 
 
tfthe Zwds Supftrl g$ 
 
 cbeuerycommandement of God, and come as heere the 
 Marke as we can, the Lord will accept us according to that 
 we have,and not re/ eel us for that we have not. If we could 
 obey perfedly,to what end were Chrift his obedience? And 
 if God (hould looke after none, but thofe that can fully pleafe 
 him in all things,he fhould be a Lord, and a Matter, without 
 Sub/ecls,and Servants Jf thou ,0 Lord (kith r Da,vid)Shouldefi pr , , 
 marke what i* done amijjt, whojhouldfiand? * 13 °^« 
 
 Therefore though wee cannot pray with that feeling, 
 fieare and reade with that profit, fing Pfalmes -with that joy- 
 fulnefle and cheerefulnefle of heart,as we fhould:T hough we 
 cannot forgive our enemies, long for Chrift his comming, 
 havefucha tender feeling of the afflictions of the Saints, nor 
 attaine to fuch heavenly Meditations, night or day, as we doe 
 defire,and as God doth command;yet let us, not be difcoura- 
 ged : If wee ftrive to bring our wicked Flefh to the perfor- 
 mance of thefe duties,and though we have much adoe with 
 it,yet if we draw it as a Beare to the Stake, unto Gods wor- 
 ihip, and to the performance of good duties in publike and 
 private: And when wefeelemoft backwardnefle and unto- ^ Qt ^ t «- 
 wardneffe in our Nature, yet wee confent in our very Soules, 
 that the Law ofGod is holy, and good, and juft: And that 
 our wils and affections are indeed very corrupt, and rebelli- 
 ous; but wee would rather than all the World, that things 
 went other wife with us: That finne might bee Cibdued, and 
 grace planted in ftead thereof: And it is our continual! griefe, 
 that God ftiould be fo gracious,and kinde, and liberall to us, 
 and we can be no more obedient, andloyall, and ferviceable 
 unto him: If (I fay) we finde fuch a heart within us, we need 
 not be difmayed,but may cheerfully go on,with full perfwafi- 
 on and undoubted refolution, that the Lord will be merciful! 
 unto us,and take our obedience in good worth. 
 
 Onely that wee may not deceive our felves, let us bee 
 evermore carerull to ufe the mcanes whereby we may grow 
 better; and avoid the meanes whereby wee may bee made 
 worfe.( As was more largely taught in the former Sermon, 
 in the end oftnethird#0#™WJ For if one fay that hee de- 
 li 2 flreth 
 
j q ^ The third Sermon 
 
 fireth Heaven* and yet will never frequent Sermons, not* 
 good Company, where hee maybe inftru&ed : nor life any 
 private, or publike Exercifes of Religion, whereby bee may 
 be edified; he is no more to be regarded, than a fluggard that 
 pretendeththathemeanestohaveagoodcrop, and yet will 
 neithermanure,norp!ow,norfowehis Ground; but when 
 others are labouring, hee is fleeping, or loy tering : As no 
 man will ever looke that the one Should have a plentiful! har- 
 veft of Corne;fo will no wife man beleeve that the other fliall 
 obtaine a plentiful! crop, either of Grace here, or Glory here- 
 after. 
 
 SfJCefbaUeat the good things of the Lahd.~~\ Before hath been 
 
 iliewed, that all Sinners that repent, fhall have the Bloud of 
 
 Chrift to wafh and cleanfe their foules : Now in thefe words 
 
 is declared, that they fhall not onely hav^ fpirituall Grace,but 
 
 alfo right unto, and the.right ufe of all the benefits of this life. 
 
 Whence this do&rinemay be gathered: That, 
 
 DoB.io. True obedience to Gods Commandements, though it bee 
 
 True obtdi- not perfect, brings the bleffing of God upon us for outward 
 
 ence brings things, as well as for inward . 
 
 outward pro* This is pro mifed in Deuteronomy, where Affrfcsfyeaketh 
 
 Dcur^8.I, *• * US unto * e Peo P ie oSlfraclflfthonjbalt obey diligently the 
 
 £j C . voyce of the Lord thy God^and obferve and do all his commande- 
 
 mentSy which I command thee this day, then the Lord thy God 
 
 willfet thee on high, above all the Nations of the Earth. And all 
 
 thefe blejfings Jhall come on thee, &c.Bleffedfhalt thou be in the 
 
 City, and blejfed alfo in the Field, &c. And- fo hee goes on, 
 
 fhewing that true and faithfull obedience fs that which 
 
 bringeth all manner of bleffings for Body and Soule,for name 
 
 a.ndeftatcyea.andfbr Seed andPofterity alfo : And therefore 
 
 i .Tim.6&48. the Apoftle telleth Timothy, that godlineffe is great gain e, and 
 
 that tt hath the promifes of this life y and of the life to co?ne : In 
 
 Pftl.37«*J. which regard, David faith, I have beeneyoung,and now am old, 
 
 yet ffaw never the righteous forfaken^nor his feed begqivgtheir 
 
 bread.He had feene(and fo may we) that Children of Great 
 
 men have broken forth into many horrible finnes,and f o have 
 
 been brought to a ftrange, and miferable, and violent death, 
 
 and. 
 
of the Lo rds Supper . I o i 
 
 and to many wofull ftraits and extremities before their death 1 
 But he never law (neither mall we fee) the godly Seed of 
 Godly mcn,forfaken of God andMen,and left as Vagabonds 
 to begge their bread : But God hath ever had (and Ml will 
 have) a Ipecull care of them, and ever made all neceflary pro- 
 viiion for them : Either he himlelfe by a more particular pro- 
 vidence of his, caftcth fuihciency of thefe outward things up- 
 on them ; cr blclfeth their labours, fo that they are made a 
 meanes-of maintenance unto them : Or ifthey faile that way, 
 he moveth the hearts of iome or other of his Servants,to pitty 
 them, and to (npply their wants : So that whatfoever their 
 .neceffities be, they arc (reed from that Curfe that is denoun- 
 ced again ft the. Seed of the wicked, to wit , that they mould P&l.i09.x©» 
 wander up and do wne as Vagrants,begging their bread, and 
 making a trade of that vile wretched courie of life. 
 
 And there is a caufe why we mould reft fully refolved of Reafhx, 
 thispoint, that none of Gods houmoldfhall ever want ne- 
 ceflariereliefe. Becaule all will yeeld that God is the Go- 
 vernour of Heaven and Earth, and the difpofer of all things 
 in them both : And then they muft grant further , that thole 
 that are beft, and do beft,(hall fpeed beft; becaufe God loveth 
 them moft : And how then can we make queftion , whether 
 or no, the Lord will bellow upon them a competent mea- 
 sure, and a comfortable uie of thefe earthly bleilings , feeing 
 all is in his hand, and he wifhes fo well unto his owne Peo- 
 ple? Efpecially feeing he hath ftraitly charged us, Not to care Mat.rf.25, 
 tp hat wefhall eate, or drinks y or what wefhall put on : but firs! 
 to feeke the kingdome of ? God and his right eoufneffe , promifing 
 U6 -faithfully that if \v e do fo, all other things fiall be caU up- 
 on Hf. 
 
 And as he hath promifed this, fb hath he from time to 
 time performed it : As we may obferve thorow-out the 
 Booke of fudges, o^SamueL and of the Chronicles : For there 
 it is to be feene,that when godlinefie profperedin the Soules 
 . of Gods People, they profpered in their out ward eftate: And 
 when mine (on the other iide J had made- havocke in thek 
 Squles, then the Madianitcs , and the Philifiims , aad other 
 
 H 3 Eric- 
 
t o 2 The third Sermon 
 
 Enemies, madehavockein their Countrey : When they and 
 their Kings thrived in piety, and did grow in the knowledge 
 oF God, and zeale of his glory, then it went well with them 
 for outward plenty and abundance : But when Idolatry and 
 Impiety began once to thrive in their hearts , and in their 
 Land,they never had long,nor fetled profpcrky,but their ene- 
 mies Hands and Swords prevailed againft them for the taking 
 away of their lives,and the ruinating of their eftates. 
 
 Yfe i] Here is matter of terrour for all wicked Worldlings , that 
 
 thinke to advantage and advance themfelves by finfuli and 
 
 Proy, !©.»• naughty courfes : that is an ill way to rife :. For, the riches of 
 Iniquity fball not fro ff>er. Though they build their houfes ne- 
 ver fo high,and advance their nefts unto the Starres, yet the 
 Lords hand fhall pull them thence, and caft them downeinto 
 the very dud. They thinke their Houfes, their Names, and 
 their Sub ftance fhall remaine for ever, and that they fhall 
 make themfelves and theirs, by joyning Houfe to Houfe, and 
 Land to Land • by opprefling the poore and needy,and by de- 
 frauding the fatherlefle and the widow, and fuch as cannot 
 right themfelves. But alas, they little confider in the meane 
 while, that God is the Iudge of the World, and that he will 
 reward every man according to his workes. They imagine 
 their Eftate fhall be according to their Wealth : And fo it 
 might be indeed, it God were not the Governour of the 
 World : But fithheisfo, it fhall go with every one accor- 
 ding to that he is , and not according to that he hath. And 
 therefore as God would have it proclaimed to the Godly ,Say 
 
 |fcy 3.1©* je^ Surely it Jb all go ypell with the juft.for they /ball eate the 
 fruit of their works. So he would have this denounced againft 
 the Vngodly, Woe be to the wicked : itjhallbe evill -with htm, 
 for the reward of his hands Jball be given him. They fhall reape 
 that which they have fo wed . It were an abfhrd thing for one 
 that hath fowjie nothing but Cockle and Fitches, to expect 
 a good crop of Wheat, or Barley, or fuch like Corne : And 
 as contrary to all rea(on is it for them that fow iniquitie , to 
 thinke they fhall reape any thing but afflifhion. They may 
 delude themfelves with vaine hopes and bragges as much 
 
 as 
 
efthe Lirds Supferl t& $ 
 
 as they iVill: But do we thinke fuch proud,aad maIicfous,ancl 
 cruell men, fliall obtaine any happinefle, and profperity from 
 the Lord ? Nay fiirely,.he hateth both them and their pra^i- 
 fes,and therefore they and their wicked Seed fhall be rooted 
 out : As we may fee it verified in many of the Kings o£lfrael 9 
 as in Jeroboam, <*s4bab^ Baafia y &c. and moft notably in that 
 place of Jeremy concerning feho]akim die fonne of fofiah: - 
 Woe unto him ( faith the Lord) that buildeth his Houfe by un- Icr, **» , *» fite « 
 right eoufneffe, and his Chambers wi hont equity : He ufeth his 
 neighbour -without wages,andgiveth him not for hi* tx>orke y &c 
 Shalt thou raigne becaufe thou clo/esl thy f elf e in Cedar } Did 
 not thy Father, eate, and drmke, and fr offer 3 tv hen he executed 
 judgement, and justice? &c. Where is declared, in the example 
 of fofiah, the godly Father on the one fide, that the true 
 knowledge of God,and the pra&ife ofgodlineue,and of righ- 
 teoufhefle, bringeth all true honour and profperitie : And on 
 the other (ide,in the example okJehoiakim 3 thz wicked Sonne> 
 is /hewed, that impietie joyned with oppreflion and cruelty, 
 with fraud, and deceit, and injurious dealing, doth bring die 
 curfeof God in life and death : That it maketh a man live a 
 bafe and difhonourable life, and dye a fhamefull and ignomi- 
 nious death : That while he is in the World, he fhail live un- 
 defined : And when he goeth out of the World he mall dye 
 unlamented. % 
 
 Thisisalfo for our inftruclion; If we would have the yr fiT 
 good things of the Land, andeateofthe fame, that is,have the - - 
 comfortable uie and enjoyment thereof, then let us yeeld 
 our free confent to be dutifull and obedient to the Lord. Ci- 
 ther wife a man may have the things of this life , and yet not 
 have his part in them : He may have much meat and drinke, 
 apparell, and riches, and honour, and yet have no found com- 
 fort in any of them all. A poore man that feareth God, though 
 he feed on coarfe bread,on greene hearbes,or on pulfe,as Da- 
 niel and his Companions did , yet may receive his food more 
 chearfiilly, and looke a great deale more frefhly, than wicked 
 unregeneratemendo,orcan do, when they have ail abun- 
 dance and variety. 
 
 H4 There- 
 
7 he third Sermon 
 
 Therefore let this encourage men, if they would Have goo J 
 things either in right , or in pofleiTion, to labour to get Reli- 
 gion into their hearts : and to be as much afraid of finne, as of 
 miferie : and as defaous of grace, as they are ofprofperitie. 
 Which if we could do , we mould fmd£ Gods eyes open to 
 confidcr ofus, and his hand to relieve us continually in all our 
 wants and neceiTi ties. 
 
 And as we fhouldbethus carefull for our felves , fo we 
 ihould be alfo for our children. There is no good Parent but 
 would Willi his children might be provided for , and live in 
 the World in good fort • Nowhere is the way to purchafe 
 them a good eftate in the Earth : Vie the meanes to bring 
 them unto the feareofGod, and to have faith in God: For 
 when the Lions that are full of might, and rage, and crueltie, 
 do lacke andfuffer hunger ; Then they which fee ke the Lord y 
 f lal. 34..10. pjallyvant nothing that is good. God will have a care that his 
 Sheepefhall have convenient pafture. and be in good liking, 
 though the Lions be pined and hunger-ftarved ; and when 
 flrong and mighty men are in mifery and debt , in want and 
 necefTity, ever frufting and toyling, and yet getting nothing: 
 Then Gods poore and weake Servants (nail have that which 
 H5b.13.15. tVlH latisfieand content them-.For God hath faid,that he •will 
 never leave them nor for fake them. Therefore are they the mod 
 provfdent and wife Parents,diat. bring up their children in the 
 Inftruclion and information of the Lord: For luchfiallyofejje 
 Tfal 27 11. T ^ e cart h', and the generation of the righteous fl/aH be bleffed. 
 Children are not alwayes the better for the goods of their Pa- 
 rents, but they are alwayes the better for their goodne(Te:For 
 Pfal, 1 1 1< t. when it is faid in that 112. Pfalme that they are blefed , it is 
 more than if it had beene faid,they mail enjoy honour, credit, 
 wealth,and whatfoever outward bleffings elfe can be named; 
 For that implyeth thus much ; that they mail have the good 
 gifts .of God fo farre as they are needful! for them > and that 
 they mail have the right ufe of them. 
 ObjeSiox'. But this may feeme quite contrary : For commonly wic- 
 The wicked ted and profane perfons live in all manner of plenty , when 
 fiourifh. the godly fuftaine penury and fcarcity ? And therefore in 
 
 appea- 
 
iey have 
 tc'no- 
 
 of the Lords Supper. 105 
 
 appearance, godlinetle is not the beft courfe to procure a hap- 
 py and profperous eftate. 
 
 For the removing of this doubt, we muft confidcr , that Aafa. 
 liowibever the wicked of the world feeme to thrive beft, and 
 to enjoy great matters, in companion of that which good 
 Chriftians have ; yet in truth their cafe is nothing fo good as 
 is the cafe of Gods Servants, but in the midft of all the things 
 that they poflefTe. they are very miferable: for, 
 
 1. Firiljthey have right to nothing, but are meere Theeves t! 
 and ufurpers, and inali anfwer for laying hold of thofe things right t 
 that are in truth none of their owne ; A Thiefe may breake in- thin §- 
 to the Kings Treafurie,yet it is none of his,but he mall quick- 
 ly be thruft out thence: Andfo may a Moth creepe into a vel- lo '° 2 7. »*• 
 vet gowne, yet hath it no right there, but may be bruftit out 
 at the owners pleafure : And the fame is the qateofall unrege- 
 nerate perfons; they are intruders into other mens poneffions, 
 and the great Landlord of the World may thruft them fortja 
 when it feemeth beft unto himfelfe. and call them to a recko- 
 ning for medling with thole things that they could lay no 
 lawfull claimeunto,by anyone Claufe or Title, that is contai- 
 ned in Gods Law. 
 
 2 Secondly, as they have no- right to have any thing ;fb Th:y have the 
 neither have they any comfortable ufc thereof There u na ri g* nt u(c of 
 peace to the^iched^ faith mj God^ lout they are like the raging "J? 1 king. 
 waves of the Sea/hat cannot reft^but are ft ill tolled to and fro, M7,2 °* 
 from one fide to another -, and caft up filthy mire and durt. 
 And when they are moil: lowd in their laughter , and feeme 
 to be moft pleafantand merrie , even then tlicir mirth L> 
 of hollowneffe and diicontentedneife: For let them but 
 havefomeapprehenfionof death, or of any Hidden and 
 traordinary judgement likely to befall them: nay, let them 
 be but a little crofled , and di(graced by any of their Compa- 
 nions,they will be fiiddenly diitempered, and much daunted, 
 and many times fall a trembling , everie joynt of them, as 
 Belfiazzjar King of *Babel did at the fight of the Hand- 
 writing on the wall. And ifnofuch thing do betide them, 0*n*$& 
 yet they are ftill purfued by inch Enemies , as will furTer 
 
 t)€l 
 
X o 6 The third Sermon 
 
 them to have no great qmetne{Te,nor comfort in the tilings of 
 this prefent life which they do poflefle. If wee fhould fee a 
 Bucke hunted through a greene pafture, where there is much 
 frefh graffe,and many fweet and pleafant f]owers,and fprings ^ 
 of water: we would not thinke his cafe very happy, nor that' 
 he had any great inheritance there, when wee perceived the 
 Hounds following clofe at his heeles : Yet fuch is the (late of 
 all finners, that have a large and pleafant walke in this world, 
 they are ftiil hunted with many noyfomelufts,ofcovetoufhes, 
 and pride,and filthineffe, and the like: and Satan & the world 
 have them ever in chafe, and fhall purfue them ftill, till they 
 havejMven them into Hell it f elfe, if they alter not their pro- 
 phane and wretched courfe ofiife. 
 Gods curfeis 3 Further, they have the wrath of God lying on their Bo- 
 upon all. fas and Souies, which poy fbneth and in venometh all that be- 
 longeth unto them. His terrible and unavoydable curfe (hall 
 ever clofe with finners : So that though they eate and drinke, 
 and wallow in their pi eafures , yet they can finde no found 
 delight; nor turne contentment therein : Becaufe being po£ 
 fefled with hardneffe of heartland blindneffeof minde,and be- 
 ing given up to a reprobate fenfe, all things that they have are 
 imbittered by their owne Gnne , and Gods heavy curie clea- 
 ving unto them. 
 
 Put cafe all a mans bones were broken, and one fhould put 
 on him a Velvet coat,befet with pearles and diamonds, in the 
 moft rich and coftly manner that might bee : And he fhould 
 begin to think,and fay, No w I truft I ftiall be at eafe,and fhall 
 have no more caufe of complaint : Every wife man would fee 
 his folly, and teftifie againft him, that his rich attire cannot 
 take away,nor abate his paines:E ven fb fereth it with the un- 
 godly: Sinne hath fetthem out of joynt; nay, it hath fo 
 wrought on all the po wers,and parts of Soule and Body, that 
 it hath, as it were, cruflit all their bones in pieces ; and what 
 found peace,reft,or comfort can they finde,from ail thefe out- 
 ward things of the world that are caft upon them,till there be 
 fome cure wrought on their Souies. 
 
 But it is quite contrary with Cods children : though they 
 
 be 
 
of the Lords Stopper. i 07 ■• 
 
 be prefTed, and pinched with many diftreffes and wants, and 
 driven to many extremities and (traits, yet they may be fuller 
 of joy in the midft of their afflictions, than the wicked are in 
 the midft of their jollity. Paul and SiLu were fuller of glad- A& vs. 
 nefle, and oftruecontentednefle in the Dungeon, when their *, 
 fret were fait in the Stocks , than Herod was on his Throne, ° ** 
 having all his Flatterrers and Sycophants about him, to extoll 
 and magnifie him. The very teares of the people of God, are 
 fweeter and more comfortable, than the greateft joy of car- 
 nail and wretched fmners : For the Lord is with his in mercy 
 and goodnefle ; whereas his^face is bent againft the wicked 
 and impenitent ; And hence it is, That a little that the righte- 
 ous hath, is better than great riches of the ungodly. Better is a ^''37 fl 
 dinner of greene hearbes feafoned with the blefilngs of God s 
 than many dainty difhes , poyfoned with Gods wrath and 
 malediction . 
 
 And albeit, the Saints of God be fometimes deprived of 
 thefe tranfitory things 5 yet they fhall never be deprived of 
 Gods favour : and that want of outward things fhall be fup- 
 plyed with inward graces. They have a Cure promife, that Pfal.84.11. 
 they (hall havefufficient : and God never giveth leffe than he 
 promifeth , but many times he giveth more than we expect. 
 And if that which is wanting in drone be paid home in good 
 gold we need not to complaine , as if we were lofers by fuch 
 an exchange. Therefore let us fhut up all with that faying of 
 Solomon: JValke thou in the way of good men y andkeef the waies Pro.*.iQ.&ci 
 of the righteous :P or the juft fhall dwell in the Land,andthe up- 
 right men fhall remaine in it . "But the wicked fhall bee cut off 
 from the Earthy and the tr anfgre flour sfball be rooted out of it. 
 But if ye refufe^and be rebellious ye fhall be devoured by the 
 Sword. This maketh for the preventing of a third objection, obieftic*^ 
 For r ome might fay, it were good indeed in thefe regards, if 
 we could repent for our (innes, and wa(h our (elves from our 
 filthinefletbut if we do not,we hope we fhall do well enough 
 while we live, and be faved when we dye : for God is not fo 
 fevere as men would make him , but he is gracious and mer- 
 ciful : and therefore we meane to take our courie, and ftill to 
 proceed in thefime,and yet I truft tofpeed as wel as the belt 
 
 efet 
 
1.0$ The third Strm. 
 
 - 
 
 e,&tocl< forts 
 
 z how and wherein they have offended , and 
 
 b r their c ftvnccs , r e . . id for lake 
 
 i i to praclife.fbe contrary duties : but they that refule 
 
 to oi continue in their obitinacy, the Lord will never 
 
 forgive them, nor purge them from their iniquities ; but their 
 
 fumes mail cleave as raft unto their Soules , as the Dye doth 
 
 unto crimtoiv>rfcarlet,that can never by any art, or ilrength 
 
 of man be reduced to their former whitenefle againe. 
 
 And therefore die Prophetteikththem,^er^/>^ obey y 
 yejl ■■cured by the Sword: It is (ure iomefearefuli and 
 
 ftrange plague or other {hall fall upon you, and utterly con- 
 iu me you. As God hath mercy in abundance for penitent tin- 
 ners : fohath he judgements in as great plenty for obftinate 
 T\ ebels, that refufe to fubmit themfelves unto him. 
 
 Now the things before fpoken of ( both bleffings and fa- 
 vours promifed to the penitent,and plagues and punifhments 
 denounced sgaind: the obftinate) he coniirmeth by one main 
 argument;"?"/^ mouth of the Lord hath fpoken it. As ifhe fhould 
 Dotl. 1 1 . -rm r efaid,Let men never difcourte,nor object on the one fide, 
 or on the othe r: For God hath faid it, and he will do it. He is 
 true. and cannot lye; he is wife,and cannor.change: he is juft, 
 snd cannot be corrupted: he is Almighty,and cannot be reiift- 
 7 r /e i . ed : and therefore, whatfoever his mouth hath fpoken , that 
 
 Joh 6. 5^. his hand will bring to paffe. 
 
 Hath God then foidjrhofoever eateth my ftejb % anddrinketh 
 
 my blond Jhath eternal life ^and I wilraife him up, at the lafi dayr 
 
 Then is it impoffible that fuch fhould ever tafte of Gods 
 
 wrath, or fuibine the puniinment of eternall death. 
 
 ObjeBii Oh,but Chrift is in heaven, and we are on earth, and how 
 
 can we then eat his Body, and drinke his Blood? 
 
 Anfw. Vzhh hath a long and a high reach, and the Spirit of Chrift 
 
 hath as great a reach, to convey the fame unto us : and our 
 
 ' communion with him is not carnall, but fpirituall. 
 
 Objeclion, Oh, but having fo many corruptions and rebellions 5 as I 
 
 ■have,- how & itpoffible that I fhould be cteanfei ? 
 
 The 
 
tf the Lords Suffer* top 
 
 The mouth of the Lord hath (poke it: and therefore never 
 cavill againft it, nor make queftion of it any more. Indeed t^n/wer] 
 unbeliefe cannot fee how this (hould be effe&ed : and there- 
 fore, ignorant unbelieving Papifts have invented a carnall 
 manner of eating and drinking the Body and Blond of Chrift: 
 And have found out a Purgatory to fco vvre off that ruft of fin 
 that hath fo eaten into mens Soules: Bur ailfuch devices, for 
 the wafhing away offinne,are but as muddy water, that will 
 not make us one whit cleaner,but rather foule us a great deale 
 more. Gods meanes onely are effectuall to make us cieane and 
 pure in his eyes,and able to (land with boldnefle before him, 
 jvith all comfort and perfect joy. 
 
 On the contrary, this is for the terror of thofe that have W e2 * 
 their confcience&fo feared, through long cuftame in (inning, 
 that notwithstanding all the threatnings denounced againft 
 prefamptuous finners,they do continue ftill in their idleneffe, 
 their prophanes,and all kind of wickednes: Let them goe on, 
 and let them walke in the waies of their owne hearts 5 and fol- 
 low their owne counfels, and their carnall and wretched de- 
 fires: but withall let them kriQw 3 that for all thefe things Eccleftii.j,'. 
 God will bring them to judgement. And if ignorance will 
 not wholly excufe men, but that they fhallbeepunifhed for 
 their offences: Then how many and how grievous (hall their 
 ftripes be,thatknow their Matters will and do it net? Surely 
 if Chrift (hall come inflaming fire to render vengeance to thofe z Thcf«.i,85 \ 
 that do not know him: much more will he come in wrath and 
 indignation againft thofe that do know, & yet will not obey 
 the Gofpell. But as for thofe that fee their infirmities,, and 
 daily lament, and grieve for them, and ftrive againft them : 
 let f uch be of good comfort ;for their painfull labor is known Revel z**l - 
 unto the Lord;and their earned defire of faith, and love, and 
 repentance, is a grace well pleafing to his Maj'efty : And they 
 fhall not onely finde mercy for the pardon of their finnes,and 
 grace for the fanftif"} ing of their foules; but outward ble£» 
 lings tor the upholding of their eftate; For the 
 mouth of the Lord hath jpoken it. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
tiro 
 
 umm 
 
 THE 
 
 FO V RTH SERMON. 
 
 2 CHR0N.30. l8,ip,2oi 
 V erfe 1 8. The good Lord, be mercifull toward him % 
 
 1 $ That prepareth his whole heart tofeeke the Lord CjoX 
 of his Fathers, though he be not cleanfed according 
 to the purification of the SanUuary, 
 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the 
 Teople. 
 
 8 
 1 N the former part of this Chapters declared, * 
 how king He^ekiah jxi a zeale of Gods glory, 
 and love unto his people, made a proclamati- 
 on thorowout all Ifrael fiom Beerjheba even 
 unto Z>^,that they fhould come to keep the 
 Pafleover to the Lord God o£ Ifrael, at Ieru- 
 falem.'for they had not done it for a great time,in that manner 
 as God required, becaufe of that Idolatry which had over- 
 fpread the Land offfrael. For this purpofe He^ekiah and his 
 Princes fent Pofts with Letters thorowout all Jfrael and Iu« 
 dah, even to the ten Tribes alfo,that were full of fin and mife- 
 ry,to admonifh them to turne againe unto the Lord their 
 God 3 that he might returne unto them : and not to be &tfEe~ 
 necked, but to humble themfeives to ferve the Lord, that his 
 wrath might be turned away from them. But when the Met- 
 fengers came, a great fort of the Ifraelites hught them to 
 (corne, and mocked them : they were fo inured unto fin,and 
 infedled with Idolatry 3 that they fet light by 3 nay,utterlycon- 
 temned,all the wholfome and holy exhortations of that wor-* 
 thy King and his Nobles. 
 
 Yet fome of them whofe hearts God touched, even divers 
 
 out 
 
'of the Lords Suffer. m 
 
 ©ut of the Tribes of Afher, and Manaffeh, and Zebulun&mz 
 to Icrnfalem: and the hand of God was in /W^fothathee 
 gave them one heart to doe the commandement of the King, 
 and of the Rules: infomuch that there affembled unto lerufa- 
 lem much people, to keepe thePeaft of Vnleavened Bread. 
 
 But by reafon of the fhort warning that they had, a mul- 
 titude ofthe people oSEfhtaim*, and Manaffeb, Ijfachar^ and 
 Z/z£#/#;zhadnotcieanfed themfelves according to the Law 
 in thatbehalfe provided, E::od. 12. Numb. q» And therefore 
 were in danger to be cutoff^ Levit. 7. 20. 
 
 In this regard they were in great diftrefle, and in a fore 
 (trait, yet they thought it better to receive the Sacrament, 
 though they failed in fome circumftances of their prepara- 
 tion,than to omit it until the next yeere, having wanted it fo 
 long before,whereupon they adventured to eat the PatTeoven 
 which being ended, Hez,eki*h, in feare of Gods difple afiire* 
 and in commiferation ofthe people that flood in danger of 
 Gods plagues and punifhments, falleth to prayer for them., 
 and isinftant with the Lord in that behalfe : Hee few their 
 great defire to be made partakers of it; the paines that they 
 had taken to come unto lerufalem for that very purpofe; and 
 perceived a flrange hand of God inclining their hearts fc 
 ferre, and thereby was he incouraged to become an earneft 
 fuitertoGodfor them : And thus he prayed unto God foe 
 thcm:The good Lord be merciful towards him thatprepareth his 
 yphole heart tofeehe the Lord God of his Fathers* The Word 
 that is tranflated \he mercifully lignifieth thus much in effect 
 as if hee hadfaid, The good Lord pardon and fupply that 
 which is wanting in him that prepareth his whole heart, 
 And now they wanted not fo much willingneffe, as time to 
 prepare themfelves; and therefore he prayeth the Lord to be 
 favourable unto them. And that hee might have more affa- 
 rance that his prayer thould be effedhiall, hebuildethitupon 
 ftrong and (ound reafons taken, 
 
 1 Fir ft, from the Nature of God, implyed in the word Qerfc 2 8£ 
 ^jpodr\ which goodnefTe of his, is never feene fo much as in 
 {hewing of mercy to them that are in diftre(Je.As ifhe fliould 
 
 have 
 
j ! £ The third Sermon 
 
 have faid,Lord, thou art good in thy felfe, and good unto thy 
 People,and here are fuch as ftand in great need of thy good- 
 aeffe,and therfore be mercifull and gracious unto them. 
 
 2 Secondly,from the Name of God {Jehovah^ implying 
 his conftancy and unchangeablenefle in himfelfe, and in his 
 love,and the fruits thereof toward his Servants. He^ekiah 
 knew that he had bin merciful! unto as great (inners as they 
 were,in former times, and that hee was the fame Godflill, 
 and therefore he intreateth him now to manifeft fo much, in 
 paffing by the frailties of thefe communicants. 
 3 3 A third reafon is taken from the Covenant, that hee is 
 
 Verfc i p, fjh e Q 0£ [ oft heir Father .r ]by reafon whereof hee was bound 
 unto them,and their Chiidren;fo that he could not deny them 
 any thing that they fliould aske in Faith. Thefe arguments are 
 drawne from God. 
 'Jfofl * 9t Another argument there is taken from them, that they 
 fought the Lord, &c. Which feeking of theirs, is fet out by 
 the manner of it, that they prepared their whole heart to feeke 
 him: Not as if their hearts were fo free from finne,or fo full of 
 grace as they ftiould have beene; but that they were true and 
 plaine, and fincere: Notfuch as had no finneffor it isfaid;thep 
 were not cleanfed according to the purification of the Sanely 
 ary) but that did love no finne: Not fuch hearts as wanted no 
 grace, or preparation for Gods ordinance : But fuch as were 
 humbled for the want of grace, and of that preparation that 
 they fhould have made. 
 Verfe 20. This was his prayer, with the reafons of it : The effect £oU 
 
 loweth. And the Lord heard Hez>ekiah; that is, fo heard him, 
 as that he accepted and performed his requeft : For it is faid, 
 he healed the people-, that is, gave them that which God doth 
 offer unto his people in the Sacrament : They received the 
 Seale of the Covenant,and he made good the Covenant unta 
 them,as fhall be fhewed afterwards more plainely and parti- 
 cularly, in the feverall branches thereof. 
 
 The fumme then of thefe words is:The godly care of Hez,e± 
 kiah for thofe that came in part unprepared unto the PalTeo- 
 ver. And here we may confidcr : 
 
 I What 
 
of the Lords Supp'er) xi$ 
 
 fi What hee did, he prayed for them: where wee may note, 
 i The fubftance of his prayer, to wit, that God of his rich 
 mercy would fupply all their wants. 
 2 The perfbnsfor whom he prayeth: who are defcribed, 
 i By their fincerity, that they werefuch as feared God, 
 and fonghthim with their whole heart. 
 2 By their in fir mitie, that they wanted the legall clean- 
 ting. 
 
 2 The effecT that followed upon his prayer, which was 
 
 twofold : 
 
 God 4, I 5 ea 1 rd A Spraye [' 
 £ 2 Healed the people. 
 
 Ver. I p .[The good Lord be merctfu!P$XL that Hezektah be- 
 ing appointed by God to be governour, taketh this courfe of 
 feeking to the Lord for his people, we may from his example 
 learne this Doctrine :That it is the duty of all Governours and ^ „ . _ «, 
 Super iours, not onely to teach them that belong unto their p * r ; , 
 charge, and depend any way upon them; but like wife to pray ^Swirli 
 for them. inftruaion, 
 
 Good Rulers mutt not onely informe thofe that are under 
 them,what they muft doe, and ftir them to good duties, by 
 wholefome inftruclions: bur they muft alfo become fuiters to 
 the Lord for them, that he would frame their hearts to doe as 
 they are taught; and to pardon them where they come fhort. 
 
 It was well done o£Hez,ekiah 3 to fend abroad Meflengers to 
 call the Ifraelites to the worfhip of God : but this hee knew 
 was not enough, and therefore he befeecheth the good Lord M&IM& 
 to (hew himfelfe favourable unto them. Thus alfb dealt Da* 
 vid (another King,placed over Gods inheritance.,) *Be favou- 
 rable unto Zionfor thy good pie afure,{fa\xh hee) build the wals 
 oflerufalem. And fo did Mofes^thzt worthy Governor of the 
 Lords peolpe*. not contenting himfelfe to bee often teach- 
 ing and inftru&ing them whom he had the charge of: but e~ 
 ver and anon prayingibr them, as occafion was offered, that 
 God would relieve them when they were in wants: that he 
 would defend them, when they were fet upon by enemies z 
 that he would pardon them,when they had kindled his wrath 
 againft them,&c. The like is noted of fob, how carefull'hee 
 
 I was 
 
j.j 4 The fourth Sermon 
 
 was for bis children, even when they were an a Yort,from un- 
 der his (hadow,and had houfes of their owne to dwell in-for 
 lob m.$i it is faid 3 that his fonnes went and banquettedir, i heirhoufei e- 
 very one his day, &c. and when the dayes of their banquetting 
 -were gone about i lob fent, and fanUifed them ■, and rofe up early 
 in the mornirtg>& offered burnt offerings according to the num- 
 Li r of them all: for lob thought ,it may be that myfons have //>- 
 nedy andblafphemed Cjodin their hearts .thus did loo every day. 
 Here we mull: underftand,when it is faid that he offered Sacri- 
 fices for them, that he prayed for thern alfo, (for thofe two , 
 facrificing,and praying,ever went together }that God would 
 pardon them all their fins which they had committed, while 
 they were at their feafting merry together; at which times, 
 $fafrp many faults efcape yeng people,which they take little notice 
 
 ef:but lob coniidered throughly ofthem,& was ever mindful 
 . > andcarefuil to ufe the meanes of God for the remitting and 
 purging away of the fame; that his chikirens foules might not 
 be inf€cled,nor Gods anger prouoked thereby. A rare exam- 
 ple, worthy the imitation of all godly Parents, yet imitated 
 but of a very few : for how fmallis the number of them that 
 m*e thus jealous, and fearefull ofthemfelves ? and if they faile 
 of this godly care for their owne fouIes 3 how can they be jea- 
 lous, with a godly jealoufie,of the foules of chofe whom God 
 hath committed unto their charge? Now the reafonswhy 
 we muft be as ready to fpeake to God in prayer, as to them 
 in precepts, arethde: 
 RtAfons J Fi r *V j ecaufe God hath commanded to pray one for another, 
 
 J j* Now if thofe that are not tied unto us by any neere bonds, are 
 late. 5*itf. t0 k ee recommended unto God in our prayers* much more 
 Gods com- thofc whom God hath more efpecially united unto us, either 
 ownd by nature, or by duty and fervicc, on their part to be perfor- 
 
 Manfc. J .44- med unto us, Yea,Chrift Iefus ftraitly commaiadeth us to pray 
 for our enemies. Now if that be abounden duty- how much 
 more is it to pray for our friends, efpecially,if withall they bee 
 Gods friends? feeing they by our prayers may bee much hel- 
 ped,and without them much indangered. 
 
 The Prophet Samuel under flood that this was a duty, when 
 he accounted the negleft hereof to be a finne againft (Bod? as 
 
 in 
 
of the Lords Supper] 1 1 5 
 
 in that booJce it appeareth that he did; for when the people 
 
 were frighted and humbled,both by the words of Samuel,8c 
 
 bythelmiraculousworke of God, in fending extraordinary 
 
 thunder and raine in the time of wheat harvefhand therupon 
 
 came unto Samuel, ^zym^Prayfor thy ferv ants unto the Lord 
 
 thy God, that we dye not: his anlwer was, God formd> that 1 * Sam. 12.19 j 
 
 Jbouldfinne againfl the Lord> and ceafe praying for jSfe. Verfe 29. 
 
 A fecond reafon is, becaufe except they joyne pfe'tion9 un- 2 
 to God,with inftru&ions nnto them, they can ftfoke for no ?^ ic e ^ n | ta 
 great bleffing upon the good leflbns they give unc^them. AH w^houc pray; 
 planting and watering is in vaine, except God g#te the in- er, 
 create : and if we would have any increafe, it is g$$d reafbn x Cor. 3. 6'vi \ 
 we fhould feeke it at his hand by prayer . Therefore both of 
 them rnuft be joyned together : we muft doe the beft'we can, Geu f fr. 17. 
 and then fay,as Noah did, Lord, perfrvade Iapheth to dwell in 
 the Tents e/Sem .Except the Lord did perfwade the heart, as 
 well as Noah did the eare,he knew all that he could doe,was 
 but loft labour. 
 
 Thirdly,unleffe they pray for a bleffing,they can never be fo 3 
 
 thankfuliror any good that is wrought upon fuch as are under No*" 30 "" 1 * 
 them.They have had no hand in pulling downe Gods mercies "ha/have gone 
 upon them ,and therfore they haue no heart togiveHm praife before 
 for the fame, but when any Governour or Superiour hath had 
 a ftrong hand in drawing downe the mercies of God upon 
 any that depend upon him, and feeth the good effeft of his 
 prayers; and ofhisteares, this cannot but make him glorifie 
 and magnifie the Lords goodneffe, for hearing and granting 
 their requefts, in remooving evill things, or beftowing good 
 things upon (uch as are under their juriftii&ion. 
 
 This ferveth for the reproofe of thofe that thinke they have Vfel 
 done as much as they neede, and diffidently difcharged their For Superior** 
 conlciences, if they have called their children, & fervants,and 
 whole Family to the Word & Sacrament,and to be examined 
 before they receive the fame;though in the meane while they 
 never call on the Name of the Lord to blenethem, and the 
 tneanes;and to be good and gracious unto them where they 
 failed in preparing themfelves. When lacob was to fend his 
 fonncs into *s£gypt to buy food of f ofeph, he prayed mftantly 
 
 I % that 
 
I j £ Th? fourth Sermon 
 
 that God would vouchfafe to be with them,to give them pro- 
 Ccn.43 4 i4. fperousandgoodfuccefleinthe bufinefle they went about; 
 jGodzAlmightie give you mercy (faith he)*« thejtght-efthe man< 
 Kow if he thought it his duty to pray for them, when they 
 were to come before Iofeph, which was but Vnder-gover-v 
 nour in *s£gyft :ho\v much more fhould we count it our duty 
 to pray for fuch as belong unto our charge, when they are to, 
 come before the whole Trinity i even before that God that is 
 *he Soveraigne Lord and King ofheayen and earth,full of glo- 
 ry, and full of maj efty :how much more (I fay J mould we de- 
 fire,that they might finde favour in his eyes? efpecially confi- 
 dering that Jacobs fons went but for the food of their bodies* 
 which they might either haue or want, without any extraor- 
 dinary hurt unto themfelues i whereas thofe that are to bee 
 partakers of Gods ordinances, are to be filters, unto him for 
 the food of their foules, and fo bee everlaftingly faved>if they 
 can obtaine, it; or elfe take their bane, and be ly able to Gods 
 heavydifplea'iire,andin danger of judgement inward and 
 outward, in body and foule; not onely in their life time, but 
 for ever after, if they repent not for their diforderly,and con- 
 temptuous approaching unto him in his ,hoIy feruices ? fo that" 
 there is much more reafon,3ve fee,tljat Governours ihould be 
 earned with the Lord for' the f aving of the/bales of thofe that 
 are under their roofe,than there was for Jacob, to bee earned 
 for the fuccefle of his fons: and therefore let all thofe bee hum- 
 bled and reformed, that have_been flack and negligent in the 
 performance of this duty. 
 - Secondly, let inferiours here be admonifhed,that,as gover- 
 
 nours are to fue unto the Lord in their berjalfe ( the husband 
 for the wife,parentsfor their children,mafters, and miftrefles 
 for their fervants and people;) fo they on the other fide, are 
 to be gentle,and humble,and tradable, that their fuperiours 
 may have good incouragement, and good fucceffe in the fiip- 
 plications that they make ifor them. Wee doe not reade.taat 
 He^ekjah at any other time,dealtfoearneftly with God in 
 triecaufe of the people, as at this time he did. And what mo- 
 ved him to bee fo importunate now? even this, that; hee faw 
 they had hearkened unto his perfwafiop, & taken great pains 
 
 te 
 
 for infcrio&s. 
 
tfthe Lords Supper] i ij 
 
 to come to ferkfalem from all quarters of the Larid:and being 
 there, he perceived that they had fomeforro wand remorfe 
 for their former impiety,andfome defire to become better for 
 the time to come. Now when he difcerned that they came on 
 fo raft, and that they were halfe healed already, he bendeth ail 
 the force and ftrength of his prayers for the obtaining of mer- 
 cy and favour for them, and fo found that good efrecl: that he 
 defiredandexpe&ed. And that was it that made D avid fo 
 plentifully & feelingly to poure out his heart before the Lord 
 in prayer, and in thankfgiving : for when the Princes and the , ... , 
 people had offered very largely,and very willingly fDavidre- * ,, ^j' 1 ^*' 
 joyce d with great joy ^and blejfed and praifed the Lord before all 
 the congregation^ ay ing^ Blejfedbe thou, O Lord Godoflfrael 
 cur Father for ever and cver,&c. Who am /, and -who are my 
 $eople>thatweJhould offer willingly ?&c. O Lord godjzecp this 
 for ever in the purpofes and thoughts of the heart ofthypeople y 
 and prepare their hearts unto thee. Thus may we obierue how 
 the good afte&ions and defiresofthe people do ftirre up and 
 ftrengthen the hearts of their Rulers to pray for them: where- 
 as on the contrary, nothing doth fo kill the heart, and difcou- 
 rage the fpirits of Gods fervants from prayer,as when they fee 
 thofe that are under them, to be wilfull, and heady, fro ward, 
 and rebellious, and utterly void of any good difpofition unto 
 piety, and religious exercifes:They can give no good teftimo- 
 nie of them, but have need to cry unto God , that he would 
 humble them, and convert them : they cannot pray as Hez,e- 
 kl^h here doth, The good Lord be mercifull unto himjhat pre- 
 pareth his whole heart tofeeke the Lor d,3>CC. but the good Lord 
 give them hearts to preparethemfelves,and take away the fto- 
 ny,and unbeleeving,and carnal hearts out of their bodies. And ., , 
 indeed many times it is a j'uft judgement of God upon fiich ****** 
 wretched perfons , that his children fliould have no heart to 
 pray for them, becaufe (as it is faid of Eli's fbnnes) God hath 
 a purpofe to deftroy them, or at leaft greivoufly to affiicT: the. 
 And therefore little do thefeftubborne and obftinate children 
 and fervants know, what injury they do unto themfelves, by 
 cntring into, and continuing in their (infullcourfes : for they 
 thereby not onely provoke Gods heavy diipleafure againft 
 
 I z . them;, 
 
rl g The fourth Sermon 
 
 them ; which is a burden importable^but aifo hinder,& it may 
 be utterly cut off the prayers of thofe that would otherwise 
 cry unto God night and day , for the obtaining of his favour^ 
 and the procuring or* the light of his countenance to fhine up- 
 on them, if they might fee any figne of grace and goodncfle in 
 them. So much for the fir ft point. 
 
 Now further mark who they be that he praieth fonnotpro* 
 
 fane or careles perfons, but for thofe that prepared their whole 
 
 heart tofeekjhe Lord,&c. that is, which laboured with a true 
 
 and fincere heart to be partakers of the mercy and goodnes oi 
 
 God, which he made offer .of in his holy ordinances. In that 
 
 He^ekiah neither doth, nor dares pray for a bleflingupon any, 
 
 but upon fuch as were true-hearted ; The Doclnne is : that, 
 
 DoB\i. Whofoever would have any mercy from God in the Sacra- 
 
 S/nccriry re ment,muft come with a fincere and upright heart thereunto* 
 
 q uifite in all That howfoever he cannot put away all finne ( for who can fay 
 
 Communi- fa ^r/- ^ c leane) yet he may, and muft put away the liking 
 
 £¥*?*? oFall finne, and the purpofe of finning. 
 
 So farre-as-any man hath a love unto iniquity,and an intent 
 of committing iniquity, he is tainted with hypocrifie, & doth 
 pollute and defile every good thing that he medleth withal!, 
 and Co can have no benefit, but much hurt therefrom. 
 
 If then we would have God to meet us in mercy, we muft 
 
 xneet him in fincerity:& if we would have him tacome unto 
 
 us in goodnes, we rnuft draw neere unto him in uprightneffe. 
 
 Hcb>o 12. Agreeable to this point is that exhortation to the Heb. Let us 
 
 draw neare with a true hearty in affttrance of faith, Jprink/ed in 
 
 our hearts from an evillconfcience i & wafted in our bodies with 
 
 pure water. As if he fhould have (aid; except you come fitted 
 
 and prepared with a heart void of guile and deceit, ye offend 
 
 God by your comming, Tor God will be fo farre from giving 
 
 countenance, or comfort unto fiich , that he will aiurredly 
 
 plague them for all their fraud & falfiiood that they have ufed 
 
 with him. This we may plainly fee in that which befell the ill 
 
 grounds; thereare three fortsof them mentioned (all profef- 
 
 ibrs ) that came to the Word of life, and yet had no benefit by 
 
 ., it: and therefore by a neceflary confequent, they could reap as 
 
 Kffik littk fruit by the Sacrament. For the Word muft give life and 
 
 ftrcngthu 
 
tfth* Lords Sttppirl 1 1 9 
 
 ftrength, before the Sacrament can noutifh and incfeafe the 
 fame. What was the reafon why they profited not? becaufe 
 they came not with z good andhoneft heart, as the fourth fort Luk.8.iy. 
 of hearers did,who received inftrudion and comfort, and the 
 power of godlinefTe,by the confcionable hearing of the word* 
 Bat what is that good and honeft heart which they are com- 
 mended for } it is a heart that doth fully purpofe to do well, 
 though it faile much in that which it performeth : that refol- 
 veth before-hand to avoid the evili that ihall be reproved,and 
 to do the good duties that mall be commanded, & to beleeve 
 and reft upon the promifes that {hall be pronounced, as far as 
 God (hall give ability,&c. Now wherefoever there is fiich a 
 ready inclination unto goodnes, there will be a bringing forth 
 of fruit; though not in all alike , yet every one will do fome- 
 what:and God will acknowledge them for good ground,and 
 hon eft-hearted Chriftians, that yeeld him but a thirty fold, as 
 well as thofe that yeeld him fixty fold,or an hundred fold: for 
 a lefle meafure of fruitful nefle,is an argument of truth, as weH 
 as a greater meafure , and therefore (hall be refpefted and re- 
 warded :but as for thofe that have naughty & deceitful hearts, 
 they ihal go away as bad,or worfe than they canie:and what- 
 soever faire colours they fet upon their profeffionfor a time, 
 yet fooner or later their hollownefle (hall appeareto their 
 fhame and punifhment. 
 
 Now the Reafons that make for the confirmation of this 
 Doctrine, That if we would finde acceptance with God, we 
 muft bring fincerity with us : are thef e, 
 
 Fir ft,without this, we can have neither rcmiffion, nor fan- Reafon 8 
 edification : and therefore are fo farre from having intereft in Wnbourapl 
 Gods mercies through Chrift his merits, that we are liable to "g h tne/Te 
 his wrath, and lie open to the ftrokes of his revenging hands. thcre | s ™ ^ 
 None are pardoned, and blefled, but thofe in whofejpirit there !?£ j „ f , ' • . 
 wm guile. % * 
 
 Secondly, except there be uprightnefle, we can have no ^ 
 hope of good fucceffe in any fervice of God > that we take in 
 hand, therebeing no promife made unto us : for as God hea- *$:*&• 
 reth not fmner sin fray er, fo he doth not helpe finners by the •'** 
 Word or Sacrament. 
 
 I 4 This 
 
2 2C - The fourth Sermon 
 
 yfe il Thisisfortheterrourof thofe that when they come to the 
 
 Againf! un , Lords Table,never examine themfelves,nor look into the ftate 
 prepared re f their foules : at mod they come but v/ithaPharifaicafl 
 ccivers. wafhing of the outfide of the Cup, and ofthe Platter : As, if 
 
 there have been, brawles betweene man and man,there fliall 
 be fome idle & formal reconciliation: they will be freinds and 
 forgive one another ,before they receive the Communion;but 
 if there be any difference betwixt God and them , they never 
 looke to the inward parts : fiich can expeft no blefling upon 
 their coming, but may juftly feare fome grievous judgement, 
 becaufe their hearts are unfound & unfaithful before the Lord. 
 3 * Secondly, fith none here have any prayer made for them, 
 
 but fuch as bring with them to the Lords houfe a (ingle and 
 iincere heart -.therefore ifwe would have benefit by any ofthe 
 means of f alvation, let us be fare, that though we be burdened 
 with many corruptions, yet we feeke the Lord with an unfai- 
 ned defire ofprofmng by his ordinances. Now that we may 
 not deceive our felves,but may fatisfie our conferences in full 
 afiurance that our hearts are right toward Godjlet us take this 
 direclion following: 
 A triall of an Firft,Iabour diligently to find out(as by fearching we may) 
 upiighthearc. our fp ec j a ]j f inncs . grieve heartily for them : and put them a- 
 * f way by true repentance. So faith fames , Purge your hearts ye 
 ^nne° QCmS ° tyfocritcs : but what muft be the purgation and rcceit which 
 Isw 5.8.9» tne y mu & ta ^ e? (f orrow a *d wetye.) That man aud woman 
 that hath never done fo, is not onely ftained with hypocrifie, 
 but is a finfull hypocrite. All men by nature are full of deceit 
 and guile, and till they fit as judges upon their owne foules^ 
 they cannot becleanfed from the fame $ but when they have 
 once thorowly fifted themfelves,and by godly forrow labou- 
 red to purge their confidences , as neare as pollibly they can, 
 from all fecret fins,then though they cannot fay J have no fin; 
 yet they may boldly fay,I allow no finne : and therefore I am 
 allured that I am no diflembler : and that Gods j udgements 
 fhould never light on me,becanfe I have prevented the fame 
 by judging my felfe , and by abandoning thofe corruptions 
 whkh might procujrehis wrath and difpleafare againft me. 
 Secondlyjiet us ufe the meanes whereby our hearts may be 
 '~ made 
 
of the Lords Supper. 12* 
 
 made pure and undefiled;namely,the Word, Sacrament and , , 
 Prayer :fbr though we mourne never fo much, that is but as it ^ifcs 
 were plowing of our hearts : if there be not good feed alfo ier.4.4? 
 fo wne thereupon,we cannot cxpecT: any crop of grace: all the Note, 
 ibrrow and afflictions in the woi Id, without that,can do us no 
 good, but rather much huru • therefore it is let downe in the 
 Text, as a note of a true heart, in thofe Ifraelites that came to 
 receive the Paffeover ,That they did fe eke the Lord God of their 
 lathers, in that means which he had ordained for the helping 
 and healing of them: wherein if we can imitate them,we fliall 
 fpeed as they did,all our breaches fhall be made up, and all our 
 deadly difeales ihall be by degrees healed, and at length fully 
 and perfectly cured.Thirdly, we muft not onely have recourfe 3 
 
 unto Gods ordinances, but fet downe our reckoning before- £P* L atlono ? 
 hand, that we fhall affuredly finde the efficacy and powerfull ,ns " 
 operation thereof: and that God will not mock and delude us 
 with vaine hopes j but look what pronrife he hath made in his 
 Word,he will accordingly make good the fame: and not one 
 word fliall fall to the ground, of all the good things that he 
 hath covenanted to beftow upon us. And therefore (as we are 
 exhorted in the former place to tti£ Hebrews) We mnft draw 
 neere in affurance offaith y bc then according to our faith it fhal 
 be unto us. And the like we have in the Revel, icounfell thee R eV3 ,. g j. 
 ( faith Chrift to the luke-warme Laodiceans) to buy of me gold 
 tryedinthefire,&c. teaching us hereby, that we muft highly 
 efteeme, and heartily defire the holy things of God, and be at 
 coft to part with our corruptions, and make account that. we 
 {hall not bedifappointed when we come thus affected unto 
 Chrift Iefiis. And the he wii enrich us,that before were poore^ 
 and clothe us,that before were naked^and enlighten our eyes, 
 that before were altogether {hut up in blindnes & ignorance. 
 
 Thirdly, here is matter of co.nfolation for them that can Vj 
 approve the fincerity of their hearts by the fore-named trials. 
 W ho before they dare prefent.themfelves at the Lords Table, 
 or prefume to aske any comfort from Iefes Chrift, do fir ft af« 
 flicl tliemfelvestand before theyintreat the Lord to bind them 
 up, do firft feeke to breake their owne hearts by inward re- 
 morfe and contrition for all their offences-) and yet content 
 
 noc 
 
{ 2i The fourth Sermon 
 
 notthemfelvesthustobreakcupthe fallow ground of their 
 hearts, but come unto the Lord, as he commandeth them, 
 Xo befeech him to fow his precious feed upon them ; and do 
 reft and relye on him for the doing of it. Let fucb be of good 
 comfort; for undoubtedly the Lord will not fend them empty 
 away, their labour fhall not be loft, nor their hope be diftp- 
 pointed : but they fhall certainly have good fucceffe, accor- 
 ding to their expectation. I. Becaufe they have done what 
 they could for their part. a. H^£/^ prayer ftandeth in as 
 good force yet ftill, as it did at that time when it was made: 
 and the fame in efrecl: is continually offered up unto God by 
 many of his elecVbr fuch as are fo humbled and fitted for that 
 worke: yea,and Chrift Iefus alfb in his owne perfon hath fan- 
 ftified and blefled that Sacrament, to ail beleevers that fhall 
 worthily partake of it unto the end of the world : and there- 
 fore comming thus affected and prepared , they cannor miffe 
 of the promif ed bleffing. 
 (Though he be not cleanfed according to the purification of the 
 „ SanEluarj.) In thefe words he preventeth that feare & doubt 
 of good fiiccefle , that might arife in their hearts for want of 
 preparation: for the Law was,that no uncleane perfon fhould 
 have any thing to do with the Pafleover : Now divers of them 
 were in their uncleannefTe,becaufe they had not time to purge 
 themfelves according to the legall rites : therefore He^ekiah 
 here feeketh to helpe the matter, and in effect he faith thus : I 
 confefle OLord, there are divers ceremoniall circumftances 
 wanting in our preparation to the Sacrament : but fb the cafe 
 flood with us, that we knew not how poffibly to help it, and 
 therefore, Lord* be mercifull unto us in that regard. In that he 
 prayeth thus for them, albeit they had fo failed in want of due 
 preparation , that they might juftly have beene punifhed for 
 the fame,if they had had time to have done better,and had not 
 BoB 2 ' ^ s ^ eene an extraordinary cafe : the Doclrine hence arifing, 
 
 Failing in cir- 1S tn ^ s : ^ at ' 
 
 cumttanccs of So long as we labour to keepe the fubftance of Gods wor- 
 Gods fctvicc fhip,though we faile in fome circumftances thereof,he wil be 
 hinders nottbc mercifull unte us. 
 
 bhffing, jf we em 5 race t h e fobftance thereof willingly, and faile in 
 
 the 
 
of the Lords Supper, 1 2 s 
 
 :hecireumfhnces unwillingly, God will never lay it to out 
 charge. Examples will prove this more fully unto us. Te have 
 heard of "the patience of '?*£ (faith the Apoftle fames) and ye Iam.<. it< 
 know what end God made with him. Now if we reade over the * ob 3 • 
 book of Job, we mall find, that there was in him a great dealc 
 ofpaffion and diftemper, and that he held but very weakly in 
 a great part of the conflict. : as when he curfed the day of his 
 birtfoand conceived hardly of the Lord, and was ready to dis- 
 pute and reafon the matter with him : {hewing much un wil- 
 lingnefle to fubmit himfelfe to thofe flrokes which God had 
 laid upon him: for which he was juftly reproved both by Eli- 
 £#,and alfo by the Lords own mouth :yet becaufe he held out 
 in the mbflance of godlinefTe, in the midft of all his woes and 
 miferies,and at the beginning thereof humbled himfelfe, fay- 
 ing, Naked came Iont of my mothers w ombe, and naked Jhatt I * , - N 
 returne thither: the Lord, hath given, and the Lord hath taken ~ 
 it: bleffed be the Name of the Lord : as aUb afterward he ufed 
 many good and holy fpeeches concerning his own ill deferts, 
 and the righteoufnes of Gods proceeding,if he fhould deale in 
 e xtremity of juftice with him : and in the end acknowledged 
 his fault, and defired to lay his hand upon his mouth : becaufe 
 (I fay) thefe good things were found In him , God paffeth by 
 his inhrmitjes,and taketh notice of his patience,with high co- 
 mendation the re of; Setting him forth as a patterne mod wor- 
 thy our imitatio,when we are prefied down with the weight 
 ofadverfitie,as he was. For the Lord in his wifedome confi- 
 dered,that it was not through any ftubbornnefIe,or rebellious 
 difpofition,that he brake out in that manner : but through the 
 violence of his affliction, and temptations , and through the 
 ignorance and indifcreet carriage of his friends , who dealt 
 very uncharitably,and unmercifully with him. In like manner 
 izRahab commended , as one that by reafon of her faith and 
 Works, peri/bed net with them which obeyed nat, when fbehad Um.z,*$. 
 received the Spies peaceably . Yet if we look into the Story,we **T»ir.3 r» 
 /hall caftly dilcern a great deale of infirmity in that very work 
 oflove & mercy,by which me got the tefUmony of fuch a no- 
 table faith: for me bewraied much unbeliefc,in making a lie to 
 preferve the Spies in fafcty % Th ere came men tint 9 w* (taies fhe) lo; 
 
 
% i 4 The fourth Sermon 
 
 hut Imft not whence they were. And when they [but the gate i* 
 the darks, the men went out;whither they went, I wot not :fol~ 
 low after them quickly for you fljall overtake them:Every Word 
 {he here fpake, was falfe,and favoured ofmuch weakne(Te:and 
 yet all this God takes no knowledge of, when he is to fpeake 
 ofhcr.and of her faith and love. Indeed (he was but a new co- 
 mer on, andhadnotbeeneinftru&ed as yet what the danger 
 of a lye was, &c. and therefore notwithstanding her failing 
 iSSAs* in tJiat particular, (he is brought by the Apoftle fames , as an 
 example of one that was Juftined (or made knowne to be a 
 /uft and righteous woman) by her works : none other being 
 reckoned up, but thofe which (he did at that time. 
 
 So the Aneel (as is recorded in the GofpelJ rebuked thofe 
 Iuta4«f. good and raithfull women, for that they fought the living a* 
 Mar, i 6,6. mong the dead : yet withall he telleth them , Be not afraid^ ye 
 feeke fefa of Nazareth that hath beene crucified. As if hee 
 {hould fay, Here is your errour, that you feeke Chrift where 
 you fliould not t he is rifen againe, as he foretold you that he 
 would ;yet herein doth our uprightnefTe appeare,that you hold 
 out ftill in the love and profeffion of Chrift, even now, when 
 he is in fuch difgrace and dif like,almoft with all mem& there- 
 fore be not difmayed,but herein take comfort. Thus we may 
 perceive how favourable the Lord is towards his children; 
 that offend not upon fet purpofe, and prefumptuoufly : but 
 through Satans mitigation , or through humane frailty : in 
 KT h . which regard the Prophet Mkah burfteth forth into an ad- 
 
 Verfe I 8. rn i rat * on of bis gracious dealing ; Who is a God like unto thee, 
 that taketh away iniquity , and pajfeth by the tranfgrejfions of 
 the remnant of hi* heritage? Sec. he willreturne and have mercy 
 upon us: and vjhytbecaufe mercy pleafeth him, Verfe 1 8. 
 This maketh for the confutation of their errour, 
 pfeu i. That thinke they have no calling to come to the Sacra- 
 
 Sec the rea- ment,becaufe they fee more and greater faults in themfelves, 
 Ion? in the for- t h an tncv ca n efpie, or then indeed, there are in many other 
 
 Z>"# o* 0n ' c ^ r ^^ ans : anc * 1Z mav De > more ^ an heretofore they faw in 
 
 Jl j ' themfelves. They findefo much hypocri(ie,fo much pride, fo 
 
 - -- * much vaine-glory and felfe-love : i uch blindnefle of mmde, 
 
 drowfinefleoffpiritjdeadneffe or heart, fuch unwillingnefTe 
 
 to 
 
of the Lords Supper, 535 
 
 te]heare,orread,or meditate,to pray,to receive the Sacramet, 
 to fing Pfalmes ; and the like,that they are wonderfully difhar- 
 tened,& begin to fear that God wil in no fort accept of them, 
 if they fhould come unto the Table of his Sonne.But they muft 
 take heed how they give way to fuch conceits ; for the things 
 above mentioned,doe not exclude them from having right 
 unto Chrifl Iefus,and to his- merits, and' therefore fhould by 
 no mcaneskeepe them from the Sacrament. 
 
 But we come far (hort of that, that (hould bee in us. What Objettion, 
 of that? If you have a fight of your defects, and a mourning Anfwer. 
 heart for the fame, and a conftant indeavour to get the graces 
 that you want, then may and ought you to come to the Sacra- 
 ment as well as any other :.yea,if any have caufe to make hade 
 unto it 5 you are one of them:for the more dangerous any ones 
 ficfenes is, the greater fpeedhee fliould make to the Phyfician; i DCOnvcn { cn . 
 and the more grievous any mans wound is, the more neede ccsthat anfe 
 bath hee to haften to the Surgeon. Neither istheit abfenting of from forbca- 
 themfelves from the Sacrament, anv meanes to better their e- rin S r! *j? ***? 
 ftate,but the next way to keep them in a bad cafe (till: Nay,to mcnc ' 
 make their condition farre worfe than it is, and to haften the 
 plagues of God upon them. By the Law of Mofes it was de- Nmn.9, »3« 
 termined,that all thofe that were negligent to keep the PafTe» 
 over, fliould incurre thefentence and cenfure of excommuni- 
 cation, if they were not in a journey, hindred by inundations 
 of waters,detained by ficknefle, or fome extraordinary acci- 
 dent of that kinde. Now if they were fc (tri&ly bound to re- 
 pair e unto that feaft, when it was to be celebrated ztltw/kle, 
 which was many miles diftant from the greateft part of them 
 that were inhabitants in that land : how much more are men 
 now tyed to attend upon the celebration of the Lords Sup- 
 per, feeing they. need not undertake fuch a tedious journey, 
 but may have it miniftred unto them neere at hand, and that 
 with lefle coft (& yet a larger blefTing^) than they could in the 
 daies of the ceremoniall law? Surely it they do neglect fb great 
 falvation, well they may efcape the punifhment of men, but 
 they (hall feele the ftrokes of God,& (hall be cut offfrom ha- 
 ving communion with him, and with his (ervants : they Jhall 
 beAr e.their feme, fas in that place the holy Ghoft fpeaketh) 
 
 which 
 
1 1$ The fourth Sermon 
 
 which otherwife by receiving the Sacrament, "they might 
 have difcharged their confcienoes of, and pat it over unto 
 Chrifts accounts. 
 * i Further,thofe that by reafon oi their infirmities will for- 
 
 goe that ordinance, doe greatly dillionour God, and lay an 
 hard imputation upon him; as who fhouldfay, thathee were 
 fuch an extreame and rigorous Iudge, as will accept of none 
 butofthofe that have attained to a great meafore of perfe- 
 ction • 
 3 Befides, fuch kind of perfons doe,as much as in them lyeth; 
 
 proclaime themfelves to be hypocrites: for if they be not fiich/ 
 they have a Calling to partake of the Sacrament; as ap- 
 peareth in this Text,by the prayer of Hez,e ki ^A,who doth in 
 affurance of faith, (as the effeft manifeftly proveth) make re- 
 queftfor all fuch as prepared their whole hearts, fthat is, did 
 their beft endevour with a true and fincere heart) tofeeke the 
 Lord. 
 4 Laftly, they give very ill examples unto others, and expofe, 
 
 themfelves to thecenfares of men, as contemners, or at leaft, 
 negleclers of Gods Ordinance. And therfore in thefe regards,' 
 let al beware how they withdraw themfelves, when the Lord 
 invitetfa them to fuch a banquet. 
 Vfi *r Secondly,this is for inftrudtion and confolation both toge- 
 
 ther,albeit we perceive many blemi/hes, & great imperfecti- 
 ons in our felves, yet let us take the Lords offer, when he cal- 
 leth us to his Table:& come with certain expectation of good 
 i ?et: i . %u feccefle, as we ^ as tno ^ c tn2it ^ ave a greater meafure of repen- 
 Ioh. ii 1 5 . tance,and offaith,and love, than wee can attaine unto. For 
 Chrift Iefus the great Shepheard and Bifrtop of our foules,ta- 
 keth order,thatnotbnly his Sheepe,but his Lambes alio may 
 be fed. All the good grounds bring not forth a like quantity of 
 Math,i 3.23 . fruit: yet all agree in this fubftantiall .peint, that they bring 
 forth good and ripe fruit; though fome doe not yeeld the third 
 Note. part to much as others doe, yet they are grounds blefled by 
 
 God,and refpe&ed of God. He that gained five talents, had 
 the commendation of a good and faithrull fervant, and fo had 
 he likewife that gained but two talents:fo that every one fhal 
 have the praifeof wtldoing, according to the gifts and graces 
 
 that 
 
of the Lords' Supper, i%j 
 
 tliat God hath imparted unto him. Indeed thofe that doe moil 
 
 and bell:, as riiey bring more glory to Gods Name; fo fhatl 
 
 they have a larger reward from him ; yet withall, thofe that 
 
 have fewer talents, and doe him leflefervice,(hal notbedelpi-. 
 
 fed nor rejected,but according to their works be accepted, & 
 
 recompenced:ror one may be faithfull in a little, as well as in 
 
 a great deale. Therefore let this beanincouragementuntous 
 
 to draw neer unto God in his worilup: if we cannot come as 
 
 well as wee would ; let us come as well as wecan,and bring 
 
 thofe talents which we have:if we cannot make a long.pray- 
 
 er, let us make a fhort : if we cannot cry fervently unto the 
 
 Lord, let us (igh that we cannot doe better: if we have but a . v 
 
 Httle faith,let us pray with the manintheGofpell,^?^/^- 3 * 9i 4 " 
 
 Ieeve,helpe my unbelief e:. which if WC can doe, the Lord will 
 
 be mercifull unto us, though we be not fitted in every refpecl: 
 
 according to that which is required of us. 
 
 But my wants are fuch as I am afraid I fliallfaile, not only Objection* 
 in fbme circumftances,but in the -fubftance it felhand (hal not 
 enely receive weakeiy,but altogether unworthily; how then 
 may we certainely know that our hearts are fincere and up- 
 right before the Lord ? 
 
 By thefe markes that follow; s/infeef, 
 
 PirfUfwediflike all (in in our felves and others, and defire Markes of fin- 
 that all Gods graces might be wrongh tin our felves, and o- ceriry. 
 thers, Hypocrites will allow foule faults in themfelves, and x 
 
 yet (eeme to diflike them,and much exclaime againft them in j lk | c ^ r ^ ^ 
 others: whereas firft they mould be humbled and grieued for and Jiking^f 
 them in their owne foules 5 and then proceed to ipeake againft goodneffc, 
 them in others. 
 
 Againe,this hypocrifie is in our curfed nature,that, where- Hypocrifie.. 
 aswecouldwirhthatwemightlivewithoutoffence,& that 
 our names might be preferved from reproach: yet wee mall 
 finde a tickling delight in our felves, when we fee the naked- 
 nefle of others difcovered,and their faults ripped up to their 
 difgrace: that (b their blacke may the more commend our 
 white. And againe,wee can be content to have many good 
 gifts and graces,and would not be much grieved 3 if we could 
 get all other that we want : yet we are ready to be offended, 
 
 that 
 
1*8 
 
 The fourth Sem'on 
 
 i Com 5.4. 
 
 NotCo 
 
 Growth in 
 race. 
 iL$,14dtf. 
 
 ; 3 
 
 Forgiving. 
 
 Math.6.14. 
 
 Note. 
 
 that others fliould be indued with the like,efpecialiy that they 
 ftiould goe beyond us in doing good, & in receiving praife fu~ 
 table thereunto.But this argueth great want of finceritie:and 
 if we be not humbled for their corruptions^ fheweth palpa- 
 ble and groffehypocri{ie;for love envjeth not; but if we carry 
 an inward hatred ofthisevilldifpofition that is in us; and la- 
 bour to abhorre and feeke to hinder all manner of fins, as well 
 in our felves,as in others ;and in others,as well as in our felves.- 
 and on the other fide, ifwedefire to love, and further good 
 motions, and good actions, both in our brethren, and in our* 
 owne perfons; neither mocking, nor deriding, nordifcoura- 
 ging the hearts of Gods poore fervants from goodnefle, this; 
 is a cleere cafe that we faile not in the fubftance of godlinefle s ' 
 but that our hearts are very upright therein. 
 
 Secondly, if we indeavour ftill to be better, & to do bettet 
 every day than other :never ftanding upon that we have done, 
 but preffing hard to the marke: this is an infallible note, that 
 we are true-hearted. Hee that f eeleth but a little faith, a little 
 love,a little repentance,&e. and would with all his heart have 
 them increafed:and on the contrary, findeth much deadnefleV 
 much impatience,muchunfitnefle for death,and much unwik 
 lingnefle to heare of the comming of Chriff,much diftradion 
 on the holy Subbath,&c.but would moft willingly have thefe 
 cor ruptions diminifliedjthefe very defires, if they bring him 
 to the commonable u(e of the meanes, are evident fignes of a 
 faithfull and well-affe&ed heart. 
 
 A third rule of trial is,if from our hearts we can forgive, ori 
 at leaft defire and ftrive to forgive thofe that have done as 
 wrong,either in word or deed, and are grieved at wrathful! 
 and malicious, and revengefull thoughts and motions that do 
 fpring up in our hearts.F^iz^faith our Saviour )andyejha/l 
 beforgiven\zn\ therefore being able to doe thus in fome fmall 
 meafure, we may be afiured that the Lord is appeafed toward 
 us 3 and that we are in his favour ,:& therefore our hearts with- 
 out guile in his fight: for a mercifull heart is al waies a fincere 
 heart; whereas hypocrites are of a cruell, and implacable m- 
 ture:fo that when any injury is done unto them,-either in truth 
 ©r in their imagination,they will fwell,and fret, and chafe, & 
 
 vow, 
 
'of the Lords Supper] t j$ 
 
 vow and proteft,(or at lead determine and refolveinthem- 
 •feluesj that they will not put it up, but one way or other, at 
 -one time or other requite it to the full : ever an evil! hear t*is 
 a proud and froward heart,and can indure nothing lefle than 
 wrongs and indignities, «s*. 
 
 Therefore if God hath wrought fuch a great wot&e'm our 
 foules, as that our hearts are inclined to forgive and' forget a- 
 bufes that are offered unto us, and wee can pray fef our ene- 
 mies, and long for their converfion, and reconciliation! firft 
 unto God,and then unto us; it is a notable : teftimony that we 
 are truely regenerated,and fan&ified. 
 
 There are none but they art apt to be angry with finne, ei- 
 ther in themfelves, or others:but if we can fpend our anger at 
 home, upon the evils of our owne nature,and be more peace- 
 able and quiet abroad,- not (forming fo much that others are ]SHotel 
 i a bad, as grieving that we our felves are no, better; happy 
 and bleffed are we that have gotten fuch a conqueft of our 
 owne hearts; wee may cheert fully and comfortably com- -'---■ 
 
 municate at the Lords Table, expecting from Chrift Iefusa 
 further increafe of all holy and heavenly graces. And albeit, 
 others have greater gifts, and fewer infirmities than wee;yet 
 feeing wee joyne with them in the maine matters, we fhall be 
 /ojned with them in the fruition of that bleffing,which God 
 ufeth to beftow upon his people; though we be but buds, yet 
 beinein the true Vine,we (hall receive fap & juyce'from the 
 root a well as the faireft,and goodlieft, and fruitfulleft bran- Iolid n* • 
 ches tlat are in it. And thus much for He^ekiahs prayer, and 
 the parts thereof. 
 
 Nov thefucceffe folio weth to be fpoken of, verfe ic^And 
 the LoH heard Hezektahy&cjt being a prayer of faith that he 
 made, f<r fuch things as God hath promifed,andfor fuch per- 
 fons as n whom the promife did belong,hee receiveth an an- 
 fwer to h$ requeft : for fo it is faid, the Lord heard Hezekiah : 
 that is, acspted and granted hisfute : whence this Doclrine 
 maybega^eredrthat, 
 
 The Londoth accept, and will fulfill every faithfull praier <Doft. £ 
 that is mademto him,either for our felves,or others. Prayers of 
 
 For this frour that he {hewed to Hez*ki4h,& to them for frith grame& 
 
 K whom 
 
M .- 7 he third Sermon 
 
 whom bee prayed, is written for ourinflruftionand corifo- 
 lation; to aflure us, that ufing the like meanes, we fhall finde 
 the fame good effect that they did . This is promifed in the E- 
 piftleof?^/^, where the words of this Text are exponnded, 
 and the do -trine confirmed. This (Taith heej^ the affnrance 
 1I0h.3f.14.i5. that we h^ve in him, that if we aske arty thing according to his 
 yeillthe hearethus. But what is to be heard ?he telleth us in the 
 next ver(c,ifweknon> that he heareth hs, whatfoever wee aske, ' 
 we know that we have the petitions that we have de fired of him. 
 This Gods children may build upon, that if they aske of God 
 lawful! things, for righteous perfons, in that manner as the 
 Word prefcribeth, they fhall have a comfortable anfwer, and 
 fpeed according to their hearts defire. 
 Redfe*. The reafon hereof is, becaufe God is delighted with the 
 
 It is muficfee to faithfull applications of his deare children, as may bee col- 
 rk d -r? hCafC ^ e< ^ €( ^ ^ rom ^ e worc k of Chrift to his Spoufe in the fbngs of 
 a r§ atl ' Salomon^ Shew mc thy fight Jet me he are thy voyce-.fer thy voice 
 Cam,*.!*; ufweet.and thy fight is comely. So that there is a reafon, why 
 Chriftiam fhould looke up to God, rather than be beholding 
 unto men, and that they fliould utter their complaints before 
 his Throne, rather than before mens judgement feate: for 
 whereas they many times cannot away with us and our 
 (hits, God delighteth to looke upon us; and there is no me- 
 lodious harmony fo plealantin our eares, as a prayer procee- 
 ding from an humble and broken heart, is in the eare cf the 
 Lord of Hoafts. Let us prefent our petitions with ourfoules 
 full of griefe,and our eyes full of teares unto men,and ve fhal 
 be tedious and troublefome unto them for themoft pirtras 
 , the woman of Canaan was unto the Difciples:i^W£>-*m^* 
 
 N*te (^y they to onrS^viom)forJhecrveth after us :BntC}ci[hhath 
 
 no greater joy,then to heare ana relieve fu%h wordy belee- 
 vers as flie was, that can fpend fo many holy pra'ers upon 
 him,after fo many repulfes as (he had received. N(W fith it is 
 a thing fo well pleafing unto him, bee cannot bt grant and 
 fatisfie the defires of fuch as faithfully and fervep*y call upon . 
 him. 
 Vfeu Here may that folly, and wretched unbeliefi that is in ouc 
 
 nature, be juftly reproved, which appeared] i this, that we 
 ' ' '.' are. 
 
of the Lords Suffer. j 3 5 
 
 are ready to runne to any one, rather than unto God; and to 
 feeke to them that are not able,or not willing to hear and help 
 us, rather than unto the Lord that hath abilitie andreadinefle 
 tadoeboth. lames blameththofeto whom he writeth, that 
 were vexed with their wants; Yeelufi, and have not , &c. (am, 4.3, 
 yee fight andwarre, and get nothing, and what is the reafon ? 
 becaufeyee aske not % As ifhe fhould have told them, you need 
 many thihgs,and fo you are likely to doe ftill, except you take 
 a better courfe: for the way to obtaine good things, is not 
 to luft after them, and to brawle and contend for them, but 
 to become petitioners unto God for them.Ifchiidren will be 
 fo foolifn,foflothfulI,orfoprond, that they will notfue to 
 their loving and kinde parents that have abundance,for things 
 necefTary, it is j uft they fliould goe without them, and indurc 
 the fmart of their owne folly and ftubbornefle : and the like 
 maybefaidofus;ifourncceflities ipirituall and corporal! bee Note. 
 many and great, and we will not bemoane our cafe unto out 
 heavenly Father that is all-fufficient to helpe us,and moft wil- 
 ling to accept ofus , and to relieve us in all our diftrefles, it is a 
 righteous thing with the Lord, that we fhould live and dye 
 in our miferies and calamities,and fo fuftaiae the due punish- 
 ment ofour wretched diftruftfulne(Te,and fluggifhnefTein not 
 repayringunto kirn. 
 
 Secondly, here is matter of marvellous great comfort to yr ez ; 
 them that betake themfelves to this courfe that Hezekjah did . ? 
 The Lord will not deceive them, nor /hut out thofe amplica- 
 tions that they make before him: but (according as they in- 
 treat of him J where their faith is weake,he will ftrengthen it: 
 where their repentance comes ihort,he will perfe<fl it: where 
 their love is cold, hee will increafe it: and in a word, where 
 any good thing is wanting, he willfiipply it. 
 
 VtHez,ekiah 9 praying for fuch a great multude, which had Note I 
 beene monftrous Idolaters, and had continued long time in 
 their Idolatry, heaping up one abomination upon another, 
 and now come to the Sacrament,not of their ownaccord,but 
 by the intreatie and perfwaiion of He^ekiah and his Princes, 
 and being thus come, failed much in the preparation which 
 they fhould have made: if hee, I fay, had fuch good and gra- 
 
 K 2 cious 
 
^ 54 The fifth Sermon 
 
 cious hearing from the Lord,thing3.fhnding as hath binfaid;. 
 then how much more may we expecl mercy from him, when 
 we mtreat for our felvas, who f through Gods wonderfull re 
 ftraint,and gracious providence^ have not fallen into fuch no-. 
 torious evils, nor into fuch grievous and monftrous offences*. 
 as they had done? especially if wejiave this witn.efle unto our. 
 fouks, that we come voluntarily, and (in fome degree)prepa- 
 rediy,untothemyfteriesoffalvation; and are fo ferrefrpm 
 lodkingfor intreatieorexhortatiou.thereunto,that (through 
 Gods grace and goodneffej we would not be retrained from. 
 itfor any worldly game . 
 
 ^jtAnd healed 'the peo flexor the underftanding of this, wee 
 muft know, that finne maketh a wound, and that the Word 
 and Sacrament aremeanesand plaifters, as it were, toheale 
 the fame 3 if they be rightly applyed and blefled • unto the re-; 
 ceiyersofthcm. 
 
 In that they found this good effect upon the eating of the 
 PafTeover,and He^ekinhs prayer made for them; thedo&rine 
 hence to be learned is, that, 
 '73 7 <*■ ^ e ' Sacrament worthily reeeived>do,th heale and cure.For 
 
 The* n *eof w nence Came ^eir healing in this place, but fro the vertue of 
 ahcVacrcmeiu the Sacrament bleffed unto them,at the earned requeft of that 
 holy King ? Heetelleth us not the particular evils, ofwbiclj 
 they were healed,becaufe we fhould conceive, that they were 
 in a fort,perfe<5tly and thpro.wly cured of all. Firft of the evils 
 that were in their foulest tfiey were pardoned* their conscien- 
 ces quieted, and their hearts bettered :fo that they had a grea- 
 ter diflike of their own corruptions, & of Satans temptations, 
 and more power to withftand them, and to overcome them, 
 than formerly they had .Then for outward evilscif there were 
 any ficknefle,or weakened or any other crofles or calamir 
 ties upon thepi,they had the fame either quite removed, or at 
 leaft fweetned 3 and fandified unto them, for their profit and 
 comfort. For this is the fub fiance of the Covenant (Vhereof 
 the Sacrament is a Seale, made unto penitent perfons : S^e^. 
 Spi ; _* 36". which having beene fpoken of before, it would be need- 
 
 lefife at large to repeat the fame things againe. Onely in briefe, 
 for the ufe of this point, let us hence Iearne to make full ac r 
 , _# count 
 
efthe Lords Supperl *Z% 
 
 count of his healing, when the Lord (hall pleaie to make us 
 partakers of the body and bloud of his deare Sonne. For then 
 that feed is caft upon every faithfull heart, that will fpring up 
 in due feafon unto everlafting life, and yeeid us fiich fruit as 
 we dial have great caufe to rejoyce,and to magnifie the name 
 of the Lord, who hath done fuch great things for us. 
 
 let us then looke for much, and we fhall have much, Open 
 thy mouth wide (faith the Lord,) and I will fill it. Therefore 
 when we behold with our naturall eye, the bread broken,and 
 the wine powred forth,and offered unto us by the hand of the 
 Minifter; let us lift up the eye of our faith; and looke upon ^^fi 
 Chrift Iefus , who is as it were held forth unto us by the hand 
 of the Trinity, being broken with many forrows and terrors, 
 in bearing his Fathers wrath,and undergoing the punifhment 
 due unto us for our hainous tranfgreflions : & po wring forth 
 his precious bloud, to fatisfie the Lords juftice, and to paciite 
 his difpleafiire conceived againft us:and as we with our bodily 
 hand do receive the outward elements ; fo let us by the hand 
 of faith lay hold of our Lord and Saviour,and of all his merits: 
 aflfuring our felves, that as the Bread and Wine are made one 
 fabftance with us;fb is Chrift Iefus in a fpiritual manner made 
 one with us,and we with him;he being the Headland we the 
 members; he the Vine, and we the branches,&c. Andfiirther 
 let us undoubtedly beleeve, that as by bread and wine our na- 
 turall flrength is increafed,and our weary bodies & languifli- 
 ing fpirits refrefhed ; fo by thofe heavenly myfteries duly ap- 
 plyed,our inward man {hall be confirmed,and our hearts fbo- 
 ner or later comforted and revived. And therfore in affiirance 
 of faith we fhould ftirre up our fouies to re/oyce and praife the 
 Lord, giving unto him the glory of his Truth, in reftingupon 
 him for the performance of all his promifes made unto us 
 through Chrift Iefus : and concluding every one in his o wne 
 .heart, though my knowledge be but fmall, it fhall be increa- 
 sed ; though my memory be weake, it (hall be confirmed; 
 though my afle&ions be out of order , they (hall be reclified; 
 though my frailties be many, the number of them (hall be 
 diminithed;and though my graces be but few and feeble,they 
 fhall be augmented, and ftili further ftrengthened ; I (hall 
 
 K g have 
 
 •33 
 
y%6 The fourth Sermon 
 
 haveChrifls power to inable me to do good , and to reftft 
 evill :his wifedome to direcl me in the right way,and to caufe 
 me to decline from allby-pathes : And in a word , his good 
 Spirit to worke all my workesfor me, and to per feci all hea- 
 venly vermes in me. 
 
 And whereafter we have been at the Lords Table* we find 
 ^.nyfinfull motions ftirring within us, let us rcafon thus ; Did" 
 I not lately receive the Sacrament,for the curing of my foule? 
 and did not God grant it unto me as a feale and pledge , that 
 he would take away myftony heart , and give unto me aflejhly 
 heart? Why then mould I yeeld unto my corruptions? Nay, 
 I will not do fo,but refill: and flrive againil: the £ame,and urge 
 the Lord with his owne Covenant, fealed unto me in the Sa- 
 crament, 
 
 So likewife , when we fee our manifold imperfections in 
 Godsfervice ; bur want of love and good affeclion unto his 
 fervants;our inability to beare erodes, and the like : let us rer 
 paire unto the Lord, and bef eech him that is true and faithfull 
 inallpromiles, that he will make good his word unto us in 
 thpfe particulars, giving us ftrength to do what he command- 
 ed! us.and to beare with patience whatfbever he. layeth upon 
 us. Which if we can do, fo often as we come to the Lords Ta- 
 ble, we fhall receive great helpe and comfort againft all our 
 Snnes and forrows, and be much flirred up to love and praife 
 the Lord, for the continuance and increafe of his heavenly 
 graces and bieffings, which we (hall furely gaine by the right 
 ufe of this his holy ordinance. 
 
 THE 
 
THE FIFTH 
 
 Sermon, 
 
 Isaiah 55. i,&c. 
 
 'v 
 
 Verfe I .Hoe^every one that thirfteth 3 comeye to the waters: and 
 ye that have no filver,come buy ,and eate: Cornell fay } buy 
 Wine y and Milke>withoutfilver, and without money . 
 2, Wherefore, do you lay out your filv errand not for breadyand 
 your labour without being fat is fed? Hearken diligently un- 
 to me^and eate that which is goo d^and let your foule delight 
 infatneffe, . 
 
 3 , Incline your eares^dnd come unto me;heare 9 andyourfouh 
 /ball live. 
 
 N the Chapter immediately going before,the 
 Prophet from the Lords owne mouth pro- 
 nounceth many gracious promifes to his af- 
 flicted Church , bidding them re Joyce in re- 
 gard of the deliverance that the Lord fhould 
 work out for them,and the many & wonder- 
 full bleffings tharhe (hould beftow upon the : fhewing them 
 (to the intent they might give more credit unto his words) Verfe ^ 
 that he that made them, is their Husband, & their Redeemer* 
 even the Lord of hoftsjwho though he had forfaken them,and 7 
 
 fcattcred them for a little while , yet with great compaffion 
 Would he gather them ; & though he hid his face in anger for 
 a moment,yet with everlafting mercy would he bavecompa£ 
 
 K 4 fion 
 
t* 
 
 ' 2 g g The fourth Sermon 
 
 (ion en them, and that they might make no doubt thereof, he 
 confirmeth hispromife with an oath,faying, As I havefworn 
 that the waters of Noah fhould no more go over the earth : fo 
 have I fworne that I will not be angry vvith thee, nor rebuke 
 thee,viz,. in wrath and difpleafure : and therefore he breaketh 
 out into a patheticali and fweet compilation, faying, O thou 
 afflicted and toffed with tempelfyhat haft no comrort:behold 
 I will lay thy fioneswith the Carbuncle, and thy foundation 
 with Saphyres: that is, I will make of thee a precious building 
 13 for my felfe.Andasfor theirchildren,hefaith,thatr^^//^(f ! 
 taught of God, and enjoy fence: andbefarreftomopprefFton, 
 andfromthefeareofoppreflbrs. And howfoever the enemie 
 would be ftirring now and then ; yet (faith GodJ it fhall be 
 without me ,• and whofoever fhall gather himfelfe in thee, a- 
 gainft thee, fhallfalk and that, becaufe ail inftruments of cru- 
 2 J elty that could come againft them,were ordered by the Lord, 
 as being his by right of creation : and therefore no weapons 
 made againftihem fhould prevaile. And this he doth not ap- 
 propriate to them only,but faith it is the heritage of the Lords 
 iervants, which they have right unto in all ages sand he addeth 
 a reafon,faying,their righteoufneffe is of me: q. d. that which 
 their enemies (hike at, is the goodlinefle and goodneffe of my 
 children.Now that proceedeth from me,and therefore I have 
 caufe to {land for them that carry mine owne image. 
 
 Having thus declared what trealures were laid up for them 
 through the rich mercy of God in Chrift ;hee com meth in 
 this 5 5 . Chapter to exhort them to lay hold of Gods gracious 
 offer. 
 
 And becaufe they were not fo fenfible nor capable of fuch 
 fpirituall promotions as they fhould be-, therefore doth he go 
 about to waken their drowfieconfeiences, and to flir up their 
 fleepy affections , to embrace the mercies offered unto them, 
 and for that end doth make, as it were, a Proclamation; \_Hoe 
 every one~]zs if he fhould have laid, are not thefe things to be 
 thought of? are they not worth the looking after ? (hake off 
 the fluggifhnes of your flcfh,& confider wel of the excellency 
 of them, and bethinke your felves how you may attain e uato 
 them sand that he might more eafily draw them hereunto, 
 
 he 
 
of the Lords Suffer* t^y 
 
 he fheweth what kind of people the Lord r equireth that they 
 mould be, wu. (thirfty) that is, fo pained with their fins and 
 wants,and with a defire of a fupply from heavemas thofe that 
 are exceeding dry are with thiril, & with a longing for drinks 
 whereby that appetite of theirs may be quenched and allaied: 
 none have a calling to come, nor (hall have comfort by com- 
 ming unto Gods ordinances,but onely fuch. Having (hewed 
 what they muft be,in the next place he telleth them what they 
 muft do \jomeye to the waters^ that is,unto Chrift,as heisof- 
 fered in the Word and Sacrament:for he is the Well of the wa- 
 ter of Life, which is propofed and offered unto all that thirfi, 
 Rev.2i.6. Now tothe intent that they might not deceive 
 their own hearts,he exhorteth them to mew forth their fpiri- 
 tflall thirft by the effecl,^ me and buy : fignif ying unto us thus 
 much, that even as thofe that are naturally hungry and thirfty 
 will feekfbr reliefe where it is to be found, and iffhey cannot 
 etherwife get meat & drink,they will be well content to part 
 with their money for the obtaining thereof: even fo it is with 
 r fach as have a fpirituall appetite,they will be at coft to buy the 
 graces of the holy Ghofhnot that men have any thing to give 
 which is valuable thereunto.but they muft part with their fins 
 (as afterward fhall be more fully declared) which the Lord 
 will take for good & fufficient pay ment.Then further as they 
 muft buy So muft they eat & drinke: for other wife they might 
 die through hunger and thirft, albeit they had great plenty of 
 refreming before them: now this eating muft be by faith, for 
 thereby we feed on Chrift,as is evident in the Gofpel offohn, 
 Chaf. 6, for without this we can draw no vertcte at all from 
 the Word or Sacraments., or any of Gods ordinances : thefe 
 then are the things required of thofe that are thirfty,z/;^. dili- 
 gence in comming, coft in buying, and faith in eating. 
 
 Now left they fhould feare that they fhall nor finde full re- 
 irefhing when they come unto Chrift in the ufe of his means., 
 he preventeth that doubt,by mewing that the Lord would fie 
 every mans turne according to their feverallneceflities: fome 
 have iorrowfullhearts'for fuch he hath wine to comfort them - 
 fome are babes.-for iuch heliath milke to nourifh them :others 
 ire feeble and weake^for fuch he hath bread, to ftrengthen 
 
 them s 
 
i^o The fifth Sermon 
 
 them : others looke after their commodity ; to fucli he faith* 
 eate that which is good:an& laftly,others refpecl their pleafure; 
 and to them he faith, Let your -foules delight in fatneffe.q.d. 
 Here you fhai find fuch pleaf ant things, as {hall fill your foules 
 Objection* with delight and contentment. Indeed the things that ate 
 offered (will fome fay)are very pious,and much to be defired: 
 but my unworthinefle is fuch, that lam even difcouraged to 
 feeke for them. 
 
 uinfwen You neec * not ^ e k 5 ^ or y° u ar e k"** c<me *nd> buy wine^ 
 
 andAfilke,&C without filv errand without money : though you 
 be never fo meane & beggerly,in regard of any merits of your 
 owne,yet you fhall fpeed never the worfe:for this oneiy is re- 
 quired of you,to come with a fight and feeling of your wants, 
 and with an earned defire to have them mpplied. But becaufe 
 men are wonderfully hindred from the zealous purmit of holy 
 things ,by their owne corruptions, and the lov€ of this prefent 
 evill world, therefore he diffwadeth them therefrom, faying, 
 Wherefore do you I ay outyourfilver,and not for bread y andyonr 
 labour without being fatisfiej? q . d. there is none of you but 
 would willingly have your hearts flrengthened and comfort- 
 ed,and thorowly contented:but thefe earthly things will not 
 do it, for they are all vanity and vexation ofjpirit, and there- 
 fore it is a grearibity for you fo much to bufie your felves a- 
 bout thefe earthly things, which will never bring found com- 
 fort, nor contentment to your foules. 
 
 Now that which he delivered in figurative fpeeches in the 
 firft verfe, andjpart of the fecond, he urgeth in plainer tearmes 
 afterwards, faying, Hearken diligently unto me : Bnclineyour 
 eares and heare, q.d. though you find great dumefle and flack- 
 nefle in your nature,yet ufea holy kinde of violence, and con- 
 ftraine your eares to hearken: and what then? your -fonlesjh 'all 
 Uve^ to wit, both the life ofgrace,which before they were de- 
 ftitute of, and alfb the life of glory, which neceflarily follow-* 
 eth upon theformer. 
 
 The drift then of thefe words is to ftir men up to embrace 
 thefaving graces of Chrifl,as they are offered, and fhall be gi- 
 ven in his ordinances, where is declared, 
 
 i '. ^W&at they rauft do,^*.,get a thirfty and hungry foule, 
 
 and 
 
of the Lords Suffer* X-fi 
 
 and mew it forth by comming to the waters, by buying fpifi- 
 fitall foocVandby eating thereof. ^ 
 
 2. Reafcns why they mull do fo. 
 
 i .The fir ft taken from the ill fuccefle that would followji? 
 they did notfo : they mould fp end their money and labour in 
 vaine. 
 
 2. The fecond, from the lingular benefits that would re- 
 dound unto them it they did fo: all their wants fhould be fup~ 
 plyed, and their fbules mall live everiaftingly . 
 
 Hoe,every one that thirft eth \ln that he calleth none to par- 
 tal.e of the holy things of God,but thofe that are thus affecled: 
 The DocTrine is : that, 
 
 The thirftie foule alone hath intereft in the graces of God, T>oB, 2. 
 and lliall reape benefit, by the meanes of grace. P^K ^ 
 
 Thofe onely that feele their owne barrenneflQ and ^P^^^ako^ 
 neffe, and highly efteeme and heartily defire the mercies of Gods osdinan- 
 God , through the merits of Chrift , they onely (I fay) have cw. 
 right unto,& {hall have a portion in the iame.Therfore when 
 David would move God to bring him againe to the atfem- 
 blies of the Saints, where he might enjoy the meanes of com- 
 fort and offalvation, he ufeth this as a forcible argument, My 
 foule thirfteth for god, even for the living God : -when fiall I Pfal.42.», 
 come and appe are before the prefence of God ? and againe, My ^l'* 8,2 * 
 foule longeth,yea y and faint eth for the (fourts of the Lord 3 8cc, 
 
 Now the reafons of thefe points are thefe. 
 
 "Firft, no man hath any warrant torefort unto the meanes Reafon 3 
 of godlineffej, but onely fuch as were before mentioned : for j 
 
 thus the Lordinviteth men unto him : Let him that i-s athirsl, Eire no com 
 come: and let whofoever ?*>*// (mamely,that is fo qualified) take mandemenri 
 of the waters of life freely : Co that none are bidden guefts but RmI** 1 *?*' 
 iuchas havethirfty foules. 
 
 Secondly, none elfe have any promife of fpeeding well, if 2 
 
 they fhould come:for thus goeth the promife,/ wi/lpowre wa~ No promife 
 ter uponthe thirfiy^and floods upon the dry ground, .Till :^en,we ^M4 I* 
 can never have alfurance of any benefit by Gods ordinances 1 
 but when once we come with a longing tu art, that doth as 
 it were gape and enlarge it felfe to take in the raine of grace, 
 a$ theory ground doth to. receive the flhowres that fall upon 
 
 it . 
 
lames^ 
 
 Wte\ 
 
 l4% The fifth Sermon 
 
 it,then though we be never fo thirfty,we fliail be fully fatisfU 
 ed;& though we be never fo dry and barren,we fliall be made 
 to flourish and grow as the gra(Te,and as the willowes by the 
 rivers of water : and that none other can grow in grace , or 
 gather any fpirituall ftrength by the meanes , it is evident in 
 the Epiftle of P*m%where he exhorteth them in this manners 
 As new borne babes defire the fine ere milke of the Word that ye 
 may grow thtreby \q. d. You may repaire unto the Word as 
 often as you wilUnd give as diligent care as you can: but you 
 {hall never get any inward growth of grace thereby,until you 
 be defirous for th e food of your foules,as little children are for 
 the mothers milke : but when once you attaine to Cich an ea- 
 ger defire of goodneffe,then you (hall grow from a little mea- 
 gre of ftrength, to a greater, and ftill increafe in the inward 
 man, as children do in the outward s and finde a progrefle in 
 grace, as they do in nature. 
 
 Thirdly , as thofe that are deftitute of this fpirituall thirft, 
 have no commandement, nor promife from God : fo neither 
 have they any fitneflein themfelves, becaufe they want that 
 principall grace , which doth fit men for the entertaining of 
 Gods holy Spirit (which alone maketh Gods ordinances ef- 
 fedluall) to wit, Humility ,• which proceedeth from a ienfe of 
 our owne mifery, and a fight of Gods mercy : now where 
 this is wanting , there is no place for Gods graces : For God 
 reftsleth the frond, and giv eth grace y onely, to the humble. Let 
 a man bring unto the Word never fo good a wit , capacitie, 
 andmemorie, he ftiall never take profit by hearing, till he 
 get a broken heart, and an humble fpir it : but God will ever 
 refift , and crofle, and thwart all his endeavours : becaufe if he 
 fhould get any benefit by the Gofpell, he would have no 
 minde to afcribe the glory thereof unto God, to whom it is 
 wholly due ; but to himfelfe , to whom no part thereof doth 
 belong. 
 
 Firft, for terrour unto fuch as have no manner of appetite, 
 cagernefle, nor earneftnefle for fpirituall things, but are alto- 
 gether bent for profit,and pleafure,and credit,and promotion 
 &c. which carnall defires do utterly kill their appetite unto 
 better things, and extinguifti or banifh all good motions and 
 
 affedions 
 
of tb e Lords Supper. I43 
 
 afteclions, that doe at any time arife in their hearts. Thefe 
 wretched men are in a wofull cafe, for they rufh upon the. 
 holy things of God without any commilllon; and therefore 
 without expectation of good from them. And howfoever 
 they may talke and brag, of their proilting by the Word, yet - 
 God that feeth and fearcheth their hearts,efteemeth of them, . 
 butasofunwelcomegueftsthatprcphanebis holy things. If 
 they would bee partakers of the water of life, they muft bee 
 thirftie: and if they would eate of the bread "of life, they muft 
 beehungry: otherwife though they be.prefent in theeongre- 
 gation, and heare the Word preached,and fee the Wine pou- 
 red out,and the bread broken before, their eyes at the cele- 
 bration of the Lords Supper, yet they can have no hope that 
 they fhall have onedrop of Chrift hisbloud,, towafh away 
 their fins,but may rather expect the viols of hisjndignaiion,. 
 to deftrpy their bodies and foules:and it is a juft vengeance of. 
 God upon fuch prophane and irreligious perfons, that when . 
 they come to the Sermons and to the Sacrament they get. 
 no good, but rather much hurt thereby: and have their lufts 
 ftronger, their hearts harder, and their mindes farre more 
 blinde and uncapable of any good, knowledge every day thanu 
 other. 
 
 But what is the reafon hereof? fmay fome demand,) Is not 
 the word of God mighty to beatdowae the ftrong holds of 
 the Divell? and is not the Sacrament powerfull in operation, 
 and able to worke great things ? 
 
 Yes,they arefo:and why then have fuch no profit by them? 
 becaufe they are abufers and prophaners, and not meet recei- 
 vers of the fame: becaufe they come not with anypreparatir 
 on, or defire of a blefling upon the meanes, but for cuftome 
 and fa(hion,that they might not feeme to be fo bad,as indeed 
 they are: nor to fet fb light by the holy Ordinances ofGod,as 
 in truth they doe. 
 
 Secondly, forinftruclion. If wee would be welcome to yfe * 9 
 Ghrift Iefus, when hee inviteth us to feaft with him, .then let* 
 us get a good ftomacke to feede on fuch cheere as be offereth 
 unto us. Otherwife, if wee glut our felues before wee come 
 to hisTabie 3 and one ly looke on thofe dainties on which 
 
 othere 
 
1^4 The fifth Sermon 
 
 others doe feed,it will not be well taken at our hanck,but we 
 Avail bee as diftaftfull unto die feaft-maker, as his provifion 
 is unto us: and thofe things which are unto others the fauour 
 of life unto life, {hall proove unto us the favour of death un- 
 to our eternall deftru&ion, if our repentance doe not prevent 
 Gods judgement. IfGodsowne children comming carelefly 
 and unpreparedly cannot efcape Gods hand, i C or * n.then 
 what fhall become of thofe ungodly ones, who come not on- 
 ly negligently, but altogether prophanely : and Co defile the 
 lacred ordinances of God? (for unto the uncleane>all things Are 
 Th i . uncle anc) Surely, if judgement begin at Gods Houfe,there is 
 
 nothing remaining for ungodly men, but a fearefull expe&a- 
 , tion of wrath and vengeance to be poured out upon them in 
 
 full meafure. In which regard it ftandethus upon to look un- 
 to our hearts beforehand: and to the intent wee may come 
 with this fpirituall appetite, the want whereof is fboffenfive 
 unto God,and dangerous unto us, let us ufe all good meanes 
 for the obtaining of it: as 
 Meanes to fee Firft, to purge away that which may annoy our ftomacke, 1 
 afpir.tuailap- and kill our appetite: and what that is, PetertzWzth us when 
 petite. j ie {^d'yWherefore laying afide all malicioHfnes>& alguile 9 and 
 
 1 r diffimuUtiontand envy >andevillff eak±ng)06 new born babes de- 
 i Pe?r J. f ire thefinceremilkofthe fVord.&c. As if he had faid,fo long as 
 Note ' ' y ou S* ve place unto,and delight in any evill;(b long as you car- 
 ry a bitter & envious mind againft your brethren, or an hypo- 
 criticall and diffembling heart towards God, and fuflfer your 
 evill afFe&ions to breake forth into evill fpeeches, fo long you 
 can never delight in,nor be very defirous of the pure Word ef 
 God,and therefore cannot poffibly grow in the knowledge 
 andpradiceof thefame. And therefore when wee finde in 
 our felves dulneffe and deadnefle, and uriwillingnefle unto 
 good duties j let us conclude for certainty, that we ftand in 
 need of Phyficke for the purging of our fouj^s : for finne wor- 
 keth on our hearts,as ill humours doe in our ftomackes; it ma- 
 keth us to loath all fpirituall food, and all meanes of refrem- 
 ing. And this take for an undoubted truth, which though our 
 mouthes w ill not confefle.yet our hearts muft needs acknow- 
 ledge; wiien we have no defire to heare the Word preached, 
 
 or 
 
of the Lords Supper. 145 
 
 ©r to receive the Sacrament, when it is to bee adminiftred, 
 there is fome fin or other not throughly repented of,which fb 
 cloyeth the fbule,that it cannot delight in thof e holy exercifes: 
 and as our hearts are more purged by godly forrow, fb will^^ , 
 our hunger and thirft after righteoufneffe, and the meanes U15 * 
 thereof bee ftill increased in us. This then is the firft rule that 
 we muft obfervefor the getting of a fpirituall appetite, viz.to 
 put away the pradtife of all grofle evils, and the allowance of 
 all infirmities, great or (mail. 
 
 A fecond is, that we muft indeavour to know onr owne 2 
 
 imTery,what we are of by nature,& by defert,in regard of our $ ze t j, y mJ f cr y 
 great and grievous offences: that fo being pooreinfpirit, wee 
 may figh and cry for grace, whereas thofe that are proud in 
 fpirit care not for it. We fee this by common experience,that 
 the perceiving and feeling of grievous and dangerous difeafes 
 and diftemperatures of the body, will drive men to the Phy- 
 iitiantointreat for phyficke, that fo their ficknefle may bee 
 cured: and in like fort, the decerning and defcryingofthe 
 loathfomeandnoyfbme corruptions wherwith our foules are 
 infe&ed and mdangered, will drive us unto the LORD to 
 crave mercy and grace from his owne meanes, that our ini- 
 quities may be frilly pardoned, and our finfnll nature foundly 
 tiealed.For when nothing is more irkefome unto us,nor more 
 feared ofus than finne^then nothing is more defircd of us,than 
 grace. 
 
 Efpecially* (if in the third place) we confider the excellencie 3 
 thereof :how it bringeth with it freedome from all evil 1, both Con&ierthe 
 from the guilt of finne, and from the power and punifliment cx cdlency of. 
 of(inne:andwithall, theinjoyment of all bleflings needfull ^ r3ce# 
 for body and foule,for this life, or that which is to come. If 
 (I fay)the fetled meditation hereof do but once finke into our 
 hearts, it cannot but fet our aftedtions on fire, with an ardent 
 and earneft defire of the fame. Nothing makes us fo weake 
 and cold in hearing the Word, or communicating oFthe Sa- 
 erament,as that we have not fiimciently tafted how good the 
 Lord is. And thus much of the meanes of getting a lpirituall 
 appetite. Now it folio weth. 
 
 £C*n$e } ffaj, b*j ypine andmilkf Q And verfe 2 . [JEat tbaf 
 
q6 The fifth Sermon 
 
 •which is good, And let J our foules delight in fat ne ffe. The drift 
 of all thefe borrowed fpeeches is to fhew that God ofFereth 
 unto all, and will bellow upon the faithfull that feeke unto 
 him, fuch fpirituall good things,as fhall much comfort and re- 
 f refh their hearts, and make their foules to live for ever. 
 Whence arifeth this Do&rine: that, 
 Do&.i] Whofoevercommeth to Chriftlefus in the religious ufe of 
 
 Allthe wants his ordinances,£hall have all his wants fupplyed,be they never 
 of the faithfull Co many,and never fo great. Are they thirfty?he hath water of 
 fupplid by ^f e f or 'them. Are they hungry ? he hath all varietie of dainties 
 Chnit. torefrefh them. Are they babes? hereismilketofeedeuponJ 
 
 Are they flrong men ? yet wearied out with afflictions and 
 temptations? here is bread that will ftrengthen their fainting 
 hearts. Are they heavy and penlive? here is wine to glad their 
 forrowfull hearts. In a word,Chrift Iefus hath plentifull pro- 
 vifionofall forts, and would have us eatethat which is beft 
 for us; commanding that our foules fhouid delight in fatnefle, 
 and in the good things that he ofFereth unto us. 
 
 This doctrine is further illuftrated and prooved unto us out 
 Et:k, 34. QfEzechiel.-vfhere the Prophet having fharpely reproved the 
 Shepheards of Ifrael y thzt fed themfelves,and not their flocks, 
 that did not ftrengthen the weake,nor heale the ficke,&c.hee 
 promifeth that God wil be a fhepheard over the,even Chrift 
 j k Iefus, verfe 2 3 . who would performe thefe two things : t*sJ 
 
 feede his fheepe,and bring them to their reft: then he under- 
 taketh in all their miferies and diftreffes to looke unto them:/ 
 *r*7/(faith he)feeke that which isbft^c, where obferve how 
 t $ he frameth his remedy to their necelfity : fome feele them- 
 fel ves loft, and unable to feeke him as they fhould: thole hee 
 will fee t>e 9 and not lofeany of them, whom he hath fb dearely 
 bought. Some are as it were driven away by ftrong corrupti- 
 ons^ violent temptations :tho(e hee will bring *gvtt*,though 
 they be carried never fo farre. Others have been crufhed and 
 broken with many forrowes '& miferies, even with one brea- 
 king upen another,by reafon of their owne finnes ; thofe hee 
 will binde up, and cure all their wounds. Others a game are 
 weake and full of imperfeftions, thofe hee will ftrengthen by 
 the power of his might, and at length make them ftrong men 
 
 in 
 
vfthe Lords Supper, fjfy 
 
 in Chrift.So that we feceyery one according to his neecLfhal - 
 receive comfort and reiiefe from him: and there are realons 
 hereof! 
 
 The fir ft is taken from the infinite power of Clinic, where- ReafoH il 
 bv he is able to fave and fuccour his people, w'hatfoever their Hc " abk-. 
 eftate be. iFthe&YRAdam being oncly ma», were able to 
 deftroy and overthrow all mankinde, then much more is the 
 fecond Adam, being God and Man, of fufficient power to 
 recouer his elefl : elpecially feeing that the meanes hee ufeth 
 are forre more forcible to repaire our breaches, than sAdams 
 meanes were to make them: and more efrefhiali to work out 
 our happineffe and falvation, than his were to procure our 
 mifery and deftruclion. 
 
 The -fecond is taken from his readinefle, being every whit % 
 as willing ashe is able to doe this for us. As Gcuxthe Father He isready, 
 gave him acharge,fo heundertookeit, and accompli died the , 
 worke which hegavehimte doe:lt was his Fathers will that he ° * 7 ' 4 ° 
 ihould fave his. people, & he willingly performed whatfoever 
 was required ofhim in that behalfe; and therefore before hee 
 yeelded up the ghoft,he uttered thefe words;// ijfimjhed: fig- .. * 
 nifying, that he had gone thorow with that painefuli workq - l 9*m 
 which the Lord had impofed upon him mow having done the 
 grcateftfor us, he will not faile us(we may be well aflaredjia 
 Imaller -matters which depend upon the former; He that was 
 willing to give his bloud for us when wee were his enemies, 
 will deny no good thing now we are his friends, yea true 
 members of his owne body. 
 
 Thirdly, he is alio in finite in wifedqme,and therefore able * 
 to finde out the beft way,and to determine of the fitteft time He if infinitely 
 (with all other circumftancesjto relieve & comfort us. There wife; 
 is many times, fuch conMon in the mindes, fuch hardneffe 
 in thehearts,fuch blemifhesin the names, men weakenes upon 
 the bodies,and fuch woefull breaches in the eftates of Gods 
 fervants, that no man,nay,nor all the men in the world,know, 
 how to redreffe the things that are amilTc : but if it pleafe our 
 Lord Chrift Iefus to take the cure in hand, nothing fhall bee 
 found too difficult for him :but that which feemeth impoiTible 
 in the eye of reafonjhall appeare not onely poffible^ but very 
 
 L earls 
 
t a8 The fifth Sermon 
 
 eafieunto him,and therefore in all thefe refpe&s it ma ft needs 
 be a certaine truth,that thofe that feek to him,and wait upon 
 him, fhall in due feafbn be received, and delivered according 
 to their need. 
 yfe i ; x Which may be an encouragement unto us, whatsoever our 
 
 wants and necefftties be,to make Chrift our refuge, & to five 
 unto him for a fupply :if wecome to wifedomes feaft,we fliall 
 finde all things prepared that may be for ftrength, or for de- 
 Pro.?, u light: ifwe be hungry, our Saviour will latisfie us with good 
 things, and never fend us empty away: if we be babes,he hath 
 milke for us : ifwe be of greater growth in Chriftianity, hee 
 hath ftronger meat for us. 
 ^ Secondly, let us therefore labour to be meetgaefts for this 
 
 heavenly banquet: which that we may be, let us obferve the 
 directions given us in this Text:™*, that we mud firft come; 
 fecondly, buy? and thirdly, eate. 
 
 Firft,we muft come,to wit,unto thofe places,& unto thofe 
 means where we may receive refreftiing:even as Iacob,yjhm 
 he and his Family were pinched withfamtne,was glad to fend 
 and fend into Egypt for food to relieve him and hk : (b will 
 thofe that are ipiritually hungry and thirfty, be at any paines, 
 and breake through any difficulties for the fatisfying and re- 
 f refliing of their fainting foules, they will repayre unto the 
 Word and Sacraments, which are the condmts through which 
 the water of life is conveyed unto us: and there they fhall bee 
 fore to feed on the body and bloud of Chrift, who is that true 
 lohn 6. Manna,and that bread of life,whereof whofoever eajeth fhall 
 
 not peri(h,but have everlaft ing life. 
 Second!y,if we will have any refreshing at this feaft, we muft 
 buy it: which is twice repeated: to fhew that it is a matter of 
 nectffity,and a matter of weight that neerely concerneth us: 
 not that wee can give any thing anfwerable to the worth of 
 that which wee fhall receive ("for grace is an unmatchable 
 treafure) but hereby thefe two things are fignified .* 
 H we muft ?k% that as in bargaines betwixt man and man, hee that 
 buy W buyeth a thing of another, muft part with fomewhat that for- 
 
 l merly was his owne: fo muft we in this purpofe of ours. And 
 
 Bart witU fa. what is it that wee muft part withaU ? witji nothing but our 
 
 owne. 
 
of the Lords S upper I ^ 
 
 owne finnes(wbich will do us no good,but infinite hurt if we 
 retaine them ftil)& with thofe things which can be no longer 
 kept without finne,as wealth,and liberty, and credit,and life 
 it fetfe, when vJod calleth for them. To this purpofe,it is faid, 
 that the Kwgdome of Heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in ^ * rth a< 
 the fie Id, which when a man ha' hfound y he hideth it, and for joy 
 hereofdefarteth andfelleth all that he hath y meaning all that 
 he hath from his own corrupt nature,renouncing all his carnal 
 arTeclions,& withdrawing his heart from the things here be- 
 lo w:for it is not intended that every man fhould fell al his fub- 
 ftance.and earthly po(TefTions,&: commodities: but onely that 
 he (hould withdraw his confidence from thefe and his immo- 
 derate love of thefe, being content toforfake them quite, ra- 
 ther than to forgoe Chrift, and to forfeit his ownfalvation:fo 
 that as the price wee pay for any thing is altogether alienated 
 - from us; fo muft finne bee, though never fo much-efteemed, 
 and beloved before-time. And fo are thefe words expounded 
 m this very Chap, ver.7. Let the wickedforfakehis wayes 3 and 
 the unrighteous his own imaginations t &c % ManyforfaKefbme 
 ill waves, but not their o wne : or if they doe leave their old . 
 wayes and workes outwardly, yet they doe notforfake their 
 owne imaginations : but to leave anothers finne for the pro- 
 curing ofthis pearle, is as if one fhould buy cattell or grounds, 
 &c. with another mans money, which is plaine theeverie, 
 and will not goe for currant pay: the Lord would have all pe- 
 nitent finners,both toforfake their owne wayes, and their owne 
 imaginations . 
 
 A fecond thing in buying is,that we muft receive and re- 2 
 taine the thing bought: and ib would God have us to hold faft Receive and 
 grace when wehave got it.Therfore the wife man exhorteth rcrai ne grace. 
 vsjwy the truth ,and fell it not: likewife wi(dome y & inftruttion, Prov * i 3 ,2 ' 5; 
 And under ft anding.We may chaffer for other things as we wil, 
 buy and feil,& fell and buy,&c. but here we muft not doefo: 
 when once we have obtained heavenly wifedome,and gotten 
 Religion in our hearts,we muft get as much increafe to doe it 
 daily as we can,but never let go any of that we have. And thus 
 much for buying,and the things to be obferved therein. 
 
 A third thing required in the Text, is, that we muft tate 
 
 La and 
 
r ,r The fifth Sermon 
 
 • and this ftandeth in excellent proportion with naturall tooc 
 If 2 man come where there is great (tore of meat, and variety 
 of choife wines, and he fee otheYs have a notable appetite, and 
 hirnfelfenone; all the cheere that is let before him will doe 
 him no good,btit rather vexe and trouble him : even ib it is in 
 thefpimuall feaft : and therefore Chrift exhortethus fo often 
 it* t0 * e - cc * e upon ^' im " ta ^S> eate (^ aitn ne ) dewing us what that 
 lob °m z.* & 9 vi*'*d bcleeve in him: In which regard he is (aid to dwell In 
 our hearts by faith : whereas unbeliefe chafeth him thence,and 
 will let him have no roome, nor place of abode in our fbtiles. 
 Therefore let us make account, that as the nattirall food is to 
 be received into our ftomaGks,!© the fpirituall alfo is to be re- 
 ceived into our foules,and there to be, as it were,digefted,be- 
 fore we can benefit by it. And this is only done by a true faith 
 in Chrift le&s. 
 
 [jvithottl fiver v] Hence we fee that God oftereth us the 
 created, and mod excellent things, without moneys money- 
 Tverw. 
 DoB 2 ^ e ^& tmn g s are beff cheape. 
 
 God glvcth Nothing can be gotten at a lower rate than things that are 
 
 nothing on of greateft. worth .Therefore are we bid to drinkjfthe waters 
 our defert. of life free Ij: and as grace, fo alfo glory is without any defert 
 Revel 12. of ours beftowed on us :for the gift efGodfaith the Apoftie)« 
 eteryiMllife^ Rom. 6. 
 
 Reafons. Now thereafons why heavenly things are not fet. at fale, 
 
 but to be had of free conV are thefe : 
 % Firft, becaufe God wili have the praife of his mercy.if hee 
 
 Rein hs$ glory Should take any thing ofus, he (hall lofe a great part of his 
 glory. We arc too ready to boaft now when we are pardoned, 
 fanctified,andfavedofhis free grace, and not by ourowne 
 workes, in that God puts life and ftrength into ns to be onely 
 working mftruments of our owne bappifleffej what then 
 fhould we doc,if God fhould make us our own Saviours, and 
 propofeheavenuntousataprice, bidding us winne it, and 
 wear e it ? 
 '2 i God knoweth fall well that we have nothing to give, but 
 
 OuTpcniuic. are meere beggers,and could but pay God with his owneifor 
 Ephck*. in our felves we are poor ? miferable,naked,and deftitute of all 
 
 good, 
 
eft he Lords Supper. j e x 
 
 goodnefle: Indeed we have in us matter enough to deferve 
 Gods wrath, but none at all to procure his favour. 
 
 Thirdly 3 ifwe had fome what to give,yetit were in no fort 
 correfpondent to that which we mail receive : for the graces 
 of Gods Spirit , and the Cro wne of Glory are unvaluable, fo inv^lmblenes 
 that nothing that is in the pofleffion of an) creature may be o£Gotis g'te< 
 laid in the ballance againfl: them. Therefore when Simon Ma- 
 gm would have bought but one gift of working miracles, to ^ , " * 
 wit, that onrvhomfoever hee Jhould Uy his hands y he wight re- 
 ceive the holy Ghofl : Peter anfwered, Thy money perijh with 
 thee y becaufethou thnkefi the- gift of God may be obtained by 
 money. Much more then, may this be fpoken of fanflifying 
 graces, which are farre more excellent; they are not to be ob- 
 tained by money , or by any earthly treafure , for there is no 
 price that can come neare them. 
 
 For the confutation of Papifts, that would buy ouT Heaven yr € 2 \ 
 by their owne meritorious works : they are even like Simon 
 Magus their father,and would rob God of his honour, which 
 he will not give unto any other : plainly manifefling unto all 
 the world,that they are grofly ignorant of their owne vilenes 
 and wretchednefle , and of the worth and excellency of hea- 
 venly things. 
 
 For inftruclion,though jve find no manner of goodnefle, or 
 worthinefle in our felves, yet that fhall be io farre from being 
 any hinderance unto us ,. that this fight and fenle of our owne 
 iinfull wants, being /oyned with humiliation for them, will 
 greatly further \x%\iox^Bleffed are the pure injptrit. God is not w ,, 
 like one that keeps an Ordinary, where every one that fitteth att 
 at table muft pay his (hot : but he is a royall feaft- maker that - 
 keepeth open houfefor all commers and goers : and hepayes 
 beft that feeth he hath nothing at all to pay,, and is thereby 
 brought out of all conceit with himfelfe. And this fhould put 
 ananfwer into our mourhes againfl Satans objection, that we 
 have nothing to fads fie God forour offences againfl: his ma/e- 
 fly, nor for his me r cies offred unto us : we need not any fuch 
 matter of iatisfadion , becaufe God would have us buy and 
 cate freely without money>or money worth^and our humble 
 and thankfull acknowledgement of this his bounty and iibe- 
 
 L 3 ralitie* 
 
Grace onely 
 content* the 
 mindc. 
 
 Phll.4.Hi 
 
 Reafons* 
 I 
 
 i Cor. 3,1s. 
 Note'. 
 
 t ^ 2 The fifth Sermon 
 
 rality,is all the fatisfa<5Uon that he looketh for at our hands.' 
 
 \jvhy do you lay out jour ftlver ) and not for breadfdcc.^lhzt 
 is, about fuch things , as for which you are never the better: 
 which will not breed any good bloud, or good nourifhment; 
 he followeth the former Metaphor &i\\ y reproving them for 
 their folly, that whereas the Lord doth offer them fuch good 
 things fo good cheape, they would neglect and pafle by them, 
 and rather chaffer with the world , and fpend their thoughts 
 and paines, about things of no worth, that would no way fa- 
 tisfie them : but when they had toyledoutthemfelves in the 
 purfuiteofthem, they would be as reftlefle, and void of true 
 contentment, as ever before. 
 
 Nothing can fatis fie, and content the minde but grace. 
 
 Many things there be that make fliew as if they could do 
 it : but the truth is, ail will come too fhort, and be found too 
 weake for the effecting of it. Therefore the Apoftle faith, that 
 Godlinejfe is great riches and contentment. Other riches are of 
 that nature,that the more we have, the more we defirc, and 
 the more our hearts are difquieted with the care of keeping 
 them, and thefeare of lofing them. But true piety is of that 
 force,that it drawes the foule unto God, and makes it to relie 
 on him, andonhistreafures, and there is a fure ftay indeed: 
 for he will never faile nor forfake fuch as cafi their cares upon 
 him. That made David fo to re Joyce, when God lifted up the 
 light of his countenance upon him:2xA that caufed Paul in what 
 Soever eftatehe wa.s>therewith to be content. And the reafon of 
 the doctrine is,becaufe grace onely repaires the image of God 
 (the loffe whereof was the caufe of all our woe) according to 
 that faying of the Apoftle,^ all behold as in a mirror the glory 
 of the Lord with open face, and are changed into the fame image 
 from glory to glory , as by thejpirit oft he Lord. Whereas look- 
 ing into other glafles , we lee our owne faces therein ; in the 
 holy Gofpell,as in a moft cleare glaflfe, we fee the face of Iefiis 
 Chrift, and by beholding it, areby little and little made con- 
 formable unto it. And this image was it which we loft by A- 
 dams fal^and with it all found contentment :and this may we 
 Recover againe in Chrift, through the hearing of the Word, 
 and with it truepeace,and fetlea comfort.Let a man have the 
 
 com- 
 
ef the Lords Sttpperl |j* 
 
 command of all the world, before he hath Gods image flam- 
 ped upon his foule, he ftiall have a reftlefle heart , becaufe he 
 hath a wicked heart, and fhall never find true peace nor com- 
 fort,till his foule be healed,and till Gods holy Image be renu- 
 ed in him.ddam&ftev his eating of the forbidden fruit,had his 
 abode in Paradife for a while : but he found thata hell, which 
 • was formerly as it were, an heaven unto him : and why? be- 
 caufe he had loft Gods image,and confequently the fweet ap- 
 prehenfion of his favour, which before made ail comfortable 
 unto him. 
 
 Secondly, nothing can, take away finne, but grace ; now 
 whercfoever finne taketh up the place, it expells all quietnefle 
 from thence, Therein no peace to the wicked, faith my God. I&.57'**- 
 For when the minde is full of errour,and the heart full ofluft, 
 and the confciencefull ofguiltines,there muft needs be great 
 confufion,and diftemper,and unquietnefle in the wholejnan. 
 
 Thirdly, untill grace enter into the heart , and rule there, 3 
 Satan hath the dominion, and ruleth there as a Tyrant, at his E pHcf 1 2. 
 owne will and pleafure. If he do but ftirre a wicked man to * Tim «*«*& 
 any finfull practice , he is forthwith ready to yeeld unto him: 
 if he do but bid him fpue out the venome of his poyfoned fto- 
 macke,he prefently breaketh forth into critell and bitter f wea- 
 ring, or curfing, or rayling, &c. fo that it may truly be laid, 
 That wicked mens tongues arefet on fire ofheM;2Lnd what reft Iamj.©, 
 then can there be in that foule, which is fo poflefTed by Satan, 
 who will never fufrer his members to defift frominventing,or 
 executing Come miichiefe or other ? 
 
 Fourthly, there -can be no contentednefle in a gracelefle 4 
 peifon, becaufe God and he are at warre : for untill fach time 
 as men be juftified by faith, thej have no peace with God, and Ron, '** T :' 
 therefore none with their owne confeiences : and what eafe 
 or reft can be unto them, that have f uch a worme as is a guilty 
 andaccufing confidence, alwayes knawing within them, and 
 fuch a racke ever and anone ("when God will) torturing and 
 tormenting them? Surely,if grace and peace do ever go toge- 
 ther, (as alwayes they do) then where grace is abfent , peace 
 cannot be prefent, and fo the foule muft needs be deftitute of 
 all true contentment. This ferveth, 
 
 L 4 1 For 
 
X y 4 The fifth Sermon 
 
 ■yfei. t . tor repreofe of thofe that (as the Prophet faith) dif- 
 
 tUU$9. 6 qv.icz chcmfelvKs about a vaine fhadow : inptirfning this plea- 
 sure and that commodity,nndfwch promotions, and other the 
 like mattcrs,as be ft pleafe their feveral fancies. If they had gai- 
 ned ail that they feeke for, it could do them no good ; for all 
 is but vanity and vexation ofthefpirit:* bruit beait is farre hap- 
 pier than they, and wel had it been for them^f they had never 
 be^ne borne ; for what fhall it profit a man to winne the who-le 
 •worlds and to lofe his ownefoule f ro be a drudge to every bafe 
 luft, to wafteand conlume his wit, and ftrength, and all, and 
 then to have hell for his paines ? yet how bufie are moft men 
 in digging for droffe, and refufing gold ; infeeking earthly 
 things, and defpifing heavenly ? but what will be the event? 
 Ionab 2.t. Such at trufl in lying vanities ,forfake their owne mercies. 
 
 2 . For inftrudtion, that we fhould not fpend our thoughts 
 and time in the purfuit of vaine and tranfitory things, which 
 can give usnoheipeagainftfinne, nor comfort to our foules, 
 nor protection from the curfe and wrath of God:but let us la- 
 bour for godlineffe , which will free our hearts from difcon- 
 tentment,and replenish them with true peace,and everlafting 
 comforts. 
 
 3 Incline your eares,and come unto me y q.d. if your eares be 
 
 dull of hearing, offer an holy violence unto them, that fo you 
 
 may attend unto my Word: and what then? Heare, and your 
 
 fouUJbaUlive : this benefit and this promotion is promifed as 
 
 the beift motive to ftir them up to confcionable hearing, viz,. 
 
 that their foules fhould ipeed the better for it , that whereas 
 
 they are dead in finne through Adams fall,' they fhould bere- 
 
 Dotv. *. ftoredto the life or grace : whence this doclrine arifeth,That 
 
 Inwaid pr^fpc- ^ xs ^ e greateft happinefle that can be , to have our foules to 
 
 city h the beft. profper,artdto have the Image of God renewed therein. 
 
 Therefore in the prophecy of Ezekiel, when the Lord 
 would magnifiehis mercies towards his people,he covenant- 
 ed! chiefly and principally to beftow upon them (pirituall 
 E*ek.a6 25. t j 1 j n g S . f0 wa fi them from all their filthinejfrs, by the bloud of his 
 owne Sonne ;t ogive them a new heart and a new Jpirit ,that is,a 
 better judgement,and purer affections;^ take away their fieny 
 and hard hearts , and to give themflejhly and tender heart s } and 
 
 in 
 
of the Lords Suffer. i 3 j 
 
 in a word, overthrow the kingdome of Satan in them, and to 
 governe and guide them by his holy Word, and by his blefled 
 Spirit, that lo they might keefe his judgements and do them. 
 
 To this very purpofe the Apoftle Peter (aith,that mo ft great a Feci,*. 
 and freciom fromijes are given unto ns, that by them we might 
 be partakers of the godly nature, in that we fly e the corruptions 
 which are in the world thronghluH, Whatmaketh the pro- 
 mifes to be offuch lingular worth,and offuch ineftimable va- Prov^z, 
 lue? even this,that thereby we are made partakers of the divine 
 nature, and by degrees become like unto Chrifl; himfeife : in 
 this regardjit is faid,that the righteous ps more excellent than hn s 
 neighbour, to wit, that is not righteous as he is. 
 
 And the reafon why the inward profperity is the beft, is 9 
 Firfl,becaufe wherefoever that is, finne,which is thefoun- Reafonsl 
 tain of all mifery,is expelled: fo that howfoever fome reliques I 
 
 thereof do ftill remaine , yet the dominion thereof is quite a- 
 bolifbed, neither fliall thofe remnants of iniquity be charged 
 upon the parties, when grace carrieth thechiefe fwayin them. 
 
 Secondly, thofe things which make the foule to profper, 2 
 vuun the graces of Gods Spirit, are mod: excellent, both in re- 
 gard of the author of them, and of the nature of them, and of 
 the continuance of them jand therefore are they beftowed on- 
 ly upon the el eel : whereas all earthly things being bafe and 
 vile in comparifon of the other,are commonly conferred upon 
 the worft,as well as the befl;becaufe the having of them can- 
 not make them happy , nor the wanting of them make them 
 miferabie. 
 
 Which ferveth for the confutation of their folly,who think yr e -> 
 if they be healthy,and wealthy, & bigge in the world,they en- ' 
 joy as much profperity as any one can defire, and much more 
 than thofe of Gods fervants, that are in continuall wants, and 
 weaknefTes,and difgraces in the world : but in the middeft of 
 their earthly jollity and plenty,how go matters betwixt God 
 and them ? what graces of the holy Ghoft have they in their 
 foules? whathumilitie? what love? what vidory ever their 
 unruly lufts ? what preparation for death ? what evidence 
 and afliirance of eternali life have thefe men gotten ? nay, as 
 for thefe things , they have not had a thought of them : then 
 
 with- 
 
15 6 The fifth Sermon 
 
 without queftion they are farre from true profperity,whatfo* 
 ever they themfelves ©r others may imagine of their happy 
 eflate and condition of life. 
 
 Secondly,here is a lingular confblation for theSaints,albeit 
 they be continually exercifed with fore crofTes , and bitter 
 temptations, that breake their fleepe, and their hearts,.yet all 
 the while they are hereby brought to that inward and beft 
 prof perity of the foule , they are happy and blefled , and have 
 , great caufe to praife the Name of the Lord,who hath caftthe 
 downe in the flefh,that he might exalt them in the Spirit;and 
 affli&ed and abafed their outward man, that he might enrich 
 and beautifie their inward man,with the excellent & amiable 
 vermes of his holy Spirit. The Lord is wonderfull in all his 
 worfts,and wife in all his proceedings: when be purpofeth to 
 judge and condemne wicked men , he fetrethinany of them 
 on horfe-backe, that their down-ialLmay.be. more notorious 
 and infamous-.and when he intendeth exceedingly. to advance 
 and blefle his children,he cafteth them very low, that fo their 
 fifing may be more admirable and comfortable. He knoweth 
 that it is better for them to have a good confidence, than a 
 good purfe ; a healthfuil foule, than a ftrong body, and there- 
 fore doth he exercife them withfuch fiery trials and temptati- 
 ons. A good Husband-man will never plow the wilde wafte, 
 but his arrable land , from which he expe&eth a good crop: 
 and even fo dealeth the Lord; he many times pafTeth over un^ 
 godly Reprobates, and ploweth and harroweth his beft-bebr 
 Ved, thatfo their foules may beare him a plentiful 1 harveft of 
 grace:and fo long as hatred ©f finne,and forrow for finne,and 
 true humility dogrow and flouriftv within, never feare what 
 outward troubles befall you: your gainethat arifeth thence 
 will make full fatisfa&ion fur all. 
 
 J)i?f?.6. . {Heareandthy foule Jhalllive,^ Hence obferve, That the 
 confcionable hearing of Gods Word, is that which quickens 
 the foule, & makes it to live both the life of grace, & of glory. 
 
 lob,5.*4,2f. So faith our Saviour, Verily, verily, I fay unto you, he that 
 beareth my Werd,and beleeveth in him thatfent me, hath ever- 
 lifting life, and /ball not come into damnation , but hath pa fed 
 from death unto life. And againe in the next verie , The time 
 
 fbafi 
 
of the Lords Sapper* 15 j 
 
 jtjallcome y andno"w is ;n» hen the dead,to wit, in finnes and tref- 
 pafleSj/W/ hear 'e the voyce of the Sonne of God, viz, in your 
 Miniftery, and they that hear e it Jhall live. There is not the 
 moft vile nature, but the Word is of power to change it, and 
 to tranflate it, from one meafiire of grace unto another. And 
 the reafon hereof is, 
 
 Fir ft, G o d doth mightily worke in it, and by it, upon the & 
 
 fouks of men, in regard wherof it is called the power of God 
 to fave them that beleeve, Rom. 1.26. and 2.CV.10.4. and 5. 
 The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to caft 
 do wne holds, &c. 
 
 Secondly , becaufe it is an inftrument to convey the holy % 
 
 Ghoft into our hearts, which is the Author , and perfecler of Gal.3.^ 
 all good gifts in the eleel of God. 
 
 Here then we fee what miferable cafe they are in , which yfal 
 are deftitute of the pure and (incere preaching of the Word, 
 they are utterly dead in finne, and have no fpirituall Jife, nor 
 fenfe in them: Yet they eate and drinke, and fleepe, and live Ofye&ioH] 
 merrily as others do. So they may, and yet their foules go to Anjwer. " 
 hell,and dye thefecond death,becaufe they were never parta- 
 kers of the firftrefarre&ion. Then a man begins to live,when 
 hee underftands the promif es and beleeves them : when hee 
 knows the commandements,and obferves therrr.and till then 
 he fits in darknefle, and in the fhadow of death , and is in fo 
 much more lamentable taking, by how much more fenfelefle 
 he is of that danger wherein ne ftandcth. 
 
 Let us then bewaiie their eftate that are deprived of the 
 light , and pray unto the Lord to overthrow the f ecret plots 
 and pra&ifes of all that are Popifhly affetted, and that do feek 
 to deprive men of the light : for they intend a farre greater 
 mifchiefeunto them,than if they went about to pull the Sunne 
 out of the firmament. 
 
 Secondly, this maketh for the great comfort of them that * 
 flnde in themfelves much deadnefle,and hardneiTe of heart :let 
 them repaireunto the Word, which is able to quicken them, 
 and will quicken them,if they come with honeft hearts there- 
 unto.Earthly Princes lawes do onely binde men to be honeft, . 
 
 but 
 
1 5 S The fifth Sermon 
 
 but Gods fawes will make them fuch as they bid them to be; 
 al wayes provided that they come thereunto. 
 
 Firft, with preparation, fettingthemfeives with reverence 
 as in the Lords owneprefence. EccL 5 . 
 
 Secondly, with attention, hiding the Word in their hearts 
 a? a precious treafure, Tfal. 1 1 p. Part. 2 . 
 
 Thirdly, With an expectation of good fucceffe in the end, 
 though God make them wait for a time, Pftlme 1.2,3. Pf*L 
 
 THE 
 
f 5 9 
 
 T H E S I X T 
 
 Sermon. 
 
 MAITH. 22. II. &C. 
 
 Verie 1 1 . Then the King came in to fee the guefts^&faw there 
 
 a man which had not on a wedding garment, 
 1 2 Andhe [aid unto himjriendjhow cam-jfthou in hither >and 
 
 hafi not on aw edding garment? and ne was fpeechleffe. 
 1 3 Then [aid the King to the fe'^^nts.Bind him hand and foot: 
 and take him away >and c<j f him into utter darkgnejje : there 
 Jhatl be weeping and^Jhing of teeth. 
 
 the former part of this Chapter, is fet forth 
 the marvellous goodnefle and favour of the Connexion » 
 Lord towards the Nation of the Iewesjmdzt 
 the Parable of a King inviting guefts unto the 
 marriage-feaftofhisfon; andwithalk their 
 horrible unthankfulnes,in making light of it; 
 and refufing to come,preferring their profits and pleafures be- 
 fore the means of their falvation,wherunto they were called; 
 which indignity & ingratitude of theirs towards the King op 
 heaven,together with their barbarous cruelty againft his mef- 
 fengers, is further fet out by the punifhment infli&ed upon 
 them, which was, f^ King being wroth fent -forth his warri- 
 ours 3 defrayed them 3 and burnt up their City : In which words 
 our Saviour hath reference unto the deftruftion of that Nati- 
 on, and of their City, by the Romanes,\vho were called Gods I 
 warriours,becaufe howfoever they came againft the fewe* in 
 
 malice 
 
Irfo The fix th Sermon 
 
 malice and revenge,yet God had a fpecial hand in ordering 5c 
 difpofing of all that they did;(b the greateft part of the people 
 was utterly cut off, and the reft left under a heavy ftroke even 
 unto this day , being deft itute of the means of falvation, which 
 they cotemptuoufly re;eeled,when they were offred unto the 
 But howfoever chefe that were fir ft bidden would not come 
 to the Supper, yet the Lord would not bee unfurnifhed of 
 gueftsj and therefore he fends his Minifters unto the Gentiles-, 
 which fate in darknes,and in the fliadow of death,who made 
 their ufe of Gods meflage, and came abundantly to thefeaft; 
 fo that the wedding was hirniftied with guefts,(bme good,& 
 fomebad. Thusfarre the Meflengers had good fuccefle, that 
 multitudes made profefllo,as if they were defirous to live un- 
 der Chrift his government,and to feede of his Supper,though 
 many of them did it with falfe and hypocriticall hearts. 
 The interpre Having thus fhewed what the Meflengers did,our Saviour 
 vmon. next declared wW the King himfelfe did; the place being 
 
 rilled with guefts, [he c^ me to fee the guefts^ implying thac 
 when men begin to make ^ofeffion, God ufeth a more dili- 
 gent fearch and examination tn*a his Minifters can doe; for 
 they can but judge of men by their ao 4 ons 3 - but the Lord dea- 
 Jeth immediately with their hearts andcr> n f c j ences ^ nc j t jj er- 
 fore it is added,that when he came m>hefaw ( tnu wn i cn ^ 
 Minifters did not)[aman which had not on a vending garmh ,1 
 where we muft not conceiue that there was but oncC ucn p^ 
 fentf for it is afterwards foid jhat many are catted, butjt^ are 
 chofen y ver . 1 4.but this is the meaning.that if there be but oh C 
 hypocrite amongft many thoufands, God will finde him out, 
 and fingle him from amongft the reft. 
 The party being thus taken,theLord falleth to an'examinatio 
 of him,FraW,faith he,(how camefl thou hither?) that is, how 
 dareft thou come to the Royal Table of fo glorious a King(e£* 
 haft not on a wedding garment?) that is, having no repentance 
 for flnne; no freedome from the guilt, or from the power of 
 finnemor any faving grace at all: how is it (I fay J that thou 
 fhouldeft prefume to come into fiich a place, and into fuch a 
 prefence,having made no better preparation ? 
 
 When God began thus to examine hjm in his own perion, 
 
of the Lords Suffer. 161 
 
 it is faid [he wasjpeechiejfejhaving an ill caul e and a guilty con- 
 icience,hehad nothing to fay for himfelfe.Hereupon the Lord 
 proceedeth to parte ientence upon him, which is done after 
 the manner of earthly Iudges. {Then faid the King unto hisfer- 
 *vants)ti\2X is,unto the Angels, whofe office it is, as to gather 
 the good corne into Gods Barne,fo to bind the Tares together 
 in bundles, that they may becaft into hell- fire; {bind him hand 
 and foot) there muft not be prefent execution, but he muft be 
 dealt with as a prif oner, whofe hands are bound that he may 
 not refifband his feet that hee may not runne away; if either 
 of them had beene at libertie,he might have made fome fhift;. 
 •but when God comes to proceed in judgement againft men, 
 hee will ftrip them of all meanes, both of defence and of efca- 
 ping. Further, they are bid to (take him away) to wit,from ha- 
 ving communion with God, with his Saints or Angels; hee 
 muft be taken from the place and meanes of all comfort and 
 peace,and happineffe:and is that all? nay (faith God, cafi him 
 into utter dar knej} <?)that is,into hell, a place of all mifery and 
 woe, which is imply ed by utter darkeneffe: a fit punifhment 
 forfuchkinde of perfons;for feeing they are full of ignorance , 
 and of fpirituall darknefle while they live,God hath provided 
 that they fhall have enough o£ itjthey fhall be caft into a place 
 of utter darkneCfe, where there (hall be nothing but hofrour 
 and anguiih. And yet if this were al,their eftate werethe more 
 tolerable; but this addeth unto the mifery of the place, that 
 they fhall be very fenfible of that mifery, which is intimated, 
 when it is faid, [there Jhal be weeping) not fiich weeping as ma- 
 ny times befalleth men here,when the tears of their eyes abate 
 the anguifh of their harts:but fuch weeping as is /oyned with 
 {gnajbing of the teeth) fignifying that they ihould not cnely 
 haveforrow and gnefe, but fuch as fhould be mingled with 
 defperatian,and with horrible vexation,and torture: not fuch 
 as fhould be an eafe unto their foules, but rather an addition 
 unto their woe. 
 
 In thefe words then is declared the feveritie of God againft 
 thofe that come unworthily unto his royall feaft : where iv 
 dewed, 
 
 i. Firftjthecatfe of this his feveritie; namely.becaufe they 
 
 abufedi 
 
j6z Thefixth Germ 
 
 abufed both h im and his banquet, in comming with the mod 
 foule and loathfome garments of the old man; which do more 
 difplcale rhe eyes of the Lord,thanthemoft bafe and begger- 
 ly rayment in the world can doe the eyes oi an earthly King. 
 2 Secondly, the manner of Gods proceeding, viz\ 
 i That he convinceth their confciences, fo that they are 
 fpeechkfTe. 
 
 2 That he condemneth their perfons nnto unavoidable.and 
 yet uniupportable torments, 
 ferfe I 1 1 [Then the King came #//]From this- title which is attribu^ 
 
 ted unto the Lord, this doctrine arifeth: that, 
 JDo8.il God is the onely abfolute King over all the world. 
 
 * GodtheKing ' He it is that is blejfed.and PrincejheKing of Kings, & Lord 
 of the whole of Lords. This Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged, after that the 
 ?Tim.£. is ^ or d had made him, being the mightiefl: Monarch in the' 
 world,to become more wretched than the pooreft man in the 
 world,livingas a bead for 7.years together: after that (I fay^J 
 the Lord had abafed him,and raifed him up again,he acknow- 
 ledged that God was the King of all the earth, whereas hee 
 thought before that he himfelre had beene the onely Ruler 8c 
 Commander ohhe world :and further he fheweth,what man- 
 nerofKingheis,namely,themoflhigh,everlafl:ing,ofanun- 
 Pan.v31.j1. re fift a bi e power, fo that all the inhabitants ofthe earth are to 
 
 be reputed as nothing, in comparifon of him. 
 Keafon\ An ^ tne reafbn why the Lord doth challenge unto himfelfe 
 
 this title to be the onely abfolute Governour of all the world, 
 is this, that all power whatfoever,is derived from him,and li- 
 mited by him: fo that all earthly Potentates are but his fubftx- 
 tutes and Vicegerents : they hold their Kingdomes from him; 
 their lub je&s harts are inclined by him :al their excellent parts 
 are his meere gifts :their wifedome & policy for government 
 both in times of \varre,and of peace,proceed altogether from 
 him,& the .fuccefle ofal their purpofes and attempts is whol- 
 ly ordered and difpofed by him : and therefore good caufe is 
 there that he fhould have this glory and honour afcribed unto 
 him, viz,, to be the fapreme Ruler of all the earth. 
 yfc x Thisreprooveth them, that in words will acknowledge 
 
 the Lord to be the onely Ruler of Heaven^ and Earth, but in 
 
 their 
 
of the Lords Supper. j $ * 
 
 their deeds deny it : for what doe they? never care to get 
 the knowledge of his Lawes, much lefle to obey them : 
 nay,the/refufetounderftandthe Statates of the Lord, and 
 rife up in open rebellion againfb him : and yet none more rea- 
 dy than fuch to cry out of others, that they are difloyall Sub - 
 je&s, fuch as care not for authority, and the like. Indee.ie 
 thofe that are fuch, are much to be condemned. But in truth, 
 they themfelves in the meane while are the notabieft rebels,in 
 that they ftand out againfl: the Lord of Hofts. But they 
 will vaunt and bead that they carry themfelves loyally to- 
 wards their Prince, and are caretull to obey Authorise. Sap- 
 pofe for the time that they doe yeeld outward obedience to 
 the lawes (which yet few fuch doe J yet if they do not fubmit 
 themfelves to Magiftrates, in/ and for the Lord, all their loy- 
 alty is nothing worth. For the Apoftle fude fpeaketh of fome 
 t\\2&\\2LdLmens perfons in admiration, becaufe of advantage^- \&fo\6* 
 gainft whom he prenounceth a woe:they would fa wne upon 
 iuch as were in authority, and have them in high admiratic n . 
 Oh they were worthy men,and their commandements much 
 to be refpecl:ed:fo that if they would have them lye, or (Wear, 
 or commit any villauy, they would bee at their becke : and 
 why? for their owne advantage : that they might get fome 
 commodity, or clime to.fome preferment,^ that was their 
 drift,and further thau to ferve themfelves, they regarded nei- 
 ther theperfons nor places of thofe that were in the goveme- 
 ment:all their crouching was for advantage foke, nothing for 
 confcience&ke. 
 
 Secondly, fithenceourGodis the Soveraigne Lord and yfei y 
 King of heaven and earth therefore when wee are to (land in 
 his pretence, and to draw neere unto ; his Table: let us with all 
 reverence and due preparation, and with all feare and care, 
 and good conference, prefent our felves before his Majeftie, 
 The holy Ghoft himfelfe giveth this advice concerning an p f0t2? 23 
 earthly Prince, that if any be to fit at Table with a great Ru- 
 ler, he fhould lookeunto his carriage, andreftraine his appe- 
 tite,and not behave himfelfe rudely and unmannerly. Now if 
 this be a point ofwifedome, when a man is to feaft with one 
 thatisfarrehis Supenqur, to wafohis hands, to have refpecl 
 
 M of 
 
j £4 Thefixth Sermon 
 
 of his apparell, and ifhe have any lute better than another, to 
 rut that on; andinnoforttocarryhimfelfe diforderly and 
 unbefeeming fuch a prefenceuf (I fay)a man would & mould 
 deale thus before an earthly Prince,that if there be any failing, 
 can but give him a rebuke and checker inflict upon him fome 
 outward punifhment; how much more carefull and circum- 
 fpect mould we be, when we are to fit at the Lords Table, 
 who looketh not fo much to the externall behaviour,as to the 
 inward difpofition of the fouled and if he finde us unprepared 
 and unworthy, cannot onely fmite us in the outward man, 
 but caft both body and foule into hell. 
 
 yj* m 1 Thirdly, this is for fingular comfort unto ail Gods people, 
 
 feeing the Lord their God is the only Monarch of the world, 
 rhat exercifeth his Kingdome from generation to generation, 
 this mould ftrengthen them againft all crofles, and ioifes,and 
 troubles, and temptations, that though men would toffe them 
 up and dowmand trample them under their feet, and for that 
 end doe evermore plot and practife againft them, yet it (halt 
 goe well with the righteous :for the Lordraigneth over their 
 moft mor tall ad verfaries : and though the times change, and 
 mens affections change, yet their King is unchangeable; the 
 fame for ever,in mercy & goodnefle towards all his true har- 
 med Subjects; he hath turned every thing to the good of his 
 €hurch heretofore,and fo will he deale with his faithmll fer- 
 vants ftill 3 even to the end of the world. And thus much of the 
 perfon of God, that he is a King. 
 
 Now for his behaviour,he doth not onely provide for his 
 guefts,but is there prefent himfeife (in the aflembly of Saints) 
 {jo fee tbeguefts:lpot,bx\t he fiiw them before:but this is fpo- 
 ken for our capacitie,to fignifie that as God doth fee through 
 us,fo he will let men kno w,and feele, and finde, that he per- 
 fectly difcerneth what they are, and with what hearts they 
 appeare before him. Whence arifeth this point: that, 
 
 Qoftal The Lord taketh fpeciall notice of every gueft that com- 
 
 Gcd *Tb! S methtohis Feaft - 
 
 "l°fo iS There are many commers, but not all of one difpofition : 
 therefore doth he take a view of them, that their entertakie- 
 mentmay be, according to their condition and preparation: 
 
 that 
 
'of the Lords Suppefl 165 
 
 that if they -be good,they may fpeed well; if bad, they may re- 
 ceive according to their ill deferts. ^ 
 
 This is midentm ZephMua, where it isfaid, that the Lord Zc Pk*»r*. 
 wik/earch Urufalem with lights : not that the Lord needeth 
 candles or Torches;btit to fhew that there are many dark cor- 
 ners in mens hearts, where fmnelyes lurking : which if they 
 will not iearch.the Lord will, and finde out every corruption 
 therein,3s men by burning Lampes come to the fight offuch 
 things as lye hidden in obfcure and darke corners. To the 
 fame purpofe it is faid,that all things are naked and open to his Kcb^.f j< 
 <?jyw:and that his eyes arc a flame offire;notingiinto us,that he 
 pierceth and iooketh through and through every mans heart, 
 every mans coufcience, and every mans converfation . 
 
 Reaibns: Firft, the Lord hath undertaken to bring every Reafon^ 
 fecret thing into Iudgement: therefore muft he needs take no- t 
 
 tice thereof. Eccl.ii.' 
 
 2 Secondly, it is^his office to reward every one as he know- s 
 eth his heart and his works: and therefore muft he of necefli- Sce M * cUvtri 
 ty fearch into the fame; for other wife he could not proceede ? e ^ on oa 
 like a righteous Iudge, to give to every one an equall and per- j^ ^. 2 1 
 feci reward. Which maketh, wfacrcthis 
 
 Firft,forreproofeofthofe, that becaufe they are admitted poinds more 
 by theMinifter,and allowed amongft men, and judged to be krgdy haad : \ 
 Chriftians,as men that can be touched for no groffe fin; have a led# 
 very good opinion of themfelves, as if there were nothing ^«i 
 elfe required of them :but let fuch know, that there muft bee a ^> f J.i i 
 fecond furvey and fearch; and where the Minifter ends, God 
 will begin; and if they cannot hold out in the fecond exami- 
 nation, and tryall made by the Lord,their cafe will be no bet- 
 ter than his,who is found fitting at the Table without a wed- 
 ding garment '.therefore it ftands men upon to fee that they - 
 bee fitly qualified, before they intrude themfelves into tha 
 Lords pretence: for he hath fiery eyes to iooke quite through Hcb.i , 
 them ;and pure eyes that can indure no iniquity in them; and 
 therfore before they come to this great Supper, they muft by 
 learching finde out their fpeciall finnes and bewaile them,de= 
 termining to leave and for fake them, and repayring to the 
 meanes to get ftrength againft them . 
 
 Ms Secondly,, 
 
j g£ Tbefixth Sermon 
 
 Secondly, for confolation : feeing wee fhall notmeete the 
 Minifter onely at the Lords Table, but God himfelfe in his 
 owne perfoft; this may comfort the hearts of thofe that have 
 examined their ioules, and lamented their finnes, and have a 
 truedefire to be reconciled unto the Lord, and to obtain fuch 
 mercies as doe belong to penitent perfons, they fhall receive 
 according to their hearts defire & expectation, even ftrength 
 againft their corruptions & temptations, and freedome from/ 
 or ability uuder all manner of crofles and afflictions: for there 
 the Lord of Glory willjnanifeft his prefence, in giving to e- 
 
 aChro.tf.30. very one,as he knoweth the integrity of his heart. Earthly 
 Kings, though they be prefent, cannot looke on every parti- 
 cular perfon nor examine of what Country or condition eve- 
 ry one or them is: but the King of Heaven hath an eye to e- 
 
 2V*fri very gueft,confidering what they are, and how affected and 
 
 prepared : what they did the day before, what thoughts they 
 had, what prayers they made the night before, and that very 
 morning: he marketh and obferveth what their hopes are, 
 what their defires are, what they expect for the prefent, and 
 what they purpofe for afterwards: In a word, hee taketh par- 
 ticular notice of every good thing in his Saints, to reward it 9 
 and of every infirmity to helpe them out of it. 
 
 Y_Andfaw there a man -which had not on a wedding varment .1 
 
 IrTthat the King feeing this man at his Table, doth reprove 
 
 him, aud condemne him, for his want of good preparation; 
 
 the Doclrine is, that, 
 
 Utott. 3« It is not fufficient to come to Gods wedding-feaft, but we 
 
 Fimeffe rcqui- m uft come as fit guefts for fo great a banquet, and fuch a gk>- 
 
 «a C ft nG ° dS li0US P refepCe ' 
 
 ° Iudai ate and dranke the bleffed bread and Wine,as well as . 
 
 P^^iyetbecaufehe had a curfed and carnall heart, it was his 
 bane.and laid him more open to every hellifh temptation,and 
 made him more lyable to every curfe and plague of God: this 
 
 Mattn *?. was alj that he got by it.So the foolifh Virgins wentto meet 
 the Bridegroome, with Lampesin their hands, making a glo- 
 rious fliew,& doingmany things in the worship and fervice 
 of God,yetbecau(e they had not Gyle in their Veffels; as well 
 as in their Lamps,that is.had not inward graces in their hearts, 
 
 and 
 
t'fth? Lords Snffei\ 
 
 sud confciences,as well as outward femblarices and fliewes 
 thereof in their carriage and behaviour, therefore their lights 
 were quickly out , and when others were received as fit and 
 meet guefts,they were rejected and excluded,as unfit and un- 
 worthy of the Bridegroomes feaft and company: fo that out- 
 ward termes and colours of Religion will not ferve the rarne; 
 many fhall cry, Lord, Lord, who yet mall be bid to depart 
 from Ghrift,becaufe they are workers ofiniquitie:They brag 
 they have prophecied andcafl out devils , and done many great Mac, 7,21,23; 
 works by his name, but they did nothing for his name, but for 
 their o wne creditor gaine , or for fome carnali ref peel: or o~ 
 thenand therefore feeking and ferving themfelves , the Lord 
 efteemeth them wicked and ungodly perfons, and punimeth 
 them accordingly. 
 
 Now the reafon of this point, is, becaufe the Lord com- jt ea r on f 
 mandeth us as well to come worthily, as to come : and as the 
 prayers of the wicked are an abomination unto him, fo are ail 
 other fervices of theirs \to the uncleane aUnhings are uncleane: Ptor.2B'^l 
 if men be dead in finnes and trefpaffes, and live under the Tfc.i.ij, " 
 power of prefumptuous finnes., the things that are moll: help- 
 full and profitable in themfeives, are made hurtfull and perni- 
 cious unto them, fo that they are thereby made more impure 
 and more unholy. 
 
 Sith there will be fuch ftricl examination,and fuch a marpe yr e x 1 
 1 entence of condemnation paft upon thofe that do not get ~~* 
 them wedding apparell, when they come to this wedding 
 feaft : this ferveth to humble every one that hath at any time 
 come to thisroyall feaft without his wedding garment; as 
 every one hath , fo often as he came to any of the meanes of ™~ t ?\ 
 falvation before he was effectually called. It was Gods won- — * 
 derfull mercy that we are not deftroyed in the time of our un- 
 regeneracie , for abufing his gracious and glorious prefence; 
 and that he didfo patiently fbrbeareus,and at length put it in- 
 to our hearts, to put off our foule garments , and to fue unto 
 
 him for white and pure rayment. And albeit the Lord have 
 
 gracioufly fpared us , yet mould we judge our felves worthy ^ CV «M^ 
 to have beene deftroyed,and ought to be humbled for our old 
 finnes, left they bring upon us new judgements. 
 
 M 3 Sec< 
 
1 6 g The fix th Sermon. 
 
 Tfc i J Secondly , let us labour to put on this wedding-garments 
 
 feeing it is lb requifite and needfull for every worfhipper of 
 God to be clothed therewith. 
 What the No \v,it we would know what it is, the Aooftle defcribeth 
 
 Wedding-gar it j Q part>c ,/ Sl2 %Norp therefore as the EL U ofGodJholy and 
 beloved \fut on tender mercy >&c. As if he had faid 3 fith God hath 
 cholen you to eternall glory in the heavens 3 and provided unr 
 to you a kingdome,that you may raigne with his own Sonne, . 
 therefore do you leade fuch a life as becomes heires of fuch a 
 Idngdome, and adorne your felveswkh fuch graces as may 
 befeeme the Spoule of Chrift , and thofe that are thechofen 
 people of the Lord, even fuch as are called unto holineffe, and 
 anto whom God hath manifefted his love: and feeing he hath 
 forgiven you fo many (innes, and doth continually pafle by fb 
 many of your infirmities, do you put on tender mercy, &c. He 
 reckoneth up divers of thofe particular venues , whereby he 
 would have them fhine forth before men; and firfthe wiileth 
 them to put on {tender mercy) not onely to have,but to put on 
 a mercifull heart:many have this grace,which do not put it on, 
 that is,do not ftir up their hearts,nor make them {eniible of the 
 wants and necetfities, and diftrefles of their poore brethren % 
 the bowels ofcompafBonarenotlo moved within them, that 
 they out of a fellow-feeling of their griefes , do proceed from 
 pitying of them,to relieving of them : but the Apoflle would 
 feave men fo to be endued with thefe graces , that they put 
 them forth for the ufe of others,as occafion is offered. 
 
 The.next vertue which we muft put on , is (k&ndnejfe) wt 
 muft not be fierce, nor froward, tart nor fowre in our fpee- 
 ches or carriage,but be affabk, and amiable in our converfati- 
 ©n,that fo we may not difcourage, nor 4ifcountenance thofe 
 that have to ipeake or deale with us. 
 
 But how may we attaine this kindmfik? get ( burnt? /enejfe) 
 which is the next vertue:for whence commeth it to pafle that 
 men are fo harfh and rough,fo lowd,andfull of crying in their 
 fpeeches? the very true reafon is becaufe they are proud and 
 haughty '.therefore the fame minde fhould be in us,that was in 
 thrift Iefus who was full of gentlenes^and ftill ready to bcire 
 with infirmities, ,tc*pafle by offences, and pray forhisforei 
 g4wfittiefc " The 
 
'of the Lords Supper] r 6$ 
 
 The next grace is [yneekneffe^ which cbnfifleth in this,that 
 we be not bufie and violent in our owne private matters, but 
 content to part with our owne right , fo farre as Gods glorie 
 and agoodconfciencedo require. 
 
 Another vertue is \Jong-fuferingf\ which is fitly joyned 
 with the formenfor fome might fay, 1 have (hewed meeknes Objection] 
 and peaceablenefTe in my behaviour, but all will not ferve the 
 turne, I am ever vexed withunkindnefle and indignities, and 
 mufl I fiill put up all? Yes furely,you muft fiifTer long, therein Anfwl 
 imitating the Lord himfelfe: for hath he not borne long with 
 you, did not hefpareyou many yeares before your conversi- 
 on ?and are you fo reformed now, that yon need not his long- 
 iuffering and patience? 
 
 Oh,but thofe with whom I have to deaie are very full of in- objeBion" 
 firmities and defecls .Beare with them then, Ver. 1 3 . you are Anfiv * 
 not without imperfections your felfe; they put you to the tri- 
 all now ; you know not how fbone you may winne them or 
 fome others to the like, and therefore Strive to beare with 
 them,and feeke rather to mend faults, than to find faults : and 
 to help men out of them,rather than to be imbittered againft 
 them for the fame. 
 
 But there is a quarrell betwixt us , and I cannot bring my oy\ e {n Q ~-\ 
 minde to peace, till that be firft ended.The Apoftle telleth you Anfaer* * 
 how to make briefe worke,and how to make the beft,cheap- 
 eft, and mofl Christian end of all controversies, and that is, 
 [^freely to forgive one another."^ 
 
 But who could ever put up fuch wrongs, and fit downe by ObjeUionl 
 fuch injuries? Chrifi: Iefus could, and did : and therefore it is dnfw* 
 added, Even Chrifi fefus for gave yon, evenfo do ye. There is 
 none of the Elecl of God, but muft be driven to confefle, that 
 our Saviour hath pafTed by farre greater matters in us, than 
 we can do in any man : yea, and doth fo (till, even every day ; 
 
 and houre, or elfe it would go full ill with us: which being 
 fo, they fhould not fticke to forgive and forget one anothers 
 trefpaffes and offences, of what kinde, and of what degree 
 foever. 
 
 p>Thefe vertues if we can get and exercife, it is certaine that 
 we have the wedding garment,and therefore may boldly and 
 
 M 4 com- 
 
Who muft be : 
 flow the Wed- 
 ding gasmem, 
 
 ST* 3 3* 
 
 How it ttuft 
 begotten* 
 
 s 
 Put c2 out 
 
 tags. 
 
 lfc.5 y*h 
 
 Defucit# 
 
 I -70 Theftxth Sermon) 
 
 comfortably ftand before him that hath pure and fiery eyes: 
 for fay that he hates all iniquity fas indeed he doth) with a, 
 deadly hatred: if we do fo too,God and we are of one minde, 
 and of one fide, and he will never lay any of ourfinncs unto 
 our charge. 
 
 Thus have we heard what the wedding garment is:now it 
 is further to be confidered, how we may come, by it : and the 
 way is, to go unto Chrift Iefiis for it : for his Spoufe muft be 
 clothed and decked by himfelf who is the Bridegroome : and 
 therefore he exhorteth the Church of the Laodiceans that was 
 poere t and miferable.and b lind^nd^jiaked^to buy ofhim^yphite 
 rayment:~\ which is the right eoufneffe of Saint s y Rev % \ 9.8 that 
 their filthy nakednes might not appearejbutbc covered through 
 the righteoumefle of Chrift , which makethtis as righteous 
 here in Gods account, as we fhall be, when we come to hea~ 
 ven,though we cannot fee it to clearly, nor apprehend it fb ful- 
 ly .Now we fee where it may be bought ; the next queftion 
 will be, how it muft be bought? 
 
 And for anfwer thereunto: we muft know that three things 
 are to be performed. 
 
 The firft is y that we muft put off our owne filthy and rag- 
 ged clothes, to wit, our finfull and corrupt natures , and our 
 bad and vile converfation, as the Apoftle willeth the Ephefi- 
 anSyCafl ye ojf y concerning the converfation in timepafi y the old 
 manure hich is corrupt through the deceiveable lufts. This then is 
 the firft duty, by found and hearty repentance to make a rid- 
 dance of all groiTe finnes , and to purge our felves as much as 
 poffibly we can,frbm all infirmities : for certaine it is that the 
 wedding garment cannot be obtained, untill we be fit for the 
 fame. The old man and the new will not agree together* 
 W herefore when the Prophet Ifaiah exhorteth men to come 
 and buy,&c. he faith, Let the wicked for fake his wayes, and the 
 ungodly his otvne imaginations y3ec. Now when we forfake 
 them , when with purpofe of heart we cleave unto the Lord a 
 and endeavour to depart from all iniquity. 
 
 The next thing required ofhim that would buy this white 
 raiment is,that he muft much efteeme & defire it:for the thir- 
 ty foulc alone fhall be fatisfied with good things. Now that 
 
 " we 
 
of the Lords Sup 171 
 
 we may get this fpirituall affection, we muft labour to have a H*s*in 
 light of our miferable eftate while we are naked and deftitute 
 of this rayment,and of our happy cafe when we fhall be ador- 
 ned therewith, which being wellcdnfidered of, will make us 
 more to affeel it, than all the treafuresof the world. 
 
 lhirdly,he that would be a good chap-man, and procure 3 \ 
 
 himfelfe thefe heavenly robes, muft' come to the places and ? c ^ a c ^ w ^ e 
 fhops where he may buy and have choice for his mony: which 
 are, where the Word is powerfully preached , and the Sacra- 
 ments duly adminiflred. Thence muft thefe robes be fetcht, 
 whereby all naked foules may be eovered>and the moft defor- 
 med creature may be beautifiedithe word is it which worketh i 2 m.u8, 
 Grace , and together with the Sacraments doth continually t Cou ioi6i 
 increafe the fame:fo that thereby the Lord conveyeth unto us 
 whatfoever legacies Chrift hath defer ved for us. And thus we 
 fee how the wedding garment may be come by : our owne 
 ragges mull: be re/ecled , this muft be deiired and fought for 
 where it is to be found and to be obtained. 
 
 A third ufe of this point , may be for an exceeding great Vft 3 \ 
 comfort unto them that have put away their ilnnes by godly 
 iorro w,and have gotten an appetite to the food of their foules, 
 they may come as welcome guefts^and fuch as have put on the 
 wedding-garment: they need not be afraid that God ftiould 
 look upon them, but have great caufe to rejoyce that they are 
 Co fitted and prepared,that they may comfortably ftand in his 
 bleffed prefence,and be worthy partakers of his royallfeaft. 
 
 Laftly,this is for terror unto thofe hypocrites, who though yfe 4, 
 the Lord do call upon them, and proffer them his Sonne, and 
 his Spirit, and his kingdome, yet they will not part with any 
 fin, for the obtaining of thefe excellent things ; but have their 
 appetites fo taken up with earthly things, that they have no 
 mind to fpirituall things,neither will they come to the means, 
 nor repaire to the market where this royall clothing is to be 
 had;but abfent themfelves from the word jand efpecially from 
 the Sacrament.Thefe are much to be condemned and faarply 
 to be rebuked,as defpifers ofthe holy things of God. 
 
 Oh, but one lives in malice, ana another in uncleannefle, Oljepw?} 
 &c» and therefore they forbeare comming. 
 
 Ibis' 
 
&€npwer\ 
 
 Note. 
 Luk,i4i 
 
 Do%4. 
 Goddeales in 
 a peaceable 
 manner even 
 widi finnerc 
 Geo.3.?. 
 
 Reafons. 
 
 I 
 
 tyi The fixth Sermon 
 
 This is the moft wretched excufe ofalUwhy docft thou not 
 get out of thy malice, and leave thy filthineflfe? wilt thou pre- 
 ferre the fatisfying of thy luft, before the faving of thy foule? 
 what is this but plainly to refufe and to rejeft the Lords ban- 
 quet ? and can fuch looke to efcape the heavy hand of the 
 Lord? If they were worthy to be deffeayed,that flayed away 
 upon this pretence,I have married a wife,and therefore I can- 
 not come:I have bought Oxen, and therefore I cannot come: 
 What then do they defer ve, that will abfent themfelves un- 
 der this colour, I live in malice,and therefore I cannot come: 
 I muft follow my fenfuall and divellifh luft,and therefore I 
 cannot com e : If the workes of our Callings may not in any 
 cafe keepe us from the Lords Feaft : then much leffe may the 
 works of the flefli, and of the Devill. 
 
 Verfe 1 2. (Friend, how cameft thou in hither?) Doftrine^ 
 When God hath to deale even againft wicked finners ; yet he 
 doth plainly ,and in peaceable tearmes convince them, before 
 he pafleth fentence on them for their faults. So hee dealt 
 with Adam } whcn he had eaten the forbidden fruit,and there- 
 upon fled from God, and hid himfelfe among the trees of the 
 Garden. Adam (faith hej -where art thou? q.d.why doeft thou 
 flie from me,and leave the place of thy calling ? Haft thou not 
 eatenof the tree -whereof I commanded that thou Jhouldeft not 
 eate. He comes not upon him in violence or fury, but quietly 
 cals him by his name, and in a coole manner reaf <mis the mat- 
 ter with him. In like manner deales Chrift with fudat y Friend 
 betraieft thou the Son of man "with a kijje? as if he iliould have 
 laid , fudas howf oever this kiffe may feeme to proceed from 
 love,yet indeed it cometh from pretenf ed malice & mifchiefe 
 The reafons why God taketh this courfe, are; 
 
 1 Firft,becaufe this milde and gentle dealing maketh men fee 
 their faults more evidently ; whereas, hafty and violent fpee- 
 ches do either dif courage, or imbitter the heart, and caftfuch 
 a mifle upon the minde, that it cannot fb well difcerne of it 
 owne err our. 
 
 5econdIy,if there be proceeding to punifhment,the puniftier 
 is much cleared by this meanes:for when the offence is quietly 
 laid open to the view of the offender , fo that he cannot but 
 
 con- 
 
of the Lords Suffer, s 7 3 
 
 confefle his guiltineffe, then muft he needs acknowledge that 
 he is juftly and equally dealt with, when puniiriment is infli- 
 cted upon him. 
 
 This is for our imitation, that if we would have any partie yr e j ; 
 fet downe and humbled for his finne,we fliould endeavour in 
 the quieteftand beft manner to convince him of his fault. Vfe 
 as hard arguments as we will (for fo the Lorddoth)but with- 
 ali look that we ufe foft fpeeches : for that is the way to make 
 men thinke hardly of themfelves ; whereas the contrary will 
 caufe them to think hardly of us. And here are fuch to bebla- 
 med,as when any thing isdiftaftfull to them, are prefently hot 
 and boiftrous, and lowd, and full of crying; and fo rather hurt 
 theeareby the iowdneffeohhevoice r thanhelpe the heart by 
 the force of their reproofe: whence arife thefe two inconveni- 
 ences :Firfl,that the party looks not fo much to his owne fall- 
 ings to their paffion:and lecondly,as he is not convinced, fo 
 they are not efteemed:but though they have the right on their 
 fide, yet they lofe the due regard of their caule, and reverence 
 of their perfons. And therefore the Apoftle telleth Timothy, * Tun f i.i4-s$; 
 that the fervant of God mull not flrive^ but muft be tenth to- 
 wards af/men:he muft not be clamorous and violent Jnatfitffer 
 evillmenfatientlyjnfiru&ing themtvith meehnes that are con- 
 trary minded, dec, For this is the way, ir there be any, to bring 
 them to found repentance , that they may come out of the 
 fnares of the devil .This(I fay)is the way,tolet them fee good 
 reafons againft their fins, and a good arfedion towards their 
 perfons :thefe are the beft helps.and hereby we /hall befureto 
 pleafe God:and if the party will ever be broken>it muft be by 
 the weight of good arguments, prerted in meeknefTe of wife- 
 dpme,and proceeding from a mercifull heart. 
 
 But they are vile and wicked perfons,with whom I am to Obje&io£ 
 deaie,fuch as deferve little or no mildnes at all. Be it fo: yet we ^infwerl 
 iee here when God was to reafon with a reprobate that was 
 ready to be turned into hell,he proceedeth calmly and quietly 
 againft him. And fo dealt Jojhna with Achan that had com- 
 mitted fuch execrable wickednefle, as that the whole hoftoi 
 God fped the worfe for him : My [on (faith he) / befeech thee 
 give glory unto the Lord Godof IfrHl^mdm^conjeffionnnto 
 
 him^j- 
 
j j^ Thefixth Sermon\ 
 
 ffe 2. kim>&c. Secondly,this is forconfolation. Will the Lord give 
 
 fiich good termes unto reprobates that are to be caft into liel- 
 fire?then furely he will much more ufe mildnefle towards his 
 people : if Gods enemies have good words from him , then 
 what may his friends expect at his hands ? 
 DoB.y , ^_And henvatjpeechleffe^ Dott. Though finnershave many 
 
 Sinners (ball ^xcufes and colours , when they are todeale with men like 
 be put to b> themfelves,yet when God commeth to examine and fift their . 
 ccnfciences 5 they (hall have nothing to fay. for themfelves. 
 
 This is to be obferved in Judas 3 that though he were very 
 
 fubtle, and a notable cunning hypocrite, yet when the Lord 
 
 wakened his drowfieconfcience, he brake forth intoapiaine 
 
 Mat.27.4. confeffion, I have finned betraying innocent blond. He had no 
 
 manner of defence or apology for himfelfe in the world. 
 
 The like may be feene in curfed Pharaoh, who in his extre- 
 mities was driven toconfefle that he & his people had finned, 
 Exod. 1 9.27. And at the laft day it is (aid, that the books of all 
 mens conferences fhall be opened,/^. 20.12. And then their 
 finnes fhall be fet in order before them 3 and their o wne hearts 
 fhal be as a thoufand witnefles to accufe and condemne them. 
 Reafon. The reafbn of this point is , becauf e the Confcience is the 
 
 Lords Officer, and it cannot but fpeake truth when God will 
 have it, through the light of knowledge which he hath put 
 into every mans foule by nature. 
 Vfe 9 If then we would be able to ftand before the Lord , when 
 
 he fhall come to try us in the fire of afflidion,but efpecially at 
 the laft dreadfullday of judgement, when the bookes fhall be 
 laid open ; and every manjjhall be judged according to his 
 works: then let us take that courfe which xvill make us able 
 to do fo;and that is,to get a lively faith,a good confcience,and 
 holy and found love,and to teftifie our loving heart,by our lo- 
 ving behaviourjnot to love in word alone,but in deed .There 
 i.Toh. j.i g,i9. byfballwe ajfure oar hearts before him^andhave bo/dnejje in the 
 Cn'M.i7' Day of judgement ; io that pure and Chriftian love with the 
 fruits of it,is the bed meanes to make us with confidence and 
 comfort, to hold up our*heads in the day of accounts. 
 
 Secondly,this is for comfort againft all the falfe clamors and 
 accufations that are raifed agaiaft Ggds fervants : the wicked 
 
 here 
 
of the Lords Supper. fjj 
 
 here have great matters to charge them with, and have much 
 to fay for their unrighteous proceeding : but at the day of the 
 Lords reckoning, they that havemoft to fay now, fhall have 
 lea ft to fay for themfelves,and little doth any know howioon 
 he may be called unto the barre. Therefore let Gods chn&ren 
 commend themfelves unto God in well-doing :he is the great 
 Judge of the whole wotld, and with him righteous men fhall 
 have good hearing in their juft and righteous caufes, and all 
 cvill men (hall be put to filence. Godly men (Trail lift up their 
 heads with glory, and wicked finners fhall flop their months 
 with frame. 
 
 Verfe i 3 . ^B hide him hand and '{pot 7\ Hitherto of the exa- 
 mination, and conviction of him that had not on a wedding 
 garment.Now followeth his fentence,well befitting the party 
 cffeiiding,p?/W<? him hand and foot. -jhehad abuiedhis hands 
 and feet,and difhonoured God by his whole body,and there- 
 fore jiift it is that he fhould be punifhed therein:£7~^ him a- 
 •j^.-^becaufe he had onely beene in the Church, but not of 
 the Church, at the mcanes, but not profited by them; there- 
 fore muft he now be Separated from all communion with God 
 or his Saints: \_Andcafl him into utter darkne\fe:~\ Seeing hee 
 loved darkneiTe more than light,therfcre he llial have enough- 
 of it? he muft be caft into a hell of darknefte. ~ 
 
 Out of all which, this general! point may be noted,that the BoEl.6. 
 fpeciall time and place of the punifhment of wicked men is When on& 
 after this life in hell fire :here ungodly men have liberty both wher e wicked 
 of hand & foot, and the Saints of God are in greater reftraint: "^"j^ lrf * 
 but why is that ? becaufe finners fhall never have their full {h a "ib c " le 
 meafare of woe, till they be caft bodies and foules into hell 
 fire; at which time they fhall be made capable of the extremi- 
 tie ok all miferies,becaufe then their iniquities are growne to 
 a full height and ripeneiie. 
 
 This is evident in the Gofpell, where it is fhewed,that aftev 
 the generall Affifes at the laft day, the ungodly o 
 fhalaoe unto everlafiing /?/?/«^,Math.2 5 .46. and tl 
 fied by Danie/>chap' 1 2. 2. who faith, -fiianj r ' 
 in thedufi of the earth fhall aiv ai^e , feme to ev 
 feme tofhame andperpetnail contempt :\k\\.. 
 
j -^ Thefixth Sermon 
 
 difplcafurc fimdry times,andinfundry forts, but there it '/haU 
 be poured upon than in full meafurc. 
 J - , Therefore let us never envy their profperitymor think that 
 
 Godtaketh no notice of their finnes, becaufe hedelayethto 
 inflict punifhnient upon them for the fame. Iudges doe cade 
 notorious Malefactors to be reprived fomctimes, but it is in 
 no great fauour unto them, though in the meane time, it may 
 bee, they fharpely correct their owne children ? fo doth the 
 Lord deale, feverely chaftifing thofe that are of his owne fa- 
 mily, but letting reprobates thrive in their finfull waves, that 
 in the end he may pay them home for all. 
 yr € 2a Secondly, fith wicked mens punifh ment fhall be principally 
 
 in hell, and the Church fhall never be fully rid of them till 
 than : Therefore let us not be difcouraged, though for a while 
 fares be mingled with the Wheate,there is forne ufe of them, 
 and God feeth that wee have need offuch launders now and 
 than, while we remaine upon the face of the earth; but when 
 we come to heaven, we (hall be quite freed from them : and 
 therefore in the meane time let us not bee difcouraged, as 
 though we fhould never be freed from them ; but let us waite 
 Gods time, when he fhall command his holy Angels to fepa- 
 rate them from amongft us,and to give them their due in the 
 lake that burneth with fire and brimftone for ever. 
 r Thirdly ,let us obferve this from the contrary, that as wic- 
 
 ' e '* ked mens full judgement, fo godly mens full payment is de- 
 
 ferred till the laft day . They have many comfortable refrefh- 
 ingshere,but at that day they fhall havefulneffeof ;oy,holines 
 and glory that fhall indure for evermore. 
 
 As finners at that time fliail be deprived of all good things, 
 and be vexed with all manner of evils; fo the Saints on the 
 other fide, fhall bee exempted from allevill, and be brought 
 to the enjoyment of all good: as finners fhall bee perfe&iy 
 miferable, fo fhall the Saints bee perfectly happy : as the one 
 fhall be fenfible of their wretchedneffe, fo fhall the other bee 
 of their bleffednefle: and as the one fhall be everlafiingly mi- 
 ferable, fo fhall the other be eternally happy .-in a wora,there 
 fhall bee every way as much joy and felicitie in heaven (and 
 more too)than fliere fhall be woe and anguiih in hell.Which 
 
 fhould 
 
of the Lords Supper > iyy 
 
 fhould ftay us from fainting under our crofles and forrowes, 
 our temptations and corruptions : wee can eafily thinfce that 
 wicked men have an ill bargaine, though they enjoy the plea- Notf^ 
 Hires of finne for a feafon,beeau(e they muft come to (uch tor- 
 ments in the end: and, why fhould not we judge, that 
 we have a good bargain, though we paffe through 
 the fire,and be in the Lords furnace for a while- 
 fith we fliall attaine to fuch joyes at laftj 
 as farrefurpafle the reach 
 of any mortal] 
 man. 
 
 FL^IS. 
 
*77 
 
 mmmmwm* 
 mmmSkmm 
 
 THE 
 
 SEVENTH SERMON 
 
 of the Lords Supper. 
 
 Psal.iip. Verse i.&c. 
 
 1 Blejfedare tbofe that are upright in their way, andwalke 
 in the law of the L ord. 
 
 2 B leafed are they that keepe his teftimonies, and fe eke him 
 with their whole heart, 
 
 3 Surely they worke none iniquity, but walke in his waits. 
 
 4 Thou haft commanded to keepe thy precepts diligently. 
 
 He principall purpofc of this whole Pfalme is 
 to celebrate and fet forth the praifes of Gods 
 holy Word,for the admirable excellency ofit, 
 the obfervations and keeping whereof 3 hee 
 cominendethinthis firft part, and inthefe 
 £ I Manner ofit . 
 prefent verfes by the r 2 The Motives, whereby we 
 f'are invited unto it. 
 For the Manner, it is needful] that firft there-be internal! 
 truth and uprightnefle, devoid (as farre as is poffible) of hy- 
 pocrifie,together with an intire and ferious contention of the 
 minde, without negligence and remuTenefTe.- fecondly, that 
 there be externall obedience yeelded unto it, by the exercif e 
 of all good duties,making our life a journey,and Gods law or 
 doctrine, the way wherein we conftantly travail e, without 
 wandring either on the right hand,or on the left, by lull:, car- 
 nal reafon,or any pretences whatfbever,dnTonant or fwarving 
 from the right rule of the fame, untill wee come home, and 
 arrive at the defired place of our reft and felicity. Which hee 
 
 N alft 
 
! ~ S ^ hefeventh Sermon 
 
 alfo reporteth in tbe fecond verfe, although in other tearmes, 
 asof£?*/w*?>viz.in minde,con(cience and practice,/^ teftimo- 
 nie , his bkffed word v\ hereby his will is publimed, and wit- 
 nefle is borne of his heavenly pleafure. 
 
 The Motivesyox arguments perfwading to this found and 
 fincere obedience, are partly from th^e comfortable effects 
 which it produceth, and partly from the force of the caufe 
 which may and ought to provoke men unto it. 
 
 One effect is generall, in that it maketh a man truly happy 
 hee is bleffed thereby with all defirable welfare, whatfoever 
 may doe him good in this life, in every refpeft,and with aflu- 
 rance ofeternall glory and immortality, with full and perfect 
 blifle, in that world which is to come, this one word Blefjed, 
 comprehendeth in it more precious and delectable treafures, 
 than all the tongues or bookes in the wo rid can feverally fpe- 
 cifie. 
 
 The other effect is more fpeciall, namely immunity, free- 
 dome from the bondage and thraldome of finncthey are not 
 workers ofiniquity,although they often fall into it.Notwith- 
 {landing they are compafled about with many infirmitieSjand 
 doe divers things which God forbiddeth,yet are they not ar- 
 tificers ofevili,nor flaves to Satan or corruptions; as for their 
 frailties the Lord paffeth by them, he feeth none iniquity in Ja- 
 cob, nor tranfgrejfton in Jfrael, Numb. 23.21. 
 
 This is illuflrated by the contrary, t.hevertue and power 
 that is in them for wel-doing: fo farre are they from that mi- 
 ferable bondage to live in the feruice offinne,as that hey are 
 made able to performe good fervices to God, and the fame 
 they doe, and conftantly proceede therein, choofing his rvaies 
 which he prefcribeth,for their wayes to walke in. 
 
 The caufe which fhould compell and urge every one to be 
 obedient, is that high and foveraigne authority of the Lord 
 faimfeife, exacting it as a duty of loyalty, and laying his com- 
 mandement upon all men, that they accurately obferue t>at 
 w l ich he giveth them in charge; not difpenfing with them- 
 £elves 5 and taking liberty to be directed by their own likings* 
 
 Verfe 
 
of the Lords Supper. I ^p 
 
 Ver. I . Blejfed are thofe that are upright in their way % &c. 
 
 
 N that when the Prophet would makeknown 
 unto all the world^who are in the happieft e- 
 fiate,l&: in the higheil place of account with 
 God,he defcribeth and fetteth them forth by 
 this property:that they are fincere in heart^ 
 upright in life & converfation;in a word,(uch 
 as truely feare the Lord.The point hence to be noted in gene- Religionis the 
 rall,is this,that Grace & Religion is the way to ail biefiednes. way tohappi. 
 
 This doctrine the Pfalmtft con firmeth unto us in iemdry o- Jlf^v, 
 ther places,as Pf % i .& 1 1 z.&c .In the former whereof he de- * - x * 
 clareth,who is a man truely religious,to wit, he that efchueth 
 illcounfels^nd (infuH praclifes;and on the other fide, imbra- 
 ceth and delighteth in goodnes and goulines,and in the means 
 ofobtaining and increafing the lame : and then hee pronoun- 
 ceth liichamanblefled: 'B/efed (faith he) is the man that PfaLi.i.&c. 
 doth not walks *n the counfellofthe wicked y nor (fand in the way am * Il*» r * 
 of [inner s,&c .But his delight is in the law of the Lord,andin his 
 law will he meditate day and night. And to the fame effects, is 
 that in the other Pfalme before named; 'Bleffea is the man that 
 feareth the Lord, and delighteth greatly in his commandements, 
 ^.Throughout which c P(alme i \ve may obferve as the true & 
 certain notes of a righteous man,fo alfb his priviledges, which 
 are very many.and very great,both in regard of himfelfe, and 
 of his pofterity , which fhall fpeed the better for his fake. No. 
 table likewife in that place of Tteuter^ where the Lordfpea- Deuthj.io, 7 
 keth unto his Church in this manner iBleJJed art thou O Ifrael\ 
 who is like unto thee,0 people,faved by the Lord y theJhieldofthy 
 belp,& the [word of thy glory fyjhkh fpeech is not to be under- 
 ftood,as pertaining only to that nation,but as belonging to all 
 that are the true IfraelofGcd, & that fervehitn with an up- 
 right & faithful hart. Now what faith he of th& tvho is /% un- *' 
 to thee, O IfraeltSN hy?ifthey fhould havelooked tooutvvard 
 things, they might have anfwered,the Egyptians, the Edo- 
 mites, GsfjfyrianS) nay the very fanaanite.nhzmidvcs are like 
 unto us ? yea far beyond us:for at that time when this was fp - 
 
 N 2 ken, 
 
j $ Thefevenlh Sermon 
 
 ken ? they were in the wilderne{Te,travellmg towards the pro- 
 mifed land,& what great matters had they then? Mofes, who 
 was the belt of themjiad not a houfe to reft his head in: none 
 of them could lay, This is my ground,there is my corne, thus 
 large are my revene ws by the yeare, &c . but they were all te- 
 nants at will,at a dayes,or at an houres warning, or leflejCven 
 as Gods pleafure was: yet the Lord ma kcth a challenge againft 
 all the world; Who is like unto thee, O my people 3 faved by the 
 Ztfr^meaning indeed,that no nation under heaven was com: 
 parable unto them, in regard of the wonderfull things that 
 God had wrougbtfbr them, and in regard of thofc heavenly 
 prerogatives which he had vouchfafed unto them, the mea- 
 neft hewer of wood,or drawer ofwater, amongft them was 
 to be preferred before the mightieft Monarch in the world; 
 and that may be faid of all true Chriftians, which was fpoken 
 of them-,Who is like unto theefi people faved by the Lord? 
 
 The truth of this will more evidently appcare, if wee will 
 weigh the things that follow: Namely, 
 i What mifery Grace doth free us from. 
 
 ^ i Eftimation. 
 r i In this life, J 2 Safety. 
 2 What good things it \ £ 3 Comfort, 
 
 maketh us to enjoy, } 2 In the life to come,all manner of 
 v.. happinefie. 
 
 1 What mifery I Firft therfore,that we may fee what mifery it frees us from, 
 Grace ficeth wee mull confider, that men naturally are the children of 
 usfrora. wrath, under the curfe and malediction of God, fubje<5t to 
 
 horrible vexations and terrours : all their life long, they live 
 in feare of death, and of fuch judgements as are forerunners 
 of death : their table is a (hare, and their profperitie their 
 mine: their adverfity is imbittered, and their callings accur- 
 fed;and in a word, nothing maketh them better, but every 
 thing a great deale worfe; all being infecled and poyfoned 
 Rote. uuto cnem by their own finnes, and Gods fearefull vengeance 
 
 upon the fame. If they Iive,itis totheincreafe of their dam- 
 nation: if they die, they goe to takeprefent pofleflion of de- 
 ftru&ion.- if they refufe to eate and drinke, they are murde- 
 rers of theuif elves: if they dog eate and drt»ke ; they are ufur- 
 
 fCTS 
 
 l 
 
of "the Lords Supper] t tSi 
 
 pers of that which is none of their owtk. If they come not to 
 the Word and Sacrament,they are contemners of Gods ordi- 
 nances : if they do come, they are profaners of the fame, and 
 Co fhall be further hardened, to their finall perdition : and is 
 not this a wretched cafe?Though for their apparell,they were 
 clothed as Solomon in the midft of his royalty: though their 
 robes were as rich as was zAarons Ephod, or Breaft-plate, or 
 the moft coftlieft parts of his garments, all were of no worth 
 without grace : though they fed on the daintieft diflies, and 
 did eate Angels food (as the Ifraelites are faid to do)yet if they 
 be finfali and rebellious,they fhall perifli as Corah,Dathan, & 
 A&iram, and many other of them did. Though their habitati- 
 ons were as fumptuous and delightfall as Paradife was, yet 
 they could have no more comfort therein, then Adamlnd, 
 who when he had once broken the Commandement of God, 
 in eating of the forbidden fruit, notwithftanding all things 
 remained in their excellency as before, yet he was (urprifed 
 with the terrours and feares of a guilty confcience, and could 
 take no pleasure in the goodly Rivers, in the pleaf ant fruits,in 
 the variety of all the creatures that were in the garden ofiT- 
 denficc. But he was faine to flie from Gods prelencc , and to 
 hidehimfelfe among the trees of the garden. 
 
 And laft of all , though their dignity were never fo great: 
 their pofTefHons never io ample andlarge, and their fubftance 
 never fo plentifull and abundantly et they could have no more 
 comfort in any, or all of thefe things,than Beljhazxsir that im- 
 pious king had, who for all his valiant Captains and Souldiers, 
 For all his great cheere and plenty of wine , for all his jollity 
 and triumphing over Gods people , for all his merrie compa- 
 nions that he had about him,and all the meanes that he had to 
 comfort him ; yet was he in fuch horrour , when he faw on 
 the wall the hand-writing againft him 1 , That his countenance dm,$. «; 
 was changed, and his thoughts troubled him , and the joynts 
 vf his loynes were loo fed , and his knees fmote one against 
 another. 
 
 This f and much more lamentable than can poffibly be ex- 
 prefledj is the cafe of all unregenerate men : and how great 
 then muft the excellency of Grace needs be , which freeth a 
 
 N 3 man 
 
What good 
 tilings Gr-ace 
 roakeihus to 
 enjoy. 
 
 I 
 A good cfti- 
 mation. 
 P*oiii£. 
 
 Note. 
 
 man from this wofiill eftate and condition > Yet this is not all, 
 but as it freeth men from this mifery, fo 
 
 2, Secondly,it bringeth men to the enjoyment of all good 
 things :arid that firft 3 in this life,it procured] them the benefits 
 following, namely, 
 
 I . Firft,a good eftimationrfo that it may be well faid,that 
 the right com is more excellent than his neighbour : and that 
 of all other, they are the moil glorious people, that have the 
 Spirit of Grace and of Glory dwelling in their hearts. For 
 they are precious in Gods fight, as being his chiefe treafure: 
 precious in the eyes of his people, precious in the account- 
 of the Angels : yea reverent in the fight of the very wicked, 
 who efteeme tnem to be honeft men, and dare truft them be- 
 fore any other ; many times,with their goods,with their chil- 
 dren, and their portions , yea and with their foules alfo. For 
 when they are in any extremitie, lying upon their death-beds, 
 or the like, Oh then they cry ont , Send for fuch a Preacher; 
 lend for this or that good man or woman : now their pray- 
 ers and their fpeeches might do me good, which heretofore I 
 have rejected, or lightly cfleemed : and then none is to bee 
 compared to them^one to be fought unto in refpecl of them. 
 'And when they labour to difgrace and vili fie them , by tear- 
 mingthemdifiemblers, and hypocrites, even then againft 
 their wills ; they highly commend them ; for it is in efrecl, as 
 if they fhould lay : thefemen pretend they have many vermes 
 in them, but I would not have men thinke , that they are fo 
 good and godly as they feeme to bee : If they bee , then they 
 muft needs be an excellent people indeed : (Tor there is none 
 that hath any civilitie in him , but he will acknowledge that 
 it is a good thing to heare, and reade, and conferre, and to 
 ipend much time in prayer,as Gods lervants do ; but they cry 
 out, that they do notthefe things well, nor with a good 
 heart J NowifChriftians confeiences dobeare them wit- 
 neffe, that they do performe thele duties in uprightneffe, then. ' 
 they have the teftimonie of ungodly men themfelves on 
 their fides : and till they can disprove the foundneffe of their 
 hearts , they muft , whether they will or not , juftifie 
 their behaviour. Thus wee. fee how godlinefle winneth a 
 
 good 
 
of the Lords Suffer. i §| 
 
 good eftimation. 
 
 Now fecondly, it doth alfo bring fafety with it: it fetteth _ 
 men out of gqnfliot/o that neither the devil,nor all thepow- * **fry; 
 ers of hell, can annoy or hurt theov.nor any,or all of the devils 
 inftruments in the world, prcvaile againft them, for their o- 
 verthrow : for the Lord is evermore a fhield and buckler unto 
 them, fo that they muft firft ftrike through him , before they 
 can come at them- He will cover them under hk wings ,and they 
 fhallbefafe under hisfeathers, Pfal.p 1 .4. 
 
 Thirdly,the vertue and power of grace is fuch , that it ma- 
 l<eth Gods children to rejoyce,even in af fliclion; as was veri- Con f i ? - 
 fled in David, who when he had many malicious adverfaries Etem.°fX° n! 
 againft him,and many troubles befet him round about, yet he 
 had more joy of heart than they had , when their wheat , and ™J« 4# , 
 their wine did abound. And fo it is with all Gods fervants : as a,Ccr ^ 
 their (ufferings are many,fo are they refreshed with manifold 
 confblations. 
 
 And when outward matters of rejoycing 'are furtheft re- 
 moved from them, then are they driven nearer unto God,the 
 fountaine of all true comfort, and by that meanes their hearts 
 are exceedingly revived And ifthey be fo much cheared in 
 the times of their greateft adverfitie , how much more joy- 
 full are they in the dayes of their profperitie, when he makgth p &k *!•' 
 them to refl in greene faft ures, and leadeth them by theftiH wa- 
 ters: preparing {or them at able jn the fight of their adverfaries 9 
 etnnointing their heads with oyle^and caufing their cups to runne 
 ever, as the Pfalmifi fpeaketh: And they withall have a prin- 
 cipal care to entertaine Gods bleflings with thankfulnefle^and 
 t© ferve him with a good and rfnnkfuil heart , in the ufe and 
 enjoyment thereof. 
 
 Now if their eftatebe fo blefled in this life, what (hall their 
 happinefle be when they depart out of this life, to have the 
 fruition of thofe joyes, which are prepared for the Saints in The happfaei 
 the kingdome of glory ? where all teares fhall be wiped away * a the life to 
 from their eyes, and they being altogether freed from finne comc ' 
 and ferrow,fhall receive an immortal crowne of bleflednefle 
 with the Saints and Angels , in Gods owne prefence , where 
 yfu/nejfeof joy , and at whofe right hand ate pleafures for PfaLitf. 
 
 N 4 f - ever- 
 
 
j 34 Thefeventh Sermon 
 
 evermore ; where there fiiall be no parting of company, not 
 poffibility of any unkindnefle, nor tcdioufnefle in converting 
 together. 
 
 Much more might befpoken of the excellency of this eftare, 
 and yet when all hath beenefaid that can be, it is nothing in 
 cjomparifon of that which the thing is in it felfe, and we (hall 
 finde it to be, when we (hall lay do wne this body ofcorrup- 
 tion,and be clothed upon with perfect glory.But yet that the 
 di^nitie thereof may fomewhat more clearly befeeneintojet 
 usionfider a littlefurther of the 
 
 C 1 Price, ? 
 
 < 2 Rareneffe, and > thereof, 
 
 ^ 3 Continuance J> 
 
 The price of 1 Fir ft, concerning the price that was laid downe for the 
 Gwcc puifchafing of it ,it was the greateft that ever was given for any 
 
 thing; for there goeth more to the buying of a Chriftian,than 
 to the making of the world: for in the creation, G o d did but 
 fiy the word,and all things were prefently formed according 
 to their feverall kinds: but in the worke of redemption, God 
 was not onely to fay,but to pay aHo,and that full dearly,even 
 the blond of his owne Sonne, which was of an infinite value. 
 And therefore if things are to be efteemed according to that 
 which wife men will give for them, furely theeftateofChri- 
 ftianity muft needs be worthy high eftimation, fith the wife 
 God provided it for his children at fuch an inestimable reck- 
 oning. 
 The rareneffc 2 further in refpeel of the rarenelle thereof, it is to be ac- 
 of i c# * counted very admirable. If things that are verydeare were 
 
 alfo very common , that would diminifh fome part df their 
 Mat.7iis 14. wortn > outas f°r this, it is both precious and rare. There are 
 Lukiii.Vi. ' hutaveryfewfelec^edoneSjthattheLordhathfingledoutto 
 be partakers of the life of Grace , and to be afterwards heirec 
 of the kingdome ofglory^which maketh it to be a gift of farre 
 greater eftimation. 
 r 5 3 laftly ,if i t were both deare and rare, yet if it were to be 
 
 Thecontinu* ^ n /oyed but a littlest were the lefle to be regarded: therefore 
 a ?ce 2f ife ^is addition there is unto the happinefle of this eftate , that 
 
of the Lords Suffer. x 28 J 
 
 it is alfo durable, yea everlafting. And whereas all worldly 
 excellency, and all earthly promotions are temporary and va- 
 nishing, (b that a man may be very high this day, and as low 
 ere to morrow , and none can be happy in poflefling thofe 
 things, through the lofTe whereof he may fo quickly become 
 miferable : it is otherwife with them that are in the ftate of 
 Grace, for that never fayleth: once a Cbriftian, and ever a 
 Chriftian : as the Lords purpofe changeth not , fo neither: 
 doth our condition change : but if we have begun in Grace, 
 we fhall end in glory, that never fhall have end . Pfal. 16.11. 
 Dan. 12.2. 
 
 Is it To, that Religion and true piety,is the ready way to the Vfe 1 2 
 higheft advancement : then hence let us learne to fet our 
 hearts chiefly thereupon , and above all the treafures in the 
 world principally to affect, that. We count it good husban- 
 drie in the firft place, to feeke after thofe things that will do 
 us moft good : if filver be offered, we will preferreit before 
 Brafle ; and if Gold be offered, we will take it rather than Sil- 
 ver. Now concerning this heavenly wifedome , it is faids 
 Receive mine inftrutlion and not fiver, andknoyvledge rather Psfo,8,i3.Ef* 
 than fine Gold : For Wifedome is better than frecions jlones, and 
 alltreafuresarenottohecontfared unto her. And this fhould 
 encourage us rather to ufe all induftrie for the obtaining o£ 
 this blefied efrate , became it is a thing have-able. It were in 
 vaine for a bate perfon to fue to be a King, a Duke, or a Lords 
 none almoft is fo foolifli, as to feeke for fuch preferments, be- 
 caufe they know it would be but loft labour. But there is not 
 the meanefl: fervant,flave,or bondman,butmayattaine to this 
 fpiritualldignitie, which is farre beyond all the advancement 
 that the Kingdomes of this world can poffiblyyeeld. Hee 
 that can pray, heare, meditate, conrerre, and judge himfelfe 
 in fecret before hecommeth to the Sacrament , and with all 
 good care and confcionable reipecl , ufe all Gods ordinances 
 for the obtaining of faith and other graces, which do ever ac- 
 companie the fame 3 fhall be fure of good and happy fuccefles 
 for the Lord will be found of thofe that f^kc him with a 
 true heart ; therefore let us not fo caft our eyes on earthly 
 €ommodiues ? as that in the means time we negleft this pearle 
 
1 8 6 The fev^nth Sermon 
 
 of price, and this inefti m able jz well, that will fo exceedingly 
 enrich us. The Apoftle telleth us , that thofe that runne in a 
 race for a prize,though it be but a garland that is fet up,fo that 
 they can gaine onely fome fmall credit of their agilitie and 
 nimblenefle in out-running one another, yet they will put off 
 ail that might clogge and hinder them in their race, but efpe- 
 ciaily if they fhould runne for a crowne ofgold : neither will 
 they be fo foolifh as to ftoope downe to take up every pin or 
 point that lyeth in the way ; and yet they runne but at an un- 
 certainty; when they have done their beft,another may carry 
 away both the honour and commodity from them , and cer- 
 taine it is, that but one alone can win the prize : and even he 
 alio, though he have the applaufe at one time , may go away 
 with the difgrace.at another ; or if his credit do continue all 
 his life time,yetdeativwil take it away at laft.From all which 
 the Apoftle would have us to draw this conclu(ion,that if fuch 
 &inde of perfons,notwithftanding all that hath been faid,will 
 fo beftirre themfelves,& feek to acquit themfelues every way 
 lie men - y then much more ought we to put our (elves to it, 
 and with all alacrity run die race that is fet before us, fith we 
 run not at an uncertainty, but are fure t© obtaine the cro wne$ 
 one fhall not prevent nor deprive another , but all fhall un- 
 doubtedly get that which they do expecT; & efpecially feeing 
 that withall we ftrive for an incorruptible crowne , and mall 
 attaine unto not a fading and vaniftiing , but an abiding and 
 everlafting dignitie. 
 
 O but (will fome fay) we beflow our paines and endevors 
 fo much about fpirituall things , in the meane time, we fhall 
 neglecT thofe earthly things that are needfull,and fo bring our 
 f elves to poverty. Nay, not fo, provifioa for our everlafting 
 eftate,doth never impaire our prefent eftate: for godlines hath 
 the promifes ofthk life>and of that which U to come: and there- 
 by fhall all matters be blefTed unto us. 
 
 Have we inheritance,wealth,reputation,dignity,&c. This 
 wil affure us that we have a good title unto all,and feafon and 
 fweeten all> that every one of them fhall be comfortable and 
 profitable unto us, making it cleareunto our hearts and con- 
 ferences, that the Lord fefldeth them in mercy , as pledges of - 
 
 greater 
 
of the Lords S tipper. 187 
 
 greater matters that he meaneth to beftow upon us. 
 
 Have we not thefe outward things PGodlinefle will make a 
 iiipply in ftead of alhfor that is great gttine with contentmentjn 1 Tino,€,£ 
 companion of which, all the promiles of ccntenredneffe that 
 other things make unto us,will be found to be but meere illu- 
 fionsjbecaufeitcertifiethourfoulesthat God will provide 
 fufficiently for us, which perfwafion alone is able to ftay the . 
 reftlefle and unfetled mindes of the fonnes of men,from purfu- 
 ing after the unpron*table,deceitfM,and lying vanities of this 
 prefent evill whrld. 
 
 Seeing religion is fuch an incomparable treafure, it fhould Vfi a, 
 inftruft us in the fecond place, to have the meanes in due efti- 
 mation whereby we may be made truely religious, by which 
 our mindes that are blinde, may be enlightened,our hearts of 
 crooked may be made ftraight, of proud may be made hum- 
 ble, and offraudulent may be made true and faithfull. And 
 thofe meanes are the Word, the Sacrament, Prayer, and the 
 like^hich are the fteps wherby we mud afcend unto this ho- 
 nourable eftate:for it is,as pofTible for men to make ftaires to 
 climbe up unto the skie,as for us without thefe,t© afcend unto 
 heaven,by any devices of our ownw framing. 
 
 The Word is the key tliatjnuft ©pen hell gates,to fct us at 
 liberty from the bonds of finnc, of Sathan, and of death, and 
 to unlock heaven gates>that we may have entrance into glory.- 
 in .which refpecl it is,thatChrift faith u.ntoP^*r,that he wold 
 give unto him (and confequentiy to all M inifters of the Go- 
 ipt\\)the keys of the kingdome of heaven^ that is,the difpenfau- 
 on of the word, which maketh the way into heaven lye open 
 to all fuch as by faith receive the fame into their hearts. So that 
 We fhold not come unto the means with a bafe coceit,or light 
 eflimation thereof, but with a large and ample defire & ex- 
 pectation of taking benefit thereby. If men can once eipie a 
 way how they may rife in the world,either in great wealth or 
 promotion,they will be mod induftrious & laborious in that 
 courfe;they will refuie no paines in leede time, though the 
 weather be unfeafonable and cold,and their worke every way 
 troublefome •• but they will put themfelves to it with all care 
 andinduftrie^n hope ( though it be but an uncectaine hope)of 
 
 bettering. 
 
5 g g Tfo feventb Semitt 
 
 bettering their eflate.So thofe that live by Faires and Markets 
 
 will not faile one of them ordinarily, neither heat nor cold, 
 
 windenor raine,rK>rany the like impediments fhail hinder 
 
 them from purfiwrtg their commodity : and why then fhoald 
 
 We be negligent, and play the fluggards while our feeds-time 
 
 Xli^l laftetb,apd the Lord biddeth us flow up the fallow ground of 
 
 our hearts,that he may Co w therein the feed of life, which will 
 
 never faile to yeeld us a plentiful! Harveft, if we can wait up- 
 
 . on him for the fame? And why fliould we be flacke and care- 
 
 lefle when our chiefe Market-dayes & Faire-dayes come, and 
 
 not rather fet our hearts and endeavours to feeke after thofe 
 
 things, which all that feeke flball finde , and being found will 
 
 make us men for ever. 
 
 fffxl Thisfhould be an encouragement unto us, not to thinke 
 
 ■ * ' any thing too much,that we can do or fuffer,in or for the pro* 
 
 feffion of Chriftjanity. 
 OfyeUion. Oh,but it is an hard matter(may fome fay) to faft andpray, 
 Difficulties in and mournc, and grieve our hearts continually for our fmnes, 
 Chriftunity. an j w hen we have done alI,to be derided and maligned, per- 
 fected and flaine for a good caufe: and befidesail thefe, to* 
 feele Godsh«ndfcourgingus,fometimes with povertie, and 
 want, fometimes with feares and terrours, fometimes with 
 temptations and inward confli&s,&c. 
 Anfirir] Theft things feeme very great, and very tedious indeed, to 
 
 flefh and bloud : but in truth they are final! , yea matters of 
 nothing,if we confider what is the uft of them, and what will 
 be the end of them:and therfore let usremember for our com- 
 fort when we are in this ftrait and difficult & unpleafant way, 
 RtoteZ that we are going to be inftalled into a kingdome:and who is 
 
 there that being offered a Tiaronrie, or a Lordjhip, yea though 
 it be but a Farme, if fo be he will take the pains to come for it 9 
 who is there (I fay) that would take exception, and fay, alas, 
 the aire is cloudy, and the weather uncertaine, nay it begins 
 to raine, or haile, or fno w already, and therefore I will even 
 flay at homeland never wet my foot for the matter ; Nay, if 
 there be but likelihood of fome fmaller gaine,and the weather 
 foule, and the wayes deepe, and themfelves fomewhat out of 
 temper alfo, yet they will adventure to go through all, and 
 
 rather 
 
of the Lords Supper, 1 S<? 
 
 rather ferry overman come fhortofthatprofit that is offered, 
 how much the more then ought we to break through al impe- 
 diments,& fwallow up all difficulties with the confideration 
 of this,that our journey tedeth not to the getting of Tome fmal 
 commoditie, or to the purchafing of fbme worldly poflefli- 
 ons, or to the obtaining of any earthly preheminence or pre- 
 ferment whatfoever; but that we are travelling towards our 
 owne Country,where we fhall receive an invaluable, & eter- 
 nal! crowne of glory ?and albeit we muft pafle through ma- 
 ny rough, and craggy,& thorny waies, and meet with fundry 
 things that will be very irkefbme and unpleafant; yet let us 
 make account witM,that we fhal find many fweet comforts, 
 and joyes unfpeakeable and glorious, in the midftof our pil- 
 grimage^ in the end /hall have the fruition of that happines, 
 which will make amends for all. And this was it that made the 
 Apoftle Paul Co comfortable in the midft of all his fiifrerings : i Cot.4. i<s. 17 
 Yherfore we faint not(id\thhc)hut though our outwardmanpe- 
 rtfbyjet our inward man is renued daily. For our light affliclion y 
 which is but for a momentjanfeth unto us afar more excellent & 
 an eternall weight of glory .Where we may note,that when he 
 fpeaketh of the happineffe of another life,'hee magni fieth the 
 fame exceedingly, both for the worth of it, and for the conti- 
 nuance of it: calling it a far mo ft excellent jnA eternal weight of 
 glory. To be excellent is much ,to be mo ft excellent js far more: 
 to be far mo ft excellent^ yet an higher degree: but when hee 
 calleth it afar moft excellent &vA witball an etomall weight of 
 glory, it maketh a great addition unto all theformer,& fhew- 
 eth that it is indeed an inconceiveable & unutterable happi- 
 nefle that in the heaven wee fhall injoy :but on the other fide, 
 he counteth his affliction light & momentany, becaufe it paf- 
 feth as it were in a thought,& is a thing of nothing, being laid 
 in the ballance againft the never-fading bliffe that wee ftiall 
 fhortlycome unto. And as for that weight that is in thetribu- 
 lations of this life, iris but as an heavy bag of gold, that will 
 make the hart of the owner lighter,in the very carriage of it,& 
 fo much the more light, by how much weighty it is. And 
 therfore by allthefe motives, we fhould perfwade, yea even 
 <$>mpelLour loules unto patience under the croffe of Chrift, 
 
 and 
 
T p The f eve nth Sermon 
 
 verance in tbe praclife of all the duties of godlU 
 .'Acid patterns of which patience we have in the Hebrews, 
 . ? * Who after they had received the hght, indured a great fight in 
 ■ * afflitiions- J artly(iakh the ApoftleJ while ye were made a ga^ 
 ^ir>g ftocke,both by reproaches & afflictions :and partly while ye 
 became companions unto them, which werefo toff ed to & fro, For 
 boihycforrcwed with me for my bonds > and fuffered with joy the 
 (Jroyling of 'jour goods: and vj\\y} knowing inyour [elves that you 
 have in heaven a better and more indurmgfub fiance. If their 
 riches had been of fuch valuers they made (hew of,and as the 
 world takes them for,they could not have been fo quickly ta- 
 ken from them:but fith they had betaken them to their wings, 
 thefe faithful! ones kne w,that heaven,which was referved for 
 them in ftead thereof, was farre more excellent,and more du- 
 rable, and therefore fall glad were they, that for thecaufeof 
 God, they had made fo happy and fo bleffed an exchange. 
 Ver. I. Bleffed are thofe that are upright in the wayfefrc. 
 And v. 2,Blejfed are thofe thatfeekjjim with their whole hart, 
 
 Dott.i. Thefe words having been expounded before, offer unto us 
 
 this Dotftrine: That whofoever would have found happinefle, 
 muft have a found heart. 
 
 So, much fincerity as there is,fo much bleffednefTe there wil 
 be,and according to the degree of our hypocrifie, will be the 
 meafureofourmitery. It is not in the acflion done, or in the 
 word fpoken, that blefTednefTe confifts, butinthe quality of 
 them; that all be done and fpoken foundry and fincerely, this 
 is required Pfalme 1 5 . that hee that will be a member of the 
 Church militant on earth, and of the Church triumphant in 
 heaven,muft walkjiprightly ,& fpeake the truth from hu heart. 
 And againe in another Pfalme, a queftion is made to the fame 
 tffzdiJVho fhall dwel in the mountain of the Lord-,andwho fball 
 ft and t» hi* holy place? and the anfwer is,He that hath innocent 
 
 pral.24.3,4. handi£& a pure heart jevhich hath not lift up hid mind to vanity, 
 nor /worne deceitfully. In which words we have a defcription 
 of a found hearted man : 
 
 1 By his actions, that he dealeth uprightly, and fo hath in- 
 nocent hands. 
 
 2 By his affe&ion^hat he lifted? not up hi* minde to vanity , 
 
 that 
 
of the Lor ds Suffer, i$x 
 
 that is, fetteth not hi s heart on any earthly thing : In which 
 fenfe that phrafe is ufed in the original!, Ier.2 2.2 7. 
 
 5 By hisfpeeches, that hee hath not fworne, nor any way 
 fpoken deceitfully. 
 
 The reafons to confirme this point, are drawne from the R e a r ons % 
 great inconveniences that will follow on the contrary; for if 
 there be in any a fraudulent and deceitfull heart : 
 
 1 Firft, there is a deadly quarrell, and mortall enmity be- t 
 tweene God and hinr.for who are they that are reconciled to God hath a 
 the Lord, whole fins are covered by the righteoufneffe of his quarrel! a- 
 fonne,fo that they fhall not be imputed unto them ? even they S linft b yp^ 
 in whofejpirit there is no guile. And what will follow then for pu^!' ' 
 thole whofe hearts are full of fraud and deceit, but that they 
 
 mull: needs be deftitute of all hope of the pardon of their fins, 
 and fo confequently lye open to the ftrokes of Gods venge- 
 ance due unto the fame ? 
 
 2 And as their perfons are hatefull to the Lord, fo are their 2 
 fervices abhorred of him \ for indeed they are not tfce fervices He lo^hes 
 of God,but of Sathan,and of their own flefhiand therefore be their fervicc*. 
 they never fo glorious in outward fhew,and let them pretend 
 neverfo much zeale in the performance of them, yet the Lord 
 
 -hath them in utter deteft ation. As we msy plainely fee in the 
 Hypocriticall Phariiies, they would be every where praying Mattiy^ 
 with great devotio,& very often fading with great aufterity, 
 & blowing a trumpet to give notice unto men of their almef- 
 deeds andlibera]}ty,and ftriving with all their might by exter- 
 nall oblervations to win themfelves the praife of holy & zea- 
 lous men:yetfor all this,our Saviour fharpely rebuketh them, 
 faying;TV are they whtchjuftifieyourfelves before menjbut God Luke i6.i8^ 
 knoweth your hearts, for that which is highly e ft eemed before 
 men^ is an abhominationin the fight of God. It is as ioathfome 
 unto him, as Carions,or Toades,as any fiich creatures as mans 
 nature doth mo ft abhor,can be unto us. 
 
 Thirdly ,this is another mifery of hypocrites,that they live in T/h C y Uve in 
 continuall feare and danger : there are holes in their maskes; continual! 
 (at leaft there will be) and their double dealing fhall be feene danger. 
 into'.it fliall fome time or other come to light,how they have, 
 abufed Gods prefence ? and diffembled with their brethren, by 
 
 making 
 
I p& Thefeventh Sermon 
 
 making faire fhewes, and pretences of that which they never 
 meant: their fins (hall not alwaies lye hid, but either they will 
 
 Luke 8. 13, g* ve over a ^ n ^ me °^ perfecution, as theftony ground did 3 ov 
 in hope of promotions ^udas and Achkophel did, and fo dis- 
 cover their falfe-heartednefle:or elfe it final be drawn forth by 
 their fpeechcs,in their merrimentSjOr in their diftepers,or els 
 Gods Spirit in Godly men mall defcrie it,by working in their 
 hearts a uehement fufpition of them and caufing them with 
 a judicions eye,more narrowly to pry into their workes and 
 wayes. By one fuch meanes or other,God will lay them open 
 to the view of the world: fo that being in fuch perill, they 
 cannot but have a fearefull heart,& a reftleffe confidence. And 
 to this purpofe, notable is that faying of Saloman; Hee that 
 
 TSSVi 0.9. walketb uprightly, walketh boldly or furely,but he that perver- 
 teth his wayes /ball be known .Whence it is apparant, that the 
 upright man needeth not tofeare any thing; needeth not to 
 be afrvid of ill men, for though they may difgrace him, they 
 cannot fhame him:he needeth not to be afraid of good men, 
 for the oftner he fpeaketh to them,and converieth with them* 
 the more he is approved by them;neither needeth he to be[a- 
 fraid of God,for he thztfearcheth the heart & the r«»j,know- 
 eth & alloweth of the integrity of his fbule. He hath no caufe 
 of feare for the prefent 3 becaufe all things goe well with him; 
 neither is thete any for afterwards,becaufe all things /hall goe 
 well with him, for he (hall never goe away from God : None 
 can plucke him out or his hand,Sathan cannot,becaufe he that 
 lohn 10. xp. is in us,isftronoer than he that is in the worldffime, cannot, be- 
 lohn 4.4. caufe grace wTll prevaile againft it: the world cannot, becaufe 
 this is our vitloryjv hereby wee overcome the world % even our 
 1 Tob. r.4. faith. And die Apoftle concludeth generally for all other mat- 
 Raai.8.38 39- ters,that neither de ath, nor lifeyior An gels jtor principalities ftor 
 power s^nor things pre/enty nor things to come, nor height , nor 
 depth, nor any other creature, {hall be able tofeparate us from the 
 love of ? God i which is in Chrifi fefus our Lord. 
 
 What followeth now on the conuary part for hypocrites; 
 but he that pervert eth his wayjhtt is,aloweth himfelfin any ill 
 courfe though never Co Ctcretly,fiattbe known? that is, his vile 
 & wretched diflembling fhal be dete&ed,if not in this world, 
 
 yet 
 
 m 
 
of the Lords Su'fpcy ] I p f 
 
 yet when the thoughts of all hearts fhallbe made manifeft : 
 they fhalibefound out firft prlaft, and therefore they cannot 
 but walke fearefully in their ill courfes, wherein they go for-_ 
 Ward and give liberty unto themfelves. 
 
 ' This iliould make us exceeding carefull and warie, when-™^ 
 w e offe tour felves to Gods lervice, to fearch and di gge deep 
 into our hearts,that we may caft out all the loofe earth that is 
 there, and f o our building may be on a rocke, and not on the 
 (and. We muft purge away that- leaven of hypocrifie, that 
 hath wholy infected our nature, that f 6 we be not found to 
 halt-in our worshipping of God, left he take us with the man- 
 ner^ he did him that came -without a wedding garment ,whom Matth*2 £, 
 be fingled out from all the guefts that were prefent, and that 
 not onely to ignominie and reproach, but to everlafting pu- 
 nishment and torment in hell fire. It is very dangerous then 
 we fee to deale hypocritically with God; it is not fafe with 
 men to pre tend and lay one thing before their faces, and to 
 fpeake and doe another behind their backs, becaufe they may 
 peradventure difcerne it: but it is more dangerous to di(Ten> 
 ble with God, for he doth certainly difcerne it, and will aft 
 certainly punifli it. 
 
 ' Many when they are reproved,or admontfhed,will mufte at - 
 it,and fay: What Heed you be fo hot in the matter ? I hope 
 you cannot charge me to be either Whore or Theefe. But 
 though man cannot charge you ( which allcannot fay) is that 
 a fumcient difcharge for you?Nay yon muft looke unto it,that 
 God finde not matter fufficicnt to convid: you, either of thole 
 par ticulars ,or of worf e and viler offences . 
 
 And let none reply that it is fufficient, that wee frequent 
 Sermons, and partake of the Sacrament, and come to prayer 
 in publike,and ufe prayer in the family,and perform other du- 
 ties that Chriftian men and women fhould doe, and no more 
 is required at^pur hands. 
 
 Yes, God doth require more than this, he called for the Anfeerl J 
 heart in all thefe: though a man be prefent at never (o many frev. «. , " 
 Sermons, yet ifhisminde run after his pleaftres, or after his 
 covetoufnerTe,fo that when his body travels one way, his af- 
 feclions travel! anotjier way ;all his hearing is no tiling worth 1 
 
 O And 
 
j 04 Ihefcventh Sermon 
 
 And Co in prayer, though there bee never (o many excellent 
 words,apttearmes, and godly fentences, yet if they come 
 from the head,and not from the heart,from wit and memory, 
 and not from the inward feeling ofthefoule, they cannot be 
 accepted. God profeueth indeed that lie will be found ofthofe 
 ItUif* that feck? him: but then they mufl feeke him with their whole 
 
 heart: that is,tr'uly and fervently : they muft not eome with a 
 part of their hart,for then they bring no part, in Gods ac- 
 count;but with all their heart, for hee that giveth him not all, 
 giveth him nothing at all. So for the workes of our calling, if 
 we doe not labour therein as Gods fervants, wee can expect 
 no wages, we may have commendation from men, but wee 
 {hall have a checke and rebuke from the Lord; mens tongues 
 may magnifie us, but Gods hand will confound us. 
 
 Therefore let ns,when we enter upon any good way,ende- 
 vour with an upright & true heart to go for ward in the fame, 
 otherwife it had beene better never to have entred hereinto. 
 Now that we may make fure worke in this regard, let us try 
 our (inceritie by the good effects that doe ever accompany the 
 fame. 
 
 i One note therefore of a found heart (which wee fhould 
 ^ptighthczit, takeibr our triall ) is to be univerfall in our defires, and in our 
 3 Vnivcrfail * practife,tbat we have rejpetb to every command e ment ofGod 3 to 
 obedience, the fir (I Table as well as to the fecond, and to the fecond as 
 Pklio$,8. WjC h as to the firfhthat we be righteous towards men,as well 
 as religious towards God; that wee looke to our hearts as 
 well as to our actions, and to our actions as well as to out 
 hearts. Contrary to this rule is the dealing of thofe, that will 
 give difpenfations unto themfelves for many things, fothat 
 they can make a (hew of fome things. What if wee bee not 
 i o ftrict for the Sabbath ? ( thinkc they) yet we are no fwea- 
 rers nor blafphemers:what if we take a little liberty for vaine 
 fports and idle difcourfesPthefeare but trifles; we will not be 
 adulterers,nor filthy fpeakers,&c. This is a fhrewd figne ofa 
 Hcfe<i3*if« heart fiill fraught with guile and deceit 2 the property of a 
 good confeience to be willing anddefirous in all things to walk^ 
 hvneftlj, Ifone be never fpftrict for the Sabbath, if hee will 
 helpehimfelfe by a lyenow & then,fbr hiscommodity,or for 
 
 his 
 
cf 'the > Lords Suffer* ip 5 
 
 his credit fake; and if a man bee never fo rigorous and fevere 
 for matters of juftice, and yet will fteale time from the Lord 
 upon this day,and fpend the lame in his owne buiinefles, and 
 affaires, whether fecretly or openly :■& fo for any other thing, 
 if wee make bold to borrow a little law of God;this is an ar- 
 gument of a falfe and difiembling [heart; and therefore this 
 mud: be taken heed of, as being very dangerous. 
 
 A fecond marke is to have a continuall increafe in godlines, 2 
 neither to wax worfe, nor to Hand at a ftay, but ftill to drive Growth ia 
 to grow better and better, as the Apoftle Paul teftifieth that Grace, 
 he himfelfe didil forget that which is behind, & endeavour my PbiL3.11.14j 
 felfe to that which is bef or e:& follow hard toward the marke, to 
 the price of the high calling of God in Chriftlefus. And hav/ng 
 fhewed what he did himf «lfe,he annexeth an exhortation alio 
 for us\Let us th erf ore, as many as are perfeel (that is fincere,and Vcr ^ 2 # 
 void of grofle hypocrifiej be thus minded. Hee was not as a 
 vaine foolifti man,who running in a race will be ever & anon 
 looking back hotv much ground he hath rid : but his eye was 
 upon the marke, confidering how much he had yet to runne, 
 how farre offhee was from perfe&ion: and the lame minde 
 ihould be in us,& will be in^as many ofus, as are indued with 
 the fame fpirit that Paul was. We muft every day labour to 
 abound more & more in ail Wifdome 3 andin algoodnejfe.ltwe Rom.l faf 
 prayed once a day in private,and that fomewhat coldly at the 
 firft,we muft afterward pray twice or thrice,©roftner in a day j^ ^j ■ 
 as occafion is offered, and that more fervently, and feelingly, - - 
 than we did in the beginning. If we did reade and meditate 
 more feldome:and with greater weafcenefle & diftraftion ac ^ 
 
 cur fir ft entrance into profeffion, in our proceeding we muft ^ ^ 
 life thofe exercifes-more frequently, and performe them more - * 
 ferioufly and cheerefully .-and the like may be faid for all other 
 duties. Thus if we can labour to doe, and when we flip, and 
 fo are ftayed now and then in our race, yet if we recover our 
 felves with fpeed, and fet (urer, and loofce better to our fteps, 
 and make morebafte in our way than we did before, wee 
 muft not be difcouraged,though we finde not {o good a pro- 
 grefle as were to be wimed for :God will accept of oar indea- 
 vour ,and his fpirit will beare us witneffe that we have a true 
 
 O 2 heart. 
 
— 
 
 'A co n ft ant & 
 sonfcionable * 
 ule of all the 
 
 mesne*. 
 
 'Nate, 
 
 w*M 
 
 r 4 
 
 Reipefring 
 God in ail 
 
 shing^ 
 
 ±g£ Tbefeventh Serm6n\ 
 
 heart,not withftanding we come farre fhort of that we fliould 
 and other of Gods Saints do attaineunto. But on the contra- 
 ry,^ we ftand at a ftay,or ftart afide li ke a broken bow, and lo 
 tnrne backeagaine unto folly, it is much to be fufpefted, that 
 we had never any foundnefle in us, 
 
 3 A third token of fincerity is y conftantly and carefully to 
 ufe all the good meanes of attaining to goodnefle , and to ef- 
 chew all the inducements that may allure unto evill.Doth any 
 one hate fwearing? then let him fhcw it by avoiding the com- 
 pany of blafphemers. Doth any oneloath impurity and filthi-. 
 nefTe ? then Iethimteftifie it by fcparating himfelfe from all 
 wanton and lafcivious company, and from all fufoecled per- 
 fbns and places. If one pretend that he hateth thefe and. the 
 like evils, and yet will adventure upon the bait, it isTurcthat 
 fuch a one wanteth that truth of heart , which fhouldbee in 
 him, and is in all, fo farre as they are found within. 
 
 So for the contrary ,doth any one defire that grace and reli- 
 gion may flourifii in his heart, and that the fruits thereofmay 
 appeare in his life ? then let him ufe all private and publicke 
 religious exercifes,whereby thde things may be wrought and 
 increafed in him; and delight in fuch company.as both by pre- 
 cept and example may further him therein. Doth any one 
 wiflithathe could get victory over fome fpeciali finnes and 
 corruptions that he is troubled withall? then let him enter in- 
 to combat againfl them, astheApoftledid, Rom.y. Let him 
 humble himfelfe by fafting and prayer, and complain and cry 
 unto the Lord for the repreffing of them^and get fuch forcible 
 reafonsagainft; them out of the Scriptures , as may quell the 
 Strength & violence of them ; and thus a fincere heart will do. 
 But if we make fhew that we defire to be godly & religious, 
 and yet ufe not the means at alitor but fbme of them:or if we 
 ufe them all, it is but by fits and ftarts : or if we ufe them con- 
 flantly, yet we do itbutremifly and coldly, wecannot have 
 any aflurance that our hearts are faichfull unto the Lord. 
 
 A fourth argument of fincerity is, to performe all duties as 
 inGocfgp^eferice, looking unto him , asthedirefleranddif- 
 cernerofour thoughts,words,and vvorks,and thinking it Suf- 
 ficient if he approve of us , though men do diflike us ; as the 
 
of the Lords Suffer, tpy 
 
 Apoftle Paul telleth the Corinthians, zAs touching me, Ipajje t Cor.Vs,^ 
 very little to be judged ofyou^or of mans judgement^Scc. He that 
 judgeth me is the Lord. And againe in the Epiftle to the Thejf. 
 As we were allowed of God that the Gojpellfljould be committed 
 unto us ,fo we jpeake :not as they that fie afe men >but God,which l Thcf.2.4. 
 Affrcveth our hearts. And therefore he prayeth in another 
 place, that the Corinthians might do no ill y not that he might, z C*t,iiy t 
 feeme aff roved, and have the credit of their goodnefle,as being 
 wrought chiefly by his miniftery : but that they might do that 
 which is honefi, though he were dif allow ed y to wit, by men : for 
 with God the righteous judge , he knew that he fhould bee 
 both approved and regarded.Thus he that is afervant,faithful 
 and trufty in his place, ferving the Lord Chrift in conference, 
 and not men with eye-fervice, albeit he fhould be accounted 
 the moft idle and untrufty fervant in all the family ( being in- 
 deed the moll diligent and painefull of all) he will ftili go on 
 with his faithfulneffe, and not diminifh any ;ot of his induftry 
 andlaborioufneffe. 
 
 This fob alledgeth as a teftimony of his integrity, that 
 whereas he might have given free fcope to his eye for wanton 
 looks,and to his heart for finfuli afTe&ions,yet he faith of him- 
 felfe: I made a covenant with mine eyes y why then Jbould I thinks ^ 3 ! « '• 
 en a maid? And why was he thus iealous of himfelfe, and thus 
 careful! to guide his eye , and to governe his heart in a right 
 manner? thereafbn is rendred, ver. 4. Doth not he behold my 
 vpayes>and tellallmyftefs? This alfo is fofefhs commendation, 
 that whereas he might have lived in impurity and filthinefle, 
 notonely without blame and reproach, but even with the fa- 
 vour of his finfuli and unchafte miftrifle , yetthefeare of the 
 Lord retrained him from that monftrous and abhominablc 
 finne: How can I do this great wickednes (faith he) andfofinne Genjo 10' 
 againfl God? Tea though [be {pake to him from day to day y yet he 
 r efufedy and would not fo much as be in her comfany , left any 
 temptation fhould be offered unto him by that occafion : he 
 would rather have her difpieafare than Gods, and rather be 
 imprifoned ai&bngft malefaclours for forbearing of evill,than 
 to be vexed and tortured on the racke of an evill confeience 
 for committing of evill. And this good ditpofition Gods fer- Note. 
 
 O 2 vants 
 
I £§ 7 hefeventh Sermon 
 
 vants do many times find in themfelvcs^that when they have 
 fame into any fccret finne, and have entertained vaine and 
 foolifh thoughts, or corrupt and carnall affeclions, when they 
 have over-fhot themfelves in their fpeeches, or in their carri- 
 age, and no man difcerneth it, yet they take themfelves with 
 the manner ;and knowing that Gods holy eyes are upon them, 
 they judge and condemne themfelves, and are throughly an- 
 gry with themlelves for that which they have done. 
 
 Yea fometimes,when men praife and extoll them, yet they 
 blufh within themfelves,and have an holy indignation againft 
 their own foules,that they- have dealt hypocritically,or vaine- 
 glorioufly,or lightly jorindifcreetlvjor paffionately. This is a 
 very lingular marlce, and undoubted-argument of great piety 
 and fincerity. As on the contrary,it is a certaine note of grofle 
 hypocriiie, ever to be caring what men thinke, and fpeake of 
 us, and of our doings, and never to regard what Godfeeth 
 ami£eintheiame. 
 5 # The laft note(though many other might be named) dial be 
 
 ^cbuk C wil C * ^^ P at ^ cnt ly t0 endure an admonition and reproofe,& to be 
 !ingly and derirous of the fame, to the intent wemay pro lit thereby : in 
 piofitably. pubiike,to the beft,and defire moil: thole Sermons,wherin our 
 owne corruptions are tnoft throughly met withall, and {truck 
 at with greateft fharpnes,& vebemency. and inprivate,to be 
 moit glad of the fbciety of thole friends, that will in wifdome 
 and mercy.teli us moft often, and moll: plainly of our faults. 
 Hypocrites cannot abide that any fhould rubbe upon their 
 ivote. galled backs as it were , or come neere them to touch their 
 
 gouty, feftred, &-Corrupted confciences, but they will wince 
 ;- and kicke, and lay about them, and cry out on thofe that are 
 fuch/udgers,aixiiuch bufy-bodies (as they tearme them) and 
 rejecl all wholfcme reproofes,& carry a bitter heart againft 
 the reprovers. Onely thole that are found-hearted, can fubmit 
 themfeives,in the lowlineffeof their minds, and meekneffe of 
 iheir ipints r to beare admonition, v; hem they nt edit (behe a 
 uperiouroran inferiourthatadmini^reth the lame,} and la- 
 bour to make a right life hereof & to love the party the better 
 iiat will dealefo mercifully and faithfully witb their loules. 
 (%U Indeed Gods belt children may feme times failc herein,anel 
 
 begin 
 
"of the Lords Supper] \g^ 
 
 begin to buftle and take on,when they are iotrfewhat fliarply 
 deak withall , and cannot Co readily and cheerfully fwallow 
 and digeft thofe bitter pils, as they fhould: but if they be grie- 
 ved in their foules,that they find Co much pride in themfelves, 
 and though they be a little diftempered in company,yet when 
 they are alone,they are afhamed of their folly,and defire more 
 wifedome and grace to reape benefit-by the admonitions that 
 fhallafter wards be given them, and begin to thinke more re- 
 verently of the parties that ftiewed them that mercy & kind- 
 nefle.-they fhould not be difmaied,knowing that they are true 
 Ifraetites, in whom there is no guile, notwithstanding that un- 
 willingnefle and untowardnefie to undergo a rebuke , that 
 they finde in themfelves, and their corrupt nature. 
 
 Secondly, this is for the great comfort of all fuch as finde Vfe 2 i 
 thefe notes of uprightnefle in themfelves, though they have 
 many corruptions and imperfections mixed with their beft 
 workes, yet feeing they have pure hearts, they are happy and 
 blefled, and fliall finde the good effecls of their bleffednefle. 
 True holinefTe,and true happineffe arenever feparated. As for w 9t f 
 perfeciion,God looks not for it at our hands. If (inne hang on * 
 us, but we would fainecaft it off, if we finde unbeleefe , we 
 would moft gladly get faith: if we be troubled in oar hearts 
 with hardneffe,but are defirous of fof tuefTe : if we be humbled 
 for that we cannot be humbled fufficiently , nor get fuch a 
 large heart as we would defire and expert grace from heaven, 
 let us not be difcomforted for our defects and frailties: for the 
 Lord will fpare us, and be gracious unto us in his beloved Son: 
 according to that worthy prayer of good King Hez,ekiah y The t cj^-, - - 
 good Lord be mercif till toward him that prepareth his whole 18,19/ 
 heart to feeke the Lord God of his Fathers , though he be not 
 cleanfed according to the purification of the Santtuary. 
 
 Though many have beene brawlers heretofore , let them 
 labour to be peaceable : though they have beene worldly, let 
 them ftrive to be heavenly: though they have beene filthy,Iet 
 them endeavour to get chaftity : though they have been igno- 
 rant and prophane, let them ftudy to obtaine knowledge and 
 holinefle : and then they may come to the Lords Table , and 
 welcome : the Lord will have refpecl: unto them , and grant 
 
 O 4 them 
 
2>*ff.3. 
 
 2co The feventh Sermon 
 
 them pardon for their finnes, and fupply all their wants, and 
 give them more grace to do their duty , in the remainder of 
 their life, and in the dayes of their pilgrimage that are yet be- 
 hinde. 
 
 Surely they works n0 ' AC iniquity. That is, they make not a 
 trade,and common praclife thereof. Slip they do, through the 
 inrTrmitie of the flefh, and fubtiltie of Satan , and the allure- 
 ments of the world: but they do not ordinarily and cuiloma- 
 bly go forward in unlawfull and finfiill courfes. Jn that the 
 Pj^/a?(/?fettethdowne this as a part (and not the leaft part 
 neither) of bleffednefle, That they works none iniquity which 
 walks in his wayes, the doctrine to be learned hence is this, 
 That it is a marvellous great prerogative to be freed from the 
 
 fob^irbondaseoffinne. _ 
 
 ftomficnc. So wont as any man is truly religious , he is preiently in 
 
 ftateofhappinetfe. 
 
 They are bleffedin the way> and before they come unto the 
 wayes end, whiles they walke,and are not put off till they at- 
 taine to their perfect reft, while they feeke God,and not then 
 onely, when they have found the fulnefle of his gracious and 
 glorious prefence. That indefinite manner of faying (that the 
 man is blefi which walksth not in the counfellofthe wicked, but 
 delighteth in the Law of the Lord ; andb/ejfed is the man that 
 feareth r^Zm/)importeth (omuch , but efpecially by that 
 teftimony, the truth of the point is evidently evicted, which 
 pronounceth every one blejfed who feareth the Lord.andwall^ 
 eth in his wayes : forafmuch as many of them are of no long 
 Handing in the exercif e of piety and religion, and many in the 
 iemblance & fhew to the world (which conceiveth of things 
 according to deluded fenfe, and theabufeof reafon^ are in a 
 miferable cafe 3 and wretched condition. 
 
 For reafon hereof confider : firft, that the Lord owneth his 
 children as foone as he hath begotten them : they are his peo- 
 ple,when they are fan&ifled and made partakers of his grace, 
 and that is an undeniable verity : BlefTed are the people which 
 be {o,yea, t BleJfedare the people whofe God is the Lordfot him- 
 felfe with all his attributes is become theirs. 
 
 Secondly, that their finnes are remitted^ and they juftified 
 
 Pfal. i.l* 
 
 Pfcl.il*.: 
 
 RcafoH il 
 
 PIaLi 4 4.i5. 
 
~ 
 
 if the Lords Suffer. 2 o i 
 
 by the merits and bufferings of Chrift , both f romguiltinefle, 
 and punifhment, the unfpcakable comfort whereof they beft 
 apprehend that have beene in Davids cafe, preffed with the P^l 3**j*« 
 heavy weight of a guilty confcience , and the teftification ©f 
 Gods difpleafure for the fame. \V hen a man (hall be accuf ed 
 by the voyce of God; when he fhall be eonvicled by the tefli- 
 mony of his owne heart; when he (hall be condemned by the 
 fentence of juftice ; when he (hall fee the certainty and grie- 
 voufnefle and nearnefle ofthe execution , being ready bound 
 for it,by the curies of the Law,now to have a pardon, now to 
 be fet at liberty, now to be difcharged ofthe crime, and freed 
 from the penalty, perill, and reproach, who can pierce to the 
 top, or (bund to the bottome of this heavenly confolacion? 
 
 Thirdly, that their fubftance and pofleffions are forthwith 
 upon their found and faithfull imbracing of Gods holyGof- 
 pell, after an admirable manner and meafure enlarged. tAU 
 things are y our s> faith the Apoftle to fiich perfons, Whether it iCor.j,**, 
 he Paul, or Apollo s> or Cephas, you have a right in, and benefit 
 by every Mirufter whom you fhall heare ; or the -world, the 
 earthly commodities fo farre as they are pro fitable for you,and 
 will do you good; or life, f o long as God will have your dayes 
 continued, you have a good eftate in your breath, and the co- 
 habitation of foule and body,and enjoy the fame as a freehold; 
 or death, yo\xx departure out of this world will be gainfull unto 
 you,and much for your advantage: Or things prefent y or things 
 to come: profperity prefent,or to come,or adverfity and crofles 
 prefent, or to come, yea eternall blifle to come , whatsoever 
 you ihall heare or fee, or have the fruition of at the day of the 
 Lord,or in ht2ivcn,allareyours 3 andyou are Chrifts, & Chrift 
 Cjods. 
 
 This point well ferveth for the confutation of fome,for the Vfeil. 
 comfort of others, and the inftruflion of all . 
 
 In the firft place,they are confuted who are growne fo mi- 
 ferably erronious, that they imagine men fo foone as they 
 foundly imbrace religio forthwith to become miferable,who 
 make a mockeof the counfell ofthe poore , becaufe the Lord 
 is his truft.T/^/. 1 4.6.N0 w,fay they, is his rifing at the high- 
 eft, let him looke for no higher promotions : now is his 
 
 jveaith 
 
2 o j 7"&<? feventh Sermon 
 
 wealth at the greateft, you fliall fhortly fee him fall into beg* 
 gery,now are all his delights pa{t,and come to an end: he will 
 ' live the reft of his dayes in lumpiflinefle,and melancholy :novv 
 the love that hath beene borne unto him , will quickly grow 
 cold, his friends will foone leave him, and turne to foes i And 
 why (1 pray you J muft there needs be fuch a change ? Is the 
 favour of God fo hurtfull?are his promifes fo full of perils Pare 
 his graces fo pernicious? Who raifeth up,and exalteth men to 
 preferment? doth not the Lord? who beftoweth riches, and 
 difpofeth of all the commodities of the world ? doth not the 
 Lord? who filleth mens hearts with joy andgladneffe, efpeci- 
 ally with true joy and fpirituall confolation? doth not the 
 Lord? And who carryeth mens hearts in his hand, to make 
 themhate,or love, to maligne,or to be beloved? doth not the 
 Lord ? And fliall we thinke then, that he which hath all ho- 
 nours in his power, will throw downe his owne children in- 
 to bafe ignominy and contempt ? And that he which is the 
 Lord and ow r ner of all things, will fuffer his beft fervants to 
 enjoy nothing? And that he which is the God of comfort wil 
 opprerTe his people with vexation and forrow ? And that he 
 which by grace worketh love in his owne,and by providence 
 commandeth kindnefle in the hearts of his enemies, will en- 
 dure no man to beare good affection to his favourites , and 
 dearlings ? 
 
 In the next place they are confuted,that think they may be 
 happy, but it is uncertaine, whether they fliall be fb, becaufe 
 according to their opinion, men may havegrace,& lofe grace, 
 they may be the fonnes of light to day , and the children of 
 darkneffe to morrow : For he that is once truly blefTed fas e- 
 very one is which is truly godly ) fliall perpetually be blefTed, 
 and cannot poflibly be unbleffed againe. 
 
 Let no man thinke that time hath worne away, or dryed 
 up the vertue of Gods holy Word,which in the Apoftles time 
 was wont to be an immort all feed, that now we fliould have 
 % Pcm«2 $. a mortall regeneration by it. Or that Saint John ("pake onely 
 touching the perfeverance of thofe regenerate that lived in 
 thofe dayes, when he laid, whosoever is borne of Godfmneth 
 not, for his feed remaineth in him , neither can he fmne ; that 
 
 is, 
 
eft be Lords Supper, 2® 3 
 
 is,fall into the power of finne, and returne to the dominion of 
 it, becaufehe is borne .of God. 
 
 In the third place they are confuted which grant that in 
 time the godly men fhallattaine to certaine happineffe, but in 
 another world,and after fo Jong a time, as that the worth and 
 value of it, is thereby much impaired, zsifit were a purchafe 
 of lands to be poflefTed after fome lives, or many yeares to 
 come. But if this be Co, why doth the Apoftles Ipeake of the 
 prefent,and one fay ,JVeknow that we are tr an flat ed from death f To jj 
 to life? And another fay,tVe all behold^m a mirr our, the glory 2 Cor.j,u. 
 of the Lord with open -face \and 'are changedinto thgfame image^ . 
 ftomglory..toglory,as by the ft ir it of the Lord' And why doth 
 Chrift himfelfe fay, Verily, verily, I fay unto you, He that hea~ 
 reth my word, and beleeveth in him thatfent me, hath everlaft- 
 ing life, and fly a II not come into condemnation , but hath pajfed to "'f« 2 4» 
 from death unto life ? And why is that fblemne fong of praife 
 fung unto Chrift, by thefoure Hying creatures , and thefoure 
 and twenty Elders, faying, Thou haft redeemed us t$ God by Rcvcl.5, ro, 
 thy blond, out of ever J kindred, and tongue, and people, and na- 
 tion,and haft made us to our God Kings and Prie (Is, and we /hall * 
 reiane on the earth ? 
 
 Theieabfurdities being thus-refuted, let us make ufe for a 
 
 comfort to frch as are upright in their wayes/and walke in the 
 commandemantsofGod,'everyeft.ateand condition which 
 they are brought unto,tendeth to their felicitie and well-fare. 
 Are they in high places & advanced above many others ? The 
 Lord in goodnes hath exalted their home, and raifed them to 
 that dignitie and honour. Are they in low place, and many EccLiC.70 
 others above them? They are Princes walking on the ground, . 
 and farre more honourable than.ferizants on horfes. Are they 
 nch anj wealthy, having (lore of goods and fubftancc in their 
 koufes,barnes, fields, (hops.or ware-houfes? The hie fling of 
 the Lord, hath made them rich , and it is he that repleniilied. 
 them with goad things, thelight of his countenance fhineth 
 i>njheir habitations 
 
 Are they poore, and fcanted of that plenty which others 
 abound withali ,* and fo driven to fare hard , and becourfely 
 cladded, and meanly harboured, neither have great portions^ 
 to leave to theirs ? Herein they arc not unlike td Chrift the 1 ' c • 
 
 head*. 
 
334 Thefeventh Sermon 
 
 head, nor to many ofhis principall members , both Prophet* 
 and Apoftles, who being poore, yet made many rich, and as 
 having nothing,potTe{Ted all things. Are they healthy,, ftrong, 
 and likely long to live? They fliallperforme the more fervice 
 to God,and receive the greater reward: they fhalbethe more 
 ufeftill to the people of Go4whofe prayers and thanks to the 
 Lord in their behaife,will countervail all their fervices; they 
 fliall reape the fruit of a long life, by feeing of good, and be- 
 holding the favours of God upon themf elves, and the reft of 
 his fervants. Are they fickly,weake, and fhortly to depart out 
 of the world? They are faire forwards towards their reft,and 
 almoft at the end ofal] their finnes and calamities: looke how 
 neare they draw towards their diflblution , fo neare they ap- 
 proach to the moft comfortable prefence of lefts Chrift, and 
 to an eternall cohabitation with him. 
 
 The inftrudion which we are to receive hence is,the fame 
 which we have taught in the former point, that no paines be 
 neglecled which may further us to this felicity , or any diffi- 
 culties unrefifted, which may "hinder us from the fame. For 
 good markets and commodious tranicke, men rife early, and 
 ride farre, blacke mornings, and deepe waves feldomekeepe 
 them at home, after they have refolved their journeys ; gaine 
 turneth rain into faire weather,co!d into Sunne-£hine,uneven 
 ground into plaine, and myre into gravel! : and fhall every 
 foots breadth infpirituall travelling be counted a mile long, 
 and every threat or hard word againft us, a thunder-clappe; 
 and every fmallmoleftation, for well-doing; an high moun- 
 taine in our way that we cannot climbe over, or an impaffa- 
 ble Fenne, that we cannot wade thorow ? I befeech you let 
 not earthly tranfitory things bee more induftrioufly fought 
 for of worldlings, than durable (ubftance of Chriftians. An 
 earneft and true defire is mighty in force, to worke diligence 
 andtheapprehenfionofhappinefle, is as forcible to kindle 
 that defire. Would fofefh have pleaded that his fhifting of 
 apparell might have annoyed him,rather than he would have 
 gone to PW^ out of the bondage ofprifon, for honour 
 and promotion t Or did Jacob thinke it a tedious voyage to 
 come downe unto him into -£gypt ? The cafe is cleare then, 
 and apparant,thatno labours bellowed, or troubles fuftained 
 
of the Lords Supper. 205 
 
 ire able to counterpoife piety and godlinefTe,and therfcre alfo 
 let us beware led on the other fide, profits,and pleafares, ad- 
 vancements fteale not away our hearts from it, and diminifh 
 our ;oyes and delights in it. They all in comparifon of it, are 
 " but as Hubble, chaffedung, and Sathan will be ready to game 
 with us^and ftafce downe thefe trifles, farre bafer than pinnes, 
 or cherry ftones,that playing with him, wee may iof e our pa- 
 trimony,our livings,our lives, our foules, and falvation. For 
 the fatisfying of our earthly defires, To often as we are carried 
 thereunto, w e hazard our comfort,and faf ety,and deprive our 
 (elves of innumerable bleffings and benefits. 
 
 If there were no other reward but this, yet it were a happy 
 thing to be religious, even in this refpecT:,that we fhal befet at 
 liberty from fuch a fervice. This point is evident from the & omt $ t 17 i 
 Apoftles vvords,wherehefpeakeththus: God be thanked, that 
 yee have ^been thefcrvants offinne, but ye have obeyed from the 
 he art unto the forme ofdoEtrim^ tvhereunt&yee were delivered* v 
 Where we fee,that this w r as not the leaft priviledge that they 
 had by being Gods fervants",but indeed a matter for which he 
 was greatly to he magnified; that wheras they had beene the 
 fiaves of (inland (as ba(edrudges)at the command of every vile 
 and wretched luft; by the vertue of the Word powerfully 
 preached unto them,and faithfully received of them,they had 
 beene deliuered from that bondage, and made the fervants 
 of God in righteoufnefle,and holinefle of life & converfatiom 
 And therefore in that fame Chapter, verfe 1 4. [it is promifed 
 unto Gods Children, asafpeciallfavour, Thatfmnejhall not 
 have dominion over the, It may (ometimes tyrannoufly ufurpe 
 authority in them; but the flrength of grace, and the operati- 
 on of the holy Spirit of God, will ftill diminish, and at laff. a- 
 bolifh the force and violence thereof : fo that it fhall never 
 beare fuch fway over them,as in the time of ther unregenera- 
 cie it did. v r ~ 
 
 The truth of this doclrine will yet more clearly (hine forth, ^y s \ 
 if we confider whar the mafter,the fervice, & the reward of ^aihVnVs the 
 finfull perfons are. As for their mafter,it is Sathan :For he is the ma ft cr f „j| 
 God of this worlds the Prince that rulethm the childrecfdif- finncrs;; 
 Uedience-.of whom all unbelievers are held in. captivity, and 
 
 ftill 
 
+ 06 Thefeventh Sermon 
 
 ftill imployed according to his will and pleafure^ Now he is i 
 more cruell andfavage tyrant,than ever Pharaoh was:though 
 he were very fierce againft thelfrae/itesyfk exercifed great ty- 
 ranny over them,yet Sathan putteth his vaflails to carry hea- 
 vier burdens,anddo toile out them felves in bafer work, than 
 "heir Cervices. ever *e taskmasters of Egypt impofed on the poor Ifraelites. 
 Note, For all impenitent Tinners are m thraldome to every brutifh 
 
 luft: they muft defile their bodies, and corrupt their foules, 
 and confciences,and pollute all their works and waies, when, 
 and in what manner lbever the divellwiil have them; they 
 muft converfc with euery lewd and (infull companion, the/ 
 muft runne up and downe like drudges to follow every vaine 
 and bale delight, to pur fue every meane and trifling commo- 
 ditie,and to hunt after every promotion and dignitie that of- 
 fers it felfe unto their view. 
 
 They cannot live peaceably in the day,nor reft quietly in the 
 night:as we may fee in gamefters, wno breake their fleepe, 
 mifpend their - time & ftrength,deprive themfelves of a com- 
 fortable eftate, and bring many miieries upon themfelves and 
 their families,by their over-eager purfiiit of their uugodly and 
 unthrifty courfes.lt is a wofull and lamentable cafe that fran- 
 ticke perfons are in,that muft have every one in the family to 
 \ attend upon, and to have an eye unto them, left they 
 I fhould hang themfelves, or drowne themfelves, or get a knife 
 , to cut their throats,or fome way or other worke themfelves 
 mifchiefe:but farre worfeis their cafe, that are pofleft with a 
 fpirituallfrenzie,andledbythe (uggeftions of Sathan, who 
 are evermore labouring to worl^e out their own overthrow, 
 and to bring upon themfelves deftruclion of body and foulc, 
 which is the reward that Sathan giveth the, for all their pains 
 that they have taken in fervinghim, and in fulfilling the lufts 
 of their owne wicked flefli: according to the faying of the A- 
 po&te,The wages offinne is death ; that is, everlafting death .- 
 which is an utter feparation from Gods blefled prefence, and 
 from all manner of comforts whatfoever, to indure unfpeake- 
 able and endlefle torments in the lake that bnrneth with fir -t 
 and brim ft one, which is the [econd death. 
 Another reafon,why it is a great priviledge to be exempted 
 
 from 
 
efthe Lords Supper. 207 
 
 from the dominion of finne, is, becaufeit isateftimony that 
 we are the Tonnes ofGod,as it is faid by the Apoftle Iohn> He toh.^8.^. 
 that committeth finis of the Divell, andwhofoever is borne of 
 God 9 finneth not. And why ?becaufe the efficacie of the word 
 and fpirit doe reftraine him there-from. 
 
 Athirdreafon isbecauiethatisit whereby we are made 
 conformable unto Chrift Iefus; when wee are freed from the 
 flavery offiune,we are ftill tranflated from glory to glory,and 
 have the Image of God renued in us daily more and more, 
 purging our f elves even at Chrifi is pure, 1 lob. 3.3. 
 
 This ferveth for our inftruclion/ that feeing it is fuch a pre- -^ . j 
 heminence not to be a worker of iniquity,therfore w e fhould J 
 hereby fence & arme our felves again ft all inticements,wher- 
 by we might be allured to fin ne, either in heart or in behavi- 
 our ,when pleafiire fmileth upon us, or filthy lucre fetteth on 
 our hearts, or preferment calleth for us, &c. Let this be as a 
 buckler whereby to repell all the fiery darts of the divell; It is Lukc^, *?, 
 a~blejfed thing to worke none iniquity , & what fhould it profit a Hab # u, 27 , 
 man to win the whole w orld,and to lofe his ownefoule ? Mofes 2 ^* 
 chofe rather tofufier afflittion with the people ofGod 3 than to en- 
 joy the plea fur es offin 9 & the preferments of Egypt for afeafon, 
 Jt was a foolim and mad part of the Israelites to defire to re- 
 turne into Egypt, the houie of their bondage, that they might 
 eate of their flefl>pots,and of the Leekes and Onions, that in 
 time paft they had there enjoyed:but much more void of fenfe - 
 and reafon are they,that when they have been once delivered 
 from that fpirituall fervitude, will caft themfeives into thral- 
 dome againe:and when they have bin puld out of the fnares 
 of the Divell,wherein they were held at his pleafure, will re- 
 turne again to foltyjand intangle themfeives the fecond time, 
 Wherforelet this put ftrength into us in all conflicls, that we 
 may ftandrefolutely, as againft other aflaults, fb againft that 
 of the'examples of <great and mighty men, whoufiially take 
 their liberty in all voluptuous and licentious kinde of living. 
 This confiderationf I fay) mould arme us againft it, The Lord 
 hath pranotmced them biejfed that workjtone iniquity .•& if I be 
 ofthennmbet ofthem, I mall be more happy in renouncing 
 finne>than the greateft Potentate ca the earth is, or can be, in 
 
 commit-- 
 
2 o8. The feventh Sermon 
 
 committing offinne, And therefore let us deale as Eliph/ts di d 
 in the booke o£ lob >I have feen thefoolijh well rooted, (faith he) 
 
 lob % t andfuddenly I curfed his habitation: no t hy way of imprecati- 
 
 on,but of denunciation of Gods judgements due unto them 
 for their evil! workes, fhewing that they took ftich courfes as 
 did make them and theirs accurfed, and bring the vengeance 
 of God upon thenr.the meditation whereof was a flrong bul- 
 warke to fence him againft all temptations unto the like fin- 
 full and vile pra&ifes. 
 
 v - - 2 This maketh for the terrour of all fuch as doe drinke in 
 
 VJ e 2 i £ nne w i tn greedinefie 3 and give allowance to themfelves in 
 
 blafpheming,in Sabbath- breaking, in wantonnefle, inlying, 
 in Qandering,and fcofiing,and fuch other foule vices. If they 
 he blefled that doe not worke iniquity, then curfed are they 
 that make a common pra&ife thereof. 
 
 Obiettion. • ^ ut * h°P € f will fome lay)a mans heart may be good,though 
 ne over-fhoothimfelfe by rapping out an oath now and then, 
 and by fpeaking foolifhly and lightly,&c. you mull: not judge 
 (Tay they ) God knoweth our hearts. 
 
 v Anfw] He doth fo indeed, and he hath made knowne unto us by 
 
 his word,that an ill tongue & an ill life doe alwaies argue an 
 
 tuk 54. y. m heart, For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth Jpea- 
 
 Mat7.17.1S. kgth: And a good tree cannot bring forthfuch rotten fruit,nor 
 a pure fountaine fend forth fuch muddy and filthy ftreames,as 
 doe evermore iffue forth at their profane mouthes:and are de- 
 rived from their impure confeiences unto all, or to the moft 
 part of their actions. 
 
 Stri8 obedi- Thou hafl commanded to keepe thy precepts diligently. 
 
 bS C iedfor la " The Do ^ rine that thefe words afFord > i9 this > thatnothing 
 * Cony.T: * s ^ u pc r fl nous tnat ls done m obedience to Gods holy will. 
 
 The word tranflated diligently ,doth fignifie in the originall 
 tong\ie(wonderfull much)(b that the words go thus;Thou haft 
 Mac, 5«6.7. commanded to keepe thy precepts wonderfull much. And this the 
 Apoftleurgeth the Corinthians umoiHavingfuch promifes be- 
 loved Jet us purge our fe Ives from alfilthines oftheflefb 3 & of the 
 Jpirit : that is,from all manner of corruption^ well inward 
 as outward. And that was the drift of Iefiis Chrift in giving 
 the true interpretation of the Law, which the Pharifies had 
 
 corrupted 
 
of the Lords Supper] -2 qq 
 
 corrupted by their falfe expositions;! fay this was the drift, to 
 draw men from retting on the outward obfervation thereof, 
 and to bring them tohave regard unto their thoughts, and to 
 the afreflions of their hearts : and moreover in their praclife- 
 to doe thofe things which heathen men and hypocrites cculd 
 not attaine unto*, and therefore he often urgeth this fentencc, 
 to (liew the flendernefle and infuffieiencie of their obedience: 
 tvhvt fingular thing doe ye ? Implying that Chriftians mull: in 
 many things be fingular,and differ from, and goe beyond the 
 common fort of men. 
 
 If one could doe as much good,as an hundred,yet he could 
 not doe the hundreth part of that which a Chriftian ought 
 toperforme. Lethimfay flill f for it is a truth) I am anun- Luk.17.10* 
 profitable fervant: I have done no more than my duty, nor lb 
 much as my duty. As Chrill: came to fulfill all that his Fathers 
 Law required, ib it behoveth us to obf erve every thing that 
 we are commanded, though not in perfection, which wee 
 cannot attaine unto; yet in uprightnefle, and with our bed 
 endevoursAV hen the -#?■**//>*/ told Mofes, that ifhee would 
 goe neere,and heare what the Lord faid, and declare it unto 
 them,they would heare and doe all that the Lord fhould fay: 
 the Lordhimfelfe teftified the equity of their \vords,That they Ocuc^.a^ 29. 
 hadwell fpoken.allthat they fpakg 3 & wished that there werefftch 
 an heart in them >to fear e htm>& to keep all his commandements 
 alwayithat it might goe well with them, and with their children 
 after them.Whzreby we are informed what is acceptable un- 
 to God, and profitable for our felves: namely, in tire obedi- 
 ence, and to the fame purpofe tendeth that f erious inftigation 
 of Pau/ to the forinthians,Therefore my beloved brethren, be \ Cor.ry. y$, ] 
 yefiedfafi, unmoveable^abundant alwayes in the worke of the 
 Lord: for as much as ye know that your labrnr is not in vaine in 
 the Lord. 
 
 1 Firft, novainethingis commanded, but every precept Reafinsl 
 thathegivethisholy, and every duty prefcribed t# us is 
 needfull to be performed,he requireth nothing but that which 
 is good, and juft : and who can charge us to doe more than 
 enough, whiles wee dcale onely in that which is juft and 
 good? 
 
 P 2Second!y 3 
 
5 j e 7 hefeventh Sermon 
 
 3 Secondly, the Lorddefireth tobeferved with all due 
 care and faithfulnefle. Can any man fay, I am before hand 
 with him,and I haue done more for his fake than he hath for 
 mine ? doe we not receive from him breath, and being and 
 life,and living,and prefervation, and falvarion it felfe, and all 
 things eife ? 
 
 3 Thirdly, our labour is not loft, nortravaile mifpentin 
 yeelding obedience to him : for he will reward it at the fill, 
 and above aldefert;No man worketh for him without wages: 
 not a godly a<ftion,not a godly wordmot a godly purpofemot 
 a godly motion of heart fTialtpafle without pay andcompen- 
 fation. 
 
 4 FourthIy,every default and omiffion of well-doing, at 
 every timedeferveth damnation : and either fhall be recom- 
 penced with the death of the (inner, or hath been already re- 
 quited with the torments of Chrifhwliich ferveth 
 
 Vfe I ^ i For confutation of the Papifts , that little regarding the 
 
 AgamftPopUh commandements of God, expecl: great matters for their de- 
 obfcEvations. vot i onj anc j t h e j r outward inuentions and obfervations : but 
 who hath requited thofe things at their hands? the Lord com- 
 manded them to keepe his precepts, otherwife they can ex- 
 pecl no recompence from him,but that may be faidofall their 
 invented worihip, which was fpoken of them that were fo 
 full of ext email ceremonies fas touch not, taftenot, handle 
 C 1 2 i* notjin the Apoftles timesconcerning ail which he faith: That 
 they ferijh with the ufengjeeing they are after the commande- 
 ments and doctrines efman: So (bone as the worke is done, the 
 reward is gone. 
 A amft worts Befides, here may be confuted all their works of fup:rero» 
 cf^fcpcrcroga * gationilf God commands us to obferve his law in perfection, 
 tioa, then what can there be left for them to performe beyond that 
 
 which he com/nandeth?Doth Chrift bid us fay, that when we 
 have done all that roe can, toe are unprofitable fervants, and 
 have performed no more than our duties? and will they befc 
 audacious as to bragge of an overplus of well-doing ? Is it 
 poffible for obedience to exceed the commandemen t ? or for 
 ought to be any thing worth that is not done in obedience ? 
 But to let them pafle, 
 
 " This 
 
of the Lords Sapper* 2 Xl 
 
 This is for cur inflruclrion: hath God enjoyned us to obfcrve 
 his precepts fo exceeding carefully and diligently ? then let 
 nothing draw us there-from.no not in the leaft circumflance: 
 Ictus efteeme nothing needlefle, frivolous, or fuperrluous, 
 that we have a warrant for out of his word; nor count thofe 
 too wifeorprecife that will ftand refolutely upon thefame:i£ 
 the Lord require any thing, though the world fhould gaine- 
 fay it, and we be deridedand abufed for the doing of it, yet 
 let us proceed ftill in the courfe of our obedience. 
 
 Sithence our Mafter doth require it as due, and it becom- 
 meth us to yeeld it as a duty, and our hire is fo great for the 
 performance of the fame, which will alfo be inlargedas our 
 integrity (hall be increafed; the greater ©ur faithfulnefle/hall 
 be found, the more praife we fliall obtaine,accompanied pro- 
 portionably with all other good bleflings, & let this be a mo- 
 tive further to incite us to fuch diligence, that the Lord k 
 much difpleafe*d with remiffenerTe and negligence: flothful! 
 perfons are every where reprehended in the Scriptures, even 
 for being idle in humane affaires, and matters thatconcerne 
 mens prefent eftate: much more then doe they deferve to bee 
 fnarply reproved, and alfo corrected for their carelefnefle in 
 thofe holy workes,where-about God fetteth them : hee that 
 doth not as much as he may in the fervices of God 
 may iooke to have more ftrokes from his hand, 
 and rebukes from his mouth, 
 than will be for his 
 comfort. 
 
 P2 THE 
 
«I* 
 
 EI GHTH SERMON. 
 
 IOHN 6.16,27. 
 Jefus anfweredthcm : andfa*d, Verily, verily, I fay untoyou y ye 
 feeke me, not becaufeyefav? the miracles, but becaafeys eate of 
 the loaves, and were filled. 
 
 Labour not for the meate that periJheth,butfor the meat that 
 indureth unto everlaftitig life, which the Sonne of "man fhall 'give 
 untoyouifor him hath God the Father fealed. 
 
 Me fieflily followers of our Lord Iefus ChrifL 
 having bin miraculoufly relieved at his hand 
 with corporali food once, expe&as inucha- 
 gain:& not finding him inoneplscewhereit 
 was likely he would have bin, they feeke him 
 in another ,where without a miracle he could 
 not be:for the fea was between the, & Ship they L knew there 
 was none left to tranfport him,wherby they took occafion to 
 demad of him when he came thither,in{inuating that they co- 
 jeclured how he came thither,even by walking upon the wa- 
 ters .To thefeour Saviour dire&eth the words of this Text, & 
 others that follow: not anfwring to that queftio how he came* 
 becaufe itfauonred of adulatio,& was fomwhat frivolous; but 
 difcovering their purpofe, why they came, and that was hy- 
 pocriticall & carnall.Nowforthefenfeofthe words, where 
 he layeth to their charge,that they fought him not,becaufe they 
 faw the miracle :it is to be underftood 3 that they apprehended 
 not his divine nature, nor fought to know him as God and 
 their Redeemer, by venue of the miracle, but onely hoped 
 that he would worke another to feed their bodies againe,and 
 make them to fare well often. And having reprooved them, 
 he proceeded! to inftroft them? preferring a more wife and 
 
 profitable 
 
of the Lords Supper. 2 1 * 
 
 profitable courfcfor themfelves and their foules : and that is," 
 to preferre things that are everlafting , before thofe that arc 
 perifhableand momentany. Not thatheprecifely forbiddeth 
 to labour for food, and other maintenance , but to labour co- 
 vctoufly with too greedy a defire ; to labour immoderately, 
 and with too great travel :to labour principally for that which 
 is earthly,and more remilly for that which is heavenly; this is 
 that which he here forbiddeth. By meat, figuratively fo called, 
 which endureth unto everlafting life, he meaneth the gifts and . 
 graces of Gods holy Spirit , whereby the foules of his people 
 receive ftrength and comfort conftantly : even imtill the frui- 
 tion of that blifle and immortality , whereunto they fliall at- 
 taine for evermore hereafter. 
 
 Now for their better aflurance , that they might certainly 
 know that they fhould not lofe their labour in feeking for this 
 durable food,this bread oflife^imlelfe under taketh to beftow 
 it upon them :and that by the appointment of God his Father, 
 who hath fealed him to this ornce, as Princes, and great men 
 do authentically confirme the authority of thofe whom they 
 imploy in weighty affaires, by their feales and letters Patents, 
 This anfwer therefore of Chrift,confifteth of two parts; 
 A S Rcprehenfion. 
 p Exhortation. 
 In the reprehenfion hedeclareth: 
 
 i What thev neglected: they made not a profitable ufc of 
 the miracle which they faw. 
 
 2 Wherein they tranfgrefled ; they had a finifter refpecl in 
 feeking of him : it was for their bellies h Re, and not for con- 
 fciencefake. 
 
 In the exhortation, he perfvvadeth tlietii mod to affecl the 
 fpirituall meat, by two arguments: 
 
 C i In regard of the goodnefle and laftingneffe of it; Ft cndu- 
 J reth unto everlafting life , ^ I Chrift giving it: 
 ^2 In regard of the Author of it: Si The Father ordaining it 
 
 £ to be given by Chrift. 
 The words which they fpake to Chnft were reverent,they 
 called him Rabbi, and tooke knowledge in fome fort of his 
 ftrange manner of paffing over the Sea : and had before in \ 
 
 P. i .. vetfew 
 
v 214 ^ e e '£^ SertHsii 
 
 verfe 14. teftified that of a truth , Hee wo* the Prophet that 
 pjotild come into the world. And not fb onely, but as it appea- 
 reth in verf 1 5 .They minded to take him, and make him a King: 
 yet the firft anfwer that he giveth unto them is a rebuke: 
 whereby we learne that 
 
 DoU i" Byfairefpeechestous, or courteous ufage of us, weoughc 
 
 Our beft not t0 ^ € toyed from telling men oftheir faults, when by our 
 
 freinds muft calling we are required to admonifh them. 
 
 be admonifoed It befeemeth not a good man, to fufFer his heart to be as it 
 were bribed with kindnes, that his mouth ftiould be flopped, 
 when God and fit opportunitie calleth upon him to open it. 
 
 Dan, 5. Though 'Beljbaz.zar would needs have Daniel clothed with 
 
 purple, and a chaine of gold put about his neck*, with promife 
 of great preferment, yet Daniel (pared not to tell Beljha^zar 
 that he had lift up himfelf againfr. the Lord ofheaven,and pro- 
 faned his holy vefTels, and praifed idols, and not glorified the 
 God in whole hand was his breath, and all his wayes. 
 
 The example alfb of Eli/ha will prove this unto us ; when 
 
 iKmg.3.13.14 fehoram the king of 7/r^/madefuit unto him for the obtai- 
 ning of water forhimfelfe,& two kings more, together with 
 all their Hoft, telling him that they were undone, and fhould 
 fall into the hand of their enemies if he did not helpe at this 
 pinch 3 & in this great ftrait;notwithft.anding this fubmifle and 
 humble manner of entreaty,he fpareth him not,being a wret- 
 ched Idolater,but anfwereth him roundly and fliarply, what 
 
 2 King,S,9>i2. ij ave j t0 £ w ; t fc t ^ ee ffaith he) get thee to the Prophets of thy 
 fathers, &c..As the Lord liveth, in whofe fight Iflandjftt were 
 not that I regard the prefence of Jehojhaphat King off udah 3 I 
 ivonldnot have looked towards thee y norfeene thee. Mark how 
 lightly hefetteth by this wicked king : telling him that hee 
 would not give him Co much as a good Iooke, much lefle be an 
 inftrument of relieving him & his Army, wereit not for good 
 Jehopjaphats fake, whofe heart was upright with God,though 
 he were faulty in foyning with thofe Idolaters. And agame, 
 when Ha^ael came unto him , with a prefent of every good 
 thing of Damafcw, as much as forty camels could carry, and 
 ufed him with all reverent refpect, calling him, My Lord,&c. 
 v ef he dealt plainly with him, and with teares told him what 
 
efthe Lords Suffer. 2 1 5 
 
 a tyrant he (hould be , and what ha vocke he ihouid make a]] 
 ifiongft the people of God. So Chrift leius, an undoubted pat 
 terne for our imitation,when he came to Martha,* good wo- 
 man,and very loving and kind unto him:yet being more care- 
 full to make provilion for her body , than to get provifion for 
 her owneibule,& finding fault with her fitter Mary, that was 
 better imployed than herfelf,Chriits mouth was not flopped 
 with her meat, for he reproveth her, and commendeth her fi~ 
 ftcr, faying, Martha^ Martha, thou car eft and art troubled a- Lu .M t« 4'. 4 s 
 bout many things ^but one thingts needfull : Afary hath chef en 
 the <rood part) which fhallnot be taken am ay from her. 
 
 Now thereafonofthis doclrine,is, Firft,in refpecl of them, 2 
 
 becaufeotherwifewe fhculd deale unfaithfully with fuch as Rcfifin*-- 
 dealekindly with us, and when they fhew their love unto us, 
 we rhould lliew our hatred towards thenv.if we do nothelpe 
 them when we have a calling, and fbme likelihood of doing 
 them good, it were as great an in/ury, as if when a Patient 
 fpcaketh friendly to his Phyiitian,and telleth him that he will 
 content .birr, at full for all his care and paines that he fhal take, 
 be thereupon fhould grow more remiiTe and careleffe , and 
 cive him rankepoyfon, in (lead of wheifomereceits , and cu- 
 ring medicines. 
 
 2 . In refpecl of our felves, if we be flacke in admoniiliing 
 cur friends of things amiffe in them , becaufe they fpeake lo- 
 vingly, and carry themf elves in a friendly manner to wards us, 
 wcthall thereby provoke Gods difpleafure againft us : and fo 
 their faire words and cheerfull lookes, fhall make God looke 
 angerlv upon us, and fpeake fharply unto us., and we by our. 
 nlence,or by our flattery.. inaLmake their finne to become out 
 ©wne,and fo both we and they fhall be puniftied together. 
 
 This maketh for. the j ufl reproofe of thofe that frame all their Vfei\ 
 praifes and.difprailes , according as they themfelves are dealt 
 withall : if they be well fpoken of and well ufed , they will be 
 •altogether for the parties that do fo befriend them , and they 
 /hall be fure of their good word:but if others be preferred and 
 they neglecled , efpecialiy if upon their juft defert they bee 
 roundly taxed and reproved, then the cafe is altered, and the 
 (treame of their commendation turned .another way , and 
 
 P. 4 in' 
 
3 1 6 The eight Sermon 
 
 in flead ©4' their former fpeeches of approbation , yon fhall 
 heare from them bitter inve&ives, and tearmes of reproach, 
 much unbefeeming the mouth of a civill man;much more of a 
 Chriftian.Of this fort were thole falfe and deceitful Prophets, 
 which were likened to dogs : let men caft a bone unto them, 
 iHicKj ?. as it were , and fill their mouthes with fbmewhat now and 
 then,and they willfawne upon them,and tell them their cafe 
 is good,they fhall be fure of peace and profperity.God is well 
 pleafed, and all things fhall go well with them , albeit in the 
 ineane while, they be the moft vile and wretched men in the 
 world. But as for thofe that will not feed their covetous hu- 
 mor,though they were the bed men that lived upon the earth, 
 they ihall tafte of their doggifh behaviour: they fhall be mar- 
 led at, if not bitten :if they put notinto their mouthes ( faith 
 the Prophet) they prepare war againft them,they furnifh them- 
 felves with a number of bitter and biting reproofes , with a 
 multitude of heavy and grievous threatnings to powre out a- 
 gainft them in full meafure. But thefe are farrefrom our Savi- 
 ours fpirit, who would frame his fpeeches to the good of all 
 without exception : not fparing thofe that were kinde unto 
 himmor laying loade on men for with-holding kindnes from 
 him, fpeakingnot pleafingbut profitable things unto all forts. 
 Thus true and fervent love unto God and men, made him to 
 deale, and felfe-love and ielfe-refped: , maketh falfe-hearted 
 hypocrites to take a quite contrary courfe. 
 yji 2 Here is a matter ofinftruclionfor us,to imitate our Saviour 
 
 in this point,and of a great comfort unto fuch as fin azealeof 
 Gods glory and companion over the foules ofmen,and in con- 
 ference of difcharging their owne duty) fecke to recompence 
 jiaturall kindnes with fpiritual kindnes : and when men (hew 
 their love unto them in a civill manner 3 do endevor to requite 
 it in a Chriftian manner,as well as in the like kmd:and do not 
 fiiffer the faire fpeeches or good turnes of any,fo farre to dazle 
 their eyes that they cannot fee,or to tie their tongues that they 
 cannot fpeake againft thofe things that are amifle in them; 
 but deale faithfully with their fouls in that behalfe;howfoever 
 they may fometimes beare the imputation of inhumanity and 
 indifcretion,yet if they deale wifely & mercifully ,as our Savi- 
 our 
 
of the Lords Supper. Zt 7 
 
 our did,though not in the like perfe<?tion,they may take com- 
 fort therein. For howfoever ignorant and carnal mens tongues 
 be againft them,the teftimony of God, and oftheir coafcien- 
 ces will be for them, and beare thern out againft all calumnia- 
 tions and reWling fpeeches , that are invented to defame and 
 difgrace them; and this (haii be found true,when all men fliai 
 be proved Iyars , that he that reproveth fwhen he hath juffc 
 caufe and calling tnereunto) Jballfinde more favour at length 
 than he that flatteretb. And thus much for the generall do- 
 ctrine, Now let us conlider the words more particularly. 
 
 Verily y verily, I fay untoyou.yefeeke me not y &c. 
 
 In that Chrift Iefus taketh notice of the difpofition and in- 
 clination oftheir hearts that do now follow him, and intend- 
 ed the filling oftheir bellies , though they pretended to feeke 
 after thefatisfying of their ibules jthe doctrine hence to be 
 colle&edjis rhis:that our Lord Iefus Chrift is acquainted with D08X 
 the purpofes of fiich as come to his fervices,and to the meanes 
 of their falvation. 
 
 He obferveth what is the principali end that they ay me at, Chrift is the 
 as we may fee in this place: they affoord Chrift very good £ aicilcreft hc 
 words, and are ready to acknowledge the miracle that he had ** rc ' 
 wrought,and yet he doth not onely lee ; but narrowly looke 
 into that flefhly refpecl that they had in comming unto him, 
 and teis them plainly oftheir hypocrifie, and that with a pro- 
 teftation, Verily >verily> (jrc. qJ % I fay it for a truth, difprove 
 me if you can, and I avouch it againe, becaufe it is a matter of 
 weight, that you come to feed your bodies under pretence of 
 feeding your f bules. And as he did defcend into their hearts, 
 and finde out their fraud and guile, lb doth he continually be- 
 hold all the windings and turnings that are in the hearts of the 
 (onnesof men.This may appeare in the Gofpel of fohn, where 
 it isfeid, that many beleeved in his name when they Jaw the mi- 
 racles that he did: they were moved in a uidden paffion upon 
 the fight of fiich great wonders , to thinkethac he was the 
 Chrift: but (it is added ) Iefus did not commit himf elf eunt 9 
 themfe would not truft the ( notwithftanding thefaire (hew 
 they made) because he knew them alLand had no need that they Ioh.a,it.^j 
 fionU teftifie of man :for he knew what was in man 1 he percei- 15 * 
 
 ved 
 
Aeafon, 
 Ez.ek.14. *3. 
 
 I 
 Hepubiifheth 
 mens thoughts 
 
 Rf prove ih 
 
 ihem. 
 Mattb.9.4- 
 
 H^punifh;th 
 
 i\% The eight Sermon 
 
 ved that, they were not found , whatfoever others thought or 
 them,neither did he Hand in need of the teftimony of any,that 
 fhouid tell him this man is upright , this man is not ; for he 
 knoweth a mans heart better than himfelfedoth : and it may- 
 be made yet more cleare, by reafon that God is privy to mens 
 though rs,becaufe he firflpublifheth them ; r eeondly,reproveth> 
 them; thirdly, punifheth them. 
 
 Firft,that he publifhetb them to others, is apparant in Ez,e-> 
 tie/, where the Lord telleth the Prophet, that hewfoever the 
 Eldersof Ifrae I cs.me unto him^ and fate before him, yet thtp 
 had fet tip idols in their hearts : and howfoever they would 
 have men to beleeve thatthey were the holy fervauts of God, 
 rhat they loved the word of God, and came to heare what he 
 would teach them: yet the Lord declareth unto JS&kfct, that 
 their hearts were not withdrawne from idolatry and (Iipeifti-. 
 tion, and therefore that he iliould thinke never the better o£ 
 them for their outward iemblance of Religion. 
 
 Secondly, as he publifheth mens thought? to others , fo he* 
 reproveth them for the fame bimfelfe:a-s-the Eyangelift teftifi- 
 ethylFben Jefusfaw their thoughts , he faidfVherefore thinke j a- 
 evill thoughts tnjanr hearts? Where it is plaine,that therefore 
 he rebuked.them , becaufe he difcerneth the corruptnefle of 
 their thoughts,in judging hardly of him,becauiehe had faid to 
 the man ficke of the palfie,77^ ft 'nncs are forgiven thee. And in- 
 deed what equity were it that Chrift fho.nld blame men for 
 their cogitations.unlefle.he were the fearcher of the heart? It 
 is indifcretion, , and an injurious part for a man to fin default, 
 unkfTche can directly prove that -which he layeth to another 
 mans charge : and how much unbefeeming the infinite wife- 
 dome and r igh tecum efle of Chrift muft we needs thinke it 
 then to deale with any in that fort ? Nay, he forbiddetb us to 
 judge raflily , and commandeth us to judge righteous judge- 
 ment, and therefore he will much more obferve that rule 
 himfelfe. 
 
 Thirdly ,he doth correel and punifh men for their perverfe 
 and naughtie imaginations and affections, and therefore he 
 muft needs beadifcerner of the fame: for otherwise how 
 &Mld !?? proceed accordingto every mans defert? And that 
 
 be 
 
9ft he Lords Supper. 21 9 
 
 he doth inflict punifhmentonmenfor thoughts, the Prophet 
 Ifaiah fheweth when God chargetfTthe people , that though !«•*$• T J* 
 their bodiej were neere him 3 yet their hearts were removed farre 
 from him: and therefore he threatneth that he will do a marvel- 
 lew work with them, to wit, that the wifdome of the wife ffjould 
 pcrifhy&c. that he would infatuate them> and give them up to In thc j r ^4^ 
 blindnefle of minde,and to fenflefnefle of heart,as afterwards 
 it fell out in their children the Scribes and Pharifees,to whom 
 all things that Chrift Iefus fpake,f eemed Parables,fo that they 
 knewnotthemyfteriesof the kingdome of heaven, but had 
 eyes and faw not, eares and heard not, hearts and minds, and 
 underftood not the things that were taught them. And as God 
 doth lay judgements upon the fbules of men, which are the r n their bodies 
 molt grievous, fo doth he alfo on their bodies, even for their 
 defects & wants,as we fee in the forinthians } amongft whom 
 many werefickejnany wea^^nd many fmitten with the ftroke 
 of death,becaufe they came negligently and unpreparedly un- 
 to the Lords Table : and fo doth his heavy hand lye upon ma- 
 ny now-adayes, being flrucke with the peftilence , and fuch 
 like plagues of God, for comming prophanely, irreiigioufly, 
 and hypocritically to the Word and Sacrament : not in out- 
 ward appearance for ought that we can fee , but before the 
 Lords eyes who fearcheth the heart and reines, and layeth his 
 corrections , according to the meafure of mens inward, pro- 
 phane,and lewd difpofition . Now this he would not do, un- 
 lefle he could prove them guilty : but indeed he is able to in- . 
 dite them, and to produce witneffes againftthem, that thefe 
 andthefe have beene their fecret finnes, fuch and fuch vile 
 thoughts they had at fuch a Sermon, at fuch a Sacrament, and 
 their hearts were wandring about their plealures and profits: 
 they were full of malicious & revengeful! imaginations & in* 
 tents,nothing regarding Gods pref ence,nothing affecting nor 
 reverencing his ordinances: & thefe things he can make their 
 own confeiences to teitifie againft tbem,& therfore dothjuft- 
 ly plague them for the fame. And as in this life,fo at that great A sin thiilifb 
 affifes at the laft day,the Lord will light en' things that be hid in fo in tha * 
 darkneffe y andmake the connfell of mans heart manifeft: & bring which li iQ 
 every fecret thing to judgement, whether good or eyil,thatal come * 
 
 may 
 
^^ 2 2© The eight Sermon 
 
 may recti ve according to their workes. 
 
 If then all ihall be at that time judged and rewarded, ac- 
 cording to their thoughts, mo ft lure it is, that God well obfer- 
 ved the fame while they lived upon the (ice of the earth, and 
 kept the fame in his booke of records . 
 Vfe i . Since the Lord marketh whether men come in love and in 
 
 Sincerity in finceritie, or for fafhion and in hypocrifie, let this teach us to 
 Gods fcrviccs. prefent our loules before the Lord, and fo ferve him foundly 
 and religioufly : not onely behaving our felves in as orderly a 
 manner as others do, but in as holy a manner as we can. Di- 
 vers there are that will repaire to Gods houle as often as the 
 beft,and make a colourable fhew of reverence in Gods wor- 
 ship, fitting modeflly in the view of the congregation, not 
 gazing hither and thither, nor expreffing any unfeemly beha- 
 viour : yet nevertheleiTe except God fee.their hearts well ex- 
 ercifed, all that men behold and take notice of is nothing 
 worth. They feemed to be very forward, of whom thePro- 
 Jf*r5 8.2: phet Ifaiah maketh mention,they would enquire after the or- 
 dinances of judgement and Juftice, and feeke the Lord , and 
 not by fits and (tarts, but daily : they would be ordinarily at 
 the Lectures of the Prophets , and peradventure marke what 
 was delivered, and make repetition of the fame ; and if there 
 were any thing that they underftood not , they would aske 
 direction, and iearch out the meaning of it : and yet the Pro- 
 phet is bid to cry out againft them w ith lull mouth -.Cry aloud 
 (Taith God) lift up thy voyce Itke a Trumpet^ and fbeiv my peo- 
 flctheir tranfgrcjfions^andto thehoufe of Jacob their finnes. 
 And that becaufe they came, with hollow and hypocriticall 
 hearts, as their unholy and unrighteous behaviour afterwards 
 did witnefle to their faces. 
 
 And therefore that mud be looked unto , that wc fatisfie 
 Gods eyes,as well as mens,and to that end fearch out,and cafl 
 forth all leaven of hypocrifie that is in our hearts : for if wc 
 do not finde it out, God will : and if wefpare our hearts,God 
 will not /pare us. Well we may delude our owne loules,but 
 God is not mocked : outward ferving of him may make the 
 Minifler think us upright,& caufe our neighbours to efteeme 
 us good Chriftians : but except God approve of our hearts, 
 
 we. 
 
of the Lords Supper] ill 
 
 we are never the better, for the good opinion that men con- 
 ceive of us. 
 
 a This is for the exceeding eomfott of fueh as are true-hear- 
 ted, and that in a double ref peel : 
 
 i In. regard of that approbation which the Lord will give Vfei* 
 us,if he be a witneffe of our fincerity and feichruineflc. If wee Confolation, 
 come to the Sermon in obedience to Gods ordinance, with a in ™§ arf ! °* , 
 defire to get grace thereby:if we come to the Sacrament,that ^enc! "^ 2 *" 
 we may have communion with our head Chrilt Iefus, & that 
 the new Teftament or Covenant of God, may befealed and 
 confirmed unto us • if we fee our wea.kenefle,and labour to get 
 ftrength againft it; if we bewaile our corruption, and drive 
 togetviclory overit: -if wee perceive the imbeciltie of our 
 faith 3 and would have it increafed: or want of repentance,and 
 would have it renewed ij&r defecT of love, . and would have it 
 augmented, and fo come to Gods holy feaft with an hungry 
 appetite; we may comfortably partake of his heavenly myftc- 
 ries;& whatfoever we imagine of our felves,God wil reward 
 us according tcthat integrity which he feethin us. Well was 
 it for Nathaniel that his heart was known unto -Chrifr, for o- 
 therwifehehadloflthepraifeof his uprightneffe. And£bis 
 it with many Chriftians: if one ihouid demand of them whe- 
 ther they had faithfull hearts or not, the anlwere of many 
 would be, I hope well; but. in truth I dare not fay fo much- 
 and therefore this is not theleaft part of their happmefle,that 
 God dikrerneth the truth of their hearts better than they 
 'themfelves-doe: and whereas, there is fome deceitfulnefie in 
 the moft fincereand plaine heart that is,if there be any endea- 
 vour to fhakeitoffjthe. Lord will certainely pardon and re- 
 move the fame. 
 
 2 Secondly, here is matter of confolation tothofethatare ipf flunk; 
 found hearted,in regard of the clamors and flanders that are 
 raifed againft them : they are dually charged to be all hypo- 
 crites, troublers of the places where they live, and fuch as al- 
 together f erve their owne turns,in that profeffion of religion 
 \v hich they makemere is their comfort, ? the Lord kno weth ^* 
 
 their hearts ;and he will cleere the innocent, and make their 
 righteoufneffe fhine forth as the noone day : as hee will /udge 
 
 ' • ' '" and 
 
4 a 1 The eighth Sermon 
 
 and condemne nil hypocrites, fo will he manifefl the faithful- 
 neffe of hisovvne fervants; and this was lobs comfort when 
 - his friends counted him a duTetnbler : My witnefe is in the 
 heavens (faith he) and my record is on high, 
 
 Laboumotfor the meat that perij&eth >but for the meat that, 
 &c qd. You cannot doe both together, you cannot feeke the 
 things of this life, and the things that pertaine to a better life 
 both at once: whence this doctrine arifeth,that 
 V/e £ A man cannot be both a worldling and a Chriftian, rhefe 
 
 Amaa cannot two are oppofed andfet oneagainil the other, as things that 
 !Td *c!rft£ § rannot ft an d together: one cannot labour for t^^^ 
 *" t a r l " things, that is, let his whole delire upon them, and bend his 
 whole indevour for the obtaining of them ;and withall labour 
 for better matters, and religioufly and unfainedly feeke after 
 them. He that purlueth after earthly things,caunbt follow af- 
 ter heavenly things: and he that folio weth after heavenly 
 things, will not purfue afer earthly things. Not but that one 
 may be truly religious,and yet enjoy the commodities ©f this 
 life.-but he cannot fet his heart upon them, arid upon matters 
 ofgodline(Te:alfo no man can be earthly minded and fpiritual- 
 ly arTecled at one and the fame time:nor feeke that happinefle 
 which is aboue,& that which is beneath at oncetin which re- 
 gard the holyGhoft maketh an oppofition betwixt them,(ay- 
 l Ioha«l 5i I& in°;Love not the ivorldyneither the things that are in the world: 
 if any wan love the world, the love of the Father is not in him ; 
 Whence it is evident that a mans affection cannot be raftened 
 both on the world and on God. He may ufe the world, and 
 yet lo^e God:bnthe cannot love the world,but it wil exclude 
 the love of God : hee that maketh it his felicity to enjoy the 
 things of this \ik,the love of the Fat her is not in him; neither 
 doth he love the Father,nor apprehend the "Fathers love unto 
 him. But what are thofe things or the world which we mufl 
 not love?he telleth us in the ver. following;^ la ft oftheflefi, 
 theluft of the eyes,& thefride of life. Where by the luft of the 
 flefh^ve all kind of concupifcences meant,as in eating & drjn- 
 king,andfuehlikefenfn3litie. 2 By the luft of the eyes y are 
 meant all fueh things as content the ey es 3 as fair honfes,good- 
 iypaftures, great (lore of cattell, gorgeous furniture, &c. 
 
 3 By 
 
ef the Lords Supper. 223 
 
 f 3 By the pride of life is meant an ambitions defire of advance- 
 ment & dignity,or to become great me in the world any way, 
 either in place or eftimation, for any fpeciall parts or endow- 
 ments. All the things of the world may bedra wn unto one of 
 thefe three heads ;ofpieafurc,profit,or credit. And concerning 
 al thefche faitb,that they are not oftbeFatherrhoneb delights, 
 wealth,& preferment are from the Father ,but the love of thefe 
 isfnotfrom the Father,but from the world: & therfore who- 
 foever inordinately arrecleth the\is a worldling,riot a Chrifti- 
 an.Tberforetbe Apoftleexhortcththe Coloffiansjfyeberifen C ^«?« T ^ 
 with Cbriftjieek tbofe things which are ab ove, and fet your affe- 
 hlions on things which are above: & not on things which arebe^ 
 xeath,imp\ying that they could not doe both. Jt is as poffible 
 for a man to rife & fall,to clime upward, & t© defcend down- 
 ward at the fame inftant,as to be godly & worldly, to afcend 
 to heaven-wards,and to grovel to the earth- wards^they can- 
 not be verified of the fame perfon,at one and the fame time; 
 
 The reafon is taken from that of our Saviours : No man can Reafons* 
 ferve two mafters ;for being of contrary difpofitions and afFe-MauM,' 
 dions,as God & the world,or rather the Prince of the world 
 are,eithet of them would be whole Mafter,and requireth the 
 whole man. Doth voluptuoufneffe take place in the heart ? it 
 wil not indure any matters of religio to be thought of ^or fpo- 
 ken of^but that muft have the ordering of the cogitations of 
 the minde,and of the fpeeches of the mouth, & of the a&ions 
 ©f the body. Doth worldlineffe or haughtineffe beare Tway ? 
 then will they extinguifh all the fparks of goodneffe that are 
 in a man,& quite put out the light of religion, carrying all the 
 meditations and praftifes of the party towards the obtaining 
 of that which is aymed at. On the contrary, if religion once 
 get the better,& begin to rule in the heart,it will root cut Cm, 
 & make thofe that were Sathas bondflaves before,to become 
 Gods free men:it will by degrees kill luft, and covetoufnefTe, 
 and pride: grace will be (HI increafing, and corruption de* 
 creating, fo that they can never agree together, no more than 
 can fire and water. 
 
 Which is for the confutation & overthrow of that dange* yf e j I 
 rous errour that is in the moft part of men^that take it to be a 
 
 £ota~ - 
 
224 The eighth Sermon 
 
 notable point of wifedome to joyne thefe togethcr,tobe rou- 
 ters in the earth, and yet profeiTors of the Gofpell: ib orde- 
 ring the-matter that they will neither bee fo apparantly pro- 
 phage as others that notorioufly pradiie impiety and wicked- 
 nefle;neither be fo ltricl: as others that exercite (bund morti- 
 fication and holinefle. And herein they glory, that they can 
 carry the credit both of husbands for the world, and of wife- 
 dealers for their foules: that they canen/oy aprefent happi- 
 neflfein this life beyond the beft, and yet live in hope of ble£ 
 iednefiein the life to come as well as thebeu\and therein they 
 applaud their ownewifedome,and have thetnfeivesinadmi- 
 ration,and for want or this they cenfurc their bettets of folly, 
 and have them in derifion. But of all filly men thefe are the 
 fillieftthat think they can ferve both God and Mammon, the 
 Lord and the world. Chrift had not found out the depth of 
 that wifedome; hee profefleth that his Kingdome was not of 
 this world,and biddeth us labour for the food that indnreth to 
 eternallhfeyand not for that which peri/heth. And therfbre how- 
 foever thefe vaine men blefie themfelves in the high eftiraati- 
 on of their great policy, yet they doe very palpably bewray 
 their groffe ignorance and fimplicity, as all fhall doe that will 
 try conclulions contrary to Chrifts conclusions ; whatsoever 
 they dreame of,in feeking for both, they lofe both, they have 
 neither found comfort in God, nor true contentment in the 
 world. 
 
 Yet how generall is this errour amongft the i onnes of men ?, 
 they make fome reckoning that there is a God, and therefore 
 they willnow-and then hearea Sermon,(it at it^nd fpeake o£ 
 it,butaever mafceufe of.any thing that croffeth them in their; 
 pleafures or profits (: they will make a fhew of keeping the 
 Sabbath,by frequenting the publike exercifes of religion; but 
 when they are over,they betake them to their (ports and re- 
 creations :But what will be the iffue of thefe things ? Our Sa- 
 viour tellethus in the Gofpehfor when men fhalfay unto him, 
 Zord,Lord 9 and bragge of the workes they have done in his 
 Matln7.12.13* name,he Wllprofeffe unto them J never knew y oh y (ox acknow- 
 ledged you for mine,departfro me ye that wcrkJniquity.Thcr- 
 foreitftandeuhnien vpon to have regard hereunto, that they 
 
 deceive 
 
of the Lords Supper* ■ a 15 
 
 deceive Hot themfelves, in thinking to haue fellow (hip with 
 God & ^//rf/together: the Apoftle Paul tdkth fuch perfons 
 of their end'.Many there are( faith he)whofe God is their be&y t 
 and whofe glory is their fbamejwhichminde earthly things, They 
 wereprofefTours,and would make fhewes of religion, for elle 
 the Apoftle would not have taken the matter fo to heart: but 
 they tooke carnall courfes -they were addicted to their bellies, 
 and fought preferment in the world,and minded thofe things 
 thatarehere below; but their glory was their fhame, & their 
 pleafure their perditiomand whereas'they pleafed themfelves 
 in their wifedome,the Apoftle could not fpeake of them, but 
 he muft weepefor themiO/^Wzflaith he) J told yon before, 
 find now telly oh weeping, &c m 
 
 2 Seeing that we cannot fet our affections both on carnall yr e ^ 
 things, and on fpirituall, let us re/eft the worft, and imbrace 
 thebefhletus leave the things that are momentany, and lay 
 faft hold on the things that are eternall, and that we may be 
 perfwaded hereunto the rather, let us weigh with our (elves 
 what our Saviour here faith of this t empo rail food \Hecalleth 
 it meat that doth per i/h. And. the like may be faid of all other 
 things : Labour not for the wealth that periflieth. When 
 wehavegottenallrhatmaybe gotten, what is it ? it is but a 
 corruptible treafure, that is quickly gone : Hee thatgetteth icr. 17. u, 
 riches y & not by right,Jhall leave them in the midfl of his dates, 
 and at his endfbalbe afoole.When men have heaped up all the 
 Wealth that poffibly they can,it is but as a great heap of mow, 
 let the Sunne of Gods difplealure arife upon it, and it pre- 
 fently melteth and vaniflieth : but fuppo(e riches doe conti- 
 nue with us, there is fuch corruption in our hearts, that they 
 are rather likely to poyfon and infect us, than anyway to 
 further us in the eourfe of godlinefle : therefore are they cal- 
 led wicked Mammon. We doe account him a (illy man, that 
 will accept of money, or meate, or garments, that are ftfpe- 
 cted to be infectious, in that they come from fuch as have 
 had the plague-forerunning upon them : and yet certainely 
 thefe things cannot be in any degree fo dagerous as riches are 
 unto thofe that lay open their hearts as it were to entertaine 
 the love of thenr.the former do but indanger this prefent life: 
 
 Q^ the 
 
%26 The elgth Sermon 
 
 the latter do undoubtedly (without repentance)deprive men 
 of everlafting hfe:and therfore exceeding great is their mad- 
 nefle that will fo eagerly purfue after fuch vanities, efpecially 
 feeing by reafon of the uncertainty of their life, they have not 
 any affurance to enjoy them,no not one houre;wheras Grace 
 (as after fhali be {hewed; is an incomparable & an incorrupt 
 tibie jewell, which they mnft needs forgoe while they fo gree- 
 dily hunt after thefe trifles of the world. But that there be no . 
 iniftaking of that which hath beene fpoken, we muft under- 
 ftand that the purpofeofit hath not beene to withdraw any 
 from labouring in his calling^and providing for himfelfe and 
 his family :but onely to perfwade men in all their labours to 
 ferve God,& in feeking earthly things, to propofe unto them- - 
 folves an heavenly end^that in following the world,they may 
 not forfake God^and in getting the things that are fading and 
 perifhabie,they doe not lofe the thing that are permanent 
 andeternall. 
 
 But for the meat that indureth to everlafiinglife. 
 We heard what we muft not labour for .-now Ghrift fhew- 
 eth what we muft labour for,to wit.grace & the means there* 
 '2)o8. 4I of; whence the do&rine is, that 
 
 They arc the They are moft provident for themfelves, whofe greateft 
 beft husbands labour is for grace. 
 
 that labour Therefore Teeing it cannot be attained unto without dill- 
 "oiwr r 4 grW ' gence,Chrifts counfell is to ufe all carefnll indeavour to get it: 
 So likewife Salomon advifeth us to feeke for undetflanding as 
 forfilver y andtofearch for it as for treafures. So that it is Gods 
 ordinance that men fhould labour for it,if they woul dhave it. 
 Earthly things will not be had but by labour and toyle, much 
 leffe thefe things which are of greater value. And whereas . 
 men may fet others a work for the obtaining of outward mat- 
 ters^hey themfelvesmaybeathome in their houfes, and o- 
 thers labouring for them abroad ;it is other wife in the matters 
 of Grace.a man muft travel! for it in his own perfon,if ever he 
 intend to getif.he himfelfemuft rjray,heare the Word^under- 
 ftand it,apply it,and make ufe ©fit: the greateft Monarch in 
 the world muft perform e thefe and the like duties, and not 
 bid his fevants^Qe thefe things for him. And to incoorage us 
 
 the 
 
* 'of the. Lords Suf per, $2jr 
 
 the rather to fet upon this worke, the Lord hath promifed us Reafinil 
 certain fuccefle 3 as in that former place of the Proverbs: If thou ***<>• iu' 
 feekeft her as fiver ,&c. thenftalt thou finde the knowledge of 
 God. Others may take a great deale of paines,& yet not fpeed 
 welhthey may rife early, & go to bed Iate,and eat the bread of 
 carefulnefle, hoping to be rich, and yet be ftill poore ; men 
 may iabonr to be applauded of all, and yet be derided of all; 
 feeke to have all crouch unto them, and yet have ail to lift up 
 therafclvesagainftthem;ftudy and beat their heads how to 
 live a pleafant life,and yet none be more vexed and tormented 
 than they:but thofe thatfpend their pains infeeking of grace, 
 jfhali never lofe their labour, nor miflfe of their marke, butal- 
 waies obtaine that which they doe defire;& when once they 
 have pofleflion of it,it will abide with them; they cannot lofe 
 it though they would ; it is fo durable and permanent, that it 
 will never decay, and fo united and ingrafted into the nature 
 of the parties,that it can by no poffible means be wholy taken 
 away, nay nor caft away. And therefore as in other things,fo 
 in this,the continuance of it addeth greatly unto the worth of 
 it . To have a Leafe is better than to be Tenant at will : a fee- 
 fimple is more defirable then a leafe^no w grace is a perpetuall t Pe^S 
 inheritance that farre furpaffeth all that the world can afford. 
 A manrauft leave his earthly inheritance and abundance, hec ^wty 
 knowethnot how foone, neither can his great Jubilance de- 
 fcend into the grave with him, neither can he fo make it over 
 unto his feed,but that they may be defrauded of it:but the hea- 
 venly treafure is ours whiles welive,& when we dye 9 dc after 
 death, yea at,and after the refurre&ion for evermore. And as 
 the perpetuity, fo alio the excellency of this in it own nature 
 {hould be a forcible motive unto us,and fet an edge upon out 
 affections to purfue after it continually. For whereas other 
 things are dangerous and hurtfull, this is alwaies profitable 8c 
 helpfull;it maketh us bleffed in thisprefent life, and in the life 
 to come;it bringeth with it the cofort of the fpirit, the feeling 
 of Gods love & fauour,and the comfortable ufe of all outward 
 good things .We are not likely,at leaft notcertain,to continue 
 here many daies, & what an unfpeakeable comfort then is it 
 to be afiured that when we go from men,we (hall go to God , 
 
 Q a and 
 
2 2 g 7&* «f/>* Sermon n 
 
 and when we leave the earth,we (hall inherit heaven,that we 
 {hall have peace at our death,and glory after our death > if the 
 peftilence enter into our houfes,or take hold of our o wne pcr- 
 fons, when none dare com unto us, then G<>i will bee with 
 us : though our bodies be infecled, yet our foules can never be 
 fo infe<fted,in we have grace in our harts,but that God dareth 
 to enter into our houfes to vifitus; and when our foules fhall 
 be parted from our bodies, he will not thinke it too much to 
 give them a place of reft with himfelfe in his own kingdome, 
 and at length to unite them to our bodies againe, that they 
 may enjoy everiafting blifle together, as they have beeneim* 
 ployed in Gods fervice together. 
 
 Vfe i J Seeing then, that the benefit of labouring, for grace, is fo 
 
 great,this lerveth to reprove thofe that are {leathfiill in the 
 things of God: llothfull in repairing to the word>& in ming- 
 ling the fame with faith in their hearts : flothfull in travelling 
 with their o wne foules, in examining their hearts,and laying 
 the edge of Gods threatnings to their corruptions/or the cut- 
 ting offof thefame.Thefe men thinke that grace will grow as 
 weeds doe, without any plowing; manuring or lowing of the 
 ground: though they never pray earneftly,nor heare carefully, 
 norbeatanypainesforthe reforming of their hearts, or of 
 their lives,yet they thinke they ihall have good nefle enough 
 by an ordinary courfe, and conclude that heaven fhalLbecaft 
 upon them whether they wii or not:as if God could not chufe 
 but fave their foules. But thefe foolifh men doe altogether de- 
 ceive themfelves,& they fhall find by wofull experience, that 
 except they fet their minds,& hearts,and tongues,and hands, 
 and all the powers and parts offbule and body on work, they 
 {hall never attaine unto any godlineffe at all,and therefore of 
 neeetfity be deprived of everiafting life. 
 
 Objection. But we like of the Word,and love the preaching and Prea- 
 chers thereof. But what meafiire of faith and of other graces 
 of Gods (pirit have you gotten thereby ? if you be deftitute of 
 thofe, it is fure you have not laboured as you fhould for the 
 
 r Avfoer % farneifor whofoever (eekethfindethJTzMn^ of gold and filver, 
 and the like,& declaring to others how much we afted: them, 
 wilnotfceep usfrompenury: we muftfo labour for thexn, as 
 i "' that. 
 
of the Lords Supper] 129 
 
 that we get them, if we would be rich men. A fluggard may 
 defire to get the vi6tory,but he muft right for it that will have 
 it : and the like holds in fpirituall things , thofe that would be 
 partakers of them, muft ufe the meanes that God hath appoin- 
 ted for die accompli fhing of- their defire. 
 
 And therefore this rebuke lights upon the heads of all fuch 
 fluggards , as will not beftirre them in this weighty matter, 
 nor labour in the field of grace, nay when the crop of grace is 
 brought home unto their houfes, they will not open their 
 doores to receive it : they will not fo much as give attention jg 
 
 to the word, but are like the high- way fide , that doth not fo 
 much as receive the feed that is caftupon it, but let the devill 
 catch it away all from them . 
 
 Secondly, this may be an Apology for thofe that are faith- yr el ^ 
 full and painfull, in feeking for the Word : if it be a thing fo - 
 
 exceeding neceftary, then are not they to be blamed, that are 
 content to undergo any toyle for the obtaining of it :• it is no 
 precifenes nor needles labours :ncither are fuch to bechecked 
 and reprehended,but rather to be commended & encouraged: 
 for this is it that is foretold in D aniel: Many Jh all runne to and Dan.11.4; 
 fi-O) and knowledge fhall abound. If men have a dangerous fick- 
 nefle^they (ecke helpe from the Phyfitian though farre off, and 
 none findes fault with them, nor makes queftion, why they 
 fhould feeke to be healed. If houfe-holders want proviiion at 
 home,they will repaire to the Market, and none cries out up- 
 on them , What wretched men are thefe that cannot keepe 
 them from the Market? have they not oxen & fheepathomc? 
 yet though they have,men are fo wife as to confider that they 
 are not made ready for their turne. Now if they are not bla- 
 med,nor indeed blame-worthy, that do thusleeke for corpo- Sce . - s , 
 rallPhyficke, and food , then why fhould they be blamed by reon 0n a ' CC! 
 Papifts, and fuch as are Popifhly affected , thatfeeke for that Mark i 4 . 
 which is (pirituaUt being farre more requifite and neceffary ? Doll. 6. 
 
 Which the Sonne ofmanJhaU <rive 9 &C. Dell. 
 
 1 he efficacie of the Word and Sacrament, is from Chrifts Doll. 5 . 
 own hand. Whofoever would have grace,muft receive it fro Th« efficacie 
 Chrift himfelf: hence is that promife made unto the Ifraelltes: <*f* Word . 
 The Lord thy God will circumcife thy heartland the heart of thy ^ chrST^' 
 
 feed 
 
23P The eight Sermon 
 
 feed that ihoH Mdift love the Lord thy God,with all thine he Art, 
 ma with all thy foule^that thou may eft live. They to whom it 
 did belong to circumcife their bodies,could go nofafther than 
 the outward circumcifion: it was God only that could cut oft' 
 the corruption of their hearts,& frame them unto obedience: 
 and that which is ipoken concerning that one Sacrament,hol- 
 dethus true in all the reft : man can give onely the externall 
 Reafons, fignes,God muft give the inward vertue.Andthe reafons why 
 i it pertaines unto Chrift, and is a work of the Godhead onely, . 
 
 are divers, Firft, one is taken out of the Text,where it is /aids 
 Him hath the Father fealed : it is Chrift his office unto which 
 the Father hath ordained him : he alone hath commiifion and 
 warrant to deale in it: and whofoever elfe doth arrogate that - 
 unto himfelfe,is an intruder, and fhall be punifhedjfor that he 
 goeth about to thruft Chrift out of his chaire. 
 § Secondly,as it belongs to him,fo he alone is of ability to do 
 
 it : none befides him can deale with the heart , wherein this 
 worke doth principally confift.He onely knowes it, and he a« 
 lone can cure it:as the firft Adam did kill us,fo the fecond *A~ 
 s Cwj 5,45. d* m mn & c l u ^ c ^ en us • N° man can give naturali life unto ano- 
 ther, no not that which brutifh creatures do en;oy , nay nop 
 fo much as that which plants do live by \ much lefle can any 
 one give Ipirituall life unto another. Paul may plant,and A~ 
 polios may water, but God alone giveth the increase. 
 3 Thirdly ^experience will confirme us in this point: for who 
 
 be the men upon whom the Ordinances of God are ufuaJly 
 moft erTecluall ? even the moft unlikely of all other in the eye 
 of reafon,many of them having bin very filly & of marvellous 
 weak and flender capacity sothers violently carried with fun* . 
 dry grievous and ftrong corruptions, of anger, pride, raging 
 luft, and the like. And herein doth the power of God more 
 clearly manifeft it felf in overthrowing the ftrong holds of the . 
 deviu\&c.Our Saviour magnifieth Goes namejaying,//^^ 
 y. thee Father ^Lord of heaven and earth, 'that thou haft hid thefc 
 
 j Cor.f ,o \ r thing* fi om *he T*tf e and prudent, andrevealed them unto babes; 
 3i, And when the Apoftle hadfpoken of many notorious and 
 
 abhominable (inners,as fornicators 3 Idolaters,adulterers,bug- 
 gerers, &c. he addeth , Andfuch -werefome of ye, but you are 
 
 wafhed 7 
 
of the Ltrds Stiff erl 2 j I 
 
 Yfdfhed > but ye arefan&ified, &c.If we might make the choice 
 
 of thole that fliould be converted , we fhould have good na- 
 
 tured civill men, and wife and politicke men, and noble and 
 
 great men to fill up the number, that God might that way be 
 
 more honoured, and religion countenanced : but God in his 
 
 wifedome taketh another courfe that maketh more for his 
 
 glory : he chufeth the worft to make them bed: and not many x c r,f,2&z7, 
 
 wife, nor many noble are called. 
 
 But Cjodhath cbofenthefoolijb things of the world to con- 
 fiundihe wife ^and the wea^e things of the "world, to confound the 
 mighty ,&c. that the whole worke, and the glory thereof may 
 be attributed to him alone. 
 
 This fhould inftruft us to go out of our fel ves,and to looke yf c 1 1 
 beyond fenfeand reafon , when we are to meddle with the 
 things of God .• not to thinke we are of capacitie fiifficient to 
 conceive the myfteries of faivation, but to call upon the Lord 
 for afliftance. 
 
 Neither let us reft upon the ad done in hearing of the 
 Word, or receiving the Sacrament , as if thereby grace muft 
 needs be conveyed unto us:for wemay partake of thofe ordi- 
 nances of God to our greater ruine , as Judas and Simon Ma- 
 gus Aid. 
 
 Further, let us be admonifhed hence not to depend upon > 
 the excellency of theMinifler ; for it is God, not man that gi- 
 veth working to his ordinances. God indeed may heare their 
 prayers, but he himleife doth the whole worke. Mofes was a l Como. ;< 
 rare Minifter , yet he could not give grace unto the Jfraelites, 
 but many of them peiifhed that received the Sacrament. John 
 Baptisl'Mo was a rare Minifter, yet he could onely baptize 
 with water t Chrift muft baptize with the holy Ghoft , and 
 with fire. 
 
 On the other fide,doth the vertue of the ordinances depend ■* 
 on God? then let us not bedifcouraged in regard of the weak- 
 nefle of the Minifter , of the outward meanes : for though 
 neither the party adminiftring,nor the things adminiftred can 
 breake our hearts, and worke grace therein, yet the Lord can 
 and will do it : therefore let us not thinke the worfe of that 
 precious^well.bccaufe it is brought by a (imple meffenger,& 
 
 Q^t in 
 
' 2 3 z The eight Sermon 
 
 in a plaine boxe, as it were : neither let us lightly efteerne of 
 pure gold,becaufe it is carried in a ieatherne bagge, but let U3 
 value the gift according to the worth of it, and according to 
 the dignity of the giver. 
 
 If men fhould judge according to corrupt reafon,,they 
 would never thinke that a poore man by fpeaking unto them, 
 L y powring a little water upon them , and by giving them a 
 little quantitie of Bread and Wine, fliould make them kings 
 and fellow-heires with Chrift Iefus for ever:butif in this gift - 
 we looke unto the Sonne of man, whom God, the Father hath 
 fea/ed and ordained for that purpofe* andcaft the eye of out 
 faith upon the promifes that are made through him , and the 
 all-furhcient power that is in hinwe dial eafily conceive that 
 all this may be well effected: for he isa rich fountaine ,0fwhoj3 
 fu/nejfe -we attrecei'&e> t What though our capacitie be flender? 
 Gods word giveth wifedome to the fimple. What though our 
 £f! . hearts be hard? God is able and ready to fof ten them. What 
 'te&^p .is. though we have played the hypocrites ?fo had theXe hereunto 
 whom our Saviour dire&eth this exhortation.They pretended 
 to feeke for the bread of life, when their comming was onely 
 to have their bellies filled : yet Chrift doth not caft them off, 
 but biddeth them labour for the food that endureth to eternaU 
 l*fe:znd then promifeth to give them eternali life. And ( o will 
 he deale with ns,albeit we have beene diflemblersryet if now 
 we returne from our hollo wneffe to foundneffe, and from one 
 bypocrifie to plainnefle, we fhall be fure of a bleffing. 
 
 This is further for the great confolation of all Gods faithfull 
 fervants. h the vertue and crTecluall working of the Word 
 and Sacrament, the gift of Chrift by the appointment of the 
 father, through the grace of the holy Ghoft ? then certainly 
 they are highly in Gods favour on whom this is beftowed. If 
 once we have any teftimony of grace , the Lord hath greatly 
 magnified his love towards us; according to that fpeech utte- 
 red by Wifedome s own mouth ; Blejjedu the man that findetfa 
 me, he (hall receive life and favour from the Lord : and there-^ 
 fore (as Chrift telleth the woman of Samaria) if we knew; 
 who it is that offereth iuch mercy.and what the gift of God is 5 
 we would efteemeirmore highly ,andfeeJke it mor«|Barneftiy 
 
 than 
 
 Vf*y 
 
efthe Lords' Supper. £33 
 
 than ordinarily we do. The Mama that they had in the wil« 
 dernefle was counted excellent food,and they extraordinary 
 ly graced and favoured that did eate thereof ; becaufe Angels 
 were the Minifters of it : how excellent then is this heavenly 
 Manna, which is by Chriftsowne hand conveyed unto 
 us : and made effe&uali for our good and comfort? ' 
 Surely we can never be joyfall and thank- 
 full enough for this ineftimable 
 treafure, * 
 
 THE 
 
GBKasaBfleNg 
 
 T* H r 
 
 NINTH SERMON. 
 
 Verfe 1 8, 
 
 yer/el?, 
 
 Mar. 14. 18,10,20,21. 
 
 1 8 And as they fat at tableland did eat y fe fas J aid, Verily I fay 
 Unto you jhat one of you Jhall betray me, which eateth with me, 
 
 1 9 Then they began to beforrowfull ; and to fay to hint, one 
 by one y fs it I? and another ', Is it I ? 
 
 20 tyfndhe anfwered,and f aid unto them , It is one of the 
 twelve that dippeth with me in the platter. 
 
 2 1 Truly the Sonne ofmangoeth his way, as it is written of 
 himjbut woe be to that man by whom the Sonne of man is betrai* 
 ed : it had beene good for that man if he had never beene borne m 
 
 >His Hiftory containeth in it efpeciaily & prin- 
 cipally the Inftitution of the Lords Supper: 
 wherin two things are chiefly to be obferved: 
 1 . A conference that was before it, 
 
 contained in thefe foure verfes. 
 ,. The manner and celebration of ft, 
 contained in the three next verfes. 
 f Firft,for the conference ,it was betweene our Saviour and 
 his difciptes,at the eating of the Pajfeover, before the in- 
 ftitution of the other Sacrament; wherein 1 . Chrift Ieftis 
 doth dif cover unto them the praclife and treafon that was 
 confpired again ft him ; Iefus faid , Verily I fay unto you, 
 that one of you /ball betray w^&c.that is, fhal treacherouf- 
 ly deliver me into the hands of the high Priefts. 
 
 2 . They make anfwer : where the affeclion wherewith 
 the eleven delivered the fame, is exprefled : Then they be- 
 gan to beforrowfull, and to fay to him, one by one^Is it I? and 
 {another^ Is it I ? 
 
 SorrowfuH they were, becaufe their Mafter had told them 
 that he (hold be betraied ftnto the hands of (inn^s,& that one 
 
 of 
 
of the Lords Suffer* 23 5 
 
 of them fhould do it, and every one was doubtfuil & diftruft- 
 full of himfelfe,and therefore partly that they might be better 
 acquainted with their owne hearts , to the intent that if they 
 were offuch an ill difpofition,they might be helped againft it; 
 partly that each of them might have comfort that he was not 
 " the man : and- partly that they might be cleared every one off 
 them before his fello ws.they aske our Saviour, faying, // it H 
 Judas indeed propofeth the fame queftion , but not with the 
 like affecl:ion,nor to the likeufe and purpofebut onely that he 
 might thereby cloake his unfaithfull and ungodly plots anc! 
 pradifes againft his Mafter, having before this compounded 
 with the high Priefts for the betraying of him . 
 
 Next is let do wne the reply of our Saviour upon this their 
 anfwer : wherein he declareth, 
 
 S 1 The grievouf neffe of the treaibn. 
 C 2 The miferable eftate of the treatour. 
 JFirft,the grievoufnefTe of the treaf on is fet forth, Verfe 2 o; 
 in "that it was contrived by (one of the twelve,) one whom 
 ChrifthadcholentobeanApoftle, and principal! Ambafla- 
 dour ujito himfelfe : one that was fo familiar with him,as that 
 he did fit at his owne Table,eate ofhis owne mefle,yea in his 
 ownedifh : It u one of the twelve (faith Chrift) that dippeth 
 with me in the p fatter. 
 
 Secondly, the wretched condition of the traitour is decla- 
 red, Fer.21 . (Truly the Sonne ofmangoeth % &c7\ Where the 
 Lord Chrift lefts preventeth fome objections that might arife 
 in their hearts: for thus they might reafbn in themfelves. Do 
 you know offuch a treafon? and who it is that goes about it? 
 W hy then will you yeeld your felfe into his hands ? were it 
 not good wifedome to prevent it,and to ufe means to efcape? 
 No (faith our Saviour):hat may not be (The Sonne of mango- y er fc a j 1 
 eth his way ^as it it written of him) I cannot,I muft not avoid it y 
 nor decline from it: for the Lord hath appointed it, yea mani- 
 fefted it in his word, which cannot be verified,unlefTethis be - 
 fulfilled: therfore feeing the Lord in his wifedome hath made 
 this to be my way,I will be content to walke in it. Vpon this 
 they might reply againc: If the Sonne of man go away, as it is 
 written of him , then he that doth betray him efleCteth no 
 
 more 
 
Mattb«i6.2i, 
 
 r 2 r6 The ninth Sermon 
 
 more than that which the word of God hath foretold of him s 
 which may feeme to be no fault, and therefore to deferve no 
 punifhment. Yes (faith ChriftJ Woe to that man by whom the 
 Sonne of man is betray cd^c It was pre-ordained indeed,but 
 that doth not leflen the fault, neither fhall it diminifli the pu- 
 nifhment of him that is the tray tour : but veoe unto him, it had 
 beene good for that man he had never beene borne , whatfoever 
 matters of prefent contentment he may feeme to enjoy. 
 
 Do%,H Ve r 1 e 1 8 . And as thejfate at table, and did eate, fefusfaid^ 
 
 Chritt knew V-erily I fay pinto y oh , &c. 
 
 before what The Lord Iefus Chrift was well acquainted beforehand 
 he fhould w j t h a ^ t ^ e paeons which he was to indure , and all the oc- 
 currents that fhould befall him : as may plainly be i eene in this 
 place, and elfewhere, in that he foretelieth his difciples by 
 whofe means he fhould dye,and after what manner he fhouid 
 die,with all other circumflances. As one Evangelifl teflifieth, 
 faying, From that time forth fj-ef us began to Jbetv unto his difci* 
 pies, that he ma ft go to ferufalem y andfuffer many things of the 
 Elders >and of the high Triefts, and Scribes, and be flaine^and 
 rife againe the third day . And as another witnefTeth, relating 
 Ioh.3.i4« our Saviour his owne words; tAs Mofes lift up the Serpent in 
 
 the ypildernejje, fo muflthe Sonne of man be lift up, 
 Rcafon. Firft, becaufehe Was God from everlafling, and fo knew 
 
 I all Jhis hand difpoffng of every particular thing that in the f iil- 
 Aas4»*s. neffe of time came topaffe, being pre-ordained by his owne 
 wifedome and counfell . 
 z Secondly, he as Mediator muft of neceflltie under (land of 
 
 all things before :becaufe he compounded with his Father for 
 our redemption, not rafhly without fore-knowledge of that 
 which he fhould performe,but advifedly,agreeing how much 
 he fhould endure, and what he fhould pay ; even fo much as 
 fliould fatisfie his Fathers /uftice,and appeafe his wrath. 
 9 Thirdly , the Scripture foretold what he was to undergo : 
 
 that one that was neere him fhould betray him, who was pre- 
 figured in the perfon of Achitophel ;thzt he (hould fufrer a very 
 grievous kind ofdeath,fuch as was long before defcribed,with 
 the particular circumflances that accompanied it, both in 
 
 Pfalme 
 
of th e Lords Sapper", 1 3 7 
 
 ffalme 21 .and ffaj 5 3 . befides fundry other places. Now he 
 was perfe<5lly acquainted with all the Scriptures,and the mea- 
 ning thereof,they being written by his own Spirit,and there- 
 fore it muft necefTarily folio w,that none of his fufrerings ther- 
 in prefigured and foretold,conld be hidden from him; and as 
 te forefaw what fhould befall his naturali body, fo hath hee a 
 continuallforefight ofthat which ihall befall his myfticall bo- 
 dy,that is,his people,and every one of them. 
 
 Thedo&rineferveth, fir ft for confolation againft all txl-Vfit. 
 bulations that man light upon us, & all perfections that may 
 be raifed againft us,either by bloudy Papifts, or other enemies 
 oftheGofpell. When we lee them exceeding malitious in 
 their plots, and threatnings, and pradlifes, intending and in- 
 devouring to overthrow al the lervants & fervices otGod, & 
 to raze them by the very foundations, and not to fufter one of 
 them to live,but(ifit werepofTibleJ to root out their names 
 from ander heaven -though, I fay, their rage bee marvellous 
 great,even as the rage of the Sea,yet need we not at all to bee 
 afraid ofthenr.fbr the Lord Chrift know eth all that ihall be- 
 fall ns,as he did all that fhould betide himfelfe : for the cafe of 
 his people is as much refpeded of him, as was the ftate of his 
 owne body,fince he tooke upon Him an humane nature, and 
 fufered both in foule & body for their redemption and happi- 
 nefle.Therefore is it that our adverfaries attempt many things 
 againft us,which never come to pafle fas it fared with Jeremy j crt Itj , Sa 
 in the times of old) becaufe God forefeeth them, anddifap- 
 pointeththem.. 
 
 But fuppofefome things doecometo'pafle according to 
 their hearts defire, the Lord knew of them before, and 
 therefore did not prevent them, becauie hee faw they could 
 not be rwrtfull unto us : Hee is a wife Father, that will have 
 his children to feele (bmewhat that may bee for their fmart 
 and paine, as knowing it will turne to their good at length, 
 but hee will ftay any thing that might procure their undo- 
 ing and overthrow, and therefore Chrift pronounceth ^{ at ^ 
 them happy and bleflfed that fufFer for his names fake, either 
 difgraces, or loffe of goods, or banifhment,or imprifbnment, 
 oxdeathitfelfe. As farre then as any of theft may hinder 
 
 one: 
 
• j5$ The ninth Sermon 
 
 our happinefle, we (hall be fure to be freed from them, fo that 
 we need not feare any of the things which we Jha&fufer : for {£ 
 Rev 1 1 we hefaithfitllmto the death ,we Jhall receive the crown cflife^ 
 
 yfci* Secondly, this ierves for terrour unto wicked men, in that 
 
 Gods remembrance is equall to his fore-knowledge : and 
 therfore if he can underftand long before what they {Kail do, 
 he can as well call to remembrance what they have done:and 
 . fithencehebathan eternail fore-fight ofwhatfhallcome to 
 paffe,he hath alfo an everlafting memory to keepe a memorial 
 of the things that arepra&ifed againft him & his, to fet them 
 in order before the offenders at the la ft day,and to inflicl pro- 
 portionable punifhment upon eyery one of them, according 
 to the fame. 
 
 Verf . I p .Then they began to be for row full, And to fay to Mm 
 one by one^ Is it J? &c. 
 DoftX. ^ ere we ^ ee tnat every one of the Difciples (except Iuda^y 
 
 Fcarc of finnc was niiftruftfall of himfelfe,and yet none of them proved to 
 prevent* fal- be the Tray tor .Whence we may learne,that 
 ling into finnc. They are likely to fall into leaft evill, who are moft fearhill 
 of failing into the fame. 
 
 They who are moft jealons of their o wne corruptions, are 
 beft fortified againft dangerous falles. Therefore is it (aid by 
 the wife man:Blejfedij he thatfcarethalwaiesibtit he that han~ 
 Pro, 2 8.14* deneth his hart ft all fall into mifchiefe. That was Hafaels cafe, 
 he fufpecled not himfelfe,and therfore when the Prophet told 
 him that he fhould be a cruell man, that hee fhould flay the 
 young men of Ifrael with the fword,and dafh their infants a- 
 gainft the ftones, and rend in pieces their women with child: 
 hefaid unto the Prophet, What ? Is thyfervant a- dog % that I 
 -iKing.s. » »• 1 3 Jboulddoe this great thing? As if he had faid,I were worfe than 
 a dogge 5 if I fhould ever fliew iuch humanity and fiercenefle, 
 and fuch beaftly violence, but the Prophets words fell out to 
 be true:he would not miftruft his owne heart, and therfore 
 heebecamefavageasa Wolfe, and fierce as a Lyon. The ex- 
 ample of David wil adde further light unto this point: for as 
 long as he was awed by Gods correcting hand,& fearing him- 
 felfe,kept a narrow watch over alhis waies,he ftood firme & 
 unmoveable againft all aflaults: but when hee grew feareieffe 
 
 and 
 
of the Lords Supper. 2gp 
 
 andcareiefTe,we know what a grievous & dangerous fall he 
 had. So Peter and the reft of the Apoftles as long as they were 
 afraid of themfelves fas concerning this matter of treaibn 
 they werejnone of them fell; but when he and the reft grew 
 confident of their owne ftrength, then they all plaid the co- 
 wards,efpecially/Vw that was moll refolute in an opinion of 
 himfelfe. For whereas he profeffed that whatfoever his Ma- 
 tter thought of him, he would never forfake him;Chrift muft 
 be content for once to be miftaken and deceived in him, hee 
 was another manner of man then'hee conceived hiirj to bee : 
 whereas(I fay)he was thus prefumptuoiisof his own courage 
 in holding out,he that boafted he would ftad it out even unto 
 death,was daunted with a word; and wheras hee thought if 
 the men of warre had come againft him with fwords, hee 
 /hould have defied them all,& ftucke unto his mafter :a poore 
 filly wench with the only breath of her lips, maketh him lye 
 and f weare, and forfweare his Saviour.So that from thefe ex- 
 amples it is evident,that when men are doubtful and diftruft- 
 foll of themfelves, then they fpeed well; but when they are 
 confident ofthemfelves,then they flip and Aide, & fall excee- 
 ding dangeroufly- And this may be yet further confirmed un- 
 to ns by reafons: for 
 
 Firft,he that isfearefull of himfelfe, hath God to bee his R €a r on 2 ■ 
 keeper,who pronouncceth him bleffed that fear eth alwaies&x p ro J, x ? / 
 this holy feare will ftirre men up to make many earneft and 
 fervent requefts unto the Lord for his ftrength and gracious 
 affiftance, which he never denyeth unto thofe that faithfully 
 crave it at his hands; and thence it comes to pafle, that how 
 weake f oe ver they be in themfelves, yet they grow ftrong in 
 him, and in the power of his might. 
 
 Secondly,as they have God to keep them,fo will they with E phe£«.». ' 
 all diligence keepe their owne hearts, and avoid all occaiions 2 . 
 and allurements unto eviil . As one that is afraid of the pefti- 
 lence, will be very carefull to avoid the infedion,and for that 
 •end carry wormewood,&c. in his hand, and take fomewhat 
 next his ftomackc, that may fence him again ft ft, if hee be to 
 walk abroad, taking heed what company he comes into, and 
 how hepaffeth through any ftreet, or by any dore where the 
 
 ficknefle 
 
2aq The ninth SeymSn 
 
 ficknefleishot : whereas on the contrary, he that thinketh 
 it not to beinfe&ious,cares not what company he converfeth 
 with, nor what places he commeth unto, but if he expedt. a 
 booty,will goe to their beds fide that are ficke of it,& receive 
 plague ftunv,or plaguie garments or the like. So is it for finne, 
 he that feeth the poyibn and infection of it, will efchew all 
 company, intifements, and occafions that may draw him into 
 it:but as'for thofe who fee not, or feare not the pronenefle of 
 their nature to fall into iniquity, nor the dangeroufnes therof ■ 
 when they are plunged in it, they are altogether negligent in 
 looking to their hearts,& to their behaviour,entertaining im- 
 pure lulls in their fouls,not caring whither they call: their eys, 
 nor what finfull objeds they meet withall for the poyfoning 
 and corrupting of their afteclions. Whence it oftentimes com- 
 meth to pafle, that they are very friamefully overtaken; for 
 when they waxe fo bold and ventrous, it is juft with God to 
 give them over unto themfelves,yea though they be hisowne 
 PW.jo.6.7. children. As he dealt with D avid whtnhis hart was liftedup, 
 2Sam.i.i,i, an d he preftimed that his mountaine was fo ftrong, that hee 
 fliould never be moved/when he gave himfelfe to his eafe,and 
 tooke liberty for his eye,as if there had not been in him an in- 
 clination to adultery,we reade what great finnes and miferies 
 he fel into:how much more then wil the Lords hand be upon 
 the ungodly ones of the world,that do altogether harden their 
 hearts from his feare, never efchewing the baits of finne, nor 
 the fnares wherein Sathan feeketh to take them, and to hold 
 them faft,unto their eternall damnation ? 
 Vfer\ Seeing it is fo,that as every one is more fearefull of falling, 
 
 ("provided that his feare be a godly feare, and doe not drive 
 him to defpaire, or to discouragement,) fo he is in lefle danger 
 of falling; therefore whatfoever finne the Scriptures tell us 
 that God doth abhor,and man is fubj ed: to fall into,we fliould 
 conclude,tbat we are likely to be overtaken with the fame, & 
 in that regard ftirre up our hearts to a holy feare andfufpition 
 of our owne weakenefle, intreating the Lord topreferveust 
 from them; yea though they be monftrous and fo unnaturalf 
 evils, fuch as are mentioned in the firft Chapter of the Epiftle 
 to the Romanes ,arid 2 Tm.*$ % z % let us be jealous of our felves, 
 
 left 
 
l>fthe Lords Sttpperl 14, % 
 
 left we fhould be drawneunto them.' 
 
 For reproofeofthem that are bold and venterous, to be in V/ei] 
 dangerous places with fufpeded perfons, they will warrant 
 you for ever being infnared; but let them know that none are 
 more likely to be overtaken by idolatry, adultery^ any fuch 
 foule finnes, than they are. 
 
 Verfe lO.ft it one of the twelve that dippeth, &c. 
 Dott. No bands orkindnefle can make wicked men faithful p n - 
 unto godly men. Nonaiurallor 
 
 That which is here related to have fallen out betweene civil! band will 
 Chrift and Iudas,wi)\ hold true betwixt all Chriftians and/»- hold where 
 das his fellowes^hat though they be never fo well dealt with, ™ ens hc ? r » 
 and never fo conrteoufly ufed, yet they will prove unfaithfully U 9 fiu l ^ ked 
 and requite evill for good,if it may be for their advantage. y HiWnuy, 
 Chrift Iefus(as we may obferve)had dealt marvellous friend- 
 ly with Judas :he had admitted him to his f ervice,to be dome- 
 fticalljto be one of his Apoftles (which was fo great an office 
 in the Church as never man had greater) to fit at his owne 
 Table, to eate of his owne mefife, at fo holy a banquet as was 
 the bleffed Sacrament,&c.yet stfter al this he moft lewdly and 
 bafely for a little money betrayeth & delivered] him into the 
 hands of his mortall adverfaries. This (as all muft needes ac- 
 knowledge} was exceeding great unfaithful nefie, and very 
 wretched dealingtyet none other than is dill to bee expe&ed 
 from men oiludas his fpirit and difjx>fition.Thisi)tfz/*Wcom- 
 plaineth of,and exclaimeth againft in Achitophe/^he figure of 
 fudas:Afy familiar fiiend(fahhhe) whom f trufted, which did pf a j .♦ 
 eat of my breadjtath lifted up the heele againft me.Yiz had high- 
 ly preferred Achitopheljxwkz him of his Councel,yea the prin- 
 cipal man of his counceljhe ufed him as his familiar fr*end,not 
 only in matters of ftate,bnt in matters of religion,&c. Yet for 
 all this,hefell from him in hope of greater promotion, joyned 
 with his rebellious fbn Abfalonfomjcx. to depofe him from his 
 kingnome,yea to deprive him of his very life: Us If ted up the 
 heele again fl me (faith that good King) comparing him unto 
 cattel that are fat fed,who feeling the provender to prick the, 
 do kicke with their heeles againft their mafter.The likcfinfull 
 
 R and 
 
2 A2 The ninth Sermon 
 
 and unthankfull dealing may be feene in loajb. hhoiada the 
 a Giro. 25. high Prieft had preferved his life, by keeping him clofefroin 
 his grandmother Atha/iah y \vho had (lain all his brethremand 
 this hedid not without perill to himfelfe : afterwards hecau- 
 *Chro 24,20, fed Athaliahs life to be taken from her, and the crowne and 
 *u**« kingdome to be eftablifhed unto bjrn.-yetnotwithfhndmg all 
 
 this kindnefTe,when he fell from God & from religion, he tor- 
 got lehoiada&nd cruelly murthered his (on Zechariah&nho- 
 ly Prophet of God, for doing the meffige of the Lord unto 
 him, in reproving him and his Princes for their idolatry. 
 
 To this point our Saviour giveth further teftimony, telling 
 his Difciples what fhould fall out upon the preaching of the 
 Mat. 10; u » Go(pell:7"#* brother fi all betray the brother to deaths the fa- 
 ther thefon % and the children (hall rife againfl their parents, and 
 Jhalcaufe them to die. What neerer bonds than thefe,efpecially 
 that of children to their parents, who have beene the meanes 
 of their life,of their education, and in a word,ofall the good 
 things that they either doe or {hall enjoy, and that not with- 
 ourgreat paines and charges, and troubles unto themfelves ? 
 yet for aiithis,if children be impious,and their parents religi- 
 ous, they will not fticke to betray them, and to put them to 
 death. So that by thefe proof es it is cleere and evident, that no 
 bands of kindnefle or of nature will hold, where the bands of 
 religion are wanting. And there is reafon for it: for 
 Reafons. Firft,the divell hath the dif pofing of ail ungodly mens hearts, 
 1 and therefore untill ruch time as he grow kinde unto Gods 
 
 children, nothing in the world ( but Gods over-ruling hand J 
 can make his limbs,true and truftie friends unto the members 
 ofChrift:for Sathan having the command of them, will in- 
 force them (will they,nill theyj to be unkinde, unthankfull, 
 and uncourteous unto Gods fervants that have beene moft be- 
 neficiall unto them. 
 a Secondly, there is in all unregenerate men abundance of 
 
 pride, which maketh them to tninke that what! oever is done 
 for them,either by God or men, it is due debt, and nothing 
 more than their deferts doe require :and therefore when they 
 are fat and full, they fpurne with the heele againft the givers. 1 
 And this let us fet downe for a certains ground, that they 
 
 which 
 
of the Lords Supper. 24 1 
 
 which iliew themfelves unfaithfu 11 and difioyail unto God 
 notwithstanding all his benefits, will never be'true and fifme 
 friends unto us, how neerely and ftrongiy jfoever they arejliiir 
 ked unto us in outward reipe&s: he that is not Gods frifhltofc 
 can never be our faithfull friend. 
 
 Thirdly, wicked men doe love finne better than any bene- 
 fit: and therefore will they fall out with their kindeft friends 
 rather than with their beloved corruptions, and be difcourte- 
 ous unto any, yea adventure the damning of their ownefbules 
 eternally,rather than erode their wretched lufts,and fet them- 
 selves againft their finfull actions.^ N 
 
 For inftru&ion,to teach us a point of wifedome,that feeing Vfi i . 
 all finners are unfaithfully therefore wee ftiould beware how 
 • we truft them, and how we commit our felves or our fecrets 
 onto them:for albeit their lookes be faire andfmooth, and 
 their fpeeches and outward carriage feeme loving and kinde a 
 yet they feare not God,they will lye in wait for an advantage, 
 and do u$ a mifchiefe before we be aware, if we take not the 
 better heed of them. and therfore let us not expofe our felves 
 unto them. 
 Indeed our Saviour did lay open himfelf unto ;W<#,becaufe 
 he knew that Judas was appointed for that work,and the wil 
 of his Father muft needs be fulfilled : but wee not having the 
 like reafon,muft not imitate our Saviour herein, nor acquaint 
 fuch perfons with cur counfels : much leflelet vs provoke 
 them,and caft our felves into their danger: for if they have us 
 once in the fnare, there is no hope of mercy, except the Lord 
 Worke for us extraordinarily . 
 
 Let men therefore looke needfully unto themfelves, Sc be- 
 ware, as of others, fb of untrufty fervants, of ungodly chil- 
 dren,yea ofunholy yoke-fellowes : for there is no fidelitie to 
 be expected where the true feare ofGod is not planted in the 
 heart. They are bound to pray for them,to inftrufl them, and 
 fhew them any kindnefle that civility or Chriftianity bindeth. 
 them to perfbrme : but herein their wifedomc muft appeare, 
 that they be not too open hearted unto them , nor too readie 
 to pat them in truft in matters of great importance. 
 
 Secondly, here is matter of comfort to ulHuch as are faith- j/r e 2 
 
 R 2 full 
 
14 j The ninth Sermon 
 
 full in their dealings, that would rather lay downe their lives* 
 than deale difhoneftly or difcourteoufly : this is a great grace 
 of God to requite friendihip to their friends, & to fhew them- 
 felves thankefull for benefits received. And indeed true and 
 found thankefulnefle can be in none, butonely inthofe that 
 are truely gracious -.wicked men may be glad of a good turne, 
 and in outward complement of words and behaviour make a 
 femblanceand fhewofthankfulnefTeibut to be truely ;oyfull, 
 as feeing Gods hand in a kindneflfe received s and heartily & in 
 conference to love the partie whom God hath made an infirm 
 ment of that good, with a defire andendevour to requite the 
 fame, this cannot poffibiy be in any, but in Gods people. 
 
 Verfe 2 .1 .Truely the Sonne ofmangoeth hi* way as it is writ- 
 ten ofhimjwt woe be to that man by whom the Sonne of man is 
 betrayed* 
 
 The death of Chrift and the manner and meanes of it were 
 prophecied of before,yet is not Iudas thereby excufed.Which 
 teachethus, that, 
 
 A wicked man may fulfill the will of God to his own con- 
 demnation,and doe that which God hath foretold, to his utter 
 deftru&ion. 
 
 God hadfaid,that Iudas Should be a tray tor : he is a traytor: 
 God had determined ( and Chrift had confirmed it) tnathe 
 j[houldbeadiven:heisfuchaone,yetall.tohiswoe. So was 
 it declared before unto AbrahajihttPharaoh ihould gnevou£ 
 ly afflict the ^*?/*><?.f:he did accomplish Gods willinthatbe- 
 halfe,and verified that which God had forefpoken, but to his 
 own utter mine. In like fort the Prophet Nathan in Gods 
 3 SanUM 1. name denoiiced beforehand this judgmet againft Davidjhdit 
 he would raife up evill againfthim out of his own houfe: Abfa- 
 lon effected it accordingly,but to his own overthrow. So He- 
 rod and Povtim Ti/at, the high Priefts and the Gentiles con- 
 futed together to put to death the holy Sonne of God, and 
 therein did nothing more thaa Gods hand & his coanfell had 
 Ads 4^7« * 8, determined before to be done,ytt notwithftading they periilied 
 in their fins as many of them as repented not. And to heape 
 together no more proofes in a matter fo evident,wc rnay note 
 in the Scriptures, how, the enemies of the . Church are compa- 
 red 
 
 The wicked 
 
 fulfill Gods 
 will ce their 
 
 ruiae 
 
'of the Lords Supper. 24S 
 
 fed to Gold-faiths , for that they purged Gods pedple from 
 
 their dro{Te,ahd to Launders,becaufe they wa{hed away their Din#Tf -, 
 
 fpots,&c.and yet heavy judgements are denounced, and have Zac h, , ££ 
 
 beene from time to time executed upon them for fuch works: 
 
 And good reafonit fhould befo. 
 
 Firft, becaufe they are not allured unto it by vertue of any Rea r *tt7l 
 commandementy but driven unto it by a fecret providence of t ! 
 God. . 
 
 Secondly, they do it not m love unto God, but in malice * 
 againft God,or man, or both : as Judas in a fpleene confpired 
 againft his Matter , becaufe he found fault with hishypocriti- 
 call dealing. Mar. 14.5.&C and 1 o. &c. 
 
 Thirdly, they ayme not at Gods honour , though they ac- % 
 
 complifhed that which tendeth to his honour: but they feeke 
 themfelves fome way or other, in that which they do. 
 
 Which ferveth for the juft reproofe and terror of thofe that yr e t ^ 
 when they are convicted of any hainous crime, caft off all the 
 fault with this, I was predeftinated unto it , and unlefle God 
 hath appointed it, I could never have done it. What of that? 
 therefore they hope there is no danger hanging over their 
 head for their facts But what then will the^ fay of Judas? did 
 not he do that which God had decreed ?yet our Saviour faith, 
 Woe to him: and we may as well fay,wo unto thefe:for what- 
 fbever they imagine, the neceflitie of their (inning in refpecl: 
 of Gods decree, doth nothing dim in ifh the grievQufhefle of 
 their offence, neither fhall it at all mitigate the extremitie of 
 their punishment. 
 
 This is alfo for our inftruc1:ion,that we fhould frame our o- -y. 
 bedience in another manner, and for that purpofe reafbn thus -* e - 
 with our feives : have I a commandment for this which I do? 
 is it a duty warranted by the Word, which I now perfor me ? 
 Some do that which God hath appointed, but it is onely by a 
 providence, not in any confciencc : how doth my obedience 
 differ from theirs ? Do I practife good duties becaufe God 
 calleth for them ? then fhallmyfervicebe acceptable unto 
 God : do I forbeare evill becaufe he forbiddeth it > then do 
 I that which is pleafing unto hina, otberwife not. In this 
 manner let us fift our hearts , performing every thing in that 
 
 R 3. manner, 
 
No earthly 
 contentment 
 can counter- 
 vails the pti- 
 nifhments in 
 bell. 
 lob *rf t 
 
 Rtdfcns, 
 
 2 a£ The ninth Sermon 
 
 manner, and to thatend which God hath ordained, that we 
 may not onely do that which the Scripture faith (for fo did 
 }udas) but that which the Scripture Warranteth , and in that 
 fort as itapproveth, for (o Gods Servants are bound to do. 
 ft had beene good for that rnan^ if he had never beene borne. 
 It is good for us that he was borne,becaufe we have benefit 
 thereby : but not for him,becaufe whatsoever matter of con- 
 tentment he had in his life time , turned at length to the in- 
 creafeofhismifery,and to his perpetual! damnation. Where* 
 by itappeareth,that. 
 
 All the delights and contentments of wicked men in this 
 world, cannot coimtervaile the miferies that they fhall^feele 
 in.the world»tqxome. 
 
 fudas had lifeTr felfe/which is a thing very deJightfull, and 
 of which it is truly faid, though by a lying Spirit , Skinne for 
 ikinnc y and all that ever a man hath> hetvitl give for his life: He 
 had alio great preferment, being one of the Apoftles , and the 
 chiefe omccr amongft them,namely^ to be their purfe-bearer; 
 which liked him exceeding well,becaufe he was a thiefe, and 
 itolefrom them much of that which was given: yet notwith- 
 standing all this, and whatfoever elfe can be named, our Savi- 
 our iairh.it had been good for him that he had never bin born. 
 Thelike may be faid of Sati/Jeroboan*, Ahab, and many o- 
 ther kings : who would account it a good bargain e to have 
 their kingdomes with all the honors and delights which they 
 could afford : and their victories with all the glory that ac- 
 companied the fame, upon this condition, that he ftali en- 
 dure the fame miferies and torments in hell,that they do?Cer- 
 tainly no wife man would willingly make fuch a match : for 
 vrhatfballit profit a man to reinnethe whole yvorid , and to lof e 
 his ownefou/e ? 
 
 Firft, the bed: delights and contentments of this life are 
 mixed with many troubles, fbrrows,and feares: but their mi- 
 feries inthe life to come are pure miferies, without any miti- 
 gation or comfort in their paine and torment. 
 
 Secondly, their pteafures here are few, and mort, and of 
 fmall continuance;buttheir paines hereafter fhall be innume- 
 rable and endlefle. 
 
 Thirds 
 
of the Lords Supper ~. '247 
 
 Thirdly, all their delights in this life, are but fhar es, and all 
 their good cheere and dainties,but poyfons,and the more mm ftev.if.y, 
 take of them, the more grievous fhall their punifhment in 
 hell be. 
 For inftru&ion, that we ftiould not endanger our foules for Vfe 1 ? 
 ^he enjoyment of the pieafures of finne for a feafbn^yet many 
 are (o foolifti, that fo they might fatisfie their flefhly defires, 
 they care not though they do it with the price of their foules : 
 fo they may have their pieafures and commodities, and fulfill 
 their beaftly Iufts, they will even fell themfelves unto deftrn- 
 ftion, as Ahab did : not caring what miferies they caft them- 
 felves into, nor what fhares they intangle themfelves in, fo 
 they may accomplifh their brutifh and divellifh*purpofes,be- 
 ing therein more filly than the poore bird or fifli , that once 
 perceiving thefnare or the hooke, will not eafily meddle, nor 
 adventure the danger of the fecond time. 
 
 Secondly, if it befo, that all the commodities and delights y* ^ 
 of this life cannot countervail the miferies of damnation,then * 
 
 on the other fide why fliould it not hold as true for our com- 
 fort, that all the lofles and fbrrows of this life cannot counter- 
 vailerthe happinefle offalvation:for the Apoftlefaith,T)W the R 
 etffliftions of ~this pre fent time ', are not worthy of the glory that "** * W * 
 Jbail be Jbewed unto ns : the one being light and momentany, 
 the other weighty and eternall. Let us fufFer never fo many 
 difgraces and lofles, & go through never fo many hard brunts^ 
 our blefTedeftatein heaven will anfwer for all : fo that as it 
 was (aid offudas, it had beene good for him he had never bin 
 borne, notwithftanding all the delights that he enjoyed ; fo 
 may it as truly be faid , happy we that ever we were borne, 
 notwithftanding all the miferies that we have endured : yea, 
 though they have beene as great as theirs, of whom mention 
 is w.adcHebr. 1 1 .that they are racked,and ftoned,and hewne 
 in funder, &c. for they endure all in hope of a better refurre- 
 &ion, Verf. 35 . and fo fhould we if God bring us unto the 
 like extremities. And thus much of the conference, now fbl- 
 loweth the inftitution of the Lords Supper. 
 
 R4 / THE 
 
THE 
 
 TENTH SERMON. 
 
 Mar. 14.22,23,24. 
 
 22 tAnd as they did e Ate, ^efm tooke the bread^and when he 
 had given thanks jae brake it, and gave it to them ,andj aid \Take 
 eate y this is my body. 
 
 2 3 Alfo he tooke the cup, and when he had given thanks' he 
 gave it to thern^ and they all drank? of it. 
 
 24 Andhefaid unto them, This is my blond of the new ^ TV* 
 fiament, which isfhedfor many, 
 
 E have in this Text and the words follow ing, 
 declared unto us,after what manner our Savi- 
 our did celebrate his own Supper, at the firft 
 institution thereof, leaving to us & his whole 
 Church, a president and patterne for the due 
 obfervation of it,wherein is to be noted; 
 
 The dealing of our Saviour with the Elements. 1 
 His fpeaking to the Communicants. 
 
 1 . Concerning the firft,it is faid of the bread that he 1 . tooj^ 
 it>and 2 . blejfed it^and 3 . brake it, and 4. gave it, (He tooke the 
 bread) meaning that bread which was prepared by them for 
 the Pafleoy er,and by Gods providence for the Sacrament. And. 
 when he had blejfed it : that is, prayed for ablefling upon it, 
 that it might be cfre(5tuall,both to his elecl: Apoftles that were 
 prefent,and to all thofe that fliould faithfully receive it,to the 
 end of the world : and had alfb praifed God, for giving him* 
 1 elft to be the Redeemer and Saviour of the world, & vouch- 
 fafing unto his Church this Sacrament, and caufing the bread 
 to be offuch great force andufe, as not onely to reprefent un- 
 to them his fufferings , but alfo to confirme their faith in him, 
 andtoexhibitetheyertueof his paffion unto them. Having 
 
 thus 
 
efthe Lords Suffer. 249 
 
 thus bleffed it,it is (aid that (he brake it) which he did in a dou- 
 ble refpeft; one was,that (b it might be more divi(ible,to eve- 
 ry one a part: another was, that it might be morefignificant, 
 to exprefle Chrifts Offerings. Concerning whom though it be 
 laid, that a bone of him Jhontt not be broken .- yet that phrafe is 
 ufed to declare the paflion of the whole manhood/W he was 
 broken for our iniquities, If a . 5 3 ; . 5 . When he had broken it, it 
 is added, that he (gave it) aflaring them thereby, that he be- 
 llowed himfelfe upon them. 
 
 Like wife for the cup it is faid, He tooke it, and when he had 
 ble fed it ,that is,prayed and praifed God for it,in the fame (ore 
 as he had done for the bread, he gave it to them, Ver. 24. 
 
 2 Now concerning this fpeech to the Communicants, it 
 
 **iaa«»ti ^..i-Ut ;« * ' Commandement. 
 eonfifteth partly in a ^ Promife< 
 
 1 The Commandment is contained in thefe words,T^, Verfeizl 
 eate y takc the bread,and take my body ^ate the bread,and eate 
 
 my body : take and eat the bread corporally and by ienfe; take 
 eate Chrift fpiritually , and by faith. And the like comm ande- 
 ment is here implyed , and elfewhere exprefled concerning 
 the cup, that is,, the wine in the cup, (drinke ye all of this) 
 which they are faid here to obey. 
 
 2 The promife is implyed in thefe words , This is my body, Mat ~ 5 ^ 
 this is my blond ; that is, lively (ignes to fignifie, and erTe&uall *~ * 
 mftruments to convey my felfe, and all the benefits of my 
 
 death and paffion unto you. 
 
 Further ,concerning the wine it is faid,7"## is my blood of the 
 New Teftamentyor new Covenant : as if he fhould have faid, 
 as God hath bequeathed unto youhimfelte,his graces,his blef- 
 fings and his kingdome , lb by the (bedding of my bloud he 
 will confirme this legacy unto you, and that two waves: 
 
 Fir ft, becaufe as others, fo this Will and Teftament could- 
 be of no force as long as the maker thereof was alive, Heb.9. 
 1 6, 1 7. Therefore by this Sacrament Chrift would have them 
 put in minde of his death. 
 
 Secondly,as in other ,fo in this Willjit was not fufficient that 
 
 the 
 
2 co J. ne lenm o trmvn 
 
 the party that made it fhould be dead, but it muflt be* proved 
 by authority,as it were to be good,and therefore was this au- 
 thenticall feale of the Sacrament fet unto it.So that this Tefta- 
 ment was fealed by the bloud of Chrift, concerning the merit 
 and efficacieofit : but by the Sacrament, concerning the ap- 
 plication of it. 
 
 It is called the new Teftament or Covenant ; in refpecl: of 
 that which was under the Law, from which it differeth, and 
 goeth beyond it in divers circumftances : as particularly fliall 
 be fhewed. 
 
 And as they did eate, Jefus tooke the bread, and when he had 
 
 giv en thank* ,&c. Or as the word figni fled (bletfed) that is 
 
 prayed unto his Father for a bleffing to be beftowed upon the 
 
 receiving of it, not oneiy upon thofe that were then prefent, 
 
 but upon all that fhould afterwards to the end of the world 
 
 (faithfully partake of the fame. In that Chrift Iefus feekes 
 
 the bleffing of this Ordinance from the Lord,the Doclrine is 
 
 that * 
 
 Thevertue and efficacy of the Sacrament, is from Gods 
 
 owne hand, through the mediation of Chrift Iefus. 
 
 Dotl.i. God gives it, and Chrift procures the benefit of it unto his 
 
 The vcrtae of people : and this is common to all other ordinances and fervi- 
 
 1$ fromGods t ces w ** * e Sacrament * To tn * s P" r pofe it is faid, that Mofes 
 
 owne hand, gave not that Manna unto the Ifraelites in the wildernes from 
 
 Sec the Scr • heaven ,but my father (Taith Ghxi&) giveth you the true bread, 
 
 roon on ub 6. which giveth life unto the world: that,no Minifter,nor creature 
 
 DoU.%. j n heaven or earth can beftow upon any, 
 
 J » h 6 'r 1 ' Firft,one generali reafon of this doc"trine is,that every good 
 
 Keajon I . giving, and every p erf etl gift Is from above, and cometh downe 
 
 am " • 1 7* p om tfof pather f lights. Now what more excellent and per- 
 
 feft gift can there be than the body and bloud of Iefus Chrift? 
 
 and therefore if God be the author and giver of all other good 
 
 things, this muft of neceifitie proceed from his bountie in a 
 
 fpeciall manner. 
 
 A fecond caufe why God will have the difpofing of his gra- 
 ces in h : s owne hand, is, that there might be a difference be- 
 tweene him and all his Minifters, and that he might retaine 
 that prerogative for Chrift Iefus alone : for he it is that giveth 
 
 the 
 
of the Lords Suffer* 2$i 
 
 the meat which endureth to everlafting life. And the reafbn ft 
 becaufe the Father hath fealed } him ,tbat is,the Lord hath autho- 
 rized him by the broad feale of beaven,and will let none to be 
 copartners with him in thatori'ce:heisthe Lord-Treafurer of 
 all graces, and therefore he mtift blerTe his ordinances unto us, 
 if ever we looke for benefit thereby. In which regard John 
 Ttaptiftiahh, I baptize youwith water, and that is all that he 
 could do; as for warning of the heart, and purging of the con- 
 fcience,that he attributeth wholly unto Chrift Iefus : He will Mac j.rt, 
 baptize you with the holy Qhofii and with fire, John weuld not 
 arrogate that unto himfelfe ', lift he fhould treacherously lay 
 claime to that which is proper uaito the crowne. The like 
 fairhfulnefTe in giving God his due,wefeein the Apoftle P'aul, 
 who faith, 1 have planted y Apollos water ed^but Godgiveththe , + 
 increafe : thereby intimating that the beft Minifters are but as 
 Gardeners in the Lords Church,they can but put the Siens in- 
 to the ftocke, or the root into the ground : and as poilible it is 
 for a man to make a tree , as for a. Minifter to make a Chrifti- 
 an: and as poffible to put fap into a dead blocke , and ta make 
 it grow and flouiifh;and bring forth fruit in abundance,as for 
 a Minifter to put into any the leaft drop of grace , or to adde 
 any whit unto it where it is already wrought. 
 
 Thirdly,the Lord will have the vertue of the Sacrament to 
 be in his own power, to beftow where and how he will* that 
 there might be a difference betweene Communicants,to wit, 
 betweene the good and the bad. If it were in mens hands to 
 difpofe, and did confift in the deed done , as ignorant Papifts 
 imagine, men would beftow it promifcuoufly , and wicked 
 hypocrites would have as good a fhare as thofe that are truly 
 religious,and the worft fpeed as well as tbe beft:for men can- 
 not fearch the hearts of their people, to fee with what prepa- 
 ration they come % and there is that love in them ( which is a 
 thing commendable) that they defire all might be faved. If 
 Mofes could have given every man in Ifrael grace when he 
 gave them the Manna, he would have done it : he that could 
 have beene content, that his name (hould be razed out of the 
 bookeof life for their fakes, would not have ftucke with them 
 forfuch a matter. If Abraham CQuidhwe circumcifed Jfmaeh 
 
 heart? 
 
l$2 The tenth Sermon 
 
 hearr,when he circumcifed his flefli, he fliould not have been 
 excommunicated for his prophaneffe : but God hath alwayes 
 heretofore, and doth {till keepe this power in his owne hand, 
 that fo he may enrich with grace thofe whom he thinketh fit- 
 teft,and deale with every one as he knoweth their hearts../*/*- 
 i Cor.io, fes was the Minifter of Baptifme to thofe that parted through 
 the Red-fea,yet with many of them God was not pleafed: for 
 Ioh.i;* onely thole that are good in his fight ftiall tafte of his good 
 
 gifts : And therefore Chrift prayeth not for the world , but 
 onely for thofe which he hath chofen out of the world, and 
 fuch as (hall beleeve through the preaching of the Gofpel,that 
 they may be partakers of the benefit of his ordinances. 
 y/e i ^ Firft,for inftru&ion,if ever we would fpeed well when we 
 
 come to the Sacrament, let us make the Lord our friend, fith 
 the diftribution of grace pertaineth to him alone: let us feek it 
 at his hand,and not bring any finne with us which may offend 
 his glorious prefence. Which if we can do, wemayandmuft 
 cxpecT: a bleffing from him. It is not the goodneffe of the Mi- 
 nifter that can do it (though it be a good comfort to have a 
 holy mans prayer for us) it is as poffible that a man fhould ap- 
 point where the raine fhall fall, as where grace (hall fall : and 
 though it fhould be concluded by Parliament, what dayes it 
 fhould rain, and in what parts of the Iand,it were of no force; 
 for God alone hath the ordering of the clouds, and fo hath he 
 alfo of the graces of his Spirit. 
 Vfe 2. Secondly, this maketh for the comfort of fuch as come pre- 
 
 paredly unto the table of the Lord, with a true heart, though 
 burdened and wearied with many corruptions. Chrift hath 
 prayed that the Sacrament may be erTedhiall unto them, and 
 thcreforeitfhallbefb;andhe hath praifed God for giving it 
 unto his people, and therefore it fhall not be in vaine : neither 
 their owne weaknefle,nor the meanneue oftheTilements,nor 
 theimperfeclionsof the Minifter fh all hinder the powerful! 
 working of Gods ordinance. 
 Oh'jeftion. But we are bale creatures,and the Minifter is no better than 
 
 he fliould be. 
 zsfnfwer. Indeed if Grace were to be fetched out of fuch durty ditches 
 as we are,we could lookefor little good ; but God is a cleare 
 
 fountaine, 
 
ef the- Lords Supper. 1$ 3 
 
 fountaine, and from his falnefle fhall we receive grace upon 
 grace. 
 
 But alas,neither we,nor our Minifter can pray Co earneftly, Objection. 
 nor praife God fo heartily, when wee communicate at the 
 lords Table, as. God requires,and we ought to doe. 
 
 What ofthat? were not Chrifts prayers and praifes fueh as «^f«/5r*r. 
 muft needs be pleafing to the Lord ? If they were (as cannot 
 bedeniedjletusneverbedifcouragedfor thefe imperfe&ions 
 ofours,for Chrift was appointed to be an univerfall Minifter 
 for all his elecT:, and. in the perfection of his petitions and 
 thankefgiving,all the blemifhes that are in ours fhail be hid- 
 den and covered. 
 
 Thirdly, that is for the reproof e of fuch prophane perfons, yf e ^ 
 as come uncheerfully and heavily unto this Sacrament : and 
 if the refpeft of their governour,of thelawes,and of their own 
 credit did not move them, they would altogether abfent 
 themfelves from it Jthef e are wretched perfons, that make no 
 more account of this lingular pledge of Gods favour. Hath 
 Chrift prayed unto his Father for a matter of no worth ? and 
 given thanks unto him for that which is of no eftimation^But 
 let fuch unbeleeving and finful wretches goe:andas for us, let 
 us be afiuredfor our comfor, that when Chrift became a fai- 
 rer to his Father, he was in fuch favour with him, that he ob- 
 tained that which was worth the having, and deferved praife 
 and thankfgiving both from him, and from all his people, as 
 that which {hould be a meanes of their everlafting happineffeo 
 Verfe 22. Take, eate, this is my body^&c. 
 
 This is the commandement that cur Saviour giveth unto 
 the Communicants,to wit, that they fhould take the bread, 
 and take his body, eate corporally, and eate fpiritually : re- 
 ceive the figne,and the thing (ignified, the one as well as the 
 other '.for fo much doth the promife whieh is annexed (This 
 is my body ) imply. As if he {hould haue faid, this bread broken 
 before your eyes, doth plainely reprefent unto you my body 
 fthat is,the whole man-hood,a part being put for the whole,) 
 which is given for you,and (hall be broken for you, that fo 
 you may have a fpirituall communion with me, as there is a 
 natnrall union betwixt you and this bread which I give unto 
 
 you : 
 
Oui ujrwon 
 with Chrift by 
 tUe Sacrament. 
 
 Luk.2r.1p. 
 1 Cor.si. a 4. 
 Luk,«.*G. 
 
 lC0r.10.16. 
 
 Objeflion, 
 
 iy4nfwer. 
 Why God 
 made cboife 
 of bread* 
 
 2 5 4 M* f ^f^ Sermon 
 
 1 } the like is to be underftood of the wine. The wc 
 thus expounded, according to the fimple meaning thereof, 
 us this Doftrine, that 
 Chrift Iefus in the Lords Supper, by corporall food doth 
 .is a moft lure poffeffion of himlelfe, & neer union with 
 htmfelfe. The bread and wine are not onely pledges of what 
 ftiall bebeftowed on us, but crfecluall meanes to exhibite the 
 things promiied unto us : and therefore Chrift ufeth thefe 
 words, Take eate 3 this is my body, which is given for yon, which 
 u broken for yon; and fo of the wine, Drinks ye all of it, this is 
 my blond which is Ojedforyon. Now what can be nearer unto 
 us than our meate & drinker* We iiave greater intereft in no- 
 thing than in our foodjfor that is made a part or our felues. If 
 we eate meate in another mans houfe, after we have received 
 it.it is more ours than his that prepared it; no one/oynt is Co 
 neere another ,nor the foulefb neeretothe body, as our food 
 is neere us when once it is digefted and turned into nourifh- 
 ment unto us: which doth plainly reprefent unto us the neare 
 con junction that is betwixt Chrift and every worthy recei- 
 ver :Hence proceedeth that fpeech of the Apoftle, The enp of 
 bleffing which we blejfe, is it not the commnnion of the blond.of 
 Chrift ? The bread which we breake, is it not the commnnion of 
 the body offhriftfthzt is,doe not thefe caufe us to hauean ef- 
 fedhiall communion with him in all his gratious merits ? 
 
 Now if queftion fhould be made, why Chrift ftiould make 
 choyfe of bread to be a figne in the Sacrament, rather than of 
 any other more excellent and glorious creature ? 
 The anfwer is,that he did it for divers reafons : 
 1 Becaufe it was his will, as it is faid concerning the Gofc 
 pell, that it pleafed him by the foolifinejfe of preaching to fave 
 them that beleeve. 
 
 2 There is befides his pleafure great wifedome in it, be- 
 caufe it is very fit to reprefent that unto us,for which it was 
 ordained, it being fubftantiall food, and therefore called the 
 ftaffe of mans life, on which he doth as it were leane, and 
 whereby it is upholden: and befides, this is for every mans 
 ftomack,& for every ones ftate, & may everywhere be got- 
 ten. And yet withali wemuftkriow that bread cannot fully 
 
 expretfe 
 
eft he Lords Supper. 255 
 
 exprcfle the efficacie of the fpirituall food,Chrift Iefus, which 
 we are to feed upon: for bread is earthly, that food is heaven- 
 ly; bread preferveth the corporall life, and that but for a time, 
 Chrift not only preferveth ,but givetb,nor a naturall,but a fu- 
 pernaturall,not a temporall,but an eternaii life. 
 
 Thirdly,God made choife of bread, in refpecl: of his owne 
 glory, that the weaker the meanes are, the ftronger his hand 
 might appeare to bee. If we had beene to receive gold or 
 gemmes, or precious ftones, our fenfes would have beene 
 more wrought on than our hearts,and we mould have more 
 regarded the figne, than the thing fignified:the which incon- 
 veniences, with other of the like kinde,the Lord by giving us 
 bread hath prevented. 
 
 Seeing then that the bread (as aifo the wine) in the Lords 
 Supper is of fuch excellent force and ufe, as to put us in minde 
 of Chrifts death and bloud-fhedding, to teftifie his undoub- 
 ted,true,andreall prefence to every faithful! Communicant, 
 and to refrefh and feed the foules of the worthy receivers un- 
 to eternal! hfe,in which regard they do as far furmount com- 
 mon bread and wine,as the wax wher with a pardon or char- 
 termor, any other evidence is fealed,is of more worth than that 
 which is to be fold in the Tradef-mans mop : feeing (I fay) 
 that the bread is of fuch lingular ufe,this maketh,fir ft, for the Vfe 1 , 
 confutation of the Papifls, which hold that after the words of 
 confecration, there remaineth no bread at all, but that it is 
 tranfubftantiated into the very body of Chrift. Indeed wee 
 grant that as the bread,fo Chrift his body is there offered and 
 received by every fiithfull Communicant :but how? not cor- 
 porally, but fpirituallymot from the Minifters hand, but from 
 Gods handmot by fenfe,but by faith. And for the further clea- 
 ring and confirming of this truth, many reafbns might bee 
 brought, .but I will produce but onely fomefew. 
 
 The flrft is taken from the exprefTe words of the Holy 
 Ghoft in the Scriptures, who menttoneth bread after the R ea fom a- 
 words of confecration, (faying, (the bread which we breaks.) gainftTraa- 
 1 Cor. io.itf.a'bdagaine, Hee that eateth this bread y &c . fubftaniiacionT 
 1 Cor, 1 1, 27,28. 
 A ftcond reafon is this A we receive the fame in fubftance % 
 
 which 
 
2 5 6 The tenth Sermon 
 
 which the Fathers did in the wilderneiTe, X.(f6r\l o.'i . for the 
 M^nna is there called fpirituall meate, and therocke is faid 
 to beChrift:now it is certaine that they did not corporally 
 eate the body,and drinke the bloud or Chrift, becaufe heehad 
 not then afTumed our nature: and our Saviour denyeth the 
 
 Ioh, 6.$i. Manna to be the true bread which came downe from hea- 
 ven: 
 5 Thirdly,if the bread by the words of confecration be tran- 
 
 fubftantiated,it will follow that wicked Communicants may 
 alfo partake of Chrift (Tor P<*#/ faith, that all, good and bad, 
 
 i Cor. \o\ ^id cate thefame fpirituall meat>&c. as touching the outward 
 figne and element) and fo cannot afterwards perim, and bee 
 damned ;for that whofoever eateth ofChrifl hisflejh>&c. hatb 
 $oMi?m& eternaU-life, and he will raife him at the laft day : for he dwel- 
 Ieth in us,and we in him: Now it is certaine that there is no 
 communion betwixt the Lord Iefus and wicked finners, nei- 
 ther are they in the ftate of falvation,neither fhall they be rai- 
 led up unto glory at the laft day: and confequently, they feed 
 not on him,and the Sacramentall fignes are not tranfubftanti- 
 ated unto him. ;:; 
 -* A fourth reafon is from the end for which the Sacrament 
 
 was inftitutedby Chrift,& is continued in his Church. Then 
 his meaning was not according to his humane nature, to con- 
 verfe with his people on earth after a bodily manner: for 
 though he were prefent with his difciples at the firft celebra- 
 tion fenfibly in his manhood, yet thepurpofe of it for after- 
 wards was to continue a memoriall of him, when the hea vens 
 fhouldcontainehim; therefore (faith he) doe this in rem e m- 
 
 Afts 3. an brance of me. Which fhould be fuperfiuous and needlefle,ifhe 
 
 Luke 12,2$; were continually converfant with his members every where 
 in the MavTcjand in the Lords Supper. 
 - Fiftly,manyfouleabfurdities doe infue upon thisgrofleo- 
 
 pinion of tranfubftantiation,for, 
 ■j Firft,either one Chrift in his bodily prefence,muft be both 
 
 Abliirdity * n heaven anc * Earth,and in innumerable places there at one 
 inftant: or e\Ce be multiplied,and many Chrifts,and many Sa- 
 viours, and many redeemers, muft be difperfed throughout 
 all the Churches where the Maffe is oftered,or the Sacrament 
 
 adminiftred 
 
[of the Lords Stipperl ft 5 7 
 
 adminiftred:and fo when the Lord did firft celebrate it,there 
 was to beone Chrift breaking and diftributing, and another 
 Chrift broken and given.- one Chrift to /Vf<?r,another Chrift 
 to ?ohn 3 md to every Apoftle one. 
 
 Secondly,ho w can cruelty be here avoided ? how can men % 
 devoure him, and not kill him ? how ftiould men 1 wallow; 
 him up,and yet offer no violence unto him ? 
 
 A glorious body may be in many places at once, and be ea- ObjeSiioH] 
 ten and not hurtjbecaufe it is not patible nor mortall. 
 
 But when the Difciples firft received him,he was both mor- v£nfaer\ 
 tall (for hedied on the morrow)and patible, for he was in an 
 agony and torment that night: and therefore how commeth 
 it to pafle that the nailes ftiould have force to kill him, which 
 onely pierced fome part of his body, rather than their teeth 
 which chewed him whole ? 
 
 But he himfelfe faith, This is my *B»dy. ob\ett*Q*l 
 
 Soitisfacramentally,andby & Trope: but not literally and jeL^^* 
 (imply, as the words may be mifconftrued. The like kinde of ' — " * 
 (peecn is ufed in other Sacraments: Circumcifion is called the 
 covenant fien. 1 7. 1 3. the Lamb is called the Pajfeover>Ex. 1 2. 
 1 1 .the rock Chrift, 1 £V. 10. 1 4. And is not the cup faid as 
 well to be the blond of the new Teftament:zn& yet our Saviour 
 calleth the confecrated wine the fruit of the vineMzt.16.29. 
 But Chrift fokhjoh .6. 53.55. Except ye eate theflefh of the 
 Sonne ofman.and drinke his blond, ye have no life in you, for my ObjeftJodi 
 fiejb is me ate indeed >and my blond is drinke indeed. 
 
 He fpeaketh not there of the Sacrament, but rather of the Anfoerl 
 faithfull imbracing of him in this word; for the Lords Sup- 
 per was never before,nor at that time inftituted,& as yet the 
 words ofconfecration had not beene fpoken : and therefore 
 if this be underftood literally without the fpirituall meaning 
 thereof, it will follow,that either Tranfubftantiation was be- 
 fore the Lords Supper, or the Lords Supper before the night 
 in which he was betraied. And in this place hee maketh no 
 mention of bread to be turned into his body : and the words 
 wrefted, would rather argue his body to be tranfubftantia- 
 ted into bread, or fle(h, than bread to be changed into his 
 bedy. 
 
 S Secondly, 
 
2 r g 27;;* ^»r/? Sermon 
 
 Vfe 2 ' Secondly, as this ferveth for the confutation of them that 
 
 hold there is no bread at all in the Lords Supper: foit maketh 
 % againft luch as think there is nothing but bread to be expe&ed 
 there:that we are to receive onely the outward figne in a bare 
 remembrance of Chrift his death and paffion : and fo do they 
 deprave the My fteries oFGod,and extenuate his promifest as 
 if when the Lord callcth all his people to this memorable 
 banquet, hee fhould deceive them with empty difhes, and 
 with painted meat in ftead of better cheere. It would have 
 20^ i^ bin a great difgrace for aAhafhuereJh to have dealt fb, when 
 
 he called all his Princes to a banquet : and therefore they are 
 juftly to be reproved, that efteeme fo bafely of this holy feaft, 
 feeing God efferetrvand exhibiteth truely, though not cor- 
 porally, his owne Sonne, with all his pretious merits to every 
 faithful! receiver: fo that every gueft at his Table may truly be 
 „ laid to feed of Chrift Iefus. 
 
 rft 3 1 Thirdly s this is for our inftruclion,that feeing by this Sacra- 
 
 ment we may be fo nearely united unto Chrift> wee fhonld 
 come with a large expectation of receiving good from the 
 •iame: and therfore make preparation for the fame according- 
 ly, thatfb wee may not come unworthily, left wee receiue 
 judgements inftead of mercies. 
 Yfc jf, Fourthly,here is another inftruclion, that when wee come 
 
 to this celeftiall feaft, we fall to it, and feed of it as Chrift bid- 
 deth VLsJTake 3 and eatAzi us fet our eyes, our eares, our tafte, 
 yea and our hearts alfo a-worke, with all ferious meditation, 
 to makeufe of thofe heavenly myfteries : and when wee fee 
 the bread broken, let us boldly conclude, Chrift was broken 
 For mec, and therefore I (hall efcape the breaking which I 
 have deferved: and when the bread is given unto us, let us 
 refolve,Chrift with all his benefits is beftowed upon m e;and 
 when we eat the bread, let us allure our f oules of this, Chrift 
 is made unto me the true bread, whereby my foule fhall bee 
 nourifhed unto life eternal. This is the eating that the Lord 
 requireth and accepteth, and thus doing wee fhall (hew that 
 there is mutualllove & kindnefle betwixt him & us, which is 
 a thing welpleafing unto him: & therfore he exhorteth all his 
 tan* ? «i . UryZtSjhymgiEateyO fiiends t drwkj& make you merry & wc/- 
 
 be loved. 
 
if the Lords Sapper. 3 5 9 
 
 beloved. None but thofe that are friends can eate of his dain- 
 ties,and thofe that are friends will eate of the fame: and ther- 
 fore if ever we would fhew our ielves to be Chrift his friends, 
 if we would enjoy the feeling of his love unto us, and be aflii- 
 red of our love towards him, let us refresh our foules at this 
 banquet, and not let our Saviour be at coil in vaine,in making 
 fo good and fo large provifion for vs. 
 
 Verfe 2 3 . Alfo he tooke the fap, &c. , 
 
 In that wineis/oyned with the bread, thispoint raaybee ??*.:?• *' 
 noted,that Ief us Chrift in the Sacrament doth make us a foll^^^c. 
 meale. 
 
 We have here not onely bread,but wine,not onely the bo- 
 dy of Chrift,but his bloud alfo, even the whole Chrift with 
 all his graces offer ed unto us , This is promifed in the Prophe- 
 fi'e of Ifaiah, where it is faid, In this mount nine [ball the Lord of ^ ^ 
 Hoafis make unto all people a feafl of fat things y even a feafi of 
 mixed wines ,e^c. Meaning that he would makefor his Church 
 compleat provifion, wnatfoever might bee for health, or 
 ftrength,or delight. And the like is propofed in the ninth 
 Chapter of the Proverbs : and there is caufe why wee fhould 
 thinke this to be (b, for 
 
 Firft,heisoffufrlcientabilitie, fo that he can doe it. And ^ efl r 0H r 
 Secondly ,bis love unto us his people is fuch, that he is wil- f ; 
 
 iing and ready to doe it. Some men when jthey make feafts, % 
 could provide variety of good cheare,but they are loth to goe 
 to the charges: others are frank and liberall enough, but they 
 want ability to give great entertainment, fo that they fpeake 
 that truly, which others do vaine-glorioufly; I am fbrry that 
 your cheere is no better. But it is other wife with the Lord;as 
 heeisbountifullandwill not fparecoft,fo is hee rich in al! 
 abundance of heavenly treafures, and necdes not fpare coil:, 
 and therefore feeing Chrift hath prayed that all hisguefts 
 might have of thebeft, they (hall not faile of any thing that 
 their heart can defire and long for. 
 
 Efpecially feeing it is for his owne glory. A mortall finfull 
 man,even the King of Perfia, for the fetting forth ofhis mag- Eftcr 1. 
 nificenceandgreatneffe, fparedno coft in thefeaft that hee 
 
 S 2 made 
 
$6o The tenth Sermon 
 
 made unto his Princes : much lefle will the Lord of glory irr 
 this banquet which he provideth for his people,feeing that he 
 is incomparably better able:and more bountiful! : and withall 
 fceth and conftdereth the feverall needs and nececelilties or 
 all his children. 
 
 ffe x ] Here then in the flrft place,is confuted the error of Popiih 
 
 Priefts,that will have but one kinde of food at this table, and 
 fo canfe the people to have a dry feaft, without any wine at ah 
 thus doe they facrilegioufly rob Gods people of that allow- 
 ance which he hath appointed for them, & him of that glory 
 which is due in refpect of his large bounty in this behalfe. For 
 whereas the Lord inflituted the cup as well 3s the bread, and 
 prayed and gave thankes for the one as well as for the other* 
 bidding them drinke all of the wine, as well as eate of. the 
 bread: they teach and pra&ife the cleane contrary, And that 
 
 r Obieftton t ' ie ^ r ^criledge may not feeme fo vile as in truth it is, they 
 
 L ' produce fome fh ewes of reafon for this their dealing. It is 
 
 needlefle (fay they ( to adde the wine unto the bread/or when 
 we receive that,we feed on the whole k Chrift, and partaking 
 of his body' wee muft needs withall partake of his bloud* 
 which if contained in the veines . 
 
 <A nltf* ^ e ^ere ^° w ^h ame l e ^ e ly ^ e y controule* Chrift himfelfe i 
 
 for if we receive the bloud in receiving his body, why did he 
 ordaine the cup as well as the bread ? 
 
 Oijettknl They anfwer,that Chrift gave it onely to Minifters, and fo 
 doe they. 
 
 dnfw. So did he the bread alfo,and therefore by the fame reafon, 
 
 they may adminifter neither bread nor wine unto the Laity ; 
 and what reafon can they alledge why Minifters may not re- 
 ceive the bloud in the veines, as well as any other : But the 
 words of Chrift may decide this controverfie when he faith, 
 Drinkje ait oft his 3 th is is my bloud y &c. which is /bed for you & 
 for many ,f or t he remiffion offinnes. And who are thofe many ?' 
 even-all that flionld afterwards bekeve in him. To thofe for 
 whom Chrift his bloud was fhed, the cup muft bee admini- 
 fired: but his broud was fhed for private men as well as for 
 Minifters :and therefore the cup muft be admiftred to them as 
 jrell as unto the Apoftles themfelves. 
 
 A fecopd 
 
'of the Lords Suffer. %6i 
 
 A fecond ufeofthis point is for inftrucTion 3 that feeing there Vfe 2? 
 is fuch plenty and variety of all good things offered us at this 
 banquet,no other feafting, or voluptuous living fhould either 
 Jceepeus from it,or make us come unworthily untoit:yethow 
 many are there, that doefo glut themfelves with eating and 
 drinking,and furfetting on their carnall delights,that they are 
 altogether unfit for the Lords Table ? 
 
 Thirdly,here is-matter of re/oycing for Gods poor fervants, Vfe 2 1 
 that though they fare hard at home,y et they may have as good 
 refrefhing as any other in the Lords houfe : for Chrift Iefus 
 dorh there provide a full meale for them. This was Davids 
 comfort when he was banifhed from the aflemblies of Saints, 
 and could not be prefent at tine Sacrament and facrifices :when 
 he could but remember that hee had beene at them, and alfo 
 beene a profitable communicant as oft as he could,it did much 
 refreflthis{bule,fothatitwas fatisfied as with marrow and 
 fatnejfe ,with the very meditation therofjhehad received fuch 
 ftore of grace from Gods Ordinances, & fuch a ftrong appre- 
 henfion of his favour,that he counted it better than life it felfe^ 
 And the consideration thereof did not only comfort his fbule, 
 bat helped him alfo in his bodily neceffities, infomuch that 
 when hee was in a barren and dry Wildernefle* pinched with 
 hunger,and prefled withthirffcthe very remembrance of thofe 
 things that were paft long before,did caufe him more cheer- 
 folly to undergoe all his penury and want : If hee then tooke 
 fuch comfort therein, in his abibnce, how much more fhould 
 jve beingprefent at the fame ? - 
 
 Verfe 24. Thjs is my blond of the new Tefiament, &c. 
 That is,this is a figne and feale of the new Teftament: which 
 is fo called,becaufe therby Iefus Chrift doth bequeath unto his 
 people^s all the benefits of this life, fo the fperiall blef&ng of 
 al^eveneternalllifetand this is termed anew Teftament, in 
 refpe<ft of that which was made in the time of the law. That 
 was,& this is: when that was inefficient in fome refpe&s the 
 Lord aboliihed it jand eftablifhed this in ftead therofos being 
 much better than that;for though both of them ay me at falva- 
 tion by Chrift, yet it is in a different manner :for 
 SP ' ~ S3 " ."""" That 
 
Differences 
 betwixt the 
 old and new 
 Covenant. 
 
 Dott.4, 
 
 2 g2 The tenth Sermon 
 
 That was obfeurcconfifting in rites and ceremonies, wher- 
 by Chrift was darkly prefigured : but this is more piaine and 
 perfpicuousjfo that Gods mercy and goodneffe towards us ia 
 his Sonne, may mojecleerely and evidently be difcerned in 
 this one Sacrament, then it could by all their facrifices. Then 
 the bloud or beads was fried in ftead of Chrifts, but now hath 
 he fhed his owne bloud for us. 
 
 Secondly, that Teflament was appropriated to a few, and 
 did belong properly to thenation of the Iewes alone: & if any 
 other nations would have their part in it, they muft unite the- 
 felves unto the Iewes: but this hath a larger extent, and per- 
 taineth to all Gods Eleft throughout the whole world. 
 Thirdly,that conveyed unto men a fmaller meafure of grace: 
 this ofrereth great plenty and ftore thereof. 
 
 Fourthly, that was temporary, and to indure but a while, 
 this is perpetuall, 'and fhall laft to the end of the world : and 
 thus much for the differences betwixt ihe old Teftament and 
 the new. Now in that our Saviour Caith,This is my blond of the 
 new Teflament ', &c. The Do&rine is,that 
 Faithfull Communicants at the Lords Tablecome not onely 
 
 Com . to be refreshed at a feaft, but to beinriched by a legacy; 
 
 municams en- Chrifts will & Teftament being there confirmed unto them. 
 
 riched. The particular legacies which Chrift: Iefus hath bequeathed! 
 
 unto them,arefpecified m the Epiftle to the Hebrewes^This U 
 
 HcUio. 16.17. the Teftament that ? wilmake unto them,after thofe dates, faith 
 the Lord f I will put my lawes into their heart s y & in their minds 
 I will write them>& their fins and iniquities will I remember m 
 more. The fubftance of which covenant is this, that ail their 
 fins fhall be forgiven,& both the guilt and punifhment ther- 
 of wholly removed:yea they fhal not only be juftified,butaIfo 
 fan£r.ified,rhe lawes of God & hispromifes fhall be written 
 in their minds,fo that they fhall have the knowledge of them; 
 and in their hearts,fo that they ftiall have the comfort, & fee- 
 ling,andfrnitionofthem: they fhall not onely have intereft 
 in all Gods graces and bleffings, but according to their neede 
 fhall have the ufe and in joy ment thereof. And what treafures 
 are comparable unto thefe ? If wee fhould receive many ten 
 thoufand pounds at every Sermon and Sacrament;it'were no- 
 thing 
 
of the Lords Supper. 263 
 
 thing to this Iegacy,which is fcaled unto us in the Lords Sup- 
 per -.the worth whereof is fo much the greater, by how much 
 it hath more excellent appurtenances annexed unto it beyond 
 that,which other Wils have. 
 
 Firft,when other legacies are paid,they can be no more ck- x 
 
 mandedibut this is ftill due unto us; it is as it were a contina- 
 all rent, and the more we receive, the greater aflurance have 
 WC of a larger portion, both grace and glory. 
 
 Secondly, whereas when men have bequeathed any thing 
 unto us,we muft ftay for it till their breath be out of their bo- 
 diesrbere it is otherwlfe; when once we have tfois Teftament 
 iealeduntous, weefhall have prefent participation of the 
 things therein made fure unto us,becaufe the Teftator is alrea- 
 dy deceafed. 
 
 Thkdly,wbereas others leave executors to performe their I 
 
 Wils,the Lord liveth for ever,fo that he himfelfe that made it 9 
 will alfoexecute it: and therefore as it is called a Teftament, 
 fo it is elfe-where termed a Covenantor thefulfilling wher- 
 ©f,the Lord hath entred into bonds, and pawned his word 
 and promife,his truth and fidelity, his oath, yea himfelfe, his lcr *3*3*« 
 nature, and all that he hath: fo that it is impoiTtble he (hould 
 faile in performing the leaft claufe thereof. The ufe thereof 
 fhallbe. 
 
 Fir ft,for mftru&ion, that feeing there is fuch a rich treafure Vfe 1, 
 offered unto worthy receivers of che Lords Supper, therefore 
 we fhould not fufter any earthly commodities, as oxen/armes, i ti ^ c X4# 
 or the like to keep us from the fame. 
 
 Secondly,here is comfort for Gods poore /ervants : albeit Vftz> * 
 they have but a fmall quantitie of earthly things, feeing they 
 have fuch intereft in Chrift his Will, their ftate is happy ; they 
 have a faire liAing,and a goodly heritage; the Lord himfelfe is 
 their portion:and therfore though they have not thefe out- 
 ward things themfelves, yet feeing they have the owner and 
 commander of them to be theirs ,they are richly provided for, . 
 Chrift being theirs, all is theirs. And as in '.'refpecTr of them- 
 ielves, fo alfo of their children, this offereth them matter of 
 confolation.Alas poore creatures(fay many J we have little or 
 nothing to leave them; but have you procured them a legacie 
 
 in 1 
 
igj The 1 tenth Sermon 
 
 in Chrift his will ? if you doefo, though they have littlei hee 
 hath much, and therefore never be afraid ; they fhall befuffici-* 
 ently provided for. 
 yn £ Thirdly, by this point all fuch as have beene communicants 
 
 at the Lords Table, may make tryall of themfelves, whether 
 they have beene worthy receivers or not : hath the Lord im- 
 parted his graces unto them ? have they gotten affurance of 
 the remiflion of their finnes, and the power of the word in 
 their hearts to quell the ftrength of their corruptions? &c. If 
 • they find this in themfelves, they may-be affiired that the Lord 
 hath gracioufly received them into his favour jbut if they find 
 no increafe of knowledge nor defire thereof; no vertue of 
 Chrift tocrucifietheir iufts : and to quicken them to good 
 duties, &c. they may as cer taineiy conclude on the other fide, ' 
 that they came unworthily and unpreparedly, and therefore 
 (peed accordingly,being fent away altogether barren & emp- 
 ty. Forconcerningthofe that are within the covenant, it is 
 - iiid;They Jhall teach no more every man hi* neighbour ^& every 
 
 ■ * l - 34 * man his brother^ fayingX***' the Lord(they werepaft thatJJ 
 for (faith the Lord)thej flail all know me) in a com* 
 petent meaii\ve(from the leafi of them 
 unto thegreatefi* 
 
 The end of the tenth Sermon, 
 
 A 
 
} 
 
 A profitable Metaphrafe, upon the 
 
 Epijlle ofV au Ltd the Cefofiians. 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 I Paul under Handing that there are that go about tofpoyle 
 you,and to make a prey ofyou,partly by fliew or wifdome 
 and Philofophy,and partly by the beggerly elements of the 
 world, or Ceremonies of the Iewes, thought it needfull to 
 write unto you, that according as ye have received Iefus 
 Chrift at the firft, even Co that ye would abide and proceed 
 further in him, that you may be rooted and further built in 
 the faith. 
 
 Verfe i . Paul an Apoftle offefus Chrift, bj the wi/lofGod, 
 and Timotheus our brother. 
 
 ANd that I write unto you , know that I do it with 
 warrant: for I am an Apoftle of Ieftis Chrift, and not 
 tyed to any particular congregation, or to one Pro- 
 vince, yea, or to one Kingdome, but am an Ambafla- 
 dor,and have commifTion to all the world. Neither do I come 
 to this charge of mine owne will , or of the will of any other 
 man, but by the will of God: and the fame his revealed will. 
 And albeit my authority herein be fufificient to convince al! 
 men of the truth I write of, yet for further and ftronger con- 
 firmation thereof, I have / oyned Timotheus, my welbeloved 
 brother, to beare record with me, that in the mouth of two 
 witnefles, the truth may be more furely eftabHfhed. 
 
 Verfe 2.- To them which are at Colofle, Saints, andfahhfull 
 brethren in Chrift, Grace be -with you , and peace from God the 
 Father, and from our Lord fefus Chrift. 
 
 And confidering that the bleffing of all labour dependeth 
 upon the Lord,our beginning is with hearty prayer unto God 
 for the grace and favour of God, to be freely given, together 
 
 T with 
 
^6 eA Metaphrafe, Ch a P . I 2 
 
 with all buffings , both of this life , and of that which is to 
 come, from God the Father, and from our Lord Iefus Chrift, 
 to you Colojfians ; yet not all that dwell in that City, but to 
 thofe which by faith are Saints and brethren, not in the flefh, 
 but in Iefus Chrift. 
 
 Verfe 3 . We rive thank* unto God even the Father of our 
 Lordjefm Chrift, alwayes praying for you. 
 
 And that you may have further teftimony of our love to- 
 wards you, know you that w r e do continually both pray and 
 ^ive thanks to God for ye>u : whom, to feparate frorn all falfe 
 gods, I call the Father of our Lord Iefus Chrift. 
 
 Verfe 4. Since we heard ofyourfakh in £hrift Iefus-, and of 
 your love towards all Saints. 
 
 For,the report of your profefTion and piety in Iefus Chrift, 
 and of your love towards all Saints, is come unto us. 
 
 Verfe 5 . For the hopes fake which is laid up for you in hea- 
 ven, whereof ye have heard before by the word of truth , which 
 is the GofbelL 
 
 Which both profefTion and love we know to be flncere in 
 that they are upholden in you through the hope and expecta- 
 tion of a treafiire laid up, not on earth, but in heaven ; which 
 hope you have conceived.not of yourownefantafie, or of the 
 word of any man, but by the word of truth, that is to fay, the 
 Gofpell. 
 
 Verfe 6. Which is come unto you , even at it is unto all the 
 world, and is fruitfully as it isalfo among you, from the day that 
 ye heard, and truly knew the grace of God, 
 
 And if you aske what is that truth or Gofpel? verily none 
 other than rhat which is preached among you now : which is. 
 not among you alone, but is preached in all the world, a cer- 
 taine note of the truth thereof: there having never beene, nor 
 ever dial be any doffrine,which hath leavened fo great a lump 
 ofdoughasis the world, but ontly the Gofpel. And for fur- 
 ther afiurance that it. is the truth of God , I offer this to your 
 confederation , that as in the other places of the world , (b a- 
 mong you,it hath brought forth fruit,even from the firft time 
 you have truly & fmcercly acknowledged this grace of God. 
 
 Verfe 
 
Ch a p rtT upon the Coloff!ans~] 2 67 
 
 Verfe 7. As ye alfo learned of Epaphras our deare fellow- 
 fervant, which is far J oh a faithful I Minifler of£hrifl. 
 
 Where ifyou lay, we know not what doctrine is preached 
 in all the wo'rld,nor what fruit it hath brought forth;although 
 it be no other thing than the common and conflant report 
 which many may bring unto yoir.yet to joyne neare unto you, 
 and to rid you of all doubt/which is the true Gofpel of Chrifl, 
 it is even the very fame that you have learned of Upaphras; 
 whom, ifyou love me, you mull: love , as being my beloved 
 fello w-fervant in Chrift;yea,ifyou love your felves, you muft 
 refpecl him, as being a faithfull Minifler of Chrifl for you. 
 
 Verfe 8. Who hath alfo declared unto us your love, which ye 
 have by the Spirit, 
 
 Who made manifeflunto us your true love , not onely na- 
 turall, but that cfpecially which is fpirituall, whereof the Spi- 
 rit is the author. 
 
 Verfe p. For this caufe we alfo,fwce the day we heard of it, 
 ceafe not to pray for you, and to defire that ye might be fulfilled 
 with the knowledge of his will* in all wifedome, and jpirituall 
 under (landing. 
 
 And as we give thanks for your good , and fo for the fame 
 caufe that you have well begun (both becauf e you fliould not 
 go backe againe, and for that you have not attained to perfe- 
 ction) even from the firfl day we heard of you, we never give 
 over praying for you, making this fuit, that you may be filled 
 with the knowledge of his will, in all wifedome and under- 
 flanding, whereof the holy Ghofl is the author. 
 
 Ver. I o. That ye might walhe worthy oftheLord^andpleafe 
 him in all things ', beingfruitfnllin all good works , and increa- 
 fing in the knowledge of God. ^ 
 
 Not that you lliould content your felves with a bare know- 
 ledge and contemplation of heavenly things, but that you 
 walke worthy of thofe whom the Lord hath called to fuch 
 honour, to afuli and whole pleafmg of him, both by bringing 
 forth fruit in every good worke,and by being increafed in the 
 knowledge of God. 
 
 Verfe 1 1 .Strengthened with all mighty through his glorious 
 power yHnto all patience and long-fuffcring with joy fulnejje. 
 
 T 2 / Wherein 
 
2 6$ *A Metaphrafe* Cham; 
 
 Wherin becaufe there are many difficulties and hindrance* 
 laid in our way, our fuit alfo is, that you may be ftrengthened 
 with all manner of ftrength, according to that glorious pow- 
 er, which being in God, he is ableto rurnifh you with ; that 
 even with joy,you may be ableto beareall troubles,how grie- 
 vous and how continuali'foever they be. 
 
 Verf. I 2. Giving thanks unto the father \ which hath made 
 us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. 
 
 And as we give not over praying for you,fo do we not ceafe 
 to give thanks to God the Father, becaufe that it is he that by 
 his holy Spirit hath made us lit to have a part in the inheri- 
 tance of Saints : whom whether we confider as they are in 
 this world by reafon of the comfort and knowledge of God , 
 or as they {hall be in the world to come,by reafon of their peiv - 
 feci bleffedneflej may well be faid to be in light. 
 
 Verfe 1 3. Who hath delivered us fiom the power of 'darknes^ 
 and hath tranflated its into the kingdome of his deare Sonne. 
 
 This part ofour inheritance ftandeth firftjn that God with 
 a mercifull hand pulled us out, both of the prefent darknes of 
 ignorance and difobedicnce, and from that which is to come 
 even the mofl fearfuil punifliment of them both. And fecond- 
 ly,it ftandeth in this, that the fame God hath tranflated us in- 
 to the kingdome or his mofl deare Sonne , which being here 
 begun, fhall be accomplifhed in the life to come. 
 
 Verfe 1 4. In whom we have redemption through his blond \ 
 that is y theforgtveneffe of finnes. 
 
 In which his deare Sonne we have a full redemption,wher- 
 of one part which is our /unification , we have already recei- 
 ved, waiting for that which remaineth, even the redemption 
 ofour bodies : all which redemption is purchafed unto us in 
 the obedience of the Sonne , which obedience was fpecially 3 
 and moftfigniricantly declared in the fhedding of his blond. 
 
 Verfe 15. Who is the image of the invifible God , the fir fl^ 
 borne of every creature. 
 
 \ This 
 
C H A P . I . upon the Colojfians. 2 69 
 
 This Chrift, that you may know what plentifull and rich 
 redemption you have in him , to the end that you may reft in 
 him alone, is thus fet forth to you as followeth. As touching 
 his perfbn (landing of two natures , be is the moft lively and 
 expreffe image and character of God,not onely of his qualities 
 (if yet there were any qualities in the Godhead)but of his ve- 
 ry nature and eflence - 3 in whom we behold God which is in- 
 vifiblcand touch him which is infeelable, which is the princi- 
 pall heire of all the creatures in the world > in whom we that 
 beleeve have right unto them. 
 
 Verfe 1 6. For by him -were all things created^ -which are in. 
 heaven,and which are in earthjhings vifible and invifible whe- 
 ther they he Thrones i orDominions y orFrincipa/ities > orpowers 9 
 ail things were created by him> and for him. 
 
 For by him all things are created in heaven and in earth,vi~ 
 fible & invi(ible,even the Angels themfelves, to the worship- 
 ing of whom ye arefeduced 1 and amongftthem all of what 
 degree or place fbever they be : whether they fit in Thrones, 
 or whether they have Lordfhip , Principalitie or power over 
 • other Angels,all things are made by him and for him. 
 
 Ver . 1 7. And he is before all things, & in him all things conftfi. 
 Wherefore he is before all things, and all things have their 
 continuance, and are upholden by him. 
 
 Verfe 1 8 , And. he is the head of the body of the Church: he Is 
 the beginnings and the fir -ft -borne of the dead, that in all things 
 ' he might have the preeminence. 
 
 And as touching the office which heexecuteth in refpecl: of 
 both natures, he is the head of the Church, which is hisbodie, 
 and he is the firft fruits and fir ft begotten of the dead.not one- 
 ly in refpe.t that hirnfelfe is rif en, but alio that he is the author 
 of refurredion, which is here begun, and (hall be perfefled in 
 the laft day, when he (hall change thefe vile bodies, and make 
 them like his glorious body. 
 
 Verfe 1 9 . Fork f leafed the Father, that in him jhotild all 
 fftlnejfc dwelL 
 
 J 3 ?5* 
 
Zjo \A Metaphrafe, ChaP.I 
 
 "For in hitr. it is the good pkafure of God, that the grace of 
 the Spirit fhould without meafure fully dwell. 
 
 Verle 20. asfnd by him to reconcile all things unto himfelfe, 
 and to fet at peace J hrough the blood of hi<s Crcjfe both the things 
 in earthy a>;d the things in heaven. 
 
 That by him he might reconcile unto himfelf,making peace 
 by the death of his Croffe, bet vveene God and all men, whe* 
 ther it be they which having beleeved in him before his com- 
 ming, are now in heaven : or thofe which being in earth, do 
 beleeveinhim. 
 
 Verfe 2 1 . And yon -which re ere in times pafi fir angers and 
 enemies y becaufe your minds re ere fet in evill works, hath he now 
 alfo reconciled. 
 
 Wherefore having reconciled all unto himfelfe,hehath re- 
 conciled you alio; which benefit that it might be the better e- 
 lleemed , confider what ye were when he reconciled you, 
 ftrangers from God, yea enemies in your very underftanding, 
 which is thechiefeft, and therefore much more in other parts: 
 which enmitie was made manifefl by your evill works. 
 
 Verfe 22. In the body ofhisfiefh through death, to make you 
 holy and unblameable, and without fault in his fight. 
 
 I fay now he hath reconciled you in his humane naturelike 
 unto ours,by his death, to the end he might make you holy, & 
 without fpot,and blameleffe in all fincerity.as before himfelfe.' 
 
 Verf.2 3 . If 'ye continue grounded andefiablijhedin the faith , 
 and be not moved away from the hope of the Gosfell, whereof ye 
 have heard , and which hath beene preached to every creature 
 which is under heaven, whereof IVmlam a Minifler. 
 
 And this reconciliation know no other wife to belong unto 
 y ou than ye abide grounded and fetled infaith,and be not car- 
 ried away from the hope you have heard in the Gofpell, the 
 truth whereof appeareth,in that in f o fhort a time it hath been 
 preached to all nations under the cope of heaven ; of which 
 Gofpeli I my felfe am a Minifter. 
 
 Verfe 24. Now rejoyce I in my fufferings for you>and fulfill 
 therefi of the affliclions of Chrifi in the fie Jh for his bodies fake, 
 •which is the Church . W here- 
 
C H A P . I 1 upon the Coloffians. ^ji 
 
 Wherein it ought not to diimay you that I am in bonds,fee- 
 ingmyfelfedore/oyeeinit: feeing it is not for redemption 
 (which Chrift alone hath wrought) but for the confirmation, 
 of your faith, and example of your patience : & feeing thereby 
 are ful filled the pafTions which are yet wanting unto the body 
 of Chrift, which is the Church,which muft be like unto Chrift 
 her head in fuffering , that it may be like unto him in glory, 
 And finally, fince it is not for your good alone , but for the 
 good of the whole body of Chrift, which is the Church, 
 
 Verfe 2 > . Whereof lama Minifier, according to the difpen* 
 fat ion of God which is given me unto you-ward to fulfil the 
 word of God. 
 
 Whereof as of the Gofpell I am a Minifter,and that by the 
 ordinance of God , who committed a fte wardfnip unto me, 
 that in you might be fulfilled the word of God . 
 
 Verfe 26. Which is the my fiery hid fince the world began^and 
 from all age s> but now is made manifefl to his Saints. 
 
 I meane the fecret of the Gofpel/o worthily called, for that 
 it hath beene hidden from all times and generations hitherto: 
 and now is made manifeft not to all, but to his Saints. 
 
 Verfe 27. To whom Cjod would make knowne what is the ri- 
 ches 0$ his glorious my fiery among the Gentiles, which riches is 
 Chrifi in you, the hope of glory. 
 
 Even to as many as God of his good will would make 
 knowne the glorious riches of his fecret among the Gentiles, 
 which glorious riches is Chrift in you, the fame alone , by 
 whom we may hope for glory. 
 
 Verfe 28. Whom we preach, admonifhing every man , and 
 teaching every man in all wifedome 3 that we may prefent every 
 man perfetl in Chrifi Jefus. 
 
 The fame alfo whom we do preach,partly admonifhing ill 
 forts of men, and partly teaching all forts of men, all heavenly 
 wifedome; thereby to prefent men of all fbrts,perfeftly wife, 
 andblefled, through Iefus Chrift. 
 
 Verfe 29. whereunto I alfo labour andfirive 9 according to 
 his wording which worketh in me mightily t 
 
 W T here- - 
 
 i 
 
2 yt A Metaphraje, i_ H A P . 1 . 
 
 Whcreunto I labour fore,ftriving forcibly , which yet would 
 be unfruitfull, were it not that God worketh by his Spirit 
 mightily with my Minifterie. 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 Verfe I. For, I would ye kuewwhat great fighting I have 
 for your fakes, and for them 0/Laodicea , and for as many at 
 have notfeene myperfon in theflefh. 
 
 T Hat which I fay of my grievous labour and ftrife for all 
 men, is truly verified of you:for I would not have you ig- 
 norant of the great agony and ftrife foHpyou,and for thofe that 
 are in the Church of Laodicea y and others that are about you 
 in the Countries ofPhrygia, notwithstanding that they never 
 fa w myperfon. 
 
 Verfe 2. That their h ear ts might be comforted>and they knit 
 together in love, and in all riches of the full ajjurance of under- 
 ftanding, to know the my fiery of God^ even the Father y and of 
 Chrifi. 
 
 And my care 2nd thought is,that through the preaching of 
 the Gofpel you might be comforted at the heart by a knitting, 
 fetling together, and compacting of your minds one to ano- 
 ther, through abundance of perfwaded understanding , and 
 acknowledgement of the myftery of God,that is to fay,of the 
 father, and of Chrift. 
 
 Verfe 3. In whom are hid all the treafures ofwifedome and 
 knowledge. 
 
 In which Chrift are all the treafores of wifedome and 
 knowledge treafured up,but yet hidden from the natural man. 
 
 Verfe 4. And this Ifayjeft any manfoculd beguile you with 
 inticing words. 
 
 The drift of all the commendations of the preaching of the 
 
 Gofpel, and of Chrift , whom the Gofpel doth fet forth and 
 
 preach unto you is that no man by apparant and perfwafible 
 
 fpeeches do traniportyou. 
 
 Ver. 5 .For though J be abfcnt in thefiejhyet am I with you in 
 
 -* the 
 
Cn\V>%l upon the Coloffians] 2j$ 
 
 the Spirit, repyclng And beholding jour order, and your ftedfaft 
 faith in Chrift. 
 
 t Where if you aske,how I that never faw you,fhould be thus 
 carefull of you; and fhould care for youfo much, that never 
 came to fee you; know, that although I be abfent as touching 
 the flefh, yet I am prefent with as touching the Spirit, re/oy- 
 cing to fee your good order,and policy of the Church,caufed 
 through the foundneffe of the faith which is towards Chrift. 
 
 Verfe 6. As ye have therefore received fchrifl Iefus the Lord, 
 fo walke in him. 
 
 Wherefore as you have receiued the Lord Iefus Chri(t,fo let 
 it appeare by your converlation,as in all other things,fo in hol- 
 ding faft the truth of the Gofpell. 
 
 Verfe 7 .Rooted and built in him, andftablifhedin the faiths 
 as ye have beene taught^abounding therein with thanks-giving. 
 
 Being rooted and builded in him,and ftrengthened in the 
 faith, and that with thankefgiving for the mercy you have re- 
 ceived in Chrift, 
 
 Verfe 8. Beware left there be any man that Jpoyle you through 
 P 'hilofophie } and vaine deceit ^through the traditions ofmen^ ac» 
 cording to the rudiments of the world^andnot after Chrift. 
 
 Looke about you by found knowledge of the trnth,left any 
 of what 6pinion,holineffe, or learning foever, by either fhew 
 ofrea(bn,comming from thebraineof men,whch hath beene 
 received from hand to hand, and yet is nothing elfe but a de- 
 ceit or fleight,or elle by the ceremonies of the Law, where- 
 with as by certaine rudiments or A. B.C.the people of God as 
 children were trained to this perfection of Doctrine, which 
 now hath fnined out unto you, dee vanquifli you, and draw 
 you before them,as prifoners faft bound in chaines and mana- 
 cles oferrours:yea,take heed of any doctrine whatsoever, that 
 either taketh any thing away from Chrift, or placeth any the 
 Lckft jot offal vation other- where than in him. 
 Ver. p. For in him dwelleth allthefulneffe of the Godhead bodily 
 For feeing that in the nature of Chrift, the fulnefle of the 
 
 V Godhead 
 
2 j q *A Metaphrafe C h a ifajj 
 
 God~hcad doth perlonally reft and abide, that both the na- 
 tures of the God- head & the man-hood,make but one Chriu\ 
 what is there needfull for your falvation, that you maynat 
 have abundantly in him ?. 
 
 Verfe I o. sAndye are complete in him, which & the head of all 
 principality and Power. 
 
 Confidering that this fulneffe of all graces which is in him,' 
 lie hath not for himfelfe but for you,with all whatfoeyer you 
 haveneede of unto falvation. 
 
 And the fame Chrift howfoever a little inferiour to Angels 
 as touching his man-hood, yet now according to his man- 
 hood is head, not onely of the Church (as is aforefaid) but of 
 all Powers and Principalities that are in heaven,whereby may 
 appear e their errour, which worfhip Angels. 
 
 Ver . II. Jn whom alfo ye are circumcifedwith circumcifion 
 made -without hands , b y putting of thefinfull body of the flefh y 
 through the circumcifion of Chrift. 
 
 Having all falnefle and fumciencie in him, it followeth that 
 what you would have, you feekc in him, which is the cireum- 
 cifion of the fore-skinne, who was circumcifednot for him- 
 felfe, but for you. And in him you have a more plentifull cir« 
 cumcifion than that which you fb greedily purfiie: for that is 
 made with the bodily hands of man,which can goe no further 
 than the flefti: whereas this circumcifion is made with the 
 finger of God, which entreth into the heart s whereof one 
 rruit is, the cutting offofthe whole body and mafTe offinne, 
 which rifeth and budded) from the carnall corruption of ori- 
 ginall finne. 
 
 Verfe 1 2 . In that ye are buried with him through baptifme^in 
 whom y e are alfo raifedup together, through the faith of the ope- 
 ration of God, who raifed him from the dead. 
 
 Where if you reply, that Abraham and other godly Patri- 
 archs,and Fathers under the law, had this circumcifion of the 
 heartland yet notwithstanding received the outward cutting 
 of the fore-skinne for a feale of that inward circumcifion, I 
 grants and therefore you have for an outward feale of your 
 
 iaward 
 
C H A P .2 * Up6n the Colo tfiani] VJ$ 
 
 inward cutting and purging your corruprion, the Sacrament 
 ofBaptifme:a feale, that with Chrift. you are buried unto fin: 
 that fin is truely mortified and deadned in you, that it fhould 
 no more raigne over you,nor you fhould live to it. 
 
 Another fruit alfo ot this circumcifion, whereof Baptifme k 
 a feale, that with Chrift. you are raifed up to newneffe of life, 
 through faith, which God hath wrought in you by the fame 
 almighty power, whereby he hath railed Chrift fro the dead, 
 
 Verfe I %.Andye which are deadinfwnes, and in the uncir* 
 CHmcifion ofyourfejhyhath he quick&ed together with him for- 
 giving you atlyourtrefpajfes. 
 
 And no marvaiie though you have need of the fame power 
 to quicken you, which the Father declared in the raifing up of 
 his Sonne,feeingaIfo you are dead in finnes, fhadowed & fet 
 forth by the circumcifion of the flefh, and at once quickened 
 together with him, in having all your finnes forgiven you. 
 
 Verfe 1 4. And putting out the hand-writing of ordinances' 
 that was againfi nsjvhich was contrary to usjne even toolkit out 
 of the way y andfaflenedit upon the Crojfe. 
 
 As by his death he hacli gotten us remiffion of finnes, fo by 
 the fame he hath blotted out the hand-writing which was 
 witnefle of our finnes, as of a debt,wherein we ftood bound 
 to God: which hand-writing,ftandeth in rites and ceremonies 
 of the Law which by his death is not onely blotted out,but by 
 thefimenaiies whereby his bleiTed hands and feet were nay- 
 led to the CrofTe,as it were nailed through and cancelled. 
 
 Verfe 15. And hath foiled the Principalities, and Powers^ 
 and hath made ajbew of them openly 3 and hath triumphed over 
 them in the famecrojfe % 
 
 Neither is it marvell if by his CrofTe thefe enemies were 
 done away, feeing upon the fame Croflehe hath fpoiled the 
 Diveli.and all the power and hoaft of Hell : and having dilar- 
 medthem.he made an open (hew of them, triumphing upon 
 them in his Cr olle, where they thought utterly to have van- 
 quiftiedand overcomehim. 
 
 Verfe 16 .Let no man therfore condertneyou in meat & drink, 
 
 Vz er 
 
-X^O AMetaphrafe y Ch AJP . »y 
 
 or in reJpcEl of an holy~day y or of the new fnoon>Qr of the Sabbath 
 dales. 
 
 Wherefore as by this meanescirciimcifion is taken away,fo 
 likewise is taken away difference of all meates and dayes. 
 Therefore as in Chrifino man fhould condemne you for the 
 life of any meat and drinker in refpect of a feaft>day 3 whether 
 it be new Moone.or the three folemne Sabbaths;fo if any man 
 either ignorantly,or maliciouily doe condemne you,you fhal 
 not need to fcare their judgement. 
 
 Verfe 17. Which are but afijddow of things to come : but the 
 lodj is of'Chrjfi. 
 
 Gonlidering that thefe things were but fhadowes^.. which 
 have no more place,€hrift the head being come. 
 Ver.l S.Let no ?nanat his pleafure bear erule over yon by hum-* 
 blenes of 'mind, and iv'or 'flipping of jingo ls>adv anting himfelfe in 
 thcfe things which he never faw y rajhlypuft up with hisflejhty. 
 minde. 
 
 Now having fpoken of the Elements of the world,which are 
 the ceremonies of the law, I come to the vaine Philosophy I 
 gave yon warning of; again ft the which I cbferve- this rjile, 
 that you give no man,of what (hew foever, this power over 
 you,that for his own lufUn matters pertaining to God,hee u- 
 furpe authority ;ho wf bever the doctrine he bring carry a fhew 
 of humility s as f6r example, thofe that teach the .worftupping 
 of Angels,as meanes to come more eaflly to Chrift. In which 
 thing, what do they elfe but thruft themfelves ititb things they 
 never khew,cnly grounded upon a proud coceit of their fleili- 
 iy mradjnotwichftahding their great pretence of humility ? 
 
 V. 1 9 2 And holdeth not th«\head 9 w.hfrof all the body fur npjhed 
 & knit together byjoynts & bonds increafeth with the increa- 
 fin? of God. 
 
 Which error ought-fb much the more to be abhorred.as they 
 which are infecled with it,do not in deed,whatfoever they do 
 in word,hold Chiiftfaftjwhich- is the head of the Church: of 
 whom the whole,body,as it were by joynts and bonds,being 
 furnifhed and campacl: togetherjs mriched & increafed with 
 an increafe which God bothalloweth and giveth. 
 L yeY.iQJ.vherfore if ye be dead with Crifiyfrom the ordinances 
 
Chap.5^ ufonthe Celeffiani] 'ijj 
 
 ®f the world J»hyjU though ye lived in the world, are je burden- 
 edwith traditions ? 
 
 Now feeing you are dead with Chrift,by whofe death you 
 are delivered from the ceremonies of Gods own Law,where- 
 with as with certaine rudiments the people of the lews were 
 trained to further perfection, which now they have attained 
 unto in the Doctrine of the Gofpell, why as though you lived 
 ftillin the world, do you ftiffer your felves to be charged with 
 the ceremonies of the world? 
 
 Verfe 21. As touch not> tafie not y handle not. 
 
 I fay that which you and your falfe Teachers fay,Touch not 
 fuch a thing, tafte not fuch a meat, handle not fuch a one. 
 
 Verfe 2 2. which allperijh with the ufing 3 and are after the 
 commandements and Doctrines of men. 
 
 All which things feeing that through the ufe of them" they 
 areconfumed, have no ftrength to life everlafting,efpecialiy 
 being nothing but the doclrines and commandments of men. 
 
 Verfe 2 3 . Which things have indeed ajhew of wifedorne in 
 voluntary religion,and humbLenejfe ofminde 3 and in notjparing 
 the body : neither have they it in any eftimation to fatufie the 
 flefh. 
 
 I deny not but that they have a colour and fhew of wife- 
 dome, partly, in that in them there is a worfhip over and a- 
 bove that which God hath commanded, to whom no fervice 
 isiufficient which we can do:partly through a kindeof humi- 
 lity,and partly in a hardufageofthebodyjwhich yet are of no 
 piice/eeing they are of things wherewith the flefh is filled. 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 Verfe I. If ye then be rifen with Chrift,feeke t ho fe things 
 which are above^where fchrift fttteth at the right hand of God. 
 
 BEing through faith ingrafted, and incorporated into 
 Chrift (as hath beene (aid, and as your felves profefle) as 
 touching finne , dead and buried with him : and as touching 
 newneffe of life,quickened and rifen againe : Now ifin truth 
 
 V 3 you 
 
f 7.S -d Metaphrafe^ C k a p . 3 'I 
 
 you be rifen with Chrift , then as Chrift rifing remained not 
 here on earth,but afcended up into heaven,where under God, 
 as touching his man-hood, he is exalted in power and ma jelly 
 above all powers and principalities in heaven and earth ; fo 
 vou by feeing, and f eeking after the graces that corae from a- 
 bove, afcend up whither he is gone. 
 
 Verfe 2. Set your affellions on things that are above^and not 
 on things -which are on the earth , 
 
 And to the intent you may carefully feeke after them , ye 
 muftfirft favour and fet your affections upon the things that 
 are above,and confequently not to fet your affections upon ei- 
 ther the former corruptions of falfe doctrine, or elfe upon the 
 defilements of a corrupt converfation of life : or finally, upon 
 the perifhable tranfitory things of this bafc world , all which 
 are meere earthly. 
 
 Verfe 3 . For ye are dead^ and your life is hid with Q jr *ft * n 
 God, 
 
 Vnto which diflafte of earthly things you are cailed,in that 
 you being rifen with Chriftjare confequently dead with him. 
 Where if haply you mould ob/ect,that there isfmall wifdome 
 to quit your former life,not being afliired of another^ mould 
 aske how it fhouid appeare you live , feeing befides the affli- 
 ctions you are expofed unto, you feele the daily incumbrance 
 of finne,which dwelleth in your mortall bodies:It is true-that 
 it is not fo apparant, as that which is hidden from the world* 
 and of your felves not fo fully and feelingly underftpod.How- 
 beit that ought not to difmay you s flrft, for that it is laid up 
 with God, who is a true keeper of it. And fecondly,for that as 
 your life is hidden,fo is Chrifts life and glory,who is the head. 
 
 Ifa. 60,17,1^. Verfe 4. When Chrift which is our life, Jhall appeare > then 
 & 65 • *?♦ ftjallye alfo appeare with him in glory. 
 
 Maulu7. Anc j laftiy^ f or tnat w h en Chrift, of whom you have life, 
 
 mall be made manifefl in glory, then mall you alfo with him 
 appeare glorious. 
 
 Verfe 5 . Adortife therefore your members, which are on the 
 earth, fornication, uncleanncffe, the inordinate affttlion , evill 
 concupifcence 9 andcovetoufnej]e y which is Idolatry. 
 
 Where- 
 
Ch a P . I \ upen the Colofpani. 'ijp 
 
 Wherefore being aflured of another life, mortifie your 
 members that are earthly and carnall. If you aske what?I can- 
 not reckon up all, but I will touch Tome , thofe Specially that 
 you are'infecled with, whereby you may eafily conceive of 
 the reft, (uch as are fornication, uncieane behaviour, wanton- 
 nefle,evill concupifcence,and covetoufnefle,which befides the 
 exceffive defire of goods, is a kinde of idolatry, for that men 
 do put their truft in riches, that are covetous. 
 
 Verfe 6, For the which things fake >t he wrath ofGodcometh 
 on the children ofdifobedience. 
 
 For every one of the which, the wrath of God cometh on 
 thofe that remaine in them . 
 
 Verf. 7. Wherein ye alfo watted once, when ye lived in them. 
 
 And the rather mortifie thefe finnes as in times paft you 
 
 have praclifed them, when being given unto them,your natu- 
 
 rall corruption as a kinde of life, gave power and moving for 
 
 the pra&ife of them. 
 
 Verfe 8 . But now put ye away even all thefe things : wrath, 
 anger y ma lie ioufneffe, curfed freaking, filthy freaking out of your 
 mouth. 
 
 Now therefore that you are called to the hope of abetter 
 life, lay afide farre from you , as things you cannot abide the 
 fight of,not onely the groffer finnes before mentioned,but al- 
 fo all manner of finne, without endeavour , whereof there is 
 no true mortification. For example,anger,heat, from whence 
 commeth malice, which breaketh out at the mouth, by railing 
 and reviling. 
 
 Verfe 9. Lye not one to another y feeing that ye have put off 
 the old man with his works. 
 
 Specially when you cannot truly charge them , take heed 
 you lye not one againft another: but putting off, as an old and 
 rotten garment, the old man,which you bring from your mo- 
 thers wombe, with the actions thereof , as it were Co many 
 tatters. 
 
 Verfe 10. Andhave put on the new y which isremtedin know- 
 ledge ,after 'the image of him that created him, 
 
 V 4 Now; 
 
5 8 o e^ Metaphrafe, Ch a p . $; 
 
 Now left being found naked you be amamed,puton,asa 
 new and comely garment, the new man : which if you aske 
 what it is, it is the fame part which is renewed in you, to the 
 iikeneffe of him that made you , which UkenefTe confifteth in 
 the Knowledge of God. 
 
 Verfe 1 1 . Where is neither Grecian nor Jeiv , circumcifioa 
 nor uncircumcifion, Barbarian^Scythian, bondyfreejut Ckrifi 
 is all t and in all things. 
 
 Whereby fhall come to pafle, that howfoever the falfe tea-' 
 chers place it in being a Iew,rather than being a Gentile: cir- 
 cumcifed rather than imchcumcifed : and the opinion of the 
 common fort is 3 that the Barbarian and Scythian is in a farre 
 wort e cafe than the Romane,and the fervant but a bead in re* 
 fped: of the free-man :yet with God there is no difrerence,fee« 
 ing Chrift, whom by a new birth they have put on , is mail, 
 and is all that God reipecteth, and accepteth of. 
 
 Verfe 1 2 . Now therefore as the Eletl ofCjod, holy and be- 
 kved, put on tender mercyjzindneffejhumbleneffe ofmindjneek- 
 nejfe, I ong-f offering. 
 
 To come to a more particular defcription of the new man 
 decke your felves(as it becommeth the ElecT of God,and fuch 
 as are holy through his love, the caufe both of your' election 
 and holinefle) with tender compaffion^eafinefTe to be implor- 
 ed, hurnilitie, mildneffe, long-fuffering. 
 
 Verfe 13. Forbearing ofie another, and fer giving one On*- 
 ther y if any man have a qtiarrellto another; even as Chrifl for- 
 gave you y evenfo doye. 
 
 Which vermes muft be declared effectually , not onely in 
 forbearing one another,butalfo in frankly forgiving one ano- 
 ther, if any have a quarrell oneagainft another, even as (Thrift 
 hath frankly forgiven you; even ib do ye. 
 
 Verfe 14. csfnd 'above all 'thefe things put on love, which is 
 1 he bondofperfetlnejfe. 
 
 And though thole be fingular vertues,yet above them all,as 
 the root and mother of them, decke your felves with love, 
 which is as it were a bond to bin k- in a bundle thofe , and all 
 ?*S* ver^? ending to perfeaion,an.d, without which there 
 
 is 
 
 
CH a P . % . upon the Colojftani, 2 g x 
 
 is no foundneffe in any of them, what glittering fliew foever 
 they carry. 
 
 Verfe I 5 . And let the fence of God rule inyourhearts>to the 
 which ye are called in one body, and be ye amiable. 
 
 And though the fpirit of the old man within you,hath a de- 
 fire to contend, yet let the peace of God beare the f way, and 
 overcome : unto the which peace you are evidently called, in 
 that you are members of one myfticall body :for the better en- 
 tertainment of which peace , be gratefull one to another, as 
 well in conferring, as in requiting benefits. 
 
 Verfe 1 6. Let theword of Chrifl dwell in you flenteoufly in 
 (dlnvifcdome , teaching and admonijhing your owne felvesin 
 'Pfalmes, and Hymnes, and fpirit nail Songs ^finging with grace 
 in your hearts to the Lord, 
 
 To the end you may refraine all the vices aforefaid,and pra- 
 clifeall the vertues afore- fpoken,together with all other vices 
 to be avoided,and vertues to be embraced, it is neceflarie that 
 you be exhorted , that the Word of God be as familiar unto • 
 you,as if now in one houfe it dwelt with you,that you have it 
 alfo plentifully, and as it were treafured up againft the day of 
 need. Laftofall, that you have it in allwifedome, making 
 choice both of the things that are mod important in it , and 
 especially that which doth moft concerne your felves, & your 
 owne particular ufe, avoiding all curious queflions , tending 
 rather to ftrife, than to edification of God ; which is by faith. 
 And as you mud have it for your owne ufe, fo alfo for the ufe 
 of others, as well in teaching thofe that are ignorant, as in ad- 
 monifhing thofe thatwalke not according to their know- 
 ledge they have received. 
 
 And in your meetings to make merry, let your mirth be 
 lhewed forth in Pfalmes, finging as well with inftrument as 
 with voyce : aUb with Hymnes ofthankigiving for benefits 
 received : and for further variety againft irkfbmnefle which 
 our nature eafily fallcth into, withfongsof praifing God for 
 his noble acfts, all fpirituall unto the Lord, not onely withthe^ 
 voyce, but efpecially with the heart, with fuch both tune and 
 gefture as may give grace to the hearer, 
 
 Verfe 
 
2 S l *sf Afetdphrdfe, C h a p . $ J 
 
 Ver. 1 7. Andvchatfoevcryejhalldo in word or deed^ do all in 
 the Name of the Lord fefus, giving thanks to God even the Fa- 
 ther by him. 
 
 To' conclude (becaufe it is infinite to fpeake oFall things 
 particularly) whatfoever you do in word or deed, let it be 
 fiich, as calling on the Name of God in Iefiis Chrift , for the 
 good direction in them , you may retnrne with thankful nefTe 
 to God the Father through Iefus Chrift, the onely Mediatour 
 betweene God and us. 
 
 Verfe I 8. Wives fubmit yonr f elves unto your husbands, as 
 it is comely in the Lord. 
 
 Having inftru&ed you in the duties which are general! to 
 all, I come to info rme you in thofe that are fpeciall, according 
 to the feverall callings of every oneofyou,as thofe which wi 
 eafily come from you, if you have well profited in the former. 
 Now according to the order God himfelfe keepeth in the fift 
 Commandement,! will begin with the duties of inferiours. 
 
 You wives therefore, notwithftanding you have other du- 
 ties,! exhort you to that which is hardeft for you,whetein you 
 arecuftomablyfhorteft,and being performed, others will ea- 
 fily follow; thatyou befub/ecT: and obedient, as to others that 
 may be above you £as Parents and Magiftratesj fo efpecially 
 unto your owne husbands, as that which is the molt comely 
 thing of all, becaufe you I know ftrive to comelinefte. Which 
 obedience and fub/e&ion is not yet fo abfolute, and fo gene- 
 rail, but it hath this exception, fo farre as you are commanded 
 things not unla wfull by the Word of God . 
 
 Verfe 1 9 , Husbands Jove your wives, and be not bitter untc 
 them. 
 
 You husbands although you owe fundry duties unto your 
 wives, yet fpecially I exhort you to love them dearely, as that 
 which you are moil cuftomably fhorteft in : and which being 
 throughly fetled in you, will eafily pull all other duties after it. 
 And therefore be not bitter towards them , which cannot 
 ftand with love. 
 
 Verfe 2 o. Children^ obey your parents m aR things, for that 
 is tve Up leafing unto the Lord. 
 
 Yon children, from a heart fubdued,and truly humble,obey 
 
 your 
 
Chap. J? ' upon the file ffians. 2S3 
 
 your parents , not by halves, and Co farre as they command 
 things to your liking , hut in all things not contrary to the 
 WordofGod, although it be to the crofTmg of your defires: 
 for which caufe let it be alwayes before your eyes as a goade 
 to ftirre you up to this obedience , that in lo doing you fhall 
 not onely pleafe your Parents,but do a thing acceptable to the 
 Lord him ielfe. 
 
 Verfe 2 1 . Fathers provoke not your children to anger , left 
 they be difc our aged. 
 
 You Parents abufe not the authority or the plyable mindes 
 of your children, either by commanding things unlawfull, or 
 by hard ufage of them to provoke them to any undutifulnefle 
 towards you ,. or to have no courage or comfort to do the 
 things required of them. 
 
 Ver. 2 2 . Servants be obedient Unto them that are your Ma- 
 ft ers y ac cording to theflejhjn all things, not with eye-fervice^ as 
 men-pleafersy but infingleneffe of heart, fearing God, 
 
 You fervants, from a minde fubdued, obey your Matters, 
 whofe commandement over you,is but for a time, whiles you 
 are in this fraile eftate r and that in all things which may ftand 
 with the keeping of a good confrience. Now your fervice 
 muft not be alone when your Matters ftand by and looke on, 
 asfeeiang onely to pleafe your Matters : but in MnglenerTe of 
 heart as fearing God, whofe eye is alwayes upon you, when 
 your matters eye is off. 
 
 Ver. 2 3 . And whatsoever ye do^do it heartily ^as to the Lord, 
 andnot unto men. 
 
 Your fervice ought alfo to be voluntary and cheerefull, as 
 that which is due to the Lord, who loveth a cheerfull giver, 
 and not as unto man that cannot difcerne whether it be done 
 frankly. 
 
 Verfe 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye fhall receive the re- 
 ward of the inheritance iforyeferve the Lord (thrift. 
 
 Knowing that you fhall receive in reward from the Lord, 
 life, as an inheritance which he will freely, as upon his chil- 
 dren,beftow upon yoir.for it ought to uphold you in your du- 
 tifull fervice, that you ferve not lb much your Matters which 
 
 are 
 
'184 *iA Metaphrafe, "CiiaK* 
 
 are bat mttl^hd therefore fometimes unthankful! an J unable 
 to recompence; but the Lord, who is both able , and will re- 
 compence your well-doing. 
 
 Verfe 25 . But he that doth wrong, he/hail receive for the 
 wrong that he hath done, and there u no refyelh ofperfens. 
 
 Remembring on the other fide that whofoever he be that 
 doth wrong, whether matter or fervant, thereof he {hall re- 
 ceive the puniftimentfrom the Lord : who accepteth neither 
 the perfbn of the fervant to pity him, becaufe of his poore and 
 bafe eftate, nor of the mafter to (pare him, becaufe of his dig- 
 nity and high degree. 
 
 Chap. 1 1 1 1. 
 
 Verfe 1 . Yemaftersydo unto your fervants that which isjuft 
 and equally knowing that ye alfo have a mafter in heaven. 
 
 YOu Matters ,looke that you yeeld unto your fervants both 
 wages, and meat and drinke , as that which is right, and 
 with moderate reft and recreation fome further recompence, 
 according to the goodfervice they have done : as that which 
 is equall : confidering that as your fervants are to render an 
 account unt© you/o you mutt give an account unto your Ma- 
 fter which is in heaven. 
 
 Verfe 2. Continue in prayer 3 and watch in the fame with 
 thanks -giving. 
 
 And now to returne againe to the generall duties , and yet 
 fuch as for the moft part belong rather unto you, than unto o- 
 therperfons and Churches not foftated or affecled as yours, 
 I exhort you to takepaines, and to continue in petitions, and 
 requefts unto God, with heed taken that it be not done care- 
 lefl y and droufiiy; the which both with continuance, painful- 
 nefle, and watching, mutt be done and performed in thankf- 
 giving for graces already received. 
 V. 3. Praying alfo for nsjhat God may open unto us the door of 
 
 utterance 
 
J 
 
 Ghap^ [upon the Colograf 2 gj 
 
 utterance, to fpeake the my fiery of Chrifi ^wherefore lamalfoin 
 bonds. y 
 
 Praying in both forts as for all men, & the faithfiill above o- 
 thers,fb efpecially for me and Timothy $&x. God would open 
 our mouthes widens a gatefotherwife fhut)is fet open, that 
 We may fpeake the fecrets of Chrift,naturally hidden from all 
 men,and by difpenlation of God,alwaies to thecomming of 
 Chrift, obfcurely kno wne to the faithful!, yea, to the Angels 
 themfelves : for which I am in hold. 
 
 Verfe 4 . That I may utter it>a$ it becommeth me to fpeake. 
 
 In which refpecl you are yet further to firengthen and 
 ilretch out your prayers for me, that all feare fet apart, I may 
 make it rnanifeft as it is meet, both in regard of the excellency 
 thereof,and the fpeciall truft of the Apoftlefliip which is com- 
 mitted unto me. 
 
 Verfe ? . Walke -wifely towards them that are without , and 
 redeeme the time. 
 And feeing you dwell amongft thofe that are ftrangers from 
 God,walke wifely ,that you be neither infe&ed with their e- 
 viIs,not they have occafion to fpeake evill of the truth • & that 
 by the light of your godly tuiivcifaiion they may |be allured 
 to give eare to the truth:therein following the example ©f di- 
 ligent Merchants, that to redeeme their lofTes that are part, 
 jyatch to take all opportunity of gaining. 
 
 Verfe 6, Let your fpeech be gracious alwaies, and powdred 
 with fait yth at we may know how to anfwer every man. 
 
 More particularly ,looke to your fpeeches.in the wife orde- 
 ring whereof Chriftian wifedome is fingularly difcerned,that 
 it be alwaies(as favorie meatej well feafoned, whiles you (Kail 
 be able to anlwer every man according as their particular e- 
 ftates require. 
 
 Ver.7.Tychicti3 our beloved brother & faithful Afinifier, and 
 fellow (ervant in the Lord fhall declare unto you my whole fiate'. 
 In the love & care I beare unto you,I have fent Tychicm unto 
 you,who fhal inform you of ail my eftate,wherof I know you 
 wil be glad to hear;whom that you may receive as it becom- 
 meth,! comend unto youfor a brother, worthy to be beloved: 
 
 alio. 
 
28<5 jlMetaphrafe Chap.V 
 
 alfo for afaichfull Minifter, & my fellow in the Lords fervicco 
 
 • * 
 
 Verfe %JVhom Ihavefent unto j/ou for the farm purpofcjthat 
 he might know your ft ate^and might comfort your hearts. 
 
 Whom I havefent,as to let youunderftand of mine affaires* 
 fo to know what cafe you are in, thereof to make report unto 
 me,and efpecially that hee may comfort you at the heart, a- 
 gainft the ftorme of persecution raifed againit. you. 
 
 Verfe p. With Onefimus a faith full and beloved brother •, 
 who is one ofyoujrheyjhalljhewyou of all things here. 
 
 And with him,that the embaffage may have more authori- 
 ty ,and that in the mouth of two witnefles the things concer- 
 ning you or me may be better affured, I fent Onefimus a bro- 
 ther both faithfnll and worthy to be beloved, howfoever hee 
 hath flipped in time pad; who is alfo one of the members ofr 
 the fame Church :thefe two fliall give you to underftand of all 
 things that mayconcerneyou that are doHe in thefe parts. 
 
 Ver f I o . sAriftarehus myfeMow-prifoner falutethyou, and 
 JMarcus r Barnabasfifter-tfnnne t (touching whom yee received 
 qommandement, If he come untoyou % receive him.} 
 
 jfriftarchusinlovt&lutethyou. 
 
 Verfe 1 I . And Jefus which is called fuftus, which *re of th* 
 circumcifion Thefe onely are my worke-fellowes unto the King* 
 dome ofGody which have beene unto my confutation. 
 
 So doth Marke and ;*<?/«*: whom that you may be provoked 
 to love againe,I would have you to underftand,that touching 
 aAriftarchtu 3 \[Q is my f ellow-prifoner for the Gofpell;touch- 
 ing Markers is fitters fbnne to 'Barnabas that notable fervant 
 ©fGod,of whom you have had commandement, that if hee 
 come unto you,you fhouid receive him accordingly. 
 
 And touching Jefus, his converfation hath beene fuch as 
 thereby he hath gotten the furname of Iuft. And of them all 
 three together, there are great caufes why you fhouid refpecl: 
 them, for that they are of the race of the Ie wes, with whom 
 God hath made fpeciall covenant : efpecially feeing that of fo 
 
 7 S r€at 
 
Chap. 4* **$** ^ e Coksfianf. itj 
 
 great a number of fevpes that are here, only thefe three help to 
 advance the kingdom of heaven by giving affiftanae unto me a 
 
 Verfe l£ . Epaphras the fervent ofChrift,which is one of you, 
 falntethyou i and'alwaiesflrivethforyoH inprayersjhatye may 
 ftand ferfeci,andfullin allihe will of God. 
 
 Epaphras faluteth you> between whom and you there is a 
 fpeciall bond,by reafon whereof even now abfentfrom you, 
 yet he is one of you ;and being as you know a worthy fervant 
 of Chrift- in the Miniftery of the Gofpeii, whereby his prayers 
 are more efTe&uall, he prayeth continually with great flrife 
 and earneftneffe for you;that having entred into the holy pro- 
 feffion of the Gofpell 3 you may ftand and abide in it, with dai- 
 ly increafe both in the knowledge and obedience of thewhole 
 will of God.untill fuch time as by death you {bail be compleat 
 and perfeft men in Chrift . 
 
 Verfe 1 3 .For ? be Are him record, that he hath a great %,e*h 
 fory$u y andfor them ofLaodicea, and them ofHierapolis. 
 For.howioever ,1 am not privy to his private prayers, yet I 
 dare be bold Co to write, becauie l my lelf e am witnefle ho w, 
 (notwithstanding his dbfence) he burneth in much love to= 
 wards you, and towards the brethren in Laodicea and Hiera- 
 pofo;x\\c rather for your fakes which may either be furthered 
 by their good,or hindered by their ill eftate. 
 
 Ver. i^.Luke the beloved PhyJitiangreetethyou>& D email 
 Lnhe the Phyfitian,pne worthy to be beloved,faluteth you, 
 and fo doth Demos. 
 
 "Verfe 1 5 . Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea^Nim^ 
 phas,and the Church which is in his houfe. 
 
 Salute the brethren mLaodicea from me,efpeciallyiV7»p&# 
 and his family ;which for their piety and good order ink, I 
 may not unfitly terme a little Church. 
 
 Verfe 1 6 , And 'when this Spiftie is read ofjtou,caufe that it be 
 read in the £hurch of the Laodiceans alfo % and that hkewifeye 
 read the Spiftle written from Laodicea. . 
 
 And 
 
And when you have read the Epiftle in the Churchr*to,te« 
 ftifie your communion, as in all other good things, ib efpeci- 
 ally in this facred treafure of the word of ChrifUprocure it to 
 be read in the Church of Laodicea ; as on the other fide, that 
 you alforead the Epiftle which was written from Laodicea. 
 
 V tx fe l J. And fay to Archippus, Take heed to theminiflery 
 that thopt haflreceivedin the Lord,that thou fulfill it. 
 
 Tell alfo Archiffw your Paftor and ordinary Minifter,from 
 me,that he looke more diligently to his charge of miniftery, 
 which he hath received of the Lord: that hee doe it not by 
 halves, but that he performe it in every refpedt,both of cheer-* 
 full teaching,and of good example of life unto the fiocke. 
 
 Verfe iS.Thefalutation by the hand of WPaul. Remember k 
 my Bonds. Grace be mthyon. 
 
 Finally,I have fent you. alfb my falutations,not by the hand 
 of my Scribe, (as the other falutations,) but by mineowne 
 hand: whereunto(for a clofeofmy letters) I adde my requefi: 
 unto you, that you ^ w° u ld in your prayers remember my 
 tonds, for the obtaining ofwharioever my captive eflate 
 doth require. 
 
 And further,my humble prayer is for the grace of God, to 
 be with you:andfo I amaffured that it will be. 
 
 FI^CIS,