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NOw followeth the second point, wherein for the cleerer manifesta∣tion of that which hath been said, I must now discerne from the former sort, such as haue great shew of faithfull ones and beleeuers,
[ A] and yet are nothing lesse, and shew that the weakest Christians, of whom I haue spoken, may see their estate apparantly different from theirs; who yet come neerest of other, vnto beleeuers: and then answere some doubts, which I know doe sticke in the mindes of diuers about this matter.
And first whereas some may maruaile, that I in the describing of Gods children, haue not rested in these as infallible markes thereof, namely, 1. sor∣row for their miserie, 2. confession of their sinnes to God, 3. feare of his dis∣pleasure for the same, and 4. desiring some kinde of amendment of life; seeing they are also in them, who are effectuallie called of God: I answere, I haue followed the Scripture herein, and that I haue in shewing who are the [ B] Lords, made mention, rather of those graces of God, which are properly be∣longing to the faithfull, then of them, which may be in hypocrites, and hol∣low hearted professors. Seeing we finde both by Scripture and experience, that these forenamed affections, and many good and commendable vertues (as they seeme to be) may haue place in those which doe not appertaine to Gods election: For a man may be much burthened with the weight of his sinne, his conscience terrified by the spirit of bondage;* 1.1 he may be pensiue after∣ward for his sinne committed, and wish it were vndone, afraide for the punishment, and may promise amendment, and walke heauily, and expresse it by outward signes: and yet not released, nor set free from that which he [ C] feareth. So the same person, by the hearing of the promises of the Gospell, may finde ioy, and delight in the glorious tidings, which it bringeth: and take sensible pleasure in the exercises of religion:* 1.2 He may haue a taste of the life to come, as Balam; he may reuerence and feare the Ministers of God, as Herod,* 1.3 and begin to amend some faults in his life, as hee and others, of whom wee reade in the Gospell did; and yet for all this (though fearefull to thinke of) not sealed vp to saluation: euen thus farre a man may goe in the profession of Christian religion; and yet a stranger from the power of faith, from the life of godlines, and from that, which accompanieth both; I meane, a good and peaceable conscience.
[ D] Of the which argument, because much is written, and where the Gospell hath been preached (of some places I may speake of mine owne knowledge) it hath been often handled, and largely, I thinke; I may say the lesse. Neither doe I speake that, which I haue said, about this matter, to discourage any: but partly to driue them from deceiuing themselues, which loue to stay themselues, they care not vpon what rotten hold, and broken staffe; partly to make the true testimonies of eternall life to be more pretiously esteemed of those which haue them: and such as are without them, to bestowe more dili∣gence in seeking of them. For the weakest faith findeth Christ Iesus no more to lose him, seeing he hath said, that he will not breake a brused reede,* 1.4 nor quench [ E] the smoking flaxe; and the most glorious shewes of godlines, and boldest crakes, and most loude boastes of faith, where yet it is not indeede,* 1.5 shall all vanish away in the ayre, and come to nothing, not hauing any part in him: euen as Sauls bragges, that God had deliuered Dauid into his hands, when he was shut in the citie, were frustrated to his owne shame, 1. Sam. 23.14. & 24.5. The which, how true it is, may appeare not only by some examples mentio∣ned out of the Scripture, but also by the liues of sundry in the Countrey,
who haue receiued the Gospell with ioy, and been much cast downe by the force [ F] of the lawe: But as their humbling hath been a bowing of themselues for a short time, like a bulrush with the wind; so their ioy hath been a suddaine flash of fleeting mirth, not well grounded in them, and an inlightning of them with the generall knowledge of saluation, rather then a sealing of the assu∣rance of their owne in their hearts for continuance.
* 1.6Oh, how many haue after the report made by others, what great change the Gospell had wrought; how many, I say, haue resorted to the hearing of it, and giuen good and commendable hope of their owne change also, and re∣pentance; who yet were soone wearie of the Lords yoke, and of being sub∣iect to his holy gouernment? how many haue forsaken the fountaines of the wa∣ter [ G] of life,* 1.7 which could haue refreshed their soules in their necessitie with sound comfort, and haue digged to themselues broken pits, which can hold no water to comfort them? And so haue started aside, like a broken bowe, and haue retur∣ned shamefully to their vomit,* 1.8 and as the sowe which was washed, to wallow againe in the mire? Which I speake not, as though God had not both called out of this life many amongst vs (within these yeeres in her Maiesties raigne) of sin∣gular hope, and left a comfortable companie amongst vs still, with others dailie comming on;* 1.9 but to cast their shame as dung in their faces, who haue fallen from that feruent desire of the sincere milke of the word (which once they had) to the world,* 1.10 to prophanenes, and to carelesnes. These (as the Scripture [ H] saith of Iudas) went out from vs, but they were none of vs: for if they had been of vs, they would haue continued still with vs. For when either prosperitie hath been graunted them,* 1.11 they haue waxen wanton, and haue turned the grace of God into loosenes:* 1.12 or when affliction hath followed them, they haue growne wearie of their profession, saying as we reade in Eccles. 7.12. That the former dayes were better, and wished againe for the merrie world, which they inioyed, and the pleasant life (as the Israelites did their flesh pots) which they passed in ignorance of God,* 1.13 and the lusts thereof in superstition, and such like: and so haue fallen from the grace of God, and haue departed from him, to whom yet they had professed themselues to haue been infinitly indebted, as for his other bene∣fits; [ I] so especially for his Gospell, in the which they seemed to take no small delight for a season.* 1.14 But these when I consider their falsehood towards God, and their double dealing, that they would not giue their hearts to him to be∣leeue his mercies,* 1.15 to be their onely treasures, and so hold fast their confidence in him (who would sufficiently haue recompenced their forsaking of the world) I cease meruailing at them, although they are fallen from an high ac∣count and estimation among the seruants of God,* 1.16 vnto a vile and reproch∣full estate, to be reckoned with the vnbeleeuers; some of them making this their chiefe religion, rather to be iudges and censurers of their brethren, then to hold and retaine loue and fellowship with them. For whom yet, I will not [ K] cease to intreate the Lord dailie, that if any of them belong to him, it would please him to awake them, and to bring them home with the prodigal sonne, in the sight of those who haue seene their reuolt: that so, not onely them∣selues may be saued, though they take shame in the world; but others also, who were imboldened to sinne by their example, may be reclaimed.
Thus, the loue of these men hath constrained me, a little to go aside in la∣menting
[ A] their miserie, because I haue knowne many of them, who hauing shined as lights for a season, are become mistie cloudes to hinder light from others: whom I also counsell to consider, that they haue not been driuen a∣way from their holy profession by persecution (which if they had been,* 1.17 might haue giuen better hope of them to their brethren, that meere weake∣nesse had hindered them) but they haue gone away from their first loue, and broken off their fellowship with their brethren, euen in the time of the Gospell flourishing, and preached in some places with more power, then when they were in the beginning most earnestly stirred vp to imbrace it: yea, and some of them then forsooke their good beginnings, not when Mo∣ses [ B] was gone aside from them, for the space of fortie daies, but whilest he was amongst them, and in the middest of their tents, calling vpon them to be sound and constant, and to goe forward, as he had done long before: and himselfe also (to Gods glorie be it spoken of some) with great courage and cheerefulnes of good example going before them. And therefore seeing their sinne is the greater, they are to be aduised to looke for better assurance of their saluation, and whom they haue offended, that so they may repent,* 1.18 and now take surer hold of eternall life, with the hand of their faith, rather than by so weake and small occasions to let it goe. For if they had in the fee∣ling of their sinne, feare, sorrow, and other distresses for the same, been vnfai∣nedly [ C] humbled, their hearts mollified, and they resolued to seeke the for∣giuenes thereof, and righteousnes thereby, and that through the free impu∣tation thereof by Iesus Christ: they should soundly haue had their diseases healed, their sorrow and doubtes expelled, and true comfort ministred from their faith in him, which would so effectually haue wrought in them, and haue raised such an vnfained loue to God againe, that they would for no cause haue been withdrawne; but rather haue set themselues to growe in godlines with their brethren, then in the least manner to haue returned to their former lusts of their ignorance;* 1.19 from which they professed themselues to haue been purged.
[ D] This I haue written for their causes, who haue been content to be decei∣ued with an opinion of happines, and yet to be voide of it: who because they haue had some light in the beholding of their sinnes, and haue been woun∣ded in conscience for the guilt of them, and punishment due to the same; haue therefore perswaded themselues, that they haue been effectually called, when yet they haue not seene nor found this, that their sinnes haue been pardoned to them: and in token thereof that they themselues,* 1.20 haue been changed in will, affection, and conuersation: and so haue become new crea∣tures. For though they alleage (and that iustly) that in the conuersion of Paul, the people mentioned Act. 2.37.* 1.21 the returning of the people of Israel to [ E] God, in the time of the Iudges, and in the dayes of Samuel, and in such o∣ther examples; the holy Ghost setteth downe their trouble of minde, their pricke of conscience, and their great abasing of themselues, which I graunt are wrought in such, as haue been truly penitent: yet there hath been ioyned also with these, an earnest hungring after Gods mercie, an vnfained faith, the spirit of adoption sealing vp their saluation vnto them, and the liuelie fruites of the same: They haue beleeued that God hath become their most
louing father through Christ Iesus, who was before their fearefull iudge; [ F] and they haue hereby been inforced to loue him therefore,* 1.22 and to seeke now to please him with all their hearts: and these graces haue set them forward in a godly life to bring forth fruites, beseeming their profession.
* 1.23But these men furnish not themselues with faith, a pure heart, a good con∣science, change of their life, through the louing of God; but they let time end their griefe of mind, and their woundes of conscience are healed outwardly with opinion that it is sufficient repentance, onely to be sorrowfull: some not abiding the gripes of griefe, and yet not finding sound comfort against them, haue cast them off, and therefore in affliction are from time to time vexed with the returning of them againe, because they were neuer driuen away [ G] kindly, nor aright. If they shall further defend themselues this way, that they thought their course was good, to be thus cast downe, seeing the lawe was preached to them, which constrained them thus to doe: and if they will aske, why we preached the iudgements of God to them, if we saw it not meete for them to be humbled?* 1.24 I answere: first, the law was neuer preached alone by any discreete teacher, who himselfe was skilfull in the doing of his dutie, but the Gospell with it. Secondly, the law was not, nor is not prea∣ched to hold men vnder, with the yoke of feare and bondage; but to cause men to see their sinne more cleerely:* 1.25 and thereby their punishment to be due; that so they might come to themselues in truth, and set more store by [ H] Gods mercie, and Christs merits, which onely can saue their soules, and mi∣nister them comfort. Thirdly, we haue not as from God approued, nor wi∣shed any to rest in any workes of the lawe, or the best actions which they could doe, when as yet they had no faith, nor perswasion of the remission of their sinnes, truly setled in them: but to haste from thence with all speede; and to trie themselues both by rules and doctrine, as well as by their owne experi∣ence,* 1.26 if Christ were in them, that so through him they might become accep∣table. Now then if they haue heard and receiued one part of our Ministery, and not the other: if they haue placed happines in the repentance, which they haue fancied; and not in the knowledge of God through Christ, which [ I] we haue vrged; they haue been deceiued through the subtiltie of the temp∣ter: if they haue sought to please God, for feare of his vengeance, and not because they haue found deliuerance from death, by his vndeserued fauour; they haue laboured in vaine, and been with-holden from the principall fruit of the Gospell preached. But no meruaile, for many are the sleights, by the which the diuell keepeth his possession in such, as are not yet escaped his wiles and snares, in the which he holdeth them; not without their own good liking. He discourageth some from hope and confidence, that they are the Lords; because they haue been more deepely pricked for their sinne, and longer holden in doubtfulnes, then other of Gods children are; and that [ K] none haue so great temptations and conflicts, as they haue: But haue not they these afflictions to bring them vnto God?* 1.27 And others he dismaieth, and hol∣deth vnder with the contrarie: as that they cannot be Gods children, be∣cause they haue neuer had that deepe sorrow, and long lying in it, for their sinne, as many of their brethren haue had: As though mens examples, and not rather Gods word should be their rule to follow. So he suggesteth this to
[ A] some others, that their estate could not be good, seeing they haue not had their liues full of some outward crosses, as some of the godly haue: and yet on the contrarie, many haue been long holden captiues with these cogita∣tions, that they durst not thinke themselues to belong to Gods election,* 1.28 see∣ing they are euery while vnder one crosse or other. Thus the diuell (whose malice and subtiltie few doe know, fewer doe well weigh, but fewest of all doe wisely and carefully resist) the diuell, I say, holdeth numbers occupied about these and such like points: wherein the triall of their happines, and certaintie of their peace doth not consist. And because religion and holie doctrine doth affect them, and that he seeth they will needes imbrace the [ B] same, he laboureth to keepe them at this stay, to hold themselues contented with that shadow, though they be vncertaine of their estate to Godward, and remaine in suspence and little hope of their saluation: and so hee permit∣teth them to haue the letter of the Scripture in their mouth, and to talke ge∣nerally about religion, or (if occasion be offered) about some questions,* 1.29 and matters concerning the same; but they hate vtterly to be reformed. Who seeth not that he holdeth these in errour and bondage, as grossely as he doth the o∣ther before mentioned?* 1.30 who trouble themselues about opinions and con∣ceits, which are not the chief and maine points to occupie themselues about; as though happines consisted in them, but may faile of eternall life (for all [ C] that) when they haue all done?
For neither doth this commend a man to God, whether he hath long con∣tinued in griefe of minde, feare of conscience, and doubtfulnes of saluation: but that he be well freed and deliuered from such trouble, and discharged of his feare: I meane that hee can heartily thanke God through Iesus Christ, that he seeth and feeleth himselfe set at libertie, and by him is made happie: for if the truth of God and his promise make him free, then he is free indeed.* 1.31 Neither is this with a man, or against him in assuring himselfe of saluation, whether his life be full of afflictions and crosses, seeing God keepeth not al∣waies, an euen hand in these things; for they are common both to good and [ D] bad: but that a man know himselfe, though a wretched sinner; yet through faith, to be iustified and acquitted before God: and therefore is at peace with God,* 1.32 in himselfe, euen such as passeth all vnderstanding, whether his crosses bee many or few.
There are many things of like sort, with which Sathan doth blindfold sundrie of good hope: as that, for hauing some infirmities, or falles breaking foorth in them, therefore they cannot be beloued of God: and when they finde that in some sort they can ouercome them, then they think they are the beloued of God: in neither of which a man is to place his safetie. For both the deare Saints of God may possibly be led out of the way,* 1.33 to commit some∣what [ E] offensiuely: neither is he to promise well to himselfe, who sometimes keepeth from sinnes, which at other times he hath fallen into: for it may be, that there is no great occasion offered him that way; or he is otherwise bu∣sied, so as he is not so easily carried after such temptations; or some sinnes of another sort as grieuous, doe hold him vnder. And therefore seeing many are deceiued this way, partly for want of knowledge and grounded iudge∣ment in the truth, and partly whiles they haue through long custome been
detained and holden in such snares, they are to be desired in the most earnest [ F] manner, that they would bestow some of their time and meditations about the substance and marrow of their happines, to see that they haue a part in it indeed:* 1.34 and as S. Peter saith, to giue all diligence to make their calling and election sure: and in trying by all meanes, whether their faith, their hope, their pa∣tience, and loue be sound, though vnperfect; and true and effectuall, though weake and feeble: for vpon these the matter dependeth.
And if they can be certified, that the spirit of God since, and through their hearing of his Gospel preached vnto them, hath shed such grace into their harts, as to make them partakers of the fruites thereof, they shall not neede to bee troubled about the other: and if they contrariwise finde that they doe yet [ G] want these, they must fully purpose to seeke for them; and not to feed them∣selues with a vaine and a deceitfull hope, staied vpon no good ground nor foundation at all.
And here I must further require, that such as, to whom God giueth any worke of his spirit, and whose hearts he seasoneth with good affections and desires through the Gospell, so as they sensibly feele themselues to looke af∣ter eternall life, that they would cherish, and make much of these holy sparks of grace kindled within them: and whiles they bee warme in them, to blow them vp euery while, with the bellowes of feruent prayer, and to in∣flame them by acquaintance, companie, and conference with such, as in [ H] whom they see God hath wrought the same things before them; and in greater measure, then in themselues: alwaies highly reuerencing Gods gifts in them,* 1.35 that they may the sooner come by them: and that the things which they see but dimly, they may behold more cleerely, and their doubts may be resolued to them, and they may finde comfortable incouragement to goe forward.* 1.36 But especially, they must giue attendance daily and diligently to the doctrine of faith and godlines, where they may enioy that soundly prea∣ched vnto them: assuring themselues that if they finde not that the one thing aboue all things, chiefe and necessarie, they loue it not, as Mary did, Luk. 10.42. and then they shall not haue their part in it. But otherwise they may know, [ I] that God, who doth shew himselfe kind and louing to such as seeke him not, (as it is written,* 1.37 I was found of them that sought me not) will not hide himselfe from them which doe seeke him; seeing he findeth all in their filth, when he calleth them to repentance, euen the best. And finally, they must waite vpon him, desiring him in his good time (notwithstanding their vnworthines) to draw them by his secret grace vnto him. But this shall suffice to haue bin said of them who thinke themselues Christians and are not, but doe lie: and of them who haue left their first loue of the Gospell and of their brethrē, which sometime (as it seemed) they had. Which two being of the forwardest sorts of professors, who goe for true beleeuers, and yet being none indeede, doe [ K] iustifie the estate of the weakest seruants of God, to be approued of him and happie, being farre different from them. Which although I haue by the way as it were spoken to admonish both: yet principally and most chiefly, I haue done it, for the vpholding & comfort of Gods weake seruants, who may see him most louing and gracious vnto them euen in that, I meane their abase∣ment and humiliation: which they sometime thought to be their vtter and
[ A] extreame miserie. And thus much of the second point of the second part or generall head: namely, of the staying of the weake Christians, and how they differ from vnbeleeuers.
Thus I haue, not as I would, but as I could,* 1.38 set downe my meditations vpon this first point, to shew, who are the true people of God, and giuen oc∣casion to many, who haue little to say for themselues, why they should claime any right or title in that great purchase, to consider of their estate more deeply and seriously then they haue done. If these, who are almost Christians, and (as I may say) not farre from eternall life, being many of them vsuall hearers of Sermons, would inquire about their estate, till they should [ B] see it good, as I am sure the other may bee well staied by this which I haue written, I should not be a little comforted, whom for their good (which I heartily desire and pray for) this I beseech to heare me in. What wisedome shall they shew, to be carelesse in so weightie a matter as this is, concerning their saluatiō, and that their care in matters transitorie can neuer be enough? or what sound comfort doe they looke for, whiles they rest but in vncertain∣ties about the assurance thereof, which yet to misse and goe without, is their vtter and perpetuall desolation? But they hope they are in good case, and perswade themselues that they are in the estate of grace. I am farre from en∣uying it them: I would to God that I could hope so too.
[ C] But what euidence or proofe haue they of it? They can answere, none, but this, that they professe Christ, and loue the Gospell, and contemne Po∣perie. They heare Sermons oft, and thinke not well of them who doe not so. Some of the forwarder sort, doe thinke verely sometime, that they beleeue, and ioy therein, and sometime weepe at a Sermon: but this is their anchor that they hold themselues by, long after: when they be able to speake of such times and actions done in them. But when they haue been at the best, haue they then put foorth themselues a little further, to demaund: are these things sufficient markes and testimonies of our saluation? or if they be not, do they inquire what be? And do they not cease trying their state, till they can proue [ D] it to be good indeed? and vntill they finde rest to their soules that cannot de∣ceiue them? Nay rather, they come not to this at all, that they can applie Christ to them: that studie is vtterly vnwelcome to them and vnsauourie. They can doe any thing but that: and why so? Verely, euen to the end they may be deceiued: as men that haue matter at law, and are in sute, boast much of their case, but yet are very loath to come to triall of it: and why are they a∣fraid so to doe, but for that they know they haue no good euidence to shew for it?
They may be compared in this, to King Nabuchadnezzar:* 1.39 he was very earnest to heare the interpretation of his dreame, and could not be satisfied [ E] vntill he heard the same. But this was not all that behooued him to doe. For when he saw that God gaue him twelue moneths to repent of his pride (for the which, his dreame told him his kingdome should depart from him) he forgot his dreame like a dreame, and did not repent, but at the twelue mo∣neths end began a fresh to increase his pride, crowing and boasting of his wealth and honour, thus: Is not this great Babel, which I haue built, for the house of my kingdome, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my maiestie? Wher∣by
we see, that he was more desirous to know what his dreame meant, then [ F] to bee warned by it: Euen so, these professors (which I speake of) are very carefull to heare the glad tidings of the Gospell preached, and cannot bee withdrawne or disswaded from it: but to lay their estate with it, and to take this warning by it, that they will receiue the print of it vpon their hearts and liues, and bee cast into the mould of it; that (I say) they cannot be brought vnto: for then they should finde it to be the power of saluation to them, for the which end it is preached.
But what is the cause that they going so farre before many other, who are professors also, cannot be brought to goe beyond them in this as well? and herein to be equall to the best louers of the Gospell? I meane, in prouing and [ G] examining,* 1.40 whether Christ be in them, without they be reprobates: and whe∣ther they haue not the spirit of God, without which they be none of his? The maine cause is this:* 1.41 Their hearts are not vpright: nor they will not deale plainly with the Lord. They cannot say in truth: Search me (O Lord) and see if there be any vnrighteousnes in me, which I doe hide within me: and it shall be remoued out of thy sight:* 1.42 Nay it is certaine, if they might come to triall, that they doe keepe some sinne (as Iob saith) euen as a child doth sugar vnder the pa∣late. Sundrie faults, I graunt, such will refraine both themselues, and driue them out of their families: but yet for all that, they will not bee brought to this, to make profession that they will be willing to be reformed in what part [ H] of their life soeuer they may bee iustly chalenged: for then they should not blemish their religion, as the best of that sort doe.
Neither doe they set their priuiledges, which they haue by the Gospell, before all other things alwaies: they thinke it ouer strict, that they should be tied so narrowly: and that it is neither beseeming wisedome, credit, ciuili∣tie, policie, grauitie, or such place and calling as some of them may bee in, to shew what is in them (though they be zealous) they say, but too base a thing for them; when yet the Scripture saith, I beleeue, and therefore I haue spoke. And againe,* 1.43 The zeale of thine house hath consumed me. And againe, if this be to bee vile and base,* 1.44 I will yet be more vile for the Lords sake that hath honoured me. Yea [ I] and they thinke it is more then needeth, that all their delight should be in the Saints which are on the earth,* 1.45 and such as excell in vertue: and that they should be companions with such as feare God; when yet the communion of Saints is more pleasant and sweete then was Aarons ointment, and more fruitfull then mount Hermon was, with the dew, and Sion and her vallies about her, with the siluer droppes that fell vpon them. Yea for the preciousnes thereof the Church spake thus of it:* 1.46 If I preferre not Ierusalem, that is, the welfare of Gods people, before all ioy that I haue on earth beside, then let me lose my best delight.
To returne, they of whom I speake, though in their owne opinion, and in the iudgement of some others, they be in right good state to Godward: yet [ K] God, whose thoughts are not as mans, and the truth which must giue good report of them, as well as men, iudgeth and determineth of them farre other∣wise, if that be the best that can be said of their faith and repentance, which I haue set downe. For the elect and deare children of God doe farre other∣wise:* 1.47 They hauing found the pearle, sell all that they haue to buy it; though they are occupied about many things, yet that one (euen the word of God)
[ A] is chiefe with them. Their loue of it, is strong as ielousie,* 1.48 that admitteth no re∣compence; and as death that cannot be resisted. They cast not away their confidence, if they once grow to see what recompence of reward it hath:* 1.49 nor will not suffer any to take their crowne from them, euen their honour that they haue in being the Lords sonnes and daughters. They couet spirituall things, they hunger and thirst after righteousnes: they with good and honest hearts re∣ceiue the word, and bring foorth fruite in due season.* 1.50 They if they haue of∣fended their most louing father,* 1.51 cannot be quiet till they returne and come home againe, and say, wee haue sinned. And if they be in worse estate then this, they like it not, vnlesse it be when they are fallen asleepe,* 1.52 and haue for∣gotten [ B] themselues.
And yet what doe they in all this, more then they ought? feeling for all this, their wants and burdens, of which they complaine and crie out. And whereas they are mocked and euill spoken of, for this, that they doe thus car∣rie themselues in the loue of heauenly things, and in the hope of immorta∣litie, farre more feruently then they who are not intitled to any such thing: it is hard to say, whether they who offer them this iniurie, doe most offend in hindring the honour of God thereby, or their neighbours welfare,* 1.53 or their owne saluation? For God commaunds, that wee should labour rather for the foode that abideth to eternall life, then for that which perisheth. And [ C] what doe we offend then, who doe so? and is it not our gaine and benefit, if we doe so? Therefore let men for shame, and feare of iust damnation, desist from such madnes.
But to returne to them to whom I speake, and to conclude in a sentence or two to them, and such as they are: I say therfore, giue no rest to your selues, till you can prooue that you be in the estate of saluation: You haue many waies set downe, by which you may doe it, euen in this treatise; in other god∣ly mens labours; and especially in the Scriptures. Lose not all your labour which you haue bestowed in seeking to be saued: I meane your reading, hea∣ring of Sermons, praying, and confessing your sinnes (it is lost, if you attaine [ D] not that which you seeke.) You are not farre from it, a little more humilitie and truth of heart, will bring you further into the estate of happines, then that ye can fall any more from it. Be neuer satisfied, till ye haue more then an vnrepentant person can haue. You count it no toyle to sweate in hay and har∣uest: This is another manner of substance; if ye once had part in it, ye would not forgoe your portion for a kingdome. And thinke this of me, who am not ashamed to be said to haue giuen you this counsell, I know what I say in thus prouoking, and labouring to perswade you: if ye refuse, neuer looke to come to the like offer. And to you, and as many as desire saluation,* 1.54 how farre off soeuer as yet ye be; know that ye are in the estate of diuels,* 1.55 if ye continue [ E] as ye be: and ye are the liker to continue so, the longer ye liue, if while ye be called, ye refuse. You are as outlawes: Gods care reacheth not to you, nei∣ther are you vnder his protection, being his enemies; but he or some of his sergeants will arrest you, when you thinke not of it: and hell will receiue you; and the happines which other shall haue, will flie from you: which God forbid.
Matth. 27.3. 1. King. 21.27.
Matth. 13.20.
Numb. 22. Mark. 6.20.
Matth. 12.20.
Luk. 18.14.
Forwardnes in religion was sometime in many. Hebr. 6.5. Exod. 22.
Ier. 2.13.
2. Pet. 2.22.
Apostataes.
Iohn 6.66. 1. Iohn 2.19.
Iames 5.8.
Matth. 13.21.
Exod. 16.3.
Iohn 5.35.
Matth. 19.29.
The fals of ma∣ny Professors haue made them vile.
Some haue fal∣len away be∣fore trouble came.
Let such re∣pent.
2. Pet. 1.9.
2. Cor. 5.17.
Iudg. 10.16. 1. Sam. 7.3.5.
1. Pet. 1.8.
1. Tim. 1.4.
The Law is not to be preached without the Gospell.
VVhy the Law is preached.
2. Cor. 13.5.
How men a∣buse their af∣flictions through Sa∣thans vviles.
Psal. 73.13, 14.
Psal. 50.16.
Looke to that which is prin∣cipall.
Ioh. 8.32.
Rom. 5.1.
When a man is none of the worst, he may be farre from being good.
1. Pet. 1.10.
Iam. 4.2.
Let the vn∣staied ones vse all meanes to be conuerted.
Esai. 65.1.
The third head
Dan. 4.26.
2. Cor. 13.5. Rom. 8.9.
Ierem. 5.3.
Iob. 20.12.
2. Cor. 4.13. Psal. 69.9.
2. Sam. 6.25. Psal. 16.
Psal. 133.2.
Psal. 137.6.
Matth. 13.44. Luk. 10.42.
Cant. 8.6.
Hebr. 10.35. Reuel. 3.11. Iohn 1.12. 1. Cor. 14.1 Matth. 15.6.
Luk. 8.15.
Cant. 3.3.
Cant. 5.2.
Ioh. 6.27.
Iohn 6.70.
2. King. 2.13.