Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happines, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianitie. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learne how to leade a godly and comfortable life euery day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.

CHAP. II. Of certaine obiections raised from the former doctrine, and answeres thereto: as why we should put differences betwixt men: and whether the godly may fall reprochfully, and what infirmities they may haue. [ G]

BVt me thinkes I heare some obiecting thus: what? are all damned, and out of the estate of grace, which commit any of these sinnes? And may not many of these offenders notwithstanding their faultes, be the children of God? And if men commit such faultes, doe they not (thinke we) repent afterwards? (I say, if they doe, that obiection is an∣swered) Also they say, they cannot abide that such differences should be made of men. And haue the godly, whom ye shoale out of others, no faults, but are they without infirmities? are they so pure, that they liue not as other [ H] men? and doe not their liues gather vp the common sinnes of the time, as holy as they be? and doe they not lie in them also for a season, as well as they who are not thought so holy? Which if it be so, why should we haue such differences of men? why should one be shoaled from the other? I answere, as for differences of men they are put, by the Lord himselfe, both in name, conuersation, and reward: to the Thessalonians, he saith: The Lord shall recom∣pence tribulation to them which trouble his: but to those which are troubled, peace and rest: and the end of the Ministerie is to shoale Gods elect and beloued ones from the world, and to bring them to his sheepefold.

As concerning infirmities, it is defended by no Christian, that the most [ I] godly which liue here, are voide of them, but rather confesse that they be burthened sore with the weight of them: and so may they be, although these foule euils be not common with them, nor long lien in of them, which I haue spoken of; of whose infirmities I will say more, when I haue satisfied in some sort these obiections.

Therefore where it is demaunded, if they be not partakers of the same sinnes, that other men are; I denie not, but that it is possible for them in some sort, and for a time, to be carried after the streame of the euill example of so many, which are in the world so common, and almost vniuersall: for the best liue, where Sathans throne is, (euen as the Israelites and the Aegyptians dwelt [ K] together:) whose vnsauorie and stinking breath, what maruaile were it, if the whole and sound should be infected with it? And further, as they may pos∣siblie haue their part in the sinnes of the vngodly; so I denie not, (if God beare not the greater authoritie with them, and be not the more regarded of them) but that they may also lie still in the same loathsomenes for a season, though smallie to their comfort. This to be true, both lamentable examples

[ A] of the Scripture doe shew in Noah, Lot, Dauid, and Peter: and wofull experi∣ence among vs in all ages doe testifie. But what then? Are they therefore giuen ouer of the Lord to lie and abide in them, and being washed to wallow againe in the mire?

And as I deny not but that it may be possible, and is too cleere by wofull experience, that the best may be snared with the sinnes of others; so yet, I say, that when they fall, it appeareth plainelie, that it was the subtill malice of the diuell, watching his opportunitie so narrowlie, that he deceiued them, rather then that they were giuen ouer like wicked men; to lie therein, and to adde sinne to sinne without combat and conflict, as though they had made a league [ B] with sinne, and were without God in the world, as the other be. And the rather I say this, because when they haue been awaked, and come to themselues a∣gaine, they are so strangely amased at their offence, and so tremble to thinke what they haue done, and can haue no peace within themselues vntill they returne: and that after they haue got out, they are made more warie and vi∣gilant against the like another time: the which of the wicked cannot be said, in any of their repentings, till God change their hearts in deed, although in suddaine, and rash feare they may be flighted, till it vanish away againe like smoake, and so come to nothing.

Last of all, when haue they fallen dangerouslie, who had so well begun? [ C] Hath it been, while and when they haue held on in their course of Christian dutie? Haue they been violentlie carried from the platforme and direction of a godlie life, whether they would or no, as not knowing what they did? or how they were brought to it? Yea rather, haue they not at such times giuen themselues the bridle, and suffered their mindes to runne too farre, after that which they tooke pleasure in, and offended by? And haue they wisely auoided the occasions of such mischiefe and danger at such times, as they vsuallie were wont? Neither obiect here, that a man can∣not be at all times watchfull: and the wisest shall or may bee sometimes ouercome? I answere: were they warie, but as they haue been vsuallie, [ D] in which times they were preserued from such reprochfull falles? For if it were so with them, they could not thus offend: but if they haue been wearie of Gods gouerning of them, and haue thought long till they haue gotten more libertie to the flesh; and to be at their owne hand with the world, and to count stollen waters sweete: it is no maruaile though they haue smarted with Dinah, for ranging and seeking to haue their will a∣misse: for if his owne children prouoke him, he must punish euen their sinnes with the rod, and their offences with the scourge, till they returne and say, wee haue sinned.

God hath promised to keepe vs in all our waies, wherein he appointeth vs to [ E] walke, and whiles our mindes are leading vs thither, we are in no danger, and he hath promised vs strength to walke in them. But if wee will runne out of our bounds, with Shemeia, where our owne hearts tell vs that we are in daun∣ger, is it any wonder, if afterwards it take hold of vs? And was it not thus with that deare seruant of God, whom the Scripture commendeth by this title, that he was a man according to Gods minde? that when that one time befell, (more to his reproch, then all other) he was found to giue himselfe the bridle

of vnlawfull libertie, and to shaking off the secret reigne of holie feare, more [ F] then vsually he did. And who denieth but that in such a case, if they refuse to stand vpon their watch, they may become like other men? but yet for all that, is there great difference betwixt the one and the other, as hath bin said: the one offending in that sort, seldome, neither then long lying therein: the other making it his practise to breake out, one way or other. And therefore we must know, that when we haue obtained once to beleeue, and thereby to haue our poysoned hearts purged and made cleane, as it is the greatest of all other benefits; so it is and may bee kept, by such meanes as God hath proui∣ded, and not lost any more, but confirmed and continued in the feare of God. But then, as we be one with Christ, and partakers of him, and as bran∣ches [ G] of a vine, which sucke our sappe and draw our spirituall strength and nourishment from him: so it is required of vs (and we willingly yeeld to it) that we hold fast the beginning of our abiding in him, that is, our faith, vnto the end, and that we take heed that there be not at any time in vs an euill and corrupt heart, which will make vs fall from the liuing God, to our owne deceitfull imaginations and desires, and so to fall dangerously, and to purchase heauines thereby, our bellies full.

And this let euery one endeuour to doe, and he shall see himself so strong∣ly fenced, that through Gods blessing, which faileth not in such a case, he shal be free from the diet of the carelesse liuers (who are euery while shaken) be∣cause [ H] they who walke vprightly, walke safely: but he that peruerteth his waies, God will finde him out, Prouer. 10.9. For whereas many of Gods beloued ones pro∣cure sore wounds in their liues, and anguish thereby, it is but the fruit of their owne labours, who will not bee held within holie compasse, but pleade for some vnlawfull libertie, and count it strictnes more then needeth (by hark∣ning too much to the vnruly flesh) to tie themselues to any certaine directing of themselues in his seruice, (when yet his seruice is perfect freedome) whose euils I defend not: but yet I say, as I haue said, if they be his, they shall rise and repent with Peter, if they haue fallen with him, when yet the wicked shall lie still and waxe worse. [ I]

But ye demaund, and would needes haue me answere, whether I can war∣rant such as feare God, that they shall neuer fall into some reprochfull and dangerous euill, as other men doe, as well as they may breake out some other waies. If I might answere a wise and sober demaunder, I would not refuse to speake my minde; although it may in part be gathered by that which I haue said alreadie: vnto such a one therefore I say (for if any other see his owne practise not to agree with my answere, let him impute it to his owne sinne rather then to my rashnes) I say therefore, seeing rare and deare seruants of God haue fallen thus into shamefull sinnes, it may seeme scarce possible for the best in these latter times, being far inferiour to some of them in grace, [ K] to be free from the like fearefull falles. But yet wee must know, that some o∣ther of his good people God hath preserued from that kinde of shamefull sinnes and staines, as Enoch, Abraham, Caleb, Iosua, with many others: and therefore it may of vs be hoped for, especially seeing it is no other thing then we are commanded to haue speciall regard and care of: that is, to liue without iust reproch in the middest of a crooked generation and vnstained. Saint Peter saith,

[ A] If ye haue these things, ye shall neuer fall: that is, dangerously, to take any great hurt thereby.

Therefore by these, and such other perswasions, wee ought to be incoura∣ged; for to vs there is good hope to obtaine grace hereunto. But seeing all Gods children cannot alike be perswaded, that they ought to giue all diligence hereunto; euen that they may be vnrebukeable amongst men, as Paul did, and so taught other to doe; but thinke it impossible to liue so constantly, but that they shall sometime breake out dangerously: Therefore such must be taught wisedome by experience, and some of them being more proud then others, must haue their pride humbled, and healed by such medicines: for grieuous [ B] falles are phisick for pride; and many who haue some grace, but not the grace which is sufficient for them, are daungerously proud, because they haue not fallen shamefully, that is, into some odious crime: and yet they haue fallen shamefully (if they could see it) in that they are dangerously proud: If God therefore seeth it meete to abate their pride thereby, they may possibly fall after such a manner. Or if it be for the more manifesting of his glorie in for∣giuing them so great a trespasse, they may also fall dangerously.

This doth our mercifull father see expedient oftentimes, as both in Peter and Dauid it came to passe, as also in others: who doubtlesse loued the Lord, more then some others of his faithfull people, which neuer fell in that man∣ner [ C] (as Peters answere, and Dauids Psalmes doe cleerely testifie) yea, and such loued him the more, Luk. 7.47. euen for that very cause, seeing they obtained mercie against so great sinnes of theirs, and fearefull iniquitie.

Yea and to adde a third end, God is highly magnified by others, which know and see this, that hee hath forgiuen so great offences, in such as haue fallen grieuously: who otherwise beholding the heauenly course of such excellent seruants of his, how holie and sincere it was (saue in some such of∣fence) should haue been vtterly discouraged, yea and like to haue despaired of their owne good estate: and the rather for the high opinion that they con∣ceiued of them, if they had not seene or heard of these their falles. For these [ D] causes therefore the Lord may, and often hath, let some of his deare seruants fall dangerously: first, for the humbling of them: and secondly, for that they may see his exceeding bountifulnes in pardoning so great sinnes; that they may loue him the more: and thirdly, that others farre weaker then they, yet faithfull, may be incouraged to beleeue that their sins shall be pardoned, and their weake seruice accepted of him; for as much as they haue seene that God hath pardoned great offences in some, otherwise farre more excellent then they: which if they were not perswaded of, should be discouraged much, because of the great graces and gifts in them, farre exceeding those which are in themselues.

[ E] And otherwise, or in other respects, they neede not feare that God taketh any pleasure to cast them downe, who desire to stand (when his propertie is rather to raise vp them that are fallen:) or that hee seeketh euery aduantage, a∣gainst their infirmities, who doth not look streightly what is done amisse of them; but helpe their weakenes, supplie their wants, and deliuer them from such dangers, as they feare, so far as it is expedient; or els make them able to beare them. For proofe whereof, they may remember, how he kept them, when

they had small skill or abilitie to keepe themselues, after that they first imbra∣ced [ F] his promises: will hee not much more keepe them safe, now they haue experience of his kindnes, and the power of Christ working in them? Nay, that which is more, when they were his enemies, he gaue his sonne to die for them: and now they are reconciled vnto him, and approued of him, as his beloued ones, shall they not much more be preserued (by his liuing in glorie) from the fearefull iudgements, which in his wrath he executeth against the vngod∣ly of the world?

Therefore if thou beest grounded and established in faith, and holdest fast the beginning of thine ingrafting into Christ, be of good comfort, thy greatest danger is past: for can he that loueth thee dearely, meane hardly against thee? [ G] Is there with him yea and nay, with whom there is no shadow of chaunge? The Lord witnessing to that which I say, with reuerence and thankfulnes beleeue it: ei∣ther thou shalt not fall reprochfully; or if thou doest, it shall be thus, as I haue said, euen so as it shal turne to thy good: and it neede to be to thy great good, which cannot be without the great offence of so many as shall know it. For though such as shall perish may turne this which I say, to their owne great hurt, as they doe the Scriptures also (seeing to the vncleane all things are vncleane:) yet if thou shouldest slide, the Lord would hold thee vp, and make thee stand more constantly after. The world seeth no whit of this, but counteth it all arrogan∣cie, boasting, and falsehood, because indeed they beleeue no more then they [ H] see, or then their reason and fleshly wisedome can prie into; which is an vtter enemie to this heauenly truth: but ô faith, what pretious secrets art thou able to reueale to vs of Gods minde and will? and how safe is he (yea in this dan∣gerous wildernes of the world) in whom thou dwellest, seeing the Lord hath said: This is the victorie that ouercommeth the world, euen our faith?

And this for answere to these obiections: Now as I haue promised, I will shut vp this part of Christianitie, concerning the renouncing of inward and outward euils, concluding what infirmities the godlie shall be subiect vnto: which shall both sufficiently proue, that they count not themselues without sinne, as they are charged by many: yet for all this, that they are not compa∣nions [ I] with the vngodly in harbouring and nourishing these worldly lusts and vngodlines, which I haue spoken of. The lesse shall neede to be said of this, seeing it may, and that not obscurely, bee gathered, by that which hath been set downe: both that they doe not (with the Puritanes) dreame of any such perfection, but that when they haue done all, they are vnprofitable seruants, and say with the Apostle: Oh wretched men that we are! and also, further then they are glad to be ruled by God, they feare the same falles that others doe. But because they are not al spiritual, that is, spiritually minded wholy and al∣together, as they are not wholy flesh, that is, corrupt, but both these contra∣ries fighting together (as the Apostle saith) one against the other, are in their [ K] soules: therefore it commeth to passe, that they are subiect through this con∣cupiscence and infection which is in their flesh, both to the diuels sugge∣stions, and delusions of the world, and they may bee caried after diuers and strange lusts, and to commit outward sinnes one after another further forth, then by the grace of Gods spirit their corruption be bridled, held backe, and subdued. But if that grace bee quenched or quailed, then euill desires are

[ A] kindled, and gather strength to bring foorth fruite accordingly.

And this may be, yea and no doubt is, the estate of the many of Gods ser∣uants: such especially, as for want of good experience, and acquaintance in the Christian life, and battaile, are more easily deceiued, and beguiled then others are. And hereof it is, that many haue been ouertaken, and oft doe slide, and fall daungerously, and are carried from keeping a good conscience, and from well doing: And diuers commit those sinnes which they had long ab∣stained from, hoping that they should neuer haue fallen into them any more: But what then? Are they therefore like to the sundrie sorts of the former wicked ones, of whom I spake before? No, nothing lesse: for either they are [ B] wary and watchfull against them, before hand, least they should fall; and it is their greatest care, that they may not fall into them: or when they see how they haue been ouercome, and deceiued, they lay it to heart by and by, be∣waile it, and are much humbled to see how they haue been circumuented, and cannot be quiet, whiles they seeing God offended, are not reconciled to him againe. And on the contrarie, if they preuaile ouer their sinnes, and hold vnder their affections, and keepe their consciences excusing them, that so they may walke with God and abide in his fauour; then are they more ioyfull then they, who haue all that their hearts can wish. And although all haue not the like knowledge, how to doe and goe about it; yet it is the earnest [ C] desire of their heart to haue it so: In token whereof, euen the weakest which are new borne, are heauie and cannot be comforted, for that they see conti∣nually how they haue displeased God.

And to this purpose I might say much more, whereby all that can iudge, may see, that these sinnes are of infirmitie committed by them: and that they are haled and drawen to doe such things, as in no wise they would, when they are come to themselues, and when the spirit of God ouerruleth and sub∣dueth their loose and ranging affections: neither would they haue been car∣ried after them, euen then when they were haled to the committing of them, but that they were weake to performe that, which faine they would haue [ D] done. I say, who doth not see, that these men sinne not like the other, but in such wise as the best, and dearest of Gods children in all ages haue done, who neuer fully satisfied themselues (no not the best of them) in that which they did.

And this is properly sinne of infirmitie, when partly of knowledge, but more through frailtie, an offence is wrought to the displeasing of God: and when of such an one it is committed, as because he hath his heart sanctified, would not doe it: and yet because the power of corruption at that time is greater in him, then the strength of grace, therefore he was ouercome of it, and forced to yeeld to it.

[ E] But I demaund whether any such combat or conflict be found in the vn∣godly, & workers of iniquitie, in them of whom I haue before spoken. Haue they feare before the sinne committed, least they should fall into it? But by what signe doe they proue it, and by what reason can they perswade it? who neither watch against it, neither haue their hearts out of loue with it: nay they are so farre from striuing against it, that they are set on fire to commit it, and would hate him deadly, which should earnestly disswade, much more

withhold them from the committing of it: or doe they after the committing [ F] of it, bewaile it for that God was offended thereby, and for their vnkindnes against his maiestie, and for his dishonour thereby? It may be for feare of hell, and damnation, if they be neerely vrged, and least it should come to light, and so bring reproch and punishment vpon them; They may bowe them∣selues like a bulrush for a season. Which kinde of men (that I may prooue it to be true, which I say of them) when that pange and qualme is ouer, are not onely mery and quiet againe, when yet they haue no word of comfort from God, but are readie to the like sinne againe; yea and many of them commit it a∣gaine indeede a little while after.

But will any call this, wholesome and Godly sorrow which bringeth repentance? [ G] Alas! it is as farre from it, as is the East from the West. Neither haue they any strife or combat before, or after the committing of sinne, as distracted in themselues for that, which they haue done; or fearefull, least they should commit the euill which they goe about, further then this, that their consci∣ence may secretly tell them it is euill: but they repell it, and will in no wise heare the same: And therefore they sinne not, as Gods children doe; that is, by infirmitie. And thus much for answere to the former questions: And of the first part of godlinesse also of the life of the beleeuer, this be said.

[ H]

Notes

• Ob. Are all such damned.
• God shoales out some from others. Psalm. 1.2.50.16. 1. Thes. 1.9. Iohn 1. & 10.
• Infirmities in all. Matth. 7.22.25.34.
• The godlie somewhat in∣fected with common cor∣ruptions.
• Difference be∣tweene the fals of the god∣ly and the wic∣ked.
• Cant 5.
• Note.
• Cant. 3.4, 5.
• The godly fall not, but when they are secure and take liber∣tie. 1. Sam. 35.24.
• Psalm. 89.31.
• Psalm. 91.11.
• Philip. 3.13.
• 2. Chron. 16.9 Philip. 4.
• 2. Sam. 11.4.
• Psal. 51.5.
• Prou. 4.23.
• Heb. 4.1. Heb. 3.12.
• How we may be fenced.
• 2. Tim. 3.13.
• No warrant of not falling deadly.
• VVe may be preserued from foule falles.
• 2. Pet. 1.5. Col. 1.2••. Iam. 1.27.
• 2. Pet. 1.10.
• 1. Cor. 4.3.4.
• Act. 26.18.19.
• The first end, why God suf∣fers some to fall so.

  Some to be humbled by their falles. VVhy many fall.
• The secōd end, to magnifie his mercie in for∣giuing great sinnes. Ioh. 21.15.
• A third end why the faith∣full fall in re∣gard of others.
• 1. Tim. 1.16.
• Otherwise no feare of falling
• Psal. 130.3.
• Luk. 1.54. Gods tender∣nes ouer his.
• Deut. 33.12.
• Rom. 5.10.
• Col. 1.23. Sweet comfort to the weake.
• Note.
• Rom. 8.31. 2. Pet. 3.16. Tit. 1.15. Cant. 3.4.
• Cant. 2.14.
• 1. Ioh. 5.4.
• VVhat infir∣mities the god∣ly be subiect to.
• Luk. 17.10. Rom. 7.24.
• Gal. 5.17.
• The state of weaker Chri∣stians.
• These much differ from all wicked.
• Phil. 2.12.
• 1. Iohn 3.21.
• Psalm. 4 8.
• What sinne of infirmitie is.
• Note.
• Wicked sinne boldly.
• Their sorrow is carnall.
• Note.