SECT. I.

The Preface.

YOu know and see, and I do believ• are sensible of what the occasion o• this sad meeting and assembly is. Time and opportunities of this nature, especi∣ally in so stupendious and astonishing a• instance we have in hand, must be mad• use of for our good; you all grant th• person deceased is no way advantage• by this exercise.

1. Except we run to the Alylum o• Purgatory.

2. And fly to those rotten shifts o• Dirges and Requiems of Rome, which you all I believe know the Church of England, with all other profest Prote∣stants, and the Reformed Orthodox Churches have justly exploded,

1. As the doctrine of Antichrist.

2. As a parcel of Heathenish abomi∣nations.

Ergo, This the occasion.

Now in the next place, let me also Page  61 acquaint you with a paragraphe more in this preface to my work.

2.

The occasion of my being limited up to the text.

It was I understand, his own request (that it comeing often upon his thoughts) it might be the remembrance of him in his Funerall obsequies, and might be to appeare in this confidence upon the Churches hope, the Lord: Re∣joyce not O mine enemy. I shall make no long surrows upon his back; it is sufficient what hath been already done, and now it is totally in vain for any as∣sistance towards him, Except to rake up the ashes of so great a crime: therefore letting these things passe as well known to you already.

Sect 2.

The text it self.

Wherein Ile not trouble you with dependance.

The words are a distinct paragraphe in themselves, and may be kept entire within their own limits, bounds, and con∣fines: Page  62 so according to my old method of for exposition of the text, take this.

The sum.

This is easily resolved in this issue.

The sure stay, support and setleness of the Church, and by consequence of every Beleever, in their utmost deserti∣ons greatest declinings from God by transgression against,

1 The apprehension of Divine wrath sincking their spirits for ever.

2 The insolent insulting of adver∣saries.

1 They shall see.

2 God to be light to them.

This being the sum of the whole text, take the Analysis of the 8 verse, for that is all: I can or will meddle with at this time.

1 The state of the Church and every Beleever in that condition she is fallen.

2 The successe of this.

The adversaries tryumph and re∣joyce.

3 The state of recovery with a secret check to the malicious pride of insolent adversaries.

Rejoyce not.

Page  63 For the rest of the particulars my time nor ability of body, nor strong lunges to keep on in a strong carreer, in a long and vexing winded discourse, will not admit mee, (therefore Ile be briefe) if you expect it.

1 Pardon my inabilities I am aged.

2 Seek it where you know you may have it.

These things supposed, let me now come seasonably to my last

4 Theorems.

1 The best of Churches; Saints, or persons, may fall deeply into grosse trans∣gressions.

2 The enemies to the Church and Saints have an akeing tooth and obsti∣nate spirit of insulting and vaporing over the Church and Saints, in their fallings, •in this their sadd and deep declining by transgression.

3 In this distresse of falling, and the exultancy and proud insolency of opposi∣tion they shall arise again, and the glory of the Lord shall appear upon them in light.

These are the Theorems which I Page  64 must prosecute distinctly, therefore pray take this to be the first.

1. Theorem.

Saints may fall into grosse and very deep transgressions or sins against God.

The demonstration of this Theorem is firm upon these principles.

1 The infinite and indeed unlimited liberty and authoritative power the in∣finite God hath over the creature, to do with it what he pleaseth.

Ergo

1 To leave and desert when hee will.

Thence

2 To give them up to themselves.

2 The naturall principles of the crea∣ture (being thus left without any limits or bounds to its own propensions) from preservation,* it must follow inevitablely that the springs or sluces of corruption must break forth.

Ergo,

Churches and Persons, nay Saints may rush into, and act in grosse abomi∣nations.

Hence then from these principles le• us wind up all into an argumentive form•

Page  65Argument.

1 Where there is an independant liberty in any cause to sustain, or not to sustain a created being, in a just regulari∣ty to his own will.

2 And strong active principles in an eminent deviation from the eternall rule, there must be (and that unavoidably) a deflexion from that eternall rule.

1 But in the eternall God of Glory in Christ, there is this independant liberty by concession of schooles and Fathers.

2 The creatures acting nothing by their own principles, but opposition to him and his rule and will.

Ergo

The creature may fall into the great∣est relapses, grossest sins that ever any creature did.

Thus I have twisted up my argu∣ment of reason into the forme of a sillo∣gisme in mood and figure: and it being but reason which is dark, let me support faith with Scripture.

And for this purpose Ile nominate but two places, which will strongly evince the conclusion it self.

Page  66 2 Samuel chap. 11. chap. 12.

Isaiah 63 17.

These two places will joyn in issue to prove my conclusion against any the least opposition.

Wee will a little examine both: In the 11 Chapter you find very desperate acts of Davids.

1 His Adultery deflowring Vriahs wife,* Bethseba to bear a child.

2 Murder upon the person of Vriah,* by his speciall comission sent to Ioab the Generall of his army.

Now do but observe the severall a∣gravations, and concatinations of other sins lincked together and centred in these two and then Judge.

1 Ingratitude to a faithfull servant and officer in his battles.

2 His cursed hypocrisy, in carrying on his desperate designe.*

1 Vriah must be sent for home, under pretence of favor, but in a reall intention that he might be murdered, or hide Da∣vids shame.

But this was but the briding of his designe to the execution of murder upon so faithfull a friend and servant: there∣fore Page  67 he goes on.

2 Vriah must goe home to his wife,* to hide Davids shame, that the bastard might be made legitimate by Vriah, yet Vriah stands this attempt out, as unwor∣thy of the spirit of a souldier,* especially a commanding souldier.

Yet David in a depth of hypocrisy towards faithfull Vriah, persists (with what brave resolutions and what firm principles Vriah baulked the motion the text cleares,) and yet David hath ano∣ther stratagem upon so faithfull a servant to hide his own shame Vriah,

3 He must tarry but one day,* and on the morrow he shall goe: to this Vriah condescends, and abode in Hierusalem that day.

4 David goes on with new stratagems to hide his sin, so adds sin to sin, under the pretence of doing him honor in an entertainment,* he makes him drunk, (cursed hypocrisy) hoping when he was drunk he would do any thing: and now after the transgressions of adultery, and these subtile devices to hide the shame.

Next comes the tragedy of poor ino∣cent Vriahs murder.

Page  68 All full of perfidious deceit and dissi∣mulation in hypocrisy by David.

1 Ioab the Generall must be sent un∣to, to put Vriah upon the forelorn hope, where the Skirmish was hottest, and this by commission from David,* that Vriah might dye expresly.

2 Ioab Obeys Davids severe unjust and desperate command; and the issue is Vriah is slain. But it is not unworthy ob∣servation. David gives commission in his coole blood, and sedate resolutions, that Vriah being in the heat of battell, upon a desperate service, all his forces should retire and leave him naked, in the fury of the enemy (cursed treachery in david: yet Davids sin in this passage goes on to a higher stretch then this; for if you observe the subsequent passage you will find.

3 Ioab to be an obsequious knave, to do any thing that the king commands him against a faithfull servant to Ioab himself:* shall I and my Lord Ioab?

1 To hide his sin and shame.

2 To accomplish his base lust with Bethseba.

Ioab sends an accoumpt to David, Page  69 that according to Davids command and directions given to him, Vriah is out of the way: these tidings being brought to David, he hath an other shift to his hy∣pocrisy and cruell designe.

4 The sword devoureth one as well as the other.*

Yet that he thought all things might be secure aud hidden, he takes her home, and makes her his wife▪* Well this done, the thing did displease the Lord. Thus far of Davids sin of murder and adultery a∣gainst God.

Having done thus farr in the business, the detection of the horrid unparralled villany in Davids sins; the next business is to come in hand.

1 Davids arraignment by Nathan the Prophet: now in this we may consider thus.

1 Nathan is sent to him by commission from the Lord,* the God of Glory, to con∣vince him of his guilt of this his sin.

2. By a wile of a parable, states the question so that David confesseth plain∣ly, he had sinned.

2. Nathan leaves him not in this sad condition, under guilt, but presently ap∣plies Page  70 peace, the Lord hath put away thy sin, yet gives him a chastisement tempo∣rall: hence then.

Persons under the apprehension of guilt, ought not to be left so: but promises of mercy ought after the detection of guilt to be applied.

Now Bretheren the next busines.

Isaiah 63. 17.

If you observe the connexion of the words, you will find the state of whole Churches under a sad state of dereliction: here in this verse wee find not only

1 Outward transgressions, and those of a deep die, if you compare things with things.

2 Inward opposition, or an habitual frame of spirit: whence,

1 Outward transgressions did flow a hardened heart.

2 And the frame of the spirit cor∣rupted. Out of all these my conclusions I will conclude. The Saints may be deser∣ted and left to great transgressions, and a fearfull frame of spirit.

But we must go on to the other conclu∣sions: but the time is almost past, and the time of the year unseasonable,

Page  71 And now Bretheren (since we have brought our busines thus farr,) let me in∣ferr these few practique Corrolaries.

1 Let him that standeth take heed least he fall.

2 Keepe for the purpose vigilant eye over your own spirits.

3 Pittie those that are fallen, and walk in darkness and see no light.

4 Presume not upon examples: you know not whether Davids restitution may be yours.

This is from the second conclusion.

Insultansy of spirit over distressed per∣sons, and falling sinners is incident to man, especially enemies.

Next take notice of this plaine issue.

4 As presume not to act hainous trans∣gressions.

5 So dispare not under their burden. This is from the last proposition of the three, gathered from the text: and so these three propositions in the first paragraphe are dispatched.

Sect 3

The occasion of this business, and ap∣plication, to the remembrance of the per∣son deseased; and herein brevitie be∣comes Page  72 the time and season, ergo.

Let me acquaint you with these few hints, which possibly you may hear more at large hereafter.

The occasion I have told you al∣ready, and so need no further repeti∣tion.

The persons condition is now in a∣gitation.

1 His birth and education, with his parts and their improvements you all know, were to be highly approved of,

2 His conversation, and greatly pro∣digious act of sin, in so near a relation, is too well known, for me to trouble your memories or greive your spirits a fresh,

These things we grant to the most malevolent spirit, and contradicting spirit, we meet with; yet for his deportment in the time of his confinement sentence and execution, some things must be said.

1 These reverend Divines faithfully that dealt with him, and most in fre∣quency in the time of his confinement, can give a more strict and severe ac∣compt.

Page  73 When I had the opportunitie to visit him, I found him in a sedate composure of spirit; I hope in the successe of their endeavours, and upon accompt exami∣ned with other things implicitely two great questions resolved,

1 Conviction of guilt of so great a transgression,

2 Yet this was not all but tenderness of contrition for this and other facts.

3 A totall relinquishing of any thing of humiliation or contrition for accep∣tation.

4 Only wrapt up himself in the armes of our Saviour Christ, as the only refuge,

Upon this accompt I did what I did and ought to do.

Let Momus carpe,

Wee will leave him to his own mast∣er, to him he stands, or falls, or suffers; only thus, it was his earnest desire to receive a sealing testimony from Christ in the ordinance, for his sealed con∣firmation of his interest in him,

And in this case I• will doe it again upon like occasion, when they that ex∣cept are reduced to the like condition, Page  74 upon his supposed qualification, let male∣volent spirits say what they will.

I say he died a Christian: the testimo∣ny of this shall appeare to the shame of his Calumnators in print from his own hand. I confesse I have the original by me, but will conceale it yet.

I am yet confident his grand Adver∣saries do not know what,

1 Hee found of the things of God in Christ.

3 Nor can so exactly compose a peece of a Beleevers spirit, as he hath done,

This you know to speake in business of this nature, unusual, yet seeing such pettish foolish impertinances added in by ignorance and malicious beggerly pride I thought fit to acquaint you with my resolutions. Ile justifie it against opposition, let proud malice swell untill it break.