The faith of the Chvrch of England concerning Gods work on mans will pvblikely confirmed by the svbscriptions of all the famous martyrs, and divines thereof : faithfully gathered out of the authenticke records of the Chvrch / by Francis Tayler ...

CHAP. VII. Of the internall effect of grace.

THE books attribute the internall effects of grace to God also. For howsoever that grace that is given us in regeneration have some power to produce spirituall thoughts; yet because our spi∣rituall life is not so compleat, as our naturall life, and is much hindred from good inclinations by the corruptions of our flesh remaining, so that it cannot do that good it would without a fresh supply of Gods assisting grace, therefore the help of God is still implored, and the praise of the effect given to him. Now if in a man regenerate there be need of more grace to help that act, which he hath already, then certainly the first work of grace, whereby a dead man is made alive spiritually, must needs be the only effectuall work of Gods Spirit. For if he cannot thinke what he would, now he hath grace, at all times without further help, then certainly before he had grace, he could do no∣thing pleasing to God. This head of the internall effects of grace is the largest of all the rest. We will therefore di∣vide it into two parts. First, we will treat of the inter∣nall effect of Gods grace in generall in the regenerate. Secondly, of the particular effects of it.

For the First.

The effect of grace in generall is set down in these places.

O God from whom all holy desires, all good coun∣sels and all just works do proceed.

That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the Counsell, and all the Nobilitie with grace.

That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace, to heare meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.

O God from whom all good things do proceed.

O God the Authour and giver of all good things.

Almightie and mercifull God, of whose onely gift it cometh, that thy faithfull people do unto thee true and laudable service.

God our refuge and strength, which art the au∣thour of all godlinesse.

O eternall God giver of all spirituall grace, the authour of everlasting life.

Thou in thy gifts art manifold, whereby Christs Church doth stand: In faithfull hearts writing the law, the finger of Gods hand. Thine holy Ghost into us poure, with all his gifts most plenteously.

Whatsoever is good proceedeth from God as from the principall fountain, and the only authour. All good things come down to us from above from the Father of light.

The Title of the Sermon is,

That all good things cometh from God.

In Christ God the Father doth blesse us with all spirituall and heavenly gifts.

God is the giver of all good things.

The particular effects of grace are seene either in mor∣tifying of vice, or exercising of vertue in the heart. I will

begin with those places that speake of mortifying of vice.

Almightie God mortifie and kill all vices in us.

A Sacrament is an externall and visible sign, of an internall and spirituall grace given unto us. This grace in Baptisme is a dying unto sinne, and living unto righteousnesse.

Now let those drops most sweet So moist my heart most dry, That I with finne replete May live and sinne may dye, That being mortifide This sinne of mine in mee, I may be sanctifide By grace of thine in thee, So that I never fall Into such mortall sinne, That my foes infernall Rejoyce my death therein: But vouchsafe me to keep From those infernall foes, And from that lake so deep, Whereas no mercy growes.

Make us to follow the doctrin of Iohn the Baptist, that we may truly repent according to his preaching.

Give us thy heavenly grace, that we may truly and earnestly repent.

As thou gavest the Ninivites repentance through thy grace, so now visit the hearts of thy people in this land with thine heavenly grace and holy Spirit, that they may speedily and soundly return unto thee from all their wicked wayes, in true repentance and a li∣ving faith in Jesus Christ.

See the like in the Evening prayers set forth in the rainy weather, 1613. Homily of falling from God. Part. 2. Homily against wilfull rebellion. Part. 1. Collect. 1. in Thanksgiving. Novemb. 5. and the next prayer there:

Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit, that our hearts and all our members being mortified from all worldly and carnall lusts, may in all things obey thy blessed will.

Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickednesse, that we may alwayes serve thee in pure∣nesse of living and truth.

Grant that we forsaking all worldly and carnall affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy commandments.

To withstand Satans invasion Give power and strength to every age. O holy Ghost visit our coast, Defend us with thy shield: Against all sinne and wickednesse, Lord help us win the field. Create and make new hearts within us O Lord.

Give unto us such effectuall grace, that every one of us beholding the plague of his own heart, we may abhorre our corruptions, and turn our selves away from our evill wayes.

Give us grace that we may not any more provoke thine indignation against us by our transgressions.

Make soft and tender the stony hearts of all those that exalt themselves against thy truth.

Our soules are strengthened and refreshed with the body and bloud of Christ, as our bodies are with bread and wine.

By the strength of the holy Ghost sinfull flesh is subdued and tamed, and corrupt desires are brideled and restrained.

We pray that God will with the moving of his ho∣ly Spirit, so change and fashion all the wils of us all to the will of his Majestie, that we may will or wish nothing, that his divine will misliketh.

Thus much for the effects of grace in mortifying of vice, now follow those that belong to the execu∣ting vertue in the soul.

That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and dread thee, and diligently to live after thy com∣mandments.

By thy speciall grace preventing us, thou dost put into our hearts good desires.

Almightie God which dost make the minds of all faithfull men to be of one will, grant unto thy peo∣ple, that they may love the thing, which thou com∣mandest, and desire that which thou dost promise.

Grant us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good.

Lord to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray.

O God poure into our hearts such love toward thee, that we loving thee in all things may obtaine thy promises.

That thy servants may obtaine their petitions, make them to aske such things as shall please thee.

Grant we beseech thee, that we may so run to thy heavenly promises, that we raile not finally to attain the same.

That we may obtaine that which thou dost pro∣mise,

make us to love that which thou dost com∣mand.

Grant thy people grace with pure heart and minde to follow thee the onely God.

Grant we beseech thee unto thy Church to love that he beleeved.

Grant us so to be joyned together in unity of Spi∣rit by their doctrine, that we may be an holy Temple acceptable to thee.

Cleanse our hearts that we may perfectly love thee and worthily magnify thy holy name.

Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keepe this law.

Lord write all these thy lawes in our hearts we be∣seech thee.

Grant us therefore gracious Lord so to eate the flesh of thy deare Sonne Jesus Christ, and to drinke his bloud, that our sinfull bodies may be made clean by his body, and our soules washed through his most precious bloud.

We most humbly besech thee O heavenly Father so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship.

O Almighty Lord and everliving God, vouch∣safe, we beseech thee to direct, sanctifie, and govern, both our hearts and bodies in the wayes of thy lawes, and in the works of thy Commandements.

Grant we beseech thee Almighty God, that, the words which we have heard this day with our out∣ward eares, may through thy grace be so graffed in∣wardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living.

Sanctify and wash these children with the Holy Ghost, that they being delivered from thy wrath may be received into the Arke of Christs Church, & being stedfast in faith, joyfull through hope, and rooted in charity, may so passe the waves of this troublesome world, that finally they may come to the land of e∣verlasting life.

I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all goodnes, to send his grace unto me, and to all people that we may worship him, serve him, and obey him, as we ought to doe.

Daily increase in these thy servants, thy manifold gifts of grace, the spirit of wisdome and understand∣ing, the spirit of counsaile, and ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godlinesse, and fulfill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy feare.

Almighty and everliving God, which makest us both to will and to doe those things, that be good and acceptable unto thy Majesty.

The Lord so fill you with all spirituall benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come, you may have life ever∣lasting.

Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, that they obeying thy will, and alwayes being in safety, under thy protection, may abide in thy love to their lives end.

Grant that this man may love his wife according to thy word, and also that this woman may be a fol∣lower of holy and godly Matrons.

Almighty God poure upon you the riches of his grace, sanctifie and blesse you, that ye may please

him both in body and soule, and live together in holy love unto your lives end.

Give this thy servant grace so to take thy visitati∣on, that after this painfull life ended, he may dwell with thee in life everlasting.

Renew in this thy servant (most loving Father) whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and ma∣lice of the Devill, or by his owne carnall will and frailenesse.

Thou most worthy Judge eternall, suffer us not at our last houre for any paines of death to fall from thee.

We meekly beseech thee (O Father) to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousnesse.

O Holy Ghost Visit our mindes and unto us, thy heavenly grace inspire: That in all truth, and godlinesse, we may have true desire. To us such plenty of thy grace, good Lord grant we thee pray: That thou mayst be our comforter, at the last dreadfull day. Grant we pray not with lips alone, But with the hearts deepe sigh and grove.

Make these Deacons to be modest, humble, and constant in their ministration, to have a ready will to observe all spirituall discipline, that they continuing ever stable and strong in thy Sonne Christ, may well use themselves in this office.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good-will to doe all these things, &c.

Governe us by thy holy Spirit to frame in us a newnesse of life therein to laud and magnifie thy blessed name, for ever, and to live every one of us according to the severall state of life, whereunto thou Lord hast ordained us in godly feare, and trembling before thee.

Grant us grace, and true repentance, stedfast faith, and constant patience, that whither we live or die, we may alwayes continue thine, and ever praise thy holy name, and by thy great mercy be pertakers of grace in this life, & eternall glory in the life to come.

Grant us a due care and conscience in our selves to use all good meanes of recovery: that neither we tempt thy Majesty by presumption in contemning of the contagion; or neglecting of the meanes of avoid∣ing, removing and repressing the same: neither de∣spaire of thy goodnesse, or murmure against the pro∣vidence (if we be not so soone eased and delivered as we desire) but that we may (submitting our selves, in all things to thy good will and pleasure) seeke thy mercifull favour for our release and succour, by true faith and repentance: use the meanes for ease, which thou givest us with care and diligence: helpe the af∣flicted and preserve the whole with compassionate pitty and charity: and finally depend upon thy provi∣dence, and waite for thy gracious deliverance with constant hope and patience.

Send us light in our understanding, readinesse and obedience in our will.

We can doe nothing pleasing to God without Gods grace through Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have a good will.

In the man that is born again the understanding is inlightned, and the minde wholly changed, and the body is made able to produce good works.

They that are predestinated are both justified by faith, and sanctified by the Spirit, and shall be glorifi∣ed in the life to come.

Grant that the King may through thy grace in all honour, vertue, and godlinesse, continue his glori∣ous reigne over us many yeers.

Blesse the Kings royall allyance with the dew of thy heavenly Spirit, that they ever trusting in thy goodnesse, and protected by thy power, may after death obtain eternall glory.

The Scriptures have power to turn through Gods promise, and be effectuall through Gods assistance.

In reading Gods word he profits most, that is most turned into it, that is most inspired with the holy Ghost.

Read not the Scriptures without daily praying to God, that he would direct your reading to good effect.

Let us pray to God, that we may speak, think, be∣leeve, live, and depart hence according to the whol∣some doctrin of the Scriptures.

True faith is not ours, but by Gods working in us.

A true and lively faith is the gift of God.

God gave the Fathers then grace to be his chil∣dren, as he doth us now.

We are sanctified and made holy by the blood of Christ through the holy Ghost.

God grant that these words against adultery may not be spoken in vain.

God by his holy word indueth his people assem∣bled in his Church, with the effectuous presence of his heavenly grace.

God doth indue his people assembled in his Church, with the effectuall presence of his grace by his word and promises to the attainment of worldly commodities, and all heavenly gifts, and life ever∣lasting.

God vouchsafe to purifie our minds through faith in Christ, & to instill the heavenly drops of his grace into our hard-stony hearts to supple the same, that we be not contemners and deriders of his word, but that with all humblenesse of minde and Christian re∣verence, we may indeavour our selves to heare and to read his sacred Scriptures, and inwardly, so to di∣gest them, as shall be to the comfort of our soules, and sanctification of his holy Name.

Man is first made good by the Spirit and grace of God, that effectually worketh in him, and afterwards bringeth forth good fruits.

The grace of God worketh all in all.

Whatsoever can be named good and profitable for body or soule, comes only of Gods mercy and meere favour, and not of our selves.

God attributes that unto us, and to our doings, that he by his Spirit worketh in us, and through his grace procureth for us.

God grant that we may alwayes shew our selves thankfull for Christs death, abhorring all kinde of wickednesse, and applying our minds wholly to the service of God, and the diligent keeping of his com∣mandments.

It is Gods Spirit which ingendreth a burning zeale towards Gods word.

Nicodemus knew not the power of the holy Ghost in this behalfe, that it is he which inwardly worketh the Regeneration, and new birth of mankinde.

It is the holy Ghost and no other thing that doth quicken the minds of men, stirring up good and god∣ly motions in their hearts, which otherwise of their own crooked and perverse nature they should never have.

The fruits of faith, charitable and godly motions, if man have any at all in him, they proceed onely of the holy Ghost, who is the only worker of our sancti∣fication, and maketh us new men in Christ Jesus.

The Spirit of Jesus is a good Spirit, an holy Spirit, a lowly Spirit, a mercifull Spirit. If any man live up∣rightly, he hath the holy Ghost within him.

If the Saints in heaven were asked, who should be thanked for their regeneration, justification, and sal∣vation, they would answer with David. Not to us Lord, but to thy Name give all the thanks.

If they be asked, whence came all their glorious works, they would say with Esay, O Lord it is thou of thy goodnesse, that hast wrought all our works in us, not we our selves.

They be justitiaries and hypocrites, which rob Almightie God of this honour, and ascribe it to themselves.

Let us confesse, that all spirituall graces behove∣able for our soule come from God, without whose goodnesse no man is called to faith or stayed therein.

God grant us all grace so to heare his word that we may fulfill it.

God give us grace to know those things, and to feele them in our hearts. This knowledge and feel∣ing is not in our selfe: by our selfe it is not possi∣ble to come by it. Let us therefore meekly call upon the Holy Ghost, that he would assist us and inspire us with his presence, that in him we may be able to heare our salvation. For without his lively and secret inspiration we cannot so much as name Christ. Much lesse should we be able to beleeve.

In Gods Spirit shall we be meet vessels to receive the grace of Almighty God: for it is he that purgeth and purifieth the minde by his secret working. He sitteth in the tongue of man to stirre him to speake his honour. He onely ministreth spirituall strength to the powers of our soule and body. It is Gods Spi∣rit, that maketh us to hold the way, which God hath prepared for us, and to pray boldly to God. If any gift we have, whereby we may worke to the glory of God, and profit of our neighbour, all is wrought by this Spirit.

The holy Spirit will confirme us in all things.

Married persons must crave continually of God, the helpe of his holy Spirit so to rule their hearts, and to knit their minds together, that they be not dis∣severed by any division of discord.

It is God that worketh in us both the will, and the deed. Phil. 2. For this cause although Ieremy had said before, If thou returne O Israel, returne unto me, saith the Lord, yet afterwards he saith, Turne thou me O Lord, & I shall be turned, for thou art the Lord try God. Ier. 6. And therefore that holy writer and ancient Father Ambrose doth plainely affirme, that

the turning of the heart to God is of God. Ambros. de vocat. gent. lib. 8. cap. 9. As the Lord himselfe doth testifie by his Prophet, saying, And I will give thee an heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall returne unto me with their whole heart.

God vouchsafe by his holy Spirit to worke a true and unfained repentance in us.

If we repent, God will either take away evill Prin∣ces, or of evill make them good.

Make us now and alwayes truly thankfull in heart, word, and deed, for all thy gracious mercies, and this our speciall deliverance.

We must on the Sabbath rest from our own works, and yeeld our selves wholly to Gods governance, that he may doe his workes in us.

From Christs resurrection cometh unto us an en∣deavour, vertue, and strength to live well and holily.

Christ indueth us with strength by the vertue and power of his resurrection to rise from the deadly workes of sinne, and live to righteousnesse.

The Spirit of God is called holy, for that by him the elect of God and the members of Christ are made holy: for which cause the scriptures have cal∣led him the spirit of sanctification.

It is onely God which strengthneth man and by whose grace the sinner conceiveth this hope, minde, and will.

Christ with the inspiration and vertue of the Holy Ghost doth regenerate and newly forme us to the endeavour of innocency and holinesse, which we call newnesse of life.

Faith is the gift of God, and a singular and excel∣lent gift.

The Holy Ghost hath wrought faith in my heart by the preaching of the Gospel.

Notes

• Collect. 2. Even. Pray.
• Letany.
• Letany.
• Coll. Sund. 5. after Ea∣ster. Sund. 7. af∣ter Trin. Sunday 13. after Trin. Coll. Sund. 23. after Trin. Prayer 1. in Matrim. Veni Crea∣tor.
• Lords pray. by D. Coxe.
• Rogat. Ser. Part. 1.
• Part. 3.
• Now. Cat. quest. 249.
• Coll. Innoc. day. Cat. in the Common Prayer book quest. 15.18 Complaint of a sinner.
• Coll. on S. Iohn Bapt. day. Prayer 1. added to Set. Fast. 1625. Prayer. 4. Thanksg. for ceasing plague, 1604.
• Collect. on Circumcis. of Christ.
• Coll. on Ea∣ster tuesday.
• Coll. on S. Iames day.
• Lords Pr. by D. Cox. Prayer to the holy Ghost before the Serm. Coll. before Epis. Fast. 1625. Thanksgi∣ving follow∣ing. Coll. 1. Prayer. 2. There after the Gospel. Prayer a∣gainst rebel. in the Hom. Cain Com. Pray. book. quest. 24.
• Now. Cat. quest. 144.
• Quest. 208.
• Letany.
• Collect. on Easter day. Sund. 4. af∣ter Easter.
• Coll. Sund. 5. after Ea∣ster. Sund. 3. af∣ter Trinity. Sund. 6. af∣ter Trinity.
• Sund. 10. af∣ter Trinity.
• Sunday 13.
• Sunday 14.
• Sund. 18.
• Coll. on S. Barthol. day. Coll. on Sim and Iudes day. Prayer at begin. of Commande∣ments. Prayer af∣ter each command. After the last com∣mandement. Prayer of the Priest in the name of the commu∣nicants. Prayer. 2. after receiv∣ing the communion. Prayer. 2. in the short ones after the commu∣nion. Prayer. 3.
• Prayer. 1. in Baptisme.
• Cat in com∣mon prayer booke quest. 13.
• Prayer. 1. in confirm.
• Prayer. 3.
• The Bless∣ing in mar∣riage.
• Prayer. 2. in Matrim.
• Prayer. 4.
• Prayer. 5. in Matrim.
• Prayer 2. in visita. of the sicke. Prayer 3.
• Sentence. 4. in the buri∣all. Last prayer in buriall.
• Veni Crea∣tor Spiri∣tus.
• In the same bymne.
• Lords pray. by D. Coxe. Prayer last in order Deacons.
• Prayer. 2. in Consecr. of Bishops.
• Prayers in the fast. 1625. Coll. 1.
• Prayers in the fast. 1625. Coll. 1.
• Prayer. 6. added to the Letany.
• Prayers in the fast. 1626. Pray. 1. added to Letany. Art. 10.
• Rogers on that Art. Prop. 3.
• Prop. 7. on Art. 17.
• Prayer for March 27.1. Pr. added to Letany. Last prayer save one.
• Hom. of ex∣hort. to read Script. Part. 1. In the same place. Part. 2.
• In the same place. Ser. of Salu. Part. 1. In the same place. Serm. of Truth. Part. 1. Sermon a∣gainst adul∣tery. In the same place.
• Hom. of right use of Church.
• Hom. a∣gainst perill of idol. Part. 1.
• Hom. of in∣form of such as take of∣fence at some places of Script. Part. 2.
• Hom. of Almsdeeds. Part. 2. Hom. of Almsdeeds. Part. 2. In the same place. In the same place.
• Passion. Sermon. 2.
• Hom. for Whitsun∣day. Part. 1. In the same place. In the same place.
• In the same place.
• Part. 2.
• Serm. for Rogat. week. Part. 1.
• In the same place.
• In the same place.
• Serm. for Rogat. week Part. 2.
• In the same place.
• Part. 3.
• In the same place.
• In the same place. Hom. of Matrim.
• Serm. of Repen. Part. 1.
• In the same place.
• Hom. a∣gainst wil∣full rebell. Part. 1. Next pray. after Coll. Nove. 5. Now. Cat. quest. 43. quest. 128.
• quest. 129.
• quest. 142.
• quest. 164.
• quest. 173.
• quest. 180.
• quest. 249.