Jacobs ladder, or A short treatise laying forth distinctly the seuerall degrees of Gods eternall purpose whereby his grace descends vpon the elect, and the elect ascend to the predestinate glory.

A SERMON OF Sanctification or new Creation.

2. Cor. 5. 17.

Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.

OVr Apostle in the begin∣ning of the 16 verse, had affirmed that hee knew no mā according to the flesh. By the flesh hee meaneth such outward things, as draw respect or contempt after them with worldly men, amongst whom, riches, po∣uerty, honour, ignominie, eloquence, lear∣ning, ignorance, rudenes of speech, and such things are much and only regarded, holines and sincerity being with them of no account. I (saith he) do not thus know

and esteeme of other men, though some∣time hee had knowne Christ in this man∣ner, whiles hee was a Pharisie, before his conuersion, he reckoned nothing of him, because of his mean and contemptible cō∣dition in the world: yet now he did not so know Christ, in whom he beheld only spi∣rituall and celestiall things. Now in this 17 verse, he generally auoucheth that the chiefe praise of euery true Christian con∣sists in newnes of life: Therefore if any man be in Christ, let him bee a new crea∣ture, this new creature is the regenerate man, who alone hath place in the king∣dome and Church of Christ, wherein no∣thing deserues any commendation and e∣steeme, beside new birth. In this text now read, he proues his assertion by the testimony of the Prophets, who foretell that there shall be new heauens and new earth, to signify thereby, that by Christ being exhibited and sent, all things shall be turned into a better state, vntill the Saints come vnto the full felicity in hea∣uen. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. This sentence hath two members, one, Old things are passed away: the other, All things are become new. In the former we are to examine what

these old things bee: secondly, how they are passed away: and thirdly, what lessons and vses are to be made of this truth: like∣wise, in the latter member wee are to see what All things are meant, secondly, how they are become new, and lastly, what in∣structions for profit to be gathered.

In Scripture I find, that old things are of three sorts. First, is the whole legall ser∣uice, Priests and Priesthood, their gar∣ments, their Sacrifices and Sacraments, & all the leuiticall ceremoniall worship gi∣uen by Moses to the Iewes: yea, the very [ 1] couenant of free saluation by Christ, clo∣thed wth these types, placed in ceremo∣nies, and propounded in darke prophe∣sies, is termed the old testament, by reasō of time and vanity: because that for old∣nes it is vanished away, euen as the dark∣nes of the night doth passe and giue place to the sunne arising in the firmament: so the shadowes of the Law did passe, when Christ the sonne of righteousnesse beeing dead and risen againe, did send forth his bright glorious light in the preaching of the Gospell by the Apostles, whereas these old types being to die, & truly dead at the death of Christ, the vaile of the Temple then renting asunder, to declare

that the time of their passing away was come: yet for the infirmities of beleeuing Iewes, they were a certaine time continu∣ed after the ascension of our Lord, because God would haue his owne ordinances ho∣nourably buried, and the weaknes of his people charitably tolerated, and borne with, vntill they might bee established in the knowledge of their liberty by Christ Iesus.

The old things of the second kind are [ 2] afflictions and miseries of this life, both such as bee common to the righteous and wicked, and such also as be proper to the godly, suffering for the testimony of Ie∣sus. These tribulations, as sorrow, weep∣ing, paine, crying, death, and such like are, Reuel. 21 5. called the first things, and their passing away is at the great and last day, when such euill shall wholy cease and be abolished to the faithfull, from whose eies all teares shall be wiped, and al things shall be come new vnto them, a new Ieru∣salem, a new name, new Sabbath, &c.

The corruption of nature with all the wicked workes of our flesh, are also by the spirit in the word called the old man, the old Adam, old leauen, and old things. These be named old, partly because they

are now ancient, hauing beene in the world euer since the fall of our first pa∣rents: partly, because they are in the elect children of God before their new birth, who first are members of the first Adam and seruants of sin, ere they bee members of the second Adam, and made seruants of righteousnesse: albeit some interpreters will haue this text in part at least to bee meant of the Ceremoniall legall seruice & sacrifices, and of their passing and vanish∣ing, (which may bee was aimed at by our Apostle) yet considering his scope, ap∣peares to be this, to set forth and extoll the dignitie of the new creature, and the regeneration of the chosen, by the power of the holy Ghost in the preaching of the Gospell, was principally foreshewed in those titles of new heauens and new earth whereunto Paul in this text doth allude: therefore I do expound these old things of our sinfull nature, and the lusts thereof, which are said to be passed away in such as are new borne, because the blindnesse of their vnderstanding in things of God, and the peruersenes of their will beeing cha∣sed and driuen out of them, by the grace of Christ (as mists vanish at the breaking out of the Sunne) their mind and will are changed, the one enlightned to a cleare

distinct knowledge of God, the other bowed to the obedience of God: and al∣beit after this chāge, yet there is stil much ignorance remaining in the mind, errour in the iudgement, forgetfulnes in the me∣morie, dulnes and obstinacy in the heart and will, crookednes in the affections & manners, much oldnesse in the whole mā; yet these things are said to bee passed a∣way: partly, because the spirit hath be∣gun to mortify these old things all our corrupt lusts, and daily proceedeth in this worke, still somewhat reforming that old∣nes is left; and partly to teach both what at last shall bee due in euery one of Gods children, and what is the marke they are to leuell at in all their life: name∣ly, they ought to endeuour that these old things (euen whatsoeuer sticks be∣hind of the old man, of corrupt vnre∣generate nature) may passe a way and bee destoied: this then which hee saith of old things passing away, it is one with that in Romans 6. 6. The old man is crucified, the body of sinne is destroied, the earthly members are mortified, as if he should say, they which once did obay sinne in the lusts thereof, being vnder the dominion of sinne, wholly addicted to do the will and fulfill the desires of sinne, are

now so altered by grace, as they doe no more serue sinne, but striue and labour hard the death of their lusts: Old things are passed away.

Now we haue heard what be these old things, to wit, our corrupt lusts and vices, and why these are called old, and how they are passed away: to wit, the sinfull desires and deeds of corrupt nature, are by little and little abolished in him, which [ 3] is Christs by the mortification of the spi∣rit: Wee are to collect some instructions from hence to our edification.

This first part then of our Text thus o∣pened, commends vnto vs a benefit com∣mon to all which belong to Christ: Se∣condly, a duetie which they are bound vnto by the obligation of that benefit: Thirdly, a strong motiue vnto that duty.

[ 1] The benefit is deliuerance, not onely from legall rites and seruices, which had in them much labour of body, and requi∣red much cost of the purse: but from their naturall corruptions, the guilt whereof as it passed from them by forgiuenes, so the power and tyrannie also begun to be de∣stroied by mortification: A benefit very great and exceeding pretious, and the more precious, being peculiar vnto the true members of Christ, who alone are

partakers of it. That whereas all other men being in Adam children of wrath, and seruants of sinne, they are still left in this fearefull estate, sticking in the clefts of their corruption, liuing in bondage vn∣to their lusts; when such as are in Christ, howsoeuer by the righteous iudgement of God they also were enthralsed to Sa∣tan, and vnder sinnes power; yet by the mercies of God, and the spirit of Christ Iesus, they are pulled out of that first sin∣full and wofull condition, that though they haue much oldnes of sinne still abi∣ding in, and cleauing to their nature, yet not so as that they should be now as be∣fore their regeneration, dead in sinnes, seruants to sinne, but they haue escaped as the condemnation and curse, so the rule and dominion of sinne.

Further, desire and pronenes to sin is corrected, the strength of their corrupti∣on is abated and taken downe, their cor∣rupt lusts cannot lead them captiue as they were wont; beside the rebellious fierce∣nes of their affections is tamed and meek∣ned, the pride of their heart humbled, withall, their ignorant minds be enlight∣ned, their erring iudgements rectified, the sluggishnes and dulnesse of nature to all goodnes quickned: at a Word, their old

things are passed away, they are now no more the members of old Adam, the lims of Satan, the vassals to corruption, the ser∣uants of sinne, the bondmen of lust, the children of wrath: this is the benefit. It deserues thankfull acknowledgement & remembrance. The passing away of old legall ceremonies, in that Christians are freed from that burthēsome yoke of Mo∣ses law, is surely a great mercie, if men do rightly consider how combersome and how chargeable that kind of seruice was; but this mercie farre exceeds, that our cor∣rupt lusts are passed away, and wee freed from the deadly and damnable seruice thereof. The Apostle did thanke God on behalfe of the Romans for this benefit, Rom. 6. 16. Much more is euery Christian bound to do it for himselfe. But from the [ 2] consideration of the benefit, let vs passe to the duetie, which is this, that it must be the care and endeuour of euery true Cri∣stian throughout their whole life, to get their lusts and sinfull desires restrained & subdued, till they be whollie extinct and vtterly abolished: for our mortification is but in part, the holy spirit hath put in∣to none an absolute power against sinne, so as they should wholly bee without all

motion to sinne, this is a dangerous con∣ceit leading to a deadly downefall: for in the best men sinnes are but passing away. Indeed, the Scripture saith we are dead to sinne, Rom. 6. 2. and dead to the law, Rom. 7. 4. and the old man is destroied, Rom. 6. 6. and that the Saints are free from sin, yea, that such as are borne of God doe no sinne, as if by grace of new birth the god∣ly were wholly quite of their corruption of sin: whereas the intention of the spirit in speaking of mortification, as if it were already perfit; it is not only thereby to as∣sure the faithfull, that sinne can neuer re∣couer his former vigour and force which it had in their vnregenerate state, it being as a serpent that is crushed in the head, yet wriggles and moues with his taile, or as a souldier that had got a mortall blow in his braine, yet is able to stirre and thrust a little with his weapon, so it fareth with sinne, euen as with a man that lieth a dy∣ing, of whom we say he is dead, because he cannot liue long, and with a day which draweth toward night, whereof we say it is passed away, because it hastneth to an end, and shortly will bee passed: so the spirit affirmeth sinnes in the regenerate to bee dead and passed away, because they

are so inchoatiuely in a beginning, and shall be so consūmately & in perfection: But withall hereby is signified what mark the faithfull must striue vnto all their life time, namely, that by a continuall and daily mortification and resistance of their lusts, they may at last be cleane rid of thē: Hitherto tend those exhortations to such as haue the old man already killed, that they should by the spirit mortify the deedes of the flesh, and should not walke after the flesh, but abstaine from the lusts of the flesh, and such like; which insinu∣ate two things: first, that some old things are still remaining vnpassed away, and se∣condly informe vs all of our duetie, which is, mightily to labour and fight against them, that they in the end may be vtterly rooted out of our nature: for as the work of mortification is on Gods part done and finished by degrees, so on our part it is eue∣ry howre and day, euery weeke, euery moneth, euery yeare to bee set forward, now slaying one sinne, now another, euer resisting them all: as an old rotten house is pulled downe peece after peece, part after part, not all together, and a field or garden full of weeds, are purged and clensed (as we see) one part after another:

so there is a Progresse in the worke of mortification, in which though some∣thing bee done daily and howrely, yet there will still bee worke enough for all ones life long; yea though it were so long as Methushalems, or as from Adam vntill the last man shall stand vpon the earth; so hard a matter it is wholly to conquer the armie of our lusts, and to draine out the ocean of our corrupt affections. Which as it reproues euen the best Christiās for the allowing so much of their short pilgri∣mage to things which profit not, negle∣cting this maine worke of the destruction of old things: and much more such as are wholly drowned in pleasures and profits of this world, neuer set themselues in ear∣nest about this businesse, contenting thē∣selues with outward profession and a ciuil life, suffering their afflictions & lusts, with full power to rule in them: So it admo∣nisheth these latter betime, without fur∣ther delay, and seriously without dalli∣ance, to set vpon this worke, studying to redeem the time, after the counsell of the holy Ghost; doing as they do, who hauing in haruest time, or in a faire time foreslow ed the fore part of the day, therefore they double and increase their paines in the

latter part of the day: and it aduertiseth the former to quicken their care also and take time from other things which are vaine, to bestow about this most needful and tough worke; especially, con∣sidering that if it bee a hard labour to shake off but one sinne, to leaue one old fashion and custome, one old lust and affection, (as it is indeed, and such as trauell in this worke finde it so) let them therefore well waigh, what time, and en∣deauour, what groanes, praiers, watch∣ings, fastings and continuall strife it will require to purge out the old leauen, the whole lumpe of corruption and to ma∣ster all vnbridled desires. Blessed is the man which makes this his chiefe worke, or rather his onely worke, causing all o∣ther things which he doth priuately, or publikely, in his calling or in his seruice of God, to helpe hereunto; also wisely obseruing and applying all the works of Gods mercy and iustice towards him∣selfe or others, vpon persons or people, and all the word of God for the promi∣ses, commandements, threatnings, re∣bukes, to this purpose, euen for the bea∣ting downe of that rebellious vntamed flesh: which as it will not be brought vn∣der

in short space, so they bee no few or weake meanes, that Christians haue need of that they may thorowly mortifie the works thereof, which is a thing that much behoues them.

Princes who haue many Subiects at once in armes against them, as they are carefull to appoint not euery one, but an expert, valiant Captaine for subduing and vtetr extirpation of them, and to allow sufficient, both men, muni∣tion, and other meanes for suppressing them, so they are highly displeased if there shall lacke endeauour in such as be trusted with the managing of their wars against their enemies: and reason too. Now let al men thinke vpon it, that how∣soeuer the things (the vices and sinnes I meane) which are to be pluckt vp by the roots and destroied, bee very many and haue the whole power of Satā to streng∣then them against you; yet God hauing giuen you his spirit into your hearts to be your Leader, Captaine and Generall, and afforded you such plentifull and powerfull meanes for the ouercomming of them, as the light of his holy word, so many precepts, reproofes, exhortations, cōminations, promises, and the light of

your conscience: so many inward checks, motions, & suggestions: also the benefit of brotherly admonition, corrections, iudgements diuers and dreadfull, bene∣fits and gifts spirituall and bodily, priuate and common, praier, Sacraments, &c. I say, hauing afforded so many helpes, if yet, his enemies, your sinful desires be not kept vnder and more and more slaine, that he cannot but bee highly offended, and prouoked, if not to the condemning and casting you out of his presence into euerlasting ruine, yet to inflict heauy chastisments and dreadfull strockes vp∣on you. Therefore let men bethinke themselues and fal to their duty more di∣ligently and carefully endeuering them∣selues to weaken & lessen their own cor∣ruptions, mightily setting themselues as against all and euery one of them, yet more chiefely against such sinnes, as by their complexions, or their trades, or the condition of times, they are most disposed and giuen vnto, which being taken downe and mastered, other euils will sooner be preuailed against.

And for a further motiue to encou∣rage you thus to doe, let this be thought vpon, that the euill and vicious lusts

which yeare to destroy, they are here cal∣led (old things) which secretly and close∣ly whetteth our stomacks against them, it being a thing vsuall and reasonable to cast away things which grow to be old.

There are other innumerable and weighty motiues, to hearten any man a∣gainst his remaining sinnes, and to set him in a loathing of them; namely, be∣cause they are against the holy Law of God, and offend his infinite iustice, and deface his glorious image, and deserue temporall and eternall curses, and doe defile the temple of the holy Ghost, are against our vow in baptisme, doe vnfit vs for his seruice; giue matter of ioy to Satan, and of griefe to our owne soule, make Gods blessings to bee turned into curses, good things into euill, his ordi∣nances to bee vnfruitfull to vs, yea our selues to be both vnprofitable and abo∣minable; and finally, were the proper causes of all that ignominy and torment which our blessed and innocent Sauiour felt incomprehensibly both in body and soule; yet amongst the rest, this is not the least, that therefore wee ought to a∣bandon and put far from vs, all wicked lusts; as wrath, anger, enuy, pride, co∣uetousnesse,

hypocrisie, infidelity, igno∣rance, hatred, fornication, adultery, drunkennesse, Idolatry, murther, here∣sie, and all such deedes of our corrupt narure, euen because these are old things, such as through time are become putrifi∣ed and rotten, good for nothing but to passe away. Such old things as by con∣tinuance haue not lost their vertue and beauty but retaine still their grace and goodnesse wee willingly retaine; therefore we with good iudgement pre∣ferre old wine to new, and chuse rather to trust to old friends then to new; but where things with the oldnesse haue lost both fashion and profitablenesse, we doe worthily passe by them, therefore wee refuse old ruinous houses, we detest old meat which is kept till it corrupt, old garments wee cast away, either vpon dunghils or vpon beggers. Now our lust being old, and with their oldnesse being corrupt, naught and vicious, therefore as we deale with old ragges, we doe in a loathing of them hurle them from vs; so we are by good reason much more to put off the old man, and with a detestation of them to suffer all old things to passe away: and it were to bee

wished that with the old yere these things might vanish and passe from euery one of vs, whatsoeuer oldnesse doth yet hang about vs.

I therefore exhort tradesmen which v∣sed to gaine to themselues with the losse of others, selling bad ware for good, or bad and good together, all vnder the name of good, or whatsoeuer other sleights and deuiees there bee amongst them to draw commodity to themselues with the hurt of their neighbour, that ha∣uing found mercy with God to see and dislike such courses and begun to leaue them, if as yet they haue not thorowly forsaken them, to let them passe away because they bee old things they sauour of corruption. If any Officers of iustice, which in ministring of iudge ment, haue beene carried with respect of persons, or blinded with gaine, if be∣ing publike persons they haue neglected the common good, being too much ad∣dicted to their priuate, if any haue taken profit of mens sinnes, and sucked aduan∣tage out of iniquity (which the Scripture cals filthy lucre) and seeing their faults doe pupose an amendment, let them en∣deauour it, more and departing

from such practises, because they be old things which must passe away. If any Lawyers haue wittingly pleaded against truth; and when the cause was right in their knowledge, yet would set a good glasse vpon it with faire words, studying for their owne profit or credit, to put out the eies of iustice, and they perceiue this to be euill with a resolution to reforme it, let them be constant in their purpose to bid adew and giue a flat farewell to such old things, whose end is to perish and passe away. If any yong Gentelmen doespend their precious time in vaine imploiments, being like the Athenians, desiring to heare and to tell newes, lo∣uing the plaie-house aswell (if not better) then Gods house, and setting their heart vpon things which profit not, in stead of bestowing their time in study of the Scriptures, reading Chronicles, and Sto∣ries, to make themselues more seruicea∣ble to Common-wealth, and for gouern∣ment of their families: because these things are old, let them intend to leaue them, making choice of their recreati∣ons and keeping a mediocrity in them both for time and actions, that they may become fit for the chiefe things. If

any Gentlewoman and other women haue beene wont to bestow more cost and labour vpon their mortall bodies for the adorning of them, then vpon their immortal soules for the decking of them with inward graces: and haue their eies opened to see this to be a fruit of the old man, let them repent and turne vnto God, whith all their heart. Finally, if a∣ny which be Ministers of the word haue not fulfilled their Ministry, but with∣drawne the light of their example or do∣ctrine from their flockes, either in sub∣stance or degree, sowing spirituall things sparingly there where they liberally reape temporall, because all failings in duties are old things and comes of cor∣ruption, let them determine to set hand to plough and fall to the Lords worke wisely, walking before their peo∣ple in a perfect way. And generally, who∣soeuer haue in their course of liuing hi∣therto held fast any corruptiō in respect of the profit, pleasure, or worship which followeth it: let all such shake it off, and giue it a discharge: for it is certaine that we cannot liue in Christ, and yet walke after the flesh: Wee cannot haue part in Christ if wee nourish and keepe old

things. Wherefore let the wordling lay aside his couetousnesse and loue of mo∣ney: the malicious person let him re∣nounce his hatred and desire of reuenge: let the proud person pul downe his high conceit, casting away his peacocks fea∣thers: and the wanton his filthy dallian∣ces, and the lier his falshood, the swearer his customable oathes and cursed blas∣phemies: let the drunkard abhorre his excesse in drinking, and as any haue ser∣ued any lust, and obeied any sinne, let them (as they couet to haue any portion in the death of our Lord, or any praise in his Church,) denie themselues, whoso∣euer haue set their course of life by the directiō of the flesh, hauing no other guid of their way but sinfull nature, no other end of their way, but to please other men and themselues, because all this is old let it be striuen against till it bee passed cleane away. Remember ye haue often beene called vpon so to doe, out of this place and others. Many warnings haue beene giuen and yet there is too much oldnesse to bee seene amongst vs: well looke to it; for we know not whether e∣uer the Lord will vouchsafe to warne any more, whether we shall haue any space

of amendment further granted vs, or if God doe giue vs both time and admoni∣tion; yet if wee still stop our eares, it will be iust with God to shut his eares against vs, that as we refused his call, so when the houre of our iudgement comes he wil refuse to heare when wee call; Thus much of the first part of our text. Old things are passed away: it followeth.

Behold all things are become new.] Here∣in we are first to declare the words, that the meaning may appeare, and thence to deriue instructions for vse. By Things, some vnderstand the things of Gods worship, all which are become new, in∣asmuch as (Christ being exhibited and offered) the old Testament, which was in ceremonies fading and passing away, the Testament became new, the Sacra∣ments new, the Church new, the religiō & doctrinenew, (as touching the forme and manner being more plaine and cleere) the Ministery new, all things became new in the seruice of God. But fithence, as we said before, the Apostle speakes of persons which are in Christ, and be through his spirit renewed, and his maine drift is to extol new nesse of life and to exhort to it, therefore by [things] here we vnderstand

our soules and bodies; the powers of the one, and the organs of the other; not as they be creatures made of God, or sub∣stances created (for these remaine the same vnaltered) but the qualities which be is these creatures, as blindnesse in the vn∣derstanding, errour in the iudgement, forgetfulnesse in the memory, peruesenesse in the will and affections, obliquity and disobedience in actions, corruption in the whole man. Of these [things] the Apostle saith, They are become new, that is, hee which is in Christ is renewed as touching these things, there is powred into his blinde vnderstanding, a newe light of knowledge, whereby he knoweth the things of God, sufficiently, particularly and cleerely; his iudgement is renewed being enabled to discerne truth from er∣rous, his memory renewed and made strong, both to call good things to minde, and to keepe them in minde till occasion be to vse them: his will renewed, of per∣uerse and stubborne, become flexible: his affections renewed, being now set vpon things godly and heauenly, which before were set vpon euill works: his members renewed, and of the weapons of vnclean∣nesse and iniquity, are become weapons

of righteousnesse and holinesse. Finally, his conuersation and life renewed, there being begot in him new thoughts, new purposes, new desires and motions, new counsels, new words, new works; of co∣uetous, fierce, proud, ambitious, enuious, vnchaste, intemperate, foolish, he is be∣come liberall, milde, humble, modest, charitable, chast, sober, graue and wise. Thus are all things become new, whiles the elect of God in his regeneration is re∣newed throughout (though not perfect∣ly) yet in euery part and power of soule and body. There is a change and happy alteration wrought, both within and with∣out, in the soule and body, in the minde, and manners: as all was corrupted by sinne, euen the noblest parts, our vnder∣standing and reason being poisoned with ignorance & error, in matters of saluation; at a word, as all was auerted & turned from God, nothing being whole from top to toe (as we say:) so in regeneration there is wrought a total change by grace of new birth, euery faithfull person being sancti∣fied throughout, his spirit, soule and body and all parts of his behauiour reformed, so as he can begin to please God in euery duty commanded him in the law and to

forsake euery sinne forbidden him therin. This is (in part) that new heauen and new earth prophesied of by Esai 65. This is that new heart and new spirit, which by Ezekiel is promised, this is the new man and new creature, which our Apostle speakes of. Where this doubt is to bee re∣moued, how a Christian may bee called a new creature after his conuersion, and all things in him said to be new, seing there remains in euery regenerate person much oldnes, and in some more old then new, more euill then good. If the Apostle Paul a man so greatly renewed, yet did feele in himselfe flesh and spirit, a law in his members rebelling against the law of his mind; yea so much flesh and corruption, as he confesseth he was sold vnder sin, and the good he would do he could not, but did the euil he would not; so seruing God in the mind, as in his members hee serued sinne, yea and complained, wretch and miserable man that I am, who shall free me, &c. How then fareth it with others, who come many degrees short of Paul in the grace of new birth? To this I answer, it is very true, that such as are most renew∣ed in this life, their old things are but pas∣sing away, not passed already (sauing in

sort as ye haue heard) and their newnes is but a renewing, an act which continu∣eth all their life long: so done, as it is still adoing, there being no man liuing, can say his heart is cleane, he can liue without sinne: for it is with euery regenerate per∣son, as with the aire at the dawning of the day, when there is in the aire darkenesse thorow out, and light thorow out in euery part of the aire, & as in a cup of wine ming led with water, which is not halfe water, halfe wine, but wholly wine and wholly water; so it fareth with the children of God, after new birth, sinne and righte∣ousnes, grace and corruption, mingled to∣gether in the whole man, a regenerate man being both old and new at once, not halfe old, halfe new, but old thorow out, and new thorow out: yet hee is in the phrase of Scripture called not old, but new. The denomination or name being giuen of that which is most excellent in him, as a Noble man, who is bailiffe of Westminster, and Lord Treasurer of Eng∣land, he hath his appellation and title of the more worthy office, and a man which consists of body and soule, he is named by that part which is the better. Therefore we vse to say, Lazarus is in Abrahams

bosome, and Abraham is in heauen, be∣cause the soule is there: so it is here, that new qualitie of holines giuen in regene∣ration (which succeeds that old corrupti∣on of sinne) it beeing the more eminent thing, and of greatest value, (though it be lesse in quality) yet the name is giuen to a man sanctified, according thereunto. For an elect person after his conuersion, is ne∣uer termed as before, a sinner, the old man, an enemy to God, vngodly, vnlesse when hee humbleth himselfe before the throne of grace, in a voluntary confession of guilt (as the Publican, God be mercifull to me a sinner) but be called saints, righ∣teous, good, holy, godly, & new creatures, as here. The words being thus explained, we are to passe vnto obseruations.

Three things are to bee obserued for our instruction in this latter part of the sentence. The first is the benefit of a bles∣sed change wrought in all Gods elect, from oldnes vnto newnes, from corrup∣tion vnto grace. There is nothing besides God himselfe, but it is subiect to change; there is a change in the weather, frō faire to foule, and from foule againe to faire: from tempest to calme, and from calme to tempest: in the sea by ebbing & flow∣ing:

in the sky, it being sometimes clow∣die, sometimes brightsome and cleare: in mens bodies from strength to weaknesse, from health to sicknes, and contrariwise: in mens ages there is a change, whiles we passe from infancy to childhood, from childhood to youth, from youth to mid∣dle age, from middle age to dotage, and from thence to the graue: also in mens estates, some of rich being suddenly made poore, and of poore being suddenly made rich: some raised from the dunghill to sit in the throne with Princes, others cast downe from their seats to lie in the dust with beggars: in kingdomes and com∣mon wealths there is a change too, of Princes, of lawes, of gouernments: there is a change of seasons and times, winter turned into sommer, and sommer againe turned into winter, the day giuing place vnto the night, and the night vnto the day: the old yeare passing, and the new yeare succeeding: finally, the whole world shall bee changed euen as a garment, so shal God change thē, heauen and earth, & there shall bee new heauens & new earth. And as in all things created there is a change, so the elect of God in respect of their spirituall estate, doe meet with sun∣dry

changes: first, they were changed frō innocency vnto corruption, being made righteous and blessed in Adam by creati∣on, through his fall they became sin∣ners, seruing diuers lusts and pleasures, & children of Gods wrath, obnoxions to his iudgement. Secondly, they are changed by the spirit of Christ, from sinne and mi∣serie, vnto righteousnes and life, their ini∣quity being forgiuen them as touching the guilt and condemnation, and beeing corrected and cured as touching the pow∣er and dominion of sinne: they haue Gods image of righteousnes and true holinesse restored vnto them, and another and new nature as it were, being created in them: they begin to know God & put confidēce in him, as in a louing father, they vnfained¦ly loue him, and his word and his chil∣dren, they seriously feare him, and walke in his commandements, leading a pure and vnblameable life, as becomes new creatures.

After this change there followeth ano∣ther, which is a change from grace to glo∣ry, from vnperfit sanctification to perfect glorification, when all oldnes beeing vt∣terly done away, all things shall be come absolutely new. In these changes the re∣probate

partake with the elect in the first onely: for being made righteous in Adam by his disobedience, they were made sin∣ners and accursed. Thus they change once from the better to the worse, but af∣ter that, they neuer make more changes; as the Psalmist saith of al the wicked, that they know no change, they sticke still in the corruption of their nature, in the clefts of their sinne, growing still vpon the rot∣ten stocke of old Adam, being still dead in trespasses and sinnes, walking after the flesh, and bringing forth fruit to death. True it is, that many reprobates that liue in the Church, especially vnder a sound and constant ministerie, they haue a cer∣tain change wrought in thē, being before ignorant and prophane; they receiue the truth taught them into their minds, they acknowledge the truth which they doe vnderstand: they ioy in it, they forsake the filthinesse of the world; they cleaue to good ministers, they shew loue to their persons and doctrines, they shew a liking to good things and good men, they a∣mend many things in themselues, they call vpon others for reformation of life: finally, their house is swept and garnished (as the Scripture saith) and yet this chāge

it is without change, their old things are not passed away, all things are not be∣come new in them: it fareth with them as with men who being much in the sunne, they are by the continuall shine and heat thereof, somewhat discoloured and of a tauned hew, but not pure and perfit black: so it is with many professors, be∣cause the sonne of righteousnes Christ Ie∣sus, in the beams of his gospell, hath long shined vpon them, therefore they are altered and changed from that they were, not with a thorow and effectuall change, but with a light and sleight change. Hence it is, that in the good things, which they do, being not led by the spirit, they haue not faith for the ground of their actions, nor the word of God for their rule, nor Gods glory for their marke: their works proceed not from a good conscience, a pure heart, and faith vnfained, but from selfe-loue, out of a desire to please them∣selues and others, and to gaine credit a∣mongst men, or to auoid worldly shame, or for reward sake from God, or such like sinister respects. Likewise, whereas they forsake and leaue many of their sinnes, it is not because they hate and abhorre sins, as they be the offences of a good God, the

breaches of his iust lavves, and the cau∣ses of his sonnes bitter death: but it is ei∣ther the feare of iudgements from God, or their respect of reputation from men, keeps them from running into such ex∣cesse of riot as other men doe: It faring vvith them as it doth vvith a field or gar∣den, vvhere the tops of the vveedes are nipt off, and the roots left sticking in the ground: or as it doth vvith a running brooke, where the streame is damd and dried vp, but the spring head is not stopt and dammed; and therfore in those fields the weeds will rise vp as fast as before, & in those brookes the channell will bee as full of vvater as afore: so it fareth vvith these men, they haue externall piety, and labour to suppresse the outvvard act of sinne, being free from vnhonest words & deeds; but the roote of sinne is not mor∣tified and killed, the affections of the flesh are not mortified and crucified, the heart was neuer framed to sound faith & loue: therefore in processe of time, they do fall from their righteousnes, and returne with the dog to their vomit, and with the sow to their wallowing in the mire, their lat∣ter end being made worse then the first.

Seeing then this blessed change which

is by the grace of new birth, is proper to the elect, and is no where found, but in them which are become one with Christ: it is therfore no hard thing by this change to iudge of our election in Christ, and of our vocation to him. Whosoeuer they be, which do find in themselues the strength of sinne broken, and hauing still corrup∣tion in them, are yet deliuered from the tyrannie of it, not obeying sin in the lusts thereof, but hating and striuing against those sinfull affections and waies, which they were wont to embrace and follow: also louing and practising those dueties of christianity, & of their particular callings which they were wont to loath, or to doe for fashion sake onely, studying to please God in one duety, as well as in another, leauing one sinne as well as another, and finally, accounting this the chiefe honour of a christian, to deny himselfe, to morti∣fie his lusts, and to liue vnto God, estee∣ming all other things which are without renewing in Christ, whether it be riches, honour, learning, eloquence, birth, nobili∣ty, to bee no better then losse and dung: these who are thus reformed, haue an e∣uidence which cannot deceiue them, that they are in Christ, his very true members,

sonnes, and daughters of God, and heires of heauen, because they are new crea∣tures: for to be in Christ and to be a new creature, are (termini conuertibiles) terms which mutually and reciprocally are affir∣med one of the other: for as he that is in Christ is a new creature, so hee that is be∣come a new creature is in Christ, he that is a true Christian, is new borne; and who∣soeuer is new borne, is a true Christian: contrariwise, if no new creature, then as yet no true Christian. This is infallible & most certain.

Hauing thus farre spoken of the [ 2] benefit, in the next place wee are to consider of a duetie which is taught vs from this latter part of the sētence, name∣ly this, that such as are effectually renew∣ed and changed, being but vnperfitly re∣newed, are bound therefore to profit dai∣ly, and grow in newnes of life, encreasing from knowledge to knowledge, from grace to grace, from strength to strength, till they become wholly new. As in other things, there is an increase and growth, yong plants become tall trees; fruits, as figs, grapes, being at first little they waxe till they come to their due ripenes & big∣nes; Lambs grow till they bee sheepe, calues till they be oxen, and infants till

they be men: so in Christianity there must be a progresse from one measure of holi∣nesse, of wisdome, of loue, of feare, of o∣bedience vnto another, vntill we become perfect, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.

They therefore which thinke they may be Christians and stand still at one stay, de∣ceiue themselues. For in our Christian profession if we be not proficients, we be deficients, we goe backward except wee goe forward: all our graces are but sha∣dowes of graces, except they continue and increase: and our obedience is but coun∣terfeite, except it daily grow better and stronger: If we be true Christians it will be with vs, as it was with Christ our head, who grew as in stature, so in wis∣dome & in grace. What numbers of men doe beguile themselues, whiles looking vpon other men, whom they see to bee more ignorant and lesse reformed then themselues, they are straightway perswa∣ded that they are in good case because they be better then others be? whereas in truth they are neuer in good case, nor in the estate of true Christians, til they migh∣tily striue to exceed themselues, labou∣ring to liue better to day then we did ye∣sterday,

to doe more good this yeere then we did last yeere, and as wee increase in yeeres to increase in wisdome and good∣nesse, giuing all diligence heereunto, so to ioine vnto our faith, vertue; vnto ver∣tue, knowledge; vnto knowledge, tem∣perance; vnto temperance, patience; vn∣to patience, godlinesse, &c. That these things may both be and abound in vs.

Lastly, for our better incouragement to [ 3] pursue and follow after these vertues, wee are to consider that these are the things which our text calleth [New.] New things we know are as a Load-stone to draw our loue toward them. Mans nature is desi∣rous of new things, and mans reason pre∣ferres things that are new; and the heart of a man renewed must the rather imbrace and exercise righteousnes and holy words and workes, because they are new things, being works of the new man, and the way wherein wee are to walke vnto the new Ierusalem which is aboue.

Many and weighty bee the motiues, which may put heart into all Christians, continually to study how to please God more and more, and to liue better and better: [ 1] as first, that it is the will and com∣mandement of God that wee should so

doe. [ 2] Also it greatly tendeth to the glory of his name, [ 3] to the honour and credite of the Gospell and of our profession, [ 4] to the testifying of our faith, [ 5] to the sealing vp of our election, [ 6] to the comforting and con∣firming of the godly brethren, [ 7] to the con∣founding [ 8] and grieuing of Satan and the wicke. [ 9] Finally, Gods benefits priuate and publike, [ 10] his works of iustice in cor∣rections and punishments, [ 11] our vowes and promises, secret and open; [ 12] the feare of hell, the hope of heauen, [ 13] the loue of the Father, the grace of the Sonne, [ 14] the com∣munion and comfort of the spirit; all and euery one of these are so many obligati∣ons and bonds to tye and bind vs to bring forth the fruits of new obedience more plentifully: yet this is not the least induce∣ment heereunto, euen the title of new things, which is by the holy spirit put vp∣on these fruits, to admonish and excite vs that as in other matters we loue and like newnes, as new houses, new furniture, new vestiments, new vessels, new books, new plate, &c. so we should prouoke our selues to affect aboue all things to loue a new heart, a new spirit, a new life and conuersation. Iudge you how vnsuteable it is that all things about you being new,

your selues onely should not be new? that wee should be pleased to haue our face, our hands new washed, our hat, our gowne new, our band, our shirt our shooes new, and yet our heart and our manners still to remaine old? To conclude there∣fore, let this text, and let this title and time admonish you to put on the new man, to be renewed in the spirit of your minde, resoluing herein to doe otherwise then yee were wont to doe, which is to say, when the new yeere comes about, yet still to like and to keepe your old fashions and customes, your old courses and con∣conditions, to bee the same that yee had beene, to goe from Sermon to dinner, and hauing well eat and drunke, to fall to play and sport, and then to returne to your old steps wherein yee walked in the yeere before, as though yee were already be∣come so good as yee could not be made better, as if yee did release onely old things, and that new things were out of taste with you. My brethrē, this would not be so; and that it may not be so, let vs pray God, with the new yeere to giue vs new hearts, and new mindes, and such mea∣sure of his grace, that we may endeauour to doe more duties and better duties then

euer wee haue done. For Christianity is like a great building wherein a man must proceed by degrees: first, to lay the foundation, then to reare the walles, after∣ward to set vp the roofe, and lastly, to trim it. Such a building as is stately and large, it may be begun this yeere and not ended in seuen yeeres following. We say in our common Prouerbe, that Rome was not built in a day: so I may say of Christi∣anity, it is a worke which will aske much time and great labour: for besides the dai∣ly decaies and wracks which we suffer by the malice of Satan, corruptions of our owne hearts, and of the times which are continually to bee made vp and repaired by renewed repentance; there is also a great deale of worke behinde, much wanting of perfection, much oldnesse to be corrected and cast off, and much new∣nesse to be followed and striuen vnto, and therefore all praier, care, endeauour wat∣ching and whatsoeuer else wee may doe, will bee found little enough to bring our building to perfectnesse. Yet we haue but a little time remaining, the number and terme of life our drawes to a period a pace; so much the more heede and diligence is to be giuen and vsed, that our remnant

daies which are to come bee rightely im∣ploied to the best furtherāce of our selues in holinesse of life: especially knowing that our labour in the Lord shall not bee in vaine. For there is a crowne of im∣mortall glory laid vp in the heauens for all which striue hard toward the marke. To which he bring vs which made vs, for his merit that redeemed vs, through the leading of that spirit which sanctifies vs, the Father, Sonne, and Spirit: to whom bee all parise and honour, both now and foreuer heere∣after. Amen.

FINIS.

Notes

• Coherēce. V. 16.
• Praecipua Christiani laus in sui abilegatio∣ne. Cal. in 3. Col. Ve. 17.
• Diuision.
• Old things of three kinds.
• Ceremo∣niall law.
• In morte Christi le∣galia ter∣minantur.
• Tribulati∣ons.
• Originall corrupti∣on and all the deeds of the flesh Vtique Te∣stamentum vetus cum suis iustiti∣u carnis transijt, & nouum suc∣cessit. Musc.
• Cur in reg∣no Christi sola creatu∣ra noua lo∣cum habeat vaticinio prophetico ostendit. Prophetae enim cum de regno Christi lo∣quuntur, conferunt illud caelo nouo et ter∣rae nouae vt Esa. 65. & 43. quibus vaticinijs conditio pi∣o••ū in reg∣no Christi in hac vita, & status rerum post iudicium significatur Heming. Ea quae sūt vetustatus, qualia sunt peccata & somes ad peccandū. Caietan. Col. 3. 5.
• Lessons to be lear∣ned.
• Benefit.
• Duety.
• Rom. 6. 21. 1. Iohn 3.
• Rom. 8. 13.
• Rom. 8. 1. 1. Pet. 2. 12.
• Col. 4. 4.
• 2. Part. In eo qui est Christi omnia noua Junius. Hortatur Apostolus vs omnes sedulo stu∣deant in nouitate vitae ardon∣lissime ser∣uire deo, siquidem vere volunt esse christi∣ani.

  Illyricus in Glossa. Non crea∣turas intel∣ligit, sed quae in cre∣aturis qua∣litates. Iunius.
• Ecce status noui Testa∣menti, se∣cundum quem in∣ternus no∣ster bomo renouari diciour.

  Caietanus. Noua facta sunt omnia, i. is qui est in Christore nouatus est per omnia. Iunius de Trinitate.
• Esay 65. Ezek. 11. 19.
• Facta sunt omnia noua hic quidem in choatine dum inte∣nus homo renouatur demum au∣tem consū∣mata. Caieta.
• Denomina∣tio qui praestantio∣rem partē.
• The bene∣fit of a blessed change.
• Duty.
• 1. Pet. 1. 5. 6.
• Motiue to exercise & increase in godli∣nesse.