The Bibles Abstract and Epitome

Attributes of God the Son.

SHiloah Emanu • ll, Christ, the only Son of God, the brightness of his Glory, the expr • sse Image of his P •• son, Heir of all things, mo • e excellent then the Angels, havi • g Honor, Glory, Power, Strength, Praise, Dignity, Riches and Wisdom, (yea all • reasures of knowledge and wisdom) The Heathen for his inheritance, the E • rth for his Possessions, and the Heavenly places for his seat, far above all power, Mi • ht, Dominion and Principalities, with a Name given him above all names, ( • t which every • nee should bow, &c ) Being the second Person in Trinity, begotten of his Father from Eternity, in one P • rson the Son of God, and very man; Man, ( non excun • o quod habuit, sed induendo quod non habuit ) not by loosing that he had, but by accepting wh • t he had not, our miserable nature, Conceived of a Virgin by the Holy Ghost, Called of his Father ever since the fall of Adam, to be a Mediator betw • ene God and Man, desired of the Patriarchs, p • efigured in the Law, foretold by the Prophets, accomplished in the time of Grace, manifested in the fl • sh, Justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and rece • ved up into glory: For man became a King to rule, a Prophet to teach, and a Priest to sacrifice.

And is called

God the Son is called
• An Apostle. Heb. 3. 1.
• An Advocate. • John. • . 1.
• Amen. Rev. 3. 14.
• An Angel of the Lord▪ Zach. 1. 12.
• Anointed of the Lord. Heb. 3. 13.
• Author of Peace. 1 Cor. 14. 33.
• Author of Faith. Heb. 12. 2.
• Author of S • lvation. Heb. 5. 9.
• The Ancient of Days. Dan 7. 22.
• A Babe. Luk 2. 16.
• God's Beloved▪ Mat. 12. 18.
• The Beloved. Cant 5 6.
• Well beloved. Cant. 1. 13.
• A Bridegroom. Mat. • . 15.
• The Bread of life. • oh. 6 51.
• Children's bread. Mat. 15 26.
• Branch of righteousness. Ier 33. 15.
• A Branch of the root of I • sse. Isa 11. 1.
• A Captain of the Lord. Hos 5. 15.
• The Captain of the Lord of Hosts. Josh. 5. 15.
• Captain of Salvation. Heb 2. 10.
• A Child. Isa. 9. 6.
• The Consolation of Israel Luk. • . 25.
• The Holy one of Israel Act. • . 14.
• A Ruler in Israel Mich. 5. 2.
• The Glory of Israel Luk 2 32.
• The Sceptor of Israel Numb 24. 17.
• The strength of Israel 1 Sam 15. 29.
• The Stone of Israel Gen. 49. 24.
• The Cov • nant of the People. Isa 42. 6.
• A Messenger of the Covenant. Mal 3. 1.
• David. Ier. 30. 9.
• The generation of David. Rev 22. 16.
• Death for Man. Hos. 13. 14.
• A Curse for Man. Gal. • . 13.
• Sin for Man. 2 Cor. 5. 21.
• The Desire of all Nations. Hag. 2. • .
• A D • liv • rer. Rom. 11. 26.
• A Doctor. Mat. 23. 8.
• The Door of the Sheep. John. 10. 7.
• An everlasting Father. Isa. 9. 6.
• A Feeder. Mat. 2 6.
• The first Begotten. 1 Cor. 15. 20.
• The first Fruits. Rev. 1. 5.
• The first Borne of the Dead. Col. 1. 15.
• The finisher of our F •• th. Heb. 12. 2.
• Flesh. John. 1. 14.
• A Foundation. Isa. 28. 16.
• A Fountain. Ca • t. 4. 15.
• A Forerunner. Heb. 6. 28.
• God, John 1. 1.
• The Elect of God. Isa. 41. 1.
• The Gift of God. John 4. 10.
• The Image of God. Col. 1. 15.
• The Lamb of God. John 1. 29.
• The Power of God. 1 Cor. 1. 24.
• The Wisdom of God. Idem.
• God's Elect. Isa 42. 1.
• God's Servant.
• God's Son. Mat. 2. 15.
• God's Messenger. Mal. 3. 1.
• A Golden Altar. Rev. 8 3.
• A Governor. Mat. 2. 26.
• The Head of all Power. Col. 2. 10.
• The Head of • rincipalitie.
• The Head of the Church. Eph. 5. 23.
• The Head of every Man. 1 Cor. 1. 1. 3.
• The Heir of all things. Heb. 1. 12.
• The heir of the World Rom. 4. 13.
• The Horne of Salvation. Luke 1. 69.
• A Husband. 2 Cor. 11. 2.
• The Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10. 42.
• A Justifier. Rom. 3. 26.
• A King. Zach. 9. 9.
• King of Kings. Rev. 16. 19.
• King of Glory. Psal. 24. 10.
• King of the Earth. Zach. 14. 9.
• King of the Jews. Mat. 27.
• King of Israel. John 1. 49.
• King of Saints. Rev. 15. 3.
• The Law. Gal. 2. 4.
• The End of the Law. Rom. 10. 4.
• Light. John 1. 9.
• A great Light▪ Isa 9. 2.
• The Light of the Gentiles. Isa. 49. 6.
• The Light of the World John 1. 7.
• The Light of Men. John 1. 4.
• Life, John 14. 6.
• Eternal Life, John 1. 4.
• The Lyon of Judah, Rev. 5. 5.
• Lord of Quick and Dead, Rom. 14. 9.
• Lord of Hosts, Isaiah 44. 6.
• Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2. 8.
• Lord of Life, Acts • . 15.
• Lord of Lord's, Rev. 19 6.
• Lord of the Sabbath, Luke 6. 5.
• Man, Romans 5. 15.
• An innocent Man, Luke 23. 14.
• The New Man, Ephes 4. 24.
• A Master, Mat. 10. 24.
• A Mediator, Heb 9. 15.
• A Messiah the Prince. Dan. 9. 25.
• A Minister of the Tabernacle, Heb. 8. 2.
• A Minister of Circumcision, Rom. 15. 8.
• A Minister of the Sanctuary, Heb. 8. 2.
• Michael, Dan. 10. 13.
• A Nazarite, Mat. 2. 23.
• One, One Lord, Zech 14. 9.
• A great One, Isaiah 19. 20.
• A Just One, Acts 3. 14.
• Ointment, Cant. 1. 3.
• A Passover, 1 Cor. 5. 7.
• The Prince of the Earth, Acts 3. 15.
• The Prince of Life, Acts 3. 15.
• The Prince of Kings, Rev. 1. 5.
• The Prince of Salvation, Hebr • ws • . 10.
• The Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9. 6.
• The Messenger of Peace, Ephes. 2. 14.
• A Physician, Mat. 9. 12.
• A Plant of renown, Ezech. 34. 29.
• A polished Shaft, Isaiah 49. 2.
• A Priest, Heb. 7. 17.
• A High Priest, Heb. 4. 4.
• A holy High Priest,
• Harmelesse High Priest, Heb. 2. 17.
• A Merciful High Priest, Heb 7. 26.
• A Faithful High Priest,
• An Undefiled High Priest,
• A Prophet, John 6. 4.
• A purger of Sins, Heb. 1. 3.
• A Ransom, 1 Tim 2. 6.
• A Reaper, Rev 14. 15.
• A Reconciliator, Rom 3. 25.
• Redemption, Isaiah 59 24.
• • abbi, John 6. 25.
• Righteousness, Ier 23. 6
• Resurrection of the Dead, John 11. 25.
• A Rod and Staff, Isaiah 11 1.
• A Spirit,
• An Eternal Spirit, Heb. 9. 4.
• A Quickening Spirit, 1 Cor. 15 45.
• The Spring of Lebanon, Cant. 4. 15.
• Salvation, Luke 2. 30.
• Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. • .
• A Sanctuary, Isa 8. 14.
• A Samaritan, Luke. 10. 33.
• A Savior, John. 4. 42.
• The Second Adam, 1 Cor. 15. 45.
• The Seed of Abraham, Gal. 3. 10.
• The Seed of the Woman, Gen. 3. 15.
• A Servant, Isa. 42. 1.
• God's Servant, Math. 12. 18.
• A Shepherd, Ez • . 24 33. Josh. 10. 11. Heb. 13. 20.
• A righteous Servant, Isa 53. 11.
• The Scepter of Israel, Numb. 24. 17.
• A Ruler in Israel, Mich. 5. • .
• The strength of Israel, 1 Sam. 15. 29.
• Glory of Israel, Luk. 2. 32.
• The Son of Righteousness Mal. 9. 2.
• The Son of Abraham, Mat. 1. 12.
• The Son of David, Mat. 1. 12.
• The Son of Joseph, John 1. 45.
• The Son of God, Luk. 1. 35.
• The Son of the most High, Luk 1. 32.
• The Son of Man, Mat. 12 8.
• The Son of a Virgin, Isa 7. 14.
• A Deere Son, Col. 1. 13.
• A Beloved Son, Mat. 3. 17.
• The first Borne Son, Mat 1. 25.
• The Star of Jacob, Numb. • 4 17.
• A bright morning Star, Rev. 22. 16.
• A Stone to stumble at, 1 Pet. 2. 8.
• A Corner Stone, Eph. • . 10.
• An Elect Stone,
• A precious Stone, 1 Pet 2. 6.
• Spiritual Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 4.
• Spiritual Drink, Rev. • . 7.
• Spiritual Meat, 1 Cor. 10. • . & John. 6. • 3.
• A Teacher, John. 3. • .
• A green Tree, Luke 23. 31.
• A Vine, John. 15. 1.
• A Way, John 14. 6.
• Welbeloved, Cant. 1. 12.
• A Well of Living water, Psal. 36. 9.
• A Well of Life, Io • . 4. 14.
• A Wedding garment, Mat. 22. 12.
• Wonderful, Isa. 9. 6.
• A Witness,
• A Faithful witness, Rev. 1. 5.
• A true Witness. Rev. 3. 7.

Additions.

God the Son is compared unto
• Shilo, Gen 49.
• A Lamb undefiled, 1 Pet. 1. 19.
• A Lamb without Spot 1 Pet. 1. 19.
• An Army with Banners, Cant. 6. 4.
• An Apple Tree, Cant. 2. 3.
• A Brasen Serpent, Numb. 21. 9.
• A Bundle of Myrrh, Cant. 1. 13.
• A Cluster of Camphire, Cant. 1. 14.
• A Carcase, Mat. 24. 28.
• Fullers Sope, Mal 3. 2.
• Purging fire, Mal 3. 2.
• A Goat, Lev. 16. 22.
• A Hen, Mat. 23. • 7.
• A Ladder, Gen. 28. 12.
• A Lillye, Cant 2. 3.
• Lightning, Mat. 24. • 7.
• The Mercy Seat, Exod. 25. 17.
• A Net, Isa. 8. 14.
• A Snare, Idem.
• A Thief, Rev 3. • .
• Rain and Showers, Psal. 72 6.
• The Paschal Lamb, Exod. 16. 6.
• A Stone cut out of The Mountain, Dan. 2. 45.
• A Roe and Hart, Cant. 1. 9.
• A Worm, Psal. 22. 6.
• Jerusalem, Cant. 6. 3.
• Mel • hisedec, Heb. 7. 3.
• Moses, Acts 3. •• .
• Solomon, Cant. 3. 11.
• Tirzah. Cant. 6. 3.

And he may be called.

• Our Eye, Because by him w • See the Father.
• Our Mouth, Because by him w • • peake to the Father.
• Our Hand, Because by him w • •• ffer unto the Father.

And he is truly called

• The Way without Wandering in our Peregrination, whereby ou • Pathes are directed.
• Truth without Shadowing in our Deliberation, whereby ou • Errors are corrected.
• Life without Ending in our Remuneration, whereby ou • Mortality is eternized.

• Our Righteousness to justify • s.
• Our Wisdom to teach • s.
• Our Reconciliatiō to reconcile • s.
• Our Holines to sanctify us.
• Our Redemption to free us.
• Our Reward to glorify us.

• Our Sins are discharged, we Cleared, the Debt paid.
• The Score is crossed, the Creditor satisfied, and the Debtor acquitted.

• Condemnation is our Absolution and Passion our Payment.
• Death is our Life and Blood our Purgation.
• Sacrifice is our Satisfaction and Curse our Blessing.
• Grave is our Mor •• fication and Ascension our Glorification.

• Who then forsake him die living, who then embrace him, live dying.
• For in him whosoever abideth hath no Condemnation,
• And from him whosoever • li • e • h hath no Consolation.

Attributes of GOD the HOLY GHOST.

TH • HOLY GHOST • s the Instructor which teacheth us, the Spirit of life which quickeneth us, the Water w 〈…〉 h reneweth us, the Fire which inflames us, the Comfortor which helps us, the Advocate which speaks for us, and the everlasting Fountain and Spirit of Truth, fro • whom all Truth and Celestial Riches do flow unto us: And is called by the Name of Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, to show the Essence and Nature that he is of: For as the spirit of Man must needs be truly of Mans n •• ure; and is the most formal and Essentiall part of Man: So and much more it must b • thought of the Spirit of God, upon whom no Composition fall • h And • his i • Effect is the Apostles Argument, Who of Men (saith he) knoweth the • hings of M • n, but the spirit of Man that is in him? So also none knoweth the things of God, but the Spirit of God who is in him, and of his own Essence and Nature, as the opposition showeth plainly.

God the Holy Ghost is called
• The Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8. 15.
• The Spirit of Chr • st, Rom. 8. 9.
• The Spirit of Supplication, Zach 12. 10.
• The Spirit of Consolation, 2 Thes. 2. 16.
• The Spirit of Counsel, Isa. 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Eternity, Heb. 9. 14.
• The Spirit of the Father, Mat 18. 20.
• The Spirit of God, Gen 1. 2.
• The Spirit of the gr • ce of God, Acts 14. 26.
• The Spirit of Holiness, Rom. 1 4.
• The Spirit of Interpretation, 1 Cor. 12. 10.
• The Spirit of Knowledge; Isa 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Prophesy, 1 Cor 12. 10.
• The Spirit of the Lord, Isa. 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Right, John 14 27.
• The Spirit of Sanctification, Rom. 1. 4.
• The Spirit of the Son, Gal. 4. 6.
• The Spirit of Revelation, Eph. 1. 17.
• The Spirit of Wisdom, Isa. 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Working 1 Cor. 12. 10.
• The Spirit of Miracles, 1 Cor. 12. 10.
• The Seven spirits of God, Rev 4 5.
• The earnest of God's Spirit, • Cor. 5. 5.
• An Eternal Spirit, Heb 9. 14.
• The Finger of God, Eph. 8. 19.
• The Pledge of God, 2 Cor. 15. 5.

God the Holy Ghost, &c.
• The Seal of God, 2 Cor. 1. 2 • .
• The Witness of God, Rom. 8. 16.
• The Kiss of God, Cant. 1. 2.
• A Comforter, John 14. 16.
• The Holy Ghost, Acts 2. 4.
• The holy Spirit, Eph. 4. 30.
• A Heavenly Gift, Heb. 6 4.
• The Earnest of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 1. 22.
• The Mind of Christ, 1 Cor. • . 16.
• The Oil of Gladness, Psal 45. 7.
• The Power of the most High, Luke 1. 35.
• S • ede of God, 1 John. 3. 9.
• The Teacher of the faithful, John 14. 26.
• The Teacher of truth, Idem.
• Water, John 3. 5. & Ez. 16. 9.

And is compared unto

• Cloven tongues like fire, Acts 2.
• Fire, a mighty Wind, 1 Cor. 3 13.
• A Dove, Mat. 3. 16.
• Ointment. 1 John. 2. 27.

The Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

By the Holy Ghost
• 1. The Word Of Wisdom, the word of Knowledge, Faith, gifts of Healing, working of Miracles, Prophecy, discerning of Spirits, divers kinds of Tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, &c. is given.
• 2. The Godly Are Sanctified, and the very Reprobates have a taste of Heavenly gifts, and of the good Word of God, and of the Promises of the World to come.
• 3. All Excellency In common gifts of Nature and Reason, as Strength and courage, Arts and Sciences, policy and government is given unto man, yea unto many that never heard of our Savior Christ.
• 4. Influence Perpetual, effectual and vital of saving Grace, from Christ the Head of every true Member is given to believers, in which sense the world cannot receive or know the same.
• 5. Virtues Charity, Constancy, benignity, Faith, goodness, Joy, Longanimity, Mildness, Modestie, Love, P • tience and peace of Conscience are got • en, with seven other principal Virtues, (to wit) Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Godliness and the fear of God, which worketh in a man rwo sortes of Mercy Corporal, and Spiritu • ll:

• Corporal, to
  • Feed the Hungry,
  • Give drink to the thirsty,
  • Cloath the naked,
  • Ransom the Captive,
  • Harbor the Harberlesse,
  • Visit the Sick,
  • Bury the Dead.
• Spiritual, to
  • Correct the Sinner,
  • Instruct the ignorant,
  • Counsel the doubtful,
  • Bear wrong patiently,
  • Forgive Injury,
  • Pray for all his Enemies,
  • Serve god truly.

Grieve not then the holy Spirit, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of Redemption.

Attributes of the Trinity, with a description of the Unity.

THe Names and Titles that are common to the whole Trinity, are of four sortes or orders.

• 1. Some signify their Essence, as Jehovah.
• 2. Others their Persons in general, as Elohim.
• 3. Divers their Essentiall properties, as Almighty.
• 4. Many are in general affirmed of each Person, as they have relation to Creatures, and such is the Name, Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier, &c.

Albeit the word Creator is given to the Father, Redeemer to the Son, and Sanctifier to the Holy Ghost, yet in truth they are common to all the three Persons in one Essence.

Now a Person is a distinct subsisting of the whole God-head, and an individu • ll understanding, and incommunicable Subsistence, living of it self, and • o • sustained by another: So that the three Persons in the Trinity, are not three several Substances, but three distinct Subsistences, or three diverse manner of being of one and the same Substance and divine Essence.

The Divine Essence is one and the self same thing truly subsisting in the Three persons: Now the Essence doth not beget an Essence, but the Person of the Father begetteth the Person of the Son, and the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son by an eternal and incomprehensible Spiration. And thus the Three persons make all one Divine Essence, and one God, being in Nature Co • ssentiell, in Dignity Coequall, in time Coeternall, in measure unmeasurable, in Majesty inscrutable, in Nature incomprehensible, in Power irresistible, in Will unchangeable, in place not Circumscript, in Tim • indefinite, in love immutable, in favor unspeake • ble, and in Promise inviolable, Good without quality, Great without quantity, Creator without want, in Act without Motion, everywhere present without sight: The First and the last without time, making all things Mutable, without any passive Mutability in himself. In this Mistery of the Trinity, how in that most simple and single Essence of God, there be certain Substances of God or Persons truly subsisting, Three in one, and One in three, differing but not divided, several but not sund • ed, many and yet the same; All one for their Nature, all distinct for their Persons, is a Secret o • all Secrets, passing all reach and understanding of Man, rather reverently to be adored then too curiously to be searched into, for that Secret things belong unto the Lord, and things revealed unto us. Saint Augustine walking by the Sea side, meditating of the Trinity, looking aside, saw a Child pouring the waters of the Sea into a sh • ll, having a hole in the midst thereof, demanded of the Child what he was doing, I am putting (quoth he) all the Sea into this shell, the Father said, thou playest the Child, Can a Shell comprehend thinkest thou all this Sea? And so said the Child good Sir do you, who would by Reason comprehend the Trinity. The Child vanished, the Father was instructed, and he saw in the end that it was an Angel. Thus Augustine with all his deep Divin • ty, was not able to di • e into this Mystery, much less can we.

Simonides being demanded concerning the Essence of God, answered, that the more he thought of the s • me, the less he knew. To search then too far is curiosity, to believe the word it is security, climb not too high then for falling, dive • ot deep for drowning; and soar not too high for dazzling: Labor to know so much as • s revealed in the Scriptures, which we are to search for all points, much more for this.

A remarkable Note.

THe Name (GOD) is written with four Letters in all Languages, in which we are to observe, that the word GOD, coming from the German is written with a double D. (to wit) GODD.

God is called in
• Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In Chaldee and Eloho. In Dalmatian Orsi.
• Jehovah. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In Syrian, Eloho. In or Orsi.
• Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . In Arabian, Alla. In Illirian, Orsi.
• Laten, Deu • . In Ethiopian, Abilah. In Turkish, Abgl.
• Spanish, Dios. In Egyptian, Thouth. In New-found-Land. Zimi.
• French, Dieu. In Assirian, Sure. In
• Engl • sh, Godd. In Mag • , Orsi. In

The Doctrine and use of God's Attributes.

All God's Attributes may be reduced to these 3. Heads

• Power
• Mercy
• Justice

The use of all which is twofold.

• 1. First by knowing of them we know what a God our God is, and by them discern betwixt the • rue Jehovah and false gods.
• 2. We learn both what we have received already from God, and what we may look for hereafter to receive from him.

The Lord is called

Omnipotent

To show his Power: which is both profitable and necessary for us to know both in prosperity and adversity: in Prosperity to keep us from abusing his blessings, seeing he is of power to deprive us: in Adversitie to keep us from despair, because he is able to help us.

A Judge

To express his Justice, this should bridle us from committing of sin with greediness, in that though he suffer for a time, yet in the end he will punish severely, and will render to every man according to his deeds.

1. Merciful

To set forth his Love and goodness unto us in his Mercies which are • ver all his works, lasting forever, extended towards us, let us not then be unmerciful to his, and seeing he is gracious to us, let us not • e gr ••• less to him, loving to us, let us not be unkind to him, and good • n mercy to all, let us be bad to none.

2. Father,

Let us then behave ourselves as children towards him, not sell our inheritance▪ let us love hi • house, desire his presence, bewail his absence, love his children •• brethren, hate his enemies, seek to honor him, and be sorry • f he be dishonored.

2

Let us imitate a good Son (who as a learned Divine observeth) is des • rous to know the Nature of his father, that so he may the better resemble his Father.

• He will know His Pedigree, From whence he is descended.
• He will know His Dignity, How he is reputed.
• He will know His Estate, At what he is valued.
• He will know His Nature, How he is affected.
• He will know His Love, How himself is favored.

• He desires to look into His Will what he will leave him.
• He desires to look into His pleasure what he will have done by him.
• He desires to look into His purpose what he will do with him.

And

• If he see him A • le He will Depend upon him.
• If he see him In Authority He will Bear himself upon him.
• If he see him Gratious He will Be thankful unto him.
• If he see him Angry He will Seek to please him.
• If he see him Righteous He will Fear to offend him.
• If he see him Merciful He will Pray for pardon to him.
• If he see him Powerful▪ He will Hope for protection from him.

The like may be said of the Knowledge of God, seeing he is able to do all things for us, and is the only true God, and in Compassion a Father, willing to do for us, let us • mbrace him and depend upon him: and in so doing we shall be thankful in prosperity, patient in adversity, and joyful in victory.

Of GOD'S Presence

THere are four • de • rees of God's Presence, 1. An Universal. 2. A Special. 3. A more special. 4▪ A most special.

• Universal The Lord is present by his Essence In All places.
• Special The Lord is present by his Glory In Heaven.
• More special The Lord is present by his Grace In His Saints.
• Most special The Lord is present by his Spirit In Christ.

The Lord is everywhere by his Essence repletively, nowhere inclusively: Every where replenishing the place with his being, nowhere by circumscription and local definition.

He is

He is in Christ Hypostatical, in himself Alpha and Omega: in the World a Governor: in Ang • lls as Be • u • y, in his Church as an Housholder in his Family: in the Soul as a B •• degroome in his Marriage Chamber: in the Righteous as an Helper: in the Reprobate as Fear and horror▪ in the Godly to defend them, in the wicked to punish them And therefore may well be compared to the Tree in the midst of the garden of Eden: As also to the Tree spoken of by Saint John in the Revelations: in that he is in the midst of

God is in the midst of

A Bush,

Burning: of the Campe of the Israelites fighting,

The City▪

Jerusalem, and Zion to hear those that call on him,

The Cherubims,

Dw • l • ing: and in the Congregation of Men judging,

A Cloude:

Setting the Rainbow: giving the Law: Filling the Tabernacle and Temple with his glory: Speaking to Moses face to face, as a man spe • kes to his friend: calling Aaron and Miriam to answer their Mur • urings: proclaiming Christ to be his well-beloved Son: going be • ore the Israelites in the Wilderness: and covering the light with darkness. So that he is said to dwell in the Clouds, to ride upon the Clouds, and to make the Clouds his Chariots,

Egypt,

Working his wonders and Miracles among them,

The Lord was present speaking
• The Fire: Speaking to Israel: and in the Land dwelling with them▪
• A whirlwind: Answering Job, to the complaint made by him,
• The red Sea: To deliver The people of Israel from Drowning,
• The Furnace: To deliver The three Children from Burning,
• The Lions den: To deliver The Prophet Daniel from Devouting.
• The Godly: By has holy Spirit▪ always dwelling in them,
• Use. Seeing God is omnipresent, see thou sin not in secret,
• The Lord is said to be present seven several ways speaking,
• 1. Face to Face unto Moses as a Man to his friend,
• 2. Through the Clouds to the people of Israel often,
• 3. In a dream unto Samuel: calling Samuel,
• 4. In a light and mild Air unto Elias with a still voice.
• 5. In Urim and Thummim when he gave the Oracles,
• 6. To our Forefathers by divers Prophets and Seers,
• 7. To us in the last days by Christ and the Apostles.

The Lord is also said to be present seven kind of ways speaking in Prophesies and Visions.
• 1. In Extasie or Trance: such was Peters seeing Heaven opened,
• 2. In a Vision: such was the Revelation to Isaiah shown,
• 3. In a Dream: such was Jacob's of a ladder reaching to Heaven,
• 4. By sensible things, as a Cloud, such he spake in to Moses,
• 5. By an external voice, such was Abraham's,
• 6. By a Parable, such was Baalams: A Star shall come, &c.
• 7. By the filling of the Holy Ghost: such was the Apostles.

The Lord spake unto

Adam,

Before his Fall; admonishing after punishing him,

Abraham,

Willing him to depart his Country, ^• to do as Sarah willed him,

Abraham,

〈…〉 ^b and to offer his Son for a burnt offering.

Balaam,

Reproving him: and unto David directing him,

Elias,

Comforting him: and to Job in a Whi • le-wind,

Isaac,

And Jacob: showing them the Land they should dwell in,

Joshua,

Encouraging him: and to John proclaiming his Son,

Kain,

Admonishing him: and to Moses showing what to have done,

Noab,

Commanding him to make the Ark and to enter in,

Samuel,

Showing what should of Eli's posterity become,

Solomon,

Giving him Wisdom above all that were before him.

In a Vision God shown

Ezekiel,

The return of the Israelites from captivity,

Daniel,

Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, and things to come extraordinary,

Jacob,

That he should not fear to go unto Joseph his son,

Isaiah,

All the things that did concern Jerusalem,

Habacuck,

The Plagues that he had prepared for wicked men,

Nahum,

The destruction that should come upon the Sirian,

Obadiah,

The miserable end that should befall Edom,

Simeon,

That he should not see death till Christ did come,

Zachariah,

Seven golden Candlesticks: and spake to his holy One.

Acts 18. 9.

The Lord will be known among his Prophets by Visions, and

& 23. 11. & 27. 23.

will speak unto them by Dreams.

There are four sortes of Being of Christ's presence.

1. Anagogical. 2. Allegorical. 3. Corporal. 4. Moral.

• Anagogical Christ is present in the Church triumphant.
• Allegorical Christ is present in the Church militant.
• Corporal Christ is present in the Wombe of a Virgin.
• Moral Christ is present in the Heart of a Christian.

As a Father in his Family ordering: as a Pilate in a Ship guiding: as a master in his School teaching: as a Gardener in his garden dres • ing: as a King in his Throne gracing: as the Sun in the Firmament lightning: as a Prophet in the Church teaching: and as the Soul in the body enlivening: And is in the midst of

The Bosom

of his Father in the Trinity before all time.

The Bowells

of his Mother the Virgin Mary in fullness of time.

A Cratch

At his Birth: so the Shepherds found him lain,

Christ is in the midst of

The Doctors

For I • struction: so his Par • nts found him sitting,

The Disciples

For H • m • li • tion: so he was amongst them serving,

The Israelites

For his Conversation, So he was among them standing,

The Israelites

D • ing Mir • cles, So he was among them working,

The Israelites

Teaching and Healing. So he was among them walking.

The twelve Tribes of Israel.

Conceived in Nazarel and Zebulon: borne in Bethlehem going into Egypt, passed through Simeon: In the Temple taught in Benjamen: Turn • d water into wine in Asher in Cana of Galilee: Proved himself the Messi • h in Ephraim: In Naphtali raised Lazarus: And going through the Ten Tribes, was in Re • ben, Gad and part of Manasseh.

Christ spiritually is in the midst of

Two Thieves,

Dying: in the bowels of the Earth, 3. days sleeping,

His Disciples,

Oftentimes after his Resurrection appearing,

A Cloude

Shadowed: between Moses and Elias transfigured,

A Cloude

Taken up into Heaven, where S. John saw him: Sitting on a Cloud: From whence he shall come again in the Clouds to judge the quick and the dead: at whose coming all shall be taken up in the Clowdes at the last to meet him: where till the day of his appearing he is in the midst of

God and Man,

Reconciling God to Man: so called a Mediator One,

The Building,

Coupling God to man: and so is called a Corner-stone,

The Streete,

Throne, Beasts and Elders, &c. so seen by S. John.

The Church,

As the Apple Tree among the Forest Trees growing,

The Church,

Declaring God's Name to his Brethren singing,

Two or three:

Gath • ed together in his Name,

The Godly:

Alway unto the end of the world guiding them,

All His.

Working contraries by his Spirit in every of them.

In that by whose Spirit

Our

Infidelity is turned into Faith. Our Thraldom into Freedom.

Our

Poverty is turned into Plenty. Our Barrennes into Fruitfulness.

Our

Sorrow is turned into Sol • ce. Our Darkness into Light.

Our

Misery is turned into Mercy. Our Wearinesse into Strength.

Our

Mourning is turned into M • rth. Our Death into Life.

Our

Affliction is turned into Glorificatiō. Our Hell into Heaven.

As also

The Angels are replenished, Prophets inspired, Scr • bes are instructed, the Word is quickened, the Church sanctified, the hardness of Heart suppled, the weakness of Faith cherished, the darkness of the soul enlightened, and the mist of discomfort dispersed, So that by his presence darkness is expelled, and by his favor souls from death and Hell are delivered.

Christ's apparition after his Resurrection

Christ appeared unto

The Apostles,

Reproving them for not believing that he was risen, as also teaching them what they should do and observe after his departure from them.

Magdalene,

And other women, and would not let them pass by without a Godspeed, and to comfort them, be not afraid.

The Emavits,

Talking with them, comforting them and making their hearts to • urne with Love of him.

Peter,

By name that he might not Despair by denying,

Thomas,

By name that he might not Continue doubting.

Stephen,

From Heaven At what time as the Jews stoned him,

Paul,

From Heaven Going to Damascus to persecute the Christians,

S. John.

From Heaven Showing him the Mistery of the Revelation.

In a vision unto

Paul, willing him to go to Macedonia to preach him,

In a vision unto

Peter, commanding him to kill and eat that he shown him,

In a vision unto

Cornelius, wishing him to send for Peter to direct him.

Of God's Word.

THe Word of God is the Wisdom of God, concerning the truth which is according unto godliness, being given by inspiration of God, the original being from Heaven, not from Earth, the Author thereof being God not man: The Penmen, the Prophets and Apostles: The matter being verity and piety, about which preaching is exercised, it being the field in which Preachers must contain themselves, because thereby we are begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible Seed, the Word having such force in us when it is preached of such as have a lawful calling thereunto. In which said Word there is (as S. Augustine faith) Truth and Doctrine most fit for the refreshing and renewing of men's minds, and truly so tempered that every man may draw from thence, that which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a devout and pious mind, as true Religion requireth.

Which Word is called▪

God's Word is called
• The arm of the Lord, Isa. 53. 1.
• The Armor of God, Eph. 6. 13.
• The Armor of Righteousness, 2 Cor. 6. 11.
• The Armor of Light. Rom 13. 12.
• A Blessing and a Curse, Deut. 11. 26.
• Bread, Isa. 55. 2.
• Bread of Sincerity, 1 Cor. 5. 8.
• Bread of Truth,
• The Book of the Law, Josh. 1. 8.
• The Book of the Lord, Isa. 34. 16.
• The Book of Life, 2 King. 22. 8.
• A Buckler, Psal. 91. 4.
• A Candle, Mark. 4. 21.
• A Candlestick, Rev. 2 5.
• Christ's Yoake, Mat. 11. 29.
• Comfort, Psal. 119. 50.
• The Commandment of God, Psal. 119. 98.
• A Holy Commandment, 2 Pet. 2. 21.
• A Lardg • Commandment, Psal. 119. 96.
• A Pure Commandment, Psal. 19. 8.
• A New Commandment, 1 John. 2. 28.
• The Covenant of the Lord, Deut. 29. 9.
• The Tables of the Covenant, Deut 9. 9.
• Counsel, Ier. 23. 22.
• A Counselor, Psal. 119. 24.
• A Crown, Eccles. 1. 21.
• A Discerner of the thoughts, Heb 4. 12.
• The Doctrine of the Apostles, Acts 2. 41.
• The Doctrine of the Lord, Acts 13. 12.
• The Doctrine of Christ, 2 Io • . 9.
• Good Doctrine, Prov 4. 2.
• Sound Doctrine, 2 Tim. 4. 3.
• Wholsome Doctrine, Idem.
• Divine inspiration, 1 Tim. 3. 16.
• The Eyes of the Lord, Prov. 22. 12.
• Eye-Salve, Rev. 3. 18.
• Faith, Gal. 1. 23.
• The Door of Faith, Acts 14. 27.
• A shield of Faith, Eph. 6. 16.
• Faithfullnesse, Isa. 25. 1.
• The Fear of the Lord, Prov 10. 27.
• The Fountain of Wisdom, Eccles. 1. 5.
• The Fountain of Life, Prov. 14. 27.
• A Garment, Psal. 45. 8.
• Glory, Prov. 22. 4.
• A glorious Gospel, 1 Tim. 1. 11.
• The Gospel of the Kingdom, Mat. 24. 14.
• The Gospel of Christ, Rom 1. 16.
• The Gospel of The Son, Rom. 1. 9.
• The Gospel of Peace, Eph. 1. 16.
• The Gospel of God's grace, Acts 20. • 4.
• The Gospel of God, Rom. 1. 1.
• The Arrows Job 6. 4.
• The Answer Mich. • . 7.
• The Bands Psal. 2. 3.
• The Cords
• The Breath Job • 7. 10.
• The Charge 1 King. 2. 3.
• The Counsel Acts 20. 27.
• The deep things 1 Cor. 2. 10.
• The Faith Rom. 3. 3▪
• The Finger Exod 31. 18.
• The Fullness Eph. • . 19.
• The Grace 1 Pet. 4. 10.
• The Kingdom Mat. 21. 43.
• The Mouth I • r. 9. 12.
• The Oath Deut. 2 • . 12.
• The Oracles Acts 7 38.
• The Ordinances Deut. 4. 2.
• The Protestation of God▪ Neh 9. 34.
• The P • thes Mica. 6. 9.
• The Power Rom. 1. 6.
• The • recepts Psal. 119. 93.
• The Purpose Ier 49. 20.
• The Rod Psal. 23. 4.
• The Staff
• The Steps Job 23. 11.
• The Secrets Psal. 25. 14.
• The Statutes Psal. 19. 8.
• The Testimonies Psal. 119. 99.
• The Testament Heb. 8. 9.
• The Truth Psal. 119. 160.
• The Veritie Rom. 3. 7.
• The Voice Psal • 7. 2.
• The Vision Numb. 24. 4.
• The Will 1 Cor. 2. 7.
• The Witness 1 John. 5. 9.
• The Writings Exod 32. 16.
• The Works
• The Wisdom Prov. 8. 14.
• The Breath of God's Lips, Isa. 11. 1.
• The Word of God's Lips, Psal. 17. 4.
• The Secrets of God's Kingdō, Mat. 13. 11.
• The Sound of God's Voice, Job. 37. 2.
• The Wonders of God's Law, Psal. 119 18.
• The Breath of God's Psal. 33. 6.
• The Judgemēts of God's Psal. 119. 13.
• The Spirit of God's Mouth Isa. 11 4.
• The Sword of God's Mouth • ev. 2. 16.
• Testimonies of God's Mouth Psal. 119. 88.
• God's Charge. Deut. 11. 1.
• God's Counsels of old, • sa. 25. 1.
• God's Comfort, Psal. 94 19.
• God's Doctrine, G • l. 1. • 0.
• God's Face, Psal 27 8.
• God's Gate, Psal 118. 10
• God's Glory, Isa. 66. 19.
• God's Judgments, 1 King. 2. 3.
• God's Message, H • g • . 13.
• God's Speech, Deut 32 2.
• God's Secrets, Amos 5 3.
• God's Statutes, 1 King. 2. 3.
• God's Testimonies,
• God's Voice, Josh. • 4. 24.
• God's W • y, Psal. 27. 11.
• God's Word, Ier 1. 2.
• God's Yo • ke and band, Ier. 5. 5.
• Good and Evil, Deut. 30. 15.
• A good thing, Rom. 10. 15.
• The Good part, Luke 10 42.
• A princip • ll thing, Prov. 4. 7.
• A H • mmer, Ier. 23 29.
• Health, Prov. 3. 8.
• S • ving Health, Psal. 67. 2.
• A Healing Medicine, Ier. 30. 15.
• 〈…〉 nces, Psal 78. 2.
• 〈◊〉 Knowledge, Eccles. 1. 16.
• 〈…〉 g, Mat. • . 6.
• 〈…〉 s, Prov. 4. 13.
• • e Fathers i • structions, Prov. 1. 8.
• • • e 〈◊〉 of the Heart, Ier. 15. 16.
• T •• Ju • gements of the Lord, Psal. 119. 98.
• Justice and equity, Prov. 1. 3.
• The Key of Heaven, Mat 16. 19.
• The Key of God's Kingdom,
• The Key of Knowledge, Luk. 11. 52.
• Knowledge, Ier. 3. 15.
• The Knowledge of the Truth, H • b 10 26.
• The Knowledge of God, Prov. 2. 3.
• The Knowledge of God's ways, Job. 21. 14.
• A Lamp • , Prov 6. 23.
• A Lantern, Prov 6. 25.
• The Law of God, Gen 26 5.
• The Law of The Lord, Prov. • 0 27.
• The Law of Liberty, I am 1 25.
• The Law of Life, Ecclus 45. 5.
• The Law of F • ith, Rom 3. 27.
• The Law of Truth, Mal. 2. 6.
• The Law of Mose • , John 8. 2.
• The Law of The Spirit of life Rom 8. 2.
• A perfect Law, Psal. 1 • . 7.
• A Royal Law, I am. • . 8.
• The Language of Canaan, Isa. 19. 18.
• A pure Language, Zeph. 3. 9.
• The killing Letter, 2 Cor 3. 6.
• Life and death, Prov 4. 22.
• The life of God, Eph 4. 18.
• The life of Lives, Deut 32. 47.
• The life of Man, Prov. 20. 27.
• The Pathes of life, Psal. 16. 11.
• The Fountain of life, Prov. 14. • 7.
• The Tree of life, Rev 2 7.
• The Water of life, John 6. 35.
• The light of our Pathes, Psal 119. 105.
• The light of the Lord, Prov. 20. 27.
• The light of God's countenance Psal • 7. 1.
• The light of Men, John. 1. 4.
• The light of the living, Job 33. 3.
• The Armor of Light, Rom. 13 12.
• A Marvelous Light, 1 Pet. 2. 9.
• A True Light, 1 John. 2. 8.
• Marrow, Prov. 3. 8.
• Meat, John. 6. 27.
• A Portion, Luke 12. 42.
• Strong Meat, Heb. 5. 1 • .
• Spiritual Meat▪ 1 Cor. 10. 3.
• Milk, 1 Cor. 3. 2.
• The Ministration of condemnation, 2 Cor. 3. 9.
• The Ministration of righteousness,
• The Mothers teaching, Prov. 1. 8.
• The Mistery of the Kingdom of Heaven, Mat. 13. 11.
• The Mistery of Godliness, 1 Tim. 3. 16.
• The Mistery of God, Christ, the Father, Col. 2. 2.
• The Mistery of the Faith, 1 Tim 3. 9.
• A Message, 1 Io • . 5. • .
• A N • t, Hos. 7. 12.
• Ointment, Isa 1. 6.
• An ornament of Grace, Prov 1. 9.
• Pathes to walk in, Psa. 27. 11.
• The old Pathes, Ier. 6. 16.
• Right Pathes, Psal. 27. 11.
• Pastures, John. 10. 9.
• Good pasture, Ezech. 34▪ 18.
• Green Pasture, Psal. 23. 2.
• A Pearl, Mat. 7. 6.
• Peace, Rom. 14. 17.
• A pleasant garden, Ecclesia. 40. 27.
• The Prophets Report, Isa 53. 1.
• Profound deepness, Eccles▪ 7. 26.
• Riches, Prov. 22. 4.
• Unsearcheable Riches, Eph 3. 8.
• Rest, Mat▪ 11. 24.
• Refreshing rest, Isa. • 8 12.
• Strength, Psal • 05 5.
• Salvation, Acts 28. 28.
• The Helmet of Salvation, Eph. 6. 17.
• The Shield of Salvation, 2 Sam. 26. 36.
• The Wells of Salvation, • sa. 12. 3.
• A Sanctuary, Psal 7 • . 17.
• Scripture, Acts 1. 16.
• Scriptures of Truth, Dan • 0. 11.
• Scriptures of the Prophets, Rom. 16. 26.
• Holy Scriptures, Rom. 1. 2.
• The Secrets of the Kingdom, Mat. 13 11.
• Seed, Luk 8 11.
• Immortal Seed, 1 Pet. 1. 23.
• The Savour of Life, 2 Cor. 2. 16.
• The Savour of Death,
• The Searcher of the Bow • lls, Prov. 20▪ 27.
• A Shield▪ Psal. 91 4.
• The Spirit, 2 Cor. • . 6.
• Spiritual Gifts, Rom. 1. 11.
• Spiritual Drink 1 Cor 10. 3, 4, &c.
• Spiritual Meat
• Statutes of Life, Eze. 33. 4.
• Statutes of the Lord, Psal 19. 8.
• Statutes of Israel, Psal. 81. 4.
• Right Statutes, Psal 19. 8.
• The strength of all things, Wisd. 10. 12.
• Assured strength, Prov. 14. 26.
• A Song, * Deut. 31. 19.
• A new Song, * Psal. 40. 3.
• The Supper of the L • mb,
• A Great Supper, Luke 14 16.
• A Sword against Satan, Heb 4. 12.
• The Sword of the Spirit, Eph 6. 17.
• A two edged Sword, Heb. 4. 12.
• A Talent, Mat. 25. 15.
• The treasure of Knowledge and Wisdom, Col. 2. 3.
• Thunder, Job 37. 5.
• A Trumpet, Ier. 6. 17.
• Tydings of Salvation, Luke 2 10.
• Glad tidings of Peace, Isa. 52. 7.
• Good tidings of Peace, Rom. 10. 15.
• Good and glad tidings, Isa. 40. 9.
• Understanding, Job. 15. 16.
• The way of God, Psal. • 7. 11.
• The way of God's testimonies, Psal. 119. 14.
• The way of Holiness, Isa. 35. 8.
• The way of Judgment, Prov. 6. 8.
• The way of Life, Prov. 6. 23.
• The way of Righteousness, Isa 58. 1.
• The way of Peace, Luke 1. 79.
• The way of Wisdom, Prov. 4. 11.
• A Good Way, 1 Sam. 12. 23.
• A Narrow Way, Mat. 7. 13.
• A Perfect Way, Psal. 101. 2.
• A Straight Way, Acts 13. 10.
• An Uncorrupt Way, Psal. 18. 30.
• Wisdom, Prov. 1. • .
• Sound Wisdom, Prov. 8. 14.
• Weapons of a Christian, 2 Cor. 10. 4.
• White Rayment, Rev. 3. 18.
• The Word of the Covenant, Ier 11. 3.
• The Word of Exhortation, Acts 13. 15.
• The Word of Christ, Col. 3. 19.
• The Word of good Doctrine, 1 Tim 4. 6.
• The Word of Grace, Acts 20. 32.
• The Word of God's Mouth, Psal • 8. 1.
• The Word of Faith, Rom. 10. 8.
• The Word of Knowledge. Prov. 1. 2.
• The Word of Life, Phil. 2 16.
• The Word of this L • fe, Acts 5. 20.
• The Word of the Law, Deut 31. 24.
• The Word of the Holy One; Job 6. 10.
• The Word of Me • k • n • sse, Psal. 45. 4.
• The Word of Prophecy, Rev. 1 3.
• The Word of the Prophets, Acts 3. 27.
• The Word of Reconciliatiō, 2 Cor. 5. 9.
• The Word of the Gospel, Acts 15. 7.
• The Word of S • bern • sse, Acts 26. 25.
• The Word of Truth,
• The Word of God, Ier. 1. 2.
• An engrossed Word, James 1. 21.
• God's Word, Eze 16. 1.
• A comfortable Word, Zach. 1. 13.
• A faithful Word, Rev 22. 6.
• A lively Word, Heb▪ 4 12.
• A mighty Word, Heb. 1▪ 3.
• A pleasant Word, • ccles. 12. 10.
• A plain Word, Prov. 8. 9.
• A precious Word, 1 Sam. 3. 1.
• A powerful Word, Heb 4 12.
• A pure Word, Psal. 12 6.
• A right Word, Psal • 3. 4.
• A straight Word, Prov. 8. 9.
• A sure Word, 2 Pet. 1. 19.
• A true Word, Rev. 2 • 6.
• A Wholsome Word, Tit. 2. 8.
• Chaines for the Necke, Prov 1. 9.
• A Crown of Glory, Prov. 4 9.
• The Dew, Deut. 32. • .
• A Deepe great, Psal. • 6. 6.
• A Draw-Net, Mat 13. 47.
• Fire burning, Ier. 20 9.
• Figs, Mat. 7▪ • 6.
• Frontlets, Deut. • . 8.
• Grapes, Mat. 7. 16.
• A Glass, I am 1. 23.
• Gold tried in the fire, Psal. 19. 10.
• Garments smelling of Mi • rh, Psal. 45. 8.
• Alloes and Cassia▪
• Hyssop, Psal. 51 7.
• Honey and honey comb, Psal. 19. 10.
• An Heritage, Psal. 119. 111.
• Leven hid in Meale, Mat. • 3. 33.
• The light of the World, Rom. 13. 12.
• Light shining in Darkness, 2 Pet 1. 19.
• Marchandizes of silver, Prov. 3. 14.
• Mighty Mountains▪ Psal. 36 6.
• New Cloath, Mat. 9. 16.
• New Wine,
• Oil and Ointment, Exod 30. 15.
• The Poole Bethesda, John 5. 2.
• A Plough, Luk. • . 62.
• Rayne and showers, Deut. 32 2
• Silver tried in the fire Psal. • 2. 16.
• A Sickle, Rev. 14. 15.
• A Shield and Buckler, Psal 91. 4.
• A Star, Mat. 2. 2.
• Treasures hidden, Luke 16. 11.
• Waters still and deep, Eze. 34 18.
• Waters: and Wine, Isa 55. 1.
• The Four Winds of the Earth, Rev 7. 1.
• A Pavourie of wholesome food against f • igned Traditions,
• A Physicians Shoppe against poisoned Heresies,
• A Pandet of profitable Laws against rebellious spirits,
• A Treasury of most costly Jewels against beggarly Rudiments.

And is

• Wisdom without Folly to Direct • s▪ For that i • will
• Riches without •• verty to Honor • s▪ For that i • will
• Strength without We • kenesse to Maynteyne • s▪ For that i • will

Instruct us in Life: Comfor • us in Death: and glorify us in Heaven.

By God's Word

Hushai was made a wise Counselor: Solomon a wise King: Joshua a wise Captain: and Timothy a wise Divine: Gideon overcame the Midianites, David the Philistines, Jehoshaphat the Amonites, The Israelites the Canaanites; * And all Godly men, • he Flesh, the Devil and the Worldes vanities: Kings Rain, Princes decree Justice: All things are governed: The Foundations of the Earth were • aid; The Heavens established, Treasures and Substances are inherited: Man is blessed, his Faith is increased: His soul is converted, His heart cheered, and changed: H • s corruptions mortified: His understanding enlightened▪ His thoughts purged▪ His affections sanctified: His memory with good Lessons stored: His will to God's will confirmed. His speech with Grace is seasoned: His days are prolonged: His years augmented, His sleep is secured: His eyes lightened, His walkings guided: And all his actions to God's glory wholly dir • cted: The ignorant men are instructed: Disordered men reformed: The afflicted in Heavinesse comforted: The Dull in Memory quickened: The cold in Zeal enflamed: and the distressed in want relieved: The Righteousness of God is revealed: * The Church is sanctified: Truth is preached: Error convinced, Vice corrected, good life Directed: Death avoided and life eternal through Christ obtained.

In keeping then of God's Word there is great reward.

Blessed is he that heareth me, watching at my gates, and that giveth attendance at the posts of my doors, for he that seeketh me early shall find me.

He that feareth me shall be rewarded: He that despiseth me shall be destroyed.

Let the Word of God then dwell in you plentifully.

Read: Deut. 6. 6▪ &c. Prov. 8. 17, &c. Psal 139▪ 6. Act. 20. 32. Eccles. 1. Chap. 7. Chap. 24.

Of God's Decree and Predestination.

Of Election and Reprobation.

AS it maketh neither for the Ornament, nor the use of an House to have all v • ssels of one sort, as all of gold, or all of silver, but rather of divers and of sundry matter. And as in a man's body the manifold members thereof, are of greater both use and dignity, then i • all were one member: So in the body of the Church, God would not have all elect, or all reprobate, but some Elect, some Reprobates, some good, others bad, because this would make most for God's glory, as the other for the good of the whole body.

God's Decree is that by which God hath necessarily, and yet freely from all Eternity determined all things. Howbeit the Decree of God is the first and principal cause of all things, yet it doth not take away freedom of will in Election, or the Nature and proper • ie of second causes, but brings them into a certain order (th • t • s) it directeth them to the determinate end, whereupon the effect of things are contingent and necessary, as the nature of the second cause is.

Predestination is the Decree of God, in as much as it concerns Man, (being so called) by which God hath ordained all men to a certain and everlasting estate (that is) some to salvation in his Son, others to Condemnation, for his own glory and their sin.

Election is a Decree in which God according to the good pleasure of his will hath certainly chosen some men to life eternal in Christ, and that for the praise of the glory of his Grace.

Reprobation is God's Decree, in the which because it so pleased him, he hath purposed to refuse some men by means of Adams fall and their own corruptions for the manifestation of his Justice.

Hath God made man to condemn him?

Nothing less: God is not the cause of condemnation, but man himself, according to the Prophet Hosea saying: O Israel thy destruction is of thyself: God useth all means to save souls according to Isaiah saying: What more could have been done for it, then I have done?

God will no • the death of a Sinner?

God willeth not simply and absolutely the Death of a Sinner, as it is the destruction of▪ his Creature, but as it is a means to declare his Justice, and to set forth his glory: Now these which are ordained to just Damnation, are likewise ordained to be left to themselves in this world, in blindness of mind, and hardness of heart, so as they shall not, nor will repent of their sins; So that their sins shall be thereby the cause of their condemnation, and God not the Author of the same. Sins are not the cause of rejection, yet they are the cause of Damnation, whereunto the Reprobate are ordained and destined.

If God predestinate every man to his end, how then can it be said that Adam fell into sin, without God's ordination and predestination, seeing he gave him occasion to sin whilst he made a Law, which he knew he would not keep: Created the Serpent and Devil, whom he knew would tempt Eve, gave him Eve to wife, that would entice him, as also permitted him to abuse his own Free-will, that was given him.

In the state of Mans innocence in Paradise, Good and bad was propounded to man's will, and his will stood inclinable to that which the mind (or senses) first assented unto (for the mind conceiveth before the will subscribes freely) and the mind (or senses) then were enabled to judge and determine rightly, so that there was in man, help unto good, not infirmity unto evil: Adam therefore sinned freely, and unconstrainedly. 1. In neglecting their Law and Calling. 2. In opening ear freely unto lewd counsel. 3. In eating the forbidden fruit. Now there were three things concurring to the fall of Adam. 1. God's permitting. 2. Satan's tempting. 3. Mans yielding. First, God permitting not by instilling into him any evil, or taking from him any ability unto good, but by suffering Satan to tempt him. Secondly, By leaving man to the liberty and mutability of his own Will, not hindering his fall by supply of Grace, and by Satan's tempting, who being himself fallen, envying God's glory and man's happiness, subtly addressed himself into the Serpent. Thirdly, Mans yielding, who being left to the mutability of their own Will, voluntar • lie inclined unto that evil whereunto they were tempted. Howbeit we deny not, but that the will of God is the first and true cause why Adam fell, as also why he hath chosen some, and hated others, (for if God would simply not have had him sinned, he had not sinned, for that nothing can be done against his Will and Counsel) But we deny that it therefore followeth, that God can be accused of sin or of any injustice, because his Will is Just, and the rule of all Justice, so that none iniquity can be found in him. Besides which there are many more just Reasons of the Judgments of God, in God himself, although they be unknown and unsearchable unto us wretches, that cannot of ourselves neither see such Reasons, because we are blinded, nor know them by the Scriptures, because they are not revealed. There is no searching of God's Wisdom, it cannot be comprehended: if the Creature could swallow up all the Reason of the Creator, God should be finite, and God no God. An Angel bid Manoah not to inquire after his Name which was secret. Secret things belong unto God, revealed to man: Search not then for those things that are hidden, and Dive not too deep for fear of Drowning.

[Object.] If God Decree everything, why punisheth he anything?

[Answ.] Punishment cometh from God by the just desert of the ranchor of man's sin, Election of God's free grace.

[Object.] Who hath resisted the Will of God? Why is he angry?

[Answ.] What art thou oh Man, which pleadest with God who giveth not account of his matters, Darest thou to expostulate with God thy Author? Woe be to him, that contendeth with his Maker: S. Augustine handling this matter saith, Oh thou man that lookest for an Answer from me, let us both hear him which saith, oh man who art thou which reasonest with God? Faithful ignorance is better then rash knowledge: Seek for merits, thou shalt find nothing but punishment: O Altitude, Peter denieth, the Thief believeth O Altitude▪ askest thou the reason, I will admire, and be astonished at the Altitude, reason thou, I will marvel, dispute thou, I will believe: I see the Altitude, but I come not to the bottom; Paul rested because he found admiration: He calleth them God's inscrutable Judgments, and comest thou to search them? He calleth them ways investigable, and seekest thou to find them? And in another place, speaking of the same matter (saith) if any man will bind us, and press us to search, and sound the profundity, why one is persuaded, another is not, I have only two things to answer: Oh the depth of his Riches, &c. And is there iniquity with God? He that liketh not this Answer, let him seek more learned Teachers, but let him look that he find not them that are more presumptuous.

If I be predestinated to eternal life I shall be saved how wickedly soever I live, I will therefore live as I list?

[Answ.] Men predestinated to the end, that is Glory and eternal life, are also predestinated to the subordinate means whereby they come to eternal life, and they are Christ and his merits, as he was a Mediator, an effectual Calling, Faith, Regeneration, Sanctification, Repentance, &c. with a godly life.

Quest.

Seeing some are ordained to condemnation may we judge who they are?

Answ 1.

We cannot judge, because it is a secret reserved unto God, Judge not saith Christ)

2.

God is merciful in forgiving, as he is miraculous in calling, making a Persecutor a Preacher, Saul a Paul.

3.

Because the Godly have been overgon in this matter: so was Elias saying, that he was only left in all Israel that bowed not his knee to Baal, So was Eli in judging Hanna.

We must not judge according to the appearance, saith Christ, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, saith S. Paul.

To conclude this Poynt.

God from everlasting by his Decree appointed first to create all men, then to permit them to fall into sin, and for sin to be guilty of Death: And after by Christ to deliver some, but to leave others, and to punish them for their sins, and this appoy • tment is very • redestination, Election and Reprobation. Ob the Depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and knowledge of G • d, &c.

Who is wise and he shall understand these things, prudent and he shall know them:

For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them, but the transgressors shall fall therein.

God decreed that

Abraham,

Seed should serve four hundred years a strange people,

Achitophel,

Should be destroyed by his own Counsel,

Esau,

Should serve Jacob before he had done good or evil,

The Gentiles,

Should be called to the knowledge of Christ, and that such should bele •• e as were ordained to Salvation,

Herod & Pilate,

Should do that only to Christ, which he in his counsel had determined mined afore to be done,

Christ,

Should be by his own Apostle Judas betrayed,

Jerusalem,

Should be made desolate, and again blessed,

Jeremiah,

Should be a Prophet, and that before he was formed,

Paul,

Should be separated from his mothers womb, that is, elected and called to preach Christ, as also should suffer many afflictions for him,

The Philistines & Moabites,

Should be as Chaff that passeth in a day, and that by God's wrath coming suddenly on them,

The Thessalo:

Should be elected and chosen unto salvation,

The Wicked & Reprobate,

Should be made for the day of evil, prepared to destruction, and ordained to condemnation: As also that all they that have not their names written in the book of Life, from the foundation of the world should be cast into Hell.

The Godly & Elect,

Should be chosen in Christ according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, and that before the foundation of the world; and should be called not according to their works, but according to God • purpose, having their names written in the book of Li • e, which book of Life is the eternal Decree of God, in which he hath elected in Christ, according to the good pleasure of his Will, those that shall be Heirs of life.

Mans calling & Salvation,

Should be not according to our works, but according to God's own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ before all time,

The time of Man,

Should be appointed: his Months determined, days numbered, and his very last hour limited, as our Savior Christ himself confessed.

The Moon,

Should be for certain Seasons: and Suns going down,

The Lightning,

Rain and Thunder before the world began,

The Seas,

Should not pass beyond their bounds limited,

The Revelation,

Of the Misterie of the calling of the Gentiles should be kept close from the beginning of the World till the time the Gospel was preached,

His Counsel,

Should stand declaring the last things from the beginning and from of old, the things that were not done, saying, My counsel shall stand, I will do whatsoever I will; as I have spoken so will I bring to pass, I have purposed I will do it, who is able to disannul it?

Gd
• Foundation, Counsels, Purpose, Remayneth sure and hath this seal, He knoweth his are of old and shall stand forever, being Faithfulness, is eternal, wrought in Christ before all things.
• God Predestinated Those which he knew before to be made like to the Image of his Son Christ, and hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World by Christ.
• God Knoweth all his Works And that from the beginning: He appointeth the state and condition of man before his Creation; He can do with man as the Potter with the Clay, make one to honor and another to dishonor: He will show mercy to whom he will show mercy, and compassion to whom he will have compassion, and whom he will he hardeneth, so that it is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
• God Promised Hope of Eternal life for the godly from the beginning,
• God Prepared The Kingdom of Heaven for the godly from the beginning,
• God Prepared Everlasting fire, for the Devil and his from the beginning,
• Christ Was Decreed To be the Son of God before all Worlds, ordained of God to be a Judge both of quick and dead, before the foundation of the world, but was in the last days declared: He was appointed for the fall, and rising again of many in Israel, and delivered by the determinate counsel of God to be crucified.
• Christ Knew From the beginning, whom he had chosen, who they were that believed not, who should b • tray him: and therefore saith, without me ye can do nothing, ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen and ordained you.

There is no variableness, nor shadow by changing in God, saith Saint James I change not, saith the Lord. Isra • l hath not obtained that he sought, but the Election hath obtained it, and the rest have been hardened: So that there is a Remnant at this day through the Election of Grace, not of works saith S. Paul: whatsoever God doth it continueth forever, nothing can be put unto it, nor taken from it, saith the Preacher: The Lord God knew all things or ever they were made, and after they be brought to pass he looketh on them.

Use. The Doctrine of Predestination is especially twofold.

• 1. It teacheth us that there is a certain and firm persuasion of our Election to eternal salvation in Christ.
• 2. Seeing our salvation is wholly in Christ, that should teach us to put off all confidence of our own worths and merits, so as that we should ascribe our whole salvation to the only grace of God in Christ, and so he that glorieth should glory in the Lord, to whom be all blessedness ascribed, in that he hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ, having chosen us in himself before the foundations of the world were laid: Read: Isa. 10. 23. Chap. 14. 27. Chap. 23. 8, 9. Chap 41. 9 Dan. 9. Chap. 10. Job. 23. 14. Zech. 1. 6. Prov. 19. 21. 1 Cor. 1. 26. 2 Tim. 1. 9. John. 17. 10. Give diligence to make your election sure, 2 Pet 1. 10.

Election
• Adam Had Kain, Eldest
• Adam Had Abel, Eldest
• Adam Had Seth, Eldest
• Noab Had Japheth, The Youngest Wicked.
• Noab Had Shem, The Youngest Wicked.
• Noab Had Cham, The Youngest Wicked.
• Tera • Had Haran, Midlest Wicked.
• Tera • Had Nahor, Midlest Wicked.
• Tera • Had Abram, Midlest Wicked.

To show that neither in Eldest, Youngest or Middlemost, but in God's free Election standeth eternal happiness.

Election of Younger before the Elder.
• Abel The Younger chos • . Kain The Elder refused. Gen. 4. Judah The Younger chos • . R • ub •• The Elder refused.
• Abraham The Younger chos • . Nach • r The Elder refused. Gen. 12. Joseph The Younger chos • . The Patriarchs The Elder refused.
• Boaz The Younger chos • . His Kinsman The Elder refused. Ruth 4. Ithamar The Younger chos • . Abih •• The Elder refused.
• David The Younger chos • . Eliab The Elder refused. 1 Sam. 16. Jeh • az The Younger chos • . J • h • iakim The Elder refused.
• Ep • raim The Younger chos • . M • nasses The Elder refused. Gen: 48. Moses The Younger chos • . A • r •• The Elder refused.
• El •• z • r The Younger chos • . Nadab The Elder refused. Numb. 3. Ruth The Younger chos • . O • p • h The Elder refused.
• Isaa • The Younger chos • . Ishmael The Elder refused. Gen. 21. Shem The Younger chos • . Cham The Elder refused.
• Jaacob The Younger chos • . Esau The Elder refused. Gen. 25. S • lomon The Younger chos • . Ad • niah The Elder refused.

Notwithstanding that for outward blessings the Lord commanded that the Eldest should have a double portion of all that the Father had before the younger: but Christ's saying is here verified: The first shall be last and the last first. For that the Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, God on the heart.

Election free in God.
• David Was chosen to be King of Israel: King Saul rejected,
• • lias Was saved: Balaam damned, both prophesied,
• The Gentiles Called: The Jews rejected: for both Christ died,
• G • dcon The meanest of his Fathers house was advanced,
• The Israelites First borne w • re preserved: the Egyptians destroyed,
• In thered Sea were d • livered: Pharaoh drowned,
• I • hoshaphat Was s • ved: Ahab slain, both fighting at • amoth Gilead,
• Joseph Of Arimathea a rich man saved: Dives rich damned,
• Matthias Before Ios • ph called Iustus was elected,
• Mord • cai Was advanced: Hamon by Ahashuerash hanged,
• The Men Of Judah: not of Israel, in captivity were delivered,
• Noah With his were preserved in the Ark: all else per • shed,
• Pharoa • s Butler in prison was restored: his Bak •• hanged,
• Peter An Apostle saved: Judas an Apostle damned,
• One T • iese Was by Christ at last • aved, the other damned,
• One Man In the field and bed shall be received, another refused,
• One Woman Grinding shall be accepted, another rejected,
• Judge not why God draweth this man and not that man if thou wilt not e • re (saith S. Augustine )

Only
• Abel & Seth Were counted blessed of all Adams sons,
• Abraham Was chosen to be the Father of all faithfulness,
• Aaron's Rodde budded, of all the twelve put into the Tabernacle,
• The Apostles Were chosen at the first to est • blish the Gospe • l,
• Abijah Of all Jereboam's posterity came to be buried,
• Abiathar Was saved alive of eighty sive persons that wore the Lynen Ephod
• Abikam With certain Elders spake that Jeremiah might be delivered,
• Da • iel Is mentioned to be delivered out of the Lions Den,
• David Was chosen to sight with Goliath the Philistine,
• Elias Was for the Lord against four hundred and fifty false Prophets,
• Elisha Of a Plough man was made one of the Lord's Prophets,
• Ebedmelech Spake to have Jeremiah brought out of the Dungeon,
• Elihu Of Job's comforters spake that was right unto him,
• Five Virgins Of Ten entered before the Doors were shut with the Bridegroom
• F • w Men Followed King Saul whose heart God had touched,
• F • w Men Remained in Sardis which had not their ga • ments defiled,
• F • w Men Beleeved in Christ, Pharisees and Rulers not mentioned,
• F • w Men W • re present • t Christ's Ascension, when many died,
• F • w Men Wise and Noble after the flesh are called,
• F • w Men Accompanied S. Paul, or his Doctrine believed,
• Gamaliel G • ve couns • ll to set at liberty the Apostles,
• The Gib • o • it • s Being a remnant of the Amorites had peace with the Israelites,
• The Israelites W •• e chosen to be to God a holy people and Nation,
• Isaac I • m • ntioned to be godly of all Abraham's children,
• Jotham Was preserved: Seventy being slain of his brethren,
• S. John Of all the Apostles had the savor to lean on Christ's bosom,
• Ioshuab And Caleb of six hundred thousand entered Canaan,
• Joash Escaped Death, all the seed royal being slain,
• Jonah Was saved by a Fish in the Sea receiving him,
• Joseph Of all the Counselors consented not to the death of Christ,
• Joseph And Nicod • mus begged and buried the body of Christ,
• Lot His Wife and Daughters were delivered in Sodom,
• Luke The Physician remained with Paul, Dema • forsook him,
• A Little Flock is the Flock of Christ, as Christ consessed,
• * Magdalene Was of all them at the Table by Christ commended,
• Moses And Aaron were sent to Pharaoh, the Israelites delivered,
• Mephthosheth Of all King Saul's posterity was by David preserved,
• Michaiah Of four hundred Prophtes, truly prophesied,
• Magdalene Was the first to whom Christ rising from death appeared,
• Job In the Land of Huz to be a just man is mentioned,
• Jonathan Of all Saul's Courtiers shown kindness to David,
• Noah And his were saved in the Ark all else perished,
• Naa • an Of all the Leapers in Israel he was cleansed,
• N • cod • m • s Of all the Rulers spake for Christ, all else maligned him,
• * Ones •• horu • Refreshed Paul: all they in Asia turned from him,
• One Dis • p • e W • s 〈◊〉 to follow Christ at his apprehension,
• One City Had rain, yea, one piece was • ayned upon,
• One Captain Of Three sent to take Elias was preserved,
• One Hearer Of four received the word and pro • ited.
• One Leaper Of Te •• eturned to give thanks being cl • nsed.
• One Man Of a City and two of a Tribe were brought out of Captivity,
• One Man Was healed a • ter the Angel stirted the • oole Bethesda,
• One Man Was not found to follow God: All were at rest,
• One Man Of a thousand found wisdom and righteousness
• One Man Was not to be found that executed judgment 〈◊〉 Jerusalem,
• One Man Was saved of Bethel and of all the Amalekites, the rest slain,
• One Man Godly, was not left amo •• the children of Men,
• One Man Wise, among the Corinthians was not among them,
• One Prodigal Is mentioned to have returned to his Father,
• One Runaway Is mentioned to have returned to his Master,
• One Th • efe Of Two crucified with Christ was saved,
• One of Two At Christ's coming to Judgment shall be received,
• Obadiah H • d the Prophets of the Lord: Jezebel destroyed them,
• Peter James and John saw Christ's transfiguration,
• The Poor Were left in • srael by the King of Babylon,
• Rahab Was saved with her Housh • ld in Ierechoes destruction,
• Ruth Accompanied Naomi, Orpah returned to her place,
• A Remnant of Israel Is reserved according to the Election of Grace,
• A Remnant of Israel • hat went into Egypt to dwell returned,
• A Remnant of Israel Was left: and of Moab a third part, all else destroyed,
• The S • mari • a • Showed mercy to the Man in the Gospel wounded,
• The Sh • pheards Were first told of Christ's Birth at Bethlchem,
• The Sheep Shall stand at Christ's right hand in the day of Doome,
• Seventy Elders of Israel had the spirit of Prophecy given them,
• The Town Clark Spake in the behalf of S Paul to free him,
• 300. Men Of all Israel, were chosen to fight the Lord's battle,
• 10. Men Of Fourescore escaped from the hands of Ishmaell,
• The Widdowes Oil and Meale was by the Lord increased,
• The wise Men Had • Star to conduct them to Christ: Zoar spared at Lots request,
• Use. Let us strive to enter in at the straight gate, for the way is narrow and few there be that find it.
• Read: Rom 9. 28. Isa 17. 6. Psal 12. 2. Psal. 14. 3 1 Cor. 1. 27 John. 12. 38. And to do evil see that thou follow not the multitude.

Election of God's mercy not man's merit.

MErit is a good work, binding him that doth receive it to repay the like: This no man is able to do towards God, therefore there is no Merit in man, for whosoever will merit, must fulfill the whole Law, but none can keep the whole Law: For if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and he that sins against one Commandment is guilty of the whole Law; Then what can he merit that is guilty of the breach of the whole Law? The sufferings of this life, saith S. Paul, are not worthy of the glory to come, if not afflictions, nothing else that can be done of Man. Eternal life is the gift of God: if then the greater benefit come of grace, the inferior must proceed from the same fountain, I mean such as belong to this life, all which are common, to all that live in the world. The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth is by Jesus Christ, then no merit in our▪selves.

[Object.] The Lord promiseth Rewards to those that obey him?

[Answ.] The Lord rewards his own work begun in us, out of his mercy not of our merit: He promiseth rewards to move us to serve him, as he threateneth judgments to those that disobey him.

• Abraham Being by Faith only: not by Works justified,
• The Apostles Who before they gave to any: had freely received,
• David Confessing That he had but of God's own given him and that his well doing extended not to him.
• The Israelites Merited not Who Were of God's love, not for their number chosen Had their Enemies slain for sin not for their Well-doing: • were pitied of God not for their sake but for his own.
• Job: Merited not Saying If I justify myself, my own Mouth shall co • demne me: If I make myself perfect, a wicked one will God judge me to be
• Jacob Affirming himself not worthy of the least of God's mercies
• Mary That was God's favor towards her, seeing her lowliness,
• Paul Being carnal sold under sin, and called by Grace.
• Man Cannot Merit He is By Grace: not by the Law justified,
• Man Cannot Merit He is By God's Mercy: not by Works saved,
• Man Cannot Merit He is By Nature borne the Child of Wrath,
• Man Cannot Merit He is Sinnefull: and the wages of sin is death,
• Man Cannot Merit He is An unprofitable servant in all his life.
• He cannot Receive anything except it be from God.
• He cannot Answer one of a Thousand before God.
• He cannot Bring forth any fruit acceptable to God.
• He cannot Justify himself in the sight of God.
• He cannot Do anything without Christ to please
• Man Cannot Merit His Bodily exercise profiteth little towards God.
• Man Cannot Merit His Righteousness Is as a filthy clout before God.
• Man Cannot Merit His Righteousness Is not pleasing with God.
• Man Cannot Merit His Righteousness Doth not extend it self to God.
• Man Cannot Merit His Wickedness hurteth himself not God.
• Man Cannot Merit His Sin destroys himself, his help is of God.
• God Puts away for his own sake man's iniquity,
• God Giveth Eternal life through Christ with victory,
• God Prepared Heaven before the worlds Creation,
• God Gives Heaven at his pleasure by his ordination,
• God Gives every good and perfect gift without limitation
• Who Hath first given to God, and it shall be recompensed again?
• Who In him, and through him, and to him are all things.
• Behold God found no steadfastness in his Saints, the Heavens are not clean in his sight: How much more is man more abhominable, that drinketh iniquity like water, having as Paul confessed of himself, no good thing dwelling in him.
• Christ's Blood cleanseth us from sin, he gave himself for our sin, then forgiveness of sin is obtained not by doing, but by receiving, not as Agents but as Patients: for that no man cometh unto the Father but by him, who is the way, the truth and the life.
• The Man That reckons to God his merits doth reckon but God's mercies▪
• The Man Quae bona mea sunt dona tua: My goods are only God's gifts.
• Use. Works * I am. 2. 10. Then cannot keep us but grace, Nothing can be ascribed to human strength or merit: No man can say his heart is clean, he is pure from sin (saith Solomon. )

Let Papists then boast of perfection, we cry for pardon, they for Merits, we for Mercies, they for justifying works of their own, we for our Savior Christ's alone.

Luk. 17. 5. 9. & 18. 4. John. 1. 6, 29, &c. Chap. 3. 3. Chap. 5. 39. Chap. 6. 40 Chap. 14. 6. Acts 13. 48. Chap 15. 16. Rom. 3. 19, 24. Chap. 9. 32. Chap. 11. 23. 1 Cor. 1 27. Chap. 3. 5. Chap. 4. 4. Phil. 1. 29. Col. 1. 12, &c. Gal. 3. 4. Chap. 2. 1 • . Chap. 3. 11. 2 Thes. 3. 11. Chap. 2. 16 Heb. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 10. 2 Pet. 1. 2. 1 John. 2. 12. Chap. 3. 1. Chap 4. 10, 19. Rev. 3. 18. Chap. 21. 6. Wisd 8. 21.

[Object.] If there be no freewill in man to do good, why doth God exhort men by his Prophets to return unto him?

[Answ.] God exhorts men by his Prophets to return unto him, commanding the things (as Saint Augustine saith) that we cannot do, that we might know, what we ought to ask of him, which indeed may appear even by this, that the Lord doth everywhere by his Prophets will us to turn unto him, to repent of our sins, &c. But Jer • iah answereth, Convert me O Lord, and I shall be converted: When thou didst correct me I did repent, &c. Whereupon S. Augustine handling in another place this Doctrine of Freewill (saith) O Lord give me that which thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt,

• Adam Had no Free-Will or Power To turn to God, sling from him, till God called him,
• Abraham Had no Free-Will or Power To depart from among the Idolaters till God willed him,
• Abimelech Had no Free-Will or Power To keep himself from Sarah: but the Lord kept him,
• The Apostles Had no Free-Will or Power To answer for themselves: till the Answer was given,
• Balaam Had no Free-Will or Power To fore-tell what should come until his eyes were opened.
• The • mavits Had no Free-Will or Power To know Christ talking w ^th them until their Eyes were opened.
• Elishas Man Had no Free-Will or Power To see the Chariots of fire until his Eyes were opened.
• Hagar Had no Free-Will or Power To espy the well of water until her Eyes were opened.
• Lidia Had no Free-Will or Power To hear Paul preaching until her Eyes were opened.
• The Blind Had no Free-Will or Power To see the Sun shining until their Eyes were opened.
• The Cripple Had no Free-Will or Power To walk and leap till he was by the Name of Christ healed,
• Daniel Had no Free-Will or Power To speak to the Lord until he was with a hand touched
• • saiah Had no Free-Will or Power To do God's command until he was with a coal • touched
• Saul's Subjects Had no Free-Will or Power To follow Saul till their hearts were by God touched
• Elijas Had no Free-Will or Power To see the Cake on the Coals till he was by an Angel awaked.
• Elisha Had no Free-Will or Power To follow Elias: till he had cast his mantle on
• Ezekiel Had no Free-Will or Power To hear What was spoken till the spirit entered in him.
• Ezekiel Had no Free-Will or Power To hear Or to speak till God opened the mouth of him.
• Jeremiah Had no Free-Will or Power To speak Till God put his word into the mouth of him.
• Jeremiah Had no Free-Will or Power To speak Or to convert till God converted him.
• Jonah Had no Free-Will or Power To come out of the Fishes belly till God spake to him.
• Joseph Had no Free-Will or Power To deny his Mistress, but that God's fear preserved him.
• Moses Had no Free-Will or Power To go to Pharaoh till God said he would be with him.
• The Men Had no Free-Will or Power To come to the wedding, till the King sent for them,
• Pilate Had no Free-Will or Power To do to Christ: other then that was given him,
• Peter Had no Free-Will or Power To be constant in believing till Christ prayed for him,
• Peter Had no Free-Will or Power To repent his denying Christ till Christ looked on him,
• Peter Had no Free-Will or Power To understand the things of God but of Men,
• Paul Had no Free-Will or Power To become a Christian, till a voice called from Heaven,
• Paul Had no Free-Will or Power To be an Apostle but by God's grace bestowed on him,
• Paul Had no Free-Will or Power To do anything of himself, but by Christ strengthening him,
• The Spouse Had no Free-Will or Power To follow the Bridegroom until he was drawn,
• Zerubbabel Had no Free-Will or Power To re-edify the Temple, till God stirred up the spirit of him,
• Zache •• Had no Free-Will or Power To follow Christ, till Christ willed him to come down,

• He is Like the Beasts that perish, seeking his own not Christ's,
• Man Hath no Freewill He is Sanctified by faith only (not by works) in Christ,
• Man Hath no Freewill He is Not sufficient of himself to think any good,
• Man Hath no Freewill He is Dead in sins and trespasses till he be quickened,
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot Bear fruits except he be in Christ as the Branch in the
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot Vine: Come to Christ except the Father draw him:
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot Get substance till God give power unto him; Or walk.
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot in God's ways, till he bow his heart unto him: Know
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot either love or hatred of all that is before him.
• Man Hath no Freewill The imagination of his heart are evil defiling him,
• Man Hath no Freewill His flesh lusteth against the Spirit, being e • mity to God,
• Man Hath no Freewill There is not one just man to be sound that s ••• eth God.
• Man Hath no Freewill All Jews and Gentiles are entangled in the body of sin,
• Man Hath no Freewill All are gone astray, and are to iniquity given: Their
• Man Hath no Freewill Throat is like an open Sepul • her devou • ing: Their
• Man Hath no Freewill Mouthes speak leasing: Their Tongues slattering.
• Man Hath no Freewill Their Lips are annointed with Adders poison: Their
• Man Hath no Freewill Talking is in bitterness and cursing: Their feet swift
• Man Hath no Freewill to murthering: No good thing is in the flesh of them:
• Man Hath no Freewill Their body is a body of sin.
• Man Hath no Freewill His Help and strength are in God, his heart fashioned by him,
• Man Hath no Freewill His Heart deviseth: but the counsel of God doth stand,
• Man Hath no Freewill His Steps, paths and ways, are ruled by God alone.
• Man Hath no Freewill It is God that turneth the Kings heart as pleaseth him, giving eyes to see, heart to p •• ceive, and repentance to man that worketh both the will and the deed in him.

So that it is not,

• In him that Willeth but of God to show mercy,
• In him that Plantet • . but of God to give increase,
• In him that Speaketh but of God that speaketh in us.
• In By whom We live move and have our being,
• In By whom Every good work hath his beginning and ending.

Isa 63. 17. Ier. 2 • . 7. Chap. 31. 14, 33. Chap. 32. 40. Ezek 11. 19. Chap. 36, 26. Mat. 7. 17. Chap. 16. 17. Job. • 1 • . Rom. 5. 6. 1 Cor 12. 3. Eph. • . 5. 2 Tim 2. 25. Tit. 3. 3. I am. 1. 14 Chap. 4 8. Psalm. 127. Isa. 63. 17. Mat. 13. 19. John. 1. 12. Rom. 8. 6 Chap▪ 5 12▪

Of God's Power and Divine Miracles

THere is a twofold Power in God, one Actual and the other Absolute,

• Actual Is that by which he not only can, but hath done what he will, and by this he created all things, so now he ruleth and doth all things.
• Absolute Because God absolutely and simply doth all things, which absolutely and simply are p • ssible to be done of him. Such is that which implieth not a contradiction, and may have the nature of a thing being: So God could, and can yet make many worlds, as well as he did one: He could save all as well as some, the which though they be possible in the pow • r of God, yet are they impossible in regard of the immutable purpose of God.

Of Miracles.

M • racles are works above the strength of Nature, and can be eff • ct • d of none, but by the Author of Nature, who only doth them either above or against the power of Nature, and such was the dividing of the Red Sea. And though it may be objected, that the Apostles, Prophets and others had a gift to work Miracles, and that Joshua commanded the Sun to stand still, and Elias fire from Heaven, God yet never gave to any man power to work and effect a Miracle, either mediately or immediately: the gift was the Faith of Miracles, the Faith was grounded upon Revelation, and the Revelation was that God himself would work such or such a Miracle, when they prayed or commanded, &c.

Men therefore are properly but the mouth of God, and Messengers to signify what he will do.

[Object.] The Devil can do Miracles?

[Answ.] He can work a Wonder or thing extraordinary, in respect of ordinary causes of Nature: So he caused fire to come down from Heaven on Job's Cattle, but for M • racles he cannot do any in that it exceedeth the strength of Nature: His are but illusions and real actions done by himself or his Instruments.

Miracles are wrought in the Church, partly in Mercy and partly in Judgment: In Mercy on Jeroboam, whose hand being withered was restored again▪ In Judgment on the Egyptians.

By the Power of God
• The Heavens The earth and all the host of them were framed,
• Man Was created and Woman, Adam named,
• The Apostles Did many wonders and signs which were admired,
• The Bush Burned that God spake out of to Moses yet not consumed,
• Di • Bones Were gathered together and they lived,
• Dead Men Were to life by Christ and others raised,
• The Bow And the mighty men are broken, the weak girded,
• Dagon Fell down at God's Ark being by him seated,
• David Did break through an Host and triumphed,
• Dreams Were by Daniel and Joseph interpreted,
• Disciples Healed the sick, cast out Devils, Leape • s cleansed,
• Elijah The waters of Jordan with his Cloake divided,
• Elisha Healed venomous water, made Iron swim in water,
• Elisha Procured for the King of Israel without rain water,
• Elisha Made sweet the Pottage death being therein,
• Elisha Fed with twenty loaves of Barley a hundred men,
• Elisha Prophecied at the playing of a Minstrel before him,
• Elisha Cleansed the Leprosy of Naaman by washing,
• Ezekiel Was carried by the spirit to Jerusalem,
• Fire From the Lord consumed the Sacrifices and burnt-offerings of Abraham: of the Israelites, of Gideon, of Manoah, of Elias and Solamon.
• A Goard Shadowed Jonah's head and suddenly withered,
• Enoch And Elijah were without tasting death translated,
• The Hand Of Moses by putting of it into his bosom became leprous and clean again: the hand of Jeroboam was withered up and restored again.
• The Israelites Of Seventy persons going into Egypt, in Four hundred years, became Six hundred thousand men, were not touched with the Plagues brought on the Egyptians, were delivered from the Egyptians oppressing them: In the Wildernesle were fed with Manna from Heaven: gathering Manna more or less, had all one in measuring: Their apparel and shoes in forty years were not old with wearing: They passed on dry ground through the Red Sea and Jordan, having the presence of the Lord in a Cloud going before them.
• Light Was brought out of darkness, life out of death,
• Miriam Was stricken with Leprosy, and again cleansed,
• Mountains Trembled and burned, yet were not consumed,
• The Man Diseased That stepped first into the Poole Bethesda, after the Angel of the Lord had stirred it, was healed,
• S. Paul Healed diverse by sending Handkercheifes unto them,
• S Peter Walked on the Sea and healed by shadowing,
• The Rod Of Moses became a Serpent, and a Rod again,
• Of Joshua brought forth buds and blossoms,
• The Seas Are ruled, dried, and Floudes made desert places,
• The Sun Stood still, and went back ten degrees,
• Stephen Saw the Son of Man standing in the heavens,
• Sampson Slew with the jaw bone of an Ass a thousand Philistines,
• The Tongues Of Nimrod and his company were confounded,
• Of The Apostles by the Holy Ghost were sanctified,
• Two Natures Were united into one, being Christ, God and Man,
• A Virgin Brought forth a Son, being the Seed of Man,
• Christ Healed all kind of diseases, cast out Devils,
• Christ Stilled the raging of the Wind and Seas,
• Christ Turned water into wine at the Marriage in Cana,
• Christ Raised Lazarus and others from death to life,
• Christ Cursed the Fig-tree and it withered, Fed five thousand men with five Loaves: and four thousand men with seven Loaves and a few Fishes: Speaking to Judas band of men that came to take him, they fell backward: At his death the Graves opened, and divers that slept appeared: And being buried in a Tomb with soldiers watching the same, he raised himself again the third day after they had buried him.
• Cedars Of Lebanon are broken: Clouds are balanced,
• Colde Commeth out of the North, Deserts are watered,
• The Dust Of the Earth is in a measure comprehended,
• Deepes Are laid up in Storehouses, by God provided,
• The Earth Is hanged on nothing, shaken and melted,
• Frost Is given by his breath, and like ashes scattered,
• Flames Of Fire are divided, and Flints into Fountaines turned,
• Foundations Of the Earth were laid: and of the Heavens moved,
• Hills Are weighed, and Heaven with a span counted,
• Heavens Are clothed, and with darkness garnished,
• Lightnings Are turned to rain: Mountains weighed and moved,
• The Noyse Of the Seas are st • lled, dr • ed up, and divided,
• Snow Is given like Wooll: Rayne falls on the Land,
• Waters Are gathered together, and measured in his hand,
• Winds Come out of his Treasures, and Ice like Morsells,
• Winds Many O Lord are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us wards, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: If I would declare then▪ they are more then can be numbered.
• The Lord Doth great things past finding out, yea and wonders without number: It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our Eyes: unsearchable are his ways.

Great are his signs, mighty are his wonders, his Kingdom is everlasting, and his Dominion is from generation to generation.

Read: Job 11. Chap. 37. Chap. 38. Chap. 39. Chap. 40. Hos. 13. 14 Psal. 78. 12. Psal. 135. Psal. 140.

Use.

1. Is God so powerful? Let us then learn to know him, whom to know is Eternal life. If the Lyon know his strength he is proud of it: If the Peacock her beauty she is proud of it; but if we once come to know Jehovah, we will say with Abraham, we are but dust and ashes, and with the Prophet he is God alone.

• I may know with The Gramarian to Speak purely,
• I may know with The Rhetorician to Pleade eloquently,
• I may know with The Arithmatician to Number perfectly.
• I may know with The Geomitrician to Measure exactly,
• I may know with The Astronimer to Foretell probably,

But all this knowledge will not bring me to Heaven.

• I may thus Speak well and Live ill.
• I may thus Dispute subtly and Not see Satan's Sophistry.
• I may thus Number up accounts and Not number my days.
• I may thus Measure the Earth and Not measure myself.
• I may thus Have an eye upon Heaven and An heart upon earth.

These things may make me learned, not good, great not godly: but goodness and greatness go with the knowledge of God, and therefore it is wisdom to labor for it.

2. Do we know God to be omnipotent? Let us not despair in any danger imminent: Do we know him to be Simple? let us shun Hypocrisy: To be Infinite? let him alone satisfy us. To be Al • -sufficient? let him alone suffice us. His hand • s not sh • rtned that it cannot save.

God's Providence and Mans Troubles.

GOds Providence is a most sure and powerful action of God by which he hath • rom all Eternity fore-seen and fore-ordained unto everything both the end whereunto, and the means whereby they shall be brought to their ends: As also moderate • th and governeth the whole • World, and everything both great and littl • therein contained. And although God take care for all things without any means, yet that all things are ordin • rily governed indeed not by God only, but by means thereunto ordained by God himself, notwithstanding that often times also without, yea, and against means he effecteth the same. And alth • ugh G • ds Providence be immu •• able, yet that imposeth not simply a necessity unto things, but that every Secundary cause worketh according to its own Nature some necessarily, other some accidentally, and yet that this also dependeth on the Divine Providence, in respect whereof all things necessarily come to pass.

God's Providence hath two parts

• Knowledge, and
• Government.

God's
• Knowledge Is that whereby all things from the greatest to the least are manifest before him at all times (so saith David.) God's eyes will consider, his eye-lidds will try the children of men: (And again he saith) God • b • seth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and Earth: From the beginning of the World he know • th all his work • s.
• Government Is that whereby he ordereth all things and directeth them to good ends, and it must be extended to the very least things that are in He • ven and earth, • s to Sparrowes, Oxen, to the hairs of our head, L • llies of the field.
• Note There are three things included in the name of Providence, 1. A fore-knowl • dge of all things. 2. A will to bring • very thing to his end. 3. The very actual government of things

By the Providence of God
• • dam and Heva Before they wer • created had all things provided for Being naked in B •• y • a • Skinnes of beasts to clothe t • ē
• • dam and Heva Being naked in •• ul • a • Christ's righteousness to 〈…〉
• Abraham Being about to sacrifice his only Son Isaac, had a R • mme in steed of him to be 〈…〉 fired
• David Being compass • d with Souls Army ready to take him, Tid • ng • of an Invasion made by the Philistines • n his Land being brought him, removed his Army ag • ine, so as David then, and many other times escaped from him.
• David I retending evil • to Nahal, was prevented by Abigcil,
• David By the counsel of Huyhai, brought to naught the counsel of
• David • chitophell given against him, So as that Absa • on his son • conspiring was with Achitop • e • brought to utt • r ruin
• Daniel • n the Lions den was preserved, his Accus • rs perished,
• Daniel • y expounding of the Kings dream escaped, many wise men destroyed.
• Elias In the time of Famine was by Ravens fed, by a Widow relieved, and by an Angel nourished.
• Elisha Being compassed with an Army of Syrians to take him, they were s •• ucken blind, so he escaped them.
• Ester And Mordecai with the Jews were delivered from King Ahasuerus Decree, and Haman that procured the same, w •• hanged on his own Tree.
• Hagar Wandering in the Wilderness espied a Well with which she relieved her son Ishmael.
• Joseph Being sold unto the Midianites by his Brethren, thereby preserved his Father in time of Famine.
• Joseph He was delivered when his appointed time came, and the counsel of the Lord had tried him.
• Joshua's Spyes sent to Jericho were hid by Rahab, she was thereby with all hers saved.
• The Israelites The more they were by the Egyptians oppressed the more they increased, being at last from Pharaohs bondage delivered.
• And being made the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people, their enemies opened their mouths against them, and fear and a snare with destruction being come upon them, were made by the Lord to be pitied of all them that carried them away captives and delivered from their enemies.
• Jonathan and Ahimaz Being sent by Hushai to David and pursued by Absalom, were hid in a Well and so delivered by one of Bahurim.
• Ionab Had a Fish in the Sea provided to save him, and a Guord on the Land, in heat to shadow him.
• Job's Steps were numbered, and his latter days blessed,
• Jehoshaphat Was delivered from the Ammonites and other: the Lord setting their own swords to slay each other.
• Jephtha Being expelled by his Brethren at the first became to be a Captain over them at the last.
• Jeremiah In his captivity was provided for by the Enemy,
• The King of Israel Was often times told by the Prophet Elisha what was intended against him by the King of Siria.
• Moses Being by his Parents to be hid no longer, was taken up and put to nurse by Pharaohs Daughter.
• The Oil Of the Widow was so increased, as she became able to pay that which she was indebted.
• Paul Was by the Captains command so guarded, as that he was from the J • wes vowing his death delivered.
• Samaria Being by the Sirians besieged and almost famished: were by their Enemies own provision at last unthought of by them relieved.
• Shadrach Meshech Abednego Being cast into the fiery Furnace were delivered, and they that bound them were in the flame of the same fire burned.
• Creatures of all kind Before they were created and made, had for each kind several things provided. And
• Creatures of all kind Being in the Flood destroyed part of each kind were in Noah's Ark preserved.
• Fowls Sowe not nor reap, and yet they are sed,
• Lilies Of the Field spin not, and yet they are clothed,
• Lions Roare after their prey: and have their meat,
• Ravens Cry being young, and they have food to e • te,
• Sparrowes Without license fall not, though of price little valued,
• All Beasts Provided are for what they stand in need,
• Men's Haires are numbered: what shall befall it's decreed,

The Lord
• Care not then for the morrow, for the morrow shall care for it self, sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.
• Covereth the Heavens with clouds, prepareth rain for the Earth.
• Createth the Smyth, &c. and the destroyer to destroy,
• Changeth times and seasons, taketh away and setteth up Kings,
• Bringeth down the high Trees, and exalteth the low Trees,
• Formeth the light, and createth darkness, maketh Peace, &c.
• Killeth and maketh alive, bringeth down and raiseth up,
• Maketh the Wound and bindeth it up, smiteth and maketh whole.
• Seeth all the ways of man, and counteth all his steps,
• Moveth the heart of man at his pleasure, setteth the ways of man before his eyes, pondereth all his doings: and puts his tears into his bottle.
• What is he then that saith there should something be done without the Lord's Commandment▪

Use.

1. The Providence of God leaveth no place for fortune, for Solomon affirmeth, that even the whole disposition of the Lot is of the Lord: It is therefore plain, that the Lord ordereth all things by his providence, and yet is not busied or turmoiled with anything.

2. The point of God's Providence is a great comfort to God's Church, for that God moderateth the Devil and wicked men that they shall not hurt the people of God, according to David's saying, The Lord is at my right hand, therefore I shall not slide: Joseph's brethren being afraid because they had sold him into Egypt, Joseph confesseth that it was God that sent him before them and that for their preservation. David also being like to be stoned by his own Soldiers, knowing they could do no more against him then the Lord would have done, comforted himself in the Lord: and being cursed by Shimei, said, that he cursed because God bid him curse.

3. There is no punishment so grievous▪ corporal or Spiritual▪ against which God's Providence is not marvelous available, so that by believing therein he shall have peace and consolation.

Read▪ Gen. 12. 10, 20. Chap. 20. 8. Chap. 24 15 Chap. 26. Lev. 14. 34. Judge. 1. 24. Chap. 15. 19. 2 Sam. 17. Chap▪ 27. 27. 1 Sam. 19. Chap. 20. Chap. 29. Chap. 30. 1 Ki • g. 18. 2 King 6 17 Chap. 11. Chap. 5. Chap. 8. 2 Chron. 10. 15. Chap 22 7. Ruth. 1. Chap. 2. Io • 39. Chap 37. 5. Prov. 16. Chap. 21. • 0. Psal. 33. 15. Psal. 147 Psal. 139. Psal. 29. 3. Ezra 1. Amos 3 4. Mat. 2. 13. Chap. 10. 9. Luk. 22. 35. Acts 5. 17. Chap. 12. 6. Act. 9 24. Chap. 16 24. 2 Tim 4. 17. 2 Sam. 14. 2, &c.

Read of Means 1 King. 22. 25. Psal. 139. 1. Ezek. 34. 11, &c. Isa 54 16.

God's Providence David's Troubles.

David's
• Adversaries DAily increased: His Enemies were exalted,
• Body Was weak, and poured out like Water,
• Bones Were out of joint, consumed and cut asunder,
• Belly Was wasted with grief: his eyes dim of sight,
• Flesh Lost his fatness, his knees were weak with fasting,
• Friends Forsooke him: his familiars lifted their heels against him,
• Garments Were Sackcloth about his loins to cover him,
• Heart Panted, his life wasted, and soul was troubled,
• Spirit Was full of anguish, his throat dried with crying,
• Yeares Consumed in mourning, his words were grievous to him,
• Moisture Was like the drought in the heat of Summer,
• Name Became a Proverb, and his Person a wonder.

So that

• Abjects Scoffers and Drunkards derided him,
• Sorrowes Of Death and H • ll with Enemies compassed him,
• Floudes Of ungodly men feared him: Confusion was before him,
• Trembling Came upon him, Horrour and Dread overwhelmed him,
• God's Hand Was heavy upon him: Continuall plagues followed him.
• Such yet was God's Providence over him, as that he overcame all his adversaries and was settled in his Kingdom.

God's Providence Hezekiah's Troubles.

Hezekiah was

Compassed

By the Assyrians, and like with sickness to die,

Griefe

And sorrow possessed him, instead of Felicity,

His Bones

Were broken, as by a Lyon, (so he complained)

His Age

As a Shepherds tent was remov • d.

His Life

Was by his sins cut off like a Weavers web,

In his Speech

Like a Swallow and a Crane he chattered,

In his Heart

Like a Dove with daily grief he mourned,

Such yet was God's Providence that he delivered him from the Assyrians, restored him to his health, and added fifteen years moe unto his life.

The Apostles troubles.

The Apostles
• SOme of them were In storms on the Sea, in danger of drowning.
• SOme of them were Accused to be full of new wine, drunken,
• SOme of them were Brought before the counsel, imprisoned and beaten,
• SOme of them were Reproached and most of them were slain,
• All by God's Providence, are now souls in Heaven.

Job's troubles.

Job's

Adversary

Was the Devil whom God permitted to tempt him,

Beasts

Were taken by the Sabaeans, and servants slain,

Sheep

Were burnt, a House fell on his Children,

Wise

Tempted him: his breath was to her stinking,

Body

Was full of soars, and boils in all throughout,

Salve

For Soares was a pot▪ sheard, and Ashes his seat,

Acquaintance

Were strangers unto him, removed far from him,

Familiars

Forgot him, his neighbors mocked and forsook him,

Friends

Tormented him, miserable comforters were they to him,

Household

Tooke him for a Stranger and would not come nigh him,

Lovers

Turned against him, and as God persecuted him,

Enemies

Sharpened their eyes, opened their mouths upon him, smote him with reproach, gathering themselves against him,

Bones

Clave to his skin, and sinews took no rest in him,

Bowells

Did boil without rest: and breath corrupt within him,

Flesh

Was clothed with Wormes, being full of wrinkles,

Face

Was • ithered with his tears and weeping,

Gall

Was poured out, and his skin was black upon him,

Day

Was turned into night, and light was dim,

Health

Passed away, as the Cloud that hath no Rayne,

Nights

Were painful with his continual tossing,

Crown

Was taken from him, Honor was not given him,

Harp

Was turned into mourning, his Organs to weeping,

Dreams

Were fearefullnesse▪ and visions astonished him,

Mind

Was full of bitterness, his spirit full of griefs,

Meat

Was daily Sorrowes: and Garments diseases,

Pathes

Were beset with darkness, his peace was disquietness,

Strength

Was like a Shaddow: his cry was out of violence,

Sighings

Came before he did eat: then roarings followed,

Soul

As the wind by the wicked was pursued,

Talke

Was in bitterness: and his words were swallowed,

Wealth

Was taken from him, the grave and death were near him,

Young men

Mocked him, the wicked make Songs of him; All abhorred him, making him as a Tabret and as a By-word among them:

Such yet was God's Providence over him, as that he was delivered out of all his misery, and had a double blessing in all those things, that he had lost in the beginning.

God's Providence Paul's Troubles.

Paul was
• RAiled on, called a Pestilent fellow, a Babbler, a setter forth of strange gods, and a mover of Sedition.
• He was expelled out of the coasts of the Jews, cast out of the City, cast into Prison, cast out of the Temple and stoned, supposing to have been dead: He was soar bea ••• , bound with chains, imprisoned, scourged and brought to Judgment.

As also he was

• n danger at Sea, made a gazing stock unto the World, to Angels and to Men. He was often in death, he received five times forty stripes save one of the Jews: He was thrice beaten with rods: He was in peril of Robbers, of his own • Nation, and of the Gentil • s: He was in weariness, painefullnesse, hunger, th 〈…〉 , f • st • ng, cold and naknesse often, being cumbered daily, having no certain pl • ce to dw • ll in, laboring with his hands to relieve himself, being made as the fi • th of the World and the offscouring of all things: Who by God's Provi • ence hath now obtained a crown of glory in the Heavens.

• Abel was slain by Cain Gen. 4. Josiah by an Egyptian.
• Abner was slain by Joab • Sam. 3. Isaiah by Manasseh.
• Uriah was slain by • ehojakim Ier. 26 James and John by Herod.
• Zechariah the Priest was stoned by Jehoash
• Stephen the M • rty • was stoned by the Jews.
• Antipas The M • rtyr was put to death by the men of Pergamos,
• S ^t John • Was banished for the Truth into the Isle Patmos,
• Divers godly persons saith Paul Had try • lls in cruel mockings and scou • gin •• , others were tortu • ed, not accepting deliverance, others had trial of bonds and imprisonmnent; They were stoned, • awne asunder, tempted and slain with the sword: others wandered abroad in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins, being destitute, • fflicted and tormented: wand •• ng in D • s • r • s, in Denn • s, in Caves and in Mountains, making them their habitations.
• Man is borne to troubles, as the spa • ckles fly upwards.

Thus as the purest Corn is cleanest fanned, the finest Gold oftnest tried: the sweetest Grape hardest pressed: So is the godliest person heaviest crossed Everyone that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution: As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, saith the Lord.

Use.

It should teach us all to take up our cross and to follow Christ.

• Now the cross of the humble man the poor • man is Injury, Scarcity, of the Religious Fasting.
• Now the cross of the humble man the poor • man is Injury, Scarcity, of the Godly Contempt.

Say then with Jeremiah this is my cross, and I will bear it.

God's Providence godly men's Adversaries.

Had to Adversary
• Adam A Serpent In the beginning to tempt
• Abel A Brother In the beginning to murder him.
• Abraham Two Kings To take away Sarah his wife from him,
• Abiathar Doeg To inform King Saul against him,
• Abner Joab To stab him: Amos, Amaziah to accuse him,
• David A Philistine A Bear, and a Lyon to try him,
• David Saul To persecute him: Shimei to curse him,
• David His Sons To rebel against him, his Wife to mock him,
• David Phaltiel To wed his Wife, making her his Concubine,
• David Achitophel To give Counsel to Absalom his son against him,
• Daniel Princes That envied him: Eli: sons that grieved him,
• Elias Jezebel To pursue him: Elisha: Jehoram and the Sirian,
• Hanna Peninnah To provoke her: Sarah: Hagar to despise her,
• Hezekiah Rabshakah To menace him: Isaac: Ishmaell to floute him,
• Jacob Esau To hate him: Laban to pursue him,
• Jacob Rachel His Wife for want of Children to vex him,

Had to Adversary

• Joseph The Patriarchs To sell him: His Mistress to slander him,
• The Jews Babylonians Medes, Persians, Siracusans to accuse them,
• The Jews Romans To subdue them and Chaldeans to accuse them,
• Job The Devil To torment him: Sabaeans to rob him,
• Job His Wise To vex him: His friends to discomfort him,
• Jeremiah Pashur To imprison him, Jehoiakim to seek the life of him,
• John Diotrephes To pra • tle against him: James: Herod to slay him,
• Lot His Daughter To beguile him: Michael; the Devil to dispute with him,
• Mord • cay Haman To plot against him: Mephibosheth; his servant,
• Noah His Son To discover him. Naboth, Akah to dispossess him,
• Paul Elimas Demetrius and Alexander to withstand him,
• Peter A Damsel To accuse him. Solomon, Hadab to rise against him,
• Silvanus Satan So had Paul and Timothy to hinder them,
• Stephen The People And Zechariah the Priest, to stone them,
• Christ The Jews And Romans to crucify him: Judas to betray him,
• Christ One Thief To revile him: All the people to deride him,
• Moses Jannes And Jambres Sorce •• rs to withstand him,

So that it is impossi • le to escape Esau's sword, or Ishmael's tongue, Shemeis stones, Doeg's slander, or Joab's treachery: Heaven had their wicked Ange • s, The L • l • y his Thorns: The Temple Hill-Altars: The Coagregation a Diotrephes: Thiatira, Jezebel a false Prophetess: Demas will be among Prof • ss •• s: Satan among God's Children in the Assemblies: When the •• were but four there was a Cain, when but eight a Cham, when but twelve a Judas: Not seven without a Nicolas, Philistines shall be left in the Land to exercise the Israelites, and good seed his tares.

GOD'S Providence, delivering afflicted Men Calling on him in their Tribulation.

In Tribulation
• David
• Hagar
• Jacob
• Job
• Israelites
• Moses
• The Ninevites
• Daniel
• Hanna
• Jehoaz
• Jehoiakim
• Leah
• Manasseh
• Sampson
• Esther
• Ishmael
• Jonah
• Jeremiah
• Lot
• Nebuch • dnez:
• The 3. Children
• Called on the name of the Lord and he delivered them,
• Christ Had an Angel from Heaven comforting him,
• The Apostles Were promised the Holy Ghost to comfort them,
• Paul Heard God saying, his Grace was sufficient for him,
• The Man That returneth unto the Lord and seeketh him shall find him,
• For the rod of the wicked shall not rest on the Lot of the ri • hteous, least the righteous put forth his hand unto wickedness,
• The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of tent • tio • :
• The Lord's anger endureth but a while, Weeping may abide at evening, but joy cometh in the morning.
• Comforteth Those that are afflicted, calling upon him,
• Heareth The cry of the afflicted, and delivereth them,
• Heard The poor man's cry in trouble and saved him,
• Seeth The affl • ction of them that fear him and saveth them,
• Saw The oppression of the Israelites and their cry came to him,
• Will Answer or ever they call on him, and while they are but thinking how to speak, he will hear them
• And will not suff • r any to be tempted above measure, but with the temptation will g • ve deliverance: for if we sin he will chasten us with the rod of man, but his mercy shall not be taken away from them.
• I will go to my place saith the Lord, till they acknowledge that they have sinned and seek me, for in adversity they will seek me early.
• Many are the troubles of the righteous, but God delivers them out of all.
• Cast then thy burden on the Lord, and he shall nourish thee.
• Read: Deut 4. 29. Chap 8. 5. Isa 43. 2. 2 King. 6. 16. Psal. 18. 6. Psal. 22. 24. Psal. 34 6, 7. Psal. 72. 12. Psal. 58 15. Psal. 107. 43. Psal. 121. 4. Psal. 103. 8. Prov. 11. 12. Rom. 5. 3. James 1. 2. Ps. 18. 16.

God's Providence making Afflictions profitable to all godly persons.

AFflictions of the wicked are Curses or Legal punishments and signs of Reprobation, proceeding from God as a Judge, but unto the Godly they are trials and corrections, and Seals of Adoption, proceeding from God as a Father, being the path-way to Humiliation, an Argument of God's Love, and the only means to bring us unto a godly sorrow for sin: Which sorrow is the burd • n of every Christian, Confidence being the shoulder to hold up this burden, and Comfort the hand to help this shoulder, with which whosoever are acquainted, know the Mistery of godly holy Comfort, which is the Christians Heaven upon Earth, joy in Life, hope in Death, prosperity in adversity, staff in affliction, Anchor in Desperation, and breast plate of preservation, being the golden Chaine to bring us unto Heaven and Glorification.

2. From Affliction a •• seth Humility, pitying of others, prayer, trial of our Faith, renouncing of the world, and a hearty desire of the World to come.

David's sweetest Songs in affliction were lachrimae, he spared Soul his enemy in prosperity slew Uriah his friend. Hezekiah in his b • d of sickness, humbled himself praying, being recovered to his health boast • th of his Treasures.

• Abel Abraham's Being slain, became the first Martyr in Heaven,
• Abel Abraham's Faith was tried: The Apostles in Heaven are crowned,
• David From a Sheep-keeper, was made a chief Commander,
• David His feet being in the Mire were set on a Ro • k,
• David Being Cursed of Shemel; learned to bear it patiently,
• David Confessed, that in numbering the people he had sinned,
• David Being proud in Numbering was humbled by repenting,
• David Kept the Word of the Lord, learned the Lord's Statutes,
• David And was bettered, whereas before he went astray until he was Corrected.

Through Affliction
• Daniel From the Lions Den was more honored by the King,
• Elijas Hearing first a great voice, heard next a still one,
• Hezekiah Being sick unto the Death, had fifteen years added to his life,
• Hagar In her distress learned humility to her Mistress,
• Iephtah Became Captain over all his elder Brethren,
• Ephraim Was converted being like an untamed Calf, and Jeremiah confessed it was good to bear the Yoake in youth.
• Jonah Flying from God, learned after to obey the Lord,
• Jacob Being lame by wrestling, obtained of God a blessing,
• Job Loosing first all that he had, received at last a double reward,
• Joseph Being exiled, was by King Pharaoh exalted,
• S. John Being hanished, was with heavenly melody ravished,
• The Israelites After Egypt's cruelty, enjoyed canaans Mill •• and Honey,
• The Israelites The more they were oppres • ed, the more they increased,
• The Israelites Being stung with Serpents, confessed their sins,
• The Israelites Seeing the Philistines gathered against them, They prayed Samuel to pray for them, Hearing the Law they humbled: and having Wars with others, we read not that they • ell away from God: but being in peace and prosperity, they • ell often into Idolatry.
• Moses From a Servant in Midian, became a States-man.
• Mordecai Was advanced: Noah in the Ark with beasts saved,
• Nebuchadnez: Knew the Lord: And Naaman to worship God,
• The Man Borne blind, his eyes being opened he believed,
• The Patriarchs Conscience accused them: The Prodigal returned again,
• Paul Of a Persecutor, became an Apostle and a Prea •• er,
• Ruth Of a Moabite by Marriage became an Israelite:
• Zacchaeus Being dumb, spake after the Mistery of Salvation,
• Christ Became obedient to the death of the Cross for Man, God therefore exalted him, giving him a Name above all Names, &c.
• All Men Are made to seek the Lord most diligently, their ears are opened, as gold they are tried, who are by him chastened, that they may not be with the world condemned, Job 33. 16. Chap 36▪ 8 • b 23. 10.
• Blessed is the Man whom the Lord correcteth and chasteneth,
• He is a Bastard no Son, that is without Correction,
• The Lord rebuketh and chasteneth so many as he lov • th,
• Every person th • t will live godly in Christ, shall suffer persecution,
• All which shall turn to the best to those that love God.

USE.

Seeing Afflictions are so profitable, let us run with patience the way that is set before u • , looking unto Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the Cross, and desp • sed the shame: For through many Tribulations must we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

• D • l • ia now meruit qui non gustavit amara. 1 Pet. 4. 1 • .
• Who so hath not • asted the things that are bitter 1 Pet 1. 6.
• Is not worthy to taste the things that are sweeter. James 5. 10.
• Reader: Isa 61. 3 Cha • . 20. 16. Ierem. 2. 3. Psal. 66. 12. Prov. 24. 10. John. 15. 2. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Heb. 2. 10. Wisd. 12. 2.

God's Providence, Mans Purpose, God's Disposing.

• Adam and purpose • To be as God by eating to know good and evil, God so disposed it as that
• Heva purpose • They knew experimentally evil not good,
• Abraham purpose • To sacrifice his Son, God provided him a Ram,
• A • han purpose • To conceal the execrable thing that was found on him,
• Absalom purpose • To be King: He was shine for his Treason,
• Achitphel purpose • To prevail in counseling: Hushai • onfounded him,
• Ahaziah purpose • To take Elias by sending two Captains after him,
• Ahaziah purpose • They were both burnt with fire from Heaven,
• Aohish purpose • To have David to battle against the Israelites,
• Aohish purpose • To have His mind was changed by his Princes,
• Amal • kit purpose • To get David's favor for untruly reporting that King Saul was stain by him,
• Amal • kit purpose • To get He was therefore put to death for slaying him,
• Ana • ias and Zaphira purpose • To keep back Part of the Money made by them, but the Lord discovered it,
• Ana • ias and Zaphira purpose • To keep back To the Apostles to both their destruction,
• Balaack purpose • To have Israel by Balaam cursed, he blessed them,
• David purpose • To conceal his Adultery, Nathan discovered it,
• David purpose • To build a House to God, the Lord forbad it,
• David purpose • To build a Temple for the Lord to dwell therein,
• David purpose • He was commanded to leave it to his son Solomon,
• The Devil purpose • To prevail Against man-kind by Christ's passion,
• The Devil purpose • To prevail Christ thereby over • ame him, and
• The Devil purpose • To prevail To all men believing in him, give salvation,
• Esau purpose • To have Slaine Jacob for stealing his blessing, he notwithstanding afterwards kindly received him,
• Eunu •• es purpose • To have slain Ahasuerus Mordecai discovered them,
• Gileadites purpose • To disinherit Iephtah, he became their Captain,
• G • bazi purpose • To have concealed Naaman's gifts, Elisha knew them,
• Hamor purpose • To have Gotten by circumcising the Shechemites Dinah Iacohs Daughter for his Son Shechem, he wasl • in with all the Shechemites by Le • i & Sim •• n.
• Haman purpose • To have hanged Mordecai he was hanged to his Tree •
• Haman and His Men purpose • To Murder The Jews according to the King▪ Dec • ee, God so disposed it that
• Haman and His Men purpose • To Murder They were all slain by the Jews that day,
• Herod purposed To Destroy Christ, sending wise-men to seek him,
• Herod purposed To Destroy They returned not, he was mocked by them,
• Isaac purposed To bless Esau before Jacob his younger Son: He blessed Jacob before Esan the elder one,
• Joseph purposed To have Manasseh blessed before Ephraim by his Father, Jacob blessed Ephraim before Manasseh the elder,
• Jonah purposed To fly From God's presence to Tharshish: he was brought back by a storm and Sea-fish,
• Jews purposed To slay Paul conspiringly, he escapeth safely,
• Jehoram purposed To slay Elisha, but he escaped the Murderer,
• Joseph purposed To put away Mary an Angel willed him to take her,
• Laban purposed To speak ill to Icob, yet spake good to him,
• Nebuchadnez: purposed To burn the Three Children, but God delivered them,
• Nimrod purposed To Build Babel to get himself and his a Name: All Languages were confounded at the same,
• Pharaoh purposed To have slain M • ses but he fled to M • dian,
• Patriarchs purposed To do evil to Joseph, but it was honor to him,
• Potiphar's Wise purposed to lie with Joseph, but God's fear preserved him,
• Philislines purposed To make sport with Sampson: Justice plagu d • them,
• Priests and Scribes purposed To have Entangled Christ in his words, but he prevented them, and to have held him in the grave, but he rose again,
• Peter purposed To confess Christ's his M • ster, but denied him,
• Paul purposed To persecute Christ's Members, yet preached him,
• R • ch Man purposed To take his ease, his soul was taken from him,
• Saul purposed To have slain David, but God defended him,
• Sanba •• at purposed To hinder the Jews building; his counsel was discovered
• Soldiers purposed To have slain Paul, but Paul was preserved,
• The Wicked Intend evil against the Lord, and imagine mischief, but they shall not prevail,
• The Lord Scattereth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot accomplish that which they enterprize,
• The Heart Of Man, purposeth his way, but the Lord directeth is steps,
• The Lot Is cast, but the ordering thereof standeth in the Lord,
• The Horse Is prepared for the Battle, but safety is from the Lord,
• There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, thee is no counsel against the Lord,
• The Lord of Hosts Hath purposed, who sh • ll disannul it? He hath stretched forth his hand, who shall turn it again? It shall come • . p • sse as he hath determined and devised,
• For in him we live and move and have out being, So that neither life, nor death, are in our hands, but in the Lord's: and all the motions of our mind and body depend on God.

Comforts for godly afflicted persons, drawn from God's Word.

Art thou
• Blind So war Isaac Whose eyes with age were dim,
• Blind So war Jacob Whose eyes with age were dim,
• Blind So war Eli the Priest Whose eyes with age were dim,
• Blind So war Ahijah the Prophet Whose eyes with age were dim,
• Blind So war Sampson Whose eyes were put out by the Philistines,
• Blind So war The Man So borne estored to sight by Jesus,
• Blind So war Paul Thee day • estored to sight by Ananias,
• Blind So war Bartimaeus And other estored to sight by the Messiah,
• Blind So war The Man Whose Bares were by Christ opened,
• Deafe So war The Man Whose Tongue wa • by Christ loosed,
• Dumbe So war Zacharias For a time, till his Son John was Named,
• Lame Ehud Captain of the Israelites in his right hand,
• Lame Jacob halting by restling, yet got a bl • ssing,
• Lame Mevhihosheth By a fall, the only Son of Jonathan,
• Lame The Man Of Listra from his Mothers Wombe,
• Lame The Cripple So borne, healed by Peter and John,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war Moses Exod. 4. 28. Hezekiah, 2 King. 21. Daniel,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war The Centurions Servant, Luk. 7. The Rulers Sonn • ,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war Peters Wives Mother, Mat 8. and the Palsy Man,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war The Woman Twelve years, and her issue stayed,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war The Man Thirty eight years, yet at last healed,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war Publius His Father, and Epaphroditus both cured,
• S •• k or d •• cas •• So war • neas With many other, who were to health restored,
• Full of • orres So war Job Sitting in the Ashes, yet made clean,
• Full of • orres So war Lazarus Lying at Dives door, now in Heaven.
• V • x • d with an Evil • pu •• So w •• The Son Of the Father in the Gospel being lunatic,
• V • x • d with an Evil • pu •• So w •• T • e Maid Of the Master in the Acts with a divining spirit,
• V • x • d with an Evil • pu •• So w •• The Daughter Of the Caananitish woman with one Devil,
• V • x • d with an Evil • pu •• So w •• •• gdalen That sinful Woman with seven,
• V • x • d with an Evil • pu •• So w •• The Man Lying among the graves with a Legion, And they were all cast out of them.
• • istracted • os • ded Muttheted So w •• • chuchadnez: For seven years time, and restored again,
• • istracted • os • ded Muttheted So w •• The Man Going from Jerusalem, relieved by a Samaritare,
• • istracted • os • ded Muttheted So w •• Abel By Cain, who is now a Saint in Heaven,
• Dead So w • 4 Eli • s Hostises, 1 King. 17. and the Shunamites son,
• Dead So w •• T • e Soldier Slaine, 2 King. 3. and the Widdowes only one,
• Dead So w •• Lazarus In the Grave, John. 11. Jairus daughter sl • eping,
• Dead So w • 4 Doreas Streched forth. Act 9. Eu • icus b ••• l • ing,
• Dead So w •• All these bad life restored on Earth to them again,
• Dead So w •• All shall have life restored that die in Christ in Heaven.
• Hungry So w •• Sampson Who Had Honey out of a Lions body,
• Hungry So w •• Ioka • han Who Found Honey in a Wood,
• Hungry So w •• David Who Was forced to take Shew bread,
• Hungry So w •• Elias Who Was by an Angel nourished,
• Hungry So w •• The Prodigal Who Who would have eaten Swines husks,
• Hungry So w •• Iazarus Who Who would have eat • n D • ves crumbs,
• Hungry So w • 4 Christ After his long Prayers and Fastings.

And so were

• Hungry So w •• The Israelites Had Manna given from Heaven,
• Hungry So w •• T ••• . •• ples Plucked the ear • s of Corn,
• Hungry So w •• The Multitude Had Loaves increased •• ong them,
• Thirsty So w •• Hazar Who had water out of a Well,
• Thirsty So w •• Christ Who had water out of a Touth,
• Thirsty So was Israel Who had water out of a Rock.
• Naked So was Adam Eve And God clothed both of them,
• Naked So was Lazarus On Earth, now • ichly clothed in Heaven,
• Naked So was Paul Who preached, yet wanted to clothe him, Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.
• Poor So was David Who Sent to Nabal to relieve him,
• Poor So was Elias Who Was sent to a Widow to su •• eyne him,
• Poor So was Jeremiah Who Was by Godaliah and others relieved,
• Poor So was The Prophe • s wise Who Had her Oil by Elisha increased.
• Poor So was John Who Had all taken from him by the Chaldeans,
• Poor So was Jacob Who Had but a itaffe going over Jordan,
• Poor So was Moses Who Kept sheep with the Priest of Midian,
• Poor So was Ruth Who Lived by gleaning ears of Corn,
• Poor So was Lazarus Who Desired to have but Dives crumbs,
• Poor So was Prodigal Who Would have had the husk from Swine,
• Poor So was The Man Who Wonted one at the pool to help him,
• Poor So was The Woman Who Who had spent all she had on the Physician.
• Poor So was Paul Who Wrought with his hands to relieve him,
• Poor So was Peter Who Had no silver to give being asked him,
• Poor So was Christ Who Was ministered unto by Women.

And so were

• Job. 8. 7. & 22. • 9 The Israelites Who were by The Midianites impoverished,
• Job 8. 7. & 22. • 9 The Prophets Who were by Obadiah nourished,

Psal. 31. 24. Ps. 48. 16. Ps. 36. 16. Ps. 9. 9.

• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was King Asa By Zerah, 2 Chron. 14. David by Saul,
• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was Elisha By the Amorites, 2 Kin. 6. Elias by Captains,
• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was Hezekiah By Assyrians, 2 Kin. 18. Ichoshaphat by Ammonits,
• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was Lot By Sodomites, Gen. 19. Sampson by Philistines,
• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was Daniel By the Lions, Dan. 6. Shadrach by the furnace,
• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was Paul By Sadducees, Act. 23 Christ by Jews,
• Compassed with ene •• e • ? So was Israel By Egyptians, Exod. 14. Samaria by Syrians,

Art thou
• Imprisoned, So were The Apost Act. 5. Joseph, Gen. 39. and Jehoahaz,
• Imprisoned, So were Jeremiah Ier. 38. Ichoiakim, 2 Kin. 24. Manasseh.
• Imprisoned, So were Peter Act. 12. Paul, Act. 16. and Silas

Psal. 102. 20. Psal. 69. 33. Psal. 68. 6.

• Banished, So were S. John Into the Isle called Patmos,
• B • trayed, So were Christ By his own Apostle Judas,
• A Prince conspired against, So were Abasuerus By two E • nuches that followed him,
• A Prince conspired against, So were Ieh • ash By Athaliab when he was young,
• A Prince conspired against, So were David By Abner, Sheba, and his son,

• Accused and slandered, So was Abimelech By Do • g, 1 Sam. 22 Amos by Amaziah,
• Accused and slandered, So was David By adversaries, Psal. 27. 12. Daniel by Princes,
• Accused and slandered, So was Elias By Ahab, 1 Kin. 18. Elisha by Jehoram,
• Accused and slandered, So was Hanna By Eli, 1 Sam. 1. 1 • . Jacob by Laban,
• Accused and slandered, So was Joseph By his Mistress Gen. 39. Jonathan by his father,
• Accused and slandered, So was John By the devil, John 1. Jeremiah by Irijah,
• Accused and slandered, So was Mephihos. By Ziha, 2 Sam. 16 Naboth by wicked men,
• Accused and slandered, So was Paul By Tertullus, Act. 24. Ro. 3. 8. Steven by suborned men
• Accused and slandered, So was God Himself by that wicked king Jehoram,
• Accused and slandered, So was Christ By the multitude, Luk. 23. 2. Apostles by soldiers,
• Accused and slandered, So was The • ewes By Haman. Es • h. 3. The Disciples by divers,
• Forsaken of any one, So was Hagar and Ishmael By Abraham and Sarah, and the Lord comforted them,
• Forsaken of any one, So was Moses and David By their Father, and mother, and God was with them,
• Forsaken of any one, So was Job By his wife, neighbors, and friends,
• Forsaken of any one, So was Christ By his Disciples and country-men,

• Evil spoken of So was David 2 Sam. 16. Michaiah, 2 Kin. 22. Elias,
• Evil spoken of So was Job Job 17. Prophets and Apostles,
• Evil spoken of So was God Himself by that wicked king Jehoram
• Evil spoken of So was Christ By Jews, for whom he died, to save them,
• Derided and mocked, So was David By his wife, 2 Sam. 6. Isaac by Ishmael,
• Derided and mocked, So was Joseph By his brothers. Job by his friends,
• Derided and mocked, So was Noah By his son, Gen. 9. Lot by his sons,
• Derided and mocked, So was Prophets, Apostles, and Christ by the Jews,
• Derided and mocked, So was The Jews In Captivitie by the Babylonians,
• Derided and mocked, So was God Himself by many wicked ones,

• The song and byword of the wicked, So was David Who Became as a Proverb among wicked men,
• The song and byword of the wicked, So was Jeremiah Who was made As the song of wicked men,
• The song and byword of the wicked, So was Job Who was made As a tabret by wicked men,
• The song and byword of the wicked, So was Paul Who was made As a gazing stock to wicked men,
• The song and byword of the wicked, So was Christ By the Jews at his death and passion,

• Rewarded evil for good, So was The King By those that were bidden to the wedding,
• Rewarded evil for good, So was Caleb and Joshua By the Israelites, who would have stoned them,
• Rewarded evil for good, So was David By his Adversari • s, because goodness was in him,
• Rewarded evil for good, So was David By Saul, who sought to Ilay him,
• Rewarded evil for good, So was John Who looking for good, evil came to him,
• Rewarded evil for good, So was Christ Who For his good works was often like to be stoned, and at the last was by the Jews crucified,
• Rewarded evil for good, So was Jeremiah By the Jews, who digged a pit for him,
• D • s • med, So was David By his Companion and friend,
• Counselled against for evil, So was David By Ahithophels counsel to Absalom,
• Counselled against for evil, So was Christ By The Jews counsel to take him,
• Counselled against for evil, So was Paul By Vagabonds counsel to kill him,
• Counselled against for evil, So was So were God's people and hidden Ones,
• Counselled against for evil, So was The Proph. And Apostle • s often no entrap them,
• Counselled against for evil, So was The Isr • elites By the Egyptains, that they might not multiply among them,
• Intreated evil for doing God's message, So was Moses and Aaron Who were Threatned by Pharaoh,
• Intreated evil for doing God's message, So was Jeremiah & Micah • ah Who were Imprisoned by Pashur and Ahab,
• Intreated evil for doing God's message, So was Elias & Elisha Who were S • ught after to be slain by Jezebel, Iehora • ,
• Intreated evil for doing God's message, So was Amos Who was silented for Prophesying,
• Intreated evil for doing God's message, So was Christ and the Apostles Whose lives were taken from them,
• Afraid of any, So was The Godliest Person he, and Christ himself he was not free, yet from their fears they were by God delivered: who then fears him, in fear shall be preserved▪
• Hated & envited, So was The Godliest Person, and Christ himself of many,
• Hated & envited, So was The Godliest Yea, Godly men of this sin were not free,
• Hated & envited, So was The Godliest As by example you may plainly see.
• Tryed and proved of God, So was Abraham By Offering up Isaac his son,
• Tryed and proved of God, So was Job By Troubles and afflictions,
• Tryed and proved of God, So was Israel By Thunder and lightning,
• Tryed and proved of God, So was David By His Up u • rising and down lying,
• Tryed and proved of God, So was Peter By Christ on the water walking,
• Tryed and proved of God, So was Philip By Christ By questioning, how the multitude should have feeding
• Tryed and proved of God, So was Christ By Satan's tempting, God permitting,
• As Gold God trieth all godly men,
• But in the end delivers them,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Abraham Who lived Continually in Tents,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Isaac Who lived Continually in Tents,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Ia •• b Who lived Continually in Tents,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Israel Who lived In Boothes and Tents,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was David Who lived A long time in Caves and Dens,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Elias Who lived In the wilderness,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Paul and others Who lived Having no certain places,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was Christ Who lived Not having to rest his head,
• Without a settled place to live in, So was S. John Who lived In the Isle of Patmos banished,
• Regard not then the house that's made with hands,
• But seek the eternal buildings in the Heaven.

Art thou

So was
• Without a bed to lie upon?
• Jacob Who lay on the ground going to Laban, Gen. 28. 11.
• Jeremiah Who lay In mire in the dungeon,
• Paul Who lay In chains in the prison,
• Job Who lay In Ashes being his sheet,
• Joseph Who lay In the Stocks hurting his feet,
• Lazarus Who lay At Dives door in the street,
• Christ Who lay A ship-board in the ships stern, and oftentimes in the cold mountain,

So was
• Vexed by thy wife?
• Jacob Whose wi • e said, Give me children, or else I die,
• Job Whose wi • e bid him, Curse God, and die,
• Moses Whose wi • e t • rmed him to be a bloody man,
• David Whose wi • e despised, and derided him,
• Without Silver and Gold?
• Christ Who was beholden to a fish for money,
• The Apo. And yet they wanted not in their Journey,
• Peter And John, when they healed the Creeple man,
• Read Phil. 4. 19.

So was
• Weary of thy life?
• Job Who wished himself strangled,
• Jeremiah Who wished himself unconceived,
• Moses Who wished himself unburdened,
• Elias Who prayed God to take away his life,
• The Gaoler Who would have murdered himself,
• The Lord's good grace them all yet so directed,
• Their sorrows overpast, their days in peace were end • d.
• in famine?
• Abraham Gen. 12. Isaac, Gen. 26. Jacob▪ Gen. 46.
• Abimelech Ruth 1. Elias, 1 Kin. 17. David, 2 Sam. 21.
• The 〈◊〉 2 Kin. 8. Samaria, 2 Kin. 17▪ And others, Psal. 33. 19.
• And the Lord relieved them in their wants, Psal. 37. 19, 25.

Art thou

So was
• In servitude?
• Abraham's Posterity four hundred years,
• Jacob With Laban twenty years,
• Joseph Many years with Potiphar serving,
• Moses Fortie years with the Priest of Midian,
• Yet freedom at last was given them.
• In danger of waters?
• Noah Gen. 7. Jonah, Chap. 1. The Israelites▪
• Peter Matth. 14. Paul, Acts 27▪ and Disciples,
• And not any perished, but were all preserved,
• The Lord can fave from all danger, yea though a man went to sea without Art

Are thy

So were
• Goods taken, and lands frō thee?
• Lots And all restored to them again,
• Job's And all restored to them again,
• Naboth's By Ahab and withheld by them,
• Mephibosh By Ziba and withheld by them,
• Friends thine enemies?
• Job's Who spake eloquently, tormenting him,
• David's Who forsook, and reprehended him,
• Christ's Who lifted up his heel against him,

Is thy

So was
• life sought after?
• Elias By Jezebel, 1 Kin. 19. Elishas by Jehoram, 2 King. 6.
• Daniel's By Princes, Dan. 6▪ David's by Saul, 1 Sam. 23.
• The Apostles And others by their Adversaries,
• Wife barren?
• Abimelech's Gen. 20. 8. and Elizabeth,
• Sarah G • n. 11. 30. and Hannah,
• Rachel Gen. 29. 31. and Rebekah,
• Manoah's Judge. 13. 2. and The Shunamites,

So was
• Or,
• These all by Praying obtained Children from God,
• married to another?
• David's Who was given to Phaltiel the son of Laish,
• Samson's Who was given to his own Companion,

Art thou

• In a dungeon? The light of Mercy cannot be kept from thee.
• In Exile? Thou art not out of God's Presence, he seeth thee.
• Despised of the world? God himself maketh account of thee.
• In poverty? God hath eternal riches for thee.
• Hated of the world? The Lord hateth it more by not giving Grace.
• Stricken with death? Thou hast promise with Simeon to depart in peace.
• Stricken with death suddenly? It is to free thee from Mis • rie.
• Fatherless? The Lord is thy helper.
• Spoken against by the mighty Ones? So was David by Princes.

Means and Second Causes used.

ORdinary Means are to be used of every man in his Calling carefully, and when they beat hand we must not look for any help without them: though the Lord be able to do what he will without Means. Joab when the Aramites came against him, heartened his Soldiers, though they were but few, bidding them to be strong and valiant for their people, and for the Cities of their God, and then let the Lord do (saith he) what is good in his eyes.

And our Savior Christ avoucheth that to be flat tempting of God, for him to leap down from the Pinacle of the Temple to the ground, when as there was an ordinary way at hand to descend by Stairs. L • st therefore we to our destruction contemn the use of Second Causes which are ordained for our good, God hath himself first used them in the worlds government, when as he might as easily do it by himself alone, as with Second Causes: I will, saith the Lord, hear the Heavens, and they shall hear the Earth, and the Earth shall hear the Corn, the Wine, and the Oil, and they shall hear Jezreel: So for the converting of David, the Lord used the Prophet Nathan: And to deliver Peter out of Prison he sent an Angel: and to convert the Eunuch he sent Philip unto him: And thus the Lord doth, that he may honor his Creatures as Fellow-workers with him: And to that purpose he hath ordained meat and apparel, to cover the body and to maintain life: Physicians and Physic to recover health: honest exercises and sleep to conserve health: Princes and Magistrates to conserve public Peace: M • sters of Families for domestical government. Preaching and reading the Word, receiving the Sacraments, works of Charity, Prayers, Discipline, &c. for exercising of Faith. These and such like Means and Second Causes then are not to be contemned, or neglected, as though God would govern the world, or save us by himself without them: for so to do, were nothing else but to tempt God, and to hinder, as much as in us lieth, the execution of his Providence, which is forbidden by the Lord, saying, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, which they do, who neglecting the Means ordained by God, expect Miracles from Heaven.

[Object.] If God's Providence be immutable, what need Second Causes, &c? He that shall be amended, shall so be without correction or admonition.

[Answ.] The Answer is, that those things are separated which are to be joined together. God in his eternal Counsel had ordained to make David's will good of evil: and to incline the same from sin to repentance; had ordained also Means, by which his will should be changed, namely Nathan.

Used Means to

Adam and Eve

Cover their nakedness by sewing together of fig-leaves, and the Lord by making them coverings of beasts skins.

Abraham

Preserve himself in time of famine, by going into Egypt, and in time of Fear, by saying Sarah was his Sister: and to preserve peace, betwixt himself and Lot, their Herdsmen falling at contention, gave Lot the choice of the Land.

Abigail

Pacifie the wrath of David, being kindled against Nabal her husband, by carrying a Present unto him.

Bathsheba

Get the Kingdom to Solomon, as she was willed by Nathan.

Benhadad

Procure peace with the King of Israel by sending his servants unto him, with Sackcloth about their loins, and ropes about their necks, in sign of Humiliation.

Used Means to

David

Come into Saul's presence (to encounter with Goliath ) and that by saying unto the people, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine? and to escape Saul, casting his Javeling at him, he avoided him, and sending to take him, was let down at a window, and so escaped him. And to know what he intended against him, absented himself from his Table, to hear by Jonathan what he would say of him: And from time to time, being pursued by him, fled from one place to another to hide himself fro • him. And to preserve his Father and Mother from Saul's wrath, being against them kindled, he placed them with the King of Moab, and to deliver himself from evil that might befall him by King Achish, knowing who he was, he feigned himself to be mad before him: and going against the Philistines slew all of them, that not any of them might carry tidings thereof to the King, being supposed to have gone out against the Israelites by him: And to overcome the Philistines he turned behind them over against the Mulberry-trees, as the Lord had commanded him: And to confound Abithophel he used Hushai's counsel.

Used Means to

Daniel

Understand Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and that by praying, and to find out the Truth of Susanna's false accusation, he put her accusers asunder, examining them.

The Disciples

Preserve their brethren in time of Famine, and that by sending unto them according to their ability, wherewith the Lord had weekly blessed them.

Elias

Cut of the Prophets of Baal, by assembling them together under pretence of an Offering to be made to their gods, &c. And so to escape from Iezebol fled to Beersheba: and to free himself from the hands of two of the Captains sent to take him, he prayed for fire from Heaven to consume them: and to relieve himself in the time of famine, he lived with a widow a long time.

Used Means to

Elisha

Withstand the Kings Messenger sent to murder him, and that by willing his own Servant to take heed to shut the door against him. And to preserve himself from the Aramites sent to Dothan to take him, he prayed, and the Lord struck them with blindness, that they could not see him. And to defend the King of Israel from the King of Syria, he sent word unto him, that he should forbear to go to such and such like places, where the King of Syria lay in wait for him.

Q Esther

Preserve the Jews from Haman's plot intended against them, and that by inviting the King to a banquet, and by praying.

The Eunuch

Understand the Word of God as well by reading, as also by taking of Philip into the Coach to interpret to him.

Used Means to

The Gibeonites

Procure their peace with Joshua, by pretending to come from a far Country unto him, having on old shoes, bread that was mouldie, and garments worn.

Gideon

Pacifie the Ephraimites murmuring by mild answering.

Hezekiah

Heale his boil, by laying a bunch of dry figs thereon, and to move King Ashur to remove his Army brought against him, he caused all the waters and fountains in the Country to be stopped, so that he had not to drink for them.

Joshua

Espie out of what strength the City Jericho was, by sending spies to learn the same: and to conquer A • he sent men by night, willing them to lie in wait against them.

Used Means to

Jacob

Defend himself from the rage of Esau his brother, by departing for a time from his father, and being in service with Laban, to get to himself the party-coloured sheep, he set pilled rods before them: and returning from Laban, to pacify the wrath of his brother meeting him, sent a present to him: And to preserve his goods, if Esau had intended evil against him, he divided that he had into several companies, whereby some might escape of them: And then meeting his brother humbled himself unto him, and above all by prayer escaped him.

Joseph

Bring his brethren to remembrance that they had done him wrong, and that by reprehending and imprisoning them, their Conscience thereby accusing them: And to be freed out of prison entreated Pharaoh's Butler to remember him: And to preserve the Egyptians in time of famine, in the plentiful years he provided for them.

Iothan

Preserve himself from Abimelech, and that by flying.

Used Means to

Ioah

Reconcile Absalom unto David by a cunning woman, and that the Israelites might be valiant in battle against the Assyri Assyrians▪ he encouraged them.

Jonah and Paul's Mariners

Save themselves in the storm on the waters, and that by casting out their wares, lightning their ships, still endevoring, calling on the Lord's Name by praying.

Joseph

Preserve Christ by flying, as the Angel willed him.

Jeroboam

Escape from Solomon, by absenting himself from him.

Used Means to

Iehosheba

Preserve Joash from Athaliah going about to kill him, and that by keeping him and his Nurse in her Bed-chamber, as also hiding him in God's house the space of six years.

Jehu

Destroy Baals prophets under pretence of a Sacrifice that he had to do for them, to their God Baal, who being assembled, slew both young and old, great and small.

Jethro

Ease Moses of the burden upon him, in judging of the people, and hearing of Causes between them, and that by giving him counsel to provide men of courage to rule over them.

Used Means to

Jephthah

Espie out the Ephraimites from the Gileadites, and that by making them to pronounce the word Shibboleth.

The Israelites

Preserve their first-born from the Angel slaying the Egyptians, and that by striking the Lintels of their doors with blood, as God had commanded; and being at the first overcome of the Benjamites, they afterwards lay in Ambushment, &c. and so prevailed against them: And being stung with fiery Serpents, looking on the Brazen Serpent, a representation of Christ, they were healed.

Used Means to

Moses

Cover the Egyptian slain by him, by hiding him in the sand, and to escape from Pharaoh, fled into the Land of Midian: and to have his hands stayed up, called Aaron and Hur to stay them, during which time the Israelites prevailed against the Amalekites: And to keep the Israelites from the Mount, he set marks: And to search the land of Canaan, he sent spies: And to preserve the Israelites from Korahs destruction, he willed them to depart from among them: And to stay God's wrath, he often prayed to God for them.

Moses his mother

Preserve him for a time by hiding him, and after by putting him into an Ark, &c. to see what would become of him.

Michal

Preserve David from Saul's Messengers, saying that David was sick, and laying an image in his bed, while the Messengers returned to Saul, he escaped.

Used Means to

Noah

Make the Ark, as God commanded, and therein received all kind of Creatures to increase the world again.

Nathan

Move David to confess his sins, by a Parable told him.

Nehemiah

B • ild the house of God, by Letters from Artaxerxes gotten.

Obadiah

Preserve the Lord's Prophets, and that by hiding them.

The Proph.

Make Ahab judge himself, by a Parable told him.

Pharaoh

Provide for the dear years, as Joseph willed him.

Pharaoh's servants

Preserve themselves and their cattle, as many as feared God, by departing out of the fields from the Hail that destroyed all that there remained.