Attributes of God the Sonne.

SHiloah Emanu [...]ll, Christ, the only Sonne of God, the brightnesse of his Glory, theH [...]b 1. 2, [...] Eph. 1. 22. Col. 1. 18. & 2. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 17. Rev. 5. 12. Psal. 2. 8. Psal. 72. 8. Eph 1. 20. Psal. 72. 17. Heb. 1. 4. &c. Phil. 2 9. expr [...]sse Image of his P [...]son, Heire of all things, mo [...]e excellent then the An­gels, havi [...]g Honour, Glory, Power, Strength, Prayse, Dignitie, Riches and Wise­dome, (yea all [...]reasures of knowledge and wisedome) The Heathen for his inheri­tance, the E [...]rth for his Possessions, and the Heavenly places for his seat, farre 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 Trinitie, begotten of his Father from Eternitie, in one P [...]rson the Sonne of God, and very man; Gal. 4. 4. 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 Patriarches, p [...]efigured in the Law, foretold by the Prophets, accomplished in the time of Grace, 1 Tim [...] 16 manifested in the fl [...]sh, Justified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, beleeved 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

• An Apostle. Heb. 3. 1.
• An Advocate. [...] Ioh. [...]. 1.
• Amen. Rev. 3. 14.
• An Angell of the Lord▪ Zach. 1. 12.
• Annoynted 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 Dayes. Dan 7. 22.
• A Babe. Luk 2. 16.
• Gods Beloved▪ Mat. 12. 18.
• The Beloved. Cant 5 6.
• Wel beloved. Cant. 1. 13.
• A Bridegroome. Mat. [...]. 15.
• The Bread of life. [...]oh. 6 51.
• Childrens bread. Mat. 15 26.
• Branch of righteousnesse. Ier 33. 15.
• A Branch of the roote of I [...]sse. Isa 11. 1.
• A Captaine of the Lord. Hos 5. 15.
• The Captaine of the Lord of Hostes. Iosh. 5. 15.
• Captaine of Salvation. Heb 2. 10.
• A Childe. Isa. 9. 6.
• The Consolation of Israell Luk. [...]. 25.
• The Holy one of Israell Act. [...]. 14.
• A Ruler in Israell Mich. 5. 2.
• The Glory of Israell Luk 2 32.
• The Sceptor of Israell Numb 24. 17.
• The strength of Israell 1 Sam 15. 29.
• The Stone of Israell 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.
• Sinne 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 Doore of the Sheepe. Ioh. 10. 7.
• An everlasting Father. Isa. 9. 6.
• A Feeder. Mat. 2 6.
• The first Begotten. 1 Cor. 15. 20.
• The first Fruites. Rev. 1. 5.
• The first Borne of the Dead. Col. 1. 15.
• The finisher of our F [...]th. Heb. 12. 2.
• Flesh. Ioh. 1. 14.
• A Foundation. Isa. 28. 16.
• A Fountaine. Ca [...]t. 4. 15.
• A Forerunner. Heb. 6. 28.
• God, Iohn 1. 1.
• The Elect of God. Isa. 41. 1.
• The Gift of God. Iohn 4. 10.
• The Image of God. Col. 1. 15.
• The Lambe of God. Iohn 1. 29.
• The Power of God. 1 Cor. 1. 24.
• The Wisdome of God. Idem.
• Gods Elect. Isa 42. 1.
• Gods Servant.
• Gods Sonne. Mat. 2. 15.
• Gods Messenger. Mal. 3. 1.
• A Golden Altar. Rev. 8 3.
• A Governour. 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 Heire of all things. Heb. 1. 12.
• The heire 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 Jewes. Mat. 27.
• King of Israell. Iohn 1. 49.
• King of Saints. Rev. 15. 3.
• The Law. Gal. 2. 4.
• The End of the Law. Rom. 10. 4.
• Light. Iohn 1. 9.
• A great Light▪ Isa 9. 2.
• The Light of the Gentiles. Isa. 49. 6.
• The Light of the World Iohn 1. 7.
• The Light of Men. Iohn 1. 4.
• [Page 7]Life, Iohn 14. 6.
• Eternall Life, Iohn 1. 4.
• The Lyon of Iudah, Rev. 5. 5.
• Lord of Quick and Dead, Rom. 14. 9.
• Lord of Hostes, Isaiah 44. 6.
• Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2. 8.
• Lord of Life, Acts [...]. 15.
• Lord of Lords, 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 Mediatour, 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.
• Michaell, 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.
• Oyntment, Cant. 1. 3.
• A Passeover, 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 Physition, Mat. 9. 12.
• A Plant of renowne, 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 Mercifull High Priest, Heb 7. 26.
• A Faithfull High Priest,
• An Undefiled High Priest,
• A Prophet, Iohn 6. 4.
• A purger of Sinnes, Heb. 1. 3.
• A Ransome, 1 Tim 2. 6.
• A Reaper, Rev 14. 15.
• A Reconciliator, Rom 3. 25.
• Redemption, Isaiah 59 24.
• [...]abbi, Iohn 6. 25.
• Righteousnesse, Ier 23. 6
• Resurrection of the Dead, Iohn 11. 25.
• A Rod and Staffe, Isaiah 11 1.
• A Spirit,
• An Eternall Spirit, Heb. 9. 4.
• A Quickning 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 Samaritane, Luke. 10. 33.
• A Saviour, Ioh. 4. 42.
• The Second Adam, 1 Cor. 15. 45.
• The Seede of Abraham, Gal. 3. 10.
• The Seede of the Woman, Gen. 3. 15.
• A Servant, Isa. 42. 1.
• Gods Servant, Math. 12. 18.
• A Shephard, Ez [...]. 24 33. Iosh. 10. 11. Heb. 13. 20.
• A righteous Servant, Isa 53. 11.
• The Scepter of Israell, Numb. 24. 17.
• A Ruler in Israell, Mich. 5. [...].
• The strength of Israell, 1 Sam. 15. 29.
• Glory of Israell, Luk. 2. 32.
• The Sonne of Righteousnesse Mal. 9. 2.
• The Sonne of Abraham, Mat. 1. 12.
• The Sonne of David, Mat. 1. 12.
• The Sonne of Ioseph, Iohn 1. 45.
• The Sonne of God, Luk. 1. 35.
• The Sonne of the most High, Luk 1. 32.
• The Sonne of Man, Mat. 12 8.
• The Sonne of a Virgin, Isa 7. 14.
• A Deere Sonne, Col. 1. 13.
• A Beloved Sonne, Mat. 3. 17.
• The first Borne Sonne, Mat 1. 25.
• The Starre of Iacob, Numb. [...]4 17.
• A bright morning Starre, Rev. 22. 16.
• A Stone to stumble at, 1 Pet. 2. 8.
• A Corner Stone, Eph. [...]. 10.
• An Elect Stone,
• A pretious Stone, 1 Pet 2. 6.
• Spirituall Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 4.
• Spirituall Drinke, Rev. [...]. 7.
• Spirituall Meate, 1 Cor. 10. [...]. & Ioh. 6. [...]3.
• A Teacher, Ioh. 3. [...].
• A greene Tree, Luke 23. 31.
• A Vine, Ioh. 15. 1.
• A Way, Ioh 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.
• Wonderfull, Isa. 9. 6.
• A Witnesse,
• A Faithfull witnesse, Rev. 1. 5.
• A true Witnesse. Rev. 3. 7.

Additions.

• Shilo, Gen 49.
• A Lambe undefiled, 1 Pet. 1. 19.
• A Lambe without Spot 1 Pet. 1. 19.
• An Armie 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 Goate, Lev. 16. 22.
• A Henne, Mat. 23. [...]7.
• A Ladder, Gen. 28. 12.
• A Lillye, Cant 2. 3.
• Lightning, Mat. 24. [...]7.
• The Mercy Seate, Exod. 25. 17.
• A Net, Isa. 8. 14.
• A Snare, Idem.
• A Theefe, Rev 3. [...].
• Raine and Showers, Psal. 72 6.
• The Paschall Lambe, Exod. 16. 6.
• A Stone cut out of The Mountaine, Dan. 2. 45.
• A Roe and Hart, Cant. 1. 9.
• [Page 8]A Worme, Psal. 22. 6.
• Ierushalem, 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 Wandring in our Peregrination, wher­by ou [...] Pathes are directed.
• Truth without Shadowing in our Deliberation, wher­by ou [...] Errors are corrected.
• Life without Ending in our Remuneration, wher­by ou [...] Mortalitie is eternized.

In that he is Eph. 1. 7. Rom. 3. 24. Col. 1.20 1 Pet. 1. 2. Hebr. 10. 9.

• Our Righteousness to justifie [...]s.
• Our Wisdome to teach [...]s.
• Our Reconciliatiō to reconcile [...]s.
• Our Holines to sanctifie us.
• Our Redemption to free us.
• Our Reward to glorifie us.

So that by himCol. 2. 3, 13. 1 Thes. 1. 10.

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

In that his

• 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 Ascention our Glorification.

• Who then forsake him dye living, who then imbrace 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 quickneth us, the Water w [...]h reneweth us, the Fire which inflames us, the Comfortor which helpes us, the Advocate which speakes for us, and the everla­sting Fountaine and Spirit of Truth, fro [...] whom all Rom. 8. 9. 1 Cor. 3. 16. Truth and Celestiall Riches doe flow unto us: And is called by the Name of Spirit, Ioh. 15. 26. proceeding from the Father and the Sonne, to shew the Essence and Nature that he is of: For as the spirit of Man must needes be truly of Mans n [...]ure; and is the most formall and Essentiall part of Man: So and much more it must b [...] thought of the Spirit of God, upon whom no Composition falle [...]h And [...]his i [...] Effect is the Apostles Argument, 1 Cor. 2. 11. 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 owne Essence and Nature, as the opposition sheweth plainely.

• 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 Counsell, Isa. 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Eternitie, 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 Holinesse, Rom. 1 4.
• The Spirit of Interpretation, 1 Cor. 12. 10.
• The Spirit of Knowledge; Isa 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Prophesie, 1 Cor 12. 10.
• The Spirit of the Lord, Isa. 11. 2.
• The Spirit of Right, Iohn 14 27.
• The Spirit of Sanctification, Rom. 1. 4.
• The Spirit of the Sonne, Gal. 4. 6.
• The Spirit of Revelation, Eph. 1. 17.
• The Spirit of Wisdome, 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 Gods Spirit, [...] Cor. 5. 5.
• An Eternall Spirit, Heb 9. 14.
• The Finger of God, Eph. 8. 19.
• The Pledge of God, 2 Cor. 15. 5.

• [Page 9]The Seale of God, 2 Cor. 1. 2 [...].
• The Witnesse of God, Rom. 8. 16.
• The Kisse of God, Cant. 1. 2.
• A Comforter, Iohn 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 Minde of Christ, 1 Cor. [...]. 16.
• The Oyle of Gladnesse, Psal 45. 7.
• The Power of the most High, Luke 1. 35.
• S [...]ede of God, 1 Ioh. 3. 9.
• The Teacher of the faithfull, Iohn 14. 26.
• The Teacher of truth, Idem.
• Water, Ioh 3. 5. & Ez. 16. 9.

And is compared unto

• Cloven tongues like fire, Acts 2.
• Fire, a mighty Winde, 1 Cor. 3 13.
• A Dove, Mat. 3. 16.
• Oyntment. 1 Ioh. 2. 27.

The Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

• 1. The Word Of Wisdome, the word of Knowledge, Faith, gifts of Healing,
  1 Cor. 1 [...]. 6.
  working of Miracles, Prophecie, 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
  Heb. 6. 4.
  gifts, and of the good Word of God, and of the Promises of the World to come.
• 3. All Excellency In common
  [...]xod. 31. 3.
  gifts of Nature and Reason, as Strength and courage, Artes and Sciences, policy and governement is given unto man, yea
  * 1 Sam. 11. 6.
  unto many that never heard of our Saviour Christ.
• 4. Influence Perpetuall, effectuall and vitall of saving Grace, from Christ the
  Iohn 6. 63. Iohn. 14. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 2.
  Head of every true Member is given to beleevers, in which sence the world cannot receive or know the same.
• 5. Vertues Charitie, Constancie, benignitie, Faith, goodnesse, Joy, Longanimity, Mildnesse, Modestie, Love, P [...]tience and peace of Conscience are got­ [...]en, with seven other principall Vertues, (to wit) Wisdome, Under­standing, Counsell, Fortitude, Knowledge, Godlynesse and the feare of God, which worketh in a man rwo sortes of Mercy Corporall, and Spiritu [...]ll:

• Corporall, to
  • Feed the Hungry,
  • Give drink to the thirstie,
  • Cloath the naked,
  • Ransome the Captive,
  • Harbour the Harberlesse,
  • Visit the Sicke,
  • Bury the Dead.
• Spirituall, to
  • Correct the Sinner,
  • Instruct the ignorant,
  • Counsell the doubtfull,
  • Beare 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.Ephes 4. 30. Reade Gal. 5. 6.

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

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

• 1. Some signifie their Essence, as Iehovah.
• 2. Others their Persons in generall, as Elohim.
• 3. Divers their Essentiall properties, as Almighty.
• 4. Many are in generall 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 Sonne, and Sancti­fier Note 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,Iohn 1. 1. Chap. 5. 31. Cha. 14. 5, 16. Col. 2. 9. and incommunicable Subsistence, living of it selfe, and [...]o [...] susteyned by another: So that the three Persons in the Trinity, are not three severall 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 selfe same thing truly subsisting in the Three per­sons: Now the Essence doth not beget an Essence, but the Person of the Father be­gettethPsal. 2. 7. H [...]b. 1. 5. Iohn. 5. 26. the Person of the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne by an eternall and incomprehensible Spiration. And thus the Three per­sons make all one Divine Essence, and one God, being in Nature Co [...]ssentiell, in Dignitie Coequall, in time Coeternall, in measure unmeasurable, in Majesty in­scrutable, in Nature incomprehensible, in Power irresistible, in Will unchangeable, [Page 10] in place not Circumscript, in Tim [...] indefinite, in love immutable, in favour unspea­ke [...]ble, and in Promise inviolable, Good without qualitie, Great without quantitie,August. Medic. cap. [...]2. Creatour without want, in Act without Motion, every where present without sight: The First and the last without time, making all things Mutable, without any passive Mutability in himselfe. In this Mistery of the Trinity, how in that most simple and single Essence of God, there be certaine Substances of God or Persons truly subsisting, Three in one, and One in three, differing but not divided, severall 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,Deut. 29. 29. meditating of the Trinitie, looking aside, saw a Childe powring the waters of the Sea into a sh [...]ll, having a hole in the middest 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 doe you, who would by Reason comprehend the Trinitie. The Child vanished, the Father was instructed, and he saw in the end that it was an Angell. Thus Augustine with all his deepe Divin [...]ty, was not able to di [...]e into this Mystery, much lesse can wee.

Simonides being demanded concerning the Essence of God, answered, that the more he thought of the s [...]me, the lesse he knew. To search then too farre is curiosity, toProv. 15 27. beleeve the word it is security, climbe not too high then for falling, dive [...]ot deepe for drowning; and soare not too high for dazeling: Labour to know so much as [...]s revealed in the Scriptures, which we are to search for all points, much more for this.

A remarkeable Note.

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

• Hebrew, [...] In Chalde and Eloho. In Dalmatian Orsi.
• Iehovah. [...] In Syrian, Eloho. In or Orsi.
• Greeke, [...]. 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 Gods Attributes.

All Gods Attributes may be reduced to these 3. Heads

• Power
• Mercy
• Justice

The use of all which is two fold.

• 1. First by knowing of them we know what a God our God is, and by them discerne betwixt the [...]rue Iehovah and false gods.
• 2. We learne both what we have received already from God, and what we may looke for hereafter to receive from him.

Omnipotent

To shew his Power: which is both profitable and necessary for us to know both in prosperity and adversity: in Prosperity to

Exod 6. 3.

keepe us from abusing his blessings, seeing he is of power to de­prive us: in Adversitie to keepe us from despaire, because he is able to helpe us.

A Judge

To expresse his Justice, this should bridle us from committing

Psal. 50▪ 6.

of sinne with greedinesse, in that though he suffer for a time, yet

Exod. 34. 7.

in the end he will punish severely, and will render to every man

Rom. 2. 6.

according to his deeds.

[Page 11]1. Mercifull

To set forth his Love and goodnesse unto us in his Mercies which are

Exod. 34. 6.

[...]ver all his workes, lasting for ever, extended towards us, let us not

Psal. 145. 9.

then be unmercifull to his, and seeing he is gratious to us, let us not [...]e gr [...]lesse 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 our selves as children towards him, not sell our

Psal. 103. 13.

inheritance▪ let us love hi [...] house, desire his presence, bewaile his ab­sence, love his children [...] bretheren, hate his enemies, seeke to honour him, and be sorry [...]f he be dishonored.

2

Let us imitate a good Sonne (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.

• Hee will know His Pedigree, From whence he is descended.
• Hee will know His Dignitie, How he is reputed.
• Hee will know His Estate, At what he is valued.
• Hee will know His Nature, How he is affected.
• Hee will know His Love, How himselfe is favoured.

• Hee desires to looke into His Will what he will leave him.
• Hee desires to looke into His pleasure what he will have done by him.
• Hee desires to looke into His purpose what he will doe with him.

And

• If hee see him A [...]le Hee will Depend upon him.
• If hee see him In Authoritie Hee will Beare himselfe upon him.
• If hee see him Gratious Hee will Be thankfull unto him.
• If hee see him Angry Hee will Seeke to please him.
• If hee see him Righteous Hee will Feare to offend him.
• If hee see him Mercifull Hee will Pray for pardon to him.
• If hee see him Powerfull▪ Hee will Hope for protection from him.

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

Of GODS Presence

THere are four [...] de [...]rees of Gods Presence, 1. An Universall. 2. A Speciall. 3. A more speciall. 4▪ A most speciall.

• [...]er. 23. 24.
  Universall The Lord is present by his Essence In All places.
• Speciall The Lord is present by his Glory In Heaven.
  Psal [...]39. 7.
• More speciall The Lord is present by his Grace In His Saints.
  Psal. 19 6.
• Most speciall The Lord is present by his Spirit In Christ.
  Psal. 19 1.

The Lord is every where by his Essence repletively, no where inclusively: Every1 Cor. 3. 16. where replenishing the place with his being, no where by circumscription and locallCol. 2 5. definition.

Hee is

Hee is in Christ Hypostaticall, in himselfe Alpha and Omega: in the World a Go­vernour: in Ang [...]lls as Be [...]u [...]y, in his Church as an Housholder in his Family: in the Soule as a B [...]degroome in his Marriage Chamber: in the Righteous as an Helper: in the Reprobate as Feare and horrour▪ in the Godly to defend them, in the wicked to punish them And therefore may well be compared to the Tree in the middest of the* Gen. 3. 3. garden of Eden: As also to the Tree spoken of by Saint Iohn in the Revelations: inRev. 2. 7. that he is in the midst of

Exod 3. 14. Deut. 23. 14. Zech. 2. 5. Isa. 1 [...]. 6. Isa. 37. 16. Psal. 8 [...]. 1. G [...]n. 9. 13. Exo. 19. 9. Exo. [...]4. 5. Exod. 40. 34. 1 King. 8. 10. Exod. 33. [...] 1. Num. 12. 5. Mat. 17. 5. Exo. 13. 21. Iob 32. 3 [...]. 2 C [...]o. 6. 1. Isa. 19. 1. A Bush,

Burning: of the Campe of the Israelites fighting,

The Citie▪

Ierusalem, and Sion to heare those that call on him,

The Cherubims,

Dw [...]l [...]ing: and in the Congregation of Men judging,

A Cloude:

Setting the Rainebow: 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: proclayming Christ to be his welbeloved Sonne: going be­ [...]ore the Israelites in the Wildernesse: and covering the light with dark­nesse. So that he is said to dwell in the Clouds, to ride upon the Clouds, and to make the Clouds his Chariots,

Psal. 104. 9.

Egypt,

Working his wonders and Miracles among them,

Deut. 4. 12.

• [Page 12]The Fire: Speaking to Israell: and in the Land dwelling with them▪
  Numb. 35. 34.
• A whirlewind: Answering Iob, to the complaint made by him,
  Iob 38. 1.
• The red Sea: To deliver The people of Israell from Drowning,
  Exod. 14.
• The Furnace: To deliver The three Children from Burning,
  Dan. 3.
• The Lions den: To deliver The Prophet Daniell from Devouting.
  Dan. 6.
• The Godly: By has holy Spirit▪ alwayes dwelling in them,
  1 Cor. 3. 16.
• Ʋse. Seeing God is omnipresent, see thou sinne not in secret,
  P [...]al 139. 7.
• The Lord is said to be present seven severall wayes speaking,
  Heb. 4. 13.
• 1. Face to Face unto Moses as a Man to his friend,
  Exod. 33. 11.
• 2. Through the Clouds to the people of Israell often,
  Exod. 19. [...].
• 3. In a dreame unto Samuell: calling Samuell,
  1 Sam. 3. 4.
• 4. In a light and mild Ayre unto Elias with a still voice.
  1 King. 1 [...]. 1 [...].
• 5. In Ʋrim and Thummim when he gave the Oracles,
  Exod [...]8. 30.
• 6. To our Forefathers by divers Prophets and Seers,
  Heb 1. 1, 2.
• 7. To us in the last dayes by Christ and the Apostles.

• 1. In Extasie or Trance: such was Peters seeing Heaven opened,
  Acts 10. 10.
• 2. In a Vision: such was the Revelation to Isaiah shewed,
  Isa. 6. 1.
• 3. In a Dreame: such was Iacobs of a ladder reaching to Heaven,
  Gen. 28▪ 12.
• 4. By sensible things, as a Cloud, such he spake in to Moses,
  Exod. 29. 9.
• 5. By an externall voice, such was Abrahams,
  Gen 22. 1.
• 6. By a Parable, such was Baalams: A Starre shall come, &c.
  Num. 24. 17.
• 7. By the filling of the Holy Ghost: such was the Apostles.
  Acts 2. 2.

Adam,

Before his Fall;

Gen, 2 17. G [...]n; 7.

admonishing after punishing him,

Abraham,

Gen. 12. 1.

Willing him to depart his Countrey, ^• to doe as Sarah willed him,

Abraham,

[...] ^b and to offer his Sonne for a burnt offering.

2 Cha. 21. 12. [...]Cha. [...]. [...].

Balaam,

Reproving him: and unto David directing him,

Numb. 22. 9 2 Sam. 2. [...].

Elias,

Comforting him: and to Iob in a Whi [...]le-winde,

1 K. 19. 5. Iob; 8. 1.

Isaac,

And Iacob: shewing them the Land they should dwell in,

Gen. 26. 2. Chap. 31. 3.

Ioshua,

Encouraging him: and to Iohn proclayming his Sonne,

Iosh. 1. 2. Ma [...]. [...]. 17.

Kain,

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

Exod. 2.

Noab,

Commanding him to make the Arke and to enter in,

Gen. 6.

Samuel,

Shewing what should of Elies posterity become,

1 Sam 3.

Solomon,

Giving him Wisdome above all that were before him.

1 Kings 3.

Ezechiell,

The returne of the Isralites from captivity,

[...]zekiel 7.

Daniell,

Nebuchadnezars dreames, and things to come extraordinary,

Dan 2. Chap. 7.

Iaacob,

That he should not feare to go unto Ioseph his sonne,

Gen 46.

Isaiah,

All the things that did concerne Ierusalem,

Isa 1. Chap. 21.

Habacuck,

The Plagues that he had prepared for wicked men,

Habac 2.

Nahum,

The destruction that should come upon the Sirian,

Nah 1.

Obadiah,

The miserable end that should befall Edom,

Obad, 1.

Simeon,

That he should not see death till Christ did come,

Luke 2. 26.

Zachariah,

Seven golden Candlestickes: and spake to his holy One.

Zach. 7. Psal 99. 19.

Acts 18. 9.

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

[...]mb. 12. 6. Ps. 99 19.

& 23. 11. & 27. 23.

will speake unto them by Dreames.

H [...]ed 12. 10.

There are foure sortes of Being of Christs presence.

1. Anagogicall. 2. Allegoricall. 3. Corporall. 4. Morall.

• Anagogicall Christ is present in the Church triumphant.
• Allegoricall Christ is present in the Church militant.
• Corporall Christ is present in the Wombe of a Virgin.
• Morall Christ is present in the Heart of a Christian.

As a Father in his Family ordering: as a Pilate in a Shippe guiding: as a master in his Schoole teaching: as a Gardiner in his garden dres [...]ing: as a King in his Throne gracing: as the Sunne in the Firmament lightning: as a Prophet in the Church tea­ching: and as the Soule in the body enlivening: And is in the middest of

The Bosome

of his Father in the Trinitie before all time.

Iohn 1. 18

The Bowells

of his Mother the Virgin Mary in fullnesse of time.

Gal. 4. 4.

A Cratch

At his Birth: so the Shepheards found him layen,

Luke 27.

The Doctors

For I [...]struction: so his Par [...]nts found him sitting,

Luke 2. 46.

The Disciples

For H [...]m [...]li [...]tion: so he was amongst them serving,

Luke 22. 27.

The Israelites

For his Conversation, So he was among them standing,

Iohn 1. 26.

The Israelites

D [...]ing Mir [...]cles, So he was among them working,

Acts [...]. 22.

The Israelites

Teaching and Healing. So he was among them walking.

Luke 13: 22.

The twelve Tribes of Israell.

Conceived in Nazarel and Zebulon:

Mat. 2. 1.

borne in Bethlem

Mat. 2, 13.

going in­to Egypt, passed through Simeon:

John 7 14.

In the Temple taught in Ben­jamen:

John 2. 8.

Turn [...]d water into wine in Asher in Cana of Galile: Proved himselfe the Messi [...]h in

Ioh. 11. 54.

Ephraim: In Napthali

Iohn. 11. 44.

raised Lazarus: And going through the Tenne Tribes, was in Re [...]ben, Gad and part of Manasses.

Luk. 23. 33. Two Thieves,

Dying: in the bowells of the Earth, 3. dayes sleeping,

Luk. 24 36. His Disciples,

Oftentimes after his Resurrection appearing,

A Cloude

Mat 17. 5.

Shadowed: betweene Moses and Elias transfigured,

A Cloude

Acts 1. 9.

Taken up into Heaven, where S. Iohn saw him: Sitting on a Cloud: From whence he shall come againe in the Clouds to judge the quicke

Rev. 1. 7.

and the dead: at whose comming

1 Thes. 4. 7.

all shall be taken up in the

Mat. 26. 64.

Clowdes at the last to meete him: where till the day of his appearing he is in the midst of

God and Man,

Reconciling God to Man: so called a Mediatour One,

1 Tim. 2. 5.

The Building,

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

Eph 2. 20.

The Streete,

Throne, Beasts and Elders, &c. so seene by S. Iohn.

Re. 2. C. 5. C. 7.

The Church,

As the Apple Tree among the Forrest Trees growing,

[...]ant. 2. 3.

The Church,

Declaring Gods Name to his Bretheren singing,

Heb. 2. 12.

Two or three:

Gath [...]ed together in his Name,

Psal. 22. 22.

The Godly:

Alway unto the end of the world guiding them,

Mat. 18. 20.

All His.

Working contraries by his Spirit in every of them.

Mat. 28. 20. Iohn 14. 16.

In that by whose Spirit

Our

Infidelity is tur­ned into Faith. Our Thraldom into Freedome.

Our

Poverty is tur­ned into Plenty. Our Barrennes into Fruitfulnesse.

Our

Sorrow is tur­ned into Sol [...]ce. Our Darknesse 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 Angells are replenished, Prophets inspired, Scr [...]bes are instructed, the Word [...] Cor. 12. is quickned, the Church sanctified, the hardnesse of Heart suppled, the weakenesseRom. 5. 5. of Faith cherished, the darknesse of the soule enlightned, and the mist of discomfortChap. 8. 26. dispersed, So that by his presence darknesse is expelled, and by his favour 1 Thes. 1. 10. soules from death and Hell are delivered.Eph. 4. 30.

Christs apparition after his Resurrection

The Apostles,

Reproving them for not beleeving that hee was risen, as also tea­ching

Mark. 16. 18.

them what they should doe and observe after his departure

Luk 24.

from them.

Acts 1. 4.

Magdalen,

And other women, and would not let them passe by without a God­speed,

Mat. 28.

and to comfort them, be not afraid.

The Emavits,

Talking with them, comforting them and making their hearts to

Luk 24.

[...]urne with Love of him.

Peter,

By name that hee might not Despaire by denying,

Iohn 21. 1.

Thomas,

By name that hee might not Continue doubting.

Iohn 20. 24.

Stephen,

From Heaven At what time as the Jewes stoned him,

Acts 7.

Paul,

From Heaven Going to Damascus to persecute the Christians,

Acts 9.

S. Iohn.

From Heaven Shewing him the Mistery of the Revelation.

Rev. 1.

In a vision unto

Paul, willing him to goe to Macedonia to preach him,

Acts 16.

In a vision unto

Peter, commanding him to kill and eate that he shewed him,

Acts 10.

In a vision unto

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

Idem.

Of Gods Word.

THe Word of God is the Iam. 3. 17. Wisdome of God, concerning the truth which is accor­ding unto godlinesse, being 2 Tim. 3. 16. given by inspiration of God, the Ioh. 3. 27. originall being from Heaven, not from Earth, the Author thereof being 1 Cor. 2. 10. God not man: The Pen­men, the Prophets and Apostles: The matter being verity and piety, about which^• 2 Pet. 1 21. 1 Pet. 1. 18. Rom 10. 13. * Heb. 4. 12. Aug. de Ʋ [...]il. credend. cap 6. preaching is exercised, it being the field in which Preachers must conteyne themselves, because thereby we are begotten againe, not of corruptible seede, but of incorruptible Seede, the Word having such force in us when it is preached of such as have a lawfull calling thereunto. In which said Word there is (as S. Augustine faith) Truth and Doctrine most fit for the refreshing and renewing of mens 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▪

• The arme of the Lord, Isa. 53. 1.
• The Armour of God, Eph. 6. 13.
• The Armour of Righteousnesse, 2 Cor. 6. 11.
• The Armour 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 Booke of the Law, Iosh. 1. 8.
• The Booke of the Lord, Isa. 34. 16.
• The Booke of Life, 2 King. 22. 8.
• A Buckler, Psal. 91. 4.
• A Candle, Mark. 4. 21.
• A Candlesticke, Rev. 2 5.
• Christs Yoake, Mat. 11. 29.
• Comfort, Psal. 119. 50.
• The Commandement of God, Psal. 119. 98.
• A Holy Commandement, 2 Pet. 2. 21.
• A Lardg [...] Commandement, Psal. 119. 96.
• A Pure Commandement, Psal. 19. 8.
• A New Commandement, 1 Ioh. 2. 28.
• The Covenant of the Lord, Deut. 29. 9.
• The Tables of the Covenant, Deut 9. 9.
• Counsell, Ier. 23. 22.
• A Counsellour, Psal. 119. 24.
• A Crowne, 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 Doore of Faith, Acts 14. 27.
• A shield of Faith, Eph. 6. 16.
• Faithfullnesse, Isa. 25. 1.
• The Feare of the Lord, Prov 10. 27.
• The Fountaine of Wisdome, Eccles. 1. 5.
• The Fountaine of Life, Prov. 14. 27.
• A Garment, Psal. 45. 8.
• Glory, Prov. 22. 4.
• A glorious Gospell, 1 Tim. 1. 11.
• The Gospell of the Kingdom, Mat. 24. 14.
• The Gospell of Christ, Rom 1. 16.
• The Gospell of The Sonne, Rom. 1. 9.
• The Gospell of Peace, Eph. 1. 16.
• The Gospell of Gods grace, Acts 20. [...]4.
• The Gospell of God, Rom. 1. 1.
• The Arrowes Iob 6. 4.
• The Answer Mich. [...]. 7.
• The Bands Psal. 2. 3.
• The Cordes
• The Breath Iob [...]7. 10.
• The Charge 1 King. 2. 3.
• The Counsell Acts 20. 27.
• The deep things 1 Cor. 2. 10.
• The Faith Rom. 3. 3▪
• The Finger Exod 31. 18.
• The Fulnesse Eph. [...]. 19.
• The Grace 1 Pet. 4. 10.
• The Kingdome 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 Staffe
• The Steps Iob 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 Witnesse 1 Ioh. 5. 9.
• The Writings Exod 32. 16.
• The Workes
• The Wisdome Prov. 8. 14.
• The Breath of Gods Lips, Isa. 11. 1.
• The Word of Gods Lips, Psal. 17. 4.
• The Secrets of Gods Kingdō, Mat. 13. 11.
• The Sound of Gods Voice, Iob. 37. 2.
• The Wonders of Gods Law, Psal. 119 18.
• The Breath of Gods Psal. 33. 6.
• The Judgemēts of Gods Psal. 119. 13.
• The Spirit of Gods Mouth Isa. 11 4.
• [Page 15]The Sword of Gods Mouth [...]ev. 2. 16.
• Testimonies of Gods Mouth Psal. 119. 88.
• Gods Charge. Deut. 11. 1.
• Gods Counsells of old, [...]sa. 25. 1.
• Gods Comfort, Psal. 94 19.
• Gods Doctrine, G [...]l. 1. [...]0.
• Gods Face, Psal 27 8.
• Gods Gate, Psal 118. 10
• Gods Glory, Isa. 66. 19.
• Gods Judgements, 1 King. 2. 3.
• Gods Message, H [...]g [...]. 13.
• Gods Speech, Deut 32 2.
• Gods Secrets, Amos 5 3.
• Gods Statutes, 1 King. 2. 3.
• Gods Testimonies,
• Gods Voice, Iosh. [...]4. 24.
• Gods W [...]y, Psal. 27. 11.
• Gods Word, Ier 1. 2.
• Gods Yo [...]ke and band, Ier. 5. 5.
• Good and Evill, 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 Gods Kingdome,
• 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 Gods wayes, Iob. 21. 14.
• A Lamp [...], Prov 6. 23.
• A Lanthorne, Prov 6. 25.
• The Law of God, Gen 26 5.
• The Law of The Lord, Prov. [...]0 27.
• The Law of Liberty, Iam 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 [...], Iohn 8. 2.
• The Law of The Spirit of life Rom 8. 2.
• A perfect Law, Psal. 1 [...]. 7.
• A Royall Law, Iam. [...]. 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 Fountaine of life, Prov. 14. [...]7.
• The Tree of life, Rev 2 7.
• The Water of life, Iohn 6. 35.
• The light of our Pathes, Psal 119. 105.
• The light of the Lord, Prov. 20. 27.
• The light of Gods coūtenance Psal [...]7. 1.
• The light of Men, Ioh. 1. 4.
• The light of the living, Iob 33. 3.
• The Armour of Light, Rom. 13 12.
• A Marvelous Light, 1 Pet. 2. 9.
• A True Light, 1 Ioh. 2. 8.
• Marrow, Prov. 3. 8.
• Meate, Ioh. 6. 27.
• A Portion, Luke 12. 42.
• Strong Meate, Heb. 5. 1 [...].
• Spirituall Meate▪ 1 Cor. 10. 3.
• Milke, 1 Cor. 3. 2.
• The Mini­stration of condemnation, 2 Cor. 3. 9.
• The Mini­stration of righteousnesse,
• The Mothers teaching, Prov. 1. 8.
• The Mi­stery of the Kingdome of Heaven, Mat. 13. 11.
• The Mi­stery of Godlinesse, 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.
• Oyntment, Isa 1. 6.
• An ornament of Grace, Prov 1. 9.
• Pathes to walke in, Psa. 27. 11.
• The old Pathes, Ier. 6. 16.
• Right Pathes, Psal. 27. 11.
• Pastures, Ioh. 10. 9.
• Good pasture, Ezech. 34▪ 18.
• Greene Pasture, Psal. 23. 2.
• A Pearle, Mat. 7. 6.
• Peace, Rom. 14. 17.
• A pleasant garden, Ecclesia. 40. 27.
• The Prophets Report, Isa 53. 1.
• Profound deepenesse, 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 Kingdome, Mat. 13 11.
• Seede, Luk 8 11.
• Immortall Seede, 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.
• Spirituall Giftes, Rom. 1. 11.
• Spirituall Drinke 1 Cor 10. 3, 4, &c.
• Spirituall Meate
• Statutes of Life, Eze. 33. 4.
• Statutes of the Lord, Psal 19. 8.
• Statutes of Israel, Psal. 81. 4.
• [Page 16]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 Sathan, 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 Wisedome, Col. 2. 3.
• Thunder, Iob 37. 5.
• A Trumpet, Ier. 6. 17.
• Tydings of Salvation, Luke 2 10.
• Glad tydings of Peace, Isa. 52. 7.
• Good tydings of Peace, Rom. 10. 15.
• Good and glad tydings, Isa. 40. 9.
• Understanding, Iob. 15. 16.
• The way of God, Psal. [...]7. 11.
• The way of Gods testimonies, Psal. 119. 14.
• The way of Holinesse, Isa. 35. 8.
• The way of Judgement, Prov. 6. 8.
• The way of Life, Prov. 6. 23.
• The way of Righteousnesse, Isa 58. 1.
• The way of Peace, Luke 1. 79.
• The way of Wisdome, 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.
• Wisdome, Prov. 1. [...].
• Sound Wisdome, 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 Gods 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; Iob 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 Gospell, 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, Iames 1. 21.
• Gods Word, Eze 16. 1.
• A comfortable Word, Zach. 1. 13.
• A faithfull Word, Rev 22. 6.
• A lively Word, Heb▪ 4 12.
• A mighty Word, Heb. 1▪ 3.
• A pleasant Word, [...]ccles. 12. 10.
• A plaine Word, Prov. 8. 9.
• A pretious Word, 1 Sam. 3. 1.
• A powerfull 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 Crowne 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.
• Figges, Mat. 7▪ [...]6.
• Frontlets, Deut. [...]. 8.
• Grapes, Mat. 7. 16.
• A Glasse, Iam 1. 23.
• Gold tryed in the fire, Psal. 19. 10.
• Garments smelling of Mi [...]rh, Psal. 45. 8.
• Alloes and Cassia▪
• Hysop, Psal. 51 7.
• Honey and hony combe, 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 Darknesse, 2 Pet 1. 19.
• Marchandizes of silver, Prov. 3. 14.
• Mighty Mountaines▪ Psal. 36 6.
• New Cloath, Mat. 9. 16.
• New Wine,
• Oyle and Oyntment, Exod 30. 15.
• The Poole Bethesda, Ioh 5. 2.
• A Plough, Luk. [...]. 62.
• Rayne and showers, Deut. 32 2
• Silver tryed in the fire Psal. [...]2. 16.
• A Sickle, Rev. 14. 15.
• A Shield and Buckler, Psal 91. 4.
• A Starre, Mat. 2. 2.
• Treasures hidden, Luke 16. 11.
• Waters still and deepe, Eze. 34 18.
• Waters: and Wine, Isa 55. 1.
• The Foure Windes of the Earth, Rev 7. 1.
• A Pavourie of wholsome food against f [...]igned Traditions,
• A Physitians Shoppe against poysoned Heresies,
  Basil in Psal­mum primum.
• A Pandet of profitable Lawes against rebellious spirits,
• A Treasurie of most costly Jewells against beggerly Rudiments.

And is

• Wisdome without Folly to Direct [...]s▪ For that i [...] will
• Riches without [...]verty to Honour [...]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 glorifie us in Heaven.

By Gods Word

2 Sam. 17 7. Hushai was made a wise Counsellor: 1 King. 3. 12. Salomon a wise King: Josh. 17. Ioshuah a wise Captaine: and 2 Tim. 3. 15. Timothy a wise Divine: Judg. 7. 5, 6. Gideon overcame the Midianites, 2 Sam 5. 19. David the Philistines, 2 Chr [...] [...]0. 2 [...]▪ 2 Chron. 14. Iehoshaphat the Amonites, Numb. [...]1. 3. The Israelites the Canaanites; * And all Godly men, [...]he Flesh, the Divell and the Worldes vanities: Prov. 8. 16. Kings Raigne, Prin­ces decree Justice: All things are governed: Psal. 33 6. The Foundations of the Earth were [...]aid; The Heavens established, Pr. 8. 21. Ro. 1. 17 Treasures and Substances are inherited: Man is blessed, his Faith is increased: Psal. 19. 7. His soule is converted, Psal. 19. 8. Psal. 19. 7 Rom. 1. 17. His heart cheared, and changed: H [...]s corruptions mortified: His understanding enlightned▪ His thoughts purged▪ His affections sanctified: His memory with good Lessons stored: His will to Gods will confirmed. His speech with Grace is seasoned: Deut. 32. 47. His dayes are prolon­ged: Prov. 9. 11. His yeares augmented, Prov. [...]. 24. His sleepe is secured: His eyes lightned, His walkings guided: And all his actions to Gods glory wholly dir [...]cted: Psal. 119. 13 [...]. 2 T [...]. 3. 15. [...] Eph. 5. 26. I [...]▪ 3. 36. Ioh. 17. 17. Ps. 119. 1 [...]. & 19. 7. 8. 1 Tim. 4. 5. Iam. 1. 21. Acts. 20. 32. The ignorant men are instructed: Disordered men reformed: The afflicted in Heavinesse comforted: The Dull in Memory quickned: The cold in Zeale enflamed: and the distressed in want releeved: The Righteousnesse of God is revealed: * The Church is sanctified: Truth is preached: Error convinced, Vice corrected, good life Directed: Death avoided and life eternall through Christ obteyned.

In keeping then of Gods Word there is great reward.Psal. 10. 11.

Blessed is he that heareth me, watching at my gates, and that giveth attendance at the postes of my doores, for he that seeketh me early shall finde me.Prov. 8. 34.

He that feareth me shall be rewarded: He that despiseth me shall be destroyed.Prov 8. 17.

Let the Word of God then dwell in you plentifully.Pro. 13. 13.

Reade: Deut. 6. 6▪ &c. Prov. 8. 17, &c. Psal 139▪ 6. Act. 20. 32. Eccles. 1. Chap. 7. Chap. 24.Col. 3. [...]6.

Of Gods 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 2 Tim. 2. 20. all of gold, or all of silver, but rather of divers and of sundry matter. And as in a mans body the manifold members thereof, are of greater both use and dignitie, 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 Gods glory, as the other for the good of the whole body.

Gods Decree is that by which God hath necessarily, and yet freely from Isa. 46 10. all Eter­nitie determined all things. Howbeit the Decree of God is the first and principall cause of all things, yet it doth not take away freedome of will in Election, or the Nature and proper [...]ie of Eph. 1. 12. Mat. 10. 29. Rom 9. 21. Isa 46. 10. second causes, but brings them into a certaine 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 concernes Man, (being so cal­led) by which God hath ordeyned all men to a certaine and everlasting estate (that is) some [...] Thes. 5 9. to salvation in his Sonne, others to Rom 9. 22. Condemnation, for his owne glory and their sinne.

Election is a Decree in which God according to the good pleasure of his will hath certainely Eph. 1. 4, 5. chosen some men to life eternall in Christ, and that for the praise of the glory of his Grace.

Reprobation is Gods Decree, in the which because it so pleased him, he hath Prov. 16. 4. 2 Cor. 13. 5. pur­posed to refuse some men by means of Adams fall and their owne corruptions for the manifestation of his Justice.

Hath God made man to condemne him?Ob.

Nothing lesse: God is not the cause of condemnation, but man himselfe, accordingHose 13 9. An. to the Prophet Hosea saying: O Israel thy destruction is of thy selfe: God useth allIsa. 5. 4. Meaning his Vineyard. meanes to save soules according to Isaiah saying: What more could have beene done for it, then I have done?

God Eze 18. 23. Isa. 50. 1. Cha. 59. 2. Psal. 104. 35. Ps. 51. 4. Ps. 62. 4. Prov. 29. 6. Psal. 59. 12. will no [...] the death of a Sinner?Ob.

God willeth not simply and absolutely the Death of a Sinner, as it is the destructionAn. of▪ his Creature, but as it is a meanes to declare his Justice, and to set forth his glory: Now these which are ordeyned to just Damnation, are likewise ordeyned to be left to themselves in this world, in 2 Thes. 2. 11▪ blindenesse of minde, and hardnesse of heart, so as they shall not, nor will repent of their sinnes; So that their sinnes shall be thereby the cause of their condemnation, and God not the Author of the same. Sinnes are not the [Page 18] cause of rejection, yet they are the cause of Damnation, whereunto the Reprobate are ordeyned and destined.

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

In the state of Mans innocency in Paradise, Good and bad was propounded to mansAn. will, and his will stood inclinable to that which the minde (or sences) first assented unto (for the minde conceiveth before the will subscribes freely) and the minde (or sences) then were enabled to judge and determine rightly, so that there was in man, helpe unto good, not infirmitie unto evill: Adam therefore sinned freely, and un­constrainedly. 1. In neglecting their Law and Calling. 2. In opening eare freely unto lewd counsell. 3. In eating the forbidden fruite. Now there were three things concurring to the fall of Adam. 1. Gods permitting. 2. Sathans tempting. 3. Mans yeelding. First, God permitting not by Iam. 1. 13. 1 Ioh. 2. 16. instilling into him any evill, or taking from him any ability unto good, but by suffering Sathan to tempt him. Secondly, By lea­ving man to the liberty and mutability of his owne Will, not hindring his fall by sup­ply of Grace, and by 2 Sam. 24. 1 1 Ch [...]o. 21. 1. Sathans tempting, who being himselfe fallen, envying Gods glory and mans happinesse, subtilly addressed himselfe into the Serpent. Thirdly, Mans yeelding, who being left to the mutability of their owne Will, Eccles. 7. 29. voluntar [...]lyGen. 3. 1. enclined unto that evill 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 Counsell) But we deny that it therefore followeth, that God can be accused of sinne 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 Judgements of God, in God himselfe, although they be unknowne and unsearcheable unto us wret­ches, that cannot of our selves neither see such Reasons, because we are blinded, nor know them by the Scriptures, because they are not revealed. Isa. 40. 28. There is no searching of Gods Wisdome, it cannot be comprehended: if the Creature could swallow up all the Reason of the Creator, God should be finite, and God no God. Iudg. 13. 18. An Angell bid Manoah not to enquire after his Name which was secret. Deut▪ 29. 29. Secret things belong unto God, revealed to man: Search not then for those things that are hidden, and Dive not too deepe for feare of Drowning.

Object. If God Decree every thing, why punisheth he any thing?

Answ. Punishment commeth from God by the just desert of the ranchor Lam. 3. 39. of mans sinne, Rom. 11. 5. Election of Gods free grace.

Object. Rom 9 19. Who hath resisted the Will of God? Why is he angry?

Answ. What art thou oh Man, which pleadest with God Iob 33. 13. who giveth not ac­count of his matters, Darest thou to expostulate with God thy Authour? Isa. 45. 9. 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 heare him which saith, Rom. 9. 20. oh man who art thou which reasonest with God? Faithfull ignorance is better then rash knowledge: Seeke for merits, thou shalt find nothing but punishment: O Altitude, Peter deny­eth, the Thiefe beleeveth O Altitude▪ askest thou the reason, I will admire, and be astonished at the Altitude, reason thou, I will marvell, dispute thou, I will beleeve: I see the Altitude, but I come not to the bottome; Paul rested because he found admiration: He calleth them Rom. 11 33. Gods inscru­table Judgements, and commest thou to search them? He calleth them wayes investigable, and seekest thou to finde them? And in another place,Cui hac re­sponsio non places & quae­ra [...] doctiores, sed caveat ne invenia [...] praesumptuo­res. speaking of the same matter (saith) if any man will binde us, and presseRom. 11. 33. us to search, and sound the profunditie, why one is perswaded, another is not, I have only two things to answer: Rom. 1 [...]. 33. Oh the depth of his Riches, &c. Cha. 9. 14. And is there iniquity with God? He that liketh not this Answer, let him seeke more learned Teachers, but let him looke that he finde not them that are more presumptuous.

If I be predestinated to eternall 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 eternall life, are alsoa Th [...]s. 2. 13. Rom. 8. 30. Eph. 1 4. predestinated to the subordinate meanes whereby they come to eternall life, and they are Christ and his merits, as he was a Mediatour, an effectuall [Page 19] Calling, Faith, Regeneration, Sanctification, Repentance, &c. with a god­lyHeb. 11. 6. Ioh. 3. 6. life.

Quest.

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

Answ 1.

Wee cannot judge, because it is a secret reserved unto God,

Mat. 7. 1. Iam. 4. 12.

Iudge not saith Christ)

2.

God is mercifull in forgiving, as he is miraculous in calling, making a

Acts 9 1.

Persecutor a Preacher, Saul a Paul.

3.

Because the Godly have beene overgon in this matter: so was

1 K. 19. 10.

Elias saying, that he was onely left in all Israel that bowed not his knee to Baal,

1 Sam. 1. 13.

So was Eli in judging Hanna.

We must Ioh. 7. 24. not judge according to the appearance, saith Christ, 1 Cor. 4. 5. judge nothing be­fore the time, untill 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 sinne, and for sinne to be guilty of Death: And after by Christ to deliver some, but to leave others, and to punish them for their sinnes, and this appoy [...]t­ment is very [...]redestination, Election and Reprobation. Ob the Depth of the riches bothRom. 11. 33. of the Wisdome and knowledge of G [...]d, &c.

Who is wise and he shall understand these things, prudent and he shall know them:Hos 14. 9.

For the wayes of the Lord are right, and the just shall walke in them, but the trans­gressours shall fall therein.

Abraham,

Seede should serve foure hundred yeares a strange people,

Gen. 15. 13. Act. 7. 6 1 Sam. 17. 14.

Achitophel,

Should be destroyed by his owne Counsell,

Esau,

Should serve Iacob before he had done good or evill,

Mal. 1. 2. Rom. 9 1. Isa. 2. 6. Gal. 3. 8. Acts 13. 48.

The Gentiles,

Should be called to the knowledge of Christ, and that such should be­le [...]e as were ordayned to Salvation,

Herod & Pilate,

Should do that onely to Christ, which he in his counsell had deter­mined

Acts 4. 27.

mined afore to be done,

Christ,

Should be by his owne Apostle Iudas betrayed,

Ps. [...]1. 9. Jo. 13. 11. Dan. 9. 24. [...]. 8. 25 Ier. 1. 5.

Ierusalem,

Should be made desolate, and againe blessed,

Ieremiah,

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

Paul,

Should be separated from his mothers wombe, that is, elected and cal­led

Gal. 1. 15.

to preach Christ, as also should suffer many afflictions for him,

1 Thos. 3 3.

The Philistims & Moabites,

Should be as Chaffe that passeth in a day, and that by Gods wrath

Zeph. 2. 2.

comming suddenly on them,

The Thessalo:

Should be elected and chosen unto salvation,

1 Thes. 1. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 13. Pr. 16. 4. Hab. 1. 12. Rom. 9. 12. I [...]d 1. 4. He, [...] 11. Ex. 32. 32. Re [...]. 78. & 20. 15.

The Wicked & Reprobate,

Should be made for the day of evill, prepared to destruction, and ordeyned to condemnation: As also that all they that have not their names written in the booke 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

1 Pet. 1. 2. Eph. 1. 4, 11. Tit. 1. 1. 2.

the Father, and that before the foundation of the world; and should be called not according to their workes, but according to God [...] pur­pose, having their names written in the booke of Li [...]e, which booke

2 Tim. 1. 9. Phil. 4. 3. Rev. 20. 15.

of Life is the eternall Decree of God, in which he hath elected in Christ, according to the good pleasure of his Will, those that shall be Heires of life.

Mans calling & Salvation,

Should be not according to our works, but according to Gods owne

2 Tim. 1. 9.

purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ before all time,

The time of Man,

Should be appointed: his Months determined, dayes numbred, and his

Heb. 9 27.

very last houre limited, as our Saviour Christ himselfe confessed.

Iob 14. 5.

The Moone,

Should be for certaine Seasons: and Sunnes going downe,

Ioh. 13 1.

The Lightning,

Raine and Thunder before the world beganne,

Psal. 104. 14.

The Seas,

Should not passe beyond their bounds lymited,

Iob 28. 26.

The Revelation,

Of the Misterie of the calling of the Gentiles should be kept close from

I [...]. 5. 22. Iob 26. 10. Ma [...] 13. 33. Rom. 16. 25. Collos 1 26

the beginning of the World till the time the Gospell was preached,

His Counsell,

Should stand declaring the last things from the beginning and from of old, the things that were not done, saying, My counsell shall stand,

Isa. 46. 10, 11.

I will do whatsoever I will; as I have spoken so will I bring to passe,

Isa. 14. 27.

I have purposed I will doe it, who is able to disanull it?

• Foundation, Counsells, Purpose, Remayneth sure and hath this seale, He knoweth his are of old and
  2 Tim. 2. 19. Isa. [...]6. 10. [...]eb. 6. 17. Psal. 33. 11.
  shall stand for ever, being Faithfulnesse, is eternall, wrought in Christ before all things.
  Eph 3. 11.
• [Page 20]God Predestinated Those which he knew before to be made like to the Image
  Rom. 8. 29.
  of his Sonne Christ, and hath appointed a day in the
  Acts 17. 31.
  which he will judge the World by Christ.
• God Knoweth all his Workes And that from the beginning: He appointeth the state
  Acts 15▪ [...]8.
  and condition of man before his Creation; He can doe
  Acts 17 26.
  with man as the Potter with the Clay, make one to ho­nour
  Ier. 18. 6.
  and another to dishonour: He will shew mercy
  Rom. 9. 15.
  to whom he will shew mercy, and compassion to whom
  [...]xod. 33. 19.
  he will have compassion, and whom he will he hard­neth,
  Rom. 9. 15, 18.
  so that it is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
• God Promised Hope of Eternall life for the godly from the beginning,
  Tit. 1. 2.
• God Prepared The Kingdome of Heaven for the godly from the beginning,
  Math. 25. 31. 34.
• God Prepared Everlasting fire, for the Divell and his from the beginning,
• Christ Was Decreed To be the Sonne of God before all Worlds, ordayned of
  Ps. 2. 7. Act. [...]3. 23
  God to be a Judge both of quick and dead, before the
  He. 1. 5. Act▪ 10. 4 [...]
  foundation of the world, but was in the last dayes de­clared:
  1 Pet. 1. 20.
  He was appointed for the fall, and rising againe
  1 Pet. 2▪ 8.
  of many in Israel, and delivered by the determinate coun­sell
  Luk. 2. 34.
  of God to be crucified.
  Acts. 2. 2 [...].
• Christ Knew From the beginning, whom he had chosen, who they were
  Iohn 13. 8.
  that beleeved not, who should b [...]tray him: and there­fore
  Iohn 6. 64.
  saith, without me ye can do nothing, ye have not
  Iohn 15. [...], 16.
  chosen me, but I have chosen and ordeyned you.

There is no variablenesse, nor shadow by changing in God, saith SaintJam 1. 17. E [...]. 3. 14 Iames I change not, saith the Lord. Isra [...]l hath not obteyned that heMal. 3. 6. Isa. 14. 24 sought, but the Election hath obteyned it, and the rest have bin hardned:Rom. 11. 5, 7. 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 for ever, nothing can be put unto it, nor taken from it, saith the Preacher: The Lord God [...]ccles. 3. 14. knew all things or ever they were made, and after they be brought to passeEcclesia. 23. 20. he looketh on them.

Use. The Doctrine of Predestination is especially two fold.

• 1. It teacheth us that there is a certaine and firme perswasion of our Ele­ction to eternall 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 blessednesse ascribed, in that he hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ, having chosen us in himselfe before the foundations of the world were laid: Reade: Isa. 10. 23. Chap. 14. 27. Chap. 23. 8, 9. Chap 41. 9 Dan. 9. Chap. 10. Iob. 23. 14. Zech. 1. 6. Prov. 19. 21. 1 Cor. 1. 26. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Ioh. 17. 10. Give diligence to make your election sure, 2 Pet 1. 10.

• Adam Had Kain, Eldest
  Gen. 4.
• Adam Had Abel, Eldest
• Adam Had Seth, Eldest
• Noab Had Iapheth, The Youngest Wicked.
• Noab Had Shem, The Youngest Wicked.
  Gen. 9.
• Noab Had Cham, The Youngest Wicked.
• Tera [...] Had Haran, Midlest Wicked.
• Tera [...] Had Nahor, Midlest Wicked.
  Gen. 11.
• Tera [...] Had Abram, Midlest Wicked.

To shew that neither in Eldest, Youngest or Middlemost, but in Gods free Election standeth eternall happinesse.

• [Page 21]Abel The Younger chos [...]. Kain The Elder refused. Gen. 4. Judah The Younger chos [...]. R [...]ub [...] The Elder refused.
  Gen. 49. 8.
• Abraham The Younger chos [...]. Nach [...]r The Elder refused. Gen. 12. Joseph The Younger chos [...]. The Patriarchs The Elder refused.
  Gen. 4 [...].
• Boaz The Younger chos [...]. His Kinsman The Elder refused. Ruth 4. Ithamar The Younger chos [...]. Abih [...] The Elder refused.
  Numb. 3. 4.
• David The Younger chos [...]. Eliab The Elder refused. 1 Sam. 16. Jeh [...]az The Younger chos [...]. J [...]h [...]iakim The Elder refused.
  2 King 23.
• Ep [...]raim The Younger chos [...]. M [...]nasses The Elder refused. Gen: 48. Moses The Younger chos [...]. A [...]r [...] The Elder refused.
  Exod. 7. 7.
• El [...]z [...]r The Younger chos [...]. Nadab The Elder refused. Numb. 3. Ruth The Younger chos [...]. O [...]p [...]h The Elder refused.
  Ruth. 1. 14.
• Isaa [...] The Younger chos [...]. Ismael The Elder refused. Gen. 21. Shem The Younger chos [...]. Cham The Elder refused.
  Gen. 9. [...]7.
• Jaacob The Younger chos [...]. Esau The Elder refused. Gen. 25. S [...]lomon The Younger chos [...]. Ad [...]niah The Elder refused.
  1 King. 1.

Notwithstanding that for outward blessings the Lord commandedReade 1 Sam 9. 21. 1 King. 20. 14. Deut. 21. 15, 17. that the Eldest should have a double portion of all that the Father had before the younger: but Christs saying is here verified: TheMat. 19. 30. Saul Young. first shall bee last and the last first. For that the Lord seeth not1 Sam. 16. 7. as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, God on2 Cor. 10. 7. the heart.

• David Was chosen to be King of Israel: King Saul rejected,
  1 Sam. 15. C. 16. 12.
• [...]lias Was saved: Balaam damned, both prophecyed,
  2 King. [...]. 2 P [...]t. 2.
• The Gentiles Called: The Jewes rejected: for both Christ dyed,
  Rom. 9.
• G [...]dcon The meanest of his Fathers house was advanced,
  Iu [...]g. 6. 15.
• The Israelites First borne w [...]re preserved: the Aegyptians destroyed,
  Exod 12.
• In thered Sea were d [...]livered: Pharoah drowned,
• I [...]hoshaphat Was s [...]ved: Ahab slaine, both fighting at [...]amoth Gilead,
  1 King [...]2.
• Ioseph Of Arimathea a rich man saved: Dives rich damned,
  Luk. 1 [...].
• Matthias Before Ios [...]ph called Iustus was elected,
  Act. 1. 2 The Trib [...] [...] [...] Psal. 78. 67.
• Mord [...]cai Was advanced: Hamon by Ahashuerash hanged,
  Es [...]h. 7. Ho [...]. 1. 7.
• The Men Of Iudah: not of Israel, in captivity were delivered,
  Ez. 1. 7. 1 King 7.
• Noah With his were preserved in the Arke: all else per [...]shed,
  Gen. 7.
• Pharoa [...]s Butler in prison was restored: his Bak [...] hanged,
  Gen: 40.
• Peter An Apostle saved: Iudas an Apostle damned,
  Acts 1. 19.
• One T [...]iese Was by Christ at last [...]aved, the other damned,
  Mat. 27.
• One Man In the field and bed shall be received, another refused,
  Luk. 17.
• One Woman Grinding shall be accepted, another rejected,
• Judge not why God draweth this man and not that man if
  Psal. 33. 12.
  thou wilt not e [...]re (saith S. Augustine)

• Abel & Seth Were counted blessed of all Adams sonnes,
  Gen 5. 3.
• Abraham Was chosen to be the Father of all faithfulnesse,
  Gen. 12. 2. Isa 51▪ 2
• Aarons Rodde budded, of all the twelve put into the Tabernacle,
  Ro. 4 [...]. Num 17. 8
• The Apostles Were chosen at the first to est [...]blish the Gospe [...]l,
  Mat. 10. 5. Mar. 1 [...].
• Abijah Of all Ieroboams posterity came to be buried,
  1 King, 14. 13. (15.
• Abiathar Was saved alive of eighty sive persons that wore the Lynen Ephod
  1 Sam 22. 20.
• Abikam With certaine Elders spake that Ieremiah might be delivered,
  Ier. [...]6. 16▪ 24.
• Da [...]iel Is mentioned to be delivered out of the Lyons Den,
  Dan: 6. 23 & 2. 19.
• David Was chosen to sight with Goliah the Philistine,
  [...] Sa [...]. 17. 37. Isa 63. 3.
• Elias Was for the Lord against foure hundred and fifty false Prophets,
  1 King. 18. 22.
• Elisha Of a Plough man was made one of the Lords Prophets,
  1 Ki [...]g. 10. 1 [...].
• Ebedmelech Spake to have Ieremiah brought out of the Dungeon,
  Jer. [...]8 7 & 33. 1 [...]
• Elihu Of Iobs comforters spake that was right unto him,
  [...]b 42 7.
• Five Virgins Of Ten entred before the Doores were shut with the Bridegroom
  Mat. [...]5 10.
• F [...]w Men Followed King Saul whose heart God had touched,
  1 Sam. 10 46.
• F [...]w Men Remained in Sardis which had not their ga [...]ments defiled,
  Rev. 3. 4.
• F [...]w Men Beleeved in Christ, Pharisees and Rulers not mentioned,
  Io. [...] 48. & 3. 32. Isa. 10.
• F [...]w Men W [...]re present [...]t Christs Ascention, when many dyed,
  Acts 1. 11. (19.
• F [...]w Men Wise and Noble after the flesh are called,
  1 Cor. 1. [...]6.
• F [...]w Men Accompanied S. Paul, or his Doctrine beleeved,
  Act. 17. 4.
• Gamaliel G [...]ve couns [...]ll to set at liberty the Apostles,
  Act. 5 34.
• The Gib [...]o [...]it [...]s Being a remnant of the Amorites had peace with the Israelites,
  2 Sam. 21. 2. I [...]sh. 9 3.
• The Israelites W [...]e chosen to be to God a holy people and Nation,
  Exod. 10. 6.
• Isaac I [...] m [...]ntioned to be godly of all Abrahams children,
  Gen. 25. 5.
• Iotham Was preserved: Seventy being slaine of his bretheren,
  Iudg. 9. 5.
• S. Iohn Of all the Apostles had the savour to leane on Christs bosome,
  Iohn 13. 23.
• Ioshuab And Caleb of six hundred thousand entred Canaan,
  Numb. 14. 24.
• [Page 22]Ioash Escaped Death, all the seede royall being slaine,
  2 King. 11. 2.
• Ionah Was saved by a Fish in the Sea receiving him,
  Ionah 2. 2.
• Ioseph Of all the Counsellors consented not to the death of Christ,
  Luk 23. 51
• Ioseph And Nicod [...]mus begged and buried the body of Christ,
  Ioh. 19. 38, 39.
• Lot His Wife and Daughters were delivered in Sodom,
  Gen. 19. 16
• Luke The Physition remained with Paul, Dema [...] forsooke him,
  2 Tim. 4. 10, 11
• A Little Flocke is the Flocke of Christ, as Christ consessed,
  Luk. 12 32.
• * Magdalen Was of all them at the Table by Christ commended,
  Mark. 14 9.
• Moses And Aaron were sent to Pharoah, the Israelites delivered,
  Exod 4. 14.
• Mephthosheth Of all King Sauls posterity was by David preserved,
  2 Sam. 9. 5.
• Michaiah Of foure hundred Prophtes, truely prophecyed,
  1 King. 22. 6.
• Magdalen Was the first to whom Christ rising from death appeared,
  Mar 1 [...] 9.
• Iob In the Land of Huz to be a just man is mentioned,
  Iob 1 1. [...] Sam. 18. 1.
• Ionathan Of all Sauls Courtiers shewed kindnesse to David,
  1 Sam. 18. 1. Gen. 7. 22. & [...]. 8.
• Noah And his were saved in the Arke all else perished,
  1 P [...]t 3 [...].
• Naa [...]an Of all the Leapers in Israel he was clensed,
  Luk. 4 27.
• N [...]cod [...]m [...]s Of all the Rulers spake for Christ, all else maligned him,
  Ioh. 7. 50.
• * Ones [...]horu [...] Refreshed Paul: all they in Asia turned from him,
  2 Tim 1. 15, 16
• One Dis [...]p [...]e W [...]s [...] to follow Christ at his apprehension,
  Mat 26, 56.
• One City Had rayne, yea, one piece was [...]ayned upon,
  Amos. 4 7.
• One Captaine Of Three sent to take Elias was preserved,
  2 King 1. 13.
• One Hearer Of foure received the word and pro [...]ited.
  Mat. 13. 8.
• One Leaper Of Te [...]eturned to give thankes being cl [...]nsed.
  Luk. 17. 12.
• One Man Of a City and two of a Tribe were brought out of Captivity,
  I [...]r., 14.
• One Man Was healed a [...]ter the Angell stirted the [...]oole Bethesda,
  Ioh. 5. 4.
• One Man Was not found to follow God:
  Zech. 1. 11.
  All were at rest,
• One Man Of a thousand found wisdome and righteousnesse
  P [...]a. 14. 2. [...] 33. [...]3. [...] 26.
• One Man Was not to be found that executed judgement [...] Ierusalem,
  [...] 5. 1. [...] 5. [...]. 21. 27. [...] 4.
• One Man Was saved of Bethel and of all the Amalekites, the rest slayne,
  1 Sam. 30. 11. [...] 1. 25.
• One Man Godly, was not left amo [...] the children of Men,
  Psa [...] 2. 1.
• One Man Wise, among the Corinthians was not among them,
  1 Cor. 6. 5.
• One Prodigall Is mentioned to have returned to his Father,
  Luk. 15. 18.
• One Runaway Is mentioned to have returned to his Master,
  Phile. 1.
• One Th [...]efe Of Two crucified with Christ was saved,
  Luk 2. 3. 43.
• One of Two At Christs comming to Judgement shall be received,
  Luk. 17. 34.
• Obadiah H [...]d the Prophets of the Lord: Iezabell destroyed them,
  1 King. 18. 4.
• Peter Iames and Iohn saw Christs transfiguration,
  Mat. 17. 2.
• The Poore Were left in [...]srael by the King of Babylon,
  Ier 39 10.
• Rahab Was saved with her Housh [...]ld in Ierechoes destruction,
  Iosh [...]. 22.
• Ruth Accompanied Naomi, Orpah returned to her place,
  R [...]th. 1. 1.
• A Remnant of Israel Is reserved according to the Election of Grace,
  Rom. 1 [...] 5. [...] 44. [...].
• A Remnant of Israel [...]hat went into Egypt to dwell returned,
  Ez [...]. 12. 16. & 6. 8.
• A Remnant of Israel Was left: and of Moah a third part, all else destroyed,
  2 Sam. 8.
• The S [...]mari [...]a [...] Shewed mercy to the Man in the Gospell wounded,
  Luk. [...]0. 33.
• The Sh [...]pheards Were first told of Christs Birth at Bethlchem,
  Luk. [...]. 8.
• The Sheepe Shall stand at Christs right hand in the day of Doome,
  Mat. [...]5. 33.
• Seventy Elders of Israel had the spirit of Prophecie given them,
  Numb 11. 16.
• The Town Clark Spake in the behalfe of S Paul to free him,
  Acts 19. 35.
• 300. Men Of all Israel, were chosen to fight the Lords battell,
  Iudg. 7. 7.
• 10. Men Of Fourescore escaped from the hands of Ishmaell,
  Ier. 41. 8.
• The Widdowes Oyle and Meale was by the Lord increast,
  1 King 17. 14. Mat. [...]. [...]
• The wise Men Had [...] Starre to conduct them to Christ: Zoar spared at Lots request,
  Mica 7. 2. Psal. 33. 12
  Gen. 19. 21.
• Ʋse. Let us strive to enter in at the straight gate, for the way is narrow and few there be that finde it.
  Numb. 31. 18.
  Mat. 7 13.
• Reade: Rom 9. 28. Isa 17. 6. Psal 12. 2. Psal. 14. 3 1 Cor. 1. 27 Ioh. 12. 38. And to doe evill see that thou follow not the multitude.
  Exod. 23. 2.

Election of Gods mercy not mans merit.

MErit is a good work, binding him that doth receive it to repay the like: This no man is able to doe towards God, therefore there is no Merit in man, for whosoever will merit, must fulfill the whole Law, but none can keepe the whole Law: For if we say we have no sinne we deceive our selves, and he1 Ioh. 1. 4. that sinnes against one Commandement is guilty of the whole Law; Then what [Page 23] 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,Rom. 8. 18. nothing else that can be done of Man. Eternall life is the gift of God: if then the greater benefit come of grace, the inferiour must proceed from the same foun­taine,Rom. 6. 28. I meane 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?Iam. 2. 5.

Answ. The Lord rewards his owne worke begunne in us, out of his mercy not of our merit: He promiseth rewards to move us to serve him, as he threatneth judgements to those that disobey him.Deut. 28.

• Abraham Being by Faith only: not by Workes justified,
  Rom. 4. 2.
• The Apostles Who before they gave to any: had freely received,
  Mat. 10. 8.
• David Confessing That he had but of Gods owne given him and that his well doing extended not to him.
  1 Chro. 29. Psal. 16. [...]. Dan 9. 18.
• The Israelits Merited not Who Were of Gods love, not for their number chosen
  Deut 7 7.
  Had their Enemies slayne for sinne not for their
  Deut. 9. 4.
  Well-doing: [...] were pittyed of God not for their
  Ezech. 36. 22.
  sake but for his owne.
• Iob: Merited not Saying If I justifie my selfe, my owne Mouth shall co [...] ­demne
  Iob 9. 20. 30. 31.
  me: If I make my selfe perfect, a wic­ked one will God judge me to be
  Chap. 15 15.
• Iaacob Affirming himselfe not worthy of the least of Gods mercies
  Gen 32. 10.
• Mary That was Gods favour towards her, seeing her lowlinesse,
  Luk. 1. 30.
• Paul Being carnall sold under sin, and called by Grace.
  Rom. 7. 14, 19. Gal. 1. 15.
• Man Cannot Merit He is By Grace: not by the Law justified,
  Rom. 11. 6. Gal. 5. 4.
• Man Cannot Merit He is By Gods Mercy: not by Workes saved,
  2 T [...]m. 1. 9. Rom. 3. 9.
• Man Cannot Merit He is By Nature borne the Child of Wrath,
  Tit. 3. 5. Eth. 2. 3.
• Man Cannot Merit He is Sinnefull: and the wages of sinne is death,
  2 Ioh. 1. 10. R [...]m. 5. 2 [...].
• Man Cannot Merit He is An unprofitable servant in all his life.
  Luk. 17, 10.
• He cannot Receive any thing except it be from God.
  Ioh. 3. 27.
• He cannot Answer one of a Thousand before God.
  Iob [...] [...].
• He cannot Bring forth any fruit acceptable to God.
  Mat. 7. 16.
• He cannot Justifie himselfe in the sight of God.
  Psal. 143. 2.
• He cannot Do any thing without Christ to please
  Ioh. 15. 5.
• Man Cannot Merit His Bodily exercise profiteth little towards God.
  1 Tim. 4 8.
• Man Cannot Merit His Righteousnes Is as a filthy clout before God.
  Isa. 44. 6.
• Man Cannot Merit His Righteousnes Is not pleasing with God.
  Iob 22. 3.
• Man Cannot Merit His Righteousnes Doth not extend it selfe to God.
  Psal 16. 2.
• Man Cannot Merit His Wickednesse hurteth himselfe not God.
  Job 35 7. Jer. 79.
• Man Cannot Merit His Sinne destroyes himselfe, his helpe is of God.
  Hos. 13 9.
• God Puts away for his owne sake mans iniquity,
  Isa. 43. 25.
• God Giveth Eternall life through Christ with victory,
  2 Pet. 1 3.
  Iob. 6 40. Rom. 6. 23. 1 Cor 15. 5. 7.
• God Prepared Heaven before the worlds Creation,
  Ioh. 10. 28.
  Mat. 25 34.
• God Gives Heaven at his pleasure by his ordination,
  Acts 17. 25.
  Luk. 12. 32.
• God Gives every good and perfect gift without limitation
  Gal. 5. 4.
  Iam. 1. 17. Rom. 9. 16.
• Who Hath first given to God, and it shall be recompensed againe?
  Rom. 11. 35.
• Who In him, and through him, and to him are all things.
• Behold God found no stedfastnesse in his Saints, the Heavens are not
  Iob 15. 14.
  cleane in his sight: How much more is man more abhomi­nable,
  Rom. 7. 8.
  that drinketh iniquity like water, having as Paul con­fessed
  Iob 25 4.
  of himselfe, no good thing dwelling in him.
• Christs Blood cleanseth us from sin, he gave himselfe for our sin, then for­givenesse
  1 Ioh. 1. 7.
  of sin is obtayned not by doing, but by receiving, not
  Gal. 1. 4.
  as Agents but as Patients: for that no man commeth unto the
  Ioh. 14. 6.
  Father but by him, who is the way, the truth and the life.
• The Man That reckons to God his merits doth reckon but Gods mercies▪
• The Man Quae bona mea sunt dona tua: My goods are only Gods gifts.
  Aug. Conf. l. 6.
• [Page 24]Ʋse. Workes * Iam. 2. 10. Then cannot keepe us but grace,
  Merit expells Mer [...]y, M [...]r [...]y ex­pells Me­rit.
  Nothing can be ascribed to humane strength or merit: No man can say his heart is cleane,
  Prov. 20. 9.
  he is pure from sinne (saith Solomon.)

Let Papists then boast of perfection, we cry for pardon, they for Merits, we for Mercies, they for justifying workes of their owne, we for our Saviour Christs alone.

Luk. 17. 5. 9. & 18. 4. Ioh. 1. 6, 29, &c. Chap. 3. 3. Chap. 5. 39.Reade: 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 Ioh. 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 doe good, why doth GodEzech. 18. 31. exhort men by his Prophets to returne unto him?Isa. 1. 16.

Answ. God exhorts men by his Prophets to returne unto him, com­mandingIam. 4. 8, 9. the things (as Saint Augustine saith) that we cannot doe, that we might know, what we ought to aske of him, which indeed may appeare even by this, that the Lord doth every where by his Prophets will us to turne unto him, to repent of our sinnes, &c. But Iere [...]iah answereth, Convert me O Lord, Ier. 31. 18. and I shall be converted: When thou didst correct me I did re­pent,Ioel. 2. &c. Whereupon S. Augustine handling in another place this Doctrine of Freewill (saith) O Lord give me that whichAug. Confess. thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt,l. 10. c. 31.

• Adam Had no Free-Will or Power To turne to God, slying from him, till God called him,
  Gen. 3.
• Abraham Had no Free-Will or Power To depart from among the Idolaters till God willed him,
  Gen 12.
• Abimelech Had no Free-Will or Power To keepe himselfe from Sarah: but the Lord kept him,
  Gen. 20. 6.
• The Apostles Had no Free-Will or Power To answer for themselves: till the Answer was given,
  Mat. 10. 19.
• Balaam Had no Free-Will or Power To fore-tell what should come untill his eyes were opened.
  [...]. 24. 16. [...] [...], [...]
• The [...]mavits Had no Free-Will or Power To know Christ talking w^th them untill their Eyes were opened.
  Luk. 24. 16, 3 [...]. [...]
• Elishas Man Had no Free-Will or Power To see the Chariots of fire untill his Eyes were opened.
  King [...]. 18.
• Hagar Had no Free-Will or Power To espy the well of water untill her Eyes were opened.
  Gen. 21. 19.
• Lidia Had no Free-Will or Power To heare Paul preaching untill her Eyes were opened.
  Act. 16 4.
• The Blinde Had no Free-Will or Power To see the Sunne shining untill their Eyes were opened.
  Ioh. 9. 7.
• The Cripple Had no Free-Will or Power To walke and leape till he was by the Name of Christ
  Act. 9. 18.
  healed,
  Acts 3.
• Daniell Had no Free-Will or Power To speake to the Lord untill he was with a hand tou­ched
  Dan. 10. 10.
• [...]saiah Had no Free-Will or Power To do Gods command untill he was with a coal [...] tou­ched
  Isa. 6. 6.
• Sauls Subjects Had no Free-Will or Power To follow Saul till their hearts were by God tou­ched
  1 Sam. 10 26,
• Elijas Had no Free-Will or Power To see the Cake on the Coales till he was by an Angell
  1 King. 19.
  awaked.
• Elisha Had no Free-Will or Power To follow Elias: till he had cast his mantle on
  1 King. 19.
• Ezechiell Had no Free-Will or Power To heare What was spoken till the spirit entred in him.
  Eze. 2. 1.
• Ezechiell Had no Free-Will or Power To heare Or to speak till God opened the mouth of him.
  Eze. 33. 22.
• Ieremiah Had no Free-Will or Power To speake Till God put his word into the mouth of him.
  Io. 1. 9. & [...]0. 23. & 3. [...]
• Ieremiah Had no Free-Will or Power To speake Or to convert till God converted him.
  Lam. 5. 21.
• Ionah Had no Free-Will or Power To come out of the Fishes belly till God spake to him.
  Iona 2. 10.
• Ioseph Had no Free-Will or Power To deny his Mistresse, but that Gods feare preserved him.
  Gen. 39. 9.
• Moses Had no Free-Will or Power To goe to Pharaoh till God said he would be with him.
  Exod. 4. 11.
• The Men Had no Free-Will or Power To come to the wedding, till the King sent for them,
  Mat. 22. 3.
• Pilate Had no Free-Will or Power To doe to Christ: other then that was given him,
  Ioh. 19. 11.
• Peter Had no Free-Will or Power To be constant in beleeving till Christ prayed for him,
  Luk. 22. 32.
• Peter Had no Free-Will or Power To repent his denying Christ till Christ looked on him,
  Mat. 28.
• Peter Had no Free-Will or Power To understand the things of God but of Men,
  Mat. 16. 23.
• Paul Had no Free-Will or Power To become a Christian, till a voice called from Heaven,
  Acts 9.
• Paul Had no Free-Will or Power To be an Apostle but by Gods grace bestowed on him,
  1 Cor. 15. 1 [...]. [...]al. 1 15.
• Paul Had no Free-Will or Power To doe any thing of himselfe, but by Christ strengthening him,
  Phil. 4. 13.
• The Spouse Had no Free-Will or Power To follow the Bridegroome untill he was drawne,
  Cant. 1. 3.
• Zerubbabel Had no Free-Will or Power To reedifie the Temple, till God stirred up the spirit of him,
  Hag. 1. 14.
• Zache [...] Had no Free-Will or Power To follow Christ, till Christ willed him to come downe,
  Luk 19. 5.

• [Page 25]He is Like the Beasts that perish, seeking his owne not
  Psalm. 49. 20.
  Christs,
  Phil. 2 21.
• Man Hath no Freewill He is Sanctified by faith only (not by works) in Christ,
  Acts 26. 18.
• Man Hath no Freewill He is Not sufficient of himselfe to thinke any good,
  2 Cor 3. 5.
• Man Hath no Freewill He is Dead in sinnes and trespasses till he be quickned,
  Eph 2. 1.
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot Beare fruites except he be in Christ as the Branch in the
  Ioh. 15. 4.
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot Vine: Come to Christ except the Father draw him:
  Ioh 6. 44.
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot Get substance till God give power unto him; Or walke.
  Deut. 8. 18.
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot in Gods waies, till he bow his heart unto him: Know
  1 King. 8 58.
  Gal, 2. 20. Phil 4. 15.
• Man Hath no Freewill He cannot either love or hatred of all that is before him.
  Eccles. 9. 1.
• Man Hath no Freewill The imagination of his heart are evill defiling him,
  Gen. 6. 5.
• Man Hath no Freewill His flesh lusteth against the Spirit, being e [...]mity to God,
  Mat. 15. 18.
• Man Hath no Freewill There is not one just man to be sound that s [...]eth God.
  Gal. 5. 17. Ro. 8
• Man Hath no Freewill All Jewes and Gentiles are entangled in the body of sinne,
  Rom 3. [...]0 [...]6.
• Man Hath no Freewill All are gone astray, and are to iniquity given: Their
  Eccles. 7. 20.
• Man Hath no Freewill Throat is like an open Sepul [...]her devou [...]ing: Their
  Psal 14. 1.
• Man Hath no Freewill Mouthes speake leasing: Their Tongues slattering.
  Psal. 5 [...]. 2.
• Man Hath no Freewill Their Lippes are annoynted with Adders poyson: Their
  Psal. 5. 6.
• Man Hath no Freewill Talking is in bitternesse and cursing: Their feete swift
  Rom. 3.
• Man Hath no Freewill to murthering: No good thing is in the flesh of them:
  Rom. 7. 18.
• Man Hath no Freewill Their body is a body of sin.
  Rom. 7. 24.
• Man Hath no Freewill His Helpe and strength are in God, his heart fashioned
  Heb. 1 [...] 9
  by him,
  Psa. 87. 7 & 33 14.
• Man Hath no Freewill His Heart deviseth: but the counsell of God doth stand,
  Prov. 19. [...]1
• Man Hath no Freewill His Steps, pathes and waies, are ruled by God alone.
  Ier. 10. 2 [...].
• Man Hath no Freewill It is God that turneth the Kings heart as pleaseth him,
  Pro. 21. 1. 2 T [...]. 2. 25. D [...]t. 29. 4. [...] 31. 33. Phil. 2. 13 Iob 32. 8.
  giving eyes to see, heart to p [...]ceive, and repentance to man that worketh both the will and the deed in him.
  Ez [...]. 11. 19.
  Psal. 75 7.

So that it is not,

• In him that Willeth but of God to shew mercy,
  Rom. 9. 16.
  Isa. [...]2. 22.
• In him that Plantet [...]. but of God to give increase,
  1 Cor. 3. 7.
  I zech 11. 13.
• In him that Speaketh but of God that speaketh in us.
  Mat. 10. 20.
  1 Cor. 12. 6.
• In By whom We live move and have our being,
  Act. 17. 28.
• In By whom Every good worke hath his beginning and ending.
  Phil. 1. 2.

Isa 63. 17. Ier. 2 [...]. 7. Chap. 31. 14, 33. Chap. 32. 40. Ezek 11.Reade:19. Chap. 36, 26. Mat. 7. 17. Chap. 16. 17. Iob. [...] 1 [...]. Rom. 5. 6. 1 Cor 12. 3. Eph. [...]. 5. 2 Tim 2. 25. Tit. 3. 3. Iam. 1. 14 Chap. 4 8. Psalm. 127. Isa. 63. 17. Mat. 13. 19. Ioh. 1. 12. Rom. 8. 6 Chap▪ 5 12▪

Of Gods Power and Divine Miracles

THere is a two fold Power in God, one Actuall and the other Absolute,

• Actuall Is that by which he not only can, but hath done what
  Wisd. 13▪ 3.
  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 implyeth 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 workes above the strength of Nature, and can be eff [...]ct [...]d of none, but by the Authour 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 guift toExod. 14. [Page 26] worke Miracles, and that Ioshuah commanded the Sunne to stand still, and Elias Ioh 10. fire from Heaven, God yet never gave to any man power to worke and effect2 King. 1. 10. a Miracle, either mediately or immediately: the guift was the Faith of Miracles, the Faith was grounded upon Revelation, and the Revelation was that God himselfe would worke such or such a Miracle, when they prayed or comman­ded, &c.

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

Object. The Divell can doe Miracles?

Answ. He can worke a Wonder or thing extraordinary, in respect of ordinary cau­sesIob 1. [...]6. of Nature: So he caused fire to come downe from Heaven on Iobs Cattell, but for M [...]racles he cannot doe any in that it exceedeth the strength of Nature:2 Sam. 28. His are but illusions and reall actions done by himselfe or his Instruments.

Miracles are wrought in the Church, partly in Mercy and partly in Judgement:Note. In Mercy on Ieroboam, whose hand being withered was restored againe▪ In Judge­ment1 King. 13. on the Egiptians. Exod. 14.

• The Heavens The earth and all the host of them were framed,
  Gen. 1.
• Man Was created and Woman, Adam named,
  Chap. 2.
• The Apostles Did many wonders and signes which were admired,
  Act. 2. 43.
• The Bush Burned that God spake out of to Moses yet not consumed,
  Exo. 3. 2.
• Di [...] Bones Were gathered together and they lived,
  Ezek. 37.
• Dead Men Were to life by Christ and others raised,
  Ioh. 6. 2 K. 13.
• The Bow And the mighty men are broken, the weake girded,
  1 Sam. 2. 4.
• Dagon Fell downe at Gods Arke being by him seated,
  1 Sam 5. 3.
• David Did breake through an Host and triumphed,
  Psal 18. 29.
• Dreames Were by Daniell and Ioseph interpreted,
  Dan. 6. Gen. 40 12.
• Disciples Healed the sicke, cast out Divells, Leape [...]s clensed,
  Mat. 10.
• Eliah The waters of Iorden with his Cloake divided,
  2 King. 28.
• Elisha Healed venemous water, made Iron swimme in water,
  2 King. 4 C. 6.
• Elisha Procured for the King of Israel without rayne water,
  2 King. 6.
• Elisha Made sweete the Pottage death being therein,
  2 King. 4.
• Elisha Fed with twenty loaves of Barley a hundred men,
  I [...]em.
• Elisha Prophecied at the playing of a Minstrell before him,
  2 King. 3.
• Elisha Cleansed the Leprosie of Naaman by washing,
  2 King. 5.
• Ezekiell Was carried by the spirit to Ierusalem,
  Ezek 8 3.
• Fire From the Lord consumed the Sacrifices and burnt-offerings of
  Gen. 15. L [...]. 9. [...] 6. 11.
  Abraham: of the Isralites, of Gideon, of Manoah, of Elias and
  1 King. 18. 12.
  Solamon.
  Chro 7.
• A Goard Shadowed Ionahs head and suddenly withered,
  Iona 4.
• Henoch And Eliah were without tasting death translated,
  Gen 5. 2 K. 2. 11
• The Hand Of Moses by putting of it into his bosome became leprous
  Exod 4. 1 King 13.
  and cleane againe: the hand of Ieroboam was withered up and restored againe.
• The Isralites Of Seventy persons going into Egypt, in Foure hundred yeares,
  Gen. 15.
  became Six hundred thousand men, were not touched with the Plagues brought on the Egiptians, were delivered from the Egip­tians
  Deut. 8. 7.
  oppressing them: In the Wildernesle were fed with Man­na from Heaven: gathering Manna more or lesse, had all one
  Deut. 10.
  in measuring: Their apparrell and shooes in forty yeares were
  Deut. 29. 5.
  not old with wearing: They passed on dry ground through the
  Exod. 14.
  Red Sea and Iordan, having the presence of the Lord in a Cloud
  Iosh. 3.
  going before them.
  Gen. 1.
• Light Was brought out of darkenesse, life out of death,
  2 Cor. 9. 6.
• Miriam Was strucken with Leprosie, and againe cleansed,
  Num. 12.
• Mountaines Trembled and burned, yet were not consumed,
  Ex. 19. Deu 4.
• The Man Diseased That stepped first into the Poole Bethesda, after the Angell of
  Ioh. 5.
  the Lord had stirred it, was healed,
• S. Paul Healed diverse by sending Handkercheifes unto them,
  Act 19. 12.
• S Peter Walked on the Sea and healed by shadowing,
  Mat. 14. Act 5. 15.
• The Rod Of Moses became a Serpent, and a Rod againe,
  Exo. 4.
• Of Ioshuah brought forth buddes and blossomes,
  Numb. 17.
• The Seas Are ruled, dryed, and Floudes made desart places,
  Isa 56. 6. Ps [...] 9. 6.
• The Sunne Stood still, and went backe ten degrees,
  Iosh 10 2 Kin. 20.
• Stephen Saw the Sonne of Man standing in the heavens,
  Acts 7.
• Sampson Slew with the jaw bone of an Asse a thousand Philistines,
  Iudg▪ 15.
• [Page 27]The Tongues Of Nimrod and his company were confounded,
  Gen. 11.
• Of The Apostles by the Holy Ghost were sanctified,
  Acts 2.
• Two Natures Were united into one, being Christ, God and Man,
  Heb. 2. 14.
• A Virgin Brought forth a Sonne, being the Seede of Man,
  Isa. 7. 14.
• Christ Healed all kinde of diseases, cast out Divells,
  Mat. [...].
• Christ Stilled the raging of the Wind and Seas,
  Mar. 4.
• Christ Turned water into wine at the Marriage in Cana,
  Ioh. 11.
• Christ Raised Lazarus and others from death to life,
  Ioh. 11.
• Christ Cursed the Figge-tree and it withered, Fed five thousand men
  Mat. 9.
  with five Loaves: and foure thousand men with seven Loaves
  Mar. 8.
  and a few Fishes: Speaking to Iudas band of men that came to
  Mat. 14.
  take him, they fell backward: At his death the Graves opened,
  Mat. 27.
  and divers that slept appeared: And being buried in a Tombe with souldiers watching the same, he raised himselfe againe the
  Mat. 28.
  third day after they had buried him.
• Cedars Of Lebanon are broken: Cloudes are ballanced,
  Jerem 10, 12.
• Colde Commeth out of the North, Deserts are watered,
  Job 36. 17.
• The Dust Of the Earth is in a measure comprehended,
  Psal. 29. 5.
• Deepes Are laid up in Storehouses, by God provided,
  Nah. 1. 1. Isa. 40. 12. Ps. 33. 7.
• The Earth Is hanged on nothing, shaken and melted,
  Ioh 26. 7.
• Frost Is given by his breath, and like ashes scattered,
  Iob 9. 7.
• Flames Of Fire are divided, and Flints into Fountaines turned,
  Psa. 147. 10.
• Foundations Of the Earth were laid: and of the Heavens moved,
  Iob 38. 4.
• Hills Are weighed, and Heaven with a span counted,
  2 Sam. 22. 8.
• Heavens Are cloathed, and with darknesse garnished,
  Psal. 114 8.
• Lightnings Are turned to rayne: Mountaines weighed and moved,
  Iob 28. 25.
• The Noyse Of the Seas are st [...]lled, dr [...]ed up, and divided,
  Isa. 50 2. Ps. 65 6, 7
• Snow Is given like Wooll: Rayne falls on the Land,
  Psal. 147. 16.
• Waters Are gathered together, and measured in his hand,
  Prov. 30. 4.
• Windes Come out of his Treasures, and Ice like Morsells,
  Psal. 147. 17.
• Windes Many O Lord are thy wonderfull workes which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us wards, they cannot
  Psal. 40. 5.
  be reckoned up in order unto thee: If I would declare then▪ they are more then can be numbred.
• The Lord Doth great things past finding out, yea and wonders without num­ber:
  Eccles. 11. 5.
  Iob. 9. 10.
  It is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our Eyes: un­searcheable
  Psa 118. 23.
  are his wayes.
  Rom. 11. 33.

Great are his signes, mighty are his wonders, his Kingdome is everlasting,Dan 3. 33. and his Dominion is from generation to generation.

Reade: Iob 11. Chap. 37. Chap. 38. Chap. 39. Chap. 40. Hos. 13. 14 Psal. 78. 12. Ecclus. 43. Psal. 135. Psal. 140.

Use.

1. Is God so powerfull? Let us then learne to know him, whom to know isIoh 17. 3. Eternall life. If the Lyon know his strength he is proud of it: If the Pea­cockeGen. 18 27. her beauty shee is proud of it; but if wee once come to know Ieho­vah, Deut. 6. 4. 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 Speake 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 Speake well and Live ill.
• I may thus Dispute subtilly and Not see Sathans Sophistry.
• I may thus Number up accounts and Not number my dayes.
• I may thus Measure the Earth and Not measure my selfe.
• 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 goodnesse and greatnesse goe with the knowledge of God, and therefore it is wisedome to labour for it.

2. Doe we know God to be omnipotent? Let us not despaire in any danger imminent: Doe we know him to be Simple? let us shunne Hypocrisie: To [Page 28] be Infinite? let him alone satisfie us. To be Al [...]-sufficient? let him alone sufficeIsa 59. 1. us. His hand [...]s not sh [...]rtned that it cannot save.

Gods Providence and Mans Troubles.

GOds Providence is a most sure and powerfull action of God by which he hath [...]rom all Eternity fore-seene and fore-ordeyned unto every thing both the end whereunto, and the meanes whereby they shall be brought to their ends: As also moderat [...]th and governeth the whol [...] World, and every thing both great and littl [...] therein contayned. And although God take care for all things without any meanes, yet that all things are ordin [...]rily governed indeed not by1 King. 19. 5. Dan. 3. God only, but by meanes thereunto ordayned by God himselfe, notwithstan­ding that often times also Gen. 1. without, yea, and against meanes 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 owne Nature some necessarily, other some accidentally, and yet that this also dependeth on the Divine Providence, in respect whereof all things necessarily come to passe.

Gods Providence hath two parts

• Knowledge, and
• Government.

• Knowledge Is that whereby all things from the greatest to the least are
  Psal. 11 4.
  manifest before him at all times (so saith David.) Gods eyes
  Psal. 113 6.
  will consider, his eye-lidds will try the children of men: (And againe he saith) God [...]b [...]seth himselfe to behold the things that
  Acts. 15. 16.
  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
  Mat. 6. 26.
  good ends, and it must be extended to the very least things that
  Deut. 15 4.
  are in He [...]ven and earth, [...]s to Sparrowes, Oxen, to the haires of
  Mat. 10.
  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 actuall government of things
  Gen 1. 12.

• [...]dam and Heva Before they wer [...] created had all things provided for Being naked in B [...]y [...]a [...] Skinnes of beasts to cloath t [...]ē
  Gen 3. 21.
• [...]dam and Heva Being naked in [...]ul [...]a [...] Christs righteousnes to [...]
• Abraham Being about to sacrifice his only Sonne Isaac, had a R [...]mme
  Gen. 22.
  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
  [...] Sam. 23.
  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,
  2 Sam. 25.
• David By the counsell of Huyhai, brought to nought the counsell of
  2 Sam 17.
• David [...] chitophell given against him, So as that Absa [...]on his sonn [...] con­spiring
  2 Sam 18.
  was with Achitop [...]e [...] brought to utt [...]r ruine
• Daniell [...]n the Lyons den was preserved, his Accus [...]rs perished,
  Dan 6.
• Daniell [...]y expounding of the Kings dreame escaped, many wise men de­stroyed.
  Dan. 2.
• Elias In the time of Famine was by Ravens fed, by a Widdow relee­ved,
  1 King 17.
  and by an Angell nourished.
  1 K [...]g 19.
• Elisha Being compassed with an Army of Syrians to take him, they
  2 King. 6.
  were s [...]ucken blinde, so he escaped them.
• Ester And Mordecai with the Jewes were delivered from King
  Hest. 6.
  Ahashuerosh Decree, and Haman that procured the same, w [...] hanged on his owne Tree.
• Hagar Wandring in the Wildernesse espied a Well with which shee
  Gen. 21.
  releeved her sonne Ismaell.
• Ioseph Being sold unto the Midianites by his Bretheren, thereby pre­served
  Gen. 45. 5.
  his Father in time of Famine.
• Ioseph He was delivered when his appointed time came, and the coun­sell
  Psal. 105. 19.
  of the Lord had tryed him.
• Ioshuahs Spyes sent to Iericho were hid by Rahab, she was thereby with
  Iosh. 2.
  all hers saved.
  Cha. 6.
• [Page 29]The Israelites The more they were by the Egyptians oppressed the more
  Exod. 1. 12.
  they encreased, being at last from Pharaohs bondage deli­vered.
  Chap. 14.
• And being made the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the
  Lam. 3. 45.
  people, their enemies opened their mouthes against them, and feare and a snare with destruction being come upon them, were made by the Lord to be pittyed of all them that carried them away captives and delivered from their enemies.
  Psal. 106. 46.
• Ionathan and Ahimaz Being sent by Hushai to David and pursued by Absolom, were
  2 Sam. 17.
  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
  Ion. 1.
  Land, in heate to shadow him.
  Ion. 4.
• Iobs Steps were numbred, and his latter dayes blessed,
  Iob 14▪ 16. C. 32. 13
• Iehoshaphat Was delivered from the Ammonites and other: the Lord set­ting
  2 Cron. 20.
  their own swords to slay each other.
• Iephta Being expelled by his Bretheren at the first became to be a Cap­taine
  Iudg. 11.
  over them at the last.
• Ieremiah In his captivity was provided for by the Enemy,
  Ier. 39. 11.
• The King of Israel Was often times told by the Prophet Elisha what was intended
  2 King. 6. 8.
  against him by the King of Siria.
• Moses Being by his Parents to be hid no longer, was taken up and put
  Exod. 1.
  to nurse by Pharaohs Daughter.
  Cha. 2.
• The Oyle Of the Widdow was so increased, as she became able to pay that
  2 King. 4.
  which she was indebted.
• Paul Was by the Captaines command so guarded, as that he was from
  Acts 23.
  the J [...]wes vowing his death delivered.
  2 Cor. 11. 23.
• Samaria Being by the Sirians besieged and almost famished: were by their Enemies owne provision at last unthought of by them
  2 King. 7.
  relieved.
• Shadrach Meshech Abednego Being cast into the fiery Furnace were delivered, and they that
  Dan. 3.
  bound them were in the flame of the same fire burned.
• Creatures of all kinde Before they were created and made, had for each kinde severall
  Gen. 2. 30.
  things provided. And
• Creatures of all kinde Being in the Floud destroyed part of each kinde were in Noahs
  Gen. 7.
  Arke preserved.
• Fowles Sowe not nor reape, and yet they are sed,
  Luk. 12. 24, 27.
• Lillies Of the Field spinne not, and yet they are cloathed,
• Lyons Roare after their prey: and have their meate,
  Psal. 104. 21.
• Ravens Cry being young, and they have foode to e [...]te,
  Psal. 147. 9.
• Sparrowes Without licence fall not, though of price little valued,
  Mat. 10 29.
• All Beasts Provided are for what they stand in neede,
  Psal. 147 9.
• Mens Haires are numbred: what shall befall it's decreed,
  Luk. 12. 7.

• Care not then for the morrow, for the morrow shall care for it
  Mat. 6. 34.
  selfe, sufficient to the day is the evill thereof.
• Covereth the Heavens with cloudes, prepareth raine for the
  Psal. 147. 8.
  Earth.
  Iob 33. 6.
• Createth the Smyth, &c. and the destroyer to destroy,
  Isa. 54 16.
• Changeth times and seasons, taketh away and setteth up Kings,
  Dan. 2. 21.
• Bringeth downe the high Trees, and exalteth the low Trees,
  Ezek. 17. 24.
• Formeth the light, and createth darkenesse, maketh Peace, &c.
  Isa 45. 7.
• Killeth and maketh alive, bringeth downe and raiseth up,
  1 Sam. 6. 2.
• Maketh the Wound and bindeth it up, smiteth and maketh
  Psal. 75. 7.
  whole.
  Iob 5. 18.
• Seeth all the wayes of man, and counteth all his steps,
  Iob 31. 1.
• Moveth the heart of man at his pleasure, setteth the wayes
  Prov. 21. 1.
  of man before his eyes, pondereth all his doings: and puts his
  Pro 5 21.
  teares into his bottell.
  Psal. 56. 8.
• What is he then that saith there should some thing be done
  Lam. 3. 37.
  [Page 30] without the Lords Commandement▪

Use.

1. The Eccles▪ 9. 11▪ 12. Providence of God leaveth no place for fortune, for Salomon affirmeth, that even the Prov. 16. 33. whole disposition of the Lot is of the Lord: It is therefore plaine, that the Lord ordereth all things by his providence, and yet is not busied or turmoyled with any thing.

2. The poynt of Gods Providence is a great comfort to Gods Church, for that God moderateth the Divell and wicked men that they shall not hurt the people of God, according to Da­vids Psal. 16▪ 8. saying, The Lord is at my right hand, therefore I shall not slide: Iosephs bretheren being affraid because they had sold him into Egipt, Ioseph confesseth that it was God that sentGen. 45▪ 7. him before them and that for their preservation. David also being like to be stoned by his owne Souldiers, knowing they1 Sam. 30. 16. could doe no more against him then the Lord would have done,2 Sam. 16. 10. comforted himselfe in the Lord: and being cursed by Shimei, said, that he cursed because God bid him curse.

3. There is no punishment so grievous▪ corporall or Spirituall▪ against which Gods Providence is not marvelous availeable, so that by beleeving therein he shall have peace and consolation.

Reade▪ Gen. 12. 10, 20. Chap. 20. 8. Chap. 24 15 Chap. 26. Lev. 14. 34. Iudg. 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.

Gods Providence Davids Troubles.

• Adversaries DAily encreased: His Enemies were exalted,
  Psal. [...]. 1. & 13. [...]2. Psal. 22. 14.
• Body Was weake, and powred out like Water,
• Bones Were out of joynt, consumed and cut asunder,
  Psal 6. 2. & [...]2, 14 Psal 6▪ 6. & 31. 9.
• Belly Was wasted with griefe: his eyes dimme of sight,
• Flesh Lost his fatnesse, his knees were weake with fasting,
  Psa. 69. 1 [...]. & 11 [...]. 1 [...]7. & 73▪ 14. & 1 [...]6. 3. Ps [...]9. [...]0. & 3 [...]. 10. Psal. 69. [...]1. Ps. 31. 10. & 38. 10
• Friends Forsooke him: his familiars lifted their heeles against him,
• Garments Were Sackcloth about his loynes to cover him,
• Heart Panted, his life wasted, and soule was troubled,
• Spirit Was full of anguish, his throate dryed with crying,
  Ps 42 5. & 56 5. Ps. [...]1. 1 [...] & [...]65. Psal. 32 4. Ps. 69. 11. & 717.
• Yeares Consumed in mourning, his words were grievous to him,
• Moisture Was like the drought in the heate of Summer,
• Name Became a Proverb, and his Person a wonder.

So that

• Abjects Scoffers and Drunkards derided him,
  Psal 69 12. Psal. 18. 5. Idem. 4. Psal. 55. 50. Psal. 32. 4.
• 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,
• Gods Hand Was heavy upon him: Continuall plagues followed him.
• Such yet was Gods Providence over him, as that he overcame
  Psal. 25. 17.
  all his adversaries and was setled in his Kingdome.

Gods Providence Hezekiahs Troubles.

Compassed

By the Assirians, and like with sicknesse to dye,

Isa. 36. 2.

Griefe

And sorrow possest him, insteed of Felicity,

His Bones

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

His Age

As a Shepheards tent was remov [...]d.

His Life

Was by his sinnes cut off like a Weavers webbe,

Isa 38. 11▪

[Page 31] In his Speech

Like a Swallow and a Crane he chattered,

In his Heart

Like a Dove with daily griefe he mourned,

Such yet was Gods Providence that he delivered him fromIsa. 37. 36. the Assirians, restored him to his health, and added fifteeneIsa. 38. 5. yeares moe unto his life.

The Apostles troubles.

• SOme of them were In stormes on the Sea, in danger of
  Mar. 4. 38.
  drowning.
• SOme of them were Accused to be full of new wine, drun­ken,
  Acts 2.
• SOme of them were Brought before the counsell, imprisoned
  Chap 3.
  and beaten,
• SOme of them were Reproached and most of them were
  Chap 5.
  slaine,
• All by Gods Providence, are now soules in Heaven.
  Chap. 12.

Job's troubles.

Adversary

Was the Divell whom God permitted to tempt him,

Iob 1. Chap 2, 7, 8, 13. Iob 19. 17. Chap. 3. 10. Iob 2. 8. & 9. 12. Chap. 19. 13. Chap. 19. 14. Ch. 19▪ 2. & 16. Cha. 19. 16. (2. Ch. 19, 19, 22.

Beasts

Were taken by the Sabeans, and servants slaine,

Sheepe

Were burnt, a House fell on his Children,

Wise

Tempted him: his breath was to her stincking,

Body

Was full of soares, and boyles in all throughout,

Salve

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

Acquaintance

Were strangers unto him, removed farre from him,

Familiars

Forgot him, his neighbours mocked and forsooke him,

Friends

Tormented him, miserable comforters were they to him,

Houshold

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 mouthes upon him, smote him with reproch, gathering themselves against him,

Ch. 16. 9, 10, &c.

Bones

Clave to his skinne, and sinewes tooke no rest in him,

Ch. 1 [...]. 14 & 19. 20.

Bowells

Did boyle without rest: and breath corrupt within him,

Ch. 30. 27. & 17. 1. Chap. 7. 5. Chap. 26. 16. Ch. 6. 13. & 30. 30. Chap. 17. 12. Chap. 30. 15. Chap. 7. 4. Chap. 19. 9. Chap [...]0. 31. Chap. 17. 14. Chap. 7. 11. Ch. 6. 7. & [...]0. 18. Ch. 19. 18. & 5. 25. Chap. 17. 7. Chap. 21. 6. Chap. 30. 15. Chap. 23. [...]. Chap. 17. 1. Chap. 30. 10. Chap. 17. 6.

Flesh

Was cloathed with Wormes, being full of wrinckles,

Face

Was [...]ithered with his teares and weeping,

Gall

Was powred out, and his skinne was blacke upon him,

Day

Was turned into night, and light was dimme,

Health

Passed away, as the Cloud that hath no Rayne,

Nights

Were painefull with his continuall tossing,

Crowne

Was taken from him, Honor was not given him,

Harpe

Was turned into mourning, his Organs to weeping,

Dreames

Were fearefullnesse▪ and visions astonished him,

Minde

Was full of bitternesse, his spirit full of griefes,

Meat

Was daily Sorrowes: and Garments diseases,

Pathes

Were beset with darkenesse, his peace was disquietnesse,

Strength

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

Sighings

Came before he did eate: then roarings followed,

Soule

As the winde by the wicked was pursued,

Talke

Was in bitternesse: and his words were swallowed,

Wealth

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

Young men

Mocked him, the wicked make Songs of him; All abhorred him,

Iob 7. 20.

making him as a Tabret and as a By-word among them:

Such yet was Gods 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.

Gods Providence Paul's Troubles.

• RAiled on, called a Pestilent fellow, a Babler, a setter forth of strange gods,
  Acts 24.
  and a mover of Sedition.
  Chap. 13.
• He was expelled out of the coastes of the Iewes, cast out of the City, cast into
  Chap. 14.
  [Page 32] Prison, cast out of the Temple and stoned, supposing to have beene dead: He
  Ch. 15. Ch. 16. Ch. 17 Ch. 24. Ch. [...]0. 23.
  was soare bea [...], bound with chaines, imprisoned, scourged and brought to Judge­ment.

As also he was

[...]n danger at Sea, made a gazing stocke unto the World, to Angells and to1 Cor. 4. Men. He was often in death, he received five times forty stripes save one of the Iewes: He was thrice beaten with roddes: He was in perill of Robbers,2 Cor. 11. 2 Cor. 4. 8. 2 Cor 1. 8. Chap. 7. 5. 2 Tim. 4 8. Acts [...]0. 24. of his own [...] Nation, and of the Gentil [...]s: He was in wearinesse, painefullnesse, hunger, th [...], f [...]st [...]ng, cold and naknesse often, being cumbred daily, having no certaine pl [...]ce to dw [...]ll in, labouring with his hands to relieve himselfe, being made as the fi [...]th of the World and the offscouring of all things: Who by Gods Provi [...]ence hath now obteyned a crowne of glory in the Heavens.

• Abel was slaine by Caine Gen. 4. Iosiah by an Aegyptian.
  2 King. 23. 2 King [...]1. Mat. 22. 2 Cor. 8. 2.
• Abner was slaine by Ioab [...] Sam. 3. Isaiah by Manasses.
• Ʋriah was slaine by [...]ehojakim Ier. 26 Iames and Iohn by Herod.
• Zacharie the Priest was stoned by Iehoash
  2 Chro. 24 Mat. 25. Act 7. Rev. 2. Rev. 1.
• Stephen the M [...]rty [...] was stoned by the Iewes.
• Antipas The M [...]rtyr was put to death by the men of Pergamus,
• S^t Ioh [...] Was banished for the Truth into the Isle Pathmos,
• Divers godly persons saith Paul Had try [...]lls in cruell mockings and scou [...]gin [...], others were tor­tu [...]ed, not accepting deliverance, others had triall of bonds and imprisonmnent; They were stoned, [...]awne asunder, temp­ted and slaine with the sword: others wandred abroad in
  Heb. 11. 35.
  Sheepe-skinnes and Goate-skinnes, being destitute, [...]ffli­cted and tormented: wand [...]ng in D [...]s [...]r [...]s, in Denn [...]s, in Caves and in Mountaines, making them their habitations.
• Man is borne to troubles, as the spa [...]ckles fly upwards.
  Ioh 9. 2.

Thus as the purest Corne is cleanest fanned, the finest GoldNah. 1. 7. [...] T [...]m. 3. 17. 2 Tim. 3. 12. Rev. 3. 19. oftnest tried: the sweetest Grape hardest pressed: So is the godliest person heaviest crossed Every one 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 crosse and to follow Christ.

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

Say then with Ieremy this is my crosse, and I will beare it.Ier. 10. 19.

Gods Providence godly mens Adversaries.

• Adam A Serpent In the beginning to tempt
  Gen. 3. Gen. 4. Gen. 1 [...]. 1 Sam. 22. 2 Sam. 3. Am. 7. 10. 1 Sam. 17 33. 2 Sam. 16. 1 Sā. 18. 2 Sam 15. 2 Kin. 2 Sam. 3 15. 2 Sam. 17. Dan. 6. 1 Sam. 2. 2 Kin. 6. 1 Sam. 2. 6. Gē. 16. 4. 2 Kin. 18. Gen. 21. Gen. 27. Chap. 29. Gen. 30.
• Abel A Brother In the beginning to murther him.
• Abraham Two Kings To take away Sarah his wife from him,
• Abiathar Doeg To enforme King Saul against him,
• Abner Ioab To stab him: Amos, Amaziah to accuse him,
• David A Philistine A Beare, and a Lyon to try him,
• David Saul To persecute him: Shemei to curse him,
• David His Sonnes To rebell against him, his Wife to mocke him,
• David Phaltiel To wed his Wife, making her his Concubine,
• David Achitophel To give Counsell to Absolom his sonne against him,
• Daniell Princes That envied him: Eli: sonnes that grieved him,
• Elias Iesabell To pursue him: Elisha: Iehoram and the Sirian,
• Hanna Peninnah To provoke her: Sarah: Hagar to despise her,
• Hezechiah Rabshakah To menace him: Isaac: Ishmaell to floute him,
• Iacob Esau To hate him: Laban to pursue him,
• Iacob Rachell His Wife for want of Children to vex him,

Had to Adversary

• Ioseph The Patriarks To sell him: His Mistris to slander him,
  Gen. 37. Gen. 39. 2 King. 25. Dan. 5. 8. [...]ob 1. Chap. 2. Jer. 32. Chap. 36. 3 Ioh 9. Act. 12. Gen. [...]9 Iude 5. Est. 2. 2 Sam [...]6. Gen [...] [...] King. 21. Act. 13. Chap 19 Mat. 26 [...] King. 11. 1 Thes. 2. 18
• The Iewes Babilonians Medes, Persians, Siracusans to accuse them,
• The Iewes Romans To subdue them and Chaldeans to accuse them,
• Iob The Divell To torment him: Sabeans to rob him,
• Iob His Wise To vexe him: His friends to discomfort him,
• Ieremiah Pashur To imprison him, Iehojakim to seeke the life of him,
• Iohn Diotrephes To pra [...]tle against him: Iames: Herod to slay him,
• Lot His Daughter To beguile him: Michael; the Divell to dispute with him,
• Mord [...]cay Haman To plot against him: Mephibosheth; his servant,
• Noah His Sonne To discover him. Naboth, Akah to dispossesse him,
• Paul Elimas Demetrius and Alexander to withstand him,
• Peter A Damsell To accuse him. Solomon, Hadab to rise against him,
• Silvanus Sathan So had Paul and Timotheus to hinder them,
• Stephen The People And Zechariah the Priest, to stone them,
  Act. 7. 52. 2 Ch [...]. 24. Mat 26. Mat. 27. Exo. 7. 2 Tim. 3. 8.
• Christ The Iewes And Romans to crucifie him: Iudas to betray him,
• Christ One Thiefe To revile him: All the people to deride him,
• Moses Iannes And Iambres Sorce [...]rs to withstand him,

So that it is impossi [...]le to escape Esaus sword, or Ishmaels tongue, Shemeis stones, Doegs slander, or Ioabs treachery: Heaven had their wicked Ange [...]s, The L [...]l [...]y his Thornes: The Temple Hill-Altars: The Coagregation a Diotrephes: Thiatira, Iezabel a false Prophetesse: Demas will be among2 Ioh 9. Rev 2. 22. Iob 1. 0. Mat. 13. 25. Prof [...]ss [...]s: Sathan among Gods Children in the Assemblies: When the [...] were but foure there was a Cain, when but eight a Cham, when but twelve a Iudas: Not seven without a Nicolas, Philistines shall be left in the Land to exercise the Israelites, and good seede his tares.

GODS Providence, delivering afflicted Men Calling on him in their Tribulation.

• David
  2 Sam 22▪ 7. Gen 16. Gen. 35 3. Job 42. Exod. 14. Exod. Ch. [...]. Jonah 3.
• Hagar
• Jacob
• Job
• Israelites
• Moses
• The Ninivites
• Daniel
  Dan. 6. 1 Sam. 1. 2 King. 13. 2 King. 25. Gen. 9. 22. 2 Chro. 33. Judg. 16.
• Hanna
• Jehoaz
• Jehoiakim
• Leah
• Manasses
• Sampson
• Esther
  Esth. 7. Gen. 21. 17. Joh 2. L [...]m. 3. 55. Gen. Dan. 4 31. Dan. 3.
• Ismael
• Jonah
• Jeremiah
• Lot
• Nebuch [...]dnez:
• The 3. Children
• Called on the name of the Lord and he delivered them,
• Christ Had an Angell from Heaven comforting him,
  Luk. 22 43. I [...]b 14 16. 2 Cor. 12. 9. & 7 9.
• 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 finde him,
• For the rod of the wicked shall not rest on the Lot of the ri [...]h­teous,
  2 Chro. 15. 4. Psal. 125. 5. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Psal 30 5. Psal. [...]2. 24. Psal. 106. 47. Iob 2 [...] 28. Psal. 145. 19. Iob. [...]6. 1 [...]. Psal 8 [...] 7.
  least the righteous put forth his hand unto wickednesse,
• The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of tent [...]tio [...]:
• The Lords anger indureth but a while, Weeping may abide at evening, but joy commeth in the morning.
• Comforteth Those that are afflicted, calling upon him,
• Heareth The cry of the afflicted, and delivereth them,
• Heard The poore mans cry in trouble and saved him,
• Seeth The affl [...]ction of them that feare 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
  Isa 6 [...]. 24.
  how to speake, he will heare them
• And will not suff [...]r any to be tempted above measure, but with
  2 Cor. [...]. 4. 1 Cor. [...]. 13. Psal. 9. 15. Psal. 46. [...]7. Psal. 120. 2 Sam. 7. 14. Hos 5 1 [...].
  the temptation will g [...]ve deliverance: for if we sinne he will chasten us with the rod of man, but his mercy shall not be taken away from them.
• I will goe to my place saith the Lord, till they acknowledge that they have sinned and secke me, for in adversity they will seeke me early.
• Many are the troubles of the righteous, but God delivers
  Psal. 34. 18.
  them out of all.
• Cast then thy burden on the Lord, and hee shall nourish
  Psal 55 23.
  thee.
• [Page 34]Reade: 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. Iames 1. 2. Ps. 18. 16.

Gods Providence making Afflictions profitable to all godly persons.

AFflictions of the wicked are Curses or Legall punishments and signes of Re­probation,Wisd. 11. 9, 11. 1 Cor 11. 32. Psal 78 34. Prov. 3 12. Psal 94. 12. Heb. 12. 6. proceeding from God as a Judge, but unto the Godly they are trialls and corrections, and Seales of Adoption, proceeding from God as a Father, being the path-way to Humiliation, an Argument of Gods Love, and the only means to bring us unto a godly sorrow for sinne: 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, staffe 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, pittying of others, prayer, tryall of our Faith, renouncing of the world, and a hearty desire of the World to come.

Davids sweetest Songs in affliction were lachrimae, he spared Soul his enemy inRom 5 3. Is [...]. 20. 16. prosperity slew Ʋriah his friend. Hezekiah in his b [...]d of sicknesse, hum­bled himselfe praying, being recovered to his health boast [...]th of his Treasures.

• Abel Abrahams Being slaine, became the first Martyr in Heaven,
  Gen. 4. Gen. 22. 2 Tim 4 [...]. Ps. 40. 1. Psal. 40 2. [...] Sam. 16. 2 Sam. 24. 17. &c. Ps. 119. 67, 7 [...].
• Abel Abrahams Faith was tryed: The Apostles in Heaven are crowned,
• David From a Sheepe-keeper, was made a chiefe Commander,
• David His feete being in the Mire were set on a Ro [...]k,
• David Being Cursed of Shemel; learned to beare it patiently,
• David Confessed, that in numbring the people he had sinned,
• David Being proud in Numbring was humbled by repenting,
• David Kept the Word of the Lord, learned the Lords Statutes,
• David And was bettered, whereas before he went astray untill he was Corrected.

• Daniel From the Lions Den was more honoured by the King,
  Dan. 6. 1 King 19. Isa. 38. Gen. 16. Iudg. 11. Ier. 31 18. Lam. 3. 27. Ion 1. Ch. 3. Gen. 32. Iob 42.
• Elijas Hearing first a great voice, heard next a still one,
• Hezekiah Being sick unto the Death, had fifteen yeares added to his life,
• Hagar In her distresse learned humility to her Mistris,
• Iephtah Became Captaine over all his elder Bretheren,
• Ephraim Was converted being like an untamed Calfe, and Ieremy confessed it was good to beare the Yoake in youth.
• Ionah Flying from God, learned after to obey the Lord,
• Iaacob Being lame by wrestling, obteyned of God a blessing,
• Iob Loosing first all that he had, received at last a double reward,
• Ioseph Being exiled, was by King Pharoah exalted,
• S. Iohn Being hanished, was with heavenly melody ravished,
  Act. 7. 10. Psal. Rev. 1. (105. 21 Iosh. 2. Exod. 1. Numb. 21. 2 Chron. 12. Deut. 5. 26. Hos. 2. 6, 7. Neh 9. 28. Exod. 2.
• The Isralites After Egypts cruelty, enjoyed canaans Mill [...] and Honey,
• The Isralites The more they were oppres [...]ed, the more they increased,
• The Isralites Being stung with Serpents, confessed their sinnes,
• The Isralites Seeing the Philistines gathered against them, They prayed Samuel to pray for them, Hearing the Law they humbled: and having Warres with others, wee reade 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.
• Mordecay Was advanced: Noah in the Arke with beasts saved,
  Est. 3, Gen. 7. Dan. 4. 2 Ki. 5. Ioh 9. 45. Gen. 42 Lu. 15. Acts 9. Ruth 1.
• Nebuchadnez: Knew the Lord: And Naaman to worship God,
• The Man Borne blinde, his eyes being opened he beleeved,
• The Patriarks Conscience accused them: The Prodigall returned againe,
• Paul Of a Persecutor, became an Apostle and a Prea [...]er,
• Ruth Of a Moabite by Marriage became an Israelite:
• [Page 35]Zacheus Being dumb, spake after the Mistery of Salvation,
  Luke 1. Phil. 2. 8, 9. Eph. 1 [...]0. Hose 5. 15. Isa 16 6. Psal 78. 32. Rom. [...] 1. 2 Cor. 11. 32.
• Christ Became obedient to the death of the Crosse for Man, God there­fore exalted him, giving him a Name above all Names, &c.
• All Men Are made to seeke the Lord most diligently, their eares are ope­ned, as gold they are tried, who are by him chastened, that they may not be with the world condemned, Iob 33. 16. Chap 36▪ 8 [...]b 23. 10.
• Blessed is the Man whom the Lord correcteth and chasteneth,
  Iob 5. 17. Iames 1 12. H [...]b. 12 8. Heb. 12▪ 6. Pr [...]. 11, 2 Tim. 3. 12. (12. Rom. 8. 28.
• He is a Bastard no Sonne, 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 turne to the best to those that love God.

USE.

Seeing Afflictions are so profitable, let us runne with patience the way that is set before u [...], looking unto Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith, who forHeb. 12. 2, 3. the joy that was set before him, endured the Crosse, and desp [...]sed the shame: For through many Tribulations must we enter into the Kingdome of Heaven.Acts 14. 22.

• 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. Iames 5. 10.
• Reader: Isa 61. 3 Cha [...]. 20. 16. Ierem. 2. 3. Psal. 66. 12. Prov. 24. 10. Ioh. 15. 2. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Heb. 2. 10. Wisd. 12. 2.

Gods Providence, Mans Purpose, Gods Disposing.

• Adam and purpose [...] To be as God by eating to know good and evill, God so disposed it as that
  Gen. 3.
• Heva purpose [...] They knew experimentally evill not good,
  Gen. 3.
• Abraham purpose [...] To sacrifice his Sonne, God provided him a Ramme,
  Gen 22. Iosh. 7. 2 Sam. 18. 2 Sam. 17.
• A [...]han purpose [...] To conceale the execrable thing that was found on him,
• Absolom purpose [...] To be King: He was shine for his Treason,
• Achitphel purpose [...] To prevaile in counselling: Hushai [...]onfounded him,
• Ahaziah purpose [...] To take Elias by sending two Captaines after him,
  2 King. 1.
• Ahaziah purpose [...] They were both burnt with fire from Heaven,
  2 King. 1.
• Aohish purpose [...] To have David to battell against the Israelites,
  1 Sam. 29.
• Aohish purpose [...] To have His mind was changed by his Princes,
  1 Sam. 29.
• Amal [...]kit purpose [...] To get Davids favour for untruly reporting that King Saul was staine by him,
  2 Sam. 1.
• Amal [...]kit purpose [...] To get He was therefore put to death for slaying him,
• Ana [...]ias and Zaphira purpose [...] To keep backe Part of the Money made by them, but the Lord discovered it,
  Acts 5.
• Ana [...]ias and Zaphira purpose [...] To keep backe To the Apostles to both their destruction,
  Acts 5.
• Balaack purpose [...] To have Israell by Balaam cursed, he blessed them,
  Namh [...]4. 2 Sam. 11.
• David purpose [...] To conceale 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,
  1 King. 8. 18.
• David purpose [...] He was commanded to leave it to his sonne Solomon,
  1 King. 8. 18.
• The Divell purpose [...] To prevaile Against man-kind by Christs passion,
  Co [...]. 13. Heb. 2 15. 1 Tim. 2 24. Gen 27. Gen. 33. Fs [...]h 2. Iudg. 11. 2 King 5.
• The Divell purpose [...] To prevaile Christ thereby over [...]ame him, and
• The Divell purpose [...] To prevaile To all men beleeving in him, give salvation,
• Esau purpose [...] To have Slaine Iaacob for stealing his blessing, he not­withstanding afterwards kindly received him,
  Job 17. 11
• Eunu [...]es purpose [...] To have slaine Ahashuerosh Mordecai discovered them,
• Gileadites purpose [...] To disinherit Iephtah, he became their Captaine,
• G [...]bazi purpose [...] To have concealed Naamans 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.
  Gen. 34.
• Haman purpose [...] To have hanged Mordecai he was hanged to his Tree [...]
  Esth. 2.
• Haman and His Men purpose [...] To Murder The Iewes according to the King▪ Dec [...]ee, God so disposed it that
  Esth 9.
• Haman and His Men purpose [...] To Murder They were all slaine by the Iewes that day,
  Esth 9.
• [Page 36]Herod purposed To Destroy Christ, sending wise-men to seeke him,
  Mat. 2.
• Herod purposed To Destroy They returned not, he was mocked by them,
  Acts 12. 6.
• Isaack purposed To blesse Esau before Iacob his younger Son: He blessed Iacob before Esan the elder one,
  Jer. 20. 9. Mat. 1. 19.
  Gen. 27.
• Ioseph purposed To have Manasses blessed before Ephraim by his Fa­ther,
  Gen 48.
  Iacob blessed Ephraim before Manas­ses the elder,
• Ionah purposed To flye From Gods presence to Tharshish: hee was
  Ion. 1.
  brought back by a storme and Sea-fish,
• Iewes purposed To slay Paul conspiringly, he escapeth safely,
  Act. 23. 15.
• Iehoram purposed To slay Elisha, but he escaped the Murtherer,
  2 King. 0.
• Ioseph purposed To put away Mary an Angell willed him to take her,
  Mat. 1.
• Laban purposed To speake ill to Icob, yet spake good to him,
  Gen. 31.
• Nebuchadnez: purposed To burne the Three Children, but God delivered them,
  Dan. 3.
• Nimrod purposed To Build Babel to get himselfe and his a Name: All Languages were confounded at the same,
  Gen. 11.
• Pharoah purposed To have slaine M [...]ses but he fled to M [...]dian,
  Exod 3. Gen. 39. Ch. [...]0 20.
• Patriarks purposed To doe evill to Ioseph, but it was honour to him,
  Gen 41.
• Potiphars Wise purposed to lye with Ioseph, but Gods feare preserved him,
  Iudg 16.
• Philislines purposed To make sport with Sampson: Justice plagu d [...] them,
  Rom 1. 13.
• Priests and Scribes purposed To have Entangled Christ in his words, but he preven­ted
  Luk. 20. [...]0. Mat. 27. Mat. 27.
  them, and to have held him in the grave, but he rose againe,
  Act. 16. 7. Luk. 12. 17.
• Peter purposed To confesse Christs his M [...]ster, but denyed him,
  Acts 9.
• Paul purposed To persecute Christs Members, yet preached him,
  Luk 12.
• R [...]ch Man purposed To take his ease, his soule was taken from him,
  1 Sam. 19. 21.
• Saul purposed To have slaine David, but God defended him,
  N [...]h. [...], (23. Act 27. [...]3.
• Sanba [...]at purposed To hinder the Iewes building; his counsell was discovered
• Souldiers purposed To have slaine Paul, but Paul was preserved,
• The Wicked Intend evill against the Lord, and imagine mischiefe, but they shall not prevaile,
  Psal. 21. 11.
• The Lord Scattereth the devices of the crasty, so that their hands cannot accomplish that which they enterprize,
  Iob 5 12. E [...]cles 8. 8. Pro.16. 9. I [...]. 10. [...]. Pro. 15. 22. Ioh. 1 [...]. [...]1, Prov 16. 3. Prov 21. 31.
• 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 Battell, but safety is from the Lord,
• There is no wisdome, there is no understanding, thee is no counsell against the Lord,
  Prov. 21. 30.
• The Lord of Hostes Hath purposed, who sh [...]ll disanull it? Hee hath stretched forth his hand, who shall turne it againe? It shall come [...]. p [...]sse as he hath determined and devised,
  Isa 14. 24. 27. Act. 17. 28.
• For in him we live and move and have out being, So that neither life, nor death, are in our hands, but in the Lords: and all the motions of our mind and body depend on God.

Comforts for godly afflicted persons, drawn from Gods Word.

• Blinde So war Isaac Whose eyes with age were dimme,
  Gen. [...]7. 1. Gen. 48. 10. 1 Sam 4. 15. 1 K [...] 44 4. Isa. 35. 5.
• Blinde So war Iacob Whose eyes with age were dimme,
• Blinde So war Eli the Priest Whose eyes with age were dimme,
• Blinde So war Ahijah the Prophet Whose eyes with age were dimme,
• Blinde So war Sampson Whose eyes were put out by the Philistins,
  Iudg. 16.
• Blinde So war The Man So borne estored to sight by Jesus,
  Ioh. 9. Acts 9. Mat. 6. Psa. 1 [...]6. 8.
• Blinde So war Paul Thee daye [...] estored to sight by Ananias,
• Blinde So war Bartimeus And other estored to sight by the Messiah,
• Blinde So war The Man Whose Bares were by Christ opened,
  Mar. 7. Mat. 9. Luk. 2. Isa. 35. 6. Iudg. 3. 15. Gen. 32. 2 Sam. 9. Act 14. 8. Acts 3.
• Deafe So war The Man Whose Tongue wa [...] by Christ loosed,
• Dumbe So war Zacharias For a time, till his Son Iohn was Named,
• Lame Ehud Captaine of the Israelites in his right hand,
• Lame Iacob halting by restling, yet got a bl [...]ssing,
• Lame Mevhihosheth By a fall, the only Sonne of Ionathan,
• Lame The Man Of Listra from his Mothers Wombe,
• Lame The Cripple So borne, healed by Peter and Iohn,
• [Page 37]S [...]k or d [...]cas [...] So war Moses Exod. 4. 28. Hezekiah, 2 King. 21. Daniel,
  Dan. 8. Ioh. 4. Mat [...] Psa 41. Mat. 9. (3. Ioh 5. Act. 28. Phil 2. Act 8.
• 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 Palsey Man,
• S [...]k or d [...]cas [...] So war The Woman Twelve yeares, and her issue stayed,
• S [...]k or d [...]cas [...] So war The Man Thirty eight yeares, 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 Iob Sitting in the Ashes, yet made cleane,
  Io [...] 2. Luk. 16.
• Full of [...]orres So war Lazarus Lying at Dives dore, now in Heaven.
• V [...]x [...]d with an Evill [...]pu [...] So w [...] The Sonne Of the Father in the Gospell being lunaticke,
  Mat. 17. 5. Act. 16. 16.
• V [...]x [...]d with an Evill [...]pu [...] So w [...] T [...]e Maide Of the Master in the Acts with a divining spi­rit,
• V [...]x [...]d with an Evill [...]pu [...] So w [...] The Daughter Of the Caananitish woman with one Divell,
  Mat 15. Luk. 8. 2. Mar. 5. 9.
• V [...]x [...]d with an Evill [...]pu [...] So w [...] [...]gdalen That sinfull Woman with seven,
• V [...]x [...]d with an Evill [...]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 yeares time, and restored againe,
  Dan 4. Luk 10. Gen. 4.
• [...]istracted [...]os [...]ded Mutthe­ted So w [...] The Man Going from Ierusalem, releeved 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,
  2 King. 4. Luk. 7. 14. Mat. 9. Acts 20. Pa [...]. 68. 20. Psal. 56. 13.
• Dead So w [...] T [...]e Souldier Slaine, 2 King. 3. and the Widdowes only one,
• Dead So w [...] Lazarus In the Grave, Ioh. 11. Iairus 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 againe,
• Dead So w [...] All shall have life restored that die in Christ in Heaven.
• Hungry So w [...] Sampson Who Had Honey out of a Lyons body,
  Iudg. 14. 1 Sam. 14. 1 Sam. [...]1. 1 King. 19. Luk 15. Luk 16. Mat. 4.
• 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 Angell nourished,
• Hungry So w [...] The Prodigal Who Who would have eaten Swines huskes,
• Hungry So w [...] Iazarus Who Who would have eat [...]n D [...]ves crummes,
  Mat. 21. 18.
• Hungry So w [...]4 Christ After his long Prayers and Fastings.

And so were

• Hungry So w [...] The Israelits Had Manna given from Heaven,
  Ps 107 5, 9. Ex. 16. Mat. 12 Mat. 14. Ps 78. 24.
• Hungry So w [...] T [...]. [...]ples Plucked the ear [...]s of Corne,
• Hungry So w [...] The Multitude Had Loaves increased [...]ong them,
• Thirsty So w [...] Hazar Who had water out of a Well,
  Gen. 21. 19. Iob 47. Ioh 15 [...] [...]0. Ps [...] 8. [...]5
• Thirsty So w [...] Christ Who had water out of a Touth,
  Isa 41. 27
• Thirsty So was Israel Who had water out of a Rock.
• Naked So was Adam Eve And God cloathed both of them,
  Gen. 3. Luk [...]6. 2 C [...]r. 11.
• Naked So was Lazarus On Earth, now [...]ichly cloathed in Heaven,
• Naked So was Paul Who preached, yet wanted to cloath him, Put on the Lord Iesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.
  Rom. 13. 14.
• Poore So was David Who Sent to Nabal to relieve him,
  1 Sam. 25.
• Poore So was Elias Who Was sent to a Widdow to su [...]eyne him,
  1 King 17.
• Poore So was Ieremiah Who Was by Godaliah and others relieved,
  Ier 30 11.
• Poore So was The Prophe [...]s wise Who Had her Oyle by Elisha increased.
  2 King. 4.
• Poore So was Ioh Who Had all taken from him by the Chaldeans,
  Iob 1.
• Poore So was Iaacob Who Had but a itaffe going over Iordan,
  Gen 32. 10.
• Poore So was Moses Who Kept sheepe with the Priest of Midian,
  Exod [...].
• Poore So was Ruth Who Lived by gleaning eares of Corne,
  Ruth 2.
• Poore So was Lazarus Who Desired to have but Dives crummes,
  Luk 16. 11.
• Poore So was Prodigal Who Would have had the huske from Swine,
  Luk. 15. 10.
• Poore So was The Man Who Wonted one at the poole to help him,
  Iob 29. 25. & 31. Psa. 22. 15. Ruth 1. 22.
  Iob. 5.
• Poore So was The Woman Who Who had spent all she had on the Phy­sitian.
  Mat. 9.
• Poore So was Paul Who Wrought with his hands to relieve him,
  Acts 20.
• Poore So was Peter Who Had no silver to give being ask't him,
  Acts 3.
• Poore So was Christ Who Was ministred unto by Women.
  Luk 8.

And so were

• Iob. 8. 7. & 22. [...]9 The Israelites Who were by The Midianites impoverished,
  Iudg. 6. 6. 1 King. 18.
• Iob 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,
  1 Sam. 23.
• Com­passed with ene­ [...]e [...]? So was Elisha By the Amorites, 2 Kin. 6. Elias by Captains,
  Psal. 18. 17. & 22. 16 & 57 3, 4. Iob 5. 20.
  2 King. 1.
• Com­passed with ene­ [...]e [...]? So was Hezekiah By Assyrians, 2 Kin. 18. Ichoshaphat by Ammonits,
  2 Chron. 20.
• Com­passed with ene­ [...]e [...]? So was Lot By Sodomites, Gen. 19. Sampson by Philistines,
  Iudg. 16.
• Com­passed with ene­ [...]e [...]? So was Daniel By the Lions, Dan. 6. Shadrach by the furnace,
  Dan. 3.
• Com­passed with ene­ [...]e [...]? So was Paul By Sadduces, Act. 23 Christ by Jewes,
  Iohn 8. 59.
• Com­passed with ene­ [...]e [...]? So was Israel By Egyptians, Exod. 14. Samaria by Syrians,
  2 King. 7.

• Impriso­ned, So were The Apost Act. 5. Ioseph, Gen. 39. and Iehoahaz,
  2 King. 13.
• Impriso­ned, So were Ieremiah Ier. 38. Ichoiakim, 2 Kin. 24. Manasseh.
  2 Chron. 33.
• Impriso­ned, So were Peter Act. 12. Paul, Act. 16. and Silas
  Act. 16. 23.

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

• Banished, So were S. Iohn Into the Isle called Patmos,
  Act. 18. 2 [...].
  Rev. 1.
• B [...]trayed, So were Christ By his own Apostle Iudas,
  Matth. 27.
• A Prince conspired against, So were Abasuerus By two E [...]nuches that followed him,
  Act. 5. 23. Gen. 37 18. Iudg. 9. 1. Act. 9. 23. Psa. 31. 13.
  Esth. 6.
• A Prince conspired against, So were Ieh [...]ash By Athaliab when he was young,
  2 King. 11.
• A Prince conspired against, So were David By Abner, Sheba, and his sonne,
  2 Sam. 2 [...]

• Accused and slandered, So was Abimelech By Do [...]g, 1 Sam. 22 Amos by Amaziah,
  Amos 7. 10. Dan. 6. 2 King. 3. Gen. 31. 30. 1 Sam. 20. Ier. 37. 1 King. 21. Act. 6. 11. 2 King. 33. Matth. 28. 12. Act. 2.
• 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 Iehoram,
• Accused and slandered, So was Hanna By Eli, 1 Sam. 1. 1 [...]. Iacob by Laban,
• Accused and slandered, So was Ioseph By his Mistresse Gen. 39. Ionathan by his father,
• Accused and slandered, So was Ioh By the devill, Ioh 1. Ieremiah by Irijah,
  Ps. 27. 12.& 35. 11. Iob 11. 18, 19. & 21. 27.
• 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 Iehoram,
• Accused and slandered, So was Christ By the multitude, Luk. 23. 2. Apostles by souldiers,
• Accused and slandered, So was The [...]ewes By Haman. Es [...]h. 3. The Disciples by divers,
  Luk. 23 10. Iohn 7. 49. Act. 18. 13. & 21. 28. & 25. 7.
• Forsaken of any one, So was Hagar and Ishmael By Abraham and Sarah, and the Lord comforted them,
  Gen. 21.
• Forsaken of any one, So was Moses and David By their Father, and mother, and God was with them,
  Exod. 2. [...] Ps. [...]. 18. & [...]. [...]. [...]. [...] & 98. 8. & I [...] 19. 1 [...] 14. 2 T [...]. 4. 16. Ps. 27. 10 Ps. [...]. 18. & [...]. [...]. [...]. [...] & 98. 8. & I [...] 19. 1 [...] 14. 2 T [...]. 4. 16. Iob 19. Ps. [...]. 18. & [...]. [...]. [...]. [...] & 98. 8. & I [...] 19. 1 [...] 14. 2 T [...]. 4. 16. Matt. 26. Ps. [...]. 18. & [...]. [...]. [...]. [...] & 98. 8. & I [...] 19. 1 [...] 14. 2 T [...]. 4. 16.
• Forsaken of any one, So was Iob By his wife, neighbours, and friends,
• Forsaken of any one, So was Christ By his Disciples and countrey-men,

• Evil spo­ken of So was David 2 Sam. 16. Michaiah, 2 Kin. 22. Elias,
  1 King. 18. Act. 2. Lam. 3. 2 Kin. 6. Matth. 13.
• Evil spo­ken of So was Iob Iob 17. Prophets and Apostles,
• Evil spo­ken of So was God Himself by that wicked king Iehoram
• Evil spo­ken of So was Christ By Jewes, for whom he died, to save them,
• Derided and mocked, So was David By his wife, 2 Sam. 6. Isaac by Ishmael,
  Psal. 35. 1 [...]. [...]. 11. [...]. [...]7. I [...] [...]. [...]. 12. 4. Gen. 19. Matth. 28. Psal. 123. 4.
• Derided and mocked, So was Ioseph By his brothers. Iob by his friends,
• Derided and mocked, So was Noah By his son, Gen. 9. Lot by his sons,
  Iob 16. 20.
• Derided and mocked, So was Prophets, Apostles, and Christ by the Jewes,
• Derided and mocked, So was The Iewes 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 Proverbe among wicked men,
  Ps. 69. 11. Ps. [...]9. [...]. & [...]1. [...]. [...]. 79. 4. & [...]1. 11. & 44. 14. & 55. 13. Heb. 10. 1 [...]
• The song and by­word of the wic­ked, So was Ieremiah Who was made As the song of wicked
  Lam. 5 6 [...]. Ps. [...]9. [...]. & [...]1. [...]. [...]. 79. 4. & [...]1. 11. & 44. 14. & 55. 13. Heb. 10. 1 [...]
  men,
• The song and by­word of the wic­ked, So was Iob Who was made As a tabret by wicked men,
  Iob 17. 6. Ps. [...]9. [...]. & [...]1. [...]. [...]. 79. 4. & [...]. 11. & 44. 14. & 55. 13. [...]. 10. 13
• The song and by­word of the wic­ked, So was Paul Who was made As a gazing stocke to wicked men,
  1 Co [...]. 4. 9, 13. Ps. [...]9. [...]. & [...]1. [...]. [...]. 79. 4. & [...]. 11. & 44. 14. & 55. 13. [...]. 10. 13
• The song and by­word of the wic­ked, So was Christ By the Jewes at his death and passion,
  Matth. 28.

• [Page 39]Rewar­ded evil for good, So was The King By those that were bidden to the wedding,
  Mat. 23. 2.
• Rewar­ded evil for good, So was Caleb and Ioshua By the Israelites, who would have stoned them,
  Nū. 4. 10.
• Rewar­ded evil for good, So was David By his Adversari [...]s, because goodnesse was in him,
  Ps. 38 20.
  P [...] 9. 4, 5. 1 [...]. 23. 12. & 25 21. T [...]. 17. 12.
• Rewar­ded evil for good, So was David By Saul, who sought to Ilay him,
  1 Sam. 24.
• Rewar­ded evil for good, So was Ioh Who looking for good, evill came to him,
  Ioh 30. 26.
• Rewar­ded evil for good, So was Christ Who For his good workes was often like to be
  Ioh. 10. 3 [...]. Matth. 28.
  stoned, and at the last was by the Jewes crucified,
• Rewar­ded evil for good, So was Ieremiah By the Jewes, who digged a pit for him,
  Ier. 18. 20
• D [...]s [...]med, So was David By his Companion and friend,
  Psa. 55. 12
  Matth. 12. 14. [...]. 27. 1. Mi [...] 4. 11. Act. 27 42 [...]. 5 [...]. [...]0. [...]. 5. Psal. 31. [...]3. & 5 [...]. 3. [...] 71. 10. I [...]r. 11. 19. P [...]al 35. 4. [...]. 6 4. Acts 5. [...]3. M [...]h 6. 5. K [...]. 12. 10. [...]al. 2. 2. & [...]3. 3.
• Counsel­led against for evil, So was David By Ahithophels counsell to Absalom,
  2 Sam. 16.
• Counsel­led against for evil, So was Christ By The Jewes counsell to take him,
  Mat. 26. 4.
• Counsel­led against for evil, So was Paul By Vagabonds counsell to kill him,
  Act. 23.
• Counsel­led against for evil, So was So were Gods people and hidden Ones,
  Psa. 83. 3.
• Counsel­led against for evil, So was The Proph. And Apostl [...]s often no intrap them,
• Counsel­led against for evil, So was The Isr [...]e­lites By the Egyptains, that they might not multiply among them,
  Exo. 1. 10. Psa. 33. 10.
• Intreated evil for doing Gods message, So was Moses and Aaron Who were Threatned by Pharaoh,
  Ps. 21. 13. Exo. 10. 28
  Act. 23. 12. Gal 2. 4. Psal. 2. 2. J [...]h. 12. 10. 1 P [...]t. 3. 12. Jer. 15. 15.
• Intreated evil for doing Gods message, So was Ieremiah & Micha [...]ah Who were Imprisoned by Pashur and Ahab,
  Ier. 20. 1 Kin. 22.
• Intreated evil for doing Gods message, So was Elias & Elisha Who were S [...]ught after to be slain by Iezebel, Iehora [...],
  1 Kin. 19. 2 King. 6.
• Intreated evil for doing Gods message, So was Amos Who was silented for Prophesying,
  Amos 7. 13
• Intreated evil for doing Gods message, So was Christ and the Apostles Whose lives were taken from them,
• Afraid of any, So was The Godliest Person he, and Christ himselfe he was not free, yet from their fears they were by God delivered: who then feares him, in feare shall be preserved▪
  Isa. 57.11
  Psal. 119. 10. 2 King. 6. 16. Isa [...]. 35. [...] Psal 34. 4.
• Hated & envited, So was The Godliest Person, and Christ himselfe 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 sonne,
  Gen. [...]2.
  Psal. 81. 7. Judg. 2. 22. & 1. 4. Act. 20. 19. 2 Chro. 32. 31.
• Tryed and pro­ved of God, So was Iob By Troubles and afflictions,
  Iob 23. 10.
• Tryed and pro­ved of God, So was Israel By Thunder and lightning,
  Exo. 20. 10
• Tryed and pro­ved of God, So was David By His Up u [...]rising and down lying,
  Psa. 139. 1.
• Tryed and pro­ved of God, So was Peter By Christ on the water walking,
  Ma [...]. 14. 29
• Tryed and pro­ved of God, So was Philip By Christ By questioning, how the mul­titude should have feed­ing
  Ioh. 6. 5.
• Tryed and pro­ved of God, So was Christ By Satans tempting, God permitting,
  Matth. 4.
  Matt. 22. 35.
• As Gold God trieth all godly men,
  Psa. 66. 10.
• But in the end delivers them,
  2 Pet. [...]. 9. Ps. 55. 22.
  1 Pet. 16. I [...]eb. 4. 15.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Abraham Who li­ved Continually in Tents,
  Gen. 12.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Isaac Who li­ved Continually in Tents,
  Gen. 14 67.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Ia [...]b Who li­ved Continually in Tents,
  Gen. 35. 21.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Israel Who li­ved In Boothes and Tents,
  Lev. 23. 42.
  Psal. 107. 4. Jewes.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was David Who li­ved A long time in Caves and Dens,
  1 Sam. 24.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Elias Who li­ved In the wildernesse,
  1 Kin. 1 [...]. 1 Cor. 4. 11
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Paul and others Who li­ved Having no certain places,
  Heb. 11. 38
• Without a setled place to live in, So was Christ Who li­ved Not having to rest his head,
  Mat. 8. 20.
  Jam. 1. 1. Jewes.
• Without a setled place to live in, So was S. Iohn Who li­ved In the Isle of Patmos banished,
  Revel. 1.
• Regard not then the house that's made with hands,
  2 Cor. 5. 1.
  Joh. 14. 2. Use.
• But seek the eternall buildings in the Heaven.
  Psa. 107. 4.

Art thou

• Without a bed to lye upon?
• Iacob Who lay on the ground going to Laban, Gen. 28. 11.
  Rechabites.
• Ieremiah Who lay In mire in the dungeon,
  Ier. 38. 6.
• Paul Who lay In chains in the prison,
  Acts 16.
• Iob Who lay In Ashes being his sheet,
  Iob 2.
• Ioseph Who lay In the Stocks hurting his feet,
  Psal. 105. 18.
• Lazarus Who lay At Dives door in the street,
  Luk. 16.
• Christ Who lay A ship-board in the ships sterne, and often­times
  Luk. 8. 22.
  in the cold mountain,

• Vexed by thy wife?
• Iacob Whose wi [...]e said, Give me children, or else I die,
  Gen. 30. 1.
• Iob Whose wi [...]e bid him, Curse God, and die,
  Iob 2. 9.
• Moses Whose wi [...]e t [...]rmed him to be a bloudy man,
  Exod 4. 25.
• David Whose wi [...]e despised, and derided him,
  2 Sam. 6.
• Without Silver and Gold?
• Christ Who was beholden to a fish for money,
  Matth. 17.
• The Apo. And yet they wanted not in their Journey,
• Peter And Iohn, when they healed the Creeple man,
  Acts 3.
• Reade Phil. 4. 19.

• Weary of thy life?
• Iob Who wished himselfe strangled,
  Iob 7. 15.
• Ieremiah Who wished himselfe unconceived,
  Ier. [...]8. [...]4.
• Moses Who wished himselfe unburdened,
  Numb. 11. 11.
• Elias Who prayed God to take away his life,
  1 King. 19.
  Ionah 2. 4.
• The Gaoler Who would have murthered himselfe,
  Acts 16.
  2 Cor. 1. 8.
• The Lords good grace them all yet so directed,
• Their sorrows overpast, their daies in peace were end [...]d.
• in famine?
• Abraham Gen. 12. Isaac, Gen. 26. Iacob▪ Gen. 46.
  Luk. 4. 25.
• Abimelech Ruth 1. Elias, 1 Kin. 17. David, 2 Sam. 21.
  Act. 7. 11 Gen. 45. 7.
  Job 5. 20. Pr. [...]0 3.
• The [...] 2 Kin. 8. Samaria, 2 Kin. 17▪ And others, Psal. 33. 19.
  Psal. 34. 10▪ Psa. 37.
• And the Lord relieved them in their wants, Psal. 37. 19, 25.

Art thou

• In ser­vitude?
• Abrahams Posteritie foure hundred yeares,
  Gen. 15. 13.
• Iacob With Laban twenty yeares,
  Gen. 31. 38.
• Ioseph Many yeares with Potiphar serving,
  Gen. 39.
• Moses Fortie yeares with the Priest of Midian,
  Act. 7. 30.
• Yet freedome at last was given them.
• In danger of waters?
• Noah Gen. 7. Ionah, Chap. 1. The Israelites▪
  Exod. 14.
• Peter Matth. 14. Paul, Acts 27▪ and Disciples,
  Matth. 8.
• And not any perished, but were all preserved,
  Psal. 107. 29.
• The Lord can fave from all danger, yea though a man went to sea without Art
  Psal. 18. 16.
  Wisd. 14. 4.

Are thy

• Goods taken, and lands frō thee?
• Lots And all restored to them again,
  Gen. 14.
• Iobs And all restored to them again,
  Iob 42.
• Naboths By Ahab and with-held by them,
  1 King. 21. 2 Ki. 8. 3. 2 Sam. 16. Iob 1. 21.
• Mephibosh By Ziba and with-held by them,
• Friends thine enemies?
• Iob's Who spake eloquently, tormenting him,
  Job 19. 1.
• David's Who forsooke, and reprehended him,
  Psal. 31. 11. Lam. 1. 2.
• Christ's Who lifted up his heele against him,
  Psal. 41. 9. Ioh. 1 [...]. 14.

Is thy

• life sought after?
• Elias By Iezebel, 1 Kin. 19. Elishas by Iehoram, 2 King. 6.
  Exod. 2. 15.
• Daniel's By Princes, Dan. 6▪ Davids by Saul, 1 Sam. 23.
  [...] Sam. 25. 29.
• The Apostles And others by their Adversaries,
  Jer. 18. 23.
  Psal. 32. 33.
• Wife barren?
• Abimelech's Gen. 20. 8. and Elizabeth,
  Luk. 1. 7.
• Sarah G [...]n. 11. 30. and Hannah,
  1 Sam. 1.
• Rachel Gen. 29. 31. and Rebekah,
  Gen. 25. 21.
• Manoah's Iudg. 13. 2. and The Shunamites,
  1 King. 4.

• Or,
• These all by Praying obtained Children
  Psal. 68. 6.
  from God,
• married to another?
• David's Who was given to Phaltiel the son of Laish,
  2 Sam. 3. 15.
• Samson's Who was given to his own Companion,
  Iudg. 14. 20.

Art thou

• In a dungeon? The light of Mercy cannot be kept from thee.
  Iam. 1. 17.
• In Exile? Thou art not out of Gods Presence, he seeth thee.
  Psal. 139. 7.
• Despised of the world? God himselfe maketh account of thee.
• In povertie? God hath eternall 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.
  Luke 2. 29.
• Stricken with death suddenly? It is to free thee from Mis [...]rie.
• Fatherlesse? The Lord is thy helper.
  Psal. 10. 14.
• Spoken against by the mightie Ones? So was David by Princes.
  Psal. 119. 23.

Meanes and Second Causes used.

ORdinary Meanes 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 doe what he will without Meanes. Ioab when the Ara­mites2 Sam. 10. 12. came against him, heartened his Souldiers, 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 doe (saith he) what is good in his eyes.

And our Saviour Christ avoucheth that to be flat tempting of God, for him to leape downe from the Pinacle of the Temple to the ground, when as there was an ordinary way at hand to descend by Staires. L [...]st therefore we to our de­struction contemne the use of Second Causes which are ordained for our good, God hath himselfe first used them in the worlds government, when as hee might as easily doe it by himselfe alone, as with Second Causes: I will, saith the Lord, heare the Heavens, and they shall heare the Earth, and the Earth shall heare the Corne, the Wine, and the Oyle, and they shall heare Iezreel: 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 honour his Creatures as Fellow-workers with him: And to that purpose he hath ordained meat and ap­parell, to cover the body and to maintaine life: Phisitians and Physicke to re­cover health: honest exercises and sleep to conserve health: Princes and Magi­strates to conserve publike Peace: M [...]sters of Families for domesticall governe­ment. Preaching and reading the Word, receiving the Sacraments, workes of Charitie, Prayers, Discipline, &c. for exercising of Faith. These and such like Meanes and Second Causes then are not to be contemned, or neglected, as though God would governe the world, or save us by himselfe without them: for so to doe, 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 doe, who neglecting the Meanes or­dained by God, expect Miracles from Heaven.

Object. If Gods 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 joyned toge­ther. God in his eternall Counsell had ordained to make Davids will good of evill: and to incline the same from sinne to repentance; had ordained also Meanes, by which his will should be changed, namely Nathan.

Adam and Eve

Cover their nakednesse by sewing together of fig-leaves, and the

Gen. 3.

Lord by making them coverings of beasts skins.

Abraham

Preserve himselfe in time of famine, by going into Egypt, and in

Gen. 10.

time of Feare, by saying Sarah was his Sister: and to pre­serve

Chap. 20.

peace, betwixt himself and Lot, their Herdsmen falling

Chap. 13.

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.

1 Sam. 25.

Bathsheba

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

1 King. 1.

Benhadad

Procure peace with the King of Israel by sending his servants

1 King. 20.

unto him, with Sackcloth about their loynes, and ropes about their necks, in signe of Humiliation.

David

Come into Saul's presence (to encounter with Goliah) and that by saying unto the people, What shall be done to the man

1 Sam. 17.

that killeth this Philistine? and to escape Saul, casting his

Chap. 18.

Javeling at him, he avoided him, and sending to take him, was let downe at a window, and so escaped him. And to

Chap. 19.

know what he intended against him, absented himselfe from his Table, to heare by Ionathan what he would say of him: And from time to time, being pursued by him, fled from one

Chap. 20.

place to another to hide himself fro [...] him. And to preserve his Father and Mother from Saul's wrath, being against

Chap. 22.

them kindled, he placed them with the King of Moab, and

Chap. 23.

to deliver himselfe from evill that might befall him by King Achish, knowing who he was, he feigned himselfe to be mad

Chap. 21.

before him: and going against the Philistines slew all of them, that not any of them might carry tydings thereof to the King, being supposed to have gone out against the Israe­lites by him: And to overcome the Philistines he turned behinde them over against the Mulberry-trees, as the Lord

2 Sam. 5.

had commanded him: And to confound Abithophel he used Hushai's counsell.

Chap. 17.

Daniel

Understand Nebuchadnezzar's dreame, and that by praying, and

Dan. 2.

to finde out the Truth of Susanna's false accusation, he put

Chap. 13.

her accusers asunder, examining them.

The Disciples

Preserve their brethren in time of Famine, and that by sending unto them according to their abilitie, wherewith the Lord

Acts 11.

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.

1 King. 18.

And so to escape from Iezebol fled to Beersheba: and to free

Chap. 19.

himselfe from the hands of two of the Captaines sent to take him, he prayed for fire from Heaven to consume them: and

2 Kin. 1.

to relieve himselfe in the time of famine, he lived with a widow a long time.

1 King. 17.

Elisha

Withstand the Kings Messenger sent to murther him, and that by willing his owne Servant to take heed to shut the doore against him. And to preserve himselfe from the Aramites sent to Dothan to take him, he prayed, and the Lord struck them with blindnesse, that they could not see him. And to defend the King of Israel from the King of Syria, he sent

2 King. 6.

word unto him, that he should forbeare to goe to such and such like places, where the King of Syria lay in wait for him.

Q Esther

Preserve the Jewes from Hamans plot intended against them,

Esther 1.

and that by inviting the King to a banquet, and by praying.

Chap. 5. Chap. 6.

The Eunuch

Understand the Word of God as well by reading, as also by

Acts 8.

taking of Philip into the Coach to interpret to him.

The Gibeonites

Procure their peace with Ioshua, by pretending to come from a farre Countrey unto him, having on old shooes, bread that

Iosh. 9.

was mouldie, and garments worn.

Gideon

Pacifie the Ephraimites murmuring by milde answering.

Iudg. 8. 1.

Hezekiah

Heale his boile, by laying a bunch of dry figs thereon, and to

Isai. 38.

move King Ashur to remove his Army brought against him,

2 King. 20.

he caused all the waters and fountaines in the Countrey to be

2 Chron. 32.

stopped, so that he had not to drinke for them.

Ioshua

Espie out of what strength the Citie Iericho was, by sending

Iosh. 2.

spies to learne the same: and to conquer A [...] he sent men by

Chap. 8.

night, willing them to lye in wait against them.

Iacob

Defend himselfe from the rage of Esau his brother, by departing

Gen. 27.

for a time from his father, and being in service with Laban, to get to himselfe the party-coloured sheep, he set pilled rods before them: and returning from Laban, to pacifie the wrath

Cha. 30. 30, 41

of his brother meeting him, sent a present to him: And to preserve his goods, if Esau had intended evill against him, he divided that he had into severall companies, whereby

Chap. 32.

some might escape of them: And then meeting his brother

Chap. 33.

humbled himselfe unto him, and above all by prayer escaped him.

Ioseph

Bring his brethren to remembrance that they had done him wrong, and that by reprehending and imprisoning them,

Gen. 44.

their Conscience thereby accusing them: And to be freed

Chap. 45.

out of prison intreated Pharaoh's Butler to remember him:

Chap. 40.

And to preserve the Egyptians in time of famine, in the

Chap. 41. 18.

plentifull yeares he provided for them.

Iothan

Preserve himselfe from Abimelech, and that by flying.

Iudg. 9.

Ioah

Reconcile Absalom unto David by a cunning woman, and that

2 Sam. 14.

the Israelites might be valiant in battell against the Assyri

Chap. 10. 11.

Assyrians▪ he incouraged them.

Ionah and Paul's Marriners

Save themselves in the storme on the waters, and that by

Ionah 1.

casting out their wares, lightning their ships, still endevoring,

Act. 27.

calling on the Lords Name by praying.

Ioseph

Preserve Christ by flying, as the Angel willed him.

Matth. 2. 14.

Ieroboam

Escape from Solomon, by absenting himselfe from him.

1 King 11.

Iehosheba

Preserve Ioash from Athaliah going about to kill him, and that by keeping him and his Nurse in her Bed-chamber, as also

2 King. 11.

hiding him in Gods house the space of six yeares.

Iehu

Destroy Baals prophets under pretence of a Sacrifice that he

2 King. 11.

had to do for them, to their God Baal, who being assembled, slew both young and old, great and small.

Iethro

Ease Moses of the burden upon him, in judging of the people, and hearing of Causes between them, and that by giving him

Exod. 18.

counsell to provide men of courage to rule over them.

Iephthah

Espie out the Ephraimites from the Gileadites, and that by ma­king

Iudg. 12.

them to pronounce the word Shibboleth.

The Israelites

Preserve their first-born from the Angel slaying the Egyptians,

Exod. 12. 22.

and that by striking the Lintels of their doores with bloud, as God had commanded; and being at the first overcome of the Benjamites, they afterwards lay in Ambushment, &c. and

Iudg. 20.

so prevailed against them: And being stung with fiery Ser­pents, looking on the Brazen Serpent, a representation of

Numb. 21.

Christ, they were healed.

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

Exod. 12.

to have his hands stayed up, called Aaron and Hur to stay them, during which time the Israelites prevailed against the

Chap. 17.

Amalekites: And to keep the Israelites from the Mount, he set marks: And to search the land of Canaan, he sent spies:

Chap. 19.

And to preserve the Israelites from Korahs destruction, he

Numb. 13.

willed them to depart from among them: And to stay Gods

Numb. 16.

wrath, he often prayed to God for them.

Moses his mother

Preserve him for a time by hiding him, and after by putting

Exod. 1.

him into an Arke, &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

1 Sam. 18.

returned to Saul, he escaped.

Noah

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

Gen. 6.

Nathan

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

2 Sam. 12.

Nehemiah

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

Nehem. 2.

Obadiah

Preserve the Lords Prophets, and that by hiding them.

1 King. 18.

The Proph.

Make Ahab judge himselfe, by a Parable told him.

1 King. 20.

Pharaoh

Provide for the deare yeares, as Ioseph willed him.

Gen. 41.

Pharaoh's servants

Preserve themselves and their cattell, as many as feared God, by

Exod. 9.

departing out of the fields from the Haile that destroyed all that there remained.

Paul

Preserve himselfe from the Jewes, and that by being let downe

Act. 9.

at a window: and being at Cesarea was sent by his brethren

Chap. 14.

to Tarsus: fled from Lystra to Derbe, Cities of Lycaonia: said that he was a Romane, and thereby escaped whipping:

Chap. 22. 25.

cryed out that he was a Pharisee, and so w [...]s delivered, being accused falsly: Sent his s [...]sters son to the Centuriō to acquaint

Chap. 23. 17.

him with the Conspiracie of certain wicked men, and there­by

Chap. 27. 17. 31. 38.

escaped them, the captaine causing two Centurions with two hundred souldiers to convey him: And being in danger

2 Cor. 11. 32.

at Sea, followed the counsell before told him by an Angel.

Rebekah

Get the blessing unto Iacob, by making him savoury meat to

Gen. 27.

carry to his Father, to change his garments; and to preserve him from Esau, sent him to Padan Aram.

Rachel

• Obtaine Children Naturall meanes by Marriage,
  Gen. 29.
• Obtaine Children Artificiall meanes by Mandrakes,
  Chap. 30.
• Obtaine Children Godly meanes by Prayers.
  14, 15.

Rahab

preserve her selfe and hers, and that by entertaining Ioshua's

Iosh. 2.

spies, as also by tying a cord at her window, as she was willed

Chap. 6

by the spies which she harboured.

Ruth

Relieve her selfe and Naomi her mother in law, and that by

Ruth 2.

gleaning eares of Corne; as also followed the Counsell of Naomi, to get Boaz to her husband.

Chap. 4.

Saul

Procure the love of certaine wicked men speaking against him,

1 Sam. 10,

and that by not replying unto them, making as though he heard not the words spoken by them.

Samuel

Defend himself from Saul, fearing him, being sent to annoint

1 Sam. 16.

David to be King, and that by taking an Heifer with him to sacrifice, as God commanded him.

Sheche­mites

Preserve themselves from Ishmael, going about most treache­rously to slay them, and that by telling him that they had

Ier. 41. 7.

treasures in the fields hidden, &c. and so escaped him.

The Steward

Maintaine himselfe after his dismission, his Stewardship being

Luke 16.

t [...]ken from him, and that by causing those that were indebted to his Master to set down lesser summes then they owed him.

Ʋrijah

Preserve himself from King Iehoiakim, and that by flying into Egypt from him, from whence the wicked king notwith­standing

Ier. 26.

sent for him, and slew him.

Preserve Ahimaaz and Ionathan

by putting them into a well, spreading ground corne over the covering, and so they escaped

2 Sam. 17.

the Messengers of Absalom sent to take them.

The Woman

• Deliver her citie and the people from Ioab pursuing Sheba: and
  2 Sam. 20.
  that by causing Sheba's head to be cut off, and given to Ioab, as he commanded.
• Be cured of her bloudie issue: and she of Canaan to have her
  Mark 5.
  daughter cured by coming to Christ, together with many
  Matth. 15.
  other diseased persons.

Christ

Pres [...]rve himselfe from the Pharisees, consulting to destroy him,

Matth. 12.

and that by departing from them; and from the Jewes seeking

Chap. 14. 13.

to kill him, by walking in Galile not in Jury, as also by go­ing

Ioh. 7. 1.

to the Feast of Tabernacles, not openly but privily, wal­king

Chap. 11. 54.

secretly: As likewise by going from them into the

Chap. 8 59.

wildernesse, and sometimes by a ship waiting on him, and

Chap. 11. 54.

willed his Disciples to beware of men, and that, if they were

Mark 3. 9, 7.

persecuted in one Citie, they should fly into another to save

Chap. 10. 39.

themselves, and counselled them to be wise as Serpents, but

Matth. 10.

withall to be innocent as Doves.

S^t Paul saith that

Are to be used to obtaine Salvation, and they are Faith, which

Rom. 10. 17.

cometh by Hearing, Hearing by Preaching, after which fol­loweth

Chap. 8.

Obedience, Sanctification and Justification by Christ.

Titus 1.

To this is to be added to make Election sure, Veritie with

Act. 13. 48.

Faith, Vertue with Knowledge, with Knowledge Tempe­rance,

Eph. 2. 10.

with Temperance Patience, &c.

2 Pet. 1. 5.

The Lord appointed Meanes, that his banished are not utterly expelled.2 Sam. 14. 24.

Secret things belong unto the Lord: to man revealed. Deut. 29. 29.

Victorie is of God: yet the horse for battell is prepared. Prov. 21. 31.

That provideth not for his owne, and especially for them of his houshold, he hath 2 Cor. 8. 21. denyed the Faith, and is worse then an infidell, saith the Apostle S. Paul. 1 Tim. 5. 8. Gen. 30 30.

Use.

We may learne hereby not to contemne Second Causes, abusing thereby Gods Providence: His revealed will is, that we use ordinarie remedies, leaving the issue to him, who will dispose thereof to his good will and pleasure. Amen.