The first Sermon . MARKE . 9.

Verse 22. And oft times hee casteth him into the fire , and into the water , to destroy him : but if thou canst doe anie thing , helpe vs : and haue compassion vpon vs .

23 And IESVS said vnto him , if shou canst belieue it , all things are possible to him that belieueth .

24. And straight way the father of the childe , crying with teares , saide ; Lord , I beleeue , helpe my vnbeliefe .

THe occasion of these words is declared in the beginning of this historie : which was this , that a certaine man had a childe possessed by the diuell , which had made him dumbe and deaffe , and that from his childhood ; in so much that he could neuer speake nor heare in all his life : This man in the absence of Christ , brought him to his Disciples , hearing that they had dispossessed others , and therefore hoping to finde the like successe for himselfe : But when they had made triall , they found themselues vnable to cast the diuell out of his childe : wherevpon their aduersaries were readie to insult and triumph ouer them . In the meane season our Sauiour commeth among them , readie to vndertake the cause of his poore Disciples against their enemies ; the father of this distressed childe doth forthwith hasten vnto him , and enters into speech with him : Now these wordes do containe part of that conference which passed betwixt them ; wherein wee may note these three things :

1 1. First the petition of the man , with the reason of it : he besought our Sauiour if he could doe any thing , that hee would haue compassion on him and his sonne , and minister comfort vnto him , by giuing deliuerance vnto his childe , from his miserable estate wherein hee was : and to moue him vnto greater commiseration , he relateth vnto him in what sort Satan did tyrannize ouer him , casting him oft times into the fire , to burne him , and into the water to drowne him . Verse 22.

2 2. Secondly , our Sauiours answere , where wee may obserue , that as the man came with an [ If ] saying , If thou canst doe anie thing : so hee answereth him with the like ; If thou canst belieue this : that is , if thou canst bee perswaded of my power , that I am able to doe this , thy sonne shall be helped ( for that must needs be supplyed ) and hee yeeldeth a reason thereof , all things are possible to the belieuer , vers. 23 : and therefore this is is not impossible : as if Christ Iesus should haue saide ; Whereas thou makest question whether I can dispossesse thy sonne or not , know this , that if there be any doubt , it is on thy part , not on mine : if thou canst belieue , thou shalt finde , that neither this , nor any other matter is too difficult for mee : this our Sauiour speakes , for the helping of his weake faith .

3 Thirdly , wee may note the replie of this man vpon Christ his speech ; hee crying with teares , said , Lord I belieue , helpe mine vnbeliefe : vers. 24. Where we see that he acknowledgeth the grace of God , that hee did belieue in part : and withall , his owne weakenesse , that hee was troubled with vnbeliefe : against which , hee desireth Christ to helpe him ; that is , to cure him of it , to giue him strength against it , and deliuerance from it . And thus much for the order and sense of the wordes ; verse 22. And oft times hee casteth him into the fire , and into the water to destroy him : ] whence obserue this doctrine , that

Doct. 1. Satans malice is bent euen against mens bodies . Satan is not onely an enemie vnto the soules of men , but also vnto their bodies .

Hee doth not onely seeke their destruction spirituallie by drawing Gods wrath vpon them : but also corporally , by bringing afflictions & miseries vpon them ; as here wee may see by his cruell dealing towards this child : albeit he had gotten an habitation in him , which was a thing wherein hee much delighted Mark . 5. 8. ( as may appeare by this , that hee counted it a torment to be cast out , where once he had taken possession ; ) yet hee vsed great violence towards him , casting him into the fire , and into the water , being content to relinquish and lose his holde , so that the childe might be destroyed . Mark . 5. 5. The like wee may reade in this same Euangelist , in his first chapter , where mention is made of one possessed , whom the diuell caused to flie from , and to eschew the companie of men , and to liue in the mountaines , and in the graues , and to knocke himselfe with stones , and so to abuse that strength which he had giuen him , to his owne great hurt and torment . So also in his dealing with Iob , Iob. 1. and with his children and seruants , we may obserue how willing hee is to take libertie to hurt mens bodies , when it pleaseth the Lord to graunt it vnto him .

And for the further confirmation of this point ,

Reason 1. Let vs first take experience for one reason , to conuince vs of the truth hereof , and that in the limmes of Satan , who being led by his spirit , doe plainly manifest of what disposition their maister is : now concerning them , it is said , that the workes of their father they will doe ; and of Satan , it is said , Iohn . 8. 44. that he was a murtherer from the beginning : whence it may be concluded , that the more diuellish men are , the more murderous and bloudie mindes they carrie : and therefore when the diuell was entered into Iudas , he presently fell to practising against his maister : 1. Iohn . 3. 12. and Caine being of that euill one , slue his brother : 1. Sam. 18. 10. 11. and when the euill spirit came vpon Saule , he laid about him with his speare , with full purpose to haue berest Dauid of his life : and so it is with swaggerers and drunkards , and such like hellish persons , when they haue no enemies to fall out with , they drawe their weapons on their friends , and many times murder their owne companions : which is an euident demonstration of the cruell affection that is in Sathans members , euen towards the bodies of men .

2 Againe , this may be another reason of the point , that Sathan carrieth a deadly malice against all the creatures , Mark . 5. ( as we may see in his desire to enter into the swine ) and therefore much more vnto mankind : and that not onely against the Image of God renewed by the spirit of Christ , but euen against those remnants thereof that are remaining in the nature of man : whence it is , that he is so violent against their bodies , and seekes to torture them as well as their soules , as carrying some stampe and impression of Gods workemanship in them .

This point serueth ,

Vse . First for the iust reproofe and condemnation of their follie and madnesse , that will vpon any occasion haue recourse vnto Sathan , or to any meanes of his inuention , either for the relieuing of their estate , or the easing of their bodies , or the helping of their children , or the like : howsoeuer such doe in word professe that they esteeme of the diuell as of an vtter enemie vnto mankinde , yet indeed they shew the quite contrarie , viz. that they rather iudge him to be a friend , than a foe : for they will runne from God , and from their deerest friends , to seeke vnto him ; and preferre his seruice before the seruice of any whosoeuer he be . Many will serue the Lord hollowly , and their maisters vntrustily , but the diuell in good earnest , and without hypocrisie , wholy applying themselues to fulfill the lusts of the flesh , they imagine that there is too much rigour in Gods lawe , and too much seueritie in mens dealings , and that Sathan is the best and kindest maister of all others : he will giue them full libertie to breake the Sabbath ; to be drunken , to be wanton and lasciuious , to filsh and steale , and to doe any thing else whereunto their sinfull nature leadeth them : they may haue any indulgence at his hands , without checke , or controulement : and hence it commeth to passe that he hath such troupes of followers , and that almost all the world are his seruants and vassals . But these men doe little consider in the meane while , what a cruell tyrant , and mortall aduersarie he is vnto them , yea euen to their bodies .

Obiect . How can that be ( will some say ) seeing that such doe liue merily , and enrich themselues in the world , and come to places of great preferment ? If to take the courses before named be to serue the diuel , surely ( for ought we can see ) he seemes to be a kinder maister than he is taken for .

Answer . 5 Nay , he is a cruell tyrant notwithstanding all this , and that to the very outward man , for ( that we may giue instance in some particulars ) when Sathan giues libertie to any one to take his swing in swilling and drinking ; doth he not by that meanes ouerthrow his estate , craze his braine , blemish his name , and fill his body full of noy some diseases ? and doth not the diuell then take a scourge as it were into his hand , wherewith he payeth them home that are giuen ouer to that inordinate course of life ? So when he giues allowance vnto men to follow their couetous humour , doe they not pinch their bellies , and depriue themselues o●t times of necessarie foode ? doe they not restraine their eyes from sleepe in the night , and vexe themselues with many painefull cares , as what if such a chest should be broken open ? what if theeues should get into such a chamber ? what if my seruants should be vnfaithfull at home ? What if they should not looke well to my cattle abroad ? with a thousand such troublesome thoughts , which doe breake off their rest , and impaire their hearts , and by degrees drawe dangerous diseases vpon them : it would be too much to particularize in pleasures of diuers kinds , in gaming , in ambition , & such like : wherein when the diuell hath once intangled men , he doth keepe them as it were in Bridewell . But grant for the time , that he is kinde vnto sinfull persons in letting them haue their fill of iniquitie , yet he is withall craftie , and seeketh to ouer-reach them by subtiltie : for he knoweth that his power is limited , so that he cannot doe what he would ; and therefore he laboureth by drawing men vnto such courses as are displeasing vnto the Lord , to put them ouer into his hand , ( who as he well knowes ) both can and will plague and punish them , either in body , or in soule , or in both : so that by presenting before their eyes the benefits that they shall reape by sinne , he doth but offer vnto them a sugred cuppe , which hath deadly poyson in the bottome of it : or a goodly faire baite , which hath a dangerous hooke in the midsts of it . His dealing herein , may not vnfitly be compared vnto the counsell which that false prophet Balaam gaue vnto Balac , king of Moab : who knowing that he could not preuaile against the Israelites , so long as they continued in Gods fauour , but though hee cursed them , yet the Lord would blesse them : Numb . 24. Reuel. 2. 14. hee aduiseth that King ( if euer hee meant to doe them a mischiefe ) to vse them kindly , and friendlie ; to bidde them to their wake , when they offered sacrifice to their filthie Idoll , and there to make them good cheere , and withall , to offer vnto them some of their fairest women ; that so beeing drawen to sinne against God , hee might execute some iudgement vpon them : and this diuellish counsell was that indeed , which caused Gods people to taste of his indignation . In the same manner doth Satan beguile the sonnes of men : hee cannot bring vpon them that miserie and mischiefe that hee desireth , and therefore hee stirreth men vp to prouoke the Lord by their pride , and voluptuousnes , and worldlines , or some such like corruptions , and then hauing made warre betwixt the Lord and them , hee stands by and clappes his hands , to see him smiting and plaguing them for their offences .

Vse . 2. Secondly , considering that Satan is such a cruell enemie vnto vs , it should teach vs to giue vnto the Lorde the honour and praise of our preseruation : that notwithstanding wee haue so many thousand mightie , and craftie , and malicious aduersaries , yet wee liue in safetie , and doe enioy innumerable blessings of God to our great comfort : that albeit the diuell comes neer vs , yet he cannot hurt vs : and though this rauenous wolfe be euen in the middest of the flocke , yet hee cannot spoyle so much as one lambe among them : and that howsoeuer there bee multitudes of his Adherents , that haue a deadly quarrell against pietie , and against the vpholders and maintainers thereof , so that no Lyon is more greedie of his prey , then they are of the blood of Gods seruants , yet wee enioy our health , and strength , and food , and families , and libertie of calling vpon the name of the Lord : for this wonderfull fauour of our good God , in restraining the diuell & his instruments from doing vs mischiefe , we should neuer cease to magnifie his glorious name : euermore endeuouring to keep our selues in his fauour , that so he being with vs , and standing for vs , we may not neede to feare any of our aduersaries that intend hurt and violence against vs .

But if thou canst doe any thing , ] In that this man makes a doubt whether Christ can helpe his child , or not , and so manifests his infidelitie , albeit he was otherwise a godly man : this doctrine may be collected hence , that

Doct. 2. The faithfull tainted with vnbeliefe . Gods owne children with their faith , haue some mixture of vnbeliefe .

That this man was a beleeuer , may appeare by sundrie circumstances of the text : as namely , that he came vnto Christ his disciples for helpe , and when he found none at their hands , did not depraue , nor disgrace them , but went vnto our Sauiour , and that not onely to haue his sonne helped , but to haue his owne vnbeliefe cured , giuing him this honour , to be the author and worker of grace in the hearts of the sonnes of men : yet notwithstanding all this , he herein manifested his infirmitie , that he made question of Christ his power , whether he could cast the diuell out of his child or not .

The scripture is plentifull of testimonies for the confirmation of this point . Gen. 12. Gen. 28. 2. Abraham was the father of beleeuers , and had a full parswasion in some particulars : yet how weake did he shew himselfe , when he exposed his wife to euident perill of violating her chastitie , by causing her to say that she was his sister , that so his life might be spared , which otherwise might be endangered ( as he thought ) by reason of her beautie ? as if the Lord could not as well protect him in Gerar , and in Egipt , as he had done in Canaan , and in Mesopotamia ! Gen. 16. So also in another particular : the Lord promised that he should haue a child by Sarah , but he had waited long , and the promise was not yet fulfilled , and now Sarah was altogether vnlikely ( in the ordinarie course of nature ) to beare a child : in this case what doth Abraham ? at the perswasion of his wife , hee takes Hagar , that so Sarah might haue a sonne by her : as if God had beene in a straite , and knewe not how to bee as good as his word , vnles the promise might beare this construction , that Sarah should haue a child indeed , but by another , this was great vnbeliefe in him .

Dauid likewise had commonly an excellent faith , 1. Sam. 24. & 26. 9. in so much that when Saul his enemie was in his handes , so that hee might haue slaine him , and was vrged by his men so to doe , or to suffer them to doe it , yet hee would in no wise yeeld vnto them , to take away Sauls life ; but resolued to waite vpon the Lord , who would take him away in due time , either by a naturall , or by a violent death , and aduance him to the Kingdome in his steede : yet after this good resolution , he manifested great frailtie and weaknes of faith : 1. Sam. 27. 1. for he said in his heart , I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul : and therevpon he fled vnto the King of Gath , and there beeing in perill of his life , bewrayed much infidelitie before the king .

And the like corruption doth our Sauiour oft times reprehend in his Disciples , Matth. 8. 26. Luk. 5. Why did you feare , ô yee of little faith ? saith hee ; and as these particular examples do euidently proue the point in hand , so also doth the generall example of the whole Church , of which the Prophet Isaiah speaketh thus : Isaiah . 49. 14. Zion said , the Lord hath forsaken mee , and my Lord hath forgotten mee ; if they had affirmed that God had reiected but one member of his Church ; though it were but one of the meanest , as it were the little finger , it had beene a great dishonour vnto his Name ; but that hee should cast off his whole Church , was a charge farre more hainous and intollerable : and argued a great measure of vnbeliefe in Gods people , that either said it , or thought it . Yet the Lord doth not discourage them for this , but rather vseth arguments to confirme and strengthen them . Can a woman ( saith he ) Vers. 15. Verse . 15. forget her childe , and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe ? though they should forget , yet will not I forget thee . In which words the Lord telleth them for their comfort , that a mother , that hath a child sucking on her breasts , may sooner forsake it , and forget that she hath such an one , than he can relinquish them , and let his chosen ones slippe out of his minde .

Reasons . Now the reason why the remnants of infidelitie doe still remaine in such as are Gods faithfull seruants , are these .

1 First , because there is in the best a great defect of knowledge , as the Apostle witnesseth : 1. Cor. 13. 12. and certaine it is , that we cannot beleeue more than we know , though we may know more than we beleeue : and therefore our knowledge being but weake and imperfect , our faith cannot be absolute and perfect .

2 Secondly , there is no other grace of God , but is ioyned with imperfections , and therefore faith cannot be perfect ; for if it were , it would perfect all the rest of the vertues that are in vs : our humilitie would be without any pride : our patience without any discontentment : our loue without any manner of bitternesse , &c.

3 Thirdly , it is a good prouidence of God that it should be so ; for otherwise his wonderfull mercie in bearing with vs , and his mightie hand in vpholding vs , would not so euidently be seene : we could not else so easily parceiue how strong the Lord is , in fensing vs against dangerous temptations ; in deliuering vs from violent corruptions : in arming vs against boisterous persecutions ; and in vpholding vs in all manner of tribulations .

Vse . 1. Let this therefore first of all be an instruction vnto vs , to teach vs to be more sparing in our censures , when we finde defects of faith , either in our selues or others . The best of Gods seruants ( as hath beene sufficiently prooued ) are subiect to many doubtings , both concerning the promises of God , and concerning his prouidence : and therefore when we finde the like in our selues or others , let vs not thereupon conclude , that we are not of the number of the faithfull : for we may haue a true iustifying faith at that very instant , when we are full of doubting touching some particular points ; as may be seene in the examples before alleaged for the confirmation of this doctrine : and if God should worke all at once in vs , there would be no more imployment for him ; nor any further vse of the meanes of our saluation . Let vs not therefore discourage our hearts , as if we had no faith , because we finde defects in our faith : or as if we had nothing else but infirmities , because we finde some infirmities in our selues : Christ deales more charitable than so with Peter : for though he were afraid vpon the sight of a great waue , after that Christ had giuen him experience of his power , in making him able to walke vpon the sea , yet doth he not call him vnbeleeuer , or faithles person : but saith vnto him , Math. 14. 21. Why diddest thou feare , ô thou of little faith ? giuing him his due , that he had some faith ; albeit he had not so much as he should haue had .

Vse . 2. Secondly , is it so , that the best haue some dregges of vnbeliefe still remaining in them ? then let vs be exceeding carefull in looking to our owne hearts , for otherwise we may fall very dangerously . Let vs not therefore presume vpon this , that we haue faith , and therefore we shall alwaies stand vpright : for though we haue a wonderfull excellent faith , as Abraham had , and as Dauid had , yet we may suddenly slippe into scandalous offences , as they did , because we haue infidelitie as a dangerous traytour still harbouring within vs , which hath many ill companions attending vpon it , and is readie still to shew it selfe in distempered passions , and inordinate courses , vnlesse wee doe maruellous carefullie restraine and represse the motions thereof . Little though Peter euer to denie and forsweare his maister , when hee was so resolute , that he stood vpon it with our Sauiour , that though hee should die with him , yet hee would neuer forsake him ; yet we reade what his vnbeliefe brought him vnto . Wee are of the same nature that hee was , let vs therefore bee admonished by his example , that when wee thinke that wee stand , wee take heede least wee fall : for though wee be neuer so valorous in our owne conceits , little doe wee know into what crueltie , and into what bitternes of speech wee may breake forth , and how exceeding cowardlie wee may shew our selues in the causes of God : the serious consideration whereof , should cause vs euermore to haue an eye vnto our vnbeliefe , and to looke narrowly therevnto : yea , to lay strong chaines vpon it , and to keepe it close prisoner : for otherwise , it will make some scape or other , and comming abroade , will play such leaud trickes , as will bring shame vnto vs , and dishonour vnto God , and a blemish vpon our holie profession .

Helpe vs , and haue compassion on vs ; that is , on mee and my childe : Whence ariseth this doctrine , that

Doct. 3. Loue makes men to beare others burdens , as if they were their owne . True loue will cause men to make their case for whom they pray to be their owne . It will make them to communicate with their estate , for whom they become suiters vnto the Lord , and to beare a burden with them in their afflictions : as heere we see in this man , who made his sonnes case and his owne alike .

Thus doth the Prophet Isaiah make himselfe a partie , when hee dealeth with the Lorde in the behalfe of the Iewes , against whom Gods wrath was kindled , Our trespasses are manie before thee ( saith hee ) Isa. 59. 12. and our sinnes testifie against vs . And againe , chapt. 64. 6. Wee haue beene as an vncleane thing , and our righteousnes as filthie cloutes , &c. In the like sort speaketh the Prophet Ieremie ; Ierem. 14. 7. O Lord , though our iniquities testifie against vs ( saith hee ) deale with vs according to thy name : for our rebellions are manie , wee haue sinned against thee . So doeth Daniel also , Daniel . 9. 5. Wee haue sinned ( saith he ) and haue committed iniquitie , and haue done wickedly ; yea , wee haue rebelled , and haue departed from thy precepts , and from thy iudgements . And lastlie , ( not to heape together moe examples of this kinde ) good Ezra manifesteth the like holy affection , as those before-named did ; for thus hee prayeth , Ezra . 9. 6. O my GOD , I am confounded , and ashamed to lift vp mine eyes vnto thee my God : for our iniquities are increased ouer our head , and our trespasse is growen vp vnto the heauen . In which examples we see , that those holie men of God , though they were very innocent of any hainous crime , and in respect of those faults , which they for whom they prayed were guiltie of , altogether blamelesse , and vntainted , yet they tooke to heart the offences committed by others , as if had beene principall men in the same .

Reasons . The reasons why Gods children must bee thus affected , are these .

1. First , because this fellow-feeling of others miseries , is a verie effectuall meanes to make them feruent and earnest in their suites and requests : as the examples before alleaged , doe clearely manifest . Whereas on the contrarie , if men doe not much care for others calamities , as if they did nothing at all , or verie little concerne them ; they will pray , but very coldlie and drowsilie for them .

2 Secondly , as this sensiblenes of other mens distresses , will make Gods seruants feruent , so will it also make them constant in their prayers for them : so that after many delayes and repulses , they will still perseuere in making supplication for them : but on the other side , if men be not thus affected toward them , they will quickly be discouraged , and soone let their suite fall to the ground : as we may obserue in the disciples of our Sauiour , who speaking for the woman of Canaan , without any great sense and feeling of her miserie , were very cold and short in their request . Maister ( say they ) send her away : that is , dispatch her , that she may be gone , for she cryeth after vs . Now when Christ answered that Math. 15. 23. he was not sent vnto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel , their prayer was at an end , and they had no more to say for her : but the poore woman , being thoroughly afflicted with the torment of her daughter , would not let the matter passe so , but replyeth vpon Christ Iesus , and answereth euery one of his obiections , till at length her request was granted .

3 Thirdly , this will cause their prayers to be effectuall , and to finde good admittance and acceptance with the Lord : they cannot but be welcome vnto him , in regard they proceed from abundance of loue , and of tender compassion in the parties , which are graces wherewith the Lord is well pleased , yea , and much delighted .

4 Fourthly , as others shall haue the benefite of such prayers , so shal they themselues that make them haue the comfort thereof in a speciall manner : As Ieremie , and Daniel , and such like holy men , who vpon the granting of their requests , had an hundred times more consolation , than ordinarie people for whom they prayed : and if it so fall out that our requests be not granted in the particulars , yet shall we some way or other be proportionably recompenced by the Lord .

5 Lastly , if no other reason would induce vs , yet the example of our blessed Sauiour should moue vs to this holy communicating with the miseries of our brethren : for he tooke our persons vpon him , and 2. Cor. 5. 21. he that knew no sinne , was made sinne for vs , that we might be made the righteousnes of God , through him . He became our suretie , and tooke vpon him both the guiltinesse and punishment of our sinnes : he did not onely pittie vs , and speake for vs , but also dealt for vs , and died for vs : and therefore it behooueth vs to Phil. 2. 5. put on the same minde that was in Christ Iesus : and to bee affected in the like sort as he was . Vse 1. Which maketh for the iust reproofe of those , who when they are petitioners vnto God for others , deale no otherwise then great mens Attendants commonly do , for such as haue before hand hired them to preferre their suites vnto their maisters : or then corrupt Lawiers doe for their Clients , when they haue receiued their fees : they thinke they shall loose nothing if matters go against them : nor gaine any thing if they succeed for them : and therefore they vse not much eagernesse in the pursuite thereof , but deale coldlie and carelesly in the causes which they vndertake : So doe a great manie in their suites which they put vp vnto God ; yea , euen then when they are to speake for their owne children , or other neere friends : and that when they are in a most lamentable taking , so that they might iustly say as the woman of Canaan did of her daughter , O Lord haue mercie on mee ; my childe , or my friend , is Matth. 15. miserablie vexed with a diuell : miserablie haunted with pride , with vncleannesse , with voluptuousnes , &c: Yet Satan doth as it were , bellow forth at their mouthes , and is ready to cast them ( not into the water , or into the fire , as was this mans childe , but ) euen into hell fire , which neuer shall bee quenched : albeit ( I say ) the case stand thus with manie mens children , or friendes : Nay further , though they haue beene brought to this passe by their ill educating of them , or their giuing of ill example vnto them , yet when they are to make supplication vnto the Lord for them , they are maruellous remisse and cold in the same : thereby shewing , that their praiers proceed from their lips , rather than from their hearts . Nay , in the case of Gods Church , whereof they themselues are members , or at least professe themselues so to be , they aske so carelesly and drowsily , as if it did nothing at all pertaine vnto them , whether the Gospell haue a free passage or not ; whether Gods ordinances be enioyed in sinceritie and puritie or not ; whether Gods seruants continue in their vprightnesse or not , &c. This is a fault sharpely to be censured in such as make profession of the truth , and we haue all cause much to condemne our selues for our great fayling in this behalfe : and to labour hereafter to put on the bowels of tender compassion , that so wee may make othres cases our owne , and mourne for their calamities , and for their transgressions , as if they were our owne .

2 Secondly , is it so , that christian loue will cause men to partake with others in their distresses , as if they were theirs ? then here is matter of speciall consolation vnto all the Saints of God : for there is neuer a one of them , but hath sundrie others to beare his burden , and to communicate with him in all his sorrowes and anguishes . And therefore , let them not be vtterly dismaied , albeit they cannot take their owne case to heart as they would , and as they should : if they be inwardly grieued that they are so senslesse of the stroakes of God vpon them , they may take this for their comfort , that God will passe by their infirmitie , and accept of the seruencie of others prayers in their behalfe , who are more earnest with God for them , than they can be for themselues . Thus much concerning the mans petition : our Sauiours answere followeth .

The second Sermon . VERSE 23.

If thou canst beleeue , all things are possible to the beleeuer .

HEere wee must note , that when it is said , If thou canst beleeue , &c: The meaning is not , that Christ could not heale his childe vnlesse hee did beleeue : for mans disabilitie doth nothing diminish Gods abilitie : but this is spoken by our Sauiour to helpe the mans faith ; hee knew well enough that hee did in part beleeue , but hee would haue him search , and trie his heart , and set his faith a worke before hee would graunt his request . Whence wee may note this Doctrine , that

Doct. 1. Christ begins with the heart . Where Christ Iesus doth helpe anie one in mercie , hee first helps his heart , and layes the foundation of his worke in his soule . This course hee tooke with Marthae and Marie , when hee would gratifie them with a speciall fauour , in restoring to life their dead brother , which was very deere vnto them ; Iohn . 11. Hee first of all labours to strengthen their faith in this point , that hee was able to raise him out of the graue againe : yea , though hee had beene foure dayes dead .

In the like sort dealt the Lord with the Apostle Paul , Acts. 27. when he and the rest that were with him , had bene fourteene dayes tossed with a sore and dangerous tempest , looking euer and anon , when they should bee drowned in the Sea , and all that while had eaten nothing , feare hauing taken away their stomachs . In this extremitie God sent his Angell vnto Paul , not giuing him present deliuerance , but telling him that hee and the rest should be deliuered , that so their faith might be exercised by depending on his promise , and the benefite might bee more acceptable when it came . The like may be said of Iehoshaphats case , when such huge armies of enemies came against him : 2. Chron. 20. 14. 15. it was then time ( wee would haue thought ) for the Lord to set vpon his aduersaries , and to ouerthrowe their forces : but hee first of all sends king Iehoshaphat , and the rest of the people , a Prophet to fitte and prepare their hearts , for such a wonderfull victorie , as afterward hee gaue them ; and that made it to bee a farre greater blessing , then otherwise it could haue beene .

Reasons . And the reason why God doth first helpe the heart , is ,

1 First , because otherwise the benefite that he bestoweth , would bee but momentanie : for either the thing it selfe should be taken away , or else some mischiefe ensue vpon the hauing of it , so that it would cease to bee a blessing . Hence is it , that the Lord saith vnto Ahaz , and his people , after hee had promised them deliuerance from their enemies ; Isa. 7. 9. If yee beleeue not , surely yee shall not bee established . And therefore was it , 1. Kings . 20. that though wicked Ahab were saued from the sword of the king of Aram , at one time , yet hee got little by it : for hauing no grace in his heart , 1. Kings . 22. hee was wounded in fighting against the Aramites another time , so that his Charret-man carried him out of the hoast , vnto Samaria , and death carried him from thence vnto hell , the proper place of such sinfull rebels as he was .

2 Secondly , when mens hearts are well fitted for a blessing , it becomes a double blessing vnto them . For it doth not alone helpe them for their present state , but also for their eternall state : not onely for this life , but for euerlasting life : not for the present alone , but for euer after , they being assured , that God is alwaies the same in grace and fauour towards his children .

Vse . 1. Therefore if at any time we desire any blessing , or deliuerance for our selues , or our friends , out of dangers , or debts , or the like , let vs intreate the Lord first of all to applie his medicine to the due place . We see it ordinarie with skilfull physitians in the curing of many diseases , that though the sicknesse be in the head , or in any other part , yet they conueigh their physicke into the stomach . So let vs beseech the Lord that he will deale with vs , or with such as are neere vnto vs : that he will beginne his cure in our heart , which is the stomacke of the soule : which being soundly healed , we shall finde , not onely the fit staied for the present , but the sicknes preuented for afterwards .

2 Secondly , let the wisedome of Christ in his dealing with this man , serue for our imitation : Are we minded to doe our neighbours a good turne in outward respects , for their bodie , or for their estate , or for his children ? let vs in the first place labour as farre as God hath inabled vs , to helpe their hearts ; to increase their repentance ; to strengthen their faith in Gods promises and prouidence , and to minister vnto them spirituall refreshing as well as corporall . And thus taking the same course with our friends in their sicknesses , and in their distresse , as our Sauiour did , we may the more comfortably expect a full recompence of our worke from the righteous Iudge of heauen and earth ; and withall , we shall haue this testimonie vnto our soules , that we doe not good things in a carnall manner , nor for fleshly respects , but with an vpright heart , and to a right end , desiring principally that God may be glorified in the saluation of the parties , to whom our beautie and kindnesse is extended .

3 Thirdly , seeing that the Lord vseth to begin his worke in the hart , where he purposeth to vouchsafe any outward blessing in mercie : Let this teach vs not to be impatient , nor to thinke it too long , ere God bestow any benefit vpon vs : but let vs rather looke into our selues , and suspect our owne preparation and fitnesse to be partakers of any speciall fauour from the Lord .

Will not our aduersaries be pacified toward vs , nor reconciled vnto vs ? Let vs examine whether we haue made peace with the Lord , and procured his louing countenance to shine vpon vs : otherwise we may certainely conclude , that all our enemies heate is but a sparke of his displeasure against vs . Are our outward wants & necessities many & great , and of long continuance ? let vs make triall whether they doe not proceed from want of religion ; from want of sinceritie before the Lord , & of a godly , and honest conuersation before men : haue we great imbecilitie in our bodies , and doe we finde a sensible decay of our health ? let vs search whether the weakenesse of our faith haue not beene the cause of it , in that we haue not conscionably vsed the meanes that God hath appointed for the confirming therof : and whether we haue not declined in the course of our obedience , and beene too well content to feele an inward decay of Gods graces , for which Gods hand hath lighted vpon our outward man . And if we deale thus , we shall be driuen to accuse our selues , rather than to murmur against God , and so fitting our selues for mercie , we shall finde it at his hands in due season , and that to our greater comfort , then if wee had obtained it sooner .

If thou canst belieue , & : ] In that our Sauiour makes a doubt hereof , & that not without cause , the doctrine is , that , Doct. 2. No man hath faith at commaund . It is not in any mans owne power to beleeue when hee will , and what hee will , and as much as he will .

Faith is not at mens commaund : for if it had beene , our Sauiour would neuer haue propounded this question : neither would the Disciples haue left the child vncured , which now was brought vnto our Sauiour : for they were desirous to doe what they could for the honour of their maister , for their owne credite and comfort , and for the stopping of the mouthes of their bitter aduersaries : Now the cause why they could not cast out this diuell was ( as their Maister tolde them ) their vnbeliefe : not that they were vnwilling to beleeue , but that they were vnable to beleeue , vnlesse they should haue vsed fasting and prayer for the obtaining of faith , which they could not doe . And if anie desire a proofe of this point , let him read the 17. chapt . of Luke , where the Apostles hearing our Sauiour deliuer this lesson , that if our brother sinne against vs seuen times in a day , and seuen times in a day turne againe vnto vs , saying , it repenteth mee : wee must forgiue him : they take occasion thereby , to pray in this sort : Luk. 17. 5. Lord increase our faith . Which is in effect , as if they had said ; Lord , this is a dutie which is beyond our reach : our faith will not extend so farre , and therefore Lord , sithence thou requirest this at our hands , adde vnto that measure of faith which thou hast giuen vs , that so wee may be able to performe it . Now if they could haue beleeued as much as they would , what need had they thus earnestly to desire an increase of their faith ? Let this then be concluded for a certaine truth , that no man is able to attaine to what measure of faith it pleaseth him . Neither is this so only at mens first conuersion , but afterwards also .

For their first conuersion , there is no doubt but it proceedeth wholie from God , and is his meere gift , according to that of our Sauiour , Iohn . 6. None can come vnto mee , except the father draw him . And that of the Apostle , Phil. 1. 19. Vnto you it is giuen for Christ , that not onely yee should beleeue in him , but also suffer for his sake .

And as for the state of a Christian after his conuersion , it is as plaine , that none can exercise his faith in any particular without Gods speciall assistance : as may be seene in the example of Abraham , who though he had a very excellent faith , yet when he came into a forren countrie among a barbarous people , it much failed him in that particular , that he could not rest vpon Gods power and prouidence for the preseruation of his life , but chose rather to expose his wife to danger , by saying that she was his sister . Otherwise he thought , that though they were not so monstrously wicked ( as many now a daies are ) as to abuse his wife , he being aliue , yet they would kill him , that so they might freely take her vnto themselues . Here we see carnall reason did oppose it selfe against his faith , and in this particular ouerswaied him . And so it was with Zacharie , the husband of Elizabet ( though ouerwise a true beleeuer ) when he heard of the Angell that he should haue a sonne in his old age he was so intangled with carnall conceites , that he could not giue credit thereto : I am olde ( saith he ) Luke . 1. 18. and my wife is olde , and is it possible that such olde people as we are should haue a childe ? And in the same case did Sarah faile , though she were the Matriarch of holy women , Gen. 18. 12. when she was tolde that she should beare a sonne , she laughed at it , as if it were a ridiculous thing to beleeue any such matter : and as carnall reason doth hinder the faith of Gods seruants , so also doe distempered passions , as anger and feare , and the like . As we may note in Moses , though an admirable man , and such an one as in other cases had shewed a care and worthie faith , yet being vexed and troubled at the rebellious disposition of the people of Israel , he manifested great vnbeliefe : for when God promised him to feede all that people for a moneth with flesh in the wildernes , he doubted how it could be : What ( ●aith he ) Num. 11. 21. 22 shall all the beastes be killed for hem ? and shall all the fishes of the Sea be gathered together , to make prouision for them ▪ As if God had ouershot himselfe , in making them such a large promise , as he would not be able to stand too .

Vse 1. Heere then are they to bee confuted , that neuer had anie faith at all , and yet thinke that they can beleeue whatsoeuer God telleth them : yea , they make that an argument of the strength of their faith , that they perswade themselues they can beleeue at their pleasure : I dare vndertake ( say they ) that I doe beleeue , and will beleeue ; that I doe repent , and will repent ; ( both which come to one reckoning ) and that as well as the proudest of them : and therein they say true indeed , as well as the proudest ; for the proud beleeue not at all , but haue the Lord himselfe Iam. 4. to resist them , when hee giueth grace to the humble : Neither haue such boasters any faith at all ; for if they knew what it meant , they would neuer so presume vpon their owne strength .

Vse . 2. Secondly , let this teach vs when wee goe about any seruice of God , not to rest vpon that olde store of faith which we haue , nor to be so confident thereof ; as to say , If now I were to heare the word , or to be partaker of the Sacrament , I am sufficiently prouided without any more adoe : or if this or that crosse should fall vpon mee , I haue vndergone greater matters then that comes too ; and therefore I know I shall not shrinke vnder it . Let vs not ( I say ) thus builde vpon our owne strength , but let euery one rather come to this , my faith is not mine owne , I cannot beleeue what & when I will , and therefore Lord make me to beleeue whatsoeuer is needfull , according as occasion shall be offered ; if we doe not thus , we shall finde by wofull experience , that though we haue the shield of faith , yet when we come into the field against our aduersaries , we shall not be able to vse it , either to Gods glorie , or our owne safegard .

All things are possible to him that beleeueth . ] If faith be set a worke , nothing is so hard and difficult , but it will goe thorough therewith : whence obserue this doctrine , that

Doct. 3. The faithfull are strongest and happiest . Of all the men in the world godly beleeuers are the most mightie and most happie .

None haue so great power , nor so good an estate , as the faithfull , for they conquer the world : that is , internall corruptions , and outward allurements : according to that of the Apostle Iohn , 1. Iohn . 5. 4. This is our victorie , whereby we ouercome the world , euen our faith . Without this it is impossible for men to get victorie ouer themselues and ouer their worldly lusts , be they neuer so great and mightie in the earth : nay the mightier they are , the weaker in this conflict : the world hath them in the greatest seruitude of all others : it puts them as it were into the dungeon , and holdes them fast in the stockes , and makes them the most miserable bondslaues that are , vnto pride , and sensualitie , and all kinde of voluptuousnes .

2 Againe , as faith makes men conquerers ouer the world , so doth it also ouer the diuell , for 1. Pet. 5. 9. Iam. 4. 7. if we resist him stedfast in the faith , he will flie from vs . And concerning all other difficulties , let vs reade the 11. Chap. of the Epistle to the Hebrewes , where the wonderfull and strange effects of faith are at large spoken of ; and there we shall easily perceiue , that the most incredible things that can be imagined , haue by vertue thereof beene effected , and accomplished . Reasons . And the reason hereof is ,

1. First , because faithfull men doe lay holde of God himselfe , and of his all-sufficiencie ; and therfore hauing the enioyment of his fauour , what can be wanting vnto them ?

2 Secondly , they build vpon the truth of God : for faith is not euery slight imagination of a frenticke braine , but a setled perswasion , grounded on the word of God : and therefore if the scriptures say simplie and without exception , that they shall haue any thing , they rest vpon it , without any wauering : but if the scriptures promise with condition onely , they doe conditionally expect the things so promised : and by this meanes their happinesse is as large as Gods promises ; and their hopes are ratified by the truth of his word , Numb. 23. 23. who is not as man that he should lie : and of whom it is said , Rom. 3. 4. Let God be free , and euery man a liar .

Vse . 1. Seeing then that there is such efficacie in faith , and such happinesse depending thereon , let vs preferre it before all earthly treasures , and count all the glorie of the world base in comparison of it : for a poore faithfull Christian , is better then a rich vnbeleeuing king : And why ? because all things are possible vnto him ; he may haue his hearts desire in any thing , so farre as his affection is ordered by Gods word : and this priuiledge haue none in the world , but only beleeuers .

It is no where in the scripture said , All things are possible to the rich , to the noble , to those that are strong , or to those that are couragious : nay such doe continually finde , that their willes and desires are exceedingly crossed , and that it is impossible for them to bring many of their enterprises to passe .

Nebuchadnezzar , Dan. 4. as great as he was , found by experience that al things are not possible to the mightie Monarches of the earth ; and that when they begin to exalt themselues into the place of God , as hee did , the Lorde can quickly cause a great King to be in farre worse case then the basest beggar , as indeed hee was ; being stript of his kingdome , of his wittes , and of all earthly comforts , euen on a sudden , when hee litle feared any such matter . Sithence therefore the case stands thus , that no worldlie preheminence or excellencie , can yeelde men that contentment , which faith will doe , what remaineth , but that wee set the highest price vpon that which is of the greatest worth : and aboue all things seeke for that , which will make vs most happie , when wee haue found it .

2 Secondly , if we desire friends that are able , and willing , and euery way sufficient to stand vs in steed , let vs endeuour to bee in league with such as haue the greatest measure of faith , and to make them our chiefest friends , who are most godly & most faithful people . Peter found the benefite hereof : Acts 12. he had many mortall aduersaries , as Herode , and the whole power of the Romanes , and the state of the Iewes : and what friends had he to stand for him ? a poore companie of men and women , that durst not shewe their heads , for feare of their enemies ; who yet by the force of their prayers , preuailed more for him , then all the aduerse power could against him : for when they spake vnto God in his behalfe , neither the prison , nor his chaines , nor the souldiers , nor any power whatsoeuer , could keepe him any longer in hold : but the Lord sent his Angell , and freed him out of the hands of such as hated him , and purposed the next day to haue taken his life from him .

And as the faith of Gods seruants is very mightie for their friends deliuerance : so is it as effectuall for the ouerthrow of their enemies : as may be seene in Haman , who soared so high aboue the reach of the Iewes , that in all likelyhood none of them could come neere him : But when Hester & Mordecai , and the rest of the faithfull , ioyned together in fasting and prayer , their faith pulled him downe vnto the ground , and layd all his honour in the very dust . Whence it is euident and cleere to those that haue any vnderstanding , how needfull and beneficiall a thing it is , to haue godly men on our side ; and and therefore if wee would be esteemed trulie wise , let vs ioyne our selues in most inward friendship and familiaritie with them .

Vse . 3. Thirdly , if nothing be impossible to beleeuers , then is it not impossible for them to maister & subdue their strongest corruptions : and therefore let not the faithfull bee discouraged , though they find themselues as yet very worldly minded , very angrie and passionate , very vaine-glorious , and ambitious , &c: If they will set their faith a worke , they shall get victorie ouer these and the like corrupt affections : and albeit they haue prayed often against them , and yet finde small strength to ouercome them , let them not giue ouer the combatte , for faith will haue the better in the ende . And the like may be said for all manner of crosses : it will either make an vtter riddance of them , or at least furnish vs with patience and abilitie to vndergoe them .

Vers. 24. And straight-way the father of the childe crying with teares , sayd , &c: Hence this doctrine might be noted , that Doct. 4. See in Cleauers Sermon , on Lament. 3. Doct. 1. Faith and godlie sorrow may well goe together : for both of these are apparant in this faithfull man : and Gods children haue oftentimes , and almost continually occasion of this holie griefe , in respect of themselues , and in respect of Gods Church : in respect of corruptions , and of afflictions , either priuate or publike , or both . But I will not now insist vpon this point .

Lord , I beleeue ] Whence ariseth this Doctrine , that Doct. 5. Christians must see & acknowledge their graces . It is not vnlawfull , nor vncomely , for a Christian to make profession of his owne graces , though imperfect , if it be done in due time and manner .

He may speake of them vnto God or vnto men as occasion is offered . So did this man here , Lord , I beleeue . So did Dauid , Psal. 86. 2. Preserue thou my soule , for I am mercifull . So did Ezekiah also , Isai. 38. 3. I beseech thee ô Lord , remember now how I haue walked before thee in truth , and with a perfect heart , and haue done that which is good in thy sight . The scripture aboundes with examples of this kinde . Reasons . But let vs consider of some reasons , as namely , that

1 First , this must be done , because it tendes to the magnifying of Gods name : whereas the deniall of his graces , makes for his dishonour , and argues a base account thereof in the parties that haue them .

2 Secondly , the acknowledgement of the vertues of Christ which we haue , is an effectuall meanes to strengthen our faith , to comfort our harts , & to inable vs with feruencie to call vpon the Lord : whereas vpon the omission of this dutie , all the contrarie effects do follow .

Vse . 1. Here then are Gods deere children to be put in minde of an ordinarie and daungerous fault that is in them : which is , that in the time of temptation they so farre giue place vnto Sathan , as to yeeld that they are hypocrites , and that they haue no sauing grace of God in them . Indeed they cannot denie but they haue heretofore done many good things ; but all ( say they ) was in vaine-glorie , or for some carnall respect or other : they must needs confesse that they haue had many comfortable feelings , but now they feare al of them were meere illusions . What a follie is this , & what indignitie do we herein offer vnto the holy spirit of grace , whereby we are sealed vnto the day of redemption ? why should we not rather be of Iobs resolution , viz: neuer to part with our innocencie & vprightnes while we liue , but though men accuse vs , and Sathan assault vs , and our owne consciences charge many heauie things vpon vs , yet to stand to it vnto the death , that our hearts are sincere and faithfull with the Lord our God : when by sound proofes and arguments taken from the word , wee can confirme so much vnto our owne soules ? For in truth wee haue farre better reason to stand vpon our spirituall right , then earthly men haue to defend their ciuill right . Now if some craftie and subtill aduersarie should come vnto a worldly wise man , & tell him , that all his writings & euidences are meere counterfeites , and of no worth at al●… : and that therefore he is but an Intruder into that which hee possesseth , would not hee ( if hee be able ) maintaine the goodnes of his euidences , and prooue that the seales are authentical , that his witnesses are sufficient , & that all things else doe concurre , which may make for the proouing of his title and right , in the things which he holdeth ? Much more then should we stand to make good the Deedes that we haue for our soules , and for our assurance of the heauenly inheritance , which hath bene of olde purchased for vs .

Vse 2. Let this therefore in the second place , serue for an instruction vnto vs , that we neuer shew our selues to be of such a cowardly heart , as when wee haue spoken well , or done well , to depraue the same , by saying that we are no better then hypocrites ; or by confessing in word or writing , that wee are faultie . Nay , let vs neuer forgoe our righteousnesse , but iustifie our selues in our righteous wayes , and workes , and acknowledge ( with thankfulnes and humilitie ) whatsoeuer good things the Lord hath wrought in vs , or by vs ; that so hee may haue his due praise , and wee such found comfort as belongeth vnto well-doers .

Helpe mine vnbeleefe : ] The last Doctrine which shall be collected from this verse , is this , that

Doct. 6. Faith shewes men their corruptions , and moues them to seeke helpe against them . It is the propertie of grace to shew men their corruptions , & to stir them vp to seeke helpe against the same .

As in this man it doth euidentlie appeare , who as hee had infidelitie in him , so hauing faith withall , had his infidelitie discouered , and his heart moued to seeke vnto Christ Iesus , for strength against it . The like may bee obserued in the Prophet Dauid , who finding his heart to be vexed , and turmoyled within him , first of all falleth to reason the matter with his owne soule , saying ; Psal. 42. 5. 6. Why art thou cast downe my soule , and why doest thou make a tumult within me ? ( for so much the word implyeth ) he hauing grace in his heart , perceiued that vnbeliefe did as it were mutinie within him , and raise vp rebellion against the Lord : and therefore finding his owne disabilitie , euery way to encounter the same , hee in the next verse of that Psalme , puts vp his complaint vnto the Lord against it ; My God ( saith hee ) my soule is cast downe within mee , &c. As if he should haue said , Lord , I finde my selfe too weake to preuaile against this corruption , and therefore graunt mee strength to get the better of it .

Againe in another Psalme , to wit , the 77. Psal. 77. 10. he beginneth very lamentably , as one vtterly out of heart , almost concluding that the Lord had quite forsaken him , and cast him out of his seruice : but afterward he recouereth himselfe , and concludeth that it was his infirmitie so to imagine , and thereupon laboureth to confirme his faith by considering of the times of olde , and of the wonderfull workes of God , which he wrought for the good of his people in former ages . So also in the 73. Psalme , Psal. 73. we may note how the Prophet taketh notice of his great infirmitie , in enuying at wicked mens prosperitie , and in the end goeth into the Sanctuarie to get helpe against it . Likewise in the prophecie of Isaiah , Isaiah . 63. we may obserue the like effect of grace in the people of God , viz: that they doe discerne of the hardnesse of their owne hearts , and complaine vnto the Lord against it .

Reasons . Now the reasons of this point are these ;

1 First , because grace maketh men iudicious , and filleth them full of knowledge , and of heauenly vnderstanding , whereby they are inabled to descrie what is amisse within them . Gods gracious spirit wheresoeuer it comes , brings a light in his hand , whereby all things that are noysome , or vnhandsome in the house , are plainely seene and discouered : so that thereby men are made able to iudge betwixt truth , and falshood , and betwixt good and euill .

2 Secondly , as grace doth inlighten the minde , so doth it also sanctifie the affections of the parties in whom it is . So that seeing what is good , they shall long for it , and earnestly desire it : & discerning what is euill , they shall hate it , and flie from it . As it brings light with it , so it makes men to bee of a neate disposition , that they cannot endure any thing that is fulsome and loathsome in their soules .

5 Thirdly , grace maketh men industrious , and readie to put themselues into the battle against their corruptions : Wheresoeuer faith is , it is working and effectuall . 1. Thess. 1. 3.

4 Fourthly , and lastly , it maketh men full of courage and fortitude , so that they will neuer endure to haue sinne raigne in their mortall bodies , but will maintaine perpetuall warre against the same : for if they should suffer the fire of grace to bee quenched by the impure streames of sinne and iniquitie , Gods spirit should be put to the worst , which is no lesse then blasphemie for any one to imagine that it should euer come to passe : for it doth work faith in mens harts , which is indefatigable and inuincible : which in time of temptation , will sue vnto heauen , and search the word , and vse all lawfull meanes & helpes for the procuring of strength against sinne : so that though there be many enemies against it , yet will it not be set downe by any of them ; & though it doe now and then receiue a wound , yet will it recouer againe , and carrie away the victorie in the end .

Vse . 1. Hereby then ( to drawe to some vse of this doctrine ) we may make some triall of the strength or weakenesse of our faith ; according as we are more or lesse able to see the sinfulnes of our nature , and to striue against it : so are we to iudge of the measure of Gods grace in vs , to be more or lesse : and if we do not particularly discerne of the corruptions of the flesh , or do not loathe them , and labour to be cured of them , but rather excuse and extenuate them , and hide and cherish them , this is an infallible signe , that we haue in vs no sauing grace at all . Let all such therefore as would haue the testimonie of Gods children , vse their best endeuour to haue their eyes opened , that they may perceiue the seuerall euils that lurke within their hearts ; and let them withall get such an indignation against them , that they may ( as this man did ) come vnto Christ Iesus to be cured of them : which if they can doe , their very approaching vnto him by prayer , and in the vse of this ordinances , will cause them euery day to become more sharpe-sighted than other , so that they shall ( with the holy prophet Isaiah . Chap. 6. ) cry out against their pollutions , and so get pardon of them , and power ouer them .

2 Secondly , this makes for the confutation of such , as being vrged to reforme themselues , are readie to say , that all things are so well with them , that they neede no amendment ; they know not where to beginne their reformation , because they see nothing amisse : These kinde of men are most busie against others , that complaine of their owne wants , and seeke to haue them supplied from heauen ; and such they account and call Puritans , who indeed do most see and acknowledge and bewaile their owne puritie : but in truth they themselues do sarre better deserue that name , for that they imagine they haue attained such a measure of puritie , as that nothing can be added thereunto : they haue knowledge enough , faith enough , and repentance enough , and therefore they professe that they care not for preaching , and that they had rather be without it , then be troubled with it . Of such the wise man speaketh thus , Prou. 30. 12. There is a generation that is pure in their owne conceit , and yet are not washed from their filthinesse : the world doth euen swarme with such vngracious persons , vpon whom the Sonne of righteousnes did neuer yet shine , and therefore they are vtterly blinde that they cannot see , or wilfull , that they will not reforme their euill and corrupt waies and workes : which is a sure and certaine note of grosse infidelitie , and of an vtter want of all grace and goodnes in them .

Vse . 3. Thirdly , from this point doth arise an vse of singular consolation vnto Gods seruants , that are troubled with the sight and sense of their corruptions , that doe finde pride working in them , and vnbeliefe stirring in their hearts , and many vncharitable thoughts and motions still remaining in their soules : all the while they apprehend the vilenesse and hurtfulnesse of them , and withall mourne for them , and confesse them , and seeke vnto the Lord for pardon of them , and power against them , they neede not be discouraged ; nay they haue iust cause to be comforted herein : as knowing that it is a certaine marke , and vndoubted note of grace to be thus affected . They may be assured , that so long as they feele their sicknesse , they are not dead ; especially if withall they be hungrie & thirstie after spirituall things , and finde an appetite vnto the foode of life , and with much paines and diligence seeke for the same ; there is then no reason in the world that they should make question of the goodnesse of their estate , as hauing in them the speciall signes of true conuersion , and sanctification .