Foure sermons whereof two, preached at two assizes, this present yeare, 1638. at Maidestone in Kent, the other two, in his own charge. By Robert Abbot ...

FOVRE SERMONS , WHEREOF TWO , PREACHED AT TWO ASSIZES , this present yeare , 1638 , at MAIDESTONE in KENT , the other two , in his own charge .

By ROBERT ABBOT , Vicar of Cranbrooke in Kent .

The Titles and Texts follow on the next leafe .

LONDON , Printed by Tho. Paine , for P. Stephens , and C Meredith , and are to be sold at their Shop , at the signe of the Golden Lyon , in Pauls Church-yard . 1639.

THE LORDS ASSIZE , 1 The Text Iudg. 11. 27. The Lord the Iudge , bee Iudge this day , betwixt the children of Israel , and the children of Ammon NATVRES ASSIZE , 2 The Text. Math. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever yee would that men should doe to you , doe yee even so to them , for this is the Law and the Prophets . THE CHRISTIANS THRIFT in KEEPING , 34 The Text , 1 Tim. 1. 19. Holding faith , and a good Consci●en●

TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD , AND RIGHT HONORABLE , WALTER LORD BISHOP of WINTON , High ALMONER to the KINGS most excellent Majesty , & PRELATE of the GARTER , honor in Both lives .

RIght Reverend , and right Honorable ; many men are willing to cast in some of their superfluity into the Lords treasurie , the poore widow was willing to cast in all , yet little . It is a wonder that shee should bee commended above all those that had fuller hands . But when Christ lookes to the giver , a poore widow , and not to the gift , two mites ; to the plentie in the heart , not to the penurie in the hand , the wonder ceaseth .

My present gift is like the widowes , from my poverty ; yet should I bee an unthankfull liar if I should say , it is all I have . God hath vouchsafed mee a double calling : from himself , insuch gifts as have made mee willing according to my abilities ; and from the blessed church ( wherein I humbly thanke God , to bee borne , brought up , and l●ve ) in such power to exercise the ministerie which I have received , by reading , doctrine , approbation , and imposition of hands .

Whatsoever I have by both , I heartily desire may bee for Gods uses , and the service of the Church of God amongst us . I cannot commend them as they are acted by mee , it is by a weake body , and a weaker soule . As Saint Augustine complayned of old , heimihi ! quam contrarius sum egomet mihi ; ego in spiritu , et ego in carne : so more iustly may I. I have a long time beene trayned under fightings within , and without and ever and anon , am ready to bee over-powered with sinne , or greife . But as the ramme in fight drawes backe , not to quit the field , but to gaine a course , to give the greater bruise at the next shocke : so doe I desire to bee in my infirmities . I seeme sometimes to my selfe to faint , and almost to faile , and to beare about mee a dying spirit every day . Quocunque oculos converto , video documenta meae aetatis , said Seneca of old , and so say I.

Yet looking to what I have received , some strength yet , to worke , and a conscience to keepe mee within my traces , I presse hard foreward , and finde that I loose not too much ground , thorough him in whom I am able to doe what I doe .

This holds mee up in my worke , and keepes mee in canonicall obedience to my calling , that I may say at last with blessed Augustine , liberavi animam meam , yea , and sometimes also ( though more to satisfie others then my selfe ) scribimus indocti , doctique , I staine paper with my pen .

How unable am I for any great taske , no man knowes better then your honour , who from my youth have beene a stay to my waies , an helpe to my studies , and a comfort to my age , since by your Honours selfe I have beene accounted worthy to bee your Honours servant . But since I have not had a resolved face to deny my poore gleanings after the harvest , to bee brought forth to this learned light wherein we live , I humbly pray that they may first rise or fall , by your honours censure .

This first presents it selfe , my labour that God may judge , in the judgements of men . Next to that , my desire that Nature bee not silenced in her good law , when wee practise that wee call justice . And if any thing else followes helpe faith , and conscience in our whole course , both publicke and private , whosoever have beene my friends , from whose motions these thoughts have beene drawne out , your Honour shall bee my first judge heere , and patron ( if your Honour please , and neede require ) to that which is with humblenesse confest to be unworthy of you . I need not plead reasons , I am your Honours for humble service : it is a just debt from mee ; and that due to your Honour now , and while I am . Due for your undeserved favour to my selfe . Due for your incouragement to my eldest son while hee was at Oxford . Due for your exhibition to my youngest sonne now hee is in Cambridge . And if this could bee a perpetuall register of your Honours love and bountie to mee , and mine , I should heartily rejoice . But because mothes and time will eate this out , I shall humbly desire to lay up a stocke of prayers , for your Honour , in heaven . This is all that I can doe , and this is all from mee that your Honour desires . Would I doe more , I could not , could I doe lesse , I would not . This I ( by Gods Grace ) can , and will ; and so continue .

Your Honours humble servant to be commanded . ROBERT ABBOT .

TO THE TRVELY RELIGIOVS , HONORABLE , NOBLE , AND Worshipfull Justices , and other Gentry of Kent , who have heard , and may happen to reade these poore Sermons , especially to those of his owne Parish , all good .

HONORABLE , Noble , Worshipfull , you may justly aske , whence this sight comes ? I must excuse it a great deale , from importunity . But what is the present ? A cup of cold water to good Disciples of Christ : and you know that brave commander who did accept of as low a present , from as poore a man as my selfe . It will bee rejected ; because there is too much of that already : Charity and Iustice are too much watered , they are growne cold , they have waded so long that they are benummed , and lesse apt for use . I hope better things . They may bee dwarfed in some , like those three bones in the head of a man which Anatomists call Malleolus , Incus , and Stapes , which are as bigge in a child as in a man ▪ but the lesse the body is in this ( I hope ) the more is the heate , the more vigorous the spirits : & it may be this may water by an Antiperistasis may make this heate greater , but cannot lessen it in those that are so full of goodnesse .

Your worths are wel knowne to others , and are beleveed by me : go on still to doe worthily in Ephrata , and to be famous in Bethlehem . Doe worthily in piety , do worthily in private charity ; and doe worthily in publick Iustice . Wee have an age made up of too much sinne , prophane swearing , and brutish profaning of the Lords day , drunkennesse , and malicious quarrellings cover too much christians ground amongst us . As it is with the sea , there goes that Leviathan , and creeping things innumerable ; so is it with the land ; there are too many master sinnes , and untellable other sinnes , which wound single , but oppresse by heapes . A King wee have by Gods blessing never better ; lawes never wiser , and provisions never more wary : but to make all right , as the oratour magnified pronunciation , so doe I execution .

Many hands make light worke : and your hearts will set them on worke ; up and be doing . I neede not provoke your willing mindes : yet may I shew you what you do , or should , though I presse you not to what you doe not .

A poore oppressed Surius in vita S. Basil . woman did observe Saint Basil to have some credit with the governour of his place . Shee solicits him to write to the govenour in her behalfe . The good Bishop presently tooke pen , inke , and paper ; and wrote to this effect . This poore woman came unto me saying , that my letters have great weight with thee : If it be so , heare her , and shew it . The woman carried it , the governour read it , and writes backe this againe . Holy father ; for thy sake I would have had pitty upon this poore woman , but I could not , except shee pay all that is required of her . The good Bishop writes againe ( once more ) thus . Seeing thy will is ready but thy power is wanting , it is a tolerable excuse : but if thou couldest , and wouldest not , Christ will make thee so poore , that where thou wouldest , thou shalt not be able . These words were propheticall to this unjust governour : for not long after he fell into the Emperours displeasure , was cast into prison , and expected punishment . But then he remembred Saint Basil , whose intercession he sought , and obtained , and by that meanes , his liberty . Hee then came to Saint Basil , called to minde the poore woman , sent for her , and restored to her the goods , hee wrongfully withheld , twofold . Hee would not hazard a second punishment for an act of Injustice unrepented of .

My observations upon this story are these ; It is a great honour to be in authority , it makes the Saints of God on earth to sue unto them . It is a miserable place to bee upon earth , oppressions may bee done to Gods poore servants . It is a fearefull thing not to relieve the oppressed when it is in our power ; it casts the mighty from the throne , and brings them to shame . It is a brave thing to doe Iustice at first : but better late then never , better of love then when it is whipt outwith strokes ▪ It is glorious too , not to refuse to doe right at last , when at first wee have done wrong as hee : for not one of a thousand meets with such a day .

You will bee pleased ever to bee better presidents of Iustice then that Iusticer , and not to stand in neede of his best part , his late repentance , whereof you are not sure . And thus , the eyes of the Lord will bee upon the just , and his eares will bee open to their prayers : His eyes will bee upon the iust . As hee that hath made a goodly picture , looks upon it againe and againe , that hee may supply to every defect at last : so God deales with the godly that are just . His eares are open to their prayers . When they call he will heare , when they cry , he will say Ecce adsum , behold here am I , nor behold I wil come because hee is hard at hand to comfort them with blessings , who comfort others with upright Iustice .

I cannot teach the meanest amongst you in your way : onely I have presumed to present this story , and withall to offer to your eyes ( if you please ) what you have heard with your eares , The Assize of God , and The Assize of Nature . If these may stand you in the least stead to shew you what you are and doe , and put you in minde what you must continue , it is all the hearty wishes , & humble prayers ( upon this occasion ) of him that is , and will be

Your worthinesses to use in possible services ROBERT ABBOT .

THE CONTENTS OF THESE SERMONS in short . 1 The Lords Assize , from Iudg. 11. 27. 1 Which is fitted to the time , or setting down a triall of 1 The life . 2 The liberty 3 The goods . 4 The goodname . Of Israel ▪ Of Amōn 2 And propounded to perswade all trials by the Lord the Iudge . Where both . 1 What keepes the Lord from judging . 1 When truth is witheld in unrighteousnesse . 1 By deniall . 2 By false accusation . 3 By profit . 4 By lingring delaies . 5 By flattery , feare , hope , &c. 2 Wher ( if truth appeare ) judgment doe not attend upon it in full glory , 2 What brings the Lord to judging . 1 When such persons sit to judge as God would have . 2 When the whole worke is carried for the honour of the God of truth . 1 By an holy heart . 2 By an holy hand . 3 By an holy eie . 4 By an holy mouth . THE CONTENTS OF THE Second SERMON 2 Natures Assize from Math. 7. 12. 1 Where for introduction 2 knots are clea●ed . 1 What it is inferred upon ? How it is the law and the prophets ? 1 Whether in the law there been more then one precept ? 2 Whether there bee a connexion of all vertues , where one ? 2 Where for tractation : 1 Are examined . 1 Lawes of nature . 2 Principles 2 of nature . Are shewed . 1 The praises of this law . 2 The power of it . 1 Briefe . from Christ . 2 Plaine . Nature .

1 In sense : layed downe 1 Negatively . 1 Not what we list . 2 Nor what others doe to us . 3 Nor what others do to others . 4 Nor what themselves would . 5 Nor what we have bin accustomed . 6 Nor what profit , honour , pleasure perswades . 7 Nor as the lawes of the land permit . 2 Positively , As would others doe to us . 1 Whence this rule ariseth ? 2 When selfe-love is right charity ? 3 How this rule of justice must be carried ? 2 In application . To all . To the occasion . 1 With 2 meanes to doe it . 2 With 2 motives to further it . THE CONTENTS OF THE THIRD , and fourth SERMONS . 3 The Christians Thrift in keeping , from 1 Tim. 1. 19. 1 Where we are taught . 1 To keepe faith , where . 1 How we must keep it ? By holding , 1 The ground of faith . 2 The object of faith . 3 The act of faith . 4 The power of faith . 2 Why we must keep it ? 1 Faith is our life . 2 Faith is our power of working . 3 Faith is our workeman . 4 Faith is our best light here . 5 Faith makes earth heaven . 2 To keep our keeping of it , and to use meanes ro keep it . 2 Where also we are taught . 1 To keep a good conscience : where . 1 How we must keep it ? By keeping . 1 The light of conscience . 2 The love of conscience . 3 The worke of conscience . 4 The charge of conscience . 2 Why we must keepe it ? 1 If it be gone , God wil be against us . 2 Without it nothing wil do us good . 3 Without it nothing can do us hurt . 4 It carries with it more then the whole world . 2 To try our keeping of it , and to use meanes to keepe it .

THE LORDS ASSIZE , OR A SERMON ON JVDGES 11. 27. The Lord the Iudge , bee Iudge this day betwixt the children of Israel and the children of Ammon .

RIght Honorable , Right Worshipfull , and Beloved ; Be pleased to heare these words out of the Judges , by Gods assistance , driven to an issue before the Judges . Object . Verbum diei in diesuo .

It may bee , you will say , they are not fit : they yeeld not a word in due season : they speake of the Lord the Iudge , and these here are men .

It is true ; they are men by Answer . Psal. 82. 6. 2 Chron. 19. 6. nature , but they are Gods by Communion of office , ( I have said yee are Gods : ) and their Judgements are the Iudgements of God , for God , saith Iehosaphat . But you will Object . say , this day will bring forth a Judgement by ordinarie Justice , not by warre as that is heere .

This is true too ; yet by the Answer . Rom. 13. Distantia 1 Perfectionis . 2 Oppositionis . sword : for the Magistrate beares not the sword for nonght . As all sinners fight against God : ( for they stand at a double distance from him ; a distance of perfection , and of opposition : ) therefore God hath a controversie with his people , & proclaymeth warr . So criminall offenders fight against the face of government , the just lawes of the kingdom . This is the controversie , whether the lawes shall be kept or broken ? And as God , in case of rebellion , doth provide famine , beasts , pestilence and the sword : so Magistrates come against such , not with the sword of the mouth as Preachers , but with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heb. 11. 34. mouthes of the sword , to bee edged by the lawes for correction , or confusion .

The greatest difficulty will be to fit the persons , and causes to be tryed and Judged .

It is confessed , that there wil heere be some difference . Heere a pretended title of land is that which drawes on the whole quarrell : but this day will bring forth other controversies . Heere the proper sword of warre decides the doubt : but this day drawes the borrowed sword of peace , for peace . Heere Israel is against uncircumcised Ammonites : but this day will unvaile christians by profession , not by practise , in those particular acts they must fall in , and for .

Yet looke more narrowly into the present businesse betwixt Israel and Ammon , and yee shall see all the causes of this day intertwisted .

Ammon charges Israel with unjust possession of land held from them to a long succession . Iphtah the now Judge , being loath to fall upon such a desperate . Phlebotomy as Ammon was prepared for , would first pleade out , Iuridically , the cause , by embassies , to cleare the justice of his sword .

Hee confesseth that they have that land in question : and hee pleades a threefold right unto it . The right of a 1 Jus belli justi . just warre ; it was gotten by the sword . The right of Gods gift ; God , whose is the earth , 2 Donatio Dei . gave it us , and cast out the old owners as forfeiters . The 3 Praescriptio . right of prescription ; we have had it foure hundred yeares without clayme or charge of wrong .

But for the ancient possessors of it ( that he might crosse Ammons charge ) he pleadeth two things . First , that it was the land of the Amorites , who fought against them under Sehon their then King : and of the Moabites who were justly ejected by God . But secondly , for the Amorites ( the now plaintifes , ) they had none of their land : that was a false charge , a picking of an unjust quarrell .

And that this plea was good is manifest in the Records of the law , those old reports of God himselfe . God said , Deut. 2. 29 thou shalt not distresse or meddle with the children of Ammon : for I will not give thee their land which I have given Deut. 2. 37 to the children of Lot . There is Gods edict , with the reason of it . And Moses said , to the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not , nor unto any place of the river Iabbock , the land now in question . There is their obedience to Gods charge , which they kept to that day .

Thus Israels case is cleare , yet this prevailes not with Ammon . Lyes would have dominion over truth : and Ammon would fight though the cause were cleared against him . He joynes issue , takes out his nisi priùs , appoints the day of Assize , and he will have a triall , for life ; whether Ammon or Israel must live : For liberty , whether Ammon or Israel must bee homagers : for Goods ; whether Ammon or Israel shal have the spoyle ; for name , whether Ammon or Israel is of better credit . And thus the text comes up to the whole businesse of the day .

Now , when all things were thus prepared betwixt guilty , and innocent , plaintife , & defendant , the wretched Ammonites were like prisoners in Acts 8. Pro. 5. 22. Rom. 11. the bonds of iniquity , holden in the cords of their sins , shut up in the prison of unbeliefe , and could not see the Judge set to be the avenger of his people . But Iephtah was at more liberty . He sees with fuller eye the Glory and presence of the just Judge . Hee ( like a man confident in his cause ) appeales unto him ; calles for these prisoners , and plaintifes , to the barre ; prepares for hearing , judgement , execution ; and because hee would not have the glory of the day himselfe , but would give it to the Judge of right & wrong : therefore as Ioab before Rabbah , when hee was ready to take it , sent for David , saying , Come thou and take it , least the 2 Sam. 12. victory be attributed to me , and the city bee called by my name : so doth Iphtah invite God to the day for all honour , the Lord the Iudge , Iudge betwixt the children of Israel and Ammon .

But still you may say , that Object . they were Ammonites that were to be judged there , and of these there were none here .

It is true personally , individually Answer . it is so : but for the cause , under pretence of land they would have life , liberty , goods , and good name of Israel at their mercy , for spoyle and prey , and so there are too many here , and every where .

Israel had all their life in and from the God of mercy ; all their liberty from the God of freedom ; all their goods and lands from the God of bounty ; all their credit and renowne , from Gods protection and cohabitation : yet Ammon unjustly seekes to dispossesse them of all these . Hee puts them in feare of life , and seeks it . Hee presents death , and pursues it . Hee hunts after their liberty and would have it . Hee desires their goods , for a rich booty . Hee basely takes away their good name , as usurpers not worthy to live : therfore I appeale to the God of Caesar ( saith Iphtah : ) the Lord the Iudge , bee Iudge , &c.

By this time ( I hope ) you see Israels and Ammons case brought to the full worke of an Assize , wherein yee have presented three particulars .

1. The Judge set for the trial of guilty , and not guilty , plaintife and defendant , the Lord the Iudge .

2. The causes to bee heard , the life , liberty , goods , good name of Israel , and Ammon .

3. The persons betwixt whom , the children of Israel , and the children of Ammon .

And now , what shall I say ? the same or such like causes are the worke of this day . Let it therefore be all our wishes , desires , prayers , purposes , and practises , as it was Iphtahs ,

That the Lord the Iudge may The issue of the Text. judge them .

1. If he doe not Judge , hee will Judge the Judgement . Hee onely is reason it selfe , wisedome it selfe , justice it Summa ratio . selfe .

2. If hee judge them , hee is Gen. 18. the Iudge of all the world , whose waies are equall and cannot but judge justly .

Thus we shall have an happie assize for the maintenance of vertue , and punishment of vice , which is alwaies the issue when the Lord the Judge judgeth .

But what ? shall we wish to decline the judgements of Object . men ?

God forbid : God is the Answer . Iam. 5. onely Saviour ; yet the prayer of faith saveth too . God onely converts the heart ; yet Luke 1. 16 , 17. Iob 33. 23 , 24. Iohn Baptist shall turne many hearts of the fathers to the children , and of the disobedient to the wisedome of the just . God onely delivers from hell ; yet the Interpreter , one of a thousand , shall deliver a soule from the pitte . God onely forgives Mic. 7. 18. Ioh. 20. sinnes , out of authority , as the great Judge ; yet whose sinnes ye remit shall be remitted . In a word , God accounts them as authors with him , that are instruments from him of good . If therefore men judge with God , from God , the Lord the Judge judgeth too . So be it this day , wee decline them not , let them judge and spare not . There are two things 2. What keepes the Lord from judging . Rom. 1. 18 1 When truth is withholden in unrighreousnesse . keepe God from judgement seates . First , when truth is withhold in unrighteousnesse : when it is held in prison that it cannot speake . Thus the Gentiles did in themselues : when a beame of naturall knowledge was ready to breake out of them , to give them light to see more of God then they did , they withheld and smothered it , and so God judged not in them . Thus it may be at the barre .

Bee pleased to conceive it thus . As in a reasonable man you may see an Assizes set : for there is a Iudge , Conscience , which viewes and censures all the waies of man . There is a Iury of naturall or revealed principles . There is a prisoner to be tryed , and that is truth ; Her case is this , whether shee shall bee set at liberty yea or no , to goe freely , speake freely , rule freely in all our courses .

Truth pleades , I am the Veritas odium parit . daughter of the great King : his very Image : But when I appeare , I am hated and suppressed , and this bringeth this trouble upon me .

The jury of naturall principles is silenced or corrupted by carnall reason and wisedome . The judge hearing no evidence is silent : and as loath to trouble himselfe , is content to put off enquirie till another time , as Foelix . Heereupon the will triumphs Acts 24. 25. over truth I will doe as I have done : and all the affections put Ier. 44. in after the lusts of the flesh , the lusts of the eyes , and the pride of life . And thus is Truth 1 Iohn 2. imprisoned , and God the Judge judgeth not in man .

So in places of judicature truth is tryed too . There are judges set , godly , wise , grave , impartial , hating covetousnes , and persons out of the cause , who are ready to passe sentence according to allegation , and proofe , set on with all good conscience . There are juries of naturall subjects and brethren ; who should not be like Diogenes his man , who was called Manes , à non manendo , because he ranne away : so jury a non jurando , because they forget the oath of God , and runne away from it : but must present according to truth so helpe them God . There is a glorious Martyr to be tryed , and that is Truth ; which would have truth in person of Judge , jurer , guilty , innocent plaintife , and defendant : and truth in cause too ; nothing but truth objected , nothing but truth answered , that all may cry , great is truth and it prevaileth .

But now , if on all sides Ioh 18. 38 there be Pilates good motion what is truth . But no further sifting into the nature , and power of it by witnesse , oath , circumstances : then are at Si inficiari sat est ecquis erit nocens ? hand , these prisons to with hold truth . The first is venially , I did it not . And if it be enough to deny , who shall be guilty ?

The second is false accusation Si accusasse sat est ecquis erit innocens ? by those who are Graeca fide testes , knights of the post , and will sweare any thing for a fee . And if it be enough to accuse , who shall bee innocent ?

The third is Profit , in those Canes venaticos . who will rouse up Verres his hounds , who continually doe Dare offam Cerbero . lie in the winde for gaine , except a man will stoppe their mouthes by some fatte morsell .

The fourth is off-putting to Frustratoriae dilationes . another time , that is , lingring and costly delayes , though the case bee never so cleare in truth .

The fift is malice and all ill will , which never speakes well , in those that pant after the earth on the head of the Amos 2. 7. poore , and turne aside the way of the meeke .

And lastly , that which helpes on all these is , selfe-flattery , friendflattery , feare , hope , or some other by-place for truths oppression : These or the like prisons are in a readinesse , and then truth is clapt up , and kept out of sight , like some malicious mans adversarie , who is with great care put in prison before the day of hearing comes , because he feares his cause .

Say I pray : who Judges now ? not the God of truth , but the Prince of darkenesse , lying , and vanity .

Secondly , God is kept from 2. When judgement doth not attend upon truth in full glory . judgement seates , when ( if truth do appeare ) judgements doe not attend upon it in full glory . All judgements of men are not good enough to waite upon truth . There is darkenesse in them , and nothing but light in truth : Yet if God will so honour our judgements , as to put them into that service ; whensoever she appeares we must bee glad to follow her : and for truths sake to doe , and for truths sake to die ; because God is in truth , and the faithfull witnesse , Christ is in truth Apoc. 1. too .

To conceive it , call to minde that God requires ( as you know ) a threefold duty of chiefe magistrates . First , to 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . advise , consult , and take care for common good , as our good King doth . These are the secrets of government : which Arcana imperij . if they were discovered , the strength and weakenesse of a kingdome would soone bee discovered to all the world : Therefore privates meddle not with these things , that last is too large for their shooe .

Secondly , to provide by 2 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . lawes , edicts , and proclamations to keepe every man under them in good order . And thirdly , to give judgement , 3 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . according to his lawes , and ordinances , for the punishment of evill doers , and praise of them Rom. 13. 4. that doe well .

And Judges know their duties under them , that is , according to lawes , edicts , orders helped forth by the God of truth , to waite upon truth , and passe judgement for it , with an equall ballance of causes , a blinde eye to persons , and a sharpe sword of offence , and defence as neede requires . Now , if this bee away , God judgeth not . He is kept from judgements seates , because his truth is not honored and his 2 What brings the Lord to judgement seates . kingdome of truth advanced . These two keepe the Lord the Judge from judging amongst men .

There are two things also which bring God to judge . First , when such persons sit to judge as God would have . They should be shepheards to defend and keepe their flocks : Psal. 77. 70. Ezek. 28. 12. Gen. 50. 20. 2 Sam. 14. 17. signets upon Gods right hand , to seale no rescripts and warrants but his : saviours , to preserve and save much people : and Angels , to guard the good , and inflict punishment upon the wicked . God hath made them images of his excellencie , 1. When such persons sit to judge as God would have . in being set aloft ; of his wisedome , in making and applying lawes ; of his Iustice , in punishing malefactors ; of his mercy , in passing by , and pardoning if neede require ; and of his goodnes in fostering and cherishing his people . Therfore he maketh glorious Emblems of them in the Scriptures : we reade of one , in the image of an hee Goate Dan. 8. 5. with a notable horne betwixt his eies . There is an horne for glory and strength to offend and defend . A notable one visible to all his subjects that stand in neede . An horne betweene the eyes , because it is used with circumspection and wisedome : such must bee a Judge . And let it not grieve them , that they are set out by a beast , when Christ himselfe is called the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah .

We reade of another in the image of a goodly spreading Dan. 4 19 tree . A beautifull tree , because of majestie . A spreading tree , because he offers accesse to others . A fruitfull tree , because of his doing of good . A shadowing tree , because of his mercy . And a tree having branches for birds , because he extendeth favours to others according to qualities : Such must be a Judge .

But above all , wee reade of 1 Kings 10. 18 , 19 , 20. Salomons goodly throne which was thus set out . On each side were sixe Lyons , because all the twelve tribes were subject unto him , not Levie excepted . Two Lyons before the stayres , because two tribes , in after-defection , should not depart from his house . The assent unto it was by six steps , whereon when the King ascended ( as the Rabbines say ) the cryer proclaymed thus , when hee was upon the first , wrest not judgement ; when he was upon the second , accept no mans person ; when hee was upon the third , take no bribe ; when hee was upon the fourth , plant no groves for Idols ; when hee was upon the fift , erect no piller to honour them ; and when he was upon the sixt , kill not an oxe , to sacrifice unto them . And all this to put him in minde of religion and justice . If they be such as God hath thus resembled , this brings the Lord to judge : now , Gods are come downe unto Acts 14. 11. us in the likenesse of men . Not as if God did not judge though the persons are faulty : for if sentence passe according to Gods truth , though it bee by Antiochus , a wicked person ; Herod , that Foxe ; or Ananias , that painted wall ; yet these sit in Moses Chaire , heare them : But when their persons , qualities , and judgements center and meete in holinesse , then then are they the fuller image of the Lord the Judge ; and hee bowes the heavens and 2 When the whole worke is carried for the honour of the God of truth . comes downe among them .

Secondly , this also brings the Lord to judge , when the whole worke is carried for the honour of the God of truth . When truth in witnesses , Oathes , Allegations , Evidences , Judgements , and Records meete , then Christs kingdome is advanced , and God is Judge indeede . For here is a conformity betwixt truth and the things that are to honour God .

If now you shall aske mee , Quest. how this may be ? I answer ; By an holy heart , hand , eye , and mouth , in the whole worke of the Assize .

There must be an holy heart , Answer . By an holy heart . Iohn 6. when all persons are faithfull to the rruth . Christ distributed bread , and fish by the hands of his Disciples to the hungry people : they kept none for themselves , but gave for Christ , and gathered for Christ . Here was faithfulnesse . Iosua divided the land of promise to the Israelites : and as if hee had forgot himselfe , hee reserved not a part , nor would have any to hinder his office . Here was faithfulnesse too . Ioseph might have amassed up a world of wealth to himselfe in the time of famine ; but hee was content with the portion from the King : and here was faithfulnesse also . When all you shall receive from the Lord , the King , and the law , & distribute faithfully , without seeking your selves , this is an holy heart , God judgeth .

There must bee holy hands , 2 By holy hands . Hos. 4. 18. Gen. 14. 21. when all persons are not guilty of shamefull Give , Give . Higher powers will hate it : but may they not bee abused by some inferiours who love it too well ? The King of Sodome , when hee was rescued , said to valiant Abraham , give me the soules ▪ take the goods to thy selfe : but just Abraham would have none from a thread to a shooe latchet , least he should say , he had made Abraham rich : Here were holy hands . Ye know how it was with Balaam , hee would for a reward have said good of evill , and evill of good , in cursing Numb . 22. Esa 5. Israel . An Angel meets him , his Asse speakes , and Balaam wonders not , but speakes to his Asse againe , thou hast mocked mee . Saint August . lib. quaest. V. Augustine wonders at that , and layes the fault upon the love of money , which blockt him up so , as he could not see miracles to keepe him in a right course : his were not holy hands . Take heede : let Israel be Israel , and remember Balaam .

There must bee holy eyes , 3 By holy eyes . which may be two waies ▪ first , when all are looked upon without any respect of persons . The Judge and the Altar are all one ( said an heathen of old , ) all appeale unto 1 King . 1. 50. & 2. 29. them . As Adonijah runnes to the hornes of the Altar ; so Absalom in his case , referres himselfe to the King the Judge . Therefore Cleon of old , when hee was delegated to the helme of the common wealth , called al his old frinds into a chamber to him , to dissolve all relations and respects of old frindship , that he might looke upon all with impartiall eies . And the old Ephe. 25. Bona est erga pauperem misericordia sed non contra Judicium . Iob 31. Gen. 12. Gen. 18. Judges of Athens called A●eopagitae did heare all causes in darkenesse , where they could see no persons : why should it not be thus still ? especially considering Gods saying , thou shalt not respect a poore man in judgement . Surely mercy to a poore man is good ( saith Saint Augustine ) but not against judgement : this is an holy eye .

Secondly , when the cause is searched out diligently . As God , in the case of Babel-builders , and Sodomites came down to see whether the case were according to the cry : so must all doe that looke towards judgement .

Philip the Macedonian , sitting in jvdgement upon one Machetes , was not attentive : he was more ready to sleepe then Dormitabundas . heare ( saith the Historian : ) yet at the end of the pleading hee pronounced sentence against him . Poore Machites cryed out , I appeale . To whom saith Philip ? A te , ad te : from thee halfe asleepe , to thee whole awake : with that Philip rowzed himselfe up and heard the cause againe . And though hee would not reverse the sentence , to discredit his publike judgement , yet hee himselfe paid the fine to punish his owne sloath . Heere is an image of an holy eye . 4 By an holy mouth .

Lastly , there must bee an holy mouth , when nothing is spoken in judgement which doth not become an holy mouth . Christ looketh upon himselfe , as the Judge of the world , and saith , I can Ioh. 5. 30. Non per infirmitarē sed per integritatem faciendi , sed per observantiam Iudicandi . Examinat causae merita , non mutat . Ambrosi . doe nothing of my selfe : what nothing ? he saith not so for weakenesse , but for integrity ; not for his impossibility of doing , but for his uprightnes in judging . And againe , As I heare , I judge : not judging by pleasure , but by the religion of right judgement . He is not indulgent to his owne will , but doth examine the deserts of causes , and determines without alteration . Heere is an holy mouth . Againe , wicked men had taken a wicked woman in adultery even in the very act . Christ came not to judge as an earthly governour ; and therefore hee pronounced not sentence according to the law . Hee doth measure them all as wicked persons , and saith , he that is guiltlesse throw the first Iohn 8. Put a vit lapidandam sed non a lapidandis . Ambros . stone . Hee though her worthy to bee stoned , but not by them that would have done it : they must pull the beame out of their owne eye , before they undertake that in their brothers : Here againe is an holy mouth . Againe Mary Magdalen was not invited to Luk. 7. the Pharises house , but yet shee came , and pressed upon Christ ; while others intertained him with meate , she did it with teares . Christ commands her not to be shut out of dores though shee troubled him at dinner : no hee commandes Omnium horarum judex . Iohn 3. Iohn 4. the grumblers to let her alone . He is for all houres , for Nicodemus that came to him by night ; and for her that interrupts him at meate . It was meate and drinke to him to doe his fathers will : Heere was an holy mouth . Yet once more , Publius Rutilius the Roman , when a deare friend prest him hard with an unjust suite , denied him . His angry friend cryes out , what neede I thy friendship , if thou wilt not grant mee my request ? He should have beene a Christian that thus answered , what neede I thy friendship if thou presse mee to sinne against lawe and justice ? Here is an holy mouth .

Right honorable , Right worshipfull , and beloved , oh Application . that all that are to deale in any passage of justice this day were thus good ! as that they had such hearts , hands , eyes , & mouthes ! then should the Lord the Judge , judge in the judgements of men .

I confesse that justice ( as every other vertue ) is harder in practise , then in contemplation , for not onely the Minorites Hist. of Councel of Trent . but the Majorites are the objects of reformation : high as well as low are two guilty ; and an oxe flayes hardest when he comes to the head . Besides our vices Vitia sunt a dulta & praevalida are not infants , they are growne men and strong : and as Livy of old complained of Neque vitia neque remedia ferre possumus . Rome , wee neither can indure faults nor their corrections : so may we say of some popular and Epidemicall vices and sicknesses of the soule now . This made David groane under the burthen of Ioab , who had slaine Abner a prince , and a great man in Israel , when he could not doe as he would for the present , I am this day 2 Sam 3. 38. 39. weake though a King , and the sonnes of Zervjah are too hard Mar. 14. 18. In bonum vniversitatis . for me : yet if every one in his place doe what he could , for the common good , upon sound examining of witnesses with all circumstances ( which is that which doth bring the edge of the law upon offenders , ) then the Lord the Judge judgeth .

But if it fall out that reason Iudicium legis est Iudicium solius rationis : Iudicium hominis est Judicium rationis & libidinis . soundly regulated rule not , ( for the judgement of law is the judgement of pure reason , the judgement of the man is the judgement of reason and lust : ) or if witnesse bee not truely weighed ( as in Pilates case , who sentenced Christ to death though he might legally know he was innocent , because Mar. 14. 59. the witnesses agreed not : or if circumstances bee not 2 Sam. 1. well sifted , as David did , who justly put the Amalekite to death upon his owne confession , that hee killed Saul ; ( for though Saul killed himselfe , as at least after knowne ) yet considering these two circumstances : first , that his confession was not out of Phrensie and discontent with his life , but out of full reason to claw David : and secondly , that his bad thoughts were discovered by himself against the Lords annoynted , which justly make him an unworthy traytor ; ) his death was justly inflicted by David : ) or if it fall out that conscience be not fully satisfied with the light of truth before verdict , and judgement , and so proceedings be precipitate and hasty ( which Nero himselfe could scarce endure , in his first part , and therefore being mooved to set to his hand to an execution , he would say , I would I Vtinam nescirem literas . cauld neither reade nor write . ) If either of these foure fall out , then the Lord the Judge judgeth not .

Now ( I beseech you ) you having heard thus much ; both how you may drive God from , & draw God unto judgement seates , preach the rest of this judge to your own hearts , that ye doe not this day wilfully sinne against his judgement ; and so I turne to the children of Israel , and the children of Ammon and their cause .

The children of Israel are 2. 3. The parties Iudged , and their cause here in full colours : something like Adam in innocency making all the beasts before them to tremble . They have 1 The children of Israel . all the advantage of lawes , libertie , Judges of Israel , and the Lord the Judge looking upon their cases .

You are not Israelites according Though wronged . to the flesh , yet God prevailed with for abundance of blessings upon you . Notwithstanding some of you have been feared in your lives : some of you have beene spoyled in your goods : some of you have beene hurt in your names : Must get the Lord to judge . some of you have beene disquieted in your possessions : some of you have beene battered in your members : and in this onely different from the children of Israel heere : As you have the Lord the Judge let the Lord the Judge judge for you in the judgements of men .

When Hezekiah received a blasphemous letter from By declining revenge . 2 King . 19. 14. proud Senacherib , hee went to the temple , and spread it before the Lord : hee thus appealed to this great Judge : you are now as in the temple , even so doe you . Shew God your cause with honest hearts , and seeke , and receive judgements as from him . How gloriously will this worke ? it will make you proceede , not in the lust Non Libidine unidictae sed amore justitiae . of revenge ( which God hates ) but in the love of justice ( which God loves , ) you have the sword of justice in your hands upon the best termes : and in truth , Christ saith for you , sell a garment and buy a Luk. 22. 39. sword . But heare how an ancient worthy meditated upon that text : O Lord , why dost Ambr. in Lucam . thou bid me buy a sword , & forbiddest mee to strike with it ? Surely it is for just defence , not for revenge . Thou hast shewed me that I could revenge , but I will not of conscience to thy command . Even so doe you : So be it . Love law , love justice , love peace , love truth , but Rom. 12. vengeance is mine , saith the Lord the Judge .

Philosophers say that seeing is the noblest sense ( if not for discipline ) yet , for generall use : because it suffers not by contrary objects . It can looke upon blacke and white without an appetite of revenge on either . Why should it not bee thus with Christians who are better enlightened by him who is all eye ? If your annoyances bee great , let the Lord the Judge judge by his Iphtahs , liefetenants , and deputies : and rest in that without the picklocks of new vexations .

But if they be lesse , cloy no● , surfet not the honorable bench . Is there not a wise man amongst you ? shall the pillars 1 Cor. 6. of the earth weare themselves out in bruising dust small , when there are mountaines enough to levell ? God forbid . If you and your causes are such , the Lord the Judge will not judge for you at last .

But for the children of Ammon , 2 The Children of Ammon . where are they ? It is pitty they have not a ring in some place of this crowne , that the word may fall upon them like raine upon the dry ground . They are peeping out of their gates , thinking this time too short , which ( haply ) some of you do think too long . I can say nothing to them , because absent : yet give mee leave to speake a word of them , against them , for them . This be spoken of 1 Of them . them . They are such as love not the law . Though let the Vivat Rex , currat . Lex . King live , and the law runne be the good subjects prayer : yet the old law Iulia could not please adulterers ; nor the law Cornelia , murtherers ; nor the law Rhemnia , promoters ; so nor our lawes can please those wicked Belialists : Their blisters must bee let out .

This bee spoken against 2 Against them . Ne sint pedes nimium lanei , ne tandem , manus fint nimium ferreae . them . They have lived in this blessed Church , where they might have beene better taught , or , if they have beene taught , where they have unlearned many a good lesson . If the ministery can doe no good , the magistrate must take the care . Let not your feet bee too much made of wooll , least at last your hands bee made of two much yron .

Magistrates , and ministers are compared to the teeth . Some are Cutters , which cut the meat , and Incisores . forme the voyce : these are like ministers who convince Tit. 1 13 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Molares . cuttingly . Some are grinders , which bruise the meate and fit it for passage : these are like magistrates who ( by justice ) bruise the sonnes of wickednesse in peeces , and send them downe into the draffe of the world . Neither let it grieve you to be so compared , seeing Christ is called the Rock of offence , that breaks them in peeces on whom hee falls .

This lastly , bee spoken for 3 For them . them . They are subjects , ( though bad ones ; ) for else the law could not fall on them . And though they have made themselves of christians in name , Barbarians indeede in particular acts : yet are they of two sorts . Some are misled , Errones : Turbones . and some are misleaders : some are apprentices to sinne , some monsters in that blacke art .

Now doe but consider how For mercy of Gods making . carefull the Lord the Judge is , least he slay with the wicked the righteous , who are so either in present act , or under charitable hope . If he worke a worke of mercy , hee delighteth in mercy , if a worke of Mic. 7. 18. justice , hee calleth it a strange worke , because hee shaves with Esa. 26. 21 a razor that is hired , if he had no justice of his owne . If he Esa. 7. 20. be to work a worke of justice , he is slow to anger , & comes to Exod. 34. it when there is no remedy : but if a worke of mercy , he is rich Chro. 36. 15. in mercy , abundant in goodnesse . If he looke upon occasions , it is a great matter that mooves his justice : when the sinnes of the Amorites are at the full ; Gen. 15. 16. when all flesh had corrupted her waies , and the wickednesse Gen. 6. 5. of man was great in the earth ; when old and young , even , all the people from every quarter Gen. 19. 4 were given to sinne : but a small matter mooves him to shew mercy . If there be but tenne men in Sodom ; If Gen. 18. there bee but one Iacob in the house of Laban , one Moses praying for Israel , one Phinehas executing judgement , and one man in Ierusalem Ier. 5. 1. that seekes the truth , hee will spare multitudes . So doe you , and prosper when it is fit . God is well pleased if you follow his owne sonne , who excused his disciples in some infirmities , saying , their spirit is willing , their Mat. 26. 41. Eph. 5. 9. flesh is weake , and hee is never angry , if yee follow him as deare children in workes of imitable mercy .

Onely know , this is Gods Salvis prietate & justitia . rule , that mercy must never bee shewed , but when piety and justice can bee kept safe and sound . Thus doe , and yee shall this day be Iephtahs appealing to the Lord the Judge to judge betwixt the children of Israel , and the children of Ammon .

And that yee may doe thus , the Lord the Judge grant unto you , who lookes upon no man in his person , all men in their cause : and hath made himselfe to you a patterne of executing justice and mercy ; and that for IESVS CHRIST his sake , who is the Lambe of mount Sion , the Saviour , the Lion of the tribe of Iudah the Iudge , and is angry with them that honour not the father , kisse not the Sonne , and grieve , resist , quench , and despise the Spirit ; to the which coessentiall , coeternall , and coequall Trinity , bee all kingdome , power , and glory henceforth and for ever

Amen .

NATURES ASSIZE , OR A SERMON ON MATH. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever yee would that men should doe to you , doe ye even so to them : for this is the law and the Prophets .

RIght Honorable , Right worshipfull , and beloved : the last time I presented unto you the Assize of God , and now I shall ( if God please ) lay before you the Assize of nature , if both shall meete in Gods rule , example , and your imitation , ye can not faile in the work of the day .

All scriptures are good , and fit to make perfect , yet have 2 Tim. 3. 17. they an accidentall difference as instruments of musick . Some like Iacobs hasel rods , Greg. Mar are partly pilled , and partly covered : some , like Ahabs Heb. 5. house of Ivory , are without a covering . Some are like milke , some like stronger meate . Some are so cleare that the 2 Pet. 1. 19. 2 Cor. 3. day-starre ariseth with them in our hearts : and some are darke through the vaile upon 1 Cor. 15. our minds . As one starre differeth from another in glory , yet are all heavenly bodies ; so is it with the scriptures : some are large in handling weighty matters , same bind up much in a word .

This heere is of the playner sort ( as all highly necessaries are . ) So cleare that he is blind that sees it not : so emphaticall that hee is an adamant that is not mooved : so short that a snaile hath more blood , then Plus habet limax sanguinis , quam ille sensus . hee hath sense that receives not much in a little . Yet must you suffer a little more then a word of exhortation , to convey unto your soules that little which I can commend from them .

They containe a sure rule of justice : but every word must be scanned to bring it to the practise even of a willing people .

The very first word ( therefore ) 1 Therefore what it concludes . is not without a knot : for it may be asked , upon what it is inferred ? Some thinke it to referre to the justice in the chapters foregoing ; but this Quest. conclusion would be too farre separated from the premises by the God of order . Some thinke it to bee redundant , as many elegancies in the Scriptures are . But certainely it is Answer ▪ not in vaine : It is of good use , and a note of an excellent conclusion to be for ever held out of it selfe . Nature teacheth it , the law and the prophets revive it : therefore hold it , doe it .

The last words have a 2 How this is the law and the Prophets . greater knot . For how can this bee said to bee the law and the prophets , seeing they set downe the love of God , and the promises of salvation by Christ , as well as Iustice to each other ?

Hereupon two questions are disputed in the schooles . Quest. Whether more then one precept . Rom. 13. 9 First , whether in the law there be more then one precept yea or no ? The doubt ariseth thus . Saint Paul saith , if there be any other commandement , it is briefely comprehended in this , thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe : And Christ saith heere doe as you would bee done unto : for this is the law and the prophets : therefore it seemes there is but one . But Answer . seeing the Apostles mentioneth 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Eph. 2. 15. Aquin. 1a . 2ae ▪ q. 99. Art. 1. one law of many commandements ; it is resolved thus , that there is but one precept with the respect to the full end , charity : but there are more with reference to the meanes subservient to it .

Secondly , hence it is asked , Quest. Whether there be a connexion of all vertues . Iam. 2. 10. whether there be such a connexion of vertues , that where one is in truth , there are all the rest ? This doubt ariseth from two texts too . Saint Iames saith , whosoever shall keepe the whole law , and yet offend in one point , is guilty of all . If it bee thus in breach , it is thus in complement . For there is but one body of legall justice , either to doe , or sinne against . And Christ saith here , that to Io. de corb . com . theol . lib. 5. c. 8. doe as we would be done unto is the law and the prophets . If justice to men bee the law and the prophets , then surely where that is in truth , all that they require is by way of concatenation , and chayning Wall . Eth Arist. Majores extravitia quàm intravirtutes . together . This question is expounded to be understood of perfect and gratuitous vertues , which are by infusion , not of such as are acquired by industry . Of these it is said of the grave moralists of old , that they are greater in being without vice , then in being within the lists of true vertues . Of those there are some that are more noble then others : and therefore are they called the mothers of vertue . Thus Faith is the mother of vertue in originall ; Matres virtutum . 1 Origine . 2 Educatione . for out of the acts of faith these flow : Charity in education ; for it feedes them all with faiths provisions : humility in conservation ; for they being raked up in her ashes are kept alive : and prudence 3 Conservatione . 4 Regimine . in government ; for it she doe not order them all , they are not carried without a blemish . Though these have thus their due glory , yet where one is in truth , there are all the rest in linke .

Some subtile doctors goe against Scotistae . this being overswayed ( as they thinke enough ) by experience . But though of the shadowes of vertues this be true : yea , and this bee as true of true vertues , that some are more conspicuous then others by humane aptnesse , fitnesse of the instrument , office , time , and occasions : yet Answer . it is better resolved affirmatively . The subject requires it , a vertuous man , who can not bee at one time good and bad , happy and unhappy , which yet he could be , if hee had some vertues , and wanted others . Gods bounty requires it , which gives not one vertue , to fit receivers , without the others . The weakenesse of solitary vertue in it selfe requires it : for as one member needs another , so doth one vertue neede her fellowes . And lastly , the use of vertues must have it so too . For they are to oppose all and singular vices : therefore must there bee a linking of all vertues , to oppose and represse the chaine of all vices .

As if there bee but one string wanting in an instrument , there can be no perfect harmony : so nor spirituall melody in the soule if one vertue be absent . As a souldier is not well furnished against an enemie , except hee be in compleat armes : so nor the christian souldier except hee have the whole vertuous armour of God . As the starrs , and planets are alwaies in their spheares to make a perfect firmament : so are these lights of vertues to make an upright soule . And as a physicke garden , or Apothecaries shop , are defective , if any hearb or drugge for use be wanting : so is it with a soule that hath not the whole body of physicke against the whole body of sinne and death .

Thus therefore wee might conclude from hence : but we neede not goe such a circle to untie Christs knot here . For Quest. if it be asked , how justice to our Answer . neighbours can bee the law and the prophets ? you must understand Secundum subjectam materiam . 1 Cor 9. 22. Christ speakes according to the matter in hand . As when Paul saith , to all men I became all things , he must not bee understood to comply with the stoole of wickednes , but that in matters indifferent , which were neither commanded nor forbidden , hee did so . Even so Christ speakes here of all things concerning charity and justice betwixt man and man .

Wee are thus come from 1 This text is a law of nature . both the ends to the heart and middle of this text , which layes downe a great law and principle of nature for the advancing of justice among men , to doe even so to others , as wee would that others should doe to us .

It is a law , and there are 3 Sorts of lawes . three sorts of lawes . The eternall law in God ; which is his counsell and will for the being , supportation , and order of the world . By vertue of this we have a creation , and a providence . The naturall law in the creature ; which ( referred to man ) is the law of God written in his heart , for Rom. 2. 15. the view of the understrnding to informe , and of the conscience to binde to doe , or to binde over for not doing . Lastly , the imposed law upon the creature : which is that positive law in the scriptures , to revive and perfect the law of nature which through tract of time , and custome in sin was in great part worne out .

This heere was first a law of nature , now positively revived : which through the foule shooes of sin though it bee worne into ragges and shreads , because we are made vagabonds from our owne hears Facti sumus fugitivi a cordibus nostris . ( therfore we reade of ancient Germans who did allow of theft , and of our Northerne borderers , who were perswaded that the eight commandement was of King Henry the eights putting in : ) yet is it of excellent use to revive these old statutes , as Christ doth in this place ; that wee may be helped to feele our degeneration , and find our need of the law of Chris . Thus it is a law .

It is a principle of nature too 2 It is a principle of nature also . 1 Primo prima principia . and there are two sorts of principles which are bound up in the heart of man . The first before others , which are made up without discourse , and helpe from without . Though these be not alwaies in perfect act , yet may they alwaies be knowne , as a stone by the weight may be known to move downeward , though it doe not alwayes so doe . The second next unto the first , which 2 Secundo prima priucipia . are made up of the first by discourse , as conclusions contained in them . As thus , I may not defile my neighbours wife , hurt his goods , life , or the like , because I would not have another deale so with mee .

This here is of the first sort ; which if it bee quickened is hard at hand to promote justice . As when you write upon Paper with the juice of an onion ( as many say ) the letters at first are not legible , but bring it to the fire and warme it , and then ye may reade it . So at the first ( in some ) yee can reade little or nothing of this law : but bring it to the fire of the word and conscience , and all Justice to men will appeare to your comfort , or conviction .

Thus doth our blessed Saviour here . He knowes that if the flies of Aegypt get into our eyes , the frogges of Aegypt will soone get into the chambers of our hearts , and then the catterpillers of Egypt will destroy the fruits of our lives . Therefore he rubs and chafes the light of the law upon their , and our consciences , that it may be better read and done in after times . As if hee should say , I am sure that Amor 1 concupiscentiae . 2 charitatis . some of you , by the love of lust , others by the love of charity , doe love your selves ; yee would not be hurt in honour , life honestie , justice , or truth : therefore all things whatsoever yee would that others should doe to you , even so doe to them .

To bring the law , and 2 The text opened & applied . principle close up unto you , be pleased to receive ,

1 The prayses of it , 2 The power of it .

The prayses of it are these : 1 By the prayses of the law . that it is Christs briefe , yet plain summe of all justice to men . To be short for memory , and plaine for understanding , doe seldome meete in the wordes of men . If wee labour to bee Dies brevis esse laboro obscurus fio . short , wee are so much the more obscure , But this is so short , that the poore man cannot complain , he cannot buy it : so plain that the ignorant man cannot complaine , hee cannot comprehend it , when it is propounded to him and it is thus short , and plaine from Christs mouth ( as wel as natures voice ) , who is the wisedome of the father ▪ that one law-giver , and Judge of the world , for rewards and punishments .

Therefore certainely it extends to all his subjects : none can plead immunity from the sound and transcendent equity of it , and from the way to blessing or cursing according to our dealings with men . For they will not thaet I rule over them , ( saith the same Christ ) bring them forth and slay them before me .

It may bee you will say : If Ob. Christ have given me so plain a sum , what neede I so much preaching to teach me justice to men ?

I answer ; though it bee never Sol. so briefe and plaine , yet preaching is necessary for a double use .

First , to expound , and apply the particulars : Husbandry , is a ploughing , sowing ▪ reaping , threshing ; yet there needes teaching an art in all these , or the commonwealth would starve : so must we be taught an holy art in our christian duties . Secondly , to perswade Heb. 13. 22. the practise of it . I beseech you brethren ( saith the Apostle ) suffer the wordes of exhortation , for I have written unto you in few wordes . The fewer wordes the necessary rule hath , the more words of exhortation are necessary to draw on doing . The understanding is blinde , and may judge amisse of plaine things , as Zebul said , they may see Iud. 9. 36. the shadow of the mountains like men : and as the blindeman Mar. 8. 24. under cure said , I see men walking like trees : so may the understanding misgive us . The will is perverse , therfore beauty , and bands must come , the rod , and the spirit of meeknes , line upon line , precept upon precept , till judgement bee brought to victory .

But yet you may urge for Object . your owne quiet , that without more adoe Christs words are full of briefe and plaine equity ; therfore say no more . This is true ; and I humbly Sol. pray that they may prevaile accordingly . Oh that all our lawes were briefe , presenting the majesty of a commander , not the art of an expounder !

It is an old saying of a wise Lex jubere , non disput are debet : Sen. 1 Cor. 1 4. Stoick , the law must command , not dispute . Oh that our laws were plaine ! for if the trumpet give an uncertaine sound , who will gird himselfe unto the battaile ? The riddles of the old oracles bred many a mans ruine . Oh that all might fall upon all with equity . The law should not bee a mother Non aliis mater , aliis noverca . to some , and a step-dame to others : but ( circumstances considered ) should look with the same eye upon rich and poore . But because , be it never so plain , briefe , and equal , yet it is rather to bee hoped , then found , in all points , as it should : therefore ascend wee from the praise of this law , to the power of it , which will be seene ,

1 In the sense , and 2 In the application of it .

No man disaffected to the truth is an enemy to the sense of any of Gods oracles . The The sense of this law . sense of this may be taken up two wayes , first , negatively , secondly , positively .

Negatively , wee must doe Negatively . to others , not what we list . It is cruelty and tyranny to runne Sic volo , sic jubeo . this race , thus I will , thus I command . Our wills are corrupted , & if we follow them , the cart goes before the Fertur equis aurigae . horse . If a man have power , and imploy it thus , Salvian will salute him thus , a rich power , Dives potestas pauperem facit esse rempub : sal . de Guber . lib. 2. not well regulated , makes a poore Church , common-wealth , or family .

Wee must doe to others , not as others doe to us ; mens actions towards others are ordinarily thus excused , why did he thus to me ? therefore are they at an eye for an eye , a tooth for a tooth , even by private revenge . They hold this good charity , to deceive Fallere fallentem nonest fraus . him that deceives me , is no deceit in me . But as Saint Peter saith , we must not render evill for evill : so Xenophon did when one rayled on him , thou hast learned ( said hee ) to speake ill , but I to contemne it , and speake good ,

Wee must doe to others , not as others doe to others . Examples Exempla haberi possunt pro testimonio . Sal. lib. 2. are too often accounted testimonies ( not onely of things lawfull , but of things necessary , though without a law , ) that begins presently to be lawfull , which by patternes is growne publick ; men are Incipit esse licitum quod solet esse publicum . Cypri . too apt to looke upon presidents . Plato's schollars followed his crookednesse ; Aristotle's stammering , and Alexanders courtiers his stouping : so will men follow others , though to their owne and others wrong . It is safe ( saith the politician ) to offend when Tutum est peccare autoribus illis . such , and such , goe before us . But wee must live by Gods rules , not by the examples of men , wee must doe to others , not as men themselves would . Saul would have had his Page kill him , and Abimelech would have so died , out of pride , that it might not bee said , a woman had overpowerd him . It is said indeed , that to him that is willing to volenti non fit injuria . receiue it , an injury cannot bee done . But this is not alwayes true , yea sometimes false : therefore Ioseph had learned to run away , when Potiphars wife would willingly have had him to her Iustful imbraces : and the friends of the Demoniack pulled him out of the fire , and water , though in devilish raptures hee would cast himselfe into them .

Wee must doe to others , not as wee have accustomed to doe ; Saint Ambrose wondring how it came to passe , that our fore-fathers did themselves , and others , so much wrong , as to have many wives , answereth , surely Certè cùm fuit mos , non suit eulpa . Amb. when it was a custome ; it was no crime But custome is no good plea , though in common course it sometimes findes reasonable plea , and passage ; yet will it hardly bee heard in the court of conscience , against equity . For the custome of sinne , will blunt the sense of Consuetudo peccandi tollit sensum peccati . Cedat consuetudo veritati . Text. 6 Pro 30. 15. vivitur ex rapto . sinning , either against our selves , or others ; therefore let custome vaile the bonnet , and give place to truth .

Wee must doe to others , not as profit perswades . If the horse-leaches two daughters cry , give , give , then are men apt to bee wolves to others , and to live upon the spoile . Gehazi will lye , and deny for gaine : Achan will steale for Lingua idoli , sic gladius ab antiquis . the golden sword , and costly cloake of the Idoll : and Iudas will betray his master , though it be Christ himselfe . Thus by the unrighteousnesse of sinne , profit will make men fall into the unrighteousnesse of vengeance . It is an ill rule of justice .

Wee must doe to others , not as pleasure allures . If this prevailes , Ahab will be sicke for Naboths vineyard ; Dives will rowle in pleasure while Lazarus starves at his gate ; and Israel will have the calves of the stall , wine in bowles , and instruments of musicke like David , but withall he wil forget the afflictions of Ioseph . Pleasure cannot bee the rule of justice : for I said to laughter thou art mad , and to Eccles. 2. joy , what is that thou doest ?

Wee must doe to others . not as honour prickcs us on . He that affects to rise from the ground to the stirrop , from the stirrop to the saddle , from the faddle to the throne , from the throne to the triumphant chariot , had neede of a different law to this , to rule in his carriage to others . Hee will make a path of men to walke upon , horses of mens shoulders to ride upon , wine of mens blouds , carousing cups of their sculls , and sacrifices of their persons to honour him in the way . If Haman would have all the honour , all the Jewes must dye as well as the offender . If Absolom would judge , his owne father must suffer . Yea , if but a praise ( the shadow of honour ) falls from the mouth of one that should bee punished . In such a case , when the Devill praised Christ , hee cried out , hold thy Mar. 1. 2 4 3 5. Laus mea est silentium tuum , nolo me laudet vox tud , sedtormenta tua , poena tua laus mea . Chrysost 9 peace , as if hee should say , my praise is thy silence , I will not that thy voice praise mee . but thy torments , thy punishment shall bee my praise . But men doe farre otherwise : this is a bad rule of justice .

Wee must doe to others , not as the lawes of the land permit . Though high honour be to bee given to the lawes of nations ( for they are the wall of vertue , and the bridle , and scourge of vice ) yet must wee not absolutely rest in them for all justice . Sometimes they are permissive , not preceptive , like Moyses bill of divorce for the hardnesse of mens hearts : such is the law of usury . Sometimes they are corrosive commanding ; provided to eate out the dead flesh of vice , therefore applicable only in such cases : such is that for taking of forfeitures , which is unjust , when the cure can bee had without such a remedy . Sometimes they are for terrour , not for constant obedience ; as when they set downe the worst to keepe unruly spirits in better course . In such a case , extreame right , is extreame wrong . Therefore Ius Rhadamāthaeum , et reciprocum . the whole law of the kingdome is made up of common , and consciencious extreamity , and mitigation , rigour and chancery . Therfore not always what law permits , is the rule of justice .

If now wee may not doe to others what we list , nor what others doe to us , nor what others doe to others , nor what others would , nor what wee have used , nor what profit perswades , nor what pleasure allures , nor what honour prickes us unto , nor what the lawes permit , what then is our rule of justice ?

Positively , we must doe to 2 Positively . others , so as wee would that others should doe to us . The answering of two or three questions will cleare all of this .

First , whence the rule doth Quest. 1. Whence this rule doth arise ? arise ? It ariseth from selfe : what yee would to you . This cannot but direct aright : for no man hates himselfe , intentionally , but loves and cherisheth himselfe . It may bee you Object . will say , the love of our selves may be vicious , and then it is no safe rule of our love to others . This is most true : Sol. therefore if the love of God be opposed to the love of our selves , in this case wee must not love our selves , nor in such a case love our neighbours as our selves . For then must wee hate our selves unto the death , and ours both Ioh. 12. 25. Apoc. 12. 10. Luke . 14. 26. Math. 24 , 16. Deut. 33. 9 things , and persons . It is a precept , then to deny our selves : and it was the practise of Levi , not to see his father and his mother , nor to acknowledge his brethren . But if the love of our selves be right , and Christian , then must wee love our selves , and others as our selves .

It is worth your notice Quest. 2. When selfe-love is a right charity . 1 Vt se . then to know , when our love is a right Christian charity ? A man may love himselfe three waies . First , when a man loves himselfe as himselfe ; this is not good : It makes selfe a God . But man hath a superiour , at whose becke hee must stand , and fall to himselfe . Secondly , when a man 2 Vt finem principalem . Pro. 16. 4. loves himselfe as his principall end . This is not right neither : for man is made for anothers end , as Salomon saith , God made all things for himselfe . Thirdly , when a man loves himselfe in order to God : that 3 In ordine ad Deuus . is , when the love of God , and of our selves , are sweetly subordinate : when we love our selves in God , and for God , and his will sake . This is right christian charity indeede : and then , if thou Si nosti diligere teipsum , tunc committo tibi proximum quem diligassicut teipsum . August . Quest. 3 How this rule of justice must be carried ? knowest thus how to love thy selfe , I will commit thy neighbour unto thee , whom thou mayest love as thy selfe .

But now you will aske , how this rule of justice must be carried ? It is certaine , that foure sorts of persons would ill to themselves : children , idle persons , malefactors , and male-contents . Children see not the benefit of education and correction ; If they might bee cockered and spared , they would doe so to others , except in pang , and passion . Idle persons know not the comfort of a sweating and well ordered life . They goe on themselves in an unprofitable course , and would that others would doe so too , though it end in ruine . Malefactors and sonnes of Belial , not being sensible of the overthrow of church , common-wealth , and family by lawles courses , would bee let alone , and would let others alone : therefore doe they cry down reformers as busie persons , and no good neighbours . Malecontents , swelling with pride , and not induring the flouds of opposition , care not , with Abimelech , and Spira , if others would kill them , and with Potiphera , if others would dishonest them : and so would bee an ill law of justice to others .

Therefore you must know Voluntas 1 Inordinata . that there is two sorts of wills First , disordered wills , ( as most are ) which would indulgence to all vice : what these would have others to doe to them , they must not doe to others . For they care not if there were no king in Israel , if every man did what hee list : when all is in a combustion , they would then fish in troubled waters . Reason is clouded , and the showers of wickednesse would fall upon men . Secondly , there are ordinate and regulated wills by the 2 Ordinata et regulata . law of justice and charity . From these wills ariseth this law : If ye have orderly and well governed wills , then what ye would that others should doe to you , even so doe yee to them . Thus ( as I could ) ye have the power of this law in sense .

And now for the application 2 The application of this law . Minoris criminis rea●us est iegem nescire quàm spernere . Sal. lib. 4. Terrae filius , nihili nepos . Greg. Naz. Aures omnium pulso , conscientias singulorum convenio . August . of it , which is the life of the law , know for certaine , that it brings a lesse guilt to be ignorant of the law , then when you know it , to cotemn it : therefore bee sure to bee doing .

Though man bee the sonne of the earth , and the nephew of nothing ; yet God hath given him a law which must be kept for use : yea God hath made him a law to himselfe in his justice to others : therefore I knocke at all your eares , and would faine talke a little with every conscience heere present .

This law of Christ and nature , might bee an help to us upon many occasions . Suppose there fall out a new case wherein there is no law to order it ; wee must not say , I le doe what I lust : but in want of a law , this must supply , what yee would that others should doe to you , that doe you to them .

Suppose there be a law , but we are ignorant of it , we cannot walke by rule , when wee know it not . Heere have recourse to this , which wil shew the effect of the laew , written in Rom. 2. 15. our hearts , and will worke us to doe well to others , because we would have others not do amisse to us .

Suppose we have a known law fitted to our case , but it is so imperfect that holes of evasion offer themselves to a russet coate . Have then recourse to this : for of this it may be said , as that Philosopher said of old , when hee was asked what hee had gained by his study ? I have gained this , in briefe , that what others doe Summum hoc , quòd quae alij non sine legibus c●acti faciunt , sponte faciam . not , but as compelled by the stroake and whip of the law , I doe it of my owne accord .

Suppose ye bee to give rewards to others , wee reade of one Crates , who gave to his flatterer six hundred poundes ; to his whore threescore pounds , to his Cooke an hundred Diog. Laert. invita Crat. crownes , to his Phisitian eight groates , to his Philosopher ( who was his divine ) three halfe-pence , and to his Lawyer ( for his words ) fume and smoake . But if we walk by this rule , wee will not set best rates upon basest things , and worst upon best : for by a well ordered will , wee would not bee so dealt withall our selves .

Suppose lastly , wee are to administer punishments for others , one punishment for all faults were not just : neither must wee punish in life , when a member would satisfie ; nor in body , when goods are enough ; nor in goods , when losse of credit is more then sufficient ; nor in much in any thing when a little would serv the turne : we must look with a charitable eye to both proportions , Proportio . 1 Arithmetica . 2 Geometrica . for we would be so done unto our selves .

Upon all these , or like occasions , weare this law before our eyes , as Christ and nature would have it , it would bee a Sampson of justice , to destroy princes of Philistins by heapes .

But for want of this , as Theocritus said , of a great talker , Incipit verborum flumen , ingenij ne gutta quidem . now beginnes a floud of words , but not a drop of wit : so have wee flouds of accusations , aggravations , actions , without a drop of grace or modesty .

If wee could take a view of all the law of justice knit up in this one , wee might convince the world of another world of sinnes , and sinnes .

All inferiours doe lay the honour of superiours in the dust , from the subject under the throne , to the people under the priest , yea to the child in the poore mans cottage , for want of this in power , what yee would that others should doe to you , that doe you to them . All malicious , and envious strikers , oppressors , wounders , and hurters of body , and spirits , doe prejudice the comfortable lives of others , because they forget what yee would that others doe to you , that doe you to them . All adulterous persons , of lustfull eyes , hearts , hands , or other members , doe hurt the chastity of others , because they contemne this , what yee would that others should doe to you , that doe you to them . All trusters in wrong and robbery , hurt the goods of others ; all lyars , backbiters , & slanderers hurt the goods , and the truth of others , because they neglect and put in the backe part of the wallet this glorious law , what yee would that others should doe to you , that do ye to them . All that rob themselves of their owne hearts , and spoile that sweete contentment they might have in the God of Love , by vexing themselves with what others have , doe slighte the royall law , what ye would that others should doe to you , that doe you to them . Oh the world of transgressors against this law ! Give good manners , and Da bonos mores et legis scita pro nobis sunt . Sal. lib. 5. the requirings , and ordinances of the law are for us : but by our wicked lives this is against us , and will burne the conscience like fire in the day of Gods fierce wrath .

But I le goe no further then the proper businesse of the day . The honourable Iudges wil bee pleased to remember that the judgement-seate endures not either rash judgement , or riper , if it bee overswaide with wickednesse . If rash oathes bee imployed , vexing contentions nourished , or suites drawne out at length : If judgements like some conclusions follow the worst part of the plea , they know , that they doe not as they would be done unto .

The witnesse must speake nothing but truth , and the whole truth ( as the cause requires ) so helpe him God , if he overweigh the wheeles of the clocke to make it strike false . If ( like Nauplius to deceive the Grecians homeward ) hee set up a beacon upon a rocke , and make the judgment suffer Pro 6. 26. shipwrack , hee nourisheth contentions , and doth not as hee would be done unto .

The Iury must finde according to truth of evidence , else life , goods , and liberty , ( the precious things of a man ) will fall before the injurious : and then he doth not as he would be done unto .

The Lawyer must remember that of Salomon , that the gathering of riches by a deceitfull Pro. 6. 26. tongue , is vanity tossed too and fro by them that seeke death . But if hee speake good of evil , and evil of good , hee doth not as hee would be done unto .

The Plaintife must not load with false accusations , as 1 King . 21 9. 10. Iezabel who accused Nabeth of blasphemy ; the Iewes who accused Christ of forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar ; and 1 Kin. 21. 9. 10. Luk. 23. 2. Act. 24. 5. Tertullus who in a starched speech presented Paul to be a pestilence . If hee doe , he doth not as hee would bee done unto .

The Defendant must not colour his fault with false glosses against conscience , or deny it when his sinnes are on his skirts , and written in his forehead , or refuse any legal tryall . If hee doe , hee doth not as hee would bee done unto .

The Register must preserve faithfull records , and not closely , and illegally take off what is legally put on for the punishment of vice & maintenance of vertue . If he doe , hee doth not as hee would be done unto . Oh how hard is it to bee a good naturalist ! much harder to be a good Christian in observing this one law of justice

But that yee may doe better 2 Instructions for the keeping of this law . according to the full bent of this law , receive but a double instruction . First , yee must bee extraordinary persons . As it is with a batte or flindermouse , it is a kinde of bird , but an extraordinary one . It flies 1 Be extraordinary persons . like a bird , and so is among the fowles of the aire ; but it brings not forth young like a bird , nor feedes them like a bird , nor feedes it selfe like a bird : so be you singular among Mat. 5. 47. men , one of a city , and two of a tribe . Ordinary men do love the world to a miracle . They forget they are the generation of God ; and so ( to the dishonour of their race ) the world and worldly things doe blot out this law of justice .

But as wee read of Hercules when hee wrestled with the mighty Mauritanian Antheus , so often as hee threw him to the earth ( his mother ) , hee soone recovered his strength againe ; but when ( beyond ordinary course ) he lifted him up above the ground , and so held him at armes end till he was breathlesse , hee soone vanquished him . So when yee wrestle with your owne hearts for justice ( which are earth , earth , earth ) , and throw Ier 22. 29. them to the ground , ye never goe away conquerours : for they are where they would bee . Therefore lift them up extraordinarily into another element , and have your conversations in heaven , and yee shall soone gaine the victory , to doe this law of justice .

The prudent searchers of nature , consider the soule of man according to the three powers of it , and speake ( though not so accurately as others ) of three parts of it : The reasonable , angry , and 1 Rationalis . 1 Irascibilis . 3 Concupiscibilis . lustfull part . From the reasonable part proceeds reason itselfe , judgment , discretion , and wisedome ; and this they seat in the head . From the angry part , issue the hot motions of fortitude and courage ; and this they seate in the heart . From the lustfull part , come desires and appetites after meate , drinke , and other pleasures ; and this they seate in the ventricle .

These three may represent unto us , the three ages of the world . In the first , they Melanch . post . were wise ; then wisedome flourished , arts and sciences , were invented : and if wee seeme to be more in this then they , it is because we are Pigmies upon those Giants shoulders . In the second , they were valorous . From Ninus to Iulius was the age of warrious . Then David , Sampson , Achilles , and Hercules were in prime . But in this third and last age , most are given to appetite . The understanding and heart have had their times , but now the Belly is the great God : and as hunger after pleasure , profit , or honour prevailes , so all lawes of God and nature are more or lesse neglected . Had yee not neede then to be singular ( now ) if you would doe , as you would be done unto ?

Secondly , being singular & 2 Let the Spirit of Christ dwell in you . extraordinary , let the spirit of Christ dwell in you , as well as the law of nature ; even that spirit wherewith hee did revive this . Nature is a good mistresse , if Christ be our master . Nature shall well direct us in our workes of justice , when by Christs spirit we are created to good works . Therfore bee sure that you bee in Christ by faith , & that Christ be in you by the life of justification , sanctification , & comfort : and then as Christ teacheth this law of nature , so you , through Christ , shall grow more and more abounding in the practise of it , so long as you are .

Experience teacheth that a tree lives longer then a man , or fowle , or beast ; and wee aske the reason of it ; It is resolved S. Fr. Bac. Nat. Hist. thus . Other creatures grow to their full stature , and then grow no more but in excrements , as haires , nailes , feathers , and the like : but a tree , ( live it never so long ) growes in proper parts , and so drawes juice and sap , from the roote , thorough the whole body to quicken it .

So if you inquire why a man in Christ doth keepe all lawes better then another man ? I answer , because he is never at his height so long as hee is heere . He dayly sucks in , and drawes ( in his growing parts of greatnesse or goodnesse ) the heavenly oyle , and liquor of Christs spirit , which Phil. 4. inables him to doe all things thorough him that helpeth him .

Be it ( in the name of Iesus Christ ) thus with you ; and ye shall not faile to doe as you would be done unto in minds , mouthes , and members . I le Motives to observe this law . give you but two incentives , and so an end .

The not doing this , will much discomfort you in the day of death . In many cases betwixt you and others , you have seene , or heard , variety of opinions : and for want of judgement or goodnesse ( by witty evasions ) have beene swayed this way , and that way . But then , let conscience have her perfect work , and when it spies that , by these means , ye have not done as ye would be done unto , it cries , & prickes , and wounds , and yee know not what to doe , especially when death comes to draw you to the barie of God . Therefore as Pythagoras gave a precept to his schollars , not to taste of any thing that had blacke tailes : so doe I advise you here , and I pray God you may follow it in my christian sense .

The king , saith ( according to the old picture ) I rule you all : the souldier saith , I fight for you all : the husbandman saith , I feede you all : the priest saith , I pray for you all : but death saith , I devoure you all . And then , if notwithstanding your pretence of faith in Christ , you have impenitently , not done , as you would be done unto , hell will say , I will torment you all .

Lastly , consider that the doing of this , will comfort you when that day comes . Put case yee have not had braines to search into every particular case , to reach to the depth of every wise law , to untie every knot in things to bee done or forborne ; yet , if in indighting , witnessing , pleading , answering , judging , and recording , yee have done as yee would bee done unto ; then shall your memories blesse your understandings for seeing ; your understandings blesse your memories for recording ; your understandings and memories , blesse your wills for decreeing ; your wills blesse your affections for maintaining ; the whole soule blesse the body for practising ; and God shall blesse all for cleaving unto his law of justice from Christ , and nature . And if with this you have also the law of faith , and piety , and follow them according to the rule of Christ , then shall you heare , well done good and faithfull servants , enter into your masters joy .

To which joy our good God bring us all in his good time , thorough his way of piety and justice : without holinesse no man shall see thee , O Lord ; therefore bring us thither thorough the way of piety . Hee that doth not righteousnesse , is not of thee , O God ; therefore bring us thither by the way of righteousnesse also . Oh let us serve thee heere in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our lives , that in the end , when wee shall come as a shocke of corne to thy barne , wee may bee happy in thee , thorough Iesus Christ our Lord : to whom with thee and the blessed spirit , bee all Kingdome , Power , and Glory , now and for ever .

Amen .

THE CHRISTIANS THRIFT IN KEEPING : OR TWO SERMONS Preached on 1 Tim. 1. 19. Holding faith , and a good Conscience .

THe men of the world are much for keeping , the father presseth his sonne , the master his servant , the friend his friend , to keepe . They would have them keep their houses , keepe their land , keepe their stockes , keep their credit , keepe surely whatsoever 1 Tim. 6. 20. they can get honestly . This is among the best .

The Christian must bee for keeping too . Hee knowes whom hee hath trusted , and 2 Tim. 1. 12 would faine have him keepe his soule to the day of Christ . And because hee keepes not them that do not keep themselves , and save their soules Act. 2. 40 from this froward generation wherein they live : therefore hee desires to doe it himselfe , and to presse every member else within his reach , to this golden rule , which blessed Paul gives to his beloved Timothy , keep , or hold faith , and a good conscience .

A brave worke , worthy a Christian ! If there had beene a better , Paul would have set it upon Timothies soul . Other things hee presseth unto : but if hee give him a thousand taskes , of divers matters , if this doe not give life and forme to them all , they may doe others good , but they shal doe them none : therefore be thou holding , faith , and a good conscience ;

Timothy was a brave young sparke of grace , blowne up to a great blaze in the church of God . He had so well approoved himselfe to men , and God looked upon him with so right an eye , that there went about prophecies of him , for the great use the Church should have of him , and the manly service hee should doe to God . Paul therefore ver. 18. puts him in minde of them , and provokes him to take such a course as may make them good , by holding faith , and a good conscience .

And to raise him up to a greater vigilancy , he sets before him some that had made shipwrack of them , together with their punishment , and ver. 20. end of it .

This is the scope then , to provoke Timothy to hold whatsoever may be useful unto him , to make his imployment in the church comfortable unto him , he must hold .

If you say , hee must onely Object . have them ; for so the word Sol. soundeth : I answer , so to have , as to hold . As when ( Saint Paul saith , ) that wee thorough patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope , that is , hold it thorough the whole course of life for use .

If you say , it is enough to Object . Sol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Rom. 15. 4 hold them for the present . I answer , no : it is in such a part of speech , as signifieth a continual act , holding today , tomorrow , and for ever . Therefore in Timothies person , it commends these two savoury rules of life unto you ; that when yee have faith , ye must hold it , and when yee have a good conscience , ye must hold it too .

Yee must hold faith . Faith is 1 Yee m●st hold faith . Gal. 5. 22. 1 Thes. 5. 19. Apoc 3. 3 of a flying nature in it selfe . It is but a fruit of the spirit , and wee are apt to quench it . But as Christ saith to the church of Sardis , remember how thou hast received and heard , and hold fast : and to the church of Philadelphia , hold that fast Apoc. 3. 11 which thou hast , that no man take thy crowne : so be you all sure to hold faith .

I shall labour ( with Gods 1 How yee must hold faith . helpe ) to cleare these two particulars , how ye must hold faith , and why ye must doe it . First , as hee that would hold his possession and inheritance must have a good ground of tenure ; his right by gift purchase , By holding . or descent ; a good object of tenure , his deedes and evidences ; a good act of tenure , to say with confidence this is mine ; and a good power to use it as his owne for his proper benefit . So if yee would hold faith , yee must hold

1 The ground of faith . 2 The object of faith . 3 The act of faith , and 4 The power of faith .

The ground of faith , is 1 The ground of faith . your saving right to it , without which you have nothing to doe with faith to save you . And what is that ? it is an humbled soule : none have right to faith to save them but such . To make a loose and broken ground the foundation of an house , is the next way to see the ruine of it : but to make a broken heart the ground of faith is the only way to see it hold . Come unto me all yee that are weary Math. 11. and heavy laden : if ye be such , then build upon me for the rest of your soules . God carried the Israelites fourty yeares thorough the wildernesse to Deut. 8. 23 humble them , prove them ; and to make them suffer hunger , and then hee fed them with Mannah . God makes the house of David looke up Zach. 12. 10. 11. to Christ pierced , and mourne as a woman mourneth for her onely sonne : and then in that day hee opens a Zach. 13. 1 fountaine for the house of David , and the inhabitants of Ierusalem , for sinne , and for uncleannesse . The Holy Ghost convinceth the world of sin , and then of righteousnesse , Ioh. 16. 8. 9 10. 11. that Christ hath fully satisfied , because hee is ascended : and then of Iudgement , to set up a throne and cast out Satan by degrees . Even as physicians do first purge to pul downe rebelling humours , and then give cordials : So God first whips by the Schoolmaster of the law , and then Gal. 3. 24. brings us to Christ : this is the ground of faith .

The object of faith is , the 2 The object of faith . deedes and evidences of it , the whole word of God . There are no other deedes and evidences of saving faith but there . These are the testimonies , and records of God : hee that beleeveth 1 Ioh. 5. 10 not God , and his record which he hath witnessed , hath made him a lyar . This is that for which God lookes to bee credited . A very knave looks to bee credited for his pawne or bond ; an honest man for his honesty ; a noble man for his honour ; a Prince for his word : much more God . Ye must therefore looke to the Precepts of God like David : who when he tooke notice of Psal. 119. 4 5. Gods commandements , given to be kept , hee had an heroicall motion to doe more then hee could , hee prayes that hee might be taught them , that he might keepe them , and bee ver. 48. quickned by them , and resolves to lift up his hands to Gods commandements , which hee had loved , to doe them . Yee must looke to the Judgments and threatnings of God , as the Ninevites , who were presently Ion. 3. 2 Chro. 34. 27. in sackcloth , and Iosiah who rent his cloathes , with weeping eies , and melting heart . Thus Davids flesh trembled for fear of God , and Psal. 119. 120. he was affraid of his judgments , yee must looke to the promises of God as David : who hid Psal. 119. 11 them in his heart that he might not sinne against him . Whatsoever is in the word , ye must have an eie unto . For though they doe not so immediately concerne you in the way of life and death ( as many Genealogies , Chronologies , Histories , and Prophecies ) yet you must bee ready to understand Praeparatione animi . them and their uses as God shall offer them : yet yee must principally hold precepts to direct , threatnings to humble , and promises to allure and comfort ; ye must hold them , by understanding what the will Eph. 5. 17 of the Lord is , till ( if ye can ) yee come to all riches of the ful Col. 2. 2. assurance of understanding . Yee must hold them by assenting to them : yeelding to all the truth of them , as Saint Luke to the storie of Christ whereof he was fully perswaded . Yee Lu●e 1. 1. must hold them , by bringing your bodies and soules into subjection unto them . For in Iesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing , nor uncircumcision , but faith working Gal. 5. 6. by love . This is the object of faith .

The act of faith , is to say , 3 The act of faith . this is mine : to adjudge and appropriate father , sonne , and holy Ghost unto your selves ; without this yee cannot feele any comfort of what you believe . Therefore as David , and Christ said , My God , My Psal. 22. 1. Ioh. 20. 28 God : as Thomas said , My Lord , and my God : and as the Luke 1. 47 Blessed Virgine said , my spirit ( that is the quintessence of my soule acted by the spirit of God ) rejoyceth in God my Saviour : so by way of adherence , ( when most times ye have no evidence ) yee must take God in Christ as your owne , as hee offers himselfe . I am the Lord Ex. 20. Ier. 31. thy God , I will bee thy God . This is the act of faith .

The power of faith , is to make use of the riches of it The power of faith . Psal. 32. Psal. 45. Rom. 4. Act. 15. Mal. 4. Eph. 3. Heb. 6. 2 Cor. 4. 13. for thy owne proper good . Great is the power of faith , and it prevaileth . It covereth our sinnes by the garments of Christ our elder brother , and so is imputed to us for righteousnesse . It cureth our sinnes , bringing Christ , who hath healing under his wings , to dwell in our hearts by faith . It brings forth a world of the labour of love , wee having the same spirit of faith , believe , & speak , and thinke , and doe . For by Eph. 2. 10. faith we are Gods workemanship created in Christ to good workes , to walke in them . And this affirme constantly that they that have believed in Tit. 3. 8. GOD , be carefull to maintaine good workes . This is the power of faith .

Now , this ground of faith , 2 ▪ Why yee must hold faith . this object of faith , this act of faith this power of faith , you must hold upon these five Grounds .

First , faith is our life ; wee live by faith , not by sight ; and 1 Faith our life . 2 Cor. 5. Hab. 2. every just man must live by his faith . Not efficiently : for so , in GOD we live , move , and Act. 17. have our being . Nor meritoriously : for so saith Christ , I am the way , the truth and the life . Nor by way of immediate Ioh. 14. application : for so the holy ghost is a quickening spirit , as Adams soule was the 1 Pet. 3 ▪ 18. Gen. 2. breath of life . But as a prime instrument of our life in Christ , without this wee cannot have life , either before God or in this miserable world . This Rom. 1. 17 Heb. 10. 38 unites us to Christ , and receives a quickning spirit ( as the vertue of Christ ) , from the spirit of Christ , in the meanes of salvation . As men say of their trades , and hands , under God , they are my living , take away these , and take away my life : so say wee of faith : it is your life : therfore hold it .

Secondly , faith is our power 2 Faith is our power of working . of working , to doe us our best good . In a naturall man , his reason is his power . Hee is borne naked , with abundance of bodily weaknesse ; a beast hath a great deale of bodily strength : and if a lyon rationally knew how to use his pawes , a dog his teeth , a bullock , or buck his hornes , or an horse his hoofes , how few men would there bee in the world ? But let man come in with his reason , and hee subdues them all . But in a believer his faith is his power : and what is the power of reason to this ? As Christ said of miraculous faith , it pulls up trees by the rootes , and removes mountaines , it makes sunne stand still , and go backward : so much more of this saving christian faith in another kinde . It covers more sinnes then heaven and earth can cover . Get the heavens to cover them : our sinnes are more then the starres , and are come up above the heavens . Get the sea to cover them : the sea can cover the sands at a full tide , but our sins are more then the sandes of the sea . Get the earth , and all the creatures to cover them : our sinnes over-top them all , and make Rom. 8. the whole creation groane under the burthen . But get faith , and as love covers a multitude of sinnes in others , so faith covers all sinnes in our selves . It brings the garments of Christ , and then wee cannot Apoc. 16. Phil. 3. Dan. 9. bee naked . It brings the righteousnes of God , the everlasting righteousnesse to dwel amongst men , and then , God cannot but be there , where his righteousnesse is , to give grace and Psal. 84 : 16 glorie , and every perfect gift . It is your power to doe your best good , and therefore hold it .

Thirdly , faith is your workman . 3 Faith is our workman . Set faith about any work , and what can it not doe ? Art thou at Gods Gen. 12. word , to goe a great journey , thou knowest not whither ? Faith did it for Abraham . Art thou to fight against lyons , Heb. 11. Gen. 22. beares , Philistims , and other puissant enemies ? Faith did it for David , Sampson , Gideon , Barach , and their fellowes . Art thou to doe what nature abhorres ? Faith did it for Abraham in the sacrifice of his son . Art thou to cleanse the uncleane stables of sinne ? Faith will take Christs spirit , and arguments , and doe it . It cries out , shall I that am dead to sinne yet live Rom. 6 : therein ? Shall I sinne that grace may abound ? God forbid : I will mortifie the deedes of the Rom. 8. flesh by the spirit . Art thou to suffer persecution ?

Faith will suffer it for thee in goates-skinnes , and sheepes-skinnes , Heb. 11. in the craggie wildernesse . Art thou to overcome Death , and Hell ? Faith will doe it too . Faith receives Heb. 11. the dead to life ; and sends a defiance to the greatest enemies of it , O Death , where is 1 Cor. 15 : thy sting ? O Hell , where is thy victory ? Thankes bee to God for Iesus Christ , the Captaine of my salvation . O who would bee without faith ! It is our workeman , hold it . Rom. 7. 4 Faith is our best light here .

Fourthly , faith is all the comfortable light , yee have in the world . Without the sunne the earth would be an Aegypt , and without faith we are in a region of darkenesse . The wisemen Math. 4. Math. 2. came out of the east and worshipped Christ , offering also gold , frankincense , and myrrhe : why ? what did they see in him ? They saw a child , not a man : they saw him in a stable , not in a throne , in ragges , not in robes , crying in a cratch , not thundring in the clouds ; how then came it about they now worshipped ? Faith saw God in him , for the heavens waited upon him in his starre . Faith saw in him a prophet , a priest , a king , and their oblations were answerable . The thiefe upon the crosse cryes out unto Christ , Lord remember mee when thou comest into thy kingdome ? was he a Lord that was dealt with like a slave ? had hee a kingdome that was disgracefully thrust out of the world ? Could he remember him , that would not remember himself , when they cryed , come downe from the crosse , and save thy selfe ? Faith casts away these mists , and saw glory in shame . Yee know what the Centurion said , verily this man was the son Mat. 27. 54. of God , what ? a man , and the sonne of God too ? The son of God , that could not have the favour to live , or dye so well as the sonne of man ? Surely , some sparke of faith saw life in death , light in darknesse : It is your light , hold it .

Lastly , faith makes earth 5 Faith makes earth heaven . Math. 13. Gen. 28. Eph. 2. heaven unto you , and the church the kingdom of heaven , the house of God , the Gates of heaven , and sets us on the seats of heaven heere below . Before we come to the proper place and mansion , which Christ hath Ioh. 16. provided for us , by faith wee sit with Abraham , Isaack and Iacob in the kingdome of heaven . Put case wee hope for it , wee see it not : faith is the ground of things hoped for , the evidence Heb. 11. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . of things not seene . It stands under the waight of the whole world , and yet sayes , heaven is mine . It sees nothing but earth , and sinners , and beasts , and trees , under the canopie of the starrie heaven , and yet sayes , heaven is mine , as if it had it already . O the world of grace and glory that is in faith ! therefore hold faith .

Oh that I now knew how Application . to screw my selfe into your soules to search whether yee hold faith ! How many thousands have it not , and cannot hold it ? How many thousands have it a little , and know not whether they hold it or no ? yee are to bee married to the lambe , and till that day come , Annulum sponsalem . yee have but the wedding-ring of faith , to have and to hold , first for promise , then for fruition . Tell me then :

Doe yee hold the ground of 1 Try the ground of faith Rom. 8. faith ? Then yee are humbled soules : yee have passed thorough the spirit of bondage , whereby yee have been shut up in prison under Moses , till the sonne hath made you free , Ioh. 8. and yee walke humbly ever after for feare of loosing this estate . This laies the foundation of faith deepe enough . Hymeneus and Alexander 1. Tim. 1. 20. built upon the sands , and so they ship-wrackt against the rockes of the world . Therefore you must downe lower , under the sands , earth , rockes , to the gates of hell , and then , Out of the depths have I cryed Psal. 130. 1 unto thee O Lord . Are yee thus in some measure , or other , according to your sinnes ? Say it if yee love faith and your salvation . Are yee convinced Ioh. 16. Act. 2. of your sinnes ? are yee pricked at the heart for your sinnes ? Are yee so all this , that yee are at utter enmity with all sinne ? Then keepe this ground of faith .

Doe yee hold the object of 2 Try the object of faith . faith ? This nourisheth and keepes faith alive . It is like oyle to the lampe , like fewell to the fire , and like sap to the tree . Have you full assurance of the knowledge of the scriptures ? Can you say , I le pawn my life , body , and goods , and soule , that , though I cannot conceive all , yet all in the scripture is true ? what I know is true , and I resolve to learne more : what I know not is true , and I will doe my best to comprehend that too . Have ye a free assent to all the truth of it , and to that alone for salvation ? Do ye not come off basely as Agrippa , almost thou Act. 26. 28 perswadest mee ? Have yee a beliefe to all the precepts , promises and threatnings of the scriptures ? Doe ye say all the commandements are true , & I must do them : all the threatnings are true , and if I live in Deut. 32. sinne , I must undergoe them , even to burning in the nethermost hell : all the promises are true , and I must relieve my flagging and drooping spirit with them , in despite of my unbeleeving heart ? Doth thy faith in the knowledge of them change thee , as it did David ▪ who when hee could Psal. 40. say , that in the volume of thy booke it is written of mee presently cries out , Loe I come , to doe thy will ? If it be thus , hold faith . But doest thou not rather hate the being of the word in thy understanding ? Thou knowest it will strip thee of all thy lusts . Doest thou not therefore say as those miscreants , depart from mee , I desire Iob. 20. not the knowledge of thy lawes ? doest thou not hate the nature of the word , to will as that wills ? Heare that cursed voice , and feare to finde it in thy selfe , I will doe as I have done , Ier. 44. whatsoever the word of God saith . Doest thou not hate the rules of the word ? Art thou not sorry they are true : Wouldest thou not they were false ? Can a fleshly-man love that , flesh and bloud cannot inherit 1 Cor. 15. the kingdome of heaven ? Can an old sinner love that , the childe shall dye an hundred Es. 65. 20. yeares old ( so ripe shall hee bee for God ) and the sinner being an hundred yeares old shall bee accursed ? Can an usurer love that , hee is not for Gods tabernacle , and holy hill , that Psal. 15. 5 putteth his mony to usury ? Can an whoremonger love that , whoremongers and adulterers Heb. 13. God will judge ? or any of those sinners that , bee not deceiued ; neither fornicators , nor 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. idolaters , nor adulterers , nor effeminate , nor abusers of themselves with mankind , nor theevs , nor covetous , nor drunkards , nor revilers , nor extortiouers , shall inherit the kingdome of God ? If they love not the nature , being , and rules of the object of faith , this is not to hold faith .

Doe yee hold the act of 3 Try the act of faith . faith ? Doe yee rest with confidence upon the promises of God in Christ ? ye pule and crie in the sorrow of your hearts ( even when your sorrow hath turned you to God ) and say , I know not what to doe . This yee doe ; but yee looke not upon the new and everlasting covenant , and say , God is mine , Christ is mine , the holy Ghost is mine , and I Object . am his . Alas , say you ; I am Sol. not worthy . Surely there should not have beene a saint in heaven , nor out of hell , by this argument . Though your willfull unworthinesse will discard you , yet God tyes not himselfe to you by your worth , but his owne . Oh therefore hold faith , as Iacob did God , I will not let thee goe Gen. 32. 26. Ruth . 1. except thou blesse mee : and as Ruth did Naomi , whithersoever thou goest , I will go with thee both in life and death .

Doe yee hold the power of 4 Try the power of faith . Rom. 16. Iames 2. faith ? Say then , what doth it make thee to doe ? Shew the obedience of faith : shew me thy faith by thy workes . It is as the plummet on the clock-line which makes you strike . It will make you looke upon sinne which pierced Christ , and Zach. 12. mourne for it , and cast it out ( as Agar the bond-woman ) with a , Get thee hence . It is in thee as in the sea , there is that Leviathan and creeping things innumerable : so there are in Psal. 104. 25 , 26. thee , master sinnes , and creeping lusts innumerable : but let faith loose upon them , and then as when God made man after his Image , he said , let him have dominion over the fish of Gen. 1. 26 the sea , and every creeping thing : so doth God say to faith , bee it unto thee as thou believest , even Math. 15. against the whole hoaste of sinne . It will make you looke upon Christ and love him above all , and delight in all that belong unto him , the word of faith , the prayer of faith , the seales of faith , the houshold of faith , for it will not let you stroake the head , and strike the body : yea , it will make you desire the appearance of the Lord Iesus , that yee may be with him for ever : you will stay his leasure , but with winged desires ▪ O make haste my beloved , and bee like the Roe : come Lord Cant. 8. 14 Apoc. 22. Iesus , come quickly . It will make you look upon God the father , and depend upon him for all things , ( for faith reasons thus , if he have given mee Christ , how shall hee not Rom. 8. with him give us all things also ? ) yea , and submit unto him in all things , ( for the children of Abraham , will doe the workes of Abraham ; Iohn 8 , Gal. 3. 7 and they which are of the faith are the children of Abraham ) : yea , and goe boldly to the throne Heb. 4. 16 of grace , that yee may have his strength to doe all obedience , and to trust in him in hardest Iob. 13. 15 times . It will make you look to God the holy Ghost , and submit to his worke of conviction , and conversion , yea , and to do whatsoever he enableth unto . Hee is the great master of faculties , who helpeth Rom. 8. your infirmities : you take his help by faith and doe it . It will make you looke upon your selves , and worke the worke of God upon your soules with power . The fowles pick-up the good seede so soone as it is Luke 8. sowne , because it is not mixed with faith : but the word Heb. 4. 2 1 Thes. 2 13. workes effectually in you that believe . Yea , it will make you fight the battels of God insuperably . When Paul came to Ephesus , there arose no small stirre about that way : so when Act 19. 23 Math. 2. faith in Christ comes , Herod is troubled , and all Ierusalem : but faith makes you like the house of David , grow stronger and 2 Sam. 3. 1 stronger , and sin like the house of Saul , grow weaker and weaker : It makes you like Rachel , Gen. 30. 8 who wrestled with the wrestlings of Christ , and prevailed . Let the world fight against you : this is your victorie , 1 Ioh. 15. 4 1 Pet. 5. 8 even your faith . Let Satan come ; resist him , stedfast in the faith . Let the flesh come ; as those beasts had their dominion Dan. 7. 12 taken from them , yet their lives were prolonged : so faith spoiles the flesh of her Kingdome , though it must live as a Iebusite . Let God himselfe desert and forsake thee , yeth faith saith , though Iob. 13. 15 thou kill mee I will trust in thee . Lastly , faith will make you looke upon your brethren , and fill you with mercy and T it 3 8. Eph. 2 9 , 10 good workes . When Dorcas believed , shee made coates and garments to cloath the naked . Act 9. 39 When Tyrus was to believe , shee would nor treasure up merchandise , but get it for them that dwell before the Lord , Es. 23. 18. to eate sufficiently , and for durable cloathing . When the disciples were taught to forgive their brethren , they cried out , Lord increase our faith ; as if Luke 17. 4 they should say , faith will doe it : the more faith , the more mercy ; for if you believe your owne ten thousands forgiven , you will forgive others tens : yea , when you looke upon your brethren , faith will move you to draw them to Christ . It sets you upon the high mountaines , which doe make the vallies fat with the drops that descend from them , when Luke 22. thou art converted , strengthen thy brethen , saith Christ to Peter . If Andrew have found Christ , hee calls Peter ; If Philip have met with him he cals Iohn . 1 ▪ Nathanael . If thou thus have the power of faith , hold it : If thou have it not , be humbled in time , get faith and hold it ,

It may bee thou wilt say , What wee must do to hold it . what shall I doe to hold it ? if then thou wouldst have all in a word , stop thine ears against the enemies of faith ; I was In hac fide natus sum . August . born in this faith , is a lose plea , it is the gift of God . Heare duely the friend of faith , the preaching of the Gospel . Pray the praier of faith in the name of Christ . Vse the seals of faith , the sacraments . Keepe experience to nourish and fatten faith . Buy faith , but sell it not for a thousand worlds : part with al domineering sin for it ; they that set not this price upon precious faith , shall never have it , nor ever hold it . Thus doe and thou shalt give glorie to God , and bring comfort to thy own soule for ever and for ever ,

Amen .

THE SECOND SERMON , on 1 Tim. 1. 19. And a good Conscience .

YOu have seene the holding of faith . The second savoury rule which Paul under the person of Timothie , commends unto us is , when wee have a good conscience to hold that also .

Yee must hold a good conscience . As faith is of a flying nature in it selfe ; so is a good conscience too ; it hath many wings to flie away from us , the weake owners of it . It flies A good conscience is of a flying nature . 1 By feares away , first by feare , Abraham was afraid of the court of Abimelech , and Pharaoh , and therfore weakely taught his wife Sarah to tell a lye : and Peter was afraid in the high-priests hall , and he denied his master with cursing : Daniel , and the three worthies banished feare from their soules , and would worship God alone , and pray unto him what ever came , and so kept a good conscience , whereas Abraham and Peter lost it . Secondly , by unmercifulnesse : Adonibezeck 2 By unmercifulnesse . Iudg. 1. Luke 16. was cruell , and what a wicked conscience had hee in cutting off the thumbes of seaventie Kings , and using them like dogges ? Dives was so too , and what a conscience had he in denying the crumbes of his table ? Thirdly , By the love of 2 By the love of the world ▪ Gal. 6. 12. the world : the false Apostles making a faire shew in the flesh , constrained christians to be circumcised ; onely , least they should suffer persecution for the crosse of Christ : and thus a good conscience did fly away . Fourthly , by the love 4 By love of sinne . of sinne : David loved the sweete sinne of Bathshebah ; therefore hee contrived the death of Vriah , and so conscience fled . Fiftly , by the love 5 By love of honour . of honour ; Achitophel was not honoured above Hushai the Archite , and hee hanged himselfe . Adonijah was not honoured above Salomon , and hee ended in rebellion . Bigthan and Teresh had not honour answerable to their minds , and they proved treacherous . Haman could not have Mardocaies knee , and all the Jewes ( if hee can helpe it ) must die for it . And thus a good conscience fled from them . Sixtly , by the guilt and 6 By the guilt and horrour of sinne . horrour of great sinnes : Iudas was pressed sore with what hee had done , and hee went out and hanged himself : and thus a good conscience did flie from him . Lastly , by 7 By profit Psal. 73. Ier. 12. Iob. 21. 2 Tim. 4 10. the profits of the world : David , Ieremy , and Iob had not the prosperitie of wicked men , and in a passion they fel to grumbling against God : Demas had it cast ▪ upon him , and forsooke Paul , and imbraced the present world : and thus good conscience was almost in the first , altogether in the last chased . What shall I say ? There are some sins of daily incursion , which are lamented , Peccata quotidianae incursionis , et vastantia conscientias . groaned under , and fought against , which may bee lived with , though not lived in , and yet a good conscience may stay by us : but if any sinne lay waste the conscience by selfe-libertie , and presumption : good conscience flies , and therefore hold it .

To helpe you in this also , I 1 How to hold a good conscience . shall labour to shew you two things : how you may hold a good conscience , and why you must doe it .

If yee would hold a good conscience , yee must hold foure things ,

1 The light of conscience . 2 The love of conscience . 3 The works of conscience . 4 The charge of conscience .

1 The light of conscience must 1 Hold the light of conscience be held . Be a workeman never so good , hee cannot shew it , if hee want light to doe his worke by : so is it with conscience . Now conscience hath a double light : 1 the light 1 The light of nature . of nature , which light still presents some principles to frame our life by , as that there is a God , that hee is to bee worshipped , that we must doe to others , as wee would bee done unto : and if these bee not followed , conscience checks . 2 The light of the 2 The light of nature . word , which fully presents the particulars of those generalls , and shewes with what , how , and when God is to bee worshipped : together with that honour , life , honestie , goods , truth , and quietnesse of nature , wherein wee must so doe to others , as wee would they should doe to us . If yee keepe not both these lights , conscience can never be good . Three eies view all 1 of God . Heb. 4. Ier. 9. There are three eies that look upon all things done : first , the eye of God who hath all things naked before him . Hee sees and writes with a penne of iron , and point of a diamond : and either hee censures heere , or heereafter . Secondly , the 2 Of the world . eye of the world : this sees all things manifested ; and would make you believe , thorough squinteyed jealousie and suspition , that it sees more then it doth , and so passeth censures accordingly . Thirdly , 3 The eye of conscience . the eye of conscience . This sees all that it is enlightened to see : but if it have not light , it sees not , and censures not ; therefore hold the light of conscience .

The love of conscience 2 Hold the love of conscience Gen. 31. must be held , If ye love it not , it will away . As Iacob , when hee saw Labans ▪ countenance changed , and his wages too , and that ten times , away he goes : so doth conscience . As David when he saw himselfe not loved in the court of Saul , away hee goes to the Philistines , Achish , wildernesse , any whither where hee could finde entertainement : so will conscience deale with you . As therefore yee say of that you love , I thanke God for this , I would not bee without it : so say of conscience , I thanke God for conscience , I would not bee without it for a thousand worlds : thus hold the love of conscience .

The worke of conscience must bee held too . It is an officer under God to determine , upon 3 Hold the worke of conscience information , of all our actions for excusation , accusation , conviction , or conversion : and can Gods officers bee idle ? The officers of men may bee idle , yea , foundations may be out of course . The out-ward Psal 83. officers of God may bee idle too : magistrates and ministers , may too often be found to bee idol shepheards : but this privie counsellour , and immediate internall officer , Zach. 11. 17 conscience , cannot bee idle . God sits on the throne with it , and though it seemes to sleepe , yet in still silence it registers all acts and neglects , omissions , and commissions ; and when a man would think that all is forgotten , then ( In an evill day ) it brings forth all , and layes it in order before us , Eccles. 12. to our shame and confusion . Hold therefore the worke of Psal. 50. conscience ; and what is that ? It is threefold .

First , to propound unto you from the light of nature , and The work of conscience is threefold . 1 To propound . the word , what yee ought to bee , and doe in the whole frame of life , and course of living . It layes the rule of GODS Image , and will , before you , and sayes thus you should bee , and doe so and so : as to Adam , I should not have eaten the forbidden fruit , I should have kept the Gen. 2. covenant of my God ; for hee said , doe this and live : to David : I should not have committed adultery , or contrived murther ; for God hath said , thou shalt not doe so .

Secondly , to apply ( by way 2 To apply of reflection upon themselvs ) what yee have beene , or done . I should have beene , and done so , and so : but I am , and have done thus and thus . As to Adam , I should not have eaten the forbidden fruit ; but I have done it : to David I should not have committed adultery , and murther ; but I have done them : and to all of us , I should have repented , believed , hoped , loved : but I have not done them as I ought . 3 To pronounce .

Thirdly , to pronounce impartiall judgement upon your persons & actions : as therfore I am a wicked man , have done foolishly , and am accursed : 2 Sam. 24. or therefore I am in Christ , have done uprightly , and am blessed . Thus David , I Psal 119. Luke 1. 5. have gone astray like a lost sheep : thus the prodigal , I have sinned against heaven and before thee : thus Paul , I was a persecutor , blasphemer , oppressour : & thus Hezekiah , I have walked before 2 Tim. 1. Es. 37. thee with a perfect heart . This work of conscience will make you runne out of Sodom with a showre of brimstone at your heeles : or make you passe thorough the wildernesse under a cloud of comfortable protection : therefore hold it .

Lastly , the charge of conscience 4 Hold the charge of conscience must be held also . It hath a large Diocesse over every secret , and every manifest thing of yours in person , or by communion . It hath a charge over inclinations . Davids conscience saw the inclinations & pronenesse of his heart to cleave unto the dust , and therefore hee flies to GOD , encline my heart Psal. 119. unto thy testimonies , and not unto covetousnesse . It hath charge over the understanding : therefore Agurs conscience lookes upon that , and complaines , surely I am more brutish Pro. 30. 2 then any man , and have not the understanding of Adam in mee . It hath charge over the memorie : therefore God presents memory to his people , they remembred not the Lord Iud. 8. 34 Psal. 106. 7 their God : they remembred not the multitude of thy mercies , that their consciences might worke accordingly . It hath charge over thoughts , wills , affections , Es. 55. 7 and desires . Let the unrighteous man forsake his thoughts , saith God to conscience : Math. 15. the thoughts defile a man , saith Christ to conscience , therfore , how long shall your wicked Ier. 4 , 14. thoughts lodge within you ? yee Ioh. 5. will not come unto me that ye may bee saved , saith Christ to conscience . Oh how I love thy Psal. 119. Psal. 18. Psal. 119. Psal. 42. law ! yea , I love thee dearly O Lord my God ; I hate all wicked waies ( saith David ) from conscience . My soule longeth for thee , as the hart panteth after rivers of waters ; I desire to be Phil. 1. dissolved , & to be with Christ , say Davids and Pauls consciences : but wicked mens consciences shall cry at last , wee desired not the knowledge of Iob. 21. thy lawes . Yea , the charge of Conscience reacheth to your words , and deedes . Yee must give an account of every idle Math. 12. word to God , and your consciences ; of every idle word , that hath no naturall , civill , or religious end : therefore Davids conscience pleaded against him , that he said in his haste , all Psal. 31. 22. Psal. 116. 11 men are lyars , even Samuel himselfe in his message from God , and Peters conscience lashed him to the purpose for his detestable words in the high-priests hall . Davids conscience also comes to his deeds , I have sinned greatly in that I have done ; I have done 2 Sam. 24. 10. very foolishly & Ezra , when he presented others consciences as well as his owne , cried out , and now what shall wee say ? Ezr. 9. 10 for wee have forsaken thy commandements . O the large charge of Conscience ! As ye must hold the light of conscience , the love of conscience , and the worke of conscience ; so hold the charge of conscience , that yee may doe as Paul would have you , hold a good conscience .

Would you now know the grounds of holding a good 2 Why you must hold a good conscience . 1 If it bee gone , God will be against us . conscience ? Doe but marke these foure that follow . First , if conscience runne away from you , GOD , & your own soules will be against you . Gods eyes are purer then to behold iniquitie , with approbation ; and when hee with rebukes doth correct man for sinne , as a moath hee makes his beauty to Psal. 39. 11 consume away : hee doth not presently thunder out of heaven , but secretly gnawes out the comfort of their hearts , when hee is to Ephraim as a Hos. 4. Ier. 20. 3 , 4 Pro 28 1 Levit. 26. 37 moath . He makes them plagues to themselves , magor missabib , flying when none pursues , at the sound of a shaking leafe , making every moate a beame , and every beame an whole house . Yea , by conscience he makes them an whole wildernesse of woe . Hezekiah complained that God would breake all his Es. 38. 13 bones , that hee could not speak for anguish of spirit , but chattered like a crane or swallow , and mourned like a dove Iobs bitter Iob. 12. 26 things that God wrote against him ; made him cry out , that the arrowes of the Almightie Iob. 6. 4. 8. Iob. 7. 14. 15. were within him ; scared him with dreames and visions , and made his soule choose strangling and death , rather then life . Davids bones waxed old with roaring all the day long , and his moysture was like the Psal. 32. 3. 4. drought in summer , when Gods arrowes stucke fast in him , thorough the power of conscience . Therefore hold a good conscience .

Secondly , nothing will doe 2 Without it nothing will doe us good . Psal 51. you good without a good conscience . Have you all houses , lands , gold , silver , kingdomes , Empires , they will do you no good without this ; no nor faith it selfe : for a pure heart , 1 Tim. 1. 5 and a good conscience , and faith unfayned will goe together ; they all worke one for another , a good conscience riseth from a pure heart : and faith unfained cannot bee without a good conscience . There is a A fourefold sting in sinne . fourefold sting in sin ; the guilt of sin , the fruits of sin , the service of sin , & the habits of sin . Faith in Christ pulls out the two first , & a good conscience from Christ the two last . If therefore yee would have any good of what you have , hold a good conscience .

Thirdly , with a good conscience 3 With it nothing can doe us hurt . nothing can doe you hurt . It stands out against all the world . Let slanders come , Paul sets the sentence of his conscience against them , with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you , or of mans Iudgment : for I know nothing by my selfe : & though this justifie me not before God , yet it comforts me against your clamors , Let a thousand troubles come , Iob sets his conscience against Iob. 31. 35. 36. 37. them all . Let mine adversary ( saith he ) write a booke against me , I would take it upon my shoulder , and binde it as a crown , and declare my steps , & goe as a Prince against him , yea , a good conscience shal go with you thorough the pikes of death , and the grave . The warfare of our faith , & hope , shall end in sight , and having but our love out of a good conscience , shall passe all , and continue for ever .

Lastly , a good conscience 5 It carries with at more then the whole world . Rom. 2. carries with it more then the whole world to do us good . It carries God along with it . If God go with an ill conscience to accuse , much more with a good one to excuse & comfort . The sentence is the judgment of conscience , but as Gods interpreter : & what conscience speaks ( when it is well regulated ) God confirms , as ye see in Adam for ill , and in Iob for good . It carries all the host of heaven and earth along , as Gods great and mighty train . The good conscience of Daniel Dan. 6. Dan. 3. is attended with mild lyons ; of the three confessors , with an unburning fire ; of penitent Ionah , with a sanctuary in the Ioh. 2. hellish belly of the whale ; of Elijah with a raven to cook & 1 King . 17 2 Ring . 6. cater for him ; and of Elisha with an army of Angels to guard him . And if yours bee not so attended , it is with better ; with the immortal seed of the word to make you bring forth unto life , and with powerfull praier , which landed Ionah , quenched the thirst of Ion. 2. Iudg. 15. 2 King 19. Iosh. 10. Ex. 32. 16 Sampson , slew an hundred fourscore and five thousand enemies , stopt the course of the sun , and is the wel-pleasing bonds of God to hold him close to you for obtaining all good . Therefore hold a good conscience .

Thus you see how you may Application . hold a good conscience , & the grounds of it . Oh that I could now dwell in your souls , to set them on work , totry whether you conforme to this rule of holding a good conscience , yea or no.

I finde some good people , Some think they have no good conscience , and why ? who ( being clouded with temptations ) think they have no conscience at all , and therefore that they cannot hold it . They look for more in themselves then God hath given : They measure Gods sea , not their own buckets : and are therfore unquiet , because they have no more . They set patternes before them too high for them to reach at an instant : Abrahams full saile of faith , Pauls chariot of conscience , and those first Christians extasies of joy , with joy unspeakeable 1 Pet. 1. 18. and glorious even in the fiery triall : and if they are not thus ( though their cases differ ) downe they fall . They reade themselves still in a lecture of the law , and look for a deal of legall righteousnes to purge conscience , before Iustification by the bloud of Christ , made theirs by faith , to pacifie it : & if they have not , at the first Deus et natura non faciunt saltum . leap what they would , they put off good conscience , as the high-priest Iudas , what is that to us ?

I find more wicked people , Some think they have all good conscience , and why ? who think they have all good conscience . They sleepe out the storme , and doe not feele the heart-quake . The God of this world blinds them with prosperity . If he can , they shal not faile of profit , pleasure , or honor , while the vines , & olives , and fig-trees are blasted , the brambles grow to a full height : therefore their consciences cannot but be good . They are rock't a sleepe , and are not awake yet , they look not into the perfect law of liberty , and therefore ( for want of fight ) covenant with hell and death . Es. 28. They have leasure to doe nothing but to draw iniquity with cords of vanity , and sin as it were Es. 5. with cart-ropes : they still their consciences with sweet words , & couzen them with outward Luk. 15. 1● . Matth. 7. et 25 : formality . They are in their owne delights , as in their own proper places : and then as elements are not heavy when they are where they would be : so sinne troubles not their consciences while it is in its center . They are dead in sinnes 6 ph. 2. and trespasses ; and if you lay the load of the whole world upon a dead man , he feels it not : so , nor conscience the heavy burthen of sin . But as a melancholick man , in his passionate pleasures forgets his owne thoughts , but when the game is ended , he thinks more dismally , though for the present he is set up to the merry pinne : so the poore sinner layes aside his pensivenesse to indulge to his presenr fancy , till the time of rousing comes . Hence , or from such like springs , wicked men thinke they have a good conscience , and therfore they thinke they Therefore try whether yee hold good conscience 1 Try the light of conscience hold it : therefore it behoves you to try whether you hold a good conscience , yea or no.

Do ye hold the light of conscience ? good soules do desire to enform themselves in every particle of Gods will for faith and manners , As a good master desires to give light to his servants , that they may see to work : so deale good christians with conscience . But do not you love ignorance ? Indeed , ye come to the church , and heare the word , but yee quickly lay it aside , like a strait payr of shoes , wherein he cannot go in ease . How shall conscience work ( think you ) if it have no light ? There is an in Lumen . 1 Innatum . 2 Seminatum . bred light which will helpe in some things ; but if ye have not that sowed light which the sower went out to sowe by the word of Christ , it is not so good as it should . Workes of darknesse will bee committed by men ●n darkenesse , who love not light , because their deedes are evill : Doe yee therefore hold the light of conscience ?

Do ye hold the love of conscience ? you will all say , yes : & 2 Try the love of conscience I grant that ye love it as a dog loves a cudgel . It is ready to smite you at every turne , as it can spy day at a little hole , and to make your hearts heavy in the midst of laughter , and doe you love this ? A good mans loves it dearly . Oh saith he , let mee have a good conscience stil ! let a righteous conscience smite mee stil : let it bee my counsellour , comforter , corrector stil . But had you not rather be without it ? yee cannot gaine so much as you would for conscience : ye cannot drink so freely of pleasure as you would for conscience : ye cannot advance your selves as you would for conscience , Oh how it troubles you ! therefore ye wound it , smother it , stop the mouth of it , and will not heare it , though a good man might by it bee satisfied from Pro. 14 , 14. himselfe , Is this to hold the love of conscience ?

Do ye hold the worke of conscience ? 3 Try the worke of conscience Es 57. A good man will let it perfect its work in the feare of God . He propounds fairly ; he that is broken hearted shall bee comforted : he that is weary and pressed down with sinnes shal Math. 11. Apoc. 2. be refreshed : he that fights the good fight of faith , shall have the crown of life : he that adds to his faith knowledge , to his knowledge vertue , & so forth , shall make his calling and election 2 Pet. 1. sure , because he shal neither be barren nor unfruitfull : hee that hath the fruits of the spirit , Gal. 5. 22. 23. against him there is no law to condemne . Hee applies as truely : but I have a broken heart , I am weary of sin , I fight faithfully according to strength received , I chaine my graces together in act ( as occasion is offered ) as I have them in habit , and as I have the fruits of the spirit in me : therefore hee concludes as necessarily , therfore so long as I continue in this estate , I shal have comfort heere , and salvation hereafter . A wicked man wil sometimes suffer conscience to work too , according to light : Abimelechs conscience will not let him wrong Abrahams wife , which Gen. 20. comes not because the conscience is good out of faith unfained , but good out of feare and awe . But tell me : doe yee suffer conscience to worke in all things ? Then would yee so powerfully conclude against your selves , that yee must say , 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10. I must amend , or perish . No unrighteous person what ever , whether fornicator , adulterer , reviler , drunkard , covetous person , extortioner , shal inherit the kingdome of heaven : but I am so , and so ; therefore in this estate , I shall never get heaven . Hee that neglects the call of God , shal call upon God , and God will not heare , but laugh Pro. 1. when his destruction comes : but I have done so ; therefore God will deale so with mee . Hee that being often reproved , Pro. 29 1. hardneth his necke , shall suddenly be destroyed without remedy : but I have hardened my necke against all reproofes ; therfore what may I look for ( if I amend not ) but destruction ? Doe ye thus conclude for your amendment ? Doe ye not rather conclude quite otherwise ? Gods word saith so , & so ; but I do not so do ; or if I do otherwise , God will save sinners , and I shall escape . Is this to hold the worke of coscience ?

Lastly , doe yee hold the 4 Try the charge of conscience . charge of conscience ? What an universal bishopricke hath conscience over the whole man , and all of man ? There is no inclination , imagination , power , thought , word , or deed , but it is under the power of conscience , and do ye hold this ? Davids conscience looked to his inclinations ; I was Psal. 18. 23 upright before God , and kept my selfe from my wickednesse . Agurs conscience looked to his understanding & thoughts ; if thou hast done foolishly , if Pro. 30. 21 thou have thought evill , lay thy hand upon thy mouth . Davids conscience looked to his words ; I will keepe my mouth with a bridle : and to his deeds , Psal 39. I said I will take heede unto my waies . But as Christ did mourn within himselfe , when he saw the multitude , because they were as sheepe without a shepherd : Mat. 9. 36. so may you for the neglect of conscience in all these . Yee are inclined to every evil way , yet conscience takes no notice . How is your understanding overwhelmed with ignorance , and stuffed with worldly vanity ? How are your memories charged with unprofitables , and your affections lavished wickedly , and yet conscience is silent ? your thoughts , words , and deedes , are not visited by conscience as they should . It neither viewes , nor censures , nor corrects , as is meete . Oh why doe you not hold conscience ? Let it looke to every secret , and when it knows the duty , let it looke about and apply it ( as need is ) to every part & power of body and soule . This will work amendment for the present , and care for the time to come , and so shall yee hold conscience .

It may be you will say , how How to help to the holding of conscience . shall I helpe my selfe forward to such a glorious work ? I answer , Get a a rich mine of grace and duty into your hearts . As a good man hath a good treasure in his heart : so must you , by laying up the word in your Deut. 16. Pro. 6. hearts , and binding it to your hearts , by a powerful impression . Present this treasure to your consciences , that it may make you smite your selves upon your thighes , and say , what have I done ? Then walke in the presence of God , as David , when I awake , I Psal. 139. am ever before thee : and then the servant will worke when hee is before his master . Next , have a setled watchfulnesse over all your wayes , covenanting with heart , eyes , tongue , and hand , not wilfully to sinne against God .

And lastly , commit your waeyes to GOD by hearty prayers , and hee will rectifie all by the bloud and spirit of your JESVS : and so , surely , shall you hold both faith , and a good conscience too , to the comfort of your soules , and to the Glory of your GOD , to whom bee praise , power , and Glory now , and for ever ,

Amen . FINIS .

Imprimatur

Sept. 1. 1638. Tho. Wykes .