THis Chapter containeth three principall parts. In the first wee haue the re­surrection of our blessed Sauiour witnessed by women, by an Angell, by three seuerall apparitions: In the se­cond wee haue the Apostles Mission in their great Ambassage; In the third Christs glorious Ascension into Heauen. In the second part there are foure principall point [...] obseruable. First, To whom the [Page 2] Apostles were sent. Secondly, What to doe. Thirdly, The effects of their labour. Fourthly, The signes that should follow in those that did beleeue. The two first are contained in the fifteenth verse. The last in the seuenteenth and eighteenth. The third is my text. Where wee see the twofold effect of preaching laied downe in two Propositions: The first containing a Promise, the second a Threat. In the promise we may obserue two things: First, to whom it is made? Secondly, what it is? As if it should haue said in more wordes thus, Hee (that is) whosoeuer, bee he, Iew or Graecian, young or olde, bond or free, rich or poore, man or woman that belee­ueth (that is) that vnderstandeth, and vn­derstanding assenteth to, and assenting, applieth to himselfe the message that you bring, and is baptized, (that is) that doth manifest the truth of his faith by the vse of the meanes for the confirmation of the same, or doth obserue conscionably those things that I command (Baptisme being a part for the whole) or is indeed (not onely with outward water) baptized into the name of the Father, the Sonne and the Ho­ly Ghost, is truely baptized by the new [Page 3] birth of the water of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, is made conformable to his death, and doth know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. Such bee they, of what nation, condition, sex, or age soeuer: shall bee saued, that is, shall assuredly receiue all the good things that doe concerne soule and bodie, this life, and that which is to come; Grace heere, and Glorie hereafter. And thus the instru­ctions doe naturally arise. First, from that the promise is made indefinitely, to euery one: hee that beleeueth. The doctrine is,

Doct. 1 That all the Priuiledges and Promises that appertaine to beleeuers, doe indifferent­ly stretch to euery one aswell as to any one. The truth of this may appeare by many testimonies of Scripture, of which sort are these following:Io. 1.12. But as many as receiued him, to them gaue hee the priuiledge to be­come the sonnes of God, euen to as many as beleeued in his name. AndIo. 3.16. So God loued the world, that hee gaue his onely begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life. In the first, you see, as many as, twise re­peated: in the later, whosoeuer, which ex­tendeth to all.

The reason is, to shew Gods equalitie and his impartiall dealing with the sonnes of men: which Peter tooke notice of, where he said:Act. 10.34. Of a truth, I perceiue that God is no accepter of persons, but in euerie nation, such as feare him, and worke righte­ousnesse, are accepted with him.

Seeing then that the promises of God doe belong to all, aswell as to any belee­uer: Wee may learne, to beEphes. 5.1 followers of God, as deare children.

The Magistrate may hence learne, to iudge impartially, to execute iudgement, without respect of persons, to deale vp­rightly, betweene the rich, and poore, the bond, and free. Hereby hee shall draw Iam. 4 8 neere to God, and be most like him: he is no respecter of persons, he not onely of­fereth, but bestoweth saluation vpon all sorts indifferently. Let such call to minde that worthy example of good Iehosaphat, who said to the Iudges,2. Chron. 169. Take heede what you doe: for you iudge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the Iudgement: Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you, take heed and doe it, for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God, nor re­spect of Persons, nor taking of gifts.

The Minister hath hence an Instructi­on to inuite all to the Supper of the Lambe. Christ sayth,Mat. 11.28 Io. 7.37 Come vnto me all yet that trauell, and are heauie laden. And a­gaine, If any man thirst, let him come vnto mee and drinke. Reuel. 22.17. And the Spirit and the Bride say. Come And let him that is athirst, come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And whosoeuer will, Isay 55.1 let him take the water of Life, freely. So Isaiah, Ho, euery one that thirsteth, come yee to the waters. Iam. 2.1

All may learne, not to haue the Faith of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Lord of Glorie, with respect of Persons. Secondly, this re­proueth the practise of those Magistrates, that regard mens persons in iudgement, fauouring some for their riches, and op­pressing others that are but of mean estate. Herein they differ from God, and do mani­festly discouer thēselues not yet to be his.

Also such Ministers are reproued as flatter the rich, and fawne vpon the migh­tie, but scorne the weake, and despise the poore. These swarme in all parts where the Gospell is preached: Not onely amongst those of Babels side, but also euen here amongst vs. Yea those that are so con­uersant about Touch not, Taste not, Han­dle [Page 6] not, these that would bee reformers of others, are herein most irreformed thē ­selues. Oh, fearefull is the condition of such: surely the Lord neuer sent them; or if they say he did, they must proue it, by that they haue such a commission, as Christ himselfe neuer had. He professeth himselfe to be sentIsay 61.1 to the poore: and hee reioyceth, thatMat. 11.5 The poore receiued the Gos­pell: verse 25 that babes vnderstood that which the rich and wise were ignorant of. Io. 7.49. The people of least esteeme were his chiefe followers.

Here also by this, are discouered the darke courses of such as, dare impudently to affirme, that women haue no soules: and that seruants, are of no esteeme with God; or that children, shall bee damned. Albeit the very naming such things, is grieuous to an honest heart: yet wee will a little touch these, for satisfaction of any poore ignorant soule. Such might read of1. Pet. 3.5.6 Sara, that she is termed a holy wo­man, yea, the mother of faithfull women: Of Priscilla, famous for knowledge and practise, forAct. 18.26. knowledge, able to instruct learned Apollos, forRo. 16.3 practise, rea­die to lay downe her life for Paul. There is also an elect Ladie, and her elect Sister, & [Page 7] many other women, whose names are re­gistred in the Booke of Life.

For seruants, besides the Apostles mentiō of seruants, where he writeth to none but Saints, Onesimus being a seruant,Phile. 16. hath such a title giuen him, as no reprobate euer had

As for children, it is euident also in the Gospell, by our Sauiours behauiour to­ward them, his speeches of them,Mar. 9.36 Act. 2.38 his pro­mises to them and such as they are; that it is without controuersie,Heb. 8.11 they are within the Couenant, and the promise extends e­uen as farre as them also.

To conclude this point, Paul profes­seth himselfe, A debter both to Greekes, Rom. 1.14 and to the Barbarians, both to the wise, and to the vnwise. And the Holy Ghost hath testified, that in Christ there is neyther Iew, Col. 3.11 nor Greeke, circumcision nor vncircumcision, Barbarian, Scithian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Lastly, this serueth for the comfort of all that eyther desire Christ, or alreadie haue obtained the possession of him. It is as a shield, for the one, and a great incou­ragement, for the other, when Satan shall labour to discourage, or affright. Desi­rest thou to come to Christ? and doth Sa­tan [Page 8] tell thee, it belongeth not to thee, and that because of thy nation, age, or condi­tion? Thou maist holdly tell him, that God inuites all, therefore thee, aswell as another.

Art thou in Christ? and would Satan cause thee to doubt of any thing that con­cernes the life to come, or distrust for this life? Thou maiest boldly say, The promi­ses runne indifferently to all beleeuers: Thou art a beleeuer: therefore to thee.

Thus hauing concluded the first point, That the promi [...]es of God doe stretch to eue­ry beleeuer as well as to any, Wee see in the next place from the restraint, Hee that be­leeueth:

Doct. 2 That the Promises of God doe extend to none but those that are beleeuers. So we see in the forecited Scriptures.Io. 1.12 But as manie as receiued him, to them gaue he the right to become the sonnes of God. To them, and to none but them.Ro. 1.16 So also in another place, The Gospell of Christ, is the Power of God vnto saluation, Io. 3.16. to euery one that beleeueth. And, So God loued the World, that hee gaue his onely begotten sonne, that whosoeuer be­leeueth in him, should not perish, but haue e­uerlasting Life.

Whosoeuer, is the extent: Whosoeuer beleeueth, the restraint.

The reason hereof is, Without Faith it is impossible to please God. In Christ alone, Heb. 11.6 Mat. 3.17 God is well pleased. Hence it was, that Paul spake such excellent things of Faith, and so highly prized it,Phil. 3.8 Thus hee esteemed all things but doung, that hee might winne Christ, and bee found in him, Ʋerse 9 not hauing his owne righteousnesse, which was of the Law, but the righteousnesse which is of Faith. And hence it is,Heb. 11.101. that Faith hath so excel­lent titles and effects mentioned in holy Scripture.

Seeing then that the promises of God are restrained onely to beleeuers: As thou desirest comfort by the promises of God, so must thou bee diligent in this search or inquisition. Neyther is it any ground of Comfort, that a man say, I haue Faith: or, I doe beleeue: as many presumptuously af­firme. For some there are that beleeue the Scriptures, to bee true.Iam. 2.19 The Deuils doe this, and more, they tremble. And it were fearefull to affirme, that they haue right to the promises of God. Yea, it may bee, these haue attained such outward refor­mation, that they are readie to censure all [Page 10] that are not so forward, of Profanenesse, and all that are more forward, of singu­laritie. These promise to themselues, that A­braham is their Father. There they doe be­gin, as did those that were taxed for it by Iohn Baptist. Luc. 3.8. Of such beleeuers, I doe not speake. For the difference betweene such and Infidels, is but this: Infidels not belee­uing at all, are sure of condemnation: and these beleeuing as they doe,Luc. 12.48. of a greater condemnation.

Therefore not standing on the definiti­on of Faith, we will rather consider of the ground where it is sowen, and of the companions that it hath. The ground wher Faith is sowen, is an humbled soule, a wounded spirit.Isay 66.2 Iam. 4 6. or rent heart; to such God giueth the grace of Faith, as are so prepared for it;Mat. 5.6 Zach. 12.10.13.1 such as hunger and thirst for it; such as mourne for it, to such, and to none but such, doth hee open a foun­taine for sinne, and for vncleannesse. Here­by then thou maist examine thy selfe: Hast thou sought to God with feare and trem­bling,Act. 16.19. Act. 2.37 as the Iailor did? Hast thou come with a pricked Conscience and cried, What must I doe to be saued? Mat. 9.12 Mat. 11.28 Hast thou felt thy soule sick with sinne? Hast thou beene [Page 11] pressed downe with the burden thereof? Hath thine heart melted within thee, and thine eyes gusht out with tea [...]es, for thy sinnes?

This wounded spirit, this sicke soule, this rent heart, this burdened Conscience, this is indeed the ground where GOD doth sow Righteousnesse,Hos. 10.12. Psa. 126.5. this is the man that shall reape in Mercie. They onely that thus sowin teares, shall reape inioy.

Thus much of the ground where Faith is sowen. Now of the companions that it hath; of these there are verie many, of which I will name some, especially those which are inseparable, or peculiar to true beleeuers.

The first which I will name, is peace: That Peace which passeth all vnderstan­ding. Rom. 5.1. Phil 4.7. This may bee illustrated by a quiet calme, after a great tempest, or a swo [...]e sleepe, after a sharp sit of an ague.

The second is Ioy.Rom. 14.17 Rom. 15.13 1. Pet. 1.8. The Ioy of the Holy Ghost. This is that which Peter calleth, Ioy vnspeakeable and full of glorie. This doth swallow all other ioyes, euen as the Sea doth swallow all other waters. This may be illustrated by safetie, after great dan­ger, or by great plentie, after much pe­nurie or want.

Gal. 5.6. 1. Tim. 1.5. Mat. 12.37.The third is Loue out of a pure Heart. This extendeth to God, to our Neigh­bour.

This Loue is expressed by our pliable­nesse to doe his will,1. Io. 5.3. For this is the loue of God, that wee keepe his Commandements, and his Commaundements are not grieuous.

To our Neighbours, To all; but especial­ly to the houshold of Faith. Gal. 6.10. 1. Pet. 1.22 1. Io. 3.16. To Gods chil­dren: This Loue is feruent: yea so fer­uent, as that wee can lay downe our liues for them.Mat. 5.44.45.46.47.48. This Loue stretcheth euen to E­nemies. This can no Reprobate euer haue.

A fourth may be boldnes: To cōfesse Christ before men. Prou. 18.1. The righteous are bold as a Lion. Ro. 10.10. Dan. 3.17.18. Dan. 6.10. Act. 21.13. Act. 4.19.20. Heb. 11.37. Rom. 5.3. Heb. 10.36. Rom. 8.17. Iam. 5.11. He. 12.1.2. Phil. 1.23. This is an inseperable companion of true Faith. This was in Daniel, in the three children, in Paul, in the other A­postles, in all the blessed Saints who haue died for the testimonie of Iesus.

A fifth Patience to beare the Crosse, to endure tribulation, to suffer with Christ. This was euident in Iob, who is therefore proposed to beleeuers as a Patterne ther­of. But our perfect patterne is Christ Iesus, who endured the Crosse.

A sixth, a desire to bee euer with the [Page 13] Lord, to see him face to face.2. Cor. 5.2. An earnest groaning to bee clothed vpon with our house, which is from Heauen, to be vnburthened of this bodie of death, Rom. 8.13. and that as God is be­come the Father of our spirits, so he would become the Father of bodies and spirits, That our vile bodies may bee changed, Phil. 3.21. and fashioned like vnto the glorious bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ.

A seuenth, is a holy waiting for the time of our dissolution, which may be ter­med Hope,Rom. 8.24.25. Iob. 14.14. and is so called by the Holy Ghost: We are saued by hope: and If wee hope for that we see not, we doe with patience wait for it

These are the Companions of true sa­uing Faith, & within the compasse of one of these all the rest may be couched.

Hereby thou maist trie thy selfe. Hast thou beene troubled, and terrified with the sight of thy sinnes?Isay 57.19. Is. 61.1.2.3 Mat. 5.4. 1. Tim. 1.13. Psal. 119.103. Mat. 10.42 Psal. 16.3. 1. Io. 5.1. And art thou now at Peace? Hast thou mourned? And dost thou reioyce? Hast thou hated God in his Word, in his Prophets, or poore children? And dost thou delight in his Law, receiue his Prophets, because they are his Pro­phets; delight in the Saints, because they are his children?

Hast thou bin greedie of reuenge, [...]nd readie to requite euill with euill? And dost thou loue thine enemies, blesse them that curse thee, Mat. 5.44. doe good to them that hate thee, pray for them which despightfully vse thee, & persecute thee? Rom. 12.21 In a word, canst thou now desire, to ouercome their euill with good?

Hast thou blushed to be seene at a Ser­mon, or reading the word, or in the com­panie of the poore Saints, or hast thou withdrawne thy selfe from the perfor­mance of any dutie for feare of persecuti­on?Act. 21.13. Act. 5. [...]9. H [...]st. 4.16. And dost thou now resolue to doe whatsoeuer God commands, and to suf­fer for not doing, that which he forbids?

Hast thou beene impatient in crosses and readie to murmure? and art thou now able with alacritie to heare any thing, es­pecially for the name of Christ?

Hast thou feared death, and trembled at the time of dissolution? And is the day of death (now in thy esteeme) better then the day that thou wast borne? Eccles. 7.1. dost thou long for it, Act. 3.19. and thirst after it, as for the time of refre­shing? A [...] [...]5.18. Hast thou foolishly desired the day of the Lord in thy desperate passions? And canst thou now wait with Patience for the time of thy dissolution? Then maist [Page 15] thou take comfort to thy soule, that all the promises of God doe belong to thee, be thy nation, estate, s [...]x, or age, what it will. But if thou find no such change, but that thou art the same thou wert euer, as thou wast borne, so thou hast liued, and excepting a little swimming knowledge in thy braine, and colde performance of outward duties, thou findest no such sin­gular thing?Mat. 5 47. Doe not then deceiue thy selfe, thou art not that beleeuer, of the which I speake: to whom the promises d [...]e belong.

Now hauing an eye to the text, againe we will see what more will arise. Hee that beleeueth, and to baptized.

Not to speake her [...], of the substance of Baptisme, which is chiefly aimed at: but of the signe, which is also included. Though the former might wel serue for the confutation of Papist, who ascribe as much to the signe, as to the truth: most foolishly affirming, that those that die without the signe, [...] [...]. 1. Cor. 1 2. [...]. 1.3 [...]. [...] 5.2 [...].2. are dam [...]ed as also of the Anabaptist, who d [...]nie children the signe, though they can by no meanes de­nie them the substance: for that were to crosse the whole Booke of God. Both [Page 16] these doting too much vpon the bare let­ter and order of the words; whereby they shew their Ignorance of the Scriptures,Mat. 22.19 Isay 65.23. & of the power and loue of God to his and their seed: but leauing this at this time, seeing Faith and Baptisme are ioyned to­gether. Hence I doe collect this point of instruction:

Doct. 3 That true Faith, and the diligent vse of the meanes for confirmation thereof, are in­seperable.

Wheresoeuer the one is in truth, there is also the other. This may appeare by that the Apostle writing to the Saints, at Colossa: and hauing prooued vnto them their effectuall calling, he willeth them, as theCol. 3.11.12. Elect of God, to put on the bowels of tender mercie, kindnesse, humblenesse of minde, long suffering: as if hee would say, Because yee are the Elect of God, there­fore put on these things: for those that are the Elect of God, cannot after their effe­ctuall calling, bee seperate from these. So againe the same Apostle writing to those at Thessalonica, bids them not sleepe as o­thers, but1. Thes. 5.7. to watch and bee sober: for God hath not appointed you to wrath, (saith hee) but to obtaine saluation by Iesus Christ. As [Page 17] if he should say, Those that God hath or­dained to eternall life, they watch, they are sober.

So writing toPhil. 1.6. Philippi, and being con­fident of their saluation, hee yet presseth them to obedience, andPhil. 2.12 to worke out their owne saluation with feare and trembling.

And Peter also hauing prooued the truth of the regeneration of those Saints, to whom hee writeth, presseth them to1. Pet. 2.2 desire the sincere milke of the word, that they might grow thereby.

The reasons of this may be many: but I will onely vrge one, which is this, That whereby our assurance is made knowne vnto vs, the knowledge of it doth not take away, but establish. But it is made knowne vnto vs, by the vse of the meanes for the increase thereof: Therefore the knowledge of Gods as­sured loue doth not take away, but establish the vse of the meanes. So that it remaines firme, That true faith and outward obe­dience can be no more separated, then the light and the Sunne, or heat and the fire. This being so, it may helpe to stop Satans mouth in his Instruments, who will not sticke to call in question, the truth of the doctrine of Predestination, and of the as­surance [Page 18] of the sauour of God, in this life. For say they, If this be true, that God hath predestinated vs to the obtaining of eter­nall life, doe what euill we can, we shall be saued; or if we are predestinated to death, doe what good we can, we must be dam­ned. These suppose they haue reasoned wisely, this wisedome being so pleasing to the flesh. They neuer consider that Scriptures are plaine against them, cleare­ly shewing vs, that hee that ordained to the end, ordained to the meanes whereby the end is attained. As the Apostle plaine­ly sheweth, where he saith, Wee are bound to giue thankes alway to God for you, 2. The. 2.13 bre­thren, beloued of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and be­leefe of the Truth. And againe, As manie as were ordained to eternall life, A [...]t. 13.18. beleeued.

Neyther doe such wretches consider, into what blasphemie they breake, by questioning the truth, because their car­nall reason cann [...]t reach it. But if they would but hearken to arguments drawne from their reas [...]n, it might serue to con­ui [...]ce them. They will graunt, if a man will goe a iourney, hee must goe the way [Page 19] that leadeth to the end of that iourney; If he will be warme in Winter, he must make vse of the fire, of wa [...]me clothes, or some bodily exercise: if then they bee so wise in things of this life, why should they not vnderstand this also? That hee that ordai­ned men for glorie,2. Thes. 4.3. Willed also then holy­nesse here, created them to good workes, re­deemed them, Lu. 1 68.75 that they might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteou [...]nesse before him all the dayes of their life, [...]t. 2.14. that they should be zealous of good workes, called them not to vncleannesse, but to holinesse. 1. The [...]. 4.7. 1. Pet. 1.1. And as Peter saith, He elected them to obedience.

As for example: God decreed, and told Rebecca so:Gen. 25.23 That Esau should serue Ia­cob. Yet hee also decreed, that Rebecca should vse the meanes for Iacobs escape, G [...]. 27.43 from his brothers rage.

He had decreed that Paul should wit­nesse at Rome, and told him so:Act. 23.11. Yet he also decreed, that he should vse the meanes by his sisters sonne, to the chiefe captaine, [...] 17. for to escape the cruell vowe of the Iewes.

He decreed that not one o [...] those should be lost, which were with Paul in the ship.Act. [...]7 24.31. Yet hee also decreed, that the meanes should be vsed for their escape. Hee de­creed [Page 20] to bestow many things on his peo­ple:Eze. 36.37. but he also decreed, they should pray for them.

And surely, those that remaine obsti­nate, affirming, that if we may be assured neuer to fall away, then wee may commit sinne, and liue how we will, may haue their mouthes stopped iustly with this; namely, That it is euident, they neuer were assured of the fauour of God, and so consequently,Ephes. 2.12. they are yet without, and are meere strangers to the life of God, and aliens to the Commōwealth of Israel. For such as haue this Faith, or this assurance of the Loue of God,Heb. 12.28. haue also a delight in the Law of God, a desire to hold it fast, by seruing God with reuerence and godly feare, and doe know, that they that are iu­stified, are also sanctified: and that they that are Christs,Gal. 5.24. haue crucified the flesh with the lustes thereof.

Let this teach all those that haue assu­rance, to labour for the increase thereof, and to striue vnto perfection in know­ledge, Heb. 6.1. 2. Cor. 7.1. and perfection in holinesse, and not alwayes to looke to bee fed with milke. For as knowledge doth increase, so doth faith increase, and as faith increaseth, so [Page 21] obedience increaseth. There is no stan­ding at a stay, or sitting idlely here,Psa. 128.1. 1. Cor. 9.24. 2. Tim. 4.7. it is a walke, and must be gone; a race, and must be runne; a combate, and must be fought.

Euery plant that is planted here, must flourish more and more.Psal. 92.12. Ioh. 15.2.3. Reuel. 2.19. Euery branch must bring forth more fruit. The last workes of beleeuers must be more then the first.

This may bee as a s [...]urre to such as are almost settled on the [...]ees of security, such as formerly haue beene forward in hea­ring, and now are almost carelesse whether they heare or no, and such as haue bene much in prayer, and meditati [...]n: such as haue desired conference with Ministers & Saints. But now they are growne almost cold in all these. Oh let such take heed whither they are falling, and labour to re­couer themselues speedily, lest their lamps goe out,Mat. 15.1.2.3.4. and they be to seeke of oyle when the Bridegroome comes.

Lastly, this doth plainely discouer such as scoffe at the outside, and are enemies to hearing, prayer, conference and such like, that (say they what they wil) they doe not yet beleeue, because wheresoeuer Faith is (I meane alwaies true Faith) there is out­ward obedience, and a willing submission [Page 22] to the ordinances of God for the increase of the same.

Now if wee looke againe to the Text, we shall find another Doctrine from these words, he that beleeueth, & is baptized. For seeing (as before hath beene proued) that outward obedience and inward truth are inseparable, and seeing the promises are made not to one alone, but to both, if they may bee had: and that here is meant not so much the outward signe, as the truth of Baptisme:

Doct. 4 Hence wee may gather this Doctrine, That the signe without the thing signified, the outward shew without the inward truth, is of no value. Rom. 2.28.29. So we read, He is not a Iew which is a Iew without, neyther is that Circumcisi­on, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Iew, which is one inwardly, which Circum­cision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose prayse is not of man, but of God. Jer. 4.4. And Ieremie willeth those that before were circumcised, To circumcise themselues to the Lord. E [...]. 44.9. So Ez [...]chiel, No stranger vncircumcised in heart, nor vncir­cumcised in flesh, sh [...]ll enter into my San­ctuary. So that here, those that are vncir­cumcised in heart, are excluded out of [Page 23] the true Sanctuarie, and are accounted strangers.

The reason is, God desireth truth in the inward parts, he requireth the heart:Psal. 51.6. Pro. 23.26. Hee iudgeth not the affection by the action, as Man: but the Action by the affection,2 Cor. 8.12. as God. Seeing it is so, that shewes without substances, will not serue turne: let this teach vs to make cleane the inside first, to giue our hearts vnto the Lord, to labour for truth in the inward parts: Let vs labor for approbation with God, and prayse with him. This is that which will cheere our soules, and comfort our spirits, and make vs truely merrie, when wee can say, If I regard wickednesse in my heart, Psa. 66.18. the Lord will not heare me; but God hath heard mee.

This reprooues such as slatter them­selues with the outward performance of duties. If they be baptized (as they say) & bring their children to outward Baptisme; If they assemble themselues outwardly to the hearing of the word, the receiuing of the Lords Supper; If by their good Me­mories they bee able to beare in mind the Doctrines deliuered, and repeate them to their Families, shew much loue to Mini­sters, [Page 24] kindnesse to professors, such as they themselues are, though in the mean while they feele no Peace with God, or Ioy in the Holy Ghost: yet here they rest, and doe esteeme themselues of the best sort of beleeuers Albeit a man may doe all this, and be damned.

Were there not formerly, That could say, The Temple of the Lord, Ier. 7.4. The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord, are these? and others that could say,Isay 65.5. Stand by thy selfe, come not neere mee; for I am holier then thou.

Were there not that appeared before the Lord,Is. 1.11.15. with a multitude of Sacrifices, and store of long Prayers, stretching out their hands euen like vnto the children of God?

Were there not that fasted, and hung downe their heads like a Bulrush for a day?Isay 58.5.

Rom. 2.17. Ʋerse 18.Were there not that did rest in the law, and were called Iewes, and made their boast of God, Verse 19. and knew his will, and approued the things that were more excellent, being instru­cted out of the Law, being also confident that they themselues were guides of the blind, Ʋerse [...]0. lights of them which were in darknes, instructers of the foolish, teachers of babes, [Page 25] hauing the forme of knowledge, and of truth in the Law.

And yet these holy ones (as they thought themselues) were threatned ven­geance for their hypocrisie. They were they that trusted in lying words & coun­terfeit shewes, a smoak they were in Gods nose, abhorred and accursed in all their courses. They were they that caused the Name of God to bee blasphemed, euen in their fasts, finding their owne pleasures, and exacting all their labours, fasting for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickednesse, as those Scriptures do manifest.Luk. 13.24. Mat. 25.11.12. Mat. 7.21.22.23. Are there not some that shall seeke to enter, and not get in: that shall crie earnestly, and knocke aloud, and bee sent away: that shall be able to say, they haue cast out deuils, and done many great workes, and yet reiected?2. Tim. 3.5. Are there not o­thers, that haue the forme of godlinesse, and yet must be separated from? what shal we say to this then?

Surely as we beganne: It is not the signe, but the thing signified; not the shew,Mat. 23.25. Luk. 11.39. but the substance; not the making cleane of the outside, but the inside; not the forme, but the power of godlines that is auaileable.

Now neuer could our Sauiour more iustly say in his time: Woe be to Scribes, & Pharises Hyp [...]crites▪ then we may at this day say the like of outside Christians (if I m [...]y so say) I doe not meane those onely that are openly prophane, whose sinnes are written in their forheads: but those espe­cially, that haue a strict outside of godli­nesse.

Col. 2.21. England doth swarme with Pharisees: such as are conu [...]rsant about Touch not, Tast not,2. Pet. 2. Handle no [...]. Such as hauing vo­luntarie humilitie, and pretended sinceri­tie, doe despise gouernment, and speake euill of dignities. Presumptuous they are, and selfe-willed, and speaking euill of the things they vnderstand not, they creep in­to houses,2. Tim. 3. and lead captiue silly women laden with sinnes, ledde away with diuers lusts, and as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses, so doe these men resist the Truth, men of corrupt minds, of no Iudgement concer­ning the Faith. These are they that take ad­uantage of weake consciences, ceazing on them as their own, by cumbring them with outward things, and by telling them, here is Christ,M [...]. 24.23 26. or there is Christ; when if the truth were knowne, they neuer yet had [Page 27] Christ themselues: yet hereby they draw Disciples after them, and therehence suck they no small aduantage. Of such I dare say, that notwithstanding their outward flourish,Mal. 21.31 yet Publicans and Harlots shall enter into the Kingdome of GOD be­fore them. Yea, that open prophane ones are sooner drawne to sinceritie,Pro. 26.12. then these, and apter to receiue instruction. So wise are they in their owne eyes,Pro. 30.12. and pru­dent in their own sight, that there is more hope of Fooles then of them; yea,Ier. 5.26.27.28. that there is more humanitie and greater loue amongst those whom they terme profane, then amongst themselues.

Here let none so forget the former Do­ctrine, to mistake me, as if I did oppose my selfe against all outward shew. No, far be it from me, to thinke that the inside can be cleane, and the outside filthie: howso­euer I say, there are a multitude of such as seeme to such as themselues are, to bee cleane without, who are notwithstanding foule within.

To conclude then, beginne to make cleane the inside, and then all is cleane. Get true faith, and outward obedience will certainly follow. But if thou get ne­uer [Page 28] so much of outward constitution as thou thinkest, and remaine foule within, Thy hatred being couered with deceit, shall certainly be discouered in the whole Congre­gation. Pro. 26.26. Job 20.5.22.27. And thus much of the first point, to whom the promise is made. Now wee are come to the promise it selfe; Shall bee saued.

The promise is saluation, which contai­neth all the good things that concerne soule or bodie, this life or that to come, as it is written,1. Tim. 4.8. Godlinesse is profitable to all things, hauing promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Psal. 84.11. And, The Lord will giue grace and glory. Doct. 5 Hence ariseth this Doctrine, That all good things that doe concerne this Life, or that which is to come, are of right due to those that doe beleeue: or, That those that doe beleeue, and are indeed baptized, or made conformable to Christs death, and doe feele the power of his resur­rection in themselues, such may challenge as their proper right, and claime as their heri­tage, all the good things that doe concerne this life, or that which is to come.

1. Cor. 3.21.This the Apostle affirmeth plainely, where hee sayth, All things are yours, whe­ther Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the [Page 29] World, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and yee are Christs, and Christ is Gods.

The reason is, God hath promised, and he cannot but performe.Deut. 32.4. Tit. 1.2. Hee is the God of Truth, Righteous in all his wayes: The God that cannot lie.

Another may be this, Hee hath giuen the greater, and cannot denie the lesser, as it is written,Rom. 8.32. Hee that spared not his owne Sonne, but deliuered him vp for vs all: how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things?

Will any man giue Gold, and denie Dust? Will a man giue his Life, and denie his Goods? or will a man giue goods, and not afford good lookes, nor a good word?

The consideration of this may cheere vp the hearts of those that are beleeuers;Esay 25.6. Gen. 18.25. Exod. 32.11.12. Neh. 1.8.9. Dan. 9.16.17.18.19. Act. 4.24.29.30. Heb. 13.8. Isay 59.1. here is a Feast for them of fat things, full of Marrow, of Wine on the Lees well re­fi [...]ed. So that beleeuers may challenge Gods promises as boldly, as euer Abra­ham, Moses, Nehemiah, Daniel, The Church in the Apostles time, or any of the Saints euer did. The Lord is Iehouah, the same for euer: His hand is not shortned, that [Page 30] it cannot saue, neyther his eare heauie, that it cannot heare.

Dost thou then want wisedome? Thou maist aske it of God.Prou. 2.6.7. Hee is the giuer of wisedome, out of his mouth commeth know­ledge and vnderstanding. He layeth vp wise­dome for the Righteous. Here you see, God setteth forth himselfe as his childrens trea­surer.1. Kin. 3.9. Salomon asked wisedome and was not denied. And Iames extendeth this to all the Saints:Iam. 1.5.6. If any of you lacke wisedome, let him aske of God, that giueth to all men li­berally, and vpbraideth not; and it shall bee giuen him.

Pro. 3.33. Pro. 10.22. Psal. 112.3.Dost thou want riches? Thou hast the blessing of the Lord. This onely maketh rich. And it is written, That wealth and riches are in the house of him that feareth the Lord. Mat. 19.29 And it is also written, That whosoe­uer forsaketh Houses, Mat. 10.30. or Lands for Christs name sake, for the Gospels sake, or the King­dome of God, Luk. 18.19. shall receiue euen in this Life manifold, yea an hundred sold more, euen in this present time.

Mat. 10.30Is it friends thou dost desire? Thou hast the promise of Fathers, and Mothers, Bre­thren, Iam. 5.16. Sisters, and Children. What grea­ter friends then such? The prayers of one of [Page 31] them being more auaileable for thee, then the power of a whole Kingdome against thee.

These will lay downe their liues for thee. Their loue is feruent loue. 1. Ioh. 3.16. 1. Pet. 1.22 2. Sa. 20.17 Euen as was the loue of Ionathan to Dauid, Who loued him euen as his owne soule: And as the loue of Aquila and Priscilla to Paul, who were readie, and did in effect lay downe their own neckes for Pauls life. Rom. 16.4. This is that wee finde written in the Prouerbs of Salomon. There is a friend that sticketh closer then a brother. Pro. 18.24.

Is Honour desireable? What more ho­nourable,Ioh. 1.12. Ps. 149. vlt. then of a sonne of a Mortall Man, to become the sonne of the Immor­tall God? Such honour haue all the Saints. And who haue beene more honourable then the Children of God? As Ioseph, Mardochey, Daniel, and the rest?

Is safetie a good thing?Isa. 54. vlt. This is thine he­ritage, and thou maist therefore claime it as thy proper right, as the seruants of God haue done.Psal. 91.4. Let thy truth (O Lord) bee my shield and buckler.

Thy defence is, A wall of Fire, The mu­nition of Rockes, A guard of Angels, Psal. 68.17. Zach. 2.5. Isay 33.16. as Chariots of Fire, and Horses of Fire doth compasse thee round about.

Is Peace pleasant vnto thee? Thy Ha­bitation [Page 32] is Peaceable. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all mine holy Mountaine. Isay 6.9. No Lion or rauenous beast doth walke in that way. Isay 35.8.9 Isay 9.6. Nah. 1.15. Thy Prince is a Prince of Peace: All those that are his Ambassadors, are glad ty­dings bringers. Thy owne feete are shod with the shooes of Peace: Ephe. 6.15. Mat. 5.9. All thy Companions are Peacemakers. God hath promised to extend Peace like a Riuer to those that dwell in Sion. Isay 66.12.

Delightest thou in many followers or seruants,Psal. 91.11. Psal. 34.7. to wait on thy person? God hath giuen his Angels charge of thee. The Angels doe encampe about thee wheresoeuer thou art: Heb. 1.14. They are ministring Spirits, sent foorth for the good of them that shall be saued. And it is written,Mat. 18.10 Take heed that yee offend not one of these little ones that beleeue in me, saith Christ; for I say vnto you, Their Angels doe alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in Heauen.

Is victorie ouer aduersaries a good thing?Rom. 8 37. 1. Pet. 5.8. Gal. 5.24. 1 Ioh. 5 4. Beleeuers are more then Conquerors. By Faith the Deuill is resisted, the flesh cru­cified, and the World ouercome.

Is mirth desired by thee? What greater ioy,Rom. 14.17 then the Ioy of the Holy Ghost? This will make thee to eat thy bread with Ioy, and [Page 33] drinke thy wine with a merry heart, Eccles. 9.7. when thou art once a beleeuer: for then, and not till then shalt thou know, that God accepteth thy workes. This ioy is termed, Ioy vnspeakeable, and full of glory. 2. Pet. 1.8.

Is long life a blessing in thy Iudge­ment? Thou hast a promise to liue long, Psal. 34.12.13.14. Psal. 128.6. Psal. 84.11. and see good dayes, if thou be a beleeuer, yea, to see thy childrens children.

So that there is no good thing to bee withholden from beleeuers.

Let this not only comfort, but instruct thee against Sathans fierie assaults. Doth he perswade thee thou art foolish? Thou maist replie, Christ is thy wisedome. 1. Cor. 1.30. Doth he vpbraid thee with thy pouertie? An­swere him, Thou possessest all things,2 Cor. 6.10. Iam. 2.5. and art able to make many rich.

Tels he thee, Thou art friendlesse? Ephe. 2.19. Mar. 10.30 1. Cor. 12.26. Op­pose against this, The promise of friends, as deare as Fathers, Mothers or Children: And that thou hast all the Saints in the World thy friends.

Doth he obiect? That thou art base & despised? Answere, It is a great, yea, 1. Io. 3.1. the greatest honour, to be a child of God.

Doth he affright thee with danger?2. Kin. 6.16. 1. Chron. 32 7.8. Tel [...]im. Thou hast more with thee then against hee.

Would hee amaze thee with many troubles?Phil. 4.7. Io. 14.27. Io. 10.33. Rom. 8.28. Say, That thou hast Peace with­in, that cheeres thee, and that trouble with­out shall not hurt thee: All things working together for good to them that feare and loue God.

Would he haue it grieue thee, that thou art not waited on as others are?Ioh. 5.22.23. Hos. 2.18. Hest. 6.11. Da. 6.18.23 Thou maist tell him, that Angels are thy seruants, and all the Creatures are at thy command: yea, Kings shall stoop to thee, if it be good for thee.

Would he make thee doubt of an ouer­throw in any doubtfull combate?2. Cor. 10 4. Rom. 8.38. Thou art now sure of the conquest.

Is it a sorrowfull thing (saith he) to be a beleeuer?Isay 51.11. Thou now well knowest, that here is abundance of ioy.

Would hee seare thee with sodaine death?Phil. 1.21. Christ is with thee to liue, and to die is gaine. But thou hast the promise of length of dayes,Ephes. 6.2.3 if it shall bee good for thee.

Thus which way soeuer Satan seeketh to wind in his poysoned sting, or to throw in his fierie dart, thou hast armor to de­fend thy selfe.

Yea for thy further instruction know [Page 35] that if the contrarie to these bee good for thee at any time, thou shalt be sure of the same. As for sharpnesse of wisedome, thou maist haue dulnesse of spirit, for a time to humble thee: For riches, thou shalt haue pouertie to instruct thee: For friends, Enemies to stirre thee to prayer: For ho­nour, disgrace to purge thee: For safetie, thou maist seeme to bee in danger, to trie thy boldnesse: For Peace thou shalt haue trouble, to exercise thy Patience: For at­tendants, thou shalt haue desolation to worke contentation in all estates.

For victorie, thou shalt haue some foiles, to proue thy constancie:

For Ioy, thou shalt haue Sorrow, to en­crease thy thankefulnesse, when Ioy shall returne and to make thee temperate:

For long life, thou shalt haue a speedie death, to free thee from miserie, and to bring thee to Glorie. Neyther is this all;Heb. 11.13. but we may looke further yet; Beleeuers can see a far off: They see things to come, as if they were present, not so much looking at temporall, as eternall things.2. Cor. 4.18.

And this is that which doth put life in­to the soules of beleeuers, when they consider of their estate at the resurrection [Page 36] of the iust. Would it not comfort a man that were in a doubtfull combate in the Iudgement of others, if he were himselfe sure of victorie; or one that were in Pri­son, though streightly kept, if hee were sure of freedome after a few dayes?

And verily such is our condition; though we are scorned, persecuted, slan­dered, imprisoned, buffeted, slaine, here: yet it is a righteous thing with God to re­compence tribulation to them that trouble his, 2. The. 1.6.7 and to those that are troubled, rest.

That is, God hath promised, and hee will performe his promise of certaine de­liuerance, to them that are his. Wherfore such may challenge this issue, as of right to them appertaining. It is our heritage, Christ hath purchased this for vs, as well as the rest, and we shall assuredly receiue it.

So that wee may lay claime to our right of comming gloriously at the last day, with the Iudge of the whole Earth, when he shall come in his owne glorie, Mat. 25.31 in his Fathers Glo­rie, and the glorie of his holy Angels. It is the right (euen then) of beleeuers, to bee caught vp, 1. Thes. 4.17 Mat. 13.43. 2 Th. 1.8 9. and to meet Christ in the Aire, and to come gloriously, euen as so many bright Sunnes, to bee admired with him. And this [Page 37] is not all: for then shall we be as so manie Iudges, to iudge men and Angels,2. Cor. 6.2. when it shall bee said vnto them, Goe yee cursed, into the fire eternall, Mat. 25 41. prepared for the Deuill and his Angels. For so it is written, The Saints shall iudge the World. And a­gaine in the same Chapter, The Saints shall iudge Angels. 1. Cor. 6.3. And in an other place, Behold, the Lord commeth with ten thousands of his Saints, Iude 14.15 to execute iudge­ment vpon all, and to conuince all that are vngodly among them, of all their vngodly deeds, which they haue vngodlily committed, and of all the hard speeches which vngodly sinners haue spoken against him.

And yet this is not all: for after that, we shall be euer with the Lord, We shall be as the Angels in heauen, Mat 22.30 Reue. 2.10. Matt. 5.12. 2. Cor. 4.17. Psal. 16.11. we shall receiue that crowne of life, that great reward, that ex­ceeding surpassing and eternall weight of Glorie, that fulnesse of Ioy, those pleasures at Gods right hand for euermore. This may we also challenge at Gods hands, by ver­tue of his promise in this Scripture which is the Text, and of Christs intercession in another, where it is thus written, Father, I will that they also whom thou hast giuen me, Io. 17.24. [Page 38] bee with mee where I am, that they may be­hold my glorie which thou hast giuen me.

A man would thinke it were a good thing to bee a beleeuer, if all this bee true: and surely eyther this is true, or the Scriptures are false, which were blasphe­mie to say.Rom. 3.4. Let God then be true, and euery man a lier.

And let the consideration of this stirre vp euery one to seek diligently for the fa­uour of GOD.Luk. 10.42. Get this one necessary thing: Get Christ, and get all: In this life, Wisedome, Riches, Friendes, Honour, Safetie, Peace, Attendants, Victorie, Ioy, Long-life.

At the day of Iudgement, wee shall come gloriously and triumphantly, with the Iudge of the whole earth: Angels and Men shall tremble at our Glorie, and ad­mire our excellencie. They that haue iudged vs, shall be iudged by vs. After the day of iudgement, wee shall possesse that King­dome peaceably, into the which wee haue here entred violently, and for which we haue fought valiantly. We shall see God face to face: We shall haue know­ledge without ignorance: Loue without [Page 39] Hatred: Ioy without Sorrow: Light without Darknesse: Beautie without De­formitie: Strength without weaknesse: Plentie without Want: Health without Sicknesse: Honour without Disgrace: Peace without Trouble: Courage with­out Feare: Safetie without Danger: Life without death: Al good without any euil. This is the heritage of the seruants of the Lord,Isay 54.17. and their righteous­nesse is of me, saith the Lord.