A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

4. A holy fear of God, and that of his mercies, Ps. 147.11. Hos. 3.5. of his word, Isaiah 66.2. of his presence, especially in time of his service, Heb. 12.28. and of his name and glorious titles, Deut. 28.58. and in all things a fear of his offence and displeasure, in respect of which a man is jealous of his own infirmities. Pro. 28.18. 1 Pet. 1.17.

4. A holy feare of God, and that of his mercies, Ps. 147.11. Hos. 3.5. of his word, Esay 66.2. of his presence, especially in time of his service, Heb. 12.28. and of his name and glorious titles, Deut. 28.58. and in all things a feare of his offence and displeasure, in respect of which a man is jealous of his own infirmities. Pro. 28.18. 1 Pet. 1.17.

5. Confidence: in which the godly are as mount Zion, that cannot be moved, Psal. 125.5. by which he committeth his way to God, Psal. 37.5. and runneth to God for refuge, that he may be under his arms for ever, Deut. 33.27. Gods name is to him a strong tower, Prov. 18. in respect of which, his place is on high, even in the defence of the munitions of the rocks, Esa. 33.16 &c. yea such is the power of this confidence sometimes, that though God trouble him with his own hands, yet he will hope, Job 15.19. By this sign God knows his in the day of trouble, and will own them, Neh. 1.7. and the eye of God is never off them, because they trust in his mercies, Psal. 33.18.

5. Confidence: in which the godly are as mount Sion, that cannot be moved, Psal. 125.5. by which he committeth his way to God, Psal. 37.5. and runneth to God for refuge, that he may be under his armes for ever, Deut. 33.27. Gods name is to him a strong tower, Prov. 18. in respect of which, his place is on high, even in the defence of the munitions of the rocks, Esa. 33.16 &c. yea such is the power of this confidence sometimes, that though God trouble him with his owne hands, yet he will hope, Iob 15.19. By this signe God knowes his in the day of trouble, and will owne them, Neh. 1.7. and the eye of God is never off them, because they trust in his mercies, Psal. 33.18.

6. A holy hatred, by which he cannot abide sin, Ps. 97.10. the garment spotted with the flesh, Jude 23. any false way, Ps. 119.128. wicked company, Ps. 26.5. the work of such as fall away, Psal. 101.3. them, that hate ⟨p. 18⟩God and goodness. Psalm 139, 21.

6. A holy hatred, by which he cannot abide sin, Ps. 97.10. the garment spotted with the flesh, Iude 23. any false way, Ps. 119.128. wicked company, Ps. 26.5. the worke of such as fall away, Psal. 101.3. them, that hate ⟨p. 18⟩God and goodnesse. Psalme 139, 21.

8. Bowels of mercy, Col. 3.12. I omit hope, patience, meekness, and the rest: either because they some way belong to some of these; or because these are the most eminent, and easy to be discerned: and all these are put on by faith.

8. Bowels of mercy, Col. 3.12. I omit hope, patience, meeknesse, and the rest: either because they some way belong to some of these; or because these are the most eminent, and easie to be discerned: and all these are put on by faith.

And thus much of the adorning of the heart.

¹3. The conscience is also adorned with 9. gifts.

1. 1The Conscience adorned with 9. things.

1. Life: it being quickened from the dead sleep, it was in. 2. Light from ignorance. 3. Peace from terrors, differing from security. 4. Purity and care in all things to do uprightly. Acts 23.1. Heb. 13.1. 2 Tim. 2.3. 5. Joy and refreshing, it is now a continual feast, Prov. 15.15. 6. Constancy, Job 27.6. so as no power can compel it. 7. Plainness and harmlessness. 2 Cor. 1.12. 8. A divine sentence, so as in determining, it judgeth for God, and as God. 9. Tenderness: so as it will now smit• for lesser evils.

1. Life: it being quickned from the dead sleep, it was in. 2. Light from ignorance. 3. Peace from terrors, differing from security. 4. Purity and care in all things to doe uprightly. Acts 23.1. Heb. 13.1. 2 Tim. 2.3. 5. Ioy and refreshing, it is now a continuall feast, Prov. 15.15. 6. Constancy, Iob 27.6. so as no power can compell it. 7. Plainenesse and harmelessnesse. 2 Cor. 1.12. 8. A divine sentence, so as in determining, it judgeth for God, and as God. 9. Tendernesse: so as it will now smit• for lesser evills.

¹All this doctrine concerning the sanctification of the spirit may serve:

1. 1Uses.Vses.

First for humiliation: We may all say, if God look upon our spirits, innumerable evils have compassed us, Psal. 40. and therefore we had need to pray to God to cleanse us from secret sins, even those sins of our spirits.

First for humiliation: We may all say, if God looke upon our spirits, innumerable evills have compassed us, Psal. 40. and therefore we had need to pray to God to cleanse us from secret sins, even those sinnes of our spirits.

2. For admonition to all men, to take heed, that they neglect not this great work of inward sanctification, especially if God have touched the heart with any inward feeling of thy estate and remorse of sin: Look to thy self, thy heart is deceitful, and sin is a witch: watch against security, or relapse into security▪ •e persuaded it is a dangerous thing to sin against the purposes of amendment: The axe is now laid to the root of the tree, and therefore trifle not, let not thy righteousness be as the morning dew; thou art come near to the kingdom of God, quench not the sparkles of light and remorse. And much more this may warn such, as will not be touched with the care of sanctification, take heed of a swinish and dogged heart, the Lord will not cast pearls before such swine still. And thirdly, it may warn such, as rest in giving fair words: If they praise the Sermons, and speak fair to Gods servants, they think all is well: The Devil could speak Christ fair to be rid of him, Mar. 1.24. and so did Herod, Mar. 6.20.

2. For admonition to all men, to take heed, that they neglect not this great worke of inward sanctification, especially if God have touched the heart with any inward feeling of thy estate and remorse of sinne: Looke to thy selfe, thy heart is deceitfull, and sinne is a witch: watch against security, or relapse into security▪ •e perswaded it is a dangerous thing to sin against the purposes of amendment: The axe is now laid to the roote of the tree, and therefore trifle not, let not thy righteousnesse be as the morning dew; thou art come neare to the kingdome of God, quench not the sparkles of light and remorse. And much more this may warne such, as will not be touched with the care of sanctification, take heed of a swinish and dogged heart, the Lord will not cast pearles before such swine still. And thirdly, it may warne such, as rest in giving faire words: If they praise the Sermons, and speake faire to Gods servants, they thinke all is well: The Divell could speake Christ faire to be rid of him, Mar. 1.24. and so did Herod,

3. For instruction to all sorts of men, that yet find not comfort in this work: oh labour about it, that thou mayest be cleansed from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, even sanctified throughout, following after holiness, without which no man shall see God, 2 Cor. 7.3. 1 Thess. 5.23. Heb. 12.14. and if there were in men a heart to return, there are many encouragements: Christ is given to us of God to be our sanctification; and in his intercession, he remembered to pray for this, that God would sanctify us, 1 Cor. 1.30. John 17.14, 17, 19. and the word of Christ is able to sanctify us, Acts 20.32. and Christ hereby proves his resurrection from the dead, Rom. 1.4. and God hath promised his spirit to help us, Ezech. 33.37.

3. For instruction to all sorts of men, that yet finde not comfort in this worke: oh labour about it, that thou maist be cleansed from all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit, even sanctified throughout, following after holinesse, without which no man shall see God, 2 Cor. 7.3. 1 Thess. 5.23. Heb. 12.14. and if there were in men a heart to returne, there are many incouragements: Christ is given to us of God to be our sanctification; and in his intercession, he remembred to pray for this, that God would sanctifie us, 1 Cor. 1.30. Iohn 17.14, 17, 19

4. For confirmation: since this is so, let him that is holy, be holy still.

5. For much thankfulness, in such, as have attained in any measure to the gifts of Gods grace herein, 2 Thess. 2.13.

5. For much thankfulnesse, in such, as have attained in any measure to the gifts of Gods grace herein, 2 Thess. 2.13.

Thus much of the sanctification of the spirit.

Unto obedience ]

Vnto obedienc• ]