The second work: they consult in this case what to do.: Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered… by Richard Rogers | AskReformation

Skip to content

:99p. 13–14§C

That God thus moveth him to deliberate in so weighty and doubtful a case, no man need to call it into question, when nothing is well done without it, in earthly matters of any moment, where the wit of man is the chief or only agent and dealer. For we know that rashness doth nothing well: how much more then may we think, that God will not suffer him, whom he meaneth to bring to so great honour as the assured hope of salvation is, to go about it without due regard and consideration? especially, he dealing by ordinary means, where they may be had and come by? But that he entereth into consultation what to do,¹ it is evident by that the Prophet Jeremiah saith with a vehement complaint, when the people were called to repentance, and §Dthe Prophet waited to see what fruit should follow, that there was none that said, What have I done? that is, none entered into consultation about the matter. Therefore it is said, that the prodigal son,² who resembleth most rightly the sinner, and in his returning home to his father resembleth the penitent sinner in turning to God: that he did before that, come to himself, and say, How many hired servants in my fathers house have bread enough, and I die for hunger? Which, what other thing was it, then to consider and deliberate what he were best to do? And the Steward questioning with himself what to do, when he was warned to give an account of his stewardship, doth plainly teach this. Besides all that hath been said, if the godly who had fallen, could §Enot repent before they remembered and considered their fall, and from whom they were fallen, as we read of the Church of Ephesus,³ and Peter before he wept bitterly remembered the words of Jesus, and how he had transgressed against them: Upon all these considerations, let us not doubt, but that God draweth his, to consult about their estate what they should do, being in anguish and distress of mind. And that they may look for little good to come of their casting down, and sorrow, which by the law is conceived in ⟨p. 14⟩them, if they do not in the most serious manner, as they be able, and as the §Fcase requireth, think and deliberate about it. And therefore they whom God watcheth over, if they be not able to counsel themselves, yet the Lord guides them to ask counsel of others, as the forementioned example in the Acts, and of the woman of Samaria doth teach:

That God thus moueth him to deliberate in so weightie and doubtfull a case, no man neede to call it into question, when nothing is well done without it, in earthly matters of any moment, where the wit of man is the chiefe or only agent and dealer. For we know that rashnes doth nothing well: how much more then may we think, that God will not suffer him, whom he meaneth to bring to so great honour as the assured hope of saluation is, to goe about it without due regard and consideration? especially, he dealing by ordinary meanes, where they may be had and come by? But that he entreth into consultation what to doe,¹ it is euident by that the Prophet Ieremy saith with a vehement complaint, when the people were called to repentance, and §Dthe Prophet waited to see what fruit should follow, that there was none that said, What haue I done? that is, none entred into consultation about the matter. Therefore it is said, that the prodigall sonne,² who resembleth most rightly the sinner, and in his returning home to his father resembleth the penitent sinner in turning to God: that he did before that, come to himselfe, and say, How many hired seruants in my fathers house haue bread enough, and I die for hunger? Which, what other thing was it, then to consider and deliberate what he were best to doe? And the Steward questioning with himselfe what to doe, when hee was warned to giue an account of his stewardship, doth plainly teach this. Besides all that hath been said, if the godly who had fallen, could §Enot repent before they remembred and considered their fall, and from whom they were fallen, as we reade of the Church of Ephesus,³ and Peter before he wept bitterly remembred the words of Iesus, and how he had transgressed against them: Vpon all these considerations, let vs not doubt, but that God draweth his, to consult about their estate what they should doe, being in anguish and distresse of mind. And that they may looke for little good to come of their casting downe, and sorrow, which by the law is conceiued in ⟨p. 14⟩them, if they doe not in the most serious manner, as they be able, and as the §Fcase requireth, thinke and deliberate about it. And therfore they whom God watcheth ouer, if they be not able to counsel themselues, yet the Lord guides them to aske counsell of others, as the forementioned example in the Acts, and of the woman of Samaria doth teach:

:100p. 14§F

And in what manner he doth this, & what thoughts he hath about the same, is not hard to conjecture; but even as other in the same estate, mentioned in the Scripture do testify: namely what he is to do, and whether there be any hope, how he was bewitched to come to that estate;¹ what he hath lost, and deprived himself of, in this his estrangement from God, by following and seeking his own will, and foolish liberty: he seeth an end is come of the cursed race which he hath §Grun, and that little time which he hath yet remaining, will also full soon be gone: His delights, jests, merry conceits, dreams, and vain hope that he had of long life, of promotion, increase of riches, of good cheer with his companions, or such like, alas they are gone! he is ashamed to think what deceivable pleasures they were. And as for safety and sound peace, he seeth how far off from them he is. He seeth that his former life will be called to an account, and is already. And although he thinketh of delays, excuses, or other vain shifts and deceiving of himself: yet he seeth that these cannot put away the deadly remembrance of his woeful estate, especially when he considereth, that God will not be mocked, nor his word be frustrate, which hath §Hbewrayed his misery.

And in what manner hee doth this, & what thoughts he hath about the same, is not hard to coniecture; but euen as other in the same estate, mentioned in the Scripture doe testifie: namely what he is to doe, and whether there bee any hope, how hee was bewitched to come to that estate;¹ what he hath lost, and depriued himselfe of, in this his estrangement from God, by following and seeking his owne will, and foolish libertie: he seeth an end is come of the cursed race which he hath §Grunne, and that little time which he hath yet remaining, will also full soone be gone: His delights, iests, merrie conceits, dreames, and vaine hope that hee had of long life, of promotion, increase of riches, of good cheere with his companions, or such like, alas they are gone! he is ashamed to thinke what deceiueable pleasures they were. And as for safetie and sound peace, he seeth how farre off from them he is. He seeth that his former life will be called to an account, and is alreadie. And although he thinketh of delaies, excuses, or other vaine shifts and deceiuing of himselfe: yet he seeth that these cannot put away the deadly remembrance of his wofull estate, especially when hee considereth, that God will not be mocked, nor his word be frustrate, which hath §Hbewraied his miserie.

1The complaint of the penitent sinner.

:101p. 14–15§H

He will therefore consult no longer with flesh and blood, as he hath done, but putteth away all fleshly and carnal shifts and holds; and by Gods gracious direction taketh counsel by the knowledge that he hath; and considereth that no man can come to Christ, if the heavenly father draw him not by his spirit: And therefore although the sorrow of hypocrites vanisheth away, and cometh to nothing, yet by Gods gracious working in him, it becometh an occasion of humbling and breaking of heart unto him, and of much other good, as hereafter we shall see. Also he considereth that God is slow to anger, and ready to forgive sinners, being gracious and full of mercy: And though that §Ithought be repelled through the remembrance of the greatness of his sin, and unacquaintedness with the promise; yet there is no doubt, but that he is secretly upholden by it from dreadful despair. Thus while present comfort faileth he sorroweth still, and the more deeply, for that he thinketh verily that he hath no part in it: and therefore being cut off that way for the time, he cannot but return to think of his desolation and woeful condition, which breedeth deep sighs and sorrows afresh: And he breaking forth, as one full, which can hold no longer, it wrings out such strong cries, Oh miserable man that I am! what shall I do? how shall I escape this fearful vengeance? In this heaviness, he accuseth himself, and complaineth: but to avoid that §Kmisery, he seeth it impossible; and to go under it still, he feels it intolerable. And although he knoweth that there is a remedy, and what it is (which yet many in such heaviness and abasement do dimly and weakly know, and therefore their sorrow is the more) yet can he not apply it to himself by any means. In this extremity therefore of his, and being in this strait and distress,¹ he crieth out with Paul: O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me? ⟨p. 15⟩§AAnd therefore the Lord guideth him to some instructor, as he did Paul to Ananias, Act. 9.17. or stayeth him by the public ministry, or by his own knowledge bringeth him, as we read of the prodigal child, Luk. 15.17. to counsel himself by that which he hath heard.

He will therefore consult no longer with flesh and bloud, as he hath done, but putteth away all fleshly and carnall shifts and holds; and by Gods gracious direction taketh counsell by the knowledge that hee hath; and considereth that no man can come to Christ, if the heauenly father draw him not by his spirit: And therefore although the sorrow of hypocrites vanisheth away, and commeth to nothing, yet by Gods gracious working in him, it becommeth an occasion of humbling and breaking of heart vnto him, and of much other good, as hereafter wee shall see. Also he considereth that God is slow to anger, and readie to forgiue sinners, being gracious and full of mercie: And though that §Ithought be repelled through the remembrance of the greatnes of his sinne, and vnacquaintednes with the promise; yet there is no doubt, but that he is secretly vpholden by it from dreadfull despayre. Thus while present comfort faileth he sorroweth still, and the more deeply, for that he thinketh verely that he hath no part in it: and therfore being cut off that way for the time, he cannot but returne to think of his desolation and woful condition, which breedeth deepe sighs and sorrowes afresh: And he breaking foorth, as one full, which can hold no longer, it wrings out such strong cryes, Oh miserable man that I am! what shall I doe? how shall I escape this fearefull vengeance? In this heauines, he accuseth himselfe, and complaineth: but to auoide that §Kmiserie, he seeth it impossible; and to go vnder it still, he feeles it intolerable. And although he knoweth that there is a remedie, and what it is (which yet many in such heauines and abasement doe dimmely and weakly know, and therefore their sorrow is the more) yet can he not apply it to himselfe by any meanes. In this extremitie therefore of his, and being in this streight and distresse,¹ he crieth out with Paul: O wretched man that I am! who shall deliuer me? ⟨p. 15⟩§AAnd therefore the Lord guideth him to some instructour, as hee did Paul to Ananias, Act. 9.17. or stayeth him by the publike ministerie, or by his owne knowledge bringeth him, as wee reade of the prodigall child, Luk. 15.17. to counsell himselfe by that which he hath heard.

1Rom. 7.24.