wicked lift not up your horn And as Judah sought to divert his Brethren from their wicked enterprise against Joseph Gen. 37. 26 27. Or by reproving their sin as Nehemiah did the sin of the Nobles Neh. 5. 7. Or by instructing them if ignorant as Paul did the Athenians Acts 17. 22 23. But if they be such like Sons of Belial that the thorns cannot be taken by hand let them be thrust away and get your selves fenced that they hurt you not Take heed of the least compliance with them in their sin 1 Tim. 5. 22. Be not partakers of other mens sins your own are heavy enough silence in not reproving with any signs of approving others sins make them your own If you enjoy good company take heed you miss not of good or meet with evil from them good men have their evils great men are not alwaies wise Job 32. 9. And 't is easier to follow them down than up the hill and to imitate their vices than their virtues diseases are more communicable than health men may impart their sickness but cannot their soundness O what advantage hath sin for its propagation when it falls from the hands of men reputed gracious The errours of good men are not onely examples but arguments unto others to sin also If Peter play the hypocrite other Jews dissemble likewise with him Gal. 2. 13. and no less a man than Barnabas is carried away with their dissimulation If they that are strong do but eat in the Idols Temple the weak will eat the things offered to Idols 2 Cor. 8. 10. O take care of the evils of good men which like books published cum privilegio vend the more An Esau's garment will make a Jacob's voice to pass and where good in any man is admired evil is there seldom feared take heed you follow no man further than he follows Christ 1 Cor. 11. 11. Implicit imitation is as dangerous in practice as implicit faith is in judgment weigh their actions you intend to walk after let no mans reputation be your warrant for imitation Eminent persons are File-leaders which way they turn the File turns with them The leaders of my people cause them to err Isa 9. 16. Men usually follow those they commend y Quos effero refere and how much the greater they are with whom we converse saith Seneca z Quo major est populus cum quo conversamur hoc periculi plus est the more is the danger Get good from good men else their goodness is nothing to you what truth you hear from them receive and as Mary did the Angel's words so do you ponder their gracious sayings in your hearts Luke 2. 19. When you are in the company of those that are above you in wisdom and grace be more swift to hear than to speak The emptiest vessels make the greatest sound and I have often observed in company such as have most need to hear and learn being self-conceitedly wise will take up most of the discourse and instead of drawing waters from deeper wells to fill their empty vessels they will be pumping out that little they have This surely doth not bespeak the modesty of such and less becomes their profit Origen when a child used to question with his Father about the sense of the Scriptures and afterwards became a great Scholar 'T is the observing attentive Christian is usually the most knowing thriving Christian who with the Bee gathers in the Summer and gets honey from every flower it meets with and in the Winter spends it When you meet with empty vessels 't is your charity to be putting in but when you come to deep wells 't is your duty and interest to be drawing out by asking questions and proposing doubts as the young man in the Gospel did Mat. 19. 16. and Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria Joh. 3. 2. 4. ch 4. 11 15 20. to Jesus Christ The enquiring soul if it be done in truth and followed with obedience will be the most flourishing soul Seventhly Get good from your retirements as well as company be never less alone than when alone Sometimes in pursuance of duty you must be alone when thou prayest enter into thy Closet Mat. 6. 6. Retire we must sometimes saith Mr. Trap and into fit place to meet with God solacing and entertaining Soliloquies with him as Isaac did in the field Jacob upon the way Ezekiel by the river Ulai Peter upon the leads Christ upon the mountains Abraham in the grove in Beersheba Gen. 21. 33. 'T is no matter saith the same Author how mean the place be so it be secret where there is a Jeremy a Daniel a Jonah a Dungeon a Lions-Den a Whale's-belly are goodly Oratories If you will not hear me saith Peter Moice send me to my prison again among my toads and frogs which wilt not interrupt me while I talk with my Lord God Acts Mon. 122. O how desirable is retirement with God to a soul that hath acquaintance with him Antisthenes being asked what good he had got by Philosophy answered that I can converse with my self much more is it thy interest to converse with God 'T is said of that pious man Mr. William Sedgwick that when he was young while the rest of the Family were at their Games and Dancings he would be in a corner mourning Mr. Greenham when at any time he was sick would suffer no body to sit up with him that so he might more freely converse with God Psal 119. 62. David would rise at midnight to enjoy communion with God O the blessed seasons that gracious souls have had with Christ in their corners how sweet have their stollen waters of life and bread eaten in secret been to their hungry souls Prov. 9. 17. If the walls of this house could speak said Mr. Hew Kennedy they could tell how many sweet days I have had in secret fellowship with God and how familiar he hath been with my soul The fulfilling of Script p. 442. The Lord doth usually unbosome himself most to his friends when he hath them alone Hos 2. 14. I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably to her or speak to her heart as 't is in the Hebrew Upon which words Stella hath this note a Vt Dominus cum anima nostra loquatur non opus habet testibus Quando Dominus cor nostrum solum invenit statim coenaturus cum illo sedet God needs no witnesses that he might speak to our souls when God finds our heart alone he presently comes in and sups with it and when he observes our soul withdrawn from the cares and carking thoughts of this World then is his time to open his great wonders and secrets to it Jacob was never more prevailing with God than when alone then was the time he got the blessing Gen. 32. 24 29. Peter was alone in prayer with God when he fell into a trance Acts 10. 10. His soul was
measure of Soul darkness fallen upon us in this Evening-part of our Gospel-day Isa 42. 19 20. Who is blind but my servant or deaf as my messenger that I sent who is blind as he that is perfect and blind as the Lords servant seeing many things but thou observest not opening the ear but he heareth not Were not a Veil on mens minds could it possibly be that CHRIST should be so little precious in this Day of revelation and Land of visions in which we live Was there ever a Nation in the World to whom Christ hath been so unveiled and manifestly held forth Crucified before their eyes and yet not to know the Day of their visitation and the things of their peace be-speaks shameful Ignorance Is not this a manifest Evidence of mens Darkness and folly to be fondly taken with Airy Notions and vain Speculations and all the while neglect that Wisdome which maketh wise to salvation to leave the Fire of the Sanctuary and sit down by Sparks of their own kindling That having a Kingdom before them which cannot be shaken and an Inheritance that fadeth not away reserved in the heavens they should turn again to the beggarly Elements of this world loathing their Manna and Angels food and longing again for the Onyons and Garlick they had vomited up to leave tried Gold for that which perisheth to let Heaven drop out of their hands and hugg the World in their hearts to neglect that Merchandise which brings in unsearchable riches and drive a Trade for such Goods whose fashion passeth away Do plainly argue Ignorance and folly Are not the silver streams of Jordan better than the muddy waters of Assyria and our Rock above the worldlings Sandy bottoms they themselves being Judges and yet to lose those pleasant streams for that filthy puddle is folly indeed Will Eagles stoop to Flies Can Souls who have ascended into the light of the Lord and seen the things that differ and had acquaintance with things above upon choice come down again and prey upon the Carrion Comforts and Interests of a dying World O no. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments or a Bride her Attire Oh foolish people and unwise to be unmindful of the Rock that begat them to leave the Snow of Lebanon to let down such a gainful Trade as Holiness is that they may pursue a Soul-cheating starving damning World demonstrates folly and madness in such as have the knowledge or hopes of better things are ye so foolish having begun in the spirit are ye now made perfect by the flesh Gal. 3. 3. To obviate or retrieve this folly is the design of this ensuing Discourse which comes not in the gawdy Dress of curious Art or in the Excellency of mans wisdom but in the plainness and demonstration of the truth as it is in Jesus I am not ignorant that Books have their Fashions as well as men and Discourses that come not forth in the Modish Garb laced with Elegancy and stuffed with Lofty strains scarce meet with a Look except of Scorn and Contempt from the Wits of this Day But I love not to follow them who darken counsel by words and by their sublime Speculations and abstruse Notions lead men into Clouds of their own creating and while they shew Themselves lose their Readers There are many tricks and devices saith Mr. Dod that some men use in Preaching which we may apply also to Writing but it seldom does good the pure Gospel and that Preaching which the World counts foolishness is that which works most kindly Christ's own Weapons are the fittest for his own service and when there is least of man in Gods work then usually does there most of God appear The business of this Book is not to feed thy Curiosity but to find out thy Conscience and the likeliest way to That is through the plains of Intelligible truth I cannot expect that Discourse should lead others towards Heaven that has not its self drained and refined from Earth Expect not in this any thing that may please thy carnal mind but what may profit thy teachable and obedient Soul and before thou ascendest the Throne to judge it take the Balance of the Sanctuary and weigh it Be advised to go beyond such Readers who onely view the Title read the Epistle glance a little on the Book and if they find not something singular and pleasing their curious Fancy lay it aside this shews a full Stomach but an empty Soul and is a Practice that overturns the Writers pains and the Readers profit be perswaded to read it throughly and impartially and weigh it seriously and thou mayest find something that concerns either thy Understanding Affection Conscience or Conversation I have chosen to prosecute the Metaphor of Trading throughout this Discourse having a principal respect to that sort of persons in the design of this Book and the better to insinuate into the mind of ordinary Christians the knowledge of heavenly things of mens duties neglects and backsliding If thou art one who never madest a profession of God farther than blindness formality or superstition might lead thee and a stranger to this great pleasant and gainful Trade of Godliness here thou mayest find Arguments to perswade thee to this rational and necessary Undertaking in order to Life and Salvation Grace and Glory with Counsel and Instructions how thou mayest attain to this high and heavenly Calling If thou be one who drivest furiously after the World pursuing thy earthly Interest with greediness neglecting the things that concern thy peace and subjecting the Concerns of Heaven and thy immmortal Soul to the poor and perishing Trifles of this World here thou wilt find reasons to convince thee of that folly and helps to loosen thy heart from that ensaring Soul ruining bondage If thou meetest with Rebukes upon thy earthly Interests and crosses on thy Affairs and undertakings in the World this Book will help thee to find out the Cause of thy Disappointments and those consuming Moths on thy Estate and Instruct thee to get Honey out of these Rods good from these evils and how to Comport with Divine ends and thy own Advantages by such Dispensations Hast thou made a Profeossio of Godliness and formerly driven this Heavenly Trade to Advantage but art now fallen back and decay'd in thy Spiritual substance and become poor in thy Inward man and towards God here mayest thou find the Discoveries and Evidences of a back-sliding Soul with the Causes of it thou wilt also meet with Awakening Considerations to Affect and Afflict thy heart with the sense of thy evil Case Here also mayest thou know whether thy Decays are cureable and what course thou mayest take to get out of thy languishing estate Art thou one that doest profess this Heavenly Trade this Piece will tell thee what thy work is and wherein this Imployment lies what are the Important duties of Piety to be driven on every Day with Directions and Rules about it If thou art one
done so much for you Wait upon and walk in the light while you have it if Grace thinks it not much to spread a Table for you don't you think it much to spare time to sit down at it You that find so many things to do when God calls for your Company will shortly find that God hath other things to do than to mind you when you need his Cordials how glad would you be of enjoying time to hear the voice of peace when you are entring upon Eternity who are not at leisure now to hear Divine precepts while in the possession of time neglect not hearing praying seasons which are your Seed-time for Glory O that every day saith one were a Sabbath or a Fast-day for then I should be well Buy not your ease or earthly interest at so dear a rate as the loss of salvation time and helps Evidence your love to God by your valuation of his Presence in his Ordinances How can you long for the enjoyment of God in Heaven who care not for his company on Earth or his glorious appearances in his Sanctuary Stick at nothing that may yield him delight or give him glory how expensive soever it be on your dearest Comforts and Interests When one told Du Moulin in his sickness that he wronged himself by speaking so much 'T is true said he but I will die glorifying of God A Soul that supreamly loves God will count nothing too much to do part with or suffer that may bring him glory 7ly Rest not in your enjoyments of means without improvement of them What 's a full Table if thy Soul abide empty and frequent feeding if thy inner man languish 't is a time of dying and secret waste in most Christians O covet earnestly the best gifts that you may flourish in the Courts of God and grow as the Cedars of Lebanon that you may be throughly furnished to every good work and your profiting appear to all men Be deeply sensible of your little Fruit under great dressing and be humbled take heed of spiritual pride and puffings up in your apprehended Excellencies or Priviledges 't is the humble soul is the most thriving soul keep your Hearts pure and Lives unspotted As sound bodies so sincere souls are most growing pare off luxuriant branches as they sprout out and lay the Ax to the root of them every day keep up Faith in the Promises of Soul-prosperity to them that serve him in sincerity Psal 92. 12 13. and stay on Christ by Faith for help when you see nothing but Discouragements in your selves and when you are afraid to apply the Promises even then bless God for them These Promises said a doubting Soul are none of mine yet I am glad that God hath made them and for their sakes that shall partake of them Mr. White 8thly Neglect not secret transactions between God and your Souls to which I fear some of you may be too great strangers no wonder that Intimacy between God and Souls does fall when they are seldom together in retirements Oh take heed of passing by thy Closet or secret corners one day Matth 6. 6. or posting out of them before God and your Souls have some Converse together and be not onely constant in it but careful to please God in the spiritual performance of it Let not Custom or Formality deprive thee of the sweetness of that bread eaten in secret You are in this Book more fully called upon to these Duties of secret Prayer meditation heart-searching and watching-work to which I refer you 9ly Make conscience of every Duty you owe towards others in your Relations Places and Callings keep up Family duty or write Heathen upon thy doors that the World may know thee If you neglect Gods service he will not be your Sanctuary Prayerless houses have broken walls and doors and no defence against the least evil If you will not give God your breathings how can you think he will give you his blessings 'T is sad that any especially such whom God hath taken into his house should shut him out of their doors or give him such pitiful service as some do scarce ever reading the Scriptures in their Families from one Lords-day to another onely send him a little hasty fruit some short and shuffled prayers once a day no wonder that salvation come not to their houses or converting grace into their families but a flying Roll is over their habitations and the black marks of Ruine on their Children and Servants think it not strange that God makes thy pleasant Roses pricking Bryers and Thorns to thee who hast made them Spears and Swords to him Oh keep with God in every duty of his service your Relation Calling and Imployments Lastly in every condition walk with God and wait for God if he lead you in ways of mercy follow him in ways of duty If you have Comforts take heed of doting on or abusing of them when he sends you Afflictions receive them be not fainting nor froward under them but sanctifie God in them and by their hand return to him do not over-love your mercies or over-fear your troubles prepare for Changes but live upon Immutability and be setled under all your unsettlements count nothing strange but sin and nothing hard to bear but the absence or anger of a gracious God lose not your fears in times of peace neither cast away your confidence in the day of trouble let your Lamps be alwaies burning that you may see the way of your duty in the Night of your danger and how to get in Comfort in your Adversity and let your loins be girt that you may be ready both to do your work and to meet your wages and be alway looking and waiting for the coming of your Lord who will welcom you in the Acceptance of your Duties uncloath you of your sins and sufferings and crown your sincerity and faithfulness with a Come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you which is the longed for Fruit of all his Labours with you and the subject matter of his daily prayers for you who is in him that was and is and is to come Your Affectionate Labourer Fellow Servant and Brother Barthol Ashwood THE Heavenly Trade Opened and improved from Proverbs 3. 14. For the Merchandise of it is better than the Merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold THAT Religion is under a very great declension in the day and place wherein we live is too evident to serious observers but too little laid to heart or the prodigious effects which usually follow such expiring godliness duly trembled at The character of the last and perilous times hath over taken us men having a form of godliness but denying the power of it 2 Tim. 3 5. a Nos non eloquimur magna sâ—d vivimus Minut. Foel A lamp a name to live notions parts external priviledges and duties make up the Religion of the greatest part of professing
when you meet with company what goods do you put off to them Do you labour in every society to vend something of heavenly wares to put off some holy counsel and instruction some gracious experience and observation to leave something behind you in every place and company you come that may fasten a savour of God on them then is it good Trading and you are in a soul-thriving way Thirdly Men count it good Trading when they are richer in stock when they have more goods more variety greater quantity of wares than first they had and that clear too and paid for their shops and warehouses are fuller than they were and the goods their own also this men reckon good Trading And can you say 't is thus with your souls also Are you increased with spiritual goods your graces are more as well as gifts your faith love hope fear are more grown and stronger than they were 2 Thes 1. 3. Can you trust God more than you could and hang upon a naked promise more strongly than you could when sight fails 2 Cor. 5. 7. Can you think well of God when he frowns upon you Can you love him when he corrects you Isa 39. 8 Can you stay on him when he strips you of your visible comforts and cleave to him when he seems to reject you Job 13. v. 15. Then are you richer in stock Is your Faith more cleansing and quickening your Love more warming your Zeal more fervent your Hope more adventurous your Patience more bearing your Joy more delighting your Humility more self-abasing then are you encreased with goods Have you more of every grace it may be at first you had much affection but little sincerity great desires but little faith much comfort but little patience and self-denial you could pray talk rejoyce do some duties but could not bear trials want comforts live by faith when sight failed you were much it may be in some duties but negligent in others but now you have more variety of graces enlargement in duties and more universal respect to all God's commands Psal 119. 6. And if you are less in the bulk of duty you are more in the spirit of it when 't is thus there 's a thriving Trade in Christianity Fourthly Are you less in debt than you were that 's another sign of good Trading Do you make conscience of rendring to God again for all his benefits Psal 116. 12 13. Is it your trouble when you are behind-hand with grace and fall in arreer to the mercy of God by your unthankfulness Dan. 9. 10. Indeed in compensation of the grace of God you are defective to make requitals of mercies you cannot you see possibly an infinite shortness in your performances of the meanest favour that the Lord bestows upon you but such as you have you give to the Lord you render all possible praises though not all praises due Exod. 15. 2. This you are careful of and charge upon your hearts every day to walk as becometh the grace that brings salvation and the mercies bestowed on you 't is the desire of your heart and labour to walk worthy of God to all well-pleasing and to answer the end of mercy in which you are willing beyond your ability and grieve at your falling short herein Now this doth the Lord count for the deed and accept at his peoples hands as full pay through the satisfaction of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 8. 12. And where 't is thus that persons live in the daily sense of Divine Grace and grateful acknowledgment of every mercy there is a thriving Trade in spirituals Fifthly Have you much owed you and is it secure This also bespeaks a thriving Trade Men count sure debts as good as ready money though they have little in bags yet if they have the more in book and good debt too they rate themselves accordingly and reckon themselves worth so much as is due as well as to what is in hand And is it so with you Christians are you rich in promises is much coming to you upon a new-covenant score It may be you have little in hand little comfort peace and sweetness you meet with from day to day You sow much but reap little you ask but have not and yet seek with your whole heart Goods are received but no money returned if so you have good grounds of hope for a plentiful harvest because you sow store of good seed are much in holy duties and sincere in them many a prayer upon the file many a tear droped into God's bottle much grace laid out in duty and time spent in it a daily care to please God and upon Scripture-grounds can lay claim to many a promise on the account of Christ What you sow you shall reap Gal. 6. 8. Your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 2 Cor. 15. v. 58. Say unto the righteous it shall be well with them for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Isa 3. 10. And the less is received the more is behind Improvements of grace do book down many a mercy for Believers which possibly they may not receive all their life and yet be sure and turns to account in the Inheritance prepared for them and this is good Trading which brings in bonds and bills that are sure and shall be paid to Heavenly Traders in their own Countrey Sixthly That 's good Trading where the present incomes maintain the Trader and so much is got by it as they may live by when a person can live comfortably upon his gettings without impairing the stock If it be so with the Believer in thy Heavenly Trade then hast thou good Trading Try Christians your thriving by your livelihood can you live comfortably upon the fruits of Religion Cant. 2. 3. Isa 40. 31. doth your Religion maintain your Souls and Graces well Joh. 4. 30. at what rate do you live Men that thrive in the world usually live well have good fare and good cloathing Diet Apparel Expences do soon shew mens gettings Indeed Prodigals may spend high live well for a time but then they cannot hold it they soon break but when men can bear liberal expences and their Estates not impaired it argues such do thrive apace and get well in their Trades so 't is with thriving Christians they ordinarily live at a higher rate of peace and comfort than others Ps 119. 165. Ps 80. 19. their fare is better unless the health of their Souls do sometimes call to fasting and affliction strong Christians overcoming Souls have better Provisions promis'd them than others such feed on hidden Manna Rev. 2. 17. and marrowy bits milk is for babes but strong meat for strong men Prov. 21. 15. 'T is joy to the just to do judgment Joy and Pleasure saith Mercer is the fruit of wel-doing to such h Laetitia obvenit ci ex juste factis suis Such can expend more than others who have larger proportion of Blessings on their Souls A person
which you shall be received into glory Fifthly They are the sure way to blessing here Luke 6. 38. Give and it shall be given to you good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom for with the same measure that ye mete withall it shall be measured to you again Intimating that giving to the poor is but lending to the Lord as hath been shewed and it shall be surely repaid in this life either in kind or in value in such things as they need yea oft-times in the same coin and that to sufficient requital good measure amplified by three metaphors pressed down shaken together and running over that is saith e Ita illis benefacturum ut sensari sint se esse remuneratos Scultetus God will so bles them that they shall be sensible they are sufficiently repaid 2 Cor. 9. 6. Deut. 15. 10 11. Mat. 10. 41 42. Psal 41. 12. Prov. 11. 24. Job was a man of great Charity Job 29. 12 13. a man of great prosperity in the world v. 6 7. and though for the tryal of his faith he was stript of all for a season yet did the Lord after all turn his water into wine chap. 42. 10. Rahab entertained the spies and saved her self and family from ruine by it The Shunamite the Widow of Zarephath got by laying out acts of Charity to the Prophet Tiberius the second was a person of great liberality to the poor 't is said of him that whatever Justinus his predecessour had contracted by covetousness Tiberius freely distributed to the poor And when Sophia Justine's Widow reproved him for his excess of Charity he replies g Confido in Domino quod non deerit pecunia fisco nostro quamdiu pauperes Eleemosynam inde accepturi sunt Est enim is thesaurus ingens de quo Dowinus dixit Matth. 6. 10. Theatr. Hisior Thcoret Tract I trust in the Lord that our Exchequer shall never want money while the poor are maintained out of it Neither did his expectations fail for as the same Author reports he found a vast treasure in his Palace hidden under the pavement which could scarce be emptied for divers daies Thus God blessed his bountiful hand Mr. Gouge in his Surest and Safest Way of Thriving a book worth your getting and to which I refer you gives many modern instances of this great truth I shall for their sakes who have not the Book mention this one concerning the pious and imitable resolution of Mr. John Walter Citizen of London who having a sufficient estate to maintain his Charge resolv'd what further estate God should entrust him with to bestow the same on charitable uses after which vow he found his estate wonderfully encreasing A worthy president to such as have enough to live comfortably upon to put bounds to their further purchases and entitle their surplusage to the service of Christ and refreshments of his Saints a course men will one day find more gainful than to joyn house to house and field to field 'T is the best way saith Chrysologus for a rich man to make the bellies of the poor his barn to succour the fatherless and needy and thereby to lay up treasures in Heaven Gregory the Great was so devoted to Charity that all what he had seem'd to be the common granary of the Church 'T is said of Cyprian he was the blind man's eyes the lame man's legs the naked man's garment he was a man of so great Charity Mr. Fox the Author of the Acts and Monuments never denied to give to any that asked for Jesus sake Augustine sold the Ornaments of the Church to relieve the poor And Bazil in a time of great famine sold his Land and other goods to maintain the poor A Duke being asked by some Ambassadors whether he could shew them some hunting-dogs gathered a great many poor people together and shewing them to the Ambassador said These be the Dogs I daily keep and with which I use to hunt after Heaven O that Christians would have other games in chase than that which perishes in the using and lay out their estates to better advantage than what appropriating them to self-interest can afford Feed the hungry cloathe the naked give to him that lacketh seeing such blessed encouragements do attend this Christian duty Fifthly If you have good trading in grace then lay up for glory If you are Wisdom's Merchants Heaven is your Country and home the place of your rest and eternal residence The world is a strange Countrey to you a spot of ground where you are set for a while to trade in to get commodities for your Countrey and sent into it as Jacob was to Syria to provide for his own house and then to return into his Countrey Gen. 30. 30. This is not your rest Mich. 2. 10. Christians you are not sent hither to take root in the Earth or with the Raven let out of the Ark to build your nests in the world or with the fool in the Gospel to take your rest in your full barns and encreased goods but as Joseph was sent before into Egypt to make provision for his own Countrey and as Solomon's ships were sent to Tarshish to transport what materials were useful for the House of God and his own house All that you are allowed here is but as factorage for present maintenance Some viands and refreshments in the way but your great business is to get such goods as will vend in your own Countrey Remember you are all this while left here to fill your sacks for your own home where your kindred and habitation lies Your Father's house and your own mansions your treasures pleasures crowns thrones and all that you are like to have for ever lies in your City above whose maker and builder is God We know but little of Christ's love saith Mr. Cooper till all be perfected and spread before us in Heaven O lay up for Heaven treasure up all you can for the other world whither you are going Especially lay up these four things for Heaven 1 Hopes for Glory 2 Desires for Glory 3 Treasures for Glory 4 Preparations for Glory First Lay up sound Hopes for Heaven 1 Pet. 1. 13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ Sure hopes of Heaven are of wonderful use to quicken a soul's dispatches for Heaven Acts 26. 7. Vnto which promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnibus viribus toto animo A Lapide to come 'T was their hopes to enjoy those great and glorious things in the promise that did put them on such diligence in those waies that lead to it to strive in every duty that seem'd to have an eye to this glory they did stretch out their hand to take hold of eternal life
marriage-day must be delayed till you come to a full age The Saints must be as a shock of corn that cometh in in its season Job 5. 25. Ripen a pace in your graces if you would get to glory Get your faith hope patience and every grace encreased daily especially your love to God that 's the grace shall abide in glory 1 Cor. 13. 8. Faith and Hope are the soul's helps and companions in the way but Love will be an eternal inhabitant with you Get purer deeper rooted stronger more enlarged love to Jesus Christ every day till you be downright sick for him this will make your life a death without his presence here and your death to be life in being with him for ever 'T was love to Christ made Ignatius so dead to all things below a Vita sine Christo mors est Ignat. and so longing to be with Christ 'T is storied of him that when he was dead and his heart taken out they saw the name of Jesus written in it in letters of Gold The more love to God the more fit for God for God is love b Non est in me incendium quidpiam amans D. Ludov. Rub. Thirdly Get and keep the testimony of a good conscience that may witness for you in the day of Christ when you die you are to have a trial for your life your inheritance your All and you had need have your witness firm and ready Now there are two great witnesses you will need in that day to clear your title the witness of Conscience and the Spirit have the one on your side and you will not want the other Get your consciences sprinkled with the blood of Christ and purged from dead works by the Spirit of Christ that it may be able to appear for you in that day The blood of Christ will put words into the mouth of conscience for you to plead the general issue and the benefit of pardoning grace wherein you have been transgressors enlightned conscience will accuse you that you have sinned and besprinkled conscience will plead for you that you are pardoned and purged conscience will testify for you that you are changed and that you hate the evil you have done and love the holiness you have neglected O of what wonderful use will the testimony of a good conscience be when you stand at the Bar of God! Get it true to you now and sure for you then Fourthly Maintain more constant walks with God daily this will fit you for your eternal fellowship with him Converse with God is begun acquaintance here and in Heaven is perfect friendship and perpetual fellowship It will much fit you for Heaven hereafter to begin the work of Heaven here which lies in maintain'd intercourse with him Through these gallery-walks with God do the Saints pass into the Presence-Chamber and sit down with him for ever Communion with God now is Heaven begun such are fittest for his presence in glory who are train'd up in his company here Fifthly If you would prepare for Heaven dispatch your work on Earth Heaven is a state of rest and rest follows the finishing of labour Heb. 4. 9. Rev. 4. 13. Paul must end his fight finish his course and keep the faith before he can reach the Crown 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. In the grave there 's no wisdom device or work this is your only time for labour while you are in the Vineyard O how much work is behind with most which will make a departure terrible to an awakened conscience Haste about your neglected work you have it may be much work to do with others in your families with your relations possibly there are some souls in their graves and you have not done what you might to bring them forth dead Husband Wife Children Servants for whom you must do more or cannot comfortably appear before God O hasten about this work that you may give up your account with joy There 's soul-work to be done to get corruptions subdued graces strengthned your accounts stated evidences cleared and lamps trimmed which must be attended with utmost vigour If you would get home finish your work Lastly Be alwaies ready waiting for the coming of the Lord Luke 12. 35 36. Let your loins be girt about and your lights burning and ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately 2 Pet. 3. 12. Looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God Not only be waiting for your change but longing after it as persons that are ready for a desired journey think the time long ere they go Why are the wheels of his Chariot so long a coming Judg. 5. 28. The Spirit and the Bride say come Rev. 22. 17. With the Virgins go out to meet him Mat. 25. 1. If you knew the welcome that abideth for you when you come home ye would hasten your pace Rutherf The more ready you are for the coming of Christ the more will you long for his appearance and the more grateful will his approach be The uncertainty of that time when the Lord Jesus shall appear and the unseasonableness of that surprisal for preparation-work should put Christians on continual readiness lest coming in an hour they know not of they be found unfit to enter in and the door be shut Mat. 25. 10. O how dreadful will a miscarriage be at last All the hopes labours and comfort of your life depend upon your final safety and happy conclusion of your day 'T is a great thing to live a sanctified and die a saved soul O how few imagine the difficulty of being a Christian indeed and the infinite concern of securing an immortal soul and a sure title to the unsearchable riches of the other world O the folly and madness of rational creatures to make every thing sure but salvation and to spend their time and strength about the many things of a perishing life and lose the better part Whoever thou art that castest thine eye upon this discourse thou wilt one day find Religion to be thy chiefest interest when thou comest to take thy farewel of a vain deceitful world and seest all thy Lovers for whom thou hast sleighted thy precious soul thy Soverign Lord and dying Redeemer to prove miserable comforters not able to afford one drop of balm to heal or cordial to chear thy fainting heart and affrighted conscience When thou seest pale death deliver thee a summons to appear before the holy God and to give an account of thy Stewardship when thou seest the Books opened and such a fearful charge against thy guilty conscience which thou canst not deny or answer then wilt thou find godliness in the power of it to be the greatest gain and would'st give ten thousand worlds for such an evidence as Hezekiah and Paul had when within view of death and eternity And is not Religion as
laying the foundation of Salvation-hopes upon creature-performances and improvements when they go from the Rule of Faith and Word of Truth to natural light and seducing spirits which have not their evidence and approbation from the Scriptures When persons at once disclaim dependency on the true foundation and disposal by the Rule of Righteousness 't is much to be feared whether such shall be restored Gal. 1. 6. ch 5. 4. Heb. 10. 26 39. 2 Pet. 2. 15. Heb. 6. 4. 6. Thirdly When men make Merchandise of the Truth and sell their profession for worldly interest having loved the reward of iniquity and made a swap of their Religion for advantage-sake This is a mighty provocation to the Spirit when men can sell themselves to work wickedness and value the great things of God's Law of his Truth and Salvation at so low a rate to part with them for a mess of pottage and the dirty Cabals of this world 'T is seldom that such find repentance though they seek it with tears See Judas Simon Magus Balaam Demas Spira What remarks of furious indignation God makes such Apostates to be who can part with their Religion for worldly interests 2 Tim. 4. 10. 1 King 21. 20. 2 Pet. 2. 3 15. Acts 1. 18. Fourthly Backsliders in heart shall surely perish and be filled with their own ways Prov. 14. 14. when falling back is upon choice and with delight like a deceitful Bow that is then at rest when its string is broken Psal 78. 57. When a man casts off Religion as one doth his burden and a beast his yoke Jer. 5. 5. and is glad he is rid of his troublesome work as one that is got out of prison Rom. 1. 32. This argues a spirit of Belial and a dangerous state Many have taken up a Lamp upon constraint for fashion or interest or for companies-sake as the foolish Virgins did Prov. 14. 14. Psal 78. 57. Jer. 5. 5. Mat. 25. 1. But when opportunity hath offered it self for a fair riddance they have soon appear'd what they were by their chearful returns to Egypt and the broad way of error and looseness falling in with other interests and finding pleasure in it Now the world reputation and pleasure take away the heart and they are well-pleased with other Lovers this is a bad sign of a desperate state of marish-ground that shall never be healed Ezek. 47. 11. Lastly When persons are prejudic'd against the means of recovery hate them that rebuke them in the gate Amos 5. 10. shun the light and cannot endure those that would reclaim them from the error of their way Joh. 3. 19. their hearts rise against any attempts to reduce them Amos 7. 10. cannot bear them that are good slight and hate the people of God they formerly loved avoiding their company jeer and reproach those Ministers people and ways they once took pleasure in this shews a dangerous state such a persons condition seems desperate and not far from the Chambers of death O you that are fallen back in Religion get your hearts affected with it do you begin to decay you know not where it will end are you gone back 't is questionable whether ever you may return and then what will your latter end be your last state will be worse than your first and if twice dead you will be pluck'd up by the roots if after showers and dressings you decay your end will be to be burned Advice 2. Secondly If you would recover out of your wasting decays in this heavenly Trade search out the causes and get them removed There must needs be something more than ordinary when men who have a good Trade which may be driven in the worst of times and will ensure advantage if followed do notwithstanding fall back and decay Such is Religion it will maintain and enrich its followers if they be not wanting to themselves there must needs be some great causes and miscarriages then that doth cast back the professors of Christianity and bring a consumption on their soul-prosperity some of which may be these First When they enter upon this heavenly Trade and have not a stock to set it up Religion is a great thing and cannot be carried on without a stock of saving-grace to maintain it Common grace is not a sutable stock for this spiritual Trade it may help men to transact the external part and common works of Religion but cannot do the inward secret and choicest services of godliness A stranger intermeddles not with its joy Prov. 14. 10. no nor its work They that are in the flesh cannot please God Rom. 8. 8. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink Rom. 14. 17. it lies not in outward duties but righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost which no hypocrite can reach to This spoils many they take up a form of godliness without the power of it and being strangers to the work within they cannot carry on the works of grace without which this state calls for and so fall back and come to nothing When persons get some knowledg parts frames and temporary graces they presently take up a Lamp of profession and get into the company of the wise climb up to the enjoyment of priviledges and then sit down contented and fall asleep and when they come to temptations and spiritual duties to the work of faith love patience self-denial mortification and the like having not grace to support them and a principle that suits such work they fall short of duty and into sin and so Trade and fall away Common grace is as a standing-pool which having not a spring to feed it dries up when supplies cease and scorchings come whereas true grace is as a well of water that springs up to life eternal Secondly Another thing that casts back Traders is this when they set upon an employment and have not skill to manage it Every Art hath its principles rules and mysteries by which it is carried on to deviate from these is to mar the excellency and miss the advantage of it Irregular actions seldom thrive so 't is with the heavenly Trade when persons set upon it and have not skill to order it to best advantage no wonder if they prosper not but fall back in godliness Solomon directing to this heavenly Trade advises to get wisdom as the principal thing in order to it Prov. 4. 7. And when the Apostle would further the Saints in holy walking as the necessary way to it he begs wisdom for them Col. 1. 9 10. That ye may be filled with the knowledg of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that ye may walk worthy of the Lord to all well-pleasing being fruitful in every good work Two things made David thrive so much in his proper publick work Integrity of heart and Understanding Psal 78. 72. He fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands Some books read it in the plural
number in the Greek In skilfulnesses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noting the great measure of wisdom which men need who would prosper in their proper work and order their administrations prudently as might most further their spiritual welfare The want of which wisdom and prudence in Christians to order every thing they do in their general and particular Callings converses conditions and occurrences in the World to the best advantage of their souls is one reason they thrive so little in their heavenly Trade Wisdom would teach men to prevent many snares and occasions of evil and instruct them how to get good from every thing they do which would much advance their soul-profiting for want of which they go back in spirituals and decay apace Thirdly This also casts back Traders when they are not diligent in the management of their Trade A slothful soul suffers hunger Prov. 19. 15. and by much sloth the building decays and through idleness of hand the house droppeth thorough Eccles 8. 10. They that will thrive in the World must be diligent take all opportunities to carry on their work The diligent hand maketh rich but by slothfulness men are brought to a morsel of bread So 't is in Religion when men let down their work and do not follow it to purpose they soon decay and become spiritually poor this is the bane of many this day Religion is not their business men do but little on the Lord's day and scarce a stroke of work is done all the week after hear they will and when that is done their work is done too never think of what they hear or put it to practice from one Lord's day to another All the week their heads hearts hands feet time strength discourses contrivances are wholly taken up about the World and how can they choose but go down the hill and waste away in their soul-interests Religion is one continued work which allows of no intermission but hath its work every day and in every thing break but one link of this golden chain of godliness and it weakens the whole O the slothfulness of Christians at this day in their soul-businesses every day is fill'd up with neglects neglect of prayer neglect of reading meditation conference heart-watching grace-cherishing-work forget this duty pass by another cold sleighty formal in all this spoils the prosperity of souls The Galatians began well but did not hold out they were soon weary Gal. 5. 7. Most mens journey to Heaven is full of stops and that which makes it most miserable their lets are of themselves Who hath hindred you Mens stays are within in their own hearts they have no heart to do good Hos 7. 11. Love to Religion is almost gone and this makes men weary in these pleasant ways while affections hold souls are never weary but when the heart is gone then every thing is a burden such will do no more than needs they must to quiet conscience and preserve peace and credit and this starves godliness Fourthly Great and frequent losses in mens Trades tend to breaking and so it is in Religion Christians through their sloth formality and unwatchfulness sustain many and great losses of spiritual mercies and this brings them low A Christian the other day it may be had his graces flourishing his heart warm his affections quick and lively his conscience pure and tender his will flexible and fix'd on God and things spiritual 2 Ep. Joh. 8. and a good frame throughout his whole soul but now through his carelesness all is lost again Gal. 3. 4. One time he loses the favour and comfortable presence of God Psal 51. 12. another time he loses a sweet serenity of spirit and peace with God then light and convictions are gone another time enjoyments and experiences are gone now his desires after God are lost then his strength is devoured now temptations prey upon the soul and then corruptions make a waste upon it come to Ordinances Sermons Sacraments and after a great deal of prayer care and striving a little grace and comfort is obtain'd but through want of watchfulness all lost again it may be before it stirs out of the place or recovers home to his habitation the next company discourse occasion takes away all Another time God brings the soul into the fire of some great affliction sickness suffering losses and there melts it into some holy frames humility faith love obedience takes off some dross puts on some beauty imparts some soul-advantage but immediately upon a change of the person's condition when new mercy health and comfort returns all the good is lost again Now through these many and great losses in spirituals which gracious souls sustain they are brought very low and come to be soon poor and beggerly Fifthly Great wastes and large expences help to make Traders poor apace when they turn spendthrifts and prodigals living above their estates when their layings out are more than their comings in this must needs bring them low It undid the Steward He wasted his Masters goods Luke 16. 1. So 't is with Wisdom's Merchants also when they turn prodigals of their graces mercies parts strength time and other goods committed to them spending them on their lusts and carnal contentments then they soon find an alteration O at what a rate do men live in point of time and at what vast expences of their short day upon things of no value talking eating drinking sleeping trifling sinning away their precious time as if they had no employment for it or no better work to do Little do souls think what a small pittance of day-light they have allow'd for their vast concerns and multitude of great employments and what madness 't is to be so prodigal of this little inch of precious time O the hours and days and years that professing Christians spend to no purpose in vain thoughts foolish talking impertinent converses unprofitable duties and labours which when they shall be all reckon'd up by the great Creditor and a bill of wastes put into the hands of conscience and the total summ of these expences read what amazing sense what dreadful impress and fretful sting will this beget when persons come to die As the Queen said If her heart were ript open Cales would be found written in it So if their hearts could then be as legible as their expressions men might read this there in black and capital letters Lost time Lost time How great also are mens wastes of graces and peace wisdom and capacities and all for the obtaining of some poor empty insignificant comforts which perish with the using There are no locusts Christians like your cursed lusts which have devoured your precious things your affections time strength and graces what convictions resolutions hopeful frames conscience-tenderness talents capacities priviledges ordinances providences have the service of thy base lusts and contentment of thy carnal mind consumed and this hath brought thy soul to such straits and distressing exigencies When souls