the wicked are of no account with God they are vile persons Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile therefore the wicked are compared to chaffe Psal 1.4 to dross Psal 119.119 There is little use of a wicked man while he lives and no loss of him when he dies there is only a little chaffe blown away which may well be spared But Gods children are precious in his sight they are his jewels Mal. 3.17 The wicked are but lumber which serves only to cumber the ground but Gods children are his jewels locked up in the Cabinet of his Decree from all eternity Gods children are the apple of his eye Zach. 2.8 very dear and tender to him and the eye-lid of his special Providence doth cover them the Lord accounts every thing of his children precious 1. Their name is precious the wicked do leave their name for a curse Isa 65.15 The names of Gods children are embalmed Isa 60.15 So precious are their names that God enters them down in the book of life and Christ carries them on his breast How precious must their name needs be who have Gods own Name written upon them Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh I will write upon him the Name of my God 2. Their prayers are precious Cant. 2.14 O my Dove in the clifts of the Rock let me hear thy voyce for sweet is thy voyce Every childe of God is this Dove prayer is the voyce of the Dove and sweet is this voyce The prayer of Gods children is as sweet to him as Musick a wicked mans prayer is as the howling of a Dog Hosea 7.14 The prayer of the Saints is as the singing of the Bird the finger of Gods Spirit touching the Lute-strings of their hearts they make melody to the Lord. Isa 56.7 Their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar 3. Their tears are precious they drop as pearls from their eyes I have seen thy tears Isa 38.5 The tears of Gods children drop as precious wine into Gods bottle Psal 56.8 Put thou my tears into thy bottle A tear from a broken heart is a Present for the King of heaven 4. Their BLOOD is precious Psal 116.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints This is the blood God will chiefly make inquisition for Athaliah shed the blood of the Kings children 2 Kings 11.1 The Saints are the children of the most High and such as shed their blood shall pay dear for it Rev. 16.6 Thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy 2. God looks upon his children as persons of honour Isa 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable c. 1. God esteems them honourable he calls them a Crown and a Royal Diadem Isa 62.3 He calls them his glory Isa 46.13 Israel my glory 2. God makes them honourable as a King creates Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons c. so God installs his children into honour he creates them noble persons persons of Renown David thought it no small honour to be the Kings son-in-law 1 Sam. 18.18 Who am I that I should be son-in-law to the King What an infinite honour is it to be the children of the High God to be of the blood-royal of heaven The Saints are of an Ancient Family they are sprung from the Ancient of dayes Dan. 7.9 That is the best Pedigree which is fetched from heaven here the youngest childe is an heir a co-heir with Christ who is heir of all Hebr. 1.2 Rom. 8.17 Consider the honour of Gods children 1. Positively 2. Comparatively 1. Positively 1. They have the titles of honour they are called Kings Rev. 1.6 The excellent of the Earth Psal 16.2 Vessels of honour 2 Tim. 2.21 2. They have their Scutchion you may see the Saints Scutchion or Coat-Armour the Scripture hath set forth their Heraldry sometimes they give the Lyon in regard of their courage Prov. 1.28 Sometimes they give the Eagle in regard of their sublimeness they are ever flying up to heaven upon the two wings of faith and love Isa 40.31 They shall mount up with wings as Eagles sometimes they give the Dove in regard of their meekness and innocency Cant. 2.14 This shews the children of God to be persons of Renown 2. Consider the honour of Gods children comparatively and this comparison is double Compare the chidren of God 1. With Adam 2. With the Angels 1. Compare the children of God with Adam in a state of innocency Adam was a person of honour he was the sole Monarch of the World all the creatures did vail to him as their Soveraign he was placed in the garden of Eden which was a Paradise of pleasure he was crowned with all the contentments of the Earth nay more Adam was Gods lively picture he was made in the likeness of God himself yet the state of the meanest of Gods children by Adoption is far more excellent and honourable than the state of Adam was when he wore the Robe of innocency for Adams condition though it was glorious yet mutable and was soon lost Adam was a bright star yet a falling star but Gods children by Adoption are in a state unalterable Adam had a posse non peccare a possibility of standing but believers have a non posse peccare an impossibility of falling once adopted and ever adopted as Isaac said when he had given the blessing to Jacob I have blessed him and he shall be blessed Gen 27.33 So may we say of all Gods children they are adopted and they shall be adopted so that Gods children are in a better and more glorious condition now than Adam was in all his Regal Honour and Majesty 2. Let us ascend as high as heaven and compare Gods children with the glorious and blessed Angels Gods children are equal to the Angels in some sense above them and then sure they must needs be persons of honour 1. Gods children are equal to the Angels this is acknowledged by some of the Angels themselves Rev. 19.10 I am thy fellow-servant here is a Parallel made between John the Divine and the Angel the Angel saith to John 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am thy fellow-servant 2. The children of God by Adoption are in some sense above the Angels and that two wayes 1. The Angels are servants to Gods children Hebr. 1.14 Though they are glorious spirits yet ministring spirits The Angels are the Saints servitors we have examples in Scripture of Angels attending the persons of Gods children we read of Angels waiting upon Abraham Moses Daniel the Virgin Mary c. Nor do the Angels only service to Gods children while they live but at their death too Lazarus had a Convoy of Angels to carry him into the Paradise of God thus we see the children of God have a preheminence and dignity above the Angels the Angels are their servants both living and dying and this is the more to be observed because it is never said in Scripture that the
be said worse Thou to whom the Lord hath given an estate thy cup runs over but hast a miserly heart and wilt not part with any thing for good uses 't is death to thee to relieve them that are dying know that thou art in the highest degree ungrateful thou art not fit for humane society The Scripture hath put these two together unthankful without natural affection 2 Tim. 3.2 3. God may repent that ever he gave such men estates and may say as Hos 2.9 Therefore will I return and take away my corn and my wine in the season thereof and will recover my wooll and my flax 2. The unmerciful man wants love to Christ all men would be thought to love Christ and would be very angry with them that should question their love but do they love Christ who let the members of Christ starve No these love their money more than Christ and come under that fearful Anathema 1 Cor. 16.22 Arg. 9 9. Lastly I shall use but one argument more to perswade to works of mercy and that is the reward which follows Alms-deeds giving of Alms is a glorious work and let me assure you it is no unfruitful work * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theod. Whatsoever is disbursed to the poor is given to Christ Mat. 25.40 Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me The poor mans hand is Christs Treasury * Manus pauperis est Christi gazophylacium Chrysolog and there is nothing lost that is put there Quicquid in terra jacenti porrigitis sedenti in caelo datis The text saith the merciful shall obtain mercy in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall be bemercified What is it we need most is it not mercy pardoning and saving mercy What is it we desire most on our death-bed is it not mercy Thou that shewest mercy shalt find mercy thou that pourest in the oyle of compassion to others God will pour in the golden oyle of salvation into thee Matth. 7.2 The Shunamite woman shewed mercy to the Prophet and she received kindnesse from him another way 2 Kings 4. She welcommed him to her house and he restored her dead child to life they that sow mercy shall reap in kind they shall obtain mercy such is the sweetnesse and mercifulnesse of Gods nature that he will not suffer any man to be a loser No kindnesse shewed to him shall be unregarded or unrewarded God will be in no mans debt for a cup of cold water he shall have a draught of Christs warme blood to refresh his soul Heb. 6.10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which you have shewed toward his name in that you have ministred to the Saints c. Gods mercy is a tender mercy a pure mercy a rich mercy mercy shall follow and overtake the merciful man he shall be rewarded 1. In this life 2. In the life to come 1. The merciful man shall be rewarded in this life he shall be blessed 1. In his Person Psal 41.1 Blessed is he that considers the poor Let him go whether he will a blessing goes along with him he is in favour with God God casts a smiling aspect upon him 2. Blessed in his name Psal 112.6 He shall be had in everlasting remembrance When the Niggards name shall rot the name of a merciful man shall be embalmed with honour and give forth its scent as the wine of Lebanon 3. Blessed in his Estate Omni rerum copia affluet Prov. 11.25 The liberal soul shall be made fat He shall have the fat of the Earth and the dew of Heaven He shall not only have the Venison but the blessing 4. Blessed in his Posterity Psal 37.26 He is ever merciful and lendeth his seed is blessed He shall not only leave an Estate behind but a blessing behind to his children and God will see that the entail of that blessing shall not be cut off 5. Blessed in his Negotiations Deutr. 15.10 For this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto The merciful man shall be blessed in his building planting journying whatever he is about a blessing shall empty it self upon him Quicquid calcaverit rosa fiet He shall be a prosperous man the honey-comb of a blessing shall be still dropping upon him 6. Blessed with long life Psal 41.2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive * Restituet eum Deus qui aâ—ea morti vicinus fuit longiore vita donabit Mollerus He hath helped to keep others alive and God will keep him alive Is there any thing then lost by mercifulness it spins out the silver thread of life many are taken away the sooner for their unmercifulness because their hearts are streightned their lives are shortned 2. The merciful man shall be rewarded in the life to come Arist Rhet. Aristotle joyns these two together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 liberality and utility God will reward the merciful man hereafter though not for his works yet according to his works Revel 20.12 I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works As God hath a bottle to put our tears in so he hath a book to write our alms in as God will put a vail over his peoples sins so he will in free-grace set a Crown upon their works The way to lay up is to lay out other parts of our Estate is left behind * Eccl. 2.18 19. but that which is given to Christs poor is hoarded up in heaven that is a blessed kind of giving which though it makes the purse lighter it makes the Crown heavier You that are mercifully inclined remember whatever alms you distribute 1. You shall have good security Eccles 11.1 Luk. 6.38 Prov. 19.17 He that gives to the poor lends to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again There is Gods Counter-band to save you harmless which is better security than any PUBLICK FAITH yet here is our Unbelief and Atheism We will not take Gods bond we commonly put our deeds of mercy among our desperate debts 2. You shall be paid with over-plus for a wedge of gold which you have parted with you shall have a weight of glory for a cup of cold water you shall have Rivers of pleasure which run at Gods right hand for evermore The interest comes to infinitely more than the principal Pliny writes of a Country in Affrica where the people for every bushel of seed they sowe receive an hundred and fifty fold increase For every penny you drop into Christs Treasury you shall receive above a thousand fold encrease your after-crop of glory will be so great that though you
falling away from grace would make a believer wear Cains mark which was a continual shaking and trembling in his flesh they would spill a Christians cordial and break a link of the chain of salvation 2. Let us try whether our grace be true There is something Use 2 looks like grace which is not Chrysostom saith the Divel hath a counterfeit chain to all the graces Trial. and he would deceive us with it Lapidaries have wayes to try their precious stones let us try our grace by a Scripture touchstone the painted Christian shall have a painted Paradise 1. The truth of grace is seen by a displacency and antipathy against sin Psal 119.104 I hate every false way Grace sets it self against complexion-sins Psal 18.23 and against the sins of the Times Rev. 2.2 2. Grace is known by the growth of it growth evidenceth life Dead things grow not a picture will not grow An hypocrite who is but a picture of Religion doth not grow a good Christian grows in love to Christ in humility in good works Psal 92.12 Hos 14.5 He shall grow as the lilly his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive-tree and his smell as Lebanon When the Spirit of God distills as dew upon the soul it makes grace flourish and put forth into maturity 3. True grace will make us willing to suffer for Christ Grace is like gold it will abide the fiery trial 1 Pet. 1.7 And if upon a serious scrutiny and trial we find that we have the right jewel the grace of God in truth Col. 1.6 this will be a death-bed cordial we may with Simeon depart in peace being assured that though we cannot resist death yet we shall overcome it Use 3 3. Let me lay down two or three directions for the attaining of grace Direction 1. If we would be enriched with this jewel of grace let us take pains for it we are bid to make an hue and cry after knowledge and to search for it as a man that searcheth for a vein of gold Prov. 2.2 3. Our salvation cost Christ blood it will cost us sweat 2. Let us go to God for grace * Incassum laborat qui aliunde virtutes sperat quam à Domino virtutum he is called the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 We could lose grace of our selves but we cannot find it of our selves * Domine errare potui redire non potui Austin The Sheep can wander from the Fold but cannot return without the help of the Shepherd Go to the God of all grace God is the first Planter the Promoter the perfecter of grace God is the Father of lights Jam. 1.17 He must light up this candle of grace in the soul grace is in his gift it is not an impropiriation but a donative Oh then go to God in prayer lay thy heart before him Lord I want grace I want an humble believing heart and thou art the God of all grace all my springs are in thee Oh enrich me with grace deny me not this before I dye What is gold in the bag if I have no oyle in the Lamp Give me that anointing of God I read in thy Word of the fruits of the Spirit * Gal. 5.22 Lord my heart is a barren soile plant some of these supernatural fruits in me that I may be more useful and serviceable Lord I cannot be put off with other things Who wilt thou give grace to if not to such as ask and are resolved not to give over asking 3. If you would have grace engage the prayers of others in your behalf he is like to be rich who hath several stocks going he is in the way of spiritual thriving who hath several stocks of prayer going for him If you had a childe that were sick you would beg the prayers of others thou hast a soul that is sick sick of pride lust sick unto death oh beg the prayers of godly friends that God will heal thee with his grace a Moses and Jacob have much power with God Believers can prevail sometimes not only for themselves but for their friends Jam. 5.16 A godly mans prayers may do you more good than if he should bestow upon you all his lands of inheritance 4. If you would have grace frequent the means of grace lie at the pool of Bethesda wait at the posts of wisdoms door Inward grace is wrought by outward means the preaching of the Word is Gods Engine that he useth for working grace it is called the rod of his strength Psal 110.2 and the breath of his lips Isa 11.4 By this he causeth breath to enter out of this golden pipe of the Sanctuary God empties the golden oyle of grace into the soul the Ministry of the Gospel is called the Ministry of the Spirit 2 Cor. 8. because the Spirit of God ordinarily makes use of this to work grace this Ministry of the Spirit is to be preferred before the Ministry of Angels Quest Quest Why is the Word preached the ordinary means to convey grace why not conference or reading Answ Answ The reason is because God hath appointed it to this end and he will grace his own Ordinances 1 Cor. 1.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it pleased God What reason could be given why the waters of Damascus should not have as soveraign vertue to heal Naamans leprosie as the waters of Jordan only this because the Lord did appoint and sanctifie one to this work and not the other if therefore we would have grace let us wait where the Manna falls and there expect the dew of the Spirit to fall with Manna the power of God goes along with his Word How should we delight in Ordinances Sleidan saith there was a Church in France formerly which the Protestants call'd Paradise as if they thought themselves in Paradise while they were in the house of God those Ordinances should be our Paradise which are the power of God is salvation PROV 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life The spiritual watch THIS Book of the Proverbs is full of many Divine Aphorismes other parts of Scripture are like a golden chain the Verses are linked together by Coherence this Book is like an heap of gold Rings many precious sentences lie scattered up and down in it as so many jewels or sparkling Diamonds That title which some have given to Peter Lombard Solomon might justly challenge to be Master of the Sentences Solomon was the wisest of Kings as his Kingdom was a Map of the worlds glory so his Head was an epitome of the worlds wisdom He was endued with a Divine Spirit while he did write the Holy Ghost did dictate and surely among all his golden sentences none is more weighty and important than this Keep thy heart with all keeping for out of it are the issues of life Agitur de vitâ The Text is about matter of life and death the