Errour and judge what is sound and what spurious Acts 17.11 The Bereans search'd the scriptures daily whether those things were so They weighed the Doctrine they heard whether it was agreeable to Scripture tho' Paul and Silas were their Teachers 2 Tim. 3.16 Use 1. See the wonderful goodness of God who besides the Light of Nature hath committed to us the Sacred Scriptures The Heathens are inveloped with Ignorance Psal. 147.20 As for his judgments they have not known them They have the Oracles of the Sybils but not the Writings of Moses and the Apostles How many live in the Region of Death where this bright Star of Scripture never appeared We have this blessed Book of God to resolve all our Cases to chalk out a Way of Life to us Iohn 14.22 Lord How is it thou wilt show thy self to us and not unto the World 2. Seeing God hath given us his written Word to be our Directory this takes away all Excuses from Men. No Man can say I went wrong for want of a Light no God hath given thee his Word as a Lamp to thy feet therefore now if thou goest wrong thou dost it wilfully No Man can say If I had known the Will of God I would have obeyed no thou art inexcusable O Man God hath given thee a Rule to go by he hath written his Law with his own finger Therefore now if thou obeyest not thou hast no Apology left If a Master leaves his Mind in writing with his Servant and tells him what Work he will have done yet the Servant neglects the Work that Servant is left without Excuse Iohn 15.22 Now ye have no Cloak for your sin Use 2. Is all Scripture of Divine Inspiration is it a Book made by GOD himself Then this reproves 1. The Papists who take away part of Scripture and so clip the King of Heaven's Coin they expunge the second Commandment out of their Catechisms because it makes against Images 't is usual with them if they meet with any thing in Scripture which they dislike either they put a false Gloss upon it or if that will not do pretend it is corrupted these are like Ananias who kept back part of the Money Acts 5.2 so they keep back part of Scripture from the People This is an high Affront to God to deface and obliterate any part of his Word by this they bring themselves under that Premunire Rev. 22.19 If any man shall take away from the words of the book this prophesie God shall take away his part out of the book of life Is all Scripture of Divine Inspiration 2. It condemns the Antinomians that lay aside the Old Testament as useless and out of date they call them Old Testament Christians God hath stamp'd a Divine Majesty upon both Testaments and till they can shew me where God hath given a Repeal to the Old it stands in force The two Testaments are the two Wells of Salvation the Antinomians would stop up one of these Wells they would dry up one of the Brests of Scripture There is much Gospel in the Old Testament The Comforts of the Gospel in the New Testament have their rise from the Old The great Promise of the Messiah is in the Old Testament A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son Nay I say more the Moral Law in some part of it speaks Gospel I am the Lord thy God here is the pure Wine of the Gospel The Saints great Charter where God promiseth to pour clean water on them and put his spirit within them is to be found primarily in the Old Testament Ezek. 36.26 So that they who go to take away the Old Testament do as Sampson Pull down the pillars they would take away the Pillars of a Christian's Comfort 3. It condemns the Enthusiasts who pretending the Spirit lay aside the whole Bible they say the Scripture is a Dead Letter and they live above it What Impudency is this till we are above Sin we shall not be above Scripture let not Men talk of a Revelation from the Spirit suspect it to be an Imposture the Spirit of God acts regularly it works in and by the Word and he that pretends a new Light which is either above the Word or contrary to it abuseth both himself and the Spirit his Light is borrowed from him who transforms himself into an Angel of Light 4. It condemns the Slighters of Scripture such are they who can go whole Weeks and Months and never read the Word they lay it aside as rusty Armour they prefer a Play or Romance before Scripture the Magnalia legis are to them Minutula O how many can be looking their Faces in a Glass all the Morning but their Eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible Heathens die in the want of Scripture and these in the contempt of it They surely must needs go wrong who slite their Guide such as lay the reins upon the neck of their Lusts and never use the curbing Bit of Scripture to check them are carried to Hell and never stop 5. It condemns the Abusers of Scripture 1. Who do mud and poison this pure Chrystal Fountain with their corrupt Glosses who rest Scripture 2 Pet. 3.16 The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they set it upon the Rack they give wrong Interpretations of it not comparing Scripture with Scripture as the Antinomians pervert that Scripture Numb 23.21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob. Hence they infer God's People may take liberty in sin because God sees no sin in them 'T is true God sees not sin in his People with an Eye of Revenge but he sees it with an Eye of Observation He sees not sin in them so as to damn them but he sees it so as to be angry and severely to punish them Did not David find it so when he cried out of his broken bones In like manner the Arminians wrest Scripture Iohn 5.40 Ye will not come to me here they bring in Free-will This Text shows 1. how willing God is that we should have Life 2. that sinners may do more than they do they may improve the Talents God hath given them but it doth not prove the Power of Free-will for it is contrary to that Scripture Iohn 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him These therefore wring the Text so hard as they make the Blood come they do not compare Scripture with Scripture 2. Who do jest with Scripture When they are sad they take the Scripture as their Lute or Minstrel to play with and so drive away the sad Spirit as that Drunkard I have read of who having drunk off his Cups called to some of his Fellows Give us of your Oil for our Lamps are gone out In the fear of God take heed of this Eusebius tells us of one who took a piece of Scripture to make a Jest of who was presently struck with Frenzy and run mad And 't is
not carnal but sacred Delights As our Employments shall be spiritual it will consist in Adoring and Praising of God so our Enjoyment shall be spiritual it shall consist in the having the Perfection of Holiness in seeing the pure Face of Christ in feeling the Love of God in conversing with Heavenly Spirits these Delights will be more adequate and proper for the Soul and infinitely exceed all carnal voluptuous Delights 2. We shall have a Lively Sence of this glorious Estate A Man in a Lethargy though he be alive yet he is as good as dead because he is not sensible nor doth he take any pleasure in his Life we shall have a quick and lively sence of the infinite Pleasure which ariseth from Enjoyment of God we shall know our selves to be happy we shall reflect with joy upon our Dignity and Felicity we shall taste every Crumb of that Sweetness every Drop of that Pleasure which flows from God We shall be made able to bear a sight of that Glory We could not now bear that Glory it would overwhelm us sensibile fortè destruit sensum as a weak Eye cannot behold the Sun but God will capacitate us for Glory our Souls shall be so heavenly and perfected with holiness that they may be able to enjoy the blessed Vision of God Moses in a Clift of the Rock saw the Glory of God passing by Exod. 33.22 Through that blessed Rock Christ we shall behold the Beatifical sight of God 4. This Enjoyment of God shall be more then a bare Contemplation of him Some of the Learned move the Question Whether the Enjoyment of God shall be only by way of Contemplation Answ. That is something but it is but one half of Heaven there shall be a Loving of God an Acquiescence in him a Tasting his Sweetness not only Inspection but Possession Joh. 17.24 That they may behold my Glory there is Inspection Vers. 22. And the Glory thou hast given me I have given them there 's Possession Glory shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 not only revealed to us but in us To behold God's Glory there is Glory revealed to us but to partake of his Glory there is Glory revealed in us As the Spunge sucks in the Wine so we shall suck in Glory 5. There 's no Intermission in this State of Glory We shall not only have God's glorious Presence at certain special Seasons but we shall be continually in his Presence continually under Divine Raptures of Joy There shall not be one Minute in Heaven wherein a glorified Soul may say I do not enjoy Happiness The Streams of Glory are not like the Water of a Conduit often stopped that we cannot have one drop of Water but those heavenly Streams of Joy are continually running O how should we despise this Valley of Tears where we now are for the Mount of Transfiguration How should we long for the full Enjoyment of God in Paradise Had we a sight of that Land of Promise we should need Patience to be content to live here any longer 2. Let this be a Spur to Duty How diligent and zealous should we be in glorifying God that we come at last to enjoy him If Tully Demosthenes Plato who had but the dim Watch-light of Reason to see by and did but fancy an Elizium and Happiness after this Life did take such Herculean Pains to enjoy it O then how should Christians who have the Light of Scripture to see by bestir themselves that they may arrive at the Eternal Fruition of God and Glory If any thing may make us rise off our Bed of Sloth and serve God with all our might it should be this the hope of our full Enjoyment of God for ever What made Paul so active in the Sphere of Religion 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more abdundantly then they all His Obedience did not move slow as the Sun on the Dial but swift as the Sun in the Firmament Why was he so zealous in glorifying God but that he might at last center and terminate in him 1 Thess. 4.17 Then shall we be ever with the Lord. 3. Use of Consolation Let this comfort the Godly in all the present Miseries they feel Thou complainest Christian thou dost not enjoy thy self Fears disquiet thee Wants perplex thee in the Day thou canst not enjoy Ease in the Night thou canst not enjoy Sleep Thou dost not enjoy the Comforts of thy Life let this revive thee that shortly thou shalt enjoy God and then thou shalt have more then thou canst ask or think Thou shalt have Angels Joy Glory without Intermission and Expiration We shall never enjoy our selves fully till we enjoy God Eternally Of the SCRIPTVRES Quest. II. WHat Rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enioy him Answ. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament is the only Rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God c. By Scripture is understood the Sacred Book of God It is given by Divine Inspiration that is the Scripture is not the Contrivance of Man's Brain but of a Divine Original The Image of Diana was had in Veneration by the Ephesians because they did suppose it fell from Iupiter Acts 19.35 This Book then of the Holy Scripture is to be highly reverenced and esteemed because we are sure it came from Heaven 2 Pet. 1.21 The two Testaments are the two Lips by which God hath spoken to us Quest. How doth it appear that the Scriptures have a Jus Divinum a Divine Authority stamped upon them Answ. Because the Old and New Testament are the Foundation of all Religion If their Divinity cannot be proved the Foundation is gone on which we build our Faith I shall therefore endeavour to evince this great Truth That the Scriptures are the very Word of God I wonder whence the Scripture should come if not from God 1. Bad Men could not be the Authors of Scripture would their Minds be imployed in indighting such holy Lines would they declare so fiercely against Sin 2. Good Men could not be the Authors of Scripture Could they write in such a strain or could it stand with their Grace to Counterfeit God's Name and put Thus saith the Lord to a Book of their own devising 3. Nor could any Angel in Heaven be the Author of Scripture Because 1. the Angels pry and search into the Abyss of Gospel Mysteries 1 Pet. 1.12 which implies their nescience of some parts of Scripture and sure they cannot be Authors of that Book which themselves do not fully understand besides 2. what Angel in Heaven durst be so Arrogant as to Personate God and say I create Isa. 65.17 and I the Lord have said it Numb 14.35 So that it is evident The Pedigree of Scripture is Sacred and it could come from none but God himself Not to speak of the
Harmonious Consent of all the Parts of Scripture there are Seven cogent Arguments may Evince it to be the Word of God 1. By its Antiquity It is of ancient standing The gray Hairs of Scripture make it Venerable No Humane Histories extant reach further then since Noah's Flood but the Holy Scripture relates Matters of Fact that have been from the beginning of the World it writes of things before Time Now that is a sure Rule of Tertullian That which is of the greatest Antiquity is to be received as most Sacred and Authentick 2. We may know the Scripture to be the Word of God by the Miraculous Preservation of it in all Ages The Holy Scriptures are the richest Jewel that Christ hath left and the Church of God hath kept these Publick Records of Heaven that they have not been lost The Word of God hath never wanted Enemies to oppose and if possible to extirpate it They have given out a Law concerning Scripture as Pharaoh did the Midwives concerning the Hebrew Womens Children to strangle it in the Birth yet God hath preserved this blessed Book inviolable to this Day The Devil and his Agents have been blowing at Scripture-Light but could never prevail to blow it out a clear sign that it was lighted from Heaven Nor hath the Church of God in all Revolutions and Changes only kept the Scripture that it should not be lost but that it should not be depraved The Letter of Scripture hath been preserved without any Corruption in the Original Tongue The Scriptures were not corrupted before Christ's Time for then Christ would never have sent the Jews to the Scriptures but he sends them to the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Christ knew these Sacred Springs were not muddied with Humane Fancies 3. The Scripture appears to be the Word of God by the Matter contained in it 1. By its Profundity The Mystery of Scripture is so abstruse and profound that no Man or Angel could have known it had it not been Divinely revealed That Eternity should be born that he who Thunders in the Heavens should cry in the Cradle that he who Rules the Stars should Suck the Breasts That the Prince of Life should die that the Lord of Glory should be put to shame that Sin should be punished to the full yet pardoned to the full who could ever have conceived of such a Mystery had not the Scripture been the Oracle to reveal it to us So for the Doctrine of the Resurrection That the same Body which is crumbled into a thousand pieces should rise idem numero the same individual Body for else it were a Creation not a Resurrection how could such a Sacred Riddle above all Humane disquisition be known had not the Scripture made a Discovery of it 2. By its Purity It is for the Matter of it so full of Goodness Justice and Sanctity that it could be breathed from none but God The Holiness of it shows it to be of God it bears his very Image The Scripture is compared to Silver refined seven times Psal. 12.6 This Book of God hath no Errata's in it It is a Beam of the Sun of Righteousness a Chrystal Stream flowing from the Fountain of Life All Laws and Edicts of Men have had their Corruptions but the Word of God hath not the least Tincture it is of a Meridian Splendour Psal. 119.140 Thy Word is very pure like wine that comes from the grape which is not mixed or adulterated It is so pure that it purifies every thing else Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth The Scripture presseth Holiness so as never any Book did It bids us live soberly righteously godly Titus 2.12 Soberly in Acts of Temperance Righteously in Acts of Justice Godly in Acts of Zeal and Devotion It commends to us whatever is just lovely of good report Phil. 4.8 This Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 cuts down Vice Out of this Tower of Scripture is thrown down a Milstone upon the Head of Sin The Scripture is the Royal Law which commands not only the Actions but Affections it binds the Heart to its good Behaviour Where is there such Holiness to be found as is dig'd out of this Sacred Mine Who could be the Author of such a Book but God himself 4. That the Scripture is the Word of God is evident by its Predictions it Prophesieth of things to come This shows the Voice of God speaking in it it was foretold by the Prophet A Virgin shall conceive Isa. 7.14 and the Messiah shall be cut off Dan. 9.26 The Scripture foretels things that should fall out many Ages and Centuries after as how long Israel should serve in the Iron Furnace and the very day of their Deliverance Exod. 12.41 At the end of the four hundred and thirty years even the self same day it came to pass the Hoasts of the Lord went out of Egypt This Prediction of Future Things meerly contingent and not depending upon Natural Causes is a clear Demonstration of its Divine Original 5. The Impartiality of those Men of God who wrote the Scriptures they do not spare to set down their own Failings What Man that writes an History would black his own face viz. record those things of himself that might stain his Reputation Moses records his own Impatience when he struck the Rock and tells us therefore he could not enter into the Land of Promise David writes of his own Adultery and Bloodshed which stands as a Blot in his Scutchion to succeeding Ages Peter relates his own Pusillanimity in denying Christ. Ionah sets down his own Passions I do well to be angry to the death Surely had not their Pen been guided by God's own Hand they would never have written that which did reflect dishonour upon themselves Men do usually rather hide their Blemishes then publish them to the World But these Pen-men of Holy Scripture eclipse their own Name they take away all the Glory from themselves and give the Glory to God 6 Arg. The mighty power and efficacy the Word hath had upon the Souls and Consciences of Men. 1. It hath changed their heart 1. Some by reading of Scripture have been turned into other Men they have been made holy and gracious By reading other Books the Heart may be warmed but by reading this Book it is transformed 2 Cor. 3.3 Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God The Word was copied out into their Hearts and they were become Christ's Epistle so that others might read Christ in them If you should set a Seal upon Marble and it should make an Impression upon the Marble and leave a Print behind there were a strange Virtue in that Seal So when the Seal of the Word leaves an heavenly print of Grace upon the Heart there must needs be a Power going along with that Word no less than Divine 2. It hath comforted their Heart When
Christians have sat by the Rivers weeping the Word hath dropped as Honey and sweetly revived them A Christians chief Comfort is drawn out of these Wells of Salvation Rom. 15.4 That we through Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope When a poor Soul hath been ready to faint he hath had nothing to Comfort him but a Scripture Cordial When he hath been sick the Word hath revived him 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory When he hath been deserted the Word hath drop'd in the golden Oil of Joy into his Heart Cant. 3.31 The Lord will not cast off for ever He may change his Providence not his Purpose he may have the Look of an Enemy but the Heart of a Father Thus the Word hath a Power in it to comfort the heart Psal. 119.50 This is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickned me As the Spirits are conveyed through the Arteries of the Body So Divine Comforts are conveyed through the Promises of the Word Now the Scriptures having such an exhilarating Heart-comforting Power in them it shows clearly that they are of God and it is he that hath put this Milk of Consolation into these Breasts 7. The great Miracles wherewith the Lord hath confirmed Scripture Miracles were used by Moses Elijah Christ and continued many years after by the Apostles to confirm the verity of the Holy Scriptures As Props are set under weak Vines so these Miracles were set under the weak Faith of Men that if they would not believe the Writings of the Word yet they might believe the Miracles We read of God's dividing the Waters making a Cawsey in the Sea for his People to go over the Iron swimming the Oil increasing by pouring out Christ's making Wine of Water his curing the Blind and raising the Dead Thus God hath set Seal to the Truth and Divinity of Scripture by Miracles Object The Papists indeed cannot deny but that the Scripture is Divine and Sacred but they affirm that quoad nos with respect to us it receives its Divine Authority from the Church and they bring that Scripture 1 Tim. 3.15 where the Church is said to be the Ground and Pillar of Truth Answ. It is true the Church is the Pillar of Truth but it doth not therefore follow that the Scripture hath its Authority from the Church The King's Proclamation is fixed on the Pillar the Pillar holds it out that all may read but the Proclamation doth not receive its Authority from the Pillar but from the King So the Church holds forth the Scriptures but they do not receive their Authority from the Church but from God If the Word of God should be Divine because the Church holds it forth then it will follow that our Faith is to be built upon the Church and not upon the Word contrary to that Eph. 2.20 Built upon the Foundation that is the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Quest. Are all the Books in the Bible of the same Divine Authority Answ. Those which we call Canonical Quest. Why are the Scriptures called Canonical Answ. Because the Word is a Rule of Faith a Canon to direct our Lives The Word is the Judge of Controversies the Rock of Infallibility that only is to be received for Truth which is consonant to and agrees with Scripture as the Transcript with the Original All Maximes in Divinity are to be brought to the Touchstone of Scripture as all Measures are brought to the Standard Quest. Are the Scriptures a compleat Rule Answ. The Scripture is a full and perfect Canon containing in it all things necessary to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Thou hast from a Child known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise to salvation It shews the credenda what we are to believe and agenda what we are to practise It gives us an exact Model of Religion and perfectly Instructs us in the deep Things of God The Papists therefore make themselves guilty who go to seek out Scripture with their Traditions which they equalize it The Council of Trent saith That the Traditions of the Church of Rome are to be received pari pietatis affectu with the same Devotion that Scripture is to be received with So bring themselves under that Curse Rev. 22.18 If any Man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book Quest. What is the main Scope and End of Scripture Answ. To Chalk out a Way to Salvation It makes a clear Discovery of Christ. Iohn 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ and that believing ye might have Life through his Name The Design of the Word is to be an Examen whereby our Grace is to be tried a Sea-mark to show us what Rocks we are to avoid The Word is to sublimate and quicken our Affections it is to be our Directory and Consolatory it is to waft us over to the Land of Promise Quest. Who shall have the Power of interpreting Scriptures The Papists do assert that it is in the Power of the Church If you ask who they mean by the Church They say the Pope who is Head of it and he is Infallible so Bellarmine But that Assertion is false because many of the Popes have been ignorant and vitious as Platina affirms who writes of the Lives of the Popes Pope Liberius was an Arian and Pope Iohn XXII denied the Immortality of the Soul therefore Popes are no fit Interpreters of Scripture Who then Ans. The Scripture is to be its own Interpreter or rather the Spirit speaking in it nothing can cut the Diamond but the Diamond nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture the Sun best discovers its self by its own Beams the Scripture interprets itself in easie places to the Understanding But the Question is concerning hard places of Scripture where the weak Christian is ready to wade beyond his depth who shall interpret here Resp. In the Church God hath appointed Ordo docentium discentium some to Expound and Interpret Scripture therefore he hath given Gifts to Men the several Pastors of Churches like bright Constellations give light to dark Scriptures Mal. 2.7 The priests lips should preserve knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth Quest. But this is to pin our Faith upon Men Resp. We are to receive nothing for currant but what is agreeable to the Word as God hath given to his Ministers Gifts for the interpreting obscure places so he hath given to his People so much of the Spirit of Discerning that they can tell at least in things necessary to Salvation what is consonant to Scripture and what is not 1 Cor. 12.10 To one is given a spirit of prophesie to another discerning of spirits God hath endued his People with such a measure of Wisdom and Discretion that they can discern between Truth and
a saying of Luther Quos Deus vult perdere c. whom God intends to destroy he gives them leave to play with Scripturre Use 3. of Exhortation If the Scripture be of Divine Inspiration then be exhorted 1. to study the Scripture it is a Copy of God's Will be Scripture Men Bible Christians I adore the fulness of Scripture saith Tertullian In the Book of God are scattered many Truths as so many Pearls Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Search as for a Vein of Silver This blessed Book will fill your Head with Knowledge and your Heart with Grace God wrote the two Tables with his own Fingers and if God took pains to write well may we take pains â—o read Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 The Word is our Magna Charta for Heaven shall we be ignorant of our Charter Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you richly The Memory must be a table-Table-Book where the Word is written To make us read the Word consider 1. There is Majesty sparkling in every Line of Scripture Take but one Instance Isa. 63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments from Bozrah this that is glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatness of his strength I that speak in righteousness mighty to save Behold here a lofty magnificent stile what Angel could speak after this manner Iunius was converted by reading one Verse of Iohn he beheld a Majesty in it beyond all Humane Rhetorick 2. There is Melody in Scripture This is that blessed Harp which drives away sadness of Spirit Hear the sounding of this Harp a little 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners he took not only our Flesh upon him but our Sins And Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest How sweetly doth this Harp of Scripture sound what heavenly Musick doth it make in the Ears of a distressed sinner especially when the Finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this Instrument 3. There is Divinity in Scripture It contains the Marrow and Quintessence of Religion The Scripture is a Rock of Diamonds a Mystery of Piety the Lips of Scripture have Grace poured into them The Scripture speaks of Faith Self-denial and all the Graces which as a Chain of Pearl adore a Christian. The Scripture excites to Holiness it treats of another World it gives a prospect of Eternity Oh then search the Scriptures Make the Word familiar to you Had I the Tongue of Angels I could not sufficiently set forth the Excellency of Scripture It is a spiritual Optick Glass in which we behold God's Glory it is the Tree of Life the Oracle of Wisdom the Rule of Manners the heavenly Seed of which the New Creature is formed Iames 1.18 The two Testaments saith Austin are the two Breasts which every Christian must suck that he may get spiritual Nourishment The Leaves of the Tree of Life were for Healing Rev. 22.2 so these Holy Leaves of Scripture like those Leaves are for the healing of our Souls The Scripture is profitable for all things If we are deserted here is the spiced Wine that cheers the heavy heart If we are pursued by Satan here is the Sword of the Spirit to resist him If we are diseased with Sins leprosy here are the Waters of the Sanctuary both to Cleanse and Cure Oh then search the Scriptures There is no danger in tasting this Tree of Knowledge There was a Penalty laid at first that we might not taste of the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.17 In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die But there is no danger of plucking this Tree of Holy Scripture if we do not eat of this Tree of Knowledge we shall surely die Oh then read the Scriptures Time may come when the Scriptures may be kept from us Quest. How should we so search the Scriptures as to find Life Answ. 1. Read the Bible with Reverence think every Line you read God is speaking to you The Ark wherein the Law was put was over-laid with pure Gold and was carried on Barrs that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.14 And why was this but to breed in the People Reverence to the Law 2. Read with Seriousness 'T is Matter of Life and Death By this Word you must be tried Conscience and Scripture are the Jury God will proceed by in Judging of you 3. Read the Word with Affection Get your Hearts quickned with the Word go to it to fetch fire Luke 24.31 Did not our hearts burn within us Labour that the Word may not only be a Lamp to direct but a Fire to warm Read the Scripture not only as an History but as a Love-Letter sent to you from God which may affect your Hearts 4. Pray that the same Spirit that wrote the Word may assist you in the reading of it that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful Things of his Law Go near saith God to Philip joyn thy self to this Chariot Acts 8.29 So when God's Spirit joyns himself with this Chariot of the Word then it becomes effectual 2. Be exhorted to prize the Word written Iob 23.12 David valued the Word more precious than Gold What would the Martyrs have given for a Leaf of the Bible The Word is the Field where Christ the Pearl of price is hid In this Sacred Mine we dig not for a Wedge of Gold but a Weight of Glory 1. The Scripture is a Sacred Collyrium or Eye-salve to illuminate us Prov. 6.23 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem Alexandrinus The Scripture is the Card and Compass by which we Sail to the New Ierusalem 2. The Scripture is a Soveraign Cordial in all Distresses What are the Promises but the Water of Life to renew fainting Spirits Is it sin troubles there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away or as it is in Hebrew Te eapperem Thou shalt cover them Is it outward Affliction disquiets there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 91.15 I will be with him in trouble not only to behold but to uphold Thus as in the Ark was laid up Manna Promises are laid up as Manna in the Ark of Scripture 3. The Scripture will make us wise Wisdom is above Troubles Psal. 119.104 By thy Precepts I get understanding What made Eve so desire the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.6 It was a Tree to make one wise The Scriptures teach a Man to know himself they discover Satan's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snares and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 They make one wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 O then highly prize the Scriptures I read of Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation she received the Bible presented to her with both her Hands and kissing it laid it to her Breast saying That that Book
glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever shall come to pass I should come now to speak concerning the Decrees of God but I have already spoken something to this under the Attribute of God's Immutability God is unchangeable in his Essence and he is unchangeable in his Decrees his Counsel shall stand he hath decreed the Issue of all things and carries them on to their Period by his Providence and therefore I shall proceed to the Execution of his Decrees Quest. VIII The next Question is What is the Work of Creation Resp. It is God's making all things of nothing by the word of his power c. Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth The Creation is glorious to behold it is a pleasant and fruitful study Some think that Isaac when he went abroad into the Fields to meditate it was in the Book of the Creatures The Creation is the Heathen Man's Bible the Ploughman's Primmer the Travellers Perspective Glass through which he receives the Species and Representation of those infinite Excellencies which are in God The Creation is a large Volume in which God's Works are bound up and this Volume hath three great Leaves in it Heaven Earth Sea The Author of the Creation is God so it is in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God created The World was created in time and could not be from Eternity as Aristotle thought The World must have a Maker it could not make it self If one should go into a far Country and see stately Edifices there he would never imagine that these could build themselves but that there had been some Artificer there to raise such goodly Structures so this great Fabrick of the World could not create it self it must have some Builder and Maker and that is God In the beginning God created To imagine that the Work of the Creation was not framed by the Lord Jehovah is as if we should conceive a curious Lanskip to be drawn without the Hand of a Limner Acts 17.24 God that made the World and all things therein In the work of the Creation there are two things to be considered The making of it The adorning of it I. The making of the World Here consider 1. God made the World without any praeexistent Matter This is the difference between Generation and Creation In Generation there is materia habilis disposita some Matter to work upon But in Creation there is no praeexistent Matter God brought all this glorious Fabrick of the World out of the Womb of Nothing We see our Beginning it was of Nothing Some brag of their Birth and Ancestry you see how little cause they have to boast they came of Nothing 2. God made the World with a Word When Solomon was to build a Temple he needed many Workmen and they all had Tools to work with but God wrought without Tools Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondered that Christ could with a word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 27. But it was more with a word to make the Sea 3. God made all things at first very good Gen. 1.31 no defect or deformity The Creation came out of God's hands a curious Piece it was a fair Copy without any Blot written with God's own fingers Psal. 8.3 So perfect was God's Work II. The adorning of the World First God made this great Lump and Mass Rudis indigestaque moles and then beautified it and put it into a dress He divided the Sea and the Earth he deck'd the Earth with Flowers the Trees with Fruit but what is Beauty when it is mask'd over Therefore that we might behold this glory God made the Light The Heavens were bespangled with Sun Moon and Stars that so the Worlds Beauty might be beheld and admired God in the Creation began with things less noble and excellent Vegetables and Sensitives and then the Rational Creatures Angels and Men. Man was the most exquisite Piece in the Creation he is a Microcosme or little World Man was made with deliberation and counsel Gen. 1.26 Let us make Man It is the manner of Artificers to be more then ordinary accurate when they are about their Master-pieces Man was to be a Master-piece of this visible World therefore God did consult about the making of so rare a Piece A Solemn Councel of the Sacred Persons in the Trinity was call'd Let us make Man and let us make him in our own Image On the King's Coin his Image or Effigies is stamp'd so God stamp'd his Image on Man and made him partake of many Divine qualities I shall speak 1. of the Parts of Man's Body 1. The Head the most excellent Architectonical Part 't is the Fountain of Spirits and the Seat of Reason In Nature the Head is the best Piece but in Grace the Heart excels 2. The Eye It is the Beauty of the Face it shines and sparkles like a lesser Sun in the Body The Eye occasions much sin and therefore well may it have Tears in it 3. The Ear which is the Conduit-pipe through which Knowledge is conveyed Better lose our seeing than our hearing for faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10.17 To have an Ear open to God is the best Jewel on the Ear. 4. The Tongue David calls the Tongue his glory Psal. 16.9 because it is an Instrument to set forth the Glory of God The Soul at first was a Viol in tune to praise God and the Tongue did make the Musick God hath given us two Ears but one Tongue to shew that we should be swift to hear but slow to speak God hath set a double fence before the Tongue the Teeth and the Lips to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our Tongue 5. The Heart This is a noble part and Seat of Life 2. The Soul of Man This is the Man of the Man Man in regard of his Soul partakes with the Angels nay as Plato saith the Understanding Will and Conscience are a Glass that resemble the Trinity The Soul is the Diamond in the Ring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Soul is a Vessel of Honour God himself is serv'd in this Vessel It is a Sparkle of Coelestial Brightness saith Damascene If David did so admire the rare Contexture and Workmanship of his Body Psal. 139.13 I am wonderfully made I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth If the Cabinet be so curiously wrought what is the Jewel How richly is the Soul embroidered Thus you see how glorious a Work the Creation is and Man especially who is the Epitome of the World Quest. But why did God make the World Resp. 1. Negatively Not for himself he did not need it being infinite He was happy before the World was in reflecting upon his own sublime Excellencies and Perfections 2. God did not make the World to be a place of Mansion for us we are not to abide here for ever Heaven is the Mansion-House Iohn 14.2 the World
to Judge them Thirdly The Papists who as if Gods Law were imperfect and when he spake all these Words he did not speak enough add their Canons and Traditions to the Moral Law This is to tax Gods Wisdom as if he knew not how to make his own Law And surely 't is an high provoking Sin Rev. 22.18 If any Man shall add to these Words God shall add unto him the Plagues written in this Book As it is a great evil to add any thing to a Man 's sealed Will so much more to add any thing to that Law God himself spake and wrote with his own Fingers Use 3. If God spake all these Words viz. of the Moral Law then this presseth upon us several Duties 1. If God spake all these Words then we must hear all these Words the Words which God speaks are too precious to be lost As we would have God hear all our Words when we Pray so we must hear all his Words when he speaks We must not be as the deaf Adder which stoppeth her Ears He that stops his Ears when God cries shall cry himself and not be heard 2. If God spake all these Words then we must attend to them with Reverence Every Word of the Moral Law is an Oracle from Heaven God himself is the Preacher this calls for Reverence If a Judge gives a Charge upon the Bench all attend with Reverence In the Moral Law God himself gives a Charge God spake all these Words therefore with what Veneration should we attend Moses was to put off his Shoes from his Feet in token of Reverence when God was about to speak to him Exod. 3.5 6. 3. If God spake all these Words of the Moral Law then we must remember them Sure all God speaks is worth remembring those Words are weighty which concern Salvation Deut. 32.47 It is not a vain thing for you because it is your Life Our Memory should be like the Chest in the Ark where the Law was kept Gods Oracles are Ornaments and shall we forget them Ier. 2.32 Can a Maid forget her Ornaments 4. If God spake all these Words then believe them See the Name of God written upon every Commandment The Heathens that they might gain Credit to their Laws reported that they were inspired by the Gods at Rome The Moral Law fetcheth its Pedigree from Heaven ipse dixit God spake all these Words Shall we not give credit to the God of Heaven How would the Angel confirm the Women in the Resurrection of Christ Mat. 28.7 Lo saith he I have told you I speak in the Word of an Angel Much more should the Moral Law be believed when it comes to us in the Word of a God God spake all these Words Unbelief enervates the Virtue of God's Word and makes it prove Abortive Heb. 4.2 The Word did not profit not being mixed with Faith Eve gave more credit to the Devil when he spake than she did to God 5. If God spake all these words then love the Commandments Psal. 119.97 O how love I thy Law It is my Meditation all the day Consider how I love thy Precepts Psal. 119.159 The Moral Law is the Copy of Gods Will our Spiritual Directory it shews what Sins to avoid what Duties to pursue The Ten Commandments are a Chain of Pearl to adorn us They are our Treasury to enrich us They are more precious than Lands of Spices or Rocks of Diamonds Psal. 119.72 The Law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of Gold and Silver The Law of God hath Truth and Goodness in it Nehem. 9.13 Truth for God spake it and Goodness for there is nothing the Commandment enjoyns but is for our good O then let this command our Love 6. If God spake all these words Then teach your Children the Law of God Deut. 6.7 These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children He who is Godly is both a Diamond and a Load stone a Diamond for the sparkling of his Grace and a Load-stone for his attractive Virtue in drawing others to the Love of Gods Precepts Vir bonus magis aliis prodest quam sibi You that are Parents discharge your Duty Though you cannot impart Grace to your Children yet you may impart Knowledge Let your Children know the Commandments of God Deut. 11.19 Ye shall teach them your Children You are careful to leave your Children a Portion Leave the Oracles of Heaven with them instruct them in the Law of God If God spake all these words you may well speak them over again to your Children 7. If God spake all these words then the Moral Law must be obeyed If a King speaks his words command Allegiance Much more when God speaks all his words must be subscribed to Some will obey partially obey some Commandments not others like a Plow which when it comes to a stiff piece of Earth makes a Baulk But God that spake all the words of the Moral Law will have all obeyed God will not dispense with the Breach of one Law Indeed Princes for special Reasons dispense sometimes with Penal Statutes and will not take the Severity of the Law But God who spake all these words binds Men with a Subpoena to yield Obedience to every Law This condemns the Church of Rome who instead of obeying the whole Moral Law blot out one Commandment and dispense with others 1. They leave out the second Commandment out of their Catechises because it makes against Images and to fill up the number of Ten they divide the Tenth Commandment into two Thus they run themselves into that dreadful Premunire Rev. 22.19 If any Man shall take away from the words of this Book God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life 2. As they blot out one Commandment and cut that knot which they cannot untye so they dispense with other Commandments They dispense with the sixth Commandment making Murther Meritorious in case of propagating the Catholick Cause They dispense with the seventh Commandment wherein God forbids Adultery The Pope dispenseth with the Sin of Uncleanness yea Incest only paying such Fines and Summs of Mony into his Coffer No wonder the Pope takes Men off from their Loyalty to Kings and Princes when he teacheth them Disloyalty to God Some of the Papists say expresly in their Writings That the Pope hath Power to dispense with the Laws of God and can give Men a License to break the Commandments of the Old and New Testament That such a Religion ever get foot in England the Lord in Mercy prevent If God spake all the Commandments then we must obey all He who breaks this Hedge of the Commandments a Serpent shall bite him Object But what Man alive can obey all Gods Commandments Resp. To obey the Law in a legal Sense viz. To do all the Law requires no Man alive can Sin hath cut the Lock of original Righteousness where
Commandments for a sign upon thy Hand and they shall be as Frontlets between thine Eyes Deut. 6.8 The Pharisees took it in the Literal Sense they got Two Scrolls of Parchment wherein they wrote the Two Tables putting one on their Left Arms and binding the other to their Eye-brows Thus they wrested the Scripture and took Gods Name in vain That Scripture was to be understood Spiritually and by a Figure God meant by binding his Law upon their Hands that they should meditate in his Law and put it in practice And so the Papists expound that Scripture This is my Body Literally of the very Body of Christ then when Christ gave the Bread he should have had Two Bodies one in the Bread and the other out of the Bread whereas Christ meant it Figuratively It is a sign of my Body Thus they by wresting the Scripture to a wrong Sense prophane it and take Gods Name in vain Secondly When we expound those Scriptures Figuratively and Allegorically which the Holy Ghost means Literally For example Christ said to Peter launch out into the Deep and make a Draught Luke 5.4 This Text is spoken in a plain Literal Sense of Launching out the Ship but the Papists take it in a Mystical and Allegorical This Text proves say they That the Pope which is Peter's Successor shall launch forth and catch the Ecclesiastical and Political power over the West Parts of the World this say they was meant when Christ bad Peter launch out into the Deep But I think the Papists have launched out too far beyond the meaning of the Text. When Men strain their Wits to wrest the Word to such a Sense as pleaseth them they do profane Gods Word and highly take his Name in vain VII We take Gods Name in vain when we swear by his Name Many seldom name God's Name but in Oaths for this Sin the Land Mourns Mat. 5.34 Swear not at all that is Rashly and Sinfully so as to take Gods Name in vain not but that in some cases it is lawful to take an Oath before a Magistrate Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and Swear by his Name Heb. 6.16 An Oath for Confirmation is an end of all strife But when Christ saith Swear not at all he forbids such a Swearing as takes Gods Name in vain There is a Three-fold Swearing forbidden 1. Vain Swearing when Men in their ordinary Discourse let fly Oaths Some will go to excuse their Swearing It is a course Wool that will take no Dye and a bad Sin indeed that hath no Excuse Excuse 1. I swear little trifling Oaths as Faith or by the Mass. Resp. The Devil hath Two false Glasses which he sets before Mens Eyes the one is a little Glass in which the Sin appears so small that it can hardly be seen this Glass the Devil sets before Mens Eyes when they are going to commit Sin the other is a great Multiplying Glass wherein Sin appears so big that it cannot be forgiven The Devil sets this before Mens Eyes when they have sinned Thou that sayest Sin is small when God shall open the Eye of thy Conscience then thou wilt see it great and be ready to despair But to answer this Plea thou sayest they are but small Oaths but Christ forbids Vain Oaths Swear not at all If God will reckon with us for Idle Words shall not Idle Oaths be put in the Account Book Excuse 2. But I swear to the Truth See how this Harlot-Sin would paint it self with an Excuse Resp. 1. Though it be true yet if it be a Rash Oath 't is Sinful Besides 2. He that swears commonly it cannot be avoided but sometimes he may swear more than is true as where much Water runs some Gravel or Mud will pass along with the Water so where there is much Swearing some Lies will run along with the Oaths Excuse 3. But I shall not be believed unless I seal up my Word with an Oath Resp. 1. A Man that is Honest will be believed without an Oath his bare Word carries Authority with it and is as good as Letters Testimonial 2. I answer He who swears the more he swears the less others will believe him Iuras credit minus Thou art a Swearer Another thinks an Oath weighs very light with thee thou carest not what thou swearest and the more thou swearest the less he believes thee He will trust thy Bond but not thy Oath Excuse 4. But it is a Custom of Swearing I have gotten and I hope God will forgive me Resp. Though among Men custom Carries it and is pleadable in Law yet it is not so in the case of Sin Custom here is no Plea Thou hast got an habit of Swearing and canst not leave it is this an Excuse Is a thing well done because it is commonly done This is so far from being an Excuse that it is an Aggravation of Sin As if one that had been accused for Killing a Man should plead with the Judge to spare him because it was his Custom to Murder this is an Aggravation of the Offence so it is here Therefore all Excuses for this Sin of Vain-Swearing are taken away Dare not to live in this Sin it is a taking Gods Name in vain 2. Vile Swearing Horrid prodigious Oaths not to be named Swearers like Mad Dogs fly in the Face of Heaven and when they are angred spue out their blasphemous Venom on Gods Sacred Majesty Some in Gaming when things go cross and the Dice run against them their Tongues run as fast against God in Oaths and Curses And tell them of their Sin go to bring home these Asses from going astray and it is but pouring Oyl on the Flame they will swear the more St. Austin saith They do no less Sin who blaspheme Christ now in Heaven than the Jews did who Crucified him upon Earth Swearers prophane Christs Blood and tear his Name An Harlot told her Husband that of her Three Sons there was but one of them his the Father dying desired the Executors to find out which was the true natural Son and all his Estate he bequeathed to him The Father being dead the Executors set up his Corps against a Tree and delivered to every one of these Three Sons a Bow and Arrows telling them that he who could shoot nearest the Fathers Heart should have all the Estate the Two Bastard Sons shot as near as they could to his Heart but the Third did feel nature so work in him that he refused to shoot at his Fathers Heart Whereupon the Executors judged him to be the true Son and gave all the Estate to him Such as are the true Children of God fear to shoot at him but such as are Bastards and not Sons care not though they shoot at him in Heaven with their Oaths and Curses And which makes Swearing yet more heinous is when Men have resolved upon any wicked Action they bind themselves with an Oath to do it such
Presence Ioh. 8.56 Abraham saw my day and rejoyced So when we see the Light of a Sabbath shine we should rejoyce Isa. 58.13 Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight This is the Queen of Days which God hath Crowned with a Blessing As there was one Day in the Week on which God did rain Manna twice as much as upon any other Day so God rains down the Manna of Heavenly Blessings twice as much on the Sabbath as on any other This is the Day wherein Christ carries the Soul into the House of Wine and displays the Banners of Love over it Now the Dew of the Spirit falls on the Soul whereby it is revived and comforted How many may write the Lord's day the day of their New Birth This day of Rest is a Pledge and Earnest of that Eternal Rest in Heaven and shall not we rejoyce at the approach of it That day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines should be a day of Gladness 2. Get up betimes on the Sabbath-morning Christ rose early on this day before the Sun was up Iohn 20.1 Did Christ rise early to save us and shall not we rise early to worship and glorifie him Psal. 63.1 Early will I seek thee Can we be up betimes on other days The Husbandman is early at his Plough the Traveller riseth early to go his Journey and shall not we when we are on this day travelling to Heaven Certainly did we love God as we should we would rise on this day betimes that we may meet with him whom our Soul loveth Such as sit up late at work on the Night before will be so buried in sleep that they will hardly be up betimes on a Sabbath-morning 3. Having dressed our Bodies we must dress our Souls for the hearing of the Word As the People of Israel were to wash themselves before the Law was delivered to them Exod. 19.10 so we must wash and cleanse our Souls and that is by Reading Meditation and Prayer I. By Reading the Word The Word is a great means to sanctifie the Heart and bring it into a Sabbath-frame Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth c. And read the Word not carelesly but with seriousness and affection it is the Oracle of Heaven the Well of Salvation the Book of Life David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above Gold and for the sweetness above Honey Psal. 19.10 By reading the Word aright our Hearts when they are dull are quickened when they are hard are mollified when cold and frozen are enflam'd and we can say as the Disciples Did not our Hearts burn within us Some step out of their Bed to hearing The Reason why many get no more good on a Sabbath by the Word Preached is because they did not break Fast with God in the Morning by the Reading of his Word II. Meditation Get upon the Mount of Meditation and so converse with God Meditation is the Soul 's retiring of its self that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God the Heart may be raised up to Divine Affections Meditation is a Work fit for the Morning of a Sabbath Meditate on Four things 1. On the Works of Creation That is express'd here in the Commandment The Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea c. The Creation is a Looking-glass in which we see the Wisdom and Power of God gloriously represented God produced this fair Structure of the World without any pre-existent Matter and with a Word Psal. 33.6 By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondred that Christ could with a Word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 but it was far more with a Word to make the Sea Let us on a Sabbath meditate on the Infiniteness of our Creator look up to the Firmament there we may see God's Glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars look into the Sea there we may see God's Wonders in the Deep Psal. 107.24 Look into the Earth there we may behold the Nature of Minerals the Power of the Load-stone the Vertue of Herbs and Beauty of Flowers By meditating on these Works of Creation so curiously embroidered we come to admire God and praise him Psal. 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy Works in Wisdom hast thou made them all By meditating on the Works of Creation we come to confide in God He who can Create can Provide he that could make us when we were nothing he can raise us when we are low Psal. 124.8 Our Help stands in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth 2. Meditate on God's Holiness Psal. 111.9 Holy and reverend is his Name Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity God is Essentially Originally and Efficiently Holy All the Holiness in Men and Angels is but a Chrystal Stream that runs from this Glorious Ocean God loves Holiness because it is his own Image A King cannot but love to see his own Effigies stamp'd on Coyn. God counts Holiness his Glory and the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Glorious in Holiness Here is a Meditation fit for our first entrance into a Sabbath God's Holiness The Contemplation of this would work in us such a Frame of Heart as is suitable to an Holy God It would make us then Reverence his Name Hallow his Day While we are musing of the Holiness of God's Nature we begin to be transformed into his Likeness 3. Meditate on Christ's Love in redeeming us Rev. 1.5 Redemption exceeds Creation the one is a Monument of God's Power the other of his Love Here is fit Work for a Sabbath O the infinite stupendious Love of Christ in raising poor lapsed Creatures from a state of Guilt and Damnation 1. That Christ who was God should die That this Glorious Sun of Righteousness should be in an Eclipse we can never enough admire this Love no not in Heaven 2. That Christ should die for Sinners Not sinful Angels but sinful Mankind That such Clods of Earth and Sin should be made bright Stars of Glory O the amazing Love of Christ This was Illustre amoris Christi mnemosynum 3. That Christ should not only die for Sinners but die as a Sinner 2 Cor. 5.21 He was made sin for us He who was among the Glorious Persons of the Trinity was numbred among Transgressors Isa. 53.12 Not that he had Sin but he was like a Sinner having our Sins imputed to him Sin did not live in him but it was laid upon him Here was an Hyperbole of Love enough to strike us into Astonishment 4. That Christ should redeem us when he could not look to gain any thing or be at all advantaged by us Men will not lay out their Mony upon a Purchase unless it will turn to their Profit But what Benefit could Christ expect in purchasing and redeeming us We were in such a Condition that we could neither deserve nor recompense Christ's Love First We could not deserve it for we were in
Resp. Seek to God for it It is his Promise to give an Heart of Flesh Ezek. 36. and to pour on us a Spirit of Mourning Zech. 12.10 Beg God's Holy Spirit Psal. 147.18 He causeth his Wind to blow and the Waters flow When the Wind of God's Spirit blows upon us then the Waters of Repentant Tears will flow from us III. The Third way to escape the Wrath and Curse of God and obtain the Benefit of Redemption by Christ is The diligent Vse of Ordinances In particular the Word Sacraments and Prayer 1. I begin with the First of these Ordinances I. The Word 1 Thess. 2.13 which effectually worketh in you that believe Quest. 1. What is meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Words working effectually Resp. The Word of God is said to work effectually when it hath that good effect upon us for which it was appointed of God namely when the Word works powerful Illumination and thorough Reformation Acts 26.18 To open their Eyes and turn them from the power of Satan to God The opening their Eyes denotes Illumination And turning them from Satan to God denotes Reformation Quest. 2. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to Salvation This Question consists of Two Branches 1. How may the Word be read Effectually 2. How may it be heard Effectually 1. I shall begin with the First Branch of the Question How is the Word to be read that it may be effectual to our Salvation Answ. That we may so read the Word that it may conduce effectually to our Salvation 1. Let us have a Reverend Esteem of every part of Canonical Scripture Psal. 19.10 More are they to be desired than Gold Value this Book of God above all other Books It is a Golden Epistle endited by the Holy Ghost sent to us from Heaven more particularly to raise our Esteem 1. The Scripture is a Spiritual Glass to dress our Souls by it shows us more than we can see by the Light of a Natural Conscience that may discover gross Sins but the Glass of the Word shâ—ws us Heart-Sins Vain Thoughts Unbelief c. And it not only shows us our Spots but washeth them away 2. The Scripture is a Sacred Magazine out of which we may fetch our Spiritual Artillery to fight against Satan When the Devil tempted our Saviour he fetch'd Armour and Weapons from Scripture It is written Matth. 4.4 7. 3. The Holy Scripture is a Panacea or Universal Medicine for the Soul it gives a Receipt to cure Deadness of Heart Psal. 119.50 Pride 1 Pet. 5.5 Infideliâ—y Iohn 3.36 It is a Physick-Garden where we may gather any Herb or Antidote to expell the Poyson of sin The Leaves of Scripture like the Leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the Nations Rev. 22.2 And may not this cause a reverend Esteem of the Word 2. If we would have the Word written effectual to our Souls let us peruse it with Intenseness of Mind Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to search as for a Vein of Silver The Bereans Acts 17. searched the 〈…〉 daily The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to make a curious and critical Search And 〈◊〉 was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 Some gallop over a Chapter 〈…〉 and get no good by it If we would have the Word effectual and saving we must mind and observe every Passage of Scripture And that we may be diâ—igent in the perusal of Scripture Consider First The Word written is Norma Cultus the Rule and Platform by which we are to square our Lives it contains in it all things needful to Salvation Psal. 19.7 What Duties we are to do what Sins we are to avoid God gave Moses a Pattern how he would have the Tabernacle made and he was to go exactly according to the Pattern Exod. 25.9 The Word is the Pattern God hath given us in Writing for modelling our Lives therefore how careful should we be in the pursuing and looking over this Pattern Secondly The Written Word as it is our Pattern so it will be our Iudge Iohn 12.48 The Word that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day We read of the opening of the Books Rev. 20.12 This is one Book God will open the Book of Scripture and will judge Men out of it He will say Have you lived according to the Rule of this Word The Word hath a double Work to Teach and to Iudge 3. If we would have the Word written effectual we must bring Faith to the reading of it Believe it to be the Word of the Eternal Iehovah The Word written comes with Authority it shews its Commission from Heaven Thus saith the Lord It is of Divine Inspiration 2 Tim. 3.16 The Oracles of Scripture must be surer to us than a Voice from Heaven 1 Pet. 1.18 Unbelief enervates the Vertue of Scripture and renders it ineffectual First Men question the Truth of the Scripture and then fall away from it 4. If we would have the Word written effectual to Salvation we must delight in it as our Spiritual Cordial Ier. 15.16 Thy Words were found and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoycing of my Heart All true solid Comfort is fetch'd out of the Word The Word as Chrysostom saith is a Spiritual Garden and the Promises are the Fragrant Flowers or Spices in this Garden How should we delight to walk among these Beds of Spices Is it not a Comfort in all dubious perplext Cases to have a Counsellor to advise us Psal. 119.24 Thy Testimonies are my Counsellors Is it not a Comfort to find our Evidences for Heaven and where should we find them but in the Word 1 Thess. 1.4 5. The Word written is a Sovereign Elixir or Comfort in an hour of Distress Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in Afflictions for thy Word hath quickned me It can turn all our Water into Wine How should we take a great Complacency and Delight in the Word They only who come to the Word with Delight go from it with Success 5. If we would have the Scripture effectual and saving we must be sure when we have read the Word to hide it in our Hearts Psal. 119.11 Thy Word have I hid in my Heart The Word locked up in the Heart is a Preservative against sin Why did David hide the Word in his Heart In the next Words That I might not sin against thee As one would carry an Antidote about him when he comes near a place infected so David carried the Word in his Heart as a Sacred Antidote to preserve him from the Infection of Sin When the Sap is hid in the Root it makes the Branches fruitful When the Seed is hid in the Ground then the Corn springs up So when the Word is hid in the Heart then it brings forth good Fruit. 6. If we would have the Word written effectual let us labour
a Debtor cannot pay his Creditor how can he merit at his hands 3. That the Scripture is not a perfect Rule of Faith and Man errs therefore they eek it out with their Traditions which they hold to be of equal Authority 4. They teach that an implicite Faith is saving though one may have an implicite Faith yet be ignorant of all the Articles of Religion 5. They say that the inward act of the Mind is not required in Gods Worship Diversion of Mind in Duty though one prayes and never thinks of God is no Sin saith Angelus and Sylvester and other Papists 6. The Papists make Habitual Love to God unnecessary It is not needful saith Bellarmine to perform any acts of Religion out of love to God Stapleton and Cajetan affirm that the Precept of loving God with all our heart is not binding by which they cut asunder the Sinews and Soul of all Religion Thus instead of honouring Gods name the Papists dishonour it Let us pray heartily that this Romish Religion may never get footing again in this Nation God grant that this poysonful weed of Popery may never be watered here But that it being a Plant which our Heavenly Father hath not planted it may be rooted up 5. Gods Name is dishonoured by Carnal Protestants How is Gods name this day dishonoured in England His name is like the Sun in an eclipse Christians instead of hallowing Gods name reproach and dishonour it 1. By their Tongues 2. By their Lives 1. By their Tongues 1. They speak irreverently of Gods name Gods name is sacred Deut. 28.58 That thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name The Lord thy God The names of Kings are not mentioned without giving them their Titles of Honour High and Mighty but Men speak irreverently of God as if he were like one of them Psal. 50.21 this is a taking Gods name in vain 2. They swear by his name Many seldom name Gods name but in Oaths How is God dishonoured when Men rend and tear his name by Oaths and Imprecations Ier. 23.10 Because of swearing the land mourns If God will reckon with Men for idle Words shall not idle Oaths be put in the account-Account-Book O but saith one I cannot help it it is a custom of swearing I have got and I hope God will forgive me Answ. Is this a good Plea a custom of swearing This is no excuse but an aggravation of Sin As if one that had been accused for killing a Man should plead with the Judge to spare him because it was his custom to murder This were an aggravation of the offence Will not the Judge say thou shalt the rather dye So it is here 2. As Men dishonour God by their Tongues so by their Lives What is it to say Hallowed be thy Name when in their Lives they profane his name they dishonour God by their Atheism Sabbath-breaking Uncleanness Perjury Intemperance Injustice Men hang out a Flag of Defiance against Heaven As the Thracians when it thunders shoot their Arrowes against Heaven so Men shoot their Sins as bearded Arrowes against Heaven Sinners are hardened in Sin they despise Counsel they laugh at Reproof they have cast off the vail of Modesty Satan hath taken such full possession of them that when they sin they glory in their shame Phil. 3.19 they brag how many new Oaths they have invented how oft they have been drunk how many they have defiled they declare their sin as Sodom Such horrid impieties are committed that a modest Heathen would blush at Men in this Age sin at that rate as if either they did not believe there were an Hell or as if they feared Hell would be full ere they could get thither Was Gods name ever so openly dishonoured All our Preaching will not make them leave their Sins What a black vail is drawn over the face of Religion at this day Vivimus in temporum faecibus Sen. We live in the dregs of time wherein the common shore of wickedness runs Physitians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when there is no part of the Body free from Distemper England hath a Kakexy it is all over disease The whole head is sick the whole heart is faint Isa. 1.6 As black Vapours rising out of the earth cloud and darken the Sun so the Sins of People in our Age like Hellish Vapours cast a cloud upon Gods glorious name O that our Eyes were like Limbecks dropping the water of holy tears to consider how Gods name instead of being hallowed is polluted and profaned And may not we justly fear some heavy Judgments Can God put up our affronts any longer Can he endure to have his name reproached Will a King suffer his Crown-Jewels to be trampled in the dust Do not we see the symptoms of Gods Anger do we not see his Judgments hovering over us Sure God is whetting his Sword he hath bent his Bow and is preparing his Arrowes to shoot Qualis per arva Leo fulvam minaci fronte concutiens jubam Sen. Trag. The Body Politick is in a Paroxism or burning Fit and may not the Lord cause a sad Phlebotomy Seeing we will not leave our Sins he may make us lose our Blood May not we fear that the Ark should remove the Vision cease the Stars in Gods Church be removed and we should follow the Gospel to the grave When Gods name which should be hallowed is profaned among a People it is just with God to write that dismal Epitaph upon a Nations Tomb The Glory is departed And that I may speak to the Consciences of all and deal impartially it were well if only the profane party were guilty but may not many Professors be called to the Bar and indited of this that they have dishonoured Gods name 2 Chron. 28.10 Are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord your God Are there not the spots of Gods Children Deut. 3◠5 If you are Diamonds have you no flawes Have not you your vanities If your Discourse be not profane is it not vain Have not you your self-seekings rash censures indecent dresses If the wicked of the Land swear do not you sometimes slander If they are drunk with wine are not you sometimes drunk with passion If their sin be blaspheming is not your sin murmuring Are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord The sins of Gods Children go nearer to his heart than the sins of others Deut. 32.19 When the Lord saw it he abhorred them because of the provoking of his sons and daughters The sins of the wicked anger God the sins of his own people grieve him he will be sure to punish them Amos 3.2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities O that our head were waters that we could make this place a Bochim a place of weepers that Gods Children might mix blushing with tears that they have so little hallowed and so
the Law upon us and throw us into Hell-Prison By Confession we give Glory to God Iosh. 7.19 My Son give Glory to the God of Israel and make Confession to him Say that God were Righteous if he should strain upon all we have If we confess the debt God will forgive it 1 Ioh. 1.9 If we confess our sins he is just to forgive do but confess the Debt and God will cross the Book Ps. 32.5 I said I will confess my Transgression to the Lord and thou forgavest me 3. Labour to get our spiritual Debts paid that is by our Surety Christ. Say Lord have patience with me and Christ shall pay thee all He hath laid down an infinite Price The Covenant of Works would not admit of a Surety it demanded Personal Obedience But this Priviledge we have by the Gospel which is a Court of Chancery to relieve us that if we have nothing to pay God will accept of a Surety Believe in Christ's Blood and the debt is paid Luk 11.4 And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us IN the Words are two Parts 1. A Petition forgive us our Sins 2. A Condition for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us Our forgiving others is not a Cause of God's forgiving us but it is a Condition without which God will not forgive us 1. I begin with the first the Petition Remitte nobis peccata nostra Forgive us our Sins A Blessed Petition the ignorant world say who will shew us any good Ps. 4.6 meaning a good Lease a good Purchase but our Saviour here teacheth us to pray for that which is more noble and will stand us in more stead the pardon of sin Forgive us our Sins Forgiveness of sin is a Primary Blessing it is one of the first Mercies God bestows Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you that is Forgiveness When God pardons there is nothing he will stick at to do for the Soul He will Adopt Sanctifie Crown Quest. 1. What Forgiveness of Sin is Resp. It is God's passing by Sin Micah 7.18 his wiping off the score and giving us a Discharge The nature of Forgiveness will more clearly appear 1. By opening some Scripture-phrases 2. By laying down some divine Aphorisms and Positions 1. By opening some Scripture-phrases 1. To forgive Sin is to take away Iniquity Iob 7.21 Why dost not thou take away mine Iniquity The Hebrew Word Vethagnabir signifies to lift off 'T is a Metaphor taken from a man that carries an heavy Burden ready to sink him and another comes and lifts off this Burden So when the heavy burden of sin is on us God in pardoning lifts off this burden from the Conscience and lays it upon Christ. Isa. 53.6 He hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all 2. To forgive sin is to Cover sin Ps. 85.2 Thou hast covered all their sin This was typifi'd by the Mercy seat covering the Ark. To shew God's covering of sin through Christ. God doth not cover sin in the Antinomian Sence so as he sees it not but he doth so cover it as he will not impute it 3. To forgive sin is to blot it out Isa. 43.25 I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions The Hebrew Word Mecha to blot out alludes to a Creditor who when his Debtor hath paid him blots out the debt and gives him an Acquittance So God when he forgives sin blots out the Debt he draws the red Lines of Christ's Blood over our sins and so crosseth the debt-Debt-Book 4. To forgive sin is for God to scatter our sins as a Cloud Isa. 44.22 I have blotted out as a thick Cloud your Transgressions Sin is the Cloud interposeth God dispels the Cloud and breaks forth with the light of his Countenance 5. To forgive sin is for God to cast our sins into the depths of the Sea Micah 7.19 which implies Gods burying them out of sight that they shall not rise up in judgment against us Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea God will throw them in not as Cork that riseth again but as Lead that sinks to the bottom 2. The nature of Forgiveness will appear by laying down some Divine Aphorisms or Positions Aphorism 1. Every sin is Mortal and needs Forgiveness I say Mortal that is deserves death God may relax the Rigour of the Law but every sin merits Damnation The Papists distinguish of Mortal Sins and Venial Some sins are ex Surreptione they creep unawares into the mind as vain Thoughts sudden Motions of Anger and Revenge these saith Bellarmine are in their own nature venial it is true the greatest sins are in one sence Venial that is God is able to forgive them but the least sin is not in its own nature Venial but deserves Damnation We read of the Lusts of the Flesh Rom. 13.14 and the Works of the Flesh Gal. 5.19 the Lusts of the Flesh are sinful as well as the Works of the Flesh. That which is a Transgression of the Law merits damnation but the first stirrings of Corruption are a breach of the Royal Law Rom 7.7 Prov. 24.9 therefore they merit damnation So that the least sin is mortal and needs Forgiveness Aphorism 2. It is God only that forgives sin To pardon sin is one of the Iura Regalia the Flowers of God's Crown Mark 2.7 Who can forgive sins but God only It is most proper for God to pardon sin only the Creditor can remit the debt Sin is an Infinite Offence and no finite Power can discharge an infinite Offence That God only can forgive sin I prove thus No man can take away sin unless he be able to infuse Grace for as Aquinas saith with Forgiveness is always infusion of Grace but no man can infuse Grace therefore no man can forgive sin He only can forgive sin who can remit the Penalty but 't is only God's Prerogative-Royal to forgive sin Object 1. But a Christian is charged to forgive his Brother Col. 3.13 Forgiving one another Answ. In all second table sins there are two distinct things 1. Disobedience against God 2. Injury to Man That which man is requir'd to forgive is the wrong done to himself but the wrong done to God he cannot forgive Man may remit a Trespass against himself but not a Transgression against God Object 2. But the Scripture speaks of the Power committed to Ministers to forgive sin Iohn 20.23 Whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them Answ. Ministers cannot remit sin authoritatively and effectively but only declaratively They have a special Office and Authority to apply the Promises of pardon to broken Hearts When a Minister sees one humbled for sin yet is afraid God hath not pardoned him and is ready to be swallowed up of Sorrow in this case a Minister for the easing of this man's Conscience may in the Name of Christ declare to him that he is pardoned the Minister doth not forgive sin by
because he hath bound himself by promise to forgive an humble Confessor of sin Cum accusat excusat Tertull. When we accuse our selves God absolves us We are apt to hide our sins Iob 31.33 which is as great a folly as for one to hide his disease from the Physitian But when we open our sins to God by Confessing he opens his Mercy to us by Forgiving 4. Means for pardon sound Repentance Repentance and Remission are put together Luk. 24 47. There is a Promise of a Fountain Opened for the washing away the guilt of sin Zach. 13.1 But see what goes before Zac. 12.10 They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean that is wash in the waters of Repentance and then follows a promise of Forgiveness Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow 'T is easie to turn white into scarlet but not so easie to turn scarlet into white yet upon Repentance God hath promised to make the scarlet-sinner of a Milk-like whiteness Caut Not that Repentance merits pardon but it prepares for it We set our Seal on the Wax when it melts God seals his pardons on melting hearts 5. Means Faith in the blood of Christ. It 's Christ's blood washeth away sin Rev. 1.6 but this blood will not wash away sin unless it be apply'd by Faith The Apostle speaks of the Sprinkling of the blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 Many are not pardoned though Christ's blood be shed because it is not sprinkled Now it is Faith that sprinkles Christ's blood on the Soul for the Remission of sin As Thomas put his hands into Christ's sides Ioh. 20 27. So Faith puts its hand into Christ's wounds and takes of the blood and sprinkles it upon the Conscience for the washing away of guilt Hence in Scripture we are said to obtain pardon through Faith Act. 13.39 By him all that believe are justified Luk. 7.48 Thy sins are forgiven Whence was this Vers. 50. Thy faith hath saved thee O let us labour for Faith Christ is a Propitiation or Atonement to take away sin But how through Faith in his blood Rom 3.25 6. Means Pray much for Pardon Hos. 14.2 Take away all iniquity Luk. 18.13 The Publican smote upon his breast saying God be me merciful to me a sinner and the Text saith he went away justified Many pray for Health Riches Children but Christ hath taught us what to pray for chiefly remitte nobis debita nostra Forgive us our sins And be earnest Suitors for pardon Consider what guilt of sin is it binds one over to the Wrath of God Better thy House were haunted with Devils than thy Soul with guilt He who is in the bond of iniquity must needs be in the Gall of bitterness Acts 8.23 A guilty Soul wears Cain's Mark which was a Trembling at Heart and a Shaâ—â—ng in his Flesh. Guilt makes the sinner afraid lest every Trouble he meets with should Arrest him and bring him to Judgment If guilt be so dismal and breeds such Convulsion fits in the Conscience How earnest should we be in Prayer that God would remove this guilt and so earnest as to Resolve to take no denial Plead hard with God for Pardon as a Man would plead with a Judge for his Life Fall upon thy Knees say Lord hear one word Why may God say What canst thou say for thy self that thou shouldst not dye Lord I can say but little but I put in my surety Christ shall answer for me O look upon that blood which speaks better things than the blood of Abel Christ is my Priest his Blood is my Sacrifice his Divine Nature is my Altar As Rahab was to shew the Scarlet thread in the Window and when Ioshua saw it he did not destroy her Iosh. 2.18.21 Iosh. 6.22 23. So shew the Lord the Scarlet thread of Christs Blood and that is the way to have mercy But will God say why should I pardon thee thou hast no ways obliged me but Lord pardon me because thou hast promised it I urge thy Covenant when a Man is to dye by the Law he calls for his Book so say Lord let me have the benefit of my Book thy Word saith if the sinner forsake his evil way thou wilt pardon abundantly Isa. 55.7 Lord I have forsaken my sin let me therefore have mercy I plead the benefit of the Book But for whose sake should I pardon thou canst not deserve it Lord for thy own name sake thou hast said thou wilt blot out sin for thy own name sake Isa. 43.25 'T will be no Eclipsing to thy Crown how will thy mercy shine forth and all thy other Attributes ride in triumph if thou shalt pardon me Thus plead with God in Prayer and resolve not to give him over till thy pardon be sealed God cannot deny importunity He delights in Mercy as the Mother saith Chrysostom delights to have her Breast milked so God delights to Milk out the Breast of Mercy to the sinner these means being used will procure this great blessedness the Forgiveness of Sin Thus I have done with the first part of this fifth Petition Forgive us our Sins I come next to the second part of the Petition as we forgive our Debtors Mat. 6.12 As we forgive our Debtors or as we forgive them that trespass against us I proceed to the second part of the Petition As we forgive them that trespass against us As we forgive This word As is not a note of Equality but Similitude not that we equal God in forgiving but imitate him This great Duty of forgiving others is a crossing the stream 't is contrary to flesh and blood Men forget kindnesses but remember injuries But it is an indispensable duty to forgive we are not bound to trust an Enemy but we are bound to forgive him We are naturally prone to revenge Revenge saith Homer is sweet as dropping Honey The Heathen Philosophers held revenge lawful Vlcisci te lacessitus potes Cicero But we learn better things out of the Oracles of Scripture Mar. 11.25 when ye stand praying forgive Mat. 5.44 Col. 3.13 If a Man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Quest. 1. How can we forgive others when it is only God forgives sin Answ. In every breach of the second Table there are two things an offence against God and a trespass against Man so far as it is an offence against God only he can forgive but so far as it is a trespass against Man so we may forgive Quest. 2. When do we forgive others Answ. When we strive against all thoughts of revenge if it be in our power to do our enemies mischief we will not we wish well to them grieve at their Calamities we pray for them we seek reconciliation with them we shew our selves ready on all occasions to relieve them this is Gospel forgiving Object 1. But I have been much injur'd
Spirits inflamed and your Tongues on Fire say as it is Deut. 29.24 What means the Heat of this Great Anger Whence doth this Fire come Is this Coal fetched from the Altar or the Infernal Pit Doth not Satan kindle this Fire in my Tongue and then warm himself at it 6 Motive The Sins of the Tongue are provoking to God and prejudicial to us 1. Provoking to God they make the fury rise up in his Face Psal. 106.33 Moses spake unadvisedly with his Lips What was this unadvised Speech Numb 20.10 11. Hear now ye Rebells must we fetch you Water out of this Rock Though he were a Favourite and God had spoken with him Face to Face yet God gives him a check for it it turned his smile into a frown 2. Prejudicial to us Moses's rash Speech shut him out of Canaan it may us out of Heaven of which that was but a Type The Fiery Tongue oft brings Men to the Fiery Furnace The rich Man cried for a drop of Water to cool his Tongue Origen notes he had sinned most in his Tongue and God punished him most in his Tongue 7 Motive He who offends not in his Tongue is a perfect Man An high expression If any Man offend not in Word the same is a perfect Man that is attained to a very high degree in the highest Form of Christ's School A prudent Man or an upright Man or comparatively in comparison of others such as have not gotten the Conquest over their Passions he is far above them and in comparison of them he is a perfect Man such an one was Holy Cranmer that could not be provoked by the ill carriages of others but requited injuries with kindness 8 Motive You must give an account to God as well of your Speeches as your Actions Mat. 12.36 Every idle Word that Men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the Day of Iudgment Words of no account will have an heavy account and if God will reckon with Men for every idle angry Word then what will he do for sinful Oaths O that my Words were written Job 19.23 Truly if many People's Words were written they would be ashamed of them And let me tell you your Words are written Rev. 20.12 The Books were opened In the Book of God's remembrance all your Words are written You had need then be careful you offend not with your Tongues God writes down all you speak and you must give an account to him When Latimer heard the Pen going behind the Hangings he was careful in his Answers And let me tell you as your Words are such will your Sentence be when the Books are opened God will proceed with you in Judicature according to your Words By your Words you shall be saved or condemned Matth. 12.37 By thy Words thou shalt be justified and by thy Words thou shalt be condemned This should Bridle our Tongues from evil speaking If our Words be good the Sentence will go on our side if evil the Sentence will go against us By thy Words c. Treasonable Words make Men guilty in Man's Court and vain sinful in God's Against being weary in well-doing Gal. 6.9 And let us not be weary in well-doing for in due Season we shall reap if we faint not IN the Verses before the Text the Apostle had laid down a Proposition What a Man soweth that shall he reap v. 7. He that sows in Sin shall reap in Sorrow he that Sows the Seeds of Grace shall reap Glory There is the Proposition In the Text the Apostle makes the application Let us not be weary of well-doing We that have sown the good Seed of Repentance and an Holy Life let us not be weary for in due season we shall reap if we faint not First A Dehortation Let us not be weary Secondly The Argument We shall reap in due season First A Dehortation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let us not be weary Where there is I. Something implied that we are apt to be weary in well-doing II. Something expressed that we ought not to be weary in well-doing I. The thing implied that we are apt to be weary in well-doing This lassitude and weariness is not from the regenerate part but the fleshly as Peter's sinking in the Water was not from the Faith in him but the Fear This weariness in a Christian course is occasioned from four Things 1. From the revilings of the World Psal. 41.5 My Enemies speak evil of me Innocency is no shield against reproach But why should this make us weary of well-doing Will a Soldier run from his Colours and quit the Field because of a little Small-shot Did not Jesus Christ undergo reproach for us when the Iews put a Crown of Thorns on him and bowed the Knee in scorn Is it any dishonour to us to be reproached for doing that which is Good Is it any disparagement to a Virgin to be reproached for her Beauty and Chastity Our reproaches for Christ we should bind as a Crown about our Head Now a Spirit of Glory rests upon us 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for a Spirit of God and of Glory resteth upon you Regium est benè facere malè audire He that clips our Credit to make it weigh lighter makes our Crown heavier 2. That which is apt to occasion weariness in well-doing is the present sufferings we are exposed to 2 Cor. 4.8 We are troubled on every side like a Ship that hath the Pirates shooting at it on both sides The Cross is the Saint's Joynture 2 Tim. 3.12 But why should this make us weary of well-doing Is not our Life a Warfare 'T is no more strange to meet with Sufferings in Religion than for a Mariner to meet with Storms or a Soldier to meet with Bullets Do not we consider upon what terms we entred into Religion Did not we Vow in Baptism to Fight under Christ's Banner Doth not our Lord tell us we must take up the Cross and follow him Matth. 16.24 Is not this part of the Legacy Christ hath bequeathed us Ioh. 16.33 We would partake of Christ's Glory but not of his Sufferings Besides doth not many a Man suffer for his Sins Do not Men's Lusts bring them to an untimely end Do Men suffer for their Sins and do we think much to suffer for Christ How did St. Paul rejoice in Sufferings 2 Cor. 7.4 How did he rattle his Chain that he wore for Christ How did he Glory in it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As a Woman that is proud of her Iewels Chrysost. Why should Sufferings make us faint Who would not be willing to tread upon a few Thorns that is going to a Kingdom 3. That which is apt to occasion weariness in well-doing is the deferring of the Reward We are apt to be discouraged and grow weary if we have not what we desire presently we are all for present pay But consider 1. Our Work is not yet done