compared with Wealth p. 489 490 491 619 It teaches many excellent Lessons p. 592 593 It deserves Love for the Author Matter Use p. 622 It 's a full Declaration of Gods mind p. 8 153 It 's a certain Declaration of his Mind and Will p. 8 It declares 1. what we must do 2. whether we do it or no 3. what we may expect from God p. 9 It is self-evidencing p. 9 It will excuse or accuse in the day of Judgment p. 6 It 's not only a Direction but an Injunction p. 24 349 It 's a Light by day a Lamp by night p. 687 688 why 689 It s a rule and an Instrument p 53 688 In it we are to consider 1. the Authority 2. the Ministry of it p. 488 892 It 's a Glass to shew us our spots and water to wash them away p. 54 Three main uses of the Word of God p. 491 It 's 1. the Sts. Direction 2. their Support 3. their Charter p. 97 491 619 866 867 It makes rich and happy p. 86 488 489 490 It is an Antidote against sin and a Cordial against sorrow p. 120 151 152 688 359 333 It is Comfort in two Respects p. 688 354 359 It is Bread and Water p. 124 126 How we are to be affected towards the Word p. 620 It is pure in many Respects 1. in it self 2. it makes the Soul pure and that 1. as 't is the appointed Instrument of the spirit 2. as 't is a proper Instrument for Purification 3. as it proposes Precepts Examples and other helps for Purity p. 857 858 It is Righteousness all Righteousness c. p. 1068 It ought to be our Meditation p. 576 It 's a Light proved from 1. the Autâ—…or 2. Instruments 3. the ends of it p. 690 691 It is our Comfort in the day of outward Trouble and inward Anguish It gives these Comforts 1. the Priviledges of the afflicted 2. the blessedness of another World acceptation with God p. 887 619 v. Commandements Believers may humbly challenge God upon his word p. 324 It may be hidden in two Respects 1. in respect of the outward Administration 2. in respect of the inward Influence and Efficacy p. 151 152 It is as good as Gods actual Performance or Deed p. 444 There are wonders in Gods word to be seen when God opens the Eye p. 112 880 881 882 What Gods opening the eyes contributes to the sight of them p. 112 Words idle words weigh heavy in Gods Ballance p. 39 Words are the Female Issue of the Soul Works the Male Issue p. 89 Works Covenants of Grace and Works wherein they agree and wherein they differ p. 906 907 908 909 Word of God upon the Soul may be mentioned before him and pleaded to him in Prayer and how p. 60 61 When God intends to work he sets Prayer on work p. 860 Work of God in what respects and sense ascribed to the Creature and why p. 751 God is always at work for us p. 340 World not our home not to be abused p. 117 It is preserved for the Elects sake p. 859 The spirit of this World p. 572 The spirit of God and the spirit of this World differ p. 478 Love of worldly things two great causes of it 1. A distrust of Gods Care 2. discontent with Gods allowance p. 255 present world p. 1089 Worship false worship severely punished p. 39 Worship of God his Interest therein p. 852 True Zeal appears for purity of Worship and against the corruption of it p. 852 Worship corrupted by Papists p. 205 206 False Worship makes men 1. subtle 2. cruel p. 739 Wounding and healing Gods Praerogative p. 511 Wrath of God They that walk closely with God are discharged from it p. 7 Y. YOkâ—… of Afflictions to be born from the youth p. 883 Young and raw Christians have much Zeal little Knowledge p. 452 Young Christians may have more true Wisdom than aged Persons p. 653 654 Young Men exhorted to beware of evil Company as the Pest and Bane of Youth p. 776 Young men not to be discouraged nor despised p. 654 655 Encouragement to Youth and to those that educate them p. 655 Youth regardless of serious work p. 52 God must be remembred in youth Reasons of it p. 52 53 Youth is tainted with sin p. 52 How a young man may cleanse his ways p. 55 Advantages of remembring God in Youth p. 397 Z. ZEal for false Worship quenches the fire of real Godliness p. 5 It is a high degree of Love It consumes the natural Spirits p. 849 Zeal great and pure becomes those that have any Affection for the ways and word of God p. 650 It is hottest in cold times p. 865 Zeal Spiritual and Carnal their differences Carnal Zeal is faulty in the 1. Cause 2. the Object 3. Measure p. 850 Zeal spiritual described 1. by its Causes 2. Object 3. Effects 4. usefulness to publick Reformation 5. use in private Christian Exercises p. 851 852 Blind Zeal a cause of Persecution p. 144 Iâ—… makes a man a prey for the Devil p. 685 Young Christians have much Zeal but little Knowledge p. 452 Zeal shews it self for purity of worship p. 852 Zeal now is less when there 's more light p. 657 Zion Mourners in Zion and Sinners in Zion p. 929 FINIS
increaseth vehemency in prayer p. 914 Oppression a great calamity p. 8â—…8 What it is 827 And to be deprecated by the people of God-827 921 When are we said to be left of God under the Oppression of wicked men p. 8â—…8 It is oftentimes masked with a Law p. 143 It is odious to God p. 827 828 Burdensome to men p. 827 828 Oppression of man a prejudice to our spiritual concerns God is concern'd to deliver us from them p. 925 Directions to the Oppressed what to do p. 923 924 Order of things in our care according to their worth 232. Ordinances God will be sought in them 12 Gods children long to see God in them p. 1090 They are made precious 1. From the necessity of them 2. Spiritual appetite and inward inclination to them 3. Experience p. 602 They are to be considered under a fourfold notion 1. As Duties 2. Priviledges 3. Means 4. Talents p. 905 They stir up desires after Heaven-1090 Origen's example who exhorted others to Martyrdom and yet in persecution was timorous and could not preach the Gospel p. 335 Original sin p. 52 53 It issues out first in evil thoughts p. 760 Other mens sins are bitterly to be mourned for p. 929 1. By all Christians as well as eminent Saints 2. By private Christians as well as those in publick places p. 929 Reproof to 1. Those that mourn not for their own sins Nor 2. own the dishonour cast on Gods Name p. 932 933 Overcoming Saints overcome one way sinners another 868 Outward senses set the inward on work 673 Outward things cannot make us blessed for 1. They want sincerity 2. Fulness 3. Eternity p. 73 How to know whether our care for the outward or inward man be greatest p. 180 Outward acts of duty commanded as well as the inward p. 160 Outward trouble may revive inward trouble p 884 Owned God will be owned the Author whoever is the instrument of prayer p. 514 Truth is sometimes not owned for want of liberty or courage p. 334 P. PAnting what p. 896 Pangs of love to God not sufficient 861. 676 677 Vid. Moods Papists who forbid the simple the use of the word confuted p. 895 Their Government Doctrine Worship corrupt p. 203 204 205 Pardon of sin the main matter of our comfort 592 No pardon for want of sincerity p. 903 Pardon granted in the Gospel 1. A pardon of course to some sins 2. A pardon upon repentance to all sins p. 1039 Pardon established in the New Covenant p. 1105 Partakers in sin partake of the punishment p. 806 Particular faith and hope p. 327 Partiality in obedience destroys our confidence in God p. 37 Partial Reformation will not serve p. 319 Paschalis the Martyr cites the Pope to appear before Christs Tribunal p. 38 Passions dim the eye of Reason p. 229 Passions are like wild horses p. 302 Passions cured by prayer 1. Fear 2. Sorrow 3. Anger 4. Impatience and despair p. 925 Passionate Expressions differ from serious desires 104 Saints lyable to various Passions p. 807 Passionateness of sin and passionateness of spiritual desire p. 900 Patience put to the utmost trial p. 143 Patron God is the Patron of his people but not of their sin p. 976 977 Paul Rom. 7. speaks as a converted person p. 47 Peace in abundance the priviledg of them that walk closely with God p. 7. 1026 Peace great peace the priviledg of them that keep and love God Law p. 1026 1027. Reasons Ibi. Peace of conscience the result of the rectitude of our actions p. 316 Peace of conscience fortifies against scandals p. 1033 Peace of conscience how it differs from joy in the Holy Ghost p. 316 Object How have they great peace that love Gods law when none are more troubled than they Answ. p. 1027 1028 Peace is either 1. External 2. Internal 3. Eternal p. 1021 Peace with Saints not only to be embraced when offered but pursued when rejected p. 528 Peculiar people peculiar favour peculiar spirits peculiar actings p. 607 608 Pelagius his Doctrine and subtilty p. 252 People of God in a special sense God has such a people grounds of Gods title to and interest in them p. 606 607 They may boldly commend their cause to God when the proud are vexations p. 522 Described by their principles p. 427. 607 Peremptoriness of Gods command to turn now as well as to turn at all p. 409 God is peremptory in the terms of Salvation p. 891 Perfection of the Creature cannot give 1. Rest to the soul 2. Nor procure acceptation with God 3. Nor stand us instead in troubles p. 614 615 Persecution whence 1. on Gods part 2. On the part of persecutors in whom 1. Blind zeal 2. Prejudices 3. Erroneous principles in Politicks cause persecution p. 144. Persecutors wickedness is some ground of confidence to the oppressed p. 946 Several pretences to justifie persecution p. 562 Persecution of Saints will undo any Nation p. 859 It s greater under the N. T. than the Old why 730 Permission of God in suffering maliciâ—…us enemies to draw â—…igh to his people p. 944 Perseverance in Ordinances a duty though we find not God in them at present p. 12. 88. 891 One great help to perseverance p. 459 Directions helps means for perseverance p. 211. 212. 343 Necessary to persevere in obedience p. 231. 339 Perswasion of Gods word slighted provoke him to use a more severe discipline p. 400 Philosophy not comparable to Christianity Pilgrims who are the true ones p. 117 Pilgrimage House of Pilgrimage what it is p. 354 Saints account the world their Pilgrimage-355 356 Pity to the sinner must be join'd with zeal against the sin p. 854 855 Pity of God engages him to do his people good in their distresses p. 822 Plainness of the Scriptures to private Christians 894 Reasons thereof p. 894 895 Plea with God twofold 1. A Law plea the merits of Christ 2. A Gospel plea sincerity p. 61 No plea allow'd that is contrary to free grace-p 848 Pleas of sinners for delaying repentance p. 406 407 Vid. Delays Plea from Gods mercy our relation 837. 846 937 No Pleading mercy while we go on in sin p. 845 God pleads the cause of his oppressed servants-p 972 how p. 973 974 975. why p. 976 977 Please God endeavour it in all things or nothing-p 35 It ought to be the end of our service p 851 It 's pleasing to God to hold out in trials p. 864 Pleasure in sin an excuse to delay repentance p. 406 It costs the sinner very dear p. 985 Pleasure not the happiness of the Rational Creature For 1 it cannot satisfie and that because of its 1. Imperfection 2. Uncertainty 3. Disproportion to the desire of man 2 Being inordinately loved it defiles 3 Being lost it encreases sorrow p. 3 Pleasures spiritual are 1. Substantial 2. Such as perfect the rational creature p. 313 Plottings against Gods people an ancient practice they arise from pride God forbids them and will
Some to revive the pristine Purity others the old peaceable Spirit God hath so counterballanced all Parties that they may be mutually helpful But not that we despise and contemn any other and seek to destroy and subvert another and so make way for great mischiefs Every one hath enough to humble him and enough to render him useful to humane Society Therefore we must not set at nought our brother Rom. 14. 10. God hath made him something which thou art not and given him an ability to do something thou canst not do or wouldst not submit unto Contempt is the fruit of Pride there are none but deserve some respect Scorn is the bane of humane Society Secondly It betrayeth it self in contention with Equals Wrath and contention cometh by pride Prov. 13. 10. Every one seeks to be eminent and would excel Not in graces and gifts that 's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an holy emulation but in rank and place We set too high a price upon our selves and when others will not come up to our price we are troubled We ascribe too much to our selves and when we meet not with that respect and honour which we affect we fall into contention and break out into strifes supposing our selves neglected We see it often what a make-bait this is in the world if others do not accommodate themselves to our sense if they approve not all things we say if their Opinion differeth a little or it may be nothing from ours Men pertinaciously obstinate in their Preconceptions will not change Opinion upon apparent evidence But now humble men are always peaceable they can better give and take these respects which are done to one another than others can The Apostle saith Ephes. 5. 21. Submit your selves to one another in the fear of God There is a service of love which every one oweth to another for their mutual good and advantage and is called Submission though it be to Equals because our proud and lofty spirits look upon it as below us There are none living whom God alloweth to live only to themselves Now that there may be an equality we are to stoop and condescend to one another others are to live to us and we to them 1 Pet. 5. 5. Be subject one to another and be cloathed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble This mutual subjection to another in the duties of love can never be obtained till we learn to moderate our esteem of our selves and heighten our esteem of others we can neither advise nor instruct nor esteem one another nor maintain peace in our Relations and perform all Christian offices to each other till this spirit prevail with us Thirdly By undutifulness to Superiors or those that are preferred in honour before our selves Proud men would be admired of all well thought of and spoken of by all and preferred above all and if it be not so they are discontented and a secret enmity and malignity invadeth their spirits and setleth it self there it is an apparent fruit of natural corruption Iam. 4. 5. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy Men cannot endure either the real or reputed excellency of others The proud creature would shine alone Therefore we are secretly nibling at the credit of others blasting their reputation and desire by all means to lessen them or that they should be lessened and where this disposition prevaileth into any degree of strength and tyranny it groweth outragious Prov. 27. 4. Wrath is cruel and anger is outragious but who is able to stand before envy For when we are grieved at the prosperity and excellency of others we seek to undermine them by all the means we can devise As when the Brothers of Ioseph sought to put him out of the way And when Saul envied David he was still plotting his destruction So when the Pharisees envied Christ If we let him alone all men will run after him This brought them to crucifie the Lord of glory Anger venteth it self in sudden flashes and Wrath in some present act of violence but Envy is injurious and treacherous Anger and Wrath suppose some offence but Envy is troubled at the goodness and excellency of others Anger and Wrath are assuaged by degrees and when the raging Billows and Tempest ceaseth there is a Calm but this groweth by time and is exasperated more and more the longer those whom we envy are in good condition Now this affection reigned in us in our natural estate Tit. 3. 3. and remaineth in some degree in the best 4. Another expression of Pride is impatiency of Admonitions and Reproofs that is the cause of the wickeds hatred of the Godly because their lives are a real reproof Ioh. 7. 7. The world hateth me because I testifie of it that the works thereof are evil Heb. 11. 7. But surely it argueth a proud spirit when men cannot endure friendly counsel and will not have their privy sores touched but they grow fierce and outragious especially when they excel others in Rank and Power As when the Prophet reproved Amaziah 2 Chron. 25. 16. Art thou made of the King's Counsel forbear why shouldst thou be smitten so 2 Chron. 18. 23. He smote him on the cheek and said When went the spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee So the Pharisees hated Christ because of his free Reproofs Ioh. 9. 40. Are we blind also They cannot endure to hear of their faults especially from one in an inferiour condition and think every reproof to be a reproach though never so wisely and compassionately managed and that it is beneath their rank to stoop to it though Iob despised not the cause of his maid-servants Job 31. if they had any thing to say against him And David stopped upon Abigails motion 1 Sam. 25. 26. 5. Take heed of building too securely upon earthly enjoyments as if your Estate were so firm and secure that it could not be altered because you are high and great in Wealth Power Honour and Esteem Confidence in our outward Estate is a sure note of Pride Psal. 10. 4 5. The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts His ways are always grievous thy judgments are far above out of his sight as for all his enemies he puffeth at them He hath said in his heart I shall not be moved I shall not be in adversity There the Psalmist chargeth Pride on the wicked and such a Pride as ariseth from confidence in outward prosperity and mentioneth a double effect not only slighting their Adversaries but God himself 'T is no matter for any terms of peace or moderation towards their Adversaries his ways are always grievous Therefore are they violent fierce and high and severe towards them do not need the protection of God therefore cold flat negligent in Prayer yea scorn to implore God by Prayer for any Blessing They are so high in Place and Power
servants they are they do nothing but what their master commandeth and what he commandeth they see reason to obey Second Branch Give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies This is subjoined to the former Plea First Because David would not be a servant in name and title only but in deed and in truth and therefore would fain know his duty Secondly To shew the difference between Gods servants and the servants of other Lords who command us Prov. 14. 25. The Kings favour is towards a wise servant they see them wise find them wise and then love them but God must begin with us his favour maketh us wise Doctr. Gods best Servants think they can never enough beg Divine illumination David doth often enforce this request Reasons 1. Our blindness in the matters of God is a great part of our spiritual misery Ephes. 5. 8. Ye were sometimes darkness There is a Veil lying upon our hearts not easily removed and taken away All the mischief introduced by the Fall is not cured at once but by degrees as spiritual strength encreaseth we grow up into it so spiritual light The maim of the understanding as well as the will is not wholly cured till we come to Heaven for here we know but in part till God give us understanding we are utterly blind the best of Gods servants have cause to acknowledge it in themselves the remnants of ignorance and incredulity The Apostle biddeth them to adde to faith vertue to vertue knowledge that is skill to manage the work of our heavenly Calling 2. None are so sensible of this blindness as they 'T is some proficiency in knowledge to understand our ignorance Prov. 30. 2 3. Surely I am more bruitish than any man and have not the understanding of a man I neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledg of the holy The most knowing see they need more enlightening The best of our knowledge is to know our imperfections 1 Cor. 8. 2. He that thinketh he knoweth any thing knoweth nothing as he ought to know 3. There is room for encrease for in the best we never know so much of Gods ways but we may know more Hos. 6. 3. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. Prov. 4. 18. But the path of the Iust is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day True sanctified knowledg is always growing If we sit down with measures received 't is a sign we do not know things as we should know them Christ grew in knowledge not in Grace for the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily Practical knowledg is never at a stand though a man may see round the compass and light of saving truth yet he may know them more spiritually and more feelingly 4. The profit of Divine Revelation as to these three things First A clear discerning of the things of God not a confused Notion as the blind man in the Gospel saw men as Trees walking So 2 Cor. 4. 6. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the Glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. And 1 Iohn 5. 20. And hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true Every degree of knowledg is Gods gift What other men see confusedly we see more distinctly in this light Secondly Firm assent Then shall I know thy testimonies know them from others that have not Divine Authority 'T is the spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that openeth our eyes to see the truth and worth of heavenly things contained in the promise Ephes. 1. 17 18. The father of glory may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him the eyes of your understandings being enlightened that ye may know the hope of his calling and the riches of the glory of the inheritance of the Saints in light And Matth. 16. 17. Flesh and blood hath not revealed these things unto thee Humane credulity we may have upon the report of others the evidence of the truths themselves but this firm assent is the fruit of Divine illumination Thirdly Hearty practice Let thy testimonies not only strike my ear but affect my heart command my hand let me know them so as to do them for otherwise our knowledge is little worth God doth so direct that he doth also enable us to approve our obedience to him sincerely and faithfully There is a knowledge that puffeth us up 1 Cor. 8. 1. which yet is a gift and floweth from the common influence of the Spirit Ier. 22. 16. Was not this to know me saith the Lord But there is a greater efficacy in practical knowledge such as warmeth the heart with love to the truths known Iohn 4. 10. If thou knewest the gift c. Such a light as proceedeth from the gracious influence of the Spirit Use 1. Let us be often dealing with God in prayer that our judgments may be enightened with the understanding of the word and our affections renewed and strengthened unto the true obedience of it beg for that lively light of the Spirit 1. We need it In how many things do we erre in the things which know how weak are we both as to sound judgment and practice The Apostle saith We know but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9. We are but of yesterday and we know nothing Job 8. 9. Therefore we have need to go to the Ancient of days that he may teach us knowledge and kindle our Lamps anew at the Fountain of light Alas we take it in by drops or by degrees as a tender and sore eye must be used to the light We have but little time to get knowledg in and do not improve that little time we have 2. We have leave to ask it Iam. 1. 5. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God and why do we not seeing we have a liberty to ask it 3. God hath promised to bestow it he will give his spirit to them that ask it Luke 11. 13. And to beget Faith in us If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him Here is a notable Argument he reasoneth and promiseth And Prov. 2. 3. we must cry for knowledg Well then let us be earnest that we may not miss that which is to be had for asking beg for an heart to know Ier. 24. 7. I will give them an heart to know me that I am the Lord. Use 2. It informeth us That there is somewhat more than the Word necessary to give us knowledge God must not only reveal the Object but prepare the Subject David having a Law beggeth understanding that he might know Gods testimonies The literal sense and meaning of the words may be understood by common gifts and ordinary industry unless men be exceedingly blinded and
warnings to us As a Beacon on fire warneth all the Countrey to be in Armes You see what 't is to give way to the beginnings of sin not to be under the blessed Conduct of Gods Spirit Some are notoriously wicked judicially given up to be more visibly under the dominion of sin that others may take warning how they come into that woful slavery Phil. 3. 19 20. For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies to the Cross of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their belly who glory in their shame who mind earthly things but our conversation is in Heaven 3. It should make us fly to God for Grace when the whole world lyeth in wickedness Isai. 6. 5. I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell among a people of unclean lips 'T is hard to converse with defiled ones and not be defiled to keep our selves unspotted from the World Psal. 106. 35. They were mingled among the heathen and learned their works The contagion of sin overspreads presently as a man by touching that which was unclean became unclean We easily catch a sickness from others but we cannot convey our health to them Use 2. Teacheth us to keep up our profession even in lesser truths I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things When men would wrangle us out of our Duty we are to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faithful in a little Great matters depend on little things We are tryed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 1. 12. by the present truths whether we will owne the ways of God Revel 14. 13. Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord or for the Lord from henceforth yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labour Why from henceforth Why before the sufferings of Christians were from Heathens and professed enemies and they were acknowledged blessed as dying for the Lord. But now when Anti-Christ and false Christians came up they did pretend to be for Christ and friends to him and this might be a discouragement to them in their suffering but saith the Holy Ghost From henceforth blessed are they which dye for the Lord when Pseudo-Christians begin to come up and persecute the heavenly Christians 'T is as blessed a thing to suffer under Pseudo-Christians and Anti-Christianism as it was to suffer under Heathens and Pagans professed enemies to Christianity I speak of this because the Orthodoxy of the world is usually an Age too short In things publickly received 't is easie to be right Christ is forced to gain upon the world by inches A man may acknowledge the Trinity the satisfaction of Christ among Papists but 't is exceeding praise-worthy to owne Christ when others scorn and reject him The world will allow us to esteem the ways of God in some lesser things that are out of Controversie and are not maligned but this esteem must have that extent as becometh the people of God to have an hearty esteem of all the precepts of God and all things contained therein 2. Let me come to his respect to the ways of God and from his respect with the extent I shall observe this Doctrine Doctr. That it becometh the people of God to have a practical heart-engaging esteem of all the precepts of God and all things contained therein Let meshew you what is this esteem the Children of God have for his precepts First There is something implyed and presupposed Secondly Wherein it doth formally consist Thirdly The qualifications of a right and saving esteem of the ways of God First There is something implied and presupposed before we can come to esteem the precepts of God As First Knowledg and a right discerning This is necessary partly that a man may be able to make a distinction between good and evil otherwise he cannot esteem the good and eschew the evil for without knowledg the heart is not good Prov. 19. 2. If we should stumble blindfold upon a good way we are not the more accepted with God nor advantaged in our spiritual Course The clearer our light the warmer our love The more clear and certain apprehension we have of spiritual things our faith is more stedfast love more vehement joy more sound hope more constant patience more sublime our pursuit of true happiness more earnest And partly because a man cannot esteem that which he knoweth not The will being caeca potentia blind in it self followeth the direction and guidance of the understanding The ignorance of the nature and necessity of holiness is the cause of the neglect of it Iohn 4. 10. If thou knewest the gift c. Many condemn good for evil take evil for good boldly rush into sin reject the ways of God for want of knowledge But then 't is spiritual illumination that begets estimation 1 Cor. 2. 14. The truth and worth of spiritual things must be seen by a spiritual eye When the Spirit enlighteneth a man he beginneth to see that which he knew not before to see things in another manner Secondly Advertency or application of the mind to the object or things esteemed that he seriously consider of the matter and what it is best to do it 's not a sudden rash undertaking The Scripture speaketh of applying our hearts to wisdom Psal. 90. 12. and Prov. 2. 2. Apply thy heart to understanding Prov. 23. 12. Apply thine heart to instruction and thines ears to the ways of knowledg Make it your business seriously to consider things that differ But then Secondly Wherein lyes this esteem or wherein doth it formally consist Esteem is an approbation of the will or an hearty love There is the approbation of the understanding and the approbation of the will The approbation of the understanding is a naked sense or an acknowledgment of what is good Rom. 2. 18. Thou knowest his will and approvest the things that are more excellent There is an excellency in holiness that winneth esteem even there where it is not embraced All convinced men see the evil of sin and are half of the mind to quit it they approve the Law which they violate by a bare naked approbation But then there is the approbation of the heart or will there is love and liking in it and this is called esteem This is seen in two things consent and choice Consent to take this Law for our rule and choice whatever temptation we have to the contrary Men chuse what they highly esteem In short 't is such an approbation as doth engage affection such an affection as doth engage practice Esteem is the fruit of love First There is a consenting to the Law that it is good Rom. 7. 16. There is a difference between assent and consent A man may assent to the truth and goodness of the Law that doth not consent to the goodness of it as the Devils assent to the truth of Gods Being that do not consent to take him for their portion Iames 2. 19.
will save thy Children And from the mouth of the wicked Psal. 5. 15. He saveth the poor from the sword and from their mouth and from the hand of the mighty From slanders that may endanger their Life and Credit So ver 21. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the Tongue from their bitter reproaches Therefore commit your cause to God But then 1. Be sure that your Cause be good for God will not be the Patron of Sin unless he hath passed sentence for us in his Word it is boldness to appeal to him as Baalam that would hire God by sacrifices to Curse his People Hasty Appeals to God in our passion and revengeful humours are a great dishonour to him Sarah Appealed Gen. 15. 3. The Lord judge between me and thee And David Appealed 1 Sam. 24. 15. The Lord therefore be judge and judge between thee and me and see and plead my cause and deliver me out of thy hand But there was more of justice in Davids Appeal in the case between him and Saul than in Sarahs Appeal in the case between her and Abraham it would have been ill for her if God had taken her at her word it sheweth that even Gods Children are too apt to intitle him to their private passions 2. Let us be sure that there be no Controversie between God and our Persons when yet our Cause is good The Israelites had a good Cause Iudges 20. but there was once and again a great slaughter made of them before they had reconciled themselves to God There must be a good Conscience as well as a good Cause otherwise God will plead his Controversie against us before he will plead our Controversie against our Enemies Ier. 2. 35. yet thou sayest because I am innocent surely his anger will turn from me behold I will plead with thee because thou sayest I have not sinned Because we have a good Cause we think God hath no cause to be angry with us therefore he will first plead in Judgment against us So Hos. 12. 2. The Lord hath also a controversie with Iudah and will punish Iacob according to his wayes according to his doings will he recompence him Though God may approve what is right in Worship and Profession yet he will punish our shameful disorders and unanswerable walking in his People 3. Let us Pray in a right manner with Confidence with Earnestness 1. Confidence that God will plead our Cause when he seeth it good and for his own Glory whether there be any likelyhood of it yea or no for he hath promised to support the weak and humble and protect the innocent against their Oppressors Psal. 140. 12. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor God is party with you not against you and leave him to his own wayes and means Faith should support us when sense yieldeth little comfort and hope He knoweth how to justifie your Cause and deliver your Persons and you should know that he will do it and can do it though the way be not evident to you and God seem to sit still for a while 2. Earnestly Oh be not cold in the Churches suit if you be Sions Friends and are willing to take share and lot with Gods people awaken him by your incessant cryes Nay it is God's Cause Psal. 74. 22. Arise O Lord plead thine own cause remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee dayly The Godly are not maligned for their Sins but their Righteousness So Psal. 35. 23. Stir up thy self and awake to my Iudgment even unto my cause my God and my Lord. There is a long suit depending between the Church of God and her Enemies desire that God would determine it and declare what is Right and what is Wrong Secondly He beggeth God in the Text to Redeem or Deliver him the Word in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the usual word for Goel Redeemer the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ransom me Here he craveth that as his Cause might be in safety so his Person Doctrine We may beg a Deliverance or a Release from our Troubles provided we do not beg it out of an impatiency of the Flesh but a desire of Gods Glory God delights to be imployed in this work what hath he been doing all along in all Ages of the World but delivering his People from those that oppressed them He delivered Iacob from the Fury of Esau Ioseph from the Malice of his Brethren Gen. 37. 21. And Reuben heard it and he delivered him out of their hands saying let us not kill him Daniel from the Lions Den Dan. 6. 22. My God hath sent his Angel and hath shut the Lions mouths that they have not hurt me forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me and also before thee O King have I done no hurt Peter from Prison Acts 12. 11. And when Peter was come to himself he said now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the people of the Iews And will not he do the like for his suffering Servants how came his hand to be out He delivered Israel out of Egypt out of Babylon he can do it again it doth not cost him much labour Psal. 68. 2. As smoke is driven away so drive them away as wax melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Therefore refer your deliverance to God and when you are in a way of Duty be not thoughtful about it there is a price payed for it Christ redeemed us from Temporal Adversity so far as it may be a snare to us God hath his Times we may see it unless he hath a mind to sweep away the unthankful and froward generation that provoked him to so much Anger Numb 14. 22 23. Because all those men that have seen my glory and my miracles which I did in Egypt in the wilderness and have tempted me now these ten times and have not hearkned unto my voice surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their Fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it Ier. 29. 31 32. Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you and I sent him not and he caused you to trust in a lye therefore thus saith the Lord behold I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his seed he shall not have a man to dwell among this people neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my People saith the Lord because he hath taught Rebellion against the Lord. It may be we may be more broken and afflicted first Deut. 32. 36. For the Lord shall judge his people and repent himself for his servants when he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left Oh let us desire to see the good of