wee ought to confesse our sinnes though wee suffer for them as some have done many years after their sinnes were committed during which time providence made no discovery of them but let them lye covered with a vale of secrecy and their Consciences lying a sleep were silent or though awake did not violently accuse for them The most of the forementioned cases of confession to men concern such faults as are some way known to men either 1 Openly in the Acts of them such are scandals given to the Church or to particular persons so long as the same are kept secret they are not scandalous and the wrongs wee have done to others in word or deed and the evils we have done together with others as companions in iniquity 2 Or by the effect consequent or some discovering mark thereof Achans theft was kept secret for he hid what he had stoln in the earth Iosh 7.21 in the midst of his Tent but it was discovered first by the blow God gave Israel for this sin of Achan call'd the accursed thing they were smitten at Ai After by casting of lots a course of Gods prescribing to find out the offender and the lot fell upon Achans Tribe family and person thus his iniquity found him out then he confessed his sin to Joshua and died for it Jonahs flight from the presence of the Lord was a secret fault known only to God and himself at first but providence afterward brought it to light by the Lords sending a mighty tempest upon the Sea so that the ship Jonah was in and all that were in it were in Jeopardie and the Mariners casting lots to find out who was the cause of that evil upon them Jon. 1.6 Vers 10. the lot fell upon Jonah Then Jonah confessed his fault to them and was willing to bee cast into the Sea Vers 12 15. to calm it and to save them Let mee adde this Though open confession of secret wrongs done to others unknown to them how or by whom be not necessary yet Restitution or Reparation thereof is necessary which may be done as privately scil by the hand of a stranger or the like as the fault was committed and it sufficeth though the person injured knows not who did him the wrong nor who makes him amends 3 Wee may confesse sometimes even our secret sins to others to our own advantage as in the particular cases before specified to wit 1 Of scruple when they burden our consciences 2 Of Predominancy when they tyrannize over us and trouble us or we are strongly tempted to them 3 Of affliction be it sickness or any losse or crosse the cause whereof we conceive to be some secret lust infirmity or failing in us To obtain comfort counsel compassion and supplication from others and thereby help and remedy against sin and trouble both of body and soul as was shewed before This is no more than for a patient to acquaint the Physician with his secret disease unknown to others that he may apply healing medicines suitable and effectuall thereunto or for a beggar to uncover his sore to move others to pitty him and to contribute towards his healing So much of the cases in which confession should be made to others The second Thing is the persons to whom we should confesse our faults to wit 1 Our open faults to the persons or societies whom we have either 1 Injured 2 Or scandalized 3 Or consociated in sin 2 Our secret faults wee should confess to such persons Ministers or others as we judge wise godly and faithfull 1 To keep our counsel conceal our infirmities lock up our secrets in their bosomes and not divulge them to our prejudice 2 To counsel us aright concerning our bosome-cases 3 To pity us and to pray for us These are the properties of bosome-friends Object Shall we not hereby lose our Repute and blemish our name Ans Confession of our secret faults to such will not impair our credit nor impeach our good name with them because 1 They will consider themselves that they also may be tempted troubled and exercised so as wee are and they will remember that Law of Justice and equity of doing to others what they would have others do to them Mat. 7.12 2 The confessing of our secret sins to them upon such an account will represent us to them to be tender in conscience soft in heart humble in spirit hating sin fearfull to offend Hereby we shall give them occasion 1 To discern more of the grace of God of the truth and workings of it in us 2 To think better yea more highly of us as Christ did of the Centurion and of the woman of Canaan the worse we think and the more evill we speak of our selves this will not lessen but greaten our esteem with them The third thing is from what Principles or in what manner we should confesse our faults to others scil from Zeal Hatred Love Humility 1 Out of Zeal for God 1 Zeal to give him glory before men of his 1 Omniscience knowing our sins even the most secret and 2 Providence in detecting them 2 Justice in punishing or Righteousnesse and faithfulness in afflicting us for them 3 Free grace in pardoning them and in accepting imploying and saving us from them or notwithstanding them 4 Patience in sparing us and mercy in doing us good notwithstanding the evils we have done 2 Out of hatred of sin 2 Hatred we should confesse it with grief for it and aggravation and detestation of it as a man would speak of the most loathsome abominable things as of eating or drinking Excrements or touching of Toads yea as we would tell or inform others of a most notorious Theef Murderer or Malefactor that hee may be executed or of a Toad or Snake that it may be kill'd Yea so as by confessing our sins to God or man to cast them up with loathing as nauseous stuff as men do meat which their stomacks cannot digest but loathe For confession is a vomit of the soul whereby it casts up or spuos out sin and disburthens it self of it which lay heavy upon it and made the soul sick 3 3 Love Out of love to others to make sin odious and abominable to them and to make them abhor and eschew the sins we have committed and escape shame and sorrow that wee have tasted for the same also out of grief for wronging or offending others and from a just mind to give them satisfaction by confession thereof to them to obtain their pardon and favour 4 4 Humility Out of humility to humble our selves for our faults even before men in the cases or upon the occasions premised to take shame to our selves in confessing them and to make it appear how much we abhor sin and our selves for sin and how vile we are in our own eyes also to prevent others thinking too highly of us which was Pauls desire who would not have others to think
2 Pet. 1.13 The Second Reason from the Commodity of Reproof in the effects thereof as 1 To awaken and rouse up such as slumber and a means to keep them waking and watchfull To this end Reproof hath both a cry or call and a rod in it to smite the offending Brother on the ear and heart as the Angel smote Peter on the side to waken and raise him up Let the Righteous smite mee Act. 12.17 Psa 141.5 saith David that is reprove mee Reproofs are not only words but blows to drousy souls Solomon calls them the wounds of a friend Prov. 27.6 Hereby Nathan awakened David who was fast asleep in his sin 2 Sam. 12.7 and Christ the Woman of Samaria by telling her of her filthy sin of Adultery Joh. 4.18 2 To quicken and sharpen dull dead spirits A wise and holy Reproof hath spirit and life in it and conveyes both into them that receive it Turn you at my Reproof saith wisdome what then Pro. 1.23 Chap. 6.23 Behold I will poure out my spirit unto you and the reproofs of instruction are the way of life that is both to quicken and to save Reproofs are lively and life-giving the ear that heareth the Reproof of life abideth among the wise Prov. 15.31 3 To heal distempers and disorders in others Reproof is a soveraign medicine an Antidote against sin David calls it an excellent oyl Psal 141.5 which shall not break his head but give it a plaister The oyl of Reproof being well rub'd in doth cure comfort and refresh a diseased soul It hath a peircing sinking soaking property for a Reproof entreth more into a wise man saith Solomon than a hundred stripes into a fool Prov. 17.10 Tat. 1.13 and it is a means to make men sound in the faith and to purge out corrupt humours 4 To rectifie those that go wrong and to keep them from evil and from the path of the wicked Prov. 4 14. and from the evil woman Prov. 6.23 24. 5 To suppresse sin Many transgressions may be prevented if a by-stander would give but a check thereto by Reproof for Reprovers are a terrour to evil-doers and keep them in awe that they do not offend when such are present whom they know will rebuke them The wicked keep their mouthes with a muzzle while the godly are before them The Majesty of a Reprover will tame the Insolency of a sinner 6 and lastly to give the Remainder in a cluster Reproof is a means of Grace 1 To beget wisdome The Rod and Reproof give wisdome Prov. 29.15 2 And to encrease knowledge Reprove one that hath understanding Prov. 19 25. and hee will understand knowledge Reproof hath an instructing and prudentizing quality 3 To cherish love among the wise Rebuke a wise man and hee will love thee saith the wise man Prov. 9.8 4 To procure favour Hee that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than hee that flattereth with his Tongue Prov. 28.23 A wel-given and well-taken Reproof doth greatly endear and engratiate the Reprover to the reproved 5 To adorn those especially that hearken to it for to reprove another wisely is to hang a Jewel or gold Ring at his ear Prov. 25.12 A wise and well-taken Reproof is a great Ornament both to the Reprover and the reproved 6 To obtain comfort and a blessing for to them that rebuke the wicked shall bee delight and a good blessing shall come upon them Prov. 24.25 1 Delight from the discharge of their duty and the testimony of their consciences and from hope of Gods acceptance and of the prevalence or good successe thereof with man 2 A good blessing from God and from good men shall come upon Reprovers as a reward of their faithfulness herein for the godly will set their affections on them give testimony of them and offer prayers and praises to God for them Reas 3 From the excellency of Reproof Excellency 1 This is Gods manner of dealing with his Children for their good scil to reprove them for their faults As many as I love I rebuke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Lord Rev. 3.19 My for faint not when thou art rebuked of the Lord. This is the Method of the Spirit Heb. 12.5 ver to bring men to comfort by Reproof When the COmforter is come the first thing hee will do is this Hee will reprove c. Joh. 16.8 God reproves his people to humble and reform and save them and hee reproves the wicked to convince restrain and condemn them Psal 50.21 To them God saith These things hast thou done c. but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Thus God reproved Kings for Israels sake 1 Chron. 16.21 What God doth is excellent Gods example or exercise of Reproof puts sublimity and excellency upon it as it is mans duty 2 This is one of the highest acts of amity and fidelity scil to reprove a Brother when hee offends Though it bee a fruit and flower of love yet in some cases it is better than love Open rebuke is better than secret love Prov. 27.5 or an open reproving love is to be preferred before a secret silent love for the former delivers a Brother from sin and Satan and the latter delivers him up to both The former is fruitfull the latter barren Love without rebuke when our Brothers case requires it is like a Bow without an Arrow to shoot in it like a knife without an edge to cut a hand without a plaister to heal or like a Bee without a sting a drone or slug good for nothing 3 David calls Reproof a precious Oyl Psal 141.5 Christ calls it a pearl and holy thing Mat. 7.6 Solomon prefers it before silver and gold and rubies It is the Merchandize of Wisdome which is better than precious Treasures Prov. 3.14 15. Hee calls it an ear-ring of gold an ornament of fine gold Chap. 25.12 The Reasons inforce a double duty upon us scil To give and take Reproof well 1 Duty to give Reproof to those that offend Great is our averseness to it the common causes whereof are 1 Ignorance and folly wee know not how to do it aright 2 Want of love to mens souls and of hatred to their sins 3 Self-guiltinesse of the same faults 4 Unfaithfulnesse to God and man 5 Fearfulness or want of zeal and courage Godly men have much bewailed it in themselves as it is reported of Mr. Hieron a faithfull Minister of Christ in his Generation that he did say when he lay on his death-bed I confess that in publick I have been somewhat full in Reproof Admonition Instruction but in private my backwardnesse my bashfulnese my dastardliness hath been intolerable and I may truly say that if any thing lye as a burden upon my conscience This it is These Reasons should bee as Nails to fasten this duty of Reproof to our hearts and as Goads to prick us forward to the practice of
Christ out of Heaven as if they had no grace at all because at present they can see none in themselves or were not the Lords because they are so deeply distressed as none of his ever were 5 To follow Satans prescripts or take Physick of him for the cure of Soul-troubles which is to lay aside all thoughts or cares about Soul-affairs to go into merry company and to give themselves to the pleasures of the flesh which remedy is farre worse than the disease This is to leap out of the pan into the fire Satans receits are rank poyson To hearken to Satan in any of these suggestions or perswasions is to do his lusts and his works for him to carry on his designs which mainly oppose and strike at Gods glory and the salvation of souls 4 Caution That they do not satisfie their disquieted hearts 1 By taking offence at the Lords dealings with them or at their present troubled state to be angry at God or to bee froward and sullen 2 By giving way to sad perplexed thoughts sufficient to sink them which is to prepare a Chariot for Satan to ride in triumph over their heads and hearts and to tread them both down to the dust 3 By venting or justifying the discontents and distempers of the heart as Jonah did his Anger before God Ionah 4. that they do well to bee angry 4 By putting away comfort from them in a froward peevish humour when it is tendred to them as Children throw away their Butter and Bread when they are pettish or displeased lest the Lord deal with them according to their desert Psal 18.26 and with the froward shew himself froward and fill their souls with Wormwood and Gall. Third Direction In dealing with afflicted souls or with your own souls in such afflictions have special respect to Three Graces to nourish and cherish the same in them which are their vitals in such a condition The First is Repentance for their sins those especially which are the cause of their troubles that their sorrow may bee sound and deep enough and go to the root or bottom of their hearts and of their lusts that their souls may lye low in humiliation before God for them for that is a foundation to build strong and high consolation upon those that are not rightly or throughly humbled for their sins are not fit for or capable of comfort The Second Grace is Faith labour to cherish and strengthen that in them by all means to trust still in God and his Mercies and Promises in Christ and his Merits and Mediation to lay fast hold on them and to stay themselves by them which are strong refuges to fly unto and sure foundations impregnable rocks to relye and rest their weary souls upon what evils soever they either 1 Feel So did David Psal 42.5 Why art thou cast down O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me trust thou in God for I shall yet praise him 2 Or Fear So did Job Though he slay me Iob 13.15 Psal 56.3 yet will I trust in him And David What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Life is kept in poor souls and their heads above water that they shall neither faint nor sink though the sorrows of death compass them about so long as the actings of faith are maintained and incouraged in them for Faith is their life The just shall live by his faith they cannot be overcome of any evils Rom. 1.17 desertions tentations corruptions or of the evil one Satan so long as they beleeve for this is the victory that overcometh them all 1 Ioh. 5.4 even their faith When faith fails souls faint and dye away when Peter began to doubt he began to sink The Third Grace is Patience Perswade them to the constant Iam. 1.4 and continual exercise of Patience that it may have her perfect work in bearing his hand submitting to his will in waiting his leasure for refreshings from Gods presence for bringing their souls out of troubles for an answer of peace which will be life to their souls So long as Patience is kept in work Satan is kept out and they keep their souls in their own possession Tell them that by giving way to impatience they give place to the Devil who thereby gets within them and gets great advantage against them that heightens and greatens any affliction and makes it grievous to be born Let me adde labour to cherish good desires in them that the smoaking Flax or Wick may bâ— lighted and made to â—urn and shine and grow up to a flame When you see their poverty of spirit that they see their Soul-wants and breathe after supplies tell them from Jesus Christ Matth. 5.3 that upon this account they are blessed and theirs is the Kingdom of heaven Fourth Direction Take a right course for healing their distempers and troubles of Soul 1 By searching the Sore to the bottom to finde out the core and the cause thereof Till Physitians discover the cause of a Disease they cannot apply fit and proper Medicines for the Cure and by drawing the troubles of their heart to a head as their sorrow for sin in general to grieve for some one sin in special to let out the foul bloud or corruption of the Soul as a Chirurgion seeks to draw a tumour or swelling in the body to a head that the bad matter may issue out 2 By turning the stream of their passions into another Chanel as Physitians turn the course of their Patients bloud when they bleed much at the Nose by letting them bloud in the arm So labour you to turn their fear of Gods wrath and vengeance of Hell and Damnation into the chanel of holy fear of God and his goodness of offending God or sinning against him and their grief for paenal evils inward or outward into the chanel of godly sorrow for sin The fifth and last direction is this bear with their infirmities as ignorance frowardnesse Become all things to them for their refreshment and recovery like Paul 1 Cor. 9.20 who to the weak became as weak that hee might gain the weak stoop low in condescension to the lowest step of their dulness and dejection shew love to them with pitty and patience to bear all and hope all speak to them as sympathizing with them as having a fellow-feeling of their troubles and sorrows make it out to them that your words come more from your bowels than from your brains The sixth and last particular case is self-commendation Self-commendation It s lawfull for Gods people in some cases to commend themselves or to declare what God hath done for them and by them to speak of their graces God hath bestowed on them of their labours or works which God hath wrought by them yea also of their sufferings for God This hath been the practice of the most holy humble servants of God both in the old and new Testament some
give thanks to God 2 Because if wee confesse God and Christ and the Truth c. wee shall be confessed by both 1 By the Father hee will own and avouch us to bee his his people portion Jewels his Servants friends sons and that before Men and Devils 1 Before Men If wee testify for God he will give testimony of us as hee did of Abraham that he was the friend of God of Moses that hee was the meekest man upon earth of David that hee was a man after Gods own heart of Daniel that hee was a man of desires of Abel Heb. 11.4 5 that hee was righteous of Enoch that he pleased God Hence Gods servants have appealed unto God as their witnesse as Job Behold my witnesse is in heaven and my record is on high Iob 16.19 and as their examiner and judge as David did Ps 139.23 24 and 7.8 and 26.1 2. If wee plead for God God will plead for us against our enemies Numb 12.8 as hee did for Moses against Aaron and Miriam Wherefore then were yee not afraid to speak against my Servant Moses and for Job against his friends yee have not spoken of mee the thing that is right Iob 42.7 as my servant Job hath and as hee did for the faithful Psal 37.6 in Lament 3.58 O Lord thon hast pleaded the causes of my soul God will bring forth our righteousnesse to the light clear our innocency and judge our enemies 2 Yea before Devils as hee confessed Job Iob 1.8 and 2.4 The Lord said unto Satan hast thou considered my Servant Job that there is none like him in the earth a perfect and upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil and stil he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movest mee against him to destroy him without cause 2 By the Sonne If wee confesse Christ Christ will retaliate and recompence confession with confession his of us with ours of him between which there is no proportion nor comparison Mat. 10.32 Luk. 12.8 for hee will confesse us before his Father and all the Angels of God and say These are my servants members Spouse people who did beleeve in mee with their heart and confesse mee with their mouths before men to bee their Saviour Lord and Master head and Husband that were not afraid of men in my cause nor ashamed of my crosse Whereas if wee deny Christ before men or his Truths or ways hee will also deny us before his Father which is in Heaven Matth. 10.33 and before the Angels of God Luk. 12.8 Whosoever shall bee ashamed of me Mark 8.38 and of my words saith Christ of him also shall the Sonne of man bee ashamed when he commeth in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels 3 Because If wee confesse God and Christ wee shall bee incouraged defended and honoured even here 1 Encouraged and strengthened by Christ to and in our Testimony as Paul was at Corinth to whom the Lord spake in the night by a Vision Acts 18.9 Bee not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace and at Jerusalem The night following after Paul had like to have been pulled in peeces for his confession before the Counciâ— the Lord stood by him Act. 23.10 11. and said Be of good chear Paul for as thou hast Testified of me at Jerusalem 2 Tim. 4.16 17 so must thou bear witnesse also at Rome And at Rome at Pauls first Apology all men forsook him none stood by him notwithstanding saith hee the Lord stood with mee and strengthened mee Rev. 11.5 6 10 God bears witnesse to the Testimony of his two witnesses by infusing great power both into them and into it 2 Wee shall bee defended and delivered from the assaults and designs of our enemies as God promised Paul at Corinth I am with thee Act. 18.9 10 and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee and at his Conversion when Christ tells him I will make thee a Minister and a witnesse Act. 26.16 and promiseth to deliver him from the people Chap. 23.10 11 20 21 and from the Gentiles unto whom he hath sent him v. 17. and performed to him both at Jerusalem where hee was rescued by the Captain from violence and saved from the Jews conspiracy lying in wait to kill him and at Rome where hee was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4.17 that was Nere God hath a wing of special protection to spread over his witnesses And though the two witnesses bee slain for the Testimony of Jesus Rev. 11.11 yet after three days and an half the spirit of life from God shall enter into them and they shall stand upon their feet and great fear shall fall upon them that see them Hence some think that their killing and reviving are in respect of their prophetical life 3 If we honour God by confessing him he will honour us 1 With favour affection and respect from men Christs Confessors and Martyrs have been very highly esteemed dearly beloved 1 Pet. 4.14 and longed for and greatly rejoyced in for the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon them which makes them very amiable in the eyes of others When the Apostles gave witnesse of the Resurrection of Christ Act. 4.33 great grace that is favour and honour was upon them all Because the Church of Philadelphia kept Christs word that is in her mouth by confession Rev. 3.8 9 as well as in her heart by beleef and denied not his name Behold saith Christ I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet not in way of Religious Adoration Pareus but of external reverence and to know that I have loved thee that is to reverence and honour her as one beloved of Christ When the two witnesses of Christ are revived Rev. 11.12 they shall hear a great voice from heaven saying to them Come up hither They shall bee received triumphantly with great joy and honour into the Church even to the Admiration of their Enemies when they are restored who have been silenced ejected imprisoned banished or the like for the Testimony of Jesus 2 With victory over Satan for the holy Martyrs and Confessors under the Roman persecutions overcame the Accuser of the Brethren as Christians do now by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony that is by the Testimony or Confession they gave to Jesus Christ and to the word of God Rev. 12.10 11. 3 Yea God will honour us with mutual inhabitation which implyes intimate communion and the continuation thereof between him and us 1 Joh. 4.15 for whosoever shall confesse that Jesus is the Sonne of God God dwelleth in him and he in God Fourthly Because if we confesse Christ aright we shall be saved Confession is unto salvation saith Paul in the
therefore what you have received Act. 13.25 Rev. 3.3 and heard and hold fast and speak out the same even to the end We should confess Christ with our Tongues while we are able to speak yea chuse to dye with a Testimony of Jesus in our mouthes of our Faith and Hope in him and love to him and for the Truth against Errors for the straight and holy wayes of God against all false and by-wayes Then we may boldly look God in the face and go triumphantly to Heaven We should confesse Christ in evil times when others deny him When Christ and his truths and wayes are opposed despised and persecuted and his servants for them Then to own Christ and to speak for him 2 Tim. 1.8 and for his and not to be afraid of his Crosse nor ashamed of his cause or Testimony will be kindly taken by Christ as Paul◠witnesse of him at Jerusalem and Rome and elsewhere was Rev. ◠1◠and the Church of Pergamos her not denying his Faith but holding fast his Name even in those dayes wherein Christs faithful Martyr Antipas was slain Rev. 3. ◠and in that place where Satan dwelt and had his Throne The Church of Philadelphia though she had but a little strength yet she kept Christs word and denyed not his Name though she had adversaries and because shee kept the word of Christs patience that is Vers 1◠with great patience she held and maintained the Truth of Christ and her profession of it Therefore Christ will keep her from the hour of Tentation which shall come upon all the World 5 Innocently without giving offence or occasion to any to speak evil of us while we are speaking good of Gods Name or for his Truths and wayes This was Pauls care Act. 24.20 and for this he challenged his enemies Let these same here say If they have found any evil doing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or thing amiss in mee while I stood before the Council scil to give Testimony of Christ the Scribes that were of the Pharisees part said Act. 23.9 we find no evill in this man To this end wee should give a reason of our hope or an account of our faith with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 1. With meeknesse from an humble lowly spirit without any shew or appearance first of pride ostentation or vain-glory or secondly of passion or bitternesse in us for the wrath of man as it worketh not so it testifieth not the righteousnesse of God it doth not at all adorn the Truths or wayes of God nor our profession or confessions of them which meeknesse of spirit doth 2 With fear of God of offending him while wee are confessing him of saying or doing any thing that may cause the way of Truth to bee evil spoken of for our sakes and reverence of men to give all due respect to them before whom wespeak Sixth Sincerely Out of Love and Zeal 1 Out of Love to Christ and his truth for what wee love wee will own or avouch openly Confession and commendation are fruits of love Love knows no shame in acknowledging and praising its beloved Lovers are the freest and largest Confessers and Commenders See it in the Spouse her Encomium of Christ her beloved from head to foot when the Daughters of Jerusalem asked her what is thy beloved more than another beloved Cant. 5.9 to the end when love to Christ and to his truth move us to confess him and it then we will speak liberally yea all that we can possibly for them whosoever saith nay thereto Love is strong as death and the love of Christ will constrain us to confesse Christ to death yea though wee die for it Hence John who was the best beloved and most loving Disciple gave special Testimony of Christ Joh. 19.35 and 21.24 Those that leave their first love grow loath and averse to confesse Christ 2 Out of Zeal for God for the glory of his name the credit of his cause the honour of his truth the propagation of his Gospell for the encouragement and comfort of Christs Friends for the conviction and obstruction of his enemies not to get praise to our selves nor to seek our own glory for love of praise is a great prejudice to the confession of Christ Joh. 12.42 43 Some among the chief Rulers did not confesse Christ for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God The Sanctuary fire of zeal kindled from heaven in our hearts will burn out that Lukewarmness Neutrality and indifferency of spirit which makes us to bee of Gallio's temper in the things of God carelesse of such matters what any say or do against the Name or truth wayes or Kingdome of Christ what errors heresies and blasphemies are broached dispersed or maintained This will also consume to ashes the Conceits of the Libertines and Familists who think it lawfull to dissemble their faith even before the Magistrate and of the Nicodemites of these dayes who count it sufficient to beleeve with the heart taking liberty to confesse what they list with their mouth Seventh and last Wee must confesse Christ patiently with a disposition and resolution to suffer for our Testimony if God call us to it because the confessing of Christ before men may cost us dear the losse of Liberty goods Friends yea life and all as it did the Apostles Mat. 10.37 38 39. and many other the faithfull witnesses of Christ Christ requires wee should bee willing to part with all upon that Account Confessing of Christ hath been a cause of suffering for Christ ever since Christs time Satan and his instruments have raised opposition and persecution against the profession of Faith as well as against the practice of piery and against the persons that have held forth the same even from Generation to Generation The Jews agreed that if any man did confesse Christ Joh. 9.22 Rev. 1.9 he should bee put out of the Synagogue John was banished into the Isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony hee gave of Jesus Christ When the Lamb had opened the fifth Seal Rev. 6.9 John saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain under the Roman Emperours for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held Rev. 11.3 The two witnesses of Christ prophecy in Sack-cloath and when they have finished their Testimony Vers 7 they shall bee slain by the Beast to wit of Rome that is Anti-Christ and the inhabitants of the earth that is of the Malignant or Antichristian Church shall rejoyce thereat and make merry and as a congratulation of their riddance send gifts one to another This was the cause of the Dragons quarrel with a remnant of the Womans seed scil Rev. 12.17 they kept the Commandements of God and had the Testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 20.4 John saw also the Souls of them that were beheaded for the witnesse of
should not contend who should get the better but that truth may prevail and get the victory over ignorance and errour or be drawn forth to light out of the Pavillion of darkness or obscurity under which it hath lain hid but obstinacy in opinon renders a man culpable of great imperfections and liable to many exceptions Seventh Rule It is lawful and may bee sometimes needful to discourse of Natural Moral and Civil matters to improve our knowledge in them and to get direction for the better manageing of such affairs whether publick or private respecting our bodies relations or estates or common business which we have one with another Psal 112.5 Discourse about them may help us to guide our affairs with discretion 1 King 4.32 33 The three thousand Proverbs Solomon spake were of Natural and Moral Philosophy and it is like of policy as well as of Divinity But it is good to intermingle some Spiritual discourse to season it with and to take heed that earthly things be not made the whole and sole subject of our speech as the most do in their meetings which speak them to bee meer worldlings in their hearts Os hominis sublime dedit c. when they have nothing but the World in their mouthes As God hath given a man a sublime countenance to look up above earth to Heaven so an excellent faculty of speech to speak of Heaven as well as earth of Divine and Spiritual as of Temporal and Terrestrial things for the glory of God and good of souls as well as for external commodities Of Urbanity Yea it may bee convenient sometimes to use Recreational speeches or mirth in conference this is urbanity or pleasantness of speech which is lawful 1 Because there is a time to laugh Eccles 3.4 as well as a time to weep to be merry as to be sad And God hath given a man a power and faculty for the one as well as for the other and Gods people have used it as the Jews Psa 126.1 2 When God returned the captivity of Zion then our mouthes were filled with laughter and our tongues with singing 2 Because the Preacher commands mirth and saith Eccles 8.15 3.22 There is nothing better under the Sun than for a man to eat and drink and bee merry for this is a mans portion which he speaks not as a sensual voluptuous Epicure but as a sober discreet experienced man There is nothing better under the Sun than for a man to have and use what he enjoyeth with delight and cheerfulness Now pleasantness of speech is one means of honest mirth and may conduce as to the cheerfulness of the mind so in the Consequent to the healthfulness of the body Obj. Saith not the Preacher Eccles. 2.2 I said of laughter it is mad and of mirth what doth it Ans The Preacher speaks of such mirth as is 1 Sinful in the cause occasion or manner of it and excessive in the measure 2 Meerly carnal in the end without any further profit or benefit and is made the end of it self and happiness is placed in it as the sole or chief delight or comfort of life such mirth is madness folly vanity unprofitableness what doth it 3 As is not accompanied with 1 The fear of God for Christians even in their merriments ought to rejoyce before God with trembling Jude 12. and as to feast themselves so to make themselves merry with fear scil of offending God therein 2 With sorrow for sin 3 With sence Amos 6.6 Luke 6.25 grief and pitty for the miseries of others as those to whom Christ saith Woe to you that laugh thus for time will come when yee shall weep Prov. 14.13 And in the midst of such laughter the heart is sad and the end of such mirth is heaviness saith Solemon I will lay down four Rules for ordering Recreational speeches 1 For the matter of them they must bee harmless without any scurrility obscenity bitterness or abusiveness in any kind or just offence to any without girds or taunts at some to please others we must take heed of jeasting either of sacred things as Religion or Scripture for that is the badge of a prophane spirit Julian the Apostate used it or of things serious for that would argue petulancy of wit or of things calamitous as the miseries of others for that would shew inhumanity in us Ephes 5.4 such is foolish talking and jeasting which is not convenient Paul prohibits it Annot. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies facetiousness of speech taken by Philosophers in a good sense but the Apostle useth it in an ill sense for scurrilous jeasting in an unseemly manner which consists not with the sanctity and gravity of a Christian Thus as some Criticks observe mens ill manners have spoyled the use or sense of good words as I could instance in several particulars 2 Recreational speeches must for the manner of them bee seasoned with salt scil not of wit only but of wisdom modesty Col. 4.6 love and gravity and be rightly suited to the circumstance of time place and persons 3 For measure they must be moderate and sparing we should use pleasantness of speech not as meat to feed the company with jeasts but only as sauce to meat to quicken their appetites to more solid and wholsome discourse or to fit their spirits for higher duties The refreshing of the mind with factious speech is but like the whetting of a Sithe as he is an idle Mower who is always whetting so is he a vain person who is always jeasting For the end they should bee useful two ways 1 For sober and honest delight for recreation of the minde and refocillation of the spirits to make them quick and nimble when they are dull and heavie and us fitter and fresher for the duties of our callings Recreational speeches should be as a Whetstone to edge us as the whetting of the Sythe sharpens it to cut better and as Bellows to blow up sparks of cheerfulness in the spirits of our selves and others Wee should make it the end of our mirth to move such a delight as hath profit or advantage joyned with it to our selves and others and make us more serious and quick in what wee have to say or do Sampson propounded a Riddle to his friends at his Marriage Feast Judg. 14.12 to minister occasion of mirth to them to whet their wits and busie their mindes to finde out the meaning of it and with it to prevent or banish bad discourse 2 We may use Recreational speeches sometimes to instruct admonish reprove or comfort others in a pleasant way for that may be spoken home to another in jest which would not bee well taken if spoken in good earnest Gods servants have used to reprove others in an irony or in way of jeast or taunt therby to cast some shame or scorn upon them for their sins 1 King 18.27 as Elijah did
supply the defects of others without any diminution of their own store The communication of our gifts by conference is the way to bring them into a common stock out of which every one may take forth supplies according to his needs God layes up treasures of knowledge and experience in the heads and hearts of some not to bear them up in themselves but to lay them forth freely to the enriching of others Hence Peter exhorts 1 Pet. 4.10 As every one hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold grace of God Hee is not fit to bee a member of Christs body that is not fit to bee usefull to the body by the exercise of such gifts as God hath given him This diversity of gifts is an upholder of unity and dispenser of commodity in Christian society for it enableth and ingageth men to mutuall help fullness Reas 4 This will augment our parts and further our accounts How shall I hide from Abraham saith God the thing that I do seeing hee will teach others what he knows Gen. 18.17 18. Prov. 11.24 This is to gather by scattering to get more by well using what wee have for to him that hath in the use of what hee hath shall bee given more to trade with our gifts for spirituall gains to wit the increase of them For in spirituall things no man is a looser but a gainer by communication for that tends to mutuall thriving by instructing others we increase knowledge by kindling or blowing up zeal in others wee inflame zeal in our selves by comforting others wee grow more expert and experienced therein and get more comfort to our selves by teaching wee learn to teach Gifts exercised even in conference are like as one saith the Widdows cruce of oyl Mr. Downam which filled in emptying or like milk in the Mothers breast which if it bee sucked by the child continually increaseth but if it bee not drawn it soon faileth and dryeth up Reas 5. Because this service of godly discourse is very acceptable not only to the Saints but even to God and to Christ 1 To God Mal. 3.16 who hearkens to hear what his people say in their meetings and keeps a book of remembrance for their words as if they were his delight as well as works It s an allusion to the Records of Kings who use to set down the good services done to them Esthar 6.1 as Ahasuerus did Mordecaies and when the book shall bee opened out of which the dead shall bee judged at last day it will bee then known to all the world what good communication Gods people have had among themselves This should make us carefull what wee say because God is an ear-witnesse of every word we speak hee hears and writes down all and records them to requite them even good words as well as good works and wee shall have a good reward from God for our labour Eccles 4.9 for the good wee do by our words as well as by our works 2 This is acceptable to Jesus Christ who the same day after hee was risen again associated himself above all others with the two Disciples going to Emmaus who were talking together of Christ Luk. 24.15 16. as they went by the way Jesus drew neer and went with them concealedly and covertly as to their knowledge of his person in the guise of a stranger for their eyes were held that they should not know him but very comfortably as to his discourse with them 1 Vers 17. Hee asked them what discourse they had of him by the way of which they gave him a particular account Vers 18. to 25. 2 Then hee reproved their folly and unbelief Vers 25.26 3 He expounded unto them all the Scriptures in Moses and the Prophets concerning himself Vers 27. 4 He spake so powerfully and effectually to them as made their hearts burn within them Vers 30. 5 Then hee condiscended or suffered himself to bee overcome by their intreaties to abide Ver. 28 29 30 with them at Emmaus 6 in conclusion Vers 31. hee made himself known to them by opening their eyes and by breaking of bread Ver 35. and by some expression gesture or action which hee used in his thanksgiving at meat Ver. 30. and then hee vanished out of their sight or ceased to bee seen of them Hereby Jesus Christ gave a most pregnant Testimony of his acceptance and complacence in Christian conference How well hee is pleased and what pleasure hee takes in his people when they are talking together of him and of the things of God as hee did in these two Disciples to whom hee joyned himself and made a third From hence Christians in their conferences may verily expect from Christ four things 1 His speciall presence with them in a spirituall not corporall way though they be but two or three met together in his name to conferre as well as to pray together Mat. 18.20 there am I saith Christ in the midst of them 2 His assistance of one or other to expound the Scriptures to open the matters concerning Christ or to speak something to edification 3 His blessing upon what is then spoken to set it home to them that hear it for their good either to open their eyes or to warm their hearts 4 Some clear discoveries of Christ to them therein to make them know him better that they may declare to others afterwards their sweet experiences hereof as the two Disciples went immediately to Jerusalem to the eleven Apostles Luk. 24.33 34 35. and told them and those that were with them what things were done in the way and how Christ was known of them thus they became witnesses of his resurrection The Fifth Particular case is consolation Consolation Christians ought to comfort one another this should bee mutuall and reciprocall amongst them Comfort one another 1 Thes 5.11 and edify one another even as also yee do this duty hath a double confirmation in the text 1 The Thessalonians practice they did so already 2 Pauls Precept to continue therein or to do so still for perseverance Crowns holy practices It may bee Paul meant more than hee spoke to wit that they should grow and increase therein as in love 1 Thes 4.9 10. As touching brotherly love yee are taught of God to love one another and indeed yee do it towards all the Brethren in all Macedonia but wee beseech you Brethren that yee increase more and more Touching this duty I shall give you 1 Rules 2 Reasons Rules for comforting others First Rule wee should know their case what is the kind and cause of their trouble whether it bee inward or outward spirituall or temporall respecting soul or body friends goods or name and the dimensions of their sorrow else wee cannot tell how to deal particularly and effectually with them the Physician must know his
God will not forsake them for ever nor leave them altogether Isa 54.7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies wil I gather thee saith the Lord. 1 Sam. 12.22 The Lord will not forsake his people for his great Names sake saith Samuel to Israel because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people This was the confidence of the faithfull in their calamities Lam. 3.31.32.33 The Lord will not cast off for ever but though hee cause grief yet will hee have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies for hee doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of men Herewith the Psalmist comforts the godly The Lord will not cast off his people Psal 94.14 neither will he forsake his inheritance Is God gone away from your souls or hath hee withdrawn the wonted influence of his grace peace and joy and the comforts of his love favour and presence from you and doth hee seem to reject you If yee were once his by federal right or faith in the Covenant you are his for ever because that is an everlasting Covenant founded upon Gods free grace and Christs precious blood which are immoveable unchangeable and eternal Isa 9.6 If ever you did cry Abba Father you may call God Father for ever for he is the everlasting Father Psa 31.22 David said to God I am cut off from before thine eyes but hee confesseth it was in his haste hee did it rashly and unadvisedly and God consuted him presently Neverthelesse thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cryed unto thee And though to your sense hee hath left you hee will turn again hee will have compassion upon you hee will cast all your sins into the depths of the Sea Micah 7.19 Christs promises of returns hold as true and firm in respect of his spirituall presence to his people now as of his corporal presence to his Disciples then Joh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless or Orphans I will come to you And ye now have sorrow but I will see you again to wit Joh. 16.22 after my resurrection and your heart shall rejoyce Consider poor souls you cost Christ too dear for him to cast away Let mee give you one pregnant instance of Christs return to a deserted soul that is Mr. Robert Glover a holy Martyr who having a little before his death lost the sense of Gods favour and comforts of his spirit which filled his heart with grief and his mouth with moans when hee came within sight of the stake at which hee was to suffer death for Jesus Christ suddenly hee was so exceedingly ravished and replenished with holy comfort and heavenly joys that he cryed out claping his hands hee is come Heb. 13.5 hee is come Though God bee ever with his people in his presence according to his promise yet in respect of the influence of his grace and favour he sometimes suspends and with-holds the Act thereof and in respect of appearance or discovery hee sometimes manifests himself to them and sometimes hides himself from them and seems to bee comming and going as Christ said to his Disciples A little while and yee shall not see mee and a gain a little while and yee shall see mee 5 Lastly set before them Gods promises of peace and joy 1 Of peace and a calm to troubled disquieted souls by inward or outward afflictions Isa 57.16 I will not contend for ever neither will I bee alwayes wroth lest the spirit should fail before mee and the souls which I have made I create the fruit of the hips peace Vers 19 peace to him that is a farre off and to him that is near saith the Lord and I will heal him Phil. 4.7 The peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your minds and hearts as with a garrison and when he gives quietnesse Job 34 29 who can cause trouble This was the Psalmists expectance and confidence I will hear what God the Lord will speak Psal 85.8 for hee will speak peace unto his people 2 Psa 38.5 11 12 Promises of joy to sad sorrowfull souls His anger is but for a moment in his favour is life weeping may indure for a night but joy commeth in the morning Psa 97.11 light is sown for the Righteous Psa 126 5 and joy for the upright in heart They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Consolation shall follow affliction to Gods people as Harvest doth seed-time Mat. 5.4 and the one is as sweet as the other is bitter Joh. 16.20 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall bee comforted yee shall weep and lament saith Christ to his Disciples Vers 22 but the world shall rejoyce and yee shall bee sorrowfull but your sorrow shall bee turned into soy and yee now have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce Act. 2.28 and your joy no man taketh from you This was Davids Faith and hope in God Thou shalt make mee full of joy with the light of thy Countenance Apply these several promises unto afflicted consciences and rub them as oyl of gladnesse into their benummed spirits Argue the case with them Are not these promises as good security for Gods performance of the mercies promised to you to wit healing quickning illightening returns peace and joy as your hearts can desire yea better than all the world is able to give you by hand and seal yea are they not stronger pillars to build your confidence for comfort in God upon Mar. 13.31 than those that bear up Heaven and Earth For Heaven and Earth saith Christ shall pass away but my words that is 2 Cor. 1.20 promises shall not pass away All Promises of Comfort are in Christ yea and Amen Object If wee were the Lords by speciall right or shall bee saved then wee should have grace in our hearts which is the characteristical distinguishing quality of all Gods people from all others but wee can discover no such thing in our selves wee have no grace The eighth Ground of Consolation Set before them and apply unto them two things 1 Grace may bee hid for a time in the heart and not be discerned by them that have it like sparks of fire in the ashes or life in a swound or bits of gold in a dust heap or pearls in the mire like stars in the sky in a dark night they are all there yet not one of them doth appear like stones in the bottom of a Vessel or River which are not seen when the water is troubled thick or muddy like stools or chairs in a room where there is no light for that which makes manifest is light There is a difference between the being of a thing in it self and the appearing or discovery thereof to us As many things seem to bee which are not so some things are or really exist
heart commonly cool and wither when the occasion of them ceaseth But true desires flowing out of the heart are sed with the lasting spring of grace in it the waters whereof shall not sail They are restlesse never quiet till they be satisfied uncessant till prevalent ever rising and rolling till they rest in the Center of obtaining They that desire Christ and grace pardon and peace c. aright are not only importunately but uncessantly greedy for them and will bee Gods Remembrancers night and day and give him no rest till hee give them their hearts desires Neither delayes nor repulses can crush or quash sincere desires Mat. 15. See this exemplified in the woman of Canaan Desires are true when they are the bias of the soul which inclines or leads it the right way scil Christ-ward Grace-ward Heaven-ward when they do as by a proper Motion carry out our souls freely and constantly after these as sparks flye upward as the stone moves downard and waters run forward Psal 119.20 My soul breaketh for the longing it hath to thy judgements at all times saith David and my soul thirsteth after thee Psal 143.6 as a thirsty land that gapes continually till God give Rain So much for the first direction for the right comforting of afflicted souls The second Direction is this Caution them against four evills to take heed 1 That they do not dishonour God in the time of their desertions and distractions by unworthy thoughts of him or hard speeches against him by murmurings at him or quarrelings with him for his assaultings of them with Terrours and anguish for his withdrawings from them of light and influences and for his far distance and long absence from them Hereupon they are apt to think and say that God is not so loving and kind tender and ready to help as his word reports him to bee The Psalmist when his spirit was overwhelmed his soul troubled and refused to bee comforted then hee began to call Gods mercy Psal 77.2 Vers 7 8. Truth and faithfulness into question will the Lord cast off for ever will hee bee favourable no more Is his mercy clean gone for ever doth his promise fail for evermore Vers 10. But hee checks himself for it I said this is mine infirmity or this doth make mee sick It should bee the chief care of Gods people what ever they suffer from God not to sin against God whatever God doth to them to think and speak only the thing that is right and to justifie God when ever they judge themselves This was Jobs comfort and commendation in his great affliction In all this did not Job sin with his lips Job 1.22 with cha 2.10 nor charge God foolishly Despair of Gods mercy is high treason against his Majesty and a flat denyall of his Deity Gods glory should bee dearer to us than our lives souls or the salvation of them and the more tender wee are of it the more will God tender the comfort of our souls and lives It was the frequent and fervent petition of a Godly man in his tentations Lord maintain honourable thoughts of thy self in mee 2 Caution that they do not destroy their own souls either 1 By denying what God hath done for them to wit the work of grace begun in their hearts his love to them his choice and calling of them saying they have no grace they are Reprobates cast-awayes whereby they bear false witnesse 1 Against themselves which is unnatural 2 Against the grace of God and against the God of grace his work in them and goodnesse to them which is most unworthy and ungratefull 2 Or by refusing what God would give to them scil grace mercy peace and joy wilfull refusal whereof is wilfull murder like cutting of the throat or stabbing to the heart yea self murder It isblood-guiltinesse yea guilt of the blood of souls yea of their own souls and should not your precious immortal souls be dearer to you than all the world labour to convince them that by such a denyall or refusall they make themselves false witnesses and murderers 3 Caution Joh. 8.44 that they do not gratifie Satan who is 1 A Lyar the Father of Lyes because there is no truth in him 2 A Murtherer sc of souls from the beginning and will be so to the end 3 An Accuser of the Brethren the children of God unto God their Father Job 1.9 as hee was of Job to God that he was an Hypocrite or hireling Doth Job fear God for naught and an accuser of God unto them as if hee was a hard Master cruel to crush poor souls under his feet and took pleasure in their destruction or at least that God doth not with them all the good or so well as hee might Thus Satan in the Serpent calumniated God to out first Parents of untruth as if the word which hee had spoken in threatning death was not true Gen. 3.4 yee shall not surely dye and of envy as if God had out of ill will forbid them that Tree or for fear lest by eating thereof they should become as wise as himself Presse and perswade poor afflicted souls to beware they do not gratifie Satan 1 By entertaining parley with him as Eve did which was the cause of her foil and fall The old Serpent being full of all subtlety will bee too hard for them It is the first game hee desires to play with troubled souls to argue the case with them about their spirituall condition to circumvent and deceive them with his wiles 2 By hearkning to his tentations and suggestions as these and the like 1 To cast off ordinances neglect duties in publick and in private which are the means of grace peace and comfort to hear read pray meditate c. as if these were needless or to no purpose and they should bee no better for them This is Satans plot to starve poor souls by cutting off provision from them or them from it This perswasion commeth not from God that calleth you but from the Devil who seeketh to subvert and devour you 2 To harbour Jealousies and evil surmisings of God or derogatory dishonourable thoughts such as Satan casts into your mind as if God was not mercifull pittifull faithfull c. These and the like suggestions are the bolts which Satan makes for disconsolate discontented souls to shoot at God or a coat of dis-honour which Satan shapes or cuts out for them to few and put upon the Lord. 3 To cast away their confidence and lay hope aside and give over seeking and waiting on God any longer and to throw themselves into a Gulf of despair This is to do the Devil a real kindness and to give their souls a fatal blow for hereby they make themselves a prey to Satan 4 To make a wrong judgement of themselves and of their condition by false Reasonings which are Satans Sophistry to conclude themselves out of the state of Grace out of