moved It is an Eternal Everlasting Inheritance founded upon the Basis of Eternal love even the infinite love of the Eternal God and confirmed unto the Heirs thereof by the Eternal decree of the incorruptible unchangable God upholden maintained by the Omnipotency Omnisciency Omnipresence Immortality Incomprehensibility of the same Eternal Infinite and Everlasting God Everlasting in his love to those Souls in possession of this Inheritance Everlasting in his peace which passeth all understanding Everlasting in his glorious presence that filleth all in all And there shall be no Night there and they need no Candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall raign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 Therefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear Heb. 12.28 For as much as the Kingdom is Unmovable and Everlasting so also is the joy and consolation of the Inhabitants thereof an Everlasting Joy and Consolation which neither Men nor Devils can deprive the soul of Death cannot do it there shall be no more death no more sorrow no more pain no more hailing into Captivity nor complaining in the Streets by reason of Oppression but all Violence shall be done away and Everlasting Joy Peace Comfort and Consolation shall be as a Crown upon the heads and hearts of these Inhabitants God shall be all in these souls and these souls shall be all in God by a Union of qualifications Divine and the sweet enjoyments of his glorious benefits the height the length breadth depth whereof eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive Too narrow is the capacity of mortal man to comprehend and the tongue of Men and Angels to express the Latitude thereof Wherefore gird up the loyns of your minds be sober and hope to the end for the Grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ as obedient Children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your Ignorance but as he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation because it is written be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15 16. But sixthly A sixth priviledge appertaining to the Heirs of this Kingdom to be by them enjoyed at Christ's personal appearing at his second coming may be considered herein for to consist that he that is their Head and Husband with whom there is a unity of Affection and Covenant-Contract and is the Recorder for his Espoused Souls that puts their tears in his Bottel and Records their sufferings in his book of Remembrance and by whom and for what even for their love to him and loyalty to his Supremacy in the observation of his Laws and for rejecting the contrary This is a great ground of consolation that he that is their Recorder their Head and Husband is the only potentate King of Kings and Judge of all the World who will bring his Records with him and make his personal appearance in the glory of his Majesty and seat of Justice attended with his glorious Angels and glorified Saints to Judge the World in Righteousness who will not respect persons in Judgment nor pervert Judgment for gifts nor reward but in Righteousness will he Judge the cause of the Poor and with Equity will he plead for the Meek of the Earth who will then plead the cause of his people with a witness against those that in this time of their Pilgrimage have oppressed and persecuted them A poor man being oppressed by one that is too potent for him and being not able to relieve himself he maketh his address unto the King laying open his cause before him resolving to wait with patience for his relief at length the King ariseth and taketh this poor mans cause into his hand and pleadeth it with his Adversary and rights him in his wrongs and avengeth him of his Oppressor O how doth this administer comfort to this poor man O how doth this oblige and endear the affections of this Poor man unto his Prince and fill his heart with joy and gladness and thanksgiving for such a benefit and shall not God avenge his own Elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them they having committed their cause unto Him and cast their burthen upon him yea saith our Saviour I tell you he will avenge them speedily O what Consolation doth this bring unto oppressed Souls in the cause of God and especially when the Lord shall plead their cause with their Adversaries what praises will it bring forth unto his Name I heard saith Saint John a great voyce of much people in Heaven saying Alleluja Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God for he hath Judged the great Whore which did corrupt the Earth with her Fornications True and Righteous are his Judgments for he hath avenged the blood of his Servants at her hand and again they said Alleluja and her smoak-rose up for ever and ever in her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints and all that were slain upon the Earth Rev. 18.24.19.1 2 3. Note the Heavenly Host rejoyceth when God pleadeth the cause of his people with their Adversaries Rev 19.5 And a Voyce came out of the Throne saying praise our God all ye his Servants and ye that fear him both small and great Babylon rejoyced in the day of Sions troubles and helped forwards her Afflictions and Sion must rejoyce in the Lords hand of Justice upon Babylon in the day of her Desolation Wherefore all ye that in this day of your Pilgrimage are in God's way pressing after holy Attainments in order to the adorning of your souls for further Communion with your holy God your Head and Husband although many troubles may attend you and many difficulties oppositions and temptations compass you about Yet cast not away your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward Heb. 10.35 But raise up your hearts and labour to strengthen your Confidence in the Lord by a serious Meditation and Application of the Testimonies and Promises of God contained in his Word unto all long-suffering and patience For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10.37 For as sure as he was once offered to bear the sins of many so surely to them that look for him will he appear a second time without Sin unto Salvation Heb. 9.28 And then assuredly will the Lord own a people that now in this day of Grace press after Holy Attainments in the way of God for his People peculiarly as Taught by him Redeemed by him Sanctified by him and Justified by him the effects of the Fathers Election in himself and the fruits of the Travels of his Soul in the sufferings of himself his Beloved Espoused to himself his Inheritance
in this ensuing Treatise the Filthiness of Sin and the Excellency of Holiness the Covering of a Sinner and the Ornament of a Saint Nothing makes a Wicked man so much like the Devil as Sin nor nothing makes a Saint so much resemble Christ as doth Grace and Holiness Grace makes man more man yea more than a man but Sin un-mans man yea makes him worse than a Beast Sin is the Brat and Spawn of the Devil but Grace is the Seed and Off spring of Christ God loaths nothing so much as Sin yet wicked men love nothing better Gods great design and labour is to destroy Sin but man resolves to keep and cherish it O what a Rebel is man to God! Sin is the greatest Thief and Deceiver in the World for every one has more or less been cheated thereby yet the most of men are greedy to entertain the Cheater Nothing is such an Enemy to man as Sin yet but few men will make War against it Sin seeks to destroy the soul yet some men will rather dye then leave their Sin O what blindness and madness is in the heart of man Sin separates man from God and hides his face from him yet man resolves to hug and hide his Sin That must needs be the greatest evil that deprives man of the â—reatest good and exposes man to the â—reatest misery He that makes a â—â—ock at Sin now will change his Note when the Sentence shall be proâ—ounced Go ye Cursed If Sin be â—o odious and Grace so excellent what â—ause have we to take up a lamentation â—hat their should be so much of the one â—nd so little of the other in the world â—hat sin should be so countenanced and â—ncouraged and Grace and Holiness so â—uch slighted and contemned Never was there greater need to â—tand up against Sin and contend â—or Holiness then in such days as these â—â— Loosness and Licensciousness This â—orthy Authour has cast in his Mite in seasonable time there are abunâ—ance of Professors but too too few â—hat strive after the power of Godliness Many strive to Preach well and Disâ—ute well but few to Live well I â—are not say a man who is of a false Reâ—igion cannot be saved yet I will â—ay he that walks not holily and uprightly with God cannot though externally doth profess the truth This Book Reader whosoever thâ— art may with-Gods blessing proâ—â— of great advantage to thee for here seasonable Councel for Saints and Sâ—â—ners both for the Professor and Pâ—â—phane First Art thou a Sinner I meâ—â— one not truly converted one that hâ—â— not as yet put on the Ornament Holiness then read the latter paâ—â— wherein thou maist clearly perceiâ—â— what a Cursed and Miserable state thâ— art in whilst thou dost remain uncâ—â—verted May-be thou art one thâ— makes a mock at Religion and Convâ—â—sion for alas there are some miserâ—ble Wretches that stick not to contâ—â—dict and revile the very Word of Goâ— so ripe are they grown in Sin aâ— Wickedness What Sinner soever tâ— art let me mind thee with these two three things 1. Consider thou hast an immorâ—â— soul that is of a precious worth and vâ—lue and that this soul thou art in danger to loose to all Eternity 2. Consider the shortness and uncertainty of thy days how soon thou maist be cut off and remember if thou dyest in thy Sins having no interest in Christ thou art undone and damned for evermore there is no Repentance after death let not the Devil tell thee that thou shalt dye like a Beast and have no Resurrection 3. Consider what Gods Word says Unless ye Repent ye shall all likewise Perish Luk. 13.5 And a man must be born again or else cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.3 and without Holiness no man shall see the Lord. 4. Consider with thy self to what end God has given a Law or Light in thy Conscience and know assuredly that if thou dost go on in Sin minding not these inward reprovings of Conscience that it will rise up against thee and Condemn thee in the dreadful day Conscience truly enlightened doth judge for God I may say before hand and pass judgment too and men may in part know how it is like to go with them hereafter if they did but mind the Testimony of their Consciences for if Conscience judges condemns thee by the light of Gods Word you have cause to tremble at those Reprovings and to flye to the Lord Jesus Christ for he is I may say Gods Vice-roy and doth whilst rightly informed judge for his Soveraign in Truth and Righteousness The Lord help thee to consider these things before Repentance be hid from thy eyes 5. Consider if thou wouldest put on the comely or becoming Ornament of Christ and Holiness then thou must put off thy filthy garments of Sin and Corruption before thou canst put on the New man thou must put off the Old And as to you that are called Saints one word further let me say since I have this opportunity in my hand take heed you rest not contented with the name of Saints the form of Godliness without the power will do you no good in the day of Christ 2. Remember the foolish Virgins were shut out 't is not enough to be Virgins unless you and I have Oyle in our Vessels O labour for Grace you know not what times of need are at hand he that has the most will have none to spare and some will seek it too late 3. Remember and think upon the man that had not on the Wedding Garment Know assuredly that none will be made welcome and lovingly entertained by the Bridegroom but those only that have that excellent Garment on of Christs Righteousness Holiness and Humility and how many will the day of Christ find unprovided notwithstanding the time and space which God doth afford us to make ready O look upon it as your chief work and business to dress trim and make your selves ready for at a time you think not of the Son of man cometh and that the labours of our Brother in the ensuing Treatise may be blessed to your advantage upon this very account shall be the Prayers of him who is willing to serve you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as strength shall be Communicated Benja Keach THE CHVRCHES GLORY OR THE Becoming Ornament Being a Seasonable Word tending to the Provoking of Holiness in Believers raised from Psal 93.5 Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for ever CHAP. I. Wherein the words are Opened and Explicated SEveral things are in these words very considerable for our Christian Edification First by way of Division Secondly by way of Explication Thirdly by way of Doctrine Fourthly by way of Application First By way of Division First we have in the words a subject bearing the Denomination of an House Secondly the person to whom the right of Propriety doth belong And that is the Lord Thine House O Lord. Thirdly we have the Ornaments of the
The time cometh meaning the time of his Exaltation that I shall shew you plainly of the Father That Soul that would obtain a true and saving knowledg of God the Father must take Jesus Christ for his Counsellor And lest there should be any scruple or doubt arise that they should not perform the Duty aright or not so perfect without Imperfections as to be heard of the Father and answered by him he annexeth this Promise also unto the rest for their Encouragement in the Duty in that day saith he meaning his Exaltation ye shall ask the Father in my Name and I say to you that I will pray the Father for you Joh. 16.25 26. O excellent Priviledg Christ the Saints advocate an excellent priviledg wouldst thou pertake of the priviledg be active in the duty to that Soul for whom the perfection of Wisdom Knowledg and Fidelity is exercised to plead its cause Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God is become an High-priest for ever to intercede with the Father in the behalf of those Souls that come unto the Father with a dependency by Faith upon his Intercession for their Acceptation with the Father wherefore as saith the Holy Ghost having an High-priest over the House of God let us draw near in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our Bodies washed with pure Water let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised Heb. 10.21 22 23. O! did we really consider this High-priest Jesus Christ as in his Humiliation so also in his Exaltation executing his Priestly Office upon our account that we might experimentally partake of the benefits and Priviledges thereof how would it engage our Love to him our Delight in the enjoyments of him and our utmost Endeavours to answer his End in all his undertakings for us which is that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Ephesians CHAP. VI. Containing a Word of Advice to consider Christ in his Kingly Office and by Faith to embrace him in the same in order to our better Attainment unto Holiness SIxthly would we attain unto Holiness be found in the Ornaments thereof then we are concerned to exercise our eies of Understanding and Faith upon the Dignity and Authority of the Lord Jesus Christ beholding and considering of him and submitting to him in his Kingly Office wherein the Father hath exalted him unto his own right hand of Power and Throne of Majesty on high to sway the Scepter of Rule and Government in Righteousness by his righteous Laws Statutes and Ordinances Heb. 1.8 and to execute Justice and Judgment accordingly against all opposers The Prophet Isaiah speaking of Jesus Christ saith of him he shall not judg after the sight of his eyes neither reprove after the hearing of his ears but with Righteousness shall he judg the Poor and reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth Isa 11.3 4 5. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand or into his Power and Jurisdiction Joh. 3.35 Paul to the Ephesians saith that He meaning the Father hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his Body Eph. 1.22 Christ a King by the Fathers Ordination whose Laws and Subjects are his Kingdom By Headship is signified Supremacy Soveraignty or his Kingly Office and Authority to give forth Laws Statutes and Ordinances with Order of Rule and Government with Power to command Obedience thereunto with Power to defend his Subjects in the proper Rights and Priviledges of his Kingdom to plead their Cause to revenge their Wrongs and to crown them his Subjects with an immortal recompence of heavenly Glory all the oppositions of the Devil wicked men notwithstanding as the Lord by his Spirit in his Word hath of old declared saying Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Sion Psal 2. The word Yet is a Relative to what is in the foregoing Verses related as if the Lord should say Although the Kings of the Earth and Rulers yea though Herod and Pontius Pilate the chief Priests and Elders the Scribes and Pharisees yea all the rude multitude of the people consult together set themselves against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their Bands and cast their Cords from us yet for all whatever they can do I have exalted him set him at my right Hand of Power and Majesty Act. 5.31 far above all Principalities and Powers and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come hath put all things under his Feet Eph. 1.20 21 22. that is to say all persons of what Rank and Quality soever by what Names Titles or Dignities soever distinguished together with all earthly Dominions Rules and Governments whatsoever to be at his disposing or deposing according to his own Will and Pleasure all shall be brought in subjection unto him either by active Obedience to his Laws and righteous Government or passively to submit unto the Execution of his Justice as it is written At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow Phil. 2.9 10 11. the which bowing of every Knee doth intend Subjection to his Laws as aforesaid or Submission to his Justice unto one of which all the whole Creation of Men and Angels shall be forced to submit unto Such a Construction the Apostle Paul seemeth to put upon the words Rom. 14.11 But why dost thou judg thy Brother or why dost thou set at naught thy Brother we shall all stand before the Judgment-Seat of Christ his ground and reason is because it is written As I live saith the Lord every Knee shall bow to me and every Tongue shall confess to God the which Expressions the Apoâ—â—le asserteth to prove the certainty of Christs sitting on the Seat of Judgment and that all persons in particular none excepted shall be forced to app ar before him to give an account how they in this life have acted in order to the Supremacy of Christ and to receive the Sentence of Absolution into Glory or the just and righteous but dreadful Sentence of Condemnation into everlasting Perdition as the Apostle Paul by the Spirit of God doth testifie that will render to every Soul of Man that doth evil Indignation and Wâ—ath But Glory Honour and Peace Immortality and eternal Life to every Soul of Man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile for God is no respecter of persons Rom. 2.9 10 11. every man shall give an account of himself unto God Rom. 14.12 Surely it will then be in vain for ungodly and wicked men be they of what Degree Rank or Quality soever to call to the Rocks and Mountains to fall upon them and hide them from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne
Persecution arise against them Christians are required to pray for the civil Magistrate for Kings and all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour The Office of Magistracy is an Ordinance of God appointed to execute Justice against evil doers but for the praises and protection of them that do well the Office is weighty and of great concernment and requires not only humain Wisdom and Counsel but divine also to the well management thereof therefore it is of concernment that God be sought unto both by the Magistrate and also by the Subjects on the Magistrates behalf for divine assistance in Wisdom Understanding and Faithfulness of heart for the well management of the civil Laws according to the Will of God and the glory of his Name and the Subjects priviledges Wherefore as Gospel-injunction doth require the duty take heed of omitting the same lest it become a sin defiling and staining the Ornament of Holiness in your attainments thereof Also consider that this duty of Prayer is extended as the duty of every Christian not only for themselves but also for one another and for Enemies and Persecutors Therefore take heed omit not the duty lest it become sin unto us of a deep pollution Continue in Prayer and watch thereunto with thanksgiving Col. 4.2 Note Here is a further duty to be joyned with Prayer for Christians to be active in and that is Thanks-giving All our enjoyments are said to be sanctified to us by the Word of God and Prayer and are to be received with thanks-giving He that offereth praise glorifieth me saith the Lord Praises and thanks-giving to God is a Heavenly exercise a work requirable here in the Kingdom of grace and more perfectly performed in the Kingdom of glory by Saints and Angels in their glorified state God that hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving to the glory of his Name from him we receive all our spiritual and temporal enjoyments and unto him belongeth praise and thanksgiving to the glory of his Name Every mercy enjoyed calls for a return of praise to the Lord from whom it doth proceed Therefore let us be careful here take heed of omitting this great duty lest we be found deep in sin and our Ornaments of Holiness be defiled Ten Leapers were cleansed by Christ but where are the nine only one returned to praise the Lord. Take heed therefore watch and pray that you may be sensible of God's mercies afforded and not forgetful of your returns I cannot here stand to number up the mercies afforded to us they are great and large yet here is one among the many I would say somthing to It is not long since a strong rough East wind did blow upon us for several years it may be the Lord had a good end in it as to sift us to prove and try the reality of our hearts towards him in our undertakings to blow away the Chaff but to preserve the Wheat so that although tryed yet the Lord in measure did debate with it so that although under the left hand of affliction yet upholden by a right hand of mercy So that as the Apostle saith We were troubled on every side yet not distressed Persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed Herein are we to behold God's hand with much thankfulness and to take heed that we forget not his Providences under which rough dispensation we may remember that we did set several days apart to seek the Lord by Fasting Prayer laying our condition cause before him And for as much as it hath pleased the Lord suddenly to turn back the rough stormy wind and to bring a calmy Southern serene refreshing gale upon us in such a way as was unexpected by us although our hope in him was for a deliverance in his time and which way should seem good unto himself for the glory of his name and indeed as the Lord is admirable in all his works and ways so in this that by the same hand he did chastise us by the same hand he should deliver us as if the Lord was minded to seal the truth of those words of Solomon unto us that the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water he turneth it whither soever he will Prov. 21.1 O who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller did we think such a thing or did our Prosecutors expect it may not we herein say with the Psalmist When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion we were like them that dream Rather question whether it was a real thing or a fained then readily to believe it But for-as-much as it hath pleased God thus admirably to answer our poor Petitions put up unto him in the name of Jesus Christ beyond our deservings or expectations let us in these ensuing particulars be very cautious and take heed and beware First That we do not omit the attribution of this our deliverances to the Lord to the glory of his Name as the original Author thereof and to the King as an instrument in his hand lest the omission hereof become sin unto us and a stain unto our holy Atchievments but rather with Ezra say Blessed be the Lord that hath put such a thing as this in the Kings heart Secondly That we be very cautious and take great heed and beware of omitting our duty in a return of praises sutable to the benefits we receive by the Lords answering us in our requests unto him O let it not be said of us as once of Hezekiah But he rendered not again according to the Benefit done unto him 2 Chro. 32.25 And of Israel that when he slew them Then they sought him and enquired early after God and they remembred that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer Psal 78.34 35. but they soon forgot his works they waited not for his Counsel Psal 106.13 But rather so apply and improve his benefits herein as to make them the greater obligation to us to love the Lord to trust in him and to wait upon him in his holy appointments as long as we live as saith the Psalmist I love the Lord because he hath heard my voyce and my supplication because he hath enclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live Psal 116.1 2. Thirdly Let us be very cautious and take heed unto our selves and beware that by Carnal security we abuse not our liberty and priviledge of prosperity by acts of vanity and neglect of our duties in true Christianity and so make our priviledge of liberty and prosperity to become of greater damage to us than ten or twelve years of Persecution hath ever yet done for as much as we shall sin under the greater Mercies and so
must expect the greater Judgments from the Lord There is in a day of Prosperity more danger of a peoples growing into Carnal Security and forgetting of their God than in a day of affliction if we take not heed as the Lord said to Israel of old When ye shall come into the good Land and have Houses builded and Vineyards and Olives planted and your Cattel multiplyed and ye have eaten and are full then beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God in not keeping his Commandements and Judgments and Statutes which I Command thee this day that then thou forget not the Lord thy God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Deut. 6.12 Whence note that God's People that have had great experiences of God are in times of peace and plenty very apt to forget the Lord and to turn aside from a due observation of his ways and thereby defile themselves with the sins of ingratitude and great disobedience under eminent mercies highly provoking the Lord would we be a holy people unto the Lord Let Israels and others sins and punishments for the same make us timely to beware lest we stain our chiefest Ornaments thereby and watch and pray against such ingratitude the neglect whereof may cause God to neglect us of those supplyes of grace necessary to uphold us and in all our approaches to the Lord we are also to take heed and be careful that our end be right that we might glorify God in our act of Prayer and our end of asking any thing of God may be for our better glorifying of his Name the end many times crowns the action as the words of Saint James doth imply Ye have not because ye ask not and ye ask and have not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your Lusts Jam. 4.2 3. Wherefore would we have God to supply and support us let us not omit our duty in seeking to him would we have him answer us in our seeking to him then let us take heed that we omit not a right end in what we seek unto him for The omission of one thing more I would present to mind that we take heed of lest it should become sin unto us and that is of omitting the ministring of our temporal things unto such as perform the Office of ministring unto us in spiritual things especially if it be by the Minister required for as much as the Lord hath so required and ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel The Apostle Paul would have the Churches know their duty in this point and the Ministers power to require it although he voluntarily would rather work with his hands then to be chargable to the Churches But as for me as I have not been chargable hitherto in that nature for what hath by me been done upon that account so do I not desire to make the Gospel chargable to any except the greater necessity yet as Paul would so would I have Christians know their concernment in this point as well as other points of Christianity and to take heed lest Omission here do not become a sin of deep pollution since it is doubtless the requirement of God see 1 Cor. cap. 9. Gal. 6.6 And let the Minister on the other hand take heed and beware that he make not temporal means and honour the chiefest end and master-wheel of his motion in the work of the Ministry and it become a pollution of the Ornaments of holiness unto him Also take heed and beware of omitting actions of charity towards the poor and it become our sin For as much saith Christ as ye have not done it to one of the least of these my Brethren ye have not done it unto me go ye therefore into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels but he that giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord and he will repay it Blessed is the man that considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble And so I shall conclude this Use by way of Caution with those words of Deut. 4.9 Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget the things that thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons CHAP. XI Containing a Use of Encouragement unto Believers to Press after the attainment of Holiness and to Persevere therein THe first consideration I shall propound for Encouragement in the prosecution of this design for an Estate of Holiness is the warrantableness of the design it is highly approved of God insomuch that God doth command the prosecution of this design Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy Persons prosecuting this design for holiness in God's way out of which there is no attainment they do hereby answer God's Will and a good Conscience the which is a good encouragement in the prosecution of a design a good issue and success thereof may be expected But Secondly A second ground of encouragement in the prosecution of this design may arise upon the consideration of the promise of assistance in the management of this design for holiness made to the prosecutors of the said design A man having a design for his advancement in this world either for the obtaining some great Estate of Land or place of Honour and Dignity and having the word of a King for his assistance by his Countenance his Court and Counsel his Laws and Authority for the accomplishment thereof how doth this raise up and enlarge the heart of this man with encouragement in the prosecution of his design and confirm his hope of attaining his end therein How much more may the Christian-Soul be raised up with confidence and his heart enlarged with incouragements in his design for holiness and hope of attaining unto the perfection thereof Considering he hath not only the command but also the promise of him who is the King of Kings the Omnipotent Immortal and Omni-present Majesty of Heaven and Earth with all his Heavenly Court and Counsel Laws and holy Appointments to protect and assist us in the management of this great design for our attainments unto holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. O what an assistance is this for a poor Soul to have the whole Court of Heaven to assist him in his design and management thereof where God the Father by his holy appointment doth ordain his holy Word and Counsel therein to inform us his holy Spirit to enable us his holy Angels to encamp about us to minister security to us in the said design and his holy Son Jesus Christ to Crown us with the perfection of Holiness in himself considering also that he is faithful that hath promised who also will do it O what great encouragement is this that the Lord hath laid before us What rich grace is this that God doth
troubles and oppositions the world would raise against them in their faithful obedience unto him so that as the reward of Inheritance is sure and certain to the faithful so the more full accomplishment thereof will at the second coming and glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be performed But of the day and hour knoweth no man saith our Saviour no not the Angels in Heaven but the Father only Matth. 24.36 But as a Thief in the Night will it come suddenly upon all that dwell upon the Earth the which doth invite every soul to a diligent watchfulness in the way of God and a patient waiting in the expectation thereof Matth. 24.42 The Husband-man saith Saint James waiteth with long patience for the precious fruits of the Earth until he receive the former and latter Rain Be ye also Patient stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh Jam. 5.7 Cast not away therefore your cenfidence which hath great recompence of reward for ye had need of Patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise for he that shall come will come and will not tarry now the Just shall live by Faith c. Heb. 10.35 36 37. Saint John saith he saw under the Alter the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and the Testimony that they held crying how long Lord wilt thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth and white Robes were given to every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest for a little season until their fellow Servants also and their Brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled Rev. 6.9 10. It may be the Lord hath some of his Servants yet to suffer for his sake that his comeing is yet prolonged And white Robes were given them and it was said that they must rest for a little season c. whence Note first That Innocent blood cryeth for the hastening of Christ's coming to judge and revenge its cause against its Persecutors and the Lord will assuredly in due time answer the cryes thereof Secondly Note That Christ's Perfection with the Reward of Salvation being sealed and assured to a Soul by the influences and opperations of the spirit of Christ as a pledge of the Fathers love and special favour should be unto every such soul of an inducing nature to move and draw forth the soul to exercise faith and patience to wait upon the Lord with a dependency upon him to plead its cause and to revenge its wrongs and to perform the accomplishment of all his promises in his own time he that believeth maketh not hast he waiteth God's time as the best time Wherefore considering that the management of a design for holy attainments is attended with such encouragements as God's Approbation and Command and his promise of assistance in the way of attainment and his crowning our endeavours with perfection in his Son and with a Reward of an Eternal Inheritance to be fully possessed by the holy people the Saints of the most high God at the second coming of Christ personally bringing his reward with him therefore Beloved Building up your selves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life Jude v. 20. CHAP. XII Containing a Use of Comfort and Consolation unto those persons that are industrious in the management of a design for holy attainments in the way of God's Counsel CHristian Friends having related something in the former Chapter concerning a Reward of Inheritance or Kingdom to be possessed by the holy people at the second comeing of Jesus Christ personally as a matter or ground of encouragement unto Holiness so for a ground of Consolation I would put into consideration something of the priviledges the heirs of this Inheritance shall possess in the possession thereof But I must confess that my capacity is too narrow to comprehend and tongues of Men and Angels too short to declare the excellencies of those priviledges in the latitude thereof But when we shall come to experience the priviledges of that Inheritance by a full possession thereof in the glorious presence of the Majesty of the Eternal Deity in the Heavenly Mansions we may with admiration say as the Queen of Sheba concerning Solomons Wisdom and Magnificence that the one half had not been declared to us And as the Queen of Sheba was by the report she had heard drawn forth to make an experiment of Solomons Magnificence by putting her self upon a Journey to his Court So hoping that some souls may be provoked to put forth it self upon a journey towards the Heavenly Court in the paths of Holiness upon the report of the excellent priviledges thereof to an experiencing of the Magnificence of the same although not the one half be declared Consider with me these few particulars as privilegdes appertaining to the heirs of the aforesaid Inheritance or Kingdom to be experienced by a perfect possession at the second coming of Christ personally The first general priviledge including many particulars we shall consider to consist in that excellent and glorious change of the body which at that day shall be effected in the Resurrection thereof with a uniting of body and spirit in which glorious change the body will be Immortal no more subject unto death a spiritual body no more subject to hunher thurst cold sickness nor any putrifaction whatsoever an Incorruptible body no more subject to sin temptations sorrow fears tears nor terrors neither from the apprehensions of any oppression by man nor any displeasure of Almighty God but a glorious body altogether capable of beholding the glorious Essence beautifical presence of the glorious Majesty of the Lord which excelleth the beholding with a mortal eye for evidences hereunto see 1 Cor. 15. Rev. 7.16 Rev. 21.4 Our Conversation is in Heaven saith the Apostle from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself Phil. 3.20 21. We know saith Saint John that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now we know in part but then shall we know as we are known 1 Cor 13.12 He that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure O thou that art in the management of a design for Holy Attainments here is a ground of comfort encouragement and consolation to thy soul although men may kill this vile body and cut thee off in the way they cannot deprive thee of thy end thou shalt be raised again a glorious body like unto him who is able to subdue all things unto
Purchased with his own blood unto himself and his Fellow-heirs to possess Eternal Glory with himself unto whom every wrong done he taketh as done unto himself Act. 9.4 5. and Recordeth it every Tear by them shed through their Oppression he bottleth up for a Witness against the Oppressor in the day of his Vengeance Psal 56.8 when he maketh Inquisition for blood he remembreth them then will he not only take account of actions done against his people but also of the omission of that good they might have done unto them and should have ministered to them in the day of their distress In as much as ye have not done it to one of the least of these ye have done it unto me Matth. 25. See this Omission is rewarded with go ye Cursed with what reward then will the Act of Oppression be rewarded the Lord hath spoken he will also bring to pass the Lord will perform and none shall hinder his proceedings Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh shall he find Faith on the Earth Luk. 18.8 True Faith in Christ works by Love to Christ a stability in the way of Christ the which by the words of Christ is likely to be very rare and scarce to be found among the Sons and Daughters of men in the latter days immediatly before his coming unto which the Apostles in their holy writings do bear their Testimonies Therefore when ye shall see but little true Faith on Earth as it were but here and there a man or a few that are stedfast in the Profession of Christ as the truth is in Jesus according to the primitive Institution and Law of Love but great instability in ways of worships turning and twisting soon this way and soon that way and but few performing obedience as to the Lord by the rule of God's Word and when ye shall see the Iniquity of prophaneness in actions and erronious opinions to abound Mat. 24.11 12 23 24. and the love of many to wax cold and actions of Charity to be almost grown out of use scarce here and there a man acting in the principle of true love to Christ in obedience to him neither towards God in his worship nor the Neighbour in civil Curtesies but almost all carryed on by a self-ended principle of self-love in their actions 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. all which are evidences of want of true faith then lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh then behold the Judge standing at the door as it were ready to plead your Cause and to revenge your wrongs and to give you a full and free Possession of his glorious Kingdom He that shall come will come and will not tarry even so come Lord Jesus Now the Just shall live by Faith but if any man draw back my Soul shall have no pleasure in him saith the Lord Heb. â—0 37 38. 1 Pet. 4.19 Wherefore as the Apostle Peter teacheth Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator for we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted even as we are yet without sin Heb. 4.15 for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succor them that are tempted Heb. 2.18 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 O let every one of us in this our present Pilgrimage endeavour to have the word of Christ dwelling richly in our hearts and Heavens glory in our eye and let us run with patience the holy Race for holy Attainments considering that holiness is an Ornament ever becoming the people of God to be found therein is a matter of great concernment First Because therein God's people do most resemble the Image of God their Heavenly Father and Christ their Redeemer Secondly Because thereunto they were Elected in Christ from Eternity Thirdly Because thereunto they are called with an holy calling Fourthly Because thereunto they are enjoyned by special Command Fifthly Because holiness is a beautiful Ornament well becoming a Christian and Christianity Sixthly Because God's people are a people to whom precious promises appertain Seaventhly Because holiness is an excellent Ornament is respect of its duration the more made use of and improved the more comely and perfect it is Eighthly Because there is a great necessity of it for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Ninethly Because there is a sure Attainment of a holy state in pressing after it in the way of God Tenthly Because thereunto is anexed a sure reward of an Eternal Inheritance Eleventhly Because holiness puts a Soul in a capacity to see the Lord and to enjoy Union and Communion with him in a state of glory to its Eternal Consolation Twelfth Because negligence and carelesness in improving the means appointed of God for holy Attainments puts a Soul in a capacity of possessing God's great displeasure under his Eternal wrath Wherefore dearly Beloved having an holy God that requires holiness in us and holy Services to be performed by us in the way of his own holy appointments to the glory of his Name and he having made out unto us such great and precious Promises in the same Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God always considering that holiness is an Ornament well becoming the House of God his people for ever to be found therein is a matter of great concernment and so with that Exhortation 1 Sam. 12 24. I shall conclude Only fear the Lord and serve him in Truth with all your heart for consider how great things the Lord hath done for you A GLASS FOR THE UNREGENERATE TO BEHOLD Their Heart-Conceptions OR A brief discourse tending to the Discovery and Removal of some grand Obstructions to Spiritual Health and Heavens Attainments with some Directions and Motives necessary thereunto By JOSIAS BONHAM of Byfield in Northamptonshier And Judah said the strength of the Bearers of Burthens is decayed and there is much Rubbish so that we are not able to build the Wall Neh. 4.10 Printed in the Year 1674. A Glass for the Unregenerate to behold their Heart-Conceptions WHen Honest-hearted Nehemiah had tidings of the decays and breaches made upon Jerusalem that the Walls were broken down and the Gates burnt with fire and the Inhabitants Captivated by their Enemy he so lays it to heart as to become sencible of Jerusalems condition and in the sence thereof he mourns with tears he fasts from food he humbles himself and intercedes with God by Prayer on Jerusalems behalf Yea the sadness of his Countenance did demonstrate the sorrow of his Heart to over-weigh all the honours profits and pleasures that he did possess in King Artaxerxes Court Yea so did he prise Jerusalem and
commiserate the condition of the same that he must leave his King and his Office in the Court with all the honours profits and pleasures thereof to visit his Brethren and to repair the decays and make up the breaches with endeavours to set Jerusalem in her former state or primitive beauty unto which work he thought not much to set his hand his heart his all for to compleat the same And canst not thou O Unregenerate heart be wrought upon to a sensibility of thy own Estate by all the tydings brought home unto thine ears by the infallible word of Truth and Ministry thereof informing thee of the sad decays and breaches made upon thy precious Soul by sin and Satan the grand Enemies of man-kind Hast thou not heard that thy Walls of Security and Ornaments of Beauty are much decayed and many breaches made therein that is to say thy beautiful state of Righteousness and true Holiness in which man was at first Created in which man did God's Image bare and unto which Estate God did vouchsafe his Presence for security of thy self thy Peace thy Comfort and Consolation And hast thou not heard how by the Enemy all the faculties of thy Soul and members of thy Body are Captivated under the dominion of Sin and Satan A sad servitude unto thy Eternal desolation except a supernatural means timely applyed and carefully improved to effect a Restoration to thy primitive Estate And hast thou not heard that a Supernatural King hath granted and given forth a supernatural means compounded with Divine Love and Pitty to thy poor distressed Soul and Captivated state together with an order sealed with his own Signet for liberty to improve the means unto the aforesaid end with directions in the same and calls thereto And canst thou with those by the Holy Ghost Recorded Amos 6. Chant to the sound of the Viol and invent to thy self Instruments of Musick drink Wine in Bowls and solace thy self in worldly Vanities and not lay to heart the sad condition of Joseph of Jerusalem of thy poor Soul and Body in their Captivated state plundred of all their chiefest good O that thou wouldst act Nehemiahs part which is thy great concernment to lay to heart thy Condition so as to become sensible of thy Estate wherein thou standest and in the sence thereof to go unto God and humble thy self before him with Chastisements by Fasting and Tears of Mourning and lay thy Cause before the Lord with supplications in the name of Christ on thy Jerusalems thy precious Souls behalf and in order to thy sensibility hereunto and the quickening of thy motion herein Consider the words of Christ to the unprofitable Servant thou oughtest to have put my money to the Exchangers As if he should have said thou oughtest to exercise those noble faculties of Rationality and Memory that God hath bestowed on thee by a due Consideration and serious Meditation in the Word So now may I say to thee as God hath bestowed upon thee those noble faculties of Rationality and Memory wouldest thou exercise them in the Word of God by a due Consideration and serious Meditation and in those Ballances weigh the Adorning Ornaments of Righteousness and Holiness and the benefits and priviledges thereunto appertaining against the deformed habit of Ungodliness and the sad slavery thraldom and wrath that attends thereon and weigh well the value of thy precious Soul by the price laid down for its Redemption against the value of those sinful Vanities that procure thy Souls Condemnation and Christs Love and Faithfulness against Sin and Satans Deceitfulness then happily thou mightest obtain a sence of thy condition as thou standest in thy Unregenerate and Barren state and see that it is time for thee to seek the Lord and to break up thy fallow ground and to Sow in Righteousness in hope to Reap in Mercy see Hos 10.12 and to wait upon God in the use of God's appointed means until he rain the dews of Grace and Righteousness upon thee When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem Neh. 4.10 to view the decays and breaches therein made he found there much Rabbish the which must in wisdom first be removed and cleansed away otherwise the Rubbish would obstruct the work and cause it soon for to decay and fall again And although this obstructive Rubbish was so very much that it required many hands and heavy burthens with much difficulty and industry to remove and clear away yet this Obstruction must first be done away otherwise it would deceive their work and cause their labour to be in vain Now wouldest thou in the sence of thy decayed and falne state act Nehemiahs part in the use of the means appointed thereunto to be a Renewer or Repairer of those decays and breaches in thee made by the Enemy of thy Prosperity Peace and Happiness then thou must with Nehemiah wisely seek God's assistance and set thy self with all diligence to remove the Rubbish those corrupt Lusts and Sins that lye as grand obstructions in the way to our Attainments in the work of our Reparations and Restoration of our first Estate in Holiness and Righteousness true Peace and Happiness Wherefore in order to our better discovery and sensibility of those grand obstructions prejudicial to the work and for our better inducement to improve our utmost abilities with all diligence to a removal thereof that our atchievements may be the more prosperous and effectual Consider with me the ensuing discourse raised upon these following words written Prov. 30.15 The Horseleach hath two Daughters crying Give Give Prov. 30.15 AS all Scripture was given by Inspiration and is profitable and whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our Learning so doubtless this small part or portion of holy Scripture afore-mentioned hath something in it of profit and use to the Sons of men in the right Application of it Should we consider the words by way of division we may therein observe three parts First A subject bearing the denomination of a Horseleach Secondly A second part relating to the Horseleach as conceived and brought forth by her demonstrated by the denomination of her Daughters Thirdly A third particular observable is their qualifications or natural properties demonstrated in these words Crying Give Give Should we consider the words by way of Explication it will not be unnecessary in the first place to consider that it is often-times the method of the Holy Ghost in Scripture-Record by way of similitude or parable to illustrate the natural properties of one thing by the name of another thing of the same nature as for instance The Spirit of God by the Prophet Zephaniah illustrateth or setteth forth the natural properties and dispositions of Jerusalems Rulers in respect of their Oppressions and Cruelties imposed upon the people under their jurisdiction by the names of Lyons and Wolves Her Princes within her saith he are roaring Lyons her Judges are Evening Woolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow Zeph. 3.3 So
And shall we suffer Gods Treasury to be defiled and polluted with these filthy worms seeing God hath put a price in our hands for a remedy seeing he hath opened a fountain of living springs of water of life for sin and for uncleanness Zach. 13.1 And seeing he hath commanded us to improve the same for cleansing O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Jer. 4.14 Wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be Jer. 13.27 Motive the Twelfth Or A Use of encouragement to encourage us to a right and serious improvement of the aforesaid means to the breach of that affinity between our affections and self and the world and the subduing of those Lusts conceived in the heart thereby may be the consideration that they are the principal Enemies to true Reformation in Church and State The which Reformation hath been the subject of discourse in the mouths of many and in the prayers and desires of some for many years But until the Creatures affections be disunited from self and the world and really united to Christ and his Supremacy so that the honour of Christ and the promoting of his interest in his truth and people become in us the principle and only end and aime in all endeavours and self and the world denyed and cast aside We are unlikely to see either the birth or growth of that truly called Reformation in Church and State for self and the world retained in affinity with love and desire will assuredly hinder the work they are Enemies thereunto Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God Whosoever will be a Friend of the World is an Enemy of God Jam. 4.4 And as Saint John saith Love not the world nor the things in the world If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him 1 Joh. 2.15 In Ezras time when they were upon the work of Reformation in Church and State it is said of Ezra that he had Prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it Ezra 7.10 And they the better to compleat their Reformation fell to reforming the strange Marriages as a great evil and the more to be lamented because the Princes and Rulers were chief in that Trespass Thence came in Idolatry and many abominations of the Heathen and until this was Reformed all was but to little purpose therefore in this work they put away both Wives and all Born of them So also except this unlawful conjunction of affinity between our affections and self and the world be broken and self and the world put away and all born of them there is like to be no true Reformation compleated because self-ends and worldly interests will assuredly hinder the work But if one hearts were but truly reformed and with Ezras Prepared to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it the principle part of the work in the furtherance of Reformation in Church and State would be accomplished Wherefore as it is written Set your affections on things above and not on things on the Earth Col. 3.3 Draw nigh unto God and he will draw nigh unto you cleanse your hands ye Sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded Jam. 5.8 Motive the Thirteenth Or A Use of encouragement to a careful and diligent Use of the means prescribed may be the consideration of that pollution and defilement that this disease aforesaid will bring upon our most Religious performances If we will be Religious except this affinity be broken i. e. self and the world put away and all those Lusts by their influence in the heart conceived and the heart prepared and set for God only all Religious exercises must be dedicated unto self and the world If one in this affinity go to hear the Word yea if he Pray or Preach or perform any Religious exercise it will bring in self-Righteousness self-Justification or self-Pride in knowledg and gifts or for the praise of men yea all must be done to be seen of men and for worldly applause profit honour and advancement as our Saviour saith of the Scribes and Pharisees All their works they do to be seen of men and love the uppermost seats and to be called Rabbi and for a pretence make long Prayers Wherefore our Saviour compareth them to such as make clean the out-side and leave the inside filthy and to painted Supulchres beautiful outwardly in shew of Religious observations yet the heart full of pollution with these greedy worms to the devouring the Poor they devoured Widdows Houses as Christ seems to charge them And what is the Reason of this surely self and the world were retained in affinity with love and desire and therefore self-ends and worldly interests becomes the wheel of motion in all the actions of the unsanctified heart and is not this the cause and ground of that sad complaint that the Lord by the Prophet taketh up against the Priests and Prophets and Judges of Israel of old Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my people erre that bite with the Teeth and cry peace and he that putteth not into their mouths they even prepare war against him therefore Night shall be unto you Micah 3.5 The Heads thereof judge for reward and the Priests thereof Teach for hire and the Prophets thereof Divine for money yet will they lean upon the Lord and say is not the Lord among us ver 11. And what is the reason of all this surely the Horse-leach and her Daughters corrupt affections in affinity with self and the world do Monopolise all persons all places of dignity and honour all gifts all knowledge and all religious offices and performances unto themselves Where this affinity is retained as to have its lively residence in the heart all must be monopolised to self and worldly interests But I would present to consideration that more excellent way laid down by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians which is the way of Charity without which all is nothing in the Lords esteem as saith the Apostle Though I speak with the tongues of Men and of Angels and have not Charity I am but as sounding Brass and a tinkling Cymbal And though I have the gift of Prophesie and understand all mysteries and all knowledge yea and all faith so that I could remove Mountains and have no Charity I am nothing and though I give all my goods to feed the Poor and my body to be burned and have not Charity it profits me nothing Whence Note that our highest actions will not reach to Gods approvance except Charity be a compound in the same Yea so excellent is the nature and vertue of Charity and of esteem with God that the meanest actions of it be but the gift of a cup of cold water where there is no better if compounded with Charity it hath the promise of reward so highly is Charity in