at one draught catched Three Thousand Souls Let us examine How was our Faith wrought Did God in the Ministry of the word humble us Did he break up the fallow ground of our heart and then cast in the Seed of Faith a good sign but if you know not how you came by your Faith suspect your selves as we suspect Men to have stolen goods when they know not how they came by them 2. True Faith is at first minute and small like a grain of Mustard seed it is full of doubts and fears it is smoaking flax it smoaks with desire but doth not flame with comfort it is so small that a Christian can hardly discern whether he hath Faith or no. 3. True Faith is long in working non sit in instanti It costs many searchings of heart many Prayers and Tears there is a spiritual Combat the Soul suffers many sore Pangs of Humiliation before the Child of Faith be born they whose Faith is per saltum they leap out of sin into a confidence that Christ is theirs I say as Isaac concerning his Sons Venison Gen. 27.20 How is it that thou hast found it so quickly How is it that thou comest by thy Faith so soon The Seed in the Parable which sprung up suddenly withered Mark 4.5 Solent praecocia subito flaccescere 4. True Faith is ioyn'd with Sanctity as a little Bezoar is strong in operation and a little Musk sweetens so a little Faith purifies 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mistery of Faith in a pure Conscience Faith though it doth but touch Christ fetcheth an healing vertue from him Justifying Faith doth that in a spiritual sence which miraculous Faith doth it removes the Mountains of sin and casts them into the Sea of Christs â—lood 5. True Faith will trust God without a Pawn Though a Christian be cut short in Provisions the Fig-tree doth not blossom yet he will trust in God Fides Famem non formidat Faith fears not Famine God hath given us his Promise as his Bond Psal. 37.3 Verily thou shalt be fed Faith puts this Bond in suit God will rather work a Miracle than His promise shall fail He hath cause to suspect his Faith who saith he trusts God for the greater but dares not trust him for the lesser he trusts God for Salvation but dares not trust him for a livelihood 6. True Faith is Prolifical it brings for Fruit Faith hath Rachel's Beauty and Leah's Fruitfulness Fides pinguescit operibus Luther Faith is full of good works Faith believes as if it did not work and it works as if it did not believe Faith is the spouslike grace which marries Christ and good works are the Children which Faith bears by having such a Faith we may know the kingdom of God is within us Grace is certainly in our Hearts 3. We may know the kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by having the noble grace of Love Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns Cant. 1.4 The Vpright love thee True Love is to love God out of Choice Love turns the Soul into a Seraphin it makes it burn in a flame of Affection Love is the truest Touchstone of Sincerity Love is the Queen of the Graces it commands the whole Soul 2 Cor. 5.4 If our Love to God be Genuine and Real we let him have the Supremacy we set him in the highest room of our Soul we give him the purest of our Love Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my Pomgrenate If the Spouse had any thing better than other a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ should drink of that We give the Creature the Milk of our Love but God the Cream In short if we love God aright we love his Laws we love his picture drawn in the Saints by the Pencil of the Holy Ghost we love his Presence in his Ordinances Sleidan saith the Protestants in France had a Church which they call'd Paradise as if they thought themselves in Paradise while they had Gods Presence in his Sanctuary The Soul that loves God loves his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 It will be a glorious appearing to the Saints when their Union with Christ shall be compleat then their joy shall be full The Bride longs for the marriage day The Spirit and the Bride say come Even so come Lord Iesus Rev. 22.17 By this Sacred Love we may know the Kingdom of God is within us 4. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by Spiritualizing the Duties of Religion 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye are an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices Spiritualizing Duty consists in three things 1. Fixedness of Mind 2. Fervency of Devotion 3. Uprightness of Aim 1. Fixedness of Mind Then we Spiritualize Duty when our Minds are fixed on God 1 Cor. 7.35 That ye may attend on the Lord without distraction Though impertinent thoughts sometimes come into the heart in Duty yet they are not allowed Psal. 119.13 they come as unwelcome guests which are no sooner spyed but they are turned out 2. Fervency of Devotion Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is a Metaphor alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so the Affections boyl over the Eyes melt in tears the Heart flowes in holy ejaculations We not only bring our offering to God but our hearts 3. Uprightness of Aim An heart that is upright hath three ends in Duty 1. That he may grow more like God As Moses on the Mount had some of Gods Glory reflected on him his face shined 2 That he may have more communion with God 1 Iohn 1.6 our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our fellowship is with the Father 3. That he may bring more Glory to God 1 Pet. 4.11 Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Sincerity aimes at God in all though we shoot short yet we take a right aim This is a sure evidence of Grace the Spiritualizing Duty The Spirits of Wine are best so is the Spiritual part of Duty A little Spiritualness in Duty is better than all the gildings of the Temple or outward pompous Worship which doth so dazzle carnal eyes 5. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us by antipathy and opposition against every known sin Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way Hatred is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. against the whole kind Hatred is implacable Anger may be reconciled hatred cannot A gracious Soul not only forsakes sin as a Man forsakes his Country never to return to it more but hates sin as there 's an antipathy between the Crocadile and the Scorpion If the Kingdom of God be within us we not only hate sin for Hell but we hate it as Hell as being contrary to Gods Holiness and our Happiness 6. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us when we have given up our selves to God by obedience As a Servant gives up himself to
eatest of it thou shalt surely die The Subject then of our next Discourse is the Covenant of Works This Covenant was made with Adam and all Mankind for Adam was a publick Person and the Representative of the World Quest. For what Reason did God make a Covenant with Adam and his Posterity in Innocency Resp. 1. To shew his Soveraignty over us we were his Creatures and as God was the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth God might impose upon us terms of a Covenant 2. God made a Covenant with Adam to bind him fast to God as God bound himself to Adam so Adam was bound to God by the Covenant Quest. What was the Covenant Resp. God commanded Adam not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge God gave Adam leave to eat of all the other Trees of the Garden God did not envy him any Happiness only meddle not with this Tree of Knowledge because God would try Adam's Obedience As King Pharaoh made Ioseph chief Ruler in his Kingdom and gave him a Ring off his Finger and a Chain of Gold only he must not touch his Throne Gen. 41.40 in like manner God dealt with Adam he gave him a sparkling Jewel Knowledge and araid him with a fine Vesture put upon him the Garment of Original Righteousness only saith God Touch not the Tree of Knowledge for that is aspiring after Omnisciency Adam had power to have kept this Law Adam had the Copy of God's Law written in his heart This Covenant of Works had a Promise annexed to it and a Threatning 1. The Promise Do this and live In case Man had stood it is probable he had not died but had been translated to a better Paradise 2. The Threatning Thou shalt die the death Hebr. in dying thou shalt die that is thou shalt die both a natural Death and an Eternal unless some other Expedient be found out for thy Restoration Quest. But why did God give Adam this Law seeing God did foresee that Adam would transgress Resp. 1. It was Adam's fault he did not keep the Law God gave him a stock of Grace to trade with but he of himself broke 2. Though God foresaw Adam would transgress yet that was not a sufficient reason that Adam should have no Law given him for by the same reason God should not have given his written Word to Men to be a Rule of Faith and Manners because he foresaw that some would not believe and others would be prophane Shall not Laws be made in the Land because some break them 3. God though he foresaw Adam would break the Law he knew how to turn it to a greater good in sending Christ. The first Covenant being broken he knew how to establish a second and a better Well concerning the First Covenant consider these four Things 1. The Form of the first Covenant in Innocency was working Do this and live Working was the Ground and Condition of our Justification Gal. 3.12 Not but that working is required in the Covenant of Grace we are bid to work out salvation and be rich in good works But works in the Covenant of Grace are not required under the same Notion as in the first Covenant with Adam Works are not required to the Iustification of our Persons but as a Testification of our Love to God not as a Cause of our Salvation but as an Evidence of our Adoption Works are required in the Covenant of Grace not so much in our own strength as in the strength of another It is God which worketh in you Phil. 2.13 As the Scrivener guides the Child's hand and helps him to form his Letters so that it is not so much the Child's writing as the Scriveners that guides his hand so not our working as the Spirit 's co-working 2. The Covenant of Works was very strict God required of Adam and all Mankind 1. Perfect Obedience Adam must do all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 and not fail either in the matter or manner Adam was to live up to the whole breadth of the Moral Law and go exactly according to it as a well made Dial goes with the Sun a sinful thought had forfeited the Covenant 2. Personal Obedience Adam must not do his work by a Proxy or have any Surety bound for him no it must be done in his own Person 3. Perpetual Obedience He must continue in all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 Thus it was very strict There was no Mercy in case of failure 3. The Covenant of Works was not built upon a very firm Basis therefore it must needs leave Men full of Fears and Doubts The Covenant of Works rested upon the strength of Man's inherent Righteousness which though in Innocency was perfect yet was subject to a change Adam was created holy but mutable He had a power to stand but not a power not to fall Adam had a stock of Original Righteousness to begin the World with but he was not sure he should not break Adam was his own Pilot and could steer right in the time of Innocency but he was not so secured but that he might dash against the Rock of a Temptation and he and his Posterity suffer Shipwrack So that the Covenant of Works must needs leave Jealousies and Doubtings in Adam's heart he having no Security given him that he should not fall from that glorious state 4. The Covenant of Works being broken by Sin Man's Condition was very deplorable and desperate He was left in himself helpless there was no place for Repentance the Justice of God being offended sets all the other Attributes against Mandkind When Adam lost his Righteousness he lost his Anchor of Hope and his Crown there was no way for Man's relief unless God would find out such a way that neither Man nor Angels could devise Use 1. See the Condescension of God who was pleased to stoop so low as to make a Covenant with us For the God of Glory to make a Covenant with Dust and Ashes for God to bind himself to us to give us Life in case of Obedience Entring into Covenant was a sign of God's Friendship with us and a Royal Act of his Favour 2. See what a glorious Condition Man was in when God entred into Covenant with him 1. He was placed in the Garden of God which for the pleasure of it was called Paradise Gen. 2.8 he had his choice of all the Trees one only excepted he had all kind of precious Stones pure Mettals rich Cedars he was a King upon the Throne and all the Creation did obeysance to him as in Ioseph's Dream all his Brethrens sheaves did bow to his sheaf Man in Innocency had all kind of Pleasure that might ravish his Sences with delight and be as Baits to allure him to serve and worship his Maker 2. Besides he was full of Holiness Paradise was not more adorned with Fruit then Adam's Soul was with Grace He was the Coin on which God had
inward impellent Motive or Ground of Iustification is the Free-grace of God So in the Text Iustified freely by his grace Which Ambrose expounds Not of the Grace wrought within us but the Free-grace of God The first Wheel that sets all the rest a running is the Love and Favour of God Being justified by his Grace as a King freely Pardons a Delinquent Iustification is a Mercy spun out of the Bowels of Free-grace God doth not justifie us because we are worthy but by justifying us makes us worthy Quest. What is the material Cause or that by which a Sinner is justified Resp. The Matter of our Iustification is Christ's Satisfaction made to his Father If it be asked How can it stand with God's Iustice and Holiness to pronounce us Innocent when we are Guilty This answers it Christ having made Satisfaction for our Fault now God may in Equity and Justice pronounce us Righteous It is a just thing for a Creditor to discharge a Debtor of the Debt when a Satisfaction is made by the Surety Quest. But how was Christ's Satisfaction meritorious and so sufficient to Iustifie Resp. In respect of the Divine Nature As he was Man he suffered as God he satisfied by Christ's Death and Merits God's Justice is more abundantly satisfied then if we had suffered the Pains of Hell for ever Quest. Wherein lies the Formality or Essence of our Iustification Resp. In the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness to us Jer. 23.6 This is the name whereby ye shall be called Iehovah Tzidkennu THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made to us righteousness This Righteousness of Christ which doth justifie us is a better Righteousness then the Angels theirs is the Righteousness of Creatures this of God Quest. What is the Means or Instrument of our Iustification Resp. Faith Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith The Dignity is not in Faith as a Grace but relatively as it lays hold on Christ's Merits Quest. What is the Efficient Cause of our Iustification Resp. The whole Trinity all the Persons in the Blessed Trinity have an Hand in the Iustification of a Sinner Opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa God the Father is said to justifie Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth God the Son is said to justify Acts 13.39 By him all that believe are justified God the Holy Ghost is said to justifie 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are justified by the spirit of our God God the Father justifies as he pronounceth us Righteous God the Son justifies as he imputes his Righteousness to us and God the Holy Ghost justifies as he clears up our Iustification and seals us up to the Day of Redemption Quest. What is the End of our Iustification Resp. The End is 1. That God may inherit Praise Eph. 1.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace Hereby God raiseth the everlasting Trophies of his own Honour How will the justified Sinner proclaim the Love of God and make Heaven ring of his Praises 2. That the justified Person may inherit Glory Rom. 8.30 Whom he justified them he also glorified God in justifying doth not only absolve a Soul from Guilt but advance him to Dignity as Ioseph was not only loosed from Prison but made Lord of the Kingdom Iustification is crowned with Glorification Quest. Whether are we justified from Eternity Resp. No for first by Nature we are under a Sentence of Condemnation Joh. 3.18 But we could not be at all condemned if we were justified from Eternity 2. The Scripture confines Iustification to those who believe and repent Acts 3.19 Repent that your sins may be blotted out Therefore their sins were uncanciled and their Persons unjustified till they did repent though God doth not justifie us for our Repentance yet not without it The Antinomians erroniously hold That we are justified from Eternity This Doctrine is a Key which opens the Door to all Licentiousness what sins do they care they commit so long as they hold they are ab Aeterno justified whether they repent or no. Before I come to the Uses I shall lay down four Maxims or Positions about Iustification Position 1. That Iustification confers a real benefit upon the Person justified The acquitting and discharging the Debtor by Vertue of the Satisfaction made by the Surety is a real Benefit to the Debtor A Robe of Righteousness and a Crown of Righteousness are real Benefits Position 2. All Believers are alike justified Iustificatio non recipit magis minus Though there are Degrees in Grace yet not in Iustification one is not justified more than another The weakest Believer is as perfectly justified as the strongest Mary Magdalen is as much justified as the Virgin Mary This may be Cordial-water to a weak Believer Though thou hast but a Dram of Faith thou art as truly justified as he who is of the highest stature in Christ. Position 3. Whomsoever God justifies he sanctifies 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are sanctified but ye are justified The Papists calumniate the Protestants they report we hold that Men continuing in sin are justified whereas all our Protestant Writers affirm That Righteousness imputed viz. Iustification and Righteousness inherent viz. Sanctification must be inseparably united Holiness indeed is not the cause of our Iustification but it is the concomitant the Heat in the Sun is not the cause of its Light but it is the concomitant It is absurd to imagine that God should justifie a People and they go on Sin If God should justifie a People and not sanctifie them he should justifie a People whom he could not glorifie God as he is an Holy God cannot lay a Sinner in his Bosom The Metal is first refined before the King's Stamp is put upon it First the Soul is refined with Holiness before God puts the Royal Stamp of Justification upon it Position 4. Iustification is inamissibilis it is a fixed permanent Thing it can never be lost The Arminians hold an Apostasie from Iustification To day justified to morrow unjustified to day a Peter to morrow a Iudas to day a Member of Christ to morrow a Limb of Satan a most uncomfortable Doctrine Indeed justified Persons may fall from degrees of Grace they may leave their first Love they may lose God's Favour for a time but not lose their Iustification If they are justified then they are elected they can no more fall from their Iustification then from their Election If they are justified then they have Union with Christ and can a Member of Christ be broken off If one justified Person may fall away from Christ then all may and so Christ should be an Head without a Body Use 1. See from hence that there is nothing within us could justifie us but something without us not any Righteousness inherent but imputed We may as well look for a Star in the Earth as for Iustification in our own Righteousness The Papists say we are justified by Works But the Apostle confutes it Not of works least
Eye was upon him so which way soever we turn our selves still God's Eye is upon us Iob 37.16 Dost thou know the balancing of the Clouds the Works of him who is perfect in knowledge God knows whatever is knowable he knows Future Contingencies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. He foretold Israels coming out of Babylon and the Virgins conceiving By this the Lord proves the Truth of his God-head against Idol-Gods Isa. 41.23 Indicate Futura Shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know ye are gods The Perfection of God's Knowledge is that it cannot be searched out to perfection Job 11.7 What Angel can reach the top of these Pyramids But 1. God's Knowledge is Primary He is the Original the Patern and Prototype of all Knowledge others borrow their Kowledge of him the Angels light their Lamps at this glorious Sun 2. God's Knowledge is Pure It is not contaminated with the Object Divina Natura non est immista râ—bus aut sordibus inquinata Aug. Though God knows sin yet it is to hate and punish it No Evil can mix or incorporate with his Knowledge no more than the Sun can be defiled with the Vapors which arise from the Earth 3. God's Knowledge is Facil it is without any difficulty We study and search for Knowledge Prov. 2.4 If thou seekest for her as Silver But the Lamp of God's Knowledge is so infinitely bright that all things are easily intelligible to him 4. God's Knowledge is infallible there is no mistake in his Knowledge Humane Knowledge is subject to errour and misprision A Physician may mistake the Cause of a Disease but God's Knowledge is un-erring he can neither deceive nor be deceived He cannot deceive because he is Truth nor be deceived because he is Wisdom 5. God's Knowledge is Instantanious Our Knowledge is successive one thing after another We argue from the Effect to the Cause God knows Things past present and to come uno intuitu at once They are all before him in one intire prospect 6. God's Knowledge is Retentive he never looseth any of his Knowledge he hath reminiscentia as well as intelligentia he remembers as well as understands Many things elapse out of our Mind but God's Knowledge is eternized Things transacted a thousand years ago are as fresh to him as if they were done but the last minute Thus he is Perfect in Knowledge Object But is it not said Gen. 18.21 I will go down and see whether they have done according to the cry which is come up unto me and I will know Resp. It could not be a nesciency that God was ignorant because there is mention made of a Cry but the Lord speaks there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of a Judge who will first examine the Cause before he passeth the Sentence God when he is upon a work of Justice is not in a Riot as if he did not care where he hits but he goes in the way of a Circuit against Offenders he lays Iudgment to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isa. 28.17 Object Hos. 13.12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up his sin is hid Resp. Not that his sin was hid from God but his sin is hid that is it is recorded it is laid up against a Day of Reckoning That this is the meaning is clear by the fore-going words His iniquity is bound up as the Clerk of the Assizes binds up the Indictments of Malefactors in a Bundle and at the Assizes brings out the Indictments and reads them in Court so God binds up Mens sins in a Bundle and at the Day of Judgment this Bundle shall be opened and all their sins brought to light before Men and Angels That God is thus infinite in his Knowledge 1. It cannot but be so For he who is the Original Cause and gives a Being to things must needs have a clear inspection into them Psal. 94 9. He that planted the Ear shall not he hear he that formed the Eye shall not he see He who makes a Watch or Engine knows all the Workmanship in it God that made the Heart knows all the Motions and Fallacies of it He is like Ezekiel's Wheels full of Eyes and as Austin saith Totus oculis all eye 2. It ought to be so for he is to be Iudge of all the World Gen. 18.25 There are so many Causes to be brought before him and so many Persons to be tried that he must have a most exquisite perfect Knowledge or he could not do Iustice. An ordinary Judge cannot proceed without a Jury the Jury must search the Cause and give in their Verdict but God can judge without a Jury He knows all things in and of himself and needs no Witness to inform him A Judge judgeth only Matters of Fact but God judgeth the Heart He not only judgeth wicked Actions but wicked Designs He sees the Treason of the Heart and punisheth it Use 1. Is God infinite in Knowledge 1 Iohn 1.5 He is Light and in him is no Darkness then how unlike are they to God who are Darkness and in them is no Light who are destitute of Knowledge such as the Indians who never heard of God And are there not many among us who are no better than baptized Heathens who are to seek in the first Principles of the Oracles of God It is sad that after the Sun of the Gospel hath shined so long in our Horison yet to this day the Veil should be upon their Heart Such as are inveloped with Ignorance cannot give God a reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Ignorance is the Nurse of Impiety the Schoolmen say Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia Jer. 9.3 They proceed from evil to evil and know not me saith the Lord. Where Ignorance reigns in the Understanding Lust rageth in the Affections Prov. 19.2 That the Mind be without Knowledge it is not good neither Faith nor Fear no Faith for Knowledge carries the Torch before Faith Psal. 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee A Man can no more believe without Knowledge than the Eye can see without Light Nor Fear of God How can they fear him whom they do not know The Covering of Haman's Face was a sad Presage of Death When Peoples Minds are covered with Ignorance this Covering of the Face is a fatal fore-runner of Destruction 2. If God be a God of Knowledge then see the folly of Hypocrisy Hypocrites do not virtutem facere but fingere Melanct. they carry it fair with Men but care not how bad their Hearts are they live in secret sin Psal. 73.11 They say how doth God know Psal. 10.11 God hath forgotten he â—ideth his face he will never see it But Psal. 147.5 His Understanding is infinite He hath a Grate Crates that looks into Mens Breasts he hath a Key for the Heart he beholds all the sinful workings of Men's Spirits As in a Glass-Hive we can see the Bees working in their Combs Matth.
decreed the time of my Life in the use of Means so God hath decreed my Salvation in the use of Word Prayer Sacraments And as a Man that refuseth his â—ood murders himself so he that refuseth to work out his Salvation doth destroy himself The Vessels of Mercy are said to be prepar'd unto Glory Rom. 9.23 How are they prepar'd but by being sanctified and that cannot be but in the use of Means therefore let not God's Decree take thee off from Holy Endeavour A good Saying of Dr. Preston Hast thou an Heart to pray to God it is a sign no Decree of Wrath is passed against thee Use 1. If God's Decree be Eternal and Unchangeable then God doth not Elect our Faith foreseen as the Arminians Rom. 9.11 The children being not yet born that the purpose of God according to election might stand It was said Iacob have I loved Esau have I hated We are not elected for Holiness but to Holiness Eph. 1.3 If we are not justified for our Faith much less elected for our Faith but we are not justified for it We are said to be justified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through Faith as an Instrument Eph. 2.8 but not for Faith as a Cause and if not justified for Faith then much less elected God's Decree of Election is Eternal and Unchangeable therefore depends not upon Faith foreseen Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed They were not elected because they believed but they believed because they were elected Use 2. If God's Decree be Unchangeable 't is Comfort in two Cases 1. Concerning God's Providences towards his Church We are ready to quarrel with Providence if every thing doth not jump with our Desire Remember God's Work goes on and nothing falls out but what he hath decreed from Eternity 2. God hath decreed Troubles for the Churches good the troubling of God's Church is like the Angel's troubling the Water Ioh. 5.4 which made way for healing his People He hath decreed Troubles in the Church His fire is in Sion and his furnace in Ierusalem Isa. 31.9 The Wheels in a Watch move cross one to another but they all carry on the Motion of the Watch So the Wheels of Providence often move cross to our Desires but still they carry on God's unchangeable Decree Dan. 12.10 Many shall be made white God lets the Waters of Affliction be poured on his People he doth but lay them a Whitening Therefore murmur not at God's Dealings His Work goes on nothing falls out but what he hath wisely decreed from Eternity every thing shall promote God's Design and fulfil his Decree 2. Comfort to the Godly in regard of their Salvation 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God stands sure having this seal the Lord knows who are his God's Counsel of Election is Unchangeable once elected and for ever elected Rev. 3.5 I will not blot his name out of the book of life The Book of God's Decree hath no Errata's in it no blottings out once justified never unjustified Hos. 13.14 Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes God never repents of his electing Love â— Joh. 13.1 He loved them to the end Therefore if thou art a Believer comfort thy self with this the Immutability of God's Decree Use 3. To conclude a word to the Wicked who march furiously against God and his People let them know God's Decree is Unchangeable God will not alter it nor can they break it and while they resist God's Will they fulfil it There 's a twofold Will of God Voluntas praecepti decreti The Will of God's Precept and of his Decree While the Wicked resist the Will of God's Precept they fulfil the Will of his Permissive Decree Iudas betrays Christ Pilate condemns him the Souldiers crucify him while they resisted the Will of God's Precept they fulfilled the Will of his Permissive Decree Acts 4.28 Such as are wicked God commands one thing they do the quite contrary to keep Sabbath they prophane it while they disobey his Command they fulfil his Permissive Decree If a Man set up two Nets one of Silk the other of Iron the Silken Net may be broken not the Iron God's Commands are the Silken Net while Men break the Silken Net of God's Command they are taken in the Iron Net of his Decree while they sit backward to God's Precepts they row forward to his Decree his Decree to permit their Sin and to punish them for their Sin permitted Of the Wisdom of GOD. THE next Attribute is Gods ' Wisdom which is one of the brightest Beams of the Godhead Iob 9.4 He is wise in heart Kacham lavau The Heart is the Seat of Wisdom Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro Iudicio Pineda Among the Hebrews the Heart is put for Wisdom Iob 34.32 Let Men of Understanding tell me In the Hebrew Let Men of Heart tell me God is wise in heart that is he is most wise 1. God is only wise he doth monopolize and ingross all Wisdom Ergo he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the only wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 All the Treasures of Wisdom are lock'd up in him and no Creature can have any Wisdom but as God is pleased to give it out of his Treasury 2. God is perfectly wise there is no defect in his Wisdom Men may be wise in some things but in other things may betray imprudence and weakness But God is the Exemplar and Pattern of Wisdom and the Pattern must be perfect Matth. 5.48 God's Wisdom appears in two things 1. His Infinite Intelligence 2. His Exact Working 1. His Infinite Intelligence He knows the most profound obstruse Secrets Dan. 2.28 He knows the Thoughts which are the most intricate subtil things Amos 4.13 He declareth to Man what is his thought Let Sin be contrived never so politickly God will pull off all Masks and Disguises and make an Heart-Anatomy He knows all future Contingencies ante intuitu all things are before him in one clear Prospect 2. His exact curious Working He is wise in heart his wisdom lies in his works These Works of God are bound up in three great Volumes where we may read his Wisdom 1. The Work of Creation The Creation as it is a Monument of God's Power so a Looking-glass in which we may see his Wisdom None but a wise God could so curiously contrive the World Behold the Earth deck'd with variety of Flowers which are both for Beauty and Fragrancy the Heaven bespangled with Lights we may see the glorious Wisdom of God blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars His Wisdom is seen in the marshalling and ordering every thing in its proper Place and Sphere If the Sun had been set lower it would have burnt us if higher it would not have warm'd us with its Beams God's Wisdom is seen in appointing the Seasons of the Year Psal. 74.17 Thou hast made Summer and Winter If it had been all Summer the Heat would have scorched us if all Winter the Cold would
strike a strait stroak by crooked sticks God hath oft made his Church grow and flourish by persecution The showrs of Blood have made her more fruitful Iulian. Exod. 1.10 Come let us deal wisely with them least they multiply And that way they took to suppress them made them multiply Vers. 12. The more the afflicted them the more they multiplied Like Ground the more it is harrowed it bears the better Crop The Apostles were scattered by reason of Persecution and their scattering was like the scattering of Seed they went up and down and preached the Gospel and brought in daily Converts Paul was put in Prison and his Bonds were a Means to enlarge the Gospel Phil. 1.12 3. The wisdom of God is seen in making the most desperate Evils turn to the good of his Children As several poisonful Ingredients wisely tempered by the skill of the Artist make a Soveraign Medicine so God makes the most deadly Afflictions co-operate for the good of his Children He purifies them and prepares them for Heaven 2 Cor. 4.17 These hard Frosts hasten the Spring-flowers of Glory The wise God by a Divine Chymistry turns Afflictions into Cordials God makes his People gainers by losses and turns their Crosses into Blessings 4. The wisdom of God is seen in this that the sins of Men shall carry on God's work yet that he should have no hand in their sins The Lord permits sin but doth not approve it He hath an Hand in the Action in which sin is but not in the sin of the Action As in the crucifying of Christ so far as it was a Natural Action God did concur if he had not given the Jews Life and Breath they could not have done it but as it was a sinful Action so God abhorred it A Musitian plays upon a Viol out of tune the Musitian is the Cause of the sound but the jarring and discord is from the Viol it seâ—f so Men's natural Motion is from God but their sinful Motion is from themselves A Man that rides on a lame Horse his riding is the Cause why the Horse goes but the lameness is from the Horse it self Herein is God's wisdom the sins of Men shall carry on his Work yet he hath no hand in them 5. The wisdom of God is seen in helping in the desperate Cases God loves to shew his wisdom when Humane Help and Wit fail Exquisite Lawyers love to wrestle with Nicities and Difficulties in the Law to shew their skil the more God's wisdom is never at a loss but when Providences are darkest now appears the Morninst-star of Deliverance Psal. 136.23 Who remembred us in our low condition Sometimes God melts away the Spirits of his Enemies Iosh. 2.24 Sometimes he finds them other work to do and sounds a Retreat to them as he did to Saul when he was pursuing David The Philistines are in the Land In the Mount will God be seen When the Church seems to be upon the Altar her Peace and Liberty ready to be Sacrificed now comes the Angel 6. God's wisdom is seen in befooling wise men and making their wisdom a means of their overthrow Achitophel had deep Policy 2 Sam. 16.23 The counsel of Achitophel which he counselled was as if a man had enquired at the Oracle of God but he consulted his own shame The Lord turned his counsel into foolishness 2 Sam. 17.23 Job 5.13 God taketh the wise in their own craftiness that is when they think to deal wisely he not only disappoints them but insnares them The Snares they lay for others catch themselves Psal. 9.16 In the Net which they hid is their own foot taken God loves to counter-plot Politicians he makes use of their own Wit to undo them and hangs Haman upon his own Gallows Use 1. Adore the wisdom of God it is an infinite Deep the Angels cannot search into Rom. 11.33 His ways are past finding out And as we should Adore so we should Rest in the wisdom of God God sees what Condition is best for us Did we believe the wisdom of God it would keep us from murmuring Rest in God's wisdom in several Cases 1. In want of Spiritual Comfort God is wise he sees it good sometimes we should be without Comfort Perhaps we should be lifted up with Spiritual Enlargements as Paul with his Revelations 2 Cor. 12.7 'T is hard to have the Heart low when Comfort is high God sees Humility is better for us then Ioy. 'T is better to want Comfort and be humble then to have it and be proud 2. In want of bodily strength rest in God's wisdom he sees what is best Perhaps the less Health the more Grace Weaker in Body the stronger we are in Faith 2 Cor. 4.16 Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day At Rome there were two Laurel Trees when the one withered the other flourished The inward Man is renewed When God shakes the Tree of the Body he is now gathering the Fruits of Righteousness Hebr. 12.11 Sickness is God's Launce to let out the Impostbume of sin Isa. 27.9 3. In case of God's Providences to his Church we wonder what God is doing with us and are ready to kill our selves with Care Rest in God's wisdom he knows best what he hath to do Psal. 77.19 His footsteps are not known Trust him where you cannot trace him God is most in his way when we think he is most out of the way When we think God's Church is as it were in the Grave and there is a Tombstone laid upon her God's wisdom can rowl away the Stone from the Sepulchre Christ cometh leaping over Mountains Cant. 2.8 Either his power can remove the Mountain or his wisdom knows how to leap over it 4. In case we are low in the World or have but little Oil in our Cruise Rest in God's wisdom he sees it best it is to cure Pride and Wantonness God knew if thy Estate had not been lost thy Soul had been lost God he saw Riches would be a Snare to thee 1 Tim. 6.9 Art thou troubled that God hath prevented a Snare God will make thee rich in Faith what thou lackest in Temporals shall be made up in Spirituals God will give thee more of his love Thou art weak in Estate yet God will make thee strong in Assurance O rest in God's wisdom he will Carve the best piece for thee 5. In case of the loss of dear Friends a Wife or Child or Husband rest satisfied in God's Wisdom God hath taken away these because he would have more of your Love He breaks these Crutches that we may live more upon him by Faith God would have us learn to go without Crutches Use 2. If God be infinitely wise then let us go to him for Wisdom as Solomon 1 Kings 3.9 Give thy servant an understanding heart and the speech pleased the Lord and there is encouragement for us If any one lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth liberally
that we may not pray to Angels is clear from Rom. 10.14 How shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed We may not pray to any but whom we may believe in but we may not believe in an Angel ergo we may not pray to him There is but one God and it is a sin to invocate any but only God 5. If there be but one God who is above all Ephes. 4.6 then he must be loved above all 1. We must love him with a love of Appreciation set the highest estimate on him who is the only Fountain of Being and Bliss 2. We must love him with a love of Complacency Amor est complacentia amantis in amato Aquin. Our love to other things must be more indifferent some drops of love may run beside to the Creature but the full stream must run towards God the Creature may have the Milk of our love but we must keep the Cream of our love for God God who is above all must be loved above all Psal. 73.25 There is none on earth whom I desire in comparison of thee Use 2. of Caution If there be but one God then let us take heed of setting up more Gods then one Psal. 16.4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God their Drink-offerings of Blood will I not offer nor take up their Names into my lips God is a jealous God and he will not endure that we should have other Gods 'T is easie to commit Idolatry with the Creature 1. Some make a God of Pleasure 2. Tim. 3.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God Whatever we love more then God we make a God 2. Others make Money their God The Covetous Man worships the Image of Gold therefore is called an Idolater Eph. 5.5 that which a Man trusts to he makes his God but he makes the wedge of Gold his Hope He makes Money his Creator Redeemer Comforter 'T is his Creator if he hath Money then he thinks he is made It is his Redeemer if he be in danger he trusts in his Money to redeem him out It is his Comforter if at any time he be sad the golden Harp drives away the Evil Spirit So that Money is his God God made Man of the Dust of the Earth and Man makes a God of the Dust of the Earth 3. Another makes a God of his Child sets his Child in God's room and so provokes God to take it away If you lean too hard upon a Glass it will break many break their Children by leaning too hard upon them 4. Others make a God of their Belly Phil. 3.19 Whose God is their Belly Clemens Alexandrinus writes of a Fish that hath its heart in its Belly an Emblem of Epicures their Heart is in their Belly they mind nothing but indulging the Sensual Appetite they do sacrificare lari their Belly is their God and to this they pour Drink-offerings Thus Men make many Gods The Apostle names the wicked Man's Trinity 1 John 2.16 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life The lust of the flesh Pleasure the lust of the eye Money Pride of Life Honour O take heed of this whatever you Deifie besides God will prove a Bramble and Fire will come out of this Bramble and devour you Iudges 9.15 Use 3. of Reproof If the Lord Jehovah be the â—â—ly true God then it reproves those who renounce the true God I mean such as seek to familiar Spirits this is too much practised among them that call themselves Christians 'T is a sin condemned by the Law of God Deut. 18.11 There shall not be found among you any that consults with familiar Spirits How ordinary is this If People have lost any of their Goods they send to Wizards to know how they may come by their Goods again What is this but consulting with the Devil and so you renounce God and your Baptism What because you have lost your Goods will you lose your Souls too 2 Kings 1.6 Thus saith the Lord Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that thou sendest to enquire of Baal-zebub so is it not because you think there is not a God in Heaven that you ask Counsel of the Devil If any here be guilty be deeply humbled you have renounced the true God better be without the Goods you have lost then have the Devil help you to them again Use 4. of Exhortation If there be but one God as God is Oâ—â— so let them that serve him be One. This is that Christ prayed so heartily for Iohn 17.21 That they all may be One Christians should be One 1. in Iudgment the Apostle exhorts to be all of one mind 1 Cor. 1.10 How sad is it to see Religion wearing a Coat of divers Colours to see Christians of so many Opinions and going so many different ways It is Satan hath sown these Tares of Division Matth. 13.39 he first divided Men from God and now divides one Man from another 2. One in Affection They should have one Heart Acts 4.32 The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. As in Musick though there be several strings of a Viol yet all make one sweet harmony so though there are several Christians yet there should be one sweet harmony of Affection among them There is but one God and they that serve him should be one There is nothing would render the true Religion more lovely or make more Proselytes to it than to see the Professors of it tied together with the heart-strings of love Psal. 133.1 Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is to see brethren live together in unity It is as the sweet Dew on Hermon and the fragrant Ointment poured on Aaron's Head If God be one let all that profess him be One of one mind and one heart this fulfils Christ's Prayer that they alâ— may be one 2. If there be but one God let us labour to clear the Title that this God is ours Psal. 48.14 This God is our God What Comfort can it be to hear that there is a God and that he is the only God unless he be our God What is Deity without Propriety O let us labour to clear the Title beg the Holy Spirit the Spirit works faith by faith we are one with Christ and through Christ we come to have God for our God and so all his glorious fulness is made over to us by a Deed of Gift Use 5. What Cause have we to be thankful that we have the knowledge of the only true God How many are brought up in blindness some worship Mahomet divers of the Indians worship the Devil they light a Candle to him that he should not hurt them Such as know not the true God must needs stumble into Hell in the dark O be thankful that we are born in such a Climate where the Light of the Gospel hath shined To
Coeternity and Consubstantiality with his Father Iohn 10.30 I and my Father are One It were a Blasphemy for any Angel to speak thus Yet further to prove Christ's Godhead consider 1. the glorious incommunicable Attributes belonging to God the Father are ascribed to Christ. 1. Is God the Father Omnipotent so is Jesus Christ. He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almighty Rev. 1.8 he Creates Col. 1.16 2. Is God the Father infinitely Immense filling all places Ier. 23.24 so is Jesus Christ. While Christ was on the Earth by his bodily presence he was at the same time in the bosom of his Father Iohn 3.13 in regard of his Divine presence 2. The same Iura Regalia or Prerogatives Royal which belong to God the Father belong also to Christ. 1. Doth God the Father seal Pardons this is a Flower of Christ's Crown Matth. 9.2 Thy sins be forgiven thee Nor doth Christ only remit sin organicè as Ministers do by virtue of a Power delegated to them from God but Christ doth it by his own Power and Authority 2. Is God the Father the adequate Object of Faith is he to be believed in so is the Son Iohn 14.1 3. Doth Adoration belong to God the Father so it doth to the Son Hebr. 1.6 Let all the Angels of God worship him How Sacrilegious therefore is the Socinian who would rob Christ of the best Flower of his Crown his Godhead they that deny Christ to be God must greatly wrest or else deny the Scripture to be the Word of God 3. It confutes the Arrians who deny the Holy Ghost to be God The Eternal Godhead subsists in the Holy Ghost Iohn 16.13 He shall guide you into all Truth Christ speaks not there of an Attribute but a Person And that the Godhead subsists in the Person of the Holy Ghost appears thus The Spirit who gives diversity of Gifts is said to be the same Lord and the same God 1 Cor. 12.5 6. The black and unpardonable sin is said in a special manner to be committed against the Godhead subsisting in the Holy Ghost Matth. 12.32 The mighty power of God is made manifest by the Holy Ghost He changeth the Hearts of Men. The Devil would have Christ prove himself to be God by turning Stones into Bread but thus the Holy Ghost shews his Godhead by turning Stones into Flesh Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh Yet further the power and Godhead of the Holy Ghost appeared in the effecting the glorious Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ the very Shadow of the Holy Ghost made a Virgin conceive Luke 1.35 The Holy Ghost works Miracles which transcend the sphere of Nature as raising the Dead Rom. 8.11 to him belongs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine Worship our Souls and Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 in which Temples he is to be worshipped vers 20. We are baptized in the Name of the Holy Ghost therefore either we must believe his Godhead or renounce our Baptism in his Name Methinks it were enough for such Men as have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost or no Acts 19.2 to deny his Deity but that any who go for Christians should deny this Article of their Creed seems to me very strange They who would wittingly and willingly blot out the third Person shall have their Names blotted out of the Book of Life Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Believe this Doctrine the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of Essence The Trinity is purely an Object of Faith The Plumb-line of Reason is too short to fathom this Mystery but where Reason cannot wade there Faith must swim There are some Truths in Religion may be demonstrated by Reason as that there is a God but the Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence is wholly Supernatural and must be believed by Faith This Sacred Doctrine though it be not against Reason yet it is above Reason Those illuminated Philosophers that could find out the Causes of things and discourse of the Magnitude and Influence of the Stars the Nature of Minerals could never by their deepest Search find out the Mystery of the Trinity This is of Divine Revelation and must be adored with humble believing we can be no good Christians without the firm belief of the Trinity How can we pray to God the Father but in the Name of Christ and through the help of the Spirit Believe the glorious Trinity How are the Quakers to be abhorr'd who go under the Name of Christians yet undervalue and renounce Jesus Christ. I have read of some of the Quakers who speak thus We deny the Person of him whom you call Christ and affirm That they who expect to be saved by that Christ without will be damned in that Faith Could the Devil himself speak worse Blasphemy they would pull up all Religion by the Roots and take away that Corner-stone on which the Hope of our Salvation is built 2. If there be one God subsisting in three Persons then let us give 1. Equal Reverence to all the Persons in the Trinity There is not more or less in the Trinity the Father is not more God then the Son and Holy Ghost There is an Order in the Godhead but no Degrees one Person hath not a Majority or Supereminency above another therefore we must give equal Worship to all the Persons Iohn 5.23 That all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father Adore Unity in Trinity 2. Obey all the Persons in the blessed Trinity for all of them are God 1. Obey God the Father His words either preceptive or minatory must be observed Christ himself as Man obeyed God the Father Iohn 4.34 much more then must we Deut. 27.10 2. Obey God the Son Psalm 2.12 Kiss the Son lest he be angry Kiss him with a kiss of Obedience Christ's Commands are not grievous 1 Iohn 5.3 Nothing he commands but is for our interest and benefit O then kiss the Son Why do the Elders throw down their Crowns at the feet of Christ and fall down before the Lamb Rev. 4.10 11. but to testifie their Subjection and to profess their Readiness to serve and obey him 3. Obey God the Holy Ghost our Souls are breath'd into us by the glorious Spirit Iob 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me Our Souls are adorned by the blessed Spirit Every Grace is a Divine Sparkle lighted in the Soul by the Holy Ghost Nay more the Spirit of God sanctified Christ's Humane Nature he united it with the Divine and fitted the Man Christ to be our Mediator Well then doth this third Person in the Trinity the Holy Ghost deserve to be obeyed he is God and this Tribute of Homage and Obedience is to be paid him by us Of the CREATION Quest. VII WHat are the Decrees of God The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will whereby for his own
and engraving of the Holy Ghost upon the Soul The new born Christian is bespangled with the Jewels of the 〈◊〉 which are the Angels glory Regeneration is the spring of all true joy At our first birth we come weeping into the World but at our new birth there 's cause of rejoycing for now God is our Father and we are begotten to a lively hope of glory 1 Pet. 1.3 We may try by this our relation to God Hath a regenerating work of Gods Spirit passed upon our Souls Are we made of another Spirit Humble and Heavenly This is a good sign of Son-ship and we may say Our Father which art in Heaven 3. By having the conduct of the Spirit We are led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Gods Spirit doth not only quicken us in our Regeneration but leads us on till we come to the end of our Faith Salvation It is not enough the Child have Life but he must be led every step by the Nurse Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking them by their armes Their Armes as the Israelites had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire to go before them and be a guide to them so Gods Spirit is a guide to go before us and lead us into all truth and counsel us in all our doubts and influence us in all our actions Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels None can call God Father but such as have the conduct of his Spirit Try then what Spirit you are led by Such as are led by a Spirit of Envy Lust Avarice these are not led by the Spirit of God it were blasphemy for them to call God Father These are led by the Spirit of Satan and may say Our Father which art in Hell 4. By having the Witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God This Witness of the Spirit suggesting that God is our Father is not a Vocal Witness or Voice from Heaven The Spirit in the Word witnesseth The Spirit in the Word saith he who is so qualified who is an hater of Sin and a lover of Holiness is a Child of God and God is his Father if I can find such qualifications wrought here is the Spirit witnessing with my Spirit that I am a Child of God Besides we may carry it higher the Spirit of God witnesseth to our Spirit by making more than ordinary impressions upon our hearts and giving some secret hints and whispers that God hath purposes of Love to us Here is a concurrent witness of the Spirit with Conscience that we are Heirs of Heaven and God is our Father This Witness is better felt than expressed this Witness scatters doubts and fears silenceth temptations but what shall one do that hath not this Witness of the Spirit If we wâ—â—t the Witness of the Spirit let us labour to find the Work of the Spirit if we have not the Spirit testifying labour to have it sanctifying and that will be a support to us 4. If God be our Father we are of Peaceable Spirits Matth. 5.9 Blessed are the peace-makers they shall be called the children of God Grace infuseth a sweet amicable disposition it files off the ruggedness of Mens Spirits it turns the Lion-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa. 11.7 They who have God to be their Father follow Peace as well as Holiness God the Father is called the God of Peace Heb. 13.20 God the Son the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace It is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 The more peaceable the more like God It is a bad sign God is not their Father 1. Who are fierce and cruel as if with Romulus they had sucked the Milk of a Wolf Rom. 3.17 The way of peace have they not known they sport in mischief these are they who are of a persecuting Spirit as Maximinus Dioclesian Antiochus who as Eusebius took more tedious journeys and run more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Iewes than any of his Predecessors had done in getting of Victories These Furies cannot call God Father if they do they will have as little comfort in saying Father as Dives had in Hell when he said Father Abraham Luke 16.24 2. Who are makers of division Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and avoid them Such as are born of God are makers of Peace what shall we think of such as are makers of Division will God Father these The Devil made the first division in Heaven they may call the Devil Father they may give the Cloven Foot in their Coat of Armes their sweetest Musick is in Discord they unite to divide Sampsons Fox-tails were tyed together only to set the Philistians Corn on fire Iudg. 15 4. Papists unite only to set the Churches Peace on fire· Satans Kingdom goes up by Divisions St. Chrysostome observes of the Church of Corinth when many Converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to dam up the current of Religion than to throw in an Apple of Strife and divide them into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollos but few for Christ. Would not Christ have his Coat rent and can he endure to have his Body rent Sure God will never Father them who are not Sons of Peace Of all them who God hates he is named for one who is a sower of discord among brethren Prov. 6.19 5. If God be our Father then we love to be near God and have converse with him An ingenuous Child delights to approach near to his Father and go into his presence David envyed the Birds that they built their Nests so near Gods Altars when he was debarred his Fathers house Psal. 84.3 True Saints love to get as near to God as they can In the Word they draw near to his Holy Oracle in the Sacrament they draw near to his Table a Child of God delights to be in his Fathers presence he cannot stay away long from God he sees a Sabbath day approaching and rejoyceth his heart hath been often melted and quickened in a Ordinance he hath tasted the Lord is good therefore he loves to be in his Fathers presence he cannot keep away long from God Such as care not for Ordinances cannot say Our Father which art in Heaven Is God their Father who cannot endure to be in his presence VSE I. Of Instruction See the amazing goodness of God that is pleased to enter into this sweet relation of a Father God needed not to adopt us he did not want a Son God did not want a Son but we did a Father God showed Power in being our Maker but Mercy in being our Father When we were enemies and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God that he should conquer our stubbornness and of enemies make us children and write his
we have not yet finished the Faith The Servant doth not receive his pay till his Work be done Even Christ's reward was deferred till he had done his Work when he had compleated our Redemption and said upon the Cross it is finished then he entred into Glory God doth not think it meet we should have our pay beforehand 2. God defers the reward to make Heaven more welcome to us Quo longius defertur eò suavius laetatur After all our Praying Weeping Suffering how sweet will the Wine of Paradise taste Nay the longer the reward is deferred the greater will it be the longest Voyages have the greatest Returns 4. That which is apt to occasion weariness in well-doing is the difficulty of a Christians Work Superas evadere ad auras hic labor hoc opus est A Christian hath no time to lie Fallow he hath many Precepts to obey Promises to believe Temptations to resist his whole Life is a Race he must Watch and Pray he must put forth not only Diligence but Violence for Heaven But why should this make us weary Difficulty whets a generous Mind The Soldiers Life hath its difficulties but they raise his Spirits the more he loves to encounter hardship and will endure a Bloody Fight for a Golden Harvest Besides where there is the least Principle of Grace it renders the way of Religion easie and pleasant When the Load-stone draws it is easie for the Iron to move When God's Spirit draws we move in the way of Religion with facility and delight Spiritu Sancto accenditur renatorum voluntas Aug. Christ's Service is freedom Psal. 119.45 I will walk at Liberty to serve God to love God to enjoy God is the sweetest Liberty in the World besides while we serve God we gratifie our selves As he who digs in a Mine while he sweats he gets Gold while we glorifie God we promote our own Glory II. The Second thing expressed is that we should not grow weary in a Christian course we should not tire in our Race Let us not be weary in well-doing The Greek Word to be weary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to shrink back as Cowards in War Let it not be thus with us let us not shrink back from Christ's Colours Heb. 4.14 Let us hold fast our profession We must not only hold forth our profession but hold fast our profession Our zeal in Religion should be as the Fire on the Altar which never went out Lev. 6.13 Non pugnanti sed vincenti dabitur Corona Aug. The Crown is not given to him that Fights but to him that overcomes 1 Vse Râ—dargution It reproves such as are weary of well-doing There are Falling Stars 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas forsook God and afterwards became a Priest in an Idol Temple Dorotheus Hos. 8.3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good Many have thrown off Christ's Livery they have left off an Holy course of Life they have turned to Worldliness or Wantonness Gal. 5.7 Ye did run well who hindred you Why did you tire in your Race It is sad to see those who formerly seemed to be eminent Saints Stars of the first magnitude yet now are fallen away and are ready to embrace either the Mass or the Alcoran that which begins in Hypocrisie ends in Apostacy 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment 2 Vse Exhortation Let us not be weary in well-doing Consider 1. The Way of Religion is of Good Report Heb. 11.2 By Faith the Elders obtained a Good Report Shall we be weary of that which is our Credit If indeed the Christian Religion were a thing that would bring shame or loss as the Ways of Sin do then we had cause to desert it and grow weary of it but it brings Honour Prov. 4.9 He shall give to thy Head an Ornament of Grace Besides the Credit an Holy course of Life brings inward Ioy and Delight Prov. 3.17 All her ways are pleasantness What sweet Musick doth the Bird of Conscience make in the Breast Act. 9.31 Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the Comforts of the Holy Ghost Why then should we be weary of well-doing 2. The Beauty of a Christian is to hold on in Piety without being weary Act. 21.16 Mnason of Cyprus an old Disciple 'T is a beautiful sight to see Silver Hairs crowned with Golden Vertues The Beauty of a thing is when it comes to be finished The Beauty of a Picture is when it is drawn out in its full Lineaments and laid in its Orient Colours The Beauty of a Christian is when he hath finished his Faith 2 Tim. 4.7 It was the Glory of the Church of Thyatira she kept her best Wine till last Rev. 2.19 I know thy Works and the last to be more than the first 3. Such as are weary of well-doing it is a sign they never acted in Religion from a right Principle Things that proceed from a Principle of Life do not cease as the beating of the Pulse But things that move from an artificial Spring are soon at an end as the Motion of a Watch. Unsound Hearts move only from the external Spring of Applause or Preferment and when these fail their seeming Goodness ceaseth Naturalists observe of the Chelydonian Stone that it retains its Virtue no longer than it is inclosed in Gold take it out of the Gold and it loseth its Virtue False Hearts retain their Goodness no longer than they are inclosed in Golden Preferments take them out of the Gold and they lose all their seeming Piety Such as are weary of well-doing never served God out of choice or from a Principle of Faith If the Water in a Cistern fail it is because it is not fed from a Fountain If Men's Religion fails it is because it wants that Fountain-Grace of Faith to feed it 4. God is never weary of doing us Good therefore we should not be weary of serving him The Honey-comb of Mercy is continually dropping upon us God sends us in fresh Provisions every Day he gives us the finest of the Wheat he is not weary of watching over us but keeps a continual Guard about us Psal. 21.3 God is not weary of detecting and defeating the Plots of our Enemies And shall we be weary of engaging in his Service A King that is continually obliging his Subject by Gifts and Gratituites that Subject hath no cause to be weary of serving his Prince 5. If we grow weary and throw off Religion we make all we have done null and void Ezek. 18.24 When the Righteous turneth away from his righteousness all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned He who hath been serving God and doing Angel's Work if once he grows weary and desists he unravels all his Work and misseth of the recompence of reward He that runs half a Race and then tires loseth the Garland O what folly
down in several Positions 53 Mercy of God Properties of it 55 Mercy of God what we must do to be interested in it 56 Mercy how many ways God is said to shew it 285 Mercy how we may know if it belong to us 287 How shall we do to get a share in it 288 Misery of Man by the Fall two-fold and what 86 Mistakes of Sin being pardoned when it is not 826 Moderation in what Cases 't is good 975 Moral Law is it still in force to Believers 270 Moral Persuasion not sufficient to convert a Sinner 979 Motions of the Spirit how they may be known from a Delusion 498 Motion how to know when it comes from our own Hearts and when from Satan 834 Murder how many ways 't is committed 360 Murder the heinousness of it ibid. N. Name of God how we may take it in vain 295 Natural Man's opposing Sin how it differs from the New Creature 's opposing it 982 Necessity why the Kingdom of Grace should be encreased 469 Neighbour how we may be kept from coveting what is his 388 New Creature what it is 977 The several Causes in it ibid. New Creature does God give a new Soul in it 978 New Creature what kind of Work it is ibid. New Creature the Counterfeits of it 979 New Creature how far one must put off the Old Man that he may be one 982 New Creature the necessity of being so 984 What we shall do to be so 985 O. Obedience how it must be qualified so as to be acceptable 242 Arguments or Incentives to it 244 Means in order to attain it ibid. Obedience perfect to the Moral Law cannot be given 388 Original Sin what Names it has 82 Original Sin has something Privative and Positive in it ibid. Original Sin the Vniversality of it 83 The Effects of it ibid. Original Sin why God leaves it in us after Regeneration 84 P. Pardon of Sin why so few seek after it 811 Parents how they should carry it towards their Children 357 Right Participation of the Sacrament is in three things 419 Peace the several kinds of it 207 Peace Spiritual whence it comes ibid. Peace whether graceless persons have it 208 False Peace the Signs of it ibid. True Peace the Signs of it ibid. How to attain it 210 Perseverance by what means effected 219 Perseverance of Saints how we may prove it ibid. Perseverance Motives to it 222 Means that may be used for it 223 Perseverance of Saints built upon three unmovable Pillars 493 People of God why so frequently in an afflicted state 260 People of God how he delivers them out of Trouble 263 Why he brings them out of Trouble 264 Pleasing God what it implies 60 Prayer what it is 421 Why made to God only ibid. What are the Parts of it ibid. The several sorts of it ibid. What Prayer is most like to prevail with God 422 Prayers in what order we must direct them to God 425 Praying in Faith what it implies 443 How we may know that we do so ibid. Pray in Faith how we may do it 445 Prayer a sovereign Means to elude Temptations 857 Power of God how it seen 43 Presumptuous sinning what it is 392 1001 Presumptuous Sin how we may keep from it 1007 Promises of God two things in them to comfort us 57 Properties of bad Debtors wherein we have them 803 Prosperity the danger of it 530 Providence of God That and What it is 69 Positions about it ibid. Providence of God how exerted towards Sin 70 Prudence and Holiness wherein a Christian joyns them together 973 Punishment of Sabbath-breaking 348 Q. Qualifications of our Intercessor what they are 103 Qualifications and Properties of the Kingdom of Heaven 476 Qualifications of God's Mercy 285 R. Redeemed how we shall know that we are of the number 123 Regenerate Person what Comfort he may have under the imperfections of his Obedience 390 Repentance the Counterfeits of it 401 Repentance the Advantages of it 403 How we may attain a penitential Frame of Heart 404 Repentance the Ingredients in it 806 Resignation to God's Will in Afflictions how it may be obtain'd 523 Resurrection by what Arguments may it be proved 235 Righteous shall they only be raised ibid. What Rocks of Support there are for tempted Souls 848 Rule of Obedience what it is 242 S. Sabbath why God appointed it 332 Seventh-Day Sabbath why we do not keep it 332 Sabbath why the first day of the Week substitute in place of it 332 Sabbath how we are to sanctifie it 334 Sacrament what Names and Titles are given it in Scripture 412 Saints in Glory whether know each other 232 Saints why God suffers them to be buffetted by Satan's Temptations 847 Sanctification what it is 139 The Counterfeits of it 140 Sanctification its necessity wherein it appears 141 What are the Signs of it 142 How it may be attained 144 Sanctified Persons have they all Assurance 201 Sanctified Persons whether they have such an Assurance as excludes all doubting ib. Sanctified Persons whether they have all true Peace 209 Satan's Temptation the Subtilty of it 80 Satan's Malice in Temptation 832 Satan's Diligence and Power in tempting 833 Satan's Subtilty in tempting 834 Satan comes upon us at two times in our weakness 836 Satan tempts five sort of Persons more than others 83â— Satan why he sets chiefly on our Faith 842 Satan by what Methods he disturbs the Saints Peace 846 Satan in what respect he is the evil one 876 Scriptures how proved to be the Word of God 13 Scriptures why called Canonical 15 Scriptures a compleat Rule ibid. Scriptures what is the main Scope and End of them ibid. Who shall have the Power of interpreting them ibid. Scriptures how should we so search them as to find Life 18 Seasons Satan tempts in 834 Seasons when God delivers his People out of Trouble what they are 264 Self-Murder how many ways one may be guilty of it 364 Self Examination what is required to it 416 What it is ibid. By what Rule it must be done ibid. Why it must be done before we approach the Lord's Table ibid. Servant how he must honour his Master 351 Serpents how we must be like them and wherein not 967 Sin committed in time why it should be punish'd to eternity 34 Sin the Evil of it obvious in its Original and Nature 76 In the Price paid for it and the Effects of it 78 Sin of our first Parents what it was 79 Sin why called a Debt 802 In what sence it is the worst Debt ibid. Sin how we may know that it is forgiven 819 Sin the Evil of it 860 Sin worse than Affliction 862 Sin how we may so reprove it as to love the Person 974 Sins how we may know they are pardoned 286 Sins of God's People more provoke him than those of the Wicked 874 Sin worse than Death and Hell 865 What Sins we should particularly take heed of 869 Socinians Error about the Second