truth goes further Shall I once name an Idoll â—…n my mouth much lesse set up an Idoll in Gods service Is not this much more but stay you there saith the carnall heart as it is with an old man that lyeth upon his â—…icke-bed when his eyes â—…re failing him hee cannot â—…oke on the Sunne when it â—…hines in his face and thereâ—…ore he desires them to draw â—…he curtaine for sayes he the â—…unne shines too full in my â—…ace give me a little light â—…old you there a weake â—…ght and a weake light so when the Word comes to â—…ne that would not part with sinne if it come to shine fuâ—… in his face and to pull dowâ—… his proud heart and to deprive him of libertie Oâ—… saith he Draw the Curtain for the Sunne shines too fâ—… in my face but so much 〈◊〉 serves the turne Christ aâ—… libertie Christ and tâ—… world oh hold you theâ—… saith he Deut. 12.31 Ye shâ—… not worship God as Hâ—… thens doe but as Christian Oh draw the Curtaine â—… and if thy neighbour off thee more for a commode then it is worth thou shoâ—… dest not take it Oh dâ—… the Curtaineâ—… the Suâ—… shines too full in my faâ—… saith he You must not 〈◊〉 off your Ware with lyâ—… Oh draw the Curtaine 〈◊〉 and so of drunkennesse c. â—…riefely I conceive you doe 〈◊〉 some measure know how â—…at they hinder the worke â—…f the light of the truth saith â—…remy I hearkned heard 〈◊〉 any laid their hands on â—…eir thigh and said What â—…ve I done Oh brethren â—…e truth of God comes to â—…ur doores and hearkens â—…hether any of you lay your â—…nd on your thigh and say What have I done Secondly whereby they under and hold down truth 〈◊〉 carnall heart labours to â—…pose this the powerfull â—…ication of this and that it â—…th thus A carnall heart â—…ses up an evill report on â—…e good truth of God that â—…night appear ugly to them that should lay hold of iâ—… The Spies when they weâ—… into Canaan they did not fâ—… much consider the plenty 〈◊〉 the land to perswade thâ—… people to come but raiseâ—… up lies there is strong holdâ—… and Iron Chariots anâ—… mighty men to dampe theâ—… hearts so it is with a carnâ—… heart the Saints reprove aâ—… Ministers preach every oâ—… comes to reprove him aâ—… yet he is not perswaded â—… Iohn 6.6 There was maâ—… that followed Christ 〈◊〉 loaves but when Chrâ—… pitched upon matter of 〈◊〉 actnesse say they it is a 〈◊〉 saying Carnall hearts wâ—… Christ is commended 〈◊〉 pleasantnesse nothing 〈◊〉 beauty full of comfort 〈◊〉 happy are they that can get him Grace here and glory â—…ereafter Oh say they it is a â—…ard saying they present him onely crucified contemned and mocked thus they â—…bour onely to hinder it Take notice and see the grounds why they profit so little it is because the worke of the Word is hindered by the businesse of our hearts we deale ill with the blessed truth of God it is with the Truth as with a Trade some â—…re borne to great estates â—…nd they are able to follow 〈◊〉 yet their estate it may bee decayes what is the reason they have been wonderfully hindered by many oppressions and cruell dealings at some Vsurers hand just so it is with the truth of God you have had good meaneâ—… Oh you have oppressed thâ—… Word of God and would not open if any would opeâ—… he would come in but yâ—… have quenched the motion of Gods Spirit Object Is it in our power to make the Word effectâ—… all Answ No but it is 〈◊〉 your power to doe what yâ—… are able to doe your legâ—… may as well carry you to tâ—… Word as to an Alcho use your eares may heare tâ—… Word as well as songs yâ—… may reade good Bookes 〈◊〉 well as Play Bookes Dâ—… you what you are able to dâ—… and cry to God and see whâ—… he will doe though you aâ—… not able to save your selves yet your corruptions are able to hinder the Word and this is the reason why the Word prevailes not with you the Lord may give what he will and deny what he will but destruction is from thy selfe thou hast free will to sinne learne from hence to see the reason and cause where the fault lies Luke 7.29 The Publicanes justified God being baptised with the baptisme of Iohn But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsell of God against themselves the way of life was chalked out before them but the Scribes and Pharisees rejected the good counsell of God thou seest many are called Oh blame thy selfe Where am I all this while the Word would enlighten but I have contemned it the Word would quicken but I have neglected it I was almost converted but oâ—… wretch that I was company came and I choked it and would not walke in the way of God and the Lord hath often come to me by the Spirit and I have quenched the good motions of the same Brethren it is true Oh blame your selves goe home and say why may not my heart be made cleane the Lord wrought on such a one and why not on me Thirdly A carnall heart doth oppose the good Word of God by resisting the work of conviction if a man be so that he cannot but say that he is in a good way he cannot gain say the power of the truth if it be so with him then he labours with all carnall cavils as much as in him lies to defeat the truth of God Oh that convicting Oh that powerfull Word the Word of the Lord commeth like a sword the Lord seemes to aime at a sinner that he saith it is my sinne that is now discovered Brethren all the shift they â—…ave is to put by the power of the truth As a man that is beset by an enemy labours to keepe off the blow lest he should be slaine so a carnall man laboureth to stop the evidence of the Word that it might not prevaile against his soule though it seeth the truth it is not satisfied therewith Numb 22. As when Balack fent to Baalam to curse the people thinking him to be a Witch therefore whom he blessed was blessed and whom hee cursed was cursed God saith to Balaam thou shalt not goe with them yet when they returned this answer to Balack and that Balack sent more honourable men theâ—… they and tels him hee wiâ—… promote him Marke the poore sinfull covetous wretch the sinfull man saith stay all night and I will seâ—… what the Lord will say heâ—… would faine have the Loâ—… change his minde Why dâ—… he bid him stay The Loâ—… saith in the Text going before Thou shalt not goe with them I but his affections were lingring after the hous-full of gold therefore hee would have God change his minde So there is many a carnall heart followeth the wages of Baalam as Saint Iude speaketh hearing the Word certainly saith hee this truth I will follow but when
that is the first worke to discover all things to us in their proper colours Prov. 6.23 the Text tels us the Commandement is a Lamâ—â— and the Law is Light and the reproofes of instruction are the way of life as a Lamp in he night so the way may be discovered so it is with the power of the Word of Truth and he that hath a minde carefully to attend may be able to judge and see right from wrong a man cannot miscarry so long as he is directed by the light of truth as the Sunne shewes all the Moates in the house and the blemishes so this is like the Sunne to discover and shew every moate and blemish and to discover every privie and corrupt corner Ephes 5.14 All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light Thou canst not enquire to doe any thing but that will advise thee Secondly As it is of Information so it is of quickâ—…ing a word of power that not onely telleth the way but enableth us to walke in it it puts vertue and ability to walke on chearefully It is not onely as the Sun to shew us the way but as a streame to carry us in that way God would have uâ—… walke Luke 24.22 there is not a light in the shining Sun Christ but is a warning to make nimble ouâ—… benumbed joynts 1 Tim 6.3 He cals it the wholesomâ—… word of Truth whereoâ—… Saint Paul speakes Timâ—…thy was nourished up with Psalme 119 I will nevâ—… forget thy Commandementâ—… because that thereby then hâ—… quickned me Thirdly In the third plaâ—… it is a coard though thou 〈◊〉 dull it will plucke thee oâ—… So in the fourth place it is a word of conviction with power to overthrow all the gaine-sayings of a man it meetes with every cavill it stoppes all the base trickes and devises of our sinfull mindes Luke 21.10 when the Disciples should bee brought before Magistrates saith Christ take no care what you shall speake in the 15 verse For I will give you a mouth and wisedome which all your Adversaries shall not be able to gainesay nor resist And in Acts 7. the Adversaries of Steven were not able to gainesay the wisedome of Steven the Word will convince thy minde though a cavilling and distempered mind 1 Cor. 5.25 Better speak one word in a knowne language then a thousand in unknowne And therefore said Saint Paul I was made manifest to your consciences Iob 36.10 He opens their care to discipline and commandeth that they returne from iniquitie though stubborne hee makes them give way to truth Fourthly In the fourth worke of truth there is a soveraigne supreame authority the word hath it beaâ—…es downe all and carries all and makes all to yeeld obedience when the Lord pleases to accompany it therefore there is such a power that iâ—… is not carnall but mighty through God to cast downeâ—… strong holds because hee takes place onely so this is the fourth worke it carries on a man and commands the soule 2 Cor. 10.4 The weapons of our warfare are not carnall feeble and weake but mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds His Commandements are mighty and what will yee doe when you set up strong mountaines of pride and bulwarkes of resolutions when yee are resolved yee will have your sinnes as drunkennesse covetousnesse c. though yee perish for it So that the truth of God carries the heart and eye and foot A mighty operation The Apostle 2 Cor. 13.8 said Wee can doe nothing against the truth so that when God will make good his truth wee can doe nothing against Gods truth Company comes provocations comes friends wife though life comes his resolution stands firme hee sides with the truth thus you see that truth will worke Secondly for the second particular And that is how a carnall man doth hinder this workeâ—… of the Word that it may noâ—… prevaile the soule would have the sinnes and the word would have the soule now a corrupt heart opposes the truth in foure particulars First A carnall heart is marvellous unwilling to listen to the truth of God so as to be informed and instructed in those things that would be too tedious first it is not willing to know what it should doe lest it should doe what it would not therefore it keepes a loofe off he is a stranger to the truth of God nay if it be brought home to their doores and God set open his mercies the truth is they will not so much as take notice of his mercies To examine every thing what need a man thus tediously trouble himselfe thus they hinder the first worke of the truth it is a Schoolemaster but they stop their eares Carâ—…all hearts when they see it comming towards them comming to tie them to obedience if he heares the Word comming hee slides away he is loth to heare the cause and loth to be perswaded he will not be at home on that day Esay 30.10 The people say to the Seers see not and to the Prophets prophesie not right things speake to us smoothe things prophesie deceits Get yee out of the way turne aside out of the path cause the holy One of Israel to cease from before us They say to the Seers see not to the Prophets prophesy not right things Doe not speake that they cannot heare but speak faire and smooth things Iob 21.14 Therefore they say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes The covetous oppressors cannot endure to heare of the gringding of the faces of the poore Actes 28.27 They stop their eares and winke with their eyes least they should see with their eyes and heare with their eares and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heale them I beseech you observe it as carnall men that are loth to know the truth but if they search they seeke after the Word â—…s a Coward doth after his enemy with a hope he shall not finde him and a feare lest he should finde him So a carnall man is loth to finde and feares to know and if â—…e doe know and search hee will search no more theâ—… shall serve his turne hee will not suffer truth to have the whole sway as a prisoner in chaines so carnall hearts keepe truth in Chaines and no more then he doth know he would know Luke 4.42 And when it was day heâ—… went into a desart place aâ—… the people sought him anâ—… came unto him and stayeâ—… him that he should not depaâ—… from them Hee made 〈◊〉 though hee would goe further but they stayed him bâ—… a morrall kinde of perswaâ—… on so carnall men doe thâ—… truth of God they stop aâ—… stay truth Rom. 12.1 2 vâ—… ses Fashion not your selvâ—… after the world and in tâ—… Law Ye shall not take tâ—… name of an idoll in your mouth The meaning is ye should not give honour to them but
speciall corruption that is a speciall hinderance of the truth a company of carnall men speake of the Word at whose suite it is the suite of Drunkennes uncleannesse c. So it carries a man against the blessed truth of Christ a corrupt heart cannot indure to be brought in Vse 1. Is of examination is it so that corrupt hearts doe hinder the worke of the Word of the Lord hecrâ—… theÌ„ we have a ground of examination It is an undoubted evidence of a carnall and an unrighteous heart and there is not a better argument art thou such a one that doest oppose the truth of God according to the former exâ—…ession Know thou hast a false heart a wretched heart 〈◊〉 soule that cannot be saved while thou continuest so I â—…now in a child of God there 〈◊〉 sometimes a secret resisting and when ever they observe this base distemper â—…hey fall out with their hearts they take up armes against these base corruptions it is one thing to have â—…hese sinnes remaining and â—…other to have the soule â—…oysoned with them When 〈◊〉 wicked man hath poyson lives on poyson carrying a secret opposition against the word it is an Argument â—…hee hath a poysoned base heart The best of Gods servants may finde these thâ—… Devill the flesh and thâ—… world having about with them in this case thou maiâ—… be carried whither thoâ—… wouldest not Oh it is 〈◊〉 heart-breaking to a godly man he could almost pul oâ—… his heart saying Oh what 〈◊〉 wretched heart have I Thâ—… Minister this day met with my soule but what a heaâ—… have I Here my Brethren let this enter into our mindeâ—… the case is true take it home to every soule goe aside tâ—… your owne soules communâ—… with thy conscience in secret say there 's no body heâ—… betwixt God and my selfe 〈◊〉 deale truely hast thou opposed the good Word of the Lord Oh you rent in pieces the flesh of Christ with the prophanations oathes â—…ursings yea the very walls of your houses cry shame on you for it and yet to this very day you will not be reformed You see what it is I â—…eseech you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake resolve against it The former truth it specially meeteth with three sorts of false hearts 1 Discreet hypocrites 2 Wrangling hypocrites 3 Whyning hypocrites This discovereth that all these doe fight against God First the discreet hypocrite I know that discretion is a good and blessed worke of God if it be used as iâ—… ought to be upon good ground in a good manner and to a good end but thâ—… same Idoll Discretion thâ—… creepeth in the world is thâ—… delusion of a mans conscience therefore I call himâ—… discreet hypocrite indeeâ—… that maketh truth his underling that can hunt with thâ—… Hound and runne with thâ—… Hare by Discretion a mâ—… that will be sure to be on thâ—… safe side whether on the trâ—…side or not he wonders 〈◊〉 other men to see them opposed because they want 〈◊〉 discretion There are a company of wise judicious professors that perish wisely 〈◊〉 Demas followed Paul 〈◊〉 when he saw he might 〈◊〉 better advantage he forsooke â—…aul and followed the present world This discreete â—…ypocrite letteth profession â—…e as the time goeth they â—…ill take occasion of wholeâ—…me communication and â—…ffer occasion I say hee â—…n conforme himselfe to all â—…nes but then againe if hee â—…e among carnall prophane â—…en this is a man safe that â—…eth out Religion and pulâ—…th in Religion as the time 〈◊〉 in a word you shall finde 〈◊〉 to admire at mens perâ—…ns and yet keepes under 〈◊〉 word This I call a disâ—…et hypocrite that goes to 〈◊〉 wisely these discreet â—…pocrites have their religiâ—…as in a screw at any side â—…y will set Religion and upon any termes after any fashion this is the discreâ—… Professor Secondly the wranglinâ—… hypocrite he pretends nothing but favourablenesâ—… all love and liking nay hâ—… makes Religion his aymâ—… to scope the end of 〈◊〉 course he doth not say aâ—… thing against the truth yâ—… he is a secret underminer 〈◊〉 Truth to shew you 〈◊〉 playes this same hypocâ—… hath one that we will maâ—… it appeare he is a grosse 〈◊〉 pocrite Hee pleadeth especiaâ—… against the common truâ—… that he desires first to kâ—… the will of God 〈◊〉 how God may be glorifâ—… he seekes not ease or qâ—… nesse but he pretends hee â—…ekes the liberty of the Gospel but he seekes his owne liberty the liberty of his state As Saul when God â—…ave him a Commission to â—…ill all the Amalekites when â—…muel commeth What saith â—…e Blessed art thou of the Lord If a man take Sauls â—…wne word Saul is an honest â—…an I but saith Samuel What â—…anes then the bleating of â—…ese sheepe and oxen in mine â—…es he saith the people â—…d it I but thou art the Goâ—…mour They were good for sacrifice â—…th he Alasse did he love â—…rifice so well no it was this owne ends so many 〈◊〉 man pretendeth much â—…ctification and exactnesse of a Christian Course Faith and new obedience not bâ—… cause he loves God but 〈◊〉 owne end But a man should be zealous in sanctification to the utmost even toâ—… hoofe as Moses Againe you shall find hiâ—… to pretend marvellous humility He is content to bâ—… subject to God in every caâ—… but marke he submitteth 〈◊〉 these courses The last plea hee haâ—… Good men doe as I doe aâ—… any reason propound a argument what mooves hiâ—… none at all hee brings 〈◊〉 truth in subjection to hiâ—… selfe and the falsenesse his heart is marvellous pâ—… and is in the state of unreâ—…neracie I reason thus He that is not content to part with all for the Lord Jesus Christ is not worthy of Christ Hee that loves father or mother more then me is not worthy of me saith Christ to this very day he never had the spirit of grace prevaile in him Psal 119. David sayes I shall never be ashamed nor confounded when I have respect to all thy Commandements Now this wranging hypocrite hath not respect to all Gods Commandements therefore shall hee â—…e confounded Thirdly Hee that under â—…retence of whyning and â—…rying for sinne loveth â—…nne this man oppresseth himselfe for under pretence of love hee opposetâ—… and resisteth the truth 2 Vse The last use is a ground of admirable comfort it may rellish in yoâ—… hearts and mouthes it is unspeakeable comfort to every soule whose heart lyeth levell doest thou submit 〈◊〉 the powerfull Word of thâ—… Lord to the blessed truth art thou willing to have 〈◊〉 to know it to delight in it and submit unto it to be a servant to the world canâ—… home this blessed Word 〈◊〉 there any soule that can teâ—…fie it is so with him If mistake not my selfe it 〈◊〉 one of the soundest Arguments in all the Booke 〈◊〉 God it must be love that answerable to the truth when the soule is willing to heare to welcome and entertaine every truth of
perish â—…e reason is yee will not â—…ome to Christ for life The â—…icked say Psal 2. Let us â—…eake their bonds asunder â—…d cast their cords from us Gods commands are cords â—…nd bonds to draw them â—…t you breake over hedge â—…d ditch and will walke 〈◊〉 your owne wayes â—…cts 18. the 5 6 verses Paul â—…ccompanied Silas and Tiâ—…theus disputed with the â—…es hee professed Iesus was the very Christ thâ—… Text saith they opposâ—… the words of Paul though 〈◊〉 was for their good this 〈◊〉 the testimony of him thâ—… whosoever will come 〈◊〉 Christ may come but the came in defiance and bâ—…taâ—… array against Christ and tâ—… power of the Gospell Thâ—… you see God strives wiâ—… poore sinners for their gooâ—… and they strive against 〈◊〉 power of the Spirit aâ—… their owne good To opâ—… the point First how God strives wâ—… poore sinners for their goâ—… and goes to Law and pleaâ—… and bestowes paines thatâ—… might doe them good 〈◊〉 reason why hee doâ—… so Quest First how doth God â—…rive with poore sinners â—…nd pleads for their good Answ This pleading of God discovers it selfe in two â—…eads First by manner â—…f perswasion Secondly 〈◊〉 way of constraint First by manner of perâ—…asion to perswade them â—…om sinne Secondly by way of conâ—…aint to compell them to â—…me in And first he strives 〈◊〉 way of perswasion wherâ—… he discovers the matter 〈◊〉 then he brings an exeâ—…tion In this perswasion God â—…th foure things namely First Hee makes knowne 〈◊〉 sinne is and that by summoning them to thâ—… Court as men that goâ—… Law they summon one aâ—… other to be at such a Court so God summons theâ—… when they are ignorant 〈◊〉 that which should doe theâ—… good and know not in whâ—… an estate they are in then 〈◊〉 brings them to the Worâ—… and discovers it as in Esâ—… I was found of them saith 〈◊〉 Lord that sought me not bâ—… if a soule grow still carcleâ—… the Lord will not leave 〈◊〉 sinner but makes him to câ—…sider what sinne is and knâ—… it Ezek. 16.2 verse Son of man cause the children 〈◊〉 Israel to know their abomiâ—…tions Goe home to thâ—… dores tell them home yâ—… know you should heare 〈◊〉 Word constantly and pray constantly and know what you should doe and this makes wicked covetous men at their deaths as it were at their wits end Wee know a man that goes to Law layes an Action against the other and then serves a Subpaena on him so the Lord layes an Action against the sinner and serves a Subpaena on him thou art the man and thou shalt perish when hee doth this then hee pleades the Cause as a man that wrestles hee first catches â—…hold and then comes in to him that haply hee might throw him so God catches â—…hold when hee meanes to wrestle with a sinner that â—…his eyes are ever on his sinne and sayes I am the man Secondly When a sinner is thus summoned and sees the Cause goes against him then hee labours and invents how to answer for himselfe the sinner is grown to a stand as in the Court soâ—… brought when hee sees the case to goe against him because he knowes not what to doe he goes to the Lawyers though his case be not good he will spend so much and so much consider how it is when the conscience is enlightned and sayes I am the man then what course doe they take they invent all carnall pleasures to pull backe the Word looke what Pharaoh did when God sent Moses to trouble him hee sent for the wise Magicians ' to know whether it were God or no so he contemâ—…ed Moses and the miracle so it is when God enlightens the mind what doe carnall men then they send for the Magicians pleasures to beat the Word backe Quest I say they I am a sinner and every one is a sinner and did not Christ die to save sinners Answ The truth is Christ came to save sinners and not to save them onely but to sanctifie them True sayes the sinner I wil amend I am not so precise as others these are the wranglings of carnall reasons God comes nearer he sayes you must purifie your selves as he is pure Iohn 1.3 It is not â—…nough to be a meâ—…ro civiâ—… man but yee most purisâ—… your selves as he is pure 〈◊〉 you will see God to youâ—… comfort though Sathan taâ—… a Lawyers place and carnaâ—… reason an Atturnies anâ—… what ever Sathan and carnaâ—… Reason can doe they wiâ—… doe on every season at laâ—… God sends the Comfortâ—… from heaven to comfoâ—… them Iohn 16.8 And wheâ—… he is come hee will convinâ—… the world of righteousnesse of judgement and of sinneâ—… when Gods Spirit comes bâ—… the Word it sets apart aâ—… carnall reason that there 〈◊〉 no more shifting you thinkâ—… you may contend againâ—… your Brethren and goe 〈◊〉 heaven but this cannot be for the good spirit sets all â—…arnall reasons apart it makes him to say if I forsake not every sinne I forsake â—…one for he that forsakes not every sin he forsake none Doth any man thinke to bee 〈◊〉 Christian and a swearer a Christian and a drunkard why a heathen can doe this well such will deceive themselves that can say well I â—…ope God is more mercifull â—…hen the Ministers and proud Professors No no know â—…hat if the Spirit come it sets 〈◊〉 part all carnall reasons God layes the Action be â—…ore the sinner is now cast â—…e sees there is but one way â—…ive in sinne and go to hell thus when a soule can yeeld to Gods Word that he mâ—… not be cast downe In tâ—… third place marke Thirdly God tels hiâ—… that howsoever hee 〈◊〉 cast yet he will be mercifâ—… abundantly to him 〈◊〉 shewes him his estate yâ—… saith he thou art in the laâ—… of the living thou art yet uâ—…der the meanes as a partâ—… cast in the Court in a sumâ—… of all that hee hath the â—…ther gives him time to pay iâ—… there is some comfort yet 〈◊〉 may be he may get somthing in that time by the helpâ—… of his friends Rom. 2.4 Thâ—… Apostle saith Despisest thâ—… the goodnes of God that shoulâ—… lead thee to repentance as 〈◊〉 he had said Consider thâ—… goodnesse of the Lord anâ—… â—…y Lord I am not yet in â—…ll and doe I live to anâ—…her Sermon thou wert â—…ercifull to Manasses and â—…others thou mayest bee â—…ercifull to me Lord why â—…re is great comfort but â—…hen a soule sees Gods â—…odnesse in health and â—…ealth and injoyes yet â—…eanes and helpes and now â—…owes carelesse as to morâ—…w I will repent it is too â—…one yet I will take my â—…leasure now and repent â—…hen I am old now Gods â—…oodnesse comes to be weaâ—…ed that he saith I will strive 〈◊〉 more Fourthly When Gods â—…oodnesse is wearied then â—…e patience of the Lord â—…eppes in and pleades for a sinner and holds the haâ—… of Justice Luke 9. As 〈◊〉 Figge-tree that beares 〈◊〉 fruit saith