be called for out of the Word it is a way of works almost flat Popery in their books If Ministers have had the Spirit burning within them seeing people led from the truth and so speak against them that deceive them 't is passion and bitterness if they have sought to keep the hearts of Gods people close one to another the strong man then keeps the palace What should I name all Quest. But for what is it that they are thus sâ—andalized Ans. 1. For preaching that we are justified by Faith and that Faith is required to the entertainment of Christ as a condition of the Gospel here is not bread say men 2. For preaching that Sanctification is an evidence of Justification and though it be granted the Lord never justified any without a work of vocation at least and this is not against Gods Grace to justifie by Faith yet it is against Grace and 't is a way of works say some to see my self justified by Faith If the Word did reveal a second Justification by Faith and a first Justification without Faith then our first evidence might be without sight of Faith because there is some word which reveals our being Justified without it But the Word reveals all our Justification to be by Faith and thus for preaching the Gospel of Christ have the Servants of the Lord been reproached And though they keep it in yet how many are there whose hearts go after these detestable things 3. Some resist the Spirit by despising inwardly and so casting off the Word of the Lord Heb. 2. 2 3. if we neglect or slight so great salvation and when was the Gospel more slighted by many every thing we say is dear but Gospel which should make us mourn that ever it should be said so in this Country you despise the Spirit of God a man of greatness suffers by nothing so much as by contempt so it is with the Spirit of Grace And it is a thousand to one but that there will be something to make them despise at last the Lord himself But the Word comes thus to be despised and cast off SECT IX First PArtly by the false reports of others as if they were factious disturbers of peace men under a Covenant of Works c. It is the Jesuites policy to raise up lyes and though all will not beleive them yet some will stick Secondly Partly by covetousness the glory of the things of this world is greater than the glory of the Gospel tell them of living by Faith and Promises they deride you in their hearts tell them of a Kingdom and the excellency of holiness they slight them to be so rich and honored it is glorious indeed Luke 16. 14. The Pharisees scorned him because they were covetous Thirdly Sometime because Ministers and Ministry are Bills of charges to a congregation and are too costly inhabitants among them Fourthly Partly because of ignorance of the truth why was Paul's Ministry foolishness it was a mystery so many come and understand not the truths preached they be too high points for them to conceive of let truth be never so precious they esteem it not because they know it not Fifthly Partly because they have known all that our Ministers do preach before which is now like flowers and roses withering which were flourishing heretofore Capernaum despiseth that which Sodom would not and Tyreâ— and Sidon would have repented at and say They can do as well themselves as this and better Sixthly Partly because Ministers are so long at it and that may be delivered in one hour which is stood upon an hour and half and they wonder men preach so little and yet so long which argues contempt and that every truth is not precious Men cry not out of men when they are telling money to them many hours and yet this is more precious Eutychus grows sleepy thank Paul for preaching so long and falls down thank long Sermons for that This is the sinful language of some Seventhly Because they cannot profit by them hence when they should mourn for themselves they despise the truth of the Lord Mic. 2. 7. are not my words good to him that walks uprightly Eighthly Because some have weaker gifts than others And thus I say the Ministry of the Lord and his Spirit is despised Mat. 18. 8. Take heed you despise not little ones for Angels behold them Oh what is it then to despise the Spirit himself And thus I say the Spirit of God is resâ—sted go home therefore and mourn and consider 1. The time is already set the Spirit will not alway strive and time may come that it will go from you and never return to you more 2. Fire will come out of their mouthes Rev. 11. 5. 3. The Ministry shall be taken from you and your children Act. 13. 46. 4. The Spirit it self shall torment you Isa. 63. 10. SECT X. OF Exhortation Oh therefore if ever you would have the Spirit dispensed to you wait here upon the Ministry of the Gospel for it neglect not private helps books and meditations c. but know if ever you have it dispensed here it is chiefly to be had buy at this shop Do you not find parched dryed up hearts the Spirit of God is gone from men and this verily is the cause of it what consolations what peace what glory from the Spirit of all comfort of peace and glory might men have but for this Obj. But I may never get this Spirit Ans. Yes Heaâ— and your souls shall live Isa. 55. 3. for to reprobates the Lord never gives an ear what a comfort is this you cannot help your selves to look to Christ to come to Christ hear him then when he is come to thee Rom. 11. 7 8. he hath given them ears not to hear and usually the first work of the Spirit in the soul is to give an ear the Lord awakens that to 〈◊〉 that never regarded any thing before and then something enters first or â—ast SECT XI Quest. HOw shall I so hear as to receive the Spirit Answ. 1. Get a deep sence of your wants particularly and distinctly before you come if a man comes to the Market and 〈…〉 his Family wants he will never come and buy of them that sell a poor man if he comes into a rich shop hath a mind to buy all the commodities he sees if he had money but if it may be had without money he will take them gladly Matth. 11. The poor receive the Gospel I am perswaded that this is the great cause why scarce any buy here they know not their need of every truth hence Isa. 50. 4. He hath given me the tongue of the learned to preach a Word in season to the weary the Lord will do it in season when the heart is weary of its own deceit and ignorance and all carnal contents and blessings and sins now the Lord Jesus must speak at last let a people be more weary of outward
THE PARABLE OF THE Ten Virgins OPENED APPLIED Being the Substance of divers SERMONS on Matth. 25. 1 13. Wherein the Difference between the Sincere Christian and the most Refined Hypocrite the Nature and Characters of Saving and of Common Grace the Dangers and Diseases incident to most flourishing Churches or Christians and other Spiritual TRUTHS of greatest importance are clearly discovered and practically Improved BY THOMAS SHEPARD late Worthy and Faithfull Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in NEW-ENGLAND Now Published from the Authours own Notes at the desires of many for the common Benefit of the Lords people BY Ionathan Mitchell Minister at Cambridge in NEW ENGLAND The Shepard Son to the Reverend Author now Minister at Charles-Town in NEW ENGLAND LUKE 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray alwaies that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to passe and to stand before the Son of man LONDON Printed by I. Hayes for Iohn Rothwell at the Sign of the Fountain in Gold smiths-Row in Cheap-side 1660. TO THE READER And Especially to the Inhabitants of CAMBRIDGE IN NEW-ENGLAND THat to make sure of Life Eternal is the one necessary Businesse that we Sons of death have to do in this world and without which all our time here is worse than lost every enlightned mind will easily acknowledge This present life being by the Rule of it appointed but to this end to be preparation-time spent in a continual care to make ready that we might have a good meeting with him who shall be seen in this Aire one day And whether we look up to Heaven or down to Hell whether we reflect upon our own immortal souls or turn our eyes toward the Greatnesse and Goodnesse of that God in Christ with whom we have to do whether we pace over the time between this and Judgment-day or send our thoughts to view the Eternity that is to follow after All things put a Necessity a Solemnity a Glory upon this work But Difficilia quae Pulchra It is one of the Oracles uttered by our Lord with his own mouth Strait is the Gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life and few there be that find it It is not so easie a thing to get to Heaven nor so broad a way thither as the slight and loose Opinions of some and Practises of more would make it nor as the carnal hearts of all would have it Though thâ—t if it be examined is the common Scope of all Erroneous Conceits and how restlesly have the corrupt minds of men laboured therein in all ages and do in these our daies to widen the way to Life to break down the Boundaries of this narrow Path and make it broader than ever God made it Mans carnal heart finds it self pinioned and straitned in the way the good old way of effectual Faith and obedience that God hath laid out hence it breaks out on this hand and on that and will rather pluck up the ancient Land-marks of Gods Truth than not make it broader The Gospel will not afford men a way broad enough unlesse the Law be quite removed not only as a Covenant but as a commanding Rule of Life too and laid flat like an old Hedge that they may go over it at pleasure and not attend it any further than their spirit listeth Justification by Faith is too narrow a path unlesse they may be justified before and without Faith it is not free enough they complain of it as if it laid them under a Covenant of works Conditional Promises are of too straight a size they must be all absolute and give us peace without any qualification in us or else they are not large enough To be solicitous about Sanctification and inherent Grace is too troublesom to seek God diligently in the use of all means in a daily and hearty performance of holy Duties in a strict Sanctifying of Sabbaths in constant watchfulnesse c. this must be laid by as a Legal Businesse And if the Spirit immediatly will act us and carry us in a Bed of ease to Heaven without troubling us to act and strive well and good otherwise men will shake hands with the power of Godlinesse and run a drift before their own Corruptions But when all Stones are turned the way to Heaven is and will be found to be a straight way Truth hath said it is so God hath laid it out so and it is not all the Notions of men that will make it otherwise And hence those solemn Counsels of the Scripture Work out your salvation with fear and trembling Give all diligence to make all sure Strâ—ve to enter in at the Straight Gate So run that you may obtain c. though they be little attended by the loosenesse of these times yet they are of endlesse Moment and use and had need be awfully regarded by all that love their everlasting peace He therefore that is in earnest about this great businesse will be glad of any good help to guide him in this way this straight way to Life And though there be many choice helps herein already extant in the precious Labours of sundry of the Lords Faithful Servants for which this Age hath cause on bended Knees to blesse the Lord and which will be such a testimony against the wantonnesse thereof as it will never be able to answer Yet of those that do clearly particularly livelily and searchingly discover and mark out this straight way with the several practical turns thereof and shew where they that miss of the end at last do turn out of it although they go far therein of those that Pilot us when we come into the narrow Channel unto the very point of entrance into life and shew us the Rocks and Shoals on either hand distinctly of these I say there is not too great a number For to speak any good and useful Truths is good and commendable but yet it is another and a further matter to hold the Candle to the poor people of God even to the meanest to light them to Heaven or to take the soul by the hand and lead if from step to step through all the difficulties deceits and turnings at which the closest Hypocrites do misse their way and lose themselves and to do this so convincingly throughly and distinctly as that the secrets of hearts may be made manifest the secure self-deceiver discovered and awakened and yet the humble upright Christian confirmed and encouraged In this Skill and Work as the Author of the following Sermous was known to be among the first Three so these Lectures of his up on the Parable of the Virgins have been esteemed to excel in this kind having left such a relish upon the Hearers as that they have not forgotten the Taâ—t of them to this day It hath therefore been the instant desire of many that heard them and of some that have but heard of them that they might be imparted to the
God Now is the Faith of God a carelesse Faith a secure worldly impenitent dead Faith you may sit down and rise again and say true yet I 'le believe so you may but it will be with such a trembling spirit as you will find no peace Neither do I know how any can keep his peace otherwise for there are children but Still-born if born a living Son thou wilt live to God necessarily I must do it But by this means Oh there is unspeakable peace Mat. 11. 29 30. Hence Paul I have finished my work c. Iohn 14. 21. to 24. you live without God and walk without God and Pray without God but there is a day approaching that you shall appear before the Lord Jesus you shall wish then Oh that I had lived so and so Oh do that now 8. Consider the Lord will have it done it must be done hence Paul said Necessity lies upon me and woe to me c. the Lord should be forsworn if he should not bring you to it Luke 1. 73 74 75. According to the Oath c. Beloved you think lasie desires will serve no it must be done you say I cannot it must be better with you And hence look for a rod and that the Lord will bring you into great affliction till all is removed and so purge you and if one affliction will not do it then worse shall come he loves you better than so And remember you have had warning this day you came hither for the Lords work and now your own justles it out look that God will take away the Kingdom from you or set oppressors over you or send some stings among you and then say Oh I may thank my walking unworthy of God and Gospel for this 9. Consider else you shall make the Blood of Christ shed of no effect 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Now wicked men need not fear this no Blood shed for them Will you do so God forbid The Jews have killed him will you drag him up and down the streets trample on his Blood and put him to open shame 10. Consider your time is but short and you have done but little work and 't is not long but that your Crown shall be put upon your head It 's noted of Enâ—ch Gen. 5. that he walked with God three hundred years and that having Sons and Daughters hâ—ving Family-contentments and incumbrances and he lived the shortest time I am sure Angels are content to come out of Heaven to do the work of God what not do it here Paul thought himself born too soon because for a time he lived without Christ. Oh but now make tryal and you will find it the sweetest life that you will say why have I neglected this so long and if thou dost not find seven times more peace therein than in all the world never set foot here How shall I thus do the work of Christ I. Without Christ you can do nothing Iohn 15. 5. The Sun runs still because it's light of it self so when the Lord is in you you will do so Hence go not out to any duty in your own strength for then you will either not do it or not hold out in it No man can hold out at his work that feeds not abundantly on his meat so here and here note but these two things 1. Do not only in Ordinances do thus but out of Ordinances then as in particular times of tryal for the Lord will not give you in an Ordinance as much Grace as shall serve you out of it lift up your hearts to Christ and say as Christ Father the hour is come now glorifie thy Name Iohn 12. 28. So Lord here is work to do but a dead heart is upon me Lord glorifie thy Name I have seldom seen but the Lord either helped then or at some other time when thou didst come and then the Lord puts thee in remembrance that 't is out of respect to that 2. Thus coming and feeding on the Lord Jesus believe that he will help and that shall be so some have never got strength against sin till then but this hath conquered difficulties Rom. 8. 37 38. In all these things we overcome for I am perswaded c. So you coming helplesse to a Christ all his strength is yours by covenant Be perswaded he cannot go from his word but yet we must use other means sanctified by Christ for Christ worketh by meanes And therefore II. Find out where the cause of all your negligence and sloth lies in not doing the Lords work nay of your doing Satans work It may be you will say you cannot I know there is that in Saints in part but this is not the main therefore I will tell you thus 1. Before conversion the main wound of men is their Will Video meliora proboque dexteriora sequor Hence Iohn 8. 44. His lusts ye will do Hence Mat. 23. 37. You would not they say hence we have a Will I say no. And hence we answer that great Objection for Possibilities to keep all Laws by universal Grace which t is unjust to punish for not doing that a man cannot do We answer There is a double impotency Ex infirmitate or Ex malignitate when men will not Prov. 11 12 13. 2. Hence it follows after conversion though the Will is changed so that a man would but cannot do many things Ex infirmitate yet the great cause why he cannot do more is from the remnant of malignity not yet removed A man will sleep he loves it and secretly loaths the wayes of the Lord Hence the Church Isai. 63. 17. complains of this A man shall find his heart wills the end exceedingly but when he comes to will the means there his heart is weary of them and loathâ— them a man will be carelesse and this being not seen is not fought against Sin is viâ—ified and hence the enemy to all good remains still It 's an old Rule Tantum possumus quantum volumus Get Christ to help here 3. Make this your last end to live unto Christ and to do his work Hence Paul did not account his life dear this is your last end for the end of being born by Faith nay of being redeemed by Blood 't is to live unto Christ Tit. 2. 11. When you cry for Faith and Peace and Assurance that is not your end for he that doth so is a very Hypocrite and hath a false heart but 't is to live to Christ Hence Paul Phil. 3. 9 10 12 13. sought to be found in him but further to know him c. The Father is glorified in our bringing forth much Fruit. Hence make it your â—ast end and then your happinesse will lie in acting thus and that that is a mans happinesse he is carried to with most infinite delight For presse people to do Christs work their hearts are dead tell them the Lord Jesus shall have a Name by what they do for him yet dead
near Heaven too Angels were hurled down for one sin 2. Set a high price upon a little Grace a man will be exceeding humbly thankful for the giving a little of that which he highly esteems much more for giving much of what we value The poor Woman of Canaan Mat. 15. was glad of crumbs How thankful do you think she was for loaves that made her ready to receive all Be it as thou wilt so it shall be with you for if you prize a little Oh when all shall be given this will swallow you up into Grace And it 's certain there is never a mercy but 't is great if you consider him that gives it who receives it him that bought it But the most of Gods Grace in us appears to be but small hence we prize it not and hence never ready to give all to the Lord again 3. Learn to put a difference between your double being for every Christian hath a double being 1. In himself 2. He hath a subsistence in Christ. Now look upon your selves as in your selves you will ever complain there ever dead and never have your hearts ready to bless the Lord. If you only look on your selves in Christ you will be proud and never give the Lord honour I say therefore put a difference between these two for men appropriating to themselves what is Christs they rob Christ of his glory Hence Paul so humble 1 Cor. 15. 10 11. For if you look upon your self I am dead guilty damned weak here will be shame if any life or Grace this is Christs As a man on a Mount is the same man no taller only the Mountain makes him so so think of thy self Or as a mud wall the sun shines on it but in it self it is a mud-wall still all the warmth and lustre is from the Sun 4. Learn to love Grace what we love we will seek the good of more than our own and commend it First It 's the only first mover of all our good thou shouldst never have had a dram of peace or mercy Why hast it the Lord will have it so Grace pleads it may be so this is the only Petitioner at Court against the cry of sin against the cry of Justice Secondly 'T is the only support under the heaviest evills sometime God frowns and Hell smokes and Satan tempts and sin rageth and it may be no feeling of Grace no reason to shew there shall ever be any now what have you done what will you do Fly for refuge to the Promise of Grace Heb. 6. 18. It is such a Friend as holds up the head when sinking when dying holds that when all fails and against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail To him that laies hold on Grace this is wonderful Paul was a man taken with Grace hence he every where commends it I was received to mercy c. 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 5. See how the Lord loves that thou shouldest honour it for the greatest honour Grace hath is by Faith hence they are put for one Rom. 4. 16. and the great cause why Faith stirs not is because he sees not how the Lord shall have by it the praise of his rich Grace nor how the Lord loves it should do so For if a man did see how by Faith he shall honour Grace and how the Lord is pleased with it it would draw the heart to be assured and to bless Grace for when the Soul feels it self at worst why doth it not believe I shall presume True if you have this only in your eye to save your self but if the Spirit presents the glory of Grace and this draws your will that you will glorifie Grace then you will say 't is no presumption so to do and so to believe for the Lord loves his Grace and all means for the glory of Grace Hence he will use Faith for that end to honour Grace Oh therefore see how the Lord loves to have thee honour it This gives Gods heart full rest this is that which he desires most because 't is his end This is that which all the business of the world is for Oh see how he loves it and then you will love to act thus Now set upon this last work look over all your life and like Bees gather honey from every flower and then come loaden home so do you and look over all the Lords love turn over all the leaves of it The Lord hath now called me why it's because Christ hath redeemed and why that because the Father hath chosen and why me to glorifie his Grace And why me rather than another No reason but he would This I doubt not will be the work of Heaven I am glorified because called because redeemed because elected for none other reason why and here astonished You have not christian hearts in you that will now have no care to do this work there before you are turned off the stage you poor doubting Spirits that see so much vileness and cannot be perswaded be not discouraged Wait for the Lord and say if he shall save I shall for ever love him the more Now hold here anâ— be ready to do so and it 's certain thou art a vessel of Glory ready to sing the Song of the Lamb and shalt follow him where-ever he goes CHAP. IX Concerning the Souls immediate closing with the Person of Christ as the proper Object of Saving-Faith 3. Went forth to meet the Bride-Groom SECT I. Here needs the Explication of Three Things 1. VVHo is the Bride-groom Answ. The conclusion of this Parable is the Explication of this viz. the Son of Man the Lord Jesus Christ who according to the several conditions or dispositions the Church is in appears to his Church under several relations and titles The Church is oppressed by her enemies he appears now to her as her Prince and King the Church wants wisdom light and life he appears now unto her as an head The Church hath been seeking of his love and yielding her self to the obedience of him as her Lord at last he appears more fully to her as an Husband or as a Bride-groom with whom she is to have her nearest and everlasting fellowship and communion and so here And when Christ comes to shew most special love and to have most special fellowship with his people he thus stiles himself Isal. 54. 5 6. So Iohn 3. 29. And when the Church hath tasted that love she calls him so II. What it is to meet the Bride-groom Answ. To enjoy fellowship and familiarity with him III. What is it to go forth to meet the Bride-groom Answ. There are but three wayes of going forth to meet with Christ in Scripture 1. When Soul and Body at the last Day meet the Lord in the clouds of the air 1 Thes. 4. 17. Thus the whole Church the Bride shall appear in glory to meet the Bride-groom 2. When the Soul only goeth out of the Body by the ministry of Angels to
inward trouble for some sins now to Christ to remove them and so to pacifie conscience if with want of Christ himself now he goes for himself 2. Those that close with Promises without Christ himself and divide between them two that strip Christ of these his Swadling-clouts make their gain of these and let himself go I confesse all a Christians wealth is laid up in Promises not in words and syllables for they are dead things but Christ in them and Gods faithfulnesse in them 2 Sam. 23. 4 5. This is all my salvation for all fulness is in Christ he is rich but what am I the better nay the more miserable for all emptinesse is in me therefore in the promise lies my peace And this is a Christians support in all troubles and hence he casts anchor here but here is his frame he layes not hold on them without Christ but by them goes to Christ and there rests Iohn 6. 45. He that hath heard of the Father cometh unto me Give children milk in the dish they cry still they must have it from the Mother and there suck so 2 Pet. 1. 2 3. Now there are others that finding some work in themselves without Christ and thinking that it 's saving and so a good signe hence are mistaken and close with it without Christ and now they think it 's well I doubt not but the Jews that be devout comforted themselves with that promise He that confesseth c. Prov. 28. 13. not understanding of it Mat. 3. Say not within your selves we have Abraham to our Father that promise kept them off from Christ Mat. 22. Some came not to the Feast some came but without a Wedding Garment 'T is with these men as 't is with men that come to buy Wines they taste them and content themselves with a taste another buyes the thing a Saint doth so another tastes the sweet and after falls to the impardonable sin Heb. 6. Or as 't is with a man that sees corn on the ground he buyeâ— the field another he gleans somewhat and contents himself with that There is in one word a double error First When a man shall close with Christ without Promises and hence seek to be seâ—ted without a Promise Hence say some you must not gather any evidence from any qualification you feel in your self Secondly When men shall snatch and nibble at Promises and misapply them not closing with Christ in them and by them I have confessed my sin and repented and run away with this without Christ. Oh time will come the Lord will say how cameâ—t thou in hither what hast thou to do to take my Promises into thy mouth to arm thy self against Christ by Promises to make a spoyl of Christs grants and let him be crucified When Saul rent off Samuels garment he said The Lord shall rend c. 1 Sam. 15. 27 28. The letter kills all Promises without Christ slay because they keep the famishing Soul from Bread it self 3. Those that close not with Promises only but with Christ himself but it 's only with the Image and fancy of him which they think is himself In true Faith the Father reveals the Son as he is or the Son reveals himself as he is and Faith hence closeth with him as he is Iohn 6. 40. But some there be that hear of him hence think what he is Hence a carnal mind imagines of him as it imagines of a King in a far Country and falls down to his Image and trusts to it and depends on it and joyes in it untill a man comes to be converted or to dye and then he sees the deceit Or if he did see him yet he can see no beauty in him to desire him There is many a man in this case that trusts to and joyes in Christ whom if he did know he would loath Iohn came preaching the Gospel to shew them Christ they all came to him and rejoyced in his light but it was but for a season for when he came to shew them there he is Iohn 1. 29. not one man stirs when he shews them Christ and vers 35. only two and chap. 3. 32. No man received his testimony This is Beloved the great sin and cause of all the rest if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory Christ is not seen hence not thought of hence not esteemed hence men boast not in him Nay 't is the great plague under meanes that in seeing they see noâ— Lord how long You say Christ never so clearly seen true but thou in seeing maist not see and if it be thus then look for ruine Isai. 6. 9 10 11 12. We say Christians want not light but life and affections Oh begg for light that will bring affections else all affections will dry up if not fed with this Spring Iohn 5. 37. What people had such means as they yet they not eyes to see 4. Those that do not close with the bare fancy of Christ but with himself but 't is not for himself and for his holinesse but only for his peace and consolations and joyes Like a sick woman that comes to the Physitian not to marry her but to heal her cure her and so comfort her Or if she doth come to marry him 't is only to satisfie her lust or to save her from trouble c. In a word they receive Christ that he may give contentment to them and not that hereby they may also give contentment unto him They close with Christ to make them happy not to make them holy But they thus closing with him think they have him and hence rejoyce exceedingly and hence have a love to him and hence some kind of communion with him and hence think they are espoused to him and more familiar with him than others and hence veriâ—y look with these five foolish Virgins to embrace the Bride-groom That look as a Saint from a false apprehension of Christ to be none of his may be very â—ad lose his joy nay his very love in the act of it nay his communion and boldnesse to go to him nay his expectation of him so from a false conceit that Christ is mine è contra Thus a man is grievously troubled with the sight of Gods anger and with horror and useth all means at last he sees only Christ can do it and hence seeks for and prizeth his love for his one ease for as horror may be his greatest evil so love to ease him may be his greatest good At last he is fully perswaded How By any work or word No but God hath perswaded and it s now sealed hence joy But now there is matter of more trouble holinesse and close walking with Christ this is troublesome he cares not for Christ to help him here but deviseth how to keep Christ and joy without holinesse Hence let a world of sin lie upon them they be not troubled with that they look up to Christ or if
Their comfort for union to the Church of God 1. Covers their sin and hides it from the eyes of the world Theeves walk without suspition in true mens companies and thus they make the House of Prayer a Den of Theeves and this is some comfort For Hypocrites if they can carry it cleverly that none see though God see 't is no matter It will not be thought that a Member of a Church dares do such a wickednesse yet so it is sometimeâ— 2. Comforts their conscience in their sin men love their lusts but what no respect to Ordinances of Christ yes and so conscience is quiet and sin lives too Ier. 7. 3. Because there is much comfoâ—t in Gods Ordinances and in attending on God there not only verbal but the visible Gospel is sweet the Sacraments hence they joyn themselves as in Iohns Ministry You rejoyced for a season not only in Christ but in communion of Saints especially in dangerous times that a man fears the judgements of God will come in those places where ever they live without them And now they are quiet when got into the Cities of the Levites from the pursuer of blood 4. In regard of the Saints themselves First There is seen many times a Divine Majesty and excellency in them which hath a drawing vertue with it that many out of respect to that close with them as Gen. 26. 27 28. God makes Balaam to see Israels glory in his Tents and he cannot curse if he might have all the world but must bless them Secondly There is much charity which thinks no evil that where they see evils they cover them where there is but little good appearing they hope there is more than they see the Kings Daughter being all glorious within Thirdly There is a spirit of humility in them to think others that appear fair better than themselves until God discovers them especially if they are yet unsetled Fourthly A spirit of desire to have all as near the Lord as they can and though there be evils in them yet they hope that will make them better 5. From the Lord himself who hath First Reserved this exact separation as one part of his own glory at his Second coming Then he shall separate sheep and Goats Secondly Because some are very serviceable to his Church and so to Christ as Caput politicum both in regard of outward means of subsistance and also with edifying gifts hence into his Family he will let them come being servants and like Carriers that carry anothers money and wealth to him and then turns them out of doors Thirdly Because of a certain real yet not thorow work of the Lord whereby he draws them to some fellowship with the Church the Members and some kind of fellowship with his Son yet it not being a thorow effectual Almighty drawing they prove unsound Iohn 6. 65. Fourthly That the Lord might manifest the exceeding greatness of his wrath in some for Gods last end in all the wicked is to shew the greatnesse of it Rom. 9. 21 22. yet in some more than others and hence raiseth them up in the Church to great eminency of profession and parts and honour that all the Saints also may admire Gods Grace to themselves the more that when Two in the field one should be taken another left that they should sit in the same seats and yet some called others left and of them that are called to leave many and love me and that men of great parts and I a poor simple one to chuse such a base thing to confound the wise the mighty But as it 's said of Pharaoh what meant all the miracles all the humblings of heart and yet he would not let them go For this cause have I raised thee up Exod. 9. 16. Of all that thou hast given me saith Chriâ—â— not one is lost but the Son of Perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled So here SECT IV. THis serveâ— to cleâ—r us in this Country from a soul aspersion that is cast out of the mouths of Pulpits upon us that we hold the Churches of Christ to have no Hypocrite in theâ— We answeâ— that though if Hypocrite could be openly and Ecclesiassâ—ally disceâ—ned they should not be received in noâ— kept in because 〈…〉 Church are not fit to make a Church yet we say there will be Tares and Wheâ—t there will be chast and corn there will be wise and foolish Virgins there will be good and bad mingled together in the Churche until the worlds end To the Watch â—en of the Churches nay to all that professe themselve to be their Brethrens keepers to 〈…〉 Virgins not to laviâ—h your chaâ—â—ty too far it 's a precious Grace and you have little enough for 〈…〉 but to bear a jealous heart and to labouâ— for a quick discerning eye to find out them that will 〈◊〉 themselves among you This was the commendation and honour of the Ephesians Rev. 2. 2. I confesse it â—s a sinful extream to cry doâ—n all the virgins as foolish when there be Five wise Satan will seek to â—reak he â—ond of Brotherly-love by soâ—ing false reports and horrible suspitions and 't is a hard thing foâ— a Paâ—â— after the Lord hath wrapt him up to the Third Heaven in Revelations not to be puâ—tup and in seeing himself at a distance from other men not to despise and condeâ—n them that have not risen so high as he especially in a discontented spirit nothing will please them A false heart when he sees more than others as he thinks now thinks highly of himself as so he great reformer of Churches and world especially if men of shallow heads and â—ence such do censure and condeâ—n all that do not magnifie them and reverence their Judgements and the dust of their feet And yet 't is another sinful extream to swallow down all flies that be in the cup and to think too charitably of every one that doth proâ—esse Children that have no children themselves will make children of clouts and then love theâ— and hence many a soul lies bleeâ—â—ng to â—eath because they have such tender Friends as will not search them An I doubt not but many in Hell â—ay say Oh that I should live among such and such and they never deâ—â— faithfully with me If a man walk â—airly should I censure him No but yet maintain a holy jealousie over them as Paul did over the Galâ—â—hiansa 〈◊〉 stands with love as it was with Iob ch 1. 5. As 't is with Chirurgions ' â—is love to cut to the quick Love theâ— because they appear to be Christs and are so to thee and this shall have a reward but yet be jealous in love because there may be that hid which was never yet seen 1. It may be thou maist save a soul and they will love thee or else thou shalt clear justice by being a witnesse against them 2. 'T is the chief work for Christ here there being
buffet them that there is nothing but clouds of wrath and no Star appearing Now look to the issue and mark the upright man his end is peace and consider this Christs Kingdom is hid and he brings contraries out of contraries he makes darknesse light Hell Heaven guilt pardon weaknesse strength and calls things that are not as though they were Then think within thy self I le conclude nothing against my self but stay and wait what the issue will be which is ever glorious Iames 1. 2 3 4. 1 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. Consider hath not the Lord done thee much good already Oh consider what is then behind 6. Never enter into dispute with Satan or thine own self about thy estate but by taking and making Scripture and Word tobe the Judge of the controversie Fears come in you shall never have mercy never have power Who told you so Doth the Word say that The Lord never gave himself to me I fear it Doth the Word say so Never was any as I Doth the Word say so Or doth not the Word say God delights to pick out the vilest to send the Physitian to them that be sick I cannot see nor conceive any mercy Doth the Word say so Are not the Lords thoughts above thine I have not that peace that others have therefore the Lord intends none toward me Doth the Word say so Oh but others if they knew me would loath me Doth the Word say so When as it saith Doublesse then thou art our Father Isa. 63. 16. And bring before this Judge both sides not only what sin can say or may do against thee but what the Word of the Lord Jesus can say for thee Jer. 31. 18 20. Ephraim cries out of stubbâ—â—nesse Oh but is not Ephraim my only Son Hear Ephraim lamenting too And hearâ— nothing against a Word Look on Paul warring against Christ and yet the Law of Christ in him also Luke 24. 25. 7. In times of greatest and smallest fears remember to be humble and vile in thine own eyes worthy never to be beloved And let the Lord have his Will of thee and this will give you peace God denies mercy to that man that will be Lord of it To be sure evidence mercy then he will not and when he doth manifest it 't is then when poorest and vilest and the heart is meek and humble Isa. 57. 15 16. Mat. 11. 29. Oh the Lord opens his heart and love when once his Will is dear The Lord casts by his rod and frowns now and creates peace Thus you may come to see the work or the Lords Grace in you To Ministers to take heed of making precious things common by giving in false Signs and Evidences of love but look up to the Lord for a special Spirit here To Gods poor people and thankfulnesse Oh that he hath called thee from darknesse into marvellous light into the Kingdom of his dear Son Oh that when so many come near to mercy and fall short of it yet me to be let in Caleb and Ioshua to be let into Canaan when the rest so near and all perished Blesse the Lord for all Afflictions Fears Temptations Enemies Evils Hidings of his Face hereby he hath but tried thee and purged away thy drosse and be comforted against all reproaches of Hypocrisie and Apostacy and a proud world that casts filth in the face of Holinesse Now we are Sons of God it appears not what we shall be but we shall be like him in Glory in Grace in Honour in his Kingdom for we shall see him as he is And as for you that live and lie and bed it with your ease lusts sloath and God sends you means but the Bellows are burnt the Lead is melted and your Drosse not consumed Reprobate Silver shall men call you and God shall destroy all your confidence But you that are the Lords Oh that you could see what the Lord hath done he hath put Heaven into thy soul and his work which is more Glorious than the Creation of Heaven and Earth CHAP. XV. Shewing that the Hypocrisie of the Heart proceeds from a want of a Saving Illumination in the Understanding SECT I. THE Spring or one great cause and original of Evangelical Truth and Hypocrisie is the mind of man For here there was an apparent difference between the Virgins in their practise and in their wills as hath been shewn yet the Lord expresseth it in general thus that some of them were wise which is one part of the perfection of the understanding and some of them were foolish which is the great defect of light in the mind or understanding because the truth of the one and the falshood of the other manifested what their hearts were in their heads and minds and the Truth in the one and Hypocrisie in the other did arise and was maintained by wisdom in some of their minds and by folly in the mind of some others Folly or want of Divine Light made the one unready for Christ wisdom or having of Divine Light made the other prepared for him Not that it doth exclude the evil or change of the will and affections but because they manifest themselves and are maintained in the mind Hence I say one great reason or Original of both lies in the mind Mat. 6. 22 23. If thy eye be single thy whole body is light c. The eye or mind of a man sits like the Coachman and guides the headstrong Affections if now this be blind there will be falls and deviations into crooked waies John 3. 19 20. Light is come Now what is the condemnation Men love darknesse i. e. will be blind and having sore minds and hearts will not look up to the Sun They see not nor receive not the Truth in love and hence condemned and è contra Hence Deut. 29. 1 2 3 4. Moses sets down the causes of all their evils The Lord hath not given you eyes to see to this day They did see and hear by natural and acquired knowledge but not by a Divine created infused knowledge all that God had wrought and done for them Heâ—ce when the Lord intends to seal down the Iews under unbelief Isa. 6. 10. The Lord then said shut their eyes lest they see and so be converted The heart makes the eyes blind and the mind makes the heart fat A man that is at enmity with God the Lord sets him against himself Hence men are left of God to their own lusts Luke 19. 42 44. Oh that thou hadst known and they knew not the day of visitation Hence Deut. 32. 29. Oh that this people had been wise to consider their latter end You know 't is in the Proverbs of Solomon the frequent title of those that are sincere and falshearted the one is called wise and the other foolish Insomuch that some Divines have made a necessity of a change and turning about of the will when there is fulnesse and clearnesse of light in
to their own house lot accommodation provision for children and in the mean while the Lords house lies waste you build not up that the Souls of thy Brethren in Church-fellowship yea of thy family are not built up the Lords house is despised now and it 's like the Schools of the Prophets and much more Oh thought we if we had such priviledges how would we improve them but when we have them have we the same thoughts do we not forget them like men that come to a place for gold and find it not without digging they fall to lâ—â—de their ship with wood or coal that which it will bear 2. Have we not shaken off all fear almost of sin and misery Go to the Ant thou sluggard she fears and provides against a winter Do not men think that we have fled too far for the croâ—s to finde us or as if the Temple of the Lord was such a Den as no Foxes or Wolves could follow us into especially when there are causes of fear when War is proclaimed and the causes known and yet they are never feared How many men have the hand-writing of death in their Consciences against them this they confess is naught they have lived careless sluggish and have had some sence of it yet no awakening fear of the terror of the Lord when a Prince is nigh us now to commit a little lewdness is great wickedness where is the man that trembles at the nearness of God to us when a breach is made then fear enemies Divisions and breaches go before falls of Churches where is that spirit of Iehosaphat that feared and proclaimed a fast When God hath begun to smite what cause is there to fear We have been hurt and yet not laid it to heart the Lion roars shall not the people fear I believe we should not have had those Pequot furies upon us but God saw we began to sleep Where is the man that with Paul knows the terror of the Lord and hence perswades men when the enemy is ever about us there is always cause of fear and yet we fear but now and then 3. Are not our sences bound up look upon men in their fields and conversings buyings and sellings where is a daily weekly watchfulness over our thoughts and tongues Look to mens closets do men there call themselves to account can they finde leisure or need of it are not mens eyes closed up that the glory of God in the Scripture is a sealed thing Men have eyes but see not are not mens ears sealed up Some Sermons men can sleep them out mans voyce is heard but not the voyce of the Son of God Oh how many men are there that become quite Sermon-proof now adays Are not men blockish dull senceless heavy under all means they taste not smell not whereas elsewhere O how lively and spiritual are they 4. Is not the spirit of Prayer that lamp going out in the Church of God the blessedness of all flourishing Plantations in the world began by means of that and shall not continue but as it continues and if ever cause to seek for prosperity of Plantations these have need If God should take away this generation of Magistracy and Ministery what would this despised Country do and what would become of your children then no Schools for them when no Gospel left among them then every mans sword shall be against his brother and God spreading the place with darkness which through his presence is made light what little hope of a happy generation after us when many among us scarce know how to reach their children manners How apt are we like to those Asian Churches to fall into those very sins which overwhelmed them and ruined them how many fall off and in time break forth that it would make men sick to hear of their pranks what place more open to temptations of persecution and worldly delusion go up and down the Plantations where is the man that lays things to heart who hath the condition of the Country written upon his heart and presenting it before the Lord rather than his own good Oh men are silent because asleep How do sins run thorough men as water thorough a mill and men regard it not what means what deliverances have we had but oh what little thankfulness 2. Do we make progress nay is not out shadow gone back I sleep but my heart waketh it should be so but it is not so indeed 5. Have we not fallen a dreaming here what meaneth else the delusions of mens brains what a swarm of strange opinions which like flies have gone to the sores of mens heads and hearts and these are believed also and more dreams men have that are never spoken every man hath some drunken conceit that rocks him asleep dreams are quite contrary to the truths What meaneth these if men are not sleeping First Drunken dreams of the world Secondly golden dreams of grace that these things advance grace which indeed destroy grace that there is no grace in the Saints no grace in Christ no humane Nature no promise to evidence grace no Law to be a Rule to them that have received grace Who would think that ever any should so fall by a simple woman But if this be not general yet look how do men begin to dream concerning the world scarce a man but finds want or is well if he wants Oh then if I had such a lot about me such an estate how well then were I and è contra They that have it and now they take their rest Take heed saith the Lord your hearts be not overcome with cares So say I to you 6. Doth not the Lord oft awaken us yet we fall to sleep again the Lord awakened us by the Pequot Hornet yet what use is there made of that doth not the Lord oft meet us in an Ordinance but he is soon lost and gone again Is there a man that hath not had his cross since he came hither as loss in cattel and estate a dear Husband Childe Wife dead a sore and sharp sickness c. he hath been exercised with c. but do we not sleep still if it be not thus it will come fear it for time to come but if it be thus then I say no more but know it you are in your enemies hand and in such an enemies hand that if you mourn not under it will open the door either to the entrance of some gross sin and temptation or for some heavy and sudden wrath It 's sufficient for me this day to shew you where your hurt lyeth SECT V. HEnce see the reason why men are worse in Virgin-Churches than in polluted places and why it is so generally Because here are more temptations to make them all slumber and sleep here their beds are made soft here the storms are past here they are under the shadow and out of the sun and security opens the door for an enemy No
price with men It is with them as it is with Glow-worms and Stars that keep their shining and are very glorious because the Sun is set so Christ is hid in his glory and whilst men are led more by sence than by faith men doat upon these things they know nothing more vain yet nothing more glorious When Christ comes a man shall see all the world the honor comforts wealth crowns greatness of it buried before his eyes and when an end of these things shall be seen now the Lord will be precious as doubtless when they saw the Ark floating upon the water happy are they that are there might they say and hence Mal. 3. ult those that said the proud were happy what was the reason of it but because of this The day of the Lord was not yet come to make up his Iewels Now when once the eye is bewitched with the glory of the world nothing causeth security sooner as strange fancies in the head work a man first asleep Psal. 73. When David beheld the prosperity of the wicked he began to dislike all Religion and to account it simplicity to be holy until at last he saw the end of these things Fourthly Because in Christs absence men feel not the evil of sin which doth befall them in their security nor yet the evil of their own hearts for if men should be presently punished and smitten by some revenging invisible hand of God upon them after every sin and as soon as first they begin to sleep you should never see the heart secure and hence the Devils live in horrors daily in apprehension of the judgment of the great day thus it will be at Christs coming then the secret things of darkness shall be brought to light but now is a time of forbearance hence a carnal heart is set to do wickedly and to go on securely Eccles. 8. 11. Fifthly Because while Christ is absent conscience lyes still most commonly and seldom is throughly awake and hence a man sleeps for conscience is the Lords witness accuser and notary now the witness then speaks most fully and clearly when the Judge is come Now however God doth awaken some mens consciences throughly in this life yet it is not universal but in few to be thorowly awakened and hence men are very secure Isa. 33. 14. Who shall dwell with everlasting burning c SECT III. HEnce we see the vileness of the hearts of men that Christ his absence which time is given to us to make us watch should make us secure that men should turn day into night a day of forbearance into a night of forgetfulness for if the Lord should not delay his coming how many thousands would be swept away before any peace made with God or before any work finished for God! now he in pity gives such days delays his coming for this end and do we thus requite the Lord 2 Pet. 3. 9. Christ himself doth his work while it is light the night cometh wherin no man can work Ioh. 12. 35 36. Now what a crossing of the Lord is this If he should come thou shouldst be consumed by him and if he doth not come you will grow secure before him Hence see the reason why the hearts of men are so secure in times of health and peace but they cry out and look about them in times of sickness and when the approach of death is near because Christ now begins to come and Christs presence is near in great terror and severity and glory but be these are afar off now the soul begins to see Christ and how he must shortly stand naked alone stript of all comforts and friends before an all-seeing God and now they look about for evidence but before the Lord would not come as yet he delays his coming I may live many years and provide thus and thus for my children c. Oh men complain of secute careless hearts and the cause is this they see not this day a coming Hence see one special way to prevent and remove security when it is fallen upon the hearts of any and that is by daily setting before you the coming of the Lord the Apostles penned this and Saints believe this 1 Thess. 1. ult I am perswaded some men have had in their dreams the visions of the Almighty of which Iob speaks and have been awakened in terror and fear even with the dream of it but how would this awaken if seen and beheld whilst indeed you are awake Many Monkish spirits have been much awakened in their superstitious way by this but the spirit of a Paul will be much more for by this means he awakened all the world to look about them 2 Cor. 5. 11. And for himself this did make him exercise himself Acts 24. 15 16. so it will be with you you will not only be awake your selves but keep all awake about you and this is not legal neither thus to do It is certain if you complain of security I dare complain against you that this is the cause you look upon the comming of the Lord as a long time off and see it not daily it converted some in scoffing Athens to the Fith much more if converted doth it awaken Let us therefore commend Three things to you SECT IV. First MAke the coming of the Lord real see it real and set it really as it shall be before your eyes Heb. 9. ult to them that look for him c. Why do not men look for him truly very few do look for him really it is only a report a noise with many men where there is the power of grace it presents things as they are which shall be so Faith is the substance of things not seen it puts them in their being it is the evidence of things not seen for otherwise it will never work upon you Especially think on these Four things at that day 1. The consuming of all things here in the world which your hearts are so ready to doat upon and of all carnal and fleshly excellencies which you trust unto 2 Pet. 3. 11. Seeing these things shall be consumed what manner of persons ought we to be If a man that is to make a sea voyage did know that whatever he brought to shore beside Gold and Pearls should be consumed as soon as he comes to shore he would not fraught his ship with those things if men were assured here is a house where you and yours shall be burnt they would set it elsewhere men come from one Country to another because sin will consume 2. The amazing glory of Christ Jesus when Christ shall come as a deliverer to refresh they sad heart and all his Saints at that day look upon Christ as sitting on the clouds of fire raising the dead then them that are alive changed in the twinckling of an eye coming with all his Angels Heaven left empty of them and Saints sitting at his right hand shining like the Sun so
is an end of it then a man is stript naked of all his greatness and honor friends blessings and when a man sees an end and is come to an end of a sinful way now all a mans delights and hopes perish the beginning of a sinful course is sweet and beautiful like pictures seen afar off beautiful but the end is gal and woormwood for every sinful secure course is sweet in appearance or indeed if only in hope and conception as in a dream when the end comes all a mans hopes perish If indeed it hath been sweet now there 's the more grief now my heart my life my blood must be taken from me and what profit is there now in this my stubborn way when a man is sinking and the boat is breaking what a miserable wretch now Lord help hence Ezek. 7. 3 6. when an end is come now they fling their silver in the streets Oh the stumbling-block of mine iniquity verse 18 19. now they shall seek peace and shall not find it verse 25. now they shall seek a vision of the Prophet verse 26. Like a man that is drawn into a fair way and is out of that his way when he comes to an end and is forsaken of all and left in a wood now what 's the profit Because at his coming there is the entrance and passage into eternity and into an eternal state of weal or wo now though the apprehension of the end of a secure sinful way may and will awaken yet when eternity is apprehended it will amaze for this time is but a little spring or river which runs into eternity and carries all men living down with it to eternity Now when men see an end of time and the beginning of eternity and themselves posting thereto it is as when a man sees himself floating upon the waters where there 's no bottom and all stay gone though he hath been long secure now he will cry out if he sees it It is with men now as it is with those that are ready to be cast down from some Towr it makes the heart tremble oh where shal I alight oh it 's impossible but if men do apprehend eternity and that also near unto them but it will awaken them it will make a stout stony-hearted Saul to run to Urim it will make Kings and Princes run to Monasteries and men to Cells and Deserts It will make the proudest Felix tremble when Paul reasons of Judgement to come It 's usually the first thing that doth awaken the people of God eternity doth amaze them and them that have fallen to all â—asciviousness Oh eternity Because of the terror at the coming of the Lord Revel 6. ult to them that be unprovided and unprepared hence it is and will be when an evil is near fear will flie out Men as men will do it unless they be walking blocks and bruits For 1. Then they are to stand naked before the Lord so great and holy 2. Then they shall have all their sins set in order Psal. 50. 21. and especially those secret sins which they never saw and whereby they did perfect their own perdition 3. Then the final sentence past never to be recalled again and they shall know it for if there might be a day to repent then some hope but if not oâ— this awakens 4. Then to be surrendred up into the hands of Devils to be kept by that Jaylor in Prison 1 Pet. 3. 19. until the coming of the great day and so to be kept in their custody and to be in their fellowship looking back and mourning for time mis-spent looking to time to come shortly to meet my body and then to be parted for ever from the Lord oh when this evil is apprehended it will awaken a man to search and look about him SECT III. HEnce see a great cause of the deep and long security of many a man and that in Virgin-Churches under all awakening means Ordinances and Providences of God men put far from them this day of death and time of Christs coming they think seldom of it come not near to it nor make it near to them sometime they complain of a dead sluggish spirit secure heart and yet remain so and wonder sometime at the reason of it why it shou'd be so why this is one reason of it either you think not of this coming of the Lord or see it not near even at the door but number many days to your selves and this is the cause of it you do not lodge in nay look to your Coffins and walk to your graves side often and so stand there and hear the cry and see the Lord a coming there will be more in what I say than what you see at first blush of this truth but this I know and the Word proves it universal security ariseth from hence As for instance 1. Why do men minde the things of the world so much that there is such care for them such eager desire after them that many times prayer is neglected Sabbaths neglected when will they be at an end God neglected Souls of wife children servants a mans own soul neglected and overgrown with nettles that there is such an high opinion dreams of worldly goods and when a man hath them then at rest because with the glutton they think they have goods for many a year and hence we shall see when a man waketh death is near to him and when it is near to a man now he thinks he hath been deceived in all the things of the world that they are not good for him 1 Cor. 7. 29. The time is short and the fashion of the world passeth away Nothing makes these things so sought after and good but only esteem now this is because men look only to things present 2. Why do mens hearts sink with the meanness of their outward condition and the troubles of it for this is security it is because of this they do not remember the nearness of the coming of the Lord it is but a little while longer and then the God I have chosen will alone be sweet and he will make me amends for all my troubles and therefore let me bear up my head a little while Psal. 39. when Davids heart began to be troubled by seeing others prosperity his own misery Lord saith he make me to know my end and the measure of my days mine age is as an hand breadth hence ver 7. Lord what hope I for truly my hope is in thee 3. Why are men puâ—t up with their own excellencies and filled with such pride and high conceâ—â—s of themselves sometimes of their beauty sometimes of their apparel sometime their friends sometime their esteem and they value themselves much by this men consider not the coming of the Lord which shall stain the pride of all glory Isa. 23. 8. and that this time is near 4. Why do people complain they cannot prize the Lord or his Ordinances as
this your sin makes your shame and there 's the want of holiness 1 Pet. 3. 3. man might be conveâ—ted by the Wife and the Wife by the Husband not that it is always so but usually so Secondly Look into Churches what is the reason people lose their honor much in the hearts of Ministers he respects others but not me and sometimes they think now he strikes at me and meaneth me and then the heart swells c. what 's the reason that Paul professeth he will come with a rod among the Corinthians they were babes and carnal and contentious and puâ—t up little love and life and what 's the reason he sets out the Thessalonians so 1 Thess. 1. 5. because of this they did abound and hence commended of all Saints hence want of growth and holiness they travel in birth till Christ be formed and when they cannot see that hence they are in throws for you what 's the reason Ministers lose their glory among people I confess 't is not always for decay here for Iohn in prison did not lose his holiness and hence when they despised him Christ commended him and his reward was with the Lord it was not a testimony of his unholiness but a fore-râ—nner of the end of his days as well as of the end of his work and hence when all Asia forsook Paul 2 Tim. 4. 16. it was the time of his departing now at hand But that which is the cause of it many times is want of holiness within and hence though men fee not yet the Lord will not give a false testimony nor let men do so hence neither judgements nor their speeches reverenced or because men see not the ancient Spirit of holiness hence no mourning for them in secret no holiness in speeches they smell of the field not walking as patterns before them Mal. 2. 8 9. not caring for the fâ—ock which Christ hath purchased with his own blood What 's the reason there is that complaint of want of love one man to another one member to another who are bound by covenant to it such jars divisions c. Truly nothing makes so firm an union between man and man as holiness and grace this tieth the knot and it is not holiness hid but now seen it not being seen hence comes all your breaches its impossible else such small things should make it Oh a tender heart and the life of Christ is not indeed seen a holy man exact shall never want love that in every company scatters something that like Christ goes up and down doing good healing the diseases of mens hearts there 's a man I could dye with him in my very bosom I am perswaded the decay of holiness in the lives of men is the cause why Sanctification is questioned as an evidence of Justification and hence division Thirdly Look abroad into the world what is the reason the Churches lye among the pots and are soiled with so many disgraces that though we be the people of the Lord yet we are not called so why jaâ—s divisions earthliness want of love and mercy murmurings loss of former life When Jews are shining with the glory of God Kings and all Nations shall bring in their glory to them Oh consider this sin doth make you vile in Gods eyes and mans eyes Many complain they cannot be respected nor received this is the cause of it you excell not here others take notice of your unrighteousness unholiness of life there 's some evil in their bargaining and buying and ill language from the people of God Oh therefore go home and lament this as she The glory of God is departed from Israel so do you here SECT V. HEnce see when the Lord doth honor us to do his work what little cause there is to seek honor of men nay though all the worlds glory be taken from you because it is honor enough to do the Lords work would you have more honor than Christ this was his beauty glory and honor God hath an everlasting name for you though you have disgrace by it nay though no success yet Isa. 49. 5. glorious in the Lords eye Oh it was a sweet course of Barak Iudg. 4. 9. thou shalâ— lose honor that 's all one said she Let me do the Lords work though it be in a difficult work of pursuing the Lords enemies what profit have you on the other side when you seek it in your pitchers what company c. this was Sauls sin 1 Sam. 15. 30. Oh worship and honor me nevertheless this time before the people it 's his reward and it 's the Devils sin to be puft up this pull'd down Nebuchadnezar Herod was smote with worms because he gave not glory to God but took it to himself it was a heavy speech to Eli 1 Sam. 2. 29. Because thou honorest thy sons above me this and that I will do unto thee Nay though men are so holy as to honor God with their lips yet God will blast the wisdom of the wise for it Oh therefore let this be enough and then you will not hunger after other honor for this is glory and honor enough and you have thought so when your selves Oh if I may but honor the Lord it is enough Hence see what little cause any wicked man hath to lift up his head with any glory he hath because the spirit of holiness beauty and glory is departed from them as when the Soul is departed from the body its glory and beauty is departed from them it 's withered and therefore we shall read in Scripture what names the Lord gives them as Dogs Swine Serpents a generation of vipers painted Sepulchres Devils in the time of the greatest profession as Iudas Ioh. 6. Wilde beasts and that in the greatest outward glory and hence the four Monarchies of the world are resembled to such beasts Bears Leopards c. Thus for their persons And as for their actions all they do is unclean and ignoble and hence compared to Thistles that cannot bring forth Figs or Grapes and hence Solomon compares them As jewels in a Swines snout so is a parable in the mouth of a fool it becomes them not it 's abomination in the sight of God all that which they do though glorious before men and at last day they shall rise up to everlasting contempt and it is said Isa. 66. ult their worm shall never dye and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh though they may carry it out fair for a time the fairest professors that by their Sorceries and enchantments deceive the people shall be filled with shame and as the Magicians were smitten with sores they could not stand before Moses being smitten with sores so you shall not be able to stand before the Lord at the last day and look as it is with Christ and his people their cross and shame here it is but their preparation to their crown and hence when Christ was put to the
and yet are excluded Mat. 8. 11 12. Children of the Kingdome cast out there shall be weeping the higher a man is risen the greater is his fall and his bruises at the bottome so when one hath been raised up to great hopes profession affection yet now to fall to lose all to see he hath been spinning Cobwebs all his life when Israel were near to Canaan now to be shut out Now they wept Vse 1. We may see hence what little cause any have to boast only in outward priviledges or common gifts graces excellencies I confess it is great mercy for the Lord to call a man out of his prophaneness and separate him from the world bringing him to the fellowship of Saints and give him that which makes hâ—m reputed well of by others but boast not only of this as if the Lord did therefore highly favour you for the Lord Jesus may shew for all this his love to his own and his terrour to thee and may shut the door of glory at last upon thee 1 Cor. 1. 27 28 29. The Lord chooses things that are not to bring to nought and to staine other glory Rom. 11. 17. The Gentiles boasted themselves that they were graffed in oh saith the Apostle seeing this spirit apt to rise boast not be not high-minded do not grow secure but feare common graces ever make men proud as others make men humble they despise not others they magnifie God if the Lord hath made a difference see the goodness of God verse 22. but boast not therein therefore do not content thy self with a name to live and having some cankered hopes some shining excellencies for the Lord may do this to shew others his love and yet staine thy glory as one that hath great hopes of preferment many Friends to commend and speak for him if one tells him You shall certainly lose all your labour he will mourn more than another that had no hopes nor helps at all of rising he will not glory in any thing he hath but will take some sure and safer way So I say to you If there be the least Grace and Favour blesse God for that but do not boast of any thing else Vse 2. Hence the Saints may learne how to affect their heaâ—ts with the Lords love to theâ— for there is such a poysonful disposition in them that though they have it yet they cannot be affected sometimes with it Vp Deborah Awâ—ke Lâ—te and Harpe and 't is this Do not only Remember and think on the Lords love saving thee calling humbling c. but so as to call thee and leave others to quicken thee and leave others dead to open the door of glory to thee and exclude others to call thee out of the Kingdome of the world to look upon thee in a sinful Town to awaken thee and leave others so many secure to call thee out of thy sinful company some of which like brands are now smoaking in this world others burning in another to call thee out of a sinful ignorant family thou the least the worst of them and to leave the rest this is much But when thou art brought into the Kingdome of Heaven Fellowship of Saints for the Lord to love thee set his heart upon thee when he forsakes others of thy own company of great parts and abilities whom thou thinkest better of than thy self at least as well to pull down these Princes to the dunghill and to exalt thy horn to cut down these Cedars and to preserve a Shrub to tread upon the greatest glory of man and to pity a worm for so thou art in thine own eyes Oh let this fire warme thy heart though thou hast been affected with it before especially considering no reason for it but only the good pleasure of God this affected Christ himself Mat. 11 25. 'T is true you do not see this done but you shall one day behold it with your eyes only let this love kindle love thankfulness humility in thine heart againe And hence if the Lord hath put a difference between thee and others do not deny do not doubt of do not despise his grace that if thou hast lost thy first love this may recover it if all his love makes thee more humble and thankful you stand Rom. 11. 20. Isa. 65. 16. Do not feare thy estate because the Lord cuts off the natural branches that therefore thou mayst be one but be featful of the least sin and wrong to Christ that hath loved thee especially of pride and unthankfulness the root of that and Remember that the poor things are chosen to confound the Mighty That the door of grace and glory shall be shut against all wicked men living at the coming of the Lord to death or judgement there is a time that the door is open unto men in regard of Ministerial dispensations for secrets of election we are not to minde Isa. 55. 6 7. This time is in this life but when death comes then it is shut when Angels sinned the Lord immediately shut the door against them but through Christ the door is open for term of life to men Because after death there is no meanes of grace or glory left which is the Ministry of the Word and Prayer for that is the chief key of opening the door even when the doores of heart and heaven are shut Mat. 16. 19. and hence 2 Cor. 6. 2. Now is the time of prayers and preaching and so to be helped but after death there are no Ministers they are at rest from their labours and the Ministry of men is for men not for naked soules Lazarus must not give a drop of cold water then to cool the tongue much less Ministers to comfort or convert their hearts 't is true the Lord can work extraordinarily but do you think he will do it for one that hath despised grace all his life Because it 's impossible they should repent after death by any other means if meanes were afforded as by seeing their sinne and feeling their punishment Iohn 9. 4. The night cometh wherein no man can work because after death comes judgment of wrath to the wicked Heb. 9. ult all patience and pity have forsaken them and so wrath lies upon them that they can do nothing but bear it as one under a great load or burning in the fire all his thoughts and affections and spirits are taken up with that and that is all he can do Heb. 10. 27. So here Vse 1. Of Confutation of a viperous satanical secret opinion which like a ghost 〈◊〉 the mindes of some people viz. that think and conclude even in time of health in midst of saving healing meanes that their time of grace is past and door is shut to them before Christ comes against them at death or judgement which though God many times turnes for good to humble a bold heart which will burne Gods day-light out and linger in its sinnes yet it doth
Heaven it self so they keep you from feeling the Truth of this Doctrine even of this Heaven upon earth in your own experience 3. Let all Members of Churches hence learn to have their conversation in Heaven and walk as men come down from Heaven and returning thither again and that are as it were already in Heaven Paul did thus and wept to see so many that did not thus but did mind earthly things Phil. 3. 19 20. Do not only forsake but even forget your Countrey and your Fathers house so shall the King of Glory desire your beauty Psal. 45. 10 11 Let the reproach of earthly-mindednesse cast upon the face of Christians be wiped off by your carriage being heavenly holy loosened from things below Art thou in Heaven with an earthly heart Is not Heaven good enough for thee Cannot that content thee which many have desired to see and could not see even the Lord Jesus the King of Glory in his beauty in the assemblies of his Saints 4. Take heed of pulling down this Kingdom Loyal Subjects will rather lose their lives than their Prince shall lose his Kingdom Fear not enemies without but your selves at home The enemies of the Church did never yet hurt the Church but the Church's sins Zach. 7. 14. Oh consider what mercy the Lord hath betrusted us withal that unlesse the Lord should carry us to Heaven it self immediatly on the wings of Angels he can shew us no greater outward favour in this world than to bring us into this his Kingdom of Heaven on earth I professe one daies fellowship here with a number of broken-hearted Christians either mourning together or rejoycing in their God and King together it our-bids the many years Glory of the whole world howsoever 't is hidden from the world And will you betray this Kingdom SECT V. Quest. VVHat are those things that may pull down this Kingdom Answ. 1. Ignorance of those sins which may hurt and ruine it There are common infirmities which all the faithful have in common for which the Lord pities his but there are some that are proper and personal to some particular persons Psal. 18. 23. for which the Lord is angry even with his own so there are some sins which are common Church-infirmities for which the Lord will not cast off his people but there are sometimes in several Churches proper Church-sins Now the Rule here is if these be not seen and lamented and removed if the Lord be angry for these as verily he will and yet they do not so much as know all this while what it is that hurts them these sins will canker the roots and blast the most flourishing Churches Ephesus Rev. 1. 4. had her sin Sardis Rev. 2. 1. had her sin Laodicea had her sins Rev. 3. 16. Now what if they never know these nor repent of these you know then Ephesus Candlestick must be removed and Laodicea shall be spued out of Christs mouth Oh this hath been the bane of Churches while they enjoyed their liberties they could not nay in truth would not know their aile in the day of Christs visitation of them and hence came their ruine the cause of which they saw not only it may be the remnant that escaped to whom the Lord shewed mercy could read their sins in their plagues It is a lamentable spectacle to behold the ruines of Germany and that after such great slaughter and effusion of blood they cannot tell the thing that hath hurt and doth still wast them 2. Self-seeking a Spirit of self Look as it is in a Kingdom if there be a common enemy and the body of the Army which should encounter with them be every man taken up and taking thought how he may preserve his own Tent and do not joyn their forces together for common safety it must perish and the Kingdom will be easily conquered Or as it is with the body if every member seeks to preserve it self alone and not that which preserves them all viz. the Head the body will drop down and die shortly Christ Jesus is the Head of this Body his Church Now 't is certain if ye seek to preserve your own name more than Christ's to give more content to your own lusts then to the will and heart of Christ if more careful of fetching feathers to your own nests and to shift for your selves and not to attend every man in his place the publick good of the Church and Christ in it 't is certain God will forsake you and all will to ruine quickly 2 Chron. 15. 1 2. Church-members of publick spirits are ever prosperous men They shall prosper that love thee Psal. 122. 6. That say in their hearts out of sense of Christ's love Lord what shall I doe for thee How may I be useful to thy people But if back and belly mine and thine be chief in request this will ruine you 3. League and Amity with the enemies of Christ's Kingdom or peace with our lusts it is not sin but a privy peace with sin and a secret quietnesse in sin which overthrowes Christ's Kingdom The Canaanites that were left alive because 't is said they could not drive them out how often did they vex and prick and yoke the Israel of God Those sins which you say you cannot part with and hence yield unto them and mourn not under them those will ruine Churches Some sins you have forsaken and could forsake the danger lies not here Wrath goeth out against Iehosaphat because he loved him who hated the Lord 2 Chron. 19. 2. 4. When the Church laies by her weapons No Kingdom can be kept safe in an ordinary way where all their weapons are taken from them or not used by them when their 〈◊〉 upon their borders When the Church hang by and lay aside Faith the shield whereby we defend our selves and prayer whereby we offend our enemies what safety is to be expected now in Churches Only be strong saith the Lord to Ioshuah when he went out upon that great service of the Lord Iosh. 1. 7. Eph. 6. 13. There is no more fearful sign of ruine to a Church than where the Spirit of prayer begins to fail and verily if any people under Heaven are ready to miscarry herein we that have our fill of peace and our yokes broken off from our shoulders are in most danger but if it be so look for such shakings of all hearts and Churches also as shall make you find your tongues and knees and eares and hearts again if the Lord means to dwell with you 5. Not bringing forth the fruits of the Kingdom Mat. 21. 43. Cut that Church down that cumbers the ground after many years pruning and wetting That Kingdom where there is Church-trading but no considerable gain coming in will consume quickly and die of it self Fruit is the last end of the tree All duties you do wherein you attain nor or at least aim not at your last and utmost end but make your selves
59. 1 2. Psal. 58. 3. The wicked go astray from their womb Now I would demand why men either seel no losse at all or if they do have not so much Grace as the damned in Hell to mourn bitterly for it so as nothing can comfort them or if they do they are soon eased and quiered before the Lord returns Why surely here is the great cause of it they have some other thing to ease their hearts in the want and losse of God Ier. 2. 13 14. Men must have water to drink why do men live from the fountain go not to it nay not know it Because they have broken pits and wels at their own doors So here And hence the damned that have lived at ease here all their life time assoon as ever dead then they cry out of the losse of God when 't is too late because while they lived they had somwhat to ease themselves withall And hence many that have lived long with convinced Spirits and guilty Conscienes when they come to die then they are in perplexities of mind agonies of heart insomuch as their sweat trickles like water from them and their doleful outcries for losse of time strike to the hearts of all that come near them Oh! God is gone because now all comforts which were their Gods and in stead of God before have taken their final leave of them Search your hearts therefore all you that hear me this day Wast never troubled yet Yes I have lost my health my child my husband my goods and this hathtroubled me But tell me Did'st never feel a losse of God blessed for ever loss of his light his sweetnesse his love his fellowship his presence c. and this hath been thy intollerable load Or if thou hast felt it hast thou sought and found him No but art jocund in that estate and now and then it troubles thee a little then 't is certain and as clear as the Sun there is some creature or content that thy heart is in league withal which easeth thee in the want of God and which is instead of God to thee and which therefore is thy God It may be thy apparel thy wife child c. and if thou die in this estate never shalt thou have communion with Jesus Christ The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it 2. Dost find the Lord a stranger to thee in all his Ordinances wherein it may be the Lord sweetly and wonderfully and mightily yet not alway but seasonably reveals himself to others Oh but thy heart dries and parches away and that without much trouble under them all If so suspect it beleeve it that there is some league with a lust For there is a double life of a Christian. 1. An outward life which others see Men see he comes to Church prayes in the Family c. 2. There is a secret inward life according to that of Mat. 6. 6. Thy Father which sees in secret which none knowes but himself and the Lord and this is an ineffable communion with God vision of God delight in God c. Psal. 45. The Kings daughter is all glorious within There is an open life of prayer and hearing and fasting and there is an inward secret life in all these wherein the Lord acquaints himself with his people Psal. 63. 1 2 3. To see thee as I have seen thee Now there be divers have this open life yet wanting the secret life As we love not to live among Tombes not to have communion with dead men so the Lord is a stranger to them He may secretly sweeten an Ordinance to them and move them and shake and trouble them but himself is a stranger spiritual miseries not removed spiritual mercies not conveyed Isa. 58. 1 2 3 4. Why have we fasted and thou regardest not You took pleasure saith the Lord and break the bonds of wickednesse c. I know Saints may be thus denied and it may be for some space of time yet they quarrel not with God for denying them but are more taken off from pleasures thereby Thou hidst thy face and I was troubled though the Mount stood still But some there be whom neither good day mends them not bad day pairs them Surely there is some content thy heart is bewitched withal That look as 't is with a suitor to another let him while he comes to her professe never so much love and desire love yet if when he goes from her commits lewdnesse with every one she will lock him out So 't is here never did I know any lockt out from the power and sweetnesse of Ordinances but because they went a whoring from God out of them The Lord knowes though others do not whether 't is so with you Look therefore upon thy self you enjoy great means every where in this place Is it enough to have Ordinances the Ark No Do you find the Lord in them Blessed be God But tell me truly Do you find no want of God Yes Do you find him I find more knowledge strength c. But do you find no God usually No. Then either some creature contents thee or if the Lord should refresh thee thou would'st be content without him Man and wife will if they love meet at Meals Iohn 14. But when no meeting dead prayers dry Sermons saplesse Sacraments worse then before If thou beest the Lord's he will by affictions purge c. But if thou continuest so look for no communion in Heaven 3. Dost thou find no rest in any thing that thou hast For this is clear â—nothing can give rest to a mans soul but God He is big enough only to fill it and then a man hath it Isa. 26. 3. Now if no rest 't is a sign thy heart sticks to the creature yet thou saist I would fain have the Lord It may be so but thou wouldst have creatures too And hence God will not and creatures cannot give the fulnesse of rest Thus it was with Solomon Eècles 2. 3. So 't is with thee thou findest thy soul delighting it self in all things yet vanity and vexation and withal giving thy self to wisdom too 'T is true a Saint feels an emptinesse in these things yet he feels a fulnesse in somthing else He hath better meat which you know not of which Solomon did not for a time yet afterward he did But thou findest a vanity and trouble and art never at peace when all is done weary of world But hath the Lord swallowed thee up into himself in the cloud of his Glory so that in his favour and presence thou findest life No Then there is some lust thou lovest and dying thus shalt never see the face of Christ. Yeâ— this will come as a heavy endiâ—ement against thee that God hath so wearied thee in thy way Yet Ier. 2. 25. There is no hope after thy Lovers thou wilt go You shall scarce find any but feel the creature vain and yet get not to rest in God SECT II.
to Prayer and Word and want many things but find them not Oh come therefore Lord I must have I cannot go without supply Not but that a Christian must wait and be content humbly but not careâ—esly Therefore think within thy self 1. What is there that I need but this the presence of God the life of God c. Is it not enough in Heaven where 's no wealth nor comforts else and is it not suffâ—cient now 2. May I have it oâ— this condition I must have it I am resolved not to go without it Rev. 22. 17. if you will come take it Are the termes so sweet 3. Do wicked men thirst more and more after their lusts and is Christ and his Grace and his Presence no better that I have enough of them quickly God forbid there should be such a heart 4. Doth the least sin so exceedingly go to the heart of my God and shall I suffer it not only to act here and tempt here but remain alive here 5. Is not the Lord after all love shewn me worthy of infinite not a little honour from me and doth he deserve all and must I not shall I not give it him before I dye it must it shall be so Now when here you feel a need know it that you are at the very door of relief I conceive this is the great door at which Christ enters into the soul. The root of Faith i. e. the author object and foundation of Faith is out of a mans self the door of Faith which opens to all treasures is in a mans self This door is not any good in us for then we should have somewhat to boast of nor sin in us for that shuts out God from us nor knowledg of want for that the Devils have but sense of want which when the Saints have now the door is opened for the Lord Jesus in all his fulnesse to come in Now if you know these things blessed are you if you do them SECT VIII TO all the Churches of the Lord Jesus here planted in these Western parts of the World to maintain your Church-chastity and Virginity you have a name of it abroad pure chaste Virgin-churches not polluted with the mixtures of mens inventions not defiled with the company of evill men pure Ordinances pure People pure Churches which is the cause of the scoffs and enmity of some but of the desire and joy of others O if there how happy I and how blessed they Take heed you do not defile your selves again Open whoredoom is too gross too shameful to yeild to mans inventious to open the door for all comers into the Church but take heed of secret whoredoms and departings from Christ for think of this speech when you see me dead that of all Churches in the World the Lord Jesus carries a most jealous eye over these for whom he hath done such great things and I know it he takes exceeding ill your secret wantonnesse and whoredoms of heart the Lord hath kept you hitherto look you maintain it for you may be soon defloured again few Churches retain their purity long aged gray-haired purity is seldom seen I will tell you of the several Temptations some at least that may prevail to the defilement of you First Spiritual defilement is forsaking of the Husband a total secret forsaking of Christ for here is the temptation to it viz. Gods withdrawing himself in his Ordinances from his Ordinances For three sorts of Temptations make men fall back 1. By Persecution and there many fall though some hold out as in the stony land 2. By Peace and here many fall like the thorny ground like Saylors that in a storm at Sea every man is ready and will be pulling his rope but when a calm then go to their Cabbins and there fall asleep and here many fall in this place and others stand it out 3. By the Lords withdrawing from them as those Mal. 3. 14. and here the great ones fall Many come to enjoy Ordinances and persecution vext them not world it 's base it troubles them not and they think to find much but do not but the Lord withdraws and they can get no good hereupon their false hearts discover themselves they draw back from God and lie still whereas Saints cry the more after him and look the more into themselves and find out the cause of it and then the Lord helps them Isai. 63. 17. Oh take heed of this 1. Shall I forsake the Lord that hath done these great things for my Soul 2. Shall I now do it after I am so near Heaven 3. Shall I forsake him when he departs from me but for a time it may be when as he followed me when I departed long from him 4. Is it not Hell to dye without him and shall it not be Death to live without him 5. Doth he depart without a cause he hath no cause to follow me I have all reason to follow him the Lord grant you may do so Secondly Secret defilement is by neglect of private communion with him this is whorish in a Wife Here is stronger Temptation to neglect private Prayer and Meditation partly by want of room partly by multitudes of businesses and work and cares hereabout that being weary in the day sleepy at night busie in the morning Prayer Meditation daily examination are sent away as Paul from Faelix we will speak with these at some more convenient season and hence straitnesse of heart toward Christ and no means do good Oh Beloved have you such a Husband as Christ in Heaven that loves thy looks thy company thy sighs thy speeches and will you neglect him thus what no love 2. Is he not broken with this whorish heart 3. Is that speech worth any thing with you We shall ever be with the Lord doth it comfort you to think of being ever with him and now neglect him where are your hearts Thirdly Secret defilement is by bringing other lovers into the same bed the same heart with him and here the Temptation to this is strong for most men have lost and sunk in their Estates and it 's hard to live lower than we did and this is a grief and here 't is possible to recover estate again and here grief for losse hath a vent by greedinesse and pursuit after more In other places men had a very coâ—fortable estate hence rejoyced in what they had and did not greedily desire more but now want makes men hungry and greedy and now when a man hath thought and lookt about him and seen what he may gain by his labours of many acres by his Goats and Cartel in so many year now he casts himself into the world and also will not forsake Christ utterly but bring both into the same heart Christ shall have some love some desire but the world as much and so the heart is divided and hence some set high prizes on their corn commodities cattel others look for large wages
before you but my heart in secret hath gone after the world c. I have neglected the Lord secretly I have seldom thought of or prepared for Death and I had thought to have been better but the Lord hath met with me I know violence of Disease may do it sometime but I sâ—eak how ' â—is many times whereas otherwise an open entrance should be made 2 Pet. 1. 8. 9 10 11. And as it hath been with some so take warning lest it be so with you you may be saved alive yet to suffer wrack on the shoar is uncomfortable and know it if your conscience be awake it cannot but be so Therefore do not concluâ—e they were damned without Christ but they were not made ready for Christ and it may be your time draws â—igh and what have you to say now a world for half an hour will a dying distressed man say Is of a Four-fold exhortation to all those especially that the Lord hath espoused to himself CHAP. VIII A Four-fold Exhortation to Believers SECT I. TO quicken up all those doubting drooping yet sincere hearts that much question the love of Christ to them Now to use all diligence to make their Calling and Election and the love of Christ sure to them not but that it 's sure on Christs part but make it sure on your part too else how can you be in a readinesse to meet the Lord Jesus while the strong man keeps the Palace the Goods be in peace but when Christ hath once driven Satan out of his Throne â—â—en nothing sometimes but war but doubts and fears Satan told God to his face Iob served him for nought much more will he accuse the Soul it seâ—f and some Divines think the very first ingredient of Satans poyson and the first assault on Christ himseâ—f Mat. 4. was by seeking to make him doubt of his Sonship If thou be the Son of God c. And his wiles are here very great that hence very few living christians have any setled comfortable evidence of Gods eternal love to them in his Son and hence many sad events follow How can any blesse the Lord for that love which he knows not of many times 't is with a mans doubts drooping from his mind as 't is with his continual dropping on his Lungs there is a daily consuming of what once was that many a christian doubts away his life his heart his strength and when all is wasted glad now to return to that where he should at first have begun And hence in one word he is made every day unready for Christ. Oh therefore quiet not your selves in that estate as I fear too many do at least for a time it 's one of the most dangerous estates that can be to be troubled with weak fears and yet rest in uncertain hopes but bring it to a conclusion Is the Lord Jesus mine or no and if he be yours and his love yours see it that you may trample on the neck of death and triumph over hell and the grave and long to be with the Lord and love the appearing of the Lord and go away with joy unspeakable and full of glory out of this world as to your Wedding and if there be any hope of getting it who would be without it Some of you it may be have a long time been carelesse in seeking for it hence want it some of you have been traders with the Lord long and yet doubt some of you have not clear evidence but content your selves without being thankful to the Lord for what he hath done for you hence still doubt Others have gray hairs on your head or at least are near your Graves the battel is near your armour is not on you are not yet ready and so still doubt I remember what Christ said of Maries Box she prepared that for his burial it may be that these Truths may be prepared for your approaching departure and therefore light your Lamps at this fire and light of the Lords love to you and see that indeed he loves thee But why do you perswade to this till the Spirit comes and speaks it How can I see it 1. 'T is true the Spirit only can do it but yet the same Spirit that seals the Elect the same Spirit commands the Elect not to sit Idle and dream of the Spirit but to use all diligence to make it sure and you shall never have it unlesse you lay hold on a Fancy for it on those terms 2. Though there is an immediate witnesse of the Spirit of the love of Christ yet it doth most usually and firstly witnesse by means And hence I shall give you means looking only to the Spirit of Christ to set them on Evangelical Precepts have a power For Gospel-ministration of the Spirit consists not only of stories and promises but commands and the Elect feel them Hence carnal men under the Law yet pretending Gospel will professe the Law is preached when they are pressed to any Evangelical duty because they feel not the power of the Gospel being not yet under it And the means I shall mention are only general to establish the hearts of some Make a sad enquiry first of this Whether the Lord hath loved thee for his own everlasting Names-sake or no for if the Lord hath loved Thee for this cause then thy great Objection will be answered and that deep valley will be filled How can the Lord love me that am thus vile before God and fallen from God why if the Lord for his own sake hath loved thee then as no good in thee moved him to love thee so no sin which he did know was and would be in thee can quench that love and if he hath manifested his love to be grounded on this though but once that same Name when thou changest is not changed but is still as dear to him and ever before him to move him to love thee still Rom. 11. 2. The Apostle answers a Cavil Will God cast away his people no saith he none that he foreknew and who are these vers 5. A remnant according to Grace as with us i. e. God hath for his Grace-sake chosen and called without respect of any thing else Hence that is to be understood 1 Sam. 12. 21 22. For there are two sorts of people in the Church 1. Servants 2. Sons Iohn 8. 35. Hence there is a double love the Lord manifests to men 1. Some he loves as servants that as we hire some men to do our work and give them meat and wages and then turn them out of doors or let them go so God hath work to be done for his Son and Saints and for many reasons hires wicked men to it either by giving them reward in this life or hopes of reward hereafter and when the work is done and use made of their Gifts Graces Spirits then turns them out of doors But 2. Some he loves as Sons even the most
saith the soul c. And now if any Woman lives with a man that is of a hoggish churlish disposition she will be ever doubting of his love Men do not know it I say and hence when any misery or trouble comes they grow jealous of him which the Lord takes exceeding ill Deut. 1. 27. Quest. How shall I know that tender-heartedness of Christ Answ. By his carriage towards men when he was here on earth for now he is in Heaven in Glory and we know not what his disposition is therefore his life on earth was the living looking-glasse of his heart for ever In Four Things 1. Never any came to him that he cast away whatever their sorrows or sins were but healed them every one if they came to him with their miseries for in healing their miseries he did but shew his readinesse to heal them of their sin hence Matthew applies that Mat. 8. 17. He bare our infirmities 2. When men came to him for by-ends not for himself chiefly he rebukes them for it and shews he was more ready to give himself than bread to them Iohn 6. 27. 3. Those that were lost and sick and miserable and came not to him he went up and down to seek and save them the lost Sheep Luke 19. 10. 4. Those that would none of his love he pittied and had compassion on their misery and sin as on them that were sheep without a shepheard he mourned for the hardnesse of their hearts he wept over Ierusalem Now look upon Christ the same still thou comest to him in secret to take away all iniquity to give thee himself tell me dost think the Lord if here would reject thee ever 2. But I dare not receive him Ans. Thou wilt take Bread from him daily and he is more willing to give himself 3. Thou canst not come to him nor find him but only sometimes nor see him well but then he will seek thee out 4. Oh but I oft reject yet he pitties thee still O think of this compassion of Christ and make him as if present 't is a special means to establish the heart in Believing Learn to know when you are bound not to give way to your fear of Gods love for sometime it is the case of many a precious soul that he hath clear evidence of Gods love to him and what is there against it nothing but a fear what if I should be deceived when all is done and hence the heart sinks exceedingly As some Women that have special love if once they take a jealousie of their Husbands love it 's never removed So here How shall I know this First If those fears thou hast drive thee farther from Christ it 's clear you are then to cast them off those fears that cause sin are sinful but to be driven from Christ is sinful Luke 5. 9 10. Lord depart from me I am sinful fear not saith Christ 1 Sam. 12. 20. they were ready to cast off all Fear not saith he think of this what 't is you get by nursing up those fears they hinder your joy in and your love to Christ your blessing of Christ cause a dead discouraged heart nay though they drive you to Christ one way if they drive you from Christ another way by questioning his care concluding against his Truth never doubt they are vile Mat. 8. 26. Why did ye fear O ye of little Faith So far therefore as fear drives us to Christ 't is good otherwise to be cut off 2. If the Lord hath drawn thy heart to come to Christ and when undone every way secretly perswaded thy heart that thou shalt have help if thou come and by coming hast received healing Vertues of thy lusts and vile affections from the Lord Jesus fear not now 't is a sin to fear I shall not have help as Mark 5. 33. the Woman with the Bloody-issue she was afraid she had presumed hence came trembling but the Lord told her Now fear not be it unto thee according to thy Faith only thy Issue is but begun to heal What say you have you never come to him never received any healing from him that is hard Surely 't is so that I would not be in my lust again for a world If none of these prevail but the Lord follows thee with fears on fears as wave on wave then see if there be not some guile of spirit in thee i. e. some sin you have or would give way to if you had assurance of Gods love It was the speech of one to me next to the Donation of Christ no mercy like this to deny assurance long and why for if the Lord had not I should have given way to a loose heart and life but c. so if the Lord should deal so with thee it may be thou would'st lye in thy sins if thou had'st peâ—ce there and it may be you have had it but sinned and not confessed not lamented not opposed Thus it was with David Psalm 32. 1 2 3 4. Hence when he confessed the Lord forgave in his Conscience his sin Men will withdraw their love from their Wives if it make them wanton and deal sharply with them so one that never restored could never get peace some ever complaining never setled because they have their Truces with sin and would have peace with Christ and it cannot be And this is a rule I have long held in them that have clear light of the Gospel long denial of assurance is like fire to burn out some sin and then the Lord will speak peace Iudg. 10. 16. And therefore take this counsel and God will tell thee thy sin if thou art desirous that he should find it out but get this mercy from him Zach. 13. 9. Bring thy heart to a straight either to reject or receive him to be thine he is offered to be King and Saviour and Lord and Husband now thou shalt have his heart his hand his Spirit his Father his Kingdom his Ordinances his Angels himself if you receive him or else if not you shall lose him and then woe to thee when any mercy any misery any Ordinance befalls thee for all shall suck thy Blood consume thee and fit thee for eternal ruine and then wish Oh that I had taken him but then too late therefore receive him or reject him Oh I cannot that 's another matter However we propound these Evangelical commands that may come with power and therefore know that if they do not now they shall arise again in time SECT II. THis is not all that which makes you ready for Christ unlesse your love is set and fixed on him and therefore look that it be ready I doubt not but that there is glowing in your hearts some love to the Lord it cannot be that all should be quenched that all his kindnesse should be forgotten but remembred many times with some affliction but know it if it be so your lamp is not
a close act mainly consisting in what is unseen and because men are apt to put off Christ with desires and serve Satan indeed and because apt to resolve all Religion into some two or three duties or Graces and because mens hearts are catching at comforts and promises but commands tedious and burdensome I shall presse this upon these Motives only here let me premise when I presse you to this 't is not to a Covenant of Works as though you could act your selves but we look to Christs Blood and Spirit to set on things I speak to them under Grace who have the Spirit without and Faith within to act and carry them here But 1. Whose work will you do you cannot cease to do Christs work but you must do your own work I speak not for idlenesse i. e. you must serve your lust now consider what good did thy self ever do thee nay Satan never such an enemy as thy own self and will you fall down to such an Image Shall thy lusts have content more and rather than Christ 2. Consider the Lord will take care and charge of thee to do thy work to bring about thy ends for thee do but thou do his Martha was cumbred about many things hence forsook the better part so men neglect forget Christs work because of so many distractions of their own What will become of my hundred Talents what will become of my Wife Child Now do you take care of the Lords work take that for your charge and the Lord will take charge of you The best readiest and only way to have your own ends is to seek the Lords and forget your own As in Solomon his great work and care was to rule a State well and the Lord gave all the rest Set thy face to the Sun and these shadows will follow you The Servant takes charge of his Masters work and he need not trouble himself for meat and drink and è contra First there shall not any evill hurt thee whereas else thy good things shall Isai. 27. 3. Secondly All Creatures in Heaven and Earth shall serve that man that serves his God Hos. 2. 21 23. whereas else they groan under thee Thirdly Angels shall come out of Heaven to guard thee Fourthly Nay the Lord Jesus himself shall stand at the top of the ladder that when every thing else shall leave thee he shall then bring the best wine at the last he will be a portion to thee Psalm 16. Phil. 3. 8. 3. Consider that the more difficult any duty is the more sweetnesse shall you receive if you break through it Men plead difficulty I plead gain Hence he that overcomes shall eat of the hidden Manna Hence never any so comforted honoured as Christ because never any went through so hot a work for the Father as Christ Phil. 2. You plead the difficulty of a christian life and taste not the sweetnesse of that life if you can do no more than what is easie and pleaseth self the Lord will never let you taste the sweetnesse of pleasing him Have you not sometimes found your hearts dead to Prayer yet you fell to it and then would not but have took the season for a world 4. Consider let the duty be to Nature impossible yet the Lord is at hand to help even when no strength Isai. 40. 29. Nay Heb. 11. 34. Out of weaknesse were made strong If you had no Christ no Spirit no Promises to assure you of help you might then cease acting and say 't is impossible I should ever overcome such evils attain to that measure but when Promises to assure and Christ and Spirit at hand now to plead impossibility is to reproach the Lord to think he will set his people to make Brick and give them no straw nay to war against God and to make the Lord war against you Numb 14. You know how they cried out of impossibilities and now the Lords anger rose when they were ready to enter Canaan So when men are ready to enter upon possession of Christ and Promises then impossibilities appear Consider therefore what the Lord hath done for David Gideon Samson who went out in the name and Spirit of the Lord and were helped If you were under the Law you might plead this but under Grace 't is horrible to make this excuse 5. Consider if the Lord do not help as he will be free yet he will accept thy will I know he will not accept the wishes of servants yet he will accept the will of Sons neither will he accept the will of Sons in a work they might have strength from him to do and go not to him for it but in that case he will as 2 Cor. 12. 9. i. e. 't is enough I accept thee and this is very sweet that for his own sake he should be pleased as well with the will as with the work for this is that which troubles I would have help the Lord gives none why the Lord accepts of it as if thou didst it as in Davids building a Temple For a Christians work is done two wayes First Sometimes by feeling when we feel help Secondly Some times by Faith by going to another for it and this the Lord accepts most mercifully for this is his Victory over all sin even his Faith When we see a duty hard and do not go to the Lord for help then we are overcome properly For out of the abundance of the heart the person acts for Christ. 6. Consider the Lord will honour thee though the work doth not Iohn 12. 26. Him will my Father honour both in this life Rom. 2. 29. and in that to come Now as 't is in acting parts 't is no matter what Fellow-acters think God is the great Spectator God will esteem of thee and Conscience shall witnesse as much when no eye sees or when men see and judge amisse yet the Lord approves and at the great Day before Men and Angels and all the world 1 Cor. 4. 5. Then shall every man have praise of God and hence Mat. 25. Christs judgement is made according to the works of his people because then they shall not be compared with themselves and their sins but with the wicked and hence to set out their glory he reckons up all they have done All men in all their acts seek to avoid shame and attain honour now if you did know a way for all men in the world to honour you would you not attend it what is their Dreams to Gods honour Hence not one act but is now chronicled Mal. 3. 16. and afterward rewarded 1 Cor. 15. 58. Oh then give content to the Lord. 7. Consider the peace you shall have by this means both while you live and when you dye what 's the cause of so many doleful clamours of Conscience but a loose carelesse heart the Lord is neglected that when one pleads Faith it will be replyed the true Faith is the Faith of the Son of
Abraham but to see Christ afar off and thy self shut out It may be 't is no sorrow now but it will be It s a sad thing to see a man rise up early go to bed late eat the bread of carefulnesse and yet gain nothing Phil. 1. 21. This is very sad Christ is our gain all the creatures you have means you use duties you do comforts you receive they are not gain nay the more God doth for thee the more thou losest if no Christ because now thou art full by this means Oh therefore get a heart sensible of the want of the Lord. Think there is a Christ whose Glory is the amazement of Heaven but Oh I see him not Happy for ever are they that have him but Oh I have him not Your hungry bellies cannot want bread if they do they are never quiet till they have it Is the Lord no better Lord grant this contempt be not revenged with spirituall plagues Some of you know not your want others feel it not you can live without him worse than Saul he went to Urim and lamented in great distresse He answers me not Oh you feel no distresse because of this I have him not Nay worse than Dives that begg'd Oh a drop of water to cool my tongue Why cry not you Oh the Lord Christ to comfort my heart Why is not all this fulnesse longed for Oh therefore let nothing else comfort and let nothing discourage but make this use of all Oh I want him 2. To the right closing with his person this is also required to tast the bitternesse of sin as the greatest evil Else a man will never close with Christ for his holinesse in him and from him as the greatest good For we told you that that 's the right closing with Christ for himself when it is for his holinesse For ask a whorish heart what beauty he sees in the person of Christ he will after he hath looked over his Kingdom his Righteousnesse all his works see a beâ—uty in them because they do serve his turn to comfort him only Ask a Virgin he will see his happinesse in all but that which makes the Lord amiâ—ble is his Holinesse which is in him to make him holy too as in marriage it is personal beauty draws the heart And hence I have thought it reâ—son that he that love Brethren for a little Grace will love Christ much more Hence if a man feels not the want of Christ the bitternesse of sin as his greatest evil he will never see nor admire Christs beauty much lesse close with it Hence Iohn 16. 9. Convinceth the world of sin because they believe not in me i. e. of that chiefly Oh these wrongs done against the Lord Why not of wrath and Hell Oh sin is the evil and then it appears exceeding evil when not against God simply but against a Son Paul why persecutest thou me Acts 9. Why Did he not live in lusts and self-confidence Yes but in all these he saw he persecuted Christ. And after saddest search I have feared the want of this is the great cause of all a mans closing amisse with Christ. I would but ask where was Iudas wound Was it resting in a Pharisaical righteousness without Christ Without Christ no for he forsook all and followed Christ. Was it want of profession of him preaching for him No. Was it for want of communion with him No one sin he lived in he had his bagg And hence when many went from him he stuck to him Iohn 6. Iudas still cleaves to him yet even then Christ calls him a Devil which if ever he had tasted the bitternesse of he would not have lived in not dyed desparately some think impardonably without Christ and so sin more against him Let any man living shew me how he can close with Christ and yet love one sin I 'le be his bond-man that can say I close with Christ as my Husband and yet I love my Whore too Let any man living close with Christ and keep his sin or hide his sin or let it be hid his closing with Christ shall harden him in his sin and so he shall dye without Christ in his sins as it is writ Exod. 21. 14. As it was with Ioab who fled to the Horns of the Altar so 't is with many men they sin and confess and sin under all Laws why they fly to Christ and this imboldens them hardens them why because they never tasted the bitterness of sin I know a mans sin may be crucified before 't is mortified as it may be buried after 't is dead Oh therefore I beseech you look to this you fail not here Many of you are troubled Oh take heed of being comforted until you get the Lord to do this for you or unlesse you depend upon the Lord for this in his time Some apply comfort when they see no good I dare not to my self or others Oh therefore imagine thou didst hear the Lord speaking Why dost thou persecute me why is a man so grieved at any thing that crosseth himself because a man loves himself because he thinks his good lies there most Oh see thy good more in Christ than in thy self Acts 9. 4. Oh me me in whom all good is oh to persecute him Two men hear and one is in horror and the other not oh 't is because God sets it on so here 3. Make the Lord Jesus present with you and set him really before you and see him willing to give himself unto you even to thee in particular Those that give themselves in Marriage separate themselves from all company and get alone together and give themselves one unto another so sever thy self from all the world and 〈◊〉 the Lord really beâ—ore thee as David Psalm 16. 8. and so close one with another For two things keep from Christ. Either First they care not for him and the cause is they make him noâ— present only have a notion and report of him Secondly They dare not close with him because they fear he is not willing to close with them with others not with me so that all the Scriptures they read all the Promises they hear are very sweet but they look on them as spoken to others Hence Acts 2. 39. For the Promise is made to you and to them afar off be thou never so far off if thou receivest him he will receive thee Luke 2. 14. Good will to men Oh see this good-will in the Lord to have thee receive him though thou hast no money nay because dead and vile nay because not sensible Rev. 3. 17 18. Oh wonderful because senseless of misery therefore close with him 1. Is it not his command it should be so 2. Is it not a sin to reject him will he not be angry with thee to reject him 3. Are not his conditions easie so as he hath undertaken to do all that which thou saist thou canst not Why wilt not 1. Oh if I were
say you cannot but you will find him out in Word in prayers though others be fast asleep Mat. 13. 44. When the man sells all now he buyes the field hath it and enjoyes it You would have the Lords company and fellowship I believe you But what will you give for it I will tell you It may be you will give him the hearing for it and give him a few good wishes and a few good words and a little leisure But will you turn the whole world behind your back and whatever you have out of doors that he may come in That now 't is not honour nor wealth nor life nor ease nor Heaven but him and that not only in Heaven but in his Swadling-clouts his Ordinances here beleeve it salvation is at your doors Zacheus being a low man of stature gets out of the crowd stanâ—s in the way and the Lord bids him come down Do thus when you come to any Ordinance I tell you 't is better than an host of Angels compassing thee about with praises Oh that you had the life of experience Hast not found him better than friends than means than thy self Oh that you would believe expetience 3. Make it not your task but your trade to seek for him that you may enjoy him heâ—e Make this your businesse Men make it not their main businesse to seek our Christ but only some work they must dispatch by the by They make it not their Trade but their Task which must be done Esan would have the blessing but 't is his hunting that he delights in You shall have a man that is a close worldling come and hear and joy therein but his trade his heart is after that Ezek. 33. 31. Look but on a Christian at his first conversion what great gains gets he then Oh 't is his trade to follow the Lord afterward he is idle and then feels little Mat. 13. 46. Liâ—e a merchant he ventures all and then finds Now you shall find him Heb. 11. 6. He is the rewarder not of them that seek him sluggishly but diligently What do you else seek for Why spend you your money for that which is not bread Or if there be ought else that is necessary let thy care be for him and his care shall be for thee 4. Look before thou comest to an Ordinance if there be no lust no stumbling block of iniquity that thou harbourest in thy heart or sufferest to remain in the sight of God Isa. 59. 1 2. I have know in experience and seen it in Scripture many of Gods people and others have taken on that God hides his face c. And this hath been found to be the cause either some sin not yet subdued or mortified or some sin that they have not gone for pardon of to the Blood of Christ and so unpardoned When both these have been removed the Lord hath appeared Exod. 24. 10. After the Covenant made by Blood they saw the God of Israel Ezek. 14. 3. Should I be enquired of by them that set the stumbling block of their iniquities c. Come therefore to an Ordinance that the Lord would take away thy 〈◊〉 do not come to it that you may be comforted in your sin so that though there be sin in your heart yet the Lord will not cast that in thy dish when thou comest to him to take it away It may be you know none You know not what Spirit you are of Get the Lord to discover it to thee 5. Oh be thankful and cleave the closer to Christ for a little For that 's the infinite mercy and love of Christ to his people he lets them see their end the height of Grace and Glory the Lord will bring them to but makes them feel the want of it and tast but a little but the first-fruits Now there is Satans policy to make them sleight what they have because they have not what they would have Hence Christ estrangeth himself greatly Do you thus despise my love Oh therefore cleave close to him for that little and then see John 1. 50. Thou shalt see greater things than these the Son of God and Angels ascending and descending on him Think that I feel or have the sense of any want of Grace and peace and mercy and Christ Oh 't is mercy That I have the Star oh this is mercy this brought them to Christ himself afterward Oh unthankfulnesse stops Cods heart God will never cease pouring out on thee that art pouring out praises on him for else mans kindnesse should exceed the Lords Thus you see the Means now use them and long for the Lord Jesus in them and so long as that you may meet him and do it presently else you may seek and not find him and die in your sins Iohn 8. 21. A sad and heavy speech Hath God singled you out of all people in the world to enjoy him and will you now forsake him and be eaten up with your Lots and buried in the bellies of your Beasts or sit grieving that your estates are sunk It may be Hypocrites will forsake the Lord Jesus but will you also depart Others care not for him others long not after him others give him no meeting will you depart Lord to whom shall we go Oh and long for more of him forget what is behind and hear and pray as if thou never didst so before as if but new to begin There is a plot afoot to make you loath Ordinances that so God may loath you Men that are sick and like to die can eat no common wholsom meat but are now nourished by conserves and Alchermies and Spirits of Gold So when wholsom Truths of God are despised men are deadly sick when any new-fangled device shall feed their fancy The Lord keep you from it Oh do you love and long for the Lord in them the more for his Spirit his love his Truth his Christ his company his Grace his consolations and then when death comes you shall not need to fear it but make it welcome and when Conscience shall ask Do you think to be with the Lord Oh it shall be peace in thy bosom Lord thee have I longed for thee have I sought for wept for here because I could not come to thee presently in Heaven Now Lord let me come to thee and so go triumphing to Glory SECT VII HEnce we see no Christian ought to content himself with any measure of knowledge or fellowship with the Lord Jesus here For if full perfect and immediate fellowship with him in Heaven and at last day ought to be the mark he aimes at and journies end of all his desires then he is not to sit down in the mid-way but to breath and aspire after still more and more of him Thus Paul though fully sealed with the Spirit yet he makes this his mark Phil. 3. 14 15 16. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11 12 13. The Apostle tels them the Propheâ—s looked after the Grace given
no prophane ones among us to overthrow the kingdom of hypocrisie as well as of civility and prophanenesse 3. You will save the Lord a purging and cleansing time for when Christ purgeth not with the Holy Ghost in his Saints and Ordinances he will with fire Here I might give rules for discerning mens spirits as 〈◊〉 Mark their speech for by thy words thou shalt be justified and many times one word will give a light to see all as in Simon Magus as with men in a labyrinth found out by one thread Secondly Mark them that you see not grapling with Sin and Temptation for if we see them without that they are not yet tryed therefore observe them here here is their trial when time of Temptation comes Thirdly Get thy self to stand at a distance from sinful men from all the world We know we are of God 1 Iohn 5. 19. As men that are in the water look only to themselves but standing safe on shore they see others drowning I speak this because I fear the Churches are so busie about their own things that their 〈◊〉 not kept if they see no grosse sin then all is well Hence be not offended if you see great Cedars fall stars fall from Heaven great Professors die and decay 1. Do not think they be all such 2. Do not think the Elect shall fall Truly some are such that when they fall one would think a man â—ruly sanctified might fall away as the Arminians think 1 Iohn â— 19. They were not of us I speak this because the Lord is shaking and I look for great Apostacies towards for God is trying all his Friends through all the chrisâ—ian world in Germany what profession was there who would have tâ—ought it The Lord who delights to manifest that oâ—enly which was hid secretly sends a sword and they fall others in other places receive the Word with joy the Lord sends Persecution and fearing men more than the filth of sin and anger of Christ they fall others stand iâ— ouâ— there and suffer and venture hither and Isacâ—ar-like see rest is good and crouch under their burdens and so they fall Others have had sweetnesse in Ordinances the Lord departs and so they fall Others have corrupt hearts and received the truth in the form not in love and stood in deferce of the truth not love of the truth the Lord lets â—rrour loose and they fall Well never be offended at this I am not because I never knew man fall but he loved some lust and was never broken from sin and although this is not seen when they do fall it offends not me Oh therefore search your own hearts when Christ said to the Disciples one shall betray me Lord is it â— say they so when not one but many Lord is it I Oh many a christian lies fast asleep never comes to a thorow search a strict waâ—ch Do but consider this 1. That in Churches nay purest Churches many may lye hid nor discerned 2. Thou maist be one 3. If thou beest that of all men living none shall so deeply sink in Hell 4. That all Ordinances shall tend to this end and all thy joyes all thy afflictions and therefore Oh search befoâ—e the Lord search and say Lord as no mans punishments and plagues can be like 〈◊〉 nor sins if I â—erish so if pardoned loved never any shall have such cause to blesse theeâ— and therefore take not up with weak and groundlesse hopes but love that hand that smites and wounds thee for this discovery is to awaken thee but you have so much businesse you will not cannot c. Consider what a fearful thing 't is to be 〈◊〉 up as for a gazing-stock to Saints so an everlasting terror to the damned themselves CHAP. XIII Containing a Discovery of Gospel-Hypocrites SECT I. THat the most hidden hypocrites of the purest Churches under the Gospel are Evangelical or Gospel Hypocrites For these that were foolish were not such as in appearance rested in the Law or in a Covenant of Works but they had escaped those intanglements and now were Virgins that plead their interest in and their communion and fellowship and love-knot with Christ they had now their Lamps ready and made much preparation for him and they did wait for him and verily looked to have eternal fellowship with him their Beloved infomuch that they took their flight so high towards Heaven and Christ that they passed for a time the discerning of the wise for you must know that where the Gospel comes there are two sorts of enemies against it 1. Open and those are your Justiciaties that seeking to establish their own righteousnesse and being puâ—â—ed up with it can with pretended good consciences in doing God service oppose the righteousnesse of God 2. Secret and subtil enemies yet seeming Friends and these are your carnal Gospellers that cry down all their own righteousnesse and cry up Christ and see nothing in themselves as there is good cause so to think and look for all from Christ and yet these when the Lord comes to search are found false and these are the worms that grow in this wood in this building in these Churches Thus it was in Christs time the Church of the Jews had left their grosse idolatries yet this was their stumbling-stone they sought to establish their own righteousnesse and hence he came to his own and his own received him not and hence were cut off for this their unbelief but others divers sorts of them did receive him beleeved in him Iohn 2. 23. Many took hold on Christ and he took no hold on them wondred at him and entertained him when others did reject him as Capernaum did yet under his woe And these are the spots of Evangelical purity wenns in the best bodies of the best constituted Churches Look but upon Christs own Family Iohn 6. 69 70. The Disciples professed when others departed Lord to whom should we go thou hast words of life yet saith he I have chosen you indeed to be for me but one is a devil viz. Iudas the Deacon stood not on his own righteousnesse but was for Christ and followed him and yet in this Evangelical Angel without is a Devil within because he still harboured his lusts within This the Apostle Paul fore-saw Acts 20. 29 30. Some Wolves without should come and also some cankers within should fret that should draw many Disciples after them in a Church bought by Christs own blood speaking perverse things pretending to draw Disciples after Christ but 't is indeed after themselves and Paul laments this Many walk i. e. professe Christ and his Crosse yet enemies to it Phil. 3. 19. This Christ foretels Luke 13. 25 26. Many seek many knock and at last cry Lord Lord open and in their life-time they pleaded communion with Christ yet Depart ye workers of iniquity Iude 4. Certain â—en are crept in turning Grace into Lasciviousnesse for that is the very form of an
they would conquer Religion by subtilty never oppose Religion with a crosse Religion but set it against it self so oppose the Gospel by the Gospel and look as Churches pleâ—ding for Works had new invented devised Works so when Faith is preached men will have their nâ—w inventions of Faith I speak not this against the Doctrine of Faith where 't is preached but am glad of it nor that I would have men content themselves with every form of Faith for I beleeve that most mens Faith needs confirming or trying but I speak to prevent danger on that hand For it was that which Christ did fore-tell Mat. 24. 24. Many false christs should arise i. e. such as should misapply Christ that had a spirit for Christ which was a spirit against Christ and would deceive if it were possible the very Elect for coming with Christs Spirit they dare not oppose them lest they oppose the Spirit of Christ the only remedy is to hold to Christs Word and not to depart one hairs bredth from it Rev. 3. 10. and to a Word well understood and then dispute no more Satan comes to Eve and bids her eat no God forbid yet eat to be like gods He dazeled her eyes with that which was not now she fell Take the truth from what the Word saith and depart not from it III. Here see the dreadful estate of all them that be found false-hearted in the purest Churches and that in these three respects First That they should so horribly forsake and blaspheme the Name of God to make the glorious Gospel of God and all the sweet Doctrines of Grace a cover for their hypocriâ—â—e and sin as indeed it is for were it not for this they might be found out in their sins but now they are beyond the discovery of all men or means Secondly That they should be so lamentably forsaken of God as to be left 1. To the most subtil and spiritual Hypocrisie in the world which being most crosse to God shall receive most fierce and searching wrath For as Divines say of Christ he was forsaken in Soul because man had sinned with his Soul so Gods wrath will â—earch deep in their hearts whose hearts have guilefully departed from the Lord. 2. That he should lead them so far and yet in the main forsake them Oh this is heavy wrath for a man to be lead in the day-light of the Gospel almost to the end of his journey and at last the Sun sets and he left to wilder Thirdly In regard of the cries of the very Gospel it self against them Oh that the precious Gospel of God coming with so much Peace Love Grace mercy should win them to be Hypocrites but never to be Friends Beloved as there is vengeance of the Law and of the Temple so there is vengeance of the Gospel when the soul shall be drawn before the Tribunal of Christ and shall stand there quaking all sins set in order before you and your mouth shall be stopt What say you then for your life Oh Grace and mercy Lord Oh now shall the Gospel come forth and say all this I did I spake I strove I comforted I terrified and yet he hath opposed the Lord and me he hath made a cover for all these evils and therefore Lord let him never be comforted more Iohn 3. 19. Oh Christ hath heavy things against these Times that take light of the Gospel to see to commit their sin by And therefore lament your present estates you that know your selves naught never yet drawn to Christ never yet humbled at the feet of Christ and look up to the Lord what-ever misery he inflicts not to suffer thee to be deceived here not only to have such a Faith as may catch hold on Christ but he on thee and come unto the light to manifest the hidden enmity there Never was yet man deceived but he that was willing to be deceived that would not use the means and search SECT IV. ALL you therefore that live under the light of the Gospel consider if it doth not nearly concern you to search and try your selves whether you or some of you may not be Evangelical Hypocrites the time is coming that you shall stand before the Tribunal of God wherein the hidden things of darknesse shall be brought forth to light and it will be too late to know your selves then Oh therefore search now No mans misery will be so great as this if your heart be found false I shall speak in a manner but generally now 1. Those that do believe and yet fail in respect of the efficient cause of Faith it never had the right maker never came out of the right shop nor mint it was never a Faith of Gods making but a faith of your own making so that it 's a base bastard Faith that though it be born in the House it shall never possesse the inheritance because it was never begotten of the right Father the Lord never wrought it but themselves for many a man is convinced by the Law and spirit of bondage that he must die and that he is a most grievous sinner and that when he hath done all he is unprofitable but yet he trusts to Christ and Gods mercy and so believes he finds no great difficulty in this nor no great need of the Almighty power of the Lord to work this and all men living shall never make him think but that he doth heartily and truly beleeve but ask him have you no doubt of your estate and of Christs not taking hold of you when you take hold of him Yes but seeing he hath been troubled about his estate and repented of his sin in his fashion and reformed himself and Family and loves the best things he believes without question and so misapplies promises to himself never feeling a need of the revelation and donation of Jesus to him by the Father and thus the Lord finds this man a Christ and this man finds the Lord a Faith and the Lord Jesus redeems this man by price and this man redeems himself by power and so the Father shall have some Glory for providing a Saviour Christ shall have some Glory for paying a price and the Spirit of Christ which only can draw to Christ shall lose his Glory and so this man may take it to himself And is this good think you Col. 2. 12. Risen with Christ through Faith of the operation of God 1 Pet. 1. 3. The same power that raised Christ from the dead must raise you to a lively hope Mat. 22. 1 2 3. One man came from his hedges and High-wayes to the Feast of the Promise and Ordinances of the Gospel till the Lord saw him without Christ but Iohn 6. 64 65. Unlesse the Father reveals Christs face the Father perswades thee of Christs love you can never come to Christ men know not thy Hypocrisie thou dost not but Jesus doth and what good will thy Faith do thee then It was
of flesh and blood cannot be at the weight of that Glory long That by works see the promise and by the promise of love behold eâ—ernal thoughts of love And hence promises are said to be given to Saintâ— before the world began Because promises to them that thirst mourn believe c. are not bare words but eternal counsels in which you see Gods purpose 2. In respect of time present by it we know our present union to the Lord Jesus 1 John 2. 4. He that saith I know him and keeps not his Commandments is a Liar Yes that is true negatively but may a man ought a man to see or know his union positively by this Ans v. 5. Many said they did know and love the Lord but he that keeps his words Oh they are sweet It s Heaven to cleave to him in every command its death to depart from any command Hereby know we that we are in him If it were possible to ask of Angels how they know they are not devils they would answer the Lords will is ours So here How do you know you have not the nature of Devils and so in state of Devils bound there till the judgment of the great day Because God hath châ—nged our vile natures and made our wills like unto his glorious will c. So for forgiveness Luke 7. 47. Much is forgiven her c. 3. In respect of the state of Glory for time to come We may know our blessed estâ—te by a work 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen what the Lord hath prepared for them that love him Psal. 31. 19. Oh how great is thy goodnesse laid up for them that fear thee 3 Cor. 5. 3. If cloathed with Christ whole Christ v. 5 6. He hath fitted us for this and given the earnest of the Spirit which Rom. 8. 23. are first-fruits of Glory therefore we are confident Obj. But if you look to your selves you will have peace to day and sorrow to morrow Nay we are alwaies consident and yet Paul did not now go on in a Covenant of works Now whether a man first comes to know his estate by a work word and spirit so that there are three things to evidence our happy estate or whether by two things only viz. a geâ—eral word and spirit I intend not to dispute because it makes nothing against the truth in hand Only this I say it s very dangerous to limit the Holy One of Israel especially in his freedom of working to breath light and life and divine consolation when and by what means and promise and in what measure he will Christ when he was here on earth would say somtimes thy sins are forgiven Mat. 9. 2. Somtimes be it unto as thou believest Mat. 9. 28 29. Nay be it unto thee as thou wilt Mat. 15. 28. If in these inferiour things much more in greater Christ is now gone and we have no immediate speech with him but in his Word and he is free to speak to his people according as he pleaseth and when they need And therefore let me entreat Brethren to be wary in their speeches in dashing all promises in pieces What Christian heart can see Gods Truth mangled without being angry and mourning for the hardnesse of mens hearts The Lord hath spoken peace to some mens hearts thus he that is lost shall be found He that believes in me shall never hunger and he that comes to me shall never thirst and seeing this they conclude the Lords Spirit helping them for somtime they cannot do it peace For the Major is the Word the Minor Experience and the Conclusion the Lords Spirits work quickning your spirits to it Now say some how do you know this Thus you may be mistaken for many have been deceived thus Grant that And shall a child not take bread when 't is given him though dogs snatch at it What should one do then Bring their work to the light to the triall of the Word which you know doth but two things Shews that God is And 2. What man is and so discovers and describes all hypocrise of men and all grace of men now if it will not bear the trial of the Word convince them they have gone on in a covenant of works indeed But if it will hold there take heed then of false witnesse against the Truth of God so that do not condemn the work of Christ in any man where 't is of the right stamp and hath Christs Image upon it and so pluck men from their claim to Christs love revealed in his promise But learn to difference it once and then I am perswaded the sad differences that begin to appear would soon be ended among all them that love the Truth in Christ Iesus 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given to us that have precious Faith exceeding great and precious promises The Lord gives little to his people Oh but he gives them rich promises Bonds and Bills and writings to shew for rich Grace and riches of Glory and riches of peace Oh but these promises Hypocrites may have they may be lost and hunger and thirst and believe What as those do that have their interest in these promises Why are they called precious Promises Precious promises are not common things Precious promises are not the portion of a base world Precious things God never gives to dogs and believe me you may come to know the price of them in the times of your horrour on death-bed that account them common now Oh but many rest on promises without Christ That 's all one the faithful by them come to partake of the Divine Nature of Christ of his Spirit of Divine Consolations Peace Grace and this is not building on a work or resting on a bare promise when it carries you to Christ and the everlasting embracings of him It s no matter what promise gives peace so long as it lands us in Christ. And therefore a man may know his blessed estate by a work only let me put in three Cautions 1. Take heed you do not in your judgment or in your practise go about to move the Lord to love you by your work though it be of his making For all works are fruits no causes of the Lords love for this is Popery indeed and 't is Hypocrise Isa. 58. 3 4. Why have we fasted and prayed and delighted to draw near unto God c. but look upon the work and promise and be the more vile in thine own eyes that the Lord should promise or do any thing for thee So that when you feel any saving work go not to God with expectation of any good in the name of that work but in the name of that free Grace and Faithfulnesse of God which hath moved him to make such precious promises to such as those are that have it Hast not said Solomon shall reign 1 Kings 1. 13. So here 2. Take heed you do not sit down contented with the work and quiet your selves with
as for others let them go where they will and do what they will so here all that shall enjoy God are put under the Kingdom of the Son Hence he is said to give it up To others he will say you love Liberty take it then II. Because the Lord and Fellowship with him is never indeed their last utmost end or their only end but they have some oâ— her end of their own hence they are never carried strongly through all means to that end For this is the nature of a mans last and utmost end it carries a man without any stop toward it and that with delight As a man that hath hoâ—our and preferment and great hopes in his eye that is reaching to the top of his aspiring thoughts he will ride and run and flatter and sin c. A man that hath riches in his eye he will rise early and go to bed late eat the bread of carefulnesse and he never hath enough A man that is sick and hath health in his eye takes his Physick observes his seasons wasts his estate for this is his end Hence a Hypocrite never making Christ his last end but being ever a double-minded man Iames 1. And having his own ends and lusts and self to attend upon hence the Byas draws him from following Christ effectually but he must follow his own ends and hence ever neglects the means that lead him thereunto Mat. 6 24. Look as 't is with men that have two Trdes or two Shops one is as much as ever they can follow or tend they are forced at last to put off one and they must neglect the one So here III. In regard of that Spirit of sloath and slumber which the Lord ever leaves the best Hypocrite unto which is the dearest lust and last enemy that the Lord destroyes in all his but never destroies in these Which so mightâ—ly oppresseth all their senses that they cannot use effectually all means to accomplish their ends And hence a man desires the end but hath it not Prov. 13 4. The Lord proposeth the most Glorious end to his people but it s through many difficulties that we must come to it Now there being the Spirit of sloath within and these difficulties without a Hypocrite sits down and rests under the shadow of this growing spreading sin and saith 't is hard and because he cannot do so he hopes 't is but an infirmity and God will accept of his desires and here perisheth Mat. 7. 14. For straight is the gate that leads unto life hence few there be that find it Look as it was with the Israelites Canaan they were bound for they came at last to it but when their Spies had told them of the difficulties they sank only Caleb and Ioshua of that mighty Host that had upright hearts here Heavy things must descend though cast up for their place is downward Light things cast them downward yet they must up again for their place is upward So 't is here A sluggish heart may be lift up by means but they cannot hold it their place is downward here is their rest so Saints è contra like fire will consume all difficulties their rest is upward SECT III. HEnce we see one ground of many complaints that are in the mouths of many Professors of the waies of God that never find the sweet which is the end of their Christian course that are ever complaining of wants but never feels supplies ever learning never knowing ever hoping never having ever confessing of their sins never triumphing over their sin ever wishing that they had the Lord but never possessing the Lord. And hence have minds full of fears and mouths full of complaints and hence finding no sweet in their course could be content but for shame to throw by their Profession Why Where is the cause of this Is Heaven so barren and beggarly that there are no Jewels to be had there Are the fields of Gods Ordinances so empty that there is no Treasure to be found there Oh yes there 't is but Christians are idle there is the Treasure but they cannot beg much lesse dig for it Prov. 2. 3 4 5 6. If there be a treasure in the ground and a man can find nothing and so is ever complaining the fault is in the man he doth not dig long enough nor deep enough so 't is here There is never an Ordinance but the Lord is in it he never said to the Horse of Iacob seek his face in vain Men pray and if a few sighs will feâ—ch in relief well and good if not they cast that Shovel by dig I cannot they spend some time in laying sin to heart but if I cannot presently feel the bitternesse of it I cannot help it dig I cannot A man can be content to hear the Word and to listen after it but to stir up the soul to lay hold on the Lord that their sleep forbids Prov. 13. 4. The soul of the diligent shall be made fat Why do you famish under means Is it because the Lords is unwilling or unable to relieve No Iohn 6. 27. You labour for that bread that perisheth Labour not for it but for the other and the Son of man will give it you for he is sealed for that very end You complain your hearts are alwaies out of frame Tell me do you keep then with all diligence Prov. 4 23. With all your Guard about it You complain you never get assurance Do you use all diligence to make it sure You complain you seek and find not Do you seek him diligently Heb. 11 6. Oh this is the cause The Lord hath given you the Spirit of slumber Oh lay not the fault on the Lord but on thine own carelesse heart and lament over it and say this hath been the cause of all my complaints and woe Oh I remember what the Lord by Ieremy speaks Go into the strong Holds for the Lord hath poured upon us the Spirit of deep sleep and given us the waters of Gall to drink I confesse the Lords choicest servants have their complaints their sighs and groans unutterable they have their fears temptations and tears Who more abundantly Yet Beloved methinks 't is with them as 't is with Passengers and Travellers towards their home that they see it Twenty Miles off somtime when they be on the Top of an Hill after they have gone a little farther they come into a Valley and then they complain they have lost the sight of it and cannot see it again scarce till they be upon iâ— yet they sit not down in their Valley but are going towards it They go from strength to strength though they come tired thither as Psal. 84. 7 8. They passe from strength to strength till they come to see God in Sion They rest not in their complaints but get on and the star before them the Means that lead them to that end make them as Mat. 2. 10. rejoyce
with exceeding great joy I confesse they may for a time give way to their sloath and sit in their vallies and turn day into night and sleep out almost the season of means yet you shall ever find this if ordinary means awaken them not terrible Flashings and Lightnings of wrath do and in their afflictions and terrours and wounds of Conscience Hos. 5. 15. they shall seek the Lord early Ponder therefore of this cause and in a time of sorrow they shall complain for somthing viz. for their sloath This may be the greatest sin of some they live in no sin but complaint thy complaints may be fruits of sloath in not using means and this may be thy great sin Hence learn 't is not having of Means in this place nor coming hither for Means that will do you any good or evidence your safe and good estate but an effectual use and improvement of them not only the use of outward but inward means too Men that have never so great a stock may die Beggars by not improving it Deut. 29 3 4. 1. Many seeing and beholding that Sun which is set with them to be risen here in these Western Parts partly out of fear of persecution partly by Friends perswasion and company partly to enjoy Gods Ordinances have taken their flight hither But 2. Being come wish Oh that our eyes had never seen it partly through plenty of means despise and loath them partly through multitude of covering or vexing cares have no hearts to or time to use them And yet 3. Are comforted in this that they have them though they see no God in them tast little sweetnesse receive little power from them and hope to go to Heaven at next remove that have come so far for these c. I would to God it were so But oh consider 1. If you improve them not thy coming hither is but the discovery of thy hypocrisie to men and Angels for this is the stage wherein the most fine-spun hypocrisie and real sincerity shall act its part 2. Nay thou art so far from being blessed in having them thus that Gods fiercest plagues shall here approach thy dwelling The Arke among the Philistims made the Lord plague the Philistims 3. Nay this shall lay all desolate one day They cried the Temple of the Lord Jer. 7. Go to Shiloh So I say Go to the Palatinate Go to Germany France go to the places whence you came and see what the Lord hath done 4. This shall be as to Saints greatest joy when they shall look back and see all the difficulties they have passed over that here and there hearts and help failed and there I lingred but the Lord was merciful and pulled me out and they shall wonder at that Faithfulnesse and Grace so here This will be terrour and anguish that I came so far and had means and took some pains and was almost perswaded one time almost confuted another almost conquered and had yielded up all at another but oh my Lump fell down to the dust again and my soul forsook the pursuing of the Lord again and this shall be the portion of Hypocrites You may neglect and wrap up your Talents but the Lord hath a time to call you to an account what gain you make Look therefore to it it may be some of you have need to improve means you despise them in one place and hither you come for them and poor hearts eyes dim hearts hard Consciences asleep ears deaf breath gone life lost God departed and nothing left but a dead Carcase It may be some are sincere and the work of Gods Spirit is set back your Lamps are out your watchful minds and tender hearts and earnest pursuit after the Lord is gone Oh then consider what little cause you have to boast in means Men that have no part in ships look for no gain but if you have any part in the Blessiâ—â— oâ— Ordinances rest not without it Hence see what need you have of a mighty and unresistable power of the Lords Grace and Spirit to carry you an end in your Christian course if ever you come to life For if Hypocrisie discovers it self in an ineffectual use of means then you will find all the powers of darknesse resisting and seeking to surprize you here That as 't is with Thieves you shall not see not find them lying in the City 't is in vain there to offer any violence but in the way So Satan cannot step unto the Gates of Heaven to keep you from thence and hence all his power and policy lies in the way of means to keep you from thence And hence look upon the best man how many hindrances to Prayer somtime though he hath tasted the sweet of it he had rather die than pray How soon are the thoughts turned from God when we come to draw nigh to God how unable to wake one hour That if it were not the inyincible strength of a God that did support them 1 Pet. 1 5. they could never go on Tell me you poor Creatures that never were effectually carried to your end by means Do you not oft find checks for sin desires against it Christ and mercy weeping at your knees melting over you and your hearts almost perswaded Do you not find a want of Christ and Grace and Spirit and Promises and you hope it will be better Do you not find some movings towards the Lord but yet withal do you not find a dead sloathful heart slayes you again The veriest reprobate in the world may have as good an assurance of heaven as thou there may be better in Hell than thee And who can mend this long long it hath been thus Oh then feel a need of the Lords irresistable power Thou indeed hast an end but say Lord thou must carry me like a lost sheep on thy shoulders to that end Seek the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore in all means at all times but seek his strength then Col. 1. 29. I labour thus striving according to his working which works in me mightily and so I strive Oh see need of this Many of you make work with your own hearts and strive and endeavour and yet cannot stir Oh look then for this mighty working and feel a need of it SECT IV. HEnce judge what your estates are this day before the Lord. I know and believe that you prize pray for long for the end and if ever the Lord saves and pardons you you shall have cause to blesse him You may do as hath been said but never find a heart given you by the invincible wrestlings of a God to use and improve all means to that end and thus your practise in the habitual neglect of means is a clear and manifest witnesse like the day against you that you do not desire sincerely the end as you think in having so little respect to the means that conduce thereunto Did you ever see that man that did
long fasting till the time of extremity comes and then he pours waters on the thirsty Hence better for those never to have known 2 Pet. 2 21. and an hypocrites last end is to satisfie himself hence he hath enough a Saints is to satisfie Christ hence he never hath enough 5. Those that do neglect the Lord under this colour of receiving Christ they can do nothing themselves and Christ must do all and hence neglect the Lord secretly and sometimes quarrel with the Ministry privately when pressed to a duty or to beleeve Alas what can a man do when all the Ministers in the world have preached their hearts out at last they must bring us to Christ what else should the Apostle mean Rom. 4 5. Not to him that worketh but beleeveth is faith accounted for righteousness I must not live I must let Christ live c. And hence say they the cause of perishing is not mens wills but Gods he elects not he gives no heart such hypocrites the Lord prophesies of Mat. 7. 21. Many that say to me Lord Lord i. that advance the Lord Jesus and live in neglect of all duties and bring the Lord of glory not from his Throne in Heaven to Hell but which is worse debase him from his glory to sin to be the cover of sin and protector of it Beloved I know no surer sign of a vessel that God intends to break in peeces then this to live in this neglect 2 Tim. 2 20. Nay 't is an evidence there is no hope no living hope 1 Iohn 3. 3. He that hath this hope purgeth himself as Christ is pure Many it seems boasted of hope in Christ so do Saints but he gives this Note He purgeth himself he will not sluggishly put all on Christ. T is true 't is the mighty working of Christ that must conquer thy lusts but must this put you to neglect striving Col. 1. 29. I strive according to the working And for mine own part though I le not dispute the point at large I beleeve there is a constant assistance of the mighty power of the Lord Jesus in the souls of all the Saints 1 Pet. 1. 5. And hence 1 Iohn 4. Greater is he that is in you then in the world The Saints as they receive the Lord Jesus to rule them that he alone may be Lord and King not only in heaven but in their heâ—rts So a false hearâ— receives Christ lastly for to ease him Sometime for to ease him of the burden of Conscience sometime to ease him of the Lords work the burthen of his will and hence some at last have complained though hardly convinced of it that they could be contented the Lord should act them but their end was that hereby they might be rid of their burden and so eased by him I have heard a Question should be askt What is the difference between the workings of Gods Spirit and the Saints And that the Answer was 1. The one is by graces the other immediatly 2. The Spirits is when a man labours least quite cross to the stream of truth Take heed how you understand these points aright the depth of the most hellish villany in the world lies unâ—er them Wo to thee that canst paint such a Christ in thy head and receive such a Christ into thy heart as must be a pander to your sloth the Lord will revenge this wrong done to his glory with greater sorrows then ever any felt To make Christ not only meat and drink to feed but cloaths to cover your sloth Why what can we doe what can we doe Why as the first Adam conveies not only guilt but power So the second conveys both righteousness and strength as Christ is now triumphing by his eternal Spirit and his life is heavenly so if you be in Christ there is a Spirit of Christ whereby a never dying life is begot that can and doth conquer though it be but a spark Christ maintaining it it shall come to victory You are forsaken of Christ if you want this or else take heed this colour make you not forsake him 6. Those that neglect the means and yet look for the end in hope of future time and so neglect the present season Thus 't is with many a one the day of life and health and day of Ordinances continues and hence the sluggard cryes Prov. 24. 33. Yet a little more slumber i. I le have but a little while longer c. Hence when Conscience checks Ministers warn the Lord wooes the Spirit cries a man puts off all with this I hope it will be better And hence it falls out with them as with those Matth. 24 The Lord comes in a time they look not for him and of this many on their deathbeds have cryed out Think of this you convicted persons that know its miserable with you before God stop your breath you have nothing to plead for your neglect but hope of time Know it Gods present seasons are golden one moment worth eternity and now is the time if you neglect his season he will not regard yours God is never found in your time but in his time Oh lay these things to heart especially you that are grown weary of means that faint in your way God is not yet weary of continuing means art thou weary of gaining by means Oh consider this you that have had many hopes desires purposes but all blasted your time and means neglected Think on this you that have had marvellous affections but your spirits are gone Nothing can make you mend your pace not all Ministry and Word but you are clog'd with means Remember that Isai. 65. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. For my people that have sought me c. SECT V. TO all those that do effectually seek the Lord in the use of means And for discovery thereof Consider 1. If ever the Lord gave you a hearâ— effectually to seek him in means you will finde mighty opposition temptations springing up one after another c. from within from without and the oppositions will make you seek him the more Hence Rom. 13. 11 12. he bids us put off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light When man desires and lies in his sloth he meets with little opposition or trouble of his own heart but here 't is otherwise therefore put on armour And I say the soul is made hereby to seek the Lord the more as the blinde man Mark 10. 48. Redeem the time because the days are evill As 't is with Mariners they will not only use fair but side and almost contrary winds to come neer the shore they are bound for let the Lord give any grace oh more of that mercy as Moses Deut. 3. 24. Let the Lord deny yet the soul cries the more let agonies come Christ prays the more let the will oppose he will yeeld himself to the Lord to cross his own will and deny himself peâ—ce makes him love and
are small things with men but the World is great and this is your delight truly 't is but your dream What will your souls be when death opens its mouth what a sad thing is it to see men spin Copwebs that must be swept down I. To those that never sought the Lord effectually to this day not to neglect him now those that are like children born before their time that have had some sorrow after the Lord but comforted before it was deep enough have some desires but eased with other things before they were satisfied with Christ himself that have run for a spurt but are grown weary before they come half way home and so sit down in the way like Clocks set slow in the first hour of the day run slow all the day after So these set back and think they are set right too run slow all their life after That as he said of a covetous man he had a strong desire for heaven if any would bear his charges thither So these And to you I speak not that never sought but that have been seeking yet effectually to use all means this you never did 1. Consider how far men have gone What means they have used yet have never found to this day Luke 13. 24. Strive saith Christ. This I speak because men think they may neglect their seasons of earnest pursuit after grace men may sit still and put all care from themselves to God and live in their sloth Oh no Consider so many snares so many by paths so many deceits within so many sins and lusts to subdue all time and means is little enough Take heed of spending prodigally and think Christs grace will bear you out Oh! look upon the cries at death-bed to see some men that have been like famishing men that have wanted bread and then have cryed bread bread but could not eat it Oh saith Paul I beat down my body lest in preaching to others my self become a cast away 2. Consider how others have broken down the greatest difficulties and are now in glory as Rev. 12. 11. They loved not their lives to the death They have not only spent their time lost their name their comforts but their blood that have passed through waters fires bonds imprisonments and with Paul have not accounted their lives dear that they might finish their work David was full of God one would think sometimes he had enough yet when he awakes he is with God at midnight his thoughts and reins instruct him the Law was his meditation day and night You shall see him in the Temple blessing God on the Throne advancing the Lord on the dunghill in banishment longing after him when he sate among Princes meditating and was there here too much cost might any of this ointment have been spared Consider Christ himself Heb. 12. 1 2 3. cast off sloth Looking to Iesus who for the joy despised the shame endured the Cross and that not for himself it may be for thee that thou mightst not now he is at the right hand of God So are the Saints in Heaven and now rejoycing that ever they sought him that they spent so much time on him 3. Consider There is a time of neglect of Christ which when past you shall never finc'e him again Iohn 7. 3 4. Ye shall seek me but never finde me You have had many Diamond-days and seasons and God gives you a space to repent and saith My Spirit shall not alway strive it may be some are but within that space that the Lord is at the last cast with you 4. Consider whatever your condition be shake off your sloth and set upon the means the Lord will be found do it in good earnest This will be good news to you that think he will never but be thy heart like steel and hard the Lord will break it Hebr. 11. 6. he will be found of them that seek him diligently And the greater things thou seekest for the more like to get them as one of the Fathers thinks that to pray with repetitions is to pray for small things Open thy mouth wide I le fill it and it may be presently in a moment when thou thinkest least of it it may be at that time when thou findest most unwillingness and difficulty to seek seek then and the Lord will be found Oh this damps many a man in the use of means he thinks the Lord will never help and hence is tormented with this thought and sits down and rests If you would keep a Labourer from work or a Traveller from walking put thorns in their feet now the work is neglected there is pricking sâ—uffe he cannot follow on his business now So 't is here Prov. 15. 19. Take heed therefore of sitting down with such thoughts as these its strange thou shouldst be killed for every cut and because wounded for sin to fall off from the Lord by unbelief too II. Motives to you that have followed the Lord but now have begun to neglect him For what cause I know not but I am sure the Lord hath given you none Yet a spirit of slumber and sloath is upon you that you are not the men you were It may be some for want of place want of time many occasions many sorrowes and temptations in this wildernesse and hence no means sweet no bed easie your bones are broken It may be a little time of neglect hath emboldned you to a custome It may be loose examples the spirits of others flat and thine is so too whom God sent into Church-Fellowship to quicken them It may be an ill Husband is an hindrance a bad wife as Iobs wife or whatever 't is Oh that God would speak this day to you 1. Consider thou art nearer to thy salvation than when thou didst first believe and then you thought no time no pains too much but all too little Rom. 13. 11 12. Mariners near the Shore look out for Rocks Lord that I may not split now Truly as it was with Christ the longer he did live the more sorrows so with you God hath carried you near salvation Oh now being neerer there are worse rocks look about you now Satans last temptations are strongest Oh give not in now It may be not many daies nor weeks hence thou shalt come to thy journeys end Awaken then out of sleep 2. Consider how glad the Lord is of thy company he hath been so and will be so again thou canst not come in too late 1 Sam. 12. 21. as poor and vile as thou art Prov. 8. His delight is with the Sons of men Witnesse mercies witnesse afflictions Oh then seek him Witnesse desertions then seek him witness his sweet entertainment of thee many a time when he hath given thee meat that the world knows not of witnesse so many hindrances which Satan laies in who knowes how crosse 't is to Christ Jer. 2. 1 2 3. I remember the love of thine espousals when thou didst follow me
73 74. So that if you will not believe man yet believe God and if you will not believe his Word yet his Oath Oh but many good Christians find no such thing But is it so as they find it indeed Either then they are no Christians or else the Lord is forsworn Thirdly That by the inward principle of Spirit and Graces our lamp burns and shines our actions issue The Spirit enables a man to know hence the act flows he doth know the Lord. The Spirit enables inwardly for to love the Lord and hence it doth love him That as Christ saith a good tree brings forth good fruit from an inward sap received from the root and by abiding on the root So here 1. Those that are renewed to Adams image in their measure have according to that measure power to act or in those Graces there is power to act for he had power so to do Every creature in the world had a Law of Nature to carry them to their end and so were carried to it But Adam had a Law of Divinity whereby he being a cause by Counsel was enabled by God to carry himself toward his end Now we are renewed to that image in part Eph. 4. 24. I know there is difference between Adams power to act which had no Faith ours that hath And do not think that this doth advance nature the power of man no more than the execution of the Promise of the Covenant of Grace doth destroy Grace and advance nature For the writing again the Law in our hearts is that which this Covenant promiseth nay this doth honour the riches of Grace that a man being under the power of sin and cannot get deliverance the Lord should now give an humble conquering Spirit never a precious heart but will be thankful for it 2. Because the Graces in us are received from the Lord Jesus his fulness Iohn 1. 16. Now the Graces in Christ are not dead but living are not weak but powerful the Spirit of Grace 't is now triumphing in him 't is so in us only 't is in him in the highest degree in us in a lower And therein consists our likeness to Christ 2 Cor. 3. 18. And to deny this is to deface the Image of the Lord Jesus and this is part of the Beauty and Glory of Christ hence to deny this is to obscure the glory of the Lord Jesus Without Christ a Christian can do nothing but how doth Christ do all by the Spirit without Graces I speak not of Conversion where 't is without Graces as causes No truly as he acts so we act in part Unless any will say we have not received grace for grace or are in no measure like the image of Christ. 3. If the first Adam hath conveyed to all his members a power of corruption then the second Adam also a power of Godliness contrary to that 2. Tim. 3. 5. yet in measure still so as the Apostle saith we can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth 2 Cor. 13. 8. But what measure of power is it I know no man that can from any ground limit the measure of it For it may be in some men in greater power in some men in less in the same man at one time in a greater measure at another time less If one ask of trees what measure of fruit they can bring forth we cannot tell because sometime more sometime less and the same tree more one year than another and more at one time of the year then another for they have their winter season Only this whereas before conversion he is stark dead to act now he is alive and is not dead And if a man should after conversion be but in the next disposition to receive Grace then how could one Christian be more grown and stronger in Grace in his inner man than another I know not any to question this only I speak it to cut off their carnal hopes that think Christ is theirs when they have nothing can do nothing and sleightly say he must do all I cannot I tell you the Saints can they cannot but love the Lord and choose the Lord. c. But must not a Christian deny himself and alway go to Christ for power to do and so be humble and empty 1. You must because this is the meanes to live to Christs but this doth not argue you have no power at all A man must pray for his daily bread much more for daily grace but doth this argue a man hath no bread in his house No this is the means to have it continued and blest Easily can the Lord take away bread or the staff of bread Graces extinguish not Faith but help it 2. A Christian can do no duty perfectly hence must repair to Christ to help him to do every duty better hence though he must use that power he hath and do what he can yet he must not content himself with what he hath but seek for more and what a sweet life is this What honour would here come in God lets in a new light into my minde now I may and must see his truth I saw it yesterday but I may and must go to Christ to do it better I must not quench the Spirit of prayer but carry the key with me and next day pray better And thus the soul is thankful for what it hath and emptying it self notwithstanding that and daily then receiving from Christ. And I beleeve many Christians fail here As in the body meat feeds and strengthens life so I cannot live without Christ. But doth not this make a man trust to graces To act from them is not to trust to them no more then for a diligent hand to trust to his diligence when he acts diligently that so he may be rich But doth not this dishonour grace to do all by the power of it Then the Saints in heaven that are made perfectly like Christ and that love the Lord perfectly should not honour grace by this means when as this is it that makes them honour it most of all As David Lord what am I and my people that we should offer willingly So here SECT II. SEE hence what cause of thankfulness to all the people of God that the Lord should make their souls the Vessels which he might easily and justly have dashed in peeces to receive and preserve this eternal anointing I do beleeve there is no man that knows the bitterness of sin the plague of his own heart but when he sees Christ is his yet it makes him mourn that there should be so little suitableness between the Lord and him so little likeness between his life and Christ what though the Lord love me and yet my heart weary of him what though the Lord bless me and my heart abuse him and hence this makes it thankful Rom. 7. 24 25. This is so far from dishonouring grace as that the
Apostle makes this the matter of admiration of Gods grace Eph. 2. 3 4. God who is rich in mercy when dead in sins hath quickned us Not only quickned our head for hence is cause of eternal praise but us and hence he hath set us up in heavenly places in him This is the state of all men they cannot do one spiritual act now that the Lord should help when all creatures left us is wonderful but that it should be with such a life even the life of Christ Jesus himself for the same Spirit that raised him from the dead dwells in us and the same Spirit that is now in glory with him is in us 1 Pet. 5. 1. This is mercy indeed that he should not only die for us and live in heaven for us but that he should love so dearly as to come and live in us that when our sins had slain him he should not onely come and dwell in our houses nor onely lay his head in our bosome but live in our hearts where he finds such poor welcome and ill entertainment at our hands I tell you this is wonderful to make his habitation in us that before we go to live with him he should live in us Let them that never knew what this meant refuse to be thankful but if you find it so forget not this love Iohn 14. 17. I le send the Spirit whom the World cannot receive because it knows him not The Lord sends the Spirit in common graces and the World doth receive that also in prophetical and miraculous gifts and it doth receive that but this Spirit which God pours on the thirsty this Spirit with which God fills the empty they cannot receive this Oh that you should have it when as they know it not 1. Hence therefore take heed of not owning the Spirit in this his presence Do you thus requite the Lord oh unthankful world not so much as to own the presence of such a friend neither in your selves nor yet in others How like the world is it to think that there is no such thing 2. Take heed therefore of not esteeming highly of it If ever God broke thy heart thou wilt esteem this life this principle as the greatest piece of love and say Lord I shall account this as the greatest part of love in the world Psal. 119. 68. Thou art good oh teach me thy Statutes Now to undervalue this and to account it common and hence as no sign of love 't is a part of unthankfulness 3. Take heed of imprisoning the Spirit of grace common truth Rom. 1. 18. It was fearful to imprison and silence that much more this It was the complaint of the Church in those days None stirs up himself Isai. 64. 7. What strength the Lord gives let me use what I want the Lord hath enough to help me withal put it to exercise or else affliction will 4. Take heed of enfeebling this Principle weakning of it The Church of Sardis things were ready to die in it you should strengthen this inner man not weaken it either by not feeding it with Christ or wounding it with known sins against Christ. Therefore let all the Churches know this and take heed that you do not refuse to own this where else will you make the difference between men that either Churches may discern them or you may discern and so have peace your selves Hence see the reason of that inward hypocrisie that is in many mens hearts so that the best profession of many a man is but a Scheme an Image a very craft a very artificial form all the duties are fair without but sapless liveless within Here is the reason they have no inward principle of life or if they do go to Christ they have no such principle within them to carry them to him so as to receive life from him and hence confess sin without sorrow or shame petition without thirsting live without love do without life because there is no spring but a dry heart within and hence they must do duty but they must make dead work of it and hence all is but an appearance and at best but a would be This is in a great measure in Saints when the Spirit within is quenched but it is in full age and strength in hypocritical hearts Ier. 4. 14. when the profession of Iudah was great and the Prophets had scarce any thing to say against them for outside Oh Ierusalem wash thy heart from wickedness there thy wo lies it enters to the very heart so Christ How can he that is evil bring forth good fruit And this is that which may make men mourn if I forsake all profession I shame my self before men if not I must blaspheme the Lords Name and play the Hypocrite before the Lord Matth. 12. 33 34 35. SECT III. TO take heed of denying the grace of God or this inward principle in whole or in part for this inward principle being the life of Christ in us to deny this is to deny Christ and to take away his life and such the Lord will deny before his Angels another day When they shall say Have we not eat and drank in thy presence he shall answer I never knew you I shall therefore here direct my speech to four sorts First To those that deny created graces in the Saints peculiar unto them only it s said there are none such in the Country if there are not it may be there have been and it may be will be and therfore I le speak For I beleeve 't is a delusion digged and hatcht out of the steam of the lowest sink in Hell And therefore that all may take heed of the evill of it I will first shew the evill of it then the causes that do beget it I. The evils of this delusion are these 1. It settles and fastens a man under the power of all his sin and yet with a quiet Conscience and yet to keep his Christ too It transcends my capacity from whatever I have read or have heard or have felt or can imagine how the power of sin can be taken away but where the Spirit infuseth the contrary grace an empty house swept and garnished with common gifts is but a fitting house for Satan to return into Say therefore a man may have no such graces and yet have Christ and them in Christ you stake this man down under his sin and make this member of Satan a member of Christ Jesus And upon this ground all Churches in the Land may be forced in Conscience to take in all prophane members if they plead Christ and their allness in him 2. This blurs all the glory of a Christian or at least the greatest part of it For what is the glory of a Saint 'T is to be like Jesus Christ the Lord of glory to bear his Image before God and men As to see a man with a Swines face would be the shame of a man to see a
be Christ therein lyes the wisdom of the Wise that they got the Spirit for to put into Christ and the folly of the foolish they got not the Spirit to put into him Or the one goâ— Christ Jesus full of the Spirit the other Christ Jesus void of it When whoever hath Christ must have in him the fulness of the Spirit also 5. The other interpretation crosseth the main scope of this part of the parable which is to shew the difference between the Virgins all professed Christ went to meet the Bridegroom but here was the difference they never looked for to get the Spirit in them and this is most suitable to men raised out of the dregs of Popery where Works being abolished Christ is owned and therein do well but heâ—ein fâ—il Thus you have heard the use of Tryall negatively What this inward Principle is affirmatively you have generally heard and shall more particularly in the other two Doctrines Only this I will add it consists of two parts 1. Our life in Christ by Faith 2. Christ life in us by his Spirit Faith empties the Soul and looks upon it as dead and see its life laid up in Christ and hence forsakes it self and embraceth the Lord of Glory Secondly the Spirit comes and possesâ—eth a forsaken empty House and there lives and dwels Both these the Aposâ—le mentions Gal. 2. 20. Eph. 3. 17. Ioh. 15. 4. As two married together their Souls live not where they are but in each other The one cares not how to please her self but her husband and è contra So that leâ—st any weak Soul should be discouraged that thinks there is no Principle of Life because such a blind empty dead heart wandring from God c. Nay when the Lord quickens it Oh it s lost again Nay when quickned oh then when it comes to it is feebâ—e I tell you it must be so This makes you lay up your life in him this death is your life And least any false heart should be here deceiveâ— that saith he hath Christ If you have not the Spirit of Christ you are none of his The Saints have this sometime their Temple is filled with Glory and for their general course they are Admirers of the Lord Jesus and account his Life to be Life and all their life beside to be a continual death There is not any Grace but they say oh that I hâ—d it SECT V. TO every man as ever you look to be with Christ Jesus another day get this oyle in your Vessels The Lord doth in this Parable set before your eyes the estate of the puâ—est Virgi-Churches and Professors in the world and it is his inâ—nite love to tell us before-hand before the time be past to tell us that many of these shall be shut out from the presence of the Lord Jesus whom themselves and others think shall not and yet this love would be but little unless the Lord had made known the cause or defect in not getting oyle to their Vessels Oh consider therefore here you are like to fail you that have Lamps before the cry and Bridegroom comes acknowledge Christs love and be overcome by it to get oyle into your Vessels when Rahab knew that the Lord would destroy all Iericho now she â—ays about her to preserve her life What 's the means To tie the Scarlet thread at the window Oh she would be sure to get and keep that there You know the Lord Jesus will come and discover the unsound profession and destroy the glory of the World and Churches too It may be you have had some fears what if he should cut me off and cast me out as possibly he may and I may as well as eminent Professors I tell you none ever perished but because of this How just had Rahabs judgment been if she had refused to get her scarlet thread there and yours if now you get not your Oyle in your Vessel How many are there that have lived fairly and died quietly and when they are dead and knock the door is shut That then wring their hands Oh had I but known of this I would have spent my care and strength and tears and thoughts how to have filled my Vessel but I knew it not This time will shortly came and if you know it now and do not set upon it what a cut will this be As therefore the Apostle exhorts Heb. 4. 1. Having a promise of entring into rest fear lest you fall short of it I say so much more here knowing how only you shall enter into Christs rest fear least you fall short of this I hope I shall not I thank God my course is blameless spotless I have forsaken the sins of places and pollutions of Ordinances so these were Virgins also Oh but my Lamp burns as bright as any mans I know So did the foolish Virgins oh but they all think well of me so were these thought of till the Lord said I know you not Oh but I look to Christ to meet with him and salvation from him So did these and yet were shut out from Christ. If the Lord should have said it was because they had not wealth enough nor world enough every man would not have been wanting here but would have striven to have got enough of that though it were not to be had but there is enough in Christ to inrich you who hath the Spirit without measure to do it The Spirit may breath now Labour to feel and mourn under thy whole corrupt principles that have acted thee hitherto For many men are sensible sometimes of some particular acts and jarrings of their hearts and life with the rule and then they seek forgiveness of and grace against them and then they hope all is well then they do many things and hear Iohn gladly and in plainness and integrity of their hearts think that all is well But still they fall short of a Principle of life because they never felt a whole corrupt Principle and how in every thing it crosseth God not only in the corrupt but most glorious actions For all men living naturally turn from being open to secret enemies and from being secret to be subtil enemies and to undermine the Lord in all they do Now many see it but not the evil of it nor mourn under it Hence the Lord never sends another Spirit because they have not the Spirit of heaviness for want of it But when a man sees that in every thing he is carried and acted by a principle of bitterness against the Lord and lives without the Spirit of the Lord to act him the Lord is not far from that soul when he feels this and mourns before the Lord because of this and the want of that 1 Kings 8. 38. So Christ said Because I said I go away sorrow hath filled your hearts John 16. 6 7. This is the very reason why Saints have the Comforter his absence fills their hearts with sorrow because
with you as in former times worse now thâ—n in persecution and Sermon-proof now Oh this world Whence is hardness of heart Oh somthing of the world easeth you And whence is it that men with rich stocks are goodly things and wondred at and Holiness and walking with God and things of Heaven are nothing Oh this evil world Oh Adulterers and Adulteresses know you not that you hate the Lord and the Lord you 'T is the cause of all thy sin but see withal 't is the cause of all thy sorrow Heaven and the Glory of that would enter but for it but that it cannot because thou art full of it Oh poor Creatures take your Farewel quickly of it or the Lord will meet with you for it Cry to the Lord oh call me to come up unto thy self Thus you see the Fulness of the Spirit which the Saints have and therefore that conceit that Saints have nothing whereby to discern them let it for ever perish and rot SECT VII TAke heed you fall not short of the Grace of God of the promise and Spirit of Grace Heb. 12. 15. Oh get Oyl in your Vessels When there is much counterfeit Gold abroad every man will have his Scales and not only look and rub but he will weigh every piece he takes Was there ever more Counterfeits abroâ—d or such similitudes of the Truth Insomuch as some in their Opinions think it impossible others in their practises find it hard and very difficult to distinguish the one from the other Oh but there is a vast distance and difference As ever you look for Mercy get this Oyl in your Vessel As ever you look for peace know that you have it in your Vessel I am perswaded that there is never a soul that follows the Lord tremblingly and tenderly but when he hears of this sends up his sighs good Lord let me not fail here better never have had thy Name in my Forehead nor affection in my heart than to want Oyl in my Vessel And I am perswaded he trembles to think what if I should perish at the last And yet how many never have strong fears of failing here that have most cause so to do This Parable is directed to Virgin-Churches at the last period of the decrepit world wherein methinks the Lord Jesus speaks unto his people There is much profession affection but oâ— take heed you perish not for want of oyle in your Vessel Leâ— all your care be to get that and fear to want that wherein the Lord doth answer that fear and question and thought of his people Oh what if I should perish at last 〈◊〉 in your Vessel then and if the Lord Jesus had been of that minde that there are no inherent graces in the Saints or so dim they cannot be known or if known you are not to respect them as any signs but to look for a witness of grace upon you or out of you without respecting or looking upon grace in you he would never have recoâ—ded this Parable which to wise Virgins is to prevent those conceipts Oh therefore how many fall short here and regard not this 1. Some fall short here by trusting to and omnifying of Christ and grace regarding not any grace within they separate those things â—rom one another which God hath joyned and which a gracious heart joyns one to another They respect not sanctification faith or vocation they look to Christ and can they honour Christ enough Hence profess they that regard those things have trusâ—ed to their frames of heart and they scoffe at them that look to be justified by Faith T is such a delusion as is likely to deceive if possible the very Elect. Look as it was with the Israelites 1 Sam. 4. They were overthrown in the battel of the Philistines but what 's the cause Oh send for the Ark where the strength and presence of God waâ— but what good did the Ark do them with unhumbled hearts that looked to that and trusted to that but minde not themselves and hence when Samuel bids theâ— turâ— from their Idols and serve the Lord only now they do it so here 2. Some only look to the out-side like those that built the tombeâ— and painted the Sepulchres of the Prophets And hence if they be inwardly zealous for external Order Ceremony Ordinances carriage in garments speeches c. they think the bitterness of death is past when Agag-like they are clad with such soft raiment and hence if there be transgression here 't is sad But what if they walk wiâ—h unbroken hearts oh they respect not this And so their care being taken up in trimming and making the Vessel bright they neglect to get oyle within 3. Some fall short here by thinking this thought that that grace which is inward is also sincere and unfained And hence do not judge themselves prophane nor civil because of their profession nor yet Hypocrites because they do not make only an outward shew when as the deeâ—est hypocrisie lies under much inward affection many times And hence they take every such work upon trust without weighing it if double guilt and there is no shew of Coppeâ— put it up never enquiring where the bounds of truth and hypocrisie part And hence if they have inward comfort though by a dream they take it If upon their sick beds after trouble they have had peace they take it on trust if they have any promise of rest and peace or feel some desires love to Ordinances and Gods people they take hold on promises and trust themselves without trying without weighing Sudden work is superficial 4. Some feel a want of these things and content themselves with desires and so never come to be indeed 〈◊〉 they desire to be It s true Saints feel wants and desire supply But 1. They are never satisfied till 't is so indeed My flesh is meat indeed 2. They are humble and vile in their own eyes till the Lord help but these like Solomons sluggard desire and have not whereas in things of lesser worth they will not do so They will not only desire but indeed till the ground If one neglects to till though they answer I desire and God accepts that every one will say he is deceived their hunger is their food they build the sluggards nest of desire and there sit Oh therefore take heed you fall not short here Take heed your prayers and desires prove not lazie and unfaithful Messengers which you send to your Friends to come and help you and they go half way and no further and never fetch them to you indeed Oh therefore get oyle in your Vessels do not only fear the Lord but fear him greatly 1 Sam. 12. 18. Do not only cleave to the Lord but with the whole heart and cleâ—ve to him onely Beg this of the Lord. Look as poor people when they come to rich men that have full heaps do say let me have full measure my family is poor
too but a little fills them and quiets them and so damns them And hence men at the first work upon them are very diligent in the use of means but after that they be brought to neglect prayer sleep out Sermons and to be careless sapless liveless who is the better for them Because I say that now they have got something the main work is wrought they call not that into Question and so when God comes to reckon they are found too light Oh therefore keep the Vessel empty never content thy self with any measure Hath the Lord called thee Yes I think so and beleeve sometimes so but I am afraid I may at last be found without oyle in my Vessel be then every day as if thou wert but now to begin And this I say true grace as it comforts so it never fills but puts an edge on the appetiâ—e more of that grace Lord Thus Paul Phil. 3. 13 14. Thus David Out of my poverty I have given c. 1 Chron. 29. 3 17 18. It s a sure way never to be deceived in lighter strokes of the Spirit to be thankful for any but to be content with no measure of it and this cuts the thread of difference between a superficial lighter stroke of the Spirit and that which is sound 3. Look that your vessel be not broken nor crackt that when the Lord pours in it runs not out again Heb. 2. 1 2. Prov. 4. 12 13. Oh here is the wound of many a man he hath many affections in Word in Ordinances and they take hold on him to convince to affect him but he takes not fast hold on them he keeps them not as his life with thankfulness for any little and with watchfulness And hence a man is where he was dry and barren It 's true the Lord will not give that out of an Ordinance which he doth in an Ordinance But it 's one thing to have it lost out of thy hands and the Lords hands too another thing only to lose it out of thy hand It 's one thing for the Lord to withdraw it another thing for thee to spend it away by the prevailing power of a lust viz. either the world without or contempt of Grace within you esteem it not as your life and hence seek not to keep it you will lose the Oyl in your Vessels And I am confident this is one reason why a man lives long under means and never profits the Lord sees if he should poure any thing into the heart it would be lost He takes fast hold of world or self and keeps that and hence all runs out again 4. Look that you be at the cost to get this Oyl in your Vessel These â—irgins when the door was shut and too late would but the time was past For we shall find the reason why mens works are sleight their buildings their garments why they will not be at the cost so mens work of Grace is sleight because they will not be at the cost They find a want of Grace and prize it and would fain have it but it shall cost them little they will not be at the cost of their time Somtime they can seek the Lord in an Ordinance but what if he comes not They depart from him Sometimes in pangs and fits when the Spirit comes they seek but to be ever seeking ever carrying sense of sin 't is too much time and trouble they will not be at the cost Some affections and hearts they spend but not their whole hearts Hence Christ exhorts oh strive because many seek and are never able Look therefore as it was with Ionathan Saul 1 Sam. 14. 45. said he should die No the people said not so for he hath wrought with God this day Not that a man can get Grace by his own strength but Col. 1. 29. I strive according to his mighty working Only let me add this be at cost first to get the Lord Jesus himself As Mat. 13. 33. He sold all and bought the Field and when he had the Field now he had the Treasure Oh think no time too much no lusts too dear no affections too much for him and then you have all things with him and shall receive life from him and not for a dead but for a living risen Christ. Christ bestowed Gifts on Iudas on Saul but whom he bestowed himself upon those never wanted any thing Psal. 23. 1. But here I might take up a doleful complaint Oh that men content themselves with colours and tinctures of Truth and Spirit c. Some Naturalists observe that Brass would be Gold it tends to it had it but more heat of the Sun to concoct it and to bring it to perfection so 't is with the lighter Stroaks of common Grace CHAP. XXI That true saving Grace in the Hearts of Believers can never fail SECT I. THat those Graces of the Spirit wherewith those Heavenly Vessels or Souls of the Faithful are filled are constant and of an eternal Nature For thus the wiâ—e Virgins their Vessels were not only filled but the Oyl was constantly preserved in them and continued in their Vessels until they met the Bridegroom 'T is true their Lamp went out outward acts of the Spirit of Grace expressed in the Profession of the Saints may be extinct for a time yet the Oyl did remain in the Vessel still which was not so with those which were Foolish not only their Lamps were out but their Oyl was spent so that here is a third Difference between the Foolish and the Wife Virgins That the Spirit of Grace in the one is of a dying withering nature in the other of an eternal and everlasting nature There is an eternal excellency stampt upon them Iohn 4. 14. The water that I shall give him shall be in him no Pools but a perpetual living Spring Heb. 6. 9. Some that were enlightned and tasted fell away but we are perswaded better things of you The Saints have better things which do not cause but accompany Salvation The Lord is so far from suffering it to die as that he will add to it Luke 8. 18. To him that hath shall be given Though it be like Mustard-seed yet it shall grow there is a growing vertue in it But as the Lord speaks of his people Isa. 65. 8. As new wine is in the Cluster and one saith destroy it not for a blessing is in it so it shall be here Nay though it be not so much as seen yet the Lord then can see it and doth then keep it and will preserve it Isa. 40. 29 30 31. Nay though opposed and resisted by temptation yet 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. 'T is not consumed but tried that it may be to Glory another day notwithstanding manifold temptations 'T is one of the greatest Miracles in the world to preserve it as a Spark of fire in a Sea of water Nay though it seems to a mans feeling to be quite quenched and put out that
a man finds no more than a Reprobate yet the Seed of God then remains and it will break out again There is life at the heart and sap at the root yet the Lord will fetch them again When the Lord of Glory was crucified and all the Disciples fled not one spake for him none durst confesse him yet the Lord returns to them and they again to him SECT II. HOW comes it to be thus immortal and of an eternal nature 1. 'T is not only in regard of the power of Grace received though it were perfect for then Adam had not fell from it 2 Nor in the freedom of a man from temptations for then the Angels had not fallen 3. Nor yet in the power of a mans own watchfulness and care to keep it For if the Lord keep not the City the watchmen wake but in vain 4. Nor yet in the power of any means as many think if under a powerful Ministry then they are out of danger 'T is not in Paul nor Apollos but in the Lord. Men may rejoyce in Iohns Ministry and be affected with it but 't is only for a season But I. In regard of the eternal Election and Purpose of God Their constancy in the State of Grace depends upon that immutability of his counsel Matth. 24. 24. They shall deceive if possible the Elect but it s not possible they being Elect. Wise men may have their Brains crazed and Nebuchadnezzar like the use of reason gone but the Principle of reason continues and the use of it in time returns again and so 't is in regard of damning delusions 2 Tim. 2. 19. Hymeneus and Philetus fell Hence do not the Elect fâ—ll No for that Foundation remains sure 1. The certainty of their continuance in Grace is built upon a Foundation 2. Not every weak one but a firm Foundation 3. Not a Foundation of mans laying but Gods 4. Not a wavering and totâ—ering but standing Foundation and that sealed with the Knowledge of God the Lord knows who are his i. e. though some men fall that one cannot tell by outward expressions and profession who are the Lords yet The Lord knows who are his and they are sealed by his love and knowledge And it seems this is the prime cause of the continuance of Angels 1 Tim. 5. 21. And Election being free for his own sake not for their sakes the Lord foresaw all their good and evil hence they are not cut off II. In regard of the Faithfulness and Promise and Covenant of Gods Grace Adam had that Covenant If he did do he should live But he had no absolute Promise he should do or continue to do but the Faithful have and hence they stand not by the strength of Grace but by the strength of the Covenant of Grace And hence that which to reason is incredible to nature impossible is brought about by Faith not by vertue of any power of Faith but by vertue of the power of a promise God hath said it and Faith believes it and hence Abrahams dead body begets and Sarahs barren womb brings forth Isaac Hence through all the Word when the Apostle perswadeâ— himself of their continuance he ever puts in Gods Faithfulness 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1 Thes. 5. 24. 2 Thes. 3. 3. Hence Ier. 32. 40. I will not turn away from them Answ. True if they do not from the Lord. No but they shall not turn away from me Object But we see many do fall Answ. But if he doth he shall not be broken but taken up again Psal. 37. 24. Yea for a time the Lord may do thus But will this continue having sinned against such mercy and my sin being now greater Now the Lord will depart Answ. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Yea he will confirm you to the end Yes it may be he will as he hath done while I am out of temptation But I may meet with it before I die Answ. 1 Cor. 10. 13. He will not suffer you to be tempted above measure c. Yea if I was such a one as Abraham or David that had such hearts and did the Lord so much honour Nay but Isai. 55. 3. Even the sure mercies of David This is the Faithfulness of God III. In regard of the constant abode of the Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of the Saints whereby they are kept Iohn 10. 28. None can pull his Sheep out of the Fathers hand Look as the first Adam sinning conveys the power of sin and Satan and death which reigns with unconquerable power over all the Sons of men so Christ rising conveys that Grace and constant presence of the Spirit which reigns to eternal life and carries the soul through all difficulties Deut. 33. 27. The eternal God is thy refuge Let what evils can come there is a refuge Yea so long as I can stand But what if I fall Underneath are the everlusting arms Let a Saint fall never so low yet Gods everlasting arms are still lower where ever he falls he falls at last into the Lords arms For else it was impossible for any soul to continue Isa. 46. 3 4. From the womb to the hoar hairs I will carry you Saints when they are little think they shall fall at last and when strengthened fear if they live till old age their hearts and spirits will die yet they do not But how comes this about I will carry you And hence 't is impossible they should ever die or perish no more than the Lord Jesus Iohn 14. 19. So that if Gods purpose is firm his promise sure his Spirit able the Spirit of life and grace in the hearts of the Faithful shall be kept even to eternity SECT III. LET that Opinion that the Graces of Saints are fading and mortal rot and die and be had in everlasting derestation of them that know the Lord. But we see how many fall off and fall back and I have found it by experience so The seed that is cast into the earth first dies and then lives and growes so no sooner doth the Lord fill his Saints but there is much self-confidence on it and resting in it hence it dies yet it lives and grows again And hence the Lord keeps his people poor sensible of their own weakness as long as they live but if it quite dies and withers they were never the Lords nor never had â—ne Dram of Grace 1 Iohn 2. 19. If it be taken away he did but seem to have it All fleshly excellencies in men as common gifts be do wither Isa. 40. 6 7. All Flesh is grass But Plants in Gods Orchard never lose their greenness though Plants and Floweâ—s in the field may Psal. 1. 3. Whose leaf shall not wither But this may make men secure say the Arminians 1. Nothing puts more life in the Saints It would sink them else if it were not thus as when the Lord told Ioshua where ever thâ—â— settest thy foot thou shalt
wonder if the City be taken though never so strong if it grow once secure no wonder if the world be entred and men are grown more worldly and if Satan be entred and men grow more passionate than ever before no wonder a mans work be neglected if he be asleep Ordinances more slighted than ever before Never shall you see Security fall upon a man alone but it brings its train with it when the Husbandmen sleep tares will be sown and when the Disciples sleep temptations will enter This is that which the Lord testifies of his people Ier. 2. 2 3 4. I remember what thou didst in times of streights in a land not sown every one that touched you did offend but in the seventh and eighth verses when brought to a plentiful Country they did not so much as say Where is the Lord that hath done this for us But yet the Lord questions his people for this What iniquity have you found in me which question you cannot answer without grief here or confusion another day You that are the Lords often have heard this complaint for this may be your condition as well as Noah's and Lot's but now see the cause of it how hard to awake on hour how hard to walk with God one day short awakenings you have but long sleeps this may be your condition for a time but you cannot continue so for ever if you are the Lords But if you do continue so especially without bemoaning this unto the Lord 't is a question whether ever there was that oyl in your vessel which others have when not only a mans acts grow worse but the very spirit of a man degenerates when not only the leaves of the Vine fall but the Vine it self groweth degenerate and hence continueth so this is a sore evidence of a woful state Ier. 2. 20 21. When the yoke was upon thy nick thou saidst Thou woâ—lâ—st not transgress but the Lord hath broken thy â—ands and now thou art becom a strange Vine Remember it will be an heavy indictment against thee to be good in Mesheck but base in Sion to be then worst when the Lord is best Use 3. Hence see one reason why the Lord pursueth many a Soul with inward terrors and outward sorrows Those that are fast asleep because soft speechs cannot awaken them hence we lay our hands upon them and sometimes knock them because this is the way to awaken them and then they hear so the Word and Spirit speak to a man but such soft still winds rock them asleep rather than awaken them hence the Lord layeth his iron hands upon a man and knocks by blows and now when affliction is upon you now you can hear When as the winds and water were ready to tear the ship in pieces now they enquire Why were they sent And the lot fell upon Ionah who was then sleeping it is easie to awaken out of natural sleep but very hard out of spiritual security All the terrors of God on Ionah within and without are little enough but at last he could hear and run on his errand Psal. 30. 6 7. Why did God hide his face from David he said in prosperity he should not be moved this was the reason of it the Lord sees you have need of it seldom shall one see an awakening Christian without inward temptations and terrors or outward sorrows Oh consider then if the Lord do meet with thee consider thy own security thou hast been in or art apt to fall into This is the sin you must enquire after and finde out and do not account it hard though long though bitter for never greater misery than for the Lord to say Sleep on it is one of the heaviest Judgements for the Lord to let a man go on in a secure condition without blows mark therefore unto the end of those blows to be throughly awakend by them For sometimes when the Lord sends them a man if they be not very bitter if he hath any rest lays them not to heart Isa. 42. 25. Fire burnt about him and in this Country I know not what curse befalls men peace makes men secure and sorow makes men discontented and sunk and discouraged which may be for a fit in a Saint but to continue so this is that Ahab Oh when as thou feelest the blow look now that thou dost awaken and be thankfull for it that you met with that you did never reckon upon viz. to be frighted out of security thereby SECT VI. Of Exhortation TO watch over one another by exhorting one another while it is called to day Heb. 3. 13. Let both the Watchmen and Members of Churches do this for this is one means appointed by the Lord to preserve the soul from sleeping 1 Thes. 5. 1 5 6. Exhorting one another as it is in Cities when the Watch is apt to sleep they have their companies that are passing up and down the walls the greatest part of the night and so they are kept waking and we shall finde that as it is in a Town where men are all asleep one Bell-man one waking Christian will keep life and spirit and the power of godliness in many and when he sleeps all are fast Nothing in the world brings security sooner upon men than sleepy company Officers of Churches watch not over members nor they one over another exhorting and crying one unto another to their work while it is called to day Oh then let every man get up and fall to this work of mutual exhorting go and visit one another go and speak oft to one another and if thou be a childe of the light see that thou endure not thy fellow servants to sleep in the open day in one duty or another Know if God stirs thee thou wilt awaken others 2 Cor. 5. 10. We knowing the terrors of the Lord perswade men 2. Consider thy labor cannot be in vain here the best mettalled horse needs spurs others are asleep You will say if I knew such a sin I would speak but I dare not Answ. It is the case of all the Virgins they have need of it Iude 23. Some save with fear pulling them out of the fire Matth. 3. 3. Consider this is one part of your Warfare to keep your watch whereby you may be made conquerors You complain you have many sins and temptations arising and prevailing never do they usually prevail but when you are secure first the Watch is taken and then the City is suddenly taken now look as Paul 2 Tim. 4. 6 7. he hath finished his course and fought his fight and now expects the crown how can you end your days in peace that cannot in some measure finde and feel this The Church is the City of the living God this is taken and every man in it unless you be watchful and exhort one another daily while it is called to day And that I may not speak in the clouds 4. Their sin will be yours First Labor to
know the state of thy Brethren whom thou art to exhort what their sleepy neglects be and sins are it may be thou hast known one hath been very humble tender affected under Ordinances made many fair shews and promises of growing and thriving and sensibly complaining of his own vileness and now he is in a silent sleep Dost thou know this and wilt not speak a word to awaken him for whom Christ shed his blood who it may be will do thee as good a â—urn and make many a prayer for thee â—arnabas when he saw the grace of God exhorted them with full purpose of heart to cleave unto him much more should you when you see grace dying 2 Thes. 3. 11. Paul heard that some were idle them he exhorts to work what good might one word do Secondly if you do not know enquire with a spirit of much love how it is with them as David of his Brethren when they were gone into the fields do you not decline do you not stand still how have you found your heart since last Sermon Sabbath Fast Affliction have you got any ground against that sin you complained of last year c. Suppose you cannot do this to all yet why not to some Suppose you have no other place than when you meet them in the fields do it there Iude 20. Build up your selves c. Now here a man must know the height how high they are built already how can they lay their stones else It is one of the heavey curses of God upon the Idol Shepherd He shall not visit the hidden nor seek the young Zach. 11. 16. Thirdly If thou knowest nothing from them then relate thy own condition this is a most lovely provocation and exhortation unto another frame for one great cause that hardeneth men in their security is because they see no such living Christianity in the world But when they do now Zach. 8â— many shall take hold of the skirt of a Iew for they shall say God is with you Agrippa was almost perswaded and awakened when he heard Paul relate his conversion although there be many impostors in the world that do so Tell me are all things in peace with you the Devil is in you then What hast no temptations yet many Dost not observe how they prevail yes dost never get strength against them yes hast no good days after them yes much peace and life and presence of God! Hath the Lord given these talents to thee to be hid in a Napkin this treasure to keep and not to spend who knows but that the speaking of these may awaken others these temptations and this condition is mine these sins I find he makes a great matter of them Lord what will become of me that am hardned under them this peace they finde my Soul is a stranger to it Conscience will work thus Women should speak thus to women and men to men others were provoked by the example of the Corinthians to help others so there is a provoking power here Fourthly If this prevail not speak often to them of the sins of others in condemning others you condemn them and this will make them look about them view the fields and shew them the tares that are grown up by security and laying down these sins you strike at the root of theirs It may be you cannot tell certainly Acts 2. 40. The Lord made this one means to awaken a Belshazzer Dan. 5. 22. God turned thy Father into a beast c. to live in the woods yet thou humbledst not thy self c. How many Professors doth God deal so withal Fifthly Enter into Covenant and brotherly promise to exhort one another as David and Ionathan If any hurt be toward David Ionathan will speak of it 1 Sam. 20. Some may in Church-fellowship be more nearly knit than others to call one another to account to tell one another their fears to know of one another their progress Canst not give an account to man how wilt thou give an account to God of it I am perswaded many a man lies smoothered to death by means of this Canst not come to the light of a candle Oh how then canst thou appear before the light of the Sun Sixthly Provoke one another to frequency in Ordinances Heb. 10. 23 24. and therein consider one another dost see thy Brother in doubts or complaints call him to pray with thee dost see things go ill in Churches and men bite the bit call to fasting and prayer three or four together as Paul when he saw the ship sinking then he exhorted them Act. 27. 22. Especially when you see danger near mens hearts ready to be lost in the World In these times suppose only two or three or four should go and pray one half hour together and tell one another their wants now help here in our times it hath been so one living Christian helps others dying But yet how is this neglected as if men were resolved not only to dye sleeping themselves but to let others sleep also No you will say not my self yet it may be in your family it is so and before the Lord. What art alive to God and family where thou canst do but little common good and art dead to thy Brother it is made a sad sign of a man forsaken of God if when he thinks he shall sleep his last and be damned himself yet he would have others damned also Tell me would you have all New England lye in security as well as your selves No! do you not desire it when you use not the means that prevent it and that is mutual exhortation Oh therefore do it Ministers may preach and every man sleep still unless some awake and rouse up the rest as some when others are abed and fast asleep that lye a dreaming Some there be that though Doomsday were to morrow they would sleep Oh therefore let me perswade some one or two to fall to his work lest their security prove your undoing therefore speak oft one to another forsake not your assembling visit one another pray one for another warning one another that you may awake with the Lord one hour SECT VII LEt every man not only exhort his brother but fear this himself You have a race to run many enemies to conquer sleep not lest you fall short sleep not lest you be taken captive lest in exhorting others your selves proves Reptobates I will not tell you what I fear but Luk. 21. take heed lest your hearts be overcome be not drunk with some delight be not filled with vain cares Hence prevent it as Noah moved with fear made an Ark. First Set a high price upon those awakenings and revivings of heart that God sometimes giveth you I am sure you finde these sometimes A man that hath nothing to lose will sleep with his doors open in the night when a man hath a treasure he will be watchful to keep it all security comes from an
to come out of this sluggish estate when the hand of God is upon men and the spurs be at their side and in their heart it may be it will be otherwise but else not they will not awaken sloth is so sweet to them though sins yet be to be subdued time is short Gods wrath is great yet that as it is said He that escapes the sword of Iehu shall Elisha stay so it is here he that escapes one sin another shall slay him but at last sloth shall slay Hence let a man look what joyeth my heart God doth not wealth doth not sloth doth SECT III. BEcause it is the best and most fit season for this sin to arise when all the rest are fallen indeed in Saints and seem to be fallen in Hypocrites as the temptation is so mens sin is when there is the fittest temptation without it broaches corruption within and it runs not out before for it is here as in War when the enemy never seen before is seen in the field very dangerous and very strong is it now a season to sleep no Arm arm now but when he hath driven and routed an enemy and is enriched with spoils and laden with prey now it 's a season to rest Hence the Poet notes When all the World could not conquer them their peace after conquest hath now they have themselves an enemy within to conquer So here Hence if they should have desired the Israelites to be at peace with the Canaanites when they first came in and had the land No they will cut out throats in time but when they had conquered them now Iosh. 15. 63. it is said they could not do it had they not had Gods promise for it yes and he could make it good but they could not because now they had no list to do it they were slothful Exod. 23. 29. Secondly Because it is the strongest sin No bonds so strong as the bonds of death it is a kinde of spiritual death Ephes. 5. 14. though in the Saints it is not death eternal Now as it is with the Lord he reserves the best mercy till the last so Satan reserves the strongest temptation till the last and in many men it is sloth Now it receives a double strength 1. From the strength of natural corruption which will remain when other sins dye and in a great measure in the Saints when the power of sin is taken from the Saints for take the best man and this remains it is the sickness of the Soul which will cleave to it Hence as 't is with sick men when no mind to meat yet oh a little rest it is greatest pain to walk and hence the greatest pleasure to lie still sickness binds a man to rest makes him love his rest so carnal corruption to carnal rest 2. The strength of pleasure in some lawful thing for sloth and sleep's best pillow is ever some delight in lawful things that 's the shadow hence when a man delights not in gross evils yet in health and peace and freedom from dangers and here he wallows as Issachar Thirdly Because not onely so but it is the least suspected sin I have known them that have been gracious and long it hath been before the Lord hath made them know that they have had this much less loved this sin For 1. It is but a neglect or cessation from act it is no sin that doth openly war against the soul but lives within like a friend 2. 'T is a neglect which the best have an infirmity All slumbered and slept Thirdly The main work is wrought it is not therefore any dangerous infirmity men think and hence the Apostle Rom. 13. 11. would have them awake why we shall be saved might they say and had peace long ago but saith he because your salvation is nearer 4. Because he sees many difficulties before him to break thorow which unless God gave him more strength he doth not see that God calls him unto and hence saith that there are Lions in the way after a long time of profession then God presents greatest difficulties and hence now sloth reigns in a special manner SECT IV. HEnce see the reason why many Christians at their first beginnings grow and thrive and abound in the fruits of Righteousness but afterward so poor and ragged Oh the two or three first years how frequently in prayer meditation Oh what sorrow and peace but after this now they can find little good they can get little growth they make unless it be downward little life they have and what ado to keep it or to get a good spiritual meals meat this is the reason of it when they first began then the enemy was out and they were up and now they conquered and had the spoils but since they have grown secure and loved to sleep I say love to sleep and hence little to be seen about them but rags hence Prov. 6. 11. lest thy poverty come as an armed man Prov. 20. 13. 11. truly this is it and hence no wonder you are ever so full of complaints in midst of means where God gives you matter of fulness joy peace everlasting glory yet you find nothing so that sometimes you think there is no grace or are almost of the mind that there is no grace to be looked for in us if not yet finding so little there 's no evidence for it Oh your sloth it is the cause hence 't is you marvel at the Lord he helps not Oh you do not awake to awaken the arm of the Lord you shall know if you follow on to know the Lord but that you do not and hence the pricks and 〈◊〉 you made your peace with and ate again vexed by them this is the reason of it Oh therefore go in secret and say I complain of my sins the Ordinances and God that I seek and have not when my heart should be otherwise but oh it is not because I cannot but because I care not it is not because of the strength of my enemy without but because of my neglect of watch and diligence within I know it was a sin for Pharaoh to charge Israel with idleness because he commanded work without means But is the Lords work so look up to him for strength he gives it them that have none put forth that strength thou hast he will accept thy will but will never allow thee in thy sloth but you shall to beggery at the last Hence men roast not what they take in hunting Prov. 12. 27. after Ordinances Oh there 's world there never shall you see a Soul careful but he finds every Sabbath something Hence we may learn the reason why many Christians when the Lord begins to work upon them have many combats and sore conflicts with various temptations and one corruption after another and searce any breathing time wherein they are freed from such and then many strong crys c. but afterward they are freed
of reconciliation is now abolished 2 Cor. 5. 20. Fourthly That Christians must gather no evidence from Sanctification we shall finde the root of it to be difficulty which is never sloths bed-fellow 1. It is difficult to be holy always but there will be many weaknesses and sins c. 2. When we do so it will be hard to discern what holiness it is whether counterfeit or not 3. When we do so 't is hard to keep it but you will lose it again and be put to farther search and so off and on I believe Christians make them more difficult than indeed they are but yet it is the Lords way Scripture is plain for it and if avoided because difficult which to many is sweet what is this but an invention of sloth Fifthly That what a man cannot do is always a weakness which the Lord will pardon Sometimes it is but not here for a mans chief sin may be kept unsubdued from this ground which sloth makes warrantable Sixthly That if once the main be wrought though he never grow better yet he is to keep his peace and confidence Oh intreat the Lord to keep your heads sound though hearts be sluggish so as you may not love and defend your security and then go and leave Christ. SECT IX LEt this be a warning to all that there is such an enemy to be slain truly I had thought if I could have got my heart broken if I could seek the Lord till I had gotten a promise then I should be well enough Oh no there is a slothful heart yet continueth and let it be encouragement to war against it oh 't is the last enemy and then comes your crown and then your warfare is ended and therefore do as Sampson Lord help this one time that I may be avenged for my two eyes so thou hast been made a slave to it in private duties and God hath neglected thee In publick at meetings you have been forced to sleep that an Indian it may be if he had stood by would have jogged thee therefore pray Oh help Lord this one time though I dye against this one enemy Thus Paul 1 Cor. 9 ult Is an immortal crown nothing will it be no sorrow to you when you awake to lose eternal rest in God for a little rest in thy sloth Oh therefore beat down thy body it is the last hence the worst enemy say as Iudg. 9 54. What shall I fall by a woman shall I fall by the worst why did I oppose lust and pride oh because vile why this is worse it is the last and hence Christ hates it most and hath he given strength against any sin and will he not against this Oh therefore pray God that you fall not here CHAP. VI. Christs absence the cause of security in his Churches SECT I. THat Christs absence or tarrying long from the Churches is an occasion though mans corruption of all security in the Churches While Chirst delays the Bride sleepeth look as it was with the Israelites when Moses went first from them up to the mount they had no speech of making a Calf but when he staied long from them now they make it and make merry with it so it is here Exod. 32. 1. The holy Apostle notes this to be in the last days 2 Pet. 3. 3 4. Men shall say Where is the promise of his coming all things remain as they were and hence scoffers it may be with the tongue at least in the heart and so walking after their own lusts hence Matth. 24. 49. you see an evil servant smite his fellow servants what is the reasons of divisions between men one smites with the tongue the other with the hand and the other suffers and to eat and drink with the drunken it is a sign of a secure man when though he falls not into a prophane course but he can bear with it in others to sit by and see others sin without check what is the cause of this he saith not with his tongue but in his heart My Lord delays his coming The very scope of the parable iâ— to shew the sin of men herein and to prevent it by watchfulness SECT II. Quest. HOw and why doth this occasion and breed security Answ. 1. In that Christs absence from the world makes him to be much forgotten in the world out of sight out of minde especially at those times when men are ready to be overcome by sloth now forgetfulness of God is the beginning of all the deepest security that can fall upon men Deut. 32. 18 19 20. whence the Lord saith I will hide my face from them so as they shall not see me but I will see them and what their end shall be and hence this is made the begining of returning to the Lord Psa. 22. 27 28. All Nations shall remember and turn for the Kingdom is the Lords Secondly Because the absence of Christ keeps those things from being seen which should awaken and which sensibly do awaken that as it is within the night when there is little noise and darkness over-spreads all things it is hard now to be kept from sleep when the curtains are drawn so while Christs is absent it is a kind of night his coming called the day and the day of the Lord because the things of the Lord are hid from men And those are these two chiefly 1. The error of the Lord and the wrath to come why did men sleep all the Sermon long which lasted one hundred and twenty years when Noah preached because they knew not of the flood so shall it be in the days of Christs coming men know not what wrath is the thoughts of this kept Pauls eye waking 2 Cor. 5. 9 10 11 12. 2. The exceeding riches and weight of glory that shall crown all the Saints hence all the faithful have been abundant both in doing and suffering for the Lord 2 Cor. 4. It is not worthy the glory which shall be revealed Hence Heb. 10. 34. They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods because they had in heaven a more abiding sustance they overlooked all things here when they saw that When these two things are seen which are the last things that shall continue it would awaken but painted fire and a painted Kingdom never draws a mans heart much so neither do these work upon securelings or if they do see them they soon are hid from them again their light decaying being not like the morning but declining Sun and though the Saints do see them yet they are very apt to lose for a time the sight of them especially if the Lord tarrieth and hence Heb. 10. they had need of patience but when the day comes who can sleep Thirdly In regard of his absence do things of the world present and keep their glory before the eyes of men for what is the reason that worldly things which men in their judgements say are vain yet they are of such
conscience is quiet when a man hath been at work he thinks in conscience he may sleep for deepest sweetest security comes after most work we have done it is but a neglect a slip which I hope to recover out of one day it is not an unlawful thing but a lawful that I quiet my heart upon Now I have good company freedom from dangers Ordinances curtains drawn about me the best sleep with me and what hurt is here but see the little cause you have to sleep especially in this Country First It will not be your rest alwayes for there must and will come a cry Moses took but little delight in Pharaoh's pleasures they were but for a season and therefore as the Lord there said Micah 2. 10. Depart this is not your rest Secondly If the Word doth not awaken you out of it your cold prayers your heartless hearing your careless walking with God that your lamps be not burning burning love to the Lord and his people shining holiness so as others may walk after your light and be glad to follow you that present pleasure you take is the rotten wood that breeds the worm of a gnawing conscience when in the time of your trouble it shall say What hath your idleness gained to you and it is the fore-runner of misery that if lighter miseries will not do the Lord will bring seven plagues more and drive you into a wilderness and there shall you be famished for want of bread and if this will not do God will send spoilers that shall sell you for slaves and that shall carry you away captive and then you shal remember Sion and the days you slept over your time Find any sin but security in it will make a desolate Country and familes if you sin and rest in it though not gross nay do but decay in what once you had many say it is more here then ever I deny it utterly unless it be to them that are secure and if it be so the loss of your first love a small thing c. will hasten breaking Let this truth therefore be a burning Beacon to awaken you for God will make this word good and not let one tittle of it fall to the ground Ezra 10. 3. them that trembled put away their strange wives and wept sore for it so do you you think you may have this and the Lord too true but the Lord will not long abide with you if secure Hence see the reason why the Word strikes deep and is very smart sometimes upon the consciences of men that a man speaks as if he were in their very bosom that a man saith God is here that the Lord leaves thee with sad qualms upon thy conscience and no peace from all it is oft sanctified unless no grace nay after all this affliction comes if thou wert not secure why would the Lord cry make his Word cry and his Rod cry c. and therefore be not weary of either but bless the Lord for and quietly bear both unless I had those terrors within and afflictions without I had gone astray Psal. 32. 4 5. David was secure and kept silence he confessed and the Lord pardoned for this shall every one that is godly seek Oh so do you think then am not I in the number oh let me seek then and confess my sin CHAP. VI. Of the certainty of Christs coming SECT I. THat though the coming of Iesus Christ to his Churches be late yet it is certain For though it be midnight yet he comes we see For this coming at midnight is not to be understood of the last day of Judgment which shall be at midnight as the Rabbins and Monks in their devotions conceive for Christ speaks here of his coming to particular judgement also which is not always at midnight The scope of the Parable is to provoke to continual watchfulness because though the Lord doth not come in the beginning of the night as was the custom of the Jewish marriages yet he will come late even when you look not for him even at midnight there is a cry I confess the Lord speaks principally of his coming to Judgment yet it is true of any other coming of Christ to his people in this life and because particular examples and instances are the roots of general truths as Circumcision a seal so all Sacraments are so Christ is a Saviour of his people it is meant of great salvation at last yet is true of all salvation beside therefore I shall speak of the coming of Jesus Christ to his Churches and Servants in the general and so involve the whole coming of Christ for the more use and comfort to us Now we shall finde that the Scripture speaks of a sixfold coming of Christ that as all our deliverances are but shadows of our great and last deliverance so Christs coming now is but a shadow of his great and last coming First Christ is said to come to his people when he comes to hear their prayers Luk. 18. 8. And the Lord argues strongly Will an unjust Judge arise at night to help a widow a stranger when she is importunate and will not the Lord hear his elect and chosen yet when he comes shall he finde faith i. e. such prayers of faith as shall continue oh no! but soon apt to be weary before the time comes SECT II. Object BUt if they cease how do they pray night and day Answ. 1. Because they do so for a time 2. When they cease then they are ringing in Gods ears so that let the prayers of the elect for any mercy be once offered and presented as incense before the Lord the Lord will not be worse than an unjust Judge never to come to his people Secondly Christ is said to come to fulfil his promises for sometimes the Lord keeps his people exceeding short and gives his people answers to their Prayer in particular promises you find it so Psal. 85. 8 9. I will hear what the Lord will say for he will speak peace to his people that so they may live by faith and glory more in the Lord then in themselves yet he will come though it be very long Heb. 10 36 36. Ye have need of patience that ye may receive the promise for yet a little while c. We think it long yet it will be so Thirdly Christ is said to come to his people when he speaks peace and breaks the clouds of fears and troubles and shines upon his people for while the Lord is angry and hides his face that a man is beyond sight of the face and love of God now God and Christ is said to be gone so then when he returns to speak peace now he is said to come as that Martyr said He is come Zach. 1. 16 17. I am râ—turned to Ierusalem with my mercies and the Lord will yet comfort Zion for when the Lord forsakes his people for seventy years and takes away all his
eyes of the world but on God have I been cast To trust to Christ for righteousness but not for consolation is to marry a man to pay debts but not to live upon his house try if it be so or no thou feelest the Lord gone yet thy faith is not gone from him 2. If the Lord hath given thee a heart whether the Lord comes or no not to trouble thy self about success and time of coming as to minde the doing of his work against his coming that thy heart is resolved and will live to him though he never comes to thee Ioh. 2. 5. When Mary said that wine was wanting saith Christ it is not my hour then what ever he bids you do do it Heb. 10. 36. you have need of patience for all impatience ariseth from minding inordinately the success what the event will be and distracting the mind there but as a poor servant when a man thinks whether Christ come or not these sins shall down this argues love never to be forgotten Iudges 10. 16. nothing grieves the Lord and makes the Lord absent but because grieved with sin misery comes now sin is removed it may be no assurance while thou diest or livest yet if resolved my soul shall follow the Lord now it is right c. But if while the Lord is now gone your hearts are jolly and loose every way way desire you the day of the Lord it is darkness to you CHAP. VII Of Gods compassion towards wise and foolish Virgins SECT 1. SUch is the compassion of Christ to his people that deep security cannot always make the Lord to reject them and therefore we shall find three expressions of the love and kindness of the Lord to the wise and foolish Virgins also First When they not only slumber but sleep and that long even to the coming of the Bridegroom almost yet Christ spares them and doth not all this while cut them off and bury them out of his sight as men that do forget him Secondly He prevents them with awakening grace and the Lord is up when his servants be abed and is awakened for their good when they are asleep and regard not him and first by his cry he awakens them before they shake up themselves when once the Churches fall asleep they would sleep their long sleep and never awaken if the Lord should not by some cry or other prevent them Thirdly He longs for their fellowship and company though secure and therefore it is not a cry of terror and wrath the Bridegroom hath forsaken you for your secure careless course but it is a cry of grace go forth to meet him yet he is willing to have communion with you yet he desires that you would have communion with him oh come out to meet him I shall wrap up all these together because I shall be brief Wonderful was the grace of Christ toward the old world when for the space of one hundred and twenty years he waited for them who after they had been an hundred and nineteen secure yet then the same spirit that waiteth for us in these days of the Gospel preached the Lord unto them Ieremiah was very long speaking to Israel as the other Prophers in so much that the Lord professeth to send the King of Babylon against them yet the Lords heart melts cha 26. 1 2 3. Speak unto them it may be they will hearken and turn that I may repent So Ier. 3. they had polluted the Law ver 2. showres are withheld which is no great matter small evils are arguments of hearts revolted from God they did the Lord as much mischief as they could and were secure verse 3. Yet mark wilt thou not from this time cry My Father meet the Lord as thy Husband will he keep his anger for ever Nay the Lord cast off Adulterous Israel and they knew the cause yet went on securely in the same sins yet see verse 14. Turn oh back-sliding children Prov. 6. 5 6. How long c. SECT II. IN regard of the foolish there is no reason but the Lords pitty and compassion to a sinful people he hath compassion on them because he will for he doth not pity people only in respect of their miseries but in respect of their sins 2 Chron. ult 16. he sent his Prophets among them and they despised them because he had compassion on his people the cords of grace are let down to all sinners Blasphemers Opposers of God c. In regard of the wise Virgins because his Mariage-covenant with them is not suspended on any thing on his peoples part for though there is a condition which the Lord doth require of his people in Mariage-covenant yet the Lord so requires it as that he intends to work it and undertakes to maintain it and there is no evil in them but he promiseth in this Covenant to remove he will heal them of it but he will not cast them off for it hence Ephes. 5. 25. Christ loves his Church what because it had loveliness no but that he might wash it and if he loves it to this end that he might wash it then no pollution can make the Lord utterly to cast it off if he loves because of deformities that he might wash them away then none can quench his love hence no security no carelesness though deep though long so long as the Mariage-bond between man and wife contiâ—â—s so long as no sin is committed that can break this Mariage-bond so long infirmities or other distempers never separate Now no sin in them that are given to Christ can break the Mariage-bond because it is wholly undertaken on the Lords part women may commit Adultery and break their Mariage-bond because they are not kept by their Husband from that but the Lord undertakes this for his people to put his fear in their heart that they shall never depart from God Hos. 2. 19 20. I will bâ—troth thee unto me for ever and you shall know the Lord hence the Lord may humble but never utterly reject his for security in a lust SECT III. OF Direction and thankfulness to the people of God Oh! do not always fall to fits of doubts after security though deep and long as many Christians do and so are ever laying and pulling up foundations after most peace of conscience most security and then the Sea rageth again and it is hard for any man to keep his peace have you had such mercy and love and will you thus be careless and loose again believe it the Lord will break your bones if you love your beds and not give you rest till you finde it on another pillow but yet do not deny his love though you have forgot it do not say you are not Virgins because fallen asleep and that the Bridegroom will never come to meet you because you have lingred in meeting him for behold he cometh I know there is a difference between the security of the wise and foolish
they could why do men on their death-beds then prize it then pray then hear then oh a little mercy then send for Moses then the Lord is righteous and if he shew mercy never such a pattern as I because now death and Christs coming is near you do therefore undervalue the gain of Ordinances because of this if you did you would glory in nothing but the Lord Ier. 9. 21 23. 5. Why do men go up and down without any assurance of the Lords love or the truth of any grace and that after conviction why do men upon their death-beds seek for it and then fall a searching and then open their estates and then desire peace because the coming of the Lord is near you put the day of the Lord far from you if you saw it near you would get on your armor in readiness against the day of battel if your Husband be at door you would get on your apparel Psal. 89. 46 47 49. 6. Why is so much time spent unfruitfully that a Christan is not abundant in doing and receiving good who is the better for thy speeches for thy prayers for thy example when Moses Psal. 90. had numbered mens days then v. 17. stablish thou the work of our hands upon us Look upon a Christian at first conversion he thinks he shall not live long it 's strange to see what prayers what tears how fruitful how diligent he is Oh therefore see your sore this day 't is nigh almost O therefore up and be doing SECT IV. OH therefore if ever you would be freed from this infectious this damning sin and plague of security make the coming of the Lord near unto you and come you near unto it be ever near it number your days they are soon told over and often think of your latter end when the Bridegroom comes for this will awaken you out of your secure fits and make you fall hard to your work First This will make you do much work for the Lord in a little time when Moses was to be gathered to his Fathers now he provides for the Church now he instructs the people more than ever concerning their eâ—â—ates c. Secondly It will be very sweet it is but a very little while though it be bitter and it will put strength to do it work is wearisom for want of strength so Christ's work is wearisom because we want strength now this doth put strength into the soul Iam. 5. 8 9. Thirdly It will be very glorious works even of dying men are very glorious and successful Speeches of living yet dying Christians sink deep for then God is near unto us when we are near unto him and see things as they are and hence such speeches are commonly blest to men the speeches and works and carriages of Christ were never so glorious as when most near his end SECT V. Object BUt should â— Christian in Christ use this as a motive to stir up his heart or no this is mockery this Philosophy sends men to doth Divinity do so a Christian must be acted by love not fear Answ. 1. That which God hath sanctified for this end we may make use of for the attainment of it now God hath sanctified afflictions death and the fear of them for this end to awaken the secure sinner Iehosaphat fears and proclaimeth a fast Noah feared and built an Ark Christ himself to the Church of Sâ—rdis to awaken her professeth he will come as a thief in the night suddenly 2 Pet. 3. If the heavens shall be dissolved what manntr of persons should we be It is true it is hypocrisie for a man to be led only by fear but it is prophaness the original of the Sadduces not to be terrified at all it is not hypocrisie to be awakened partly by fear to the apprehension of these things for God hath sanctified them for this end and though these do not work grace where there was none before barely yet the awakening of conscience is that whereby the Lord prepares for grace and this is good in its kinde and it stirs up grace where it was before as here this cry makes the Virgins to kindle their oyl and set that a burning Objection 2. But the time is not near Should I apprehend an untruth Answ. It may be 't is near the apprehension of this is not false and this the Lord gives verse 13. as the ground of constant watch for you know not when he comes now if men love their goods they will watch 2. It is near if you had but wisdom to see into eternity and the nature of time you would say so also Psal. 90. 4. A thousand years are but as yesterday and as a watch in the night Vers. 5. our time is as a sleep short and vain Ver. 6. it is but as a flower of one days glory nay it is but as a thought vers 9. It is so when you see things as they are and you will account it so Oh therefore let me beg this of you make Christs coming and death near to you thaâ— you may be delivered from your dead palsies deep slumbers and dying sick sleeps especially seeing the signs of the Lords coming to reckon with you do you think to escape Masters that betrust Servants with most will they call others to account to whom they have betrusted less and not you what people under heaven be trusted with more mercies and liberties than we and do you think he is gone to a far Country and will never return He let Palatine and other Churches enjoy the means long he summons them to an account by famine sword and pestilence wilde beasts and cruel Souldiers and shall he never ride in his circuit this way yes verily Do you boast in the goodly stones of this Temple If the Lord by your security be despised and his Messengers and Ordinances and Kingdom he will not leave one stone upon another When will this be not yet that 's true yet awake at the signs of it Mat. 24. Wars rumors of wars famine aerthquakes deceivers that come in the name of Christ Apostacy of Professors whence many comâ— to be offended Divisions and scatterings of one Brother against another Iniquity abounding in the World and Love growing cold in Churches If these be not amongst us now we have the less cause to fear if so have we not cause to awake one hour considering our time is nigh if not yet Christs time is nigh of coming to particular persons SECT VI. Quest. HOw shall I make it near Answ. Truly till the Lord teach us the number of our days we can never do it yet three things do First Convince thy soul of the sin and evil of looking after to morrow and reaching after that time which is to come Prov. 27. 1. 1. It is none of thine â— Nothing draws the heart so much from God 3. You will never find what you expect hence these are lying vanities therefore come not
eternity this shall be their glory even an everlasting name unto them better than the name of Sons and Daughters when the wicked shall see them all at the right hand of God and gnash their teeth that themselves are shut out when the Lord and his Saints shall take infinite delight one in another Luk. 12. 37. SECT III. Quest. 4. WHy is this a Christians glory excellency and honor Answ. 1. In regard of the baseness of other things wherein men do use to glory the wise man in his wisdom the strong man in his strength the rich man in his wealth There are Three things which make these base First These things make a man not the more to be accepted of God the Lord respects not values not the worth of any man by these things and to make all the world know this he staineth the pride of all glory and chuseth the poor and foolish things of the world to confound the wise a wise man will never respect the horse the more because it carries store of rich treasures he will not fall down and reverence it for this hang Swine about with pearls who honors them the more and will a wise God respect a man the more for these things 1 Pet. 3. 5. What is that that is of great price with God Holiness is of great price with God And what though all the world honor a man and a man honoreth himself while this is wanting Secondly All these things leave a man dead under the reign of Satan power of his sin and dominion of death and hence Ier. 9. 24. Let no man glory in his wisdom c. Death is entred into your windows take any bondman bound with fetters though golden doth any man account him the more glorious a Prince that is made a vassal and slave to every base fellow is he the more glorious no So whiles men lye under the reign of death stick a man that is dead with flowers what is he the more glorious alas no! his life is gone now the Spirit of holiness is called the Spirit of life even of the life that never shall dye Rom. 8. And therefore as it is said of a Flye there is more excellency in a Gnat than in a Cedar than in the glorious heaven because it hath life which the other hath not so though men wonder at the goodly trappings of wicked men yet the poorest and most despised Christian that hath the Spirit of life is more glorious Thirdly Because these things only purchase the more credit and honor in the eyes of men and that of wicked men for 1 Cor. 5. 10. We know no man after the flesh if they do it is that which they account themselves beasts and fools for as David did Psal. 73. And what is the honor of man it is the bâ—sest thing that is for it is that which is without a man it is no excellency within the man it is but the thoughts of a mans head and heart than which what more vain what more mutable nay 't is but the dreams of a mans head for they are mistakes If all the town should dream another was a King who yet were indeed a Beggar which when they awake they see what were he the better for this Paul 2 Cor. 11. 23. how he doth glory in priviledges which were better and more goodly hangings than theseâ— this saith he I speak as a fool and what be these a Christians glory no surely Answ. 2. Because that is a Christians glory which is Christs glory First It is that glory wherein the glory of Christ consists Psal. 45. 2. Thou art fairer than the children of meâ— full of grace is thy lips and 2 Cor. 3. ult into the same image from glory to glory Indeed Christ's greatness in governing the world is his glory but it is because it is mixt with such holiness Isa. 6. 1 2 3. Phil. 2. 8 9. he humbled himself and this hath given him a name and shall be his name for ever this is that which makes the Lord Jesus lovely and amiable in the eyes of all his people Revâ— 15. 4. Who would not fear thee or thou onely art holy and so he is for all the stars receive their light and shine with it by this Sun only and so the more a Christian excels in this the more like he is to Jesus Christ and so more glorious and lovely Secondly This is that which gives him glory â— e. so far as creatures can which is to manifest it and hence 2 Cor. 8. 23. which is the glory of Christ and hence Isa. 46 13. Israel is called the glory of the Lord Isa. 62. 2 3. the righteous is called the glory and crown and diadâ—m in the hand of the Lord and as God is better than the Soul so this viz. to glorifie the Lord is better than to be glorified by the Lord. SECT IV. HEnce see one reason why men lose their honor their love and respect in the eyes of God and men their judgements are not revereâ—â—ed their persons not accepted their names and practises despised this is one reason among the rest a decay in holiness the lamp is defiled the light and lustre of it going out and who will reverence it then 't is admirable to see the complaints abroad First Look but into Families what is the reason there is so much discontent there that Servants are weary of their Masters Masters of their Servants and there is such complaints one of another little respect one of another it is for want of holiness power and life of godliness the Master saith the Servant is unruly froward surly flothful unfaithful untrusty and must not be spoken to the Servant saith his Master is passionate unkinde wants pity to his body and sometimes strikes him without cause and much more careless of his soul never instructs him but is eaten up with the world c. truly this is the cause It seems the Lord wrought upon divers in Primitive times and the Apostle gives Servants an item that they may glorifie God and adorn the Gospel of the Lord Iesus how came Ioseph into â—oâ—iphar's books oh he was very holy and very prudent and I le warrant did his Masters work better when his Master was absent than before and prayed for success in his business as Abraham's Servant Look but upon Husband and Wife it is strange to see what divisions and jars there and what 's the cause of it Wife doth not honor Husband nor Husband honor Wife how comes this oh there is little holiness seen in their private walking one with another the woman thought the man godly had I known this I would have seen you a hundred miles off c. the man also he complains of his wife I see now I am like to be troubled with a continual dropping a very fury of hell so impatient and the next neighbor hears of it nothing can please her what 's the reason of
Reasons are these SECT IV. HEnce do not trust men too far nor boast of any man too much especially in regard of his glorious profession and affections at the first God sends divers of his faithful servants to a place and many at first hearing are wrought upon battered down convinced mourning after peace going to Ministers delight in Ordinances now many Ministers bless God for their conversion and many a Christian is put out of doubt of it parents of their children and children of their parents one brother of another and one Christian neighbor of another whom he got out once to hear and once hearing overcame and for a time there is no other Oh take heed of boasting too much it may be they may and will fall before they have lived many years down when at their height what man was ever sought unto more than Iohn all Iudea came unto him yet at last they forsake him rejoyced but a season in that light they went also from him to Christ Ioh. 7. 26 32. yet Iohn complains none received his testimony Christ himself preached in Capernaum and 〈…〉 exalting a man they boasted in him yet onely a few Babes which the Lord wrought upon the Galathians would lose their eyes for Paul yet aâ—terward they flight him and join with false teachers against him Oh therefore pray for them and weep for them but do not trust them too far neither trust your selves too much Ioh. 8. 31. Then are ye my disciples if you continue Demas forsakes Paul all in Asia forsake me SECT V. HEnce be not offended if we see many apostatize and fall from their most eminent profession the Lord hath here foretold that after some profession their lamps will go out we do not wonder if ponds full in winter are dry in summer because it is the time and season of it and they want springs to feed them and never was there any time since the world began that there were such Apostacies as now First One man after much profession intends to follow the Lord conscience is troubled at humane inventions Oh saith he if delivered well enough though I lose never so much well he lays out all and is delivered but that which quiets conscience doth not quiet his heart and affections but his very loss for conscience makes his lusts and desires after other things break out more eagerly and men cannot now live upon Gospel only with bread and water no no you are deceived as it is with sick men they let go all their estate for recovery but when recovered they must get up their estate again this will not satisfie And thus some fall spiritually Secondly Others they sought for much in Ordinances but finding not what they looked for Ordinances are but as pictures fair a far off but when men come near them Word and Fellowship and people of God then they despise them because they find not a living God there Thirdly While God keeps men under sad temptations wants and afflictions Oh then they are humble and pray but when blest with ease and peace and plenty and honor then how lofty and secure this is better than the Lord Never such a decay of the spirit of prayer never was there such a conconfusion in the world such burning of Cities slaying of men rents of Churches God minding to stain the pride of all glory and yet never such hearts Object But to stand so long and yet to fall seems strange Answ. If soon it is a wonder but if long it is no wonder if once past growing you do not wonder if an oak be now decaying Obj. But they keep their profession still only in one thing vile the error is only in their minds a spirit of discention from the people of God Ans. Scarce shall you see one man in a hundred that is vile in every thing that falls totally the foolish Virgins did not so yet their oyl was spent and their lamps going out there was a man that was slain suddenly and his blood in his face was fresh his beauty glorious and many weeks continued without putrefaction yet life within was gone so 't is the condition of many a man by one wound or sin And hence a Physitian at Wittenbâ—rg writes of the cause of it be not therefore offended at them but wonder at the Lord that he keeps thee I know there are decaying Saints but they recover again here SECT VI. OH therefore labor for the grace that may last the bread that may last to everlasting life in all bargains and buildings men will have a special eye to that which will last if it be rotten let whosoever will take it and be sure it is so for when God doth fully awaken you you will see it is not right the foolish Virgins they though they were weâ—l before but now after some time and awakened they see it will not hold nor continue For the Lords sake be suspitious here fear lest a promise being left any fall short of it other things will not last neither Creatures nor the Lord to do you good unless you have everlasting grace It is a time the Lord is stripping the world of all ornaments your Wives Children Churches God will take your Husbands Parents Members Ministers from you yet if a heart to close with the Lord Oh this is right Quest. How Answ. 1. Take heed of any affection without first subduing the contrary lust for if you mingle them the one will choak the other this is sowing among thorns Ier. 4. 3 4. 2. Maintain it upon an everlasting root if the Lord gives you grace and you set it in your own garden it will dye no let it receive life from the promise that unchangeable love and grace and faithfulness say if that supports not I fall 1 Sam. 23. 5. Isa. 46. from gray hairs I will carry thee Psa. 23. 2 3. the Lord leads to waters he feeds But I decay yet he restores my soul Oh but he afflicts much yet his rod and staff comfort me I shall dwell in the house of God for ever Be more empty as the Lord fills you But oh the sin of this world all the creatures in the world cannot content but grace doth and hence men regard not the Lord and hence you perish and your grace shall perish also CHAP. XI Unregenerate persons may have a sence of their want of Grace SECT I. Our Lamps are out THat foolish Virgins or unregenerate persons may see and so complain of an utter want of all saving grace Look but upon this pattern they thought they were rich and had something but now they see they have nothing and hence when they search their lives our lamps are oâ—t when they search their hearts is there any Grace or Spirit of Christ or Christ by his Spirit there no our oyl is spent and hence give us of your oyl they saw nothing now The same persons that are sometimes so puft up that they
Prov. 5. 11 12 13. you mourn when you not your flesh but soul is consumed Oh how have I despised instruction lest wrath break out which cannot be quenched for dealing slightly with God and your own souls how many Christians take that for grace which when it comes to tryal will be found too light and know it not and regard it not till the hand-witing of God is upon their consciences If therefore you have not found the satisfying sweetness of the Spirit of Gods grace that water which quencheth all your inordinate thirst that bread which feeds you to life be sure your oyl will be spent and your light will go out before you dye SECT V. Quest. HOw shoâ—ld I know that satisfying sweetness Answ. Ah methinks you should say Oh that I did know it yet wary I would be of giving any just occasion to break off what the Lord in his grace hath wrought yet you may know something of it by this 1. When the Spirit of Gods grace dispensed in his Ordinances doth glut you and slay you and make you worse here is not the grace of Christ which doth satisfie you if the more knowledge you have of the truth the less glory you see in the truth and the less you love the truth if the more comfort you have sound by it the less you now desire after it if the more abilities you have received by it the more proud you grow and high-minded if having come for to seek the Ordinances of God the less good you find by them the more weary you grow of them and the more you despise them it is certain the satisfying grace of Christ is not here when the bread to feed is poison to slay is not this the condition of many what is the cause they are growing worse that they are worse in their latter end and middle of their Christian profession than the begining because they are grown full by Gods Ordinances and so worse what is the cause in places of persecution the Lords Ordinances were precious not when they come to them Gods Ordinances plenty makes them to undervalue them through their sin that look as it is with men in consumptions whose life is going out they think they can eat yet when it is before them loath the smell of it or a little serves them whereas another finds it otherwise not but that Saints may think thus but they with Hezekiah mourn under it 2 Chron. 32. Hos. 6. 5. I have hewen and slain what is the cause because your goodness is like a morning dew which soon vanisheth therefore have I slain them Oh God loves us and we are the best people in the world because we have Ordinances no but because you be shallow hence you shall have Prophets to slay you Secondly If any man maintains any living lust in himself in the midst of his profession and hungers after it and the life of it for when a man hath better food to feed upon he will neglect his own at home as Christ said to them when they asked him why he did not eat how many be there which have strange gifts and have had marvellous ebbings and flowings of the Spirit of Life and Peace and yet one sin have they lived in and would not could not live without it Look as it was in the wilderness they were for a time pretty well content with their allowance and wildernessâ—walks and provisions but they could not stay long They asked meat for their lusts but he sent leanness into their souls Psal. 106. 14 15. So that there it is if lust be stirring the Lord either denies it his own people because he will starve the lust that the soul may grow or if he gives it slays the lust by it gluts it makes the soul grow weary of it and prize his first Husband more as Solomon by his experimental discovery of the creature Many men confess and pray aginst their sins but by their sorrows and desires they do maintain the life of their sin fall to it as the dog to the vomit you will be cast away at last 1 Cor. 9. ult I beat not the air lest I become a cast-away whereas a gracious heart doth not maintain but waste and consume his lust His life is to live to God Thirdly If a mans heart and affections reach not the people of God with the dearest embracings noâ— yet mourn for the want of such a heart for sometimes there are some drops of the Lords goodness falling into the heart whereby the soul cleaves unto the Lord and is moved and ravished and bears much 〈◊〉 as it thinks towards him but look to their love to the people of God tâ—â—re they fall short because the love of Christ is not shed abroad abundantly into their hearts filling and satisfying of them and hence have none to poure out upon the souls of their neighbors 1 Iohn 4. 20 21. In our own Country what was the accusation of Saints viz. They are Hypocrites before God What did you think of those men that said so Answ. Surely they were enemies to the Lord and that never loved him for then they would love his people But what is the occasion here Now they say they come far for Ordinances but they are unjust oppressors cruel poor men may starve before regarded by them and so they cast reproach not only upon some few but all the people of God and Church of God If that it be so their accusation is Gods accusation if not as generally it is for many though unable to do much yet if called to it would lay down their estates and lives for others then know thou never hadst Christ's love shed in thy heart which will continue but drops of it only because thy love cannot reach to these Beloved what is the end of your coming over hither is it not to enjoy first Christ and nextly his People so his Ordinances because next to fellowship of Christ the Saints company is most precious and do you here bite and censure and devouâ—e and neglect and reproach one another and upon any conceived injury stumble are poor men neglected It is a sad sign the love of Christ in not in power Heb. 6. 9 10. Fourthly If there have been abundance of sweet affections and sweet refreshings thereby rising up within the soul without the death and killing and removal of the contrary lusts and sins it is certain this soul was never truly filled nor satisfied with the Spirit of Gods grace for as it is with vessels while they be filled with lime or chaff they cannot be filled with wheat or with water so while the heart is filled with some noisom distempers it cannot be filled or satisfied with the Lord look but abroad in the Churches how many be there that say and think they â—ate their sin as the only evil they close with the Lord Jesus they love the people of God all of them they seek the glory of God
miseries than of inward they will not regard Moses by reason of anguish of spirit this keeps off many a man either he feels only outward miseries his mind is broken with cares how shall I live with losses and crosses Family is sick Cattel die Servants are untoward and unfaithful his drink is turned to water and the English flower is gone his Friends respect him not his acquaintance grow strange these things lie more heavy than sin 2. Pray before you come for as it is in men that trade their Servants are ready to let out their commodities but ask the Master first whether he will sell them or no to you so ask the Lord first Ministers are but Servants under the Lord it is not as they will but as the Lord will dispence Matth. 11. 25. I thank thee that thou â—ast hid these things from the wise and prudent though Christ himself preached Oh therefore looâ— up to the Lord Oh Lord let not thy Gospel be a hidden thing from mine eyes I am perswaded you should see strange things and grow up more and more if thus you did When Christ told them that the Spirit should come he bids them wait for it and they continued instant in 〈◊〉 Act. 1. 4. and then the Spirit of God came upon them though exâ—raordinarily yet here ordinarily Psal. 51. Lord cause me to hear the voyce of joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce and hence the Lord complains Isa. 50. 3. Why when I came was their no intercessor as if he should say he would have given them help else Oh therefore before you come and when you come pray Lord speak pray all the week long that there may be some Sabbath mercies for you 3. Give the Lord the price of his Gospel men that come to buy must give the price Zach. 11. 12. And God will not let you have any thing without price give away all thou hast when thou comest to hear to the Lord let him pluck or take any thing from thee only let him not take away himself and his Spirit prize the least truth above all the world as indeed it is better the Lord may else deny these pearls to you Heb. 4. 2. The word did not profit because not mixt with faith and â—hat is the property of that vide 1 Per. 2. 5 6. To him that believes the Lord is precious it makes Christ precious and every truth precious and when the Lord himself is precious the Spirit is sent Joh. 14. 17. whom the world cannot receive because they know him not Oh he is not sweet not precious to them Three things are here to be laid out and given to God at the hearing of the Word 1. Thy Thoughts let a man have never so much meat if he feed not upon it never will he have spirits thereby therefore while hearing time lasts be taken up with those things you hear be in them that your profiting may appear to all you know not so much but that there is more yet to be known 2. Thy Heart Love it Christs love was so great as to shed his blood that he might purchase this Word of his Gospel for thee and wilt not thou let thy love out of thy heart to it when it is for thee 3. Labor labor for the Spirit here as for the meat that endures for ever Ioh. 6. â—7 Christ will give it you spare no pains and labor upon it to enjoy and be eternally advantaged by it Thus much of the Second thing in this Second Part of the Parable Now the Third follows viz. The Coming of Christ himself CHAP. XVI Concerning Christs Coming SECT I. NOw this coming of Christ is set forth and amplified from two things 1. From the time of his coming While the foolish went to buy he came 2. From his different entertainment of the Virgins and carriage towards them being come First The wise they went in with him to the Mariage Secondly The foolish were shut out c. By this coming of the Lord is as hath been oft said meant the coming of Christ to Death or Judgement but especially and principally his coming to Judgement as may appear by the whole series of this Chapter and the next wherein the Lord answers to the second question of the Disciples viz. the signs and â—â—me of his coming i. e. his second coming which is called his coming to judge the the world c. That there is and shall certainly be a Second coming of Christ to Iudgement This truth the Prophets have foretold Enoch Iude 14. Solomâ—n Eccles. 12. ult Rom. 14. 11. with Isa. 45. 23. The Apostles have preached thus as 2. Cor. 5. 10 and it was ever in their eye and the main part of their Ministry when they pressed people to believe in Christ as a King where is he He shall come they tell the unbelieving world Angels also have published this Act. 1. 11. and Devils beleive this who are in their chains bound over to that day and all the Saints have looked for this 1 Thess 1. 〈◊〉 and hence promises of mercy at that time are made to such Heb. 9. ult And lastly the consciences of many wicked people have confessed this Paul preacheth of Iudgement to come and Felix trembles and Heb. 6. 5. divers felt the powers of the world to come and by judgements on them have been made to know that he is the Lord. SECT II. Quest. 1. BUt when shall the Lord Iesus come Ans. In general when all the Eâ—â—ct are gathered under the wings of Christ hence Matth. 24. 22. For the elects fake those days shall be shortned i. e. an utter ruine of all had then come but for them and therefore when they are once collected the Lord will come and hence in particular Judgements the Lord doth thus only a few Elect keep a whole land from being utterly wasted Isa. 6. ulâ— 1 Cor. 15. 23 24. first Christ is quickned i. e. in soul and body raised then those that are Christs at his coming and then comes the end and hence the tares are spared lest in pulling up them the wheat also be plucked up Now as for setting down the particular time the Lord Jesus doth it not in this Chapter onely gives some signs of it by which we may give certain credit that it is not far off as of the death of a crazy man and there are two that are not yet accomplished 1. The destroying of Antichrist at least in the principal power of it and throne of it 2. The calling of the Jews Rom. 11. who must have a great day of it again which dry bones shall live and their restoring a kinde of resurrection and life from the dead Some have thought two thousand years before the Law and under the Law and under Christ and then when these six days of a thousand years a piece are ended comes the great Sabbath this is already proved to be false in the
second two thousand years In the Primitive times and Churches the Apostles especially â—ames and Peter spake of the end of all things to be at hand who writing to the scattered Jews had good reason to tell them of it viz. the end of the Temple Though Barâ—â—â—s to weaken the Authority of Scripture thinks they spake only their own apprehensions divers Christians thought then it was nigh and hence Paul 〈◊〉 them to beware of those thoughts seeing much danger in them 2 Thess. 2. 1 2. And in succeeding ages Tertullian expresseth the affection of the Christians to the Roman State that they sought not the ruine of it but prayed pro mor â finis as fearing it was then coming upon the world for sin and so many Saints seeing wickedâ—ess abound have thought that time is not far off but yet the times and seasons are not in our hands to know Act. 1. 7. and that must quiet us that come he will SECT III. Quest. 2. WHere will he come to judge Answ. Into this visible world again for if it should be in heaven as no unclean thing shall come there so we should then rather come to Christ to be judged than for him to come to Judgement No there is a second coming that as his first was into this visible world so shall his second Act. 3. â—1 Whâ—â— the heavens must contain untill the time of the restitution of all things and then shall he break out of heaven again for this work Now to what particular place in the world he shall come to judge is disputed on by many especially some of the Schoolmen Some think that it shall be in Mount Calvary where he was crucified some in Mount Olivet where he ascended others in the Valley of Iehosaphat Ioel 3. 2. which as it cannot contain all people that ever were so the place only speaks of the terror of God against the enemies of his scattered Jews at their conversion I would not be wise above what is written all that I read most plainly of is 1 Thess. 4. 17 18. That then we shall meet the Lord in the air now how high or where the Lords Throne shall be set those things are not for us to enquire after but so the Lord will order it as that all Nations all the dead small and great shall stand before him and see him in one place which shall not be very low where men have sinned there they shall be judged and hence as Judges have their Circuits so men having sinned in this world shall be judged here SECT IV. Quest. 4. HOw will he come to judge Answ. He shall come in power and great glory Matth. 24. 30. As first The glory of the Father Matth. 16. 27. the brightness of his Diety his infinite wisdom was hid in the dark lanthorn of his humanity but then he shall appear as 't is said Rom. 1. 4. manifested to be the Son of God by his Resurrection so then much more when he comes to raise the world all the world shall see his power wisdom greatness then Secondly All his mighty Angels with him Matth. 16. 27. all shall be there so that heaven shall be left empty a thousand times ten thousand shall then minister unto him and you know how gloriously the Lord made the Angels shine at Christs Resurrection Thirdly With the voyce of the Arch-Angel and the trump of God and with a shout 1 Thess. 4. 16. He shall descend with a shout i. e. of joy to the Saints as in the day of victory and triumph of God as at giving the Law the Trumpet did blow to work dread and terror then so now Fourthly With burning and consuming of the world 2 Pet. 3. 7. 2 Thess. 1. Fifthly Raising and callâ—ng all the dead before him small and great good and bad in earth and sea and that in a moment it shall not be a long work 1 Cor. 15. 52. and thus the Lord shall appear at this day that as he came before with baseness so he shall now come in glory and nothing then shall have any glory but himself and those that are his because he will damp all the glory of the world and thus sitting in the clouds in a Throne of glory he shall judge i. e. examine convince and condemn examine all secrets and convict men of their evils and then condemn them and pass sentence upon the wicked and grace to his Saints the Saints examinations and all their duties and actings for God opened and that all the world that censured them may see then the infinite wisdom and love of God in his people in making and keeping them sincere SECT V. Quest. 4. VVHy will he come Answ. 1. If it was only for his peoples sake for their perfect redemption and refreshing there were reason enough for it hence it is called a day of redemption and a time of refreshing here they are captived under miseries and sadded by them under sin Satan world but then they shall be redeemed Now that it shall be so First He hath come already to redeem his people from sin which is the greatest evil and which redemption wâ—s performed by his blood now if he hath redeemed from the greatest evil viz. Sin then from Corruption then from Death and Satan c. If he once came by blood and baseness then he will come in glory and greatness if he came through fire to them then he will come through fair ways to them if by death to them then by life to them and hence Ioh. 5. 24. all judgement is committed to him because he is the Son of Man And though it be long yet surely he will he must come especially seeing himself hath perfectly redeemed his people and is now himself exalted above all A man that hath been in prison himself with his poor brethreâ— that are left there still the price of their redemption being paid and there being nothing for their deliveraâ—ce wanting but one to fetch them if none help he will do it alone So here Secondly in regard of the Justice of God that that may be cleared before the eyes of all the world men sin now and are not punished but flourish and the Saints are grieved every man sees patience bounty longâ—sufferance exercised but the wrath of God against the least sins is not yet made known there must therefore be a day to declare it and the equity of it Thirdly In regard of the Wisdom of God Look in all Commonwealths well governed in the world and we shall not finde any but they have Court days and their Petty Sessions and great Assizes as in Israel for to what extremity of wickness would places come to else so here Shall the wise Governor of the world never have a day of hearing and trying causes hath he no care others are but in his room under him till that time neither is it enough to say that there is Judgement of death Answ. That is only Christs judging
the soul in private either to his shame or glory before Christ but the body is to be judged as well as the soul to shame before men or glory before all the world Fourthly In regard of Christ's soveraignty and excellency the coming of Christ is called his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4. 1. Why doth not Christ rule now in the world Yes but it is in the midst of his enemies his enemies rule and he rules also but there must a time come that no enemies must rule but Christ alone and this is his kingdom in a most illustrious manner for the things of Christ are said to be with us when they do in a special manner appear as the coming of his Spirit and his love so his Kingdom now Christ must reign till all his enemies are put under foot for it is not fit he should lose his Kingdom hath the Lord suffered others to reign and rule and himself to be hid and his glory lost and that so long and will he never return to his Kingdom to be glorious there to reap all his glory that he hath lost by all his enemies in the world Was there ever King that would ever endure one generation of Rebels after another and never make himself sole Sovereign however Man may suffer it yet the Lord will not he must reign And wherefore doth Christ reign It is to trample 〈◊〉 under foot his and his peoples enemies Christ sets death his enemy to destroy his enemies and keep them as in a Goal but afterward Christ will call them forth and pass an irreversible doom upon them SECT VI. SEE therefore and believe the truth of this Point as well as hear it At the first coming of Christ Heb. 11. 13. they did thus saw the Promises afar off and embraced them so see it afar off There be divers people that profess this truth that do not fully believe it for if they did they would never live as they do That look as men that know the Judge rides Circuit within half a year dare not commit any open sins so if you believed this you would make conscience of secret sins which this Judge shall judge Others there be that do believe it as they do reports that every man saith but they do not see that really to be true indeed which their hearts literally believe and hence mens hearts are not a whit moved with grief or sorrow or joy or fear at the remembrance of this day For as it is with us in reports of news out of Germany many hear things but are not affected with their misery because they do not see it acted before their eyes God presents not their sorrows and hence they are not moved but when they do see them acted then they are moved much so here Look as it is with a man awake and in sleep a man awake believes the day of Judgement and never stirs but when asleep he dreams of it and is much affected with that because he sees it acted before his eyes much more when men have not dreams but real visions or sight of it it will affect And hence set painted fire before a Malefactor it affects not but shew him really it wherein he must be burnt now it amazeth him and hence 2 Pet. 2. 11 12 14. looking for and hence Peter saith what manner of persons ought we to be and whereever there is Faith thus it will be Heb. 11. 1. it makes things absent present and things unseen evident Oh that God would shew you this truth you young men Eccles. 11. 9. you would not spend time vainly but know God You aged men whose hearts are rooted in this world Oh know that God will come and burn up your delights will you never see this day and fear it before you see it and mourn because of it Oh take heed of rash judging and condemning and suspecting and censuring other men In Pauls time Rom. 14. 10. one Brother in a Church there judged another about indifferent things in a Christ-like manner as if he had no Grace c. You shall stand before Christs Iudgement Seat saith Paul and hence Paul 1 Cor. 4. 3 4 5. accounts little of mans Judgement and bids them judge nothing c. What if Christ find that to be a lye which thou judgest to be true Many of Gods Servants lie under hard thoughts and speeches in private not only from Enemies abroad but from inhabitants at home men out of the Church censuring and judging of Members men in the Church one of another especially if they take to a side The Lord will discover hard speeches and an edition of all your hard thoughts put out in print at the last day This breaks love this breaks Church-fellowship and is the cause of breacheâ— in this Country Oh take heed of an hypocritical heart if the Lord should come to judge according to the seeing of the eyes of the outward man then well were it with many but when the secrets of the hearts shall be judged it will be terrible if there should never be a calling over of things again happy were it for many but 't is otherwise 2 Cor. 5. 10. Paul sought only to please the Lord for we must all appear c. Civil men if they can carry it so as men may not say hurt of them they think 't is well Hypocrites if they can maintain a name of Religion so as they may maintain their interest in good mens hearts it is well if they get some enlargement in duties that they are commenâ—â—â— of them well if they can get so much mercy as to get the Lord to accept of Christs righteousness for them it is well but saith Paul We laborto be accepted of him I am perswaded godly men do not think of this we think the wicked shall have all their secrets laid open but the Saints come not into condemnation 't is true not of wrath but of trial so as that their righteousness shall be laid open to all to their glory at the great day 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. And therefore get that life which Christ himself may commend that as Christ said I have not found such faith in Isrâ—el So here when thou hast spoken a good word repeated a Sermon spent a Sabbath ask thy heart is this worth shewing to all the world that though at be vile yet Christ himself will commend this Oh you will finde only acting for him will commend the act Mat. 25. 40. there is that needlework and golden Arras of Holiness which is lapt up in the Saints that Christ will open before all the world another day Oh therefore repent Act. 17. 31. Paul tells them times past were spent in ignorance without God time to come was a time of Judgement and wrath of God against all sin Oh then repent Mourn for all wrongs done against Christ You will â—â—il then if you take not your season now mourn therefore for time past and for
really and that in times of peace when he had far pastures and full cups Psal. 23. he saw the Lord as his Shepherd Ioh. 10. 1. who is known of his feeding leading restoring comforting by rods adhering to him in the valley of the shadow of death and then for outward things furnishing his table annointing his head giving necessities and superfluities he looked not only on second causes but saw God as really doing all these as carnal men see second causes doing these Nay he so sees the Lord as that he falls a wondering and indeed the Lord is never seen in his Providences till then as Manoah saw the Angel do wondrously Judg. 13. 19. Psal. 139. 14. Marvellous are thy works vers 17 18. How precious are thy thoughts â— he saw from the Lords works and gathered an idea of the thoughts of God so should we and hence when he did awake he was still with thâ— Lord the first thing that appeared was the Lord Psal. 73. 23 24 25. To the beasts the Lord is near but they cannot reflect upon their own actions much less upon the Lord The Heathens may see we are Gods off-spring and see God as a Creator at some times but let them that profess Christ see and finde out Christ as Mediaâ—or as Moses that desired to see the Lord passing by him whom he had seen a little before truly the Lord not only passeth by you but is with you proclaiming his name by the voyce of his Providence toward you patience pity love truth wisdom and yet truly this is very difficult and hard to see SECT XVI MEn see not Jesus Christ First Because second causes seem to work all this estate my friends gave me or my labor got me this house the Carpenter built for me these provisions my money bought for me and so the creatureslike broad leaves hide the boughs of the glory of God in Christ on which they grow and are opake and dense and not transparent through which the soul may see the glory of God abroad Secondly Because men have so many businesses and cares that they cannot have leasure really to see the Lord. Thirdly Because there is a malice in all mens hearts naturally which suffocates all that which may be known of him Rom. 1. 28. They delighted not to retain God in their knowledge the works of God grow vile and sordid through their commonness to them Fourthly Because men can live well enough without him hence like a childe at nurse that forgets friends and home because it is well enough without them thus mens minds are not fed with the thoughts of him Ier. 2. 6. Fifthly Because Nature never heard of a Mediator governing all their lives and comforts and all they see not all given them by the Almighty hand of Christ who hath all power given hiâ—â— in heaven and earth and who must reign not only friends till they are gathered but over his enemies also till they are subdued and to question this is to question Christ's sitting at Gods right hand He is owner of all and disposeâ— of all to the least growth of thy stature and the most careless fall of the least hair to do not only the greatest but the meanest offices of love for thee You say indeed you believe all is from Christ oh but you see it not come near therefore and see the Lord Deut. 8. 9. they were forty years a learning that Man lives not by bread nor is warmed by cloaths c. and though they had marâ—ellous wondrous works yet Deut. 29. To this day the Lord hath not given you eyes to see Oh therefore labor to see who it is that nurses you guâ—des you tends you leads you teacheth you lays you down and takes you up and let the works of Christ raise up your minds to the thoughts of Christ in heaven remembring thee in his Kingdom of glory who might forget thee and the poorer and smaller the mercy is the more do thou wonder that he should therein be a servant unto thee see all blessings growing upon this tree seated in the midst of Gods Paradise Rev. 22. 3 4. though thou layest thy head with Iacob upon stones and sorrows yet see this ladder of the Lords proviâ—ence towards thee common blessings sometimes descending sometimes taken ouâ— of thy hand and ascending and the Angels of God with thee ministring to thee but the Lord at the top of them the Lord his care his love in all and let not this be a dream but a reality to you It is a wonderful sin to be thus unmindful of Christ. 1. Because hence all whorâ—â—g from Christ ariseth Hos. 2. 8. Iudg. 2. 12. especially in times of peace 2. Hence the Lord is forced to hedge your wâ—y with thorns and to bring you to extremily of troubles that you may see the Lord Isa. 41. 17 18. nay sometime to bring ruine Isa. 5. 12 13. And truâ—y as it is a great sin so it is a very great shame Isa. 1. 2. The ox knows his ownerâ— is the Lord the owner of you and do you not know him when he comes by you and to you provides for you It is a worse thing saith Chysoâ—â—om to bâ— comparâ—d â—o a beast than to be so To let many days and streams of goodness pass by you and yet not to take any notâ—ce and still to be so far from the Lord I know in heaven this is perfected and then comes acknowledgement of the Son of God but here you may be near him I think unless the Lord did descend in cloudy pillars and of fire some men would never see him SECT XVII Secondly BE near him in his promises for Christ is near to us here also Rom. 10. 8. the word of faith is nigh thee so that you need not ascend to bring Câ—rist down from heaven c. When Parents are dead and gone children wâ—ll then search out their last Will and Testament and preserve that and keep that near them Christ draws near to his people 1. In his Promises according to his thoughts of them 2. In his performances joyning the soul immediately to himself and filling it with himself this we cannot enjoy yet the Lord laies it up in his promise which they have in liew of the performance Oh draw near not to words and syllables but to the Lord there apprehend him there as it is with the Attributes of God his Glory cannot be comprehended by us hence he manifests himself there according to our capacity God manifesting himself severally so in promises we cannot comprehend Christ as yet hence Christ manifests himself in his glory in several promises Oh embrace him there Heb. 11. 9 'T is not said that Abraham and Iacob were heirs of Canaan but heirs of the promise and Sarah first received her son in the promise so do you emâ—raâ—e Christ in the womb and bowels of the promises we live by faith in this life and hence all our enjoyment of Christ is
shall burn and never be quenched there will be colds which shall blast all your budds and blossomes and beauty c. Now to have no love of Christ to take your self to as to a shelter in these times is very heavy hence Isa. 32. 2. Christ typified by Hezekiah shall be a shadow in a weary Land which is spoken to shew the sweetness of his love and their blessedness that have him to fly to and hence their woe who want him It is said Gen. 6. 8. Noah found grace in Gods eyes not in the eyes of men for before the Flood came they did â—not see it such a favour for to have an Ark but when that came and they fled from Houses to Trees from Trees to Mountaines and waters beneath and above prevailed now they saw it somethâ—ng to finde favour in the eyes of God and their woe to want it Moses dies wondering at the happiness of the Saints in regard of this Deut. 33. 26. and ult The eternal God is thy refuge he fore-sees stormes he preserves from miseries above head so as they cannot touch the heads of the Saints if so be they do fall yet they cannot fall so low but underneath are his armes As a Child which stands alone if it be in danger to fall and others cry out Pray take heed I have my armes say they under it hence Moses dyeth with this word Oh Israel who is like unto thee happy art thou then wo to those who want this there is not one man living but he shall meet with extremities which shall make heart and spirits to faile and the powers of heaven shall be shaken every thing may forsake you but Christs love but if that also doth wo then to you If you consider the power which this privation of love hath to damp all joy and mirth in all things present it invenomes and puts a sting and poyson in all blessings and makes comforts torments to have all blessings and all priviledges and not to have Christs love with them is to have a snare a trap a stumbling block and a Recompence c. Rom. 11. 9. Men regard not wrath to come but consider of this thy blessings are woes curses and you shall one day cry Wo is me that ever I was or that ever I had any blessing Suppose a man should be enriched with bags of Dâ—amonds hung with chaines of gold fare deliciously but condemned to die this would damp all Pharaoh had a stout will Moses tells him Exod. 9. 16. For this cause God had raised him up to shew his power upon him one would have thought it should have pull'd him from hâ—s Throne and made him lie in the dust it did not because God had hardened his heart so would this if the Lord had not hardened yours Hence we shall see Saints when they lie under false feares only of loss of love those very things which are most sweet are made most bitter Psal. 77. 3. I remembred God and was troubled but what think you of those that be not indeed loved it is enough to bring down the most merry heart and highest looks for the present what are my friends mine enemies is there none to comfort me of all my Lovers If you consider the sweetness of this Love of Christ. I'â—e instance only in one particular Psal. 63. 3. Cant. 1. 3. The Elect when they are glorified and with Christ what shall be most ravishing in their eyes what shall swallow up their thoughts most oh the love of Christ his free love why should I be accepted beloved oh that ever the Lord should cast his eyes and set his heart upon such an out-cast Hence praise of the Riches of Grace Ephes. 1. is the wâ—rk of Heaven Now to be cast out of this love will must be exceeding bitter to the soul hence Mat. 7. 23. I never knew you will be daggers at the heart or the stone upon the graves mouth which shall torment for ever If you consider the nature of this want or negation of Christs love what it is 1. Degree Is for Christ not to have so much as one purpose or thought of peace and good to them not to put the least Character of their names in the Book of life that is the first degree and fountain of all other Gods love Ier. 29. 9. 2. Degree Is not to speak one word of peace and love to a man no absolute promise of life to them Psalme 50. 16. They have nothing to do to take Gods Covenant into their mouths those promises which comfort and support the hearts of the Saints against all sins all miseries belong not unto them 3. Degree Not to suffer for them not to shed one drop of blood for their lives Ioh. 17. 9. so that all their sins must lie upon them to bear and answer for 4. Degree Not to do the least good for them good things they have but through their sins and Christs ordering of it are not good for them but they are thereby fitted by patience for destruction 5. Degree Not to accept any thing which they do to him their sacrâ—fices and prayers are sins Mal. 1. I have no pleasure in you 6. Degree Not to pity them in time of their trouble but to laugh at their Calamity and to rejoyce in their Ruine and eternal overthrow Christ shall get glory from them then whom they despised so long before This may let us see what cause all the people of God have to be abundantly satisfied with the love of Christ the heart of man is naturally like the raging sea never quiet if the least windes do but arise the Saints may have unmortified affections and are very apt upon troublesome temptations to be disquieted the Saints are compared to the Apple of Gods eye and we know little things will trouble much there it 's because in losses and sorrows which befall themselves and in beholding the madness and folly of others they are very apt to look upon the anger of the Lord in them foâ— their sin which others usually do not Oh consider is it such a misery to lose Christs love and have you a share in it oh then be thankful for it and contented with it When Christ was to depart from his Disciples Ioh. 16. 22. you shall sorrow but what doth he leave with them to quiet them I will see you againe that mourn now for loss of my presence What else doth he promise them nothing else truly that is enough When David looked upon the prosperity of the wicked and that they should â—ever see light Psal. 49. 15. with 19. But God will redeem my soul from the grave not from troubles and he will receive me Some read it For he hath received me both may stand together and this was enough to him If a Traveller have lost his way and not come home to his journeys end he may be very well unquieâ— but when he is come to the end
Lord apprehend us as in 2 Sâ—m 5. 1 2 3. But by his Covenant he bindes himself unto the souls of hâ—s people Isa. 55. 2 3. which is a mighty strong Covenant as strong as Gods purpose is for 't is nothing but Gods purpose revealed Now this the Lord reveals usually two wayes 1. In the Word without the conscience knowing it so as that a man hath not assurance of Gods Good-will to him And 2. To Conscience and this two wayes 1. By prayer the soul being instant with God to reveale his good-will the Lord doth it Ezâ—kiel 36. â—7 I will yet be enquired of for this c. Zach. 13. 9. Hence the Lord asks the poor heart Will nothing content thee but the Lord I wiâ—l fulfill thy desires then the Lord hath heard thy cryes all thy sinnes shall be pardoned all those corruptions subdued c. 2. By the Ministry of the Word when the soul hath been froward in seeking the Lord but now mournes under it that it cannot finde the Lord the Lord professeth I 'le create the fruit of the lips peace Psal. 25. 14. He will shew them his Covenant c. So that the soul is for a time stablished and supported by these and the like blessed words of Grace from the Lord. Secondly By an eternal Spirit of life which as from Christ the Head comes into every member and is in them and shall be in them never forsaking them though it be grieved a thousand times in a day by them this Spirit sets on the Covenant and gives the first fruits of glory c. Isaiah 59. ult This is my Covenant my Spirit shall never depart c. Thus Christ apprehends his herein differing from Adam he was next to God and was apprehended by God But 1. It was by a Covenant of works 2. As a first cause upholding and preserving and governing the second but this Spirit which should never forsake this he had not now when by Faith we are turned unto Christ Christ apprehends us with both these armes Now è contrà you may see what is it not to be apprehended by Christ. Because they were never given unto Christ in Vocation by the Fathers drâ—wing Iohn 6. 65. And Christ takes hold on none but them they are apprehended for the Givers sake though they be worthless in themselves All lawful Marriage is by the Parents consent so here Because he knows the vileness of such mens hearts lying in their sin the falseness deceits of them Ioh. 2. ult As we use to say Such a one No I know him well enough Of sad Reproof to those who never trouble themselves with any thoughts whether Christ hath apprehended them if they have once apprehended Jesus Christ they never question whether their Faith so apprehend Christ as that Christ apprehends it Oh consider these Virgins they did thus after a sort apprehend Christ all their liâ—e but now they know Christ never loved them because they never savingly apprehended him I remember Isa. 4. 1. Seven women shall take hold of one man â—nd shall say We will be called by thy Name to take away our reproach but we will eat our own bread Soâ— many take hold upon Christ Lord let us be call'd by thy Name to take away our reproach when as they care for no part nor portion in Christ but they will eat their own bread live upon their own lusts It was Christs speech unto divers that saw him and followed him Iohn 6. as to hâ—s Disciples also Except you eat my flesh you have no life in you What doth a man aim at in eating not only that he may have Bread in his hand but he examines What vertue hath it His end is that it may grow one with him and be turned into the â—ame flesh with him and so that there may be a most rear union that can be so should all Christians study that and aim at that that the Lord may be nearly united to them and grow one with them a gracious heart prayers and mournes for want of this Oh there be many that profess What should I trouble my self with this and that grace when I have done all I can but look up to Christ True but will you not yet try whether you so look to Christ as that he looks towards you Iohn 10. 10. I kâ—â—w mine and am known of mine there is a world of false faith in the world Ier. 7. 8. When they cryed the Temple of the Lord saith he Do you sweare lye c So I may say Are you slothful in carriage discontent in families live in secret adultery and your eyes and thoughts are full of it do you break your promises and Covenant with God and men and forget the Lord in a Land of Peace care for little but that your Plough may speed and your names may rise and do you cry Christ Christ go to Sâ—iâ—h go to the Palatinate Bohemia and see what God hath done Oh but I am better oh but go to these foolish Virgins let their dead ghosts affright thee if the Lords Word cannot make thee search here A man drowning all his care will be for a hand to take him so would you if all were right but you will not so Of Examination Whether ever the Lord Jesus hath apprehended you with his dearest love as well as you have apprehended him 2 Cor. 13. 5. In all Covenants among men whereby they are to binde themselves one to another men will make it sure on both sides Christ will make you sure to him do you see that he be also made sure and fast bound and united unto you Methinks the consideration of the example of the Virgins might awaken every one unto it for if this was the frame only of some rude prophane Rout of â—arnal Protestants professing Christ with their lips but denying him in their lives it might be excusable for us but when Virgins and so many and that in these times of Christs coming to faile here this may strike a holy â—awfulness even in the best and with much feare and trembling to search themselves as it did the Disciples of Christ when they heard not many but one only should beâ—ray him for there is this union on both parts Iohn 10. 14. 2. But though there is cause to search I confess 't is very hard to finde out this blessed Love-knot the union between Christ and the soul being so mystical and secret and spiritual a work especially in this life wherein the Lord Jesus ariseth in the souls of his people not in his perfect fulness but only as the day-starre at which time there is much darkness before the rising Sun and hence the Apostle Gal. 4. 9. You have known God or rather are known of him c. 3. But yet it may be known the many examples I might alledge might prove it and the promise of Christ to his Disciples doth evince it Iohn 14. 20. They were weak for a
such miserable scrambling for promises and that men are so worshipping whom they know not 4. Consider the misery of the want of this But further Be careful to get satisfaction by blood before Application by the Spirit if ever you look for the latter be careful to get the former God is full of Spirit why sends he it not sinne is not satisfied for first get that done therefore Iohn 6. â—3 Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood c. God could not send the Spirit nor Word but for this to thee a man feeles the strength of sinne and prayes Lord subdue it oh but look to pay thy Ransome If a man be in chaines for debt and gets out without satisfaction for the debt or wrong he will be taken againe but if it be satisfied for though he be taken by the Jaylour and ill-intreated yet he shall be set free againe and therefore do as those Levit. 3. 3 4. You are freely to go to Sacrifice and it 's said it shall be accepted to make Atonement If the Lord with-hold his Spirit mourn for the want of it as Psal. 41. 3. My tears are my meat If the Lord gives any thing be thankful for any little see it and make much of it for it is from Christ the least thought or knowledge of thy misery Iohn 14. 17. The world cannot receive it because it knows him not i. e. so as to prize it love it bless and wonder at the Lord for it Thy Spirit is goâ—d Lord let it lead me saith David Quest. What if I finde not these things in my soul Answ. Mourn then Object What if I cannot Answ. Then muse on thy misery Object But I cannot Answ. Then hear what the Lord will speak Quest. What if he helps not Answ. Thou art unworthy thou art his clay he may and will do what he will Of thankfulness to the Saints who are apprehended of the Lord Iesus you know him and he knows you you come to him and he takes you you give up your selves to him and he gives himself to you you make him your God and Head and he makes you his people and Members c. Oh be thankful for this 't is a choice and peculiar mercy denied to many and given unto you Psalme 73. 23 24 25 26. Thou art continually with me when falling from thee What is the use that David makes Thou wilt guide and hence Whom have I in heaven but thee I might be broken and like water spilt on the ground every moment but thou keepest me Object But I finde the Lord methinks sometime utterly gone from me and I fear he will faile Answ. True and hence Ieremiah asks Ier. 15. 18. Wilt thou be unto me as a lyar and as waters that faile shall thy truth and mercy be spent No once apprehended he will not lose thee Quest. How shall I know that Answer Something I have spoken and three things more I shall add now First You may know it by time present There are two things which seldome fail in deepest disertxsions 1. The soul forsakes not the Lord by unutterable groanes when the Lord seems to forsake it Psal. 22. 2 3. and it presseth hard after the Lord Psalme 63. 8. and doth not as the Philistines 2 Sam. 5. 21. forsake their gods when they forsake them 2. If this failes it grows poor in spirit and vile and loaths it self as worthy the Lord should never regard it Isaiah 57. 15. and so 〈◊〉 grace most when the Lord makes it least and when the Lord makes it nothing it makes God all things to it Secondly If neither of these will serve yet you may remember dayes of old as David Psal. 77. 10. Psal. 71. 6 9 11. Some said God had forsaken him but yet now he remembers Ancient mercies Thirdly Then stay awhile longer in waiting for the Lord what the Lord doth now you know not but you shall know afterward Isa. 64. 4. that which eye haâ—h not seen hath God prepared 1. You that are young men hath the Lord pluck't you out of your Sâ—dâ—nâ— sin when you lingred in it when you resisted the Lord in the heat of your youth c. 2. You old men how many temptations corruptions back-slidings pollutions beating out as it were the breath of the Spirit yet from the belly to gray haires the Lord hath carried thee kept thee Oh thy foot had faln if the Lord had not kept 3. You that have been once sinful vile creatures yet hath the Lord loved you for all this what if the Lord take away comforts from you and afflict yet hath he not taken living-kindness not mercy from you but done good to you by your sorrows when others go by Droves before his Door and takes none c. O what cause have you to magnifie mercy That the Lord Iesus at his coming to death or judgement will make a perfect separation between the wise and foolish Virgins For the Virgins were all one together till Christ comes and now the one sort is received to Christ the other separated from Christ nay not so much as known of Christ. There are not have not been any Churches in this life but there will be wise and foolish Tares and Wheat grow up together not Virgins and Harlots not openly prophane it may be or wicked and godly No but when all are Virgins in outward Profession and Conversation yet then some will be wise and some foolish in the sight of Christ though not in the sight of man and between these the Lord Jesus will make a separation at his coming Matth. 25. 31. He shall set Sheep and Goats at his right and left hand Mat. 3. 12. He shall thorowly purge his floore and separate chaffe and wheat 2. Thes 1. 9. punished with eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord. The Son of the bond-woman must not be Heir together with the Son of the free-woman and therefore cast him out they must part companies Quest. 1. Whether shall they be separated Answ. 1. At particular judgement what became of the soul of Lazarus It was carried by the Angels to Abrahams bosome i. e. to the Third Heavens where Abraham was and to fellowship with him dearly loved of him What then becomes of the souls of others they being sentenced by God are dragg'd down to hell by evil Angels and are reserved Where they are reserved in the Elements 2. At general judgement the Elect shall be called to come and inherit their Kingdome and hence others shall be cast with the Devil and his Angels to eternal fire which is there where the Third Heaven is not and here shall they be parted and never joyned together more which is fearful Quest. 2. Why will there be such a separation Answ. 1. Reason Because at Christs coming they shall be immediately judged and examined by Christ he shall then make strict and immediate 〈◊〉 of them Why do these foolish Virgins creep in