have no will my heart is endeared to my sin Therefore resign up thy self to him to give thee a will put it into his hand as bad as it is this is Spouse-like and to take away that will to sin so thou shalt have him I am my Beloveds he is mine For the Father looks to the Law and saith Sinner if thou believe thou shalt be saved now lie under the Spirit and you are where you should be resist here you resist the Holy Ghost Oh but sin is dear Consider 1. What good did it ever do thee 2. Hath Christ shed his Blood or no if not Oh the wrath of God is to come if he hath Oh wilt thou offer this wrong to his Blood that a Lust shall be dearer than it thy bloody Knives dearer than the life and death and mercy of a Son Oh therefore if any Soul hath any lust dear I beseech you by all the bitter sorrows of Christ not to reject so great salvation But must I receivâ— Christ with my own strength No you cannot nor ought not but if the Lord puts strength in thee put itâ— forth Many followed Christ for loaves but none that ever came to him for himself that ever he put away Psalm 81. 11 12 13. I shewed much love but they would none of me Oh that they had hearkened At this instant God may give thee a heart But I fear I shall never get my sins removed that I feel which I think cannot stand with Grace Gods Promise and Reason is cross to thy fears if a Son all things also though many years hence Rom. 8. 32. If not by receiving is iâ— by rejecting that thou shalt attain thy end 'T is true thou hast fallen off by thy sin from Christ because thy falls have made thee fall off by unbelief from him and made thee say either I do not believe or the Lord intends no good to me you have had no strength because not satisfied with meat But I may presume Is it presumption to honour Christ and to have him honoured in thee No Dost think if the Lord shall after all thy sins and in the midst of all thy miseries give thee Christ shall he not be honoured by this yes who can ever have such cause to love him as I Shall not thy receiving of him by Faith honour him yes Rom. 4. 20. Canst dishonour him so much as by rejecting him when he hath laid down his life shewed his love offers himself now to reject him 't is to offer greatest contempt to him and his love that can be hence can you honour him so much as by this Do never so much without him he is unsatisfied do this he is well-pleased Nay after all thy sins yet he saith Return to me Nay nothing else is such a means to honour him by doing for him If so grant thou art vile unworthy poor yet for the honour of the Lord Jesus do it who is but little honoured in the world and stand out no longer thus receive him and then know it you are Sons and rejoyce in it and do it now while the Spirit is upon thee and remember now not to change Ier. 2. 11. As Women Oh I would not change see how happy is thy choice But Lord who hath believed our Report How may the Soul come to close with the person of the Lord Iesus 1. Before any man can close i. e. see and say he doth close with the Lord as his own he must feel a want of the Lord and his presence not only of his comforting but of his holy presence for some people there be that never felt a want of Christ at all they are great and grievous sinners but they trust to Christ and though he kill them yet they will trust to him others are in misery and they feel a want of redemption and hence close with Christ for that Psalm 78. 35. Oâ—hers are in horror and know not what to do and they feel a want of the comforts of Christ and hence close with Christ for that and if they find it they depart from Christ by looseness of life if not by despair of heart as Saul 1 Sam. 28. God answers me not by Urim c. Others feel a want of some righteousness from Christ the having of which supports and sustains them without Christ till with the Prodigal when all is spent then they think of Bread at home and the want of which makes them to have lesse esteem of and desire after Christ but they are full of Objections against the thoughts of closing with him but hence they close with Christ for that Others there are that feel a want of the Lord himself and hence close with him for himself so that let a man have all blessings in the world the purity of Ordinances never so many illapses and droppings of divine light and life and comfort in these Ordinances that he wonders the Lord should be so good to him yet he shall find if right his soul secretly unquiet and unsatisfied till he hath the Lord himself As the savour of meat makes a man that wants it cry the more after it long the more for it so the savour and sweet of all creatures all Ordinances all Duties do not stay but stir up the soul to seek Christ when he is himself Ier. 50. 4. They shall seek the Lord weeping Hence first they felt a want of him The full soul loaths the honey-comb Let the Lord be never so sweet let him do them never so much good the more good he doth them the lesse they regard him Ier. 2. 6. They said not where is the Lord Therefore that soul that truly closeth with the Lord must first feel a want of the Lord and say these Ordinances are not bread these creatures are not bread all these parts gifts duties are not bread bran not bread All this savour this sweetnesse 't is not bread Hence I perish for want of bread I have creatures Ordinances Affections comforts Duties but Oh no Christ. Like the Prodigall Luke 15. 17. Oh therefore do not only see but feel the want of the Lord Jesus you that never had him yet nay you that have him you cannot have more of him but by feeling more the want of him Oh it was a marvellous expression of Moses when the Lord began to grow weary of their company Exod. 33. 15. If thou goest not with us carry us not up hence i. e. Let us rather die than live without thee Mary when Christ was crucified the carcase of the Lord was gone she sate there weeping Oh much more for the Lord himself It s observed by some for the saddest spectacle to see a desert Town Oh what is it to see a desert heart where no Christ inhabits Or a city and no Inhabitants And hence its Romes curse to be made an habitation of devils so here What is Hell but this to see not
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
thou canst for ought I know there was never drop of blood shed for thee never thought of peace in Christs Breasts to thee a vile wretch that never lamented the loss of his love nor contempt of it to this day Obj. But I care not so long as I have been well without it so I hope I shall do still I will not believe I am out of his love Answ. Yea this is the misery of men as it was of these Virgins but time shall come when you shall see him sit upon his Throne brighter than a Thousand Suns in the glory of his Father a fire burning round about him and the Kings of the earth trembling at his presence and his Saints in his bosome like unto him then you shall wish you had his love and lament Rev. 1. and waile because of him Oh secure world will you sit still in your sinnes and lie in your unbelief till the fire burnes about you and there be no escape Oh that the Lord would pity you many of you that have yet lived with dry eyes and merry hearts and yet have no love from Jesus Christ. Learn hence not to despise or refuse the love of Christ when it is offered to you and propounded to you in the Gospel we can be content to want the love of some men because we can live well enough without them and their love their love lost hurts not us but if the loss of their love may be the loss of our goods and lives then if it may be had men will seek for and long for it thoght it should not be offered but if offered it is gladly accepted So if you could live without the love of Christ you might content your selves but the loss of it is more bitter than ten thousand deaths and therefore refuse it not when it is offered but as they Acts 2. 39 41. when they saw how they had imbrued their hands in the blood of Christ and yet saw grace offered it is said They gladly received the Word of the Lord. The Law is a word of condemnation but that is not the last word the Lord hath spoken then I should spend time in vaine now the Gospel even the whole Gospel is a word of love and Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. wherein the Lord doth beseech men to be reconciled i. e. to accept of Gods love offered therein The Lord knows full well that mens hearts are so full of enmity that they will never seek for Reconciliation first though they have good cause because they have offered the wrong and therefore he stands not upon termes but offers love first without which he knows they are for ever undone Oh therefore receive it accept of it when it is offered to you and lose thy life rather than lose his love For the further opening of this Point I shall shew three things 1. That Christ doth offer his love in the Gospel and how 2. Upon what termes 3. Motives to accept it and answer Objections against accepting of it First That the Lord doth offer and how he doth offer his love in the Gospel and this I shall cleare because nothing can draw the soul to accept of love but this For the better understanding of which you must conceive that the love of Christ in the Gospel is diversly manifested unto men either to men after they be in Christ and are brought home by it and this is a love of delight in them Psalm 45. 10 11. Or it is a love of good will to men not brought home as it is in Husbands before their affections be set upon any they make love as it is 2 Thess. 2. 10. They received not the love of the truth because the truth made love to them Luke 2. 14. Good will towards men and this love I say is offered this love the Lord makes unto you stand amazed at it that after all your sinnes wrongs done him nothing but love is offered even his dearest love for though there is patience power to help wisdome to guide though there is terrour in him yet Take my love saith he Iohn 3. 17. And hence Heb. 2. 3. it is called Great salvation or love 't is offered else how could men be said to reject it or neglect it which he warnes them of A man may as well question whether there be a Gospel as whether love be offered there for as the Law is nothing but the manifestation of sin the hand-writing of death and wrath against all men writ with the Finger of God the Gospel is the manifestation of grace the hand-writing of grace and peace to all men written with the blood of God and hence the Gospel is that which brings life and immortality to light 2 Tim. 1. 10. Not that there is life absolutely for all but there 't is for all that shall by faith accept of it More particularly First It is offered Universally to all wherever it comes and therefore personally to every man the words are plaine Mark 16. 15. Preach the Gospel to every creature and not only to them that do belong to Christ and shall believe for though it be offered with the power of it effectually to these yet offered it is also unto those that never shall have God nor portion in the Son of God and hence Luke 14. The Lord of the Feast invited those that never came in and Christ himself 1 Iohn 11. He came to his own and they received him not he would have gathered them under his wings and they would not not only to them that be humbled though none will care for Gospel but such but to them that be unhumbled Revel 3. 18 20. doth this Gospel come There be many object Yes the Lord offers love to them that are his but not to me yes to thee there is not a man here that can exempt himself And I would make no doubt to go to every man particularly and say The Lord intreats thee to be Reconciled nay if there be one man worse than another though his hands have been imbrued in the blood of the Prophets and his soul stained with the crying guilt of the most hydeous sinnes that ever the earth bore or Sun saw yet the Lord makes love to him the price is paid for him if he will accept of it and that the Lord would have him so to do neither doth this Universal offer inferre an Universal Redemption for the Gospel in the offer of it doth not speak absolutely that Christ hath dyed for all and therefore for thee as the Arminians maintain but it speaks conditionally 'T is for thee if ever the Lord gives thee a heart to receive that grace there therefore consider of it there is not one here present but the Lord would have you receive his love and consider this one reason Thou shalt be condemned for refusing it Hence 't is Gods command and Christs desire you should receive it Ioâ—n 3. 19. If not thy duty to
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
sweet is the Lord and all his waies to you Afterward you have lost your hearts truly 't is because you have lost your light Two waies Hypocrisie vents it self which Gods people oppose 1. In secret withdrawing of the heart to sin Oh now get light for sin never draws away but by appearance of some good at least pro hic nunc Iam. 1. 14. Now put off the covering keep the mind from being deceived you will keep the heart from being hardned deaded and withdrawn from God 2. In performing duties but not for Christ as their utmost end now the heart is bent this way yet it failes because light is gone to see and behold the Glory and blessednesse of this Men that have honour or gain in their eye are carried violently after it Men that are bound for a voyage will go through their eye leads them Stephen speaks till the stones were about his ears I see Iesus saith he at the right hand of God 2 Cor. 15. 58. Be abundant in the Lords work knowing that your labour is not in vain Hence David Psal. 119. begs for knowledge of this and that and then he will do it Oh therefore keep it in your minds as precious Prov. 2. 10. If knowledge be pleasant c. And pray to God to keep it for you Light is in the Sun and not ceased to this day so if the Lord would put in this Light and be the perpetual Fountain thereof to you it would abide c. Thy Word I have hid in my heart c. Psal. 119. SECT IV. HEnce learn the cure of hypocrisie viz. Remove the cause which is folly and if you would be sincere Oh prize and beg for more light and love it and you shall then after you have digged for it find it Would it not be sad to be led blindfold like them till they were in the midst of Samaria so till in the midst of Hell Would it not be sad to be like Sodomites groping for the door Especially you that are come over to this Countrey for more of the Knowledge o◠Christ. Oh then Beloved take heed you bury not your minds in the earth lose◠not your thoughts in the dung And you must stand one day before God when the Book of the secrets of your hearts shall be opened when if found too light then would it not be a doleful parting to lose the Lord Jesus after such light and affections for want of a little more Light Oh look to your selves now 1. Stick close to the guidance of the Scriptures and love them Moses saith Then other Nations shall say what people so wise Deut. 4. 6. And these make the men of God 2 Tim. 3. 15. full of Gods Spirit wise unto salvation and for neglect of this the Lord gave and doth give men up to strong delusions that they believe lies viz. because they loved not the Truth Never a Truth but is unsealed by Blood and revealed to be the infinite wisdom of the Father and love to poor lost men where God opens all his heart if men will despise these 't is pity but they should be blinded Do not scoffe at those that know the Lord here they are Scripture-learned men if not never Spirit-learned Take this for your Counseller in all your doubts and fears it will teach you A man gets an opinion or falls in love with a sinful corruption both deceive him Why so Is there no word against it Oh yes but they will not hear it but make God and Scripture bow down to them they will not be led by it Oh intreat the Lord to keep thee from that 2. Be abundant in meditation dayly Psal. 119. 99. 'T is an hundred to one else if not miserably deluded And as the Spirit convinceth first of sin righteousnesse and judgment so let your thoughts be This makes a man see far and see much 3. Practise what you know and tast the sweetnesse of it there Psal. 119. 100. And then the heart will grow savingly full of Divine Light Nothing makes men foolish but this Oh tast and see Oh if men knew the sweet of this way of Truth they would ever walk in it and bring others to submit to it Shall I hide from Abram that will teach his Family Gen. 18. 17 19. 4. Cast up your eyes to Christ glorified being full of the Spirit for thee and beg of him as if he were with thee to send it down As Solomon asked this See Iohn 7. 39. Oh learn to be exceeding thankful for any saving light the Lord hath kindled in you if ever it hath been powerful to discover and remove the hidden hypocrisie of thy heart that now the Lord hath made thee plain and serious for him that its death not to live Heaven for to live unto him Oh then blesse the Lord for that means that did it for thee that mightst have perished in thy own delusions and dreams Time was when thou wast deceived now the Lord hath made thy eyes brighter than the Sun to see such things as are hid from great ones in the world Oh though it be but a little yet if real and saving light blesse him A man that hath been in midst of Sands and without a Pilot afterwards looks back and saith there I might have split Oh this is wonderful to him Oh Christ did thus 1I thank thee thou hast hid c. Mat. 11. 25. The Lord hath hid them from heads and hearts of many wise and prudent and ever they shall be hid and è contra revealed them to thee a babe a weak one a poor ignorant one Mat. 16. 17. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it so as to build here on this righteousnesse to fetch all light and life from Christ and cleave alone to him Oh remember you are called out of darknesse into marvellous light to shew forth his vertues What canst desire more than eternal life And this is it 1 Iohn 5. 20. Iohn 17. 30. CHAP. XVI That Hypocrites discover themselves in an uneffectual use of the Means of Grace Secondly The difference between the wise and foolish Virgins is set down more particularly v. 3 4. SECT I. THIS particular difference is declared by the different practise of the foolish and wise Virgins each from other 1. That the Foolish though they had so much wisdom like the wise as to take Lamps yet so much folly was bound up in their hearts as that they took no Oyl in their Vessels for their Lamps 2. That the wise did not only light their Lamps but they did also fill their Vessels with Oyl that either their Lamp might never go out or if it did it might be soon kindled again More plainly The Foolish contented themselves with the name and blaze of outward Profession kindled from some inward yet lighter and more superficiall strokes of Gods Spirit neglecting the great work within But the wise did not only carry their Lamps of
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
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
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
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
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
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
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