thy Law 4. In evil times when a man is made an offender for a rash and inconsiderat word Isa 29.21 then preserve thy self by silence except thou have a call from God to speak Psal 39 1. I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me Amos 5.13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time for it is an evil time And pray often to God to set a watch before thy mouth not to suffer thy heart to comply with the workers of iniquity and that the Lord would preserve thee from being taken with their worldly baits and allurements Psal 141.3 4. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity and let me not eat of their dainties 5. In evil times of wrath and imminent judgement by reason of impiety and iniquity abounding in the land draw near to God by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ Zeph. 2.1 2. Gather your selves together yea gather together O nation not desired before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you before the day of the Lords anger come upon you Be humble and tremble in time at the threatning of wrath that ye may have rest in your souls in the day when the cup is poured forth Hab. 3.16 When I heard my belly trembled my lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into my bones and I trembled in my self that I might rest in the day of trouble when he cometh up unto the people he will invade them with his troops They who tremble not in the time of a threatned judgement yet when the judgement is poured forth even these who were stout-hearted sinners in the day of wrath poured forth they become like Pashur Magor-missabib fear round about When thou hast repented of thy sins which together with the sins of others have provoked the Lord to great wrath then flee by faith in to the mercy of God manifested in Jesus Christ who is the only Ark of Propitiation Heb. 11.7 Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his soul When the evil day of wrath is come and the judgement is incumbent then humble your selves under the mighty hand of God 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked wayes then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chron. 30.8 Now be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were but yeeld your selves unto the Lord and enter into his sanctuary which he hath sanctâ—fied for ever and serve the Lord your God that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you Thus Rehoboam and the Princes did humble themselves and the Lord gave them some deliverance 2 Chron. 12.6 7. 6. That thou may not faint in evil times wherein sin persecution and misery do abound guard thy heart with the hope of that eternal rest when thou shalt rest from all thy labours 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. For which cause we faint not c. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance Which is purchased to us by the merits of the sufferings of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be everlasting praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen The Believer his Prospect through the dark Valley of Death SERMON VII 2 COR. 5.1 2. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven THe Particle For points at the connexion of these words with the last verse of the preceeding Chapter wherein the Apostle gave the reason of his not fainting under all the pressures and afflictions he suffered in the body because he looked not so much by present sense to the things he suffered here as by faith and hope he looked to things eternal in heaven to wit unto an eternal rest and an immortal Crown of Glory which not seen by sense yet he believed was reserved for him in heaven Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 And the light afflictions in this present life are not to be compared with these eternal things not seen nor perceived by sense Rom. 8.18 What these eternal things are the Apostle describes in part in the two first verses of this Chapter even an immortal and glorified body in the day of the resurrection therefore he faints not but hath Christian courage in all the pain and shame he suffereth at the hand of men now in his frail and mortal body for we know saith he although our earthly house of the tabernacle of the body shall be dissolved when all the pins and joynts will be dissolved yet we have a building of God and we look for an house even a glorified body not of mans making and giving though our frail body be framed in the womb by the Lord yet the glorified body is of the Lords making and giving in a more special manner because in the day of our resurrection he shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Phil. 3.21 It is an house eternal and well situat in the heavens where it will not be subject to storms and tempests as it is in this life my assured knowledge saith he of that future happy condition stirreth up in my soul an earnest desire and longing to remove out of the body that I may be clothed upon with glory in my soul after death and with immortal glory both in soul and body at the day of resurrection By earthly house here is meant our body called an house of clay Job 4.19 because the body of the first Adam of whom by propagation we have our bodies was formed out of the red earth from which man was called Adam it is underpropped for a time by meat drink sleep and sometimes by medicine to fill up the breaches and to repair the decayes of this house of clay which in end will fall down to the dust of the earth It is called a tabernacle because the soul dwells in the body for a time as the Ark did reside in the Tabernacle built for
have not been moved and smitten with it The threatnings of the Lord by Moses did not move the heart of Pharaoh but rather he was the more hardened Answ The cause of this is 1. Their own unbelief although they have yet they lay not the threatnings to heart but put the evil day far from them As the hammer breaks not the hard stone except it be laid to it with some force the old world laid not to heart the threatning of the deluge by Noah Mat. 24.39 but the Ninivites believed the threatning by Jonah and repented Jonah 3.5 2. Love of some gainful sin keeps the will in an obstinacy against the Word that they will not be convinced of the sinfulness of their wayes they love darkness more than light and therefore they hate the light of the Word which makes their daâ—kness manifest Joh. 3.19 The Crafts-men in Ephesus Acts 19. have such love to their gainful idolatry that they will not be convinced of the absurdity and unreasonableness thereof 3. Pride and arrogancy will not suffer some men to be informed of the truth that is contrary to their own opinion and way and so because they will not be informed they cannot be convinced such was the pride and arrogancy of the Pharisees Joh. 9.34 4. Preposterous love of sinful company and society doth make some men sensless and fearless of the judgements threatned against such a society Lot his Sons in Law out of their love to Sodom were not moved with his preaching and threatning of sad judgement against that City Therefore as ye would be convinced of the evil and danger of sin by the Word of God and by his severe threatnings lay them to heart by believing Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God forsake the love of sin though never so gainful or pleasant and forsake all communion and fellowship with the workers of iniquity in their works of darkness Object 2. But wicked and reprobat men may be heart-smitten at a time with a convincing Sermon as Felix was How shall we discern the smiting of our heart by the Word to be from mercy and from a purpose to heal the soul wounded and pierced with sorrow and fear Ans 1. A wicked and reprobat person may be heart-smitten with grief and fear for some great and hainous sins whereof they are convinced not only by the light of the Word but also by the light and sorce of a natural conscience as was Cain and Judas Yea the morning light is to the adulterer even as the shadow of death Job 24.17 but the children of God their heart will smite them even for smaller offences Davids heart smote him for the cutting of Sauls garment and Paul is convinced not only that his persecution of the Saints was a sin but also that his inordinat concupiscence and its first stirrings was a transgression of the Law Rom. 7.7 2. In wicked and obstinat sinners the pain of heart-smiting lasteth not but as a Sea-sickness it evanisheth in a short time and is forgot as in Pharaoh Exod. 9.27 But it is not so in the children of God though their pain and remorse of conscience continues not alwayes in a sense of present grief and pain yet it remains in their memory they remember the gall and wormwood and in the remembrance thereof their heart is kept humble Psal 38.17 I am ready to halt and my sorrow is continually before me Wicked and obstinat sinners when the terrours of conscience are over at a time they do return like a deceitful Bow to their old posture and way but the godly with penitent Peter not only do weep for their former sinful courses but also they forsake the company of evil doers 3. The wicked and obstinat sinners when they are smitten with the word of reproof do hate him who reproves in the gate as Ahab did Elijah but the godly take well with the word of reproof as with a precious ointment that makes them afterward to shine in their conversation Psal 141.5 4. Wicked men who continue obstinat in their sins make no good use of their former heart-smiteing and pain of conscience like some men having at a time a great pain in their stomack and head from former excess in drinking make not good use thereof to shun the occasion of excess and riot in time coming but the children of God make better use of heart-smiting when they are again tempted to run in the excess of riot they remember their former distempers and consider the peace they have in their conscience for the present and do make good use of that admonition given by our Lord Joh 5.14 Behold thou art made whole sin no more lest a worse thing befall thee Vse 2. It is our duty to take well with the word of reproof although it smite yet it will do good and heal again when it is received by an obedient ear and heart for to such it is an ear-ring and ornament of gold and adorns them in their after-conversation Prov. 25.12 It is as the lopping of a luxuriant branch it doth the tree no evil but makes it more fruitful Prov. 27.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend It is a fearful thing to despise the word of reproof in the mouth of those who have a calling from God for in that case God many times takes the rod into his own immediat hand and smites the obstinat sinner severely and visibly as he did the old world who contemned the reproof of Noah as he did Sodom who contemned the reproof of Lot as he did Amaziah who rejected the counsel of the Prophet 2 Chron. 25.16 as he did severely punish the people of Israel who despised the counsel of the Prophets 2 Chron. 36.16 and Jerusalem who persecuted the Prophets that spake unto them Luk. 19.42 Therefore the faithful Ministers of God must not desist from their seasonable reprovings though possibly at first they be not well received yet afterward with the true children of God they shall be entertained as Medicaments for their recovery Prov. 28.23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour then he that flattereth with the tongue To this purpose saith Cyprian Though some people like way-ward sick children baul and cry against the Physician yet let him wait on and do his duty if the child shall recover he will be ashamed of his perâ—ishness and be the more thankful to his careful prudent and patient Physician vociferetur licet post tamen gratias aget although saith he the child cry out in the time of his pain yet afterward he will render thanks Observ 3. Earthly-mindedness is very displeasing unto God he shall smite the earth and men are much displeased with those whom they smite Because worldly-mindedness is a great impediment to our hearing and obeying the good Word of God Mat. 13.22 So is it unto Prayer which is a lifting up of the soul unto God and earthly-mindedness is like a paise or weight of
God and man as Paul walked Act. 24.16 To have a good conscience and to be alwayes willing in all things to live honestly as the Apostle did Heb. 13.18 It is a constant walking at least in respect of a fixed purpose and resolution Psal 84 7. They go from strength to strength Phil. 3.12 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus The impediments of walking are 1. Want of light for if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him Joh. 11.10 Therefore said our blessed Lord to the Pharisees Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures Mat. 22.29 Therefore as we would walk in a right way toward the Kingdom of Heaven we would labour to understand the holy Scriptures which shew us the way of truth and righteousness and we should daily pray with the holy Prophet Psal 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy Tabernacles And we should pray with holy David Ps 143.10 Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God thy spirit is good lead me into the land of uprightness 2. Fetters are a great impediment to walking so our unruly and excessive passions as the excessive fear of creatures excessive desires of worldly good things excessive joy and delight in worldly pleasures are a great impediment to spiritual and heavenly walking as servants gazing and fixing their eyes upon some Pictures in their way are stayed in their walking and in going about their business Against this impediment we would pray to God for liberty and enlargement of spirit from that bondage to our masterful affections and we would turn David's resolution Psal 119.32 into a supplication O Lord enlarge thou my heart and then shall I run the way of thy Commandments It should be our daily prayer to the Lord with holy David Psal 119.37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 3. A heavy burden is a great impediment to walking so when men over-burden their spirits with the care of worldly things they walk not in the way of righteousness but many times step aside after the wages of unrighteousness the love of the world hindered the rich young man to walk after Christ Luk. 18.23 Therefore that we may walk readily and chearfully in the wayes of Gods Commandments we should cast all our care upon him for he careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 And we should pray daily as Psal 119.36 Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not to covetousness 4. Fainting is a great impediment to walking Jonathan fainted in his way till he tasted of the honey Great difficulties and discouragments in the way of Holiness and uprightness are like the Sons of Anak that discouraged greatly the people of Israel from walking up the hill that thereafter they might enter into the promised Land Against this impediment of fainting in the good and perfect way from the many troubles and discouragements thou meetest with therein recollect thy self and be encouraged from the Lords faithful promise Isai 40.29 He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength In all the bitter mockings thou meetest with from profane men who not only mock thee but speak evil of thee because thou wilt not run with them to the same excess of riot yet be thou resolute and stedfast in thy spiritual and Christian walking as David did Psal 119.51 The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from thy Law Yea walk the more sincerely and spiritually in conversing with God by prayer Psal 69.12 13. I was the song of the drunkards but as for me my prayer is unto thee O Lord in an acceptable time When the child of God has least acceptance or communion with profane men then is he most acceptable to God and hath most of his countenance which preserves his soul from fainting at their bitter scoffings look often unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who endured such contradiction of sinners lest we looking too much to men who wrong us should faint in our minds Heb. 12.2 3. Be encouraged in all thy faintings from the hope of that Crown of Righteousness laid up for all these who walk with God as Enoch did Walk with God in heavenly meditations and walk thou before God as Abraham did in faith and obedience the hope o◠that Crown strengthened the heart of Paul against fainting 2 Cor. 4.16 17. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Therefore seing there is an infallible connexion between spiritual life by the Spirit and spiritual walking in the strength and by the direction of the Spirit according to the Word as there is a conjunction of the stream with the fountain if we live in the Spirit let it be manifested by our walking in the Spirit and if the Spirit dwell in us the Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies and raise them up to follow the Lamb where-ever he goeth To him with the Father and Holy Spirit be all praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen Circumspect walking SERMON VI. EPHES. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise VERS 16. Redeeming the time because the dayes are evil AS Salvation is the end of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls So our walking in the way of holiness and good works is the way to salvation the Lord Jesus Christ is properly the living way that leadeth and guideth believers to salvation and good works are the meeths and evidences that we are in Christ the Captain of Salvation Eph. 2.10 For we are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them The Christian walking is discribed here 1. Positively See that ye walk circumspectly 2. Negatively not as fools 3. By way of opposition to the walking of fools in two qualifications required in circumspect walking But as wise redeeming the time 4. The motive to a Christian and circumspect walking is taken from the evil of the times Because the dayes are evil To walk circumspectly signifieth as the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth an accurat and exact walking like a man walking upon the ridge of a mountain without declining to the one hand or to the other Deut. 5.32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you you shall not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left 1. In our zeal we would walk circumspectly not
to destroy the Samaritans who refused to receive him into their City Luk. 9.55 56. 4. And it is of good use to correct the obstinat unbelief of the Jews who wait for a Messias in outward pomp and glory they mistake the nature of this Kingdom by misunderstanding such places of holy Scripture wherein the Spirit of God speaks of the inward beauty of his Kingdom in an allusion to the outward beauty of earthly Kingdoms Psal 45.3 But if they were not prejudged and obstinatâ— they might learn something of the nature of this Kingdom from Isa 53.2 and Zechar. 9.9 where the Prophets foretell that the Messias shall not come in outward pomp and glory Vse 2. The Spiritual Guides and Ministers of the Church in imitation of Christ the chief shepherd of our souls should go about the business of this spiritual Kingdom and therein especially exercise their quickness and activity this was most minded by the holy Apostles Act. 6.4 Col. 1.28 29. The sense of the burden of this great work made the Apostle Paul to cry out Who is sufficient for these things It was the Apostles counsel 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate on these things and give thy self wholly unto them Famous Gerson lib. de vit Spirit speaking to Church-men Tell me saith he whether it is a more holy thing to serve the world by thy self and to serve God by a Viccar and Substitute or to serve God by thy self and the world by a Substitute Pope Damasus compared the Ministers of the Church who to attend their worldly affairs did commit their flocks unto Substitutes or Suffragans he compared them I say unto some wanton women who having full breasts yet that they might give themselves to their pleasures did give out their Infants to be nursed by others VERSE III. And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes c. IN the former part of the vers we have the manner of our blessed Lord his judging and governing his subjects with great wisdom and prudence In these words we have his equity and justice set down negatively vers 3. and positively vers 4. Whereas it is said here He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes it may be demanded if it be a fault for men to judge according to their seeing and hearing because men on earth cannot ordinarily understand any cause or action till first they have it in their sense and imagination Answ Certain it is that Judges should determine according to matters alleadged and proven and therefore must judge according to things heard or seen Deut. 1.16 17. The Priest under the Law was appointed to look with his eyes upon the leprous person before he judged and pronounced sentence whether he was clean or unclean But Judges would not be rash to judge according to fama clamosa the common report because in so doing men judged amiss of the Apostles themselves who were commonly but falsly reported to be seditious persons Acts 17.6 As also of their Doctrine calling it heresie Acts 24.14 Whereas a flagrant report is only a ground for inquiring but not for a judicial sentence Deut. 17.4 Neither must men in Judgement judge according to the seeing of their eyes as by looking to the person of the poor man to take no notice of his cause Deut. 1.17 nor should they judge partially out of respect to the man whom they see to be of outward grandour or prosperity in the world Lev. 19.15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour Our blessed Lord judged not of the Pharisees according to his hearing of their fair words nor according to their seeming holiness but he judged righteous judgement of them that they were a generation of vipers The words may be also taken for the way of judging that was peculiar to Christ wherein he excelled all the Judges of the earth in so far as he needed not the help of the outward senses of hearing and seeing because he did discern and judge the secrets of the heart Solomon in judging which of the two women was the true mother of the child made good use of hearing both the one and the other but our blessed Lord knoweth the hearts and thoughts of men though they speak nothing Joh. 2.24 yea he knew the wickedness of their hearts notwithstanding their flattering speeches of dissimulation Vse This equity of our Lord in Judgement serveth for our imitation both in publick and privat Judgement Men in publick Judgement should not upon hear-say and baâ—e information proceed to a sentence of absolution or condemnation but they should inquire diligently if the matter be so as is reported God himself doth teach Judges this duty by his manner of proceeding to judge Sodom Gen. 18.21 and by his precept Deut. 13.14 For if it were enough upon hear-say and common report to judge and condemn then innocent persons should suffer many times Jeremiah was reported to be a factious man who by his preaching did weaken the hands of the people and Paul to be a seditious man that stirred up the people neither should Judges be rash upon hearing only the one party to pronounce sentence against the other for if it be enough to accuse who shall be innocent Prov. 18.17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him Such rashness in judging was contrair to the Law of the Jews Deut. 1.17 Joh. 7.51 Job searched out the cause which he knew not Job 29.16 It was contrair to the Law of Nature and of Nations among the Heathens Alexander the Great in time of judging laid his hand closs upon the one of his ears that he might reserve it as he said for the party that was accused Neither should they judge according to the seeing of the eye as they perceive the party to be a friend or an enemy rich or poor a great or a mean man Levit. 19.15 Deut. 33.9 because the Judge who is a respecter of persons is easily byassed and perverted in judgement Prov. 28.21 The partial Judge saith Shew me the man and then I will shew you the Law but the impartial and unbyassed Judge saith I will shew you the Law be the man what he will It was Tertullian his complaint against the Judges of that time persecuting the Christians there is saith he inquisitio nominis sed non examinatio criminis an inquiry after the name if they be called Christians but no examination of the crime It was well spoken by the Heathen Judge Aristides fitting in Judgement when one of the Competitors pleading before him said This fellow hath also done great wrong to thy self in speaking evil of thee My friend said Aristides I pray thee tell me only the wrong he hath done unto thee for I am Judge here to do right unto thee and not to judge the personal wrongs done
cloud and as the early dew soon dryed up with the heat of a new temptation Hos 6.4 Quest It may be asked what is the cause that men do not submit to the counsel of the Word of God Ans 1. Their deadness and absolute want of the life of grace they are dead in their sins and dead men cannot be led it is true some time as dead men they may be carryed on by the example of others to some outward performances as Simon Magus was baptized with others but they are not truly led as men living by a principle of faith within themselves 2. Pride is a cause of that disobedience for as humility is the mother of obedience to the Word of God Mat. 11.5 The poor in spirit receive the Gospel So pride is the mother of disobedience to the Word as was seen in those proud civil Rulers Jer. 43.2 and in these Ecclesiastick Rulers Joh. 7.48 3. Ambition and vain-glory makes men to reject the counsel of God Joh. Epist 3. Diotrephes who loveth to have the preheminence among them receiveth us not 4. Covetousness and worldly-mindedness Matth 13.22 The care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choak the Word As thorns draw away the sap of the earth from the good seed that it groweth not so the thorny cares of the world do draw away or at least weaken mens affection toward the Word and makes them to mock at the word and counsel which crosseth their worldly interests Luk. 16.14 And the Pharisees also who were covetous heard all these things and they derided him 5. An obstinat love to one idol-lust or other draweth the heart away from God and from his Word Joh. 3.19 This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil Vse 2. For exhortation to submit unto the Word of God in the mouth of his Ministers 1. Thy hearty submission is a comfortable evidence of thy regeneration for men who follow their leader have life walking by the Spirit according to the direction of the Word is a sure evidence of a Spiritual life in us Gal. 5.25 If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit It is an evidence of our Adoption Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God 2. Consider God is thy supreme Lord and law-giver therefore thou should submit to him who is infallible and most just even by an implicit faith and obedience as Abraham obeyed and he went out not knowing whither he went Heb. 11.8 Thou shouldest also without all murmuring and fretting submit to judgments threatned in the Word or inflicted in the course of divine providence as Eli did 1 Sam. 3.18 and David 2 Sam. 15.26 He is the absolute Lord and giveth not an accompt of his matters to the children of men Job 33.13 3. Without this submission by faith and obedience the Word will not profit us unto the Salvation of our souls Heb. 4.2 The Word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it As meat not received or not retained in the stomach doth not nourish 4. Consider in time if thou wilt not submit willingly to the word of his righteous command thou shalt one day mauger thy will be subjected unto that punishment threatned in the Word against the disobedient and obstinat Take the unprofitable servant c. Matth. 41.46 Object But I have a prejudice against the Leader and Minister I am not satisfied with the manner of his entry therefore I cannot submit to him as my Leader Answ Although there were some defect as thou apprehends in the manner of his entry yet consider well every defect about the administration even of divine Ordinances doth not make them void and null there was a defect in the high priest his entry in our Lord's time wherein it was annual and the investitour was by the Roman Deputies and yet our Lord did not reject them upon that accompt there was in Augustin's time a defect in the ordination of some Ministers who formerly had been ordained by the Novatians yet when these Ministers afterward were received into the Communion of the Orthodox Church they were not of new ordained again August Lib. 2. against Parmen chap. 13. If Ministers saith he return to the Communion of the true Church they are not to be reordained but as their baptism so their ordination remaineth intire He speaks of such as had been baptized or ordained by the Novatians with whom remained the substance of these ordinances though in some circumstances there was a defect It is true the baptism administred by the Paulinianists being Anti-trinitaries was by the Orthodox Church thought null and void as also the ordination by them as was declared in the first Council of Nice Yea it is well known that some of our learned and worthy Reformers received ordination from the Church of Rome and yet the reformed Church did heartily reverence and submit to the Word of God preached by them Vse 3. For direction what to do in order to submission 1. Purge thine heart by repentance from noysome lusts as the body is purged from obstructions that it may grow by wholesome food so the soul must be purged from noysome affections that many a time obscure the judgment and disturb the will the soul must be purged from malice from guile from hypocrysie from envy from evil speaking 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Purge it from malice which is as canker and abundance of choler eating up some children and bindring them to grow Purge from guile because the deceitful man is an enemy to the word of truth as was Elymas a man full of deceit Act. 13. Purge from hypocrysie because the hypocrite is an enemy to the word of light that taketh the vizorn off his face and this discovery galleth him to the heart as was seen in the Pharisees Mark 12.12 Purge from envy because envy is as soreness of the eyes and hateth the light Joh. 11.48 Purge thy soul from evil speakings because thy evil speaking of the Minister unto others doth great prejudice both to thy self and to others it puts thy heart out of that frame of meekness required for receiving the ingrafted Word Jam. 1.21 and he that speaketh lyes of the Minister begins to hate him who is wronged by him Prov. 26.28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it 2. Set God before thee and hear the Word as in his fight who one day will judge us according to that Word thus did the godly Centurion Act. 10.33 Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God 3. Labour for a humble spirit bringing all thine imaginations and thoughts captives â—o follow the Lord Jesus Christ triumphing in the chariot of sacred truth 2 Cor. 10.5 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God
glory in tribulations also But conceit is insatiable it must have this and the other thing also Immoderate desire of things worldly doth procure much grief and discontentment if either we be disappointed or deprived after some enjoyment how grieved was Ahab when Naboth refused to give him his vine-yard which he did covet with too much eagerness how did Micah howl Judg. 17. when he was robed of his Idol which he coveted with so much blind zeal when Aristotle was asked By what means one might become rich his answer was if he were poor in his desires 4. Consider how many better possibly every way than thy self are in a worse worldly condition many of the dear children of God are shut up in prison when thou with thy poverty enjoyest outward liberty many of them are under languishing diseases when thou art in health Vriah was well content to lodge in the open fields when he saw the chief commander Joab thus lodged 5. As thou wouldest have some contentment in thy worldly enjoyments look well to the way of thy purchase and coming by them Prov. 16.8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right Peace in the Conscience is like health in the body as a man in health can be content with course fair so peace in the Conscience maketh an easie digestion of worldly wants and crosses God blesseth the diligent and giveth him contentment in the enjoyment of that little he hath purchased with a good Conscience Prov. 10.22 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it But a man made rich with an evil Conscience can have no true inward contentment in all his abundance as at a funeral feast there may be plenty of meat but there is no mirth nor musick with it neither God nor their own Conscience makes them welcome to their evil-win goods 6. Consider what good things thou enjoys yet from God as well as what thou wanteth what thou hast is far more than thou deservest therefore be thankful to God and thy wants are much fewer than thou deservest therefore be content and submit to his wise dispensation 7. Consider thy interest in that great gift the Lord Jesus Christ himself to which all thy worldly wants are infinitly inferior and from thence thou may be assured that thy want of any desirable good thing in this world doth not proceed from want of love in God unto thee but from the riches of his wisdom and love who knoweth what is best for his own children Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 1 Cor. 3.22 23. All are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods The consideration of that everlasting Covenant of Grace in Jesus Christ the Son of God made holy David content though he knew it would not be well with his house and posterity in their worldly condition 2 Sam. 23.5 Although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure for this is all my salvation and all mdy esire although he make it not to grow 8. Consider what thou looks for in heaven and be content with the little thou enjoyest here in the time of thy minority all our afflictions and wants here are not to be compared with our abundance there and with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 This consideration and great to look by faith did quiet and content the hearts of the children of God when they saw the prosperity of the wicked and the adversity of the godly in this present world Psal 17.14 15. Thou fillest the belly of the men of this world with thy hid treasure they are full of children and leave the rest of their substance to their babes as for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness 2 Cor. 4.16 18 For which cause we faint not c. while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen 9. Labour thou to be truly godly keeping a good conscience toward God and man for godliness that hath contentment an inseparable companion alwayes with it is great gain 1 Tim. 6.6 10. Lastly and above all pray earnestly to God to instruct thy soul in that mystery and secret of contentment in whatsoever estate for in it the Apostle Paul was instructed and initiated by the Holy Spirit and the good Word of God Phil. 4.11 12. Therefore let it be thy daily prayer Psal 4.6 Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me Vse 1. For admonition to bewar of that fretting discontentment with our present condition though never so low 1 Tim. 6.8 Having food and raiment let us therewith be content Because 1. this fretting discontentment with our present condition provokes God in his justice to put us oftentimes to more of disquietness The people of Israel were discontent and loathed the Manna which they had for the present therefore they were disquieted with the fiery flying Serpents Num. 21. 2. Discontentment and secret grudging for disappointment of our worldly desires and hopes especially when we think we are in the way of duty doth provoke God many times to continue yea and to increase our afflictions The people of Israel were in their duty having left Egypt at Gods command yet when they repined against the holy command in their apprehending of great toyl and labour in going up the hill they were kept in the wilderness for the space of fourty years whereas if they had not fretted and repined they might have come to their expected end and rest within the space of fourty days Numb 13.34 3. Although God should grant unto a man his desire in the time of his impatient discontentment yet it is oftentimes given with a curse Numb 11.33 While the flesh which they so impatiently desired was between their teeth the Lord smote them with a great plague Therefore it should be our prayer to God to give us repentance of our frettings in times of affliction and to recover us from these paroxisms and then if it be his good pleasure to ease or deliver us 4. This discontentment like a fretting cancer brings men oftentimes into dangerous and hainous sins as to fraud deceit and oppression Ahab not content with his own possessions oppressed and murthered innocent Naboth Proud ambitious men discontent with the condition of being privat subjects and not so respected according to their fancy are easily tempted to sedition and rebellion as was Absalom Men discontent and fretting under a great and long sickness have been sometimes tempted to consult with wizzards and witches as was Ahaziah 2 King 1.2 yea sometimes they have been tempted to self-murther as was arrogant Ahithophel because his counsel which he thought an oracle was rejected Vse 2. For
lawful worldly joy as the wine of Christs own making in Cana Joh. 2. did far surpass the wine at the feast that grew by the industry of men 3. The meditation of the Cross of Christ will encourage and strengthen thee against all pain and shame of this present world in thy suffering for the name of Jesus when thou remembrest how thy Lord endured the Cross and despised the shame to satisfie for thy sins and to purchase unto thee eternal rest from all pain to preserve thee from everlasting confusion to bring thee unto everlasting glory 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you Therefore whensoever God calleth thee to suffering go not to shift it as a duty wherein others are more concerned than thy self When Octavius Augustus was desired by an old Souldier to speak unto the Roman Senat in his favours Octavius answered he should cause one speak to them in his behalf then did the Souldier open his breast and shewed the skars of the wounds he had received at the battel of Actium for his cause and that he had not interposed any other between his body and the enemy So Christ in his own body did suffer for thee 1 Pet. 2.24 and when he calleth thee to suffer for his name put not off that duty to others seing he himself suffered for thee as well as for others 4. The meditation on the Cross of Christ yeeldeth great comfort to us in all our fears from our spiritual enemies Col. 2.15 Having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in his cross In which words the Apostle alludeth to the custom of triumph after great victories over enemies when the Captives were openly dragged in chains after the Chariot of the Conquerour so our blessed Lord by his death on the Cross as his triumphing chariot hath led captivity captive And 1. spoiled Satan our Arch-enemy of all the Elect who through the corruption of nature are for a time led captive at his will Although now and then after their effectual calling and conversion he infest and molest the children of God by his temptations and infalls yet the Captain of their Salvation by the merit and power of his cross in end will give them the victory as he prayed for Peter Luke 22 30. And as he has promised Rom. 16.20 Augustine Tractat. 52. in Ioan. saith well Aliud est regnare intrinsecus aliud forinsecus oppugnare It is a diverse thing to reign within in the heart and to beseige from without Satan reigneth not in the children of God though he beset and beseige them with temptations from the World 2. The Captain of our Salvation triumphed over the World in his own person when for all the glory of the World he would not once stoop to the Tempter Matth. 4. When ever he pleased he restrained the malicious designes of men Joh. 7.46 Act. 16.10 Therefore be of good comfort in all thy fears from malicious and wicked men Joh. 16.33 In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world 3. He triumphed over death 1 Cor. 15.56 O Death I will be thy death He hath taken the sting from death to the godly it is as the brazen Serpent in this wilderness it has not a sting but will cure us fully of all the stings we got here of the sting of temptation of the sting of a guilty conscience and of the sting of venemous tongues Thy death through Christ his victory on the Crosse shall be unto the as the valley of Achor an entrance to thy promised rest 4. He by the merit of his Cross overcame the the power of the grave and manifested his victory by his rising on the third day Hos 13.14 O grave I will be thy destruction 1 Cor. 15.21 22 For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive Though thy body be turned into dust yet shall it not be annihilat nor turned into nothing but shall be kept in a chamber of repose Isa 57.2 They shall rest in their beds and shall be raised as a Bride adorned with Ornaments of glory conform to our blessed Lord his glorious body Phil 3.20 The vertue and efficacy of our blessed Lord his sufferings on the Cross is contained in these words I will draw all men unto me for understanding of this we would know 1. How Christ is said to draw seing the will cannot be forced and none are welcome to Christ but such as are willing 2. How is he said to draw all men for all men do not believe 3. What manner of drawing this is seing it is not only a drawing in some measure toward him but even unto him for an union with him for it is said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto me Ans to the first by drawing here is meant Christ his effectual calling of the Elect unto grace by the Gospel holding forth Christ crucified and by his Spirit working faith in the heart to go to Christ and embrace him willingly for the salvation of their souls In â—espect of this drawing the believing Romans are said to be the called of Jesus Christ Rom. 1.6 1. As in drawing the power attractive is from without us and is in him that draweth us so the power of believing by which we come to Christ is from God Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him Ephes 2.8 for by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves It is the gift of God 2. Drawing presupponeth life in him that is drawn for dead men are carried and not drawn on their own feet so actual faith and drawing near to Christ presupponeth the principle of grace and faith put first into the soul therefore Christ is called the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 3. There is a drawing not only in the first beginning of our motion and conversion unto Christ but also after we are entred into the course of grace we are drawn and promoved therein by subsequent and assisting grace of which drawing the Spouse of Christ speaketh after her saving knowledge of Christ from the sweet smell of his graces Can. 1.3 4. draw me and we shall run after thee This drawing is as the continuance of a prosperous gale of wind for promoving the ship in her course To the second I answer by all men is meant sometimes all individuals 1 Tim. 4.10 He is the Saviour of all men that is all men who get any temporal salvation or delivery they have it from the living God In this sense all things are said to have been made by him Joh. 1.3 In this sense it cannot be taken here for all men are not outwardly called by the Gospel which is
For if they be taken away with the common calamity yet they get their souls for a prey Good Josiah is said to have been gathered to his grave in peace 2 Chron. 34.28 Although he was slain by the bloody sword of an enemy 3. It is evident from the contrary evil of an hard heart because man's wilful hardning of himself in his evil wayes against warnings from the Word of God from the rod of God upon himself or others and from the sharp checks of a guilty conscience doth provoke God judicially to harden him by giving him up to a Conscience past feeling to commit sin with greediness and so to obstruct their own healing because not the hardned but the broken in heart are healed Mat. 13.15 For this peoples heart is waxed gross c. Lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them For when wicked men do wilfully harden themselves in their evil wayes it is just with God to withdraw his former common restraints such as were the checks of a â—emording Conscience and a panick fear of wrath to come thereafter he casts the bridle on their neck then do they run wild in their own imaginations when they are given up in the just judgement of God to walk in the counsels of their own hearts Psal 81.11 12. The means and helps for breaking of the heart that in all men is naturally hard are 1. A laying to heart the severe threatnings of God against sin Jer. 23.29 Is not my word like an hammer Many men hear the word of threatning but are still hardned their heart is not broken because the threatning is not said to heart by Faith The old world Mat. 24.39 though they knew the threatning of the deludge by the preaching of Noah yet they knew not that is they laid it not to heart till the flood came The hammer breaks not the hard stone until it be laid to it with some pith but when it is laid to heart it doth in some measure begin the work of heart-breaking Jonah 3.5 They believed God in his threatning and proclaimed a fast which was a proclamation of their sorrow for their sins Faith to the threatning worketh fear in the heart and fear breaks the heart with present sorrow from a present apprehension of the wrath to come this was the cause of Ahab his sorrow and legal humiliation 1 Kings 21.27 but in the children of God this fear and brokenness of heart is so ordered in the wisdom and mercy of God that it prepareth them for the comforts of the Gospel in Jesus Christ as Noah moved with fear and apprehension of the threatned deludge prepared an ark to the saving of himself and his house Heb. 11.7 In like manner the children of God warned and wakened by the threatning of the Law flee in to Christ the only Ark and propitiation that covereth believers from the curse of the Law and eternal wrath 1 Joh. 2.1 2. If any man sin we have an Advocat with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins 2. Sad afflictions laid home with conviction to the Conscience is a mean oft-times ordered by God to break an hard heart as is seen in Manasseh who was humbled by his fetters and in the Prodigal who was humbled by great famine and want the unjust reproaches of enemies contrary to their intention like that man who opened the Apostem in the body of his enemy by a dart thrown at him are ordered by God to break the heart of his children with sorrow for by-past sins the reproaches of vile Shimei calling David a bloody man in the matter of Saul wherein he was most innocent yet it did break his heart with sorrow in remembrance of the matter of Vriah 3. A particular confession of our sins is a mean blest of God to the breaking of the heart when we consider the circumstances of their number and greatness against infinit Majesty infinitly just who will not clear the guilty when we consider the Omniscience and Omni-presence of God that we have done this and the other evil in his sight and so have been shamless in our sinning as the vile adulteress is shameless by intertaining the adulterer in the presence of her husband when we consider our wilfulness and obstinacy in sinning against the light of our own conscience as these men did Act. 7.51 When we consider our relapses like the Sow to the puddle the Dog to the vomit after many promises and resolutions in the day of affliction to the contrair when we consider our base ungratitude not only neglecting to render to the Lord according to his benefits bestowed upon us but also our rendring to him evil for good and so deserving that evil of punishment should never depart from us Prov. 17.15 4. A particular register remembrance of Gods former mercies in doing us good all our dayes by providing for us and preserving us from many visible and invisible dangers when we call to remembrance his patience and long-suffering in bearing with us in our sins this brake the hard heart of the Prodigal when he remembred the former bounty of his gracious father Luk. 15.17 18. 5. A serious and frequent meditation of death and judgement will be a mean to break an hard heart aâ— a man drowned in debt not aquainted with any that will be surety for him and knoweth assuredly the rude Messenger will take him personally at the Term arrest him and present him to the Judge then the irrevockable sentence will come forth Take him bind him hand and foot c. It broke the heart of Pauls companions that he said they should see his face no more Act. 20.38 So the fear of the day of death and of judgement should break the hard heart when they consider if they go on and die in their sins they shall be separate from God for ever and never shall see his face Therefore break thine heart with sorrow for bygone sins break off thy course of iniquity by righteousness make thine aquaintance in time with Jesus Christ the Surety and Mediator of the New Covenant and pray with Hezekiah Lord I am oppressed undertake thou for me If now he be thine Advocat thou needest not be afraid of that day of judgement because thy Advocat will be thy Judge repent of thy sins and by faith make application to him as thy Advocat and intercessour at the Fathers right hand be of good courage he that speaketh for thee now will not speak against thee in that day 6. Look oft by Faith and frequent meditation upon Christ crucified this is a special Medicine and Lenitive to soften the hard heart Zach. 12.10 This look to him by faith is like the blood of the goat which breaketh the hard Adamant look on him wounded for thy transgressions both in his body and spirit
clean himself who was to cleanse us and to be whole and perfect who was to heal us 2. That Serpent was not made of Gold but of Brass Jeroboams Calves were made of Gold Our Lords outward Garb and fashion before the world was without all show and pomp Isai 53.2 When we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him Luk. 17.20 The kingdom of God cometh not with observation The ordinances of men are oftentimes very specious in their out-side as were the Calves of Jeroboam but the Ordinances of God are simple without outward splendor as the holy Word preached in simplicity and the holy Sacraments administred in simple elements yet with them is great vertue and a blessing to believers The Word accompanied by the Spirit of God is the power of God to salvation Rom. 1.16 and worketh effâ—ctually in those that believe 1 Thes 2.13 The Sacrament of Baptism through the Spiâ—it is the Laver of Regeneration Acts 22.16 T it 3 5. and the Sacrament of the holy Supper is through the blessing of God the real and spiritual communion of the body and Blood of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 10.16 Jeroboam his Calves though of Gold did not heal any who worshipped them but there is much comfort and benefit to be had in the â—â—â—ple Ordinances of God much more than in all the specious and glistering inventions of men One old zealous Father at the Council of Nice prevailed more with that young Heathen Philosoph for his conversion to the Christian Faith even by speaking to him in the simplicity of the Gospel than all the learned Fathers could do by dispute and arguing 3. The occasion of making and lifting up the brazen Serpent was their great pain and danger in being deadly wounded by the fiery fleeing Serpents Numb 21. So the occasion both of the Incarnation of Christ and of his death upon the Cross was our sins wherewith we were wounded by the old Serpent and had been in pain for ever if Christ had not been Incarnat and died also for us he was wounded for our transgressions Isa 53.5 The consideration of this that our sins were the cause of the lifting up of Christ upon the Tree of the Cross should work in us these three penal affections 1. Grief and great sorrow for our bypast sins Zech. 12.10 David when he saw the innocent people destroyed by the Pestilence he was grieved at the heart and said 2 Sam. 24.17 Lo I have sinned and I have done wickedly but these sheep what have they done So we may and should say in the grief of our hearts What hath the innocent Lamb of God done who was without spot and blameless But we have sinned and we have eaten the soâ—â— Grape and his teeth was set on edge we stretched out our hearts and hands to iniquity and his back was scourged for our offences 2. It should work in our consciences shame and self-indignation and we should afflict our spirits for our sins as Ephraim did Jer. 31.19 I was ashamed yea even confounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth 3. An active detestation of all sinâ—ul wayes for time coming as it is said Job 34.32 That which I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Hos 14.8 Ephraim shall say what have I to do any more with idols 2. The place wherein the Serpent was lifted up was the wilderness even there did God provide a remedy where no means of humane help was to be had there was no antidotes to be found in the wilderness against the venom for preserving from that inflâ—mmation and extreme burning with pain So fallen man was in a wilderness-estate after he had sinned against God for in holy Scripture wilderness iâ— taken for a desolat condition Isai 35 6. In the wilderness shall waters break out that is plentiful refreshment by the Messias Isai 41.18 I will make the wilderness a pool of water When no remeed for healing man could be had from creatures the righteous Angels could not satisfie infinit Justice they being finit creatures no more than the payment of ten pounds can exhaust the debt of an hundred thousand pounds holy and righteous men cannot satisfie for themselves Psal 143.2 And enter not into judgement with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Yet in such an extremity like a wilderness wherein no out-gate is seen the Lords own arm brought salvation to his people Isai 63.5 I looked and there was none to help and I wondered that there was none to uphold therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me and my fury it upheld me In this wilderness our blessed Lord was lifted up let us look by faith to him when at any time we are stung with the tongues of a viperous generation and back-biters who are like Dan an adder by the way in such a case look thou to Jesus Christ lifted up on the Cross mocked and reviled Heb. 12.3 Consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds In this world that is a wilderness of many Labyrinths and difficulties wherein many times we see no probable outgate Let us lean by faith and dependance on Christ crucified the Captain of our Salvation and he will at death lead us out of this wilderness into that Paradise that is above as it is said of the spouse in Cant. 8.5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved Rom. 8.39 Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separat us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 3. As the Serpent was lifted up upon the Pole even so was Christ upon the Cross 1 Pet. 2 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree the word there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth both to bear a burden as Matth. 4.6 The Angels will bear thee in their hands 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also to take away Joh. 1.29 Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So our blessed Lord took away our sins by bearing the burden of the punishment due to us and thereby making satisfaction to Divine Justice Isai 53.6 We have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all and vers 12 He was numbered with the transgressors and he bare the sins of many He was lifted up upon the Cross and died that kind of death to take away the curse of the moral Law threatned against us for our sins Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Although there be no proportion between a temporal curse or punishment and that eternal curse and punishment due to us for our sins
it is said in the New Testament he emptied himself and gave himself to the death Gal. 1.4 Eph. 5.2 Tit. 2.14 This kind of necessity agreeth well with a spontaneous willingness though not with a liberty of indifferency toward the opposit act And seing our blessed Lord submitted himself willingly to this necessity in order to our salvation let us also when-ever in a necessity of divine providence we are called to undergo this or that cross willingly and chearfully submit our selves to the necessity of his wise providence Let us say as our Lord did Not my will but thine be done Let us say as David did 2 Sam. 15.26 Behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him And with these loving Professors Acts 21.14 When Paul would not be perswaded we ceased saying the will of the Lord be done 5. There is a resemblance in the consequent and effect of their looking to the brazen Serpent and of believers their looking to Christ on the Cross 1. These Serpents in the wilderness were deadly the Septuagint Interpreters calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so in sin there is the bite of the old Serpent when a temptation to sin is fastned on our hearts and we give consent to it Jam. 1.15 When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death The bite of the Serpents was painful before they looked up to the brazen Serpent there was a burning inflammation and pain from the sting so it is in sinneâ—s after they have sinned the sting of an evil conscience remains burning and tormenting them from the sense of guiltiness and the fear of wrath to come and fear hath torment 1 Joh. 4.18 2. They were pained at the heart before they looked to the brazen Serpent so before a sinner can look by faith to Jesus Christ and so be healed there must be pain and grief at his heart in some measure of sincerity for offending the just and gracious God Mat. 9.11 12. Jesus said unto them they that be whole need not a Physician but they that are sick Two sorts of persons are not healed at the first to wit those that are lethargick or phrenetick sensless of sin or conceitful of their own righteousness The Church of Laodicea is convinced first of her security and vain imaginations before she be invited to be healed Rev. 3.19 And the Pharisee conceited of his own righteousness returned to his house not justified Luke 18. As the lethargick is ordinarily cured by casting him into a fever and then he being sensible of his distemper is healed by the Physician so our great Physician puts secure and sensless sinners oftentimes to a sharp fever and exercise of conscience by discovering covering sin and wrath to them and thereafter heals them as he did the Jaylor Act. 16.30 31. The Phrenetick and conceity soul the Lord heals by beating them with the sharp rods of affliction Job 36.8 9 10. If they be bound in fetters and be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded he openeth also their ear to discipline and commandeth that they return from iniquity They were healed by looking up to the brazen Serpent so by faith in Christ Jesus we are healed from our sins Act. 16.30 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved He is the only Physician that is both able and willing to heal the broken in heart As the People stung were healed by their looking up as a condition appointed and required by God But they were not healed for their looking up as a cause meritorious of healing so Faith is appointed and required as an instrument or condition without which there is no Justification and Salvation but it is not the cause meritorious but looks to Christ alone as the procurer of our Justification and Salvation in his blood The sick Woman was healed of her bloody flux through her touching of Christ but not by any vertue in her touching for the healing vertue came from Christ himself alone Mark 5.30 Luke 6.19 He healeth us of all the stings that disquiet and torment our spirits of which there be four 1. The sting of a guilty and tormenting Conscience spoken of Job 20.12 2. The sting of outward great afflictions not only in the Wicked but also in the Godly to wit a fear and apprehension of wrath in the affliction Job 6.4 The arrowes of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirit the terrours of God do set themselves in array against me 3. The sting of temptation 2 Cor. 12.7 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh 4. The sting of death 1. Cor. 15.56 At that time our sins that were quiet from tormenting us as the viper was for a time Act. 28. at death they leap on our Consciences to torment them with fear of the second Death Therefore let us look to Christ crucified that we may be healed of all these stings Isai 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Look to him who shed his blood for the remission of sins who has reconciled us in the blood of his Cross and this look will calm the Conscience from the sting of guiltiness Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 2. When thou art disquieted with the sting of afflictions look to Christ who by the merit of his sufferings hath taken away the curse and wrath from thy sufferings and maketh them medicinal and profitable for thy soul Heb. 12 10. He chastiseth us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness 3. Against the sting of temptations and sharp tryals look to his rich and free Love Rom. 8.37 He will give strength to resist 2 Cor. 12.9 He will give outgate 1 Cor. 10.13 4. Against the sting of death look by Faith to Jesus Christ who is the Saviour of his body Rom. 8 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Look by Faith to him interceeding at the right hand of God for preserving us Believers unto eternal Life Rom 8.34 Joh. 10.28 As by his death he purchased our peace with God so by his Intercession he perpetuats that peace Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the outermost that come unto God by him seing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them 4. All that looked to the brazen Serpent were healed although in such a great number of men all were not alike quick-sighted so all Believers though not alike strong in Faith by looking to Christ crucified are saved from their sins There is no exception of infants in the life of Faith although in the estate of Grace and for the time they be not able by a reflex act to discern their own estate as infants are refreshed with bodily food although their hand be not so
pot of earth Ministers are the Lords Heraulds and the affront done to the Heraulds doth reflect upon the Prince who sent them David was highly provocked by the affront done to his Ambassadours 2 Sam. 10. And he punished it severely 2 Sam. 12.31 In like manner our blessed Lord taketh the contempt done to his Ministers as done unto himself Luk. 10.16 Vse 2. For exhortation to receive this sacred Word as the Word of God It is the rod of his mouth the whole Scripture is given by inspiration 2 Tim. 3.16 It is the Lanthorn which sheweth us the way to Heaven Psal 119.100 2 Pet. 1.19 It is the rule of our faith Joh. 20.31 and of our obedience and conversation Gal. 6.16 It worketh effectually only in these who with a single heart receive it as the Word of God 1 Thes 2.13 Observ 2. The Word of God is powerful He shall smite c. This is evident 1. From these things unto which it is compared as Jer. 23.29 to fire which so smiteth and pierceth the hard rock with heat that the same is rent in pieces and to an hammer which breaks the hard stone It is compared unto a sword Heb. 4.12 which opens up and discovers the heart like the Anatomists razor and sheweth the inward vileness of our hearts 2. It is evident from the high Elogies given to the Word it is called the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 12 8. and the reproof of wisdom doth come home to the heart and smite it soundly The wise reproof given by Nathan to David in a parable did smartly smite the heart of David The Word is called the power of God Rom. 1.16 not that any natural power is inherent in the letters or syllables of the words as may be seen Acts 19.15 but because God doth ordinarily with the power of the Holy Ghost accompany his own sacred Ordinance spoken in simplicity of words and in sincerity of affection unto the hearts of his Elect that so they are powerfully induced to believe the Word and tuâ—n unto the Lord Acts 11.21 3. It is evident from examples as in Josiah humbled at the heart by the reading of this word 2 Chron. 24 27. The convert-Jews were pricked at the heart by this word Acts 2.37 We have a memorable example of the power of the Word recorded by Cyrill Bishop of Alexandria an eye-witness of the same At the first Council of Nice saith he there came out of curiosity thither an Heathen Philosoph who was a subtile and acute Logician but a great adversary to the Christian Religion some of the learned Fathers there reasoned with him by way of School-disputes but he by one or other distinction did elude the force of their Arguments whereupon one of the most simple in that famous Council being a very pious though not a learned man came against him like David against Goliah and in great simplicity of words with much zeal saith to him O Philosopher in the Name of Jesus Christ hearken to these things that are truths there is one God who made Heaven and Earth who made man of the earth and breathed life into him who created all things visible and invisible by the power of his Word and upholds all things by the same this Word and Wisdom which we call the Son of God having pity on man in his lost condition was born of a Virgin and by his suffering of death hath delivered us from eternal death by his resurrection he applyes to us eternal life and we look for him to come and to judge us according to the things done in the body O Philosopher believest thou it to be so Then he without all contradiction as astonished with the power of the Word could only answer this that it was a truth indeed which he had spoken Thereafter the aged Father desired him to follow after himself and to receive Christian an Baptism the seal of his faith into that saving truth whereupon he immediatly followed and turning himself toward his Schollars that came along with him and to the other hearers said So long as men did deal with me by bare words only I did oppose words to words and by artifice of words I did elude what they spoke but when power came forth from the mouth of the speaker my naked words could not resist divine power neither could man withstand God and therefore saith he to his Schollars believe ye in Christ and together with me follow this aged man in and by whom God hath spoken to me at this time Ruffinus Hist Lib. 1. Cap. 13. relating this History saith It was from God for verifying that place of holy Scripture 1 Cor. 4.20 The kingdom of God is not in word but in power for when the Spirit of God is with the Word we see it can so smite the heart that it brings all our imaginations captive to it 2 Cor. 10.4 Quest How doth the Word of God smite the heart Ans 1. By light shewing and convincing the understanding of the errours and dangers of our sinful wayes for by the Law is the knowledge of sin Rom 7.7 And in the Word as in a mirrour the vileness of sin which is compared to things most vile as to the dross of mettal to the scum of a pot to putrified sores to leprosie to dung to swine wallowing in the mire and to a dog licking up his own vomit but the vileness of sin is most seen in the mirrour of the Gospel because nothing could cleanse us from the filth of sin but the precious bloud of the Son of God And the danger of sin is seen in consequents thereof to wit all misery in this life not only the first but also the second death and damnation eternal unless it be preveened by true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ Luke 13.5 Joh. 3.18 2. The heart is smitten after conviction by grief and sorrow Acts 2.37 The convert-Jews being convinced of the wickedness and hainousness of their sin by Peters Sermon were pricked in their hearts cried out from fear Men and brethren what shall we do And the afâ—â—gâ—ted Jaylour being afrighted from apprehension of the dangeâ— of his sins cried out Acts 16.30 Sirs What must I do to be saved In like manner Felix the Governour being convinced of his sins and afrighted with the apprehension of Judgement to come did tremble Acts 24.25 3. After the conscience is awakened with fear then the will is pained and confounded with shame and displeasure Jer. 31.18 19. Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death Vse 1. For admonition unto men of an hard and stupid heart to resort often unto the hearing and reading of the Word of God for who can tell but God one time or another will smite the earthy and obdured heart and open it as he did the heart of Lydia Acts 14. Object 1. But many have heard the Word and yet their hearts