Righteousness and as a tender hearted Father leaves not the Child altogether unpunished yet he corrects in measure thus the Lords exercising his Peoples Faith Patience and Obedience can never be said to be their Discouragement or contrary to any of his gracious promises to them in Scripture but should rather be atributed to that gracious promise of never leaving or forsaking of them Jer. 30.11 chap. 31.18 19 20. Isa 43.2 And in his chastising of them he distinguisheth between them and Bastards Heb. 12.7 8 9. But on the other hand it is the unhappy Lot of the Wicked to be let run on in all manner of Ryot without punishment and their Eyes to stand out with fatness to be given over to their own Hearts Lusts to their utter destruction and to be given over to a reprobate sense and to take no pains upon them but gives them leave to swallow down the Consolation of their Lusts with the bitter Pill of Eternal wo. Wo to you that are rich for you have received your consolation wo unto you that are full for ye shall be hungry wo to you that laugh now for ye shall weep wo unto you when all men shall speak well of you for so did their Fathers to the false Prophets Luke 6.24 25 26. Job 21.30 Obj. The third Objection is This Doctrine seems to be contrary to and disparageable of the Nature of God who is holy loving just and tender hearted to suffer his own Children who love and serve him best to be hampered with all the ill usage of Mortal Life yea put to Death for his sake and amongst men it would be great ingratitude for a Man to suffer his Children and best Friends to be thus used Answ The Lords suffering his Children to lye for some time under the smart of the Rod can never be imputed to his want of tenderness for them for as a Father can hear the complaints of a Disobedient Child under correction at the same time his Bowels of Compassion turn after him and yet he Corrects the Physitian loves and takes care of the Patient though he will give him no Cordial until the Physick work neither will the Chirurgeon take off the Plaisters though they smart until the wound be clean and whole so the Lord suffereth the Rod of Afflictions to work up the sinner to a Conviction that the Cordials of his Love when reconciled may be more accepted of notwithstanding in the mean time his Compassion faileth not In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them in his love and in his pity be redeemed them and bore them all the Days of Old Isaiah 63.9 How shall I give thee up O Ephraim how shall I deliver thee O Israel how shall I make thee as Zadma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my Heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled Hos 11.8 I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoak is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him nevertheless I will correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30.11 chap. 31.18 19 20. Secondly The Lord cannot be counted unkind much less ungrateful to his Children when for a moment he chastiseth them and recompenseth with eternal Salvation I reckon that the sufferings of this present Life which are but for a moment are not worthy to be compared to the Glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 For our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not after these things which are seen but after these things which are not seen things which are seen are temporal but things not seen Eternal 2 Cor. 14.17 18. For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my self from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee saith the Lord Isa 54.7 8. For his anger endureth but for a moment in his favour is Life weeping may endure for a Night but Joy cometh in the Morning Psal 30.5 Thus then the Lord by his temporary Chastisements cannot be said unkind or ungrateful to the best of Saints when he exchangeth the momentany afflictions with Oceans of his goodness In thy presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 Besides all this Consider the Godly's stumbling at the Wickeds Prosperity Ye have said it is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts and now we call the Proud happy and they that work Wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered Mal. 3.14 15. Job that Pattern of Wisdom Patience and Experience gives also an account of the prosperous state of the Wicked and their arrogancy against God And in the second part he gives an account of their end Job 21. to 16. thus Their Candle is put out destruction cometh on them God distributeth on them sorrows in his anger they are like the Chaff before the Wind his Iniquities are stored up against his Children his Eyes shall see his destruction and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty what pleasure shall he have in his house when his Months are cut off in the midst of them the wicked is reserved to the day of Destruction they shall be he brought forth to the day of wrath Job 21.16 to end See the Issue of the Rich Glutton clothed in Purple and fairing daintily and poor Lazarus begging the Crumbs at his gate and the Dogs licking his Sores remember that thou in thy Life receivedest thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented Luke 16.19 to end Hence we may clearly see Gods bounty and gratitude to his People and well may they relye on his promises of rich rewards for their Faith and Patient sufferings for him Verily I say unto you that ye who have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his glory ye shall also sit on Twelve Thrones Judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel and every one that hath forsaken Houses or Brethren or Sisters Father Mother or Children or Lands for my sake shall receive one hundred-fold and shall inherit everlasting Life Mat. 19.28 29. The Godly may be persecuted and suffer Death but shall be happy in their Death Blessed are they that dye in the Lord they cease from their Labour and their Works follow them And this is their reward these are they which come out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes
Gospel Luke 12.16 to 22. Let him consider Nebuchadnezzar's Fall from the height of Glory to a Brutal State Dan. 4. Let such men remember they are of the same Family and extraction with the poorest that they owe their Life Being and what they have to God and are eternally lost unless reconciled to God in Jesus Christ and that all men by Nature are under Wrath and Debtors to Gods Justice and if he should prove a rigorous exactor who could stand before him therefore they ought equally to have compassion on their Brethren Remember them that are in Bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversity as being your selves in the Body Hebrews 13.3 Let such remember the Parable of that cruel servant whose Lord forgave to him his debt but he dealing cruelly with his fellow Servant his Lord fell on him and made him irrecoverably miserable Mat. 18.23 to end and these are Christs own words so likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your Hearts forgive not every one his Brother their Trespasses Mat. 18.35 It being so known a Truth and fatal to Mankind that all Men in Adam were concluded under Sin and Wrath and that woful experience as well as Scripture teach us That all men except Christ are frequently defiled with actual Transgressions And that no man acquainted with himself can be ignorant of this truth Psal 51.5 Eph. 2.3 Eecles 7.20 And that as all men in Adam are under the condemnation of Wrath and Justice so the only way of Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Romans 5.18 19. Now that all naturally are under the state of Sin let us consider the duties incumbent for our recovery out of this condition and these are chiefly five First Trace Man what he is in his Estate of Nature Secondly Let us set Original Sin before us as a Beacon Thirdly Study Mortification Fourthly Study Repentance Fifthly Search into the promises of God and believe them The first Duty is to trace Man from his beginning of whom if we take a view we will find him soon after his Creation to fall from his Original Righteousness by breaking the command and eating the forbidden fruit And the Lord saw that the wickedness of Man was great in the Earth and that every Imagination of his Heart was evil and only evil continually Gen. 6.5 7. And see how he is described by the Prophet The Heart of Man is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things who can know it Jeremiah 17.9 See how Man is painted out in his natural defilement Thy Father was an Amorite and thy Mother a Hittite as for thy Nativity in the day that thou wast born thy Navel was not cut neither wast thou washed in Water to supple thee thou wast not washed at all nor salted at all no Eye pittied thee to do any of these things to thee to have compassion on thee but thou wast cast out on the open fields to the loathing of thy person in the day thou wast born Ezek. 16.3 4 5 c. See more of this under the head of original sin We are all as an unclean thing all our unrighteousnesses are as filthy-Rags we do all fade away as a Leaf and our Iniquities like a Wind have taken us away Isa 64.6 Behold I was shapen in Iniquity and in Sin did my Mother conceive me Psal 51.5 He is accursed of God for as many as are under the Law are under the Curse For it is written cursed is every Man which continueth not in every thing which is written in the Book of the Law to do them Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 Secondly Set Original Sin as a Beacon before us The use of a Beacon is to take directions how to steer a right Course to avoid splitting on a Rock or danger or upon Invasion to avoid surprizal by Enemies how great reason hath Man in remembring his lost happiness by sin to avoid splitting on that Rock again Remember Lots Wife struck up into a Pillar of Salt for looking back to sinful Sodom Gen. 19.26 The Passover was appointed to remember the Israelites that the Lord by his Power had rescued them from their Bondage in Egypt Exod. 13.3 The Prophet Hosea in 7 8 9 10 11 12 and 13. chapters of his Prophecies holds forth to us the natural and rebellious frame of Mans Spirit which we should always have under our Eyes The third Duty incumbent is Mortification of all sins and corruptions actual and habitual of whatever quality or degree And that First by applying our selves to Christ by Prayer Wash me and I shall be clean purge me and I shall be whiter than Snow create in me a clean Heart and renew a right Spirit within me Isa 51.7 10. We being naturally defiled must be cleansed by him For he is made to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 of this more at large hereafter Secondly Get a self loathing for sin we are all as an unclean thing from the sole of the foot to the top of the head and with holy Job abhor thy self and repent in Dust and Ashes Isa 1.6 ch 64.6 Job 42.6 Thirdly Get deep apprehensions of the Infinite and free love of God in Christ And that first in his early Mercy of Mans Redemption and Promise after Mans Fall it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Gen. 3.15 And admire his infinite goodness of free Mercy When we were without strength Christ in due time died for the ungodly God so loved the World that while we were yet Sinners and Enemies Christ died for us Rom. 8.5 6 9. This is that Emmanuel which was promised for Redemption of Sinners Isa 7.14 ch 11.1 ch 53. all The fourth Duty is Repentance which is a Godly sorrow for sin not to be repented of which according to the Apostles description hath these seven qualifications in it 2 Cor. 7.11 First Carefulness which is an Impartial discovery and searching into all the Thoughts and Actions concealing none nor conniving at any thing of Sin though as dear as right Eye or right Hand If thy right Hand offend cut it off if the right Eye offend pull it out it is profitable that one member perish rather than the whole Body He that loveth Father Brother or Child better than me is not worthy of me he that loseth his Life shall find it and he that saveth his Life shall loose it and he that taketh not up his Cross and followeth not me is not worthy of me Mat. 5.29 30. Mark 9.44 Secondly Clearing your selves That is not only to part with what Lusts we please and confessing what sins we are indifferent to part with but searching and condemning our selves according to the ballance of the Sanctuary To the Law and to the Testimony not by the level of affection and interest Isa 8.20 A Third is Indignation To hate every sin with an implacable prejudice even to hearing seeing touching handling or any
given them that they may be one as we are one I in them and thou in me that the World may know that thou hast sent me and loved them as thou hast loved me Joh. 17.22 23. Be thou faithful unto the end and I will give thee the Crown of Life To him that overcometh I will give to sit down in my Kingdom even as I have overcome and am sat down with my Father in his Kingdom Revel 3.21 The second branch of Gods Promises are of temporal Mercies or of Temporal and Spiritual mixed together and these in Scripture are extended to all the exigencies of a Christians state or condition As First in general afflictions In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his Mercy and in his pity he redeemed them and bore them all the days of old Isa 63.9 He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways they shall bear thee up in their hands left thou dash thy foot against a stone Psalm 91.11 12. Secondly In all particular trials and afflictions When thou passest thorough the Waters I will be with thee and thorough the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorough the Fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame come upon thee Isa 43.2 And he shall call upon me and I will answer him I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honour him with long life will I satisfy him and shew him my Salvation Psal 91.15 16. Thirdly His Promises in greatest extremity when left and forsaken of all Friends and Relations When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up Psal 27.10 Can a Woman forsake her sucking Child and not have Compassion on the fruit of her Womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my hands thy Walls are continually before me Isa 49.16 17. And he saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no Intercessor therefore his own Arm brought Salvation to him and his fury upheld him Isa 63 5. All thy lovers have forgotten thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the wound of an Enemy with the chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy sins were increased why cryest thou for thine affliction thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy sins were increased therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured and all thy Adversaries every one of them shall go into Captivity and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil and all that prey upon thee shall be a prey for I will restore health unto thee and heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord because they have called thee an out-cast saying this is Zion whom no Man looketh after Jer. 30.14 15 16 17. Having thus viewed the manifold Promises of God to his People Let us now consider the methods to be taken by repenting sinners under their afflictions which may be in this threefold Consideration First Consider Sin as the cause of all Evil and of Afflictions Secondly That all Afflictions are from God Thirdly Consider Gods Intention and Purpose towards his People by afflicting of them The first Consideration is that sin as it 's the cause of all evil is also the cause of affliction no man is so insensible but he finds the burthen of affliction or should be so irrational as not to enquire into the causes thereof so that if we do inquire into the first Chastisement which hapned to Man to wit his being shut out from Paradise we will find the cause thereof to be his Rebellion and Disobedience to God in eating of the forbidden Fruit and as we must acknowledge the Justice on Gods part so all the Scriptures all along shew Sin to be the cause of Affliction Hear O Heavens and hearken O Earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished and brought forth Children and they have rebelled against me the Ox knoweth his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people do nor consider O sinful Nation a People loaden with Iniquity a seed of evil doers Children that are corrupters they have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger they are gone away backward why should ye be stricken any more ye will revolt more and more the whole head is sick the whole Heart is faint from the sole of the foot to the top of the Head there is no soundness in it but wounds and bruises and putrifying sores they have not been closed nor mollified with ointment your Country is desolate your Cities are burned with Fire your Land Strangers devour in your presence and it is desolate as overthrown by strangers Isa 1.2 to 8. O Lord the hope of Israel all that forsake thee shall be ashamed and they that depart from thee shall be written in the dust because they have forsaken thee the fountain of living Waters Jer. 17.13 Where is the Bill of your Mothers Divorce whom I have put away behold for your Iniquities have you sold your selves and for your transgressions is your Mother put away Isa 50.1 In the second place We ought to consider that Affliction ariseth not out of the Dust but directly or indirectly they are from God is there any evil in the City that the Lord hath not done Job 5.6 You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth therefore will I punish you for all your Iniquities Amos 3.2 3 to 7. Who gave Jacob to the spoil or Israel to the Robbers did not the Lord he against whom we have sinned for they would not walk in his ways neither were they obedient to his Laws Isa 24.24 I form Light and create Darkness I make Peace and create War I the Lord do all these things Isa 45.7 All thy lovers have forsaken thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the wound of an Enemy with the Chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thy Iniquities because thy sins were increased I have done these things unto thee Jer. 30.14 The third consideration is what may be Gods purpose or intention in chastising his own People which may be resolved and comprehended in these five First To purge away their sins Secondly To invite his People to Repentance by with-holding his Face by afflictions Thirdly To distinguish between his Children and Bastards Fourthly To fix on their Hearts the sense of the emptiness of humane enjoyments Fifthly To possess them of the true opinion of Christs excellency above all things else First It is to purify his People from sin wash you make you clean cease to do evil learn to do well if ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land but if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured by Fire thy Silver
is become dross thy Wine mixed with Water ah I will ease me of my Adversaries and avenge me of my Enemies I will turn my Hand upon thee and purely purge away thy dross and take away thy Tin Isa 1. to 26. By this therefore shall the Iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his Sin when he taketh away all the Stones as Chalk-stones c. Isa 27.9 I have refined thee but not with Silver I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction Isa 48.10 The second Branch of Gods purpose in afflicting his People is to call his People to him by his withdrawing his countenance from them by afflictions either on their Persons or Substance I will go and return to my place until they repent and seek my Face in their afflictions they will seek me early Hos 5.15 Therefore behold I will hedge up thy way with Thorns and make a Wall that she shall not find her Path and she shall follow after her Lovers and not overtake them she shall seek them and not find them then shall she say I will return to my first Husband for then was it better with me than now Hos 2.6 to 10. Standing Waters stink and Mettal not used or scoured corrupts and as the Goldsmith by rubbing filing or fire purifieth and câ—eanseth his chiefest Mettal so the Lord by chastisements exerciseth his People and reclaims them from going astray from him to carnal vanities Hos 11 8 9 10. The third Branch of Gods purpose of Afflictions upon his People is to distinguish between his own peculiar People and the Wicked which are called Bastards And that by a fatherly restraining their extravagancies by moderate correction Though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee yet I will not make a full end of thee but I will correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30.11 Whom the Lord loveth he Chasti eth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth for if ye endure chastisement God dealeth with you as with Sons for what son is he whom the Father Chastiseth not but if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye Bastards and no Children Heb. 12.6 7 8. Behold happy is the Man whom God correcteth Job 5 17. The Prodigal had never returned but for his Penury and Want this is Gods chief means to reclaim his People to hedge up their way with Thorns I will melt them and try them c. Hos 2.6 7 14. Jer. 9.7 The fourth reason of Gods purpose in chastising his people is to fix on their Hearts the true belief of emptiness of humane enjoyments The Lord having a purpose to unite his People to himself and finding their inclinations running after creature enjoyments as cogenious with their natural Appetites he draws them thence not by necessity or constraint but in choice by his chastisements to fix on their senses and experience the emptiness of all humane enjoyments And that by these two reasons First They are not our own but given or lent to us Secondly They are certain troubles and uncertain Comforts First That Worldly and Earthly enjoyments as well as Spiritual Mercies are not ours but all given to us that all the enjoyments of this Life are but precarious from God at his pleasure to give and continue them with us or us with them is a truth in experience without contradiction and needs no proof though there are Scripture proofs sufficient Naked came I into the World and naked shall I return the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord Job 1.21 We brought nothing into the World with us and it is certain we shall carry nothing away with us 1 Tim. 6.7 And Christ saying to the Rich Man in the Gospel thou fool this night thy Soul shall be required of thee then whose shall all these things be that thou hast Luk. 12.19 20. Nay more Man in his natural and intrinsick capacity is of all Creatures the most weak impotent helpless and miserable of himself the Beasts of the Field can crawl seek their food supply themselves but Man is so feeble that unless help be administred to him at his Birth and a long while after he must perish And this clearly appears from Scripture In the day thou wast born thou wast not washed at all nor swadled at all thy navel was not cut thou wast in thy blood cast out into the open Field to the loathing of thy person no Eye pittied thee to do any of these things unto thee and when I passed by it was the time of love and I said to thee live when thou wast in thy blood Ezek. 16.1 to 7. This is the true and lively description of Man in his natural state and condition whereby every Man hath cause of lowliness of mind and no man hath cause to boast glory or claim any thing of his own but to acknowledge that all things even in temporals are given to him of God The second thing whereby the Father of Life and God of all Wisdom teacheth his people to the low esteem and contempt of the World by their afflictions is to instruct them that the things of this Life are uncertain comforts and certain troubles and this is manifest in all humane experience in all ages and all the train of enjoyments clearly demonstrate this If we take a view of all Worlds goods and its excellency as they are computed by the Apostle The Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life 1 Joh. 2.15 16 17. If we will branch them forth in the several particulars of honour riches health friends relations and all the other pretended excellencies of humane Life or Enjoyments and examine all the pretenders to these injoyments since the World began we shall find none who have not experienced the uncertainty of these enjoyments and the anxiety and trouble attending the having of them of all the Men on Earth none could lay a greater claim to enjoyments of all kinds than could Solomon let us see then what account he gives thereof I was great and encreased more than all that went before me and whatsoever my Eyes desired I kept not from them I with-held not my heart from any Joy for my Heart rejoiced on all my labour then I looked on all the works my hands had wrought and behold all was vanity and vexation of Spirit and there was no profit under the Sun Eccles 1.2 chap. 2. all Let us see the experience of David a Man in great honour and in favour with God Thou hast made my days as an hands breadth and mine age as nothing before thee every Man at his best estate is altogether vanity Psal 39.5 6. Surely every Man walketh in a vain shew surely they are disquieted in vain he heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them Psal 62.9 Surely Men of high degree
Dan. 3.16 17 18. How did Peter filled with the Holy Ghost being in Prison maintain the Cause of Christ when being forbid to Preach any more in the Name of Christ thus reasoned Whether it be better to obey God or Man judge ye for we cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard Acts 4.3 9. How joyful and chearful were Paul and Sylas in Prison after they had been soundly whipt for Preaching in the Name of Jesus by Praying and Singing of Psalms in the hearing of other Prisoners how are all the Books of the Histories of the Christians Persecutions as well under Heathenish as Roman Tyranny full of the chearfulness of Christians in their Imprisonment for Truth so as many have been offered their Lives who rather did chuse to suffer Death than to live and be under greater Temptation Secondly By making Enemies Mediators for his People and Instruments of their Deliverance the Lord put it in the Heart of Cyrus King of Babylon whose Ancestours had kept the Israelites Captive seventy years to send them back to Jerusalem with Instructions to rebuild the Temple at his Charge and restored to them the Vessels took out of the Temple Jeremiah was enlarged and delivered by the King of Babylon when he was imprisoned by his own Native Prince Jer. 39.11 12 15. Paul and Sylas were brought out of Prison by the same persons by whom they were shut up and the Jailor washed their wounds and entertained them in Prison Act. 16.26 Thirdly By delivering of his People by his own immediate Hand And the Angel of the Lord opened the Prison Doors and brought them forth and said to them go forth and preach to all People the words of this Life Act. 12.13 The same Apostle also delivered by an Angel the Doors and Iron Gates opening of themselves and his Chains falling off and he and Sylas delivered by an Earth-quake all which shew the Lords special care over his Prisoners of Hope which invites all such to a patient waiting on God Believing the Vision is for an appointed time and he that shall come will come and will not tarry He made them to be pittied of those that carried them captive Ps 106.46 The third case wherein Gods Promises do support his People is Poverty or which the Scriptures abound the Holy Jesus who is truth it self tells us That Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Mat. 4.4 And that his special Providence and care is the only supply of his People as he câ—reth for the Lillies provides for the Ravens and Sparrows so taketh he care of his People however the Lords Promises to his People in Poverty are large When the Poor and needy seeketh Water and there is none and their Tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them the God of Israel will not forsake them I will open Rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the valleys I will make the Wilderness a Pool of Water and the dry Land springs of Water Isa 41.17 18. I will give thee the Treasures of Darkness and hidden Riches of Secret Places that thou mayest know that I the Lord which call thee by thy name am the God of Israel Isa 45.3 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat without money and without price Isa 55.1 2. The Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfy thy Soul in drouth and make Fat thy Bones and thou shalt be like a Watered Garden and like a Spring of Water whose Waters fail not Isa 58.11 Though Poverty pincheth and Straights are sore Trials yet consider and believe Gods Providence and Care of his People at all times either in supplying their wants in his own time and way or blessing what they have and increasing a little to a great deal First In supplying their wants see the Lords supply of Ishmael when his Mother laid him out of her sight not willing to see him dye for want of Drink Gen. 21.16 to 21. The Lords feeding his People with Manna for Bread and Quales for Flesh from Heaven Exod. 16. The Lords making Water to arise out of the Jaw-bone of an Ass to preserve Sampson's Life Jud. 15.9 The Lords feeding of Elisha by sending of food to him by a Raven 1 Kin. 17. The Lords wonderful relieving the City of Samaria strongly besieged and opprest with Famine when Women did eat their own Children and in one Night brought it great plenty by his wonderful Providence 2 Kin. 7. all Secondly By blessing and encreasing a little to a great deal The little that a Righteous Man hath is better than the Riches of many wicked Psal 37.16 The wonderful encreasing of the Widow of Sarepta's Oil and Barrel of Meal to the feeding her self her Son and the Prophet Elisha many days when she thought to have starved for want 1 Kin. 19. The Lords preserving Elisha forty days and forty nights by two single Meals 1 Kin. 19. The Lords making a small quantity of Oil to encrease to many Barrels and thereby relieved the Widows two Sons who were to have been soâ—d for the payment of their Fathers debt 2 Kin. 4 all The Lord Jesus Christ his feeding of five thousand Men besides Women and Children with five Loaves and two small Fishes and after all were satisfied twelve Baskets full of Fragments were taken up Mark 6.42 43 44. And to conclude this point see what Omnipotency saith Prove me now saith the Lord if I will not open the Windows of Heaven and pour out a Blessing that you shall not have room to receive it Malachy 3.10 Fourthly The fourth Affliction or Trial of Christians in which God assisteth his People by his Promises is the unkindness unnaturality or changeableness of friends as this is a great trial yet it is the frequent Lot of Christians Christ the Lord of Glory was not only forsaken of his Friends but also betrayed by one of his own Disciples Job was charged with Hypocrisy by his three Friends and tempted by his Wife to Curse God David had his Throne Usurped by his own Son and his Wives defiled by him in the sight of the Sun Moses was accused of usurpation by his Brother Aaron and Sister Miriam Numb 11.4 and daily experience proveth that a Mans Enemies are those of his own House however the Lords Promises for Comfort and Support of his People under this Trial are many and almost numberless See that early Mercy of God to the Church as representing the state of all men by Nature in that often repeated place No Eye pittied thee to do any â—f these things to thee nevertheless he proves that kind Samaritan who takes pity and care when the Priest and Levite whose profession was to shew Charity passed by without Pitty or Care and sufficiently provides for the poor wounded Man Luke 10.30 to 39. See the Psalmists Case Thou hast put
My Brethren have dealt deceitfully with me as a Brook John 13.18 This also was the sad Condition of the Church Thou hast heard their reproach O Lord their Imaginations against me the Lips of those that rise up against me their devices against me all the day long behold their sitting down and their rising up I am their Musick Lam. 3.6 62 63. David was as among Lions their Teeth were as Spears against him and their Tongues as sharp Swords they wrested his words Psal 57.4 Psal 56.2 5 6. He was the Song of the Drunkards Reproach hath broken my Heart I am full of heaviness I looked for some to take pity but there was none and for comforters but I found none Psal 69. all Our Soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those that dwell at ease and with the contempt of the Proud Psal 123.4 The sixth reason why God thus chastiseth his People is to make them sensible of the different measures by which he deals with his People in their Afflictions and with the wicked by his Judgment upon them and that consists in these six respects First He chastiseth his People in love and for their good but his Judgments on the Wicked are to their Everlasting Loss and Condemnation Secondly He unwillingly and with reluctance corrects his People but taketh pleasure in his Justice upon the Wicked Thirdly He corrects his People in measure and moderation but Rains down the Vials of his displeasure upon his Enemies Fourthly The Chastisements of his People are but for a moment and not to make an end of them but the Wicked are totally cut off without expectation or hope of recovery Fifthly The Godly though afflicted are comforted by Gods presence they have communion and fellowship with the Father and holy Trinity but the Wicked have no hope in their end or punishments Sixthly The Godly by their afflictions are taught to know the difference between Spiritual and Carnal enjoyments Temporal and Eternal Mercies First The Godly's Chastisements are for their good although all Trials Afflictions and Temptations are a dark Cloud and carry a pale Face yet when the Godly do search out the purpose of God in this and are desirous to know his Intentions therein they will see this to be in love when the Godly enjoy all sensual pleasures without any intermission they are apt to surfeit upon Mercies and turn lazy and forget God as the slothful Man by luxuriant feeding ease and gluttony contracts a Lethargy so are the best of men apt to forget the Fountain of Mercies and wax wanton against God as the People of Israel in their quiet and plenteous enjoyments Exod. 15 ch 17. Num. 11. ch 16. Deut. 11. Therefore the Lord visits his People with Rods to rouse them out of their laziness to make them turn to their rock for their good and safety Psal 106. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I learned to keep thy Word blessed is the Man whom thou chastiseth and teacheth out of thy Law Psal 119.67 71. This is the end to the Godly to take away his sin Isa 27.9 Whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastning God dealeth with you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chastneth not but if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye Bastards and no Children we had Fathers of the Flesh who chastised us after their own pleasure and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and life for they for a while corrected us according to their own pleasure but he for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness now no chastning for the present seemeth joyous but grievous but afterwards it bringeth forth the perfect fruit of Righteousness to them that are exercised thereby Heb. 12.5 to 12. But see the Issue of the wicked and ungodly they shall be like the chaff which the Wind driveth away Ps 1.4 5 6. Secondly The Lord doth not afflict his People willingly but with great reluctancy How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Adma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my Heart is turned within me my repenting is turned together Hos 11.8 Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I remember him still earnestly my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord Jer. 31.20 Repent and turn your selves from your transgressions so Iniquity shall not be your ruin cast away all your transgressions and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will you dye O house of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner therefore turn your selves and live See Ezek. 33.11 Luk. 13.34 35. Ezek. 18.30 31 32. Thirdly The Lord corrects his People in measure and not in extremity as he doth the wicked hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him in measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it he stayeth his rough Wind in the day of his East-wind Isaiah 27.7 8. Fourthly The Afflictions of the Godly are but for a short time for a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercy will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my self from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee Isa 5 4.7 8. They shall go into Babilon until I deliver them I will visit them there and restore them to this place Jer. 27.22 Refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy and there is hope in thine end and thy Children shall come again in their own border Jer. 31.15 16 17. Thus though the Lord deals severely with his People nevertheless it is but for a time and in moderation and giveth them a happy delivery and eternal rest with himself in the end but he deals otherways with his Enemies never withdrawing his Judgments from them until he hath accomplished their destruction and avenged their malice against his People Wherefore it shall come to pass when the Lord hath performed this whole work upon mount Sion I will punish the stout-heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks Isa 41.15 16. I was wroth with my People I have polluted mine Inheritance and given them into thy hands thou didst shew them no mercy upon the antient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoak thou saidst I will be a Lady for ever for that thou didst not lay these things to thy Heart neither didst remember the latter end of them therefore hear thou this thou that art given to pleasure that dwellest carelesly that sayest in thy Heart
either under Spiritual or Temporal Diseases or Temptations And first a Spiritual and as the Soul is more excellent than the Body so the diseases of the Soul are more dangerous grievous and uneasy The Spirit of a Man can bear his Infirmities but a wounded Spirit who can bear as all the motions of the body are disordered by the distemper of the Spirit so greatest care should be taken to cure and remove the disorders thereof and this is the great consolation of the diseased in Spirit that their Physitian hath cures paramount to the cures of all others as being in himself omnipotent to whom alone is given the faculty of healing of Soul distempers The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted and to proclaim liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them Beauty for Ashes the oil of Joy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness that they might be called Trees of Righteousness the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified Isa 61.1 2 3. And see hence what great encouragement the Saints have to wait on God for the accomplishments of his Promises who is faithful and cannot fail the Church and People of God say in the same Scripture I will rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath cloathed me with the Garments of Salvation he hath covered â—e with the Robe of Righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewels Isa 61.10 By which we see his Promises are not only large but he makes them effectual in the Christians Improvement thereof to their own comfort these Promises may be branched forth answerable to the several Spiritual Distempers in these three Heads First Under Spiritual darkness and desertion Secondly Under anguish of Spirit for heinous Sins Thirdly For the multitude of Sins or under Relapses And as to these three states or conditions of Spiritual Distempers see the manifold particular and apposite Promises of God under these Distempers The second Disease to which Gods Promises are annexed is under Temporary afflictions and trials which though he could easie and instantly remove nevertheless as a wise and just Physitian judiciously consults the Patients Distemper and finds that one single Dose or Potion is not enough but that a course of Physick is absolutely necessary to cure the Distemper and as he studies neither to gratify the Patients present distempered Palat nor his uneasy humour but minds the most suitable Medicines proper method of Cure order of Diet and Exercise under the Cure he confines him to retirement and abstinence as well from the luxuriant eating and drinking and the too great liberty of former converse as the causes and rise of his distemper so that tender Physitian of Souls the Lord Jesus Christ takes the same method of curing and relieving his afflicted under their distempers by afflictions and as he knows the humours on which the Physick is to work that it must have liberty and time for operation and that the Patient must needs be sick and anxious for a Cordial as when a Chirurgeon hath bound up a wound and applied suitable Plaisters pinching and cauthorizing which necessarily in order to cure must annoy and disquiet the patient that he will importune the Doctor for a Cordial to abate his sickness and the Chirurgeon to remove the Plaister nevertheless they wisely considering that giving a Cordial or removing the Plaisters before its time hinders cure encreaseth more and grosser humours therefore gives no other compliance but advice of Patience and assurance of cure on the due operation of the means so this great Physitian of Souls though in all their afflictions he is afflicted he will take his own time and way for their relief and affords no other Cordial for the present but that of his universal promises which are extensive to all circumstances of their several cases and conditions which may be branched out in these heads First Sickness Secondly Imprisonments Thirdly Poverty Fourthly Desertion and forsaking of friends Fifthly Under Slanders and Reproaches in all which cases the Lords promises are not only full and numerous but also peculiarly apposite and especially calculated by him to all â—nd every of the particular cases which is more expresly set down before Fourthly The fourth encouragement for the People of God to bear afflictions patiently is that the Cross of Christ is the Path way that Christ hath appointed his People to walk to Heaven for if you be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are you Bastards and no Sons Heb. 12.5 to 12. Wo is me for my hurt my wound is grievous but I said I must bear it Jer. 10.19 24. O Lord correct me not in thine anger but in judgment least thou bring me to nothing I am with thee saith the Lord to save thee though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee I will not make a full end of thee but correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30.11 And this is Christs Legacy to his followers Brothers shall deliver up Brothers to death the Fathers shall rise against the Children and Children against their Parents and cause them to be put to Death and ye shall be hated of all men for my sake Mat. 10.6 to 40. and if any man will be my Disciple he must deny himself lay down his Life take up his Cross daily and follow me if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God on this behalf for the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God if the Righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly appear wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4.15 16 17 18. For if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spair not thee behold therefore the goodness and severity of God to them that fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou shalt be cut off Rom. 11.21 22. Is it not the foretold Lot of Gods People that through tribulation and persecution they must enter into the Kingdom of God and the Disciple cannot expect better entertainment than the master if they have called the Master Beelzebub how much more they of his house-hold Mat. 10.24 25. Fifthly The furnace of affliction is the means by which
it is worth consideration to reflect on the great threatnings denounced against such vanity and superfluity by the Prophet Isaiah especially against the Pride of Women The Lord shall smite them with a scab and discover their secret parts and take away all their bravery and their round tires like the Moon the changeable suits of Aparrel the Mantles Wimples and Crisping Pins the Glasses fine Linnen Hoods and Vails instead of a sweet smell there shall be a stench instead of a girdle a rent instead of well set Hair Baldness instead of a Stomacher a Girdle of Sackcloath and burning instead of Beauty Is 3.16 to end This being one great Idol of the flesh and our shame let us see how this Lust of the flesh is compensed to the godly and glorified Believers First for that all their Sins and consequently their shame are taken away in Christ Jesus For as in Adam all died even so are all made alive in Christ 1 Cor. 15.22 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life Joh. 3.16 Fear thou not for thou shalt not be ashamed neither shalt thou be confounded for thou shalt not be put to shame thou shalt forget the shame oâ— thy youth and shalt not remember the Reproach of thy Widow-hood any more for thy Maker is thy Husband Isa 54.4 The Saints of God have the rotten Garments exchanged with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and have made themselves white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 7.14 Thus the Saints of God as Inhabitants of the New Jerusalem being Cloathed with the Righteousness of Christ are cleansed from all sin and shame and so have no necessity of Cloaths to cover sin or shame Secondly the Saints have no occasion for Cloaths to Comfort the weakness of their Bodies for that when raised from the Dead they shall not have Corrupt Bodies of Corruptible Elements but shall be Clothed with Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies not subject to change nor tainted with infirmities of Nature Hunger or Cold Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption for this Corruptible must put on Incorruption and this Mortal must put on immortality 1 Cor. 15.50 52 53. So that they shall have no occasion of the Corruptible Rags of most Sumptuous Apparel how much then have the Saints translated into glory the Advantage over such whose Earthy and Crasy Corps must be Clothed with rotteâ— Garments to cover their shame sin and nakedness and defend their infirm Bodies from offence of Cold and Heat of which the Saints are not sensible Secondly Eating and Drinking being the second Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh it is so gross a predominant and necessity of Nature and weak Mortality that it is not only the peculiar Resemblance of Bruits beneath the Dignity of Mans Soul and as it is the necessity of Nature so it is the great burden of Nature to be under that necessity that some Sensualists of whom the Apostle saith whose God is their Belly whose glory is their shame who mind Earthly things and Human Experience tells us how far this Tyranny upon Man so prevails that their luxuriant Appetite never suffer them to be at ease but either after the quantity or variety of eating and drinking they are hurryed with further desire and thereby often miserably loaded with hurtful diseases thus delicate Mortals are plunged in misery by that they so much delight in this was the Case of the Rich Glutton in the Gospel but on the other hand the Saints in Heaven are not Afflicted with troublesom Appetites for they feed on the Manna in the midst of the Paradise of God for they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them to living Fountains of Water Rev. 21.4 6. their feeding is their Eternal beholding God and the Lamb but the Wicked feeds on the Eternal Wrath of God if any Man Worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark on his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out into the Cup of his Indignation and he shall be Tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb Rev. 14.9 10. Thirdly The third Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh is that insatiable Appetite the World hath after the Riches of this Life what hath already been said of the uncertainty emptiness and vanities of Human Riches in the foregoing case of the Rich Glutton and the many Instances of that Nature may give the Complexion of that State and what Christ saith of the Rich Man that it is hard for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and that the Rich have received their Consolation and Portion in this Life do all sufficiently illustrate the Contemptibleness and Misery of that Life if not rich towards God but on the other Hand Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God Mat. 5.3 Christians though never so poor in this World have all things in Christ They are Sons and Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 32. all which shew how far the State of the Godly though Poor in this Life exceed the Condition of the wicked though rich as Craesus if not rich towards God Fourthly the fourth Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh is the pleasure Men in this World take in Relations Friends and Companions but what is said before of this what Christ saith who loveth Father Children Relations Life it self or any thing else better than him is not worthy of him and whosoever looseth any of these things for his sake shall have double in Heaven is sufficient to give us a Parallel of the State of the Godly and the Wicked who Lust after the Flesh but let us see what account the Apostle gives of a far better exchange the Saints have made of the choicest of Companions but we are come into Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem unto an innumerable Company of Angels into the general Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling Heb. 12.22 23 24. David was weary of the Society of wicked Men wo is me that I dwell in Mesheck and Sojourn in the Tents of Cedar so when the Saints are sure that he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell with them they will freely part with the Company of Sinful Mortals Ps 120.5 The Lusts of the Eyes being the second part of the Worlds Inventory we shall examine it with the excellent discovery of the Saints Light
in his sight 2 Sam. 15.25 26. He had the like submission when he was reproached railed at and had stones cast at him and was cursed by Shimei Let him Curse for the Lord hath said to him curse David who then shall say why hast thou done so let him alone for the Lord hath bid him it may be that the Lord will look on my Affliction and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day 2 Sam. 16.7 to 13. But what is all this to that entertainment the Lord of Glory Jesus Christ met with on Earth for our Sins who knew no sin who was buffeted and reviled after the most outragious manner and bore it with incredible Courage Patience and Meekness Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2.21 to 25. Holy Stephen suffered with that meekness of Spirit that he gave up the Ghost praying Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing Act. 7.59 60. The second Duty is resignation as submission is the patient acquiescing to the Will of God in all his dispensations without murmuring and a contentedness in every condition penury and want as well as in abundance so resignation is the chearful giving our selves up to God to be disposed of by him in every dispensation trials troubles losses and crosses under all the exigences of Life Christ would not use the Arm of Flesh to rescue himself from being Crucified but the Cup which the Father put in his hand even the bitter Cup of his Fathers Wrath he chearfully drank it out because it was his Fathers Will John 18.11 Holy Job was a Pattern of Patience and Resignation though thou wouldst slay me yet will I trust in thee The Couragious three Children who were not daunted with the Decree against them their Faith Courage and Resolution brought them to a holy resignation We know our God is able to deliver us and he will deliver us however be it known to thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the Image that thou hast set up Dan. 3.16 17 18. Thus should Christians in imitation of Christ not so much mind their present sufferings temptations and condition as the Duty of Faith and Resignation in giving themselves up to the Will of God in Obedience Faith and Patience and for their encouragement in this they have Gods Promise of deliverance from his own immediate hands if other helps appointed by him should fail I looked and there was none to help I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore mine own Arm brought Salvation unto me and my right hand it upheld me Isa 59.16 That other famous place in the Prophecies of Jeremiah is a great staff to Faith and Resignation under desertion of all helps even lovers relations and friends all thy lovers have forsaken thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the wound of an Enemy with the Chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy sins were increased therefore all that devour thee shall be devoured c. And all thy Adversaries shall go into Captivity and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil and all that Prey upon thee will I give for a Prey for I will restore health unto thee and heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord Jer. 30.14 to 18. and that other famous place in Isaiah chap. 49.15 to end giveth great encouragement to Faith and Resignation under the greatest extremities as being forsaken of Friends Relations and much oppressed by Enemies All things which Christ did were holy and just he minded only things of a Heavenly and Spiritual Nature as his Kingdom was not of this World so all his people mind Heavenly things they are Strangers and Pilgrims here in this World and Travellers only with him to the new Jerusalem and as Pilgrims must not set their Hearts on things in the Way but on their Heavenly Treasures Lay up to your selves treasure in Heaven for where your Treasure is there will your Hearts be also Mat. 6.19 to 33. Love not the World nor the things of the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the Lusts of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eye the Pride of Life is not of the Father but of the World and the World passeth away and the Lusts thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.15 16 17. Hence we see as Christ minded only Heavenly things so he would raise his People to Heavenly mindedness and by his description of the World his purpose is to wean his Peoples affections from it Object But it may be objected that this Doctrine of the Contempt of the World seems contrary to the Doctrine and Duty of Charity and Christs new Commandment Love one another and love your Brethren as your selves and that to Believers is also allowed the comfortable use of the Creatures must not Parents love their Children Husbands their Wives and other Relations which in Scripture is commanded as a Duty like as Industry and Provision for Families how can this consist with the not loving of the World Answ For answer to this the Lord Jesus Christ who is that wonderful Counsellor the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Wisdom it self Prov. 8.1 in whom dwells the Godhead bodily love it self and Justice it self doth not teach inconsistent Doctrines neither that which is inconsistent with his Holy Nature of Justice Wisdom Love and Charity but all his Doctrines are Coherent and Harmonious therefore we must understand him in the Language of the Spirit The World may be taken up two ways First As in Gen. 1. and 31. And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good and God rested on the Seventh Day which was appointed a Sabbath and left off working and Abode not in the glory or beauty of his works which were all good but returned to himself in that glory with his Father Secondly The World may be taken up when for Mans sin it was Accursed Gen. 3.17 18 19. and was given into the Hands of the Dragon and the Prince of the Power of the Air was made Lord of it Eph. 2.2 Now in the first sense to love the World as God did when Man and all things were in Integrity and to behold and enjoy the World as God did resting into himself so admiring God in the Creature and resting in the Creator this loving and using the Creature or World is not inconsistent with the love of God but to use and delight in the Creature when under the Curse Power and Dominion of Satan and rest on it and not on God is inconsistent with the love of the Father Secondly By the words of the Evangelist If any Man love the World the love of the Father is not in
express Image of his Person whose Errand to the World was only to Reconcile God to Man knowing how Essential Holiness was to the Bargain he and all the Prophets and Apostles Preach up Holiness Holiness and Righteousness is the chief piece of the Saints Armour to fight the Battels of Christ Eph. 6.14 and is that Image of Christ to which Believers must be Conformed to Ephe. 4.24 and Colo. 3.10 and by which they are distinguished and known Holiness is that Cloathing of the Saints who sit with God on his Throne in his Kingdom these are the White Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb and the Brides Wedding Garment spoken of in the Gospel for the clean Linnen is the Righteousness of the Saints Rev. 7.14 Object But to this it may be Objected that Christ is made to us of God Wisdom Righteousness Redemption Salvation and Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.13 so we need take no care for inherent Holiness in our selves but may sit down and rest on his imputed Righteousness and Rely on his Justification Answ To which may be answered thus That it is most certain that Christ is Sanctification and Redemption to Believers and that they are Cloathed with his imputed Righteousness in the Eyes and acceptance of God and by his Stripes they are healed and all that Saints could do would never make Attonement for Transgression and although Christ by his Death hath most sufficiently satisfied Justice for our Offences and that thereby the Father in him is well pleased nevertheless as he hath promised to Reconcile us to the Father and hath actually Reconciled such as believe in him and hath to them purchased Eternal Salvation by his Blood and having procured for them Heavenly Mansions to make them Companions with himself and his Father Angels and Saints there is a necessity for an Inherent Holiness with which they must be cloathed as that Wedding Garment and attire suitable to the Bride in such Heavenly Mansions where no unclean thing can enter in Rev. 21.27 and this cloathing and garment is the renewing the Children of God in their Nature all things are made new old things are done away 2 Cor. 5.17 We must forsake and crucify the World we must dye to sin and live to righteousness we must be planted in his Death that we may live in the likeness of his Resurrection Rom. 6. to 19. Gal. 3.27 Col. 2.10 to 14. We must put on the Nature of Christ in Spiritual Holiness Circumcised without hands putting off the Body of Sin and are quickned with Christ by his effectual working of Grace The Affections must be above the Creatures and the new Man renewed by Knowledge after the Image of him who created him Col. 3.10 The Saints live no more to the Flesh but are dead to it and live by Faith I am crucified to the World and the World to me nevertheless I live but not I but Christ that liveth in me and the Life that I live in the Flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the Cross of Christ in whom the World is crucified to me and I to the World Gal. 6.14 Thus then inherent Righteousness and holiness of the Saints is that which qualifieth the Soul for union with God in Christ Jesus and this holiness though inherent to the persons of all Saints is not their own growth or product but is the gift of and special working of the Spirit of God he it is alone that gives the new Heart and creates in them a clean Spirit and takes from them the Heart of Stone and sits them for this union The Third branch of Saints Union with God is their being one with him and Christ in love I in them and thou in me that they may be perfect in one and that the World may know that thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me before the World began John 17.23 Love in its perfection is the Darling of all Christian Vertues and Graces and is such essential part of Holiness and Divine Nature that it cannot be without it as God is Holiness Wisdom Goodness and Righteousness so is he love it self Let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God and he that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.7 8 16. Love is Christs chief command and from his own example a new Commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you by this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye love one another John 13.34 35. Love as the Character and Mark of a Christian is not only a naked and bare profession of kindness and friendship but consists in these two First In a firm and constant sympathy of and with any in any afflicted state or condition Secondly In a constant chearful and ready supply of the wants of others as far as their abilities will reach First This love consists in a constant and tender sympathy in all troubles afflictions and distresses in Body Spirit or Estate like as Christ was In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and bore them all the days of old Isa 63.9 There is denounced a severe curse and wo against such as are at ease and unconcerned in the case of Gods afflicted People Wo to them that are at ease in Zion and forget the afflictions of Joseph Amos 6. to 7. Charity and Sympathy either to the Church of God in general or to any of the particular Members or Saints is the great badge ornament and character of Christians 1 Cor. 13 3 to 7. Love is to be in amity and unity and not in contention one with another love thy Brother as thy self But if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consumed one of another Gal. 4.14 15. Christians should consider the height depth and full extent of Gods love towards them which is a mystery passing knowledge that we may be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3.18 19. Christians in one anothers afflictions should incorporate themselves in that holy cement of love or mutual sympathy and assistance to comfort uphold assist and relieve one another under their several afflictions see the woful character of such as do not relieve and love his Brother If a Man say I love God and hateth his Brother the love of God is not in him he is a Liar for he loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen and how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 John 4.20 And this command have we from him that he that loveth God loveth his Brother also and he that loveth not his Brother is a Murtherer and