destroyed for lack of Knowledge Hos 4. 6. What can we say to it when it is their own Fault It is at their Peril if they refuse and contemn those means which God hath appointed to bring unto eternal Life without which they must mis-carry For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every disobedience received a just Recompence of Reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2. 2 3. The Promise in sundry places of Scripture is unto Godliness Of Ungodliness Psal 4. 3. Psal 101. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 8. and the threatning is against ungodliness Psal 9. 17. Rom. 1. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 7. Jude 15â— Where is a right use of the Ordinances and positive Duties all Obedience will likewise follow On the contrary when they are neglected it is Disobedience and Contempt to that God who enjoyns them Many are Friendly and just towards Man temperate as to themselves but yet are ungodly The World thinks What harm do these Why may they not go to Heaven Not considering what the great Provocation of ungodliness is and they do mistake in not seeing the first Reason of the Commandments of God Which in Truth are for the welfare of mankind but this is not all for the good or inconveniences consequent to the Observation or Violation of them as pertaining to short-lived mankind do not Rise so high as to have or deserve eternal Rewards or Punishments The Act of Sin is small and weak but the strength of Sin is the Law 1. Cor. 15. 56. It receives the Aggravation from going against that High and Divine Authority which hath established things so For it is too much a fond and proud Opinion that all things are for our selves if I do neither harm to my Neighbour nor my Self and I commit Sin What great Evil is in it Is a common Question Whereas they might look up and consider that God in his doings towards the Children of Men designs his own Glory in the first place as well as their Good. Now if there is Disobedience and Contempt towards himself and Transgression of what he hath Enacted here is the exceeding evil of Sin though no prejudice comes thereby to any mortal Creature It is what lieth in them making void Gods Dominion and in plain terms that he shall not Reign over them The great matter is Whether his Creatures are subject unto him they are so indeed But whether themselves think so and will shew themselves to be such as the ungodly Man doth not Thou hast said in thine Heart I am and none else besides me Isa 47. 10. And hereby may be seen the Hainousness of his iniquity for he is an open Rebel who refuses to tread Gods Courts he is one of himself and will not acknowledge depâ—ndance from an higher Power He neglects for his part what all the World thinks due viz. The Worship of God. So that it will fare better with Superstitious Christians unbelieving Jews and Pagan Idolaters for they intended some Homage though a â—iâ—â—aken one to the Great Lord of all things but he doth none at all He says within himself It is vain to serve God and what Profit is it to keep his Ordinances Mal. 3. 14. Whereas it is his own Fault for he might know if he would wait all the days of this short Life for the exceeding and eternal weight of Glory He might in the mean while perceive some good in the Solemn Meetings if he would come with a pure mind and behave himself as he should But he is glad of any excuse when in reality that as other Excuses is a further Aggravation of his Sin and so it will appear When God who now knows shall manifest the secrets of all Hearts for People who are born in the Christian Church entred by Baptism and afterwards wilfully make themselves Strangers from the Covenant of Grace and be without God in the World What is this but as much as they can to exempt themselves from his Government and because it may hereafter Rise up against them they would utterly destroy it if they might Whoever impartially judges of these things may perceive the exceeding Sinfulness of ungodliness It is the greatest degree of Sin that Men can arrive unto How many times is mention made in Scripture of reâ—using to hear the Word of God and not calling upon him There is no Fear of God before their Eyes they forget him and such like Expressions by which the Abomination of iniquity is set forth All these Sins are immediately against God himself If one Man sin against another the Judge shall Judge him but if a Man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him 1 Sam. 2. 25. When God doth set up his Kingdom for such to endeavour to get from under it must be a great Provocation As now if any Prince should issue forth his Proclamation and Order it to be read and fixt up He would certainly be displeased at those who stop their Ears and take no notice of it and so it will be as to all those Potsherds of the Earth who shew the like Stubbornness or disdain against their Maker In good Manners we are to hear what God will Command us Of Preaching before we put up our Petitions unto him The Master is at Liberty to speak before the Servant utters his Supplication Yea all that the Lord hath said we should do so that is first to be known for the end of Prayer is to ask Forgiveness for former Transgressions to beg Grace and Power to be more obedient for the future When God delivered his Law in that terrible manner on Mount Sinah the People were afraid that they said unto Moses Speak thou with us and we will Hear Exod. 20. 19. and it is promised further We will hear and do it Deut. 5. 27. This way our Fore fathers chose and accordingly he did during his Life-time and left written a Copy of the Law which should be for ever Moses of Old time hath in every City them that Preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 15. 21. He was both Preached and Read. The Jews received the Law by the Disposition of Angels and have not kept it Acts 7. 53. But Christians received it from a Greater even the Son of God himself and have not obeyed it Christ hath those who continually Preach him as Moses had by how much he is not only greater then him but the very Angels of God. And receiving it immediately from his Father he came down and made it known upon Earth Who had a Voice out of the Cloud which said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Hear ye him Mat. 17. 5. The Author to the Hebrews insisteth upon the same Argument and Comparison See that ye refuse not him that speaketh For if they escape not who refused him that spake on Earth much more shall not we escape if we
Lascivionsness which they have committed 2 Cor. 12. 21. The Lord Jesus will not condemn them if they go and sin no more John 8. 11. Was not Rahab the Harlot justified And from the Examples of Lot David we may be assured God hath Mercy on such Sinners if they do not abuse his goodness but leave off their Transgression and do Works acceptable and holy in his sight This full and plain manner of Writing was necessary to manifest the very Truth let none suck Poison out of that which was designed for an Antidote nor presume to sin yet more from what God knows was only intended to lead to Repentance The temptation which leads Men over to these lusts is that they think they shall be happy in so doing here it is discovered to be a delusion only and Men would be more happy as to this present time if they had nothing to do with them or make use of the lawful remedy there is the same invitation offered to leave of as before was to follow them So much of lust in the General now briefly run over the particulars Every one knoweth what Adultery is Stolen Waters are said to be sweet and it is matter of sport to beguile the poor Husband Of Adultery Yet O Man shalt thou boast for ever Knowest thou not it will be bitterness in the end Yea there is Trouble and Vexation Fear and Guilt all along By the Jewish Law which wâ—s of Divine Appointment the Adulterer and Adulteress shall be sâ—râ—ly put to death Lev. 20. 10. And so it is at this day in several Nations of the World Christian Mahometan and Heathen but here it is rather fashionable and of plaufible report Whatever credit Adulterers or Adulteresses get it is only among the Children of Disobedience but the Righteous have them in Abomination in this life they labour under continual Disquiet Tribulation and Anguish everlasting Shame and Contempt wait for them in that which is to come The injustice and wrong is somewhat less in Fornication but Of Fornication it is a provoking sin and offensive unto God. If any Man dâ—files the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is Holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3. 17. Flee Fornication every sin that a Man doth is without the body but he that committeth Fornication sinneth against his own Body 1 Cor. 6. 17. A great part of the Chapter is against this particular so that any thing may as well be denyed to be a Sin as Fornication If the Spiâ—it of God saith it is a sin and wicked Men say it is none whose Words shall stand his or theirs Jer. 44. 28 29. And by whose Judgment must they abide When he punisheth for the same let them dispute away the Smart of it if they can Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them giving themselves over unto Fornication and going after strange Flesh are set forth for an Example suffering the Vengeance of Eternal Fire Jude 7. The end of being set forth for an Example is that others should take heed for the like will happen to them if they do the same things There doth too often go along with this an abomination of iniquity as Murder in the Womb those preventives of getting with Child and wicked means to cause Abortion or Miscarrying Moreover there is killing of Infants to hide their shame from the World a manifest proof how tormenting this is that they dare upon such Sinful and Barbarous Actions to concâ—al it If they are not so unnatural and desperately wicked as to stifle the poor Infant then it remains a Witness of the Parents Transgression But if made away that is a double sin and shall rise up an evidence against them at the Bar of the General Judgment to their Eternal shame and confusion before God Angels and Men. There are several other evils too many to be recited but may be known by observation which do sufficiently shew that it is best for Mankind to comply with the VVill of God even your sanctification that you should abstain from Fornication 1 Thes 4. 3. There are several sorts of uncleanness as if a Man lie with Mankind as he lieth with a VVoman both of them have committed Abomination Of Uncleanness they shall be surely put to death And if a man lie with a Beast he shall be surely put to death and ye shall slay the Beast Lev. 20. 13. 15. so that described Rom. 1. 26. 27. There is another kind by self pollution If there be among you any Man that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by Night Deut. 23. 10. Which is no great fault because it is matter of infirmity contingency and not wilfullness but how much worse is he who of set purpose forceth himself to be thus unclean It is detestable to think or speak of much more it is to act such things But Fornication and all Vncleanness let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks for this know that no VVhoremonger nor unclean Person hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph. 5 3 4. 5. Lasciviousness imports Light and wanton Actions Dalliances Of Lasciviousness and rude Gestures lustful Thoughts immodest glances of the Eye curious inspection upon the faces of Women Whosoever looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5. 28. Said Christ who came to interpret some Laws give others and finally is to be the judge of all Those several Inclinations and Tendencies to unlawful lust are comprehended under this Word VVhen lust hath conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Jam. 1. 15. It suggesting pleasing thoughts will be apt to procure a consent which makes the sin and therefore should be stifled in its first rise The way of avoiding Lust is to eschew all occasion and provocations thereof The great design of the Gospel is to prepare and bring People to Heaven and then they must be pure and spiritual to fit them for the Holy of Holies to qualifie them for the promise Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Mat. 5. 8. Now lust and filthiness is an hindrance to this and therefore must be taken away before we are made meet for the Celestial Happiness To refrain from the aforementioned things would be to destroy the Briskness and refined Breeding of the World the principal whereof is to make complemental Addresses to young Women What Mirth and Laughter do they stir up amongst Promisâ—uous Company of both Sexes So the use thereof may appear not only agreeable to right Education but also it conduces to divertisement and happiness It must be acknowledged that here and in other things Christianity is directly opposite to the present Fashion God and the
the most mighty Lord of all Psal 2. 11. Psal 89. 6 7. things and a poor Worm so it is requisite to preserve a reverence for his awful Majesty and not to think or speak of him as an equal It is the constant stile of the Old Testament and also a Gospel precept Fear God Luke 12. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 7. We are likewise obliged to be somewhat fearful concerning our own Salvation Heb. 4. 1. Rom. 11. 20. Phil. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 17. To do this is not Tormenting but stirs up carefulness and puts upon all things to secure it Happy is the Man that feareth always Prov. 28. 14. From which proceedeth a good Life thence a good Conscience and then is no fear none that is Slavish or hath Torment A third Passion is Joy which word denotes Happiness and is often Of Joy. enjoyned in Scripture for thou commandest all things which may do good O thou Lover of Souls Let the Righteous be glad let them rejoyce before the Lord yea let them exceedingly rejoyce Psal 68. 3. Behold my servants shall rejoyce Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart Isa 65. 13. Thou shalt rejoyce before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 12. 18. This joy is not taken away but increased under the Gospel The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads Isa 35. 10. This the Prophet who saw his coming foretold and so it was at the first appearing of Christ our Lord Luke 2. 10 11. He having now accomplished the work for which he was sent into the World there is sufficient matter of gladness Many righteous Men have desired to see these days The whole Gospel by which is established a better Covenant imports what the Apostle doth repeat in his exhortation as if it could never be pressed enough Rejoycing in the Lord always and again say rejoyce Phil. 4. 4. This is the Lord we have waited for we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation Isa 25. 9. Which is the happiness of Heaven the clear manifestation thereof to the World and the possibility we are put in to partake of it As then it will be a delight to remember how we came through this dark and troublesome Vale so whilst we are here we should lift up our hearts with expectation thereof Accordingly the good Men of old time did who had but the Glimmering whereof we have the fuller Light If the heir of a Kingdom or a good Estate is so transported with conceits and fancies of future good it cannot be thought absurd that who have the evidence and hope of such an exceeding eternal blessedness which will be one day revealed should be proportionably pleased with the foresight and John 16. 22. Gal. 3. 22. assurance thereof Accordingly that Christian who hath a real interest hath also a sensible rejoycing therein which doth exceed all the pleasures and imaginations here What results from gross and sensual things is not worthy to be compared with pure and spiritual yet God as a most Bountiful Master to his Servants hath given them many things here for recreation and delight He doth deny nothing which is good and convenient for us We are all to admire and comply with the Riches of his Mercy and Love who hath placed into our frame this affection of joy and hath provided things proper for it and hath done as much as lieth on his part to compleat the great end of our being happy How then came Sorrow in God made it not neither hath he pleasure in the grief of the living but it came in through Sin and Of Sorrow Transgression Gen. 3. 15 16. It was the effect of mans own disobedience and was justly inflicted on him as a Punishment so it is continued of every sin besides As such God ordained it but in the beginning when he made Male and Female he did not implant it into our nature we now come into the World crying for we fell and were corrupted with our fore-father Sin is interwoven into our very flesh and as the necessary consequent thereof sorrow also The Conception and Birth of our Lord was different from ours in him was no sin yet when he came into the World to make his Soul an offering for sin He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity Isa 53. Mark 14. 34 of us all yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief so great that he poured out his Soul unto Death and bore the sins of many But now since he hath borne our grief and carried our Sorrows O astonishing goodness of the Son of God we are so far from sinking under them that these also I speak Mysteries tend to our Happiness Whilst we look on him whom we have Pierced and Mourn for him as one Mourneth for his only Son Zec. 12. 10 Isa 63. 9. 1 Thes 1. 10. even then considering how in his love and in his pity he hath redeemed us and hath delivered us from the wrath to come an holy joy will arise When we reflect that he who did drink of the Brook in the Way hath now lifted up his head above Angels Principalities and Powers Wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him Phil. 2. 9. a Name which is above every Name Our Sorrow is turned into Joy for the exceeding and glorious condition Jesus whom our Soul Heb. 12. 1. loveth is in at this time If ye loved me ye would rejoyce because I Cant. 1. 6. said I go unto the Father This he said before his bitter Death John 14. 28. and Passion and now may seem to speak to all the World what he did once to the Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for me but for your selves Are you troubled at those cruel sufferings I have undergone My Fathers indignation is past they are all over and the remembrance is not in the least grievous now I am crowned with Glory and Honour But weep for your selves who are in the Wilderness for the tribulation in the World and more especially weep for those sins which occasioned what I did suffer forsake them and come to me If ye pretend to be sorry for me and this doth not follow that is to cry out Hail King of the Jews and crucifie him afresh and put him to open Shame He hath instituted an holy Feast for the continual remembrance of his Passion the reasons thereof are to stir up our love towards him and the hatred of our own Sins God hath manifested his displeasure against them by the Death of his own beloved Son who came out of his Bosome yet when he took sin upon him had the full Vials of wrath poured forth as is evident by his Agony and bloody Sweat by the pains he endured on the Cross His sufferings were so exceeding that
man some would even dare to die Rom. 5. 7. But for preservation of a good King thousands will venture their lives and undergo the greatest extremity He is happy in the good-will and affection of his Subjects they will rejoyce and praise God on his behalf to see him also zealous for his glory that he would suffer all Godly and Faithful Ministers that a stop may be put to that torrent of iniquity which is a vexation to behold In his dayes shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moon endureth Prayer also shall be mane continually for him and daily shall he be praised Psal 72. 4 7 15. The Common-wealth will be then happy when Kings are Christians not in name or title but when they live and govern according to the Rules of the Gospel When they are Obedient to God diligent in his Worship and Ordinances exercise all manner of Righteousness and Justice towards their people and themselves observe Temperance and Sobriety and so manage all their Actions as Men that indeed look for a Judgment to come There is an excellent Scheme laid down better then that of Antient or Modern Polititians which stands in no need of them for it hath Providence and Wisdom from above and will make a Prince renowned for all Ages It will give him satisfaction of mind that is in beginning for the utmost happiness here is Light Sowen Psal 97. 11. A laying in of Joy and Peace as Seed to the future Harvest of Extasy and Glory His glory is great in thy Salvation Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him Psal 21. 5. I hope none of the Grandees of the Earth think otherwise that Religion doth not thus much but seems to them an undervaluing of Majesty as rather calculated for low sneaking and not for noble Spirits Least any who term themselves brave Souls should say so in the heart for they will not with the tongue for fear of betraying their own infidelity and ignorance let this short question be put to them the first words of the Creed Whether they do believe in God And those descriptions given of him confirmed by his visible works Deut. 10. 17. 1 Kings 8. 27. Psal 18. vers 7. to vers 16. Psal 113. 4. Job 11. 7 8 9. 37. 22. Isa 40. throughout Jer. 10. 6 10. Dan. 4. 35. 7. 10. Rom. 11. 36. 1 Tim. 6 15 16. and many other like places It may not be surmised that the Spirit bearing Witness of it self should over magnify for there seems to be an higher strain then all these Wisd 11. 22. Ecclus 43. 27. 30. Who considers but the least of such an infinite Glorious Being can no more think it a dishonour for the greatest Emperor to prostrate himself with his face to the ground in Dust and Ashes before this High and Lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity then it would be for the most abject fellow to kneel before him This comparison is sufficient proof but comes not near for the distance between Almighty God and the greatest personage on Earth exceeds that between him and the most contemptible fly Now if the vilest inâ—ect should open its Mouth and say it was as Man should we therefore think so Or if the meanest beggar should speak out that it was a disgrace for him to be uncovered before My Lord the King we could not but be moved with indignation at his Pride and Folly. Yet I wish it be not thus among too many who are neither Kings nor Lords but take as much upon them who being purse proud have not only lifted up their hearts above their Brethren it is for the poorer sort to be Religious forsooth they think themselves too good to be in subjection Deut. 8. 13 14. unto the Lord their Maker If Kings and Princes are not much less are they for if the matter be considered aright it must be acknowledged Whatever the World esteems greatness there is none greater then he that feareth the Lord It is meet and right so to do even for Angels and Arch-Angels and all the Host of Heaven much more is it for those that dwell in Houses of Clay for they also are in this little mouldring Tenement who inhabit Palaces and larger Buildings and therefore let them not absurdly conceive that an under-valuing which is their Highest Honour to be Servants of the Lord. An illustrious Example of this we have in David 2 Sam. 6. When the Ark was brought up himself played before the Lord and Danced with the rest of the People And Michal Sauls Daughter looked through a Window and saw King David Leaping and Dancing before the Lord and she despised him and came out to meet him and said How glorious was the King of Isrâ—â—l to day who uncovered himself to day in the Eyes of the Handmaid of his Servants as one of the vain Fellows shamelesly uncovereth himself * To be Noted by the way of the silly proud Women of this and former Ages who have mean thoughts of their Husbands if they serve God as if not so Gentile and Men of Honour as others they will use to them or others privately the like contemptuous Language David here was so far from being discouraged that he is more confirmed in his Duty I will be yet more vile then thus and will be base in mine own sight His resolution was to do as he ought before he examine other consequences I will play before the Lord. His praise was not of Men but of God he had rather be approved of by him and despised of them then to be had in honour by them and despised by him Such must be the mind of those of the more exalted condition who will enter into his service and expect his favour I am the Lord that is my Name and my Glory I will not give to another neither my praise to graven Images Isa 42. 8. Nor yet to living Men he will not allow of that the things which please him shall be dispensed withall for pleasing others Whosoever will not come unto him or afterwards leave undone several Acts of Duty for fear of diminishing his Honour and Reputation in the World he may stay away for he lightly esteems of the Rock of his Salvation He is unworthy of the Favour and Blessing of God who will part with them for a puff of breath from talking Worms of the Earth which neither is so High Universal or Loud as the Wind which passeth away Here will arise another short Gale of Exhortation As for Man his days are as Grass as a Flower of the Field so he flourisheth for the Wind passeth over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it no more Psal 103. 15 16. An exact resemblance of our Condition in this World but of a different Reflection to two several sorts of Men. It is matter of Vexation to them who have their Portion in this Life and have none assurance of that which
that lived under the Old Testament which doth not so clearly manifest immortality as the Gospel doth Luke 16. 22 23. Luke 23. 43. Phil. 1. 21 23. Heb. 9. 27. Rev. 6. 9. Besides are innumerable places to prove Resurrection eternal Judgment and Life everlasting Things are fixed and not according to Mens Fancies one way or another those Decrees and Ordinances remain still the same in Heaven Of which we could know no more unless they had been â—old unto us by the Son of God who came down from Heaven and the Spirit from above then one now lying in the lowest Dungeon doth know of what is done in this World. And they do not vary change or alter with our several apprehensions of them whether of assurance or doubt no more then the Sun ceases from shining when only a Cloud comes between Let the sick Person use continual Ejaculations Lord increase my Faith And God will not leave him But he shall receive the end of his Faith the Salvation of his Soul. There cannot be too much Strength or Comfort laid up against this Day it should be the business of a Christians whole Life before for it is the entrance into an endless Life It is the fulfilling and Manifestation of whatever he hath heard Read or done in Truth pertaining to God and Religion And indeed it is worth while to do all things to go off safely He will have Peace in his Life and strong Consolation in his Death Let him observe all parts of Duty to God his Neighbour and himself throughout the Course of his Days Let him do what he can in Sincerity and Truth Whoso doth these things shall never be moved He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second Death Rev. 2. 11. Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ Pâ—â—l 1. 6. We may be certain of using the means of perseverance for God hath put them into our Power and as long as we rightly use those means we shall infallibly persevere So that in the mean while we may be assured and at last have true and cercertain hopes of Resurrection unto eternal Life And there cannot be such Fright and Amazement concerning that which is to make the everlasting Decision either when it is far off or near at hand If any one hath let him search and examine his Conscience impartially either he doth something which he ought not to do or he leaves something undone which he ought to do this makes him horribly afraid and must be amended before he can be freed from the Danger which the Fear gives warning of A true Christian can contentedly look for the blessed Hope even in the midst of Life he can find Comfort and sweet in the thoughts of Death as that which will free from the disturbances of Flesh and Blood the Molestations of an unthankful unbelieving ignorant World from the Miseries and Labours of Life and send him over unto eternal Rest and Rejoycing To come to the Enjoyment of our Lord Jesus Christ to be admitted into Fellowship with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Prophets Apostles Martyrs all the Good and Wise Men since the World began to be gathered unto his Fathers to see his Godly Friends and Acquaintance of the same Generation with himself just gone before all this must be a desirable thing The dead may be supposed to be about five hundred to one more then the living now are those whom thou leavest behind shall in a little time follow thee and the People which shall be born shall die in like manner and shortly God will accomplish his whole Elect. None hath advantage who goes before or after And seeing the River must be gone over it is small difference who hath a longer or shorter Passage so we avoid the Rocks and Dangers in the way The pious Soul will be in a Strait willing to stay and yet have a mind to go and there is some Irksomeness to leave the World as now it is to change the place where we have long dwelt Our Nature is something made up of Contraries willing and yet unwilling but if God doth really send as we know not his Pleasure until after the use of all prudent Remedies the Sickness proves unto Death Fear not to go for he calls thee Remember that Petition thou hast often made Thy Kingdom come and when it is wilt thou then shrink back One end of Sickness is to make us the more willing to leave the World. Whatever is sudden doth surprize for the time but then it is soon over whereas that which comes on by Degrees and expected is longer but then more easily born Good Men have been divided in Opinion about this thing those who have been for a sudden departure have rightly thought the only Preparation is by an holy Life for the Gospel speaks of no other It Commands to Watch to have our Loyns girt and our Lamps burning and this is to be done in the midst of Health Life and Vigour There is much Talk in the World about providing for ones latter End but unless to settle temporal Affairs from the example of Hezekiah there is not so much said thereof throughout the whole Word of God. It is the beginning of Error and Deceit when People depart from that It is Non sense and Contradiction to the saying of our Saviour John. 9. 4. to put off the working while it is day till the night cometh when no Man can Work. Who purposely put off the working out their Salvation till that time had best have a great Care what they do for besides the hazard of being taken away by sudden Death yet if they should have considerable time of Sickness or Old decrepit Age they have no such Warrant of being accepted Hear what God saith Mal. 1. 8. of offering the Blind the Lame the Sick for Sacrifice But if some are against Death by the ordinary way of Sickness because that is tiresome and may be an occasion of murmuring Distrust Unbelief blasphemous Speeches which proceed from violent Distempers yet we should not refuse to suffer whatever God thinks fit to lay upon us He knows our Condition and will not enter into Judgment for the meer Sin of the Disease no more then he imputes the Follies of Childhood We are to receive for the things done in the Body 2 Cor. 5. 10. to be judged according to the general Tenour and Bent of our Life Neither will our most merciful God take advantage of any infirmity or slip at the last He will not suffer us for any Pains of Death to fall from him The Church prays so for more abundant security and also to deliver from sudden Death O Lord thou knowest what is best for every one of us Thy Will be done Whether this first coming of the Son of Man finds in the
Field or in the Streets in the lower parts of our House or our Closet or upon a Sick-bed we may go hence securely though upon the last we may glorifie God shew our Faith and Sincerity Comfort and exhort By-standers manifest to this unbelieving Generation the truth and reality of Religion that it can free from the Fear of what hath been called the most terrible of Terribles The Sayings of Philosophers and Wise Heathens will make a fine jingling and noise they will sound magnificently or delight somewhat whilst Reading but even then it may be observed they do not afford sufficient Strength and Comfort against it but when it approaches nigh none at all Men may a little please themselves with a Sentence or two whilst they live but still it may be otherwise it doth not satisfie but when they come to die all those brave Words vanish and signifie nothing Nay all the Discourses of meer Reason wiâ—l not avail as to this thing for let there be never so much ingenuity or shew of arguing yet there is a Possibility of mistake and they can never reach to any assurance To Examine that admired Saying of Seneca Death is either an end or a passage if the first never Fear to cease to be for it is the same as not to have begun neither to pass because I shall never be so narrowly confined Sen. Ep 65. As for the first if it is so he argues rightly but not all the Wise Men of past Ages or the present can give certainty that it is so Neither their study and searching nor the ingenuity of some or Carelessness of others at this day can throughly satifie the mind of any considering Man. And so they could not secure the World from Danger for let them say and do what they will it may be otherwise which is as sure as the Scriptures are true But then it must be a passage according to the other supposal From that he Reasons weakly and deceitfully for it would be a poor relief to be out of the Prison of the Body and in more Misery In that it is dreadful because it consigns over to a State of Happiness or Misery What will the Disputer and Wise Man of the World say to this What help can the Philosophers find out against it And let them tell what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon all the Generations of mankind It is no more in our Power and Wisdom to hinder Punishment after Death then it was to hinder our own Being That God who took us out of our Mothers Womb if we are not reconciled unto him in the mean while will raise us up again to sâ—ffer worse things then we have dâ—ne here The sence of this being put into our frame is sufficient to make us afraid and not without cause Saith one It is â—est not to be born or to die very quickly But seeing we are born how can he assâ—re us of that To have but one Tryal for endless Happiness or Misery when all that can be done is little enough to make sure a thing of that importance as laâ—ing hold of the good and avoiding the evil this is not to be done hastily and well If he means to die quickly because we shall be as nothing Produce his strong reasons and all will not amount to a Certainty no nor a Probability The Spirit of God saith contrary It is appointed unto Men once to die but after this the Judgment Heb. 9. 27. He that made them and sent them into this World knows best what shall become of them when they are gone out and of him we have this Revelation Let the Wise and Prudent go away with their fine expressions let Infidels and Fools go on in their Denial and Negligence the Word of God abideth sure that will discover all their Errors and Mistakes A day of determination draweth nigh upon the living as it hath already passed upon many Generations If they were suffered to come from the Dâ—â—d and testifie of these things we should have a vast cloud of Witnesses God is not pleased to permit this and therefore doubts first and then unbelief do spring up in the hearts of Men Neither do any go there whilst living and return There is no intercourse betwixt the two Worlds Things then would be so certain and past doubt that none would serve God for â—ought for the alone hope and expectation of unseen things But people would traffick for Heaven as they do to Jamaica or the Indies and all still for love of themselves not out of any love to the Lord of that Country What a company of Meâ—cenary Souls should we have Then the Church would be flocked unto even upon Weeks days as the Exchange Then Worldly minded Men would become the best Christians those who are all for themselves use Religion only now to serve a turn or for a reserve but if there was such sensible profit such would do most therein and still do nothing only for Gods sake There would be no work of Faith or labour of Love but all selfishness God hath most wisely ordered it as it is that the Trial of Faith might be had that the excellency of Obedience may be seen We must needs die and are as Water spilt upon the ground which cannot be gathered up again 2 Sam. 14. 14. It appears so in our sight but the eye of Faith can reach further to an Immortality and Resurrection Again all things happen alike to all there is no visible and eminent reward to Righteousness or Iniquity this will manifest of what sort our Obedience is If we can deny present ease and pleasure submitting our selves to loss and inconvenience for that which no Man hath seen this is such love and trust in God to which he hath promised a recompence of Reward If we believe his Word speaking of Futurity though we see nothing in a dead Man to give Warrant or Ground for it there is some commendation in this Faith that the Soul which seems nothing but Breath vanished and gone doth yet live That such a clod of Flesh which must first turn into Stench then common undistinguishable Dust that the Bones shall be disjoynted and themselves though somewhat longer become Dust also that these shall become Bones again and there shall be Resurrection as described Ezek. 37. There shall be a shaking and the Bones come together Bone to Bone Sineâ—s and the Flesh came upon them and the Skin covered them which shall be performed in a literal sence at the last day and as they were dissolved so to be raised again though it will be done more suddenly This is something above what is common to believe As Acts. 1. 11. Christians we judge him faithful that hath promised As reasonable Men we can thus deem that he who made the World and our selves of nothing can also restore out of pre-existent matter VVe have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well
power that we may do the things he doth require of us they are made known in Scripture which is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. We are to believe him to be true and then all must be so which is contained in that Book God doth encourage to his service with a Reward so that he who labours to please him acts after the very same manner tho in a much more eminent and greater degree as another who studies to recommend himself to the â—avour of the Kâ—ng or any Superiour The utmost visible greatness is Low and but a shadow of Majesty in comparison of this High and Lofty One dark as to his Brightness and soon passeth away when He inhabiteth Eternity However Religion which is our whole Duty towards God is looked upon as a little contemptible thing laughed at by the Ignorant Scornful and Proud Men yet is as much greater then any Temporal Design or Business as God is greater then Man Heaven then Earth Eternity beyond time a most perfect and everlasting Happiness above the fading imperfect trivial conveniencies here We may as well trust God for the great things to come and labour after them as we do for our daily Food and those little things that are present And though he now gives common Mercies to the unthankful yet they must use some means after them but for the better hope the exceeding great and precious promises of unseen and future things those are only for them who glorifie him here and seek after them Faith makes these things as absolutely true and certain as those now before us Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10. 11. Faith towards God is reckoned among the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6. It being that upon which not only those there recited but whatsoever is said throughout the whole Book of God doth depend Which whosoever believeth stedfastly must necessarily be a Christian not in Name and Profession but in manner of Life or otherwise he will act more unreasonably and foolishly then ever any one yet did as to the things of this World. The Scripture doth contain things to be believed and things to be done The first are comprized in a brief form of sound Words commonly called the Apostles Creed which is believed as it stands upon certain and eviâ—ent places of Scripture and the outward confession of them is necessary to Salvation according to what may be gathered from John 5. 24. Rom. 10. 9. Mat. 16. 16. John 3. 15 16 17 18 36. Luke 6. 47. The great danger in not believing any Scripture is what the Apostle Speaks He that believeth not God hath made him a Lyar 1 John 5. 10. Which is more provoking then living in known Sin and Wickedness But this none that believes other things will dare to do the General Question and debate is what God intended in such a place It is agreed on both sides of the Truth of some sence and meaning but what that is is the rise of controversie and dispute In Paul's Epistles are things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. But since we have had those who were learned and resolute in their way who have done the same to carry on an interest to maintain the grandeur and infallibility of such a Church to espouse and propagate all the errours of such and such parties There hath been horrible pervâ—â—ting and seeking out Evasions not to the establishment but ovâ—rthrow of the Truth The pure and true Word of God hath beâ—â— made use of to defend corruptions and mâ—iâ—tain errour abâ—â—dance of this kind of iniquity will be disclosed at the revelation of all things It is sad to reflect that the only thing necessary in Religion is the only thing neglected how people fly about the skirts and borders not coming into the substance thereof The Church is pulled asunder into this or that parcel of Christians every little difference in Opinion must forthwith make a distinct party they cursing and damning one another It is the greatest part of the Christianity of some to be exclaiming against such a Sâ—ct or Communion so that if our merciful God should proceed according to the Anathemas Excommunications Wishes and Impretions of one against another No flesh would be saved What is the cause of all this stir and madness The VVisdom from above is fiâ—st Pure then Peaceable Gentle and Easie to be intreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie Jam. 3. 17. The Gospel is good and plain made up of simplicity and purity so that is not the occâ—sion thereof But an enemy hath sown these tares of division who works mightily in the hearts of Men to deceive and hath taken this course to hinder the good seed to stiâ—le those practical truths which would bring forth fruit unto everlasting life Men rightly think they must have something to do with the things of God and some falsly think these vain disputations will serve the turn These are speculative not falling upon lust and they hope a zeal for this one way or another it is something for God and therefore shall come in for atonement of other sins And in conclusion tends to that he fain would save himself by condemning others What else makes him so extraordinary zealous for such a way and against such an opinion when himself in the mean while lives in Habitual sin and unrighteousness which is more dangerous to Souls then errours of the understanding if they were really such Here some drive on an interest of their own but who do not are led by such an impulsive cause In those that have set up for Guides and Teachers there hath been Doting about Questions and Strifes of words whereof cometh Envy Strife Railing evil Surmisings perverse disputings of Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth supposing that gain is Godliness 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. This was their end but the silly people were by them told that was most for Salvation which made for their own profit and thus they have came to that height of zeal and giddiness Do they not place more in their petty differences then in the weightier matters of Law Judgment Mercy and love of one another That all this is a meer delusion may be further seen because it quite vanishes when the Man approaches near to Death and apprehends things according to sincerity and Truth How earnestly doth the Apostle express himself against these disputes even at their first beginning Rom. 14. 1. Phil. 2. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 6 7 6. 20 21. 2 Tim. 2. 14 23. But what would he say if he had lived at this day to see so many volumes of controversie to have heard of so many go about as have troubled Christians with words subverting their Souls Acts 15. 24. Shattering if not making to fall the
that he is not tormented at the apprehension of them In this he is more safe and happy then those heedless ones who are afraid to suffer the thoughts of them in their mind but blindly go on and expose themselves to the full danger The Promises of God here are with exception of the Cross to comfort and make able to bear it to carry us through this imperfect and miserable condition but those to come are absolute and gracious of enjoyment of all Good and freedom from all Evil. Even these which seem harsh dispensations of Providence work together for our good and so come to pass as are spoken of or may be learned out of the Word As to those future rewards and punishments The Kingdom prepared for us and the Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels We may perceive him even now subtilly insinuating himself into the Hearts of Men seeking all ways and means to keep and turn people from God and that which is good to hinder them from his favour and Heaven appointed for us The Tempter and Abaddon doth try to hurt and destroy he is the Author of all evil in the World. If we are afraid we shall fall by his hands it is only our own sault for we are called upon to come under the Protection of our God who hath given his Word and Truth to discover all the Falshood and Deceits of the Enemy and then they may be easily avoided The most valuable things in the World are least regarded How doth Wisdom expostulate Prov. 1. And though it happens so with her before Men yet all she saith there is true and especially at the conclusion of the Chapter Whoso hearkeneth to me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil The reason why she is slighted is because they refuse to hear her voice They put it off with Scorning and hating of Knowledge But if they would attend to her Words the whole World would go after her as much at she is contemned now And this would be true of the Power of Godliness as it is now of the Form thereof Which indeed hath the vogue and esteem but the other lies under despising and reproach These are the Refuges that ignorant and mistaken Souls betake themselves unto for it is reasonable to use the same diligence after the good things to come as themselves seek earnestly after present and fading Delights and to secure our selves against the Punishment threatned which is just begun here and â—â—lly to be manifested hereafter as themselves are so over-careful and solicitous to avoid present and little inconveniencies It is easie for some to asperse what they do not understand and others thus cunningly seek to hide their own falshood and error Reflections come in to supply the defect of Reason on their side and through the wicked Pride as slight of Men they would seem to pass it by as weak which indeed is too strong for them to get over and answer The highest Wisdom even the Wisdom of God may be ridiculed but when it is only so it is a certain sign that it cannot be resisted The greatest Truth may be depraved and reviled but when it is only so that is firm and unanswerable And further those do always decline from it By Reason of whom the way of Truth is evil spoken which shew the general sence of mankind that they approve of this as excellent for they find fault when those persons who seem Religious do not live accordingly Even Hypocrites tend to the glory of our Religion as appears to him who examines throughly But God is outwardly dishonoured by them Either when themselves do not believe what they profess and then what lieth in them they turn the Truth of God into a Lie. Or they surmise before the World that the thing is impracticable and so render him liable to the imputation of an hard Master and that his Commandments are grievous which is abominably false Or when the Doctrines of God are judged of through the practices of Men then indeed those which are Holy and Good may seem to be Abominable and Evil whereas they do not keep close or pervert and turn them through their evil nature When they who shall confess with their Mouth that God is only wise and so is his Law but yet not observe or transgress it out of a pretence to Wisdom and Discretion Do not these contradict that in their deeds And for this cause God may be evil thought of by Strangers and that his Sanctions are not so wisely contrived for our living in this World. The temporizing accomodating Humour those cunning ways of avoiding present inconvenience or saving themselves from loss and danger those compliances and actings contrary to Conscience and Duty towards God all these pass current with some for excellent prudential Rules any Law or Ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding Indeed the Commandments of our God are with great Wisdom ordered to try our Love and Obedience unto him but not so much for present ease and security in the World. It is called the Doctrine of the Cross Yea and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. Neither let any pretended wise Christians who call themselves so stave it off as long as they can and when the methods of their own Wisdom are run out or they are confounded and baffled then only apply this to themselves But whosoever even in these days will strictly and universally observe his Laws and Directions who is fully resolved to keep a good Conscience in all things shall endure Persecution or Reproach and other Worldly losses or inconveniences And yet all this a strange Paradox is very reconcileable with true Wisdom for what can be more reasonable then to submit to a little Evil in order to a greater Good to suffer Loss for Gain and Advantage to willingly undergo an Inconvenience to obtain a greater Benefit this is the same what is practised every day Now Christians do believe the Gospel to be true and then what our Lord saith may be relied on There is Mark 10. 29 30. no Man that hath forsaken Father or Mother Houses or Lands for my sake but shall receive eternal Life That God who will reward us for the least act of Obedience even to a Cup of cold Water will also take notice of whatever Trouble or Loss we endure purely for his sake We may trust him as to that If this be foolishness we will be accounted so and wait till it is manifested to be the highest Wisdom The promises for Suffering and Loss are so full and many that one may more safely venture on this bottom to be returned into the other World as daily Wise Men do to remote Countries when Ship-wrack Casualty their own Death frequently hinder themselves from being partakers of what they certainly parted withall Whosoever doth not only say so but really believeth on God hath more assurance from