God should onely be heavy when he displeases God but delight in all the Means that enable him to live to God 3. When we are sadned by the Evil of the present World let us make use of this remedy let us meditate on God's Statutes We shall find ease and refreshing by exercising our selves to know God in Christ. 4. To refute the vain conceit which possesseth the minds of Men that the way of Godliness is a gloomy way Assoon as a Man beginneth to think of Salvation or the change of his Life or the leaving of his Sins embracing the Service of God presently his Mind is haunted with this thought Seest thou not how those that serve God are melancholy afflicted sorrowfull never rejoyce more and wilt thou be one of them This is the Opinion of the World that they can never rejoyce nor be merry that serve God But certainly it is a vain conceit no men do more and more truly rejoyce than they which serve God Consult the Scriptures who have more leave shall I say or command to rejoyce Psal. 37. 4. Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart Phil. 4. 4. Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Ask Reason who have more cause or matter to rejoyce than they that have provided against the fears or doubts of Conscience by reason of Sin what is more satisfactory to a Soul in doubts and fears than the knowledge of Pardon and Reconciliation with God For the satisfaction of the desires of Nature which carry us after Happiness who have a more powerfull Exciter of Joy than the Holy Ghost Acts 13. 52. The Disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost Who more qualified with Joy than those who have a clear right to the pardon of Sin and so can see all Miseries unstinged Rom. 5. 1 2 3. Therefore being justified by Faith we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom also we have access by Faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God And not onely so but we glory in Tribulation also How joyfull are those that see themselves prepared for everlasting Life 2 Cor. 5. 1. For we know that if our earthly Tabernacle be dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Yea when a Christian knoweth his Duty his Way is plain before him it is a mighty satisfaction Psal. 19. 8. The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart Look into the Lives and Examples of the Saints who have more true Joy than they The Disciples esteem the Grace of the Gospel such a great Treasure that though they suffer Persecution for it they are filled with Joy Acts 8. 8. And there was great joy in that City 1 Thess. 1. 6. Having received the Word with much affliction and joy in the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 7. 4. I am exceeding joyfull in all our Tribulation Preachers though with great hazard they perform their Office should be joyfull Acts 20. 24. Neither count I my Life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy Phil. 2. 17 18. Tea and if I be offered for the sacrifice and service of your faith I joy and rejoice with you all for the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with me The World will reply I know not what this spiritual Consolation meaneth it seemeth hard to relinquish that which I see that which I feel that which I taste for that which I see not and it may be shall never see Answ. 1. By Concession the joy of the Saints is the joy of Faith God is unseen Christ is within the Heavens great Hopes are to come 1 Pet. 1. 8. In whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory 2 Cor. 5. 7. For we walk by Faith not by sight 2. Thus you see that the World cannot always rejoice in those things which they take to be the proper Objects of Joy they have alternative vicissitudes now rejoice now mourn nor can it be otherwise for they rejoice in things which cannot always last if they rejoice when their Worldly comforts increase they are sad when they wither if they rejoice when their Children are born they weep when they die but a Christian hath always his Songs for he must always rejoice in the Lord who is an eternal God Phil. 4. 4. Rejoice in the Lord always in Christ who hath obtained eternal Redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. in the Promises which give an eternal Influence Psal. 119. 111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoicing of my heart The Flesh cannot afford you any thing so delightfull as a Christian hath the Word will hold good for ever 3. We cannot altogether say that a Christian doth rejoice in that which he cannot see for all that they see is their everlasting Father's Wealth 1 Cor. 3. ult All are yours for you are Christ's and Christ is God's If they look to Heaven they can rejoice and say Glory be to thee O Lord who hast prepared this for our everlasting Dwelling-place if they look to the Earth Glory be to thee O Lord who dost not leave us destitute in the House of our Pilgrimage if they consider their Afflictions they rejoice that God is not unmindfull of poor Creatures who are beneath his Anger as well as unworthy of his Love Iob 7. 17 18. What is man that thou shouldst magnifie him and that thou shouldst set thine heart upon him and that thou shouldst visit him every morning and try him every moment That God should trouble himself about us that we may not perish with the ungodly World The same Love that sendeth them Prosperity sendeth Adversity also which they find by the seasonableness of it SERMON LXI PSAL. CXIX 55. I have remembred thy Name O Lord in the Night and have kept thy Law WE often reade and sing David's Psalms but we have little of David's Spirit A Man's Imployment is as the Constitution of his Mind is for all things work according to their Nature A man addicted to God that is to say one who hath taken God for his Happiness his Word for his Rule his Spirit for his Guide and his Promises for his Encouragement his heart will always be working towards God Day and Night in the Day he will be studying God's Word in the Night if his sleep be interrupted he will be meditating on God's Name still entertaining his Soul with God The predominant Affection will certainly set the thoughts awork The Man of God had told us in the former Verse what was his chief Imployment in the Day-time and now he telleth us how his heart wrought in the Night Night and Day he was remembring God and his Duty to him In the Day the Statutes of God were his Solace and as
cherish and dandle it and have a regard to it he is one whom God will not accept His desire is not to offend God and it is his trouble when corruption gets the start of Grace If a King warneth a City of Traytors and calleth upon them to search them out and send them away and they never regard the message but willingly give them harbour and entertainment then it is a sign they are disaffected to him To cherish a sin after warning is an open rebellion against God 3. Conatu In endeavour We must keep all Conatu licet non eventu it is our labour though not our success Those that dispense with any Commandment voluntarily and willingly have never yet learned the way of true obedience to God 2 King 5. 17 18. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant that when my master goeth into the House of Rimmon to worship there and he leaneth on my hand and I bow my self in the house of Rimmon When I bow my self in the House of Rimmon the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing This is to set up a toleration in our hearts and to make Satan some allowance to part stakes between God and the Devil There is something wherein we would be excused and expect favour in fashions customs ways of profit and advantage The endeavour must be to keep all though the success be not answerable A Mariner that is beaten back by the winds yet proveth to hold on his course to make his Port. A man that would sit warm shutteth the door and windows yet the wind will creep in though he doth not leave any open passage for it Now the Reasons why we are to have respect to all the Commandments are these following 1. Because they are all ratified by the same Authority There is a connexion between them as there is between links in a chain take away one and all falleth to pieces Iam. 2. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all The authority of the Law is lost if men may pick and chuse as they please He that said Thou shalt do no murther hath also said Thou shalt keep my Sabbaths A quatenus ad omne the argument holds Do one thing as a duty and that will enforce the practice of all duties that we are convinced of Col. 1. 10. Walk worthy of God in all well-pleasing He that seeketh not to please God in all things seeketh not to please God in any thing 2. Because in Conversion Grace is given to observe all there is an universal principle to incline the heart impartially to all God infuseth all Grace together not one particular only in the hearts of his children but the whole Law There is a form of Grace introduced into the soul that suits with every point of the Law The heart is framed to resist every sin to observe all that God hath commanded A new-born infant hath all the parts of a man though not the strength and bulk so every Christian in regeneration Men may be born without hands or feet but the new Creature never cometh out maimed and imperfect It is small and weak at first but it groweth and gathereth strength There is no Commandment to which it is not suited Well then not to have respect to all were to hide our Talent in a Napkin and to receive one of Gods best gifts in vain The Apostle inferreth it out of their calling 1 Pet. 1. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all manner of conversation at home and abroad among Infidels and with their fellow Christians in prosperity and in adversity walk worthy of your calling As the Sun is placed in Heaven and spreadeth his beams every where nothing is hidden from his light or as the lines run from the center to every part of the Circumference so doth Grace distill it self in an uniform obedience 3. A Christian can never be perfect in degrees if he be not perfect in parts What is defective in the parts cannot be made up by any growth If a man should be born without an arm or a leg this cannot be supplied by future growth he is a maimed man still so if a man be not perfect in parts hath not respect to all the Commandments he can never be perfect in Heaven You cannot be presented as perfect in Christ Iesus Col. 1. 28. 4. They that do not obey all will not long obey any but where profit or lust requireth it they will break all as Mark 6. 20. Herod feared Iohn knowing that he was a just man and an holy and observed him and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly But one command stuck with him being pleas'd with Herodias and the dancing Damsel that bringeth him to murther c. Keep but your passion a foot or your lust a foot or your worldliness a foot and it will carry you further One sin keepeth possession for Satan allow but one lust and corruption in the heart and that will undermine all and become thine eternal ruine as one leak may sink a ship A bird tied by the leg may make some shew of escape You never totally renounced Satans government and wholly gave up your selves to God By keeping a part the whole falleth to his share Use 1. It reproveth those that make one duty excuse another Two sorts there are some that go from sins to duties and others from duties to sins that antedate or post-date Indulgences 1. Those that antedate that hope to make amends for their evil course by their duties as when men allow themselves in a present carnal practice upon the purpose of an after-repentance It is as if men should distemper the body by excess and then hope to amend all by giving themselves a vomit or contract a sickness voluntarily because they will take physick Certainly men would not sin so freely if they were not born up by promises of future reformation 2. That post-date They go from duties to sins Ezek. 33. 13. When I shall say to the righteous that he shall surely live if he trust to his own righteousness and commit iniquity all his righteousness shall not be remembred but for his iniquity that he hath committed he shall dye for it If he shall commit a sin upon that confidence of his own righteousness Iosiah's breach with God was after the preparing of the Temple 2 Chron. 35. 20. even God's children take the more carnal liberty because of their duties 2d Use is Trial. Have we this sincere respect to all the commandments This may be known 1. By a constant desire resolution and endeavour to be informed of Gods will Rom. 12. 2. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God And Eph. 5. 17. Wherefore be
for which the new creature was made and they are ever tending towards that happy state wherein they shall grieve God no more 3. Hope was made for things to come especially for our full and final happiness God fits us with graces as well as happiness not only grants us a glorious estate but gives us grace to expect it Hope would be of no use if it did not lift up the head and look out for a better Estate than the world yieldeth Hope fastens upon Gods title in the Covenant I am thy God Now God could not with honour take this title and give us no better than present things Heb. 11. 16. Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city Mark the Apostles reason Many expound these words so as if the meaning were but this That they did only express Gods condescension that he would take his title not from the Potentates of the world but from a few wandring Patriarchs that God was not ashamed to be called their God Alas the words have a quite other sense rather it expresseth an answerable bounty Unless the Lord would give them something answerable to their hopes more than was visible in the lives of the Patriarchs God would be ashamed to be called their God Do but look upon the slenderness of their condition if that he gave them in the world were all their reward what is this to own that magnificent title I am the God of Abraham c. No now he hath something better than all the honours and riches of the world now he may fitly be called their God Christ builds the doctrine of the resurrection upon the same argument God is the God of Abraham c. therefore they shall have a blessed estate in soul and body Matth. 22. 32. To be a God to any is to be a Benefactor and that according to the extent and largeness of an infinite and an eternal Power USE 1. Are you strangers and pilgrims David and such as he was that were of his stamp counted themselves strangers upon earth If you be so 1. You will always be drawing home and would not desire to stay long from Christ. A traveller would pass over his journey as soon as he can and be hastning homeward Phil. 1. 23. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Is there any looking longing waiting for your blessed estate It is no hard matter to get a Christian out of the world his better part is gone already his heart is there Do your hearts draw homeward Are your desires stronger and stronger every day after eternal life Natural motion grows swifter and swifter still as it draws nearer and nearer its center So certainly a Christian if he had the motions of the new nature he would be drawing homeward more every day 2. What provision do you make for another world if you are strangers Many bestow all their labour and travel about earthly things and neglect their precious and immortal souls They are at home all their care is that they may live well here O Christians what provision do you make for heaven A traveller doth not buy such things as he cannot carry with him as Trees Houses Houshold-stuff but Jewels Pearls and such as are portable Our Wealth doth not follow us into the other world but our Works do We are travelling to a Countrey whose Commodities will not be bought with gold and silver and therefore are we storing our selves for heaven for such things as are currant there Men that make a voyage to the Indies will carry such Wares as are acceptable there else they do nothing Do you make it your business every day to get clearer evidences for heaven to treasure up a good foundation 1 Pet. 6. 8. and do you labour every day to grow more meet for heaven Col. 1. 12. That 's the great work of a Christian to get evidences and a meetness for heaven These are the months of our purification we are now to cleanse our selves for the embraces of the great God When we grow more mortified strict holy heavenly then we ripen apace and hasten homeward Psal. 84. 7. They shall go on from strength to strength c. every degree of grace it is a step nearer and therefore do you grow more meet for this blessed estate 3. In the fulness of your worldly enjoyments do you mind your Country He that was going pilgrim to Ierusalem cryed out O! this is not the holy City So whatever enjoyments you have do your hearts call you off and say Soul this is not thy rest this is not that thou shouldst take comfort in thou art bound for heaven Do you miss your Countrey and your Parents The men of the world would have their portion here here 's their rest but when you have most of the world at will are you strangers 1 Cor. 7. 31. Using this world as not abusing it that is so making use of Gods bounty as expecting a greater happiness How do we use the world as not abusing it When we use it as a type as a motive and as a help to heaven As a kind of Type The enjoyment of temporal things should stir us up to a more serious consideration of heavenly as the Prodigals husks put him in mind of bread in his fathers house The company of your Relations puts you in mind of the company of God and Christ. The Cities of the Amorites their Walled Towns put the Patriarchs in mind of a City which had foundations Heb. 11. 26. If an earthly City be so glorious what 's the heavenly City These are the comforts of a strange place You abuse them when you forget home and therefore take heed If the creature be sweet heaven is better And when you use them as a Motive to serve God more cheerfully the more you find him a good Master 1 Tim. 6. 17. Trust in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy To make you more earnest in good works 2 Sam. 17. saith David there I dwell in a house of cedar and the ark of God within curtains When you have such kind of reasonings stirr'd up within you What do I for God that hath enlarged my house here And when you use them as a Help your Worldly enjoyments as Instruments of piety and charity Here 's a man's tryal what he doth in a full condition whether his heart be for home still yea or no when he hath the world at will if then he be treasuring up a good foundation and encouraging himself to serve God faithfully 4. What is your solace in your affliction and the inconveniences that you meet with in your pilgrimages Doth this comfort you Home will pay for all Heb. 10. 34. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance Do you reckon upon a more enduring substance Though the World frown upon you as
according to the Analogy of Faith and there is not a more powerful incentive of Duty Psal. 130. 5. There is forgiveness with thee that thou maist be feared Jer. 2. 11 12. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Rom. 12. 1. I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God which is your reasonable Service This is true Divinity The flesh deviseth another Doctrine let us Sin that Grace may abound to make a carnal Pillow of Gods Mercy that they may sleep securely in sin yea a Dung-cart to carry away their filth God is Merciful but to those that count sin a burden and misery God is slow to Anger but yet angry when provoked abused Patience kindleth into Fury as water when the mouth of the Fountain or course of the River is stopped breaketh out with more violence God hath his Arrows of Displeasure to shoot at the wicked you must not fancy a God all Honey all sweetness He is the Father of Mercies but so that he is also a God of Vengeance Psal. 68. 19 20. Blessed be the Lord who daily leadeth us with Benefits even the God of our Salvation Selah He that is our God is the God of Salvation and unto God the Lord belong the issues from Death But God shall wound the hairy scalpe of his Enemies the mercy of God is large and free if men do not make themselves uncapable by their Impenitency 4. We must beg 1. The Application of these to me also We have heard that the Kings of Israel are merciful Kings 1 Kings 20. 31. Now we would feel it 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the World to save Sinners of whom I am chief Wind in our selves within the Covert of a Promise enter at the back door of a Promise there comes Virtue from Christ if but touched the Woman came behind him and touched the hem of his garment so we must seek the Application of this Vertue 2. Effectual Application Let it come unto me Mercy cometh unto us or we shall never come unto it 1 Pet. 1. 10. The Grace that cometh to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Grace which is brought to you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gods Grace is brought home to our doors we seek not after it but it seeketh after us Salvation is gone forth saith the Prophet to find out lost sinners Wisdom hath sent forth her Maidens she crieth upon the high places of the City whoso is simple let him turn in hither Prov. 9. 3 4. God sends the Gospel up and down the Worldto offer his Grace to men it worketh out its way Use. Here is Incouragement and Direction to poor Creatures how to obtain Gods Mercy for their Comfort 1. Incouragement Mercy doth all with God it is the first cause that setteth every thing awork 1. Mercy is natural to God 2 Cor. 1. 3. Father of Mercies God is not merciful by Accident but by Nature the Sun doth not more naturally shine nor Fire more naturally burn nor Water more naturally flow than God doth naturally shew Mercy 2. It is pleasing to him Micah 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee that Pardoneth Iniquity and passeth by the Transgression of the remnant of his Heritage he retaineth not his Anger for ever because he delighteth in Mercy Judgment is called his Strange work Isa. 28. 21. That he may do his work his strange work and bring to pass his Act his strange Act. Primitive Acts he is forced to but he rejoyceth to do good as Life-Honey droppeth of its own accord 3. It is plentiful in God he is rich in Mercy abundant in Goodness and Truth thy sins are like a spark of Fire that falleth into the Ocean it is quenched presently so are all thy sins in the Ocean of Gods Mercy there is not more water in the Sea than there is Mercy in God 4. It is the great wonder of the Divine Nature Every thing in God is wonderful especially his pardoning Mercy It is no such great wonder in God that he stretcheth out the Heavens like a Curtain since he is Omnipotent that he formed the Earth or the Waters since he is strong that he distinguished Times adorned the Heavens with so many Stars decked the Earth with such variety of Plants and Herbs since he is Wise that he hath set Bounds to the Sea Governeth the Waters since he is Lord of all that he made Man a living Creature since he is the Fountain of Life but that he can be Merciful to Sinners infinitely Merciful when infinitely Just. There is a conflict in the Attributes about us but Mercy rejoyceth over Iudgment Iames 2. 13. That he is so Gracious and condescending when his first Covenant seemed to bind him to destroy us that he that hateth sin is so ready to forgive it pardoneth it so often and punisheth it so seldom 5. He is Communicative it is over all his Works Psal. 145. 9. Not a Creature but subsisteth by Gods Mercy he loveth Man and Beast Psal. 36. 6. and 1 Tim. 4. 10. He is the Saviour of all men especially of those that believe the whole Earth is full of his goodness Lord shew it to me also he heareth the cry of Ravens 2. To direct us how to sue for it in a broken hearted manner there are two Exreams Self-confidence and Desperation Self-confidence challengeth a Debt and Despair shutteth out hopes of Mercy a proud Pharisee pleads his Works Luke 18. 11. Kain saith Gen. 4. 13. My Punishment is greater then I can bear The middle between both is the penitent Publican Luke 18. 13. He stood afar off and would not lift up so much as his eyes to Heaven but smote on his Breast saying God be merciful to me a Sinner Go to him that which with men is the worst Plea with God is the best SERMON XLVIII PSALM CXIX Verse 42. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that Reproacheth me for I trust in thy Word IN the former Verse we saw the man of God begging for Deliverance or Temporal Salvation from the Mercies of God according to his Word Salvation belongeth to the Lord and his Mercy can pardon great sins and fetch us off from great extremities and that according to the Word of God he had boasted of this there is his Request here is his Argument from the use and fruit of his Deliverance he should have something to reply to the Scoffs and Mocks of wicked men who insulted over him in his Distress and Calamity he had spoken of great things or the Promise and now desireth the Promise to be made good that he might have an Answer ready against their Reproaches So shall I have wherewith to answer him that
that hath my Commandments and keepeth them to him will I manifest my self so in the 23. Verse If a man love me and keep my commandments my Father will love him and we will come to him and take up our abode with him These are taken into sweet fellowship and Communion with God and the blessed Trinity will take up their abode in his heart But pray mark Christ that is so tender and willing to communicate the influences of his Grace yet standeth upon his Sovereignty â—…nd therefore still insisteth upon keeping his Precepts if they would partake of his Comforts Fifthly Protection in their Work They are under the special care and conduct of his Providence while they keep his Precepts He keepeth them as in a Pavilion Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of men Psal. 31. 20. And who are they that are kept Those that fear him and trust in him Verse 19. Pray mark when they had no visible defence when they seemed to be left open as a prey to the oppressions and injuries of their potent adversaries yet there is a secret guard about them and they are kept the World knoweth not how God's Favour and Providence is their sure guard and defence whatever contentious and proud men design and threaten against them yet they never have their full will upon them Many a Child of God have ridden out the storm and may come and say This I had because I kept thy Precepts This 't is to keep close to God and hold fast our integrity Elsewhere the Lord expresseth himself to be a wall of fire round about his people Zech. 2. 5. which should affright at a distance and consume near at hand In those Countrys when they lay in the Fields they made Fires about them to keep off the wild Beasts so God when he seeth it fit to excuse his People from Trouble he can in the most unsafe Times and when they are weakest protect them by his secret Hand bridling their Enemies and making their Attempts ineffectual Satan is sensible of this privy guard Iob 1. 10. Hast thou not made a Hedge about him and about his house and about all that he hath on every side The World seeth not this invisible guard but the Devil seeth it There is no gap open for mischief to enter and break in upon them This can God doe when he pleaseth and a Man that holdeth fast his Integrity and goeth on in his Duty referring himself to God's keeping shall have experience of it and when the danger is over say This I had because I kept thy Precepts Sixthly In publick and common Judgments God maketh a difference and some of his choise ones are marked out for Preservation and are as Brands plucked out of the burning whilst others are consumed therein This is done oftentimes I cannot say always the Iews have a Proverb that two dry sticks may set a green one on fire a good Man may perish in the common Judgment that is the meaning of the Proverb And sometimes their Condition may be worst as Ieremiah the whole City was besieged and he in the Dungeon Chaff and Corn is threshed in the same flour but the Corn is grinded and baked But this is the best way we can take to be hid in the common Calamity though there be not an absolute Certainty for the Comfort is but propounded with a possibility Zeph. 3. 2. Seek Righteousness seek Meekness it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger Though God hath a peculiar eye to the Godly yet their Temporal safety is not put out of all doubt it may be or it may not be but their Eternal Comforts are sure and safe yet strict and humble walking is the onely way and in some cases God sheweth that there shall be a distinction between his People and others and when others are overwhelmed they shall be preserved As Eccles. 8. 12. Surely I know it shall be well with them that fear the Lord which fear before him But it shall be ill with the Wicked And Isa. 3. 10. Say unto the Righteous it shall be well with him for they shall eate of the fruit of their doeings but say unto the Wicked it shall be ill with them for the work of his hands shall be given to him And Ier. 15. 11. Verily it shall be well with this Remnant I will cause the Enemy to treat them well in the day of Evil and Affliction All these Places speak of delivering them from trouble or moderating the trouble to them If there be an uncertainty in the thing yet a probability but whenever it is done it is a singular favour and we must own it as the fruit of Obedience This I had because I kept thy Precepts We must expect the temporal Reward of Godliness with much submission and venture upon his Providence Seventhly So much of sanctified Prosperity as shall be good for them Matth. 3. 33. First seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof and these things shall be added God will cast them into the bargain and though he may keep them low and bare yet no good thing will he withhold Psal. 84. 2. so that a Child of God surveying all his Comforts may say this and that and the other Mercy I had from the Lords Grace these Comforts and these Deliverances came in because I kept thy Precepts 3. The next thing is to shew you what connexion there is between these two Obedience and this Good or the reason of the Lords dealing thus God doth it partly out of his general Justice as he is Governour of the World his holy Nature doth delight in Holiness and therefore 't is requisite ut bonis bene sit malis male that it should be well with them that doe well and evil with them that doe evil and such dealing a Man should have from God as he dealeth out to God Psal. 18. 25 26. With the mercifull thou wilt shew thy self mercifull and with the upright thou wilt shew thy self upright and with the pure thou wilt shew thy self pure and with the froward thou wilt shew thy self froward In the general that it should be well with the Righteous and ill with the Wicked there is an argument in the governing Justice of God but then to come to particulars that it should be so ill with the Wicked here is exacta ratio justi but that it should be so well with men imperfectly Righteous this is moderate Justice mixed with undeserved Mercy 2. There is his gracious Promise and Covenant Heaven and Earth are laid at the seet of Godliness 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the promise of this life and that which is to come Something during our Service in this World The Second Point is That 't is of no small benefit to see and observe what good we have by obedience to God 1. It will increase our esteem of his Grace That the little
are not to defraud a poor Servant nor to delay him but to make him quick payment and shall we defraud our great Creator of the debt we owe to him and put him off from day to day Use 2. To exhort us with speed to turn to the Lord and to comply with his motions Let us not put off God from day to day I shall urge it 1 as to the general case 2 as to particular Duties which are prest upon you First As to the general Case Oh go and bethink your selves how do matters stand between God and thy Soul Debate it seriously that if you have neglected God and his Salvation already you may now turn to him without delay Let me preâ—…â—…ou further 1. You can never part with Sin soon enough it is a cursed Inmate that will surely bring mischief upon the Soul that harbours it It will set its own dwelling on â—…ire If there be a moat in the Eye a thorn in the Foot we take them out without delay and is not sin a greater mischief and sooner to be looked into and parted with certainly the evil of sin is greater then all evil and hereafter the trouble will be greater therefore we can never soon enough part with it 2. Let thâ—…s move you sin must have a quick dispatch and shall not God It would defeat temptations if we would but delay them it would stop the furies of anger and suppress the motions of Lust. Augustus the Emperour advised those who were angry to repeat the Greek Alphabet meaning that he might take time to consider So for uncleanness and other sins if the Practice and Execution of many Lusts were but delayed we would not be so frequent in them as we are to the dishonour of God and scandal of Religion Prov. 7. 22. it is said of the young man enticed by the Harlot that forthwith he went after her When our Lusts are a gog all the checks of Conscience and perswasions of the World will not prevail for a little respite Now shall sin have a more ready entertainment then God Will you rush upon the practice of sin like a Horse into the battle and come on in the Service of God like a Snail Will you be so eager and passionate upon the impulsion of every Lust and so hardly be entreated by the Spirit of God and by the word of God 3. If you be not ready God is ready How ready is he on the one hand to receive you and on the other hand to punish you The one quickens us by hope and the other by fear For the consideration which works upon hope God is ready Matth. 22. 4 5. Come to the Wedding all things are ready He hath a Christ ready to receive you a Spirit ready to sanctifie and cure all your Soul distempers he hath pardoning Mercy to forgive all your sins he hath power of Grace to remedy all your distempers and will not you be ready Luke 15. 20. The Prodigal said I will go to my Father Mark his Language I will go the Father ran When we do but relent and with brokenness of heart come and lie at the feet of God Loves pace is very swift and runs to snatch us out of the fire therefore will you not be ready to cast your selves into the Armes of his Compassion Cant. 2. 8. Christ is represented as leaping upon the Mountains and skipping upon the Hills Christ thinks he can never be soon and early enough with a returning sinner to revive a poor broken hearted sinner therefore if God â—…e so ready so should you On the other side to work upon your fear if you delay God is ready to punish you The wrath of God hangs over your heads like a sharp sword by a slender thread and will you sit still and keep your place The Iudge is at the door he is ready to judge 1 Pet. 4. 2. are you ready to be judged God is ready to condemn to execute and are not you ready to implore Mercy to seek the Lords Favour ready to fall flat and beg terms of Grace in and through Christ Iesus Rahab when the Lord had by his Messengers threatned destruction to Iericho onely Rahabs house was to be safe she hanged out a scarlet thread ere the Spies were departed Ioshua 2. she did not delay till the Army came and the city was surprized When the Lord is marching against sinners with vengeance and fury you cannot come soon enough to God to prevent it Luke 14. 32. That King that had twenty thousand marching against him doth not stay till they were in his quarters but while the other is yet a great way off he sendeth an Ambassage and desireth conditions of peace God is ready to execute all his vengeance and Curses of the Law therefore while you may O seek conditions of peace You have been spared long it may be for the next sin you may pay for all A Thief that hath long escaped when he is taken at length all his villany is recompensed into his Bosome if he had not stolen the last time he had escaped God hath spared you hitherto it may be upon the next sin he will strike you and hold his hands no longer If God now strike in what a wofull case would you be 4. There was never any that came to God too soon many have come too late the foolish Virgins are an instance When they brought little Children to Christ Christ received them There are none so little but the great God can form and fashion them into a temple for himself Usually God chooseth his People from among the Youth There may be some converted in Old-age but few usually 't is in our Youth or as soon as we come to our Maturitie Reason thus I may be too late I cannot be too early let me no longer dally with God Secondly As to the particular duties which are prest upon you let me caution you and direct you I. By way of Caution 1. When you have any stirrings of heart any anxious thoughts about your Eternal condition beware you do not believe the Devil that hereafter will be a more convenient season I shall give directions suitable to the grand Enemies of our Salvation the Devil the World and the Flesh. Now do not believe the Devil This was Felix case Paul was reasoning of Justice and Temperance Graces that he was little acquainted withall and Paul quickens all by a remembrance of Judgment to come and then Felix trembled but how doth he put off this Heart-work Hereafter we shall have a more convenient season Acts 24. 25. O never will it be better with you than now when the Waters are stirred Still there is something in the sinners way when God hath any business for him When young we want Wisdom when old we want strength in the middle of business we want leisure in the midst of leisure we are corrupted and want a heart We are lazy and then every Mole-hill seems
3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh c. Then 3. God taking occasion by this miserable estate opened a door of hope by Christ 2 Cor. 5. 19. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them God hath set up a new Court of righteousness and life where sinners may appear where Grace taketh the Throne and the Judge is Christ and the Gospel the Rule and Faith and sincere obedience accepted 4. The Lord giveth notice to fallen man and sendeth him word That if he will come to this Court and put himself under the Laws thereof he shall be delivered from the Curse Luke 1. 77 78 79. To give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins Through the tender mercies of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide their feet into the way of peace 5. Because men are backward he hunteth and pursueth them by the Curse of the Law and the sense men have of it to take Sanctuary at his grace Heb. 6. 18. That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us 6. When a poor Creature cometh he receiveth him graciously Ier. 3. 12 13. Return thou backsliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep anger for ever Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God 1 Iohn 1. 9. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness If he had not set up another Court of righteousness no tears no repentance could have helped us there had been no help that way Now he is willing to receive you he standeth with his arms open From first to last he dealeth with us upon terms of Grace II. Judgment is put for manner and custome or course Gen. 40. 13. Thou shalt deliver Pharaoh his Cup after the former manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Iosh. 6. 15. They compassed the City after the same manner The same word again 1 Sam. 2. 13. The Priests custom with the people was c. 1 Sam. 8. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This will be the manner of the King that shall reign over you 1 Sam. 27. 11. So did David and so will be his manner So in other places Doctr. I. That it is Gods constant method to encourgae all those that serve him by shewing to them all manner of expressions of favour and mercy The Proposition is often expressed in Scripture Psal. 25. 10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his Testimonies Psal. 84. 11. For the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Psal. 34. 10. The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing David presumeth it Psal. 23. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life And many other places But it seemeth to be contradicted by sense They that love God most are most calamitous and have many afflictions Answ. 1. These belong to Gods Covenant and are expressions of his good will and faithfulness Psal. 119. 75. I know Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me God were not faithful nor merciful if he did not now and then take the Rod in hand our need our good requireth it Heb. 12. 10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure but he for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness Discipline is necessary for a Child as food Winter as necessary as Summer rainy Days as fair Days to curb the wantonness of the Flesh and to withdraw the fuel of our Lusts. 2. He useth to shew mercy to people in their afflictions to cause light to rise to them in darkness 2 Cor. 1. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. We are not capable of taking in spiritual comforts till we are separated from the dregs of worldly affections 3. God will sanctifie afflictions Rom. 8. 28. All things shall work together for good to them that love God And he will finally deliver when the Season calleth for it 1 Cor. 10. 13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it But he dealeth more hardly with them than others he doth not punish the gross iniquities of his Adversaries when the lesser failings of his people are severely chastised Answ. It is meet Iudgment should begin at the house of God 1 Pet. 4. 17. That it may be known God doth not favour any in their sins Amos 3. 2. You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities Their sins though small have more aggravations being committed against clearest light dearest love Ezra 9. 13. And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds should we again break thy Commandments Isai. 26. 10. Let favour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learn righteousness God is jealous over his people and careful to have them reclaimed from every evil course 1 Cor. 11. 32. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world In the bitterness of the Rod God discovereth the vileness of their sin for he will reclaim them when he suffereth others to walk in their own way 4. His enemies shall in time taste the Dregs of that Cup whereof his own people tast a little Psal. 75. 8. For in the hand of the Lord there is a Cup the Wine is red it is full of mixture he poureth out of the same but the dregs thereof all the wicked of the Earth shall wring them out and drink them Jer. 25. 29. For lo I begin to bring evil on this City that is called by my name and shall ye be utterly unpunished Ye shall not be unpunished for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth saith the Lord of Hosts They shall have the bottom 5. In the mean time Gods people have his love their sins are pardoned they are admitted into communion with him and Gods mercy and favour to his people must not be judged by temporal accidents
he sheweth the fruit and benefit of that direction In the words two things are observable 1. The description of sincere Obedience Respect to all the Commandments 2. The fruit of it Then shall I not be ashamed 1. Observe a sincere heart aimeth at universal obedience to Gods Law Here are to be illustrated 1. All thy Commandments 2. Having respect to them The object and the act of the Soul 1. All the Commandments must be taken notice of small and great 1. Small we cannot dispense with our selves in the least Mat. 5. 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven We are apt to say it is but a little one and my soul shall live No sin can be little that is committed against the great God It argueth the more wickedness and corruption to break with God upon every trifling occasion A little force will make an heavy body move downward As small so great The Ceremonialist is apt to stand much upon lesser things Ioh. 18. 28. the Iews would not enter into the Judgment-hall lest they should be defiled yet they sought the life of the Lord of Glory Hypocrites make a great business about small matters and in the mean time reject weighty duties 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 23. 23. Ye pay tythe of mint and annise and cummin and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law judgment mercy and faith these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone Like one that cometh into a Shop to buy a penniworth and steals a poundsworth or is punctual in paying a small debt that he may get deeper into our Books and cheat us of a greater sum comply in circumstances and terms which yet have their place but make no conscience of greater 2. Commandments that require publick and Commandments that require private duties 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God In times of trouble men content themselves that their hearts are right as the Libertines in Corinth and think it is no matter whether they own God publickly yea or no. Then for private duties some make a fair shew to the world but in their family converse are loose and careless David saith Psal. 101. 2. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart If a man be truly holy he will shew it at home as well as abroad in his family where his constant converse is yea in his Closet and secret retirements A Christian is alike every where because God is alike every where We strain our selves to put forth our gifts in publick God will be served with our uttermost in secret also 3. There are Commandments that concern the inward as well as the outward man we must make conscience of both Isa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy c. We must not only make conscience of our way or outward actions but also of our thoughts as we must not do evil before man so not think evil before God Thoughts fall under a Law as well as our actions Iam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded 4. There are Commands that concern God and commands that concern man There is a first Table and a second some are very punctual in dealing with men but neglectful of God Rom. 1. 18. The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Both the Tables are owned from Heaven Some there are that will not wrong their neighbour of a farthing yet stick not to rob God of that fear faith and love that is due to him Many will not defile their bodies with promiscuous copulation but are Adulterers and Adulteresses Jam. 4. 4. running a whoring from their spiritual Husband and doting on the Creature Many there are who condemn the rebellion of Absalom but rise up against their Heavenly Father are no murtherers but strike at the being of God Some there are who are very tender of wronging the reputation of men yet dishonour God and are never troubled for it Others there are who are much in worship but in their dealings with men are very unconscionable they will not swear an Oath yet are very uncharitable censuring their brethren without any pity or remorse This is the fashion of the world to be in with one duty and out with another The Commandments are ushered in with this Preface God spake all these words he that hath injoined one hath injoined another But now as the Echo rendreth but part of the speech so do we in our return of obedience God spake all and we return but part 2. Having respect unto the Commandments that needeth Illustration also Though we cannot keep all or any one of them as we should yet we must have regard to all and that equally without any distinction When have we an equal respect to all I answer Three ways 1. Proposito 2. Affectu 3. Conatu 1. Proposito In vow and purpose we must approve of all and chuse all for our rule without reservation and indulgence Some Commands are more contrary than others to our lusts and interests and are less in our power to perform Now a sanctified judgment must approve all and a sanctified will accept and chuse all as equally good necessary and profitable for us Rom. 7. 12. The Law is holy and the Commandment holy just and good The Law in general nay that Commandment which had wrought such Tragical effects in his heart It is holy as being the Copy of Gods Purity Just as doing us no wrong being no infringement of our just freedom Good as being very profitable to direct and perfect our operations and to make us happy here and hereafter But this approbation is not enough there must be consent vers 16. I consent to the Law that it is good though 't is contrary to my natural inclinations It is a good Law the heart must be engaged I will write my laws upon their hearts and put them into their minds God doth not only give us a knowledg or a single approbation of his Will but a will to chuse it as our rule to live by The heart is suited and inclined to it and a man giveth up himself faithfully and intirely to serve God according to the direction of his Word 2. Affectu There must be a sincere affection to all or a care to keep them We must not entertain affection to any known sin Psal. 66. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart God will not hear me A man may have a great deal of sin in his heart but if he