which hee prayeth may possesse the Philippians mindes in Christ Iesus This is a blessing peculiar to Gods people that haue it washed by faith in the bloud of Christ and in the lauers of mortification for this can proceede from no perfection in man true it is that Adams conscience in his integrity did excuse him before God because there was nothing in him blame-worthie but since the depraued estate of man by the fall no mans conscience can excuse him For besides those palpable sins of commission and omission wherunto each mans conscience is priuy is there a man liuing whose conscience can excuse him in the best workes that euer he did may not all flesh cry out with the Church Isay 64.6 is not all our righteousnesse as filthy and menstruous cloaâ—hes Ps 43.2 c. and with the Psalmist Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall none liuing be iustified And did not the Eternall appoint A aron to offer sacrifice for the sinnes of the offerings of the children of Israell but faith assuring the heart and conscience of remission of sinnes the pacification of the wrath of God justly conceiued against vs for them breeds loue loue works godly sorrow which is a sweete witnes of Gods loue to vs and so quieteth the conscience Obi. It may be objected that many wicked mens consciences lye quiet Answ There is in man a quiet good conscience and a quiet ill conscience which is improperly said to be quiet but only seemeth to bee quiet yet is it but for a time which if it be once awaked and rowsed vp either by the law afflictions or judgments of God it will rage and storme like a fell dragon tiger or fierce cruell lion or mad dog as did the consciences of Kaim A chicophel and Iudas Mat. 27.5 The reasons why the consciences of the most wicked men lye quiet and still and that in the most till death are 1. Ignorance as did Pauls conscience he thought he did GOD seruice in persecuting the Saints and that be ought to doe many contrary things against the Name of Iesus it was the ignorance of his conscience which was the cause of his vnfeelingnes 2. Impurity for the conscience is defiled and so defileth the actions and makes them vncleane as Paul sayth Tit. 1.15 to the impure and vnbeleeuing nothing is pure for euen their minds coösciences are defiled and how can the conscience doe his office being thus defiled 3. In constant because vngrouÌ„ded and so is carried and hurried hither and thither vpon euery supposition 4. Deceitfull hauing lost the plainnesse and innocency which it had by creation and is restored to the true beleeuer by Christ 2 Cor. 1.12 which Paul rejoyced in and doth now nothing but juggle foyst and deceiue 5. Injustice so that in judging it determines against the truth against God and against the saluation of the soule a wofull condition 6. Lastly through ill vsage 〈◊〉 hath lost his tendernes for when it hath cryed oft times it hath not beene heard or not regarded or that which is worse snibbed buffeted and beaten and so resolued to admonish no more but as a scholler apprentice or seruant continually hained at buffeted and beaten growes desperate so is it with the conscience that it is like that which Paul speakes of those auncient Heretickes which had their conscience feared with a hote iâ—oo 1 Tim. 4.2 Quest How comes the conscience to make Apologie or to excuse vs from godly sorrow Answ The conscience being deliuered from darknes the Son of God inhabiting it and bringing light into it is able to discerne what the soule hath performed that which is commanded by God on his parn and the promise and covenant made by the Highest on his part by which he hath obliged himselfe to bee propitious and fauourable yea to giue comfort and joy Blessed are they that mourne Mat. 5.4 Psal 26.6 for they shall bee comforted and they that sow in teares shall reape in ioy causeth the heart to rest vpon the promises with an holy security 2. The Almighty hath appointed as all the duties of mortification to be speciall meanes of this in particular to mundifie and cleanse the conscience from that impurity and vncleannes which naturally is vpon it that a man is able to say with boldnesse as Paul Act. 23.1 I haue in all good conscience serued God vntill this day and so a great care in all things to do vprightly 3. Being thus cleansed and purified it hath in it that plainnes innocency simplicity and harmlesnes which the Apostle speakes of 2 Cor. 1.12 Our reioycing is this the testimony of our conscience that is simplicity and godly purenes c. we haue had our conuersation in the world c. 4. Which brings forth in the conscience a diuine sentence so as in determining it judgeth for God and as God according to the sacred Canon of his euerlasting word and so 5. Constancy and a kinde of habitual peace tranquility so as no power of man or Deuil can compell or shake it as Iob sayth Iob 27.6 I will keepe my righteousnes will not forsake it my heart also shall not reproue me of my dayes 6. And so becomes a continuall refreshing yea as Salomon saith Trev. 15.15 a good conscience is a continuall feast it will dwel with him be with him at bed and board ride with him be a sweet companion with him when hee is alone comfort him in his most vncomfortable afflictions like a louing faithful wife that no chaunges or alterations can transmutate her affectionate heart from her dearest beloued husband so is it with this blessed guest a quiet good conscience arising from the sence of our reconciliation with God wil make apology or defence for vs against the world Deuill in all times places companies c. Thus haue I according to my poore talent opened and vnfolded this point of godly sorrow which is one of the greatest paradoxes in all practicall Diuinity with as much plainnesse and perspicuity as possibly I can if I should further proceed as I haue begun in the other fiue signes notes of Godly sorrow 2 Cor. 7.11 which the Apostle Paul hath set downe in the Corinths I should be tedious therefore there being amoÌ„gsâ— Diuines no difference about the interpretation of them I referrâ— thee to the blessed labors of thaâ— Diuine Master Caluin Caluines institut Commentariis in 2 Cor. 7.11 Sermon of repentance as also thaâ— worthy Master Arthure Deuâ— who doe particularly handle thâ— onely a word or two by way oâ— exhortation or vse 1. Here is a sound ground oâ— consolation and comfort for aâ—â— true humbled soules if it be truâ— godly sorrow they may say with Iob After darknes I shall see light this sence of misery shall bring me to the sweet sence of mercy this sorrow may last for a night but ioy
beholding the seedes to spring and budds to â—ut outin the seueral plants especially considering our Lord Iesus delightes to come into the gardens to walke there to delight himselfe in beholding the sweete blessed growth in graces holy duties and hence ariseth joy euen in afflictions for the name in the honor of Christ as in al the Martyrs the Saints Heb. 10.34 who suffered with ioy the spoyling of their goods As also to see the weedes of sin to be ouer-mastred and rooted out thereby 6. In the testimony of a good conscience which is as Salomon sayth a continuall feast o Cor. 1.12 hauing witnes that in simplicity and godly purenes and not in fleshly wisedome he hath conuersed That a man hath not moyled al be smeared and durtied himselfe the conscience in lusts and pleasures but hath maintained a blessed combate and cherished the pantings breathings and longing desires of the Spirit against the cursed lusts and corruption of the flesh As also in the fauour of God reconciled by Christ the conscience testifying this atonement Rom. 5.11 the soulâ— is at quiet peace and repose in his loue as the childe in the mothers lap or fathers armes 7. In Iesus Christ who is in g 2 Cor. 5.17 vs by faith h Gal. 2.20 liueth i Eph. 3.17 dwels in vs so as Paul say the we worship God in the Spirit k Phil. 3.3 and reioyce in Iesus Christ The wise Merchant takes more pleasure in the pearle then in all his estate besides Phil. 3.8 And the Apostle accounts al but losse dung in comparison of Christ Zaccheus receiued Christ joyfully not into his house onely but into his heart especially And it is not possible to be otherwise for the faithfull soule being the sweete and beloued Spouse of Iesus Christ should estimate or delight in any thing in the world aboue or comparable to her amiable beloued Head and louing husband 2. 〈◊〉 Rom 12.12 For time to come they find much joy in the hope expectatioÌ„ of that ioy glory which they shal inioy in Heauen in the mercy and saluation of God as Dauid saith Psal 13.5 I trust in thy mercy mine heart shall reioyce in thy saluation In that presence of glory where the Lord shal be more then a Sun to refresh reviue them Ps 84.11 and more then a shield to defend them Thus of the internall meanes or well springs of heauenly ioyes 2. Externall or from without and that in three particulars 1. In the Word blessed ordinances of Godâ— for the Word Ps 11â— Dauid esteemed and delighted in it more then in his appointed food pathetically cryes out O how loue I thy Law it is my meditation continually It is a character true vndoubted marke of such as feare God that they haue great delight in his commaundements Ps 11â— â— In the Word are described delineated the wayes of wisedome the invaluable pleasures treasures thereof which make a man possessing her truly happy Pro. 3.13.18 Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome and getteth vnderstanding for the merchandise thereof are better then the merchandise of siluer the gaine thereof better then golde length of dayes are in her right hand in her left hand riches glory her wayes are wayes of pleasure all her paths prosperity she is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and blessed is hee that retaineth her The Gospel is a deep sweete fountaine of precious promises Rom. 15.4 the Spirit worketh consolation by the Scriptures There is the ioyful tydings of saluation the blessed doctrine and assurance of free remission of sinnes our full iustification by the redemption of Iesus Christ published and proclaimed there are the pleasures of Gods House there is foode for the children of the most High and great King to nourish them vp to eternal life this they desire 1 Pet. 2.2 as infants clothe them with tissue or cloath of gold bespangle them with the most Orient pearles that the East or West Indies can afford set most curiously in the finest gold of Ophir or crusado trundle before theÌ„ apples of gold bring them instruments make the most melodious harmony musicke that Art can deuise make them heires of this great Vniuerse yet nothing pleaseth them but the brest so assuredly not any thing can satisfie the true childe adopted heire of God but the sweete sincere milke of the Word that is their proper element they will trauail from sea to sea to finde the word of the Lord they can no more liue without it then the fish without water the mole without earth the camelion without aire the Salamander without fire and when they finde it they feed vpon it and uourish vp their soules with ioy to eternal life And for the ordinances of God they are as k Is 12 3. wels and fountaines out of which they draw with ioy waters of life and comfort as the ministery of the word they long after it with earnest most affectionate desires as the l Psal 42.1 chased Hart panteth after the coole chrystaline streames when they are absent from it and depriued of it they cry out m Ps 84.2.5 Oh how amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of hostes My soule longeth and fainteth for the Courtes of the Lord pronouncing the Sparrow and Swallow happy that may build their nests neere the Altar concluding that they are blessed which dwell in his house for they feede vpon the words of Christ vnto eternal life and so haue their hearts lifted vp to ioyfulnesse and the prayses of God The Sacraments are other blessed fountaines and wels of ioy wherein Christ is before them crucified to the eye to the increasing strengthning of faith all other sauing graces of the spirit which faith is the roote mother of In like manner is spirituall ioy conueyed to the soule in the vse of the rest of the ordinances of God as confession of sinnes godly sorrow prayer reading conference and such like wherof euery true beleeuer hath experience in the secret consolations rauishments of the heart which the spirit of God doth exhibite in the due serious vse of these sacred ordinances 2. In the sweete fellowship communion of Saints they finde secret ioy Psal 16.2 Dauid professeth that all his delight is in them that excell in vertue In respect of this Paul longed to be with the Romanes that he might be comforted by their mutuall saith Rom. 1. to haue fellowship with them publikely in the vse of the Ministry of the word Sacran ents prayer and priuately in the vse of the more prinate duties of godlynesse as exhortation they as Salomon saith The face of a friend sharpens his friend as the Apostle saith whet one another to loue and good workes Psal 122.
me not liue if this impietie be done away till you die for it By which the Lord expresseth his vnapeasable wrath against this detestable iniquitie after the manner of an Oath that no sacrifice shall purge that sinne So the Lord sweareth of Elies house for the intollerable wickednesse of his sonnes That hee hath sworne concerning Elies house that the impietie thereof Å¿ 1. Sam. 3.14 shall not be expiated with sacrifice nor offering for euer And to his former threatning addeth sayth the Lord The Lord of bostes doubling the speech for the greater certainetie and that no power shall deliuer or free them from the vengeance for he is the Lord of hostes But alas a man may take a Torch and seeke through Ierusalem yea through Sion vntill his strength fayleth and his spirits agitated yea wasted before hee shall finde a man mourning the tears trickling downe his cheekes for the abominations of these times Wee had neede call for all t Ierem. 9.17 mourning men and women that they may come and weepe for the abominations of these dayes wherein wee liue for the whole world are set vpon mad mirth and as Iob speaketh u Iob. 21.13 goe suddainely dauncing and ioually to hell Notwithstanding the Almighty cals them from this and pronunceth seuerall woes against such u Is 5.11.14 Woe be to those that rise earely in the morning to follow strong drinke and sit by it till night vntill the wine haue inflamed them That haue the Harpe and the Viole the Taber and Pipe with wine in their feastes but they regard not the act of God nor consider his handy worke Therefore is my people led captiue because they haue no knowledge of these things and their honourable men are famished and their common people destroyed with thirst Yea therefore hath hell inlarged himselfe and vvidened her mouth beyond measure and their glory and their multitude euen all those that make merry among them Let their condition be what it will aswell hee that sitteth vpon the Throne as he that worketh at the Anuill shall goe thither downe together Consider yee jovall and roaring laddes of this age that delight in nothing but feasting drinking and merryment and thinke the whole world madde or foolish that follow not your guise that your destinie is already read your doome pronounced by no lesse then the eternall Sonne of God himselfe w Luke 6.25 Woe be to you that now laugh for you shall wayle and weepe Yee haue your ioy and melody here but your woe and misery shall as assuredly follow as if it were already effected When you shall see Abraham x Math. 8.11.12 Isaac and Iacob with all the Patriarkes Prophets Apostles yea all the faithfull in the kingdome of heauen and your selues shut out of doores You haue your heauen and light here but your torment followes as the Lord sayth by the Prophet Isai y Isa 65.13 14.15 Behold my seruants shall eate and yee shall bee hungry c. My seruants shall reioyce and yee shall be ashamed My seruants shall sing for ioy of heart and yee shall cry for sorrow of heart and bowle for vexation of spirit and yee shall leaue your name as a curse c. O miserable men that yee are euen in mirth and the chiefe of your jollitie z Pro. 14.13 Your hearts are heauie you haue your flings and tortures of conscience and the end is worse for it ends in heauinesse This the Lord threatens to all and sweares by the excellencie of Iacob a Amos 8.7 10. surely I vvill neuer forget any of their vvorkes And vers 10. I vvill turne your feastes into mourning and all your songs into lameneation and I vvill bring sackcloth vpon all loynes and baldnesse vpon euery head and I vvill make it as the mourning of an onely soune and the end thereof as a bitter day But are these mourners the onely beloued ones of the highest charactered and stamped with the speciall marke of Adoptions Alas then how few shall be saued from the stroke and plague of the destroying a Ezech. 9.4 Psalm 6.6 Angell wheâ— Gods wrath is let lose Assuredly they are like blacke Svvaâ—â—â— or the Phoenix almost Where are those that vvater their coucheâ— vvith teares euery night vvith David That set some times aparâ— to bewayle the abominations oâ— this sinnefull age Iland especially that sequester times for fasting and prayer that stand iâ— the gap b Ezec. 22.30 to auert the iudgements of God that iustly hanâ— ouer our heads for our sinnes yâ—â— some I know there are to whoâ— I say with the Prophet c Isa 62.6.7 Yâ—â— that are the Lorals remembranteâ—â— giue him no rest vntill he set vp Siâ—â— the prayse of the vvorld I dare not say with Ieremie d Iere. 12.11 There is 〈◊〉 man that layeth it to â—â—cart or with Isaiah e Isai 64.7 There is no man that calleth vpon Gods name or that stirreth vp himselfe to lay hold on him Or with Ezechiel 22.30 There is no man that standeth vp in the gappe Some there are which I know if I should say none my heart would rebuke my penne The Lord increase them as Ioah said to Dauid a thousand times so many more But I feare there are but a few yea very rare scarce one of a Family or tenne of a Tribe and the bestand forwardest of vs the Lord helpe and pardon it are I feare defectiue this way and come short of that which should be in vs. Thus of the first 2. This godly sorrow affecteth the heart to bewayle the calamities and miseries of the Churches of God in generall and the afflictious of the particular members of Christ I will handle these two distinctly 1. That the miseries and distresses of the Churches of God should affect the heart of each true member of the Church is manifest to bee not contingent onely but necessary First from examples It is recorded of famous Nehemiah that though he liued in Persia in the Court of Artaxerxes f Neh 1.1.11 2.1 being his Cup-bearer i Neh. 1.4 and in high estimation and honour with him yet when he heard of the calamitie of the Iewes then the onely people of God hee was so affected with their oppression and miserie that as a man oppressed with griefe he sate downe i Neh. 1.4 wept fasted prayed and mourned sundriâ— dayes together Yea so great waâ— his griefe that his spirits weâ— dejected it appeared so in hiâ— countenance that the king could not but take notice of it k Neh. 2 2 that it was not bodily sicknes but griefe of minde The like is said of Daniel though for his owne particular condition in respect of outward preferment hee had cause of ioy being chiefe President vnder the great Monarches succeeding each other l Daâ—â—r 48. Nabachadnezar m Dan. 5.29 and 6.2 Balshazar and Darius yet considering the