our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our Bodies washed with pure water Heb. 10. 22. Sanctifie the Lord God in your Hearts 1 Pet. 3. 15. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 5. Excellent Subject matter is laid down for them Phil. 4. 8. There is God and his Law to be meditated on Creation Redemption Providence the knowledge of our selves There is a large Field for thoughts to range in and the Soul is continually sending some forth We are to cherish the good and cast the bad away It hath been said Thoughts are free every Man may have what he will to himself in the deep of his Heart not throughly considering with whom we have to do a God who searches the Heart and tryeth the Reins who hath commanded Wash thine Heart from wickedness that thou mayst be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Jer. 4. 14. And in these latter days hath spoken by his Son Blessed are the pure in Heart for they stall see God Mat. 5. 8. The principal use of Speech is that We may offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God continually that is the fruit of our Lips giving Of Speech thanks to his Name Heb. 13. 15. and then it is necessary to maintain Society to Communicate our thoughts to each other that we may be helpful and beneficial for none is sufficient of himself either in spiritual or temporal things God hath ordained that we should stand in need that we may be kind and serviceable to one another This is the end of Conversation and Neighbourhood so of Speech without which we should not differ from the Flock or Herd We are to do all the good we can by mutual Admonition and Counsel both to give and receive and Practice it severally Put them in mind to speak evil of no Man to be no Brawlers but gentle shewing all meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 2. Wherefore putting away Lying speak every Man truth with his Neighbour for we are Members one of anoother Eph. 4. 25. Nothing is so contrary to the design of Speech as that for this pretends to discover our thoughts when we do not and thus deceive them Truth is the image of God stampt upon the Soul which lying is a direct Violation of and severely threatned Rev. 21. 8. The caution our Saviour and his Apostle gives Mat. 5. 37. Jam. 5. 12. is to hinder that wicked Prevarication of the first use of Speech aforementioned it is contrary to praising of God which makes his great and dreadful Name vile and cheap by vainly using it upon little and trivial Matters These are the slips of the Tongue we are obliged to beware of The positive Duties thereof are to speak out for Gods Glory and the benefit of others To talk of his Statutes and not to be ashamed Though in our Age it is stiled canting yet not to be afraid of the reproach However let those be acquainted who cast it upon others for speaking of Gods Law I say let such have a Care how they put an opprobrious and slighting term upon the Language of the holy Ghost Thâ—se who are not openly prophane will reply they do not intend Scripture in so speaking but are against the unseasonable Citation thereof by such a one There are some who would have us be Christians only at Church or Prayers and think it unbecoming to hear or Discourse of the Word but at those times whom Moses hath long since answered and undoubtedly he knew what was most acceptable and well pleasing unto God. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine Heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children And thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine House and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Deut. 6. 6 7. It was not only to be in the Synagogue but at home not only in their Family worship but when they walked abroad Was this Commandment to the Jews and not to Christians also Have we not as great Promises and strict Obligations to Duty as they had Are we not to glorifie God in our words as well as they Or shall they be all confined to Worldly business idle Tales and Impertinencies and not be allotted to the one thing needful our eternal Welfare This would be more right and seemly if the things of the next Life were little and perishing and those here great and enduring for if it were so some could not be more busie in the Affairs of this and negligent to the other When it is just contrary for in a little while and these shall not be day by day single Persons are taken from them when the other ever remain It is not absolutely necessary for Men in all times and in all places to talk of nothing but good things though indeed the more the better for there are other innocent Topicks of Discourse As the Changes and Chances of this World which serve to magnifie Providence and divert the mind and all those things wherein is no harm or evil for use may be made of what go under the Name of indifferent things Then concerning business and the way of management how to direct our Actions As for Mat. 12. 36. it is supposed our Saviour intended against false words as may be gathered from Vâ—r. 31 32 33 34. and the reason added ver 37. But if it were so understood by which no real profit accrues to the hearer then by our words all of us would be in danger to be condemned There is no parrallel place of Scripture which confirms that strict acceptation Indeed a good Man doth not willingly give way to that discourse for which none is better afterwards yet if the company be delighted with it and it is not evil directly or indirectly the Pleasure thereof arises from mutual conference so if this diverts the end is answered Our Master is not austere but willing that his Servants should take some delight in Conversation But it is to be remembred whom we serve the God of Knowledge and Wisdom and not Belzebub the God of flies so it is to be desired that all our discourse were substantial and grave and we were come up to that degree of understanding to find more joy and satisfaction therein then others do in vain and useless things It is in no wise irksome or unpleasant to those who have the Love of God in them There are some whose Religion consist in talk who say and do not Mat. 23. 2. Who think and would put off the Commandments of God by using their Mouth to Holy and Divine things which themselves do not mind in the Heart nor obey in their Life and Actions these are foolish and deceived Others take up Religion for a supplement of Discourse when they are at a stand
will rise up again for we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the thing done in his Body according to what he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. We are only proved here how we will behave our selves towards God. It is worth while to look further to consider Man in his several Circumstances State and Condition in this World with some general Heads of Good and Evil that are set before him if he may be stirred up or put in mind of some things for his own Happiness and Safety CHAP. II. Of Man confidered in his threefold Condition Original Corrupted and Restored Of his Thoughts VVords and Actions Infancy Youth Manhood therein of Company and Marriage Of Old Age Body Senses and sensual Pleasure Of the Soul Vnderstanding VVill Affections as Love Fear Joy Sorrow Anger Hope Of Temptations The Close THou hast made Man a little lower then the Angels and hast Crowned him with Glory and Honour Psal 8. 5. One part is of the dust of the ground the other the breath of Life a reasonable Soul in which he hath resemblance to the angelical Nature and is exalted above Beasts His Happiness in the state of Innocency and how it was lost by Transgression is known by every one that reads the Scripture again he was redeemed by our Lord and Saviâ—ur Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 17 18 19. 1 Pet. 3. 18. If we are not wanting to our selves he hath restored us to as great a Capacity of good as we should have had if our Forefather had not sinned God so loved the World that he gave his only Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God towards us because he laid down his Life for us and greater love then this hath no Man then to lay down his Life for another 1 John 3. 10. The holy Spirit inspires Grace and good Motions into our hearts whom if we do not resist and so grieve he will Seal us to the day of Redemption We feel the mischievous workings of Original Corrruption and we have the same quality of our first Parent to Lust after forbidden things A coveting after Evil and averseness to Good. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Moâ—her conceive me Psal 51. 5. It is intermixed and grows up with every part that we all are as prone to Evil as the Sparks to fly upward Indeed goodness doth appear reasonable and lovely yet our Inclinations are backwards to the Practise of it there is a Close hankering after and Preference of the contrary The whole Man is defiled Mark 7. 21 22 23. Gen. 8. 21. Eccles 3. 9. He deviseth iniquity in his Bed he studies to do mischief His Thoughts are vain He takes no delight in Good but rather on Lust Pride and all manner of Concupisence Every mouth speaketh folly Isa 9. 17. Evil Communications Filthiness Deceit Lying and all sorts of Evil proceed out of it With Blasphemies and horrid Oaths he is dishonoured who enabled it to Speak With this Sword it is endeavoured to give our blessed Redeemer more Wounds and to crucifie him afresh The tongue is a fire a World of iniquity so is the tongue amongst our Members that it defileth the whole Body and setteth on fire the course of Nature and is set on fire of Hell. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we Men which are made after the simitude of God Jam. 3. 6 9. Our Actions proceeding from the same corrupt Stock are of the like Nature Wise to do evil and forward to put in Execution what our wicked hearts conceive Every Member is wicked and abominably wicked Their inward part is very wickedness Psal 5. 9. and as it is further described Rom. 3. 10. to ver 18. Man is become as sinful as is possible for such a poor Creature to be with short Faculties and Powers they are stretched forth to the utmost he sins till he hath not Ability to sin any more though he hath not wherewithal to vent yet the malicious and corrupt Desire is infinite in a little finite Being The Seeds of Evil came in with the forbidden Fruit. But we must not accuse Adâ—m of our Transgression more then is due for it is our own fault if we suffer it to grow forth and improve it to that monstrous height It may be hewn down and destroyed but still the stump of the Dan. 4. 23. Roots is left in the Earth The holy One that came down from Heaven hath got this Priviledge and Power for us The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World could even at this present time extirpate it quite Root and Branch but that he is not pleased to do for wise Reasons yet now he puteth in such a Condition and Ability to perform so much as in and through him will be accepted and we shall come to that place where this accursed thing with all its remainders shall utterly be done away If we come unto him and sincerely do what is required under the second Covenant Christs righteousness will supply our defects The filthy Rags Isa 64. 6. Shall be cast away and we shall be arrayed in fine Linnen clean and White For the Fine Linnen is the righteousness of Saints Rev. 21. 8. What then shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound God forbid Those which make this damnable inference do mistake the Gospel Covenant which requires obedience and good Works Tit. 2. 11 12 13. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 5. 9. Christ hath brought good tidings and published Peace and brought good tidings of good and published Salvation Isa 52. 7. The same Jesus hath said Those which do iniquity shall be cast into a Furnace of fire Mat. 13. 41 42. Luk. 13. 27 28. He hath proclaimed the acceptable Year of the Lord and the Day of vengeance of our God Isa 61. 2. The Gospel is commonly said to be all mercy yet therein the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men Rom. 1. 18. so 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. The end of both Law and Gospel is obedience by this we are freed from the Curse Gal. 3. 10 13. We have further the assistance of the holy Spirit to resist Temptations and keep Gods Commandments The stony Heart is taken away and an Heart of flesh is given Whereas the whole Man is corrupted now he is put into a way to be right again if he will use the Grace given him He may run counter to his natural State and be sanctified throughout A good Man out of the good Treasure of the Heart bringeth forth good things Mat. 12. 35. After those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their Hearts Jer. 31. 33. So we may draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having
rather wilful perverting some places of the Old Testament have cryed up Zeal for the Lord of Hosts have rebelled against and even killed the Lords anointed on this wicked Pretence He re again the Teachers of the People did cause them to err But suppose the utmost should be granted they did counted for which yet is not That Rebellion was lawful to the Jeâ—s it can be no more inferred that it is lawful to us Christians then Revenge of private Injuries which was allowed to them We live under another Law and Dispensation Ye have heard that it hath been said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I say unto you that ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn to him the other also Mat. 5. 38 39. there the Doctrine of Non-resistance is set down and further enforced Rom. 13. 1 2. No Zeal is according to the Gospel which stirs up to Sedition and Rebellion If we would have it approved by God it must be ordered according to the Rules laid down there otherwise it is Sin and Madness There is another mistake concerning Zeal of those who punctually observe their own Traditions and are very exact in paying Tythe of Mint Anise and Cummin but omitted the weightier Matters of the Law Judgment Mercy and Faith Mat. 23. 23. Thus did the Pharisees of old And whether some of late have not been more zealous for a Ceremony then Holiness and the Love of God their own Conscience knows and their Actions have discovered We should be zealous for every thing according to its Proportion for the Commandments of God in the first place then for the things which Minister unto Decency and Order for seeing they may both stand together those are necessâ—ry and must be done the other if Authority had not established them might have been left undone however they are to be preferred which are of Divine Institution and Substantials of Religion before those which are Humane and Circumstantials only Hope is a right Application of the Promises in Scripture unto Of Hope our selves Those were many in the Old Testament But by Jesus our Lord are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1. 2 4. This is the Promise that he hath Promised even eternal Life 1 John 2. 25. In hope of eternal Life which God that cannot lye promised before the World began But hath in due times manifested his word through Preaching Tit. 1. 2 3. for Discovery hath been made thereof by little and little It was contained in those general Expressions The Lord the hope of their Fathers Jer. 50. 7. Hope in God Psal 146. 5. and so Heb. 11. 13 16. He was not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City They had Confidence God would do something more for his Servants then temporal and present Mercies for they were also common to others But as he is just and good so he would make some requital for obedience that Hardship and Inconvenience they met with from the World for his sake Which they did expect hereafter in another place God was the same then and his Decrees alike sure though they were not so clearly made known unto Men. And therefore now it is called Hope which entreth into that within the Vail Heb. 6. 19. a better Hope Heb. 7. 19. a lively Hope 1 Pet. 1. 3. all in opposition to those faint Guesses and imperfect Knowledge they had thereof under the Law. They had but a dull and glimmering Prospect beyond tâ—e Earthly Canaan but now Christ hath brought Life and immortality to Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. Herein is comprised greater and more durable Happiness then is possible to conceive That may serve to stir us up but otherwise it doth not signifie to expect or talk of great things if we did not know how to come at or should be disappointed of them But blessed be God we are both taught the way and if we use the means as they are put in our Power we shall certainly obtain for he is faithful that promised Heb. 10. 23. The way and means are shewed in Scripture and may be briefly comprehended in these Texts Lord I have hoped for thy Salvation and done thy Commandments Psal 119. 166. And every man that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure 1 John 3. 3. Hope puts upon Obedience and Action otherwise it is vain and false It is an idle and dangerous Delusion to flatter our selves with the good things God hath prepared for them that love him if we do not or if we say we do and yet not keep his Commandments If hope alone will bring a Man to Heaven Why will it not get him Money 1 John 5. 3. or Estate here on Earth Why will it not provide him necessaries for Life Every one Laughs at him who doth neither Plow nor Sow and yet saith He hopes for a good Crop at Harvest It is alike foolish and deceiving in him who expects to be an Inhabitant of the New Jerusalem and yet walks not in the way which leads thither He may now â—ooth himself with what fancies he will but in the end will find his thoughts shall be as a Dream of a Night Vision as when an hungry Man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his Soul is empty His idle imagination may suggest unto him that he is just ready to receive the Crown of Glory but when he comes to appear before God in Judgment and is throughly rouzed out of Carnal security he may be sent another way If only thinking would secure a Man none would go to Hell for the wicked and ungodly hope to escape that Which makes them go on still in their Course for did they really believe themselves should be cast into a Furnace of Fire for having done iniquity Mat. 13. 42. they would no more do so then one now will drink a Glass of seeming pleasant Liquor in which he knew was rank Poison Either men do not believe that place or Fancy they shall some way avoid or they must be the veriest Fools to go the direct way to it They dare not think God to be a Lyar for fear he should manifest the contrary on themselves And then they must not deny the immutability and truth of his Word which is confirmed so often Isa 40. 8. Isa 55. 10 11. Mat. 24. 35. John 12. 48. 1 Pet. 1. 25. And then how can thou hope O Man when that saith The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Thieves nor Coveâ—ous nor Drunkards shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. And yet thou shalt when some of them thou Art and dost continue We are sure the Judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things And then how canst thou hope to escape it See Rom. 2. v.