Desertion and are cast down for want of Assurance Resp. 1. Want of Assurance shall not hinder the Success of the Saints Prayers Sin lived in doth ponere obicem put a Bar to our Prayer but want of Assurance doth not hinder Prayer we may go to God still in an humble fiducial manner A Christian perhaps may think because he doth not see Gods smiling Face therefore God will not hear him This is a mistake Psal. 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my Supplication If we pour out Sighs to Heaven God hears every Groan though he doth not shew us his Face he may lend us his Ear. 2. Faith may be strongest when Assurance is weakest the Woman of Canaan had no Assurance but a Glorious Faith O Woman Great is thy Faith Mat. 15.28 Rachel was more Fair but Leah was more Fruitful Assurance is more fair and lovely to look upon but a fruitful Faith God sees is better for us Iohn 20.28 Blessed are they that Believe and feel not 3. When God is out of sight yet he is not out of Covenant Psalm 89.28 My Covenant shall stand fast Though a Wife doth not see her Husbands Face in many Years yet the Marriage Relation holds and he will come again to her after a long Voyage God may be gone from the Soul in Desertion but the Covenant stands fast Isa. 54.10 The Covenant of my Peace shall not be removed Quer. But this Promise was made to the Jews and doth not belong to us Yes Verse 17. This is the Heritage of the Servants of the Lord. This is made to all the Servants of God them that are now living as well as those who lived in the time of the Jews Quest. 8. What should we do to get Assurance Resp. 1. Keep a pure Conscience let no Guilt lie upon the Conscience unrepented of God Seals no Pardons before Repentance God will not pour in the Wine of Assurance into a foul Vessel Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near in full Assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience Guilt clips the Wings of Comfort he who is conscious to himself of Secret Sins cannot draw near to God in full Assurance he cannot call God Father but Judge keep Conscience as clear as your Eye that no dust of sin fall into it 2. If you would have Assurance be much in the Actings of Grace 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise thy self unto Godliness Men grow rich by Trading by Trading in Grace we grow rich in Assurance 2 Pet. 1.10 Make your Election sure How Add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge Keep Grace upon the Wing it is the lively Faith flourisheth into Assurance no Man will set up a great Sail in a small Boat but in a large Vessel God sets up the Sail of Assurance in an Heart enlarged in Grace 3. If you would have Assurance cherish the Holy Spirit of God When David would have Assurance he Prays Take not away thy Spirit from me Psal. 51.11 He knew it was the Spirit only that could make him hear the Voice of Joy The Spirit is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter he seals up Assurance 2 Cor. 1.22 therefore make much of the Spirit do not grieve it As Noah opened the Ark to receive the Dove so should we open our Hearts to receive the Spirit This is the Blessed Dove which brings an Olive branch of Assurance in its Mouth 4. Let us lye at the Pool of the Ordinances frequent the Word and Sacrament Cant. 2. He brought me to the Banqueting House and his Banner over me was Love The blessed Ordinances are the Banqueting House where God displays the Banner of Assurance The Sacrament is a Sealing Ordinance Christ made himself known to his Disciples in the breaking of Bread So in the Holy Supper in the breaking of Bread God makes himself known to us to be our God and Portion Quest. 9. How should they carry themselves who have Assurance Resp. 1. If you have Assurance of your Justification do not abuse Assurance 1. 'T is an abusing of Assurance when we grow more remiss in Duty as the Musician having Mony thrown him leaves off playing By Remisness or intermitting the Exercises of Religion we grieve the Spirit and that is the way to have an Imbargo laid upon our Spiritual Comforts 2. We abuse Assurance when we grow Presumptuous and less fearful of sin What because a Father gives his Son an Assurance of his Love and tells him he will entail his Land upon him shall the Son therefore be Wanton and Dissolute This were the way to lose his Fathers Affection and make him cut off the Entail it was an Aggravation of Solomon's Sin His Heart was turned away from the Lord after he had appeared to him twice 1 Kings 11.9 'T is bad to sin when one wants Assurance but it is worse to sin when one hath it Hath the Lord seal'd his Love with a Kiss Hath he left a Pawn of Heaven in your Hands and do you thus requite the Lord Will you sin with Manna in your Mouth Doth God give you the sweet Clusters of Assurance to feed on and will you return him wild Grapes It much pleaseth Satan either to see us want Assurance or abuse it This is to abuse Assurance when the Pulse of our Soul beats faster in Sin and slower in Duty 2. If you have Assurance admire this stupendious Mercy You deserv'd that God should give you Gaul and Vinegar to drink and hath he made the Hony-Comb of his Love to drop upon you O fall down and adore his Goodness say Lord How is it that thou shouldest manifest thy self to me and not to other Believers Those whom thou lovest as the Apple of thine Eye yet thou holdest them in Suspence and givest them no Assurance of thy Love though thou hast given them the new Name yet not the White stone though they have the Seed of Grace yet not the Oyl of Gladness though they have the Holy Ghost the Sanctifier yet not the Holy Ghost the Comforter Lord whence is it that thou shouldest manifest thy self to me and make thy Golden Beams of Assurance shine upon my Soul O admire God! this will be the Work of Heaven 3. Let your Hearts be endeared in Love to God If God gives his People Correction they must love him much more when he gives them Assurance Psal. 31.23 O love the Lord ye his Saints Hath God brought you to the Borders of Canaan given you a Bunch of Grapes crown'd you with loving Kindness confirm'd your Pardon under the Broad Seal of Heaven How can you be frozen at such a Fire How can you choose but be turn'd into Seraphins Burning in Divine Love Say as St. Austin Animam meam odio Haberem I would hate my own Soul if I did not find it loving God Give God the Cream and Quintessence of your Love and shew your Love by
Job 15.14 God can do it Out of an unholy Heart he can produce Grace O! make David's Prayer Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Lay thy Heart before the Lord and say Lord my unsanctified Heart pollutes all it toucheth I am not fit to live with such an Heart for I cannot honour thee nor to die with such an Heart for I cannot see thee O create in me a clean heart Lord consecrate my heart and make it thy Temple and thy Praises shall be sung there for ever Use 3. of Thankfulness Hath God brought a clean thing out of an unclean hath he sanctified you wear this Jewel of Sanctification with thankfulness Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who hath made us meet for the Inheritance c. Christian Thou could'st defile thy self but not sanctifie thy self But God hath done it he hath not only chain'd up sin but chang'd thy Nature and made thee as a King's Daughter all glorious within He hath put upon thee the Breast-place of Holiness which though it may be shot at can never be shot thorow Are there any here that are sanctified God hath done more for you then millions They may be illuminated but not sanctified He hath done more for you then if he had made you the Sons of Princes and caused you to ride upon the high places of the Earth Are you sanctified Heaven is begun in you Happiness is nothing but the quintissence of Holiness O how thankful should you be to God Do as that blind Man in the Gospel after he had received his sight He followed Christ glorifying God Luke 18.43 Make Heaven ring of God's Praises Of ASSVRANCE Quest. WHat are the Benefits flow from Sanctification Resp. Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience Ioy in the Holy Ghost Encrease of Grace and Perseverance therein to the end 1. Benefit flowing from Sanctification is assurance of God's Love 2 Pet. 1.10 Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Sanctification is the Seed Assurance is the Flower which grows out of it Assurance is a consequent of Sanctification the Saints of old had it 1 Iohn 2.3 We know that we know him 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed here was Sensus Fidei the reflex act of Faith and Gal. 2.20 Christ hath loved me Here was Faith flourishing into Assurance Aecolampadias when he was Sick pointed to his Heart Hic sat Lucis Here I have Light enough meaning Comfort and Assurance Quest. 1. Have all Sanctified Persons Assurance Resp. They have a right to it and I do incline to believe that all have it in some degree before their last expiring though their Comfort may be so strong and their Vital Spirits so weak that they cannot express what they feel But I dare not positively affirm that all have Assurance in the first moment of their Sanctification A Letter may be written when it is not Sealed so Grace may be written in the heart yet the Spirit may not set the Seal of Assurance to it God is a free Agent and may give or suspend Assurance pro libito as he please Where there is the Sanctifying work of the Spirit he may withhold the Sealing work partly to keep the Soul Humble partly to punish our careless walking We neglect our Spiritual watch grow remiss in duty and then walk under a Cloud We quench the Graces of the Spirit and God withholds the Comforts and partly to put a difference between Earth and Heaven This I the rather speak to bear up the Hearts of Gods People who are dejected because they have not Assurance You may have the Water of the Spirit poured on you in Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness in Assurance there may be Faith of Adherence and not of Evidence there may be Life in the Root when there is no Fruit in the Branches to be seen so Faith in the Heart when no Fruit of Assurance Quest 2. What is Assurance Resp. It is not Vocal any audible Voice or brought to us by the help of an Angel or Revelation Assurance consists of a Practical Sylogism where the Word of God makes the major Conscience the minor the Spirit of God the Conclusion The Word saith He that fears and loves God is loved of God there is the major Proposition then Conscience makes the minor but I fear and love God then the Spirit makes the Conclusion therefore thou art loved of God And this is that which the Apostle calls The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits that we are his Children Rom. 8.16 Quest. 3. Whether hath a Sanctified Soul such an Assurance as excludes all doubting Resp. He hath that which bears up his Heart from sinking he hath such an Earnest of the Spirit that he would not part with for the Richest Prize but his Assurance though it be infallible it is not perfect There will be sometimes a Trepidation or Trembling he is safe yet not without fears and doubts as a Ship lies safe at Anchor yet may be a little shaken by the Wind. If a Christian had no Doubtings there should be no unbelief in him had he no Doubtings there would be no difference between Grace Militant and Triumphant Had not David his Ebbings sometimes as well as his Flowings like the Mariner who sometimes cries out Stellam Video I see a Star sometimes the Star is out of Sight Sometimes we hear David say Thy Loving Kindness is before mine Eyes Psal. 26.3 But at another time he was at a loss Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former Loving Kindnesses And there may fall out an Eclipse in a Christians Assurance to put him upon longing after Heaven Then there shall not be the least doubting then the Banner of Gods Love shall be always display'd upon the Soul then the light of God's Face shall be without Clouds and have no Sun-setting then the Saints shall have an uninterrupted Assurance and be ever with the Lord. Quest. 4. What are the differences between true Assurance and Presumption Resp. 1. They differ in the method or manner of working Divine Assurance flows from Humiliation for Sin I speak not of the measure of Humiliation but the Truth There are in Palermo Reeds growing in which there is a Sugred Juice A Soul humbled for Sin is the Bruised Reed in which grows this sweet Assurance God's Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption but Presumption ariseth without any humbling work of the Spirit How camest thou by thy Venison so soon The Plow goes before the Seed be sown the Heart must be plowed up by Humiliation and Repentance before God sows the Seed of Assurance 2. He who hath a real Assurance will take heed of that which will weaken and darken his Assurance he is fearful of the Forbidden Fruit he knows though he cannot sin away his Soul yet he may sin away his Assurance But he who hath the Ignis Fatuus of
the Strings of a Viol the Musick is spoil'd if Christians slacken in Duty they spoil the sweet Musick of Peace in their Souls As the Fire decays so the Cold increaseth as Fervency in Duty abates so our Peace cools Use. Labour for this blessed Peace Peace with God and Conscience Peace with Neighbour Nations is sweet Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peace comprehends all Blessings it is the Glory of a Kingdom a Princes Crown is more Beautiful when it is hung with the white Lilly of Peace than when it is set with the Red Roses of a Bloody War O then how sweet is Peace of Conscience it is a Bulwark against the Enemy Phil. 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall keep you as in a Garrison you may throw out the Gantlet and bid defiance to Enemies It is the Golden Pot and the Manna it is the first Fruits of Paradise It is still Musick for want of this a Christian is in continual fear he doth not take that comfort in Ordinances Hannah went up to the Feast at Ierusalem but she wept and did not eat 1 Sam. 1.7 So a poor dejected Soul goes to an Ordinance but doth not eat of the Feast he weeps and doth not eat He cannot take that comfort in Worldly Blessings Health Estate Relations he wants that inward Peace which should be as Sawce to sweeten his Comforts O therefore labour for this blessed Peace consider the noble and excellent effects of it First It gives boldness at the Throne of Grace Guilt of Conscience clips the Wings of Prayer it makes the Face Blush and the Heart But when a Christian hath some lively apprehensions of God's Love and the Spirit whispering Peace then he goes to God with boldness as a Child to his Father Psal. 25.1 Unto thee O Lord I lift up my Soul Time was when David's Soul was bowed down Psal. 38.6 I am bowed down greatly But now the case is alter'd he will lift up his Soul to God in a way of Triumph whence was this God had spoken Peace to his Soul Psal. 26.3 Thy loving Kindness is before mine Eyes 2. This Divine Peace fires the Heart with Love to Christ Peace is the result of Pardon he who hath a Pardon seal'd cannot choose but love his Prince How endeared is Christ to the Soul now Christ is precious indeed O saith the Soul how sweet is this Rose of Sharon Hath Christ waded through a Sea of Blood and Wrath to purchase my Peace hath he not only made Peace but spoke Peace to me how should my Heart ascend in a fiery Chariot of Love how willing should I be to do and suffer for Christ 3. This Peace quiets the heart in Trouble Mic. 5.5 This Man shall be the Peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land and tread in our Palaces The Enemy may invade our Palaces but not our Peace this Man Christ shall be the Peace When the Head akes the Heart may be well when Worldly troubles assault a Christian his Mind may be in Peace and Quiet Psal. 4.8 I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep 'T was now a sad time with David he was flying for his Life from Absalom it was no small Afflicton to think that his own Son should seek to take away his Fathers Life and Crown David wept and covered his Face 2 Sam. 15.30 Yet at this time saith he I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep He had trouble from his Son but Peace from his Conscience David could sleep upon the soft Pillow of a good Conscience This is a Peace worth getting Quest. 8. What shall we do to attain this blessed Peace Resp. 1. Let us ask it of God he is the God of Peace he beats back the roaring Lion he stills the raging of Conscience If we could call all the Angels out of Heaven they could not speak Peace without God The Stars cannot make Day without the Sun none can make day in a dark Deserted Soul but the Sun of Righteousness as the Wilderness cannot water it self but remains dry and parched till the Clouds drop their Moisture so our Hearts cannot have Peace till he infuse and drop it upon us by his Spirit Therefore pray Lord thou who art the God of Peace create Peace thou who art the Prince of Peace command it Give me that Peace which may sweeten trouble yea the bitter Cup of Death 2. If you would have Peace make War with Sin Sin is the Achan that troubles us the Trojan Horse 2 Kings 9.22 When Joram saw Jehu he said is it Peace Jehu And he answered what Peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her Witchcrafts are so many What Peace as long as Sin remains unmortified If you would have Peace with God break the League with Sin Give battel to Sin it is a most just War God hath proclaimed it Nay he hath promised us Victory Sin shall not have Dominion Rom. 6. No way to Peace but by maintaining a War with Sin Pax nostra Bellum contra Daemonem Tert. When Sampson had slain the Lion there came Hony out of the Lion By Slaying Sin we get this Hony of Peace 3. Go to Christs Blood for Peace Some go to fetch their Peace from their own Righteousness not Christs they go for Peace to their Holy Life not Christ's Death If Conscience be troubled they strive to quiet it with their Duties this is not the right way to Peace Duties must not be neglected nor yet idolized Look up to the Blood of Sprinkling Heb. 12.24 That Blood of Christ which pacified God must pacifie Conscience Christ's blood being suck'd in by Faith gives Peace Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God No Balm to cure a Wounded Conscience but the Blood of Christ. 4. Walk closely with God Peace flows from Purity Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them In the Text Grace and Peace are put together Grace is the Root and Peace is the Flower As Balm-Water drops from the Limbeck so Divine Peace comes out of the Limbeck of a Gracious Heart Walk very Holily God's Spirit is first a Refiner before a Comforter Bran. 2. You who have this Peace Peace above Peace within labour to keep it it is a precious Jewel do not lose it 'T is sad to have the League of National Peace broken but it is worse to have the Peace of Conscience broken Oh preserve this Peace First Take heed of Relapses hath God spoken Peace do not turn again to Folly Psal. 85.8 Besides the Ingratitude there 's folly in Relapses it was long ere God was reconciled and the Breach made up and will you again Eclipse and Forfeit your Peace Hath God heal'd the wound of Conscience and will you tear it open again Will you break another Vein will you cut a new Artery This is returning indeed to folly What Madness is it
Ingratitude is a Prodigy of Wickedness Unbelief is ungrateful being against the richest Mercy Suppose a King should redeem a Captive and to redeem him should part with his Crown of Gold from his Head and when he had done this should say to the Man redeem'd All I desire of thee in lieu of my Kindness is to believe that I love thee Now if he should say No I do not believe any such thing Or That thou carest not at all for me I appeal to you Were not this odious Ingratitude So is the Case here God hath sent his Son to shed his Blood now God requires only to believe in him that he is able and willing to save us No saith Unbelief his Blood was not shed for me I cannot perswade my self that Christ hath any purpose of Love to me Is not this horrid Ingratitude And this inhanceth a Sin and makes it of a Crimson Colour 3. Unbelief is a Leading Sin It is the Breeder of Sin Qualitas malae vitae initium sumit ab infidelitate Unbelief is a Root-sin and the Devil labours to water this Root that the Branches may be fruitful 1. Unbelief breeds Hardness of Heart Therefore they are put together Mark 16.14 Christ upbraided them with their Vnbelief and Hardness of Heart Unbelief breeds the Stone of the Heart He who believes not in Christ is not affected with his Sufferings he melts not in Tears of Love Unbelief freeth the Heart first it defiles and then it hardens 2. Unbelief breeds Profaneness An Unbeliever will stick at no sin neither at Fals◠Weights nor False Oaths He will swallow down Treason Iudas was first an Unbeliever and then a Traitor Iohn 6.64 He who hath no Faith in his Heart will have no Fear of God before his Eyes 4. Unbelief is a Wrath-procuring Sin 't is Inimica Salutis Bern. Iohn 3.18 Iam condemnatus est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dying so he is as sure to be condemned as if already Iohn 3.36 He that believeth not on the Son the Wrath of God abideth on him He who believes not in the Blood of the Lamb must feel the Wrath of the Lamb. The Gentiles that believe not in Christ will be as well damned as the Jews who blaspheme him And if Unbelief be so fearful and damnable a Sin shall we not be afraid to live in it 2 d. Br. All Graces set Faith awork on Christ. Iohn 3.15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish Eph. 6.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all taking the Shield of Faith Say as Queen Esther I will go in to the King and if I perish I perish She had nothing to encourage her she ventur'd against Law yet the Golden Scepter was held forth to her We have Promises to encourage our Faith Iohn 6.37 He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out Let us then advance Faith by an holy Recumbency on Christ's Merits Christ's Blood will not justifie without believing They are both put together in the Text Faith in his Blood The Blood of God without Faith in God will not save Christ's Sufferings are the Plaister to heal a Sin-sick Soul but this Plaister must be apply'd by Faith 'T is not Money in a rich Man's Hand tho' offered to us will enrich us unless we receive it So it is not Christ's Vertues or Benefits will do us good unless we receive them by the Hand of Faith Above all Graces set Faith on Work Remember this Grace is most acceptable to God and that upon many accounts 1. Because it is a God-exalting Grace It glorifies God Rom. 4.20 Abraham being strong in Faith gave Glory to God To believe that there 's more Mercy in God and Merit in Christ than Sin in us and that Christ hath answered all the Demands and Challenges of the Law and that his Blood hath fully satisfied for us this is in an high Degree to honour God Faith in the Mediator brings more Glory to God than Martyrdom or the most Heroick Act of Obedience 2. Faith in Christ is so acceptable to God because it is such a Self-denying Grace it makes a Man go out of himself renounce all Self-righteousness and wholly rely on Christ for Justification Faith is very humble it confesseth its own Indigence and lives wholly upon Christ. As the Bee sucks Sweetness from the Flower so Faith sucks all its Strength and Comfort from Christ. 3. Faith is a Grace so acceptable to God because by Faith we present a Righteousness to God which doth best please him We bring the Righteousness of Christ into the Court which is called the Righteousness of God 2 Cor. 5.21 To bring Christs Righteousness is to bring Benjamin with us A Believer may say Lord it is not the Righteousness of Adam or of the Angels but of Christ who is God-Man Man that I bring before thee The Lord cannot choose but smell a sweet Savour in Christ's Righteousness Vse II. Trial. Let us try our Faith there is something which looks like Faith and is not Pliny saith there is a Cyprian Stone which is in Colour like a Diamond but it is not of the right kind There is a false spurious Faith in the World Some Plants have the same Leaf with others but the Herbalists can distinguish them by the Root and Taste Something may look like true Faith but it may be distinguished several ways 1. Trial. True Faith is grounded upon Knowledge Knowledge carries the Torch before Faith There is a Knowledge of Christ's Orient Exercises Phil. 3.8 He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Love and Beauty True Faith is a Judicious Intelligent Grace it knows whom it believes and why it believes Faith is seated as well in the Vnderstanding as the Will It hath an Eye to see Christ as well as a Wing to fly to him Such therefore as are invailed with Ignorance or have only an Implicit Faith to believe as the Church believes have no true genuine Faith 2. Faith lives in a broken Heart Mark 9.24 He cryed out with Tears Lo I believe True Faith is always in an Heart bruised for Sin Such therefore whose Hearts were never touched for Sin have no Faith If a Physician should tell us there were an Herb would help us against all Infections but it always grows in a watery place If we should see an Herb like it in Colour Leaf Smell Blossom but it grows upon a Rock we would conclude this were the wrong Herb. So saving Faith doth always grow in an Heart humbled for Sin it grows in a weeping Eye a watry Conscience Therefore if there be a shew of Faith but it grows upon a Rock an hard impenitent Heart this is not the true Faith 3. True Faith is at first nothing but an Embryo it is minute and small it is full of Doubtings Temptations Fears It begins in Weakness It is like the smoaking Flax Matth. 12.20 It smoaks with Desires but doth not flame with Comfort It is at first
the World yet he was raised up by the Spirit The same Power the Spirit of God puts forth in working Faith the Spirit irradiates the Mind subdues the Will the Will naturally is like a Garrison which holds out against God the Spirit with a sweet Violence conquers or rather changeth the Will making the Sinner willing to have Christ upon any Terms to be ruled by him as well as saved by him Quest. Wherein lyes the Preciousness of Faith Resp. As Faith is the chief Gospel-grace the Head of the Graces as Gold among Mettals so is Faith among the Graces Clem. Alexandrinus calls the other Graces the Daughters of Faith Indeed in Heaven Love will be the chief Grace but while we are here Militant Love must give place to Faith Love takes Possession of Glory but Faith gives a Title to it Love is the Crowning Grace in Heaven but Faith is the Conquering Grace upon Earth 1 Joh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith 2. As Faith hath influence upon all the Graces and sets them awork not a Grace stirs till Faith set it awork As the Clothier sets the Poor awork he sets their Wheel a going Faith sets Hope awork The Heir must believe his Title to an Estate in Reversion before he can hope for it Faith believes its Title to Glory and then Hope waits for it Did not Faith feed the Lamp of Hope with Oyl it would soon dye Faith sets Love awork Gal. 5.6 Faith which worketh by love believing the Mercy and Merit of Christ causeth a flame of Love to ascend Faith sets Patience a work Heb. 6.12 Be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Faith believes the glorious Rewards given to Suffering this makes the Soul patient in suffering Thus Faith is the Master-wheel it sets all the other Graces a running 3. As Faith is the Grace which God honours to Iustifie and Save thus indeed it is precious Faith as the Apostle calls it 2 Pet. 1.1 The other Graces help to sanctify but it is Faith that justifies Rom. 5.1 Being justified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by faith Repentance or Love do not justifie but Faith Quest. How doth Faith justifie Resp. Faith doth not justify 1. As it is a Work that were to make a Christ of our Faith but Faith justifies as it lays hold of the Object viz. Christ's Merits If a Man had a precious Stone in a Ring that could heal we say the Ring heals but properly it is not the Ring but the precious Stone in the Ring heals Thus Faith saves and justifies but it is not any inherent Vertue in Faith but as it lays hold on Christ so it justifies 2. Faith doth not justify as it exerciseth Grace It cannot be denied Faith doth Invigorate all the Graces it puts strength and liveliness into them but it doth not justifie under this Notion Faith works by Love but it doth not justifie as it works by Love but as it applys Christ's Merits Quest. Why should Faith save and justifie more then any other Grace Resp. 1. Because of God's Sanction He hath appointed this Grace to be justifying and he doth it because Faith is a Grace that takes a Man off himself and gives all the Honour to Christ and Free-grace Rom. 4.20 Strong in faith giving glory to God Therefore God hath put this Honour on Faith to make it saving and justifying The King's Stamp makes the Coyn pass for Currant if he would put his Stamp upon Leather as well as Silver it would make it Currant So God having put his Sanction the Stamp of his Authority and Institution upon Faith this makes it to be justifying and saving 2. Because Faith makes us one with Christ Eph. 3.17 It is the espousing incorporating Grace it gives us Coalition and Union with Christ's Person other Graces make us like Christ Faith makes us Members of Christ. 1. Use of Exhortation Let us above all things labour for Faith Fides est sanctissimum humani pectoris bonum Ephes. 6.16 Above all taking the shield of faith Faith will be of more use to us then any Grace as an Eye though dim was of more use to an Israâ—lite then all the other Members of his Body not a strong Arm or a nimble Foot it was his Eye looking on the Brazen Serpent that cured him It is not Knowledge though Angelical not Repentance though we could shed Rivers of Tears could justifie us only Faith whereby we look on Christ. Without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 and if we do not please him by believing he will not please us in saving of us Faith is the Condition of the Covenant of Grace without Faith without Covenant and without Covenant without Hope Eph. 2.12 2. Use of Tryal Let us try whether we have Faith There is something looks like Faith and is not a Bristol-stone looks like Diamond Some Plants have the same Leaf with others but the Herbalist can distinguish them by the Root and Tast. Something may look like true Faith but it may be distinguished by the Fruits Let us be serious in the Tryal of our Faith there is much depends upon our Faith If our Faith be not good there is nothing good comes from us our Duties and Graces are adulterate Quest. Well then how shall we know it is a true Faith Resp. By the Noble Effects 1. Faith is a Christ-prizing Grace it puts an high Valuation upon Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious St. Paul did best know Christ 1 Cor. 9.1 Have I not seen Iesus Christ our Lord Paul saw Christ with his bodily Eyes in a Vision when he was wrapped up into the third Heaven and he saw him with the Eye of his Faith in the Holy Supper ergo he best knew Christ. And see how he stiles all things in comparison of him Phil. 3.8 I count all things but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dung that I may win Christ. Do we set an high Estimate on Christ could we be willing to part with our Wedg of Gold for the Pearl of Price Greg. Nazianzen blessed God he had any thing to lose for Christ's sake 2. Faith is a refining Grace 1 Tim. 3.9 Mystery of faith in a pure conscience Faith is in the Soul as Fire among Metals it refines and purifies Morality may wash the outside Faith washeth the inside Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary or Holy of Holies Faith is a Virgin-Grace tho' it doth not take away the Life of Sin yet love of Sin Examine if your Heart be an Unclean Fountain sending out Mud and Dirt Pride Envy if there be Legions of Lusts in thy Soul there is no Faith Faith is an Heavenly Plant which will not grow in an impure Soil 3. Faith is an Obediential Grace Rom. 16.26 The obedience of faith Faith melts our Will into Gods Faith runs at God's Call if God commands Duty though
so small that it is scarce discernable Such as at the first dash have a strong Perswasion that Christ is theirs who leap out of Sin into Assurance their Faith is false and spurious That Faith which is come to its full Stature on its Birth-day is a Monster The Seed that sprung up suddenly withered Matth. 13.5 4. Faith is a Refining Grace it consecrates and purifies Moral Vertue may wash the out-side Faith washeth the in-side Acts 15.9 Having purified their Hearts by Faith Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary or Temple with this Inscription Holiness to the Lord. Such whose Hearts have Legions of Lusts in them were never acquainted with true Faith For one to say he hath Faith yet lives in Sin is as if one should say he were in Health yet his Vitals are perished Faith is a Virgin-Grace it is joyn'd with Sanctity 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the Mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience The Jewel of Faith is always put in the Cabinet of a pure Conscience The Woman that touch'd Christ by Faith fetch'd an healing and cleansing Vertue from him 5. True Faith is Obediential Rom. 16.26 The Obedience of Faith Faith melts our Will into the Will of God If God commands Duty tho cross to Flesh and Blood Faith obeys Heb. 11.8 By Faith Abâ—aham obeyed Faith doth not only believe the Promise but obey the Command It is not having a Speculative Knowledge will evidence you to be Believers The Devil hath Knowledge but that which makes him a Devil is he wants Obedience 6. True Faith is encreasing Rom. 1.17 From Faith to Faith i. e. From one Degree of Faith to another Faith doth not lie in the Heart as a Stone in the Earth but as Seed in the Earth it grows Ioseph of Atimathea was a Disciple of Christ but afraid to confess him afterwards he went boldly to Pilate and begg'd the Body of Jesus Iohn 19.36 And a Christians Encrease in Faith is known two ways 1. By Stedfastness He is a Pillar in the Temple of God Col. 2.7 Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the Faith Unbelievers are Scepticks in Religion they are unsettled they question every Truth But when the Faith is on the encreasing Hand it doth Stabilire animum it doth corroborate a Christian he is able to prove his Principles he holds no more than he will die for As that Martyr Woman said I cannot dispute for Christ but I can burn for him An encreasing Faith is not like a Ship in the midst of the Sea that fluctuates and is tossed upon the Waves but like a Ship at Anchor which is firm and stedfast 2. A Christians Encrease in Faith is known by Strength He can do that now which he could not do before When one is Man-grown he can do that which he was not able to do when he was a Child He can carry an heavier Burden So a Christian can bear Crosses with more Patience Obj. But I fear I have no Faith it is so weak Resp. If you have Faith tho but in its Infancy be not discouraged For 1. A little Faith is Faith as a Spark of Fire is Fire 2. A weak Faith may lay hold on a strong Christ A weak Hand can tie the Knot in Marriage as well as a strong She in the Gospel who but touch'd Christ fetch'd Vertue from him 3. The Promises are not made to Strong Faith but to True The Promise doth not say He who hath a Giant-faith who can believe God's Love through a Frown who can rejoyce in Affliction who can work Wonders remove Mountains stop the Mouth of Lions shall be saved but whosoever believes be his Faith never so small A Reed is but weak especially when it is bruised yet the Promise is made to it Matth. 12.20 A bruised Reed he will not break 4. A weak Faith may be Fruitful Weakest things multiply most The Vine is a weak Plant but it is Fruitful The Thief 's Cross which was newly converted was but weak in Grace but how many precious Clusters grew upon that tender Plant Luke 23.40 He chiâ—les his Fellow-Thief Dost not thou fear God He Judgeth himself We indeed suffer justly He believes in Christ when he said Lord. He makes a Heavenly Prayer Remember me when thou comest into thy Kigdom Weak Christians may have strong Affections How strong is the first Love which is after the first planting of Faith 5. The weakest Believer is a Member of Christ as well as the strongest and the weakest Member of the Body Mystical shall not perish Christ will cut off rotten Members but not weak Members Therefore Christian be not discouraged God who would have us receive them that are weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 will not himself refuse them II. The Second means whereby we escape the Curse and Wrath due to Sin is by Repentance Acts 11.18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life Repentance seems to be a bitter Pill to take but it is to purge out the bad Humour of Sin Repentance is by some Antinomian Spirits cryed down as a Legal Doctrine but Christ himself preached it Matth. 4.17 From that time Iesus began to Preach and to say Repent c. And in his last Farewell when he was ascending to Heaven he commanded that Repentance should be Preached in his Name Luke 24.37 Repentance is a pure Gospel-Grace The Covenant of Works would not admit of Repentance It cursed all that could not perform perfect and personal Obedience Gal. 3.10 Repentance comes in by the Gospel it is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase that Repenting Sinners shall be saved Repentance is wrought by the Ministry of the Gospel while it sets before our Eyes Christ Crucified Repentance is not Arbitrary but Necessary there is no being saved without it Luke 13.3 Except ye repent ye shall all likewise Perish And we may be thankful to God that he hath left us this Plank after Shipwrack 1. I shall show the Counterfeits of Repentance 1. Natural Softness and Tenderness of Spirit Some have a tender Affection arising from their Complexion whereby they are apt to weep and relent when they see any Object of Pity These are not Repenting Tears For many weep to see anothers Misery who cannot weep at their own Sin 2. Counterfeit Legal Affrightments A Man hath lived in a course of Sin at last he is made a little sensible he sees Hell ready to devour him and he is filled with Anguish and Horror but within a while the Tempest of Conscience is blown over and he is quiet Then he concludes he is a true Penitent because he hath felt some bitterness in Sin This is not Repentance Iudas had some trouble of Mind If Anguish and Trouble were sufficient to Repentance then the Damned should be most penitent for they are most in Anguish of Mind There may be Trouble of Mind where there is no grieving for the Offence against God 3. Counterfeit a slight superficial Sorrow When God's Hand
at one draught catched Three Thousand Souls Let us examine How was our Faith wrought Did God in the Ministry of the word humble us Did he break up the fallow ground of our heart and then cast in the Seed of Faith a good sign but if you know not how you came by your Faith suspect your selves as we suspect Men to have stolen goods when they know not how they came by them 2. True Faith is at first minute and small like a grain of Mustard seed it is full of doubts and fears it is smoaking flax it smoaks with desire but doth not flame with comfort it is so small that a Christian can hardly discern whether he hath Faith or no. 3. True Faith is long in working non sit in instanti It costs many searchings of heart many Prayers and Tears there is a spiritual Combat the Soul suffers many sore Pangs of Humiliation before the Child of Faith be born they whose Faith is per saltum they leap out of sin into a confidence that Christ is theirs I say as Isaac concerning his Sons Venison Gen. 27.20 How is it that thou hast found it so quickly How is it that thou comest by thy Faith so soon The Seed in the Parable which sprung up suddenly withered Mark 4.5 Solent praecocia subito flaccescere 4. True Faith is ioyn'd with Sanctity as a little Bezoar is strong in operation and a little Musk sweetens so a little Faith purifies 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mistery of Faith in a pure Conscience Faith though it doth but touch Christ fetcheth an healing vertue from him Justifying Faith doth that in a spiritual sence which miraculous Faith doth it removes the Mountains of sin and casts them into the Sea of Christs â—lood 5. True Faith will trust God without a Pawn Though a Christian be cut short in Provisions the Fig-tree doth not blossom yet he will trust in God Fides Famem non formidat Faith fears not Famine God hath given us his Promise as his Bond Psal. 37.3 Verily thou shalt be fed Faith puts this Bond in suit God will rather work a Miracle than His promise shall fail He hath cause to suspect his Faith who saith he trusts God for the greater but dares not trust him for the lesser he trusts God for Salvation but dares not trust him for a livelihood 6. True Faith is Prolifical it brings for Fruit Faith hath Rachel's Beauty and Leah's Fruitfulness Fides pinguescit operibus Luther Faith is full of good works Faith believes as if it did not work and it works as if it did not believe Faith is the spouslike grace which marries Christ and good works are the Children which Faith bears by having such a Faith we may know the kingdom of God is within us Grace is certainly in our Hearts 3. We may know the kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by having the noble grace of Love Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns Cant. 1.4 The Vpright love thee True Love is to love God out of Choice Love turns the Soul into a Seraphin it makes it burn in a flame of Affection Love is the truest Touchstone of Sincerity Love is the Queen of the Graces it commands the whole Soul 2 Cor. 5.4 If our Love to God be Genuine and Real we let him have the Supremacy we set him in the highest room of our Soul we give him the purest of our Love Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my Pomgrenate If the Spouse had any thing better than other a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ should drink of that We give the Creature the Milk of our Love but God the Cream In short if we love God aright we love his Laws we love his picture drawn in the Saints by the Pencil of the Holy Ghost we love his Presence in his Ordinances Sleidan saith the Protestants in France had a Church which they call'd Paradise as if they thought themselves in Paradise while they had Gods Presence in his Sanctuary The Soul that loves God loves his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 It will be a glorious appearing to the Saints when their Union with Christ shall be compleat then their joy shall be full The Bride longs for the marriage day The Spirit and the Bride say come Even so come Lord Iesus Rev. 22.17 By this Sacred Love we may know the Kingdom of God is within us 4. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by Spiritualizing the Duties of Religion 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye are an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices Spiritualizing Duty consists in three things 1. Fixedness of Mind 2. Fervency of Devotion 3. Uprightness of Aim 1. Fixedness of Mind Then we Spiritualize Duty when our Minds are fixed on God 1 Cor. 7.35 That ye may attend on the Lord without distraction Though impertinent thoughts sometimes come into the heart in Duty yet they are not allowed Psal. 119.13 they come as unwelcome guests which are no sooner spyed but they are turned out 2. Fervency of Devotion Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is a Metaphor alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so the Affections boyl over the Eyes melt in tears the Heart flowes in holy ejaculations We not only bring our offering to God but our hearts 3. Uprightness of Aim An heart that is upright hath three ends in Duty 1. That he may grow more like God As Moses on the Mount had some of Gods Glory reflected on him his face shined 2 That he may have more communion with God 1 Iohn 1.6 our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our fellowship is with the Father 3. That he may bring more Glory to God 1 Pet. 4.11 Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Sincerity aimes at God in all though we shoot short yet we take a right aim This is a sure evidence of Grace the Spiritualizing Duty The Spirits of Wine are best so is the Spiritual part of Duty A little Spiritualness in Duty is better than all the gildings of the Temple or outward pompous Worship which doth so dazzle carnal eyes 5. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us by antipathy and opposition against every known sin Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way Hatred is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. against the whole kind Hatred is implacable Anger may be reconciled hatred cannot A gracious Soul not only forsakes sin as a Man forsakes his Country never to return to it more but hates sin as there 's an antipathy between the Crocadile and the Scorpion If the Kingdom of God be within us we not only hate sin for Hell but we hate it as Hell as being contrary to Gods Holiness and our Happiness 6. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us when we have given up our selves to God by obedience As a Servant gives up himself to
fit of Musick Such are they who let Heaven go for a song This will make the Devil insult at the last day to think how he hath gull'd Men and made them lose their Souls and their happiness for lying vanities If Satan could make good his brag in giving all the Glory and Kingdoms of the World it could not countervail the loss of the Celestial Kingdom All the tears in Hell are not sufficient to lament the loss of Heaven VSE II. Of Reproof 1. Branch It reproves such as do not at all look after this Kingdom of Glory As if all we say about Heaven were but a Romance they do not mind it That they mind it not appears because they do not labour to have the Kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts If they have some thoughts of this Kingdom yet it is in a dull careless manner they serve God as if they served him not they do not vires exerere put forth their strength for the Heavenly Kingdom How industrious were the Saints of old for this Kingdom Phil. 3.13 Reaching forth unto those things which are before The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stretching out the neck a Metaphor from Racers that strain every limb and reach forward to lay hold on the prize Luther spent three hours a day in Prayer Anna the prophetess departed not from the temple but served God with fasting and prayers night and day Luke 2.37 How zealous and industrious were the Martyrs to get into this Heavenly Kingdom they wore their Fetters as Ornaments snatched up Torments as Crowns and embraced the Flames as chearfully as Elijah did the fiery Chariot which came to fetch him to Heaven and do not we think this Kingdom worth our labour The great pains the Heathens took in their Olympick Races when they ran but for a Crown made of Olive intermixed with Gold will rise up in Judgment against such as take little or no pains in seeking after the Kingdom of Glory The dulness of many in seeking after Heaven is such as if they did not believe there were such a Kingdom or as if it would not countervail their labour or as if they thought it were indifferent whether they obtained this Kingdom or no which is as much as to say whether they were saved or no whether they were Crowned in Glory or chained as Gally slaves in Hell for ever 2. Branch It reproves them who spend their sweat more in getting the World then the Kingdom of Heaven Phil. 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who mind earthly things the World is the great Diana they cry up as if they would fetch happiness out of the earth which God hath cursed They labour for and Honour Riches many are like Korah and Dathan the earth swallowed them up Num. 16.32 So the earth swallows up their Time and Thoughts these if they are not Pagans yet they are Infidels they do not believe there is such a kingdom they go for Christians yet question that great Article in their Faith Life Everlasting these like the Serpents lick the dust O what is there in the World that we should so idolize it when Christ and Heaven are not regarded what hath Christ done for you died for your sins what will the World do for you can it pacify an angry Conscience can it procure Gods Favour can it flee death can it bribe your Judge can it purchase for you a place in the kingdom of heaven O how are Men bewitched with worldly Profits and Honours that for these things they will let go Paradise It was a good prayer of St. Bernard Sic possideamâ—u mundana ut non perdamus aeterna Lo let us so possess things temporal that we do not lose things eternal 3. Branch It reproves such who delay and put off seeking this kingdom till it be too late like the foolish Virgins who came when the door was shut Mora trahit periculum People let the Lamp of Life blaze out and when the Symptoms of death are upon them and they know not what else to do now will look up to the kingdom of Heaven Christ bids them seek Gods kingdom first and they will seek it last they put off the kingdom of heaven to a Death-bed as if it were as easie to make their Peace as to make their Will How many have lost the Heavenly kingdom through Delays and Procrastinations Plutarch reports of Archias the Lacedemonian being among his Cups one delivered him a Letter and desired him to read it presently being of serious business saith he seria cras I will mind serious things to morrow and that Night he was slain Thou that saiest thou wilt look after the kingdom of Heaven to morrow knowest not but that thou maiest be in Hell before to morrow Sometimes death comes suddenly it strikes without giving warning What folly is it putting off seeking the kingdom of heaven till the day of Grace expire till the radical moisture be spent as if a Man should begin to run a Race when a fit of the Gout takes him 4. Branch It reproves such as were once great Zealots in Religion and did seem to be touch'd with a coal from Gods Altar but since they have cool'd in their Devotion and have left off the pursuing the Caelestial kingdom Hos. 8.3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good there is no face of Religion to be seen they have left off the House of Prayer and gone to Play houses they have left off pursuing the Heavenly Kingdom Quest. Whence is this Resp. 1. For want of a supernatural Principle of Grace That Branch must needs dye which hath no Root to grow upon That which moves from a Principle of Life lasts as the beating of the Pulse but that which moves only from an artificial Spring when the spring is down the motion ceaseth The Hypocrites Religion is artificial not vital he acts from the outward spring of Applause or Gain and if that spring be down his motion towards Heaven ceaseth 2. From Unbelief Heb. 3.12 An evil heart of Vnbelief departing from the living God Psal. 78.22 They believed not in God Verse 41. they turned back Sinners have hard thoughts of God they think they may pray and hear yet never the better Mal. 3.14 they question whether God will give them the kingdom at last then they turn back and throw away Christs Colours they distrust Gods Love no wonder then they desert his Service Infidelity is the Root of Apostacy 3. Men leave off pursuing the heavenly kingdom it is from some secret Lust nourished in the Soul perhaps a wanton or a covetous Lust Demas for love of the world forsook his Religion and afterwards turned Priest in an idol Temple One of Christs own Apostles was caught with a silver Bait Covetousness will make Men betray a good Cause and make shipwrack of a good Conscience if there be any Lust unmortified in the Soul it will bring forth the bitter fruit either of
because he hath bound himself by promise to forgive an humble Confessor of sin Cum accusat excusat Tertull. When we accuse our selves God absolves us We are apt to hide our sins Iob 31.33 which is as great a folly as for one to hide his disease from the Physitian But when we open our sins to God by Confessing he opens his Mercy to us by Forgiving 4. Means for pardon sound Repentance Repentance and Remission are put together Luk. 24 47. There is a Promise of a Fountain Opened for the washing away the guilt of sin Zach. 13.1 But see what goes before Zac. 12.10 They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean that is wash in the waters of Repentance and then follows a promise of Forgiveness Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow 'T is easie to turn white into scarlet but not so easie to turn scarlet into white yet upon Repentance God hath promised to make the scarlet-sinner of a Milk-like whiteness Caut Not that Repentance merits pardon but it prepares for it We set our Seal on the Wax when it melts God seals his pardons on melting hearts 5. Means Faith in the blood of Christ. It 's Christ's blood washeth away sin Rev. 1.6 but this blood will not wash away sin unless it be apply'd by Faith The Apostle speaks of the Sprinkling of the blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 Many are not pardoned though Christ's blood be shed because it is not sprinkled Now it is Faith that sprinkles Christ's blood on the Soul for the Remission of sin As Thomas put his hands into Christ's sides Ioh. 20 27. So Faith puts its hand into Christ's wounds and takes of the blood and sprinkles it upon the Conscience for the washing away of guilt Hence in Scripture we are said to obtain pardon through Faith Act. 13.39 By him all that believe are justified Luk. 7.48 Thy sins are forgiven Whence was this Vers. 50. Thy faith hath saved thee O let us labour for Faith Christ is a Propitiation or Atonement to take away sin But how through Faith in his blood Rom 3.25 6. Means Pray much for Pardon Hos. 14.2 Take away all iniquity Luk. 18.13 The Publican smote upon his breast saying God be me merciful to me a sinner and the Text saith he went away justified Many pray for Health Riches Children but Christ hath taught us what to pray for chiefly remitte nobis debita nostra Forgive us our sins And be earnest Suitors for pardon Consider what guilt of sin is it binds one over to the Wrath of God Better thy House were haunted with Devils than thy Soul with guilt He who is in the bond of iniquity must needs be in the Gall of bitterness Acts 8.23 A guilty Soul wears Cain's Mark which was a Trembling at Heart and a Shaâ—â—ng in his Flesh. Guilt makes the sinner afraid lest every Trouble he meets with should Arrest him and bring him to Judgment If guilt be so dismal and breeds such Convulsion fits in the Conscience How earnest should we be in Prayer that God would remove this guilt and so earnest as to Resolve to take no denial Plead hard with God for Pardon as a Man would plead with a Judge for his Life Fall upon thy Knees say Lord hear one word Why may God say What canst thou say for thy self that thou shouldst not dye Lord I can say but little but I put in my surety Christ shall answer for me O look upon that blood which speaks better things than the blood of Abel Christ is my Priest his Blood is my Sacrifice his Divine Nature is my Altar As Rahab was to shew the Scarlet thread in the Window and when Ioshua saw it he did not destroy her Iosh. 2.18.21 Iosh. 6.22 23. So shew the Lord the Scarlet thread of Christs Blood and that is the way to have mercy But will God say why should I pardon thee thou hast no ways obliged me but Lord pardon me because thou hast promised it I urge thy Covenant when a Man is to dye by the Law he calls for his Book so say Lord let me have the benefit of my Book thy Word saith if the sinner forsake his evil way thou wilt pardon abundantly Isa. 55.7 Lord I have forsaken my sin let me therefore have mercy I plead the benefit of the Book But for whose sake should I pardon thou canst not deserve it Lord for thy own name sake thou hast said thou wilt blot out sin for thy own name sake Isa. 43.25 'T will be no Eclipsing to thy Crown how will thy mercy shine forth and all thy other Attributes ride in triumph if thou shalt pardon me Thus plead with God in Prayer and resolve not to give him over till thy pardon be sealed God cannot deny importunity He delights in Mercy as the Mother saith Chrysostom delights to have her Breast milked so God delights to Milk out the Breast of Mercy to the sinner these means being used will procure this great blessedness the Forgiveness of Sin Thus I have done with the first part of this fifth Petition Forgive us our Sins I come next to the second part of the Petition as we forgive our Debtors Mat. 6.12 As we forgive our Debtors or as we forgive them that trespass against us I proceed to the second part of the Petition As we forgive them that trespass against us As we forgive This word As is not a note of Equality but Similitude not that we equal God in forgiving but imitate him This great Duty of forgiving others is a crossing the stream 't is contrary to flesh and blood Men forget kindnesses but remember injuries But it is an indispensable duty to forgive we are not bound to trust an Enemy but we are bound to forgive him We are naturally prone to revenge Revenge saith Homer is sweet as dropping Honey The Heathen Philosophers held revenge lawful Vlcisci te lacessitus potes Cicero But we learn better things out of the Oracles of Scripture Mar. 11.25 when ye stand praying forgive Mat. 5.44 Col. 3.13 If a Man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Quest. 1. How can we forgive others when it is only God forgives sin Answ. In every breach of the second Table there are two things an offence against God and a trespass against Man so far as it is an offence against God only he can forgive but so far as it is a trespass against Man so we may forgive Quest. 2. When do we forgive others Answ. When we strive against all thoughts of revenge if it be in our power to do our enemies mischief we will not we wish well to them grieve at their Calamities we pray for them we seek reconciliation with them we shew our selves ready on all occasions to relieve them this is Gospel forgiving Object 1. But I have been much injur'd
a dead Man to a living Thus a Child of God hath corruption join'd with Grace here is a dead Man tied to the living So hateful is this that a believer desires to die for no other reason more than this that death shall free him from sin Sin brought death into the World and death shall carry sin out of the World Thus you see in the opinion of the Godly sin is the most hyperbolical and execrable evil 4. Look upon sin in the comparative and it will appear to be the most deadly evil Compare what you will with it 1. Affliction 2. Death 3. Hell And still sin is worse First Compare sin with affliction there is more evil in a drop of sin than in a Sea of affliction 1. Sin is the Cause of affliction the cause is more than the effect Sin brings all mischief 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Chrysost. Sin hath sickness Sword Famine and all Judgments in the Womb of it Sin rots the name consumes the estate wastes the radical moisture as the Poets â—ain of Pandora's Box when it was opened it filled the World full of Diseases when Adam broke the Box of Original Righteousnes it hath caus'd all the Penal evils in the World Sin is the Phaeton that sets the World on Fire Sin turn'd the Angels out of Heaven and Adam out of Paradise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Sin causeth Mutinies Divisions Massacres Jer. 47.6 O thou Sword of the Lord how long will it be ere thou be quiet the Sword of Gods justice lies quietly in the Scabbard till sin draws it out and whets it against a Nation so that sin is worse than affliction it being the cause of it the cause is more than the effect 2. God is the author of affliction Amos 3.6 Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it it's meant of the evil of affliction God hath an hand in affliction but no hand in sin God is the cause of every action so far as it is Natural but not as it is Sinful He who makes an instrument of Iron is not the cause of the Rust or Canker which corrupts the Iron So God made the Instrument of our Souls but the Rust and Canker of sin which corrupts our Souls God never made Peccatum Deus non fecit Austin God can no more act evil than the Sun can darken In this sense sin is worse than affliction God hath an hand in affliction but disclaims having any hand in sin 3. Affliction doth but reach the Body and make that miserable but sin makes the Soul miserable The Soul is the most noble part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar The Soul is a Diamond set in a ring of Clay it is excellent in its Essence a Spiritual immortal substance excellent in the Price paid for it redeemed with the Blood of God Act. 20.28 it is more worth than a World the World is of a courser make the Soul of a finer spinning in the World we see the Finger of God in the Soul the Image of God To have the pretious Soul endangered is far worse than to have the Body endangered Sin wrongs the Soul Prov. 8.36 Sin casts this Jewel of the Soul over-board Affliction is but Skin deep it can but take away the Life but sin takes away the Soul Luk. 12.20 the loss of the Soul is an unparallell'd loss it can never be made up again God saith St. Chrysostom hath given thee two Eyes if thou losest one thou hast another but thou hast but one Soul and if that be lost it can never be repaired Thus sin is worse than affliction one can but reach the Body the other ruins the Soul is there not great reason then that we should often put up this Petition deliver us from evil 4. Afflictions are good for us Psalm 119.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted many can bless God for affliction Affliction humbles Lam. 3.19 remembring my affliction the Wormwood and the Gall my Soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbled in me afflictions are compar'd to thorns Hos. 2.8 these Thorns are to prick the Bladder of Pride Affliction is the School of Repentance Jer. 31.18 Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised I Repented The Fire being put under the Still makes the Water drop from the Roses the fire of Affliction makes the Water of Repentance drop from the Eyes Affliction brings us nearer to God The Loadstone of Mercy doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction When the Prodigal was pinch'd with want then saith he I will arise and go to my father Luke 15.18 Afflictions prepare for glory 2 Cor. 4.17 This light affliction works for us an eternal weight of glory the Limner lays his Gold upon dark colours so God lays first the dark colours of affliction and then the Golden colour of Glory Thus Affliction is for our good but sin is not for our Good it keeps good things from us Jer. 5.25 Your sins have with-holden good things from you sin stops the current of Gods Mercy it precipitates men to ruine Manassehs affliction brought him to humiliation but Iudas his sin brought him to desperation 5. A man may be afflicted and his Conscience may be quiet Pauls feet were in the stocks yet he had the Witness of his Conscience 2 Cor. 1.12 the Head may ake yet the Heart may be well the outward Man may be afflicted yet the Soul may dwell at ease Psal. 25.13 the Hail may beat upon the Tiles of the House when there is Musick within in the midst of outward pain there may be inward peace Thus in affliction Conscience may be quiet but when a Man commits a presumptuous scandalous sin Conscience is troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by defiling the purity of Conscience we lose the peace of Conscience when Spira had sinned and abjured the Faith he was a terror to himself he had an Hell in his Conscience Tiberius the Emperor felt such a sting in his Conscience that he told the Senate he suffered death daily 6. In Affliction we may have the Love of God Afflictions are love tokens Rev 3.19 as many as I love I rebuke Afflictions are sharp arrows but shot from the Hand of a loving Father If a Man should throw a Bag of Money at another and it should bruise him a little and raise the Skin he would not be offended but take it as a fruit of love so when God bruiseth us with affliction it is to enrich us with the Golden Graces of his Spirit all is love but when we commit sin God withdraws his love 't is like the Sun overcast with a Cloud nothing appears but anger and displeasure When David had sin'd in the matter of Vriah 2 Sam. 11.27 the thing that David had done displeas'd the Lord. 7. There are many encouragements to suffer affliction God himself suffers with us Isa. 63.9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted God
Person of the Trinity 63 What Sorrow goes before Forgiveness 806 Soul-Murther who are guilty of it 365 Soul the Excellency of it 801 Soul-dress for receiving the Sacrament wherein it consists 416 Souls deserted that want assurance how they may be comforted 205 Spiritual what it is to be so 25 Spirit how it can be said to be grieved 77 State of Nature is a Kingdom of Darkness Submission to God's Will what it is not 520 Submission to God's Will what may stand with it and what not 521 Submission to God's Will what it is ibid. When we do not submit to God's Will in Afflictions 523. Subtilty of Satan to make Men miscarry in the use of Meat 838 T Temptations whence they come 832 Tempted two cases of them spoke to 852 Temptations of Satan means to defeat them 855 Temptation what good may come out of it 858 Theft whence it doth arise 377 How many sorts of it there are ibid. What are the aggravations of it ibid. Vain Thoughts how they come in in hearing the Word 340 The Evil of them 341 Vain Thoughts how we may get help against them 342 Vain Thoughts in Prayer how we may cure them 422 Tongue how it is Evil. 986 Evil Tongue the several sorts of 986 987. Tongue rules for governing it 991 Tongue Sins Motives to beware of them 993 Torments of Hell what they are 473 Trinity of Persons proved 62 63 Truth of God 57 U Visiting Iniquity what is meant by it 282 Unchangeableness of God 36 Unchangeable God how to get a part in him 38 Unpardoned Soul how miserable it is 816 Vorstius Objection against God's Vbiquity answered 27 W Several Ways of Satan to tempt Men. 853 Weariness in well-doing what occasions it 994 The Evil of it 996 Means to keep us from being weary in Well-doing 997 Will of God what is meant by it 512 Will of God how we are to do it that we may find acceptance 515 Will of God how we may Evangelically do it 516 Will of God how we may come to do it aright Wisdom of God wherein it appears 40 Wisdom and Innocence necessary Qualifications of a Christian. 966 Wisdom wherein it chiefly consists ibid. The Word 's effectually Working what is meant by it 404 Word how it may be read effectually 405 How it may be heard effectually 406 World why God made it 66 World in what sence it is Evil. 877 What Worship is most suitable to God 25 To Worship God in the Spirit what it is 26 Wrath to come what we shall do to escape it 397 A Catalogue of BOOKS sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chapel in Cheapside In Folio THE Christian Directory or Case of Conscience Catholick Theology Methodus Theologica all three by Mr. Richard Baxter A Sacred Poem on the Glory of Heaven Rushworth's first Vol. Crook's Hypocrite Keach's Metaphors Strong on the Covenant Burgess on the Corinthians Taylor on Christ's Temptation Horton on the Psalms Gell's Remains A Dialogue between Timothy and Titus about the Articles of the Church of England Isaac Ambrose's Works Pool's Annotations on the Bible Pembroke's Arcadia Manton's Third Vol. of Sermons Dr. Lightfoot's Works Gurnall's Christian Armour Dr. Horton's 100 Sermons Nostradamus's Prophecies Melvill's Memoirs Marvell's Poems Daillé on the Colossians Cook 's Mirabilia Clark's Martyrology The Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons of the Reformed Churches in France being a most Faithful and Impartial History of the Rise Growth and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom their Confession of Faith Speeches Letters Cases of Conscience c. By Iohn Quick Minister in London Dr. Owen's Discourse of the Holy Spirit on the Hebrews Second Vol. on the Hebrews Third Vol. In Quarto Baxter's Saints Everlasting rest Church History and Councils History of Counsels inlarged and defended Apology for Nonconformists Second Defence of Nonconformists Apology against Eight Men. Treatise of Episcopacy Disputations of Church-Government Life of Faith First of the Sermons Preach'd before King Charles the Second English Nonconformity Naked Popery against Dodwell and Shirlock Which is the True Church Catholick Communion against both Extreams in six several Controversies Moral Prognostication Search for English Schismaticks Farewel Sermon Published by himself Alderman Ashurst's Funeral Sermon Mr. Iohn Corbet's Funeral Sermon Glorious Kingdom of Christ. Reply to Mr. Tho. Beverly's Answer National Churches Church Concord Penitent Confession and necessary Vindication Power of a Christian Magistrate Disputations of right to Sacraments Disputation of Justification Church Told against Bagshaw Ark on the Covenant Brown's Gospel-Churches Brightman on the Revelations Bulkley on the Covenant Critical Enquiries Boyse's Sermon Charlton's Enquiries into Humane Nature Child's Pilot's Sea-Mirrour Clarkson's Poetical Divinity of Papists No Evidence for Diocesan Churches Corbet's Nonconformist's Plea Clark against Postlewait A Dialogue between a Protestant and a Jew and a Papist and a Jew Doolittle's Protestant's Answer to where was your Church before Luther Caryl on Iob. Elton on the Commandments Greenhill on Ezekiel First Vol. Second Vol. Humphrys's Nonconformist's Third Step. Frysell's Sermons of Grace and Temptation Bishop Hopkins on the Commandments Humphrys's Middle Way Peaceable Disquisition Q. I Ovid. 2 Chr. 11.15 Q. II. * Id verum quod primum †Veritas opprimi patest non supprimi * Que regit Syder a sagit ubera Q. III. Q. IV. * Iovis omnia plâ—na * Not the posse but velle * Bene esse Removenda Promovenda * Vox faucibus haeret 3. Casus Non mirum Tristis Miosis * Brugensis * Bern. * Hierom. * Macrobius * Die Dominico nihil aliud vacandum nisi ad pietatiâ— munia 1. A Promise of Joy Psal. 37.4 2. Of Honour 3. Of Earth and Heaven Eccles. 12.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Son as well as Servant * Bern. 1 Cor. 9.7 * Arist. * Davenant Reason * The Eye is the first part Ravens pick out * Plutarch †Validiora sunt Exempla quam verba Isa. 1.21 Acts 9.4 1. Excellency of the Soul 2. Excellency Plutarch Sen. Surius of Luther Ainsworth Ambrose Epiphan Luke 3.20 * Ex uguue Leonem Luther August * Cyprian * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 1 Chron. 15.13 * Rev. 3.2 Mat. 7.6 Exod. 19.12 * Aug. * Crede manducasti Aug. Luther Calvin Aug. Tertull. Aug. Calvin Aristot. Rom. 1.30 2 Sam. 12.11 * Bern. 2 Sam. 18.2 Gal. 5.17