18. 9 A care to reform the outward man with a neglect of the inward man Hypocrites are busiest in outward performances For example in matters of religion there 's the outward part and the inward part for the outward part as hearing presenting himself at worship Eccl. 8.10 He comes and goes to the place of the holy but for the inward part to wit the bleeding heart the melting affection the rectified will the inward washing of the heart Jer. 4.14 these he is a stranger from He is like a Bankrupt that makes show of all and more then all the wares he hath Matth. 15.7 8 9. Ye Hypocrites well did Isaiah say this people draweth nigh me with their lips but their heart is far from me Contrary the sincere Christian is like a rich Merchant that hath much more goods then is seen in Ware-houses and Cellars if he cleanse himself he labours not onely to cleanse his hands as Pilate did but he cleanses his heart Jam. 4.8 If he gives thanks he doth not onely lift up his hand but his heart to God in the heavens Lam. 3.40 He cleanses himself not onely from filthiness of the flesh but of the Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 Jer. 4.14 If he give alms he draws out his soul to the hungry as well as his hand Isai 58.10 If he obey God in any command it 's from the heart Rom. 6.17 Col. 3.23 If he be baptized he cares not onely to have his body washed with pure water but to have his heart sprinkled from an evil conscience Heb. 10.22 He doth not onely speak of good things with his tongue but the Law of God is in his heart Psal 37.31 Because the outward part is easie and glorious in the eys of the world the hypocrite will do that but the inward part being difficult and costly he will not do that 10 A following God in cheap and creditable duties but not in costly and dishonourable duties So Saul 1 Sam. 15.8 9. Saul destroyed the worst of the sheep and cattel every thing that was vile and refuse they destroyed utterly but for Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen and fatlings and all that was good they would not utterly destroy So when a duty is creditable a hypocrite will do it as to profess Religion forwardly where it is in credit as many hypocrites did in Josiah's time whose hypocrisie was seen when he was dead Contrarily sincere persons follow God in costly duties if duty cost them all their preferment and wealth they will part with it Luke 14.33 Heb. 11.25.26 They will not offer to God that which costs them nothing so in duties wherein there is no credit as David when he danced before the ark of God 2 Sam. 6.20 though Michal scoft at him yet would he do it 11 Self justification and translation of the fault upon others 1 Sam. 15.13 I have performed the commandment of the Lord but Samuel said What means the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the Oxen which I hear Saul answered v. 15. The people spared of the best of the sheep and of the Oxen. He laies the fault on the people v. 20 21. Contrarily sincere souls take the shame of their evils don to themselves 2 Sam. 24.17 Luke 15.18 When this frame of self justification is usual it s a bad temper See it in the Pharisee Luke 18.12 13. Contrary the publican But this sign I apply to an act rather then to a state of hypocrisie 12 The living in sin mean while pretending to be religious see it in that strumpet Prov. 7.14 she seemed very devout yet was an arrant strumpet see Eccles 8.10 Jer. 7.10 11. Herod Mark 6.20 In the midst of all his devotion he lived in incest by this was Jehu Saul c. discovered Deut. 26.13 14. One sin lived in proves a man an hypocrite Hab. 2.4 John 5.44 Psalm 19.13 Remedies against hypocrisie 1 Beg a sound heart of God that he would give thee a right Spirit Psalm 51.10.143.10 Psalm 139.24 Try me O Lord search me see if there be any way of wickedness in me Though Satan may tell thee God hears thee not because thou art an hypocrite yet mayest thou answer him He that confesses and forsakes shall finde mercy Prov. 28.13 2 Walk sutable to thy own principles beware what principles thou receivest but having received them and thy conscience having given judgement herein walk sutable to them It 's greatly hypocritical to have our principles go one way and our practice another yet ought there to be a tender respect to the principles of others judging that with as good a conscience they refrain that which you conscientiously seem to practise 3 Search thy heart to finde out thy hypocrisy and bewail it So Mr. Bradford was wont to call himself a painted hypocrite If we finde sincerity wrought in us let us hold fast the comfort of it Job 27.5 But if on the other side we finde we prefer our credit and profit before the Lord that we retain some darling sin and that we will not do some costly painfull or shamefull duty that we make clean the outside of the cup and platter but the inside is full of filth that we usually do that in secret we would not for a world should come abroad see that thou bewail all these hypocrisies thou being weary and heavy loaden with this sin as well as others art bid to come to Christ Matth. 11.28 Say not thou if thou have been an hypocrite all this while it will never be better if thou wilt not see the hypocrisie of thy heart and confess and bewail it before the Lord thou shalt never be better but if believingly thou mourn under it there is a fountain set open to wash thee from this as well as from other pollutions Zac. 13.1 1 John 1.7 8. And for the reliques of hypocrisie by often searching and bewailing they are weeded out every time a garden is weeded the weeds are the fewer and the herbs and flowers prosper better 4 Trace your hearts in your motives actings and ends It s hard for creatures to get lurking holes when they are closely hunted so hunt thy hypocrisie and it will hardly get harbour reflect upon thy self and consider the motives that set thee on work to do such an action was it the glory of God or thy own glory when thou denies thy self in such an enjoyment was it out of love to God or to get esteem Hezekiah thus traced his heart Esa 38.3 and so did David in the matter of Bathsheba hence he so prayes that God would renew a right spirit in him Probably Paul did the same Acts 9.9 and Peter Mark 14.72 when he thought thereon he wept the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he casting up Peter cast up how deceitfully he had dealt with Christ in denying him at such a time and for swearing and that three several times and that in the presence of his enemies upon a poor simple
Because such persons are believers Acts 15.9 purifying their hearts by faith that is every believer from the blood and spirit of Christ draws power to purifie and purge the heart from that filth which ariseth therein Now to every true believer there is a promise of blessedness 3 Because a purifying of the heart and hope of blessedness are inseparably annext or joyned together 1 John 3.3 Every man that hath this hope in him that is to see the Lord to his comfort whereof he had spoken verse 2. purifieth himself as God is pure A man may have other hopes without this as hope to be rich to be honourable but he cannot have this hope without purity Use 1 Exhortation to follow after purity of heart When the heart is pure thy hands will be pure clean hands and a pure heart go together Psalm 24.4 thy prayer will be pure Job 16.7 Mal. 1.11 thy conscience will be pure that it will witness thou lives not in sin 1 Tim. 3.9 Means to purity of heart 1 Get the blood and spirit to purifie thy heart As the blood of Christ purges the soul from guilt Heb. 9.14 so doth the spirit from filth 1 Peter 1.22 Seeing you have purified your hearts through the spirit Psalm 51.7 9 10. 2 Purifie your hearts from double mindedness James 4.8 Cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double minded Now that is double mindedness when a man thinks to grasp grace and sin and holds them in an equal poise as the young man Matth. 19. he would fain have held Christ and the inordinate love of the world together Contrarily Nathaniel John 1.47 3 Content not your selves with outward purity The Pharisees by an outward shew of purity by making clean the out-side of the cup and platter got great authority among men Matth. 23.25 though their hearts were full of rottenness and they that followed after inward purity of heart were contemned but in opposition Christ commends to his Disciples inward purity Many are pure in apparel but few in this 4 Nourish Gods fear in you cleanse your selves from all filthiness 2 Cor. 7.1 how shall we do it Perfecting holiness in the fear of God Gods fear makes a man afraid to let any sin have a quiet abode in him Psal 19.9 The fear of the Lord is clean 5 Believe the promises By the belief of the promises we partake of the divine nature and to escape the corruption of the world 2 Pet. 1.3 4. 2 Cor. 7.1 6 Purity of heart is a preparative for communion with God Psalm 24.3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord Who shall stand in his holy place He that hath a pure heart verse 4. For they shall see God Here 's the reason of their blessedness for they shall see God 1 In this life as a pure glass receives the image proposed to it 2 Cor. 3.18 we beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same glory 2 In the life to come Men of pure heart are not seen in the world or taken notice of but in another world they shall see God Now in the sight of God is fulness of joy Psal 16. ult Matth. 18.10 setting forth the glory of Angels he saith They always behold the face of my Father in heaven For as the sun is not beheld but by sound eyes so God that is a most pure light cannot be seen but by a pure heart For the former of these the beholding God in this life is 1 The beholding of God in the creatures Psal 19.1 The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showes his handy work Rom. 1.20 The eternal power and God-head of God are cleerly seen by the things that are made God left not himself without witness whiles he gave fruitfull seasons Acts 14.17 Carnal men might oppose many things against Atheisme but they consider not the works of the Lord nor the operation of his hands Psal 28.5 2 The beholding of God in his word By this was Christ set forth evidently crucified Gal. 3.1 The word enlightens the eys Psal 19.8 In the glass of the word we behold God with open face 2 Cor. 3.18 which sets him forth 1 By removing all imperfections from him 2 By ascribing all perfections to him 3 The beholding of God in the light of his countenance Psal 17.15 I shall behold thy face in righteousness Job 13.16 An hypocrite shall not come before him that is to behold the light of his face Psal 140. ult the upright shall dwell in his presence The beholding of this is the earnest desire of every holy man Psal 4.6 7. If there be so much comfort in this when we behold it here what will there be in future blessedness 2 In the life to come we behold God This beholding is an eternal fulness of joy 1 Its a fulness of joy Psal 16. ult In his presence is fulness of joy If Solomons servants were blessed that stood in the presence of Solomon 1 Kings 10.8 and beheld his wisdom much more they who behold the glorious presence of God in heaven 2 It s eternal If a man were to leave heaven after a thousand years it were not happiness but we shall for ever enjoy this happiness 2 Cor. 4.18 2 Cor. 5.1 1 Thes 4.18 This joy consists 1 in the absence of all evils as 1 freedome from sin both original wherewith now assail'd Rom. 7.15 and actual 1 Cor. 15.55 We shall set our feet on our corruptions as Joshua did his feet on the necks of the Kings 2 Freedome from temptations especially those of Satan which often make the life comfortless 3 From labours Rev. 14.3 The dead in the Lord rest from their labour They have the rest of an eternal sabbath Heb. 4.10 All things rest when they come at their proper place this is a maxime among men but true of glorified persons 4 From society of wicked men The Egyptians whom you have seen you shall see them no more for ever Exod. 15.13 shall then be made true all that do iniquity shall be gathered out Matth. 13.41 and turned into hell Psal 9.17 5 From all necessities of nature We shall need no house to dwel in no fire to warm us no meat to feed us no Physick to cleanse us for our bodies shall be spiritual not needing any of these 1 Cor. 15 43. 6 From all sorrow and mourning Revel 21.4 2 This joy consisteth in the enjoyment of all goods as 1 Light Psal 36.9 In thy light shall we see light darkness is part of the torment in hell 2 Pleasures and that for evermore Psal 16. ult hence heaven is called paradice Luke 23.43 3 Life of this shall mortality be swallowed up as time is swallowed up of eternity 2 Cor. 5.4 mortality shall be swallowed up of life 4 Perfect knowledge of God We shall see him face to face that is plentifully and cleerly as two men that behold one another 1 Cor. 13.12
that they put on Bowels of Mercies Col 3.12 where see they put on 1 Mercies having respect to the several kindes as giving Heb 13.16 where Distribution is called by the name of a Sacrifice Charity is compared to a beautifull upper Garment Col 3.14 2 Mercy in forgiving Mat 18.35 Matth 6 14 15 3 These Mercies flow from Bowels 1 John 3.17 Such Bowels had Christ Matth 9.37 when he saw them as Sheep without a Shepherd his Bowels earned towards them So that mercy is an holy compassion of heart whereby a man is moved to help another in his misery 7 Merciless men are curied with God by the rule of contraries It s an argument that men without pity have never obtained mercy Such are they that rejoyce at the miseries of Gods people Ezek. 25.3 4 5 6. and such as grinde the faces of the poor for to maintain bravery and vanity This merciless cruelty is condemned Deut. 15.7 8. Thou shalt not harden thy heart from thy poor brother but shalt lend unto him Such merciless persons may seek for mercy themselves but they shall not be heard Prov. 21.13 Amos 1.11 8 By mercy we are made Gods Almoners to disperse his goodness among men Psalm 112.9 it 's more then to be Almoners to Princes Rules in shewing Mercy 1 Do not onely draw out your hand or your purse but your soul Esai 58.10 2 What mercy you shew do it from a cheerfull heart not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerfull giver 2 Cor. 9.7 3 Take notice of their misery either from your own sight thereof or from the beholding of others Job 30.25 Did not I weep for him that was in misery and was not my soul grieved for the poor Prov. 24.11 12. Many say they knew not that such a man was in affliction and that such a man was delivered to death well but God searches the heart and knowes that thou knewest it 4 Show all sorts of mercies soul-mercies in teaching the ignorant in comforting the afflicted Esai 50.4 body mercies in feeding the hungry visiting the sick helping the fatherless and widows Jam. 1.27 to deal thy bread to the hungry Esai 58.6 that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him c. 5 According to our ability Where God gives more he looks for more He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he which soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Acts 11.19 Disciples sent relief according to their ability Luke 21.4 6 Let mercy be with sincerity Matth. 6.1 2 3. that your right hand may not know what your left hand doth not as the Scribes Matth. 23.5 that did what they did to be seen of men 7 Let mercy be with simpathy 2 Cor. 11.29 Who is weak and I am not weak who is grieved and I burn not many come to persons in pain and ask how they do but are no more moved then if they were flints Amos 6.6 7. Pharaohs daughter will rise up in judgement against many Exod. 2.6 2 Chron. 36.17 8 Look upon it as a singular mercy that God hath made others objects of your mercy and not you objects of others mercy Acts 20.35 It 's more blessed to give then to receive 9 Look often on the commands of God herein 1 Peter 3.8 Be ye all of one minde having compassion one of another be pitifull Jude 22. of some have compassion Also examples Heb. 10.34 Ye had compassion of me in my bonds Mark 5.19 Luke 10.32 V. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Q. What is meant by purity of heart A. Some think sincerity as Matth. 6.1 opposed to hypocrisie for many are like apples that look well but are rotten at the heart 2 Purity taken legally no man hath it Prov. 20.6 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am clean from my iniquity There is no man righteous on earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.21 2 Purity of heart is taken Evangelically To be pure is to be full of it self and not to have any other thing mingled with it so purity of heart is that which doth not admit any sin to mingle with the frame and purpose of the heart but the heart still casts it out of it self it resists and rejects it As a thing is said to be pure though it may have some dross cleaving to it as it 's pure gold when it s digged out of the Mineral though there be much dross in it and we say it 's pure ayr though for a time there be many fogs and mists within it and it 's pure water though there may be some mud at the bottome a man may be said to have a pure heart though there be a cleaving of much dross to it Holy men have a fountain of original corruption in them and from this fountain sins arise continually as the scum in the pot but as in wine or honey or water though the scum arise yet still it purifieth it self and casts it out contrarily in men of impure hearts the scum ariseth but it seeths in Ezek. 24 12. She wearied her self with lies c. and her great scum went not out of her q. d. Holy men have their scum arising in their hearts as well as wicked but here is the difference wicked mens scum seeths in and mingles together but men of pure heart have a cleansing and purifying disposition that casts out what ever evil comes though it be continually rising though he be many times mired he still washeth himself again he cannot endure it he doth not as the swine delight in it Matth. 15. That which comes from within defiles the man the meaning is when sin ariseth in a man from day to day if he cherish sin and entertain it and suffer it to dwell and abide in his heart quietly without disturbance if he suffer it as it were to be sodden in now they defile the heart but if sins arise in the heart and he continually resist them and casts them forth and purifieth himself from them such a man is not defiled with them nor is his his mind defiled nor conscience defiled but notwithstanding this boiling out of evil he is a man of a pure heart yet may sin cleave to a man as dross doth to the silver but it mingles not with the regenerate part nor that mingles not with it no more then oyl and water do which though they touch they do not mingle together Reas Now these pure in heart are blessed because they are holy persons in Gods account that is they are persons in whom holiness hath predominance Psal 15.2 Who shall sojourn in thy Tabernacle who shall dwell in thy holy hill The Prophet answers He who hath clean hands and a pure heart Psal 24.3 4. Heb. 12.14 Follow holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Holy persons are freed from the power of the second death 2
persons at difference so should we as much as in us lies be at peace with all men Rom. 12.18 The Apostle is full of exhortations herein 1 Cor. 1.10 2 Cor. 13.11 Col. 3.17 We are called to peace God calls to it who then calls to contention save Satan Means to peace 1 Mortifie your lusts James 4.1 Whence come wars come they not of your lusts The sea would be calm were it not for strong windes so would your hearts were it not for your lusts now the sins to be mortified are 1 pride Prov. 13.10 2 tale-bearing Prov. 26.20 21. 3 unrighteousness Prov. 15.27 4 provoking speeches Gal. 5.26 5 immoderate meditation of wrongs we have suffered 6 hatred Prov. 10.12 7 forcing of wrath Prov. 30.33 8 Let every one do his duty in that kinde of life to which God hath called him let him not lift up himself above others nor reprehend the works of others and praise his own as better but let one serve another by love Luth. Tom. 4.167 9 Practice Christian moderation in remitting of your right for peace sake Phil. 4.4 the word is epieikeia which signifies a yielding of our right 2 Study peace 1 Thes 4.11 The Apostle bids the Thessalonians to study to be quiet We study books arts sciences but this is an excellent study Sit down and think this man and I are at ods how should I make up the matter This is the pursuing of peace Psal 34.14 Seek peace and pursue it 3 Practice Christian kindness as giving lending c. One end why God gives us the things of this life is that we may maintain peace with them Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts Prov. 19.6 Jacob took off a malice of twenty years standing by a gift Gifts are compared to precious stones Prov. 17.8 so that as persons that wear precious stones do oft delight to look upon them so do such persons look upon gifts Also mutual entertainments mutual visitings mutual counsellings and comfortings 4 Where you are damnified put up small wrongs Mat. 17.26 27. though Christ were free from paying tribute yet that he might not offend he bids Peter pay a piece of money for tribute Where you have damnified others give satisfaction for the least wrong Jacob Gen. 31.39 for peace sake gave satisfaction to Laban for that which was torn of beasts or stoln by day and night 5 In case of offence with any man proffer reconciliation both in your speeches and cariages Imitate the Lord who though the person offended yet sought to us 2 Cor. 5.19 As when an house is on fire every man brings water to quench it so let us meet one another in the midst to quench the fire of contention Luke 12.58 Agree with thine adversary whiles thou art in the way with him 6 Beware of stigmatizing one another with nick names take heed lest ye put off the name of Christ from those that have put on Christ Gal 3.28 by calling them Puritans Sectaries Anabaptists If every natural body no less desire its own unity then its being why should not the mystical body in like manner 7 Get the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts Col. 3.17 Creatures of a meek and peaceable nature though you use them never so harshly yet are they peaceable because they have principles of meekness and patience in them whereas creatures of fierce natures as Lions and Wolves though you use them never so gently yet will they be fierce because they have such principles so wicked men have not known the way of peace Rom. 3.17 but godly men usually are of peaceable spirits because the peace of God rules in their hearts Motives to Peace 1 Peace is a blessing that comprehends all blessings under it Psalm 29 1â— The Lord will give his people the blessing of peace What is our joy but the peace of our consciences What is our health but the peace of our humours If a man were in heaven and could not have it in peace it would not be comfortable Everlasting peace is part of our joy in Heaven 2 That which is the excellentest life every one desires to live Such is a life of peace not onely in that the most flourishing Commonwealths have lived it but God and Angels that which is the worst life devils and wicked men live such is a lite of contention Hence Christ the Prince of peace lived this life called the Prince of Peace Esai 9.6 gave it for a legacy to his Disciples John 14.27 Esai 11.6 7 8. 3 The universal peace that is among all creatures The heavenly bodies Sun Moon and Stars keep their course the Sea keepeth within the girdle of the Sands and doth not invade the earth the Windes blow not together but successively the contrary qualities in the world heat and cold drought and moisture are so tempered together that like musical discords they make a perfect harmony Woods of trees fields of corn grow without molesting one another creatures not onely of the same kinde but of different kinde feed peaceably one by another If peace be among all bodies let it be much more among the mystical body of Christ Psalm 133.1 How good a thing is it for brethren to dwell together in unity 4 The common enemy should set us at peace I mean the Popish and Prelatical combinations So that the question is not so much what kinde of government we shall have in Protestant Churches but whether we shall have any Protestant Church at all At the Battle of Lepanto when there was great differences and animosities betwixt the three generals Don John and Venereus and the third general yet when the battel came to be fought they united against the Turk and got a mighty victory against his navy the like whereof hath hardly been heard of Phil. 1.20 Jude 3. contend for the common salvation 5 Herein consists the form of charity not in this that we are all of one minde for that is kept for heaven but that we are peaceably affected in our hearts and wish well one to another When Luther had vented some hard speeches against Calvin sayes he though Luther count me a dogge yea a devil yet I 'le count him a famous servant of God 6 The smalness of matters which causes a breach of peace many are as angry for rejecting their opinions as Jonah was for his gourd I know the smallest thing in Religion ought to be made conscience of yet those points without the knowledge whereof many have come to heaven though they may obstruct publick communion yet know I no cause why they should hinder peace and private communion among those that fear God Learn we of the Romish Churches if it be expedient and lawful so to call them among which there are controversies of far more moment viz. of the infallible judge in all points of the Christian faith the Spanish and Italian Churches defend the Pope to be the supreme judge affirming him so to be inspired with
be afraid of her discovering of him to have insolent carriage towards him what a slavery is this 5 The dignity of Christians their bodies are for the Lord 1 Cor. 6.13 are members of Christ v. 15. Temples of the holy Ghost v. 19. bought with a price v. 20. Remedies against Adultery 1 Let every man keep to his own wife 1 Cor. 7.1 compared with v. 9. this is the way to prevent burning Prov. 5.15 Drink waters out of thine own Cistern and running waters out of thine own well as if he should say When burning lust fires a man there is need of water to quench it the remedy which must quench it is compared to a cistern and a pit Now as every man had rather have waters within doors then fetch it abroad so let every man have his own wife to quench the burnings of his desires Whereas he nameth running waters he showes that remedy of quenching lusts by strumpets is like muddy water which is trodden with the feet of many beasts but the other is clear the effect hereof is ver 16. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad and rivers of water in the street By fountains and rivers he means children flowing from his wife as a fountain or spring Besides ver 16. Thy children thou hast by her shall be thine own and not straugers whereas children begotten on strumpets are children of the people 2 Get a dear love to thy wife Pov. 5.19 20. q.d. If thy wife shall be as the loving Hind and pleasant Roe thou shalt never go after strumpets erre thou in her love how by overlooking a squint eye a hard visage a dull understanding which may seem deformities to others do thou overlook them 3 Believe the al-seeing eye of God beholds thee in every place Prov. 15.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and good Prov. 5.21 Heb. 4.13 This kept Job from this sin Job 31.4 and Joseph Gen. 39.10 This thought that God sees not emboldens many to this sin Job 24.15 The eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight saying No eye shall see me The more secretly thou doest this sin the more abhorred it is of God 2 Sam. 12.12 2 Kings 17.9 Many persons when they are in strange countries and secret places venture to commit this sin as I have known some who through horrour of conscience have confest adulteries committed far from home 4 Beware of venturing upon this sin upon hope of future repentance for few have repented of this sin Eccles 7.28 and those who have repented have had exceeding horrour in their consciences for this sin as we see in David Psal 51.8 None that go into her return again Prov. 2.19 Neither take they hold of the paths of life That is very few do return 5 Shun all occasions and provocations to this sin as dalliance wanton touches and embraces Prov. 6.27 28 29. As he that takes fire in his bosome must needs burn his garments so the wanton touching of a strange woman must needs fire the body and mind and as he that goes barefoot upon hot coals must needs burn his feet so he that goes in to his neighbours wife though not in away of adultery but in a way of private converse as walking talking together in secret especially if there be any kind of touchings without prayer and watchfulness will be apt to be fired in his fancy memory mind and will as Tow presently takes fire if the fire do but touch it so whosoever wantonly toucheth a woman shall not be innocent Women are to be honoured but there is danger in their company let us consider their endeavours in secret to swallow up their neighbours they judge of themselves whether they can make war against chastity Justin Martyr ad Zenam Joseph shun'd all occasions as being in private with his Mistress To accompany with persons noted for this sin is an occasion Psal 26.4 5. the attire of an harlot is an occasion also why women may be tempted to this sin Prov. 7.10 Hos 2.2 Let her take away her fornications from before her face and her adulteries from between her breasts The meaning is she wore the attire of an harlot in those parts There is a chastity of habit which much preserves the person that wears it from the assaults of aculterers a sign of wantonness held forth in apparrel or gesture emboldens laseivious persons 6 Beware of filthy talke as scurrilous jeasts filthy talking argues a filthy heart Matth. 12.34 35. rotten communication is condemned Ephes 4.29 Ephes 5.4 many make their tongues which should be their glory to be their shame If so much uncleanness come out of the tongue how much more is there in the heart An angry displeasing countenance though there were no other reproof were enough to silence such wicked tongues 7 Take heed of idleness it was the cause of Davids sin 2 Sam. 11.1 2. As the land until'd grows full of weeds and the standing pool of frogs and toads so will the idle soul corrupt it self When the mind is intent on business it hath no leasure to wander about lascivious objects 8 Read and study Gods word it s a preservative against this sin Prov. 2.10 11 15 16. Prov. 6.23 24. It preserves thee from her flatteries when she shall profess she loves none like thee and if it were not to thee she would not prostitute her self to any This word hid in the heart preserves the young man whose lust is strongest Psal 119.9 11. For persons that fare daintily live idly and pray and read rarely it s a rare thing for them to be preserved from this sin 9 Restrain thy thoughts from uncleanness Job 31.4 Job would not think upon a maid in any lascivious way But of the heart proceeds adultery Matth. 15.18 19. Ob. But there 's sweetness in this sin Answ The more present sweetness the more the future bitterness 2 Consider how much more sweet is peace of conscience Labour then to give an absolute denial to this sin when it is in the first motion if we cannot put it out when it is but a spark how can we put it out when it is in a flame 10 Take heed of an adulterous eye 2 Peter 2.14 Having Eys full of Adultery that cannot cease from sin When a City is besieged care must be had of the Walls and Gates Prov. 6.25 Let her not take thee with her Ey-lids as if he should say if thou wouldst not lust after her do not look upon her V. 28. But I say unto you whosoever looketh upon a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart But I say unto you Christ here comes to correct the depravement of the Pharisees that they vvhich kept themselves from bodily Adultery vvere free from all guilt thereof But I say that whosoever looks upon a Woman to lust after her hath already committed Adultery with her in his heart Whosoever looks upon a Woman Not
it were in the ayr waiting for Gods command to fall down like an Eagle or Hawk upon the prey They went as swift in their sins as wilde Asses or Dromedaries but as the Ass is found in her-moneths in her silthiness when she is big that she cannot run men wait for her Jer. 2.23 24. so doth the rowl of judgement wait for other sinners in particular for perjured persons The length of this rowl was 20 cubits the breadth but ten signifying that it went over all Judaea which was twice as long as broad as Hierom observes the length of it from Dan to Beersheba was 160 miles the breadth from Joppa to Bethlem was 46 miles This rowl was writ on both sides on one side of it were curses for the thief on the other side curses for the swearer Lastly this curse is said to remain in the midst of his house and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof This was fulfill'd Matth. 23.27 28.24.1 in that there was not left one stone upon another not onely the Temple destroyed but also every private mans house Luke 19.44 so that they were laid even with the ground and not one stone left upon another This sin is condemned Hos 10.4 Levit. 19.12 Zach. 8.17 Examples of persons punish'd for false swearing are Zedekiah Ezek. 17.16 17 18 19 20. the Lord threatens for the oath that Zedekiah swore to the King of Babylon and brake that he should dye Shimei was put to death for the oath he brake which he had sworn to Solomon 1 Kings 2.42 43 44 45. For Saul his breach of the oath which Joshua and Israel had sworn to the Gibeonites seven of his sons were hanged in the dayes of David 2 Sam. 21.1 to v. 10. Famous was Gods judgement on Ladislaus King of Poland who upon the Popes Counsel and dispensation broke his oath which he had sworn to Amurath the second Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 968. But shalt perform to the Lord thine Oaths An oath is the affirming or denying a thing with the calling on the name of God to witness and avouch the truth of the thing affirmed denied or promised that they to whom we swear may not doubt of the truth of our words 1 Oaths are lawful 1 Because practised by God and Christ Psal 95.11 Psal 110.1 Esai 45.23 and by Saints by Jonathan and David by Paul Rom. 1.9 2 Cor. 1.23 2 Cor. 11.31 Gal. 1.20 2 Oaths are of the Law of nature Gen. 21.23 24. Abraham and Abimelech or at least Phicol his Captain swore one to another 3 The useful need thereof as to bring forth a truth Exod 22.10 11. as if a man deliver a beast to keep and it be stole then was he that had the beast to keep to purge himself by oath and the owner was to accept his oath Also that things done privily may come to light Numb 5.19 so the Priest swore the woman suspected of incontinency to finde out whether she were guilty or innocent Properties in swearing 1 Look to a right call as 1 When the Magistrate ministers an oath to answer so far as Law requires otherwise non tencor respondere I am not bound to answer 2 When the glory of God and edification of his Church requires it 2 Cor. 1.23 Rom. 1.9 3 For mutual peace and ending of controversies So Jacob and Laban swore one to another Gen. 31.53 so an oath is an end of strife Heb. 6.17 2 Look to the thing thou swears that it be lawfull not as Herod's oath to Herodias nor as the forty who swore to kill Paul Such an oath was Davids who swore to destroy all Nabals house 1 Sam. 25.22 3 Look the thing thou swears be in thine own power It 's rashness to swear a thing that is not in thine own power as to swear to live a single life c. 4 Swear in truth judgement and righteousness 1 In truth which excludes all equivocation Words are to be taken as men commonly understand them An oath is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an hedge to signifie that when a man swears he sets an hedge about himself which he may not break this excludes all swearing of things we know not and things we doubt of 2 In judgement not lightly or rashly but weighing all due circumstances Eleazar Gen. 24.3 when Abram swears him not to take a wife of the Canaanites for his son but of his kindred before Eleazar swears he proposes his exceptions viz. What if the woman will not go with me To which Abram answers If the woman be not willing to follow thee thou shalt be free from this mine oath Eccles 5.2 Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God None must swear save those who have judgement to discern what an oath is 3 In righteousness That you affirm nothing against conscience neither for malice nor favour as those sons of Belial did against Naboth who swore That Naboth blasphemed God and the King 1 Kin. 21.13 This property of an oath excludes all swearing for custome as many do that are chosen into publick places and are chosen into societies who swear not because they mean to keep their oaths but because else they cannot be enfranchised 2 Reprehension of prophane swearing which is so common for this sin God hath a controversie Hos 4.1 Lands mourn Jer. 23.10 and the sinner becomes guilty Exo. 20. Obj. But if I swear not men will not believe me Answ They would sooner believe thee if thou forbarest it He that hears thee make no conscience of swearing will think thou makes no conscience of lying besides better be suspected of men then condemned of God and conscience Obj. It 's a foolish custome I have got Answ This renders thee so much more guilty that it 's thy custome if a thief or murtherer at the bar should plead that it hath been his custome to thieve and murther would not this make him more guilty Object My oaths are small as by my faith and troth Answ Consider against what a great majesty they are committed If any sin seem little let hell fire seem great To use faith and truth cannot be less then an appearance of evill Object But I swear by a good thing Answ The goodness of a good thing aggravates the offence when abused as we see in wine and beer when abused to drunkenness Object All the country use it Answ We must not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23.2 the sinfulness of multitudes brought the flood upon the old World and fire upon Sodome Remedies against prophane swearing 1 Beware in those cases where men are apt to swear amiss as to gratifie a friend or to be revenged of an enemy 2 Use not an oath when the matter can be otherwise determined also if thou be a judge impose not an oath when not necessary nor upon men of no credit who make no conscience of it nor in
man Rom 10.13 whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved it includes repentance humiliation joy in Goods goodness 1 Pet. 1.17 Psal 72.20 the prayers of David are ended that is his instructions his thanksgivings his confessions his humiliations 16 It s thy self gains by prayer God gets nothing thereby and if thou omit it or carelesly perform it thy self hast the loss thereby Job 22.3 17 It s one of Gods titles to hear prayer Psal 65.20 Thou that hearest prayers or thou that art hearing prayers as some translate it as if it were a continual work in God to hear prayers princes will not lose any part of their title but if thou calls not on God thou doest do what in thee lyes to deprive God of one of his titles 18 Prayer is in some sence a Christians utmost refuge though a man have been a grievous sinner yea a relapsed sinner yet if he can pray there 's hope A beggar that hath nothing to live by but begging had need begg hard so we have nothing to live on but praying I mean nothing to be done on our part to obtain mercies the promises of God and the sence of Gods love are made over to us in the use of prayer When a man hath nothing to maintain himself his wife and children but his fingers ends will he not be toyling all the day Prayer is a Christians fingers ends 19 It s the hardest of all works harder then preaching expounding c. 2 Be exhorted to pray in a right manner but how is that 1 By fixing our faith aright upon God as 1 behold him invisible hence he used a voice but shewed no similitude Deut. 4.15 because a voice was such a thing as could not be pourtrayed Esa 40.18 2 Beholding the Father subsisting in the Son and the Son in the Father and the Spirit in the Father and in the Son John 14.7 8. 3 Apprehend the fulness of the Godhead to dwell in Christ bodily Col. 2.9 4 That vve may direct our prayers either to Father Son or Spirit according as our necessities shall require yet vve are to vvorship the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity they are Eternal Almighty and Incomprehensible yet are there not three Eternals Almighties or Incomprehensibles There is one God of this are all things knovvn known in Father Son and holy Spirit for why did the Father beget the Son of his own substance and out of the same brought forth the Spirit which partake of one and the same essence and are esteem'd worthy of one and the same godhead But some wil say doth not that which begets differ from that which is begotten and that which proceeds from that whence it proceeds because the Father is not begotten from whom the Son is begotten and the holy Spirit proceeds therefore the Son and Spirit are not the same with the Father The unbegotten and begotten and proceeding are not names of essence but the manners of existence and the manner of existence is denoted by these names Justin Martyr expos fidei p. 292. We are to look upon the Father that he is made of none neither created nor begotten the Son is of the Father alone not made nor created but begotten The holy Ghost is of the Father and Son neither made nor begotten but proceeding Joh. 15.26 So there is one Father not three Fathers one Son not three Sons one holy Ghost not three holy Ghosts And in this Trinity none is afore or after another none is greater or less then another but they are co-eternal and co-equal co-essential and concausal and though there be three subsistences yet is there but one essence We are to profess one God the knowledge of whom is in the Father and Son and Spirit wherein the Father Son and Spirit are acknowledging the existences of one godhead but whereby God doth understand the communion of existences according to nature and essence for the unity is understood in the Trinity and the Trinity is acknowledged in the unity but after what manner that is I will neither ask it of others neither can I perswade my self the manner of these hid and unspeakable things that I dare speak them with my filthy flesh Ib. 297. 1 Jo. 5.7 These three are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one thing or essence not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one person 5 Do not so direct your prayer to any subsistence in the Trinity as to exclude the other but to include them 6 In singling out any one subsistence in the Trinity we are to pitch most usually upon the Father as he to whom we direct our prayers through the mediation of Christ and by the help of the Spirit Joh. 16.23 1 Pet. 1.17 If you call upon the Father c. not in respect of any superiority of power or glory but in respect of his firstness of order in subsisting Yet even then will it be very safe to look upon the Father essentially rather then personally yet in respect of order the Father is first mentioned Matth. 28.19 1 John 5.7 7 Forasmuch as Christ promiseth to grant the requests of his people John 14.13 14. Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name I will do it it 's twice repeated for futher confirmation hence we may call upon Christ The Saints are described by this note that they call on the name of Christ Acts 9.14 1 Cor. 1.2 Acts 7.59 8 Forasmuch as we are baptized into the name of the Holy Ghost Matth. 28.19 and he it is that sanctifies us Rom. 15.16 and renews us Titus 3.5 and makes the covenant of grace with us Heb. 10.15 16 17. and is not a bare motion or inspiration but a willing working subsistence who powrs grace into our hearts Rom. 5.5 who sends forth Apostles Acts 13.2 4. and bindes the conscience Acts 15.28 and gives his gifts as he pleaseth 1 Cor. 12.11 inabling so many to speak with tongues which they had never learned We may also call upon the Holy Ghost Thus did the Seraphims Esai 6.1 3. Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts also Psal 95.7 8. compared with Heb. 3.7 him whom Paul calls the Holy Ghost in the Psalm is called God and the Prophet calls Come let us worship and kneel down before the Lord our maker Revel 1.4 5. John prayes to each subsistence in the Trinity Grace and Peace be to you from him which is and was and is to come and from the seven spirits of God and from Jesus Christ The Spirit is called by the name of seven spirits from his manifold gifts and operations by spirits cannot be meant Angels who still refused worship Apoc. 19.10 Rev. 22.8 9. Besides the Spirit hath incommunicable properties of God as to search all things yea the deep things of God yea to know the things of God as the spirit of a man knowes the things of a man 1 Cor. 2.10.11 also the Spirit is said to be omnipresent Psal 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy
to diswade you 1 This inordinate love makes means of grace become fruitless When the King had made his feast farmes and Oxen kept the persons invited from coming Luk. 14.18 when Ezekiel preached unto miracle that his voice was as the sound of a Musical instrument Ezek. 33.31 yet his hearers profited not by it because their hearts ran after their covetousness the thorny ground hearers brought no fruit to perfection why the thorns of earthly cares sucking out the state of their hearts choked it as weeds let among corn suck out the state of the ground Matth. 13.22 Yea worldliness makes men scoff at the Word Luk. 16.14 The Pharisees who were covetous heard all these things and they derided him or blew their noses at him as the Word signifies Yea though they hear the Word and consent both to the truth and goodness of it yet worldliness keeps men from closing with it in the great duty of self-denial as in the young man Math. 19. who went away being sorry he could not keep Christ and his possessions together 2 It makes us dis-relish heaven and heavenly things and this is a wofull frame of heart Rom. 8.5 Contraries cannot subsist together in any eminent degree in one and the same subject 3 It pierces the soul thorow with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6.10 pinching the poor griping the widow and fatherless getting wealth unjustly or holding it unjustly these pierce the soul as if a dagger went to a mans heart How did Judas thirty pieces gall his conscience This especially in an evil day Eccles 5.17 he hath much sorrow with his sickness Such men in the day of death are like a carriers horse which having carried gold and silver all the day is disburthened of them at night and put into the stable with a galled back so shalt thou be in death disburthened of all thy gold and silver and cast into hell with a galled conscience 4 Love of the world inordinately will make us cast off religion in time of trial The Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6.10 That some having coveted after money they have erred from the faith the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have erred like wandring stars from the faith and so Jude calls them how difficult nay impossible is the command of self-denial to a worldly heart how would such turn to any religion to save their estates as one Ecebolius that in the reign of Constantine was a Christian under Julian an heathen under Jovinian a Christian God being a Christians end whatsoever intercepts communion betwixt God and the soul is to be cast off 5 Inordinate love of the world exposes a man to many lusts and tentations 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich they fall into a snare and temptation that is the snare of tentation they will be rich it s their onely study hence they fall into many foolish and hurtful lusts as stealing witness Achan lying as Gehezi Ananias Saphira Prov. 21.6 hence called Mammon of unrighteousness deceitful riches Every creature naturally fears the snare and shall not we fear such a condition as will insnare the conscience Earthly things are compared to thick clay Hab. 2.6 As our feet are apt to stick in the clay so are our affections on earthly things 6 These things thou loves so inordinately cannot stand thee in stead in another world When thou comes at Christs Tribunal what will it profit thee that thou hast left so much for every child or that thy children ruffle up and down in silk and satten or that thy posterity have stately houses rich furniture fare deliciously and have a mighty train will this mitigate thy torments when thou art in Hell Perhaps they drink wine every day and thou canst not get a drop of water to cool thy tongue Mightest thou carry thy baggs thy lands thy all into another world it were something but as a certain Martyr in Queen Maryes time when some offered her money she refused it saying I am going to a country where money will bear no price 1 Tim. 6.18 19. Paul bids us to be ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in store or as the word is They treasure up unto themselves a good foundation for time to come Works of mercy are called a foundation because as the one is hid so is the other and as from the foundation the house rises up on high so from these good works proceeding from faith the crown arises so much the higher 7 Thy life consists not in these earthly things thou doest so inordinately affect but in God Luk. 12.15 Take heed and beware of covetousness for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of things he possesseth Thy temporal life consists not in them for thou shalt not live a day the longer because thou hast a vast estate nor thy spiritual life consists not in it for what duty is it but thou mayest do without them Thou sayest thou canst not shew mercy Largeness of affection rather then large gifts shows what the heart is as in the widow that cast in two mites into the treasury Thy eternal life consists not in them for all the treasures in the world will not bring a soul to heaven Nay by these earthly things many times life is shortened especially if gotten by indirect means Jer. 17.11 As the Partrich sitteth upon Eggs and hatcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and in the end shall die a Fool. The abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep Eccles 5.12 Taking away sleep they take away life and thus are riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt v. 13. It is with worldly men as with the Bee◠that goes from flower to flower to gather Honey which when they have gotten they carry it to the Hive in fine the Husbandman comes to take the Hive and Honey and drowns all the Bees or some way destroys them So the sons of men are as busie as Bees in sucking earthly things in fine death comes and takes them and another enjoys the Honey To conclude thy life and happiness then is in God thy wealth is in and from God What is thy wealth without God but Rust and Canker Thy honour without God but an heavy burden which in the day of account will press thy soul Thy ease without God but a future destruction Ease slays the wicked Prov. 1.32 All the good and comfort that is in any worldly enjoyment is from God as the light of a candle is from the fire or as a cistern of water is from the fountain He that hath God wants not any good thing Psal 84.11 In having God we have all things because we have him that hath all things without whom the whole World if you had it is like the Air without the Sun a darksom comfortless body to enjoy good in any thing we must enjoy God for every creature is good to us onely
putting Joab to death who had murthered two or three persons he could not well do it being Joab was General of Davids Army hence he gives Salomon command concerning him 2 Buckle on all thy Christian armour Eph. 6.10 especially uprightness of heart and so shalt not thou be afraid of evil tydings Psal 112.4 6 7. 3 Be clear in the assurance of remission of sins Psal 32.6 4 Go to God to hide thee Psal 27.5.32.7 He hath chambers to hide in Esai 26.20 Come my people enter into thy chambers 5 Build upon the rock even on Christ resolving in Gods strength that no storms and tempests shall separate betwixt Christ and thee neither sin nor suffering Rom. 8.33 to the end of the Chapter 6 Get looseness of affection to earthly enjoyments so those worthies Heb. 10.34 that took joyfully the spoiling of their goods in a storm of persecution 7 Get patience hereby Job's heart was quieted when storms took away his children stock and servants Job 1.21 8 Store up the witness of a good conscience against such a time See Paul Acts 16.25 27.23.24 3 Obs That man that means to stand amidst the storms and tempests of inward and outward temptations must be sure to lay a good foundation Sooner or later God will discover the hypocrisie of unsound men 1 Tim. 5.24 25. They that are otherwise cannot be hid Q. But what foundation must we lay A. There 's a threefold foundation 1 The foundation of satisfaction Esai 28.16 1 Cor. 3.12 Acts 4.12 Secondly the foundation of revelation or publication or manifestation so the doctrine of the Apostles is called a foundation Eph. 2.20 Rev. 1.14 Heb. 6.1 1 Cor. 3.10 3 The foundation of evidence 1 Cor. 2.12 1 Tim. 6.19 Use 1 Comfort for thee against Storms when thou hast laid a good Foundation and built upon a Rock Storms and Temptations do not make those that are good to become bad but onely tries what every one is Fire doth not make Gold leave the purity but onely tries it When David built upon a Rock see how comfortable Psalm 23.4 27.1 46.1 2 3. 61.2 so will it be with thee What if a Nation be ready to go together by the ears What if Invasions come What if thy Family be afflicted with infectious Diseases What if the Pilots of the Common-wealth be at their wits end What if Exilement for Religion what if sudden fears come yet to those that build upon a Rock it shall be well with them Isai 3.10 What if Devils rage they cannot pluck such out of Christs arms John 10.28 29 30. 2 Trial whether thou builds upon the Rock 1 Some time or other God will try thee with Storms 2 Tim. 3.12 but in what kinde thou knowest not 2 In such times of trouble the conscience is apt to be awakened so Josephs brethren when in Egypt Gen. 42.21 3 How wofull will thy condition then be to be without Christ Isai 10.3 Hos 9.5 6 7. Being without Christ and being without hope are put together Ephes 2.12 Properties or if you will Trials of a man that builds upon a Rock 1 The Gates of Hell or Death or Courts of men which were kept in the Gates cannot prevail against such a man habitually to make a false confession of Christs truth Matth. 16.18 Upon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it 2 He that builds on a Rock cannot be undermined nor blown up so a Christian that builds on Christ will not be blown up with preferments and proffers that shall be made to him in secret Act. 8.20 Thy money perish with thee said Peter to Magus 3 A Rock is a sure foundation to build upon so is Christ Esa 28.16 1 Pet. 2.6 For trials of a Christians estate to Godward see at large in my Catechism 4 When no weight or pressure of the fabrick will make the foundation to give way Let Christians have never so many pressures lying upon them yet doth the Rock Christ uphold them Eph. 3.16 Phil. 4.13 Where the foundation is a Rock the building in every part is held up V. 26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand Here are the second sort of hearers such which hear and do not which is the formalist who builds upon the sandy foundation of an outward profession An outward powerless profession is like unto sand 1 As sand is moveable so such a profession 2 Tim. 1.15 4.16 2 As sand is scattered with the wind so such a profession both by the wind of Hereticks Eph. 4.14 Carried about with every wind of doctrine and the wind of persecution Matth. 13.21 In general also is meant all confidence in creatures whether Princes Honour Riches which are not props to uphold the soul in trouble Psal 146.3 Psal 62.8 Obs There are some hearers that hear the Word unprofitably they hear but they do not Causes hereof are 1 Carelesness of what is spoken Mark 4.24 Take heed what you hear 2 Forgetfulness of the word Jam. 1.24 25. in hearing full as a sieve in the water but after all is forgot 3 Unbelief Heb. 4.2 The Word profited not because not mixed with faith 4 Want of meditations Meditation doth as it were cover the seed that the fowls pick it not up Prov. 6.21 Bind them continually upon thy heart Deut. 32.46 5 The badness of the ground Where the ground is not good let the best seed be sown it comes not to any good where the ground was good there the seed grew up and brought forth fruit Luk. 8.15 6 Want of preparation of heart there must be preparation of the ground before seed be sown Jer. 4.3 Break up your fallow grounds and sow not among thorns 7 Want of rain from heaven and want of the Lords blessing Esa 53.1 Lord who hath believed our report to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed One profits not another because God manifests himself to him Joh. 14.22 and not to the other 1 Cor. 3.5 6 7. Act. 11.21 When the unbeliever was convinced God was in the Prophets 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 8 Misapplication We apply that to others which belongs to our selves This is as if we should apply the food and Physick which is given to us to another Johns hearers did otherwise who cryed What shall we do Luk. 3.13 13. 9 The not heeding God in the preacher but looking onely on the weak instrument Act. 10.33 Cornelius tells Peter We are all here before God to hear all things that are commanded us from God Cornelius to breed awful reverence in himself and other his fellow hearers looks upon all the commands as coming from God and so must we do not onely with the commands but with the promises and threatnings The Thessalonians received the Word of God not as the word of men but as the Word of God 1 Thess 2.13 10 The not
cross of Christ should be made of none effect Besides the wit of man hides the power of the Word and he that receives the Word upon eloquent enticement will be drawn to leave it when he hears greater eloquence perswading thereto It 's the misery of the times that Aristotle the deluder of wits should in most Universities be heeded rather then Christ the Prophet of his Church 5 Christ came home to the Consciences of men and so Paul We commend our selves to every mans conscience as in the sight of God He speaks with authority that speaks to the conscience Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 1 Cor. 6.9 Matth. 23.33 O generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of hell 6 Christ came with authority not onely as an interpreter of the Law of God but as being himself a Law-giver come from heaven John 3.11 We speak that we do know and testifie that we have seen Also v. 31 32. He that cometh from heaven is above all and what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth 7 Christ came with authority in the convincing of souls for sin It 's one great work of the Spirit of Christ Joh. 16.10 Hence Micah 3.8 I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgement and of might to declare unto Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin Hence he spares neither Prince Prophet or Priest v. 9 10 11 12. The Word should come as a thunder-clap to the heart of the sinner Act. 8.21 Peter to Magus I perceive thou art in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity ye have been the betrayers and murderers of the Son of God Acts 2.36 As Nazianzen Orat 20. said of Basil His word was like thunder his life like lightning 8 He taught with authority in preaching to the life as a picture is well drawn when it s drawn as to life so a preacher must preach as to life to preach of heaven hell death and judgement as if they were before us to preach out the wrath of God that the sinner may apprehend it as a burning fire to set forth the ugliness of sin that it may appear as black as hell to set forth the particular excellencies of Christ that the soul may say Whither is thy beloved gone that we may seek him with thee To set forth the terribleness of judgement that the sinner may be afraid to live one hour in such a condition as he would be afraid to dye in 9 In not sparing persons of the greatest quality as Herod Pilate the High Priests Lawyers Scribes and therefore Christ denounces woe upon woe upon them Woe unto you Pharisees woe unto you Scribes woe unto you Lawyers Luk. 11.42 43 44 46 47 50 51 52. Nor did he fear the faces of the Mighty Jer 1.10 17 18 19. 10 He taught with authority not onely in pressing powerful doctrine but also did move upon their hearts by the working of his Spirit that their hearts were all on fire in hearing of him Luk. 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us while he opened to us the Scriptures So Paul 1 Cor. 2.4 11 Christ taught vvith authority because himself vvas deeply affected vvith the things vvhich he taught It is not a thundring voice nor vehement enforcements from natural strength that proves povverfulness of doctrine but it much tends to authority both in prayer and preaching that the heart of the preacher be first vvrought upon either in private betvvixt God and his soul or in publick affections in the preacher beget affections in the hearer and after an unperceiveable manner dravv them over So Christ vvhen he preached to multitudes sometimes he put on bovvels of pity Mat. 9.37 sometimes grief and vveeping Luk. 19.41 compared vvith ver 48. Joh. 11.35 38. compared vvith ver 45. 12 Christ taught vvith authority because he knevv none could charge sin upon him so shall a teacher that lives a blameless conversation and knovvs that no man can charge evil upon him he hath authority in his doctrine but if he be covetous or proud or vain he looses that authorative povver vvhich God hath given him in the hearts of hearers Titus 2.15 Rebuke with all authority let no man despise thee q. d. if thou doest any thing unvvorthy to render thy self despicable thy authority vvill be lost 13 By a vehement pressing and urging the commands upon the consciences of men vvithall denouncing threats against the ungodly as Mat. 7.26 27. Luk. 6.21 to ver 27. so should a preacher press the commands upon persons I command you in the name of the Lord Jesus that you be not proud passionate greedy after the world So John Baptist Matth. 3.8 9 10. Now the ax is laid to the root of the tree bring forth fruit else you vvill be throvvn into the fire Use See a duty in faithful preachers 1 To teach vvith authority remembring vvhose Embassadours they are Matth. 28.18 2 Cor. 5.20 2 To maintain the authority vvhich the Lord hath given unto them 2 Cor. 10.8 maintain it both by life and doctrine by preaching povverfully and living holily Hovv povverfull vvas the Apostle Paul in his preaching See Gal. 1.6 7 8 9 10. 3 To the Brethren to obey that Word that comes with authority to their consciences Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you c. And not as the Scribes Whose teaching was either traditionary as the washing of pots and cups and hands building the tombs of Prophets making broad phylacteries but for things tending to mortification they spake not at all or very superficially or their teaching was formal When they spake of the love of God and other duties they spake of them without zeal and feeling and therefore they were not like to affect others when themselves were not first affected The Orator that moves his hearers must first be moved himself Or their teaching was hypocritical binding heavy burthens upon others they themselves not touching them with one of their fingers Or their teaching was in generals and confounded Contrarily Christ 1 For matter he teaches weighty points as concerning true blessedness and the qualifications of them that mean to attain it concerning a holy life free from scandal concerning love to enemies alms prayer fasting placing treasure in heaven 2 For manner Christ speaks with fervency and affection fire begets fire the burning affection in Christ which he had in speaking makes the hearts of his Disciples burn in hearing Luke 24.32 3 For method Christ speaks distinctly first to one point and then to another whereas they confounded what they spake Method is the mother of memory 4 Christ in his doctrine was impartial he spared none Many speak truth to the common people suffering all things not to them whom they fear will persecute them to whom especially it is to be spoken He that looks upon mens persons will be terrified with the show of titles and dignities 5 He preached
his own power Matth. 8.3 4. but the Apostles did what they did by the power of Christ Acts 16.18 2 Christ had this power at all times to heal whensoever he would so had not they Heb. 2.4 for then would not Paul have left Trophimus sick at Miletum 2 Tim. 4.20 3 The miracles the Apostles did were sometimes for the hurt of men as Peter in the destruction of Ananias and Sapphira and Paul in the smiting Elymas with blindness but all Christs miracles and cures tended to the benefit of men Obj. But Christ bade the devils go into the Gadarens Hogs Answ It was onely a permission whereby Christ kept back the power that was able to hinder them not a command This should embolden us in all our maladies to come to Christ He that had such bowels on earth is not without bowels in heaven he that would do so much for Malchus one of them that came to take him Luk. 22.51 who set on his ear and healed him when Peter cut it off will he not do as much or more for his children in their maladies V. 17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet saying himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses Here is the final cause to wit the fulfilling the prophesie of Esaias He took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses 1 The diseases of our soul to which Esaias hath respect Esai 53.4 He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows 1 Pet. 2.24 He himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree Esai 53.6 John 1.29 He takes away the sins of the world Col. 2.14 2 The diseases of our body which flow from sin Christ bore these not by taking them upon him for Christ was never sick he took not the passions which were proper to this or that man but those which were common to the whole nature Christ was never sick sicknesse arises from the unfit or unequal temperature of the humours or from intemperance of labour study but none of these were in Christ he had no sin and therefore no sickness so that Christ took not our sins by taking them upon him but out of compassion he took them away and restored the sick to health The end why Christ cured the bodily diseases of persons as Matth. 9.2 was that they might seek to him for the healing of their souls as in the blinde man John 9.5 6. So that as the living Goat had the sins of the children of Israel laid upon him and carried them into a Wilderness and land not inhabited Levit. 16.21 22. So Christ took our sins and the punishments flowing from them and carries them into a Land of forgetfulnesse In that Christ took our weaknesses learn 1 To bear the weaknesses of others 1 As in journeys strong Travellers bear the burthens of the weak so should we Rom. 15.1 We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak 2 All infirmities are burthens to a gracious heart Gal. 6.2 let them be part of thy burthen also 3 Many infirmities may be in a dear childe of God Cant. 5.2 Mark 9.23 as passion in Jonas unbelief in Thomas fearfulnesse in Peter to keep us from admiration of their persons 4 As thy brother is overtaken to day so mayest thou be to morrow Gal. 6.1 As often as we behold sinners we had need to bewail our selves in them because we have fallen or may fall into the like if God leave us God hath suffered many great men to fall from Adam to this day to shew mans weaknesse and that they might not become lovers of their name 5 If envy did not blinde thee thou mightest see many good things in him as well as infirmities 6 If any man shall raise his comfort from other mens failings to seem to himself holy because he sees imperfections in his brethren this will be no true comfort in a day of trial Gal. 6.4 7 Beware of having a mean and base esteem of any of the Saints of God because of their infirmities so as to set them at nought Rom. 14.10 No man casts away his nose because it abounds with impure flegme and is as it were the sink of the brain so the weak in time of weakness are part of Christ's Kingdom who therefore are not to be cast away but to be healed and raised up Luth. in Psalm 90. 2 See the goodness and mercy of Christ that took our infirmities Psalm 130.3 If thou Lord shouldest be extreme to mark what is done amiss who should stand but there is compassion that he may be feared Matth. 12.20 He will not break the bruised Reed nor quench smoaking Flax. The Principle of grace in the soul doth not waste corruption all at once but by degrees John 15.2 2 Cor. 4.16 Hence God is gracious in purging the soul to bring forth more grace and less sin and renewing the inward man every day 3 Trial whether thy sins be Infirmities as 1 When they are committed against the purpose of the heart so Peter in his denial of Christ what hope had we if Peter had not denied Christ and all the Apostles been offended if Moses Aaron David had not fallen by these Examples God comforts sinners If thou hast fallen return the gate of mercy is open for thee thou that knowest no evil by thy self do not presume but let both trust in my grace and mercy Luth. in Gen. 38. 2 When we disallow the evil we do and groan under it Rom. 7.15 when others hearts are hardened under evil thine is sensible 3 When though thou fallest into sin thou walkest not in any sinfull course Rom. 8.4 though there be many Imperfections in holy Duties and sudden breakings out of the heart into evil yet is it not allowed 4 When a soul is fallen into sin and hath lost Gods countenance he cannot be quiet untill the Lord return with the sense of his love Psalm 51.8 12. there can be no sins of infirmity properly but where grace is for the sins of unregenerate men are Presumptions Good men having tasted the sweetness in God they will not change their portion nor rest content without God Saints infirmities as Davids sins complaints fears more comfort me than their heroical actions as his killing Goliath the Bear and Lion I cannot imitate these but the other greatly comfort me Luth. in Gen. 28. 4 Comfort to Saints under Infirmities There are some invincible Infirmities cleaving unto Saints in this World as dulness forgetfulness privy pride self-seeking unprofitableness wandrings in duty backwardness to Christian provocation inordinate care hardness of heart vain fears slightness in Gods service Saints partly from divine light shining in them which like the light of the Sun shews the smallest mote partly from tenderness of conscience renewed smiting them for the smallest sin are upon sight of their infirmities apt to be discouraged Now to comfort thee remember Christ took thy infirmities all thy self-sufficiency crookedness of heart failing in holy
2 Cor. 4.8 because God comes for our rescue persecuted of men but not forsaken of God Suppose the evil be imprisonment how comfortable was Paul and Silas in it If burning and martyrdome God will either abate the fire or give thee strength to bear it as a Martyr once comforted himself and others 2 Be exhorted that you be not swallowed up of fears This hath been the portion of the ungodly Jer. 46.5 Pashur had fear round about Jer. 20.4 Zedekiah in his fears goes from chamber to chamber to hide himself 1 Kings 22.24 The hearts of the men of Jericho melted for fear when the men of Israel came against them Jos 2.9 10 11. so that there remained no more courage in any man The men of Benjamin when they saw the City on fire on one side that they could not retreat thereto and the men of Israel turning upon them were amazed Judg. 20.40 41. We live in a time of fears and dangers Sometimes mens hearts failing them for fear looking on those things that are coming on the earth Luk. 21.26 Sometimes our hearts trembling because of the Ark of God 1 Sam. 4.13 as Eli his heart did Sometimes fearing under the sense of our unworthiness Now to quiet our hearts under all fears consider 1 That all the evils men or devils can cast upon us cannot reach the soul Matth. 10.28 2 Get out the sting of sin by obtaining pardon When this sting is taken away the soul will be couragious 1 Cor. 15.57 O death where is thy sting then death will be like a serpent without a sting Without this the heart cannot be free from terror 3 Look on grounds of encouragement as thus I have Christs righteousness for mine I have a disposition to part with all for the Lord I have comfortable answers in prayer I have a good conscience in all things I finde in my self a thorow change I endeavour in all things to eye God Discouraging fears will not be cast out without supporting reasons The soul being reasonable must needs close with reasons 4 Fore-think of evils before they come and set Christ against all So Moses Heb. 11.26 In the worst of times no enemy can take away Christ from me 5 Get Gods fear This will much eat out false fears Matth. 10.28 as the true Serpent ate up the false See Esai 8.12 13 14. 6 Exercise confidence in the promises of God Psal 56.3 4. In God will I put my trust I will not fear what flesh can do unto me What time I am afraid I will put my trust in thee when thou goest through the fire and through the water I will be with thee Esai 43.1 2. 7 Get God on your sides Psal 118.4 The Lord is on my side I will not fear what man can do unto me A Christian should be like a rock in the Sea which though the waves break themselves against it yet it remaineth firm Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who can be against us viz. to hurt us for else no man hath more enemies then a Christian This made Paul so couragious at Corinth Acts 18.9 10. Be not afraid but speak for I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee Yea this made Paul not to fear when the Ship was every moment ready to be cast away Acts 27.23 24. The Angel of God stood by me whose I am and whom I serve saying Fear not Paul This made David not to fear though an Army of men were coming against him Psal 27.1 2 3. See Psal 46.1 2 3 c. Motives to rid the heart of these fears 1 They procure great torment to the soul 1 Joh. 4.18 Hence Ezekiel setting forth the misery of the people saith They shall eat their bread with quaking and drink their water with carefulness trembling and astonishment Ezek. 12.18 2 It 's the end of our deliverance to serve God without these slavish fears Luke 1.75 That we being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies might serve him without fear 3 These fears are sometimes worse then the evils themselves feared 2 Kings 7.5 6 7. The Syrians in a vain fear ran away from the Camp and left it to the plunder of Israel Psal 53.5 There were they in great fear where no fear was 4 Many persons have their slavish fears come upon them Saul feared David would get the Kingdome and he sought all means basely to prevent it but could not the Jews feared the Romans would come and take away their place and Nation if they let Christ alone yet when they had slain him the Romans came and took all from them 5 These carnal fears are full of mischief as 1 To exalt creatures in the place of God 2 They expose us to a snare Prov. 29.25 The fear of man brings a snare so doth the fear of hell many dare not do duty for fear they should lose their lives and go to hell 3 These fears bereave us of the comfortable enjoyment of good things we have fear of loss of estate liberty life takes away the comfort of it That good hath the truest content therewith for the loss whereof we are habitually prepared rather then lose Christ and a good conscience 4 Though these fears may sometimes put a man upon self-reformation yet usually this reformation that arises from these fears lasts no longer then the fear remains Psal 107.26 as we see in Mariners in a storm Job 41.25 When he raiseth up himself the mighty are afraid and by reason of breakings they purifie themselves We see how in time of fears men reform but see how unsound it is lasting no longer then the danger lasts Psal 78.34 35 36. When he slew them then they sought him nevertheless they did but flatter him with their mouth Then he arose and rebuked the Winde and the Sea and there was a great calm Not in a feigned way as the Heathen Aeolus rebuked the windes but in a real way as the Lord of windes and sea Hence Mark hath it Peace and be still Mar. 4.39 He reproves the wind and sea as if a Master should reprove a servant here is a plain argument of Christs Godhead Who can command winde and sea save God alone As his power was seen in quieting the storms of the sea 〈◊〉 the same power can quiet the storms in the Churches and among good men and the storms that Satans temptations shall stir up in the hearts of Saints So when there are passionate storms in our hearts the command of Christ should make a calm It 's a comfortable thing in a storm to be in covenant with him whom windes and seas obey Christ speaks alike to windes and storms diseases and devils he quiets them with the word of his mouth and so can he quiet storms in the Commonwealth Psal 65.7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas the noise of their waves and the tumult of the people Onely in these times of confusions let us awake the Lord
times Besides it 's like Johns Disciples might propound this Question out of zeal to their Master and out of envy to Christ as in another case John 3.26 Now the Pharisees did question in this manner to hinder Christs Ministry and therefore where ever he went they usually followed him to hinder his Ministry and they being silenced in their Objection in the former story they knowing John to be much in repute among the Jews they get his Disciples to propound this Question We may observe 1 The restlesness of Enemies of Truth though conquered and beaten once and again vet they give not over 2 See how cunning men the Enemies of Christ endeavour to winde others into their party so the Pharisees winde in Johns Disciples Young Converts are ready to be misled through the craft of those who ly in wait to deceive See Ephes 4.14 3 See that persons are apt to please themselves with their own customary service Zach. 7.3 5. they had taken up two Fastes in the fifth and seventh moneth for seventy years and though they had nothing but Custome for it yet they send from Babylon to Jerusalem to make the continuance of it a case of Conscience Besides when people have set up a golden Calf they would fain have others to worship it and so Johns Disciples urge to have their fasting days observed But thy Disciples faste not That is they eat and drink secretly accusing them of excess and intemperance probably that place Matth. 11.18 alludes to this The Son of Man came eating and drinking and behold a Man gluttonous and a Wine-bibber q. d. We are holy and of God thou art a sinner whiles we are fasting thou art feasting V. 15. And Jesus said unto them Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn so long as the Bridegroom is with them but the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they faste Here is Christs meek Answer to them as being weak and seduced putting difference betwixt Seducers and such Seducing Teachers are to be handled more roughly seduced more meekly Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn That is those that were admitted into the Bride-chamber with the Bridegroom as Virgins were with the Bride Psalm 45.14 15. The sum of Christs Answer is Christ leaving the Pharisees he answers onely Johns Disciples shewing that the cause why they fasted was not competent or agreeing to his Disciples but the time should come when even his Disciples losing their Master should mourn mean time they had a little respite of joy and comfort so long as he was with them As mariages call for feasting and gladness not for fasting and sorrow so did the presence of Christ with his Disciples so that Christ his answer consists of two branches 1 That at present his Disciples had not cause of mourning because he the Bridegroom was with them Observe that Christ is the Bridegroom of his Church John 3.29 Matth. 22.2 Rev. 22.17 who did not onely espouse our nature and not the nature of Angels Heb. 2.16 but also maries himself to every believing soul Rom. 7.4 we are maried to him that was raised from the dead John 6.37 2 Cor. 11.3 This mariage is made up here on earth in the state of grace whereto there is a feast of grace and comfort as the begun solemnities thereof Matth. 2 2.2 and perfected in heaven in the feast of eternal glory Revel 19.7 8 9. 2 Christ answers they should have time of fasting and mourning in time to come Christ taking away their superstitious fasting doth neither cry up riot or excess nor decry fasting but that Christians must apply themselves to that condition the Lord sends When he gives glad times let us rejoyce in them when he brings sad times let us be humbled and seek his face Christ doth not decry fasting as I said but he would not have it tied to certain times as the Jews fondly did Zach. 7.3 5. sith such a day of the Moneth this year may be fit for fasting but the next year the same day may call for feasting Jejuniorum dissonantia non rumpat fidei consonantiam For as there were due cases for fasting under the Old Testament as when some stroke of God was on a people Judg. 20.26 when some judgement hang'd over a people as Nineveh Jon. 3.5 or to obtain some singular mercy Dan. 9.31 Now these and such like causes of fasting Christ doth not take away but doth establish them yea and the Apostle practised them 2 Cor. 11.25 There 's a tropological sense that when Christ our husband departs from us for our sins we should then fast and mourn till we get his return but the literal sense is to be taken as that which is meant V. 16. No man putteth a new piece of cloth into an old garment for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment and the rent is made worse V. 17. Neither do men put new Wine into old bottles else the bottles break and the Wine runneth out and the bottles perish but they put new Wine into new bottles and both are preserved Here 's a third reason why Christ doth not require his Disciples to faste which is their present weakness which cannot well bear a more strict discipline the painfull duty of fasting doth not well suit with my Disciples being but babes no more then a new piece doth with an old garment or new Wine that is hot and working to be put into old bottles this would be a means to make them fall off from me and go back to the Pharisees and therefore I refrain as yet from it to avoid offence Tertul. l. de orat c. 1. By the old garment and old bottles understands the Old Testament by the new piece the New Testament for the new reformed the old and made it as it were new but I lean to the former Another is this As a new piece doth not agree to an old garment so your traditions of Fathers and Elders about your fastings doth not agree to my Gospel-doctrine these will not warm our hearts not quiet our consciences as the garment of my righteousness doth Moreover the mixture of humane institutions and godliness or religion will hazard the loss of godliness and religion The ancients kept their Wine in bottles made of leather and Skins as we keep it in Casks now when this is put in old bottles the Wine is apt to spill so the doctrine of the Gospel when it falls into superstitious mindes is apt to be lost The Gospel is compared to Wine both as Wine glads the heart Judg. 9. Psal 104.15 so doth the Gospel it 's compared to new Wine not because it 's new being of old preached to Adam Gen. 3.15 but in opposition to the old Adam or corrupt nature in us q. d. Gospel truths do not agree to a man remaining in his old nature but Gospel truths are well agreeing to a regenerate nature as new
mouth and a tongue which all your adversaries should not be able to gainsay or resist And here Christ meets with an Objection which the Apostles might make viz. Whence shall we that are unable to speak defend our selves and cause against Councils great Assemblies and Princes who many times with their presence astonish great Orators To this Christ saith I will give you a mouth and a tongue Christ will not leave his Witnesses in the midst of danger V. 20. For it is not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you Christ further strengthens his Disciples as to discouragement about their own weakness whereas they might object we are fishermen though it should be spoken to us yet we cannot being unlearned be able to speak to this Christ saith It 's not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you Will a father leave a childe when he knows he is in hazard of life for his fathers sake and will your heavenly Father leave you in danger for the witness of his truth Surely no. And look as the preparation of the heart and answer of the tongue is from the Lord Prov. 16.1 so shall the Spirit not onely dictate unto you fit Arguments and Apologies but also shall form your tongues to express them even to the astonishment of your Adversaries The Council Acts 4.13 when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men they marvelled Acts 5.27 28 29. Acts 7.51 52 53 54. Now in that Christ saith it is not you it is not meant absolutely but comparatively not so much you as the Spirit of God by you The help of Angels at such a time to assist is much but the assistance of the Spirit is far more without which in such an hour of temptation the best parts and abilities would fail There cannot be a greater assistant than this Spirit Luk. 21.15 This comparative speech is like that Matth. 9.13 I will have mercy not sacrifice that is not so much sacrifice as mercy The force of the Argument is It 's not so much your cause as mine and my Fathers therefore my Spirit and the Spirit of my Father shall answer for you As when Balaams Ass spoke it was not so much the Ass that spoke as the Lord in the Ass Numb 22.28 so it was the Spirit that spoke in the Apostles Acts 4.19 and in Stephen V. 21. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death and the father the childe and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death Here 's a third evil to which Christians must look to be exposed to viz. as the hatred of all men in general so of their own kinsmen in particular because the hatred they have against you for the cause of Christ is stronger than the bond of natural affection Hence it breaks in pieces the bond of natural love Hence as it was in Christs kindred that not onely they would not believe in him John 7.5 but also said he was mad Mark 3.21 so is it in worldly men who hate their relations for difference of Religion Hence Ishmael hated Isaak and Esau persecuted Jacob and Josephs brethren sold him Alphonsus Diazius slew his brother John for the confession of the Gospel Sleydan lib. 17. We see the like History in the Life of Woodman persecuted by his own brother in Queen Maries time This should quiet our hearts when we see our friends and kindred rage against us for conscience sake It should also learn us not to be too confident in carnal relations how near soever allied to us Micah 7.5 Trust ye not in a friend put ye not confidence in a guide keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom He that is false in his duty to God how can he be expected to be faithfull to friends Learn also in declining times when friends prove false to look to God Micah 7.6 7. The son dishonoureth his father and the daughter riseth up against her mother therefore saith Micah I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation This unfaithfulness was not onely a symptome of those bad times but it hath been the frame of many carnal hearts since V. 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake but he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved And ye shall be hated of all men That is of all unregenerate men that receive not Christ whether they be Jews or Gentiles noble or base whether kindred or strangers old and young Wicked men hate all good men if not actually because they know them not yet habitually they do if they knew them they would hate them even for the good in them Psalm 38.20 which hatred proceeds from that enmity put betwixt the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 As love arises from similitude so doth hatred from dissimilitude The World cannot hate you but me it hateth John 7.7 Why because I testifie the works thereof are evil The World also hates Saints because they are not of the World John 15.19 For my Names sake That is for a powerfull profession of it The Gentiles raged much as Augustine observes because they heard that Jesus Christ would be worshipped alone now they thought it absurd that they should cast off all their other gods continued to them for so many ages for him alone Not onely Papists but carnal Protestants rage against the godly of the time if they will witness Christ in any powerfull manner and follow the Light of Gods Word further than the times will bear I am guilty of such and such evils said Bradford but this is not that mine Enemies persecute in me but Christ Nor is it to be forgotten that because the word of Christ in the mouth of Saints urges an union with the hearts of wicked men hence those who urge herein are hated especially if it be any such part of the word as exposeth to some present cross Besides it was the manner for Scholers to be called by their Masters names as Aristoteleans Pythagoreans so Christians are called from their profession of Christ Acts 11.26 and for the profession of living by the rules of their Masters is it that Christians suffer 1 Pet. 4.15 If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed Acts 5.41 Peter and John rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved Here is 1 A duty 2 A promise The duty is to endure to the end to endure all persecutions hatreds adversities to the end both of the persecutions and of life To obtain the crown it 's not enough once and again to overcome but to overcome and endure to the end and this is some comfort that though they be long they will
18. We see it in Devils who believe and tremble Matth. 8.29 Contrarily filial fear hath quiet of heart joyned with it The heart is never in so good a temper as when it is most fearfull of sin Acts 9.31 The Churches walking in the fear of the Lord walked also in the comfort of the Holy Ghost Mal. 4.2 Unto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness appear 4 Those that have slavish fear would fain be rid of it 1 Kings 22.26 Zedekiah goes from chamber to chamber to hide himself the wicked in fear of Gods judgment call to mountains and hills to hide themselves Revel 6.16 Contrarily Saints would still have the fear of God continue upon them nay if they finde it decaying they complain Isai 63.17 Lord why hast thou hardened my heart from thy fear 5 Slavish fear is from 1 The sting of a guilty conscience Deut. 28.65 66. The Lord shall give thee a trembling heart and thou shalt fear day and night Saul 1 Sam. 13.7 when he was near the battle all the people followed him trembling Hypocrites in Sion looking on God as devouring fire fearfulness surprized them Isai 33.15 Paul preaching to Faelix of righteousness temperance and judgement to come he living an unrighteous and an intemperate life trembled to think of the judgement to come and was so stung with it that he was driven to make Paul leave off his preaching 2 From the expectation of future wrath Heb. 10.27 they have a certain fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation Contrarily filial fear 1 Ariseth from faith Heb. 11.7 By faith Noah was moved with fear Isai 50.10 Or 2 From godly sorrow 2 Cor. 7.11 Fear was one effect that godly sorrow wrought in the repenting Corinthians the soul having felt much inward sorrow for the evils it hath done is affraid to do the like evils again 3 From love to God we are affraid to offend those whom we love an husband fears to offend his wife a good childe fears to offend his father so the soul that loves God fears to offend him Motives to this Godly fear 1 Gods fear is a perpetual duty Some duties are but for a time and then at an end but this is perpetual Prov. 23.17 Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long Yea We are to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear 1 Pet 1.17 Psal 19.9 The fear of the Lord endureth for ever Hence this duty is practised by glorified Saints who in heaven know evil as well as good but by the fear of God in them their wills are eternally determined to the choice of good 2 It 's a principal duty lying upon Saints above all people in the world Psal 34 11. Fear the Lord ye his Saints for God is wont to punish them more sorely then other men in this world when they sin against him Exod. 23.21 Provoke him not for he will not pardon your iniquities Deut. 32.19 Amos 3.2 As men that have more to lose then others are affraid to offend Princes so the Saints that have more to lose then the rest of the world should be affraid to offend the King of heaven they may in case they sin lose Gods face Isai 50.10 the peace of their consciences and be smitten with temporal strokes 1 Cor. 11.32 3 It 's an honourable Character to be a man fearing God 1 Kings 18.12 It 's said of Obadiah That he feared the Lord from his youth Job 1.1 Job was a man fearing God and eschewing evil Hananiah Neh. 7.2 Cornelius feared God and all his house feared God Yea a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31.30 4 The children of God have found much comfort in this grace Neh. 1.11 Let thine ear be attentive to thy servants that desire to fear thy Name Yea when they finde no other grace in their hearts but this grace yet are they commanded to stay their hearts herein Isai 50 10. Contrarily they have been much troubled if they have found either a want or a decay of this grace 5 Gods fear as at other times so especially in evil times is a principal treasure to good men Isai 33.6 The fear of the Lord is his treasure The meaning of the place is from Gods fear arises all prosperity to supply us as out of a treasure arises money to supply our needs 6 Gods fear is the most watchfull affection as being conversant about danger How often would temptations captivate us were it not for this in-dwelling grace in Saints Jer. 32.40 This grace doth as it were stand Centry for the soul Psal 119.11 7 The attributes wherein God stands related to us 1 His power and justice Job 37.23 24. He is excellent in power and judgement and plenty of justice men do therefore fear him 2 The pitifull affection or disposition God bears to them that fear him Psal 103.13 As a father pities his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Psal 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in what ever Nation such Saints be God being no respecter of persons they are accepted of God with a favourable respect Acts 10.35 8 The relations wherein we stand ingaged to the Lord 1 Of servants If earthly servants must have a fear of their masters according to the flesh Eph. 6.5 ought not we to the Lord Hence the Lord expostulates Mal. 1.6 If I be a master where is my fear 2 Of children What dutifull child stands not in fear of offending his father Heb. 12.9 We gave earthly parents reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live 9 Gods fear sweetens a low condition Prov. 15.16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord then great revenues and trouble therewith that is then great revenues got with a wounded and troubled conscience Psal 37.16 10 Such men as fear God are blessed Prov. 28.14 Blessed is the man that feareth alwayes They are often blessed in this world especially when a delight in Gods law is joyned therewith Psal 112.1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord his seed shall be mighty upon earth wealth and riches shall be in his house c. Also in the world to come they are blessed Rev. 11.19 When the time comes that the dead shall be judged there is a reward to be given to all that fear Gods Name both small and great Come we to the second thing viz. The true fear of God where it is eats out the fear of men we see it in Moses parents Moses himself in the Mid-wives Exod. 1.19 in Shadrach Meshech and Abednego Psal 27.1 3 The third point is God is able to destroy soul and body in hell This is called the second death Rev. 20.6 called a double destruction Jer. 17.18 The bodies of all that are in the graves shall come forth John 5.28 They that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation death and grave gives them
thou dye Contrary when men either think in their prosperity they shall never be moved or put off the evil day far off as they did Amos 6.3 how can they take up the cross when it comes 2 Believe that all things shall work together for thy good Rom. 8.28 and that they come from the hand of a father Joh. 18.11 yea even sore sufferings God is wont to hide his face and withdraw his hand from Saints and suffers them to mourn to be sold to be cast in prison to dye no otherwise then if they were the enemies of God Luth. in Gen. 37. 3 Get low thoughts to all earthly comforts Pro. 23.5 Wilt thou cause thine eys to flye upon that which is not As the Margin reads it that is it is not that which it seems to be riches honours preferments are not that they seem to be Think of the vanity of credit with men of great mens favours c. what will these be in the day of death 4 Look upon the crown Christ endured the cross despising the shame and is now set down on the right hand of God What was the ground he endured the cross Why it was for the joy that was set before him Heb. 12.2 Acts 14.22 Rom. 8.18 2 Tim. 2.12 5 Look upon the sweet comforts Saints finde under the cross their comforts abound most then even as their sufferings also abound 2 Cor. 1.5 Hence the Martys found Prisons more comfortable then Palaces As Princes use to recompense them who have suffered loss in their service so doth Christ make up the sufferings of his people with comfort 6 Beware of having a squint eye upon the issues and events of things before we let conscience give judgment but let us have a full eye upon the rule and upon the command so Abraham in sacrificing his son Gideon in cutting down the Idol Paul Gal. 1.15 consulted not with flesh and bloud when God called him to preach 7 Look to Christ who hath taken up the Cross before us Heb. 12.2 8 We are not esteemed by Christ as his Disciples till we have the disposition to take up the Cross whatsoever our profession of Faith may be Luke 9.23 Luke 14.26 9 Beware of indwelling corruption which still counsels us rather to balk duty than to expose our selves to the cross How oft doth the flesh put persons upon lying upon deceitfull distinctions to escape the cross That which lies in the bottom is they are loth to lose such gain to displease a good friend to procure the enmity of such a man as may hurt us to part with such an Office or Employment To remedy this hold no mans friendship but in subordination to duty and look upon all gain as cursed which is got with the wounding of the soul Matth. 16.26 10 Consider that herein we express our friendship to Christ when we will not let any cross part him and us Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should rejoyce in any thing save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ For one friend upon choice to suffer for another argues entire friendship so for us to suffer for Christ upon choice and not upon necessity argues much friendship towards Christ 11 Inure not your self to pleasures and delicacy How hardly will the cross be born of such Moses when he was a Courtier he slighted the pleasures of the Court Heb. 11.25 12 Submit to live in a low condition for want of which frame of spirit many dare not take up the Cross they know not how to be poor it was otherwise with Paul Phil. 4.13 I have learned in every estate therewith to be content 13 Rid thy heart of slavish fear as fear of Imprisonment Revel 2.10 Fear none of these things thou shalt suffer the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison Slavish fear of contempt of multitudes keeps some from duty contrariwise in Job cap. 31.34 Did I fear a great multitude or did the contempt of families terrifie me Fear of Excommunication oft keeps men from taking up the Cross John 12.42 Among the chief Rulers many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue Excommunication is much to be dreaded but when we have an absolute certainty upon the conscience in the witness of any cause of God we are not to dread it for even Excommunication hath sometimes unjustly afflicted Saints Isai 66 5. John 16.2 As it 's a folly to be affraid of a painted man drawing a Sword so it 's a folly to be terrified with the name Church when it is blasphemously used for it is onely a painted Church or vizard of a Church Luth. in Gen. 21. The Censure of the Church shall not separate me from the Church if truth joyn me to the Church Luth. Tom. 1. cap. 58. 14 Bear not the Cross because thou hast secondary refuges but meerly out of conscience of a command of Christ for example some men will bear the cross of outward losses for Christ when they have got enough to maintain them in the world but not before when as the same thing that was a truth to them now was a truth to them then O but then they were poor but now otherwise But is not duty duty and must duty give way to temporal concernments and not be obeyed till we can without inconvenience and loss obey it It 's a usual deceit in most mens hearts they will first bring about the ends they desire and then take up the cross but in taking up the cross we are not to take the delay of one day Luke 9.23 no nor one hour Gal. 2.5 15 Often cast up what Christianity and a good conscience may cost thee I have not a stronger Argument against the Popes Kingdom than that it reigns without the Cross Luth. Tom. 2.223 Luke 14.28 29. What man goes to build and considers not whether he have to finish it Who goes to sea and prepares not for a storm The benefit will be this to wit when we meet with troubles the soul will say These are the things that I lookt for Men cast up the easie part of Religion but do not cast up the hard part 16 Be earnest for God to give thee an invincible resolution that when the flesh asks you will you omit no duty though it costs you never so much you may answer no as Daniel cap. 6.10 who would no omit praying though to be known to pray was a matter capital Micaiah would not balk the telling of Ahab a Message from God though Imprisonment and the Bread and Water of Affliction was like to befall him Queen Hester would speak for the Church though she should perish therein John Baptist would not forbear to admonish Herod though Imprisonment and Death should be his Reward Prisons and Death would not keep off the Apostle from fulfilling the course of his Ministry Acts 20.24 yea he saith He rejoyced if he were offered upon the
in against thee are non-suted Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect When God would comfort his people wherewith doth he comfort them he tells them their iniquities are pardoned Esa 40.22 Obj. But my Sins are many my guilts haynous how can I take comfort Answ 1 God was in Christ Reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and delivered from the curse all that believe on him John 3.36 1 Thess 1.10 2 We must look on Christs death as able to drown Mountains as Mole-hills All the fiery stingings how great soever were taken away when they lookt on the Brazen Serpent John 3.14 15. God did not onely save just Abraham Isaac and Jacob but unrighteous Thamar Reuben Simeon Levi that no man should presume of his righteousness or wisdom nor that any man should be discouraged because of his sins Luth. in Gen. 38. 3 The Fountain of Christs Bloud is set open for all bleeding and believing souls Zach. 12.10 compared with cap. 13.1 In that day they believe and repent the Fountain is open 4 All hand-writings of Ordinances of what kinde soever that might testifie a believers guilt is taken away as to the accusatory and damnatory power thereof Col. 2.14 If the Jews rejoyced at the revoking Ahazuerus sentence let us much more at this 5 All the power of Hell is led in triumph by Christ to the faith of the believer Col. 2.15 Having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly viz. to the faith of the believer triumphing over them on the Cross 6 In his Redemption Christ had in his eye all the sins that should fall out to the end of the world and he paid not onely for sins that were at present but for those which should come after though one sin be committed to day another to morrow and another the third day yet the travel of Christs soul gave the Father full satisfaction Isai 53.11 Object Could I believe or repent I could take comfort but alas I cannot saith many a poor soul Answ All the promises of remission of sins are belonging and so consequently to be tendered unto those who believe and repent not to believing without repenting nor to repenting without believing Luke 24.47 Mark 1.15 Acts 20.21 Paul preached Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ but the promises are to be tendered to both together Thus we comfort the afflicted Brother It 's impossible thou shouldest be so righteous in this life that thou shouldest feel no sin and that thy body should be clear without spots as the Sun but thou hast yet spots are in thee yet art thou holy but thou sayest How can I be holy seeing I have and feel sin That thou feelest sin and acknowledges it give thanks to God despair not It 's a step to health when the sick person acknowledges his Disease But how shall I be delivered from my sin run to Christ the Physician who heals the broken in heart thy reason being sacrificed believe in him Luth. Tom. 4.76 2 Mourning under unbelief and impenitency and hardness of heart doth usually argue there is some measure of these graces in thy soul for whence could a soul mourn for the want of these graces but because it hath some measure of these already those that mourn under wants and hunger and thirst for supplies are under the promise of blessedness John 7.37 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink 2 Every thirsting soul is invited to Christ Revel 22.17 Let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely 3 Cast thy thy self upon Christ resolving if thou perishest thou wilt perish in his arms Job 13.15 2 Use Righteous persons may draw comfort from the righteousness of uprightness though not by way of satisfaction yet by way of evidence 1 Chron. 29.9 The People rejoyced because they offered willingly because with perfect heart they offered willingly 2 Cor. 1.12 Our rejoycing is the testimony of our conscience Doing judgment is accompanied with joy Prov. 21.15 Men persecute for righteousness Matth. 5.10 Devils rage at it but Saints must walk in it Luke 1.75 Those Heb. 11. first wrought Righteousness then obtained promises v. 35. In the name of a righteous man Not because he is a kinsman or friend or because we hope to receive like for like or shall get some gain thereby or ingratiate our self thereby unto some men we would be in favour with but as before he had spoken because he was a Prophet so here because he is a righteous man Gal. 6.10 We should principally look to the moving cause that moveth us to do good to Gods Saints even because we see Christ in them though all other considerations were taken away as of neighbourhood meekness love to us Shall receive a righteous mans Reward That is they shall not onely receive the examples of those holy men they receive and their edifying speeches usually holy either for matter or manner of speaking and sometimes their powerfull prayers for them but they shall also receive the same reward of eternal glory which the righteous man himself shall receive for the just shall live by faith Heb. 2.4 V. 42. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water onely in the name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his Reward Here 's a third ground against fear of not being received which the Disciples and other Christians might expect for the cause of Christ to wit that the smallest kindness done to any of Christs little ones shall not go without a reward Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water That is being able to give no more for if we can give a cup of wine and shall put the matter off with a cup of water Christ will think this but cold entertainment The meanness of the benefit shall not make the kindness less respected with Christ 2 Cor. 8.12 If there be first a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath He names cold water as Augustine supposes lest any man should excuse himself that he wanted fire or a vessel to heat it By little ones Christ means those who are base and vile in their own eys from the sense of their Infirmities and despised by the proud men of the world Against offending and despising these little ones Christ warns Matth. 18.6 1 Saying It were better a man had a Mill-stone hanged about his neck and he be cast into the Sea as the Jews were wont to punish some Malefactours than offend such little ones 2 The Angels of these little ones do always behold the face of God therefore take heed how ye despise them God dignifies them with attendance of Angels therefore do not ye despise them If not despise them then must you
recompensed me according to my righteousness Look upon the Kings of Judah from David and so along whose hearts were perfect with God and see how God made their Kingdoms prosper witness Asa Jehoshaphat Hezekiah c. 6 Sincere souls may be comforted against all disasters whatsoever Art thou being sincere reproached Job being so comforted himself cap. 16.19 Behold my witness is in heaven and my record is on high Job 23.10 He knoweth the way that is with me so the Margin Joseph doubtless had comfort when his Mistress slandered him 1 Cor. 4.3 4. When sundry at Corinth censured Paul saith he I regard not mans day or mans judgement I know nothing by my self So in time of sickness and death great will the comfort of sincerity be Isai 57.2 He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness Mark the perfect man the end of that man is peace Ps 37.37 The having the loyns girt about with truth is part of a Christians armor in an evil day Eph. 6.14 Job saith c. 27.5 6. Till I dye I will not let my integrity go from me my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live It will be a matter of comfort in death to write down some of the great actions or turnings of our lives wherein we have acted uprightly Hypocrites in prosperous times are very confident but when an evil time comes their hope is as the giving up of the Ghost but sincere souls when God shall ask them By conscience lovest thou me They can return this answer Thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee John 21.15 It was a speech of a godly woman when she came to die that she had nothing to comfort her but poor sincerity her name was Mrs. Juxon Quest But what is this sincerity which is so comfortable and whereunto you so exhort us Answ It is to do what we do unto God having a bent of heart to all Gods commandements with an earnest desire to avoid the contrary out of conscience to God and from faith and love 1 Kings 9.4 If thou wilt walk before me as David thy father walked in integrity of heart and uprightness to do according to all that I have commanded thee 1 See uprightness and integrity consists in having a bent to do all God commands The contrary is unsoundness See Matth. 19.21 22. Col. 4.12 Perfect and compleat in all the will of God q. d. where there is one the other will be 2 It must be done unto God or out of conscience to God Isai 38.3 Noah was perfect in his generations how doth that appear Why Noah walked with God Gen. 6.9 that is in his actings he made himself present with God and God present with him else to part with any thing as with life and goods to give the body to be burned and all a mans goods to the poor and so consequently to do any command for these two are the hardest commands would not argue sincerity unless what we do be done out of conscience to God 3 It must be from faith and love 3 Use Trial. Try thy sincerity 1 At whose eye do you look in all your services Psalm 16.8 I have set the Lord ever before me Hypocrites in some particular actions may set God before them as Abimelech Gen. 20.6 Those that kill'd the Apostles thought they did God service in it John 16.2 The Jews in opposing Christs righteousness had the zeal of God in it that is they lookt at God in it Rom. 10.2 But sincere persons have a desire to and purpose for to set God ever before them yea if any by-ends come in they are troubled at it 2 From whom do you expect a reward hence a conscientious Preacher preacheth with all his strength though people be not gathered Esa 49.4 5. Hence that Servants may be sincere they are bid to expect their reward from God Col. 3.23 24. Why for ye serve the Lord Christ Hence a Christian doth good to unthankfull yea to enemies Psalm 35.12 13. Luke 6.35 36. Hence a sincere soul doth duty when it hath no reward with men nay contrarily shame and blame 3 The doing good and avoiding evil in secret They do good in secret Job 31.18 19. Esa 38.3 Hypocrites will do good where there are many eyes to behold them Matth 6.2 Matth. 23.5 but very seldom do they any good in secret but sincere souls do good in secret Their alms prayer and fasting they strive that it may be in secret Matth. 6.1 c. So on the other side they avoid evil in secret Joseph durst not come near his Mistress though none but he and she were in the house Job durst not lift up his hand against the fatherless though he saw his help in the gate Job 31.21 He eschews hellish thoughts and groans under them crying Cleanse me Lord from secret sins then shall I be upright Psalm 19.12 13. Contrarily hypocrites and wicked men will venture to do evil in secret all their care is to cover it from the eye of man Hence they stick not to plot mischief in secret Psalm 64.2 4. They will slander in secret Deut. 27.24 Moses calls it a smiting their neghbour secretly They do secretly accept persons Job 13.10 In a word it s a shame to speak of the things that are done of them in secret Eph. 5.12 Yet may they refrain from open and scandalous sins and live and dye without any such though usually God leaves them to fall into some open sin that so their name may rot Prov. 10.7 4 The singling out God from all other objects that come what will come they will not leave the Lord. Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should rejoyce in any thing save in the cross of Christ Rom. 8.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ He means both active and passive love which the Lord hath to us and we to the Lord. Hypocrites on the other side are double minded their hearts are divided betwixt God and some lust James 1.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his wayes Sometimes they are for God sometimes for the world hence where any soul sincerely turns to God he purifies himself from double mindedness James 4.8 9. 5 Sensibleness of and groaning under inward distempers Rom. 7.15 23. Troubled under hardness of heart Isa 63.17 Unbelief Mark 9.23 Privy pride 2 Cor. 12.7 8. From a principle of tenderness of conscience they have received and a blessed light God hath set up in their hearts they are sensible of such evils as the world counts nothing yea they are more troubled for these then wicked men are for grosse evils they complain of themselves for not striving with God to keep off his judgements for their close hypocrysie heaviness in the service of God dulness Isa 64.7 There 's none that stirs up himself to take hold of thee A sincere soul though he do duties outwardly plausible yet is he not contented
2 Cor 5.10.11 Heb. 12.27 28. as the promised reward draws our regenerate part so doth the threatning awe our unregenerate part and beat down our flesh 3 Exhort Beware you be not beguil'd of this reward Col. 2.18 Men are by Satan miserably cousen'd he takes gold from them in stead of which he gives them counters he casts dust of honour and riches in the eys of most and then cousens them of the reward of heaven How carefull are we not to be cheated of our estates on earth much more take care thou be not cheated of the crown in heaven 4 Exhort Be laborious in the work of God 1 Cor. 15.58 Be stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know your labour will not be in vain in the Lord. Gal. 6.9 Yea to serve God willingly 1 Cor. 9.17 If I do this thing willingly I have a reward Heb. 6.10 11. Did persons believe there were such a reward how would their endeavours be stirr'd up When David believed he should have Sauls daughter how was his valour stirr'd up to kill the Philistims and to bring two hundred of the Philistims fore-skins Let men say what they will where there are not holy endeavours used they do not believe this promised reward Perswasion still stirs up the soul to endeavours Oh then So run that ye may obtain 1 Cor. 9.24 5 Exhort Be content to suffer all hardships in hope of this reward So Moses Heb. 11.25 26. Moses preferr'd the reproaches of Christ before the treasures of Egypt in hope of this reward Matth. 5.11 12. So those Saints Heb. 10.34 They suffered the spoiling of their goods in hope of this reward 3 Use Terror to wicked men they have no reward Prov. 24.20 No reward of happiness but the reward of iniquity So Judas Acts 1.18 They will one day see they have rewarded evil to their own souls Isa 3.9 then shall wicked men finde the words of the Prophet to be true Isa 3.10 11. Say to the righteous It shall be well with him for he shall eat the fruit of his doings wo to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Gal. 6.8 2 Thes 1.6 7. Heb. 10.30 Lastly in that the Disciples propound the scruples and Christ answers them both in v. 34. and in these three last verses observe Obs The Saints of God should endeavour satisfaction in their scruples Two things 1 What a scruple is 2 Why Gods people should labour and endeavour for satisfaction herein 1 What a scruple is The Latin word scrupulus is derived of scrupus which signifies a little sharp stone which falling into a mans shoes troubles him in travel metaphorically it signifies a doubt or trouble which inwardly grates upon the soul putting it to pain for want of light until the conscience have satisfaction therein though therein the conscience incline to one side In which five things 1 A scruple is a doubt or trouble wherein the soul is troubled as to the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a thing as to the practising or forbearing of a thing When a man asks question for conscience sake 1 Cor. 10.27 2 The seat of this scrupling or doubting it 's in the conscience 1 Cor. 10.25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for conscience sake so that when a thing is to be done or forborn you ask a question herein to satisfie conscience which cannot witness with you concerning the rectitude of such an action but stands hesitating and doubting herein 3 This doubt or scruple inwardly grates upon the soul and puts it to pain so that the soul is heavy and lumpish under it and sometimes grieved and sometimes presses the soul down with the weight thereof that the removing of it is as if you should take off a talent of lead 4 The cause of all scruples is want of light because a soul cannot see his way hence some scrupulous souls Rom. 14.2 wanting light to see that they might feed on all creatures lawfully fed onely upon hearbs for fear they should eat some meat which God in Moses Law had forbidden 5 There is an inclination to the lawfulness of one part above another but yet not without trouble because of some difficulties it knowes not how to answer For example when a Christian was invited to go to a feast that was at an Idolaters house but was no Idol feast there could not but be some trouble in the hearts of some whether they should go yet the conscience inclined to dictate that they might go from that permission 1 Cor. 10.27 When a false Prophet Deut. 13.1 2 3 4. wrought a miracle that came to pass and sollicited them to go after other gods they could not but have some doubt in their mindes whether they should go after strange gods yet conscience inclining unto truth they were to stand to that and to abandon the scruple and to suppress and conclude against the reasons and arguments which caused them to doubt so that the difference betwixt a doubtfull and a scrupulous conscience is this A doubtfull conscience hangs in suspence with equality of reasons concerning the lawfulness and unlawfulness of something to be practised or believed but a scrupulous conscience inclines to the lawfulness of the thing to be done but not without some doubts because of the difficulty of the arguments which it well knowes not how to answer When we incline to the lawfulness of a thing we should labour to suppress all difficulties which cause us to doubt if that cannot be done yet are we to go to that side conscience most inclines to Obj. But do not all doubts in the conscience suspend a mans acting every way seeing the Apostle saith He that doubteth is damned if he eat Rom. 14.23 and Whatsoever is not of faith is sin and Every man is to be fully perswaded in his own minde v. 5. Answ All doubts in the conscience do not suspend a mans acting in practise For example a man doubts whether the first day of the week be a day appointed by command from God for worship his conscience perhaps doubts both ways yet may he keep it for where there is no harm in the practical part the doubt may without harm be in the conscience and yet he may act one way But those doubts seem to me to suspend practise where arguments are of equal force both ways as where there are two faces of authority in a nation the conscience questions which have right on their side the subject so doubting must be neutral 2 When conscience doubts on one part and is resolved on the other we must refuse the doubting part and take that wherein we are sure as in Cards and Dice if we play not we are safe 3 When conscience doubts on both sides which is the sin and which not then ought a man to do that which is most void of offence 4 We may have
sundry doubts of other mens actings and yet these not hinder our own acting nor do they come under Paul's kinde of doubting who speaks onely of a mans own actings our conscience or perswasion hath nothing to do to judge an other mans liberty 1 Cor. 10.29 For example Augustus laid a tax upon all the world some Christians doubted that part of this tax would be bestowed on Idols and their Priests and therefore doubted whether they might pay Augustus tribute their doubts were not to be regarded they might pay tribute notwithstanding these doubts for they had nothing to do to doubt or judge what Augustus would do with it being secret in his own breast An Officer doubts the Magistrate hath given an unjust sentence yet may he execute it because his own duty is clear to him but the Magistrates injustice is not I am a Church member I doubt my fellow member is an hypocrite yet may I communicate with him because his hypocrisie doth not appear and the manifestation of his evil and the censure of the Church thereupon is the ground for my not communicating not my doubting of his unsoundness A souldier doubts his Captain sends him upon an unjust service this souldier if he know not the injustice may not refrain 5 In your own proper actings do not that you doubt of Rom. 14.5 23. As it 's against the Law of friendship willingly to do that which we doubt whether it will be acceptable to our friend so is it against the Law of the love of God to do such things as we doubt whether or no do please him Reas 1 Because satisfaction in scruples tends much to the quieting of the soul The Jews doubted whether any of their members might eat with the Gentiles Acts 11.2 and some of them dealt with Peter herein When Peter gave them satisfaction concerning the lawfulness thereof They were glad and glorified God v. 18. Then is it that a man can act comfortably and chearfully 2 Clearing up of scruples tends to make Church-communion comfortable The Jews did earnestly endeavour to keep the ceremonial commands of the Law and to impose them upon others and would not have communion with the Gentile brethren that would not keep them Acts 15.1 On the other side the Gentile believers knowing their liberty by Christ would exclude the Jews living Jewishly from their communion whereupon a Schism was like to arise therefore Paul to heal the scruples on all sides warns the Jewish believers so to follow their opinion that they did not condemn the Gentile believers of wickedness and warns the Gentile believers that they should not refrain the Communion of the Jewish believers because they lived Jewishly nor despise them for it but that they should receive one another to Church-fellowship Rom. 14.1 Him that is weak in the faith receive you but not to doubtfull disputations The words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifie the judging of thoughts q.d. Do not you Gentile believers judge whether they use these ceremonial commands as necessary or as profitable or how they hold them in their conscience what have you to do to rifle there what have you to do to judge their thoughts 3 The great anguish that is in the soul for want of satisfaction herein Many have scruples as to vows oaths restitution assurance obedience to mens commands c. and go on in a pining condition for many years together when one word of a faithfull Teacher or Brother would quiet all How much better did those poor Jews who were pricked in their hearts for guilt Who in their anguish of conscience asked of Peter and the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do Peter with a few words speaking heals all the scruple Acts 2.37 38 39. saying Repent and be baptized but they had another scruple that in their violence against Christ they had wished his blood be on their children this scruple Peter answers The promise is to you and to your children when the Lord shall call them For to satisfie afflicted souls the Lord hath given the tongue of the learned to speak a word in season to him that is weary Isai 50.4 How painfull have the doubts and scruples about assurance been to sundry of Gods children Psal 77.7 8 9. Isai 49.14 15. Especially when an evil day comes as sickness death c. How will these scruples afflict you how will they make you unwilling to dye It 's like David had a scruple on his death bed for not putting Joab to death who had kild two innocent men hence he gives Solomon order to put him to death for we cannot think that now when he expected mercy from God he did it out of revenge 1 Kings 2.5 6. Use Exhort to clear up all thy scruples Now scruples are of two sorts 1 Rational and material so the woman of Samaria having a scruple where the place of worship and where the true Church was whether in Mount Gerizim where was a Temple built by Manasses the High Priests son as Josephus mentions or whether at Jerusalem was the place of worship Christ answers her scruple 1 Condemns her worship and the worship of the Samaritans because not grounded upon knowledge saying Ye worship ye know not what Joh. 4.22 2 Commends the worship at Jerusalem by two reasons v. 22. 1 Because grounded upon knowledge We know what we worship 2 Because the Jews had the means of salvation there which the Samaritans had not saying Salvation is of the Jews Such was that of Joseph Matth. 1.19 20. who was perplexed about the putting away of Mary 2 Irrational and circumstantial Satan pussles many with these as some persons when they have paid money because they could not remember the time or place have scrupled whether they have paid it though their hearts tell them they pay every man presently after it is due Sometimes when a soul hath cleared up a scruple to full satisfaction the devil comes a year or more after and endeavours to trouble him again to re-act a discussion of the same question in both which cases Satan endeavours to rob us of our time carrying us to impertinencies and if possible to make us walk heavily I much question whether it were not a needless scruple in David when his heart smote him for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment 2 Sam. 24.4 5. seeing he did it not for to affright him nor to impoverish him but to make his own innocency appear that he was not an enemy to him Others scruple whether it be lawfull to eat flesh upon a Friday whether they may teach their children a Catechism or patern of sound words the slighting of these and such like is not a way to weaken but to strengthen the conscience All scruples that bring not a word are frivolous and vain and not to be discussed Means to be used in case of scruples 1 Suffer not men to impose upon us and subject us to their ordinances beyond the bounds of the word Col.
2.18 20 21. The false Teachers would have imposed Angel-worship and would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 judged them to hell and that they should never have the crown of glory if they did not observe them but the Apostle bids they should not regard their judgement 2 Where we come where persons can resolve us to propound our doubts Mal. 2.7 As of old Priests lips did preserve knowledge so should the lips of Church Elders Herein lay aside sinfull bashfulness which makes many go sadly for want of propounding the difficulties which afflict them thus did the Churches of Antioch Acts 15.2 and Corinth 1 Cor. 7.1 1 Cor. 10.25 27. 3 Urge the Lord with his promise to give you direction in your difficulties Psal 25.12 What man is he that fears the Lord Him shall he direct in the way that he shall chuse Prov. 3.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy steps David was in a strait to know whether Saul would come against Keilah and whether the men of Keilah would deliver him up and he enquires of God herein 1 Sam. 23.11 12. and the Lord answered him that the men of Keilah would deliver him up 2 Sam. 21.1 Jos 7.6 to v. 20. Judg. 20.26 27 28. 4 Examine reasons on all sides and then go that way which seems likeliest and hath best reasons out of Gods word David had a great scruple about Gods providence as to wicked men untill he went into the Sanctuary of God and there in the Ministry of Gods word he found reasons to stablish him to wit concerning their end 1 That though they were so happy at present yet they stood in slippery places 2 That they were cast down into destruction and desolation in a moment Psal 73.16 17 18 19. But if reasons from Gods word are equal on both sides chuse that side that hath least fleshly respects in it I mean as to thy self as to self-credit profit or benefit or makes most for Religion Gods glory and the credit of the Gospel according to those three rules 1 Corinth 10.31 32 33. 5 Finde out the cause of your scruple If it be ignorance strive for information and do not out of conceitedness of thy own opinion put it off If Satans suggestion compare the reasons with the Word If melancholy be the cause as often it is compare the soul when it is in a quiet frame and the melancholy fit over with those reasons that appeared in the time of melancholy thou shalt see a great unlikeness betwixt them as betwixt water when it is puddled or jumbled together and water when it is cleer If thy scruple arise from scrupulous persons consider the weight of their reasons remembring no man is to be heeded more then his reason weighs If it arise from fear of sinning against God and conscience of duty then remember its backt with a plain commandement 6 Beware you do not strain at a Gnat and swallow a Camel to scruple about the payment of the tithe of rue mint anise and cummin and neglect the weightier matters of the Law justice and the love of God we may scruple justly to break the least command as Daniel was resolvedly set not to defile himself with the portion of the Kings meat Dan. 1.8 as also not to neglect a duty Dan. 6.10 yet be sure that you be as much or more scrupulous in the weightier matters of the Law Matth. 23.23 by no means to have the least hand in the violation of them 7 Let not the minde run too much upon a scruple for Satan is wont to stir up a great fog and mist in the minds of some conscientious people and so to impress strange things on the imagination by the mindes still running thereupon though some are too far the other way that they will not so much as reason whether things be right or wrong 8 When we see scruples are needless and endless and cannot be taken away with contrary reason let them forcibly be laid aside at least till another time for sometimes Satan followes weak Christians so closely that they can no other way get out of them 9 Where we see the questions we have in our mindes are needless scruples wherein is no reason we may act against them and yet the conscience not be weaker but stronger 10 In case of scrupling let conscience speak out till it it have no more to say and beware you do not put a trick upon conscience by a cunning distinction If conscience put thee upon hard things yet be sure to follow it Acts 20.22 23 24. as it may be it puts thee upon duty whereby thou shalt lose some dear friend and procure some heavy enemy 11 Beware of pretending a scruple when there is no such thing Matth. 22.16 17. The Herodians come to Christ and pretend a scruple We know thou art true and teachest the way of God in truth neither carest thou for any man for thou regardest not the person of men tell us Is it lawfull to give tribute to Caesar or not In which question they onely endeavoured ensnarement if Christ said it was lawfull they would have rendered him a flattering time-server because the Jews held generally that the Romans had violently subdued them if he had said it was not lawfull they would have accused him of treason against Caesar Thus to pretend a scruple is an act of gross hypocrisie and those that thus set up a stumbling block of iniquity and come to a Prophet to enquire concerning the Lord or his ways the Lord will answer him accordingly Ezek. 14.7 And I will set my face against that man So those Jerem. 42.5 6. 12 Do not despise nor be eager against scrupulous persons Scrupulosi non sunt rigidè tractandi said Antoninus the Casuist because this tenderness of conscience when it is real is a pretious principle arising from a great measure of Gods fear and is a fruit of the spirit in whom it is though sometimes through ignorance and injudiciousness it scruples where it ought not Yet as in fields where there are many briars thistles and thorns it argues there is good ground if it were well husbanded so a heart that conscientiously scruples though often the scruples are not good yet they arising from a true fear of not sinning against God they argue the heart is good Yet an enlightned conscience other things being like is better then a scrupuling conscience 13 Sometimes a scruple may be determined by an use of lot when a soul doubts which way God would have him to go yet he is so purged from self-endedness that he desires God may determine the matter Acts 1.24 Thou Lord which knowest the hearts show which of these two thou hast chosen 14 To scruple in small things and not in great matters is a note of a hypocrite Matth. 23.23 Also the Jewish Priests scrupled the bringing the thirty pieces into the treasury being the price of blood Matth. 27.6 yet they scrupled not to shed
reverend boldness and confidence but when we are doubting timorous and fearfull it 's a sign we come in our own names Christ hath a golden Censer wherein is much Incense which he offers with the prayers of all Saints Revel 8 3. as the high Priest of old did who put Incense on his Censer when he made an atonement for the people Numb 16.46 2 Pray with the Spirit We have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father Rom. 8.15 Also v. 26. The spirit makes request for us with groanings that cannot be uttered The grones of the spirit are strong cries which so fills heaven and earth that besides it God hears nothing saith Luther If in tentation or trouble we shall onely sigh to God and say Jesus Christ come and help me or else I am undone for ever we shall finde often ease hereupon All the sons of God have the spirit of his Son in their hearts crying Abba Father God grants not that often which is in the top of the heart and in the froth of words but according to the depth of the sigh to which often words answer very barely or not at all How many worldly wise men are there that might they have a world to continue one quarter of an hour in ripping up their hearts in conceived prayer they were not able to do it Some short wishes they have as God be thanked for his blessings God send us rain Others there are who have learnt the art of prayer or the gift but they have not the grace of prayer they pray artificial prayers and give artificial life to them as if the spirit accompanied them but in the mean time their hearts are neither warmed nor melted But those prayers wherein God delights are stir'd up by the holy Ghost Jude 20. Eph. 6.18 Praying with all supplication in the spirit Without this spirit we may speak of God but not unto God indeed the best of our prayers are but as the stammering voices of infants begging bread or meat at the Table yet these chatterings or stammerings coming from the spirit he that searcheth the heart must needs know what they mean because he maketh intercession for the Saints now he intercedes not by way of merit as Christ doth nor by way of supplication but by stirring us up to cry to God Rom. 8.27 Do the bowels of a father yern towards an infant groaning and panting and unable to tell where his pain is and will not God be moved with the sighs and groans of his children When Moses spake never a word yet he is said to cry to God Exo. 14.15 Hanna's voice was not heard 1 Sam. 1.13 yet she is said to powr out her heart v. 15. the sighs of the godly are as so many beams of the spirit which tyrants cannot hinder from ascending heaven though they should cut out their tongues Asaph groaned when he could not speak Psal 77.4 Now that this praying with sighs and groans comes from the spirit appears because when the spirit ceases from working upon our hearts we become dull and heavie and weary of the dutie that it becomes a very penance to us the soul then is like a becalmed ship All Saints that pray aright even Paul himself pray by this spirit Rom. 8.15 By this spirit we present such sighs as cannot be expressed and utter such words as are not able to be repeated The sighings of the needy God hears Psal 12.5 Now though carnal men sometimes groan and that to God yet are these groans a fruit of nature as the bruits do under feeling of a pressing weight the groans of saints come not onely from feeling of pain but from sorrow for sin 2 The groans in Saints lifts up their hearts to heaven and brings back chearing and sence of Gods love 3 There 's usually a sweet satisfaction comes in those groans which doth not in the groans of wicked men Those that have this spirit of prayer they have many ejaculations amidst their callings Nehemiah when he was speaking to the King prayed to the God of heaven Neh. 2.4 they frequently dart out many broken sighs to quench the sprowtings of lust as pride unclean desires revenge c. and have many invisible springings of heart upon the receipt of blessings on themselves or others Many zealous wrastlings for removal of corruptions and supply of grace To powr out the soul out of sense of spiritual wants in that form or phrase which groanings and meltings of the spirit doth indite and frame is beyond the ordinary reach of unregeneration Yea thus to pray is the hardest of all works because it cannot be effected without the spirit This spirit of prayer is of more worth then the world especially when a Christian hath by any scandalous sin or relapse or sin against conscience turn'd away Gods favour for hereby he hath restitution into Gods favour and the return of Gods countenance Jon. 2.4 7. Infinite more fruits the spirit of prayer works as many secret exultations and rejoycings spiritual ravishments strong though silent cries passionate meltings unutterable groans zealous longings which are riddles to prophane men but known to the children of God 3 Thirdly the person must be righteous Hear my prayer for I am holy Psal 86.2 The prayer of the wicked is abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 A holy man may make a carnal prayer as when the flesh gets the upper hand but a carnal man cannot make a spiritual prayer I mean a prayer prevailing for spiritual things Jon. 9.31 God heareth not sinners but if any man be a doer of his will him he hears The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth him out of all his troubles Psal 34.15 The prayer of a righteous man avails much Jam. 5.16 If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you Joh. 15.7 8. Whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his Commandements and do those things which are pleasing in his sight 1 Joh. 3.22 The spirit of prayer is called the spirit of grace if thou hast not the spirit of grace thou canst not pray Zach. 12.10 yet know the righteousness of a person may consist with variety of passions as he instances in Eliah Jam. 5.17 In all begging it's a great matter who it is that begs if it be a sturdy beggar we have nothing for such so in prayer if a wicked man pray for any spiritual blessing saith God I have nothing for you but if it be a believer Christ saith be of good chear to such Luke 8.48 if thou prepare thy heart and stretch out thy hands towards him if iniquity be in thine hand put it far away Job 11.13 14. He will fullfil the desire of them that fear him Psal 145.19 Contrary when a man inclines to wickedness in his heart the Lord will not hear him Psal 66.18 The Pagans had so much divinity as to say the gods
must be honoured with puritie therefore they wrote upon the doors of their Temples Let none having a guilty conscience enter this place A bad conscience can never hope well Obj. But do not we finde wicked men in Scripture have had their praiers heard A. Yes when they have sought for temporal things Jehoahaz the son of Jehu was a wicked man 2 Kin. 13.2 yet when the nation of Israel was delivered into the hands of the Syrians Jehoahaz besought the Lord and the Lord hearkened unto him for he saw the oppression of Israel and the Lord gave Israel a Saviour v. 4 5. So Ahab seeking obtained the removing of the judgement until his sons daies 1 Kin. 21.27 28 29. So when men of all sorts are in danger by storms at sea they cry to the Lord in their trouble and he delivereth them out of their distress Psal 107.28 So prisoners that lie in irons v. 13. and sick men that draw near to death v. 18 19. If thou afflict a widow or fatherless person whether godly or ungodly I will surely hear their cry Exod. 22.22 23. Ishmael was a wicked person a persecutor yet God heard the voice of the Lad Gen. 21.17 Uzziah sought God in the daies of Zachariah and as long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper 2 Chro. 26.5 yet was he wicked as we see 2 Chron. 25.2 compared with 2 Chron. 26.4 Besides God bestowes praying abilities upon unregenerate men therefore they may improve them the not calling upon God is charged upon wicked men as their sin therefore the performance of it is their dutie The Prophet proves the Jews to be under sin because there 's none seeks after God Psal 14.2 Also Psal 53.4 wicked men are branded that they call not upon God Psal 10.4 they are taxed for this both Pastours Jer. 10.21 and people Hos 7.7 Zeph. 1.6 and all flesh are said to come to God in prayer O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come Psal 65.2 An unbeliever may be underpreparing grace though he be not yet come to saving faith and in this estate he may have many good desires which God may hear To reconcile these to the former speeches know that God hears wicked men in temporal things which indeed oft is onely the cry of their cause not of their person as he is said to hear the cry of the ravens Psal 147.9 so the young Lions are said to seek their meat from God Psal 104.21 Quest But what would you have us to do with our children and servants Answ You may bid them call upon God in the general and if you speak to them to call upon God for saving grace as pardon c you must speak to them as Peter to Simon Magus Repent of this thy wickednesse and pray God if perhaps the thoughts of thy heart may be forgiven thee Act. 8.21 First he bids him repent then pray God Quest But what should we do for joyning in prayer with others Answ If the person with whom you are to eat and who is to give thanks be visibly wicked either forbear his table or declare that you desire liberty of conscience without which grant you cannot partake of his meat which doubtless was practised by the believers when they went to the unbelievers table 1 Cor. 10.27 we must not wound our consciences for good chear nor to gratifie a friend but where no such wickedness doth apppear my opinion is that charity must carry us to judge the best yet must we remember that this is onely a privative signe Positive signes of a good man being either Church Communion or some thing that is equivalent if you will follow conscience herein I know you must be content to lose some fat morsells 4 We must pray in saith 〈◊〉 faith in prayer ought to be certain of hearing but we must wait for the time when the place where the manner how and the person by whom God will work Now to pray in faith there is command Matth. 21.22 1 Faith in God How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed Rom. 10.14 And this God to be lookt on as a father Matth. 6.9 Heb. 11.6 2 Faith in the attributes of God as his omnipresence that he is every where Esa 6.31 in his omniscience that he knows all our wants and all our hearts hear thou in heaven and give to every man according to his wayes whose heart thou knowest 1 King 8.39 in his omnipotence thus Jeremy grounds his prayer thou hast made heaven and earth and there 's nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32.17.4 in his mercy Nehem. 1.4 5. in his all-sufficiency Of the object in prayer James speaks as I suppose Jam. 1.6 7. let him ask in faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James speaks not of a partial or particular unbelief in the subject but of an universal and total unbelief in respect of the object 3 There must be faith to set before us the worthiness of the Mediator Heb. 4.15 16. and not barely his worthiness but also our union with him Joh. 15.7 8. If ye abide in me ye shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you 4 Faith grounded on the promises Psal 119.49 50 147. remember thy word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to trust To pray in faith is to go as far as the promise goes to believe that God is a father and being a father he will not keep any good thing from his child A beggar never goes from an house keepers door so long as he believes he shall have an alms no more doth a believing soul go from the throne of grace so long as he believes God will hear but if he leave off the words of prayer he doth not leave off the sute of prayer Had we a particular promise as Eliah had we were bound to believe in particular as Eliah did concerning the not raining for three years and six months And as faith looks on other promises so in particular such promises as concerns the souls present condition so Jacob Gen. 32.9 10 11 12. Thou saidest return into thy country and I will deal well with thee and thou saidest I will surely do thee good and make thy seed as the sand of the sea deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau There is scarce any case but the Scripture affords promises which speak to that very case had we wisdom to store them up as David did Psal 119. also Heb. 13.5 5 Faith grounded on former Experiments Thou art my trust from my youth leave me not in old age Psalm 71.5 9. When we thus pray in faith we have a bold access into the presence of God notwithstanding all our unworthiness and imperfections in prayer Ephes 3.12 5 Pray with fixedness of spirit When David's