did not beseech but knock as if they did not doubt to be let into Heaven yet to these Christ saith I know you not whence you are Depart from me ye workers of iniquity Therefore fear and tremble least any of us miss of this Kingdom of Heaven Secondly This fear is necessary if we consider what a loss it is to lose the Heavenly Kingdom All the tears of Hell are not sufficient to lament the loss of Heaven They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom lose Gods sweet Presence the ravishing viewes and smiles of Gods Glorious Face Gods Presence is the Diamond in the Ring of Glory Psal. 16.11 In his presence is fulness of joy If God be the Fountain of all Bliss then to be separated from him is the Fountain of all Misery They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom lose the Society of Angels and what sweeter Musick than to hear them praise God in Consort they lose all their Treasure their white Robes their sparkling Crowns they lose their hopes Iob 8.14 Whose hope shall be cut off Their hope is not an Anchor but a Spiders Web If hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 what then is hope disappointed They lose the end of their being Why were they Created but to be enthronâ—d in Glory Now to lose this is to lose the end of their being As if an Angel should be turned to a worm There are many aggravations of the loss of this Heavenly Kingdom 1. The eyes of the Wicked shall be opened to see their loss now they care not for the loss of Gods Favour because they know not the worth of it A Man that loseth a rich Diamond and took it but for an ordinary Stone is not much troubled at the loss of it but when he comes to know what a Jewel he lost then he laments He whose Heart would never break at the sight of his sins shall now break at the sight of his loss Phinehas his Daughter when she heard the Ark was lost cryed out The Glory is departed 1 Sam. 4.21 When the Sinner sees what he hath lost he hath lost the Beatifical Vision he hath lost the Kingdom of Heaven now he will cry out in horrour and despair The Glory the everlasting Glory is departed 2. A second aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom will be that Sinners shall be upbraided by their own Conscience This is the worm that never dyes Mark 9.44 viz. a self-accusing Mind When Sinners shall consider they were in a fair way to the Kingdom they had a possibility of Salvation though the door of Heaven were strait yet it was open they had the means of Grace the jubilee of the Gospel was proclaimed in their ears God called but they refused Jesus Christ offered them a plaister of his own Blood to heal them but they trampled it under foot the Holy Spirit stood at the door of their heart knocking and crying to them to receive Christ and Heaven but they repulsed the Spirit and sent away this Dove and now they have through their own folly and wilfulness lost the Kingdom of Heaven This self-accusing Conscience will be terrible like a venomous Worm gnawing at the Heart 3. A third aggravation of the loss of Heaven will be to look upon others that have gained the Kingdom the happiness of the Blessed will be an eye-sore Luke 13.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the kingdom of God and you your selves thrust out When the Wicked shall see those whom they hated and scorned to be exalted to a Kingdom and shine with Robes of Glory and they themselves miss of the Kingdom this will be a dagger at the heart and make them gnash their teeth for envy 4. A fourth aggravation is this loss of the Kingdom of Heaven is accompanied with the punishment of Sense He who leaps short of the Bank falls into the River such as come short of Heaven fall into the River of Fire and Brimstone Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into hell And how dreadful is that If when but a spark of Gods Anger lights into the Conscience here it is so torturing what will it be to have mountains of Gods Wrath thrown upon the Soul Psal. 90.11 Who knoweth the power of thy anger The Angel never poured out his Vial but some woe followed Rev. 16.3 when the bitter Vials of Gods Wrath are poured out Damnation follows Dives cryes out O I am tormented in this flame Luke 16.24 In Hell there 's not a drop of Mercy There was no Oyl or Frankincense used in the Sacrifice of Jealousie Numb 5.15 in Hell no Oyl of Mercy to lenifie the Sufferings of the Damned nor Incense of Prayer to appease Gods Wrath. 5. A fifth aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom will be to consider on what easie and reasonable terms Men might have had this Kingdom If indeed God had commanded impossibles to have satisfied his Justice in their own Persons it had been another matter but what God did demand was reasonable only to do that which was for their good to accept of Christ for their Lord and Husband only to part with that which would damn them if they kept their Sins these were the fair terms on which they might have enjoyed the Heavenly Kingdom Now to lose Heaven which might have been had upon such easie terms will be a cutting aggravation it will rend a Sinners Heart with rage and grief to think how easily he might have prevented the loss of the Heavenly Kingdom 6. It will be an aggravation of the loss of Heaven for Sinners to think how active they were in doing that which lost them the Kingdom they were felo de se. What pains did they take to resist the Spirit to stifle Conscience they sinned while they were out of breath Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit iniquity What difficulties did Men go through what did they endure for their Sins how much shame and pain how sick was the Drunkard with his cups how sore in his Body was the Adulterer and what marks of his sin did he carry about him What dangers did Men adventure upon for their Lusts they adventured Gods Wrath and adventured the Laws of the Land O how will this aggravate the loss of Heaven how will this make Men curse themselves to think how much pains they were at to lose happiness How will this sting Mens Consciences to think had they taken but as much pains for Heaven as they did for Hell they had not lost it 7. Aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom it will be an eternal irreparable loss Heaven once lost can never be recovered Worldly losses may be made up again if a Man lose his Health he may have it repaired by Physick if a Man be driven out of his Kingdom he may be restored to it again as King Nebuchadnezzar was Dan. 4.36 My honour returned to me and I
dreadful when he causeth him to be set upon the Rack or to be broke upon the Wheel Who knows the power of God's wath While we are Children of Wrath 1. We have nothing to do with any of the Promises they are as the Tree of Life bearing several sorts of Fruit but no right to pluck one Leaf Eph. 2.3 Children of wrath Verse 12. Strangers to the covenants of promise The Promises are as a Fountain seal'd While we are in the State of Nature we see nothing but the flaming Sword and as the Apostle Heb. 10.27 there remains nothing but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fearful looking for of fiery Indignation 2. While Children of Wrath we are Heirs to all God's Curses Gal. 3.10 How can the Sinner eat and drink in that Condition Like Damariâ—'s Banquet he sat at Meat and there was a Sword hanging over his Head by a small Thread one would think he should have little stomack to eat So the Sword of God's Wrath and Curse hangs every moment over a Sinner's head We read of a flying Roll written with Curses Zach. 5.3 There 's a Roll written with Curses goes out against every Person that Lives and Dies in Sin God's Curse blasts where-ever it comes A Curse on the Sinner's Name a Curse on his Soul a Curse on his Estate Posterity a Curse on the Ordinances Sad if all a Man did eat should turn to Poison The Sinner eats and drinks his own Damnation at God's Table Thus it is before Conversion As the Love of God makes every bitter thing sweet so the Curse of God makes every sweet thing bitter Use. See our Misery by the Fall Heirs of Wrath And is this Estate to be rested in If a Man be fallen under the King's Displeasure will he not labour to Re-ingratiate himself into his Favour O let us flie from the Wrath of God! And whither should we flie but to Jesus Christ there 's none else to shield off the Wrath of God from us 1 Thess. 1.10 Iesus hath delivered us from wrath to come 3. Subject to all outward Miseries All the Troubles incident to Man's Life are the bitter Fruits of Original Sin The sin of Adam hath subjected the Creature to Vanity Rom. 8.20 Is it not a part of the Creature 's Vanity that all the Comforts here below will not fill the Heart no more then the Mariner's breath can fill the Sails of a Ship Job 2â— 22 In the midst of his sufficiency he shall be in straits There is still something wanting and a Man would have more the Heart is always Hydropical it thirsts and is not satisfied Solomon put all the Creatures into a Lembick and when he came to extract the Spirits and Quintissence there was nothing but Froth all was Vanity Eccles. 1.2 Nay 't is vexing Vanity not only Emptiness but Bitterness Our Life is Labour and Sorrow we come into the World with a Cry go out with a Groan Ps. 90.10 Some have said that they would not be to live the Life they have lived over again because their Life hath had more Water in it than Wine More Water of Tears then Wine of Joy Quid est diu vivere nisi diu torqueri Aug. Man is born to trouble Job 5.7 Every one is not born Heir to Land but he is born Heir to Trouble as well separate Weight from Lead We do not finish our Troubles in this Life but change them Trouble is the Vermine bred out of the putred matter of Sin Whence are all our Fears but from Sin 1 Ioh. 4.18 There is torment in fear Fear is the Ague of the Soul sets it a shaking some fear Want others Alarms others fear loss of Relations If we rejoyce 't is with Trembling Whence are all our Disappointment of Hopes but from Sin Where we look for Comfort there a Cross where we expect Honey there we tast Wormwood Whence is it that the Earth is filled with Violence that the Wicked oppresseth the Man which is more righteous then he Hab. 1.13 Whence is it that so much Fraudulency in Dealing so much Falseness in Friendship such Crosses in Relations whence is it Children prove Undutiful they that should be as the Staff of the Parents Age are a Sword to pierce their Hearts Whence is it Servants are Unfaithful to their Masters The Apostle speaks of some who have entertain'd Angels into their Houses Heb. 13.2 But how oft instead of entertaining Angels into their Houses do some entertain Devils Whence are all the Mutinees and Divisions in a Kingdom 2 Chr. 15.5 In those days there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in All this is but the sowr Core in that Apple our first Parents eat viz. Fruit of Original Sin Besides all the Deformities and Diseases of the Body Feavers Convulsions Catarrhs Macies nova febrium terris incubuâ—t cohors These are from Sin There had never been a Stone in the Kidnies if it had not been first a Stone in the Heart Yea the death of the Body is the Fruit and Result of Original Sin Rom. 5.12 Sin entred into the world and death by sin Adam was made Immortal conditionally if he had not sinned Sin dig'd Adam's Grave Death is terrible to Nature Lewis King of France forbad all that came into his Court to mention the name of Death in his Ears The Socinians say That Death comes only from the Infirmness of the Constitution But the Apostle saith Sin usher'd Death into the World By sin came death Certainly had not Adam eat of the Tree of Knowledge he had not died Gen. 2.17 In the day thou eatest thou shalt surely die implying if Adam had not eat he should not have died O then see the Misery ensuing upon Original Sin Sin dissolves the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Harmony and good Temperature of the Body it pulls this Frame in pieces 4. Original Sin without Repentance exposeth to Hell and Damnation This is the second Death Rev. 20.14 Two things in it 1. Poena Damni Punishment of Loss the Soul is banished from the Beatifical Presence of God in whose Presence is Fulness of Joy 2. Poena Sensus Punishment of Sense the Sinner feels the scalding Viols of God's Wrath It is penetrating abiding Joh. 3.36 Reserved 2 Pet. 2.17 If when God's Anger be kindled but a little and a Spark or two of it flies into a Man's Conscience here in this life it be so terrible what then will it be when God stirs up all his Anger In Hell there is the Worm and the Fire Mark 9.44 Hell is the very Accent and Emphasis of Misery There 's Iudgment without Mercy O what Flames of Wrath what Seas of Vengeance what Rivers of Brimstone are pour'd out there upon the Damn'd Bellarmiâ—e is of Opinion That one Glimpse of Hell-fire were enough to make the most flaâ—itious Sinner turn Christian nay live as an Hermit a most strict mortified Life What is all other Fire to this but
any Snare If Satan be at the Sinners right hand let the Sinner take heed he be not set on Gods left hand Is not this a case to be bewailed to see Men taken Captive by Satan at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 He leads Sinners as Slaves before him in Triumph He possesseth them If People should see but their Beasts bewitched and possessed of the Devil they would be much troubled Yet their Souls are possessed by Satan but they are not sensible What can be worse than to be in the House of Bondage to have the Devil hurry Men on in their Lusts to Perdition Sinners are willingly inslav'd to Satan they love their Goaler are content to sit quietly under Satans Jurisdiction they choose this Bramble to rule them though within a while Fire will come out of this Bramble to devour them Iudges 9. Now what an infinite Mercy of God is it when he brings poor Souls out of this House of Bondage when he gives them a Goal delivery from the Prince of Darkness Iesus Christ Redeems Captives He Ransoms Sinners by Price and Rescues them by Force As David took a Lamb out of the Lyons Mouth 1 Sam. 17.34 So Christ rescues Souls out of the Mouth of this Roaring Lyon O what a Mercy is it to be brought out of the House of Bondage to be taken from being made Captives to the Prince of the Air and to be made Subjects of the Prince of Peace And this is done by the preaching of the Word Acts 26.18 To turn them from the power of Satan unto God III. The bringing of Israel out of the House of Bondage was a Type of their being delivered from Hell Hell is Domus Servitutis An House of Bondage an House built on purpose for Sinners to lye in 1. That there is such an House of Bondage where the Damned lye Psal. 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell Matt. 23.33 How can ye escape the damnation of Hell If any one shall ask where this House of Bondage is where is the place of Hell I wish you may never know feelingly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Let us not so much saith Chrysostom labour to know where Hell is as how to escape it Yet to satisfie Curiosity Hell is Locus subterraneus Some place beneath Prov. 5.24 Hell beneath Hesiod saith Hell is as far under the Earth as Heaven is above it Luke 8.31 The Devils besought Christ That he would not command them to go into the deep Hell is in the Deep 2. Q. Why there must be this House of Bondage why an Hell Resp. Because there must be a place for the Execution of Divine Justice Earthly Monarchs have their Prison for Malefactors and shall not God have his Sinners are Criminal Persons they have offended God and it would not consist with Gods Holiness and Justice to have his Laws infring'd and not appoint Penalties for the Transgressors 3. The Dreadfulness of this place Could you but for one hour hear the Groans and Shreaks of the Damned it would confirm you in this Truth that Hell is an House of Bondage Hell is the Emphasis of Misery Besides the Poena damni the Punishment of Loss which is the Exclusion of the Soul from the glorified sight of God which Divines think the worst part of Hell I say besides this there will be Poena Sensus the Punishment of Sense If when Gods Wrath is kindled but a little and a spark of it flies into a Mans Conscience in this Life it is so terrible as in the case of Spira then what will Hell it self be That I may describe this House of Bondage 1. In Hell there will be a Plurality of Torments 1. Bonds and Chains 2 Pet. 2.4 2. The Worm Mark 9.44 This is the Worm of Conscience and the Lake of Fire Rev. 20.15 other Fire is but painted to this 2. This House of Hell is haunted with Devils Matt. 25.41 Anselm hath a saying I had rather endure all Torments than see the Devil with bodily Eyes Such as go to Hell must not only be forced to behold the Devil but must be shut up in the Den with this Lyon They must keep the Devil company The Devil is full of spight against Mankind This red Dragon will spet Fire in Mens Faces 3. The Torment of Hell abides for ever Rev. 14.11 The smoak of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever Mark 9.44 Time cannot finish it Tears cannot quench it The Wicked are Salamanders who live always in the Fire of Hell and are not consum'd After Sinners have lain Millions of Years in Hell their Punishment is as far from ending as it was at the beginning If all the Earth and Sea were Sand and every thousand Year a Bird should come and take away one grain of this Sand it would be a long time e'er that vast heap of Sand were emptied Yet if after all that time the Damned might come out of Hell there were some hope but this word EVER breaks the Heart Quest. But how doth this seem to stand with Gods Iustice for a Sin committed in a moment to punish it with eternal Torment Resp. 1. Because there is an Eternity of Sin in Mans Nature 2. Because Sin is Crimen laesae Majestatis it is committed against an infinite Majesty therefore the Sin is Infinite and proportionably the Punishment must be Infinite Now because a finite Creature cannot bear infinite Wrath therefore he must be eternally satisfying what he cannot satisfie at once Now then if Hell be such an House of Bondage what infinite cause have they to bless God who are delivered from it 1 Thess. 1.10 Iesus delivered us from the Wrath to come Jesus Christ suffered the Torments of Hell in his Soul that Believers should not suffer them If we are thankful when we are ransomed out of Prison or delivered from Fire Oh how should we bless God to be preserved from Wrath to come And that which may cause the more Thankfulness is because the most go into this House of Bondage the most go to Hell Therefore to be of the number of those few that are delivered from it is matter of infinite Thankfulness I say most go to this House of Bondage when they dye most go to Hell Matt. 7.13 Broad is the way which leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat The greatest part of the World lies in Wickedness 1 Iohn 5.19 Divide the World saith Brerewood into 31 parts nineteen parts of it are possessed by Jews and Turks seven parts by Heathens so that there are but five parts of Christians and among these Christians so many seduced Papists on one hand and so many formal Protestants on the other that we may conclude the major part of the World goes to Hell 1. The Scripture compares the Wicked to Briars Isa. 10.17 There are but few Lillies in your Fields but in every Hedge Thorns and Briars 2. To the mire in the streets Isa. 10.6 Few Jewels or precious
God in forgiving sin puts forth infinite Mercy Numb 14.19 Pardon I beseech thee the Iniquity of this people according to the Greatness of thy Mercy It is Mercy to have a Reprieve and if there be Mercy in sparing a sinner what Mercy then is in pardoning him This is the Flos lactis the Cream of Mercy For God to put up so many Injuries to wipe so many debts off the score this is infinite Favour forgiveness of sin is spun out of the Bowels of God's Mercy 3. Forgiveness of sin is a choice Blessing as it lays a Foundation for other Mercies It is a leading Mercy 1. It makes way for Temporal Good Things 1. It brings Health when Christ said to the palsy man Thy sins are forgiven this made way for a bodily Cure Arise take up thy Bed and walk Mat. 9.6 The pardon of his sin made way for the healing of his Palsy 2. It brings Prosperity Ier. 33.8 9. 2. It makes way for Spiritual good Things Forgiveness of Sin never comes alone but hath other spiritual Blessings attending it Whom God pardons He sanctifies adopts crowns It is a voluminous Mercy it draws the silver Link of Grace and the golden Link of Glory after it It is an high Act of Indulgence God seals the sinners pardon with a Kiss And should not we above all things seek after so great a Blessing a forgiveness 6. Consideration That which may make us seek after forgiveness of sin is God's Inclinableness to pardon Nehem. 9.17 Thou art a God ready to pardon In the Hebrew it is Eloha Selicoth a God of Pardons We are apt to entertain wrong Conceits of God that he is inexorable and will not forgive Mat. 25.24 I knew thou wert an hard man But God is a sin pardoning God Exod. 34.6 The Lord merciful and gracious forgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin Here is my Name saith God if you would know how I am called I tell you my Name The Lord the Lord God merciful forgiving Iniquity A Pyrat or Rebel that knows there is a Proclamation out against him will never come in but if he hears that the Prince is full of Clemency and there is a Proclamation of Pardon to him if he submit this will be a great incentive to him to lay down his Arms and become Loyal to his Prince See God's Proclamation to repenting Sinners Ier. 3.12 Go and proclaim these words and say Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause my Anger to fall upon thee for I am merciful God's Mercy is a Tender Mercy the Hebr. word for Mercy Rakem signifies Bowels God's Mercy is full of Sympathy He is of a most sweet Indulgent Nature Psal. 86 5. Thou Lord art Good and ready to forgive the Bee doth not more naturally give Hony than God shews Mercy Object 1. But doth not God seem to delight in Punitive Acts or Acts of Severity Prov. 1.26 I will laugh at your Calamity Resp. Who doth God say so to see ver 25. Ye have set at naught all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof God delights in their Destruction who despise his Instruction but an humble penitentiary breaking off sin and suing out his Pardon the Lord delights in shewing Mercy to such an one Micah 7.18 He delighteth in Mercy Object 2. But tho' God be so full of Mercy and ready to forgive yet his Mercy reacheth not to all he forgives only such as are Elected and I question my Election Resp. 1. No man can say he is not Elected God hath not revealed this to any particular man that he is a Reprobate excepting him only who hath sin'd the Sin against the Holy Ghost which sin thou art far enough from who mournest for sin and seekest after Forgiveness 2. These thoughts of Non-Election that we are not Elected and that there is no pardon for us come from Satan and are the poison'd Arrows he shoots He is the Accuser he accuseth us to God that we are great sinners and he accuseth God to us as if he were a Tyrant one that did watch to destroy his Creature These are diabolical Suggestions say Get thee behind me Satan 3. 'T is sinful for any to hold that he is not Elected it would take him off from the Use of Means from praying and repenting it would harden him and make him desperate Therefore pry not into the Arcana Coeli the Secrets of Heaven Remember what befel the men of Bethshemesh for looking into the Ark 1 Sam. 6.19 Know that we are not to go by Gods Secret Will but by his Revealed Will look into God's Revealed Will and there we shall find enough to cherish Hope and Encourage us to go to God for the pardon of our sins God hath revealed in his Word That he is rich in Mercy Ephes. 2.4 That he doth not delight in the Destruction of a sinner Ezek. 18.32 Iurat per Essenâ—iam Musculus he swears by his Essence Ezek. 33.11 As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked Hence it is God waits so long and puts off the Sessions from time to time to see if sinners will repent and seek to him for pardon therefore let God's tender Mercies and pretious Promises encourage us to seek to him for the forgiveness of our sins Consideration 7. To seek earnestly for Pardon is the unspeakable Misery of such as want Forgiveness it must needs be ill with that Malefactour that wants his Pardon 1. The unpardoned sinner that lives and dies so is under the greatest Loss and Privation Is there any Happiness like to the injoying of God in Glory This is the Joy of Angels the Crown of Saints glorified but the unforgiven sinner shall not behold God's smiling Face he shall see God as an Enemy not as a Friend he shall have an affrighting sight of God not beatifical he shall see the Black Rod not the Mercy-Seat Sins unpardoned are like the Angel with a flaming Sword who stop'd the passage to Paradise Sins unpardoned stop the way to the Heavenly Paradise and how doleful is the Condition of that Soul which is banish'd from the place of Bliss where the King of Glory keeps his Court 2. The unpardoned sinner hath nothing to do with any Promise the Promises Mâ—lctralia Evangelii the Breasts that hold the sincere Milk of the Word which fills the Soul with precious Sweetness they are the Royal Charter But whâ—t hath a stranger to do to meddle with the Charter 'T was the Dove pluck'd the Olive-branch 'T is only the Believer plucks the Tree of the Promise till the Condition of the Promise be perform'd no man can have right to the Comfort of the Promise and how sad is that not to have one promise to shew for Heaven 3. An unpardoned sinner is continually in danger of the Out-cry of an accusing Conscience An accusing Conscience is a little Hell Siculi non invenere Tyranni tormentum majus we tremble to hear
5.17 Quest. But may not a natural man oppose Sin Answ. Yes but there is a great difference between his opposing Sin and the new Creature 's opposing it I. There is a difference in the Manner of Opposition 1. The Natural Man opposeth Sin only for the Shame of it as it eclipseth his Credit But the new Creature opposeth Sin for the Filth of it it is the Spirit of Mischief 'T is like Rust to Gold or as a Stain to Beauty 2. The Natural Man doth not oppose all Sin 1. He doth not oppose inward Sins he fights against such sins as are against the light of a natural Conscience but not against Heart-sins the first risings of vain Thoughts the stirrings of Anger and Concupiscence the venom and impurity of his Nature 2. He doth not oppose Gospel-sins Pride Unbelief Hardness of Heart spiritual Barrenness he is not troubled that he can love God no more 3. He opposeth not Complexion-sins such as the Byass of his Heart carries him more strongly to as Lust or Avarice He saith of his Constitution-sin as Naaman 2 Kings 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant But the new Creature opposeth all kind of sin Odium circa speciem As he that hates a Serpent hates all kind of Serpents Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way II. There is difference between the Natural Man's opposing Sin and the New Creature 's opposing it in regard of the Motives A Natural Man opposeth sin from carnal Motives to stop the Mouth of Conscience and to prevent Hell But the new Creature opposeth sin upon more noble Motives out of love to God and fear of dishonouring the Gospel 4. In the new Creature there is mortifying old corrupt Lusts. Gal. 5.24 They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh. The new Creature is said to be dead to Sin Rom. 6.11 He is dead as to the love of sin that it doth not bewitch and as to the power of it that it doth not command The new Creature is continually crucifying Sin Some Limb of the old Adam every day drops off though Sin doth not die perfectly it dies daily A gracious Soul thinks he can never kill sin enough He deals with sin as Ioab with Absalom 2 Sam. 18.14 He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom So with the three Darts of Faith Prayer and Repentance a Christian thrusts through the Body of Sin he never thinks this Absalom is enough dead Try then if we have this first Sign of the new Creature Old things are passed away There is a grieving for sin a detesting it an opposing it a mortifying it This is the passing away of old things though not in a legal sence yet in an Evangelical and though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation The second Trial of the New Creature is All things are become new The new Creature is new all over Grace though it be but in part yet is in every part By nature every branch of the Soul is defiled with sin as every part of Wormwood is bitter so in Regeneration every part of the Soul is replenished with Grace Therefore Grace is call'd The new Man Eph. 4.24 Not a new Eye or a new Tongue but a new Man There are new Dispositions new Principles new Aims all things are become new I. In the new Creature there is a new Understanding Eph. 4.23 Be renewed in the Spirit of your Mind The first thing a Limner draws in a Picture is the Eye When God newly limns us and makes us new Creatures the first thing he draws in our Souls is a new Eye The new Creature is enlightned to see that which he never saw before 1. He knows Christ after another manner An unconverted Man by the Light of common Grace may believe Christ to be the Son of God but the new Creature knows Christ after another-guise manner so as to esteem him above all to adore him to touch him by Faith to fetch an healing virtue from him 2. The new Creature knows himself better than he did When the Sun shines into a Room it discovers all the Dust and Cobwebs in it so when the Light of the Spirit shines into the Heart it discovers that Corruption which before lay hid it shews a man his own vileness and Nothingness Iob 40.4 Behold I am vile A wicked man blinded with Self-Love admires himself like Narcissus that seeing his own shadow upon the Water fell in love with it Saving Knowledge works self-abasement Lord thou art Heaven and I am Hell said a Martyr Hath this Day-Star of Knowledge shined in our Mind II. The new Creature is renewed in his Conscience The Conscience of a Natural Man is either blind or dumb or seared But Conscience in the new Creature is renewed Let us examine Doth Conscience check for sin The least Hair makes the Eye weep and the least sin makes Conscience smite How did David's Heart smite him for cutting off the Lap of Saul's Garment A good Conscience is a Star to guide a Register to record a Judge to determine a Witness to accuse or excuse if Conscience doth all these Offices right then it is a renewed Conscience and speaks peace III. In the new Creature the Will is renewed An old Bowl may have a new Byass put into it The Will having a new Byass of Grace put into it is strongly carried to Good The Will of a Natural man opposeth God When the Wind goes one way and the Tide another then there is a Storm so it is when God's Will goes one way and ours another But when our Will goes with God's as the Wind with the Tide then there 's a sweet Calm of Peace in the Soul The sanctified Will answers to God's Will as the Echo to the Voice Psal. 27.8 When thou saidst Seek ye my face my Heart said unto thee Thy Face Lord will I seek and the Will being renewed like the primum Mobile it carries all the Affections along with it IV. The new Creature hath a new Conversation Grace alters a man's walk Before he walked proudly now humbly before loosly now holily He makes the Word his Rule and Christ's Life his Patern Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven As a Ship that is sailing Eastward there comes a Gale of wind and blows it Westward So before a man did sail Hell-ward and on a sudden the Spirit of God comes upon him and blows him Heaven-ward here is a new Conversation It was a Speech of Oecolampadius I would not speak or do any thing that I thought Iesus Christ would not approve of if he were here corporally present Where there is circumcision of heart there is circumspection of Life If we find it thus that all things are become nâ—w then we are new Creatures and shall go to the new Ierusalem when we die Vse 3. Exhortation Labour to be new creatures Nothing else will avail us Gal. 6.15 Neither Circumcision availeth any thing
like and approve all they have done but he will not justifie the wicked So that such who rebel against Light and sin presumptuously there is little hope for such The presumptuous Sinner stops his Ear to the Councels of the Word vexeth the holy Spirit tramples on Christ's Blood he rejects the Remedy he necessitates himself to Damnation 8. Such as sin presumptuously that know to do Good yet do it not know what is evil yet will not forbear it God refuseth all their Services They sin against their Conscience and yet come and worship God God abhors their Sacrifice Isa. 1.15 When you make many Prayers I will not hear your hands are full of Blood For Men to sin presumptuously and come and pray and hear the Word they do but provoke God the more And take notice such as live in Sin against their Conscience when they pray most God will punish them most Hos. 8.13 They sacrifice Flesh for the Sacrifices of mine Offerings but the Lord accepteth them not now will he remember their iniquities and visit their Sins They were highly guilty of Idolatry they had set up one Idol in Dan and another in Bethel Here they sinn'd presumptuously went against Light and now they come and offer their Sacrifices to God Saith God I will not accept your Offering now will I remember your Iniquities and while you are worshipping me I will punish you Now will I visit your Sins Thus you see what cause you have to tremble who are guilty in this kind you see your Misery Besides all that hath been said consider these Two Things 2. You that sin presumptuously that know to do Good and do it not that know what is evil yet will not forbear you cannot sin so cheap as others though Sin will cost every one dear yet it will cost you dearer You go directly against Conscience and if there be either Justice in Heaven or Fire in Hell you shall be sure to be punished Some Places you use to say are dearer to live in than others it is dearer living in the City than the Countrey Let me tell you it is dearer sinning in the City than in a blind Village where they have not had the Means of Grace To lye cozen and be drunk after the powerful Preaching of the Word the Convictions of Conscience the Enlightnings of the Holy Ghost this will put a Weight into the Scale it will make Sin the heavier and Hell the hotter 2. You who sin presumptuously cannot take so much Pleasure in your Sin as another may have One whose Conscience is less enlightned though his Sin will be bitter to him afterwards yet at present he may rowl it as Honey under his Tongue and find Pleasure in it but you that sin against your Knowledge you cannot have so much pleasure in Sin as he for Conscience will put forth a Sting and all the Threatnings of the Word will set themselves in Battel array against you so that you can have no quiet He that hath the Tooth-Ach doth not taste so much sweetness in his Meat as another O presumptuous Sinner every step thou takest in Sin thou goest with a Thorn in thy Foot and that Trouble thou feelest now in thy Conscience is but the beginning of Sorrow Quest. What shall we do that we may not sin presumptuously against Conscience Answ. Take heed of little Sins though to speak properly there are no such things as little Sins no little Treason but comparatively one Sin may be lesser than another Take heed of little Sins The frequent committing of lesser Sins will prepare for greater A lesser Distemper of Body if it be let alone prepares for a greater Distemper Being unjust in a little prepares for being unjust in much Luke 16.10 Such as were at first more modest yet by accustoming themselves to lesser Sins by degrees their Sins have boiled up to a greater height Jayl-Sins have begun at little Sins 2. If you would not sin presumptuously viz. knowingly and wilfully then reverence the Dictates of Conscience get Conscience well inform'd by the Word as you set your Watch by the Sun and then be ruled by it do nothing against Conscience If Conscience saith do such a thing though never so unpleasing set upon the Duty When Conscience saith Take heed of such a thing come not nigh the forbidden Fruit. Conscience is God's Deputy or Proxy in the Soul The Voice of Conscience is the Voice of God Do not stifle any Checks of Conscience lest God suffer thee to harden in Sin and by degrees come to presumptuous Sin 3. Labour to have your Knowledge sanctified Men sin against their Knowledge because their Knowledge is not sanctified Knowledge is like the Moon Light in it but no Heat Sanctified Knowledge works upon the Soul it inclines us to Good it makes us fly from Sin Sanctified Knowledge is like a Breast-plate which keeps the Arrow of presumptuous Sin from entring An Alphabetical INDEX of the chief Matters of this Book A. ABstaining from external Acts of Sin not sufficient to entitle us to Salvation Pag. 879 Acts of Sin how we may keep from them 871 Adam how long he continued in Paradise before he fell 79 Adam's Sin how made ours 82 Adoption what it is 134 From what and to what it is 135 Adopted Son how free Ibid. Adoption the instrumental Cause of it ib. Adoption Signs of it 137 Adultery the heinousness of it wherein it appears 370 Adultery how we may abstain from it 372 Afflictions of the Godly how they differ from those of the Wicked 261 Afflicted how they are happy 262 Affliction what kindness there is in it when God seems most unkind 525 Affliction what profit is in it ib. Afflictions how they contribute to our Happiness 528 Afflictions how they magnifie us 864 Aggravation of Adam's Sin 81 Aggravations of the loss of the Kingdom of Heaven 488 Angels their Society how can it add to the happiness of Souls when God is infinite to fill the Soul with delight 474 Anthropomorphites Objection answer'd 24 Aphoriâ—ms about Sin and Forgiveness 805 Apostacy from Religion whence it proceeds 485 Appearance of Evil the mischief of it 871 Arguments to persuade us to seek after obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven 503 Arrians Error about the H. Ghost refuted 64 Arminians Objections against Perseverance 220 Arminians deny Saints Perseverance and why 493 Assurance what it is 201 True Assurance the difference between it and Presumption 202 Assurance its Excellency ibid. Assurance how to know if we have right to it 204 Assurance what we must do to get it 203 Assurance they that have it how they must carry themselves 205 Atheist the wickedest Creature that is 22 B. Baptism what it is 409 The Benefit of it ibid. Believers why they have not all the full enjoyment of Peace 209 Believers Privileges at Death 225 How they come to have those Privileges 227 What they are 228 How shall we know that we shall gain them at Death 230
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
God Resp. God is a Spirit Infinite Eternal and Unchangeable in his Being Wisdom Power Holiness Justice Goodness and Truth Here is 1. something implied That there is a God 2. Expressed that he is a Spirit 3. What kind of Spirit 1. Implied that there is a God The question What is God takes it for granted that there is a God the belief of God's Essence is the Foundation of all Religious Worship Heb. 11.6 He that comes to God must believe that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there must be a first Cause which gives a Being and Existence to all things besides We come to know that there is a God 1. By the Book of Nature the Notion of a Deity is engraven in Man's Heart it is demonstrable by the Light of Nature I think it hard for a Man to be a natural Atheist he may wish there were no God he may dispute against a Deity but he cannot in his Judgment believe there is no God unless by accumulated Sin his Conscience be sear'd and he hath such a Lethargy upon him that he hath sinn'd away his very Sense and Reason 2. We come to know that there is a God by his Works and this is so evident a Demonstration of a God-head that the most Atheistical Spirits when they have considered these Works of God have been forced to acknowledge some Wise and Supream Power the Maker of these Things as 't is reported of Galen and others 1. We will begin with the greater World 1. The Creation of the glorious Fabrick of Heaven and Earth sure there must be some Architect or first Cause the World could not make itself Who could hang the Earth on Nothing but the Great God Who could provide such rich Furniture for the Heavens the glorious Constellations the Firmament bespangled with such glittering Lights all this speaks a Deity We may see God's Glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars Who could give the Earth its Clothing cover it with Grass and Corn adorn it with Flowers enrich it with Gold only God Iob 28.4 Who but God could make the sweet Musick in the Heavens cause the Angels to joyn in consort and sound forth the Praises of their Maker Job 38.7 When the morning-stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy If a Man should go into a far Country and see stately Edifices there he would never imagine that these could build themselves but that some greater Power built them To imagine that the Work of the Creation was not framed by God is as if we should conceive a curious Landskip to be drawn by a Pensil without the Hand of a Limner Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein To Create is proper to a Deity 2. The wise Gubernation of all things evince there is a God God is the great Superintendent of the World he holds the Golden Reins of Government in his Hand guiding all things most regularly and harmoniously to their proper end who that eyes Providence but must be forced to acknowledge there is a God Providence is the Queen and Governness of the World it is the Hand that turns the Wheel of the whole Creation Providence sets the Sun its Race the Sea its Bounds If God should not guide the World things would run into an Ataxy and Confusion When one looks on a Clock and sees the motion of the Wheels the striking of the Hammar the hanging of the Plummets he would say there were some Artificer did make it and put it into that Order So when we see the excellent Order and Harmony in the Universe the Sun that great Luminary dispensing its Light and Heat to the World without which the World were but a Grave or Prison the Rivers sending forth their silver Streams to refresh the Bodies of Men and prevent a Drought and every Creature acting within its Sphere and keeping its due Bounds we must needs acknowledge there is a God who wisely orders and governs all these things Who could set this great Army of the Creatures in their several Ranks and Squadrons and keep them in their constant March but he whose Name is The LORD of Hosts And as God doth wisely dispose all things in the whole Regiment of the Creatures so by his Power he doth support them Did God suspend and withdraw his Influence never so little the Wheels of the Creation would unpin and the Axle-tree break asunder 3. The Motion of the Creatures All Motion as the Philosophers say is from something that is unmoveable As for Example The Elements are moved by the Influence and Motion of the heavenly Bodies The Sun and Moon and these Planets are moved by the highest Orb call'd Primum Mobile now if one should ask Who moves that highest Orb or the first Mover of the Planets Sure it can be no other hand but God himself 2. Let us speak of Man who is a Microcosm or lesser World The excellent Contexture and Frame of his Body who is wrought curiously as with Needle-work Psal. 139.15 I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth And the Endowment of this Body with a noble Soul who but God could make such an Union of different Substances Flesh and Spirit In him we live and move and have our being The quick acute Motion of every Part of the Body shews that there is a God we may see something of him in the sparkling of the Eye And if the Cabinet of the Body be so curiously wrought what is the Jewel The Soul hath a Coelestial Brightness in it as Damascen saith 'T is a Diamond set in a Ring of Clay What noble Faculties is the Soul endowed with Understanding Will Affections which are a Glass of the Trinity as Plato speaks The Matter of the Soul is Spiritual 't is a Divine Sparkle lighted from Heaven and being spiritual is immortal as Scaliger notes Anima non senescit the Soul doth not wax old it lives for ever And who could create a Soul enobled with such rare Angelical Properties but God We must needs say as the Psalmist It is he that hath made us and not we our selves Psalm 100.3 2. We may prove a Deity by our own Conscience Conscience is God's Deputy or Vicegerent Conscience is a Witness of a Deity If there were no Bible to tell us there is a God yet Conscience might Conscience as the Apostle saith either accuseth or excuseth Rom. 2.15 Conscience acts in order to an higher Judicatory 1. Natural Conscience being kept free from gross sin excuseth When a Man doth Vertuous Actions lives soberly and righteously obeserves the golden Maxim Doing to others as he would have them do to him then Conscience approves and saith well done Conscience like a Bee gives Honey 2. Natural Conscience in the Wicked doth accuse When Men go against the Light of Conscience then they feel the Worm of Conscience Eheu quis intus scorpio Sen. Conscience being sinned against spits fire in Mens
is only a Passage-room to Eternity the World is to us as the Wilderness was to Israel not to rest in but to travel through to the glorious Canaan The World is a Tyring-room to dress our Souls in not a place where we are to stay for ever The Apostle tells us of the Worlds Funerals 2 Pet. 3.10 The Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up 2. Positively God made the World to demonstrate his own glory The World is a Looking-glass in which we may see the Power and Goodness of God shine forth The Heavens declare the glory of God Psal. 19.1 The World is like a curious Piece of Arras or Tapestry in which we may see the Skill and Wisdom of him that made it Use 1. Did God create the World This convinceth us of the Truth of his Godhead to create is proper to a Deity Acts 17.24 This convinced Plato of a Deity when he saw all the World could not make a Fly Thus God proves himself to be the true God and distinguisheth himself from Idols Ier. 10.11 It is written in Chalde Thus shall ye say to them the gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish Who but God can create The Creation is enough to Convince the Heathen that there is a God There are two Books out of which God will judge and condemn the Heathen viz. the Book of Conscience Rom. 2.15 Who have the Law written in their heart and the Book of the Creation Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of him are clearly seen by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead The World is full of Emblems and Hyeroglyphicks every Star in the Sky every Bird that flies in the Air is a Witness against the Heathen A Creature could not make it self 2. Here is a mighty support for Faith God Creates He that made all things with a word what cannot he do He can create strength in weakness he can create a supply of our wants What a foolish question was that Psal. 78.19 Can he prepare a table in the wilderness Cannot he that made the World do much more Psal. 124.8 Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth Rest on this God for help who made Heaven and Earth The work of Creation as it is a Monument of God's Power so it is a stay to Faith Is thy Heart hard he can with a word create softness Is it unclean he can create purity Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Is the Church of God low he can create Ierusalem a Praise Isa. 65.18 No such golden Pillar for Faith to stay upon as a creating Power 3. Did God make this World full of Beauty and Glory every thing very good then what an evil thing is sin that hath put out of frame the whole Creation Sin hath much eclipsed the beauty sowrd the sweetness and marred the harmony of the World How bitter is that Gall a drop whereof can imbitter a whole Sea Sin hath brought Vanity and Vexation into the World yea a Curse God cursed the ground for Man's sake Gen. 3. There were several Fruits of the Curse 1. In sorrow shalt thou eat of it vers 17. By that word sorrow is to be understood all the Troubles and Cares of this Life 2. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread vers 19. In Innocency Adam did till the ground he must not live idly but it was rather a delight then a labour that tilling was without toiling The eating in sorrow and the sweat of the brow came in after sin 3. Thorns also and Thistles shall the ground bring forth vers 18. Quest. Whether in Innocency did not the Earth bear Thorns because it is threatned as a punishment Answ. It is likely it did bear Thorns for when God had done creating he made no new Species or Kinds of things but the meaning is now after Sin the Earth should bring forth more plenty of Thorns and now those Thorns should be hurtful and choke the Corn which hurtful quality was not in them before Ever since the Fall all the Comforts of this Life have a Thorn and a Thistle in them 4. The fourth fruit of the Curse was the driving Man out of Paradise vers 24. So he drove out the Man God at first brought Adam into Paradise as into an House ready furnished or as a King into his Throne Gen. 1.28 have dominion over every living thing that moveth Now God's driving Adam out of Paradise signified his dethroning and banishing him that he might look after an heavenly and a better Paradise 5. A fifth fruit of the Curse was Death verse 19. To dust thou shalt return Death was not natural to Adam it came in after sin Iosephus is of opinion Man should have died though he had continued in Innocency only he should have had a longer term of years added to his life but out of question Death grew out of the Root of Sin the Apostle saith Rom. 5.12 By sin came death See then how cursed a thing Sin is that hath brought so many Curses upon the Creation If we will not hate Sin for its Deformity let us hate it for the Curse it brings 4. Did God make this glorious World did he make every thing good was there in the Creature so much beauty and sweetness Oh! then what sweetness is there in God Quicquid efficit tale illud est magis tale the Cause is always more noble than the Effect Think with your selves is there so much excellence in House and Lands then how much more is there in God that made these Is there beauty in a Rose what beauty then is there in Christ the Rose of Sharon Doth Oil make the face shine Psal. 104.15 How will the Light of God's Countenance make it shine Doth Wine chear the heart O what Virtue is in the true Vine How doth the Blood of this Grape chear the Heart Is the fruit of the Garden sweet how delicious are the Fruits of the Spirit Is a Gold Mine so precious how precious is he who founded this Mine What is Christ in whom are hid all Treasures Coloss. 2.3 We should ascend from the Creature to the Creator If there be any Comfort here below how much more is there in God who made all these things How unreasonable is it that we should delight in the World and not much more in him that made it How should our Hearts be set on God and how should we long to be with God who hath infinitely more sweetness in him than any Creature Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Did God create the World let us wisely observe these Works of Creation God hath given us not only the Book of the Scriptures to read in but the Book of the Creation Look up to the Heavens they shew much of God's glory the Sun gilds the World with its bright
of Love 2. Be like Christ in Grace He was like us in having our Flesh let us be like him in having his Grace In three Graces we should labour to be like Christ. 1. In Humility Phil. 2.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he humbled himself he left the bright Robes of his Glory to be clothed with the Rags of our Humanity A wonder of Humility Let us be like Christ in this Grace Humility saith St. Bernard is contemptus propriae excellentiae a contempt of Self-excellency a kind of Self-annihilation This is the glory of a Christian. We are never so comely in God's Eyes as when we are black in our own In this let us be like Christ. True Religion is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. to imitate Christ. And indeed what cause have we to be humble if we look within us about us below us above us 1. If we look intra nos within us Here we see our sins represented to us in the Glass of Conscience Lust Envy Passion Our sins are like Vermin crawling in our Souls Iob 13.23 How many are my iniquities Our sins are as the Sands of the Sea for number as the Rocks of the Sea for weight Austin crys out Vae mihi faecibus peccatorum polluitur Templum Domini my Heart which is God's Temple is polluted with sin 2. If we look juxta nos about us here 's that may humble us We may see other Christians out-shining us in Gifts and Grace as the Sun out-shines the lesser Planets Others are laden with Fruit perhaps we have but here and there an Olive-berry growing to shew that we are of the right kind Isa. 17.6 3. If we look infra nos below us here is that may humble us We see the Mother Earth out of which we came The Earth is the most ignoble Element Iob 30.8 Thou art viler than the Earth Thou that dost set up thy Scutcheon and Blaze thy Coat of Arms behold thy Pedigree thou art but pulvis animatus walking Ashes and wilt thou be proud What is Adam He is the Son of Dust and what is Dust The Son of Nothing 4. If we look supra nos above us here is that may humble If we look up to Heaven there we see God resisting the proud Superbos sequitur ultor à Tergo Deus The proud Man is the Mark which God shoots at and he never misseth the Mark He threw proud Lucifer out of Heaven he thrust proud Nebuchadnezzar out of his Throne and turned him to Grass Dan. 4.29 O then be like Christ in Humility 2. Did Christ take our flesh was he made like to us let us be made like to him in Zeal Iohn 2.16 The Zeal of thy House hath eaten me up He was zealous when his Father was dishonoured In this let us be like Christ zealous for God's Truth and Glory which are the two Orient Pearls of the Crown of Heaven Zeal is as needful for a Christian as Salt for the Sacrifice or Fire on the Altar Zeal without Prudence is Rashness Prudence without Zeal is Cowardliness Without Zeal our Duties are not acceptable to God Zeal is like Rosin to the Bow-strings without which the Lute makes no Musick 3. Be like Christ in the Contempt of the World When Christ took our flesh he came not in the pride of flesh he did not descend immediately from Kings and Nobles but was of mean Parentage Christ was not ambitious of Titles of Honour Christ did as much decline the worldly Dignity and Greatness as others seek it When they would have made him King he refused it he chose rather to ride upon the Fole of an Ass then to be drawn in a Chariot and to hang upon a wodden Cross then to wear a golden Crown Christ scorn'd the Pomp and Glory of the World he waved Secular Affairs Luke 12.13 Who made me a Iudge His Work was not to arbitrate Matters of Law he came not into the World to be a Magistrate but a Redeemer Christ was like a Star in an higher Orb he minded nothing but Heaven Was Christ made like us let us be made like him in heavenliness and contempt of the World Let not us be ambitious of the Honours and Preferments of the World let us not purchase the World with the loss of a good Conscience What wise Man would damn himself to grow Rich or pull down his Soul to build up an Estate Be like Christ in an holy contempt of the World 3. Be like Christ in Conversation Was Christ Incarnate was he made like us let us be made like him in Holiness of Life No Temptation could fasten upon Christ Iohn 14.30 The Prince of this World cometh and hath nothing in me Temptation to Christ was like a Spark of Fire upon a Marble Pillar which glides off Christ's Life saith Chrysostom was brighter than the Sun-beams Let us be like him in this 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy in all manner of conversation We are not saith Austin to be like Christ in working Miracles but in an holy Life A Christian should be both a Loadstone and a Diamond a Loadstone in drawing others to Christ a Diamond casting a sparkling lustre of Holiness in his Life O let us be so just in our Dealings so true in our Promises so devout in our Worship so unblamable in our Lives that we may be the walking Pictures of Christ. Thus as Christ was made in our likeness let us labour to be made in his likeness Branch 3. If Jesus Christ was so abased for us he took our flesh which was a disparagement to him 't was mingling Dust with Gold if he I say abased himself so for us let us be willing to be abased for him If the World reproach us for Christ's sake and cast Dust on our Name let us bear it with patience The Apostles Acts 5.41 departed from the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to endure shame for Christ's Name Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they were graced to be disgraced for Christ. That is a good saying of St. Austin Quid suis detrahit famae meae addet mercedi meae they who take away from a Saints Name shall add to his Reward and while they make his Credit weigh lighter they make his Crown weigh heavier O! was Christ content to be humbled and abased for us to take our flesh and to take it when it was in disgrace let us not think much to be abased for Christ. Say as David 2 Sam. 6.22 If this be to be vile I will yet be more vile If to serve my Lord Christ if to keep my Conscience pure if this be to be vile I will yet be more vile Use 3. of Comfort Jesus Christ having taken our flesh hath enobled our Nature Naturam nostram nobilitavit our Nature now is invested with greater Royalties and Priviledges then in time of Innocency Before in Innocency we were made in the Image of God but now Christ having assumed our Nature we are made
cross to Flesh and Bloud Faith obeys Heb. 11.8 By faith Abraham obeyed Faith is not an Idle Grace as it hath an Eye to see Christ so it hath an Hand to work for him Faith doth not only believe God's Promise but obey his Command It is not your having Knowledge will evidence you to be Believers the Devil hath Knowledge but wants Obedience and that makes him a Devil And the true Obedience of Faith is a chearful Obedience God's Commands do not seem grievous Have you the Obedience and obey chearfully What say you to this do you look on God's Command as your Burden or Priviledge as an Iron Fetter about your Leg or a gold Chain about your Neck 4. Faith is an assimulating Grace it changeth the Soul into the Image of the Object it makes it like Christ. Never did any look on Christ with a believing Eye but he was made like Christ. A deformed Person may look on a beautiful Object but not be made beautiful but Faith looking on Christ transforms a Man and turns him into his Similitude Faith looking on a bleeding Christ causeth a soft bleeding heart Looking on an holy Christ causeth sanctity of Heart looking on an humble Christ makes the Soul humble As the Camelion is changed into the Colour of that which it looks upon so Faith looking on Christ changeth a Christian into the similitude of Christ. 2. By the growth of it if it be a true Faith it grows living things grow Rom. 1.17 From faith to faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quest. How may we judge of the growth of Faith Answ. Growth of Faith is judged 1. By strength We can do that now which we could not do before When one is Man-grown he can do that he could not do when he was a Child he can carry a heavier burden so thou canst bear crosses with more patience 2. Growth of Faith is seen by doing Duties in a more spiritual manner viz. with fervency we put coals to the Incence from a principle of love to God When an Apple hath done growing in bigness it grows in sweetness thou dost Duties in love and now are sweeter and come off with a better relish Object But I fear I have no Faith Resp. We must distinguish between weakness of Faith and nullity a weak Faith is true The bruised Reed is but weak yet it is such as Christ will not bruise Though thy Faith be but weak yet be not discouraged 1. A weak Faith may receive a strong Christ. A weak hand can tye the Knot in Marriage as well as a strong a weak Eye might have seen the brasen Serpent The Woman in the Gospel that but touched Christ received Vertue from him The Touch of Faith 2. The Promise is not made to strong Faith but to true The Promise doth not say Whosoever hath a Giant-faith that can remove Mountains that can stop the mouth of Lions shall be saved but whosoever believes be his Faith never so small Though Christ sometimes chides a weak Faith yet that it may not be discouraged he makes a Promise to it Matth. 5.3 Beati qui esuriunt 3. A weak Faith may be fruitful Weakest things multiply most the Vine is a weak Plant but it is fruitful Weak Christians may have strong Affections How strong is the first love which is after the first planting of Faith 4. Weak Faith may be growing The Seed springs up by degrees first the Blade then the Ear then the full Corn in the Ear. Therefore be not discouraged God who would have us receive them that are weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 will not himself refuse them A weak Believer is a Member of Christ and though Christ will cut off rotten Members from his Body yet not weak Members Effectual Calling ROM 8.30 Them he also called Quest. XX. WHat is effectual Calling Answ. It is a gracious work of the Spirit whereby he causeth us to embrace Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel In this Verse is a golden Chain of Salvation made up of four Links this is one Vocation Them he also called Calling is nova Creatio a new Creation the first Resurrection There is a twofold Call 1. An extrinsick or outward Call 2. An intrinsick or inward effectual Call 1. An extrinsick or outward Call which is God's offer of Grace to sinners inviting them to come in and accept of Christ and Salvation Matth. 20.16 Many are called but few chosen This outward Call shews Men what they ought to do in order to Salvation and renders them inexcusable in case of Disobedience 2. There is an intrinsick or effectual Call when God with the offer of Grace works Grace by this Call the Heart is renewed and the Will effectually drawn to embrace Christ. The outward Call brings Men to a profession of Christ the inward to a possession of Christ. Quest. What is the means of this effectual Call Resp. Every Creature hath a Voice to call to us The Heavens call to us to behold God's glory Psal. 19.1 Conscience calls to us God's Judgments call to us Repent Mic. 6.9 Hear ye the Rod. But every Voice doth not convert There are two means of our effectual Call 1. The preaching of the Word which is the sounding God's silver Trumpet in Mens Fears God doth not speak by an Oracle he calls by his Ministers Samuel thought it had been only the Voice of Eli that called to him but it was God's voice 1 Sam. 3.6 So perhaps you think it is only the Minister speaks to you in the Word but it is God himself speaks Therefore Christ is said Now to speak to us from Heaven Hebr. 12.25 How doth he speak but by his Ministers as a King speaks by his Ambassadors Know that in every Sermon preached God calls to you and to refuse the Message we bring is to refuse God himself 2. The other means of our effectual Call is the Holy Spirit The Ministry of the Word is the Pipe or Organ the Spirit of God blowing in it doth effectually change Men's hearts Acts 10.44 While Peter spake the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word of God Ministers knock at the door of Men's hearts the Spirit comes with a Key and opens the door Acts 16.14 A certain woman named Lydia whose heart the Lord opened Quest. From what doth God call Men Resp. 1. From sin He calls them from their Ignorance and Unbelief 1 Pet. 1.14 By Nature the Understanding is inveloped with Darkness God calls Men from darkness to light Eph. 5.8 as if one should be called out of a Dungeon to behold the Light of the Sun 2. From Danger As the Angel called Lot out of Sodom when it was ready to rain fire so God calls his People from the Fire and Brimstone of Hell and from all those Curses they were exposed to 3. He calls them out of the World as Christ called Matthew from the Receipt of Custom Iohn 17.16 Ye are not of the world Such as are
Job 15.14 God can do it Out of an unholy Heart he can produce Grace O! make David's Prayer Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Lay thy Heart before the Lord and say Lord my unsanctified Heart pollutes all it toucheth I am not fit to live with such an Heart for I cannot honour thee nor to die with such an Heart for I cannot see thee O create in me a clean heart Lord consecrate my heart and make it thy Temple and thy Praises shall be sung there for ever Use 3. of Thankfulness Hath God brought a clean thing out of an unclean hath he sanctified you wear this Jewel of Sanctification with thankfulness Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who hath made us meet for the Inheritance c. Christian Thou could'st defile thy self but not sanctifie thy self But God hath done it he hath not only chain'd up sin but chang'd thy Nature and made thee as a King's Daughter all glorious within He hath put upon thee the Breast-place of Holiness which though it may be shot at can never be shot thorow Are there any here that are sanctified God hath done more for you then millions They may be illuminated but not sanctified He hath done more for you then if he had made you the Sons of Princes and caused you to ride upon the high places of the Earth Are you sanctified Heaven is begun in you Happiness is nothing but the quintissence of Holiness O how thankful should you be to God Do as that blind Man in the Gospel after he had received his sight He followed Christ glorifying God Luke 18.43 Make Heaven ring of God's Praises Of ASSVRANCE Quest. WHat are the Benefits flow from Sanctification Resp. Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience Ioy in the Holy Ghost Encrease of Grace and Perseverance therein to the end 1. Benefit flowing from Sanctification is assurance of God's Love 2 Pet. 1.10 Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Sanctification is the Seed Assurance is the Flower which grows out of it Assurance is a consequent of Sanctification the Saints of old had it 1 Iohn 2.3 We know that we know him 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed here was Sensus Fidei the reflex act of Faith and Gal. 2.20 Christ hath loved me Here was Faith flourishing into Assurance Aecolampadias when he was Sick pointed to his Heart Hic sat Lucis Here I have Light enough meaning Comfort and Assurance Quest. 1. Have all Sanctified Persons Assurance Resp. They have a right to it and I do incline to believe that all have it in some degree before their last expiring though their Comfort may be so strong and their Vital Spirits so weak that they cannot express what they feel But I dare not positively affirm that all have Assurance in the first moment of their Sanctification A Letter may be written when it is not Sealed so Grace may be written in the heart yet the Spirit may not set the Seal of Assurance to it God is a free Agent and may give or suspend Assurance pro libito as he please Where there is the Sanctifying work of the Spirit he may withhold the Sealing work partly to keep the Soul Humble partly to punish our careless walking We neglect our Spiritual watch grow remiss in duty and then walk under a Cloud We quench the Graces of the Spirit and God withholds the Comforts and partly to put a difference between Earth and Heaven This I the rather speak to bear up the Hearts of Gods People who are dejected because they have not Assurance You may have the Water of the Spirit poured on you in Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness in Assurance there may be Faith of Adherence and not of Evidence there may be Life in the Root when there is no Fruit in the Branches to be seen so Faith in the Heart when no Fruit of Assurance Quest 2. What is Assurance Resp. It is not Vocal any audible Voice or brought to us by the help of an Angel or Revelation Assurance consists of a Practical Sylogism where the Word of God makes the major Conscience the minor the Spirit of God the Conclusion The Word saith He that fears and loves God is loved of God there is the major Proposition then Conscience makes the minor but I fear and love God then the Spirit makes the Conclusion therefore thou art loved of God And this is that which the Apostle calls The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits that we are his Children Rom. 8.16 Quest. 3. Whether hath a Sanctified Soul such an Assurance as excludes all doubting Resp. He hath that which bears up his Heart from sinking he hath such an Earnest of the Spirit that he would not part with for the Richest Prize but his Assurance though it be infallible it is not perfect There will be sometimes a Trepidation or Trembling he is safe yet not without fears and doubts as a Ship lies safe at Anchor yet may be a little shaken by the Wind. If a Christian had no Doubtings there should be no unbelief in him had he no Doubtings there would be no difference between Grace Militant and Triumphant Had not David his Ebbings sometimes as well as his Flowings like the Mariner who sometimes cries out Stellam Video I see a Star sometimes the Star is out of Sight Sometimes we hear David say Thy Loving Kindness is before mine Eyes Psal. 26.3 But at another time he was at a loss Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former Loving Kindnesses And there may fall out an Eclipse in a Christians Assurance to put him upon longing after Heaven Then there shall not be the least doubting then the Banner of Gods Love shall be always display'd upon the Soul then the light of God's Face shall be without Clouds and have no Sun-setting then the Saints shall have an uninterrupted Assurance and be ever with the Lord. Quest. 4. What are the differences between true Assurance and Presumption Resp. 1. They differ in the method or manner of working Divine Assurance flows from Humiliation for Sin I speak not of the measure of Humiliation but the Truth There are in Palermo Reeds growing in which there is a Sugred Juice A Soul humbled for Sin is the Bruised Reed in which grows this sweet Assurance God's Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption but Presumption ariseth without any humbling work of the Spirit How camest thou by thy Venison so soon The Plow goes before the Seed be sown the Heart must be plowed up by Humiliation and Repentance before God sows the Seed of Assurance 2. He who hath a real Assurance will take heed of that which will weaken and darken his Assurance he is fearful of the Forbidden Fruit he knows though he cannot sin away his Soul yet he may sin away his Assurance But he who hath the Ignis Fatuus of
God hath given him his only Son Hath he Scarcity of Bread God hath given him the finest of the Wheat the Bread of Life Are his Comforts gone He hath the Comforter Doth he meet with Storms on the Sea He knows where to put in for Harbour God is his Portion and Heaven is his Haven Thus Assurance gives sweet Contentment in every Condition Effect 6. Assurance would bear up the Heart in Sufferings it would make a Christian endure Troubles with Patience and Chearfulness with Patience Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of Patience There are some Meats we say are hard of Digestion and only a good Stomach will concoct them Affliction is a Meat hard of Digestion but Patience like a good Stomach will be able to digest it and whence comes Patience but from Assurance Rom. 5.5 Tribulation worketh Patience because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts with chearfulness Assurance is like the Mariners Lanthorn on the Deck which gives light in a dark night Assurance gives the light of Comfort in Affliction Heb. 10.34 ye took joyfully the spoiling of your Goods knowing in your selves c. there was Assurance He that hath Assurance can rejoyce in Tribulation he can gather Grapes of Thorns and Hony out of the Lyons Carcass Latimer When I sit alone and can have a setled Assurance of the State of my Soul and know that God is mine I can Laugh at all Troubles and nothing can daunt me Effect 7. Assurance would pacifie a troubled Conscience He who hath a disturbed vexatious Conscience carries an Hell about him Eheu quis intus Scorpio but Assurance cures the Agony and allays the Fury of Conscience Conscience that before was turned into a Serpent now is like a Bee that hath Hony in its Mouth it speaks Peace Tranquillus Deus tranquillat omnia Tertull. When God is pacified towards us then Conscience is pacified If the Heavens are quiet and there are no Winds stirring thence the Sea is quiet and calm So if there be no Anger in Gods Heart if the Tempest of his Wrath doth not blow Conscience is quiet and serene Effect 8. Assurance would strengthen us against the Fear of Death such as want it cannot dye with Comfort they are in aequilibrio they hang in a doubtful Suspence what shall become of them after Death But he who hath Assurance hath an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an happy and joyful Passage out of the World he knows he is passed from Death to Life he is carried full sail to Heaven though he cannot resist Death yet 〈◊〉 overcomes it Quest. 6. What shall they do that want Assurance Resp. 1. Such as want Assurance let them labour to find Grace when the Sun denies light to the Earth it may give forth its Influence When God denies the light of his Countenance he may give the Influence of his Grace Quest. How shall we know we have a real Work of Grace and so have a right to Assurance Resp. If we can resolve two Queries 1. Have we high Appretiations of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Beauties and Delights our Praises fall short of his Worth and is like spreading Canvass upon Cloth of Gold How precious is his Blood and Incense The one pacifies our Conscience the other Perfumes our Prayers Can we say we have endearing Thoughts of Christ Do we esteem him our Pearl of Price Our bright Morning Star Do we count all earthly Enjoyments but as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dung in comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 do we prefer the worst things of Christ before the best things of the World the Reproaches of Christ before the Worlds Embraces Heb. 11.26 Quer. 2. Have we the indwelling of the Spirit 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us Quest. How may we know we have the indwelling presence of the Spirit Resp. Not by having sometimes good Motions stir'd up in us by the Spirit it may work in us yet not dwell but by the Sanctifying Power of the Spirit on our Heart the Spirit infuseth Divinam Indolem a Divine Nature it stamps its own impress and Effigies on the Soul making the Complexion of it Holy The Spirit ennobles and raiseth the Heart above the World when Nebuchadnezzar had his Understanding given him he grazed no longer amongst the Beasts but returned to his Throne and minded the Affairs of his Kingdom when the Spirit of God dwells in a Man it carries his Heart above the visible Orbs it makes him Superna anhelare thirst after Christ and Glory if we can find this then we have Grace and so have a right to Assurance 2. If you want Assurance wait for it if the Figures are graven on the Dial it is but waiting a while and the Sun shines When Grace is engraven in the Heart it is but waiting a while and we shall have the Sun-shine of Assurance He that believes makes not haste Isa. 28.16 He will stay Gods leisure say not God hath forsaken you he will never lift up the light of his Countenance but rather say as the Church Isa. 8.17 I will wait upon the Lord which hideth his face from the House of Jacob. 1. Hath God waited for your Conversion and will not you wait for his Consolation How 〈◊〉 did he come a woing to you by his Spirit He waited till his Head was fill'd with Dew He cry'd as Ier. 13.27 Wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be O Christian did God wait for thy Love and canst not thou wait for his 2. Assurance is so sweet and precious that it is worth waiting for the price of it is above Rubies it cannot be valued with th◠Gold of Ophir Assurance of Gods Love is a Pledge of Election 't is the Angels Banquet what other Joy have they As Micah said Iudges 18.24 What have I more So when God assures the Soul of his eternal purposes of Love what hath he more to give Whom God kisseth he Crowns Assurance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first Fruits of Paradise one Smile of Gods Face one Glance of his Eye one Crumb of the hidden Manna is so sweet a Delicious that it deserves our waiting 3. God hath given a Promise that we shall not wait in vain Isa. 49.23 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me Perhaps God reserves this Cordial of Assurance for a fainting time He keeps sometimes his best Wine till last Assurance shall be reserved as an Ingredient to sweeten the bitter Cup of Death Quest. 7. How may deserted Souls be comforted who are cast down for want of Assurance They have the Day-star of Grace risen in their Souls but as Job complains I went Mourning without the Sun Iob 30.28 They go mourning for want of the Sun-light of Gods Face Their Ioy is eclipsed They walk in darkness and see no light Isa. 50.10 How shall we comfort such as lye Bleeding in
being willing to lose all for his Sake 4. If you have Assurance improve it for Gods Glory several ways 1. By encouraging such as are yet unconverted Tell them how sweet this hidden Manna is Tell them what a good Master you serve what Vails you have had Tell them God hath carried you to the Hill of Myrrhe to the Mountains of Spices He hath given you not only a Prospect of Heaven but an Earnest O perswade Sinners by all the Love and Mercy of God that they would enroll their Names in his Family and cast themselves upon him for Salvation Tell them God hath met with you and unlock'd the Secrets of Free Grace and assured you of a Land flowing with those infinite Delights which Eye hath not seen Thus by telling others what God hath done for your Soul you may make them in love with the ways of God and cause them to turn Proselytes to Religion 2. Improve Assurance by comforting such as want it Be as the good Samaritan pour Wine and Oyl into their Wounds You â—ho have Assurance are gotten as it were to the Haven you are sure of your Happiness but do you not see others who are struggling with the Waves of Temptation and Desertion and are ready to sink O now Sympathize with them and do what you can to comfort them when they are in this deep Ocean 2 Cor. 1.6 Whether we be comforted it is for your Consolation The comfortable experience of one Christian being communicated to another doth much revive and bear up his fainting Heart Our Comfort saith the Apostle is for your Consolation 3. Improve Assurance by walking more Heavenly you should Scorn these things below you who have an Earnest of Heaven should not be too Earnest for the Earth You have Angels Food and it becomes not you with the Serpent to lick the Dust. The Wicked are all for Corn Wine and Oyl but you have that which is better God hath lifted up the Light of his Countenance Will you hanker after the World when you have been feeding upon the Grapes and Pomegranates of the Holy Land Do you now Lust after the Garlick and Onions of Egypt when you are Cloathed with the Sun will you set the Moon and Stars above you O let them scramble for the World who have nothing else but Husks to feed on Have you assurance of Heaven and is not that enough Will not a Kingdom satisfie you Such as are high in Assurance should be in the Altitudes live above the World 4. Improve Assurance by a Chearful Walking It is for Condemn'd Persons to go hanging down their Head but hast thou thy Absolution Doth thy God smile on thee Chear up 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the King's Son Lean Art thou the King's Son hath God assured thee of thy Adoption and art thou â—ad Assurance should be an Antidote against all Trouble What though the World hate thee yet thou art assur'd that thou art one of Gods Favourites What though there is but little Oyl in the Cruse and thou art low in the World yet thou art high in Assurance O then rejoyce How Musical is the Bird How doth it chirp and sing that knows not where to pick up the next Crumb And shall they be sad and discontented who have God's Bond to assure them of their daily Bread and his Love to assure them of Heaven But certainly those who have Assurance cannot but be of a Sanguine Complexion 5. If you have an Assurance of Salvation let this make you long after a Glorified State He who hath an Earnest in his Hand desires the whole Sum to be paid That Soul who hath tasted how sweet the Lord is should long for a fuller enjoyment of him in Heaven Hath Christ put this Ring of Assurance on thy Hand and so espoused thee to himself how shouldst thou long for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 O Christian think with thy self if a glimpse of Heaven a smile of God's Face be so sweet what will it be to be ever sunning thy self in the Light of God's Countenance Certainly you who have an Assurance of your Title to Heaven cannot but desire Possession Be content to Live but willing to Dye 6. If you have Assurance be careful you do no not lose it keep it for it is your Life viz. the comfort of your Life Keep Assurance 1 st by Prayer Psal. 36.10 O continue thy Loving Kindness Lord continue Assurance do not take away this Privy Seal from me 2 dly Keep Assurance by Humility Pride estrangeth God from the Soul when you are high in Assurance be low in Humility St. Paul had Assurance and he Baptizeth himself with this Name Chief of Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 The Jewel of Assurance is best kept in the Cabinet of an Humble Heart Of PEACE 1 Pet. 1.2 Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied HAving spoken of the first Fruit of Sanctification Assurance I proceed to the Second viz. Peace Peace be Multiplied Quest. What are the several species or kinds of Peace Resp. Peace in Scripture is compar'd to a River Isa. 66.12 this River parts it self into Two Silver Streams 1. There is an External Peace and that is either 1. Aeconomical Peace in a Family 2. Political Peace in the State Peace is the Nurse of Plenty Psal. 147.14 He maketh Peace in thy Borders and filleth thee with the finest of the Wheat How pleasant is it when the Waters of Blood begin to asswage and we can see the Windows of our Ark open and the Dove returning with an Olive-branch of Peace 3. Ecclesiastical Peace Peace in the Church It s Unity in Trinity is the greatest Mystery in Heaven and Unity in Verity the greatest Mercy on Earth Peace Ecclesiastical stands in opposition to Schism and Persecution 2. A Spiritual Peace which is Two-fold Peace above us or Peace with God and Peace within us or Peace with Conscience This is Superlative other Peace may be lasting this is everlasting Quest. 2. Whence comes this Peace Resp. This Peace hath the whole Trinity for its Author 1. God the Father is the God of Peace 1 Thes. 5.23 2. God the Son is the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 3. Peace is said to be the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 1. God the Father is the God of Peace As he is the God of Order 1 Cor. 14.33 so the God of Peace Phil. 4.9 This was the form of the Priests blessing the People Numb 6.26 The Lord give thee Peace 2. God the Son is the Purchaser of Peace He hath made Peace by his Blood Col. 1.20 Having made Peace by the Blood of his Cross. The Attonement Aaron made for the People when he entred into the Holy of Holies with Blood was a Type of Christ our High Priest who hath by his Sacrifice pacified his angry Father and made Attonement for us Christ purchased our Peace upon hard terms his Soul was in an Agony while he was travailing to bring forth
Christians it is but a while and you shall have done Weeping and Praying and be triumphing You shall put off your Mourning and put on white Robes you shall put off your Armour and put on a Victorious Crown You who have made a good Progress in Religion you are now almost ready to Commence and take your Degree of Glory now is your Salvation nearer than when you began to believe When a Man is almost at the end of a Race will he now tire or faint away O labour to persevere your Salvation is now nearer you have but a little way to go and you will set your Foot in Heaven Though the way be up-Hill and full of Thorns viz. Sufferings yet you have gone the greatest part of your way and shortly you shall rest from your Labours 3. How sad it is not to persevere in Holiness you expose your selves to the Reproaches of Men and the Rebukes of God First To the Reproaches of Men. They will divide both you and your Profession Luke 14.28 This Man began to Build and was not able to finish Such is he who begins in Religion and doth not persevere He is the Ludibrium and Derision of all Secondly To the Rebukes of God God is most severe against such as fall off because they bring an Evil Report upon Religion Apostacy breeds a bitter Worm in Conscience What a Worm did Spira feel and it brings swift Damnation It is a drawing back 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Perdition Heb. 10.38 God will make his Sword drunk with the Blood of Apostates 4. The Promises of Mercy are annexed only to Perseverance Rev. 3.5 He that overcometh shall be cloathed in white Raiment and I will not blot out his Name out of the Book of Life Non pugnanti sed vincenti dabitur corona Aug. The Promise is not to him that Fights but that overcomes Luke 22.28 Ye are they which have continued with me and I appoint unto you a Kingdom The Promise of a Kingdom saith Chrysostom is not made to them that heard Christ or followed him but that continued with him Perseverance carries away the Garland No Man hath the Crown set upon his Head but he who holds out to the end of the Race O therefore by all this be perswaded to Persevere God makes no account of such as do not persevere Who esteems of Corn that sheds before Harvest or Fruit that falls from the Tree before it be Ripe Quest. 2. What expedients or means may be used for a Christians Perseverance Resp. 1. Take heed of those things which will make you desist and fall away First Take heed of Presumption Do not presume upon your own strength Exercise an Holy Fear and Jealousie over your own Hearts Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lâ—st he fall It was Peter's Sin he lean'd more upon his Grace than upon Christ and then he fell A Christian hath cause to fear lest the Lusts and Deceits of his Heart betray him Take heed of Presuming Fear begets Prayer Prayer begets Strength and Strength begets Stedfastness Secondly Take heed of Hypocrisie Iudas was first a Sly Hypocrite and then a Traitor Psal. 78.37 Their Heart was not right with God neither were they stedfast in his Covenant If there be any Venom or Malignity in the Blood it will break forth into a Plague-sore The Venom of Hypocrisie is in danger of breaking forth into the Plague-sore of Scandal Thirdly Beware of a Vile Heart of Unbelief Heb. 3.12 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of Unbelief departing from the Living God Whence is Apostacy but from Incredulity Men do not believe the Truth and then they fall from the Truth Unbelieving and Unstable go together Psal. 78.22 They believed not in God ver 41. They turned back 2. If you would be Pillars in the Temple of God and persevere in Sanctity First Look that you enter into Religion upon a right ground be well grounded in the distinct knowledg of God you must know the Love of the Father the Merit of the Son the Efficacy of the Holy Ghost Such as know not God aright will by degrees fall off The Samaritans sometimes sided with the Jews when they were in favour afterwards disclaimed all Kindred with them when Antiochus persecuted the Jews And no wonder the Samaritans were no more fixed in Religion if you consider what Christ saith of the Samaritans Iohn 4.22 Ye worship ye know not what They were ignorant of the True God let your Knowledge of God be clear and serve him purely out of Choice and then you will persevere Psal. 119.30 I have chosen the way of Truth I have stuck unto thy Testimonies Secondly Get a real work of Grace in your Heart Heb. 13.9 It is a good thing that the Heart he established with Grace Nothing will hold out but Grace 't is only this Anointing abides Paint will fall off Get an Heart-changing-work 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are Washed but ye are Sanctified Be not content with Baptism of Water without Baptism of the Spirit The reason Men persevere not in Religion is for want of a Vital Principle A Branch must needs wither that hath no root to grow upon Thirdly If you would Persevere be very Sincere Perseverance grows only upon the Root of Sincerity Psal. 25.21 Let Integrity and Uprightness preserve me The Breast-Plate of Sincerity can never be shot thorough How many Storms was Iob in The Devil sets against him his Wife tempted him to Curse God his Friends accused him for an Hypocrite here was enough one would think to have made him desist from Religion Yet for all this he perseveres What preserved him it was his Sincerity Iob 27.6 My Righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go my Heart shall not Reproach me so long as I live Fourthly If Persevere be Humble St. Chrysostom calls it the Mother of all the Graces God lets a poor Humble Christian stand when others of Higher Parts and who have higher Thoughts of themselves fall off by Apostacy They are likest to Persevere who God will give most Grace to But he gives Grace to the Humble 1 Pet. 5.5 They are likest to persevere who have God dwelling in them But God dwells in the Humble Soul Isa. 57.15 Non requiescit Spiritus Sanctus nisi super Humilem Bern. The lower the Tree roots in the Earth the firmer it is the more the Soul is rooted in Humility the more stablished it is and in less danger of falling away Fifthly If Persevere cherish the Grace of Faith Faith doth stabilire Animum 2 Cor. 1.24 By Faith ye stand 1. Faith knits us to Christ as the Members are knit to the Head by Nerves and Sinews 2. Faith fills us with Love to God It works by Love Gal. 5.6 And he who loves God will rather dye than desert him The Soldier who loves his General will die in
Resp. Seek to God for it It is his Promise to give an Heart of Flesh Ezek. 36. and to pour on us a Spirit of Mourning Zech. 12.10 Beg God's Holy Spirit Psal. 147.18 He causeth his Wind to blow and the Waters flow When the Wind of God's Spirit blows upon us then the Waters of Repentant Tears will flow from us III. The Third way to escape the Wrath and Curse of God and obtain the Benefit of Redemption by Christ is The diligent Vse of Ordinances In particular the Word Sacraments and Prayer 1. I begin with the First of these Ordinances I. The Word 1 Thess. 2.13 which effectually worketh in you that believe Quest. 1. What is meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Words working effectually Resp. The Word of God is said to work effectually when it hath that good effect upon us for which it was appointed of God namely when the Word works powerful Illumination and thorough Reformation Acts 26.18 To open their Eyes and turn them from the power of Satan to God The opening their Eyes denotes Illumination And turning them from Satan to God denotes Reformation Quest. 2. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to Salvation This Question consists of Two Branches 1. How may the Word be read Effectually 2. How may it be heard Effectually 1. I shall begin with the First Branch of the Question How is the Word to be read that it may be effectual to our Salvation Answ. That we may so read the Word that it may conduce effectually to our Salvation 1. Let us have a Reverend Esteem of every part of Canonical Scripture Psal. 19.10 More are they to be desired than Gold Value this Book of God above all other Books It is a Golden Epistle endited by the Holy Ghost sent to us from Heaven more particularly to raise our Esteem 1. The Scripture is a Spiritual Glass to dress our Souls by it shows us more than we can see by the Light of a Natural Conscience that may discover gross Sins but the Glass of the Word shâ—ws us Heart-Sins Vain Thoughts Unbelief c. And it not only shows us our Spots but washeth them away 2. The Scripture is a Sacred Magazine out of which we may fetch our Spiritual Artillery to fight against Satan When the Devil tempted our Saviour he fetch'd Armour and Weapons from Scripture It is written Matth. 4.4 7. 3. The Holy Scripture is a Panacea or Universal Medicine for the Soul it gives a Receipt to cure Deadness of Heart Psal. 119.50 Pride 1 Pet. 5.5 Infideliâ—y Iohn 3.36 It is a Physick-Garden where we may gather any Herb or Antidote to expell the Poyson of sin The Leaves of Scripture like the Leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the Nations Rev. 22.2 And may not this cause a reverend Esteem of the Word 2. If we would have the Word written effectual to our Souls let us peruse it with Intenseness of Mind Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to search as for a Vein of Silver The Bereans Acts 17. searched the 〈…〉 daily The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to make a curious and critical Search And 〈◊〉 was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 Some gallop over a Chapter 〈…〉 and get no good by it If we would have the Word effectual and saving we must mind and observe every Passage of Scripture And that we may be diâ—igent in the perusal of Scripture Consider First The Word written is Norma Cultus the Rule and Platform by which we are to square our Lives it contains in it all things needful to Salvation Psal. 19.7 What Duties we are to do what Sins we are to avoid God gave Moses a Pattern how he would have the Tabernacle made and he was to go exactly according to the Pattern Exod. 25.9 The Word is the Pattern God hath given us in Writing for modelling our Lives therefore how careful should we be in the pursuing and looking over this Pattern Secondly The Written Word as it is our Pattern so it will be our Iudge Iohn 12.48 The Word that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day We read of the opening of the Books Rev. 20.12 This is one Book God will open the Book of Scripture and will judge Men out of it He will say Have you lived according to the Rule of this Word The Word hath a double Work to Teach and to Iudge 3. If we would have the Word written effectual we must bring Faith to the reading of it Believe it to be the Word of the Eternal Iehovah The Word written comes with Authority it shews its Commission from Heaven Thus saith the Lord It is of Divine Inspiration 2 Tim. 3.16 The Oracles of Scripture must be surer to us than a Voice from Heaven 1 Pet. 1.18 Unbelief enervates the Vertue of Scripture and renders it ineffectual First Men question the Truth of the Scripture and then fall away from it 4. If we would have the Word written effectual to Salvation we must delight in it as our Spiritual Cordial Ier. 15.16 Thy Words were found and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoycing of my Heart All true solid Comfort is fetch'd out of the Word The Word as Chrysostom saith is a Spiritual Garden and the Promises are the Fragrant Flowers or Spices in this Garden How should we delight to walk among these Beds of Spices Is it not a Comfort in all dubious perplext Cases to have a Counsellor to advise us Psal. 119.24 Thy Testimonies are my Counsellors Is it not a Comfort to find our Evidences for Heaven and where should we find them but in the Word 1 Thess. 1.4 5. The Word written is a Sovereign Elixir or Comfort in an hour of Distress Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in Afflictions for thy Word hath quickned me It can turn all our Water into Wine How should we take a great Complacency and Delight in the Word They only who come to the Word with Delight go from it with Success 5. If we would have the Scripture effectual and saving we must be sure when we have read the Word to hide it in our Hearts Psal. 119.11 Thy Word have I hid in my Heart The Word locked up in the Heart is a Preservative against sin Why did David hide the Word in his Heart In the next Words That I might not sin against thee As one would carry an Antidote about him when he comes near a place infected so David carried the Word in his Heart as a Sacred Antidote to preserve him from the Infection of Sin When the Sap is hid in the Root it makes the Branches fruitful When the Seed is hid in the Ground then the Corn springs up So when the Word is hid in the Heart then it brings forth good Fruit. 6. If we would have the Word written effectual let us labour
is defensive a wall of Fire that is offensive 3. When it may be for the good of his People he will raise up deliverance to them 1 Chron. 11.14 The Lord saved them by a great deliverance God Reigning as King can save any way by contemptible means the blowing of Trumpets and blazing of Lamps Iudg. 7.20 By contrary means He made the Sea a wall to Israel and the waters were a means to keep them from drowning The Fishes Bâ—lly was a Ship in which Ionas sailed safe to shore God will never want ways of saving his People Rather then fail the very Enemies shall do his Work 2 Chron. 20.23 He set Ammon and Mount-Seir one against another And as God will deliver his People from Temporal Danger so from Spiritual from Sin and from Hell Iesus hath delivered us from Wrath to come 1 Thess. 1.10 Vse IV. Terrour to the Enemies of the Church If God be King he will set his â—tmost strength against them who are the Enemies of his Kingdom Psal. 97.3 A Fire goes before him and burneth up his Enemies round about 1. He will set himself against his Enemies He will set his Attributes against them his Power and Justice and who knows the power of his Anger Psal. 90.11 2. God will set the Creatures against them Iudg. 5 20. The Stars in their course fought against Sisera Tertullian observes that the Persians fighting against the Christians a mighty Wind arose which did make the Persians Arrows to fly back in their own Faces Every Creature hath a Quarrel with a Sinner The Stone out of the Wall Hab. 2.11 The Hail and Frost Psal. 78.47 He destroyed their Vines with Hail and their Sycamore Trees with Frost 3. God will set Men against themselves 1. He will set Conscience against them and how terrible is this Rod when turned into a Serpent Melancthon calls it Erinnys Conscientiae a Hellish Fury It is called Vermis Conscientiae the Worm of Conscience Mark 9.44 What a Worm did Spira feel in his Conscience he was a Terror to himselfe The worst Civil Wars are between a Man and his Conscience 2. God will set the Diseases of Mens Bodies against them 2 Chron. 21.18 The Lord smote Iehoram in his Bowels with an incurable disease God can raise an Army against a Man out of his own Bowels He can set one Humour of the Body against another the heat to drie up the moisture and the moisture to drown the heat the Lord needs not go far for Instruments to punish the Sinner He can make the joints of the same Body to smite one against another as Dan 5.6 3. God will set Mens Friends against them where they used to have Honey they shall have nothing but Aloes and Wormwood When a mans ways please the Lord he shall make his enemies to be his friends Prov. 16.7 But when he opposeth God he maketh his Friends to be his Enemies Commodus the Emperour his own wife gave him poison in perfumed Wine Sennacherib's two Sons were the death of him 2 Kings 19.37 4. God will set Satan against them Psal. 109.6 Let Satan stand at his Right hand What doth Satan at the Sinners Elbows 1. He helps him to contrive Sin 2. He tempts him to commit Sin 3. He terrifies him for Sin He that hath Satan thus standing at his Right hand is sure to be set at Gods Left hand Here is the misery of such as oppose Gods Royal Scepter he will set every thing in the world against them If there be either Justice in Heaven or fire in Hell Sinners shall not be unpunished Vlt. If God be such an absolute Monarch and Crowned with such Glory and Majesty let us all engage in his Service and stand up for his Truth and Worship dare to own God in the worst Time He is King of Kings and is able to reward all his Servants VVe may be Losers for him we shall never be Losers by him we are ready to say as Amaziah 2 Chron. 25.9 What shall I do for the Hundred Talents If I appear for God I may lose my Estate my Life I say with the Prophet God is able to give you much more then this He can give you for the present inward Peace and for the future a Crown of Glory which fades not away Quest. What Kingdom doth Christ mean here Resp. Negat 1. He doth not mean a Political or Earthly Kingdom The Apostles indeed did desire 1. Christs Temporal Reign Acts 1.6 When wilt thou restore the Kingdom to Israel But Christ said his Kingdom was not of this world Ioh. 18.36 So that when Christ taught his Disciples to pray Thy Kingdom come he did not mean it of an Earthly Kingdom that he should reign here in outward Pomp and Splendor 2. It is not meant of Gods Providential Kingdom Psal. 103.19 His Kingdom ruleth over all that is the Kingdom of his Providence This Kingdom we do not pray for when we say Thy Kingdom come for this Kingdom is already come God exerciseth the Kingdom of his Providence in the World Psal. 75.7 He putteth down one and setteth up another Nothing stirs in the World but God hath an Hand in it He sets every wheel a working He humbles the Proud and raiseth the Poor out of the Dust to set them among Princes 1 Sam. 2.8 The Kingdom of Gods Providence ruleth over all Kings do nothing but what his Providence permits and orders Act. 4.27 This Kingdom of Gods Providence we do not pray should come for it is already come What Kingdom then is meant here when we say Thy Kingdom come Answ. Positively there is a twofold Kingdom meant here 1. The Kingdom of Grace which Kingdom God exerciseth in the Consciences of his People this is Regnum Dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods lesser Kingdom Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of God is within you 2. The Kingdom of Glory which is sometimes called the Kingdom of God Luke 6.20 and the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.3 When we pray thy Kingdom come 1. Here is something tacitly implied That we are in the Kingdom of Darkness 1. We pray that we may be brought out of the Kingdom of Darkness 2. That the Devils Kingdom in the World may be demolished 2. Something positively intended Adveniat Regnum Gratiae Gloriae 1. We pray that the Kingdom of Grace may be set up in our Hearts and encreased 2. When we pray Thy Kingdom come we pray that the Kingdom of Glory may hasten and that we may in Gods good time be translated into it These two Kingdoms of Grace and Glory differ not specifically but gradually they differ not in nature but only in degree The Kingdom of Grace is nothing but the inchoation or beginning of the Kingdom of Glory the Kingdom of Grace is Glory in the Seed and the Kingdom of Glory is Grace in the Flower the Kingdom of Grace is Glory in the Day-break and the Kingdom of Glory is Grace in the full Meridian the Kingdom of
fit of Musick Such are they who let Heaven go for a song This will make the Devil insult at the last day to think how he hath gull'd Men and made them lose their Souls and their happiness for lying vanities If Satan could make good his brag in giving all the Glory and Kingdoms of the World it could not countervail the loss of the Celestial Kingdom All the tears in Hell are not sufficient to lament the loss of Heaven VSE II. Of Reproof 1. Branch It reproves such as do not at all look after this Kingdom of Glory As if all we say about Heaven were but a Romance they do not mind it That they mind it not appears because they do not labour to have the Kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts If they have some thoughts of this Kingdom yet it is in a dull careless manner they serve God as if they served him not they do not vires exerere put forth their strength for the Heavenly Kingdom How industrious were the Saints of old for this Kingdom Phil. 3.13 Reaching forth unto those things which are before The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stretching out the neck a Metaphor from Racers that strain every limb and reach forward to lay hold on the prize Luther spent three hours a day in Prayer Anna the prophetess departed not from the temple but served God with fasting and prayers night and day Luke 2.37 How zealous and industrious were the Martyrs to get into this Heavenly Kingdom they wore their Fetters as Ornaments snatched up Torments as Crowns and embraced the Flames as chearfully as Elijah did the fiery Chariot which came to fetch him to Heaven and do not we think this Kingdom worth our labour The great pains the Heathens took in their Olympick Races when they ran but for a Crown made of Olive intermixed with Gold will rise up in Judgment against such as take little or no pains in seeking after the Kingdom of Glory The dulness of many in seeking after Heaven is such as if they did not believe there were such a Kingdom or as if it would not countervail their labour or as if they thought it were indifferent whether they obtained this Kingdom or no which is as much as to say whether they were saved or no whether they were Crowned in Glory or chained as Gally slaves in Hell for ever 2. Branch It reproves them who spend their sweat more in getting the World then the Kingdom of Heaven Phil. 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who mind earthly things the World is the great Diana they cry up as if they would fetch happiness out of the earth which God hath cursed They labour for and Honour Riches many are like Korah and Dathan the earth swallowed them up Num. 16.32 So the earth swallows up their Time and Thoughts these if they are not Pagans yet they are Infidels they do not believe there is such a kingdom they go for Christians yet question that great Article in their Faith Life Everlasting these like the Serpents lick the dust O what is there in the World that we should so idolize it when Christ and Heaven are not regarded what hath Christ done for you died for your sins what will the World do for you can it pacify an angry Conscience can it procure Gods Favour can it flee death can it bribe your Judge can it purchase for you a place in the kingdom of heaven O how are Men bewitched with worldly Profits and Honours that for these things they will let go Paradise It was a good prayer of St. Bernard Sic possideamâ—u mundana ut non perdamus aeterna Lo let us so possess things temporal that we do not lose things eternal 3. Branch It reproves such who delay and put off seeking this kingdom till it be too late like the foolish Virgins who came when the door was shut Mora trahit periculum People let the Lamp of Life blaze out and when the Symptoms of death are upon them and they know not what else to do now will look up to the kingdom of Heaven Christ bids them seek Gods kingdom first and they will seek it last they put off the kingdom of heaven to a Death-bed as if it were as easie to make their Peace as to make their Will How many have lost the Heavenly kingdom through Delays and Procrastinations Plutarch reports of Archias the Lacedemonian being among his Cups one delivered him a Letter and desired him to read it presently being of serious business saith he seria cras I will mind serious things to morrow and that Night he was slain Thou that saiest thou wilt look after the kingdom of Heaven to morrow knowest not but that thou maiest be in Hell before to morrow Sometimes death comes suddenly it strikes without giving warning What folly is it putting off seeking the kingdom of heaven till the day of Grace expire till the radical moisture be spent as if a Man should begin to run a Race when a fit of the Gout takes him 4. Branch It reproves such as were once great Zealots in Religion and did seem to be touch'd with a coal from Gods Altar but since they have cool'd in their Devotion and have left off the pursuing the Caelestial kingdom Hos. 8.3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good there is no face of Religion to be seen they have left off the House of Prayer and gone to Play houses they have left off pursuing the Heavenly Kingdom Quest. Whence is this Resp. 1. For want of a supernatural Principle of Grace That Branch must needs dye which hath no Root to grow upon That which moves from a Principle of Life lasts as the beating of the Pulse but that which moves only from an artificial Spring when the spring is down the motion ceaseth The Hypocrites Religion is artificial not vital he acts from the outward spring of Applause or Gain and if that spring be down his motion towards Heaven ceaseth 2. From Unbelief Heb. 3.12 An evil heart of Vnbelief departing from the living God Psal. 78.22 They believed not in God Verse 41. they turned back Sinners have hard thoughts of God they think they may pray and hear yet never the better Mal. 3.14 they question whether God will give them the kingdom at last then they turn back and throw away Christs Colours they distrust Gods Love no wonder then they desert his Service Infidelity is the Root of Apostacy 3. Men leave off pursuing the heavenly kingdom it is from some secret Lust nourished in the Soul perhaps a wanton or a covetous Lust Demas for love of the world forsook his Religion and afterwards turned Priest in an idol Temple One of Christs own Apostles was caught with a silver Bait Covetousness will make Men betray a good Cause and make shipwrack of a good Conscience if there be any Lust unmortified in the Soul it will bring forth the bitter fruit either of
have been cast away upon the Worlds Golden Sands 9. If you would not come short of the Kingdom of heaven take heed of indulging any sin one Mill-stone will drown as well as more and one sin lived in will damn as well as more Vbi regnat peccatum non potest regnare Dei regnum Hierom. If any one sin reign it will keep you from reigning in the kingdom of heaven especially keep from sins of Presumption which wast Conscience vastare Conscientiam Tertul. and the Sin of your natural Constitution the peccatum in delitiis Aug. the darling Sin Psal. 18.23 I have kept my self from mine iniquity That Sin which my heart would soonest decoy and flatter me into as in the Hive there is one Master-Bee so in the heart one Master-sin O take heed of this Quest. How may this sin be known A. 1. That Sin which a Man cannot endure the Arrow of a reproof should shoot at that is the bosom sin Herod could not brook to have his Incest medled with that was a noli me tangere Men can be content to have other sins declaimed against but if a Minister put his Finger upon the sore and toucheth upon one special sin then igne micant oculi they are enraged and spit the Venome of Malice 2. That sin which a Mans heart runs out most to and he is most easily captivated by that is the Dalilah in the Bosom One Man is overcome with wantonness another by worldliness 't is a sad thing a Man should be so bewitched by a beloved sin that if it ask him to part with not only half the kingdom but the whole Kingdom of heaven he must part with it to gratify that Lust. 3. That sin which doth most trouble a Man and fly in his Face in an hour of sickness and distress that is the sin he hath allowed himself in and is his complexion sin When Ioseph's Brethren were distressed their sin in selling their Brother came into their Remembrance Gen. 42.21 We were verily guilty concerning our Brother c. So when a Man is upon his sick-bed and Conscience shall say thou hast been guilty of such a sin the sin of slandring or uncleanness Conscience reads a Man a sad Lecture it affrights him most for one sin that is the Complection sin 4. That sin which a Man is loathest to part with that is the endeared sin Iacob could of all his Sons most hardly part with Benjamin Gen. 42.36 Will ye take Benjamin away So saith the Sinner this and that Sin I have left but must Benjamin go too must I part with this delightful sin that goes to the heart as it is with a castle that hath several Forts about it the first and second Fort are yeilded but when it comes to the main Castle the Governour will rather fight and dye then yeild that So a Man may suffer some of his Sins to be demolished but when it comes to one that is like the taking of the Castle he will never yeild to part with that surely that is the Master-sin take heed especially of this sin the strength of sin lies in the beloved sin This is like an humour striking to the heart which brings Death I have read of a Monarch that being pursued by the Enemy he threw away the Crown of Gold on his head that he might run the faster So that sin which thou didst wear as a Crown of Gold throw it away that thou maiest run the faster to the Kingdom of heaven O if you would not lose Glory mortify the beloved sin set it as Vriah in the Fore-front of the battle to be slain by plucking out this right eye you will see the better to go to heaven 10. If you would not fall short of the kingdom of heaven take heed of inordinate Pashion many a Ship hath been lost in a storm and many a Soul hath been lost in a storm of unruly Passions Every Member of the Body is infected with sin as every Branch of Wormwood is bitter but the Tongue is full of deadly poyson Iam. 3.8 Some care not what they say in their Passion they will censure slander wish evil to others how can Christ be in the heart when the Devil hath taken possession of the tongue Passion disturbs reason it is brevis insania a short Frenzy Ionah in a Passion flies out against God Ionah 4.9 I do well to be angry to the death What to be angry with God and to justify it I do well to be angry the Man was not well in his Wits Passion unfits for Prayer 1 Tim. 2.8 I will therefore that Men pray lifting up holy hands without Wrath He that prays in wrath may lift up his hands in Prayer but he doth not lift up holy hands Water when it is hot soon boils over so when the heart is heated with Anger it soon boils over in fiery passionate Speeches Some curse others in their Passion They whose tongues are set on fire let them take heed that they do not one day in Hell desire a drop of water to cool their tongue O if you would not miss of the heavenly kingdom beware of giving way to your unbridled Passions some say words are but wind but they are such a wind as may blow them to Hell 11. If you would not fall short of the heavenly kingdom beware of too much indulging the sensual Appetite Rom. 13.14 Make not Provision for the flesh the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make Provision signifies to be Caterers for the flesh Phil. 3.19 Whose God is their Belly The Throat is a slippery place Iudas received the Devil in the Sop and often the Devil slides down in the Liquor Excess in Meat and Drink clouds the Mind choakes good Affections provokes Lust many a Man digs his own Grave with his Teeth the Heathen could say magnus sum ad mojora natus quam ut sim corporis mei mancipium Sen. He was higher born then to be a slave to his Body To pamper the Body and neglect the Soul is to feed the Slave and to starve the Wife Take such a proportion of food as may recruit Nature not surfeit it Excess in things lawful hath lost many the kingdom of heaven A Bee may suck a little honey from the leaf but put it in a Barrel of honey and it is drowned to suck temperately from the Creature God allows but excess ingulphs Men in Perdition 12. If you would not fall short of the Kingdom of Heaven take heed of injustice in your dealings defrauding lies in two things First mixing Commodities as if one mix bad Wheat with good and sell it for pure Wheat this is to defraud Isa. 1.22 Thy Wine is mixed with Water Second Giving scant Measure Amos 5.8 Making the Ephah small Ephah was a Measure which the Iews used in selling they made the Ephah small they scarce gave measure I wish this be not the sin of many Hos. 12.7 He is a Merchant the
replyed Dilexi dilexi I have loved I have loved and strait-way he was by a convoy of Angels translated to Glory Love is a sacred Fire kindled in the breast in the flames of this Fire the devout Soul ascends to Heaven 10. If we would obtain this Heavenly Kingdom let us labour for Sincerity Prov. 28.18 Whosoever walketh uprightly shall be saved The sincere Christian may fall short of some degrees of Grace but he never falls short of the Kingdom God will pass by many failings where the heart is right Numb 23.21 True Gold though it be light hath grains of allowance Psal. 51.6 Thou desirest truth in the inward parts Sincerity is the sauce which seasons all our Actions and makes them savoury it is the ingredient into every Grace It is called Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 1.5 and Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sincerity Eph. 6.24 Coyn will not go currant that wants the Kings stamp Grace is not currant if it be not stamped with Sincerity Glorious Duties sowred with Hypocrisie are rejected when great Infirmities sweetned with Sincerity are accepted If any thing in the World bring us to Heaven it is Sincerity Sincerity signifies plainness of heart Psal. 32.2 In whose Spirit there is no guile The plainer the Diamond is the richer 1. Sincerity is when we serve God with our heart we do not only worship him but love him Cain brought his Sacrifice but not his Heart This is Gods delight a Sacrifice flaming upon the Altar of the Heart A sincere Christian though he hath a double principle in him Flesh and Spirit yet he hath not a double heart his heart is for God 2. Sincerity is when we aim purely at God in all we do The Glory of God is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls A sincere Christian though he comes short in Duty yet he takes a right aim As the herb Heliotropium turns about according to the motion of the Sun so a Godly Mans actions do all move towards the Glory of God 11. If we would obtain the Heavenly Kingdom let us keep up fervency in Duty What is a dead form without the power Rev. 3.16 Because thou art luke-warm neither hot nor cold I will spue thee out of my mouth Fervency puts life into Duty Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boyling over Christ prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet more earnestly Luke 22.44 When the Fire on the Golden Censer was ready to go out Aaron was to put more Coals to the Incense Praying with Devotion is putting more Coals to the Incense 't is not Formality but Fervency will bring us to Heaven The Formalist is like Ephraim a Cake not turned hot on one side and dough on the other In the external part of Gods Worship he seems to be hot but as for the Spiritual part of Gods Worship he is cold Oh if you would have the Kingdom of Heaven keep up heat and fervour in Duty Eliah was carried up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot if you would go to Heaven you must be carried thither in a fiery Chariot of Zeal 'T is violence takes the Kingdom of Heaven 12. If we would arrive at the Heavenly Kingdom let us cherish the motions of Gods Spirit in our hearts The Marriner may spread his Sails but the Ship cannot get to the Haven without a gale of Wind so we may spread the sails of our endeavour but we cannot get to the Haven of Glory without the North and South-wind of Gods Spirit blow how nearly therefore doth it concern us to make much of the motions of Gods Spirit motions to Prayer motions to Repentance 2 Sam. 5.24 When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees that then thou shalt bestir thy self for then shall the Lord go out before thee So when we hear as it were a voice within us a secret inspiration stirring us up to good Duties we should then bestir our selves while the Spirit works in us we should work with the Spirit Many Men have Gods Spirit striving with them he puts good motions in their hearts and holy purposes but they neglecting to prosecute these good motions the Spirit is thereby grieved and being grieved withdraws its assistance and that assistance being gone there is no getting to Heaven Oh make much of the motions of the Spirit it is as much as your Salvation is worth The Spirit of God is compared to fire Acts 2.2 if we are careful to blow this spark we may have fire to inflame our affections and to light our feet into the way of peace If we quench the Spirit by our neglecting and resisting its motions we cut our selves off from Salvation The Spirit of God hath a drawing-power Cant. 1.4 The Blessed Spirit draws by attraction as the Loadstone the Iron In the preaching of the Word the Spirit draws the heart up to Heaven in holy longings and ejaculations Now when the Spirit is about thus to draw us let us take heed of drawing back left it be to perdition Heb. 10. We should do as Noah when the Dove came flying to the Ark he put forth his hand and took it into the Ark so when this sweet Dove of Gods Spirit comes flying to our hearts and brings a gracious impulse as an Olive-branch of Peace in its mouth O take this Dove into the Ark entertain the Spirit in your hearts and it will bring you to Heaven Quest. But how shall we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion Answ. The motions of the Spirit are alwayes agreeable to the Word If the Word be for Holiness so is the Spirit The Spirit perswades to nothing but what the Word directs which way the tyde of the Word runs that way the Wind of the Spirit blows 13. We obtain the Kingdom of Heaven by uniform and chearful Obedience Obedience is the Road through which we travail to Heaven many say they love God but refuse to obey him doth he love the Princes Person who slights his Commands 1. Obedience must be uniform Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed Lo Eboth I shall not blush when I have respect to all thy Commandments as the Son goes through all the signs of the Zodiack so must we through all the duties of Religion If a Man be to go an hundred Miles and he goes ninety nine Miles and there stops he comes short of the Place he is to travel to if with Herod we do many things that God commands yet if we lye in the total neglect of any duty we come short of the Kingdom of Heaven for Instance If a Man seem to make Conscience of duties of the first Table and not the duties of the second if he seem to be religious but is not just he is a Transgressor and is in danger to lose Heaven a good heart is like the Needle which points that way which the Loadstone draws so he moves that way which the Word
on the Morning of the Marriage day he puts on his Vesture and wedding Robes in which he shall be married to his Bride so in all the Duties of Religion we are putting on those wedding Robes in which we shall be married to Christ in Glory O what solace and inward Peace is there in close walking with God Isa. 32.17 The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace Serving of God is like gathering of Spices or Flowers wherein there is some labour but the labour is recompenced with delight Working for Heaven is like digging in a Gold Mine the digging is labour but getting the Gold is pleasure O then let us bestir our selves for the Kingdom of Heaven it is a labour full of Pleasure a Christian would not part with his Joy for the most delicious Musick he would not exchange his Anchor of Hope for a Crown of Gold Well might David say in keeping thy Precepts there is great Reward Psal. 19.11 not only after keeping thy Precepts but in keeping them a Christian hath both the Spring Flowers and the Crop inward delight in serving God there is the Spring Flowers and the Kingdom of Glory at last there is the full Crop 22. How industrious have the Saints in former Ages been they thought they could never do enough for Heaven they could never serve God enough love him enough minus te amavi Domine Austin Lord I have loved thee too little What Pains did Saint Paul take for the Heavenly Kingdom Phil. 3.13 Reaching forth unto those things which are before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Greek Word to reach forth signifies to stretch out the neck a Metaphor from Racers who strain every Limb and reach forward to lay hold on the Prize Anna the Prophetess Luke 2.37 departed not from the Temple but served God with Fastings and Prayers night and day Basil the Great by much labour and watching exhausted his bodily strength Let Racks Pullies and all torments come upon me said Ignatius so I may win Christ. The Industry and Courage of former Saints who are now crowned with Glory should provoke our diligence that so at last we may sit down with them in the Kingdom of Heaven 23. The more pains we take for Heaven the more welcome will Death be to us What is it makes Men so loath to dye they are like a Tenant that will not out of the House till the Sergeant pull him out they love not to hear of Death why so because their Conscience accuseth them that they have taken little or no pains for Heaven they have been sleeping when they should have been working and now they are afraid least Death should carry them Prisoners to Hell Whereas he who hath spent his time in serving of God he can look Death in the Face with comfort he was wholly taken up about Heaven and now he shall be taken up to Heaven he traded before in Heaven and now he shall go to live there Phil. 1.23 Cupio dissolvi I desire to be dissolved and be with Christ Paul had wholly laid out himself for God 1 Cor. 15.10 and now he knew there was a Crown laid up for him and he longed to take Possession Thus I have given you twenty three Perswasives or Arguments to exert and put forth your utmost diligence for the obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven O that these Arguments were written in all your Hearts as with the Point of a Diamond and because delaies in these Cases are dangerous let me desire you to set upon this Work for Heaven presently Psal. 119.60 I made hast and delayed not to keep thy Commandments Many People are convinced of the necessity of looking after the Kingdom of Glory but they say as those Hagg. 1.2 The time is not yet come They adjourn and put off till their time is slip'd away and so they lose the Kingdom of Heaven beware of this fallacy delay strengthens sin hardens the heart and gives the Devil fuller possession of a Man 1 Sam. 21.8 The Kings business requires hast so the business of Salvation requires hast do not put off an hour longer volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora what assurance have you that you shall live another day have you any lease of life granted why then do you not presently arise out of the Bed of Sloath and put forth all your strength and Spirits that you may be possessed of the Kingdom of Glory should not things of the highest importance be done first setling a Mans Estate and clearing the Title to his Land is not delayed but done in the first place what is there of such grand importance as this the saving of your Souls and the gaining of a Kingdom therefore to day hear Gods Voice now mind Eternity now get your Title to Heaven cleared before the Decree of Death bring forth what imprudence is it to lay the heaviest Load upon the weakest Horse so to lay the heavy Load of Repentance on thy self when thou art infeebled by sickness the Hands shake the Lips quiver the Heart faints O be wise in time now prepare for the Kingdom He who never begins his Voyage to Heaven but in the storm of Death it is a thousand to one if he doth not suffer an Eternal Shipwrack VSE VI. Of Exhortation 1. Branch If there be such a glorious Kingdom a coming then you who have any good hope through Grace that you are the Heirs of this Kingdom let me exhort you to six things 1. Often take a Prospect of this heavenly Kingdom climb up the Caelestial Mount take a turn as it were in Heaven every day by holy Meditation Psal. 48.12 13. Walk about Sion tell the Towers thereof mark well her Bulwarks See what a glorious Kingdom Heaven is go-tell the Towers view the Palaces of the Heavenly Ierusalem Christian show thy Heart the Gates of Pearl the Bed of Spices the Clusters of Grapes which grow in the Paradise of God say O my Soul all this Glory is thine it is thy Fathers good pleasure to give thee this Kingdom The Thoughts of Heaven are very delightful and ravishing can Men of the World so delight in viewing their Bags of Gold and Fields of Corn and shall not the Heirs of Promise take more delight in contemplating the Caelestial Kingdom The serious Meditation of the Kingdom of Glory would work these three effects 1. It would put a damp and slur upon all worldly Glory Those who stand upon the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem but small in their eye Could we look through the Perspective Glass of Faith and take a view of Heavens Glory how small and minute would all other things appear Moses slighted the Honours of Pharaohs Court having an eye to the Recompence of Reward Heb. 11.26 St. Paul who had a Vision of Glory and Saint Iohn who was carried away in the Spirit and saw the holy Ierusalem descending out of Heaven having the Glory of God in it Rev. 21.11 how did the world
a Lyon roar How terrible are the roarings of Conscience Iudas hang'd himself to quiet his Conscience a sinners Conscience at present is either asleep or seared but when God shall awaken Conscience either by Affliction or at Death how will the unpardoned sinner be affrighted When a man shall have all his sins set before his Eyes and drawn out in their bloody Colours and the worm of Conscience begins to gnaw sinner here are thy Debts and the Book is not cancel'd thou must to Hell O what a trembling at heart will the sinner have 4. All the Curses of God stand in full force against an unpardoned sinner his very Blessings are cursed Mal. 2.2 I will curse your Blessings His Table is a Snare he eats and drinks a Curse What comfort could Dionisius have at his Feast when he imagined he saw a naked Sword hanging by a twine thread over his head This is enough to spoil a sinners Banquet a Curse like a naked Sword hangs over his Head Caesar wondred to see one of his Soldiers so merry that was in debt One would wonder that man should be merry who is Heir to all God's Curses he doth not see these Curses but is blinder than Balaams Ass who saw the Angels Sword drawn 5. The unpardoned sinner is in an ill case at Death Luther profess'd there were three things which he durst not think of without Christ of his sins of Death of the Day of Judgment Death to a Christless Soul is the King of Terrors as the Prophet Ahijah said to Ieroboams Wife 1 Kin. 14.6 I am sent to thee with heavy Tidings So death is sent to the unpardoned Soul with heavy Tidings 'T is God's Jaylor to arrest him death is a prologue to Damnation In particular 1. Death is a Voyder to take away all his earthly Comforts it takes away his sugar'd Morsels no more drinking Wine in Bowls no more Mirth or Musick Revel 18.22 The Voice of Harpers and Musicians shall be heard no more at all in thee The sinner shall never tast of luscious Delights more to all Eternity His Hony shall be turned to the Gall of Asps Iob 20.14 2. At Death there shall be an end put to all Reprieves Now God reprieves a sinner he spares him such a fit of Sickness he respites him many years the sinner should have died such a drinking bout but God granted him a Reprieve he lengthened out the silver Thread of Patience to a Miracle But the sinner dying without Repentance unpardoned now the Lease of God's Patience is run out and the sinner must appear in person before the Righteous God to receive his Sentence after which there shall be none to bail him nor shall he hear of a Reprieve any more 6. The unpardoned sinner dying so must go into Damnation this is the second Death Mors sine morte The unpardoned Soul must for ever bear the Anger of a Sin-revenging-God as long as God is God so long the Vial of his Wrath shall be dropping upon the damned Soul This is an Helpless Condition there is a time when a sinner will not be helped Christ and Salvation are offer'd to him but he slights them he will not be helped and there is a time shortly coming when he cannot be helped He calls out for Mercy O a pardon a pardon but then it is too late the date of Mercy is expir'd O how sad then is it to live and die unpardoned You may lay a Grave-stone upon that man and write this Epitaph upon it It had been good for that man he had never been born Now if the misery of an unpardon'd State be so unexpressible how should we labour for Forgiveness that we may not be ingulph'd in so dreadful a Labyrinth of Fire and Brimstone to all Eternity 7. Such as are unpardon'd must needs lead uncomfortable lives Deut. 28.66 Thy Life shall hang in doubt before thee and thou shalt be in continual fears Thus the unpardoned sinner must needs have a palpitation and trembling at Heart he fears every Bush he sees 1 Ioh. 4.18 Fear hath Torment in it the Greek word for Torment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used sometimes for Hell fear hath Hell in it A man in debt fears every step he goes lest he should be arrested so the unpardoned sinner fears what if this night Death which is God's Serjeant should arrest him Iob 7.21 Why dost not thou pardon my Sin for now shall I sleep in the dust As if Iob had said Lord I shall shortly die I shall sleep in the dust and what shall I do if my sin be not pardoned What comfort can an unpardon'd Soul take in any thing Sure no more than a Prisoner can take in Meat or Musick that wants his pardon Therefore by all these powerful Motives let us labour for the forgiveness of sin Object 1. But I am discouraged from going to God for pardon for I am unworthy of forgiveness what am I that God should do such a Favour for me Resp. God forgives not because we are worthy but because he is Gracious Exod. 34 6. The Lord the Lord Merciful and Gracious God forgives out of his Clemency Acts of Pardon are Acts of Grace What worthiness was there in Paul before Conversion He was a Blasphemer and so he sinned against the first Table he was a Persecutor and so he sinned against the second Table but Free-grace Sealed his Pardon 1 Tim. 1.13 I obtained Mercy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was all bestrowed with Mercy What Worthiness was in the Woman of Samaria She was Ignorant Ioh. 4.22 she was Unclean ver 18. she was Morose and Churlish she would not give Christ so much as a Cup of cold water ver 9. How is it that thou being a Iew askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaria What worthiness was here Yet Christ over-looked all and pardoned her Ingratitude and tho' she denied him water out of the Well yet he gave her the Water of Life Gratia non invenit dignos sed facit Free-grace doth not find us worthy but makes us worthy Therefore notwithstanding unworthiness seek to God and your sins may be pardoned Object 2. But I have been a Great Sinner and sure God will not pardon me Answ. David brings it as an Argument for pardon Psal. 25.11 Pardon mine Iniquity for it is great When God forgives great Sins now he doth a Work like himself The desperateness of the Wound doth the more set forth the Vertue of Christ's Blood in curing it Mary Magdalen a great sinner out of whom seven Devils were cast yet she had her pardon Some of the Iews who had an hand in Crucifying of Christ upon their Repentance the very Blood they shed did seal their pardon Consider sins either for their number as the sands of the Sea or for their weight as the Rocks of the Sea yet there is Mercy enough in God to forgive them Isa. 1.18 Tho' your sins be as Scarlet they shall
Branch of Exhortation Let us labour to have the Evidence of pardon to know that our sins are forgiven A man may have his sins forgiven and not know it he may have a pardon in the Court of Heaven when he hath it not in the Court of Conscience David's sin was forgiven assoon as he repented and God sent Nathan the Prophet to tell him so 2 Sam. 12.13 but David did not feel the comfort of it at present as appears by the penitential Psalm compos'd after Psal. 51.8 Make me to hear the Voice of Ioy and ver 12. Cast me not away from thy Presence It is one thing to be pardoned and another thing to feel it The Evidence of pardon may not appear for a time and this may be 1. From the Imbecillity and Weakness of Faith Forgiveness of sin is so strange and infinite a Blessing that a Christian can hardly perswade himself that God will extend such a favour to him As it is said of the Apostles when Christ appeared to them first They believed not for Ioy and wondred Luke 24.41 So the Soul is so stricken with Admiration that the wonder of pardon doth almost stagger his Faith 2. A man may be pardoned and not know it from the Strength of Temptation Satan accuseth the Godly of sin and tells them that God doth not love them What should such sinners think of pardon Believers are compared to bruised Reâ—ds Mat. 12.20 and Temptations to Winds Mat. 7.25 Now a Reed is easily shaken with the wind Temptations shake the godly and tho they are pardoned yet they know it not Iob in a Temptation thought God his Enemy Iob 16.9 yet then he was in a pardoned condition Quest. But why doth God sometimes conceal the Evidence of pardon Answ. Tho' God doth pardon yet he may withold the sence of it a while 1. Because hereby he would lay us lower in Contrition God would have us see what an evil and bitter thing it is to offend him we shall therefore lie the longer steeping our selves in the brinish Tears of Repentance before we have the sence of Pardon It being long before Davids broken Bones were set and his pardon sealed the more contrite his Heart was and this was a Sacrifice God delighted in 2. Tho God doth forgive sin yet he may deny the manifestation of it for a time to make us prize pardon and make it sweeter to us when it comes The difficulty of obtaining a Mercy inhanceth the Value when we have been a long time tugging at prayer for a Pardon of Sin and still God witholds but at last after many Sighs and Tears pardon comes now we esteem it the more and it is sweeter Quo longiùs defertur eò suavius laet atur the longer Mercy is in the Birth the more welcome will the Deliverance be Let me now reassume the Exhortation to labour for the Evidence and Sence of pardon He who is pardoned and knows it not is like one who hath an Estate befallen him but knows it not Our comfort consists in the knowledge of Forgiveness Psal. 51.8 Make me to hear the Voice of Ioy. This is a Proclaiming a Iubile in the Soul when we are able to read our pardon and to the witness of Conscience God adds the witness of his Spirit in the mouth of these two witnesses our Joy is confirmed O labour for this Evidence of Forgiveness Quest. How shall we know that our sins are forgiven Answ. We must not be our own judges in this case Prov. 28.26 He that trusteth in his own Heart is a fool The Heart is deceitful Ier. 17.9 and it is Folly to trust a Deceiver The Lord only by his Word must be Judge in this Case whether we are pardoned or no as it was under the Law no Leper might judge himself to be clean But the Priest was to pronounce him clean Levit. 13.37 So we are not to judge of our selves to be clean from the Guilt of Sin till we are such as the Word of God hath pronounced to be clean How then shall we know by the Word whether our Guilt is done away and our Sins pardoned Answ. 1. The pardoned sinner is a great weeper The sence of Gods Love melts his Heart that Free-grace should ever look upon me that such Crimson Sins should be wash'd away in Christ's Blood this makes the Heart melt and the Eyes drop with Tears Never did any man read his pardon with dry Eyes Luke 7.38 She stood at his feet weeping her Heart was a spiritual Limbick out of which those Tears were distill'd Mary's Tears were more precious to Christ than her Ointment Her Eyes which before did sparkle with Lust whose amorous Glances had set on fire her Lovers Now she makes them a Fountain and washeth Christ's feet with her Tears She was a true penitent and had her pardon ver 47. Wherefore I say her sins which were many are forgiven A pardon will make the hardest Heart relent and cause the stony Heart to bleed and is it thus with us have we been dissolv'd into Tears for sin God seals his pardons upon melting Hearts 2. We may know our Sins are forgiven by having the Grace of Faith infused Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witness that whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins In saving Faith there are two things Abrenunciation and Recumbency 1. Abrenunciation A man renounceth all Opinion of himself dig'd out of his own Burrough he is quite taken off himself Phil. 3.9 He sees all his Duties are but broken Reeds tho' he could weep a sea of Tears tho' he had all the Grace of Men and Angels it could not purchase his pardon 2. Recumbency Faith is an Assent with Affiance The Soul doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it gets hold of Christ as Adonijah did of the Horns of the Altar 1 Kin. 1.51 Faith casts it self upon the Stream of Christ's Blood and saith If I perish I perish if we have but the Minimum quod sic the least Dram of this pretious Faith we have something to shew for pardon To him give all the Prophets witness that whosoever believes in him shall receive Remission of sin This Faith is acceptable to God it pleaseth God more than offering up ten thousand Rivers of Oyl than working Miracles than Martyrdom or the highest Acts of Obedience 2. Faith is profitable to us it is our best Certificate to shew for pardon No sooner doth Faith reach forth its Hand to receive Christ but Christ sets his Hand to our Pardon 3. Sign The Pardoned Soul is a God-admirer Micah 7.18 Who is a God like thee that pardonest iniquity O that God should ever look upon me I was a sinner and nothing but a sinner yet I obtain'd mercy Who is a God like thee Mercy hath been despised yet that mercy should save me Christ hath been Crucified by me yet his Cross Crowns me God hath display'd the Ensigns of Free-Grace he hath set up his Mercy above
the Strings of a Viol the Musick is spoil'd if Christians slacken in Duty they spoil the sweet Musick of Peace in their Souls As the Fire decays so the Cold increaseth as Fervency in Duty abates so our Peace cools Use. Labour for this blessed Peace Peace with God and Conscience Peace with Neighbour Nations is sweet Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peace comprehends all Blessings it is the Glory of a Kingdom a Princes Crown is more Beautiful when it is hung with the white Lilly of Peace than when it is set with the Red Roses of a Bloody War O then how sweet is Peace of Conscience it is a Bulwark against the Enemy Phil. 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall keep you as in a Garrison you may throw out the Gantlet and bid defiance to Enemies It is the Golden Pot and the Manna it is the first Fruits of Paradise It is still Musick for want of this a Christian is in continual fear he doth not take that comfort in Ordinances Hannah went up to the Feast at Ierusalem but she wept and did not eat 1 Sam. 1.7 So a poor dejected Soul goes to an Ordinance but doth not eat of the Feast he weeps and doth not eat He cannot take that comfort in Worldly Blessings Health Estate Relations he wants that inward Peace which should be as Sawce to sweeten his Comforts O therefore labour for this blessed Peace consider the noble and excellent effects of it First It gives boldness at the Throne of Grace Guilt of Conscience clips the Wings of Prayer it makes the Face Blush and the Heart But when a Christian hath some lively apprehensions of God's Love and the Spirit whispering Peace then he goes to God with boldness as a Child to his Father Psal. 25.1 Unto thee O Lord I lift up my Soul Time was when David's Soul was bowed down Psal. 38.6 I am bowed down greatly But now the case is alter'd he will lift up his Soul to God in a way of Triumph whence was this God had spoken Peace to his Soul Psal. 26.3 Thy loving Kindness is before mine Eyes 2. This Divine Peace fires the Heart with Love to Christ Peace is the result of Pardon he who hath a Pardon seal'd cannot choose but love his Prince How endeared is Christ to the Soul now Christ is precious indeed O saith the Soul how sweet is this Rose of Sharon Hath Christ waded through a Sea of Blood and Wrath to purchase my Peace hath he not only made Peace but spoke Peace to me how should my Heart ascend in a fiery Chariot of Love how willing should I be to do and suffer for Christ 3. This Peace quiets the heart in Trouble Mic. 5.5 This Man shall be the Peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land and tread in our Palaces The Enemy may invade our Palaces but not our Peace this Man Christ shall be the Peace When the Head akes the Heart may be well when Worldly troubles assault a Christian his Mind may be in Peace and Quiet Psal. 4.8 I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep 'T was now a sad time with David he was flying for his Life from Absalom it was no small Afflicton to think that his own Son should seek to take away his Fathers Life and Crown David wept and covered his Face 2 Sam. 15.30 Yet at this time saith he I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep He had trouble from his Son but Peace from his Conscience David could sleep upon the soft Pillow of a good Conscience This is a Peace worth getting Quest. 8. What shall we do to attain this blessed Peace Resp. 1. Let us ask it of God he is the God of Peace he beats back the roaring Lion he stills the raging of Conscience If we could call all the Angels out of Heaven they could not speak Peace without God The Stars cannot make Day without the Sun none can make day in a dark Deserted Soul but the Sun of Righteousness as the Wilderness cannot water it self but remains dry and parched till the Clouds drop their Moisture so our Hearts cannot have Peace till he infuse and drop it upon us by his Spirit Therefore pray Lord thou who art the God of Peace create Peace thou who art the Prince of Peace command it Give me that Peace which may sweeten trouble yea the bitter Cup of Death 2. If you would have Peace make War with Sin Sin is the Achan that troubles us the Trojan Horse 2 Kings 9.22 When Joram saw Jehu he said is it Peace Jehu And he answered what Peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her Witchcrafts are so many What Peace as long as Sin remains unmortified If you would have Peace with God break the League with Sin Give battel to Sin it is a most just War God hath proclaimed it Nay he hath promised us Victory Sin shall not have Dominion Rom. 6. No way to Peace but by maintaining a War with Sin Pax nostra Bellum contra Daemonem Tert. When Sampson had slain the Lion there came Hony out of the Lion By Slaying Sin we get this Hony of Peace 3. Go to Christs Blood for Peace Some go to fetch their Peace from their own Righteousness not Christs they go for Peace to their Holy Life not Christ's Death If Conscience be troubled they strive to quiet it with their Duties this is not the right way to Peace Duties must not be neglected nor yet idolized Look up to the Blood of Sprinkling Heb. 12.24 That Blood of Christ which pacified God must pacifie Conscience Christ's blood being suck'd in by Faith gives Peace Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God No Balm to cure a Wounded Conscience but the Blood of Christ. 4. Walk closely with God Peace flows from Purity Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them In the Text Grace and Peace are put together Grace is the Root and Peace is the Flower As Balm-Water drops from the Limbeck so Divine Peace comes out of the Limbeck of a Gracious Heart Walk very Holily God's Spirit is first a Refiner before a Comforter Bran. 2. You who have this Peace Peace above Peace within labour to keep it it is a precious Jewel do not lose it 'T is sad to have the League of National Peace broken but it is worse to have the Peace of Conscience broken Oh preserve this Peace First Take heed of Relapses hath God spoken Peace do not turn again to Folly Psal. 85.8 Besides the Ingratitude there 's folly in Relapses it was long ere God was reconciled and the Breach made up and will you again Eclipse and Forfeit your Peace Hath God heal'd the wound of Conscience and will you tear it open again Will you break another Vein will you cut a new Artery This is returning indeed to folly What Madness is it
to meddle again with that Sin which will breed the Worm of Conscience Secondly Make up your Spiritual Accounts daily See how Matters stand between God and your Souls Psal. 77.6 I commune with my own Heart Often Reckonings keep God and Conscience Friends do with your Hearts as you do with your Watches wind them up every Morning by Prayer and at Night examine whether your Hearts have gone true all the day whether the Wheels of your Affections have moved swiftly towards Heaven Oh call your selves often to account keep your Reckonings even and that is the way to keep your Peace Of IOY Gal. 5.22 The Fruit of the Spirit is Ioy. THE third Fruit of Justification Adoption and Sanctification is Joy in the Holy Ghost Joy is the setting the Soul upon the Top of a Pinacle 't is the Cream of the sincere Milk of the Word Quest. 1. What is this Ioy Resp. Spiritual Joy is a sweet and delightful Passion arising from the Apprehension and Feeling of some Good whereby the Soul is supported under present Troubles and fenced against future Fear 1. It is a Delightful Passion So it is contrary to Sorrow which is a Perturbation of Mind whereby the Heart is perplexed and cast down Joy is a sweet and pleasant Affection which easeth the Mind Exhilarates and Comforts the Spirits 2. It ariseth from the Feeling of some Good Joy is not a Fancy or bred of Conceit but is Rational and ariseth from the feeling of some Good viz. The Sense of Gods Love and Favour Joy is so Real a thing that it makes a sudden Change in a Person it turns Mourning into Melody As in Spring time when the Sun comes to our Horizon it makes a sudden Alteration in the Face of the Universe the Birds sing the Flowers appear the Fig-tree puts forth forth her green Figs every thing seems to rejoyce and put off its Mourning as being revived with the sweet Influence of the Sun so when the Sun of Righteousness ariseth on the Soul it makes a sudden Alteration and the Soul is infinitely rejoyced with the Golden Beams of Gods Love 3. By it the Soul is supported under present Troubles Joy stupifies and swallows up Troubles it carries the Heart above them as the Oyl swims above the Water 4. The Heart is fenced against future Fear Joy is both a Cordial and an Antidote it is a Cordial which gives present Relief to the Spirits when they are Sad and an Antidote it fenceth off Fear of approaching Danger Psal. 23.4 I will fear no Evil for thou art with me thy Rod and thy Staff comfort me Quest. 2. How is this Ioy wrought Resp. 1. It ariseth partly from the Promise As the Bee lyes at the Breast of the Flower and sucks out the Sweetness of it so Faith lyes at the Breast of a Promise and sucks out the Quintessence of Joy Psal. 94.19 Thy Comforts delight my Soul that is the Comforts which distill from the Limbeck of the Promises 2. The Spirit of God who is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter John 14.26 doth sometimes drop in this Golden Oyl of Joy into the Soul the Spirit whispers to a Believer the Remission of his Sin and sheds Gods Love abroad into the Heart Rom. 5.5 whence flows infinite Joy and Delight Quest. 3. What are the Seasons when God doth usually give his People these Divine Ioys Resp. Five Seasons 1. Sometimes at the Blessed Supper the Soul oft comes Weeping after Christ in the Sacrament and God sends it away Weeping for Joy The Iews had a Custom at their Feasts they pour'd Oyntment on their Guests and kissed them In the Eucharist God often pours the Oyl of Gladness on the Saints and Kisseth them with the Kisses of his Lips There are two grand Ends of the Sacrament the strengthening of Faith and the flourishing of Joy Here in this Ordinance God displays the Banner of his Love Here Believers taste not only Sacramental Bread but hidden Manna Caution Not that God always meets the Soul with Joy He may give Increase of Grace when not Increase of Joy but oftentimes he pours in the Oyl of Gladness and gives the Soul a Privy Seal of his Love as Christ made himself known in the breaking of Bread 2 Season Before God calls his People to Suffering Acts 23.11 Be of good Cheer Paul When God was about to give Paul a Cup of Blood to drink he spiced it with Joy 2 Cor. 1.5 As the Sufferings of Christ abound in us so our Consolation also aboundeth This made the Martyrs Flames Beds of Roses when Stephen was Stoning he saw Heaven open and the Sun of Righteousness shined in his Face God Candies our Wormwood with Sugar 3 Season After sore Conflicts with Satan Satan is the Red Dragon who troubleth the Waters he puts the Soul into Frights makes it believe that it hath no Grace and that God doth not love it Though Satan cannot blot out a Christians Evidence yet he may cast such a Mist before his Eyes that he cannot read it Now when the Soul hath been bruised with Temptation God will Comfort this bruised Reed He now gives Joy Ad corroborandum Titulum to confirm a Christians Title to Heaven After Satans Fiery Darts comes the White Stone no better Balm to heal a Tempted Soul than the Oyl of Gladness As after Christ was Tempted then came an Angel to Comfort him 4 Season After Desertion Desertion is a poysoned Arrow shoots to the Heart Iob 6.4 God is call'd a Fire and a Light the deserted Soul feels the Fire but doth not see the Light it cries out as Asaph Psal. 77.8 Is his Mercy clean gone Now when the Soul is in this case and ready to faint away in Despair God shines upon the Soul and gives it some Apprehension of his Favour and turns the shadow of Death into the light of the Morning God keeps his Cordials for a time of Fainting Joy after Desertion is like a Resurrection from the Dead 5 Season At the hour of Death such as have had no Joy in their Life-time God puts in this Sugar in the bottom of the Cup to make their Death sweet Now at the last hour when all other Comforts are gone God sends the Comforter and when their Appetite to Meat fails God feeds them with hidden Manna Sure as the Wicked before they dye have some Apprehensions of Hell and Wrath in their Conscience so the Godly have some Fore-tasts of Gods Everlasting Favour though sometimes their Disease may be such and their Animal Spirits may be so oppressed that they cannot express what they feel Iacob laid himself to sleep on a stone where he saw a Vision a Ladder and the Angels ascending and descending so when the Saints lay themselves down to sleep the sleep of Death they have often a Vision they see the Light of Gods Face and have the Evidences of his Love sealed up to them for ever Quest. 4. What are the Differences between Worldly