unsought unto to confirm me Then he shewed me my duty to call upon him Now he manifested his own goodness in accepting of the Preparations of my heart Thus dealt he with David in his repentance He did out say I will confess my Transgressions unto the Lord and he forgave him the iniquity of his â—n Psal 32. 5. Thus with the Prodigal He had but said I will go unto my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned c. And his Father saw him aâ—ar off and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luke 15. 18 20. O how gracious a God do we serve Who not only readily enclines his ear unto our Prayers and opens his liberal hand in granting more than we crave but casts a favourable eye even upon the praying disposition of our souls answering of us before we call upon him Isa 65. 24. and preventing us with the belssings of his goodness Psal 21. 3. Obs The Lord is most ready to satisfie the doubtings of his Servants Texts Psal 62 11. God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that Power belongeth unto God also unto thee O Lord belongeth Mercy Acts 10. 10 11 c. And Peter fell into a Trance and saw Heaven opened and a certain Vessel descending unto him wherein were all manner of Beasts c. And there came a Voice to him Arise Peter kill and eat c. This was done thrice Inst. Gideon had a double sign that God would save Israel by him The Fleece was only wet the earth dry The Fleece was dry and the ground wet Judges 6. 37 38 c. Beside this further to encourage him he is sent down to the Host of the Midianites to hear a dream of one of them told unto his Fellow with the Interpretation Upon hearing whereof all his fear was removed and his hands were strengthened Judges â— 10 11 c. Peter was assured by the sheet thrice let down and the Voyce saying thrice What God hath cleansed that call not thou common that he might freely go unto Cornelius as to any other of the Gentiles to instruct him God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean Acts 10. 11 16 28. Reas To confirm and encourage them For that the Dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice it is because the thing is established by God Gen. 41. 32. Use 1. Go to God in thine unsettlements Psal 25. 15. 2. Thus emboldened let nothing daunt thee in his Service Prov. 28. 1. Resol Thou hast given me this Encouragement O Lord I will therefore serve thee with Confidence I will open my mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel Eph. 6. 9. and will not fear though Briars and Thorns be with me and though I dwell among Scorpions Ezek. 2. 6. Ejac. Open unto me the door of utterance that I may manifest thy Mystery as I ought to speak Col. 4. 3 4. Paral. IX Circ The Jaylor and my Apprehender whispering Obs Satan and Corruption conspire against the Soul EVery Son of Adam while in the State of Nature is dead Eph. 2. 1. Dead as to Gods Image lost Eph. 4. 24. Dead as to the Soul wholly perverted Psal 14. 3. Dead as to wrath deserved Eph. 2. 3. Of this Death inbred Corruption is the Cause Rom. 5. 12. Which being by Satans subtilty upon Adams disobedience planted in mans Nature Every one at his birth brings it into the world with him Psal 51. 6. It dwels in his Members Rom. 7. 23. It wars against his Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. Yet but as an inferiour Commander under Satan â—rom whom as from its Superiour beside its own toill disposing Malignity Gen. 6 5. it receives Orders Acts 5. 3. according to which it acts Can a man carry fire in his bosom and not be burnt Can he carry a Serpent there and not be stung Can he be secure from treachery whose own house harbours his enemy Such is Corruption unto man a persidious Trayâ—or which we continually carry about with us and whereof till death we cannot rid our selves Satan is the Father as of lyes John 8 44. so of all sin whatsoever but our Corruption is the Dam oâ— Mother of them and a fruitful one is she Gal. 5. 19. He conveyes his Suggestions into the soul Corruption Entertains them Thinks of them Delights in them Consents unto them Thus he tempts Lust draws away and enticeth an so sin is conceived and brought forth Jam. 1. 14 15. And hence it is that wicked men in whom by theâ— Corruption he reigns are said To conceive Mischeif To travel with iniquity To bring forth Falshood Psal 7. 14. And Their Bellies to prepare deceit Job 15. 35. Being now under the power of this my dangerous enemy he brought me where his General held his Quaâ—ters Who seeing of us presently came and witâ— this his officious servant entred into secret Consultation Whether it were to take an account of his diligent and successeful service or to give him new directions for the yet further entangling and making sure of me already sufficiently enough wrapped in his Snares oâ— what it was I could not over hear This may be concluded upon nothing but ill to mâ— soul was intended by them or to be expected froâ— them whose malice runs so high against all Mankind that I cannot but look upon their whispering as a devising of my hurt Psal 41. 7. as a further conspiracy had not a seasonable and powerful rescue prevented for my speedy and utter ruine Obs Satan and Corruption conspire against the Soul Texts Psal 83. 3. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thine hidden ones Luke 11. 25. The unclean Spirit saith I will return unto my house whence I came out and when he cometh he findeth it by Corruption swept clean from Grace and garnished with vices Inst. Satan presented to Achan's eye a goodly Babylonish Garment among the spoyles c. and a wedg of Gold and his Corruption stirred him up to covet and take them Josh 7. 21. Bathsheba was presented by Satan to David as a fit Object for his Lust which his Corruption stirred up 2 Sam. 11. 2. 4. Reas Satans envy radically contained in his Pride it being its proper passion and first shewing it self against man assoon as he saw him created to the enjoyment of that happiness which he by his pride had lost and still in the greatest height continued against all Adam's Posterity John 8. 44. With 1 John 3. 15. Pride affecteth a singularity of Excellency Envy opposeth whatsoever doth ecclipse it Use 1. Stand continually upon thy guard thine enemies are subtil thy danger great Eph. 6 12 18. 2. Pray for assistance 2 Sam. 15. 31. 3. Fear them not they shall not cannot hurt those whom Christ loveth Rom. 8. 37 c. 4. Lay aside envy 1 Pet. 2. 1. Resol Mine enemies intended evil against me they imagined a mischievous device which they were
18. and making them two fold more the Children of Hell than themselves Mat. 23. 15. Thus Corruption with the temptations of Honour Wealth Pleasure wins natural men to the service of sin All these will I give thee Mat. 49. But it sings them to the Rock and smiles them to Ruine For What wages doth it pay them at the last Destruction Death Hell The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Obs Natural men are by their Corruption led on insensibly unto Hell They are led Texts Eph. 2. 3. Among whom also we had our conversation c. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh Rom. 6. 17. Ye were the servants of sin Inst. The Colossians walked in Fornication Uncleanness and other vile sins when they lived in them Col 3. 7. The Romans had yielded their Members servants to Uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity Rom. 6. 19. They are led on insensibly Texts Prov. 4. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble Eph. 5. 8. Ye were somtimes darkness Inst The simple young man goeth after the harlot as an Oxe goeth to the slaughter or as a Fool to the correction of the Stocks Prov. 7. 22. St. Paul before his Conversion thought verily that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus Acts 26. 9. Unto Hell Texts Rom. 8. 6. To be carnally minded is death Jam. 1. 15. When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Inst The Malefactor on the Cross but a little before his death reviled Christ Mark 15. 32. St. Paul and the Romans when in the Flesh the motions of sin did work in their Members to bring forth fruit unto death Rom. 7. 5. Reas 1. The God of this world hath blinded their minds 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2. It wars against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. Use 1. Think on its wages Rom. 6. 23. 2. Resist it betimes Psal 137. 9. 3. Bless God that though sin doth somtimes captivate thee yet it doth no longer lead thee Rom. 7. 22 23. Resol I will strive to be spiritually minded for that is life and peace Rom. 8. 6. Ejac. What fruit had I then in those things whereof I am now ashamed and whose end is death Rom. 6. 21. Paral. III. Circ The Apprehender Jaylor Prison Obs God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for Punishment EArthly Princes have their rewards for their faithful and loyal Subjects 1 Sam. 22. 7. And as for the disloyal they have Inferiour Ministers of Justice so they have their Sergeants at Arms or armed Troops to fetch in Grand Delinquents and Prisons where to punish them Thus God the great Monarch of the world whose Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. as he hath His Paradise to reward So His Prison to punish The good and faithful Servants had the Joy of their Lord to enter into Mat. 25. 21 23. For the wicked sloathful and unprofitable Servant there was a place of utter darkness Mat. 25. 30. Gods Children are an afflicted people Zeph. 3. 12. a weeping lamenting sorrowful people John 16. 20. Often under chastisement Psal 73. 14. For wicked men though in comparison of them They have no Changes Psal 55. 19. The â—od of God is not on them Job 21. 9. They are not plagued as they Psal 73. 5. Yet how often even in this life doth God execute his just pleasure upon them by his inferiour Officers The unbribed Beadle of their Conscience gives them many a secret jerk and stinging lash Rom. 2. 15. He makes man his Rod Isa 10. 5. Or He sends his great Armies of Caterpillers Canker-worms c. to take free quarter upon their fâ—uits of the earth Jocl 2. 25. He gives them up to Satan 1 Cor. 5. 5. To their own vile Affections Rom. 1. 26. But if he spare them as to these and seem to keep silence Psal 50. 21. Yet Death at length will find them â—ut often cutting off the number of their Moneths in the midst Job 21. 21. And when Christ shall appear in his Glory His Angels shall bring them forth to the day of wrath to which they are reserved Job 21. 30. At which day Christ will be a swift witness against them Mal. 3. 5. In a moment bringing to their memories all their wickedness here committed by them for which being accused and condemned By their own Conscience Rom. 2. 15. And so the Judge cleared from all Injustice Psal 51. 4. Immediatly after the Sentence is pronounced His good Angels shall cast them Into a Furnace of fire Mat. 13 42. Into his Prison of Hell there everlastingly to be punished With the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25 46 Probably not by them For there shall be no Order Job 10. 22. And all Authority shall cease 1 Cor. 15. 24. Obs God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for Punishment He hath his Ministers of Justice Here Hereafter Here Temporal Spiritual Temporal Texts Joel 2. 15. The Locust Canker-worm c. my great Army which I sent among you Psal 103. 21. Bless the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his Pleasure Inst The Assyrian was the Rod of Gods Anger Isa 10. 5. Wicked men are his Sword his Hand Psal 17. 13 14. Spiritual Texts Psal 103. 20. His Angels that excel in strength which do his Commandments 2 Thes 2. 11 12. God shall send them strong delusions Inst God hardned Pâ—araoh's heart Exod. 7. 3. He sent â—vil Angels among the Egyptians Psal 78. 49. Hereafter Texts Mat. 5. 25. Lest the Judge deliver thee to the Officer Mark 9. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Inst. They who have transgressed against God their worm shall not die Isa 66. 24. Dives was tormented in Hell-flames Luke 16. 24. He hath his Prison Texts Isa 30. 33. Tophet is ordained of old he hath made it deep and large Psal 9 17. The wicked shall be cast into Hell Inst Dives was in Hell Luke 16. 23. The fearful unbelieving abominable murderers whore-mongers sorcâ—reâ—s Idolaters Liars shall have their portion in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Reas 1. For the glory of his Power and Justice upon the Vessels of wrath Rom. 9. 17. 22. 2. To make known the riches of his Glory upon the Vessels of Mercy Rom. 9. 23. Use 1. God will render to every man according to his Deeds Rom. 2. 6. 2. Glorifie God in his Power and Justice Rev. 2. 23. 3. Gloriâ—ie him in the riches of his Mercy Remember what thou hast deserved Eph. 2. 7 8. 4. Tremble in the commission of sin Isa 33. 14. Resol Though the love of my Lord Christ doth chiefly constrain me 2 Cor. 5. 14. Yet I will serve God with reverence and godly fear because he is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Ejac. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the
an unworthy Member rejoycing in her unlikely unhoped return from her captivity and say When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion we were like them that dream The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad Psal 126. 1 3. Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods free Grace Texts Isa 65. 1. I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that â—ought me not Ezek. 11. 19. I will put a new spirit within you I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh Inst The Ephesians when dead in sins were quickned together with Christ c. to shew the exceeding riches of Gods Grace in his kindness toward them Eph. 2. 5 6 7. The Word of Truth or the Gospel came to the Colossians not they to it Col. 1. 6. Reas Gods great love to man Eph. 2. 4. Proceeding from the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1. 5. Use 1. Attribute nothing to thine own will or to thy wary walking according to Natures rule Rom. 9. 16. 2. Give God the praise of the glory of his Grace Eph. 2. 6. Resol I will never boast of any works of mine It is by Grace I am saved through Faith not of my self it is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Ejac. Turn thou me and I shall be turned Jer. 31. 18. Lord let thy Kingdom come to me For I am not able by any strength in my self to come to it Mat. 6. 10. Paral. III. Circ My Apprehender's Hand was taken off me when others were within the Grates Obs The Lord hath mercy on whom he will havâ— Mercy THE Losse of the sight of God and The Sense of Pain are the torments of the damned in Hell Isa 66. 24. Infinite in extention as to time Mat. 25. 46. Mitigated in their intention and extremity as tâ— the Sufferers desert Psal 145. 9. These the condemned wretches within the Grates did and shall for ever undergo And What had I deserved that I should be freed froâ— them Nay what had I not deserved that I shoulâ— have felt them in the greatest height and horrour They who appeared at the grates were it may be oâ— those strict moral Ancients of whom we read who liveâ— most exactly according to Natures Rule Or of thosâ— who in Christs Name had prophesied cast out Devils done many wonders Mat. 7. 22. As for me I remember my own evil waies and my doings that were not good and cannot but be ashamed and confounded and loath my self in mine own sight for mine iniquities and abominations Ezek 36 31 32. Yet these are condemned to eternal torments tâ— me polluted in mine own bloud yea in my bloud it was said unto me Live Ezek. 16. 6. These are Vessels of wrath fitted unto Destruction I a Vessel of mercy prepared unto glory The Potter hath power over the Clay to make one Vessel unto honour another to dishonour Ro. 9. 21 22 23. Two shall be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left Two women shall be grinding at the Mill the one shall be taken and the other left Mat. 24. 40 41. Obs The Lord hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy Texts Exod. 33. 19. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy Rom. 19 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth Inst I loved Jacob and I hated Esau Mal. 1. 2 3. The Malefactors on the Cross the one of them was received to mercy the other died in his sin Luke 23. 40. Reas God is a free Lord Rom. 9. 21. Having from before the foundation of the world by his unchangeable decree predestinated Some to eternal happiness for the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy Eph. 1. 5 6. Others to eternal punishment for the manifestation of the glory of his Justice Prov. 16. 4. Use 1. Despair not thou maist belong unto Gods Election 2. Judge not any to his own Master he standeth or falleth Rom. 14. 4. 3. Give diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 4. Rejoyce that thy Name is written in Heaven Luke 10. 20. Resol Thou hast predestinated me to be conformable to the Image of thy Son Rom. 8. 29. Thou hast noâ— effectually called me I will therefore strive more and more to put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 3. 24. Ejac. O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11. 33. Paral. IV. Circ My Apprehender's hand was taken off me at the Prison-Gate Obs God sometimes effectually calls men when they are at the Mouth of Hell O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed c. Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones Psal 137. 8 9. So should sin be dealt with This Cockatrice should be crushed in the Egge resisted in it's beginning I way be given unto it it grows and gathers strength and in time contracts an hardness upon the Soul and What is then to be expected but ruine For wheâ— Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1. 15. Sin is not finished on a sudden Neither doth it bring unto death by an hasty and violent precipitation But it hath certain steps and degrees by which as by stairs it sâ—iely leads down thâ— Soul unto the Mouth of the Pit It begins by Suggestion Upon that follows delight Delight wins to Consent Consent proceeds unto Act. The Act brings on Custom Custom Necessity Necessity is attended with Blindnesse Blindnesse by hardnesse And the Close of all is an utter Exclusion from Gods Eternal Rest Psal 95. 8 11. I was now full ripe for Hell and had not great unexpected Mercy intervened I had for ever been one of those unhappy Exiles But He who with groaning in himself and crying with a loud voice thereby shewing the difficulty of the work as to the Soul to recover a customary sinner raised Lazarus when stinking in the Grave He was pleased to manifest his Almighty Power in raising me long long dead and stinking in my sins and trespasses and thereby deserving that with loathing he should have turned his face from me He who of stones is able to raise up Children unto Abraham Mat. 3. 9. was pleased to break my rocky heart to take away my heart of stone and to give unto me an heart of flesh Ezek. 36. 26. Obs God somtimes effectually calls men when they are at the very Mouth of Hell Texts Mat. 20. 6. And about the eleventh hour he went out c. And he saith unto them go ye also into the Vineyard c. Rev. 3. 9. Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are
not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet Inst Mary Magdalen so notoriously drowned in voluptuousness that she is branded with the name of sinner Luke 7. 37. as if all others had been Saints to her Yet she had seven Devils cast out of her Mark 16. 9. Her sins which were many were forgiven her Luke 7. 47. The Thief on the Cross a wicked Malefactor though he had but newly mocked Christ Mat. 27. 44. and reviled him Mark 15. 32. Yet but a little before his death had his heart changed and was received to Mercy Luke 23. 40 43. Reas 1. To shew his Almighty Power Eph. 4. 8. 2. To shew forth his Long suffering towards sinners 1 Tim. 1. 16. 3. For the greater Glory of his superabundant Grace Rom. 5. 20. 4. To lay the greater obligation unto Love and Thankfulness upon that soul so recovered Luke 7. â—2 Use 1. Let not the most wicked cast away all hope The day of Mercy lasts till death Luke 23. 43. John 9. 4. 2. Sin not that Grace may abound Rom. 6. 1. 3. Defer not thy Repentance Hear Gods Call to day Psal 95. 7. Presumptuous delaies are dangerous Mat. 24. 48 50. 4. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness to the greatness of the Mercy vouchsafed unto thee Luke 7. 47. Resol I will praise the Lord my God with all my heart I will glorifie his Name for evermore for great is his Mercy toward me who hath delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell Psal 86. 12 13. Ljac Much hath been forgiven me O that I could love thee answerably to thy great Mercy Lord thou knowest I love thee John 21. 15. Paral. V. Circ I ran from my Apprehender Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin AS it was not in me to free myself from my Apprehender so neither was it in me as of myself to flee from him That alone Divine Power which secretly and unexpectedly had freed me did both stir up my Will and enable me to make an escape Such is Christs goodness to sinful man that he is so faâ— from taking pleasure in his death that his desire is that he should turn from his wicked ness and live Ezek. 33. 11. He prayes and beseecheth him by his Ambassadors to be reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5. 20. He stands at the door of the heart and knocks that He may be entertained Rev. 3. 20. He waits there with much patience until his head Is filled with dew and his Locks with the drops of the night Cant. 5. 2. In a word What can be done more than he doth to bring him to himself Isa 5. 4. And yet how few are there that open at his knock that answer to his Call What 's the Reason They are while in their natural estate so foundly asleep in sin Eph. 5. 14. So dead in it Eph. 2. 1. that they cannot hear they cannot open 2 Cor. 3. 5. There is no way then but for himself to open the heart to receive him to open the ear of the heart to hearken unto him This he doth but not unto all The Reprobate is outwardly called but it is only to leave him without excuse John 15. 22. His Elect Children they with the outward Call of the Word receive the inward and effectual Calling of the Spirit Acts 16. 14. Whereby Faith is infused for the enlightning of the before-darkned Understanding Eph. 1. 17 18. Grace is conferred for the changing and healing of the before-depraved Will Eph. 4. 24. The Will thus changed God's Image in which man was created and which by his own negligence he had lost is again restored in the sanctification of all the powers and inclinations of the Soul and in their conformity to the Will of God Eph. â— 24. To which Will he now yields all ready obedience Acts 9 6. Flying from sin and doing what is acceptable unto him Col. 1. 10. For the performance whereof he hath received upon his Change not only a will but a power having a new spiritual being infused into him 2 Cor. 5. 17. He lives a new life and hath in him a new Principle upon which follow new operations A new Principle not inbâ—ed Concupiscence but infused Grace New Operations or Fruits not those works of the Flesh Gal. 5. 19. But the Fruits of the Spirit v. 22. In which he now lives v. 25 and walking after it doth no longer fulfil the lusts of the Flesh v. 16. But dayly mortifies them more and more Col. 3. 5. Being thereunto assisted by a continual Supply of Grace from above John 15. 4 5. Which special assistance though Adam needed it not in his state of integrity being wholly void of Corruption yet the effectually-called by reason of the continual importunities and assaults of the Flesh can do nothing without it John 15. 5. Let it be withdrawn how weak is man David Peter and other of the Saints have â—ound the sad experience hereof My self unworthy to be numbred amongst them even while studying of this Parallel was taught to know the necessity of it Our endeavours in goodness are none unless stirred up and vain when stirred up unless he please to assist from above who worketh all our works in us and for us Isa 26. 12. Who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin He hath a Will Texâ—s Luke 15. 17 18. And when he came unto himself he said c. I will arise and go to my Father and say to him c. Make me as one of thine hired Servants John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father draw him Inst Peters Auditors being upon his Sermon pricked at their hearts said unto him and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do Acts 2. 37. The Jaylor upon his Conversion came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. He hath a Power to flee from sin Texts 1 Cor. 15. 10. Not I but the Grace of God which was with me 2 Cor. 6. 1. We as Workers together with him beseech you that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst Timothy is commanded to â—lee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Colossiâ—ns are exhorted to mortifie their earthly Members Col 3 5. Reas He is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. He hath a new spiritual being infused into his soul and with it new Powers and Faculties by which he is enabled to will and act according to that new life that is in him Gal. 5. 25. Use 1. Man is not able to change his own Will John 1. 13. 2. Be diligent in exercising of that Power wherewith thou art indued 2 Pet. 3. 18. 3. Pray for assisting Grace that thou mayest be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner
man Eph. 3 16. 4. Give God the glory both of thy willing and acting what is good Phil. 2. 13. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom 9. 16. 5. If sin be not more and more weaâ—ned in thee it is thine own Fault James 1. 14. Resol Old things are past away and all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. I will now exercise that power wherwith I am endued in dayly mortifying of the old man with his Members and putting on the new man with his Graces Col. 3. 5 12. Ejac. To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not Rom. 7. 18. O my Lord Christ do thou assist me For without thee I can do nothing John 15. 5. Paral. VI. Circ My Apprehender pursued me Obs Corruption pursues the effectually-called to re-inslave them THis brings to mind a Passage in my first distemper which may here not unseasonably be related I was walking by an hedge side and not far before me perceiving a Snake to draw back into an out growing shrub when I came at it I looked down and espying of her put down the end of my staffe upon her head and thought I had dispatched her Returning that way again and looking in to see what was become of her she being come to her self dâ—rted out and striking at my foot had bitten and spoyled me had I not been there well fortified Thus Corruption though Christ by his death hath bruised and broken his head yet assaults and would sting the soul were it not strengthened against its attempts by a stedfast Faith in him Eph. 6. 16. Upon the account of their Baptism St. Paul salutes the Ephesians by the name of Saints Eph. 1. 1. The soul is sainted or sanctified in Baptism by being by vertue of Christs Death and Resurrection into which we are baptized Rom. â— 3. cleansed from sin and endued with an habit of Grace infused Acts 2. 38. Where foreseen Infidelity doth not interpose a Bar. When the Lord is pleased to stir up this habit to manifest it self in act and exercise for which he takes his own time Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. then are we effectually called The Souls true Sanctification being the end of our effâ—ctual Calling Rom. 1. 7. consists in Faith Col. 1. 2. And Obedience Psal 50 5. With 1 Sam. 15. 22. These in the course of a Christians life from the time that he first begins to act do find great opposition from the carnal part from Corruption from which the soul is not so cleansed but that it still resides there It is purged out in Baptism That it may not hurt Not that it may not be The Soul is freed from it As to Dominion it reigns not Rom. 6. 14. As to Guilt it condemns not Rom. 8. 1. Yet it remains As to its Nature Rom. 7. 17. As to its rebellious Motions Rom. 7. 23. Between this and the Spirit there is a continual warring Gal. 5. 17. And it often gets the upper hand Rom. â— 23. However Where the Will is against it Rom. 7. 18. Where there is not an allowing of it but an hatred against it Rom. 7. 15. Where there is an earnest desire of its utter extirpation Rom. 7. 24. With a Constant Tenour of life according to Gods Will 1 John 3. 9. Although it doth pursue assault and often prevail yet it shall never wholly regain the soul under its power John 10. 28. Obs Corruption pursues the effectually Called to re-inslave them Texts Rom. 7. 20. If I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me Gal. 5. 17. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one unto the other So that ye cannot do the things that ye would Inst The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued after the Children of Israel who went out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14. 8. St. Paul found a Law in himself that when he would do good evil was present with him Rom. 7. 21. Reas 1. Satan is unwilling to lose his Prey Mark 9. 26. 2. His Malice continues though his Power be broken 1 Pet. 5. 8. Use 1. Escape for thy life look not behind thee with a lingring desire after thy former sins Stay not in all the Plain shun all occasions of falling again escape to the Mountain of Gods powerful Support and Protection Gen. 19. 17. 2. Delight in the Law of God after the inward man Rom. 7. 22. 3. Walk in the Spirit and thou shalt not fulfil the Lusts of the flesh Gal. 5. 16. 4. Return not to thy Vomit Prov. 26. 11. Resol I am now no longer in the Flesh but in the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Wherefore though with the flesh against my will I somtimes serve the Law of sin yet with my mind I will serve the Law of God Rom. 7. 25. Ejac. There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Paral. VII Circ I looked back to see at what distance I had left my Pursuer and saw him a good way off Obs The Effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace SIN in Scripture is compared unto darkness Grace unto light Isa 9. 2. Our great God whose first work in the Creation was to make light Gen. 1. 3. In mans recreation first infuseth the light of Faith into the soul 2 Cor. 4. 6. Darkness being but the privation of Light when the â—ight appears it withdraws and as the Light increaseth so it is more and more by degrees dispelled A Sinner upon his effectual Calling is translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1. 13. And he is no sooner out of that but he is immediatly in the Kingdom of Christ in his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Upon his first Translation Light is but begun in him but he clears up more and more Mark 8 24 25. Sin decayes in him and Grace encreaseth The Path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. Though man knows not by what way the Light is parted Job 38. 24. How the Vayl of Darkness is put off how the Light gathers strength yet the perfect day is easily discerned from the Dawning Light is sown for the righteous Psal 97 21. It is sown The seed that is cast into the ground by the Husbandman though it springs and grows up he knows not how Mark 4. 26 27. Yet its growthâ—n few moneths iâ— plainly seen To every one is given Grace â—ccording to the measure of the Gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. With his Blessing upon it Increase and multiply First he gives in a lesser proportion afterwards a larger James 4. 6. First a weak Faith
21. 13. Sure Mercies Isa 55. 3. He hath a Multitude of them Lam. 3. 23. He is rich in them Rom. 10. 12. They are new every Morning Lam. 3. 23. They endure for ever Psal 106. 1. But among all his Mercies there is none so rich as that in his quickning us with Christ when we were dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2. 4. None so great as that whereby he hath saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. None so abundant as that whereby he hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. For all his other Mercies we are to give him thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. But for this our every thought of it should be accompanied with the strongest and heartiest Breathing forth from our souls of his due Praise and Glory Blessed be the Lord who hath visited and redeemed us Luke 1. 68. Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through his Bloud Eph. 1. 3. 7. We give thanks unto the Father who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his Dear Son Col. 1. 12 13. Glory is a clear knowledge of the worth and excellency of him whom we glorifie with an answerable praise of him This God willeth us to have a respect unto in our Praises of him Psal 150. 2. In offering thanks and praise unto him we glorifie him Psal 50. 23. â—nd the more we publish and tell of his Excellency unto oâ—â—ers the more and the further off do we make this clearness to be discerned and so make his Praise to be Glorious Psal 66. 2. Thankfulness shews it self In Acknowledgment of Mercies Jam. 1. 17. In Remembring of them Psal 106. 7. In requiting of them Psal 116. 12. We acknowledge them with our Toâ—gues Psal 57. 8. We remember them in our Hearts Psalm 103. 2. We require them as by Praise in our Lips so by Obedience in our Lives 1 Cor. 6. 20. This we are bound unto 2 Thes â— 13. It is Gods Will we should do it 1 Thes 5. 18. It is all that he expects from us Psal 50. 15. It is the utmost that we are able to render unto him Psal 116. 12 17. Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful For all other Mercies Texts Eph. 5. 20. Giving thanks alwaies for all things unto God Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks by him Inst. David blesseth God for all his Benefits Psal 103. 2. The Thessalonians are to give thanks in all things 1 Thes 5. 18. For Soul-deliverances Texts Psal 66. 16. Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my soul Col. 1. 12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Inst David is resolved to offer the Sacrifice of thanksgiving unto God because he had delivered his soul from death and broken his Bonds Psal 116. 8 16 17. Saint Paul thanks God for strengthening him against his Corruption Rom. 7. 25. Reas 1. It is Gods Will 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. It is Gods Rent reserved for those Blessings which the soul holds of him Psal 50. 15. 3. It is good pleasant and comly Psal 147. 1. 4. God is thereby glorified Psal 50. 23. 5. It prepares the way for new mercies Col. 1. 4. Use 1. In all things give thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. Let thy thanks be active and obediential as well as verbal Psal 50. 14. 3. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness unto the greatness of the Mercy Luke 7. 43. 4. Get a clear assurance of the Mercy that thy thanks be not in vain Rom. 7. 25. 5. Beware of unthankfulness that brings all thy sins back again upon the score though not as to act yet as to guilt which is exceedingly aggravated thereby Mat. 18. 34. Resol Mine enemies are turned back they are fallen and perished at thy presence thou hast lifted me up from the gates of death therefore will I shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and will rejoyce in thy salvation Psal 9. 3 13 14. Ejac. To him that hath loved me and washed me from my sins in his own bloud and hath made me a King and Priest unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Paral. IX Circ Being transferred into the Tower of the Temple-Church I stood where the Essigies of the Knights-Templers lie Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven THE Tower of the Temple-Church into which I was now translated I look upon as a place made choyce of by the Spirit as most apt for the following imaginary representations as also in reference to that middle part of the Pavement whereon I was set and where lie the Essigies of the Knights-Templers Who they were what their Order where their chief Seats how they troubled the Christian world in those times when they flourished is set down to satisfaction by Mr. Fuller in that his excellent piece of the Holy War I am only to mind their Honour which is the chief of worldly things and most agreeable to the Heroick magnanimous height of mans soul comprising under it Wealth and Pleasure If in our way to Heaven this is not to be minded but to be esteemed as the dust under our feet Phil. 3. 8. Much less are we to idolize thick clay Hab. 2. 6. Or so much to forget the honour of our Creation as to stoop to brutish and sensual delights Psal 49. 20. Whatever that savage Spirit of Scythianism with which many are possessed teacheth our Religion destroyeth not civil regards but enjoyns them Honour is to be rendred to whom it is due Rom. 13. 7. It is due as to natural and spiritual Parents so to civil Exod. 20. 12. To Magistrates as such God is honoured in them they having a more than ordinary Impression of his Image upon them John 10. 34. Out of Psal 82. 6. For others God himself gives a rule in our honouring of him Psal 150. 2. There must be some excellent worth otherwise Honour is not due This Dignity can neither be conferred by the Prince nor purchased with a price Where it is not to render Honour is Injustice Where it is wanting it is servile flattery to give it As for that due to those who are eminent in Piety the sâ—wly mind will esteem others better than it self Phil. 2. 3. and accordingly will prefer them in honour Rom. 12. 10. He that feareth the Lord
delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thessal 1. 9 10. Reas 1. They are justified and so at peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. They are true lovers of God and there â—s no fear in Love 1 John 4. 18. 3. They are partakers of the first Resurrection and so assured that the second death shall have no power over them Rev. 20. 6. Use 1. Sin being forgiven the punishment is removed Jer. 31. 34. Pardon is a not imputing the fault unto punishment 2. Get assurance that thou art justified Two principal grounds of this Assurance are Peace in the Soul Rom. 5. 1. An holy Life Rom. 6. 22. 3. Be sure that thou truly lovest God 1 John 2. 5. 4. Beware of security Fear Gods Temporal wrath Heb. 12. 28 29. Resol Being freed from all fear arising from the Spirit of Bondage and having received the spirit of Adoption which beareth witness with my spirit that I am thy Son I will confidently yet with humble reverencâ— come unto thy Throne of Grace and cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15 16. Ejac. My Love is yet but weak Lord so perfect it that all fear being cast ouâ— I may here without fear serve thee in holiness and righteousness and may have boldness in the Day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17 18. Paral. XI Circ I cast mine eye to the Top of the Tower Obs The effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things THE Lord washeth away the silth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning At and from the Prison until set in the Tower the Spirit of Judgment wrought At the Prison gate I was made sensible what I had deserved and was liable unto The sense of my danger begat fear in me Fear putting me on to seek out for a means to escape brought me to Humiliation Humiliation with Fear and Faith brought me to Christ the Foundation of the Building Being now in him the Spirit of Burning began to work in the Tower For having Removed the Love of the world that my heart might be free to the love of Heavenly things And Banished my Fear that with Confidence and Chearfulness I might affect them By its heat it sweetly warmed and enflamed my heart with a sense and love of and desire after them By its light having first by the reward encouraged and quickned me to all diligence in the way to attain them It directed me to and in that way It discovered unto me those secret way layers whom I was to keep a watchful eye over Faith the soul's eye beholding these things though but darkly saith there are precious things laid up above Heb. 11. 1. Hope the souls Ankor as yet but weakly fastned upon the Promises of these things saith they are laid up for me Heb. 6. 18 19. Love the yet feeble feet of the Soul longing for them saith I run that I may obtain them Phil. 3. 14. The Souls eye is cleared by abounding in Grace 2 Pet. 1. 9. Her Ankor becomes more sure and stedfast by being fixed upon the immutability of Gods Counsel and his Oath Heb. 6. 17. Her feeble knee are strengthened and she is quickned in her pace by assurance that in those precious things she shall have Fulness of satisfaction and Perpetuity of enjoyment Which two things although the ancient Philosophers in their diligent search after the chief good could never find them in any worldly thing Yet they are to be had in God and in the enjoyment of him In his Presence is fulness of joy at his right hand pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. God then is to be the principal Object of our Love which For the manner of it must be A love of good will we must love him for himself Mat. 22. 37. A love of Union longing for the enjoyment of him Psal 42. 1. A love of delight taking pleasure In his Service Psal 122. 1. In his Children Psal 16. 3. For the measure of it it must be with all the heart soul mind strength Luke 10. 27. The utmost power of the whole soul must be employed in it We must do what we are able with a Will to do more if we were able His Greatness Psal 113 6. Our Meanness Rom. 9. 11. His preventing us with his love 1 John 4. 10. The greatness of it John 3. 13. It s Freeness Eph 2. 4 5. Our Unworthiness Rom. 5. 10. should quicken us thereunto And we may then assure our selves that we do love him when We are obedient unto his Will John 14. 23. And when We beat his rod with Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. Obs The effectually Called are to set their Affections upon heavenly things Texts Phil. 3. 20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Iâ—st Aâ—raham looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11. 10. David longing after God saith Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 25. Reas 1. They alone are satisfying and lasting Psalm 16. 11. 2. Thou art risen with Christ and so endued with a power to affect them Col. 3. 1. 3. Christ thine Head is above sitting at the right hand of God Col. 3. 2. Where should the Members be but with their Head Use 1. First seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6. 33. 2. Put thy power in execution wherewith by vertue of Christ's Resurrection thou art endued Rom. 6. 4. 3. Imitate Christ he being risen ascended into Heaven Rom. 6. 5. 4. Long to be with him thine Head Psal 1. 23. Resol My Treasure is in Heaven there shall my heart be Mat. 6. 21. There my Conversation Phil. 3. 20. Ejac. As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brook so panteth my soul after thee O God Psalm 42 1. Paral. XII Circ I cast mine eye up to the Top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy Resemblance Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto GOD is immense and cannot be consined to place 1 Kings 8. 27. However his chief residence is in Heaven above the Clouds above the stars Job 22. 12. Where he holdeth back the face of his Throne by spreading his Cloud upon it Job 26. 9. The semi-Atheist though denying the workings of his Providence over man yet acknowledgeth this Job 22. 13 14. And thither the Disciples knew and by the Angels were assured Acts 1. 11. that Christ was ascended though by reason of the intercepting cloud they could follow him no further with the eye Acts 1. 9 10 11. The heart of the effectually-Called being taken off from the world and freed from the fear of Hell is now
them not turn again Peace spoken to the soul is worth the prizing worth the preserving Relapses are dangerous Let them not turn again If they do the fault is not in God he is most unwilling they should â—urn again Neither in Satan wholly he can but tempt and perswade he cannot force them to turn again it is chiefly in themselves Let them not turn c. That yet I may give more light unto the words suppose you heard the Psalmist expressing himself and his meaning somwhat more fully and plainly to this or the like effect While the Lords people go on in a constant course of Obedience unto his Will they enjoy a sweet peace in their souls being assured that the Lord doth accept of them and their though but weak services in his Son But when they fall into the folly of sin especially of hainous sins then their peace is interrupted then disturbances and unsettlements do arise in their souls out of an apprehension of the Lords displeasure against them for such their Folly Being in this sad condition if they desire that the breach should be made up their Souls again setled their Peace restored their only way is to turn from their Follies by true repentance and faith in Christ and then the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them Others indeed will be offering unto them Peace and settlement such as it is But let them take heed how they listen to any but unto God the Lord. And when he hath spoken peace unto them let them for it will nearly concern them be as wary of giving cause of a new broach by turning again unto Folly The words thus cleared do afford unto our Consideration these Three Doctrinal Conclusions Doct. 1. That when the Lords people do fall into the folly of hainous sins they lose their peace and great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls 2. That when the Lords people do by unfâ—igned repentance and Faith in Christ turn from their folly of sin the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them 3. That when the Lord speaks peace unto his People they are to hear him and him only and peace being spoken that it concerns them to be very wary how they turn again to Folly The first Observation is Doct. 1. That when the Lords people do fall into the Folly of hainous sins they lose their peace and great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls This Doctrine hath three Branches 1. That all sin is Folly 2. That the Lords own People may and do fall into the Folly of sin 3. That when they do fall into heinous sins they lose their Peace and in stead thereof great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls Branch 1. 1. That all sin is Folly There is a threefold Folly 1. Negative Folly which indeed is not so properly called Folly being nothing else but the absence or want of wisdom such as is in Ideots or Naturals as we call them it is an uncapableness of wisdom Of this the word here is not meant The other two sorts are properly called Folly whereof the 1. Is Privative when a man having a capableness of wisdom yet wittingly and willingly doth neglect the means to attain it The Is that kind of folly which is contrary to true wisdom erring from that Rule by which wildom doth regulate and oâ—der all her actions And of these two the word in the Text is to be understood of the wilful Folly and of the erring or transgressing Folly That all sin is Folly or Foolishness in one of these two fore-mentioned regards is evident from the Text where under that name the Lords people are warned to beware of sin Sin is so called Joh. 4. 18. So Eccles 7. 25. Where it is called the wickedness of Folly in many other places I might give you Instances of many sins which in Scripture are branded with this Title as Sichems Lust Gen. 34. 7. Achans Theft Josh 7. 15. Atheism Psal 14. 1. Slandering Prov. 10. 18. Deceitfulness Prov. 14. 8. Security Luke 12. 20. Neglect of Grace till death Mat. 25. 2. Inconstancy in Religion Gal. 3. 1. 3. But these are obvious almost in every Page Reas The Reason why sin is branded with this Title of Folly is because there is no sin committed but some way or other it fals short of the Rule of right Reason which is Gods Will expressed in his Word by which Rule every godly wise man as near as he can doth regulate and order all his actions He who orders his Actions according to this Rule he is a wise man and so far as a man fals short of this Rule so far must his Actions necessarily be foolish and sinful A mans Actions though in themselves good yet may fall short of this Rule Short of Rule 1. By rash unadvisedness The Godly wise man takes counsel and advice within himself and is willing to be directed by others he cals to mind former things and layes one thing to another and compares them together that so he may advisedly proceed in what he is about to do he ponders and weighes the path of his Feet and so his wayes are established Prov. 4. 26. But the sinful foolish man is carried on headlong with a precipitate rashness and so his wayes are as darkness and he knowes not at what he stumbles Prov. 4. 19. Stumble he doth and cannot but stumble and fall into the folly of sin because he walks in darkness and is rashly and unadvisedly carried on by his own perverse will or Passion 2. A mans wayes may fall short of the Rule of right Reason by an indiscreet inconsiderateness The godly wise man his eyes look right on and his eye-lids look straight before him Prov. 4. 25. He shuns as near as he can all manner of evil with much wariness He is very circumspect in observing of all due circumstances for the manner time place of performance c. He walks circumspectly not as a Fool but as a wise man Eph. 5. 15. But the foolish sinner considers not his Actions whether they be good or evil He minds not any circumslance in their performance but goes on in a careless manner and so his actions become foolish and sinfull 3. Amans actions may fall short of this Rule by inconstancy The godly wise man as he proceeds on with good advice and due consideration so he is firm in his resolutions and acts accordingly He doth righteousness at all times Psal 106. 3. He is stedfast and unmoveable in the work of the Lord as St. Paul exhorts 1 Corinth 15. 58. But the foolish sinner he recedes and fals off from that good which formerly he had pitched upon and by his Corruption or Passion is carried away to somthing which he conceives may be more profitable or delightful unto him He is a double-minded man unstable in his
God himself So St. Paul aggravates his sins calling himself the chief of sinners That he that had been so bred and knew so much that he should be such a cruel Persecuter and Blasphemer O I have sinned against knowledge Mercies Patience Chastisements Vows Promises Means Motions Checks after this manner doth the soul aggravate its sinful Follies in its Confession 5. In true Confession there will be shame A Saint will blush in secret to think that his soul which Christ hath married to himself in righteousness should be so polluted and defiled What fruit had you then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6. 21. Sin is alwaies attended with shame either with a reproachful shame from others or a penitent shame in secret or a confounding shame in the end Some indeed are so hardned that as Jeremy speaks Jer. 3. 3. They have Whores Forheads and refuse to be ashamed But the truly penitent soul in its Confession acknowledgeth with Daniel Dan. 9. 7. That righteousness belongeth unto God but unto us Confusion of Face because we have sinned against him 6. Lastly In true Confession there will be an acknowledgment of our unworthiness Jacobs Language is I am not worthy of the least of all thy Mercies Gen. 32. 10. The Prodigals I am not worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 21. St. Pauls I am not meet to be called an Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 9. The soul casts it self low at the Foot-stool of God with humble thoughts of it self The confessing Penitent calling himself dust and ashes with Abraham a worm with David a dog with the Syro-Phenician thinking that he never keeps distance enough or is low enough in his Acknowledgments Act 2. The second Act of true Repentance is sorrow for sin This with the next of hatred of sin is included in the word rending which the Prophet Joel useth alluding therein to the practise of the Jews who did use to rend their Garments upon the sight or hearing of any sad or loathsom thing as Jacob did for the loss of his Son Joseph Gen. 37. 34. and the High Priest at the supposed Blasphemy of Christ when he said he was the Son of God Mat. 27. 65. Wouldst thou then have thy wounded soul recovered and thy lost Peace restored rend thine heart in unfaigned sorrow for thy sinful Follies Sorrow in it self is a grief of the mind arising froâ— a mans suffering by that which he abhors as hurtful to him In relation to sin it is twofold Vâ—cious Sorrow And Godly Sorrow The first hath only respect to that punishment which sin hath deserved Such was that in Cain in Judas and is in many wicked men who have somtimes a kind of sorrow and remorse but it is not so much for the sin it self or indeed not at all for â—hat but in respect of that punishment whereunto by sin they have made themselves liable Such doubtless is in the Damned in Hell who are grieved for the punishment which they feel but not for the sâ—n â—hat dâ—served it The second namely Godly â—orrow is such as is in the Lords people upon their Repentance after their Falls Which may have a subordinate respect unto the punishment unto the wrath of God who is a consuming fire as St. Pauls exhortation thereupon makes it clear Heb. 12. ult And so likewise his perswading of men upon his knowledge of the Terrors of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. But the principal Object which godly sorrow hath a prime and special respect unto is the offence against God as it is a violation of and transgression against his most holy Will O the Saint of the Lord grieves and mourns in his soul that by his Follies he hath offended his good God his loving Father so gentle so merciful so gracious so patient so slow to anger so ready to pardon This goes near him this doth exceedingly afflict him Though it may be the temper of his Body is such that not a Tear fals from his eye yet he would willingly if he could that his heart should weep tears of Bloud for those his sinful Follies whereby he hath provoked such a God such a tender and loving Father This Sorrow is known to be true and unfaigned by those six effects of Godly Sorrow which the Apostle sets down 2 Cor. 7. 11. Which are Marks 1. Carefulness 2. Indignation 3. Fear 4. Zeal 5. Desire 6. Revenge The Apostle there adds a Seventh Effect of the godly Sorrow in the Corinthians which he cals defending or clearing of themselves in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies defence which I conceive was an act pâ—oper only unto them in reference to the incâ—stuous persons sin which they by way of defence cleared themselves of as not being guilty of approving thereof much less of glorying therein as they are charged and so cannot be taken in as a constant Mark of true godly sorrow in whomsoever 1. Then True sorrow for sin makes a man careful to shun all sin for the time to come especially that or those late Follies wherewith he was overtaken He will with all wariness shun the occasions which may draw him again into it He that hath once fallen into a dangerous Pit and is escaped out of it will take heed how he comes near the Brink of it again The sorrowful Soul will not only be shy of known sins which he knows to be such but he will abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5. â—2 If he hath but the least suspition of it he carefully declines and avoyds it 2. The Second Effect is Indignation which in it self is a grief at the prosperity of those whom we think unworthy of it In reference to sin it is a mixture of grief and anger against a mans own Corruption that it should so prevail over him and enslave him that he should be compassed about with such a body of death from which he knows not which way to be delivered Such a mixture of Passion was doubtless in St. Paul stirring against his cross Flesh or Corruption that warred against the Law of his mind and was still at his Elbow and present with hâ—m to hinder him in doing good and to put him on to do that which he hated his indignation was â—o stirred against it that he cries out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death What a wretched condition am I in Is there no way for me to be freed from it Rom. 7. 24. 3. True sorrow for sin is fearful of falling again The Saint of God upon his Follies which he now bewayles is made sensiâ—le of his own weakness he hath fallen and may again and therefore he walks in continual fear He knows his carnal part is as treacherous as ever and the Devil as malicious against him as ever and his Assaults as violent and he knows not how soon the Lord may leave him to himself and then in what case he shall