twofold estate under these Notions First thy nothing thy worse then nothing and these explaine thus first learne to know thy nothing the frailty of thy ourward man thy body thy mortall body look back upon the matter and composition whereof thou art made and this will help discover to thee the need of Christ The very first and perfectest man that ever was in the world except God-man the man Christ Jesus was at best in his body but Adam red earth he was but a little foulded dust that was the matter whereof he was made and into that he must againe be dissolved dust thou art and to dust shalt thou returne Gen. 3.19 Hare 's a small businesse to be proud on here 's a poore matter to glory in here 's a weake foundation to build upon for a long life and after repentance what is a dust-heap you know well a shoure of raine will dissolve it a blast of wind will scatter it and such is the matter of all our bodies a very nothing if there had not been a word more in all the Bible this had been enough to manifest the bodies mortality but the al-wisâ— God which knowes best the deceitfulnesse of our hearts to beleeve such truth against our selves would not leave it without a full discovery Hence it is that in all the course of the Scriptures the nothing of mans life the naturall being of the body here upon earth is so frequently compared to nothings that you may the better know the certainty of what I say I will pick up some here and there Iob compares man but to a flower nay not to a Flower in his full groth and in lhe time it would last but to a flower that is cut down and as if in this expression mans mortality was not yet sufficiently discribed Iob likens mans life to another nothing to a more meere nothing a shadow and as though the nothing were not yet fully cleered he adds this epethite of this nothing fleeting he sleeth also like a shadow and continueth not Iob 14.2 Here you see how sensible Iob was of all mens mortality and so of hâ—s own with the rest but mark I pray you what use he makes of this All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come ver. 14. that is I find the nothing the frailty of uncertaine and yet un-regainable life there 's no living againe to live better when a man is once dead and dissolved I will therefore take the present time I will prepare and make my self ready for the Lord that when the time which God hath determined is come I may have nothing to doe but dye David also hath many the like expressions to the same purpose but I will not insist upon them onely give a touch upon one or two and so passe Psal. 102. David equals his life but to a shadow and a shadow declining to grasse and that not greene but withered My dayes are like a shadow that declineth and I am withered like grasse ver. 11. Againe David Psal. 39. is computing the length of his life by measure and then drawes his conclusion upon it if you know not the place you will wonder much at Davids Geomatry and more at the strangenesse of his conclusion he sets all at a low rate he measures his life but at a hands bredth and cals it a nothing a vanity Behold thou hast made my dayes as an hand bredth and mine age is aâ— nothing before thee Verely not I but every man not at some low ebbe at the worst but at his best estate is altogether vanity ver. 5. But what effect did this worke upon the heart of David you shall see it put him to lay out unto the Lord for help it brings him to his prayers and now Lord what wait I for my hope is in thee ver. 7. And againe Heare my prayer O Lord and give eare unto my cry hold not thy peace at my teares for I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner as all my Fathers were O spare me a little that I may recover my strength befâ—re I goe hence and be no more seen ver. 12 13. Thus in the first place study thy nothing Secondly learne to know thy worse then nothing study to know the dangerous estate and condition of thy soule in respect of sinne recollect thy thoughts and call to mind what shall become of thy soule if thou hast not a Saviour looke to it as well as you can thou hast two weights hanging up thy soule the least of which will drag thee to hell if there be not help Thou hast the burden of originall sinne and that 's death In Adam all dye 1 Cor. 15.22 that is as we by nature come from Adam so by nature we lye guilty of his sinne and by the sinne derived from Adam we lye liable to eternall death this is one heavy weight Then againe there is yet another weight lyes upon the soule which without support will also presse it to hell and that is the burden of innumerable actuall transgressions they are given to us in Scripture under various expressions sometimes they are called sinnes sometimes iniqâ—ities sometimes transgressions but all grievous soul burdens I will but give of each an instance and so passe Thit we call sinne is a soule procuring destruction it captivates the soule leads it from Christ and Salvation and presseth it downe to hell hence is that complaint taken up by Paul Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death that is as if Paul should have said I find the power of naturall lusts corruptions working so contrary to the will of God and the rule of his spirit that were it not for the hopes of a Saviour I was in a sad condition I was in a wretched estate for who is it or what is it in all the world that could help my soule out of hel who shall deliver me from the death and damnation which the sinne of my nature my flesh the body hath brought me to Alas the Creature cannot comfort me nothing in the world can save me but onely Iesus Christ who dyed for me and here is the hope help joy cause of rejoycing I thank God â—horow Jesus Christ our Lord ver. 25. this is sin Again these sinnes and evils which we commit are called iniquities and these are also soule-weights If you dare beleeve David he will tell you he found iniquities to be a weight yea an unsupportable weight they let him have no quiet night or day they got above him and pressed him downe he could not beare the sense of them Psalme 38.3 And hereupon David addresseth himselfe to God in prayer and urgeth this complaint as a motive to move God vvith mercy to looke upon him and novv to help for minâ— iniquities are gone over mine head they are above my strength as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me to
thus the Apostle goes on but saith he the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnes faith meeknesse temperance ver. 22 23. Here is a Saint-like frame indeed but how comes this thinke you surely all this is but the effect of obedience for it presently followes and they that are Christ's that have an interest in him have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts ver. 24. that is they that are in Christ that have an interest in him have given up themselves wholly to him and by the guidance of the Spirit and the power of Christ's death the power of sinne in their nature is subdued the sinfull affections and lusts arising thence are kept in and kild I beseech you be faithfull to your souls in examining your selves by this Signe of all other actions cannot be covered they will tell you whose you are you are not to doe any thing nor speak any thing nay if once you be Christ's you dare not transgresse the command of Jesus Christ let it be what it will in never so small a thing if a christian discerne it to be against Jesus Christ he will rather dye then doe it when once a christian gives up himselfe to Christ to be married to Christ he is no longer his own he is now under the command of Jesus Christ if now the devill or a lust bid such a christian doe this or that the christian will presently say did Jesus Châ—ist command me did he bid me doe it if Jesus Christ give me but a word I am ready or else I dare not this is the third signe whereby a christian may know he hath a right to Christ Signe 4. A fourth signe whereby a christian may know he haâ—h an interest in Christ is when he he will own Christ own his cause and people in the worst of times it is not much to own Christ own Religion and associate with christians when all these are countenanced and in credit but here 's the tryall of love the faith and obediance of a christian when he will take up the Crosse and follow Christ when he will yet keep on after Christ through wet and dry as the Proverb is it 's a signe a christian hath much of Christ when he will yet own Christ though others forsake him when he keeps his walking with Christ though he goe alone as Paul did 2 Tim. 1.15 chap. 4.16 when he will follow his profession though he must let goe his life as the three children did Dan. 3. and many precious Saints have done and now doe it would but take up time to urge insâ—ances doe you but make good use of this little and it will doe you much good the Lord hath now brought us unto trying times and Jesus Christ doth now say who is on my side who what now will you venture for Christ â—nd his cause and his people doth your hearts tell you that Religion is dearer to you then esiates then life then the best blood in your bodies doe you pray for the prosperity of Christ's cause will you stand for it and owne it what condition soever it 's in doth not the ebbings and flowings of Christs cause bring you to it and cast you from it the Lord knowes there it more of this latter sort then the former abundance follow Christ's Cause for their owne ends and these will fall off when their ends faile but let me tell you none but christians can suck to Christ under difficulties the spirits and hearts of others are up and down as their objects are the principles by which they are carried it 's onely the christian who lives by faith that stands to Christ his cause and people at all times this is the fourth signe Signe 5. The fift and last signe whereby a christian may rest assured of his interest in Christ is his desire to be with Christ in his glory when a soul hath once got a relish a taste an earnest of the inheritance in Heaven it 's full of longings and desirings after glory take such a soule nothing takes it up nothing takes it off Jesus Christ alone is all in all you may offer such a one the gold of Ophir the treasures of India the wealth of the world the Crownâ— of Kings but all this takes not it affect not no saith the soule Christ is my treasure Christ is my crown of rejoycing you may proffer what you please but still the soule will say as once Paul did I count all things but losse for the excellency to be comâ—ared to the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord Phil. 3.8 talk what you will of parts and prililedges yet when all is done this was Pauls conclusion but Christ is all in all Col. 3.11 of al the things in the world Paul found but one case wherein it was disputable whether he might desire â—o live in the flesh and that 's such a one as many would not imagine they would think it almost the lest matter of all but it 's this here was Pauls case he was at a stand whether it was better for him to live in the flesh to promote the Gospell or to dye and goe to Christ in his glory Paul was in a sweet condition come life come death and that made the difficulty the greater for to me to live is Christ and to dye is gain Phil. 1.21 that is if I live I shall be comforted in the work of Christ and if I dye I shall reigne with Christ yet what I shall chuse I wot not for I am in a streight betwixt two ver. 22 23. Paul was now between doing the work of Christ and going home for his wage to Christ it put faithfull Paul hard to it to satisfie the scruple of his own conscience and when all is done he answers with a distinction for his own part this is his resolution for himselfe he holds for Heaven having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better ver. 23. the latter part But then on the other side as Paul had a respect unto the worke he was in the preaching o the Gospell unto the flock of Christ his life was better and more necessary for them neverthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you ver. 24. here then is an example for you to try your hearts by truly when this is seriously considered it 's no wonder to see so many loath and so few willing to dye alas the reason is easily given they have no interest in Christ they have no acquaintance with God they know not what shall become of their souls when they dye againe the feares and terrours of death strike deep and speaks terrible things to them Jesus Christ hath not taken away the sting of death for them it bites deep it amazes them death being but the gate of hell to let them now feele those torments which in life and prosperity they would not feare but on
beare ver. 4. of this vveight is iniquity This is the second Instance Lastly actuall sinnes and iniquities are also called transgressioâ—s and this vvord explaines both the other sinne is sinne as done evilly vvickedly and it is ill done or vvickedly done vvhich is done beside or against the rule and command of God and this is is transgression A Christian hath a rule to vvalke by and to goe off from his rule is transgression iniquity or sinne and hence is that expression of Paul Rom. 14.23 He that dourteth is damned if he eat because he careth not of faith fâ—r whatsoever is not of fâ—ith is sinneâ— that is looke to your rule see and know a warrant for what you doe or else you will transgresse you will sinne these tranâ—gressions are soule weights soul burdens and therefore David prayed for deliverance from them in these termes deliver me from all my transgressions Psal. 39.8 Thus I desire every one to study the estate of their soules I know it is a hard matter it 's above a Preacher to make some beleeve this but let me speake home and speake the truth too for which I will give you my warrant from the Word I say to any of you you had far better never to have been borne vvithout you have the new-birth unlesse you be borne againe unlesse you be borne anew unto Christ Iesus unlesse you have this birth you can never come into Heaven and then you know where your place will be These are the words of Iesus Christ twice repeâ—tâ—d Jesus answered and said unto him verely verely I say unto thee except a man be borne againe or as the Originall affords from above he cannot see the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3 And as though Iesus Christ did not here fully explaine it he still redoubles his affirmation in the same wordâ— and enlargeth his meaning Iâ—sus answered verely verely the deepest attestation that ever Christ tooke I say unto thee except a man be borne of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God ver. 5. Oh that the men of the world which as yet have nothing of Christ that as yet know not savingly and experimentally what Christ is nay know not whether their soules have need of Christ or no would thinke sadly of this and seriously lay to heart what shall become of them hereafter what shall become of the soule when the body is put to rot in the grave what joy can any take in Riches Honour Wife Children Fâ—ieâ—ds or any thing if they have nothing of Christ but when death seizes on the body Riches Honouâ—â— Friends all leaves them and the Devill seizeth upon their soules would not this tremble a stubborne heart is not this enough to startle a carnall man or woman out of their sleepe of security I am sure it takes deepe with them who have lesse need to feare it the Saints of God and because I would not lay too much sadnesse upon their spirits who have more need to be lifted up then cast down I will now fall into a more pleasing subjâ—ct the other means to get assurance of Christ Doct. 2. The poore soule that would have an interest in Christ must labour to get a true knowledge of the freenesse and fulnesse of Gods promiseâ— made in Christ Here is that which will doe your bodies good and your soules good here is a comfort for every calamity a medicine for every malady and a salue for every sore I may speak plainly of the blood of Christ which Jeremiah speaks Prophetically Ier. 8.22 Is there no balme in Gilead is there no Physition there why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered that it there must needs be Balme where Balme grows in the place from whence all comes So there must needs be mercy in the fountain of mercy in the Father of mercy Why then take ye not the right way why goe ye not to God in your misery why lay ye not the Promises before God and claime your priviledges by the death and sufferings of Christ If you doe this God cannot deny you God will not deny you For your helpe herein you must be frequent in the Scriptures heare them read them they will acquaint you with the Promises and the Priviledges which shall come in to you by Christ The Bible is Gods Booke of Record and you cannot know the minde of God anywhere else the best of other Bookes doe but derive their excellency from this this is the rule to all others and therefore Jesâ—s Christ cals us to the use of this above all others Search the Scriptures for they are they which testifie of me Ioh. 5.39 Of all Books here you shall have most of Jesus Christ Object But some may say I have heard and red the Scriptures by times this thirty or forty yeeres c. yet I finde not so much in them as you now say I know not whether I have any right to Christ for all this onely I hope God will have mercy on my soule when I shall dye Answ. The Lord knowes this is the condition of abundance the most part even of those who have beene Sermon-hearers and Sacrament receivers and thinke themselves in an estate good enough Alas poore soules you are in a sad condition but I had rather informe you then lament you I will therefore endeavour a full answer to the objection I say to lay all things together and consider well every thing a part you would thinke it no wonder to see men so ignorant in the wayes and truths of God notwithstanding so much Gospell-meanes and Gospell light we doe injoy I will not mention the malice of our Non-preaching Prelates the deliverance from whom our Kingdome yet hath not had a greater cause of thankfulnesse in these late times neither will I urge the pride idlenesse and basenesse of I thinke I may say the most of the Clergie these have beene too well knowne lets to the increase of Christs Kingdome But I will give you some reasons of thiâ— your ignorance and darknesse ensuing from your owne selves First you hinder and deprive your selves of much light and many sweet comforts by neglecting the meanâ— and helpes to knowledge A man that would keepe himselfe warme will goe to the fire if you want water you goe to draw it out of the Well and goe to the Spring a childe in his wants will goe to his Father Thus you must doe or else you cannot be helped this must be the course you are to take to get spirituall knowledge Resort unto the Ministers of God acquaint your selves with experienced Christians who are able to speake out of knowledge what they have found God to their poore soules Be diligent in hearing Sermons and reading the Scriptures never any man yet who endeavoured eaâ—nestly the saving knowledge of God as it was needfull for him but he obtained it at one time or other Let nothing then but God keepe thee
interest in Christ in some measure or other is acquainted with the love care and power which abides in Jesus Christ and upon this ground saving faith is built They that know thy Name saith David wil trust to thee Psal. 9.10 that is they that know Jesus Christ to be the Sonne of God to be one with the Father Ioh. 17. know him to be God al-sufficient This is fâ—iths sure foundation and hence it was that Paul takes up his firme resolution to commit all to Christ I know saith he whom I have beleeved I have had experience of him and I am perswaded that he is able tâ— keep that which I have committed unto him 2 Tim. 1.12 This was a sweet frame in Paul here was a right faith and assuredly the Saints have the same they have the like pretious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 all the Saints now have the like faith the Apostles had for nature or matter though not the like measure of faith Every christian is willing nay desirous to give up all to the disposall of Christ they well know that Iesus Christ is a better keeper of any thing then they themselves are and therefore they are desirous to put all into his hand christians will trust Christ with estates wives children Religion bodies and soules this is the faith of christians it 's a true faith and it never fails True it is an hypocrite a meer knowing professor may goe farre as the young man did Mat. 19. but they cannot trust Iesus Christ with all they may stand the calm and make a goodly shew but in the storme when troubles sufferings and losses come in with profession of Christ they are lost too they are gone they want foundation they have not faith to trust Christ under difficulties Mat. 7.26 27. they know not that the Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge a hiding-place a defence in times of trouble as David did or else they would put their trust in God Ps. 9.9 10. now then bring your hearts to the rule try them whether they will be willing to close with Iesus Christ and trust him with all and for all if you have a faith that can thus see acknowledge and trust Christ with all it 's good it 's firme it is a faith given by God wrought by the holy Ghost it 's more then flesh and blood can doe thus to trust Iesus Christ And therefore I will conclude upon this faith as Iesus Christ did of the same faith in Peter This a firme faith and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.16 17 18. This a second sign of a christians reall interest in Christ Signe 3. The third Signe of a Christians interest in Christ is a ready obedience to all the commands of Christ when I give you obedience for a signe of being in Christ I meane a filiall and not a servile obedience an obedience that is free full universall not compelled or in part Iesus Christ loves not half Christians nor almost christians Iesus Christ will be all Master or no Master I am perswaded your selves think this a truth and no matter of dispute The soule that hath truly given up it selfe to Iesus Christ that trusts him with all expects all from him to make it happy will be counselled and commanded by the will and word of Iesuâ— Ghrist Obedience is a full discovery a notable marâ— to make known what Master you serve whose commands you obey and works you doe his you are if you obey Christ his you are if you obey the Devill his you are I know this truth is very hardly received many will live like devils and yet would be called christians and be partakers of the Saints priviledges That therefore you may the better judge of your inward estate conâ—â—dâ—r your outward walking who hath the command of your lives and actions what rule goe you by that will not deceive you this was Pauls direction to the Romans and it shall now be mine po you Know you not that is it 's a thing you ought to remember that to whom yee yeeld your selves servaâ—t to obey his servants yee are to whom you obey whether of sinne unto death or obedience unto righteousnesse Rom. 6.16 Objest But you may say how shall I know by my actions when I obey the divell and when I obey Iesus Christ Ans. This is the easiest thing that may be if you deale faithfully with your own soules there is no truth in all the Bible more clearly set down then this for the children of the divell Iesus Christ saith ye are of your father the divell and the lusts of your father ye will doe Ioh. 8.44 On the other side the sheepe the servants of Iesus Christ thâ—y harken for his commands and obey his will the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce Ioh. 10.4 Object But how shall I know which are the works of the divell and which are the commands of Iesus Christ Ans. This also is as plain as can be and they are distinguished all along the Scriptures but I will give you one place for all and that will clear both to the ful Paul writing to the Galathians satisfies the point to the full onely he differs in tearmes from the other places alledged before these works are distinguished and the one call'd the works of the divell the other the commandments of Christ and here Paul cals the one the workâ— of the flesh the other the fruits of the spirit and here is little difference if they be considered now if you would know how these may be discerned the Apostle first tels you they are manifest and then reckons up many particulars the Apostle begins with the works of the flesh or the divell call them whether you please and also shews the reward of them then he describes many qualifications in christians and gives the reason of their sweet frame I will give you both these apart becauâ—e the knowledge of them may dâ—e you much good and the Lord blesse it to you First the Apostle discovers and names many particular works of the divell now saitâ— he the works of the flesh are manifest any body may know them which are these adultery fornication uncleaâ—nesse lasciviousnesse idolatry witchcraft hatred varâ—ance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyâ—ngs murders drunkennesse revilings c. the Apostle names these and concludes with such like that is these and such as these are will keepe a soule out of heaven they have no inheritance there and then you know what will follow his words are these â—hey which do such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God Gal. 5.19.20 21. Thus you see what the works of the divell are and how he payes them their wage â— will next fall upon the qualifications of the Saints as they are helped and guided by the Spirit the holy Ghost and therfore called the fruit of the spirit In the Saints the servants of God you finde nothing but sweetnesse