Luk. 16. 20. Ye see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise Men after the Flesh not many Mighty not many Noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen 1 Cor. 1. 26. Moreover Brethren we do you to wit of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia How that in a great Trial of Affliction the Abundance of their Joy and their deep Poverty abounded unto the riches of their Liberality For to their Power I bear record yea and beyond their Power they were willing of themselves praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the Gift Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became Poor that ye thro' his Poverty might be Rich 2 Cor. 8. 1 9. Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ who being in the form of God thought it not Robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men And being found in fashion as a Man he Humbled himself and became Obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Phil. 2. 5. Godliness with Contentment is great Gain For we brought nothing into this World and it is certain we can carry nothing out And having Food and Raiment let us be therewith content But they that will be Rich fall into Temptation 1 Tim. 6. 6. Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say the Lord is my Helper and I will not fear what Man shall do unto me Heb. 13. 5. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time casting all your Care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 6. Let the Brother of low Degree rejoice in that he is exalted Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation For when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 9 12. Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2. 5. Not that I speak in respect of Want for I have learned in whatsoever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Every-where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my Affliction Phil. 4. 11. These things saith the First and the Last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou art Rich. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have Tribulation ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 8. Some additions out of the Old Testament I would seek unto God and unto God would I commit my Cause He saveth the Poor from the Sword from their Mouth and from the Hand of the Mighty So the Poor hath Hope and Iniquity stoppeth her Mouth Job 5. 15. The Lord also will be a Refuge for the Oppressed a Refuge in times of Trouble And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee For thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9. 9 10. The Needy shall not alway be forgotten the Expectation of the Poor shall not perish for ever v. 18. Why standest thou afar off O Lord Why hidest thou thy self in times of Trouble The Wicked in his Pride doth persecute the Poor Let them be taken in the Devices that they have imagined Arise O Lord O God lift up thine Hand forget not the Humble Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God He hath said in his Heart thou wilt not require it Thou hast seen it for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite to requite it with thy Hand The Poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the Helper of the Fatherless Lord thou hast heard the Desire of the Humble Thou wilt prepare their Heart thou wilt cause thine Ear to hear To judge the Fatherless and the Oppressed that the Man of the Earth may no more oppress Psal 10. 1 12 17. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my Fears This Poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his Troubles The Angel of our Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints For there is no want to them that fear him The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their Troubles The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all He keepeth all his Bones not one of them is broken The Lord redeemeth the Soul of his Servants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal 34. 4 6 17. Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be fed Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the Desires of thine Heart Commit thy Way unto the Lord and he shall bring it to pass Rest in the Lord and wait patiently Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his Way for evil Doers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord they shall inherit the Earth A little that a righteous Man hath is better than the Riches of many Wicked The Lord knoweth the Days of the Vpright and their Inheritance shall be for ever They shall not be ashamed in the evil Time and in the Days of Famine they shall be satisfied The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his Way Tho' he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his Hand I have been young and now am old Yet have I not seen the Righteous forsaken nor his Seed begging Bread Psal 37. 3 7 16 18 23. Why art thou cast down O my Soul And why art thou disquieted within me Hope in God for I shall yet praise him who
there not Salvation for such as do thus A. They are certainly out of the way of Salvation Q. How so A. Because Christ is the only Mediator of the new Testament thro' whom alone we can hope for Mercy and how then can they be in the way of Salvation who live in the Neglect and Contempt of him 2dly Christ is the Light of the World and by his Gospel he communicates his Light to Men they then who neglect and despise this Light walk in Darkness and this Darkness cannot lead to Life everlasting 3dly Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and in his Gospel is manifested this Way this Truth and this Life they then who neglect and despise the Doctrin of the Gospel cannot be in the way they follow a Lie instead of Truth and must meet with Death instead of Life 4thly It is by the Spirit of Christ every one must live that belongs to Christ and expects everlasting Happiness and without this Spirit all Hopes are vain If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked 1 Joh. 2. 6. Now if this Spirit of Christ be necessary how can they be suppos'd to have it who walk not by the Gospel in which this Spirit is taught but by despising or neglecting it give Demonstration of the Spirit of Christ being not in them Q. What does this prove A. It proves that no Salvation can be expected but thro' Christ that none can have a part in Christ but such only as observe his Law that his Law being deliver'd in the Gospel there can be no Salvation but for those who sincerely make it their Endeavor to live as Christ has prescrib'd in the Gospel Q. Then the Gospel must be observ'd but what is it to observe or follow the Gospel A. It is to make the Gospel our Rule for discerning the Will of God and knowing what is pleasing or displeasing to him It is to take Direction from that What we are to desire and what to fear what we are to value and what to despise It is to consult that in all we propose or do It is to take from thence the Determination of Right and Wrong of what we are carefully to perform or with Solicitude to avoid Q. Then they who do not thus do not follow the Gospel A. No they do not They may have a Faith in what the Gospel teaches but if they do not the Works of the Gospel their Faith is dead Jam. 2. 26. It is such Faith as is in Hell and even the Devils have Ib. v. 19. These may know the Will of God but they do it not these may honor God with their Lips but their Heart is far from him And what will this avail or how is this following the Gospel when the Gospel teaches That the Servant who knows his Lord's Will and does it not shall be beaten with many Stripes Luke 12. 47. And not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father who is in Heaven Mat. 7. 21 Q. Then there is to be no Confidence of Salvation upon a Faith in Christ only or in being a Member of his Church A. Faith is necessary to Salvation for without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. But a Faith in what God teaches without doing the Will of God can never bring any to the Possession of God Bliss is promis'd to such only as Hear the Word of God and keep it Luke 11. 28. It is not enough therefore to be call'd by Faith for many are call'd but few chosen Matth. 20. 16. It is not enough to be planted in Christ's Vineyard For every Tree that brings not forth good Fruit is cut down and cast into the Fire Mat. 7. 19. Q. Then you think many of those who have a Faith in Christ and believe all that he teaches are lost eternally A. As many of these as do not the Will of God in following the Gospel but depart from it and live in a general Disobedience to his Law Such as these must expect no Favor in Consideration of their Faith but rather a deeper Damnation for their Ingratitude and Abuse of God's Blessings for knowing thro' Mercy the Will of God and not doing it Q. What now is this Chapter in short A. That the only Means of Salvation is to Believe and Do as Christ teaches in his holy Gospel All his Disciples are to hear him Ipsum audite Hear ye him as the Voice from Heaven publish'd it on the Mount Mat. 17. 5. All of his Flock hear his Voice My sheep hear my Voice and follow me Jo. 10. 27. As many as do thus are in the way to Salvation having Christ their Teacher and the Shepherd of their Souls And they who do not thus cannot have their hopes in him CHAP. II. Of our own Inclinations Q. MAY we not follow our own Inclinations A. Christ is to be the Christian's Rule if then our Inclinations are according to what Christ teaches we may safely follow them but if they are contrary to what Christ teaches then to follow them is to forsake our Rule who is Christ Q. And what are our natural Inclinations A. They arise from a corrupt Nature and therefore are generally corrupt they are the Effect of Sin and therefore are generally either sinful or leading to Sin Q. Then a Christian is not to follow them A. No he is to be so far from following that it must be his daily Care to stand against them Q. Why so A. Because being corrupt and sinful if they are not resisted they draw Persons from Christ and that is to forsake their Rule Q. Is it the evident Duty of a Christian to stand against these Inclinations A. It is for so Christ himself teaches in requiring Self-denial as a necessary Condition for becoming his Disciple If any Man will come after me let him deny himself Luk. 9. 23. Q. Is not this press'd more particularly in holy Scripture A. Yes by St. Paul who stiling these Inclinations the Old Man Concupiscence the Carnal Man the Desires of the Flesh c. positively declares the necessity of resisting them and that otherwise it is not possible to please God Q. As where A. Put off the old man which is corrupt Eph. 4. 22. We are debtors not to the Flesh to live after the Flesh for if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die But if you thro' the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live Rom. 8. 12 13. To be carnally minded is Death because the carnal Man is Enmity against God ib. v. 6 7. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary to one another They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5. 17 24.
him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is thro' the Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith that I may know him and the power of his Resurrection and the fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable unto his death Phil. 3. 7. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 35 38. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain Phil. 1. 21. I have learned in whatever state I am therewith to be content Phil. 4. 11. Seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 1 2 3. These are some amongst infinite other Directions which the Gospel gives for regulating of the Inward Man Were they prescribed to the Apostles only or to some Particular Persons or States there might be a just excuse for such as observe them not but being writ to the Faithful of all States and Conditions they are to be observ'd by all that believe in Christ And in this may Christians make the truest Judgment of the state of their Souls For if this be prescrib'd to all all are bound to labor in bringing their Souls to this happy disposition and they who are not solicitous in this whatever their Faith be have not the Spirit of a true Disciple CHAP. IX Of loving our Neighbor Q. WHAT directions do's the Gospel give as to the Love of our Neighbor A. Such as are very particular and strict in the Charge Hear some of them Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets Mat. 22. 37 39 40. A new Commandment I give unto you That ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Jo. 13. 34 35. These things I command you that ye love one another Jo. 15. 17. This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Jo. 15. 12 14. Let love be without dissimulation Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honor preferring one another Rom. 12. 9 10. By love serve one another for all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self But if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consum'd one of another Gal. 5. 13 14 15. Owe no man any thing but to love one another For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law For this thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not kill Thou shall not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Thou shalt not covet and if there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying namely Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self Love worketh no ill to his Neighbor therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13. 8 9 10. As touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another And indeed ye do it towards all the brethren which are in Macedonia But we beseech you brethren that ye increase more and more and that ye study to be quiet 1 Thes 4. 9 10 11. Above all things have fervent Charity among your selves For Charity shall cover the multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4. 8. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in him But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness 1 Jo. 2. 10. Whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother 1 Jo. 3. 10. We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren he that loveth not his brother abideth in death Whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer and ye know that no murtherer hath eternal life abiding in him 1 Jo. 3. 14 15. If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar This Commandment have we from him that he who loveth God love his brother also 1 Jo. 4. 12 20 21. Tho' I have the gift of Prophecy and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge and tho' I have all Faith so that I could remove Mountains and have no Charity I am nothing And tho' I bestow all my goods to feed the Poor and tho' I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profitteth me nothing Charity suffereth long and is kind Charity envieth not Charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13. 2 3 4 c. Thus the Christian's Rule directs as to this Point Whoever expects Salvation thro' Christ must hear his Word and make it his daily business to observe it Christ himself has said it Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Jo. 15. 14. CHAP. X. Of loving our Enemies Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to the love of our Enemies A. It speaks positively in this Point I say unto you Love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you That ye may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh the Sun to rise on the Evil and on the Good and sendeth Rain on the Just and on the Vnjust For if ye love them which love you what reward have ye Do not even the Publicans the same And if ye salute your Brethren only what do you more than others Do not even the Publicaus so Be ye therefore Perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect Mat. 5. 44 c. I say unto you which hear love your Enemies do good to them which hate you Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also As you would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise For if ye love them which love you what thank have ye For Sinners also love those that love them And
in the midst of Wolves But beware of Men for they will deliver you up to the Counsels and they will Scourge you in their Synagogues and ye shall be brought before Governors and Kings for my sake And the Brother shall deliver up the Brother to Death and the Father the Child And the Children shall rise up against their Parents and cause them to be put to Death And ye shall be hated of all Men for my names sake But he that endureth to the end shall be saved The Disciple is not above his Master nor the Servant above his Lord. It is enough for the Disciple that be be as his Master and the Servant as his Lord If they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his Houshold Mat. 10. 16. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all Nations for my names sake Mat. 24. 9. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God Service Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall Weep and Lament but the World shall rejoice and ye shall be sorrowful but your Sorrow shall be turned into Joy And ye now therefore have Sorrow but I will see you again and your Heart shall rejoice and your Joy no Man taketh from you Jo. 16. 2 20. If the World hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you Jo. 15. 18. Every Branch that beareth Fruit he my Father purgeth it that it may bring forth more Fruit Jo. 15. 2. Master who did sin this Man or his Parents that he was born Blind Jesus answered neither hath this Man sinned nor his Parents But that the Works of God should be made manifest in him Jo. 9. 2. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his Glory Luk. 24. 26. And when they had called the Apostles and beaten them they commanded that they should not speak in the Name of Jesus and let them go And they departed from the presence of the Counsel rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer Shame for his Name Act. 5. 40. We rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God and not only so but we Glory in Tribulations also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience Rom. 5. 2. Heirs God and Joint-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together For I reckon that the Sufferings of this present Time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8. 17. For we know that the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in Pain together until now What shall we then say to these things If God be for us who can be against us Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall Tribulation or Distress or Persecution or Famine or Nakedness or Peril or Sword As it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as Sheep for the Slaughter Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors thro' him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 22 31 35. I think that God hath set forth us the Apostles last as it were appointed to Death For we are made a Spectacle unto the World and to Angels and to Men. We are Fools for Christ's sake but ye are wise in Christ We are weak but ye are strong Ye are honorable but we are despised Even unto this present Hour we both Hunger and Thirst and are Naked and are Buffeted and have no certain Dwelling-place and labour working with our own Hands Being reviled we bless being persecuted we suffer it Being defamed we intreat We are made as the Filth of the World and are the off-scouring of all things unto this Day 1 Cor. 4. 9. Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort who comforteth us in all our Tribulations for as the Sufferings of Christ abound in us so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ For we would not Brethren have you ignorant of our Trouble which came to us in Asia that we were pressed out of Measure above Strength insomuch that we despaired even of Life But we had the Sentence of Death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the Dead who delivered us from so great a Death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 2 Cor. 1. 3 8. And our Hope of you is stedfast knowing that as you are Partakers of the Sufferings so shall ye be also of the Consolation Ib. v. 7. We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed always bearing about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body For we which live are always delivered unto Death for Jesus sake that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh So then Death worketh in us but Life in you For which cause we faint not but tho' our outward Man perish yet the inward Man is renewed day by day For our light Affliction which is but for a Moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are Temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal 2 Cor. 4. 7 16. I am filled with Comfort I am exceeding joyful in all our Tribulation For when we were come into Macedonia our Flesh had no rest but we were troubled on every side without were Fightings within were Fears Nevertheless God that comforteth those that are cast down comforted us by the coming of Titus 2 Cor. 7. 4. Ye suffer if a Man bring you into Bondage if a Man devour you if a Man take of you if a Man exalt himself if a Man simite you on the Face Are they Ministers of Christ I am more In Labours more abundant in Stripes above measure in Prisons more frequent in Deaths oft Of the Jews five times received I forty Stripes save one Thrice was I beaten with Rods once was I Stoned thrice I suffered Shipwrack a Night and a Day I have been in the Deep In Journeying often in Perils of Waters in Perils of Robbers in Perils by my own Countrymen in Perils by the Heathen
Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and minister'd unto him Mat. 4. 8. Be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in Faith knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World But the God of all Grace who hath called us unto his eternal Glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you 1 Pet. 〈…〉 Devil and he will flee from you Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Humble your selves in the Sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up Jam. 4. 7 10. Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine Heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and keep back part of the Price of the Land Act. 5. 3. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall There hath no Temptation taken you but such as is common to Man But God is Faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the Temptation also make a Way to escape that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10. 12. Lest I should be exalted above Measure thro' the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above Measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee For my Strength is made perfect in Weakness Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities that the Power of Christ may rest upon me For when I am weak then am I strong 2 Cor. 12. 7. We glory in Tribulations also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Rom. 5. 3. My Brethren count all Joy when ye fall into divers Temptations knowing this that the trying of your Faith work th◠Patience but let Patience have her perfect Work that ye may be Perfect and Entire wanting nothing Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Let no Man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God For God cannot be tempted with Evil neither tempteth he any Man But every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth Sin And Sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death Jam. 1. 2 12. Wherein ye greatly rejoice tho' now for a Season if need be ye are in Heaviness thro' manifold Temptations That the Trial of your Faith being much more precious than of Gold that perisheth tho' it be tried with Fire might be found unto Praise and Honor and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ whom having not seen ye love 1 Pet. 1. 6. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of Temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2. 9. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried And ye shall have Tribulation Ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. Thus speaks the Rule Whence many Particulars are made evident First That Good and Holy Persons are not exempt from Temptations but that even these may be assaulted by the worst and most abominable of all Temptations as appears in the Person of Christ and his Apostle 2dly That God tries his best Servants with many and great Difficulties which Trials are often call'd Temptations not Temptations to Sin but for the Trial of Fidelity and greater Improvement in Virtue 3dly That a Christian ought not to grieve when under such Temptations or Trials but rather rejoice because he knows this is the Effect of God's Love and that an eternal Crown is promis'd the Reward of his Patience 4thly That therefore under all such Trials he ought to have his Hope fix'd on God with an entire Confidence of being ever supported by his Grace that he will give him Strength proportion'd to his Trials and either continue or take them away as he knows to be best for him 5thly That the Devil taking the Advantage of his natural Corruption lays many Temptations before him and by these provokes him to Sin and in this Way God tempts no Man it being wholly Inconsistent with his Goodness Lastly That with great Watchfulness he is to observe these Designs of his Enemy and with Resolution stand against them and that upon so doing he cannot fail of being Conqueror thro' God's assisting Grace These being Truths deliver'd in the Christian's Rule he must carefully observe them He must receive all Trials which come from the Hand of God with great Patience Courage and Fidelity and daily endeavor in Spirit to rejoice under them He must not be dejected at the most malicious Assaults of the Devil but either despise or resist them He must bear such Temptations as are common to our Nature with Humility and never Wilfully Carlesly or Presumptuously put himself into Temptation They who do thus may confide in the Grace of God which will be sufficient for them And they who do otherwise forsake their Rule and there can be no Surprize if they are forsaken by him who has given it them for their Direction and Security CHAP. XXI Of Virgins Q. HAving seen what the Gospel directs in these General Duties which belong to all that profess the Name of Christ let me now hear what it says to the Particular States of Christians that so having this drawn under several Heads every one may have the Opportunity of seeing what is the Will of God in regard of them and what Instructions Christ has laid upon them And First What do's the Gospel say of Virgins A. It speaks very particularly of them There are some Eunuchs which were so born from their Mothers Womb And there are some Eunuchs which were made Eunuchs of Men And there be Eunuchs which have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake He that is able to receive it let him receive it Mat. 19. 12. The Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened unto Ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom And Five of them were Wise and Five were Foolish They that were Foolish took their Lamps and took no Oyl with them But the Wise took Oyl in their Vessels with their Lamps The Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the Door was shut Afterward came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us But he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch therefore for ye know neither the Day nor the Hour Mat. 25. 1.
The Fear of the Lord is the Instruction of Wisdom and before Honor is Humility 33. Every one that is Proud in Heart is an Abomination to the Lord Prov. 16. 5. The High-way of the Vpright is to depart from Evil He that keepeth his Way preserveth his Soul v. 17. Pride goeth before Destruction And a haughty Spirit before a fall v. 18. A froward Man soweth Strife and a Whisperer separateth chief Friends 28. A Reproof entereth more into a wise Man than an hundred Stripes into a Fool Prov. 17. 10. The beginning of Strife is as when one letteth out Water Therefore leave off Contention before it be medled with 14. He that hath Knowledge spareth his Words Even a Fool when he holdeth his Peace is counted Wise 27 28. A Fool 's Lips enter into Contention The words of a Tale-bearer are as wounds Prov. 18. 6 8. Before Destruction the Heart of Man is haughty 12. Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue 21. The Discretion of a Man differeth his Anger and it is his Glory to pass over a Transgression Prov. 19. 11. Slothfulness casteth into a deep Sleep and an Idle Soul shall suffer Hunger 15. He that hath pity upon the Poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again 17. Hear Counsel and receive Instruction that thou mayest be wise in thy latter End 20. Reprove one that hath Vnderstanding and he will understand Knowledge 25. VVine is a Mocker strong Drink is Raging And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise Prov. 20. 1. It is an Honor for a Man to cease from Strife But every Fool will be medling 3. Love not Sleep lest thou come to Poverty 13. He that goeth about as a Tale-bearer revealeth Secrets 19. An high Look and a proud Heart and the plowing of the Wicked is Sin Prov. 21. 4. He that loveth Pleasure shall be a poor Man 17. The Mouth of a strange Women is a deep Pit he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein Prov. 22. 14. Hear thou my Son and be wise and guide thine Heart in the Way Be not amongst Wine-bibbers amongst Rioters Eaters of Flesh For the Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to Poverty and Drowsiness shall Cloath a Man with Rags Prov. 23. 19. Who hath Wo Who hath Sorrow Who hath Contentions Who hath Babling Who hath Wounds without Cause Who hath Redness of Eyes They that tarry long at the Wine at the last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder Thine Eyes shall behold strange Women and thine Heart shall utter perverse Things Yea thou shalt be as he that lyeth down in the midst of the Sea or as he that lyeth upon the top of a Mast 23 29. Rejoice O young Man in thy Youth and let thy Heart cheer thee in the Days of thy Youth and walk in the Ways of thy Heart and in the Sight of thine Eyes But know thou that for all these things God will bring thee unto Judgment Childhood and Youth are Vanity Eccl. 11. 9. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth while the evil Days come not nor the Years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no Pleasure in them Eccl. 12. 1. It is good for a Man that he bear the Yoke in his Youth Lam. 3. 27. These are Instructions given by the Spirit of God and particularly directed to Youth which if followed will lead to true Wisdom but if neglected the Fruit must be Destruction The Difficulties of youthful Years are generally very great for when the Strength of Passions carries them on and there is neither Experience or Apprehension to Stem the Violence of them they run as naturally into Mischief as a Boat adrift down the Stream Upon this Consideration is here often press'd the Necessity of their heark'ning to Instruction taking Counsel admitting of Reproof as the most effectual Means for their Security This Advice is given them by the Spirit of God himself who best knows what is necessary for them Here they have his own Words and such particular Directions as their State requires if they read them often and are Solicitous to make them their Rule they will with them find Life but if they despise them they despise their own Souls and the Effects of his Goodness who has thus mercifully taken Care of them CHAP. XXVII Of Masters and Mistresses of Families Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to these A. Such as they ought carefully to observe and are as follows Behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a Dream saying Arise and take the young Child and his Mother and flee into Egypt Mat. 2. 13. They are to be watchful against all Dangers that threaten their Families The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a Man which sowed good Seed in his Field But while Men slept his Enemy came and sowed Tares among the VVheat The Servants said unto him wilt thou then that we go and gather them up But he said nay lest while ye gather up the Tares ye root up also the VVheat with them Mat. 13. 24 28. If they are not very Watchful variety of Disorders will insensibly creep into their Families both as to themselves their Children and Servants And it is their Sloth Sleeping and Neglect is the general Occasion of it For reforming such great Discretion is necessary and this they must earnestly beg of him who is the Father of Light and Fountain of all Wisdom The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which went out early in the Morning to hire Labourers into his Vineyard And when he had agreed with the Labourers when Even was come the Lord of the Vineyard saith unto his Steward Call the Labourers and give them their Hire Mat. 20. 1 1. Three Points proper for this State 1. To be Watchful and Early 2. To consider and look into the Business they have to do and prudently prepare for the effecting it 3. To make just Payments according to Agreement and without delay This last is often of so great Concern that the Neglect of it is attended with so many Inconveniencies as to deserve no better Name than of Injustice and Oppression If any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own House he hath denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5. 8. How great the Obligation is of providing for Family may be understood from the frightful Character here given of those who neglect to do it O God how unhappy is their Condition who lye under this Guilt I wish all Heads of Families would seriously consider it that terrified with it they might be affraid 〈…〉 what should be the Comfort and Provision of their Family Do's not this want considering when it is scarce look'd upon as a Fault to throw away Summs upon Humor and Sport and to let Idleness and Intemperance eat out Estates This is no less in
ought to be deliver'd in such a manner as to be understood by the Hearers Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the Savour of his Knowledge by us in every Place For we are unto God a sweet Savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish To the one we are the Savour of Death unto Death and to the other the Savour of Life unto Life For we are not as many which corrupt the Word of God But as of Sincerity but as of God in the Sight of God speak we in Christ 2 Cor. 2. 14 17. The Gospel ought to be preach'd by Word and by good Example To Falsifie or Change the Word of God is Sacrilegious Where there is not true Sincerity there is not the Spirit of the Gospel Seeing we have this Ministry as we have received Mercy we faint not But have renounced the hidden things of Dishonesty not walking in Craftiness nor handling the Word of God Deceitfully but by Manifestation of the Truth commending our selves to every Man's Conscience in the Sight of God But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 4. 1. To such Abuses are the most holy Things subject but how many Wo's to them that incurr this Guilt We preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake 2 Cor. 4. 5. What Prophanation What Prostitution of the Gospel in those who undertake to preach Jesus Christ and under this Cover seek themselves We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroy'd always bearing about in the Body the Dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body 2 Cor. 4. 7. The Glory of Preachers is to be in God from whom is every good Gift In all Troubles their Confidence is to be in him whom they preach They ought every Way to be so Religious that the Life of Christ may be manifested in all they suffer and in all they do God hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation and hath committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation Now then we are Embassadors for Christ as tho' God did beseech you by us We pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 18. We then as Workers together with him beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Giving no Offence in any thing that the Ministry be not blamed But in all things approving our selves as the Ministers of God in much Patience in Afflictions in Necessities in Distresses in Stripes in Imprisonments in Tumults in Labors in Watchings in Fastings by Pureness by Knowledge by Long-suffering by Kindness by the Holy Ghost by Love Vnfeigned by the Word of Truth by the Power of God by the Armor of Righteousness on the right Hand and on the left by Honor and Dishonor by evil Report and good Report As Deceivers and yet True as Vnknown and yet well Known as Dying and behold we Live as Chastened and not Killed as Sorrowful yet always Rejoicing as Poor yet making many Rich as having Nothing and yet possessing all Things 2 Cor. 6. 1. How great is the Dignity of those who succeed in the Apostolic Function And what ought to be their Sanctity who are no others than Vicars of Christ Their Model is here describ'd by the Apostle and ought to be seriously consider'd in every Point Behold the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be Burdensome to you for I seek not yours but you For the Children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the Children And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you tho' the more abundantly I love you the lâ—ss I be loved But be it so 2 Cor. 12. 14. The Character of true Zeal to seek nothing but the good of the Flock An Hypocrite may pretend this for a time but none but the true Shepherds can persevere in this Practice To do otherwise is to be a Trader and not a Pastor Do I seek to please Men For if I yet pleased Men I should not be the Servant of Christ Gal. 1. 10. Hence is the Corruption of the Gospel they who should seek nothing but Jesus endeavour to please the World and to gain Esteem Preferment weighs more with them than Truth When it pleased God who separated me from my Mother's Womb and called me by his Grace To reveal his Son in me that I might preach him among the Heathen immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood Gal. 1. 15. Flesh and Blood are not to be Counsellors in the Cause of the Gospel and the Delivery of its Truths He gave some Apostles And some Prophets And some Evangelists And some Pastors and Teachers for the Perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the Body of Christ 'Till we all come in the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a Perfect Man unto the Measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ That we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every Wind of Doctrin by the slight of Men and cunning Craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive But speaking the Truth in Love may grow up into him in all things which is the Head even Christ Eph. 4. 11. The Ministers of the Divine Institution Their Charge is not a State of Idleness but of Work The end of this Ordinance was for establishing the Flock in the Unity of Truth And in all Holiness in this they ought to labor Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication for all the Saints and for me that Vtterance may be given unto me that I may open my Mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel For which I am an Embassador in Bonds that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak Eph. 6. 18. They are to desire the Prayers of the Flock they are to use a holy Liberty in preaching the Truth of the Gospel without being aw'd by Shame Fear or Expectation They are to do nothing unworthy of him whose Person they represent Some indeed preach Christ even of Envy and Strife and some also of good Will The one preach Christ of Contention not sincerely supposing to add Affliction to my Bonds Phil. 1. 15. Strange Motives for preaching Christ Unhappy they whose Passions serve them for Steps whereby to ascend to the Chair of Truth which ought to have no Entrance but by the Love of Jesus If ye continue in the Faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel whereof I Paul am made a Minister