may follow such a trouble But a gratious heart counts his condition the better for such troubles at first and counts it a mercy that God would any way awaken him and although he lie under many fears yet he expects much good from such troubles and would not be rid of them but upon good grounds and although he doth pray constantly to be delivered from those troubles yet he would not have been without them for the world neither would he go back to his former condition though he were sure thereby to be rid of his troubles Again when a gratious soul doth get peace he doth not content himself barely with peace but he examines what manner of peace he hath gotten whether it be a holy place yea or no whether it be better then his trouble for says he although I wanted peace and I sought for that yet the Lord-knows that was not all I sought for I sought for holiness and for communion with God and f I know my heart I had rather be kept without peace in my spirit and yet close to God then come neerer to peace and to go farther off from God Therefore unless he can see his peace is a holy gratious peace accompanied with the fruits of the spirit and with communion with God it wil not please him but if the heart be carnal under trouble it is careless under a calm and so it hath freedome from the storm it is enough It is a mistake therefore when you say that the people of God do measure their conditions by the peaceableness of it No no they measure it by the goodness and soundness of the peace that they have and they suspend their joy til they have proved and tryed their peace Thirdly You mistake the peace of the soul for it does not consist in a freedom from conviction of sin nor in a cessation of the tenderness of conscience and a losse of the sense of the evil of it But it lies in the evidence of the pardon oâ— sin which is spoken in to the conscience by which it answers all objections that are brought against it For the people of God who have most of this peace have all these things yet remaining Their peace stands with all these but thine is built upon the absence and want of these As first a gracious heart hath peace yet it hath convictions of sin 1 John 1.8 If we say we have nâ— sin Nay he hath more convictions of sin then before he sees more sinne in himself then ever he saw in all his life Job 42.5 6. I have seene the Lord I abhorre my self and Ezek. 16.63 You shall be ashamed and confounded when I am pacified towards you Yes this does not break his peace because he sees sinne and pardon together and the peace does not lessen the sight of sin but makes it plainer to him But your peace is onely in the cessation of Convictions you see not sin as you did and therefore you are not troubled if thine eyes were open and thou didst see thy sinne as the people of God do it would revive thy troubles again Thy peace is false because it consisteth not with conviction if thou hadst a true peace it would heighten thy Convictions thou wouldest see more sin then ever yet thou didst and those more clearly which thou hast seen already Rom. 7.9 When the Law came sin revived and I dyed This is spoken of Paul after he had obtained the pardon of sin and he that before saw nothing blameworthy in him self saw afterwards nothing but a body of sin and death Secondly The soul may be charged for sin and yet have peace He may be charged by God as Israel is Ezek. 16. But this is to humble it It may be charged by its own conscience as Paul Rom. 7.18 19. In my flesh dwels no good thing He may be charged by Satan as we finde that he is ready to charge the people of God and tempt them to doubt of their interest But yet the soul may have an answer to all these in the blood of Christ A soul may have notwithstanding all that is alledged peace with Paul Rom. 8.33 34. and stand out and say though I am daily charged and I cannot but charge my self yet who shall condemne it is Christ that hath dyed So that you see a Believers peace consisteth with these things But thy peace is in this Time was that thou wert troubled for sinne and thou couldest not eate or drink or sleep quietly for it but now you thank God it is otherwise God began to charge thee for sin and conscience was stirred and thou wert afraid and perhaps Satan began to charge thee too For when God begins to charge for sinne to mind it of Christ Rev. 3.17 then the Devil he charges to drive the soul to despaire Jerem. 18.12 And you shal see whether the hand of God or Satan be most in the trouble by these two things whilst the trouble continues you shal know by observing whether the desires after Christ or the fears of wrath and hel are the greatest when the Trouble ends you shall know by the continuation of such desires after Christ For if Gods hand be most In such troubles for good he will keep up the soul after himself when the trouble is over But if Satans hand be principal in them then they lose all those seeming desires which they had after Christ Oh you who have lost your seeming zeal for God with your troubles of conscience Consider it is to be feared that Satan onely troubled to keep thee off from Christ he saw that God began to stir in the Word and he thought it was time for him to stirr also But when he saw that God began to cease striving with thee and thou beganst to grow cold again he ceased to trouble thee also and hence is thy quiet if Satan should but stirre again he would shake thy peace and this he would do if he saw any danger of losing thee but he knows this peace is a likelier way to hold thee then such a trouble But Gods people have a peace in despite of all his molestations A believers peace does not destroy the tenderness of his conscience nor his sensibleness of the evil of sin for he is more sensible of sin then he was before he sees the evil of it more though the danger be not so much He is sensible of the smallest sinne and there is no sin which he now does account so when he was under terrours of Conscience he looked upon his grosse sins and his feares did arise principally from them but now he looks upon his secret sins and his grief is for them So that he saies when a temptation comes how can I do this thing and sinne against God But the carnal mans peace is much built upon his insensibleness he sees the evil of sinne lesse then he did he feels Conscience lesse and conscience feels sin lesse a
as well as outward to many that perish I shal lay down these few particulars First He inlightens their understandings which before were wholly darkned and gives them the knowledg of many Gospel truths yea sometimes in such a manner and measure that they are able to teach and instruct others and to tel others what is to be done when yet they themselves wil not doe what they direct others unto Rom. 2.19.20 Thus Judas and Demas had such gifts and knowledg as made them for a time serviceable to others yet they served not the interest of their own souls Secondly He shews them the equity of his wayes so that he cannot but confesse that what the Lord requires is just and reasonable and so also what he threatens and yet they have no wil to do the same Rom. 1.32 The Heathens were convinced that God would judge their wayes and he would punish them with death and they could not deny the justice of this sentence How much more are many convinc'd strongly of this who live under a searching Ministry To this we may adde that of Rom. 2.18 Thou approvest of the things which are excellent God inlightens them so far that their judgements are for him though their affections are for the Devil and sin Thirdly He moves so far sometimes until he stirre up some kinde of resolutions in them and Conscience grows so hot that nothing wil quiet it but making of promises to do something in answer to such Convictions Acts 24.25 Thus Felix quieted his Conscience when it was in a flame by telling it he would hear Paul and it another time Fourthly He moves so strongly upon the heart of a sinner that he cannot be quiet unlesse he do something for the present in obedience to that word which is set close to him by the Spirit of God Thus Herod heard John Baptist and did many things Mark 6.20 Fifthly He squeezes a sweetnesse out of his wayes upon their spirits sometimes so that they are convinc'd that it is good following of God Thus the stony ground received the Word with joy Matth. 13.20 And They tasted of the heavenly gift Heb. 6.4 They had some peace in their spirits and comfort in the hope that sin was pardoned and this seemed a sweet thing to them Sixthly He gives them some taste of the powers of the World to come as Balaam had Numb 23.10 He had strange Convictions of the povvers of the World to come He â—avv that a mans happinesse did not lie in the things of this life But there vvas another life vvhich vvas principally to be cared for and look't after He knevv that the people of God had a happinesse reserved for them in that life which was more then all the pleasures of this He knevv that they vvould be the happy men vvho had feared and loved the Lord yet he loves not them although he desired their Condition He would have cursed them for wages yet he desired to be blessed with them Thus you see God goes farre to stirre those who are not saved I have now shewne you wherein a wicked mans day consisteth and how farre it does extend to outward and to inward helps and meanes whilst these things continue which I have shewed you it may be sayd It is day with them But as this day of theirs seemes to be some what cleere in respect of meanes yet it is a very uncertaine day whose length is onely known to the Lord. For he causes the Sun to rise and set at his pleasure And although wee cannot by the exactest Calculations finde out precisely how long or short this day is to particular soules yet we may lay down General Rules and make such Scripture proposals as may help men very much in judging concerning this Gospel day at least I doubt not but to shew you so much as will cleere this truth or Second Proposition That a sinners day may end whilst he injoyes the outward means of grace Sometimes the Lord brings the nigth upon a people by taking a way the means of grace wholly from them When the Sun sets it must needs be dark and if the Gospel were taken quite a way he world would be as dark as Hell But I intend not to insist upon the proofe of this I shall grant that a sinner may have all the choyce outward helps that can be injoy'd continued to him and yet this day may be over And that will appeare First Because God may withdraw the Convictions of his Spirit from him notwithstanding he injoyes the word the Lord may say as Gen 6.3 My Spirit shall strive no more with this man And alas when God hath withdrawne his Spirit from the world to what purpose is it Secondly No onely so but the Lord does hold them from seeing and understanding those things which concern their peace as he held the Disciples from knowing him whilst he talked with them so does he these men from knowing any thing savingly Rom. 11.8 10. God hath given them a Spirit of slumber c. When God hath plainly convinc'd of the truth of his Gospel and sollicited their returne by many morall perswasions and stirrings of Conscience and they will not receive the truth in the love of it He then does not onely withdraw the light which shined convincingly upon their Consciences but he dos hold their eyes from seeing or puts the truths of his Gospel into such a dress that they should mistake them Therefore sayes Christ Matth. 13.11 13. I spake to them in parables Thus says the Lord to his Word and Messengers Go and speak to such a people concerning their peace but I wil cast such a vayl upon plaine truths that they shall not understand what is plainly spoken to them for their good Compare Isai 6.9 with Isa 29.10 and tel me whether God does not take up such resolutions as this That the people who would not see at one time shal not see at another And how farre are such a people from night judge you Thirdly He sometimes hardens their hearts and makes them heavy by that word which in it self is a word of healing and softning He hath said the word shall not go forth in vaine and return empty It shal do something either as a savour of life or of death but because they have refused the word as it offers life God in just judgement makes it a killing word to them as we may see Isaiah 6.10 it is a sad thing when the Lord shoots the Gospel as poysoned arrows against the soul which wil surely kil yet this the Lord often does against such as have rejected the saving offers of it as we may see Isaiah 28.12 13. The Lord gave them line upon line and precept upon precept that they might goe and fall backward and be broken c. But the Lord never deales thus with a people but for sins against his word that he might by his word punish their disobedience to it Fourthly He delivers them
did Come another time But it is a question whether God will waite upon thee any more or not perhaps he 'le give a Commission to his Messengers to speake no more he will send them to another people Or if it doe come againe it may never come with that heat and light that it comes now to thee the Word which iâ— nâ—w a spirited Worâ— may be a dead coâ—d Word ever after to thee Felix put off the Word when it came in some power He might have heard many Sermons before he met with such another Oh let not the probability of enjoying the meanes make thee secure under it Thou sayest pehapes if thou wert likely to have no more of it thou wouldest then listen to the present word and the Convictions of it Oh but what if thou wert sure yet to enjoy the Word art thou sure to finde it a Convincing Word thou mayest have it then but if God hath withdrawne the inlightning convincing power from it what difference will there be betwixt thee and him that hath no word oh how little is this considered and minded by the greatest part of man they hear as if they were sure to heare againe and as if there were no danger of being lost under the Word they say they have the meanes and there is no such hast if we here it not to day we may hear it to morrow we shall have the same Word then which we have now and it wil be well if we listen to it then But though you should have the same Word and the same persons which speake the Word to you then yet you may finde it as another thing to you then the Word may be now a Convincing Word there may be some spirit and power in it now and then it may be otherwise to thee God may have withdrawne all convincing quickning comforting power from it and then it will seeme to thee that it is not the same Word that it was thou mayst hear the same things which stirre thee now and not be moved at al and then if God be withdrawne from his Ordinances it is all one as if he had taken them away too Oh take this into your Consideration you who doe enjoy a constant Ministry and have the Word constantly preacht to you listen to it as if it were departing from you for though the Word it self continue yet if the Spirit depart from it thy soul is undone If you had but a little time to live or but a little time to hear the word thou wouldest be perswaded to look after it But oh these may be true one or both but suppose neither be true that thy life be not short nor the meanes short yet let me tell thee the time in which God will strive with thy soul may be short yea very short There is a prefixed time set for thee to come in to Christ which if thou passest over if thou diddest live to Methuselabs age and haddest the choicest means under Heaven yet thou shouldest not be converted If thou haddest an assurance that any time in thy life would serve the turn yet thou hast no reason to delay for thy life is very uncertain and short for this great work But the means is more uncertain thou art not sure that the Gospel shal always sound in thine â—ars Oh but Gods striving with thy heart is most uncertain for who knows how soon he wil give over to struggle with thee Thy life is a very inconsiderable thing because of the shortness of it it is but a moment in comparison of eternity Oh but the day of grace is a short thing in comparison of thy life Take heed of carelesness as if thou didst know that thy day of grace would bold to the last day of thy life We never read that conversion and death met together in one day save to one man which was the Thief on the Crosse it was to one to prevent despair in them whose eyes are then opened and it was but to one that none might presume upon such a time before it come If such a day and it hath such an end and it leave men under such an irrecoverable condition then take hold of the present time while it is called to day Because thou art sure onely of the present there is a night coming when no man can work not onely a night of death but a night of spiritual slumber wherein thou shalt walk up and down with eyes blinded understanding darkened affections alienated from God Conscience seared with a black mark of ruine and perdition upon thy soul when thou shalt not onely be without sence but past sence past seeing and past feeling and past hopes when thou shalt think that thou seest and yet seest not and think that thou perceivest and yet shalt be blinde as the Mole having no true understanding of God nor of thy own condition before him Oh when this night comes upon thee woe unto thee thy work must needs lye behind for ever If you could but foresee such a thing as this is and did believe indeed that it would come upon thee wouldest thou not lay aside all delaies and bethink thy self of improving this inch of time which thou hast for Eternitie I beseech you all therefore in the Lord be perswaded to consider of this thing it is a great thing that I am treating about lay it to your hearts and lay about you as those who have but a little time to mind a great business Think of these things First Some think themselves too great to think on such things they have great cares and many incumbrances Secondly Many think they are not great enough when they are risen to such a height in honour or estate then they wil mind it and some too young another time wil serve All these put it off to another time A death-bed there they appoint Conscience to meet them and debate the business Two great general Deceits run thorow mens hearts First They pretend that they wil comply with the Gospel Few will say in plaine termes We wil not have Christ reign over us or We wil never hear any more of this matter but they wil appoint another time as they judge most convenient not considering that the time they dreame of may not come at all or if it does it may be no time for this the time for this work may be past Secondly They act for the world as if their being rich great did depend upon a day but as if the business of their souls had no dependance on the advantage of time but the Scripture speaks otherwise it has set thee a day for thy soul which if thou neglect thou shalt lose but for the world that may be had in the last place Matthew 6. First seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Great men mind this you have but a day you may neglect the time and God wil be as strict with you as others in
broad He speaks out eminently his experience in this thing that hee had seen an end of the perfection of every way but of this A man may finde something sweet in creatures but he shal quickly come to the end of it only in the ways of God he finds a large field there is room enough for his soul he may travel all his daies in them and never find an end of their perfection here He was like the Lâ—viathan taking his pastime in the mighty waters the man that sets his hearton any thing beneath Christ shall find his bed too short to stretch himself upon he crowdeth his soul into a narrow room and place where he cannot be at rest but the soul that is busied about the Lord in meditating upon him has a large place to walk in there is no end of his glory nor of the sweetness of his ways We may say of them truly as the wise man saith in another case The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear with hearing They were not onely Davids work but his recreation Psalm 119.111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage they are the rejoycing of my heart And this exceeding sweetness which he found in the thoughts of God did multiply his thoughts Psalm 139.17 How precious are thy thoughts O God! and the soul multiplies the thoughts according to what they yeeld of delight unto it as the Bee often fals on that flower which yeelds the most honey Eighthly Consider how thou hast carryed the world in thine eye constantly for many dayes and moneths and years without intermission thou didst never walk up and down but thou didst carry thy worldly thoughts with thee either thoughts of profit or pleasure or preferment thou hast carried them to thy bed and brought them from thence again they have companied thee sleeping as well as waking thou hast had no leasure for God nor for a serious thought of thy soule no not so much as under an Ordinance how many vain base thoughts hast thou brought to the hearing of the Word and to other duties there has been no time nor place wherein thou hast been free from carnal thoughts Oh now study to keep thy heart thy thoughts as close to God as thou didst then to the world carry as much of God now with thee into the world as thou didst then bring with thee of the world into the things of God it is but reason that thou shouldest follow God with the same affections desires that thou didst then follow thy pleasures and profits with what face can we profess that we love God and that our thoughts are upon him when he is lower in our thoughts or less in them then other things either are or have been See the Apostles Argument Rom. 6 19. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh for as you have yeelded your members servants unto uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now yeeld your members servants to righteousness unto holiness May I not use the same is it not a reasonable thing and plain to the judgement of man that you should honor God as much in your thoughts as ever you dishonored him and give up them to him as you did formerly give them up to sin and vanity now remember what the frame of thy spirit was when thou wert vain thy thoughts constantly so there was not room for one serious thought of God when thou wert carnal and worldly and set upon thy pleasures thy thoughts were all that way and alwaies such O now think it not enough to begin to be serious but be as serious for God as ever thou wert for the world and sin Make it thy business and thy design now labour to keep thy thoughts as busie about the Lord as ever thou didst about any thing in the world remember the Lord expects a proportionable acting that we act for him at the rate that we did against him Ninthly Thou wilt never repent of living near the Lord when thou comest to dye the time which thou hast spent this way in eâ—ing thâ— Lord and thy fore-thoughts which thou hast had of Eternity wil never trouble thee in that hour where thou wilt mourn onely for those hours which thou hast spent without God in the world when other men shall tremble at the thoughts of death and of eternity and at the remembrance of God whom they have not known nor considered nor yet cared to know then thou shalt rejoice in him whom thou hast known and loved and hopest to see with whom thy thoughts have been long before when death shall come to surprize others it shall deliver thee and when God shal come as a stranger and an enemy to them he shal be as a long-experienced friend to thy soul then thou shalt reap the benefit of thy retirements which men called melancholly thoughts and he whose thoughts were not as thine wil wish his end might be as thine When Oecolampadius lay on his death-bed asking a friend that came to visit him what news he brought and he told him none well saith he then I le tell you news When all were in expectation what it should be or how he that had been confined to his chamber could tell them news Brevi ero apud Christum Dominum saies he I shall shortly be with Christ this was good news to that good man whose heart had been for him whilest living and now rejoiced that he should be more with him dying And indeed the consideration of this did so much affect him he turned all discourse into this when they asked whether the light did not offend him because of his weakness he lâ—id his hand on his breast and said Abunde lucis est here is much light It is remarkable that of Paul 2 Tim. 4.6 7. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith what comfort he takes in considering how he had spent his time for God and how much that consideration did facilitate his assurance and he adds this as a fruit of wel-doing to love the appearance of Christ But for a wicked man who hath lived all his time ignorantly or idly or prophanely either doing his own things or other or evil things and not regarding the things of the Lord will he rejoyce at the appearance of Jesus there wil be a horrible crying when Christ comes at midnight and finds them secure and employed in the works of the night in surfeiting or in drunkenness It will be with such as it was with Pope Adrian who cryed out O my soul whither art thou going thou art going where thou shalt never be jovial nor merry more O my soul whither art thou going Men do generally shake off these thoughts but when they come to dye they are easily confuted they live now as if there were none