Psal 51 4. and our uneven walking before him and this spirit of God will present objects sufficient enough to us for the true humbling of us Fifthly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Humbling so it is a sin-destroying Spirit Where the Spirit hath took up its abode in a Soul to rule every thing must be brought into subjection to it the Spirit of God must and will have the preheminence 1 Cor 1.30 God wiâ—l make all our corruptions bow and bend when once he hath given commission unto his Spirit to take dominion of the Soul for as Conscience is Gods Vicegerent on Earth Ps 119 59. v. 113. and speak it will for God So the Spirit will bear Rule and Sway for God and will never leave working in the Soul where it is until it hath brought the thought as well as the heart of man into subjection to our Lord Jesus The Spirit of God makes thorow work when it comes it is that which purifies the heart The Spirit begins at the root of the matter and if the root be good it is like the fruit will not be bad Acts 15.9 Rom. 6.12 Jam. 4.8 when the Spirit purifies the heart it proves death to our Sins and Life unto our Graces The Spirit of God will admit by no means sin to Rule in that Heart that God doth Reign in The old Man must be turned out and the new man must be received in the least sin must not have entertainment by the consent of the Spirit upon any terms for as much as sin is an enemy to Christ and a Christan Oh! Jer. 5.25 it is that which robs Christ of his Honour and a Christian of his Crown yea sin is that which keeps Christ and a Christian at a distance also and makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 3 17. As it is sin that breaks a Christians communion it is the Spirit that Reconsiles Christ to the Soul and makes up the breach again and produces peace unto the Soul where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty no Liberty is or can be allowed unto sin but Liberty in the Spirit for to serve Christ By this we see the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit Sixthly As the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit so it is a Grace-inlarging Spirit in the Soul too When the Soul lives in the injoyment of the Spirit oh then it is Graces bud forth and blossom in the Soul and bear lovely Fruit John 6.63 2 Cor. 3.6 Luk. 7.30 Rom. 5.3 Joh. 16.33 1 Cor. 3.21 Rev. 2.10 for the Spirit is that which gives life and being unto all Graces where the Spirit is wanting Graces are dying Oh! it is the Spirit of God that supplies the Soul with good things and inriches the Soul with the Glorious Treasures of Heaven with pretious Faith in the Day of straits with patience in the hour of Tryal and Temptation with Spiritual joy in the midst of worldly sorrow In a word the Spirit will furnish the Soul with the injoyments of all things in the midst of wants What shall I say of this excellent Spirit may not I say it is Gods Messenger and a Christians Friend Oh! when ever the Spirit comes into a Soul it comes with a Message from God sometimes it hath a Commission from God to comfort and encourage us and then its Language is Be faithful to Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life At another time it is like the Message of the Spirit is for to instruct and Counsel the Soul that is when it shall hint such a thing as this to us secretly to inform us to be careful that we do not grieve it least we displease it Mark Grieve not the Holy Spirit Ephes 5 30. by which we are sealed unto the Day of Redemption Oh! let the Message the Spirit comes with be royally entertained and bid it welcome sometimes the Spirit comes with a glorious promise of Grace and Love from God and then it comes with such like language as this to the Soul Jer. 33.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love and with my loving kindness have I drawn thee A Blessed Message and a Blessed Messenger See the work of the Spirit a Christians Help Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Excellent Help The Spirit is an excellent Help unto a Christian at all times and in all places a true Christian knows not how to live without the Spirit he knows not how to love without it nor how to walk without it If we live in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 we shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh therefore we must conclude the Spirit is a Christians Help For the proof hereof observe these following observations First It is the work of the Spirit to help the Soul unto a true sight and sence of sin It was by the help of the Spirit the Noble Apostle of the Gentiles namely Paul came to a sight of sin Sin sayes he Rom. 7.13 14. that it might appear sin worketh death in me by that which is good meaning the Spirit of God is that thing that is good and thereby sin becomes exceeding sinful unto him it makes him cry out when he was sensible of his present state The Law is Spiritual but I am Carnal sold under sin Mark The Spirit of God doth declare the Rice and Race of sin James 1 15. for when lust is conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished it brings forth Death so we see it is the Spirits work to make a clear discovery of sin unto the Soul and when once the Soul comes by the help of the Spirit unto this pitch of attainment to see sin as it is in its own appearance the Soul will not onely confess sin but bewale himself for it as David did crying out in the bitterness of his Spirit when he had a true sence upon him of it Psa 51.4 Against thee and thee onely have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight In a feeling sence doth he speak it When he is awakened by the Spirit he points at the very sin the like presidence we have in the Prodigal son when the Spirit of God gave him a sight with the sence oâ— sin the man cries out now of going unto his Father and he is resolved to say Father I have sinned against Heaven Luk. 15 18. he falls upon sin immediately and before thee though we are prodigal yet the Spirit of God it will make such fall down upon the knee of confession of sin and help them to witness sorrow for the same Luk. 15 19. And though I am not worthy to be called thy Son let me be a Servant a Token of Humility By this you may see what Blessed Work the Spirit of God makes when it comes into a Soul that it doth not give a bare sight of sin but a
pitch of attainment he is inabled to see a vanity in the love of the World a vanity in Worldly Riches Worldly Pleasures in a word the man who is annointed with the Eye-salve of Christ's love Rev. 3.18 sees all things short of Christ to be but vanity that give him what you will you give him nothing to his content except you give him Christ Character 3. To be Spiritually Minded is for to have an inlarged Heart for God and Godliness The very bent and intent of such a soul runs after the Lord and whatever things are True Phil. 4.8 whatsoever things are Honest whatsoever things are Just whatsoever things are Pure whatsoever things are Lovely whatsoever things are of good Report you shall have the spiritual man thinking of them and walking in them and that is the Path in which he doth delight to walk in Luke 1.6 if he can promote the Honour and Glory of God in what he doth it will be his great joy if not his great trouble Let him be in any Company whatsoever he will be giving out something that will tend unto the promoting of a Godly Life and if it cannot be digested the man is gone and if you would demâ—nd a Reason for the mans absenting he will tell you He hath but a little time for to Trade in and he must Trade for God The man truly Spiritual will tell you That the time past is enough and too much Gal. 5.16 that he hath spent in the lusts of the flesh and the pride of Life and if the Commodities of Heaven cannot go off with you and be digested by you he will of a suddain bid you adieu he will acquaint you what those Commodities are and will not leave you in the dark in the matter but you shall have very fair dealing from his hands the Commodities of Heaven are these Love Joy Peace Gal. 5.22 Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance and the like What say you man Will you trade in these things time is pretious I must be gone Mat. 25 15. ver 16. ver 17. for I must be careful how I spend my golden opportunities he will tell us The Lord hath intrusted him with a Talent the which if he doth not improve God will deprive him of it therefore you must give in your result without delay What say you Soul Are you for Heaven if not farewel I must be gone here is no staying for me for all talking is a burthen to me that doth not tend to the promoting of God and Godliness Character 4. To be Spiritually Minded is for to have our Hearts much carried forth in the Meditation of the Law of God In this the Prophet David was an excellent and choice president when he speaks of the Law of God he tells us Psa 1.2 It was his Meditation Day and Night Oh! here is a man of Renown of a singular Spirit so much swallowed up with Heaven or the Heavenly Law that the Night as well as the Day Ps 119 97. must be taken up with the Meditations thereof When this good man had digested this Spiritual Art of Heavenly Meditations on the Holy Law of God Ps 119 72. Ps 119 127. he comes to give us a taste of the Excellency of it to the end that he might get the like affection in our Souls to God's Law as was in his own when he comes to give us an account of God's Law he tells us That it was more choice then Gold nay as if he had come short to set forth the worth of Gods Law he farther sayes of it It is more choice then fine gold Nay David doth acquaint us further of the time when he came to have such a choice tast and experience in God's Law Oh! in the hour of affliction it was for this account he gives us of his affliction Ps 119 67. Ps 119 71. saying It was good for me that I was afflicted or else I had gone a stray but now have I learned for to keep thy Law as if the onely time for to come unto a right understanding of Gods Law was in the hour of affliction This may teach us then not at any time to be afraid of affliction or Gods afflicting Hand for many times affliction doth prove an excellent help unto Christians for the inlarging of their Hearts for Heaven and that Soul who doth much Meditate upon the Law of God making it his daily delight is one that may be truly called a Spiritual Minded man who feeds on and dwells upon the things of the Spirit Fifthly Wherein is discovered the profit and Spiritual advantage that doth redound unto a Spiritual Minded man which is two-fold namely Life and Peace The first Priviledge of a Christian First To be Spiritually Minded is for to have a Knowledge of Christ and such as have a true Knowledge of Christ have life Eternal Joh. 17.3 This is Life Eternal that they may know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent The Knowledge of Christ being ours will prove profitable and comfortable in the Day of Christ Phil. 1.7 Luk. 1.47 Psal 23 1. Psal 28 7. Psal 84 11. Pro. 30.5 yea to know him for to be our Lord and the Son of God that dyed for us for we may know him and confess him to be the Son of God and yet go to Hell for all that for the Devils went so far but to have a true Knowledge of Christ is for to know him as Paul and the rest of the Worthies of Christ knew him that is to know him our Lord our Saviour our Shepherd our Rock our Shield our Buckler our strong Tower Oh! this knowledge doth Administer Comfort and Divine Consolation unto the Soul it makes Trouble sweet Prisons sweet nay Death it self sweet unto the Soul Oh! when it considers I am now going unto Christ my Saviour to reign with him for ever where I shall never grieve the Spirit more where I shall never offend my God more where I shall never have my Communion with Christ eclipsed more where I shall never witness the loss of Grace more where I shall never tast of Death more Psal 16 11. where I shall never witness Christs absence more Oh! this is a blessed knowledge that conducts the Soul into Life Eternal The second Priviledge of a Christian Secondly To be Spiritually Minded is to be free from sin and such are the Servants of God who brings forth the fruit of Holiness whose end tends to Life Such may be termed Christ's Free-men John 8.36 Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.22 who trade in the rich Commodities of the things above such are in a great measure freed from sin finding of it such a drug that they will have no dealings with it upon any terms it being a Commodity that redounds unto them no profit but will lie upon their hands to their great prejudice and disadvantage it lying dead upon
Mind are under the Sentence of Death For the clearing of this Truth we shall endeavour to prove three Things First What it is to be Carnally Minded Secondly Lay down Helps to prevent our Carnal Mindedness Thirdly We shall also endeavour to lay down the Danger â—hat those Persons are in that are Carnally Minded The first Discription of the Carnal Mind First To be Carnally Minded is to have our Affections or our Heart setled on things that are below Such a Carnal Minded man was the rich man we read of in the Gospel Luk. 12 18 19 20. who said This will I do I will pull down my Barns and build greater and there will I bestow all my goods and will say unto my soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years Take thy ease eat drink and be merry But carnal minded persons may do well for to hearken a little to what God shall say in the midst of their Cups and carnal Jollatry Oh! shall not such a word as this from God strike thee into astonishment when he shall say unto thee in the midst of all thy carnal pleasure thou must be gone and leave all Luk. 12 20. Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee What wilt thou do then when in the midst of thy merriment thou shalt hear of Imprisonment and in the midst of thy present joy thou must have thy joy turned into perpetual sorrow Mat. 8.12 where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for evermore when God shall say unto thee for thy Carnallity Thou shalt perish to all Eternity This may teach us for to beware of a carnal frame of heart The second Discription of the Carnal Mind Secondly To be Carnally Minded is to have our Minds running out unto that which tends unto the Dishonour of God Of such the noble Apostle speaks of with great sorrow of heart Phil. 3.18 19. yea with bitter tears For many walk of whom I have told you often and now must tell you weeping that they are enemies unto the Cross of Christ whose end is Destruction whose God is their Belly whose glory is their shame who mind earthly things So that which may be gathered from hence is That a carnal frame of Heart is not only a God-dishonouring but a Soul-destroying frame and it doth not only tend unto the great dishonour of God Jer. 5.25 but it is that which is also prejudicial unto a Christians good The carnal Mind is a means for to enlarge our love to the creature and so thereby weakens our love to the Creator it is that which weakens our Affections to the things above and strengthens our Affections to the carnal things that are below Objection But if it be Objected That it may be proved that the best of Saints have been and still are guilty of the Carnal Mind Answer To this I Answer It is not that which is commended but rather condemned yea though it be found in a dear child of God Something to the purpose you may observe in David though without doubt he was a good man yet interrupted by a bad mind which did not onely prove destructive unto David's Communion but also dishonourable unto David's God namely Psal 51 9. ver 10. ver 11. Psa 51.7 8 9. in the matter of Uriah But note a word by the way When once the man comes to have a true sence of the evil he witnesses a heart truly broken with bitter sighs and tears for the same that so his mind is altered and the man is changed The third Discovery of the Carnal Mind Thirdly To the Carnal Minded is to have our eyes fixed upon Carnal Objects which doth wholly take off the Mind from God The Carnal Object is that which satisfieth the lust of the eyes or that by which the Carnal Mind is fed and kept alive and for to fulfil the lust of the flesh is for to fulfil the Carnal Mind which mind is of the world and while persons are in such a state let them profess what they will of Christ they are wholly ignorant of him and witness not his Power but do still live in the Carnal Mind in the lust of the flesh and are of the World Of this the Blessed Apostle treats very plainly saying All that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes 1 John 2.16 and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world Therefore in truth if we would not be counted those that are of the world though in the world we must then learn to get above the world and no longer live in the Carnal Mind but fix our eye upon Objects far beyond what the world can afford and the more we get into a Spiritual Frame of Heart the more we shall be out of love with the Carnal Mind and by experience shall feelingly say with the Apostle Rom. 7.28 That in my mind I serve the Law of God Oh then and not till then will Carnal Objects prove thy burden and not thy delight The fourth Discovery of a Carnal Mind Fourthly To be Carnally minded is for to have the Mind exercised upon sinful concernments so the Life thereby proves vain and Carnal That so if you take the Carnal man into examination you shall find that he has not so much as a thought for God What David speaks of the Wicked Psal 10 4 may in this case be applyed The Wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God and the best character he can give of him is this God is not in all his thoughts We may conclude upon it that man may be truly counted Carnal that hath not a thought for God in all his wayes Therefore miserably Carnal may we conclude that soul to be that doth at no time or season set his Mind on the things of God The Apostle doth further speak in this case Tit. 1.15 saying That unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing Pure but even the Mind and Conscience is defiled and being left in the Carnal Nature it comes to pass that they reject the Truth and become opposers of it to this day Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses 2 Tim. 3.8 so do these also reject the Truth men of corrupt minds reprobate or may be read of no judgement concerning the Faith That you see it is clear and evident that the Carnal man doth place his thoughts upon Carnal concernments The fifth Discovery of a Carnal Mind Fifthly In a word to be Carnally minded is to walk in that Path which is attended with sin which leads to the Chambers of Death James 1 15. For when lust is conceived in the Mind it brings forth sin in the life and when sin is finished it brings forth Death That let the Carnal minded man go where he will he cannot take one step but in much danger and the farther he goes in
The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT With a Discovery of the Twofold-Mind the Danger of the one the Comfort and safety of the other First Here is observed what it is for to be Carnally minded Secondly Means to suppress a Carnal frame of Spirit Thirdly The dreadful state of a Carnal minded Man Fourthly How the Spirit is a Christians Help Fifthly Means to obtain the Spirit Sixthly The Characters of a Spiritualized Christian Seventhly The glorious Priviledges of a Spiritual minded Man And a few Meditations by way of Observation With a Dialogue between Christ and a Sinner Christ and a Christian Christ and the Afflicted Person As also a Word to the Remnant of the Womans Seed With a Loud Call to all Saints to Love one another upon the account of Son-ship and not onely upon the account of Fellowship Written by SAMUEL BRADLEY who hath Love for all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity who prayes for Zions Unity Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the Body ye shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye Love one another Printed for the Author in the year 1663. TO THE Impartial Reader READER FOr the satisfaction of many or any who desire to follow the Lord Jesus in sincerity I am here engaged to write a small Epistle to the furtherance propagating and owning of this following Treatise wherein is contained and couched many glorious Truths which did concern all persons to look after in former Ages of the World but now more especially we that live in this last Age wherein Errors do abound and great Mistakes do arise in many whom I desire the Lord would be pleased to help to understand between Truth and Error by his own Spirit Mat. 22.29 which is the best Teacher in the world though at this day it is much slighted and little looked after by the sons of men Christian Reader my desire is that thou wouldest be pleased carefully to read and seriously consider this following Treatise with a single heart and eye 1 Chron. 12.33 Acts 2.46 and impartial affections then doubtless in the conclusion thou wilt not think thy time ill spent I do further desire that thou mayest daily search the Scripture and bring the things contained in the ensuing Treatise to the Touchstone of God's Word to the end thou mayest with the noble Bereans of old Acts 17 11. be enabled to discern between Truth and Error between Life and Death to know wherein thy Life lieth yea wherein it doth consist 1 Thes 5.21 and labour to be obedient unto that command Try all things and hold fast that which is good And also remember my dear Friend that the Bereans were counted more noble than them of Thessalonica they hearing the words of Paul which were cried up for strange Doctrine yea Heresie at that day they searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things Paul asserted and preached were truth or not Even so although many things herein contained may be counted rediculous or erroneous Yet courteous Reader let me desire thee to prove thy self a Berean in this matter Search the Scripture and see whether it be so or not Further my desire is that the Message may not be slighted by reason of the meanness of the Messenger but rather look upon him that sends this Message into the World observe when the great Men of the world have a Token to send unto a Friend they do not alwayes make use of rich great or noble Men to conveigh it but many times employ the meanest Servant of the family in that service to give out the token though it be never so rich a gift or pretious a jewel Rev. 17 14. 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 19 16. Heb. 12 25. So many times it is with the great God of Heaven and Earth who is the King of kings and Lord of lords he hath in this little Cabinet a token of his choice love for to present to you his friends nay further it is presented to you that are yet Enemies if you will but imbrace it the imbracing of it tends to Life the rejecting of it tends unto Death though sent by a mean servant and think it not strange if it be refused slighted or counted erroneous And you my Friend the Messenger be not discouraged in your labour for consider the best Doctrine the truest Doctrine the gloriest Tidings and rarest Sermon that ever was preached by the mouth of our dear Lord Jesus himself was by the Scribes and Pharisees rejected and also questioned where he had his Doctrine and said He had a Devil and was Mad. The blessed Apostle Paul was also counted and called a Pestilent fellow a teacher of strange Doctrines a Ringleader of Sectaries a Turner of the World upside down Acts 17 6. vers 18 Acts 24 14. and what not yet after that way which they called Heresy did this blessed Apostle worship the God of his Fathers believing all that was written Reader if in this little Treatise you meet with any thing doth not agree with the Word of God and the doctrine according to godliness after diligent search and due enquiry into the Scripture the pretious word of God renounce it as not worthy the owning or imbracing I shall speak by way of allusion to the noble Apostle in another case I do judge the Author hath the Spirit of God by which this ensuing Discource was penned I speak the truth of God I lie not Though true it is the dearest of Gods children are subject to miscarry yea many failings and temptations doth attend them and the Lord did formerly suffer the Author hereof in measure to fall yet through mercy not totally nor finally but he is recovered out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay and the Lord hath set him upon a rock Psal 40 2 3. and established his goings and put a new song into his mouth in making of him since instrumental in turning many souls to righteousness notwithstanding those foul Jer. 20.10 false and scandalous reports are gone forth concerning him yea many hard speeches thoughts have arisen not only from the world but from many who I hope Job 19.2 vers 3. vers 4. are the pretious Sons of Sion This one thing as one who doth tender the Cause of Christ and much honour the pretious Sons and Daughters of Sion do I beg of you Let no hard thoughts or evil reports any more take place in your affections without good enquiry of the same This I urge the more for that tender love I bear unto Christ and his Truths Cause Kingdom and People and I dare not speak or write more then I do know or can affirm concerning the Author Mark since
ready for to support us Let David a man of choice experience be heard in this matter Though I walk in the Vale of the shadow of death Psal 23 4. I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy Rod and thy Staff they comfort me Now all these things considered with the mind exercised therein may be an excellent means for to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Oh! think much on the Excellency and Pretiousness of this Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 then we shall experience the Carnal Mind to be absent and in the room thereof Christ's presence a Blessed Exchange The fifth Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Fifthly Strive to walk in such paths which tend unto Holiness An humble holy walking before God is that which doth much conduce unto the Glory of God and the Path of Holiness may be called the Path of Pleasantness Prov. 3.17 Wisdoms Path the Path of Peace where there is much Peace there is much satisfaction to the mind but where Peace is wanting the mind is disturbed but when once the mind is stayed on Christ then the Soul comes for to witness peace in its perfection the Soul may build upon it for it hath a promise for it Isa 16.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Here you see a Sanctified Mind or a Mind truly Spiritual is a Mind that is accompanied with true Peace Psal 93 5. Rom. 6.19.22 and that Soul whose mind is stayed on God is one that walks in the Path of Holiness holy walking tends to the promoting of the Spiritual Mind and the more we walk in the Path of Christ who is the true Wisdom the more we shall see of Christ and find our minds exercised upon him enter into examination and tell me whether you do not find your minds most at a distance from Christ when you are travelling out of the Path of Christ And it stands to reason that when persons betake themselves unto strange Paths that they should lose the true Way so while we walk in the Carnal Path in reason it cannot be expected we should find out the Spiritual Habitation the strange Path is the Carnal Mind beware of it therefore for if we walk with our minds truly Spiritual 2 Cor. 3.18 we shall come to witness a change in the mind which begets a change in the Will a change in the Heart in a word a change in the whole man it may be expressed a change from Earth to Heaven from a Crown of Grace unto a Crown of Glory that he that runs may see the Soul that finds out the Path of Holiness and walks therein is not the same he was for before his mind was Carnal but now Spiritual before any low poor beggarly thing would content him but now none but the choice things of Heaven will be satisfaction to him before the man was changed Job 42.5 he could satisfie him self with a bare hearing of Christ but now he can have no Peace unless he hath a true sight of him and a Heavenly smile from him with the truth of his rich Grace shed abroad in his Heart It is evidently seen the man minds those things that are above and not the things beneath for speak of what you will unto him if you speak not of Christ or things appertaining unto his Kingdom all you say is not minded by him that so you may plainly see 2 Cor. 7.1 the Path of Holiness is an excellent means for to prevent prophaness and thereby the mind comes to be changed or Spiritualized and be in the company of such when you will that walks in the new mind you shall hear much of Heavenly Breathings flowing from them which argues the man for to be spiritually minded So I have done with this particular also and proceed unto the next if duly weighed and soberly considered You may behold the Sad and Dreadful state and condition of the carnal minded Man which is seen in these following particulars The first Dreadful State of the Carnal Minded Man First The Carnal Mans State may be reckoned miserably sad for as much as God writes death and wo upon all his Carnal Wealth Wo unto you that are Rich Luke 6.26 for you have received your Consolation a sad doom Soul thou hast its true as much of the good things of this world as thy heart can desire but it is not given thee in mercy but in wrath for it is attended with woe Thou hast thy All and all that thou art like to enjoy and didst thou cast up thy accounts narrowly it would amount unto misery For man Oh consider where is thy hopes but on things that perish if so thy accounts are already cast up unto thy hand by a skilful Arethmatician 1 Cor. 15.19 Paul by Name who saith in plainness of speech If in this liâ—e onely we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable Iâ— in this life onely thou hast thy consolation thy best estate iâ— misery and what is like to be your sentence you have already left upon record Go to rich men weep and howl for your mâ—series that shall come upon you as for your riches they are corrupted your Garments are moth-eaten your gold and silver cankered James 5 1 2 3. and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flâ—sh as it were with fire and you have heaped up treasure for the last dayes thus you may see the Carnal rich man will be but in a poor low and miserable condition for riches profiteth not in the dâ—y of wrath Pro. 11.4 Oh! what will all Carnal Minded men do then for no coin will pass at the last day for currant but that which has the true stamp of Grace it must be Grace in Power and not Grace in pretence it is not riches but righteousness then will deliver from death Mat. 25 41. namely the second death of which the first is not to be compared thereunto and what will rich men do for your riches will appear as a witness against you and the thoughts thereof will be a terror unto you thy rich cloathing sumptuous living negardly and hard dealing to Gods poor Lazers will appear in judgment against thee And thou which wouldst not afford a câ—â—m for the relief of Gods poor in the time of thy life Luk. 16 19. shalt not be afforded a drop of Water for the cooling of thy tongue in the time of thy torment In a word then consider to be Carnally Minded though outwardly rich is to be in the state of misery and inwardly poor The second Dreadful State of the Carnal Minded man Secondly As God will pronounce woe to the Carnal mans wealth so God will likewise blast the Carnal Mans Honour or Reputation in the world Do they for the present seemingly prosper that are workers of iniquity let us then
consider what is our duty by no means fret but with patience wait for God will soon put an end unto their Carnal Honour and Glory and though they seem to flourish like the grass the Lord will cut them down Psal 37 2. and they shall wither like the green hearb so that the Carnal Mans Honour is here to day but gone to morrow grudge them not their Portion for alas it is their all and that all which is soon blasted and gone It is true the Carnal Man is in Honour but he understanding not the Honour of God Psa 49.20 he is like the beast that perisheth so take the Carnal Honourable man at the best he is but like a beast and though he hath that which the world calleth Honour in the little time of his Life he must have that which is in the account of God called dishonour in the hour of his death namely his Portion will be perishing take then the man whose Honour is Carnal at the best it must perish and the man shall go away like a blast and the best account the Prophet can give of Worldly Honour is this Psa 62.9 Surely men of low degree are vanity and when he comes for to speak of men of high degree the best he can say of them or their Honour is They are a lie and when he had gone the best way for to find them out putting of them in the Ballance there he finds them altogether lighter than vanity that so make the best of that Honour that some men will have though they lose their Souls with the gain thereof it is but a vain thing for God himself writes death upon it and then I pray tell me what is the state of that man but misery The third Dreadful State of the Carnal Minded man Thirdly As God doth send a blast upon the Carnal Mans Honour God will likewise write Death upon the Carnal Mans Pleasure A pleasurable or delicate Life so called by some is a dangerous kind of living apprehended by others that which by some is counted outward pleasure by others is witnessed to produce inward danger for to speak best or the most we can of such as make pleasure their Life are but dead while they live for so saith the Apostle She that liveth in pleasure 1 Tim. 5.6 or may be read delicate is dead while she liveth worldly pleasure is that which tends unto sorrow ye have lived in pleasure on the earth â—nd been wanton Oh but man mind the end of such a kâ—nd of Life and then tell me what men get by their pleasure when they have nourished their hearts as in the day of slaughter Jam. 5.5 if such who swim in worldly pleasure while others are oppressed and their Conciences burdened would consider James 5 8. the coming of the Lord draws nigh sure it may induce them to some serious and sober consideration of what will become of them in this Day of the Lord when they shall be Arreigned at the Bar of his Judgment Seat and there be charged by the Judge himself as one that is a lover of pleasures more then a lover of God 2 Tim. 3.4 wilt not thou be forced to cry Guilty my Lord and so pass under the Dreadful Sentence of Eternal Death without remedy as being one that is Convicted Judged and Condemned whose portion will be misery to all Eternity Oh! should not the consideration of these things that will certainly come to pass sooner or later disingage our hearts from Worldly Pleasure to be seeking after the Heavenly Treasure I shall close this Particular with the seasonable words of the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah which is pertinent to this Case the Lord grant it may he cordially imbraced and entertained by us Isaiah 47.8 Therefore hear now this thou that art given to pleasure that dwelest carelesly that sayest in thy heart I am and none else besides me I shall not sit as a Widow neither shall I know the loss of Children Oh! that we may candedly consider the Answer of God in this Matter to such created Comforts that we heap up unto our selves But these two things shall come unto thee in a moment in one day the loss of Children and Widow-hood vers 9. they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries and for the great abundance of thy enchantments ver 10. For thou hast trusted in thy Wickedness thou hast said None eye seeth me Thy Wisdom and thy Knowledge it hath perverted thee and thou hast said in thy heart I am and none else besides me ver 11. Therefore evil shall come upon thee thou shalt not know from whence it riseth And mischief shall fall upon thee thou shalt not be able for to put it off And desolation shall come upon thee which thou shalt not know All these things considered it must needs be concluded the câ—â—dition of such whose state is Carnal to be sad and Dreadful â—he fourth Dreadful State of the Carnal Minded man Fourthly As the Lord doth write the Sentence of Death upon the Carnal mans pleasure so he doth likewise write death upon all the Carnal Mans gain The Carnal Rich Man begins to settle his abode in what he hath and begins to lay down his Resolution what he is intended for to do his Riches flowes in upon him and the mans Intentions are for to build up but Gods Design is for to pull down the Carnal Man concludes to settle his Heart upon what he hath got or incroached unto himself Lu. 12.16 ver 17. ver 18. ver 19. ver 20. but God is resolved in the midst of all his Jollatry to summons in his Soul by the messenger of death and then the poor man must be gone and leave all his Wealth behind him and the man is like to be at a dreadful loss Soul Body and Carnal Gain all at one clap and God's approbation in this matter is He that layeth up Treasure for himself is not Rich towards God And he that will be rich who ever is poor ☜ and make no conscience how he gets his Riches shall be Poor when others are Rich that with a good Conscience have got their Riches That Person that gets outward gain with the loss of a good Conscience will find when he comes to cast up his accounts ☜ that he is a great looser by the bargain and his losse will not prove small but very great namely the losse of the best Commodity he hath namely his pretious Soul our dear Lord doth reason out the matter with us For what is a man profited Matt. 16.28 if he gain the whole World and lose his own Soul That man that gains the whole world with the loss of his Soul the man will prove an emenent loser in the end a broken Merchant who will never be able to trade more for if the Soul be lost the man 's quite undone
Spiritually Minded are united unto Christ and such as are made one with Christ are blessed with Peace The man truly Spiritual and Christ are one that can say in truth I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine Cant. 6.3 they lie together yea and they live together there is no parting of them that it is with Christ and a Believer as it was with Naomi and Ruth Ruth 1.14 15. ver 16. ver 17. That when Orpah shall part with her Mother in Law with a Kiss Ruth shall cleave unto her So the man that is Spiritual but in pretence shall put off Christ with a complement or a kiss the man truly Spiritual shall cleave fast unto Christ and no Arguments that can be produced shall make him leave Christ's company or to return from following of him for where Christ goes he will goe and where Christ lodges he must lodge Christ's People shall be his People and Christ's God his God and nothing must part Christ and that Christian but Death nor that neither for after death Christ and a Christian renews their acquaintance and are better acquainted then ever Oh! Psal 27 11. here is a Soul truly United unto Christ and shall go away with the Blessing for God will bless his people with peace The tenth Priviledge of a Christian Tenthly To be Spiritually Minded is to know the Works of Righteousness and such know them for to be works of Peace Holy Words and Holy Works doth tend much to the promoting of the Honour of God yea they are such Works that do produce comfort unto the Soul and helps a Soul unto a true sight of Christ For without Holiness Heb. 12 14. no man shall see the Lord. Mark I pray Good works doth not serve for the justifying of our persons but for the justifying of our Faith before God Jam. 2.26 For Faith without Works is dead We are not Holy to the end we might be happy for we are first made happy and then holy we are not justified because we are called but we are first called and then justified that so good works do not go before justification Rom. 8.28 but follow after we do not work that we might live but work because we do live that it is plain we do not work for Life but from a Principle of Life that take works in the right sence they tend to Peace the sayings of the Prophet lie plain The Works of Righteousness shall be Peace Isa 32.17 and the Effects of Righteousness Quietness and assurance for ever Those Works that are performed from a right Principle to a right end they tend to God's Honour and our Spiritual advantage The eleventh Priviledge of a Christian Eleventhly Such as are Spiritually Minded do know God to be in Covenant with them And such as know the Covenant of Grace know it to be a Covenant of Peace To know the Covenant of Grace a right is for to know our selves intrusted therein and United to Christ by it that is to know God our God in Covenant with us and to have our ear open to hear what God shall say unto us Isa 55.3 Hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David The Covenant of Grace is a firm Covenant there is no breaking of it it abides for ever though God for good Reasons may hide his Face for a time from a Soul in Covenant with him yet God will not hide his Face continually for he is obliged in his Covenant not to depart for ever Isa 54.7 vers 8. For a small Moment have I forsaken thee but in great Mercy will I gather thee In a little wrath have I hid my Face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have Mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Mark Is God gone he hath ingaged himself upon the word of his Faithfulness for to come again though God may for a moment withdraw yet he and a Covenanted Christian must not part for ever he will manifest everlasting kindness which denotes to us God's unchangeable love Jer. 31.3 to such that he hath entred into Covenant with of his Love there is no end If God be thy Redeemer Mark he binds his Covenant with an Oath For this is as the Waters of Noah unto me for I have Sworn Isa 54.9 10. the Waters shall no more go over the Earth So have I sworn That I will not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee For the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my Kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath Mercy on thee God's Covenant which he hath made with his People is called a Covenant of Peace Oh! blessed News to such indeed whom God hath taken into covenant with himself Christ and they shall never part but more of this hereafter God willing The last Priviledge that I shall lay down of a Christian The spiritual minded Man is one that walks in the pleasant Paths of Christ and such as walk therein shall find them Paths of Peace There is no Path so pleasant and profitable as the Paths of Christ are every step thou takest therein more or less thou shalt enjoy the sweet company of Christ he will not let his Spouse the spiritualized Christian walk alone Prov. 3.17 but Christ thy King will come and take a turn with thee for Wisdoms Wayes are called The Wayes of Peasantness and her Paths Peace The Wayes of God are attended with a Blessing that makes them pleasing Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh Righteousnesse Isa 64.5 those that remembers thee in thy Wayes Oh! it will prove a sweet Soul refreshing Meeting Cant. 5.2 when Christ and a Christian meets Oh! what sweet greeting is there then with them then It is my Love my Dove my Faire one come away When Christ and a Christian meets in the way of wisdoms pleasant Paths Oh! Then it is I come into my Garden my Sister Cant. 5.1 my Spouse I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spices I have eaten my Honey-comb with my Honey I have drunk my Wine with my Milk yea when Christ and a Christian meets then it is Eat my Friend abundantly and drink oh my Beloved Oh! What admirable Entertainment doth the Soul find here in wisdoms pleasant Wayes yea as Christ doth embrace the Spouse when they meet Cant. 1.2 Cant. 3.7 so the Spouse imbraces her dearly beloved and sets him forth choicely Let Him kiss me with the Kisses of his mouth for his Love is better than Wine Her Judgement of Christ is Thou art all Fair my Love there is no spot in Thee To such a Soul Christ is beautiful in the Cross as well as in the Crown Oh! when Christ and a Christian meets Oh! Cant. 8. â— then it is Thou art my Brother that sucked the
15.3 Oh! due attention let us give to him Who is our Lord and also our dear King Prov. 8.34 vers 35. And constantly his Royal Throne attend Supplies shall come from Christ he 'l be thy Friend Cant. 4.7 Cant. 5.10 The Person of his Majesty is rair Unto the King of Kings none can compair Psal 45.2 Adorn'd he is with Graces of all kind And such as know him well they will it find He 's liberal and free in giving out Gifts rare and choice and sweet without all doubt Mat. 28.18 On his chosen a Portion he 'l bestow Psal 84.11 Luk. 10.42 That none shall from them take that we do know The Father's Honour then shall such obtain And to them he will give yea a new name Rev. 2.17 The new Nature they shall injoy indeed On the new Covenant they then shall feed 2 Cor. 5.17 Jer. 33.34 The white and lovely Robe they shall put on And Honoured be by God and his dear Son Rev. 3.18 Upon such then a Kingdom he 'l bestow His Kingdom love to such shall overflow Luk. 12.32 They then shall live and reign with him for ever Psal 45.6 Rev. 3.21 And gain the love of Christ our Elder Brother Observation II. Such may indeed at last come to obtain Luk. 15.17 vers 18. An interest in the Son who doth complain For want of Christ the Lord of Life indeed Cant. 5.8 He 'l be at hand and help them at their need When that we come to see and eke behold Cant. 5.10 vers 16. The worth of Christ he 'l love to such unfold They then shall see the choiceness of his Grace Also behold the sweetness of his Face Cant. 2.14 And with dear Christ we shall delight to dwell Cant. 5.8 Cant. 3.4 In Grace most choice Oh! such shall then excel Contented such will be that Christ should Reign And ever Rule in them Oh! Rev. 22.20 they would fain Prove Subjects to so wise a Pretious King Luk. 15.19 And count of it a rare and choice sweet thing Luk. 15.29 On dear Jesus come let us place our love Cant. 4.9 With all our heart and learn to live above With Holy Joy and shouting too also Haâ— 3.18 Psal 16.11 Let 's entertainment give to Christ the Roe And by no means let us now part with him Cant. 3.4 Who is our Joy our Crown and eke our King Tit. 2.14 He made us Sons and that by Redemption And this we know by his choice sweet Unction Regeneration-work when in us is begun Mat. 19.28 Renews the Soul throughout in every one Ezek. 11.19 Acts 2.37 Yea where it is in truth it doth beget A love to Christ it doth renew the heart Eph. 5.8 Rom. 12.2 The man is not the same he wont to be When God hath wrought a change then we shall see Rom. 8.6 7. Cant. 1.2 He 'l then begin to hate all Carnal things Delighting to be under Christ's sweet Wings Col. 3.1 2. And bid adieu to all things here below Oh! then with Christ to Canaan such shall goe Gal. 4.5 Ephes 1.5 They that are Sons and that by adoption Are mighty high sure in Gods affection Rev. 3.20 Ps 23.5 6. And at his Table rare Oh! such shall sit That are God's Sons indeed whom Christ begat Isa 55.1 Cant. 2.4 5. On his provision choice all such shall feed And sweet content shall find in him indeed Refreshings we shall have then of all kind Cant. 7.13 And entertainment rare also shall find Wine well refin'd upon the Lees shall come Isa 25.6 Such shall attended be by Christ the Son Joel 2.28 1 John 2.20 The Holy Unction such indeed shall have And freely it shall come if we do crave 1 Pet. 5.7 Psa 121.3 For Protection a Shield our God will be To shelter us from evil we shall see Lam. 3.24 Luke 12.32 A Portion choice will Christ on us bestow No less than a Kingdom that we shall know Not onely Sons are we but Heirs also Rom. 8.17 Belonging to this Kingdom come let 's go To this Kingdom that removed be shall never Heb. 12.28 In Glory we shall Reign with Christ for ever Observation III. If faithful we be to the Lord indeed Then him obey we shall and that with speed Rev. 2.10 And on the means of Grace we shall attend Col. 4.2 James 2.25 Our Pretious Soul from harm he will defend Christ's Counsel choice come let us then observe Psal 119.6 John 8.31 Our feeding shall be sweet we shall not starve The Manna from on high it shall come down With adornments of Grace Christ will us Crown Psal 84.11 Like children dear let 's walk with God this day Ephes 5.1 John 10.4 And none but his sweet voice let us obey Come let our love run forth onely to him Psal 73.25 Our chiefest Joy who did Redemption bring Yea from the Grave Death Hell and Wrath also Hos 13.14 Isa 51.1 Us captives free did Christ our Lord we know After this Christ let us now go with speed Heb. 9.12 That freely did let out his Blood and bleed That so he might the Fathers wrath appease 2 Cor. 5.19 Isa 53.5 Us wounded sinners heal and give us ease In this sweet Jesus come let us delight Psal 37.4 Micha 7.19 That will proud lust destroy corruptions smite Communion choice we then shall have with him 1 John 1.3 Acts 5.31 That is our High Priest Prophet and our King The Unction rare on such it shall come down 1 John 2.20 vers 27. That on the Head of Christ doth set the Crown That reverence him yea honour and adore Prov. 3.9 Acts 5.31 The Lord of Life our Prince for evermore Such to the death that do contend for him Rev. 2.10 Psal 149.6 Shall in his Kingdom the High praises sing A Faithful frame of Heart doth much adorn A Christian in his race and profession Gen. 39.9 And much well pleasing is it to the Lord Gen. 22.9 A faithful frame of heart if he afford This jewel rare if on us he bestow Hos 2.19 Oh! more of his choice love then shall we know Rev. 3.21 And sweet profit by it we shall then find Such in this race Christ will not leave behind Rev. 3.21 Col. 3.4 Upon his Royal Throne all they shall sit And honour Christ alone none shall it let Rev. 14.4 Rev. 15.3 The lovely Songs of Christ the Lamb most choice The faithful they shall sing and hear his voice Tim. 2.4 vers 8. Then Crowned such shall be by Christ their King With the Crown of Glory and they shall bring Isa 10.22 Honour and Praise to him whom it is due And reign with him this number is but few Psal 84.11 On such our Lord
his Carnal Mind the deeper he falls into sin and the more he sins the higher he aggravates his misery and if his Carnal Mind is not changed and so leave him before Death seize on him the man is for ever undone without recovery Now all these things considered it should make us dread the thoughts of being Carnally minded So I proceed to the second Particular namely to lay down some Particular Helps which may with the Blessing of God prevent a Carnal frame of Heart The first Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart First Soul wilt thou prevent a Carnal frame of Heart from seizing on thee Labour and likewise endeavour to get thy heart in Heaven whil'st thou art upon earth It is that which is much the concernment of a Christian to settle his Heart upon his Treasure Now where is a Christians Treasure but in Heaven therefore a Christians Heart should be in Heaven Oh! this was the Blessed Doctrine that flowed from the Lips of our dear Lord Jesus Where your Treasure is Luk. 12 34. there will your hearts be also It is usually seen in things Temporal that where mens Treasure is there is their Hearts as for example the Rich mans Treasure is his Riches where is the mans heart upon his Riches The Honourable mans Honour is his Treasure and his heart is upon it Another mans Treasure is his Pleasure and his Heart is setled there so a true Christians Treasure is in Christ and his heart is affected with none but Christ It was the Fathers pleasure to enrich his Son with the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge to the end that we might be enriched by him Col. 2.3 For of his fulness shall we all receive Grace for Grace Do we live by him and shall we not be in love with him Joh. 1.16 Shall all our comforts and special enjoyments of Grace and Happiness flow from him and shall not we live to him Shall Dear Jesus protect us and also bless us with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places and shall we not own him to be our Soveraign Lord the King Oh! shall Christ manifest love to us and shall we manifest unkindness unto him Shall Christ set his Heart upon us and shall we set out Hearts upon any besides him Oh! shall Dear Jesus be willing to give Royal entertainment to us and shall we be unfree for to entertain him Oh! what an unbecoming frame is this that the Lord of Life shall vouchsafe for to stoop unto us and what shall we not bow unto him Shall the Prince of Darkness have entertainment by us and shall not the Prince of Peace have room in out Hearts What Soul is Christ free to die that thou mayest live and wilt not thou live to him that died for thee If this should be true doth it not plainly appear our Hearts are not where they should be on Christ a Christians Treasure Soul learn to live more in the sence of his Love to thee and then it will grieve thee that he is not more loved by thee labour to keep in remembrance the excellency of his love Rom. 8.32 Ho 14 4. Jer. 31.3 the freeness of his Grace the fulness of his Bowels and Affection and the everlastingness of his kindness towards thee and then see whether or no he will not be the object of thy love and delight continually To get our hearts in Heaven will conduce much to the weaning of our hearts off from the Earth The more we exercise our thoughts upon Heaven and Heavenly things the more we shall loath those things that are Carnal Yea the more we exercise our minds upon those things that are Spiritual the less we shall mind the things that are Carnal and the more we set our affections on things that are above the less we shall affect the things beneath In a word Soul wouldst thou enjoy more the Spiritual and less of the Carnal mind Labour for to carry thy self a stranger to that which is a stranger to Christ and be not a companion for those that will not keep company with Christ The second Means to prevent the Carnal Mind If thou wouldst be set free or delivered from a Carnal Frame of Heart exercise thy self then in those things that tend much unto the Honour of God Prov. 3.9 1 Sam. 2.20 1 Thes 4.4 Study more the Honour of God than thy own good let God be Honoured by thee what ever becomes of thee If thou wouldest have thy Heart kept from a Carnal Frame be active for God labour for to promote the Works of Holiness let every opportunity be improved for Christ and let our works be so managed that in what we do let us propound unto our selves such aims and ends that may tend to the advancing of the Name and Glory of Christ Jer. 13.16 Acts 12 23. 1 Cor. 1.31 that it may evidently appear to the view of all that our minds in such proceedings are not Carnal If we would Honour God in what we would do for God let nothing be attributed unto the creature but let us set the Crown upon the Head of Christ If any thing be done that savours of the Spiritual Mind know that it is Gods own Work and Stamp in thy Soul therefore ascribe all Glory to him are we redeemed from the Carnal Mind in any measure the work of the flesh or the old Nature then here is no cause of boasting for us For it is not by Works of Righteousnesse that we have done but according unto his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit which is richly shed on us Tit. 3.5 6. through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that God hath left nothing to feed the Carnal Mind with but if we have any thing to Glory in it is in the Free and Rich Grace of God in Christ for it is by his Grace that we are justified and not by our works Tit. 3.7 It is by the Grace of God in Christ we become Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life It doth much tend unto the Glory of God and the preventing of the Carnal Mind to give that Honour to Christ that is due unto him and then it will appear that we so do when we can lay our own Righteousoness or what ever it is that we can call ours at the Foot of Christ and be found in him not having our own Righteousness which is by the Law Phil. 3.9 and to be found in the Righteousness of God by Faith Oh! this is that which tends to the Glory of God when we thus advance Christ and make him the top of our Glory and not our own Righteousness yea this is that which is a great means to prevent the Carnal Mind The third Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Thiâ—â—ly The third Means by which we may prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart is For to fix our eyes upon Spiritual Objects