definition of Religion is Be rich in works of Mercy be helpful to the Bodies and Souls of others Scatter your golden Seeds let the Lamp of your profession be fill'd with the Oil of Charity Be merciful in giving and forgiving Be ye merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful Of the Truth of GOD THE next Attribute is God's Truth Deut. 32.4 A God of Truth and without Iniquity just and right is he Psal. 57.10 For thy Mercy is great unto the Heavens and thy Truth unto the Clouds A God of Truth Psal. 86.15 Plenteous in Truth God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Truth He is true 1. in a Physical sence True in his Being he hath a real Subsistance and gives a Being to others 2. He is true in a Moral sence he is true sine errore without Errours sine fallacia without Deceit God is prima veritas the Pattern and Prototype of Truth There is nothing true but what is in God or comes from God I shall now speak of God's Truth as it is taken for his Veracity in making good of his Promises 1 Kings 8.56 There hath not failed one word of all his good promise The Promise is God's Bond God's Truth is the Seal set to his Bond. This is the thing to be explicated and discussed God's Truth in fulfilling his Promises There are two things to be observed in the Promises of God to Comfort us 1. The Power of God whereby he is able to fulfil the Promise God hath promised to subdue our Corruption Micha 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities O! saith a Believer my Corruption is so strong that sure I shall never get the mastery of it but the power of God can fulfil his Promise Thus Abraham look'd at God's Power Rom. 4.21 Being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to perform He believed that that God who could make a World could make dry Breasts give suck This is Faith's support there is nothing too hard for God He that could bring water out of a Rock is able to bring to pass his Promises 2. The Truth of God in the Promises God's Truth is the Seal set to the Promise Titus 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised Eternal Life there is the sweetness of the Promise God which cannot lie there is the certainty of it Mercy makes the Promise Truth fulfils it God's Providences are uncertain but his Promises are the sure Mercies of David Acts 13.34 God is not a man that he should repent 1 Sam. 15.29 The word of a Prince cannot always be taken but God's Promise is inviolable God's Truth is one of the richest Jewels of his Crown and he hath pawned this Jewel in a Promise 2 Sam. 23.5 Although my House be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure Although my House be not so That is though I fail much of that exact Purity the Lord requires yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant that he will pardon adopt and glorifie me and this Covenant is ordered in all things sure The Elements shall melt with fervent heat but this Covenant abides firm and inviolable being sealed with the Truth of God nay God hath added to his Word his Oath Hebr. 6.17 wherein God pawns his Being Life Righteousness to make good the Promise If as oft as we break our Vows with God he should break Promise with us it would be very sad but his Truth is engaged in his Promise therefore it is like the Law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be altered We are not saith Chrysostom to believe our Sences so much as we are to believe the Promises 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Our Sences may fail us but the Promise cannot being built upon the Truth of God God will not deceive the Faith of his People nay he cannot God which cannot lie hath promised He can as well part with his Deity as his Verity God is said to be abundant in Truth Exod. 34.6 What is that viz. if God hath made a Promise of Mercy to his People he will be so far from coming short of his word that he will be better than his word God often doth more then he hath said never less He is abundant in Truth 1. The Lord may sometimes delay a Promise but he will not deny He may delay a Promise God's Promise may lye a good while as Seed under ground but at last it will spring up into a Crop God promised to deliver Israel from the Iron Furnace but this Promise was above four hundred years in travail before it brought forth Simeon had a Promise that he should not depart hence till he had seen the Lords Christ Luke 2.26 but it was a long time first but a little before his Death that he did see Christ. But though God delay the Promise he will not deny Having given his Bond in due time the Money will be paid in 2. God may change his Promise but he will not break his Promise Sometimes God doth change a Temporal Promise into a Spiritual Psal. 85.12 The Lord shall give that which is good Perhaps this may not be fulfilled in a Temporal Sence but a Spiritual God may let a Christian be cut short in Temporals but God makes it up in Spirituals If he doth not encrease the Basket and the Store he gives encrease of Faith and inward Peace here he changeth his Promise but he doth not break it he gives that which is better If a Man promiseth to pay me in Farthings and he pays me in a better Coin in Gold he doth not break his Promise Psal. 89.33 I will not suffer my faithfulness to fail in the Hebrew it is ve lo ashakka to lye Object 1. But how doth this consist with the Truth of God he saith he will have all to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 yet some perish Resp. St. Austin understands it not of every Judicial Person but some of all sorts shall be saved As in the Ark God saved all the living Creatures not every Bird or Fish were saved for many perished in the Flood but all that is some of every kind were saved so God will have all to be saved that is some of all Nations Object It is said Christ died for all He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World Joh. 1.29 How doth this consist with God's Truth when some are vessels of wrath Rom. 9.22 Answ. 1. We must distinguish of World The World is taken either in a limited sence for the World of the Elect or in a larger sence for both Elect and Reprobates Christ takes away the sins of the world that is the world of the Elect. 2. We must distinguish of Christ's dying for the World Christ died sufficiently for all not effectually There is the value of Christ's Blood and the Virtue Christ's Blood hath value enough to Redeem the
manner Thirdly When are the Seasons Fourthly Why God delivers Fifthly How the deliverances of the Godly and Wicked out of Trouble differ First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That God doth deliver his Children out of Troubles Psal. 22.4 Our Fathers trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them 2 Tim. 4.17 And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion viz. from Nero. Psal. 66.11 12. Thou laidst Affliction upon our Loins but thou broughtest us out into a Wealthy Place Psal. 30.5 Heaviness may endure for a Night but Ioy cometh in the Morning God brought Daniel out of the Lions Den Sihon out of Babylon God in his due time gives an issue out of trouble Psal. 68.20 The Tree which in Winter seems dead in the Spring revives Post nubila Phaebus Affliction may leap on us as the Viper did on Paul but at last this Viper shall be shaked off 'T is called a Cup of Affliction Isa. 51.17 The Wicked drink a Sea of Wrath the Godly drink only a Cup of Affliction and God will say shortly Let this Cup pass away God will give his People a Goal Delivery Secondly Quest. In what manner doth God deliver his People out of Trouble Resp. He doth it like a God in Wisdom 1. He doth it sometimes suddenly as the Angel was caused to fly swiftly Dan. 9.21 So God sometimes makes a Deliverance fly swiftly upon the Wing and on a Suddain he turns the shadow of Death into the Light of the Morning As God gives us Mercies above what we can think Ephes. 3.20 so sometimes before we can think of them Psal. 126.1 When the Lord turned the Captivity of Sion we were like them that Dreamed we were in a Dream we never thought of it Ioseph could not have thought of such a sudden Alteration to be the same Day freed out of Prison and made the chief Ruler in the Kingdom Mercy sometimes doth not stick long in the Birth but it is brought forth on a sudden 2. God sometimes delivers his People strangely That the Whale which swallow'd up Ionah should be a means to bring him safe to Land God sometimes delivers his People in that very way they think he will destroy In Bringing Israel out of Egypt God stirred up the Hearts of the Egyptians to hate them Psal. 105.22 And that was the means of their Deliverance He brought Paul to Shoar by a contrary Wind and upon the broken Pieces of the Ship Acts 27.44 Thirdly Quest. When are the times and Seasons that God usually delivers his People out of the Bondage of Affliction Resp. 1. When they are in the greatest Extremity When Ionah was in the Belly of Hell then Chap. 2.5 Thou hast brought up my Life from Corruption When there is but an Hairs breadth between the Godly and Death then God ushers in Deliverance When the Ship in the Gospel was almost covered with Waves then Christ awoke and rebuked the Wind. When Isaac was upon the Altar and the Knife going to be put to his Throat then comes the Angel Lay not thy Hand upon the Child When Peter began to sink then Christ took him by the Hand Cum duplicantur lateres venit Moses When the Tale of Brick was doubled then comes Moses the Temporal Saviour When the People of God are in the greatest danger then appears the Morning Star of Deliverance When the Patient is ready to faint now the Cordial is given 2. The Second Season is when Affliction hath done its Work upon them When it hath effected that God hath sent it for As First When it hath humbled them Lam. 3.19 Remembring my Affliction the Wormwood and Gall my Soul is humbled in me When Gods Corrosive hath eat out the Proud Flesh. Secondly When it hath tamed their Impatience Before they were proud and impatient like froward Children that would struggle with their Parents but when their curst Hearts are tamed and they say as Micah 7.9 I will bear the Indignation of the Lord because I have sin'd against him and as Eli It is the Lord let him do what seems him good Let him hedge me with Thorns if he will plant me with Grace 3 When they are more Partakers of God's Holiness Heb. 12.10 they are more full of Heavenly-Mindedness When the sharp Frost of Affliction hath brought forth the Spring Flowers of Grace now the Cross is sanctified and God will bring them out of the House of Bondage Luctus in laetitiam vertetur cineres in Corollas When the Metal is refined then it is taken out of the Furnace When Affliction hath heal'd us now God takes off the smarting Plaister Fourthly Quest. Why doth God bring his People out of the House of Bondage Resp. Hereby he makes way for his own Glory Gods Glory is dearer to him than any thing besides it is a Crown-Jewel God by raising his People raiseth the Trophies of his own Honour He glorifies his Attributes His Power Goodness Truth do all Ride in Triumph 1. His Power If God did not sometimes bring his People into Trouble how would his Power be seen in bringing them out He brought Israel out of the House of Bondage with Miracle upon Miracle he saved them with an outstretched-Arm Psal. 114.5 What ailed thee O thou Sea that thou fleddest c. It is spoken of Israel's March out of Egypt when the Sea fled and the Waters were parted each from other Here was the power of God set forth Ier. 32.27 Is any thing too hard for me God loves to help when things seem past hope he creates Deliverance Psal. 124.8 He brought Isaac out of a Dead Womb and the Messiah out of a Virgins Womb. O how doth his Power shine forth when he overcomes seeming Impossibilities and works a Cure when things look desperate 2. His Truth God hath made Promises to his People when they are under great pressures to deliver them and his Truth is engaged in his Promise Psal. 50.15 Call-upon me in the Day of Trouble I will deliver thee Job 5.19 He shall deliver thee in Six Troubles and in Seven How is the Scripture bespangled with these Promises as the Firmament is with Stars either God will deliver them from Death or by Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he will make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10.13 When Promises are verified God's Truth is magnified 3. His Goodness God is full of Compassion to such as are in Misery The Hebrew Word Racham for Mercy signifies Bowels God hath Soundings of Bowels Isa. 63.15 And this Sympathy stirs up God to deliver Isa. 63.9 In his Love and in his Pity he Redeemed them This makes way for the Triumph of Gods Goodness First He is Tender-hearted he will not over-afflict he cuts asunder the Bars of Iron he breaks the Yoaks of the Oppressor Thus all his Attributes ride in Triumph in the saving his People out of Trouble Fifthly Quest. How the Deliverances of the Godly and Wicked out of Trouble differ Resp. 1. The deliverances of
content to stay here any longer Again Our unwillingness to go hence declares we love the World too much and Christ too little Love as Aristotle saith desires Union did we love Christ as we should we would desire to be united to him in Glory when we might take our fill of Love be humbled that we are so unwilling to go hence Let us labour to arrive at that divine temper of Soul as Paul had Cupio dissolvi I desire to depart and be with Christ Phil. 1.23 We are encompassed with a body of sin should not we long to shake off this viper We are in Meseck and the Tents of Kedar in a place where we see God dishonoured should not we desire to have our pass to be gone We are in a valley of Tears is it not better being in a Kingdom Here we are combating with Satan should not we desire to be called out of the bloody field where the bullets of Temptation fly so fast that we may receive a victorious Crown O ye Saints breath after the Heavenly Kingdom Though we should be willing to stay to do service yet we should ambitiously desire to be alwayes sunning our selves in the light of Gods Countenance Think what it will be to be ever with the Lord are there any sweeter smiles or embraces than his Is there any bed so soft as Christs bosom Is there any such joy as to have the golden banner of Christs Love displayed over us Is there any such honour as to sit upon the Throne with Christ Rev. 3.21 O then long for the Caelestial Kingdom 6. Wait for this Kingdom of Glory It is not incongruous or improper to long for Heaven yet wait for it long for it because it is a Kingdom yet wait your Fathers good pleasure God could presently bestow this Kingdom but he sees it good that we should wait a while 1. Had we the Kingdom of Heaven presently assoon as ever Grace is infused then God would lose much of his Glory 1. Where would be our living by Faith which is the Grace that brings in the chief revenues of Glory to God Rom. 4.20 2. Where would be our suffering for God which is a way of honouring him which the Angels in Heaven are not capable of 3. Where would be the active service we are to do for God Would we have God give us a Kingdom and we do nothing for him before we come there Would we have Rest before Labour a Crown before Victory This were disingenuous Paul was content to stay out of Heaven a while that he might be a means to bring others thither Phil. 1.23 â— While we wait for the Kingdom our Glory is increasing Every Duty Religiously performed adds a Jewel to our Crown Do we desire to have our Robes of Glory shine brighter let us wait and work the longer we stay for the Principal the greater will the Interest be The Husbandman waits till the seed spring up Wait for the harvest of Glory Some have their waiting Weeks at Court this is your walting time Christ saith Pray and faint not Luke 18.1 so wait and faint not Be not weary the Kingdom of Heaven will make amends for your waiting I have waited for thy Salvation O Lord said that dying Patriarch Gen. 49.18 VSE V. Comfort to the people of God 1. In all their Sufferings The true Saint is as Luther saith Haeres Crucis heir to the Cross Affliction is his Dyet drink but here is that may be as Bezoar-stone to keep him from fainting these sufferings bring a Kingdom The hope of the Kingdom of Heaven saith Basil should indulcorate and sweeten all our troubles 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer we shall reign with him 'T is but a short fight but an eternal triumph this light suffering produceth an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 1. A weight of Glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Things which are precious the more weighty the more they are worth the more weight is in a Crown of Gold the more it is worth 'T is a weight of Glory 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An eternal weight of Glory Did this Glory last but a while it would much abate and imbitter the Joyes of Heaven but the Glory of that Kingdom runs parallel with Eternity God will be as a deep Sea of Blessedness and the Glorified Saints shall for ever bathe themselves in that Ocean One dayes wearing the Crown will abundantly pay for all the Saints sufferings how much more then when they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 O let this support under all the Calamities and Suffering in this Life What a vast difference is there between a Believers Sufferings and his Reward Rom. 8.18 The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us For a few Tears Rivers of Pleasure for Mourning white Robes This made the Primitive Christians laugh at Imprisonment and snatch up Torments as so many Crowns Though now we drink in a Worm-wood Cup here is Sugar in the bottom to sweeten it 'T is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom 2. Comfort in Death Here is that which may take away from Gods Children the terrour of Death they are now entring into the Kingdom Indeed no wonder if wicked Men be appal'd and terrified at the approach of Death they dye unpardoned Death carries them to the Goal where they must lye for ever without â—ail or Mainprize But why should any of Gods Children be so scared and half-dead with the thoughts of Death What hurt doth Death do to them but lead them to a Glorious Kingdom Faith gives a Title to Heaven Death a Possession let this be a Gospel-antidote to expel the fear of Death Hilarion that blessed Man cryed out Egredere Anima egredere quid times Go forth my Soul go forth what fearest thou Let them fear Death who do not fear Sin But let not Gods Children be over-much troubled at the grim Face of that Messenger which brings them to the end of their Sorrow and the beginning of their Joy Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 it is part of a Believers inventory Is a Prince afraid to cross a narrow Sea who shall be Crowned when he comes to Land Death to the Saints shall be an usher to bring them into the Presence of the King of Glory This puts Lilies and Roses into the ghastly face of Death and makes it look amiable Death brings us to a Crown of Glory which fades not away The day of Death is better to a Believer than the day of his Birth Death is aditus ad Gloriam an entrance into a blessed Eternity Fear not Death but rather let your Hearts revive when you think these ratling wheels of Deaths Chariot are but to carry you home to an everlasting Kingdom MATTH vi 10 Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven WE come next to the Third Petition Thy Will be done in Earth as it
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
not he like to to be well cured that throws himself into Hell for ease 3. Sin produceth all Temporal Evil. Lam. 1.8 Ierusalem hath grievously sinned ergo she is removed It is the Trogan Horse it hath Sword and Famine and Pestilence in the Belly of it Sin is a Coal that not only blacks but burns Sin creates all our Troubles it puts Gravel into our Bread Wormword in our Cup. Sin rots the Name consumes the Estate buries Relations Sin shoots the flying Roll of God's Curses into a Family and Kingdom Zach. 5.4 It is reported of Phocas having built a Wall of mighty strength about his City there was a voice heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sin is within the City and that will throw down the Wall 4. Sin unrepented of brings final damnation The canker that breeds in the Rose is the cause of its perishing and corruptions that breed in Mens Souls are the cause of their damning Sin without Repentance brings the second death Rev. 20.14 that is mors sine morte Bern. a death always dying Sins pleasure will turn to sorrow at last like the Book the Prophet did eat Ezek. 3.3 sweet in the mouth but bitter in the belly Sin brings the wrath of God and what Buckets or Engines can quench that Fire Mark 9.44 Where the worm never dies and the fire is not quenched Use 1. See how deadly an evil sin is how strange is it that any one should love it Psal. 4.3 How long will ye love vanity Hos. 3.1 Who look to other Gods and love Flagons and Wine Sin is a Dish Men cannot forbear though it make them sick who would pour Rose-water into a Kennel what pity is it so sweet an affection as Love should be poured upon so filthy a thing as sin Sin brings a sting in the Conscience a curse in the Estate yet Men love it A sinner is the greatest Self-denier for his sin he will deny himself a part in Heaven Use 2. Do any thing rather then sin O hate sin there is more evil in the least sin then in the greatest bodily Evils that can befall us The Ermyn rather chooseth to die then defileth her beautiful skin There is more evil in a drop of sin then in a Sea of Affliction Affliction is but like a rent in a Coat Sin a prick at the Heart In Affliction there is aliquid boni some good In this Lion there is some Hony to be found Psal. 119.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted Utile est animae si in hac area mundi flagellis trituretur corpus Aug. Affliction is God's Flail to thrash off our Husks not to consume but refine There is no good in sin it is the spirit and quintissence of Evil. Sin is worse then Hell for the pains of Hell only are a burden to the Creature but sin is a burden to God Amos 2.13 I am pressed under your iniquities as a Cart is pressed under the sheaves Use ult Is Sin so great an Evil then how thankful should you be to God if he hath taken away your sin Zach. 3.3 I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee If you had a Disease on your Body Plague or Dropsie how thankful would you be to have it taken away much more to have sin taken away God takes away the guilt of sin by pardoning grace and the power of sin by mortifying grace O be thankful that this sickness is not unto death That God hath changed your Nature and by grafting you into Christ made you partake of the sweetness of that Olive that sin though it live doth not reign but the elder serves the younger the elder of sin serves the younger of grace ADAM's SIN Quest. XI WHat was the Sin whereby our first Parents fell from the Estate wherein they were created Resp. The Sin was their eating of the forbidden Fruit Gen. 3.6 She took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband Here is implied 1. That our first Parents fell from their State of Innocency 2. The Sin by which they fell Eating the forbidden Fruit. 1. Our first Parents fell from their glorious State of Innocency Eccles. 7.29 God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions Adam was perfectly Holy he had Rectitude of Mind and Liberty of Will to good but his head aked till he had invented his own and our Death he sought out many Inventions 1. Adam's Fall was voluntary he had à Posse non Peccare a Power not to Fall Free-will was a sufficient Shield to repel Temptation the Devil could not have forced him unless he had given his Consent Satan was only a Suitor to woe not a King to compel but Adam gave away his own Power and suffer'd himself to be decoy'd into Sin Like a young Gallant who at one throw looseth a fair Lordship Adam had a fair Lordship he was Lord of the World Gen. 1.28 Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth But he lost all at one throw As soon as he had sinned he forfeited Paradise 2. Adam's Fall was sudden he did not long continue in his Royal Majesty Quest. How long did Adam continue in Paradise before he fell Resp. Tostatus saith he fell the next day Pererius saith he fell the eighth day after his Creation But the most probable and received Opinion is That Adam fell the very same day in which he was created So Irenaeus Cyril Epiphanius and many others The Reasons which incline me to believe so are 1. It is said Satan was a murderer ab initio from the beginning Joh. 8.44 Now whom did he murder Not the blessed Angel he could not reach them nor the cursed Angels for they had before destroyed themselves How then was Satan a Murderer from the beginning As soon as Satan fell he began to tempt Mankind to Sin this was a Murdering Temptation By which it appears Adam did not stay long in Paradise soon after his Creation the Devil set upon him and murdered him by his Temptation 2 Argument to prove that Adam fell the same day he was created Adam had not yet eaten of the Tree of Life Ver. 22 23. And now least he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat the Lord sent him forth of the garden This Tree of Life being one of the choicest Fruits in the Garden and being placed in the midst of Paradise it is very like Adam would have eaten of this Tree of Life one of the first had not the Serpent beguiled him with the Tree of Knowledge So that hence I conclude Adam fell the very day of his Creation because he had not yet tasted the Tree of Life that Tree that was most in his Eye and had such delicious Fruit growing upon it 3 Argument from Psal. 49.12 Man being in honour abideth not The Rabbins read it thus Adam being in Honour
can destroy his Church Let the Wind and Storms be up and the Church almost covered with Waves yet Christ is in the Ship of the Church and so long there 's no danger of Shipwrack Nor will Christ only defend his Church as he is King but deliver it 2 Tim. 4.17 He delivered me out of the mouth of the lion viz. Nero. 2. Chr. 11.14 The Lord saved them by a great deliverance Sometimes Christ is said to command Deliverance Psal. 44.4 Sometimes to create Deliverance Isa. 65.18 Christ as a King commands Deliverance and as a God creates it And deliverance shall come in his time Isa. 60.22 I the LORD will hasten it in his time Quest. When is the time that this King will deliver his People Resp. When the Hearts of his People are humblest when their Prayers are ferventest when their Faith is strongest when their Forces are weakest when their Enemies are highest now is the usual time that Christ puts forth his Kingly Power in their Deliverance Isa. 33.2 8 9. 3. Christ is a King to Reward his People there 's nothing lost by serving this King 1. He Rewards his Subjects in this Life 1. He gives them Inward Peace and Joy a Bunch of Grapes by the way and oftentimes Riches and Honour Godliness hath the promise of this life 1 Tim. 4.8 These are as it were the Saints Vails but besides the great Reward is to come An eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Christ makes all his Subjects Kings Rev. 2.10 I 'll give thee a crown of life This Crown will be full of Jewels and it will never fade 1 Pet. 5.5 2. Christ is a King in reference to his Enemies in subduing and conquering them He pulls down their Pride befools their Policy restrains their Malice That Stone cut out of the Mountains without Hands which smote the Image Dan. 2.34 was was an Emblem saith Austin of Christ's Monarchical Power conquering and triumphing over his Enemies Christ will make his Enemies his Footstool Psal. 110.1 He can destroy them with ease 2 Chron. 14.11 It is nothing for thee Lord to help He can do it with weak means without means He can make the Enemies destroy themselves he set the Persians against the Grecians and 2 Chron. 20.23 the Children of Ammon helped to destroy one another Thus Christ is King in vanquishing the Enemies of his Church This is a great ground of Comfort to the Church of God in the midst of all the Combinations of the Enemy Christ is King and he can not only bound the Enemies power but break it The Church hath more with her then against her she hath Emanuel on her side even that Great King to whom all Knees must bend Christ is called a Man of War Exod. 15.3 he understands all the Policies of Chivalry he is described with seven Eyes and seven Horns Rev. 5.6 The seven Eyes are to discern the Conspiracies of his Enemies and the seven Horns are to push and vex his Enemies Christ is described with a Crown and a Bow Rev. 6.2 He that sat on the white Horse had a Bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer A Crown is an Ensign of his Kingly Office and the Bow is to shoot his Enemies to Death Christ is describ'd with a Vesture dip'd in Blood Rev. 19.13 He hath a golden Scepter to Rule his People but an Iron Rod to break his Enemies Rev. 17.12 14. The ten Horns thou sawest are ten Kings these shall make War with the Lamb but the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of Kings The Enemies may set up their Standard but Christ will set up his Trophies at last Rev. 14.18 19. And the Angel gathered the Vine of the Earth and cast it into the great Wine-press of the Wrath of God and the Wine-press was trodden and blood came out of the Wine-press The Enemies of Christ shall be but as so many Clusters of ripe Grapes to be cast into the great Wine-Press of the Wrath of God and to be trodden by Christ till their Bloud comes out Christ will at last come off Victor and all his Enemies shall be put under his Feet Gaudeo quod Christus dominus est alioqui desperassem said Miconius in an Epistle to Calvin I am glad Christ Reigns else I should have despaired Use 1. Branch 1. See hence it is no Disparagement to serve Christ he is a King and it s no Dishonour to be employed in a King's Service Some are apt to reproach the Saints for their Piety they serve the Lord Christ he who hath this Inscription upon his Vesture KING of KINGS Theodosius thought it a greater Honour to be a Servant of CHRIST then the Head of an Empire Servire est Regnare Christ's Servants are call'd Vessels of Honour 2 Tim. 2.21 And a Royal Nation 1 Pet. 2.9 Serving of Christ Ennobles us with Dignity 'T is a greater Honour to serve Christ then to have Kings serve us Branch 2. If Christ be King it informs us that all Matters of Fact must one day be brought before him Christ hath Ius vitae necis the Power of Life and Death in his hand Joh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son He who once hung upon the Cross shall sit upon the Bench of Judicature Kings must come before him to be judged they who once sat upon the Throne must appear at the Bar. God hath committed all Judgment to the Son and Christ's is the highest Court of Judicature if this King once condemns Men there is no Appeal to any other Court Branch 3. See whither we are to go when we are foiled by Corruption go to Christ he is King desire him by his Kingly Power to subdue thy Corruptions to bind these Kings with Chains Psal. 149.8 We are apt to say of our Sins These sons of Zerviah will be too strong for us we shall never overcome this Pride and Infidelity Aye but go to Christ he is King though our Lusts are too strong for us yet not for Christ to conquer he can by his Spirit break the Power of Sin Ioshua when he had conquered five Kings caus'd his Servants to set their Feet on the Necks of those Kings so Christ can and will set his Feet on the Necks of our Lusts. 2. Use of Caution Is Christ King of Kings Let all Great Ones take heed how they imploy their Power against Christ Christ gives them their Power and if this Power shall be made use of for the suppressing of his Kingdom and Ordinances their account will be heavy God hath laid the Key of Government upon Christ's shoulders Isa. 9.7 and to go to oppose Christ in his Kingly Office it is as if the Thorns should set themselves in Battalia against the Fire or a Child fight with an Archangel Christ's Sword on his Thigh is able to avenge all his Quarrels It is not good to stir a Lion Let not Men provoke the
his Service 3. Faith gives us a Prospect of Heaven it shews us an invisible Glory and he who hath Christ in his Heart and a Crown in his Eye will not faint away O cherish Faith keep your Faith and your Faith will keep you While the Pilot keeps his Ship his Ship keeps him Sixthly If Persevere let us engage the power of God to help us we are kept by the power of God The Child is safest when it is held in the Nurses Arms so are we when we are held in the Arms of Free-Grace It is not our holding God but his holding us preserves us When a Boat is tied to a Rock it is secure so when we are fast tied to the Rock of Ages then we are impregnable O engage God's power to help us to Persevere we engage his Power by Prayer Let us pray to him to keep us Psal. 17.5 Hold up my goings in thy Paths that my Footsteps slip not It was a good Prayer of Beza Domine quod cepisti perfice ne in portu naufragium accidat Lord perfect what thou hast begun in me that I may not suffer Shipwreck when I am almost at the Haven Seventhly If Persevere set often before your Eyes the noble Examples of those who have Persevered in Religion quot Martyres quot Fideles in Coelis jam Triumphant What a glorious Army of Saints and Martyrs have gone before us How constant to the Death was St. Paul Acts 21.13 How Persevering in the Faith were Ignasius Policarp Athanasius These were Stars in their Orb Pillars in the Temple of God Let us look on their Zeal and Courage and be animated Heb. 12.1 Seeing we are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us The Crown is set at the end of the Race if we win the Race we shall wear the Crown A Believers Privilege at Death Phil. 1.21 For to me to Live is Christ and to Dye is Gain SAint Paul was a great Admirer of Christ he desired to know nothing but Christ and him Crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 No Julip to the Blood of Christ and in the Text To me to live is Christ and to dye is Gain First To me to live is Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We must understand Paul of a Spiritual Life To me to live is Christ i. e. Christ is my Life so Greg. Nyssen Or thus my Life is made up of Christ. As a Wicked Mans Life is made up of Sin So Paul's Life was made up of Christ he was full of Christ. But that I may give you the Sense of the Teâ—â— more fully take it in these Three particulars 1. Christ is the principle of my Life 2. Christ is the end of my Life 3. Christ is the Joy of my Life 1. To me to live is Christ i. e. Christ is the Principle of my Life I fetch my Spiritual Life from Christ as the Branch fetcheth its Sap from the Root Gal. 2.20 Christ liveth in me Jesus Christ is an Head of Influence he sends forth Life and Spirits into me to quicken me to every Holy Action Thus To me to live is Christ. Christ is the principle of my Life from his Fulness I live as the Vine-branch lives from the Root 2. To me to live is Christ i. e. Christ is the end of my Life I live not to my self but to Christ. So Grotius and Causabon Christo Servio To me to live is Christ all my Living is is to do Service to Christ Rom. 14.8 Whether we live we live unto the Lord. When we lay out our selves wholly for Christ as the Factor trades for the Merchant so we Trade for Christs Interest we propagate his Gospel the design of our Life is to exalt Christ and make the Crown upon his Head to flourish Now it may be said to us to live is Christ our whole Life is a Living to Christ. 3. To me to live is Christ i. e. Christ is the Joy of my Life Psal. 42.4 God my exceeding Ioy or the Cream of my Joy A Christian rejoyceth in Christs Righteousness he can rejoyce in Christ when Worldly Joys are gone When the Tulip in a Garden withers a Man rejoyceth in his Jewels When Relations Dye a Saint can rejoyce in Christ the Pearl of Price in this Sense to me to live is Christ he is the Joy of my Life If Christ were gone my Life would be a Death to me Use. It should exhort us all to labour to say as the Apostle to me to live is Christ. Christ is the Principle of my Life the End of my Life the Joy of my Life to me to live is Christ and then we may comfortably conclude that to Dye shall be Gain Secondly And that brings me to the Second part of the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to Dye is Gain Doct. To a Believer Death is great Gain A Saint can tell what his Losses for Christ are but he cannot tell how great his Gains are at Death To me to dye is Gain Death to a Believer is Crepusculum gloriae the Day-break of Eternal Brightness To shew fully what a Believers Gains are at Death were a task too great for an Angel all Hyperboles fall short the Reward of Glory exceeds our very Faith Only let me give you the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some dark views and imperfect Lineaments of that infinite Glory the Saints shall gain at the Hour of Death To me to Dye is Gain 1. Believers at Death shall gain a Writ of Ease from all Sins and Troubles they shall be in a state of Impeccability Sin expires with their Life I think sometimes what an happy state that will be never to have a sinful Thought more And they shall have a quietus est from their Troubles Here David cried out My Life is spent with Griefs and my Years with Sighing Psal. 31.10 Quid est diu vivere nisi diu torqueri Aug. Life begins with a Cry and ends with a Groan but at Death all Troubles Dye 2. Believers at Death shall gain the glorious Sight of God They shall see him First Intellectually with the Eyes of their Mind which Divines call the Beatifical Vision If there were not such an Intellectual sight of God how do the Spirits of Iust Men made Perfect see him Secondly They shall behold the Glorified Body of Jesus Christ and if it be pleasant to behold the Sun then how blessed a sight will it be to see Christ the Son of Righteousness cloathed with our Human Nature shining in Glory above the Angels Through Christ's Flesh as through a Transparent Glass some bright Rays and Beams of the God head shall display themselves to glorified Eyes The sight of God through Christ will be very complacential and delightful The terrour of God's Essence will be taken away Gods Majesty will be mixed with Beauty and sweetned with Clemency it will be infinitely delightful to the Saints to see the amiable
aspects and smiles of Gods Face Which brings me to the third thing 3. The Saints at Death shall not only have a Sight of God but shall enjoy the Love of God there shall be no more Veil on Gods Face nor his Smiles checker'd with Frowns but Gods love shall discover it self in all its Orient Beauty and fragrant Sweetness Here the Saints pray for Gods Love and they have a few drops but there they shall have as much as their Vessel can receive To know this love passeth Knowledge This will cause a Jubilation of Spirits and create such Holy Raptures of Joy in the Saints as are Superlative and would soon overwhelm them if God did not make them able to bear 4. Believers at Death shall gain a Celestial Palace an House not made with Hands 2 Cor. 5.1 Here the Saints are straitned for Room they have but mean Cottages to live in but they shall have a Royal Palace to live in Here is but their Sojourning House there in Heaven is their Mansion-house An House built high above all the Visible Orbs an House bespangled with Light Col. 1.12 Enriched with Pearls and Precious Stones Rev. 21.19 And this is not their Landlord's House but their Father's House Iohn 14.2 And this House stands all upon Consecrated Ground it is set out by Transparent Glass to shew the Holiness of it Rev. 21.27 5. Believers at Death shall gain the sweet Society of glorified Saints and Angels This will add something to the felicity of Heaven as every Star adds some lustre to the Firmament First The Society of the glorified Saints we shall see them in their Souls as well as in their Bodies Their Bodies will be so clear and bright that we shall see their Souls shining through their Bodies as the Wine through the Glass and Believers at Death shall have Converse with the Saints glorified And how delightful will that be when they shall be freed from all their Sinful Corruptions Pride Envy Passion Censoriousness which are Scars upon them here to disfigure them In Heaven there shall be perfect Love among the Saints they shall as the Olive and Myrtle sweetly embrace each other The Saints shall know one another as Luther speaks If in the Transfiguration Peter knew Moses and Elias which he never saw before Mat. 17.3 then much more in the glorified State the Saints shall perfectly know one another though they never saw them before Secondly The Saints at Death shall behold the Angels with the glorified Eye of their Understanding The Wings of the Cherubins representing the Angels were made of Fine Gold to denote both their Sanctity and Splendor The Angels are compared to Lightning Mat. 28.3 because of those Sparkling Beams of Majesty which as Lightning shoot from them And when Saints and Angels shall meet and sing together in Consort in the Heavenly Quire what Divine Harmony what Joyful Triumphs will it Create 6. Believers at Death shall gain Perfection of Holiness Here Grace was but in Cunabulis in its Cradle very Imperfect we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without Blotting Believers are said to receive but Primitias Spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 But at Death the Saints shall arrive at Perfection their Knowledge clear their Sanctity perfect their Sun shall be in its full Meridian Splendour They need not then pray for Encrease of Grace they shall Love God as much as they would Love him and as much as he desires to have them Love him they shall be then in respect of Holiness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God 7. At Death the Saints shall gain a Royal Magnificent Feast I told you before what a glorious Palace they shall have but a Man may starve in a House if there be no Chear The Saints at Death shall have a Royal Banquet shadowed out in Scripture by a Marriage Supper Rev. 19.9 Bullinger and Gregory the Great understand by that Marriage-Supper of the Lamb the stately Magnificent Festival the Saints shall have in Heaven they shall feed on the Tree of Life Rev. 22. They shall have the Heavenly Nectar and Ambrosia the Spiced Wine and Iuice of the Pomegranate Cant. 8.2 This Royal Supper of the Lamb will not only satisfie Hunger but prevent it Rev. 7 16. They shall hunger no more Nor can there be any Surfeit at this Feast because a fresh Course will be continually served in New and fresh Delights will spring from God therefore the Tree of Life in Paradise is said to bear Twelve sorts of Fruit Rev. 22.2 8. Believers at Death shall gain Honour and Dignity they shall reign as Kings therefore we read of the Ensigns of their Royalty their White Robes and Crowns Caelestial 2 Tim. 4.7 We read that the Doors of the Holy of Holies were made of Palm-Trees and open Flowers covered with Gold 1 Kings 6.35 An Emblem of that Victory and Triumph and that Golden Garland of Honour wherewith God hath invested the Saints glorified When all Worldly Honour shall lye in the Dust the Mace the Star the Robe of Ermin the Imperial Diadem then shall the Saints Honour remain not one Jewel shall be pluck'd out of their Crown they shall gain at Death a Blessed Eternity If the Saints could have but the least Suspicion or Fear of losing their Glory it would much cool and imbitter their Joy but their Crown fades not away 1 Pet. 5.4 As the Wicked have a Worm that never dies so the Elect have a Crown that never fades Ever is a short Word but hath no ending in fine erit gaudium sine fine Bern. 2 Cor. 4.18 The things which are not seen are Eternal Psal. 16.11 At thy right Hand are Pleasures for evermâ—re Who can span Eternity Millions of Ages stand but for Ciphers in Eternity This is the Elah or highest strain of the Saints Glory ever in Christ's Bosom Quest. How come the Saints to have all this Gain Resp. Believers have a right to all this Gain at Death upon a diverse account By vertue of the Fathers Donation the Sons Purchase the Holy Ghosts Earnest and Faiths acceptance Therefore the state of future glory is called the Saints proper inheritance Col. 1.12 They are Heirs of God and have a right to inherit Use 1. See the great difference between the Death of the Godly and the Wicked the Godly are great gainers at Death the Wicked are great Losers at Death They loose Four things 1. They lose the World and that is a great loss to the Wicked they laid up their Treasure upon Earth and to be turned out of all at once is a great loss 2. They lose their Souls Mat. 16.26 The Soul was at first a noble piece of Coin which God stamped his own Image upon this Caelestial spark is more precious than the whole Globe of the World But the Sinners Soul is lost not that the Souls of the Wicked are annihilated at Death but damnified 3. They lose Heaven Heaven is Sedes
beatorum the Royal Seat of the Blessed it is the region of Happiness the Map of Perfection There is that Manna which is Angels Food there is the Garden of Spices the Bed of Perfumes the Rivers of Pleasure Sinners at Death lose all this 4. They lose their Hopes For though they lived wickedly yet they hoped God was Merciful and they hoped they should go to Heaven Their Hope was not an Anchor but a Spiders Web. Now at Death they lose their Hopes they see they did but flatter themselves into Hell Iob. 8.14 Whose Hope shall be cut off That is sad to have a Mans Life and his Hope cut off together Use 2. If the Saints gain such glorious things at Death then how may they desire Death Doth not every one desire Preferment nemo ante funera Foelix Faith gives a Title to Heaven Death a Possession Though we should be desirous of doing Service here yet we should be ambitious to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 We should be content to live but willing to Dye Is it not a blessed thing to be freed from Sin and to lie for ever in the Bosom of Divine Love Is it not a blessed thing to meet our Godly Relations in Heaven and to be singing Divine Anthems of Praise among the Angels Doth not the Bride desire the Marriage Day especially if she were to be matched unto the Crown What is the Place we now live in but a Place of Banishment from God We are in a Wilderness while the Angels live at Court Here we are combating with Satan and should not we desire to be out of the Bloody Field where the Bullets of Tentation fly so fast and to receive a Victorious Crown Think what it will be to have always a smiling Aspect from Christs Face to be brought into the Banqueting House and have the Banner of his Love displayed over you O ye Saints desire Death it is your Ascension-day to Heaven Egredere anima egredere said Hilarion on his Death-bed Go forth my Soul what fearest thou Another Holy Man said Lord lead me to that Glory which I have seen as through a Glass Hast Lord and do not tarry Some Plants thrive best when they are transplanted Believers when they are by Death transplanted cannot choose but thrive because they have Christ's sweet Sun-beams shine upon them And what though the Passage through the Valley of the shadow of Death be troublesome Who would not be willing to pass a tempestuous Sea if he were sure to be crown'd as soon as he came at shore Use 3. Comfort in the loss of our dear and pious Relations They when they dye are not only taken away from the Evil to come but they are great gainers by Death They leave a Wilderness and go to Paradise They change their Complaints into Thanksgivings They leave their Sorrows behind and enter into the Joy of their Lord Why should we weep for their Preferment Believers have not their Portion paid till the day of their Death Gods Promise is his Bond to make over Heaven in Reversion to them But though they have his Bond they do not receive their Portion till the day of Death Oh! Rejoyce to think of their Happiness who dye in the Lord to them to dye is gain They are as Rich as Heaven can make them A Believers Privilege at Death Phil. 1.21 For to me to live is Christ and to dye is gain HOPE is a Christan's Anchor which he casts within the vail Rom. 12.12 Rejoycing in Hope A Christians Hope is not in this Life but he hath Hope in his Death Prov. 14.32 The best of a Saints Comfort begins when his Life ends The Wicked have all their Heaven here Luke 6.28 Woe unto you Rich you have received your Consolation You may make your Acquittance and write Received in full Payment Luke 16.25 Son remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things But a Saints Happiness is in Reversion The righteous hath Hope in his death God keeps the best Wine till last If Cato the Heathen said To me to dye is gain He saw Mortality to be a Mercy Then what may a Believer say Eccles. 7.1 The day of Death is better than the day of ones Birth Nemo ante Funera Felix Solon A Queen of this Land said she prefer'd her Coffin before her Cradle Quest. 1. What Benefits do Believers receive at Death Resp. 1. They have great Immunities 2. They pass immediately into a State of Glory 3. Their Bodies are united to Christ in the Grave till the Resurrection 1. The Saints at Death have great Immunities and Freedoms A Prentice when out of his time is made Free When the Saints are out of their time of living then they are made Free not made Free till Death 1. At Death they are freed from a Body of Sin There are in the best reliquiae peccati some Remainders and Reliques of Corruption Rom. 7.24 O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Death By the Body of Death is meant the Congeries the Mass and lump of Sin It may well be called a Body for its weightiness and a Body of Death for its noisomness 1. It weighs us down sin hinders us from doing good A Christian is like a Bird that would be flying up but hath a string tyed to its Legs to hinder it so he would be flying up to Heaven with the Wings of desire but sin hinders him Rom. 7.15 The good that I would I do not A Christian is like a Ship that is under Sail and at Anchor Grace would sail forward but Sin is the Anchor that holds it back 2. Sin is oft more active in its Sphere than Grace How stirring was Lust in David when his Grace lay dormant 3. Sin sometimes gets the Mastery and leads a Saint Captive Rom. 7.19 The evil I would not that do I. Paul was like a Man carried down the stream and could not bear up against it How oft is a Child of God over-power'd with Pride and Passion Therefore Paul calls sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Law in his Members Rom. 7.24 it binds as a Law it hath a kind of Jurisdiction over the Soul as Cesar had over the Senate 4. Sin defiles the Soul it is like a stain to Beauty it turns the Souls Azure Brightness into Sables 5. Sin debilitates us it disarms us of our strength 2 Sam. 3.39 I am this day weak though anointed King So though a Saint is crown'd with Grace yet he is weak though anointed a Spiritual King 6. Sin is ever Restless Gal. 5.17 The flesh lusts against the Spirit It is an Inmate that is always quarrelling Like Marcellus that Roman Captain of whom Hannibal said Whether he did beat or was beaten he would never be quiet 7. Sin adheres to us we cannot get rid of it It may be compar'd to a wild Fig-tree growing on a Wall though the Roots are pull'd up yet there are some Fibers
some stings of it in the joynts of the stone-work which cannot be gotten out 8. Sin mingles with our Duties and Graces we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting This makes a Child of God weary of his Life and makes him water his Couch with his Tears to think sin so strong a Party and he should offend that God whom he loves This made Paul cry out Miser ego Homo O wretched Man that I am Hence Paul did not cry out of his Affliction of his Prison-chain but of the body of sin Now a Believer at Death shall be freed from sin he is not taken away in but from his sins he shall never have a vain proud thought more he shall never grieve the Spirit of God any more Sin brought Death into the World and Death shall carry sin out of the World The Persians had a certain day in the Year in which they kill'd all Serpents and venomous Creatures Such a day will the day of Death be to a Believer it will destroy all his sins which like so many Serpents have stung him Death smites a Believer as the Angel did Peter it made his Chains fall off So Death makes all the Chains of Sin fall off Acts 12.7 Believers at Death are made perfect in Holiness Heb. 12.23 The Spirits of just Men made perfect At Death the Souls of Believers recover their Virgin-purity O what a Blessed Privilege is this to be sine macula ruga without spot and wrinckle Eph. 5.27 to be purer than the Sun-beams to be as free from sin as the Angels This makes a Believer so desirous to have his Pass to be gone He would fain live in that pure Air where no black Vapors of sin arise 2. At Death the Saints shall be freed from all the Troubles and Incumbrances to which this Life is subject Sin is the Seed sown and Trouble is the Harvest reaped 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eurip. Life and Trouble are married together There is more in Life to wean us than to tempt us Parents divide a Portion of Sorrow to their Children and yet they leave enough for themselves Iob 5.7 Man is born to trouble He is Heir to it it is his Birth-right You may as well separate weight from Lead as Trouble from the Life of Man Quid est diu vivere nisi diu Torqueri Aug. King Henry's Emblem a Crown hung in a Bush of Thorns There is a far greater Proportion of Bitterness than Pleasure in this Life Prov. 7.17 I have perfumed my Bed with Myrrhe Aloes and Cynamon For one sweet Ingredient there were two bitter for the Cynamon there was Myrrhe and Aloes A Mans Grace will not exempt him from Troubles Gen. 47.9 Few and evil have the days of the years of my Life been Though he was a Godly Patriarch though he had met with God Gen. 32.30 He named the name of the place Peniel For I have seen God face to face Yet he had his Troubles few and evil c. There are many things to imbitter Life and cause trouble and Death frees us from all 1. Care The Mind is full of perplexed thoughts how to bring about such a Design how to prevent such an Evil. The word for Care 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from a Primitive in the Greek that signifies To cut the Heart in pieces Care doth discruciate the Mind wast the Spirits No such bitter Bread as the Bread of Carefulness Ezek. 12.19 Care is a Spiritual Canker which eats out the Comfort of Life Death is the Cure of Care 2. Fear Fear is the Ague of the Soul which sets it a shaking 1 Iohn 4.14 There is Torment in Fear Fear is like Prometheus his Vulture it gnaws upon the Heart There is a distrustful Fear a Fear of Want and a distracting Fear Fear of Danger and a discouraging Fear a Fear God doth not love us These Fears leave sad Impressions upon the Mind Now at Death a Believer is freed from these torturing Fears He now knows he is passed from Death to Life He is as far from Fear as the Damned are from Hope The Grave buries a Christians Fears 3. Labour Eccles. 1.8 All things are full of labour Some labour in the Mine others among the Muses God hath made a Law In the sweat of thy Brows thou shalt eat Bread But Death gives a Believer a Quietus est it takes him off from his Day-labour Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord they rest from their labours What needs working when they have their Reward What needs fighting when the Crown is set on their Head they rest from their Labours 4. Suffering Believers are as a Lilly among Thorns as the Dove among the Birds of Prey The Wicked have an Antipathy against the Righteous and secret Hatred will break forth into open Violence Gal. 4.29 He that was born after the Flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit The Dragon is described with seven Heads and ten Horns Rev. 12.3 he plotteth with the one and pusheth with the other But at Death the Godly shall be freed from the Molestations of the Wicked they shall never be pestered with these Vermin more Iob 3.17 There viz. in the Grave the wicked cease from troubling Death doth to a Believer as Ioseph of Arimathea did to Christ it takes him down from the Cross and gives him a Writ of Ease The Eagle that flies high cannot be stung with the Serpent Death gives the Soul the Wing of the Eagle that it flies above all these venomous Serpents here below 5. Temptation Though Satan be a conquered Enemy yet he is a restless Enemy 1 Pet. 5.8 He walketh about the Devil is always going his Diocess He hath his Snares and his Darts One he tempts with Riches another with Beauty it is no small trouble to be continually followed with Temptation As for a Virgin to have her Chastity daily assaulted But Death will free a Child of God from Temptation he shall never be vexed more with the old Serpent After Death hath shot its Dart at us the Devil shall have done shooting his Though Grace puts a Believer out of the Devils Possession only Death frees him from the Devils Temptation 6. Sorrow A Cloud of Sorrow gathers in the Heart and drops into Tears Psal. 31.10 My life is spent with Grief and my years with sighing It was a Curse Gen. 3.16 In sorrow thou shalt bring forth Many things occasion Sorrow Sickness Law-suits Treachery of Friends disappointment of Hopes loss of Estate Ruth 1.20 Call me not Naomi call me Mara I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty Sorrow is the evil Spirit that haunts us the World is a Bochim Rachel wept for her Children some grieve that they have no Children and others grieve that their Children are undutiful Thus we spend our years with sighing 't is a Valley of Tears But Death is the Funeral of all our Sorrows Rev. 7.17 And God
shall wipe away all Tears Then Christs Spouse puts off her Mourning How can the Children of the Bride Chamber Mourn when the Bride-Groom shall be with them Matt. 9.15 Thus Death gives a Believer his Quietus est it frees him from Sin and Trouble Though the Apostle calls Death the last Enemy 1 Cor. 15. yet it is the best Friend To me to dye is gain Use 1. See here that which may make a true Saint willing to die Death will set him out of Gun-shot free him from Sin and Trouble There is no cause of weeping to leave a Valley of Tears The World is the Stage on which Sin and Misery are Acted Believers are here in a strange Country why then should they not be willing to go out of it Death beats off their Fetters of Sin and sets them free who go weeping out of a Goal Besides our own Sins the Sins of others The World is a place where Satan's Seat is a place where we see God daily dishonoured Lot who was a bright Star in a dark Night his righteous Soul was vexed with the unclean Conversation of the Wicked 2 Pet. 3.8 To see Gods Sabbaths broken his Truths adulterated his Glory eclipsed is that which wounds a Godly Heart This made David cry out Psal. 120.5 Woe is me that I dwell in Mesech that I sojourn in the Tents of Kedar Kedar was Arabia where were Ishmaels Posterity This was a cut to David's Heart to dwell there O then be willing to depart out of the Tents of Kedar 2. The Bodies of Believers are united to Christ in the Grave and shall rest there till the Resurrection They are said to sleep in Jesus 1 Thess. 4.14 The dust of Believers is part of Christs Body Mystical The Grave is a Dormitory or place of rest to the Saints where their Bodies quietly sleep in Christ till they are awakened out of their sleep by the Trumpet of the Arch-angel Quest. 2. But how shall we know that we shall gain all this at Death to be freed from Sin and Trouble and to have our Bodies united to Christ in the Grave Resp. If we are Believers then we gain all this at Death To me saith Paul to dye is gain To me quatenus a Believer Are we such Have we this blessed Faith Faith where-ever it is is Operative Lapidaries say there is no precious Stone but hath Virtutem insitam some hidden Virtue in it So I may say of Faith It hath some secret Virtue in it It Anchors the Soul on Christ It hath both a justifying and sanctifying Virtue in it It fetcheth Blood out of Christs sides to Pardon and Water out of his sides to Purge It works by love It constrains to Duty It makes the Head study for Christ the Tongue confess him the Hands work for him I have read of a Father who had three Sons and being to dye left in his Will all his Estate to that Son who could find his Ring with the Jewel which had an healing Vertue The Case was brought before the Judges the two elder Sons counterfeited a Ring but the younger Son brought the true Ring which was proved by the Vertue of it whereupon his Fathers Estate went to him To this Ring I may compare Faith there is a counterfeit Faith in the World but if we can find this Ring of Faith which hath the Healing Vertue in it to purifie the Heart this is the true Faith which gives us an Interest in Christ and entitles us to all these Privileges at Death to be freed from Sin and Sorrow and to have our Bodies united to Christ while they are in the Grave 3. I should now come to the third Privilege at Death the Souls of Believers pass immediately into Glory Where I shall lead you to the top of Mount Pisgah and give you a short view of the Glory of Heaven A Believers Privilege after Death Phil. 1.21 And to dye is Gain 3. AT Death the Souls of Believers pass into Glory Death brings Malorum omnium ademptionem Omnium ademptionem Death 's the day-break of Eternal Brightness And here I shall lead you to the top of Mount Pisgah and give you a glimpse of the Holy Land Quest. 1. What is comprehended in Glory Resp. Glory is Status omnium Bonorum aggregatione perfectus Boetius It is a perfect State of Bliss which consists in the Accumulation and heaping together all those good things which immortal Souls are capable of And truly here I am at a loss all that I can say falls short of the Celestial Glory Appelles Pencil cannot delineate it Angels Tongues cannot express it We shall never understand Glory fully till we are in Heaven Only let me give you the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or some dark views and some imperfect Lineaments of that State of Glory the Saints shall arrive at after Death 1. The first and most sublime part of the Glory of Heaven is the full and sweet Fruition of God Ipse Deus sufficit ad praemium Aug. We are apt to think the Happiness of Heaven is in being free from Pain and Misery but the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Quintessence of Happiness is the Enjoyment and Fruition of God this is the Diamond Ring of Glory God is an infinite inexhaustible Fountain of Joy and to have him is to have all Now the enjoying of God implies three things 1. It implies our seeing of God 2. Our loving of God 3. Gods loving of us 1. The enjoying of God implies our seeing of God 1 Iohn 3.2 We shall see him as he is Here we see him as he is not not mutable mortal there as he is Quest. 2. How shall we see God Resp. 1. We shall see him intellectually with the Eyes of our mind This Divines call the Beatifical Vision We shall have a full knowledge of God though not know him fully If there were not such an intellectual sight of God then how do the Spirits of just Men made perfect see him This sight of God will be very glorious As when a King on his Coronation-day shews himself in all his Royalty and Magnificence 2. We shall corporeally behold the glorified Body of Jesus Christ And if it be a pleasant thing to behold the Sun Eccles. 11.7 then how blessed a sight will it be to behold the Sun of Righteousness to see Christ clothed in our humane Nature sitting in Glory above the Angels Solomon saith The eye is not satisfied with seeing Eccles. 1.8 But sure the Eyes of the Saints will be satisfied with seeing that Orient Brightness which shall shine from the beautiful Body of Christ. It must needs be satisfying because through Christs Flesh some Rays and Beams of the God-head shall gloriously display themselves Gods excellent Majesty would overwhelm us but through the Vail of Christs Flesh we shall behold the Divine Glory 3. Our seeing of God will be transforming We shall so see him as to be in some measure assimilated and changed
our strength lay But in a true Gospel Sense we may so obey the Moral Law as to find Acceptance Which Gospel-Obedience consists in a Real Endeavour to observe the whole Moral Law Psal. 119.166 I have done thy Commandments Not I have done all I should do but I have done all I am able to do and wherein our Obedience comes short we look up to the perfect Righteousness and Obedience of Christ and hope for Pardon through his Blood This is Evangelically to obey the Moral Law which though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation Thus I have done with the first The Preface to the Preface God spake all these words I should now come to the second the Preface it self to the Commandments I am the Lord thy God c. Of the Commandments Exod. 20.2 I am the Lord thy God c. 2. THE Preface it self which consists of three parts 1. I am the Lord thy God 2. Which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt 3. Out of the House of Bondage 1. I am the Lord thy God Where we have a Description of God 1. By his Essential Greatness I am the Lord 2. By his relative Goodness Thy God 1. By his essential greatness I am the Lord or as in the Hebrew Iehovah This name of God sets forth his Majesty Sanctius habitum fuit saith Buxtorf the name Iohavah was had in more Reverence among the Jews than any other name of God it signifies Gods Self-sufficiency Eternity Independency Immutability Mal. 3.6 Use 1. If God be Iehovah the Fountain of being who can do what he will let us fear this great Lord Deut. 28.58 That thou maist fear Hashem Hanicbad Jehovah this glorious and fearful name Jehovah Use 2. If God be Iehovah the supream Lord then it condemns the Blasphemous Papists who speak after this manner Our Lord God the Pope Is it a Wonder the Pope lifts his Tripple Crown above the Heads of Kings and Emperors when he Usurps Gods Title Shewing himself that he is God 2 Thess. 2.4 The Pope goes to make himself Lord of Heaven for he will Canonize Saints there Lord of Earth for with his Keys he doth bind and loose whom he pleaseth Lord of Hell for he can free Men out of Purgatory But God will pull down these Plumes of Pride He will consume this Man of sin with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming 2 Thess. 2.8 Use 3. God is described by his relative goodness Eloeka Thy God Had God only called himself Iehovah it might have terrified us and made us fly from him but when he saith Thy God this may allure and draw us to him This though a Preface to Law is pure Gospel This word Eloeka Thy God is so sweet that we can never suck out all the Hony in it I am thy God not only by Creation but by Election This word Thy God though it was spoken to Israel yet it is a Charter belongs to all the Saints For the further Explication here are three Questions Quest. 1. How God comes to be our God Resp. Through Jesus Christ Christ is a middle Person in the Trinity He is Emanuel God with us He brings two differing Parties together He makes our Nature lovely to God and Gods Nature lovely to us He by his Death causeth Friendship yea Union He brings us within the Verge of the Covenant and so God becomes our God Quest. 2. What doth this imply God being our God Resp. It is comprehensive of all good things God is our strong Tower our Fountain of living Water our Salvation More particularly God being our God implies the sweetest Relation 1. The Relation of a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you A Father is full of tender care for his Child Who doth he settle the Inheritance upon but his Child God being our God will be a Father to us a Father of Mercy 2 Cor. 1.3 the everlasting Father Psal. 9.7 If God be our God we have a Father in Heaven that never dies 2. It imports the Relation of an Husband Isa. 54.5 Thy Maker is thy Husband If God be our Husband he esteems us precious to him as the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 He imparts his Secrets to us Psal. 25.14 He bestows a Kingdom upon us for our Dowry Luke 12.32 Quest. 3. How may we come to know this Covenant-Union That God is our God Resp. 1. By having his Graces planted in us Kings Children are known by their costly Jewels It is not having common Gifts which shews we belong to God many have the Gifts of God without God but it is Grace gives us a true genuine Title to God In particular Faith is Vinculum Unionis the Grace of Union By this we may spell out our Interest in God Faith doth not as the Mariner cast its Anchor downwards but upwards it trusts in the Mercy and Blood of God and trusting in God engageth him to be our God Other Graces make us like God Faith makes us one with him 2. We may know God is our God by having the Earnest of his Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 God often gives the Purse to the Wicked but the Spirit only to such as he intends to make his Heirs 1. Have we had the Consecration of the Spirit If we have not had the Sealing work of the Spirit have we had the Healing work 1 Iohn 2.20 Ye have an Unction from the Holy One. The Spirit where it is stamps the Impress of its own Holiness upon the Heart It embroiders and bespangles the Soul and makes it all glorious within 2. Have we had the Attraction of the Spirit Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Hath the Spirit by its magnetick Vertue drawn our Hearts to God Can we say as Cant. 1.7 O thou whom my Soul loveth Is God our Paradise of Delight Our Segullah or chief Treasure Are our Hearts so chained to God that no other Object can inchant us or draw us away from him 3. Have we had the Elevation of the Spirit Hath it raised our Hearts above the World Ezek. 3.14 The Spirit lifted me up Hath the Spirit made us superna anhelare seek the things above where Christ is Though our Flesh is on Earth is our Heart in Heaven Though live here trade above Hath the Spirit thus lifted us up By this we may come to know that God is our God Where God gives his Spirit for an Earnest there he gives himself for a Portion 3. We may know God is our God if he hath given us the Hearts of Children Have we obediential Hearts Psal. 27.8 Do we subscribe to Gods Commands when his Commands cross our Will A true Saint is like the Flower of the Sun it opens and shuts with the Sun He opens to God and shuts to Sin If we have the Hearts of Children then God is our Father 4. We may know God is ours and we have an Interest in
him by our standing up for his Interest We will appear in his Cause and vindicate his Truth wherein his Glory is so much concerned Athanasius was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bulwark of Truth he stood up for it when most of the World were Arrians In former times the Nobles of Polonia when the Gospel was read did lay their Hands upon their Swords signifying that they were ready to defend the Faith and hazard their Lives for the Gospel No better sign of our having an Interest in God than by our standing up for his Interest 5. We may know God is ours and we have an Interest in him by his having an Interest in us Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his When God saith to the Soul Thou art mine the Soul answers Lord I am thine All I have is at thy Service My Head shall be thine to study for thee My Tongue shall be thine to praise thee If God be our God by way of Donation we are his by way of Dedication We live to him and are more his than we are our own And thus we may come to know that God is our God Use 1. Above all things let us get this great Charter confirmed that God is our God Deity is not comfortable without Propriety Tolle meum tolle Deum Aug. O let us labour to get sound Evidences that God is our God We cannot call Health Liberty Estate ours O let us be able to call God ours and say as the Church Psal. 67.6 God even our own God shall bless us Let every Soul here labour to pronounce this Shibboleth My God And that we may endeavour after this to have God for our God Consider 1. The Misery of such as have not God for their God in how sad a Condition are they when an hour of distress comes This was Saul's Case 1 Sam. 28.15 I am sore distressed for the Philistins make war against me and the Lord is departed from me A wicked Man in time of Trouble is like a Vessel toss'd on the Sea without an Anchor it falls on Rocks or Sands A Sinner not having God to be his God though he makes a shift while Health and Estate last yet when these Crutches are broken he leaned upon his Heart sinks It is with a wicked Man as it was with the Old World when the Flood came the Waters at first came to the Vallies but then the People would get to the Hills and Mountains But then the Waters came to the Mountains Then there might be some Trees on the high Hills and they would climb up to them I but then the Waters did rise up to the tops of the Trees Now all hopes of being saved were gone their Hearts failed them So it is with a Man that hath not God to be his God If one Comfort be taken away he hath another If he lose a Child he hath an Estate I but then the Waters rise higher Death comes and takes away all now he hath nothing to help himself with no God to go to he must needs dye despairing 2. How great a Privilege it is to have God for our God Psal. 144.15 Happy are the People whose God is the Lord. Beatitudo hominis est Deus Aug. That you may see the Privilege of this Charter 1. If God be our God then though we may feel the stroke of Evil yet not the sting He must needs be happy who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in such a Condition that nothing can hurt him If he lose his Name it is written in the Book of Life If he lose his Liberty his Conscience is free If he lose his Estate he is possessed of the Pearl of Price If he meets with Storms he knows where to put in for Harbour God is his God and Heaven is his Haven 2. If God be our God then our Soul is safe The Soul is the Jewel it is a Blossom of Eternity Dan. 7.15 I was grieved in the midst of my Body In the Chaldee it is In the midst of my Sheath The Body is but the Sheath the Soul is the Princely part of Man which sways the Scepter of Reason It is a Celestial Spark as Damascen calls it If God be our God the Soul is safe as in a Garison Death can do no more hurt to a vertuous Heaven-born Soul than David did to Saul when he cut off the lap of his Garment The Soul is safe being hid in the Promises hid in the Wounds of Christ hid in Gods Decree The Soul is the Pearl and Heaven is the Cabinet where God will lock it up safe 3. If God be our God then all that is in God is ours The Lord saith to a Saint in Covenant as the King of Israel to the King of Syria 1 Kings 20.4 I am thine and all that I have So saith God I am thine How happy is he who not only inherits the Gifts of God but inherits God himself All that I have shall be thine my Wisdom shall be thine to teach thee my Power shall be thine to support thee my Mercy shall be thine to save thee God is an infinite Ocean of Blessedness and there is enough in him to fill us If a thousand Vessels be thrown into the Sea there is enough in the Sea to fill them 4. If God be our God he will intirely love us Propriety is the ground of Love God may give Men Kingdoms and not love them but he cannot be our God and not love us He calls his Covenanted Saints Iediduth Naphshi The dearly beloved of his Soul Jer. 12.7 He rejoyceth over them with Joy and rests in his Love Zeph. 3.17 They are his Refined Silver Zech. 13.9 His Jewels Mal. 3.17 His Royal Diadem Isa. 62.3 He gives them the Cream and Flower of his love He not only opens his hand and fills them Psal. 145.16 but opens his Heart and fills them 5. If God be our God he will do more for us than all the World besides can What is that 1. He will give us Peace in Trouble When a Storm without he will make Musick within The World can create Trouble in Peace but God can create Peace in Trouble He will send the Comforter who as a Dove brings an Olive Branch of Peace in his Mouth Iohn 14.16 2. God will give us a Crown of Immortality The World can give a Crown of Gold but that Crown hath Thorns in it and Death in it but God will give a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 The Garland made of the Flowers of Paradise never withers 6. If God be our God he will bear with many Infirmities God may respit Sinners a while but long Forbearance is no Acquittance he will throw them to Hell for their Sins But if God be our God he will not for every failing destroy us He bears with his Spouse as with the weaker Vessel God may Chastise Psal. 89.32 He may use the Rod and the pruning Knife
the Godly are Preservations of the Wicked are Reservations 2 Pet. 2.9 The Lord knows how to deliver the Godly and to reserve the Unjust to be Punished A Sinner may be delivered from dangerous Sickness and out of Prison but all this is but a Reservation to some greater Evil. 2. God delivers the Wicked or rather spares them in Anger Deliverances to the Wicked are not given as Pledges of Gods Love but Symptoms of his Displeasure as Quails were given to Israel in Anger But Deliverances of the Godly are in Love 2 Sam. 22.20 He delivered me because he delighted in me Isa. 38.17 Thou hast in love to my Soul delivered me from the Pit of Corruption or as in Hebrew Chashiacta Naphshi Thou hast loved me from the Pit of Corruption A Wicked Man may say Lord thou hast loved me out of the Pit of Corruption But a Godly Man may say Lord thou hast loved me out of the Pit of Corruption It is one thing to have Gods Power deliver us and another thing to have his Love deliver us O saith Hezekiah Thou hast in Love to my Soul delivered me from the Pit of Corruption Quest. How may it be known that a Deliverance comes in Love Resp. 1. When a Deliverance makes our Heart boil over in love to God Psal. 116.1 I love the Lord because he hath heard my Voice It is one thing to love our Mercies another thing to love the Lord Then a Deliverance is in Love when it causeth Love 2. Then a Deliverance is in Love when we have Hearts to improve it for Gods Glory The Wicked instead of improving their Deliverances for Gods Glory improve their Corruptions they grow worse after as the Metal when it is taken out of the Fire grows harder But then our Deliverance is in Love when we improve it for Gods Glory God raiseth us out of a low Condition and we lift him up in our Praises and honour him with our Substance Prov. 3.9 He recovers us from Sickness and we spend our selves in his Service Mercy is not as the Sun to the Fire to dull it and put it out but as Oyl to the Wheel to make it move faster 3. Then a Deliverance comes in Love when it makes us more Exemplary in Holiness Our Lives are walking Bibles A Thousand Praises and Doxologies do not honour God so much as the Mortifying one Lust Obadiah 17. On Mount Zion there shall be Deliverance and Holiness When these two go together Deliverance and Holiness when being made Monuments of Mercy we are Patterns of Piety Now a-Deliverance comes in Love and we may say as Hezekiah Thou hast loved me out of the Pit of Corruption 1. If God brings his People out of Bondage then let none despond in trouble say not I shall sink under this burden as David I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul God can make this Text good Personally and Nationally to bring his People out of the House of Bondage When he sees a fit Season he will put forth his Arm and save them and he can do it with ease 2 Chron. 14.11 It is nothing for thee Lord to help He that turns the Tides can turn the Times He that raised Lazarus when he was Dead can raise thee when thou art Sick Isa. 63.5 I looked and there was none to help therefore my own arm brought Salvation Do not despond believe in Gods Power Faith sets God on work to deliver us 2. Labour if you are in trouble to be fitted for Deliverance Many would have Deliverance but are not fitted for it Quest. When are we fitted for Deliverance Resp. When we are by our Afflictions conformed to Christ Namely When we have learned Obedience Heb. 5.8 He learned Obedience by the things which he suffered That is he learned sweet Submission to his Fathers Will Luke 22.42 Not my will but thy will be done When we have thus learned Obedience by our Suffering we are willing to do what God will have us do and be what God will have us be Now we are conformed to Christ and are fitted for Deliverance 3. If God have brought you at any time out of the House of Bondage out of great and eminent Troubles be much in Doxology and Praise Deliverance calls for Praise Psal. 30.11 12. Thou hast put off my Sackcloth and girded me with gladness To the end that my Glory may sing praise to thee My Glory that is my Tongue which is the Instrument of glorifying thee The Saints are Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 3.16 Where should Gods Praises be sounded but in his Temples Beneficium postulat officium The deepest Springs yield the sweetest Water And Hearts deeply sensible of Gods Deliverances yield the sweetest Praises Moses tells Pharaoh when he was going out of Egypt We will go with our Sheep and our Cattle Exod. 10.9 Why so Because he might have Sacrifices of Thanksgiving ready to offer to God for their Deliverance To have a thankful Heart for a Deliverance is a greater Blessing than the Deliverance it self Luke 17.15 One of the Lepers when he saw he was healed turned back and with a loud voice glorified God The Lepers thankful Heart was a greater Blessing than to be healed of his Leprosie Have any of you here been brought out of the House of Bondage out of Prison Sickness or any Death-threatning Danger Do not forget to be thankful be not Graves but Temples And that you may be the more Thankful observe every Emphasis and Circumstance in your Deliverance as to be brought out of trouble when you were In articulo mortis there was but an Hairs breadth between you and Death or to be brought out of Affliction without Sin you did not purchase your Deliverance by the insnaring of your Consciences or to be brought out of trouble upon the Wings of Prayer or that those who were the Occasions of bringing you into trouble should be the Instruments of bringing you out These Circumstances being well weighed do highten a Deliverance and should highten our Thankfulness The cutting of a Stone may be of more Value than the Stone it self And the Circumstancing of a Deliverance may be greater than the Deliverance it self Quest. But how shall we praise God in a right manner for Deliverances Resp. 1. Be Holy Persons In the Sacrifices of Thanksgiving whosoever did eat thereof with their Uncleanness upon them were to be cut off Lev. 7.20 to typifie how unpleasing their Praises and Thank-offerings are who live in Sin 2. Praise God with humble Hearts acknowledge how unworthy you were of Deliverance Gods Mercies are not Debts but Legacies and that you should have a Legacy given you be humble Rev. 11.16 The Elders fell upon their Faces an Expression of Humility and worshipped and praised God 3. Praise God for Deliverances cordially Psal. 111.1 I will praise the Lord Becol Levau with my whole Heart In Religion there is no Musick but in Consort when Heart and Tongue joyn 4.
him to pieces The German History relates of a Youth who was given to Swearing and did use to invent new Oaths the Lord sent a Canker into his Mouth which did eat out his Tongue whereupon he died 2. Blasphemy He who did Blaspheme God the Lord caused him to be stoned to death Lev. 24.11 23. The Israelitish womans Son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed And Moses spake to the People of Israel that they should bring forth him that had cursed and stone him with stones Olympias an Arian Bishop Reproached and Blasphemed the Sacred Trinity whereupon he was suddenly stricken with three Flashes of Lightning which burned him to Death Felix an Officer of Iulian seeing the Holy Vessels which were used in the Sacrament said in Scorn of Christ See what precious Vessels the Son of Mary is served withall Soon after he was taken with a Vomiting of Blood out of his Blasphemous Mouth whereof he died 2. Or if God should not execute Judgment on the Profaners of his Name in this Life yet their Doom is to come God will not remit their Guilt but deliver them to Satan the Goaler to torment them for ever If God justifie a Man who shall condemn him but if God condemn him who shall justifie him If God lay a Man in Prison where shall he get Bail or Main-prize God will take his full blow at the Sinner in Hell Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God EXOD. XX. 8 Remember the Sabbath-Day to keep it Holy Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work But the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattel nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates For in Six Days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh Day Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-Day and hallowed it This Commandment was engraven in Stone by God's own Finger and it will be our Comfort to have it engraven in our Hearts The Sabbath-Day is set apart for God's Solemn Worship it is God's Enclosure and it must not be alienated to common Uses The Lord hath set a Preface before this Commandment he hath put a Memento to it Remember to keep the Sabbath-Day holy This Word Remember shows that we are apt to forget Sabbath-Holiness therefore we need a Memorandum to put us in mind of sanctifying this Day I shall explain the Words I. Here is a Solemn Command Remember the Sabbath-Day to keep it holy II. Many Cogent Arguments to induce us to observe the Command I. In the Command 1. The Matter of it viz. The sanctifying of the Sabbath which Sabbath-Sanctification consists in two things First In resting from our own Works Secondly In a Conscientious Discharge of our Religious Duties 2. The Persons to whom the Command of sanctifying the Sabbath is given 1. Either Superiours and they are 1 st More Private as Parents and Masters Or 2 ly More Publique as Magistrates Or 2. Inferiours First Natives as Children and Servants Thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-Servant and thy Maid Servant Secondly Foreigners The Stranger that is within thy Gates II. The Cogent Arguments to obey this Command of keeping Holy the Sabbath 1. From the Rationality of it Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work As if God had said I am not an hard Master I do not grutch thee time to look after thy Calling and to get an Estate I have given thee Six Days Six to do all thy Work in and have taken but one Day for my self I might have reserved Six Days for my self and allowed thee but one but I have given thee Six Days for the Works of thy Calling and have taken but One Day for my own Service therefore it is equal and rational that thou shouldst set this Day in a special manner apart for my Worship 2. The Second Argument is taken from 2 ly The Iustice of it The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God As if God had said The Sabbath-Day is my Due I challenge a special Right in it and none hath any thing to do to lay claim to it He who robs me of THIS DAY and puts it to common Uses is a Sacrilegious Person he steals from the Crown of Heaven and I will in no wise hold him guiltless 3. The Third Argument for sanctifying the Sabbath is taken from God's own Pattern he rested the Seventh Day As if the Lord should say Will not you follow my Pattern Having finished all my Works of Creation I rested the Seventh Day So you having done all your Secular Work on the Six Days you should now cease from the Labour of your Calling and Dedicate the Seventh Day to the Lord as a Day of Holy Rest. 4. The Fourth Argument for Sabbath-Sanctification is taken ab Vtili from the Benefit which redounds from a Religious Observation of the Sabbath The Lord blessed the Seventh-Day and hallowed it It is not only a Day of God's Benediction God did not only appoint the Seventh-Day but he blessed the Seventh Day The Sabbath-Day is not only a Day of Honour to God but a Day of Blessing to us it is not only a Day wherein we give God Worship but a Day wherein he gives us Grace on this Day a Blessing drops down from Heaven This is a great Argument for the keeping the Sabbath-Day Holy God is not benefited by it we cannot add one Cubit to his Essential Glory but we our selves are advantaged The Sabbath-Day religiously observed entails a Blessing upon our Souls our Estate our Posterity As the not keeping this Day Holy brings a Curse Ier. 17.27 God curseth a Man's Blessings Mal. 2.2 The Bread which he eats is poysoned with a Curse So the Conscientious Observation of the Sabbath brings all manner of Blessings with it These are the Arguments to induce Sabbath-Sanctification And so I have divided the Commandment into its several Parts and explained the Sence of it The thing I would have you observe is That this Commandment about keeping the Sabbath was not abrogated with the Ceremonial Law but it is purely Moral and the Observation of the Sabbath is to be continued to the end of the World Where can we show that God hath given us a Discharge from keeping one Day in seven So that I say this fourth Commandment is Moral and obligeth Christians to the perpetual Commemoration and Sanctification of the Sabbath Quest. Why God hath appointed a Sabbath Ans. 1. In respect of Himself it is requisite that God should reserve one Day in Seven for his own immediate Service that hereby he might be acknowledged to be the great Plenipotentiary or Sovereign Lord who hath Power over us both to command Worship and appoint the Time when he will be worshipped 2. In respect of Vs. The Sabbath-day
while they do any eminent Service for God seek themselves and so their very serving of him is a dshonouring him 4. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by Celebrating his Praise Psal. 71.8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the Day Rev. 5.13 Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sits upon the Throne Blessing God is honouring of God It lifts him up in the Eyes of others it spreads his Fame and Renown in the World In this manner the Angels the Quiristers of Heaven are now honouring God they Trumpet forth his Praise In Prayer we act like Saints in Praise like Angels 5. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by suffering Dishonour yea Death for his sake St. Paul did bear in his Body the Marks of the Lord Iesus Gal. 6.17 As they were Marks of Honour to him so Trophies of Honour to the Gospel The Honour which comes to God is not by bringing that Outward Pomp and Glory to him as we do to Kings but it comes in another way by the Sufferings of his People They let the World see what a good God they serve and how they love him and will fight under his Banner to the Death Thus you see how you are to Honour your Heavenly Father God is worthy of Honour Psal. 104.1 Thou art Cloathed with Honour and Majesty What are all his Attributes but Glorious Beams shining from this Sun He deserves more Honour than Men or Angels can give him 2 Sam. 22. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised God is worthy of Honour Often times we confer Honour upon them that do not deserve it Many Noble Persons we give Titles of Honour to who are sordid and vicious they do no deserve Honour but God is worthy of Honour Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy Glorious Name which is exalted above all Blessings and Praise He is above all the Acclamations and Triumphs of the Arch-angels O then let every true Child of God honour his Heavenly Father Tho the wicked dishonour him by their Flagitious Lives yet let not his own Children dishonour him Sins in you are worse than in others A Fault in a Stranger is not so much taken notice of as a Fault in a Child A Spot in a black Cloth is not so much observed but a Spot in Scarlet every ones Eye is upon it A Sin in the Wicked is not so much wondred at it is a Spot in black But a Sin in a Child of God here is a Spot in Scarlet this is more visible and brings an Odium and Dishonour upon the Gospel The Sins of God's own Children go nearer to his Heart Deut. 32.19 When the Lord saâ— it hâ— abhorred them because of the provoking of his Sons and Daughters O forbear doing any thing may reflect Dishonour upon God Will you disgrace your Heavenly Father Let not God complain of the Provocations of his Sons and Daughters let him not cry out as Isa. 1.2 I have brought up Children and they have rebelled against me So much for the First If our Earthly Father be to be honoured then much more our Heavenly Vse II. Exhort First Branch Doth God Command Honour thy Father and thy Mother Then let it exhort Children to put this great Duty in Practice be living Commentaries upon this Commandment Honour and Reverence your Parents not only obey their Commands but submit to their Rebukes You cannot honour your Father in Heaven unless you honour your Earthly Parents To deny Obedience to Parents entails God's Judgments upon Children Prov. 30.17 The Eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it Eli's Two Disobedient Sons were slain 1 Sam. 4.11 God made a Law that the Rebellious Son should be stoned the same Death the Blasphemer had Lev. 24.14 Deut. 21.18 If a Man have a stubborn and rebellious Son which will not obey the voice of his Father or the voice of his Mother then shall his Father and his Mother lay hold on him and bring him out unto the Elders of the City and all the Men of his City shall stone him with Stones that he die A Father once complaining Never had Father a worse Son than I have Yes saith the Son my Grandfather had A Prodigy of Impudence that can hardly be parallel'd Manlius when he was grown old and poor and had a Son very rich the old Father desired some Food of him but the Son denied him Relief yea disclaimed him from being his Father and sent him away with reproachful Language The poor old Father let Tears fall as Witnesses of his Grief But God to revenge this Disobedience struck this unnatural Son with Madness of which he could never be cured Disobedient Children stand in the place where all God's Arrows fly Second Branch Let Parents so carry it as they may gain Honour from their Children Quest. How may Parents so carry it towards their Children that their Children may willingly pay the Debt of Honour and Reverence to their Parents Resp. 1. If you would have your Children honour you 1. Be careful to bring them up in the Fear and Nurture of the Lord Ephes. 6.4 Bring them up in the Admonition of the Lord. You conveyed the Plague of Sin to them Ergo Endeavour to get them healed and sanctified Austin saith his Mother Monica travelled more for his Spiritual Birth than his Natural Timothy's Mother instructed him from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 She did not only give him her Breast-milk but the sincere Milk of the Word Season your Children with good Principles betimes that they may with Obadiah fear the Lord from their Youth 1 King 18.12 When Parents instruct not their Children they seldom prove Blessings God oft punisheth the carelesness of Parents with Undutifulness in their Children It is not enough that in Baptism your Child is Dedicated to God but it must be Educated for God Children are young Plants which you must be continually watering with good Instruction Prov. 22.6 Train up a Child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it when he is old The more your Children fear God the more they will honour you 2. If you would have your Children honour you keep up your Parental Authority over your Children be kind but do not cocker them If you let them get too much Head they will Contemn you instead of Honouring you The Rod of Discipline must not be with-held Prov. 23.14 Thou shalt beat him with the Rod and deliver his Soul from Hell A Child indulg'd and humour'd in Wickedness will be a Thorn in the Parents Eye David cockered Adonijah 1 Kings 1.6 His Father had not displeased him at any time in saying Why hast thou done so And he afterward was a Grief of Heart to his Father and was false to the Crown ver 7 9. Keep up your Authority and you keep up
8.44 By saying to our First Parents Ye shall not die he brought in Death to the World 4. It is a Cursed Sin If there be a Curse for him that smites his Neighbour secretly Deut. 27.4 then he is double cursed that kills him The first Man that was born was a Murderer Gen. 4.11 And now art thou cursed from the Earth He was an excommunicate Person banish'd from the place of God's Publick Worship God set a Mark upon bloody Cain Gen. 24 15. Some think it was Horror of Mind which above all Sins doth accompany the Sin of Blood Others think this Mark was a continual Shaking and trembling in his Flesh which was a Mark of Infamy God set upon him He carried a Curse along with him 5. It is a Wrath-procuring Sin 2 Kings 24.4 1. It procures Temporal Judgments Phocas to get the Empire put to Death all the Sons of Mauritius the Emperor and then slew him But this Phocas was pursued by his Son-in-law Priscus who cut off his Ears and Feet and then kill'd him Charles the 9 th who caused the Massacre of so many Christians at Paris Blood issued out at several parts of his Body of which he died Albonia kill'd a Man and then made a Cup of his Skull to drink in afterwards his own Wife caused him to be murdered in his Bed Vengeance as a Blood-hound pursues the Murderer Bloody Men shall not live out half their Days Psal. 55.23 2. It brings Eternal Judgments It binds Men over to Hell The Papists make nothing of Massacres theirs is a Bloody Religion They dispense with Men for Murder so it be to propagate the Catholick Cause If a Cardinal put his Red Hat upon the Head of a Murderer going to Execution he is saved from Death But let all impenitent Murderers read their Doom Rev. 21.8 Murderers shall have their part in the Lake which burns with Fire and Brimstone This is the Second Death We read of Fire mingled with Blood Rev. 8.7 Such as have their Hands full of Blood must undergo the Wrath of God Here is Fire mingled with Blood and this Fire is inextinguishable Mark 9.44 Time will not finish it Tears will not quench it EXOD. XX. 12 Thou shalt not Kill 3. We must not injure anothers Soul This is the greatest Murder of all because there is more of God's Image in the Soul than in the Body Ths Soul tho it cannot be annihilated is said to be murdered because it misseth of Happiness and is for ever in Torment Now how many are Soul-murderers 1. Such as corrupt others by bad Example Vivitur Exemplis The World is led by Example especially the Examples of Great ones are very pernicious Magnates Magnetes We are apt to do as we see others before us especially above us Such as are placed in High Power are like the Pillar of Cloud when that went Israel went When Great Ones move in their Sphere others will follow them tho it be to Hell Evil Magistrates like the Tail of the Dragon draw the third part of the Stars after them 2. Such as entice others to Sin The Harlot by curling her Hair rolling her Eyes laying open her Breasts doth what in her lies to be both a Tempter and a Murderer Such an one was Messalina Wife to Claudius the Emperor Prov. 7.7 10. I discerned a young Man and there met him a Woman with the Attire of an Harlot so she caught him and kissed him Better are the Reproofs of a Friend than the Kisses of an Harlot 3. Ministers are Murderers who either starve or poyson or infect Souls 1. That starve Souls 1 Pet. 5.2 Feed the Flock of God which is among you These Feed themselves and starve the Flock Either through Non-residing they do not Preach or through Insufficiency they cannot There are many in the Ministry a shame to speak it so ignorant that they had need to be taught the First Principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5.12 Was not he fit to be a Preacher in Israel think ye who being asked something concerning the Decalogue answered He never saw any such Book 2. That Poyson Souls Such are Heterodox Ministers who poyson People with Error The Basilisk poysons Herbs and Flowers by breathing on them The Breath of Heretical Ministers like the Basilisks Breath poysons Souls The Socinian that would rob Christ of his Godhead the Arminian that by advancing the Power of the Will would take off the Crown from the Head of Free-Grace the Antinomian who denies the Use of the Moral Law to a Believer as if it were antiquated and out of date these Poyson Mens Souls Error is as damnable as Vice 1 Pet. 2.1 There shall he false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Hereresies denying the Lord that bought them 3. That Infect Souls viz. By their Scandalous Lives Exod. 19.22 Let the Priests which come near to the Lord sanctifie themselves Ministers who by their Places are nearer to God should be holier than others The Elements the higher they are the purer The Air is purer than the Water the Fire is purer than the Air. The higher Men are by Office the holier they should be Iohn Baptist was a shining Lamp But there are many who infect their People with their Bad Life They preach one thing and live another Qui curios simulant Bacchanalia vivunt They like Eli's Sons are in White Linen but they have Scarlet Sins Some say that Prester Iohn the Lord of Africa causeth to be carried before him a Golden Cup full of Dirt A fit Emblem of such Ministers as have a Golden Office but are dirty and polluted in their Lives They are Murderers and the Blood of Souls will cry against them at the last Day 4. Such as destroy others by getting them into bad Company and so making them Proselytes to the Devil Vitia in proximum quemque transiliunt Sen. A Man cannot live in the Aethiopian Climate but he will be discoloured with the Sun nor he cannot be in bad Company but he will partake of their Evil. One Drunkard makes another as the Prophet speaks in another Sence Ier. 35.5 I set before them pots full of Wine and Cups and said unto them Drink ye Wine So the Wicked set Pots of Wine before others and make them drink till Reason be stupified and Lust enflamed These are guilty of the Breach of this Commandment they are Murderers of Souls How sad will it be with these who have not only their own Sins but the Blood of others to answer for So much for the First thing forbidden in the Commandment the Injuring of others II. The Second thing forbidden in it is the injuring ones self Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt do no hurt to thy self 1. Thou shalt not hurt thy own Body One may be guilty of Self-murder either 1. Indirectly and Occasionally 2. Directly and Absolutely 1. Indirectly and Occasionally As First When a Man thrusts himself into Danger which he might prevent
Adulteress who can paint her black enough The Scripture calls her a deep Ditch Prov. 23.27 She is a Common-shore Whereas a Believer his Body is a Living Temple and his Soul a little Heaven bespangled with the Graces as so many little Stars The Body of an Harlot is a walking Dunghil and her Soul a lesser Hell Fourthly Adultery is destructive to the Body Prov. 5.11 And thou mourn at last when thy Flesh and thy Body is consumed It brings into a Consumption Uncleanness turns the Body into an Hospital it wastes the Radical Moisture rots the Skull eats the Beauty of the Face As the Flame wastes the Candle so the Fire of Lust consumes the Bones The Adulterer hastens his own Death Prov. 7.23 Till a Dart strike through his Liver The Romans had their Funerals at the Gate of Venus Temple to signify that Lust brings Death Venus is Lust. Fifthly Adultery is a Purgatory to the Purse as it wastes the Body so the Estate Prov. 6.26 By the means of a Whorish Woman a Man is brought to a piece of Bread Whores are the Devil's Horseleeches Spunges that will soon suck in all ones Money The Prodigal had soon spent his Portion when once he fell among Harlots Luke 15.30 King Edward the Third's Concubine when he lay a dying got all she could from him and pluck'd the Rings off his Fingers and so left him He that lives in Luxury dies in Beggery Sixthly Adultery blots and eclipseth the Name Prov. 6.33 Whoso committeth Adultery with a Woman a wound and dishonour shall he get and his Reproach shall not be wiped away Some while they get Wounds get Honour The Soldiers Wounds are full of Honour The Martyrs Wounds for Christ are full of Honour These get Honour while they get Wounds But the Adulterer gets Wounds in his Name but no Honour His Reproach shall not be wiped away The Wounds of the Name no Physician can heal The Adulterer when he is dead his Shame lives When his Body rots under ground his Name rots above ground His base-born Children will be the Living Monuments of his Shame Seventhly This Sin doth much eclipse the Light of Reason it steals away the Understanding it stupifies the Heart Hos. 4.11 Whoredom takes away the Heart It eats out all Heart for good Solomon besotted himself with Women and they enticed him to Idolatry Eighthly This Sin of Adultery ushers in Temporal Iudgments The Mosaical Law made Adultery Death Lev. 20.10 The Adulterer and the Adulteress shall surely be put to Death And the usual Death was Stoning Deut. 22.24 The Saxons commanded the Persons taken in this Sin to be burnt The Romans caused their Heads to be stricken off This Sin like a Scorpion carries a Sting in the Tail of it The Adultery of Paris and Helena a beautiful Strumpet ended in the Ruin of Troy and was the Death both of Paris and Helena Iealousie is the rage of a Man and the Adulterer is oft killed in the Act of his Sin Adultery cost Otho the Emperor and Pope Sixtus the Fourth their Lives Laeta venire Venus tristis abire solet I have read of two Citizens in London 1583. who defiling themselves with Adultery on the Lord's Day were immediately struck dead with a Fire from Heaven If all that were now guilty of this Sin should be punished in this manner it would rain Fire again as on Sodom Ninthly Adultery without Repentance damns the Soul 1 Cor. 6.9 Neither Fornicators nor Adulterers nor Effeminate shall enter into the Kingdom of God The Fire of Lust brings to the Fire of Hell Heb. 13.4 Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Tho Men may neglect to judge them yet God will judge them But will not God judge all other Sinners Yes Why then doth the Apostle say Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge The meaning is 1. He will judge them assuredly they shall not escape the Hand of Justice 2. He will punish them severely 2 Pet. 2.10 The Lord knoweth how to reserve the Vnjust to the Day of Iudgment to be punish'd but chiefly them that walk in the Lust of Vncleanness The Harlot's Breast keeps from Abraham's Bosom Momentaneum est quod delectat Aeternum q. d. Cruciat Who would for a Cup of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Prov. 9.18 Her Guests are in the depths of Hell A wise Traveller when he comes to his Inn tho many pleasant Dishes are set before him yet he forbears to taste because of the Reckoning which will be brought in We are here all Travellers to Ierusalem above and tho many Baits of Temptation are set before us yet we should forbear and think of the reckoning which will be brought in at Death With what Stomach could Dionisius eat his Dainties when he imagined there was a naked Sword hung over his Head as he sat at Meat While the Adulterer feeds on strange Flesh the Sword of God's Justice hangs over his Head Causinus speaks of a Tree that grows in Spain that is of a sweet Smell and pleasant to the Taste but the Juyice of it is poysonous The Emblem of an Harlot she is perfum'd with Powders and fair to look on but poysonous and damnable to the Soul Prov. 7.26 She hath cast down many wounded yea many strong Men have been slain by her Tenthly The Adulterer doth not only wrong his own Soul but doth what in him lies to destroy the Soul of another and so kill two at once And thus the Adulterer is worse than the Thief For suppose a Thief Rob a Man yea take away his Life yet that Man's Soul may be happy he may go to Heaven as well as if he had died in his Bed But he who commits Adultery endangers the Soul of another and deprives her of Salvation so far as in him lies Now what a fearful thing is it to be an Instrument to draw another to Hell Eleventhly The Adulterer is abhorr'd of God Prov. 22.14 The mouth of a strange Woman is a deep Pit he who is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein What can be worse than to be abhorr'd of God God may be angry with his own Children but for God to Abhor a Man it is the highest Degree of Hatred Quest. But how doth the Lord show his abhorring of the Adulterer Answ. In giving him up to a Reprobate Mind and a Seared Conscience Rom. 1.26 And now he is in such a condition that he cannot repent This is to be abhorred of God Such a Person stands upon the Threshold of Hell and when Death gives him a Jog he tumbles in All which may sound a Retreat in our Ears and call us off from the pursuit of so damnable a Sin as Uncleanness I will conclude with two Scriptures Prov. 5.8 Come not nigh the Door of her House Prov. 7.27 Her House is the way to Hell Twelfthly Adultery is a Sower of Discord It destroyes Peace and Love the two best Flowers which grow in a Family Adultery sets Husband
hath no Excuse I am saith one grown low in the World and trading is bad and I have no other way to a Livelyhood Resp. 1. This shows a great Distrust of God as if he could not provide for thee without thy Sin 2. This shows Sin is gotten to a great Heighth that because a Man is Low in the World therefore he will Acheronta movere Go to the Devil for a Livelyhood Abraham would not have it said that the King of Sodom had made him rich Gen. 14.23 O let it never be said that the Devil hath made thee rich 3. Thou oughtest not to undertake any Action which thou canst not pray for a Blessing upon But if thou livest on Thieving thou canst not pray for a Blessing upon stollen Goods Therefore take heed of this Sin Lucrum in arca damnum in conscientia Aug. Take heed of getting the World with the Loss of Heaven To disswade all from this horrid Sin consider 1. Thieves are the Caterpillars of the Earth Enemies to Civil Society 2. God hates them In the Law the Cormorant was unclean Lev. 11.17 because a thievish devouring Creature a Bird of Prey by which God shew'd his Hatred of this Sin 3. The Thief is a Terror to himself he is always in Fear Psal. 53.5 There were they in great Fear True of the Thief Guilt breeds Fear If he hear but the shaking of a Tree his Heart shakes It was said of Cataline He was afraid of every Noise If a Briar doth but take hold of a Thiefs Garment he is afraid it is the Officer to apprehend him And Fear hath Torment in it 1 John 4.18 4. The Iudgments which follow this Sin Achan the Thief was stoned to Death Iosh. 7. and Zech. 5.2 What seest thou And I said A flying roll Ver. 3. This is the Curse that goes over the Face of the Earth I will bring it forth saith the Lord and it shall enter into the House of the Thief Fabius a Roman Censor condemned his own Son to die for Theft Thieves die with Ignominy the Ladder is their Preferment And there 's a worse thing than Death while they rob others of Money they rob themselves of Salvation Quest. What is to be done to avoid stealing Resp. 1. Live in a Calling Eph. 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his Hands c. Such as stand idle the Devil hires them and puts them into the pilfering Trade An idle Person tempts the Devil to tempt him 2. Be contented with the Estate God hath given you Heb. 13.5 Be content with such things as you have Theft is the Daughter of Avarice Study Contentment Believe that Condition best God hath carved out to you God can bless that little Meal in the Barrel We shall not need these things long we shall carry nothing out of the World with us but our Winding Sheet If we have but enough to bear our Charges to Heaven it is sufficient EXOD. XX. 16 Thou shalt not bear False Witness against thy Neighbour The Tongue which at first was made to be an Organ of God's Praise is now become an Instrument of Unrighteousness This Commandment binds the Tongue to its good Behaviour God hath set two Fences to keep in the Tongue the Teeth and Lips And this Commandment is a Third Fence set about it that it should not break forth into Evil Thou shalt not bear False Witness against thy Neighbour This Commandment hath a Prohibitory and a Mandatory Part. The First is set down in plain Words the other is clearly implyed I. The Prohibitory Part of the Commandment or what it forbids in general It forbids any thing which may tend to the Disparagement or Prejudice of our Neighbour More particularly two things are forbidden in this Commandment 1. Slandering 2. False Witness 1. Slandering our Neighbour This is a Sin against the 9 th Commandment The Scorpion carries his Poyson in his Tail the Slanderer carries his Poyson in his Tongue Slandering is to report things of others unjustly Psal. 35.11 They laid things to my charge which I knew not It is usual to bring in a Christian beheaded of his Good Name They rais'd a Slander of Paul that he should preach Men might do Evil that Good might come of it Rom. 3.8 We are slanderously reported and some affirm that we say Let us do Evil that Good may come Eminency is commonly blasted by Slander Holiness its self is no Shield for Slander The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf Christ was the most innocent upon Earth yet was reported to be a Friend of Sinners Iohn Baptist a Man of an holy Austere Life yet they said of him He had a Devil Matth. 11.18 The Scripture calls Slandering Smiting with the Tongue Ier. 18.18 Come and let us smite him with the Tongue You may smite another and never touch him Majora sunt linguae vulnera quam gladii Aug. The Wounds of the Tongue no Physician can heal And to pretend Friendship to a Man yet slander him is most odious St. Hierom speaks thus The Arrian Faction made a show of Kindness they kissed my Hands but slandered me and sought my Life And as it is a Sin against this Commandment to raise a false Report of another so it is a Sin to receive a false Report before we have examined it Psal. 15.1 Lord who shall dwell in thy holy Hill Quis ad Coelum Ver. 3. He that back biteth not nor taketh up a Reproach against his Neighbour We must not only not raise a false Report but not take it up He that raiseth a Slander carries the Devil in his Tongue and he that receives it carries the Devil in his Ear. 2. The Second thing Forbidden in this Commandment is False Witness Here Three Sins are condemned 1. Speaking 2. Witnessing 3. Swearing that which is False contra proximum 1. Speaking that which is false Prov. 12.22 Lying Lips are an Abomination to the Lord. To lie is to speak that which one knows to be an Untruth There is nothing more contrary to God than a Lie The Holy Ghost is call'd the Spirit of Truth 1 Iohn 4.5 6. Lying is a Sin that doth not go alone it ushers in other Sins Absalom told his Father a Lie that he was going to pay his Vow at Hebron 2 Sam. 15.7 and this Lie was a Preface to his Treason Where there is a Lie in the Tongue it shows the Devil is in the Heart Acts 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy Heart to lie Lying is such a Sin as unfits Men for Civil Society How can you converse or bargain with him that you cannot trust a Word he saith This is a Sin which highly provokes God Ananias and Saphira were struck dead for telling a Lie Acts 5.5 The Furnace of Hell is heated for Liars Rev. 22.15 Without are Sorcerers and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie Oh abhor this Sin Quicquid dixeris juratum putes Hierom. When
much eclipsed Gods name Truly Gods own People have sinned enough to justifie God in all his severe actings against them VSE III. Of Exhortation Let us hallow and sanctifie Gods Name Did we but see a glimpse of Gods glory as Moses did in the Rock the sight of this would draw Adoration and Praise from us could we see God face to face as the Angels in Heaven do could we behold him sitting on his Throne like ◠Jasper-stone Rev. 4.3 we should presently at the sight of this glory do as the twenty four Elders Rev. 4.10 They worship him that liveth for ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory honour and power That we may be stirred up to this great Duty the hallowing adoring and sanctifying Gods name consider 1. It is the very end of our Being Why did God give us our Life but that our living may be an hallowing of his Name Why did he give us Souls but to admire him and Tongues but to praise him The excellency of a thing is when it attains the end for which it was made The excellency of a Star is to give Light of a Plant to be Fruitful the excellency of a Christian is to answer the end of his Creation which is to hallow Gods name and live to that God by whom he lives He who lives and God hath no honour by him buries himself alive and exposeth himself to a Curse Christ cursed the barren Fig-tree 2. Gods Name is so excellent that it deserves to be hallowed Psal. 8.9 How excellent is thy name in all the earth Psal. 104.1 Thou art cloathed with honour and majesty As the Sun hath its brightness whether we admire it or no so Gods Name is illustrious and glorious whether we hallow it or no. In God are all shining perfections Holiness Wisdom Mercy He is worthy to be praised 2 Sam. 22.4 God is dignus Honore worthy of Honour Love Adoration We oft bestow Titles of Honour upon them that do not deserve them but God is worthy to be praised his Name deserves hallowing he is above all the Honour and Praise which the Angels in Heaven give him 3. We pray Hallowed be thy Name that is let thy Name be honoured and magnified by us Now if we do not magnifie his Name we contradict our own Prayers To say Hallowed be thy Name yet not to bring honour to Gods Name it is to take his Name in vain 4. Such as do not hallow Gods Name and bring revenues of honour to him God will get his honour upon them Exod. 14.17 I 'll get me honour upon Pharaoh Pharaoh would not hallow Gods Name Who is the Lord that I should obey him Well saith God if Pharaoh will not honour me I will get me honour upon him When God overthrew him and his Chariots in the Sea then he got his honour upon him Gods Power and Justice were glorified in his destruction There are some whom God hath raised to great Power and Dignity and they will not honour Gods Name they make use of their Power to dishonour God they cast reproach upon Gods Name and revile his Servants well they who will not honour God he will get his honour upon them in their final ruine Herod did not give Glory to God and God did get his Glory upon him Acts 12.23 The Angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory and he was eaten of worms 5. It will be no small comfort to us when we come to dye that we have hallowed and sanctified God◠Name It was Christs comfort a little before his Death Ioh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth Christs redeeming Mankind was an hallowing and glorifying of Gods Name never was more Honour brought to Gods Name than by this great undertaking of Christ Now here was Christs comfort before his Death that he had hallowed Gods Name and brought Glory to him So what a Cordial will this be to us at last when our whole Life hath been an hallowing of Gods Name we have loved him with our Hearts praised him with our Lips honoured him with our Lives We have been 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the praise of his glory Eph. 1.6 At the hour of death all your earthly comforts will vanish to think how rich you have been or what pleasures you have enjoyed upon earth this will not give one dram of comfort What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience witnessing that you have hallowed Gods Name your whole Life hath been a glorifying of him what sweet peace and satisfaction will this give That Servant who hath been all day working in the Vineyard how glad is he when evening comes that he shall receive his pay Such as have spent their Lives in honouring God how sweet will Death be when they shall receive the recompence of Reward What comfort was it to Hezekiah when he was on his Sick-bed and could appeal to God Isa. 38.3 Remember Lord how I have walked before thee with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight I have hallowed thy Name I have brought all the Honour I could to thee I have done that which is good in thy sight 6. There is nothing lost by what we do for God if we bring Honour to his Name he will honour us Honour is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. As Balac said to Balaam Numb 22.37 Am not I able to promote thee to honour So if we hallow and sanctifie Gods Name is not he able to promote us to Honour 1. He will honour us in our Life 1. He will put honour upon our Persons He will number us among his Jewels Mal. 3.17 he will make us a Royal Diadem in his hand Isa. 62.3 he will lift us up in the eyes of others Zach. 9.16 They shall be as the stones of a crown lifted up as an ensign of glory He will esteem us as the cream and flower of the Creation Isa. 43.4 Since thou hast been precious in my sight thou hast been honourable 2. God will put honour upon our Names Prov. 10.17 The memory of the just is blessed How renowned have the Saints been in all Ages who have hallowed Gods Name How renowned was Abraham for his Faith Moses for his Meekness David for his Zeal Paul for his Love to Christ their Names as a precious Oyntment send forth a sweet perfume in Gods Church to this day 2. God will honour us at our Death he will send his Angels to carry us up with triumph into Heaven Luke 16.22 The beggar dyed and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Amasis King of Egypt had his Chariot drawn with four Kings which he had conquered in War but what is this to the Glory every Believer shall have at his Death he shall be carried by the Angels of God 3. God will put honour upon us after Death 1. He will put
have been cast away upon the Worlds Golden Sands 9. If you would not come short of the Kingdom of heaven take heed of indulging any sin one Mill-stone will drown as well as more and one sin lived in will damn as well as more Vbi regnat peccatum non potest regnare Dei regnum Hierom. If any one sin reign it will keep you from reigning in the kingdom of heaven especially keep from sins of Presumption which wast Conscience vastare Conscientiam Tertul. and the Sin of your natural Constitution the peccatum in delitiis Aug. the darling Sin Psal. 18.23 I have kept my self from mine iniquity That Sin which my heart would soonest decoy and flatter me into as in the Hive there is one Master-Bee so in the heart one Master-sin O take heed of this Quest. How may this sin be known A. 1. That Sin which a Man cannot endure the Arrow of a reproof should shoot at that is the bosom sin Herod could not brook to have his Incest medled with that was a noli me tangere Men can be content to have other sins declaimed against but if a Minister put his Finger upon the sore and toucheth upon one special sin then igne micant oculi they are enraged and spit the Venome of Malice 2. That sin which a Mans heart runs out most to and he is most easily captivated by that is the Dalilah in the Bosom One Man is overcome with wantonness another by worldliness 't is a sad thing a Man should be so bewitched by a beloved sin that if it ask him to part with not only half the kingdom but the whole Kingdom of heaven he must part with it to gratify that Lust. 3. That sin which doth most trouble a Man and fly in his Face in an hour of sickness and distress that is the sin he hath allowed himself in and is his complexion sin When Ioseph's Brethren were distressed their sin in selling their Brother came into their Remembrance Gen. 42.21 We were verily guilty concerning our Brother c. So when a Man is upon his sick-bed and Conscience shall say thou hast been guilty of such a sin the sin of slandring or uncleanness Conscience reads a Man a sad Lecture it affrights him most for one sin that is the Complection sin 4. That sin which a Man is loathest to part with that is the endeared sin Iacob could of all his Sons most hardly part with Benjamin Gen. 42.36 Will ye take Benjamin away So saith the Sinner this and that Sin I have left but must Benjamin go too must I part with this delightful sin that goes to the heart as it is with a castle that hath several Forts about it the first and second Fort are yeilded but when it comes to the main Castle the Governour will rather fight and dye then yeild that So a Man may suffer some of his Sins to be demolished but when it comes to one that is like the taking of the Castle he will never yeild to part with that surely that is the Master-sin take heed especially of this sin the strength of sin lies in the beloved sin This is like an humour striking to the heart which brings Death I have read of a Monarch that being pursued by the Enemy he threw away the Crown of Gold on his head that he might run the faster So that sin which thou didst wear as a Crown of Gold throw it away that thou maiest run the faster to the Kingdom of heaven O if you would not lose Glory mortify the beloved sin set it as Vriah in the Fore-front of the battle to be slain by plucking out this right eye you will see the better to go to heaven 10. If you would not fall short of the kingdom of heaven take heed of inordinate Pashion many a Ship hath been lost in a storm and many a Soul hath been lost in a storm of unruly Passions Every Member of the Body is infected with sin as every Branch of Wormwood is bitter but the Tongue is full of deadly poyson Iam. 3.8 Some care not what they say in their Passion they will censure slander wish evil to others how can Christ be in the heart when the Devil hath taken possession of the tongue Passion disturbs reason it is brevis insania a short Frenzy Ionah in a Passion flies out against God Ionah 4.9 I do well to be angry to the death What to be angry with God and to justify it I do well to be angry the Man was not well in his Wits Passion unfits for Prayer 1 Tim. 2.8 I will therefore that Men pray lifting up holy hands without Wrath He that prays in wrath may lift up his hands in Prayer but he doth not lift up holy hands Water when it is hot soon boils over so when the heart is heated with Anger it soon boils over in fiery passionate Speeches Some curse others in their Passion They whose tongues are set on fire let them take heed that they do not one day in Hell desire a drop of water to cool their tongue O if you would not miss of the heavenly kingdom beware of giving way to your unbridled Passions some say words are but wind but they are such a wind as may blow them to Hell 11. If you would not fall short of the heavenly kingdom beware of too much indulging the sensual Appetite Rom. 13.14 Make not Provision for the flesh the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make Provision signifies to be Caterers for the flesh Phil. 3.19 Whose God is their Belly The Throat is a slippery place Iudas received the Devil in the Sop and often the Devil slides down in the Liquor Excess in Meat and Drink clouds the Mind choakes good Affections provokes Lust many a Man digs his own Grave with his Teeth the Heathen could say magnus sum ad mojora natus quam ut sim corporis mei mancipium Sen. He was higher born then to be a slave to his Body To pamper the Body and neglect the Soul is to feed the Slave and to starve the Wife Take such a proportion of food as may recruit Nature not surfeit it Excess in things lawful hath lost many the kingdom of heaven A Bee may suck a little honey from the leaf but put it in a Barrel of honey and it is drowned to suck temperately from the Creature God allows but excess ingulphs Men in Perdition 12. If you would not fall short of the Kingdom of Heaven take heed of injustice in your dealings defrauding lies in two things First mixing Commodities as if one mix bad Wheat with good and sell it for pure Wheat this is to defraud Isa. 1.22 Thy Wine is mixed with Water Second Giving scant Measure Amos 5.8 Making the Ephah small Ephah was a Measure which the Iews used in selling they made the Ephah small they scarce gave measure I wish this be not the sin of many Hos. 12.7 He is a Merchant the
a means to bring us thither 18. The last means for obtaining the Heavenly Kingdom is Perseverance in Holiness Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and thou shalt receive the Crown of Life In Christians non initia sed finis laudantur Hierom. 1. Is there such a thing as persevering 2. How doth a Christian come to persevere 3. What are the Incouragements 4. What Helps 1. Is there such a thing as persevering till we come to Heaven The Arminians deny it and truly that any one holds out to the Kingdom is a wonder if you consider 1. What a world of Corruption is mingled with Grace Grace is apt to be stifled as the Coal to be choaked with its own ashes Grace is oft like a Spark in the Sea 't is a wonder it is not quenched 'T is a wonder sin doth not do to Grace as sometime the Nurse to the Child overlay it that it dye so that this Infant of Grace is not smothered 2. The Implacable malice of Satan he denies that we should have a Kingdom when he himself is cast out it cuts him to the heart to see a piece of dust and clay be made a bright Star in Glory and he himself an Angel of Darkness he will Acheronta movere move all the Powers of Hell to hinder us from the Kingdom he spits his Venome shoots his fiery Darts raiseth a storm of persecution yea and prevails against some Rev. 12.4 There appeared a great red Dragon and his Tail drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them to the Earth By the Dragon is meant the Heathenish Empire now when his Tail cast so many to the Earth it is a wonder that any of the Stars keep fixed in their Orb. 3. The Blandishments of Riches The Young man in the Gospel went very far thou art not far from the Kingdom of God but he had rich Possessions and these golden weights hindred him from the Kingdom Luke 18.23 Ionathan pursued the Battle till he came at the Honey-comb and then he stood still 1 Sam. 14.27 Many are forward for Heaven till they tast the sweetness of the World but when they come at the Honey-comb then they stand still and go no further Faenus pecuniae funus animae Those who have escaped the Rocks of gross sins yet have been cast away upon the Golden Sands What a wonder therefore that any doth hold on till he comes to the Kingdom 4. A wonder any holds out in Grace and doth not tire in his march to Heaven if you consider the difficulty of a Christians Work he hath no time to lye fallow he is either watching or fighting nay a Christian is to do those Duties which to the eye of sence and reason seem inconsistent While a Christian doth one duty he seems to cross another e. g. he must come with holy boldness to God in Prayer yet must serve him with fear he must mourn for sin yet rejoyce he must be contented yet covet 1 Cor. 12.32 contemn Mens Impieties yet reverence their Authority What difficult work is this a wonder any Saint arrives at the Heavenly Kingdom to this I might add the evil Examples abroad which are so atractive we may say the Devils are come among us in the likeness of Men what a wonder is it that any Soul perseveres till it comes to the Kingdom of Heaven but as great a wonder as it is there is such a thing as perseverance a Saints perseverance is built upon three immutable Pillars 1. Gods Eternal Love We are inconstant in our Love to God but he is not so in his Love to us Ier. 31.9 I have loved thee with an everlasting Love a havath gnolam with a Love of Eternity Gods Love to the Elect is not like a Kings Love to his Favourite when it is at the highest Spring-Tide it soon ebbs but Gods Love is eternized God may desert not disinherit he may change his Love into a Frown not into hatred he may alter his Providence not his decree When once the Sun-shine of Gods Electing Love is risen upon the Soul it never sets finally 2. A Saints Perseverance is built upon the Covenant of Grace 〈◊〉 a firm impregnable Covenant This you have in the words of the sweet Singer of Israel 2. Sam. 23.5 God hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure 'T is a sweet Covenant that God will be our God the marrow and quintessence of all Blessing and it is a sure Covenant that he will put his Fear in our heart and we shall never depart from him Ier. 32.40 This Covenant is inviolable cannot be broken indeed sin may break the Peace of the Covenant but it cannot break the Bond of the Covenant 3. The third Pillar Perseverance is built upon is the Mistical Union Believers are incorporated into Christ they are knit to him as Members to the Head by the Nerve and Ligament of Faith that they cannot be broken off Eph. 5.23 What was once said of Christs natural Body is as true of his mistical Body Iohn 19.36 A bone of it shall not be broken As it is impossible to sever the Leaven and the Dough when they are once mingled so it is impossible when Christ and Believers are once united ever by the Power of Death or Hell to be separated How can Christ lose any Member of his Body and be perfect You see on what strong Pillars the Saints Perseverance is built 2 Quest. How doth a Christian hold on till he comes to the Kingdom How doth he persevere Resp. 1. Auxilio Spiritus God carries on a Christian to perseverance by the Energy and vigorous working of his Spirit The Spirit maintains the Essence and Seed of Grace it doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blow up the Sparks of Grace into an holy Flame Spiritus est Vicarius Christi Tertul. 't is Christs Deputy and Proxy is it every day at work in a Believers heart exerting Grace into Exercise and ripening it into perseverance The Spirit doth carve and polish the Vessels of Mercy and make them fit for Glory 2. Christ causeth perseverance and carries on a Saint till he comes to the Heavenly Kingdom vi orationis by his Intercession Christ is an Advocate as well as a Surety he prays that the Saints may arrive safe at the Kingdom Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the uttermost i. e. perfectly seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them that Prayer he made for Peter on Earth he prays now in Heaven for the Saints that their Faith fail not Luke 22.32 that they may be with him where he is Iohn 17.24 and sure if he pray that they may be with him in his Kingdom they cannot perish by the way Christs Prayer is efficacious if the Saints Prayers have so much force and prevalency in them Iacob had power with God and as a Prince prevailed Hos. 12.4 By Prayer Eliah unlocked
of Gods Will Thy Will be done 3. By doing the Will of God we evidence Sincerity as Christ said in another sense Iohn 10.25 The works which I do bear witness of me So it is not all our golden words if we could speak like Angels but our works our doing of Gods Will which bears witness of our Sincerity We judge not of the health of a Mans Body by his high Colour but by the Pulse of the Arm where the Blood chiefly stirs so a Christians soundness is not to be judged by his Profession what is this high Colour but the estimate of a Christian is to be taken by his Obediential acting his doing the Will of God this is the best Certificate and Letters Testimonial to shew for Heaven 4. Doing Gods Will much propagates the Gospel this is the Diamond that sparkles in Religion Others cannot see what Faith is in the Heart but when they see we do Gods Will on Earth this makes them have a venerable opinion of Religion and become Proselites to it Iulian in one of his Epistles writing to Arsatius saith That the Christian Religion did much flourish by the Sanctity and Obedience of them that professed it 5. By doing Gods Will we show our Love to Christ Iohn 14.21 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me What greater Love to Christ than to do his Will though it cross our own Every one would be thought to love Christ but how shall that be known but by this do you do his Will on Earth Neque principem veneramur si odio ejus Leges habemus Isid. 'T is a vain thing for a Man to say he loves Christs Person when he slights his Commands Not to do Gods Will on Earth is a great evil 't is 1. Sinful 2. Foolish 3. Dangerous 1. It is Sinful 1. We go against our Prayers we pray Fiat voluntas tua thy will be done and yet we do not obey his will we confute our own Prayer 2. VVe go against our Vow in Baptism we have vowed to fight under the Lords Banner to obey his Scepter and this Vow we have oft renewed in the Lords Supper if we do not Gods will on Earth we are forsworn and God will indite us of Perjury 2. Not to do Gods will on Earth is Foolish 1. Because there is no standing it out against God If we do not obey him we cannot resist him 1 Cor. 10. â—2 Are we stronger than he Iob. 40.9 Hast thou an arm like God Canst thou measure Armes with him To oppose God is as if a Child should fight with an Arch-Angel as if an heap of Bryars should put themselves into a battalia against the Flame 2. Not to do Gods will is foolish because if we do not Gods will we do the Devils will Is it not folly to gratifie an enemy To do his will that seeks our ruine Quest. But are any so wicked as to do the Devils will Answ. Yes Iohn 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do VVhen a Man tells a lye doth he not do the Devils will Acts 5.3 Ananias Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost 3. Not to do Gods Will is dangerous it brings a Spiritual Praemunire If Gods Will be not done by us he will have his will upon us if we obey not Gods will in commanding we shall obey his will in punishing 2 Thess. 1.7 The Lord Iesus shall be revealed with his mighty Angels in flames of fire taking vengeance on them that obey not his gospel Either we must do Gods will or suffer it 6. VVhatever God wills us to do is for our benefit Behold here self-interest As if a King commands his Subject to dig in a Mine of Gold and then gives him all the Gold he hath digged God bids us do his will and this is for our good Deut. 10.13 And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God and keep the commandments of the Lord which I command thee this day for thy good It is Gods will that we should repent and this is for our good Repentance ushers in remission Acts 3.9 Repent that your sins may be blotted out It is Gods will that we should believe and why is it but that we should be crowned with Salvation Mark 16.16 He that believes shall be saved VVhat God wills is not so much our Duty as our Priviledge he bids us obey his voice and it is greatly for our good Ier. 7.23 Obey my voice and I will be your God I will not only give you my Angels to be your guard but my self to be your portion my Spirit shall be yours to sanctifie you my Love shall be yours to comfort you my Mercy shall be yours to save you I will be your God 7. To do Gods will is our Honour A Person thinks it an Honour to have a King speak to him to do such a thing the Angels count it their highest Honour in Heaven to do Gods will Servire Deo regnare est To serve God is to reign Non onerant nos sed ornant Salvian How chearfully did the Rowers row the Barge that carried Caesar to be imployed in his Barge was an Honour to be imployed in doing Gods will is insigne Honoris the highest ensign of Honour that a Mortal Creature is capable of Christs Precepts do not burden us but adorn us 8. To do Gods Will on Earth makes us like Christ and akin to Christ. 1. It makes us like Christ Is it not our Prayer that we may be like Christ. Jesus Christ did his Fathers will Iohn 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me God the Father and Christ as they have but one Essence so but one VVill Christs will was melted into his Fathers Iohn 4.34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me By our doing Gods will on Earth we resemble Christ nay we are akin to Christ and are of the Blood-Royal of Heaven Alexander called himself Couzen to the Gods what Honour is it to be akin to Christ. Matth. 12.50 Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven the same is my Brother and Sister and Mother Did King Solomon arise off his Throne to meet his Mother and set her on a Throne by him 1 Kings 3.19 such Honour will Christ bestow on such as are doers of Gods will he will salute them as his Kindred and set them on a Glorious Throne in the Amphitheatre of Heaven 9. Doing Gods will on Earth brings Peace in Life and Death 1. In Life Psal. 19.11 In keeping thy precepts there is great reward not only after keeping them but in keeping them when we walk closely with God in Obedience there is a secret Joy let into the Soul and how swiftly and chearfully do the wheels of the Soul move
will your Heavenly Father forgive your Trespasses A man may as well go to Hell for not forgiving as for not believing How can they expect mercy from God whose Bowels are shut up and are merciless to their trespassing Brethren Jam. 2.13 He shall have Iudgment without Mercy that hath shewed no Mercy I cannot Forgive said one tho I go to Hell 6. The examples of the Saints who have been of forgiving Spirit Ioseph Forgave his Brethren tho they put him into a Pit and sold him Gen. 50.21 Fear not I will nourish you and your little ones Stephen pray'd for his Persecutors Moses was of a forgiving Spirit How many injuries and affronts did he put up The People of Israel dealt unkindly with him they murmurâ—d against him at the Waters of Marah the Water was not so bitter as their Spirits but he fell to prayer for them Exod. 15.24 He cried unto the Lord and the Lord shewed him a Tree which when he had cast into the Waters they were made sweet When they wanteâ— Water they fell a chiding with Moses Exod. 17.3 Why hast thou brought us out of Egypt to kill us with thirst As if they had said if we dye we will lay our Death to thy charge here was enough to have made Moses call for Fire from Heaven upon them but he passeth by this injury and to shew he forgave them he becomes an intercessor for them ver 4. and set the Rock abroach for them ver 6. The Prophet Elisha feasted his Enemies 2 Kin. 6.23 He prepar'd a Table for them who would have prepared his Grave Cranmer was famous for forgiving injuries When Luther had revil'd Calvin saith Calvin Etiamsi millies me diabolum vocet tho he call me Devil a thousand times yet I will love and honour him as a pretious Servant of Christ. When one had abus'd and wronged a Christian asking him What wonders hath your Master Christ wrought saith he He hath wrought this wonder that tho you have so injured me yet I can forgive you and pray for you 7. Forgiving and requiting good for evil is the best way to conquer and melt the Heart of an Enemy Saul having pursued David with Malice and hunted him as a Partridge upon the Mountains yet David would not do him a mischief when it was in his power Davids kindness melted Saulâ— Heart 1 Sam. 24.16 17. Is this thy voice my Son David and Saul lift up his Voice and Wept and said Thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good This forgiving is heaping Coals which melts the Enemies Heart Rom. 12.20 This is the most noble Victory to overcome an Enemy without striking a blow to conquer him with love Philip of Macedon when it was told him that one Nicanor did openly rail against him the King instead of putting him to death sent him a rich present which did so overcome the man and make his Heart relent that he went up and down to recant what he had said against the King and did highly extol the Kings Clemency 8. Forgiving others is the way to have forgiveness from God and is a sign of forgiveness 1. It is the way to have forgiveness Mat. 6.14 If ye forgive men their trespasses your Heavenly Father will also forgive you But one would think other things should sooner procure forgiveness from God than our forgiving others No surely nothing like this to procure forgiveness for all other acts of Religion may have leaven in them God forbad Leaven in the Sacrifice Exod. 34.25 One may give Alms yet there may be the leaven of Vain-glory in this The Pharisees sounded a Trumpet they did not give Alms but sell them for applause Mat. 6.2 one may give his Body to be burned yet there may be leaven in this it may be a false zeal there may be Leaven in many acts of Religion which soures the whole lump but to forgive others that have offended us this can have no Leaven in it no Sinister aim this is a Duty wholly Spiritual and is done purely out of love to God hence it is God rather annexeth forgiveness to this then to the highest and most renown'd works of Charity which are so cried up in the World 2. It is a sign of Gods forgiving us It is not a cause of Gods forgiving us but a sign We need not climb up into Heaven to see whether our sins are Forgiven let us look into our Hearts and see if we can Forgive others then we need not doubt but God hath forgiven us Our loving others is nothing but the reflection of Gods love to us Oh therefore by all these arguments let us be persuaded to the forgiving others Christians how many offences hath God pass'd by in us Our sins are innumerable and Heinous is God willing to forgive us so many offences and cannot we forgive a few no man can do so much wrong to us all our life as we do to God in one day Quest. But how must we Forgive Answ. As God Forgives us 1. Cordially God doth not only make a show of forgiving and keeps our sins by him but doth really forgive He passeth an act of Oblivion Ier. 31.34 so we must not only say we Forgive but do it with the Heart Mat. 18.35 If ye from your Hearts forgive not 2. God forgives Fully he forgives all our sins He doth not for fourscore write down fifty Psalm 103.3 who Forgiveth all thy iniquities Hypocrites pass by some offences but retain others Would we have God deal so with us to remit only some trespasses and call us to account for the rest 3. God forgives often we run afresh upon the score but God multiplies pardon Isa. 55.7 Peter asks the question Mat. 18.21 Lord how oft shall my Brother sin against me and I forgive him Till seven times Ieâ—us saith to him I say not until seven times but until seventy times seven If he say I Repent you must say I Remit Quest. But this is one of the highest acts of Religion Flesh and Blood cannot do it how shall I attain to it Answ. 1. Let us consider how many wrongs and injuries we have done against God What Volume can hold our Errata Our sins are more than the Sparks in a Furnace 2. If we would forgive see Gods hand in all that men do or say against us Did we look higher than Instruments our Hearts would grow calm and we would not meditate revenge Shimei reproach'd David and Cursed him David look'd higher 2 Sam 16 11. Let him alone let him curse for the Lord hath bidden him What made Christ that when he was reviled he reviled not again He look'd beyond Iudâ—s and Pilate he saw his Father putting the bitter Cup into his Hand and as we must see Gods hand in all the affronts and Incivilities we receive from men so we must believe God will do us good by all if we belong to him 2 Sam. 16.12 It may be the Lord will requite
a dead Man to a living Thus a Child of God hath corruption join'd with Grace here is a dead Man tied to the living So hateful is this that a believer desires to die for no other reason more than this that death shall free him from sin Sin brought death into the World and death shall carry sin out of the World Thus you see in the opinion of the Godly sin is the most hyperbolical and execrable evil 4. Look upon sin in the comparative and it will appear to be the most deadly evil Compare what you will with it 1. Affliction 2. Death 3. Hell And still sin is worse First Compare sin with affliction there is more evil in a drop of sin than in a Sea of affliction 1. Sin is the Cause of affliction the cause is more than the effect Sin brings all mischief 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Chrysost. Sin hath sickness Sword Famine and all Judgments in the Womb of it Sin rots the name consumes the estate wastes the radical moisture as the Poets â—ain of Pandora's Box when it was opened it filled the World full of Diseases when Adam broke the Box of Original Righteousnes it hath caus'd all the Penal evils in the World Sin is the Phaeton that sets the World on Fire Sin turn'd the Angels out of Heaven and Adam out of Paradise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Sin causeth Mutinies Divisions Massacres Jer. 47.6 O thou Sword of the Lord how long will it be ere thou be quiet the Sword of Gods justice lies quietly in the Scabbard till sin draws it out and whets it against a Nation so that sin is worse than affliction it being the cause of it the cause is more than the effect 2. God is the author of affliction Amos 3.6 Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it it's meant of the evil of affliction God hath an hand in affliction but no hand in sin God is the cause of every action so far as it is Natural but not as it is Sinful He who makes an instrument of Iron is not the cause of the Rust or Canker which corrupts the Iron So God made the Instrument of our Souls but the Rust and Canker of sin which corrupts our Souls God never made Peccatum Deus non fecit Austin God can no more act evil than the Sun can darken In this sense sin is worse than affliction God hath an hand in affliction but disclaims having any hand in sin 3. Affliction doth but reach the Body and make that miserable but sin makes the Soul miserable The Soul is the most noble part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar The Soul is a Diamond set in a ring of Clay it is excellent in its Essence a Spiritual immortal substance excellent in the Price paid for it redeemed with the Blood of God Act. 20.28 it is more worth than a World the World is of a courser make the Soul of a finer spinning in the World we see the Finger of God in the Soul the Image of God To have the pretious Soul endangered is far worse than to have the Body endangered Sin wrongs the Soul Prov. 8.36 Sin casts this Jewel of the Soul over-board Affliction is but Skin deep it can but take away the Life but sin takes away the Soul Luk. 12.20 the loss of the Soul is an unparallell'd loss it can never be made up again God saith St. Chrysostom hath given thee two Eyes if thou losest one thou hast another but thou hast but one Soul and if that be lost it can never be repaired Thus sin is worse than affliction one can but reach the Body the other ruins the Soul is there not great reason then that we should often put up this Petition deliver us from evil 4. Afflictions are good for us Psalm 119.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted many can bless God for affliction Affliction humbles Lam. 3.19 remembring my affliction the Wormwood and the Gall my Soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbled in me afflictions are compar'd to thorns Hos. 2.8 these Thorns are to prick the Bladder of Pride Affliction is the School of Repentance Jer. 31.18 Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised I Repented The Fire being put under the Still makes the Water drop from the Roses the fire of Affliction makes the Water of Repentance drop from the Eyes Affliction brings us nearer to God The Loadstone of Mercy doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction When the Prodigal was pinch'd with want then saith he I will arise and go to my father Luke 15.18 Afflictions prepare for glory 2 Cor. 4.17 This light affliction works for us an eternal weight of glory the Limner lays his Gold upon dark colours so God lays first the dark colours of affliction and then the Golden colour of Glory Thus Affliction is for our good but sin is not for our Good it keeps good things from us Jer. 5.25 Your sins have with-holden good things from you sin stops the current of Gods Mercy it precipitates men to ruine Manassehs affliction brought him to humiliation but Iudas his sin brought him to desperation 5. A man may be afflicted and his Conscience may be quiet Pauls feet were in the stocks yet he had the Witness of his Conscience 2 Cor. 1.12 the Head may ake yet the Heart may be well the outward Man may be afflicted yet the Soul may dwell at ease Psal. 25.13 the Hail may beat upon the Tiles of the House when there is Musick within in the midst of outward pain there may be inward peace Thus in affliction Conscience may be quiet but when a Man commits a presumptuous scandalous sin Conscience is troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by defiling the purity of Conscience we lose the peace of Conscience when Spira had sinned and abjured the Faith he was a terror to himself he had an Hell in his Conscience Tiberius the Emperor felt such a sting in his Conscience that he told the Senate he suffered death daily 6. In Affliction we may have the Love of God Afflictions are love tokens Rev 3.19 as many as I love I rebuke Afflictions are sharp arrows but shot from the Hand of a loving Father If a Man should throw a Bag of Money at another and it should bruise him a little and raise the Skin he would not be offended but take it as a fruit of love so when God bruiseth us with affliction it is to enrich us with the Golden Graces of his Spirit all is love but when we commit sin God withdraws his love 't is like the Sun overcast with a Cloud nothing appears but anger and displeasure When David had sin'd in the matter of Vriah 2 Sam. 11.27 the thing that David had done displeas'd the Lord. 7. There are many encouragements to suffer affliction God himself suffers with us Isa. 63.9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted God
and yet not to do it knowing what is evil yet not forbearing these Sins do much harden the Heart These are two of the greatest Blessings a sound Judgment and a soft Heart But sinning presumptuously and knowingly doth congeal the Heart it doth both wast the Conscience and sear it 1 Tim. 4.2 By sinning knowingly a Person gets a Custom of Sin and the Custom of sinning takes away the Sense of sinning Ephes. 4.19 Being past feeling Tell the presumptuous Sinner there are Treasures of Wrath laid up for him lead him to the Brink of Hell and bid him hear the Roarings of the damned and the ratling of their Chains bid him look upon the infernal Flames and see the Devils that must shortly keep him company he fears not his Heart is like a piece of Marble or Adamant that will take no impression When Men know to do Good yet do it not their Hearts harden insensibly and that is dangerous Now they cannot repent that makes the Sin against the Holy Ghost uncapable of Pardon because he that hath sinn'd it is uncapable of Repentance 2. Such as sin presumptuously they know to do good yet do it not are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-condemned Tit. 3.11 Being condemned in himself The Sinner knows in his Conscience he is guilty he hath sinn'd against Warnings Education Conviction so that his own Heart condemns him When the Judge saith to the Malefactor Thou hast committed such things worthy of Death and the Evidence is clear against thee What canst thou say for thy self that thou shouldest not die he is forc'd to cry Guilty The presumptuous Sinner is self-condemned and he will clear God when God judgeth him Psal. 51.4 That thou maist be clear when thou judgest When God condemns the Prisoner he will clear his Judge 3. To know to do good yet not to do it such presumptuous Sins make deep Wounds in the Soul A Prick of a Pin fetcheth Blood but the Thrust of a Rapier brings Death The least Sin fetcheth Blood but presumptuous Sins are like a stab at the Heart 'T is a Miracle if ever such recover by Repentance Every little Hole in the Tiling le ts in Rain but a Crack in the Foundation indangers the Fall of the House Every Sin of Infirmity is hurtful but presumptuous Sin cracks the Conscience and threatens the Ruine of that Soul Presumptuous Sin makes way for Despair a deep Wound Despair is the Agony of the Soul Spira in Despair was like a living Man in Hell Despair did suck out his Marrow and Vital Blood it made him a very Anatomy Now to sin against the Light of Conscience will bring to despair at last The Sinner goes on stubbornly yet his foolish Heart tells him all will be well But when God begins to set his Sins in order before him and Conscience which before was like a Lion asleep begins to be awakened and roars upon him and he sees Death and Hell before him now his Heart faints his Presumption is turn'd to Despair and he cries out as Cain Gen. 4.13 My punishment is greater than I can bear Now the Sinner begins to think with himself thus I would have my Sins and I had them and I have the wrath of God with them Oh how foolish was I to refuse Instruction but it is too late now the Mercy-Seat is quite covered with Clouds I am shut out from all hope of Mercy my Wounds are such that the Balm of Gilead will not heal The more Presumption in the Time of Life the more Despair at the hour of Death 4. To know to do Good and not to do it to sin presumptuously God may in just Judgment leave such an one to himself It is a terrible thing when God shall say Thou hast by thy presumptuous Sin affronted me and provoked me to my Face therefore I will give thee up to thine own Heart thou shalt sin still seeing thou wilt be filthy thou shalt be filthy still 'T is sad for a Man to be left to himself 't is like a Ship without a Rudder or Pilot driven of the Winds and dashing upon a Rock Rom. 1.21 24. Because when they knew God they glorified him not as God wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness What is the Condition of a Patient when the Physician gives him over and leaves him to his own sick Palate Saith he Physick will do him no good he may eat what he pleases for he will die So God after Men have sinn'd wilfully gives them up to their Lusts let them do what they will they are in a dying condition 5. To know what is good yet not do to it to sin presumptuously is a great degree of the Sin against the Holy Ghost Such as sin presumptuously sin wilfully Put but one Weight more into the Scale add but Despight and Malice against the Spirit and it becomes the unpardonable Sin Though Presumption is not final Apostacy yet it comes very near to it and a little matter more will make thee so guilty that there remains no more Sacrifice for Sin To sin presumptuously against Light may in time bring on Malice and Despight to the Spirit As it was with Iulian who threw up his Dagger in the Air as if he would be revenged on God When once it is come to this there 's but one step lower a Man can fall and that is into Hell 6. A presumptuous person who knows to do Good and doth it not is possessed with the Devil Satan hath a great power over him A Man that is resolved in Sin let God and Conscience say what they will I may say as Acts 5.2 Why hath Satan filled thy Heart The Prince of the Air hath blown on thee and fill'd thy Sails that thou movest so swiftly in Sin In Christ's time there were many bodily possess'd but in our time I fear they have their Souls possess'd with the Devil she would have her Will licet Corpus Animam in aeternum damnavit May it not be said of such a Person as Mat. 15.22 My Daughter is grievously vexed with a Devil 7. There is little hope for such as know to do Good yet do it not know what is evil but will not forbear There were Sacrifices for Sins of Ignorance but no Sacrifices for Sins of Presumption Numb 15.30 Indeed presumptuous Sinners hope all will be well Prov. 14.16 The Fool is confident Such a Fool is spoken of Deut. 29.19 When he hears the words of this Curse he blesseth himself saying I shall have peace though I walk after the imagination of my heart to add Drunkenness to Thirst the Lord will not spare him but the Anger and Iealousie of the Lord shall smoke against that Man Though the humble penitent may fly to the Mercy of God as to an Altar of Refuge yet God will pluck the presumptuous Sinner from this Altar Exod. 23.7 I will not justifie the wicked Should God favour presumptuous Sinners he should justifie the wicked seem to