we have heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arcana verba quae non licet homini loqui Arias Mont Secret or Unknown or unspeakable words which is not lawfull or possible for man to utter Not lawfull for us to say because our speech would be untrue and Christians must not utter and speak untruths Not possible for as Solomon makes enquiry after Women Prov. 31.10 So may we after men and say who can find a vertuous man so qualified with Grace and good works as is before specified Ans It is almost impossible to sinde such a man and therefore impossible to utter it 2 Cor. 12.4 So few are the Jobs and Nathaniels of our Times In the general we may say of this encreasing and abounding as the Poet of Astraea Terras Astraea reliquit These things in a manner have forsaken the Earth And instead of these How wanting are we in the good works towards God our selves and others as is above specified And how wicked are we in producing and abounding in the contrary growing worse worse and multiplying bad works and fruits daily I. To the first of these viz. How wanting we are in good works we may easily give a short but yet a very full account with Salomon Eccl. 1.15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight and that which is wanting cannot be numbered For as for that little measure of Grace we have and those few good Works which we do if we do but consider how crooked perverse tortuous or writhed they be from the straitnesse uprightness excellency which should be in them they are as nothing But if we consider how much Grace and how many good Works are wanting we may well say with a learned Interpreter Infinita desiderantur in quibus pietas probitas versatur we are infinitely wanting both in Grace and good Works For our Graces how few are they and those few how defective if you should take a view of particulars Faith c. And gor our good works how defective are we to God in our Invocation of God whither by prayers or oaths c. or giving of thanks by approbation admiration and a right Estimation of his Works who doth consider these things confessing him vel voce vel Martyrio like them Joh. 12.42 in a right use observation of his holy Rites and Times his holy Word and Sacraments and Sabbaths Do we not rather run Byas and backward in those things then to perform them devoutly as we should To our selves how defective are we in the exercise of our Graces Vertues Parts and Abilities whatsoever they be We rather suffer them to Rust and become unprofitable like him Mat. 25.29 And to others how wanting are we in particulars named viz. In our Humanity Civility Christian charity with the happy fruits thereof viz. Liberality giving Counsel and Comfort Amity Sympathy and readinesse to do good In the exercise of that common Justice Righteousness and Equity which we do owe to all in all our Affaires Actions and Dealings both privately and publickly of all which we may say Where are they are they not lost And lastly In the restraint and moderation of our inordinate and unruly passions affections and motions of mind which do arise from pride anger evil concupiscence and unlawfull desires which are so apt to boyl up in our sinfull Souls to the prejudice of others yea and to our selves also whilst we feed cherish and pursue them Should we pursue these particulars as before-named it were an endlesse work to innumerate our Wants for that which is wanting cannot be numbred Eccles 1.15 2. Now for the second particular if we consider how wicked we be in producing and abounding in bad Works and Fruits we have reason to abhor our selves and to repent in dust and ashes Job 42.6 for how apt are we to produce the works of the flesh Gal. 5.19 adultery fornication c. the unfruitful works of darkness Eph. 5.11 dead works that have the Lineament but not the life of good Works or sins which expose us to death the works of the Devil which Christ came to destroy 1 John 3.8 So like are we to the barren Fig-tree in our emptiness Luke 13.6 Or to the bad Vine in our Fulnesse Esay 5.24 for our Fruits are degenerated Jer. 2.21 as Israel was into the nature of a strange Vine and producing wild grapes Esay 5. so that our Vine is as that of Sodom and our Fields as of Gomorrah Our grapes are of Gall and our Clusters bitter Our wine is the poyson of Dragons and the cruel venom of Asps Deut. 32.32 33. which may too fitly be applied to us yea we are very apt to produce such works as may fitly be compared to all sorts of vilest Fruits Such are our unsavoury fruits of luxury lust and uncleannesse bitter fruits of envy and strife James 3.14 Some distastfull fruit of anger and passion James 1.20 Insipid and indigested fruits of Gluttony Drunkennesse and fulnesse of Bread and all intemperance Cold destructive fruit of sloth and idleness in the love of God practise of good works Prov. 10.4 5 c. poverty shame and beggery are the cold fruits of a slothfull person Corrosive ill relish't fruit of cruelty covetousness and oppression which corrupt the tast of our Souls so that we cannot well rellish but disgust the tast of spiritual things Hard high-grown fruit of pride and disdain the Fruits of Mount Gilboa without Rain or dew of any divine Grace in them 2 Sam. 1.21 Such are proud persons Rotten worm-eaten fruit of vitious Manners which expose us to the dunghill or the Swines-trough Luke 15.15 16. and provoke the worm that shall never dye Esay 66.24 Mark 9.14 46 48. to live in us to torment and consume us for ever like them Revel 20.10 Ap. So forwardly are we to abound in such Fruits and Works as end in Destruction and so unapt to those good works to which we are created redeemed and sanctified and which have the Encouragements and Motives of the conscience of well-doing which is ever attended with abundant comfort in Life and Death and for ever as E contra The clearing of our Faith and implantation into Christ the acceptance of God before whom we must appear 2 Cor. 5.10 The eternal Reward promised to well-doing Mat. 25.21 23 34. This is a lamentation and shall be for a Lamentation Ezek. 19.14 Thus from this first Use of Lamentation for our being so wanting in good and abounding in bad Works 2. I proceed to the use of Reprehension which is To all such as are at so little cost and pains to get Grace and so little care to abound in good works whilst they are unwearied in the pursuit of other things and here we may justly blame men of several Ages 1 How many young Children the Infantry of the Church are rude and unruly as being never taught and instructed in the Principles of Religion the great fault of Parents Whereas young Timothy
This motive we have from the Cause 2. From the End of our prayers viz. the honour and glory of God sure the common sense of all as Men or Christians will send the Creature to the Creator the Redeemed to the Redeemer the sanctified and saved ones of the Lord to the Sanctifier and Saviour of souls to return with that Leper thanks yea that honour praise and glory which is due for so great salvation This is done best by our prayers and praises This is the best we can do in the way of Requital in our Requests to him in asking and praying we do acknowledge and advance his greatnesse and goodnesse and in our praises his Bounty and Grace who hath respect unto the poverty and necessity of his servants doth give us his Spirit to help our infirmities Rom. 8.26 and doth make us sharers in the intercession of Christ Esay 53.12 Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.25 26. by which we have audience and acceptance to our persons prayers as if both were qualified with full perfection and as it is God that put us upon this work of prayer and we in performing it do aim at the honour and glory of God III. So if you have Respect to the effects of faithful prayers they do in a sense overcome the invincible God and do oversway that power which is unresistable as in the case of Jacob with Esau his inveterately hating Brother Gen. 32. and God had done the like for a filthy Sodom and her polluted Sisters had they had but ten righteous persons among them and Prayer is a piece of Armour of admirable use both in the way of Offence and subduing our Enemies whether corporal or spiritual Of which we have many instances and of defence and that divers wayes It shelters from the wrath of God it delivers from many dangers it supplies with blessings of several sorts in many cases it removeth judgements felt or feared and it worketh Wonders many times to the amazement of the Spectators and Observers Of all which you have many Examples in Scripture and all which do in a manner concenter in the deliverances of Elisha from the great Army or huge Host of the Syrians and the extream fury of King Jehoram the Son of Ahab who sent a Messenger to cut off the Prophets head because his wickednesse and abominable Idolatry had provoked God to send a great famine upon Samaria 2 Kin. 6.14 15. to 19. ☞ Mark in this Prophet how the Messengers of God are lookt upon and dealt with If there be any evil Occurrences in a Land or Nation they are laid in the fault and must bear all the blame as it befell Elijah before him 1 Kings 18.17 18. But from both these great dangers the Lord delivered Elisha which are accompanied with many Favors the favour of God freedom from danger help from Heaven fers remov'd Tyranny of Jehoram disappointed v. 31.32 ☞ All these Motives from God our selves others and the duty of prayer in it self may abundantly suffice to put us on and spur us forward to this duty to which neverthelesse we are so naturally backward and all which I have urged from the Reasons though in another way So that to the Wonders effected by Prayer I shall only add a Remarkable Example or two recorded by the Antients in other Histories the first I shall make use of is 1. The Army of Marcus Aurelius Antoniinus Philosophers a great persecutor of Christians in the second Century was so distressed five dayes together for want of water and otherwise in great danger being encompassed with their Enemies A President of the Army acquainted the Anxious Emperor who was much troubled at these things that there was nothing which Christians could not obtain of God by prayer and that in the Army there was a Band of Souldiers all of them Christians Hereupon the Emperor requested their prayers which they did speedily perform and falling down upon their knees and pouring out their prayers to Christ upon a sudden a plentiful Rain was sent from Heaven which abundantly refreshed the Army But on the other side it terrified their wicked Enemies with Thunder Lightning and Hail ignis specie similitudine like fire Upon this their successe in prayers the Emperour much amazed and astonished did highly honour the Christians and in perpetuam rei memoriam for an everlasting memorial of the same he called that Legion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fulminatricem the Thundring Legion and afterwards he wrote an Epistle to the Senate of Rome to certifie the strangenesse of the thing saying Semel atque se Humi abjicerunt Deumque precati sunt quem ego ignorabam Statim coelo pluvia delapsa est c. As soon as the Christians did cast themselves down upon the ground and prayed to that God whom I know not said the Emperour but am ignorant of the rain came down abundantly And hereupon he made and published Edicts in Favour of the Christians Alsted Theol. Cat. p. 731. and Chronolum p. 179. This befell in the second Century Cirum annum Dui 170 Sims pag. 23. II. The second History that I shall make use of in this kind Cent. 4. Circ An. 381. Theodosius Magnus the Great who had occasion to make War twice against Regicides shall I call them or the Murtherers of good Emperours The War was against Maximus the Tyrant and Andragathius the Captain of his Army who slew Gratianus the Emperour and then as it is usual he usurped the Empire of the West whom having subdued the Emperour prevailed against him Maximus the Tyrant was justly punished with death and Andragathius seeing no way to escape threw himself headlong into a River and so desperately ended his wretched and blood-guilty Life Judas-like His second War was against those Rebellious Traytors Eugenius and Arbogastus who had strangled the good Emperour Valentinian the second lying in his bed In the beginning of his battel against them the good Emperour Theodosius was very hardly put to it or bestead at the first But he had recourse to God by prayer prayer all the Night Jacob-like in which he fought magis Orando quam feriendo more by prayer then by any other armed power or Forces So that the Lord sent a mighty tempest of Wind which blew so vehemently in the Face of Eugenius his Army that their Darts were turned back by the violence of the Wind into their own Faces the Tyrant Eugenius fell down before Theodosius to beg pardon but was slain by the Souldiers at the Emperours Feer Thus judgement without mercy is for them that shewed none James 2.13 And â—rbogastus the Traytor the Author and Master of mischief being out of all hope of safety slew himself Thus evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him and bring him to destruction Psalm 140.11 the man that doth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit let no man slay him Pro 28.17 For blood lies heavy upon the Murtherer
Respect to their Relations in several cases and to perform their duties accordingly both actively and passively To love their Nighbour as themselves yea as Christ hath loved them Mat. 19.19 c. 1 John 13.34 To be comformable in all things of Devotion Decency and Order that make for the peace and unity of the Church in which they live and of which they are Members To do justly and uprightly in all their dealings with Men in the Affaires of this World Micah 6.8 To walk circumspectly Regularly and sincerely in all things concerning their own Hearts and Lives In a word These are such Christians as have learned to walk so conscientiously as to have God before them whose Glory they aim at his Word by and within them which is the Rule of their practice and to have their End in their Eye which is that they do daily prepare for that they may have comfort in their Change and hope in their Death and a good Evidence of happinesse to all Eternity ☞ This is the progress of them that please God of whom you may say Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the End of that man is peace Psalm 37.37 A holy Life brings a happy Death and a gracious Conversation a glorious Condition Even so make us and come Lord Jesus Now all these being put together You see that we have found out a mighty multitude that are no Fanaticks and all these together viz. Emperours Kings and Princes Nobles and Statesmen the Peers of Nations Bishops and Doctors Presbyters Pastors and Teachers that have been pillars in Gods House painful Labourers in his Vineyard and faithfull Dispensers of his Oracles and Mysteries Together with all other true Believers and godly Christians who indeed are the only well-grounded Protestants and none else and all free enough from any of the Fancies and Furies above-named I say All these do jointly conduce to make up the sum of that innumerable multitude that stand before the Throne of God and minister unto him and are said to be one thousand thousand and ten thousand times ten thousand ten thousand of ten thousands Yea a great multitude which no man could number all which do fall down upon their Faces worshipping God and giving glory to him for ever and ever Dan. 7.10 Revel 5.11 c. I have done with the main Discovery of whose wayes do please God whose do displease Him I shall close this point of Doctrine viz. Doct. A Christians life is to be ordered so that he may please God with a few considerations to be had in everlasting Remembrance both to uphold you in the good wayes that do please Him and to prevent the contrary and that by this means viz. Do you seriously represent to your selves as if present before your eyes and as visible as other Objects are These things 1. The Lord in his Majesty purity and glory as he is represented Ezo 34. Esay 6. Job 42.5 6. Revel 1.13 and as present with you in all your Actions good or bad 2. The Wonders that God hath wrought on the behalf of them that please him as for Enoch Elijah Noah Abraham David and Daniel the three Children Prophets and Apostles c. And against those that persisted in displeasing him as against the old World Sodom and Gomorrah Aegypt and Babylon c. 3. Satan in his own shape when tempting you to any sin or to any practice dipleasing to God 4. This Devil in his proper practice of accusing for sin Revel 20.10 sparing neither good nor bad but urging to the utmost to procure desperation and damnation He that once spake placentia will now speak Terribilia 5. Death with all the dreadfull thoughts and terrours which do at-attend it and the issues or events thereof 6. Judgement with that great and last account which must be made at that day before the Judge of all the world 7. Hell as open before your Eys and the damned souls there in misery and torment crying out with Dives Luke 16.24 8. Heaven and that open also as to St. Stephen Acts 7.55 That you might behold Jesus standing on the right hand of God together with the dignity and felicity of glorious souls the Company and Society of Saints and Angels With the whole Assembly of God the heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12 22. All giving honour to him that sits upon the Throne for ever and ever As Rev. 5.8 9 10 11.12 13 14. For the benefit of their Redemption and eternal salvation purchased by Chrict ☞ Now these things thus represented and apprehended as visible and seen by us then apply them to what hath been taught and think seriously wiâ—h your selves 1. How the holy and glorious God doth love Purity and Uprightness both in the heart and life with which he is well pleased and how he hateth iniquity and every evil way 2. How marvellously he will preserve and save the lives and souls of his servants When the wicked shall be turned into hell c. with all their glory and pomp Psalm 9.17 Isa 5.14 c. 3. Such as so walk as to please God How well are they armed against the assaults of Satan in what shape soever as our Saviour was Mat. 4.1 to 12. Whereas others are unarmed like those Exorcists Acts 19.13 to 17. Who were overcome prevailed against and wounded by the devil 4. Such as please God in their ways how well are they armed against his bitter and virulent Accusations as well as Assaults Take Job for instance How spightfully though falsly did the Devil accuse him Job 1.9 10 11 12. c. as if Job had been a meer Mercenary that served God for prosperity only or for his health and ease but if stript of these That then Job would curse God to his face But how galliantly did Johs stedfastness and unchangableness in his course coufute the Devil to his face and make him appear a Lyar as he is John 8.44 2. And when his Wife would have perswaded or derided him rather to a change how well was he armed against her Temptation and how excellently doth he answer her Job 2.9.10 3. And when his friends did bitterly though ignorantly accuse him how excellently doth he ward them off and defend himself only with the lustre of his innocency and uprightness 4. Yea when God himself seemed to be his enemy and to write bitter things against him Job 13.26 And that the arrows and terrours of God were set in aray against him and that the poyson of them did drink up his spirit Job 6.4 For Job you may be sure did see the hand of God in all that did befal him through the Malice of the Devil the Weakness of his Wife and the ignorance of his friends Yet what then was his defence and resolution See Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him c. For my uprightness I hold fast and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me so long as
Satan is a great usurper of authority he acteth as wicked Rulers do to pervert and destroy He is very bold and daring both in Earthly and Heavenly things 1. In terrennis humanis in things here below in the darkness of this world i.e. in the state of ignorance sin death and confusion all which do reign in this world and of which he is a Ruler what a deal of a work doth he make there experience speaks daily 2. In caelestibus divinis in things of a higher and better nature in the most heavenly places persons and things and in the most holy and divine duties to be performed by man 1. In the Church of God which is called Heaven Rev. 12.1 3. What work makes he both in the way of 1. Infection by Errour and Heresies 2. Destruction by enemies 2. In the best of Saints whose conversation is in heaven Phil. 32.3 What doth he not attempt to divert them from the right way 3. In the holiest duties and most spiritual graces and performances of a Christian which he is most virulently bent to hinder infect and hurt by manifold Injections Seductions and violent Temptations What Christian that hath a right knowledge of himself but he hath cause to complain And yet again the Church had need to be thus furnished 9. Because in the evil day this enemy is most apt to do us mischief ☞ Not that any day is properly said to be evil in it self but very good because it is of Gods institution and nomination Gen. 1.4 5. But in respect of other things the Day is so called Especially of 1. Affliction Tribulation Sickness and Death to all which we are subject every day and so it extends to the whole time of our life which is obvious to so many Evils Corruptions Perils and Dangers continually 2. Temptation when Satan is let loose as it were to vex 1. And infect the Church with Errours Heresies Corruptions and with like things of that nature Or 2. To sift and try the Church to the utmost by grievous and terrible persecutions and distresses of that nature which through his Instigation are raised by 1. Antichrist 2. Tyrants 3. And perverse and persecuting Hereticks As it befel 1. Job who might well take up Solomons Proverb and say as He All the days of the afflicted are evil Prov. 15.15 But especially then when Satan was let loose upon him to exercise him as he did both outwardly 1. In his Goods Children and Body And 2. Inwardly in his Soul 2. The Apostles when their Master the Lord Jesus Christ was taken and crucified and themselves left to be winnowed by Satan and persecuted by wicked men 3. The Church of God whose lot is Affliction But her days are at the worst when she is pressed beyond measure as 2 Cor. 1.8 by such enemies as are above named Antichristians Tyrants and Hereticks Now in such times as these Satan is most active to do us harm 1. What he doth in the Day of Affliction Tribulation Sickness Death c. let the diligent Visitors of Sick-beds and dying persons speak their woful experience 2. And what work he makes in the Day of Temptation when he is let loose as before let doutful and despairful Souls speak for then his wiles snares and depths are evident which occasioned many fearful souls to revolt in the times of persecution ☞ 10. Lastly It doth behove the Church to be thus prepared and provided that she may be able to stand and withstand as it is four times urged in three verses viz. Ver. 11 13 14. 1. i. e. To stand 1. Couragiously and valiantly in the Onset and Entrace 2. Unanimously and vigilantly with the rest of the Christian Army our Fellow-Soldiers whether we be 1. Common Soldiers Or 2. Commanders and Leaders being designed to such and such a place and employment either in the Church or State 3. Regularly and constantly in our Rank and Order in our Condition and Station keeping our ground The ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 4. Strenuously with our utmost strength in the Combate and Conflict till all is done the War ended 5. Victoriously and triumphing when all is done the Enemy overcome and the War is ended for ever And thus it behooves the Church to stand 1. Valiantly 2. Unanimously 3. Regularly and constantly 4. Strenuously that she may stand 5. Victoriously in the end and why so But 10. Because if we stand not but either 1. Fail in our Courage which betrayes our selves Or 2. Fall off from our Fellows which weakens the Army Or 3. Forsake our Rank which puts all into confusion Or 4. Neglect our strength and do not put it out to the utmost in this Exigent 5. The Day is lost our Glory and Crown is gone and vanisht as a vapour we are utterly undone and shall never stand victoriously For nothing can be more prejudicial to an Army then for men engaged therein to fail in these things For if they 1. Lay aside their Resolution and so disnerve their Courage 2. Desert their Fellows and neglect their Watch. 3. leave their Ranks and yield their Ground 4. Abate of their strength when there is most need of it 5. Then you may be sure They shall loose the day be subdued captivated and quite undone 1. Pusillanimity and Irresolution 2. Division and Differences 3. Ataxy Disorder and yielding back 4. And casting away their strength and arms with their courage Are enough 5. To undo the most puissant Army as often experience doth testifie Thus you have heard the point cleared proved both by Scripture and Reason in all the parts and particulars of it viz. Doct. 1. That the Church when at the best 2. Had need to be strong in the Lord 3. And compleatly armed 4. To stand and withstand 5. The manifold Wiles 6. And Mighty Assaults 7. Of so many and potent Enemies 8. As do assault environ and storm her 1. Within 2. and without 9. And especially in the evil day 10. And yet that she may stand and remain victorious and triumphant The point thus proved only the improvement of it remains and as the proof of it so also the Uses must be suited to the severel branches of the Doctrine and each particular Use suitable to each Branch may very well bear the weight of a fourfold improvement viz. Of Information Exhortation Reproof and Comfort But I shall for brevity sake fold them up close together Vse I. Is it so then that the Church in her best condition had need of all this because then so apt to be oversown with Tares to have the wall or hedge broken down and this House by the Thief to be entered surely then this first Use 1. Informs us how watchful and careful the Teachers and Leaders of the Church should be who are 1. The Seedsmen of this Field 2. The Vinedressers and 3. The Keepers of the House by Gods own appointment to prevent and withstand 1. The Enemy that sows tares in this field
all abominations Mat. 12.34 35. and 15.18 19 20. For an evil man out of the heart c. and out of it evil Thoughts Murthers Adulteries Fornications Thefts False witness Blasphemies c. do arise and spring and upon these grounds we are so frequently called upon to 1. Wash and clense our heart Jer. 4.14 James 4.8 else as Pilate for they are very foul as Proverbs 20 9. Who can say I am pure c. 2. Circumcise our hearts Deut. 10.16 Jer 4.4 Rom. 2.24 For they are uncircumcised Jer 9 26. in heart and life 3. And to have one or a single heart which God hath promised to give us Jer. 32 29. 1 For our hearts are apt to be divided from God and good to Baal Seditions Factions Regicide c. to the ruine of the Nation 2 Kings 15.10 14 25 30. 2. To become double Psalm 12.2 and James 1.8 and 4.8.3 Yea manifold for there are many devices in a mans heart Pro 19.21 that are naught and come to nought but the device and counsel of the Lord shall stand This is that viz. this Corruption of the heart with its manifold evil fruits against which David prayes Psalm 19.12 Lord clense thou me from secret errours and faults Minnistaroth ab occultis Arias Mont. And St. Paul groans Rom. 7.23 O wretched man that I am c. ☞ And all these Corruptions of our own hearts within us are Satans principal Engines which he maketh use of to the ruine and destruction of our souls and selves For the discovery of which and to do it as it should be done were to undertake an Indian voyage which would require many years rather then hours and the Relation of which would fill many volumns rather then the scantling of a few Sermons ☞ I shall therefore at present wave this work of so large extent having given you this tast that you carry in your bosomes the greatest enemy about you viz. The corruption of your own hearts and this warning That you should be very jealous mistrustful and watchful over your own hearts which are apt to be imployed to delude and deceive you to your own destruction and this Watchfulness be sure to perform in all places upon all occasions viz. In your Solitariness Company Business with men Duties towards God in either our hearing praying communicating meditating acting c. Dealings with Satan wrestling with his Temptations c. 1. Always bring your hearts with all the Ebullitions out-goings and motions of the same to the Touch-stone of Gods Word 2. Entertain always a sense of Gods presence and expose all to the search of his All-seeeing eye as David did Isalm 139.23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me c. 3. And learn of the Apostle and with him exercise your selves to keep a good conscience towards God and men in all things Acts 23.1 and 24.18 and that always constantly and continually Reas For he that is of a good heart or Conscience as the Genevah may well have a joyful heart as our translation hath it hath a continual Feast Prov. 15.15 i.e. Much joy within 2. Yea he that hath this hath a heaven in his heart though he be of never so despicable a condition mean and contemptible in the world Contra. And he that hath not this hath a hell in his heart though he hath at present his heaven upon earth and be in never so successful and prosperous a condition his power and prevalency shall down to the Pit The second Branch of this use doth inform us how heedful we should be against the Motions of the world and the occasions of sin without us These lye abroad 1. against the motions of the world whether in the way of Seduction or Destruction I. For Seduction How usual a thing is it for sinners to entice one another to Evil which Solomon suggesteth to us Prov. 1.10 11 19. where he instanceth in a pack of Thieves and of men greedy of gain ver 9. and violent men that entice their Neighbour into a way that is not good Prov. 16.29 viz. either to undo him or to make him joyn with them to undo others ut c. 1.10 to 20. So to Uncleanness Exod. 22.16 So did the Prophet Jeremy Jer. 20.10 To draw something from him whereby they might over-reach him and so be the better enabled to do him mischief Ap. We cannot be ignorant of such practises in our times So also to Idolatry Deut. 13. per totum ver 1 6 12 13 c. peruse it Ap. Men are very apt to allure entice perswade one another to evil to every sin their corrupt hearts are inclined but how few will perswade one another to Good as they did Isa 2.3 5. To learn the ways c. and to walk in the light of the Lord. And they Hos 6.1 invited to Repentance Come let us c. This David was glad of Psalm 122.1 2. I was glad when they said so for any other either graces or duties It is very rare to find men that do animate one another to good as they did in such an Apostatizing time Mal. 3.16 Then they spake c. II. For Destruction It is our Saviours counsel Mat. 10.17 To beware of men that are like Wolves Vers 16. Blood-thirsty Persecuters None are so mischiefvous as men Psalm 124. per totum The Monopoly of mischievous devices is in men Force and Fraud 2. And for the Occasions of sin which also are without us Beware of them come not too near the bank of the river the edge of this precipice lest you fall down into it Evil Company administer occasions and occasions do quickly produce sin Peter was foiled by the company he was with Mar. 4.66 to 72. And David by an occasion committed Adultery with Bathsheba 2 Sam. 11.2 c. And so Satan doth always thus war against us and storm us both within and without by Corruptions Temptations So especially he is apt to do it in the evil day for so saith the Text and this is the ninth particular of the point hence the Fifth Vse which informs us that there is an Evil day approaching even upon the best that be the choicest Saints when these enemies of their souls before named will be most active and improve their greatest strength to do them hurt upon the advantage of such an evil day Now Days are said to be evil in respect of divers things viz. of I. Afflictions Tribulations Perils and Dangers Old age Infirmities Sickness and Death to which we are subject and which are obvious to us all the time of our Life II. And more especially Persecutions in respect to the time of Satans being let loose by Antichrist cruel Tyrants and perverse Hereticks to persecute afflict and vex the Church of God by seeking and endeavouring with all their might 1. To seduce and pervert the Church with Errours and Heresies as it hath befallen in all Ages 2. Or Else if they cannot prevail to do so and
Minister c. 5. Constantly to your ground the truth never forsake that 6. Strenuously improving your courage and strength to the utmost 7. Victoriously and triumphantly giving the glory to God Rev. 7.9 to 13. Thus Standing is a Gesture of 1. Attendance 2. Expectance 3. Business 4. Idleness These things premised and thus understood do aford us a sixth Use which may be prosecuted as the others before unto Information Exhortation Reproof and Comfort and this is from this tenth and last particular of the point viz. To stand Vse 6. The sixth Use informs us how short we be of this Animosity and Courage of heart the resolution of spirit which we have in other things and how apt to fail and be faint-hearted in the best business if it be opposed and easily to yield to any Temptation of Seduction Exhor This is of God there we must seek and the Goodness of our cause may confirm us and strengthen our hearts in the pursuance as Asa did against Idolatry upon hearing the Prophet Oded 2 Chron. 15.1 8 to 17. and Paul by the society of some brethren in the business that he did at Rome Acts 28.15 Thus we see how defective we are in setting upon this Warfare couragiously 2. Vnanimously thus we should stand against these enemies but how far do we fall short nay how much do we differ from this and walk contrary to it 1. How few take up arms in this case though all are engaged thereunto in Baptism and many other bonds 2. And of those few that do or at lest pretend so to do how do we differ in Opinions and act right crosly to this Unanimity Ap. These Divisions in Israel as those of Reuben Judg. 5.15 16. may well cause great and deep thoughts Impressions Heb. and searchings of heart We all profess to be of the Communion of Saints and should all agree in the Unity of the Spirit and of Faith Eph. 4.3 13. Of Love Psalm 133.1 Of Mind and Judgement 1 Cor. 1.10 as members of one body Ephes 4.15 16. But it is not so with us but far otherwise 3. We should stand and withstand in this War Vigilantly and watchfully to observe this enemies approach 1 Pet. 5.8 This concerns us all Ergo let us all say as Habakkuk Hab. 2.1 said I will stand upon my watch But how apt are we to neglect this 1. The Pastors of the people must do this Magistrates that Abuses abound not Ministers that Errours swarm not Ezek. 3. 2. Then it concerns all Mat. 24.42 and 25.13 Mark 13.33 34 35. Luke 12.37 28. and 21.36 And to shake off Security 1 Cor. 10.12 13. Luke 12.37 38. It must be conjoyned with 1. Sobriety 1 Thes 5.6 1 Pet. 4.7 and 5.8 2. Prayer Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray 3. Thankfulness Col. 4.2 4. Regularly every man in his rank and order 5. Constantly 6. Strenuously 7. Victoriously and triumphantly Now this Standing victoriously ushers in The seventh Vse of Consolation to all such as do overcome for great shall be their reward it may be otherwise with men but here it is sure because it is from God Take a view 1. To eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God Rev. 2.7 i.e. to enjoy perpetual happiness in heaven Rev. 22.2 to 6. Luke 23.43 Whither St. Paul was wrapt up 2 Cor. 12.4 All which was figured by the Tree of Life in Paradise Those that be faithful unto death shall have a Crown of life and 2. shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2.10 11. which death consisteth of the separation of the soul and body from God and sequestration of them both to eternal torments Mat 25.46 Though he must suffer this 3. To eat of the hidden Manna by spiritual Tast of me here and a Feast with me hereafter for ever in heaven he shall have a white stone full Absolution from all sinnes in the Judgement and a new Name assurance in this right and interest in these Honours 4. Power over the Nations Be joyned with Christ to judge them 1 Cor. 6.2 And the morning star the full fruition of my self Isa 14.12 5. To be clothed in white raiment Rev. 3.5 12 21. Not be blotted out of the book of Life but Christ will confess him before His Father and the Holy Angels 6. To be a Pillar shall have the name of God and of the new Jerusalem and a new Name Everlasting happiness be acknowledged to be the Child of God Be a free Denizen and be honoured for a King and a Conqueror like me Phil. 2.9.7 To sit with Christ in his Throne to reign with me in grace here and glory hereafter 8. To inherit all things Rev. 21.7 As a Christians work so a Christians Warfare is of great consequence and deserve a suitable consideration This Epistle treats of both this Text of the latter viz the Warfare This Scripture you know doth treat of a Christians Warfare Vers 10. to 19. And the Apostle having taught the Ephesians to walk and live in all Christian Piety He doth here exhort them to fight couragiously against our spiritual Adversary Now this advice of our Apostle doth consist of two parts 1. An Exhortation to the performance of the Duty enjoyned which is to withstand our spiritual Enemies V. 10 11 12 13. 2. An Enumeration of the several parts of our spiritual Armour with which we must be furnished that we may be able to stand in this Conflict and to gain the Conquest in the end Vers 14 15 16 17 18. Parts The particulars are seven Of which the first five are Defensive especially and the two last are both Offensive and Defensive I. The Defensive parcels of this Armour 1. A Belt or Girdle 2. A Breast-plate 3. Shooes 4. A Shield 5. An Helmet II. These parcels of this Armour which are both Offensive to the adversary and Defensive of our selves are 1. A Sword 2. Prayer Ap. These particulars do exactly describe the whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a good Christian a True Believer Now before I enter upon the parculars let me premise this by way of Caution That we are not too scrupulously and curiously to enquire into the reason of the similitude why Truth is compared to a Military Belt or Girdle and Righteousness to a Breast-plate and so of the rest It being beside the Apostles purpose and intent so subtilly to apply the graces mentioned to such and such particulars But the drift of the Apostle is to teach us in general what vertues or rather gifts of the Holy Ghost Christians have need of that they may be able to stand firm against the manifold Wiles Snares Assauls and Temptations of their spiritual Enemies and to gain the victory at last Let us therefore modestly and briefly consider of these parcels of Armour severally and particularly in their order as they are enumerated to us by the Apostle beginning with the first viz. the Girdle of Truth I. Stand therefore Now
See Jer. 22.13 to 20. How King Jeboiakim lived died and was ignomi iously buried Lands like Nahoths vineyard in Ahabs possession Estates Isa 10.13 14. See the Treasury of the Tyrants of Assyria and Provisions How many mens words and works do testifie to mens faces their unrighteousness Ap Of all which the Prophet hath spoken abundantly and we also now can testifie and evidence the unrighteousness of mens hearts and hands in their under takings and proceedings ☞ Sure they consider not that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against it Rom. 1.18 And that such shall not inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.9 And in the end shall perish and receive the reward of unrighteousness 2 Pet. 2.12 13. In a word there is so much spoken in Scripture against those eminent Trees in the Garden of God that did so flourish and overspread and caused so much terrour in the land of the living Assyria and Egypt i.e. Unrighteousness and cruel men in places of Eminency and Authority that have caused so much Fear and Sorrow amongst the people of God that such may not only see cause to tremble but also foresee that they shall wither and fall and perish for ever Thus concerning this second piece of Armour viz. the Breast-plate of Righteousness you have heard the kinds of Breast-plates 1. Military 2. Mystical 4. Sacred 5. Spiritual and that righteousness is either Natural Legal Civil or Evangelical and what Righteousness is most applyable to this piece of Armour in the Text. Doct. Then you had the point propounded proved by Scripture thre reasons promoted further by six motives and demonstrated by evident signes or marks of Uprightness all which did conduce contribute to and complete the first Use of Exhortation The second Use of Reproof to such as dream of perfection in this life as grieve and wrong the righteous for Righteousness-sake as put away and make shipwrack of a good Conscience as practise unrighteousness in their stations and conversations these may expect the righteous judgement of God against them Now to close this part of Armour with a word of comfort the third Vse is of Consolation to all righteous persons observe that 1 God is righteous and loveth righteousness 2 His eys are upon the righteous for their good 3 His promises made to such are innumerable 4 His performance is sure 5 Their peace of Conscience is unspeakable 6 Their life is comfortable 7 Such can attend their great account with confidence 8 And their death-bed pangs are tolerable and do revive in them the hope of Heaven 9 They die in expectation of a glorious Resurrection 10 And after death there is a reward from them Psalm 58.11 A voice from heaven shall say Open the gates c and it shall be with them as with the wise Virgins Mat. 25.10 Then shall the righteous shine as the Sun in the kingdom of their Father for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Touching this Christian Warfare which doth so much concern all you you know the Apostles Counsel in this Chapter Ver. 10. to 19. in nine Verses doth consist 1. Of an Exhortation ver 10. to 14. to put on our armour 2. An Information of the parts of our spiritual armour consisting of an enumeration of the several particular pieces necessary for us Ap. The former of these I have dismissed with the thirteenth Use I am now upon the second and have already spoken of two pieces of our spiritual Armour viz. the Belt or Girdle and 2. Breast-plate which I dismissed with the former verse This Verse doth present us with a third piece of Armour viz. And their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace For the better understanding whereof take a view of the words The Apostle doth proceed with elegant Metaphors Allusions and Simitudes taken from Soldiers preparations for War I. Feet in the natural sense and use you are well acquainted with that they are the lowest members of the body by which it is carried about from place to place and are the Instruments of motion Gen. 18 4. Angels John 1.35 Disciples Numb 20.19 Deut. 2.28 Israel passed on their feet c. And hence it was so usual with them to wash their feet after travail c. II. But sigurative Feet are usually put in Scripture for 1. The whole man Rom. 3.15 and 10.15 Swift to shed blood c. Psalm 119.101 105. My feet from every evil way 2. The Will and Affections Desires Care Purposes Endeavours and Actions Prov 4.26 Ponder the path of thy feet that thou slip not Eccles 5.1 Keep they foot when thou goest to the house of God c. 3. Our slips and sins of infirmity in which sense our Saviour saith John 13.10 He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet Ap. In the first sense the word Feet is used for the feet and legs up to the knees and in this sense we know it was and is usual for men to arm their feet and legs with greaves of brass as Goliah did 1 Sam. 17.6 to ward his Shins from darts blows and thrusts or or else with Boots or Shooes according to the kind of imployment Military or Civil that men are usually exercised in on horseback or on foot in their business In the three figurative senses named the phrase is properly applyable to the words of the Text and the matter in hand 1. If the Will and Affections as Feet the beginners of motion and action 2. And the whole man be thus furnished and shod as here 3. Then they will be the better able to withstand the mighty enemies before named yea and their own failings slips and infirmities and to stand in this Warfare till they become victorious over all The phrase of the Feet is sometimes othewise used and applyed as to 1. Pupillage as the Saints to God Deut. 3.33 and Paul at the feet of Gamaliel Acts 22.3 2. Subjection Psalm 8.6 As the Creatures are put under our feet 3. Meanness as of servants John 13.14 and of servile condition 4. Weak and contemptible means Isa 2.66 The feet of the poor shall tread down the high and lofty ones c. being just and upright persons But in these the phrase it is not so pertinent to this Text as the former three figurative senses though otherwise very useful II. Shod this is done corporally when shooes are put upon the feet as 2 Chron. 28.15 Ezek. 16.10 Mark 16.6 Or spiritually when the affections of the heart are strengthned with the preparation of the Gospel as in the Text to go through all difficulties in their way to Heaven which are many and sharp Can. 7.1 How c. i.e. her walking in holiness her Ornament defence III. With the preparation of the Gospel of Peace i.e. with a due preparation and readiness tum ad confessionem ad praedicationem Evangelii 1. Being ever ready to confess the Faith Rom. 10.10 with the mouth c. And to give an account
for the proof of this point I might add Arguments 1. Excellency of this sword and that both in the offensive and defensive properties of it 2. From the Author of it viz. The Spirit But these in the Application will have their further Amplification and Enlargement Ergo I descend to it Uses are Use I. The first Use informs us of the Excellency of this sword both for Offence and Defence to the Enemy and our selves I. For Offence to the Enemy See 1. Satan For with this our Saviour wounded the Devil Mat. 41. 2. The sins of great ones How plain were the Prophets with Kings Nathan Micaiah Ezek. 21.25 with King Zedekiah 3. Errours Heresies and evil Opinions 4. Self-Interests and Unrighteousness 5. And the unruly Transgressions of all But now 1. Satan will try many tricks and wiles as Balack did by Baalam 2. Great ones will endure no Controul like the Princes in Jeremy 3. Errour pleads the Spirit 4. Self-Interests and unrighteous innocence Jer. 2.35 3. And the cross Multitude the vulgarity are all for Tumults and Uproars as Acts 19.24 and are set on mischief as they Exod. 32.19 Thus concerning this sword of the Spirit You have heard that the Sword is either Material or Spiritual And this spiritual sword is either Essential and uncreated or Theological Doctrinal or Evangelical created and inspired and conveighed from God to men That this Doctrinal Word is good pure true gracious precious sound and healing Qui me sanum fecit seu valetudini restituit Pas Lex p. 713. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctrina sana 1 Tim. 1.10 The Apostle commands Timothy To hold fast the form of sound words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exemplar seu expressam formam Habe teneto sanorum verborum quae a me audisti c. Arias Montan. Pas Lex p. 712. 7. This word is said to be quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword Heb. 4.12 which is applyed to 1. The Essential uncreated Word the Son of God 2. The Word of God and Christ to the world called the Rod and spirit of his mouth And 3. To the Word of God in the mouths of his Messengers 1. To subdue mens souls to the obedience of it 2. To be for evil or good death or life destruction or salvation to the obstinate or obedient Ap. And this is the work of Prophets Apostles and Ministers of Christ in all Ages which himself doth explain to them Ier. 1.7 At what instant I shall speak of a Nation ☞ Not that God doth repent out of over-sight or defect of fore-cast or mutability of mind as men do but when he revoketh the doom he had passed and stays the Execution what he had denounced when his own end is accomplished either in the Repentance of the wicked or perseverance of the godly c. to whom and to which end all the Menaces and Promises Threatnings and Encouragements of God are made All which Menaces and Promises are ever to be understood with the condition or reservation there expressed by Almighty God How absolute soever they appear or by us may be apprehended in their Terms or Words 8. You have also heard the praises of this Sword the Word of God out of Psalm 19.7.8 9. in fix particulars 9. And that it is usually compared to incorruptible seed in several Scriptures 10. And also the Arguments or Reasons of this point viz. That Doct. The word of God is the true Christians sword wherewith he doth defend himself and offend his spiritual adversaries I say the Reasons do arise from its own Excellency in the use of it And the Author of it viz. The Spirit of God Here the War is spiritual and so is the Enemy and so also is the Sword All are spiritual and Ergo Thus suited one to another in this Warfare ☞ But the Reasons will meet with a further illustration in the Application of this point To which now I do now descend 11. And the Uses of this point are of Information Doct. The Word of God is the sword of all the faithful wherewith to defend themselves and to offend their spiritual adversaries to withstand repel subdue and cut off all Satans temptations and other corruptions which war against our souls 1 Pet. 2.11 ☞ Now the Word of God is called The sword of the Spirit because 1. The Spirit maketh this Weapon to our hands 2 Pet. 1.21 For holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost 2. This Sword slayeth our spiritual enemies Isa 11.4 3. It is so sharp that it pierceth to the dividing of the Soul and Spirit Heb. 4.12 of the Joynts and Marrow yea of the Heart 4. Because it is no carnal but a spiritual Weapon 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty c. You have a brief account of what hath been already done we are now come to the Use improvement of the point You know upon this I entered the last day but I could only name some particulars to you not having time to prosecute any of them Of these therefore let me now speak a little more at large The spiritual Enemies I then named unto you were 1. Satan 2. The Sins of great ones 3. Errours Heresies and evil Opinions Self-interests and unrighteousness And 5. The unruly Transgressions and wickednesses of all people I. Use of Information This Use doth inform us of the Excellency of this Sword in the use of it both in the way of Offence and Defence to subdue and support 1. And for Offence the first enemy to be encountered with is 1. Satan He is a fierce cruel and crafty Adversary Of whom you have heard before vers 11 12. This is he that encountered our Saviour in the wilderness Mat. 4.1 In which Temptation you shall find him Proteus-like changing his skin and acting a threefold person but a Tempter he will be in every shape still aiming at evil and endeavouring to seduce men to sin 1. He will be an Hermit in the wilderness and will visit Christ as a friend to advise him not to fast over-long nor to hurt himself with hunger and mark here the 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Satanae the Devils entrance upon the ensuing Temptation 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christi the Risistance of Christ thereunto Christ had fasted long and was now an hungred and hereupon he takes occasion to begin The devil takes Christ at the weakest this is his practise still note Doct. As he did by Christ so he will do by all when we are weakest then he will be busie at work with us to seduce and destroy us 1. The Devil observed the preaching of John the Baptist Iohn 1.34 I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God 2. And that voice from heaven at the Baptism of Christ Mat. 3.17 Yet he doubted whether Christ was so indeed and Ergo now he comes to try and sift it out by this Temptation for saith he thou
frowns of men loss of preferment Then with promises of the worlds glory if you will worship him and of all desirable things as he did by our Saviour He tryes every way to seduce and destroy us and therefore we had need to learn the use of this Weapon very well to be ready to repel his manifold and various Temptations Take therefore the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God to resist the Devil that he may flee from you Jam. 4.7 II. The second Enemy to withstand with this Sword of the Spirit was the sins of great Men. How plain were the Prophets of old with Kings and Princes Samuel with Saul Nathan and Gad with David about Bathsheba and numbring the people Elijah with Ahab and with Jehoram also so also was Micaiah with Ahab and Jehu with Jehoshaphat for helping Ahab so Eliazer also for his joyning with Ahaziah Shemaiah with Rehoboam and a Prophet with Jeroboam and Amos also Hanam the Seer with Asa and another Prophet Amaziah Zechariah King Joash and Elisha with choram Jeremiah with Jehoiakim and Ezekiel with Zedekiah and John Baptist with wicked Herod Ap. Thus Kings and Princes of old did hear and bear the Rebukes of Prophets and those that did obey and reform according to their Counsel did fare the better And those that resisted and misused the Prophets for their labour did but resist to their own ruine and destruction Now the only thing that makes it so difficult to manage this sword against the Mighty is ☞ Because they do so harden themselves against Reproof and will endure no controul They are strait in Asas fit of anger 2 Chron. 16. for which he smarted Or else in Ahabs fury 1 Kings 22. Or like the Princes in Ieremiah's time that would never let him be quiet but vexed him with one thing or other Ier. 18.18 3. The Errours Heresies and evil Opinions of all ages and times These are another Enemy to be dealt with with this Weapon These are those Gordian knots that have always been cut asunder with this sword For this peruse the Rise and Ruine of Errours and Heresies out of the Antients and so from time to time 1. Yet these strengthen themselves mightily with that resolution mentioned by Augustine Nondum persuadebis etiamsi persuaseris They will not be converted though they be sufficiently convinced 2. They plead the Spirit as much as any but without trial though it be as much of delusion as confusion of which we have much experience 3. They cite Scripture this sword abundantly though miserably maimed perverted misinterpreted and misapplied to that purpose yet they will not see wherein they fail though their defects and mistakes be discovered with the clearest eye and doomed to silence by the most impartial judgement ☞ But it hath been their usual course to run themselves out of breath in their own endless Mazes till they fall asunder dissolve and vanish to nothing 4. The next enemy to encounter with this Sword is Self-seeking self-interests and Unrighteousness of men This practise is point-blank opposite and cross to that Grace of Self-denial so much recommended to us by our Saviour Christ Luke 9.23 If any man will come after me and practised by the Worthies of all ages who have denyed themselves in their own Will Mind and sinful Affections In the cases of Pleasure Profit Honor and Preferment 1. Thus did Abraham Gen. 13.8 In his Son as well as in his seniority to Lot his Nephew 2. Moses Exod. 32.10 When God promised him so and yet he did prefer the people before himself chusing affliction c. esteeming the reproach of Christ c. 3. And Iob 1.20 In the loss of all he submits and blesseth God 4. Wise Agur Prov. 30.2 I am more bruitish c. and know not 5. And the three Children Dan. 3.16 upon the utmost danger 6. The Prophets 1 King 13.7 That the man of God Jeroboams reward or Micaiah Ahabs threatnings Instance in Daniel Dan. 5.17 whom Belshazzars rewards could not divert from right Counsel vers 22. Dan. 6.10 Nor fear of Lions from the service of God by prayer 7. The Apostles Mat. 19.27 That forsook all to follow Christ Take St. Paul for instance Phil. 3.7 Less then the least of Saints Gal. 1.16 He conferred not with flesh and blood c. Rom. 9.1 He could wish himself accursed c. respective 8. Yea and Iesus Christ himself Phil. 2.6 who in the form of God c. Mat. 26.39 Not as I will but as thou wilt in his Agony 9. Besides The Widow of Sarepta 1 King 17.12 by her meal and oyl 10. And Esther the Queen Esth 4.16 By her life if I perish I perish 11. The Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.1 Who beyond their power 12. And those Hebrews Heb. 10.34 Who took joyfully the spoiling of their goods With many others which might be added to this Roll Martyrs and Confessors c. Who sought not themselves but the Lord Iesus Christ and loved not their lives unto the death Ap. But alas for grief how many of our times have walked quite contrary to this Precept and Practise who have sought rebelliously after higher places as Korah Numb 16.10 Absalom and Zimri did with many others And Bloodily after the life of others as Saul did 1 Sam. 20.1 And the Philistims 2 Sam 5.17 Absalom 2 Sam. 17.3 And Herod did Mat. 2.13 And Covetously after the Estates of others as Ahab and Iezabel did ☞ And by these I mean the Church and State-Robbers and Plunder-masters of our times 1. Who made a Self-denying Ordinance yet minded and practised nothing less but acted the contrary 2. Who did enrich themselves with their own unrighteousness and the Ruine of the Nation whilst they pretended nothing but the Common good if you would believe them and never would have a settlement but have continued our confusions to their advantages Ap. But now if you draw out this Sword and whet it against such These will ward off their blowes and shelter themselves and say You aim amiss to strike thus at them for they are innocent and their intentions were good that they had nothing but pay providence success lawful prize and due rewards for their service Their drift was to advance the Kingdom and Scepter of Jesus Christ and to make a thorow reformation when they acted and effected the deformation of all that is called Good Was ever any Nation thus beguiled c. These are just like those in Jeremiahs time who pleaded innocence and called themselves the Temple of the Lord Jer. 2.35 35. Nothing but innocence and piety when they were a cage of every unclean and hateful bird Rev. 18.2 A very den of Dragons to say no worse 5. The last Enemy we have to encounter with this Falchon the Sword of the Spirit is ☞ The unruly wickedness and head-strong transgressions of all sorts especially the Rude multitude and vulgarity of the people this Bellua multorum capitum multitudes who
lawful imployment the safer he is Diligence in Duty is our safety and Satan hath the less advantage against us The Bird upon the wing in flight is safe from Gun-shot till she stoop to the lure the Bait laid for her then she is in danger ☞ David in his Wars and Solomon whilest in pious Works of building the Temple were very right in their way But when at ease and out of good imployments each of them met with a fiery dart of the devil The first by anothers mans wife 2 Sam. 11. And the second by a multitude of Wives 1 King 11.1 which made a wound and left a scar almost indelible which before they were free from 3. It is by the instruction of this sword the word of God that Kings reign and Princes decree justice c. Prov. 8. That Kingdoms are established and prospered yea the very foundations of the earth were laid and the heavens established and all things governed by this Word Thit is the best sword of defence for any Countrey Nation or Kingdom yea and for the whole world Where this is wanting there is no safety but all goes to wrack The Nations are naked and exposed to all kind of Trouble Danger and Destruction 2 Chron. 15.3 to 7. ☞ In this lies the hope of Englands happiness and the misery and confusion of Infidels and Indians through the want of this 4. It hath a great influence upon life it self For by it our dayes are prolonged Deut 32.46 47. And the years of our life increased Prov. 9. By this our ways are made safe and our sleep secured Prov. 3.23 24. And our life it self is given and defended hereby Eccles 7.12 Wisdom is a defence and money is a defence but the excellency of knowledge is That wisdom giveth life to them that have it 5. By this Sword we do defend our selves in our best parts and abilities For by this our Souls are converted Understandings enlightned Thoughts purged Affections sanctified Wills confirmed to the Will of God Memories stored Consciences cleared Hearts changed cheared and comforted which before were as flint or Adamant 6. With this Sword we defend all our Graces Faith Hope Charity Patience Perseverance 7. With this Sword we do defend our selves from and against Idolatry Infidelity Heresie Strange Religions Mens Traditions Carnal security Presumption in iniquity Desperation of Mercy Idleness Evil Company Pride and vain Glory all manner of ungodliness and wickedness of Conversation usually practised by men in several kinds as you may see more at large in Mr. Tho. Becons Book intituled The Governance of Vertue printed above an hundred years ago 2. These things lead me to a second Use of Exhortation For since this sword of the Spirit is so exceedingly useful both for offence and defence 1. Let us be perswaded to let the Word of God dwell in us richly or plentifully as Col. 3.16 2. And let us labour to be like Apollo mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 28. 3. And to use this sword so well in our several Stations Vocations and Occasions as that according to our ability and opportunity we may become instrumental that ignorant men may be instructed disordered men reformed dull Memories quickned cold zeal inflamed the afflicted comforted and the distressed relieved that errour may be convinced vice corrected death may be avoided and life eternal through Christ obtained In a word to conclude by this Word the righteousness of God is revealed the Church is sanctified and at last everlastingly saved and glorified in heaven so that we may well conclude with the wise man Prov. 8.34 35. He is a blessed man that heareth attendeth upon and gaineth wisdom by this word And with the Kingly Prophet his father Psal 19.11 That in the keeping and making a right use of this word there is true true safety as well as a great reward 7. This verse leads me to and gives us in the last piece viz. the 7th of our spiritual Armour wherewith to resist these mighty enemies before cited And this seventh piece of Armour is propounded last yet not as the least and most useless piece of the rest but of great concernment in reference to all the rest For we are commanded before Vers 10 11 13. To be strong in the Lord to take unto us and to put on the whole armour of God and how shall this be done without prayer to God to help us herein Besides how shall we get any good either in the way of offence or defence by all the former pieces viz. Truth Righteousness Gospel Faith Hope and the sword before named if God do not furnish us with them and give us wisdom and strength to make use of them aright until we have gained the victory Thefore to all these to bring up the rear and also to arm you compleatly add this seventh and last piece of our spiritual armour viz. Prayer and Supplication betwixt which I think you need not make use of that nice distinction betwixt them viz. That Prayer is put for Deprecation of some evil or temptation that it might not overtake us And Supplication is an earnest request to God for his help and grace against the evil of Temptations that may befal us 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you c. So Paul did 2 Cor. 12.8 9. both the words being promiscuously used and usually taken for the same thing Now this last piece of our armour is both offensive and defensive it subdues our enemy and supports our selves and this Prayer and Supplication 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oratio Obsecratio Arias Mont. Thus conjoyned together do intimate to us the very nature of Adoration when any one doth humble himself before God and doth ask any thing of him and doth imply 1. An acknowledgement of the Omnipotency c. of God and Christ and Ergo doth adore and obsecrate him as the only God and Saviour 2. And of his own Indigence which sets him upon supplication for help and this is the first condition of true prayer The conditions of Prayer are divers you have had the first And 2. The next is when you must pray 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Always i. e. in every opportunity as ost as necessity requires When Evils and Enemies invade and assail vs we had need fly to God and have recourse to Christ for help Psalm 50.15 Call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver Luke 18.1 7 8. That men ought alwayes to pray Note That he speaks of free voluntary prayers and occasional Not of the ordinary prayers of the Church or several Families nor in favour of them that are ever babling as the Euchitae praying Hereticks who rejected all Ordinances Vocations Alsted Dr. Sclat p. 508. III. Prayer must be in the Spirit the holy Spirit is the procreant cause of our prayers and our own spirits must be set to work also it must not be only with our lips or in Hypocrisie as they did Esay 29.13
Chron. 24.9 to the end and three hundred Chariots 6. Jehoshaphat the multitude of Moab and Ammon and that without a blow strucken 2 Chron. 20.6 17. or any fight at all 7. Hezekiah Sennacherib and his Assyrians 8. And wicked Jehohahaz was reliev ed by prayer from the cruel oppression of Hazael and the Syrians 2 Kings 13.3.4 5. Ap. There is no way more ready to subdue an enemy than by prayer to the Almighty ☞ And without doubt it is as effectual against spiritual as corporal enemies 1. The Devils were cast out in the Gospel Mat. 17.18 21. 2. And that Pythoness dispossessed by the Apostle St. Paul Acts 10.16 17 18. 3. And this piece of Armour viz. Prayer and Supplications is here prescribed against the Wiles Assauls and violent temptations of the Devil in every kind so that the devil hath no weapon so sharp against us but this is able to break the point and dull the edge of it so that it shall not be able to hurt us And as it is thus Offensive to an ene my of what sort soever so it is no less defensive of our selves in many respects In the very way of Offence it serves for our Defence For that in the fall of such enemies when they are brought down we rise and stand upright Psalm 20.8 II. And in the way of Defence prayer is very prevalent to 1. Save us from the wrath of God as in the case of Sodom and Zoar the Israelites Exod. 32. 2. Deliver us from the imminent dangers as in the case of Jacob from the wrath of God and inveterate malice of Esau Gen. 32. And the Children from the furnace Dan 3. Daniel from the Lions den Dan. 6. Jonah from the Whales belley Jon. 2. The Apostles from prison Acts 5.18 19. Peter Paul and Silas Acts 5.18 19. when fast in the stocks 3. Supply us in multitudes of Cases viz. Abraham with a son Isaac Daniel with wisdom to interpret dreams Dan. 2. And a revelation of the future times Dan. 9. Elijah with fire to consume his sacrifice 1 Kings 18.38 With water to refresh the earth and change of weather Jam. 5.17 18 And fire to devour them that came to apprehend him 2 Kings 1. Elisha with the Spirit of Elijah doubled upon him By this Isaac obtained a Son viz. Jacob so Rachel a Ioseph Anna a Samuel Manoah a Sampson Zacharias a Iohn and Elisha a son for the Shunamite woman M. Anton Emperour Rain for his Army per legionem fulminatricem Alsted T. cat p. 731 And Nehemiah with commission for the repair of Jerusalem 4. Removal of judgement as by Moses from Israel Gen. 32. That Prophet 1 King 13.4 6. Amos 4.7 1 4 to 7. From Grashoppers and fire Nineveh from misery and utter destruction Ionah 3. 5. And lastly Prayers have been marvellously effectual to the working of wonders and miracles For by this Inshua stopt the Sun in his course Iosh 10. and Isaiah brought the Sun back ten degrees 2 King 20. Sampson had water out of a Jaw-bone to revive his spirits when spent Iudges 15. to 20. And Samuel procured Thunder and Rain in wheat harvest 1 Sam. 12.17 18. Elijah and Elisha raised the dead viz. the widow of Zareb and the Shunamites sons 1 King 17.17 to 24.2 Kings 4.18 to 38. And Peter and Paul did the like by Dorcas and Eutychus Acts 9.36 to 42. And our Saviour himself made use of this piece of Armour when he raised Lazarus fromd eath Iohn 11.11 Now if you put all these together and cast up the sum viz. Preservation from Gods wrath Deliverance from dangers Supplies of blessings Removal of judgements and manifold wonders wrought and effected by Prayer You cannot but say that all these tend to the Defence Support Encouragement and Security from and against all the fiery darts of the devil and opposition of wicked men and whosoever it is that doth withstand our souls And will you see all these fulfilled in one example then take the instance of Elisha 2 Kings 6.14 15. to 19. where for Offence you have an Army smitten with blindness And for defence an Army of Angels and heavenly forces discovered for the aid of the good Prophet In which the before named particulars of defence do admirably appear and all do confirm the conclusion of St. James Jam. 516. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much And thus you have had the Reasons and Arguments of this point viz. Doct. That true Christians must pray to God frequently and fervently to repel such evils and to obtain such good things as are necessary for the souls or bodies of our selves or others which is founded upon four Pillars or such a foundation which like a three-fold cord Eccles 4.12 is not quickly broken viz. In respect of God our selves others and the duty of prayer in it self I now descend to Application and to improve all in the Uses Use I. The first Use is of reproof 1. Such as neglect this duty Many are so prophane that they are very like Davids Atheistical fool Psalm 14.1 4. They do little less than say in their hearts there is no God It is no wonder therefore That they call not upon the Lord as vers 4. For he that cometh to and calls upon God must believe that he is c. Heb. 11.6 Sure men are senseless of their own wants and Neighbours afflictions or of him that should help them or else they would never be so careless in this as many be Personal grievances are many publick calamities have been abundant and that both in forreign Countries and in our own land How hath the Church and State been endangered and the whole Nation afflicted and oppressed But where have our Prayers been the while What help have we contributed this way to their relief Bewail this neglect Miseries may be removed remedied by Prayer if not I am sure they will be mitigated sanctified and sweetned by it and yet which is worst of all I fear there are too many That seldom think or call upon God otherwise then by cursing and swearing c. thereby blaspheming that glorious and dreadful or fearful name of the Lord thy God at which name all ought to bow and tremble Deut. 28.58 Ap. It is no wonder if to such all blessings be turned into curses their table into a snare c. Psalm 69.22 c. 109. The Word of God a savour of death unto death and the means of salvation an occasion of their damnation 2 Cor 2.15 16. II. Others there be who from the decrees providence and appointment of God do argue and dispute against this duty as in other cases also viz. of Repentance an holy life c. they do to their own destruction For say they God hath determined what he will or will not give to what purpose then should we pray Gods ordinary providence and the appointment thereof do not exclude but include second causes as the means of their accomplishment
stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her young spreading abroad her wings takes bears about her young upon them so the Lord alone did lead them c. He advanceth them to the high places of the earth fed them with the encrease of the Field with honey and oyl butter and milk with the fat of Lambs and Rams and Goats with the chiefest wheat and they drank of the purest wine And thus would he do by us all did not our sins turn away and withhold good things from us Jer. 5.25 Reasons of this point are in Respect of God our selves others the meanes used 1. God All souls are his Ezek 18.4 and most precious in his sight and in themselves he calls for the heart Prov. 23.26 and what profit is it to win the world and lose his soul Mat. 16 26. His glory is most advanced by winning souls which is a main motive to excite us to use our best art and skil to effect it The question will not be how much credit or profit but how many souls we have gained to God by the Gospel Thus in respect of God 2. Our selves Because it is for our Credit profit Credit see Prov. 11.30 The fruit of righteousnesse is a Tree of life and he that winneth Souls is wise That wins them to God from evil to good whether by councel or example or both the verse is an Allegory made up of familiar Metaphors of a Tree yea of life to which he is resembled a comparison drawn from Hunters Fishers and Fowlers 1. It is for the credit of trees to be like that tree Psalm 1.3 and those Eze. 47.12 Or that tree Dan. 4.10 11 12. which did so flourish were a shadow shelter and yielded so much fruit to many to sustain them and such an One is he that righteous man that winneth Souls such a Man is stiled a Tree of life in allusion to that Tree Gen. 2.9 and 3.22 because God hath planted them blessed them and enabled them to do much good to others 1. As to the similitude or comparison to Hunters Fishers c. Our Saviour when he called his Apostles stiles and makes them fishers of men Mat. 4.19 He taught them the Ministers dutie by their own trade as Psalm 78.71 72. like those fishers upon the holy waters Ezek. 47.10 the world is the Sea Unbelievers fishes Ministers the Fishermen the Gospel the Net Nor are any kind of fish sinners excepted from this fishing Gal. 3.28 See the Annotations on both places cited It is for the credit of the Fisher that he catch much c. Ap. If by Light and Life we gaine men to God Luke 5.5 6 7. John 21.3 like Salt do season the Souls of many This is the highest credit and comfort of a Pastor it is not applause credit or profit which they aim at but to gaine upon good ground this praise Quod artem norint animas ad Deum convertendi T. Cartwright James 5.19 20. For if any do err from the Truth and one convert him Esay 5.19 20. 2. Profit For this makes for the great good of the Teacher Dan. 12.3 They that be thus wise or such Teachers shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament and they that turn many to righteousnesse as the Stars for ever and ever they shall enjoy an incomprehensible and exceeding and eternal weight of glory a rich Recompence for all their labours 2 Cor. 4.7 3. Others This is the greatest good we can do for them viz. to win them to God for this delivers the captives of Sathan into the liberty of the sons of God that 's woful this a joyful and blessed Liberty 2 Tim. 2.25 26. Restores and revives men from Diseases Death the Graves of corruption unto light and life and perfect health raiseth from the dust and dunghil c. to the new Jerusalem from the lowest station to the highest condition Psalm 113.7 8. Ap. Should men do so by us we should valew the courtesie O be perswaded that he does you the best turn that aimes endeavours most for the good of your Soules 4. The meanes used the more it savors of kindnesser the more like it is to prevail Man should be so ingenious as to be won with Love rather then forced with Rigor Facilius ducimur quam trahemur we are more easily led then drawn and enforced when the hearer cannot but fee Love in the lookes of the Teacher affection in his Face compassion in his countenance and the zeal of his heart in his hearty expressions c. how can it but enter and pierce the heart and rend like Nailes fastened in a sure place and make him be perswaded that all is spoken for his good Sure where the patient is well perswaded of the love an skill of his Physitian the Potion is like to have the better working the physick to be the more prevalent Ap. So it is here all Councel will do the better and have the kinder working if you be but perswaded of the love and good will of the Teacher which indeed is inexpressible and unutterable ☞ For faithfull Pastors I am sure may proportionably make use of that saying of the Apostle Phil. 1.8 God is my Record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. A most affectinate expression conjoin'd with a serious attestation of Record of Almighty God who searcheth the heart and the most exquisite and Excellent Regulation of true Christian affection viz. that it was in the Bowels of Jesus Christ Not a carnal but a spiritual affection it was for Christs sake and because they were in him that he loved them so well and it was according to Christs to his mind and his example in whom are the most tender Bowels of affection and who therein as in all other Excellencies is the most absolute pattern of the utmost perfection see Mat. 9.36 You have heard the Point and the proof of it I do now descend to use Use is of Reproof and that to both sorts viz. To the Agents and Preachers when they are either too dull or diverted to a wrong course To the Patients or Hearers when they are either too hard or disaffected with what is cordially intended for their good 1. The Agents edge is too dull when Minister or others neglect this duty and have no respect to this winning way What opportunities have many upon the souls of their Friends c. and Neighbours which yet neglected and how many Ministers as well as others are as carelesse as Cain or Gallio the Deputy and as ready to ask the question with Cain Am I my brothers keeper Gen. 4.9 Acts 18.17 Ap. The Countrey rues this and many souls lost by this neglect But if you have a Form of publick worship and service of God if that be performed is it not enough and have not Ministers and people done their dutie sufficiently c. Answ I answer and I pray mistake me not for I am
people of what condition soever they be neverthelesse the manifold Commands of God and the abundant Councel and Advice which is given in this particular Case I shall no longer insist upon this Point in any other instances or further Inlargements Only I shall pray heartily for the amendment of these fore-mentioned Faults which are of so much concernment to Church and Kingdom and to the right ordering of all publick affairs I do now descend to the rest of the peoples duty consisting in the walk and the manner and end of such walking Here in as in the former Point I shall conjoyn both these particulars into one main point of doctrine for our use which will make the Doctrine full and Use offectual Touching the walking in this Text you must understand that walking is appliable to God and man 1. To God and so it notes his presence Gen. 3.8 as in the Garden c. and providence for good or evil towards us Levit. 26.12 28. 2. To men it signifies the motion of the Body from one place to another in which is terminus à quo ad quem via per quam c. The whole progresse of mans Life in matters of Faith and Manners Gen. 5.24 Enoch Psalm 119.1 pasfim And hence observe this Doct. Every mans life is a walk and but a walk it begins at our Birth and ends at our Death and is but short at the longest In every life there are Terms viz. à quo ad quem via per quam and these terms do differ ex Diametro are quite crosse one to another according to the way in which we do walk For if our way be good then our Terms are from Satan to God Sin to Grace Hell to Heaven But if it be bad then our Termes are contratrary For this Walk is appliable to good and bad in their several wayes and this leads me to take in the rest viz. the manner and end of thus walking viz. so as to please God for this is the Consolation and this will be the perfection of a Christian and this makes the Point full being conjoyned together viz. Doct. Every mans life is to be ordered so that we may please God in our generation and in the course of our conversation This the Apostle prayes earnestly for viz. Thut we may walk worthy of the Lord to all well-pleasing Col. 1.10 This all will easily grant that we should all live to please God but the Businesse is not so easily done and upon due search we shall find it is a very hard work to live as we ought and here you may Dicotomize the world and all the ways terms of all men walking in the world all which are either pleasing or displeasing to Almighty God and this puts us upon one main Inquiry viz. Quest How should we so walk that we may please God and wherein doth this walking consist that we may discern for this being known we shall easily see who they be that displease God in the course of their life and practise Now in answer to the grand Question observe that the distinctive Notes and Characters of such as walk and do please God are such as these 1. They are such as walk with God as Enoch and Noah did in their Generations Cen. 5.22 and 6.9 And you know how God translated the one from Earth to Heaven so that he never saw death Heb. 11.5 and preserved the other with his whole Family in the general Deluge when the whole world besides was drowned Heb. 11.7 And all because they had this Testimony that they pleased God 2. And that walk before God as Abraham and David did in their time in integrity and uprightnesse Gen 17.1 24 40. 1 Kings 9.4 and David made use of all deliverances to this end Psalm 56.12 13. of his soul from death and feet from falling that I may walk before God c. ☞ These were men that so walked with and before the Lord that they made a progresse as Travellers do in a Journey in their holy path they were neither idle nor stood still much lesse were Retrograde or apt to Retreat they ran to the Goal and gained the Garland of Glory This is our duty God expected it and if we perform it God will crown it accordingly These walked not inordinately c. but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exactly and according to Rule Eph. 5.15 Not after their own Fancies Imaginations inventions as many ignorant superstitious ceremonious Formalists and Fanaticks do to the great danger of their Souls and these men in their walk way and practice aimed not so much at the applause of men as the approbation and acceptation of Almighty God 1. Enoch walked not with the world but with God and God took him out of the world as too good to live in the same with such men 2 Noah was a Preacher of Righteousnesse in a most unrighteous Age when the earth was filled with violence as our Land was of late the old world did neither love him nor would hearken to him or Regard his preaching though for their own good the result of all was the Lord preserved him when the rest perished 3. Abraham believed in God in a most Idolatrous Age and walked before God when others forsook him the Result God blessed him abundantly called him his Friend Jam. 2.23 and gave him the honourable title of the Father of the faithfull Rom. 4.11 16. 4. And David was much afflected with the evils of his time insomuch that his Eyes gushed out with Rivers of water because men kept not Gods Law Psalm 119.136 These Evils he endeavoured to Represse as he was able Psalm 101. and God gave him the testimony of an upright heart 1 King 9.4 5. Many others did the like Princes Prophets Apostles the care of those men was to please God Had those men learned to smooth and slick to temporize humour and concur with the times c. sure they might have had the favour of the World in a very high measure for the World will love her own John 15.19 But this they sought not after it was besides and below them and hereupon this Record of Honour lyes upon all their Graves as well as upon Enochs that they pleased God Heb. 11.5 the reward of wel-doing is with them whereas had they walked with they had perished with the world 1. And those men that walk so with and before the Lord as those men Enoch c. did are said ever since to walk in Gods Lawes and Commandements in his Judgements Ordinances wayes and Pathes Psalm 119. passim in the name of the Lord Micah 4.5 not only in external profession but in the true Faith and Knowledge sincere Worship and Service of God Idolaters walked in the name of their Idols as Papists and others do but without any truth of faith or worship In the Spirit Gal. 5.16 i.e. By the directions of the Spirit of God suitable with the holy Scriptures
Fear not In peace Mal. 2.6 and Equity and turn many from iniquity and Truth 3 John 4. i. e. Sincerely in Religion prescrib'd in the Gospel and shall walk with Christ in white Revel 3.4 for they are worthy Dignatione divinâ as those good ones in dead Sardis To conclude this answer to the grand Inquiry before Those that thus walk to please God are such as have the Image of God instamped upon them and do answer the Relations betwixt God and them viz. Of a King Husband Father Master and of a Friend 1. Only a few words of the first of these touching the Image of God The Image of God is said to be in Christ Angels and Men. 1. In Christ above all Angels Men or any other and that as God Infinitely or Incomprehensibly Identically or Essentially as Man and that unutterably by the prefence of the divine Nature bodily Mightily by Works Wonders and Miracles Eminently by Qualifications of Knowledge purity c. and most admirably viz. As God the invisible As man the visible Image of God 2. In Angels above men in respect of their Excellency in Nature Freedom from humane necessities and present fruition of beatifical vision in the presence of God 3. In men the Image of God is said to be 1 Cor. 11.7 Col. 3.10 accidentally respecting qualities spiritual and heavenly Gen. 1.26 27. Not in any bodily shape as some Hereticks and others too easily believe and which Popish pictures of God do marvelously nourish which yet is against that Deut. 4.15 16. to 20. for you saw no similitude but 1. In Creation in the nature of the soul as it is a spiritual and immortal substance endued with three faculties viz. Understanding Will and Memory as the Deity hath three persons by which man is in a capacity to know God which others have not 2. In Regeneration in the supernatural endowments of divine knowledge righteousness and true holiness For as Eccles 7.29 Ephes 4.24 God made man upright and the new man c. 3. In the Authority and Dominion over the Creatures which God did confer upon man Gen. 1.28 Over fish and fowl c. Ap. The first and last of these are much impaired by the fall of man in Paradise viz. Our natural parts and dominion over the Creatures But the second of these viz. Gods image upon us in our regeneration is ever upon the improvement and by this we do daily become like unto the Lord Jesus more and more And where this Image of God is instamped there the body of sin dies daily Rom. 8.10 This Image and that body are inconsistent and incompatible It makes us fruitful in good This stock cannot be barren c. It s universal in its cure not partial to some particulars but it overpowers the whole man which is acted by this Image Christ becomes our life then we live the life of Christ c. And thus beautified we are accepted of God and as Jacob and Stephen We may see Angels ready to serve us Psalm 34.7 Heb. 1.14 And Christ himself ready to receive and save us Acts 7.55 56. Thus those that walk and please God are accepted of him Of the second particular viz. In answering our Relations as to a King c. I may not here speak at large only consider That whatsoever subjection is due to any is much more due to God Thus those that walk to please God do walk with and before God in the Laws Name and Spirit of God in the old and good way and in the way of good men In faith Love circumspectly in the Truth by Rule c. worthy of their vocation the Lord in Wisdom and inregry And for manner they walk as you have heard These bear the Image of Christ ut supra in Creation Regeneration and Dominion Or by 1. Idea 2. Descent Acts 17.28 Non corpor is mole sed animae respectu Beza 3. Qualities of Soul Sanctity of actions 5. Soveraignty over the Creatures And 6. Conformity in glory And these do endeavour to answer the Relations betwixt God and them as He is their King Husband Father Master and as he is their Friend But for these you may see my Notes upon those several Relations Use I. Let it be our Glory to bear the Image of Christ the visible God since he bears the Image of the invisible God God is to us like the Sun which is but one none can behold it in its brightness All Sublunaries are refreshed by it and nothing hid from the light thereof So is God Be we then as the fruits to the Sun that grow upward and ripen by it that so we may grow like to Christ in qualities though we cannot in Might and Miracles Get this Image present your selves to his Mint and Printing-House to receive his stamp and Character upon you and when you have it do not deface but improve this Image of Christ in you daily ☞ Motives to walk at supra are from God His love and delight is in them Psalm 51.6 And his promises abundantly to them Ps 84.11 Could we but see and rightly apprehend this it were enough besides the Liberty Security Safety Peace and final felicity with Christ Rev. 3.4 all such are great Motives And yet the great things God hath done for such as to Enoch Noah Abraham David Elijah Elisha Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Their comfort at death Isa 38.3 conquest over hell and the Devil They stand in the Judgement and enter into glory Thus much shall suffice for Answer to the great Inquiry how we may know when we walk so as to please God This being known we may easily discern who they be that do not please God in their walk or course of life 1. Such as set God aside such there were in Davids time Psalm 54.3 and 86.14 They have not set God before them they may well be called Strangers proud and violent persons For they were of a strange condition and have we not many such That set not God before them These say to God Depart from us c. Job 21.14 15. What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit c. if we pray to him Ap. Now is it any marvel that such as these who seclude God from their company do run into all manner of enormities and walk contrary to God as Lev. 26.21 c. The apprehension of Gods presence would produce better fruits as you have heard but this they cannot endure to think of The thought of Gods presence is as the shadow of death to them 2. Such as walk after the flesh Rom. 8.1 2 Pet. 2.10 i.e. according to that carnal state of sin in which we were born and do order our lives as our corrupt reason and evil affections do lead us after our own lusts Note That the words Fleshly Carnal and Sensual are opposed in Scripture to Spiritual because they are so led they look not after the things that are not seen as Faith doth and faithful
dicamus qui fingunt se divino afflatu regi quique posthabitis divinis literis ad Revelationes commentitias aut Diabolicos suggestus convolant Hence it is manifest why we call those men Fanaticks and Enthusiasts who fain they are guided by a divine inspiration and setting aside the Holy Scriptures that Holy Divine and Heavenly inspired Writ and Rule they all fly together and have a unanimous recourse to feigned and counterfeit revelations and diabolical suggestions Mat. Mart. lex p. 775 776. Thus the name Fanatick was first used by the Gentiles in several senses viz. 1. In good sense to them that were more serious in the service of God 2. In bad sense to them that were more furious and frantick in the Worship of God In both senses the word doth reflect upon this Object viz. The Worship or Worshippers of God The first soberly and seriously and these bear the name in the best sense The second madly and furiously and these gave the word the worser sense even among them for which you have a full Jewry of witnesses of Poets Orators Comedians Tragedians Historians and Etymologists c. and some of them of great antiquity viz. of above 1800. years standing From them the name is transferred to Christians by whom it is used only in the worser sense in reference to them who are somewhat wild Worshippers we have better words for better Worshippers and the name name doth fix most and soonest upon them who do act something like heathens in their divine worship and service leaving the Oracles of God and learning to their own fancies and imaginations or other inspirations The Authors for the proof of these things are cited by Mat. Mart. Cicero and Livius c. Thus much for the Explanation of the the word Fanatick and this being premised you may easily understand whom I do mean by Fanaticks viz. 1. Negatively Not in any person in whom appears the power of godliness though he may be of another opinion or perswasion in some things from my self But 2. Affirmatively By Fanatick I do mean those persons who setting the Rule of Gods Holy Word aside do follow their own fancies the devices and imaginations of their own heads and hearts in the service visions and inspirations c. as a new rule besides the Word of God And here you may take a view of all the Will-worship and Worshippers in the world Col. 2.20.21 c. 1. If you look abroad into the world and take a view of both the Indies and all the adjoyning Countries What a world of strange Worship shall you find amongst those Pagan-Infidels and Heathens and all for want of a Rule the direction of Gods Holy Word which we have Some adore one sole God whom they paint with three heads but can give you no reason for it Others worshipping the Sun Moon and Stars in America Others adoring Nature as the Canary Islands And others the Devil himself as in Puana Japan c. Somewhat they meet first in a morning as the Tartarians Should you look into Arabia China Africa Ethiopia Egypt and Babylon c. you shall find as many strange gods and strange worships as men have fancies faces and strange imaginations in their heads and hearts Some worshipping a Toad or a Serpent a Dog or black Sheep an Ox or a Calf and what not Ap. All these follow their own Imaginations and perish for want of a Rule But I leave these to be pitied most See Acts 17.30 This God regarded not so as to destroy them presently 2. If you look into Asia and the parts adjacent once the glory of the world where now that Flagellum Christianorum the great Turk doth tyrannize and domineer and in their Mahometan worship what a world of strange fancies minnick gestures and childish not to say Apish and Monkish-like fooleries may you observe They reject the Law and Gospel the Word of God for Mahomets Alcaron 3. To come nearer if you look into the Holy History and take a view of the Jews Scribes and Pharisees c. None could pretend to more devotion then they did Their Alms Prayers Fastings Phylacteries and Borders of their garments all specious yet our Saviour tells them That they had rejected the Commandment of God and made his Word of none effect that they might keep their own Traditions See Mat. 15.1 2 to 10. Mark 7.1 2 3 to 14. Here was a great deal of verbal and seeming Sanctity amongst these men but the main was wanting the Life and power of Godliness in as little set by or esteemed and so our Saviour told them plainly but this was strange Doctrine to them and they regarded it not And therefore Though he the Son and Heir were sent unto them who taught as having authority who spake as never man spake and did what none ever did or could do yet this Christ could never gain credit with the Priests c. but ever and anon they are quarrelling with him about the observation of the Sabbath according to their Rule and the neglect of their own Traditions And in the end they violently persecuted and put him to death Thus they crucified the Heir and Prince of Life Acts 3.15 For which how heavy is the Judgement of God upon them till this day 4. Come we nearer home yet and look we next amongst Christians and see if we have no Fanaticks here as well as amongst Pagans Turks and Jews Scribes Pharisees And here I presume those of the Romish profession will claim the first place as the most numerous and unanimous Christians And the first of these Western parts converted to the Christian Faith yet with their leave or without it England received the Christian Faith some years before them whilest Rome remained Heathen of which we have a seven-fold testimony of very good credit and Authority and better then such as they usually produce to us in like cases Nevertheless we shall easily grant them what they would have so that they will but grant us a reasonable demand 1. For we yield that they were a very famous Church when the Apostle wrote unto them and testifies of them That their Faith was spoken of throughout the world Rom. 1.8 2. Our Demand is only this to them Let them but reduce their Church to the same state of Doctrine Faith and Life which then they had when the Apostle wrote and so testified of them and the contention betwixt us is at an end all is well But now that they have swarved from the Rule forfeited the Apostles praise and lost the faith But they will say When did we loose the faith swarve from the rule c. I retort and ask when did every gray hair begin with an antient head and every infirmity with an aged man When did all the flowers fruits or weeds in a field appear in one day When did the Stars all appear in an instant or your own sins to your selves in a moment Things of this
God jointly and together Such are the Acts of Invocation of God by prayer with fasting sometimes as Dan. 10.2 3. or by lawful oaths whether assertory or promissory affirming some needful truth or promising some lawful and useful thing as oaths of judgement or of Allegiance giving of thanks by a celebration of God and giving him glory in the approbation admiration and right estimation of all his works By a confession of him and one faith in him Vel voce vel martyrio in word and deed in expression or martyrdome By an observation of such Ecclesiastical Rites and of such holy times as have warranty in the Word of God as in the right use of the Ordinances of God his Word and Sacraments and the observation of his Sabbaths and the like but be sure we walk not nor make progress in these things of divine Worship without a divine Warrant 2. To our selves in the exercise of those divine Graces and Vertues with which God hath endued us viz. Our Wisdom Courage and Temperance in the several branches of it viz. Sobriety Chastity and Vigilance c. as is requisite And in the study of true Glory by vertue These are good works and in these we should be exercised And as our good works do refer to God our selves 3. So also to our Neighbour in divers respects which do reflect upon the soul as well as the body such are 1. Humanity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we express our love and good will to men in gesture word and convenient offices Pol. p. 312. 2. Civility in the moderation of our external manners and gestures towards others and that both in our language actions shunning scurrility and unseemly things and using Urbanity in a civil and seeming way 3. Christian Charity which is the mother and root of I. Liberality which communicates both Counsel and Comfort 1. Counsel when we impart our gifts for the good of others in reproving instructing admonishing or incouraging and praying for others To reduce them from evil and to excite you to that which is good These are good works Jam. 5.19 20. For if any of them do err from the truth c. And no less good than to pull an infant or weak person out of the fire or water to save them from perishing Jude 23.2 Comfort by lending and giving cheerfully and liberally according to our Ability to the relief of our brethrens necessity and especially to such as are godand of the houshold of faith Psalm 41.1 2 3. Isa 58.6 to 13. Gal. 6.10 II. True Friendship and amity both publick and private and that for piety and vertues sake as was betwixt Jonathan and David 1 Sam. 18.1 Pol. pag. 318. III. A mutual Sympathy both by commiseration and congratulation of our Neighbours both in their sorrows and joyes Rom. 12.15 IV. A readiness to procure anothers good both in his fame and goods his reputation and ectate Phil. 2.4 1 Thes 5.11 Thus Humanity Civility and Christian Charity do produce excellent good works for our Neighbours Peace Solace comfort and advantage Let me name one or two more which are viz. 4. The Exercise of the common justice righteousness and equity which should be amongst men in their affairs and dealings and this is either universal which consists in the agreement of our whole life with the Law of God and obedience to all those Laws in special which do most concern and belong to us or particular in the performance of those things wherein we stand bound to others in some peculiar manner This is either privative concerning our own Calling and Station and that both in our lawful obtaining it not by money or unjust means as in Papacy c. And our care to discharge our duty in our places with that sedulity and diligence which is requisite Rom. 12.11 and with that fidelity and trust that we may give up a good account of the same as modest Moses was in his place Heb. 3.2 5. Or publick in the Administration and Dispensation of Justice both commutative and distributive This Justice is a Verue of large Extent and hath an influence into our whole Lives and is the very Bond of all publick Societies and Communities and Affairs of Nations But I hasten for I may not inlarge upon such an ample Subject V. Lastly A restraint and Moderation of such inordinate motions of mind as usually arise from pride anger or desire of wealth or honour the common Make-bates of the World vid. Pol. page 314 315. But Cure the first by modesty humility and teachableneffe The second by meeknesse longanimity placability The third by contentment in every condition Phil 4.11 and by a serious and due consideration of the uncertainty mutability and vanity of all earthly contentments Honours Riches Pleasures all are vanity and vexation of spirit You have had the Point the Proof Explanation Doct. Increasing in Grace and abounding in good works is a Christians excellency as well as his Duty This was the Point for which you have had Scripture Instances Arguments or Reasons As also a view of the Grace which you are to encrease in and of those good works in which you are so to abound Concerning which good works you have had a view of the Rules of good works by which they are to be ordered of the works in themselves and that in their nature and Definition Names Number Causes and Species or kinds of good works and that in Respect of God our selves our Neighbour In all which if we did abound we should be sure to have peace with God and abundant comfort in our own consciences in the evidence of our Faith and of our implanting into Christ and that we are fruitfull Branches in him and that we and our works are accepted of God as Cornelius was Acts 10.2 4. and that our good works will never leave us but will attend and follow us as Rev. 14.13 both in Life and Death even as the shadow doth the Body untill they bring us to the Reward of well-doing the joy of our Lord in the eternal life of glory Mat. 25.21 23 34 46. Of God in all acts of piety true Devotion towards him Our selves in the way of Regularity exact Walking Our Neighbour in the works of Christian Charity in all which c. I have done with the proof and clearing of the Confirmation and Explication of the Point I do descend to the sixth and last thing in the method propounded viz. the Application which is manifold in the several Uses of Lamentation Reprehension Exhortation Examination and Consolation 1. Use is of lamentation and that upon this occasion ☞ Me thinks whilest we have been viewing these good Works before-mentioned we have been with Saint Paul in Paradise and have heard and seen strange and wonderfull things But now being descended with him to the Earth in the Use and Application of these things and to see what is done among men we may say with him that