declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in fleshy Tables of the heart Here is a golden Epistle the writing is the work of Faith the Table it is written in is the heart the finger that writes it is the spirit Now after the Spirits writing follows the Spirits sealing Ephes. 1. 13. After ye believed ye were sealed with the Spirit that is ye were sealed up to an assurance of glory What have ungodly men to do with the seal of the Covenant who have not the writing 4. The ungodly are spiritual fools Psalm 75. 4. I said to the fools deal not foolishly and to the wicked lift not up the horn If one had a Childe very beautiful yet if he were a fool the Parent would take little joy in him The Scripture hath dressed the Sinner in a Fools Coat and let me tell you better be a fool void of Reason than a fool void of Grace This is the Devils fool Pro. 14. 9. Is not he a fool who refuseth a rich portion God offers Christ and Salvation but the Sinner refuseth this portion Psal. 81. 11. Israel would none of me Is not he a fool who prefers an Annuity before an Inheritance Is not he a fool who tends his mortal part and neglects his Angelical part As if one should paint the wall of his house and let the Timber rot Is not he a fool who will feed the Devil with his Soul As that Emperour who fed his Lion with Feasant Is not he a fool who lays a snare for himself Pro. 1. 18. Who consults his own shame Hab. 2. 10. who loves death Pro. 8. 36. 5. The ungodly are vile persons Nahum â— 14. I will make thy grave for thou art vile 〈…〉 men base it blots their name it taints their bloud Psal. 14. 3. They are altogether become filthy In the Hebrew it is rancidi facti sunt they are become stinking Call wicked men never so bad you cannot call them out of their name they are swine Mat. 7. 6. Vipers Mat. 3. 7. Devils Iohn 6. 70. The wicked are scoria gluma the dross and refuse Psalm 119. 119. And heaven is too pure to have any dross mingle with it 6. Their Temporal Mercies are continued in Judgement The wicked may have health and estate yea more than heart can wish Psa. 73. 7. But their Table is a snare Psa. 69. 2â— Sinners have their mercies with Gods leave but not with his love The people of Israel had better been without their Quails than to have had such sowre sawce The ungodly are Usurpers they want a spiritual Title to what they possess their good things are like cloath taken up at the Drapers which is not paid for death will bring in a sad reckoning at last 7. Their Temporal Judgements are not removed in Mercy Pharaoh had ten Arrows shot at him ten Plagues and all those Plagues were removed but his heart remainiâ—g hard those Plagues were not removed in Mercy it was not a preservation but a reservation God reserved him for a signal Monument of his Justice when he was drowned in the depth of the Sea God may reprieve mens persons when he doth not remit their sins The wicked may have sparing Mercy but not saving Mercy 8. The ungodly while they live are exposed to the wrath of God Ioh. 3. 36. He that believeth not the wrath of God abideth on him He who wants Grace is like one who wants a pardon he is every hour in fear of Execution How can a wicked man rejoyce Over his head the Sword of Gods Justice hangs and under him hell fire burns 9. The ungodly at death must undergo Gods fury and indignation Psal. 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into hell I have read of a Loadstone in Aethiopia which hath two corners with one it draws the iron to it with the other it puts the iron from it So God hath two hands of Mercy and Justice with the one he will draw the godly to heaven with the other he will thrust the sinner to hell And O how dreadful is that place It is called a fiery lake Rev. 20. 15. A lake to denote the plenty of Torments in hell a fiery lake to show the fierceness of them Fire is the most torturing Element Strabo in his Geography mentions a Lake in Galilee of such a pestiferous nature that it scaldeth off the skin of whatsoever is cast into it But alas that Lake is cool compared with this fiery Lake into which the damned are thrown To demonstrate this fire terrible there are two most pernicious qualities in it 1. It is Sulphureous it is mixed with brimstone Revel 21. 8. which is unsavoury and suffocating 2. It is unextinguishable though the wicked shall be choaked in the flames yet not consumed Revel 20. 10. And the Devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the False Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Behold the deplorable condition of all ungodly ones in the other world they shall have a life that always dies and a death that always lives May not this affright men out of their sins and make them become godly unless they are resolved to try how hot hell fire is 2. What rare persons the godly are Pro. 12. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour As the Flower of the Sun as the Wine of Lebanon as the sparkling upon Aarons Breast-plate such is the Orient splendor of a person imbellished with godliness The exceâ—lency of the persons of the godly appears in seven particulars 1. They are precious therefore they are set apart for God Psal. 4. 3. Know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself We set apart things that are precious the godly are set apart as Gods peculiar treasure Psa. 135. 4. As his garden of delight Cant. 4. 12. As his Royal Diadem Isa. 62. 3. The godly are the excellent of the earth Psa. 16. 2. Comparable to fine gold Lam. 4. 2. Double refined Zach. 13. 9. They are the glory of the Creation Isa. 46. 13. Origen compares the Saints to Saphires and Christal God calls them Iewels Mal. 3. 17. They are so 1. For their value Diamonds saith Pliny were not known a long time but among Princes and were hung upon their Diadem God doth so value his people that he will give Kingdomes for their ransome Isa. 43. 5. He laid his best Jewel to pawn for them Ioh. 3. 6. 2. They are Jewels for their lustre If one Pearl of grace doth shine so bright that it doth delight Christs heart Cant. 4. 9. Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes that is one of thy Graces Then how illustrious are all the Graces met in a Constellation 2. The godly are honourable Isa. 43. 4. Thou
their Consciences they are Noble and couragious in Gods Cause Pro. 28. 1. The righteous are bold as a Lion The Saints live suitably to their high birth they breathe after Gods love they aspire after glory they set their feet where worldly men set their heart they display the Banner of the Gospel lifting up Christs Name and interest in the world 7. The godly are happy persons King Balak sent to curse the people of God but the Lord would not suffer it Numb 22. 12. God said unto Balaam thou shalt not curse the people for they are blessed And Moses afterwards records it as a thing memorable that that intended Curse of the King God did convert into a blessing Deut. 23. 5. The Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee They must needs be happy who are always on the strongest side Psa. 118. 6. The Lord is on my side they are happy who have all conditions sanctified to them Rom. 8. 28. Who are crowned with peace while they live Psa. 119. 165. and with glory when they die Psal. 73. 24. And may not this tempt all to become godly Deut. 33. 29. Happy art thou O Israel a people saved by the Lord. 3. To endeavour after godliness is most rational 1. It is the highest act of Reason for a man to become another man If while he remains in Natures Soil he is poysoned with sin no more actually fit for communion with God than a Toad is fit to be made an Angel then it is very consonant to Reason that he should endeavour after a change 2. It is rational because this change is for the better Eph. 5. 8. Now are yee light in the Lord. Will not any man be willing to exchange a dark prison for a Kings Palace Will he not change away his brass for gold Thou that becomest godly changest for the better thou changest thy pride for humility thy uncleanness for holiness thou changest a lust that will damn thee for a Christ that will save thee Were not men besotted had not their fall beat off their head-piece they would see it were the most rational thing in the world to become godly 4. The excellency of godliness Auro quid melius jaspis quid jaspide virtus The excellency of godliness appears several ways 1. Godliness is our spiritual beauty Psa. 110. 3. The beauties of holiness Godliness is to the soul as the light to the world to illustrate and adorn it 'T is not greatness sets us off in Gods eye but goodness What is the beauty of the Angels but their sanctity Godliness is the curious imbroidery and workmanship of the Holy Ghost A soul furnished with godliness is damask'd with beauty it is enamell'd with purity this is the cloathing of wrought gold which makes the King of heaven fall in love with us were there not an excellency in holiness the hypocrite would never go about to paint it Godliness sheds a glory and lustre upon the Saints What are the Graces but the golden feathers in which Christs Dove shines 2. Godliness is our defence Grace is called the Armour of Light Rom. 13. 12. It is light for beauty and armour for defence A Christian hath armour of Gods making which cannot be shot thorow he hath the Shield of Faith the Helmet of Hope the Breast-plate of Righteousness this is armour of proof which defends against the assaults of temptation and the terrour of hell 3 Godliness breeds solid peace Psa. 119. 165. Great peace have they that love thy Law Godlines composeth the heart making it sedate and calm like the upper Region where there are no winds and tempests How can that heart be unquiet where the Prince of Peace dwells Col. 1. 27. Christ in you An holy heart may be compared to the doors of Solomons Temple 1 Kin. 6. 32. which were made of Olive-tree carved with open Flowers There is the Olive of peace and the open Flowers of joy in that heart godlines doth not destroy a Christians mirth but refine it his Rose is without prickles his wine without froth he must needs be full of joy and peace who is a favourite of heaven he may truly sing a Requiem to his soul and say Soul take thy â—ase King Ptolomy asked one how he might be in rest when he dreamed He replied Let piety be the scope of all thy actions If one should ask me how he should be in rest when he is awake I would return the like answer Let his soul be in-laid with godliness 4. Godliness is the best Trade we can drive it brings profit wicked men say It is vain to serve God and what profit is it Mal. 3. 14. To be sure there is no profit in sin Pro. 10. 2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing But godliness is profitable 1 Tim. 4. 8. It is like digging in a gold Mine where there is gain as well as toil godliness makes God himself over to us as a portion Psa. 16. 5. The Lord is the portion of my Inheritance If God be our portion all our estate lies in Jewels where God gives himself he gives every thing else he who hath the Mannor hath all the Royalties belonging to it God is a portion that can neither be spent nor lost Psa. 26. 73. Thus we see godliness is a thriving Trade And as godliness brings profit with it so it is profitable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for all things 1 Tim. 4. 8. What is so besides godliness Food will not give a man wisdome gold will not give him health honor will not give him beauty but godliness is useful for all things it fenceth off all troubles it supplies all wants it makes soul and body compleatly happy 5. Godliness is an enduring substance it knows no fall of the leaf All worldly delights have a Deaths-Head set upon them they are but shadows and they are flying Earthly comforts are like Pauls friends who brought him to the Ship and there left him Acts 20. 38. So these will bring a man to his grave and then take their farewell but godliness is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a possession we cannot be robbed of it runs parallel with Eternity force cannot weaken it age cannot wither it it out-braves sufferings it our-lives death Pro. 10. â— Death may pluck the stalk of the body but the Flower of grace is not hurt numquam stygias fertur ad umbras inclyta virtus 6 Godliness is so excellent that the worst men would have it when they are going hence though at present godliness be despised and under a cloud yet at death all would be godly A Philosopher asking a young man whether he would be rich Croesus or virtuous Socrates answered he would live with Croesus and dye with Socrates So men would live with the wicked in pleasure but dye with the godly Numb 23. 10. Let me dye the death of the righteous and let my end bee like his If then godliness be
love to the Word by conforming to it the Word is his Sun-Dial by which he sets his life the balance in which he weighs his actions he copies out the Word in his daily walk 2 Tim. 4. 7. I have kept the Faith St. Paul kept the Doctrine of Faith and lived the life of Faith Quest Why is a godly man a lover of the Word Answ. 1. Because of the excellency of the Word 1. The word written is our pillar of fire to guide us It shows us what Rocks we are to avoid it is the card by which we sail to the new Hierusalem 2. The word is a Spiritual Optick Glass through which we may see our own hearts The Glass of Nature which the Heathen had discovered spots in their Conversation but this Glass discovers spots in the Imagination that Glass discovered the spots of their unrighteousness this discovers the spots of our righteousness Rom. 7. 9. When the Commandment came sin revived and I died when the word came as a Glass all my opinion of self-righteousness died 3. The word of God is a Soveraign comfort in distress while we follow this Cloud the Rock follows us Psal. 119. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me Christ is the Fountain of Living water the word is the Golden Pipe through which it runs what can revive at the hour of death but the Word of Life 2. A godly man loves the word because of the efficacy it hath had upon him this day-star hath risen in his heart and usher'd â—n the Sun of Righteousness 2. A godly man loves the Word Preached which is a Commentary upon the word written The Scriptures are the Soveraign oyls and balsoms the preaching of the word is the powring of them out The Scriptures are the precious spices the preaching of the word is the beating of these spices which causeth a wonderful fragrancy and delight The word preached is the Rod of Gods strength Psal. 110. 2. and the breath of his lips Isa. 11. 4. What was once said of the City Thebes that it was built by the sound of Amphius his Harp is much more true of Soul-Conversion it is built by the sound of the Gospel Harp therefore the preaching of the Word is called the power of God to Salvation 1 Cor. 1. 24. By this Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12. 5. This Ministery of the word is to be preferred before the Ministry of Angels A godly man loves the word preached partly from the good he hath found by it he hath felt the dew fall with this Manna and partly because of Gods Institution the Lord hath appointed this Ordinance to save him the Kings Image makes the Coyn go currant the stamp of Divine Authority upon the word preached makes it an Engine conducible to mens Salvation Use. Let us try by this Character whether we are godly Are we lovers of the word 1. Do we love the word written What sums of money did the Martyrs give for a few leaves of the Bible Do we make the word our familiar As Moses had often the Rod of God in his hand so should we have the Book of God in our hand when we want direction do we consult with this sacred Oracle when we find corruptions strong do we make use of this Sword of the Spirit to hew them down when we are disconsolate do we go to this Aqua vitae bottle for comfort then we are lovers of the word But alas how can they say they love the Scriptures who are seldome conversant in them their eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible The two Testaments are hung by like rusty Armour which is seldome or never made use of The Lord wrote the Law with his own finger but though God took pains to write men will not take pains to read they had rather look upon a pair of Cards then upon a Bible 2. Do we love the word preached Do we prize it in our judgements Do we receive it into our hearts Do we fear the loss of the word preached more than the loss of peace and trading Is it the removal of the Ark that troubles us Again do we attend the Word with Reverential Devotion when the Judge is giving his Charge upon the Bench all attend when the word is preached the great God is giving us his Charge do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death this is a good sign we love the word Again do we love the Sanctity of the word Psal. 119. 140. The word preached is to beat down sin and advance holiness Do we love it for its spirituality and purity Many love the word preached only for its eloquence and notion they come to a Sermon as to a Musick-lecture Ezek. 33. 31. or as to a garden to pick flowers but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts bettered These are like a foolish woman which paints her face but neglects her health Again do we love the convictions of the word Do we love the word when it comes home to our Conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins 'T is the Ministers duty sometimes to reprove He that can give smooth words in the Pulpit but knows not how to reprove is like a sword with a fine hilt without an edge Titus 2. 15. Rebuke them sharply Dip the nail in oyl reprove in love but strike the nail home Now Christian when the word toucheth upon thy sin and saith Thou art the man dost thou love the reproof Canst thou bless God that the sword of the Spirit hath divided between thee and thy lusts This is indeed a sign of grace and shows thou art a lover of the word A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the word but not the reproofs Amos 5. 10. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate Igne micant oculi Like venomous creatures that upon the least touch spit poyson Act. 7. 54. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart and gnashed upon him with their teeth When Stephen touched them to the quick they were mad and could not endure it Quest. How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the word Ans. 1. When we desire to sit under an heart-searching Ministry who cares for Physick that will not work A godly man chuseth not to sit under such a Ministry as will not work upon his Conscience 2. When we pray that the word may meet with our sins if there be any traiterous lust got into our heart we would have it found out and Execution done upon it we would not have sin covered but cured we can open our breast to the bullet of the word and say Lord smite this sin 3. When we are thankful for a reproof Psa. 141. 5. Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyl which
The body is but dust and blood kneaded together Solomon saith Beauty is vain Prov. 31. 30. Yet so vain are some as to be proud of vanity 4 VVho glory in their gifts These trappings and ornaments do not set them off in Gods eyes an Angel is a knowing creature but take away humility from an Angel and he is a devil 2 Are not they proud who are highly opinionated of their own excellencies who beholding themselves in philautiae speculo in the multiplying glass of self-love appear in their own eyes better than they are Simon Magus gave out that himself was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some great one Act. 8. 9. Alexander would needs be son to Iupiter and of the Race of the gods Sapor King of Persia stiles himself Brother of the Sun and Moon Projicit ampullas sesqui pedalia verba I have read of a Pope who trod upon the neck of Frederick the Emperour and as a Cloak for his pride cited that Text Psa. 91. 13. Thou shalt tread upon the Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou trample under feet No such Idol as Self the proud man bows down to this Idol 3. Are not they proud who despise others Luke 18. 9. The Pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others The people of the Chineses say that Europe hath one eye and they have two and all the world else is blind A proud man looks upon others with such an eye of scorn as Goliah did upon David 1 Sam. 17. 42. When the Philistim looked about and saw David he disdained him They who stand upon the Pinacle of Pride look upon other men no bigger than Crows 4. Are not they proud who are the Trumpets of their own praise Acts 5. 36. Before these days rose up Theudas boasting himself to be some body A proud man is the Herald of his own good deeds he blazeth his own fame and therein is his vice to paint his own virtue 5. Are not they proud who take the glory due to God to themselves Dan. 4. 30. Is not this great Babylon I have built So saith the proud man are not these the Prayers I have made Are not these the works of Charity I have done When Herod had made an Oration and the people cryed him up for a God Act. 12. 22. he was well content to have that honor done to him Pride is the greatest sacriledge it robs God of his glory 6. Are not they proud who are never pleased with their condition they speak hardly of God taxing his care and wisdom as if he had not dealt well with them A proud man God himself cannot please but like Momus he is ever finding fault and flying in the face of heaven Oh let us search if there be none of this leven of pride in us Man is Naturally a proud piece of flesh this sin runs in a bloud our first Parents fell by their Pride they did aspire after a Deity there are the seeds of this in the best but the godly do not allow themselves in it they labour to kill this weed by mortification But certainly where this sin is regnant and prevailing it cannot stand with grace you may as well call him a prudent man who wants discretion as a godly man who wants humility Use 2. Labour for this character be humble 'T is an Apostolical Exhortation 1 Pet. 5. 5. Be cloathed with humility Put it on as an embroydered robe better want any thing than humility better want parts than humility nay better want the comforts of the Spirit than want humility Micah 6. 8. What doth the Lord require of thee but to walk humbly with thy God 1. The more worth any man hath the more humble he is Feathers fly up but Gold descends The golden Saint descends in humility Some of the Ancients have compared Humility to the Celidonian stone which is little for substance but of rare virtue 2. God loves an humble soul. 'T is not our high birth but our low hearts God delights in An humble spirit is Gods prospect Isa. 66. 2. To this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit an humble heart is Gods Palace Isa. 57. 15. I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble spirit Great Personages besides their houses of state have lesser houses which upon occasion they retreat to Besides Gods house of state in Heaven he hath the humble soul for his retiring-house where he takes up his rest and doth solace himself Let Italy boast that it is for pleasure the Garden of the world an humble heart glories in this that it is the Presence-chamber of the Great King 3. The Times we live in are humbling The Lord seems to say to us now as he did to Israel Exod. 33. 5. Put off thy Ornaments from thee that I may know what to do to thee My displeasure is breaking forth I have eclipsed the light of the Sanctuary I have stained the waters with blood I have shot the arrow of Pestilence therefore lay down your Pride put off your Ornaments Woe to them that lift themselves up when God is casting them down When should a people be humble if not under the rod 1 Pet. 5. 6. Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God When God afflicts his people and cuts them short in their priviledges 't is time then to sow sackcloath on their skin and defile their horn or honour in the dust Job 16. 15. 4. What an horrid sin Pride is St. Chrysostom calls it the mother of Hell Pride is a complicated evil as Aristotle saith Justice comprehends all virtue in it so Pride comprehends all vice 'T is a spiritual drunkenness it flies up as Wine into the brain and intoxicates it It is idolatry a proud maâ— is a self-worshipper 'T is revenge Hamaâ— plots Mordicaies death because he would not bow the knee How odious is this sin to God! Prov. 16. 5. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. 5. The mischief of pride It is the break-neck of souls Zeph. 2. 9 10. Surely Moab shall be as Sodom c. this shall they have for their pride The Doves saith Pliny take a pride in their feathers and in their flying high at last they fly so high that they are a prey to the Hawk Men fly so high in pride that at last they are a prey to the Devil the Prince of the aire 6. Humility raiseth ones esteem in the eyes of others All give respect to the humble Prov. 15. 33. Before honour is humility Quest. What means may we use to be humble Answ. 1. Let us set before us the golden pattern of Christ. He commenced Doctor â—n humility Phil. 2. 7. But made himself of â—o reputation and was made in the likeness of flesh O what abasement was it for the Son of God to
it 2. Patience in bearing This patience is twofold 1. Either in regard of man when we bear injuries without revenging Or 2. In regard of God when we bear his hand without repining A good man will not only do Gods will but bear his will Mica 7. 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord. This patient bearing of Gods will is not 1. A Stoical Apathy Patience is not insensibleness under Gods hand we ought to be sensible 2. It is not patience upon force to bear a thing because we cannot help it which as Erasmus saith is rather necessity than patience But patience is a cheerful submission of our will to God Act. 21. 4. The will of the Lord be done A godly man doth acquiesce in what God doth as being not only good but best for him The great quarrel between God and us is whose will shall stand Now the Regenerate will falls in with the will of God â—here are four things opposite to this patient â—ame of soul. 1. Disquiet of spirit When the soul is discomposed and pulled off the hinges insomuch that it is unfit for holy duties when the strings of a Lute are snarled the Lute is not fit to make Musick so when a Christians spirit is perplexed and disturbed he cannot make melody in his heart to the Lord. 2. Discontent which is a sullen dogged humour When a man is not angry at his sins but at his condition this is different from patience Discontent is the daughter of pride 3. Prejudice which is a dislike of God and his ways and a falling off from Religion Sinners have hard thoughts of God and if he doth but touch them in a tender part they will presently be gone from him and throw off his Livery 4. Self-vindication when instead of being humbled under Gods hand a man justifies himself as if he had not deserved what he suffers A proud sinner stands upon his own defence and is ready to accuse God of unrighteousness which is as if we should tax the Sun with darkness this is far from patience A godly man subscribes to Gods wisdome and submits to his will he saith not only good is the Word of the Lord Isa. 3â—â—8 but good is the Rod of the Lord. Use. As we would demonstrate our selves godly let us be eminent in this grace of patience Eccles. 7. 8. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit There are some Graces which we shall have no need of in heaven we shall have no need of Faith when we have full Vision nor patience when we have perfect joy but in a dark sorrowful night there is need of these stars to shine Let us show our patience in bearing Gods will patience in bearing Gods will is two-fold 1. When God removes any comfort from us 2. When God imposeth any evil upon us 1. We must be patient when God removes any comfort from us Doth God take away any of our Relations Ezek. 24. 16. I will take away the desire of thine eyes with a stroak yet it is our duty patiently to acquiesce in the Will of God The loss of a dear Relation is like the pulling away a Limb from the body Homo toties moritur quoties amittit suos But grace will make our hearts calm and sedate and work us to an holy patience under such a severe dispensation I shall lay down eight considerations which may be as spiritual Physick to kill the worm of impatience under the loss of Relations 1. The Lord never takes away any comfort from his people but he gives them that which is better The Disciples parted with Christs corporal presence and he sent them the Holy Ghost God eclipseth one joy and augments another he doth but make an exchange he takes away a Flower and gives a Diamond 2. Godly friends dying are in a better condition they are taken away from the evil to come Isa. 57. 1. They are out of the storm and are gotten to the Haven Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. The godly have a portion promised them upon their marriage with Christ but the portion is not paid till the day of their death The Saints at death are preferred to Communion with God they have that they so long hoped for and prayed for why then should we be impatient at our friends preferment 3. Thou that art a Saint hast a friend in heaven which thou canst not lose The Jews have a saying at their Funerals Let thy consolation be in heaven Art thou a close Mourner look up to heaven and fetch comfort thence thy best kindred are above Psa 27. 10 When my Father and Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up God will be with thee in the hour of death Psa. 23. 4. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death thou art with me Other friends thou canst not keep God is a friend thou canst not lose he will be thy Guide in life thy Hope in death thy Reward after death 4 Perhaps God is correcting thee for a fault and it so it becomes thee to bee patient it may bee thy friend had more of thy love than God and therefore God did take away such a relation that the stream of thy love may run bak to him again A gracious woman having been deprived first of her Children then of her Husband Lord saith she thou hast a plot upon me thou intendest to have all my love God doth not like it to have any Creature set upon the throne of our affections hee will take away that comfort and then he shall lye nearest our heart If an Husband bestow a jewel upon his Wife and she doth so fall in love with that jewel as to forget her Husband hee will take away the jewel that her love may return to him again a dear relation is this jewel if we begin to idolize it God will take away the jewell that our love may return to him â—gain 5 A Godly Relation is parted with but not lost that is lost which wee are out of hope ever of seeing again religious friends are but gone a little before A time will shortly come when there shall bee a meeting without parting 1 Thes. 5. 10. How glad is one friend to see another that hath been long absent Oh what glorious acclamations shall there bee when old relations shall meet together in heaven and be in each others embraces when a great prince lands at the shore the guns go off in token of joy when godly friends shall be all landed at the heavenly shore and shall congratulate one anothers felicity what stupendious joy will there be what musick in the quire of Angels how will heaven ring of their praises and that which is the crown of all they who were here joyned in the flesh shall bee joyned nearer than ever in the mystical body and shall lye together in Christs bosome that bed of
bait with which Satan fisheth for souls dulcis odor lucri This was the last temptation hee used to Christ Mat. 4. 9. All this will I give thee But Christ saw the hook under the bait Many who have escaped gross sins yet are caught in a golden Net To gain the world they will use indirect courses A godly man dares not travel for riches thorow the Devils high-way Those are sad gains that make a man lose peace of conscience and heaven at last He who getteth an estate by injustice stuffs his pillow with thorns and his head will lye very uneasie when he comes to dye 3 A godly man will not allow himself in a beloved sin there is usually one sin that is the favorite the sin which the heart is most fond of A beloved Sin lies in a mans bosome as the Disciple whom Iesus loved leaned on his bosome Ioh. 13. 23. A godly man will not indulge a darling sin Psa. 18. 23. I have kept my self from mine iniquity The Sin of my constitution to which the byas of my heart doth more naturally incline 1 Kings 22. 31. Fight neither with small nor great save only with the King a godly man fights with this King-sin The Oracle of Apollo answered the people of Cyrrha that if they would live in peace among themselves they must make continual war with those strangers which were upon their confines If wee would have peace in our souls wee must maintain a war against our complexion-sin and never leave till it be subdued Quest. How shall we know the beloved sin Answ. 1 That sin which a man doth not love to have reproved is the darling Sin Herod could not endure to have his incest spoken against if the Prophet medles with that sin it shall cost him his head men can be content to have other sins declaimed against but if the Minister put his finger upon the sore and toucheth this sin their hearts begin to burn in malice against him a shrewd sign that is the Herodias 2 That sin the thoughts run most upon is the darling sin which way the thoughts go the heart goes he that is in love with a person cannot keep his thoughts off the object examine what sin runs most in your minde what sin is first in your thoughts and salutes you in the morning that is the praedominant 〈◊〉 3 That sin which hath most power over us and doth most easily lead us captive that is the beloved of the soul there â—re some sins a man can make better resistance against if they come for entertainment he can more easily put them off but there is one sin if that comes to be a suitor hee cannot deny it but is overcome by it this is the bosome sin The young man in the Gospel had given a repulse to many sins but there was one sin foiled him that was covetousness Christians mark what sins you are soonest led captive by that is the Harlot in your bosome 'T is a sad thing that a man should bee so bewitched by lust that if it ask to part with not only half the Kingdome but the whole Kingdome of heaven hee must part with it to gratifie that lust 4 That sin which men use arguments to defend is the beloved sin he that hath a jewâ—l in his bosome will defend it as his life so when there is any sin in the bosome men will defend it the sin we are advocates and disputants for is the complexion-sin if the sin be passion and we plead for it Ioâ— 4. 9. I do well to be angry if the sin be covetousness and we vindicate it and perhaps wrest Scripture to justifie it that is the sin which lies neerest the heart 5. That sin which doth most trouble us and flies most in our face in an hour of sickness and distress that is the Dalilah-sin When Iosephs Brethren were distressed their sin came to remembrance in selling their Brother Gen. 42. 21. We are verily guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the anguish of our brother when he be sought us and we would not hear therefore is this distress come upon us So when a man is upon his Sick-bed and Conscience shall say thou hast been guilty of such a sin thou didst go on in it and roul it as honey under thy tongue Conscience reads a sad Lecture sure that was the beloved sin 6. That sin which a man doth most hardly let go his hold of is the endeared sin Iacob could of all his sons most hardly part with Benjamin Gen. 42. 36. Joseph is not and Simeon is not and ye will take Benjamin away So saith the sinner this and that sin I have parted with but must Benjamin go must I part with this delightful sin that goes to the heart As it is with a Castle that hath several Forts about it the first and second Fort are taken but when it comes to the Castle the Governour will rather fight and die than yield that So a man may suffer some of his sins to be demolished but when it comes to one sin that is the taking of the Castle he will never yield to part with that surely that is the Master-sin The complexion-sin is a God-provoking sin The wise men of Troy counselled Priame to send back Helena to the Grecians not suffering himself to be any longer abused by the Charms of her beauty because the keeping her within the City would lay the foundation of a fatal war So should we put away our Dalilah-sin least it incense the God of heaven and make him commence a war against us The complexion-sin is of all other most dangerous As Sampsons strength lay in his hair so the strength of sin lies in this beloved sin This is like an humour striking to the heart which brings death A godly man will lay the Axe of Repentance to this sin and hew it down he sets this sin as Uriah in the fore-front of the battel that it may be slain He will sacrifice this Isaack he will pluck out this right eye that he may see the better to go to heaven 4. A godly man will not allow himself in those which the world counts lesser sins There is no such thing as little sin yet some may be deemed less comparatively but a good man will not indulge himself in these As 〈◊〉 Sins of Omission Some think it no great matter to omit Family or Closet-prayer they can go several moneths and God never hear of them A godly man will as soon live without food as without prayer He knows every creature of God is sanctified by prayer 1 Tim. 4. 5. The Bird may shâ—me many Christians it never takes a drop but the eye is lift up towards heaven 2. A godly man daâ—es not allow himself in vain frothy discourse much less in that which looks like an oath If God will reckon for idle words will he not much more for idle oaths 3. A godly man dares not
my Throne A Throne denotes Honor sitting denotes rest 7. Walking with God is the most safe walking Walking in the ways of sin is like walking upon the edge of a River The sinner treads upon the banks of the bottomless Pit and if Death gives him a jogg he tumbles in but it is safe going in Gods way Pro. 3. 23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely He walks safe who walks with a Guard he that walks with God shall have Gods Spirit to guard him from sin and Gods Angels to guard him from danger Psal. 91. 11. 8. Walking with God will make death sweet It was Augustus his wish that he might have an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a quiet easie death without much pain If any thing make our Pillow easie at death it will be this that we have walked with God in our Generation Do we think walking with God can do us any hurt Did we ever hear any cry out upon their Death-bed that they have been too holy that they have prayed too much or walked with God too much No that which hath cut them to the heart hath been this that they have walked no more closely with God they have wrung their hands and torn their hair to think that they have been so bewitched with the pleasures of the World Close walking with God will make our Enemy Death to be at peace with us King Ahashuerus when he could not sleep called for the Book of Records and read in it Esther 6. 1. So when the violence of sickness causeth sleep to depart from our eyes and we can call for Conscience that Book of Records and find written in it such a day we humbled our souls by fasting such a day our hearts melted in prayer such a day we had sweet communion with God what a reviving will this be How may we look death in the face with comfort and say Lord now take us up to thee in Heaven where we have so often been by affection let us now be by fruition 9 Walking with God is the best way to know the minde of God friends who walk together impart their secrets one to another Psa. 25. 14. The secrets of the Lord is with them that fear him Noah walked with God and the Lord revealed a great secret to him of destroying the Old World and saving him in the Ark. Abraham walked with God Gen. 24. 40. and God made him one of his Privy-council Gen. 18. 17. Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do God doth sometimes sweetly unbosome himself to the soul in Prayer and in the holy Supper as Christ made himself known to the Disciples in the breaking of bread Luk. 24. 35 10 They who walk with God shall never be wholly left of God the Lord may retire himself for a time to make his people cry after him the more but he will not quite leave them Isa. 54. 8. I hid my face for a moment but with everlasting kindeness will I have mercy on thee God will not cast off any of his old acquaintance he will not part with one that hath born him company Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him Gen. 5. 24. He took him up to heaven as the Arabick renders it Enoch was lodged in the bosome of divine Love Quest. How may we do to walk with God Answ. 1 Get out of the old road of sin hee that would walk in a pleasant meadow must turn out of the road The way of sin is full of Travellers there are so many travelling in this road that hell though it be of a great circumference is fain to enlarge it self and make room for them Isa. 5. 14. This way of sin seems pleasant but the end is damnable I have saith the Harlot perfumed my bed with Mirrhe Aloes and Cinamon Prov. 7. 17. See how with one sweet the Cinamon there were two bitters Myrrhe and Aloes for that little sweet in sin at present there will be a far greater proportion of bitterness afterwards Therefore get out of these briars you cannot walk with God and sin 2 Cor. 6. 14. What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness 2 If you would walk with God get acquaintance with him Iob 22. 21. Acquaint now thy self with him Know God in his attributes and promises strangers do not walk together 3 Get all differences removed Amos 3. 3. Can two walk together except they are agreed This agreement and reconciliation is made by faith Rom. 3. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood When once we are friends then we shall be called up to the Mount as Moses and have this dignity conferred on us to bee the favourites of heaven and to walk with God 4 If you would walk with God get a liking to the vvaies of God They are adorned vvith beauty Prov. 4. 18. svveetned vvith pleasure Prov. 3. 17. fenced vvith truth Rev. 15. 3. accompanied vvith Life Acts 2. 28. lengthned with eternity Hab. 3. 6. be enamoured with the way of Religion and you will soon walk in it 5 If you would walk with God take hold of his arm such as walk in their own strength will soon grow weary and tire Psal. 71. 16. I will go in the strength of the Lord God We cannot walk with God without God let us press him with his promise Isa. 36. 27. I will cause you to walk in my statutes If God take us by the hand then we shall walk and not faint Isa. 40. 31. SECT XXIV 24 He who is godly labours to be an instrument of making others godly he is not content to go to heaven alone but would bring others thither Spiders work only for themselves but Bees work for others A godly man is both a Diamond and a Load-stone a Diamond for the sparkling lustre of grace and a Load-stone for his attractiveness he is ever drawing others to the embracing of Piety Living things have a propagating virtue where Religion lives in the heart there will be an endeavour to propagate the life of grace in those we converse with Philemon v. 10. My son Onesimus whom I have begotten in my bonds Though God be the fountain of grace yet the Saints are pipes to transmit living streams to others This thirsty endeavour after the conversion of souls proceeds 1 From the nature of Godliness it is like fire which assimilates and turns every thing into its own nature where there is the fire of grace in the heart it will endeavour to inflame others grace is an holy leaven which will be seasoning and leavening others with divine principles Paul would fain have converted Agrippa how did he court him with Rhetorick Act. 26. 27. King Agrippa beleevest thou the Prophets I know that thou beleevest his Zeal and Eloquence had almost captivated the King ver 28. Then Agrippa said unto Paul almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian. 2 A godly man attempts the
our felicity And thus I have shown the Marks and Characters of a godly man If a person thus described be reputed a Phanatick then Abraham and Moses and David and Paul were Phanaticks which I think none will dare to affirm but Atheists CHAP. V. Containing two Conclusions COncerning the Characteristical signs afore-mentioned I shall lay down two Conclusions 1 These Characters are a Christians box of evidences for as an impenitent sinner hath the signs of reprobation upon him whereby as by so many spots and tokens he may know he shall dye so he who can shew these happy signs of a godly man may see the Symptomes of Salvation in his Soul and may know he is passed from death to life he is as sure to go to heaven as if he were in heaven already such a person is undoubtedly a member of Christ and if he should perish then something of Christ might perish These blessed Characters may comfort a Christian under all worldly dejections and Diabolical suggestions Satan tempts a Childe of God with this that he is an hypocrite and hath no title to the Land of promise a Christian may pull out these evidences and put the Devil to prove that ever any wicked man or hypocrite had such a fair Certificate to shew for heaven Satan may sooner prove himself a lyar than the Saint an hypocrite 2 He who hath one of these Characters in truth hath seminally all he who hath one link of a Chain hath the whole Chain Object But may a Childe of God say either I have not all these Characters or they are so weakly wrought in me that I cannot discern them Answ. To satisfie this scruple you must diligently observe the distinctions the Scripture gives of Christians it casts them into several classes and orders some are infantuli little children who are but newly laid to the breast of the Gospel others are adulti Young men who are grown up to more maturity of Grace others are patres Fathers who are ready to take their degree of Glory 1 Iohn 2. 12. 13 4. Now you who are but in the first rank or classis yet you may have the vitals of Godliness as well as those who have arrived at an higher stature in Christ the Scripture speaks of the Cedar and the bruised Reed the last of which is as true a Plant of the heavenly Paradise as the other so that the weakest ought not to be discouraged all have not these characters of godliness written in Text-Letters if they be but dimly stamped upon their souls God can read the work of his spirit there Though the seal be but weakly set upon the wax it ratifies the will and gives a real conveyance of an estate If there be found but some good thing towards the Lord as it was said of Abijah God will accept it CHAP. VI. Containing the first Vse Exhorting all to become Godly Use 1 FRom all that hath been said I would draw three great Uses First Such as are still in their natural estate who never yet did relish any sweetness in the things of God let me beseech them in the bowels of Christ that they would labour to get these Characters of the Godly engraven upon their hearts though godliness be the object of the worlds scorn and haâ—ed as in Tertullians daies the name of a Christian was a crime yet be not ashamed to espouse godliness know that persecuted godliness is better than prosperous wickedness what will all the world avail a man without godliness To be learned and ungodly is like a Devil transformed into an Angel of light to be beautiful and ungodly is like a fair picture hung in an infected room to be honourable in the world and ungodly is like an Ape in purple or like that Image which had an head of gold upon feet of clay 't is godliness that en-nobles and consecrates the heart making God and Angels fall in love with it Labour for the reality of godliness rest not in the common workings of Gods spirit think not that it is enough to be intelligent and discurive a man may discourse of Religion to the admiration of others yet not feel the sweetness of those things in his own Soul the Lute gives a melodious sound to others but is not at all sensible of the sound it self Iudas could make an elegant discourse of Christ but did not feel vertue from him Rest not in having your affections a little stirred an hypocrite may have affections of sorrow as Ahab affections of desire as Balaam these are sleight and flashy and do not amount to real godliness Oh I labour to be as the Kings daughter glorious within Psa. 45. 13. That I may perswade the sons of men to become godly I shall lay down some forcible Motives and Arguments and the Lord make them as nails fastened by his spirit 1 Let men seriously weigh their misery while they remain in a state of ungodliness which may make them hasten out of this Sodome the misery of ungodly men appears in nine particulars 1 They are in a state of death Eph. 2. 1. dead in Trespasses dead they must needs be who are cut off from Christ the principle of life for as the body without the soul is dead so is the soul without Christ. This spiritual death is visible in the effect it bereaves men of their senses sinners have no sense of God in them Ephe. 4. 19. who being without feeling all their moral endowments are but strewing flowers upon a dead corpse and what is hell but a sepulchre to bury the dead in 2 Their offerings are polluted not only the Ploughing but the praying of the wicked is sin Prov. 15. 8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord If the water be foul in the well it cannot be clean in the bucket if the heart be full of sin the duties cannot be pure In what a strait is every ungodly person if he doth not come to the Ordinance he is a contemner of it if he doth come hee is a defiler of it 3. Such as live and die ungodly have no right to the Covenant of Grace Eph. 2. 12. At that time ye were without Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strangers from the Covenants of Promise And to be without Covenant is to be like one in the old World without an Ark. The Covenant is the Gospel-Charter which is enriched with many glorious priviledges but who may plead the benefit of this Covenant Surely only such whose hearts are in-laid with grace Read the Charter Ezek. 36. 26. A new heart will I give you and I will put my spirit within you Then it follows ver 28. I will be your God A person dying in his ungodliness hath no more to do with the New Covenant than a Ploughman hath to do with the priviledges of a Corporation Gods Writing is always before his Seal 2 Cor. 3. 3. Ye are
profession The Samaritans sometimes sided with the Iews when they were in favour afterwards they disclaimed all kindred with the Iews when they were persecuted by Antiochus and no wonder they did shuffle so in their religion if you consider what Christ saith of the Samaritans Ioh. 4. 22. Ye worship ye know not what they were inveloped with ignorance blinde men are apt to fall so are they who are blinded in their mindes 4 If you would persist in godliness enter upon it purely out of choice Psa. 119. 30. I have chosen the way of truth espouse godliness for its own worth he that would persevere must rather choose godliness with reproach than sin with all its worldly pomp he who takes up religion for fear will lay it down again for fear he who imbraceth godliness for gain will desert it when the â—ewels of preferment are pulled off be not godly out of a wordly design but a religious choice 5 If you would persevere in godliness labour after integrity this will be a golden pillar to support you a tree that is hollow must needs be blown down the hypocrite sets up in the trade of religion but he will soon break Psa. 78. 37. Their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast Iudas was first a sly hypocrite and then a Traitor if a peece of copper be guilded the guilding will wash off nothing will hold out but sincerity Psa. 25. 21. Let integrity preserve me How many storms was Iob in not only Satan but God himself set against him Iob 7. 20. which was enough to have made him desist from being godly yet Iob stood fast because he stood upright Iob 27. 6. My righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live those colours hold best which are laid in oyle if we would have our profession hold its colour it must be laid in the oyl of sincerity 6 If you would hold out in godliness hold up the life and fervour of duty Rom. 12. 1. 1. Fervent in spirit serving the Lord We put coals to the fire to keep it from going out when Christians grow into a dull formality they begin to be dis-spirited and by degrees abate in their godliness none so fit to make an Apostate as a lukewarm professour 7 If you would persevere in godliness be much in the exercise of self-denial Mat. 16. 24. let him deny himself self-ease self-ends whatever comes in competition with or stands in opposition to Christs glory and interest must be denied Self is the great snare self-love undermines the power of godliness The young man in the Gospel might have followed Christ but that something of self hindered Mat. 19. 20 22. Self-love is self hatred he will never get to heaven that cannot get beyond himself 8 If you would hold on in godliness preserve an holy jealousie over your hearts Rom. 11. 20. Be not high-minded but fear he that hath Gun powder in his house fears lest it should catch fire sin in the heart is like Gun-powder it may make us fear lest a sparkle of temptation falling upon us should blow us up There are two things may make us alwaies jealous of our hearts the deceits of our hearts and the lusts of our hearts When Peter was afraid hee should sink and cried to Christ Lord save me then Christ took him by the hand and helped him Mat. 14. 31. but when Peter grew confident and thought he could stand alone then Christ suffered him to fall Oh let us be suspitious of our selves and in an holy sense cloathe our selves with trembling Eze. 26. 16. 9 If you would continue your progress in godliness labour for assurance 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure He who is sure God is his God is like a Castle built upon a rock all the powers of Hell cannot shake him How can he be constant in religion who is at a loss about his spiritual estate and knows not whether he hath grace or no it will be a difficult matter for him to dye for Christ who doth not know that Christ hath died for him assurance establisheth a Christian in shaking times he is the likeliest to bear witness to the truth who hath the spirit of God bearing witness to his heart Rom. 8. 16. Oh give diligence be much in prayer reading holy conference these are the oyle without which the lamp of assurance will not shine 10 If you would hold out in godliness lay hold of Gods strength God is called the strength of Israel 1 Sam. 15. 29. It is in his strength we stand more than our own the childe is safest in the Nurses hands it is not our holding God but his holding us preserves us a little pinnace tyed fast to a rock is safe so are we when we are tyed to the rock of ages CHAP. IX Motives to persevere in Godliness THat I may excite Christians to persevere in the profession of Godliness I shall propose these four considerations 1 It is the glory and Crown of a Christian to be gray-headed in godliness Act. 21. 16. Mnason of Cyprus an old Disciple What an honour is it to see a Christians garments red with blood yet his conscience puâ—e white and his graces green and flourishing 2 How do sinners persevere in their sins they are setled on their lees Zeph. 1. 12. The judgements of God will not deter or remove them they say to their sin as Ruth to Naomi Ruth 1. 16. Where thou goest I will go the Lord do so to me and more if ought but death part thee and me so nothing shall part between men and their sins Oh! what a shame is it that the wicked should be fixed in evil and we unfixed in good that they should be more constant in the Devils service than we are in Christs 3 Our perseverance in godliness may be a means to confirm others Cyprians hearers followed him to the place of his suffering and seeing his stedfastness in the faith cryed out Let us also dye with our holy Pastor Phil. 4. 14. Many of the Brethren waxing confident by my Bonds are much more bold to speak the Word St. Paul's zeal and constancy did animate the beholders his Prison-chain made converts in Neroes Court and two of those Converts were afterwards Martyrs as History relates 4 Wee shall lose nothing by our perseverance in Godliness There are eight glorious Promises which God hath intailed upon the persevering Saints The first is Rev. 2. 10. Be thou constant to the death and I will give thee a Crown of life Christian thou mayest lose the breath of life but not the Crown of life The second promise is Revel 2. 7. To him that â—vercometh will I give to eat of the tree of life This Tree of life is the Lord Jesus This tree infuseth life and prevents death in the day we eat of this tree
Father and Mother Psa. 45. 10. Forget also thine own people and thy Fathers house So there must be a leaving of our former sins a breaking off the old league with hell before wee can bee united to Christ Hos. 14. 8. Ephraim shall say what have I to do any more with Idols or as it is in the Hebrew with sorrows Those sins which before were looked upon as lovers now they are sorrows there must be a divorce before an union The end of our conjugal union with Christ is twofold 1 Co-habitation this is one end of marriage to live together Ephes. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts it is not enough to give Christ a few complemental visits in his ordinances hypocrites may do so but there must be a mutual associating we must dwell upon the thoughts of Christ 1 Iohn 3. 24. he that dwelleth in God married persons should not live asunder 2 Fructification Rom. 7. 4. That ye should 〈◊〉 married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit unto God the Spouse brings forth the fruits of the spirit love joy peace long-suffering gentleness Gal. 5. 22. Barrenness is a shame in Christs spouse This marriage-union with Christ is the most noble and excellent union 1 Christ unites himself to many in other marriages there is but a person taken but here millions are taken alas else poor souls might cry out Christ hath married himself to such an ones person but what is that to me I am left out no Christ marries himself to thousands 't is casta polygamia an holy and chaste polygamy multitudes of persons doth not defile this marriage-bed no poor sinner but bringing an humble beleeving heart may be married to Christ. 2 In this holy marriage is a nearer conjunction than can be in any other in other marriages two make one flesh but Christ and the beleever make one spirit 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit now as the soul is more excellent than the body and admits of far greater joy so this spiritual union brings in more astonishing delights and ravishments than any other marriage-relation is capable of the joy that flows from the mystical union is unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. 3 This union with Christ never ceaseth Foelices ter amplius quos irrupta tenet copula Other marriages are soon at an end Death cuts asunder the marriage-knot but this conjugal union is eternal thou that art once Christs spouse shalt never be a widdow more Hos. 2. 19. I will betroth thee unto me for ever to speak properly our marriage with Christ begins where other marriages end at death In this life is but the contract the Iews had a time set between their espousals and marriage sometimes a year or more in this life is but the affiancing and contract promises are made on both sides and love passeth secretly between Christ and the soul he gives some smiles of his face and the soul sends up her sighs and drops tears of love But all this is but a praevious work and something tending to the marriage the glorious compleating and solemnizing of the Nuptials is reserved for heaven there is the marriage-supper of the Lamb Rev. 19. 9. and the Bed of glory perfumed with love where the souls of the elect shall be perpetually solacing themselves 1 Thes. 4. 17. then shall we ever be with the Lord so that death doth but begin our marriage with Christ. Use 1 If Christ be the head of the body Mystical Ephes. 1. 22. then this Doctrine doth behead the Pope that man of sin who usurps this prerogative to be Ecclesiae caput the head of the Church and so would defile Christs marriage-bed what blasphemy is this two heads is monstrous Christ is head as he is husband there is no vice-husband no deputy in his room The Pope is the Beast in the Revelation to make him head of the Church what were this but to set the head of a Beast upon the body of a Man Use 2 Is there such a conjugal union let us try whether we are united to Christ. 1 Have we chosen Christ to set our love upon and is this choice founded upon knowledge 2 Have we consented to the match 't is not enough that Christ is willing to have us but are we willing to have him God doth not so force salvation upon us as that wee shall have Christ whether wee will or no we must consent to have him many approve of Christ but do not give their consent and this consent must be 1 Pure and genuine we consent to have him for his own worth and excellency Psa. 45. 2. Thou art fairer than the Children of men 2 It must be a present consent 2 Cor. 6. 2. now is the accepted time if we put Christ off with delayes and excuses perhaps he will come no more he will leave off wooing his spirit shall no longer strive and then poor finner what wilt thou do when Gods wooing ends thy woes begin 3 Have we taken Christ faith is vinculum unionis the bond of the union Christ is joyned to us by his spirit and we are joyned to him by faith Faith tyes the marriage-knot 4 Have we given up our selves to Christ thus the spouse in the Text I am his as if she had said all I have is for the use and service of Christ have we made a surrender have wee given up our name and will to Christ when the Devil solicites by a temptation do we say we are not our own we are Christs our tongues are his wee must not defile them with oathes our bodies ar◠his temple we must not pollute them with sin if it be thus it is a sign the Holy ghos◠hath wrought this blessed union between Christ and us Use 3. Is there this Mystical Union then from hence we may draw many Inferences 1. See the dignity of all true believers they are joyned in Marriage with Christ there is not only assimilation but union they are not only like Christ but one with Christ This honor have all the Saints A King marrying a Beggar by virtue of the union she is ennobled and made of the Bloud-Royal 〈◊〉 wicked men are united to the Prince of darkness and he settles Hell upon them for their Jointure So the godly are divinely united to Christ who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19. 16. By virtue of this Sacred Union the Saints are dignified above the Angels Christ is their Lord but not their Husband 2. See how happily all the Saints are married they are united to Christ who is the best Husband Cant. 5. 10. The chief of ten thousand Christ is a Husband that cannot be parallel'd 1. For tender care 2. For ardent affection 1. For tender care The Spouse cannot be so tender of her own soul and credit as Christ is
strength into her Isaiah 49. 5. My God shall bee my strength 3 It is comfort in case of death when beleevers dye they go to their Husband who would not bee willing to shoot the Gulf o◠death that they might meet with their Husband Christ Phi. 1. 23. I desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to loose Anchor and be with Christ what thoug◠the way be dirty seeing we are going to ou◠friend when a woman is contracted she longs for the day of marriage after th◠Saints funeral begins their marriage the body is ergastulum animae a Prison to the soul who would not desire to exchange a Priso◠for a Marriage bed How glad was Iosep◠to go out of Prison to the Kings court God is wise he lets us meet with changes an◠troubles here that he may we an us from the world and make us long for death when the soul is divorced from the body it is married to Christ. 4 It is comfort in case of passing the sentence at the day of Judgement There is a marriage union and O Christian thy Husband shall be thy Judge a Wife would not fear to bee cast at Bar if her Husband sat Judge what though the Devil bring in many indictments against thee Christ will expunge thy sins in his blood he will say shall I condemn my spouse O what a comfort is this the Husband is Judge Christ cannot pass the sentence against his spouse but hee must pass it against himself for Christ and beleevers are one 5 It is comfort in case of the Saints sufferings The Church of God is exposed in this life to many injuries but she hath an Husband in heaven that is mindeful of her and will turn her waters into wine now it is a time of mourning with the Spouse because the Bride-groom is absent Mat. 9. 15. But shortly she shall put off her mourning Christ will wipe off the tears of blood from the cheeks of his Spouse Isa. 25. 8. The Lord God will wipe off tears from off all faces Christ will comfort his spouse after the time wherein she hath been afflicted he will solace her with his love he will take away the cup of trembling and give her the cup of consolation and now she shall forget all her sorrows being called into the banqueting house of heaven and having the banner of Christs love displayed over her 5. Let me press several duties upon such as have this Marriage-Union with Christ. 1. Make use of this Relation in two cases 1. When the Law brings in its Indictments against you here are saith the Law so many debts to be paid and it demands satisfaction acknowledge the debt but turn over all to your Husband Christ 'T is a Maxim in Law that the suit must not go against the wife as long as the Husband is living Tell Satan when he accuseth thee 't is true the debt is mine but go to my Husband Christ he will discharge it Would we take this course we might ease our selves of much trouble by Faith we turn over the debt to our Husband Believers are not in a state of Widdow-hood but Marriage Satan will never go to Christ he knows Justice is satisfied and the Debt-book cancell'd but he comes to us for the debt that he may perplex us we should send him to Christ and then all Law-suits would cease This is a believers Triumph when he is in himself guilty in Christ he is worthy when he is spotted in himself he is pure in his head 2. In case of desertion Christ may for ends best known to himself step aside for a time Cant. 5. 6. My beloved had withdrawn himself say not therefore Christ is quite gone 'T is a fruit of jealousie in a Wife when her Husband hath left her a while to think he is quite gone from her Upon every removal out of sight for us to say as Sion The Lord hath forsaken me Isa. 49. 14. This is jealousie and it is a wrong done to the love of Christ and the sweetness of this Marriage-Relation Christ may forsake his Spouse in regard of comfort but he will not forsake her in regard of union An Husband may be a thousand miles distant from his Wife but still he is an Husband Christ may leave his Spouse but still the Marriage Knot holds 2. Love your Husband Christ Cant. 2. 5. love him though he be reproached and persecuted A Wife loves her Husband when in prison To inflame your love towards Christ consider 1. Nothing else is fit for you to love If Christ be your Husband it is not fit to have other Lovers that would make Christ grow jealous 2. He is worthy of your love he is of unparallel'd beauty Cant. 5. 10. altogether lovely 3. How pregnant is Christs love towards you he loves you in your worst condition he loves you in affliction The Goldsmith loves his gold in the Furnace he loves you notwithstanding your scars and blemishes The Saints infirmities cannot wholly take off Christs love from them Ier. 3. 1. Oh then how should the Spouse be endeared in her love to Christ This will be the excellency of Heaven our love will then be as the Sun in its full strength 3. Rejoyce in your Husband Christ hath Christ honoured you to take you into the Marriage-Relation and make you one with himself this calls for joy By virtue of the Union believers go sharers with Christ in his riches It was a custome among the Romans when the Wife was brought home she received the Keys of her husbands house intimating that the treasure and custody of the house was now committed to her When Christ shall bring his Bride home to those glorious Mansions which he is gone before to Prepare for her Iohn 14. 2. He will deliver up the keys of his treasure to her and she shall be as rich as heaven can make her and shall not the Spouse rejoyce and sing aloud upon her bed Psal. 149. 5. Christians let the times be never so sad you may rejoyce in your spiritual Espousals Hab. 3. 17. Let me tell you it is a sin not to rejoyce you disparage your Husband Christ. When a wife is always sighing and weeping what will others say This woman hath a bad husband Is this the fruit of Christs love to you to reflect dishonor upon him A melancholly spouse sads Christs heart I deny not but a Christian should grieve for sins of daily incursion but to be always weeping as if he mourned without hope is dishonourable to the Marriage-Relation Phil. 4. 4. Rejoyce in the Lord always Rejoycing doth credit your husband Christ loves a chearful Bride and indeed the very end of Gods making us sad is to make us rejoyce we sow in tears that we may reap in joy The excessive sadness and contristation of the godly will make others afraid to imbrace Christ they will begin to question whether there be that satisfactory joy in Religion
so desirable at death why should we not pursue after it now godliness is as needful now and would bee more feasible 5 There are but few godly they are as the gleanings after vintage most receive the Mark of the Beast Rev. 13. 17. The Devil keeps open house for all comers and hee is never without ghuests this may prevail with us to be godly if the number of the Saints be so small how should we labour to be found among these pearls Rom. 9. 27. but a remnant shall be saved it is better going to Heaven with a few than to Hell in the crowd 6 Consider how vain and contemptible other things are about which persons void of godliness busie themselves men are taken up about the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things of this life and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind Eccles. 5. 16. can the winde fill what is gold but dust Amos 2. 8. which will sooner choak than satisfie pull off the mask of the most beautiful thing under the Sun and look what is within there is care and vexation and the greatest care is yet behinde and that is account The things of the world are but as a bubble in the water or a Meteor in the air But godliness hath a real worth in it if you speak of true honour it is to be born of God if of true valour it is to fight the good fight of faith if of true delight it is to have joy in the Holy ghost Oh then espouse godliness here is reallity to be had of other things we may say as Zac. 10. 2. They comfort in vain CHAP. VII Prescribing some helps to Godliness Quest. But what shall we do that we may be godly Answ. I shall briefly lay down some rules or helps to godliness 1 Be diligent in the use of all means that may promote godliness Luke 13. 24. strive to enter in at the straight gate what is purpose without pursuit when you have made your estimate of godliness prosecute those mediums which are most expedient for obtaining it 2 If you would be godly take heed of the world 't is hard for a clod of dust to become a star 1 Ioh. 2. 15. love not the world many would be godly but the honours and profits of the world divert them where the world fills both head and heart there is no room for Christ he whose minde is rooted in the earth is likely enough to deride godliness when our Saviour was preaching against sin the Pharisees who were covetous derided him Luk. 16. 14. The world eats out the heart of godliness as the lvy eats out the heart of the Oak the world kills with her silver darts 3 Inure your selves to holy thoughts serious meditation represents every thing in its native colour it shews an evil in sin and a lustre in grace By holy thoughts the head grows clearer and the heart better Psa. 119. 59. I thought on my waies and turned my feet unto thy testimonies Did men step aside a little out of the noise and hurry of business and spend but half an hour every day in thinking upon their souls and eternity it would produce a wonderful alteration in them and tend very much to a real and blessed conversion 4 Watch your hearts it was Christs watch-word to his Disciples Mat. 24. 42. Watch therefore the heart will praecipitate us to sin before we are aware a subtil heart needs a watchful eye watch your thoughts your affections the heart hath a thousand doors to run out at O keep close sentinel in your souls stand continually upon your Watch-tower Hab. 2. 1. when you have prayed against sin watch against tentation most wickedness in the world is committed for want of watchfulness watchfulness maintains godliness it is the selvedge which keeps religion from ravelling out 5 Make Conscience of spending your time Eph. 5. 16. redeeming the time Many persons fool away their time some in idle visits others in recreations and pleasures which secretly bewitch the heart and take it off from better things What are our golden hours for but to mind our souls Time mis-improved is not time lived but time lost Time is a precious commodity a peece of wax in it self is not much worth but as it is affixed to the label of a Will and conveyes an estate so it is of great value Thus time simply in it self is not so considerable but as salvation is to be wrought out in it and a conveyance of heaven depends upon the well improvement of it so it is of infinite concernment 6 Think of your short stay in the world 1 Chron. 29. 15. Our daies on the Earth are as a shaddow and there is none abiding There is but a span between the Cradle and the Grave Solomon saith there is a time to bee born and a time to dye Eccles. 3. 2. but mentions no time of living as if that were so short it were not worth naming and time when it is once gone cannot be recalled the Scripture compares time to a flying Eagle Io◠9. 6. yet herein time differs from the Eagle the Eagle flies forward and then back again but time hath wings only to fly forward it never returns back fugit irrevocabile tempus The serious thoughts of our short abode here would be a great means to promote godliness what if death should come before we are ready what if our life should breathe out before Gods spirit hath breathed in he that considers how flitting and winged his life is will hasten his repentance when God is about to make a short work he will not make a long work 7 Possess your selves with this maxim that godliness is the end of your Creation God never sent men into the world only to eat and drink and put on fine cloathes but that they might serve him in righteousness and holiness Luk. 1. 75. God made the world only as an attiring room to dress our souls in he sent us hither upon the grand errand of godliness should nothing but the body the bruitish part bee looked after this were basely to degenerate yea to invert and frustrate the very end of our being 8. Be often among the godly they are the salt of the earth and will help to season you Their counsels may direct their prayers may quicken Such holy sparks may be thrown into your breasts as may inkindle devotion in you It is good to be among the Saints to learn the trade of godliness Pro. 13. 20. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise CHAP. VIII Exhorting such as have made a Profession of Godliness to persevere Use 2. MY next Use is to exhort those who wear the Mantle and in the judgement of others are looked upon as godly that they would persevere Heb. 10. 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith This is a seasonable Exhortation in these times