never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
Indentures drawn in Baptisme and in Conversion the Indentures are renewed and sealed we do there bind our selves to God to be his sworn servants Psal. 119. 106. I have sworn and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous Iudgements A godly man hath tyed himself to the Lord by Vow and he makes conscience of his vow he had rather die by Persecution than live by Perjury 4. A servant doth not only wear his Masters Livery but do his work Thus a godly man works for God S. Paul did spend and was spent for Christ 2 Cor. 12. 15. He outwrought all the other Apostles 1 Cor. 15. 10. A godly man is active for God to his last breath Psalm 119. 112. only The dead rest from their labours 5. A servant follows his Master thus a godly man is a servant of God while others wonder after the beast he follows after the Lamb. He will tread in the steps of Christ If a Master leap over hedge and ditch the servant will follow him A godly man will follow Christ through afflictions Luk. 9. 23. If any man will come after me let him take up his Cross daily and follow me Peter would follow Christ upon the water A godly man will follow Christ though it be death every step he will keep his goodness when others are bad as all the water in the salt Sea cannot make the Fish salt but still they retain their freshness so all the wickedness in the world cannot make a godly man wicked but still he retains his piety he will follow Christ in the worst times 6. A servant is satisfied with his Masters allowance he doth not say I will have such provisions made ready if he hath short commons he doth not find fault he knows he is a servant and is at his Masters carving In this sense a godly man is Gods servant he is willing to be at Gods allowance if he hath but some leavings he doth not grumble Paul knew he was a servant therefore whether more or less fell to his share he was indifferent Phil. 4. When Christians murmure at their condition they forget that they are servants and must be at the allowance of their Heavenly Master Thou that hast the least bit from God wilt die in his debt 7. A servant will stand up for the honor of his Master he cannot hear his Master reproached but will vindicate his credit Thus every godly man will stand up for the honor of his Master Christ Psal. 119. 139. My zeal hath consumed me A servant of God appears for his truths They who can hear Gods Name reproached and his ways spoken against yet be silent God will be ashamed of such servants and discard them before men and Angels Use. Let us declare our selves godly by being servants of the most high God Consider 1. God is the best Master he is punctual in all his promises 1 Kin. 8. 23. There is no God like thee in Heaven above or on earth beneath who keepest Covenant with thy servants Ver. 56. There hath not failed one word of all his good promise God is of a most sweet gracious disposition he hath this property he is slow to anger and ready to forgive In our wants he doth relieve us in our weakness he doth pitty us he reveals his secrets to his servants Psal. 25. 14. He wait on his servants Was there ever such a Master Luke 12. 37. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them When we are sick he makes our bed Psal. 41. 3. Thou wilt make all their bed in their sickness He holds our head when we are fainting Other Masters may forget their servants and cast them off when they are old but God will not Isa. 44. 21. Thou art my servant O Israel thou shalt not be forgotten of me 'T is a slander to say God is an hard Master 2. Gods service is the best service There are six priviledges in Gods service 1. Freedome Though the Saints are bound to Gods service yet they serve him freely Gods Spirit which is called a free spirit makes them free and chearful in obedience The Spirit carries them upon the wings of delight it makes duty a priviledge it doth not force but draw it inlargeth the heart in love and fills it with joy Gods service is perfect freedome 2. Honour David the King professeth himself one of Gods Pensioners Psal. 143. 12. I am thy servant St. Paul when he would blaze his Coat of Arms and set forth his best Heraldry he doth not call himself Paul â—n Hebrew of the Hebrews or Paul of the Tribe of Benjamin but Paul a servant of Christ Rom. 1. 1. Theodosius thought it a greater dignity to be Gods servant than to be an Emperour Christ himself who is equal with his Father yet is not ashamed of the Title Servant Isa. 53. 11. Every servant of God is a Son every subject a Prince 'T is more honor to serve God than to have Kings serve us The Angels in Heaven are servitors to the Saints on earth 3. Safety God takes care of his servants he gives them a protection Isa. 41. 9 10. Thou art my servant fear not I am with thee God hides his servants Psa. 27. 5. In the secret of his Tabernacle shall be hide me that is he shall keep me safe as in the most holy place of the Sanctuary where none but the Priests might enter Christs Wings are both for healing and for hiding for curing and securing us The Devil and his Instruments would soon devoure the servants of God if he did not set an invisible guard about them and cover them with the golden feathers of his Protection Acts 18. 10. I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee Gods watchful eye is ever upon his people and the Enemies shall not do the mischief they intend they shall not be destroyers but Physitians 4. Gain Atheists say It is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances Mal. 3. 14. besides the vails which God gives in this life sweet peace of Conscience he reserves his best Wine till last he gives a glorious Kingdome to his servants Heb. 12. 28. The servants of God may for a while be kept under and a bused but they shall have preferment at last Iohn 12. 26. Where I am there shall my servants be 5. Assistance Other Masters cut out work for their servants but do not help them in their work but our Master in heaven doth not only give us work but strength Psalm 138. 3. Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my Soul God bids us serve him and he will inable us to serve him Ezek. 36. 27. I will cause you to
godly man loves the Word written Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a garden set with knots and flowers A godly man delights to walk in this garden and sweetly solace himself he loves every branch and parcel of the Word 1. He loves the counselling part of the Word as it is a Directory and Rule of life The Word is the Mercurial Statue which points us to our duty it contains in it credendae and facâ—enda things to be believed and practised A godly man loves the Aphorismes of the Word 2. A godly man loves the Minatory part of the Word The Scripture like the Garden of Eden as it hath a Tree of Life in it so it hath a Flaming Sword at the Gates of it this is the threatning of the Word it flasheth fire in the face of every person that goes on obstinately in wickedness Psal. 68. 21. God shall wound the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses The Word gives no indulgence to evil it will not let a man halt between God and Sin The true Mother would not let the Childe be divided and God will not have the heart divided The Word thunders out threatnings against the very appearance of evil it is like that flying Roll full of curses Zac. 5. 1. A godly man loves the menaces of the Word he knows there is love in every threatning God would not have us perish therefore doth mercifully threaten us that he may scare us from sin Gods threatnings are as the Sea-mark which shows the Rocks in the Sea and threatneth death to such as come neer the threatning is a curbing bit to check us that we may not run in a full careir to hell there is mercy in every threatning 3. A godly man loves the consolatory part of the Word the Promises he goes feeding upon these as Sampson went on his way eating the honey-comb Iudg. 14. 8. The Promises are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all marrow and sweetness they are our Bezar-stone when we are fainting they are the conduits of the Water of Life Psal. 94. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my Soul The Promises were Davids Harp to drive away sad thoughts they were the breast which milked out Divine Consolation to him A godly man shows his love to the Word written 1. By diligent reading of it The Noble Bereans did search the Scriptures daily Act. 17. 11. Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures Act. 18. 24. The Word is our Magna Charta for heaven we should be daily reading over this Charter The Word is index sui obliqui it shows what is truth and what is error it is the field where the Pearl of Price is hid How should we dig for this Pearl A godly mans heart is the Library to hold the Word of God it dwells richly in him Col. 3. 16. It is reported of Melancthon that when he was young he carried the Bible always about him and did greedily read in it The Word hath a double work to teach us and to judge us They that will not be taught by the Word shall be judged by the Word Oh let us make the Scripture familiar to us What if it should be as in the â—imes of Dioclesian who commanded by Proclamation the Bible to be burned or as in Queen Maries daies wherein it was death to have a Bible in English by diligent conversing with Scripture we may carry a Bible in our head 2. A godly man shows his love to the Word by frequent meditating in it Psalm 119. 97. It is my meditation all the day A pious Soul meditates of the Verity and Sanctity of the Word he hath not only a few transient thoughts but lays his mind a steeping in the Scripture by meditation he suckâ— from this sweet flower and concocts holy truths in his mind 3. He shows his love to the Word by delighting in it it is his recreation Ier. 15. 16. Thy wordâ— were found and I did eat them and thy Word waâ— unto me the Ioy and rejoycing of my heart Never did a man take such delight in a dish that he loved as the Prophet did in the Word And indeed how can a Saint chuse but take great complacency in the Word because all that ever he hopes to be worth is contained in it Doth not a son take pleasure in reading over his Fathers Will and Testament where he makes a conveyance of his Estate to him 4. He shows his love to the Word by hiding it Psal. 119. 11. Thy Word have I hid in my heart As one hides a treasure that it should not be stoln away The Word is the Jewel the heart is the Cabinet where it must be locked up Many hide the Word in their memory but not in their heart And why would David inclose the Word in his heart That I might be kept from sinning against thee As one would carry an Antidote about him when he comes neer an infected place so a godly man carries the Word in his heart as a spiritual antidote to preserve him from the infection of sin Why have so many been poysoned with error others with moral vice but because they have not hid the Word as an holy antidote in their heart 5. He shows his love to the Word by desending it A wise man will not let his Land be taken from him but will defend his Title David looked upon the Word as his Land of Inheritance Psal. 119. 111. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an Heritage for ever And do you think he would let his Inheritance be wrested out of his hands A godly man will not only dispute for the Word but die for it Rev. 6. 9. I saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God 6. He shows his love to the Word by preferring it above things most precious 1. Above food Iob 23. 12. I have â—esteemed the words of his mouth above my necessary food â— Above riches Psal. 119. 72. The Law of thy mouth is better unto me then thousands of gold and silver 3. Above worldly honor Memorable is the story of King Edward the Sixth who upon the day of his Coronation when they presented before him three Swords signifying to him that he was Monarch of three Kingdomes the King said there is yet one Sword wanting being asked what that was he answered the Holy Bible which is the sword of the Spirit and is to be preferred before these Ensigns of Royalty 7. He shows his love to the Word by talking of it Psal. 119. 172. My tongue shall speak of thy Word As a covetous man is talking of his rich purchase so a godly man is speaking of the Word what a treasure it is how full of beauty and suavity they whose mouths the Devil hath gagg'd who never speak of Gods Word it is a sign they never reaped any good by it 8. He shows his
him to be silent the Spouse being sick of love her tongue was as the pen of a ready writer Cant. 5. 10. My beloved is white and ruddy his head is of fine gold c. If Wine be in the house the Bush will be hung forth and where there is a principle of godliness in the heart it will vent it self at the lips the Bush will be hung forth How can they be termed godly 1. Who are possessed with a dumb devil They never have any good discourse they are fluent and discoursive enough in secular things they can speak of their wares and drugs they can tell what a good crop they have but in matters of Religion they are as if their tongue did cleave to the roof of their mouth There are many persons if you come into their company you cannot tell what to make of them whether they are Turks or Atheists for they never speak a word of Christ. 2. Whose tongues are set on fire of Hell Their lips do not drop honey but poyson to the defiling of others Plutarch saith speech ought to be like gold which is then of most value when it hath least dross in it O the unclean malicious words that some persons utter What an unsavoury stench comes from these dunghils those lips had need have Davids Bridle that gallop so fast in sin Can the body be healthful when the tongue is black Can the heart be holy when the devil is in the lips A godly man speaks the language of Canaan Mal. 3. 16. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another 4. A godly man is heavenly in his Operation The motions of the Planets are Caelestial A godly man is sublime and sacred in his motions he works out salvation he puts forth all his strength as they did in the Olympicks that he may obtain the Garland made of the Flowers of Paradise he prays fasts watcheth he offers violence to heaven he is divinely acted he carries on Gods Interest in the world he doth Angels work he is in his Operations Seraphical 5. A godly man is heavenly in his Expectation his hopes are above the world Tit. 1. 2. In hope of eternal life A godly man casts Anchor within the vail he hopes to have his fetters of sin filed off he hopes for such things as eye hath not seen he hopes for a Kingdome when he dies a Kingdome promised by the Father purchased by the Son assured by the Holy Ghost as an Heir lives in hope when such a great Estate shall befall him so a Childe of God who is a Co-heir with Christ hopes for glory This hope comforts him in all varieties of condition Rom. 5. 2. We rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God 1. This hope comforts a godly man in affliction hope doth lighten and sweeten the most severe Dispensations A Childe of God can laugh with tears in his eyes the time is shortly coming when the Cross shall be taken off his shoulders and a Crown set upon his head A Saint at present is miserable with a thousand troubles in an instant cloathed with Robes of Immortality and advanced above Seraphims 2. This hope comforts a godly man in death Pro. 14. 32. The righteous hath hope in his death If one should ask a dying Saint when all his earthly comforts were gone what he had left he would say the Helmet of Hope I have read of a Martyr Woman who when the Persecutor commanded that her breasts should be cut off she said Tyrant do thy worst I have two breasts which thou canst not touch the one of Faith the other of Hope A soul that hath this blessed hope is above the desire of life or the fear of death Would one be troubled to exchange a sorry Lease for an Inheritance that will be for him and his Heirs Who would care to part with life which is a Lease will soon be run out to be possessed of a glorious Inheritance in light 6. A godly man is heavenly in his Conversation he casts such a lustre of Holiness as adorns his Profession he lives as if he had seen the Lord with bodily eyes what zeal sanctity humility shines forth in his life A godly person doth emulate not only the Angels but imitate Christ himself 1 Iohn 2. 6. The Macedonians celebrate the Birth-day of Alexander on which day they wear his picture about their necks set with Pearl and rich Jewels so a godly man carries the lively picture of Christ about him in the heavenliness of his deportment Phil. 3. 20. Our conversation is in heaven Use 1. They must needs be cast over the Bar for ungodly who are eaten up with the world godly and earthly is a contradiction Phil. 3. 18 19. For many walk of whom I now tell you even weeping that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ whose god is their belly who mind earthly things We read the earth swallowed up Korah alive Numb 16. 32. This Judgement is on many the earth swallows up their time and thoughts and discourse they are buried twice their hearts are buried in the earth before their bodies How sad is it that the soul that Princely thing which is made for Communion with God and Angels should be put to the Mill to grinde and made Mancipium terrae a slave to the earth How is the soul become like the Prodigal chusing rather to converse with swine and feed upon husks than to aspire after Communion with the blessed Deity Thus doth Satan befool men and keep them from heaven by making them seek an heaven here Use 2. As we would evidence our selves to be born of God let us be of a sublime heavenly temper We shall never go to heaven when we die unless we are in heaven whilest we live That we may be more Noble and raised in our affections let us seriously weigh these four considerations 1. God himself sounds a retreat to us to call us off the world 1 Iohn 2. 15. Love not the world We may use it as a posie of flowers to smell to but it must not lie as a bundle of myrrhe betwixt our breasts Rom. 12. 2. Be ye not conformed to this world do not hunt after the honors and profits of it and as Gods Precepts so his Providences are to beat us off the world Why doth he send War and Pestilence What means the heat of this great anger Surely dying times are to make men die to the world 2. Consider how much below a Christian it is to be earthly-minded We laugh sometimes at Children when we see them busying themselves about toys blowing bubbles in the ayr out of a shell kissing their Babies c. when in the mean time we do the same at death what will all the world be which we so hug and kiss but as a Baby of Clouts it will yield us no more comfort then and to be taken up with these things how far is it
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
God loves to bestow his mercies where there is the best Eccho of thankfulness 5 Thankfulness is a frame of heart God delights in if repentance bee the joy of heaven praise is the musick Bernard calls thankfulness the sweet Balm that drops from a Christian. Four Sacrifices God is much pleased with the sacrifice of Christs blood the sacrifice of a broken heart the sacrifice of Alms and the sacrifice of thanksgiving Praise and Thanksgiving saith Mr. Greenham is the most excellent part of Gods worship for this shall continue in the heavenly quire when all other exercises of Religion shall cease 6 What an horrid thing ingratitude is it gives a dye and tincture to every other sin and makes it Crimson ingratitude is the spirits of baseness Obad. v. 7. They that eat thy bread have laid a Wound under thee Ingratitude is worse than bruitish Isa. 1. 3. 'T is reported of Iulius Caesar that he would never forgive an ungrateful person though God be a sin-pardoning God he scarce knows not how to pardon for this Ier. 5. 7. How shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me when I had fed them to the full they then committed adultery Draco whose Laws were written in blood published and edict that if any man had received a benefit from another and it could bee proved against him that hee had not been grateful for it hee should be put to death an unthankful person is a monster in nature a Pardox in Christianity he is the scorn of heaven and the plague of earth an ungrateful man never doth well but in one thing that is when hee dies 7 The not being thankful is the cause of all the Judgements which have lain upon us our unthankfulness for health hath been the cause of so much Mortality our Gospel-unthankful thankfulness and Sermon-surfeiting hath been the reason why God hath put so many Lights under a Bushel as Bradford said my unthankfulness was the death of King Edward the sixth Who will bestow cost on a peece of ground that brings forth nothing but briars unthankfulness stops the golden Vial of Gods bounty that it will not drop Quest. How shall we do to be thankful Answ. 1. If you would be thankful get an heart deeply humbled in the sense of your own vileness a broken heart is the best pipe to sound forth Gods praise hee who studies his sins wonders that he hath any thing and that God should shine upon such a dunghill 1 Tim. 1. 13. Who was before a Blasphemer and a Persecuter but I obtained mercy How thankful was he how did he Trumpet forth free-grace A proud man will never bee thankful he looks upon all his mercies to bee either of his own procuring or deserving if he hath an Estate this he hath gotten by his wit and industry not considering that Scripture Deut. 8. 18. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that gives thee power to get Riches Pride stops the Current of gratitude O Christian think of thy unworthiness see thy self the least of Saints and the chief of Sinners and then thou wilt be thankful 2 Labour for sound evidences of Gods love to you read Gods love in the impress of holiness upon your hearts Gods love powred in will make the Vessels of Mercy run over with thankfulness Rev. 1. 5 6. Unto him that loved us be glory and dominion for ever The deepest Springs yeeld the sweetest water hearts deeply sensible of Gods love yeeld the sweetest praises SECT XVIII 18 A godly man is a lover of the Saints the best way to discern grace in ones self is to love grace in others 1 Ioh. 3. 14. Wee know we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren What is religion but religation a knitting together of hearts Faith knits us to God and love knits us one to another There is a two-fold love to others 1 A civil love a godly man hath a love of civility to all Gen. 23. 7. Abraham stood up and bewed to the children of Heth Though they were extraneous and not within the pale of the Covenant yet Abraham was affable to them grace doth sweeten and refine nature 1 Pet. 3. 8. be courteous wee are to have a love of civility to all 1 As they are ex eodem luto of the same lump and mould with our selves and are a peece of Gods curious needle-work 2 Because our sweet deportment towards them may bee a means to win upon them and make them in love with the waies of God a morose ruggid carriage often alienates the hearts of others and hardens them the more against holiness whereas a loving behaviour is very obliging and may bee as a load-stone to draw them to religion 2 There is a pious and an holy love and this a godly man doth bear chiefly to them who are of the houshold of faith the other was a love of courtesie this of complacency Our love to the Saints saith Austin should bee more than to our natural relations because the bond of the spirit is nearer than that of blood This love to the Saints which evidenceth a man godly must have seven ingredients in it 1 Love to the Saints must bee sincere 1 Ioh. 3. 18. Let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth The hony that drops from the comb is pure so must love be pure without deceit Many are like Naphtali Gen. 49. 21. he giveth goodly words Pretended love is like a painted fire which hath no heat in it Some hide malice under a false veil of love I have read of Antoninus the Emperour where he made a shew of Friendship there he intended the most mischief 2 Love to the Saints must be spiritual we must love them because they are Saints not out of self-respects because they are affable or have been kinde to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesh but we must love them under a spiritual notion because of the good that is in them we are to reverence their holiness else it is a carnal love 3 Love to the Saints must be extensive we must love all that bear Gods image 1 Though they have many infirmities a Christian in this life is like a good face full of Freckles thou that canst not love another because of his imperfections didst never yet see thy own face in the glass thy brothers infirmities may make thee pity him his graces must make thee love him 2 Wee must love the Saints though in some things they do not coalesce and agree with us another Christian may differ from me in less matters either because hee hath more light than I or because hee hath lesse light if he differs from me because he hath more light then I have no reason to censure him if because hee hath less light than I ought to bear with him as the weaker Vessel in things of an indifferent nature
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
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
our eyes shall indeed be opened to see God The third promise is Rev. 2. 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna and will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it This Promise consists of three branches 1 I will give to eat of the hidden Manna This is mysterious it signifies the love of God which is Manna for its sweetness and hidden for its rarity 2 I will give him a white stone that is absolution it may be called a precious stone saith Hierom. 3 And in the stone a new name That is Adoption he shall be reputed an Heir of Heaven and no man can know it saving he who hath the privy seal of the spirit to assure him of it The fourth promise is Rev. 3. 5. he that overcometh the same shall bee cloathed in white raiment and I will not blot his name out of the book of life but I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels The persevering Saint shall bee cloathed in White This is an Emblem of joy Eccles. 9. 8. He shall put off his mourning and be cloathed in the white robe of glory and I will not blot his name out of the book of life God will blot a Believers sins out but he will not blot his name out the Book of Gods Decree hath no Errataes in it But I will confess his Name he who hath owned Christ on earth and worn his colours when it was death to wear them Christ will not bee ashamed of him but will confess his Name before his Father and the holy Angels Oh what a comfort and honor will it be to have a good look from Christ at the last day nay to have Christ own us by Name and say these were they who stood up for my truth and kept their garments pure in a defiling age These shall walk with mee in white for they are worthy The fifth promise is Rev. 3. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall goe no more out and I will write upon him the Name of my God and the Name of the City of my God Here are many excellent things couched in this Promise I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of my God The Hypocrite is calamus a Reed shaken with the wind but the conquering Saint shall be columna a glorious Pillar a Pillar for strength and a Pillar in the Temple for sanctity and he shall go no more out I understand this of a glorified state Hee shall go no more out that is after he hath overcome hee shall go no more out to the Wars hee shall never have sin or temptation more to conflict with no more noyse of Drum or Cannon shall bee heard but the Believer having won the field hee shall now stay at home and divide the spoil And I will write upon him the Name of my God That is he shall bee openly acknowledged for my Childe as the Son bears his Fathers Name How honourable must that Saint bee who hath Gods own Name written upon him And I will write upon him the Name of the City of my God That is he shall be enrolled as a Denison or Citizen of the Ierusalem above hee shall bee made free of the Angelical society The sixth promise is Rev. 2. 26. He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations this may have a double mystery either it may be understood of the Saints dwelling upon earth they shall have power over the nations their zeal and patience shall over-power the adversaries of truth Act. 6. 10. or principally it may be understood of the Saints triumphing in heaven they shall have power â—ver the nations they shall share with Christ in some of his power they shall joyn with him in judging the world at the last day 1 Cor. 6. 2. Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the world The seventh promise is Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me upon my throne 1 Here is first the Saints dignity they shall sit upon the throne 2 Their safety they shall sit with Christ Christ holds them fast and none shall pluck them out of his throne the Saints may be turned out of their houses but they cannot be turned out of Christs throne men may as well pluck a star out of the sky as a Saint out of the throne The eighth promise is Rev. 2. 28. I will give him the morning-starre Though the Saints may be sullied with reproach in this life they may be termed factious and disloyal St. Paul himself suffered trouble in the opinion of some as an evil doer 2 Tim. 2. 9. yet God will bring forth the Saints righteousness as the light and they shall shine as the Morning-star which is brighter then the rest I will give him the morning-star This morning star is meant of Christ as if Christ had said I will give the persevering Saint some of my beauty I will put some of my splendid raies upon him he shall have the next degree of glory to me as the mornning Star is next the Sun O what soul-ravishing promises are here who would not persevere in godliness he that is not wrought upon by these promises is either a stone or a bruite CHAP. X. The third Vse referring to the Godly Use 3. LEt me in the next place direct my self to those who have a real work of godliness upon their hearts and I would speak to them by way of 1 Caution 2 Counsel 3 Comfort 1 By way of Caution that they do not blur these Characters of grace in their souls though Gods children cannot quite deface their graces yet they may disfigure them too much carnal liberty may weaken their evidences and so dim their lustre that they cannot bee read These Characters of the godly are precious things the gold and christal cannot be compared with them O keep them fair written in your hearts and they will be so many living comforts in a dying hour it will not affright a Christian to have all the signs of death in his body when he can see all the signs of grace in his soul he will say as Simeon Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace 2 By way of Counsel you who are inriched with the treasures of godliness bless God for it This flower doth not grow in natures garden when you had listed your selves under the Devil and taken pay on his side fighting against your own happiness that then God should come with converting grace and put forth a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a loving and gentle violence causing you to espouse his quarrel against Satan when you had lain many years soaking in wickedness as if you had been par-boild for Hell that then God should lay you
as is pretended Oh yee Saints of God forget not consolation let others see that you repent not of your choice 't is joy that puts liveliness and activity into a Christian Nehem. 8. 10. The ioy of the Lord is your strength Then the soul is swiftest in duty when it is carried upon the wings of joy 4. Adorn this Marriage-Relation that you may be a crown to your husband 1. Wear a vail We read of the spouses vail Cant. 5. 7. This vail is humility 2. Put on your Jewels These are the graces which for their lustre are compared to rows of Pearl and chains of gold Cant. 1. 10. These precious Jewels distinguish Christs Bride from strangers 3. Carry your selves as becomes Christs Spouse 1. In chastity 2. In sanctity 1. In chastity Be chaste in your judgments defile not your selves with error error adulterates the mind 1 Tim. 6. 5. 't is one of Satans artifices first to defile the judgement then the conscience 2. In sanctity It is not for Christs Spouse to do as Harlots a naked breast a wanton tongue doth not become a Saint Christs Bride must shine forth in Gospel-purity that she may make her husband fall in love with her A woman being asked what Dowry she brought her husband answered she had no Dowry but she promised to keep her self chaste so though we can bring to Christ no Dowry yet he looks we should keep our selves pure not spotting the breasts of our Virginity by contagious and scandalous sins FINIS AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE A AFflictions on the Saints various 172 Afflictions may lye long ibid. Affliction compared to a Net 173 Apostasie dangerous 301 Arguments to patience in affliction 174 Assurance to be endeavoured after 308 B Benefits by Christ precious 56 Bruised reed what 318 When a soul is bruised enough 326 Bruised Reed not barren 328 C Caution to the Godly 315 Characters of a godly man 15 Children to honour their Parents 225 Christ of a merciful disposition 322 Christ full of preciousness 53 Christ prized by a Saint 57 Comfort to the real Christian. 317 Company of the godly to be frequented 299 Complexion-sin how known 210 Contentment with our condition 247 Covetousness to be avoided 301 Counsel to the godly 316 D Danger in allowing one sin 215 Decay of Charity to be bewailed 200 Diligence in a mans calling 242 Disobedient children punished 226 Distinctions about humility 103 Distractions in duties whence they arise 232 How they may be cured 233 E Earthly and godly a contradiction 146 Endeavours of a Christian to be quickned 342 Examples of patience 171 Examples speak louder than precepts 267 Excellency of the Word written 83 F Faith excites all the graces 28 Few know the mystery of Faith 30 Faiths encouragement 323 Falling from grace refuted 334 Fathers to instruct and pray for children 223 Forgiveness of sin 2 How sad to want it 4 How sweet to have it ib. G Gainful sins make men loosers 209 God the best Master 46 Godliness what 5 Seven maxims about godliness 6 Godly man like God 34 Godly man a lover of the Word 77 Godly man exact about the worship of God 39 Godly man instrumental for the good of others 263 Godliness exhorted to 273 Godly men prudent 284 Godly men the Bulwark of a nation 285 Helps to godliness 295 Grace to be promoted in our relations 268 One grace in truth hath all linked with it 272 H Hardness of heart differenced from an hard heart 327 Haters of Saints put in Gods black Book 206 Heart to be called toaccount 240 Heart to be watched 296 Heavenly mindedness the note of a Saint 141 How many wayes a godly man is heavenly 142 Heaven-aspiring motives 147 How heaven is a better country 150 Holiness Gods glory 35 Holiness of Saints wherein discovered 36 Honouring of Parents wherein it consists 225 Humble Soul Characterized 104 Humility exhorted to 113 How to be attained 115 Husbands must love their Wives 221 Hypocrisie a vile sin 138 Hypocrites partial in matters of Religion 239 I Ignorance in Gospel-times inexcusable 22 Indulging sin what 206 Ingratitude odious 193 Injuries to be forgiven 245 K Divine Knowledge how qualified 16 To be sought after 24 How obtained 25 L Life of a Saint a life of believing 29 Love of God to his people 283 Love to God 31 Love to the Scriptures how shown 79 Love to the Word Preached 84 Whether we are Lovers of the Word 85 Love to the Saints how qualified 196 Motives to Love 201 Love how gotten and preserved 205 Luke-warm temper abominable 161 M Magistrates must put on Iustice as a robe 218 Masters to be good at home as well as at Church 224 Ministers must sweat in Gods Vineyard 218 Ministers ought to be zealous 219 Mischieving of Souls three waies 267 Misery of a natural estate 275 Moral Righteousness to be observed 243 Mystical union sweet 343 O Obedience to God must be universal 238 How a godly man obeys all Gods commands 249 Object Touching hardness of heart answered 327 Object Touching smoaking flax answered 339 Offices of Christ precious 55 Opposites to patience 166 P Patience in waiting 164 Patience in bearing 165 Patience what it is ib. Patience how attained 177 Persecution for Christ. 248 Perseverance in the profession of godliness 299 Means to perseverance 301 Motives to perseverance 309 Persons of the godly precious 280 Praise a God-exalting work 181 Prayer the badge of a godly man 117 Prayer spiritual what it is 119 A perswasive to Prayer 128 Pretenders to godliness 8 Pride an horrid sin 114 Persons who do not prize Christ. 60 Whether we are prizers of Christ. 62 A perswasive to all to prize Christ. 67 Promises to persevering Christians 310 Proud men unmasked 110 R Relative holiness 218 Motives to be good in our relation 228 Reproof to them who pray not at all 126 Reproofs when loved 87 Religion to be entred upon out of choice 305 S Secret sins 207 Self-denial needful 307 Servant of God described 43 Service of God excellent 47 Serving of men when sinful 51 Servants how to carry themselves to their Masters 226 Sincere Christian deciphered 131 Sincerity the ingredient into all the graces 134 Sincerity a jewel of incomparable worth 135 Sins of a justified person odious 73 Smoking flax what it signifies 328 Why smoking flax shall not be quenched 331 Spirit of God known by its motions 89 Spirits motions how distinguished from the impulse of a natural conscience 90 Spirit known by its vertues 91 How the spirit of God comforts 94 Spirit deriders far from Godly 99 Spirits in-dwelling to be laboured after 100 Such as have the spirit how they are to carry themselves 101 Spiritualness in duty what 230 How we may grow more spiritual in the service of God 236 Superstitions persons seldome converted 41 Support in the death of godly relations 168 Sympathy with Sion 246 T Thankfulness a work proper for a Saint 179 Thankfulness in adversity as well as