Devils sinned and kept not their first Estate 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude verse 6. John 8.44 And Adam comprehending also Eve sinned and all mankind in him whereby all are become sinners and under the Judgement of God and by that one sin subject to Death Bodily Spiritual and Eternal and all as well the Elect as others are born in sin and are by Nature the Children of Wrath under the Law and Curse out of which condition no man can redeem himself or his Brother Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Psalm 51.5 Job 25.4 Ephes 2.2 Gal. 3.10 Psal 49.7 Concerning the promise of Salvation by Christ Immediately upon the Fall of Adam God made a Promise of his Son the Seed of the Woman Gen. 3.15 And afterwards often before the Law made and renewed a Covenant with Abraham and the Fathers called the Gospel Gal 3.8 concerning him how all Nations that is all Believers as well Gentiles as Jews should be blessed that is justified and saved through and by him Gen. 12. 17. 22. Rom. 4. Gal. 3. And therefore the Law that was given after was neither intended nor able to disannull the Promise or that Covenant nor to give Life and Salvation to any Gal. 3. Rom. 3. 4. Concerning the Lord Christ and those that are Redeemed by him 1. The Son of God did often appear both in the likeness of an Angel and of a man before and under the Law Gen. 16. 22. Exod. 3. Iosh 5. Iude. 2.1 6.11 14. 13.6.22 He was also clearly represented by many Types and Figures by Men sc Adam Abel Noah Abraham Isaac Joseph David Solomon c. The First-born the First-fruits Sacrifices and by many other things Col. 2.17 Rom. 5.14 Heb. 8.1 9.11 12. 2. All the Prophets did clearly prophesie of him and some of them in particular that he should proceed from David out of the Tribe of Judah be born in Bethlehem of a Virgin yea the very time when he should be born was also foretold and that he should be a Prophet Priest and King a Judge and Saviour to his people that he should Die Rise up again Ascend up into Heaven sit upon Gods Right Hand make Intercession give Gifts unto men and come again to judge the world the fulfilling of which the History of the New Testament doth plainly and fully shew so that there is a sweet and exact Harmony and Consent between that and the Old Testament herein Luke 24.25 26 27. 45 46 47. Acts 3.18 21 10.43 13.39 c. 3. In the fulness of Time appointed and promised by the Father God out of his own free and great love sent this his only begotten Son into the world Gal. 4.4 Eph. 1.10 John 3.16 Rom. 8.32 And the Lord Jesus Christ out of the like love willingly came into the world took upon him the Nature of Man or the seed of Abraham and the Form of a Servant being made like unto his Brethren and in all points Tempted or Tryed as we are yet without sin yet being made sin and a curse for his people he dyed a shamefull and a cursed death bearing as well the wrath of God upon his soul as painful Punishment from men upon his body Eph. 5.2 Phil. 2.7 Hebrews 2.14 17. 2 Cor. 5.21 Col. 3.13 Matthew 26. 27 c. 4. The Lord Jesus Christ by dying and offering up himself as a Sacrifice to God the Father through the eternal Spirit hath perfectly satisfied for the sins of all that were saved before his coming in the flesh or that shall be saved hereafter having also reconciled them to God his Father and procured everlasting redemption for them Rom. 5.9 Col. 1.21 22. Heb. 9.12 14 c. 5. All those for whom Christ dyed for them he rose again appeared in Heaven and continually makes Intercession for which he doth not do for all but for those that God the Father chose in him and gave unto him to be his Body his Church his Children Friends and Flock John 10. 15. 17 Heb. 2. Eph. 1. 14. c. And when mention is made of his dying for the world 1 Tim. 2.5 John 6.51 1 John 2.2 c. It is to be understood as when Abraham is said to be Heir of the world Rom. 4.13 that is of all Believers in every nation throughout the world John 11.51 52. John 17.9 19. 6. There is no other Mediator between God and Man but only the Lord Christ nor no other Foundation can be laid besides him neither is there Salvation in or through any other but in and through him alone neither can any be accepted justified or saved either in whole or in part by the Law or by their own Righteousness and Works 1 Tim. 2.5 1 Cor. 3.10 11. Acts 4.11 12. Rom. 3.4 5. Phil 3.8 9. Gal. 2.16 3. c. Concerning Justification and Justifying Faith 1. All the Elect of God were gathered into Christ and their sins laid upon him and he by his own Perfect and Personal Obedience without them made full satisfaction unto God for them and their sins and they were accepted and virtually justified in him as their Head and Representer before they did actually believe as they were sinners in the first Adam before they actually committed sins themselves as upon the payment of the Debt by a Surety the Debtor is as really and truly discharged as if he had paid it with his own hand and Christ their Surety being justified at his Resurrection as the Apostle speaks 1 Tim. 3.16 must be justified also from that Debt which was theirs for he had none of his own Dan. 9.26 1 Pet. 2.22 24. and so consequently they must be justified in him Thus the Apostle plainly affirms God was in Christ i. e. at the time of his Death for with reference to that doth the Apostle there speak reconciling the world i. e. that World as was mentioned before whereof Abraham was heir viz. the Elect both Jews and Gentiles Rom. 11.12.15 not imputing to them their Trespasses 2 Cor. 5.19 so the same Apostle in another place saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect meaning hereby all the Elect as well such as are to believe hereafter as those who do believe already it is God who justifieth who is he that condemneth it is Christ that dyed Rom. 8.33 34. And Christ prayed on Earth as well for those that were to believe as for those that were already Actually Believers Iohn 17.20 And all Elect Children that dye in their Infancy must be so Justified from Original sin for they cannot actually believe 2. Notwithstanding that Virtual justification which the Elect have in their Head Christ as they are considered members of his Body and Part of the Universal Church yet the Scripture shews that there must be after they are called by the preaching of the Gospel a personal and as I may call it an actual Justification of every one that is to be saved Rom. 8.30 and
ordained for his Church and Disciples onely that especial Ordinance called his Supper or the Communion of his Body and Blood to put them in remembrance of his Death till he came again and to confirm that spiritual Union and Communion they have with him and as an ordinance to convey more Grace unto their souls And this together with Baptism are and may be accounted though not so called in Scripture Gospel-signs and seals of the Covenant of Grace as Circumcision and the Passeover were before unto the Jews Mat. 26.26 27 28 29. 1 Cor. 10.16 11.23 24 25 26. Rom. 4.11 Col 2.11 12. 2. The command and example of Christ and his Apostles are to be observed both in the giving and receiving of this ordinance After the Bread and Wine are Blessed or set apart and a Blessing sought on them The Minister is to take both of the Bread and Wine himself and to give of both kinds to the Disciples or Members of the Church sitting or leaning Mat. 26.20 26. But to give it privately to persons upon their sick beds or to keep back the Wine from the People or under pretence of humility to give it unto the Congregation kneeling are contrary to the Institution of Christ see Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 11.20 23. 3 As the true Churches and Disciples of Christ should often partake of this ordinance so those that are without Christ his Covenant and Church who are ignorant unbelieving and ungodly have no right thereto at all and Christ forbids to give holy things to such and they that eat and drink the same unworthily do both profane and pollute the Name and Ordinance of God and eat and drink damnation to themselves not discerning the Lords Body Acts 2.42 20.7 1 Cor. 11.25 27 29 Mat. 7.6 Concerning Preaching and Prophecying Preaching of the Gospel or Evangelizing which is to be to all Nations and to every creature is to be performed by such as are gifted called and sent either immediately by Christ as the Apostles and seventy Disciples were or by his Church Acts 13 1 2 3. or in case of Persecution by such as are scattered Members to whom God may open a door for the preaching of his word to such as want the same Acts 8.1 4. 11.19 20 21. 2. Prophecying is another Gospel-Ordinance which is either a fore-telling of some future things by divine Revelation which is an extraordinary and peculiar gift of God yet promised John 16.13 and given to several in Gospel-days Acts 11.27 21.9 10. 1 Cor. 14.26 Eph. 4.11 or else it is a speaking unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort or a teaching of believers to observe all things that Christ hath commanded which is a distinct thing from Preaching though of the same Nature and doth more properly and peculiarly belong to the Church and those that are within as the other doth to the world and those that are without 1 Cor. 14.22 Mat. 28.19 20. compared with Mark 16.15 Concerning Prayer Prayer is a special part of Gods worship being a pouring out of the soul in confessions supplications and thanksgivings to God through Christ by the help of his spirit Eph. 6.18 Jude v. 20. 1 Tim. 2.1 8. c. 2. Though that most excellent and comprehensive perfect Prayer that Christ taught his Apostles 〈◊〉 Directory and Rule to Teach Believers to pray accordingly and likewise that very Prayer may be used Verbatim Yet Christ did not impose it upon them nor tye them thereto neither did Christ or his Apostles ever ordain or impose any other form much less then should any other Persons usurp this authority over the Church and people of God and therefore all such as make enjoyn or observe such humane Forms follow the Traditions of Men and not the Word of God see 1 Cor. 11.1 23. 2 Cor 1.24 Mark 7.6 7 8. Though the Prayers of Unbelievers be abominable to the Lord because of their sins and their being out of Christ yet it 's their duty to pray and it is lawful for believers to pray where Unbelievers are present we find our Saviour himself and many of his Saints using divers gestures in prayer as kneeling lying on the face standing all very lawfull and acceptable if the heart be filled with true faith love sincerity humility and zeal to God Concerning singing of Psalms Imposition of Hands and other Gospel ordinances not yet repeated 1. Singing of Psalms particularly Scripture-Psalms Hymns and Spiritual songs is a continued Gospel-ordiâ—ance and duty and to be performed by all but espeâ—ially in the Churches Mat. 26.30 Eph. 5.18 19. Col. â— 16 c. 2. Laying on of Hands is one of the Principles of â—he Doctrine of Christ and a Gospel-ordinance praâ—tised in the primitive times and not yet abrogated â—s appears by any Scripture being used upon those â—hat were sent out of the Churches to preach the Gospelâ— Acts 13.3 or upon believers after their Baptisme in order to their receiving the Holy Ghost or the gifts thereof Acts 8.17 9.17 19.6 or else for the healing of the sick Acts 28.8 c. 3. Visiting of the sick and for the elders to anoint them in the name of the Lord is a Gospel Ordinance and not repealed Jam. 5.14 15. Concerning Excommunication Another Ordinance continued in the Time and Churches of the New Testament is a power given by Christ to deal with such members as walk disorderly 2 Thes 3.6 that refuse to hear the Church Mat. 18.17 commit some scandalous sin 1 Cor. 5. or deny and destroy the Faith or Fundamentals of Religion as the Resurrection c. 2 Tim. 2.16.27 18. 1 Tim. 2.20 2. The Ordinance is to be solemnly performed in the name of Christ by the whole Congregation yet ministerially by the Officers thereof and according to the nature of the offence whether by Admonition without Ejection 1 Thes 5.14 or Ejection and casting out till repentance manifests it self in the excommunicated Person and then he is to be restored 1 Cor. 5. with 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. or else aâ— utter and absolute excommunication and rejectinâ— of the Person till the coming of Christ 1 Corinâ— 16.22 Concerning Magistrates and Rulers 1. Magistracy is an Ordinance of God and Ruler or Magistrates whether supream or subordinate anâ— Gods Ministers Reigning by under and for him entrusted with the sword of Justice for the encouragement and praise of such as do well but a terror to eviâ— works or a revenger and executor of wrath upon those that do evil Rom. 13.2 14. 1 Pet. 2.14 1 Tim. 2.2 Prov. 8.16.17 2 Chron. 19.6 2. The most High God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords who ruleth in the Kingdom of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will he exalteth and pulleth down altereth and removeth Kings and other Rulers at his pleasure Psal 75.6 7. Dan. 4.25 2 Chron. 11.4 2 King 9.3 6 7. sometimes giving bad Rulers and at other times taking away such as are good in a
that you shall shortly reach Immortality but never Eternity Make Christ your all and you will be sure to lay down your self all Consider that when you are not assaulted with Temptaions Satan is damming and pounding and and he will suddenly draw up his Sluce and let loose upon you Satan doth not like God warn before he strike Christ work is Wages his Service perfect freedom The Love of the Master the sweetness of the Service and the greatness of the reward are sufficient incouragements to serve Christ A Christians security and safety is in doing his duty and he should study his duty more then his safety He that loves not Christ more then his Lust or his Life is like to lose Christ and his Life but he that loves Christ more then his Life shall be sure to save and keep both Strive greatly to have and to exercise a good Conscience towards God and Men and commit by Soul Life and Cause to the Lord and to exâ—â—ct the worst of Men and the best of Christ Christ is â—â—â—o the Soul as the Loadstone to the â—on drawing it to it self or the Cristial to the other â—tones putting Beauty and Lustre on them A Christian beholds Christ in the deepest Afflictiâ—n as well as in the most spiritual Ordinance Corruptions are like Worms in the Maw or Stoâ—ach which will eat through the Soul unless scatâ—red killed and purged out The only way some times for a Christian to avoid the force of Temptation is Souldier Like to fall down on his face when he sees the Cannon or Musket fired against him Make haste to do thy work Christian and God will make haste to give thee thy Wages Thou must dye once whether thou suffer or no and thou canst dye but once if thou suffer The sins of Saints are new sufferings to Jesus Christ and the sufferings of Saints are the Wounds of Christ Reading the Scriptures helps Meditation Meditation Prayer and Prayer every good work Men may come too late to God when the Door is shut but God never comes too late to Men. Let the Child be contented to take the Breast the Mother will give it and then it shall have both so be contented with what Christ gives you and you shall want nothing To see the want of Grace is much the worth of Grace more T is hard to get Grace hard to get assurance of Grace hard to use it and not abuse it T is very hard to behold our own Gift without Pride and the Gifts of others if they excel ours without Envy Do not commend thy Freind nor discommend thy Foe too much least thou be judged to be partial He commands most and best that commads in Love Humility and Self-denyingly He hath not learned to rule that hath not learningâ—ed to obey An even through Paced Self-fearing Heart melt-Christian is always best The world is a great nothing deluding the bad disturbing and distracting the good Satan works more upon men by sleight then by might avoid his cunning and thou wilt avoid his cruelty Hypocrites Hearts are like stinking Ponds wherein Frogs live and Fish dye Lusts feed and Grace if it were there starves The Devil is like the Turkycock or Crocodile if you turn upon him he will fly from you but you fly from him he will pursue you It is better sometimes to sleight the Devil then to fight him Thoughts of our own death will tend much to deaden sin God hath set the Tongue between the Brains and Heart that it may advice with both and within two Guards to keep it in and yet it is unruly Prayer is a good preparative to suffering when Christ had prayed he went out to meet Judas Ioh. 18.4 Ruffling opinion sowing and Church railing Persons and Professors have commonly more Self then Grace It is the duty of a Christian to suppress and search himself when he doth not know Evil by himself Christ and Sin are most magnified in the Eyes of Believers in their afflictions but in a different manner and to a different end and then Christ is most desired and Sin most dispised A Christian should earnestly desire that his sin might sit in a white Cloud and that he might go out of the World as a Perfume and not as a Snuff The holy Law of God teaches a Man to see his own Deformity and requires from him a Conformity Sin is like a sleepy Lion in the Soul which Temptation soon awakens Christ puts most of his Oyle in broken Vessels in broken Hearts there is most Grace and best kept The less a man strives for himself the more will Christ strive for him Oh my Soul look for death hourly long for it greatly prepare for it carefully meet and welcome it joyfully for it is Christs part to direct his Spouse the Soul to him and thy Freind that comes to set thee at liberty from thy sins discharge thee from thy Pâ—ison dismiss thee from thy Debts and bring thee at once to enjoy all thy desires Oh Lord as a sign that I shall be able to dye for thee let me find my Corruption dying in me by power from thee He that will not take Example shall make an Example Afflictions are Christs Love Tokens Jer. 12.7 Heb. 12.6 Rev. 3.9 and Christians are never more tendred then when most afflicted as Ephraim Jer. 31.20 A Christians Soul should be like the Dial going according to the Sun or following Christ Small sins yeilded too make way for greater and one sin for another He that converts a Sinner covers a world or multitude of sins and gains more then a World to wit a Soul Saints should labour to Lord it over their Corruptions as their Corruptions did formerly Lord it over them God hath given a Man a little Mouth and a narrow Throat that Man may not exced in eating To take pains about unnecessary and unprofitable things is laboriously to mispend time Zeal without Knowledge to guide it is like mettle in a blind Horse which stumbles and overthrows the Rider Young Christians commonly want a Curb and old Christians a Spur. Be not ambitions of Love and thou shalt not be so soon an object of Envy It is good to curb natural and acquired Gifts but to give the Reins to Grace and let alwayes Grace lead rule and master Gifts A Heart unconverted is contended with nothing but what is helping it unto Hell and it hath never enough of that very sin and the Heart converted is never satisfied but with what helps it towards Heaven and yet thinks he hath never enough thereof viz. Christ and Grace Welcome thou thy Landlord Christ into thy Cottage now and he will welcome thee into thy Palace hereafter Get Christ and Christian to bind thy Conscience to the peace and thy Affections and Flesh to the good behaviour Spend all thy Grace against thy Lust but none for it Thy hardest duty in Christianity is to deny self and to destroy sin As the Martyr
day I injoyed much consolation both from the Scripture specially Psal 37.24.35.39 Though he fall meaning the good man he shall not utterly be cast down nor condemn him when he is judged but the salvation of the Righteous is from the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble and the Lord shall help them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him also by conference that day with several persons yet in the Evening I had strong assaults from Satan from which the Lord did in part deliver me but yet much trouble from my own Evil heart the four following lessons I was desirous to learn this Evening 1. To get my Soul more setled in the assurance and apprehension of salvation 2. More sensible of my own and other mens sins and my own and other mens sufferings 3. More humbled for my unprofitableness in my imprisonment 4. More willing to dye and more mindful of death This day I received and unexpected mercy and was prevented from a temptation which made my heart rejoyce and preventing grace especially that which prevented from sin have been frequently cause of rejoycing to me This day I had little change in the frame of my Spirit either to good or Evil but some sence I had of my own weakness yet I had some comfort from those words Psal 40.17 but I am poor and needy yet the Lord thinketh on me and Psal 42.8 Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness and his Song shall be with me and my Prayer unto the God of my life This day I had a good and comfortable day to my Soul especially in Prayer Four things I saw cause to be humbled for First that I had not more sence of the sins and sufferings of Gods People or of my own Secondly That the Works Glory Wayes Ordinances People of the Lord are in such Contempt Thirdly that there is no more Stability Zeal and Courage in the Saints for good and against Evil. Fourthly That there continues still such darkness upon and divisions amongst Christians I had it much in my Heart to desire two things from the Lord viz. First Power against my sin Secondly Preparation for sufferings This day I was much troubled for hearing one sweare several Oaths and not reproving him for the same and convinced also from Psal 50.7 Hear O Israel and I will testifie against thee I am God even thy God that God had many things against me in particular and I was convinced providencially of one cause of my sufferings Being a day to seek the Lord in private Prayer I had my Heart somewhat softned and yet I was troubled it continued so hard and I learned from the 2. Cro. 6.37 That I should in this my suffering bethink my self both what I was and what I had done that I should pray more earnestly and turn more throughly and perfectly unto the Lord and that Evening I could and did pray most heartily for my Enemies and Persecutors This day being the Lords day I had several times refreshings from the Lord in Prayer and in speaking his word and that word in Iob. 10.14 Was set with weight upon my Heart If I sin thou markest me and wilt not acquit me from my iniquity I learned thence what a dangerous thing it is to sin under affliction and the dangers did appear much by that place in Lev. 26.36 And upon them that are left alive of you meaning those that were unaffliction verse the 26. I will send a faintness in their Hearts c. The same day I had a consideration of the great evil of sinning against the Lord after assurance This day I observed these words Psal 59.3 For loe they lye in wait Davids Enemies for my Soul the mighty are gathered against me not for my transgression nor for my sin O Lord I could truely and with comfort say that mine Enemies did persecute me but not for my sin or transgression which is a comfort to me this day also by a special providence God brought a dear Friend who praying wit me my Heart was much affected and melted This day in the morning my Heart was very free to pray for my Persecutors and Enemies as freely and really is I was to seek and receive pardon for my own sins I had power also to apply those words to my self Psal 62.2 He is onely my Rock and my Salvation he is my defence I shall not greatly by moved and in verse 6. I shall not be moved God did bring this Scripture as an Antidote for that Evening there came several persons one after another to tell me that I and several others were to be tryed at the Sessions and I observed that my Heart was very little moved thereat but could willingly refer my self to the Lord and be quiet in and contented with his will though never so contrary to my own carnal and natural will This Evening in discourseing with a poor Christian antient woman I found by the tenderness of Heart the had for sin and her zeal for God that she was in a far better temper of Spirit then I was in which helped on my Humility somewhat this Evening also I had some power to resist Temptation and to check Corruption I had my Heart enlargned and softned in Prayer and through Gods goodness was much freed from Temptations yet had some bodily distemper but I judged it very little and light in comparison of what it might be I experienced the Lords coming in and especially in Prayer I observed that Scripture Psal 68.28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength strengthen O God that which thou hast wrought for us yet this Evening I was moved to passion This day spent so most part in writing Letters for Christian Freinds at some of which my Heart was moved having a great desire that they might continue in the Faith and stand fast in the Lord. This day I was affected with some ill news I heard and my heart was moved with pitty towards some in affliction I had some comfort from Psal 69. verse 36.29 Those whom thou hast wounded he persecuted and afflicted are those whom God hath wounded and though poor and sorrowful yet his salvation will set them up on high but especially from verse the 32. Their Hearts shall live that seek God and this day in observing the Characters which a godly Preacher gives in his Book of those that have their sins pardoned that they are those that seek pardon wait in the use of means till they obtain it they do freely pardon others and they do love God for his pardoning goodness all which in a measure through free grace I found in me also Psal 71.20 Thou wilt bring me up again c. was very refreshing to me This day being the Lords day I had several considerations of the Sabboth as it was a sign between God and his People Exod. 31.13.17 Ezek. 20.12.17 A sign of his favour
shall be a fruitful Land Upon the thirsty parched ground Pools of Water shall stand This Cloud of Witnesses do all agree to teach That it is lawful on a Hill or Mount to Pray and Preach Here on appears the Grass that feeds the Beasts and Beasts Men Why should not men upon a Hill praise God for their fond then That God who dwells on high and yet is every where Will now be serv'd in Spirit in every place with fear My Pulpit and my Pew shall be a Turfe of Grass As well as Wainscot in a Kirk for I prize every place Alike to worship God who dwelleth every where For that which I in places look is whether Christ be there Upon Preaching in a Market place A Merchant brought from far rich Ware and Pearls to sell Where many came but not to buy yet some approved well The Sellar and the rate and rich Commodity Some ask the Servant what 's the price he said t is cheap come Buy Here 's Gold and rich Garments here 's Oyl here 's Milk here 's Wine Thou wants come quick accept of Christ and all there shall be thine Who is thy Master Christ in Power he is here In Person in high Paradice would you go to him there O yes to Heaven we would go how shall we thither reach Come near and hearken to his Word his â—pirit will you teach The pirit said I le shew and work what 's to be known and done They aâ—swered make us willing Lord then to thee we will run A Dialogue betwixt Time and Youth Time speaks Time I am hoâ—e headed ready to depart I waited for thee but thou hast not heart To think how I have turn'd so oft my Glass The least and lowest Sands runs now apace If once I turn my Back no locks behind Thou 'lt seek me when and where thou'lt not me find Youth Youth My aged Father do not weary be Have patience yet a while I will apply My self to that which profits in the End T is time enough for young men to amend I must have recreation fit for Youth Let Old men if they will ply Time and Truth Time Farewel the Glass is out Death takes my place Youth Oh time I pray thee stay whilst I have grace Our Time is short our journey long our Work undone in part Our Thread near spun our Glass near run all this unlaid to Heart Upon the apprehension of Christs love to me and the feeling of my love to him Who would not love thee Lord more then Self Sin or World Who would not ravisht be That sees thy Love or thee Who can think of thy Name and not leap at the same My names V.P. who Lord loves thee Upon the occasion of a Tooth-ach No pain like that my Saviour bore for me No suffering like his suffering on the Tree VVhich he did bear not for himself but me Oh what love was herein A plated Crown of pricking Thorns he wore Blows on his Head Spits on his Face he bore Besides base shame and scorn sure this was sore But more he bore for sin Gaul was his Meat and Vinegar his Drink A Brook he drank from Pottom to the Brink My Blood should write his Bruises not my Ink Thy Blood Lord wrought my Peace A Flood of wrath stream'd through his Soul within The Law him lash'd so did Satan and sin Till Death him sunk and Grave swallowed him in Thus did my Lord decease Shall Tooth ach then or pain from one small Bone Make me have sence of Self more then that one Come thoughts of Christs pain in mine own begone For Christ will heal thee sure That Balm and Brazen Serpent that cures me Is that which cur'd the Worlds great malady Nothing like this Panpharmaâ—on can be Which Tooth and all will cure The Saints Portion after death Strangers we are whilst we are here clad with carnallity Sojourning towards our long home even Eternity T wil not be long before we reach unto our journeys end Our Morning 's past Evening doth hast towards our rest we bend VVho knocks T is I what is thy Name my Name is dreadful Dea h What is thy business now with me t is for to fetch thy Breath VVe come my Freind I look'd for thee come shew me thy Commission From Christ thy Master and my Lord with thee then I le begon Loe here it is take it and read hold t is his Seal and Hand I know it will here I le not dwell but obey his command Come thou away come quickly dear I long to see thy Face My Father also sent for thee come quickly come apace I come I come ope then the Door give light for it is dark The entries straight Lord lend thy hand that I may reach the mark The Gulf twixt thee and me is great I cannot through it venter Till thou lets down thy safe draw-Bridge I have no hopes to enter Centenel let down the Bridge let in my Freind to me Oh welcome welcome my dear one my Heart did long for thee Now sweet Son thou shalt see my Face for which thou didst so long Thou shalt with me abide for aye Angels and Saints among Thou shalt not Sigh nor Sob again thy Sins thou shalt not see Thy Blemishes and Weaknesses no longer trouble thee Thou shalt have rest from thy Labours thy works shall follow thee All Angels and all Saints that are or ever were thou'lt see Thou shalt be Crown'd with Righteousness yea with a glorious Crown Yea thou shalt in full brightness shine as doth the beautious Sun Thou shalt sit on my Throne to judge Angels and wicked Men Thy Scandals shall be washed off sitting on high till when The Kingdome I deliver up to thy Father and minâ— VVho shall be all in all for aye in whom wee 'l be and shine Hallelujahs to thee my Lord to thee for ever more To thy Father and sweet Spirit I three in one adore Upon the Persecution T is a sad age when ther 's such rage against poor harmless Doves VVho through their need seek Meat to feed from him their Soul that Loves A sudden change yet not so strange is come upon poor Saints Alas dear ones God hears their Groans their moans and sad complaints The wicked strive Husbands from VVives to separate and part And the Shephards from their own Herds that joyntly with one heart Would serve their Lord with one accord after his VVord and VVill But Dogs and VVoolves and cruel Elves that seek themselves would kill The innocent that no hurt meant but spent their time and strength To seek the way that poor Souls they through Christ may gain at length That great reward which God prepar'd and car'd for long ago They will obtain and the same gain in spite of every Foe Another O God our God we by the Rod are brought in part to see There is no man that will or can but thy sâ—le â—â—â—esty Hear the complaints of thy dear
pressing after the things that are before endeavouring to be holy Merciful and Perfect as God is and to walk as Christ walked 2 Pet. 1.8 3.18 Phil. 3.11 14.2 Cor. 7.1 1 John 2.6 c. 2. Though there is to be a pressing after perfection as also an attaining unto it in some sense as Perfection of Justification and of the Truth of Sanctification and likewise comparatively some attain to more Grace than others who are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Perfect by the Apostle 1 Cor. 2.6 Phil. 3.15 Heb. 5.14 yet the best of Gods people whilest they are on earth have sin in them working in their Members and they offend in many things knowing also and doing but in part as the Apostles themselves acknowledged Paul Romans 7. James Jam. 3.2 Iohn 1 John 1. and they that say they have no sin but are perfect or without sin they will be found perverse as Iob saith c. 9. and they deceive themselves and the Truth is not in them 1 Iohn 1.8 10. 3. As there is a growing in Grace so there is a persevering and continuing and holding on and out in the Will Way and profession of Christ unto the end without turning to the right hand or to the left and without back-sliding or halting between Opinions or being formal and luke-warm in Religion But striving against sin and seeking to overcome through many sufferings and to run our spiritual Race till we finish our course for to such doth Christ promise the Crown of Life and in his grace and strength alone we must overcome and therefore must always depend upon and humbly implore his help who is the Finisher as well as the Author of our Faith that we may be able to withstand all evils and to stand compleat in the will of God being not high minded but fearing nor doubtful-minded but believing Matthew 24.13 Revel 2.10 3.11 15 16. Heb. 12.1 4. Phil. 4.13 Collos 4.12 Rom. 11.20 Luke 12.29 32. Concerning Good Works 1. They that do believe and are Gods workmanship created thereunto are to be careful to maintain good Works which tend to the praise and glory of God and the good and profit of men and are also as was intimated before evidences of a true and lively faith in God and of our love both to God and Men Mat. 5.16 Eph. 2.10 Tit. 3.8 14. Iam. 2.17 18 22. Iohn 14.21 1 Iohn 3. â—7 Gal. 5.6 2. Those works only are to be accounted good works which are commanded by God and agreeable to his Word and not such as are devised and esteemed by men only to be so and to offer unto God any thing in his service which he requires not is abominable to him and Unprofitable and Sinful to them that do it 1 Kin. 11.7 Ier. 32.35 Mic. 6.6 7 8. Mat. 15 9. Col. 2.20 24. Tit. 1.14 Concerning Baptisme 1. Outward Baptism or Water-Baptism is a solemn significant dipping into or washing with water the Body in or into the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost only Mat. 28.19 It signifies the Death Burial and Resâ—r ection of Christ also the spiritual cleansing and washing of Justification and Regeneration or Sanctification together with the Baptism or powriâ—g forth of the gifts of the Holy Spirit Rom. 6.3 4 5. Col. 2.12 Heb 10.22 2. Though Baptism be not absolutely necessary to salvation yet being commanded by Christ it is the duty of all professing and visible Believers and penitent persons Men and Women to be Baptized once and that upon the first Believing and Conversion and before they enter into a particular visible Church or partake of the Lords Supper Acts 2.41 42. Yet it is not Baptism but an Interest in Christ that gives any a Right to either Neither is it the proper work of Baptism to conferr or work grace but to seal confirm and encrease it 1 Pet. 3.21 much less are all those that are Baptized true believers and saved John 3 3 5. Acts 8.13 23 3. But in this of baptism as in many other cases difference in perswasion and practise may well consist with Brotherly love and Christian communion see Phil 3.15 Rom. 14 c. Concerning Churches and Church-Assemblies 1. It is a Gospel-Ordinance for Saints to gather themselves together into Christian societies or particular Churches that they may the better perform such duties as they owe unto the Lord and to one another and it is the duty of all believers if possibly and conveniently they can to joyn themselves unto some such Church and being joyned to continue members thereof unless some necessary and good reason occasion the contrary and then to depart with consent of the Church of which they are members Cant. 1.7.8 Acts 2.47 9.26 27 28 c. 2. The particular visible Churches under the Gospel did not consist of whole Nations Countries or Cities nor of the generality and Multitudes of either but of such Companies many or few in them that did receive and profess the Doctrine of the Gospel were converted and called to be Saints separated from the world both its sins and services and united and given up to the Lord and to one another to live according to the will of God in all things Acts 5.12 13 14. 17.4 19.8 9. 1 Cor. 1.2 c. 3. Such particular Churches had and still have distinct power each within it self of admitting and ejecting members of choosing their own Officers and of ordeâ—ing all other matters relating to the Church and none of them nor their Officers were charged with the errors and evils of others unless they were among themselves guilty of the same neither have any of them or their Officers any power over any other Congregation or Members yet as those particular Churches are parts of the Universal Church or body of Christ which is his fulness so they are all to be helpful to one another and to walk by one and the same Rule Acts 6 5. 14 23. 1 Cor. 5.12 Rev. 2. 3. Phil. 3 15 16 c. Concerning Church-Officers As Christ hath given extraordinary and ordinary Officers as Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry and for the edifying of his body or Church in general and this without any limitation of Time Eph. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 29 so for the feeding teaching ruling and ministring to the poor and sick of the Church the Lord hath appointed Elders or Bishops which in Scripture language are all one Asts 20.17 28. Phil. 1.1 Tit. 1.5 6 7. and Deacons and Deaconesses or Widows Rom. 16.1 1 Tim. 5.9 10. with other Helps who are to be chosen by the Churches themselves and ordained as formerly they were either by Apostles or some appointed by them as Evangelists or by some Teachers in those particular Churches 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim 2.2 Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 5.21 22 c. Concerning the Lords Supper The Lord Christ also instituted and
been very hurtful 6. That the Lord did move the hearts of the Brethren to come so willingly and express so much affection to me 7. That God moved my heart and strengthned me to come home that night which proved advantagious 8. That when the disease was at the highest and sorest the Lord was pleased in that state to keep the eye of my mind directly upon himself 9. That when I was much troubled about my Will and was afraid the Lord would have taken me away before I had finished it God heard my weak sensless crying unto him and gave me much satisfaction when it was done The Lord did not let loose any of my spiritual enemies sin or Satan upon me The Lord supported me with his former fatherly dealings and the succors comforts and experiences he had afforded in the like afflictions The Lord kept my spirit indifferent and unbyassed towards life or death not desiring the one more then the other but willing that God should choose for me The Lord shewed me things neerer thâ—n I saw them beâ—ore and smaller things as duties sins c. seemed greater to me then they had done I was helped by the Lord to beaâ— the affliction with that patience that I was so far from thinking it too heavy that I wondred it was so light I found a quicker discerning and a better taste to try words then before and to know who spoke and what was spoken discreetly seasonably and effectually That I had more sence of other sick and suffering Saints then I had before especially the poor and the rather because I considered how they wanted the accommodations I had As I had no extraordinary discoveries of the Lord so I had several small and mediate expressions of his tenderness and kindness I had clearer knowledge and greater conviction of some sins particularly 1. Self which I found to cleave to me ever to the end 2. Of Frowardness which I saw to be an abhoring to the Lord and it troubled me much to hear it in my Family 3. Wordliness especially in having to do with worldly men 4. Slothfulness in private duties 5. Want of more care to refâ—rm my Family 6. Using too many words about earthly things with my Wife 7. Using too much fleshly wisdom in my preaching and too much time wiâ—h too many words in my Sermons and too many complements to Saints offering Sacrifice or doing service unto the Lord when God would have me be receiving mercy from him this God shewed me once when being weak I went to perform duly I had comfort from the Lord. 1. From several Scriptures as Rom. 14 8. Philip. 1.21 Iob 33.26 Psal 71.3 Esaiah 1.25 Ezek. 21.44 Prov. 1â— the last verse Iohn 16.14 Ioh. 17. Prov. 7. to 21. 2. Gracious Answers of Prayer and feeding upon promises 3. From the Visits and Prayers of the Saints 4. That when I vvas to dispose of the estate the Loâ—d had given me I did find I vvas more thoughtful hovv to do it to Gods gloâ—y then I vvas to get it Some few of the Hymns found within his Papers A Hymn on the Sabboth day THe rest of rests to me is Christ in whom I do rejoyce His day a Sabboth is to me T is not mine but his choice He rose and rested on that day to shew his work was done His blest example is my Rule his Candle is my Sun This is the Queen of dayes to me For t is my Kings birth day He was begotten from the dead that I might live for aye Not live in lust to do my will but live to please my Lo d To preach his word and sit at board 'mong â—aâ—â—ts of one accord To pray and preach to sing and praise to meditate and talk From day dawning unto dark night should be our work and walk Another on the same The Sabboth is a day of rest from Service Work and Sin When God had ended all his work the Sabboth did begin God set apart the seventh day and did it sanctifie Adam in innocence was bound that holy kept should be Then to the Iews God gave command this day for to observe And sorely punish wicked men that from the Law did swerve But when the time that Iewish rites were to be done away Christ did set up instead of it another call'd by day This was prefigur'd in the Law and foretold frequently This Christ and his Disciples kept strictly and ardently This mindâ— us that the work is done which Christ ingag'd to do Christs resurrection was thereon which makes us keep it too Some without ground would sleight this day counting alike all dayes Yet I with Saints will keep the same to celebrate Gods praise Upon my going forth to Preach To be my Shephards underling his Sheep to seek and save It joyes me more then any thing no work else do I crave To free a Soul from Death and Hell more then my life I prize Converting Preachers make me one shall shine for they are wise O let me Lord have skill to bring thy lost and scattering Sheep Into thy School and Fould also to teach and feed and keep My Lambs and little Ones are like to perish and be lost Oh seek and save them Lord thy self thou knowest how much they cost Thy precious Blood was shed for them that they might ever have Enjoyment of thy precious self this had no more they crave Upon the occasion of preaching upon a Mountain How fair and eek how beautiful are those Messengers Feet That preach glad tidings on the Hills their voice must needs be sweet Sweet is thy holy Trumpets sound that calls and summons all To lissen to and list themselves under the General God gave his Law at first on smoaky Mount Sinai God oft times did appear to his in such a place and way Alters were built by Saints to worship the true God The Temple on a Mountain was built where God made his abode Christ did resort to Hills to Watch to Preach to Pray Châ—ist was transfigured on a Mount clad in divine array On a Hill he tryed was and that he overcame When from a Hill he did descend he had the greatest fame Christ wrought great Miracles on a barren Hill Christ did ascend from off a mount the Scriptures to fulfil Upon a Mount in Galile Christ gave commissions To his Apostles for to preach unto all Nations From off a Mountain high John saw that glorious sight The new Jerusalem Christs brâ—de cloathed in white and bright The Mountains minds us of Gods faithful promises Gods Wisdom Might and Providence on Hills appear all these The prosecuted Saints did hide themselves in Hills Their th' Idolators worshipped God after their crooked wills Christ Kingdome and his Church his Mount of holiness Shall break and quell all Mountains and all Hills of wickedness Gods Mounâ—ains shall bring peace the Hills shall leap and sing On Mount Olive Christ will stand to judge the world as King The barren Wilderness
sin to offend Christ neither in the guilt nor filth of it nor no grace counterfeited nor corrupted to provoked Christ nothing espoused to steal away the affections from Christ but that the soul stand clear in its faith and love and every grace and stand loose from duties ordinances nearest and dearest relations that so there might be no cause of difference betwixt Christ and the soul That Christians should be faithful to the death for he that indureth to the end the same shall be saved Another time speaking to the Dr. returning him thanks for his Cure told him Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis Another time after he had been composing himself to rest and had slept awhile he awoke and said He had been with Paul Harrison Craddocke and others of the Saints deceased At another time that he was brought into a fine pleasant Garden where he saw a fine Mansion house on one side of it into which he was to go but he was had on the other side of the Garden where there was a thing like a Coffin made up with deal Boards from whence he was afterwards brought to the Mansion house was satisfied in his dream that that was his passage through the grave to glory and did then again say that all would be in vain that was done to him however did assure those that were concerned about him that their Labours should not be in vain but God would remember it as a kindness done to himself Another time he expresses himself after this manner Sad times will come and many of them that stand now will fall some shall be put into Prison some impoverâ—shed some banished and some put to death and the Saints scattered so that their differences shall be done away when they are in their greatest distresses then the Lord will appear for them and will save them with a mighty hand In his sickness he beged of God that he would please to continue his understanding in which God did graciously answer him even to the last to the admiration of the Dr. Did very often and very earnestly press the Saints to be of one heart and to lay aside all their differences About praying for Magistrates said I have been blamed and judged by some Christian friends that differ from me for that liberty I took as if I had backsliden from my former Principles which the Lord knows I did not out of fear but according to my Principles and Conscience yet do now see that in some things therein I was right and in some things wrong To pray for them as sinners that God would shew them their sins therein I was right but since such a time naming the time God hath shewed me that prayer should not be put up for them as Magistrates and named two Scriptures On the Death of Mr. VAVASOR POWELL HEre weary Nature and unwearied Grace By wayes unlike have finished their race For under their Directors eye they tend By divers means to the same blessed end Nature by her decays accomplisht is And Grace by thriving brings the soul to bliss Trouble adds wings to both and speeds their way Vnto Eternal Rest where 's perfect Day This was thy prayer to hastens whose desire Grace Nature Trouble do in one conspire Nature impair'd by Sufferings hastes t' entomb Her wearied Limbs in her great Mothers womb And grace grown near to Glory brooks no more A distance from her fulness and her store So have I seen a pleasant stream to glide With gentle calmness to the Ocean side Adorning in his way the neighbouring Fields With the rich fruits which his free bounty yields When boysterous Winds and Storms assault with force His peaceful streams envying his work and course As him forbidding any more to bring Himself an homage to his Lord and King With whose rebuke provok'd he summons wide The strength of 's Waves for to controule their pride And heightned by opposing presseth on With violence unto his Ocean Such was thy course seeking ev'n from thy Youth The eternal Spring of Goodness and of Truth Refreshing others with the influence Of Christal Living streams deriv'd from thence When wrathful Tempests unprovok'd did swell Striving thy labouring mind for to repell From her just course this made thee speed thy love To Freedom Rest and what is else above There full repose light truth and peace do bless Thy welcome Soul with sacred happiness Nature now faints no more nor doth Grace grow And Trouble 's left behind to us below Upon the Death of that painful and Laborious Servant of Jesus Christ in the Work of the Gospel Vavasor Powell who died the 27 of the 8 moneth 1670. LIke to the ripened shock of Corn that 's brought Into the Barn or like a Shipfull fr ught With Indians riches which through raging Seas Ariveth at the Harbor of its ease So Vavasor was gathered into rest With Heavenly treasure being greatly blest A tried faith more pretious then the Gold That Ophir yielded Solomon of old A patience wrought by Bonds to such degree As made him triumph over misery Heavenly experiences from patience gained With such a hope as maketh not asham'd Did fraight this Pinnace which with furled Sail Safely is entred now within the Vail Where all the Saints shall Land Though Billows swell Opening their Jaws to swallow up like hell Yet know proud waves although you rage and rore You shall but break your selves against the shoare Then be encourag'd you that spread your sails On foaming furyes blown with various gales To make a happy Port you need not fear Whilst you with Vavasor your course shall steer If the Olempick Agonists did fight And run and wrastle with their utmost might If they did think it of so great renown To win the prize though but a with'ring Crown If they did streine and strive with all their powers To wreath their heads about with fading Flowers Then surely Heaven and a Crown of Life Is worthy of a Christians greatest strife Thus Powell thought and therefore did ingage Gainst Sin and Satan and a wicked age And like a Rock that is assaulted by Impetuous waves yet lifts his head on high As unconcern'd and makes his standing good Against the batteries of the Ocean Flood So Powel helpt by an Almighty hand In perils prisons deaths unmov'd did stand In the Lords work until he gave that call Come up to Heaven and reap the fruit of all An Achrostick upon his dear deceased friend Mr. Vavasor Powell V ain World to undermine unto thy shame A ll those choice Pillars that bear up thy frame V nto approaching Christ when they shall fly A ll thy proud pâ—mp in fiery flames shall lye S lighted Ambassadors when called home O ften bespeaks great evils for to come R epent then persecutors and be kind P owell hath pray'd that you may pardon find O h now these offers of soul saving grace W hich he from Christ proclaim'd do you imbrace