these words answers an Objection which the Jewes ever conceited of their own knowledge might make We know the Father as well as you and yet we know no such testimony that he gives Christ answers You do not know him for the certain knowledge of a thing is either by seeing or hearing now you never saw him nor heard him you have therefore no acquaintance with him So that the words contain 1 Christs fearful accusation of the Jews to beignorant of God 2. The aggravation and extent of it at no time i. e. not only at Baptisme but at no other time in any Ministery or in any Scripture c. Quest 1. What is it not to see his shape nor hear his voice Quest 1 Answ Some think they are metaphorical speeches Answ to expresse their ignorance of God Now though this be the scope and the general truth yet I conceive the Lord speaking particularly and knowing what he spake intends something particularly and it is a rule never to flie to metaphors where there can be a plain sense given There is therefore two degrees of true knowledge of God in this life or 't is attained unto by a double meanes 1. By heating of him for hence our faith comes by the Word 2. By hearing thus from him the mind also comes to have a true Idea of God as he reveals himself in the Word and Means by the Spirit Iob 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee and this is the shape here spoken of not bodily and carnal Now Christ doth professe that they did want both Carnal and unregenerate hearts neither hear Gods voice nor have a right Idea of God in their mindes but become vain in their mindes though they have meanes of knowing and their foolish hearts are darkned the wiser they be the more foolish they grow 2. At no time i.e. neither at baptism nor else in any mans Ministery nor in any of the Scriptures which you read and where the Lord speaks 3. But did they not hear the voice of God at Christs baptism and at the Mount when Christ preach't when the Scriptures were opened every Lords day and at other times amongst them Answ No they never heard it It 's a strange thing Answ that such men that read heard preach't remembred the Scriptures and could tell you mysteries in titles never heard the voice of God and yet it is most true Observat That mans men may a long time together know and heare the Word of God written and spoken Observ yet never hear the Lord speaking that Word no not so much as one word title or syllable no not so much at once at any time This was the estate of the Jewes and this is the estate of all unregenerate men Hence Christ Luke 19.41 laments and weeps over Jerusalem saying Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day c. 1. Quest How did the Jewes heare and yet not heare God speaking 1. Quest Answ There is a twofold word or rather a double declaration of the same word Answ 1. There is Gods external or outward word containing letters and syllables and this is his external voice 2. There is Gods internal word and voice which secretly speaks to the heart even by the external word when that only speaks to the eare The first the Jewes did hear at Christs Baptism in Christs Ministery and in reading the Scriptures and when they did hear it it was Gods word hey heard full of glory and so they heard the word spoken but only man speaking it the other comes to few who hear not only the word spoken but God speaking the word Rom. 10.18 19. Israel did hear but Israel did not know Christ speaks in parables Hence in seeing they did not see Luke 8.10 And this is one way how 't is true that Christ sayes They never heard his voice As 't is with a painted Sun on the wall you see the Sun and Stars but there is a difference between seeing this and the Sun and Starres themselves wherein is an admirable glory go to a painted Sun it gives you no heat nor cherisheth you not so it is here c. 2. This inward word is double 1. Ineffectual though inward 2. Effectual 1. Ineffectual is that which hath some inward operation upon the heart but it attaines not Gods end to bring a man into a state of life and thus Heb. 6.2 5. Many tasted of the good word of God yet fell away And such a heart is compared to a field which a man plowes and sowes and raine falls on it and yet the end is not attained it brings forth thistles and this many Jewes did hear and hence had some kinde of faith in Christ 2. Effectual is that which hath such an inward efficacy upon mens hearts as that God attaines his end thereby Isa 55.11 and brings men to a state of life of which Christ speaks John 6.45 and this voice none but the Elect hear and of this Christ speaks here as appears verse 38. Him whom he sent ye beleeve not Hence it is you have heard God at no time Hence he speaks of such a hearing and knowing such a hearing outwardly as is accompanied with such a hearing inwardly Joh. 14.17 so that many men may hear the word spoken outwardly but never inwardly they may hear it inwardly but never effectually translating them from state to state from death to life from life to life and glory No sense of the Majesty of God speaking nor effectual hearing of the word spoken When the Sun is down the Moon may arise but yet a man is cold and dark but when the Sun ariseth on it warmes nourisheth and cherisheth c. nothing is hid from it so it is here when the Lord speaks inwardly and effectually to the heart Reas 1. From that great distance and infinite separation of mens soules from God that though God cals Reason 1 yet they can't hear no more then men a 1000 mile off Eph. 2.1 men are dead in sin Now what is spiritual death but separation of the soul from God God from it A dead man cannot hear one word at no one time he was not dead if he could Mens minds are far from God hearts also that they are neither stricken with the sight of his glory nor sense and savour of his goodnesse but must be vaine and have worldly hearts in the Church nay adulterous eyes or if they listen God is gone from them and from his Word also Hos 5.6 Reas 2. From the mighty and wonderful strange power of Satan Reason 2 which blindes their eyes they cannot see nor hear 2 Cor. 4.4 never such clear light never such an effectual Word as that of the Apostles yet it was hid why The God of this world blinded them either he will keep such a noise and lumber in their heads that they cannot hear God speaking for the noise or else turn himself
day against this sin and Lord I have no strength against it now Lord help me but here is the misery of the soul it doth not go to Christ and by this means live in complaints all their life-time 4. If lastly any thing be to be done they will do it themselves as Paul Gal. 1.12 Not but that a Christian should put forth himself a Christian is not a dead-hearted Christian at all times but the grace of God which comes from Christ doth act the soul in a continuall dependance on Christ and where Christ acts not there Satan doth Now I say the Kingdome of God is come when the soul doth thus submit to the stream of the blessed Spirit of the Lord that the Lord may guide it Oh beloved here is the skill that poseth the Angels how to tell you so to yield your selves to Christ as that Christ may come so to abide in the stock that all your fruit may be from him So to lye under the Lord as that the stream of the Spirit of life may fall on thee so to be implanted in the Lord as to fetch life from him and bring forth fruit to him But try this course submit to the will of the Lord Jesus be nothing in thy own eyes and if the Lord do give thee any thing blesse the Lord for it if any strength against thy sin be vile in thy own eyes and try and see if ye finde not the Kingdome of God the glory of Heaven come into thy soul Oh the light life prayers you might have the heavenly conference ye will have together that it would do a mans heart good to be with such a Christian that those that are with you might say Verily God is in this man verily there is joy in Heaven when the Saints keep in this frame 4 When the soul yeelds thus to the will of Christ for Christs ends for such is the subtil wretchednesse of mens heart that men would have Christ glorifie himself that he may glorifie and honour them like Simon Magus that would give any money for Apostolical gifts that he might be some tody that way also Now if a man shall submit go to Christ for gifts and parts that 's to set up another King to advance a mans self and so also sin and the devil and Christ must be made a servant for this end He is now no King like a Rebel that is not content that thousands of the Kings Subjects should serve him but he will have the Prince serve him also Every man will say this doth utterly overthrow the Kingdom of such a Prince When a man shall secretly fight against the Lord and be for himself and for the devil and sin within When a man shall make all the creatures serve him the souldiers of his army meat drinke and outward comforts this is a marvellous thing Ay but when a man shall make Jesus Christ and God himself and profession of Christ make these to serve him to raise up his name this the Lord takes very ill Only this I would adde when the soul doth look at Christ with a single eye that Christ is sweet and precious and lyes under the blessed Spirit of Christ for that end and now looks up to Christ that he may submit to him with a single eye that the name of Christ may be glorified by life and death true it is self will be in every duty and so is contrary to the Lord in all and not for the Lord. Yet though it be thus there is another thing in the soul that is wholly for God and Christ and hence seeks that he may do his work his heart loves him and so seeks him and he begs it with many teares Oh that my children might serve and love this God nay that all the world might see and blesse and admire this God and the Lord inlargeth his heart herein Psal 72.19 and truely now the Kingdome of God is come to thy soul Rom. 5. 17. As sin and Satan do reigne by death So Jesus Christ doth reigne by life to eternall life Matth. 25.14 He is the true Subject that improves his Talents for the King Christ will subdue all his to himself Psal 66.3 Through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves to thee Rom. 14.17 For the Kingdome of God is not in meat and drinke but in righeousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost When a man shall be picking fault with things and this and that offends him get ye gone the Kingdome of God consists not in that But when the soul do's go to the Lord maintain his peace with God and love to the people of God and joy in the holy Ghost here is the Kingdom of God He that serves Christ in these things the Kingdome of God is come into his soul He that thus submits to the Lord Christ he must first be a man wearie of his own counsels and must loath himself When the Lord hath wearied a man of his own wayes he sayes What am I that the Lord should shew me any mercy And when the Lord calls him to any service Lord What am I that I should now pray to thee Blesse the Lord when the Lord doth keep thy heart in this frame but now when men will honour Christ and yet Saul-like have Christ honour them Many poor creatures they think it a credit to be in Church-fellowship and they will seek to know Christ that they may attaine Church-fellowship and have honour but know it till the Lord do pull down thy base ends and make thee loath thy self and so to submit to his blessed will truely till then the Kingdome of God is not come to thy soul Think of these things for if the Kingdome of God be in our hearts then look for good dayes Brethren let New-England be confident of it but if this be gone from the soules and hearts of men and women in their severall families and places though they may have the outward Kingdome of Christ yet the inward Kingdome being not set up I say no more but what he said Go to Palestina and Bohemia Certainly if they had not cast off the Lords government they had nevever seen those lamentable dayes they had outward Ordinances Oh but here was the thing the inward Kingdome of the Lord Jesus Christ and subjection to the will of the Lord Jesus and to be for the Lord Jesus this the Lord saw was not in them therefore the Lord hath left them to be lamentable spectacles Therefore dear brethren I do beseech you pray and beg for this Kingdome Thou sayest I fall short of this Know this Kingdome of God is at first like a grain of Mustard-seed some little lying under the will of Christ if it be in truth blessed be God for it The Kingdome of God is come and the soul doth weep and mourne after the Lord that the Lord would bring every thought into subjection Know it the Kingdome of
if they be the Lords he will in time humble them for it and make them better after it I know the answer to two questions would cleare up all the doubts about this matter 1. What prudence should be used in making lawes 2. How farre those humane lawes and Town-orders binde conscience But I cannot attend these only six things I would here say 1 The will and Law of God only hath Supreme absolute and sovereign power to binde conscience i.e. to urge it or constrain either to excuse for doing well or to accuse for sin for conscience is at liberty without this this is a truth urged by all orthodox Protestant divines against the Papists so that no law can immediately binde conscience but Gods 1. Because he only is Lord of conscience because he made it and governs it and only knows it and hence he only is fit to prescribe rules for it 2. Because he only can save or destroy the soule hath only power to make lawes for the soul to binde conscience James 4.12 There is one Law giver who is able to save or destroy Isa 33.22 for the law which so bindes conscience to a duty that the breach of it is a sinne and that against God we know that the least sin of it selfe destroyes the soul bindes it over to death but none have power to destroy it but the Lord himself 3. Because the Law is sufficient to guide the whole man in its whole course in all the actions or occasions it meddles with or takes in hand even in civil as well as in Religious matters Prov. 2.9 wisdome teacheth every good path Psal 119 11. I have hid thy word that I might not sin Whatever one doth without a rule from the word is not of faith Hence the word descends to the most petty occasions of our lives it teacheth men how to look Psal 131.1 how to speak Mat. 12.36 it descends to the plaiting of the haire 1 Pet 3.5 moving of the feet Isa 3.16 and what is of Christian liberty hath its freedome from the word a man must give an account at the last day of every stirring of heart thoughts motives and secret words and if so then it must be according to the rule of the word and hence the word only hath absolute power to binde Masters Servants and Princes how they governe and people how they subject and this the Lord hath done to make men take councel from him and walk in fear before him and approve themselves to him especially Townsmen in their places not to consult without God 2. All good laws and orders inacted in any place by men are either expresly mentioned in the word or are to be collected and deducted from the word as being able to give sufficient direction herein For all the authority of the highest power on earth in contriving of lawes is in this alone viz. to make prudent collection and speciall application of the general rules recorded in Scripture to such special and peculiar circumstances which may promote the publick weal and good of persons places proceedings Prov. 8.15 By me Princes decree justice Joshua 1.7 8. Do what Moses commanded turne not on either hand Object But I cannot see my way from hence alwayes Meditate therefore on it much and then thy way shall prosper c. Many things Joshua did not particularly set down by Moses but may be collected from it Deut. 1.17 18 19 20. The King is to have it that he may prolong hit dayes in the midst of Israel in his Kingdome What made Rehoboam to turne from these wayes he thought he could not stablish his Kingdome without it that was therefore the ruine of him and his Kingdome 1. This appeares because the word is sufficient to direct as hath been shewn and hence all directions and rules are to be taken from hence 2. Because either men have rules to walk by or their own wills and apprehensions are to be rules but not so because mens wills are not only corrupt but it 's a peculiar prerogative to God to be obeyed because of his will The reason or wisdome which makes a rule binds which if it be right is part of the law writ in the heart which is most plainly seen and fully opened in the word whence direction is to be had 3. Humane lawes or orders thus either see down in the word or deducted from the word and applied by those that be in place in Townes though they do not binde conscience firstly as humane or by humane power i. e. as published and imposed by man yet they do binde secondarily i. e. by vertue of the Law of God wherein they are contained or from whence they are derived and deducted and according to which they are opposed they are like subpoenas in the Kings name or writ of arrest which by vertue of higher power challenge obedience And thus to break these is to sin against God and makes the conscience liable to punishment from God And the reason is 1. Because men sin hereby against the Lord and his holy righteous law because Gods law is contained in these and what is deducted from the word is Gods word 1 Sam. 8.7 They have not rejected thee but me 2. Because they sin against the power of the Magistrate hereby and against men in place and so against more means Rom. 13.2 He that resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God i.e. when they command thee according to God which the Lord takes very ill and the meaner the power is as in Townes the more terrible will the Lord be when he comes to visit for it hence they receive to themselves damnation both by God and men 'T is true if they be not thus according to the word but rather against the general rules of it though men in Townes and places are not to be obeyed yet subjection is their due even then i. e. not to refuse obedience with contempt of their persons places power or scandal to their proceedings or profession of the Gospel Revile not the Lords high Priest speak evil of no man but rather come in private and conferre with them and hear what may be said and be willing to give and take reason 4. Humane lawes and orders may be known to be according to the word when they command or forbid such things as really advance or tend to promote the publick good This I adde to answer that great question in many scrupulous mindes I cannot see so ignorant when an order is collected from the generall rules of the word now this conclusion answers that doubt For look as the maine work of men in place is to promote publick good and hence publick-spirited men are to be chosen for it so the principal rule is that which God and his Word gives them to walk by whatever really doth tend to the advancement of that Publish that record that and execute that Rom. 13.4 He is Gods Minister to thee for good i. e. for
he sets the soul at an everlasting distance with his sin never to be reconciled and looks to the Lord that by his Word and Spirit he would subdue them that so he may see the death of them and he sides with the Lord in the use of all means comes to the Word and comes to Prayer and sayes Speak against my sin Lord Lord waste these distempers and so the soul is thus at variance with his sin although his temptations do get winde and hill of him he goes again and to them again and though he perisheth and never have mercy from the Lord yet Lord that I may never sin against thee more help therefore Lord by this promise and mercy and meanes and here he keeps him and here he holds Truly brethren here is an eternal vertue and such a vertue as no hypocrites have that have some sting of conscience and after they have some peace they are at truce with their sins No there is an everlasting conflict and warfare and I do assure you there is an everlasting power gone forth Mat. 12 20. Christ will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax till judgement come to victory Therefore there may be judgement but it may not come to victory there may be smoak and fire and it may almost go out and he Lord he blowes it up again and at the last though it be weak and little and he think with himself he shall never get strength again yet the Lord will give victory in his time Only becautious here I told you there is an incompleat victory the Lord never sets his people at variance with their sin but they have victory but it is an incompleat victory Saith the Lord I will drive out the Hittites and Canaanitess and Perizzites before you but I will do it by little and little There is many a Christian that findes within himself a Spirit of warfare against his sin and did he examine himself he should finde a Spirit of victory but he thinks he hath none because his victory is not compleat If he had a heart so to believe as never to doubt more and such quickning as never to be dead more never to depart from God more now I should think the Word comes with power but I finde that these evils prevaile against me There is many a one does scorn the kindnesse of Christ because he findes not compleat victory but darknesse remaines still and sinful lusts remaine still therefore the Word doth me no good at all saith he The Lord he hath given thee a Spirit of Conflict and hath set thee at an everlasting distance with thy sin and he doth give thee some victory Beloved a Christian may decay in the power of the grace of Christ which he hath received from the Word and voice of God in the Word and he may decay and grow to a very low estate yet be shall finde this the Word of the Lord hath come with power to him it will recover his soul again and so the efficacy of the Word is eternal Psal 72. it s said of Christ that his People shall feare him so long as Sun and Moon shall endure that is continually all their life-time It may be said there he many that finde decay of their service and obedience and they lose their feare of the Lord and their dread and their humble walking before him He shall come as the raine on the mowen grasse many times a Christian hath his flourishing time as the grasse but when the grasse is mowen it is as a dry chip so the soul it may grow dry as dry as a chip Now where is your sap and savour but I tell you if you belong to the Lord Jesus the raine it will fall again the Word of God set on by the Spirit of Christ it shall fall up on you as the raine on the mowen grasse and you know that it recovers little by little and puts on a green coat again Here is the eternal love of the Lord Jesus to his People and thus the eternal efficacy of the word does continue 3. Vse is of exhortation 3. Vse Oh Brethren and beloved in the Lord Jesus may a Christian heare the Word of God spoken and yet never hear God speak may he hear it externally and not internally then rest not in external hearing and with some little movings and affections and stirrings of the Word of Gods grace in hearing Let not the Word be to you as the sound of many waters and a noise no efficacy of the Word that do remaine on your soules Brethren and beloved in Christ I lay my finger on the sore in these times Oh the contempt of the Gospel of Christ though I believe it hath its efficacy in the heart of the Elect that is the thing that I presse never be content with external hearing though thou mayest have some affection and know new things unlesse thou finde the Lord speaking with an eternal efficacy to thy soul I conceive two things are to be done that the word may come with an everlasting efficacy although something is to be done by Ministers that is to preach truth and Gospel-truth fetch 't from heaven wich many prayers and soaked truth with many teares Ye shall know the truth and that truth shall make you free Convicting truth We preach saith the Apostle in the demonstration of the Spirit The Spirit of God when he cometh he convinceth the world of sin Let Ministers do so Preach convincing truth and Gospel-truth fetch'd from heaven and bathed in teares Oh brethren let the fire burn clear let there not be more smoake then fire it will never come with power then convincing Gospel-truth set on by the demonstration of the Spirit of the Lord and this will set a Christian at liberty there is never such a Sermon that the faithful ones of God preach to you if it come not with a power to loosen you and call you home it comes with a power to blinde you it is an axe at the root of the trees but I leave this What means ought the people to use that the Word of God may come with efficacy Them that are in their unregenerate estate the Lord only knowes how to work on their hearts they must come to the outward meanes I speak to the Saints of God I leave others to the infinite mercy of the Lord It is not in him that willeth or runneth but in the Lord that sheweth mercy In the use of meanes 1. Meanes Do not only see thy infirmities and weaknesse but pray to God to give thee a heart bleeding under the sense of thy many infirmities Many times men slight them and are not sensible of them I do not say wickednesses and wilfulnesses but thy infirmities and weaknesses get a heart mourning under them A Christian is made up of infirmities and weaknesses a man would not think there is that in another which he knowes by himself Oh brethren
Christ then thou art so long as there is credit for the truth so long it is entertained but now suppose it be costly that it shouldbring beggery affliction with it is it now sweet to you doth this support thy heart I am in Gods way canst lye down and subscribe to the equity of Christs proceedings with thee though he should never shew favour to thee if it be not thus I dare not say thou art under the Kingdome of Christ And so for the correcting will of Christ many sad afflictions the Lord tries thee withall the Lord tries men marvellously when thou art under the hand of the Lord those very things that should make men cry to heaven and wean thee from the world those very things do harden thee and make thee grudge and repine The Lord be merciful to thee if this be thy frame the Kingdome of Christ never came into that heart you are begging for mercy and the Lord sayes you mercy you have abused it no saith the Lord Go to your lust that have despised the day of grace and so now you cast off the Lord because the Lord will not give you mercy when you would have it Will you now quarrel with the Lord no down proud heart pray still and mourn still and turne to the Lord and say Lord do with me what thou wilt I am clay in thine hand thou may'st make me a vessell of dishonour I deserve not the least bit of bread such a one as is above the Lord and his will is not under the Lord therefore submit thy self to the good will of Christ 3. When the soul doth thus submit to the will of Christ by vertue of the power and Spirit of Christ i. e. when the soul doth not submit by vertue of its own power strength or ability for this is forre gne power But as it do h seek to submit to the will of Christ so it would have Christ himself act it and rule it and so inable it to submit there unto Now is the Kingdome of God come neere to that heart And herein Christs Kingdome is different from Princes they give lawes that men may keep them by there own might hence they command no imimpossible things but the will of Christ is so crosse to a carnal heart that 't is impossible man of himself should submit to it But the Lord doth it for this end chat the soul should then come to Christ in its need that he would do all the good pleasure of his will and now the Lord himself reignes and that gloriously Rom. 8 1 2. For the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death Acts 5.31 A Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and remisspon of sint It is part of his Princely power for to give remission of sins both in turning from sin and to God and all the wayes of God and now you exalt him when he is thus set up 1 Cor. 4.20 The Kingdome of God is not in word but in power The power of Christ Jesus is come into thy soul and the soul is under the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus when it doth lye under the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1. 11 12. We pray alwayes for you that the Lord would work and fulfil the good pleasure of his will and the work of faith in power that Christ may be glorified Yea then is Christ glorified when God omnipotent reignes over sin and unbelief and when the Lord doth this not only the Kingdome of God is now come but the Kingdome of Christ in glory is come there is many a poor soul thinks Christ rules him not because he cannot do this nor that became he findes his heart unable and unwilling for to submit to the will of Christ I finde no strength at all saith the soul and I go to Christ and finde not strength conveyed and now he thinks he is not under the Kingdome of Christ I answer that is not the question but hath the Lord made thee willing in the day of bis power when the soul doth lye under the power of the Lord Jesus Christ when che soul doth lye like wax before the Lord Jesus when the soul saith Lord there was never any change of my nature the good Lord change it and if there be any change the good Lord increase and stir up the graces of thy Spirit in my soul and do thou lead me and guide me Brethren the Kingdome of Christ is come to this soul John 5.40 You will not come to me for life He doth not say you do not quicken your selves or ye cannot come to me but will not here is their wound they will not come to Christ for life Rom. 6.19 As ye have yeelded your members servants to sin and Satan so now yeeld up your selves servants to righteousnesse and to holinesse Psal 119.5 6. Thou hast commanded that we should keep thy precepts continually Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy precepts continually Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy statutes When a Christian is grapling with his own heart ye will never be able to overcome the unsubduednesse thereof but when ye bring them to the Lord Jesus Christ that he would take a course with them 1. Now ye please Christ 2. Ye take a sure course to have the will of God done he being in office for that end for Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to Israel When the soul doth look up to the Lord Jesus and lye under the power and Spirit of the Lord Jesus 3. You now make the yoke of Christ sweet and his name glorious nothing glorifies Christ so much as this when Jesus doth work in a Christian now the Kingdome of Christ is come to the soul and that in power But now when men will not submit thus far to Christ 1. They can do nothing but will not come to him on whom God hath laid salvation you say you cannot understand nor edifie by the Sermons ye hear and you cannot part with your lusts Ay but now this is thy condemnation thou wilt not go to a Saviour that he may teach thee and help thee when men will not have the Lord Jesus to reigne over them or 2. If men do come they will not come to him where he may be found but say I can do nothing Christ must do all and so neglect the means wherein he will be found or 3. Will submit and come in means to him but not then at the speciall time when He is to be sought and may be found viz. in time of temptation But then forget and forsake him and cry not Hosanna Lord now save now help me against this lust When temptation comes when passion and pride come do you now go to Jesus Christ When the world begins to draw thy heart away dost thou say thus Lord I have prayed this
one Hence it must fall but for the other hence it shall rise by its fall Hence set your selves against this 't is to oppose the power of Christ Jesus And hence in Henry the 8th time the Abbies fell and never could rise to this day but the sixe Articles against the Saints pursued with blood made them increase the more 3. When men will not submit to the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates which are either fundamental and continuing or Orders that have their date and time of expiring made for common good When men will either have no awes or as good as none or submit to none but what they please Deut. 17.12 He that will not hearken but do presumptuously shall dye He being the Minister of the Lord and indeed it is to call off the Lord. I go not about here to establish a sovereigne power in Magistrates which is proper to God to make what lawes they will about civil Religious or indifferent things and then people to submit to them for no other reason but because of their will under which notion supâ—rstition in Churches hath been ushered and maintained you must obey authority in that case it 's better to suffer then to sin and not to do then do But I suppose the lawes just righteous holy and for publick good and that apparently so and not in saying so only Now here to cast off lawes is to cast off Christ There are two things especially which are the cause and occasion of the breach of all other lawes and the strongest sins and sweetest which men young men especially the hopes of the Common-wealth are catcht with Prov. 2.13 16. 1. Whoredome secret lusts and wantonnesse and other strange lusts which I cease and dare not name 1 Kings 14.24 The sin before Shishah came a sin which many times Salomon cannot see thorow his win dow nor the eye of authority discerne but God will judge for it Heb. 13.5 and if he be Judge who shall be thy Jailor but Satan and what shall be thy sentence but death and what thy chaines but a hard heart for the present and horrour afterward A sin which pollutes the very earth the land the very dust of the ground and the cause of all sin almost in a place as drunknnesse idlenesse corrupt opinions scoffing at the Ministers of God and wayes of God For I seldome knew a persecutor but he was an adulterer though it 's not alwayes true and in the end poverty and mine And know it though no mans eye has seen thee no power of Magistrate can reach thee this word shall be fire to consume thee unlesse thou repent for thy looks thy lusts thy dalliances thy thoughts thy speeches thy endeavours this way much more for the thing Mans law shall not binde you here because it cannot reach you but know that Christ is cast off by you 2. Loose company vain men Prov. 25.3 4. A Common-wealth is a refined vessell of use for God and judgement is established when these are taken away your knots of loose company Take a poor souldier alone he is as other men but when they are got into a knot together now they grow strong against all lawes of God or men So here the knot of good fellowship hath been the bane of the flourishing Stale of England meeting in Tavernes and such places and the cause of whoredome and of all evil commonly in a Nation For hence 1. Much precious time is lost which if spent in praying as in sporting with them many a young mans soul had been blessed Hence sometimes dicing feasting excessive drinking merry tales which take off all spiritual joy Hence filthy songs and lascivious speeches by which hopefull young men are insnared and taught to do wickedly and so knit to them that it's death to part with them and it 's better to burne a whole town then to poyson one hopefull young man Next to communion with wanton women I have ever looked on unnecessary fellowship with gracelesse men as the next Well know it you cast off the Lords government from you by his servants which will be sad to answer for another day And as the Prophet said to Jehosaphat Shouldest thou love them that hate the Lord his wrath is against thee for this So say I to thee Quest 3. Quest 3 Inferiour power when is that cast off viz. in particular Cities or Townes by meaner persons Answ I shall expresse it in three things chiefly Answ 1. When Souldiers in particular Townes cast off respect care conscience to the commands of their leaders set over them of God and who under God are the walls of outward safety for the countrey 't is not now an artillery day only I must speak a word because it 's a thing of moment and matter of great conscience with me I suppose in such a place at least according to the Centurions example amongst Heathens Mat. 8.9 a word of a Commander to any of them should be a law I say to one Go he goes Now for men to come when they list to those meetings and so time is lost and when they do come no care I had almost said conscience to minde their work in hand and do it with all their might as it to which they are called but Officers may speak charge cry yea strike sometimes yet heed not its intolerable but that Members of Churches which should be examples to others should do this at least it is but brutishnesse But I do wonder what rules of Conscience such do walk by and if they do where is their tendernesse to withdraw their shoulders from under the work which if there be but English blood in a Christian he will endeavour to be perfect in his Art herein but if grace much more that he may make one stone in the wall and be fit to shed his blood if need be for the defence of Christs servants Churches and cause of God 2. When any Town dost cast off the power and rule of Townsmen set by the supreme Magistrate to make such orders as may make for the publick weal thereof I know sometimes men may not be so able wise and carry matterrs imprudently Town-orders may also sometimes want that weight that wisdome those cautions that mature consideration as is meet as also that due and prudent publication that all may know of them with records of them But take Town-orders that be deliberately made prudently published for the publick peace profit comfort of the place to oppose these or persons that make these with much care fear tendernesse If I know any thing is a sin of a crying nature provoking God and casting off his government I confesse if there be not care here I know no way of living under any government of Church or Common-wealth if the publick affaires of the Town be cast off I know sometimes godly and dear to Christ may through weaknesse want of light sudden passion and violent tentation oppose here but I am perwsaded
all other miseries and therefore as Joshua said so say I to you Choose you whom you will serve Mot. 2. Consider the difference between the service of the Lord and Shishak Mot. 2. 1. The government of others tyrannical proud men or sin or Satan or outward miseries 't is full of rigour force and cruelty Ezek. 34.4 With force and cruelty have ye ruled them But Christs Government is there shewen to be in mercy and full of mercy though sometimes lost he will fetch thee in again though sick and weak he will heal thee again vers 16. Deut. 4.6 'T is for thy good the Lord hath no need of thy service c. True it is the Lord may shew his people hard things and give them sad miseries but these wounds do not kill them only make way for healing the distempers of their hearts that are in his poor weak ones and his end is to bring them to himself 2. Their government is in it self hard and bitter To serve a lust now 't is a torment sometimes to conscience if that be awake if not 't is a curse of curses much reluct ancy against it much chiding after it and God hides himself dreadful fears and heart it self unquiet but Christs yoke is easie and his burden light his assistance and presence and love and peace makes it so and that daily and at death especially 3. There is little recompence for their service the best that Saul can give are Olive-fields and Vine-yards but anguish of conscience after the work is done But the Lord gives a Kingdome and not a word or thought but there is a book of remembrance writ not a cup of cold water or rag to any of Christs naked servants but it will be recompenced You have followed me you shall sit on thrones Mot. 3. Consider how fain the Lord would have you under his Government Mot. 3. for many will say I have refused so oft and what shall I now do the Lord will cast me by True he may do so and you may be glad if the Lord will honour you in doing his work Yet Prov. 2.23 Returne you scorners at my reproof and I 'le power out my Spirit upon you Jer. 36.3 7. Read sayes God the words of the Roll to them It may be they will hear and present their supplications before the Lord and turne every man from his evil way that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin Read the place if you can without tears You that have departed from God and Christ and provoked Gods wrath when there is but little hope left it may be Oh yet read the Roll. Mot. 4. Once Christs and under his Government Mot. 4. you shall never be cast off As sin hath reigned unto death so shall grace reigne unto eternal life Rom. 5.21 He will bestow on you the sure mercies of David by an everlasting Covenant Isa 55.5 Quest But wherein should I submit to the Lord Quest Answ None have power to rule conscience but Christ Answ give him therefore this glory that wherein he bindes conscience conscience not out of fear but love may indeed submit I have instanced the particulars formerly yet more distinctly There be two great commands or charges of Christ that ly upon all mens consciences to whom the Gospel comes and therein lyes our service of him generally Which two I name because there we think we are free or do not know our liberty First The command of Christ is that every one to whom the Gospel comes and is preached do believe i.e. receive Christ Jesus in all his fulnesse in the Gospel John 1.12 For that is to believe in which command lies Gods offer 1 John 5.23 This is his commandment that ye believe John 6.25 37 38. This is the work of God that ye believe Now here men think they are free 1. They say they are unworthy and hence they say Depart from me Lord I am a sinfull man as if Gods grace was built on mans worthinesse 2. Because unhumbled whereas Gods grace calls in men unhumbled Rev. 8.17 18. For Gods call and offer is general though none but the humble wil hearken to it But there are none but it may be said to them If they can believe let them 3. Because Christ is not theirs and are they bound to believe he is Whereas the first act of faith is not to believe Christ is mine then men were bound to believe a lie But to receive Christ as a woman her husband that he may be mine by faith and so a man may know and say he is mine The Gospel doth no where say to any man Christ is thine but if thou receive him he is thine and consequently the Spirit speaks so also 4. Because they cannot believe unlesse they should presume as if the Gospel bound the conscience of none to believe but them that were able to believe it and receive Christ in it yet 't is otherwise for it bindes all to receive Christ Jesus to go up and possesse him to feed eat and drinke and live for ever And I will leave this one undeniable argument If men are liable to eternal condemnation at the great and last day and to bear the eternal wrath of God and Christ also for disobeying the Gospel for refusing Christ and the offer of his grace therein Then those mens consciences are bound to obey the Gospel i. e. to believe and receive Christ now in this life But all that have the Gospel preached to them are liable to eternall condemnation for disobedience to it John 3.18 19. Psal 2.12 Kisse the Son lest he be angry So 2 Thess 2.8 9. He comes to render vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel Rom. 2.16 The Lord shall judge the secrets of all hearts by my Gospel That is whereever the Gospel comes for they that have no law having no law shall not be judged by it But men that have had the Gospel shall be judged by it and therefore are bound o obedience thereunto The serious consideration of which one truth is enough to draw all to Christ from the power of unbelief especially they that say I cannot or ought not to believe For the reason why men do not come is 1. They think the Gospel concerns not them what doth the Lord say to me come so vile and sinful yes that he doth if there was no such law there could be no transgression or condemnation 2. They think they shall presume No if conscience be bound to it 't is no presumption to keep a Sabbath aright or to receive Christ as God offers him Oh this quiets conscience 3. The Lord layes his chain on the most tender place of conscience as it will answer it at the great day or will have any peace take heed you refuse not so great salvation 4. 'T is a chaine not of bondage but of liberty and mercy and love Come and receive not a Kingdome but Christ Peace pardon and grace