how can a man be born when he is old can he enter the second time into his mothers wombe and be born V. 5. Jesus answered verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God V. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit V. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee ye must be born again Col. 1.21 And you that were somtimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 1 John 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is the transgression of the Law Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Jam. 1.14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed V. 15. Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 7.5 For when we were in the flesh the motions of sins which were by the Law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his Angels 2 Thes 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his power 3. The blessed way found out and appointed by God for mans Recovery out of this miserable state which is by the undertaking and mediation of his onely Son Hos 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death V. 25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the mind I my self serve the Law of God but with the flesh the Law of sin Gen. 3.15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus John 3.14 And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wildernesse even so must the son of man be lifted up V. 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life V. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 John 4.14 And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree John 6.35 And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that beleeveth on me shall never thirst V. 51. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in Heaven John 4.42 And said unto the woman now we beleeve not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Acts 13.38 Be it known unto you therefore men and Brethren that through this man is preached unto you the forgivenesse of sins John 1.29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world 1 John 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son V. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life John 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ 1 John 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world Heb 9.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance CHAP. III. Concerning the Mediator between God and Man COncerning the Mediator between God and man Christ Jesus We must know and understand these seaven things 1. What manner of person he was He was God and Man in the same person The Eternal Son of God The second Person in the Trinity took to himself our humane Nature a humane soul and body and united it after a wonderfull manner to his Godhead And so God and Man became one person 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mystery of Godlinesse God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world received up into Glory Rom. 9 5. Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 17.5 And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the world was Christ God Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his Gloâ—y and the expresse Image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 1 John 5.20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life John 10.30 I and my Father are one John 8.58 Jesus said unto them verily verily I say unto you before Abraham was I am John 17.11 And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given mee that they may be one as we are John 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that
robs and deprives the soul of Gods Image consisting in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse 4. It depraves disorders distempers the soul weakens the powers of it disables it for holy operations and brings a corrupt disposition into it 5. It defiles the soul and leaves such a blot and stain upon it that nothing but the blood of Christ can wash out 6. It enslaves the soul to the devil 7. It makes the soul like unto the devil Holinesse is Gods Nature Sin and wickednesse is the devils 'T was sin that at first turn'd Angels of light into devils of darknesse And if we could separate sin from them they would cease to be devils and clear up again into Angels of light II. The great danger of sin appears in that it brings such a guilt upon the soul as makes it liable to Gods wrath and curse and to punishments 1. Temporal Sickness pain vexation misery death which to the wicked are truly punishments and fruits of Gods vindicative justice and have their sting still in them 2. Spiritual 1. Losse of the favour of God and communion with him 2. The immediate strokes of his anger on the soul wounds of Conscience drops of his wrath horrour of mind despair 3. Hardnesse of heart a Spirit of slumber blindness of mind a reprobate sense to be given over to vile affections and to Sathan These are most fearful judgements 3. Eternal Such as concern the soules immortall condition after this life And they are either punishments of loss or pain 1. Of loss in being for ever banished from the presence of the Lord and the joyes of Heaven 2 Thes 2.9 being punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the Glory of his power 2. Of pain consisting in those exquisite and unconceivable torments which shall be inflicted on the dâ—mned set forth in Scripture by everlasting fire utter darknesse the worm that never dies the fire that is not quenched chains of darkness the blackness of darkness for ever the lake of fire and brimstone c. As therfore the nature of sin is out of measure sinful so the punishments are out of measure fearful III. The soules deep guiltinesse appears by considering 1. It s Original sin In which three things are to be noted 1. The guilt of Adams particular transgression in eating the forbidden fruit imputed to us He was the head and common Father of mankind and we were legally parties in that covenant which was at first made with him For God established his covenant with Adam principally in respect of his Nature and not so much in respect of his Person so that by consequence it must follow that all who are partakers of that Nature are bound by that Covenant And therefore we cannot but expect to be liable unto the guilt which followed upon the breach and violation of it Rom. 5.12 c. 2. A want of original righteousnesse Rom. 3.23 All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God that is of the glorious Image of God which was at first stamped upon man 3. A corrupt disposition in mans nature in place of original righteousnesse These two latter being the sad effects of Adams sin Now this depravednesse of nature this great aversenesse to good and pronenesse to evil is call'd the old man and the body of sin Rom. 6.6 The sin that dwelleth in us Rom. 7.17 The body of death Rom. 7.24 The flesh as opposite to the Spirit and Grace Rom. 7.18 25. The Law of the members Rom 7.23 Col. 3.5 A mans own lust Jam. 1.14 where 't is expresly distinguished from actual sin as being the procreant cause of it 2. It s Actual transgressions where are to be considered 1. Omissions of good and the duties required that might and ought to have been done 2. Commissions of evil Offending Against the Law even both Tables of it Against the Gospel 3. Doing that which was good in an evil manner slight and undue performance of holy duties 4. The aggravations of these sins in regard First Of the greatnesse of many of them Every one has some black daies in his Calender some more high and great offences whereof he hath been guilty and for which he is to be more deeply humbled Secondly The number of them if we consider 1. Wicked thoughts 2. Inordinate Affections 3. Sinful words 4. Evil actions Thirdly That many of them have been committed 1. Against mercies 2. Against judgments 3. Against promises and vowes of better obedience Secondly Contrition Godly sorrow brokenness of heart for sin To be sorry for what we have done amisse is something towards repentance but it is not the whole of it Gracious humiliation is a deep and hearty grieving for all our sins and that upon these Gospel Motives 1. Because we have by our sins highly displeased and offended our gracious God whom we had all the reason in the world to have studied to please The displeasure and offence of God is that which sets the soul a bleeding and mourning evangelically Consider therefore what is the Spring of thy sorrow If the punishment or shame of thy sins touch thee nearer than the offence of God 't is a sign thy sorrow is not right 2. Because our sins pierced our dear Lord and Saviour and put him to such grievous painful and shameful sufferings 3. Because by our sins we have brought a horrible defilement and stain on our souls 4. Because we have made our selves liable to the wrath and curse of God and deserve to be separated from the Lord and to be punished among devils and damned fiends for ever This in conjunction with the former is an Evangelical motive I confesse to weep and howl and grieve meerly for the wrath and punishment sin has brought upon the soul is such a sorrow as Judas had his share in and the damned in Hell exceed in it But this sorrow does not use to leave the soul in a better disposition for obedience in time to come as godly sorrow doth 2 Cor. 7.10 Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto life And take notice by the way this Godly sorrow is not a flower that growes in the Garden of nature A hard heart is Adams Legacy There may be a flexible nature where there is a hard heart that knowes not how to mourn and grieve for sin in a right manner Godly sorrow is voluntary The soul is active in it prayes for such a melting frame is thankful for it is best pleased when the heart is soft and tender and deeply affected for its sins and offences against God 'T is not so in worldly sorrow for in that we are meerly passive It comes upon us without sending for or being bidden welcome by us Thirdly Hating and Loathing sin The Spirit of sanctification works a secret antipathy an irreconcileable hatred in the soul against sin The true penitent hates sin as sin As David said Psal 119.128 I hate every false way True hatred is to the whole kind When
necessity of regeneration The state of thy own soul to God ward The excellency of a gracious state The preciousness of time of Eternity And the four last things Death Judgment Heaven Hell These and such like subjects will be fit matters to employ thy thoughts about IV. Labour to get thy heart into a right frame and temper The work is serious and thou hadst need rally together all the powers of thy soul that thy thoughts may be intent and fixed when thou settest on this duty V. Begin with prayer begging the assistance and help of God to order thy meditations aright Prayer sanctifies every thing VI. Confine thy thoughts to one Subject only at a time One truth driven home by meditation will kindly affect the heart VII For the Method 1. Let thy mind consider and dwell on the thing thou propoundest to meditate on so long till thou hast setled some perswasions in thy self concerning it 2. Labour to stir up and awaken such affections in thy heart as the Subject meditated on requires 3. Draw some fit and proper resolutions tending to Gods Glory and the furthering thee in a gracious course from thy meditations VIII For the manner 1. Do it sincerely Take heed of formality and superficialnesse the bane of most religious performances 2. Shut up all with prayer 3. Reduce thy meditations into practise CHAP. VII FRequent good company that may further thee and help thee forward in the way to Heaven And though thy Calling Necessity of businesse Charity to their souls and a desire to do them good may draw thee somtimes to converse with yet be not willingly ordinarily and unnecessarily a companion of wicked and ungodly men who by their vain unsavoury discourse and sinfull conversation will be apt to draw thy heart unto a neglect and slighting of spiritual things 'T is exceeding dangerous to be ordinarily in such company as will be ever hindring never helping us forward in the way to Heaven and where we shall hear no talk of Religion but in distast and contempt Believe it Thousands have been everlastingly undone by evil company That therefore thou maist be more wary in this â—â—â—ticular I shall desire thee to consider of these things I. Ill company must needs be exceeding dangerous because sin is of an infecting contagious nature It quickly spreads among such as ordinarily and familiarly converse together Why should we not be as much afraid of being infected with sin as with a contagious disease but that we are carnal and fear the evil of the body which is death more than the evil of the soul which is sin and damnation The ground of that dreadful Church-Censure Excommunication is the contagion of other mens sins Purge out the old leaven saies the Apostle 1 Cor. 5.7 Which was the incestuous person And why because a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump There is a strange power in ill company to infect and deprave the best dispositions Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled saies the son of Sirach Chap. 13.1 1. By frequent familiar converse with such there steals upon a man secretly insensibly a dislike of Religion and the waies of Godliness as too strict and restraining to humane nature 2. He usually comes by degrees to approve and delight in sensual courses and sinful practises 3. At last he comes to be an utter enemy and opposer of the waies of Holiness And no wonder for such as men usually converse with such for the most part they prove to be Ungodly company is the deep ditch out of which few escape II. To delight in ungodly company is a sure sign a mans heart is naught Similitude is the cause of love Like will to like whether good or evil Though many will not be drunk or swear c. Yet if they delight in the company of those that do so 't is plain their dispositions are against Godlinesse David having a Godly frame of heart declared it in this that in the Saints of the Earth and the excellent was all his delight Psal 16.3 Ps 119.63 He saies I am a companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy Precepts Ecclesiasticus tels us Ch. 13.16 All flesh consorteth according to kind and a man will cleave to his like What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb So the sinner with the Godly When you choose wicked loose company when you may have better and find delight and content in such you plainly declare what you are There is no reason he should be accounted Gods friend who familiarly converses with his professed enemies III. By frequenting ill company thou dost harden encourage and embolden them in their sinful courses How can they think but thou approvest their waies seeing thou delightest in their society Whereas the Apostle commands us Eph. 5.11 To have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darknesse but rather reprove them David's eyes ran down with rivers of tears because he saw men kept not Gods Law Psal 119.136 And Lots righteous soul was vexed with the unclean conversation of the wicked among whom he lived So far is it from the temper of a gracious heart to hold a delightful familiarity with wicked companions IV. Consider ill company is a great hinderance to conversion Wicked companions like Herod kill the young beginnings and first tendencies of the heart towards God One wicked person by his scoffs and flouts has done more hurt than many Sermons have done good Scoffers at Religion and deriders of true Piety and Holinesse make things of the saddest and most serious concernment to seem ridiculous And when once the awe of these great Truths is weakned men are easily induced to cast off all care and profession of Religion Many have been jeer'd from the practise of Godlinesse and a holy life that could never by serious Arguments be disputed or disswaded from it Mockers and Scoffers at Religion are usually the worst of sinners In Psal 1. there are three degrees of sinners mentioned and the highest rank are they that sit in the seat of the scornful Which the Septuagint render the chair of pestilence They being indeed the pests of mankind 'T is better to go with the frowns and scoffs of carnal friends to heaven than with their love to hell V. Remember 't is not only the openly prophane and dissolute the swearer the drunkard and the professed open enemies of Godlinesse that thou art to avoid as hurtful companions but thou must also take heed of too frequent society with dead hearted formalists and persons meerly civil whose conference is usually barren and unsavoury nothing conducing to the raising the heart Heaven-ward And by conversing much with such though thou dost not endanger thy soul as to infection with sin yet thou dost as to defection from gracious courses Such lukewarm professors are usually remiss and slight and indifferent in Religion and though they run not into such exorbitant courses as the openly prophane do yet
thee Psal 116.13 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me V. 13. I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. V. 14. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people CHAP. XX. Of the Four last things Death Judgement Hell Heaven I. Of Death ONE of the main businesses of our life should be to prepare for death In order hereunto observe these directions First Meditate often and seriously on thy death and dissolution even in time of thy health Joseph of Arimathea made his Sepulchre in his garden that in the midst of his delights he might think of death Often retire and take thy self alone and walk in the valley of the shadow of death Do not start from the thoughts of it Do by thy soul when thou findest it shy of such meditations as we do by our horses that are given to boggle and start when we ride them when they fly back and start at a thing in the way we do not yield to their fear and go back that will make them worse another time but we ride them up close to that they are afraid of and so in time break them of that ill quality So do thou bring up thy heart and inure it to look upon death and to handle that Serpent Consider death is making its approaches to thee and may be upon thee before thou art aware O therefore prepare for it that when it comes and attaches thee thou maist be found in such a gracious state with such a frame of Spirit and walking in such a holy way of life that thou maist bid it welcom and be able to say with blessed Paul I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ The frequent meditation of death will be an excellent means 1. To quicken thy soul to a deep humiliation and repentance for thy past sins 2. To represse the eager and insatiable desire of riches and the love of this world 3. To antidote thee against sin for time to come 4. To make thee improve time and carefully to work out thy salvation Think often of death and it will keep worse company from thee Secondly Labour to take away from thy own death the power and strength thereof The Philistims seeing Sampson so exceeding strong laboured to know wherein his power and strength principally consisted and when they understood it to lie in the hair of his head they ceased not till it was cut Consider therefore wherein the strength of death lies The Spirit of God teacheth us that in 1 Cor. 15.56 The sting of death is sin The power and force and sting of every mans particular death lies in his own sins Death cannot hurt us but by the force of our own sins A man may safely handle a Serpent when the sting is out If death be disarmed of its sting and poyson it cannot hurt us It concerns us therefore to use effectual means that our sins may be removed and pardoned and to labour before we die to abolish the strength of death Now the way to do this is 1. To humble our souls unfeignedly before the Lord and to repent of all our sins 2. To fly to Christ and to close with him for pardon and Grace 3. In the strength of his Grace to amend our lives and to walk in the waies of holinesse The sting of death is taken away by Christ Jesus as to all real converts and true believers so that it cannot hurt them nay will be an advantage to them It will be only a dark and short passage to a glorious Palace to the blisseful mansions above So that they may triumph as Paul did O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory Thanks be to God who giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. But now to all impenitent unpardoned sinners how deadly how incurable is the sting of death Death is death with a witnesse and Hell into the bargain to them that die in their sins No sight in the world more dreadful than to see a dying sinner with his Conscience newly awakened conflicting with death and sin and the Law and Gods Curse together O how sad how intollerably sad is it to see a man that hath gone on in a long carelesse obstinate course of sinning now at the point of death to have his eies first opened and to see himself on the brink of the dreadful pit unavoidably falling into the lake of fire and brimstone To such a person death brings its poysoned arrow and executes him with its venemous sting Thirdly Give all diligence in this life to lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6.12 That is to enter into the first degree of life eternal Eternal life may be look'd upon under three considerations As Initial as Partial as Perfectional 1. The eternal life initial is that which is obtained in this life and is an earnest of that which is to follow 'T is the life of Grace Of this our Saviour spake Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you he that heareth my Word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life And Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life 2. The Partial life eternal is that which belongeth though to the nobler yet but to a part of man namely to the Soul The happinesse which the Souls of Saints enjoy between the time of their death and the last day is the partial life eternal 3. The Perfectional life eternal is that which shall be conferred on the Saints immediatly after the blessed reunion of their souls and bodies and that gracious sentence pronounc'd come ye blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world So that we see we must in this world enter into the first degree of eternal life if ever we intend to be partakers of the other two We must be raised from the death of sin to the life of grace We must as the Apostle speaks Col. 1.13 Be delivered from the power of darknesse and translated into the Kingdom of our blessed Saviour We must with Paul be able to say Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me i. e. By his Spirit guides and governs my will affections and all the powers both of my soul and body Whoever would be saved when he is dead must begin to be saved while he is living We must begin to live that blessed and eternal life before we die Fourthly Inure thy self to die to this world and the enjoyments of it every day more and more Paul tels us he died daily 1 Cor. 15.31 If we would learn to do so it would not be so hard to die when we come to it in good earnest Death is not so strong to him whose natural strength has been wasted with a long pining sicknesse as to
state of corruption to a state of Glory Would we enter into Glory let us labour to secure our state in Grace Grace and Glory do not differ specifically but gradually When a soul is brought into a state of saving Grace it is entred into a state of Glory For as God hath prepared Heaven for his children so he prepares his children for Heaven Grace is the Nursery of Glory As the plants of righteousness grow fit for Heaven they are removed to Heaven and shall be for ever with the Lord. O Lord prepare and fit my soul for this new Jerusalem into which no unclean thing can enter Give me true repentance for all my sins and wash away the guilt of them in the blood of thy dear Son my Lord and Saviour Sanctifie me throughout both in soul and body by thy Grace and holy Spirit and enable me to glorifie thee in this life that I may hereafter enter into thy Kingdom into that eternal state of Glory bliss and purity O let me not have my portion in this life but when thou sendest for me out of this world by death Lord receive my soul for thy free mercy and my Saviours merits sake into those Heavenly mansions where there is fulnesse of joy and pleasures at thy right hand for evermore Amen John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world 1 Cor. 2.9 But as it is written eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle be dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Col. 1.12 Giving thankes unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Heb. 10.34 For ye took joyfully the spoyling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance Heb. 12.22 But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels V. 23. To the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just men made perfect 1 Thes 4.17 And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Heb. 6.19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vail V. 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entred even Jesus made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek Mat. 25.23 His Lord said unto him well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. 2 Cor. 12.4 How that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter Luke 16.22 And it came to passe that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Heb. 11.10 For he looked for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God 1 Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you 1 Pet. 5.4 And when the chief Shephard shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Glory be to God in the highest On earth peace Good will towards men FINIS BOOKS Printed for and are to be sold by JOHN ROTHWEL at the Fountain and Bear in Cheap-side A Mr. AInsworth Arrow against Idolatry in fol. 12 Dr. Ames Cases of conscience Engl. Marrow of Divinity 4 On Peter 4 D. Arrowsmith Tactica Sacra sive de milite spirituali pugnante Vincente Triumphante Annotations on the Bible by the Dutch Ministers fol. Assembly Confes Catechism large and small in 4 with Scriptures at large B M. Bradshaw Sin against the H. Ghost 12 M. Bridges Babylons downfal 4 M. Bohemus on 100 Scriptures opened 8 M. Broxolme on Perkins Six Principles 8 M. Bucklers Assize Sermon C M. Church Miscelanies of the Attributes of God The Creatures of God 4 Good mans Treasury 12 Of Ejaculations 12 His Golden Sayings 12 Pocket companion 12 M. Culverwells Light of nature 4 White stone alone 8 M. Clark Of Persecution and Lives of Ministers folio M. Cravens Catechisme 8 M. Cotton of singing of Psalmes 4 Catechising and Conference by the Ministers of the Isle of Wight D M. Dales Shepherdizing of Lambs 8 D. Drake De sanguine 4 M. Dyke of Epping His Right Receiving of Christ 8 Safety in case of danger 8 Select Sermons of Quenching the Spirit and Pardon of sin c. 8 F Mr Fenner of Affections 4 Of Conscience 4 Alarm for drousie Saints 4 Wilful Impenitency 4 Catechism On the Creed Lords Prayer Ten Commandments M. Ford of Baptism Catechising and first Fruits of Davids Government 8 His Catechise against the Anabaptists G Germany Lamentations Octavo Invasion Octavo Prodigies Octavo H M. Hughes Of Affliction the benefit of it 4 Funeral Sermon 4 Parliament Sermon 4 M. Hooks New-Englands Tears 4 New-Englands Sense 4 M. How of Universal Redemption 4 Pagan Preacher silenced 4 M. Haines Grammar 8 M. Hanmer Of Confirmation L M. Lockier Balm for bleeding England and Ireland 8 Communion of Church Militant Discovery of Sincerity 8 Olive Leafe 8 Parliament Sermon 4 Englands Wounds 4 Love Grace with its different degrees 8 Zealous Christian 4 Heavens Glory and Hels Terror 4 Effectual Calling 4 Combat between the Flesh and Spirit 4 Directory of a Christian 4 The Penitent Pardoned 4 The Dejected Souls Cure Administration of Angels 4 Gods Omni-presence The Sinners Legacy to their posterity 4 By Mr. Calamy By Mr. Whitaker By Mr. Ashe By Mr. Taylor Longland On the four last things Death Judgment Hell and Heaven 12 M M. Milton His Reason of Church-Government 4 Apology for Smectymnuus M. Mathers Catechism 8 Reply to M. Rutherford 4 P M. Pool His Answer to Biddles Denial of the H. Ghost to be God 12 His Vindication of the Ministry 4 A Pacification between the Lutheran and Reformed Churches 8 M. Perrot The Scripture Stability R Bp. Richardson his choice Observations on the Old Testament as a supplement to the large Annot. fol. M Robouroâ—gh against Goodwin about Justification 4 Mâ— Robinson Christ is all in all 4 M. Ruttons Sermon before the Lord Mayor S Smectymnuus redivivus first and second Parts about Episcopacy and Presbytery 4 M. Shepherd on the Sabbath with Cases of Conscience 8 Of Subjection to Christ 8 On the Parab of the 10 Virg. 4 D. Sibbs Miracle of Miracles 4 Glorious feast of the Gospel 4 His Glance of Heaven 12 Spiritual mans aim 12 His Charter of a Christian 12 Conference between Christ and Mary after his Resurrect 12 On 2. Epist Cor. Chap. 4. 4 D. Stoughtons Sermons in his younger years 4 His form of sound words with the righteous mans plea to true Happinesse 4 Heavenly conversation Two Sermons 12 D. Seaman of Ordination 4 His Solomons choice 4 Head of the Church 4 Glasse for the times 4 Mrs. Scots exemplary life and death drawn up by several Minist T Thaesaurus Poeticus 12 D. Tuckney Balm for Gilead 12 Death disarmed A Sermon at D Hills Funeral 12 None but Christ 12 M. Tutty Funeral Sermon V M. Venning Orthodox Parodoxes 8 New Command octavo Mysteries Revelat. octavo Milk and Honey Second Part. octavo Warning to Backslid octavo Way to Heaven 4 octavo Sermon on the 5th of November W Wise Virgin A Narrative of Gods dealing with a child of eleven years of age and her gracious speeches in time of her affliction Published by three Ministers 8 M. Whitlock and M Reinolds Funeral Sermon of Francis Pierpointe Esq
hearing 3. What we are to do after we have heard And oh that I might prevail with you to read these Directions often especially on Saturday-nights that so you might come prepared The great reason of the unprofitablenesse of preaching and that Sermons do no more good is because people come without preparation 3. Seeing that Heavenly duty of singing Psalms and lifting up the praises of the most High is now by some question'd as indeed what is not that tends to Gods Glory and mans good I purposely handle that subject and prove it to be a duty under the Gospel answer the Objections against it and give some Directions for the right performing of it 4. Forasmuch as Christians might exceedingly benefit one another by Religious conference thereby warming and enlivening one another and provoking one another to love and to good works In the next place I speak of that duty and set down some Rules concerning it Lastly Because without meditation 't is not to be expected the Word should do much good nor that the soul should ever thrive in Knowledge and Grace I shew the excellency and benefit thereof and give some Directions for the practise of it The Seventh Chapter treats of the danger of frequenting and unnecessarily conversing with bad company whereby many have been everlastingly undone A man that prayes to be delivered from temptations must not wilfully run himself into them And because 't is the duty of all true Christians both for their own peace sake and that they may adorn the Gospel of Christ to serve their generation in some honest and commendable way avoiding Idlenesse that great snare of the Devil In the eighth Chapter I discourse of diligence and conscientiousnesse in our particular places and callings And that the Name of God may not be blasphemed by the ill lives and practises of such as professe themselves Christians In the Ninth Chapter I treat of just and upright dealing in Trading and Commerce giving some Rules both to buyers and sellers and shew the necessity of making restitution of or satisfaction for ill gotten goods The Tenth Chapter contains the duties of Governours of Families which I desire all that are in that relation often to read over and seriously to meditate upon There is a great duty lies upon them and greater than they usually are aware of They may be exceeding instrumental of the salvation of those under their care if they discharge their duties as they ought But through their neglect of the Worship of God in their houses and their ill lives and examples they prove too often an occasion of the ruine of many in their Families And because very much of the life of Godlinesse consists in a faithful discharge of relative duties The Eleventh Chapter shews the duties of Husband and Wife The Twelfth of Mâ—sters and Servants The Thirteenth of Parents and Children The Fourteenth of such as are in office and of Inferiours The Fifteenth of People towards their Pastors and spiritual Guides O what an honour would it be to Christian Religion if all they that call themselves Christians would endeavour to walk uprightly and faithfully in their respective places And seeing it is a real kindnesse and an excellent expression of true Christian friendship to keep one another off from the pit of destruction and to help one another on towards Heaven In the Sixteenth Chapter I treat of that great and hard duty of Christian reproof and admonition which if it were prudently and faithfully discharged would by the blessing of God much abate sin in the world and exceedingly advance Piety The Seventeenth Chapter contains the duties of rich and poor Many duties belong to them both and both have great temptations therefore they had need be careful to discharge the one and avoid the other The Eighteenth Chapter speaks of the duties of Young and Old Ministers find by experience that the Word hath the greatest operation on those that are young who have not contracted such strong habits of sin nor so long resisted the Grace of God nor so much provoked him to give them up to their own hearts lusts as many ancient people have done who have liv'd a great while in an unconverted state under the light of the Gospel I have therefore shewed young persons the danger of delaies the advantages of turning to God betimes and answered the Objections that many are apt to make against it And because a Minister is also to have a care of the souls of the Ancient and to his utmost skill to endeavour their salvation I have laid down several awakening considerations for them to think upon I have shewed them the danger of vain presumptions and groundlesse hopes of Heaven I have set down some of those false grounds and sandy foundations whereon many ancient people build their hopes of happinesse that so they may be undeceived and may look better about them to secure their souls while there is time In the Nineteenth Chapter there are Directions given for the healthy and the sick To deal wisely and faithfully with sick persons in order to their souls welfare is one of the hardest pieces of the Ministerial work and requires much skill to perform it aright And seeing a Minister is not ever at hand to visit such sick persons as may need his help and many times they stand in need of much help and instruction I have drawn up such directions as I judged needful for them which they may mâ—ke use of when they cannot have the help and assistance of a Minister I have shewed how they should examine themselves And that they may not slubber over that great businesse but may come in some measure to discern the multitude of their sins and the manifold waies whereby they have offended God I have set down a Catalogue of the duties commanded and sinnes forbidden in the ten Commandments as also the sins against the Gospel That so people may not only in general say they are sinners and yet when they come and professe to humble their souls and to confesse their sins unto God can find few they are guilty of but may see themselves to be exceeding vile and sinful I know 't is very unpleasing to people to search their own Consciences and find themselves great sinners They had rather sit down with a false peace than arraign and terrifie themselves in this manner But who that is in his right wits would content himself with a shadow of repentance or a shadow of Faith without finding the substance and truth of these Graces in his soul when his everlasting welfare depends upon it Those Directions there mentioned may be of use also to all persons who desire at any time more solemnly to humble themselves before the Lord for the sins of their life past and more especially before the receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper The Twentieth Chapter contains a discourse of the four last things Death Judgment Hell Heaven There I shew the necessity
who is a Spirit infinitely Glorious and being One in Nature is yet Three in Persons or Subsistences The Father The Son and The Holy Ghost These are Three and One after a wonderfull and mysterious manner The Father God The Son God And the Holy Ghost God and yet not three Gods but one God Secondly His Properties or Attributes God is Eternal or without any Beginning or End Omnipotent or Almighty Omnipresent or every where present Omniscient or All-knowing Infinitely Wise Holy Just Mercifull Thirdly His Works which are principally two 1. Creation 2. Providence I. Creation Concerning which we must know 1. That God made the world and all the Creatures therein both visible and invisible by his Almighty power and Created them all very good 2. The chief of his Creatures are Angels Men. 3. All the Angels were at first made holy and happy Spirits Some continued in their obedience to God and are still Angels of Light Others fell from God through Pride or some other sin and are become Devils of Darknes Concerning the Creation of Man see farther in the next Chapter II. Providence As God Created the World and all the Creatures therein by his Almighty Power So he upholds directs disposes and governs them all by his Providence Nothing so Casual but he disposes of it No Agent so free as to be exempted from his Controule No affliction or Evil of Punishment but he hath a hand in it But as for sin he neither is nor possibly can be the Author or Approver of it CHAP. II. Concerning Man COncerning Man we are to know and understand these three things 1. The happy Condition in which he was made 2. His Fall 3. The way of his Recovery by Christ 1. The Holy and happy estate in which God created man at first Namely after his own Image in Knowledge Holinesse and Righteousnesse with Dominion over the Creatures here below writing his Law on mans heart requiring perfect obedience from him and giving him power to perform it promising the continuance of him in that happy estate if he obeyed and threatning him with death if he disobeyed which is called the Covenant of works 2. The miserable Condition into which man threw himself by sin Our first Parents by the temptation of Sathan disobeyed God broke his righteous Law and Commandement and thereby cast themselves out of the Favour of God became the Slaves of Satan and liable to the curse of the Law and brought a great depravation of soul and body upon themselves And such as our first Parents were such must their posterity needs be For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean says Job Chap. 14.4 They having lost the Image of God themselves the holinesse and happinesse in which they were made could not conveigh it to their posterity So that the nature of man is now become corrupt prone to evil backward to good And this miserable condition is derived to us from Adam by our immediate Parents and as men come to be born in several Ages and generations so they actually participate of the sap that comes from the first root we being therefore all of us in so bad a Condition by nature and by custome and practice in sin having made our selves much worse and more abominable in the sight of God more guilty and liable to his wrath we are to know and consider that this woful state of sin and misery is by no means to be rested in But seeing we are fallen into so lamentable a condition we must speedily endeavour to get out of it And therefore let us remember that without Conversion there is no hope of Salvation Except a man be born again and made a new Creature he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God 3. The blessed way found out and appointed by God for mans Recovery out of this miserable state which is by the undertaking and mediation of his onely Son CHAP. III. Concerning the Mediator between God and Man COncerning the Mediator between God and man Christ Jesus We must know and understand these seaven things 1. What manner of person he was He was God and Man in the same person The Eternal Son of God The second Person in the Trinity took to himself our humane Nature a humane soul and body and united it after a wonderfull manner to his Godhead And so God and Man became one person 2. How he became man He was born about sixteen hundred and odd years ago of the Virgin Mary who was of the seed of Abraham and of the Family of David as was foretold in the Scriptures being Conceived in her by the Almighty power of the Holy Ghost without the help of man and without sin and was Called Jesus Christ 3. How he Lived He Lived about three and thirty years here upon Earth a most holy innocent sinless Life performing perfect obedience to the Law of God And as the great Prophet of God who was promised Deut. 18.15 Acts 3 22. he declared his Fathers will in his heavenly discourses and Sermons and wrought many miracles to confirm his doctrine and to prove himself the true Messias and the Eternal Son of God 4. How he Died Being betrayed by Judas forsaken by his Disciples scorned and rejected by the World through the malicious prosecution of the Jews and unjust sentence of Pilat he was Condemned to be Crucified and being tormented by his persecutors and having conflicted with the Terrors of Death and felt and born Gods wrath He endured the painful shameful and cursed death of the Crosse there as a Priest offering up himself a Sacrifice to God and a Ransome and Propitiation for our sins 5. What became of him after his Death He being buried rose again the third day and after Fourty days continuance on the earth in which time he frequently appeared to his Disciples and others teaching the things appertaining to the Kingdome of God he ascended into Heaven and is now in Glory with the Father where he intercedes for and presents the Merits of his Death and Sufferings in the behalf of all them that unfeignedly repent of their sins and do truly beleeve on him And being made King and Head of his Church and Lord of Angels and Men he shall come from Heaven again in great Glory to judge the quick and the dead at the Last day 6. What was the End and Intent of Christs Coming into the world The chief End and Intent of his Coming into the world was to save Lost and undone sinners to procure their pardon reconciliation with God by his Merits to Sanctifie their Natures by his Holy Spirit and to bring them to everlasting Life And to this end he appointed his Ministers to preach the Gospel unto the world and instituted the two Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper to signifie and keep in remembrance the great and inestimable benefits of his Death and Sufferings 7. What they are effectually Called unto and through the assistance of the
unto the woman what is this that thou hast done And the woman said the Serpent beguiled me and I did eate V. 16. Unto the woman he said I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children and thy desire shal be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee V. 17. And unto Adam he said because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee saying thou shalt not eate of it cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life V. 18. Thornes also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee and thou shalt eate the hearb of the field V. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eate bread till thou return unto the ground for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return 1 Tim. 2.13 For Adam was first formed then Eve V. 14. And Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression V. 15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing if she continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety 2 Cor. 11.3 For I feare least by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ Gen. 5.3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty yeares and begat a Son in his own likeness after his Image and called his name Seth. Gen. 6.5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evill continually Gen. 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour and the Lord said in his heart I will not again curse the ground any more for mans sake for the imagination of mans heart is evill from his youth neither will I again smite any more every thing living as I have done Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned V. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one Judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life V. 19. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Psal 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me Job 15.14 What is man that he should be clean and he which is borne of a woman that he should be righteous V. 16. How much more abominable and filthy is man which drinketh iniquity like water Job 14.4 Who can bring a Clean thing out of an unclean Not one Rom. 3.9 What then are we better then they no in no wise for we have before proved both Jewes and Gentiles that they are all under sin V. 10. As it is written there is none righteous no not one V. 23. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me 2 Tim. 2.26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill who are taken Captive by him at his will Rom. 8.6 For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace V. 7. Because the carnall mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be 1 Cor. 2.14 But the naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Rom. 7.14 For we know that the Law is spirituall but I am carnall sold under sin V. 18. For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to performe that which is good I find not V. 23. But I see another Law in my members warring against the Law of my minde and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of sin which is in my members V. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Jer. 17.9 The Heart is deceitful above all things and Desperately wicked who can know it Jam. 4.5 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vaine The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins V. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Aire the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience V. 3. Among whom also we all had our Conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the Children of wrath even as others Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them Gal. 5.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would Eph. 4.18 Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart 1 John 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all if any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Hos 14.1 O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity Eph. 4.22 That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts V. 23. And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind V. 24. And that ye put on the new man which after God is Created in righteousnesse and true holinesse 1 Cor. 15.49 And as we have born the Image of the earthly we shall also bear the Image of the heavenly John 3.3 Jesus answered and said unto him verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdome of God V. 4. Nicodemus saith unto him
V. 68. Saying Prophecy unto us thou Christ who is he that smote thee Luke 22.65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him Mat. 27.1 When the morning was come all the chief Priests and Elders of the people took Councel against Jesus how to put him to death V. 2. And when they had bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilat the Governour V. 17. Therefore when they were gathered together Pilate said unto them whom will ye that I release unto you Barabbas or Jesus which is called Christ V. 20. But the chief Priests and Elders perswaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus V. 22. Pilat saith unto them what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ they all said unto him let him be crucified V. 23. And the Governour said why what evil hath he done but they cried out the more saying let him be crucified Luke 23.23 And they were instant with loud voices requiring that he might be crucified and the voices of them and of the cheif Priests prevailed Mat. 27.27 Then the Souldiers of the Governour took Jesus into the common Hall and gathered unto them the whole band of Souldiers V. 28. And they stripped him and put on him a Scarlet robe V. 29. And when they had platted a Crown of Thornes they put it upon his head and a reed in his right hand and they bowed the knee before him and mocked him and said Hail King of the Jews V. 30. And they spit upon him and took the reed and smote him on the head Mark 15.15 And so Pilat willing to content the people released Barabbas unto them and delivered Jesus when he had scourged him to be crucified Luke 23.24 And Pilat gave sentence that it should be as they required V. 25. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into Prison whom they had desired but he delivered Jesus to their will Mat. 27.31 And after they had mocked him they took the robe off from him and led him away to crucifie him John 19.17 And he bearing his Crosse went forth into a place called the place of a skull which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha Luke 23.33 And when they were come to the place which is Called Calvary there they crucified him and the malefactors one on the right hand and the other on the left Mark 15.24 And when they had crucified him they parted his Garments casting Lots upon them what every man should take Mat. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying Eli Eli Lamasabachthany that is to say My God My God why hast thou forsaken me John 19.30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar he said it is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the Ghost Luke 23.46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and having said thus he gave up the Ghost John 19.33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already they brake not his legs V. 34. But one of the Souldiers with a speare pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and water Isa 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not V. 5. He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed V. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his daies and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand V. 11. He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities 1 Pet. 2 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes we are healed Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Acts 10.39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the Land of the Jews and in Jerusalem whom they slew and hanged on a tree Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God 1 Cor. 15.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Heb. 9.22 And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission V. 26. Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 10.12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God V. 19. Having therefore brethren boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus V. 20. By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh V. 26. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins 1 Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit Eph. 5.2 And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Col. 1.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgivenesse of sins V. 20. And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse Eph. 1.17 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his Grace Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Crosse Rev. 13.8 And all
that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb stain from the foundation of the world Acts 20.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood 1 John 2.2 And he is the Propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 5. What became of him after his Death He being buried rose again the third day and after Fourty days continuance on the earth in which time he frequently appeared to his Disciples and others teaching the things appertaining to the Kingdome of God he ascended into Heaven and is now in Glory with the Father where he intercedes for and presents the Merits of his Death and Sufferings in the behalf of all them that unfeignedly repent of their sins and do truly beleeve on him And being made King and Head of his Church and Lord of Angels and Men he shall come from Heaven again in great Glory to judge the quick and the dead at the Last day Buried Mark 15.42 And now when the even was come because it was the preparation that is the day before the Sabbath V. 43. Joseph of Arimathea Mat. 27.57 A rich man Mark 15.43 An honourable Counsellour Luke 23.50 A good man and a just V. 51. The same had not consented to the Counsel and deed of them who also himself waited for the Kingdome of God John 19.38 Being a Disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the Jews Mark 15.43 Came and went in boldly unto Pilat and craved the body of Jesus V. 44. And Pilat marvailed if he were already dead and calling unto him the Centurion he asked him whether he had been any while dead V. 45. And when he knew it of the Centurion he gave the body to Joseph V. 46. And he brought fine linnen and took him down John 19.39 And there came also Nicodemus which at the first came to Jesus by night and brought a mixture of myrrhe and aloes about an hundred pound weight V. 40. Then took they the body of Jesus and wound it in linnen Clothes with the spices as the manner of the Jews is to bury V. 41. And in the place where he was crucified there was a Garden and in the Garden a new Sepulchre wherein was never man yet laid Mark 15.46 which was hewen out of a Rock John 19.42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews preparation day for the Sepulchre was nigh at hand Mat. 27.60 And rolled a great stone to the door of the Sepulchre and departed Mat. 12.40 For as Jonas was three daies and three nights in the whales belly so shall the Son of man be three daies and three nights in the heart of the earth 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again according to the Scriptures Rose again Mat. 17.22 And while they abode in Galilee Jesus said unto them the Son of man shall be betraied into the hands of men V. 23. And they shall kill him and the third day he shall be raised again and they were exceeding sorry John 2.19 Jesus answered and said unto them destroy this Temple and in three daies I will raise it up Rev. 1.5 And unto Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood V. 18. I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification Acts. 2.24 Whom God hath raised up having loosed the paines of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it Luke 24.39 Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have V. 40. And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet V. 46. And said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day Rom. 6.9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him Acts 13.32 And we declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the Fathers V. 33. God hath fulfilled the same unto their Children in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is also written in the second Psalme thou art my son this day have I begotten thee V. 35. Wherefore he saith also in another Psalme thou shalt not suffer thine holy One to see corruptition V. 36. For David after he had served his owne generation by the will of God fell on sleep and was laid unto his Fathers and saw Corruption V. 37. But he whom God raised again saw no Corruption Acts 4.33 And with great power gave the Apostles witnesse of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great Grace was upon them all 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead Acts 26.22 Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come V. 33. That Christ should come and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew Light unto the people and to the Gentiles John 20.24 But Thomas one of the Twelve called Didimus was not with them when Jesus came V. 25. The other Disciples therefore said unto him we have seen the Lord but he said unto them except I shall see in his hands the print of the Nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not beleeve V. 26. And after eight daies again his Disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said peace be unto you V. 27. Then saith he unto Thomas Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithlesse but beleeving V. 28. And Thomas answered and said unto him My Lord and My God Acts 1.3 To his Apostles also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty daies and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holinesse by the Resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures V. 5. And that he was seen of
appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad V. 11. Knowing the terrours of the Lord we perswade men 2 Pet. 3.10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall passe away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up V. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godlinesse V. 14. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet Mat. 19.28 And Jesus said unto them verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 16.27 For the Son of man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he shall reward every man according to his works Heb. 9.28 So Christ wâ—s once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Mat. 25.31 When the son of man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory V. 32. And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats V. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left V. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world V. 35. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in V. 36. Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in Prison and ye came unto me V. 41. Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels 6. What was the End and Intent of Christs Coming into the world The chief End and Intent of his Coming into the world was to save Lost and undone sinners to procure their pardon and reconciliation with God by his Merits to Sanctifie their Natures by his Holy Spirit and to bring them to â—verlasting Life And to this end he appointed his Ministers to preach the Gospel unto the world and instituted the two Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper to signifie and keep in remembrance the great and inestimable benefits of his Death and Sufferings Luke 19.10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners Mat. 1.21 And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his Grace Jer. 33.6 In his daies Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his Name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness 1 Cor. 15.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation V. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him John 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of our Faith even the salvation of our souls Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit Heb. 7.23 And they truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death V. 24. But this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood V. 27. Who needeth not daily as those high Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this he did once when he offered up himself Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeem'd us from the curse of the Law being made a Curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Col. 1.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins V. 21. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled V. 22. In the body of his flesh through death to present you unblameable and unreproveable in his sight Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross V. 15. And having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it Heb. 10.11 And every Priest standeth daily ministring and offering often times the same sacrifices which can never take away sins V. 12. But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God V. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified V. 18. Now where remission of these is there is no more offering for sin V. 19. Having therefore Brethren boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus V. 20. By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh V. 21. And having an high Priest over the house of God V. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water To sanctifie their Natures 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thankes alwaies to God for you brethren beloved
of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the Truth Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit V. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection V. 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin V. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace Eph. 5.26 That he might Sanctifie and Cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Gal 5.24 And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Eph. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man V. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love V. 18. May be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height V. 19. And to know the Love of Christ which passeth Knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace Sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 5 16. This I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh V. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would V. 25. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be Glory both now and for ever Amen 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure He commanded his Disciples to preach the Gospel and instituted the two Sacraments viz. Baptism and the Lords-Supper Mark 16.15 And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature V. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God John 4.1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John V. 2. Though Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost V. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world Amen Mark 1.4 John did baptize in the wildernesse and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death V. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Mat. 3.11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire John 1.33 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saveth us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost 1 Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto even baptisme doth now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 10.1 Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea V. 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea V. 3. And did all eat the same spirituall meat V. 4. And did all drink the same spirituall drink for they drank of that spirituall Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ Rom. 4.11 And he received the signe of Circumcision a seal of the righteousnesse of the Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not Circumcised that righteousnesse might be imputed to them also V. 12. And the Father of Circumcision to them who are not of the Circumcision onely but also walk in the steps of that faith of our Father Abraham which he had being yet uncircumcised Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ V. 12. Buried with him in baptisme wherein also ye are
Gospel heartily to repent of all their sins seriously to give up their souls unto him resting and relying on the Redemption and Ransome of his Blood for their Pardon and Reconciliation with God And taking him for their onely Lord Saviour and yielding themselves up in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and Holy Spirit they do depend on him alone for Justification Sanctification strength to persevere in the ways of Holinesse and at last to be brought to eternall Life And to as many as are thus drawn by the Holy Ghost savingly to repent of their sins and believe in Christ being truly united to him and made branches in him the true Vine and members of his mystical body the true Church whereof himself is the Head God hath promised pardon and Remission of all their sins to write his Law in their Hearts to subdue their Corruptions by his Grace that sin shall not have Dominion over them to bestow on them all such outward blessings as he in his infinite wisdome shall see good for them And when they die their souls shall be received into everlasting blisse and their bodies shall be raised again by the power of Christ at the last day and made partakers of the same Glory And this is Called the Covenant of Grace But such as go on in their sins refusing to accept of Christ for their Lord and Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier and to give up themselves in sincere obedience to him when they die their Souls shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and their bodies shall be raised again at the last day and made partakers with their Souls of Everlasting Torments Concerning effectual Calling Rom. 1.6 Among whom are ye also the Called of Jesus Christ Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the Called according to his purpose V. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also Called and whom he Called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and Called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the Heavenly Calling Consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus Eph. 1.18 The eyes of your understanding being inlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his Calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints V. 19. And what is the greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Acts 16.14 And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of purple of the City of Thyatira which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul 1 Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen generation a royall Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous Light Eph. 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called 1 Thes 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you to his Kingdome and Glory John 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day V. 45. It is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh to me V. 65. And he said therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out John 5.25 Verily verily I say unto you the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and they that hear shall live 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth V. 14. Whereunto he called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ Ezek 36 16. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me saying V. 17. Son of man when the House of Israel dwelt in their owne Land they defiled it by their owne way and by their doings their way was before me as the uncleannesse of a removed woman V. 26. A new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh V 27. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them Eph. 2.13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who somtimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death V. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his John 3.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth so is every one that is born of the Spirit Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to Light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me Concerning believing the Gospel 1 Cor. 2.12 Now we have received not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God V. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Eph. 1.16 Making mention of you in my prayers V. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him V. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his Calling and what the riches of the Glory of his inheritance V. 19. And what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power John 8.24 I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins for if ye beleeve not
require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Jam. 2.14 What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath Faith and have no works can Faith save him V. 15. If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food V. 16. And one of you say unto them depart in peace be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body what doth it profit V. 17. Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead being alone 1 John 2.3 And hereby do we know that we know him if we keep his Commandements V. 5. But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him 2 Pet. 1.5 And besides this giving all diligence adde to your Faith vertue and to vertue knowledge V. 6. And to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience Godlinesse V. 7. And to Godlinesse brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindnesse Charity V. 8. For if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. V. 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see far off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Tit. 2.11 For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men V 12. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world 1 Pet. 2.12 Having your Conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation V. 15. For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men John 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my disciples Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Rom. 6.22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life Mat. 25.21 His Lord said unto him well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. V. 22. He also that had received two talents came and said Lord thou deliveredst me two talents behold I have gained other two talents besides them V. 23. His Lord said unto him well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Luke 17.10 So likewise ye when ye have done all these things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Job 22.2 Can a man be profitable unto God as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself V. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous or is it gain to him that thou makest thy waies perfect Job 35.7 If thou be righteous what givest thou him or what receiveth he of thine hand V. 8. Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art and thy righteousnesse may profit the son of man Mat. 23.23 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye pay tithe of Mint and Annis and Cummin and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Judgement Mercy and Faith these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone Mat. 5.20 For I say unto you except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Gal. 5.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long Suffering Gentlenesse Goodnesse Faith V. 23. Meeknesse Temperance against such there is no Law 2 Cor. 8.12 For if there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not Heb. 6.10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his Name in that ye have ministred to the Saints and do minister Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Rom. 6.6 Know this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Mat. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me is not worthy of me 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha Mat. 22.37 Jesus said unto him thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind Acts 10.35 But in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blamelesse and harmless the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the world Rom. 1.32 Who knowing the Judgement of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only doe the same but have pleasure in them that do them Rom. 6.1 What shall we say then shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound V. 2. God forbid how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein V. 15. What then shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid V. 16. Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse 1 John 1.6 If we say then we have fellowship with him and walk in darknesse we lie and do not the Truth V. 8. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us 1 John 3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Concerning Perseverance Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall John 10.28 And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither
shall any man pluck them out of my hand V. 29. My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand 1 John 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawn thee Jer. 32.40 And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 1 Cor. 10.12 Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time V. 9. Receiving the end of your Faith even the salvation of your Souls 2 Tim. 2.19 Neverthelesse the Foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the Charge of Gods elect it is God that justifieth V. 34. Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us V. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakednesse or peril or sword Rom. 8.37 Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us V. 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come V. 39. Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthen thy Brethren 2 Theâ— 3.3 But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Concerning the members of Christ John 15.1 I am the true Vine and my Father is the Husbandman V. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ. V. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 1.2 Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Called to be Saints with all that in every place Call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours Rev. 7.9 After this I beheld and Lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues stood before the Throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes and with Palmes in their hands Rom. 11.16 For if the first fruit be holy the lump is also holy and if the root be holy so are the branches Eph. 2.19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Eph. 3.15 Of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named Eph. 4.12 For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ V. 13. Till we all come in the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Mat. 16.18 And I say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 23.8 But be not ye Called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are brethren V. 9. And call no man your Father upon the earth for one is your Father which is in Heaven V. 10. Neither be ye called Masters for one is your Master even Christ. Concerning the new Covenant Heb. 8.8 For finding fault with them he saith behold the days come saith the Lord when I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah V. 9. Not according to the Covenant I made with their Fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord. V. 10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those daies saith the Lord I will put my Laws in their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people V. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousnesse and their iniquities will I remember no more Mark 16.15 And he said unto them goe ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every Creature V. 16. He that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved but he that beleeveth not shall be damned Jer. 31.31 Behold the daies come saith the Lord that I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah V. 34. For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more John 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance V. 16. For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator V. 17. For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength whilst the Testator liveth Heb. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Ezek. 36 26 A new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and will give you an
the world he declared that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 3. The Angels in Heaven rejoyce at the repentance of a sinner Luke 15.10 Likewise I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth 4. Consider who are for thy repentance and who are against it God the Father Son and holy Ghost good Angels and glorified Saints all good Ministers and sincere Christians are for it None but the Devil and his Instruments are against it And which of these two parties wilt thou encline unto 5. Consider 't is not onely a Gospel duty but a Gospel priviledge The Law allowes no place for repentance 'T is an high favour God will pardon us upon our repentance and Faith in his Son 6. Consider All will sooner or later commend true repentance Be not thou one of them that will commend it when it is too late 7. Consider there is no other remedy For Without RepentaÌ„ce t is not consistent 1. With Gods justice we should be pardoned though repentance does not satisfie his justice yet sins unrepented of continued in cannot be pardoned without injustice 2. With his Mercy God is very merciful but 't is to penitent humbled sinners not obdurate impenitent transgressours 3. With the undertaking of Christ who came to call sinners to repentance to seek save those that were lost in their own eies He was exalted to be a Prince a Saviour to give repentance remission of sins Act. 5.31 8. If thou dost seriously and in good earnest repent of all thy sins it will be a great foundation of comfort to thee in time of distress If the Devil in time of temptation or the hour of death shall bring thy sins to thy remembrance and charge them upon thy Conscience to drive thee to despair O what a comfort will it be if thy Conscience can then truly answer though I have been guilty of such and such sins yet through the riches of Gods Grace I have in time of my health particularly humbled my soul for them I have retracted and undone them again by a serious repentance Believe it he that has truly repented of all his sins and has the bent of his heart turned towards God and is walking in a new course of life a steady course of Godlinesse has a surer foundation of comfort in his own soul than if an Angel should come from Heaven and tell him he should be saved Upon all these considerations let me advise thee begging the assistance of the Spirit of God to set upon the speedy practise of this so great so necessary yea so comfortable a duty Let not the deceitfulnesse of sin the cunning of Satan the hope of long life a vain presumption on the Mercy of God or any mistakes or prejudices against the Doctrine of repentance keep the off but laying aside all pretences excuses demurs whatever set upon it seriously and speedily and thou wilt find thereby through the blessing of God abundance of ease comfort satisfaction and settlement to thy Mind and Conscience Psal 32.5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confesse my transgression unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prâ—sper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy 1 John 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 9. If we confesse our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Psal 19.12 Who can understand his errours cleanse thou me from secret faults Psal 90.8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all Job 13.26 For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth Psal 38.4 For mine iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burdeÌ„ they are too heavy for me Job 34.32 That whiâ—h I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Psal 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindnesse according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions V. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin V. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me V. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me V. 7. Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than snow V. 9. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities V. 10. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me V. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me V. 16. Thou desirest not sacrifice else would I give it thou delightest not in burnt offering V. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise See more Scriptures concerning repentance pag. 102. CHAP. III. Of Faith in Christ. UPon serious consideration of the evil and danger of thy sins renouncing all Confidence in thy self or any thing thou canst do to procure thy pardon and peace with God deliberatly and advisedly betake thy self unto Christ Jesus the only Mediatour and Peace-maker between God and man who once offered up himself a sacrifice on the Crosse for sin and is now in Heaven making intercession and presenting the Merits of his Obedience Sufferings and Death in the behalf of all such who being lost and undone in themselves do flie to him for help and relief and take him for their only Lord and Saviour With judgment and understanding give up thy self to this Saviour Cast thy penitent soul at his feet Rest and rely on him wholly and alone to be justified acquitted and discharged of all thy sins by his Merits to be sanctified by his Spirit to be commanded and disposed of by him and to be enabled by his Grace to persevere in the waies of Truth and Holinesse all thy daies and at last to be brought to Eternal life Intrust all thy hopes of pardon only on him Enter into a real Covenant with him to be for ever his resolving to live and die his faithful Disciple and servant And because really to close with Christ and savingly to believe on him is a matter of such exceeding high Concernment I shall 1. Explain the Nature of it 2. Lay down some Conclusions about it 3. Give some Motives and Incouragements to it Know therefore there is a two-fold Act of Faith 1. Of Adherence 2. Of Assurance I. When a poor sinner doth cast himself wholly on Christ crucified for pardon and life upon the warrant of
not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time that thou maist be found surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal 17.1 Hear the Right O Lord attend unto my Cry give ear unto my Prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Psal 65.2 O thou that hearest Praiers unto thee shall all flesh come Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his Heritage He retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in Mercy Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth V. 19. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them Psal 50.15 And call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Dan 9.14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil and brought it upon us for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth for we obeyed not his voice Mat. 7.7 Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you V. 21. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven 1 John 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternall life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God V. 14. And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us V. 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions we desired of him Psal 10.17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear Eph. 6.18 Praying alwaies with all praier and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications praiers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For Kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honesty Jam 5.16 Confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent praier of a righteous man availeth much Maâ— 5.44 But I say unto you love your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you 2 Sam. 7.29 Therefore now let it please thee to blesse the House of thy Servant that it may continue for ever before thee for thou O Lord hast spoken it and with thy blessing let the House of thy servant be blessed for ever 1 John 5.16 If any man see his Brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto unto death there is a sin unto death I do not say he shall pray for it Gen. 18.27 And Abraham answered and said behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes Luke 18.13 And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eies unto Heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner V. 14. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Psal 51.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Job 22.27 Thou shalt make thy praier unto him and he shall hear thee aad thou shalt pay thy vowes 1 Sam. 1.15 And Hannah answered and said no my Lord I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 1 Cor. 14.15 What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Mark 11.24 Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth 1 Tim. 2.8 I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting Mat. 26.39 And he went a little farther and fell on his face and praied saying O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but praier was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Mat. 6.9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Luke 11.2 And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done as in Heaven so in earth Thanksgiving Col. 3.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Heb. 13.15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name Psal 67.2 That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations V. 3. Let the People praise thee O God let all the People praise thee Psal 86.12 I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart and I will glorifie thy Name for evermore V. 13. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Hell Psal 103.1 Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name V. 2. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all
Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord alwaies before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved Gen. 5.24 And Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him Heb. 11.5 By Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found because God had translated him for before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God Gen. 6.9 Noah was a just man and upright in his generation and Noah walked with God Prov. 5.20 And why wilt thou my Son be ravished with a strange woman and embrace the bosome of a stranger V 21. For the waies of a man are before the eies of the Lord and he pondereth all his goings Gen. 39.9 There is none greater in this house than I neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee because thou art his wife how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 42 18. And Joseph said unto them the third day this do and live for I fear God Job 34.21 For his eies are upon the waies of man and he sees all his goings V. 22. There is no darknesse nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves Job 27.6 My righteousnesse I hold fast and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live Isa 38.3 And Hezekiah said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore 1 John 3.20 For if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things V. 21. Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the Grace of God we have had our conversation in the world but more abundantly to you-wards Psal 32.2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile Psal 78.34 When he slew them then they sought him and they returned and enquired early after God V. 35. And they remembred that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer V. 36. Nevertheless they flattered him with their mouth and they lied to him with their tongues V. 37. For their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Gen. 17.1 And when Abraham was ninety yeares old and nine the Lord appeared to Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Eph. 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Amen Fifthly Labour daily to live by Faith Having given up and committed thy penitent Soule into the hands of Christ to have thy pardon and peace procur'd by his merits and intercession learn also daily to trust and depend on the goodnesse of God and his gracious promises for a supply of all such blessings both spiritual and temporal as thou standest in need of I shall shew thee what it is to live the life of Faith in these ten particulars 1. Seek unto the Lord and daily trust and depend on him for the assistance of his holy Spirit for Grace and strength effectually to enable thee to subdue thy corruptions and to mortifie all sinful vile affections in thee Luke 11.9 And I say unto you ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you V. 10. For every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened V. 11. If a Son shall ask bread of any of you that is a Father will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish will he for a fish give him a Serpent V. 12. Or if he ask an egge will he offer him a Scorpion V. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Jam. 4.5 Do ye think the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy V. 6. But he giveth more Grace wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud but giveth Grace to the humble 2 Cor. 12 9. And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me Rom. 6.14 For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace 2. Trust in him to enable thee to resist and overcome the temptations wherewith thou shalt be assaulted from the Devil or the world Mat. 6.13 Lead us not into temptation 2 Chron. 32.31 Howbeit in the businesse of the Ambassadours of the Princes of Babylon who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the Land God left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the Devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour V. 9. Whom resist stedfast in the Faith Jam. 4.7 Resist the Devil and he will flee from you 1 John 2.15 Love not the world nor the things that are in the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him V. 16. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eies and the pride of life is not of the Father 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith John 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil V. 20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word 3. Humbly depend on him to assist and enable thee to perform all the duties both of thy general and particular calling with sincerity diligence and delight 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Phil. 4 13. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me Psal 87.7 All my Springs are in thee 4. Trust in him to enable thee to bear all the afflictions he shall please to lay upon thee with patience affiance in his mercy and submission to his will Col. 1.11 Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but with the temptation will also make a way
interpretative blasphemy and calling all these into question and so an high injury and dishonour unto God Whereas faith is said to justifie God Luk. 7.29 that is to professe and acknowledge him to be such a God as his Word reveals him to be 2. Nothing doth more debar and shut out Gods operation in order to our relief and help than this sin If by taking only moderate and due care we would resigne up our selves and our concernments into the hands of God he would charge himself with us But if we will immoderatly cark and care and be so peremptory in our designes and will not submit them unto him then God is discharged we must look to our selves Therefore 't is not only our duty but our interest to resigne up our selves to God and to submit our concernments to his will 3. Unbelief 't is a sin against which God hath exceedingly declar'd his displeasure The Apostle tels us the children of Israel were destroied in the wildernesse for unbelief Many were their sins there Murmurings lustings Idolatry but the main reason of their punishment was they believed not Look to their finall excision and cutting off why what was it for for unbelief were they broken off Rom. 11.20 That noble man in 2 Kings 8.2 was troden to death for distrusting Gods power and could only see the plenty did not tast of it Moses and Aaron could not enter into the land of promise because of their unbelief Num. 20.12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron because ye believe me not to Sanctifie me in the eies of the children of Israel therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them Zachary was struck dumb for not believing what God had revealed Christ did never chide his Disciples for any thing so much as their unbelief Luke 24.25 O ye fooles and slow of heart to believe And why doubt ye O ye of little Faith Mat. 8.26 4. 'T is a Paganish sin as our Saviour intimates Mat. 6. For Heathens to be full of carking and caring is not so much to be wondred at but for us that professe to believe in God that do acknowledge a particular Providence and believe the happinesse of another world to be under the tyranny of distracting cares anxiety of mind and thoughtfulnesse as if God had no care of us this is an exceeding unworthy carriage towards God Take heed therefore of distrusting God and overcharging thy self with the cares of this life Let not thy heart be too much fixed on any thing here below Lay not these outward things too much to heart And remember that then cares are inordinate when they cause such a tumultuousness and unquietnesse in our thoughts and affections that reason is disturbed and cannot allay or compose them or when they exceedingly hinder or quite put us by the duties we ought to perform to God or lastly when they cause a sinking or dying in the heart as Nabals heart is said to die within him when we are disappointed in that we were so eagerly solicitous about And therefore our Saviour in Mat. 6. bids us take no thought and repeats it three several times as v. 25. Therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink nor yet for your body what ye shall put on V. 31. Therefore take no thought saying What shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithall shall we be cloathed V. 34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it self sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Direction 5. Take heed of limiting God 1. Either to the time of fulfilling his promises Or 2. To the way Faith doth not limit the holy One of Israel to any set time or any set means Do thy duty therefore and resigne thy self to God Commit thy self and all concernments to his Fatherly care and be not over-solicitous or perplexed about events What strange distrustful language do the children of Israel use in Psal 78.20 Can the Lord prepare a table in the wilderness can he give bread also Can he provide flesh for his people And therefore at v. 41. What a black character is given of them They turned back and tempted God and limited the holy One of Israel We must not prescribe to God we must not go about to subject his Providence to our direction and prescribe what he shall do for our satisfaction Direction 6. Reflect upon the Lords past kindnesse and gracious dealings with thee Consider how much God hath done for thee and for others that have trusted in him and that will tend very much to encourage thee still to trust in him The more experience and manifestation of Gods power and presence thou hast had the greater reason thou hast to cast away all unbelief from thee It exceedingly provoked God against Israel that notwithstanding so many experiences of his power yet still they distrusted him Num. 14.11 And the Lord said unto Moses how long will this people provoke me And how long will it be ere they believe me for all the signes I have shewed among them By every experience we should grow up into a greater courage and strength of Faith as David drew inferences of hope against the present danger from the lion and the bear 1 Sam. 17.36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them seeing he hath defied the Armies of the living God Or as Paul said 2 Cor. 1.10 He hath and doth and therefore will deliver Who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us Christ was angry with his Disciples for not remembring the miracle of the loaves when they were in a like strait again Mat 16.9 Do ye not yet understand neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets ye took up God is more angry with the unbelief of his children than of others because they have more experience of his love and care and therefore that they should distrust him that never fail'd them is very ungratefull 2 Cor. 5.7 For we walk by Faith not by sight Hab. 2.4 Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by his Faith Gal 2.20 I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him Psal 55.22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved 1 Cor. 7.32 But I would have you without carefulness c. Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by praier and supplication with
gates of Jerusalem on the evening of their Sabbath If any Merchants come any worldly thoughts or businesses let them stay without till the Sabbath be over The work of mens Callings is not only in their hands but in their minds and heads A Minister may have a great Congregation yet but a few hearers if their minds be stuft with the world before they come if they bring their trades their bargaines their plow their worldly businesse along with them As therefore we read of Abraham in Gen. 22.5 That when he went up to the Mount to offer Sacrifice he left his servants and the Asse in the valley behind him so should we our worldly cares and businesses when we go to worship God and to hear his Word 2. Consider and meditate on the great concernment and importance of the Word 'T is the ordinary means God hath appointed for the working that great work of conversion without which no salvation and for the edifying and building up those that are already savingly wrought upon Jam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth 1 Cor. 4.15 I have begotten you in Christ Jesus saith Paul through the Gospel Rom. 10 17. Faith cometh by hearing Indeed sin and consequently death came by hearing at the first by our first Parents listening to and believing a tempting Spirit But now Faith and consequently life comes by Hearing through the operation of the blessed Spirit of God in the Word Rom. 1.16 The Gospel 't is the power of God unto salvation Labour therefore to have an high value and esteem of the preaching of the Gospel God hath appointed his Ordinances not in Soveraignty only but in Mercy to us As our Saviour said of the Sabhath Mark 2.27 The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath So may I say of all the Ordinances of God they were ordained for man for mans benefit and not man made for them And therefore the great benefit that with Gods blessing may be expected from them if we duly attend upon them should make us highly value them Indeed it is one of the devils stratagems in this age to urge the efficacy of the Spirit as a plea for the neglect of means Whereas Gods Spirit does usually work in and by the means and rarely if ever when the ordinary means are slighted 'T is true God himself is not tyed to means nor to any of his own Ordinances yet he ties us to make use of them when we may have them That soul cannot expect to be instructed by Gods Spirit who is a slighter and neglecter of Gods ordinary means Further consider the intent of the Word is not only to regenerate but to nourish increase and perfect the Graces of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12. Our knowledge is imperfect Those that know most may learn more We need new inforcements of duty Our affections are dull and need a new excitement None so wise so knowing a Christian but he may receive some benefit from a different handling of what he himself knew before Therefore seeing the preaching of the Word was ordained for so great and signal benefits to mankind 't is just with God that they that have slight thoughts of it should be barren under it 3. When thou art going to hear consider whither thou art going Thou art going to meet the great God of Heaven and Earth A God that is not to be dallied with Levit. 10.3 I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me When the people went to hear the Law Exod. 19.10 The Lord said to Moses Sanctifie the people and let them wash their clothes What does this speak to us that Christians should only wash their hands and faces and put on their best apparrel when they come to hear the Word No the Apostle James Jam. 1.21 tels us Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meeknesse the ingrafted Word that is able to save your souls If thou findest thy Spirit slight and wandring to fix it and make it serious think with thy self and imagine how it was with the Israelites going to receive the Law of God When the Mount was all on a flame of fire the trumpet sounding louder and louder the people trembling and sore afraid This is to beat the Devil with his own weapon for he often prevailes upon us by casting in sinful Imaginations Consider therefore how the Lord is present in an especial manner where his Word is preached Surely the Lord is in this place as Jacob said of Bethel Gen. 28.16 The apprehension of Gods presence in the assemblies of his people will preserve in thee an awful and reverent disposition of soul 4. Before thou goest fail not to poure forth earnest and fervent prayers unto the Lord and that in behalf 1. Of the Minister 2. Of thy self I. In behalf of the Minister that the Lord would teach him what he should teach the people and direct and enable him to declare the mind of God and to preach such truths as may tend to the benefit and salvation of thine and others soules Certainly if people did more seriously and more frequently pray for their Minister that the Lord would bless and prosper his labours and direct him to divide the Word aright to give to every one their portion to feed the people with knowledge and understanding he might expect a greater blessing and assistance in his studies and they more benefit by his endeavours How earnestly does Paul beg prayers Rom. 15 30 Now I beseech you brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me v. 31. That my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints And Eph 6.18 Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit for all Saints v. 19. And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel v. 20. That therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak Col. 4.3 Withal praying for us that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds v. 4. That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak II. In behalf of thy self 1. That the Lord would fix thy mind and make it serious When the mind is serious truths are apt to make impression 2. That he would enlighten thy mind and open thy heart as he did the heart of Lydia Acts 16.14 that thou maist have a clear and right understanding of those truths that concern thy salvation 3. That he would give thee a heart to believe and embrace the truth in the love of it that truth may not only float in thy phantasie but sink down into thy heart Rom. 10.10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse There is a Faith of the head and a Faith of
they must command them only lawful and reasonable things using their power and authority over them with equity and moderation and with a gentle hand In all things of moment they require of them let them consider the real good and benefit of their children and guide themselves by that and not meerly their own advantage or pleasure or the exercise of their own authority This is a Rule as one saies well whereof Parents may often have use but especially in the businesse of marrying their children wherein many Parents out of a covetous humour to bestow them wealthily have forc'd them to marry against their inclinations and where they could not love which is a horrible Tyranny and thereby have betrayed them to infinite mischiefs such as all the wealth in the world cannot repair There are two things therefore saies the same Author that Parents ought especially to consider in the matching of their children 1. That they may live Christianly and to that purpose to chuse a pious and vertuous person to link them with that may not be like to hinder but to further them on in the way to Heaven This ought principally and above all other things to be minded 2. That they may live comfortably and cheerfully in this world And to that end though a competency of estate may be necessary to be regarded yet surely abundance is not requisite and therefore that should not be too vehemently sought after That which much more tends to the happiness of that State is the mutual kindnesse and liking of the parties without which marriage is of all other the most uncomfortable condition therefore no Parent ought to force a child into it Eph. 6.4 And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Col. 3.21 Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged 2 Cor. 12.14 For the children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the children 1 Tim. 5.8 But if any provide not for his own especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse then an Infidell Deut. 6.7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Prov. 19.18 Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes Prov. 29.17 Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy soul Prov. 22.15 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him Prov. 10.1 A wise son maketh a glad father but a foolish son is the heavinesse of his mother Prov. 1.8 My son hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother Deut. 4.9 Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the daies of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy Sons sons Duties of Children towards their Parents Children owe to their Parents these three duties especially 1. Reverence 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse I. Reverence which they must expresse 1. By honouring them in their hearts bearing not only an awe and respect but a kindnesse and affection towards them loving their persons fearing to do any thing may justly provoke them and highly esteeming them as the instruments under God of their being Lev. 19.3 Ye shall fear every man his Mother and his Father The Mother is placed first because children though they stand most in need of their Mothers in their younger years yet when they are grown up many times do most wickedly neglect and despise them But how cursed a thing it is to set light by Parents and even in our secretest thoughts to despise them God himself declares Deut. 27.16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or his Mother and all the people shall say Amen 2. By speaking to them with due respect and regard and to others of them What a heinous sin then is mocking Parents Prov. 30.17 The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it But there is a more horrid Crime than that which is cursing Parents Exod. 21.17 And he that curseth his Father or his Mother shall surely be put to death And to this Head we may refer that great and high offence that those wretched Children are guilty of who either through impatience of the Government or greedinesse of the possessions of their Parents do wish their deaths And let them not think to excuse themselves by saying they wish them in Heaven for that they do it not so much that they may have ease and rest at their journies end as because they must needs take death in the way But whoever does thus embrue his soul in bloudy wishes of his Parents death let him know there is one above that sees and observes that great wickedness And if long life be promised as a reward of honouring Parents 't is very agreeable to Divine Justice that untimely death be the punishment of the contrary And so they who so eagerly desire the death of their Parents take the direct course untimely to meet with their own 3. By giving them in their outward carriage all due respect and observance behaving themselves with humility towards them and giving them all those signs and expressions of civil honour which are to be paid by Inferiours to Superiours How contrary to this is that detestable sin of smiting Parents Exod. 21.15 And he that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to death The punishment the Heathens inflicted on such unnatural children was to sew them in a sack with a dog cat viper and ape as emblems of unnaturalness and so drown'd them together So much doth the very Light of Nature abhor such monstrous undutifulness II. Obedience which they must manifest 1. By hearkning to their instructions and carefully laying up their precepts in their hearts especially those that concern the welfare of their Souls There is ordinarily such a pride and headinesse in youth that they are apt to slight the counsels and directions of their Elders and to look upon them as proceeding either from too much severity or from dotage when they are indeed the fruits of wisdom sobriety experience To such the counsell of Solomon is necessary Prov. 23.22 Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Many more Texts there are in that book to this purpose that shew how the wisest of men have thought it necessary that Children should carefully attend to the
drink nor yet for your body what ye shall put on is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment V. 26. Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them Are ye not much better than they V. 27. Which of you by taking thought can add one Cubit unto his stature V. 28. And why take ye thought for raiment consider the Lilies of the field how they grow they toyl not neither do they spin V. 29. And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his Glory was not arrayed like one of these V. 30. Wherefore if God so cloath the grasse of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the Oven shall he not much more cloath you Oh ye of little Faith V 31. Therefore take no thought saying What shall we eat Or what shall we drink Or wherewithall shall we be cloathed V. 33. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you V. 34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it self sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof See more Scriptures to this purpose pag. 215. CHAP. XVIII Of the Duties of the Young and Old First Of those that concern the younger sort ALL young persons should consider that it is their duty and high concernment to endeavour to be really good and truly religious betimes In order hereunto I shall 1. Lay down some Reasons and Arguments to presse them to it 2. Answer such Objections and labour to remove such prejudices as are conceiv'd against it 3. Give some Directions to them who are willing to be advis'd herein There are many weighty Reasons and Arguments to perswade them to it I. God now invites them to it Eccles 12.1 Remember now thy Creatour in the daies of thy youth c. And let them consider 1. God hath no need of them but they have need of him and cannot possibly be happy without him 2. He is willing to be reconcil'd to them if they will turn to him though for their sins he might justly destroy them 3. He offers them better terms and conditions if they will serve him then they can possibly have any where else either in the service of sin or Satan Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death The two genuine and natural fruits of sin are shame and death Is it not then an intollerable indignity and affront put upon the great God of Heaven and Earth for any to refuse to serve him who offers them so fair terms and to continue in the Devils slavery who they know intends the ruine both of their souls and bodies II. Delaies are exceeding dangerous 1. Life is uncertain Prov. 27.1 Boast not thy self of to morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth Young men may reckon upon years when possibly they have not moneths to live Consider how quick God is with some cutting them off in their sins Time is precious Redeem it for on this moment depends Eternity 2. Grace is uncertain 'T is not in mans power to have Grace when he will The Spirit of God will not alwaies strive with the children of men To day and while it is call'd to day hear his voice Psal 95.7 And harden not your hearts Gather the Manna while it fals come in while the door of Grace stands open Take heed of being like Esau coming too late for a blessing 3. The longer thou delayest the more unfit unable and indisposed thou wilt be to return Now thy parts are fresh and thy affections vigorous If thou wilt enter thy self into the School of Christ now what a great deal of knowledge and Grace and spiritual experience maist thou attain unto What a good Scholar a good proficient maist thou be But if thou delayest then consider in what a sad condition thou art 1. Sin will be every day more and more hardning thy heart and stupifying thy Conscience and so will make thy return the more difficult Now may be thou hast some tenderness of Conscience Thou wilt quickly lose it if thou refusest to hearken to Gods call 2. The world and the cares of this life will more and more engage and intangle thy Affections If thou givest not thy self to God while young before thou art much engaged in the cares and businesses of this life 't is very hazardous whether the world will not carry away thy heart and whether thou maist not lose thy soul in an eager pursuit of these outward things 3. The Devil will get stronger possession Every soul is either Gods Temple or the Devils house 'T will be hard to cast Satan out where he hath had many years possession The longer any go on in sin the greater power God permits the Devil to have over them 4. The longer thou delayest the more thou provokest God to give thee up to thy own hearts lusts and to leave thee to thy self 'T was a sad word Isa 6.10 Go and make the heart of this people fat and shut their eies lest they see with their eies and hear with their eares and understand with their heart and convert and be healed God may justly refuse to hearken to thee when thou callest for mercy who wouldst not before hearken to the call of his Grace The Spirit of God after many repulses may go away aggrieved God may smite thee with stupidity and senslessenesse that great Spiritual judgment And then what will become of thee And besides dost thou think that any man whose wise should be false to him and run away from him and follow after strangers in her younger time would receive her at last in her old age Why wilt thou think then to deal so with God Upon the whole matter then if thou art not converted and dost really turn to God when young 't is a hundred to one whether ever thou be converted or no. 'T is rarely seen that men habituated and long accustomed to sin do ever change their black skins as the Reverend Mr. Burgess well observes III. Consider whether there be any part of a mans life wherein he may reasonably think he has a liberty to serve the Devil If not why wilt thou not speedily turn to God Why should not thy youth be consecrated unto him As long as thou remainest unconverted and in the state of Nature thou art doing the Devil service And who would serve such a Master IV. Consider There are many great advantages that will come unto thee by turning to God betimes 1. Multitude of sins and sorrows will be hereby prevented Those that get bruises and strains when young feel them when they grow old O what anguish and pain of Conscience have they that have lived long in sin and committed great ones
seems to have regard principally to that which we call the common Worship of God i. e. the right carriage of our selves for his honour in all the common affairs of our life as well as in the exercises of Religion so far forth as we have any thing to do with him therein The sins against this Commandment are 1. Light irreverent using naming the name of God Deut. 28.58 Not fearing this glorious and fearful Name the Lord thy God 2. Customary swearing and in ordinary communication 3. Swearing falsly or perjury not swearing in truth judgment and righteousnesse Jer. 4.2 when lawfully called thereunto 4. Blaspheming 5. Cursing 6. Charms and Exorcisms 7. Prophane jesting on Scripture 8. Unlawful and unwarrantable vowes 9. Calling on God with our lips when our hearts are far from him The fourth Commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven to be a Sabbath unto the Lord. The sins against this Commandment are 1. Not preparing for it by taking care so to dispatch and dispose our worldly businesses that we may be more free and fit for the duties of the day 2. Not resting from worldly employments and servile works excepting necessary and charitable offices to men and beasts to our selves or others 3. Neglect of or a carelesse heartlesse performance of the private and publick duties that concern the sanctification of it 4. Being weary of the Sabbath not delighting in it nor the duties of it but wishing it were gone 3. Prophaning the day by Idlenesse vain thoughts worldly discourse making it a day of carnal rest of feasting jollity immoderate eating and drinking visiting a day of sports and recreations which alienate the mind more from God than the ordinary labours of our callings 6. Not taking care that those under our charge do sanctifie the day and keep it holy to the Lord but by our carelessenesse or connivance and ill example encouraging them in the prophanation of it So much of the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the first Table The second Table enjoyns the duties of Charity and Justice towards our Neighbour Against this we sin when we do not love our neighbours with such a true unfeigned love as our selves when we do not so deal with them as we desire they should deal with us The fifth Commandment requires the giving of that honour and performing those duties which belong to every one in their several places and which we mutually owe in our several relations as Inferiours Superiours Equals By Father and Mother are meant not only natural Parents but all Superiours in age and gifts and especially such as by Gods Ordinance are over us in place of authority whether in Family Church or Common-wealth The Sins of Inferiours against Superiours are 1. Not paying them due reverence in heart word and behaviour 2. The envying at contemning of or rebelling against their persons places lawful commands counsels or corrections 3 Not praying for them not imitating their Graces and vertues 4. Cursing mocking and all such scandalous and refractory carriage towards them The sins of Superiours are 1. Neglecting the duties of their respective places 2. Seeking themselves and their own Glory 3. Commanding things unlawful 4. Counselling encouraging or favouring that which is evil and discouraging that which is good 5. Undue correction 6. Dishonouring themselves and lessening their Authority either by too rigorous or too remisse a behaviour The sins of Equals are undervaluing the worth envying the gifts grieving at the advancement or prosperity or esteem one of another and usurping preheminence one over another The sixth Commandment requires all lawfull endeavours to preserve our own life and the life of others The sins against this Commandment are 1. Murder 2. Striking maiming or hurting the body of our neighbour 3. Sinful unadvised anger 4. Hatred envy desire of revenge 5. Railing reviling contumelious speeches quarrelling threatning scorning and provoking 6. Sowing strife and contention among neighbours 7. Drunkennesse surfetting uncleannesse or drawing any to those vices which are sins against the body and may bring diseases and death 8. Inordinate passions worldly grief immoderate carking and caring or whatever else tends to the destruction of the life of man The seventh Commandment requires chastity of body mind affections words and behaviour and the preservation of it in our selves and others It forbideth 1. Lodging or entertaining in our minds unclean thoughts and fancying unclean matters with delight 2. Unclean desires affections and lusts though they come not into act which is the adultery of the heart 3. Wanton looks 4. Not shutting our eares against unclean talk 5. Filthy discourse 6. All unclean acts and sinful pollutions 7. Idlenesse intemperance and pampering the body 8. Wanton immodest attiring 9. Light behaviour and society with light persons 10. Lascivious gestures revellings dancings plaies pictures amorous books songs or whatever else tends to foment the fleshly concupiscence which we ought to labour by all good means to quench and suppresse The eighth Commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves and others It forbids 1. Violent taking or withholding from our neighbour what justly belongs unto him 2. Fraudulent dealing false weights and measures over-reaching in contracts 3. Unfaithfulnesse in matters of trust 4. Covetousnesse and inordinate love of money 5. Discontent at our own estates distrust of Gods Providence 6. Not paying what we borrow and what is justly due from us if we be able 7. Exaction extortion oppression and not making restitution of ill gotten goods where there is ability The ninth Commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man and of our own and our neighbours good names especially in witnesse-bearing It forbids 1. Giving false evidence and suborning false witnesse and all forgery 2. Wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause outfacing and overbearing the truth 3. Credulity sinister suspitions rash belief a ready listning to tale-bearers receiving and countenancing ill reports that tend to the defaming of others misconstruing intentions words and actions and interpreting doubtful matters in the worst sense 4. Lying speaking untruth of any man a readinesse to speak ill and spread the faults of others when it does no way concern us nor is like to benefit others Slandering raising false rumours backbiting detracting talebearing whispering scoffing reviling rash harsh and partiall censuring and uncharitable judging 5. Speaking too highly or too meanly of our selves or others 6. Undue silence when we ought and may defend the innocency of our neighbour The tenth Commandment requires purity and integrity of thoughts desires and wishes contentment with our own estate and condition and the portion God hath given us and a right charitable well-wishing frame of spirit towards our neighbour and all that is his The sins against this Commandment are 1. Discontent with our own estate 2. Having and harbouring in our minds
him who lies but a few daies sick and has strength of nature to make resistance That Christian whose love to his life and the contentments of it hath been for many years consuming and dying will more easily part with them than he whose love is stronger to them As the Reverend Mr. Gurnal excellently expresses it in his Christian Armour We should consider we are but pilgrims and strangers here Heaven is the proper countrey of holy Souls We should therefore be providing for our removal out of this strange countrey We should pack up and send our best things aforehand namely our love our hearts our delights our joyes before we set out our selves for those Heavenly mansions Fifthly Consider what great reasons there are that those that are truly Godly should not much fear death I confesse nothing can sweeten death and make it desirable to a Christian but only an interest in Christ Things that are in their own nature sour and sharp will ask much Sugar to make them sweet Death is one of those things that hath the most harsh and ungrateful tast to a creatures pallat that may be Believe it a man cannot think with any comfort of putting his head into another world if he hath no solid ground to hope Christ will own him there for his But if he have there are many reasons why he should not dread death 1. They that are truly godly shall die but once i. e. a natural death only The wicked die twice not only a natural but a spiritual death The natural death stands in the separation of the soul from the body The spiritual in the separation of soul and body from God Rev. 20 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power He that is born but once namely naturally shall die twice naturally and spiritually He that is born twice i. e. besides his natural birth hath been spiritually regenerated and born again shall die but once namely a natural death 2. Death is not a destruction or annihilation either of soul or body but only an alteration and change of the condition of them both and that for the better to all those that have an interest in Christ Such may say with Paul Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ to die is gain For 1. Though death separate soul and body yet it can separate neither of them from Christ. As in Christ's death his soul and body were separated each from other yet neither of them from the second Person in the Trinity in which both of them did subsist at that time in the personal Union so though when the Saints die soul and body be separated yet after this separation both remain united to Christ in the mystical Union because their bodies as well as their souls are part of the mystical body of Christ who is the Head and Saviour of the whole person consisting of soul and body And when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in Glory Col. 3.3 4. We see then that though body and soul be sever'd each from other at death yet as to all those that die in the Lord neither of them are severed or disjoyned from Christ but the conjunction which is begun in this life remaines for ever Which must needs be matter of exceeding joy and comfort to them that by a lively Faith are united to him here 2. The body being resolved into dust is freed from all sicknesse and pains from all the miseries troubles and calamities of this life 3. It ceaseth to be either an active or a passive instrument of sin whereas in this life 't is both Sin and the temptations to it are the great grievances and burdens of the servants of God which they groan to be delivered from As sin therefore brought death into our bodies so death carries sin out of them 4. The bodies of the Saints shall be raised in a far greater glory at the general resurrection and be joyned again to their souls to live an everlasting life of glory and happinesse with them So that we may from hence conclude the body will be no loser by this change Neither will the soul for it will gain this threefold advantage thereby 1. It will change its place and be remov'd from a prison to a palace from a Tabernacle of clay to a Heavenly Mansion 2. Its qualities Here 't is infested with sinful and unruly passions and affections of all sorts which are a great annoyment to it But there it shall be freed from all these and made perfectly holy 3. It s company It leaves the company of sinners and gaines the company of Saints and Angels Yea shall have fellowship with the blessed Trinity in whose presence there is fulnesse of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 Let all such therefore as have an interest in Christ look upon death not in the glass of the Law but of the Gospel Death in the Law is a curse and a downfal to the pit of destruction In the Gospel it is an entrance into Heaven Christ hath taken away the sting and mischief and destructive power of death He hath altered the property of it and in stead of being a door to Hell hath made it a gate to blisse and happinesse for all those that are his Let the truly Godly and serious Christian therefore not fix his mind so much on the pangs and torments of death as upon the blessed estate that is to be enjoyed after it and so fortifie his heart against the fear of it See the Reverend and Worthy Mr. Baxters considerations against the fear of death in the 4th Part of his Saints everlasting Rest Chap. 2. Heb. 9.27 It is appointed unto men once to die but after this the Judgment Job 30.23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living Job 17 14. I have said to corruption thou art my Father to the worm thou art my mother and my sister Jam. 4.14 For what is your life it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Isa 40.6 The voice said cry and he said what shall I cry All flesh is grasse and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field V. 7. The grass withereth the flower fadeth because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it Surely the people is grass Psal 90.12 So teach us to number our daies that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Psal 39.4 Lord make me to know mine end and the measure of my daies what it is that I may know how frail I am V. â— Behold thou hast made my daies as an hand breadth and mine age is as nothing before thee verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity Selah Job 14.2 He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down he fleeth also as a
Heaven and earth because he is the Son of man The Father therefore who is only God and never took upon him either the nature of men or Angels judgeth no man and the same reason reacheth also to the Holy Ghost but hath committed all judgment to the Son And the reason why he hath committed it unto him is because he is not only the Son of God and so truly God but also the son of man and so truly man And because 1. He is the son of man who suffered so much for the sins of man He humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven things in earth things under the earth And that every tongue should confesse that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father Phil. 2.8 9 10 11. So Rom. 14.11 For it is written as I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me every tongue shall confess to God Both which places have reference to Isa 45.23 I have sworn by my self the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnesse and shall not return that unto me every knee shall bow So that this Prophesie receiveth not its full and final accomplishment till the day of judgment As Christ in his humane nature was unjustly judged so in that nature shall he justly judge At his first coming he was not a sinner but he came in the garb of a sinner in the similitude of sinful flesh Rom. 8.3 But at the day of judgment he shall come as one discharged of that debt and burden without sin Heb. 9.28 And as one highly honoured by God the Father 2. Because God making a general judgment will have a visible judge which all they which shall be judged may see John 5.27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of man and every eye shall see him God is invisible the Son of man therefore will be Judge who will so appear as to be seen both of those whom he shall crown and those whom he shall condemn The Son of man therefore being represented in the Scriptures as making the great decretory separation between man and man as an husbandman separating the wheat sometimes from the chaffe sometimes from the tares as a fisherman gathering the good fish casting the bad away as a bridegroom receiving the wise excluding the foolish virgins as a Master distinguishing the servants of his Family rewarding the faithful punishing the unprofitable as a shepherd dividing his sheep from the goats placing one on the right hand the other on the left It will from thence follow that the same Son of man who is also the Son of God God and man in the same person is appointed Judge of the world Of Christs first coming indeed it s said John 3.17 God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved He came not then as a Judge but as a Redeemer but his second coming will be to judge the quick and the dead We have seen who shall be the Judge 3. It followes in the next place that we enquire into the nature and manner of this judgement And here we shall speak 1. Of the preparations to it 2. In what manner it will be performed I. The preparations for the Judg's approach the Scripture sets down in these two Particulars 1. The Arch-Angels Trumpet by which all the world shall be as it were summoned to appear before Christs Tribunal 1 Thes 4.16 For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Mat. 24.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather together his Elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other At the giving of the Law the voice of the Trumpet was exceeding loud but what a terrible blast will this be Such as shall be heard all the world over startling the dead out of their graves and summoning the whole world to come to judgment 2. The sign of the Son of man What that is we cannot certainly tell till experience manifest it Interpreters probably conjecture it will be some mighty brightnesse some forerunning beams of Majesty and Glory which shall darken the great Luminaries of the world and strike a terrour into the hearts of men II. Let us consider the nature and manner of this great judgment The Scripture represents it to us under a formal judiciary processe wherein 1. The Judge himself will appear exceeding glorious adorn'd with Majesty and cloathed with unspakeable lustre He will come with power and great glory Mat. 24 30. Even the Glory of the Father Mat. 16.27 The Glory of a thousand Suns made into one will be nothing to that wherein Christ shall appear in mans nature at that great day The beams of his Glory shall dazle the eyes of sinners and delight the eyes of Saints When his Glory shall be revealed the Saints shall be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4.13 2. His attendance will be very glorious The glorious Angels shall be Christs attendants at that day If at the time of his nativity tentation passion resurrection ascention they readily gave him their attendance how much more shall they do it at this great day Mat. 25.31 'T is said the Son of man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him And if all the Angels must wait on Christ the number will be exceeding great and the train will be exceeding glorious What Glory shall be in that day when the servants of the Judge shâ—ll be Angels of power every one stronger than an earthly Army Angels whose countenances are like Lightning and as much exceed in Glory the greatest Emperor in the world in his highest pomp as the Sun doth a Clod of earth O how great how illustrious will the splendour of this appearance be when the Judge coming in the clouds shall come thus attended 3. There will be a Throne set a Tribunal a judgment seat erected Mat. 19.28 And Jesus said unto them verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel And that this Throne is a seat not only of Majesty but judicature may further appear by Rom. 14.10 But why dost thou judge thy brother or why dost thou set at nought thy brother we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ And 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according
to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Christ shall therefore appear in the proper form and condition of a Judge sitting upon a Throne of judicature 4. There will be a personal appearance of all men before that seat of judicature upon which Christ shall sit For we must all appear and we shall all stand before that judgment-seat Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before God c. Mat. 25.32 And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats 5. When those who are to he judged are brought before the judgment-seat of Christ all their actions shall appear 1 Cor. 4.5 Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts Eccles 12.14 For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil To this end in the vision of Daniel when the judgment was set the books were opened Dan. 7.9 And in that of St. John The books were opened and the dead were judged out of the things that were written in the books according to their works Rev. 20.12 Divines speak of a threefold book that will then be opened 1. The book of Statutes or the book of Gods Word wherein the Law and Gospel are written with all the duties commanded and sins forbidden in them both 2. The book of Gods Omniscience and remembrance Mal. 3.16 And a book of remembrance was written before him c. 3. The book of Conscience which God maintains as a Register in every mans breast Jer. 17.1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of Iron and with the point of a Diamond it is graven upon the Table of their heart Men will then be awakened to purpose and all their sins with the aggravations of them will be set in the view of their Consciences Hidden things shall be brought to light in that day 1 Cor. 4.5 c. 6. After the manifestation of all their actions the Judge will pronounce his definitive sentence upon all their persons according to their actions The sentence of absolution upon the Godly in these words Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 The Saints of God and the elect will first be acquitted before the ungodly are condemned that they may afterwards joyn with Christ in judging the world according to that in the 1 Cor. 6.2 Where 't is said the Saints shall judge the world i. e. by way of approbation approving and magnifying Christ's just sentence on devils and wicked men giving some such approbation in probability as that of the Angel Rev. 16.5 Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because then hast judged thus And thus all the Saints shall be Judges But some of them more eminently as Assessors with Christ as is intimated concerning the Apostles Mat. 19.28 Ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel We have shewed what the sentence of absolution will be which shall pass upon the Godly The sentence of condemnation followes that will passe upon the wicked which we find recorded Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels 7. After the promulgation of the sentence followeth the execution and sending of the persons judged to their everlasting state as it is written Mat. 25.46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal We have seen what will be the Judiciary proceedings of this great day 4. It now followes in the fourth and last place that we speak something of the consequents thereof 1. Christs resigning up his Kingdom not his essential but that which he administers as Mediator to the Father having subdued sin and death and put all his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.24 Then cometh the end when he shâ—ll have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power V. 25. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet V. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death V. 27. For he hath put all things under his feet but when he saith all things are put under him it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him V. 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all 2. The burning of the world of which we read 2 Pet. c. 3. v. 12. Looking for and hastning unto the coming of the day of God wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat By this fire 't is probable the world will not be consum'd but renewed clarified and purged For 't is compar'd to a melting fire V. 10. The Elements shall melt with fervent heat And the Apostle saith elsewhere The Creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption Rom. 8.21 In the everlasting state God will have all things new even the world it self The use of this renewed world may either be for an habitation for the just or that it may remain as a standing monument of Gods wisdom and power Thus we have seen â— That there will certainly be a day of Judgment 2. That Christ will be the Judge 3. What manner of proceedings there will be in that day 4. The Consequents thereof What now remaines but that we carefully provide for this great and notable day of the Lord as 't is call'd Acts 2.20 By breaking off our sins by true and serious repentance and making our peace with God in and by Christ O let us labour to secure our interest in Christ and our union with him He is the Judge If he be our Advocate we need fear nothing There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 The Head will not condemn his own Members 2. Let us do good and communicate and be merciful to the poor while we have ability and opportunity In the 25 Mat. 35 36. Compar'd with 42 43. Christ hath told us aforehand what questions he will ask when he cometh Have you fed have you visited have you cloathed 'T is good we should be prepared for an answer See the Scriptures concerning the last Judgment in the first part of this Treatise pag. 74 c. Of Hell We h ve seen there will be a day of Judgment and that the Judge will judge the world in righteousnesse We have seen there will be a twofold sentence pronounced by him Of absolution upon the Godly Mat.
is the folly and stupidity of every wilful sinner that for the satisfaction of his brutish lusts will run the hazard of these everlasting torments O did we look upon sin with Scripture spectacles we should find a greater disproportion between the pleasure and the paines thereof than between a drop of honey and an Ocean of gall Methinks the meditation of eternal torments should damp and stop any sinner in his sinful heat and fury Wilt thou O sinner for a short pleasure be content to pay an everlasting punishment Go into Hell by meditation that thou maist not go thither by condemnation 2. What interest or concernment have we in the whole world comparable to this the making our peace with God He is the severest enemy but the sweetest friend How should we speedily humble our selves before him for all our sins and flie to his mercy in Christ for our pardon The wages of sin is death Nothing can bring us to those everlasting flames but sin unrepented of Nothing can save that man from the never-dying worm who dieth in his sins 3. How highly should we prize the love of Christ how great a value should we set upon his blood How willingly should we embrace the offers of Grace and reconciliation made to us in him How readily and chearfully should we give up our selves to him resolving to be his faithful Disciples and servants seeing he laid down his life to deliver us from these everlasting torments this wrath to come In one thing the sins of men admit of a greater aggravation than the sins of Angels These never sinn'd against the offers of a Saviour as men do 4. How readily should we do or suffer perform or undergo any thing this blessed Redeemer calls us to who hath done and sufferd so much for our sakes 5. How should we pity and pull back those who are posting towards the paines of eternal fire We may possibly anger them thereby but we had better endure some scalding drops of their wrath than let them fall if we can help it by doing our duty to admonish them into the lake of fire and brimstone 6. How should the consideration of everlasting torments after death breed in every heart a fear and awe of the great God and teach us to tremble at his Word and his Threatnings therein denounced against all impenitent sinners How eagerly should we embrace that reduplicated advice of our blessed Saviour Luke 12.5 I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell yea I say unto you fear him Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say unto them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels V. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Mark 9.43 And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 45. And if thy foot offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life halt than having two feet to be cast into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 46. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 47. And if thine eye offend thee pluck it out it is better for thee to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire V. 48. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Rev. 21.8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 20.10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Rev. 14.10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. V. 11. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever c. Matth. 22.13 Then said the King unto his servants bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darknesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 23 33. Ye Serpents ye generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of Hell Matth. 7.13 Enter ye in at the strait gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Rev. 2.11 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Juâ—e v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chaines under darkness unto the judgment of the great day V 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire V. 13. Raging waves of the Sea foming out their own shame wandring stars to whom is reserved the blacknesse of darknesse for ever 2. Thes 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 1.10 And to wait for his Son from Heaven from whom he raised the dead even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come Matth. 10.28 And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell Luke 16.23 And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torments and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom V. 24. And he cried and said Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame V. 25. But Abraham said Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented V. 27. Then he said I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldst send him to my Fathers house V. 28. For I have five Brethren that he may testifie unto them lest they also come unto this place of torment Matth. 16.26 For what is a
this duty there usually they are in a most thriving condition both as to knowledge and holinesse As Countreys that maintain a trade and commerce together do inrich each other 5. 'T is a good way to prevent seduction into errour Christians are better able to resist errours by their united forces and mutual counsels than singly and alone The Church is said Cant. 6.10 to be terrible as an Army with banners But straglers and such as go alone are often snatcht up How easie is it to pervert and draw one single person into any dangerous errour who neglects the benefit of other Christians advice and counsel 6. It will be a good means to increase love in the hearts of Christians one towards another And Love is Christ's Livery John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Thus much of the Arguments to perswde to this duty The Directions follow I. Let Christians in their Religious Conferences have this principally in their aim to edifie one another to further one another Heaven-ward to do good to one another soules II. Let them labour for those Graces that are requisite for this duty Such as these 1. Sobriety of judgment 2. Humility and lowlinesse of mind 3. Ingenuity acknowledging and prizing the Gifts and Graces they see in each other 4. Self-denial condescending to them of low parts going a slow pace rather than outgoing the young and tender lambs 5. Love affability encouraging weak beginners 6. Inoffensivenesse 7. Sincerity and plain heartedness III. Let them avoid censuring or judging the Spiritual state of others Such persons meet together for the worse and not for the better IV. Let them decline controverted points such things usually gendring strife and variance and apply themselves to speak of things that are practical As of God and his Goodnesse Of Christ his Person Offices and Merits Of the Covenant of Grace Of the Doctrine of justification Of the patience and self-denial of those that are gone before us Of Heaven and the Glory of that Kingdom How did the Martyrs in prison by such ravishing discourses set one another at liberty from the fears of death How did holy Bradford's sweet and cheerful company make the very dungeons lightsom and palace-like to his fellow-prisoners as themselves confessed These and such like practical matters will be the fittest subjects for Christians to discourse of when they meet together V. Let them impart their experiences and the methods of Gods dealings with themselves or others How they got rid of such a corruption vanquished such a temptation attain'd to a facility in such a duty Let them impart what may tend to the advancement of Holinesse VI. Let them provoke and stir up one another to Holinesse to Love and to good works admonishing and exhorting one another to watch and take heed to their waies seeing so many watch for their haltings like those the Prophet speaks of Jer. 20.10 All my familiars watched for my halting c. VII If any fallings out or jars shall happen among them at any time let them be prudently and seasonably healed and made up And in this case praying together and for one another is of singular use Let them as the Apostle speaks in another case Jam. 5.16 Confesse their faults one to another and pray one for another that they may be healed if their minds have been distempered and ill-affected one towards another 5. Retired holy Meditation Holy Meditation is the acting of the mind upon some Divine Object in order to the working upon the affections and raising fome fit resolutions in the soul therefrom tending to Gods Glory and the furtherance of Holinesse How many Christians are there that live in a constant neglect of this so exceeding useful duty by which all other duties are improved and by which the soul digesteth truths and draweth forth their strength for its nourishment and refreshing Certainly Meditation rightly mannaged doth exceedingly tend to the advancement of Piety I shall therefore 1. Give some Reasons why we should practise it 2. Give some Directions as to the manner how we should perform it I. Consider this was the practise of many of the eminent Saints of God recorded in the Scriptures Isaac and David were much in this Duty II. Consider the great benefit of it duly performed T is an excellent means 1. To encrease knowledge and to make the mind serious and solid None are more knowing setled established Christians than such as are much in Meditation 2. To stir up and awaken the Graces of Gods Spirit in us Hereby we awaken our Faith inflame our love strengthen our hope enliven our desires encrease our joyes in God we loosen our affections from the world and fore-acquaint our selves with the Glory that is to come 3. To make the Word profitable Meditation is the digestion of the soul 'T is not the taking in of food but the stomacks concocting of it that makes it turn to blood and Spirits For want of this How many Sermons are lost and do no good The Word will not profit us except we take time to think upon it 4. To prepare the heart for prayer and other holy duties Meditation tunes and prepares and fits the heart for solemn Worship 5. To antidote and fortifie the soul against sin and temptation If men would but often consider of the evil and danger of sin it would be a great means to deter them from the practise of it 6. 'T is an excellent help and means of Communion with God 'T is the souls perspective whereby it sees something of the Glory and happinesse of that Kingdom that is above Thus much of the Arguments for it I come now to give some Directions how it should be managed I. Pitch upon some convenient time of the day for this duty A Christians timing his duty aright is a great help to him in the right performance of it Some have chosen the morning for this duty and some the evening We have examples of both in Scripture Of our Saviour we read Mark 1.35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed Gen. 24.63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even-tide II. Pitch upon some convenient retired place The wise man tels us Prov. 18.1 Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermedleth with all wisdome First he separates himself then intermedleth with wisdom There is nothing the Devil more spights than this that a man should often retire and separate himself from the world to meditate on his everlasting concernments The Devil cannot endure a man should consider whether he be journeying towards Heaven or Hell III. Get a good stock of profitable materials to meditate on as the Attributes of God His promises of remission sanctification reward The love of Christ The evil and danger of sin The vanity of the Creature The