excellent resolution and worthy of our imitation and if I might after twenty six years labour here in the Ministry now at my parting obtain thus much of you that you having been pleased to be constant hearers here would lay a Law on your selves that so much time as you formerly spent in coming hither sitting here and returning home that you will spend that time at home either in praying and reading and meditating in your Closets or else in praying in and with your Families and instructing of them If I might but obtain this of you at my parting I shall believe that the Devil and his Kingdom would be losers by this our parting if you would spend this time weekly in holy Exercises reading and praying for your selves and for the Nation and for your Families which you were wont to spend in coming to these Lectures and in attending here and returning home and that is my sixth Advice to you and therefore let me intreat this of you 7. And my seventh Advice and Counsel is this that seeing it pleaseth God to take away from you so many of your publick Instructers that you would every one of you that are headâ— of Families be so much the more instructing and teaching your Families Be so much the more in this by how much the less is done in publick Read the Word in your Families and catechise your Families and see that they may understand them You have many helps for this as Mr. Perkins Mr. Ball and the Assemblies Catechise 8. And the last advice I have to give you is this that you would still continue your reverence of and love to and care for the observing of the Lords Holy Sabbath It is that my Brethren wherein God hath been honoured in this Town and in these Parts I think as much as in most places in the World and I pray do so still And when you have not publick Ordinances and publick helps for the sanctifying of the Lords day at home in your own Congregations if you have the Word and Ordinances in any comfortable manner abroad Travel for it I say travel for it and when you have them not at home nor abroad be so much the more earnest and fervent and aboundant in your family and secret Duties in the sanctification of the Lords day I have some fears lest if time should come to pass that the Magistrates should connive at the prophaning of the Lords day giving way to Sports and Recreations on it and Preachers should cry down the strict observation of the Lords day and the like I am afraid we have many youth that in these parts notwithstanding all the instructions that have been given them would be ready to dance after these Pipes and run into the profaning of the Lords day Therefore you that are Governours of Families remember the charge that God hath given you more expresly concerning this than in any other thing that I know of Thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter nor thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates shalt thou suffer to violate the day of the Lord Therefore know your Authority and do your duty and put on the Holy Resolution of Jâ—shua Whatsoever others do I and my house will serve the Lord so say you Whatsoever others do I and mine will sanctifie the Lords day and keep it holy So do and the blessing of God shall be on you all the week long And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified Mr. Brooks His Farewel-Sermon ALL that I shall do shall be to answer two or three Queries and then I shall leave a few Legacies with you that may speak when I am not advantaged to speak to you The first Query is this What should be the reason that men make such opposition against the Gospel against the plain powerful conscientious preaching of it This is not the principal thing that I intend and therefore I shall only touch upon the reason of it 1. Mens hatred and opposition ariseth against the Gospel because it doth discover their hidden works of darkness Joh. 3. They hate the Light lest their deeds should be removed the Gospel brings their deeds of darkness to light and this stirs up a spirit of hatred and opposition against the Gospel 2. Ground is this Because sinners under the Gospel cannot sin at so cheap a rate as otherwise they might do The Drunkard cannot be drunk at so cheap a rate nor can the opposer and persecutor oppose and persecute at so cheap a rate as they might do where the Gospel doth not shine in power and glory 3. Because the Gospel puts persons upon very hard service upon very difficult work pulling out a right eye cutting off a right hand offering up an Isaac throwing over board a Jonas parting with Bosom Lusts and darling sins Herod heard John Baptist gladly till he came to touch his Herodias and then off goes his head As they say John 6. This is a hard saying and who can abide it and from that time they walked no more with him this is a hard Gospel indeed and at this their blood riseth 4. Because of the differing and distinguishing work that the Gospel makes among the Sons of men it softens one and hardens another that sits next to him enlightens one and strikes the other blind it wins on one and enrageth another The same Sun hath different effects on the Objects on which it shines The Gospel puts a difference between the precious and the vile and this the vile cannot bear It was never good dayes say they since such and such must be Saints and none else we have as good hearts as any and this enrageth them Lastly It is from Satan Satan knows that the very tendency of the Gospel is to shake his Kingdom about his ears Satan and Antichrist know that their Kingdom must down by the power and light of the Gospel and therefore Satan and men of an Antichristian spirit do all they can to oppose and shew their hatred against the everlasting Gospel and this makes them to be in such a rage against the Gospel Quer. 2. When the Gospel goes from a People what goes I shall give but a touch here 1. When the Gospel goes Peace Plenty and Trading goes 2 Chron. 15.3 5. and 6. compared Now for a long season Israel had been without the true God and without a teaching-Priest Why They had Priests but they were Jeroboam's Priests as you may see chap. 13. verse 9. Have you not cast out the Priests of the Lord the sons of Aaron and the Levites and have made you Priests after the manner of the Nations of other Lands so that whosoever comes to consecrate himself with a young Bullock and seven Rams the same may be a Priest of them that are no gods A
the Lord Then First by way of Lamentation 1. Over our own Souls 2. Over hundreds of Congregations Lord we do say hundreds nay thousands of Congregations that are this day though they do not accompany us in person yet mingling tears with us and especially as I hear in the West of England 1. Over our hearts We must stand that is our Duty Oh how should it cause us to lye low by reason of the instability of our hearts and their cursed declining from the true foundation every day Alas Beloved this is that God complains of They are a Generation whose spirit is not stedfast with God and therefore we have very much reason to complain of it Oh what an unsetled people have we been to day we have been apt to cry Hosanna ' Hosanna to the son of David to morrow our note is changed crucifie him crucifie him give us Barnabas to day the Lord is God to morrow Baal any thing is God provided we may keep our Estates Oh Lord what wilt thou do with such a people as this certainly it is a lamentation and ought to be a lamentation Believe it beloved I can now count seven years if not something more wherein I have most clearly expected the days I now see no way but the severest ways to be taken with such a false people as we have been Judge in your own thoughts whether we have been true to God or man to Saints or sinners to the Church of God at home or abroad whether or no this be not matter of Lamentation 2. With respect to our Congregations It is not against the Law yet to call them our Congregations This I confess I can rather weep than speak too I cannot speak my heart is too big for my head here Lord is it the duty of people of saints to stand to be stedfast how then should we mourn over their poor souls that because their Pillars are taken away must needs for ought we know Fall unless thou dost support them what Lord dost thou complain of a flock of sheep that are scattered there is no wonder in it their Shepheard is gone Do you look on it as a strange thing to see a poor Ship tossed here and there in the Sea when her Pilot is destroyed why mothers is it a strange thing for your children to fall and knock their arms legs their brains out why their mother is taken from them Oh poor people good God provide for this Congregation I and for this City that let defacing abominable wretches say what they will is certainly one of the best Cities God hath in the world and therefore they hate it so desperately because God loves it and because they hate that God that loves it I bless God I can speak of my own people they are not a mad pestifferous people for the most of them How many thousand have their hearts at their mouths now at this time before God in England Alas alas that we should have our Seers carried away from us but what think you when poor people shall be exposed to greater temptations to an Vlcer in the very Kidneys to a Plague in the very Heart or Head you now fear it but when you feel it what then 2. By way of Exhortation Beloved I remember good Jacob when he was come into Egypt ready to die calls his Children together and before he dies blesseth his children I cannot say you are my children but I can say in the strength of God you are dearer to me than the children of my own bowels I remember what poor Esau said hast thou but one blessing my Father bless me even me also Oh my Father Oh Beloved I have a few blessings for you and for Gods sake take them as if them dropt from my lips when dying it is very probable we shall never meet more while the day of Judgement what ever others think I am utterly against all irregular ways I have I bless the Lord never had a hand in any change of Government in all my life I am for prayers tears quietness submission and meekness and let God do his work and that will be best done when he doth it Therefore be exhorted to stand fast in the Lord my own people hear me now though you shall never hear me more be exhorted to stand fast in the Lord you are not a schismatical heretical people I do not know the least person among you inclining to Popery therefore be exhorted as ye have been a people that have waited upon the Ordinances of God that have not persecuted your poor Ministers that have made it your design and business to live lovingly quietly and as it becomes Christians I am confident a Minister may live as comfortably among you as among any People in England So be ye stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Here I had prepared I confess several arguments to have moved you to this stedfastness 1. I could have told you that withdrawing of any one of you back you will meet with great temptations which will very much unfit you for Heaven If any man or woman draw back my soul saith God shall have no pleasure in him I could have urged you with examples from the Heathens Alexander being in Indea bid them tell him the greatest rarity in their Country Sir go tell them say they when you come to Greece there are many here that cannot be forced by the prowess of Alexander to change their minds I know there are some here that cannot be easily perswaded to change their Religion Saith Lactantius Our very women torment their tormenters I would never desire a more able Disputant than a woman against a Monck I could tell you of those injoyments God hath put on you our miseries have been great but our mercies have been greater I could tell you of six troubles and of seven of six wherein God hath stood by and of seven wherein he hath not forsaken and the truth is he cannot forsake his people he may forsake them as for comfort he will never forsake them as for support let him lay on a burden he will be sure to strengthen the back 3. I hope it is not dangerous if I tell you you are engaged to God there are vows upon you Baptismal vows to say no more you have sworn to God you have lifted up your hands you are those that have undertaken that you would be true to God to your lives end if these vows have been any way strengthened Oh! remember Zedekiahs case Ezek. 17.18 19. Seeing he despised the Oath by breaking the Covenant when lo he had given his hand and hath done all these things be shall not escape therefore thus saith the Lord God as I live surely mine Oath that he hath despised and my covenant that he hath broken even it will I recompense upon his own bead Remember it
Be stedfast and unmoveable knowing that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Mal. 3.13 there is the like instance Your words have been stout against me saith the Lord yet ye say what have we spoken so much against thee this God is always quarrelling with us and laying things to our charge what have we said in the 14 verse Ye said it is in vain to serve God and what prosit is it that we have kept his Ordinances we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts and now we call the proud happy yea they that work wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered well now what follows They they that feared the Lord spake often one to another as if they had said let not these things take any thing off the edge of our affections or quench any flame of our love did God take any notice of this now that he had any such friends in the world yes saith he God hearkned and heard and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his Name and they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare them as a man spares his own son that serves him there is a time coming the day will declare whether it be serving God or the Devil well then beloved as ever you would hold fast the profession of your Faith take heed of the error of the wicked never think it vain to serve God though you may lose bâ— it for if ye lose for him ye shall never lose by him Thirdly Would you hold fast the Profession of your Faith then lay up the word of Faith in a good and honest heart Luke 8.15 It is said there of the good ground they are they which have heard the Word kept it or hold it fast where do they lay it up now in a good and honest heart so that you must pull out his heart before that you can pull out the Word and will any man suffer his heart to be torn from him you never hold it fast till you lay it up in a good and honest heart if it be only in the hands as a Bible in your hands or in the head it will be gone but if it be in your hearts you will never let it go therefore observe saith he Having heard it they keep it and hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bring forth fruit with patience they had a great deal of sufferings to bring with patience for if they were not under suffering what need were there of patience Well beloved consider a little further as to this the Connection between the verse preceding the Text and the Text saith he Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled with a pure conscience and our bodies washed with pure water Let us hold fast the profession of our faith the purity of the heart is the best preservative of the Faith 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience a good and honest heart will never part with the mysteries of faith Lastly Would you hold fast the profession of your Faith then look much to and often consider Jesus Christ the Author and finisher of your Faith David had got the faculty of walking with God and how was it saith he I will keep thy loving kindness before mine eyes that I may walk with thee Oh! if we do but keep the loving kindness of God in Jesus Christ before our eyes we shall certainly keep the faith Saith the Apostle having a high Priest over the House of God let us draw near and let us hold fast a high Priest that is Jesus Christ our great high Priest Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy Brethren he partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus Heb. 4.14 Seeing then that ye have a great high Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our Profession Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despised the Shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God! Oh! let us be thinking of and looking to this Jesus You will say what shall we think of him Oh! think of this condescension in the world of that vouchsafement which as was never the like of his how he humbled himself and suffered being God for man Think how he became poor that was rich that we that were poor might become rich think how he became a curse think how he became sin for us think what a good Confession he made before Pontius Pilate even to death and was obedient to the death Think how he conquered death by dying and how he rose again by his Almighty power and ascended into Heaven and ever lives to make intercession for those that come to the Father through him Think how he lived here on earth in a sad condition and joyed in it so that it might be for our good and shall we leave such a Christ as this Oh! can you look upon Christ and leave the Profession of your Faith It cannot be keep Christ before your eyes make him your pattern and you will not you cannot do amiss He that saith he abides in him ought to walk as he walked he walked in obedience all his days and was obedient to the death So must we we must walk in all obedience all our days though we dye for being obedient You see now how many Arguments there are for our holding fast the Profession of our Faith There are many now that might be added but the time is past therefore I shall shut up all in the words of Jude from the 20 ver of this Epistle to the end But you Beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life and of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted by the flesh Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God and Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and for ever Amen Mr. Matthew Newcomen His Farewel-Sermon Preached at Dedham in Essex Aug. 20.1662 Rev. 3. Verse 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received heard and held fast and repent I Began this Scripture the last Lords day in this Congregation I told you then there were three Doctrines obvious in the Text the first was Doct. 1. That it is the Duty of Christians to remember those Truths that they have heard and received Doct. 2.
so many thousands of godly Ministers which by their doctrine and lives have been as Lights in the world shall be extinguished and silenced believe it Sirs there is no good groping out our way to Heaven in the dark when as we know not whether our next step will be in Heaven or Hell in eternal joy or misery A Sick man is never the nearer health because his Physician is not suffered to speak to him of the danger of his Disease and carnal and ungodly men are never the nearer their salvation because their faithful Ministers are not suffered to preach to them of the evil and danger of their sins which are the hinderers of it I shall commend to your consideration that one Scripture which I would have you be often reading and thinking on as it is recorded 1 Pet. 4.17 18. The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God and if it begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of Christ and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear If God begin with his faithful Ministers to chastise and afflict them Oh what then will become of the wicked and ungodly world if the godly drink fust of this Cup it is because the wicked shall drink the dregs of it A second sort of persons which I shall speak to are such who are halting between two that are like Agrippa almost perswaded to be Christians that have some convictions upon their consciences of the excellency of the ways of God but yet their interest leads them another way they are unwilling to expose themselves to any troubles or tribulations by going against the stream of the world they are afraid that if they should be diligent in the duties of Religion and should walk holily and closely with God that then they should be reproached and scorned or persecuted by the World and therefore they will go on a little way but no farther than that they may retreat back again with ease and safety as to their carnal and worldly interests to such whosoever you are I must tell you First that you must go beyond the common sort of the World unless you will intend to come short of Heaven you must not take the example of the multitude to be a sufficient warrant for you to walk by the broad way though it be to your corrupt natures the most pleasant way yet it is not the safest but the most dangerous way and the narrow way of holiness and godliness will be found at last to be the way leading to life though there be but few that finde it Mat 7.13 15. they that are afraid of making too much ado for Heaven they are like to have nothing at all to do with Heaven it is a Christians duty and should be his care not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minde that they may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.2 Secondly you must not stick at afflictions and crosses in the World if you intend to go to Heaven Christs cross is the first that must be learnt by Christs Disciples Luke 14.27 you must account upon it before hand that if you will live godly in Christ Jesus you must suffer persecution 1 Tim. 3.5 You must not be afraid of the reproaches of the ungodly nor flinch at oppositions and tribulations if you intend to be everlastingly happy the fearful are in the forefront of them that march to Hell Rev. 21.8 but the fearful and unbelieving and abominable c. shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death The fearful you set down in the front in that black List there mentioned But the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force Thirdly The end will pay for all the Kingdom of Heaven will make you amends for all the tribulations that you meet with in your way to Heaven Lastly I shall speak a word to those that fear the Lord and are diligent in the practise of godliness that are very much grieved that their faithful Teachers would be removed into corners my advice that I have to give you besides what I have spoken before is the same with Pauls to the Philippians Chap 4.1 My brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved Consider your Heavenly interest and let that bear you up under all your worldly troubles and persecutions let not the terrour nor threats of men nor devils make you stir a part from the Doctrine which is according to godliness though you may be scorned and afflicted by men yet the day will come when you will be publickly owned and honoured by the Lord of glory and when Christ which is your life shall appear then shall you appear with him in glory be not affrighted at the sufferings of your Ministers though they should be far greater than now they are nor discouraged at the backsliding of hypocritical professors who having formerly made fair pretences to religion and reformation yet are turned with the dog to their old vomit again and by their so doing do declare that it is their carnal interests only that they look unto and therefore they will be for religion and reformation so long as that may be promoted thereby and no longer but labour to imitate the heroick courage of Joshua who resolved that he and his House would serve the Lord though all Israel should forsake him and backslide from him Stand fast I beseech you in the faith quit your selves like men be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all to stand let not the enmity nor opposition of the ungodly make you to forsake the duties of Religion and the ways of holiness think not the better of that way or of those persons meerly because they prosper in the world nor the worse of those meerly because they are persecuted and afflicted What were those that were tortured not accepting deliverance that had tryal of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment that were stoned that were sawen asunder that were tempted that were slain by the sword they that wandered about in sheeps-skins and goats-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 22.35 36 37. They were such of whom the world was not worthy vers 38. True holiness and the fear of God are never the less lovely in Gods account because it is rejected scorned and condemned by the wicked world and sin and prophaneness is never a whit the more pleasing unto Christ because it is in fashion and practised by the greatest or most of men Finally my brethren commit your selves and your way unto the Lord and wait patiently for him
studying diligence unwearied labour and patience through that time that is necessary to attain it Set your selves to the reading of the Scripture and other good Books study good truths think not to attain mastery in a day And if ever such a conceit come in your minds that you are strong confirmed Christians do not easily entertain it there must be time industry and diligence ordinarily suspect the conceit you may have of strength and confirmation you must grow by degrees Gods method is to begin like a grain of mustard-seed we are not born men labour in the proper means with patience infused gifts are given according to the manner of acquitting them God gives as if our acquisition did attain it never think of having this without patience labour and diligence 2. Grow up in the Church of God and under his Officers and Ordinance and among his people Do not transplant your selves from the Garden and Vineyard of the Lord if you will thrive no prospering in the Commons where weeds will choak c. Keep within the Church of God in the communion of his People among his Servants under the guidance of his Ministers for that is the duty of Ministers to bring up train up and help the weak ones till they grow to be strong they are to be Gods Nurses and helpers of the weak in the House of God do not think to prosper by breaking over the hedge under pretence of any right of holiness whatsoever following any party that would draw you to separation 3. Make it amongst others the principal study of your lives to study the love of God in the Redeemer the nature of the New Covenant and the infinite goodness revealed in the face of a Mediatour how it was his design to attract the hearts of men to the love of God by revealing his infinite love in the Redeemer unto which end Christ came for even to represent Gods goodness in sinners hearts of their being reconciled to him and ravishing them with his love Study the glory and ravishing love of God and unspeakable goodness in a Redeemer 4. Live not by sense or upon worldly hopes nor in the exercise of it See that you live a mortifi'd life take heed of glutting your selves with creatures or letting your hearts out to any creature or letting any creature be too dear to you live not too much on any sensible thing or upon any worldly hopes or expectations Shut your eyes to the world let not your desires run out to the world and live as much as you can upon the world to come 5. Let holy self-suspicion always make you fearful of temptation and keep you out of the Devils way Would you keep your standing grow better and strong in grace let not the pride of your hearts or confidence of your strength make you meet among any unlawful communion see any enticing spectacle or thrust your selves upon temptation you are never safe if you thrust your selves upon temptation think with your self my weaknese is great I must not gaze upon this enticing object lest my heart take fire I am not so strong as to be able to stand against such c. 6. When you cannot attain to that heat of internal affection you would be sure you walk uprightly with God sin not wilfully keep your garments clean set his Law before your eyes Sin not wilfully for a world be but found in the way of duty and God will bless you and meet you in that way be as exact in obedience as if you had that frame of soul you desire 7. In a special manner keep all your bodily senses and desires in subjection mortifie the flesh keep under your carnal desires in a due subjection to the spirit let none of your sences take the reins out of your hands keep a dominion over your sences Lastly all your life long be longing to die Let the work of your life be to learn to die Consider what necessity to the safety and comfort of death to consider frequently what assaults will be made upon dying men that you may every day fortifie against it to consider what graces and duties will be most needful and useful then that you may be most conversing with and exercising those graces and duties He that hath well learnt to dye is no weak Christian The strength of your Grace lies in the exercise of these things faithfully practise them and you will stand when others fall you will have comfort when others cast away their comfort you will dye in peace when others dye in horrour Dr. Jacomb's Forenoon Sermon John 8.29 And he that sent me is with me the Father hat not left me alone for I do alwaies those things that please him THese are the words of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are spoken by himself and they are spoken of himself though yet in a sober and modest sence they are applicable to all his Members that which Christ here affirms is that the presence of God was always with him and this is first propounded He that sent me is with me and then it is amplified and the Father hath not left me alone and then thirdly the reason of this is annexed for I always do those things that please him I shall speak but very little of the words as they do refer to Christ he tells us where his Father was with him he did not leave him alone in all the troubles and difficulties that he met withal in the finishing the great work of mans Redemption still God was with him It is true there was a time when Christ was without the sensible manifestation of his Fathers presence when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Why but yet even then in truth and in reality his Father did not leave him for though he had not the evidences of his Fathers presence yet he had the influences of his Fathers presence It would take up much time to shew you how in all particulars the Father was present with Christ I will onely speak this one word and instance in this one thing Gods assisting presence was always with him both in his active and also in his passive obedience and indeed he had that work to do and those miseries to suffer that if God had left him if he had not been mightily assisted by the Divine Nature Christ as meer man could neither have done nor have suffered what he did but the Father was with him and to support him Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold You shall find that Christ did act faith upon this in Isai 50.7 The Lord God will help me therefore shall I not be confounded vers 9. The Lord will help me So to the same effect is Psal 16.9 And you shall find this made good to him in Scripture in his greatest necessities Take a double instance In the first place after he bad been engaged in the combat with Satan you read in Mat. 4.
than a Crown my principal Joy Hence observe this Doctrine That the fixed standing flourishing growth of Saints in Gospel practice and Gospel obedience is or ought to be matter of transcendent Joy to their Pastors It was so to the Apostle Paul Paul heard how they stood though there was a plague amongst them yet they were not infected and though he was in the Gaol ready to be beheaded yet this was his Joy and Crown that his people did stand and I hope my Brethren it will be our joy and crown to hear of your standing and growth in Gospel-knowledge and profession And 1. If this be so as John said I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in the truth It should be the prayers and endeavours of all Pastors really to love the souls of their People and to pray for them that when they cannot look after the souls of their Children yet that good Nurses may be lookt out for them What a joy was it that Moses's Mother was made his Nurse and who can tell it may be though not out of any merit of ours yet of their own clemency our Governours may give us to be Nurses over our own Children but if I cannot Nurse my Child my self I will wish it well and as good a Nurse as I can far be it that those that are to succeed should not prosper Lord it shall be the prayers of thy servant that those that are to succeed may have a double and trebble portion of thy spirit that they may be both painful and faithful c. 2. If the peoples growth in grace and knowledge be matter of Joy to a faithful Pastor then what do you think of those that hinder their thriving I shall give you two Scriptures John 12.19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves they durst not speak publickly but who was it against why it was against Christ perceive ye how ye prevail nothing behold the world is gone after him But we will order him for that we will lessen his Congregation if we cannot do that we will shut the doors against him see Mat. 23.13 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men what shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men what the Pharisees that pretended they had the Keys of Heaven and to be the guides I that it is because there is not room enough in Heaven for us and them too No faith Christ there is no such matter for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them that are entring to go in I dare not tell you at this time what it is to shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men you may better imagine it than I can speak it but thus did the Pharisees they would not go in themselves nor suffer them that were entring to go in I remember when I was a Child we had such a Minister that would one Lords day preach up Holiness and the next Lords day preach against the practice of Holiness And now my Brethren I come in the next place to speak to the last part Stand fast and because I see a Hurricane a coming keep your ground stand fast and live in the Lord here that you may live with him hereafter Mr. Lye's Second Sermon Aug. 17. 1662. Phil. 4.1 Therefore my Brethren dearly Beloved and longed for my Joy and Crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly Beloved FRom this Scripture you have these three Doctrines 1. That the highest Officers of the Church of Christ though they are Rulers of them yet they are but brethren to the meanest Saints 2. That it becomes a true spiritual Minister of Christ to have a most vehement ardent strong melting tender affection to that flock or people which the providence of God hath committed to his charge 3. That the fixed standing flourishing and thriving of that flock in the profession and practice of Gospel-knowledge and obedience is matter of transcendent joy and triumph to such a godly Pastor The fourth which is that I would now prosecute is this That it is the grand and indispensible duty of all sincere Saints in the most black and shaking seasons to stand fast fixed and stedfast in the Lord. This is a grand thing St. Paul had to say to the Philippians when he was ready to have his head cut off for so it was he was beheaded for the testimony of Jesus this is all he had to say when in Goal and in Bonds and that under Heathen Romans you are now my Joy you are now my Crown Oh! do but stand and my Joy which is but two notes above Gamut will get to Ela Oh! do but stand and my Crown is studded with Diamonds we live if you stand though we dye when you stand It is the great and indispensible Duty c. Whether these are black and shaking seasons I have nothing to say but I am wholly now upon your Duty Beloved and for Gods sake let the words of a seemingly dying Minister prevail with you There is a kind of a Maxim among some that in case a person dye seemingly and revive again that the last words that was heard of that person when in a rational temper are the onely things that that person will remember when brought to life again It is most probably Beloved what ever others may think but in my opinion God may work wonders neither you nor I shall ever see the faces of or have a word to speak to one another till the day of Judgement Therefore I beseech you hear me as those that would and may live with me to Eternity mark your Duty I have spoken something concerning the Pastors Duty in the morning now for the peoples It is the indispensible duty of all sincere Saints to stand fast c. I confess I have a love for the whole Auditory I have a mess for them but my Benjamins mess is for those I once called my own people you are my Benjamins I wish I had a greater than a fifth for you This proposition I shall first prove and then secondly improve In the worst of times in the most shaking seasons and if I do not greatly mistake there is an hour of Temptation threatned by God now beginning to be inflicted if ever you would stand stand now and for your comfort let me but hint that a Christian may stand comfortably when he falls sadly that is he may stand by God when he falls by man I knew that a great many years ago First then It is our duty to stand There be Scriptures more then enough to prove this to be your Duty Col. 1.12 Stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God Phil. 1.27 Onely let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you alas poor Paul thou come and see them thou wast beheaded before thou couldst come and see them but or else be absent I may hear of
and Peace 2. To such as have this Grace and no Peace 3. To such as have neither Grace nor Peace First To such as have both Grace and Peace I le speak to them in two or three things First Admire thankfully the Father the Son the Fathers Grace and the Sons Love for both had a hand in this therefore bless both the Father for willing it to us and the Son for working it in us Grace and Peace are the fruits of Gods eternal Election for this blessing the Father gives but the Application of it to us is the fruits of Christs redemption and intercession How can you think of Hell and Damnation and see your self freed from it And how can you think of the dreadful fury and vengeance of God your self not under it How can you look on your state change your heart renewed Grace ratified and reconciled and your Conscience quieted How can you think of these things but must admire the love of the Father in giving this to you and the love of the Son in purchasing this for you All Grace and Mercy that is given to us is by Christ purchased for us Grace and Peace are fruits of the redeeming bloud of Christ purchased Secondly Do not envy the conditions and possessions of the men of the world they have riches and honours profits and pleasures but they neither have Grace nor Peace therefore do not envy their happiness There is a story of a Roman that was condemned by a Court-Marshal to dye for breaking his rank to steal a bunch of Grapes and as he was going to his Execution his fellow Souldiers laughed at him and others envied at him that he should have Grapes and they none Now saith he do not envy me for my bunch of Grapes for you would be loath to have them at the rate I must pay for them My Brethren You that are the children of Grace and Peace do not envy at men of the world at their riches and their comforts their pleasures for I am sure you would be loath to have them at the price they pay for them for the end of these things is death Thirdly do not complain of the worst condition that the providence of God shall cast you into in this it may be you shall suffer hard things but remember so long as thy soul is secure never complain of hard things My brethren as God your Father brought you into a state of Grace and Peace and thereby secured his love to your souls in Christ can you complain of hard things So let the joy of the Lord be your strength Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 The second Use is to such as have neither Grace nor Peace May not I say I speak to many such I would I might not Are there not many that are without Grace and therefore must needs be without peace They may have the worlds peace but they have none of this peace let me beg of you to get out of this Graceless state Oh that you would believe the words of a dying man for so I am to you and such words use to be remembred Oh remember this as a testimony I leave with you that love of Sin and lack of Grace will ruine and destroy every soul at last But you will say How shall I get a share in this Grace and Peace I answer First Break off all your false peace we can never have true peace with God when we content our selves with false peace you will never seek that peace which Christ hath purchased for you while you content your selves with that cursed peace which the Old man hath wrought in you Oh therefore break off all false peace which is not the fruit of grace Secondly Labour to see and be convinced of the miserable and of the naked condition your souls be in for want of the righteousness of Christ for a covering without this soul thou art miserable wretched poor and naked be convinced also what a miserable thing it is to have God our enemy God is the sinners enâ—â—y It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Oh be convinced of thy nakedness without Christs righteousness and thy emptiness without his fulness Thirdly Labour to go out of your selves to Christ for grace and peace Surely in the Lord shall one say I have righteousness and strength I there it is to be found Labour for a thirsty frame of soul for the promises run far to such That he will fill the hungry with good things go to Christ soul beg pray never leave God till he hath given thee an interest in Christ for none can come to me except the Father draw him there is no pardon for the least sin out of Christ but there is pardon for the greatest sin in Christ one sin can damn the soul out of Christ but no sin can hurt the soul in Christ Oh go to Christ soul never give rest to thy eyes nor slumber to thy lids till thou hast made peace with God in the bloud of Christ One sting of the fiery serpent was mortal without looking upon the brazen Serpent so one sin will damn a soul out of Christ but no sin can damn a soul in Christ Fourthly To such as have grace but no sence of peace this is the counsel I would leave with all such Be much in the exercise of grace frame much believe much use grace much for the exercise and improving of grace will produce peace There are ten duties which are to be the sphere of grace in activity and in performing of them we shall have peace First Make Religion your business the main design of your lives be Christians to purpose be not only Christians by the bye but let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1.27 Secondly Put forth renewed Acts of Faith on Christ every day and remember it is as much your duty to believe in Christ to day as if you had never believed before O live by faith every day and this will bring peace to you Thirdly Maintain a constant communion with God daily this communion with God is mans chief good the happiness of a Child is in communion with his Father and the happiness of a wife is in communion with her Husband and this is the happiness of a Believers soul communion with God the Father through Christ our Head and Husband The seed of peace it 's true it is sown in the soul in Union but then it takes root downward and brings forth fruit upward Spiritual peace will never be obtained if communion with God be not maintained that gives comfort in the midst of all sorrows and satisfies all doubts and recompences all wants Lo this is the fruit of communion with God Fourthly Be good at all times but of all best in bad times many Christians lose their peace by remitting of their grace and let loose the reins of Religion to avoid
all thy worldly concernments thy relations diseases c. are all numbred Nay more remember this Believer all thy distrusts disquiets murmurings despondencies the meanest lust unseen and the most secret sin are all numbred 6. Are our hairs numbred This is sad news for Unbelievers Are your hairs numbred then certainly your Oaths Curses contempts of Gods people all your sinful thoughts words actions wilful omissions of commanded duties commissions of forbidden sins all your disputings against God his people his word wayes will are all upon the file they are all numbred 7. What an encouragement is there here for poor sinners to come in to God Do but come into God and thou shalt come into such a condition of safety that the very hairs shall be all numbred And if thou wilt not come in certainly thou art wanting to thy self For look as well as thou canst to thy self thou hast not a promise to keep one hair of thy head till to morrow morning Not a promise of a sup of water bit of bread nor a promise of one minutes safety till to morrow morning And if so be thou hast not a God no interest in him if God should turn his back on thee a thousand to one but afflictions come And if afflictions come thy heart is gone thou having no spiritual strength in heart no eternal Rock of ages to flie to no wonder if thou faint under them and so thou wilt certainly do If a Believer that hath but little strength is apt to faint thou that hast no strength wilt utterly fall when afflictions find thee And this leads to The Eighth Sermon Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of Adversity thy strength is small THe Observation from hence was To faint in the day of trouble argues a mans inward strength to be but small his judgement weak his reason low his graces feeble his inward comfort peace and joy not much but very little This 1. Shews whence our mis-givings of heart whence our want of liveliness of spirit in and under troubles proceeded even from hence that our strength is but small 2. Teaches us how to judge what our spiritual strength is namely this way How dost thou bear afflictions How is it with thee in a day of distress Dost thou faint and fail It argues thy strength is but small By way of Dehortation Do not thou faint in the day of affliction in the day of adversity Take heed of fainting in three things 1. Under work or duty be it never so great grievous troublesome or dangerous 2. Under the with-holdings of mercy be they never so long detained 3. Under afflictions be they or may they be never so grievous whether 1. Publick afflictions the afflictions of the Church of God Suppose Sion is now clad in Sack-cloth there 's a time coming when she shall be arrayed in Scarlet When the Whores Scarlet shall be turned into Rags the Churches Rags shall be turned into Gold Or 2. Personal afflictions faint not under them be it this or that or the other be they never so great never so long or never so many But what shall I do to bear up my spirit and to preserve me from fainting 1. Live in the holy dependence and filial fear of the great God He that fears God most to be sure will faint least 2. Strengthen Grace There are two graces to be strengthened viz. Strengthen Faith I had fainted unless I had believed c. Strengthen Patience dejection of soul usually comes from impatience 3. Be much in Prayer Is any man afflicted let him not go and sinfully murmur and complain but let him pray 4. Make use of heart-strengthening considerations and that is 1. Turn over the promises They are left on purpose as Gods bottle his Vial of Cordials to keep the soul from fainting 2. What ever befalls remember it proceeds from Gods love 3. All that God aims at is to do thee good 4. Be the affection never so great 't is as necessary as prosperity as health This thy Physick is as necessary as thy food 5. The issue of all a Crown of glory these light afflictions which are but for a moment worketh out for us a far more excellent and eternal weight of glory And therefore if so be there be such principles from which afflictions flow and such ends to which they are managed It is no wonder Christ will not pray that we may be taken out of the world from affliction but keep in this world from the evil So we fall on The Ninth Sermon Joh. 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil GOd hath spoken once yea twice have I heard this That power belongeth to God When God is pleased to strike twice upon the same string it seems he hath something more than ordinary mind that you should observe the turn The Doctrine was That it is the will of Jesus Christ that his servants should continue in the world though they meet with nothing but trouble in the world I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world let them stay Lord be thou but their Pilot and then keep them at Sea as long as thou wilt God knows his Saints are very serviceable in their generation They are as it were a Pillar of fire unto the rest of the world for guide and light By their Doctrine and Conversation they instruct the godly and convince the wicked God will have his people stay in the World that his power providence mercy and goodness in their preservation may more clearly be discovered that their afflictions here may work out for them an eternal weight of glory These are the reasons why God will have them stay in the World c. Then 1. Saints carry your selves as becomes such in midst of such a World with that wisdom faithfulness carefulness humility that may bring honour both to your selves and to your Profession Walk as Lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation Walk closely warily innocently patiently submissively c. All these are necessary while you are to converse here in this wicked world 1. From that truth But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil Observe preservation from sin is a greater mercy than exemption from suffering Which 1. Informs us of a truth that carnal men will never believe till they come to Hell that that is the height of folly which the men of the world count to be the top of wisdom they think it wisdom to choose sin rather than suffering 2 This will evidence that the people of God are not such Fools as the men of the World think they are but the wisest that will choose the greatest suffering rather than the least sin 3. This reproves those that will take more care to have their afflictions removed than sanctified 4. Be more afraid of sinning and less afraid of suffering what afraid of a lash my child
interest in the Heavenly Kingdom they have Heavenly hearts if their Treasure be in Heaven their hearts will be there also Mat. 6.20 21. Lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven where neither Moth nor Rust can corrupt and Thieves break through and steal for where your Treasure is there will your hearts be also And is it so with us are our hearts taken up with the Heavenly glory Are our meditations and contemplations much on Heavenly objects Or else are they taken up only or mostly with earthly vanities Are our hearts on our Riches Pleasures c. Or else are they placed upon Heaven and Heavenly things If we have a title to the Kingdom of Heaven our hearts minds and affections will be Heavenly and taken up with Heavenly Objects Col. 3.1 2. If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Set your affections on things above and not on things on the Earth Thirdly Wouldest thou know whether thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven or no How dost thou like the employment of Heaven if thou likest the employment of Heaven then thou mayest comfortably conclude that thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven Canst thou say thou delightest to be employed in serving and in glorifying God and in worshipping of him in spirit and truth according to his word Canst thou say in truth that thou delightest to do the will of God here on earth as it is done by the Angels in heaven and the spirits of just men made perfect there Dost thou take delight to be employed in that employment that the Saints of heaven are and shall be for ever employed in Dost thou take pleasure to adore and praise and magnifie the ever blessed God Dost thou take pleasure in the duties of Religion and rejoyce to be conversing with God in prayer and in other holy exercises and to be enjoying communion with him if it be thus with thee as I have now described this this will evidently make out thy Title for Heaven Many Thousands pretend that their designs are to go to Heaven and they presumptuously conclude that they have an interest in that Kingdom when as they like not the Heavenly employment in themselves or others and they care not to get acquaintance with God here on earth and are strangers to the duties of Religion and to a life of holiness and perhaps spends and hour in a week or it may be in a moneth in secret prayer or in other holy exercises and it may be neglect the worship of God in their Families too but if we are unacquainted with the imployment of Heaven which is to praise and magnifie worship and adore God if thou delightest not so to do thou canst not conclude that thou hast a Title to Heaven but if thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven then thou dost most of all delight in that imployment which hath most of Heaven in it Fourthly If thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven thou hast a special love to the heirs of Heaven and thou hast a near and dear affection to the people of God though they be despised rejected scorned and persecuted by the prophane world and thou dost delight in the company of those on Earth which are like to be thy companions in Heaven and thou hadst rather have the society of those howsoever mean and low in the world that have the trueth of grace in them than of all the stately and glittering gallants of the World that are strangers to a Life of holiness and the more holy and heavenly they are in their hearts and lives the more amiable will their company be to thee 1 Job 3.14 Psal 15.4 Put thy self to the question whether it be thus with thee or no and thou shalt finde out thy title to heaven thereby Lastly If thou hast a title to Heaven then thou art so far at a point with all the riches and pleasures and enjoyments of the World as that thou wilt rather forgo them all than forsake Christ and rather part with them all rather than they shall hinder thee in thy way towards Heaven and if thou art brought so far at a pinch as that thou must either forsake thy interest in Christ and Heaven or to forgo thy worldly accommodations thou art very willing to forgo them all that thou mayest stick close to Christ and go forward in thy way to thy Heavenly Inheritance thus it was with the Apostle Paul Phil. 3.7 8. But what things saith he were gain to me those I accounted loss for Christ Yea doubtless I account all things but loss for the exceâ—ency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do account them but dung that I may win Christ And is it so with us then when riches honour and pleasure do stand in competition with Christ and hinder us in our progress in grace and holiness are we willing and ready to cast them away as we would cast away Dung if it be thus with us in reality then we may conclude we have a title to Heaven and an interest in the eternal glory By these things Beloved you may try whether you have an interest in Heaven or no. Having finished the Use of Examination I shall come to the next Use which is the last that I shall speak unto which an Use of Exhortation Is it so that the consideration of a Believers interest in the Heavenly Glory is enough to bear up his spirit under all the trials and tribulations of this Life then Oh that you which cannot upon Trial finde that you have a title to Heaven that you would labour after an interest in the Heavenly Glory if thou hast no interest there what good will all the enjoyments of the World do thee how quickly will all thy comforts and pleasures leave thee and what little cause hast thou to rejoyce in the abundance of outward things if thou hast no title to the durable riches if thou art void of the riches of grace here and hast no title to the riches of Glory hereafter what wilt thou do in a day of Tryal and in an hour of trouble and calamity What wilt thou do when Losses Crosses Troubles and Vexations shall compass thee about if thou hast not an Heavenly interest to support thee under them What wilt thou do when Pains and Anguish when Diseases Sickness and Death shall seize upon thee if thou hast not a Title to thy Heavenly inheritance These things will certainly and speedily come upon us how far off soever we may put them in our thoughts the proud looks of the lofty will quickly be turned into an earthly paleness though they look as big and carry themselves as high as if they had a protection from Hell and the Grave and those bodies which we now take so much care to please and pamper will