him to pieces The German History relates of a Youth who was given to Swearing and did use to invent new Oaths the Lord sent a Canker into his Mouth which did eat out his Tongue whereupon he died 2. Blasphemy He who did Blaspheme God the Lord caused him to be stoned to death Lev. 24.11 23. The Israelitish womans Son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed And Moses spake to the People of Israel that they should bring forth him that had cursed and stone him with stones Olympias an Arian Bishop Reproached and Blasphemed the Sacred Trinity whereupon he was suddenly stricken with three Flashes of Lightning which burned him to Death Felix an Officer of Iulian seeing the Holy Vessels which were used in the Sacrament said in Scorn of Christ See what precious Vessels the Son of Mary is served withall Soon after he was taken with a Vomiting of Blood out of his Blasphemous Mouth whereof he died 2. Or if God should not execute Judgment on the Profaners of his Name in this Life yet their Doom is to come God will not remit their Guilt but deliver them to Satan the Goaler to torment them for ever If God justifie a Man who shall condemn him but if God condemn him who shall justifie him If God lay a Man in Prison where shall he get Bail or Main-prize God will take his full blow at the Sinner in Hell Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God EXOD. XX. 8 Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-Day to keep it Holy Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work But the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattel nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates For in Six Days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh Day Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-Day and hallowed it This Commandment was engraven in Stone by God's own Finger and it will be our Comfort to have it engraven in our Hearts The Sabbath-Day is set apart for God's Solemn Worship it is God's Enclosure and it must not be alienated to common Uses The Lord hath set a Preface before this Commandment he hath put a Memento to it Remember to keep the Sabbath-Day holy This Word Remember shows that we are apt to forget Sabbath-Holiness therefore we need a Memorandum to put us in mind of sanctifying this Day I shall explain the Words I. Here is a Solemn Command Remember the Sabbath-Day to keep it holy II. Many Cogent Arguments to induce us to observe the Command I. In the Command 1. The Matter of it viz. The sanctifying of the Sabbath which Sabbath-Sanctification consists in two things First In resting from our own Works Secondly In a Conscientious Discharge of our Religious Duties 2. The Persons to whom the Command of sanctifying the Sabbath is given 1. Either Superiours and they are 1 st More Private as Parents and Masters Or 2 ly More Publique as Magistrates Or 2. Inferiours First Natives as Children and Servants Thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-Servant and thy Maid Servant Secondly Foreigners The Stranger that is within thy Gates II. The Cogent Arguments to obey this Command of keeping Holy the Sabbath 1. From the Rationality of it Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work As if God had said I am not an hard Master I do not grutch thee time to look after thy Calling and to get an Estate I have given thee Six Days Six to do all thy Work in and have taken but one Day for my self I might have reserved Six Days for my self and allowed thee but one but I have given thee Six Days for the Works of thy Calling and have taken but One Day for my own Service therefore it is equal and rational that thou shouldst set this Day in a special manner apart for my Worship 2. The Second Argument is taken from 2 ly The Iustice of it The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God As if God had said The Sabbath-Day is my Due I challenge a special Right in it and none hath any thing to do to lay claim to it He who robs me of THIS DAY and puts it to common Uses is a Sacrilegious Person he steals from the Crown of Heaven and I will in no wise hold him guiltless 3. The Third Argument for sanctifying the Sabbath is taken from God's own Pattern he rested the Seventh Day As if the Lord should say Will not you follow my Pattern Having finished all my Works of Creation I rested the Seventh Day So you having done all your Secular Work on the Six Days you should now cease from the Labour of your Calling and Dedicate the Seventh Day to the Lord as a Day of Holy Rest. 4. The Fourth Argument for Sabbath-Sanctification is taken ab Vtili from the Benefit which redounds from a Religious Observation of the Sabbath The Lord blessed the Seventh-Day and hallowed it It is not only a Day of God's Benediction God did not only appoint the Seventh-Day but he blessed the Seventh Day The Sabbath-Day is not only a Day of Honour to God but a Day of Blessing to us it is not only a Day wherein we give God Worship but a Day wherein he gives us Grace on this Day a Blessing drops down from Heaven This is a great Argument for the keeping the Sabbath-Day Holy God is not benefited by it we cannot add one Cubit to his Essential Glory but we our selves are advantaged The Sabbath-Day religiously observed entails a Blessing upon our Souls our Estate our Posterity As the not keeping this Day Holy brings a Curse Ier. 17.27 God curseth a Man's Blessings Mal. 2.2 The Bread which he eats is poysoned with a Curse So the Conscientious Observation of the Sabbath brings all manner of Blessings with it These are the Arguments to induce Sabbath-Sanctification And so I have divided the Commandment into its several Parts and explained the Sence of it The thing I would have you observe is That this Commandment about keeping the Sabbath was not abrogated with the Ceremonial Law but it is purely Moral and the Observation of the Sabbath is to be continued to the end of the World Where can we show that God hath given us a Discharge from keeping one Day in seven So that I say this fourth Commandment is Moral and obligeth Christians to the perpetual Commemoration and Sanctification of the Sabbath Quest. Why God hath appointed a Sabbath Ans. 1. In respect of Himself it is requisite that God should reserve one Day in Seven for his own immediate Service that hereby he might be acknowledged to be the great Plenipotentiary or Sovereign Lord who hath Power over us both to command Worship and appoint the Time when he will be worshipped 2. In respect of Vs. The Sabbath-day
Grave and the Holy Ghosts descending upon the Earth This Day is perfum'd with the sweet Odour of Prayer which goes up to Heaven as Incense This Day the Manna falls that Angels Food this is the Soul's Festival Day on this Day all the Graces act their Part The other Days of the Week are most employed about Earth this Day about Heaven Then you gather Straw now Pearl Now Christ takes the Soul up into the Mount and gives it transfiguring Sights of Glory Now Christ leads his Spouse into the Wine-Cellar and displays the Banner of his Love now he gives her his Spiced Wine and the Iuice of the Pomegranate Cant. 8.2 The Lord doth usually reveal himself more to the Soul on this Day The Apostle Iohn was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Revel 1.10 He was carried up in Divine Raptures towards Heaven This Day a Christian is in the Altitudes he walks with God and takes as it were a turn with him in Heaven 1 Ioh. 1.3 On this Day holy Affections are quickened The Stock of Grace is improved Corruptions are weakened On this Day Satan falls like Lightning before the Majesty of the Word Christ wrought most of his Miracles upon the Sabbath So he doth now The dead Soul is raised the Heart of Stone is made Flesh. How should this Day be highly esteemed and had in Reverence This Day is more precious than Rubies God hath anoynted this Day with the Oyl of Gladness above its Fellows On the Sabbath we are doing Angels Work our Tongues are tuned to God's Praises This Sabbath on Earth is a Shadow and Type of that Glorious Rest and Eternal Sabbath we hope for in Heaven when God shall be the Temple and the Lamb shall be the Light of it Rev. 21.22 23. EXOD. XX. 9 10. Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of Work c. Six Days shalt thou labour God would not have any live out of a Calling Religion seals no Warrant for Idleness 'T is as well a Duty to labour Six Days as to keep Holy Rest on the Seventh Day Six Days shalt thou labour 2 Thess. 3.11 We hear there are some among you walking Disorderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 working not at all Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Iesus that with Quietness they work and eat their own Bread A Christian must not only mind Heaven but his Calling While the Pilot hath his Eye to the Star he hath his Hand to the Stern Without labour the Pillars of a Common-wealth will dissolve and the Earth will be like the Sluggards Field over-run with Briars Prov. 24.31 Adam in Innocency tho he was the Monarch of the World yet God would not have him idle but he must dress and till the Ground Gen. 2.15 Piety doth not exclude Industry Six Days shalt thou labour Standing Water putrifies The Inanimate Creatures are in Motion The Sun goes its Circuit the Fountain runs the Fire sparkles And Animate Creatures Solomon sends us to the Ant and Pismire to learn Labour Prov. 6.6 Chap. 30.35 The Bee is the Emblem of Industry some of the Bees trim the Honey others work the Wax others frame the Comb others lie Sentinel at the Door of the Hive to keep out the Drone And shall not Man much more inure himself to labour That Law in Paradise was never yet repealed In the Sweat of thy Brows shalt thou eat Bread Gen. 3.19 Such Professors are to to be disliked who talk of living by Faith but live out of a Calling They are like the Lillies which toil not neither do they spin Mat. 6.28 'T is a Speech of Holy and Learned Mr. Perkins Let a Man be endued with excellent Gifts and hear the Word with Reverence and receive the Sacrament yet if he practise not the Duties of his Calling all is but Hypocrisie What is an idle Person good for What benefit is there of a Ship that lies always on the shore Or of Armour that hangs up and rusts To live out of a Calling exposeth a Person to Temptation Melancton calls Idleness Balneum Diaboli the Devil's Bath because he bathes himself with delight in an idle Soul We do not use to sow Seed in ground when it lies fallow but Satan sows most of his Seed of Temptation in such Persons as lie fallow and are out of a Calling Idleness is the Nurse of Vice Seneca an Heathen could say Nullus mihi per Otium Dies exit No Day passeth me without some labour An idle Person stands for a Cypher in the World and God writes down no Cyphers in the Book of Life We read in Scripture of eating the Bread of Idleness Prov. 31.27 and drinking the Wine of Violence Prov. 4.17 It is as well a sin to eat the Bread of Idleness as to drink the Wine of Violence An idle Person can give no account of his Time Time is a Talent to trade with both in our Particular and General Calling The slothful Person hides his Talent in the Earth he doth no good his Time is not lived but lost An idle Person lives unprofitably he cumbers the ground God calls the slothful Servant wicked Mat. 25.26 Thou wicked and slothful Servant Draco whose Laws were written in Blood deprived them of their Life who would not work for their Living In Hetruria they caused such Persons to be banished Idle Persons live in the Breach of this Commandment Six Days shalt thou labour Let them take heed they be not banished Heaven A Man may as well go to Hell for not working in his Calling as for not Believing So I pass to the next But The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work Having spoken already of the Reasons of sanctifying the Sabbath I come now to that Question Quest. In what manner we are to sanctifie the Sabbath Resp. 1. Negatively we must do no Work in it that is expressed in the Commandment In it thou shalt do no manner of Work God hath enclosed this Day for himself therefore we are not to lay it common by doing any Civil Work As Abraham when he went to sacrifice left his Servant and the Ass at the bottom of the Hill Gen. 22.5 So when we are to Worship God this Day we must leave all worldly business behind leave the Ass at the Bottom of the Hill And as Ioseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would converse with God this Day we must thrust out all earthly Employments The Lord's Day is a Day of Holy Rest all secular Works must be forborn and suspended it is a prophaning the Day Nâ—hem 13.15 In these days saw I in Iudah some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in Sheaves as also Wine-Grapes and Figs and all manner of Burdens which they brought into Ierusalem on
such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again Or as if it were a shame to speak of that which will save us VI. Shut up the Sabbath-Evening with Repetition Singing of Psalms and Prayer Beg that God would bless the Word you have heard but I hope your Practice herein will prevent my farther speaking Could we but thus spend a Sabbath we might be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Rev. 1.10 our Souls might be nourished and comforted And this Sabbath which we now keep would be an earnest of that everlasting Sabbath which we shall Celebrate in Heaven EXOD. XX. 8 Remember to keep the Sabbath-day Holy Vse I. See here a Christians Duty To keep the Sabbath-Day Holy 1. The whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God It is not said Keep a part of the Sabbath holy but the whole day must be religiously observed If God hath given us Six Days and taken but One to himself shall we grudge him any part of that Day It were Sacriledge The Jews kept a whole Day to the Lord and we are not to abridge or curtail the Sabbath saith St. Austin more than the Jews did The very Heathens by the Light of Nature did set apart a whole Day in the Honour of their False Gods And Scaevola their High Priest did affirm That the wilful Transgression of that Day could have no Expiation or Pardon Whoever do rob any part of the Sabbath for servile Work or Recreation Scaevola the High Priest of the Heathenish Gods shall rise up in Judgment against such Christians and condemn them And they who say that to keep a whole Sabbath is too Iudaical let them show where God hath made any Abatement of the Time of Worship where he hath said You shall keep but a Part of the Sabbath And if they cannot show that it argues much Boldness to go to rob God of his Due That a whole Day be design'd and set apart for God's special Worship is a perpetual Statute while the Church remains upon the Earth saith Pet. Martyr Of this Opinion also were Theodoret Austin Iraeneus and the Chief of the Fathers 2. As the whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God so it must be kept Holy You see the manner of sanctifying the Lord's Day by Reading Meditation Prayer hearing of the Word and by Singing of Psalms to make Melody to the Lord. Now besides what I have said for the keeping this Day holy let me make a short Comment or Paraphrase on that Scripture Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thy own pleasure nor speaking thy own words Here is a Description of the right sanctifying a Sabbath 1. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath That may be understood either Literally or Principally First Literally If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou withdrawest thy Foot from taking long Walks or Journeys on the Sabbath-day So the Jewish Doctors expound it Or Secondly Spiritually If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou turn away thy Affections the Feet of thy Soul from enclining to any worldly Business 2. From doing thy Pleasure on my holy Day That is Thou must not do that which may please the Carnal Part as Sports and Pastimes This is to do the Devil's Work on God's Day 3. And call the Sabbath a Delight Call it a Delight that is esteem it so Tho the Sabbath be not a Day for Carnal Pleasure yet holy Pleasure is not forbidden The Soul must take pleasure in the Duties of a Sabbath The Saints of old counted the Sabbath a Delight The Jews called the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light The Lord's Day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines is both a Day of Light and Delight This is the Day of sweet Intercourse between God and the Soul On this Day a Christian makes his Sallies out to Heaven his Soul is lifted above the Earth and can this be without Delight The higher the Bird flies the sweeter it sings On a Sabbath the Soul acts its Love to God and where the Love is there is the Delight On this Day a Believers Heart is melted q. d. quickned enlarged in Holy Duties and how can all this be and not a secret Delight go along with it On a Sabbath a gracious Soul can say as Cant. 2.3 I sat under his shadow with great delight and his Fruit was sweet to my taste How can a Spiritual Heart chuse but call the Sabbath a Delight Is it not delightful to a Queen to be putting on her Wedding Robes in which she shall meet the King her Bridegroom When we are about Sabbath-Exercises we are dressing our selves and putting on our Wedding-Robes in which we are to meet our Heavenly Bridegroom the Lord Jesus And is not this delightful On the Sabbath God makes a Feast of fat things he Feasts the Ear with his Word and the Heart with his Grace Well then may we call the Sabbath a Delight and to find this holy Delight is to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day 4. The Holy of the Lord honourable In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorious To call the Sabbath Honourable is not to be understood so much of an outward Honour given to it by wearing richer Apparel or having better Diet on this Day as the Jewish Doctors corruptly gloss This is the chief Honour some give to this Day But thou shalt call the Sabbath Honourable that is meant of the Honour of the Heart that we give to this Day reverencing it and esteeming it the Queen of Days We are to count the Sabbath Honourable because God hath honoured it All the Persons in the Trinity have honoured it God the Father blessed it God the Son rose upon it God the Holy Ghost descended on this Day Acts 2.1 And indeed this Day is to be honoured of all good Christians and had in high Veneration It is a Day of Renown On this Day a Golden Scepter of Mercy is held forth The Christian Sabbath is the very Crepusculum and Dawning of the Heavenly Sabbath It is honourable because this Day God comes down to us and visits us To have the King of Heaven present in a special manner in our Assemblies makes the Sabbath-day honourable Besides the Work that is done on this Day makes it honourable The Six Days are fill'd up with-servile Work which makes them lose much of their Glory but on this Day Sacred Work is done The Soul is employed wholly about the Worship of God it is Praying Hearing Meditating it is doing Angels Work Praising and Blessing of God Again The Day is Honourable by vertue of a Divine Institution Silver is of it self valuable but when the Royal Stamp is put upon it it is honourable
which is no guile now he sees his own Image in you This draws God's Heart towards you Likeness draws Love But One GOD. Quest. V. THE fifth Question is Are there more Gods then one Answ. There is but one only the living and true God That there is a God hath been proved and those that will not believe the Verity of his Essence shall feel the Severity of his Wrath Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is One Lord. He is the only God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord he is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is none else Isa. 45.21 A just God and a Saviour There is none beside me There are many titular Gods Kings represent God their Regal Scepter is an Emblem of his Power and Authority Judges are called Gods Psal. 82.5 I have said ye are Gods viz. set in God's place to do Justice but dying Gods vers 7. Ye shall dye like men 1 Cor. 8.5 6. There be that are called Gods but to us there is but One God Argument 1. There is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum Mobile moves all the other Orbs so God gives Life and Motion to every thing existent There can be but one God because there is but one first Cause 2. There is but one infinite Being therefore there is but one God There cannot be two Infinites Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord If there be one Infinite filling all places at once how can there be any room for another Infinite to subsist 3. There is but one Omnipotent Power if there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being Equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44.6 I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no God Use 1. of Information If there be but one God then it excludes all other Gods Some have fained that there were two Gods so the Valentinians others that there were many Gods so the Polytheites the Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Lion and Elephant the Grecians worshipped Iupiter These I may say err not knowing the Scriptures Matth. 22.29 Their Faith is a Fable God hath given them up to strong delusions to believe a lie that they may be damned 2 Thess. 2.11 2. If there be but one God then there can be but One true Religion in the World Eph. 4.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Lord one Faith If there were many Gods then there might be many Religions every God would be worshipped in his way but if there be but one God there is but one Religion one Lord one Faith Some say we may be saved in any Religion 't is absurd to imagine that God who is one in Essence should appoint several Religions in which he will be worshipped 'T is as dangerous to set up a false Religion as to set up a false God There are many ways to Hell Men may go thither which way their Fancy leads them but there is but one direct Road to Heaven viz. Faith and Holiness There is no way to be saved in but this as there is but one God so there is but one True Religion 3. If there be but one God then you have but One that you need chiefly study to please and that is God If there were divers Gods we should be hard put to it how to please them all one would command one thing another the quite contrary and to please two contrary Masters is impossible but there is but one God therefore you have but one to please As in a Kingdom there is but one King therefore every one seeks to ingratiate himself into his favour Prov. 19.6 so there is but one true God therefore here lies our main work to please him Be sure to please God whoever else you displease This was Enoch's Wisdom Hebr. 11.5 he had this Testimony before he died that he pleased God Quest. What doth this pleasing God imply Answ. 1. We please God when we comport with his Will 'T was Christ's meat and drink to do his Father's will Iohn 4.34 and so he pleased him Matth. 3 17. A voice came from heaven saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased It is the will of God that we should be holy 1 Thess. 4 3◠Now when we are bespangled with Holiness our Lives are walking Bibles this is according to God's will and it pleaseth him 2. We please God when we do the Work that he sets us about Iohn 17.4 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do viz. my mediatory work Many finish their lives but do not finish their work Our work God hath cut out for us is to observe the first and second Table In the first is set down our duty towards God in the second our duty towards Man Such as make Morality the chief and sole part of Religion set the second Table above the first nay they take away the first Table for if Prudence Justice Temparance be enough to save then what needs the first Table and so our worship towards God shall be quite left out But those two Tables which God hath joyned together let no Man put asunder 3. We please God when we dedicate our Heart to give him the best of every thing Abel gave God the fat of the Offering Gen. 4.4 Domitian would not have his Image carved in Wood or Iron but in Gold Then we please God when we serve him with love fervency alacrity we give him golden Services herein lies our Wisdom and Piety to please God there is but one God therefore there is but one whom we have chiefly to please namely God 4. If there be but one God then we must pray to none but God The Papists pray to Saints and Angels 1. To Saints a Popish Writer saith When we pray to the Saints departed they being touched with compassion say the like to God for us as the Disciples did to Christ for the Canaanitish Woman Matth. 15.23 Send her away for she crieth after us The Saints above know not our Wants Isa. 63.16 Abraham is ignorant of us or if they did we have no warrant to pray to them Prayer is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a part of Divine Worship which must be given only to God 2. They pray to Angels Angel-worship is forbidden Col. 2.18 19. and
make God to be our God he will make himself to be our Judge And if he Condemns there is no appealing to a Higher Court. So that there is a Necessity of having God for our God unless we intend to be eternally espoused to Misery Use 1. If we must have one God and the Lord Iehovah for our God it condemns the Atheist who hath no God Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God There is no God he believes in or worships Such Atheists were Diagoras and Theodorus When Seneca did reprove Nero for his Impieties Saith Nero Dost thou think I believe there is any God when I do such things The Duke of Silecia was so infatuated that he affirmed Neque inferos neque superos esse That there was neither God nor Devil We may see God in the works of his Fingers The Creation is a great Volume in which we may read a God-head and he must needs put out his own Eyes that denies a God Aristotle though an Heathen did not only acknowledge God when he cried out Thou Being of Beings have Mercy on me But he thought he that did not confess a Deity was not worthy to live They who will not believe a God shall feel him Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Use 2. It condemns Christians who profess to own God for their God yet they do not live as if he were their God 1. They do not believe in him as a God When they look upon their Sins they are apt to say Can God Pardon When they look upon their Wants Can God provide Can he prepare a Table in the Wilderness 2. They do not love him as a God They do not give him the Cream of their Love but are apt to love other things more than God They say they love God but will part with nothing for him 3. They do not worship him as a God They do not give him that Reverence nor pray with that Devotion as if they were praying to a God How dead are their Hearts If not dead in Sin yet dead in Duty 'T is as if praying to a God that hath Eyes and sees not Ears and hears not In hearing the Word how much Distraction what regardless Hearts have many they are thinking of their Shop and Drugs Would a King take it well at our hands if when he is speaking to us we should be playing with a Feather When God is speaking to us in his Word and our Hearts are taken up with Thoughts about the World is not this playing with a Feather O how may this humble most of us we do not make God to be a God to us We do not believe in him love him worship him as a God Many Heathens have worshipped their False â—ods with more Seriousness and Devotion than some Christians do the true God O let us chide our selves Did I say Chide let us Abhor our selves for our Deadness and Formality in Religion how we have professed God yet we have not worshipped him as a God So much for the first We must have God for our God I should come to the Second We must have no other God Of the Commandments Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. THat we must have no other God Thou shalt have no other God before me Quest. What is meant by this word Before me Resp. That is before my Face In conspectu mâ—o in my sight Deut. 27.15 Cursed be he that makes a Graven Image and puts it in a secret place Some would not bow to the Idol that others might see but they would secretly bow to it But though this was out of Mans sight it was not out of Gods sight Cursed therefore saith God be he who puts the Image in a secret place Thou shalt have no other Gods 1. There is really no other God 2. We must have no other 1. There is really no other God The Valentinians held there were two Gods the Polythites that there were many The Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Ox and Elephant the Grecians Iupiter But there is no other than the True God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is no other For there is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum mobile moves all the other Orbs. So God is the Great Mover he gives Life and Motion to every thing existent 2. There is but one Omnipotent Power If there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever Crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor Here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44 6. I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God 2. We must have no other God Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This Commandment forbids 1. Serving a False God and not the True Ier. 2.27 Saying to a stock Thou art my Father and to a stone Thou hast brought me forth Or 2. Joyning a False God with a True 2 Kings 17.33 They feared the Lord and served their own Gods Both these are forbidden in the Commandment we must adhere to the true God and no other God is a jealous God and he will endure no corrival A Wife cannot lawfully have two Husbands at once nor may we have two Gods Exod. 34.14 Thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord is a jealous God Psal. 16.4 Their Sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God The Lord interprets it a forsaking of him to espouse any other God Iudges 2.12 They forsook the Lord and followed other Gods God would not have his People so much as make mention of Idol Gods Exod. 23.13 Make no mention of the Names of other Gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth God looks upon it as a breaking of the Marriage Covenant to go after other Gods Therefore when Israel committed Idolatry with the golden Calf God disclaims his Interest in them Exod. 32.7 Thy People have corrupted themselves Before God called Israel his People but when they went after other Gods Now saith the Lord to Moses they are no more my People but thy People Hosea 2.2 Plead with her Mother Plead for she is not my Wife she doth not keep Faith with me she hath stain'd her self with Idols therefore I will divorce her she is not my Wife To
have kill'd us The Wisdom of God is seen in chekoring the Dark and the Light If it had been all Night there had been no Labour if all Day there had been no Rest. Wisdom is seen in mixing the Elements the Earth with the Sea If it had been all Sea then we had wanted Bread if it had been all Earth then we had wanted Water The Wisdom of God is seen in preparing and ripening the Fruits of the Earth the Wind and Frosts prepare the Fruits the Sun and Rain ripen the Fruits God's Wisdom is seen in setting Bounds to the Sea and so wisely contriving it that though the Sea be higher than the Earth yet it should not overflow the Earth so that we may cry out with the Psalmist Psal. 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all there is nothing to be seen but Miracles of Wisdom God's Wisdom is seen in ordering things in the Body Politick that one shall have need of another the Poor need the Rich Man's Money and the Rich need the Poor Man's Labour God makes one Trade depend upon another that one may be helpful to another and that mutual Love may be preserved 2. The second Work wherein God's Wisdom shines forth is the Work of Redemption 1. Here was the Master-piece of Divine Wisdom to contrive a way to Happiness between the Sin of Man and the Justice of God We may cry out with the Apostle Rom. 11.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! This posed Men and Angels If God had put us to find out a way of Salvation when we were lost we could neither have had an Head to devise nor an Heart to desire what God's infinite Wisdom hath found out for us Mercy had a mind to save Sinners yet loath that the Justice of God should be wronged 'T is pity saith Mercy that such a noble Creature as Man should be made to be undone and yet no reason that God's Justice should be a loser What way then shall be found out Angels cannot satisfie for the wrong done to God's Justice nor is it fit that one Nature should sin and another Nature suffer What then shall Man be for ever lost Now while Mercy was thus debating with it self what to do for the recovery of fall'n Man here the Wisdom of God step'd in and thus the Oracle spake Let God become Man let the second Person in the Trinity be Incarnate and Suffer and so for fitness he shall be Man and for ability he shall be God Thus Justice may be satisfied and Man saved O the depth of the riches of the wisdom of God thus to make Justice and Mercy to kiss each other Great is this Mystey God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 What wisdom was this that Christ should be made sin yet know no sin that God should condemn the sin yet save the sinner Here was wisdom to find out the way of Salvation 2. The means by which Salvation is applied sets forth God's wisdom That Salvation should be by Faith not by Works Faith is an humble Grace it gives all to Christ 't is an adorer of Free-grace and Free-grace being advanced here God hath his glory and it is his highest wisdom to exalt his own glory 3. The way of working Faith declares God's wisdom 't is wrought by the Word preached Rom. 10.17 Faith comes by hearing What is the weak Breath of a Man to convert a Soul 't is like whispering in the Ears of a dead Man this is foolishness in the eye of the world but the Lord loves to shew his wisdom by that which seems folly 1 Cor. 1.27 He hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise Why so Verse 29. That no flesh should glory in his presence Should God convert by the Ministry of Angels then we should have been ready to have gloried in Angels and have given that honour to them which is due to God But when God works by weak Tools makes use of Men who are of like Passions with our selves and by them Converts now the Power is plainly seen to be of God 2 Cor. 4.7 We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us Herein is God's wisdom seen that no flesh may glory in his presence 3. The Wisdom of God wonderfully appears in the Works of his Providence Every Providence hath either a mercy or a wonder wrap'd up in it The wisdom of God in his Works of Providence appears 1. By effecting great things by small contemptible Means He cured the stung Israelite by a brazen Serpent If some Soveraign Antidote had been used if the Balm of Gilead had been brought there had been some likelyhood that this should have healed But what was there in a brazen Serpent it was a meer Image and not applied to him that was wounded only he was to look upon it yet this wrought a Cure The less probability in the Instrument the more is God's wisdom seen 2. The wisdom of God is seen in doing his work by that which to the Eye of Flesh seems quite contrary God intended to advance Ioseph and make all his Brethrens sheaves bow to his sheaf Now what way doth he take First Ioseph is thrown into the Pit then sold into Egypt then after that put in Prison Gen. 39.20 and by his Imprisonment God made way for his Advancement For God to save in an ordinary way wisdom would not be so much taken notice of but when he goes strangely to work and saves in that very way in which we think he will destroy now his wisdom shines forth in a most glorious conspicuous manner God would make Israel victorious and what way doth he go in He lessens Gideon's Army Iudg. 7.2 The people that are with thee are too many he reduceth the Army of two and thirty thousand to three hundred and by taking away the means of Victory makes Israel victorious God had a design to bring his People out of Egypt and a strange course he takes to effect it he stirred up the Hearts of the Egyptians to hate them Psal. 105.25 He turned their heart to hate his people The more they hated and oppressed Israel the more God plagued the Egyptians and the gladder they were to let Israel go Exod. 12.33 The Egyptians were urgent upon Israel that they might send them out of the Land in haste God had a mind to save Ionah when he was cast into the Sea and he lets the Fish swallow him up and so bring him to the shore God would save Paul and all that were in the Ship with him and there was no way to save them but the Ship must break and they all came safe to Land upon the broken pieces of the Ship Acts 27.44 In reference to the Church God oft goes by contrary means makes the Enemy do his work he can
painted Fire Ejus adesse intolerabile ejus abesse impossibile To bear it will be intolerable to avoid it will be impossible And these Hell-torments are for ever have no Period put to them Rev. 9.6 They shall seek death and shall not find it Origen fancied a Fiery Stream in which the Souls of sinful Men werâ— to be purged after this Life and then to pass into Heaven but it is for ever The Breath of the Lord kindles that Fire and where shall we find Engines or Buckets to quench it Rev. 14.11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest night nor day Thank Original Sin for all Use. 1. What sad thoughts should we have of this Primitive Original Sin that hath created so many Miseries What Honey can be got out of this Lyon what Grapes can we gather off this Thorn It sets Heaven and Earth against us While we choose this Bramble to Rule Fire comes out of the Bramble to devour us 2. How are all Believers bound to Jesus Christ who hath freed them from that Misery to which Sin hath exposed them Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his Blood Sin hath brought Trouble and a Curse into the World Christ hath sanctified the Trouble and removed the Curse Nay he hath not only freed Believers from Misery but purchased for them a Crown of Glory and Immortality 1 Pet. 5.4 When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Of the Covenant of Grace Quest. XIV DID God leave Mankind to perish in this state of Sin and Misery Resp. No He entred into a Covenant of Grace to deliver the Elect out of that estate and bring them into a state of Grace by a Redeemer Isa. 55.3 I Will make an Everlasting Covenant with you Man being by his Fall plung'd into a Labyrinth of Misery and having no way left to recover himself God was pleased to enter into a New Covenant with him and so restore him to Life by a Redeemer The great Proposition I shall go upon is That there is a New Covenant ratified between God and the Elect. Quest. What the New Covenant is Resp. It is a solemn Compact and Agreement made between God and fallen Man wherein the Lord undertakes to be our God and to make us his People Quest. What Names are given to the Covenant Resp. 1. It is called a Covenant of Peace Ezek. 37.26 because it Seals up Reconciliation between God and humble Sinners Before this Covenant there was nothing but Enmity God did not love us A Creature that offends cannot be loved by an holy God and we did not love him a God that condemns cannot be loved by a guilty Creature so that there was War on both sides But God hath found out a way in the new Covenant to reconcile differing Parties so that it is fitly called a Covenant of Peace 2. It is called a Covenant of Grace and well it may for 1. it was with Grace that when we had forfeited the first Covenant God should enter into a new Covenant after we had cast away our selves The Covenant of Grace is Tabula post naufragium as a Plank after shipwrack O the Free-grace of God that he should parly with Sinners and set his Wisdom and Mercy awork to bring Rebels into the Bond of the Covenant 2. It is a Covenant of Grace because it is a Royal Charter all made up of Terms of Grace That God will cast our sins behind his back that he will love us freely Hos. 14.4 that he will give us a will to accept of the Mercy of the Covenant and strength to perform the Conditions of the Covenant Ezek. 37.26 All this is pure Grace Quest. Why would God make a Covenant with us Resp. 1. It is out of Induldgence Favour and Respect to us A Tyrant will not enter into a Covenant with Slaves he will not shew them such Respect God's entring into Covenant with us to be our God is a Dignity he puts upon us A Covenant is Insigne honoris a Note of Distinction between God's People and Heathens Ezek. 16.22 I will establish my Covenant with thee When the Lorld told Abraham that he would enter into Covenant with him Abraham fell upon his face Gen. 17.2 as being amazed that the God of Glory should bestow such a Favour upon him 2. God makes a Covenant with us to tye us fast to him it is called in Ezekiel the Bond of the Covenant God knows we have slippery hearts therefore he will have a Covenant to bind us 'T is horrid Impiety to go away from God after Covenant If one of the Vestal Nuns who had vowed her self to Religion was defloured the Romans caused her to be burnt alive 'T is Perjury to depart from God after solemn Covenant Quest. How doth the Covenant of Grace differ from the first Covenant made with Adam Resp. 1 st Difference The Terms of the first Covenant were more strict and severe For 1. The least failing would have made the Covenant with Adam null and void but many Failings do not null the Covenant of Grace I grant the least sin is a Trespass upon the Covenant but it doth not make it null and void There may be many Failings in the Conjugal Relation but every Failing doth not break the Marriage-Bond It would be sad if as oft as we break Covenant with God he should break Covenant with us but God will not take advantage of every Failing but in anger remember Mercy 2. The first Covenant being broken allowed the Sinner no remedy all Doors of Hope were shut but the New Covenant allows the Sinner a remedy it leaves room for Repentance it provides a Mediator Hebr. 12.24 Iesus the Mediator of the New Covenant 2 d Difference The first Covenant did run all upon working the second upon believing Rom. 4.5 Quest. But are not Works required in the Covenant of Grace Answ. Yes Tit. 3.8 This is a faithful saying that they which believe in God be careful to maintain Good Works But the Covenant of Grace doth not require Works in the same manner as the Covenant of Works did In the first Covenant Works were required as the Condition of Life in the second they are required only as the Signs of a Man that is alive In the first Covenant Works were required as Grounds of Salvation in the New Covenant they are required as Evidences of our Love to God In the first they were required to the Justification of our Persons in the New to the Testification of our Grace Quest. What is the Condition of the Covenant of Grace Answ. The main Condition is Faith Quest. But why is Faith more the Condition of the New Covenant then any other Grace Answ. To exclude all glorying in the Creature Faith is an humble Grace If Repentance or Works were the Condition of the Covenant a Man would say It is my Righteousness hath saved
5. The Bodies of the Saints at the Resurrection shall be Immortal 1 Cor. 15.53 This Mortal shall put on Immortality our Bodies shall run parallel with Eternity Luke 20.36 Neither can they dye any more Heaven is an healthful Climate there is no Bill of Mortality there If a Physician could give you a Receipt to keep you from Dying what Sums of Mony would you give At the Resurrection Christ will give the Saints such a Receipt Rev. 21.4 There shall be no more death 2. The second Privilege Believers shall have at the Resurrection is They shall be openly acquitted at the day of Judgment Of the Day of Iudgment Quest. WHat Benefits do Believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection Resp. 1. Their Bodies shall be raised up to Glory and shall be openly acquitted at the day of Judgment and crown'd with the full and perfect Enjoyment of God to all Eternity 2. They shall be openly acquitted at the day of Iudgment This is to be laid down for a Position that there shall be a Day of Judgment 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Iudgment-Seat of Christ. This is the Grand Assizes the greatest Appearance that ever was Now Adam shall see all his Posterity at once We must all appear the greatness of Mens Persons doth not exempt them from Christ's Tribunal Kings and Captains are brought in trembling before the Lambs Throne Rev. 6.15 We must all appear and appear in our own Persons not by a Proxy Quest. 1. How doth it appear that there shall be a Day a Iudgment Resp. Two ways 1. By the Suffrage of Scripture Eccles. 11.9.12.14 For God shall bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing Psal. 96.13 For he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth The Reduplication denotes the certainty Dan. 7.9 I beheld till the Thrones were cast down and the ancient of days did sit whose garment was white as snow The Judgment was set and the Books were opened 2. It appears from the petty Sessions kept in a Man 's own Conscience when a Man doth Virtuously Conscience doth excuse him when evil Conscience doth arraign and condemn him Now what is this private Session kept in the Court of Conscience but a certain fore-runner of that General Day of Judgment when all the World shall be summoned to Gods Tribunal Quest. 2. Why must there be a Day of Iudgment Resp. That there may be a Day of Retribution when God may render to every one according to his work Things seem to be carried very unequally in the World The Wicked do so prosper as if they were rewarded for being Evil And the Godly do so suffer as if they were punished for being good Therefore for the vindicating Gods Justice there must be a day wherein there shall be a righteous Distribution of Punishments and Rewards to Men according to their Actions Quest. 3. Who shall be Iudge Resp. The Lord Jesus Christ Iohn 5.22 The Father hath committed all Iudgment to the Son It is an Article in our Creed That Christ shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead It is a great Honour put upon Christ He who was himself judged shall now be Judge He who once hung upon the Cross shall sit upon the Bench. Christ is fit to be Judge as he partakes both of the Manhood and Godhead 1. Of the Manhood Being cloathed with the Humane Nature he may be visibly seen of all It is requisite the Judge should be seen Rev. 1.7 Behold he cometh with Clouds and every Eye shall see him 2. As he partakes of the Godhead He is of infinite Prudence to understand all Causes brought before him And of infinite Power to execute Offenders He is described with seven Eyes Zach. 3.9 to denote his Prudence and a Rod of Iron Psal. 2.9 to denote his Power He is so Wise that he cannot be deluded and so Strong that he cannot be resisted Quest. 4. When will the Court fit when will the time of Iudgment be Resp. For the Quando or the time of the General Judgment it is a Secret kept from the Angels Matt. 24.36 Of that day and hour knows no Man no not the Angels of Heaven But this is sure it cannot be far off One great sign of the approach of the Day of Judgment is That Iniquity shall abound Matt. 24. Sure then this day is near at hand for Iniquity did never more abound than in this Age Lust grows hot and Love grows cold This is certain when the Elect are all converted then Christ will come to Judgment As he that owes a Ferry-boat stays till all the Passengers are taken into his Boat and then he rows away So Christ stays till all the Elect are gathered in and then he will hasten away to â—â—dgment Quest. 5. What shall be the modus or manner of Trial Resp. 1. The Citing of Men to the Court The Dead are cited as well as the Living Men when they Dye avoid the Censure of our Law-Courts but at the last Day the Dead are cited to God's Tribunal Rev. 20.12 I saw the Dead Small and Great stand before God This citing of Men will be by the Sound of a Trumpet 1 Thes. 4.16 and this Trumpet will sound so loud that it will raise Men out of their Graves Mat. 24.31 Such as will not hear the Trumpet of the Gospel sound in their Ears Repent and Believe shall hear the Trumpet of the Arch-Angel sounding Arise and be Iudged 2. The approach of the Judge to the Bench. First This will be terrible to the Wicked How can a guilty Prisoner endure the sight of the Judge If Foelix trembled when Paul Preached of Judgment Acts 24.25 How will Sinners Tremble when they shall see Christ come to Judgment Christ is described sitting in Judgment with a Fiery Stream issuing from him Dan. 7.10 Now the Lamb of God will be turned into a Lion The sight of Christ will strike Terrour into Sinners As when Ioseph said to his Brethren I am Ioseph whom ye sold into Egypt they were troubled at his Presence Gen. 45.6 Now how did their Hearts smite them for their Sin So when Christ shall come to judge Men and say I am Jesus whom ye sinned against I am Jesus whose Laws ye have broken whose Blood ye despised I am now come to Judge you O what horror and amazement will take hold of Sinners they will be troubled at the Presence of their Judge Secondly The approâ—ch of Christ to the Bench of Judicature will be Comfortable to the Righteous 1. Christ will come in Splendor and Great Glory His first coming in the Flesh was obscure Isa. 53.2 He was like a Prince in Disguise but his Second coming will be illustrious he shall come in the Glory of his Father with the Holy Angels Mark 8 38. O what a bright Day will that be when such a number of Angels those Morning Stars shall appear in the Air and Christ the Sun of Righteousness shall shine
why Children should honour their Parents are 1. It is a Solemn Command of God Honour thy Father c. As God's Word is the Rule so his Will must be the Reason of our Obedience 2. They deserve Honour in respect of that great Love and Affection which they bear to their Children and that Love is evidenced both by their Care and Cost 1. Their Care in bringing up their Children A Sign their Hearts are full of Love because their Heads are so full of Care Parents oft take more Care for their Children than for themselves They take Care of them when they are tender least like Wall-Fruit they should be nip'd in the Bud. And as Children grow older so the Care of Parents grows greater They are afraid of their Childrens falling when young and of worse Faults when they are older 2. Their Love is evidenced by their Cost 1 Cor. 12.14 They lay up and lay out for their Children They are not like the Raven or Ostrich Job 39.14 which are cruel to their Young Parents sometimes do impoverlsh themselves to enrich their Children All this calls for Honour from the Children Children can never parallel or equal Parents Love Parents are the Instruments of Life to their Children Children cannot be so to their Parents 3. To honour Parents is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well-pleasing to the Lord Col. 3.20 As it is joyful to the Parents so it is pleasing to the Lord. Children is it not your Desire to please God In honouring and obeying your Parents you please God as well as when you Repent and Believe And that you may see how well it pleaseth God he bestows a Reward upon it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Iacob would not let the Angel go till he had blessed him nor God would not part with this Commandment till he had blessed it Here is the Blessing That thy Days may be long in the Land c. St. Paul calls this the First Commandment with Promise Eph. 6.2 The Second Commandment hath a General Promise of Mercy But this is the First Commandment that hath a Particular Promise made to it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Long Life is mentioned as a Blessing Psal. 128.6 Thou shalt see thy Childrens Children It was a great Favour of God to Moses that tho' he was an Hundred and Twenty Years old he needed no Spectacles his Eye was not dim nor his Natural Strength abated Deut. 34.7 God threatned it as a Curse to Eli That there should not be an Old Man in his Family 1 Sam. 2.31 Since the Flood Life is much abbreviated and cut short Some the Womb is their Tomb others exchange their Cradle for their Grave others die in the Flower of their Age Death serves it's Warrant every Day upon one or other Now when Death lies in Ambush continually for us if God satisfie us with Long Life Psal. 91.16 With long Life will I satisfie him This is to be esteemed a Blessing It is a Blessing that God gives a long time to repent and a long time to do Service and a long time to enjoy the Comfort of Relations and who is this Blessing of Long Life entail'd upon but Obedient Children Honour thy Father that thy Days may be long Nothing sooner shortens Life than Disobedience to Parents Absalom was a disobedient Son who sought to deprive his Father of his Life and Crown and he did not live out half his Days The Mule he rode upon as being weary of such a Burden left him hanging in the Oak betwixt Heaven and Earth as not fit to tread upon the one or enter into the other Obedience to Parents spins out thy Life That thy Days may be long Nor doth Obedience to Parents only lengthen Life but sweeten it Therefore it follows That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee To live long and not have a Foot of Land is a Misery but Obedience to Parents settles Land of Inheritance upon the Child Hast thou but one Blessing O my Father said Esau. Behold God hath more Blessings for an Obedient Child than one not only shall he have a Long Life but a Fruitful Land And not only shall he have Land but Land given in Love The Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Thou shalt have thy Land not only with God's Leave but with his Love All which are cogent Arguments to make Children Honour and Obey their Parents EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father Vse I. If we are to Honour our Fathers on Earth then much more our Father in Heaven Mal. 1.6 If then I am a Father where is my Honour A Father is but the Instrument of conveying Life but God is the Original Cause of our Being Psal. 100.3 For it is he that hath made us and not we our selves Honour and Adoration is a Pearl belongs only to the Crown of Heaven And 1. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by obeying him Thus Christ honoured his Father Iohn 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This he calls honouring of God Iohn 8.29 I do always those things which please him Ver. 49. I honour my Father The Wise Men did not only bow the Knee to Christ but presented him with Gold and Myrrh Mat. 2.8 So we must not only bow the Knee give God Adoration but bring Presents give him Golden Obedience 2. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by appearing as Advocates in his Cause and standing up for his Truth in an Adulterous Generation That Son honours his Father who stands up in his Defence and vindicates him when he is calumniated and reproached Do they honour God who are ashamed of him Iohn 12.42 Many believed on him but durst not confess him They are Bastard Sons who are ashamed to own their Heavenly Father Such as are born of God are steeled with Courage for his Truth They are like the Rock which no Waves can break like the Adamant which no Sword can cut Basil was a Champion for Truth in the Time of the Emperor Valens and Athanasius when the World was Arrian appeared for God 3. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by ascribing the Honour of all we do to him 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured morè abundantly than they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was in me If a Christian hath any Assistance in Duty any strength against Corruption he rears up a Pillar and writes upon it Hitherto the Lord hath helped me As Ioab when he had fought against Rabbah and had like to have taken it sent for King David that he might carry away the Honour of the Victory 2 Sam. 12.27 So when a Child of God hath any Conquest over Satan he gives all the Honour to God Hypocrites whose Lamp is fed with the Oyl of Vain-Glory
II. Such as have this Kingdom of God set up in them it calls for gratulation and thanksgiving What will you be thankful 〈…〉 not for a Kingdom Grace is the best Blessing it is the result and product of Gods electing love God in setting up his kingdom of grace hath done more for you â—han if he had made you Kings and Queens for now you are born of God and of the Blood-Royal of Heaven O admire and exalt free Grace Make Gods pâ—â—ise glorious Psal. 66.2 The Apostle seldom mentions the work of Grace but he joyns praise Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light If God hath crowned you with the Kingdom of Grace do you crown him with your Praises 2. The Second thing intended by our Saviour in this Petition is That the Kingdom of Grace may encrease that it may come more into us And this may answer a Question Quest. Why do we pray Thy Kingdom come when the Kingdom of Grace is already come into the Soul Answ. Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us yet still we must pray Thy Kingdom come namely that grace may be encreased and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our Souls Till we come to live among the Angels we shall need to pray this Prayer Thy Kingdom come Lord let thy kingdom of grace come in more power into my Soul let grace be more augmented and encreased Quest. 1. When doth the Kingdom of Grace increase in the Soul when is it a flourishing Kingdom Answ. 1. When a Christian hath further degrees added to his graces there 's more oyl in the lamp his knowledge is clearer his love is more inflamed Grace is capable of degrees and may rise higher as the Sun in the Horizon It is not with us as it was with Christ who received the Spirit without measure Iohn 3.34 Christ could not be more holy than he was but our Grace is receptive of further degrees we may have more sanctity we may add more cubits to our spiritual stature 2. Then the kingdom of Grace increaseth when a Christian hath gotten more strength than he had Iob 17.9 He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Hebr. Iosiphometz He shall add to his strength A Christian hath strength to resist temptation to forgive his enemies to suffer affliction 't is not easie to suffer a Man must deny himself ere he take up the Cross The way to Heaven is like the way which Ionathan and his Armour-bearer had in climbing up a steep place 1 Sam. 14.4 There was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other It requires much strength to climb up this rocky way That Grace which will carry us through Prosperity will not carry us through Sufferings The Ship needs stronger tackling to carry it through a storm than a calm Now when we are so strong in Grace that we can bear up under affliction without murmuring or fainting here is the kingdom of grace increased What mighty strength of grace had he who told the Emperour Valentinian you may take away my Life but you cannot take away my love to the Truth 3. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian hath most conflict with Spiritual Corruptions he not only abstains from gross Evils but hath a Combat with inward hidden close Corruptions as Pride Envy Hypocrisy vain Thoughts carnal Confidence these are spiritual Wickednesses and do both defile and disturb 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit Which shows there are two sorts of Corruptions one of the Flesh the other of the Spirit when we grieve for and combat with spiritual Sin as being the Root of all gross sins Now the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth and spreads its Territories in the Soul 4. Then the kingdom of grace flourisheth when a Christian hath learned to live by Faith Gal. 2.20 I live by the Faith of the Son of God There is the Habit of Faith and the drawing of this Habit into exercise For a Christian to graft his hope of Salvation only upon the stock of Christs Righteousness and make Christ all in Justification to live on the Promises as the Bee on the Flower and suck out the sweetness of them to trust God where we cannot trace him to believe his Love thorough a Frown to perswade our selves when he hath the Face of an Enemy yet he hath the Heart of a Father when we are arrived at this here is the Kingdom of Grace flourishing in our Souls 5. When a Christian is arrived at holy Zeal Numb 25.13 Phinehas was zealous for his God Zeal is the Flame of the Affections it turns a Saint into Seraphim A zealous Christian is impatient when God is dishonoured Rev. 2.2 he will wrestle with difficulties he will swim to Christ through a sea of blood Act. 21.13 Zeal loves truth when it is dispised and opposed Psal. 119.126 They have made void thy Law therefore I love thy Law Here is grace encreasing like the Sun in the Horizon Zeal resembles the Holy Ghost Acts. 2.2 There appeared cloven Tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them Tongues of fire were an Emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured upon them 6. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian is as well diligent in his particular Calling as devout in his general He is the wise Christian that carries things equally that doth so live by Faith that he lives in a Calling Therefore it is worth our Notice when the Apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to encrease in grace 1 Thess. 4.10 he presently adds ver 11. And that ye do your own business and work with your hands This is a sign grace is encreasing when Christians go chearfully about their Calling Indeed to be all the day in the Mount with God and to have the Mind fixed on glory is more sweet to a Mans self and is an Heaven upon Earth But to be conversant in our Callings is more profitable to others I may allude to that of St. Paul To be with Christ is best for me yet to abide here is more needful for you Phil. 1.24 So to converse with God in Prayer and sweet Meditation all the Week long is more for the Comfort of a Man 's own Person but to be sometimes employed in the business of a Calling is more profitable for the Family to which he belongs 'T is not good to be as the Lillies which toyl not neither do they spin It shows the encrease of grace when a Christian keeps a due Decorum He joins Piety and Industry when zeal runs forth in Religion and Diligence is put forth in a Calling 7. Then the Kingdom of grace encreaseth when a Christian is established in the belief and love of the Truth The heart by nature is as a Ship without Ballast it wavers and fluctuates
that no man take thy Crown implying if the Church of Philadelphia left off her Obedience she would lose her Crown viz. her Honour and Reputation Apostacy creates Infamy Iudas from an Apostle to be a Traytor it was a Dishonour 2. If we give over our Obedience it is a loss of all that hath been already done as if one should work in silver and then pick out all the stitches all a Mans Prayers are lost all the Sabbaths he hath kept are lost he doth unravel all his good works Ezek. 18.24 all his Righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned he undoes all he hath done As if one draw a curious Picture with the Pensil and then come with his Spunge and wipe out all again 3. A loss of the Soul and Happiness We were in a fair way for Heaven but by leaving off dâ—ing Gods VVill we miss of the excellent Glory and are plunged deeper in Damnation 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better not to have known the way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment Therefore let us continue in doing Gods VVill Constancy sets the Crown upon the head of Obedience Thus you see how we are to do Gods VVill acceptably VSE I. Branch 1. See hence our Impotency we have no innate power to do Gods VVill VVhat need pray Thy Will be done if we have power of our selves to do it I wonder Free-willers pray this Petition 2. Branch If we are to do Gods Will on Earth as it is done by the Angels in Heaven see then the Folly of those who go by a wrong Pattern they do as the most of their Neighbours do if they talk vain on the Sabbath they do but as their Neighbours do if now and then they swear an Oath it is the Custom of their Neighbours to do so but we are to do Gods Will as the Angels in Heaven do the Angels do such things we must make the Angels our Patterns and not our Neighbours if our Neighbours do the Devils will shall we do so too If our Neighbours go to Hell shall we go thither too for Company 3. Branch See here that which may make us long to be in Heaven then we shall do Gods Will perfectly as the Angels do alas how defective are we in our Obedience here how far do we fall short we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting our holy things are blemished like the Moon which when it shines brightest hath a dark spot in it But in Heaven we shall do Gods will perfectly as the Angels in Glory VSE II. Of Reproof 1. Branch It reproves such as do not Gods Will they have the knowledge of Gods will Knowledge they count an Ornament but though they know Gods Will yet they do it not 1. They know what God would have them avoid they know they should not swear Mat. 5.34 Swear not at all For this sin the Land mourns Ier. 23.10 Yet though they pray Hallowed be thy Name they profane it by shooting Oathes like Chain-Bullets against Heaven they know they should abstain from Fornication and Uncleanness yet they cannot but bite at the Devils Hook if he bait it with Flesh Iude 7. 2. They know what God would have them practise but they leave undone those things which they ought to have done they know it is the will of God they should be true in their Promises just in their Dealings good in their Relations but they do not the Will of God they know they should read the Scriptures consult with Gods Oracle but the Bible like rusty Armour is hung up and seldom used they look oftner upon a Pair of Cards then a Bible they know their Houses should be Palestrae Pietatis Nurseries of Piety yet have no Face of Religion in them they do not perfume their Houses with Prayer what Hypocrites are these to kneel down in the Church and lift up their Eyes to Heaven and say Thy Will be done yet have no care at all to do Gods Will what is this but to hang out a Flag of Defiance against Heaven and Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft 2. Branch It reproves those who do not Gods Will in a right acceptable manner 1. They do not Gods VVill intirely all Gods VVill they will obey God in some things but not in other as if a Servant should do some of your work you set him about but not the rest Iehu destroyed the Idolatry of Baal but let the golden Calves of Ieroboam stand 2 Kings 10.30 Some will observe the Duties of the Second Table but not the first Others make an high Profession as if their Tongues had been touch'd with a Coal from Gods Altar but live idly and out of a Calling these the Apostle complains of 2 Thess. 3.11 We hear there are some which walk among you disorderly working not at all Living by Faith and living in a Calling must go together This is an evil thing not to do all Gods VVill. 2. They do not Gods will ardently they do not put Coals to the Incense nor chearfully they bring their Sacrifice but not their heart this is far from doing Gods VVill as the Angels this loseth the Reward how can God like this to serve him as if we served him not how can God mind our Duties when we our selves scarce mind them VSE III. Of Examination Let us examine all our Actions whether they are according to Gods will The will of God is the Rule and Standard 't is the Sun-dial by which we must set all our Actions he is no good workman that doth not work by Rule he can be no good Christian who goes not according to the Rule of Gods will let us examine our Actions whether they do quadrare agree to the will of God Are our speeches according to Gods will Are our words savoury being seasoned with Grace Is our Apparel according to Gods will 1 Tim. 2.9 In like manner that women adorn themselves in modest Apparel not wanton and garish to invite Comers Our Diet is it according to Gods will Do we hold the golden Bridle of Temperance and only take so much as may rather satisfy Nature then surfeit it too much Oyl choaks the Lamp Is our whole carriage and behaviour according to Gods will Are we patterns of Prudence and Piety Do we keep up the Credit of Religion and shine as Lights in the world We pray Thy Will be done as it is in Heaven are we like our Pattern would the Angels do thus if they were on Earth would Jesus Christ do this thus is to Christianize this is to be Saints of degrees when we live our Prayer and our Actions are the Counter-pane of Gods will VSE IV. Of Exhortation Let us be doers of the Will of God Thy Will be done 1. It is our Wisdom to do Gods Will Deut. 4.6 Keep and do these statutes for this is your wisdom 2. It is our Safety Hath not Misery alwayes
This is Satan's Temptation the hand of Ioab is in this 2. To Rejoyce is a Duty Psal. 33.1 Praise is comely for the Vpright But when God by his judgments calls us to Weeping now Joy and Mirth is unseasonable Isa. 22.12 In that day did the Lord call to weeping and behold joy and gladness Oecolampadius and other Learned Writers think it was in the time of King Ahaz when the Signs of God's Anger like a Blazing-Star did appear now to be given to Mirth was very unseasonable 3. To Read The Word is a Duty but Satan will sometimes put Men upon it when it is unseasonable To Read at home when God's Word is Preaching or the Sacrament Administring is unseasonable yea sinful As Hushai said 2 Sam. 17.7 The Counsel is not good at this time There was a Set-time enjoyned for the Passover when the Iews were to bring their Offering to the Lord Numb 9.2 Had the People been Reading the Law at home in the time of the Passover it had not been in season and God would have punished it for a contempt This is the Devil 's subtil Temptation either to keep us from duty or to put us upon it when it is least in season Duties of Religion not well timed and done in season are dangerous Snow and Hail are good for the ground when they come in their season but in Harvest when the Corn is ripe then a Storm of Hail would do hurt 25. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to perswade Men to delay their repenting and turning to God He saith as Hag. 1.2 The time is not yet come Now youth is budding or you are but in the flower of your age it is too soon to repent the time is not yet come This Temptation is the Devil's draw-net by which he drags Millions to Hell It is a danâ—erous Temptation Sin is Dulce venenum Bern. a Poison the longer Poison lies in the Body the more mortal By delay of Repentance sin strengthens and the heart hardens The longer Ice freezeth the harder it is to be broken The longer a Man freezeth in impenitency the more difficult it will be to have his heart broken When sin hath gotten an haunt it is not easily shaken off Besides the danger of this Temptation to delay Repentance appears in this because life is hazardous and may on a sudden expire What security have you that you shall live another day Life is made up of a few flying Minutes it is a Taper soon blown out Jam. 4.14 What is your life It is but a vapour The body is like a Vessel tun'd with a little breath Sickness broacheth this Vessel Death draws it out How dangerous therefore is this Temptation to procrastinate and put off turning to God by repentance Many now in Hell did purpose to Repent but Death surpriz'd them 26. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to infringe and weaken the Saints peace If he cannot Destroy their Grace he will Disturb their Peace Satan envies a Christian should have a good day and if he cannot keep him from Heaven he will keep him from an Heaven upon Earth There is nothing next to Holiness a Christian prizeth more than Peace and Tranquillity of Mind This is the Cream of Life a Bunch of Grapes by the way Now it is Satans great policy to shake a Christian's Peace that if he will go to Heaven he shall go thither through Frights and plenty of Tears The Devil throws in his Fireballs of Temptation to set the Saints Peace on fire Of such great concern is Spiritual Peace that no wonder if Satan would by his Intricate subtilties Rob us of this Jewel Spiritual Peace is a Token of God's Favour As Ioseph had a special testimony of his Fathers Kindness in the Party-coloured Coat he gave him so have the Saints a special token of God's Good-will to them when he gives them inward Peace which is as it were the party-coloured Coat to wear No wonder then if Satan so much rage against the Saints Peace and would tear off this comfortable Robe from them The Devil troubles the waters of the Saints Peace because hereby he hopes to have the more advantage of them 1. By this perplexing of their Spirits Satan takes off their Chariot-wheels unfits them for the Service of God Body and Mind are both out of temper like an Instrument out of Tune Sadness of Spirit prevailing a Christian can think of nothing but his Troubles his Mind is full of doubts fears surmises that he is like a person distracted and is scarce himself Either he neglects the duties of Religion or his mind is taken off from them while he is doing them Especially there is one Duty that melancholy and sadness of spirit unfits for and that is Thankfulness Thankfulness is a Tribute or Quit-rent due to God Psal. 149.3 Let the Saints be joyful let the high praises of God be in their mouth But when Satan hath disturbed a Christian's spirit and fill'd his Mind full of black and almost despairing thoughts how can he be Thankful It rejoyceth Satan to see how his Plot takes by making God's Children Vnquiet he makes them Vnthankful 2. Satan by troubling the Saints Peace hath this advantage of laying a stumbling-block in the way of others By this policy the Devil gets an occasion to render the ways of God unlovely to those who are looking Heaven-ward He sets before new beginners the perplexing Thoughts the Tears the Groans of them who are wounded in Spirit to scare them quite off from all seriousness in Religion He will object to new beginners Do you not see how these sad Souls torture themselves with melancholy Thoughts and will you change the comforts and pleasures of this life to sit always in the house of mourning Will you espouse that Religion which makes you a terror to your selves and a burden to others Can you be in love with such a Religion as is ready to fright you out of your wits This advantage the Devil gets by troubling the Saints Peace he would discourage others who are looking towards Heaven he would beat them off from Praying and hearing all Soul-awakening Sermons lest they fall into this black humour of Melancholy and end their days in despair 3. By this subtil policy of Satan in disturbing the Saints Peace and making them believe God doth not love them he hath this advantage he sometimes so far prevails over them as to make them begin to entertain hard thoughts of God Through the black Spectacles of Melancholy God's dealings look sad and Ghastly Satan tempts the Godly to have strange thoughts of God to think he hath cast off all pity and hath forgotten to be gracious Psal. 77. and to make sad conclusions Isai. 38.13 I reckoned that as a Lion so will he break all my bones from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me The Devil setting in with Melancholy causeth a sad Eclipse in the Soul it begins to think God hath shut up
makes for our Interest it promotes Holiness in us The business on the Week-Day makes us too forgetful of God and our Souls the Sabbath brings God into our Remembrance When the Dust of the World falling hath clogg'd the Wheels of our Affections that they would scarce move towards God the Sabbath comes and oyls the Wheels of our Affections and now they move swiftly in Religion Therefore God hath appointed a Sabbath to ripen our Holiness On this Day the Thoughts contemplate Heaven the Tongue speaks of God and is as the Pen of a ready Writer now the Eyes drop Tears now the Soul burns in Love When the Heart was all the Week frozen now on the Sabbath it is melted with the Word The Sabbath is a Friend to Religion it files off the Rust of our Graces it is a Spiritual Jubilee wherein the Soul is set to converse with its Maker I should in the next place show you the Modus or Manner how we should keep the Sabbath-Day Holy But before I come to that I shall propound a great Question viz. Qu. How comes it to pass that we do not keep the Seventh Day Sabbath as it was in the Primitive Institution but have changed it to another Day Ans. The old Seventh-day Sabbath which was the Jewish Sabbath is abrogated and in the room of it the first Day of the Week which is the Christian Sabbath succeeds The Morality or Substance of the Fourth Commandment doth not lie in keeping the Seventh Day precisely but in keeping one Day in Seven which God hath appointed Qu. But how comes the First Day in the Week to be substituted in the room of the Seventh Day Ans. Not by Ecclesiastical Authority The Church saith Mr. Perkins hath no power to Ordain a Sabbath But 1. The Change of the Sabbath from the Last Day of the Week to the First was by Christ's own Appointment Christ is Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2.28 And who shall appoint a Day but he who is Lord of it He made this Day Psalm 118.24 This is the Day which the Lord hath made Arnobius and the Current of Expositors understand it of our Christian Sabbath and it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords Day Rev. 1.10 As it is called the Lord's Supper because of the Lords instituting the Bread and Wine and setting it apart from a common Use to a more special and Sacred Use So it is called the Lords Day because of the Lord 's Instituting it and setting it apart from common Days to his special Worship and Service Christ arose on the First Day of the Week out of the Grave and appeared twice on this Day to his Disciples Iohn 20.19 26. which was to intimate to the Disciples saith Austin and Athanasius that he transferred the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day 2. The keeping of the First Day which is the Lord's Day was the Practice of the Apostles 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 20.7 On the first Day of the Week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul Preached to them Here was both Preaching and Breaking of Bread on this Day Austin and Innocentius and Isidore make the keeping of our Gospel-Sabbath to be an Apostolical Sanction and affirm that by Vertue of the Apostles Practice this Lord's Day is to be sequestred and set apart for Divine Worship What the Apostles did they did it by Divine Authority for they were inspired by the Holy Ghost 3. Besides the Primitive Church had the Lord's Day which we now Celebrate in High Estimation It was a great Badge of their Religion to observe this Day Ignatius the most ancient Father who lived in the time of St. Iohn the Apostle hath these Words Let every one that loveth Christ keep holy the First Day of the Week the Lord's Day This Day hath been observed by the Church of Christ above Sixteen Hundred Years as Learned Bucer notes Thus you see how the Seventh-day Sabbath comes to be changed to the First-day Sabbath Now there is a Grand Reason for changing of the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day because this puts us in Mind of the Mystery of our Redemption by Christ. The Reason why God did institute the Old Sabbath was Because God would have it kept as a Memorial of the Creation But the Lord hath now brought the First Day of the Week in the room of it in memory of a more Glorious Work than Creation and that is Redemption Great was the Work of Creation but greater was the Work of Redemption As it was said Hag. 2.9 The Glory of the Second Temple was greater than the Glory of the First Temple So the Glory of the Redemption was greater than the Glory of the Creation Great Wisdom was seen in the curious making us but more miraculous Wisdom in saving us Great Power was seen in bringing us out of nothing but greater Power in helping us when we were worse than nothing It cost more to redeem us than to create us In the Creation there was but speaking a Word Psal. 148.5 In the Redeeming us there was shedding of Blood 1 Pet. 1.18 19. The Creation was the Work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Redemption was the Work of his Arm Luke 1.5 In the Creation God gave us our selves in the Redemption he gave us Himself By Creation we have a Life in Adam by Redemption we have a Life in Christ Col. 3.3 By Creation we had a right to an Earthly Paradise by Redemption we have a Title to an Heavenly Kingdom So that well might Christ change the Seventh Day of the Week into the First because this Day puts us in mind of our Redemption which is a more glorious Work than the Creation Vse The Use I shall make is That we should have this Christian Sabbath we now Celebrate in high Veneration The Jews call'd the Sabbath Desiderium Dierum The Desire of Days and the Queen of Days It is a Day of sweet Rest. This Day we must call a Delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable Isa. 58.13 Mettal that hath the King's Stamp upon it is Honourable and of great value God hath set his Royal Stamp upon the Sabbath It is the Sabbath of the Lord this makes it Honourable This Day we should look upon as the best Day in the Week What the Phoenix is among the Birds what the Sun is among the Planets that the Lord's Day is among other Days This is the Day which the Lord hath made Psal. 118.24 God hath made all the Days but he hath blessed this As Iocob got the Blessing from his Brother so the Sabbath hath got the Blessing from all the other Days in the Week The Sabbath is a Day in which we converse in a special manner with God The Jews call'd the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light on this Day the Sun of Righteousness shines upon the Soul The Sabbath is the market-Market-day of the Soul the Cream of Time this is the Day of Christ's rising out of the