heart sometimes seems to be in a good frame but it soon alters set the water on the fire it boyles set it in the open Aire it freezeth Those good affections which boyle in the Church often freeze in the Shop one day a Christian is quick and lively in prayer another day like the Disciples heavy and sleeping Luke 22.45 At one time a Christian is like David when he danced before the Ark with all his might 2 Sam. 6.14 At another time like Sampson when his hair was shaved and his strength went from him Judges 16.19 When the gold hath been made pure in the fire it remains pure but it is not so with the heart when it hath been purified in an Ordinance it doth not remain pure it gathers new soile and dross The heart is one day humble next day proud one one day meek the next day passionate one day quick in its motion towards heaven the next day the clock is set back 't is with the heart as with a sick mans pulse which alters almost every quarter of an houre The heart being so full of variation and inconstancy it is needful to keep the heart with all keeping the heart like a Viol will soon be out of order therefore we must often scrue up the strings and keep the instrument in tune that we may make melody in our heart to the Lord * Ephes 5.19 3. The heart must especially be looked to and watched because the heart is the fountain of all our actions and purposes the heart doth either sweeten or poyson all we do the heart is the spring which makes the current of our life run either pure or muddy the heart is the Throne either of sin or grace If the root be soure no sweet fruit can grow upon it so if there be a root of bitterness springing uâ—n the heart * Hebr. 12.15 it is impossible that our services should give a sweet rellish As in the natural body the heart is the fountain of life if the heart lives the whole body lives if the heart be tainted and poysoned the body dies So it is in a spiritual sense if the inner man of the heart be holy then the thoughts and actions are holy if the soul be earthly and impure the actions receive a bad tinâ—ture In Religion the heart is all we judge of mens heart by their actions God judgeth of mens actions by their hearts the heart differenceth actions Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 25.2 But of Asa it is said his heart was perfect all his dayes 2 Chron. 15.17 It is the heart gives the denomination to a thing now if the heart be the spring which makes our actions good or bad then the heart is chiefly to be watched and tended preserve the spring pure keep thy heart with all diligence Use 1 1. It shews a difference between the godly and the wicked Inform. the hypocrite looks most to externals he keeps his actions from blotting he sets a watch before his lips the godly man sets a watch before his heart his main work lies within doors he sees the first ebullitions and risings of sin and grieves for them he labours to set his heart right the heart is the Altar which sanctifies the gift Use 2 Reproof 2 If we are to keep our hearts with all keeping then it reproves four sorts of persons 1. Such as have no care at all about their hearts they will have a care to keep their land that it be not morgaged but no care to keep their hearts Salvation and blessedness depend upon the keeping of the heart yet how few mind their hearts they let the Divel get into their hearts The Shepherd keeps his Flock the Physitian keeps his Receits the Lawyer keeps his Evidences the Merchant keep his Wares the Covetous man keeps his gold but few that keep their hearts Quest Quest Why do not men keep their hearts Answ 1 Answ 1. Because they study not the preciousness of them what a treasure is the heart it is divinely ennobled it is capable of glory but few know the worth of this jewel 2 Men keep not their hearts because they are taken up Answ 2 in keeping other things Cant. 1.6 My own vineyard have I not kept Many a man may say I have been cumbred about the world I have been keeping my estate tending my lusts but my own heart hath been neglected my own vineyard have I not kept Judas was keeping the bag when he should have kept his heart 3. Men keep not their hearts because they keep themselves Answ 3 in sloth to keep the heart requires diligence and few are willing to put themselves to the trouble but should not a Merchant keep his books of account because he finds some trouble in it 4. Some think their hearts are so good that they need Answ 4 not spend time about them to keep them Many a bold sinner is presumptuously confident of heaven he thinks he wants nothing but taking possession hence it is he never looks into his heart or searcheth his evidences till it be too late 2. It reproves them who when they should be keeping their hearts fall asleep Mat. 13.25 While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares When men are asleep and neglect their spiritual watch the Divel comes and sowes poysonful seeds in their hearts seeds of malice pride lust they say when the Dragon is asleep a jewel is taken out of his head so the Divel takes away this jewel of the heart while men sleep in security 't is death for a Souldier to fall asleep upon his guard 3. It reproves them who instead of keeping their hearts have suffered them to be stollen away The love of the world hath stollen away mens hearts we may make an hue and cry after hearts Satan catcheth mens hearts with a golden bait this this is the reason why preaching the Word doth so little good Ministers preach to mens ears but the world hath stollen away their hearts 4. It reproves those who keep half of their heart but not all they have affections to good things but let out some rooms of their heart to sin Hâ—rod did many things but he let out one room of his heart to the Divel he lived in incest * Ubi regnat peccatum non potest regnaâ—e Dei regnum Auâ— The true mother would not have the childe divided God will not endure to have the heart divided he will have the whole heart kept for him Use 3 3. It exhorts Christians to keep their hearts Merchants complain of losses at Sea Exhort but whatever we lose if we can keep our hearts we shall do well enough Keep thy heart with all diligence This is I confess an hard work Eliah found it easier to shut heaven by prayer than to shut his heart from evil thoughts * Facilius est coelum obseâ—aâ—e quam
Thy sin thy neighbour is not so bad in offending thee as thou art in not forgiving him thy neighbour in offending thee doth but trespasse against a man but thou refusing to forgive him dost trespasse against God 2. Thy danger thou who art implacable and though thou may'st smother the fire of thy rage yet wilt not extinguish it know that if thou dyest this night thou dyest in an unpardoned condition if you will not believe me believe Christ Mark 11.26 If you do not forgive neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses He who lives without meeknesse dies without mercy 3. Branch of meeknesse is in recompencing good for evil this is an higher degree than the other Matth. 5.44 Love your enemies do good to them that hate you pray for them which despightfully use you Rom. 12.20 If thine enemy hunger feed him 1 Pet. 3.9 not rendring evil for evil but contrarywise blessing This three-fold cord of Scripture should not easily be broken To render evil for evil is bruitish to render evil for good is divellish to render good for evil is Christian The Heathens had this maxime Nemini laedere nisi lacessitus injuriâ they thought it lawful to wrong none unlesse first provoked with an injury but the Sun-light of Scripture shines brighter than the lamp of reason Love your enemies when grace comes into the heart it works a strange alteration when a sciens is ingrafted into the stock it partakes of the nature and sap of the Tree and brings forth the same fruit take a crab ingraft it into a Pepyn it brings forth the same fruit as the Pepyn so he who was once of a sowre crabby disposition given to revenge when he once partakes of the sap of the heavenly olive he bears generous fruit he is full of love to his enemies Grace allays the passion and melts the heart into compassion as the Sun draws up many thick noxious vapours from the Earth and Sea and returns them in sweet showres so a gracious heart returns all the unkindnesses and discurtesies of his enemies with the sweet influences and distillations of love thus David Psal 35.13 They rewarded me evil for good but as for me when they were sick my cloathing was sackcloth I humbled my soul with fasting c. Some would have rejoyced he wept some would have put on scarlet David put on sackcloth this is the rarity or rather miracle of meekness it retorts good for evil thus we have seen the nature of meekness SECT 1. Shewing the Character of a true Saint IT shews us the badge of a true Saint he is of a meek Use 1 candid spirit he is not easily provoked he takes every thing in the best sense and conquers malice with mildness I would to God all who profess themselves Saints were bespangled with this grace We are known to belong to Christ when we wear his Livery he is a Saint whose spirit is so meekned that he can smother prejudices and bury unkindnesses a passion of tears doth better become a Christian than a passion of anger every Saint is Christs Spouse Cant. 4.8 It becomes Christs Spouse to be meek if any injury be offered to the Spouse she leaves it to her husband to revenge 't is unseemly for Christs Spouse to strike SECT 2. Containing a Swasive to meekness Use 2 LET me beseech all Christians to labour to be eminent in this superlative grace of meekness Exhort Zeph. 2.3 Seek meekness Seeking implies we have lost it therefore we must make an hue and cry after it to find it Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God meekness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Put it on as a garment never to be left off Meekness is a necessary ingredient into every thing 1. It is necessary in instruction 2 Tim. 2.25 In meekness instructing c. Meekness conquers the opposers of truth meekness melts the heart soft words are softning 2. Meekness is necessary in hearing the Word Jam. 1.21 Receive with meekness the ingrafted Word he who comes to the Word either with passion or prejudice gets no good but hurt he turns wine into poyson and stabs himself with the sword of the Spirit 3. Meekness is needful in reproofs Gal. 6.1 If a man be overtaken with a fault restore such an one with the spirit of meekness The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put him in joynt again if a bone be out of joynt the Chyrurgion must not use a rough hand that may chance break another bone but he must come gently to work and afterwards bind it up softly so if a brother be through inanimadvertency overtaken we must not come to him in a fury of passion but with a spirit of meekness labour to restore him I shall lay down several Motives or Arguments to meeken the spirits of men 1. Let me propound examples of meekness Motive 1 1. The example of Jesus Christ Matth. 21.5 Thy King cometh unto thee meek Christ was the samplar and pattern of meekness 1 Pet. 2.23 When he was reviled he reviled not again His enemies words were more bitter than the gall they gave him but Christs words were smoother than oyle he prayed and wept for his enemies he calls to us to learn of him Matth. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek Christ doth not bid us saith Austin learn of him to work miracles to open the eyes of the blind to raise the dead but he would have us learn of him to be meek if we do not imitate his life we cannot be saved by his death 2. Let us set before our eyes the examples of some of the Saints who have shined in this grace Moses was a man of unparallel'd meekness Numb 12.3 Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth How many injuries did he put up when the people of Israel murmured against him instead of falling into a rage he falls to prayer for them Exod. 15.24 25. The Text saith they murmured at the waters of Marah sure the waters were not so bitter as the spirits of the people but they could not provoke him to passion but petition Another time when they wanted water they fell a chiding with Moses Exod. 17.3 Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children with thirst As if they had said if we dye we will lay our death to thy charge Would not this exasperate sure it would have required the meekness of an Angel to bear this but behold Moses his meekness he did not give them an unbecoming word though they were in a storm he was in a calm they chide but he prayes Oh that as the spirit of Elijah did rest upon Elisha so that some of the spirit of Moses this meek man or rather earthly Angel may rest upon us Another eminent pattern of meekness was David when Shimei cursed David and Abishai one
of Davids life-guard would have beheaded Shimei No saith King David Let him alone and let him curse 2 Sam. 16.11 And when Saul had wronged and abused David and it was in his power to have taken Saul napping and have killed him 1 Sam. 26.7 12. yet he would not touch Saul but called God to be Umpire Ver. 23. Here was a mirror of meekness 3. The examples of Heathens though their meekness could not properly be called grace because it grew not upon the right stock of faith yet it was beautiful in its kind Pericles when one did revile him and followed him home to his gate at night rayling upon him he answered not a word but commanded one of his servants to light a Torch and bring the Raylor home to his own house Frederick Duke of Saxony when he was angry would shut up himself in his Closet and let none come near him till he had mastered his passion Plutarch reports of the Pythagoreans if they had chanced to fall out in the day they would embrace and be friends ere Sun-set Cicero in one of his Orations reports of Pompey the great he was a man of a meek disposition he admitted all to come to him so freely and heard the complaints of them that were wronged so mildly that he excelled all the Princes before him he was of that sweet temper that it was hard to say whether his enemies did more fear his valour or his subjects love his meekness Julius Caesar not only forgave Brutus and Cassius his enemies but advanced them he thought himself most honoured by acts of clemency and meekness Did the spring-head of nature rise so high and shall not grace rise higher shall we debase faith below reason let us write after these fair Copies 2. Meekness is a great Ornament to a Christian 1 Pet. Motive 2 3.4 The ornament of a meek spirit How amiable is a Saint in Gods eye when adorned with this jewel what the Psalmist saith of praise * Psal 33.1 the same may I say of meekness it is comely for the righteous no garment more becoming a Christian than meekness therefore we are bid to put on this garment Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God meekness A meek spirit credits Religion silenceth malice it is the varnish that puts a lustre upon holiness and sets off the Gospel with a better gloss 3. This is the way to be like God God is meek towards Motive 3 them that provoke him * Cum crebris exacerbatur offensis iram suam temperat Cypr. how many black mouths are opened daily against the Majesty of heaven how do men tear his Name vex his Spirit crucifie his Son afresh they walk up and down the earth as so many Divels covered with flesh yet the Lord is meek not willing that any should perish 2 Pet. 3. How easily could God crush sinners and kick them into hell but he moderates his anger though he be full of Majesty yet full of meekness in him is mixed Princely greatness and Fatherly mildness as he hath his Scepter of Royalty so his Throne of grace Oh how should this make us fall in love with meekness hereby we bear a kind of likeness to God it is not profession makes us like God but imitation where meekness is wanting we are not like men where it is we are like God 4. Meekness argues a noble and excellent spirit a Motive 4 meek man is a valorous man he gets a victory over himself * Immensae virtutis est non sentire te esse percussum Passion ariseth from imbecillity and weakness therefore we may observe old men and children are more cholerick than others strength of passion argues weakness of judgement but the meek man who is able to conquer his fury is the most puissant and victorious Prov. 16.32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit then he that taketh a City To yield to ones passion is easie 't is swimming along with the Tyde of corrupt nature but to turn head against nature to resist passion to overcome evil with good this is like a Christian this is that spiritual Chivalry and Fortitude of mind as deserves the Trophies of victory and the garland of praise Motive 5 5. Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy When Saul lay at Davids mercy and he only cut off the skirt of his Robe how was Sauls heart affected with Davids meekness 1 Sam. 24.16 17. Is this thy voyce my son David and Saul lift up his voice and wept and he said to David Thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand thou killedst me not wherefore the Lord reward thee good c. This heaping of coals melts and thaws the heart of others it is the greatest victory to overcome an enemy without striking a blow the fire will go where the wedge cannot mildness prevails more than fierceness passion makes an enemy of a friend meekness makes a friend of an enemy the meek Christian shall have letters testimonial even from his Adversary It is reported of Philip King of Macedon that when it was told him Nicanor did openly rail against his Majesty the King instead of putting him to death as his Council advised sent Nicanor a rich Present which did so overcome the mans heart that he went up and down to recant what he had said against the King and did highly extoll the Kings clemency Roughness hardens mens hearts meekness causeth them to relent 2 Kings 6.22 When the King of Israel feasted the Captives he had taken in War they were more conquered by his meekness than by his sword 2 Kings 6.23 The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel 6. Consider the great promise in the Text The meek Motive 6 shall inherit the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Argument perhaps will prevail with those who desire to have earthly possessions * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys Some may object If I forbear and forgive I shall lose my right at last and be turned out of all No God hath here entred into Bond the meek shall inherit the Earth The unmeek man is in a sad condition there is no place remains for him but hell for he hath no promise made to him either of Earth or Heaven 't is the meek shall inherit the earth Object How do the meek inherit the Earth when they are strangers in the earth Hebr. 11.37 Answ The meek are said to inherit the Earth not that the Earth is their chief inheritance or that they have always the greatest share here but 1. They are the inheriters of the Earth because though they have not always the greatest part of the Earth yet they have the best right to it The word inherit saith Ambrose notes the Saints title to the Earth * Fruuntur
their spiritual accounts they reckon what Religion must cost them and may cost them it must cost them the blood of their sins it may cost them the blood of their lives 2. The fore-thoughts of persecution will be as sawce to season our delights that we do not surfeit upon them How soon may there be an Alarum sounded how soon may the clouds drop blood the thoughts of this would take off the heart from the immoderate love of the creature Our Saviour at a great Feast breaks out into mention of his death Mark 14.3 She hath prepared this against my Burial So the fore-thoughts of a change would be an excellent antidote against a surfeit 3. The fore-thoughts of sufferings would make them lighter when they come * Levius laedunt praevisa mala Grotius the suddenness of an evil addes to the sadness this was ill news to the fool in the Gospel who reckoned without his Host Hac nocte This night shall thy soul be required of thee This will be an aggravation of Babylons miseries Rev. 18.8 Her plagues shall come in one day not that Antichrist shall be destroyed in a day but in a day that is suddenly the blow shall come unawares when he doth not think of it the reckoning before hand of suffering doth alleviate and take off the edge of it when it comes therefore Christ to lighten the Cross still fore-warms his Disciples of sufferings that they might not come unlooked for Joh. 16.33 Acts 1.7 4. Fore-thoughts of persecution would put us in mind of getting our Armour ready 't is dangerous as well as imprudent to have all to seek when the trial comes as if a Souldier should have his weapons to get when the enemy is in the Field Caesar seeing a Souldier whetting his sword when he was just going to fight cashier'd him he that reckons upon persecution will be in a ready posture for it he will have the Shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit ready that he may not be surprized unawares 2. Let us prepare for persecution a wise Pilot in a calm will prepare for a storm God knows how soon persecution may come there seems to be a cloud of blood hanging over the Nation SECT 9. Shewing how we may be armed for sufferings Quest HOW shall we prepare for sufferings Answ Do three things 1. Be persons rightly qualified for suffering 2. Avoide those things which will hinder suffering 3. Promote all helps to suffering 1. Labour to be persons rightly qualified for suffering Be righteous persons that man who would suffer for righteousness sake must himself be righteous I mean Evangelically righteous in particular I call him righteous 1. Who breaths after sanctity Psal 119.5 Though sin cleaves to his heart yet his heart doth not cleave to sin though sin hath an alliance yet no allowance Rom. 7.15 What I do I allow not a good man hates that sin to which Satan doth most tempt and his heart most incline Psal 119.128 2. A righteous person is one who makes Gods glory his Center the glory of God is more worth than the salvation of all mens soul He who is divinely qualified is so zealously ambitious of Gods glory that he cares not what he loseth so God may be a gainer he prefers the glory of God before credit estate relations It was the speech of Kiliaz that blessed Martyr Had I all the gold in the world to dispose of I would give it to live with my relations though in prison yet Jesus Christ is dearer to me than all 3. A righteous person is one who values the jewel of a good conscience at an high rate good conscience is a Saints Festival his Musick his Paradise and he will rather hazard any thing than violate his conscience They say of the Irish if they have a good Skimmeter a warlike weapon they had rather take a blow on their Arme than their Skimmeter should be hurt To this I may compare a good conscience a godly man had rather sustain hurt in his body or estate than his conscience should be hurt he had rather dye than violate the Virginity of his conscience such a man as this is Evangelically righteous and if God call him to it he is fit to suffer 2. Avoid those things which will hinder suffering 1. The love of the world God allows us the use of the world 1 Tim. 6.7 But take heed of the love of it he that is in love with the world will be out of love with the Cross 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world he not only forsook Pauls company but his doctrine The love of the world choaks our zeal a man wedded to the world will for thirty pieces of silver betray Christ and a good cause Let the world be as a loose garment that you may throw off at pleasure before a man can dye for Christ he must be dead to the world Paul was crucified to the world Gal. 6.14 It will be an easie thing to dye when we are dead before in our affections 2. Carnal fear There is a two-fold fear 1. A filial fear when a man fears to displease God * Incidam potius in Geheunam quam peccatum Anselm when he fears lest he should not hold out this is a good fear Blessed is he that fears alway if Peter had feared his own heart and said Lord Jesus I fear I shall forsake thee Lord strengthen me doubtless Christ would have kept him from falling 2. There is a cowardly fear when a man fears danger more than sin when he is afraid to be good this fear is an enemy to suffering God proclaimed that those who were fearful should not go to the Wars Deuter. 20.8 The fearful are unfit to fight in Christs Wars a man possessed with fear doth not consult what is best but what is safest If he may save his Estate he will snare his conscience Prov. 29.25 In the fear of man there is a snare Fear made Peter deny Christ Abraham equivocate David fain himself mad fear will put men upon indirect courses making them study rather compliance than conscience Fear makes sin appear little and suffering great the fearful man sees double he looks upon the cross through his perspective twice as big it is fear argues sordidness of spirit * Degeneres animos timor arguit it will put one upon things most ignoble and unworthy a fearful man will Vote against his conscience fear infeebles it is like the cutting off Sampsons locks fear melts away the courage Josh 5.1 Their hearts melt because of you and when a mans strength is gone he is very unfit to carry Christs Cross fear is the root of Apostasie Spira's fear made him abjure and recant his Religion fear doth one more hurt than the Adversary it is not so much an enemy without the Castle as a Traytor within indangers it 't is not so much sufferings without as trayterous fear within which undoes
policy 't is wisdom saith the flesh to keep out of suffering 't is wisdom not to declare against sin 't is wisdom to finde out subtile distinctions to avoide the Cross the wisdom of the flesh is to save the flesh Indeed there is a Christian prudence to be used the Serpents eye must be in the Doves head wisdom and innocency do well but it is dangerous to separate them cursed be that policy which teacheth to avoide duty this wisdom is not from above but is divellish Jam. 3.17 it is learned from the old Serpent this wisdom will turn to folly at last it is like a man who to save his gold throws himself over-board into the water so the Polititian to save his skin will damn his soul 5. A man must deny self-will Saint Gregory calls the will the Commander in chief of all the faculties of the soul indeed in innocency Adam had rectitude of minde and conformity of will the will was like an instrument in tune it was full of harmony and did tune sweetly to Gods will but now the will is corrupt and like a strong Tyde carries us violently to evil the will hath not only an indisposition to good but an opposition Acts 7.51 Ye have alwayes resisted the Holy Ghost there is not a greater enemy than the will it is up in arms against God 2 Pet. 2.10 The will loves sin and hates the Cross Now if ever we suffer for God we must cross our own will the will must be martyred a Christian must say not my will Lord but thy will be done 6. A man must deny self-reasonings the fleshy part will be reasoning and disputing against sufferings Mark 2.8 Why reason you these things in your hearts such reasonings as these will begin to arise in our hearts 1. Persecution is bitter Self-rea ∣ soning 1 Answ Oh but it is blessed Jam. 1.12 Blessed is he that endureth tentation c. The Cross is heavy but the sharper the Cross the brighter the Crown 2. But 't is sad to part with Estate and Relations Self-rea ∣ soning 2 Answ But Christ is better than all he is Manna to strengthen he is wine to comfort he is salvation to crown 3. But liberty is sweet Self-rea ∣ soning 3 Answ This restraint makes way for enlargement Psal 4.1 Thou hast enlarged me in distress when the feet are bound with irons the heart may be sweetly dilated and enlarged Thus should we put to silence those self-reasonings which are apt to arise in the heart against sufferings This self-denying frame of heart is very hard this is to pluck out the right eye one saith a man hath not so much to do in over-coming men and Divels as in overcoming himself Fortior est qui se quam qui fortissima vincit Maenia Self is the Idol and how hard is it to sacrifice this Idol and to turn self-seeking into self-denial but though it be difficult it is essentially necessary to suffering a Christian must first lay down self before he can take up the Cross Alas how far are they then from suffering that cannot deny themselves in the least things in their dyet or apparel who instead of martyring the flesh pamper the flesh instead of taking up the Cross take up their Cups is this self-denial to let loose the reins to the flesh 't is sure they who cannot deny themselves if sufferings come they will deny Christ Oh Christians as ever you would be able to carry Christs Cross begin to deny your selves consider 1. Whatever you deny for Christ you shall finde again in Christ Matth. 19.29 Every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my Names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Here is a very saving bargain is it not gain enough to have ten in the hundred nay above an hundred for one 2. 'T is but equity that you should deny your selves for Christ did not Jesus Christ deny himself for you he denied his joy he left his fathers bosome he denied his honour he endured the shame Hebr. 12.2 He denied his life he poured out his blood as a sacrifice upon the Altaâ— of the Cross Col. 1.20 Did Christ deny himself for you and will not you deny your selves for him 3. Self-denial is the highest sign of a thorow-paced Christian hypocrites may have great knowledge and make large profession but it is only the true-hearted Saint that can deny himself for Christ I have read of an holy man who was once tempted by Satan to whom Satan said Why takest thou all this pains Thou watchest an â—astest and abstainest from sin O man what dost thou more than I Art thou no Drunkard no Adulterer no more am I. Dost thou watch let me tell thee I never slept Dost thou fast I never eat What dost thou more than I Why saith the good man I will tell thee Satan I pray I serve the Lord nay more then all I deny my self nay then saith Satan thou goest beyond me for I exalt my self and so vanished Self-denial is the best touch-stone of sincerity by this you go beyond hypocrites 4. To deny your selves is but what others have done before you Moses was a self-denier he denied the honours and profits of the Court Hebr. 11.25 Abraham denied his own Country at Gods call Hebr. 11.8 Marcus Arethusus who lived in the time of Julian the Emperour endured great torments for Religion if he would but have given an half-penny towards the rebuilding of the Idols Temple he might have been released but he would not do it though the giving of an half-penny might have saved his life here was a self-denying Saint 5. There is a time shortly coming that if you do not deny the world for Christ the world will deny you the world now denies satisfaction and ere long it will deny house-room it will not suffer you so much as to breath in it it will turn you out of possession and which is worse not only the world will deny you but Christ will deny you Matth. 10.33 Whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven 7. Get suffering graces these three in particular 1. Faith 2. Love 3. Patience 1. Suffering grace is faith Ephes 6.16 Above all taking the shield of faith the pretence of faith is one thing the use of faith another the hypocrite makes faith a cloak the Martyr makes it a shield a shield is useful in time of danger it defends the head it guards the vitals such a shield is faith faith is a furnace-grace 1 Pet. 1.7 Though it be tryed with fire it is found unto praise and honour Faith like Hercules club beats down all oppositions by faith we resist the Divel 1 Pet. 5.9 By faith we resist unto blood Hebr. 11.34 Faith is a victorious grace the Believer will make Christs crown flourish though it be in his own
saying of one I am not afraid to dye but to be damned * Mori nen metuo damnari metuo But here 's a believers comfort the fire of Gods wrath can never kindle upon him grace is Gods own image stamp'd on the soul and he will not destroy his own image xerxes the Persian when he destroyed all the Temples in Greece he caused the Temple of Diana to be preserved for its beautiful structure that soul which hath the beauty of holiness shining in it shall be preserved for the glory of the structure God will not suffer his own Temple to be demolished Would you be secured in evil times get grace and fortifie this Garrison a good conscience is a Christians Fort-Royal Murus Aheneus esto Nil conscire sibi Davids enemies lay round about him yet saith he I laid me down and slept Psal 3.5 A good conscience can sleep in the mouth of a Cannon grace is a Christian Coat of Male which fears not the Arrow or Bullet True grace may be shot at but can never be shot thorow grace puts the soul into Christ and there it is safe as the Bee in the Hive as the Dove in the Ark. Rom. 8.1 There 's no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus 10. Grace hath an heart-establishing excellency Hebr. Excellency 10 13.9 It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace Before the infusion of grace the heart is like a Ship without a Ballast it wavers and tosseth being ready to overturn therefore a man void of grace is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a double-minded man Jam. 1.8 He acts for and against as if he had two souls he is unresolved to day of one minde to morrow of another to day he will hear a Preacher that is Orthodox to morrow one that is Heterodox he will be as the Times are and change his Religion as fast as the Camelion his colour Hearts unsanctified will be unsetled they will face about to the rising side they will follow not what is best but what is safest they are for that Religion not which hath the Word to guide it but the sword to back it this Seneca calls a minde that rolls up and down * Nusquam residentis animi volutatio Seneca and settles nowhere But grace doth consolidate and fix the heart Psal 57.7 My heart is fixed O God Hypocrites are like Meteors in the Aire David was a fixed star grace keeps the heart upright and the more sincere the more stedfast grace carries the heart to God as the center and there it rests Psal 116. Psal 7. A gracious heart cleaves to God and let whatever changes come the soul is setled as a Ship at Anchor 11. Grace hath a preparatory excellency in it it prepares Excellency 11 and fits for glory Glory is the highest peg of our felicity it transcends all our thoughts glory can have no Hyperbole * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Now grace tunes and fits the soul for glory 2 Pet. 1.3 Who hath called us to glory and vertue Vertue leads to glory First you cleanse the Vessel and then poure in the wine God doth first cleanse us by his grace and then poure in the wine of glory the silver link of grace draws the golden link of glory after it Indeed grace differs little from glory grace is glory in the bud and glory is grace in the flower In short glory is nothing else but grace commencing and taking its degrees Excellency 12 12. Grace hath anabiding excellency temporal things are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a season but grace hath eternity stamped upon it it is called durable riches Prov. 8.18 Other riches take wings and flie from us grace takes wings and flies with us to heaven Some tell us of falling away from grace I grant seeming grace may be lost a blazing Comet will spend and evaporate nay saving grace may fail in the degree it may suffer an eclipse it may lose all its sweet fruit of joy and peace but still there is sap in the Vine and the seed of God remains 1 John 3.4 Grace is a blossom of eternity * Grotia concutitur non excutitur Aug. it is called unctio manens 1 John 2.27 The anointing that abides colours laid in oyle are durable those hearts which are laid in oyle and have the anointing of God hold their colours and endure for ever Grace is compared to a river of the water of life John 7.38 This River can never he dried up for the Spirit of God is the spring that seeds it Grace is not like a Lease which soon expires so the Pelagians would make it to day a believer to morrow an unbeliever to day justified to morrow unjustified this would be like a Lease soon run out but God settles grace on the Saints as an inheritance and he will see that the entail shall never be cut off He who hath true grace can no more fall away than the Angels which are fixed stars in their heavenly orbs The Arguments to prove the perpetuation of grace are 1. Gods Election this I ground upon Rom. 8.29 30. Whom he did fore-know he also did predestinate Predestination is the grand cause of the Saints preservation God chooseth as well to salvation as to saith 2 Thes 2.13 What shall make Gods Election void 2. The Power of God 1 Pet. 1.5 We are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation I deny not but grace in it self may perish our grace is no better coyne than Adams but grace in Gods keeping cannot the Saints graces of themselves may break as glasses but these glasses in the hand of God shall never break 3. Gods Solemn Engagement the Lord hath passed it under hand and seal he hath given bond for the Saints perseverance Jer. 32 40. I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them and they shall not depart from me A believers Charter is confirmed under the broad Seal of heaven and if grace doth not endure to eternity it is either because God wants power to make good what he hath decreed or truth to make good what he hath promised either of which to assert were blasphemy Besides all this Jesus Christ our blessed High Priest who hath the golden plate on his fore-head appears in the Court and as he poured out blood on the Cross so he poures forth prayers in heaven for the Saints perseverance Hebr. 7.25 He ever liveth to make intercession for them And Christ is not only a Priest but a Son therefore likely to prevail and which puts the matter out of doubt what Christ prays for as he is man he hath power to give as he is God John 17.24 Father I will Father there he prays as man I will there he gives as God So that grace is an abiding thing Christians you may lose your friends your estates your lives but you shall never lose your grace Those who hold