Gentile World were not able to suppress though they did try with their utmost skill and might Which had no aid from the World yet obtained the victory over it Which still increased though who entertained it got nothing at present but cruel Mockings and Scourgings Moreover Bonds and Imprisonments nay further the most horrid and Tormenting Deaths that was possible for Flesh and Blood to suffer yet through Faith hereof endured them all with more Constancy and Resolution then was ever seen in the Mightiest Men of Valour If these and several other Arguments were duly considered and weighed it would be the greatest wonder that for all these any yet should not believe So more then abundantly hath God provided for Mankind to bring Mark. 6. 6. them to Heaven and Happiness But as if all this were nothing worth Men will not know or not believe what he hath told unto them otherwise they would be never so regardless thereof When they reverence their Land-lord but do not mind the great Lord of Heaven and Earth When they earnestly court the favour of a Mortal Man and think themselves never sufficiently diligent in getting Money but are not careful after those things above Do they verily believe God is and that he is a Rewarder of them who diligently seek him When they like Beasts are only for the present things before them but negligent of what shall be hereafter and never cast an eye towards the things that are not seen certainly these do not live by Faith Whose understanding is waxed gross that can conceive of nothing but what may be felt or seen Who can relish nothing but what goes between the Teeth these do not live the common lives of Men being led by sence and not reason It is an amazing thing to consider of the stupidity and dulness of those of lower degree as concerning their Spiritual State and Condition 'T is not so much down right Atheism and Unbelief but a dead Faith which is in them It is not equal to that of Devils for they believe and tremble but this hath no such effect upon them They fancy there may be such a thing as Heaven they are not suâ—e to the contrary They look upon it as a place of reserve where they would be when they can no longer abide in the World it is appointed for the poor and needy so it will receive them whether they take any care or no. Such thoughts as these may enter into their minds for notwithstanding they may still go on in their course But were they really perswaded there are two places for all to go into after this life Heaven and Hell And how it is set down in Scripture what is to be done to obtain entrance into the one and avoid the other Did they really think what an happiness the one is much greater then Riches and all Pleasures in this World and the other to be a worse Torment then any Pain or Sickness now is they would as willingly go to Church and be as devout to set them forward in the way to Heaven as now they go to Fairs and Markets and are intent upon their Business to get some small gain On the other hand they would take as much care to flee from the Wrath to come as now they do to keep themselves in health and prevent the beginnings of a bodily Distemper They would labour as earnestly for the exceeding great reward God hath prepared for them that keep his Commandments as now they do for a little Money from another Man. They would act in the very same manner to obtain the things pertaining to his Kingdom as now they do for the things of the Earth It is the property of Faith to make things which are not seen to be as if they were seen and though were they both of the same value it could not be expected we should so willingly run after what we have never seen as after that which is most certain and our Eyes see Yet there being such an exceeding odds and worth in the things that are to be believed over the things that are now seen this turns the Scales and make them hang even yea and weigh down the things of Sense If we have the full assurance of Faith that upon doing such things we shall receive an everlasting 1 John 5. 4. Kingdom we should no more grudge to do them then we do now a days work upon anothers Promise of so much for our Pains We may as reasonably trust for what he hath promised as we do the Word of a sinful Man when we Labour for him And there being such a vast difference between what the Almighty will vouchsafe to bestow upon us worthy of God to give and as much as a Creature can receive over what we can impart to another then surely there is as much reason I say infinitely more why we should serve God as do the like for another Would we be as diligent to be made Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1. 6. as now we are to be Servants unto great Men endeavour as much to get an eternal Crown of Glory as now for those Corruptible things of Gold and Silver Labour as earnestly after the great things of Eternity as is now done for the little things of Time we should certainly come to possess them Neither can the World condemn us of Folly for we Act according to the same measure as themselves who are accounted Wise in their Generation If we do indeed settle it in our Hearts that these things are we should be as careful and industrious to have them as others are of the things here and if so our Labour would not be in vain But what a faithless and stubborn Generation are we fallen into A Generation that will not believe or will not set their Heart to obtain them A Company of Infidels and Fools for so are all those who do not walk in the way to the New Jerusalem If you will not consider you must perish in your Folly. Look and bethink your selves you are Men Stand upon your Feet and shake off that drowsie and benum'd Disposition Be throughly rouzed out of Negligence and Sottishness Come to thy self and hear what shall be said unto thee The Lord made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Prov. 16. 4. He will be glorified in all his Works and thou also being the work of his hands art not to think thy self unconcerned or nothing related to that God with whom we have all to do If thou wilt have nothing to do with him he will have to do with thee Thou art his Creature and he will deal so with thee as the rest of mankind according to their deservings Thou must be either a Partaker of his Mercy or Wrath There is mercy O Lord with thee that thou mayest be feared And his Wrath is likewise revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men Rom. 1.
the Divine Nature take more delight in the things of God then others do in the things of the World. Who by continuance in well-doing have a Blessed Habit thereof so it is become familiar and pleasing as any other Course of Life Their love preserves them from committing of evil and though this being hot at first did cool again yet they have used all means to renew it To keep the Fire upon the Altar always burning Lev. 6. 3. If the flame do not continue so brisk as at first kindling yet they have taken all imaginable Care that it shall never go out It cannot be expected one should be continually ravisht with a pleasant Countrey as at first sight thereof the longer we live and only behold the Works of Creation it takes away that just Wonder and Astonishment And so it is of the invisible things of God we are not always so transported as at first hearing of them when they were New and exceeding Great they are the very same still but the defect is in our selves our Ears are dull of hearing and remain unconcerned There may be a Gracious and Wise disposal in this that ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. These youthly fervourâ— of Spirit that joy because of the sudden Alteration that taste of precious things that lively Faith in what is unutterable how much did they exceed the little Vanities of the natural State And when all these do flag and become less affecting even to the end of our Lives it may be a short Emblem given us to signifie that when we shall be let into the Enjoyment and Possession they will be infinitely more surprising And we shall be amazed within our selves how it came to pass we should have the less Sense the nearer we did approach to them They will be found to be so much beyond then was possible to enter into the Heart to conceive of them I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee Wherefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes Job 42. 5 6. Which then was so great that there wants a word to set it forth and this should be fully assented to as true yet to lessen the inward Estimation thereof the nearer we draw to be more unmindful careless and negligent must be a condemning thought to the Souls in Heaven that ever they should come tâ—ither with Faintness and Weariness of mind that their steps should well nigh slip or think of going backwards By which perhaps they have lost such Degrees of Glory and a greater reward They will be vexed that they did not more whilst here in the World. But it will be inexpressible Anguish to all Apostates who forsake their first love A Lesson of instruction to us now in the way things are so ordered to see if we will do what the Prophet complains for want of There is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of God Isa 64. 7. Which is to be done by constant frequenting the Ordinances hearing the Word Prayer and Sacrament Holy Meditation edifying Discourse Watchful avoiding the occasions of evil and other hindrances And also doing good Works In all things put forth the utmost Strength and Vigour get that Chain of Graces 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. And if these things be in you and abound there is great Emphasis in that word full measure and running over they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength They shall mount up with Wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint Isa 40. 31. They must continue in all means of Grace and Duty even from the Child to the Ancient of days as long as they are in this Earth for this is the place of Faith and Waiting otherwise this blessed Promise doth not belong to them All that you have hitherto done signifieth nothing unless you still press forward to the mark of the High Calling in Christ Jesus And ye have hitherto run well what should hinder but that you should obtain You have past over the Corruption through the Giddiness and unruliness of Youth have escaped the Dangers of that shallow violent Age in which so many have split and been carried away with the swift Streams of Lust running down into the dead Sea before ever they considered well where they were going But you are safely arrived into the Mediterranean of this Life and your Voyage now is safe pleasant and easie You will quickly be at the desired Countrey if you do take diligent Care. Behold now is your Salvation nearer then when we dreamed and in a little while it will be before you Wherefore lift up your feeble knees and your hands that hang down use still your utmost endeavours and the great Pilot above will not leave you nor forsake you If you be not wanting to your selves he will not be behind in making good his Promises Go on still as you have begun Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching Heb. 10. 25. The day when the Keepers of the House shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves and the Grinders cease because they Of Old Age. are few and those that look out of the Windows be darkned Eccles 12. 3. This is the fourth and last Period of Mans Life Old Age is Gods Blessing which he bestowed on his Servants before and under the Law as the Fathers before the Flood Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The Spirit of God saith by Solomon My Son forget not my Law but let thine Heart keep my Commandments for length of Daâ—s and long Life and Peace shall they add unto thee Prov. 3. 1 2. But we who are under the Gospel and not Carnal Ordinances must not so much relie on Temporal Promises as the Jews did Yet the Apostle seems to intimate Eph. 6. 2 3. that of long Life exâ—ends to Christians also We are enjoyned Temperance moderate Labour and Action which naturally conduce towards it and on the contrary several come short by the Sins of uncleanness Gluttony Drunkenness Revenge Sloth and such like God doth indeed take away at several Times and Seasons out of the good Pleasure of his Will but still many hasten Dâ—ath unto themselves through their own Sin and Folly. He that taketh heed of those things prolongeth his Life and if it be cut off through any other Sickness or Accident this is his comfort and assurance that it was not through his own Fault The humble Christian never thinks himself sufficiently prepared and therefore desires a long space of Repentance and making ready Nor will he presume to rush forward and boldly meet his God
may Of Angeâ— and â—eal become instrumental of obedience and productive of good When conversant about holy and divine things it is Zeal the nature whereof may be understood from Mark 3. 5. John 2. 17. Psal 69. 9. 119. 139. Acts 18. 25. Mat. 24. 12. Lev. 20. 4. It doth arise from the love of God causing a vexation of mind and indignation at those who dishonour him He is revealed in those several relations of King Father and Master so his Subjects Children and Servants are bound to stand up for his Glory and Honour when any thing is done that seems contrary thereto If this Duty were not mentioned or required in Scripture as it is Tit. 2. 13 14. Rev. 3. 15 16 17. and by many Examples yet manifest reason teacheth it Where is love Num. 25. 11. 13. of God there must be Zeal Which shakes off Negligence and Sluggisâ—ness of Spirit and raises a Joy in doing his Will this holy Fire warms Devotion and utterly banishes all carelessness and contempt in Spiritual Duties The Man is pleased and doth give thanks when he sees God glorified and although there is a grief to behold the contrary Psal 119. 158. Acts 17. 16. Ezek. 9. 4. that will be abundantly rewarded by the Most High he shall not suffer for what others do yet he cannot cease to pray for them to mourn in secret for their sins Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy brother and not suffer sin upon him Lev. 19. 17. Charity and Love obligeth to admonish him to come out of the paths leading unto Death A reasonable Creature cannot justly take this ill yet sometimes Hatred and Reproaches are returned for this best kind of Civility and Friendship however the one hath done his Duty and what the other will one day wish he had hearkened unto the Satisfaction of a good Conscience requites for all evil intreaty in the mean while If they Curse him who stands up for Gods cause he takes it patiently knowing the time will come when the Lord will arise and maintain it himself Those who are the off-scouring and filth of the World the contemptible ones of the Earth yet when God cometh with his Holy Angels the Scene will change and themselves will be the 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. same who think and would make these so now Indeed Zeal doth draw on Reproach Contempt and Evil Sayings and therefore some would not have it be used because of these inconveniences But surely they do not consider or not believe the Promises as particularly Luke 6. 22. Who have made Conscience to serve God in all Duty were in past Generations esteemed Fools simple and ignorant People despised defamed evil intreated under the Law They had tryal of cruel Mockings and Scourges Heb. 11. 36 37 38. Our Lord himself was despised and rejected of Men he was despised and we esteemed him not Isa 53. 3. The like also happened to the first Christians And now we are fallen into those perillous times Where they receive his Name but do not obey his Doctrine make so much outward Profession as to intitle them unto Having a form of Godliness but denying the Power thereof They do not only rest here but according to the Apostles Prophecy which this day is fulfilled They are despisers of those that are good 2 Tim. 3. 3 5. These say they have hopes of going to Heaven but what should they do in the Holy of Holies the pure and sanctified place above who cannot endure what hath a resemblance to it here It is alledged they do not condemn or speak against the good Actions of others but their way of doing they cannot approve of that forward indiscreet zeal it is their own Phrase and making so great Pretences in the Eye of the World for say they Men may be good Christians and yet not seem so outwardly If it were sufficient to be a Christian only within this would take away the Crown from the Martyrs and accuse them of Folly for according to this supposal they might have believed on Christ and have kept their Faith to themselves and so have escaped cruel Torments and Death But this they did not knowing what was written Mat. 10. 32 33. Rom. 10. 9 10. 'T is replyed the Case now is altered We do not live amongst Heathens but in a Christian Countrey it is taken for granted that every one believes Jesus to be the Son of God what need of so much Profession But are we not amongst Infidels in heart Prophane Ungodly Wicked half Christians Who in heart and mouth set themselves against God and Christ as the Gentile World did What mean those bitter Words and Railings Witty Jests and Drolls against those who are careful to serve God in sincerity but to discourage and make them ashamed of so doing This hath been the usual Practise of the World the Prophet doth arm those of his own and succeeding times Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness the People in whose heart is my Law this is a peculiar manner of expressing Gods Sincere and faithful Servants Fear ye not the reproach of men neither be ye afraid of their revilings Isa 51. 7. Our Lord Christ doth severely threaten his Followers if this device of the wicked should take effect upon them Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of the Father with the holy Angels Mark 8. 38. It is said Words indefinitely and therefore extends to his Doctrine and Commandments and so it is not called Jewish or Heathen but the same Character which belongs to our present Age. He is ashamed or afraid of his Religion that will not own it If he shrinks back and would not be thought Godly when he is so secretly this proceeds from Pride and sinful Modesty When the Name of God is blasphemed or taken in vain the way of truth evil spoken of Wickedness commended every one that feareth God is obliged to speak out in Reproof Vindication and Contradiction Zeal was typified by the Fire that shall ever burn upon the Altar it shall never go out Lev. 6. 13. Can that be and yet not seen Is any zealous for God hating Corruption wheâ—ever he sees it who yet doth not appear so to others The same Jesus who hath Commanded to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisâ—es which is Hypocrisie Luke 12. 1. that We do not our Alms before men to pray in secret Mat. 6. hath also said Ye are the Light of the World. A City that is set on an Hill cannot be hid Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your good Works and Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 14 16. If ye are a peculiar People you will be taken notice of if zealous of good Works they will be known If you do not
judgment surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Psal 76. 10. The Condemnation thou inflictest on the wicked shall tend to thy Glory and yet thou shalt curb them that they shall do no more so wickedly Thou hadst rather O God that Man were Righteous but if not thou art not the less glorified Whether he be so or not redounds upon himself If he will be Happy nothing is wanting on Gods part to make him so if he will go in the prescribed way but if not he perishes of himself only I have no Pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 2. and therefore doth not in any wise contribute towards it Whatever be his final Condition through his own doings in the beginning he was made to praise and serve God in this Life be contented in so doing and at last enjoy him that is Blessed for ever this may be the Reason why in all Men who are equally born to this great end there is such an earnest and natural desire after Happiness That this might be the more effectually obtained God hath shewed out of his written Grace and Revelation to all Sorts and Conditions of Men. A plain intimation that as he hath made known his ways unto Isa 2. 3. men so he would have them walk therein As they have Power given them to know so to do As God would the means so Mich. 4. 2. the end all are put in a possibility of the Crown and Reward All the ends of the World shall remember and turn unto the Lord and all the kindreds of the Nations shall worship before thee Psal 22. 27. CHAP. III. OF KINGS The necessity of Government in Order to Preservation and outward Peace Of the Person of Kings wherein it is shewed particularly that all their enjoyments cannot make them Happy but their Happiness is to be had in God only with an Exhortation and Direction thereto I Have said ye are Gods But ye shall die like Men Psal 82. 6 7. You are Partakers of the same Flesh and Blood subject to the same weakness and frailty with the meanest but that Divine stamp of Sovereignty makes the difference There is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God. He is the Minister of God to thee for good he beareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Rom. 13. 1 3 4. Should the King immortal eternal Exercise the Authority by himself we are not now able to endure his glorious Presence We cannot see him and live When he revealed himself upon Mount Sinah and all the People saw the Thunderings and Lightnings and the noise of a Trumpet and the Mountain smoaking and when the People saw it they removed and stood afar off and they said unto Moses speak with us and we will hear but let not God speak with us least we die Exod. 20. 18 19. We walk by Faith and not by Sight 2 Cor. 5. 7. it would be no Tryal of our obedience if he should appear visible upon Earth at whose sight all Nations must tremble God hath ordered it as it is Heaven is â—y Throne and the Earth my Fooâ—stool He commandeth over all And still the Most High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan. 4. 32. He hath sent his Deputies among us Spiritual and Civil whom though he hath been pleased to Honour with his own Title of Gods and Lords yet they are in the likeness of Men. The World cannot subsist without Government for since there are in us the Seeds of all manner of Evil and especially those which are prejudicial to Society Pride Revenge Envy Hatred Malice Oppression Theft Covetousness and such like if these were not restrained by present Punishments for who do not regard God fear these there would be no living amongst Men. We must lurk in Dens and Caves of the Earth to hide and preserve our selves from wrong and injury We are worse then Bears and Wolves Tygers and Serpents for they do not biâ—e and devour those of their own kind whereas Man is ready to do all kind of hurt to his Fellow if none would fall upon himself If there was no Law to bind him then his Strength would be the only Law of Justice The good things of the Earth would not be distributed according to right or deserving but fall a prey to the Sons of Violence There would be no Trade or Commerce for then People would not barter for Commodities but take them by force When the mighty Man hath got them there comes a stronger then he and spoileth him also and a third trys to Master him A gap would be opened to all Rapine and Injustice and none could say that any thing he did possâ—ss was his own Men are as the Fishes of the Sea if they have no Ruler over them Upon the least Provocation or without any for a malicious Hab. 1. 14. mind with seek occasion which may be easily found they would destroy and hurt one another Our lives would be in continual jeopardy of merciless Men. Something we have spoken or done miâ—-construed surmised or falsly accused would render us liable to anothers Strife and Cruelty We are by Nature Children of Wrath of him whose Name in the Hebrew Toâ—gue is Abaddon but in the Greek Tongue hath his Name Apoâ—â—yon Rev. 9. 11. We are rather descendants from Cain then the Cadâ—ean Seed Even now wilful Murther is punished by an acâ—â—â—sed Death yet still it is too often practised among us but if it were reserved only to the future Judgment of God that being at a distance and not believed by reprobate Minds or thinking to come off there by a slight and superficial Repentance in the mean while too many moved by a revengeful or covetous Appetite would no more stick to shed Blood then refuse meat when hungry In Wars where all Laws Justice Reason and Humanity are banished what Bâ—â—chering of one another there is What strange Instruments of Death they have invented being Witty to mutual Destruction They spoil Countreys send the devouring flames into Vaâ—â—eys of Corn that before did Laugh and Sing plunder poor People of their Cattel and Livelihood rush violently into Houses and â—ob of all They kill and slay have used unheard Cruelties towards Women and innocent Children who should have been Objects of Compassion and not of fury The finest Cities are turned into ruinous heaps and laid in Ashes all things are converted into Desolation They insult over poor Captives binding them with Misery and Iron feeding them with Bread and Water of aâ—â—liction What Pity it is that Man who is endued with such rational and excellent Principles and thereby exalted above the rank of Beasts yet should Act such mad things As if they were not otherwise subject to â—iseries enough but they bring
for that also was once to come and we see it hath already been The day of death with us living is to come and though it be so none can be foolish to deny but that will as certainly be as was the day of our Birth All this great business which is cryed up to be so much at a distance is only till then for albeit the perfect consummation of bliss and misery will be after the general Judgment and how it shall be with us immediately after Death there is no plain Revelation yet from John 9. 4. Heb. 9. 27. and alike places it appears As the Tree falls so it lies As Death leaves one so Judgment finds him What therefore doth it signifie if the General Day be afar off when the Day of our particular Death may be next Week to Morrow this very Night God may require our Soul The body remains insensible in the Sleeping-House of the Grave yet it will be awaked from thence by the Trump of the Arch-Angel A Man would not go to sleep very securely if he knew before hand he Mat. 25. 6. should be rouzed by his House burning about his ears and of this we are assured that after our earthly Tabernacle is laid down it riseth up no more till the day of the Lord comes as a Thief in the Night 1 Thes 5. 2. In the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up If we would be safe in that great day we must before we go hence consider and do well that we may be worthy to escape and stand the only strength is innocence Seeing then these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved 2 Pet 3. 10 11 14. We daily approach nearer to morrow then to day and thus continually make towards it Whether we Eat or Drink Sleep or Play our time passeth and whether we think of it or not we are always going to that state in which time shall be no more How soon we may be there we know not but most certainly we shall be there at last Take ye heed Watch and Pray for ye know not when the time is Mark 13. 33. Who will not obey this Commandment but be unmindful go to sleep and take their rest yet their Damnation slumbereth not and if they put the evil day far from them yet still their condemnation lingereth not and that will come do what they can In the days of Sodom they did Marry and were given in Marriage did not at all consider the things which should come upon them nevertheless the Lord rained down Fire and Brimstone What are now become of all those in the Generation with Amos who would put the evil day far from them Yet it is long since come and they could not stave it off Those of the same mind in the time of our Amos 6. Fathers are all gone and their carelesness could not preserve them from the Pit of Destruction They thought the very like what some do now the things of another World were at a great distance and they need not mind them yet they fell in unawares We can no more think their misery less then who wilfully shut their Eyes and drop into a bottomless Gulph whereas if they had kept them open they might have seen and passed by it Like the evil Servant who said in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming Mat. 24. 48. They had time enough and to spare on the Earth therefore they would smite and oppress their Neighbours eat and drink with the drunken But the Lord came in a day when they looked not for him and they are reserved unto his just Judgment if they might rise from the dead again and have another day of grace and for bearance they would be other kind of Men They would take heed and not be surprized on a sudden But the decrees of Almighty God like himself are unchangeable they were told of this before and they might have accepted the good counsel of the Lord Jesus and therefore he is Righteous in his dealings towards Men. Who dyed in their sins have no more place for repentance for he gave them a space to repent and they repented not Rev. 2. 21. But the living may as we are at this day yet not better then our Fathers we must shortly dye in like manner and are to stand or fall to our own Master We shall see another representation of things then is now before us one which openeth into the eternal Countrys either new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 13. Or a Land of Darkness of the shadow of Death a place of Dragons and Scorpions the inhabitation of Sin and Misery Yet a little while and we shall be removed out of this place and then we shall find that the things here spoken of though they may at present seem as idle tales Luke 24. 11. will be real and no fictions Whosoever believeth that God is true and that those things are so which he hath spoken by his holy Prophets Son and Apostles cannot otherwise then be convinced of the certainty of them even now If so nothing can be more effectual to perswade Men futurity will be no more an argument against them then now it is against Mens going a Voyage to a Foreign Country where it is several Months before they can reap any profit The shortness of the time before at least by Death the infallibility of that the exceeding greatness of the concern should take away all other disadvantages If we had but faith as a grain of Mustard-seed we should remove Mountains which now hinder us to behold the Land that is very far off Isa 33. 17. And for all the distance it would more affect us because of its exceeding pleasantness then that our feet now tread on if it doth not it cometh to pass because of unbelief Nevertheless if we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2. 13. He hath provided a rest for his people and to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest but to them that believed not Heb. 3. 18. They shall not only be deprived of that but shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second Death Rev. 21. 8. Which they may as soon avoid by saying they do not believe any such thing as now they may a temporal evil by fancying strongly it shall not come upon them If they could make themselves immortal by having a lively Faith that they shall â—ot die or if they were fast bound to a Stake and a pile of Faggoâ—s kindled close round about and they could be preserved from
is heavy so he may frollick it a little in his younger days then become dull and spend the greatest part of his life void of true cheerfulness and that ended a worâ—e thing may befall him For Psal 104. 15. John 2. 10. Which are commonly alledged in vindication of this sin when it rather argues of more Ingratitude and Disobedience Our Gracious God hath given this good creature for necessary refreshment and honest cheerfulness so there is no waste or disturbance to reason But if Men will not be content with this Liberty and when God hath ordered they shall drink no more after these ends are answered if they will go further to add Drunkenness to Thirst Deut. 29. 19. To force down more after they have well drunk already and have not the least Appetite there is the provocation of this sin Nothing exasperates so much as abused favour and because God hath been good therefore for Men to be more wicked this makes sin to be exceeding sinful He is most displeased with those which are committed against his loving-kindness and therefore because he hath given great liberty to transgress that and to presume upon his being merciful to forgive is a perverse way of reasoning and makes the sin seven times greater To hope that God will forgive give such Malicious and Presumptuous Offenders or Despisers is in effect that he will prove a Liar But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings saith the Lord Jer. 21. 14. Every Mans sin would be pardoned if hopes or wishes alone would induce the Lord to pardon them In truth he is what he hath proclaimed himself The Lord the Lord God Merciful and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth iâ— so he is to be believed what he saith further keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving Iniquity Transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the Guilty Exod 34. 6 7. His mercy is confirmed more then ten times before this of Judgment comes Think not this last hard O ye Transgressors Luke 21. 22. Rom. 3. 5. for whether is meet you should turn away from your â—ins or God should devest himself of justice and Truth rather then punish you for the same Which can he most reasonably expected either your selves must go into Hell or that the Words he hath spoken shall come to naught God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that power belongeth unto God Psal 62. 11. Though hand joyn in hand the wicked shall not be unpunished Prov. 11. 21. Do not think to trifle with him for he is a Righteouâ— Judge and a Father only to those who perform unto him the Obedience of Children As for the other vain Imaginations the Drunkard hath they Antep 288 are grounded upon unbelief or desperate folly He cannot be so senceless to conclude it shall happen to him according to his unbelief that there is no future State only because he thinks so or would have it so and thus make void the fixed decrees of Almighty God with his own weak fancy or fruitless desire If he is unbelieving now and so resolves to continue the first thing that shall convince of the mistake will be his own woful experience but when this shall teach him his condition will be without hope or remedy It would be a more wise way to believe and so avoid then to go with an evil heart of unbelief till death delivers him over where he shall be forced to believe and tremble and afterwards see and suffer But if he hath not quite lost his Faith he must be convinced of a more foolish manner of Acting He abhors and cannot endure his present Life because it is miserable there is the same Reason he should not thrust himself forward into the other for if the Punishment of Sin is now so grievous that Men would do any thing to be rid of it what will it be hereafter when Jer. 12. 5. God shall stretch forth his Arm to take full Vengeance on the Workers of iniquity These had better take warning God hath given them a space to repent of their Drunkenness Be sure to comply with his gracious purpose make their Peace with him lengthen out their time by all lawful means to prepare the more for the Bridegroom 's coming But if they will go on in their own former way they shall Taste and Feel this to be true Their Grapes are Grapes of Gall their Clusters are bitter Their wine is the Poison of Dragons and the cruel Venom of Asps Deut. 32. 32 33. What hath possessed the minds of Men to be so in love with this Evil All are not for Turks and Iâ—fidels are not so guilty thereof as the Christian World. A Company of People who profess to believe the Scriptures in which are contained severe Threatnings against this Sin yet they most of all do commit it The Laws and Prescriptions of Heathen Deities and false Prophets throughout the World are observed but here in Christendom Men do not obey the Commandments of the Lord and his Christ The words of Jonadab the Son of Rechab that he commanded his Sons not to drink Wine are performed Jer. 35. 14. But our bountiful Lord hath permitted the good use thereof with this charge Be ye not drunk with Wine wherein is excess Eph. 5. 18. Yet Men have transgressed his Voice wherefore the Râ—chabites may be their Judges and it will be more tolerable in the day of Judgment for Mahometans and Idolaters then for this sottish Generation â—O foolish People who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the Truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently-set forth crucâ—fied among you Gal. 3. 1. All of you hear him Preached and some have drunk of the Cup of the Lord yet you resort again to the Cup of Devils by Drinking after such an excessive manner as they of old did in Sacrificing to Evil Spirits which also now chiefly gratifies them who prompt to sin and disobedience If we did allow for the Temptations of Drink and Company yet the loss of Gods Favour Peace of Mind and health of Body will not be sufficiently recompenced with that pretended converiency Look not only upon the good colour of the Liquor nor hearken to the Merriment of Companions when they are at it but consider the enâ— Think upon the whole life and way of those jolly Persons and then tell me whether drunkâ—â—â—ess is not pâ—â—judicial to Mans Happâ—ness But couldst thou â—eep into the Chambers of Death as that may be done by Faith and see those poor Souls who were once Drinking and making Merry on the Earth the Pit hath shut her Mouth upon them and now they are full of Anguish and Indignation for their former Folly There remains still the like Threatning to the Drunkards of England the Drunkards of England shall be troden under Feet Isa 28. 3. For the Judgment of God is the same against all Nations Times and People who
principal and whole place in Man nothing to be preferred before him and all things to be done in subserviency to his Obedience That which was given to Minister must not set up for Rule What he only allowed for Necessaries and Conveniences that he might be served in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of our Life is not to come in for the main end nor be made an occasion to provoke him by iniquity and disobedience How unreasonable is it that a little yellow or white Dust should be preferred before God who made Heaven and all things therein They are accursed who worship the Sun Moon and Stars which declare his Glory but are not to deprive him of the least degree of his own much less may the small things here below God made us preserveth us gives whatsoever we enjoy and hath provided an eternal Happiness hereafter if we do not by such gross Demerits as esteeming every little thing before him which sets forth the infinite Aggravation of Sin forfeit our Right we have to his free and gracious Promises If we might â—ender to all their due that just Esteem they deserve and no more Now of God are all things and therefore to him belong all Love Fear Honour Praise Obedience and whatsoever we can do to express our utmost Acknowledgment and Worship of his Divine Majesty Let us do as much as we can to acknowledge His Dominion and Property and our own Subjection and Dependance Let us have an exceeding high Opinion of whatever appertains to him and then we should have but a very little Opinion of all that is here in Comparison of the Great things of God. Even in this wicked partial and idolatrous World Dung is never preferred before Crowns and Scepters And if the Eyes of our understanding were enlightened and we did lift them up to the everlasting Hills we might apprehend such unutterable things there that we should no more esteem of the most magnified things of this World then now we do the Stones and Earth we walk upon But all Men have not Faith who look upon this as meer Dreams and fine Fancies Indeed few speak out so but many think thus in their minds and therefore are for being sure of something letting alone these glorious Imaginations for such who believe them It is said there is one Nerve more in the Eye of Man then in Brutes by which he is enabled to lift it up If this be not lost for want of use look upwards in a clear Night ye earthly minded Observe the Firmament bespangled with Stars and do ye not really guess there may be above them some greater Excellency then Gold and Silver which Canker and Rust Seek him that maketh the seven Stars and Orion Amos 5. 8. whose is the World and the fulness thereof Psal 50. 12. and you must conclude he hath greater things in his disposal then what we now see or handle Be not so rash and foolish to perswade your selves there are no such things because you do not believe them for in your Opinion it would be an odd kind of reasoning that there was no such things as Riches because Beasts know them not And it is alike absurdity to deny those true Riches our Saviour speaks of Luke 16. 11. only for that covetous Worldings will not know nor believe them If they will not they shall lose their part in them and that will occasion greater trouble then now it is to miss a good Bargain or Purchase 'T is perverse Humour and Opposition to the Truth that any are unbelieving for would they but impartially examine those Evidences of Faith we have they must fully assent But this wicked and stubborn World is afraid the Gospel should be true and therefore will not look upon its Pillars and Grounds of Truth least they should be found too strong and then such must not continue in Transgression They are willing to grasp and hold fast what they have and they take effectual Care not to attend to any thing how true soever which may perswade to the contrary O profound Policy and Wisdom To refuse to be Happy here and hereafter because by coveting after Riches they will pierce themselves through with many Sorrows and wilfully subject themselves unto temporal and eternal Misery only to hug themselves a little with ill gotten abundance What unheard of Folly is this There being set before the Sons of Men good and evil they will lose the one and incur the other by considering of neither before-hand Good God! That Men should set at naught the most inestimable thing in the World and yet blindly run upon accursed Misery Reason it self would tell them that there is no harm to seek after the greatest Good and if it be grievous to think of the Evil so they cannot endure that how much more to suffer it And they had better think thereof and so escape then as now they do shut it out of their Minds and thus unavoidably run into it This may be applied to all manner of unbelief Ignorance and Sin but Covetousness hath a mixture of all for otherwise a Man would not renounce his part in the Portion of Israel for thousands of Gold and Silver Were he perswaded he hath a Soul and of its due worth he would not lose it to gain the whole World when now he doth to get a less part thereof then the point of a Pin is to an Acre of Ground Covetousness doth strangely fasten the affections to the Earth and takes them quite off from Heaven The mind is daubed over with thick Clay that it conceives not Spiritually and so intent upon things Temporal that he regards not the things Eternal And thus comes in him an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Nevertheless let him still know he is bound to obey the Commandments If one hath never taken the Oath of Allegiance yet he is obliged to keep the Kings Laws if he doth not he shall be punished accordingly So likewise if one was never Baptized nor enters into Covenant with God yet still he lives under his Laws Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward Heb. 2. 2. He is Lord over all the Great King of all the Earth and requires subjection from every Creature those his Enemies which would not have him reign over them he will send forth his Armies and destroy them Who will not mind Scripture his revealed Law are at this present transgressours against the same and shall at the last day be condemned by it For the iniquity of his Covetousness was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went frowardly in the way of his heart Isa 57. 17. The iniquity of Covetousâ—ess consists in getting by evil and sinful Col. 3. 5 6. means as Falshood or Wrong so it is a complicated sin of inordinate Affection and Disobedience Another kind of Covetousness is gathered from 2 Cor. 9. 5. Which hinders from
deliberation all Men are Lyars With him my Soul is contented to embarque for the Land of Eternity upon this perswasion and confidence God must be good and true He hath made known his Will concerning us Men by him that is the true and Faithful Witness who hath done it accordingly God hath appointed a day in the which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead Acts 17. 31. By Christs Resurrection the Apostle spends a whole Chapter 1 Cor 15. To prove the necessity of ours And in other places of Scripture are such convincing Arguments which are able to beget in us a lively Faith as is equal to knowledge and demonstration in other matters which we cannot so properly have of any thing that is unseen and future as this Article of Faith is Now my days are swifter then a Post they flee away they see no good Job 9. 25. It is evident they do roul over our heads we have no true and lasting Happiness but what is in expectation of that to come nothing we do signifies but which tends to that We cannot well think that God who made this lower part of the World for our use hath pâ—t all things under our feet Psal 8. 6. Whose works are manifold and in Wisdom hath made them all Should make us to serve to no purpose that we should not have also our proper end and we have no end at all unless it is to glorifie our Maker We have no work to do unless it is that he hath revealed for us here to do Is it to shine in Pomp or wear fine Clothes In all our Glory we are not arrayed as the Lilies of the Field Is it to shew our care by provision before hand for Earthly things The Ants and Bees do the same only we are found more unreasonable they lay up only for the Winter time but we who know our selves Mortal covet as if we were to abide here for ever Is it meerly to sport and play The Leviathan takes his Pastime in the deep Is it only to keep company There are some sorts of Birds and Beasts that continually flock and herd together still this is not all God made Man for himself hath endued him with Powers which rise higher then any of these ends To know and serve him here in order to more fully praise and enjoy him hereafter He hath provided other kind of things for us then we now see or have Every one that is not Brutish in his Imagination doth find in himself Expectations after that which this World cannot give something that points out beyond the compass of the Earth and the Deep saith it is not in me The good and allwiseCreator will not couzen or beguile him with that which is not will not always feed him with bare longings or false hopes No doubt but if Man will believe and have patience for a little while he shall have his full satisfaction These things are superfluous to Mention buâ— there are many unbelievers in these latter days who by sayings and caâ—eâ—ess actions cause the Faith of some to stumble Others have taken up Christianity as a thing of course and outward custom of the World they know nothing more in it I have heard it Talked and Whispered as if dead and gone there is an end and no more It was needful to say somewhat that these might in due time have perfect knowledge of another World before they are actually entred into it for otherwise it is sad and lamentable And also that those who have some belief and not bare profession might be under a more lively sence thereof for this very much helps to ordering the conversation aright Nay who have all faith and come to the greatest degree that usually Men arrive unto yet these have need still to seek out further establishment and confirmation thereof God having reserved that in Heaven and it being not so agreeable to a state of Tryal is pleased not to give unto any of us absolute perfection in Spiritual Graces or natural accomplishments Who hath received a faith which cannot be shaken at least in some of its Branches It doth lie upon us all to make it as sure as ever we can by the means given that it may help in time of need When we come near to Death that is such a time the greatest Temptation with whichSatan doth at last assail us is commonly to unbelief taking advantage over bodily weakness and drooping So that he who is wise will endeavour to lay up in store against that time and also it is necessary in the midst of life then indeed it may be accompanied with little doubts but at last with desperate plangings It is requiâ—te to do all things to believe yea and stedfastly to believe No Man can be too well assured of the Truth of Scripture and which is included in them a life to come Let him endeavour still to be more and more for then he may securely triumph over the last Enemy Death look it in the face and yet not be dismayed His business is when he believes the Scriptures to be most certainly true to act accordingly and then he is safe When he can apply those promises to himself in Truth and without deceit he is as sure as iâ—possible for any to be on this side of Heaven Saith Christ Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise Man which built his House upon a Rock and the rain descended and the flood came and the Winds blew and beat upon that House and it fell not for it was founded upon a Rock Mat. 7. 24 25. This he applyed to his whole Sermon on the Mount Who doth observe that particularly what is said Mat. 5. 19 20 29 Mat. 7. 21. Shall have this commendation in the mean while and shall at last find it to be true to his endless comfort But there is a deceit amongst Christians who think if they can apply one single Beatitude to themselves they are well enough Indeed if they are so not because natural disposition is more inclined to such a Grace but purely out of obedience to Christ and no other reason the blessing may be theirs And if they were so alone out of that Principle the very same would oblige them to other things also He that is careful to approve his Obedience sincerely unto God will do it in all things he requires as well as such a particular instance If he is acted by love and subjection unto him he will do a thing at his command contrary to natural inclination or fleshly interest In all the Law given us there is no exception left to the natural humours and desires of Men those are to be contradicted and brought into Obedience If some are more prone to this sin and again some to another kind their forbearance and
that manner God doth not cast him off in the time of Age nor forsake him when his strength faileth Psal 71. 9. So neither will he be unmindful of his God at that time He can pray servently hear and think of him with the greatest quietness and Confort Concerning his Soul he hath well grounded hope and assurance But there will be a little aukwardness in parting The Spirit is willing the Flesh is weak This will shrink to be dissolved and when being united to the Soul it considers of seeing Corruption to be covered with Dirt and lye mouldring there here is a little trembling and unpleasantness But give me leave to put you in mind and this is for the Comfort of good and bad their Body being the same not to be troubled about this thing for there is no such dreadfulness in it as we imagine The Soul only is the Man and the Body is but a Lump of Clay when that is gone out the other is no more to us then now any common piece of Earth or Stone One that hath a Leg or Arm cut off is not much concerned what becomes of that if a Beast devour it or burnt with Fire or is buried under ground he indeed misses the use thereof â—ut feels not whatever Alterations it run through It is the same as drops of Blood or Spittle fallen to the Earth he minds it not Our own Corps will be no more to us when dead then that of another to us whilst living The Soul makes the difference for though there be several sorts of Complexion Stature and such other Accidents yet there is no more between Bodies then of one piece of Clay from another I must shortly put off this Tabernacle 2 Pet. 1. 14. so 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2 3 4 5 6. It is Leaving of an House for a time which we do not mind longer then we are in let it fall or sink afterwards we shall not feel that The Soul is carried into Abrahams Bosom Luke 16. 22. and is not concerned for the Mantle 2 Kings 2. 13. that fell from her for it shall be put on again and made Glorious according to Phil. 3. 21. But here Faith may begin to fail If the Soul be immortal of such transcendent Excellency and distinct substance from the Body How comes it to pass that she Sickens Droops and seems to dye with the Body Nay our dissolution doth seem as a loosening of the Contexture of parts when the Spirits of Life shall cease and are turned out of Order The Wheels are spoyled or taken away and so the Motion is stopped In the Death of every one there is some natural and visible Cause so it is doubtful whether there is such great Matter in it as we are told of I desire the Reader in this and other places not to conclude any thing unanswerable because here he doth not see a clear Answer unto it for if I cannot another may and if he should not still it is unjust that the Truth of Divine Revelation should stand or fall by the weakness of a Man. Faith relies upon that and not upon Humane reasoning however this may seem to make more probable the things we believe yet they cannot be made so very certain as to take off all manner of doubt There is something left to exercise the Faith of Gods Servants for if it was evident with open Face and past Question What reward hath it Immortality is plainly declared in the Scriptures whereon the Promises of the Gospel are founded We have the Testimony of God and his Son Jesus Christ for it and it is the Excellency of our Faith to cleave unto that notwithstanding all the objections of Flesh and Blood to the contrary I know whom have believed and he that made me at first out of nothing can raise me again out of Dust and Ashes he that breathed into me the breath of Life can preserve it when it is gone forth it is easie for the Spirit to return to him that gave it God works in a natural and ordinary way as he first endued the Body with Life and Motion fashioning and uniting all its Parts so he qualifies it for such a long continuance With the greatest Humility and Reverence by judging according to what is revealed and that Reason himself hath been pleased to give I conceive That as in common Works the Artificer doth frame a Motion to last so long It may be supposed the Maker of all things doth the same as Man doth to whom he hath given that knowledge After the Springs and Wheels are set a going it will move for the determinate time of it self and will not cease unless by the hindrance of some Accident In God we live and move and have our being Acts 17 28. It was he alone that gave all this to us and even now holds our Souls in Life At last he doth take away our breath and we die yet he doth it always by some natural Cause He might do it by meer Substraction of our Breath but when he is pleased to bring any to an untimely end he either sends Plague Sâ—ckness Sword Famine or suffers to fall under such a Casualty as are many Examples in Scripture Men cry out still upon second Causes but yet they might look up unto him who holds the first link in his hand of this great Chain of Things who saith to this Disease Go and cut down such a Man or else shake him Who hath the disposal and ordering of every Accident who can withdraw his Protection and let such an Evil destroy us Seeing his days are determined the number of his Months is with thee thou hast appointed his bounds which he cannot pass Job 14. 5. Even Reason it self doth manifest thus much for a Candle always burning if it be not blown out or wasted sooner will last but such a time The Vital Spirits continue only so long if no Accident or Distemper come between And therefore the Psal 55. 23. rule is certain none goes beyond but many come short of their appointed time to prevent which every one is in Duty bound to use means and all good Care. Life consists in the Union of the Soul and Body they are so near and interwoven that whatsoever happens to the one the other hath a touch and feeling thereof So it is in time of Health much more in Sickness the one is sensible of the Pain and Languishing of the other But it can be in no wise concluded that because she Sympathises therefore she doth die with the Body The Spirit is the Light of the Body it may waft up and down a little before its Separation but is not to be seen Who knoweth the Spirit of Man that goeth upward Eccles 3. 21. And where the Wise Man saith Ver. 19. That which befalleth the Sons of Men befalleth Beasts even one thing befalleth them as one dieth so dieth the other He speaks according to common appearance as one
Field or in the Streets in the lower parts of our House or our Closet or upon a Sick-bed we may go hence securely though upon the last we may glorifie God shew our Faith and Sincerity Comfort and exhort By-standers manifest to this unbelieving Generation the truth and reality of Religion that it can free from the Fear of what hath been called the most terrible of Terribles The Sayings of Philosophers and Wise Heathens will make a fine jingling and noise they will sound magnificently or delight somewhat whilst Reading but even then it may be observed they do not afford sufficient Strength and Comfort against it but when it approaches nigh none at all Men may a little please themselves with a Sentence or two whilst they live but still it may be otherwise it doth not satisfie but when they come to die all those brave Words vanish and signifie nothing Nay all the Discourses of meer Reason wiâ—l not avail as to this thing for let there be never so much ingenuity or shew of arguing yet there is a Possibility of mistake and they can never reach to any assurance To Examine that admired Saying of Seneca Death is either an end or a passage if the first never Fear to cease to be for it is the same as not to have begun neither to pass because I shall never be so narrowly confined Sen. Ep 65. As for the first if it is so he argues rightly but not all the Wise Men of past Ages or the present can give certainty that it is so Neither their study and searching nor the ingenuity of some or Carelessness of others at this day can throughly satifie the mind of any considering Man. And so they could not secure the World from Danger for let them say and do what they will it may be otherwise which is as sure as the Scriptures are true But then it must be a passage according to the other supposal From that he Reasons weakly and deceitfully for it would be a poor relief to be out of the Prison of the Body and in more Misery In that it is dreadful because it consigns over to a State of Happiness or Misery What will the Disputer and Wise Man of the World say to this What help can the Philosophers find out against it And let them tell what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon all the Generations of mankind It is no more in our Power and Wisdom to hinder Punishment after Death then it was to hinder our own Being That God who took us out of our Mothers Womb if we are not reconciled unto him in the mean while will raise us up again to sâ—ffer worse things then we have dâ—ne here The sence of this being put into our frame is sufficient to make us afraid and not without cause Saith one It is â—est not to be born or to die very quickly But seeing we are born how can he assâ—re us of that To have but one Tryal for endless Happiness or Misery when all that can be done is little enough to make sure a thing of that importance as laâ—ing hold of the good and avoiding the evil this is not to be done hastily and well If he means to die quickly because we shall be as nothing Produce his strong reasons and all will not amount to a Certainty no nor a Probability The Spirit of God saith contrary It is appointed unto Men once to die but after this the Judgment Heb. 9. 27. He that made them and sent them into this World knows best what shall become of them when they are gone out and of him we have this Revelation Let the Wise and Prudent go away with their fine expressions let Infidels and Fools go on in their Denial and Negligence the Word of God abideth sure that will discover all their Errors and Mistakes A day of determination draweth nigh upon the living as it hath already passed upon many Generations If they were suffered to come from the Dâ—â—d and testifie of these things we should have a vast cloud of Witnesses God is not pleased to permit this and therefore doubts first and then unbelief do spring up in the hearts of Men Neither do any go there whilst living and return There is no intercourse betwixt the two Worlds Things then would be so certain and past doubt that none would serve God for â—ought for the alone hope and expectation of unseen things But people would traffick for Heaven as they do to Jamaica or the Indies and all still for love of themselves not out of any love to the Lord of that Country What a company of Meâ—cenary Souls should we have Then the Church would be flocked unto even upon Weeks days as the Exchange Then Worldly minded Men would become the best Christians those who are all for themselves use Religion only now to serve a turn or for a reserve but if there was such sensible profit such would do most therein and still do nothing only for Gods sake There would be no work of Faith or labour of Love but all selfishness God hath most wisely ordered it as it is that the Trial of Faith might be had that the excellency of Obedience may be seen We must needs die and are as Water spilt upon the ground which cannot be gathered up again 2 Sam. 14. 14. It appears so in our sight but the eye of Faith can reach further to an Immortality and Resurrection Again all things happen alike to all there is no visible and eminent reward to Righteousness or Iniquity this will manifest of what sort our Obedience is If we can deny present ease and pleasure submitting our selves to loss and inconvenience for that which no Man hath seen this is such love and trust in God to which he hath promised a recompence of Reward If we believe his Word speaking of Futurity though we see nothing in a dead Man to give Warrant or Ground for it there is some commendation in this Faith that the Soul which seems nothing but Breath vanished and gone doth yet live That such a clod of Flesh which must first turn into Stench then common undistinguishable Dust that the Bones shall be disjoynted and themselves though somewhat longer become Dust also that these shall become Bones again and there shall be Resurrection as described Ezek. 37. There shall be a shaking and the Bones come together Bone to Bone Sineâ—s and the Flesh came upon them and the Skin covered them which shall be performed in a literal sence at the last day and as they were dissolved so to be raised again though it will be done more suddenly This is something above what is common to believe As Acts. 1. 11. Christians we judge him faithful that hath promised As reasonable Men we can thus deem that he who made the World and our selves of nothing can also restore out of pre-existent matter VVe have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well
power that we may do the things he doth require of us they are made known in Scripture which is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. We are to believe him to be true and then all must be so which is contained in that Book God doth encourage to his service with a Reward so that he who labours to please him acts after the very same manner tho in a much more eminent and greater degree as another who studies to recommend himself to the â—avour of the Kâ—ng or any Superiour The utmost visible greatness is Low and but a shadow of Majesty in comparison of this High and Lofty One dark as to his Brightness and soon passeth away when He inhabiteth Eternity However Religion which is our whole Duty towards God is looked upon as a little contemptible thing laughed at by the Ignorant Scornful and Proud Men yet is as much greater then any Temporal Design or Business as God is greater then Man Heaven then Earth Eternity beyond time a most perfect and everlasting Happiness above the fading imperfect trivial conveniencies here We may as well trust God for the great things to come and labour after them as we do for our daily Food and those little things that are present And though he now gives common Mercies to the unthankful yet they must use some means after them but for the better hope the exceeding great and precious promises of unseen and future things those are only for them who glorifie him here and seek after them Faith makes these things as absolutely true and certain as those now before us Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10. 11. Faith towards God is reckoned among the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6. It being that upon which not only those there recited but whatsoever is said throughout the whole Book of God doth depend Which whosoever believeth stedfastly must necessarily be a Christian not in Name and Profession but in manner of Life or otherwise he will act more unreasonably and foolishly then ever any one yet did as to the things of this World. The Scripture doth contain things to be believed and things to be done The first are comprized in a brief form of sound Words commonly called the Apostles Creed which is believed as it stands upon certain and eviâ—ent places of Scripture and the outward confession of them is necessary to Salvation according to what may be gathered from John 5. 24. Rom. 10. 9. Mat. 16. 16. John 3. 15 16 17 18 36. Luke 6. 47. The great danger in not believing any Scripture is what the Apostle Speaks He that believeth not God hath made him a Lyar 1 John 5. 10. Which is more provoking then living in known Sin and Wickedness But this none that believes other things will dare to do the General Question and debate is what God intended in such a place It is agreed on both sides of the Truth of some sence and meaning but what that is is the rise of controversie and dispute In Paul's Epistles are things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. But since we have had those who were learned and resolute in their way who have done the same to carry on an interest to maintain the grandeur and infallibility of such a Church to espouse and propagate all the errours of such and such parties There hath been horrible pervâ—â—ting and seeking out Evasions not to the establishment but ovâ—rthrow of the Truth The pure and true Word of God hath beâ—â— made use of to defend corruptions and mâ—iâ—tain errour abâ—â—dance of this kind of iniquity will be disclosed at the revelation of all things It is sad to reflect that the only thing necessary in Religion is the only thing neglected how people fly about the skirts and borders not coming into the substance thereof The Church is pulled asunder into this or that parcel of Christians every little difference in Opinion must forthwith make a distinct party they cursing and damning one another It is the greatest part of the Christianity of some to be exclaiming against such a Sâ—ct or Communion so that if our merciful God should proceed according to the Anathemas Excommunications Wishes and Impretions of one against another No flesh would be saved What is the cause of all this stir and madness The VVisdom from above is fiâ—st Pure then Peaceable Gentle and Easie to be intreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie Jam. 3. 17. The Gospel is good and plain made up of simplicity and purity so that is not the occâ—sion thereof But an enemy hath sown these tares of division who works mightily in the hearts of Men to deceive and hath taken this course to hinder the good seed to stiâ—le those practical truths which would bring forth fruit unto everlasting life Men rightly think they must have something to do with the things of God and some falsly think these vain disputations will serve the turn These are speculative not falling upon lust and they hope a zeal for this one way or another it is something for God and therefore shall come in for atonement of other sins And in conclusion tends to that he fain would save himself by condemning others What else makes him so extraordinary zealous for such a way and against such an opinion when himself in the mean while lives in Habitual sin and unrighteousness which is more dangerous to Souls then errours of the understanding if they were really such Here some drive on an interest of their own but who do not are led by such an impulsive cause In those that have set up for Guides and Teachers there hath been Doting about Questions and Strifes of words whereof cometh Envy Strife Railing evil Surmisings perverse disputings of Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth supposing that gain is Godliness 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. This was their end but the silly people were by them told that was most for Salvation which made for their own profit and thus they have came to that height of zeal and giddiness Do they not place more in their petty differences then in the weightier matters of Law Judgment Mercy and love of one another That all this is a meer delusion may be further seen because it quite vanishes when the Man approaches near to Death and apprehends things according to sincerity and Truth How earnestly doth the Apostle express himself against these disputes even at their first beginning Rom. 14. 1. Phil. 2. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 6 7 6. 20 21. 2 Tim. 2. 14 23. But what would he say if he had lived at this day to see so many volumes of controversie to have heard of so many go about as have troubled Christians with words subverting their Souls Acts 15. 24. Shattering if not making to fall the
this shews him where it is My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 72. 26. We know him as yet by Faith and our rejoycing in him is according to the measure of that Whatever good and comfort is in pure and undefiled Religion in an universal and constant complyance with it which is much every way as may be partly seen by what hath been and is to be said but much more would be perceived by him who makes a through experience of it all this comes in by repentance which is the beginning thereof for it forsakes sin and keeps the Commandments This was the first Doctrine John the forerunner and Christ himself Preached Mark. 1. 4 15. And it was also the message in which the Prophets before came Moses speaks very little thereof He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. God gave his people at first severe and strict Commandments without making so full a discovery of Pardon and Forgiveness but then those who became obnoxious to the guilt and judgment of the Law did not know how to escape The Lord who is rich in Mercy did in time reveal it more and more to those who would turn from their evil doing Before the last threatning there goes out another warning and invitation to submit Thus saith the Lord Behold I frame evil against you and devise a device against you return ye now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good and they said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart Jer. 18. 11 12. Strange Stubbornness that Men should be thus provoking to God and act so madly against themselves we see what a mighty force there is in Lust and Pride They sinned yet more in not believing his wonderful offer they incensed him yet more in not being overcome by his goodness but he abounded in this as they did in iniquity confirming the truth of the Prophet Let favour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learn Righteousness Isa 26. 10. All Gods doings are gradual and successive both his Works of Nature and Grace The most inestimable and accomplishment of all Mercies was in the Redemption of the World by our Lord Jesus Christ of this discovery was made to the Fathers by little and little If I may so speak with the greatest reverence and adoration with thanksgiving for such his gracious Methods God shewed himself the most hard Master at first The Law given Gen. 2. 17. was peremptory and penal then he begins Gen. 8. 21. Gen. 9. to release off his severity and then to Moses he proclaims himself Merciful and Gracious long Suffering Exod. 34. 6. But yet did not so fully make known to him the Doctrine of Repentance as he did afterwards to the Prophets Then comes John the Baptist Mat. 3. 2 3. Afterwards He who was bringing into the World so long before and to whom all the Old Testament hath Relation came Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand Repent ye and believe the Gospel Mark 1. 14 15. And now it is established for all persons times and places as appears Luke 24. 46. Man must not presume to sin yet more upon hopes of more Mercy For as Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. So for those who despise and sin wilfully there is a dreadful threatning Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29. God now commandeth all Men every where to repent Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 30 31. The whole Counsel of God is contained in Faith and Repentance compare Acts 20. vers 20 21. with vers 26 27. To believe and to do is the substance of all That is Faith and Repentance puts upon the second Cease to do Evil learn to do VVell It is not only to be sorry for the past or a little displeased for Of Obedience the present but shews it self by Obedience for the future To this the promises belong If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments Mat. 19. 17. said he VVho though he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered And being made perfect he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8 9. The Book of Deuteronomy is wholly on this subject there is scarce one Chapter throughout the Law of Moses the Psalms Prophets Gospel and Epistles but hath somewhat relating to this Every where is line upon line line upon line precept upon precept precept upon precept here a little and there a little and all to this purpose that Man should obey God for he hath an absolute Dominion over us all by Creation Preservation and Redemption Ye shall do my Judgments and keep mine Ordinances to walk therein I am the Lord your God Ye shall therefore keep my Statutes and Judgments which if a Man do he shall live in them I am the Lord Lev. 18. 4 5. So in the Preface to the Ten Commandments I am the Lord thy God and as he was the God of the Israelites by bringing them out of the Land of Aegypt so he is of us Christians by redeeming us from Spiritual Aegypt the Bondage of Satan Sin and Death Even we require Obedience and Service from the Horse and Ox nay from the very same Creatures as our Selves Children Mal. 1. 6. and Servants and they do such things only because we command them and think it no shame or discredit And we may allow our selves to be ten thousand degrees more inferiour to Almighty God then they are unto us neither should we be unwilling or ashamed to do such things purely and principally for his Commandment This is properly Obedience and no other God will accept of When ye fasted and mourned on the fifth and seventh Month did yet at all fast unto me even to me Zech. 7. 5. Observe the patheticalness thereof in that it is twice repeated and this is applicable to all the actions of our life do we this or that thing only 1 Cor. 10. 31. to glorifie God thereby and have we no other motive but in Subordination to that And when ye did eat and when ye did drink did ye not eat and drink for your selves vers 6. Some private ends of your own or moral considerations Do not dissemble for one knows the very secrets of your hearts There is a proud principle nourished by some who are willing to save their Soul and think if such a thing is done
and that is life indeed But whatsoever pertains to this dream to this dream of a Shadow which hath no substance is declining and makes haste and therefore what consults only for the conveniencies of this signify not so much in comparison to the other as a tale that is told is to the greatest affairs It is granted by all that the Bible is the most wise and excellent Book in the World all Christians acknowledge it to be the very Word of God and those who have either studied or taught Holy Things refer all to that Yet here again the subtle Enemy of Mankind hath found out a way even to deceive the Learned and Disputers of the World who pick out every thing that is less material and by their own spinning it out render it unprofitable Who omit the one thing needful and seek after every thing they may turn into nice speculation or vain jangling Every thing of curiosity or doubtful disputation is sifted out to the utmost but the great things that belong to our Peace are not so much made known as they should â—e A wise Man begins from the end and then those important Truths of temporal Peace and eternal Salvation should be perfectly understood and pressed home to the Consideration of the World before those things which float in the Brain and not sink into the Heart which are unless when known and hinder from fighting the good Fight of Faith keeping the Commandments of God and laying hold of eternal Life The Pillar and Ground of Truth seems to shake by those high tottering and needless Superstructions Those School-niceties have made to be thought more incredible the things we believe The Absurdities and Fopperies of Superstition have strangely prejudiced against the very Worship of God. That Controversie and Humour of disputing have called the Fundamental Truths into question it being an easie inference for ignorant Souls to deny that in which the Contenders are not agreed and to conclude all is feigned and false because Additions and Corruptions are so That squabbling about trifles hath very much taken off from the Gravity of Religion and undiscerning People have thence imagined it a light thing An Enemy doth craftily work in the minds of Men but it is their Sin and Folly that when they do already or might know this yet still they are instrumental in carrying on his design That wise Men should be taken in this Snare as it is a sign of his exceeding subtlety so of their inconsideration and want of Prudence for this is another thing then what is commonly called Wisdom When those who should turn many to Righteousness turn aside to vain jangling instead of instructing and exhorting them in the few things to be believed and many things to be done they fill the Head with idle Opinions confound with endless Arguings and not touch upon Practice but in a general and superficial way here is a Stratagem to deceive themselves and those that hear them Besides the word of Truth which doth clearly convince of this mistake they might look into themselves attend unto the frame and desire of their own Soul for that aspires after Happiness and Perfection having a Complacency in those things which tend to it and a dislike of the contrary It gladly receives all Divine and substantial Truths to be nourished up by them and shews an Aversation to what doth not mediately or immediately promote this end As an Evidence of its immortality it earnestly desires after those things which are not to be found here but have Relation to an endless Life She is for knowing those things which are to be known that she may fix upon Rest and blessed Expectation be safe as to the doubtful uncertainty and have strong hopes for better things hereafter Then she is truly pleased when things are done in pursuance to this great end She craves after knowledge and truth as the Stomach after food but in Disputings it is long before attained and then proves hungry and empty Whereas the practical and useful kind is both sutable and satisfies the understanding One may run over many Volumes of Controversie and yet neither be wiser nor better and perhaps he had a more true and clear apprehension of the thing in Dispute then after he sees it so perplexed and obscured The necessary Truths explicitly to be believed are few and plainly revealed and further in all Mysteries a Captivating of Reason unto the Obedience of Faith is more acceptable in the sight of God then curious prying into unsearchable things One may be sooner saved in a general belief and particular Practice then by minutely Contesting about every thing and a general observance of Gods Law which as it is commonly inculcated and used is next to downright Disobedience In Truth all Men are in an imperfect State but then they Act only half way of their imperfection and will not stretch that out as they might Let them wind up to the very top their Principles of Action Would Man use the Powers of Soul according to that degree God hath given and put them forth he could never miss of Happiness If he would lift up his Eyes and see beyond the common end of things think of something that may be after this short time be as desirous of future Happiness and Safety as he is of present Good and Conveniency which slides away then he may do what he shall judge fit to be done If we would put the question to our immortal Soul as we have regard to the Body which fades as a Leaf What will it avail me to teach or study this or that thing when I shall put off this Tabernacle When I must for a while live separate from it and afterwards assume it for evermore If such kind of thoughts were put home to our minds we might come to the same resolution with the Apostle Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord Phil. 3. 8. To fully understand and declare what he hath revealed in the Gospel is a knowledge that passeth knowledge more then all wise Men of this World could discover and extends further then this place which takes in all the Good of this present time which is the utmost of all great and generous Actiâ—ns but then leaves them and reaches forward to Immortality and Glory to infinitely greater things both in degree and Duration then what are admired and eagerly sought after here So that either he must teach what he doth not believe or is a Fool in that he doth not know nor understand if he is ashamed of the Gospel of Christ Or thinks it a lessening which is the highest Honour That publisheth Peace that bringeth good Tidings of Good that publisheth Salvation Isa 52. 7. To acquaint the World what they are so impatiently desirous after where they may find Rest to their Souls How they may live in Hope and comfortable Expectation of that immutable
that Sacrifices and him that Sacrificeth not Even he doth sometimes try and if he finds no present Good of it he leaves off and is confirmed more in ungodliness The steps of the good Man do also well nigh slip He hath Temptations to desist and some little questioning within whether thâ—se things are so for he sees no difference in outward things between him who goeth into the Sanctuary and who doth not A wise Providence ordereth all things in Heaven and Earth yet they go on in thâ— wonted manner Thou that hearest Prayer seemest as if thou heardest it not A thousand kind of thoughts may arise in our minds Whereas it is our infirmity and ignorance of the ways of God It is our Sin and Provocation that makes him so far from us and from hearing the Voice of our Supplication and moves him to have no more to do with us unless his Goodness Condescention and Truth and also some chosen People did preserve his Protection and Care over the Inhabitants of the Earth So foolish was I and ignorant I was as a Beast before thee Psal 73. 22. I did no more understand of the ways of God towards the Children of Men then those dumb Creatures do apprehend his doings Besides original Blindness Sin casts a Cloud over the understanding deprives of the knowledge of the things of God that seeing they may see and yet not perceive and hearing they may hear and not understand have a general understanding but not attain to the Divine Sense of things For what Man knoweth the things of Man save the Spirit of Man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2. 11. Even this which hath been the occasion of so much unbelief and falling away may be clearly understood out of the Scriptures his revealed Will. Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read Isa 34. 16. If Men did according to Duty in their doubts Difficulties and Temptations resort to that this would satisfie but the cunning of Satan keeps them off and they would apprehend the things of God any other way then his Book by which only they are to be known The Foundation of all Religion is Faith The just shall live by his Faith Hab. 2. 4. Whatever he sees and observes abroad he resolves all upon this Principle and sticks firm to that This is the first thing insisted upon and required It is observable though God hath done all things to beget a more full assurance of Faith yet there is nothing so very evident as takes off from all manner of doubt for this would exclude and destroy Faith which is the first Decree and Ordinance of God. And therefore he hides himself Job 23. 8 9. and his doings so far as to exercise that Notwithstanding all the Arguments and Demonstrations that are pretended we must at length resolve it upon that of the Apostle Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the word of God Heb. 11. 3. We know that God is by natural Reason and perfect Demonstration but for things done heretofore and things to come there we believe him true who hath said and promised which is the Office of Faith. Let no Man lay any other Foundation or seek to undermine this which God hath laid for this standeth sure being much more evident and credible to the Hearts of Men then all those intricate Discourses are to those which understand them but insignificant to the People and Difficulties still arise to the learned Reason is very serviceable in its due place of Subordination but it rather confounds when it sets up equal and would seek to overthrow Faith for this first begins all Discourse and inference as to things Divine for we must believe some to be fixed before we can reason from one thing to another When all is done there must be Faith. To maintain and keep this up all Gods doings may be observed to be wisely ordered His letting of things go on in a natural and orderly way may exercise the belief of a Providence for some may be tempted to ascribe them unto Time and Chance That many more of his things are invisible some may thence incline to doubt of and deny them But Faith receives them as revealed And Reason will come into assistance that it may not be thought incridible for it is evident there are some things which are not seen as a Sound or Smell yet these are perceived by the Ear and Nose And so we have as great a certainty of them as the things we see God is invisible and so are the things of this Kingdom yet they are as evident to our own Souls as Carnal things are to Bodily Senses But still we cannot remove all Difficulty We must at last resort and cleave unto this I believe in God and the Revelation he hath made of himself in Scripture Men would fain climb up to certain Evidence then they would serve God and be such as he would have them But thank you for nothing this is purely Selfish and Mercenary Those who will not do it by the way God hath prescribed of Faith and waiting for him may let it alone he cares not for their Services It is so established that Men may believe and yet room may be left for infidelity that all may use the means to come unto Faith and yet some by too curious and wrong inquiry others by Carelessness and neglect may be still unbelievers And therefore Scripture seems to have Penned Mysterious and perplex in many Places that the Tryal of our Faith might be had even as to that how every Title is true and â—hall be fulfilled though some things may appear next to impossible contrary and false by daily Experience Have Faith in God for verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say to this Mountain Be thou removed and be thou cast into the Sea and shall not doubt in his Heart but shall believe that those things he saith shall come to pass he shall have whatsoever he saith Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them Mark 11. 22 23 24. yet himself who said this did certainly desire with Earnestness If it be possible let this Cup pass from me But himself practised what before he taught us Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt Mat. 20. 39. So we may at this present time pray for something against or not consistent with the Will of God and therefore it is not granted We know the Will of God by what he hath revealed In these last days under the Dispensation of his Son there is little said of temporal things And therefore we have no Promise of Gift or deliverance as to the outward Good or Evil of this present time Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that
before had done the same things O Blessed day which opens into Immortality where he will be always Praising and made Happy for ever How should this stir up others to do the same the whole being comprised in this to believe and to do The Apostle furnishes as to both in two words Add to your Faith Vertue 2 Pet. 1. 5. CHAP. XVII Of HUMILITY And PRIDE ALL useful Knowledge may be reduced to that of God and our selves in what Relation we stand towards him what he doth require of us and what we are in our very Nature God takes a contrary Method to be Glorified in the Sons of Men then according to the course of this World for saith he who knew and revealed to us his Fathers Will Whosoever shall Exalt himself shall be Abased and he that Humbleth himself shall be Exalted Mat. 23. 12. accordingly are fitted those Commandments which were given to Mankind to prove whether we will observe them or not Whether they will indeed cast down Imaginations and every High thing that Exalteth it self against the Knowledge of God Whether they will receive the Kingdom of God as little Children Luke 18 17. And be contented to remain so all their Life long Not doing their own will but the Will of their heavenly Father Or on the other Hand to see if they will be their own Men and follow their own Humour disdaining to be in subjection unto any If they will aspire after those little Greatnesses the World presents them withal To be lifted up above their Brethren and exalt themselves in their own esteem as is possible for such Creatures to be One may stand amâ—zed at the Monstrousness and Absurdity of Pride for a little mortal Being who is like a Frog in a vile Body to stile himself Lord of Lords Commander of the Sun Moon and Stars as Heathen and Mâ—â—ometan Kings have done Even that Man of Sin the Son of Perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is Worshipped for that he as God sâ—â—eth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God 2 Thes 2. 3 4. There have been those who have fulfilled this Scripture and have fooliâ—hly arrogated to themselves Blasphemous Titles And even Christians who would be like God in Greatness but not in Knowledge 1 Sam. 2. 3. have taken upon them the communicable attributes as Most Gracious Most Excellent Most Mighty which is expressed in so exalted a manner that there cannot be given greater in the like Words to God himself However this be the Custom of the World yet themselves being Subjects of the Great King of all the Earth should not use the very same Title with him as they will not suffer their under Officers and Lieutenants to bear the same with themselves Men of Understanding may thus judge what is likely most to avail them when God who is jealous of his own Glory will recompence every one according to his deeds How strange are the excesses and runnings out of Pride The nature of Man doth not lie sluggish for if it doth not grow up the right way in Knowledge and Obedience it will shoot and spâ—eâ—â— forth in Vain and Phantastical Principles If he doth not walk Hâ—mbly with his God Mic. 6. 8. he will do Proudly against him by Stubbornness Contempt or Negligence Whatever we are in the common nature of Man or however placed in those different Ranks in the World yet Humility requires to do any thing at his Command to observe every title of our Duty nevertheless and also a right Carriage to our Brethren of poor and low estate We are required to do things not properly beneath or disgraceful to our nature for nothing is so in the most submissive Acts of Religion but what looks little and contemptible in the Eye of others On the contrary to despise those things which are highly esteemed amongst Men Not to affect or run greedily after them for this would be to give an implied preference to them before the things of God. Pride is an appearing above what one is in himself and discovers it self in Disobedience to God and lifting up above the Brethren It is set down in Scripture by lifting up and exalting 2 Chron. 26. 16. Jer. 48. 29. Jer. 49. 16. 1 Sam. 2. 3. Isa 2. 11 12. Isa 13. 11. Isa 14. 14. Ezek. 28. 2. Dan. 11. 36 â—7 1 Cor. 4. 6 7. 2 Cor. 12. 7. Rom. 12. 3. A thinking himself above what he ought a being puffed up with what he hath not or setting too great a value on what he hath or concluding them to be his own which he hath received Whatever is contrary to that just true Knowledge and Esteem of himself is Pride And this is not to be measured according to the opinion of others but the reality of things Humility and Pride branch forth into two several Principles of Action Which is the more worthy and likely to tend unto Happiness will be proper for present enquiry and let us not judge by the multitude of one side or fewness of the other but from the Truth and Reason of things Humility at first seems Sneaking and Contemptible Which was not so much known before Religion came into the World. But this hath been said to unman us making us to stoop and press down to the Earth Some think those Prostrations and humble Gestures in Divine Service unbecoming the erected Stature of Man Neither is it for him to be curbed and restrained in his way To fore-go those great things of the World and have a mean opinion of himself as if he did not understand or know all these are not sutable with the lofty nature of Man. Such are the first and sudden Apprehensions but not a full and serious Thought It cannot be the least undervaluing for Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils within a little compass to be subject unto him whose Spirit filleth the World. It is meet and right that the Knees shall bow and bend to him who made them thus Psal 95. 6. Flexible It is the greatest Honour that can possibly be to Mankind that so Glorious a God doth vouchsafe any relation to us He is most worthy of our Obedience and Service Doth any one â—efuse or set at naught to be the adopted Son of a King who yet is not so much to the Almighty as a Toad to the goodliest Personage on Earth It is seemly for a Worm to lie prostrate before the Lord and Governour of the World to whom Angels and Arch-Angels cover themselves and fall on their Faces It is reasonable to give up our will to his Will It was thy own will and power at first God having left it so and he is willingly obedient unto his Maker What he hath chosen is a Law of Liberty Excellency the particular Acts are as worthy and rather to be followed then those of a Man 's own Invention and Fancy He is a Servant to God but none
through some Inconveniencies in the mean while upon prospect of that Why may not another do the same in hope of Heaven If one is supported by a Father Friend Husband God reveals himself to be such to every one that feareth him and doth likewise uphold When the Sorrow is for things pertaining to him cannot he Comfort or Deliver When from the World cannot he furnish with higher Considerations Doth he who is in pursuit of a great Advantage mind the loss of a Farthing God who gives Breath and Food doth also give Relief to the Soul. As the Body goes on contentedly from day to day by the strength of Meat and Raiment Cannot also she Immortal part of us be a little quieted from time to time in its Hunger and Thirst after Happiness till it is perfected in the due time and place The Scriptures speak much of Comfort Joy and Peace in the inward Man which they know and perceive who make that the rule of their Actions and have it fulfilled in them Let others do the same and they will be likewise Partakers of the Joy and Consolation The unbelieving and natural Man Laughs at all this Will words which are but wind blow away Pain and Grief It sticks faster then so The Physitian gives visible Remedies to heaI Diseases the Lawyer shews a way to get out of encumbrances of Estate the Bountiful gives Money to relieve the Poor and Distressed And indeed for worldly Vexations and Trouble Wise Sayings may do something But for the Man whose Trade is only in words who takes care of the Soul which we see not and of another World which we know not What will this Babler say he moveth his Lips but he doth nothing It will not be much besides the present purpose to describe how Of Words much force and Efficacy is in Words and then to shew that they will effectually asswage Grief Words are Thoughts expressed which arise from and are the workings of the mind Set them aside you must renounce the very Soul and Reason and confequently Unman him What do Words signifie So you may ask of Wisdom Understanding and all those noble Faculties within which are discovered by them Take away these Man is a lump of Clay just enlivened but withall vile and weak A dumb breathing Statue without use or excellency More need not be said to lay open the Absurdity and Monstrousness of this All will grant there is need of some Speech or Language and there is more in it then a Voice only for it is significative of Things as what is commonly seen heard or talked of Things are visible and invisible past present and future Now Words convey and make all these known making invisible to be as it were visible to us past and future present by the description it gives of them Herein appears the excellency and reality of Words that they represent those things which do not appear as if they did appear Who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring down Christ from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the Dead The VVord is nigh thee even in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the VVord of Faith which we Preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. That speaks of God himself of whom are all things That declares unto us the astonishing Works of Creation The Motion of the Stars and the Springs of the Deep Which comprehend in one Sentence the Compass of the World and all that is therein This we see done with our Eyes in Ink and Paper we hear it with our Ears in a light and aiery sound Of what we are further convinced without by the Eye of Sence But there is one step higher which leads to further Knowledge and applies it to our selves shewing how we are concerned The Word of Faith Which is that Revelation God hath made to Mankind in Scripture The Truth whereof relies upon Divine Testimony Miracles Signs Infallible Proofs The certainty whereof may be somewhat seen from the very Nature and Connexion of things Here are WORDS indeed they are called GREAT WORDS Dan. 7. 11. and may be seen in the foregoing verses And not only there but throughout the whole Scripture Lo these are parts of his VVays but how little a Portion is heard of him Job 26. 14. This is only of what he doth to the Inhabitants of the Earth and that is but as a Point to the whole World. This is part of Gods Will noted in a Book that it may be for the use of those several Generation which shall pass through here Which is of no great bulk but take â—ll the Libraries of the World all that was ever Written and Printed and besides what they have from hence they do not contain so great and excellent words as this The Wisdom of God doth as much excel Mans as his Works doth theirs which Iâ—a 55. 9. he could have manifelled in a stile accordingly but he condelcended to our infirmities that we â—â—â—ht receive and know what concerneth us They are not Words only for they are both true and significative as such they â—hould affect us as the things themselves for they go before and give notice of it In things of common life Men are equally concerned at the Message as the thing it self and provide accordingly now the first is but a Word so it would be the same as to the Promises and Threatnings of God if they were believed The VVord Preached did not profit them not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it Heb. 4. 2. The Will of God is as we learn from John 1. 6 7. That all Men through him might believe So we read Acts 28. 24 that at the first time of Hearing Some believed the things that were spoken and some believed not But would they have attended again and again for successive times hearkened to what might be urged further then more might have believed Did ever any Man feriously understand and throughly weigh all the Arguments that might be brought for Faith and yet remain an Unbeliever It is possible through Prejudice Ignorance hardness of Heart but not to a sincere and willing mind that hath no other end but to be satisfied whether indeed these things are so The greater part will not admit of a full hearing least they should believe and be saved and so they are of their own fault Unbelievers That place in Isa 6. 9 10. is after God hath used former Methods as appears by his Expostulation in the foregoing Chapter What could I have done more for my Vineyard that I have not done in it Isa 5. 4. People may be at length unaffected and hardened under the Word but it was at first through their own provocation and wilsulness By not minding thereof when it would have saved them they come to have no Sence thereof afterwards But in it self it is apt to produce Faith. And when it is received therewith it doth
11. 3. He gives preserves and continues our Health But yet what is corruptible and weak will wax old and decay Health consists in such an exact disposition of Humours which is easily disturbed by Violence from without Defect or Excess from within The Goodness and Wisdom above doth ordain Strength out of Weakness and continuance from tottering things otherwise it were to be admired that we are not Sick always instead of being so sometimes A Sparrow doth not fall to the ground without the Will of our heavenly Father Nor any Chastisment light upon the Sons and Daughters of Men without his Permission or Order He suffers such an one to fall under the harm of a second Cause or adverse Accident If we would search and examine to the utmost then confess and give Glory unto God we might many times find our Disease to be the natural effect of some Sin or Provocation We became at first subject unto Sickness by Sin only So if we reflect upon Gen. 2. 17. all our foregoing Actions and Circumstances There is some evil which insensibly alters and breaks the sound Constitution or brings it on Speedily and Violently The next thing is to be humbled for the same to accept the Punishment of our Iniquity Lev. 26. 43. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord for I have Sinned against him Mic. 7. 9. We must sincerely resolve if God should spare us this time to watch more carefully against the same for the future now to be unfeignedly sorry for it and to cry mightily unto God. The King of Israel is a Merciful King he will be Appeased and Reconciled Behold Happy is the Man whom God Correcteth Therefore despise not thou the Cbastening of the Almighty Job 5. 17. Then he fully perceives that false shew of Happiness with which Fools and Blind are deluded all along Which they might know in the mean while if they would consider it throughly as they do ever and anon slightly Outward things cannot give so much aid as they vainly promise They are all passed away as a Dream and cannot help in the greatest time of need My Flesh and my Heart faileth but God is the strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever Psal 73. 26. If the Conscience is accused by sin let the Sick Man cast it forth by Confession and Prayer and the Sea will cease from raging The mind will become more quiet Whether the Body dies or lives he is safe when he hath done all things to obtain the Mercy and acceptance of Almighty God. It is a sad Story of those who in time of Dangerous Sickness have made great shews of Reformation and Amendment and after Recovery have returned again unto Folly. And they have not cryed unto me with their Heart when they howled upon their Beds Hos 7. 14. Which word imports no true in ward Sorrow but an outward noise upon apprehension of Danger which goes off with it However God cannot be imposed upon he knows the Thoughts long before searches the Heart and tries the Reins discovers the bottom and inward reserves according to which he will judge So it is not what they pretend but what they will really be Those who have been for a superficial and slight Repentance which they did hope might avail if they should Die but if they Recover then to return to their former evil ways I say these should have done well to have considered What moved them to any Repentance at all the same should engage them to continue and perfect it For admit you should certainly live it is but a Reprieve only You will be Sick again or what is worse cut off suddenly And then things will appear exactly at the same manner again yea worse for the former Hypocrisie and Dissembling As also for that more Sin and Guilt is increased How many years may be added unto your Life is not known but it will be a sad thing to have lived Ionger to have committed more Iniquity and so Die hardened Impenitent or feigned at last At first recovery is uncertain for many have lulled themselves with hope thereof till Death hath been upon them Many things might be urged to disswade people from doing Foolishly and Presumptuously Their own Eternal Happiness or Misery lies at stake It is not a matter to trifle or deal deceitful with Be prevailed upon as you tender the good of Soul and Body to have your Repentance true and sincere By the Trouble or Pain of them think of the Worm which shall never die and the Fire which shall not be quenched and which are to be escaped from only this way Believe in God and Jesus Christ that all things contained in the old and new Testament are certainly true Faith and Repentance are necessary for all Men both in time of Health and Sickness which whoso hath according to Truth is sure for these intitle unto the Promises of him with whom we have to do Health doth consist in a regular Disposition and due Motion of each part of the Body None can see into himself or tell the exact manner how as to every particular I was made in secret and curiously VVrought in the lowest parts of the Earth Thine Eyes did see my Substance yet being imperfect and in thy Book were all my Members written which in continuance were Fashioned when as yet there was none of them Psal 139 15 16. None of us can look into the Womb or whilst in Life can see how all the Members and Parts within do work and move yet after the Body is dead we may perceive somewhat by Dissections which is guess and uncertain for if a number of Men should come into the Shop of an excellent Artist seeing his Tools and Instruments only One may think this another that and so may be divided but can never find out the exact manner of his Art. He that sees a dead Carkase unless he were put in mind by himself carrying about one of the same likeness would be at a stand to answer the Question Was this lump ever in Life He could never by his own Wit and Invention find out the way how it was He would also admire how each part both within and without did move and actuate So wonderful and fearful are Gods Works which puzzle the Understanding of Man. Whether it were to keep of Boasting or other causes yet God doth hold our Souls in Life by hidden and invisible Bands that whatever others pretend unto they cannot perfectly find out and see them The Lord Killeth and maketh Alive He bringeth down to the Grave and bringeth up 1 Sam. 2. 6. He hath kept this in his own Power All the ways he hath set out for Nature to go according unto are not yet known Indeed many of them have been searched after and some found but not all for then those Diseases would be Cured which were not first Mortal and Irrecoverable The prevention of and recovery out of Sickness doth depend upon
Gentleman and Idle Beggar do vary from it the one to his greater future account and the other to his present Misery But who considers of things and hath right apprehensions not corrupted with Pride or Sloth is glad and thankful that things are so disposed of and willingly reaches forth when they may be so had Thus it is ordered as to outward sâ—pplies the Poor are shewed and exhorted what to do but God to shew his abundant care of their Welfare hath also given to others a Charge over them As Deut. 15 7 8 9 10. the Reason and Injunction of all is added verse 11. For the Poor shall never cease out of the Land Therefore I Command thee saying Thou shalt open thine Hand wide unto thy Brother and to thy Poor and to thy Needy in thy Land. Here is only a Command given and no Compulsion Objects are left for the tryal thereof The Phrase is directed just contrary to the close-fisted World Open thine Hand wide but Man shuts it fast and will not be easily moved otherwise If the Grace and Authority of Almighty God will not do now as he spake the World into Being so he will at length send forth his Word and it shall be actually recompenced for all manner of Disobedience For the Needy shall not be always forgotten the expectation of the Poor shall not perish for ever God will make it up to them at present by inward Comfort and Contentment and by considering their Condition hereafter when theâ— shall see what others suffer for now shutting up their Bowels of Compassion against them He provided for them also after the same manner as the Earth to maintain us For he said let the Earth bring forth and it was so Gen. 1. 11. The Earth though dull heard the Word of the Lord. To Man he likewise Commands to minister to his poor Brethren expecting of him to be freely obeyed because he can therefore he refuses some do and some do not and even the first in too scanty a measure not according to the proportion God hath given them The generality do not at all out of Conscience towards him it may be something in compliance with national Laws and Customs of the World but not out of respect had to the great King and only Lord thereof There may be seen a Providential ordering that Humane Constitutions tend only so far as to provide against the Universally Corrupt and Disobedient state of Mankind but still the Exercise and Tryal may be had for free Obedience So here the Law of the Realm hath made a slender Provision for the Poor and nevertheless room is left for the Alms of good and willing people God doth oblige from his own Dominion Property and Greatness and also by Arguments taken from themselves Mark how pathetically the Holy Ghost speaketh When thou seest the Naked that thou Cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own Flesh Isa 58. 7. Importing that thou being the same altogether shouldst give what they self woulst desire if in the same need And if thou draw out thy Soul to the Hangry and satisfie the Afflicted Soul verse 10. Measure by thy self when thou art thus let thy Soul be in his Souls stead nay to Paraphrase doth lose the excellency of Expression being such as no Humane Orators nothing but the immediate Inspiration of the Spirit of God can compose and set forth The Wise Men of old said little or nothing as to Alms-giving unless by way of Generosity and vain glorious Beneficence They thought it did derogate from Prudence to give away his own and see no good come of it Every one did hold that so fast that it was not in the power of Mans Wisdom by Argument and Perswasion to get it from them So far it is true for the Tongues of Men and Angels that can move people to every thing besides yet it is not sufficient that they might part with beloved Mammon though for support of their Poor Neighbour Nothing but the Revelation of God can do as to this for that where believed must perswade Men. These have the like reason to do it as others through Unbelief to refrain for they are not willing to part with a certainty for an uncertainty the Money they have in their Hands but if given away it is none of their own and they are not assured of finding any good thereof But who have Faith will not call that uncertain which God hath promised Sell that ye have and give Alms provide your selves Bags which wax not old a Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not Luke 12. 33. Seeing you are Mortal and must be taken away from your Riches and Possessions Is it not a better and a more Wise way so to dispose that they may stand the owners in some stead for it is certain and evident that to keep after the manner of worldly Men would avail nothing at all Whatever is spent in Pride or Pleasure in Prodigality or Vain things is consumed at the instant there is an end and no more but what is given that remains a Sacrifice well Pleasing unto God. He that giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he giveth will he pay him again Prov. 19. 17. For asmuch as ye have done it unto the least of my Brethren ye have done it unto me Mat. 25. 40. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he that Soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully 2 Cor 9 6. There is no need of citing more Texts but for people to be put in mind and stirred up to comply therewith What hinders If ye believe in God ye must believe what he hath here spoken by his Son and Servants And this doth not depend upon an evil Heart of Unbelief or Fancy to the contrary but known to God are all his Decrees according to which he will deal with all Mankind at last Either Stupidity or want of Faith doth not alter the Case And since these things are so The rich of this World have the same Exhortation to be ready to Distribute willing to Communicate as now for doing as they do either by sordidly keeping or expending it in the Fashion and Sensuality for they may judge which is likely to turn to most Good and Benefit to themselves at long run They may as well send forth Benevolence to reap thereof in the Kingdom of Heaven as now the Husband Man soweth Seed in order to Harvest though for the present it seems lost and buried in the ground Do not shift it off from your selves to Clergy-Men who have Church Perferments and live by Religion and therefore are to give more freely Admitting that yet in this you argue against your selves are Enemies to your own Glory and Recompence There is much talk they should do this or that but there is no difference in the Commandments of God to one more then the other All are equally pressed to the observance of them there is nothing