thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Cor. 7.35 This I speak for your own profit that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction Psal 119.49 Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal 25.10 All the paths of the â—ord are mercy and truth to such as keep his Covenant and his Testimonies Psal 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Psal 89.33 Neverthelesse my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Psal 62.9 Surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the ballance they are altogether lighter than vanity 2 Chron. 14.8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and speares out of Judah three hundred thousand and out of Benjamin that bare shields and drew bowes two hundred and fourscore thousand all these were mighty men of valour V. 11. And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power help us O Lord our God for we rest on thee and in thy Name we go against this multitude O Lord thou art our God let not man prevail against thee 2 Chron. 20.12 O our God! wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eies are upon thee Rom. 4.19 And being not weak in Faith he considered not his own body now dead when he was about one hundred years old neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb Psal 73.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staied on thee because he trusteth in thee Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeieth the voice of his servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Psal 1â— 14 The poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the helper of the Fatherlesse Psal 62.5 My soul wait thou only upon God for my expectation is from him V. 6. He only is my rock and my salvation he is my defence I shall not be moved 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the Glory of God by us Josh 21.45 There fail'd not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel all came to passe Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousnesse and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Mat. 6 30. Wherefore if God so cloath the grasse of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the Oven shall he not much more cloath you O ye of little Faith Psal 34.9 O fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him V. 10. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 84.11 For the Lord is a Sun and a shield the Lord will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Isa 54.17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousnesse is of me saith the Lord. 2 Chron. 16.9 For the eies of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him John 11.40 Jesus saith unto her said I not unto thee that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the Glory of God Sixthly Observe all the passages of his Providence towards thee whether of justice or mercy Take notice of every frown and every smile from God and that will much direct thee how to order thy services of praier and praise and teach thee submission to his holy will Many duties depend on the consideration and taking notice of Gods Providential dispensations How blame worthy then are they that do not care to observe or regard the works of God Certainly it is our duty to observe and acknowledge Gods soveraignty and dominion in the world and over all events here below not a sparrow not a hair fals to the ground without our Heavenly Father And where we cannot understand the waies of God let us with an humble reverence believe and admire the wisdome of them The deep and unsearcheable waies of God are not to be judged before the Tribunal of mans reason Labour therefore to get a firm belief of this great truth setled in thy soul that God governs all humane affairs and thou wilt find it of great efficacy against those damps and dejections of mind that in afflictions we are too prone unto and it will be a singular antidote against all murmurings and repinings How did this consideration quiet and compose the heart of old Eli 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord. And David on the same account saies I was dumb and opened not my mouth because thou didst it Psal 39.9 So when a sore and terrible affliction fell upon Aaron his two sons Nadab and Abihu being consumed by fire from Heaven all that the Scripture reports of his carriage and demeanour is this And Aaron held his peace Lev. 10.3 As therefore thou art dilgently to observe and mind Gods Providential dispensations towards thee so remember it is thy duty and ought to be the posture of thy Spirit that whatever he takes from thee or whatever he does unto thee perfectly and absolutely to submit to his will Remember there is no resisting the Almighty Shall a Grashopper contend with an Eagle Shall we that are wormes contend with our maker If we consider our sinfulnesse and guilt we have reason to admire he afflicts us no more If as the unjust steward in the Gospel for one hundred set down but fifty so if God for an hundred stripes due to us inflicts but fifty nay but ten have we not reason to be patient and to say He punisheth lesse than our iniquities deserve Labour therefore to be patient under his hand Murmuring and repining does but increase our guilt and provoke God to double our punishment The Parent takes up the child for whimpering and crying as well as for any other fault not patiently to let God have his will is the way to beg another
how can a man be born when he is old can he enter the second time into his mothers wombe and be born V. 5. Jesus answered verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God V. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit V. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee ye must be born again Col. 1.21 And you that were somtimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 1 John 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is the transgression of the Law Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Jam. 1.14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed V. 15. Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 7.5 For when we were in the flesh the motions of sins which were by the Law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his Angels 2 Thes 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his power 3. The blessed way found out and appointed by God for mans Recovery out of this miserable state which is by the undertaking and mediation of his onely Son Hos 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death V. 25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the mind I my self serve the Law of God but with the flesh the Law of sin Gen. 3.15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus John 3.14 And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wildernesse even so must the son of man be lifted up V. 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life V. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 John 4.14 And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree John 6.35 And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that beleeveth on me shall never thirst V. 51. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in Heaven John 4.42 And said unto the woman now we beleeve not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Acts 13.38 Be it known unto you therefore men and Brethren that through this man is preached unto you the forgivenesse of sins John 1.29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world 1 John 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son V. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life John 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ 1 John 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world Heb 9.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance CHAP. III. Concerning the Mediator between God and Man COncerning the Mediator between God and man Christ Jesus We must know and understand these seaven things 1. What manner of person he was He was God and Man in the same person The Eternal Son of God The second Person in the Trinity took to himself our humane Nature a humane soul and body and united it after a wonderfull manner to his Godhead And so God and Man became one person 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mystery of Godlinesse God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world received up into Glory Rom. 9 5. Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 17.5 And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the world was Christ God Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his Gloâ—y and the expresse Image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 1 John 5.20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life John 10.30 I and my Father are one John 8.58 Jesus said unto them verily verily I say unto you before Abraham was I am John 17.11 And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given mee that they may be one as we are John 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that
any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish V. 30. For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones V. 32. This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Col. 2.19 And not holding the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Eph. 4.15 But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ V. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Judge of quick and dead John 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the son V. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgement also because he is the son of man Rom. 14.9 For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living V. 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother we shall all stand before the Judgement seat of Christ. Acts 1.11 Which also said ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven this same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 10.42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead Mat. 13.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burnt in the fire so shall it be in the end of this world V. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdome all things that offend and them which do iniquity V. 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth Jude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under darknesse unto the judgement of the great day V. 14. And Enoch the seventh from Adam prophecied of these saying behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints V. 15. To execute judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlily committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into Chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement Mat. 26.64 Jesus saith unto him hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of Heaven 1 Thes 4 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first V. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 2 Thes 1.7 And unto you which are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels V. 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ V. 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his power Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works Dan. 7.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgement was set and the books were opened V. 13. I saw in the night visions and behold one like the son of man came with the Clouds of Heaven and came to the ancient of daies and they brought him neer before him V 14. And there was given him Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his Dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdome that which shall not be destroyed Acts 17.30 And the times of this ignoranâ—â— God winked at but now he commandeth all men every where to repent V. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in â—ightâ—ousnesse by that man whom he haâ—h ordaiâ—â—d whereof hâ— hath given assurance unto all meâ— in â—hat he hath raised him from the dead 1 Cor. 15.51 Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed V. 52. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed Rom. 2.5 But thou after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God V. 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds V. 7. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and immortality eternal life V. 8. But unto them which are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath V. 9. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile V. 10. But Glory Honour Peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile V. 11. For there is no respect of pâ—rsons with God V. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel Eccles 12.14 For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil 2 Tim. 4.1 I Charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and in his Kingdome V. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto them also that love his appearing 2 Cor. 5.9 Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him V. 10. For we must all
prepared for them that love him Mark 9.43 And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 44. Where their worm dieth not and their fire is not quenched V. 45. And if thy foot offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter halt into life than having two feet to be cast into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched Mark 9.46 Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 48. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Jude 21. Keep your selves in the love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal Life 1 Tim. 1.19 Holding Faith and a good Conscience which some having put away concerning Faith have made shipwrack THE Second PART Concerning PRACTICE OR A DISCOURSE containing several usefull Directions to be Practised by those who seriously desire to save their SOULES CHAP. I. Of Consideration 1. AT convenient times use to be alone and laying aside all worldly cares businesses spend now and then a secret hour in strict Self-examining and Considering how the case stands between God and thy soul Ask thy self these two serious Questions First What is it thy heart is most set upon What is thy great care thy main designe What is it that doth most deeply and most frequently possesse thy thoughts What is it that thou dost most love and prize and most desire to enjoy Is thy mind so spiritually inlightened as to see the lovelinesse of God and the greatnesse and excellency of that Glory that is to be had with him so as the main drift and bent of thy heart is after the enjoyment of God and to be happy with him forever Or dost thou find that the main bent of thy heart is to the things of this World to the Profits the Pleasures the sensual satisfactions of this life and these things thou most mindest regardest and labourest for these thy thoughts and heart most run upon Secondly Ask thy self whether ever thou didst feel and apprehend thy self in a lost and undone condition by reason of thy sins Hast thou not seen thy selfe in danger of everlasting misery Hast thou ever put this serious question to thy selfe what shall I do to be saved Hast thou in this or the like manner ever discoursed with thy self O my soul how stands the case with me What am I Am I a true Convert a real Penitent a new Creature one born again Have I an interest in Christ And is my peace made with God through him or am I as yet in the state of Nature under the guilt of all my sins with the wrath of God abiding on me If so is this a Condition to be rested in Let me advise thee as thou lovest thy soul to deal faithfully and in good sadnesse with thy self Let me advise thee to review and seriously to reflect upon the whole course of thy life past And besides thy natural vilenesse Consider how many actual sins failings miscarriages and violations of Gods righteous Law omissions of good commissions of evil thou hast been guilty of in the several parts of thy life and in the several places where thou hast lived Believe it few people do reckon up one sin of ten that they are guilty of Allow thy Conscience therefore a liberty to speak freely to thee and to set thy sins in order before thee And if thou findest thy self for the present in a bad condition and that the case is not with thee as it should be consider whether it will not be an extream folly and madnesse to go on in that course not minding nor regarding speedily to turn to God and to settle the great affairs of thy soul while thou hast time O Remember remember thou hast a precious and immortal soul that must be shortly either in Heaven or Hell either in unconceiveable Joyes or in endlesse easelesse and remedilesse torments Doth it not therefore concern thee to consider and cast about how to attain the one and escape the other Doth it not behoove thee to look to the securing of the main Chance and to deliver thy self from the wrath to come Believe it nothing undoes mankind more than want of due and serious Consideration than want of frequent examining the state of their Consciences and often pondering and thinking of their everlasting Concernments 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your owne selves know ye not your owne selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Psal 119.59 I thought on my waies and turned my feet unto thy Testimonies V. 60. I made hast and delaied not to keep thy Commandements Isa 1.3 The Oxe knoweth his owner and the Ass his masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not Consider Deut. 32.29 O that they were wise that they understood this that they would Consider their latter end Hag. 1.5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts Consider your waies Lam. 3.40 Let us search and try our waies and turn again to the Lord. Gal. 6.4 Let every man prove his owne work and then shall he have rejoycing in himself and not in another V. 5. For every man shall bear his owne burden Psal 77.6 I call to remembrance my song in the night I commune with mine own heart and my Spirit made diligent search Rom. 14.12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God Ezra 8.22 The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him CHAP. II. Of Repentance HAving seriously examined thy Conscience and impartially considered thy waies and course of life and the state of thy soul towards God The next duty I would advise thee beging the assistance of the Spirit of God to set upon the speedy practise of is true and serious and unfeigned repentance I shall therefore for thy benefit 1. Open the nature of true repentance 2. Give some directions about it 3. Some motives to it Repentance unto life is an Evangelical Grace wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God And the parts of it are these six 1. Conviction 2. Contrition 3. Hating and loathing sin 4. Confession of sin 5. Forsaking sin 6. Conversion and turning the bent of the heart towards God First Conviction The Spirit of God first opens a sinners eies before he breaks a sinners heart The soul of a true penitent is convinced and made apprehensive of these three things 1. The evil odiousnesse and filthiness of sin 2. The danger desert and mischievous effects and consequents of it 3. It s own deep guiltinesse both of Original and Actual sin I. The evil of sin appears in these seven particulars 1. 'T is contrary to Gods holy Nature 2. To his righteous Lawes 3. It
immutable Lawes to his people doth first apply himself to them as Jewes rouzing their attention by inculcating the late signal mercies he had confer'd on them hereby to excite them to a more strict observation of what he was now to give them in charge so that though the introduction be proper to the Jewes yet the commandements have a larger extent and are spoken alike to all Now 't is very observable the Jewish or Saturday Sabbath or seventh from the creation is not in expresse terms commanded in the fourth Commandement That we shall perceive if we look over the Commandement 1. Remember thou sanctifie the Sabbath day The Sabbath day it is you see and not the seventh from the Creation Observe saies Zanchy God said not Remember thou sanctifie the seventh day but the day of rest that is the day that is consecrated to rest either immediatly by himself or mediately by the Church directed by the Holy Ghost whatsoever day it be So that the day must be of Divine Institution 2. God telleth us distinctly what Sabbath he here means viz. the weekly He saith Sanctifie the Sabbath in the singular number not Sabbaths in the plural The observation not of many festivals but of one onely is there enjoyned saith the learned Junius 3. The Sabbath must be sanctified but what day is appointed for it Six daies shalt thou labour Six daies are ours The seventh is the Sâ—bbath A seventh God will have But what seventh He saies not the seventh from the Creation He names no day as intending the day should change He saith only the seventh i. e. The seventh after six working daies 4. But is the determination of this one in seven in our power No for it must be the Sabbath of the Lord thy God i. e. which he hath already or should hereafter declare to his Church to be his Sabbath It must be Gods own choice Now that the fourth Commandement is moral will appear if we consider 1. Except it be moral there cannot be ten Commandements and yet so we find Deut. 10 4. And he wrote on the Tables according to the first writing the ten Commandements which the Lord spake unto you in the Mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the Assembly And the Lord gave them unto me To keep some time holy to the Lord and to keep that time which he should appoint is absolutely moral Now 't is plain a Sabbath God must have by the perpetual Ordinance of the fourth Commandement Remember thou sanctifie the Sabbath day i. e. That day which for the time being God hath marked out and appointed for his own And he hath declared his Will concerning the limitation of it Six daies shalt thou labour c. But the seventh is the Sabbath so that one in a week he must have If this Commandement enjoyn no particular and set time under the Gospel then are there but nine Commandements Why should the Sabbath be put among the moral Lawes of the Decalogue if it were only ceremonial And wherein does the designation or limitation of one day in a week for Gods service seem ceremonial It being a memorial of Gods creating the world in six daies and resting the seventh this being a benefit wheâ—ein all mankind intercommon the Jewes can claim no property therein several to themselves 2 If we look upon the Sabbath of the fourth Commandement we shall find it stript of all legal observances For those things which are urged as ceremonial and several of the Jewes touching the Sabbath are all post-scripts and by-laws not one emergent from the fourth precept As no fire to be kindled Exod. 16 23. No meat to be dressed Exod. 17 5. These were peculiar to the Jews We must distinguish therefore between those precepts of the Sabbath that occur elsewhere the fourth Commandement What is ceremonial touching the Sabbath we must apply to them what is moral we must restrain to this See Mr. Lestrang's learned Treatise of the Sabbath Thus we have seen how God had from the Creation to the Law from the Law to Christ a day appointed and that by himself to his own Worship And hath he lesse reason to require it under the Gospel Surely no. IIII. From Christs resurrection on the first day of the week very early in the morning Luke 24.1 John 20.1 The Sabbath was changed to that day in honour of our Saviour who that day rising from the dead finished the work of our Redemption The Jewish Sabbath slept its last in the grave with our Saviour though its shadow indeed walked a while after but it self the old Sabbath expired then and immediatly entred the Lords day From the resurrection of Christ immediatly when Christ himself was but newly up from that very day whereon he arose doth Augustine derive the beginning of the Evangelical Sabbath The Lords day saith he by the resurrection of Christ was declared to be the Christians day and from that very time of Christs resurrection it began to be celebrated as the Christian mans Festival Epist ad Jan. 19. c. 13. This was the first day of our Saviours appearing to his Disciples and the first Christian Sabbath he honoured with his beatifical presence Joh. 20.19 20 26. The next was the eighth day after V. Well our Saviour is ascended Let us now see what honour the holy Ghost whom he promised to send his Apostles hath conferred on this day The holy Ghost descendeth But on what day Why the first day of the week It was when Pentecost arrived and that fell that year on that day On this day the Apostles were solemnly though closely assembled in prayer and holy duties and the holy Ghost descended upon them Acts 2. VI. The next mention of Apostolical observation of this day occurreth Acts 20. v. 7. The first of the week the Disciples being come together to break bread i. e. The Sacramental or Eucharistical bread Paul preached to them That for his practise Now his precept for the day is plainly implied 1 Cor. 16.1 As I have ordained in the Churches of Galatia so do ye v. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gathering when I come He ordains their collections for the poor Saints and oblations should be on that day And why should that day be the Almes-day or Collection day rather than any other had it not been observed holy in those times and that the Congregation did use on that day to assemble The Collection therefore being enjoyned on that day the Lords day was consequently enjoyned VII About sixty years after as Calvisius out of Irenaeus computes we meet with this day apparrelled in a Christian Name not stil'd the first day but the Lords day which probably was then current among the Christians else the holy Ghost would not have used it Rev. 1.10 St. John saies he was in the Spirit on the Lords day
gates of Jerusalem on the evening of their Sabbath If any Merchants come any worldly thoughts or businesses let them stay without till the Sabbath be over The work of mens Callings is not only in their hands but in their minds and heads A Minister may have a great Congregation yet but a few hearers if their minds be stuft with the world before they come if they bring their trades their bargaines their plow their worldly businesse along with them As therefore we read of Abraham in Gen. 22.5 That when he went up to the Mount to offer Sacrifice he left his servants and the Asse in the valley behind him so should we our worldly cares and businesses when we go to worship God and to hear his Word 2. Consider and meditate on the great concernment and importance of the Word 'T is the ordinary means God hath appointed for the working that great work of conversion without which no salvation and for the edifying and building up those that are already savingly wrought upon Jam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth 1 Cor. 4.15 I have begotten you in Christ Jesus saith Paul through the Gospel Rom. 10 17. Faith cometh by hearing Indeed sin and consequently death came by hearing at the first by our first Parents listening to and believing a tempting Spirit But now Faith and consequently life comes by Hearing through the operation of the blessed Spirit of God in the Word Rom. 1.16 The Gospel 't is the power of God unto salvation Labour therefore to have an high value and esteem of the preaching of the Gospel God hath appointed his Ordinances not in Soveraignty only but in Mercy to us As our Saviour said of the Sabhath Mark 2.27 The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath So may I say of all the Ordinances of God they were ordained for man for mans benefit and not man made for them And therefore the great benefit that with Gods blessing may be expected from them if we duly attend upon them should make us highly value them Indeed it is one of the devils stratagems in this age to urge the efficacy of the Spirit as a plea for the neglect of means Whereas Gods Spirit does usually work in and by the means and rarely if ever when the ordinary means are slighted 'T is true God himself is not tyed to means nor to any of his own Ordinances yet he ties us to make use of them when we may have them That soul cannot expect to be instructed by Gods Spirit who is a slighter and neglecter of Gods ordinary means Further consider the intent of the Word is not only to regenerate but to nourish increase and perfect the Graces of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12. Our knowledge is imperfect Those that know most may learn more We need new inforcements of duty Our affections are dull and need a new excitement None so wise so knowing a Christian but he may receive some benefit from a different handling of what he himself knew before Therefore seeing the preaching of the Word was ordained for so great and signal benefits to mankind 't is just with God that they that have slight thoughts of it should be barren under it 3. When thou art going to hear consider whither thou art going Thou art going to meet the great God of Heaven and Earth A God that is not to be dallied with Levit. 10.3 I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me When the people went to hear the Law Exod. 19.10 The Lord said to Moses Sanctifie the people and let them wash their clothes What does this speak to us that Christians should only wash their hands and faces and put on their best apparrel when they come to hear the Word No the Apostle James Jam. 1.21 tels us Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meeknesse the ingrafted Word that is able to save your souls If thou findest thy Spirit slight and wandring to fix it and make it serious think with thy self and imagine how it was with the Israelites going to receive the Law of God When the Mount was all on a flame of fire the trumpet sounding louder and louder the people trembling and sore afraid This is to beat the Devil with his own weapon for he often prevailes upon us by casting in sinful Imaginations Consider therefore how the Lord is present in an especial manner where his Word is preached Surely the Lord is in this place as Jacob said of Bethel Gen. 28.16 The apprehension of Gods presence in the assemblies of his people will preserve in thee an awful and reverent disposition of soul 4. Before thou goest fail not to poure forth earnest and fervent prayers unto the Lord and that in behalf 1. Of the Minister 2. Of thy self I. In behalf of the Minister that the Lord would teach him what he should teach the people and direct and enable him to declare the mind of God and to preach such truths as may tend to the benefit and salvation of thine and others soules Certainly if people did more seriously and more frequently pray for their Minister that the Lord would bless and prosper his labours and direct him to divide the Word aright to give to every one their portion to feed the people with knowledge and understanding he might expect a greater blessing and assistance in his studies and they more benefit by his endeavours How earnestly does Paul beg prayers Rom. 15 30 Now I beseech you brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me v. 31. That my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints And Eph 6.18 Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit for all Saints v. 19. And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel v. 20. That therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak Col. 4.3 Withal praying for us that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds v. 4. That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak II. In behalf of thy self 1. That the Lord would fix thy mind and make it serious When the mind is serious truths are apt to make impression 2. That he would enlighten thy mind and open thy heart as he did the heart of Lydia Acts 16.14 that thou maist have a clear and right understanding of those truths that concern thy salvation 3. That he would give thee a heart to believe and embrace the truth in the love of it that truth may not only float in thy phantasie but sink down into thy heart Rom. 10.10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse There is a Faith of the head and a Faith of
disposition in every man We are very prone to harden when the storm is over 3. Let them renew often upon their souls the remembrance of the sharpness and bitterness of their afflictions Let them call to mind their sad discourses and reasonings their fears and tremblings the mis-givings of heart and sad apprehensions they had in time of their distresse Let them remember their aptnesse to impatience and to hard thoughts of God Let them recall how happy they thought those that were free from their troubles and paines These remembrances kept alive will make them humble and thankful 4. Let them remember their vowes and promises made to God in time of their sicknesse and distresse Let them labour to be such out of sicknesse as they promised God themselves and possibly others they would be when they were in it The Emperor Sigismond demanded of King Alphonsus what was the directest course to be happy Perform saies he when thou art well what thou promisedst when thou wert sick 'T is very remarkable what is recorded of the mariners Jonah 1.15 16. And the Sea ceased from her raging then the men feared the Lord exceedingly and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and made vowes Then when the Sea ceased here is the wonder Had they made vowes in the midst of the tempest the matter had not been great but now when the tempest was over then to make vowes is worthy of our observation and worthy of our imitation One vow made and kept after the tempest is worth a thousand promised in the same 5. Let them pity and pray for those that are under affliction Lord teach them as well as correct them that they may be blessed let them come forth out of affliction as Gold purified seven times let them lose nothing in that furnace but their drosse let them be purified from their sins and purged from their iniquities strengthen their Faith and Patience and in thy due time if it be for thy Glory and their good vouchsafe them a gracious deliverance Psal 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy Word V. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes Isa 27.9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sin Zach. 13. ult And I will bring the third part through the fire and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as Gold is tried they shall call on my Name and I will hear them I will say it is my people and they shall say the Lord is my God Heb. 12.11 Now no chastning for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous neverthelesse afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse unto them which are exercised thereby Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small Rev. 13.10 Here is the patience and the Faith of the Saints Heb. 6.12 Be ye followers of them who through Faith and patience inherit the promises Psal 9.10 And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Lam. 3.26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. V. 27. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth Psal 146.5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the Lord his God Psal 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. 2 Cor. 5.6 Therefore we are alwaies confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. V. 7. For we walk by Faith not by sight John 18.11 The cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it Luke 21.19 In your patience possesse ye your souls Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him 2 Chron. 16.12 And Asa in the nine and thirtieth year of his reign was diseased in his feet untill his disease was exceeding great yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the Physitians Psal 41.4 I said Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Psal 107.17 Fools because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Neh. 9.33 Howbeit thou art just in all that thou hast brought upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly Psal 119.75 I know O Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulnesse hast afflicted me Micah 7.9 I will hear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Hab. 3.2 O Lord in wrath remember mercy Job 34.31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God I have born chastisement I will not offend thee any more Psa 94.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him out of thy Law Job 34.32 That which I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Heb. 12.6 For whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Prov. 3.12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth even as a Father the son in whom he delighteth Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day V. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal Psal 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble V. 3. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of his languishing thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknesse 2 Chron. 32.24 In those daies Hezekiah was sick to the death and prayed unto the Lord and he spake unto him and he gave him a sign V. 25. But Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem Jonah 2.6 Thou hast brought up my life from corruption O Lord my God V. 7. When my soul fainted within me I remembred the Lord and my prayer came in unto thee into thine holy Temple V. 9. I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving I will pay that that I have vowed salvation is of the Lord. Psal 50.14 Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most High Psal 66.13 I will go into thy House with burnt offerings I will pay thee my vows V. 14. Which my lips have uttered and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble Psal 56.12 Thy vows are upon me O God I will render praises unto
is the folly and stupidity of every wilful sinner that for the satisfaction of his brutish lusts will run the hazard of these everlasting torments O did we look upon sin with Scripture spectacles we should find a greater disproportion between the pleasure and the paines thereof than between a drop of honey and an Ocean of gall Methinks the meditation of eternal torments should damp and stop any sinner in his sinful heat and fury Wilt thou O sinner for a short pleasure be content to pay an everlasting punishment Go into Hell by meditation that thou maist not go thither by condemnation 2. What interest or concernment have we in the whole world comparable to this the making our peace with God He is the severest enemy but the sweetest friend How should we speedily humble our selves before him for all our sins and flie to his mercy in Christ for our pardon The wages of sin is death Nothing can bring us to those everlasting flames but sin unrepented of Nothing can save that man from the never-dying worm who dieth in his sins 3. How highly should we prize the love of Christ how great a value should we set upon his blood How willingly should we embrace the offers of Grace and reconciliation made to us in him How readily and chearfully should we give up our selves to him resolving to be his faithful Disciples and servants seeing he laid down his life to deliver us from these everlasting torments this wrath to come In one thing the sins of men admit of a greater aggravation than the sins of Angels These never sinn'd against the offers of a Saviour as men do 4. How readily should we do or suffer perform or undergo any thing this blessed Redeemer calls us to who hath done and sufferd so much for our sakes 5. How should we pity and pull back those who are posting towards the paines of eternal fire We may possibly anger them thereby but we had better endure some scalding drops of their wrath than let them fall if we can help it by doing our duty to admonish them into the lake of fire and brimstone 6. How should the consideration of everlasting torments after death breed in every heart a fear and awe of the great God and teach us to tremble at his Word and his Threatnings therein denounced against all impenitent sinners How eagerly should we embrace that reduplicated advice of our blessed Saviour Luke 12.5 I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell yea I say unto you fear him Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say unto them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels V. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Mark 9.43 And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 45. And if thy foot offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life halt than having two feet to be cast into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 46. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 47. And if thine eye offend thee pluck it out it is better for thee to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire V. 48. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Rev. 21.8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 20.10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Rev. 14.10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. V. 11. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever c. Matth. 22.13 Then said the King unto his servants bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darknesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 23 33. Ye Serpents ye generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of Hell Matth. 7.13 Enter ye in at the strait gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Rev. 2.11 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Juâ—e v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chaines under darkness unto the judgment of the great day V 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire V. 13. Raging waves of the Sea foming out their own shame wandring stars to whom is reserved the blacknesse of darknesse for ever 2. Thes 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 1.10 And to wait for his Son from Heaven from whom he raised the dead even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come Matth. 10.28 And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell Luke 16.23 And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torments and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom V. 24. And he cried and said Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame V. 25. But Abraham said Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented V. 27. Then he said I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldst send him to my Fathers house V. 28. For I have five Brethren that he may testifie unto them lest they also come unto this place of torment Matth. 16.26 For what is a