Profession to lose Heaven What think you of the Foolish Virgins They are called Virgins because they were not tainted with any gross Sin yet these Virgin-Professors were shut out Mat. 25.10 Balaam a Prophet Iudas an Apostle both cashiered We have seen some Ships have had glorious names given them the Good-speed the Hope the Safe-guard yet cast away at Sea 2. It is possible to come near to Heaven yet fall short of it Mark 12.34 Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God yet he was not near enough Men may countenance the Ministry of the Word have their Affections moved at an Ordinance and in outward show out-go the Children of God yet not having the Oyl of Sincerity in their Vessels they may be frustrated of happiness And how dismal is that to lose God to lose their Souls to lose their Hopes The Millions of Tears shed in Hell are not sufficient to bewail the loss of Heaven Well may such as have Heaven in them Fear their coming short of it Thus much for the Use of Trial. How shall we arrive at this Blessed Fear 1. Let us set God ever in our eye study his Immensity He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Almighty Gen. 17.1 He gives laws to the Angels binds the Consciences of men cuts off the Spirit of Princes Psalm 76.12 The Thoughts of Gods incomprehensible Greatness would strike an Holy awe into our Hearts Elijah wrap'd his face in a Mantle when Gods Glory passed by The reason men Fear not God is because they entertain slight thoughts of him Psalm 40.21 Thou thoughtest I was such an one as thy self 2. Let us pray for this Fear of God which is the Root of all Holiness and the Mother of all Wisdom Psalm 86.11 Vnite my Heart to Fear thy Name the Lord hath Promised to put his Fear in our Heart Ier. 32.40 Let us pray over this Promise while some pray for Riches and others for Children let us pray for an Heart to Fear God To conclude this you who have this Fear planted in your Souls bless God for it Psalm 135.20 Ye that Fear the Lord bless the Lord. God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens and caused you to ride upon the High places of the Earth He hath enriched you with that Jewel which he bestows only upon the Elect. O stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing The Fear of God is an Immortal Seed springing up into Glory Psalm 22.23 Ye that fear the Lord praise him Begin the Work of Heaven now be Spiritual Quiristers sound forth Holy Doxologies and Triumphs say as David Psalm 71.8 Let my Mouth be filled with thy Praise and with thy Honour all the day God hath but little praise in the world Who should pay him this Quit-rent if not they that fear him CHAP. V. Shewing the first Character in special of the Godly namely Speaking of God 2. HAving done with the Character of the Godly in General I proceed next to their Special Characters 1 They spake often one to another When the Wicked said It is Vain to serve God then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another The meaning of this word they spake often is they did discourse Religiously together their Tongues were Divinely tuned by the Holy Ghost Christians when they meet together should use holy Conference This is not only an advice but a charge Deu. 6.6 These words shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Indeed where there is Gratia infusa it will be effusa Grace changeth the Language and makes it Spiritual When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles they spake with other Tongues Act. 2.4 Grace makes Christians speak with Other Tongues A good Christian hath not only the Law of God in his Heart Psalm 37.31 but in his Tongue vers 30. The body is the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 The Tongue is the Organ in this Temple which sounds in Holy discourse Prov. 10.20 The tongue of the Iust is as Choice Silver He drops Silver sentences enriching others with Knowledge Mat. 12.35 A Good man out of the Good treasure of his Heart bringeth forth good things In his heart is a Treasure of Goodness and this is not like a bag of Mony Sealed but he brings something out of the Treasure within to the enriching of others Grace is of the Nature of fire which will not be pent up like new Wine it will have Vent There is a principle within constrains to holy Conference Job 32.18 The Spirit within me constraineth me CHAP. VI. Containing the Applicatory part IT shews the Genius and temper of true Saints they speak often one to another their Lips drop as an Hony-comb A man is known what country he belongs to by his Language He who belongs to the Jerusalem above speaks the Language of Canaan none of Gods children are dumb their mouth is a well-spring of Wisdom Prov. 18.4 Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion They would be counted Good but he must have good eyes that can see it I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth had they any love to God or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is their mouth would talk of his Righteousness Psalm 71.24 Friends what should we mind but Salvation what are the things of this world they are neither Entia nor Manentia Do not we see men heap up Riches and on a sudden death as Gods Serjeant Arrests them What should we talk of but the things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God Let this cause blushing among Christians that their meetings are so unprofitable they leave God out of their discourse Why is there no good conference Have you so much Knowledge that you need not have it encreased Have you so much Faith that you need not have it Strengthened Silence in Religion is a loud sin We read of one who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mark 9.12 How many are Spiritually possessed with a Dumb Devil It is a rebuke to such as when they meet together instead of speaking of Heaven they have idle frothy discourse They do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Plutarch said of Alcibiades Their Lips do not drop as an Honey-comb but run as a Spout their speaking is Just like a Childs scribling Psalm 12.2 They speak Vanity every one with his Neighbour If Christ should ask some as he did the two Disciples going to Emaus Luk. 24.17 What manner of Communications have you as you walk they could not say as they did concerning Jesus of
Honour for a Subject to have his Prince Visit him 1 John 3.3 Our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Communion is with the Father and his Son Jesus The Rabbins say Moses had an Hundred and fifty conferences with God and died with a Kiss from Gods mouth What greater Honour for a Person than to have God keep him Company Exod. 33.11 3. In that God makes them Rich heirs Rom. 8.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 joynt heirs with Christ. For a man to adopt another and make him heir to his estate is no small honour done to him The Youngest Believer is an heir yea and an Heir of the Crown 1 Pet. 5.4 This Crown he hath in promisso in the Promise Rev. 2.10 And in primitiis in the first-fruits Rom. 8.23 4. In that God sends his Angels to be their Servitors Such as are Gods Servants have Angels to be theirs Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Who would not be fearers of God this makes God have an honourable esteem of them all men saith Chrysostome are ambitious of Honour the true Honour comes from God John 5.44 If God doth so Honour his People let them Honour him Mal. 1.6 Where is my Honour let the Saints be God-exalters let them lift up his Name in the World and make his praise glorious Psalm 66.2 But I only glance at this 2 ly That Gods People are his Jewels in that day when I make up my Iewels Jewels are precious things the Hebrew word for Jewels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a treasure A treasure is made up of costly things Gold and Pearl and Rubies such a precious Treasure are the Saints to God In what sence are the Godly Jewels 1. They are Jewels for their sparkling quality Their Holiness shines and sparkles in Gods eyes Cant. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my Heart with one of thine eyes that is one of thy Graces 2. The Godly are Jewels for their Scarcity Pearls are not common so the Godly are scarce and Rare there are but few of these to be found there are many false Professors as there are Bastard Diamonds but few Israelites indeed Mat. 20.16 Few are Chosen Among the Millions in Rome there were but few Senators among the swarms of People in the World but few Believers 3. The Godly are Jewels for their Price Queen Cleopatra had two Jewels that contained half the price of a Kingdom Thus the Saints are Jewels for their Value God esteems them at an high rate he parted with his best Jewel for them Christs precious blood was shed to ransom these Jewels 4. The Saints are Jewels for their adorning quality Jewels adorn them that wear them the Saints are Jewels that adorn the World Their Piety mixed with Prudence honours the Gospel Hypocrites Eclipse Religion and make it evilly spoken of the Saints as Jewels render it illustrious by their Sanctity 1. See the worth of the Godly they are Jewels they are a Royal diadem in the hand of God Isa. 62.3 That is they are eminent above others as a Crown hung with Jewels is an ensign of the highest state and Honour The Saints are Gods Glory Isa. 46.13 As if Gods Glory did lye in them 2. See then that which may bring Holiness into repute and make us become Proselytes to it It casts a splendour upon us and makes God number us among his Jewels Some are loath to embrace Godliness for fear it will be a stain to their Reputation and bring them out of favour with great men you see how it doth raise a persons renown it makes him precious in Gods sight he is a Jewel Believers in regard of their mystical union with Christ have a preciousness above the Angels the Angels are Morning Stars Job 38 7. Believers are clothed with the Sun of Righteousness Rev. 12.1 See the different Opinion that God hath of the Godly and the Wicked the one he esteems precious the other vile Nahum 1.14 I will make thy Grave for thou art Vile this is spoken of King Senacherib though he was by Birth Noble yet he was by sin Vile The Hebrew word for Vile signifies of base esteem Though the Wicked are high in dignity and worldly grandure yet God slights them A dunghil may be higher than other ground but it sends forth noisom Vapours Psalm 14.3 They are altogether become filthy In the Original it is they are become stinking The Wicked are compared to Dogs and Swine 2 Pet. 2.22 to dross Ezek. 22.19 Dross is the filth of the Mettal Sinners are compar'd to Chaff Psal. 1.4 When a Wicked man dies there is only a little Chaff blown away A sinner is the most contemptible thing in nature there is no worth in him while he lives and no loss of him when he dies A sinner is worse than a Toad or Serpent A Toad hath nothing but what God hath put into it but a Wicked man hath that which the Devil hath put into him Act 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy Heart to lye to the Holy-Ghost See what an high estimate we should set upon the Godly they are Jewels they are the Glory of the Creation they are compared to Stars for their beauty Rev. 1.20 to Spice Trees for their perfume Cant. 4.14 They are the Chariots and Horsmen of Israel they are the excellent of the Earth Psalm 16.3 The Lord would soon break up house in the World but that he hath some Jewels in it Prize the Saints though they are humbled with Poverty we esteem of a Pearl though it lye in the dust Iohn Baptist was girt with a Leathern Girdle yet he was a Jewel Mat. 11.9 He was the Morning Star to usher in the Sun of Righteousness into the World The Saints are precious for they are Gods lesser Heaven Isa. 57.15 3. See the Saints Safety they are Gods Jewels and he will have a care to preserve them A man is careful that he doth not lose his Jewels God often gives his people a temporal Salvation if a storm comes he knows how to hide his Jewels He hid an hundred Prophets in a Cave 1 Kin. 18.4 The Angel is commanded before he poured his Vial of curses on the earth to seal the Saints of God on their fore-heads Rev. 7.3 Which was signum salutare a mark of safety however God will look to the Spiritual safety of his Jewels Joh. 17.12 Not one of them is lost If the Saints are Gods Jewels then how incensed and enraged will God be against those who shall abuse these Jewels Theodosius counted them Traitors who abused his Statue what will become of them who persecute Gods Saints and tread upon his Jewels It goes near to God to see his Jewels sprinkled with blood what is done to them the Lord takes it as done to him self Act. 9.4 Why persecutest thou me When
Scripture yet gathered no ears of Corn have not you matter enough in the Word to furnish you with discourse Let me suggest a few things to you When you meet speak one to another of the Promises No Hony so sweet as that which drops from a Promise The promises are the support of Faith the springs of joy the â—aints Royal Charter Are you Citizens of Heaven and not speak of your Charter Speak of the preciousness of Christ he is Beauty and Love he hath laid down his blood as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or price of your Redemption Have you a friend that hath redeemed you and never speak of him Speak one to another of Sin what a deadly evil it is how it hath infected your Virgin-nature and turned it into a lesser Hell Speak of the Beauty of Holiness which is the Souls Embroidery filling it with such Oriental splendor as makes God and Angels fall in love with it The Graces are as Damascen saith the Sacred Characters and Impressions of the Divine nature Speak one to another of your Souls enquire whether they are in health Speak about Death and Eternity can you belong to Heaven and not speak of your Country Speak one to another of the Times wherein God is the Greatest sufferer let your hearts bleed for his dishonours Thus you see here is matter enough for Holy conference Why then do you not set good discourse on Foot I perswade my self one main reason of the decay of the Power of Godliness is want of Christian conference people when they meet talk of Impertinencies but God and Heaven are left out of their discourse That I may perswade you in your converses to put in a word about your Souls let me offer these few things to your consideration 1. It was the practice of the Saints of old Elijah and Elisha went on talking good discourse till the Chariot of Heaven came to part them 2 Kin. 2.11 Davids Tongue was Tuned to the Language of Canaan Psalm 71.24 My Tongue shall talk of thy Righteousness The Primitive Christians into whatever company they came were speaking of a Glorious Kingdom they expected insomuch that some thought they were ambitious of worldly honour which made Iustin Martyr Apologize for them that the Kingdom they looked for was not of this World but a Kingdom with Christ in Heaven Ierom saith of some of the Roman Ladies They did spend much of their time in communing together and they would not let him alone for asking him Questions about their Souls 2. We are bid to Redeem the Time Eph. 5.16 The Poets painted time with Wings because it flies so fast Volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora Time lost had need be redeemed and is there any better way to redeem time than to improve it in trading for Heaven and speaking of God and our Souls 3. Jesus Christ hath set us a Pattern his words were perfumed with Holiness Luke 4.22 All bare him witness and Wondred at the Gracious words which proceeded out of his Mouth Christ had Grace poured into his Lips Psalm 45.2 In all companies he set good discourse on foot When he sate on Iacobs Well he falls into an Heavenly discourse with the Woman of Samaria about the Water of Life Iohn 4.14 And so when Levi made him a Feast Luke 5 He feasts him again with Heavenly discourse And no sooner was Christ risen from the Grave but he was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Acts 1.3 The more Spiritual we are in our speeches the more we resemble Christ should not the Members be like the Head Christ will not be our Saviour unless we make him our Pattern 4. Good discourse would prevent sinful discourse Much sin passeth in ordinary talk as Gravel and Mud pass along with the Water How many are Guilty of Tongue-sins Good discourse would prevent evil as labour prevents idleness By inuring our Tongues to the Heavenly Dialect the Devil would not have so much Power over us 5. We may guess at mens Hearts by their common discourse Words are the Looking-glass of the Mind As you may Judge of a Face by the glass whether it be fair or foul So by the words we may Judge of the Heart A lascivious Tongue shews a lustful heart an earthly Tongue a covetous heart a Gracious Tongue a Gracious Heart The Ephraimites were known by their Pronunciation saying Sibboleth for Shiboleth Judg. 12.6 So by the manner of our speech we may be known who we belong to The Tongue is the Index of the Heart If you broach a Vessel that which is within will come out by that which comes out of the Mouth you may Guess what is within in the Heart Luke 6 45. Out of the abundance of the Heart the mouth speaketh 6. Good discourse is beneficial Iob 6.23 How forcible are rights words A word spoken in season may make such a powerful impression upon anothers Heart as may do him Good all his Life One single coal is apt to dye but many coals put together keep in the heat Christians by their Heavenly talk do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blow up one anothers Grace into a flame Monica Austins Mother hearing others discourse of Heaven was greatly affected and cryed out What do I do here Why is my Soul held any longer with this Earthen fetter of my Flesh When the Daughters of Ierusalem had conversed a while with the Spouse and had heard her describe Christs admirable beauty their Affections began to be enflamed and they would seek him with her Cant. 6.1 Whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among women that we may seek him with thee A Christian by divine discourse may enlighten another when he is ignorant warm him when he is Frozen comfort him when he is sad confirm him when he is wavering Latimer was much strengthened by discourse with Mr Bilny in Prison and hearing his confession of Faith A good life adorns Religion a good Tongue Propagates it When the Apostle would have us edifie one another what better way could he prescribe than this to have such Holy speeches proceed out of our Mouths as might Minister Grace unto the hearers Eph. 4.29 7. We must be accountable to God for our speeches Words are judged light but theyweigh heavy in Gods Balance by our words we shall be either saved or damned Mat. 12.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned If our words have been seasoned with Grace then the acquitting sentence is like to go on our side 8. Good discourse is a Christians Honour The Tongue is called our Glory Psalm 30.12 Because it is the Instrument of Glorifying God When our Tongues are out of tune in murmuring then they are not our Glory but when these Organs sound in Holy discourse then our Tongues are our Glory 9. Good discourse will be a means to bring Christ into our company While the two Disciples were
the foot was trod on the head cryed out The Saints are Gods Royal diadem Will a King endure to have his Robes spit upon or his Crown-royal thrown in the dust Psalm 105.14 He reproved Kings for their sakes What Monuments of Gods Vengeance were Nero Dioclesian Gardner and the rest of that persecuting tribe Luke 18.7 Shall not God avenge his own elect I tell you he will avenge them speedily Persecutors stand in the place where all Gods Arrows fly Psalm 7.13 He ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors That is a killing Scripture Zach. 13.12 And this shall be the Plague wherewith God will smite all the People that have fought against Jerusalem their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet and their eyes shall consume away in their holes and their Tongues shall consume away in their Mouth Here is Comfort to the people of God in case of the Worlds disesteem of them yet God values them as Jewels and his Judgment is according to truth Rom. 2.2 The Wicked have low Thoughts of the Righteous they beat down the price of these Jewels what they can they think them the refuse and scurse they disdain them load them with slanders and Invectives the Prophet Elijah was looked upon by King Ahab as the Troubler of Israel 1 Kin. 18.17 And Luther was called a Trumpet of Rebellion St. Paul was Judged a Pestilent fellow Acts 24.5 The Wicked think of all things in the World the Saints may be best spared 1 Cor. 4.13 We are made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the filth and off-scowring of all things but this is Vinum in pectore a great consolation to Believers that as low esteem as the reprobate world hath of them yet God hath high Thoughts of them he numbers them among his Jewels They are compared for their preciousness to Gold and Silver Rev. 1.20 They are the Coyn and Medals that bear Gods own Image They are Princes in all Lands Psalm 45.16 Christ engraves their Names on his breast as the Names of the twelve Tribes were set with Precious Stones in Gold upon Aarons Breast-plate God will give whole Kingdoms to ransome his jewells Isa. 43.3 The wicked think the Godly are not worthy to live in the world Acts 22. 21. and God thinks the World is not worthy of them Heb. 11.38 Hence it is God takes away his Jewels so fast and placeth them among the Cherubims To the People of God Are you Gods Jewels then I beseech you shine as Jewels walk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accurately and Holily Phil. 2.15 Among whom ye shine as lights in the World Such as are Gods Jewels should let the World see they have worth in them O Christians let your Lives be an Imitation of the Life of Christ. Such a Jewel was Mr. Bradford Martyr so humble and Innocent in his carriage that at his death many of the Papists could not refrain from Weeping Are you Gods Jewels do nothing that may Eclipse or Sully your lustre When Professors are Proud Envious Censorious when they break their promises or Cheat their Creditors these do not look like Saints What will others say These are the Devils Lumber not Gods Iewels O I beseech you who profess to be of an higher rank than others Honour that Worthy name by which you are called shine as earthly Angels 1 Pet. 2.9 But ye are a Royal Priesthood a peculiar People that ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you Alexander would have the Grecians known not only by their Garments but their Vertues Gods people should be known by the sparkling of their Graces shall there be no difference in behaviour between the Wicked and the Godly between a clod of Earth and a Diamond let it appear that you are Candidates for Heaven you who are Gods People the Lord expects some Singular thing from you Mat. 5.47 He looks that you should bring more Glory to him and by your exemplary Piety make Proselytes to Religion It exhorts the Godly to thankfulness God hath taken you out of the rubbish of mankind and made you Jewels Psalm 113.7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust that he may set him with Princes let me allude God hath raised you out of the dust of a natural Estate and ennobled you that he may set you with Angels those Princes above O admire God set the Crown of your praises upon the head of Free-grace A Gratulatory thankful frame of Heart is pleasing to God if Repentance be the Joy Praise is the Musick of Heaven Bless God who hath wrought such a change in you and of lumps of Earth and sin hath made you Jewels The Third Proposition is That there is a time shortly coming when God will make up his Jewels in that day when I make up my Jewels Here are two Questions 1. What is meant by Gods making up his Jewels 2. What is that day when God will make up his Jewels 1. What is meant by Gods making up his Jewels There is a difference between thâ—se two Gods making of Jewels and his making up of Jewels Gods making of Jewels is when he works Grace but what is Gods making up of Jewels Gods making up his Jewels implyes two things 1. Gods gathering his Saints together 2. Gods perfecting his Saints 1. Gods making up his Jewels implies his gathering his Saints together The Godly in this life are like scattered Pearls they lye distant one from another and are dispersed into several Regions but there is a day coming when God will gather all his Saints together as one puts all his Pearls together on a string There must be such an aggregation or gathering together Gods scattered Saints 1. From the near Relation they have to all the Persons in the Trinity 1. To God the Faterh he hath chosen these Jewels and set them apart for himself Psalm 4.3 and will he lose any of his Elect 2. They are related to Christ he hath bought these Jewels with his blood and will he lose his purchase 3. They are related to the Holy Ghost he hath sanctified them When they were a lump of sin he made them Jewels and when he hath bestowed cost on them will he lose his cost will he not string these Pearls and put them in his celestial Cabinet 2. There must be a gathering together Gods scattered Saints from the Prayer of Christ. It was Christs prayer to his Father that he would make up his Jewels that he would gather together his Pearls that they might be with him in Heaven Iohn 17.24 That they may be with me where I am Christ thinks long till all the Elect Jewels lye together in his bosom He thinks not himself compleat till all his Saints be with him Here is a Soveraign Comfort to the People of God in two cases 1. In case of Scattering 2. In case of Dividing 1. In case of Scattering Gods people are scattered up