Preface which I shall but briefly touch on is which art in Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is said to be in Heaven not that he is so included there that he is no where else for the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him ◠Kings 8.27 but the meaning is God is chiefly resident in the Empyrean Heaven which the Apostle calls the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 there God doth most give forth his Glory to his Saints and Angels Quest. What may we learn from this that God is in Heaven Answ. 1. Hence we learn that we are to raise our Minds in Prayer above the Earth God is no where to be spoken with but in Heaven God never denyed that Soul his suit who went as far as Heaven to ask it 2. We learn from Gods being in Heaven his Soveraign Power Hoc vocabulo intelligitur omnia subesse ejus imperio Calvin Psal. 115.3 Our God is in the heavens he hath done whatever he pleased God being in Heaven governs the Universe and orders all Occurrences here below for the good of his Children When the Saints are in straits and dangers and see no way of relief he can send from Heaven and help them Psal. 57.3 He shall send from heaven and save me 3. We learn Gods Glory and Majesty He is in Heaven therefore he is covered with light Psal. 104.2 cloathed with honour Psal. 104.1 and is as far above all Worldly Princes as Heaven is above Earth 4. We learn from Gods being in Heaven his Omnisciency All things are naked and unmasked to his eye Heb. 4.13 Men plot and contrive against the Church but God is in Heaven and they do nothing but what our Father sees If a Man were on the top of an high Tower or Theatre he might thence see all the People below God is in Heaven as in an Tower or Theatre and he sees all the transactions of Men. The Wicked make wounds in the backs of the Righteous and then pour in Vinegar God writes down their cruelty Exod. 3.7 I have seen the afflictions of my people God is in Heaven and he can thunder out of Heaven upon his enemies Psal. 18.13 The Lord thundered in the heavens yea he sent out arrows and scattered them and he shot out lightnings and discomfited them 5. We learn from Gods being in Heaven Comfort for the Children of God when they pray to their Father the way to Heaven cannot be blocked up One may have a Father living in Foreign parts but the way both the Sea and by Land may be so blocked up that there is no coming to him but thou Saint of God when thou prayest to thy Father he is in Heaven and though thou art never so confined thou mayest have access to him A Prison cannot keep thee from thy God the way to Heaven can never be blocked up So I have done with the word Father I shall speak next of the Pronoun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our Father In the first there is an Appellation Father in the second an Appropriation Our Father Christ by this word Our would teach us thus much That in all our Prayers to God we should act Faith Our Father Father denotes Reverence Our Father denotes Faith In all our Prayers to God we should exercise Faith Our Father Faith is that which baptizeth Prayer and gives it a name it is called the Prayer of Faith Iam. 5.15 without Faith it is speaking not praying Faith is the breath of Prayer Prayer is dead unless Faith breathe in it Faith is a necessary requisite in Prayer The Oyl of the Sanctuary was made up of several sweet Spices pure Myrrhe Cassia Cinamon Exod. 30.23 Faith is the chief spice or ingredient into Prayer which makes it go up to the Lord as sweet Incense Iam. 1.6 Let him ask in faith Mat. 21.22 Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive Invoco te Domine quanquam languida imbecilla fide tamen fide Lord said Cruciger I pray though with a weak Faith yet with Faith Prayer is the Gun we shoot with Fervency is the Fire that dischargeth it and Faith is the Bullet which pierceth the Throne of Grace Prayer is the Key of Heaven Faith is the Hand that turns it Pray in faith Our Father Faith must take Prayer by the hand or there is no coming nigh to God Prayer without Faith is unsuccessful If a poor Handicrafts-man that lives by his labour hath spoiled his tools that he cannot work how shall he subsist Prayer is the tool we work with which procures all good for us but unbelief spoils and blunts our Prayers and then we can get no Blessing from God A Prayer that is Faithless is Fruitless As Ioseph said You shall not see my face unless you bring your brother Benjamin with you Gen. 43.3 so Prayer cannot see Gods face unless it bring its brother Faith with it What is said of Israel They could not enter in because of unbelief Heb. 3.19 is as true of Prayer it cannot enter into Heaven because of unbelief This makes Prayer often suffer shipwrack because it dasheth upon the rock of Unbelief O sprinkle Faith in Prayer We must say Our Father Quest. 1. What doth praying in Faith imply Resp. Praying in Faith implyes the having of Faith the act implyes the habit To walk implyes a principle of Life so to pray in Faith implyes an habit of Grace None can pray in Faith but Believers Quest. 2. What is it to pray in Faith Answ. 1. To pray in Faith is to pray for that which God hath promised where there is no promise we cannot pray in Faith 2. To pray in Faith is to pray in Christs meritorious Name Iohn 14.13 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do To pray in Christs Name is to pray in the hope and confidence of Christs Merit When we present Christ to God in Prayer when we carry the Lamb slain in our Armes when we say Lord we are Sinners but here is our Surety for Christs sake be propitious this is coming to God in Christs Name and this is to pray in Faith 3. To pray in Faith is in Prayer to fix our Faith on Gods faithfulness believing that he doth hear and will help this is a taking hold of God Isa. 64.7 By Prayer we draw nigh to God by Faith we take hold of him 2 Chron. 13.14 The children of Iudah cryed unto the Lord and this was the crying of Faith ver 18. They prevailed because they relyed on the Lord God of their Fathers Making supplication to God and staying the Soul on God is praying in Faith To pray and not rely on God for the granting our Petitions irrisio Dei est saith Pelican it is to abuse and put a scorn upon God By praying we seem to honour God by not believing we affront him In Prayer we say Almighty Merciful Father by not believing we blot out all his Titles again Quest. 3. How may we know
Desertion and are cast down for want of Assurance Resp. 1. Want of Assurance shall not hinder the Success of the Saints Prayers Sin lived in doth ponere obicem put a Bar to our Prayer but want of Assurance doth not hinder Prayer we may go to God still in an humble fiducial manner A Christian perhaps may think because he doth not see Gods smiling Face therefore God will not hear him This is a mistake Psal. 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my Supplication If we pour out Sighs to Heaven God hears every Groan though he doth not shew us his Face he may lend us his Ear. 2. Faith may be strongest when Assurance is weakest the Woman of Canaan had no Assurance but a Glorious Faith O Woman Great is thy Faith Mat. 15.28 Rachel was more Fair but Leah was more Fruitful Assurance is more fair and lovely to look upon but a fruitful Faith God sees is better for us Iohn 20.28 Blessed are they that Believe and feel not 3. When God is out of sight yet he is not out of Covenant Psalm 89.28 My Covenant shall stand fast Though a Wife doth not see her Husbands Face in many Years yet the Marriage Relation holds and he will come again to her after a long Voyage God may be gone from the Soul in Desertion but the Covenant stands fast Isa. 54.10 The Covenant of my Peace shall not be removed Quer. But this Promise was made to the Jews and doth not belong to us Yes Verse 17. This is the Heritage of the Servants of the Lord. This is made to all the Servants of God them that are now living as well as those who lived in the time of the Jews Quest. 8. What should we do to get Assurance Resp. 1. Keep a pure Conscience let no Guilt lie upon the Conscience unrepented of God Seals no Pardons before Repentance God will not pour in the Wine of Assurance into a foul Vessel Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near in full Assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience Guilt clips the Wings of Comfort he who is conscious to himself of Secret Sins cannot draw near to God in full Assurance he cannot call God Father but Judge keep Conscience as clear as your Eye that no dust of sin fall into it 2. If you would have Assurance be much in the Actings of Grace 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise thy self unto Godliness Men grow rich by Trading by Trading in Grace we grow rich in Assurance 2 Pet. 1.10 Make your Election sure How Add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge Keep Grace upon the Wing it is the lively Faith flourisheth into Assurance no Man will set up a great Sail in a small Boat but in a large Vessel God sets up the Sail of Assurance in an Heart enlarged in Grace 3. If you would have Assurance cherish the Holy Spirit of God When David would have Assurance he Prays Take not away thy Spirit from me Psal. 51.11 He knew it was the Spirit only that could make him hear the Voice of Joy The Spirit is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter he seals up Assurance 2 Cor. 1.22 therefore make much of the Spirit do not grieve it As Noah opened the Ark to receive the Dove so should we open our Hearts to receive the Spirit This is the Blessed Dove which brings an Olive branch of Assurance in its Mouth 4. Let us lye at the Pool of the Ordinances frequent the Word and Sacrament Cant. 2. He brought me to the Banqueting House and his Banner over me was Love The blessed Ordinances are the Banqueting House where God displays the Banner of Assurance The Sacrament is a Sealing Ordinance Christ made himself known to his Disciples in the breaking of Bread So in the Holy Supper in the breaking of Bread God makes himself known to us to be our God and Portion Quest. 9. How should they carry themselves who have Assurance Resp. 1. If you have Assurance of your Justification do not abuse Assurance 1. 'T is an abusing of Assurance when we grow more remiss in Duty as the Musician having Mony thrown him leaves off playing By Remisness or intermitting the Exercises of Religion we grieve the Spirit and that is the way to have an Imbargo laid upon our Spiritual Comforts 2. We abuse Assurance when we grow Presumptuous and less fearful of sin What because a Father gives his Son an Assurance of his Love and tells him he will entail his Land upon him shall the Son therefore be Wanton and Dissolute This were the way to lose his Fathers Affection and make him cut off the Entail it was an Aggravation of Solomon's Sin His Heart was turned away from the Lord after he had appeared to him twice 1 Kings 11.9 'T is bad to sin when one wants Assurance but it is worse to sin when one hath it Hath the Lord seal'd his Love with a Kiss Hath he left a Pawn of Heaven in your Hands and do you thus requite the Lord Will you sin with Manna in your Mouth Doth God give you the sweet Clusters of Assurance to feed on and will you return him wild Grapes It much pleaseth Satan either to see us want Assurance or abuse it This is to abuse Assurance when the Pulse of our Soul beats faster in Sin and slower in Duty 2. If you have Assurance admire this stupendious Mercy You deserv'd that God should give you Gaul and Vinegar to drink and hath he made the Hony-Comb of his Love to drop upon you O fall down and adore his Goodness say Lord How is it that thou shouldest manifest thy self to me and not to other Believers Those whom thou lovest as the Apple of thine Eye yet thou holdest them in Suspence and givest them no Assurance of thy Love though thou hast given them the new Name yet not the White stone though they have the Seed of Grace yet not the Oyl of Gladness though they have the Holy Ghost the Sanctifier yet not the Holy Ghost the Comforter Lord whence is it that thou shouldest manifest thy self to me and make thy Golden Beams of Assurance shine upon my Soul O admire God! this will be the Work of Heaven 3. Let your Hearts be endeared in Love to God If God gives his People Correction they must love him much more when he gives them Assurance Psal. 31.23 O love the Lord ye his Saints Hath God brought you to the Borders of Canaan given you a Bunch of Grapes crown'd you with loving Kindness confirm'd your Pardon under the Broad Seal of Heaven How can you be frozen at such a Fire How can you choose but be turn'd into Seraphins Burning in Divine Love Say as St. Austin Animam meam odio Haberem I would hate my own Soul if I did not find it loving God Give God the Cream and Quintessence of your Love and shew your Love by
and discussing this great point let me first clear the Sense of it which I shall first do by way of Concession or Grant When I say Believers do persevere First I grant that such as are so only in Possession may fall away 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us Blazing Comets soon Evaporate A Building on Sand will fall Mat. 7.26 Seeming Grace may be lost no wonder to see a Bough fall from the Tree that is only tied on Hypocrites are only tied on to Christ by an External Profession they are not ingrafted Who ever thought artificial motion would hold long The Hypocrites motion is only Artificial not Vital All Blossoms do not ripen into Fruit. Secondly I grant that if Believers were left to stand upon their own Legs they might fall finally Some of the Angels who were Stars full of Light and Glory yet did actually lose their Grace and if those pure Angels fell from Grace much more would the Godly who have so much Sin to betray them if they were not upheld by a Superior Power 3. I grant true Believers though they do not fall away actually and lose all their Grace yet their Grace may fail in the degree and they may make a great Breach upon their Sanctification Grace may be moritura not mortua dying but not dead Rev. 3.2 Strengthen the things which are ready to dye Grace may be like Fire in the Embers though not quenched yet the Flame is gone out This decay of Grace I shall shew in two particulars 1. The lively actings of Grace may be suspended Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love Grace may be like a sleepy Habit the Godly may act faintly in Religion the pulse of their Affections may beat low The wise Virgins slumbred Matt. 25.5 The Exercise of Grace may be hindred as when the course of Water is stop'd and doth not run 2. Instead of Grace exercising in the Godly Corruption may exercise instead of Patience Murmuring instead of Heavenliness Earthliness How did Pride put forth it self in the Disciples when they strove who should be greatest How did Lust put forth in David Thus lively and vigorous may Corruption be in the Regenerate they may fall into Enormous Sins But though all this be granted yet they do not penitus excidere fall away finally from Grace David did not quite lose his Grace for then why did he pray Take not away thy Holy Spirit from me He had not quite lost the Spirit As Eutiches when he fell from a Window Acts 20. and all thought he was dead No saith Paul there is Life in him So David fell foully but there was the Life of Grace in him Though the Saints may come to that pass they have but little Faith yet not to have no Faith Though their Grace may be drawn low yet not drawn dry Though Grace may be abated not abolished though the wise Virgins slumbred yet their Lamps were not quite gone out Grace when it is at the lowest shall revive and flourish as when Sampson had lost his strength his Hair grew again and he renewed his strength Having thus explained the Proposition I come now to the amplifying this great Doctrin of the Saints Perseverance Quest. 1. By what means do Christians come to persevere Resp. 1. By the Manuduction and help of Ordinances Prayer Word Sacraments Christians do not arrive at Perseverance when they sit still and do nothing It is not with us as with Passengers in a Ship who are carried to the end of their Voyage and they sit still in the Ship or as it is with Noble-men who have their Rents brought in without their Toyl or Labour but we arrive at Salvation in the use of Means as a Man comes to the end of a Race by running to a Victory by fighting Matt. 26.41 Watch and Pray As Paul said Acts 27.31 Except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved Believers shall come to shore at last arrive at Heaven but Except they abide in the Ship viz. in the use of the Ordinances they cannot be saved The Ordinances cherish Grace as they beget Grace so they are the Breast-Milk by which it is nourished and preserved to Eternity 2. Auxilio Spiritus By the Sacred Influence and Concurrence of the Spirit The Spirit of God is continually at work in the Heart of a Believer to carry on Grace to Perseverance it drops on fresh Oyl to keep the Lamp of Grace burning The Spirit excites strengthens encreaseth Grace and makes a Christian go from one step of Faith to another till he comes to the end of his Faith Salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 It is a fine Expression of the Apostle 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us He who dwells in an House keeps the House in repair the Spirit dwelling in a Believer keeps Grace in repair Grace is compar'd to a River of the Water of Life Iohn 7.38 This River can never be dried up because Gods Spirit is a Spring which continually feeds it 3. Grace is carried on to Perseverance by Christs daily Intercession As the Spirit is at work in the Heart so is Christ at work in Heaven Christ is ever praying that the Saints Grace may hold out Iohn 17.11 Conserva illos Father keep those whom thou hast given me keep them as Stars in their Orb keep them as Jewels that they may not be lost Father keep them That Prayer Christ made for Peter was the Copy of his Prayer he now makes for Believers Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it be not totally eclipsed How can the Children of such Prayers perish Quest. 2. By what Arguments may we prove the Saints Perseverance Resp. 1. A veritate Dei from the Truth of God God hath both asserted it and promised it 1. God hath asserted it 1 Iohn 3.9 His Seed remaineth in him 1 Iohn 2.27 The anointing ye have received of him abideth in you 2. As God hath asserted it so he hath promised it The Truth of God the most Orient Pearl of his Crown is laid a Pawn in the Promise Iohn 10.28 I give unto them eternal Life and they shall never perish Jer. 32.42 I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my Fear in their Hearts that they shall not depart from me God will so love his People that he will not forsake them and they shall so fear him that they shall not forsake him If a Believer should not persevere God should break his Promise Hos. 2.19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever in righteousness and loving kindness God doth not Marry his People to himself and then Divorce them he hates putting away Mal. 2.16 Gods love tyes the Marriage Knot so fast that neither Death nor Hell can break it asunder 2. The second Argument is à potentia Dei from the Power of God In the Text we
take heed of which will bring the Fire of God's Wrath. 1. The Fire of Rash Anger Some who profess Religion yet cannot bridle their Tongue they care not what they say in their Anger they will curse their Passions St. Iames saith The Tongue is set on Fire of Hell Chap. 3.6 O take heed of a Fiery Tongue leâ—t it bring thee to Fiery Torment Dives begg'd a Drop of Water to cool his Tongue St. Cyprian saith He had offended most in his Tongue and now that was most set on Fire 2. Take heed of the Fire of Malice Malice is a malignant Humour whereby we wish Evil to another It is a Vermin lives on Blood it studies Revenge Caligula had a Chest where he kept deadly Poysons for them he had Malice against The Fire of Malice brings Men to the Fiery Furnace of God's Wrath. 3. Take heed of the Sin of Vncleanness Heb. 13.4 Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Such as burn in Uncleanness are in great Danger to burn one Day in Hell Let one Fire put out another let the Fire of God's Wrath put out the Fire of Lust. 3 d. Br. To you who have a well-grounded hope that you shall not feel this Wrath which you have deserved let me exhort you 1. To be very thankful to God who hath given his Son to save you from this tremendous Wrath. Iesus hath deliver'd you from Wrath to come The Lamb of God was scorch'd in the Fire of God's Wrath for you Christ did feel the Wrath which he did not deserve that you may escape the Wrath which you have deserved Pliny observes that there is nothing better to quench Fire than Blood Christ's Blood hath quench'd the Fire of God's Wrath for you Vpon me upon me be the Curse said Rebecka to Iacob Gen. 27.13 So said Christ to God's Justice Upon me be the Curse that my Elect may inherit the Blessing 2. Be patient under all the Afflictions which you endure Affliction is sharp but this is not Wrath this is not Hell Who would not willingly drink in the Cup of Affliction that knows he shall never drink in the Cup of Damnation Who would not be willing to bear the Wrath of Men that knows he shall never feel the Wrath of God Christian tho thou mayst feel the Rod thou shalt never feel the bloody Ax. Austin once said Strike Lord where thou wilt if sin be pardoned So say Afflict me Lord as thou wilt in this Life seeing I shall escape Wrath to come Quest. What doth God require of us that we may escape the Wrath and Curse due to us for Sin Answ. Faith in Iesus Christ Repentance unto Life with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Redemption I begin with the First Faith in Iesus Christ Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a Propâ—tiation through Faith in his Blood The great Priviledge in the Text is to have Christ for a Propitiation which is not only to free us from God's Wrath but to ingraâ—iate us into God's Love and Favour And the Means of having Christ to be our Propitiation is Faith in his Blood There is a two-fold Faith Fides quae creditur i. e. The Doctrine of Faith and Fides qua creditur i. e. the Grace of Faith The Act of Justifying Faith lies in Recumbency We do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rest on Christ alone for Salvation As a Man that is ready to drown catcheth hold on the Bough of a Tree So a poor trembling Sinner seeing himself ready to perish catcheth hold by Faith on Christ the Tree of Life and so is saved The Work of Faith is the Holy Spirit therefore Faith is called the Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Faith doth not grow in Nature it is an outlandish Plant a Fruit of the Spirit This Grace of Faith is Sanctissimum humani pectoris Bonum of all others the most precious rich Faith and most Holy Faith and Faith of Gods Elect. Hence it is called Precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 As Gold is the most precious among the Metals so is Faith among the Graces Faith is the Queen of the Graces Faith is the Condition of the Gospel Thy Faith hath saved thee Luke 7.50 Not thy Tears Faith is the Vital Artery of the Soul it animates it Hab. 2.4 The Iust shall live by his Faith Unbelievers tho they breathe yet want Life Faith is as Clemens Alexandrinus calls it a Mother-Grace it excites and invigorates all the Graces Not a Grace stirs till Faith sets it awork Faith sets Repentance awork 't is like Fire to the Still Faith sets Hope awork First we believe the Promise then we hope for it Did not Faith feed the Lamp of Hope with Oyl it would soon die Faith sets Love awork Gal. 5.6 Faith which worketh by love Who can believe in the Infinite Merits of Christ and his Heart not ascend in a Fiery Chariot of Love Faith is a Catholicon or Remedy against all Troubles A Sheat-Anchor we cast out into the Sea of God's Mercy and are kept from sinking in Despair Other Graces have done worthily but thou O Faith excellest them all Indeed in Heaven Love will be the chief Grace but while we are here militant Love must give place to Faith Love takes possession of Glory but Faith gives a Title to it Love is the crowning Grace in Heaven but Faith is the conquering Grace upon Earth 1 Iohn 5.4 This is the Victory that overcometh the World even our Faith Faith carries away the Garland from all the other Graces Other Graces help to sanctifie us but it is Faith only that hath the Honour to Justifie Rom. 5.1 Being justifyed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By Faith Quest. But how comes Faith to be so precious Ans. Not as it is a more holy Quality or as if it had more Worthiness than other Graces but respectu Objecti As it lays hold on Christ the blessed Object and fetcheth in his Fulness Iohn 9.16 Faith in it self consider'd is but manus mendica The Beggar 's Hand But as this Hand receives the rich Alms of Christ's Merits so it is precious and doth Challenge a Superiority over the rest of the Graces Vse I. 1 st Br. Of all Sins beware of the Rock of Vnbelief Heb. 3.12 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of Vnbelief Men think as long as they are not Drunkards or Swearers it is no great matter to be Unbelievers This is the Gospel-sin it dies your other Sins in Grain 1. Unbelief is a Christ-reproaching Sin Unbelief disparageth Christ's Infinite Merit as if it could not save Unbelief makes the Wound of Sin to be broader than the Plaister of Christ's Blood This is an high Contempt offered to Christ and is a deeper Speaâ— than that which the Jews thrust into his Side 2. Unbelief is an Vngrateful Sin Ingratus vitandus est ut dirum scelus tellus ipsa foedius nihil creat
Ingratitude is a Prodigy of Wickedness Unbelief is ungrateful being against the richest Mercy Suppose a King should redeem a Captive and to redeem him should part with his Crown of Gold from his Head and when he had done this should say to the Man redeem'd All I desire of thee in lieu of my Kindness is to believe that I love thee Now if he should say No I do not believe any such thing Or That thou carest not at all for me I appeal to you Were not this odious Ingratitude So is the Case here God hath sent his Son to shed his Blood now God requires only to believe in him that he is able and willing to save us No saith Unbelief his Blood was not shed for me I cannot perswade my self that Christ hath any purpose of Love to me Is not this horrid Ingratitude And this inhanceth a Sin and makes it of a Crimson Colour 3. Unbelief is a Leading Sin It is the Breeder of Sin Qualitas malae vitae initium sumit ab infidelitate Unbelief is a Root-sin and the Devil labours to water this Root that the Branches may be fruitful 1. Unbelief breeds Hardness of Heart Therefore they are put together Mark 16.14 Christ upbraided them with their Vnbelief and Hardness of Heart Unbelief breeds the Stone of the Heart He who believes not in Christ is not affected with his Sufferings he melts not in Tears of Love Unbelief freeth the Heart first it defiles and then it hardens 2. Unbelief breeds Profaneness An Unbeliever will stick at no sin neither at Fals◠Weights nor False Oaths He will swallow down Treason Iudas was first an Unbeliever and then a Traitor Iohn 6.64 He who hath no Faith in his Heart will have no Fear of God before his Eyes 4. Unbelief is a Wrath-procuring Sin 't is Inimica Salutis Bern. Iohn 3.18 Iam condemnatus est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dying so he is as sure to be condemned as if already Iohn 3.36 He that believeth not on the Son the Wrath of God abideth on him He who believes not in the Blood of the Lamb must feel the Wrath of the Lamb. The Gentiles that believe not in Christ will be as well damned as the Jews who blaspheme him And if Unbelief be so fearful and damnable a Sin shall we not be afraid to live in it 2 d. Br. All Graces set Faith awork on Christ. Iohn 3.15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish Eph. 6.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all taking the Shield of Faith Say as Queen Esther I will go in to the King and if I perish I perish She had nothing to encourage her she ventur'd against Law yet the Golden Scepter was held forth to her We have Promises to encourage our Faith Iohn 6.37 He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out Let us then advance Faith by an holy Recumbency on Christ's Merits Christ's Blood will not justifie without believing They are both put together in the Text Faith in his Blood The Blood of God without Faith in God will not save Christ's Sufferings are the Plaister to heal a Sin-sick Soul but this Plaister must be apply'd by Faith 'T is not Money in a rich Man's Hand tho' offered to us will enrich us unless we receive it So it is not Christ's Vertues or Benefits will do us good unless we receive them by the Hand of Faith Above all Graces set Faith on Work Remember this Grace is most acceptable to God and that upon many accounts 1. Because it is a God-exalting Grace It glorifies God Rom. 4.20 Abraham being strong in Faith gave Glory to God To believe that there 's more Mercy in God and Merit in Christ than Sin in us and that Christ hath answered all the Demands and Challenges of the Law and that his Blood hath fully satisfied for us this is in an high Degree to honour God Faith in the Mediator brings more Glory to God than Martyrdom or the most Heroick Act of Obedience 2. Faith in Christ is so acceptable to God because it is such a Self-denying Grace it makes a Man go out of himself renounce all Self-righteousness and wholly rely on Christ for Justification Faith is very humble it confesseth its own Indigence and lives wholly upon Christ. As the Bee sucks Sweetness from the Flower so Faith sucks all its Strength and Comfort from Christ. 3. Faith is a Grace so acceptable to God because by Faith we present a Righteousness to God which doth best please him We bring the Righteousness of Christ into the Court which is called the Righteousness of God 2 Cor. 5.21 To bring Christs Righteousness is to bring Benjamin with us A Believer may say Lord it is not the Righteousness of Adam or of the Angels but of Christ who is God-Man Man that I bring before thee The Lord cannot choose but smell a sweet Savour in Christ's Righteousness Vse II. Trial. Let us try our Faith there is something which looks like Faith and is not Pliny saith there is a Cyprian Stone which is in Colour like a Diamond but it is not of the right kind There is a false spurious Faith in the World Some Plants have the same Leaf with others but the Herbalists can distinguish them by the Root and Taste Something may look like true Faith but it may be distinguished several ways 1. Trial. True Faith is grounded upon Knowledge Knowledge carries the Torch before Faith There is a Knowledge of Christ's Orient Exercises Phil. 3.8 He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Love and Beauty True Faith is a Judicious Intelligent Grace it knows whom it believes and why it believes Faith is seated as well in the Vnderstanding as the Will It hath an Eye to see Christ as well as a Wing to fly to him Such therefore as are invailed with Ignorance or have only an Implicit Faith to believe as the Church believes have no true genuine Faith 2. Faith lives in a broken Heart Mark 9.24 He cryed out with Tears Lo I believe True Faith is always in an Heart bruised for Sin Such therefore whose Hearts were never touched for Sin have no Faith If a Physician should tell us there were an Herb would help us against all Infections but it always grows in a watery place If we should see an Herb like it in Colour Leaf Smell Blossom but it grows upon a Rock we would conclude this were the wrong Herb. So saving Faith doth always grow in an Heart humbled for Sin it grows in a weeping Eye a watry Conscience Therefore if there be a shew of Faith but it grows upon a Rock an hard impenitent Heart this is not the true Faith 3. True Faith is at first nothing but an Embryo it is minute and small it is full of Doubtings Temptations Fears It begins in Weakness It is like the smoaking Flax Matth. 12.20 It smoaks with Desires but doth not flame with Comfort It is at first
so small that it is scarce discernable Such as at the first dash have a strong Perswasion that Christ is theirs who leap out of Sin into Assurance their Faith is false and spurious That Faith which is come to its full Stature on its Birth-day is a Monster The Seed that sprung up suddenly withered Matth. 13.5 4. Faith is a Refining Grace it consecrates and purifies Moral Vertue may wash the out-side Faith washeth the in-side Acts 15.9 Having purified their Hearts by Faith Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary or Temple with this Inscription Holiness to the Lord. Such whose Hearts have Legions of Lusts in them were never acquainted with true Faith For one to say he hath Faith yet lives in Sin is as if one should say he were in Health yet his Vitals are perished Faith is a virgin-Virgin-Grace it is joyn'd with Sanctity 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the Mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience The Jewel of Faith is always put in the Cabinet of a pure Conscience The Woman that touch'd Christ by Faith fetch'd an healing and cleansing Vertue from him 5. True Faith is Obediential Rom. 16.26 The Obedience of Faith Faith melts our Will into the Will of God If God commands Duty tho cross to Flesh and Blood Faith obeys Heb. 11.8 By Faith Abâ—aham obeyed Faith doth not only believe the Promise but obey the Command It is not having a Speculative Knowledge will evidence you to be Believers The Devil hath Knowledge but that which makes him a Devil is he wants Obedience 6. True Faith is encreasing Rom. 1.17 From Faith to Faith i. e. From one Degree of Faith to another Faith doth not lie in the Heart as a Stone in the Earth but as Seed in the Earth it grows Ioseph of Atimathea was a Disciple of Christ but afraid to confess him afterwards he went boldly to Pilate and begg'd the Body of Jesus Iohn 19.36 And a Christians Encrease in Faith is known two ways 1. By Stedfastness He is a Pillar in the Temple of God Col. 2.7 Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the Faith Unbelievers are Scepticks in Religion they are unsettled they question every Truth But when the Faith is on the encreasing Hand it doth Stabilire animum it doth corroborate a Christian he is able to prove his Principles he holds no more than he will die for As that Martyr Woman said I cannot dispute for Christ but I can burn for him An encreasing Faith is not like a Ship in the midst of the Sea that fluctuates and is tossed upon the Waves but like a Ship at Anchor which is firm and stedfast 2. A Christians Encrease in Faith is known by Strength He can do that now which he could not do before When one is Man-grown he can do that which he was not able to do when he was a Child He can carry an heavier Burden So a Christian can bear Crosses with more Patience Obj. But I fear I have no Faith it is so weak Resp. If you have Faith tho but in its Infancy be not discouraged For 1. A little Faith is Faith as a Spark of Fire is Fire 2. A weak Faith may lay hold on a strong Christ A weak Hand can tie the Knot in Marriage as well as a strong She in the Gospel who but touch'd Christ fetch'd Vertue from him 3. The Promises are not made to Strong Faith but to True The Promise doth not say He who hath a Giant-faith who can believe God's Love through a Frown who can rejoyce in Affliction who can work Wonders remove Mountains stop the Mouth of Lions shall be saved but whosoever believes be his Faith never so small A Reed is but weak especially when it is bruised yet the Promise is made to it Matth. 12.20 A bruised Reed he will not break 4. A weak Faith may be Fruitful Weakest things multiply most The Vine is a weak Plant but it is Fruitful The Thief 's Cross which was newly converted was but weak in Grace but how many precious Clusters grew upon that tender Plant Luke 23.40 He chiâ—les his Fellow-Thief Dost not thou fear God He Judgeth himself We indeed suffer justly He believes in Christ when he said Lord. He makes a Heavenly Prayer Remember me when thou comest into thy Kigdom Weak Christians may have strong Affections How strong is the first Love which is after the first planting of Faith 5. The weakest Believer is a Member of Christ as well as the strongest and the weakest Member of the Body Mystical shall not perish Christ will cut off rotten Members but not weak Members Therefore Christian be not discouraged God who would have us receive them that are weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 will not himself refuse them II. The Second means whereby we escape the Curse and Wrath due to Sin is by Repentance Acts 11.18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life Repentance seems to be a bitter Pill to take but it is to purge out the bad Humour of Sin Repentance is by some Antinomian Spirits cryed down as a Legal Doctrine but Christ himself preached it Matth. 4.17 From that time Iesus began to Preach and to say Repent c. And in his last Farewell when he was ascending to Heaven he commanded that Repentance should be Preached in his Name Luke 24.37 Repentance is a pure Gospel-Grace The Covenant of Works would not admit of Repentance It cursed all that could not perform perfect and personal Obedience Gal. 3.10 Repentance comes in by the Gospel it is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase that Repenting Sinners shall be saved Repentance is wrought by the Ministry of the Gospel while it sets before our Eyes Christ Crucified Repentance is not Arbitrary but Necessary there is no being saved without it Luke 13.3 Except ye repent ye shall all likewise Perish And we may be thankful to God that he hath left us this Plank after Shipwrack 1. I shall show the Counterfeits of Repentance 1. Natural Softness and Tenderness of Spirit Some have a tender Affection arising from their Complexion whereby they are apt to weep and relent when they see any Object of Pity These are not Repenting Tears For many weep to see anothers Misery who cannot weep at their own Sin 2. Counterfeit Legal Affrightments A Man hath lived in a course of Sin at last he is made a little sensible he sees Hell ready to devour him and he is filled with Anguish and Horror but within a while the Tempest of Conscience is blown over and he is quiet Then he concludes he is a true Penitent because he hath felt some bitterness in Sin This is not Repentance Iudas had some trouble of Mind If Anguish and Trouble were sufficient to Repentance then the Damned should be most penitent for they are most in Anguish of Mind There may be Trouble of Mind where there is no grieving for the Offence against God 3. Counterfeit a slight superficial Sorrow When God's Hand
Christ and all his Benefits to us We are to pray that this great Ordinance may be Poyson to our Sins and Food to our Graces That as it was with Ionathan when he had tasted the Honey-Comb his Eyes mere enlightned 1 Sam. 14.27 So that by our receiving this Holy Eucharist our Eyes may be so enlightned as to discern the Lord's Body Thus should we implore a Blessing upon the Ordinance before we come The Sacrament is like a Tree hung full of Fruit but none of this Fruit will fall unless shaken by the Hand of Prayer 2. That the Sacrament may be effectual to us as there must be a Due Preparing for it so a right partaking of it Which right Participation of the Sacrament is in Three Things 1. When we draw nigh to God's Table in an humble Sense of our Vnworthiness We do not deserve one Crumb of the Bread of Life we are poor Indigent Creatures who have lost our Glory and are like a Vessel that is Shipwrack'd We smite on our Breast as the Publican God be merciful to us Sinners This is a right Partaking of the Ordinance 'T is part of our Worthiness to see our Unworthiness 2. We rightly partake of the Sacrament when at the Lord's Table we are fill'd with Anhelations of Soul and inflamed Desires after Christ and nothing can quench our Thirst but his Blood Matth. 5.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Blessed are they that thirst They are blessed not only when they are filled but while they are thirsting 3. A right participation of the Supper is when we receive in Faith Without Faith we get no good What is said of the Word Preached It profiteth not not being mixed with Faith Heb. 4.2 is as true of the Sacrament Christ turned Stones into Bread Unbelief turns the Bread into Stones that it doth not nourish Then we partake aright when we come in Faith Faith hath a two-fold Act an adhering and an applying By the first Act we go over to Christ by the second Act we bring Christ over to us Gal. 2.20 This is the great Grace we must set awork Acts 10.43 Philo calls it Fides Occulata Faith is the Eagle Eye that discerns the Lord's Body Faith causeth a virtual Contact it toucheth Christ. Christ said to Mary Touch me not c. Iohn 20.17 She was not to touch him with the Hands of her Body But he saith to us Touch me Touch me with the Hand of your Faith Faith makes Christ present to the Soul The Believer hath a real Presence in the Sacrament The Body of the Sun is in the Firmament but the Light of the Sun is in the Eye Christ's Essence is in Heaven but he is in a Believers Heart by his Light and Influence Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your Heart by Faith Faith is the Pallat which tastes Christ 1 Pet. 2.3 Faith makes a Concoction it causeth the Bread of Life to nourish Faith causeth a Coalition it makes us one with Christ Eph. 1.23 Other Graces make us like Christ Faith makes us Members of Christ. Fourthly Then we partake aright of the Sacrament when we receive in Love 1. Love to Christ. Who can see Christ pierced with a Crown of Thorns sweating in his Agony bleeding on the Cross but his Heart must needs be endeared in Love to him How can we but love him who hath given his Life a ransom for us Love is the Spiced Wine and Juyce of the Pomgranate which we must give Christ Cant. 8.2 Our Love to this Superiour and Blessed Jesus must exceed our Love to other things as the Oyl runs above the Water Tho' we cannot with Mary bring our costly Oyntment to anoynt Christ's Body yet we do more than this when we bring him our Love which is sweeter to him than all Oyntments and Perfumes 2. Love to the Saints This is a Love-Feast Tho' we must eat this Supper with the Bitter Herbs of Repentance yet not with the bitter Herbs of Malice Were it not sad if all the Meat one eats should turn to bad Humours He who comes in Malice to the Lord's Table all he eats is to his hurt He eats and drinks Damnation to himself 1 Cor. 11.29 Come in Love It is with Love as it is with Fire You keep Fire all the Day upon the Hearth but upon special occasions you draw the Fire out larger So tho we must have Love to all yet to the Saints who are our Fellow-Members here we must draw out the Fire of our Love larger and we must show the Largeness of our Affections to them by prizing their Persons by chusing their Company by doing all Offices of Love to them counselling them in their Doubts comforting them in their Fears supplying them in their Wants Thus one Christian may be an Eben-ezer to another and as an Angel of God to him The Sacrament cannot be effectual to him who doth not receive in Love If a Man drinks Poyson and then takes a Cordial the Cordial will do him little good He who hath the Poyson of Malice in his Soul the Cordial of Christ's Blood will do him no good Come therefore in Love and Charity And thus we see how we may receive the Supper of the Lord that it may be Effectual to our Salvation Vse I. From the whole Doctrine of the Sacrament learn How precious should a Sacrament be to us It is a Sealed Deed to make over the Blessings of the New Covenant to us Justification Sanctification Glory A small piece of Wax put to a Parchment is made the Instrument to confirm a rich Conveyance or Lordship to another So these Elements in the Sacrament of Bread and Wine tho in themselves of no great value yet being consecrated to be Seals to Confirm the Covenant of Grace to us so they are of more value than all the Riches of the Indies Vse II. The Sacrament being such an Holy Mystery let us come to this Holy Mystery with Holy Hearts There 's no receiving a crucify'd Christ but into a consecrated Heart Christ in his Conception lay in a pure Virgins Womb and at his Death his Body was wrapped in clean Linnen and put in a new Virgin-Tomb never yet defiled with Rottenness If Christ would not lie in an unclean Grave sure he will not be received into an unclean Heart Isa. 52.11 Be ye clean that bear the Vessels of the Lord. If they who did carry the Vessels of the Lord were to be holy then they who are to be the Vessels of the Lord and are to hold Christ's Body and Blood ought to be holy Vse III. Consolation Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament is a most Sovereign Elixir or Comfort to a distressed Soul Christ having poured out his Blood now God's Justice is fully satisfied There is in the Death of Christ enough to answer all Doubts What if Sin is the Poyson here is the Flesh of Christ an Antidote against it What if Sin be red as Scarlet is not Christ's
II. Such as have this Kingdom of God set up in them it calls for gratulation and thanksgiving What will you be thankful 〈…〉 not for a Kingdom Grace is the best Blessing it is the result and product of Gods electing love God in setting up his kingdom of grace hath done more for you â—han if he had made you Kings and Queens for now you are born of God and of the Blood-Royal of Heaven O admire and exalt free Grace Make Gods pâ—â—ise glorious Psal. 66.2 The Apostle seldom mentions the work of Grace but he joyns praise Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light If God hath crowned you with the Kingdom of Grace do you crown him with your Praises 2. The Second thing intended by our Saviour in this Petition is That the Kingdom of Grace may encrease that it may come more into us And this may answer a Question Quest. Why do we pray Thy Kingdom come when the Kingdom of Grace is already come into the Soul Answ. Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us yet still we must pray Thy Kingdom come namely that grace may be encreased and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our Souls Till we come to live among the Angels we shall need to pray this Prayer Thy Kingdom come Lord let thy kingdom of grace come in more power into my Soul let grace be more augmented and encreased Quest. 1. When doth the Kingdom of Grace increase in the Soul when is it a flourishing Kingdom Answ. 1. When a Christian hath further degrees added to his graces there 's more oyl in the lamp his knowledge is clearer his love is more inflamed Grace is capable of degrees and may rise higher as the Sun in the Horizon It is not with us as it was with Christ who received the Spirit without measure Iohn 3.34 Christ could not be more holy than he was but our Grace is receptive of further degrees we may have more sanctity we may add more cubits to our spiritual stature 2. Then the kingdom of Grace increaseth when a Christian hath gotten more strength than he had Iob 17.9 He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Hebr. Iosiphometz He shall add to his strength A Christian hath strength to resist temptation to forgive his enemies to suffer affliction 't is not easie to suffer a Man must deny himself ere he take up the Cross The way to Heaven is like the way which Ionathan and his Armour-bearer had in climbing up a steep place 1 Sam. 14.4 There was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other It requires much strength to climb up this rocky way That Grace which will carry us through Prosperity will not carry us through Sufferings The Ship needs stronger tackling to carry it through a storm than a calm Now when we are so strong in Grace that we can bear up under affliction without murmuring or fainting here is the kingdom of grace increased What mighty strength of grace had he who told the Emperour Valentinian you may take away my Life but you cannot take away my love to the Truth 3. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian hath most conflict with Spiritual Corruptions he not only abstains from gross Evils but hath a Combat with inward hidden close Corruptions as Pride Envy Hypocrisy vain Thoughts carnal Confidence these are spiritual Wickednesses and do both defile and disturb 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit Which shows there are two sorts of Corruptions one of the Flesh the other of the Spirit when we grieve for and combat with spiritual Sin as being the Root of all gross sins Now the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth and spreads its Territories in the Soul 4. Then the kingdom of grace flourisheth when a Christian hath learned to live by Faith Gal. 2.20 I live by the Faith of the Son of God There is the Habit of Faith and the drawing of this Habit into exercise For a Christian to graft his hope of Salvation only upon the stock of Christs Righteousness and make Christ all in Justification to live on the Promises as the Bee on the Flower and suck out the sweetness of them to trust God where we cannot trace him to believe his Love thorough a Frown to perswade our selves when he hath the Face of an Enemy yet he hath the Heart of a Father when we are arrived at this here is the Kingdom of Grace flourishing in our Souls 5. When a Christian is arrived at holy Zeal Numb 25.13 Phinehas was zealous for his God Zeal is the Flame of the Affections it turns a Saint into Seraphim A zealous Christian is impatient when God is dishonoured Rev. 2.2 he will wrestle with difficulties he will swim to Christ through a sea of blood Act. 21.13 Zeal loves truth when it is dispised and opposed Psal. 119.126 They have made void thy Law therefore I love thy Law Here is grace encreasing like the Sun in the Horizon Zeal resembles the Holy Ghost Acts. 2.2 There appeared cloven Tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them Tongues of fire were an Emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured upon them 6. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian is as well diligent in his particular Calling as devout in his general He is the wise Christian that carries things equally that doth so live by Faith that he lives in a Calling Therefore it is worth our Notice when the Apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to encrease in grace 1 Thess. 4.10 he presently adds ver 11. And that ye do your own business and work with your hands This is a sign grace is encreasing when Christians go chearfully about their Calling Indeed to be all the day in the Mount with God and to have the Mind fixed on glory is more sweet to a Mans self and is an Heaven upon Earth But to be conversant in our Callings is more profitable to others I may allude to that of St. Paul To be with Christ is best for me yet to abide here is more needful for you Phil. 1.24 So to converse with God in Prayer and sweet Meditation all the Week long is more for the Comfort of a Man 's own Person but to be sometimes employed in the business of a Calling is more profitable for the Family to which he belongs 'T is not good to be as the Lillies which toyl not neither do they spin It shows the encrease of grace when a Christian keeps a due Decorum He joins Piety and Industry when zeal runs forth in Religion and Diligence is put forth in a Calling 7. Then the Kingdom of grace encreaseth when a Christian is established in the belief and love of the Truth The heart by nature is as a Ship without Ballast it wavers and fluctuates
Temptation strikes at some Grace more than other As in tempting he aims at some Persons more than others so he aims at some Grace more than other and if he can prevail in this he knows what an advantage it will be to him If you ask what Grace it is that Satan in his Temptations doth most strike at I Answer it is the Grace of Faith He lays the Train of his Temptation to blow up the Fort of our Faith Fidei scutum percutit Why did Christ pray more for Peter's Faith than any other Grace Luk. 22.32 Because Christ saw that his Faith was most in danger the Devil was striking at this Grace Satan in Tempting Eve did labour to weaken her Faith Gen. 3.1 Yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every Tree of the Garden The Devil would perswade her that God had not spoken Truth and when he had once wrought her to distrust then she took of the Tree 'T is called Scutum fidei the Shield of Faith Ephes. 6.16 Satan in Tempting strikes most at our Shield he assaults our Faith True Faith though it cannot be wholly lost yet it may suffer a great Eclipse Though the Devil cannot by Temptation take away the Life of Faith yet he may the lively acting He cannot Gratiam diruere but he may debilitare Quest. But why doth Satan in Tempting chiefly set upon our Faith A. 1 King 22.31 Fight neither with small nor great save onely with the King So Faith is as it were the King of the Graces it is a Royal Princely Grace and puts forth the most Majestick and noble Acts therefore Satan fights chiefly with this Kingly Grace I shall shew you the Devils Policy in assaulting Faith most First Because this is the Grace doth Satan most Mischief it makes the most resistance against him 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist stedfast in Faith No Grace doth more bruise the Serpents Head than Faith Faith is both a Shield and a Sword defensive and offensive 1. It is a Shield A shield guards the Head defends the Vitals the shield of Faith causeth that the fiery darts of Temptation do not pierce us thorough 2. Faith is a Sword it wounds the Red Dragon Quest. How comes Faith to be so strong that it can resist Satan and put him to flight Answ. 1. Because Faith brings the strength of Christ into the Soul Sampson's strength lay in his Hair ours lies in Christ If a Child be assaulted it runs and calls to its Father for help So when Faith is assaulted it runs and calls Christ and in his Strength overcomes 2. Faith furnisheth it self with store of Promises the Promises are Faith's Weapons to fight with Now as David by Five Stones in his Sling wounded Goliah 2 Sam. 17.40 So Faith puts the Promises as Stones into its Sling I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 He will not break the bruised reed Matt. 12.20 He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able 1 Cor. 10.13 The Lord will shortly bruise Satan under your feet Rom. 16.20 None shall pluck you out of my Fathers hands Joh. 10.29 Here are Five Promises like five Stones put in the Sling of Faith and with these a Believer wounds the Red Dragon Now Faith being such a Grace that doth so resist and wound Satan he will watch his opportunity that he may batter our shield though he cannot break it 2. Satan strikes most at our Faith and would weaken and destroy it because Faith hath a great influence upon all the other Graces Faith sets all the Graces a-work Like some rich Clothier that gives out a stock of Wool to the Poor and sets them all a Spinning So Faith gives out a stock to all the other Graces and sets them a working Faith sets Love a-work 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 5.6 Faith which worketh by love When once the Soul believes God's Love this kindles Love to God The believing Martyrs burned hotter in Love than in Fire Faith sets Repentance a-work When the Soul believes there is Mercy to be had and that this mercy is for him this sets the eyes a Weeping O saith the Soul that ever I should offend so gracious a God Repenting tears drop from the eye of Faith Mark 9.24 The Father of the Child cried out with tears Lord I believe Faith set his eyes abroach with Tears therefore the Devil hath most spight at Faith and by his Temptations would undermine it because it is such an Operative Grace it sets all the other Graces on work If the Devil cannot destroy our Faith yet if he can disturb it if he can hinder and stop the actings of Faith he knows all the other Graces will be lame and unactive If the Spring in a Watch be stopp'd it will hinder the motion of the Wheels If Faith be down all the other Graces are at a stand 21. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is In broaching those Doctrines that are Flesh-pleasing Satan knows the Flesh loves to be gratified it cries out for ease and liberty it will not endure any yoke unless it be lined and made soft The Devil will be sure so to lay his bait of Temptation as to please and humour the flesh The Word saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strive as in an Agony to enter into Glory Crucifie the Flesh Take the Kingdom of Heaven by holy Violence Now Satan to enervate and weaken these Scriptures comes with Temptations and flatters the Flesh. He tells Men there needs no such Strictness Why so much zeal and violence a softlier pace will serve sure there is an easier way to Heaven There needs no breaking the heart for Sin do but confess to a Priest or tell over a few Beads or say some Ave Maries and this will procure you a Pardon and give you admission into Paradise Or the Devil can go another way to work if he sees Men startle at Popery then he stirs up the Flattering Antinomian and he comes in another Disguise and saith What needs all this cost What needs Repenting Tears These are legal VVhat need you be so strict in your Obedience Christ hath done all for you you may make use of your Christian Liberty This Temptation draws away many it takes them off from strictness of life He who sells cheapest shall have most Customers The Devil knows this is a cheap easie Doctrine which will please the flesh and he doth not doubt but he shall have Customers enough 22. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is in Reference to Holy Duties His policy is either to hinder from duty or discourage in duty or put Men on too far in duty I. To hinder from Duty as 1 Thes. 2.18 I would have come once and again but Satan hindred me So many Duties of Religion had been performed but Satan hindered The hand of Ioab is in this There are Three Duties which the Devil is an enemy to and labours to keep us from 1. Meditation He will let Men
the adoption and the glory But now in the time of Gospel the Chartar is enlarged and the believing Gentiles are within the Line of Communication and have a Right to the Priviledge of Adoption as well as the Iews Acts 10.35 In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Position 2. Adoption takes in both Sexes Females as well as Males 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters I have read in some Countries Females are excluded from the Supream Dignity as by the Salique Law in France no Woman can inherit a Crown But if we speak of Spiritual Priviledges Females are as capable as Males Every gracious Soul of whatever Sex lays claim to Adoption and hath an Interest in God as a Father Ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty Position 3. Adoption is an Act of pure Grace Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of his will Adoption is a Mercy spun out of the Bowels of Free-grace all by Nature are Strangers therefore have no Right to Sonship only God is pleased to adopt one and not another to make one a Vessel of Glory another a Vessel of Wrath. The adopted Heir may cry out Lord how is it thou wilt show thyself to me and not unto the World Quest. What this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Filiation or Adoption is Resp. Adoption is the taking a Stranger into the Relation of a Son and Heir So Moses was the adopted Son of King Pharoah's Daughter Exod. 2.10 And Esther was the adopted Child of her Cousin Mordecai Esth. 2.7 Thus God adopts us into the Family of Heaven and God in adopting us doth two things 1. He Ennobles us with his Name he who is adopted bears his Name who adopts him Rev. 3.12 I will write on him the name of my God 2. God consecrates us with his Spirit Whom he Adopts he Anoints whom he makes Sons he makes Saints When a Man adopts another for his Son and Heir he may put his Name upon him but he cannot put his Disposition into him if he be of a morose rugged Nature he cannot alter it But whom God adopts he sanctifies He doth not only give them a new Name but a new Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 God turns the Wolf into a Lamb he makes the Heart humble and gracious he works such a Change as if another Soul did dwell in the same Body Quest. From what State doth God take us when he adopts us Resp. From a State of Sin and Misery King Pharoah's Daughter took Moses out of the Ark of Bulrushes in the Water and adopted him for her Son God did not take us out of the Water but out of our Bloud and adopted us Ezek. 16. God adopted us from Slavery It is a Mercy to redeem a Slave but it is more to adopt him Quest. To what God adopts us Resp. He adopts us to a State of Excellency it were much for God to take a Clod of Dust and make it a Star it is more for God to take a Piece of Clay and Sin and adopt it for his Heir 1. God adopts us to a State of Liberty Adoption is a State of Freedom A Slave being adopted is made a free Man Gal. 4.7 Thou art no more a servant but a son Quest. How is an adopted Son free Resp. 1. Not to do what he list he is freed from the Dominion of Sin the Tyranny of Satan the Curse of the Law 2. He is free in the manner of Worship he hath God's free Spirit which makes him free and chearful in his Service of God he is joyful in the house of prayer Isa. 56.7 2. God adopts us to a State of Dignity God makes us Heirs of Promise God Instals us into Honour Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable The Adopted are God's Treasure Exod. 19.5 His Jewels Mal. 3.17 His first Born Heb. 12.23 They have Angels for their Life-guard Heb. 1.14 They are of the Bloud-Royal of Heaven 1 Iob. 3.9 The Scripture hath set forth their Spiritual Heraldry they have their Escutcheon or Coat-armour Sometimes they give the Lyon for their Courage Prov. 28.1 Sometimes the Dove for their Meekness Cant. 2.14 Sometimes the Eagle for their Sublimeness Isa. 40.31 Thus you see their Coat of Arms display'd but what is Honour without Inheritance God adopts all his Sons to an Inheritance Luke 12.32 It is your Father's good pleasure to give you a kingdom 'T is no Disparagment to be the Sons of God To reproach the Saints is as if Shimei had reproached David when he was going to be made King Adoption ends in Coronation The Kingdom God gives his adopted Sons and Heirs excels all Earthly Monarchies 1. In Riches Rev. 21.21 the Gates of Pearl and the Streets of pure Gold and as it were transparent Glass 2. In Tranquility it is peaceable the white Lily of Peace is the best Flower of a Prince's Crown Pax una triumphis innumeris melior No Divisions at Home or Invasions Abroad no more the Noise of the Drum or Canon but the Voice of Harpers harping the Hieroglyphick of Peace Rev. 14.2 3. In Stability other Kingdoms are corruptible though they have Heads of Gold yet Feet of Clay but this Kingdom into which the Saints are adopted runs parallel with Eternity 't is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.28 The Heirs of Heaven reign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 Quest. What is the Organical or Instrumental Cause of Adoption Resp. Faith interests us in the Priviledge of Adoption Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Before Faith be wrought we are Spiritually Illegitimate we have no relation to God as a Father an Unbeliever may call God Iudge but not Father Faith is the filiating Grace it confers upon us the Title of Sonship and gives us right to inherit Quest. Why Faith is the Instrument of Adoption more then any other Grace Resp. 1. Faith is a quickning Grace it is the Vital Artery of the Soul Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by faith Life makes us capable of Adoption dead Children are never adopted 2. Faith makes us CHRIST's Brethren and so GOD comes to be our Father Use 1. Branch 1. See the amazing Love of God in making us his Sons Plato gave God Thanks that he had made him a Man and not only a Man but a Philosopher but it is infinitely more that he should invest us with the Prerogative of Sons It is Love in God to feed us but more to adopt us 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! It is an Ecce Admirantis a Behold of Wonder The Wonder of God's Love in adopting us will appear the more if we consider these six things 1. That God should adopt us when he
we have lost our Spiritual Appetite A Consumptive Person hath not that Stomach to his Meat as formerly Perhaps Christian thou canst remember the time when thou didst Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness thou didst come to Ordinances with such a Stomach as to a Feast but now it is otherwise Christ is not so prized nor his Ordinances so loved a sad presage Grace is on the declining Hand thou art in a deep Consumption A sign David was near his Grave when he covered him with Cloaths and he got no heat 1 Kings 1.1 So when a Person is plyed with hot Cloaths I mean Ordinances yet he hath no heat of Affection to Spiritual things this is a sign he is declining in Grace Sign 2. When we grow more Wordly Perhaps once we were mounted into higher Orbs we did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set our Hearts on things above and speak the Language of Canaan but now our Minds are taken off of Heaven we dig our Comfort out of these lower Mines and with Satan compass the Earth A sign we are going down the Hill apace and our Grace is in a Consumption It is observable when Nature decays and People are near Dying they grow more stooping and truly when Mens Hearts go more stooping to the Earth and they can hardly lift up themselves to an Heavenly Thought if Grace be not Dead yet it is ready to Dye Rev. 3.2 Sign 3. When we are less troubled about Sin Time was when the least Sin did grieve us as the least Hair makes the Eye weep but now we can digest Sin without remorse Time was when a Christian was troubled if he neglected Closet-Prayer now he can omit Family-Prayer Time was when vain Thoughts did trouble him now he is not troubled for loose Practices Here is a sad declension in Religion and truly Grace is so far from growing that we can hardly perceive its Pulse to beat 2. The Signs of our growing in Grace 1. The First Sign of our growth is when we are got beyond our former measures of Grace A sign a Child thrives when he hath out-grown his Cloaths his Cloaths are too little for him That Knowledg which would serve us before will not serve us now we have a deeper Insight into Religion our Light is clearer our Spark of Love is encreased into a Flame there is a sign of growth That competency of Grace we once had is now too scanty for us we have out-grown our selves 2. When we are more firmly rooted in Religion Col. 2.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rooted in him and established the spreading of the Root shews the growth of the Tree When we are so strongly fastned on Christ that we cannot be blown down with the Breath of Hereticks a blessed sign of growth Athanasius call'd Adamas Ecclesiae an Adamant that could not be removed from the love of the truth 3. The Third sign of growth when we have a more Spiritual frame of Heart First We are more Spiritual in our Principles we oppose Sin out of love to God and as it strikes at his Holiness Secondly We are more Spiritual in our Affections we grieve for the first risings of Corruption for the bubling up of vain Thoughts the Spring that runs under Ground We mourn not only for the penalty of Sin but the Pollution It is not only a Coal that burns but blacks Thirdly we are Spiritual in the Performance of Duty we are more serious reverent fervent we have more Life in Prayer we put Fire to the Sacrifice Rom. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fervent in Spirit We serve God with more Love which Ripens and Mellows our Duty and makes it come off with a better rellish 4. The Fourth sign of growth when Grace gets ground by Opposition The Fire by an Antiperistasis burns hottest in the Coldest Season Peter's Courage encreas'd by the opposition of the High Priest and the Rulers Acts 4.8 11. The Martyrs Zeal was encreased by Persecution Here was Grace of the first Magnitude Quest. 6. What shall we do to grow in Grace Resp. 1. Take heed of that which will hinder growth the love of any Sin The Body may as well thrive in a Fever as Grace can where any Sin is cherished 2. Use all means for growth in Grace First Exercise your selves to Godliness 1 Tim. 4.7 the Body grows stronger by Exercise Trading of Mony makes Men grow Rich the more we Trade our Faith in the Promises the richer in Faith we grow Secondly If you would be growing Christians be humble Christians 'T is observ'd in some Countries as in France the best and largest Grapes which they make their Wine of grow on the lower sort of Vines the Humble Saints grow most in Grace 1 Pet. 5.5 God giveth Grace to the Humble Thirdly Pray to God for Spiritual growth Some pray that they may grow in Gifts It is better to grow in Grace than Gifts Gifts are for Ornament Grace is for Nourishment to edifie others to save our selves Some pray that they may grow rich but a Fruitful Heart is better than a full Purse Pray that God will make you grow in Grace though it be by Affliction Heb. 12.10 the Vine grows by Pruning God's Pruning Knife is to make us grow more in Grace Quest. 7. How may we comfort such as complain they do not grow in Grace Resp. They may mistake they may grow when they think they do not Prov. 13.7 There is that maketh himself Poor yet he is rich The sight Christians have of their Defects in Grace and their Thirst after greater measures of Grace makes them think they do not grow when they do He who covets a great Estate because he hath not so much as he desires therefore he thinks himself to be Poor Indeed Christians should seek after the Grace they want but they must not therefore overlook the Grace they have Let Christians be thankful for the least growth if you do not grow so much in Assurance bless God if you grow in Sincerity If you do not grow so much in Knowledg bless God if you grow in Humility If a Tree grows in the Root it is a true growth if you grow in the Root Grace of Humility it is as needful for you as any other growth Of PERSEVERANCE 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation THE Fifth and Last Fruit of Sanctification is Perseverance in Grace The Heavenly Inheritance is kept for the Saints 1 Pet. 1.4 and they are kept to the Inheritance in my Text Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation The Apostle asserts a Saints stability and permanency in Grace The Saints Perseverance is much oppugned by Papists and Arminians but it is not the less true because it is opposed A Christians main Comfort depends upon this Doctrin of Perseverance take away this and you much prejudice Religion and cut the Sinews of all chearful Endeavours Before I come to the full handling
gives Sleep nay sometimes he gives a Song in the Night Psal. 42.8 And he hath Mercies for the Morning Lam. 3.23 His Compassions are fresh every Morning Thirdly God hath Mercies for all sorts Mercies for the Poor 1 Sam. 2.8 He raiseth the Poor out of the Dust. Mercies for the Prisoner Psal. 69.33 He despiseth not his Prisoners Mercies for the Dejected Isa. 54.8 In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee God hath old Mercies Psal. 25.6 Thy Mercies have been ever of old And new Mercies Psal. 40.3 He hath put a new Song in my Mouth Every time we draw our Breath we suck in Mercy God hath Mercies under Heaven and those we taste of and Mercies in Heaven and those we hope for Thus Gods Mercy is superabundant 4. The Mercy God shews is abiding Psal. 103.16 The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting Gods anger to his Children lasts but a while Psal. 103.9 but his Mercy lasts for ever Gods Mercy is not like the Widows Oyl which ran a while and then ceased 2 Kings 4.6 Over-flowing Ever-flowing Gods Mercy as it is without Bounds so without Bottom Psal. 136. His Mercy endures for ever God never cuts off the Intail of Mercy from the Elect. Quest. 2. How many ways is God said to shew Mercy Resp. 1. We are all Living Monuments of Gods Mercy God shews Mercy to us in dayly supplying us First He supplies us with Health Health is the Sawce which makes our Life relish Sweeter How would they prize this Mercy who are Chain'd to a Sick-bed Secondly God supplies us with Provision Gen. 48.15 The God who hath fed me all my Days Mercy spreads our Table it carves us every bit of Bread we eat we never drink but in the Golden Cup of Mercy 2. God shews Mercy in lengthening out our Gospel-Liberties 1 Cor. 16.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there are many Adversaries many would stop the Waters of the Sanctuary that they should not run We enjoy the sweet Seasons of Grace we hear joyful Sounds we see the goings of God in his Sanctuary we enjoy Sabbath after Sabbath the Manna of the Word yet falls about our Tents when in divers parts of the Land they have no Manna Here is God shewing Mercy to us he spins out our forfeited Liberties 3. God shews Mercy to us in preventing many Evils from invading us Psal. 3.3 Thou O Lord art a Shield for me God hath restrained the Wrath of Men and been a Screen between us and Danger When the Destroying Angel hath been abroad and shot his deadly Arrow of Pestilence God hath kept off the Arrow that it hath not come near us 4. God shews Mercy in delivering us 2 Tim. 4.17 And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion viz. Nero. God hath restored us from the Grave May we not write the Writing of Hezekiah Isa. 38 9. when he had been sick and was recovered of his Sickness When we thought the Sun of our Life had been setting God hath made it return to its former Brightness 5. God shews Mercy in restraining of us from Sin Lusts within are worse than Lions without The greatest sign of Gods Anger is to give Men up to their Sins Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up to their own Hearts Lusts let them Sin themselves to Hell But God hath laid the Bridle of restraining Grace upon us As God said to Abimelech Gen. 20.6 I withheld thee from sinning against me So God withheld us from those Exorbitancies which might have made us a Prey to Satan and a Terrour to our Selves 6. God shews Mercy in guiding and directing us Is it not a Mercy for one that is out of the way to have a Guide First There is a Providential guiding God guides our Affairs for us Chaulks out a way he would have us to walk in he resolves our Doubts unties our Knots appoints the bounds of our Habitation Acts 17.26 Secondly A Spiritual guiding Psal. 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel As Israel had a Pillar of Fire to go before them so God guides us with the Oracles of his Word and the Conduct of his Spirit He guides our Head keeps us from error and he guides our Feet keeps us from Scandal O what Mercy is it to have God to be our Guide and Pilot Psal. 31.3 For thy Name 's sake lead me and guide me 7. God shews Mercy in Correcting us God is Angry in Love he smites that he may save Gods Rod is not a Rod of Iron to break us but a Fatherly Rod to Humble us Heb. 12.10 He for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Either God will mortifie some corruption or exercise some grace Is there not Mercy in this Every Cross to a Child of God is like Paul's Cross Wind which though it broak the Ship it brought Paul to Shoar upon the broken Pieces Acts 27.44 8. God shews Mercy in Pardoning us Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like thee that pardonest Iniquity 'T is Mercy to Feed us Rich Mercy to Pardon us This Mercy is spun out of the Bowels of Free Grace this is enough to make a Sick Man well Isa. 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am Sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Pardon of Sin is a Mercy of the first Magnitude God seals the Sinners Pardon with a Kiss This made David put on his best Cloaths and anoint himself his Child newly Dead and God had told him the Sword should not depart from his House yet now he falls Anointing himself the reason was God had sent him his Pardon by the Prophet Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy Sin Pardon is the only fit Remedy for a troubled Conscience What can give ease to a Wounded Spirit but pardoning Mercy Offer him the Honours and Pleasures of the World 't is as if you bring Flowers and Musick to one that is condemned Quest. How may I know my Sins are pardoned Resp. Where God removes the guilt he breaks the power of Sin Mic. 7.19 He will have Compassion he will subdue our Iniquities With Pardoning Love God gives Subduing Grace 9. God shews his Mercy in Sanctifying us Lev. 20.8 I am the Lord that sanctifie you This is the partaking of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Consecration though it Sanctifies us but in part yet in every part 1 Thes. 5.23 This is such a Mercy that God cannot give in Anger if we are Sanctified then we are Elected 2 Thes. 2.13 God hath chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification This doth disponere ad Coelum it prepares for Happiness as the Seed prepares for Harvest When the Virgins had been Anointed and Perfumed then they were to stand before the King Esther 2.12 So when we have had the Anointing of God then we shall stand before the King of Heaven 10. God shews Mercy
had put all the Creatures in a Limbeck and stilled out the Quintessence and behold All was Vanity Eccles. 2.11 Covetousness is a dry Dropsie the more a Man hath the more he thirsts Quo plus sunt potae plus sitiuntur aquae 3. Worldly things cannot remove Trouble of mind King Saul being perplexed in Conscience all his Crown-Jewels could not administer Comfort to him 1 Sam. 28.15 The things of the World will no more ease a troubled Spirit than a Gold Cap will cure the Head-ach 4. The things of the World if you had more of them cannot continue with you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isocr The Creature hath a little Honey in its Mouth but it hath Wings to fly away Glass Mettal These things either go from us or we from them What poor things are these to covet 2. Second Consideration The Frame and Contexture of the Body God hath made the Face to look upwards towards Heaven Os Homini sublime dedit coelumque tueri Iussit Ovid. Anatomists observe that whereas other Creatures have but Four Muscles to their Eyes Man hath a Fifth Muscle by which he is able to look up to Heaven And as for the Heart it is made like a Glass Viol narrow and contracted downwards but wide and broad upwards And as the Frame and Contexture of the Body teacheth us to look to things Above so especially the Soul is planted in the Body as a Divine Sparkle to ascend upwards Can it be imagined that God gave us intellectual Immortal Souls to covet only Earthly things What wise Man would fish for Gudgeons with Golden Hooks Did God give us Glorious Souls only to fish for the World Sure our Souls are made for an higher End to aspire after the enjoyment of God in Glory 3. Third Consideration The Examples of those who have been Contemners and Despisers of the World The Primitive Christians as Clemens Alexandrinus observes were sequestred from the World and where wholly taken up in Converse with God they lived in the World above the World Like the Birds of Paradise who soar above in the Air and seldom or never touch with their Feet upon Earth Luther saith That he was never tempted to this Sin of Covetousness The Saints of old tho they did live in the World they did trade in Heaven Phil. 3.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our Conversation is in Heaven The Greek Word signifies our Commerce or Traffick or Burghership is in Heaven Enoch walked with God Gen. 5.24 His Affections were sublimated he did take a turn in Heaven every Day The Righteous are compared to a Palm-Tree Psal. 92.12 Philo observes That whereas all other Trees have their Sap in their Root the Sap of the Palm-tree is towards the Top. The Emblem of the Saints whose Hearts are above in Heaven where their Treasure is 3. The Third Remedy Covet Spiritual things more and you will Covet earthly things less Covet Grace Grace is the best Blessing it is the Seed of God 1 Iohn 3.9 The Angels Glory covet Heaven Heaven is the Region of Happiness 't is the most pleasant Climate Did we covet Heaven more we should covet Earth less They that stand on the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem but as small Villages in their Eye If we could have our Hearts more fixed upon the Ierusalem above how would all Worldly things disappear and be as nothing in our Eye We read of an Angel coming down from Heaven who did tread with his right Foot on the Sea and with his left Foot on the Earth Rev. 10.2 Had we but once been in Heaven and viewed the Superlative Glory of it how might we in an holy Scorn trample with one Foot upon the Earth and with the other Foot upon the Sea Oh covet after Heavenly things There is the Tree of Life the Mountains of Spices the Rivers of Pleasure the Honey-comb of God's Love dropping the Delights of Angels the Flower of Joy fully ripe and blown There is the pure Air to breath in no Fogs nor Vapors of Sin arise to infect that Air but the Sun of Righteousness enlightens that Horizon continually with its glorious Beams O let your Thoughts and Delights be always taken up about the City of Pearl the Paradise of God Did we covet Heavenly things more we should covet earthly things less It is reported after Lazarus was raised from the Grave he was never seen to smile or be delighted with the World after Were our Hearts rais'd by the Power of the Holy Ghost up to Heaven we should not be much taken with Earthly things 4. The Fourth Remedy Pray for an Heavenly Mind Lord let the Loadstone of thy Spirit draw my Heart upward Lord dig the Earth out of my Heart teach me how to possess the World and not love it how to hold it in my hand and not let it get into my Heart So much for the Commandment in General Thou shalt not cover 2. I shall speak of it more Particularly Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife c. Observe here the Holiness and Perfection of God's Law It forbids the Motus primo primi the First Motions and Risings of Sin in the Heart Thou shalt not covet The Laws of Men take hold of the Actions but the Law of God goes further it forbids not only the Actions but the Affections Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House It is not said Thou shalt not take away his House But Thou shalt not covet it These Lustings and Desires after the Forbidden Fruit are sinful Rom. 7.7 The Law hath said Thou shalt not covet Tho the Tree bears no bad Fruit it may be faulty at the Root Tho a Man doth not commit Gross Sin yet who can say his Heart is pure There may be a Faultiness at the Root there may be sinful Covetings and Lustings in the Soul Vse Let us be humbled for the Sin of our Nature the Risings of Evil Thoughts coveting that which we ought not Our Nature is a Seed-Plot of Iniquity it is like Charcoal that is ever sparkling The Sparkles of Pride Envy Covetousness arise in the Mind How should this humble us If there be not sinful Actings there are sinful Covetings Let us pray for mortifying Grace which may be like the Water of Jealousie to make the Thigh of Sin to rot But to come to the Words more nearly Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House nor thy Neighbours Wife c. Quest. Why is the House put before the Wife In Deuteronomy the Wife is put first Deut. 5.21 Neither shalt thou desire thy Neighbours Wife neither shalt thou covet thy Neighbours House Here the House is put first Resp. In Deuteronomy the Wife is set down first in respect of her Value She if a good Wife is of far greater Value and Estimate than the House Prov. 31.10 Her Price is far above Rubies She is the Furniture of the House and this Furniture
it there can be no good Crop Some have Memories like leaking Vessels the Sermons they hear are presently gone and then there is no good done If Meat doth not stay and concoct in the Stomach it will not nourish Satan labours to steal the Word out of our Mind Mark 4.15 When they have heard Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the Word that was sown Our Memories should be like the Chest of the Ark wherein the Law was put 7. Reduce your Hearing to Practice Live the Sermons your hear Psal. 119.166 I have done thy Commandments Rachel was not content that she was Beautiful but her Desire was to be Fruitful What is a knowing Head without a fruitful Heart Phil. 1.11 Fill'd with the Fruits of Righteousness It is Obedience crowns Hearing That Hearing will never save the Soul which doth not reform the Life 8. Beg of God that he will accompany his Word with his Presence and Blessing The Spirit must make all effectual Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is God's Spirit must make it work Cathedram habet in Coelo qui corda docet in terra Aug. He hath his Pulpit in Heaven that converts Souls Acts 10.44 While Peter was speaking the Holy Ghost fell upon all them that heard It is said the Alchimist can draw Oyl out of Iron God's Spirit can produce Grace in the most obdurate Heart 9. ult If you would have the VVord work effectually to your Salvation make it Familiar to you discourse of the VVord you have heard when you come home Psal. 119.172 My Tongue shall speak of thy Word That may be one reason why some People get no more good by what they hear because they never speak one to another of what they have heard As if Sermons were such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again or as if it were a Shame to speak of matters of Salvation Mal. 3.16 They that feared the Lord spake often one to another and a Book of Remembrance was written Vse Caution Take heed as you love your Souls that the VVord become not ineffectual to you There are some to whom the Word preached is ineffectual 1. Such as Censure the Word in stead of judging themselves judge the Word 2. Such as live in contradiction to the Word Isa. 30.8 3. Such as are more hardened by the Word Zech. 7.11 They made their Heart as an Adamant And when Men harden their Hearts wilfully God hardens them judicially Isa. 6.8 Make their Ears heavy The Word to these is ineffectual Were it not sad if a Man's Meat should not nourish nay if it should turn to Poyson Oh! Take heed that the Word Preach'd be not ineffectual and to no purpose Consider Three things 1. If the Word Preached doth us no good there is no other way by which we can be saved This is God's Institution and the main Engin he useth to convert Souls Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho' one arose from the Dead If an Angel should come to you out of Heaven and preach of the Excellency of the glorified Estate and the Joys of Heaven and that in the most Pathetical manner if the Word preached doth not perswade neither would you be wrought upon by such an Oration from Heaven If a damned Spirit should come from Hell and preach to you in Flames and tell you what a place Hell is and roar out the Torments of the Damned it might make you tremble but it would not convert if the Preaching of the Word would not do it 2. To come to the Word and not be savingly wrought upon is that which the Devil is pleas'd with He cares not tho' you hear frequently if it be not effectually He is not an Enemy to Hearing but Profiting Tho' the Minister holds out the Breast of the Ordinance to you he cares not as long as you do not suck the sincere Milk of the VVord The Devil cares not how many Sermon-Pills you take so long as they do not work upon your Conscience 3. If the VVord preached be not effectual to Men's Conversion it will be effectual to their Condemnation The VVord will be effectual one way or other if it doth not make your Hearts better it will make your Chains heavier VVe pity them who have not the Word preached but it will be worse with them who are not sanctified by it Dreadful is their Case who go loaden to Hell with Sermons But I will conclude with the Apostle Heb. 6.9 I am perswaded better things of you and things that accompany Salvation Matth. XXVIII 19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them We are still upon that Question in the Catechism Quest. What are the Outward Means whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption Answ. They are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayers I have spoken to the First The Word Read and Preached I now proceed to the Second II. The Way whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption is in the Vse of the Sacraments Quest. 1. What are Sacraments in general Resp. They are Visible Signs of Invisible Grace Quest. 2. Is not the Word of God sufficient to Salvation What need then is there of Sacraments Resp. We must not be wise above what is written This may satisfie it is God's Will that his Church should have Sacraments And it is God's Goodness thus by Sacraments to condescend to our weak Capacities Iohn 4.48 Except ye see Signs ye will not believe God to strengthen our Faith confirms the Covenant of Grace not only by Promises but by Sacramental Signs Quest. 3. What are the Sacraments of the New Testament Resp. Two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Quest. 4. But are there no more The Papists tell us of Five more viz. Confirmation Penance Matrimony Orders and the Extream Unction Resp. 1. There were but Two Sacraments under the Law therefore there are no more now 1 Cor. 10.2 3 4. 2. These two Sacraments are sufficient The one signifying our Entrance into Christ and the other our Growth and Perseverance in him 1. I begin with the First Sacrament Baptism Go ye therefore and Teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them Go teach all Nations The Greek VVord is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Make Disciples of all Nations If it be asked How should we make them Disciples It follows Baptizing them and teaching them In an Heathen Nation first Teach them and then Baptize them but in a Christian Church first Baptize them and then Teach them Quest. 5. What is Baptism Resp. In General it is a Matriculation or Visible Admission of Children into the Congregation of Christ's Flock More particularly Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing or sprinkling with Water in the Name of the Father Son and
the power of Godliness cannot say God is their Father they may say Our Father which art in Hell Well then how may we know that God is our Father Resp. 1. By having a Filial disposition This is in four things 1. To melt in tears for Sin A Child weeps for offending his Father When Christ looked on Peter and he remembred his Sin in denying Christ he fell a weeping Clemens Alexandrinus reports of Peter he never heard a Cock crow but he wept This is a sign God is our Father When the heart of stone is taken away and there is a gracious thaw in the heart it melts in tears for Sin and he who hath a Child-like heart mourns for Sin in a Spiritual manner as it is Sin He grieves for it 1. As it is an Act of Pollution Sin deflours the Virgin-Soul it defaceth Gods Image it turns beauty into deformity 't is called the plague of the heart 1 Kings 8.38 It is the spirits of evil distilled A Child of God mourns for the defilement of Sin Sin hath a blacker aspect than Hell 2. He who hath a Child-like heart grieves for Sin as 't is an Act of Enmity Sin is diametrically opposite to God It is called a walking contrary to God Lev. 26.40 If they shall confess their iniquity and that they have walked contrary to me Sin doth all it can to spight God If God be of one mind Sin will be of another Sin would not only unthrone God but it strikes at his very Being if Sin could help it God should be no longer God A Child-like heart grieves for this O saith he that I should have so much enmity in me that my Will should be no more subdued to the Will of my Heavenly Father this springs a leak of godly sorrow 3. A Child-like heart weeps for Sin as it is an Act of Ingratitude Sin is an abuse of Gods Love it is a taking the Jewels of Gods Mercies and making use of them to sin God hath done more for his Children than others he hath planted his grace and given them some intimations of his favour and to sin against kindness dyes a sin in grain and makes it Crimson Like Absalom as soon as his Father kissed him and took him into favour plotted Treason against him Nothing so melts a Child-like heart in tears as sins of unkindness O that I should sin against the Blood of a Saviour and the Bowels of a Father I condemn ingratitude in my Child yet I am guilty of ingratitude against my Heavenly Father This opens a vein of godly sorrow and makes the heart bleed afresh certainly this evidenceth God to be our Father when he hath given us this Child-like frame of heart to weep for sin as it is sin an act of Pollution Enmity Ingratitude A wicked Man may mourn for the bitter Fruit of Sin but only a Child of God can grieve for the odious Nature of Sin 2. A Filial or Child-like disposition is to be full of sympathy We lay to heart the dishonours reflected upon our Heavenly Father when we see Gods Worship adulterated his Truth mingled with the poyson of Errour it is as a Sword in our Bones to see Gods Glory suffer Psal. 119.158 I beheld the transgressors and was grieved Homer describing Agamemnons grief when he was forced to sacrifice his Daughter Iphigenia brings in all his Friends weeping and condoling with him so when God is dishonoured we sympathize and are as it were clad in mourning A Child that hath any good Nature is cut to the heart to hear his Father reproached An Heir of Heaven takes a dishonour done to God more heinous than a disgrace done to himself 3. A Filial disposition is to love our Heavenly Father He is unnatural that doth not love his Father God who is crown'd with excellency is the proper object of delight and every true Child of God saith as Peter Lord thou knowest that I love thee But who will not say he loves God If ours be a true genuine love to our Heavenly Father it may be known 1. By the effects 1. Then we have an holy fear There is a fear which ariseth from love to God that is we fear the loss of the visible tokens of Gods presence 1 Sam. 4.13 Elies heart trembled for the Ark. It is not said his heart trembled for his two Sons Hophni and Phinchas but his heart trembled for the Ark because the Ark was the special sign of Gods Presence and if that were taken the Glory was departed He who loves his Heavenly Father fears least the tokens of his Presence should be removed least Profaneness should break in like a flood least Popery should get head and God should go from a people The presence of God in his Ordinances is the glory and strength of a Nation The Trojans had the Image of Pallas and they had an opinion that as long as that Image was preserved among them they should never be conquered So long as Gods presence is with a people so long they are safe Every true Child of God fears least God should go and the glory depart Try by this whether we have a Filial disposition Do we love God and doth this love cause fear and jealousie Are we afraid least we should lose Gods presence Least the Sun of Righteousness remove out of our Horizon Many are afraid least they should lose some of their Worldly profits but not least they lose the presence of God If they may have Peace and Trading they care not what becomes of the Ark of God A true Child of God fears nothing so much as the loss of his Fathers presence Hos. 9.12 Wo to them when I depart from them 2. Love to our Heavenly Father is seen by loving his Day Isa. 58.13 If thou call the Sabbath a delight The Antients called this Regina Dierum the Queen of Days If we love our Father in Heaven we spend this day in Devotion in Reading Hearing Meditating On this day Manna falls double God sanctified the Sabbath He made all the other days in the Week but he hath sanctified this day this day he hath crown'd with a Blessing 3. Love to our Heavenly Father is seen by loving his Children 1 Iohn 5.1 Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him If we love God the more we see of God in any the more we love them we love them though they are poor A Child loves to see his Fathers picture though hung in a mean frame we love the Children of our Father though they are persecuted 2 Tim. 1.16 Onesiphorus was not ashamed of my chain Constantine did kiss the hole of Paphnusius's eye because he suffered the loss of his eye for Christ. It appears they have no love to God who have no love to his Children they care not for their company they have a secret disgust and antipathy against them Hipocrites pretend great reverence to the Saints departed they canonize
dead Saints but persecute living I may say of these as the Apostle Heb. 12.8 They are bastards not sons 4. Effect of love if we love our Heavenly Father then we will be Advocates for him and stand up in the defence of his Truth He who loves his Father will plead for him when he is traduced and wronged He hath no Child-like heart no love to God who can hear Gods name dishonoured and be silent Doth Christ appear for us in Heaven and are we afraid to appear for him on Earth Such as dare not own God and Religion in times of danger God will be ashamed to be called their God it would be a reproach to him to have such Children as will not own him 2. A Child-like love to God is known as by the Effects so by the Degree it is a superiour love We love our Father in Heaven above all other things above Estate or Relations as Oyl runs above the Water Psal. 73.25 A Child of God seeing a super eminency of Goodness and a constellation of all Beauties in God he is carried out in love to him in the highest measure As God gives his Children such a love as he doth not bestow upon the wicked electing love so Gods Children give God such a love as they bestow upon none else adoring love they give him the flower and spirits of their love they love him with a love joyned with worship this spiced Wine they keep only for their Father to drink of Cant. 8.2 4. A Child-like disposition is seen in honouring our Heavenly Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father Quest. How 〈◊〉 show our honour to our Father in Heaven Resp. 1. By having a reverential awe of God upon us Lev. 25.17 Thou shalt fear thy God This reverential fear of God is when we dare do nothing that he hath forbidden in his Word Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God It is the part of the honour a Son gives to his Father he fears to displease him 2. We show our honour to our Heavenly Father by doing all we can to exalt God and make his Excellencies shine forth though we cannot lift up God higher in Heaven yet we may lift him higher in our hearts and in the esteem of others When we speak well of God set forth his renown display the trophies of his goodness when we ascribe the glory of all we do to God when we are the trumpeters of Gods praise this is an honouring our Father in Heaven and a certain sign of a Child-like heart Psal. 50.23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me 2. We may know God is our Father by our resembling of him The Child is his Fathers Picture Iudg. 8.18 Each one resembled the children of a King Every Child of God resembles the King of Heaven herein Gods adopting Children and Mans differ A Man adopts one for his Son and Heir that doth not at all resemble him but whosoever God adopts for his Child is like him he not only bears his Heavenly Fathers Name but Image Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the image of him that created him He who hath God for his Father resembles God in Holiness Holiness is the glory of the Godhead Exod. 15.11 The Holiness of God is the intrinsick Purity of his Essence He who hath God for his Father partakes of the Divine Nature though not of the Divine Essence yet of the Divine Likeness As the Seal sets its print and likeness upon the Wax so he who hath God for his Father hath the print and effigies of his Holiness stamped upon him Psal. 106.16 Aaron the Saint of the Lord. Wicked Men desire to be like God hereafter in glory but do not affect to be like him here in grace they give it out to the World that God is their Father yet have nothing of God to be seen in them they are unclean they not only want his Image but hate it 3. We may know God is our Father by having his Spirit in us 1. By having the intercession of the Spirit 'T is a Spirit of Prayer Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Prayer is the Souls breathing it self into the bosom of its Heavenly Father None of Gods Children are born dumb implet Spiritus sanctus organum suum tanquam Pila chordarum tangit Spiritus Dei corda sanctorum Prosper Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth But it is not every Prayer evidenceth Gods Spirit in us Such as have no grace may excel in gifts and affect the hearts of others in Prayer when their own hearts are not affected As the Lute makes a sweet sound in the ears of others but it self is not sensible how therefore shall we know our Prayers are indited by Gods Spirit and so he is our Father Resp. 1. When they are not only Vocal but Mental when there are not only gifts but groans Rom. 8.26 The best Musick is in consort the best Prayer is when the heart and tongue joyn together in consort 2. When they are zealous and fervent Iam. 5.16 The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much The eyes melt in Prayer the heart burns Fervency is to Prayer as Fire to the Incense it makes it ascend to Heaven as a sweet perfume 3. When Prayer hath Faith sprinkled in it Prayer is the Key of Heaven and Faith is the hand that turns it Rom. 8.15 We cry Abba Father We cry there is fervency in Prayer Abba Father there is Faith Those Prayers suffer shipwrack which dash upon the rock of unbelief Thus we may know God is our Father by having his Spirit praying in us As Christ intercedes above so the Spirit intercedes within 2. By having the renewing of the Spirit which is nothing else but Regeneration which is called a being born of the Spirit Iohn 3.5 This regenerating work of the Spirit is a transformation or change of Nature Rom. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind He who is born of God hath a new heart New not for substance but for qualities The strings of a Viol may be the same but the Tune is altered Before this Regeneration there are Spiritual Pangs much heart-breaking for Sin Regeneration is called a circumcising of the heart Col. 2.11 In Circumcising there was pain in the flesh so in this Spiritual Circumcision there is pain in the heart there is much sorrow arising from the sense of guilt and wrath The Jaylors trembling Acts 16.30 was a pang in the new birth Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption This blessed work of Regeneration spreads over the whole Soul it irradiates the Mind it consecrates the Heart and reforms the Life Though Regeneration be but in part it is in every part 1 Thess. 5.23 Regeneration is the signature
It will not be long before the silver cord be loosed and the golden bowl broken Eccles. 12. The skin wherein the Brains are inclosed as in a bowl this golden bowl will soon be broken Our Soul is in our Body as the Bird is in the Shell which soon breaks and the Bird flyes out the Shell of the Body breaking the Soul flyes into Eternity We know not whether we shall live to another Sabbath Before we hear another Sermon-bell go our Passing-bell may go Our Life runs as a swift stream into the ocean of Eternity Brethren if our Time be so minute and transient if the taper of Life be so soon wasted or perhaps blown out by violent death how should we put to all our strength and call in help from Heaven that we may obtain the Kingdom of Glory If time be so short why do we wast it about things of less moment and neglect the one thing needful which is the Kingdom of Heaven A Man that hath a great work to be done and but one day for the doing of it had need work hard We have a great work to do we are striving for a Kingdom and alas we are not certain of one day to work in therefore what need have we to bestir our selves and what we do for Heaven to do it with all our might 5. To excite our diligence let us consider how inexcusable we shall be if we miss of the Kingdom of Heaven who have had such helps for Heaven as we have had Indians who have Mines of Gold have not such advantages for Glory as we they have the light of the Sun Moon and Stars and the light of Râ—ason but this is not enough to light them to Heaven But we have had the light of the Gospel shining in our Horizon we have been lifted up to Heaven with Ordinances we have had the Word in season and out of season The Ordinances are the pipes of the Sanctuary which empty the golden Oyl of Grace into the Soul they are scala ParAdisi the Ladder by which we ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven Deut. 4 7. What nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for We have had Heaven and Hell set before us we have had Counsels of Friends Warnings Examples the Motions and Inspirations of the Holy Ghost how should all these spurs quicken us in our pace to Heaven Should not that Ship sail apace to the Haven which hath Wind and Tide to carry it The Tide of Ordinances and the Wind of the Spirit Surely if we through negligence miss of the Kingdom of Heaven we shall have nothing to say for our selves we shall be as far from excuse as from happiness 6. You cannot do too much for the Kingdom of Heaven you cannot pray too much sanctifie the Sabbath too much love God too much you cannot over-do In secular things a Man may labour too hard he may kill himself with working but there is no fear of working too hard for Heaven In virtute non est verendum ne quid nimium sit Seneca The World is apt to censure the Godly as if they were too zealous and did over-strain themselves in Religion Indeed a Man may follow the World too much he may make too much hast to be rich The Ferry-man may take in too many Passengers into his Boat to the sinking of his Boat so a Man may heap up so much Gold and Silver as to sink himself in Perdition 1 Tim. 6.9 but one cannot be too earnest and zealous for the Kingdom of Heaven there is no fear of excess here when we do all we can for Heaven we come short of the Golden Rule set us and of Christs Golden Pattern when our Faith is highest like the Sun in the Meridian yet still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is something lacking in our Faith 1 Thess. 3.1 so that all our labour for the Kingdom is little enough When a Christian hath done his best yet still he hath sins and wants to bewail 7 By this you may judge of the state of your Souls whether you have Grace or no by your earnest pursuit after the Heavenly Kingdom Grace infuseth a Spirit of activity into a person Grace doth not lye dormant in the Soul 't is not a sleepy habit but it makes a Christian like a Seraphim swift and winged in his Heavenly motion Grace is like fire it makes one burn in love to God and the more he loves him the more he presseth forward to Heaven where he may fully enjoy him Hope is an active Grace 't is called a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 hope is like the spring in the Watch it sets all the wheels of the Soul a running Hope of a Crop makes the Husbandman sow his seed hope of Victory makes the Souldier fight and a true hope of Glory makes a Christian vigorously pursue Glory Here is a Spiritual Touchstone to try our Grace by If we have the anointing of the Spirit it will oyl the wheels of our endeavour and make us lively in our pursuit after the Heavenly Kingdom No sooner had Paul Grace infused but presently Behold he prayes Acts 9.11 The Affections are by Divines called the Feet of the Soul if these Feet move not towards Heaven it is because there is no Life 8. Your labour for Heaven is not lost Perhaps you may think it is in vain that you have served God but know that your pains is not lost The Seed is cast into the Earth and it dyes yet at last it brings forth a plentiful Crop so your labours seem to be fruitless but at last they bring you to a Kingdom Who would not work hard for one hour when for that hours work he shâ—uld be a King as long as he lived And let me tell you the more labour you have put forth for the Kingdom of Heaven the more degrees of Glory you shall have As there are degrees of Torment in Hell Matth. 23.14 so of Glory in Heaven As one Star differs from another in Glory so shall one Saint 1 Cor. 15.41 Though every Vessel of Mercy shall be full yet one Vessel may hold morâ— than another Such as have done more work for God shall have more Glory in the Heavenly Kingdom Could we hear thâ— Saints departed speaking to us from Heaven sure they would speak after this manner Were we to leave Heaven a while and live on the Earth again we would do God a thousand times more service than ever we did we would pray with more Life act with more Zeal for now we see the more hath been our labour the greater is our reward in Heaven 9. While we are labouring for the Kingdom God will help us Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes The Promise encourageth us and Gods Spirit inableth us A Master gives his Servant work to
herein faulty Tho' they pray that God would give them Bread so much as he sees expedient for them yet they are not content with Gods allowance but over-greedily covet more and with the daughters of the Horsleach cry Give give Prov. 30.15 this is a vice Naturally ingrafted in us Many pray Agurs first Prayer Give me not Poverty but few pray his last Prayer Give me not Riches Prov. 30.8 they are not content with daily Bread but have the dry dropsie of Covetousness they are still craving for more Hab. 2.5 Who enlargeth his desire as hell and is as death and cannot be satisfied There are saith Solomon four things say it is not enough Prov. 30.15 the grave the barren womb the earth the fire and I may add a fifth thing the Heart of a covetous Man Such as are not content with daily Bread but thirst insatiably after more will break over the hedge of Gods Command and to get Riches will stick at no sin Cui nihil satis est eidem nihil turpe Tacitus therefore Covetousness is called a Radical Vice 1 Tim. 6.10 The root of all evil Quid non mortalia pectora cogit auri sacra fames The word for Covetousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an inordinate desire of getting Covetousness is not only in getting Riches unjustly but in loving them inordinately This is a key opens the door to all sin It causeth 1. Theft Achans covetous humour made him steal that wedge of Gold which cleft asunder his Soul from God Iosh. 7.21 2. It causeth Treason What made Iudas betray Christ It was the thirty pieces of Silver Matth. 26.15 3. It produceth Murder It was the inordinate love of the Vineyard made Ahab conspire Naboths death 1 Kings 21.13 4. It is the root of Perjury 2 Tim. 3.3 Men shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 covetous and it follows 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 truce-breakers Love of Silver will make Men take a false-Oath and break a just Oath 5. It is the spring of Apostasie 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world He did not only forsake Pauls company but his Doctrine Demas afterwards became a Priest in an Idol Temple saith Dorotheus 6. Covetousness will make Men Idolaters Col. 3.5 Covetousness which is idolatry Tho' the covetous Man will not worship graven Images in the Church yet he will worship the graven Image in his Coyn. 7. Covetousness makes Men give themselves to the Devil Pope Sylvester the Second did sell his Soul to the Devil for a Popedom Covetous persons forget this Prayer Give us daily Bread that which may satisfie Nature but they are insatiable in their desire O let us take heed of this dry Dropsie Heb. 13.5 Be content with such things as ye have Natura parvo dimittitur Sen. That we may be content with daily Bread that which God in his Providence carves out to us and not covet or murmur let me propose these things 1. God can bless a little Exod. 23.24 He will bless thy Bread and thy Water A Blessing put sweetness into the least Morsel of Bread 't is like Sugar in Wine Psal. 132.15 I will bless her Provision Daniel and the three Children eat Pulse which was a coarse Fare yet they look'd fairer then those which did eat of the Kings Meat Dan. 1.15 whence was this God did infuse a more then ordinary Blessing into the â—ulse Gods Blessing was better then the Kings Venison a piece of Bread with Gods Love is Angels Food 2. God who gives us our allowance knows what quantity of these outward things is fittest for us a smaller provision may be fitter for some Bread may be better then Dainties every one cannot bear an high Condition no more then a weak Brain can bear heady wine hath one a larger proportion of worldly things God sees he can better manage such a Condition he can order his Affairs with discretion which peâ—haps another cannot as he hath a large Estate so he hath a large heart to do good which perhaps another hath not this should make us content with a shorter Bill of Fare Gods Wisdom is that we must acquiesce in he sees what is best for every one that which is good for one may be bad for another 3. In being contented with daily Bread that which God carves to us though it be a lesser piece much grace is seen in this all the Graces act their part in a contented Soul as the holy Ointment was made up of several Spices Myrrhe Cinamon Cassia Exod. 30.23 so contentment hath in it a mixture of several Graces there is Faith a Christian believes God doth all for the best and Love which thinks no evil but takes all God doth in good part and Patience submitting chearfully to what God orders wisely God is much pleased to see so many graces at once sweetly exercised like so many bright Stars shining in a Constellation 4. To be content with daily Bread The allowance God gives though but sparingly doth keep us from many Temptations which discontented Persons fall into when the Devil sees a Person just of Israels humour not content with Manna but must have Quails saith Satan here is good fishing for me Satan oft tempts discontented ones to murmuring and to unlawful means cozening and defrauding and he who increaseth an Estate by indirect means fluffs his Pillow with Thorns and his head will lye very uneasie when he comes to dye If you would be freed from the Temptations which discontent exposeth to be content with such things as ye have bless God for daily Bread 5. What a rare and admirable thing it is to be content with daily bread though it be coarse and though there be but little of it a Christian though he hath but a viaticum a little meal in the barrel yet he hath that which gives him content what he hath not in the Cupboard he hath in the Promise that bit of bread he hath is with the love of God and that sawce makes it relish sweet that little Oyl in the Cruse is a Pledge and Earnest of those Dainties he shall tast of in the Kingdom of God this makes him content What a rare and wonderful thing is this it is no wonder to be content in Heaven when we are at the Fountain-Head and have all things we can desire but to be content when God keeps us to short Commons and we have scarce dayly bread this is a wonder VVhen grace is crowning it is no wonder to be content but when grace is conflicting with straits now to be content is a glorious thing indeed and deserves the Garland of Praise 6. To make us content with daily Bread Though God straitens us in our allowance think seriously of the danger that is in an high prosperous Condition some are not content with daily bread but desire to have their Barns filled and heap up Silver as dust this proves a snare to them 1 Tim. 6.10 They that will be
a Lyon roar How terrible are the roarings of Conscience Iudas hang'd himself to quiet his Conscience a sinners Conscience at present is either asleep or seared but when God shall awaken Conscience either by Affliction or at Death how will the unpardoned sinner be affrighted When a man shall have all his sins set before his Eyes and drawn out in their bloody Colours and the worm of Conscience begins to gnaw sinner here are thy Debts and the Book is not cancel'd thou must to Hell O what a trembling at heart will the sinner have 4. All the Curses of God stand in full force against an unpardoned sinner his very Blessings are cursed Mal. 2.2 I will curse your Blessings His Table is a Snare he eats and drinks a Curse What comfort could Dionisius have at his Feast when he imagined he saw a naked Sword hanging by a twine thread over his head This is enough to spoil a sinners Banquet a Curse like a naked Sword hangs over his Head Caesar wondred to see one of his Soldiers so merry that was in debt One would wonder that man should be merry who is Heir to all God's Curses he doth not see these Curses but is blinder than Balaams Ass who saw the Angels Sword drawn 5. The unpardoned sinner is in an ill case at Death Luther profess'd there were three things which he durst not think of without Christ of his sins of Death of the Day of Judgment Death to a Christless Soul is the King of Terrors as the Prophet Ahijah said to Ieroboams Wife 1 Kin. 14.6 I am sent to thee with heavy Tidings So death is sent to the unpardoned Soul with heavy Tidings 'T is God's Jaylor to arrest him death is a prologue to Damnation In particular 1. Death is a Voyder to take away all his earthly Comforts it takes away his sugar'd Morsels no more drinking Wine in Bowls no more Mirth or Musick Revel 18.22 The Voice of Harpers and Musicians shall be heard no more at all in thee The sinner shall never tast of luscious Delights more to all Eternity His Hony shall be turned to the Gall of Asps Iob 20.14 2. At Death there shall be an end put to all Reprieves Now God reprieves a sinner he spares him such a fit of Sickness he respites him many years the sinner should have died such a drinking bout but God granted him a Reprieve he lengthened out the silver Thread of Patience to a Miracle But the sinner dying without Repentance unpardoned now the Lease of God's Patience is run out and the sinner must appear in person before the Righteous God to receive his Sentence after which there shall be none to bail him nor shall he hear of a Reprieve any more 6. The unpardoned sinner dying so must go into Damnation this is the second Death Mors sine morte The unpardoned Soul must for ever bear the Anger of a Sin-revenging-God as long as God is God so long the Vial of his Wrath shall be dropping upon the damned Soul This is an Helpless Condition there is a time when a sinner will not be helped Christ and Salvation are offer'd to him but he slights them he will not be helped and there is a time shortly coming when he cannot be helped He calls out for Mercy O a pardon a pardon but then it is too late the date of Mercy is expir'd O how sad then is it to live and die unpardoned You may lay a Grave-stone upon that man and write this Epitaph upon it It had been good for that man he had never been born Now if the misery of an unpardon'd State be so unexpressible how should we labour for Forgiveness that we may not be ingulph'd in so dreadful a Labyrinth of Fire and Brimstone to all Eternity 7. Such as are unpardon'd must needs lead uncomfortable lives Deut. 28.66 Thy Life shall hang in doubt before thee and thou shalt be in continual fears Thus the unpardoned sinner must needs have a palpitation and trembling at Heart he fears every Bush he sees 1 Ioh. 4.18 Fear hath Torment in it the Greek word for Torment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used sometimes for Hell fear hath Hell in it A man in debt fears every step he goes lest he should be arrested so the unpardoned sinner fears what if this night Death which is God's Serjeant should arrest him Iob 7.21 Why dost not thou pardon my Sin for now shall I sleep in the dust As if Iob had said Lord I shall shortly die I shall sleep in the dust and what shall I do if my sin be not pardoned What comfort can an unpardon'd Soul take in any thing Sure no more than a Prisoner can take in Meat or Musick that wants his pardon Therefore by all these powerful Motives let us labour for the forgiveness of sin Object 1. But I am discouraged from going to God for pardon for I am unworthy of forgiveness what am I that God should do such a Favour for me Resp. God forgives not because we are worthy but because he is Gracious Exod. 34 6. The Lord the Lord Merciful and Gracious God forgives out of his Clemency Acts of Pardon are Acts of Grace What worthiness was there in Paul before Conversion He was a Blasphemer and so he sinned against the first Table he was a Persecutor and so he sinned against the second Table but Free-grace Sealed his Pardon 1 Tim. 1.13 I obtained Mercy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was all bestrowed with Mercy What Worthiness was in the Woman of Samaria She was Ignorant Ioh. 4.22 she was Unclean ver 18. she was Morose and Churlish she would not give Christ so much as a Cup of cold water ver 9. How is it that thou being a Iew askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaria What worthiness was here Yet Christ over-looked all and pardoned her Ingratitude and tho' she denied him water out of the Well yet he gave her the Water of Life Gratia non invenit dignos sed facit Free-grace doth not find us worthy but makes us worthy Therefore notwithstanding unworthiness seek to God and your sins may be pardoned Object 2. But I have been a Great Sinner and sure God will not pardon me Answ. David brings it as an Argument for pardon Psal. 25.11 Pardon mine Iniquity for it is great When God forgives great Sins now he doth a Work like himself The desperateness of the Wound doth the more set forth the Vertue of Christ's Blood in curing it Mary Magdalen a great sinner out of whom seven Devils were cast yet she had her pardon Some of the Iews who had an hand in Crucifying of Christ upon their Repentance the very Blood they shed did seal their pardon Consider sins either for their number as the sands of the Sea or for their weight as the Rocks of the Sea yet there is Mercy enough in God to forgive them Isa. 1.18 Tho' your sins be as Scarlet they shall
be white as Snow Scarlet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Twice dipt which no art of man can get out yet God can wash out this scarlet Dye There is no sin excepted from pardon but that sin which despiseth pardon viz. the sin against the Holy Ghost Mat. 12.31 Therefore O sinner do not cast away thy Anchor of Hope but go to God for forgiveness The vast Ocean hath Bounds set to it but God's pardoning-Mercy is Boundless God can as well forgive Great Sins as less as the Sea can as well cover great Rocks as little Sands Nothing hinders pardon but the sinners not asking it That a Great Sinner should not despair of forgiveness consult that Scripture Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions If you look on the foregoing words you would wonder how this verse comes in ver 24. Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins thou hast wearied me with thy Iniquities and then it follows I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions One would have thought it should have run thus Thou hast wearied me with thy Iniquities I even I am he that will punish thy Iniquities but God comes in a mild loveing strain Thou hast wearied me with thy Iniquities I am he that blots out thy Iniquities So that the greatness of our sins should not discourage us from going to God for forgiveness Tho' thou hast committed Acts of Impiety yet God can come with an Act of Indemnity and say I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions God counts it his Glory to display Free-grace in its Orient Colours Rom 5.20 Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound When Sin becomes exceeding sinful Free-grace becomes exceeding glorious God's pardoning-Love can conquer the sinner and triumph over the sin Consider thou almost-despairing Soul there is not so much sin in man as there is Mercy in God Man's sin in comparison of God's Mercy is but as a spark to the Ocean and who would doubt whether a spark could be quenched in an Ocean Object 3. But I have relapsed into the same sins and how can I have the face to come to God for the pardon of those sins which I have more than once fallen into Answ. I know the Novatians held that after a Relapse no forgiveness by the Church But doubtless that was an Errour Abraham did twice equivocate Lot committed Incest twice Peter sin'd thrice by carnal Fear but these repenting had their Absolution There is a two-fold Relapse 1. a wilful Relapse when after a man hath solemnly vowed himself to God he falls into a league with sin and returns back to it Ier. 2.25 I have loved Strangers and after them will I go 2. There is a Relapse through Infirmity when the Bent and Resolution of a mans Heart is against sin but through the Violence of Temptation and the withdrawing of God's Grace he is carried down the stream against his Will Now though wilful continued Relapses are desperate and do vastare Conscientiam as Tertull. waste the Conscience and run men upon the Precipice of damnation yet if they are through Infirmity and we mourn for them we may obtain forgiveness A godly man doth not march after sin as his General but is led captive by it and the Lord will pity a captive Prisoner Christ commands us to forgive a trespassing Brother seventy times seven Mat. 18.22 If he bids us do it much more will he forgive a relapsing Sinner in case he repent Ier. 3.12 Return thou back-sliding Israel for I am merciful saith the Lord. It is not falling once or twice into the Mire that drowns but lying there it is not once relapsing into sin but lying in sin impenitently that damns Object 4. But God requires so much Sorrow and Humiliation before Remission that I fear I shall never arrive at it Answ. God requires no more Humiliation than may fit a Soul for Mercy Many a Christian thinks because he hath not fill'd God's Bottle so full of Tears as others therefore he is not humbled enough to receive a Pardon But we must know God's Dealings are Various all have not the like Pangs in the New-Birth Some are won with Love the sence of God's Mercy abused causeth ingenuous Tears to flow others are more flagitious and hardned and these God deals more roughly with This is sure That Soul is humbled enough to receive a Pardon who is brought to a thorow Sence of sin and sees the need of a Saviour and loves him as the fairest of ten thousand therefore be not discouraged if thy Heart be bruised for sin and broken off from it thy sin shall be blotted out No sooner did Ephraim fall a weeping but God's Bowels fell a working Ier. 31.20 My Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have Mercy upon him Having answered these Objections let me beseech you above all things labour for the forgiveness of sin Think with your selves how great a Mercy it is It is one of the Richest Jewels in the Cabinet of the New-Covenant Psal. 32.1 Blessed is he whose Iniquity is forgiven in the Hebrew it is Ashre Blessednesses And think with your selves the unparallel'd Misery of such whose sins are not forgiven such as had not the Blood of the Paschal Lamb sprinkled on their Door-posts were destroy'd by the Angel Exod. 12. So they who have not Christ's Blood sprinkled on them to wash away the guilt of sin will fall into the gulf of Perdition And if you resolve to seek after forgiveness do not delay Many say they will go about getting their pardon but they procrastinate and put it off so long till it be too late when the shadows of the Evening are stretch'd forth and the night of Death aproacheth then they begin to look after their pardon This hath been the undoing of millions they purpose they will look after their Souls but they stay so long till the Lease of Mercy be run out Oh therefore hasten the getting of a pardon Think of the Vncertainty of Life What Security have you that you shall live another day Volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora our Life is a Taper soon blown out 't is made up of a few flying minutes O thou Dust and Ashes thou mayest fear every hour to be blown into thy Grave and what if Death come to arrest thee before thy pardon be sealed Plutarch reports of one Archias who being among his Cups one delivered to him a Letter and desired him to read it presently being about serious Business saith he Seria cras I will mind serious things to morrow and that night he was slain Thou that sayest To morrow I will repent I will get my pardon mayest suddenly be slain therefore to day while it is called to day look after the forgiveness of sin after a while all the Conducts of Mercy will be stop'd there will not be one drop of Christ's Blood to be had there is no sealing of pardons after death 2.
Flesh was a Spur in his sides to quicken him in Prayer The Deer being shot with the Dart runs faster to the Water when a Soul is shot with the fiery Darts of Temptation he runs the faster to the Throne of Grace now he is earnest with God either to take off the Tempter or to stand by him when he is tempted 2. God makes the temptation to sin a means to prevent sin The more a Christian is tempted the more he Fights against the temptation the more a chast Woman is assaulted the more she abhors the motion The stronger Iosephs temptation was the stronger was his opposition The more the Enemy attempts to storm a Castle the more he is repelled and beat back 3. Godly temptations causeth the encrease of Grace Vnus Christianus temptatus mille One tempted Christian saith Luther is worth a thousand He grows more in Grace As the Bellows encreaseth the flame So the Bellows of a Temptation doth encrease the flame of Grace 4. By these temptations God makes way for comfort As Christ after he was tempted the Angels came and ministred unto him Mat. 4.11 As when Abraham had been warring Mechisedeck brought him Bread and Wine to revive his Spirits Gen. 14 18. so after the Saints have been warring with Satan now God sends His Spirit to comfort them which made Luther say that temptations were Amplexus Christi Christs embraces because he doth then most sweetly manifest himself to the Soul Thus you see what Rocks of support there are for tempted Souls That I may further comfort such as are tempted let me speak to two cases of the tempted 1. Case I have horrid temptations to blasphemy Ans. Did not the Devil tempt Christ after this manner Mat. 4.9 All this will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me What greater Blasphemy can be imagined than that the God of Heaven and Earth should worship the Devil yet Christ was tempted to this If when Blasphemous thoughts are injected you tremble at them and are in a cold sweat they are not yours Satan shall answer for them Let him that plots the Treason suffer 2. Case But my case is yet worse I have been tempted to such sins and have yielded the Tempter hath overcome me Ans. I grant that through the with-drawing of Gods Grace and the force of a temptation a Child of God may be overcome David was overcome by temptation in case of Bathsheba and numbring the people There is a party of Grace in the Heart true to Christ but sometimes it may be over-voted by corruption and then a Christian yields 't is sad thus to yield to the Tempter but yet let not a Child of God be wholly discouraged and say there is no hope let me pour in some Balm of Gilead into this wounded Soul Tho' a Christian may fall by a temptation yet the Seed of God is in him 1 John 3.9 His Seed remaineth in him Gratia concutitur non excutitur Aug. A Man may be bruis'd by a fall yet there is Life in him a Christian being foiled by Satan may be like him who going to Iericho fell among Thieves wounded and half dead Luk. 10.30 but still there 's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a vital principle of Grace his Seed remains in him Tho' a Child of God may be overcome in praelio in a skirmish yet not in bello in the main Battel an Army may be worsted in a Skirmish but overcomes at last Tho' Satan may foil a Child of God in a Skirmish by Tentation yet the Believer shall overcome at last A Saint may be foiled not conquered he may lose Ground not lose the Victory 3. God doth not judge of his Children by one action but by the frame of their Heart as God doth not judge of a Wicked Man by one good action so neither of a Godly Man by one bad action a Holy person may be worsted by a temptation but God doth not measure him by that who measures milk when it seeths and boils up God doth not take the measure of a Saint when the Devil hath boiled him up in a passion but God judgeth of him by the Pulse and Temper of his Heart he would fear God when he fails he weeps God looks which way the Biass of his Heart stands If his Heart be set against Sin God will Pardon 4. God will make a Saints being foil'd by Temptation turn to his spiritual Advantage 1. He may let a Regenerate Person fall by a Temptation to make him more Watchful Perhaps he walks loosly and so was decoy'd into sin but for the future he grows more curious and cautious in his walking The foiled Christian is a vigilant Christian. He will have a care of coming within the Lions Chain any more he will be shy and fearful of the Occasions of sin he will not go abroad without his spiritual Armour and he girds on his Armour by Prayer When a wild Beast gets over the Hedge and hurts the Corn a Man will make his Fence the stronger So when the Devil gets over the Hedge by a Temptation and foils a Christian he will be sure to mend his Fence and be more vigilant against a Temptation afterwards 2. God lets his Children be sometimes foiled by a Temptation that they may see their Continual Dependance on God and may go to him for strength We need not only habitual Grace to stand against Temptation but Auxiliary Grace As the Boat needs not only the Oars but Wind to carry it against a strong Tide God lets his Children sometimes fall by a Temptation that seeing their own Weakness they may rest more on Christ and Free-Grace Cant. 8.5 3. God by suffering his Children to be foiled by a Temptation will settle them the more in Grace they shall get strength by their Foils The Poets feign that Antaeas the Giant in Wrestling with Hercules got Strength by every fall to the ground it is true here A Saint being foiled in wrestling with Satan gets more spiritual Strength Peter had never such a strengthening in his Faith as after his being foiled in the High-Priest's Hall How was he fired with Zeal steeled with Courage He who before was dash'd out of Countenance by the Voice of a Maid now dares openly confess Christ before the Rulers and the Councils Acts 2.14 The shaking of the Tree settles it the more God lets his Children be shaken with the Wind of Temptation that they may be more setled in Grace afterwards This I have spoken that such Christians as God hath suffered to be foiled by Temptation may not cast away their Anchor or give way to sad despairing Thoughts Object But this may seem to make Christians careless whether they fall into a Temptation or no if God can make their being foiled by a Temptation advantagious to them Answ. We must distinguish between one who is foiled through Weakness and through Wilfulness If a Soldier fights but is foil'd for want of Strength the General
Luk. 4.13 as if he meant to come again When we have gotten the better of Satan we are apt to grow secure to lay aside our Armour and leave off our Watch which when Satan perceives then he comes upon us with a new Temptation and wounds us He deals with us as David did with the Amalekites when they had taken the spoil and were secure 1 Sam. 30.16 They were spread upon the Earth eating and drinking and dancing then Vers. 17. David smote them and there escaped not a man of them Therefore after we have got the better of the Tempter we must do as Mariners in a Calm mend our Tackling as not knowing how soon another storm may come Satan may for a time retreat that he may afterwards come on more fiercely He may go away a while and bring seven other Spirits with him Luk. 11.26 Therefore be not Secure but stand upon your Watch-tower Lie in your Armour always expect a Fight Say as he that hath a short respit from an Ague I look every day when my Fit should come So say I look every day when the Tempter should come I will put my self into a Warlike posture Satan when he is beaten out of the Field is not beaten out of heart he will come again He had little hope to prevail against Christ Christ gave him three deadly wounds and made him retreat yet he departed onely for a Season If the Devil cannot conquer us yet he knows he shall molest us if he cannot destroy us he will disturb us Therefore we must with the Pilot have our Compass ready and be able to turn our Needle to any Point where Temptation shall blow If the Tempter come not so soon as we expect yet by putting our selves into a posture we have this advantage we are always Prepared To conclude all Let us oft make this Prayer Lead us not into Temptation If Satan wooes us by a temptation let us not give Consent But in case a Christian hath through weakness and not out of design yielded to a temptation yet let him not cast away his Anchor Take heed of Despair this is worse than the fall it self Christian steep thy soul in the brinish Waters of Repentance and God will be appeased Repentance gives the Soul a Vomit Christ loved Peter after his denial of him and sent the first news of his Resurrection to him Go tell the Disciples and Peter 'T is an Error to think that one act of sin can destroy the Habit of Grace 'T is a wrong to God's Mercy and a Christian's Comfort to make this despairing conclusion that after one hath fallen by temptation his Estate is irrecoverable Therefore Christian if thou hast fallen with Peter repent with Peter and God will be ready to seal thy Pardon Matt. 6.13 But deliver us from Evil. 2. THe Second Branch of this Sixth Petition is Libera nos a malo Deliver us from evil There is more in this Petition than is expressed The thing Expressed is that we may be kept from Evil The thing farther intended is that we may make a Progress in Piety Titus 2.11 Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts there is being delivered from Evil that we should live soberly righteously and godly there is a progress in Piety I begin with the first thing in this Petition Expressed Deliver us from Evil. Quest. What Evil do we Pray to be delivered from Answ. 1. In General from the evil of sin 2. More particularly we Pray to be delivered First From the Evil of our own Heart it is called an Evil Heart Heb. 3.12 Secondly From the Evil of Satan He is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Evil One Matt. 13.19 Thirdly From the Evil of the World it is called the present evil World Gal. 1.4 1. In General Deliver us from evil We Pray to be delivered from the evil of sin Not that we pray to be delivered immediately from the Presence and In-being of sin for that cannot be in this life We cannot shake off this Viper but we Pray that God will deliver us more and more from the Power and Practice from the Scandalous Acts of Sin which cast a Reflection upon the Gospel Sin then is the Deadly Evil we pray against Deliver us from Evil With what Pencil shall I be able to draw the deformed face of sin The Devil would Baptize sin with the Name of Vertue 'T is easie to lay fair Colours on a Black Face But I shall endeavour to shew you what a Prodigious Monster sin is and there is great reason we should pray Deliver us from evil Sin is as the Apostle saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exceeding sinful Rom. 7.13 Sin is the very Spirits of Mischief distilled 't is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Accursed thing Josh. 7.13 That sin is the most execrable evil appears several ways 1. Look upon Sin in its Original 2. Look upon Sin in its Nature 3. Look upon Sin in the Judgment and Opinion of the Godly 4. Look upon Sin in the Comparative 5. Look upon Sin in the manner of cure 6. Look upon Sin in its direful effects and when you have seen all these you will apprehend what an horrid evil sin is and what great reason we have to pray Deliver us from evil 1. Look upon sin in its Original it fetcheth its pedigree from Hell Sin is of the Devil Iohn 8.44 Sin calls the Devil Father it is Serpentis venenum as Austin saith it is the Poison the Old Serpent hath spit into our Virgin Nature 2. Look upon Sin in its Nature and so it is evil 1. See what the Scripture compares it to Sin hath got a bad name 't is compared to the Vomit of Dogs 2 Pet. 2.22 to a menstruous Cloath Isa. 30.22 which as Ierom saith was the most unclean thing under the Law it is compared to the Plague 1 Kin. 8.38 to a Gangrene 2 Tim. 2.17 persons under these diseases we would be loth to Eat and Drink with 2. Sin is evil in its Nature as it is injurious to God three ways 1. It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a breach of Gods Royal Law 1 John 3.4 Sin is a transgression of the Law It is Crimenlaesae Majestatis High Treason against Heaven What greater injury can be offered to a Prince than to trample upon his Royal Edicts Neh. 9.26 They have cast thy Laws behind their Backs 2. Sin is a contumacious affront to God ' it s a walking contrary to him Lev. 26.40 the Hebrew word for sin Pashang signifies Rebellion sin flies in the Face of God Iob 15.25 He stretcheth out his hand against God we ought not to lift up a thought against God much less to lift up an hand against him but the sinner doth so Sin is Deicidium it would not only un-throne God but Ungod him if Sin could help it God should be no longer God 3. Sin is injurious to God as it is an act of high ingratitude God feeds a sinner Screens off
Second Birth added to the First Ioh. 3.3 It may be thus described It is a Supernatural Work of God's Spirit renewing and transforming the Heart into the Divine Likeness 1. The efficient Cause of the New Creature is the Holy Ghost no Angel or Archangel is able to produce it Who but God can alter the Hearts of Men and turn Stones into Flesh If the New Creature were not produced by the Holy Ghost then the greatest Glory in a Man's Conversion would belong to himself but this Glory God will not give to another the turning of the Will to God is from God Ier. 31.19 After I was turned I repented 2. The Organical Cause or Instrument by which the New-Creature is formed is the Word of God Iam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth The Word is the Seed out of which springs the Flower of the New-Creature 3. The Matter of which the New-Creature consists is the restoring God's Image lost by the Fall Quest. But doth God in the New Creature give a new Soul Answ. No he doth not bestow new Faculties but new Qualities as in the altering of a Lute the Strings are not new but the Tune is mended So in the New Creature the substance of the Soul is not new but is new tun'd by Grace the Heart that before was Proud is now Humble the Eyes that before were full of Lust are now full of Tears Here are new Qualities infused II. What a kind of Work the New Creature is I. The New Creature is a Work of Divine Power so much it imports because it is a Creation The same Power which raised Christ from the Grave goes to the production of the New Creature Eph. 1.20 It is a Work of greater Power to produce the New Creature than to make a World 'T is true in respect of God all things are alike possible to him But as to our apprehension it requires a greater Power to make a new Creature than to make a World For 1. When God made the World he met with no opposition but when God is about to make the New Creature he meets with opposition Satan opposeth him and the Heart opposeth him 2. It cost God nothing to make the World but to make the New Creature costs him something Christ himself was fain to become Man In making the World it was but speaking a Word but in making of the New Creature it cost Christ the shedding of his Blood 3. God made the World in six Days but he is carrying on the New Creature in us all our Lives long The New Creature is but begun here it is not perfected or drawn in all its Orient Colours till it come to Heaven II. The New Creature is a Work of Free Grace There is nothing in us to move God to make us anew by Nature we are full of Pollution and Enmity yet now God forms the New Creature Behold the Banner of Love displayed The New Creature may say By the Grace of God I am what I am In the Creation we may see the Strength of God's Arm in the New Creature we may see the Working of God's Bowels That God should Consecrate any Heart and Anoint it with Grace is an Act of pure Love That he should pluck one out of the State of Nature and not another must be resolved into Free Grace Matth. 11.26 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight This will increase the Saints Triumphs in Heaven that the Lot of Free Grace should fall upon them and not on others 3. The New Creature is a Work of rare Excellency A Natural Man is a lump of Earth and Sin God loaths him Zach. 11.8 But upon the New Creature is a Spiritual Glory As if we should see a piece of Clay turned into a sparkling Diamond Cant. 3.16 Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness like Pillars of Smoak perfumed with Myrrhe and Frankincense That is the Natural Man coming out of the Wilderness of Sin perfumed with all the Graces of the Spirit The New Creature must needs be Glorious for it partakes of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 A Soul beautified with Holiness is like the Firmament bespangled with glittering Stars It is God's lesser Heaven Isa. 57.15 In the Incarnation God made himself in the Image of Man in the New Creation Man is made in the Image of God By our being Creatures we are the Sons of Adam by being New Creatures we are the Members of Christ. Reason makes one live the Life of a Man the New Creature makes him live the Life of God A New Creature excells the rational Nature and equals the Angelical It is excellent to hear of Christ's being Crucified for us but more excellent to have Christ formed in us Concerning the New Creature I shall lay down Two Positions 1 Posit That it is not in the Power of a Natural Man to convert himself because it is a New Creation As we cannot make our selves Creatures so not New Creatures Quest. But why doth God command us to convert our selves if we have no Power Ezek. 18.31 Make you a New Heart Answ. 1. We once had Power God gave us a Stock of Holiness but we lost it If a Master give his Servant Money to imploy in his Service and he wastes and imbezles it may not the Master require the Money of him Though we have lost our Power to Obey God hath not lost his Right to Command 2. Though Men cannot convert themselves and make themselves new Creatures yet they may do more than they do in a tendency to it they may avoid Temptations they may read the Word the same Feet that carry them to a Play will carry them to a Sermon they may implore Divine Grace but they do not what they are able they do not improve the Power of Nature to the utmost and put God to the Trial whether he will give Grace 3. God is not wanting to them who seek to him for Grace Deus volentibus non deest He is willing to put to his helping Hand With his Command there goes a Promise Ezek. 18.31 Make you a New Heart and there is a Promise Ezek. 36.26 A New Heart will I give you 2 Posit When God converts a Sinner he doth more than use a Moral Perswasion For Conversion is a New Creation Eph. 4.24 The Pelagians talk much of Free Will they say the Will of Man is by Nature asleep and Conversion is nothing but the awakening a Sinner out of sleep which is done by a Moral Perswasion But Man is by Nature dead in Sin Eph. 2.1 And God must do more than awaken him he must enliven him before he be a New Creature 1 Vse Terrour to such as are not New Creatures such as are still growing upon the Stock of Old Adam who continue in their Sins and are resolved so to do these are in the Gall of Bitterness and are the most miserable Creatures that ever God made