of all Hearts are to be judged by the Gospel of Jesus Who will put his own Interpretation on his own Laws and we are to receive from his month the Sentence of Life or Condemnation Let none therefore be the more Confident or presume to go on in his Course because one whom he hath chosen for a guide tells him he is right enough and he is willing to believe him for such can know no otherwise then by the Gospel and it is agreed on all hands that those Texts which are given to make wise unto Salvation are so plain and easie to be understood that they need no Interpretation at all and it cannot be that any who come in sincerity to be informed should be deceived in them But thus it is Men are strangely given to their own Lusts they cannot endure to resist the Allurement of sensual Pleasures and are not willing to bring down their haughty minds and yet would partake of the Promises of the Gospel and avoid its Threatnings so there must be an expedient found out to do all this How ready are they to hearken unto and embrace every proposal made to this end Either by their own deceitful Hearts or by him who works with all deceivableness in them that Perish Or some others have been found who instead of shewing People Mic. 3. 5 8. their Transgression and the House of Jacob their sins have soothed them up and concealed Who have strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him Life Ezek. 13. 22. Who being willing to please their great Benefactors do according as they would have Speak smooth things and Prophesie deceits Isa 30. 10. Who know no sooner way to oblige them then by dictating Doctrines sutable to their ungodly Lusts and Inclinations that they may live the Life of the wicked and die the Death of the righteous follow all iniquity here and receive the Crown for Well-doing hereafter And this is done by divulging some pleasing but wrong and mis-applyed Notions of Gods wonderful Mercy of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and relying wholly on him for Salvation of a formal daily Repentance which is well enough if more sincere and perfect on the Death-bed the Doctrine of partial Obedience of Desires and Resolutions which are for the most part Mockery or Non-sense the mistakes of Sins of infirmity for the works of the Flesh and unrighteousness come under these of distinguishing between the Counsels and Precepts of the Gospel stretching it further then they have Warrant from 1 Cor. 7. 25. What they have a mind to follow those are the Commands and what they have not is of the other sort and then they sin not in neglecting it And such like Out of which may be patched up a fine sort of Divinity to please the Great Ones here by giving them Encouragement that after they have gratified to the utmost all their wicked Lusts and bid defiance to the Almighty in their Life-time yet they can appease him again slightly and when they will But certainly this is quite to leave the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to go on to imperfection not laying again but utterly over-throwing the Foundation of Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God which if such as pleases him must consist in Obedience as well as to believe that he is But one would think some did not so much or what is worse Think that the God-head was like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and Mans device Acts 17. 29. for they would stamp their own Impressions and more derogate from his Glory and despise him in their own imaginations then they did Rom. 1. 23. for these would make God such an one as they would have him render him a Lyar alter and change his very Nature beseech him to determine his everlasting Gospel rather then he shall not save them Or else how can they ever dream of thrusting themselves into his Holy City above any other way then by which God hath appointed nay going contrary to what he hath Chalkt out Our Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and puriâ—ie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works Tit. 2. 14. Now these defeat the very end of his Coming for according to their supposal Men may still live in all iniquity and instead of being zealous for good Works they need do none at all but cast themselves intirely on Christs satisfaction and Merits The foregoing Verse is The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all Men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live soberly and righteously and Godly in this present World but according to the daubing of some if we do the contrary all our Life-long and we do that is impossible but say or wish as much before the last Gasp of Breath is gone we may lay hold of it But hold there Salvation is not Mens to give they cannot so much as redeem their own Souls much less barter with Almighty God for others We are to have the Reward from his hands only and he hath said already on what terms he will give it Christ became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all that obey him Heb. 5. 9. and to none else The Priests may not prescribe unto him who is a God of infinite Sovereignty and Power Laws of their own Head nor parcel out the Objects of his Bounty they may never partake of it themselves much less be so impudent as to set it out for others Themselve◠〈…〉 e to stand among the number of the Criminals for since they have corrupted the Word of God 2 Cor. 2. 17. Instead of warning the Wicked from his way such have been occasion why he sinned yet more they shall receive greater Condemnation Nevertheless those shall not escape who being led away with their own lusts and enticed do gladly receive their plausible Opinions and Sayings but shall perish for all Mat. 15. 14. Ezek. 33. 8. Isa 9. 16. Though the Serpent Gen. 3. beguiled the Woman and the Woman beguiled the Man yet the curse was pronunced on all And it will be no excuse in the last day Lord the Teachers who came in thy name told us we might do such things and live for Christ had foretold that false ones should arise and commanded to take heed least any Man deceive you He left his Word behind to try the Doctrines whether they be of Men or no by which he will judge the World and not by this or that Doctors Opinion Let others now put what meaning they will upon the commands of Christ yet if he should interpret them otherwise every one knoweth whose must be taken and by which we are to abide His judgment and exposition will be according to Righteousness and Truth whatever others make now If they turn the Word up Isa 24. 5. and down to make
will leave off Is it good that God should search you out Oâ— as one Man â—â—cketh another do ye so mock him Joh 13. 9. He will certainly do it Neither will he be imposed upon by the foolish Craft you think to use The Grace of God that bringeth Salvâ—tion hath appeared to all Men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts ne should live soberly in this present World Tit. 2. 11 12. It is no denial of a thing when one cannot make use of it neither is it living soberly in this present World when he is going out of it Such Temperance as God is well-pleased with and will Reward must be exercised in time of full Health and Vigour when the Man might run to the same Excess of Riot with others but obedience only shall restrain him not Bodily infirmities or other worldly Reason Zech. 7. 6. From what hath been already noted it appears that there doth not arise such a mighty Gratification from this Sin The See Ante p. 284 285. Delight is not till as commonly said the Senses are lost so when the Man can least discern between Good and Evil he most admires it They are worse natured who require such hard and unpleasant things of their Companions who press that upon them which is received with Abhorrency as Sink-water but no fault is in them who refuse to comply with a base Humour Such would account themselves good and kind Souls the Promoters of Happiness who are the only Authors of uneasiness and Vexation A monstrous absurdity and reversal of the Nature of things When the drinking is contrary to all Law those are reputed the principal Engines of Mirth who do compel but who suffers it is made the Object of Reproach and Laughter It is so among hot-headed Youths and the Beasts of the People Others do use the method of fair intreaty and exasperating Expressions to entice unto sinful Compliance And if after all the Man will not yield an ill Character is fastened on him When he is soâ—â—icited it comes into his mind How can I do this great wickedness and sin Gen. 39. 9. again God Here he is put to his Choice Whether he will please vain and sinful Men or the Great and Holy Lord Governour of the World who would have his Laws observed they would have them broken If he is out of their sight yet he both sees and knows what they do And he would be also in their knowledge if they did not use such abominable means to stifle and deface it But if they can apprehend any thing of his infinite Perfection Whether it be right to obey his Good-will rather then comply with their wicked Humour Judge ye They must acknowledge him their Superiour and they could not take it well if any thing beneath themselves should be preferred before them It is no Moroseness of Temper to refuse obliging a Man that shall die and the Son of Man that shall be as Grass If by so doing he must displease God his Saviour Who stretcheth out the Heavens as a Curtain To incur his displeasure any way must be upon dangerous terms but here they are not so acceptable or easie If it be such a pleasure to drink Why are you angry it should be sifted out and examined If destruction and misery are in their ways why are Men enraged it should be found out and discovered Would they rather fall into it then be told off their danger They cannot endure to be perswaded of from their deceitful Vanities Away with this turbulent Fellow it is not fit he should live There is but little good to be had in this World and he would bereave us even of that It doth provoke and set the World in a rage to strike immediately upon their lusts When the two prophâ—â—s shall have finished their Testimony and shall be killed then they that dwell on the Earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth Rev. 11. 10. Elisha was accounted one that troubled Israel 1 Kings 18. 17. The History of the Prophets Christ and Apostles shew what an esteem the World had of them and how exasperated upon the account of their faithful dealing who did best deserve of the World were least accounted of by it How hath the God of this World blinded the eyes of Men that they should evil entreat kill and stone the Messengers of their Peace and Safety even the Servants of the Most High God which shewed unto them the way of Salvation Acts 16. 17. It is no new thing under the Sun to have evil recompenced for good that those should not be thought fit to live amongst Mankind who are most instrumental to their welfare Sirs ye are deluded with a false appearance and if ye lay hold of that ve lose â—he true happiness The present deceit is used for an ease or remedy of the evils of life but would it not be better to be without some of them and have a more excellent remedy for the rest God forbid that any should take away the true delights of the Sons of Men but theâ— are put in mind to remove those false ones which are not of his ordaining and to place his instead thereof which when themselves have â—â—ly â—asted will affirm to be better You are not forbid strong drink nor Wine but only shewed a more exceâ—ent way of reâ—â—iving them You are required to be Men still to abide in that hoâ—our you are endued with otherwise â—ou would be like the Beasts that Perish Several are as lovely to behold and if your understanding were set aside you would become as one of them which this sin doth for the time Iâ— is hastily said He that drinketh least drinketh like a Beast to which it may be added by way of return he who drinketh most drinketh like a Sow which is filthy and abominable of all fore-footed Creatures Into a low degree even the worst of them he is degenerated for in the greatest partaâ—e to be seen some foot-steps of pure and uncorrupted Nature they do not eat nor drink further then does them good and if Man would be well according to his sensitive part which he is not to rest in but ascend higher ask now the Beasts and they shall teach thee Job 12. 7. He must receive sustenance in the same manner as they do There are some would fain have the stupidity inconsideration of a Beast and yet would not be contented with the like Enjoyments Who would have their reason banished for that is the Seriousness and Morality they cannot endure They know not what conduces to their Perfection and Glory they are willingly ignorant that this assisted by Grace tends to an Immortal and Happy Being if they would suffer themselves to be guided by it Take away Thought and Consideration Man is like a wild Asses colt which sports for a while but afterwards
Obedience to God and their own Happiness If they would search and try by the utmost Reason and Discourse look back upon the Generations before Is that an Argument they should be Miserable and Foolish because those of old time were so What is all their Sin and Noise come untâ— like a Dream of a night Vision out of which they will awake to a sad account It is commonly said We should be Wiser which we cannot unless we are better and give more diligent observance unto Gods Commandments for they are good and true both by Speculation and Practise As cursed are those that err from them All Sin is so grievous and deceitful that the less one knows thereof so much the better What the least sincere and durable Happiness did it ever bring forth unto Men What Evil and Misery was there ever which this was not the occasion of The Word of God gives assurance of Happiness when that is a pretence only the first keeps off Misery and Hurt which this subtilly brings on That gives demonstration of Good in the end this hath consequent nothing at all which it falsly makes a shew of or what is worse certain and remediless Misery which it cunningly conceals The Captain of our Salvation is able through his Word to overcome the evil One his Grace is stronger then the others Temptation as to the present time but further is that which gives a compleat Victory Let us call in the Powers of the World to come The Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better Hope did by which we draw near to God. That could not accomplish the effectual Reformation of Men by temporal Promises and Threatnings for the first did happen a like to all and then if had they colud not make a Man truly Happy for the greatest Prosperity and sensual Enjoyments would sooner weary then satisfie the Partakers And the like were the Threatnings for they did involve all without difference The Sword or Death was no such frightning to those who were tired of this Life through long Ease and Plenty Nor was it to more considering persons to have their Carkaseâ— uâ—buried for they should not in the least feel that The Israilities did see those mighty works and wonders God wrought for them in Egypt the red Sea and the Wilderness He revealed himself in a visible manner on Mount Sinai and afterwards by Vrim and Thummim The Fire from Heaven which consumed the Sacrifice the appearance of Glory over the Mercy Seat And then he manifested himself by Visions and Prophets So they had a most sensible Evidence of Gods Dominion and Government over them which should keep in subjection So their Disobedience was inexcusable and deserving of Punishment according to the Majesty and Greatness of him against whom they offended The Law was our School-Master to bring us to Christ It did lead on by Rudiments from Carnal and Temporal things to Spiritual and Eternal from Wordly prosperity and the conveniencies of one part they might arise unto the true Happiness of the whole Man. Under the Gospel the Promises are such as to make him perfectly and universally Happy and the Threatnings alike Miserable It is evident there is Light and Darkness there is also somewhat beyond these moveable Regions where is Eternity And this being the place of Tryal between both here is a little scanthing of Good and Evil what doth delight and what doth torment This we taste and feel How we are concerned further we may know by our Hopes and Fears We are day by day in our single persons removed hence and there is a desire to have a Being above and Horror of falling below We have all things in part and in an imperfect manner which give assurance there shall be the whole and that added which is perfect What may be known of Gods future Promises and Threatnings is manifested in us for God hath shewed it unto us from his Word Works and our Nature which is capable of and hath a tendency to one which is liable unto and abhors the other For the first we are contented with all our Hearts Hoping as indeed it is true that we may be translated from Imperfection to Perfection from Vileness to Glory form Misery unto Happiness We are glad and thankful that it is so but then there must be a rendring meet and the qualification of Obedience and Holiness The greatness of the Reward doth abundantly stir up for such an exceeding Good cannot be refused by any Man. None is so full and blessed already but he may receive in of Heavenly good things God hath given us larger Faculties and made Earthly things short and empty so they do not satisfie at the very time however all these Isa 28. 20. things perish and against the Man is taken away from them seeing he shall remain elsewhere he must likewise desire an Happiness which shall be with him then as now he doth what is before him That catching at every little good the so greedily running after what vanishes almost as soon as had doth shew that he desires also real good things which are exceeding Great and Eternal Seeing Man must live for ever he cannot do other wise then desire to be Happy for ever No more then whilst here for a short time he ceases desiring to pass through here as Comfortably and pleasant as he may If we could take away the desires of Life and Happiness then we might find him that hath no mind to go to Heaven As the Hungry craves after Food the Covetous Riches the Ambitious Honour and every one Rest and Satisfaction and will use the common means in their own power towards the having of them So there is a deâ—ire ingrafted into Man after those things God hath promised And 't is but reasonable he should do so much towards obtaining them for otherwise he will come short of them They are set forth by the very same things in a greater degree then what is so earnestly followed after here Many will not seek after the things above through Negligence and Sloth but every one will sincerely desire them hereafter when they shall be fully sensible of what they were so careless and indifferent God saw how prone our Nature was to this and hath ordered something else to shake it off Had any one need be pushed forward to go and receive a Kingdom Should there be so much intreaty used to save him from Danger and Misery When he knows thereof the Man will run fast enough of himself without using many Words Arise then and escape for thy Life Thy Breath is in thy Nostrils which alone keeps the Wicked Man from falling into Eternal and remediless Misery The reason why people are so fearless and unconcerned as to this is because they see it not but if they did they would be at their Wits end and think they could never get far enough from so terrible a thing If they believe this to be real
all former things are gone as a shadow that departeth nothing remains but a faint remembrance which doth not yield the least Pleasure but rather Anguish We press nearer to the things which are not seen but eternal Refreshment or Misery If one Man was to suffer all that could be laid on him in this World and to come to Heaven at last he is no more to be pitied then that common Labourer who doth but his ordinary Days-work and hath an hundred Pounds for his Reward So again if another did enjoy all the Honours and Pleasures that were to be had spent forty or sixty Years in the greatest Mirth without intermixture of trouble or weariness as none ever did all would not be a Compensation for the first hour in Hell. We cannot reasonably grudge to pass through this present Life which is not so much in reference to the other as a minute to a Year if the greatest Affliction and Hardship were to be laid on us as long as hereby we shall come to receive an infinite good through the Gift of God and avoid a like inconvenience If instead of a Barren and dry Wilderness we were to march through a fiery Furnace to the Heavenly Canaan if instead of having Prosperity mingled with Adversity all the days of our Pilgrimage were to be continually evil If instead of denying Lusts we were absolutely Commanded to cut off our right Hand and pluck out the right Eye and to do violence to the least natural Inclination yet considering the Greatness of the Joy and Sorrow set before us these would have been most equal Terms if it had pleased the Great Law-giver who is able both to save and destroy to have given them He might have done so and still be most just and bountiful But so gracious hath been our God Break forth into singing all ye Inhabitants of the Earth and Praise his Name which you can never do so much as this Love deserves to lay no more upon us then what is summed up Deut. 10. 12 13. And now Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Which are contrived to make us as Happy in this Life as is possible for us to be And though this had been sufficient requital of it self yet further throughout his Holy Word is manifested eternal Life Do this and live under which was more comprehended then barely living here for Transgressors did so This hath been more clearly made known by him who came since who hath brought Grace and Truth along with him Who came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it and make it yet more for our Good for albeit the Jews by reason of the Carnality of their Hearts were allowed a more free Enjoyment of the things of this Life then we are now under the Gospel which is upon better Promises The intent whereof is to Cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and to perfect Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. So that Sensual Enjoyments are contrary to the Nature of our Holy Calling They are not absolutely forbidden but to be used with the greatest Moderation and so they do not in the least diminish from our real Happiness Christianity doth refine the Delights of Sence and make them more excellent We are to remember how we are way-faring Men and may receive them so far only as to refresh But in no sort to run after or when obtained to dwell so long on them as hinder our Journey And therefore to make Pleasure the business of Life or the greater part thereof as the manner of some is both contrary to Duty and Happiness For thouâ—h it be imagined such do take great Delight in them or otherwise would not follow them yet there are other Reasons as they know nothing better or not how to spend the time and idleness is so wearisome that any thing is to be done rather then endure that the Humour and Mode of the Age which they must comply with or they shall not be reputed Gentile and such like for they could forsake those esteemed Divertisements which if they reflect on in the very midst are tiring empty and unsatisfying The Pleasures of this Life choke the good Sâ—ed in the Heart which should spring up and bring forth Fruit unto everlasting Life They do alienate the Heart from God. If any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World 1 John 2. 15 16. No Man will say he loves these more then God himself would then affirm his own Damnation to be just Who is so wicked as this amounts unto But what are Words to be minded when Deeds manifest the contrary When one who saith he loves God yet wiâ—â— rather break his Laws then deny his own Will who to follow a sinful Pleasure will omit a necessary Duty it may be determineâ— of him for those we love we will do what they will have us He that will not part with a Paltry Lust for the sake of God when he requires it if he doth with his mouth make a shew of much Love his Heart runs after that Ezek. 33. 31. God who knoweth all things and from whom Dissimulation cannot be hid will judge accordingly for if any loves sincerely he will also forsake whatever offends his Beloved If the Pleasures are not simply unlawful in themselves yet all Excess is evil and to be avoided and that is â—o when the end for which they are used is sufficiently answered Or if they be attended with ill Circumstances and prove needlâ—ss occasions why others and our selves sin they are to be abstained from for if we love God we must have a care of the least thing that doth disp ease him Only let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. There are several mistakes which hinder this for People take Of mistakes in Religion up with less of Religion then they ought And least I speaking as to them should be thought to run upon a mistake my self therefore let it be considered all along and not only here but throughout the whole whether I speak these things as one willing to find fault or whether the Scripture nay the gracious Gospel in which they so much trust do not say the very same It is that common deciet of outward Profession and resting in the Ordinances This is reputed Religion but it is shut out from governing their Thoughts Words and Actions Let them be any how at Mens own Power and Command following their own
foundation of Faith and good manners How Religion is as it were turned into an endless prate and talk about controverted points They have unsetled well disposed minds by taking them off from the Doctrine according to Goâ—â—â—ness They have turned out of the way of Truth into Errors and Deceits The Infidels Scorners Carnal and indifferent Persons have been confirmed in their ungodliness thinking it as good to be of no Religion at all as to profess one with so much wrangling They make sport with the Absurdities and fallings out of the Religious Also the Hypocrites and Adversaries under the shelter of them do throw out their Reproaches and hereupon the Presumption of them which hate God increaseth yet more Whereas it might be considered that notwithstanding they differ and squabble yet they all agree in this That Obedience and Holiness is the only way to Heaven If they contend about Circumstantial and positive Duties it is about the manner In this they concenter that God is to be Worshipped And they all stand up with one accord for the Moral part the immutable Laws of Good and Evil. There hath been an expedient proposed and only wants to be put in use if what some would Arrogantly have in their Church be it no wise granted to them but what is most reasonable and due that there should be an implicit Belief in Scripture the Word of God. In all plain places believe them as they are but in the hard and difficult so believe in general whatever the Holy Spirit did intend was the very meaning of that place Whosoever believes thus much shall certainly be saved Nor doth this shut out knowledge and industry for that is a necessary Duty but after that used to rest in what we apprehend the meaning and that if any other is so we believe it See 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. Phil. 3. 15. Psal 25. 12 13 14. The way to Truth is by good Life and direction from above God is Gracious and Merciful he threatens none but only those who shall not believe on him and his Son Jesus Christ All Ignorances Errors and Mistakes that are neither wilful nor affected will be pardoned Let no Man lay any other Foundation and every one keep fast to that There is a great stir about an infallible Judge of Controversie and an unerring interpreter of Scripture Whereas the common and ordinary places do no more need any Interpretation then every common expression of this Nature is most part of the Gospel but for the Mysteries and dark Speeches throughout Holy Writ God will unfold and bring them to Light in his due time We ought to pray and through his Grace endeavour to be meet for the Holy Spirit which searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. We are to set our Seal that God is true and so is every thing contained in his Word though we do not presently understand it God may reveal many things in Succession of time and what he doth not none shall mis-carry for not knowing them The Promise is annexed to Obedience and not Opinion do this and live Yea Faith it self is in order to Practice Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus Christ sent him to Bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Acts 3. 26. All that Jesus did and said was to this end And whosoever doth really believe that he was sent from God if he is fully and effectually perswaded that those things are so which our Saviour hath made known that Person can never live ill if he let them sink deep into his Heart The whole Scripture as well as that particular Gospel Luke 1. 1. Is an orderly Declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us Whoso is of this number will order his Conversation accordingly In this faln and corrupt State of mankind Religion begins Of Repentance by aversion from Sin and Conversion unto God which is Repentance We are by Nature the Children of Wrath the Seeds of evil grow up into sinful Acts and Habits As soon as ever we come to years of the least Discretion and Knowledge there is set before us the good and evil way And this last seeming pleasant unto us from our Infancy and Childhood for therein also Sin breaks forth as soon as the outward Powers of sinning appear is most commonly chosen Should our merciful God have given us but one time to make our Choice and thereby eternally abide we must all have perished or not one of a thousand would have been saved of what are now For who is he that to his Original Corruption doth not add actual and continued Sin That to natural Depravation doth not add fresh Perverseness of his own All we like Shâ—ep have gone astray VVe have turned every one to his own way Isa 53 6. We do err and wander of our selves seeking out for green Pasture for those foolish and sinful Delights which we know not would rot and destroy us We would sain be Happy as soon as possible then that luscious and present appearance of good doth draw us away after it Did none take Care of us but our selves we must be consumed in this our Folly for we go away from the Supream and only Good and snatch at those things which are hurtful It pleases the Lord to put before us the good and the evil to prove whither we will be obedient unto him Whether we who were purposely made for him will by any thing be taken off from him Whether we will follow after what he recommends and eschew what he forbids so approving our selves obedient Children but alas We will not believe his Word for we would willingly have some Tryal by experience whether it be so or not We are not contented to trust unto his Goodness and Truth but for knowing of our selves What ingratitude Contempt and dis-belief do we shew unto God who is so infinitely above us What unparralled Condescention and Goodness is in him that he should be pleased to suffer it in this Wise When not only by the Excellencâ— of what he Commands but by the sensible disappointment and deceitfulness of what he forbids we may Taste and see that the Lord is good 1 Pet. 2. 25. We cannot go back of our selves he sends his Son and Bishop of our Souls who is the way John 4. 6. so we may know it he sends his Holy Spirit to stir and push us forward so that we may do it If that when it is fully known what is the utmost good in all the Pleasures of Sin when not withstanding all their vain Promises the Man is fully convinced of the Hunger and Emptiness of them When he is ready to perish Luke 15. 17. for want of true Satisfaction and Content and might have more in the ways of God if then he would return and come over unto him it is accepted Read and consider well the third Chapter of Jeremiah especially Verse 1
destroyed for lack of Knowledge Hos 4. 6. What can we say to it when it is their own Fault It is at their Peril if they refuse and contemn those means which God hath appointed to bring unto eternal Life without which they must mis-carry For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every disobedience received a just Recompence of Reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2. 2 3. The Promise in sundry places of Scripture is unto Godliness Of Ungodliness Psal 4. 3. Psal 101. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 8. and the threatning is against ungodliness Psal 9. 17. Rom. 1. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 7. Jude 15â— Where is a right use of the Ordinances and positive Duties all Obedience will likewise follow On the contrary when they are neglected it is Disobedience and Contempt to that God who enjoyns them Many are Friendly and just towards Man temperate as to themselves but yet are ungodly The World thinks What harm do these Why may they not go to Heaven Not considering what the great Provocation of ungodliness is and they do mistake in not seeing the first Reason of the Commandments of God Which in Truth are for the welfare of mankind but this is not all for the good or inconveniences consequent to the Observation or Violation of them as pertaining to short-lived mankind do not Rise so high as to have or deserve eternal Rewards or Punishments The Act of Sin is small and weak but the strength of Sin is the Law 1. Cor. 15. 56. It receives the Aggravation from going against that High and Divine Authority which hath established things so For it is too much a fond and proud Opinion that all things are for our selves if I do neither harm to my Neighbour nor my Self and I commit Sin What great Evil is in it Is a common Question Whereas they might look up and consider that God in his doings towards the Children of Men designs his own Glory in the first place as well as their Good. Now if there is Disobedience and Contempt towards himself and Transgression of what he hath Enacted here is the exceeding evil of Sin though no prejudice comes thereby to any mortal Creature It is what lieth in them making void Gods Dominion and in plain terms that he shall not Reign over them The great matter is Whether his Creatures are subject unto him they are so indeed But whether themselves think so and will shew themselves to be such as the ungodly Man doth not Thou hast said in thine Heart I am and none else besides me Isa 47. 10. And hereby may be seen the Hainousness of his iniquity for he is an open Rebel who refuses to tread Gods Courts he is one of himself and will not acknowledge depâ—ndance from an higher Power He neglects for his part what all the World thinks due viz. The Worship of God. So that it will fare better with Superstitious Christians unbelieving Jews and Pagan Idolaters for they intended some Homage though a â—iâ—â—aken one to the Great Lord of all things but he doth none at all He says within himself It is vain to serve God and what Profit is it to keep his Ordinances Mal. 3. 14. Whereas it is his own Fault for he might know if he would wait all the days of this short Life for the exceeding and eternal weight of Glory He might in the mean while perceive some good in the Solemn Meetings if he would come with a pure mind and behave himself as he should But he is glad of any excuse when in reality that as other Excuses is a further Aggravation of his Sin and so it will appear When God who now knows shall manifest the secrets of all Hearts for People who are born in the Christian Church entred by Baptism and afterwards wilfully make themselves Strangers from the Covenant of Grace and be without God in the World What is this but as much as they can to exempt themselves from his Government and because it may hereafter Rise up against them they would utterly destroy it if they might Whoever impartially judges of these things may perceive the exceeding Sinfulness of ungodliness It is the greatest degree of Sin that Men can arrive unto How many times is mention made in Scripture of reâ—using to hear the Word of God and not calling upon him There is no Fear of God before their Eyes they forget him and such like Expressions by which the Abomination of iniquity is set forth All these Sins are immediately against God himself If one Man sin against another the Judge shall Judge him but if a Man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him 1 Sam. 2. 25. When God doth set up his Kingdom for such to endeavour to get from under it must be a great Provocation As now if any Prince should issue forth his Proclamation and Order it to be read and fixt up He would certainly be displeased at those who stop their Ears and take no notice of it and so it will be as to all those Potsherds of the Earth who shew the like Stubbornness or disdain against their Maker In good Manners we are to hear what God will Command us Of Preaching before we put up our Petitions unto him The Master is at Liberty to speak before the Servant utters his Supplication Yea all that the Lord hath said we should do so that is first to be known for the end of Prayer is to ask Forgiveness for former Transgressions to beg Grace and Power to be more obedient for the future When God delivered his Law in that terrible manner on Mount Sinah the People were afraid that they said unto Moses Speak thou with us and we will Hear Exod. 20. 19. and it is promised further We will hear and do it Deut. 5. 27. This way our Fore fathers chose and accordingly he did during his Life-time and left written a Copy of the Law which should be for ever Moses of Old time hath in every City them that Preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 15. 21. He was both Preached and Read. The Jews received the Law by the Disposition of Angels and have not kept it Acts 7. 53. But Christians received it from a Greater even the Son of God himself and have not obeyed it Christ hath those who continually Preach him as Moses had by how much he is not only greater then him but the very Angels of God. And receiving it immediately from his Father he came down and made it known upon Earth Who had a Voice out of the Cloud which said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Hear ye him Mat. 17. 5. The Author to the Hebrews insisteth upon the same Argument and Comparison See that ye refuse not him that speaketh For if they escape not who refused him that spake on Earth much more shall not we escape if we
opposition to those considerations which the Spirit and Word of God would subminister But either he doth not admit them or they lie scattered and loose to be taken away and are not lain to heart When there is a voluntary yielding to Temptations a glad hearkening to all the Whispers of Satan and a turning back from those good Motions or willing unmindfulness of them When there is a complacency and attendance to the flatteries of sin but a dislike or only a sudden thought concerning Holiness there the Man may and also doth run to all sort of Wickedness even in all Thought is the principle of action And therefore it is said Let the Wicked Man Jer. 16. 12. forsake his way and the Vnrighteous Man his Thoughts Isa 55. 7. Which walketh in a way which is not good after their own thoughts Isa 65. 2. As sin is shameful so the inducements to it are concealed but there was never an advised act of it committed but those conceits had a greater influence over him then other considerations which either did not appear to him so forcible or were slightly or not thought of at all and these deliberate acts determine the condition of every Man as to future Happiness or Misery Even that which they commonly alledge for excuse is advised also their Ignorance and Inconsideration for they might both know and consider if they would and are commanded to do and then they would have acted just contrary Hear now O House of Israel Is not my way equal Are not your ways unequal Ezek. 18. 25. Why should not that be allowed the same foregoing thought as your own Judge of them both alike and be not wholly taken up with the imagination of your own evil hearts That gracious promise to the Wicked Mans Repentance vers 27. is observable for the reason added vers 28. Because he considereth and turneth away from all his Transgressions that he hath committed he shall surely live he shall not die As before he had some seeming reason why he did wickedly so having attended and fully weighed what was offered on the other side this makes the stream of Action run the right way I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy Testimonies Psal 119 59. Not with a slight fancy or cursory approbation only of one side but with a through and full deliberation and upon such a debate let any one cast out the commands and proposals of our God who can An unwise Man doth not know this and a bruâ—ish Man doth not understand it He is guided by Sence and some little shews of Reason but then he will not let reason have its perfect work he will not exert it to the utmost for then he could not live in doubt and misery all his life long or miscarry as to the future If when he is in honour and hath no understanding for that is the same when not used but becomes like the Beasts that perish being moved only with sensible and present objects yet he knows why he doth thus wilfully degenerate himself and he might be otherwise if he would There is some reason which lies at the bottom and shoots forth into all Mens Actions in some it is Carnal Brutish and kept under but in others it is pure rectified and ascending So that would the skilful Workman in the Vineyard dig to the very root and lay dung there endeavour to perswade from the first Principle of Action bringing the like reasons against Ignorance Sluggishness and Sence which he hath for it even this barren Tree through Gods Blessing might be so cultivated as to bring forth Fruit. How forcible are right words Job 6. 25. They subminister right thoughts and those are the original of Action Yea they are the very grace of God as may be gathered from Acts 20. 32. Eph. 4. 29. Tit. 2. 11. What is that but promptings and inclinations in the Soul to Holy and good Things Now right words do afford these the Spirit makes them to be understood warms and enlivens setting them home to our hearts for otherwise they may be as a dead letter an unintelligible flat sound Riddles or Mysteries and this as well as the other is from God from whom all good proceedeth As Meat and Drink nourisheth the Body and preserves Health when dressed aright so the Word of God both being through his appointed Blessing do make the Soul grow up in Grace and Knowledge Wherefore laying aside all Maliâ—e and all Guile and Hypocriâ—ies and Envies and evil speakings as new born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. If there have been no prejudices before this hath a mighty effect upon the Soul. It is observed that young Men are more easily perswaded and receptive of good for they have not those habits of sin which strive against sound Doctrine they have not so long resisted the Grace and call of God as others If they are not seared with custom nor hardened with the deceitfulness of sin they may indeed a little struggle through Lust yet are to be wrought on by the Word If not utterly to forsake yet to stop a little in their course and if they would attend constantly to right exhortation they would be converted But conceive him who is a pure Man not corrupted any way that hath the common principles of Nature and come to instruct him in the ways of God He will forthwith assent to them he will judge it the most reasonable thing in the World That Mortal Man should be subject unto the Almighty and everlasting God for a Creature to be governed by his Creator especially when he sees it enforced with that demonstration and power as it may be As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me Psal 18. 44. Every unprejudiced mind must condemn that wilfull ignorance and stubbornness which hinder all that do not come unto God. The Lord looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth he fashioneth their hearts alike Psal 33. 14 15. The very frame and making of all Men being alike none need labour under particular constitutions for they make but little difference and may be overcome are exactly fitted by our wonderful Creator for those tenders of universal Grace and Salvation he hath given to all not one single Soul excepted and then the Word is sufficient as may be seen Luke 2. 30 31. There is nothing wanting but the will of Man to comply with Gods gracious purpose and every one may submit and comply his to that If those who take upon them the Ministry of the Word were throughly concerned and affected with the good of Souls If they would be as diligent in the point of everlasting Happiness or Misery to promote the one and hinder the other as now to do a little kindness and prevent a trifling inconvenience which one Man doth to another and it is well accepted of If they are but lovers of themselves and did
if not then they Perish and are Miserable for ever So much of their Life is already slipt from them Such opportunities have been lost of receiving a greater Reward which are gone irrecoverably in vain and useless things Again he limiteth a certain day saying in David To day after so long a time as it is said To day if ye will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 4. 7. Then they are to bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance to grow in Grace and Knowledge to continue in all Obedience and be Watchful that he in no wise offend the iâ—finite God. They may seek out and embrace all occasions of doing Good and be ready to the performance of it Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before Phil. 3. 13 Vnto which Promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come Acts 26. 7. The Vanity and Transitoriness of our condition in this World may be somewhat taken of by real and enduring Actions The Sollicitations to Evil may be more easily avoided because they are momentary and sudden Thou O Man art made for greater things Thou art passing towards an Eternal Happiness Have nothing to do with sinful Divertisments Dearly beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly Lusts which war against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. The Pleasure â—oon after is the same as if never had and iâ— would have hindred in the Good Waâ— Here is the Christian Life this is to make use of the present Time Then you may with Comfort and no Sorrow think how it hasteth away We must unavoidaâ—ly lye down under the Laws of Mortality Whoso doth these things is not troubled about that but though it shall be placed in the Dust still he lifts up his Head that his Redemption draweth nigh Our sâ—lves also which have the first Fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Râ—demption of our Body Rom. 8. 23. We are not yet come to our Rest nothing here doth truly satisfie but what comes from above the same thing returns over so often that we are even weary of it We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him 2 Cor. 5. 9. Resolving still to do our Duty Whether God hath more for us to do or to make us more desirous of Him and his Kingdom or to prove us longer or to exercise our Patience after we have done his Will we may be assured he hath wise and good Reasons for our tarrying here a little longer We ought to be quiet and thankful not knowing how soon we may be removed hence our Warfare accomplished and our Sin pardoned The particular Season is not for us to know it being Gods Attribute of seeing things to come as he manifests by so many Disappointments of our own fore-casts We are to keep within our bounâ—s of Creatures to see no further then he hath ordained Not to reckon upon a longer Time of stay then we are certain of which is not one Moment longer then we have and do now live Did we throughly consider by how slender Threads Life is tyed which may be broken from Casualty without or Disorder within but One holds our Soul in Life under whose good Providence we live So we are satisfied but not confident Did we again reflect that he can stir up a Disease from within there is no nâ—ed of pouring down Judgments upon us as he did upon the Cities of the Plain he may suffer such an evil Accident to befall us or to be Consumed in our own Folly we would tremble and fear to do Wickedly against him We should not dare lift up our selves against the Lord of Heaven the God in whose hand our Breath is Dan. 5. 33. It is a vain and foolish Presumption to Sin yet more because he counts of so much Time to live being Young Lusty and Healthful or to be puffed up with present Enjoyments for they shall continue so long But admit God should suffer the Light to burn clear out though he can extinguish it in the mean while whensoever he will yet all will be waâ—ted out If they make these outward things an occasion to forget God or behave themselves contemptuously towards him and he should be pleased to permit thereof What he saith by his Prophet is true The things that I have given them shall pass away from them Jer. 8. 13. The fancied good days will be all vanished and gone as the past have been already That can be no Happiness which hatb an end Nor whatever the Sensual Worldly minded think can there be any in departing from the Lord. We may in general judge thus much of our Time to come in this World by remembring what hath been already with us or happens to others of such years Condition and Circumstances it may be somewhat like with us for there is no great variety in the things of this World we have Seen Heard or Read the like fulfilled in our Brethren As the past hath the present doth the future will pass away in the same manner till the last Hour comes and shuts up all as this doth all the past Time of my Life in which I am Writing this An end will come But this I say Brethren The Time is short it remaineth that both they that have Wives be as though they had none and they that Weep as though they Wept not and they that Rejoyce as though they Rejoyced not and they that Buy as though they Possessed not And they that Vse this World as not Abusing it for the Fashion of this VVorld passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31. CHAP. XVI Of COURAGE TO bring people out of the wrong and mistaken Apprehension of things to help somewhat towards their Good it will be necessary to explain what Courage is and how it promotes their Happiness Many excellent things have we heard of this Vertue but still as to the particular nature thereof most are ignorant Extolling they know not what they know not wherefore Neither shall the due estimation thereof be lessened so it be justly stated as it is for the security and well-being of Mankind for even this Temptation the Destroyer makes use of to insnare and beguile Souls unto himself They are taken with nothing so much as what looks great To despise Evil and laugh at Fear not to value their own Lives to run on with a certain blindness and hurry towards the land of Darkness Not to regard the worst things that befall the Sons of Men or threaten afar off all this he hath gotten to pass for Courage and Magnanimity in the World. And Thousands deluded with this false Imagination of things come to dye as Fools They did not mind the things that were told them as
come in and then conceive who is more Honourable The Servant of him whose is the World and the Fulness thereof or a Lord of so many Acres of Land. Those Palaces and great Houses are not so much as the Dwelling of Ants to that Habitation of his Holiness the House Eternal in the Heavens prepared for all those who diligently seek to come there I ask no Mans Faith for this but appeal to his very Sence if he looks upward or how far the East is from the West The Eyes of our Vnderstanding being enligâ—tened do as clearly perceive the invisible things within as the outward Eye doth what is before us So that let none talk of uncertainty and fiction neither put off the minding them The Proud and Scornful Men are in truth low-Spirited A Glass of Liquor or the sparklings of Wine the gratifying of a lower lnclination a Whore and well coloured Dust a few little parcels of Land is what they concern themselves about Not regarding the Rivers in the Paradise of God the Glory and Exstacy of that Place the Inheritance reserved there You are for a blast of Wind which doth no good but puffs up a bubble for the lightness thereof You are for a small Reputation and Applause from talking Worms and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only John 5. 44. That gaudy shew goes away As a Dream when one awakâ—th Isa 23. 9 So O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their Image Psal 73. 20. As they are mistaken in their conceit of Greatness so likewise of Happiness being there for little and Vain things for trifling and fading delights before Great and enduring Peace They are for those things which depart and come to nothing with the day before that satisfaction which is just begun here but finished and perfected through infinite Ages Is this your Honour It is such as hath no Vnderstanding Is this your Pride it is both a Deceit and a Lye for small things it bereaves you of greater it makes a shew of what is not pretends to Great and Honourable but it is Pitiful Low and Contemptible Are these fit to be made an occasion to forget God or despise what belongs unto him Their Heart was Exalted therefore have they forgotten me Hos 13. 6. 'T is by reason of those paltry things that some come to that pass as to do according to their will notwithstanding Gods Commandment to the contrary if not to speak out yet to think Marvellous things against the God of Gods Dan. 11. 36. This doth shew forth the great and enlarged faculties in Man that can stretch thus far but again this betrays his Degeneracy and Folly that he should do it upon such a small and light occasion For one that might be partaker of the Divine Nature to Jer. 2. 11. vaunt himself in beastly inclinations and desires this really brings down to the Earth And didst debase thy self even unto Hell Isa 57. 9. For him that is called unto Precious and Inestimable things to Pride himself in those of no value to be listed up with meer Vanities when they are capable to inherit great Excellencies which they set at naught because they understand them not It will be the Exclamation at last What hath Pride profited us or what good hath Riches brought us But this voice signifies nothing to Men in Desperation and Misery Whereas if now they would lay it to Heart it might bring them out of this Temptation and Snare of the Devil Every one would willingly be Happy and use the means to be so Now there are but two ways in the general Either by following Gods Grace and Direction or their own Fancies and Thoughts which they have from a sligâ—t apprehension of the thing or the opinion and multitude of others That the generality of Mankind are not yet in the right is as sure as Gods Word is true Even in this doubt wherein the World stands divided One that hath common Wisdom and discerning in every Action he takes in Hand or in every thing he proposes to himself might reduce it all this Whether the good or evil of a thing will be greater considering both what is present and what is to come for this will as certainly be here as the other And this should determine every ones choice in the way to Happiness which indeed must if he would make sure and not be deceived therein We call the Proud Happy Mal. 3. 15. Mark the Phrase for it is only so with word of Mouth but we cannot conclude it so upon Consideration and Discourse for that will make to appear it brings more Evil then Good unto Men. It is the cause of Disobedience unto God for it foolishly disdaines to be in subjection unto him and prefers its own will before the Will of God. This is a very great temptation for t is not so much the Pleasures of a Wicked Life but a Proud thinking to have the alone Command over himself and his own Actions to be governed by none and who shall controul him This makes to slight and seem to laugh at the Word of God They reckon it a piece of Bravery that they can do contrary They despise the means of Grace and Salvation They pish at Instruction and those who are appointed to make it known Shall a few Men take upon them to be Wiser then the rest or to Reform others or shall they do according as they are bid But all this is easily answered for God fpeaks unto the World by those of the same likeness with our selves it is nothing to us let Men do as they will no more then it is to the Poste whether the Proclamation be complyed withal or not His Laws are set before us by his Servants the Prophets Dan. 9. 10. We observe them not as the words of Moses Prophets Evangelists Apostles but as the very Commands of God and his Christ There is an Obedience due to the Rom. 2. 8. Truth as being from him but not at all because such a fellow Creature saith or would have it so Tribulation and Anguish is denounced against those who will not obey it now and they will really wish they had And those who purposely go against those Pillars of Truth will find that they had better run their Head against a stone-Wall which may dash out their own Brains but that remains unshaken But the Proud Men will not hear nor read or if they do they will not obey for say they in the deep of the Heart they have power over themselves which is the beginning of their Disobedience and Transgression they are liable to the Misery and Threatning annexed which will certainly come upon them if they continue in that wicked mind The Stubbornness and Contempt is much worse to the great God over all then if a Son or a Servant is perversly resolved not to †hear Jer. 13. 15. and know what his Father or Master would say or not give
thou O Lord when I plead with thee Jer. 12. 1. Clouds and Darkness are round about him Righteousness and Judgment are the Habitation of his Throne Psal 97. 2. Though we cannot see through all yet we have sufficient revealed to be most fully assured that he is just and equal Here in the place of Faith and Tryal many things come to pass of which though we may in general be satisfied of the Goodness and Justice of God in ordering and suffering them so to be yet we cannot give so particular account how it is so in a strict sence and superlative degree as most certainly it is This is to be imputed to our blindness and want of understanding which shall be done away when he comes to judge the Earth Judgment will I lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isa 28. 7. All things shall be exactly stated at last He is even now Righteous in all his ways and will give a clear account how he is so The things of this World are now loved and feared but then it will appear that there is so little in them that they are not worthy to be spoken of or had in Remembrance However God will not forget any Labour or Pain his Servants endured for him They shall be as a Dream when one awaketh and who is much concerned for the Pleasantness or Dreadfulness thereof after it is over Call to mind the days that are past recollect both the Good and Evil of them or what was done at such a place when you are removed from thence much more will it be so when you are translated from Time to Eternity from Earth to Heaven It is so meer a nothing that if the Creature might be bold to speak with his Maker it will not be insisted on or required from Gods Hands but what he will be pleased to do of his own Promise and Bounty for one would think Justice it self is not obliged to make amends for small Matters when the harm is over and the very same as if it had never been at all This single Consideration if throughly weighed would ease our mind in all Afflictions The Transitoriness of them as also they are vain and little for however we Groan and Murmur yet they are such as can be endured They are not so great as we weak and frail by Nature We further bring a delicacy and tenderness on our selves which makes us yet more unable to bear them Whereas if we would comply universally with his design God would ordain Strength out of our Weakness He would give us that Grace and Knowledge if we were meet to be partakers thereof and make use of them that would carry us through all trouble whatsoever for he suffers none to fall on us but what is common to Men. And how know we but he to manifest his own Glory doth lay the more heavy things on him that so weak a thing may endure them and intend its greater Happiness by a proportionable Reward For I reckon that the Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8. 18. If we did understand and consider of all things instead of being cast down and disquieted we might Rejoyce in Tribulation We make such a stir about Trouble but there is not so much in it We may rest with the most full assurance that God is good and for all those Adversities he sends on us he is all along accomplishing the Happiness of his Creatures which should stir up and continue our Love and Obedience unto him He would have that foretold which he will certainly do that Isa 42. 9. Luke 2. 25. they should be comforted in the mean time who shall be delivered that they should be joyful with Hope and Expectation where with they shall be Happy at last This hath been the Method of Gods working of old we have heard it with our Ears and it is very acceptable unto us How beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of him that bringeth good Tidings that publisheâ—h Peace that bringeth good-Tidings of Good that saith unto Sion Thy God Reigneth Isa 52. 7. How welcome is every one that hath good news of prosperous Accidents and worldly Conveniencies How many Messages of this nature have been delivered from time to time to private Persons and Nations which were thankfully and kindly received What are they all come unto now their Memorial is perished with them They were shadows only of Good which just passed by and are gone this is the utmost of all Temporal Happiness and of this World. But what comes from our God is Great and Enduring which lately was beginning now carrying on till it be consummated to Eternal Ages Great is our Lord and highly to be praised for the least manifestation he ever made thereof and so is by his chosen People Vnto you therefore which belâ—eve he is precious 1 Pet. 2. Psal 89. 15. 7. You both understand and have assured Hope to be Partakers These prize it more then others do great Reversions and Expectancies they so much talk of and please themselves with Who is among you that seareth the Lord that obeycth the Voice of his Servant that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light Let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50. 10. Who gives a glimmering and sendeth Light into the Soul a comfortable Thought or sends him who can speak a Word in Season Comfort ye Comfort ye my People saith your God Isa 40. 1. They are to Preach the Gospel Heal the Sick administer Help and Remedy against all the Maladies of Mankind An hard Task and not to be performed who considers not from whom he cometh and whose means he makes use of Even God and his Word which are sufficient for all this and if they have not the due power and effect it is not from the weakness of them for that is stronger then Men and he that breaks can bind up but from the incapacity of the Subject Who are not turned to the Lord with their whole Heart they have no right to the Promises and therefore receive no true Comfort but where a People formerly Disobedient are turned unto the Wisdom of the Just and made ready for the Lord His Word doth good upon them who walk Vprightly Blessed be God there is Experience of this though not so much as were to be desired for it is but a little Flock and small Remnâ—nt of true Israelites Compared with the whole of Mankind Those who have the form of Godliness will cry out with the wicked World upon Fancy and Imagination but if it is a sensible Comfort against inward Evil then the effect is had and should not be slighted for it is such as the Trouble was and doth it away The matter is easily conceivable unless they absolutely disbelieve or cannot understand for if an Heir of a good Estate can contentedly rub
effect He did not therefore make Promises to the Poor or speak against the Rich because he was himself in a low condition for he might as well have been Born of a Queen and in a Sumptuous Palace as of a mean Virgin in Bethlehem the least of the Princes of Judah The Counsels Decrees and Prophesies of old might have been so fixed But the Son of God despises the Pomp and Glory of the World he slighteth them both in Word and Practise Gods Thoughts are contrary to Mans Thoughts for he speaks in Favour and Comfort of the Poor whom the World abhorreth and despiseth On the other hand terribly and to humble those who now are so much flattered and Psal 18. 27. had in admiration the significancy whereof themselves shall feel who do not mind nor take due warning The Scripture runs thus when it mentions that difference of State and Condition And whosoever intends to have good must follow the steps of the Captain of our Salvation taking him both sor a Lord and Example to do and to speak yea and to think as he did That we may have boldness in the day of Judgement because as he is so are we in this World 1 John 4. 17. And then will not be given so great Respect and Adoration to Riches only no fawning upon those who abound therewith For they have not so learned Christ Eph. 4. 20. It comes near to a Contradiction that the Grace of our Jam. 2. Lord Jesus Christ should be had with respect of Persons for that equals and makes us Brethren in Christ It was given to contemn Vanity and is of a different nature from Gold or precious Raiment and therefore in no wise to be more magnified by reason of those worldly Advantages the Person is in The Faith and good Works of those in ordinary State are not taken notice of but who have Riches and Honour of this World what they do towards Religion is applauded even by those who should Know Teach and Practice otherwise Though these do contrary to the Apostolical Canon 1 Tim. 5. 21. Yet God and the Lord Jesus and the Elect Angels will not prefer one before another they will do nothing by Partiality but distribute to every Man according to his work It is thus also in a lower step We find it by Observation and Experience if we never saw it Written The Poor Mans Wisdom is despised and his Words are not heard Eccles 9. 16. The Apology here is Because t is supposed that they who have Worldly Advantages have also better opportunity and means to get Wisdom and those cannot attain it who have them not Great Men are not always Wise Job 32. 9. and further Wisdom doth not depend so much upon outward means as those Endowments and Faculties God hath first implanted in the mind There is much upon the Improvement of them yet this is not necessarily had or hindered by worldly Aâ—â—â—d 〈◊〉 or Want for the first is often made an occasion â—â— Sensuality Negligence and Idleness None judges of a Tree by its bâ—ing planted in a right soil or dunged about or the likelihood to bear but by what Fruit it doth actually bring forth God may and doth raise up some without common Advantages whom he enlightens by his Grace and Spirit He shews his own Glory and Power this way and chiefly in them who had not much of outward abundance The Prophets and Apostles those Worthies of old both in Divine and Humane Learning were rejected and despised by that corrupt and foolish Estimation of judging the Man without the Man neither according to Body nor Soul but Land or Money which he hath no right unto from his own Nature but national Laws and Constitutions hath set out unto him Besides Wisdom and Truth is without the Man and not to be jâ—dged of by him The Blessing is sent unto the World through such water-Pipes which of themselves are dry and meer Engines to convey Who is so sottish to refuse the good because of the meanness of the Instrument that brings it A Man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven John 3. 27. God is jealous of his own Glory and sends forth his Treasure by despicable outward means that the Excellency thereof should not be in us and all praise should be returned unto him None doth refuse his daily Sustenance although it comes forth of the dirt of the Earth the Proud person doth not esteem Silk the worse because it is the Excrements of a Worm Yea all Temporal things if we look down to the Pit whence they are digged are mean and filthy which doth not prejudice as to them Every good Gift and every perfect Gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights James 1. 17. They no have Defilements We are naturally unclean but this comes on purpose to cleanse us Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth John 17. 17. It receives no advantage but diminishment from the things of this World. One would think we were all under the Dominion of Mammon he is so much in Mens Thoughts It is a shame that Reasonable Creatures should esteem of one another according to a little Pelf or outward Gaiety but much more that Christians who if they were so indeed their Profession would as much advance them above the common Size of People as they are above Brutes if they preserved their Dignity should yet be carried away with the errour and absurd Partiality of the World. A sign how little they are governed by Faith and Reason but they are led on by Sence and Custom Which would do us most good will be seen when the Lord of all shall demand how we have done according Mat. 25. 14 19. to the Laws and Power he gave unto us Were those false opinions of things taken away as it would be a great help to our Duty so to present Peace and Contentment For the generality of Mankind being Slaves to the opinion of others do more according to what they think then themselves Such a thing could be let alone but the Fashion and Majority is for it and they must do as the rest Again they could be without it but Reputation and Esteem of others make it necessary Who go not according to Conscience towards God yet do upon the very same Principles towards Men for would they do the same to please and get Honour from him who is more then all the many Inhabitants of the World as they do from one another they were in the right Which seems to shew that what God requires is not only easie and may be performed but there is a propension in the Heart of Man to do even the same for he doth it in common Acts though he doth not stretch up this Principle to the high and right end Would he do so in Obedience unto God as to recommend himself unto others take and go according to his Estimation of things For