our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our Bodies washed with pure water Heb. 10. 22. Sanctifie the Lord God in your Hearts 1 Pet. 3. 15. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 5. Excellent Subject matter is laid down for them Phil. 4. 8. There is God and his Law to be meditated on Creation Redemption Providence the knowledge of our selves There is a large Field for thoughts to range in and the Soul is continually sending some forth We are to cherish the good and cast the bad away It hath been said Thoughts are free every Man may have what he will to himself in the deep of his Heart not throughly considering with whom we have to do a God who searches the Heart and tryeth the Reins who hath commanded Wash thine Heart from wickedness that thou mayst be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Jer. 4. 14. And in these latter days hath spoken by his Son Blessed are the pure in Heart for they stall see God Mat. 5. 8. The principal use of Speech is that We may offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God continually that is the fruit of our Lips giving Of Speech thanks to his Name Heb. 13. 15. and then it is necessary to maintain Society to Communicate our thoughts to each other that we may be helpful and beneficial for none is sufficient of himself either in spiritual or temporal things God hath ordained that we should stand in need that we may be kind and serviceable to one another This is the end of Conversation and Neighbourhood so of Speech without which we should not differ from the Flock or Herd We are to do all the good we can by mutual Admonition and Counsel both to give and receive and Practice it severally Put them in mind to speak evil of no Man to be no Brawlers but gentle shewing all meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 2. Wherefore putting away Lying speak every Man truth with his Neighbour for we are Members one of anoother Eph. 4. 25. Nothing is so contrary to the design of Speech as that for this pretends to discover our thoughts when we do not and thus deceive them Truth is the image of God stampt upon the Soul which lying is a direct Violation of and severely threatned Rev. 21. 8. The caution our Saviour and his Apostle gives Mat. 5. 37. Jam. 5. 12. is to hinder that wicked Prevarication of the first use of Speech aforementioned it is contrary to praising of God which makes his great and dreadful Name vile and cheap by vainly using it upon little and trivial Matters These are the slips of the Tongue we are obliged to beware of The positive Duties thereof are to speak out for Gods Glory and the benefit of others To talk of his Statutes and not to be ashamed Though in our Age it is stiled canting yet not to be afraid of the reproach However let those be acquainted who cast it upon others for speaking of Gods Law I say let such have a Care how they put an opprobrious and slighting term upon the Language of the holy Ghost Thâ—se who are not openly prophane will reply they do not intend Scripture in so speaking but are against the unseasonable Citation thereof by such a one There are some who would have us be Christians only at Church or Prayers and think it unbecoming to hear or Discourse of the Word but at those times whom Moses hath long since answered and undoubtedly he knew what was most acceptable and well pleasing unto God. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine Heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children And thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine House and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Deut. 6. 6 7. It was not only to be in the Synagogue but at home not only in their Family worship but when they walked abroad Was this Commandment to the Jews and not to Christians also Have we not as great Promises and strict Obligations to Duty as they had Are we not to glorifie God in our words as well as they Or shall they be all confined to Worldly business idle Tales and Impertinencies and not be allotted to the one thing needful our eternal Welfare This would be more right and seemly if the things of the next Life were little and perishing and those here great and enduring for if it were so some could not be more busie in the Affairs of this and negligent to the other When it is just contrary for in a little while and these shall not be day by day single Persons are taken from them when the other ever remain It is not absolutely necessary for Men in all times and in all places to talk of nothing but good things though indeed the more the better for there are other innocent Topicks of Discourse As the Changes and Chances of this World which serve to magnifie Providence and divert the mind and all those things wherein is no harm or evil for use may be made of what go under the Name of indifferent things Then concerning business and the way of management how to direct our Actions As for Mat. 12. 36. it is supposed our Saviour intended against false words as may be gathered from Vâ—r. 31 32 33 34. and the reason added ver 37. But if it were so understood by which no real profit accrues to the hearer then by our words all of us would be in danger to be condemned There is no parrallel place of Scripture which confirms that strict acceptation Indeed a good Man doth not willingly give way to that discourse for which none is better afterwards yet if the company be delighted with it and it is not evil directly or indirectly the Pleasure thereof arises from mutual conference so if this diverts the end is answered Our Master is not austere but willing that his Servants should take some delight in Conversation But it is to be remembred whom we serve the God of Knowledge and Wisdom and not Belzebub the God of flies so it is to be desired that all our discourse were substantial and grave and we were come up to that degree of understanding to find more joy and satisfaction therein then others do in vain and useless things It is in no wise irksome or unpleasant to those who have the Love of God in them There are some whose Religion consist in talk who say and do not Mat. 23. 2. Who think and would put off the Commandments of God by using their Mouth to Holy and Divine things which themselves do not mind in the Heart nor obey in their Life and Actions these are foolish and deceived Others take up Religion for a supplement of Discourse when they are at a stand
Reason may wander in fruitless Speculation and insignificant Thoughts but this Ministers only profitable things its Office is described Rom. 2. 15. Their Conscience also bearing Witness and their Thoughts in the mean while accusing or else excusing one another which is a certain demonstration that Man is in subjection under a Law. He is not troubled for fear of Humane Power or Punishment but for those things only in his own heart whereof that hath no knowledge it hath respect unto the Invisible God over us who hath given a Law to all the World both Jews and Gentiles the first had it Written in Tables of Stone and to the other it was Ingraven in their own Hearts Now something sits as Judge within the Man examining all that is done by him it will not condemn the Innocent See Exod. 23. 20 21 22. nor let the Guilty go free It is Gods Vicegerent and therefore a contempt to one is against the other also making known his Will and Pleasure pressing it to be observed It is an emblem and forerunner of his future judgment for it is neither to be bribed nor deceived but determineth impartially and knoweth all things rendring unto every one according to his deservings If well then is comfort and joyful expectation If ill Sin lieth at the Door there is regret and fear Mention is frequently made hereof in the Writings of the Heathens but we do not find they used so many Tricks and Artifices to stifle it as is the practise at this day Who think themselves wise and happy if they can do thus much and they may but there is great danger herein for if they should suppress Conscience in this life and come to that place where it will be revived again where the Worm shall never die that little time of ease and quiet here would signifie no more then if one in a light sickness should fall a sleep for a Minute only and thence awake in a continual burning Feaver To commit more sin and to hope thereby to be relieved is as foolish as to quench the Fire to cast more fuel on Indeed at first this doth somewhat stop the Flame but after it will blaze more violently So remorse may be a little hindred for the present but returns worse by reason of the fresh guilt that hath been added increasing and driving nearer unto but not removing the future punishment It is now so grievous that some care must be sought out one way or another When by reason of iniquity the whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint there are two kinds of remedy the one is of the Physitians of Souls the Exhortation of turning unto the Lord with Weeping Fasting and Mourning the diet Drink of Penitential Tears the exercise of Repentance these seem severe and harsh but yet Who doth not submit to as much for Bodily Health and Recovery And is not Eternal Life as much as these The Patient doth not like these wholesome Medicines Is there none who can do the business sooner and more easily When old Satan perceives any troubled in mind for their sins he knows the consequent if he doth not administer present comfort they will be renounced which are the cause of so much Disquiet and Vexation And then Gods design that this sorrow should work repentance will take effect this the other fears and therefore will endeavour to hinder He whispers that their present sadness is not occasioned by serving of divers Lusts and Pleasures for they were found sweet in the enjoyment but it is their Natural Constitution against which they must strive Eat Drink and be Merry Do not give way to Heaviness The poor Man thinks this admirable Advice much better then the other sour prescriptions and doth fancy his inward Diseases will be healed more pleasantly and safely but mark the end He knows the vertue of strong Drink for when reason is destroyed there are no reflex thoughts of upbraiding Guilt and approaching Misery all is in a peacable condition This doth not last always the sober intervals return and with them worse heaviness for last nights folly He finds that did not perfectly cure him but then resorts again unto the same esteemed remedy by repeated acts he gets an habit of Sottishness so by little and little he doth still the unpleasing because true suggestions of Conscience continual â—â—pping makes way for the Spirit of slumber and drowsiness a custom of sinning will at length take away all sence of it Habit and Use will make Drunkenness and other Sins become as Natural Actions that they shall be committed without concern or regret afterwards for that doth vanish by small degrees till it is none at all â—o Adultery and Fornication may seem all one as Eating Drinking and Sleeping The qualms following Injustice Theft and Deceit go off and come to be as easily practiâ—ed as the honest works of the calling sin is of an hardening deceitful Nature and those who suffer it to reign for some time in them at last lose the sence of Good and Evil. A thick and insensate skin is drawn over their hearts which is the reason so few though many live wickedly are troubled with terrors of Conscience Harden not your hearts that is their own act but exhort one another while it is called to day least any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 18 19. which plainly imports that it may be done All that live in wrong or iniquity either have hardness of heart or inconsideration which is the leading step thereto or their Consciences are accused of sin The first is a sad Symtom of Eternal Death when in Scripture Phrase their Consciences are seared with a hot Iron being past feeling Eph. 4. 9. a reprobate mind Rom. 1. 28. The second is folly and danger the last is irksome and unpleasant which would cease if the cause were taken away He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but who so confesseth and for saketh them shall have mercy Prov. 28. 13. But as long as this admonisheth and stirs within there is life and they are not dead in trespasses or sins If men would not be impatient and grieve at its reproof it would do them no harm only perswades to return and come into the way of Salvation then it will be quiet and satisfied Wretched is that Person who doth slight and refuse its motions who grieves the Holy Spirit God hath put in to reclaim from the evil of our ways and to bring back unto his Commandments by this may be seen how desirous he is of the happiness of his Creatures if they do any thing contrary they are judged of themselves they are condemned of themselves That self Indignation secret Whispers Twitches Desires Intreaties Solicitation watching of Opportunity Importunity Laâ—hes Threatnings both fair and severe means they are all to make them follow the thing that good is and to affrighten them from evil The Spirit of Man is the
excellent in whom is all my delight Psal 16. 3. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me Psal 101. 6. The Scoffing World cry out such an one to be of a low Spirit for keeping mean Company who doth aim at as great things as they do and goes as right a way to accomplish them It will be discerned who is wise and who is not and even now they receive a mutual delight and satisfaction equivalent to the greatest Jollity But to answer others Who keeps the meanest Company He that Converses with Hawks Hounds and hath Dogs to feed at his Table Or who Associates with those of the same likeness with himself who are equally made in the image of God Is not a rational Creature better then brute Beasts If thou sayest not thou art a Turk and disparagest thy self besides him who hath created us Patterns of his own Eternity But they are more lovely who have those Beauties of Holiness those Divine impressions of goodness within them which are discerned by the spiritual Eye and more esteemed of then the utmost Bodily perfection They have that Righteousness which endureth for ever and therefore to be preferred before those pompous Titles of worth which shortly shall fail and that Honour which is to be laid in the Dust They are Children and Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. and if we believe these Relations do exceed those of the World it can be no more a Disparagement to Converse with them then the Son and Heir of a Nobleman though as yet he hath not one Farthing of his Fathers Demesnes By this we know that we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. And so again if we love God that will be manifested towards his Chosen Ones his Sons his Elect his Servants and whom he vouchsafes to stile by all Expressions of kindness We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren 1 John 3. 14. Where is love there an Union is desired with the object beloved and accordingly will be had Let none dissemble God knoweth the Heart and for what Reason it is if any neglects his Duty in this particular If he despise the Poor and low Estate of faithful People What shall he do when God riseth up And when he visiteth what shall he answer him Job 31. 14. Let him shew that he doth not by a Christian Conversation with them let him be gentle easie to be entreated use Hospitality without grudging speak Friendly as one Man talketh to another without scornful or ruff Language And let them be advertised from Isa 3. 5. Gal. 2. 2. not to abuse or make an occasion of Contempt anothers Humility and Courteousness for we are in no wise to confound the distinction God hath made amongst mankind The Blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and addeth no Sorrow with it Prov. 10. 22. so in his Word he hath prescribed a most excellent way for their Station and Circumstances by which they are freed from those Miseries others of like Condition are subject unto and then they enjoy the Comforts here in a much better way The Service of God doing good to their Countrey Meditation and Reading the Affairs of humane Life those moderate and innocent Delights do take off from the Irksomeness and Tediousness of time so they live happily and pass through here with more Rest and Quietness then others who take no Care what shall become of them Thus saith the Lord Let not the wise man Glory in his Wisdom neither let the mighty man Glory in his might but let him that Glorieth Glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me Jer. 9. 23 24. 'T is not noble Birth and Extraction but that Relation which the Almighty vouchsafes to have towards mankind which makes them truly Honourable Have we not all one Father hath not one God created us Mal. 2. 10. Nay have we not the same Father after the Flesh Are we not all the Sons of a Gardiner In the most Ancient and illustrious Family if the several mean descents could be traced up those Ancestors would be found out whereof none hath Reason to be proud of What the Prophet saith Ezek. 16. 3 4 5 6. is sufficient to abase any one concerning his Original and should be an inducement not to trust in his own but to seek that Honour which cometh from God only John 5. 44. His Providence hath ordered the several distinctions in the World and hath placed them in several Seats to work out their own Salvation It is no diminishing but encrease of present Happiness to comply with the Good will of God. Wealth and Riches shall be in his House Psal 112. 3. they are already but there is somewhat better nearer within The Satisfaction of a good Conscience He is Clothed well suffers neither Hunger nor Thirst Cold nor Nakedness God hath given him both spiritual and temporal Blessings By the first he doth Love and Honour his Great Benefactor And he doth not set his Heart upon the things that are seen for that is the great danger of Worldly abundance but uses them to Minister only unto his Pilgrimage Being assured that though these are good yet God hath provided better things that when this Happiness which is imperfect and for a time is to be determined he is to arrive at that which is perfect and to endure throughout all Ages When such an one is to be taken away from his fine Habitation Estate Wife Children Servants and all that is esteemed dear amongst Men in the sight of the unbelieving World he may seem to die and his Departure be taken for Loss and Misery Whereas he shall enter into Peace They shall rest in their Beds each one walking in his uprightness Isa 57. 2. Then only his true and uninterrupted Felicity begins which shall never end Wouldst thou be in this Mans Condition Go thou and do likewise CHAP. V. Of the COMMON PEOPLE It is the Duty of all to be in some Calling An Exhortation to serve God Against Ignorance and Vnbelief Some Considerations of living in the World and further drawn from the four last things Of different Communions Of Deceits A Description of the Wicked and Godly in this World. OF this Order they are reputed in the World who do not live of their own but follow some Trade or Employment And here it may not be improper to speak somewhat concerning that and the Obligation all lye under to it As soon as God created Man he was appointed some work to do even in his best Estate of innocency But then was Labour without Sorrow and Tiresomeness for it was after added Gen. 3. 17 19. In Sorrow shalt thou eat all the days of thy Life in the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eat Bread. This was pronounced on him for us all for all have sinned in him and who can plead Freedom
will rise up again for we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the thing done in his Body according to what he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. We are only proved here how we will behave our selves towards God. It is worth while to look further to consider Man in his several Circumstances State and Condition in this World with some general Heads of Good and Evil that are set before him if he may be stirred up or put in mind of some things for his own Happiness and Safety CHAP. II. Of Man confidered in his threefold Condition Original Corrupted and Restored Of his Thoughts VVords and Actions Infancy Youth Manhood therein of Company and Marriage Of Old Age Body Senses and sensual Pleasure Of the Soul Vnderstanding VVill Affections as Love Fear Joy Sorrow Anger Hope Of Temptations The Close THou hast made Man a little lower then the Angels and hast Crowned him with Glory and Honour Psal 8. 5. One part is of the dust of the ground the other the breath of Life a reasonable Soul in which he hath resemblance to the angelical Nature and is exalted above Beasts His Happiness in the state of Innocency and how it was lost by Transgression is known by every one that reads the Scripture again he was redeemed by our Lord and Saviâ—ur Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 17 18 19. 1 Pet. 3. 18. If we are not wanting to our selves he hath restored us to as great a Capacity of good as we should have had if our Forefather had not sinned God so loved the World that he gave his only Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God towards us because he laid down his Life for us and greater love then this hath no Man then to lay down his Life for another 1 John 3. 10. The holy Spirit inspires Grace and good Motions into our hearts whom if we do not resist and so grieve he will Seal us to the day of Redemption We feel the mischievous workings of Original Corrruption and we have the same quality of our first Parent to Lust after forbidden things A coveting after Evil and averseness to Good. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Moâ—her conceive me Psal 51. 5. It is intermixed and grows up with every part that we all are as prone to Evil as the Sparks to fly upward Indeed goodness doth appear reasonable and lovely yet our Inclinations are backwards to the Practise of it there is a Close hankering after and Preference of the contrary The whole Man is defiled Mark 7. 21 22 23. Gen. 8. 21. Eccles 3. 9. He deviseth iniquity in his Bed he studies to do mischief His Thoughts are vain He takes no delight in Good but rather on Lust Pride and all manner of Concupisence Every mouth speaketh folly Isa 9. 17. Evil Communications Filthiness Deceit Lying and all sorts of Evil proceed out of it With Blasphemies and horrid Oaths he is dishonoured who enabled it to Speak With this Sword it is endeavoured to give our blessed Redeemer more Wounds and to crucifie him afresh The tongue is a fire a World of iniquity so is the tongue amongst our Members that it defileth the whole Body and setteth on fire the course of Nature and is set on fire of Hell. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we Men which are made after the simitude of God Jam. 3. 6 9. Our Actions proceeding from the same corrupt Stock are of the like Nature Wise to do evil and forward to put in Execution what our wicked hearts conceive Every Member is wicked and abominably wicked Their inward part is very wickedness Psal 5. 9. and as it is further described Rom. 3. 10. to ver 18. Man is become as sinful as is possible for such a poor Creature to be with short Faculties and Powers they are stretched forth to the utmost he sins till he hath not Ability to sin any more though he hath not wherewithal to vent yet the malicious and corrupt Desire is infinite in a little finite Being The Seeds of Evil came in with the forbidden Fruit. But we must not accuse Adâ—m of our Transgression more then is due for it is our own fault if we suffer it to grow forth and improve it to that monstrous height It may be hewn down and destroyed but still the stump of the Dan. 4. 23. Roots is left in the Earth The holy One that came down from Heaven hath got this Priviledge and Power for us The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World could even at this present time extirpate it quite Root and Branch but that he is not pleased to do for wise Reasons yet now he puteth in such a Condition and Ability to perform so much as in and through him will be accepted and we shall come to that place where this accursed thing with all its remainders shall utterly be done away If we come unto him and sincerely do what is required under the second Covenant Christs righteousness will supply our defects The filthy Rags Isa 64. 6. Shall be cast away and we shall be arrayed in fine Linnen clean and White For the Fine Linnen is the righteousness of Saints Rev. 21. 8. What then shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound God forbid Those which make this damnable inference do mistake the Gospel Covenant which requires obedience and good Works Tit. 2. 11 12 13. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 5. 9. Christ hath brought good tidings and published Peace and brought good tidings of good and published Salvation Isa 52. 7. The same Jesus hath said Those which do iniquity shall be cast into a Furnace of fire Mat. 13. 41 42. Luk. 13. 27 28. He hath proclaimed the acceptable Year of the Lord and the Day of vengeance of our God Isa 61. 2. The Gospel is commonly said to be all mercy yet therein the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men Rom. 1. 18. so 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. The end of both Law and Gospel is obedience by this we are freed from the Curse Gal. 3. 10 13. We have further the assistance of the holy Spirit to resist Temptations and keep Gods Commandments The stony Heart is taken away and an Heart of flesh is given Whereas the whole Man is corrupted now he is put into a way to be right again if he will use the Grace given him He may run counter to his natural State and be sanctified throughout A good Man out of the good Treasure of the Heart bringeth forth good things Mat. 12. 35. After those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their Hearts Jer. 31. 33. So we may draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having