extraordinary approaches so an ordinary and habitual preparation to ordinary and daily duties The Laver stood near the Altar in which the Exod. 30. 19 20 21 Priests were ever to wash before they did officiate and they were to wash again when they had done Lev. 16. 24. God requireth holiness before in and after our duties Hence St. James Cleanse your hands you sinners and purifie your hearts yee double-minded and then draw near to God and hee will draw near to you Jam. 4. 8 So also the Apostle alludes to that use Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw near with a tru heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water The Musician spends some time in tuning his instrument before hee playes our hearts should bee tuned before wee pray Gregory notes how the Cock stirs up himself claps his wings to awake himself before hee crows to awake others so should the Preacher saith hee so may I say also when thou prayest say as Deborah Awake Awake utter a song Awake my harp and I will awake saith David Judg. 5. the Harp makes dull musick if the heart be asleep Stir up thy self and the gift of God that is in thee then preach or 2 Tim. 1. 6 then pray Sampson was wont to shake himself and hee found the Spirit and strength of God come upon him so do thou In a word before duties wash in duties watch and after duties wash again Judg. 16 and keep thee clean wash unclean hands before prayer lift up holy hands in prayer 1 Tim. 2. 8 and lift up holy feet after prayer Bee as careful and constant in acting and using grace before duty and grace after duty as thou art in saying Grace before and after meat And tell not mee what thou art in duty but what thou art before and after thy duty As a man is not so well known by what hee is in affliction as what hee is after 2 The second thing wherein the hypocrite fails in that hee comes off heavily in duty comes unwillingly grudgingly and grumblingly to his duty no love of Christ or love of duty constrains him to exercising acts of piety or charity his feet are not like Harts feet his heart like the Chariots of Amminadib or Cant. 6. 12. of a willing people as the Spouse said but every finger is a Thumb with him His Myrrhe is not Myrrha Libera free flowing myrrhe his giving is not with simplicity or liberality his shewing mercy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 12. 8. Rom. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 5. with chearfulness his spirit makes him not willing Exod. 35. 21. his body is no living sacrifice no nor himself a lively stone but when hee gives hee doth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either with an ill 2 Cor. 9. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Sam. 13. 12. look or with an ill like grudgingly or of necessity when hee preacheth or prayeth hee doth it constrainedly not voluntarily or for love of hire not hire of love and of a ready minde as Peter saith and when hee sacrificeth hee forceth himself as Saul said What a weary life is this saith hee and hee snuffes at it again Mal. 1. 13. and 2. 13. Thus have you done saith the Lord covering the Altar with tears with weeping and crying out insomuch that hee regardeth not the offering any more nor receiveth it with good will at your hands But it is otherwise with a godly soul his spirit is a free spirit his love constrains 2 Cor. 5. 14 him hee delights to draw near to God hee is glad when hee goes to the house of the Lord hee thirsts pants and longs after God the living God and this is one remarkable difference between him and the hypocrite in all his duties hee not onely desires Gods gifts and mercies and blessings but his presence acceptance and favour in all his approaches yea Gods face doth hee seek and is not satisfied without it yea God himself is his expectation and his great errand as I said before Now Lord what wait I for Truly my expectation is from thee Psal 39. 7. 62. 5. So hee rests not in presenting God with any service but with his service hee tenders up himself Oh Lord I am thy servant truly I am thy servant and thou hast loosed my bonds Psal 1 16. 16. Alas It is not sacrifice that God calls for but obedience nor duty but love to duty is accepted hee that loveth mee and Exod. 20. 6. keepeth my Commandements not the gift but the giver is looked upon with God and not the full and great giver but the cheerful giver Non est volantis nisi volentis non clamantis sed amantis Gods people are all a willing people It was not Psal 110. 3. offering in Moses dayes towards the Tabernacle as in Davids towards the Temple but offering willingly which was looked upon Nor is it praying or Exod. 35. 21. 1 Chron. 29. 17. preaching but doing it willing which is rewarded 1 Cor. 9. 17. The truth is as one saith well it is as bad or worse to serve God unwillingly as to sin unwillingly When thou sinnest against thy will the sin is less When thou performest a good duty unwillingly the greater the sin Therefore the godly man in his worst is better than the wicked in his best In his worst hee can alway say through Grace to will is present though to perform as I would is not in my power Rom. 7. 18 when the other must say what ever my performance was my will was absent In a word the hypocrite ever comes unwillingly to his duty goes more willingly from it the godly comes more willingly to it with more unwillingness did not other necessary duties also call him off doth hee depart from it 3 The Hypocrite when hee comes to his duty is liveless sleight and negligent in his duty The prophane person is negligent of his duty the hypocrite in it as in seeing hee sees not and in hearing hee hears not so in praying hee prayes not hee doth but read prayer or say prayer or say Service as it was said or say Grace or say or sing Mass as the Papists call it who are all for opus operatum 1 Cor. 14 15 Jam 5. 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but one may say a prayer and not pray a prayer I le pray with my spirit and my understanding Elias prayed a Prayer the Greek word is hee prayed in earnest Hannah her heart prayed her words were not heard these their words are heard their heart moves not It is one thing to say Grace a childe may do that another thing gratias agere to act graces or to do thanks otherwise there may bee thanksgiving sine gratiarum actione It is one
to sow See how thou canst answer Christs question Can you drinke of the cup I am to drinke of and bee baptized Mat. 20. 22. with that Baptisme that I am to bee baptized with Before you expect hee should answer your desire to sit at his right hand in his Kingdome Resolve first that it is a strait way or gate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a narrow Mat. 7. 14. and steep passage as that of Jonathan and 1 Sam. 14. 4. 13 his Armor-bearer climbing up on their hands and knees between the two sharp Rocks of Bozez and Seneh And that it will cost thee much labour and paines And then resolve further that it is a narrow way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a way full of affliction There are Lions and Anakims and Amalakites in the way all along and through tribulations is the way into the Kingdom of heaven Therefore as the Lord commanded when his people were to go out to battel they should make proclamation that if any was fearfull and faint-hearted hee should depart least his Deut. 20. 8. brothers heart should faint as well as his So doth Christ prolaime if any man come after mee Let him resolve to take up the Cross and to forsake father mother brother sister yea his owne life also or hee is no Luke 14. 26. 3◠Disciple for mee 2 If thou wouldest go through with thy work having purged thy heart from that former base and slavish fear Get thy heart ballasted and filled with holy and Religious fear Salvation is not to be wrought out but with fear and trembling Nor is Phil. 2. 12. holiness to bee perfected but in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Blessed is hee that Prov 28. 14. feareth alwayes in this sense Never fear him that feareth himself Fear God fear Satan fear sin fear the world fear thy own self bee jealous of thy own heart Omnia tuta time fear pride security decayes fear some secret sin spiritual sin tepidity luke-warmness ossitancy presumption non-proficiency fear taking cold leaving thy first love fear thy station and examine it fear and try thy profession fear and question thy faith thy comforts But above all feare security self-sufficiency hypocrisie and Apostacy 3 Keep a continuall watch and constant guard 1 Cor. 16. 12. Watch and stand fast are put together Watch in duty watch out of duty in prayer Watch and pray watch in hearing watch in thy Calling watch when alone watch in company Thy enemies are many mighty subtil and restless thy dangers are many great and for the most part unsuspected no place business imployment duty company secure therefore ever watch 4 Bee sure to keep conscience tender and pure tender as the Apple of thy eye to bee sensible of the least mote or dust where conscience is kept tender 1 It will not admit of the least sin it will not say of any sin Is it not a little one 2 It will not exempt and shelter any beloved sin to say Deal gently with my Absolom 2 Sam. 18. 5. 3 It is very sensible of and gives great heed to the private admonitions and smitings of his own heart as David when upon a small occasion 4 It dares not sleight 1 Sam. 24 5. a reproof from any hand Even a childe may lead such Isa 11. 6. 5 It dares not intermit any duty 6 Nor dare it performe any duty sleightly or cursorily offering 2 Sam. 24. 24. to God that which costeth nothing 2 Conscience is to bee kept pure And where it is so 1 All gross sin is forsaken and detested 2 All secret sin is shunned and avoyded 3 Vnknown and unavoidable sin is bewayled 5 Take heed again and look as much to thy self lest there should bee found in thee an evil heart of unbeleef in departing Heb. 3. 12. from the living God It is an evill that hath caused many a one to fall yea the mighty have been wounded by it Moses and Aaron were for one act of unbeleef kept Numb 20. 12. out of Canaan Take heed of questioning Gods power faithfulness truth love mercy protection assistance especially of with-drawing thy whole dependance upon Christ In quietness and confidence thou wilt finde safety 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In hoc vinces This is Isa 30. 15. to bee strong in the Lord and in the power Epl. 6. 10. of his might When in our feares wee flye to Christ and awake him as the Mat. 8. 25. Disciples did or call upon him as the Gibeonites did on Joshua slacke not thy Josh 10. 6. hand wee have put our selves under thy protection then hee holds his honour truth and Covenant engaged for thee When I am weake I am strong saith the 2 Cor. 12. 10. Apostle What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Whither should the Bird flye but Psal 56. 3. to her hill and the Cony but to the Rock Then wee have not onely the Armour of the Lord on us But the Arme of the Lord stretched out for us Scanderbegs Sword and his Arme the one without the other could do little Let thy military word bee the sword of the Iudg. 7. 20. Prov. 18. 10. Psal 60. 12. Ex. 17. 15. Lord and of Gideon The Name of the Lord is my strong Tower through God I shall do valiantly Jehovah Nissi the Lord is my Banner or in God I will set up my Banners This faith made the people of God valiant and victors in sharpest conflicts and put to flight all Armies of men and Devils How heroically was that spoken by Luther If I knew there were as many Devils to oppose mee as there bee Tyles on the houses at Wormes in the Name of Christ I would go on 6 Learn to prize and to submit to a plain powerfull quickning sin-discovering and heart-searching Minister and take heed of forsaking the Assemblies as the manner of too many now adayes Heb. 10. 25. is and whither have wee seen such arrive at length but to make a fearful shipwracke of faith and a good conscience And learn to prize such acquaintance and Christian friends as will strengthen thy hand in God 1 Sam. 23. 16. And flye as out of Sodome from such a companion whose example or counsel may corrupt thee and stop thine ears against such Charmers and Seducers as under pretence of New Lights would draw thee from the old pathes and take heed as much of a detestable Neutrality or utrality a halting between God and Baal lest wanting love zeal Ier. 6. 16. and courage for the truth God should give thee over to strong delusions to beleeve a 1 King 18. 21 2 Thes 2. 10. 11 lye 7 Learn conscientiously to make use of the holy Ordinances of God 1 By holy preparations before Jam. 1. 21. and stirring up quickning desires and affections 1 Pet. 2. 2. that you may grow thereby 2 With an awfull and religious acknowledging and sanctifying
opinion To bee the truth was the glory of Christ and wee must endeavour to come as near him as wee can I am the truth saith hee q. d. I am all Joh. 14. 6. truth 1 In my Judgement I hold nothing but truth 2 In my Doctrine teach nothing but truth 3 In my heart am all truth the same I hold and teach 4 And my life agrees with my heart all is truth otherwise to say I hold truth in profession and doctrine and not to bee truth in the heart and do truth in the life makes mee more like Satan than Christ I speak the more of this because I observe how on the one hand the erronious resteth in his unsound opinions taking offence at the prohaneness of some that hold the truth which they oppose and on the other hand many formal Protestants rest in this that they are no hereticks sectaries or mis-beleevers but hate such study to convince such by a better life not to harden them by thy evill language and worse conversation Hee sees thou art more shye of him though humble and peaceable if any bee such than of one openly prophane where is thy equal hatred of all evill in the mean time Thou wilt not drink with a man of a different judgement yet wilt with a Drunkard nor bee conversant with a man that holds an odd opinion yet wilt bee familiar with him that will swear and swagger It was a witty speech of Sir Tho. Moor that hee loved not to hear a vicious Priest recite his Creed it made him suspect his own faith when such a Priest said his was the same Give not thou occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully because a good profession is not adorned with a holy and unblameable conversation The hypocrite is therefore no better friend to the Church and Truth than the Heretick or Infidel the Infidel disputes against the truth the hypocrite lives contrary to it Infidelis contra scripturam disputat hypocrita vivit The Heretick doth unica scriptura errare The hypocrite doth toto coelo errare The Heretick doth wrest some one Scripture the hypocrite doth resist the whole Scripture to his own destruction In a word some Heretick doubtless may bee saved no hypocrite ever shall yet am I so far from that not so charitable as loose opinion that men may bee saved in all Religions that I shall straiten that very Position Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus no salvation to bee had out of the Church and say Intra Ecclesiam nulla salus hypocritis impiis to hypocrites and ungodly ones though orthodox and living in the best Church no universal salvation I have been the longer upon this because I see as it is the manner of all Opinionists to sleight truth so it is the practise of too many Professors of truth to sleight holiness Unity and verity should not bee parted Purity and verity must not bee parted 10 They may live so well as to gain high esteem and applause of men Many excellent things may bee done by them as is said of Felix They may bee famous in the Congregation men of renown so were Act. 24 2 Num. 16. 2 Corah and his complices Highly esteemed amongst men when they are abomination to God looking into their hearts and thoughts Luke 16. 15. They may receive allowance from the Purest Church to be entertained to Church-fellowship and admitted to partake of all Ordinances as Magus Act. 8. yea to bee set a part for the highest offices and imployments in the Church as Nicholas chosen to bee a Deacon Demas a Pastor Judas an Apostle SECT 3. Containing five other steps 11 Hee may bee really and totally converted as to Paganisme and Prophaneness yet are perverted and intangled in damnable errors for there are the doctrines of Devils as well as the works of the Devil 1 Tim. 4. 1 1 Joh. 3. 8 2 Pet. 2. 1 Mat. 23. 15 and damnable heresies as well as impieties they may bee as the Pharises Disciples were Proselites from Paganisme and unbeleef to Pharisaisme and misbeleef then hee is no better but worse than before double the childe of hell to what hee was before Epiphanius said not untruly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 misbeleef is worse than unbeleef How many in these dayes are hooked in by those who lye in wait to deceive and presently of prophane and ignorant sots are become Opinionists despisers of Ministers and Ordinances escaping the Nusquam facilius proficitur quam in castris Rebellium hareticorum intelligit ubi ipsum esseillic promerer◠est Tertul. de praesc fear of the Pit are taken in the snare they were not worse before nor better now onely now more scornful obstinate petulant as if they had left the way of sinners to sit in the seat of the scornful Alexander the Coppersmith bred Paul more mischief and opposition when a perverted professor than Demetrius the Silversmith when an Idolater 12 Hee may bee a man of conscience even from his youth all his life long So 2 Tim. 1. 3 Paul even before his conversion could say hee had walked in all good conscience before God all his life Act. 23. 1. and that hee and his fathers had served God with a pure conscience yet had hee dyed then hee had been in an ill condition out of Christ and without hope 1 There is a natural conscience such as was in Abimelech hee calls it Integrity and uprightness of heart and stands much upon it and God calls it Integrity too he acted according to the principles Gen. 20. 5 of his natural conscience hee did as hee knew had hee known better hee had done better 2 There is an erronious conscience such as that in Herod who would not break Matth. 14. 9 his rash oath and such was Pauls and many other mens who follow as blinde men the blinde guide an erring conscience and both fall into the ditch They do thus and thus because their conscience bindes them and the more they obey conscience thus the more they sin and they say sometimes they dare not do thus and thus as others do strayning sometimes at a gnat and swallowing a whole Camel 3 There is a conscience half enlightned in an hypocrite which shews him some sins not all and tells him some part of his duty not all in some things hee doth well no man better in others ill no man worse Thou abhorrest Idolls and committest sacriledge and both out of conscience thy semi-blinde and half-sighted conscience mis-leading thee in the one it shews thy duty in the other it shews thee not thy sin An hypocrite may follow a natural erroneous or half enlightned conscience to hell 13 The hypocrite way run well a great while go far and hold out long in his profession Gal. 5. 7 1 Cor. 9. 24 To bee a Professor of so many years standing the stony ground set out well the Thorny held out well a great while persecution and fear did
and to bee called Rabbi Rabbi The Doctors that had so much in them as Pareus notes vers 7. 7 They had long prayers and large consciences They made long prayers yet made no conscience of rapine and oppression They could precari praedari both pray and prey vers 14. 8 They were men of cruel and merciless dispositions to such as fell into their hands they made no bones or scruple to devour and destroy a family yea the house of a poor helpless widow adding extremity to affliction 9 The hypocrite is more zealous to make a Proselite to his opinion and to promote his private interest in Religion than to promote the power of godliness Vers 15. Identity in opinion is more looked at by him than sincerity His Pepuza is Jerusalem as Eusebius relates that Montanus called a paltry Viliage in Phrygia where his cursed doctrine was received And so hee becomes one of their way they care not what he is for his heart or life let him be double a childe of hell to what he was before they regard not Whereas the sincere desire that those who come in to them should first give themselves to the Lord and then to them according to the will of God as the Apostle 2 Cor. 8. 5. saith of the Macedonian Converts 10 The hypocrite never wants his distinctions and evasions to mince and extenuate some sins as to swear by the Temple or Altar lawfull by the gold or gift sinful Excellent Casuists Take an hypocrite without a distinction at any time and hang him up as wee say Hee can make one thing sinful at his pleasure and the like to it lawful ver 16 17 18 19. 11 He is a man of a more scrupulous than tender conscience stumbles at a straw leaps over a block kecks at a gnat swallows a Camel stands strictly upon tything Mint Annis and Cummin but Mercy Justice Honesty Love or to injure oppress defame slander are nothing with him vers 23 24. 12 He scruples eating with unwashed hands more than praying with an unprepared heart and makes more matter of observing that one tradition of washing the cup and platter than of the six Commandements of the second Table Lastly he is one who is all outside hee is like unto a whited sepulchre he prefers Cauté above Casté and had rather his dead soul should lye in a fair Sepulchre than a living soul in a homely outside v. 27. he crieth out Blessed is the man whose sin is covered but not he in whose spirit is no Psal 32. 1 2. guile SECT 4. Another Glass for the Hypocrite discovering him to bee made up of Contradictions and Divisions To discover the Hypocrite somewhat more fully here shall one Glass more bee set before him shewing him his face in his many Contradictions and Divâ—sions 1 He is made up of many Contradictions viz. 1 Hee is one of too much conscience and of too little 1 Tim 4. 1. The Apostle sheweth that in these last dayes many Apostates and Hypocrites should creep abroad Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with an hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meat which God hath created to be received c. First you see they have too much of conscience they scruple marriage and meats which others scruple not Yet secondly you may see they have too little conscience none at all unless a cauterized having their conscience seared and as much as they scrupled meats and marriages they made no scruple of Lying speaking lies in hypocrisie as in the Kidneys or Bladder oft-times an ulcer and a stone meet the ulcer soft the stone hard but between soft and hard the man dyes so this seared and scrupulous conscience often meet to destroy the soul 2 Hee is All-eye and No-eye Hee is All-eye Argus-eyed Hee can spy the least moat in anothers eye which a sincere eye cannot discern And he is no eye to see his own beam which he that hath Mat. 7. 3. but half an eye cannot but discern None so blinde as hee none so quick-sighted as hee 3 So is he all ear and yet heareth not Having ears yet heareth not Mat. 13. 14. Hee is the greatest hearer and the least doer The Popish Confession is onely Auricular to the Priest and his Profession is onely Auricular profession Hee heareth the Priest not God Isa 42. 20. Seeing many things but thou observest not opening the ears but he heareth not But Auricular confession and Auricular profession may go together they are both bad 4 Hee is the most faire and the most foule Christian most faire outwardly to man most foule inwardly as to God If you would see a Sepulchre you cannot desire a fairer if a course you cannot imagine a fouler 5 None is more desirous to be known none so afraid to be known he is desirous his words profession and some of his more publick acts should be known but he would not for all the world his heart his intentions ends aimes and private carriage should be made known His Rule is for the former Bene qui placuit bene vixit for the later Bene qui latuit bene vixit 6 He is the most desirous to please and the least desirous To please God is no part of his business which is the whole of a Christian Col. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 9. But to please men is his whole business as to the Comedian Id sibi negotii solummodo imposuit sibi populo ut placerent c. 7 He is the most and least for self the greatest and least self-lover for his body name state advantage none truer to self-interest as to soul conscience heaven hell none is more regardlesse of self hee can trust God with his soul without any hesitation when hee will trust none of them all neither God nor man with his outward state 8 Lastly he is wholly made up of Contradiction his heart and life contradict each other his word and thought his saying and his doing his Church-carrtage and his Closet-carriage and his profession and conversation do all jar and contradict one the other Et sibimet disconvenit ordine toto he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 semper idem in the neuter not in the masculine gender He is alway the same thing h. e. an hypocrite not alway the same man Thus much for his Conâ—radictions now for his Divisions in the next place 2 He is made up of as many Divisions as he is of Contradictions As 1 Hee is a constant divider between the form of godliness and the power none hath more than hee of the former none 2 Tim. 3. 5. less of the latter 2 Hee divides between sin and sin some sin is venial some mortal Idols he abhorreth Sacriledge hee alloweth and Rom. 2. 22. committeth the one are Antichristian and Popish the other is Christianity and Piety with him Ahabs Prophets and Idols go to wrack Jeroboams Calves
and Priests are spared 2 King 10. 28. and 31. 3 Between duty and duty he divides The easier cheaper safer duty he performs the hard costly offensive and prejudicial he neglects Hee is no Vniversallist unless for universal Election universal Redemption universal Admission to Sacraments or universal Toleration But never for universal Obedience flying all sin and performing every duty Hee Malach. 1. 14. 1 Sam. 15. 9. hath a male in his flock but will not offer that but the vile and refuse he can afford God not the best but the worst is best cheap here 4 Hee divides between Gifts and Graces Gifts hee admires and desires the most that he may excell So did Simon Magus that he might be Simon Magus some great one Grace he desires less Hee is content others should be more holy not more honoured Gifts may make him more acceptable to men Grace more serviceable to God he prefers acceptable before serviceable Grace brings God more honour Gifts him more honour And proximus sum egomet mihi is his first Maxime I am first for my self 5 Between Grace and Peace Hee likes both well but peace more he had rather have peace without grace than grace without peace A quiet conscience is more desired than a pure conscience with him The godly saith rather give mee grace than peace if not both he saith give me Grace Grace and Peace are alwayes joyned by the Apostles in their salutations and prayers but Grace put first But the hypocrite saith Peace and Grace And he crosseth hands laying his right hand on Peaces head his left on Graces preferring the younger before the elder as Jacob did to the Sons of Joseph Gen 48. 14. 6 Between Grace and Grace Justifying grace he admires sanctifying he undervalues Free and rich and full grace he extolls Efficacious grace he disclaims Sin-pardoning grace is all in all with him but distinguishing grace sin-purging sin-subduing heart-renewing grace he is a stranger to 7 Between Promises and Precepts The one he likes the other he dissikes Hee likes Beleeve onely and bee saved Hee Luke 10. 28. Mat. 19. 17. likes not Do this and live If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements and such like hard sayings 8 Between the Promises and the Conditions Hee likes the one not the other There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus This is a good saying worthy of all acceptation But that Rom. 8. 1. which follows Who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit This is an hard saying All things work together for good this he likes and repeats but leaves out To them that love God who are the called according to his purpose Rom. 8. 28. 9 Much more between the Promises and Threats Those he loves these hee trembles at If yee live in the flesh yee shall dye but if through the Spirit yee mortifie Rom. 8. 13. the deeds of the body yee shall live These conditional promises and comminations please him not whereas godly ones eye the condition as much as the promise and the commination too they dare not but minde 10 Between Priviledges and Duties To be justified to be the Sons of God by Adoption to be Heires of God 1 Pet. 1. 16. Rom. 12. 2. 13 14. Co-heires of Christ c. These are great things with him But be holy as God is holy Put on the Lord Jesus fashion not your selves to the world These please not Hee goeth away heavily when hee is told yet lackest thou one thing 11 Between purity of Ordinances and Consciences The one he stands up earnestly for the other he is carelesse of Hee looks to the washing of the cup not to the washing of his heart 12 Between faith and faith faith for soul and faith for body Hee can beleeve in God to save his soul without grace but he cannot rely on God to preserve him here without sin 13 Between Scripture and Scripture Hee studieth such Scriptures as may confute other mens errors but findes no Scripture to batter down his own corruptions Jehu could finde Scripture ready to justifie the murder of Joram of Jezabel of all Ahabs children and a first 2 King 9. 25. 36. 10. 10 Commandement to take away Baals house and Priests he could readily turn unto But hee could not finde the second Commandement to take away Jeroboams Calves And thus I have done with the first Glass CHAP. XVII The Sincere Christians Glass whereby the truth of Grace may be discovered I Come from the Hypocrites to the Sincere Christians Glass This is a better Glass and a more delightful not better for matter both being taken out of the Laver of the Sanctuary The Snuffers of the Sanctuary were of as Ex. 25. 38. good gold as the Incense-dishes though put to a meaner use The interpretation of the Bakers Dream was as good because true as that of the Butlers though not so pleasing because the Dream was worse and the event proved sadder The Butlers interpretation was called good because good Gen. 40. 16. to him So this will be a good glass to thee if thou canst see thy self in it otherwise we are to God as good interpreters of his revealed will and our Ministry as sweet a smelling savour in them that perish as in them that are saved though to the one wee are a savour of life to life to the other 2 Cor. 2. 15 16. the savour of death to death The former Glass I said was as well cleansing as discovering and I heartily wish that it may prove so to every one that looks into it and that this may as well be transforming as informing that whosoever as in a Glass beholding this Image of the sincere man may be changed into the same Image from glory to glory by the Spirit of God as the Apostle saith in another case 1 The sincere man is careful of the matter of duty and manner both but of the manner more our duties may be for matter good and commanded and for manner evil and condemned We may sin in doing good if not doing it well Amaziah and others did what was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart And 2 Chron. 25. 2. 26 4. 27. 2 then it was ill Therefore remember the sic and quomodo Take heed how you hear as well as what you hear how you pray as well as that you pray c. The strange fire to a known God was greater sin in the sons of Aaron than a strange Altar to an unknown god to the men of Athens Act. 17. 23. And wee may observe the irreverent usage of the Ark by the men of Bethshemesh was more severely punished than the Philistims looking upon it as an Idoll and setting it up by Dagon fifty thousand Israelites slain at Bethshemesh 1 Sam. 6. 19. And most remarkable of all it is that when as the Philistims carried the Ark on a Cart it
companies and bad too but especially in bad so were Lot Noah Elias It is otherwise with an hypocrite hee can Ezek. 26. 37. 7. onely prophesie when among the Prophets with Saul not with Ezekiel among the dry bones much less among Briars and Scorpions 16 Hee is for Righteousness of works and faith both but specially for righteousness of faith after righteousness and works hee labours but in the righteousness Gal. 2. 16. Phil. 3. 8 9. of faith without works hee solely relies and rests Though hee seek to bee blameless as touching the righteousness of the Law yet all this righteousness hee makes orts and dung of desiring to bee found in the righteousness of Christ alone 17 Hee is for Negative and Positive righteousness both but for positive more negative righteousness is somewhat when a man can say Whose Oxe or Asse have I taken c. I have corrupted no 1 Sam. 12. 3. man wronged no man defrauded no man 2 Cor. 7. 2. I have coveted no mans gold silver or apparrel Act. 20. 33. But positive righteousness is far higher when one can say Yee are witnesses and God also how 1 Thess 2. 10. holily justly and unblameably wee have had our conversation in the world 18 Hee is for personal righteousness and relative both but especially for relative Personal is indeed the first step but relative is the highest step of righteousness The man must be good before the Magistrate or Minister can bee good But to be good in our relations is that which doth much more commend the personal goodness To bee the good Shepherd Minister Parent Husband Steward Servant c. Every tree to bring forth fruit after his kinde and in his due season this is beautifull and delightfull 19 Hee follows the best Examples and Rule too but hee looks more to his Rule than to any examples As to example he dare not make the most or greatest his example but the best And in following the very best examples hee constantly observes these four following Rules Rule 1. To pick out the very best of men some choice ones only for his examples Brethren hee followers together of mee and Phil. 3. 17. marke them that walke so as you have us for an example And therefore if the present age afford not fit presidents he looks back to ages past as Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Josiah c. walked in the wayes of David their Father He reckons it a good rule with him Uti verbis nummis presentibus vivere moribus praeteritis to make use of such mony and words as are currant at present but of such examples and manners as were in use in times past Rule 2. His second Rule is in the example of the best to pick out the Best of the Best the most imitable part of all their acts and lives as Jehoshaphat picked out David for a pattern and the first part of Davids life for his samplar or copy Hee walked in the first wayes of David his father it is said 2 Chron. 17. 3. In Examples there may and must bee picking and chusing whom to follow and what to follow though in Commandements there must bee neither picking nor chusing but all must bee followed Now the actions of Best men may bee referred to three sorts 1 Some are deviations from the Rule and falling short though wee call them Transgressions improperly enough they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sinfull and irregular digressions and exorbitancies deficiencies such was Davids Adultery which fell short of or swarved from the Rule and Law of chastity 2 Some of their acts as much exceeded and went beyond the ordinary Rule and were in them commendable or not unlawfull which would become sinfull to us if wee should do the like by vertue of their example without any particular warrant Such was that act of Abraham sacrificing his Son Elias calling for fire from heaven The Israelites borrowing Gen. 22. 10. 2 King 1. 10. Ex. 12. 35. of the Egyptians These in us would become Transgressions 3 Some of their acts had a due conformity to the Rule and these onely are for imitation such was Davids piety zeal integrity towards God his loyalty towards his Sovereigne fidelity to his friends as Jonathan especially clemency to enemies as Shemis for instance c. These I say onely are for our imitation Rule 3. The best examples must bee followed alwayes with this Restriction 1 Cor. 11. 1. Bee yee followers of mee as I am also of Christ If wee are sure our neighbour set his Clock by the Sun wee may safely set our Watch by his Clock Rule 4. The best examples must ever bee followed with this Addition also 1 Thess 1. 6. Yee became followers of us and of the Lord. Of us though Apostles holy teachers and livers is not enough But of us and the Lord This makes all up 20 Hee is afraid of appearances of evill and of appearances of good both but which you would little expect hee fears and suspects the appearance of good more Abstain from all appearance of evill 1 Thess 5. 21. But hee abhors onely the appearance of good where there is no Reality 21 In the next place which is an undoubted note of sincerity hee is oft with himself desirous to examine and know himself and oft with God desirous that he would examine and try him And Gods examination hee desires much more than his own as not daring to trust himself Hee oft judgeth and examineth himselfe hee puts all the hard questions and doubts hee can by communing with his own heart and making diligent search a privy search in his spirit as David said and he Psal 77. 6. handles his conscience roughly as Joseph did his brethren at first fearing there was yet no change to finde out what he himself is and though he listens to what is said of him abroad yet if it be good he dare not take up so Nec te quaesiveris extra One testimony of his own conscience is to him above a thousand witnesses but the testimony of God is to him above a thousand consciences therefore he often prayes Lord examine me and prove mee try my reines and my heart see if there bee any way of wickedness in mee for I much suspect my self and lead mee in the way everlasting Psal 26. 2. and 139. 23 24. 22 Hee is afraid of open and secret sins both but especially of secret sins His prayer is Lord cleanse mee from my secret sins my unknown sins The Israelites Psal 19. 12. hid in holes mauled the Philistims 1 Sam. 14 22. The Philistims lodged in Dalilahs chamber overcame Sampson when none else could Judg. 16. 7. 23 Hee is afraid of carnal and spiritual sins both but of spiritual most These oft live when the other dye When the unclean and prophane spirit is gone out seven worse spirits may come into the house Mat. 12. 43. swept and garnished It may bee a spirit of
thy sins are forgiven thee vers 47. 50. There is no coming unto Christ at all without Repentance and Contrition There are two great comings and appearances of Christ prophesied of in Scripture and two great mourning dayes and both these fall out on the dayes of his appearing His first coming is in a day of grace when all the families of Israel mourn as for an onely Son Zach. 12. 10. The second mourning is at his second coming when all the kindreds and families of the earth shall mourn because of him Rev. 1. 7. In the one the godly look upon him and say There is hee whom wee have pierced Isa 53. 5. yet did hee bear our iniquities and by his stripes are wee healed Weep and break hearts of flesh tears of love and compunction In the other shall the wicked say There is hee who would have been our Saviour hee whom wee would not have to Reigne over us now comes to bee our Judge and who is able to abide the day Mal. 3. 2. Rev. 6. 16. of his appearing and to stand before the wrath of the Lamb therefore weep and break O hard and stony hearts with tears of horror and despair They who weep not on such a day of grace shall to bee sure weep at his appearing in the day of his wrath The first weeping is like the Summer showers followed with fruitfulness in which is the Rain-bow to bee seen the token of the Covenant This I may call the signe of the Son of man coming in the clouds of Grace The other mourning is like the uncessant mourning of the heavens in the Winter months when there is continual rain and cold withall but no fruitfulness Then shall the heavens melt 2 Pet. 3. 10. and mourn and pass away with a noyse and bee no more and earth and hell shall melt and mourn too but not pass away at all but pass away eternity with a hideous and incessant noyse stridore dentium fletu gemitu weeping wayling and gnashing of teeth In a word thou must either repent in Earth or Hell either mourn with Christ or with Satan either mourn for sin or paine mourn for a Christ here or for want of a Christ for ever Either by thy repentance thou must make God repent as I may say or God will make thee repent Jonah 3. 10. and that for want of Repentance 7 The seventh coming is with urgent importunity and humble submission This Mat. 15. 22 23 c. was the prevalent and successful coming of that woman of Canaan who wrastled and prevailed and had power with God and carried away the blessing and had her petition signed with a full Fiat Fiat voluntas tua as Luther once said O woman thy will bee done Bee it to thee even as thou wilt Her importunity was urgent when shee came a Canaanitess to whom no promise was made but was under the old curse of Cham and under the threats of being spued out and cast out yet saith shee If hee will not cast mee out I will not cast out my self to bee sure that were desperate madness Shee comes in hope against hope in faith without a promise and when shee hears no answer at first shee resolves shee will have an answer or there shee will lye and dye and will not give over praying depending and when a harsh answer came next to a repulse I am not sent but to Israel shee resolves shee must not be so said for a blessing shee came and a blessing shee would have ere shee would let go for a Christ shee came and a Christ I must and will have or I will never away As Ruth would not bee shaken off by her mother Naomi Intreat mee not to leave thee for where thou goest I will follow thee where thou lyest I will lye nothing but death shall part us Ruth 1. 16 17. So saith shee Let him delay I will wait Let him rate mee I will stoop Let him deny mee I will not deny him Let him cast mee off I will not cast him off I must not now give over since I have ingaged If I perish I must on If hee kill mee I will trust in him Shee seemed to Job 13. 15. say in this case as the late King about Tonnage and Poundage I do not challenge it but I cannot want it nor will go without it So she I cannot challenge any part in a Savior my birth is of the land of Canaan but I can worse want him O Lord hast thou any pleasure in the death of a sinner Wilt thou who hast never cast out one that came to thee make mee the first and onely person that was ever disappointed It were just Lord yet strange Shall I dye in thy presence as they Gen. 47. 19. said to Joseph Look on our pale faces pined carkasses give us bread and wee will become thy servants Save our lives take all so they So she Lord Jesus Shall I dye at thy feet Look on this troubled soul at this burdened conscience at this bleeding heart at this grieved and troubled spirit but come on it what will I will wait pray weep hope beleeve hold out and if I perish I perish I will perish at the Pools side I will lay my bones at Christs gate but who knows whether the Lord will not repent and bee intreated Est 4. 16. Jon. 3. 9. Oh the prevalency of this importunity It knocks and opens the treasures of Heaven and never returnes empty Then her humble submission is as remarkable Shall I take the childrens bread and cast it to the dogs saith hee Shee replies Lord I challenge not a childes portion I come not on such termes If I may have the least crumb it is more than I deserve and for the least measure of grace I shall bee thankfull as much as thou wilt or as little as thou pleasest so I may have any Beggars must bee no chusers I put my self upon thee refer all to thee Lord help mee saith shee what will become of mee if here I am said nay with this importunity and submissiveness shee prevails and so shalt thou whosoever thou art These two when they meet are like Sauls sword and Jonathans bow they alwayes speed never 2 Sam. 1. 22. return empty from heaven Christ Jesus will send away such comers as Boaz did Ruth who came to glean in his field with as much as ever shee could Ruth 3. 15. carry away for hee said Thou shalt not go home empty to thy mother in Law They Vers 17. who carry out this precious seed with weeping shall doubtless go home with rejoycing bringing home their sheaves with Psal 126. 6. them The Lord will answer such a soul ever as hee did the Angel Zach. 1. 13. With good words and comfortable words One handfull a small quantity of this corn in the top of the mountains the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon as it is