preacheth to me every day the Carriage of Christ to his Church 2. If thy Wife be unbelieving or carnal then thou hast also a duty lying before thee which thou art ingaged to perform under a double ingagement 1. For that she lyeth liable every moment to eternal Damnation 2. That she is thy Wife that is in this evil case Oh! how little sense of the worth of Souls is there in the hearts of some Husbands as is manifest by their unchristian carriage to and before their Wives Now to qualifie thee for a Carriage suitable 1. Labour seriously after a sense of her miserable state that thy bowels may yearn towards her soul. 2. Beware that she take no occasion from any unseemly carriage of thine to proceed in evil and here thou hast need to double thy diligence for she lieth in thy bosome and therefore is capable of espying the least miscarriage in thee 3. If she behave her self unseemly and unruly as she is subject to do being Christless Graceless then labour thou to overcome her Evil with thy Goodness her Frowardness with thy Patience and Meekness it is a shame for thee who hast an other principle to do as she 4. Take fit opportunities to convince her observe her disposition and when she is most likely to bear then speak to her very heart 5. When thou speakest speak to purpose 't is no matter for many words provided they be pertinent Job in a few words answers his Wife and takes her off from her foolish talking Thou speakest saith he like one of the foolish women shall we receive good at the hands of God and shall we not receive evil Job 2. 10. 6. Let all be done without rancor or the least appearance of anger With meekness instruct those that oppose themselves if peradventure they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. And how knowest thou O man but thou mayest save thy Wife 1 Cor. 7. 16. Touching Parents IF thou art a Parent a Father or a Mother then thou art to consider thy Calling under this Relation Thy Children have souls and they must be begotten of God as well as of thee or they perish And know also that unless thou be very circumspect in thy behaviour to and before them they may perish through thee the thoughts of which should provoke thee both to instruct and also to correct them 1. To instruct them as the Scripture saith and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to do this diligently when thou sittest in thy house when thou liest down and when thou risest up Ephes. 6. 4. Deut. 6. 7. Now to do this to purpose First Do it in terms and words easie to be understood affect not high expressions they will drown your Children Thus God spake to his Children and Paul to his Hos. 12. 10. 1 Cor. 3. 2. Secondly Take heed of filling their heads with Whimzies and unprofitable Notions for this will sooner learn them to be malepert and proud than sober and humble Open therefore to them the state of man by nature discourse with them of Sin of Death and Hell of a crucified Saviour and the Promise of Life through Faith Train up a Child in the Way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Prov. 22. 6. Thirdly There must be much Gentleness and Patience in all thy instructions lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 21. And fourthly Labour to convince them by a Conversation answerable that the things of which thou instructest them are not febles but Realities yea and Realities so far above what can be here enjoyed that all things were they a thousand times better than they are are not worthy to be compared with the Glory and Worthyness of these things Isaac was so holy before his Children that when Jacob remembred God he remembred that he was the fear of his Father Isaac Gen. 31. 53. Ah! when Children can think of their Parents and bless God for that instruction and good they have received from them this is not only profitable for Children but honourable and comfortable to Parents The Father of the Righteous shall greatly rejoyce and he that begetteth a wise Child shall have joy of him Prov. 23. 24 25. Touching Correction First See if fair words will win them from evil This is God's way with his Children Jer. 25. 4 5. Secondly Let those words you speak to them in your reproof be both sober few pertinent adding always some sutable sentence of the Scripture therewith as if they lie then such as Rev. 21. 8. 27. If they refuse to hear the Word such as 2 Chron. 25. 14 15 16. Thirdly Look to them that they bâ— not companions with those that are rudâ— and ungodly shewing with soberness a continual dislike of their naughtiness often crying out to them as God did of old unto his Oh! do not this abominable thing that I hate Jer. 44. 4. Fourthly Let all this be mixed with such love pitty and compunction of Spirit that if possible they may be convinced you dislike not their persons but their sins This is God's way Psal. 99. 8. Fifthly Be often indeavouring to fasten on their Consciences the day of their Death and Judgement to come Thus also God deals with his Deut. 32. 29. Sixthly If thou art driven to the Rod then 1. Strike advisedly in cool blood and soberly shew them 1. Their fault 2. How much it is against thy heart thus do deal with them 3. And that what thou dost thou dost it in conscience to God and love to their Souls 4. And tell them that if fair means would have done none of this severiâ—y should have been This I have proved it will be a means to afflict their hearts as well as their bodies and it being the way that God deals with his it is the most likely to accomplish its end Seventhly Follow all this with prayer to God for them and leave the issue to Him Folly is bound up in the heart of a Child but the Rod of Correction will fetch it out Prov. 22. 15. Lastly Observe these Cautions 1. Take heed that the mis-deeds for which thou corectest thy Children be not learn'd them by thee Many Children learn that wickedness of their Parents for which they beat and chastise them 2. Take heed thou smile not upon them to encourage them in small faults lest that thy carriage to them be an encouragement to them to commit greater 3. Take heed thou use not unsavory and unseemly words in thy chastising of them as railing mis-calling and the like this is devilish 4. Take heed thou do not use them to many chiding words and threatnings mixed with lightness and laughter this will harden Speak not much nor often but pertinent to them with all gravity Of Masters to Servants MAsters also have a work to do as they stand related
Works be Good Thirdly That every Believer should not only be careful that their Works be good and for the present do them but should also be careful to maintain them that is They should carefully study to keep in a constant course of Good Works And lastly That the best way to provoke both our selves and others to this Work It is to be often affirming to others the Doctrine of Justification by Grace and to believe it our selves This is a faithful Saying and these things I will saith Paul that thou affirm constantly that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain Good Works I begin with the first That Good Works do flow from Faith This is evident divers wayes First from the impossibility of their flowing from any other thing they must either flow from Faith or not at all For whatsoever is not of Faith is sin And again without Faith it is impossible to please Him Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. Every man by nature before Faith is an evil and a corrupt tree And a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles Mat. 7. 16 17. Now a man is made good by Faith and by that bringeth forth the Fruits that are acceptable to God Heb. 11. 4. Col. 1. 4 5 6. Wherefore sinners before faith are compared to the Wilderness whose fruits are briers and thornes and whose hearts are the habitation of Dragons that is of Devils Isa. 35. 6 7. Heb. 6. 7 8. And hence again it is that they are said to be Godless Christless Spiritless Faithless Hopeless without the Covenant of Grace without Strength enemies in their minds by wicked works and possessed by the Spirit of wickedness as a Castle by a Conqueror Ephes. 2. 12. Jude 19. 2 Thes. 3. 2. Col. 1. 21. Luke 11. 21. Now these things being thus it is impossible that all the men under heaven that are unconverted should be able to bring forth one work rightly good even as impossible as for all the Briers and Thrones under Heaven to bring forth one cluster of Grapes or one bunch of Figs for indeed they want the qualification A Thorn bringeth not forth Figs because it wanteth the nature of the Fig-tree and so doth the Bramble the nature of the Vine Good Works must come from a good heart Now this the unbeliever wanteth because he wanteth Faith For 't is that which purifieth the heart Luk. 6. 45. Acts 15. 9. Good Works must come from love to the Lord Jesus but this the unbeliever wanteth also Because he wanteth Faith for Faith worketh by love and by that means doth good as Gal. 5. 6. And hence again it is That though the carnal man doth never so much which he calleth good yet it is rejected slighted and turned as dirt in his face again his prayers are abominable his plowing is sin and all his righteousness as menstruous rags Prov. 15. 8. Prov. 21. 4. Isa. 60. 4. Thus you see that without Faith there is no Good Works Now then to shew you that they flow from Faith And that For that Faith is a principle of Life by which a Christian lives Gal. 2. 20 21. a principle of Motion by which it walks towards Heaven in the Way of Holiness Rom. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 7. It is also a principle of strength by which the soul opposeth its lust the Devil and this World and over-comes them This is your victory even your Faith 1 John 5. 4 5. Faith in the heart of a Christian is like the Salt that was thrown into the corrupt Fountain that made the naughty waters good and the Land fruitful 2 Kings 2. 19 20 21. Faith when it is wrought in the heart it is like leaven hid in the meal Mat. 13. 33. or like perfume that lighteth upon stinking leather turning the smell of the leather the savour of the perfume it being theâ— planted in the heart and having its natural inclination to holiness Hence it iâ— that there followeth an alteration of the life and conversation and so bringeth forth fruit accordingly A good man ouâ— of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good fruit Luk. 6. 45. Which treasure I say is this Faith Jam. 2. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 7. And therefore it is that Faith is called The Faith according to Godliness and the most holy Faith Tit. 1. 1. Jude 20. 2. Good Works must needs flow from Faith or no way Because that alone carrieth in it an argument sufficiently prevalent to win upon our natures to make them comply with holiness Faith sheweth us that God loveth us that he forgiveth us our sins that he counteth us for his Children having freely justified us through the Blood of his Son Rom. 3. 24 25. Rom. 4. Heb. 11. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Faith receiveth the Promise imbraceth it and comforteth the Soul unspeakably with it Faith is so great an Artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with It will bring to my remembrance at once both my vileness against God and his goodness towards me it will shew me that though I deserve not to breath in the Air yet that God will have me an Heir of Glory Now there is no argument greater than this this will make a man run thorow ten thousand difficulties to answer God though it never can for the Grace that he hath bestowed on it Further Faith will shew me how distinguishingly this Love of God hath set it self upon me It will shew me that though Esan was Jacobs Brother yet he loved Jacob Mal. 1. 2. that though there were thousands more besids me that were as good as me yet I must be the man that must be chosen Now this I say is a marvellous argument and unspeakably prevaileth with the sinner as saith the Apostle For the Love of Christ constrains us because we thâ—â— judge That if one dyed for all then are all dead and that he died for all that they which live that is by Faith should not henceforth live unto themselves but to Hiâ—â— that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14. Love saith the Wise man is strong as Death many waters cannot quench Love neither can the floods drown it If a man would give all the substance of his house for Love it would be utterly contemned Song 8. 6 7. Oh! when the broken dying condemned sinner can but see by Faith the Love of a tender-hearted Saviour and also see what he underwent to deliver it from under that Death Guilt and Hell that now he feels and fears which also it knoweth it hath most justly and highly deserved Then bless the Lord O my soul and what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits Psal. 103. 1 2 3. Psal. 116. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14. Thus is Faith a prevailing argument to the sinner whereby he is fetched
believeth should be careful that their Works be Good This followeth from what went just before to wit That the heart of a Christian is a heart subject to bring forth weeds There is Flesh as â— well as Spirit in the best of Saints and as the Spirit of Grace will be alwayes putting forth something that is good so the Flesh will be putting forth continually that which is evil For the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit as the Spirit against the Flesh Gal. 5. 17. Now this considered is the cause why you find so often in the Scriptures so many items cautions to the Christians to look to their lives and conversations As Keep thy heart with all diligence Prov 4. 23. Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13 Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatever a man soweth that shall he reap for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 7 8. All works are not good that seem to be so It is one thing for a mans wayes to be right in his own eye and another for them to be right in God's Often that which is in high estimation with men is abomination in the sight of God Prov. 30. 12. Luke 16. 15. Seeing Corruption is not yet out oâ— our natures there is a proneness in us tâ— build upon the right foundation Wood Hay and Stubble instead of Gold and Silver and precious Stones 1 Cor. 3. 11 13 14 15. How was both David the King Nathan the Prophet and Vzza the Priest deceived touching Good Works 1 Chron. 17. 1 2 3 4. 1 Chron. 13. 9 10 11. Peter also in both his defending his Master in the Garden and in diswading of him from his sufferings though both out of love and affection to his Master was deceived touching Good Works Mat. 16. 22 23. John 18. 9 10. Many have miscarried both as to Doctrine Worship and the prosecution of each 1. For Doctrine Christ tells the Jews That they taught for the Doctrines of God the doctrines and traditions of men Mat. 15. Mark 7. As also saith the Apostle They teach things they ought not for filthy lucres sake Tit. 1. 11. 2. Also touching Worship we find how frequently men have mistaken both for time place and matter with which they worshipped 1. For time It hath been that which man hath devised not which God hath commanded 1 Kings 12. 32. They change the Ordinances saith Isaiah Isa. 24. 5. They change God's Judgments into wickedness saith Ezekiel Ezek. 5. 6. 2. For place When they should have worshipped at Jerusalem they worshipped at Bethel at Gilgal and Dan in Gardens under Poplers and Elms 1 Kings 12. 26 27 28 29. Hos. 4. 13 14 15. Isa. 65. 2 3 4 5. 3. For the matter with which they worshipped Instead of bringing according to the Commandment they brought the lame the torn and the sick they would sanctifie themselves in Gardens with Swines-flesh and Mice when they should have done it at Jerusalem with Bullucks and Lambs Isa. 66. 17. Again Touching mens prosecuting their Zeal for their Worship c. that they do think right How hot hath it been though with no reason at all Nebuchadnezzar will have his Fiery-Furnace and Darius his Lyons-Den for Nonconformists Dan. 3. 6. 6. 7 c. Again they have persecuted men even to strange Cities have laid traps and snares in every corner to intrap and to intangle their Words and if they could at any time but kill the Persons that dissented from them they would think they did God good service Acts 26. 11. Luke 11. 53 54. John 16. 1 2. But what need we look so far from home were it not that I would seal my Sayings with Truth we need look no further to affirm this position than to the Papists and their Companions How many have they in all ages hanged burned starved drowned wracked dismembred and murdered both openly and in secret and all under a pretence of God his Worship and Good Works Thus you see how both Wise men and Fools Saints and Sinners Christians and Heathens have erred in the business of Good Works Wherefore every one should be careful to see that their works be good Now then to prevent if God will miscarriage in this matter I shall propound unto you what it is for a Work to be rightly Good First A Good Work must have The Word for its authority Secondly It must as afore was said flow from Faith Thirdly It must be both rightly timed and rightly placed Fourthly It must be done Willingly chearfully c. 1. It must have the Word for its authority Zeal without knowledge is like a metled Horse without eyes or like a sword in a mad-man's hand and there is no knowledge where there is not the Word For if they reject the Word of the Lord and act not by that What Wisdom is in them saith the Prophet Jer. 8. 9. Isa. 8. 20. Wherefore see thou have the Word for what thou dost 2. As there must be the Word for the authorizing of what thou dost so there must be Faith from which it must flow as I shewed you before For whatever is not of faith is sin and without faith it is impossible to please God Now I say without the Word there is no Faith Rom. 10. 17. As without Faith there is no good let mens pretences be what they will 3. As it must have these two afore-named so also it must have first right Time and secondly right Place 1. It must be rightly timed Every work is not to be done at the same time every time not being convenient for such a work There is a time for all things and every thing is beautiful in its time Eccles 31. 11. There is a time to pray a time to hear a time to read a time to confer a time to meditate a time to do and a time to suffer Now to be hearing when we should be preaching and doing that is yeelding active obedience to that under which we ought to suffer is not good Christ was very wary that both his doings and sufferings were rightly timed John 2. 3 4. 13. 1 2. and herein we ought to follow his steps To be at plow in the field when I should be hearing the Word is not good and to be talking abroad when I should be instructing my family at home is as bad Who so keepeth the Commandment shall feel no evil thing and a wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgement Eccles. 8. 5. Good things mis-timed are fruitless unprofitable and vain 2. As things must have their right time so they must be rightly placed for the misplacing of any work is as bad as the mis-timing of it When I say things if good must be rightly placed I mean we should not give to any work more than the Word
whited Wall will these things be found vertues in the day of God or is this the way that thou takest to mortifie sin A high look a proud heart and the plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21. 4. Pride is the ring-leader of the seven abominations that the Wise man nameth Prov. 6. 16 17. and is that above all that causeth to fall into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 6. Of Adultery or Uncleanness Now I come in the last place to touch a word or two of Adultery and then to draw towards a conclusion Adultery it hath its place in the heart among the rest of those filthinesses I mentioned before Mark 7. 21 22. of which sin I observe two things First That almost in every place where the Apostle layeth down a catalogue of wickednesses he layeth down Adultery Fornication and Uncleanness in the front as that in Mark 7. 21. Rom. 1. 29. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Gal. 5. 19. Ephes. 5. 3 1 Thes. 4. 3 4 5. Heb. 12. 16. Jam. 2. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 11. 2 Pet. 2. 10. From this I gather that the Sin of Uncleanness is a very predominant and master Sin easie to overtake the sinner as being one of the first that is ready to offer it self at all occasions to break the Law of God Secondly I observe that this sin is committed unawares to many even so soon as a man hath but looked upon a woman I say unto you saith Christ that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust or desire after her he hath already committed Adultery with her in his heart Mat. 5. 28. This sin of uncleanness I say is a very taking sin it is natural above all sins to mankind and as it is most natural so it wanteth not tempting occasions having objects for to look on in every corner wherefore there is need of a double and trible watchfulness in the soul against it It is better here to make a covenant with our eyes like Job Job 31. 1. than to let them wander to God's dishonour and our own discomfort There are these three things which discover a man or woman too much inclining to the uncleanness of their own heart The first is a wanton eye or an eye that doth secretly effect it self with such objects as are tickling of the heart with the thoughts of immodesty and uncleanness Isaiah calls this a wanton eye and Peter an eye full of adultery that cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. Isa. 3. 16. This is that also which Christ calleth an evil eye and John the lust of the flesh and of the eyes and doth defile those who are not very watchful over their own hearts Mark 7. 22. 1 John 2. 16. This wanton eye is that which the most holy Saints should take heed of because it is apt to seize upon them also When Paul bids Timothy beseech the younger women to walk as becomes the Gospel â—e bids him do it with all Purity as who should say take heed that while thou instructest them to holiness thou thy self be not corrupted with the lust of thy eye 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Oh! how many souls in the day of God will curse the day that ever they gave way to a wanton eye 2. The second thing that discovereth one much inclining to the lusts of uncleanness it is wanton and immodest talk such as that brazen-faced Whore in the seventh of the Proverbs had or such as they in Peter who allured through the lust if the flesh through much wantonness those who were clean escaped from them who live in error 2 Pet. 2. 18. Out of the abunâ—ance of the heart the mouth speaketh wherefore if we be Saints let us take heed as of our eye so of our tongue and let not the lust of uncleanness or of adultery be once named among us named among us as becometh Saints Ephes. 5. 3. Mark let it not be once named This implies that the lusts of uncleanness are devilishly taking 〈◊〉 will both take the heart with eyes 〈◊〉 tongue Let it not be once named amoâ—â— you c. Thirdly Another thing that bespeaâ—â— a man or a woman inclining to wantonness uncleanness it is an adorninâ— themselves in light and wanton Apparâ—â— The attire of an Harlot is too frequentlâ— in our day the attire of Professors 〈◊〉 vile thing and argueth much wantonness and vileness of affections If those that give way to a wanton eye wanton words and immodest apparel be noâ— Whores c. in their hearts I know nâ—â— what to say Doth a wanton eye argue shamfacedness doth wanton talk argue chastity and doth immodest apparel with stretched-out necks naked breasts a made speech and mincing gates c. argue mortification of lusts If any say that these things may argue pride aswell as carnal lusts Weâ—â— but why are they proud is it not 〈◊〉 trick up the body And why do they 〈◊〉 pride trick up the body if it be no◠〈◊〉 provoke both themselves and others 〈◊〉 lusts God knoweth their hearts without their outsides and we know their hearts by their outsides My Friends I am hear treating of Good Works and perswading you to fly those things that are henderances to them wherefore bear with my plainness when I speak against Sin I would strike it through with every word because else it will strike us through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. I do not treat of Good Works as if the doing of them would save us for we are justified by his Grace according to the hope of Eternal Life yet our sins and evil works will lay us obnoxious to the Judgements both of God and man He that walketh not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel is like to have his peace assaulted often both by the Devil the Law Death and Hell yea and 〈◊〉 like to have God hide his face from him also for the iniquity of his covetousness Isa. 57. 17. How can he that carrieth himself basely in the sight of men think he yet weâ—â— behaveth himself in the sight of God and if so dim a light as is in man 〈◊〉 justly count thee as a transgressor 〈◊〉 shall thy sins be hid from Him whose eyâ—â— lids try the Children of men Psal. 11. 〈◊〉 'T is true Faith without works justifies us before God yet that Faith thâ— is alone will be found to leave us sinneâ— in the sight both of God and man Româ— 28. 4. 5. Jam. 2. 18. And though thâ— addest nothing to that which saveth thâ— by what thou canst do yet thy righteousness may profit the Son of man 〈◊〉 also saith the Text but if thou shalt 〈◊〉 so careless as to say what care I for beiâ—â— righteous to profit others I tell thee that the love of God is not in thee Jâ—â— 35. 18. 1 Joh 3. 17. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2 3. Walk therefore in Gods wayes and 〈◊〉 them for this is your wisdom and yâ—â— understanding in the sight of the Nâ—â—ons which
it is both quickâ—ed and bringeth forth fruit * Rom. 3. â—1 22 23 24 25. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 5. â—1 * John 1. 16. Now then seeing Good Works do flow â—om Faith and seeing Faith is nourished 〈◊〉 an affirming of the Doctrine of the â—ospel c. take here these few Consiâ—rations from the Doctrine of the Gosâ—â—l for the support of thy Faith that â—ou mayest be indeed fruitful and rich 〈◊〉 Good Works First The whole Bible was given for 〈◊〉 very end that thou shouldst both believe this Doctrine and live in thâ— comfort and sweetness of it For whaâ— soever things was written afore-time wâ—â— written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. John 20. 31. Secondly That therefore every Promise in the Bible is thine to strengthen quicken and incourage thy heart in believing Thirdly Consider that there is nothing that thou dost can so please God as believing The Lord takes pleasure in thoâ— that fear him in them that hope in his meâ—cy Psal. 147. 11. They please him because they imbracâ— his Righteousness c. Fourthly Consider that all the with drawings of God from thee are not fâ—â— the weakening but for the tryal of thâ— faith and also that what-ever he suâ—fereth Satan or thy own heart to do 〈◊〉 is not to weaken Faith Job 23. 8 9 â— 1 Pet. 1. 7. Fifthly Consider that believingâ— that which will keep in thy view 〈◊〉 things of Heaven and Glory and that â—t which the Devil wil be discouraged sin weakned and thy heart quickned and sweetned Heb. 11. 27. Jam. 4. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Ephes. 6. 16. Rom. 15. 13. Lastly By believing the Love of God is kept with warmth upon the heart and that this will provoke thee continually to bless God for Christ for Grace for Faith Hope and for all these things either in God or thee that doth accompany Salvation 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psal. 103. 1 2 3 4. The Doctrine of the forgiveness of sins received by Faith will make notable work in the heart of a sinner to bring forth Good Works But secondly For as much as there is body of Death and Sin in every one that hath the Grace of God in this world and because this body of death will be even opposing that which is good as the â—postle saith Rom. 7. 21. therefore take these few particulars further for the suppoâ—sing that which will hinder a fruitful life â— Keep a continual waâ—th over the wretchedness of thy own heart not to be discouraged at the sight of thy vileness but to prevent its wickedness for that will labour either to hinder thee from doing Good Works or else will hinder thee in the doing thereof for evil is present with thee for both these puâ—poses take heed then that thou do not â—â—sten to that at any time but deny though with much strugling the workings of 〈◊〉 to the contrary 2. Let this be continually before thy heart that God's eye is upon thee and seeth every secret turning of thy heart either to or from him All things are â—â—ked and bare before the eyes of Him wâ—â— whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. 3. If thou deny to do that good whicâ— thou oughtest with what thy God 〈◊〉 given thee then consider that though◠〈◊〉 love thy soul yet he can chastise 〈◊〉 thyâ—inward man with such troubles 〈◊〉 thy life shall be restless and comfortâ—â— 2dly And can also so blow upon thy 〈◊〉 ward man that all thou gettest shâ—â— put in a Bag with holes Psal. 89. 31 â—â— 33. Hag. 1. 6. And set the case he should license but one Theef among thy Substance or one spark of Fire among thy Barns how quickly might that be spent ill and against thy will which thou shouldst have spent to God's glory and with thy will and I tell thee further that if thou want a heart to do good when thou hast about thee thou mayest want comfort in such things thy self from others when thine is taken from thee See Judg. 1. 6 7. 4. Consider that a life full of Good Works is the only way on thy part to answer the Mercy of God extended to thee God hath had mercy on thee and hath saved thee from all thy distresses God hath not stuck to give thee his Son his Spirit and the Kingdom of Heaven saith Paul I beseech you therefore by the Mercies of God that you present your bodies a living Sacrifice to God holy acceptable which is your reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. See Mat. 18. 32 33. 5. Consider that this is the way to convince all men that the Power of God's things hath taken hold of thy heart I speak to them that hold the head and say what thou wilt if thy faith be not accompanied with a holy Life thou shalt be judged a withered branch a wording professor salt without savour and as lifeless as a sounding Brass and a tinckling Cymbal Joh. 15. Mat. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2. For say they shew us your faith by your works for we cannot see your hearts Jam. 2. 18. But I say on the contrary if thou walk as becomes thee who art saved by Grace then thou wilt witness in every mans Conscience that thou art a good Tree now thou leavest guilt on the heart of the wicked 1 Sam. 24. 16 17. now thou takest off occasion from them that desire occasion and now thou art clear from the blood of all men 2 Cor. 11. 12. Acts 20. 26 31 32 33 34. This is the Man also that provoketh others to Good Works The ear that heareth such a man shall bless him and the eye that seeth him shall bear witness to him Surely saith David he shall never 〈◊〉 moved The Righteous shall be had in eveâ— lasting remembrance Heb. 10. 24. Job 29. 11. Psal. 112. 6. 6. Again the heart that is fullest of Good Works hath in it least room for Satans temptations and this is the meaning of Peter where he saith Be sober be vigilant that is be busying thy self in Faith and Holiness for the Devil your adversary goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. He that walketh uprightly walketh safely and they that add to Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge to Knowledge Temperance to Temperance Brotherly-kindness and to â—hese Charity and that abounds therein he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful he shall never fall but so an entrance shall be ministred to him abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 9 10. Prov. 10. 9. 7. The Man who is fullest of Good Works he is fittest to live and fittest to die I am now at any time ready to be offered up saith fruitful Paul 2 Tim. 4. 6. Whereas he that is barren he is neither fit to live nor fit to dye to dye he himself is convinced he is not fit and to live