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
off â—rom what he was and constrained to â—end and yeeld to what before it neither would nor could 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. â— And hence it is that Gospel-obedience is called the Obedience of Faith as well as obedience to the Faith Rom. 16. 26. For it must be by the Faith of Christ in my heart that I submit to the Word of Faith in the Bible otherwise â—ll is to no profit as saith the Apostle The Word preached did not profit them it not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it Heb. 4. 2. For Faith alone can see the reality of what the Gospel saith and so I say argue over the heart to the imbracing of it 4. Faith is such a Grace as wil represent to the soul all things in their proper colours it doth not as doth unbelief and ignorance shew us all things out of order puting darkness for light and bitter for sweet but will set every thing in his proper place before our eyes God and Christ shall be with it the chiefest good the most lovely and amiable a Heavenly Life shall be of greater esteeâ— and more desirable than all the treâ—â—sures of Egypt Righteousness Sanctâ—â—fication will be the thing after which 〈◊〉 will most vehemently press because 〈◊〉 seeth not only Death and Damnation 〈◊〉 the fruits of sin but sin also in it selâ— distinct from the punishment belonginâ— to it a detestible horrible and odiouâ— thing Heb. 11. 25 26 27. Phil. 3. 7 8 9 10 11 12. Rom. 12. 9. By Faith we see this World hath nâ— abiding in it for us nor no satisfactioâ— if it were otherwise Prov. 33. 5. Heb 11. 15 16. 13. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31 And hence it is that the People of God have groaned to be gone from hence intâ— a state that is both sinless and temptationless And hence it is again that they have run through so many Tryals Afflictions and Adversities even because of that Love to holiness of life that Faith being in their hearts did prompt them to by shewing them the worth and durableness of that which was good and the irksomeness and evil of all things else â—Cor 5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Heb. 11. 33 â—4 35 36 37 38 39. 5. Faith layeth hold of that which is â—ble to help the soul to bring forth Good Works It layeth hold of and ingageth â—e Strength of Christ and by that over-â—ometh that which oppresseth I can do â—ll things through Christ that strengthenâ—th me Phil. 4. 13. In a word A Life of Holiness and Godliness in this world doth so insepaâ—ably follow a Principle of Faith that 〈◊〉 is both monstrous and ridiculous to â—uppose the contrary What shall not â—e that hath life have motion Gal. 2. â—0 He that hath by Faith received the â—pirit of Holiness shall not he be Hoâ—y Gal. 3. 2. And he that is called to Glory and Vertue Shall not he add to â—is Faith Vertue 2 Pet. 1. 4 5. We are â—y Faith made good Trees and shall not â—e bring forth good Fruit Luke 6. 43. They that believe are created in Christ â—esus unto Good â—orks and God hath â—efore the world was ordained that we â—hould walk in them and shall both our second Creation and God's fore-ordinâ—â—tion be made frustrate Ephes. 1. 4. 〈◊〉 10. Besides the Children of Faith 〈◊〉 the Children of Light and of the 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 5. 5. Lights upon a Hill Caâ—â—dles on a Candle-stick and shall not the shine They are the Salt of the Earth shall not they be seasoning Mat. 5. 1â— 14. The Believer is the alone Man 〈◊〉 whom God sheweth to the World thâ— Power of his Grace the operation of hâ— Peoples Faith c. The unbelieverâ— reade indeed of the Power of Grace 〈◊〉 the Faith Hope Love Joy Peace anâ— Sanctification of the Heart of the Chriâ—stian but they feel nothing of that sin killing operation that is in these things these are to them as a story out of Româ— or Spain Wherefore to shew them iâ— others what they find not in themselves God worketh Faith Hope Love c. iâ— a Generation that shall serve him anâ— by them they shall see what they cannoâ— find in themselves and by this meanâ— they shall be convinced that though sinâ— â—nd the pleasures of this life be sweet to â—hem yet there is a People otherwise-â—â—inded even such a People that do inâ—eed see the Glory of that which others â—eade of and from that fight take pleaâ—ure in those things which they are most â—â—verse unto To this I say are Christiâ—ns called herein is God glorified Hereby are sinners convinced and by â—his is the World condemned 1 Thes. 4. â— 1 Pet. 2. 12. 3. 1. Heb. 11. 7. Object But if Faith doth so naturally â—ause Good Works what then is the reaâ—on that God's People find it so hard a matâ—er to be Faithful in Good Works I answer First God's People are â—ruitful in Good Works according to the proâ—ortion of their Faith if they be slender â—n Good Works it is because they are weak â—n Faith Little faith is like small canâ—les or a weak fire which though they shine and have heat yet but dim shining and but small heat when compared with bigger Candles greater Fire The reason why Sardis had some in it whose works were not perfect before God 〈◊〉 was because they did not hold fast bâ— Faith the Word that they had former 〈◊〉 heard and received Rev. 3. 1 2 3. Secondly There may be a great mistakâ— in our judging of our own fruitfulnessâ— the soul that indeed is candid and righâ— at heart is taught by Grace to judge 〈◊〉 self though fruitful yet barren upoâ— two accounts 1. When it compareth it life to the Mercy bestowed upon it Foâ— when a Soul doth indeed consider thâ— greatness and riches of the Mercy beâ—stowed upon it then it must needs crâ— out O wretched man that I am Rom 7. 24. for it seeth it self wonderfully tâ— fall short of a Conversation becominâ— one who hath received so great a benefit 2. It may also judge it self barren becausâ— it falleth so far short of that it woulâ— attain unto it cannot do the thing thaâ— it would Gal. 5. 17. 3. The heart oâ— a Christian is naturally very barren upâ—on which though the Seed of Graâ— that is the fruitfullest of all Seeds bâ—â—sowen yet the heart is naturally subjecâ— to bring forth weeds Mat. 15. 19. Now to have a good Crop from such ground doth argue the fruitfulness of the Seed wherefore I conclude upon these three things First That the Seed of Faith is a very fruitful Seed in that it will be fruitful in so barren a soil Secondly That Faith is not beholding to the heart but the heart to it for all its fruitfulness Thirdly That therefore the way to be a more fruitful Christian it is to be stronger in believing Now for the second thing to wit That every one that
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
now to its outward Touching the outward state of thy â—â—mily thou art to consider these thâ— things First That it lyeth upon thee to câ—â—â— for them that they have a convenieâ—â— livelyhood If any man provide not for 〈◊〉 own and especially for those of his own houâ—â— he hath denied the Faith and is worse thâ— an infidel 1 Tim. 5. 8. But mark whâ—â— the Word saith thou art to provide 〈◊〉 thy house it giveth thee no license 〈◊〉 distracting carefulness neither doth 〈◊〉 allow thee to strive to grasp the World 〈◊〉 thy heart or Coffers nor to take care fâ—â— years or dayes to come but so to prâ—â—vide for them that they may have foâ—â— and raiment and if either they or thoâ— be not content with that you lanch oâ— beyond the Rule of God 1 Tim. 6. 〈◊〉 Mat. 6. 34. This is to labour that you 〈◊〉 have wherewith to maintain good Works 〈◊〉 necessary uses Tit. 3. 14. And never object that unless you reaâ— further it will never do for that is 〈◊〉 unbelief The Word saith That Gâ—â— â—â—edeth Ravens careth for Sparrows and loatheth the Grass in which three to feed loath and care for is as much as heart an wish Luke 12. 6 24 27 28. Secondly Therefore though thou shouldst â—rovide for thy Family yet let all thy â—abour be mixed with moderation Let our moderation be known to all men Phil. â— 5. Take heed of driving so hard after his World as to hinder thy self and faâ—ily from those Duties towards God which thou art by Grace obliged to as â—rivate Prayer reading the Scriptures â—nd Christian Conference It is a base â—hing for men so to spend themselves and â—amilies after this World as that they â—isingage their hearts to God's Worship 〈◊〉 Christians The time is short It remainâ—th then that they that have Wives be as â—hose that have none and they that weep 〈◊〉 though they wept not and they that reâ—yce as though they rejoyced not and they â—hat use this world as not abusing it for â—â—e fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. â—â— 29 30 31. Many Christians live and do in this world as if Religion were but a by-biâ—ness and this World the one thing neceâ—sary when indeed all the things of 〈◊〉 world are but things by the by and Râ—â—ligion only the one thing needful Lukâ— 10. 40 41. 42. Thirdly If thou wouldst be such a Mâ—ster of a Family as becomes thee thâ— must see that there be that Christiâ— Harmony among those under thee as bâ—comes that house where one ruleth thâ— feareth God 1. Thou must look that tâ— Children Servants be under subjectâ— on to the Word of God for though it of God only to rule the heart yet he eâ—â—pecteth that thou shouldst rule their ouâ— ward man which if thou dost not he mâ— in short time cut off all of thy stock that pâ—â—seth against the wall 1 Sam. 3. 11 12 1â— 14. See therefore that thou keep the temperate in all things in Apparrel 〈◊〉 Language that they be not Gluttenoâ— nor Drunkards not suffering either tâ—â— Children vainly to domineer over tâ—â— Servants nor they again to carry theâ—â—selves foolishly towards each other 2. Learn to distinguish between that injury that in thy Family is done to thee and that which is done to God and though thou oughtest to be very zealous for the Lord and to bear nothing that is open transgression to Him yet here will be thy wisdom to pass by personal injuries and to bury them in oblivion Love covereth the multitude of sins Be not then like those that will rage and stare like mad-men when they are injured and yet either laugh or at least not soberly rebuke and warn when God is dishonoured Rule thy own house well having thy Children with others in thy Family in subjection with all gravity 1 Tim. 3. 4. Solomon was so excellent sometimes this way that he made the eyes of his beholders to dazzle 2 Chron. 9. 3 4. But to break off from this general and to come to particulars First Hast thou a Wife thou muâ—â— consider how thou oughtest to behave thâ— self under that relation And to do this â— right thou must consider the condition 〈◊〉 thy wife whether she be one that indeeâ— believeth or not â— she believeth Theâ— First Thou art engâ—â—ged to bless God foâ— her For her price is far above Rubies anâ— she is the Gift of God unto thee and is fâ—â— thy adorning and glory Prov. 12. 4. Provâ— 31. 10. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Favour is deceiâ—ful and beauty is vain but a Woman thâ— feareth the Lord she shall be praised Provâ— 31. 30. Secondly Thou oughtest to love he under a double consideration 1. As shâ— is thy flesh and thy bone For â—evâ—â— Man yet hated his own flesh Ephes. 5â— 29. 2. As she is together with thee aâ— heir of the Grace of Life 1 Pet. 3. â— This I say should engage thee to lovâ— her with Christian Love to love her as believing you both are dearly belovâ— of God and the Lord Jesus Christ anâ— as those that must be together with him in Eternal happiness Thirdly Thou oughtest so to carry thy self to and before her as doth Christ to and before his Church as saith the Apostle So ought men to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it Ephes. 5. 25. When husbands behave themselves like husbands indeed then will they be not only husbands but such an Ordinance of God to the wife as will preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Spouse There is a sweet scent wrapped up in the relations of husbands and wives Ephes. 5. 32. that believe The wife I say signifying the Church and the husband the head and saviour thereof Ephes. 5. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife even a Christ is the head of the Church and He is the Saviour of the body This is one of God's chief ends in instituting Marriage that Christ and his Church under a figure might be where-ever there is a couple that believe through Grace Wherefore that husband that carrieth it undiscreetly toward his wife he doth not only behave himself contrary to the Rule but also maketh his Wife lose the benefit of such an Ordinance and crosseth the mystery of this Relation Therefore I say So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodies He that loveth his Wife loveth himself for no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church Ephes. 5. 28 29. Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter had the art of thus doing as you may see in the Book of Canticles Wherefore bear with their weaknesses help their infirmities and honor them as the weaker vessels and as being of a frailer constitution 1 Pet. 3. 7. In a word be such a Husband to thy believing Wife that she may say God hath not only given me a husband but such a Husband as
was Israels Idolatry of old and the original of all her idolatrous practices Hos. 2. 5. For their Mother hath played the Harlot that is committed idolatry she that conceived them hath done shamefully for she said I will go after my lovers that gave me my bread and my waters my wool and my flax my oyl and my drink 3. It disalloweth of God's way of disposing his Creatures and would have them ordered and disposed of otherwise then his heavenly Wisdom seeth meet and hence ariseth all those discontents about God's dealing with us Covetousness never yet said It is the lord let him do what he pleaseth but is ever objecting like God against every thing that goeth against it and it is that which like a god draweth away the heart and soul from the true God and his Son Jesus Christ And he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions Mat. 19. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. Now then that which engageth the heart that rejecteth the providence of God and that is for ordering and disposing of things contrary to God and for breaking with God upon these terms is Idolatry and all these do Covetousness The wicked boasteth of his hearts desire and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth Psal. 10. 3. Now the way to remedy this disease it is to learn the lesson which Paul had got by heart to wit In whatsoever state you are therewith to be content Phil. 4. 11 12 13. I come in the second place to speak a word of Pride and loftiness of heart and life Of Pride 1. Pride in general it is That which causeth a man to think of man and his things above what is written 1 Cor. 4. 6. 2. It hath its seat in the heart among these inormities Fornications Adulteries Lasciviousness Murders Deceit c. Mark 7. 21 22 23. and sheweth it self in these following particulars First When you slight this or that person though gracious that is look over them and shun them for their poverty in this world and chuse rather to have converse with others that possibly are less gracious because of their greatness in this World This the Apostle James writes against Jam. 2. 1 2 3. under the name of partiality for indeed the fruits of a puffed-up heart is to deal in this manner with Christians 1 Cor. 4. 6 7. Now this branch of Pride floweth from ignorance of the vanity of the creature and of the worth of a gracious heart Wherefore get more of the knowledge of these two and this sprig will be nipt in the head and you will learn to condescend to men of low degree Rom. 12. 16. Secondly It argueth pride of heart when men will not deny themselves in things that they may for the good and profit of their Neighbours And it argueth now that pride is got so much up into self-love and self-pleasing that they little care who they grieve or offend so they may have their way Obad. 12. 13 14 15. Thirdly It argueth pride of heart when sober reproofs for sin and unbeseeming carriages will not down with thee but that rather thou snuffest and givest way to thy spirit to be peevish and to retain prejudice against those that thus reprove thee Saith the Prophet hear ye and give ear be not proud for the Lord hath spoken that is hear the reproofs of God for your sins and break them off by repentance But if ye will not hear my soul shall weep in secret for your Pride c. Jer. 13. 15 16 17. So also in Hosea They will not frame their doing to turn unto their God for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them they have not known the Lord and the pride of Israel doth testifie to his face c. Hos. 5. 4 5. This argueth great senslesness of God and a heart greatly out of frame Fourthly It argueth Pride also when a reproof or admonition will not down aswell from the poorest Saint as from the greatest Doctor and it argueth a glorying in men 1 Cor. 3. 21. and that they would that their faith should stand in their wisdom and not in the Power of God that is of naked Truth 1 Cor. 2. 5. Fifthly It argueth pride of heart when a man that hath this or that in his heart to do in reference to God but yet will slight a sober asking counsel and direction of God in this matter The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God saith David Psal. 10. 4. Sixthly It argueth pride of heart when persons are tickled with the thoughts of their own praise and that secretly lust after it that think of themselves and others above what is written which those do who do not acknowledge that man in his best estate is altogether vanity But such kind of people have forgot the Exhortation Be not high minded but fear Rom. 11. 20. And also that there is a knowledge that puffeth up and edifieth neither themselves nor others 1 Cor. 8. 1 2. Wherefore to such the Apostle saith Be not desirous of vain glory but in holiness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves Phil. 2. 3. Gal. 5. 26. Pride also there is in the outward carriage behaviour and Gesture which is odious for Christians to be tainted with and this pride is discovered by mincing words a made carriage and an affecting the toyes and baubles that Satan and every light-headed fool bringeth into the world As God speaketh of the Daughters of Zion They walk with stretched-out necks wanton eyes mincing as they go and making a tinckling with their feet Isa. 3. 16. A very unhansome carriage for a people that profess Godliness and that use to come before God to confess their sins and to bemove themselves for what they have done How can a sence of thy own baseness of the vileness of thy heart and of the holiness of God stand with such a carriage dost thou see the vileness of thy heart the fruit of sin and art thou afflicted with that disagreement that is between God and thy heart that layest the reins on the neck of thy lusts and letest them run whither they will Be not deceived Pride ariseth from ignorance of these things 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. A sense of my vileness of what I have deserved and of what continually in my heart opposeth God cannot stand with a foolish light and wanton carriage thou wilt then see there is other things to mind than to imitate the Butter-fly alas all these kind of things are but a painting the Devil and a setting a carnal gloss upon a Castle of his thou art but making gay the spider is thy heart ever the sounder for thy fine gate thy mincing words and thy lofty looks nay doth not this argue that thy heart is a rotten cankered and besotted heart Oh! that God would but let thee see a little of thy own inside as thou hast others to behold thy outside thou painted Sepulchre thou