man Eph. 3 16. 4. Give God the glory both of thy willing and acting what is good Phil. 2. 13. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom 9. 16. 5. If sin be not more and more weaâ—ned in thee it is thine own Fault James 1. 14. Resol Old things are past away and all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. I will now exercise that power wherwith I am endued in dayly mortifying of the old man with his Members and putting on the new man with his Graces Col. 3. 5 12. Ejac. To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not Rom. 7. 18. O my Lord Christ do thou assist me For without thee I can do nothing John 15. 5. Paral. VI. Circ My Apprehender pursued me Obs Corruption pursues the effectually-called to re-inslave them THis brings to mind a Passage in my first distemper which may here not unseasonably be related I was walking by an hedge side and not far before me perceiving a Snake to draw back into an out growing shrub when I came at it I looked down and espying of her put down the end of my staffe upon her head and thought I had dispatched her Returning that way again and looking in to see what was become of her she being come to her self dâ—rted out and striking at my foot had bitten and spoyled me had I not been there well fortified Thus Corruption though Christ by his death hath bruised and broken his head yet assaults and would sting the soul were it not strengthened against its attempts by a stedfast Faith in him Eph. 6. 16. Upon the account of their Baptism St. Paul salutes the Ephesians by the name of Saints Eph. 1. 1. The soul is sainted or sanctified in Baptism by being by vertue of Christs Death and Resurrection into which we are baptized Rom. â— 3. cleansed from sin and endued with an habit of Grace infused Acts 2. 38. Where foreseen Infidelity doth not interpose a Bar. When the Lord is pleased to stir up this habit to manifest it self in act and exercise for which he takes his own time Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. then are we effectually called The Souls true Sanctification being the end of our effâ—ctual Calling Rom. 1. 7. consists in Faith Col. 1. 2. And Obedience Psal 50 5. With 1 Sam. 15. 22. These in the course of a Christians life from the time that he first begins to act do find great opposition from the carnal part from Corruption from which the soul is not so cleansed but that it still resides there It is purged out in Baptism That it may not hurt Not that it may not be The Soul is freed from it As to Dominion it reigns not Rom. 6. 14. As to Guilt it condemns not Rom. 8. 1. Yet it remains As to its Nature Rom. 7. 17. As to its rebellious Motions Rom. 7. 23. Between this and the Spirit there is a continual warring Gal. 5. 17. And it often gets the upper hand Rom. â— 23. However Where the Will is against it Rom. 7. 18. Where there is not an allowing of it but an hatred against it Rom. 7. 15. Where there is an earnest desire of its utter extirpation Rom. 7. 24. With a Constant Tenour of life according to Gods Will 1 John 3. 9. Although it doth pursue assault and often prevail yet it shall never wholly regain the soul under its power John 10. 28. Obs Corruption pursues the effectually Called to re-inslave them Texts Rom. 7. 20. If I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me Gal. 5. 17. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one unto the other So that ye cannot do the things that ye would Inst The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued after the Children of Israel who went out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14. 8. St. Paul found a Law in himself that when he would do good evil was present with him Rom. 7. 21. Reas 1. Satan is unwilling to lose his Prey Mark 9. 26. 2. His Malice continues though his Power be broken 1 Pet. 5. 8. Use 1. Escape for thy life look not behind thee with a lingring desire after thy former sins Stay not in all the Plain shun all occasions of falling again escape to the Mountain of Gods powerful Support and Protection Gen. 19. 17. 2. Delight in the Law of God after the inward man Rom. 7. 22. 3. Walk in the Spirit and thou shalt not fulfil the Lusts of the flesh Gal. 5. 16. 4. Return not to thy Vomit Prov. 26. 11. Resol I am now no longer in the Flesh but in the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Wherefore though with the flesh against my will I somtimes serve the Law of sin yet with my mind I will serve the Law of God Rom. 7. 25. Ejac. There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Paral. VII Circ I looked back to see at what distance I had left my Pursuer and saw him a good way off Obs The Effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace SIN in Scripture is compared unto darkness Grace unto light Isa 9. 2. Our great God whose first work in the Creation was to make light Gen. 1. 3. In mans recreation first infuseth the light of Faith into the soul 2 Cor. 4. 6. Darkness being but the privation of Light when the â—ight appears it withdraws and as the Light increaseth so it is more and more by degrees dispelled A Sinner upon his effectual Calling is translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1. 13. And he is no sooner out of that but he is immediatly in the Kingdom of Christ in his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Upon his first Translation Light is but begun in him but he clears up more and more Mark 8 24 25. Sin decayes in him and Grace encreaseth The Path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. Though man knows not by what way the Light is parted Job 38. 24. How the Vayl of Darkness is put off how the Light gathers strength yet the perfect day is easily discerned from the Dawning Light is sown for the righteous Psal 97 21. It is sown The seed that is cast into the ground by the Husbandman though it springs and grows up he knows not how Mark 4. 26 27. Yet its growthâ—n few moneths iâ— plainly seen To every one is given Grace â—ccording to the measure of the Gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. With his Blessing upon it Increase and multiply First he gives in a lesser proportion afterwards a larger James 4. 6. First a weak Faith
hath fore-determined to bring to pass How vain then without Him are all man's designs and undertakings Psal 127. 1 2. He may have many devises in his heart which though carried on with all possible secrecy being subtilly contrived profoundly intricate interwoven with many collâ—teral reaches Yet the counsell of the Lord that shall stand Prov. 19. 21. and mans which he hath sought so deep to hide from him Isa 29. 15. shall even when upon the very point of execution be frustrated and prevented For who is he that saith and it cometh to passe when the Lord commandeth it not Lam. 3 37. My then neglect of him gave him just cause to blow upon those mine expectations However I am now assured that it was in great mercy though the way was sudden and strange that I was withheld from their enjoyment Mans Tongue is his Glory as it may be used Psal 57. 8. Otherwise it may prove his ruine Psal 64 8. Life and death are in the power of it Prov. 18. 21. I was at that present under the power of most subtil malicious potent enemies then in the Family whom it nearly concerned if possible to abortive my Rising How their former then not suspected since evidently discovered vile practises to that end might now have been seconded upon mine acceptance of the offered Favour the Lord alone knows This is not to be questioned the Vision clears it in that course to which I was designed my soul had been exceedingly endangered and there was no apparent way but death or silence to escape it Upon this Brink of Ruine He who made the mouth and at his pleasure opens the lips or maketh dumb Exod. 4. 11. From whom alone are the answers of the tongue Prov. 16. 1. did set a watch over my mouth and kept the door of my Lips that he might keep me from the paths of the destroyer and by a blessed miscarriage prevent the hazard at least of a ruining success For that which followed no less was to be expected Mans Nature delights in change and great ones are not well pleased with the presence of the supposed slighters of their Favours Former Professions of Parental care are now forgotten and an eye of dislâ—ke my entertainment Though thus forsaken yet He who never leaveth nor forsaketh his was pleased to take me up Psal â—7 10. and not to leave my soul destitute Psal 141. 8. Obs Gods Negative Mercies are great Texts 2 Cor. 12 9. My Grace is sufficient for thee Mat. 8. 21 22. And another of his Disciples said unto him Lord suffer me first to go and bury my Father But Jesus said unto him Follow me and let the dead bury their dead Inst. Christ as man prayed thrice that the Cup of his Passion might pass from him yet was denied Mat. 26. 39 12 44. Saint Paul besought the Lord thrice that the Thorn in his flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet him might be removed yet prevailed not 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. Reas Man thinks that what he desires will be beneficial unto him The Lord knows it will prove hurtful Mat. 8. 22. Use 1. There is a particular over-ruling Providence Prov. 21. 1. 2. Thy Judgment may erre Leave all to God Psal 37. 5. 3. In every thing give thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. 4. The desires of the Godly are alwaies granted Mat. 21. 22. if not acccording to their will yet for their good Resolution I will direct my Prayer unto God and look up Psal 5. 3. and wait as his time so his way of answering Ejâ—culation Not as I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26. 39. Paral. II. Circ The Mercy though long concealed was discovered seasonably to settle me Obs God takes fittest time for Mercy THere had now passed many years from the time of the secret conferring before I became sensible that it was a Mercy Had it been manifested sooner my not yet-throughly-humbled heart had been a most unmeet Receptacle for it God finds not the heart prepared But he first fits and prepares it that it may be capable of Mercy and then communicates himself and his Favour unto it and that still most seasonably Seasons or Moments of time as they move and encline unto action so they add gravity and easiness to the performance and render the action beautiful Every thing is made beautiful in its time Eccles 3. 11. Words or actions how are they set off by being fitly spoken or done Prov. 25. 11. How good are they Prov. 15. 23. The knowledge and Choice of these belongs unto Prudence which being the Eye and Director of all Vertues they cannot be perfect if they fail as in other Circumstances so in their proper time This Prudence as to choice of opportunities and fit seasons is afforded unto Bruit Creatures The Ant knows when to make her provision for the Winter Prov. 6. 8. The Stork knows her appointed times The Turtle Crane Swallow know the time of their coming Jer. 8. 7. The wild Beasts when to creep forth for their Prey Psal 104. 20. Yea inanimate Creatures the Sun and Moon observe the Seasons for which they are appointed Psal 104. 19. But these follow the Instinct of Nature and the Law of their Creation Man hath reason to guide him and being able of himself to judge of the fitness of Times Is Commanded to lay hold on opportunities Eph. 5. 15 16. Is commended for so doing especially as to the actings of Grace Psal 1. 3. Mark 4. 28. Is condemned for neglecting of them Prov. 6. 8. For not discerning of them Luke 12. 56. What the Creature hath by participation is in God in the height of eminency Who Being free from all mixture of Matter Having made all things in his Wisdom Ps 104. 24. Having appointed a time for all things Eccl. 8. 6. must necessarily know as all other things so all times Which he doth know not by a discursive but by an intuitive knowledge For his Knowledge as his Essence being measured by his Eternity and his Eternity comprehending all time without succession He beholds whole time with every part thereof as present before him and so knows and is able to make choice of the fiâ—â—est seasons for execution restraint prevention permission discovery c. having them all present under his eye Heb. 4. 13. and in his own power Acts 1. 7. Obs God takes the fittest time as for punishment so for mercy For Punishment Text. Rev. 14. 18 19. Thrust in thy sharp Sickle and gather the Clusters of the Vine of the earth for her Grapes are full ripe c. And the Angel cast it into the Winepress of the Wrath of God Inst Though the Land of Canaan was promised unto Abrahams Seed yet the Amorites were not cast out until their Iniquity was full Gen. 15. 7 16. For Mercy Offered Conferred Discovered For Mercy Offered Texts Psal 95. 7. To day if you will hear his voice harden not your hearts 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the day
and takes off its true relish of spiritual sweetness The Manna ceased assoon as the Israelites had eaten of the old corn of the Land of Canaan Josh 5. 1â— To extirpate the Affections man must be unman'd where they have an over-ruling power he becomes a Beast Psal 49. 20. At least he is brought down to the lowest degree of servitude There is no such slavery as his who is not Master of himself Against violent Temptations the soul is armed by Fortitude by Temperance against alluring This moderates Mans Love of them His desire after them His delight in them His Grief in the absence of them This Grace of Temperance being the Guardian of all other Vertues the Spirit among others upon a Christians effectual Calling adornes the soul withal thereby so restraining the Passions and confining of them within their bounds that in the Fruition of vain Pleasures the moderate use whereof is not denied 1 Cor. 6. 12 Or in their absence he is still the same Let him enjoy them he is as if he enjoyed them not 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30 31. Let him be without them he is as if enjoying of them 2 Cor. 6. 10. Upon his Change he is now set far above them having his soul filled with new and spiritual delights Though his heart be taken off from the vain Comforts of the world yet Christ leaves him not comfortless Joh. 14. 18. The Joy of the Lord is his strength Nehem. 8. 10. His Comforts delight his soul Psal 94. 19. In whom he rejoyceth continually Phil 4. 4. His Delight is in Gods Law Psal 1. 2. Which is most sweet unto him Psal 119 103. His delight is in the Saints and in the excellent Psal 16. 3. He takes pleasure in the waies of wisdom Prov. 3. 17. He is filled with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Yea with joy unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. The Promises those satisfying Breasts of Comfort Isa 66. 11. afford him strong Consolation Heb. 6. 17 18. He rejoyceth that his Name is written in Heaven Luke 12. 20. Thus whereas formerly when enslaved to worldly pleasures in laughter his heart was sorrowful as well it might the end of that Mirth being heaviness Prov. 14. 13. Now he enjoyes that sweet peace in his soul which guards and keeps up his spirit under the heaviest afflictions Acts 5. 41. Which he bears with patience rejoycing in hope of the Glory of God Rom 5. 2. And longing for that day when he shall enter into the joy of his Lord Mat. 25. 23. Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected Vanities and Pleasures Texts Heb. 12. 1. Let us lay aside every weight 1 Pet. 3. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of Gold and of putting on of Apparel c. Inst St. Peter exhorts those who had obtained the precious Faith to add thereunto Temperance 2 Pet. 1. 6. Mary Magdalen upon her Conversion her eyes formerly allurements to lust now shed Tears with which she washed Christ's feet and wiped them with the hairs of her head with whose nicely set Curles she was wont to entangle her Lovers She bestowed her Kisses upon them and anoynted them with her precious Oyntment before used to set off her Beauty to make it the more enticing Luke 7. 38. Reas 1. They hinder the soul in its search after Gods Kingdom and the righteousness thereof Mat. â— 31 32. 2. They choak the Word and make it become unfruitful Luke 8. 14. 3. They retard the souls pace in her race toward the Mark Heb. 12. 1 4. They harden the heart Amos 6. 1 4 5 6. Use 1. Set thine Affections on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 2. 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6 33. 3. Rid thy self of whatsoever may hinder thee in thy spiritual Race Heb. 12. 1. 4. Adorn thy soul with the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3. 4. with sobriety and good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 5. Account not that thy Glory which is thy shame Phil 3. 19. 6. Draw not on Iniquity with Cords of Vanity Isa 5. 18. Resol All things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any 1 Cor. 6. 12. Ejac. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way Psal 119. 37. Paral. X. Circ After the staying and beating of my Pursuer I heard no more of him Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken It shall never again recover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory I cannot but begin this Parallel with a triumphant exultation in my soul and say Thy right hand O Lord glorious in power hath dashed in pieces the enemy In the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown those that rose up against me Thou in thy Mercy hast redeemed me and led me forth and wilt guid me in thy strength unto thy holy Habitation Exod. 15. 6 7 13. Where my hope is laid up with thee Col. 1. 5. Even that Crown of righteousness which my Lord Christ the righteous Judge will give unto me at that day 2 Tim 4. 8. This thou hast assured me of and none shall take it from me John 10. 28. Who is like unto thee O Lord Who is like thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Exod. 15. 11. No man cometh unto Christ unless the Father draw him John 6. 44. We are led willingly drawn with reluctancy Rom. 5. 10. But God of unwilling maketh us willing working Grace in the heart by the secret Operation of the Spirit upon the Preaching of the Word which is his ordinary way of dâ—awing John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14 15. In the Word preached Christ is offered to the soul 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. And they who receive him thus offered have put him on Gal. 3. 27. and dwell in him Eph. 3. 17. and so are effectually called Effectual Calling is a certain evidence of a Christian Election Rom. 8. 30. And these two draw after them all those other Links of the Golden Chain reaching from Gods Decree of Predestination unto the enjoyment of that Glory to which he is predestinated and mentioned by St. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 1 3 4. He is redeemed from his vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. From the Dominion of sin and all other his enemies Luke 1. 71. Having escaped the Corruption that is in the world through lust v. 4 He is regenerated and become a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. Having all things given unto him that pertain unto life and godliness or to a godly life v. 3. He is justified having obtained the precious Faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ v. 1. And so assured of the pardon of his sins and of Gods Favour unto him in his
Faith to obtain pardon Isa 1. 16 17. 18. Use 1. Think on Gods goodness to thee Psal 145. 7. 8. 2. Do that which is so pâ—easing to thy good God Psal 51. 19. 3. There is Mercy for the truly penitent Prov. 28. 13. 4. Repent not thy repentance 2 Cor. 7. 10. 5. Beware of Impenitence it hardens the heart and treasures up wrath Rom. 2. 5. Resol I will go to my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 18 19. Ejac. God be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18. 13. Paral. II. Circ I ran down a pair of stairs at the Savoy Entrance Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins O My most Gracious Lord how infinite hath thy Mercy been towards me Me so sinful a wretch so deserving of the full Vials of thy wrath to have been poured forth upon me in the extremity of thy Fury How much did my Lord Christ suffer for me How long did thy Patience wait for me What Pains hast thou taken to new-make me How have thy blessed Ministring Angels been troubled about me And yet since my reforming How often have I and yet do I grieve thy good Spirit wherewith thou hast sealed â—e unto the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. Thy Memorial O Lord endureth for ever Psal 135. 13. The Memorial of the riches of thy goodness towards me As for my high Provocations against thee their memorial is perished with them For though I have made thee to serve with my sins and wearied thee with mine Iniquities yet thou hast blotted them out and wilt not remember them Isa 43. 25. However it is thy pleasure that the remembrance of them should continue with me The Descent and Place have a very significative though secret reference to this Observation which I do verily believe was of prime intention in the Visâ—on My Conscience cannot accuse me of any hainous sin there committed yet by them the Lord was pleased to put me in mind of those my former wayes whereof I am now ashamed Many such Monitors I had in my first distemper by which as by this I am dayly warned to look back upon my former life with blushing yet thankful reflexions Is it good unto God that he should oppress that he should despise the work of his hands Job 10. 3. God taketh not pleasure in afflicting of his humbled Children with unwelcome exprobrations yet he would have them to remember their sins To which end he is pleased by the by to mind them of them Thus he dealt with his people under the Law though their many Ceremonies seemed to promise an expiation of their sins yet they were rather tacit Memento's of them on Gods part and confessions of them on theirs and so are said to be against them Col. 2. 14. Thus with David Peter and others Thus now with my â—lf Upon a mans first Conversion if as he had with me he hath a Rock to break Jer. 23. 29. he usually in the Glass of the Law presents a wicked mans sins unto his eye and sets them in order before him in their true affrighting horrour and deformity to send him unto Christ Afterwards not so directly but oft times by certain gentle overtures and circumstantial Items The least hint is sufficient to the tender Conscience which he who is wise for his Soul will observe and ponder and therein understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107. 43. Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins He gives them Memento's Texts Rom. 6. 19. As you have yielded your Members to Uncleanness and to Iniquity unto Iniquity So c. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you Inst The Ephesâ—ans are to remember what their condition was while Gentiles in the flesh Eph. 2. 11 12. The Colossians are put in mind that they had walked in heinous sins Col. 3. 7. He gives them oblique Memento's Texts Psal 51. 3. My sin is ever before me 1 Tim. 5. 1. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father Inst Absalom after his murdering of his Brother Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 29. His presence was a constant remembrancer to David of his Murder of Uriah When he beheld Bathsheba he could not but call to mind what he had done to her Husband and to her self 2 Sam. 11 4 17. Christ by his thrice saying unto Peter Lovest thou me John 21. 15 16 17. put him in mind of his thrice denying of him Mat. 26. 70 72 74. Reas Why he gives them Memento's 1. That they may be ashamed of their sins Deuter. 9. 6 7. 2. That they may be thankful unto him who hath forgiven them 1 Tim. 1. 23 3. That they may not insult over others in their falls Tit. 3. 2 3. Reas Why oblique Memento's Because he is most unwilling to grieve them Lam. 3. 33. Use 1. Blush at the remembrance of thy Follies Rom. 6. 21. 2. Bless God that thou art freed from thy former â—lavery Rom. 9. 17. 3. Speak evil of no man but shew all Meekness to all men remember what thou thy self hast been T it 3. 2 3. 4. Take notâ—ce of and glorifie God in the sweetness of his Mercy to thee Psal 34. 8. Resol It is of thy great Mercy O Lord that thou hast given me warning I will think on my ways and turn my feet into thy Testimonies Psal 119. 59. Ejac. Though thou causest grief yet wilt thou have Compassion according to the multitude of thy Mercies For thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of men Lam. 3. 32 33. Paral. III. Circ The Stairs delivered me on to a square Brick-Building left imperfect having Beams and Jyces laid ready for a Floor and Second Story Obs The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a square Brick-Building c. GRace begun in the Soul may well for many of the reasons following be meant by this Resemblance as I understood it in my first general Interpretation of the Vision However upon more mature thoughts I now look upon it as chiefly pointing out the Church whereunto by humiliation and Faith the effectually called are initiated The Church in Scripture is set forth by several similitudes As by 1 An Army in Battelarray Caâ—â— 6. 4. In respect Of its General Obedience Order Terribleness Preparedness to encounter the Enemy c. 2. A Kings Daughter Psal 45. 13. In respect Of Her high Extract from Heaven Her Beauty Inward being glorious in the sincerity of her Graces Outward in her Rich Attire As to Order External Performances c. 3. A City Psal 122. 3. In respect Of Unity Laws Priviledges c. 4. A Flock of sheep Acts 20. 28. In respect Of Meekness Innocency The Necessity of a Shepherd to watch it Feed it 5. A Vine Psal 80. 8. In respect Of Fruitfulness Pruning Weakness c. 6. A Body Eph. 5. 30. In respect Of Life
so it is utterly to be condemned Filial fear is a reverential fear of Gods Majesty and Power Gen 28. 17. A trembling at his Judgments Psal 119 120. This fear hath a special regard unto the offence as sin by its guilt separates from God Isa 59. 2. This is enjoyned Psal 3â— 9. and Blessings promised to it Psal 25. Psal 112 c. as necessary to a Christian through his whole life and to continue in Heaven as to the act of our reverence of God arising from the consideration of the excellency of his Nature and Justice in his punishment of the damned Psal 19. 9. Initial fear is a middle fear between these two causing man to abstain from sin to do good with a respect partly to the punishment and partly to the offence However it proceeds not from the first but is the beginning of Reverential or Filial Fear and arising from Love upon effectual Calling begun in the soul and there shewing it self as the working of Faith as yet but in a weak measure Which Fear as Faith and Love gather strength is by degrees expelled 1 John 4. 18. This way by fear the Lord at the beginning took with Adam First he had wrought in him an apprehension of fear of the Curse threatned against him upon his disobedience Gen. 3. 10. And then after followed the Promise of the Seed of the Woman who should break the Serpents head v. 15. This way he still continues First Moses must be believed then Christ John 5. 45. First there must be an apprehension of Gods Justice and then of his Mercy in his Son sweetned by the foregoing severity of the sharp Schoolmaster of the Law Gal. 3. 24. Upon this account it is that the Ministers of the Gospel do yet preach the Law We preach it to the Regenerate as a Rule of life Jam 1. 25. and to stir them up to thankfulness for their freedom from its Curse obtained by Christ Gal. 3. 13. To the Unregenerate as a Rule of Life likewise Luke 10. 28. And that by its Terrours they may be brought unto Christ Gal. 3. 24. Thus the Commandment is ordained unto Life Rom. 7 10. And this life is alone to be had in Christ Acts 4. 12. Obs Upon effectual Calling the fear of Hell is a principal Means to bring the Soul un to Christ Texts Deut. 5. 28 29. I have heard the voice of the words of this people c. They have well said all that they have spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes c. Gal. 3. 24. The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by Faith â—ast Paul upon the great Light shining about him and the Voice from Heaven trembling and astonished said Lord What wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. 6. The Jaylor came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. Reas 1. It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. 2. It prepares the way for perfect Love 1 John 4. 18. Use 1. The Law is to be taught Jam. 1. 25. 2. Beware of worldly fear Rev. 21. 8. Ostâ—nd not God for fear of man Mat. 10. 28. 3. Take heed of hardning thine heart Prov. 28. 14. 4. Get assurance that thou hast the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. Resol I will take heed how I offend knowing that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. Ejac. Enter not into judgment with thy Servant O Lord For in thy sight shall no man living be justified The enemy hath persecuted my soul O deliver me for I flee unto thee to hide me Psal 143. 2 3 9. Paral. V. Circ Being perswaded that in that Building I might secure my self from my Pursuer I gat down into it Obs Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ SIN sets and keeps up a Partition-wall between God and the Soul Isa 59. 2. Fear is a means to break it down Prov. 3. 7. My fear made me hasten down the stairs upon which being entered I plainly saw the Building whereon they set me and had a perswasion in me that there I might secure my self from my Pursuer which Perswasion was my Faith I had not nor could I have such thoughts until I saw the Building that I saw not until I entred upon the stairs Faith and Repenrance are begotten in the Soul at the same time and in the order of Nature repentance follows Faith But Repentance is first discovered and afterwards Faith A sinner cannot perswade himself that he shall obtain Salvation by Christ which is the act of Faith until he find in himself an hearty turning from sin which is the act of Repentance First there must be a forsaking of sin and then follows assurance of Pardon Prov. 28. 13. Heb. 6. 1. The Priviledges of Gods Children are many They are received into his Family Eph. 2. 19. They have his Name put upon them Rev. 3. 12. They receive the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. They have accesse with boldness to the Throne of Grace Eph. 3. 12. They are enabled to cry Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. God their Father pities them Psal 103. 13. Protects them Prov. 14. 26. Provides for them Mat. 6 30 32. Corrects them for their good Heb. 12. 6. 10. They are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. They inherit the Promises Heb. 6. 12. They are heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. With many other Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! 1 John 3. 1. To this Love and these Priviledges the certain effects and discoveries thereof although God from all eternity hath predestinated some in Christ for the praise of the Glory of his Grace Eph. 1. 5 6. Yet they are not made partakers of them until they partake of that redemption which Christ hath wrought for them Gal. 4. 5. Of this Redemption none can be partakers until by the Spirit it be actually applyed unto them Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Which Application is then wrought when we are united unto Christ Eph. 1. 7. We are united unto Christ upon effectual Calling When receiving of him we are admitted to that high Priviledge to be the Sons of God John 1. 12. Christ is received by Faith John 1. 12. Which Faith though it hath a general respect unto the Word upon the authority of the Author thereof believing to be true what therein is revealed 1 Thes 2. 13. And thereupon Yielding Obedience to his Commands therein Rom. 16. 26. Trembling at the Threatnings Isa 66. 2. Embracing the Promises Heb. 11. 13. Yet it hath a special eye unto Christ in those Promises relying upon him alone for salvation Acts 4. 12. Faith thus relying upon Christ is a certain
and delighteth in his Commandments shall not want an honourable regard in life and an honourable remembrance after death Ps 112. 1 2 9. However in our way to Heaven our Affections must be taken off from all honour and all other worldly things Col. 32. Use them we may but not abuse them 1 Cor. 7. 31. and our selves in our earnest pursuit of them and resting in them Luke 12. 19. The enjoyment of God is the only satisfying and lasting happiness of the soul Psal 16. 11. Without Holiness no man shall see him Heb. 12. 14. He that loves him not cannot be holy John 14. 24. We cannot love him if we love the world or the things that are in the world 1 John 2. 15. The things of the world are The lust of the flesh or pleasure The lust of the eyes or wealth The pride of life or Honour 1 John 2. 16. The Vices attending upon these are Luxury Covetousness Ambition the three Spring heads whence flow all sins whatsoever And that man whose heart is taken up with the love of these hath no room left for the entertainment of the Love of God Which being excluded let him enjoy all worldly things in the greatest height in the most plentiful affluence with the most possible desired Freedom yet what shall it profit him to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven Texts Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ set your Affections on things above not on things on the earth 1 John 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world Inst Moses refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the Treasures in Egypt Hebr. 11. 24 25 26. Paul counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus hâ—s Lord for whom he suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung that he might win Christ and be sound in him Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Thou art dead to them Col. 3. 3. 2. They keep from the great Supper prepared for the Soul Luke 14. 18 1â— 20. 3. They choak the Word and make it unfruitful Mark 4. 19. 4. The love of them cannot consist with the Love of God 1 John 2. 15. 5. They are of no continuance 1 John 2. 17. Use 1. Have a low esteem of them Phil. 3. 8. 2. Think of thy greatness by thine Adoption which sets thee far above them John 1. 12. 3. Set thine Affection on things above Col. 3. â— Resol The World being crucified unto me and I unto it Gal. 6. 14. I will be no more a friend unto it For whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God Jam. 4. 4. Ejac. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Thou O Lord art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73. 25 26. Paral. X. Circ Being set in the Tower of the Temple-Church where the Effigies lie all fear of my Pursuer and the Prison immediatly ceased Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the fear of Hell THE Natural man while he so continues is subject unto Bondage Heb. 2. 15. God is his enemy Col. 1. 21. Upon which account he doth and cannot but fear the effects of enmity from him Christ came to deliver man from this fear Heb. 2. 15. When he by Faith is received into the Soul it is banished and in stead thereof the spirit of Adoption succeeds Rom. 8. 15. Although the Bond-woman be cast out yet her son for so Initial fear though arising from Love yet as it hath wrath for its Object may be esteemed remains still to be ejected Gal 4. 30. While it remains it performs a twofold Office in the soul It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. It afflicts and torments that the soul may seek more and more unto Christ for peace and ease 1 John 4. 18. and so helps on towards the perfecting of Love Love once perfected this fear is likewise cast out 1 John 4. 18. Love is perfected as By keeping the Commandments 1 John 2. 5. By the Love of our Brethren 1 John 4. 12. By sollowing of Christ's Example 1 John 4. 17. So especially When the heart is wholly taken off from the world 1 Jâ—hn 2. 15. Not that here such a Perfection of our Love is to be attained as will admit no further perfecting That is not to be expected until we arrive at ouâ— Heavenly Countrey Our forgetting of those things behind and reaching forth to those before is the perfection of our Love here The perfection of this Perfection will then be when we shall lay hold upon the Prize Phil. 3. 13 14 15. Our Love thus perfectâ—d and that fear which as the Needle hath drawn it in being now removed this our Love constraineth us to what that our fear before did awe us 2 Cor. 5. 14. The Believer thus rid of his fear of wrath begins to have his soul filled with exceeding Comfort upon his now confident assurance That God is at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. This he could not have did the least fear of punishment remain That he is the Adopted Son of God Rom. 8. 15. and thereupon That his Father will grant his Requests Romans 8. 15. That he will make a temporal Provision for him Mat. 6 32 33. That the Spirit is and shall continue his Guide and Director Rom. 8. 14. That he is an Heir of Glory Rom. 8. 17. Which sweet Comforts though upon the prevailing of the Carnal part they are by doubtings sometimes interrupted Psal 51. 12. yet these new Fears are soon scattered by Faith sumly adhearing to the Promises Initial fear is now cast out However God will not have our Love to be fearless Filâ—al reverential Fear must still accompany it To mind us of our Imperfection Prov. 28. 14. To keep the heart from hardning Prov. 28. 14. To keep us from security Cant. 3. 1. To quicken us to Perseverance Jer. 32. 40. Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the Fear of Hell Texts Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 5. 9. Being justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath by him Inst Zacharias blesseth God for making good his Oath c. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear all the dayes of our life Luke 1. 68 74 75. The Thessalonians are asâ—ured by St. Paul that they with all others that serve the living God and wait for his Son from Heaven are by that his Son