of grace then those [11] Isa 41 2.55.5 Jer. 4.2.10.7 Zech. 2.11.8.22 Turks have which worship Mahomet the same God which (12) Isa 38.19 Eccle. 8.113 Dan. 4.17 Psal 66.9 spareth unto thee the breath of life while Judas Julian nay while some born since thou wert born are grievously tormented in Hell the self same God would have thee [13] Ezek. 33.11 escape the everlasting torments due unto thee and to thy heart of unbelief Thy Rebellion [14] Isa 1.2 4 24. Nahum 2.2 6. hath been inexcusable and thou liest wholly at the power of that King against whom thou hast rebelled yet lo he offereth [15] Ezek. 18.32 Isa 55.7 a Free Pardon yea he offereth terms of Peace every way for thine advantage thou (16) Rom. 8.7 art at enmity with him but he hath Love free (17) Hos 14.4.2.19 love everlasting loves for thee though (18) Psal 9 17 11.6 Hell be thy portion fain would God entitle thee (19) 1 Pet. 1.4 to an inheritance in heaven When thou hast done all that ever thou canst be able to do thou wilt be at the best but an (20) Luk. 17.10 compared with Mat. 25.30 unprofitable creature I wiss yet loe God longeth to (21) Deut. 4.6 7.28.58.10.21 Psal 34.2 Jer. 17.14 honour thee with his service as (22) Deut. 3.1 Ezek. 6.9 corrupt as thine affections are God (23) Hos 2.14 Jer. 3.14 Isa 54.5 wooeth thee for them as wicked as thy heart is God (24) Gen. 6.5 compared with Jer. 4.14 and Prov. 23.26 calleth for it if thou wilt not believe him search the Scriptures in them he offereth thee his (25) Prov. 1.23 own Spirit in them he offereth unto thee his his own Son Oh he taketh glory Luke 19.10 in saving so lost a sinner as thou art Thou witness thy life past thou hast had no (26) Psal 14.4 knowledge of God let it be Gods glory that he can cause thee to (27) Jer. 24.7 know him thou hast a stony heart of thine own let it be the glory of thy God that he can (28) Ezek. 36.26 give thee a heart of flesh The Lord hath (29) Deut. 29.4 not given thee a heart to perceive nor eyes to see nor ears to hear unto this day let it now be his praise that he hath giveth thee a (30) Pro. 20.12 hearing ear a seeing eye and a believing (31) Phil. 1.29 heart too Thou hast had no (32) Rom. 3.18 Job 6.14 fear of God before thine eyes let God have the honour of (33) Jer. 32.40 Psal 51.6 10. putting his fear in thy inward parts Happily God hath hitherto winked (34) Act. 17.30 at thy carelesness on purpose that the (35) Rom. 5.20.7.13 transcendency of thy guilt may exalt (36) Luk. 7.47 Isa 30.18 Psal 130.4 his free his unsearchable mercies the (37) Luk. 51.13.25.11 Dan. 9.9 Lord forgive thy sins for they are great the Lord help (38) Mar. 9.14 thine unbelief for thy heart is not stedfast the Lord have compassion upon thee for (39) Heb. 5.2 thou art ignorant The holy God can write his Law even in (40) Jer. 31.33 thy heart he can pour upon thee a (41) Zec. 12.19 Spirit of Prayer and of supplication In all thy doings (42) Ezek. 21.24 thy sins appear but the person speaking in my Text can take away those (43) Zech. 3.4 Isa 64.9 filthy rags from thine incurable wounds thou hast no (44) Jer. 30.13 healing Medicines but the Physitian in my Text is the God of thy health he (45) Jer. 30.17 can heal thee and all thy back-slidings he can cause thee to draw near and to (46) Jer. 30.21 approach and to come with (47) Heb. 4.16 boldness unto the Throne of His grace Sinner thou hast (48) 2 Kin. 17.17 sold thy self to work wickedness but be no longer the (49) Rom. 6.16 servant of a Devil for Christ (50) 1 Cor. 6.20 hath bought thee and that not with corruptible gold but with his own blood his precious blood his precious his most precious blood Greater love hath no man (51) John 15.130 then this viz. that he lay down his life for his friend but Christ commendeth his love toward thee in that thou being (52) Rom. 5.8 an Enemy a polluted an inconsiderable a contemptible enemy and He being a righteous a holy person a person therefore a man (53) Heb. 2.14 because a God died died the shameful death of the Cross and despised the shame because he died for thee Who (1) Rom. 8.34 is he that condemneth It is the person speaking in my Text that died Thou who hast been so careless of Christ hitherto happily thou now turnest over a new leaf happily thou wilt now (2) Ephes 5.16 redeem thy time and amend one the (3) Jer. 7.3.23.22 evil of thy doings thou wilt put away from thee if thy canst thou wilt be renewed (4) Eph. 4.23 Col. 3.10 as well as thou canst in the spirit of thy mind happily thou art mortified and grieved and full (5) Zech. 12.10 of bitterness for the (6) Eccles 7.25 wickenness of thy folly happily thou resolvest to (7) 2 Cor. 7.1 clense thy self from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the Spirit to give (8) 1 Thes 5.17 thy self unto prayer to exercise (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 thy self unto godlinesse and to (10) 2 Cor. 13.9 strive after perfection all the days of thine appointed time if so this is a good change of mind in this thy good resolution go on prosper this notwithstanding know unless thou make the person speaking in my Text thy Refuge thy practise of Piety will never (11) Heb. 10.22 Tit. 3.5 quiet thy conscience the reason is though a (12) Rom. 8.15 spirit of bondage may restrain thee from evil and may presse thee upon duties yet it can (13) Ephes 2.9 never render thee acceptable in the presence of an offended God alas the best works that ever thou canst perform (14) Tit. 1.15 Gal. 2.16 shall never be able to satisfie the most infinite Justice of a provoked God no not (15) Heb. 9.22 for the least of the least of all thine infirmities Be as upright as ever thou canst yet of all those innumerable debts due from thee unto thy Lord thou shalt never be able to pay (16) Mat. 5.26 one mite that is sterling if this alone be that Plea by which thou hopest to (17) Rom. 3.20.24 answer the Law never never look the severe Judge in the face assure thy self that the just Judge of all the earth will do right Judas (19) Mat. 27.4 repented himself of his evil and yet Judas (20) Act. 1.25 perished in his transgression and so mayest thou if thou hope to pacifie God by thine own righteousness How then shall my Conscience obtain peace with
to (14) Pro. 13.11 Psalm 33.10 punish such a person with scarcity in vain shall the Defrauder Oppressour or Thief heap up unjust gains If God cast but half (15) Deut. 28.20 an eye upon his Babel in vain doth the Worldling build high comforts upon his sandy Foundation If God (16) Esay 10.26 1 Sam. 26.19 1 Kings 11.14 23 compared with Prov. 16.7 stir up the Spirit of his Prince of his Kinred of his Family of his truest Friends against him in vain doth the man-pleaser trust in the arm of flesh No marvail then if the recompence of vanity be vexation of spirit no wonder if they that sow the wind reap the whirlewind if they who provoke God provoke him (17) Jer. 25.7 to their own hurt Every affliction which exerciseth a gracious Soul is grievous for the present how much more judgement for sin as judgement If God (18) Levit. 26.19 break the pride of mans power man shall soon (19) Levit. 26.39 pine away in his iniquity If when sinners turn from the Lord the Lord will not (20) Num. 14.43 be with them the sound of a shaken leaf shall (21) Lev. 26.36 chase them To the impenitent sinner God can if it suit with his glory make every expected Refuge pricks in the eyes and thorns in the side He can so often as pleaseth both (23) Levit. 26.16 appoint terrour and cause sorrow Foolish persons are plagued (24) Psalm 107.17 by reason of their offences Now if God will by his temporal judgements (25) Ezek. 38.23 magnifie himself and sanctifie himself that he may be (26) Ezek. 39.23 known in the eyes of the Nations there is nothing more natural then that he who suffereth for his sins should finde (27) Psalm 39.11 trouble of heart Let his heart be troubled Thirdly Who so doth what is Right but not with an upright mind hath a mind to be troubled If Machiavel hath the policy to attain not vertue it self but the appearance of vertue I rather pity thed envy him fool that he is while he fancieth the exercise of Vertue burdensom but the credit of it beneficial he is a contradiction unto himself Pusillanimity [1] Omnis compositio indigentiae cujusdam videtur esse particeps not discretion drave him upon these shifts Where the heart is divided it is [2] Hos 10.2 forthwith found faulty even unto it self Reason telleth us that in one and the same bosome a [3] Psal 12.2 heart and a heart can never agree together if the double-minded man be unstable [4] James 1.8 in all his wayes it is impossible his thoughts should be stablished He hath no [5] 2 Pet. 3.17 stedfastnesse of his own and must therefore expect to continue unsetled Besides The Hypocrites attempt is of all undertakings the most irksome The behaviour of other persons is [6] Magìs ingenuè Peribonius like their Apparel suitable and habitual but this mans carriage is like that of a [7] Suasit jam olim Valla bypocritam Latinè reddendum esse histrionem Sculcet in Matth. 6.5 Stage-player therefore forced because mimical Again He can never enjoy his freedome who walketh in a disguise for while he so walketh he ever and anon feareth to be discovered and moreover most equal it is that he should have vexation enough and enough who had rather please [8] Gal. 1.10 man then God Such a man his Conscience [9] Sêque unum clamet cansámque Caputque malorum 1 John 3.20 accuseth him because he wittingly seemeth what he is not and again the same conscience condemneth him because he seemeth not what he is Once more Whoso would bear the world in hand that he hateth what he vehemently loveth and that he loveth what he vehemently hateth may well complain of trouble of heart for he is his own Tormentor Knowledge [10] Pro. 14.6 is easie to him that understandeth and unto him who like his God affecteth plain-dealing and faithfulnesse sincerity is pleasant but oh the Vnquothnesse of an hypocritical conversation To forbear sin not out of conscience but out of craft to perform duties not out of obedience but out of subtilty to force [11] Invitâ Minervâ for ignoti nulla cupido ones self upon mock-reading mock-hearing mock-praying mock-praising c. I say to be religious meerly for profit or ostentation to walk [12] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Echic as it were spiritually on a carnal accompt to professe a form of that godlinesse which the Soul naturally abhorreth to boast of heaven and dread hell to pretend a love toward God and to [13] To him that would not depart from iniquity the name of Christ must needs be terrible nor can he who serveth divers lusts serve God in sincerity and with hopes of acceptance wish in the mean while that there were no God these these are servitudes which the Devil himself was never subjected unto Hell is ignorant of these torments The Hypocrite is so very a fool that he thinketh to out-wit the only wise God I conclude therefore that until he [14] Ut dometur homo Deus quaeratur Aug. Tom. 10. Serm. 4. de verbis Domini at length convince his understanding that God is infinitely wiser then He it can be no marvail if his pragmatical heart be troubled Lastly Sometimes the wise and gracious God doth (1) Esay 1.5 Jer. 10.24 humble soften and prepare at least he would humble soften and prepare a soul for grace by giving unto it a sorrow of heart first whether (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato the person were formerly as prosperous as prophane or as unprosperous as hypocritical Manasses (3) 2 Kings 21.6 2 Chron. 33.12 13 19 compared with the prayer of Manasses was stormed from a spirit of divination unto a spirit of bondage from a spirit of bondage unto a spirit of liberty Thus if the heart of unbelief be not in justice troubled that trouble may (4) Rom. 9.17 22 fit it for destruction it is in mercy troubled that troubles may fit it for conversion What our Lord doth that we know not now but hereafter (5) John 13.7 we shall know He who hath mercy upon whom he will and (6) Rom. 9.18 hardneth whom he will weigheth (7) 1 Sam 2.3 Quem locum de divin's cogitationibus à proposito nunquam deficientibus intelligant Thâ—odor Symmach Vatabl. Cajdan Pagnin Fraa de Men. doza actions He at this present provideth for the future storeth up sometimes vengeance sometimes mercies decreeth that before all Worlds which either his severity or his loving kindnesse determineth to accomplish in (8) Acts 2.23 dayes yet to come Sirs is any thing (9) Gen 18.14 too hard for God Such yea such is the unsearchable goodnesse of the most High that the self-same prosperities the self-same adversities which formerly hardened may (10) Hoc enim est
THE STONE ROLLED AWAY and LIFE MORE ABUNDANT AN APOLOGIE Urging Self-denyal New-Obedience Faith and Thankfulnesse By GILES OLDISWORTH Rectour of Burton on the Hill in Gloucestershire 1 SAM 14.33 Ye have transgressed roll a great stone unto me this day LONDON Printed by Thomas Ratcliffe 1663. To the sacred Majesty of CHARLES the second by the [1] 1 Chron. 29.12 Revel 1.5 grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland The [2] 1 Chron. 21.24 Defender of the faith in all [3] Levit. 8.23 24 causes and over all [4] 1 King 2.27 persons as well [5] 1 Chron. 16 4 8 Ecclesiastical as Civil within these his Majesties [6] Psalm 144 15 148.14 happy Dominions next unto God and his Christ [7] Eccl. 8.4 P. 0.8.14.15 16 1 Pet. 2.13 supream Head and Governour Dread Soveraign AT sundry times and in great deliverances the Lord hath already said unto your Majesty [1] John 14.1 Let not your heart be troubled Believe in God believe also in me lay claim unto your Majesty as Defender of the faith The many mansions here [2] John 14.2 asserted prepare for your Majesty a glorious Diadem in the house of your Father As my Text so my Treatise hath everywhere a kindly aspect upon your dread Majesties sacred person For this Tract while it attempteth to remove a [1] There never yet fell upon the Church a tempestuous storm the vapours whereof were not first noted to arise from a coldness of affection Hooker in his Eccles Polit. lib. 5. sect 76. coldness of affection and the cause of that a stone of unbelief from [2] Heb. 3.12 evevy heart it endeavoureth to render every heart among us therefore subject to Your Scepter because obedient unto Gods Nevertheless I am bold to take Sanctuary at your sacred feet inasmuch as the weakness of mine Apologie cannot but recover strength from the clemency of your royal protection Which one blessing maketh three Kingdomes like your sacred person great and prosperous That they may so continue the God of power who hath made your Gracious Majesty Our Peace add unto your Majesties peace Life more abundant This is this shall be the earnest prayer of Your Sacred Majesties Most humble and most thankful subject and servant GILES OLDISWORTH Novemb. 5. 1663. In this Treatise THese words [1] John 14.1 2 Let not your heart be troubled Ye believe in God believe also in me In my Fathers house are many Mansions 1. Examined 2. Applyed 1. Examined 1. Preparatively in the joint explications p. 2. 114 122 216 232 254 441. 2. More fully in the several applications p. 11 c. 2. Applyed 1. Restrictively to Gospel-Ministers p. 11. 2. Vniversally to Gospel-professors p. 53. 1. To Gospel-Ministers 1. As preaching not themselves but Jesus Christ p. 14. 118. 2. As living in the world yet unto God p. 114. 217. 2. To Gospel-Professors 1. AsVnbelievers p. 54. 2. As Believers p. 109 1. To Unbelievers 1. As layed out for dead p. 56. 2. As called from death to life p. 75. 2. To Believers 1. By way of Doctrine p. 111 1. stated p. 112 2. proved p. 114 3. applyed p. 131 To the Kings most excellent Majesty p. 133 Nobility p. 140 Clergy p. 144 Magistracy p. 146 Gentry p. 151 Their Ladies p. 154 Men of low degree p. 162 Men poor and destitute p. 164 Unto Little Children p. 169 Young men and Maidens p. 179 Middle-aged persons p. 189 Aged persons p. 198 One with another p. 210 2. By way of Reproof p. 216 To some Ministers p. 217 Lawyers p. 226 Physitians p. 227 Tradesmen p. 229 Generally unto all p. 231 3. By way of further Instruction p. 232 4. By way of Consolation p. 253 Unto complainingVnbelievers p. 254 Unto disconsolate Believers p. 257 Against Worldly distresses p. 258 Death of friends p. 260 Fear of death p. 261 Remainders of sin p. 264 Want of grace p. 266 Fear of falling away p. 267 Any temptations whatsoever p. 269 5. By way of Exhortation viz. unto Thankfulnesse p. 271 Where 1. In what sense God may be said to be glorified p. 271 By himself p. 272 By his Creatures p. 274 In our Words p. 279 Works p. 291 Thoughts p. 293 2. Why God must be by us glorifyed p. 295 In regard of us p. 332. 358 In regard of Himself p. 336 3. Matter worthy our Thanksgivings unto God viz. p. 366 The blessings of this world wherein we finde no more troubles p. 395 The kingdome of grace wherein we believe in God and his Christ p. 400 The kingdome of glory wherein we expect the many mansions in my Fathers house p. 441. A Table AFflictions may not trouble believers hearts c. p. 111 Reasons why p. 122. 130 413 Books more to be desired then gold p. 41. 152 272 283 428 Bowing at the name of Jesus p. 118 Bowing toward the East p. 118. 121 Calamities when fore-runners of greater evils p. 245. 246 Christ Jesus a blessing above blessings p. 435. 436 Churches inoffensive to understanding Christians p. 285. 286 Clergy inoffensively distinguished from the Laity p. 49. 50 51. Their Hierarchy inoffensive p. 38. 43. Their function not unbeseeming the Nobility p. 44. 48. Their dignities vindicated p. 32. 37. Their Revenues advantageous to the Gospel p. 27. 28 29 145 Common Prayers ought to be frequented p. 148 149 290 291 352 357 382 385 Devotion encreased by set-forms p. 220. 223. 288 354 Englands unthankfulnesse p. 301. 304 305 312 315 316 Examples of Vertue p. 160 Failings in Ministers excused p. 19 24 blamed p. 218 223 Faith raiseth comforts against all discomforts p. 8 aimeth at glorifying God as God p. 352 A desireable Duty p. 429. 430 Festivals a due part of Gospel-worship 418 p. 383 Glorifying of God the whole duty of man p. 353 God the most desireable good p. 335. 437 438 Gospel-blessings oblige us to glorifie our God p. 400. 424 433 Grace undervalued if ascribed unto our selves p. 361. how sought p. 323. 327. how wrought p. 211. 212 213 346 347 Guilt washed off by Christs blood p. 265 Heaven why called my Fathers house p. 441 Hypocrites reward but temporary p. 227. 248 420 Hope of Heaven obligeth us to glorifie God p. 440 Insufficiency not a bar but a spur to duty p. 90 91 Knowledge without it no holinesse p. 152. It s excellency p. 403 Laity inoffensively distinguished from Clergy p. 49-52 Mansions how prepared p. 9. why so called p. 44. why many p. 128. 44 Meditation the sinful neglect of it p. 300. 301 302 402 Obedience due from the unregenerate p. 90. 338. delightful unto tht regenerate p. 351 Preachers ought to affect not mans wisdome p. 16. but the power of godlinesse p. 14. 15 Prophanesse the sad encrease of it p. 316 Prosperity a fearful judgemement upon the wicked p. 240 Regeneration how usually wrought p. 324. 327 Repentance unsound if delayed p. 331 Sanctification wait Gods leisure
Redeemer who hath done [4] Rev. 5.9 and suffered so great things for us will in due time welcome us to his Fathers house [5] 1 Thes 4.17 and so shall we ever ever ever be with the Lord When [6] Psal 101.2 shall I come unto thee I will walk in thy house with a perfect heart O my Soul [7] Psal 37.34 Isa 49 23 40.31 wait for the Lord wait I say for the Lord O ye Saints of his rejoyce in the Lord [8] Phil. 4.4 3. The Doctrine applied again I say rejoyce Hallelujah Ye have I trust such is your patience [1] Mat. 13.51 understood all these things ye have seen every afflicting stone [2] Mar. 16.4 rolled away ye have seen a world of Troubles [3] Joh. 14.1 2 swallowed up in Mansions of glory ye have seen life in death yea and life [4] Joh. 10.10 more abundant too ye have seen the good [5] Deut. 33.16 Angel in my Text as it were face to face ye have seen his strong [6] Isa 41.21 reasons his seven reasons his seven spiritual Reasons I had almost said his seven [7] Rev. 3.1 Spirits Our hearts should be troubled should we neglect [8] Luk. 9.44 Application O blessed Spirit Application is thy (1) Jer. 30.21 work Thy work O blessed Spirit Thou hast opened (2) Luk. 24.45 our understandings open our (3) Act. 16.14 hearts too Lord the stone is rolled (4) Joh. 11.39 41 43 away raise up thy Lazarus Give us life give us life (5) Joh. 10.10 more abundant AND now whether I look back upon the troubles past and gone or whether I look up unto the Mansions already prepared let my tongue cleave unto the roof of my mouth and let my right (1) Psal 137.6 hand forget her pen if I prefer not my Soveraign above the head of my comforts Therefore though I forget not my (2) Prov. 25.6 distance my first Application shall be The Lively Pourtraiture of CHARLES the Second King of Great Britain France and Ireland c. TO THE SACRED MAJESTY Of our most GRACIOUS SOVERAIGN LORD in all Causes and over all Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Civil our Supreme Governour CHARLES second only to that blessed Martyr and glorious Saint his royal Father of Great Britain France and Ireland KING Defender of the Faith and next unto God and his Christ the Prince of our Peace My Lord O King LIve like your (1) Psal 112 6 Name for ever live (2) Psal 61.6 and be The same you are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (3) 2 Cor. 3.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Great as was your (4) Psal 132.1 Affliction and our (5) 2 Sam. 15.30 woe Good as late (6) Psal 61.8 116.14 2 Chro. 32.25 Vows Happy as we (7) Psal 144.15 Prov. 13.12 are now Thus thus I (8) Ezra 6.10 pray But let Applauses be Suppress'd by others and refus'd by me Not as undue nor that a zealous praise May too too much mans expectation raise Nor that words match not though when all is done Ne're yet could pensil fully paint the Sun But loe Believers Sir should we display Your brighter beams would ravish'd sin for joy Saw they your soul they would sleight heav'n again And doat on earth because on earth you reign I blame my fears From Charles no evils spring They walk with God who follow such a King Next unto Christ this Prince of our Peace may If Subjects please roll ev'ry stone away Next unto Christ He doth our life appear Good Subjects find life more abundant here That Truth that Peace which with [9] 1 Tim. 2.2 Isa 49.23 His Throne consist Lifts us from Earth to Heaven from Charles to Christ But the Stairs at Whitehall are no winding stairs Blessed be God there is no cause why I should borrow Verses feet to bring me to the Presence-Chamber there I need not there measure mine approaches where blessed be God the golden Scepter is always [1] Hesther 5.2 held forth As in Majesty and [2] Psal 82.6 Power so in Patience and Clemency King Charles the second resembleth his God God is a God (3) Psal 65.2 that heareth Prayer and his Servant Charles (4) Deut. 17.20 shutteth not his ear no not unto his meanest Subjects In prose therefore When I compare the troubles of these Disciples hearts with the Mansions that are set before them rather To the Kings most Excellent Majesty when I compare the 30. of January with the 29. of May and again the third of September with the 23. of April Verily if ever any Christian in the world had encouragement to believe in God and in the only Son of God your Sacred Majesty hath I trust the same God who hath delivered (1) 1 Cor. 1 10 will yet deliver Nations could not get Dominion over your sacred person I trust (2) Rom. 6.14 sin shall not The Lord hath raised and removed the many burdens but I trust not the many (3) Heb. 12.6 7 Psal 94.12 13 and 132.2 5 compared with 1 Cot. 3.16.17 blessings of your Majesties late sorows Should not afflictions so great as your Majesties have been be more and more sanctified unto your Royal soul alas your heart might then be troubled indeed Should you desist to believe in God who (4) Psal 89.27 placeth your Majesty higher then the Kings of the earth it might then be unto you and your Kingdoms a grief of heart Should not your Princely soul believe in that only Son of God who (5) Isa 53.8 Heb. 2.10 suffered more for your Majesty then your gracious Majesty suffered for your lost people this might also trouble your heart Lastly should your soul (6) Isa 53.3 neglect so great salvation should your soul despise the Mansions in your heavenly Fathers house then then your heart would be utterly perplexed everlastingly troubled and that beyond measure But although King Hezekiah did not render according unto the (1) 2 Chro. 32.25 benefit received I trust your most excellent Majesty will True the more God blesseth his (2) Job 1.10 servant Job the more the Devil (3) Job 1.11 seeketh his ruine No doubt where the Lord hath multiplied so unparalleld favours as are heaped upon your dread Majesty there the malice of Satan will be very wilte very full of (4) 2 Cor. 2 11 stratagems the Serpent once enraged will first (5) 2 Cor. 12.17 buffet then sting Nevertheless while your sacred Majesty figheth not only against (6) 1 Pet. 2.11 flesh and blood but even against (7) Eph. 6.12 Principalities and Powers the same God who (8) Psal 140.7 covered your royal head in the day of battle the same God your sacred Majesty hath to believe in The same Christ who delivered you from so (9) 2 Cor. 1.10 great a death the same Jesus your Majesty hath to believe
[14] Negligeatia comitem semper habet insortuaium your bosomes will be thorns in your sides For hearken [15] Jam. 2.5 my beloloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world that they should be rich in faith Christ saith the poor [16] Mat. 11.5 receive the Gospel I beseech you make his word good Trust me ye are rich if ye have learned of Christ to be [17] Phil. 4.11 content A holy heart maketh one dish a [18] 1 Tim. 6.6 feast However Let not your heart be troubled God [19] Jam. 5.7 spes alit agricolas is where he was and he was [20] Gen. 17.1 all-sufficient Brethren Would ye have no good thing with-held from you Walk [21] Psalm 84.11 uprightly Would ye have all outward comforts [22] Mat. 6.33 added unto you first seek the Kingdom of Heaven do not love the world if ye would [23] 1 Cor. 7.31 use it Deny not God the [24] To steal is to detain that which 1 Chron. 29.16 is anothers contrary to his will and Mil. 3.8 9. This world is nothing except it tend unto another tenth and he will give you [25] Hag. 2.15 19. Pro. 3.9 10. Mark 10.30 thirty fold Dare to trust God and be ye but faithfull in little ye shall be [26] Luke 16.9 10 11 12. Matth. 25.21 23 29. entrusted with more Be but so thrifty as to sow uuto [27] Hos 10.12 Righteousnesse and in due [28] James 5.7 season ye shall [29] Galat. 6.8 9. reap if ye [30] Prayer day and night and life at last faint not Be it that you get your lively-hoods by hard labour Verily there are mansions of rest in my Fathers house Beloved the person speaking in my Text is so mindfull of you that rather then your heart should be troubled he will undertake all your [31] 1 Pet. 5 7. cares Never never live by [32] Honest men use bonest means your shifts ye have a God to trust in a God which can give you a [33] Deut. 8.18 power to get wealth Would you turn Tenants unto so good a [34] Prov. 10.22 Landlord Jesus Christ will [35] Ephes 1.14 15. strike the bargain for you Object Better is stale bread then none at all They that have wherewith to defend the world To the hungry naked and destitute Object may talk of quiet hearts sim but the hungry and naked may starve though they reckon upon your Text neither your Text nor your Discourse God help us doth warm either back or Belly Answ Answ True I wept when I was born and every day [1] Job 14.1 sheweth why all the dayes of the afflicted are [2] Pro. 15.15 evil and the charity of [3] Magistratus indicat virum many waxeth so cold that whereas we have very wholsome laws for the relief of our poor yet in too too many Villages both our poor and our lawes are neglected together The Lord awaken the hearts of our Magistrates to encrease [4] Psalm 41.1 2 3. Esay 58.10 11 32.8 Pro 3.9 10 11 24.19.17 Heb. 6.10.13 16 2 Cor. 9.6 7 9 Luke 6.38 31 16.9.12.33.14.14 1 Tim. 6.18 blessings upon themselves by considering the poor and needy In the mean space know He who here requireth Let not your heart be troubled He endured the 5 cold weather as well as you wanted [6] John 19.24 cloathes as well as you had no more houses to put his head in [7] Luke 9.58 then you and suffered a great deal more hunger [8] Mat. 4.12 Mark 11.12 then ever you did neverthelesse he [9] Psalm 16.8 9 10. trusted in God and was provided for Secondly This God in whom ye are here to believe disposeth of [10] Deut. 9.4 2 Sam. 19.14 1 King 8.5 8.18.37 1 Chro. 29.18 2 Chro. 29 36. Ezra 7.27 Pro. 16.9.11 19.21.21.1 Jer. 24.7 Ezek. 11.19 6 36.26 all mens hearts He can command the hearts of our Magistrates to compell and the hearts of your Ministers to solicite your speedy relief in which case be it unto you according unto your faith only reflect upon your conversations and examine what spiritual [11] 1 Thes 4.3 benefit you reap from all your distresses Know as is Prosperity so is Adversity if unsanctified a very [12] Hos 5.15 Psalm 119.71 Rom. 8.28 severe judgement if sanctified an unspeakable blessing Wherefore bethink thy self Thou dost live upon Almes but dost thou live upon [13] Hos 11.36 Esay 12. Matth. 4.4 Providence Thou knowest thy Dish but art thou acquainted with that God who [14] Ps 37.3.68.10.74.21.107.9.132.15 filleth it Doth the nakednesse of thy flesh cloath thy mind with [15] Eccl. 25.2 humility Doth it send thy weather-beaten soul unto these Mansions Dost thou shelter thee in thy Fathers house Doth the hardnesse of mans heart [16] 2 Sam. 24.14 force thee to blesse that God whose mercy endureth for ever Alas if when God relieveth thee the [17] God healeth and the Physitian getteth the praise Housholder alone getteth the thanks If thou canst ask an Almes for Gods-sake and curse them unto the Devil [18] James 3.8 9 10 11 12. from whom thou art not satisfied If thou art content to be as [19] Jer. 5.3 wicked as poor thou mayest justly continue therefore wretched and miserable because ignorant and gracelesse On the otherside Know He is [20] Prov. 15.15 lively that is faultlesse and he that [21] 2 Cor. 1.12 liveth well is rich Gain [22] 1 Tim. 4.8 6.6 godlinesse and hang [23] 1 Pet. 5.7 care upon him that careth for you Avoid malice envy evil-speaking a distrust of God theft and such other sins as [24] Heb. 12. Prov. 11 5 1. easily overtake needy creatures let your [25] Col. 3.5 affections be mortified as well as your bodies be as poor in [26] Mat. 5.3 spirit as ye are in estate and then blessed are ye [27] Luke 6.20 poor for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven Let not let not your heart be troubled for God who is [28] Ps 68.5 a Judge of the Widows and a [29] No love unto the love of a Father Father of the fatherlesse God who (30) Psalm 146.7 heareth the Ravens when they cry will relieve your necessities when ye call upon him I mean when ye call upon him [31] Psalm 50.15.86.5.145.18 in truth They that know his Name will [32] Psalm 9.10 trust in him and blessed are all they who do at all times put their [33] Psalm 2.12 trust in Him for they that put their trust in him shall not be [34] Joel 2.26 ashamed I never yet saw the righteous [35] Psalm 37.25.34.10.146.7 forsaken nor their seed begging bread in vain The wicked they shall perish and suffer hunger but [36] 1 Tim. 4.8 godlinesse hath the promise of this Life Wherefore ye who
quite over Hell There is now but a step [22] 1 Sam. 20.3 between us and Death and [23] 1 Thes 4.14 1 Cor. 15.52 1 John 3.14 not a step between Death and Heaven Death is swallowed up into [24] 1 Cor. 15.54 52 Victory that is as the phrase importeth into Eternity Could we not step beyond Death the foresight of Death would sting us unto the very heart but Jehovah [25] Judges 6.24 Shallom Faith vieweth every thing in the words of Jehovah who giveth being unto every Promise The mighty Jesus is ascended nor is it possible to [26] Christus etsi solus resurrexit tamen non totus Bernard detain the [27] John 6.39 54 56 11.25 26 14.19 20 17.23.24 redeemed from [28] Esay 43.1 49.24 their Redeemer a Christian from Christ his Lord a member on earth from [29] Esay 43.21 The Head in Heaven Wherefore unlesse thy heart be a heart of Vnbelief Let not thy heart be troubled Believe in God believe also in Christ Is thy desire toward thy Saviour thy Saviour reacheth forth his hand It shall be unto thee no trouble at all to [30] Rom. 7.24 compared with Job 19.27 passe from death which of an old enemy is made a new Friend unto life now no more mortal but everlasting Is thy [31] Matth. 25.6 24.44 midnight soul upon departure Let her go forth to meet him whom her soul loveth Behold her Bridegroom cometh yea rather is [32] John 14.8 already gone gone [33] John 14.3 to prepare a place for thee I say for thee In my Fathers house are many Mansions and because many one [34] Ibid. for Thee Verily there remaineth a [35] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Similitudo sumpta ab uno comitum qui in itinere praegressus ad diversorium ibi caeteris cubicula assignat efficitque ut venientibus parata sint v. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic ut c. 12.32 valet postquam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Continuatur similitudo nam solent qui primi in diversorium venerunt caeteris jam adventantibus obviam procedere eos inlroducere idem quod Christus Act. 1.11 redâ—â—â—s effecturus erit Grotius in Joan. 14.2 3 35. Heb. 4.9 See Mr. Baxter his Saints everlasting Rest. Rest for thy soul into thy Fathers bosome resign thy spirit 4. Thy greater trouble is Against the corruption of our sinful Nature not that thou shalt dye in the Lord but that thou dost live in the flesh I say not the shadow of death but the [1] Rom. 7.13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 23 body of sin dishearreneth a gracious soul Give me any death but the death of sin To do evil is to [2] Compare Isa 59 2. with Psalm 125.5 depart from God and this is indeed a [3] Compare Psal 28.3 with Luke 13.27 sad departure for this Let your heart be troubled provided your trouble be a sanctified trouble such a sorrow shall be turned into joy into a spiritual joy inasmuch as from this Gospel you who believe may [4] Isa 66.11 such strong consolations Thou broken and contrite heart as assuredly as thou mournest thou [5] Isa v. 2.57.15 Luke 6.20 21 shalt be comforted Watch over thine [6] Isa 21.36 Psalm 18.23 own sin Give thy self [7] 1 Thess 5.17 unto prayer Be ever [8] 2 Pet. 1.10 upon Duty Exercise thy self unto (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 godlinesse Giving all (10) 2 Pet. 1.5 3.18 diligence strive to grow in grace and in the delightfull knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord so doing Let not thy heart be dismayed Know Sin was a (11) Videbat eos commo'os de antccedentibus de abnegatione sermonibus Grotius in Joan. 14.1 chief trouble of these Disciples hearts To forsake Him who hath loved and chosen us To love our selves more then we do love him in whom the great God is so well-pleased This you will yield is a very great defection He (†) Luke 9.23 Mark 8.38 that taketh not up His Crosse his daily crosse neither followeth Christ crucified into whatsoever perils this his crucified Lord shall conduct him such a one is unworthy of so great so good a Master Whoso is ashamed of Jesus Christ of him Jesus Christ hath just reason to be more much more ashamed Meek he is yet the wrath of this Lamb hath as justly as mercifully threatened that Whosoever denyeth Him before (12) Matth. 10.33 2 Tim. 2.12 frail men here upon earth him will He deny before his dread Father in heaven In one word (13) Rev. 21.8 Hell is a portion for the fearfull and fearfull were these Disciples neverthelesse so far was Christ Jesus from not forgiving them their trespasses that he most compassionately preventeth them Let not your heart be troubled Wherefore all ye who (14) Ezek. 6.9 20.43 36.31 loath your selves for your iniquities loath your selves and them more and more Alas no (15) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Toad is so ugly in mans sight as mans venomous nature is in the holy eyes of the most pure God A sinfull condition is an (16) Psalm 51.5 Job 25.6 odious condition wicked deeds are shamefull deeds gracelesse practices are wretched practices practices better becoming the Devils who are accursed of God then the Disciples who were blessed of the Lord Mean while Give God the glory (17) Haec alia adduxerunt Gregorium ut clamaret O Faelix culpa quae talem meruit habere redemptorem Quae verba ego non facilè dicerem siquidem in illâ causâ nihil video quod non sit miserum flebile Pet. Martyr ubi infra 27. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save He can remove from us as well all our staines as all our guilt He who delivered us from so great a death could had he seen cause so to do have quite warded off the lesser wounds The Lord Christ could have strengthened his Disciples every whit as much before his Ascension as after his Ascension he did and would he so please He could since Adams fall make us every way as perfect as before that fall of Adam we were yea he is able to make us both as unspotted of sin and as gloriously gracious in this present evil world as we shall be in the next This he is able to do but he according to His wisdom seeth cause to the contrary this this alone may comfort us against our sinfull nature that God the infinite God is wise His wisdome is a Believers comfort And yet Why hast thou made us to err [1] Esay 63.17 from thy wayes Wretched men that we are whence is it that the sanctifying Spirit [2] Relictae quidem suat animi vires actiones verum destitutae suâ rectitudine atque idcirco pravae corruptae Pet. Martyr Lo. Com. Classis secnad cap. 1. sect 25. leaveth in our vile hearts the remainders the dregs
discovered in your (32) Jer. 17.9 treacherous hearts what (33) 2 Pet. 2.9 escapes from temptation what (34) Jer. 31.19 helps to Repentance what (35) 2 Pet. 1.10 advantages towards Duty what (36) Psalm 27.13 supports of faith what [37] 2 Pet. 3.18 1.8 growth of grace ye have observed within your selves that cordially impart unto your bosome-friends So many of you as understand what [38] 1 Tim. 6.18 Heb. 13.16 belongeth unto the neighbourhoods of Piety engrosse not that experience unto your selves which may benefit others Freely ye have received [39] Matth. 10.8 freely give The Lord is with them that [40] Psalm 34.4 uphold my soul Come and hearken all ye that fear God I will declare what he [41] Psalm 66.16 hath done for my soul What ye believe that enjoy ye believe the Communion of Saints in such Communions our [42] 1 Thes 4.9 God is glorified Thirdly When in the worship of the most holy God our self-accusations confessions complaints intercessions supplications and petitions are for the matter and form of them Scripture-proof and go not out of [1] Psalm 17.1 feigned lips then do (2) Rom. 10.10 See Matth. 6.6 our words glorifie our God and more when (3) Matth. 18.20 jointly with others then when separately by our selves alone more when in (4) Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 our open families then in our retired closets more when in our (5) Psalm 107.32 26.12 publique congregations then when in our private families I was (6) Psalm 122.1 glad when they said unto me Let us go into the house of the Lord. Object That house of the Lord was erected by Gods immediate command our Steeple-houses not so Answ 1. That Command was [1] 2 Tim. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 written for our learning Answ 2. As the Temple at Jerusalem was a [1] Esay 56.7 House of prayer unto all Nations viz. an [2] Esay 62.10 Ensigne lifted up upon Mount Zion to draw in all the [3] Psalm 22.27 Esay 55.5 Zech. 2.11 Gentiles unto the then true worship of the only true God So among us Houses set apart for divine worship are [4] 1 Cor. 14.23 24 10 20 21 11.19 Revel 14.6 John 15.22 Cant. 1.8 Jer. 13.11 Gods witnesses and Ensignes set up to leave inexcusable may to reclaim Sectaries Papists Jewes Turks Pagans and Atheists from the errour of their way unto pure worship of the God of truth Answ 3. It is fully as [1] Acts 9.20 13.5 15.2 18.4 lawful for us to have our several Churches for the convenience of our several Villages as it was for the Jewes to have their [2] Psal 74.8 Matth. 4.23 9.35 Mark 1.21 39 Luke 4.16 7.5 John 18.20 divers Synagogues for the convenience of their divers Cities Answ 4. Compare Deut. c. 17.14 with c. 12.9 10 11 12 13 14. In 2 Sam. 7. compare v. 3 7 10 with v. 2. and v. 6. with Acts c. 1.13 and c. 2.1 Compare 1 Thes 1.9 [1] When the Temples of dumb Idols are like those Censers Numb 16.37 38 39 40. consecrated unto the living God they are unto us memorials of Thankfulnesse with 1 Cor. 11 17 18 22. compare Esay 66.1 with Hag. 1.4 and although I know assuredly that the glory of the Gospel consisteth not in pomp but in truth not in things carnal but in things spiritual yet compare Hag. 1.4 Prov. 3.9 Luke 8 3. Rom. 15.27 1 Cor. 9.11 John 12.7 2 Cor. 8.9 12. Phil. 4.17 with Psalm 72.10 15. and with 2 Cor. 3.9 10 11. Esay 60.6 and 61.6 and 66.10 11. and Hag. 2.7 8. compare Philem. 19. with 2 Sam. 19.30 Answ 5. In the room of the Levitical Priesthood Jesus Christ [1] Mat. 10.1 Acts 1.8 Ephes 4.11 1 Cor. 12.28 ordained a Ministery in the stead of Circumcision he brought in [2] John 4.2 Mark 16.16 Matth. 3.16 28.19 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism and in the place of the [3] 1 Cor. 5.7 8 11.24 25. Passeover he instituted his Holy Supper Now those being required it were superfluous to enjoyn time and place these are naturally coincident if God was solemnly magnified in the Messiah yet to come the Messiah being already come God must much more be magnified A Testament we still have and that [4] Heb. 9.15 not the old but a new one If God take away the first it is that he may [5] Heb. 10.9 establish the second If old things are passed away [6] 2 Cor. 5.17 new things doth he declare Object That Christ ordained a Ministery Baptism and the Eucharist we read we read not that he appointed Festivals Meeting-places no nor yet the Lords-day A. This new Covenant which the Lord now maketh puts such lawes as these [1] Heb. 8.10 11 into our inward parts Should we [2] Psalm 30 4 give thanks at the remembrance of his Holinesse and not second Jewish rites with Christian Festivals the Sabbath celebrating the Creation with our Lords day celebrating the Redemption their Tabernacle Temple and Synagogues with our Churches set apart for divine worship we should deny our gracious and merciful Lord the tribute of [3] Rom. 12.1 1 Cor. 14.20 37 Heb. 8.11 Esay 35.8 10 our reasonable service Object Unto a publique worship we assent but not unto set-forms Dub. Answ 1. Divine Worship without set-forms will scarcely deserve the name of a publique worship so soon will it [1] 1 Cor. 14.26 Rom. 14.19 Phil. 2.4 crumble into private sects and factions Answ 3. Examine and you will find Vnto that Congregation which joyneth with him in prayer the extemporary prayer of the best gifted Minister upon the whole earth is a [1] Yea what are those Psalmes Hymns and spiritual Songs wherein we should Ephes 5.19 speak unto our selves but professedly set-forms set form Answ 3. Such as condemn set-forms do not consider that unto a heart intent upon spiritual desires it is one and the same thing to shape cloath and word those [1] As for God he Psalm 139.2 4. knoweth our thougets beforehand Matth. 6.8 spiritual desires in the foreknown phrase of a Liturgy and in the new found phrase of an extemporary petition In all his providences the mighty God [2] Acts 15.18 applyeth his eternal Decree unto new workings in like manner devout souls do in the use of Liturgies [3] Rom. 12.11 12 1 Pet. 4.7 Col. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Acts 1.14 Rom. 15.6 apply set and prepared formes unto fresh and new ejaculations Answ 4. That thine heart may not be hasty to utter any thing before the dreadful God be not [1] Eccl. 5.1 2 rash with thy mouth that thou mayest not be rash with thy mouth let thy words be few and since few they must be find out [2] Eccl. 12.10 Rom. 12.1 acceptable words even words of truth and such thou wilt find in the Liturgy of our English Church Take with you words [3] Hos 14.2
he could not be said Exod. 32.8 unto the work of his hands Thou art my God Hâ—s 14.3 impose upon God without the intermediating righteousnesse of Jesus Christ offereth not prayses but affronts not thanksgivings but provocations The water which he bringeth he [15] Job 14.4 poureth forth of an unclean vessel the fruit which he tendereth he tendereth [16] Tit. 1.15 with a left hand with a left hand lame and leprous the prayer which he sacrificeth is no more then the cutting off of a dogs neck and his rejoycings are much like the shoutings of them who [17] Exod. 32.18 compared their glory unto a molten calfe Thus all the honour which God purchaseth from the heart refusing grace is only like unto that drudging work which just Masters [18] Quod faciunt contra voluntatâ—m Dei non impletur nisi voluntaâ— Dei Aug de praed Sanct. l. 1. c. 6. exact from their froward servants or much like those confessions which [19] Josh 7.19 Joshua extorted from accursed Achan like the assistance which wise Commanders squeeze from enemies taken in War else like that medicinal use which able Physitians make [20] As Philip of Macedon who made his enemies the Athenians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch of dangerous poysons In a word without faith it is impossible to please God for whatsoever is not of faith is sin viz. notoriously short of that reasonable service which the pure God may justly expect from every person since every person hath reason enough to thirst after the holy Spirit of Christ Jesus Sirs from those that do or may understand that such a Spirit is to be sought but seek it not all the honour which the Lord procureth is [21] Rom. 2.8 Job 21.30 Jude 15. Prov. 16.4 Rom. 9.22 Just as the Artist turnâ—th the natural violence of sire winds and water unto profitable works of Art as forced as that which through his transcendent power and wisdome he raiseth unto himself out of the hardnesse of Pharaohs heart or which is the same out of Adams disobedience out of sin as sin and out of Devils as Devils Wherefore the Lord perswade you to pant after the holy Spirit that you may with simplicity of mind endeavour to glorifie your God Object To pant after the holy Spirit of the holy God is a work of Regeneration and we are no more able to regenerate our selves then to beget our own substance in our mothers womb Answ To regenerate our selves in our power it is not we are meerly passive in our spiritual as well as in our natural birth It is tho [1] Ut letum Deo detur hâ—minis voluntatem boaaâ— praeparat adjuvandam adjuvat praeparatam Aug. sole work the sole act of the Holy Ghost to create anew The more [2] Ut velimus sine nobis operatur Deus cum autem volumus nobiscum co-operatur S Aug. de grat lib. arbitr cap. 7 observance and the more thanks is due from us unto that Father of Lights who is of his own will so ready to beget us with his word of truth that we should be any of us regenerated by his Spirit Object Though the word preached be spiritual we are [1] Rom. 7 carnal and sold under sin we are natural and [2] 1 Cor. 2 savour not the things of God Answ Naturally (1) Ratâ—o communionum opinionum consilii coelestis incapax hoc solum putat in naturâ rerum esse quod aut intra se intelligit aut praestare possit ex sese Hillar de Trin. lib. 1. we savour not the things that are of God but this we may do a natural man may be strength of reason so much as in him lyeth with humility and earnestnesse endeavour to know and taste of God as God is now manifested in his works and Word He may with (2) Plangendae tenebrae in quibus me mea facultas latet Aug. confess l. 10. cap. 32. the greatest of diligence he can observe and do the Will of God unto him in the holy Scriptures revealed As One most unworthy of so great a Treasure he may in a constant use of holy Ordinances wait for the (3) Luke 24.49 spirit of Promise moving causes for which the Spirit of grace is vouchsafed these are not Antecedent duties in which this Spirit is vouchsafed they are I say upon these waters of knowledge the Spirit delighteth to move Would a lost sinner patiently wait in the use of these appointed meanes should he never receive the Holy Ghost yet still he had done what in him lay he had submitted unto Christs Scepter he had glorified his God to his power he had made the best of a lost condition But the Scripture offereth more grace He that is faithful in a little natural abilities shall be entrusted with (4) Luke 119.17 16 16.10 gifts above nature True (5) See Mantoâ— upon James 2.4 confound nature with grace we may not sinful man may not justle the holy God may not reckon himself a co-adjutor in that wherein God will have the (6) See Bishop Reynolds Joy in the Lord in quarto mihi pag. 24. Videatur etiam Animalis homo habitus à D. D. Edvardo Reynoldo sole glory Mean while as we desire with all possible humility to acknowledge that the holy Spirit of the great God is infinitely a free Agent free as the wind which bloweth where it listeth so we are bound with all possible gratitude to confesse that this free Spirit hath tyed himself up * Deus promitteado se facit debitorem unto the truth of his Promises wherefore we dare not but expect to (7) Esay 64.5 meet God in those wayes wherein his free goodnesse hath appointed us to find him Saith one (8) Mr. Tillian a Dately of Banbury in his New Birth cap. 9. mihi p. 103. God hath appointed certain things to be done by men which they that will not refuse to do may do and the which they that shall do shall be Regenerate For saith (9) ibid. Neverthelesse Paedissequa noa praevia volantas saith St. Aug. Epist 106. he There is a common work of Illumination which so maketh way for Regeneration that it putteth into man a power of doing that which when he shall do the Spirit of God shall mightily work within him provided alwayes that he damp not the present motions of the Word and Spirit of God with procrastinations and delayes It is much-what in Regeneration by the Spirit as it is in generation of the flesh the fruit of Sarahs womb is expresly the gift of God but there was first a generation before a conception As to expect the fruit of the womb without generation so to expect the Regenerating Spirit without the use of meanes were to tempt nay to contradict and to controle the wise God Object The wind bloweth where it listeth Answ Most true it is that the blessed Spirit sanctifieth (1) John
benefits received to set forth the praises of their God and to rejoyce in the open publick and solemn worship of their great and glorious Lord I pity such [2] Hos 7.8 dow-baked such piece-meal Christians alas their own practices witnesse against them that [3] It is our duty to love our soules but it is not our duty to love our soules more then our God they assemble hither more in care of their soules then in love and duty toward their God I say such are lovers of themselves more then lovers of God This Christian she sought to be edified by Sermons had a care of her soul and yet a reverence a love for her God I say She came hither not to (4) Psalm 119. v. 161 please her self but to worship and [5] Psal 30.4 31.23 52.9 84.1.42.1 2. Psalm 146. and 147. and 148. 149. 150.103.1 -5. Ps 104. and Psa 105. and 106. and 107. and 134. and 135. 136. 138. 144. 145. glorifie her God Unlesse we be (1) Esse Christianum grande est not videri non vocari S. Hieron ad Paulin. renewed in the spirit of our mind he who adhereth unto set formes and he who affecteth extemporary effusions is equally exposed unto a gracelesse customary lip-service And whether we be or be not renewed in the spirit of our mind every unpremeditated extemporary phrase of him with whom I join in prayer is unto me a set form Notwithstanding the clear evidence of these palpable truths monstrous it is What Cavils some (2) I account them Novices because either they should correct the CXXXVI Ps else that CXXXVI Psalm should correct them See Matth. 26.44 1 Cor. 14.15 16 Novices would if they could create against our set form of Gods publick worship They would rather (3) Praestat esse aliquam republicam and so Praestat esse aliquam Ecclesiam quà m nullam Ita nati estis ut bota malaque vestra ad rempublicam pertineant Tacit. Annal. lib. 4. Non nobis solum nui sumus Cicero Possessionem Bonitatis tanto latiùs quantò concordiùs individut sociorum possidet Charitas Aug. de Civit. Dei lib. 15. c. 5. * expose our Churches of Christ unto the Jesuited subtility of Separatists Anabaptists and Quakers then (4) Eph. 4.3 Phil. 2.3 4 3.16 Rom. 12.3.18 1 Cor. 1.10 in obedience unto the truths of the Gospel and in (5) 1 Pet. 2.13 Rom. 13.1 5. submission unto the Authority over us endeavour in a (6) Non mutet homo monetam quam impresserunt sapientes viz. Benedictiones Orationes quas ipsi ordinaverunt Aelias Thisbites in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 regular service of our God to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace Beloved this Christian did not so Torms of Confession Prayer and Thanksgiving were exhibited by (1) Exod. 15.1 Moses by (2) 2 Sam. 1.18 David by (3) Hos 14.2 Hosea by (4) See Tirinus Hutcheson c. in Hab. cap. 3 Habakkuk against the threatened time of their captivity and by (5) Isa 1.2.1.4 Esay against their promised return from captivity But how were these exhibited Answ Not as Crutches to patch up lame Devotions as some blasphemovsly suggest no nor yet as burdens unnecessarily imposed but these and the like Ordinances were instituted as (6) Numb 6. compare v. 27. with v. 23. benefits and blessings For in a sanctified person set formes cannot provoke customary flatnesse seeing the soul of such a One (7) Eph 6.18 watcheth unto prayer neither can they cherish carelesse roaving wandering thoughts for (8) Rom 12.12 the heart is fixed much lesse do they limit or quench the Spirit for Gods (9) Rom 8.26 27 Spirit maketh intercession for him with groanings which cannot be uttered You may be sure it is for the edifying of the Church if Christ himself impose a set form upon his (10) Luke 11.2 Disciples and if God himself doth the like by (11) Num. 6.23 Aaron and his sonnes Of all which this Saint had so perfect experience that From the very first beginning unto the full end of our Divine Service She was most commonly She was here present present not only with us but with the (1) Whereas Plus valent exempla quà m praecepta Here is an example worthy your imitation Lord She gave diligence to worship God reverently to worship God as Her God to wit She ever kept her self ever intent upon every instant Duty giving thanks heartily as unto the Lord praying fervently singing chearfully hearing heedfully I speak this as having been a constant eye-witnesse of what I speak Verily I know not that person among you all which is more instant in prayer or more watchful in every kind of Devotion then constantly this Gentlewoman was As she rejoyced in the worship of her God so she delighted to hear the joyful sound She attentively hearkened unto Gods Word as well read as preached Nor did she rest here she sought as well sanctification as knowledge even (1) What was spoken of Origen may be related of her Quemadmodum vixit sic dixit quemadmodum dixit sic vixit sanctification unto obedience She was none of those who are given unto pleasure and dwell carelesly viz. She kept her heart with all diligence endeavouring to adorn her Gospel-profession You might know the abundance of her heart from the sweetnesse of her lips inasmuch as Her most and most familiar converse was principally of the things of God Of this Her sick bed shall be my witnesse an evidence beyond expectation a testimonial worthy to be recorded For at what time her Disease waxed violent at what time the violence of her disease grew [1] Mors pio undecunque bona nec potest malè mori qui bene vixerit S. Aug. de doct Christ cap. 12. into a distemper at what time that distemper scattered her thoughts intercepted her meditations and disheveled her speech even then then I say her words had a reserve a taste a tincture of holinesse I say again Her words still savoured of that holy Spirit wherewith she [2] Christiani sumus beati sumus tam morientes quam viventes S. S. was sealed unto the day of Redemption Watchfulnesse Immortality Perfection Peace Salvation Eternity Faith in Christ Righteousnesse Hope Heavenly glory Joy Loving-kindnesses These these were the treasures which enriched Her minde which silvered her Tongue which elevated the Ayre of her notes and made her voyce Musical I had almost said Seraphical Her dying sentences could not be but her dying words were like the [1] 2 Sam. 23.1 last words of David or like these [2] John 14.1 2 last words of the Son of David good and heavenly Pregnant she was although she wanted strength to bring forth Pregnant she was although Rachel-like she [3] In Child-bearing Mrs. Rutter dyed dyed in Childbearing and truly if Rachels grave [4] Gen. 35.16