of Jordan If lesser afflictions cast thee down low will not greater quite overwhelme thee consider of those things in thy most serious composed thoughts The 4th Use and last is for direction The Question will be askt Use 4. For Direction 1. Direction Come to the mankets what meanes must bee used for the purchase of this pearle In the winding up of all I 'le prescribe a few principall means and forthwith conclude 1. You must come to the markets whilst they last and whilst the shops are open To day is the market and the Ministry of the Gospell shewes forth the most pretious wares Now then come here and buy Mary found Christ in the midst of the Doctors and the blind man lay in the way where Christ came by Jacobs sons must goe to Aegypt to fetch corne The five Virgins are bid to goe to them that sell Matth. 25. 9. The Minister tenders these commodities Sabboths are market daies and the publick assemblies market places sit then at the feet of your teachers come frequently to the meanes of grace This coming is accepted as a kind of price though not meritorious paid to purchase Christ Though grace be free and we cannot bring mony in our hands yet come come come t is thrice ingeminated Isay 55. 1. 2. When you are gone from hence give your selves to reading 2. Direction Give your selâ—es to Reading and Meditation meditation and conference Read and search the Scripture bring all with the Beraeans to the touchstone of the word John Husse was converted by reading the Scripture then there was no open vision But the word preached is like the breast milke most nourishing To reading adde meditation meditate of the worth of this Pearle What you read or heare labour to digest by meditation and to meditation adde conference Mal. 3. 16. so those old Disciples spake often one to anothâ—r c. 3ly Seek the face of God by prayer They that seek have a promise of finding To aske for Christ and his grace is a Petition suteable to the will of God And as king according to God's will wee have a promise of being heard Let us cry after Christ as hid treasures Lord give me this pearle or else I am undone Le ts resolve with Bernard Nunquam 1 Joh. 5. 14. discedam à te Domine sine te Le ts herein be importunate beggars take no nay no repulse resolving never to be driven away from our Fathers doore 4ly Buy the truth Prov 23. 23. Bee at any cost paines or charges for the Purchase of truth and what 's the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 14 6. I am the way the truth and the life Give all diligence to know the truths recorded in the word of God Bee unwilling to part with the smallest truth Take such a delight and love to the truth as thou wilt leave no meanes unattempted for the purchase of it Every truth is gold and the least shaving of gold is pretious One truth is more worth than a world Not an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of truth shall fall to the ground Therefore thou must study the truth read pray meditate conferre and hear to attain unto the knowledge of the truth 5ly Lastly buy this pearle of price in the season and opportunity when it 's tendred Take the benefit of the present time To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven Eccles 3. 1. Let that excellent covnsell make deep impression upon your spirits Is 55. 6. Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found c. And let Jerusalems misery be our warning peece Luk. 19. 42. If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid frâ—m thy eyes Now is the market it yet lasts blessed be God other the opportunity Neglect not these golden seasons now tendr'd to you It 's now day fall a working whilst its day the night cometh when no man can work Joh. 9. 4. You have here a tender of the pearle of price this day you know not whether you shall live to have a second tender The Lord of heaven set home this word upon your consciences and perswade you speedily readily and cheerfully to sell all you have to purchase this Pearle of price the Lord Jesus who is of superlative value more worth then millions of worlds A Suffering Faith Discovered from Philip. 1. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not onely SERM. 5. At St. Maries Oxon. Decemb. 24. 1648. to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake THe Apostle having encouraged the Philippians to contend for the faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vers 27. prepares them for encounters with adversaries vers 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition but to you of salvation and that of God he tells them plainly what they must meet withall in the reason of the Text. The words containe three generalls A Duty An Object An Ability to performe the same 1. For the duty and that is double to believe and to suffer or Thetext divided it 's but one even a suffering faith 2. For the Object it s twice repeated but one and the same on Christ and for Christ Christ is the object of faith and for his sake we must be willing to suffer 3. Here 's the abilitie to performe both duties of believing and suffering To you it is given None can believe in Christ nor suffer for Christ except it be given from above Before I draw forth the Doctrine I will insist a while in the explanation of the words It 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it s gratia gratis data gratia gratum faciâ—ns Faith is no hearb that groweth in our gardens but it s a plant of our heavenly Father's plantation It s an habit infus'd by the spirit the supernaturall worke of God No morall perswasion no principle of nature no volumes of glimmering Philosophers can make discovery of this pearle Nature is as dimme-sighted as a mole in divine mysteries It s beyond the kenne of a naturall man to discerne spirituall things 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned As John gave Testimonie of Christ John 3. 27. That a man can receive nothing except it be given him from above so it may be said of Faith except it be given thee from above thou canst not receive it It followes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hence its evident that every faith is not a suffering faith when the sonne of man comes shall he find faith on the earth A temporary verball dogmaticall or historicall faith are every where to be found like the Sycamores in the valleyes for abundance But a true saving justifying faith that
and when Jacob saw them he said this is Gods host and he called the name of that place Mâ—hanaim †Deut. 33. 2. The Lord came from Sinai and rose up from Seir unto them and shined forth from mount Paran and he came with ten thousands of Saints from his right hand went a fiery law for them ‖ Ps 68. 17. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angells the Lord is among them as in Sinai the holy place * Dan. 7. 10. Thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgment was set and the bookes were opened †Rev. 5. 11. I beheld and heard the voice of many Angells round about the Throne and the beasts and the elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousands and thousand of thousands They have great celerity and agility They moove with all expedition And though they are not repletivè in loco we cannot ascribe an Ubiquity of presence to them because they are created substances yet Philosophers say they moove in a point and in an instant And this assertion is consonant to Scripture otherwise I should not meddle with it For we read in Daniel Whilest I was speaking in prayer even the man Gabriell whom I had seen in a vision at the beginning being caused to flie swiftly touched me about the evening oblation Hence we read of Cherubims in Scripture that they have winges Hereupon Picture-drawers Exod. 37. 9. paint Angells with their winges displaid which discovers both their ignorance and superstition What are Images but teachers of lies And as the book of Homilies observes no more A Booke of Homilies printed in Q Elizabeths time adorne a Church then Brothel-houses a Common-wealth They have winges ascribed unto them for our apprehension and according unto our capacity not that they have really winges but thereby to set forth their swiftnesse celerity and agility to do what God commands them 7. They are of great strength and power We read of the 7. Angells are of great strength Psal 103. 20. 2 Thes 1. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strength of good Angells Blesse the Lord ye his Angells that excell in strength that do his commandments hearkning unto the voice of his Word They are called the powers of Christ To you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angells And bad Angells are of great strength The Devill is the strong man armed compared to a roaring Lion a Dragon a Leviathan And bad Angells are called powers and principalities spirituall wickednâ—sses in high places Eph. 2. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the aire the spirit that now Eph. 6. 12. worketh in the children of disobedience We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places The second question is How many sorts of Angells there are Q. 2. How many sorts of Angells are there V. Salkeld of the Nature of Angells I answer there are good and bad Angells of light and Angells of darknesse For good Angells School-men and others make nine distinct orders of them and they ranke them into 3 Hierarchies 1. Cherubims Seraphims and Thrones 2. Dominations Vertues and Powers In the 3. ranke Principalities Archangells and Angells I dare not follow the School-mens steps too close but shall endeavour above all to keep close to Scripture That there are different degrees of Angells some higher in dignity then others seems probable but that there are those nine distinct orders and that some are sent and not others the Angells of the lower rank and not others are imployed is an ungrounded conjecture besides the rule of Scripture and we may not be wise abouâ— what is written We read of Seraphims and Cherubims to cover the mercy seat Isa 6. 6. Eph. 1. 21. We read of Principalities Rules Powers Dominions Thrones The Apostle ventured not to reckon them all up How dare the Schoolmen so peremptorily determine Augustine giveth his judgment Esse sedes dominationes c. August thus I do saith he firmely believe that there be seats powers and principalities yet I hold with undoubted faith that they differ in sort but how they differ I know not neither do I think that by such ignorance I incurre any danger Questionlesse there 's an Angell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above them all in degree and dignity to whom all the Angells must pay homage and worship and that is the Archangell for we read not of Archangells in Scripture Michaell the Archangell when contending with the Devill he Jude 9. disputed about the body of Moses durst not bring against him a rayling accusation but said The Lord rebuke thee The 1 Thes 4. 16. Lord himselfe shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voyce of an Archangell and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first This is meant of the Lord Jesus Christ All thrones powers dominions must yeild subjection unto him He hath a name above every name He is Soveraign Lord of all Now for the bad Angells We read of the Devill and his Angells and Beelzebub the Prince of the Devills which implyes Order and degree according to a common acceptation though some rather understand it spoken of their power and this is more probable To be over-curiously inquisitive in these things I dare not The well is deep and we have not wherewith to draw I descend to a third question which is more profitable to know Q 3. What are the offices of Angells 1. To behold the face of God Math. 18. 10. Isa 6. 2. And that is what are the offices of the Angells I mean the good Angells for my text only speaks of them They are these 1. To behold the face of God Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that their Angells do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Though sometimes we read they cover their faces Above it stood the Seraphims each one had six winges with twaine he covered his face with twaine he covered his feet and with twaine he did flie They are not able to behold the infinite lustre and splendour of his Majesty but in Scripture account to be as the Angells in heaven sets forth a state of blessednesse In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angells of God heaven Mat. 22. 30. And blessednesse consists in the injoyment of the blessed vision 2. To execute the commands of God Blesse the Lord ye his 2. To execute Gods will Psal 103. 20. Mat. 6. 10. Angells that excell in strength that do his commandments hearkening unto the
voice of his Word Blesse the Lord all ye his hosts the Ministers of his that do his pleasure And we pray thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven 3. To celebrate the praises of God * Isa 6. 3. One cried unto another and 3. To praise God said holy holy holy Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory †Luk. 2. 13 14. And suddenly there was with the Angell a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men ‖ Rev. 4. 8 9. The foure beasts had each of them six winges about him they were full oâ— eyes within they rest not day or night saying holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was is is to come 4. To make it their work to preserve Gods glory And I fell 4. To make it their worke to preserve Gods glory Rev. 19. 10. at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy The Angell would not beare with Gods dishonour and would not permit John to worship him 5. To be servants unto Christ When he bringeth in the first begotten 5. to be Christs servants Heo 1. 6. Psal 97. 7. Luk. 1. 19. into the world he saith let all the Angells of God worship him Confounded be all they that serve graven Images that boast themselves of Idolls worship him all ye Gods They brought the message of Christs incarnation I am Gabriell that stand in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee and to tell thee these glad tidings They ministred unto him * Mat. 4. 11. Then the Devill leaved him and behold Angells came and ministred unto him †Luk. 22. 43. And there appeared an Angell from Heaven unto him and strengthening him Christ is the head of them and they are his servants ye are compleat in him who is Col. 2. 10. the head of all Principality and Power 6. Angells are serviceable unto men not one but all not any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Ministratores quos vulgò solemus officiarias vocare Beza Numb 20. 16 2 King 6. 16. aâ—e exempted They are all ministring spirits in the text And these singular services which they have done and will do for Gods children are upon record They deliver them from dangers When we cried unto the Lord he heard our voice and sent an Angell and hath brought us forth out of Egypt and behold we are in Kadesh a Cittie in the uttermost of thy border Feare not saith the Prophet for they they that be with us are more then they that are with them Who were they but Gods Angells for the Prophets safe-guard 1. The Angell of the Lord incampeth about them that feare him 1. The Angell of the Lord incampeth about the righteous and delivereth them * Dan. 3. 28. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake and said blessed be the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego who hath sent his Angell and delivered his servants that trusted in him aad hath changed the Kings word and yeelded their bodies that they might not serve or worship any God except their own God And Daniel makes this acknowledgment My God hath sent his Angell and hath shut ‖ Psal 91. 11. the Lyons mouth that they have not hurt me for asmuch as before him innocency was found in me and also before thee O King I have done no hurt †Dan. 6. 22. He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all his waies Angels are Protectors Guardians commissionated by God Dan. 10. 13. to protect Gods children The Prince of the Kingdome of Persia withstood me one and twenty daies but lo Michael one of the chiefe Princes came to help me and I remained there with the King of Persia Michael is generally interpreted to be Christ the only Archangell 2. The Angells are of marvellous wisdome to direct counsell 2. Angels are of marveilous wisdome Gen. 24. 7. and advise the children of God The Lord God of heaven which took me from my fathers house and from the Land of my kindred and which spake unto me and sware unto me saying unto thy seed will I give this Land he shall send his Angell before thee and thou shalt take a wife to my son from thence The Lord before whom I walk will send his Angell with thee and prosper thy way and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred and of my Fathers house 3. They comfort Gods children Gen. 32. 2. This is Gods host said 3. Angells comfort Gods children 1 King 19. 5 6 7. Jacob as Elias lay and slept under a juniper tree behold then an Angell touched him and said unto him arise and eate And he looked and behold there was a cake baken on the coales and a cruse of water at his head and he did eat and drinke and laid him down again And the Angell of the Lord came a second time and touched him and said arise and eat because the journey is to great for thee 4. They punish their enemies * Gen. 19. 11 They smote the men that were at 4. Angells punish the saints enemies the dore with blindnesse both small and great so that they wearied themselves to find the dore †2 King 19. 35. And it came to passe that night that the Angell of the Lord went out and smote in the campe of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand and when they arose early in the morning behold they were all dead corpses Herod was made a signall spectacle of pride as is on record ‖ Acts 12. 23 And immediatly an Angell of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory he was Rev. 12. 7. eaten of wormes and gave up the ghost They stand for Christ and his Church against Satan and his Angells And there was war in heaven Michael and his Angells fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angells 5. They resist the wicked and their attemps Balaam found 5. Angells resist wicked men Num. 22. 22. 6. Angels carry the Saints souls into heaven Luk. 16. 22. 7. They gather the elect unto Christ Mat. 24. 31. Mar. 13. 27. Q. 4. Whether every Saint hath a peculiar Angell his keeper Mat. 18. 10. it so And Gods anger was kindled because he went and an Angell of the Lord stood in the way for an Adversary against him 6. They carry the soules of Gods children into heaven And it came to passe that the begger died and was carried by the Angells into Abrahams bosome the rich man also died and was buried c. 7. They gather the elect unto Christ at the last day He shall send
Profession hath advantage of all others By doing he receives good by meditating to instruct others he gains knowledge for himself by holding forth light to others he enlightens himself This life of Meditation is an Heaven upon Earth by it we have communion with God and are admitted into the Prelence Chamber so that such as are well skill'd in this Divine Art can say experimentally as John did And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus 1 John 1. 3. Christ 2. Be mâ—ch in Prayer Bene orasse est bâ—ne studuisse So Bernard Rule 2. To be much in Prayer He studieth best that prayeth best Pray for thy self and pray for thy Brethren pray that God would warm thy heart that thou mayest warm theirs Many run from Commentator to Commentator when as they should be upon their knees I dis-allow no good helps but commend the use of them yet principally thou must study the Scriptures and so Preach a Sermon as thou maist apprehend it to be the fruit of thy Prayers then Minister and people are likeliest to do most good upon one another when they mutually joyn in fervent Prayer one for another 3. Beware of Preaching thy self froth of Wit fragments of Rule 3. Preach not froth of wit Poets affected Phrases forc't interpretations of Scripture I have read that when Bernard one day Preached a learned eloquent Sermon and the next day a plain and profitable Sermon he said Heri Bernardum hâ—die Jesum Christum Yesterday I preacht my self to day Jesus Christ 4. Labor to Preach Jesus Christ Preach that which may most Rule 4. Preach Jesus Christ conduce to the knowledge of Christ crucified which may most advance the Kingdom of Christ Busie thy self in shewing the people the way to Heaven the necessity of the knowledge of Christ the necessity of holyness faith and repentance Christ crucified is that Vnum Necessarium which above all others we must desire to know and instruct others in the knowledge of it 5. Let thy Preaching be from the heart from an experimental knowledge Rule 5. Preach from the heart of the love of God in thine own soul that so thou mayest comfort others with those comforts wherewith thy self hath been comforted in particular A speculative Divine that Preacheth meerly from the strength of parts from a brain knowledge doth little good and why Because as Reverend Latimer used to say dâ—â—st ignis deâ—st ignis There wants fire there wants heat What cometh onely from the head commonly reacheth no farther then the head but what cometh from the heart will go to the heart A Minister should Preach every Sermon to himself first before he preacheth it to his people that so he may comfort others with those comforts wherewith he himself hath been comforted 6. Know thy people well and converse with thy flock There 's Rule 6. A Pastor should know his Flock more work to be done besides Preaching Thou must not be a stranger to any that will bid thee Ged-speed visit them confer with them and see how they profit The rule I go by is Prov. 23. 22. Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flock and lock well to thy hâ—rd Seventhly and lastly and with this I shall conclude Be diligent Rule 7. Be diligent and watchful and watchful still with Habakkuk be upon thy Watch-tower Be not wearied in thy work In due season thou shalt reap if thou faint not shake off all drousiness and spiritual slumber Watch over thine own soul and over those whereof thou art an over-seer It pleased God to reveal the glad tidings of a Saviour unto Shepheards who were watching their flocks by night And whilest thou art watching over thy flock Christ may call thee to eternal Glory And blessed are they whom when Christ comes he findes so doing The Pearl of price Discovered on the Monethly Fast-day upon Matth. 13. 45 46. Again the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant man seeking goodly Pearls who when he had found one Pearl of great price he went and sold all that he had and bought it THis Text is Homogenous with the last SERM. 4. at St Maries OXON June 20. 1648. which I unfolded from this place 'T is a driving of a former nail to the full head I look upon it as a link of the same golden Chain of matchless dignity price and value It may be expected and so were my first thoughts inclined that upon such a day as this peculiarly set apart for the afflicting of the soul I should represent to you the nature and duties of a day of Humiliation But that I am perswaded that this Argument hath been srequently and conscientiously prosecuted in your hearing Wherefore upon second thoughts waving that common place and pursuing my intended method I hope I shall speak a word in season and not digress from the work of the day I discovered then the excellency of wisdom and pronounced him the truly wise man who winned souls out of Prov. 11. 30. Go you and do likewise My task now lies before me to make a serious review and discovery of more of the same genuine Issue and Divine Extraction wholly made up of the right stamp And such a one instar omnium hath a sacred Panegyrick even the singular Testimony of Christ himself in his behalf set forth in the words now read unto you Again the kingdâ—m c. Not to stay long in the Portall I shall briefly draw down the Context Context unto the Text. It s worth our observation that our Saviour Christ in the dispensation of his Ministry propounded many choice and excellent Parables ver 4. This was Christs familiar and accustomed method of Preaching One reason whereof is given for fulfilling of a Prophesie took out R. 1. Ver. 35. of Psal 78. 2. I will open my mouth in a Parable I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us Every Prophesie of Christ must be fulfilled in its season not an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the word of God shall fail Another Reason why Christ spake in Parables was for the obduration R. 2. of the hearts of the wicked God in judgement fast closeth up and hardneth the hearts of many ungodly persons who persist in their impenitency ver 13. And Isaiahs Prophesie is cited by this Evangelist for a pregnant testimony Isa 69. 10. which words you shall finde syllabically repeated in the substantials thereof Mark 4. 12. Luke 8. 10. John 12. 40. Even all the four Evangelists likewise Acts 28. 26. Rom. 11. 8. Such a Crambe of repetitions points out something to be specially regarded as of more then ordinary concernment A third Reason why Christ spake by Parables might be to gain R. 3. an attentive audience Christ speaking Mysteries and Oracles inflam'd the hearts of the Auditors and made them inquisitive after the Interpretation Under hidden
and so thou wilt be better prepared to suffer A great power must be given thee from above over thy corruptions before thou canst grapple with a suffering Violent Storms and Thunder clear the air so strong afflictions clear the heart by them we are as it were by them powred from vessel to vessel Read Jer. 48. 11. Moab hath been at ease from his youth and he hath setled on his lees and hath been emptied from vessel to vessel neither hath he gone into captivity therefore his taste remained in him and his sent is not changed Hereby the ill savour and distemper of our heart comes to be took away Every affliction doth as it were preach to us a Sermon of Mortification An unmortified man and an unsanctified heart will never suffer 4. The last preparative is still to bear in minde the sufferings of Prepar 4. Bear in minde the suffering of the Lord Jesus our Lord Jesus Consider his innocency meekness and humility often keep in minde the dying of Christ an exact pattern for our imitation Let not the Disciple expect to be above the Master The ornament of Christs Livery is persecution But I proceed to another Use which Is for direction I shall onely direct in two particular cases Vse 4. For direction Q. 1. When have we a call for suffering 1. When have we call to suffer 2. When we have a call how must we behave our selves in suffering For the first of these In this case I conceive we have a clear call 1. When we have no warrant for active obedience So the three A. 1. When we have no warrant for our active obedience Children made choice of a hot Furnace rather then they would worship Nebuchadnezzars Image Dan. 3. 21. Then these men were bound in their coats their hosen and their hats and their other garments and were cast into the midst of the fiery furnace So Daniel made choice of the Lyons Den rather then he would obey an ungodly command Dan. 6. 16. Then the King commanded and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lyâ—ns The rule is infallible Acts 5. 29. We must obey God rather then man The Martyrs chose rather to embrace the flames then to worship a breaden God of the Papists devising we must rather suffer the greatest punishments then wound our consciences with the least sin 2 When it comes to this Dilemma that either thou must suffer 2. When either we must suffer or Gods glory must suffer or else Gods glory must suffer then thou must determine to suffer any thing rather then Gods glory should suffer rather then Religion should lie at stake or the Gospel lie a bleeding We must have a tender care of Gods glory we must not be afraid to be good we must not be ashamed of Christ dispossess then this dumb devil that makes thee silent when Gods glory suffers If God have given thee suffering graces as faith love zeal and 3. When God hath given thee suffering Graces patience and a brave heroical spirit assure thy self they are not given in vain to be buryed in a napkin but for duty and employment If God have given thee a Martyrs courage thou must endure a Martyrs tryal When God calls thee he intends thee for a Souldier but it s to fight his battles The second Case is how we must suffer least we spoil a good duty in the miscarriage I will leave with you a few rules Q. 2. How must we suffer A. 1. We must suffer as Saints 1. In suffering be sure that you suffer as Saints and not as evil doers Matth. 5. 10 11 12. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my names sake Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you And saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 2. 19 20. For this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully for what glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God 2. Suffer prudently Matth. 10. 16. Behold I send you forth as 2. Suffer prudently sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves Wisdom and innocency are joyn'd together Wisdom is a necessary ingredient in suffering When men rashly bring evils upon themselves they loose the glory of their sufferings And when men suffer and are boisterous clamoring and reviling and reproaching such and such instruments these do much discredit their suffering 3. Christians must suffer believingly Faith acts though the vision 3. Suffer believingly be dark Faith approximates a promise and amidst Euroclydons storms and tempests can say Nubecula est cito transitura 4. Suffer patiently By patience possess thy soul Heb. 10. 36. 4. Suffer patiently For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise Moral men have had great patienco Do thou discover more patience that art a true Believer say with good old Ely It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good and with David Psalm 39. 9. I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it and with Hezekiah Isa 39. 8. Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken he said moreover for there shall be peace and truth in my days 5. Suffer joyfully 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 5. 3. and James 1. 2. My 5. Suffer joyfully Brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations The Apostle mentions this to their joy Heb. 10. 34. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance So did the Apostles Acts 5. 41. and they departed from the presence of the councel rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name 6. Suffer profitably labor to profit by the rod to get corruption 6. Suffer profitably purged out and grace wrought in Labor to suck sweetness as the Bee doth out of bitter hearbs and to eat honey out of the carcass af a Lyon A wise man will gain by every dispensation of providence The fifth and last Use in one word is for Consolation Many promises Vse 5. For Consolation are made to them and they shall get the performance of them Rom. 8. 17. And if children then heirs heirs of God and joynt heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Matth. 19. 29. And every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father
and pray Isa 26. 16 20. wrestling of tugging hard at the Ore This God looks for and his people have practiced Lord in trouble have they visited thee they poured out a Prayer when thy chastning was upon them Come my people enter thou into thy â—hambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment until the indignation be over-past We are in an afflicted condition and the counsel of the Apostle is Is any among you afflicted let him pray We are sick and wounded The same James 5. 13. Apostle prescribes Confess your faults one unto another and pray one James 5. 16. for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much There 's a dreadful tempest the ship is a sinking we had need be awakened and cry unto God we had need pray Lord save us or else we perish This God expects Thus saith Ezek. 36. 37. the Lord God I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them I will increase them with men like a flock This duty of Prayer hath a commanding vertue The expression is very high Thus Isa 45. 11. saith the Lord the holy One of Israel and his Maker ask me of things to come concerning my sons and concerning the works of my hands command ye me This is Solomons Pharmachum Catholicum even a Medicine for all diseases O pray pray rowl your selves in the dust you deal for a Kingdom you deal for the Church the Gospel and its Ordinances for the lives of millions pray then in good earnest and joyn fasting with waiting Antichrist is a strong Devil this kinde goeth not out but by fasting and prayer 2. Wait and study the Scriptures Affliction saith Luther makes us Means 2. Wait and study the Scriptures understand Scripture we understand now what is meant by confusion and desolation Compare the times of Habakkuk with our times and they come very near they answer one another as face answereth to face Such a dark vision is now as was then Let us study and search whether the Witnesses be slain or no If they be slain then we may expect glorious times if not worse are to be looked for As far as I can apprehend by comparing Scripture with Scripture though it 's difficult to determine by the Witnesses are meant the Magistracy and Ministry Compare Rev. 11. 4. with Zech. 4. 3. and 14. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth So in the Revelations And in Zechary we read And two olive trees by it one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side thereof Then said he these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth I determine nothing in this doubtful case but the great contempt cast upon both Magistracy and Ministry and greater yet is to be feared even throughout all Kingdoms makes it probable that the time of their slaughter draweth nigh We may not be over-curious in fixing particular times lest we incur the same check for our curiosity as they did It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put Acts 1. 7. in his own power 3. Wait upon God in his Ordinances Yet you have them and Means 3. Wait upon God in his Ordinances Isa 30. 20. blessed be God vve yet have a nail left us in the publick Assembly That Prophecy is made good That though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers Yet we have a publick Vision The voice of the Turtle is yet heard in our Land Let 's wait at these Bethesdah's at the Posts of Wisdoms Gate we should mourn for the great contempt that is cast upon Ordinances and because others slight them we our selves should learn to esteem them highly frequent them diligently and pray that God would teach us to profit by them The Word Sacraments Sabbaths Meditations Conference are advantagious Ordinances even the food of our souls Take away meat and drink and you starve the Body Take away Ordinances and you slarve the Soul Wait and treasure up your experiences Review and call to Means 4. Wait and treasure up your experiences minde the mercies of old what God hath done for you in former times Thou hast known a Famine God hath provided for thee then Thou hast been in great straits and dangers and God hath delivered thee at that time Thou hast been at the Graves mouth and a sentence of death seemed to pass against thee God hath restored thee to tell his Praises and to bless his Name Thou hast known Troubles Tumults and Commotions in the Kingdom and God hath quieted and composed them Thus then argue God is the same God he is in Heaven still and doth whatsoever he pleaseth he is as willing as able as merciful as ever He sets bounds to the Seas and stills the raging of the people He is not changed with the change of time Christ is the same yesterday to day and the same for ever Though we are out of order yet his Covenant Heb. 13. 8. 2 Sam. 2â— 5. is ordered Though we are transient yet his Covenant is everlasting Wait in the right season Now is the season perilous and a time Means 5. Wait in the right season of waiting Times of afflictions are waiting times When all seem against thee and thou canst not tell how to conclude from such premises as were unheard of before Now wait and be silent Be silent O all flesh before the Lord for he is raised out of his holy Zech. 2. 13. habitation Be far from murmurings and responsations against God Thou must wait upon God in the way of his Judgements yea in Isa 26. 8. the way of thy Judgements O Lord have we waited for thee The desire of our soul is to thy Name and to the remembrance of thee Sixthly and lastly Joyn reformation with waiting I press not Means 6. Joyn reformatâ—on with watching all this while a lazy idle waiting a folding thy hands in thy bosom but a working waiting Wait and purge thy conscience Trim up thy soul for the entertainment of Jesus Christ God will not come into a Cage of unclean Birds The soul must be purified Mercy follows Reformation at the heels Deliverance followeth Reformation Many days of Humiliation we have had and when one is done we had need have another to bewail the failings of the former So that many harvests are past and many Summers ended and we are not saved But if there was one day of through Reformation the business would be done God would be intreated for the Land We may justly fear that the Commission given to the Sword is not yet called back
as God and Christ are world without end Oh that God would work this consideration and set it home upon your serious thoughts that considering your life daily hastens to an end you might timely and seriously prepare for that life which shall never end The Lord give you grace to make the best use of this moment to beautify your soules to trim up your lampes to walke every day as if it were your last day that so when the Lord summons you by death you may have nothing to do but to die and with comfort and confidence you may breath out your soules into the armes of Jesus Christ Cons 6. There will â—e a day of Judgment 6. Consider there will be a day of judgment for soule and body There 's a day of visitation a day of accompt a generall Assize held for all the world 2 Cor. 5. 10. And Christ's coming is like a theefe in the night There 's a different sentence Matth. 25. viz. Come ye Blessed Go ye cursed A different place heaven and hell no medium no tertium Purgatory is a Popish dream If thou beest not purged here thou shalt never be purged hereafter Body and soule shall be reunited and either be companions in woe or blisse unto all eternity 7. Consider as death leaves thee so judgment will find thee As Cons 7. As Death leaves us so Judgment will find us the tree falls so it lies If thy soule be filthy and guilty and unwasht by the blood of Christ when separated from thy body it will ever so remain in that condition If thou diest unreconciled to Iesus Christ judgment will find thee so and so thou shalt remain even unto all eternity If sanctification be not begun yea and in some measure wrought in this world it will not be wrought in another If here thou hast not the first fruits of the spirit the hansell part of payment thou wilt never reape the whole harvest in another world If thou art not justifi'd by grace nor sanctified by the spirit nor acquitted by the bloud of Christ before thou departest this world death will give a returne unjustif'd unsanctify'd unacquitted and judgment will so find the returne and passe upon thee an irrevocable sentence O then be perswaded so to live as ye may have hope in your deaths and so to die as you would have judgment to find you judgment will neither find you better nor worse then death hath left you 8. Consider the riches of Gods mercy free love and grace abounds exceedingly That thou art yet alive on this side the grave Cons 8. The riches of free grace and mercy hell and judgment and God gives thee this gracious warning God might justly cut thee off in thy wickednesse and send thee to hell speedily But Oh! infinite patience and long suffering Now God expostulates why will ye die oh house of Israel God delights not in your blood see Acts 17. 30. Isai 55. 7. Isai 55. 1. God gives you warning sends his messengers to premonish you to bid you look to your souâ—es It 's the whole drift and scope of Gods messengers to perswade you to have a speciall care of your soules Now you have food for your soules now you have sabbaths the desire of daies and many pretious Gospel opportunities It 's free grace you enjoy them For you have forfeited them all Oh! wonderfull mercy that God doth not take the forfeiture Consid 9. This may be the last warning 9. And lastly Consider this for ought any of us know may be the last warning that God will give any of us You may not live to hear another Sermon you may not live to enjoy another sabbath God may say to you because you loath this spirituall Mannah I 'le take it from you Because you misuse my messengers I 'le take them away from you Because you sâ—eight all the admonitiâ—ns and counsels for the good of your soule I 'le not have these pearles cast any more before you I will suffer my messengers no more to be abused my pearles no more to be trampled unâ—er foot this is the last warning I will give yâ—u my spirit shall no longer strive with you I 'le no longer stand and wait knocking at your dores Brethren we cannot promise to our selves a moment of time we have none of us a lease of our lives VVe are Tenants at will whether many or any shall live to heare any further warnings none of us can determine Let 's therefore be perswaded to look upon these counsels I have given you as for ought you know may be the last warning we may have And Oh! that God would give us grace to take warning VVeigh seriously in your most retired sad thoughts those 9 forementioned considerations and the Lord go along with them The 4th Use shall be for a strict triall and examination whether Use 4. For Examination we take care for our souls yea or no Ask the vilest of people what do ye not take care for your soules They will tell you t' were pitty else they should live But to undeceive the world I le propound some searching queries 1. Dost thou set a higher price of thy soule then all things under Qu. 1. the sun Dost thou foregoe pleasures profits father mother wife children the dearest and nearest relations when they come in competition with or opposition to thy soule Dost thou foregoe thy beloved sins thy constitution sins sins of profit antiquity delight Dost thou take up weapons against thy soules enemies and resolvest never to give over till thou returnest with the trophies of victorie If so it 's apparent that thou lovest thy soule 2ly Dost thou survey the windings diverticles and turnings Qu. 2. of thy soule Dost thou study to know thy soule it's angles and lurking places Dost thou reveiw the breaches in thy soule and endeavourest the reparation of them Dost thou take a twofold Candle the Candle of the word and the Candle of thy conscience and searchest into the meanders recesses and most inward corners of thy soule This is a signe that thou hast a care of thy soule 3ly Dost thou keep strict watch and sentinell over thy soule Qu. 3. Dost thou watch over thy thoughts words and actions As watchmen examine passengers so dost thou examine thy heart call thy selfe to account for vain thoughts misplaced words evill actions and when thou findest them dost thou labour to exterminate them and to execute justice on them Dost thou watch against vagrant lusts not willing to give entertainment to straglers but as thou findest them thou casheerest them if so this is a signe that thou takest care of thy soule 4. Dost thou endeavour to wash and cleanse thy soule A pure Qu. 4. fountain is stil a purging Dost thou purge out thy corruptions Dost thou lament over thy soule for sin water thy couch with thy teares and as sin comes and corruption surprizeth thee art
for Terrour Exhortation Examination Direction and Consolation 1. This Doctrine breathes forth terrour and dreadful Judgement Use 1. For Terrour unto all unholy persons If the righteous shall scarcely be saved where shall all unholy persons appear If onely holy persons are blessed surely then unholy persons are cursed If holy persons shall be admitted into Gods presence and enjoy communion with God and see God the Father reconciled God the Son their Redeemer God the Holy Ghost their Comforter where shall unholy persons appear They shall stand without they are the dogs whipt out of Gods presence they shall see God no otherwise then the Malefactor a Judge condemning of him Then all the Attributes of God shall plead against prophane persons My mercy saith God my patience my loving kindness my goodness have been despised All the Sermons they have heard shall plead against them so many Sermons of Repentance so many Sermons of Reconciliation of Holyness bring in black Bills of Indictment against them All the Messengers of God plead We have spent our breath and strength in vain We have labored all night and caught nothing We have tendred Christ offered to these prophane Wretches terms of peace and reconciliation but they have scorned them all and undervalued the glorious excellencies of the Lord Jesus All the passages of Providence will come in against unholy persons Providence will plead I have cloath'd and fed thee I gave thee the dew of Heaven and fatness of the Earth I sustain'd preserv'd thee but thou hast abused all the Creatures not eating for health but for gluttony not drinking for strength but drunkenness All thy friends will plead against thee such as have been real friends to thy soul as have spent their spirits in Exhortations Counsels Admonitions all these are upon Record and will cry out for vengeance against thee O that God would smite the hearts of all unholy persons and loosen the joynts of their loyns as Belshazzars were and make their knees smite one against another that now in this time of life this short day they might be effectually wrought upon to a holy conversation This Use in an especial manner reproves those that scoff at holyness Use 1 I would there were none such in the Walls of Athens That which is the true Believers honour to be a Saint is cast by some prophane persons into the teeth of Professors as if it were a Character of infamy These are your Saints In the Act and Monuments v Fox Acts Mon in Q. Maries dayes a Martyr reproved a proud Prelate for Swearing He answered prophanely I am no Saint What was he then surely an incarnate Devil If you be no Saints here in the Militant Church you shall never be Saints in the Triumphant Church What shall we say to such as deride holyness and exercise their wits to cast a flam or a jeer upon Religion and make a mock at praying by the Spirit Let them read that dreadful Sentence each word is a thunder-bolt Rom. 8. 9. If any man hath not the spirit of Christ he is none of his whose are they then the Devil 's questionless either Christs or the Devils If none of Christs Sheep then surely of the Devils Goats Of all others a Scoffer is hardest to cure seldom are such brought home if they are it costs them dear If any such be present though I hope better things of you let me tell you when you come to die holyness will be holyness indeed then holy persons will be holy persons Then when conscience is awakened you will wish you were in their stead whom you so much contemned you wil wish your tongues had fallen out of your heads when you spake against holy persons You that make Gods children even real Saints your subject of obloquy What will you say at the day of Judgement when they shall be at the right hand and the Judge shall say Come ye blessed and you shall be on the left hand and the Judge shall say Goe ye cursed when you shall Luke 14. 28. see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Saints in the kingdom of Heaven and you your selves shut out of doors Are any such present are any young wanton wits that will rather loose a friend then a jest rather loose the friendship of a good conscience then the frothy issue of a scurrilous wit To such let me speak with abundance of love to their souls Non est tutum ludere cum sanctis It 's not safe to make a jest of holy persons or holy things If ever Qui ludit in Cathedra lugebit in Gehenna they belong to God they will with Austin make Confessions and Retractations University sins abuse of wit and parts contempt of holyness neglect of seasons of Grace will cry loud and make such a gash in the conscience as may be a long time clawing off 2. This Doctrine reproves Hypocrites These seem better then they are and put on a Vizard of sanctity these are painted Sepulchres rotten at the core gilded rotten Nut-megs and by how much they pretend to Religion they are so much the worse because they satisfie themselves in a bare pretence There shall be a day of Judgement and that will be a day of terror and vengeance unto them Seldom as a Reverend Divine saith an Hypocrite dies undiscovered It pleaseth God to unmask him and discover his Tor shell of Hypocrisie counterfeit profession before he dieth so that usually in this world a â—ypocrite is discovered However in the world to come all shall be laid open his glozing formalities outside glorious shews all his painted dresses shall be made known to men and Angels And what 's the portion of Hypocrites If there be one place in Hell lower then another any torment greater that 's his portion Matth. 14. 15. 3. This Doctrine reproves all secret sinners who by reason of their secret cunning conveyance hope for impunity They little think of the all-seeing eye of God Could a Homer say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Il. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and shall not Christians believe that the God of Heaven knows all things All thy Reservations Equivocations subtile Distinctions and Evasions are obvious and naked to the All-seeing eye of God The Adulterer waits for the twy-light he would fain escape the sight of men but he cannot escape the sight of God Speculative as well as practical defilements are all known to God Thy Curtain Closet-sins thy Imageries in the dark the sins that no man living knows of are made manifest unto God The Trades-mans Sophisticated Wares his false Lights scant Measures all his mysteries of Cousenings in the Trade are apparent unto God the Lyars obstinate standing in a lie cannot escape Gods knowledge all his tricks of wit and collusions to baffle his conscience will not serve his turn at the day of Judgement The Popish distinctions of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will not acquit them at Gods Triâ—â—nal The cheating
for the devil and his Angels there 's their wicked company And just it is that Associates in sin should be Associates in suffering 3 There followeth the execution of these sentences Mat. 25. 46. Joh. 14. 3. 1 Thes 4. 17. Thus you have heard the proceedings of the Judge In the third place we are to consider the rule whereby all shall 3 The Rule of Judging be judged The sentence shall be given according to Law and Gospel both Joh. 5. 45. Joh. 12. 48. Rom. 2. 16. The godly shall be principally acquitted according to the Gospel Joh. 3. 18. And this their acquittance shall be approved on by the Law Mat. 5. 17. Gal. 3. 13. The condemnation of unbeleevers shall be chiefly according to the Law Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. And be confirmed by the Gospel Joh. 3. 19. Absolution shall be pronounced of singular grace for Christs merits And the sentence of condemnation shall be pronounced out of gods severe justice and the sinners own deserts I proceed to a fifth Question What signs and forerunners of this day of judgement are set down in Scripture Ans 1. The publishing and receiving of the Gospel throughout the world Mat. 24. 4. 2 The Apostâ—sy of some Professors 1 Tim. 4. 1. 3 The revealing of Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 3 4 8. 4 Common corruption in manners joyned with security as in the dayes of Noah and Lot Mat. 24. 12 37. 2 Tim. 3. 1. 1 Thes 5. 3. 5 Warres and troubles both in the World and Church Mat. 24. 6 9. 6 False Christs attended with false Prophets and armed with false miracles Mat. 24. 24. 7 The calling of the Jewes unto the faith of the Gospel Rom. 11. 25. Whether their call shall be ordinary or extraordinary we cannot determine 8 Signes in Heaven and Earth and all Elements as the trembling of the Earth the roaring of the Sea the darkening of the Sun and Moon Mat. 24. 20. Lâ—k 21. 25. Yea the firing of the whole frame of Heaven and Earth 2 Pet. 3. 7 10 12. 9 The appearance of the son of man i. e. Christ God-man whereby his comeing shall then be clearly apprehended of all men Mat. 24. 30. I proceed to the 6 Question Why God desers the day of judgement and prolongs the time Ans 1. There are these reasons 1 For the exercise of the faith hope patience and prayers of the children of God They must believe wait and stay Gods leasure Though the vision be dark and seem to stay yet they must wait for it Hab. 2. 3. 2. God defers this day to give space of repentance and leave all impenitent rebellious sinners without excuse Rom. 2. 4. Rom. 9. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 8 9. But for the elects sake he is said to shorten them Mat. 24. 22. That they may neither be broken by grief and sorrow v. 21. nor seduced by Impostures v. 24. 3. That all the elect may be gathered together into the Church Joh. 10. 16. Rev. 6. 10 11. The 7 Question is whether it be within the power of a mans understanding to tell the determinate time when this day shall come I answer No Mar. 13. 32. This day wee read shall be in the end of the world Mat. 24. 3. But of that houre day moneth year no man knoweth Jewish Rabbins Astrologers c. are abominable who are so saucy and presumptuously inquisitive into the secrets locked up in Gods cabinet There are special reasons why the particular time is hid from us and God will not let us know when this day of judgement shall be 1. Reason is for the exercise of our graces Mat. 6. 10. Jam. Reas 1 5. 7. Rev. 22. 17 20. Another reason is to bridle our curiosity Act. 1. 6 7. A 3 reason is to keep us in our duty Mat. 24. 42. Luke 21. 34 35. A 4 reason is that the wicked may take heed and by no means defer their repentance upon hope of a longer time Because they know not the houre thereof they must be provided alwaies Mat. 24. 43. Mat. 25. 13. Luk. 19. 13. The 8 Question is Whether we must desire this day I answer We may 1 Because this is a Character of discrimination to difference good from bad At the day of judgement there will be a separation between good and bad Luk. 21. 26 27 28. Rom. 14. 10 15 16 17. 2 We have the command of Christ Mat. 6. 10. Rev. 22. 17. 3 We have the example of the Saints Rom. 7. 24. Phil. 1. 23. 4 Because this is the day of redemption deliverance of the Saints Luk. 21. 28. In the next place we must answer severall objections amongst Object 1 others these are the principal 1 It 's said that Christ shall not be the Judge because he said he came not to judge the world Joh. 12. 47. For answer We are to distinguish of a twofold coming a first Ans and a second coming Christ speakes there of his first and not his second comeing in the first he was judged of others in the next he shall judge others according to that of Austin Sedebit judex qui stetit sub judice damnabit veros reos qui factus est falsus reus He that stood at the barre to be judged of others shall there sit on the bench and judge others He that was causelesly found guilty here shall finde others justly guilty there But 2. It 's objected that the Apostles shall judge the twelve Object 2 Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. How then is Christ the onely judge of the world Answer The Saints shall be Christs Assistants by way of suffrage Ans and approbation they shall assent unto Christs judgement but the absolute power of judging and pronouncing sentence the father hath committed unto the son A 3 objection is that the beleever shall not come into condemnation Obj. 3 Sol. Joh. 5. 24. how say we then that all shall appear before Christs judgement seat For answer we are to distinguish of a twofold judgement of absolution and condemnation A beleever shall not come into the judgement of condemnation but only of absolution Obj. 4 Sol. 1 But a 4. objection will hence arise He that beleeveth not is judged already Joh. 3. 18. Answer Wicked men and devils are already judged 1 By 2. 3. 4. Gods decree Jude 4. 6. Mat. 25. 41. 2 By the revealed word Joh. 12. 48. 3 By their own consciences Matt. 8. 29. 4 By the beginning of their punishment here on earth Rev. 12. 9 10. But at the day of judgement they shall have a compleat judgement and receive the full measure of their sufferings the sentence shall be pronounced and it shall never be recalled no repeale no reversing of that sentence In stead of urgeing more objections I shall betake my selfe to a threefold application viz. For Comfort to the godly Terror to the wicked Exhortation to all Use 1. For Comfort 1. For Comfort Here 's abundance of consolation to the Saints of